Please MS just go to hell...

[nuclearcat]

IMO:
Microsoft realize their shrinking market share is inevitable, and it's time to shear the sheep.
As proof - their new windows 11 requirements quite restrictive, first time in history and they are visibly not afraid to lose major part of flock. And key features they require - useful only for restricting user environment like in iOS.
Because there is no more need for subsidizing windows to users because of fear losing MS office subscribers. Office apps now available in cloud, from any OS.
So now they can make walled garden, have % from all apps sales (by forcefully integrating other stores as Steam, and taking % from them), similar to Apple and Google. Forcing app vendors to give them 15-30% is too tempting. Ofcource they will force that after while, "for sake of security" or "to protect the children".
If you have a long term strategy, try to consider something like Ubuntu Linux.

P.S. I predicted this for Fusion 360 and Eagle CAD, and it came true. Previously, partially free (for personal use) products became available only by subscription, and it is quite expensive.
The strategy is extremely simple - to make a free product, very attractive, so that it becomes the de facto standard in the industry and is mentioned everywhere, and community creates a bunch of free training and advertising materials, and then slam the mousetrap door.
Companies do not care that only a small percentage will remain using their product, profit is profit.

[Raj]

The strategy is extremely simple - to make a free product, very attractive, so that it becomes the de facto standard in the industry

Reminds me of Fritzing. Not a standard or good program by any standard (lots of bugs specially when part count is high)
But ones you use it, it's extremely hard to even try any other cad software.
It was free, and now, you have to pay to get it, (unless you compile it)

[nuclearcat]

The strategy is extremely simple - to make a free product, very attractive, so that it becomes the de facto standard in the industry

Reminds me of Fritzing. Not a standard or good program by any standard (lots of bugs specially when part count is high)
But ones you use it, it's extremely hard to even try any other cad software.
It was free, and now, you have to pay to get it, (unless you compile it)

I think compiling is still OK, as soon as they dont make artificial obstacles to make it difficult.
They are still very far from Autodesk, which will simply make your "cloud" projects inaccessible and useless, since you did not pay for a subscription.

[Raj]

They are still very far from Autodesk, which will simply make your "cloud" projects inaccessible and useless, since you did not pay for a subscription.

They lock your projects up on the cloud? That's criminal, almost like holding a part of your computer for a ransom. I can understand if Netflix doesn't let you see the remaining episodes of a series that you've been though half way. But for autodesk, that's your creation.
Atleast the should give a free, one time 'get your data back'  button

[nuclearcat]

They are still very far from Autodesk, which will simply make your "cloud" projects inaccessible and useless, since you did not pay for a subscription.

They lock your projects up on the cloud? That's criminal, almost like holding a part of your computer for a ransom. I can understand if Netflix doesn't let you see the remaining episodes of a series that you've been though half way. But for autodesk, that's your creation.
Atleast the should give a free, one time 'get your data back'  button

According to Autodesk, to be max correct, it is possible to download them, but it is non-trivial and they are almost worthless:
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-360-support/expired-subscription/m-p/7379099#M10016

You should still have access to the designs through Fusion and myhub.autodesk360.com for some time to gather and backup your data, but you won't be able to make modifications to designs or create new designs. See the Terms of Service for more information on how your data is handled by Autodesk. There are some tricks we can use to bulk download the designs, however there is no easy way to download them all at once and keep your project hierarchy intact.

I think once @eevblog covered similar issue about Eagle, that you might pack project for customer, and it will work with specific CAD version, if he wants fixes, but with all this SaaS garbage it is becoming impossible.
And even if you renew subscription try to open them after 1-2 years, it will be different version of software and you might face compatibility issues.

Also, on my experience with subscription models, we had several times experience, some person bought appliance for let's say $100k, with yearly licensing fees $30k, and didnt used it. Then he tried to sell it after 5 years, but vendor refused to renew subscription without paying all years that was skipped. One of such appliances - Bluecoat cacheflow.
So with all depreciation this equipment barely worth $10k, and vendor wants $150k to make it work.

So nothing stops Autodesk in future to do the same. "You want to open and edit one thing 5 years old project? Pay 5 years skipped subscriptions".

[Mechatrommer]

If you have a long term strategy, try to consider something like Ubuntu Linux.

we waited long enough... since the beginning actually.. we came and tried and hoped for several times...

P.S. I predicted this for Fusion 360 and Eagle CAD, and it came true.

thats why we stayed away from anything cloud based nonsense, esp if you have to store our IP/sensitive/very high priority/hard work files in it. although there are some people who swear by it, even in this forum... through sentiment i guess, but what i know is... programmers dictate reality, in this simulated dream worlds. the topping is the marketing people giving out promises and soothing words. ymmv.

[madires]

Unfortunately we'll have to cope with MS for a long time because there's so much software written for Windows that it's not possible to switch easily, especially for businesses and public authorities. It will require a lot of effort to break free from that vendor lock-in. Some authorities and municipalities over here started talking about a github for the public sector. They pay a lot for licenses and enforced upgrades. It would be much smarter to hire software developers writing/maintaining the programs and tools they need while sharing the software.

[Raj]

Meanwhile, the trends are as if, they are are going towards a negative direction...DVDs and BluRay backups are a thing of the past, Despite being cheaper than any flash or hard drive based backup. Way more reliable than cloud (might not be as cheap).
I wonder why tape storage is super expensive and non-existent for consumers.

Software moved from buy the source code/ free to buy ones, to subscription.

Companies just arbitrarily force random rules, written in sand, based on politics and plain old stupidity and marketing.

I guess, good will isn't valuable anymore can companies can and are able to survive bad reputation easily.

[bd139]

DVDs and BluRays are definitely not more reliable than other mediums. In fact they are particularly bad backup mediums. They are fragile, error prone and have poor shelf life before writing and after writing!

Cloud backups are durable and reliable as long as you understand what you're doing. Pushing your stuff to AWS S3 in two geographical regions is 10,000x more reliable than DLTs stored in a nuclear bunker.

[madires]

Meanwhile, the trends are as if, they are are going towards a negative direction...DVDs and BluRay backups are a thing of the past, Despite being cheaper than any flash or hard drive based backup.

A 1 TB HDD is about €35 to 40 at the moment, i.e. 4 cents per GB. A pack of ten DVD+RW 4.7 is about €8, i.e. 17 cents per GB. The HDD is also faster and you don't have to deal with a large pile of DVDs.

I wonder why tape storage is super expensive and non-existent for consumers.

The drives are expensive and slower than HDDs, but the tapes are cheaper than other media in terms of cost/GB. It's meant for PB of data. For a typical consumer a USB HDD is the most economical and convenient solution.

[nuclearcat]

DVDs and BluRays are definitely not more reliable than other mediums. In fact they are particularly bad backup mediums. They are fragile, error prone and have poor shelf life before writing and after writing!

Cloud backups are durable and reliable as long as you understand what you're doing. Pushing your stuff to AWS S3 in two geographical regions is 10,000x more reliable than DLTs stored in a nuclear bunker.

M-DISC. More expensive for large amounts of data than tape, but cheaper for relatively small personal backups (because tape drive is expensive and tapes more sensitive to storage conditions).

You end up in hospital for a few month, miss payment, and your data is gone.
Cloud provider dont like you? They write "you violated our ToS" - and your data is gone.
Some developer pushed buggy release to "cloud" prod? Your data most likely gone.
And many other situations.
These are rare but possible events, and worst of all - you have no control on them. With your own storage backup, you have more control over your data, although this may require skills.
Because "cloud is just someone else's computer"

P.S. For long-storage Amazon have "Glacier", and Google have something too. Hybrid backup strategy is good too.

[bd139]

DVDs and BluRays are definitely not more reliable than other mediums. In fact they are particularly bad backup mediums. They are fragile, error prone and have poor shelf life before writing and after writing!

Cloud backups are durable and reliable as long as you understand what you're doing. Pushing your stuff to AWS S3 in two geographical regions is 10,000x more reliable than DLTs stored in a nuclear bunker.

M-DISC. More expensive for large amounts of data than tape, but cheaper for relatively small personal backups (because tape drive is expensive and tapes more sensitive to storage conditions).

You end up in hospital for a few month, miss payment, and your data is gone.
Cloud provider dont like you? They write "you violated our ToS" - and your data is gone.
Some developer pushed buggy release to "cloud" prod? Your data most likely gone.
And many other situations.
These are rare but possible events, and worst of all - you have no control on them. With your own storage backup, you have more control over your data, although this may require skills.
Because "cloud is just someone else's computer"

P.S. For long-storage Amazon have "Glacier", and Google have something too. Hybrid backup strategy is good too.

As for M-DISC, no thanks. That's the wrong end of the solution. You still have the same aggregate risk for personal backups.

Oh completely agree with the cloud stuff. If you backup just to the cloud you're a moron. If you have no completely offline backups you're a moron too. I work for a company that hasn't worked that out yet.

My personal backup strategy is better than most enterprises:

1. Stuff is synced real time with iCloud.
2. I have an offline backup which is kept in my house unencrypted in a fire safe which is updated weekly. This is a Samsung 870 Pro 1TiB SSD.
3. I have two offline backups which are alternated and kept in my car which are encrypted and updated quarterly. These are Samsung 870 Evo 1TiB SSDs.

My immediate loss window is zero. I just order a new computer, sign in, wait and job done. If any of those cloud concerns shoot me down, I have 1 week which I can live with. Total backup compromise end to end is ~6 months which I can also live with. If my kit is stolen, I'm fine. If my house burns down, I am fine. If I drop dead, my family have access to the offline backup and the passwords for the offline encrypted backups is in my will.

[james_s]

Reminds me of Fritzing. Not a standard or good program by any standard (lots of bugs specially when part count is high)
But ones you use it, it's extremely hard to even try any other cad software.
It was free, and now, you have to pay to get it, (unless you compile it)

I absolutely loathe Fritzing, it cannot die soon enough. It drives me crazy trying to decipher "schematics" that are a render of a solderless breadboard with a rat's nest of jumper wires. It is the sort of thing that might be appropriate for young children building their first couple electronics projects but that is is, beyond that point it becomes a crutch that enables people to avoid ever learning to read schematics and starts just holding them back.

[bd139]

Yeah that thing is absolute cancer. I saw Curious Marc (of YouTube fame) using it last week and I sort of lost some respect for the guy.

[nuclearcat]

DVDs and BluRays are definitely not more reliable than other mediums. In fact they are particularly bad backup mediums. They are fragile, error prone and have poor shelf life before writing and after writing!

Cloud backups are durable and reliable as long as you understand what you're doing. Pushing your stuff to AWS S3 in two geographical regions is 10,000x more reliable than DLTs stored in a nuclear bunker.

M-DISC. More expensive for large amounts of data than tape, but cheaper for relatively small personal backups (because tape drive is expensive and tapes more sensitive to storage conditions).

You end up in hospital for a few month, miss payment, and your data is gone.
Cloud provider dont like you? They write "you violated our ToS" - and your data is gone.
Some developer pushed buggy release to "cloud" prod? Your data most likely gone.
And many other situations.
These are rare but possible events, and worst of all - you have no control on them. With your own storage backup, you have more control over your data, although this may require skills.
Because "cloud is just someone else's computer"

P.S. For long-storage Amazon have "Glacier", and Google have something too. Hybrid backup strategy is good too.

As for M-DISC, no thanks. That's the wrong end of the solution. You still have the same aggregate risk for personal backups.

Oh completely agree with the cloud stuff. If you backup just to the cloud you're a moron. If you have no completely offline backups you're a moron too. I work for a company that hasn't worked that out yet.

My personal backup strategy is better than most enterprises:

1. Stuff is synced real time with iCloud.
2. I have an offline backup which is kept in my house unencrypted in a fire safe which is updated weekly. This is a Samsung 870 Pro 1TiB SSD.
3. I have two offline backups which are alternated and kept in my car which are encrypted and updated quarterly. These are Samsung 870 Evo 1TiB SSDs.

My immediate loss window is zero. I just order a new computer, sign in, wait and job done. If any of those cloud concerns shoot me down, I have 1 week which I can live with. Total backup compromise end to end is ~6 months which I can also live with. If my kit is stolen, I'm fine. If my house burns down, I am fine. If I drop dead, my family have access to the offline backup and the passwords for the offline encrypted backups is in my will.

SSD drives are very tricky as long term storage and have lot of corner cases.
https://www.anandtech.com/show/9248/the-truth-about-ssd-data-retention
For example: "As the table shows, the data retention is proportional to active temperature and inversely proportional to power off temperature, meaning that a higher power off temperature will result in decreased retention. In a worst case scenario where the active temperature is only 25-30°C and power off is 55°C, the data retention can be as short as one week, which is what many sites have touted with their "data loss in matter of days" claims. Yes, it can technically happen, but not in typical client environment."
You might end up with corrupted data, if you keep them in car and write in room under A/C, also often drives need to be powered for some time to do some necessary background housekeeping.

[bd139]

Might want to read further into that. That’s for drives which have passed their endurance rating.

These are new drives. Realistic retention is 10 years. Drives are cycled out after 3.

[PartialDischarge]

Microsoft lol

https://twitter.com/BenKrasnow/status/1411531491306205190

[bd139]

HEIF is patent encumbered. When you buy an Apple device the license is included in the price. When you buy windows (oh no wait you didn’t) it’s not.

This is incidentally fucking annoying.

[PartialDischarge]

Not sure about that, people in the thread comment that anyway it does not work properly, and it is better just to download VLC

[daqq]

It seems Microsoft will continue it's tradition of "every second Windows is a pile of turds".

Windows XP - usable
Windows Vista - explosive diarrhoea
Windows 7 - usable
Windows 8 - explosive diarrhoea but somehow worse
Windows 10 - usable
Windows 11 - so far it seems like explosive diarrhoea but somehow worse and with ants or something.

At a quick glance look at the UI they implemented not only their own bad ideas but also stole bad ideas from just about everyone else. Great.

[james_s]

That "every second Windows" thing doesn't really hold up under closer scrutiny. Vista is not a bad OS, it just got a bad rap because the average PC was not powerful enough to run it properly at the time it was released. Within a few years things had progressed and PCs with >1GB of RAM were common, and the driver situation had improved to the point that Vista was solid and worked really well, I know people who are still using Vista and it's reliable and performs fine. Windows 2000 that came out prior to XP was very good, XP was a bit of a turd when first released but became very good after a few patches. Win8 had a solid framework but a terrible UI, Win10 improved the UI while trashing the framework with the stupid forced updates. 

[coppice]

hi..
you cant even get the latest update with a i7-4770 you are stuck with ver 1909 witch ends support in 2022 :-(

Where did you find that? We have Windows 10 machines here with older CPUs which are fully updated.

[rsjsouza]

That "every second Windows" thing doesn't really hold up under closer scrutiny. Vista is not a bad OS, it just got a bad rap because the average PC was not powerful enough to run it properly at the time it was released.

Don't forget the UAC was the worst thing that had happened back then... But it was only due to the fact all application software treated the system critical areas as their own backyard and tried to crap all over - it seems the software houses tested only  with users with Administrative privileges. By the time 7 came along, much of that initial stupidity was properly handled.

I still have Vista in a few machines and it is quite alright.

Windows 2000 that came out prior to XP was very good, XP was a bit of a turd when first released but became very good after a few patches. Win8 had a solid framework but a terrible UI, Win10 improved the UI while trashing the framework with the stupid forced updates.

The way I remember is that people liked Windows 3.11 but had to put up with its bad cooperative multitasking (where only a handful of applications really cooperated).  Then 95 was crap-ish at first, especially since MS wanted to advertise it as fully supporting the advanced games of the time, (it took a while until they had DOS4/GW running well, and SCUUM only worked good on 98). 95 OSR2 was alright due to FAT32, but only 98 was the one that fixed quite a few things. Me was really bad. 2000 was good albeit much heavier and slow to boot and XP came about with faster boot but lots of crap decisions that were fixed along the way. Common to alltse versions? An absolute crap printer spooler, really fixed on Vista.

[bd139]

Not sure about that, people in the thread comment that anyway it does not work properly, and it is better just to download VLC

It does work properly. I paid for it. It’s needed for more than videos. If you want to display and process HEIC images from iOS / Mac then you need it too.

[OZ1LQB]

hi coppice..
i did not find it anywhere,it was just my computer that did not want to update
the cure was at new install of win 10