Archive for May, 2008
Another security problem with Adobe Flash
Here we go again: there’s a new security problem with Adobe Flash. More details at this link. Until a patch is issued, the safest procedure is to disable Flash.
Why won’t home PC users back up?
One feature that I hope Microsoft includes in Windows 7 is better backup software. Redmond made a step in that direction in Vista with the so-called “Shadow” copies. Unfortunately, this feature is not available in the Vista Home editions. What is needed in Windows is something that is automatic. As I have learned over the [...]
What’s known about Windows 7
Microsoft is keeping mum about its next operating system but the lack of enthusiasm for Vista is keeping interest in Windows 7 at a high level. Mary Jo Foley has made a list of the little bits of information that have trickled out so far. The possible points of most interest to home users are [...]
The browser becomes news
Mozilla is close to releasing a new version of its Firefox browser. It is interesting that the upcoming version 3.0 is considered worthy of an article on the first page of the New York Times business section. Actually, the article is about more than just Firefox. Its theme is really about how the browser is [...]
Has eBay been ruined by scams?
Although I am not currently a user of eBay (I did sell a few items there some years ago) I have always thought that it was a great concept. A general marketplace where a person’s unwanted stuff could find a home and provide a little extra cash was an excellent idea. Originally, there [...]
Find best gas prices
In the US the Memorial Day weekend is here. Usually, that means a lot of holiday driving. The recent run-up in gas prices may cut down on that but, if you must drive, there’s a Web site called GasBuddy.com to help you find the best price for a fill-up. Some details are at Webware.
Yahoo mail now ad-free
The free Web-based email from Yahoo is now free of ads. Unless you paid a fee, your emails used to contain a one-line blurb of some sort. The Washington Post comments:
With Yahoo Mail and Google’s Gmail now delivering messages free of tacked-on ads, Hotmail and AOL (which has even stapled taglines to the outgoing messages [...]
Mac takes over upscale home computer market?
Here’s an eye-opening statistic: in the first quarter of this year Macs accounted for 2/3 of the sales at brick-and-mortar stores of computers costing over $1000. Joe Wilcox writes:
The share data is for first-quarter brick-and-mortar stores, as tabulated by the NPD Group. Apple’s market share is but one measure of success. Sales growth is way [...]
Desperately seeking searchers
Having been unable to buy search market share from Yahoo, Microsoft is now going to try to buy market share directly. The Wall Street Journal reports:
Microsoft Corp. hopes to make gains on Google Inc. in the lucrative business of Internet search through a new service that pays consumers who buy items they find through the [...]
Microsoft PR campaign
It seems that Microsoft is about to spend $300 million to rebrand itself as a cool company. Mary Jo Foley reports on the campaign from the advertising agency that Microsoft has hired to shine up its public image:
The Crispin folks say they like a challenge. They have one on their hands with the Softies. From [...]