Microsoft

I’m noticing a not-so-subtle change in the force. I spent the better part of the week listening to Barack Obama, and I’m a moderate-to-conservative guy. Policies aside, he’s a persuasive man. Anyhow — I’m also a Windows guy for the most part, but have been known to ride (and occasionally cross over) that fence, as [...]

One of the most important things to me in terms of purchasing a new cell phone is how well it could be used on the Internet. Long before the iPhone, I wanted a device that gave me full e-mail and Web support so that I could always be connected wherever I was, but whenever I [...]

A group of researchers headed by Dr. Benny Pinkas from the Department of Computer Science at the University of Haifa succeeded in finding a security vulnerability in Microsoft’s "Windows 2000" operating system. The significance of the loophole: emails, passwords, credit card numbers, if they were typed into the computer, and actually all correspondence that emanated [...]

In a previous article, I had mixed feelings about the new Microsoft Surface project, as it was really difficult to understand where the market for such a thing would be. Then I watched some new footage on DL.TV and I will admit, even as a Linux guy, that I was blown away.
Consider for a moment what [...]

Computerworld reports:
Microsoft Corp. and flash memory maker SanDisk Corp. today partnered to build a new generation of USB drives and memory cards that lets users carry a personalized desktop and applications to any Windows PC.
The joint effort will devise a replacement for SanDisk’s U3 Smart Technology, the existing platform for securing USB and memory card [...]

Xboxic is reporting that a major update will be pushed to all Xbox-live connected Xbox360s on Oct 31st. It will contain a whole slew of updates, most notably the addition of support for HD-DVD playback (additional hardware required) and the ability to output in full 1080p HDTV resolution. Be sure to connect your Xbox 360 [...]

Microsoft Corp. today plans to release a renamed, updated version of its small-business accounting program that it said makes better use of online services.
The Redmond company also plans to debut a new, free version of the program for simpler or smaller businesses.
The free product, called Office Accounting Express 2007, provides full cash- and accrual-based accounting, [...]

We know that Microsoft has been pretty tight-lipped about its upcoming Zune device, so this video is particularly interesting. The crew over at The Bleeding Edge got into a super-secret, underground Zune party held in Seattle’s Tabella night club, and was able to capture an exclusive hands-on Zune video demonstration. The video focuses on the [...]

Since IE 7 went to RC-1 yesterday, I’ve been hard at work seeing if it made any particular difference in the errors I outlined in my last post about IE 7 Beta 3 (Bye Bye IE 7). And it DID make differences.

In a particularly Microsoft-ish move, Amir Majidimehr (VP of Consumer Media Technology Group at Microsoft) managed to try to deny an earlier report that another feature had been cut from Vista, yet admit that consumers may not get the feature that is supposed to be there. This is according to an article from The Inquirer [...]

Such is the mindset at Microsoft these days or so it appears. This time, though, the feature axed is not another feature of Vista lost in its inexorable efforts to push the box out the door in time for the Christmas rush. At least, it won’t be a major loss.

Yes, it’s true - I’ve had to say goodbye to IE 7 (for now).
It’s a case of To Print or Not To Print. My system, it seems, is one of the who-knows-how-many that generate a critical error when trying to print from Outlook 2003 (up to date).

Robert Levine of The New York Times writes:
During the last decade, the cost of recording and producing music and video has plummeted, giving amateur auteurs a chance at stardom. But at the same time, the expense involved in making video games has gone up: the development kits needed to create games for the consoles made [...]

Bill’s moving onward and away from Microsoft. While he will likely still maintain a level of title, his active duties are most definitely changing focus as he call it quits.

It’s unfortunate, but Microsoft’s WGA program is one their ‘acceptable losses’ programs that they allow to continue even though it is totally obvious that it does not work as it should.

Well, it had to happen. Ever since Microsoft cut Windows 9x/ME users adrift, people have been holding their breath. We’ve been waiting for that moment when the first serious security threat developed. That is now a reality. Is there hope?

Finally!
Now all of us not lucky enough to be Microsoft MVPs or rich enough to pay for a rather high-priced MSDN subscription ($2000+) will be able to get our hands on a copy of the new baby from Redmond. At this point, Microsoft must have less than three months to get the final release candidate [...]

The folks at RealTechNews write:
Microsoft reserves 20% of your available bandwidth for its own purposes (suspect for updates and interrogating your machine etc.) Here’s how to get it back:

Michael Santo of RealTechNews writes:
Although the codebase used to compile the different versions of IE7 is the same, the version of the browser provided in Vista will have a slightly different name, meaning “Internet Explorer 7+.” Aside from Vista-only features provided by the OS, such as Protected Mode, Parental Controls, and improved Network Diagnostics, there [...]

Michael Santo of RealTechNews writes:
I found this “translation” of the Windows XP Home EULA, and it’s interesting to get it translated into non-legalese. Of course, I’ve never really taken the time to read it (plus I own Professional, not Home). It’s also posted on LinuxAdvocate.org, so I’m sure there’s a slant, but it’s still interesting. Here [...]