Bad Umpires

Umpires are supposed o maintain order on the field, make consistent and correct judgment calls, and insure rules are followed. We played six games in a Tampa Softball Tournament and none of the umpires knew rules well, for four of six games they made inconsistent calls, and luckily in our games no one took it seriously to get heated, but I heard in one game...

an umpire called the batter in the on deck circle out because the batter at bat cursed. Not the proper rule and an abuse of power. The tournament director stated that and told the umpire to not come back the second day, but the player sat on the bench for the rest of the game.

In our games, none of the umpires knew the rule for courtesy fouls. A rule basic to the game of softball. I pitched a called strike, the batter swung at the next two pitches and they went foul. The rulebook says the batter is out. Before pitching the next pitch, I asked the umpire if they changed the courtesy foul rules or strike count for the tournament because by ordinary rules, the batter the batter should be called out. The Umpire said he did not know but I should pitch the ball. The batter hit the ball and due to a few errors, two runs scored. We lost the game by one run. Afterward the Umpire said he made a mistake. Too late.

In another game a batter had a foul tip after a swinging strike and he was called out. Again I asked if they changed the rules for courtesy fouls and the umpire said no. I explained the rule and the umpire said the ball did not touch the bat. The other teach said it did, the other umpire on the field said it did, the call was not changed. Batter out.

A runner ran into a catcher who was straddling he third base line two feet off home plate. The catcher dropped the ball. The umpire called the running our for running into the catcher. We asked why it was not called runner obstruction and the Umpire said because the runner should have slip. So I clarified by asking if is saying a runner who breaks a catcher's ankle would be called safe, but a runner who has to go two feet past a catcher to touch home plate is out? The umpire just said it was not obstruction and the runner is out.

Another umpire used the same rule to call runners out as second base. After the game the Tournament Director agreed that sliding into a fielder's's legs is not right and the umpire should not use a sliding safe, no sliding out rule. Also, we got confirmation that if a fielder straddles the line and obstructs a runner's path, the runner should be called safe. Most recreations tournaments and leagues institute that rule to prevent injuries.

There were a lot more complaints and they asked two Umpires not to return for the Sunday session, but it was too late for a lot of teams and the tournament because the seedings were set Saturday morning and the tournament started Saturday afternoon. It was the worst collection of Umpires we ever had at a tournament. Tampa, you blew it for most of us.

They got their money, think they care?

Windows 10 is still malware

Narf :)

Poison Sucks

I don't know what I want to complain about but I want to complain. Food poisoning sucks. Do I complain about the inexpensive (cheap) buffet I went to? Do I complain about poverty because I choose to go to cheap food places where food poisoning is more likely? Do I complain about every little thing in life that hurts? Sure, why not. It's all meaningless anyway, remember?

Windows 10 is still malware

Windows 10 is Malware

I have found no disagreement anywhere that the simplest and most universal definition of Malware is...

software programs designed to damage or do other unwanted actions on a computer.

So by definition, Windows 10 Update Assistant is malware.

The facts: I uninstall it at least once a day and it re-installs itself. It creates unwanted pop-ups that block my entire screen and prevent me from using my computer unless I click on the pop-up. That triggers another pop-up further interrupting my use of my computer. This unwanted action by Microsoft is repeated at least daily.

Some days more often.

The Microsoft Corporation agrees.
This is how Microsoft defines a virus:

Q. What exactly is a virus? Is a "worm" also a virus?

Viruses are computer programs or scripts that attempt to spread from one file to another on a single computer and/or from one computer to another, using a variety of methods, without the knowledge and consent of the computer user..

I uninstall the program. How else can I withdraw my consent for this unwanted intrusion? After I uninstall everything I can find that relates with Windows Update, the program re-installs itself. It is spreading from somewhere in another program. So by The Microsoft Corporation's own definition, Windows 10 Update Assistant is a Virus.

The Symantec Corporation agrees.
The Symantec Corporation is on of the largest Computer Security, Protection, and Anti-Virus makes in the world.

This is how Symantex/Norton Antivirus defines Signs of Malware

Most of the time, the presence of malware will be obvious even though you might not know how it got on your device. In fact, most people have no idea that malware has been installed until their computers start acting funny.

You might notice a few changes on your computer including strange ads or pop-up windows—even when you’re not surfing the web. You may also experience unwanted changes to your browser and a slower experience on your computer.

Specifically, watch out for ads that pop up a few seconds after a webpage is done loading. These ads will often contain inappropriate content, are difficult to close, and display flashing colors while blocking what you’re trying to view.

Take all of these signs seriously. If you suspect your computer has malware installed, turn it off immediately and disconnect it from the Internet.

The definition of Malware is not in dispute, from PC Magazine to Technopedia and beyond

What does Malicious Software (Malware) mean?
Malicious software, commonly known as malware, is any software that brings harm to a computer system. Malware can be in the form of worms, viruses, trojans, spyware, adware and rootkits, etc., which steal protected data, delete documents or add software not approved by a user.

So if you ever wanted proof that we live in a country where there are two standards for enforcement of laws, The Microsoft Corporation and Windows 10 is glaring proof. Even more, all Security software manufacturers work in collusion with Microsoft by allowing the Microsoft Virus free reign even though the actions of the Windows 10 Update Assistant software clearly meet the definition of Malware and a computer virus. If you created a program that did what Windows 10 Assistant does and infected other computers with it, you'd be in jail and banned from the internet. Microsoft just keeps taking billions of dollars out of our pockets.

Every Day Now

Actually more than once a day most days. I uninstall Windows Assistant. I uninstall Windows Update. And still, Microsoft downloads more crap to my computer against my wishes. Microsoft is just another virus. Microsoft is Malware. Every Day Now.

The Death of Microsoft - and Lenovo

It will not stop. Every time I turn on the computer I bought and paid for. Every few hours when I am using it. Interrupting my train of thought, my work, my entertainment. The blue screen of Microsoft demanding I install their Windows 10 update comes on telling me I must make room for it. The SSD does not have room for it because Microsoft Windows 10 and other Microsoft products take up so much space, there is no room for it's update. I click hide and the Microsoft Update invader pops up with more messages telling me the computer cannot be updated. It doesn't end though. The interruption and stupidity continues many times a daily.

This is the end of my relationship with Microsoft because Microsoft will not allow me to use the computer I paid for. I would sue Microsoft if I had the time and means, but I don't, which is why I have a cheap computer that does not have enough room to install the damn update. Microsoft obviously does not care.

Neither does Lenovo. I called their tech support, still under warranty, and ask what they would do to make the product they sold me with the software they chose usable not that the hardware they put into the product they sold is no longer able to handle the software they chose and they said it is not their problem. I told them Microsoft made it Lenovo's problem and their brand will suffer for nt standing up and taking responsibility for their choices. They assured me when I bought the computer that it could handle the OS they chose to put on it. They lied. Lenovo can not be trusted any more than Microsoft.

So I am disabling Windows Update and cutting the umbilical cord. This will be the last machine I buy with a Windows OS. Which likely means this is the last Lenovo product I buy. I will avoid everything Windows from now on. The Microsoft invasion is over.

The daily blog said so...

Yes, MS killed Lenovo and every other company making small computers by giving them Windows 10 and then within the warranty period, making those small computers obsolete. So I turned off Windows Updates. So I will no longer consider this computer secure. So I need another computer for anything other than blogging. I want to save up for an Apple, but that might be a while. I will hope Kaspersky continues to protect my personal information in spite of the lack of Windows updates. Except for my years with Atari ST1040 in pre-PC days, I've known no other OS since Win3.1 and it is sad, but finally time to leave MS behind.

Narf.

Goodbye Microsoft.

Goodbye Lenovo.

Hello Apple.

Hello Linex