Posts Tagged ‘microsoft’
In A Word, No
Feb.22.2010
A Windows 7 stability fix breaks stability. Interesting to read the comments on the Technet Forum. Makes me miss the Windows platform.
I especially enjoy the comments from the Microsoft technical support folks. They are really trying to help. Like this comment. The key question comes at the end of his post.
You may update the BIOS and the hardware drivers first.
After that, I would like to suggest you disable the antivirus program and try to install the update KB977074 in Clean Boot manually again.
Here are the download links for the update KB977074:
Update KB977074 for Windows 7 32-bit: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=19e12856-4808-4fbf-b5c9-2dac4bbb48b6
Update KB977074 for Windows 7 64-bit: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=86B3EDE2-84EF-44A0-8084-D65AF65482BE&displaylang=en
Does it work?
Microsoft’s Creative Destruction
Feb.04.2010
Answer: Because Microsoft is clumsy and uncompetitive.
As they marvel at Apple’s new iPad tablet computer, the technorati seem to be focusing on where this leaves Amazon’s popular e-book business. But the much more important question is why Microsoft, America’s most famous and prosperous technology company, no longer brings us the future, whether it’s tablet computers like the iPad, e-books like Amazon’s Kindle, smartphones like the BlackBerry and iPhone, search engines like Google, digital music systems like iPod and iTunes or popular Web services like Facebook and Twitter.
Harsh words about Microsoft in the New York Times. Via.
Microsoft IE9
Nov.20.2009
Microsoft is working on a better browser?
This comment from the post highlights the feedback I have heard from many web developers and their love for the IE browser:
Instead of focusing on things like: Direct2D and DirectWrite, please focus on better STANDARDS SUPPORT!
Will IE9 support default ECMAScript events instead of stupid IE proprietary ones?
Will it support as much css3 as other browsers do?
Innovation is fine when you aren’t so freaking behind on features other browsers have had for 5 years.
Stop innovating until you get IE9 up to speed with CSS, Box model, canvas, SVG, base64, @font-face, etc. Stop trying to create your own APIs before you implement standard ones!
Web developers hate you and recommend other browsers because of this asinine behaviour.
Windows 7 is Secure
Nov.16.2009
Windows 7 is the most secure operating system ever.
And it generated this rebuke from Microsoft:
Microsoft is concerned that this new report of a vulnerability was not responsibly disclosed, potentially putting computer users at risk. We continue to encourage responsible disclosure of vulnerabilities. We believe the commonly accepted practice of reporting vulnerabilities directly to a vendor serves everyone’s best interests. This practice helps to ensure that customers receive comprehensive, high-quality updates for security vulnerabilities without exposure to malicious attackers while the update is being developed.
The Microsoft Store
Oct.23.2009
Gee. Looks a little bit like an Apple Store. And all those enthusiastic Microsoft employees, er customers.
Is Microsoft Still Relevant?
Oct.20.2009
“Well, technology companies either move forward, too, or they die. They become less relevant.” — Steve Ballmer.
I am writing this post on Windows XP, an operating system first released in October of 2001. It is a good enough operating system which means, for the most part, I endure the experience of running Windows. Windows 7 will soon hit the shelves at roughly $300 for an Ultimate version. I can pre-order a copy. I can line up early for a copy. I can host a Windows 7 launch party.
But I won’t.
The New York Times had an interesting piece on Microsoft. The online version is here. The Fake Steve Jobs provides a less sanitized and more vulgar version here. Some interesting quotes from the New York Times:
Is Microsoft leading the digital era?
For many years, Microsoft and its leaders could make sweeping statements like this with little public pushback. Microsoft embodied the technology industry and was the grand arbiter of the tools people used to conduct business and navigate the digital era.
These days, however, Microsoft has legions of doubters. While it still commands a prominent and profitable position in computing, brand experts say consumers stumble when trying to define what the company stands for and whether it can create a grander technological future.
Is Microsoft relevant?
Critics of Microsoft say it has hugely underestimated market changes and plotted a long and winding course toward irrelevance. It remains too fixated on its old-line, desktop-based franchises, they say — too slow, too predictable and too, well, Microsoft.
Can Microsoft build great products?
Executives at Microsoft say it has gotten its house in order, putting an end to delayed, clunky products like the maligned and then ignored Windows Vista… According to a new CoreBrand study, Microsoft’s reputation and the perception of its management and investment potential have been declining for over a decade, with the drop-off accelerating over the last five years.
Is Microsoft the Evil Empire?
Rivals now simply dismiss Microsoft as a laggard rather than hitting it with the Evil Empire criticisms so familiar in the 1990s. In its place stands Google, which now has Microsoft’s mantle as a game-changing technology behemoth and is also increasingly perceived as a dominant competitor whose power warrants concern.
Microsoft will be around for a while yet. And hopefully a new leader will drive some much needed change in this company. When the New York Times decided to run this photo of Ballmer as the cover for the story, you know that it is getting time for a leadership change.
Windows 7 Launch Party
Sep.24.2009
Have you planned your Windows 7 Launch Party yet? Don’t wait! Get started today!
Time to Upgrade
Sep.23.2009
Looks like it is time for me to upgrade my Windows machine. Easy enough. Just follow the table below. 64 something or 32 something and “Custom Install” or “In-Place Upgrade”.
Custom Install is another way of saying a complete rebuild and reloading of all apps and data. Lots of Custom Install options. And my environment will fall under that option. Oh what fun.
The table for upgrading my Mac to Snow Leopard is a bit different. But then, that is the joy of owning a Mac.
Microsoft and Photoshop
Aug.27.2009
Apparently Microsoft hacks at their ad photos to fit into the local culture. Some have even suggested that Microsoft sucks at Photoshop. I uncovered the original photo for this particular campaign. Looks fine to me. Well, except for the not so subliminal attempt to get rid of the Apple logo on the MacBook.
I have collected pictures of some of the most stunning recording studios in the world and you can travel through the set by clicking 
