Rod, Xero, Drury has an 18 point plan to “fix” Microsoft. It’s ambitious (there's a few points below) and it’s radical but I suspect, with the $50 billion not spent on Yahoo!, they could do it.
Rod Drury > If I was in charge at Microsoft
1. A lightweight operating system. Forget backward compatibility.
7. Buy a big Services company. Maybe HP
8. SilverLight has to win, or buy Adobe. Don’t let Apple get them or you’re done.
There seems to be plenty of news about clouds, even when the weather is fine!
It’s not about stormy weather, but rather “Cloud Computing”. It featured in Microsoft’s presentation at Autodesk University Technology Mainstage, just last December.
Since then they’ve released “Cloud” related technologies like SkyDrive, Mesh and a Silverlight update. None of that is news but this line, from an article on Exchange email hosting in the cloud, caught my attention:
Of course, they are chasing Google while still flirting with Yahoo!…“Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft said it continues to build up its infrastructure, adding roughly 10,000 powerful computer servers a month to its data centres.”
Microsoft braces for major email shift - Stuff.co.nz
What is former Apple Evangelist, Venture Capitalist and “Democratizer of information” Guy Kawasaki doing at Mix?
Armed with a MacBook Air, he’s talking to Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO, about Yahoo!, Vista, Google and more. It’s an interesting informal “chat”, at one point Steve even gives out his email address. Guy, seemingly surprised, then asks if he answers his own mail, which he does.
A couple of years ago I watched another video of Steve speaking, I think at UTC, and towards the end he doubted anyone was still watching, giving his email address for follow-up. I sent a short email saying at least one person had seen it to the end and got a reply within a few hours. At the time I thought it was probably from a PA, maybe it wasn’t!
How to Change the World: Mano-a-Mano with Steve Ballmer
In one of the more unusual appearances that I've been a part of, here is a "fireside chat" with Steve Ballmer at Mix 2008…
New Zealand's small population and geographic spread presents a problem for launching products, even software. This has resulted in some varied approaches.
A couple of years ago Salesoft team toured the country in a specially equipped bus to show the nation Revit 9 & Robobat.
For a couple of years Autodesk NZ ran a session which combined dealer/customer sessions with a, CAD related, “Design Masters” Quiz night based on the new releases. It was a great attempt to get beyond the dreaded, now passé, PowerPoint + Demo which was the accepted format for software launches.
Last month Microsoft’s Darryl Burling tagged along with Chris Auld and Jeremy Boyd as they presented Visual Studio 2008, SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 from Auckland to Bluff (well nearly Bluff).
I think it’s great that this sort of info is seen beyond the usual main centre locations and believe the traditional “big demo launch” is dead. Since you can learn all about, sometimes even use, the software months before it’s “launched” there seems little need for a new feature demo.
The question is how/what to replace it with? Hit the road and meet the community on their turf or bring them together, but for what?
I’ve got no firm idea but think it’s more about the “real world” application of the new technology. Perhaps a little AU where you get a look at the current applications, a peek at tomorrows and “the vision”, but where the real benefit is meeting, and learning from, other users. Is that what you’d want from a launch? I’d be interested to hear what you think.
2008 Summer Road trip | Darryl Burling @ Work
Today we are in Invercargill. Today is the last day of our Road Trip. Today is kind of a sad day. We've had a great time driving around the country presenting on Visual Studio 2008, SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008…
I haven’t got a great deal of experience with Vista, one machine with Vista Business, but so far it’s been OK. I like the looks but find it’s constant “Do you want to do this..” nagging a little tedious. I haven’t had any technical problems but this is with a limited range of applications on hardware spec’d for Vista. I was interested to read Ed Bott's amusing comparison of Windows 2000 vs XP reviews from 2001 with XP vs Vista from 2007. The post release “fix up” SP1 isn’t far away so maybe it’s Vista time.
Remembering Windows XP’s early days | Ed Bott’s Microsoft Report | ZDNet.com
I am amused by the current lovefest going on with Windows XP. It’s the greatest operating system ever, in the minds of some, especially compared to the allegedly bloated, slow Windows Vista. In fact, InfoWorld has gone so far as to kick off a “Save XP” petition drive…Vista bashers really hate it when you point out that the same criticisms being leveled at Vista today were commonly aimed at XP after its launch. Fortunately, I’ve found a near-perfect example of this trend. It’s illuminating, and ironically, it comes from InfoWorld Vista bashers really hate it when you point out that the same criticisms being leveled at Vista today were commonly aimed at XP after its launch. Fortunately, I’ve found a near-perfect example of this trend. It’s illuminating, and ironically, it comes from InfoWorld…
Jimmy Bergmark posted a cool tip for anyone who, like me, spends time arranging desktop icons “just so” – only to have a resolution change or similar mix them up again. Now it’s just right-click Restore, sorted. Thanks Jimmy!
JTB World Blog: Save desktop icon layout so it can be restored - 32bit Windows Xp/Vista
I typically find that when I upgrade graphic card driver (NVIDIA's driver setup) or change to lower resolution for one or the other reason that the desktop icons move like I don't want them to. With this solution you can save the desktop icons positions and restore the positions of the icons later…
Microsoft have released SkyDrive, their “cloud” storage solution, from beta and now offer 5GB storage in 38 countries, including New Zealand. That’s a ray of sunshine on a gloomy Auckland day.
Windows Live SkyDrive Team Blog
You've made two things clear since our first release: You want more space; and you want SkyDrive where you are. Today we're giving you both. You now have five times the space you had before — that’s 5GB of free online storage for your favorite documents, pictures, and other files. SkyDrive is also available now in 38 countries/regions.
If, like me, you aren’t at CES or don’t have time to view the webcast ReadWriteWeb have a nice summary of Bill Gates keynote speech. A few CAD related items caught my attention including: Surface computing, Location aware 3D environments and 100 million Vista licenses out there already...
Bill Gates at CES: No Web Fridges, But You Can Watch TV on Your Xbox 360 - ReadWriteWeb
One of the highlights of CES (Consumer Electronics Show) each year is Bill Gates' keynote speech, available here as a webcast. Every year ReadWriteWeb analyzes Gates' keynote, highlighting the main themes and trends that he discusses.
As part of a cool demo with various versions of Windows running on Virtual Machines Eric shows a little bit of Windows 7…
Eric Traut talks (and demos) Windows 7 and MinWin - istartedsomething
If I told you there was a public presentation and arguably demonstration of Windows 7, you probably wouldn’t believe me. Which is why I had to share this video with you…
I’d like to be going to Microsoft New Zealand’s Tech Ed New Zealand 2007 (13 - 15 August at SkyCity, Auckland) but it’s sold out. I’ll just have to watch the web, official & unofficial, for news…
Official Site:
Microsoft Tech Ed New Zealand 2007 - www.microsoft.co.nz/teched
Tech Ed 2007 has now SOLD OUT so thank you to all those who have registered. If you missed out, all is not lost. Content will be available here during & after the event, plus Tech Ed 2008 is only a year away.Unofficial Tech-Ed related Blogs:
Darryl Burling @ Work – TechEd07
I am a technology and gadget geek living in Wellington, New Zealand and working for Microsoft.The Unofficial Tech Ed Blog - www.geekzone.co.nz
This blog is written by Mauricio Freitas and published by Geekzone and is not associated in any way with Microsoft New Zealand or Microsoft Corp.
I spent the day at the Auckland Microsoft 2007 Technical Briefing Session. Although aimed at Enterprise IT Managers and Developers I found most the sessions useful. I don’t mange our network but work with those who do. I do build the CAD machines, exceptions to the normal managed desktop build, so anything which makes that easier was of interest.
Apart from a brief introduction to Vista & Office, from a management/developer point of view, most the sessions concentrated on Microsoft Network Management, Deployment, Enterprise and Development platforms. One product discussed that was not “work”, but still interesting, was Windows Home Server. I wonder about the size of the potential market in for it NZ but the capabilities were interesting if it all works as claimed. Plug it in and have sophisticated features like backup, data replication, machine imaging/restore happening for the PC’s on your home network, even your Xbox, with minimal set-up or management.
While I was already aware of many of the topics covered in the presentations, while often billed as overviews, really helped me understand the principles involved. A couple of sessions on hardware/application virtualization and management/deployment tools were especially useful. One on “Platform Building: creating "composite" applications”, was way more techo than anything I’d ever do but still gave an insight into the approach for this sort of application. A lunchtime session on Enterprise Search was interesting. I don’t see a need to rush to Vista yet but can see some of the core platform advances in it – graphics, deployment, search – becoming compelling as more applications exploit them.
While I may never do much of what I saw today I have a much better chance of understanding those who do when we need to talk 
. This event is runs in Wellington (14th March) and Christchurch (21st March). If you are involved with Windows system admin/development or need to deal with people who are I recommend it.
[Nothing to] Disclosure: I chose to attend in my own time, weird way to spend a “holiday”, & at my own cost. The admission fee included a choice of Office 2007 or Vista – I chose Office.
I use my own photos for my desktop background but this tale of someone’s obsession with a default XP Desktop image is both pointless and wonderful.
Nick Tosches: Autumn and the Plot Against Me: On The Web: vanityfair.com
The mysterious origins of a Windows desktop image….
I logged a support call for the I.E. new window problem experienced after the Live Toolbar install and was impressed to get a response, from a human! The email requested more detail so I recorded a short Camtasia recording – far quicker than step by step text notes – and attached it to the return email.
When that was returned with a “could not deliver error” 
, thinking perhaps they block attachments, I sent a text only reply with link to the video. Even that bounced back but the reply email was a strange format (very long) so maybe my old Office was breaking it?
With no other way to get in touch it was back to the Live Support web form. It was then I noticed this poor UI design. If you make a point of requesting people to “Be specific” why provide a tiny scrolling text box to be specific in? You can type elsewhere and copy/paste but you shouldn’t have to!
UPDATE 24–02–2007: I’ve since had a response from Live Support with alternate contact address so the screen-shots got thru. It seems something in the email chain, probably my Outlook 2000, was breaking the return address.
UPDATE 27–02–2007: Some progress, I’ve had a reply “I have forwarded your concern to the Live Toolbar Product Specialist Team so it may be given due attention. I understand the importance of this issue. Rest assured that we are doing everything within our means to remedy the situation.”
It popped up for days before I hit update… “Upgrade your MSN Desktop Search to the new Live Search and Toolbar for [wonderful promised improvements]”.
Perhaps not that wonderful as I can’t remember what they were but I do know a slightly broken IE wasn’t one. It still works but insists on opening new windows ignoring it’s own “reuse windows” setting 
.
I tried to system restore out of it but that didn’t work. Maybe it’s time for that format all, clean build I’ve been putting off. Perhaps when your “All Progams” menu fills the entire screen it’s time for a cleanout!
UPDATE 21–02–2007: It’s related to the tabbed browsing, turn that off and normal behavour is restored.
Thanks to a post by Jithen I’ve signed up for a Microsoft 2007 Technical Briefing Session (Auckland, March 7). It’s not “Tech-Ed” but should be interesting to catch up with their take on Vista, Office, Application platforms and Network Management tools. It’s not really “my world” * so If you are in/around the sessions below and see a lost/baffled CAD Blogger say hello!
* I think the last Windows event I attended was the Windows ME launch. Didn’t really work as my computers went from 98/NT to XP. I do remember the Windows 95 Launch as Bill Gates made the trek to New Zealand, speaking to thousands in a packed Aotea Centre Theatre. That was more about “PR buzz” rather than a technical briefing but it will be interesting to see how these “real geek events” compare to the “CAD geek events” I’m more used to attending!
I have been catching up with some downloaded videos today including Robert Scoble’s “Non-hostile Apple Vs Vista OS debate”. The debate might have been non-hostile but Robert uses the mp4 file format which for me means suffering the Apple Quicktime Player (QTP). Microsoft often get accused of clunky design and poor usability but free media players is one place I think they win hands down. Put aside the whole file format and DRM argument, I’m talking about just using the freebie players both provide.
Apple are supposed to excel at design and usability but QTP is not a great advertisement. The download defaults include iTunes and three email news subscriptions unless you opt out and advertises a “Pro” version upgrade . Avoid all that and you get a player with limited functionality that doesn’t even conform to normal windows behaviour. Hit maximise and it fits to the height of the screen rather than filling it. Maybe full screen would be better but I won’t know without that pro upgrade. Microsoft don’t expect you to pay for Full Screen on their Windows Media Player but it doesn’t support mp4 
When it comes to OS it’s applications and use that determines which is best for you but I know which media player I prefer and it ain't from Apple. If there is a way to get free mp4 support in Windows Media Player please let me know!
The non-hostile Apple OSX vs. Windows Vista OS debate, Part I | ScobleShow
The non-hostile Apple OSX vs. Windows Vista OS debate, Part II
Just heard that a few minutes ago someone purchased the first ever retail copy of Vista thanks to our time-zone and stores opening at 12:01 to sell it.
I wonder why would you bother?
I have no beef with the new OS, if I get a new PC it will have it, but is it really worth shelling out $258 – $648 for a retail upgrade from XP?
I’m not that unhappy with XP-Sp2!
New Zealanders get first chance to buy Vista > TV3
Five years in the making, Microsoft’s replacement for their flagship operating system Windows, goes on sale at midnight tonight in New Zealand.Click thru to video inc comment from Geekzone’s Mauricio Freitas
Have a look for a “Snap To” setting in your control panel mouse properties and if not enabled give it a try it. The mouse pointer will locate on the default button for any dialog you launch. While it may not be the option you want it’s probably much closer than you would otherwise be.
I’ve used this option for years and wonder how many kilometres of mousing it’s saved. When using other peoples machines I often find it’s not enabled and, once through the adjustment phase, they like it. Give it some time as if you are not used to it the mouse pointer leaping to meet opening dialogs can be a little strange!
Just in time for Christmas Mindjet have released a MindManager service pack. In addition to general fixes it adds support for Microsoft Windows Vista and Office 2007. I’m not running them yet but I’m interested to hear how they play together. There is more detail and download info at Michaels blog.
Synergist : MindManager now Supports Windows Vista & Office 2007!
I am pleased to announce the release of MindManager 6 SP2a (build 6.2.399). This is an update to Pro, Basic and Viewer editions. With this new Service Pack, MM6 will now run on Microsoft Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007. It also provides usability improvements and resolves known issues, including updates to Microsoft Office integration capabilities.
I read about the re-designed Microsoft Web site in Tim Leberecht’s post where he critiques the new page, and the Zune Site. After trying it I found it doesn’t work that well, in fact it doesn’t meet a basic expectation I have for a website. The UI adopts a mock Vista type “folder” as a navigation tool but after selecting a folder option hitting Back 
doesn’t return you to the folder you just left. Is this really the best design they could come up with?
Folders are just a legacy of the limitations imposed by our traditional expectations (paper files go in folders) and computers ability to store and search data in the days directorys (folders) were devised. I had hoped that WinFS would kill the folder on the desktop allowing information to be stored and accessed based on what it is, not the nominal location you are forced to choose by a folder model. Microsoft haven’t delivered that on the desktop, now they are creating folders as a web navigation tool. It’s a backward step.
The extended post illustrates the comment (in Italics) I left on Tims post with some additional thoughts.
Continue reading "Microsoft's new homepage – Folders that aren't, don't work!" »
Demetri reminds me of Stephen Wright. I’ve been following his quirky blog/site for since I found it a month or so back. The best Windows Vista site by far…
Demetri Martin finds Clearification – Episode 1
Demetri Martin finds Clearification – Episode 2
In the flurry of Microsoft Windows Vista related coverage that has erupted with the release to manufacture I found these posts from Ed Bott useful summaries:
Vista Mythbusters by ZDNet's Ed Bott -- I'm continually amazed at just how much misinformation is out there when it comes to Windows Vista. Between Microsoft's confusing messages and a committed anti-Microsoft crowd, how do you get the facts? Start here..
If you, like me, are baffled by talk of “Aero, Glass, Basic & Classic” Long Zheng has a brilliant post that demonstrates the different user interface modes:
Windows Vista: The “choose your own adventure” UI at istartedsomething
Some of you may, and some of you may not, (so that’s everybody) know Windows Vista has 4 tiers of user interface experience, from the best to worst: Aero Glass, Vista Standard, Vista Basic and Windows Classic. So why so many? Who knows, graphics designers unemployment at an all time low in Redmond? But regardless of whether you like it or not, these are the choices that will be shipping with Vista so let’s understand it while we can.
I haven't tried Vista yet & not sure I’ll bother on this machine. I guess my next PC will have it…
Robert Scoble has exclusive Adobe Acrobat 8 videos on-line. He interviews Rick Brown, Adobe’s director of product management for its knowledge worker business unit, about the future of Adobe Acrobat and the key features of Acrobat 8 then gets a quick demo.
Breaking News: Adobe announces Acrobat 8 (exclusive videos) « Scobleizer - Tech Geek Blogger
Adobe just released Acrobat 8 and last week I got an exclusive look at it through my camera lens when Rick Brown, Director of Product Management of the Knowledge Worker business unit gave me a demo…
This line from Roberts own post was interesting:
Is this important? Well, Adobe makes quite a bit of profit off of the Acrobat line and Microsoft is gunning for that profit big time.
I’d say Microsoft aren’t the only ones…
The movies are Quicktime .mov format* & quite large 135mb for the demo, 96mb for the interview.
*Pity as I think freebie Quicktime viewer is awful & I ain't paying for pro.
Microsoft have posted the NZ Tech-Ed presentations.
Thanks to this cool tip from Ed my frequently used blog Draft folder is only a “Places Bar click away” when saving files. I’ve removed the defaults and added a couple of folders I use all the time.
Ed Bott's Windows Expertise » Tip of the day: Customize the Places Bar
The big IT event in Auckland this week is Tech-Ed. I’m not attending, 
, but several from work are so will report anything I hear. Thanks to the Vista Upgrade Advisor I have found my Home PC will run Vista, I need “Ultimate” and have to free up some drive space…
You will need to take the following actions to run Windows Vista. Additional hard drive storage 15GB free space required (Your computer currently has 12.25 GB)
Microsoft New Zealand: Tech·Ed 2006
As a focal point for the launch of Windows Vista, the 2007 Microsoft Office system and Exchange 12, Microsoft New Zealand's most comprehensive technical training and educational event is set to generate a huge amount of interest…The Unofficial Blog of the Unofficial Guide to Windows Vista
If you’ve been reading all that stuff online about how Vista requires a massively powerful machine for even the simplest of tasks and you’re worried that your two year old Dell won’t be up to scratch, you can find out once and for all…
Microsoft WinFS promised to revolutionise the way people access information on their computer. Storing files in a relational database structure, categorised by attributes/tags, would have ended the limitations of a folder hierarchy.
The idea appealed because often files have more than one reason to exist. Placing them in a folder forces us to decide where to store information based on only one aspect. I don’t really care where, or how, something is stored as long as I can find it. I want to do that based on what it is not where it’s stored. If my file is that leaf, circled on the lower left, why the need to remember which branch of the tree it’s on?
Back in August 2005 I speculated how WinFS could impact Building Information Modelling:
What's in Store... What will WinFS mean for CAD & BIM? – RobiNZ CAD Blog 08/2005
The ability to associate data from multiple applications in multiple forms using relationships, rather than disk file/folder structures, seems useful for users trying to bring together the masses of distributed data which represent a BIM Project.
At the time Microsoft described WinFS as:
“The new relational file system for Windows. As an essential piece of Microsoft’s Integrated Storage strategy, WinFS bridges the gap between file systems and databases and provides a unified, rich programming platform for all data: structured, semi-structured, and unstructured.”
Essential? Well, maybe not:
The Fishbowl: We Come to Bury WinFS...
“WinFS is dead. Its carcass is being split between SQL Server and ADO.NET, and the relational filesystem that was going to change the way we use computers is no longer just postponed to be shipped after Vista, it’s gone.”
If WinFS as a PC file store is dead it’s a pity. Are we condemned to being forever lost in a forest of [directory] trees?
There are a few solutions with current technology;
Desktop Search; Although limited to the indexing capabilities they do allow you to find information irrespective of location. Only thing is you don’t want to search every time you need a commonly used file.So my solution to the limitations of a folder tree is a map tree!
Don Campbell (Office Evangelist) has created a MindManager Map of Office 2007 resources. It’s an excellent reference which also demonstrates how good the map format is for this style of document:
doncampbell's Weblog : Mind Map of Office 2007 Resources
This mind map is my attempt to bring together many of the great new resources surrounding the Office 2007 launch….
Via The Mindjet Blog
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