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Posts Tagged “
Vista
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software
windows 7
Windows 7 and Windows Live to Have Even More Forced Integration
In a move that's sure to make the EU giddy at the possibility of levying more fines, Microsoft's been circulating some internal memos brainstorming ways to better connect the next version of Windows with the next version of Windows Live. The author dreams of a system where each user can log into their Live accounts (usually your @hotmail.com address) and be automatically connected as you're setting up your computer for the first time. More »
shenanigans
While we've heard Microsoft hint at keeping XP on store shelves longer than they initially stated due to the, well, boatload of people who want nothing to do with Vista, Dell is the first retailer to confirm having plans to sell the faithful ol' OS past the end of June. But it isn't because Microsoft's gone and changed their policy; it's because Dell is taking advantage of a loophole in Vista licensing that lets Microsoft pad their Vista numbers even when people avoid it like the plague.
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Dell to Sell XP after June 30, Microsoft to Pretend They're Selling Vista to Save Face
While we've heard Microsoft hint at keeping XP on store shelves longer than they initially stated due to the, well, boatload of people who want nothing to do with Vista, Dell is the first retailer to confirm having plans to sell the faithful ol' OS past the end of June. But it isn't because Microsoft's gone and changed their policy; it's because Dell is taking advantage of a loophole in Vista licensing that lets Microsoft pad their Vista numbers even when people avoid it like the plague.
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umpc
Sharp-Willcom D4 UMPC With Intel Atom Centrino, Vista Hits the States on June 20th
If, for some reason, you were interested in picking up one of Sharp-Willcom's new D4 WS016SH UMPCs, the device will be available in the States starting on June 20th from GeekStuff4U. Personally, I would not be thrilled about dropping $1,526.33 on a device running Vista huffing and puffing with only a 1.33Ghz processor and 1GB or RAM—but to each his own. [GeekStuff4U via BGR]
gadgets
In 2005, a control room for the A and C subway lines in NYC caught fire. "No larger than a kitchen," the room held 600 relays, switches and circuits that keep track of trains and keep everything running. Officials originally thought it would take three to five years to get the lines back to normal capacity. (Thankfully it didn't.) The epic repair time was because the fixed-block signaling system dates back to 1904 and only two companies in the world were able to repair it, one in Pittsburgh and the other in Paris. This is technology's trailing edge, according to Peter Sandborn in IEEE Spectrum: the huge, crippling problem of obsolescence.
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The Massive, Expensive Problem of Obsolete Tech
In 2005, a control room for the A and C subway lines in NYC caught fire. "No larger than a kitchen," the room held 600 relays, switches and circuits that keep track of trains and keep everything running. Officials originally thought it would take three to five years to get the lines back to normal capacity. (Thankfully it didn't.) The epic repair time was because the fixed-block signaling system dates back to 1904 and only two companies in the world were able to repair it, one in Pittsburgh and the other in Paris. This is technology's trailing edge, according to Peter Sandborn in IEEE Spectrum: the huge, crippling problem of obsolescence.
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question of the day
This is a question that has been on my mind for years now, and with the whole Pystar fiasco making headlines recently, the subject has been on the brain once again. I have always wondered how much market share OSX would gain over Windows if Apple opened it up to non-proprietary hardware. It seems unlikely at this point, but if it did happen would you ditch Windows? And if you already own a Mac, would you choose to install OSX on different hardware?
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If OSX Was Available on Non-Proprietary Hardware, Would You Ditch Windows, Macs?
This is a question that has been on my mind for years now, and with the whole Pystar fiasco making headlines recently, the subject has been on the brain once again. I have always wondered how much market share OSX would gain over Windows if Apple opened it up to non-proprietary hardware. It seems unlikely at this point, but if it did happen would you ditch Windows? And if you already own a Mac, would you choose to install OSX on different hardware?
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microsoft
Microsoft CEO and sweat machine Steve Ballmer recently called Vista a "work in progress," acknowledging some of the mistakes Microsoft made in rolling out the latest version of Windows and hinting that they're considering keeping XP on the shelves a bit longer for people who still don't want to upgrade.
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Ballmer: Vista is a 'Work in Progress'
Microsoft CEO and sweat machine Steve Ballmer recently called Vista a "work in progress," acknowledging some of the mistakes Microsoft made in rolling out the latest version of Windows and hinting that they're considering keeping XP on the shelves a bit longer for people who still don't want to upgrade.
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HP MediaSmart SL4278N and SL4778N Get Media Extender Update
If you own an HP MediaSmart television, you can now download a firmware update that brings the Media Center support you've been waiting for. Go for, rejoice, etc.
home automation
Crestron, the company that makes crazy high-end home automation equipment that lets you turn off your lights by just breathing loudly, just announced Windows Sideshow support. You remember Windows Sideshow, right? The Windows Vista feature that lets you feed Vista's Gadgets onto an external device. Crestron's including this on all Crestron touchpanels and 2-way devices that support dynamic text. Not only does it read data, you can even send control information back to Windows to change a song or turn off your BitTorrent downloads because you're about to play some Xbox Live.
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Crestron Home Automation Adds Windows Sideshow Support
Crestron, the company that makes crazy high-end home automation equipment that lets you turn off your lights by just breathing loudly, just announced Windows Sideshow support. You remember Windows Sideshow, right? The Windows Vista feature that lets you feed Vista's Gadgets onto an external device. Crestron's including this on all Crestron touchpanels and 2-way devices that support dynamic text. Not only does it read data, you can even send control information back to Windows to change a song or turn off your BitTorrent downloads because you're about to play some Xbox Live.
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windows vista
Vista Update Scrambling USB Devices, SP1 Auto-Rollout Stalled?
An update that went out last week for Vista to patch security holes in Windows Defender (ironically) is apparently knocking out some USB devices like mice and keyboards, so that they stop working entirely. Microsoft actually admits the issue: "We are aware of concerns that a recent Microsoft update may be causing problems with USB devices. We are investigating the matter, and at this time, do not have any information to share." So you might wanna skip that one. Speaking of, the Reg also says Vista SP1's supposed auto roll-out "remains missing in action" and has an MS spokesman seemingly confirm the delay. We installed manually a while ago. Anyone got the automatic update? [The Reg]
horror
You've gotta wonder how, in a company the size of Microsoft, there's not a single person who has the balls to step up and say "Hey, you know what? This Vista music video we're making for the sales department, complete with a cheesy Bruce Springsteen impersonator and horrible music, damages the dignity of not only everyone involved in its production, but everyone who watches it." Seriously, how did this little slice of cringe-inducing embarrassment ever get made? What year is this? I need to lie down. I'm sorry. Check the video after the jump. UPDATE: The video is an internal spoof, an insider confirms. First: Good for them saving their sense of style and decency and humor. Second: Could they please not spend the money staging fake concerts and really good spoof videos and keep the SP patch works coming? We kid because we love XP!
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Internal Microsoft Vista Video is as Painful as Videos Get
You've gotta wonder how, in a company the size of Microsoft, there's not a single person who has the balls to step up and say "Hey, you know what? This Vista music video we're making for the sales department, complete with a cheesy Bruce Springsteen impersonator and horrible music, damages the dignity of not only everyone involved in its production, but everyone who watches it." Seriously, how did this little slice of cringe-inducing embarrassment ever get made? What year is this? I need to lie down. I'm sorry. Check the video after the jump. UPDATE: The video is an internal spoof, an insider confirms. First: Good for them saving their sense of style and decency and humor. Second: Could they please not spend the money staging fake concerts and really good spoof videos and keep the SP patch works coming? We kid because we love XP!
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laptops
Toshiba Ratchets Portege R500 SSD Up To 128GB
Toshiba's under-2-lb. Portege R500 will get its SSD boosted to 128GB, though at a still undeclared but likely super high price, says UK's Register. The machines get a bit of a chip upgrade, too, from Intel's 1.2GHz U7600 Core 2 Duo to a 1.33GHz U7700. The R500 is, to my knowledge, the lightest PC with an internal DVD burner, at least in the US market, but I can't back it 100% because of a little problem called Vista. More »
windows vista
Microsoft: We Designed Vista User Account Control to Piss You Off
The truth is out! Windows Vista's User Account Control makes you want to put your computer through a wall because that's what Microsoft wanted. David Cross, a product manager who designed UAC (sadly, not that one), told attendees at the RSA 2008 conference, "The reason we put UAC into the platform was to annoy users. I'm serious." More »
rumor
It looks like Microsoft is planning to take a page from Apple's playbook, with rumors of plans to open a number of retail stores dedicated exclusively to Microsoft products. It's not clear what that will entail exactly, but I'm guessing there will be a big focus on Vista.
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Microsoft Planning to Open Most Exciting Retail Stores Ever
It looks like Microsoft is planning to take a page from Apple's playbook, with rumors of plans to open a number of retail stores dedicated exclusively to Microsoft products. It's not clear what that will entail exactly, but I'm guessing there will be a big focus on Vista.
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umpcs
Kohijinsha SR8KPO6S is 7-Inch UMPC With Optical Drive
The Kohijinsha SR8KPO6S fits a DVD burner into its tiny, 9.2 x 7 x 1.3 inch chassis. As if that were not enough to stick it in the Eee's face, the 7-inch (1024 x 600) display also boasts touchscreen functionality, an 800Mhz CPU, 60GB HDD, Wi-Fi g support and weighs in at 2.4lbs. More »
windows 7
Microsoft Says Bill Gates Is a Dummy, Still No Windows 7 'Til 2010
While we kinda already figured that Bill Gates was just a little over-eager to put Vista behind Microsoft when he volunteered that the next version of Windows would be ready to go next year, Microsoft wanted to be super-clear that you'll have to wait until 2010 to leapfrog this generation's Windows ME. It'll be Jan. 2010 for Windows 7, at best. Not that it would be a bad thing if it magically happened to ship next year. [InfoWeek]
windows vista sp1
Windows Vista SP1 Update: Endless Restart Bug Fixed, Automatic Rollout Starts Next Week
As people who've already made (or attempted) the jump to Vista SP1 know, before you get to the actual service pack, you've gotta clear a gauntlet of pre-install updates, which started rolling out in Feb. One of the updates apparently sent some users into an endless spiral of reboots, so Microsoft hit pause on the auto-rollout. Two months later, it's fixed! Microsoft now returns you to your regularly scheduled SP1 programming, which goes full-throttle automatic update next week. Here's what you're in for. [Windows Vista Blog]
security
The PWN 2OWN contest, as we all know, saw the Mac OS X weed crumble first, with Vista following soon after. Ubuntu was the only OS that was impenetrable to attack, but news is surfacing that Vista should have had a longer lifeline, if only Adobe had patched the flaw they knew about all along.
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Adobe Knew of Vista PWN 2 OWN Hack All Along
The PWN 2OWN contest, as we all know, saw the Mac OS X weed crumble first, with Vista following soon after. Ubuntu was the only OS that was impenetrable to attack, but news is surfacing that Vista should have had a longer lifeline, if only Adobe had patched the flaw they knew about all along.
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