The Daily WTF: Curious Perversions in Information Technology

MarkJ · 2010-12-17 Reply Admin

airdrik:
Derp:
Thew Visual C# installer needs to install common components, required to be present on the drive containing %WINDIR% and %PROGRAMFILES%, that's where the gross of the size comes from.
So TRWTF is that installing the *Express* version of an IDE requires 3.7 GB of disk space with all of its dependencies that don't come installed with the OS.
Derp:
TRWTF is that you're installing Visual Studio and expect to be taken seriously as a programmer with your submission.
Though I have to appreciate frits' other modification. Real programmers use vi/emacs/nano (encode the machine instructions directly into executables)

If Real Programmers encode the machine instructions directly into executables, than I guess I'm not a Real Programmer -- I'm not that masochistic.

2010-12-17 Reply Admin

MarkJ:
airdrik:
Derp:
Thew Visual C# installer needs to install common components, required to be present on the drive containing %WINDIR% and %PROGRAMFILES%, that's where the gross of the size comes from.
So TRWTF is that installing the *Express* version of an IDE requires 3.7 GB of disk space with all of its dependencies that don't come installed with the OS.
Derp:
TRWTF is that you're installing Visual Studio and expect to be taken seriously as a programmer with your submission.
Though I have to appreciate frits' other modification. Real programmers use vi/emacs/nano (encode the machine instructions directly into executables)
If Real Programmers encode the machine instructions directly into executables, than I guess I'm not a Real Programmer -- I'm not that masochistic.

Don't worry, your not. Real programmers know what the programming instructions do. Get an Associates degree at your local college, and you will be much more informed.

2010-12-18 Reply Admin

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2010-12-18 Reply Admin

Anon:
Daniel Kokan:
Leedo:
Regarding the wireless printer coming with a cable. What folks seem to be missing is that, yes, it seems a bit silly to send a cable with a printer that is wireless. But the real WTF (and is part of the joke in the text) is that up until now regular wired printers never came with a cable. So now I buy a printer that doesn't need the cable and I get one??

That was exactly the point. I was aware it was used for installation, as I had already installed it when I posted this. :)

Alright frontpage!
I don't fully get this assertion. I'm not disputing you, it's just that every single printer I've ever bought (and I've gone through quite a few in my time) has come with a cable. I would return a printer if it didn't come with one, just on principle - if I've paid that much money for something I expect to be able to use it straight out the box, I don't even care that I've got a bunch of old cables already. Which is a good point, I can back up this claim by counting my printer cable collection..

[I actually counted my old printer cables here]

I found 4 LPTs and at least 4 USBs but it's hard to tell with the USB cables because they're just plain old USB A-B cables, I'm going by memory as to which ones came with a printer. Anyway, this still serves as a good indication that all my previous printer purchases have come with a cable.

Is this an American thing maybe? Supply the hardware but con the customer into paying extra for the luxury of actually using it?

Well, I'm from Canada, and I've purchased about 5 printers in my lifetime. This is the first to have a cable. All the other ones have "Remember to purchase your usb cable!" printed on them.

So perhaps when you say "American" thing, you mean "anywhere but where I'm from", but that is at least the case here in Canada.

2010-12-18 Reply Admin

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2010-12-18 Reply Admin

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hoodaticus · 2010-12-18 Reply Admin

frits:
Derp:
Thew Visual C# installer needs to install common components, required to be present on the drive containing %WINDIR% and %PROGRAMFILES%, that's where the gross of the size comes from.
TRWTF is that you're installing an IDE and expect to be taken seriously as a programmer with your submission.

FTFY

Real men program with electrodes and solder on a wooden table.

hoodaticus · 2010-12-18 Reply Admin

2010-12-18 Reply Admin

As most of you will have noticed, the 3.5GB shared files used by Visual Studio Express are already installed, and aren't included in that download or installation.

TTWTF is that some of those shared components do not work reliably unless installed in their default location. Despite a system (COM) that is supposed to be location independent (DCOM actually lets you have components installed on a different computer!), there are still thousands of applications (including some MS applications) that break if the common files are not installed to the default location.

2010-12-18 Reply Admin

You missed the joke.

2010-12-19 Reply Admin

Come on, it's "some space on C: AND some space on D:", not "some space on C: OR some space on D:". It just needs some space on both drives. Baah, noobs!

2010-12-19 Reply Admin

Daniel Kokan:
Anon:
Daniel Kokan:
Leedo:
Regarding the wireless printer coming with a cable. What folks seem to be missing is that, yes, it seems a bit silly to send a cable with a printer that is wireless. But the real WTF (and is part of the joke in the text) is that up until now regular wired printers never came with a cable. So now I buy a printer that doesn't need the cable and I get one??

That was exactly the point. I was aware it was used for installation, as I had already installed it when I posted this. :)

Alright frontpage!
I don't fully get this assertion. I'm not disputing you, it's just that every single printer I've ever bought (and I've gone through quite a few in my time) has come with a cable. I would return a printer if it didn't come with one, just on principle - if I've paid that much money for something I expect to be able to use it straight out the box, I don't even care that I've got a bunch of old cables already. Which is a good point, I can back up this claim by counting my printer cable collection..

[I actually counted my old printer cables here]

I found 4 LPTs and at least 4 USBs but it's hard to tell with the USB cables because they're just plain old USB A-B cables, I'm going by memory as to which ones came with a printer. Anyway, this still serves as a good indication that all my previous printer purchases have come with a cable.

Is this an American thing maybe? Supply the hardware but con the customer into paying extra for the luxury of actually using it?

Well, I'm from Canada, and I've purchased about 5 printers in my lifetime. This is the first to have a cable. All the other ones have "Remember to purchase your usb cable!" printed on them.

So perhaps when you say "American" thing, you mean "anywhere but where I'm from", but that is at least the case here in Canada.

I only assumed American because this is an American site and most of the submissions and readers are clearly from America. You're from wannabe-America so I really wasn't that far off.

2010-12-19 Reply Admin

Anon:
Daniel Kokan:
Anon:
Daniel Kokan:
Leedo:
Regarding the wireless printer coming with a cable. What folks seem to be missing is that, yes, it seems a bit silly to send a cable with a printer that is wireless. But the real WTF (and is part of the joke in the text) is that up until now regular wired printers never came with a cable. So now I buy a printer that doesn't need the cable and I get one??

That was exactly the point. I was aware it was used for installation, as I had already installed it when I posted this. :)

Alright frontpage!
I don't fully get this assertion. I'm not disputing you, it's just that every single printer I've ever bought (and I've gone through quite a few in my time) has come with a cable. I would return a printer if it didn't come with one, just on principle - if I've paid that much money for something I expect to be able to use it straight out the box, I don't even care that I've got a bunch of old cables already. Which is a good point, I can back up this claim by counting my printer cable collection..

[I actually counted my old printer cables here]

I found 4 LPTs and at least 4 USBs but it's hard to tell with the USB cables because they're just plain old USB A-B cables, I'm going by memory as to which ones came with a printer. Anyway, this still serves as a good indication that all my previous printer purchases have come with a cable.

Is this an American thing maybe? Supply the hardware but con the customer into paying extra for the luxury of actually using it?

Well, I'm from Canada, and I've purchased about 5 printers in my lifetime. This is the first to have a cable. All the other ones have "Remember to purchase your usb cable!" printed on them.

So perhaps when you say "American" thing, you mean "anywhere but where I'm from", but that is at least the case here in Canada.
I only assumed American because this is an American site and most of the submissions and readers are clearly from America. You're from shit-America so I really wasn't that far off.

FTFY

2010-12-19 Reply Admin

The Boss:
Anon:
Daniel Kokan:
Anon:
Daniel Kokan:
Leedo:
Regarding the wireless printer coming with a cable. What folks seem to be missing is that, yes, it seems a bit silly to send a cable with a printer that is wireless. But the real WTF (and is part of the joke in the text) is that up until now regular wired printers never came with a cable. So now I buy a printer that doesn't need the cable and I get one??

That was exactly the point. I was aware it was used for installation, as I had already installed it when I posted this. :)

Alright frontpage!
I don't fully get this assertion. I'm not disputing you, it's just that every single printer I've ever bought (and I've gone through quite a few in my time) has come with a cable. I would return a printer if it didn't come with one, just on principle - if I've paid that much money for something I expect to be able to use it straight out the box, I don't even care that I've got a bunch of old cables already. Which is a good point, I can back up this claim by counting my printer cable collection..

[I actually counted my old printer cables here]

I found 4 LPTs and at least 4 USBs but it's hard to tell with the USB cables because they're just plain old USB A-B cables, I'm going by memory as to which ones came with a printer. Anyway, this still serves as a good indication that all my previous printer purchases have come with a cable.

Is this an American thing maybe? Supply the hardware but con the customer into paying extra for the luxury of actually using it?

Well, I'm from Canada, and I've purchased about 5 printers in my lifetime. This is the first to have a cable. All the other ones have "Remember to purchase your usb cable!" printed on them.

So perhaps when you say "American" thing, you mean "anywhere but where I'm from", but that is at least the case here in Canada.
I only assumed American because this is an American site and most of the submissions and readers are clearly from America. You're from shit-America so I really wasn't that far off.
FTFY

Methinks all printers I've ever bought have had cables, but I know salesmen have always tried to sell me a cable anyway (I always this was deliberate for the dumb consumer, but there you go).

I've always been surprised by the large volumes of people who don't seem to be american on this site (at least two have pictures featured this week). Either that or people from the US don't want to admit it....

2010-12-19 Reply Admin

Yeeeessss

Because all of us use Microsoft coding languages exclusively and anyone who doesn't is obviously not a programmer.

If I were, for example, a Java programmer who wanted to give .net a go I would DEFINITELY shell out for the full version of visual studio right away on the off chance. Only girly-men try something like express to get there feet wet.

You are the WTF, Prat.

2010-12-20 Reply Admin

Daniel Kokan:
Anon:
Daniel Kokan:
Leedo:
Regarding the wireless printer coming with a cable. What folks seem to be missing is that, yes, it seems a bit silly to send a cable with a printer that is wireless. But the real WTF (and is part of the joke in the text) is that up until now regular wired printers never came with a cable. So now I buy a printer that doesn't need the cable and I get one??

That was exactly the point. I was aware it was used for installation, as I had already installed it when I posted this. :)

Alright frontpage!
I don't fully get this assertion. I'm not disputing you, it's just that every single printer I've ever bought (and I've gone through quite a few in my time) has come with a cable. I would return a printer if it didn't come with one, just on principle - if I've paid that much money for something I expect to be able to use it straight out the box, I don't even care that I've got a bunch of old cables already. Which is a good point, I can back up this claim by counting my printer cable collection..

[I actually counted my old printer cables here]

I found 4 LPTs and at least 4 USBs but it's hard to tell with the USB cables because they're just plain old USB A-B cables, I'm going by memory as to which ones came with a printer. Anyway, this still serves as a good indication that all my previous printer purchases have come with a cable.

Is this an American thing maybe? Supply the hardware but con the customer into paying extra for the luxury of actually using it?

Well, I'm from Canada, and I've purchased about 5 printers in my lifetime. This is the first to have a cable. All the other ones have "Remember to purchase your usb cable!" printed on them.

So perhaps when you say "American" thing, you mean "anywhere but where I'm from", but that is at least the case here in Canada.

I agree, I don't think this practice is unique to the US and / or Canada. I have purchased a number of printers in the UK and France in retailers such as PC World, Darty etc. Not a single one came with an interface cable. Not in the days of LPT nor USB.

My understanding of the comsumer printer market is that the retailers make little to no profit on the printer itself. All the profits are made on the interface cables (selling 59p cables for £12), ink / toner refills and paper.

2010-12-20 Reply Admin

Anon:
Daniel Kokan:
Leedo:
Regarding the wireless printer coming with a cable. What folks seem to be missing is that, yes, it seems a bit silly to send a cable with a printer that is wireless. But the real WTF (and is part of the joke in the text) is that up until now regular wired printers never came with a cable. So now I buy a printer that doesn't need the cable and I get one??

That was exactly the point. I was aware it was used for installation, as I had already installed it when I posted this. :)

Alright frontpage!
I don't fully get this assertion. I'm not disputing you, it's just that every single printer I've ever bought (and I've gone through quite a few in my time) has come with a cable. I would return a printer if it didn't come with one, just on principle - if I've paid that much money for something I expect to be able to use it straight out the box, I don't even care that I've got a bunch of old cables already. Which is a good point, I can back up this claim by counting my printer cable collection..

[I actually counted my old printer cables here]

I found 4 LPTs and at least 4 USBs but it's hard to tell with the USB cables because they're just plain old USB A-B cables, I'm going by memory as to which ones came with a printer. Anyway, this still serves as a good indication that all my previous printer purchases have come with a cable.

Is this an American thing maybe? Supply the hardware but con the customer into paying extra for the luxury of actually using it?

Just like tipping (the price on the menu is for the meal, but not for someone to bring it to you...) and ex-tax prices (the sign is telling you how much the vendor charges, not how much you have to pay. As I was once told in a shop in the US: that's between you and the government!)

Strange place.

2010-12-20 Reply Admin

The Boss:
Anon:
Daniel Kokan:
Anon:
Daniel Kokan:
Leedo:

I only assumed American because this is an American site and most of the submissions and readers are clearly from America. You're from shit-America so I really wasn't that far off.
FTFY

We'll take our "shit-america" over the ridiculous idiots in your country, any day. :) This is counting all of your leaders. Senators, Mayors, Presidents... I don't know what's worse, that you vote for these people, or that the first good one you get gets shut down by your 99% hick population.

If you don't like him so much, then why did so many people vote for him? Har-har.

MrBester · 2010-12-20 Reply Admin

05 SELF TEST:
I agree, I don't think this practice is unique to the US and / or Canada. I have purchased a number of printers in the UK and France in retailers such as PC World, Darty etc. Not a single one came with an interface cable. Not in the days of LPT nor USB.
My understanding of the comsumer printer market is that the retailers make little to no profit on the printer itself. All the profits are made on the interface cables (selling 59p cables for £12), ink / toner refills and paper.

Which is why it is cheaper to buy a new inexpensive printer when the ink runs out than to refill it. Not only do you get a shiny new printer, you get to use the cable you bought last time, saving you another £20.

I've been buying printers since the early 90s. In all that time, only ones that cost in excess of £500 came with a cable (and that was a parallel one when £500 was a LOT). I've never heard of a USB printer that comes with a cable and refuse to believe that such an arcane thing exists in this universe.

2010-12-20 Reply Admin

Anon:
I don't fully get this assertion. I'm not disputing you, it's just that every single printer I've ever bought (and I've gone through quite a few in my time) has come with a cable. I would return a printer if it didn't come with one, just on principle - if I've paid that much money for something I expect to be able to use it straight out the box, I don't even care that I've got a bunch of old cables already. Which is a good point, I can back up this claim by counting my printer cable collection..
[I actually counted my old printer cables here]

I found 4 LPTs and at least 4 USBs but it's hard to tell with the USB cables because they're just plain old USB A-B cables, I'm going by memory as to which ones came with a printer. Anyway, this still serves as a good indication that all my previous printer purchases have come with a cable.

Is this an American thing maybe? Supply the hardware but con the customer into paying extra for the luxury of actually using it?

I'm not sure about USB cables, but I have two (wired) network printers at home and neither of them came with a network cable.

I recently bought a new DVD player that required an HDMI cable to connect to my TV, and I had to buy the cable separately. The funny part there was that the DVD player cost $40, and the store wanted $30 for the cable. I ended up buying the cable on-line for $7. Which is probably still about $6.50 more than it cost to make it.

2010-12-21 Reply Admin

Re. Visual C disk space requirements for drive C

This effect - installing stacks of stuff to drive C regardless - is very in common MS products

In fact, I actually got them to refund my money once (!) about 10 years ago when an upgrade of one of the Office suite required a stack of space on my C drive that I didn't have.

The box said "X Mbytes" which I had elsewhere but I took them at their word and then found the bloody thing wouldn't install because it needed "X Mbytes - someSmallDelta" on C:

Because, it didn't say "... on your C: drive"

I literally had to threaten them with the police before they took it back though.

They're shameless.

2010-12-22 Reply Admin

Bill's Kid:
Capitan Oblivio:
frits:
Typographic diarrhea

Shut up already. We all know this is all the same person. As if anybody would waste time interacting with you.

I'm slightly confused...

He's a nobody.

2010-12-22 Reply Admin

amischiefr:
PC Load Letter:
I think the wireless printer guy was too quick to post. The cable is to provision your printer via PC to work on your wireless network in the first place. I own the model printer in question, and configuring its print server with '<', '>' and 'OK' would be madness.
There is that, and also the fact that just because the printer is capable of working as a wireless one, that doesn't mean that everybody buying the printer is using it as such. Some people don't have a wireless network at home. I know, stone age...

I know this is splitting hairs, but... If you own a wireless laptop, and you aren't parasiting on your neighbors wireless connection, then you probably also own a wireless access point as well?
Even a standard wired printer can print from a wireless laptop if the machine (desktop) it is connected to is so networked and enabled. But then, I also live in a multicomputered household. I suppose if the laptop, and the printer were ALL you owned adn comprised your entire portion of the network...

2010-12-22 Reply Admin

Ryan:
Keef:
And then you unplug the cable once it's setup and (probably) lose it...

It's a standard USB cable. You can always just buy another one. Or put it in your box o' cables in the basement (everyone has one of those, right? I mean, you never know when you're going to need that circa-1992 serial cable again)

yep - bag o' cables tho...

Wireless Cable

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