Network Rant

[Camellia Sinensis]

I have come to the conclusion that Microsoft works very hard to keep us from
using our own machines and files. After using "Caroline's 34 steps to
networking" a few years back, I was able to actually share files back and
forth on my three XP machines. Then we replaced one of the XP machines with
a Vista machine. The Vista didn't play too well on the network. It had no
problems snooping through the XP's files, but was very stingy with its own
files. It would however, let the XP machines rifle through the files on
it's second hard drive and two external hard drives. NOW along comes
Windows 7 and it won't share at all. It will gladly take from other
machines (except of course for those tightly guarded files on the C drive of
the Vista machine) but no machine is allowed anywhere near any of its
precious files or external hard drives. It doesn't even want the owner of
the computer messing around with any of said owner's files without setting a
lot of complicated "permissions" first. Also, Windows 7 promises easy file
sharing through its new "Home Group"--only catch being--it will only play
nicely withy other Windows 7 machines (so it says, I haven't tested that
theory yet.) In other words, people shell out those $$$ for new OS for any
other machines (whether they can handle Windows 7 or not) to be able to
enjoy the ease of networking your own d*mn machines with your own d* files.
What a load of crap!!!

I have a home network that is nicely guarded behind my router's hardware
firewall. It is invisible on the internet. I just want to be able to share
files between ALL my OWN computers without some stupid box popping up and
telling me I don't have the right to do so. Is that really too much to ask
Microsoft???????????????

 

[Canuck57]

I have come to the conclusion that Microsoft works very hard to keep us from
using our own machines and files. After using "Caroline's 34 steps to
networking" a few years back, I was able to actually share files back and
forth on my three XP machines. Then we replaced one of the XP machines with
a Vista machine. The Vista didn't play too well on the network. It had no
problems snooping through the XP's files, but was very stingy with its own
files. It would however, let the XP machines rifle through the files on
it's second hard drive and two external hard drives. NOW along comes
Windows 7 and it won't share at all. It will gladly take from other
machines (except of course for those tightly guarded files on the C drive of
the Vista machine) but no machine is allowed anywhere near any of its
precious files or external hard drives. It doesn't even want the owner of
the computer messing around with any of said owner's files without setting a
lot of complicated "permissions" first. Also, Windows 7 promises easy file
sharing through its new "Home Group"--only catch being--it will only play
nicely withy other Windows 7 machines (so it says, I haven't tested that
theory yet.) In other words, people shell out those $$$ for new OS for any
other machines (whether they can handle Windows 7 or not) to be able to
enjoy the ease of networking your own d*mn machines with your own d* files.
What a load of crap!!!

I have a home network that is nicely guarded behind my router's hardware
firewall. It is invisible on the internet. I just want to be able to share
files between ALL my OWN computers without some stupid box popping up and
telling me I don't have the right to do so. Is that really too much to ask
Microsoft???????????????

Yes. And to make it secure, don't make me laugh.

 

[Bob_R]

Is that really too much to ask

Microsoft???????????????

Unfortunately for you and me both, yes it is to much to ask of Microsoft.

They could have at least given workgoups equal billing with the homegroup
rubbish instead of hiding it.

"I feel your pain."

Bob

 

[Leythos]

I have a home network that is nicely guarded behind my router's hardware
firewall. It is invisible on the internet. I just want to be able to share
files between ALL my OWN computers without some stupid box popping up and
telling me I don't have the right to do so. Is that really too much to ask
Microsoft???????????????

Maybe it's because you don't understand Windows 7 yet, or network
security concepts that have been documented by MS for years.

To share files is not difficult, even with Vista/Win 7, but you should
start learning before you do it.

 

[Alex McFarlane]

OK, so where do we learn how to do this?
AMcF

Maybe it's because you don't understand Windows 7 yet, or network
security concepts that have been documented by MS for years.

To share files is not difficult, even with Vista/Win 7, but you should
start learning before you do it.

 

[Leythos]

OK, so where do we learn how to do this?

Google, standard books on Vista, etc...