Artificial sort-of intelligence

[pameladean]

So some bit of Windows 10, which installed myself on my laptop a while back because I failed to tell it not to emphatically enough, wants to show me different background photos when I first wake the computer up. There's a link in the upper right-hand corner that says "Like what you see?" and you can say either "Not a fan" or "I want more!" I have dutifully been clicking on whichever of those is nearest my preference. This is supposed to be collaborative communication, but it's often felt more like a battle.

I had approved of a number of nature shots with interesting light effects. At some point, I kept being shown photos with similar lighting effects, but either the scene was fantasticated in a way that I didn't like, or the lighting was showing tools or buildings. It took a very long time of repeatedly disavowing such photos before Windows 10 decided that it was tired of this unappreciative nonsense and would just start showing me scenes from national parks.

So it's all worked out, but I did a lot of muttering in the meantime. "No, I told you, I don't really want to see broken-down cars, artfully-arranged garden tools all in sepia, or strangely-distorted castles first thing in the morning." I couldn't help feeling that the software involved was muttering things back at me. "Oh, come on, in essential ways this is just like that forest one you liked. Give me a break!"

Pamela

Comments

[mle292.livejournal.com]

I am very proud that I've successfully avoided Windows 10 so far. They're tricksy with their pop-ups. Would you like to install Windows 10 immediately, or would you like to schedule the install for three hours from now? Pick only one.

The little "X" in the corner still works, but I expect soon it will say "Close this window to begin your free upgrade." I remain vigilant.

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

I seem to have successfully disabled Windows 7's attempts to upgrade itself to 10 on my laptop. It just asks me about security updates and the like. Not sure how I did it, but it seems to be possible.

[pameladean]

You are mighty!

I feel fortunate that, since I failed to avert the upgrade, it doesn't seem to have done any harm.

P.