Archive for February, 2008
One more review of Vista SP1
Windows XP users are probably tired of hearing about Vista service pack 1 but here is one more review. Unless something unexpected comes up, it is also the last one I’ll post about. I think the picture is pretty clear- Vista SP1 doesn’t offer a lot that is new for the home user but should [...]
Do Gates and Ballmer talk like this at home?
I have posted several examples of Microsoft-speak and here is another one. It comes from the Microsoft announcement about interoperability mentioned in the previous post:
We look forward to a constructive, structured, and multilateral dialogue to ensure stakeholder-driven evolution of these principles and actions.
Skepticism about Microsoft’s claim it will play nice with others
Microsoft is not exactly known for playing well with others, so when it made a big ballyhoo about how it’s going to support interoperability with open source programs, there were a lot of people not buying it. APC comments:
Microsoft’s newfound enthusiasm for interoperability adds up to largely hot air and a poorly-concealed upgrade [...]
Doing business securely in a public place
There are a variety of ways to use USB devices to carry out secure computing. One approach is called a Trust Extension Device and is described at ScienceDaily:
CSIRO has developed a prototype portable device that will allow people to do business across the internet on any computer in a trusted manner.
Known as a Trust [...]
Updated list of the best free utilities
Ian “Gizmo” Richards has been finding and evaluating free software utilities for a long time. His list of the best at Tech Support Alert is a valuable resource that he keeps updated. Go there and check it out. While you are there, consider subscribing to his free newsletter.
Environment variables in Windows Vista
I’ve discussed environment variables before but not for Windows Vista. Briefly, environment variables are shorthand for some important system properties that make commands and finding things easier. There are some changes in Vista from the variables in Windows XP and I have published an article about Vista environment variables at vistaonwindows.com.
Teenage girls outdo boys on the Web
The New York Times reports:
Research shows that among the youngest Internet users, the primary creators of Web content (blogs, graphics, photographs, Web sites) are not misfits resembling the Lone Gunmen of “The X Files.†On the contrary, the cyberpioneers of the moment are digitally effusive teenage girls.
Other purchases Microsoft has made
All the talk about Microsoft’s attempt to buy Yahoo brings to mind all the other companies that Microsoft has bought. Yahoo would cetainly be the biggest Microsoft acquisition but Microsoft has bought many other companies. David DeJean writes about all the Microsoft shopping and notes that there have been at least 116 other purchases. This [...]
Vista SP1 breaks some programs
After Vista service pack 1 is installed, certain programs will no longer run or are partly disabled. Microsoft has a list of programs known to have problems with Vista SP1. Microsoft indicates that many of these programs now have versions that deal with the incompatibilities. Before installing SP1, you should check this list and update [...]
Windows XP SP3 coming soon
Are you Windows XP users tired of hearing about Vista SP1? Well, your day is coming. According to Mary Jo Foley:
Clues that Microsoft is ready to announce the final version of Windows XP Service Pack (SP) 3 are starting to mount.
Microsoft officials have maintained that the company is planning to deliver the final SP3 bits [...]