saphalline
08-02-2007, 10:07 PM
I'm back, everyone! It's been an interesting few weeks. A lot of emotion and a lot of thinking. A lot of talking and not talking. A lot of everything, really.
First off, a big thank you goes out to classicsoftware for being the go-to mod on working through this with me. In the end, I made the decision to come back, but classic put some thoughtful spins on all my issues. I guess you were right, classic! I can't save the world from stupidity!! :p
I'd also like to thank Variable for a few words of wisdom: "never argue with zealots". :) Those words are the ones that made the most sense to me over time. One of the facts that I had to face (though I tried to deny it) is that there are anti-M$ fanboys here on the forums... I guess we all have to believe in something...
FTT - I was sorry to see that you've been having rough times lately. That more than anything is helping me to forgive you, though you were hardly the ONLY reason I left. But I would like to address one tiny little issue you brought up in my farewell thread: yes, I do own legitimate copies of Vista. That really hurt. The forums has always been against illegal copyright infringement and I've been there the whole time on the front lines! I've literally refused to help people when it became clear they were doing something illegal, and I've gently informed others when they're trying to do something illegal. I would never steal software or tell someone else to steal software, nor would I ever ask anyone to do something illegal for me. If you must know, I more or less "won" a package deal of some upgrade hardware along with Vista Ultimate 32-bit and 64-bit DVD's (and a code for each, no less!) many many months ago. It was an industry "training" seminar that I caught wind of back in October, and it was a couple days of boring salesmen-oriented fluff (not the actual tech info I was looking for) about several new upcoming technologies. Intel's ViiV was there, as well as a bunch of OEM's such as HP demo'ing the new Vista computers that would be sold in places like Best Buy :rolleyes: in January. I worked very hard for the chance to win that bundle, regurgitating all the sales cr@p they "trained" us on in the form of quizzes and roleplaying and all that. I did have to pay a small sum for the bundle, including shipping and handling, and I didn't even get my copies of final-release Vista Ultimate until early March, but it was a good deal. I won't ever do that again, of course, but all in all it was worth it for such a good deal on the first brand new Windows version in 6 years! So now you know - I really do own legitimate copies of Vista Ultimate 32-bit and 64-bit on DVD. I hope we can put this behind us and work to become friends again.
I ranted long and hard to the mods via email about my leaving. Most of it had to do with misinformation and what I felt were unreasonable complaints about Vista and other technologies. Mostly it was Vista. ;) But forum posts have a max char count, and so I can't rant long and hard here. Besides, this is hardly the section for it. I will say, however, that I look forward to "debating" the issue with any and all of you, for as long as it takes. :cool: I would, of course, do the same for any computer-oriented subject (and in fact I have done that on many occasions) but it just so happens that Windows remains the favorite whipping-boy of the OS world. I don't really feel I have to defend Linux at any time. ;) I'm sure you all understand.
In the mean time, I've got my work cut out for me tonight!! I've been monitoring the forums lately and am most disappointed. I'm sure you've all noticed increased activity from my good friend, Orion? :p I think it's time to give him a break now, don't you think? Hehe.
First off, a big thank you goes out to classicsoftware for being the go-to mod on working through this with me. In the end, I made the decision to come back, but classic put some thoughtful spins on all my issues. I guess you were right, classic! I can't save the world from stupidity!! :p
I'd also like to thank Variable for a few words of wisdom: "never argue with zealots". :) Those words are the ones that made the most sense to me over time. One of the facts that I had to face (though I tried to deny it) is that there are anti-M$ fanboys here on the forums... I guess we all have to believe in something...
FTT - I was sorry to see that you've been having rough times lately. That more than anything is helping me to forgive you, though you were hardly the ONLY reason I left. But I would like to address one tiny little issue you brought up in my farewell thread: yes, I do own legitimate copies of Vista. That really hurt. The forums has always been against illegal copyright infringement and I've been there the whole time on the front lines! I've literally refused to help people when it became clear they were doing something illegal, and I've gently informed others when they're trying to do something illegal. I would never steal software or tell someone else to steal software, nor would I ever ask anyone to do something illegal for me. If you must know, I more or less "won" a package deal of some upgrade hardware along with Vista Ultimate 32-bit and 64-bit DVD's (and a code for each, no less!) many many months ago. It was an industry "training" seminar that I caught wind of back in October, and it was a couple days of boring salesmen-oriented fluff (not the actual tech info I was looking for) about several new upcoming technologies. Intel's ViiV was there, as well as a bunch of OEM's such as HP demo'ing the new Vista computers that would be sold in places like Best Buy :rolleyes: in January. I worked very hard for the chance to win that bundle, regurgitating all the sales cr@p they "trained" us on in the form of quizzes and roleplaying and all that. I did have to pay a small sum for the bundle, including shipping and handling, and I didn't even get my copies of final-release Vista Ultimate until early March, but it was a good deal. I won't ever do that again, of course, but all in all it was worth it for such a good deal on the first brand new Windows version in 6 years! So now you know - I really do own legitimate copies of Vista Ultimate 32-bit and 64-bit on DVD. I hope we can put this behind us and work to become friends again.
I ranted long and hard to the mods via email about my leaving. Most of it had to do with misinformation and what I felt were unreasonable complaints about Vista and other technologies. Mostly it was Vista. ;) But forum posts have a max char count, and so I can't rant long and hard here. Besides, this is hardly the section for it. I will say, however, that I look forward to "debating" the issue with any and all of you, for as long as it takes. :cool: I would, of course, do the same for any computer-oriented subject (and in fact I have done that on many occasions) but it just so happens that Windows remains the favorite whipping-boy of the OS world. I don't really feel I have to defend Linux at any time. ;) I'm sure you all understand.
In the mean time, I've got my work cut out for me tonight!! I've been monitoring the forums lately and am most disappointed. I'm sure you've all noticed increased activity from my good friend, Orion? :p I think it's time to give him a break now, don't you think? Hehe.