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Vista – Some of You Missed The Point |
Nov 14, 2008 - 6:11 PM - by Digital Dave
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So, lots and lots of emails pertaining to my Babble “Windows 7 – This is ridiculous…”
Some of you can’t wait to get your grubby little hands on it, and some of you are flat out pissed you already bought Vista, with a couple of you flat out pissed at me for making the jump to Vista based on my recommendations and Babbles.
Okay, I’m going to defend myself here.
One, I don’t recall twisting anyone’s arm to install Vista. It’s true I do have Vista installed on some of my machines but I have been quite vocal from the get-go about what is needed to run Vista successfully and that it’s not the best OS ever produced (Windows 2008 is) but, I do get where you are coming from. I’m a big boy, I can take it.
Also, I never said I had rolled it at work. As a matter of fact I have clearly stated I have, and still have mind you, a small group of people running Vista Business edition and a couple of early adopters who insisted on running Vista because of all the headaches they had with… **gulp**… XP.
Now, that said I know I have spoken highly of Vista and I am not backing off that at all. I have been running Vista, on various machines since day one. I have felt the pain and the occasional misery everyone has experienced with Vista but after SP1 a lot of that pain went away.
Again, and let me be quite clear here… Windows 2008 as a Workstation is the BEST desktop OS I have ever run. Period. I guess the reason I am so happy with what I have seen so far in Windows 7, is the simple fact that I feel ,even at this early stage of development , it’s almost a fast as my Windows 2008 desktop system at home (which, to be honest is very flippen fast).
So, that’s all I have to say about that.
However, the reason for the title in the Babble is I honestly feel people have missed the boat a bit with Vista. Honestly, I think some of you are looking at it the wrong way.
There is NO denying Vista is more stable and more secure (mostly secure) than Windows XP could ever hope to be and with the world the way it is right now with and with all the bad people who will stop at nothing to make a buck with your information I for one am very glad to be using a very secure and, to be honest, fast OS. Sure it took some money (actually more than I would have liked to have spent… but…) to make it fast but I knew from the beginning that Microsoft wasn’t really building a new OS, they were actually building a new platform. You read right folks, a platform. Microsoft clearly stated Vista would have a new kernel and driver matrix and we all knew that. Don’t look at me like that, we all knew!
I think we all also know, when a new platform is introduced new problems come along with it but, also with any new platform we all have to understand that... [Read More]
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4 Replies | 443 Views
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Windows 7 – This is ridiculous… |
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Oct 30, 2008 - 11:39 AM - by Digital Dave
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What the hell is Microsoft thinking! Who at Microsoft thought it was a good idea to release Windows 7 to the Tech community? Honest to god this has to be one of the worst decisions I have ever seen from any company in all my days on this planet.
So you’re probably wondering why I am so upset. Well, I’ll tell you.
I just loaded up the PDC build in two virtual machines and after seeing it’s performance in the VM’s (VMWare and Hyper-V) I decided to remove my main HD, install a spare 250 GB drive I have sitting on a shelf (you should see my office… I have a lot of stuff laying around for testing purposes) and after about 30 minutes of doing some basic and a couple of application installations (Messenger, Office 2007, etc…) I have concluded this OS puts Windows Vista to shame. TO SHAME!
Who in the hell at Microsoft decided to actually make Explorer useful and understandable?
Who decided that running the x64 version of Windows 7 in 1.5 GB of RAM should actually perform?
What engineering team decided Internet Explorer 8.0 should fly through the internet?
What group thought to protect a users data via a simple and dynamic RAID 0 setup was a good idea?
What brain-trust had the audacity to come up with the idea that when an application is minimized it should release it's unused system resources back to the OS? WHO? Who did this? I want answers!
Honest to god, I think the folks at Microsoft are trying to make my head explode! I can’t handle this kind of performance. I just can’t. I had to load it on three machines just to make sure someone up in Redmond wasn’t screwing with me!
Right now, I have 6 applications open, including three independent Internet Explorer browsers, Word 2007, Powerpoint 2007, Windows Messenger, AVG Free 8.0, and a couple of Explorer windows and I am using a TOTAL of 900MB. DID YOU READ THAT MICROSOFT! 900 MB Total! ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME!
I am absolutely stupefied the engineers at Microsoft decided to develop, using the Windows Vista/2008 kernel no less, a stellar OS even in this early stage. I can’t handle this!!! I am not use to this. I am use to bloatware. I am use to slow… I am use to… Vista.
I am use to Vista pausing for no apparent reason and having to hold onto my laptop praying it doesn’t take off like a UFO.
I'm use to Vista kicking my processor up so high I could use the heat from the fan on the bottom of my laptop to dry my hair.
I am use to having to shove 4 – 8 GB of RAM into every system I own just to get Vista to perform.
I am use to scores of fellow techs hammering me about how Vista is killing them from a hardware and resource perspective (like I have a “bat phone” directly to Mr. Ballmer and Mr. Gates).
I am use to... [Read More]
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11 Replies | 3,211 Views
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Microsoft offers startups free development tools, MSDN subscription |
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Nov 19, 2008 - 11:17 AM - by Digital Dave
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Now that's just flat-out nice of them.
A new Microsoft program is giving out full versions of the company's development tools to startups making less than $1 million, the company announced earlier this month.
Under BizSpark, startups will get a full range of development tools and software, including Visual Studio Team System, an MSDN Premium subscription and unlimited licenses of Microsoft's servers, including Windows Server, SQL Server, BizTalk and SharePoint. To qualify, companies must be privately owned, make less than $1 million annually and have been in business for less than three years.
Companies can use their servers for internal testing as well as hosting software as a service (SaaS), and there is no limitation on selling traditional client-server software built on tools acquired through BizSpark, said Don Dodge, director of business development at Microsoft's emerging business team. The program also connects SaaS startups with hosting partners that can host the startup's software for free for the duration of its BizSpark membership.
Full article is over on searchwindevelopment.techtarget.com
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0 Replies | 20 Views
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Zune 3.1 |
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Nov 19, 2008 - 10:57 AM - by Digital Dave
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For those who have a Zune.
It has been 2 months since the major Zune 3.0 update and couple of new devices were released. Today Microsoft released the Zune 3.1 update that adds 3 new games and makes some stability and performance improvements. Also, they should be announcing a small price cut on the Zune tomorrow in time for the holidays.
The three new games for the Zune are Space Battle, SuDoKu, and Checkers. They also added multiplayer enhancements to the Texas Hold’Em game, added a new “Like Minded Listeners” feature, and eliminated some of the lag sometimes seen in the Zune hardware. The great thing about the Zune is that even the first generation devices are upgradeable to the latest firmware.
- Story over on zdnet.com
- Download the software (x86 and x64) over on Majorgeeks.com
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0 Replies | 13 Views
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Microsoft To Corner Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware Market |
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Nov 19, 2008 - 8:57 AM - by Digital Dave
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While this will not happen until next year, it will happen.
To address the growing need for a PC security solution tailored to the demands of emerging markets, smaller PC form factors and rapid increases in the incidence of malware, Microsoft Corp. plans to offer a new consumer security offering focused on core anti-malware protection.
Code-named “Morro,” this streamlined solution will be available in the second half of 2009 and will provide comprehensive protection from malware including viruses, spyware, rootkits and trojans. This new solution, to be offered at no charge to consumers, will be architected for a smaller footprint that will use fewer computing resources, making it ideal for low-bandwidth scenarios or less powerful PCs. As part of Microsoft’s move to focus on this simplified offering, the company also announced today that it will discontinue retail sales of its Windows Live OneCare subscription service effective June 30, 2009.
“Customers around the world have told us that they need comprehensive, ongoing protection from new and existing threats, and we take that concern seriously,” said Amy Barzdukas, senior director of product management for the Online Services and Windows Division at Microsoft. “This new, no-cost offering will give us the ability to protect an even greater number of consumers, especially in markets where the growth of new PC purchases is outpaced only by the growth of malware.”
Microsoft Press Pass
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0 Replies | 28 Views
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PowerStrip 3.84 Build 640 |
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Nov 19, 2008 - 7:46 AM - by Digital Dave
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For those who need it.
PowerStrip 3.46 provides advanced, multi-monitor, programmable hardware support to a wide range of graphics cards - from the venerable Matrox Millennium I to the latest Radeon 9800. It's the only program of its type to support multiple graphics cards from multiple chipset vendors, simultaneously, under every Windows operating system from Windows 95 to XP.
Download from majorgeeks.com
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0 Replies | 19 Views
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Google 'Voice Search' hands-on verdict: Awesome |
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Nov 18, 2008 - 1:12 PM - by Digital Dave
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I have to try this now.
The new voice-activated Google Mobile app for the iPhone is finally here. Whatever the reason for the delay, it was worth the wait. As we wrote last week, the search app knows when you bring the phone to your face to speak into it. It beeps, you talk, and it executes a Google search on what you said. (If you're using a headset, you have to press a button. You can type in your queries, too, if you want.)
It is freakishly accurate. It's not perfect, but it's extremely good. Good enough to be used frequently, I'd say, although this review is based on only 15 minutes of experimentation.
News.com Article
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0 Replies | 36 Views
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Get a 22-inch LCD for $149.99 shipped |
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Nov 18, 2008 - 1:11 PM - by Digital Dave
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While not a "top of the line" monitor, it's a pretty good price.
Score! Buy.com has a 22-inch wide-screen LCD monitor for the lowest price I've ever seen: $149.99 shipped (after a $20 mail-in rebate). And it's new, not a refurb. Score!
OK, settle down; there are a few caveats. First, I rounded up a bit. This is actually a 21.6-inch LCD, though I don't think anyone's going to quibble over four-tenths of an inch. Second, the Optiquest Q2162wb is a decidedly entry-level monitor. Although it offers a native resolution of 1,680x1,050 and a 5ms response time, it has only a VGA input--no DVI or HDMI. No speakers, either.
Full article and link is over on news.cnet.com
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0 Replies | 44 Views
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ZoneAlarm Pro firewall absolutely FREE! (today only!) |
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Nov 18, 2008 - 9:48 AM - by Digital Dave
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Free to all comers today only.
ZoneAlarm pioneered the personal computer firewall and our parent company, Check Point Software launched the first comprehensive enterprise firewall 15 years ago. We know how to keep the bad guys out. It makes us proud to know that our firewall protects every member of the Fortune 100, and is trusted by over 60 million people worldwide.
To celebrate, we're offering you ZoneAlarm Pro firewall absolutely FREE!
Download today only!
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2 Replies | 109 Views
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Simple Port Forwarding 2.1.1 |
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Nov 18, 2008 - 9:40 AM - by Digital Dave
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I like this software.
Simple Port Forwarding was designed to make forwarding ports on your router as easy as a few clicks.
The program works by automating the process for you. So whether you don't understand how to forward ports, or your simply looking for an easier way of doing things then this program is for you.
Download from Majorgeeks.com
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0 Replies | 37 Views
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Apple releases fix for quirky MacBook glass trackpads |
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Nov 18, 2008 - 7:21 AM - by Digital Dave
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For those who might need it.
Apple has released a software update to address an issue where trackpad clicks would randomly go unrecognized on its latest notebook offerings: the MacBook (Late 2008) and MacBook Pro (Late 2008).
"This firmware update addresses an issue where trackpad clicks may not be recognized on MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) and MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) computers," the company said.
Full FAQ is over on appleinsider.com
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0 Replies | 37 Views
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Vista Capable Fiasco 'Destroyed' Microsoft's Credibility, Insider E-Mails Say |
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Nov 17, 2008 - 11:46 PM - by Digital Dave
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HP is, well... pissed.
The e-mails, unsealed last week, reveal concerns by Microsoft insiders and outsiders that the company eased the specifications for a Vista Capable PC prior to Vista's debut in early 2007 in order satisfy chipmaker Intel, which was laden with a large inventory of graphics components that did not meet the original requirements for Vista.
That didn't sit well with HP, which developed two motherboards specifically for the then-new operating system.
"The decision you have made and communicated has taken away an investment we made consciously for competitive advantage knowing that some players would choose not to make the same level of investment as we did in supporting your program requirements," HP consumer PC executive Richard Walker wrote in an e-mail to former Microsoft co-presidents Jim Allchin and Kevin Johnson, dated Feb. 1, 2006.
"I can't be more clear than to say you not only let us down by reneging on your commitment to stand behind the WDDM [Windows Display Driver Model] requirement, you have demonstrated a complete lack of commitment to HP as a strategic partner and cost us a lot of money in the process," wrote Walker.
In an e-mail to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, Allchin called the situation "a mess."
Full article is over on informationweek.com
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0 Replies | 38 Views
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Get access to some common Vista folders using the shell commands. |
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Nov 17, 2008 - 11:40 PM - by Digital Dave
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Some of these commands are pretty cool.
Instead of this week's regular Q&A, I thought I'd just pass along a nifty tip for accessing some of the more common Vista folders. Yes, the shell command in Vista gives you quick access to various folders.
To access a shell command, just click on Start, Run and then type "shell:command." Don't try to use the shell:command at the command prompt (cmd.exe), as it will fail -- shell:command is not recognized by the command interpreter.
Full article and commands over on mcpmag.com
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0 Replies | 58 Views
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Google Mobile App for iPhone now with Voice Search and My Location |
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Nov 17, 2008 - 11:34 PM - by Digital Dave
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Sweet!
The new Google Mobile App for iPhone makes it possible for you to do a Google web search using only your voice. Just hold the phone to your ear, wait for the beep, and say what you're looking for. That's it. Just talk. Once the App is on, you don't have to push any buttons to search. Check out the video below to watch engineer Mike LeBeau explain how this works.
After you speak your query, Google Mobile App will return search results formatted for your iPhone.
Full article is over on googlemobile.blogspot.com
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0 Replies | 32 Views
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Yahoo CEO Yang - OUT! Search for new CEO Commences |
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Nov 17, 2008 - 11:31 PM - by Digital Dave
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About damn time. Hey, I Bill Gates is free.
As BoomTown reported earlier today in an exclusive scoop, Yahoo has confirmed that CEO Jerry Yang will be stepping down and a search for his replacement is underway.
(Yang also penned a memo to Yahoo employees about the move.)
Here is the entire Yahoo (YHOO) press release about the development:
Full article over on allthingsd.com
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0 Replies | 43 Views
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Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000 Review |
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Nov 17, 2008 - 6:53 PM - by Digital Dave
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"this particular setup is the highest priced setup we have ever used so we will soon find out if they are worth the price."
As more and more of us turn to Home Theater PCs to get information off of the Internet the days of using a plain keyboard to access that information is now behind us. To make using the controls on your HTPC easier it will require the use of a far more complex keyboard and a full functional mouse. Another requirement for the mouse and keyboard is that they not be oversized so as not to take up to much room where you will store these items.
Today we are reviewing a Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000 keyboard and mouse combo, this particular setup is the highest priced setup we have ever used so we will soon find out if they are worth the price. One feature that makes this combo so special is the fact that they come with a charging system to batteries charged in the keyboard and mouse.
Full article is over on hi-techreviews.com
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0 Replies | 48 Views
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Prophesy of economic collapse 'coming true' |
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Nov 17, 2008 - 5:16 PM - by Digital Dave
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We're all screwed.
Things may seem bad now – with fears of a world recession looming – but they could be set to get much worse.
A real-world analysis of a controversial prediction made 30 years ago concludes that economic growth cannot be sustained and we are on track for serious economic collapse this century.
In 1972, the seminal book Limits to Growth by a group called the Club of Rome claimed that exponential growth would eventually lead to economic and environmental collapse.
Doom and Gloom - newscientist.com
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0 Replies | 39 Views
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Build a PC for the Holidays (if you can afford it) |
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Nov 17, 2008 - 5:15 PM - by Digital Dave
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Truly you can only pull this off if 1: - you have a job, and 2: if you need a PC. Oh who am I kidding... of course you need a new PC!
Remember when you were in the third grade? As the holidays grew near, your teacher made you sit down and make a gift for your parents. Whether it was a Christmas present, Hanukkah gift, or another holiday gift, you dutifully sat down and crafted something that's probably still hanging on your mother's refrigerator, or squirreled away in a cardboard box in the garage.
It's time to hearken back to those days of yore, and craft something else for friends or family. This time around, though, give them the gift of a PC. Whether they're looking for a second system, or need something for a specific purpose, like editing those home videos, it's never been a better time to build a PC. The economy is in terrible shape, but that also translates to bargains if you shop around a bit.
But what would you build? We have some ideas.
Full article over on extremetech.com
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0 Replies | 38 Views
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Video Card Wars Are Coming (so say some folk) |
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Nov 17, 2008 - 5:13 PM - by Digital Dave
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Hey, I could use a 2nd one. Get my SLI on!
ATI, graphics product group of Advanced Micro Devices, and Nvidia Corp., the world’s largest supplier of discrete graphics processing units (GPUs), reportedly plan to cut prices on discrete graphics cards for desktop personal computers in attempt to either boost or stabilize market shares.
A news-story from DigiTimes web-site claims that not only ATI plans to drop prices on its discrete desktop GPUs in a bid to boost its appropriate market share to 50%, but also Nvidia plans to decrease pricing of its graphics chips in order not to allow AMD/ATI to take away market share.
Full article over on xbitlabs.com
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0 Replies | 35 Views
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Google Introduces SketchUp 7 |
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Nov 17, 2008 - 3:46 PM - by Digital Dave
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Pretty cool stuff.
We're very excited to announce the new release of Google SketchUp 7. If you don't already know about the fun you can have with SketchUp, here's a quick recap:
SketchUp is software you can use to build 3D models of anything: your house, killer robots, furniture, trees, abstract art — anything. Architects and engineers use it to design buildings and other structures. Woodworkers use it to plan their projects. And lots of people use it to figure out where to put their furniture. SketchUp is easy to learn, it comes in free and Pro versions, and it's more fun than a houseful of clowns. Oh, and you can use it to build models for Google Earth, too.
Full article over on googleblog.blogspot.com
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0 Replies | 60 Views
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