- Disney to the desktop
- Debian Linux founder joins Sun Microsystems
- Wal-Mart cites legal fears in Novell move
- MS, AMD woo bloggers with free laptops
- Au revoir, Windows; bonjour, Linux
- Get your Vista RC1 download while hot
- Sun baits HP with wooden cutout
- Users light up over loose Leopard
- Apple suffers Leopard leak - really
- Tapped by Boeing, Wind River shares the wealth
May 03, 2007 | Comments: (0)
The last great advertising-free frontier of personal computing may soon be overrun by RSS-enabled desktop advertorial applets thanks to the unveiling of a Disney Vista gadget yesterday at Microsoft MIX, as reported by The Seattle Times and Read/Write Web.
The gadget -- which will likely debut on PC desktops in China, thanks to talks between Disney, Microsoft, and large OEMs -- has apparently been created to educate the Chinese about Disney in hopes of driving up attendance at Hong Kong Disneyland.
According to The Seattle Times, the gadget taps RSS to continually update a theme park news feed, thereby quenching end-users' thirst for the latest Disney G-2. Video, trip-planning, and interactive functionality will also be included in what Robbie Bach, president of Disney's entertainment and devices division, is calling "a Disney application on the PC," according to The Seattle Times.
No opt-out policy was discussed during the Microsoft MIX presentation, according to the article.
Certainly the model -- namely, to load up new desktops with copious marketing gadgets --will prove appealing not only to corporations such as Disney seeking to capitalize on the uptick in home computer use but also to Microsoft and its OEMs, which will be able to open new markets with lower-priced products without jeopardizing profit margins, thanks to subsidizing marketingware.
Posted by Jason Snyder on May 3, 2007 12:11 PM
March 19, 2007 | Comments: (0)
Debian Linux founder joins Sun Microsystems
Where to turn if you're committed to building a top-notch open source operating system but are frustrated with the logistics of pure community-driven development? In Ian Murdock's case, the answer is to join Sun Microsystems. Sun announced today that Murdock has come on board as the company's new Chief Operating Platforms Officer.
Murdock is better known to the Linux community as the founder of Debian. In addition to being the Linux distribution that places the most emphasis on the Gnu GPL and Richard Stallman's concept of Free Software, Debian has long been known as the most democratic distribution. But in a recent interview with Linux Format, Murdock reveals that he might have preferred a more top-down approach.
"I believe that open source projects are no different from businesses or any other kind of organization in that to get any meaningful work done, there has to be strong leadership," he says.
Now it seems that Murdock may have found the organizational structure he's been itching for. In his blog, he admits that he has "always loved" Sun, and the company's new emphasis on open source must have something to do with his decision to sign up. But what does Murdock's move to Sun bode for the future of Linux and, potentially, Solaris? So far, both Sun and Murdock have been fairly tight-lipped. Nevertheless, the possibilties are intriguing.
"While Ian is not giving out too much information yet about what he will be doing, we can tell you that he will be responsible for building a new strategy to evolve both Sun's Solaris and GNU/Linux," says Sun PR rep Bob Wientzen.
A union of Debian and Solaris code could be an intriguing development for the Linux and Free Software community. Sun has had an on-again, off-again relationship with Linux, generally preferring to tout the merits of Solaris over the competition (in particular, Red Hat). But Debian has arguably the best package management software of any Unix-like OS, and a growing number of Linux distributions are basing their offerings on the Debian core, including Linspire and the fan-favorite Ubuntu. Doubtless the speculation will be flying fast and furious in the coming months as to what Murdock's contribution may mean and how this latest development might affect Sun's relationship to the Linux market.
Posted by Neil McAllister on March 19, 2007 01:15 PM
January 23, 2007 | Comments: (0)
Wal-Mart cites legal fears in Novell move
Some members of the IT community scoff at Microsoft's legal claims that Linux infringes on a number of its existing patents, an assertion Redmond has reiterated since partnering with Novell to deliver a "lawsuit-resistant" version of Linux. Wal-Mart CTO Nancy Stewart is apparently a believer, however.
It seems that Wal-Mart's top techie was reluctant to move forward with the company's forthcoming massive Web build-out using its previous Linux flavor of choice: Red Hat Linux, according to CNET's Martin LaMonica. The end of his report reads:
"Questions over intellectual property are a 'huge problem,' Stewart said. The company now uses Linux in the data center of its current Web presence but had some trepidation with the idea of expanding it a much larger operation.""'To think about using it pervasively, we were very concerned about it,' she said. The larger Web operation would have 'significantly higher legal exposure.'"
What remains unclear is whether there really is a plausible grounds for a threat that could result in "higher legal exposure" for Wal-Mart. Nevertheless, that threat has seemingly reduced the retail behemoth to trembling in its boots and adopting Novell Suse Linux via Microvell.
Notably, plenty of other Linux users out there have not demonstrated similar trepidation and have accused Redmond of sowing seeds of FUD to convert companies to Novell Linux, then squeezing what amounts to "protection money" out of them.
No matter the reason Wal-Mart's CTO chose to cite fear of legal exposure as one of the rationales to use Novell for its big project, her statements undoubtedly came as music to Microsoft's ears.
Posted by Ted Samson on January 23, 2007 05:17 PM
December 29, 2006 | Comments: (0)
MS, AMD woo bloggers with free laptops
Microsoft PR is said to be giving away "top notch Acer Ferrari branded notebooks to bloggers for free!" in Australia, reports iTWire.
No strings attached, says the PR firm, Edelman. iTWire quotes one blogger who received one unsolicited:
As Ferrari notebook recipient blogger Scott Beale noted on his Laughing Squid blog: "I did not request that this laptop by (sic) sent to me or sign-up in advance for it. In fact, I had no idea how or why I was chosen to receive it. I wasn't even aware that I was going to be sent one until Edelman contacted me on December 20th. The email from Edelman said that it (was) a "present" and that it was being sent with "no strings attached" ...E-mail from MS PR continues: "Yes, Windows Vista and AMD sent out review computers to bloggers. Why? Because we believe in the power of community, we believe in our product, and we are partnering with AMD to give bloggers the best hardware experience we can...
"Also, you are welcome to send the machine back to us after you are done playing with it, or you can give it away on your site, or you can keep it. My recommendation is that you give it away on your site."
As iTWire notes, that's the ultimate form of temptation for cash-strapped bloggers just days before Christmas. Most publishers in Australia and the world set limits on what their writers can receive in terms of gifts, and this would not be allowed, so why bloggers. Easier to sway?
What do you think? Do you think this is kosher in journalism?
Posted by Mike Barton on December 29, 2006 09:57 AM
November 27, 2006 | Comments: (0)
Au revoir, Windows; bonjour, Linux
The French parliament plans to shut down Windows and open the door to Linux.
Come next June, some 1,150 parliamentary PCs will be running on a to-be-determined flavor of Linux (Mandriva, perhaps?), along with OpenOffice.org, Firefox, and an open source e-mail client, according to reports.
Convincing the French National Assembly to make the move was conclusions from an IT company called Atos Origin, according to Cnet.
"'The study showed that open-source software will from now on offer functionality adapted to the needs of MPs (members of parliament) and will allow us to make substantial savings despite the associated migration and training costs,' the parliament said."
Cost savings, huh? I'm not sure I'm convinced that's the real reason. Allow me to present my top five reasons why the French are dumping Windows for Linux.
5. They're upset that Microsoft's Xbox 360 won't play DVDs that star Jerry Lewis.
4. Tired of being the butt of military jokes, the French are working toward developing a Linux-powered army of robots. (Note to White House: This is not true. Please do not invade France.)
3. They're angry that Microsoft continually refuses to release a French version of its OS called Fenêtres.
2. The Blue Screen of Death clashes with the curtains in the offices of the French parliament.
1. The French can't figure out a culinary use for a penguin, so they're settling for a technological one.*
*("If it's possible to imagine a piece of beef, odiferous cod fish and a canvas-backed duck roasted together in a pot, with blood and cod-liver oil for sauce, the illustration would be complete." - Dr. Frederick A. Cook of the Belgia, on penguin meat)
What do you think? Have the French made a wise move here?
Posted by Ted Samson on November 27, 2006 04:10 PM
September 07, 2006 | Comments: (0)
Get your Vista RC1 download while hot
News that Microsoft had expanded its beta program for Vista was welcome, but even more so is the link to download and trial the next version of its OS in near-final form.
Neowin has the link here, along with steps to get rolling with your mega-download.
Check out our Vista special report for the latest news, views -- and highlights from our Test Center staff's first looks.
You can leave your thoughts with us on the beta in our Talkback on Vista.
Posted by Mike Barton on September 7, 2006 12:29 PM
August 24, 2006 | Comments: (0)
Sun baits HP with wooden cutout
Note from the writer, Sept. 7: In this article, I incorrectly reported the material from which the cutout is made. It's wood. I regret any confusion I may have caused.
Sun has its fair share of cutups. Now they've been joined by a cutout.
In a stunt that appears to be part PR, part prank, and part pestering, Sun has secured a wooden cutout of HP founders William Hewlett and David Packard for $6,000, boasts Sun CEO Jonathan Schwartz in his blog. Since acquiring the life-size portrait, Sun has set up various photo-ops with it, bedecking the duo in pro-Sun and Solaris paraphernalia.
Therein lies the prank and the pestering of the stunt. The PR emerges in Schwartz's touting of Solaris in his post. "With nearly 25% of Solaris downloads requested on to HP's servers, we know their customers really want the partnership, and we're happy to oblige," he writes.
"To warn you in advance, Bill and Dave have both indicated a strong interest in learning more about Sun and the Solaris platform, so stay tuned," he continues.
The wooden dual portrait, by the way, was part of a cross-country art project called "Pioneers Hitchhiking in the Valley of Heart's Delight."
HP was given right of first refusal to purchase the portrait of its esteemed founders, but the company declined. In his own blog, HP Vice President of Global Marketing Strategy and Excellence Eric Kintz returns Schwartz's volley, seemingly unimpressed by, or perhaps even sour on, Sun's "nice stunt." "I never met Bill or Dave, but I bet neither of them would have approved paying thousands for representations of themselves," he writes.
Kintz also made a point of addressing Schwartz's claims about the popularity of Solaris on HP servers by pointing to an HP-written summation of a 2006 IDC report. As far as I can tell, nothing there contradicts Schwartz's assertions of Solaris being downloaded to 25 percent of all HP servers. The report does say that "HP is #1 in high-end Unix server revenue with a 48.3% market share worldwide. IBM is #2 with 20.7% and Sun is #3 with 14.0%."
As for the fate of Hewlett and Packard: Sun says it will donate the piece to the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose.
Posted by Ted Samson on August 24, 2006 03:30 PM
August 14, 2006 | Comments: (0)
Users light up over loose Leopard
Update from the writer, Aug. 16: Since posting this blog entry on Aug. 14, the InsanelyMac forum thread I linked to was apparently taken down. Also, all screen grabs on HardMac were removed "following Apple's legal demands."
Ever since word got out about the leaked version of Apple's Mac OS X 10.5, or Leopard, the InsanelyMac forums -- a popular destination of Mac fans -- have been abuzz.
This thread, which started last Friday, had reached nearly 1,800 posts by Monday afternoon. It provides an interesting historical perspective of the evolution of a code leak once it hits the Net.
Before I continue, I must stress that InfoWorld does not advocate the pirating of software and will not provide links to sources from which to download it.
In the thread, users grappled with whether or not the leaked code was truly available. Once there was sufficient confirmation, users earnestly asked for directions as to where to find a copy of the elusive real deal (as opposed to the fake one that had materialized earlier in the week). There also was urging of others to play nice and host the goods for easier (and more expedient) download.
Later, there were laments of how long it was taking to download the 4-plusGB release (or how close they were), as well as questions on how to go about installing it. Other users readily delivered answers -- as well as demonstrated their own success in taming the Leopard.
One such Leopard hunter, who goes by the user-name "neospy" on Insanely Mac, has gone so far as to post screenshots of his or her installation on Flickr.
HardMac has a user's step-by-step account of installing Leopard, complete with screen grabs.
Back to the forums, though: One user, with the username "moonislune", posted:
"I'm being respectful here, so dont flame me, but I havent seen this discussed b4. So just being curious, why get Leopard now? While it would give us a taste of Leopard, I've heard (and maybe wrong on this) that certain features are disabled or incomplete like full-screen QT video and an incomplete UI. Second, are developer builds up-dateable via software update when the final product is released?"
Some of the responses (all verbatim):
Riffer: "Aparently moonislune dosent have the geek drive in him a.k.a The Force"DeathChill: "The builds are not updatable via Software Update, but this is just for fun to poke around."
AppleLegal: "to have fun with it. And to start hacking it. Assuming you know how :)"
Posted by Ted Samson on August 14, 2006 05:49 PM
August 14, 2006 | Comments: (0)
Apple suffers Leopard leak - really
A cub version of Leopard is on the loose.
A preview version of Apple's much anticipated Mac OS X 10.5 made its way onto file-sharing networks such as BitTorrent this past weekend, according to various publications.
Attendees at last week's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) received copies of the beta ware and had to sign legally binding agreements not to let Leopard stray onto file-sharing networks. Perhaps someone didn't read the not-so-fine print?
MacUser reports that this version of Leopard is indeed legit, unlike a fake one that was reportedly making its rounds last week. The version of Leopard available on BitTorrent is 4.3GB, containing 93 files.
History shows that Apple does not take kindly to leaks. Last December, the company went after three folks who made Mac OS X Tiger available on BitTorrent. The company settled with one of the leakers last March.
According to MacWorld, "early reports from people claiming to use the software claim that certain parts of it 'feel' incomplete."
Notably, the company has said publicly that it's not yet revealing all the Leopard has to offer in anticipation of battling Microsoft's release of Vista next year.
Despite what some critics are saying, InfoWorld Mac maven Tom Yager has registered some excitement about the forthcoming OS.
Posted by Ted Samson on August 14, 2006 11:42 AM
July 31, 2006 | Comments: (0)
Tapped by Boeing, Wind River shares the wealth
There's some interesting news blowing out of Alameda, Calif.-based Wind River today which could spell big things for the company as well as the open-source community as a whole.
First off, the company has landed a deal with Boeing through which the aerospace and defense behemoth will use Wind River's open-source Platform for Networking Equipment, Linux Edition, for the P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) mission system. The Wind River platform includes Wind River Workbench, the company's Eclipse-based device-software development suite.
The P-8A is a state-of-the-art aircraft, designed for long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance, and recon.
No matter your feelings on the tools of war, you can't help but be impressed that Boeing has given the nod to Wind River's platform to serve as the heart of the P-8A's advanced mission system.
The Boeing deal undoubtedly means some nice additional cashflow for Wind River, and the company is giving something back to the open-source community: specifically, 300,000 lines of code to the Eclipse Foundation.
The Wind River contributions are going toward four projects: the C/C++ Development Tools Project; the Platform Project; and both the Target Management and Device Debugging subprojects within the Device Software Development Platform Project.
"With this contribution, Wind River is demonstrating our belief in the long-term benefits of guiding the DSO [device software optimization] industry towards an open development tools framework," said Steven Heintz, director of product management for developer tools at Wind River.
By no small coincidence, undoubtedly, the code Wind River handed over to Eclipse is derived from the latest version of Wind River Workbench, version 2.5, released just today. Wind River reports that Version 2.5 includes "enhancements to help customers rapidly develop and test devices back on [the company's] Linux-based platforms. With Wind River Workbench, developers can 'see inside' a running target device and assess system behavior and performance."
Wind River Workbench Version 2.5 is downloadable at evaluations.windriver.com.
Posted by Ted Samson on July 31, 2006 12:34 PM
July 06, 2006 | Comments: (0)
Google OS speculation rebooted
Could Eric Schmidt's denial of a Google OS be akin to Steve Jobs's denials of a video iPod? Slate gives the idea of Net-based OSes a run, with the alpha YouOS held up as the proof-of-concept that such an Internet OS is within reason.
Slate writes: "Dollar for dollar, network-based computers are faster. Unless you're playing Grand Theft Auto or watching HDTV, your network isn't the slowest part of your setup. It's the consumer-grade Pentium and disk drive on your Dell, and the wimpy home data bus that connects them. Home computers are marketed with slogans like "Ultimate Performance," but the truth is they're engineered to run cool, quiet, and slow compared to commercial servers."
However, there are some potential stumbleblocks, the article notes, including the desire to own things; the requirement for fast, flawless networks; and, the trust-deficit when putting personal information on web-based applications.
Check out the discussion on Slashdot here.
With Vista a bloated behemoth of an OS, apparent with the belt loosening coming from the move from CD to DVD to ship, the concept of an OS as software-as-a-service sounds great if performance is good.
Would you welcome Google OS? Could a network-computer be as fast or faster? Talk back to us...
Posted by Mike Barton on July 6, 2006 03:59 PM
June 16, 2006 | Comments: (0)
True Vista Premium hardware requirements out
When you pick the Windows Vista box off shelves sometime net year, the printed requirements on the box "will be simple: 800MHz CPU, 512MB RAM, and a DirectX 9.0-Capable graphics card. Users who want the "premium experience" (read: Aero interface) will need 1GHz CPU, 1GB of RAM, and plenty of RAM for that DirectX 9.0-Capable graphics card. Those requirements will likely never change, at least not for the first release of Vista", reports ars technica.
If you're an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) like Gateway or Dell, it gets much more complex than that, however. For OEMs, there is a higher standard to meet if they wish to place a "Vista Premium" sticker on a laptop or desktop computer. The logo sticker is meant to assure consumers that Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) have validated a machine's configuration, and OEMs use the process, even if they don't love it, writes ars technica.Highlights:
Effective now:
--HD Audio support that passes a "high-fidelity audio experience" test (exception: Business class systems have until June 1, 2007).
Support for Direct3d 9 and DXGI feature sets (Direct3d 10 mandated by June 1, 2008).
--At least one digital output (e.g., DVI-D) for all add-in video adapters (not integrated video: that doesn't change until June 1, 2008).
--100Mb Ethernet and/or and WiFi (802.11g must be supported; 802.11a can be supported only in addition to 802.11g).
USB 2.0 ports throughout
--System resumes from ACPI S3 state ("suspend-to-ram") in <2 seconds (does not include user mode initialization, i.e., total "wake" time will be longer than 2 seconds)June 1, 2007, or later:
--A Green Driver Quality Rating for all drivers.
--If Serial ATA is used, Serial ATA 2.5 must be supported.
"Protected Video Path" (PVP) support, including HDCP.
--Support for booting from USB drives, including flash drives
--Hiccup-free HD playback, including hardware-based H.264/MPEG-4 decoding.
--At least one digital output (e.g., DVI-D) for all integrated video adapters (June 1, 2008).
Of top note in ars' comments on the specs is that "next-generation video 'protection schemes' such as HDCP and PVP (along with HDMI, by definition) not required until later this year, and in the case of integrated digital outputs, not until 2008. The primary reason for this, I suspect, is the fact that the Image Constraint Token is 'on hold,' as [ars] previously reported."
Another to be noted is that dual monitor support is not entirely mandatory.
Suggestion from ars is go "Premium", but really, who needs Aero Glass? InfoWorld's second look at Vista beta 2 notes: "As stated in last week's column, I think Vista's display technologies will be the initial thorn in most desktop administrator's sides. The Aero interface is cool, but it's still flaky and requires tweaking. Plus it's guaranteed to weird out your older users. Fortunately, you can click back to an earlier XP-like display model, which is what I'd suggest for all but your most advanced users out of the gate," writes Oliver Rist.
XP is looking sweet to me for the next year, having run beta 2, which is slow and annoying with all the Defender prompts. And Aero Glass is supposed to be working on my Dell E1405 with Intel GMA 950 graphic system, with 1GB system RAM giving it more than 200MB for graphics. No go at all.
But the Dell only came with a Vista Capable sticker, so what can I expect?
Did you expect more clear definition on the requirements? Talk back to us.
Posted by Mike Barton on June 16, 2006 11:02 AM
June 15, 2006 | Comments: (0)
Run Windows, Mac OS X side by side
Startup company Parallels has released software that lets Mac users run Windows, Linux, or any other OS and their applications side by side with Mac OS X.
Parallels Desktop for Mac works on any Intel-powered iMac, Mac Mini, MacBook, or MacBook Pro. And unlike dual-boot solutions like Apple's Boot Camp, it lets users run Windows and other applications without leaving OS X.
Furthermore, "the difference in performance between Parallels and Boot Camp is negligible," said Parallels marketing manager Ben Rudolph, in a cNet report. "Things move very, very fast."
With Macs now near price parity with PCs, does the Parallels solution make it more compelling to consider switching to a Mac? Tell us what you think.
Posted by Caroline Craig on June 15, 2006 08:50 AM
May 31, 2006 | Comments: (0)
Poor Sun. The quality of its products is widely recognized. Solaris is a great OS. Java is an undisputed success. The new Niagara processor is generating a lot of buzz, and Sun's AMD-based x86 servers are top notch. Despite all this, however, the question that remains on everyone's mind is whether Sun will be able to capitalize on all this great R&D. Just how, exactly, does it plan to reverse its financial misfortunes of the last few years?
We may now have one part of the answer. IDG News Service reports that Sun plans to lay off some 5,000 employees, amounting to as much as 13 percent of its workforce. In addition, it will sell three of its U.S. campus facilities.
Sun's board has already approved the moves, as well as new operational goals, including modest revenue growth. But what do you think? Is tightening its belt what it will take to pull Sun out of its slump?
Posted by Neil McAllister on May 31, 2006 02:50 PM
May 26, 2006 | Comments: (0)
Vista rating tool gets retooled
Criticism from hardware makers is leading Microsoft to tune and adjust a rating tool for Windows Vista that is meant to help users determine how well a PC runs software like the upcoming OS.
According to Brad Silverburg, quoted in a cNet report, the current version of the Windows System Performance Rating feature could be "misleading."
And AMD is reported to have noticed that the Microsoft test isn't always in line with industry standard benchmarks.
If you've had a chance to test drive this PC rating tool, let us know what kind of results you got.
Posted by Caroline Craig on May 26, 2006 07:41 AM
May 15, 2006 | Comments: (0)
Windows Media Player 11 leaked
Windows Media Player 11 has been leaked two days before the beta was due to go out to the general public, reports Daily Tech.
For this go-round at challenging the tight grip that Apple's iTunes and iPod have on the music market, Microsoft is trying a swarm approach, choosing to partner with powers inside the music industry--aiming to offer a hipper alternative than it has in the past--as well as with hardware manufacturers. The software company has teamed with music icon MTV and its new subscription online music service, called Urge, to help attract fans. Urge was available on Monday, but it won't make an official debut until Wednesday.
Give it a whirl and let other know what you think below. I'll be giving Vista a whirl over the coming months and sharing thoughts on the very-late next version of Windows here in Tech Watch so keep an eye open for those posts.
Posted by Mike Barton on May 15, 2006 02:55 PM
May 03, 2006 | Comments: (0)
Microsoft evangelist Robert Scoble has weighed in on Gartner's report that says Vista will ship even later than told, in Q2 2007, with a mostly a no comment.
He writes in his Scobleizer blog:
"I'm staying out of this one cause I've learned over and over that I can't accurately predict shipping dates in the software industry. I will say that I'm enjoying the latest builds of Windows Vista and things are looking good, so I have no reason to doubt Microsoft's spokespeople on this one."Again, I'd rather pressure the Windows team to get it right, and don't ship unless it's ready. Dana Epp, security expert, says the same thing."
But Scoble did not hesitate to plug Ed Bott's Microsoft Report, which questions Gartner's own track record on predictions:
"I've lost count of the number of times Gartner has been off with similar predictions. This is the same company that called Windows XP "a minor service release for Windows 2000" and predicted that Microsoft would deliver an interim release of Windows (XP Reloaded) in the second half of 2005 (they weren't the only ones to blow that call, of course). Gartner's crack analysts, working hand in hand with Microsoft also were the first to report that Microsoft's enterprise server products would be released in late 2001 under the name Windows 2002. Oops. They got that right except for the name and the date."
Microsofts chief Steve Ballmer is a betting man. Care to place your bet on when Vista will hit store shelves?
Posted by Mike Barton on May 3, 2006 09:29 AM
April 06, 2006 | Comments: (0)
Apple's move to enable Windows to run on its new Intel-based computers was a no-brainer ... Nothing to lose - Give the people what they want.
But the idea is only half-baked, and the move is highlighting virtualization to run the rival OSes simultaneously.
Wired News reports: "Virtualization, by contrast, allows Macs to run Windows and Mac OS X not just on the same machine, but at the same time, with only a slight drop in performance."
"Although Apple says it has no plans to create a virtualization product for the Mac, the advantages of this approach are strong enough that a number of rivals are rushing to market with Mac virtualization products even as Apple offers its dual-boot option."
Microsoft is said to be evaluating an Intel-native version of its Virtual PC product, and its not hard to imagine that with Apple machines equipped with much faster hardware, and the two OSes only a partition apart, running them simultaneously could soon be reality with little loss in performance.
Parrallels has Thursday released a free public 30-day beta trial of Parallels Workstation 2.1, "the first virtualization software that gives Apple users the ability to simultaneously run Windows, Linux or any other operating system and their applications alongside Mac OS X on an Intel-powered Apple computer."
So, the options are flowing. For gamers, booting natively in Windows is going to be the way to go, but for day-to-day computer use, virtualization is looking like a better option.
If you try out Parallels Workstation 2.1, we're curious to hear how it works so drop by and let us know how you are finding its performance.
Posted by Mike Barton on April 6, 2006 03:57 PM
April 05, 2006 | Comments: (0)
Will Boot Camp turn XP into the enemy within?
As far as I'm concerned, Boot Camp, the Apple software that will allow the new Intel-based Mac's to run Windows XP, is the equivalent of the Trojans opening up the gates to bring in that beautiful wooden horse. See "Apple puts Windows XP on the Mac."
Big mistake.
Why would any company want to promote its arch rivals product? It doesn't make sense. What is left of the Mac value-add if it has an Intel chip and now it runs Windows? I might as well buy a cheaper PC.
Speaking of cheap PCs I asked one of the most well-known marketers of cheap PCs, Stephen Dukker, founder of eMachines and now chairman of a company called nComputing that makes low-cost thin clients, what he thought.
Dukker says Apple only did it to accommodate its fans who were hacking a Windows solution to run on the Mac anyway.
"If a customer can get the OS anyway Apple probably decided they might as well support it," Dukker told me.
Whatever the reason, it does not bode well for Apple. Buying a Mac so you can have access to Windows applications is not a very logical decision.
If that's what you want then buy the PC. Windows apps running on the Mac will have to be compromised in some way, performance or an inability to run all of the programs or features within programs.
Will you be able to use Windows plug and play hardware? Doubtful.
You would more likely buy Mac devices. So now it gets schizophrenic with Apple hardware add-ons running Windows applications. No way.
My guess is that after the novelty of having a dual-boot system wears off, most people will either want one or the other, not two opposing brains living inside one skull. Too confusing. To fraught with potential errors.
So there you have it. My humble opinion. Oh yes, and a message to Mac users: For your convenience you can send me hate mail by entering a comment below.
Posted by Ephraim Schwartz on April 5, 2006 03:40 PM
April 04, 2006 | Comments: (0)
If you think we are covering Apple too much now, what if Microsoft were to buy Apple, as TechNewsWorld's veteran gazer Rob Enderle opines.
He writes it "may be time to explore the notion that a little cooperation could reduce, or solve, both firms' 'impossible' problems."
"I spent a lot of time last week reading the Microsoft employee blogs and apparently there is some reasonably strong feeling among many folks who work there that the wrong 'Steve' is running the company...," Mr. Enderle says.
There's something to this scenario, in which he suggest a takeover would never be allowed but a broad partnership could work.
Just something to mull over... Did you ever think Bill and Co would embrace Linux?
Posted by Mike Barton on April 4, 2006 05:28 PM
March 22, 2006 | Comments: (0)
The news that Microsoft's upcoming Vista OS is being pushed out till after the Christmas buying season and into the resolutions-filled (I shall not buy any more tech gear, including software, comes to mind) month of January has created quite a stir through the house.
Hardware vendors were quick to hose down concerns about shipping after Christmas on Wednesday.
But bloggers are having a bit more fun with the latest significant slippage.
In Ed Bott's Microsoft Report he writes: "I am relieved, greatly, that Microsoft decided to push off the release of Windows Vista by approximately three months. First, because it means that we’ll have the time to do a proper job on Windows Vista Inside Out. Second, because it increases the likelihood that Vista will be a solid release instead of a shrink-wrapped final beta."
Our sister publication PC World's Techlog pines: "It's not good news for Microsoft, which would presumably like to sell lots of copies of the new OS sooner rather than later. (On the other hand, most of the PCs that get sold this Christmas will still have a Microsoft OS on them--it'll just be one called Windows XP.) And it's a gigantic issue for the computer industry--possibly a catastrophic one for some vendors. It's not just that a new OS is a huge incentive to buy a new PC; it's also that the lack of a new OS is a strong disincentive to buy, since the simplest way to get a new version of Windows is to buy a system that has it preinstalled."
And The Ponderings of Woodrow blog writes: "I'm sure Microsoft's partners, particularly the PC makers, are thrilled to hear that Vista won't ship until after the key holiday season. And as for we investors? Well, we now get another calendar year of patient waiting for Microsoft's most important growth engine in a half decade."
For most of the comment across the blogosphere, see tech.meme.
Leave us your thoughts below.
Posted by Mike Barton on March 22, 2006 05:07 PM
March 07, 2006 | Comments: (0)
Microsoft denies Vista back door rumors
Microsoft has denied persistent reports that it is considering adding a back door to Windows Vista's encryption system at the request of law enforcement agencies.
A report this morning in PC Advisor quotes a cryptographer working for Microsoft, who recently blogged that "the official line from high up is we do not create back doors. ... Back doors are simply not acceptable."
The rumors apparently started flying based on a BBC News report last month that the British Home Office was in talks with Microsoft over its fears that the new version of Windows could make it harder for police to read suspects' computer files.
According to BetaNews.com, cryptographer Niels Ferguson did not deny talking with the British government, but said law enforcement officials were actually asking about the BitLocker technology. Microsoft says BitLocker is intended to preserve system security and "ensures that data stored on a computer running Windows Vista is not revealed if the machine is tampered with when the installed operating system is offline."
InformationWeek reports that Ferguson has promised Microsoft will post a more detailed document on BitLocker to its Knowledgebase database when Vista ships.
Are the rumors of a Vista back door just more FUD, or do you believe when Microsoft's concerned where there's smoke there's fire? Tell us what you think.
Posted by Caroline Craig on March 7, 2006 06:12 AM
February 27, 2006 | Comments: (0)
Microsoft comfirmed on Monday an early leak that six versions of Windows Vista were slated for later this year.
The company noted on its website there were five versions of XP, which were designed around specific types of PC hardware. With Vista's smorgasbord they are aligned with the different ways people (and businesses) use their PCs, Microsoft says.
One analyst says in a report consumers are expected to drive Vista sales at first and the pitch of enhanced security and lower resources needed for business version would push enterprises and SMBs to upgrade but about a year after conumers at least.
Harsh opinion is starting to flow. A ZDNet UK commentary, Vista versions are so last century, says : "Microsoft's six versions of Vista show a lack of imagination and awareness that could critically limit the usefulness of the operating system."
But some kudos are flowing from security-minded IT folk. This post from SearchWinIT, Will Vista mean victory in the war on rootkits?, has one security analyst praising Vista's use of digital signatures on all kernel mode software.
"Vista is really trying hard to address this," the analyst told SearchWinIT. "They are going to be cryptographically signing everything in the core of the OS."
The (near full) press release from Microsoft:
The Windows Vista product lineup consists of six versions, two for businesses, three for consumers, and one for emerging markets: Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Enterprise, Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows Vista Starter. The number of offerings is the same as the number of offerings currently available for Windows® XP. More important, the lineup is designed to deliver clear value to a broad range of customers, each product tailored to meet specific needs of various segments of customers — home PC users, small and medium-sized businesses and the largest enterprises — and is aimed at bringing 64-bit, Media Center and Tablet PC functionality into the mainstream....
Windows Vista: Designed for Businesses of All Sizes
Business customers can choose from two versions that are designed to meet their needs, based on the size and scale of their organizations:
--Windows Vista Business. Windows Vista Business is the operating system designed for organizations of all sizes. For small businesses, Windows Vista Business will help keep PCs running smoothly and more securely so they are less reliant on dedicated IT support. For larger organizations, Windows Vista Business will provide dramatic new infrastructure improvements that will enable IT staff to spend less time focused on day-to-day maintenance of PCs and more time on adding strategic value to the organization. These are some of the specific features of Windows Vista Business:
--A new user interface, named Windows Aero, is designed to deliver the most productive, highest-performing desktop experience possible. Windows Aero will provide a professional-looking, transparent glass design, with subtle effects such as dynamic reflections and smooth animations, along with Windows Flip and Flip 3D desktop navigation features.
--In addition to these navigation improvements, Windows Vista Business makes it easier than ever to manage huge volumes of business documents. By integrating search throughout the operating system and providing new ways to organize files, Windows Vista Business helps business users quickly find exactly what they are looking for.
--Windows Tablet PC technology provides built-in handwriting recognition and enables interaction with the PC with a digital pen or fingertip instead of a keyboard.
--Windows Vista Enterprise. To better address the needs of large global organizations and those with highly complex IT infrastructures, Windows Vista Enterprise is designed to significantly lower IT costs and risk. In addition to all the features available in Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Enterprise is designed to provide higher levels of data protection using hardware-based encryption technology. It will also include tools to improve application compatibility and will enable organizations to standardize on a single worldwide deployment image with the inclusion of all Windows user-interface languages. Windows Vista Enterprise will be available only to customers who have PCs covered by Microsoft Software Assurance or a Microsoft Enterprise Agreement. These are some of the specific Windows Vista Enterprise features:--Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption helps prevent sensitive data and intellectual property from falling into the wrong hands if a computer is lost or stolen.
--Virtual PC Express is one of several built-in tools that improve application compatibility with previous versions of Microsoft operating systems. Virtual PC Express enables a legacy application to run unchanged on a legacy Windows operating system in a virtual environment on top of Windows Vista Enterprise.
--Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications enables users to run UNIX applications unchanged on a Windows Vista Enterprise-based PC.
The new user interface Windows Aero is also available in this edition of Windows Vista.Windows Vista: Incredible New Experiences and Choices for the Home PC User
Consumers can choose from three versions that deliver exciting new experiences for the home PC user:
--Windows Vista Home Basic. Windows Vista Home Basic is a great choice for homes with basic computing needs. For consumers who want to simply use the PC to browse the Internet, correspond with friends and family through e-mail or perform basic document creation and editing tasks, Windows Vista Home Basic will deliver a safer, more reliable and more productive computing environment. It will provide new tools and technologies for making the PC more secure and enjoyable, including features such as a new Search Explorer, Sidebar and Parental Controls.
--Windows Vista Home Premium. Windows Vista Home Premium will help consumers use mobile or desktop PC functionality more effectively while enabling the enjoyment of new, exciting digital entertainment experiences. Windows Vista Home Premium improves every aspect of digital entertainment experiences, including photos, video, TV, movies, music and games. Windows Vista Home Premium includes everything in Windows Vista Home Basic, along with additional features and enhancements such as the following:--The new user interface Windows Aero is also available in this edition of Windows Vista.
--Windows Vista Home Premium integrates search throughout the operating system, helping customers easily organize and quickly find large collections of documents, pictures, movies, videos and music.
--Windows Media Center capabilities turn the PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. Consumers can use Media Center to record and watch TV shows (even high-definition TV) and access new kinds of online entertainment content. It also provides the ability to connect Windows Vista Home Premium to Xbox 360™, extending the Media Center experience to multiple rooms in the home.
--Windows Tablet PC technology, which enables interaction with the PC with a digital pen or fingertip instead of a keyboard, is also available in this edition of Windows Vista.
--Integrated DVD burning and authoring allows users to seamlessly burn personal videos photos and files to video or data DVDs, and easily create professional-looking DVDs from home movies that can be shared with family and friends.
--Windows Vista Ultimate. Windows Vista Ultimate is the edition of Windows Vista that has it all. It is the first operating system that brings together all the entertainment features, mobility features and business-oriented features available in Windows Vista.
All new versions are available for either 32-bit or 64-bit systems, depending on the needs of the customer. Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate and Business will be available as a full-packaged product at retail and on new PCs. Windows Vista Enterprise will be offered only to business customers participating in Microsoft’s Software Assurance program.
Microsoft also will offer Windows Vista Starter in emerging markets. Windows Vista Starter is designed to empower families and entry-level PC users in these markets to experience the world of social and educational benefits that personal computer technology and the Internet makes possible. A 32-bit operating system designed specifically for lower-cost computers, Windows Vista Starter enables popular beginner PC activities and provides an easy-to-use and more affordable entry point to the Windows Vista family of products.
"Windows Vista is going to be a significant release for all Windows customers — including enterprises, small and medium-sized businesses as well as consumers," said Al Gillen, research director for System Software at IDC. "Microsoft’s strategy to address different customer segments with versions of Windows Vista optimized for their needs should be well received by these diverse user segments."
All versions of Windows Vista are scheduled to be broadly available in the second half of 2006.
Posted by Mike Barton on February 27, 2006 11:23 AM
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