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Even though its not far off, I gotta say, Windows 8 is going to suck... and my theory of Windows versions (Every second release is good/acceptable) looks like it will still apply after launch.

We'll start with windows 95 (leaving out old technology, windows 3.1 and earlier)

95 - SUCKED - Was awesome at the time, as a strong progression in GUI (including NT with all of its levels of suck) but ultimately sucked the life out of us all

2000 - AWESOME - Originally meant as a server OS to replace NT (aka 95 server) was a huge improvement and ported nicely to the average home user with a clean interface and minimalist approach to CPU/Memory usage

ME - SUCKED - Jumping on the "Millenium" bandwagon, Microsoft slapped together one of the most notorious wastes of space ever to grace your computer. Everything was bad with this release, the list is endless.

XP - AWESOME - Taking the speed and stability (well, as much stability as can be achieved with a windows system) from 2000, and select few improvements from ME, XP was released and is just now finally being phased out by the masses, official support from Microsoft being killed a few years ago, lasting a decade, save for the few old dogs not wanting to learn new tricks.

Vista - SUCKED - The "Butterface" of operating systems. Tight sexy body (revamped GUI, faster accessibility), but one look at that face (functionality, constant nagging, incompatibilities, spending more time troubleshooting than being productive... you get my drift) and you are either compelled to /wrists or projectile purge all orifices until drowning in your own filth.

7 - AWESOME - Microsoft yet again takes the best features of the last two and creates a beautiful meld. Vista's GUI with some much needed tweaks, mixed with XP's stability and reliability... and then took it to the next level. Windows 7 is by far the easiest windows operating system to co-exist with so far. So easy, that it is the first windows system that can be truly installed from scratch by the average person. More often than not, all drivers are automatically located/installed during installation.

So my theory is pretty straight forward. Sucks, awesome, sucks, awesome, rinse, repeat. This would mean that Windows 8 will be a complete pile of shit. Windows 7 launched in October 2009, Windows 8 rumored launch date of October 2012, exactly 3 years later. If these release dates tightening is a trend, we should see Windows 9 sometime around October 2014 or 2015, and if I'm right, it will be the most amazing, functional and easy to use version of windows in the last 30 years... I just hope they get out of the dumbed down tablet layout windows 8 currently sports, for windows 9. (unless ofcourse PC's magically become extinct by then and we all use just tablets!)

I cant wait!
JLM

If you own a Nintendo 3DS, do NOT break it! My daughter dropped our 3DS in water by accident and now it does not turn on. There is no way (for consumers, I'm sure they could do this if they wanted to the least bit helpful) to transfer your e-shop account or any of your e-shop purchases to a second 3DS if the main unit does not turn on (like ours). The only way (according the rep I spoke with) is to have the unit repaired at a Nintendo repair center, at the cost of the consumer (me/you). And even then there is no garantee that the account/data will be on the unit when it returns to you. Although I must commend them for the repair pricing, after taxes it was only $57.00 with free shipping. But that is not the point, our accounts for e-shop should be log-in based, where if we call them they SHOULD replace the old account SN with the new units SN so that we can continue using our existing e-shop account.

If your 3DS does not turn on, your only options are:
- Re-buy all your purchases (if you had a Nintendo Ambassador ticket and get all the free software, your screwed)
- Send the broken 3DS to have it repaired (And maybe, JUST MAYBE, get it back with your data on it for transfering from unit to unit)
- Cut your losses and buy a new 3DS, starting a new e-shop account and re-building your buddy list

Although they had acceptable repair costs and free shipping, Nintendo can still go fuck themselves (until, if ever, they make this right).

Needless to say, when I get the repaired 3DS back, it will be for sale, and Nintendo has lost a long term loyal customer.

JLM


Update:
Repair was only 4 day turn around, they swapped it for a new 3DS, retaining my e-shop account! Very happy! Still though, this is all not necessary if they incorporate a log-in system for the e-shop instead of it being locked to a piece of hardware.

Internet connection required!
Boot linux live ubuntu (I used 10.10)
Load terminal
sudo fdisk -l (make note of your windows drive, usually /dev/sda)
sudo apt-get install lilo
sudo lilo -M /dev/sda mbr
reboot.
If windows doesnt boot, you should at least be rid of grub at this point (for example, instead of grub boot errors, you should be getting MS boot errors, such as MBR missing, etc, this is progress, continue below if this is the case.)
Windows XP:
boot from any xp disc
load repair console
run fixmbr
Windows Vista/7:
boot from 32 or 64 (depending on your installation) bit Microsoft Recovery Disc (Free iso's to download, links to follow)
select your windows installation
select first option (start up / boot repairs)
reboot after automated repairs

These are only repair discs, not full installation discs!
Windows 7 32Bit - Download
Windows 7 64Bit - Download
Win Vista 32Bit - Download
Win Vista 32Bit - Download

If this doesnt do the trick for you, you may have additional issues such as partition issues, MFT issues, even hardware issues.

Good luck!
JLM

Constant boot loop blue-screen that mentions "%hs is missing."? Have AVG installed? (you cheap ass!)

1 - If possible, boot in safe mode
1a - If safe mode not possible, boot with a live disc (Linux/Windows repair/etc)
2 - Locate & rename Program Files/AVG folder to anything but.
3 - Boot to windows fine
4 - Quit being a cheap ass and go buy a real anti-virus.

You can thank AVG for your woes this time.

JLM

.... nuf said, watch bewbz and be thankful.