Why I Won’t Sign Up for Premium
Another day, another negative Premium post from Paul. It’s getting harder and harder to take this site seriously as Paul just seems to come up with some negative spin on everything MSFT. There’s really no need to read the article, you know the conclusion. Windows Phone is dead and those who appreciate its strengths are self delusional. Surface products are overpriced, buggy, and have features that apply only to a tiny sliver of people. UWP is an awful failure, Windows 10 is great or terrible (depending on what Paul’s mood is apparently), etc., etc., etc.
Paul’s incessant need to be right, be able to say “I told you so,” and find the negative in everything has become tiresome to me. Snark for snark’s sake is lazy and adds nothing to the conversation. This site is slowly becoming the Perez Hilton of the tech world (to be fair, Apple and Google also get their fair share of ridicule here). It’s a shame Paul is looked to as one of the main sources in the tech world for all things Microsoft.
I don’t expect pollyana fanboyism. Fair criticism is fair criticism. The way criticism is presented here is so smug and the way opinion is presented as cold hard fact is the flip side of the fanboy coin. I stopped listening to Windows Weekly months ago as it has basically become a broken record. I won’t sign up for Premium here and find myself coming here less and less. For as much as Paul calls out other sites for their clickbait headlines, he’s equally as guilty (if not moreso).
Yes, Daniel Rubino can be a bit too rah-rah, but there are other bloggers and other content on WindowsCentral that has merit. Winbeta and Neowin are other decent sources. Despite Paul’s negativity, it seems that Microsoft is slowly changing the way the larger tech world sees them. Despite Paul’s opinion, I’m not embarrassed to own and enjoy my Surface Book or my Windows Phone. It would be really great if another voice in the blogosphere emerged that presents a more balanced, constructive, and informative voice for those of us who follow Microsoft.
Conversation 79 comments
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5767
Log in to Reply<p>It’s precisely because Paul provides daily reality checks and isn’t a fanboy that I subscribed to premium. If I want pure fanboyism I can go over to WindowsCentral. </p>
<p>Facts are facts.</p>
<ul>
<li>UWP adoption is awful.</li>
<li>Windows Store is hot garbage.</li>
<li>Windows 10 still struggles with High DPI displays</li>
<li>Surface Pen still can’t draw straight diagonal lines</li>
<li>Windows 10 AU is a disaster for a lot of people</li>
<li>Many people are pissed off with forced Windows updates</li>
<li>Mobile is dead(for now)</li>
<li>HoloLens demos are fraudulent because MS keeps showing a much wider FOV than actual</li>
<li>Surface Studio is overpriced for the guts in the base</li>
<li>MS still hasn’t solved Surface Pro 3 battery-gate</li>
</ul>
<p>and a 100 other things.</p>
<p><br />But Paul did praise the Surface Dial the other day, it’s a really cool idea.</p> -
5611
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23629">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/MutualCore">MutualCore</a><a href="#23629">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>UWP adoption is not awful. In fact, on HoleLens and Xbox, it’s the only way to publish your apps. It’s continually growing on the Windows Store, which is far from being hot garbage because it has many awesome apps in there.</p>
<p>Windows 10 doesn’t struggle with high DPI display – that’s an issue with some desktop applications. But UWP apps have no problems with high DPI displays.</p>
<p>Surface Pen does draw straight diagonal lines – I just tried it myself.</p>
<p>Windows 10 is a disaster for a tiny minority – a small number of people. I believe that is fixed now anyway.</p>
<p>Many people are indeed pissed off with forced updates – that’s why they changed how it works.</p>
<p>Mobile is not dead - a better word would be "dormant".</p>
<p>HoloLens demos are not fraudulent – many demos show the exact FOV.</p>
<p>Surface Studio is not priced based on the guts in the base because it’s priced based on the capabilities of the device (including touch and Dial support), and the overall experience.</p> -
1377
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p><em><a href="#23638">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/WP7Mango">WP7Mango</a><a href="#23638">:</a></em></p>
<p>Maybe picky, maybe not: do Xboxes still have internal optical drives? Are those mere evolutionary holdovers like our vestigial tails? Or can they still be used to install games? Are Xboxes as crippled as Chromebooks without Internet connections?</p>
<p>Snarky: Windows 10 may be fixed at the moment, but just wait for the next monthly update.</p>
<p>Finally, the most appropriate work for mobile remains comatose, now relying on the artificial heart provided by HP.</p> -
5496
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23661">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/hrlngrv">hrlngrv</a><a href="#23661">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>what? You’re really trying to compare a Xbox to a Chromebook?</p> -
1377
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p><em><a href="#23711">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/lordbaal1">lordbaal1</a><a href="#23711">:</a></em></p>
<p>Yes.</p>
<p>In order to demonstrate that Xboxes are MORE capable than Chromeboxes when neither have Internet access. More specifically, Xbox games can be installed from optical disks, and that points out the inaccuracy WP7Mango’s assertion that <em>on . . . Xbox, it’s [UWP] the only way to publish your apps</em>. IOW, UWP isn’t the only way to publish software for Xbox.</p> -
5611
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23933">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/hrlngrv">hrlngrv</a><a href="#23933">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>Whilst it might be possible for 1st parties to publish via CD using the classic routes, there is something you should be aware of UWP…</p>
<p>UWP is independent of the deployment media format. I can supply a UWP game on a CD. I’ve not tried this on Xbox One, but I can certainly supply a UWP app / game for Windows 10 on a CD or DVD.</p> -
1377
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p><em><a href="#23977">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/WP7Mango">WP7Mango</a><a href="#23977">:</a></em></p>
<p>Fine. Can use UWP on disks. [PCs too? Can fully bypass Windows Store? 3rd party developers could put UWP PC software on ISO images from which users could create disks and install UWP software? If not, why Xbox but not PC?]</p>
<p>However, UWP isn’t necessary with disks, so UWP isn’t <em>the only way</em> to publish apps for Xbox.</p> -
5767
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23638">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/WP7Mango">WP7Mango</a><a href="#23638">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>An example of how UWP apps are hot garbage. The popular game Two Dots is up to level 885 on iOS/Android. On Windows Store the game is only up to level 760. That’s what people mean by ‘hot garbage’. Either the apps are spam apps or they are 2nd class in the eyes of the developer.</p> -
5611
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23696">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/MutualCore">MutualCore</a><a href="#23696">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>I see. So, where is StaffPad on Android or iOS? Where is Live Interior 3D Pro on Android?</p> -
5767
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23707">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/WP7Mango">WP7Mango</a><a href="#23707">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>You realize that in order for UWP to be a ‘thing’ popular iOS/Android apps need to be there and supported? Nobody outside of some MS fans use Staffpad.</p> -
5611
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23712">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/MutualCore">MutualCore</a><a href="#23712">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>No, the presence of iOS / Android apps is not a requirement for UWP to be a thing. What IS a requirement for UWP to be a thing is a demonstration that powerful apps can be created with it. StaffPad is an example of this.</p>
<p>And no, StaffPad is not used by MS fans – it’s used by musicians, specifically those who want to compose music using the traditional way but with digital technology.</p> -
5615
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23638">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/WP7Mango">WP7Mango</a><a href="#23638">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>"Many people are indeed pissed off with forced updates – that’s why they changed how it works."</p>
<p>This was one of our biggest sore spots when Windows 10 was released. They haven’t gone nearly far enough, and in some cases they’ve made it worse. In our opinion (and from our personal experience) Windows Update is still a mess — it’s a bit more tolerable than when Windows 10 Pro first came out, but still not ideal. Not only that, but with the way they keep fiddling with Windows Pro, we’re very concerned that things will only get worse, not better. Soon, it seems like Windows will be like this site: you’re either Enterprise (Premium) or you’re a second-class citizen.</p>
<p>One thing all of this has done is it has prompted us to seriously start studying and piloting alternatives. And from discussions I’ve had with others, we’re not alone.</p> -
165
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23754">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/offTheRecord">offTheRecord</a><a href="#23754">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>I know and provide support to about 20 friends and family with windows 10. No one has ever complained about how Windows is being updated. A few have had updates fail the first try but that’s it. I read about it in blogs and hear about it in podcasts, and that makes it sound like everyone has issues all the time.</p> -
5615
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#24547">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/RonH">RonH</a><a href="#24547">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>There’s a distinction between how Windows 10 impacts consumers vs businesses. While there are issues we’ve personally experienced with the Home version of Windows 10, including how downloads eat up our bandwidth and bring things to a crawl (usually, at inopportune times, like when we’re trying to stream something), my main beef with how Windows Update works (or doesn’t work) now is in a business environment. In general, that’s what I’m "complaining" about in the comments I make on this site, how changes to Windows 10 Pro adversely impact us in a business setting.</p>
<p>None of my friends or family have complained, either, because they probably don’t care or know any better, and because Windows 10 Home defaults are probably no different than the defaults they used in the past. Again, my comments on this site are about Windows 10 Pro in a business environment.</p> -
5496
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23629">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/MutualCore">MutualCore</a><a href="#23629">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>UWP adoption is awful. HOW? How is it awful?</p>
<p><br />Windows Store is hot garbage. Why? Because it doesn’t have apps?</p>
<p>Windows 10 AU is a disaster for a lot of people. How? Most people had no problems with the update.</p>
<p><br />Many people are pissed off with forced Windows updates. Your friend is only one, not many.</p>
<p><br />Mobile is dead(for now) What ever.</p>
<p><br />HoloLens demos are fraudulent because MS keeps showing a much wider FOV than actual. It is in beta.</p>
<p><br />Surface Studio is overpriced for the guts in the base. For what it is and who there are targeting, it’s not.<br /><br /></p> -
5486
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23639">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/lordbaal1">lordbaal1</a><a href="#23639">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>Yes, UWP adoption is awful. Devs aren’t interested, consumers aren’t interested. UWP is now fighting for it’s life on the desktop, where most still use Win32, which is still better in almost every respect. The ‘UWP is still new’ argument will only be valid for so long. Even Microsoft’s UWP apps are pretty dismal.</p>
<p>Windows Store is garbage. Always has been. </p>
<p>Windows AU broke so many systems it was almost unreal. If you DIDN’T have a problem after applying the AU, lucky you.</p>
<p>Paul just wrote a piece on why updating Windows 10 ‘as a service’ isn’t working. It’s true. It isn’t working.</p>
<p>Yeah, WM is dead, probably for good.</p>
<p>Every single HoloLens video basically lied about what the product is capable of. They were essentially pre-rendered fakes. Beta or not, MS were lying.</p>
<p>Is Surface Studio overpriced? Yes, 100%. No question. Do MS expect to sell a lot of them? Probably not, certainly not at those prices. They’re statement products, in the hope partners try to turn the boring old PC into something cool and trendy (and cheaper than Studio) that people might actually want to buy. AiO’s have been tried before though – many times. They never really caught on. MS have to try something to stop the PC spiral into oblivion.</p>
<p> </p> -
1377
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p><em><a href="#23639">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/lordbaal1">lordbaal1</a><a href="#23639">:</a></em></p>
<p>The search facility for the Windows Store could charitably be described as hot garbage. A few years ago my wife asked me to check if there were any decent knitting pattern editors for various tablets. Try 2 searches in the store, the first on <em>knitting pattern</em> and the second just on <em>knitting</em>. There are items which appear in the first, more particular search which don’t appear in the second, broader search. How would you characterize that?</p> -
6062
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23629">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/MutualCore">MutualCore</a><a href="#23629">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>This type of hyperbole is exactly what I’m talking about. The issues you raise have some basis in truth but are blown way out of proportion and context. I don’t want FUD/trolling, I want analysis.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also, the narrative that WindowsCentral is pure fanboyism is simply false. If you believe that, you have to believe Thurrott.com is just a troll site.</p> -
1377
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p><em><a href="#23642">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/DemBones">DemBones</a><a href="#23642">:</a></em></p>
<p>How much analysis is needed to demonstrate that Windows phones just don’t sell? They seem to be permanently stuck at under 3% usage worldwide with no realistic prospects of significant growth. Indeed, since it seems only the minor players like BLU will be making consumer Windows phones going forward (MSFT has given up on making phones, HP targets theirs at enterprises), where would significant growth come from?</p>
<p>This is NOT saying the phones or Windows 10 Mobile are bad, just not what most people buy. That’s objective reality no matter how unpleasant.</p> -
241
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23629">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/MutualCore">MutualCore</a><a href="#23629">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>So why does anyone buy any Microsoft products? Not much going in the World of Microsoft. Well except the Dial. I guess people do read Thurrott.com because they want (or need) to hear bad things about Microsoft. I know Microsoft turned many off in the 90’s and 00’s due to their behavior. Not sure why this decades-long bash fest is continuing. Any sane writer would dump all coverage of Microsoft. Of course, people are fascinated by car wrecks, crime stories, and other tragedies.</p>
<p>When I read WinBeta and Windows Central I do not perceive a rah-rah cheerleading-fanboy-type coverage. It is more here is the info on Microsoft without being so negative. Apparently to be a non-fan boy you have to eviscerate a company or person on a regular basis.</p> -
5615
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23718">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/mebby">mebby</a><a href="#23718">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>"So why does anyone buy any Microsoft products?"</p>
<p>In our case, because that’s what we’ve always used — for the last 2 decades. And we did so because it worked and it was always the best option.</p>
<p>Windows 10 changed that for us. When Windows 10 Pro was released, it was the first Microsoft OS that literally broke every step of our production process. Even with all of the issues of past MSFT OSes, nothing like that had never happened.</p>
<p>This has prompted us to take a good hard look at what we want to do going forward. Now, each time something in the OS changes (usually resulting in less control of our equipment) and interferes with the way things run here just provides an opportunity to consider other options.</p> -
5767
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23762">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/offTheRecord">offTheRecord</a><a href="#23762">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>Thinking hard about Macs huh!</p> -
5615
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23992">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/MutualCore">MutualCore</a><a href="#23992">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>Everything is always on the table — even Macs. Whatever tool will work most effectively for us.</p> -
5496
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23762">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/offTheRecord">offTheRecord</a><a href="#23762">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>Didn’t anyone test it in your company?</p>
<p>If they don’t like it because Windows isn’t letting them do something that they did in 7, why did they move to 10 then?</p>
<p>That sounds like more of an IT problem at your company then it is MS fault.</p> -
5615
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23996">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/lordbaal1">lordbaal1</a><a href="#23996">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>Of course, we tested it. And when we tested it, it failed. And, since it is the future for Windows, we continue to test it in all of our environments to see if it has improved in the ways we need it to improve.</p>
<p>It sounds like you’re assuming we just threw Windows 10 onto all of our machines the instant it was available. That would be an incorrect assumption. We haven’t let Windows 10 get anywhere near our actual production environment.</p> -
5027
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#24037">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/offTheRecord">offTheRecord</a><a href="#24037">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>It failed in doing what? What is it your trying to do that you for some reason can not do in Windows 10? </p>
<p>Just wondering because we deployed Windows 10 AU to all our PC’s and had no issues at all, but of course sometimes there are custom things that might run in to issues, but that is most of the time because a company runs really old and out of date software, but not always of course </p> -
5615
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#24224">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/JudaZuk">JudaZuk</a><a href="#24224">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>"It failed in doing what?"</p>
<p>It failed to run in our production process without breaking it. Previous versions of Windows, which we currently use, have no such problem. It has nothing to do with software. It runs the software we use just fine. That’s trivial. Unfortunately, it has more to do with the fundamental direction Microsoft has taken and is taking Windows Pro — starting with the Update process (but that’s far from the only issue).</p> -
5486
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23996">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/lordbaal1">lordbaal1</a><a href="#23996">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>What he’s trying to say is – Windows 10 is changing TOO much TOO often. Every update seems to change something significant or break something that worked before. When deploying Windows in the Enterprise, you will test all your software and enterprise apps for that version. In previous versions of Windows, you pretty much knew that would be it. You only deal with security patches after that. Now, you’ve got to test after every windows release, which could be 2-3 times a year, let alone all the multi-gigabyte patches in between. How do enterprises handle that? Don’t even talk about LTSB or CBB. With all it’s bugs, who’d want to be locked into one of those versions!</p> -
5615
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23762">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/offTheRecord">offTheRecord</a><a href="#23762">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>"nothing like that had never happened" should be "nothing like that had ever happened"</p> -
5767
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23718">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/mebby">mebby</a><a href="#23718">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>I am an developer so I need Visual Studio and .NET. Otherwise I’d ditch MS forever for *Nix based platforms. Besides MS makes Office on all platforms so no need to give that up.</p> -
5577
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23629">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/MutualCore">MutualCore</a><a href="#23629">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>This.</p>
<p>Paul is just being honest, rabid fanboys won’t like that. However those who are open minded will see it.</p>
<p>I used to post on some auto forums and I would regularly bash GM. Is it because I hated GM? No, it’s because I was disgusted that they had the resources to be much better but continually failed to do so. I felt that by criticizing I was in a small way like a parent who challenges a child to do better.</p>
<p>I believe that Paul cares about Microsoft, but he also sees that this company should and could do better. And it’s his job to be honest and call them out on their failings.</p>
<p>Perhaps the OP should see if there is truth to what Paul posts. Or just go to some one-sided website instead.</p> -
1273
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23740">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/Winner">Winner</a><a href="#23740">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>Exactly! It is very hard to cover things in a positive light if they aren’t positive. Facts are definitely facts and I would rather see Paul be honest than sugar coat the truth.</p> -
5027
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23629">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/MutualCore">MutualCore</a><a href="#23629">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Yes Facts are facts, and your personal opinion is your personal opinion, what you list is not any Facts at all.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>UWP adoption is awful. – No it is going rather good actually. </p>
<p><br />Windows Store is hot garbage – Yes the store could be better, but Google Play store is awful as well, and Apple store .. and the store on MacOS is worse of all. Most app stores suck.</p>
<p><br />Windows 10 still struggles with High DPI displays - not really. Some applications struggle with it. Not windows 10</p>
<p><br />Surface Pen still can’t draw straight diagonal lines – Yes it can. Maybe it is just you who cant draw?</p>
<p><br />Windows 10 AU is a disaster for a lot of people – No, it caused problems for a small number of people. Like most updates can in general, no matter the OS. for instanced MacOS Sierra was a disaster for some of our computers, but that can happen . We updated all our Windows computers to Windows 10 AU without any issues just as an example.</p>
<p><br />Many people are pissed off with forced Windows updates – some are, most people are fine with it . And for the greater good, forced updates is a good thing. Can cause issues for enterprises , but they can avoid this.</p>
<p><br />Mobile is dead(for now) - nope, not at all .. Windows 10 mobile might not do so well, but mobile for Microsoft is going great overall</p>
<p><br />HoloLens demos are fraudulent because MS keeps showing a much wider FOV than actual – have you tried hololens?</p>
<p><br />Surface Studio is overpriced for the guts in the base – they are not just selling a base, for what you get it is actually cheap. And they are not targeting consumers, they are targeting a specific audience <br /><br /></p> -
165
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#24220">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/JudaZuk">JudaZuk</a><a href="#24220">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>I tried HoloLens at the recent demo at the Microsoft store in Toronto. My opinion is that the field of view is not an issue. I found that adjusting the HoloLens to have it sit closer to my eyes made it have a wider FOV that when I first put it on. It is very adjustable.</p> -
5664
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23629">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/MutualCore">MutualCore</a><a href="#23629">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>Just to be a butthead, I set up my normie, non-techy friends with Windows 10 with all UWP apps, show them how to use them to do what they want. I’m proud that I’ve weaned people off of Win32, I’m immensely happy that I see my friends that are as pleased with the performance of their Windows devices as other friends are of their iPads. Seeing as I own both, I already knew that, so I smile and roll my eyes.</p>
<p>Oh wow, you don’t say! A properly maintained computer runs well? Who would have thought.</p> -
8781
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23629">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/MutualCore">MutualCore</a><a href="#23629">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>I just read a forum thread where Paul basically berated a guy for saying WP was better than Android. It’s pathetic.</p> -
5496
Log in to Reply<p>I wouldn’t call him the Perez Hilton of the tech world. That’s more of Gizmodo.</p>
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5721
Log in to Reply<p>I agree with you Dembones, but you forgot to mention that Paul still hasn’t posted anything about a major update to Windows and to the Surface line-up last week. While I agree, MS is making some screw ups lately, I still come here for news and happenings, and the updates last week were pretty big I think, I really don’t give a crap about the Insider builds because you would have to be a glutton for punishment to put that crap on your computer.</p>
-
5271
Log in to Reply<p>I recall there is a pretty good site for all things Microsoft and Windows. It’s called "Supersite for Windows". I wonder if anyone remembers that one. Still going strong over at <a href="http://winsupersite.com">winsupersite.com</a></p>
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1066
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23705">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/engellion">engellion</a><a href="#23705">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>Do you realize that the winsupersite.com was started by Paul back in the day.</p> -
4213
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23936">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/danielellis">danielellis</a><a href="#23936">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>I’d forgotten about that. I found a very old article by Paul about the MS Cordless Phone that, while otherwise a basic rehash of a press release (as so many stories are), still managed to include his trademark attitude in this first sentence:</p>
<p>"Microsoft Corporation is preparing to release–of all things–a 900 MHz cordless phone in November that will work with your PC…" (http://windowsitpro.com/windows-server/microsoft-prepares-entry-phone-market)</p>
<p>And while you’ll have to pry my Lumia 950XL from my cold, dead hands, I gladly pay him to tell me I’m being an idiot about it.</p> -
5615
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#24173">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/primushed">primushed</a><a href="#24173">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>I don’t think it’s so much that he thinks you are an idiot for using it. My sense is that he thinks, given Microsoft’s stated intentions for the future, it would be "idiotic" to recommend that folks, in general, choose a W10M phone over iOS or Android.</p> -
8781
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#24229">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/offTheRecord">offTheRecord</a><a href="#24229">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>He berated a guy in another thread when the guy said WP was better than Android for him. He insults WP users at every possible venture. Don’t lie to yourself. </p> -
2181
Log in to Reply<p>I still recall those days when Microsoft was perceived in very negative light (and funny enough IBM was the days coming back story), that was when Paul ran his winsupersite and said lots good thing about the company and correct lots negative rumors/misinformations.</p>
<p>So, no, Paul is not the problem here, you are. </p> -
5664
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Well as soon as I can get some decent cash-in-hand, I’ll be subscribing. I’ve been following Paul for years and owe him for everything I’ve gotten for free.</p>
<p>I miss the days of the slow leaks of Windows betas, from Whistler growing into XP to Longhorn flying off the tracks and getting rebuilt into Vista. Those felt like heady days, my friends! Coming off the high that was Windows 2000, and the honest quantum leap in reliability it was without sacrificing (as much) hardware support as NT 4. I still remember the day I forgot I was booted into 2000 and ran Unreal Tournament and it worked fine. That was magic.</p>
<p>Nowadays such huge leaps just don’t happen. Things are rote, routine… Boring honestly. Microsoft fsck’d up just as much if not more back then but 1) everyone expected it 2) it couldn’t hurt them 3) who cares when they’re wowing us with software!? Nowadays they’re not unassailable and it means every mistake feels magnified by a factor of three.</p>
<p>Paul, bless his heart, is very much like me and obviously just sees when they pull some bonehead move and shakes his head wondering, "What… on Earth?" It’s still the same Paul Thurrott, but older, more experienced, and dare I say – because God knows I feel it – jaded. I agree with him on a lot, disagree with him on other things, but I usually find his judgement to be well thought out and well stated.</p>
<p>So… Meh.</p>
<p>Also, Dan Rubino is a helluva nice guy so leave him outta this.</p> -
1377
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p><em><a href="#23741">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/jimchamplin">jimchamplin</a><a href="#23741">:</a></em></p>
<blockquote><em>. . . they’re wowing us with software! . . .<br /></em></blockquote>
<p>That needs context. Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s people were still learning Windows, and there were only hundreds of millions of PC users. There were a mix of Windows versions (in one year and one job change I went from Windows 3.1 to Windows 95 to Windows NT4 at work). There were huge changes going from Windows 3.1 to Windows 95 or NT4, but the advantages of 95 and NT4 over 3.1 more than justified embracing the changes, AND MSFT included Program Manager and File Manager through Windows XP for those who wanted the 3.1 UI.</p>
<p>In recent years MSFT has decided that backwards compatibility is unnecessary even though there are now billions of PC users quite used to how Windows (pre-8) works. With Windows 8 MSFT finally discovered that most people hate change. [MSFT had studiously ignored all change-hating with Office 2007.] For most PC users, Windows 8 didn’t bring with it enough reasons to embrace its changes. In effect, <em>wow</em> became <em>bleh</em>!</p> -
5027
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23919">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/hrlngrv">hrlngrv</a><a href="#23919">:</a> What are you talking about? I can still run software that is 20 years old on Windows 10, but of course not every single program ever made works this way, but that is most of the time because of how it was developed.</em></blockquote>
<p> </p> -
1377
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p><em><a href="#24225">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/JudaZuk">JudaZuk</a><a href="#24225">:</a></em></p>
<p>Backwards compatibility of the Windows UI.</p>
<p>Example: Windows 95 through Windows XP came with Program Manager and File Manager for people who wanted to keep using the Windows 3.1 UI. Windows XP and Vista came with Classic theme and start menu so that they could look the same as Windows 95 to 2K. Windows 7 moved away from this a bit, then Windows 8 moved to a different continent.</p> -
5027
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#24640">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/hrlngrv">hrlngrv</a><a href="#24640">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>That is not what I would consider Backwards compability, as this is change of a UI .. but I guess you are of a different opinion</p> -
1377
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p><em><a href="#24660">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/JudaZuk">JudaZuk</a><a href="#24660">:</a></em></p>
<p>OK, <em>backwards compatibility</em> may have been the wrong terminology. Maybe UI familiarity. Point is still that through Vista, MSFT gave Windows users an option to use the same UI as the previous version, but MSFT abandoned (perhaps more accurately, abominated) that bit of wisdom with Windows 8. Windows 8 for PCs was MSFT’s ultimate act of hubris, and it came 2-3 years after it would have done no harm.</p> -
5767
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23741">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/jimchamplin">jimchamplin</a><a href="#23741">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>This is literally the only place you can discuss things in a heated way without getting banned. I got banned on Ars Technica due to psycho moderators who can’t even handle light jokes. Neowin, Winbeta are equally bad.</p> -
1377
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p><em><a href="#23993">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/MutualCore">MutualCore</a><a href="#23993">:</a></em></p>
<p>There are controversial topics on Reddit’s Windows forums. You just have to accept lots of down votes.</p> -
5431
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23741">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/jimchamplin">jimchamplin</a><a href="#23741">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>"I’ve been following Paul for years and owe him for everything I’ve gotten for free."</p>
<p>I subscribed to support Paul. I’ve long appreciated his news and work on WinSupersite, and I’ve listened to Windows Weekly a ton over the years. Without seeing ads that interest me enough to click on, this was an opportunity to get him back.</p> -
5486
Log in to Reply<p>Forget fanboy sites. They’re not worth a minute of your time. The reason I come here is because of the sensible discussions. If there’s a problem with MS, this site will discuss it, and believe me it’s not all roses inside Redmond. They have some massive problems that they’re either ignoring or screwing up trying to fix. Other sites I won’t mention (<cough> WinBeta <cough>) will wax lyrical about how wonderful MS are all day long. They even post links in their newsletters to products on the MS store, so you can reserve/buy them. If that’s not a fanboy site (or a site in some way funded by MS), then I don’t know what is.</p>
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1701
Log in to Reply<p>Paul is Paul. We come here to read his opinions. Sure he’s wrong at times, but he has an opinion, not just repeating what Microsoft says. That said, Windows Weekly, ugh.</p>
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8781
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23975">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/Jmagella">Jmagella</a><a href="#23975">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>I come here to read Brad, really. </p> -
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Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>This post struck a chord with me. I’m a premium subscriber because I view this site as a creative endeavor that is trying to establish itself in an age where no clear winning formula exists for medium-sized content creators. I view Thurrott.com as an experiment… and we are in "season one" — we might be familiar with the players, but likely as individual columnists or social media personas. They have to develop into an ensemble cast and I’m willing to contribute to that effort because I think their success will pave the way for others, their content has value, and they deserve to be paid to produce it.</p>
<p>Because this is being built in front of us, there is unusual transparency… and there is definite overlap in the news, opinions, and content as the different mediums are developed. Articles, premium articles, Podcast appearances, First Ring Daily, etc can result in an echo-chamber effect.</p>
<p>Our needs and tastes change, of course, and there are lots of sources for tech news and opinions… so perception of value differs from person to person and from season to season.</p>
<p>I’m rooting for Paul, Brad, and Rafael to pull this together.</p>
<p> </p> -
6062
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#23978">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/shacoa">shacoa</a><a href="#23978">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>I appreciate what Paul, Brad, and the team are doing here. There efforts and ability to succeed in a very difficult environment is a testament to hard work. That being said, my issue is that Paul’s content has become, shall we say, one note (pun intended). If you read the headline of the post, you can predict the tone of the article and conclusion reached. Paul’s never ending negativity and need to continuously troll his core audience is, to me, the other side of the fanboy coin. </p> -
5523
Log in to Reply<p>Finally a thread with a lot of discussion going on. lol I agree Paul is Mr. Negative especially when it comes to MS. I think Paul is one of those guys who could look at a great piece of art and their first comment would be something they don’t like about it. I just don’t want to pay for something like that. I come here because of Brad and think he is more even and fair with his take on tech and MS. I do believe Paul (and others) should get paid for their work and I wish him (and others) success with this site and I hope it takes off. </p>
<p> </p> -
5553
Log in to Reply<p>Daniel Rubino is reason enough to not get premium.</p>
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4778
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Paul is very positive about Surface overall, Office 365, and Azure. I feel that Paul’s attitudes reflect the success that Microsoft has in these areas. Even with these successes there are things to complain about. </p>
<p>I can understand why someone would dislike Paul. After all, a site like this is very personality driven. If you don’t like Paul you’re not going to like the content either. That is normal. Move on and find someone that you like.</p> -
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Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Seriously?</p>
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5541
Log in to Reply<p>How do I back out of my premium subscription to Brad and Paul? After all of these years of watching Paul on Windows Weekly, I was expecting something different. I feel like I was tricked out of my money on this one. He’s all about Android when it comes to apps. He can’t tell you why, but he is. How does Leo Laporte feel about all of this stuff? He built his reputation on Leo’s network and now he’s just building his own tech network. Andrew is just as much as a fool for joining in on it. I loved all the Leo and Andrew stuff before it became Paul and his MANBOY stuff on his own network. AFTER he got my money. That’s what bothers me. I was a fan for years….as soon as he got my money he became a real TOOL. Thanks for that.</p>
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5615
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#24346">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/ChiWax">ChiWax</a><a href="#24346">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>"He’s all about Android when it comes to apps."</p>
<p>I suspect it’s because he uses Android apps on his Android devices (and most of the apps are also available in iOS versions, which I suspect he uses on his iOS devices). He has discussed at length his frustration with the lack of apps that he needs or wants on other platforms, and it is his opinion that this lack of apps is a key reason for the lack of success of other platforms.</p> -
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Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>If you don’t like the site go to the verge.</p>
<p>The paid apple n google site that offers only biased views towards products and not realistic ones.</p>
<p>Paul has written about Microsoft for years and I’m sure has been thru many ups and downs with the services and products it has had and has.</p>
<p>So he writes from true real experience over many many years.</p>
<p>Yes I am a fanboy but even i know that I will probably have to change to another mobile platform, I say probably.</p>
<p>I will get an android phone to test, too see if I can use it to as close as my windows phone and android will allow.</p>
<p>Do I disagree with some stuff he says. Hell yes.</p>
<p>I loved my surface rt. I thought windows 8 was just what I needed, I couldn’t understand why people couldn’t use it, said it was difficult to use. Total crap.</p>
<p>I thought that about windows 10 when it was launch. Yes now it is better and I am happy with it.</p>
<p>But the more I listen to what he says I understand his realism in what he says and writes. And its because he cares and especially cares about the normal person who’ll use these products and services.</p>
<p>Am I glad I signed up for premium. Yes I am.</p>
<p>And will sign up when its up for review.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p> -
170
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#24541">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/Shane">Shane</a><a href="#24541">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>The thing that is a little funny here lately is that the traditional apple fan boy sites seem to be down on apple more than Paul and they also seem to be more positive about the Surface Studio. </p>
<p>I think over the years Microsoft has evolved into something different than it was when Paul first started to cover them. What they have evolved into doesn’t line up with his interests as much as it once did and what Google and Apple offer do. I obviously just speculating and I enjoy the perspective that Paul bring to all products he reviews. I also think he is taking a more everyday consumer focused look at products which I think leads him to be more critical of such products like the Surface Studio since it is way over priced for what an average consumer would get out of it even though it might be perfectly reasonable for a professional that can take advantage of the tools it offers. </p> -
677
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#24590">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/Sprtfan">Sprtfan</a><a href="#24590">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>Thanks for your comments</p>
<p>I agree with all you say.</p> -
165
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>I think the issue with Windows Weekly is Leo.If you listen to Security Now and some of the other shows, he does not care about Windows or Microsoft. The show is better (INHO) with Fr. Robert Ballecer SJ.</p>
<p>Personally, I get tired of the "all 6 Windows phone users" jokes. If there are only 6, I know them all</p> -
3148
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#24544">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/RonH">RonH</a><a href="#24544">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>NO NO NO NO. Just stop. I LOVE Leo. I listen to the show BECAUSE of Leo. Other hosts just read the show notes and just let Paul and Mary jo do the talking. It’s fine. I enjoy Paul speak, but I also love Leo’s comments as well. The fact that he has freakin opinions is what interests me. So what he doesn’t care about Windows. He knows about it. He is knowledgeable about it. Also he has amazing perspectives, especially with subjects regarding to technology market as a whole. He brings up explanations and thoughts that aren’t heard in other podcasts. Paul is good at this too. They don’t reiterate the news. They talk about it with passion.<br /><br />Not liking Windows is NOT a reason to not be on the podcast. Paul doesn’t like OSX (macOS), but he talks about Apple in What the Tech. It would be absurd to suggest otherwise.</p>
<p>I AM FED UP with Microsft FANBOYS whining and crying about Leo when he criticizes a MS prodcut and when Paul is critical or skeptical about a product.</p>
<p>Pleas STOP. If you don’t like a podcast, don’t listen. But DON’T ruin it for the rest of us. You have tons of other podcasts to listen to, like MSPoweruser and Windows Central Podcast.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks</p> -
1545
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#24793">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/NazmusLabs">NazmusLabs</a><a href="#24793">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>Yep. I stopped</p> -
5484
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#24793">In reply to </a><a href="../../../../users/NazmusLabs">NazmusLabs</a><a href="#24793">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>This biggest problem with Leo is that he’s not taking any notice of what is mentioned by the hosts. How many times does he get to ask "Brain dead question" after Paul or Mary Jo have explained everything that is needed, before someone gives up?</p>
<p>It seems he particularly isn’t listening on WW. As a comparison, on Security Now he seems slightly better – but often tries to reduce the discussion down to MS/Apple/Google/whoever is good/bad. Steve tends to agree too easily IMO, and of course he is relatively anti-MS in any case.</p>
<p>I haven’t given up, purely because the two WW hosts add enough to the show that I can – so far – put up with the rarely useful addition of Leo’s rubbish.</p> -
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Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>It’s interesting how people can see things in totally different ways. I come here precisely for the things you seem to find negative. I like snarky because I think it’s funny, and I like how it’s levied against Microsoft because it is so deserved. I think Paul probably feels the way I do to some degree, that they could be so much better if they would just follow through. </p>
<p>But they won’t. Windows Phone is a great example of this. They never followed through on the promise. No apps, no market penetration. I wonder how different things might have been if they had just given money straight to the app developers, banks, transit systems, social media companies, etc., to help pay for development of apps for their platform rather wasting it on Nokia or Yammer, or a hundred other things that have no hope of having the impact of a successful mobile platform. Paul pointing this out isn’t being negative, it’s just being honest. </p>
<p>When I read your last sentence, based on the previous ones, I didn’t read "It would be really great if another voice in the blogosphere emerged that presents a more balanced, constructive, and informative voice for those of us who follow Microsoft", so much as I read "It would be really great if another voice in the blogosphere emerged that presents Microsoft the way I see them". Because if you look at this site, I feel it is objective, and, if anything, biased toward MS. As I said, funny how people can see things in a totally different way. </p> -
8045
Log in to Reply<p>My problem with Premium is not the concept, per se. It’s Paul’s website, and he can do what he wants. More power to him.</p>
<p>But my first experience with the Premium concept has not been great. Here’s how it went:</p>
<p>- Ok, Premium sounds interesting. I’ll set up a basic account and get through the first door. Clicking the Facebook button …</p>
<p>- I get a pop up with two options: link my existing account to the FB login (I had an existing account? I’ve long since forgotten the username and password) or create a new one. I click "link account," thinking i would get some chance to recover the old username and password…</p>
<p>- Nope. No "forgot password?" or "forgot username?" link. So I start guessing. No dice. </p>
<p>- 10 minutes of futzing, trying to establish a new account, and the website not recognizing my attempts to log out and start over. Repeated requests to set up a new account, even though apparently I was already logged in, according to the status at the top of the website. Apparently the Facebook link creates a new account, somewhere in limbo between "basic" and "no account."</p>
<p>- Finally end up with a blank new "basic" account. I still don’t know what my old account was, or how to log into it. </p>
<p>So….yeah. I think I’ll hang around as a Basic subscriber for a while, until the kinks get worked out.</p> -
6359
Log in to Reply<p>"Despite Paul’s negativity, it seems that Microsoft is slowly changing the way the larger tech world sees them."</p>
<p>I agree. The larger tech world I work with sees Microsoft in a far more negative light these days and Microsoft is steadily making things worse.</p>
<p>Windows Update. </p>
<p>Nuff said but allow me to vent if you will.</p>
<p>If you listen to Paul enough on Windows Weekly you will find he qualifies his statements and goes out of his way to cover both sides of the points he is making. If the truth hurts it is up to Microsoft to fix it.</p>
<p>I took the dive and allowed the Win 10 Anniversary Update this week. The update warned me with a popup that some unknown quantity of protected music on my machine would not play after the update and I should seriously consider killing the update and sticking with Windows 7.</p>
<p>After all their attempts to force a Win 10 update their own software warns me not to. I would call that an abrupt change considering I had originally upgraded from Win 8 to Win 10 on a retail license.</p>
<p>I also paid for my Sidewinder Force Feedback joystick, my Zune HD and my Band 2. </p>
<p>I was very happy with all of them but I can’t look forward to buying new improved any of them because Microsoft wants more than anything to steadily change the way the larger tech world sees them. No drivers for the joystick. I use the Zune HD daily in spite of Microsoft stripping functionality with software updates. After the Zune HD experience I worry that Band 2 updates will remove features.</p>
<p>Software Assurance reminds me of that fair and honest bidding web site commercial.</p>
<p>Bottom line, we need to hear Paul speak whichever way the wind blows.</p>
<p> </p> -
8105
Log in to Reply<p>Paul reports the goings-on in the tech world, and unfortunately a lot in the MS world is not roses. So I don’t mind what you perceive as negativity – they’re just facts to me. It’s one site’s viewpoint…if I want excitement-filled MS coverage I’ll go elsewhere.</p>
<p>That said, what does bother me about Paul’s writing is his haughtiness, as you mentioned briefly. I get that Paul has been doing this for years, has a lot of insider knowledge, and yet has had to defend himself constantly from the ignorant masses, which can lead to a bitter hard shell. I still trust him more than most MS news sites.</p>
<p>What bugs me is how being right seems to be the most important thing for him, so much that he’ll demean readers. I don’t see other respected writers like Mary Jo Foley doing that.</p>
<p>I will keep reading (as a basic member) because I respect him, his coverage, and the inside knowledge. The hubris is not Trump-Ian enough to drive me away from quality coverage.</p> -
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Log in to Reply<p>I agree with Paul on about half of the things he says, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t derive any insight from his opinion. The fact that I, with my biases, feel one way, and he with his (been following him long enough to know his) feels another, gives me information from which to deduce a likely middle way that is more accurate. </p>
<p>He really does do his best to be objective most of the time, which is more than you can say for 99% of media these days. The times he doesn’t try to be objective, he tells us. </p> -
1572
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>I don’t think the OP is clued in having just read premium articles critical of Google and Apple. Of course he’s been critical of Microsoft but that just means he’s even handed and looking after the interests of the consumer (us) rather than the corporate interests of the major tech companies. I subscribe because he provides the broad critical perspective and he talks about all the cross-platform products I use. At times, I might not agree with what he says but I didn’t pay to get my opinions reinforced but challenged. If you want somebody that’s going to be a corporate sycophant, I could recommend a few other sites.</p>
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741
Log in to Reply<p>I think your points are well taken. I have read and listened to Paul for a few years and there has been a shift in attitude – he has become something of downer. I have worked with Microsoft products for decades. Am not in love with them or any other company. It is just a company. Signed up for premium right out of the gate but cannot recommend that anyone do the same. Started listening to Windows Weekly this evening and continue to be disappointed by the grim reaper tone of his commentary. You’re right. I knew exactly what he was going to say and I no longer care. </p>
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StephenCWLL
Log in to Reply<p>WindowsCentral is like the opposite of thurrott in terms of postivity. thurrott is on the negative side and WindowsCentral on the ultra-positive with anything Windows. I have room for a bit of both in my life :)</p>
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