Microsoft Patents Automatic OS Shutdown
Microsoft has successfully patented a procedure for shutting down Windows.
Conceivably Tech reports that Microsoft has just been awarded a patent for a faster shutdown procedure. Filed in 2005, the procedure overrides already open applications that may be delaying the shutdown. Users might recall seeing this feature in action in the form of the notification screen that flashes up if you've tried to shut down and other programs or unsaved documents are still open.
The patent abstract reads:
"Aspects include the operating system receiving a command to initiate shut down, and automatically terminating graphical user interface (GUI) applications that delay shut down which do not have top level windows. Also, aspects provide a user, through a graphical user interface, the ability to automatically terminate all running applications in response to determining that a running GUI application has a top level windows."
Do you think Microsoft should have been awarded this patent or do you think this is an example of a flawed patent system? Let us know in the comments below!
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Pratt and Whitney uses flow systems for their processes, its not necessarily patented but it is a "trade secret" to keep the company at an advantage competitively. That's weird that you could patent a procedure like that.
Just goes to show how stupid the patent system is
Does the flow diagram even work? Firstly I can't see how that's any different from the current shut down procedure (from the effect on users), but should it really give up trying to close applications properly if the user confirms one dialogue box (i.e. the last box on the 'no' chain heading straight to shut-down rather than back up to 'any applications running?'? I suppose it confirms the user intent to shut down and damn the torpedoes, but given they did that once already at the outset this would seem to go against itself.
one question why not
go to run menu
type in
shutdown -f -s -t 2
the -f tells it to force close any open programs, the -s tells it to shutdown and -t to delay shutdown to 2 seconds
bewarned after you hit enter you cant stop shutdown
i put this in a batch file, set -t to 3am and so long as i click it @ny time after 3am, it'll shut down the next time 3am rolls around. useful shutdown timer, one line of code.
the -t uses it in seconds?
i dont know how you did this but it is a timer so it wouldnt work becasue it would wait the amount of time you set for example 5 hours is
18000, 10 hours is 36,000
i think you are getting confused with the comand and you can create a batch file with it if you want but its too much trouble, id rather add it as a batch file and add it to startup programs so it automatically activates on startup
and becasue with the -a comand you can disable it, this is the best way
as an outsider, it seems to me that the American patent system is a total joke.
I guess it was designed by patent lawyers, for patent lawyers.
as an outsider, it seems to me that the American patent system is a total joke.I guess it was designed by patent lawyers, for patent lawyers.
With a healthy dose of lobbying by big corporations to get their own concessions, loopholes and advantages put in to the process no doubt.
its "shutdown -s -t 00" -t is time in seconds before shutdown, "shutdown -a" cancels a shutdown in progress. -r, restart. write a simple batch file with the line shutdown -s -t 00 then use windows schedule to run it at the required time.
flake, if a program crashes with your method it will not do it
thats why you use "-f"
because if you didn't it might not shutdown at all
"shutdown -f -s -t 2" -f tells it to force close programs, -s tells it to shutdown, -t tells it how long to wait in second e.g. 300 is 5mins
On my linux box I type init 0 that does the trick.
You can lower the shutdown speed quite easily and without the need for a flow diagram or patent..just buy Windows Vista. You'll be shutting the bugger down in no time.