Readers share their early assessments of Microsoft's test code for Windows 8:
So far I think that Windows 8 appears to be the least user friendly operating system that Microsoft has ever developed. There are numerous Windows XP users that hesitated upgrading due to the fear of change -- Windows 8 is not for the majority of PC users.
-Anonymous
I probably haven't given it a good enough test, but its doubtful I ever will, at least not anytime soon. First impressions are blah, boring, unimpressed, toooo much switching between Metro and Desktop, annoying. This may work on a touch interface, but it seems very anti-multitasking and too similar to a smartphone OS. At this rate I will milk my Win 7 for as long as I can. I have been reasonably excited with every new version of Windows since Win 95 preview. Not this time...
-Bryan
I've got it running in Virtual Box on my XPS. It runs fine but I see nothing -- and I mean NOTHING that I would want with this. Metro should have been implemented as a subsystem to the desktop, not the other way around. I'm likely to stick with Windows 7 for a very long time. For my mobile devices, iOS will do the job. I still like Microsoft but it's taking a direction with this one that I, as a developer, don't believe I will support.
-Bruce
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Posted by Doug Barney on 03/09/2012 at 1:19 PM5 comments
Maybe the Windows franchise is too big to fail, but in any case, Gartner experts are debunking some negative talk that Microsoft will end up with another Vista dud when Windows 8 is released as a product. They point out that Vista had its own problems, but Windows 8 is just a different kettle of fish. For one thing, Windows 8 is much more compatible with Windows 7, Gartner explained in a blog post.
IT shops are still struggling with the time and expense of moving from Windows XP to Windows 7, leaving less time to focus on Windows 8, Gartner points out. Questions still remain, such as how the Metro-style user interface in Windows 8 will affect computing environments. Gartner expects that consumer use of Metro-style apps will be a compelling force for enterprise adoption of Windows 8.
Gartner's final message in the blog post seems to be that IT pros should not ignore Windows 8, nor should they skip it, even though Gartner now labels Windows 8 as an "off-cycle release." Sheesh.
So, have you got time to bone up on Windows 8 as Gartner suggests? Tell Doug about your Windows 8 investigations at [email protected].
-- By Kurt Mackie
Posted by Kurt Mackie on 03/09/2012 at 1:19 PM10 comments
IT pros using Microsoft-stack products partly do so because of their user-friendly graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and relatively good documentation. So, what's with this PowerShell barrage coming lately from Microsoft? Is it some craze, like bell-bottom pant cuffs coming back in style? Well, it would be, if bell bottoms could automate your wardrobe -- especially your tie collection.
The key phrase is "scriptable automation." It's the new (old) marching orders for IT pros, and it's getting heavy promotion from Microsoft in its latest products emerging this year, from SQL Server 2012, System Center 2012 and Windows Server 8.
PowerShell is a command-line interface tool. So, does this PowerShell product integration trend from Microsoft mean (*gulp*) that the GUI is dead? You'd never hear that from Microsoft. With Windows Server 8, Microsoft is now saying that PowerShell is an "additive" tool. You'll get the same message over on the System Center side of things, where Microsoft's Orchestrator runtime modeling solution is capable of extracting PowerShell scripts to help automate processes based on conditional situations to address repeatable operations.
The GUI isn't gone from Microsoft's emerging products (it's "Metro"-ized), but busy IT folks can certainly be excused for wanting one that's robust and easy to use. So, maybe there's a little PowerShell shock out there right now. The good news is that it looks like Microsoft will give you a choice, and the message seems to be this: command-line interface "and/or" GUI.
If you want to keep pace with Redmond, then PowerShell is the way to go. The PowerShell cult is deep. At last month's SQL Server 2012 Workshop held on Microsoft's campus, Dandy Weyn, a Microsoft senior technology product manager, showed off how to install SQL Server 2012 by just using the PowerShell command-line interface. After the demo, I wanted to embrace my inner GUI and never come out of its shell.
Has Microsoft gone completely PowerShell mad? Tell Doug at [email protected].
-- By Kurt Mackie
Posted by Kurt Mackie on 03/09/2012 at 1:19 PM10 comments
UPDATE: It's Doug's blog, but it's my post and I'm Michael Domingo, exec. editor, and fully to blame on the big mistakes in it.
Commenter Aidan is correct -- I can't find a clue. In my haste, working with some Hyper-V coverage on other sites, I made the big mistake of equating Hyper-V with anything having to do with Microsoft's virtualization efforts. Still, no excuse for my idiocy.
In any event, we'll leave this post up, mistakes and all, because there are some good discussions on other blogs about the issues around OnLive's licensing deal with Microsoft. Brian Madden's post is a good start (he links to other discussions), but check these other ones as well:
Daniel Eran Dilger at AppleInsider: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/03/08/microsoft_challenging_licensing_of_onlives_windows_7_virtualization_for_ipad.html
Will Shanklin at geek.com: http://www.geek.com/articles/gadgets/microsoft-isnt-happy-with-onlive-desktop-for-ipad-and-android-tablets-2012038/
A review from The New York Times, sans controversy: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/23/technology/personaltech/onlive-desktop-plus-puts-windows-7-on-the-ipad-in-blazing-speed-state-of-the-art.html
Microsoft CVP of Corporate Licensing and Pricing, Joe Matz, posting on TechNet regarding their investigation of OnLive's licensing deal (well, at least what he can say about it as they dig into the issue a bit deeper): http://blogs.technet.com/b/volume-licensing/archive/2012/03/08/delivery-of-desktop-like-functionality-through-outsourcer-arrangements-and-service-provider-license-agreements.aspx
With that, the unadulterated and idiotic post (if you care to read on, that is....):
Brian Madden is a star in the virtualization realm, so to speak. What he has to say about Microsoft's Hyper-V is eye-opening, and it's got him mad enough to want to dismiss his Microsoft MVP status.
In a nutshell, Madden believes Microsoft's licensing scheme will hinder the use of Hyper-V on a scale to contend with the likes of VMware and Citrix. In particular is the mystery behind the licensing deal that seems to give OnLive Desktop (based on the ads I've been seeing during some of the ESPN sports programming, it looks to be a nifty service where you can run Windows apps virtualized -- even Flash-based ones -- on devices like the Flash-unfriendly iPad) an edge that no other company seems to be able to take advantage of.
For those of you who are willing to look past that and continue to use Hyper-V, do check out Brien Posey's best practices guide. And don't forget Paul Schnackenburg's "Paul on Hyper-V" column over at VirtualizationReview.com.
-By Michael Domingo
Posted by Michael Domingo on 03/07/2012 at 1:19 PM6 comments
Readers respond to the idea that software is loaded with non-needed elements:
The main complaint seems to be related to the default installation. Windows has always had a custom install with a way to trim down to basics with both groups of items and sub-categories of apps/applets within them so as to allow the user to minimize the footprint on the HD. Hitting 'next-next-OK' results in bloat. Additionally there are ways to trim down services to make Windows run more efficiently and boot faster but most mainstream users don't bother to do that.
IT Pros can create a trimmed-down image with only basic functionality then add apps afterwards (for that matter you can trim Office bloat down to only what you need as well). Custom install has always been the way to go if you're concerned about disk space and streamlining performance.
On the other hand if you have good hardware (above minimal requirements for the OS etc.) the 'bloatware' factor is not even noticeable to start with. I'm talking i5/i7 with 64-bit Win7 OS, 64-bit Office 2010, and 8-12Gb RAM on an SSD drive or even a fast SATA one. People using dual- and quad-core Intel CPUs on IDE drives with 1 Gig or less of RAM (which, in some cases, shares with on-board video) will always whine.
That isn't 'bleeding edge' technology but defining 'bloat' as 'performance hit' means either you didn't trim down the OS/Office install and startup items/services OR your hardware is sub-par and you need to stay in a Win ME/98/XP world. This world is rapidly disappearing. I agree we have too many features and basic functionality that it is not as easy to get to or configure as it was in the days of 486 computers running DOS with Windows 95 thrown on top of it. But hey, the world moves on.
Users need to do the same or accept security risks inherent in an OS that is not being updated due to obsolescence and/or an OS that is open source. Quoting 'vendor app is not compatible' has no merit because vendors with decent developers keep up. Ant there's always another vendor of an app that will do the same thing that is compatible with the latest OS or version of Office.
As a Microsoft alumni let me tell you, the software world will always drive the hardware world into being better because the software is developed using state-of-the-art available hardware.
-Jim
I can't support this concept of baseline software and feature packs for one simple reason: Who decides what features are bundled into the packs? Just one look at your cable television bill and you will quickly understand my point. How many of those channels are you funding when you never watch them, just to get at one or two that you like in the bundle? I'm unwilling to buy add-ons based on some marketing exec's idea of what needs to be sold. Give it to me in the current everything-at-one-time mode or give me baseline plus inexpensive single feature add-ons.
-Glenn
Share your thoughts with the editors of this newsletter! Write to [email protected]. Letters printed in this newsletter may be edited for length and clarity, and will be credited by first name only (we do NOT print last names or e-mail addresses).
Posted by Doug Barney on 03/07/2012 at 1:19 PM0 comments
The cloud is supposed to bring efficiencies to computing that, at times, can also mean efficiencies in the IT personnel needed to launch and drive cloud initiatives. In short, the cloud can seem like a job killer. At least that's the general perception among many of our Redmond readers. Popular perception often trumps facts and figures, even with good evidence to the contrary in the form of an IDC report -- albeit, commissioned by Microsoft -- that shows cloud computing will effectively create about 14 million jobs in the next three years.
The study show that a third of cloud -based hiring will form around mainly communications and media, banking, and manufacturing; also, half of all cloud-related jobs will originate in emerging markets (mainly China and India). IDC derived the data from forecasts it made from cloud spending trends globally.
Is the cloud having an effect on hiring where you are, or have you hired or plan to hire based on some cloud initiatives? Â Let Doug know at [email protected].
-By Michael Domingo
Posted by Michael Domingo on 03/07/2012 at 1:19 PM6 comments
Looks like there's some real excitement (or general curiosity) for Windows 8. Microsoft announced that the Consumer Preview, released last Wednesday, had been downloaded more than 1 million times in less than 24 hours.
I'm guessing that this number has at least doubled or tripled as of Monday, since many probably held off until the weekend to give it a spin. Microsoft hasn't given any download update since Thursday's Twitter announcement.
This should also give a bump of Windows 8 market share, which sits at 0.02 percent. While that's a tiny fraction of a number, I'm still surprised that it has that -- the only available version was the features-light Windows 8 Developer Preview.
Did you spend some one-on-one time with the Windows 8 Consumer Preview this weekend? Let us know what your initial reaction is by sending a message to [email protected].
-- By Chris Paoli
Posted by Chris Paoli on 03/05/2012 at 1:19 PM6 comments
According to a recent IT Decision Maker blog post by Don Jones, you and your team are lacking some basic skills.
Now before you send the strongly worded letters to Don (you can contact him here), he's not the one that is saying your IT skills aren't up to par. That assessment is coming straight from you.
A little less than half of your IT team doesn't have the basics down for needed skills like network troubleshooting and AD, according to a reader poll he conducted. And this is a problem when 90 percent of those polled said the team would work more efficiently if everyone grasped the basics (why isn't this 100 percent?).
Where's the problem coming from? Don says this lies with the nature of cert exams. Most only teach and test on the newest components of a particular software or skill. The basics are completely glossed over.
How's your basic IT IQ? What important skills are missing from your team? Let Doug know at [email protected].
-- By Chris Paoli
Posted by Chris Paoli on 03/05/2012 at 1:19 PM1 comments
Readers respond to the idea that privacy is sacrificed when using free software and services:
This article reminds me that in 1990s I recorded a video for a TV commercial that exclaimed, 'are you tired of trading your personal freedom for a trivial discount on obsolete equipment? Of course you are.' I thought then of what you write now -- The price of FREE is FREEDOM.
Everyone knows that there's no such thing as a free lunch. This doesn't seem that complicated. People would choose FREEDOM over FREE. However when you slap a pretty user interface over an experience people are gaga for more, especially when told they need it.
If there was a simple way to express what the cloud means for loss of freedom we would have a chance. But Redmond is all in on the cloud, so we can't go there anymore. It's a curious time. Does that mean my NK2 file is irrelevant, as I will no longer have a local copy of my data? Or is my only local copy at most a data backup with no local applications really? I don't know. I do know this I spend too much time in the Microsoft stack, and I cannot imagine it is easier to get things done with other tools. At most I need better tagging and search functions across local and synched folders in the Microsoft stack. I really do not need more tools then that, and I can connect to anything in a managed way.
-Larry
Something jumped to my mind as I read your freedom blog post. Not only are the companies building a profile of the user who agreed to their indecipherable EULA, but I would assume that the other end of conversations and subjects of posts are also being profiled and aggregated as well. Is that legal, and if not who is the offender, the friend using the service that harvest information from conversations, or the harvesting corporation?
It might be worth an investigative peek into the closet.
-John
Share your thoughts with the editors of this newsletter! Write to [email protected]. Letters printed in this newsletter may be edited for length and clarity, and will be credited by first name only (we do NOT print last names or e-mail addresses).
Posted by Doug Barney on 03/05/2012 at 1:19 PM0 comments
I have plenty of my own opinions, but I have more confidence in their veracity when you, the highly intelligent Redmond Report readers, agree.
When it comes to software, I'm like a shallow Hollywood man -- I like it lean and stylish. I'm not one of those pining for MS-DOS to come back, but I prefer early generations of GUI apps with fewer features and concomitant ease of use.
The problem is that simple software goes out of date. You can't run it because new OSes don't support it, and there are no security fixes.
Recently nearly three dozen Redmond Report readers came clean on what bugs them about technology -- and bloated software that makes the lean stuff out of date was one of your chief concerns.
There is an answer and many of you are finding it in simple smartphone and tablet apps.
Even Microsoft is gaining this religion with the Metro interface for Windows 8.
So now we are getting pulled in two directions. Apps like Office get larger all the time, server apps more and more demand 64-bit and multicore, and clients grow as predictably as Kevin Federline's belt size.
On the other hand, tablets are now doing real enterprise work with the exact opposite approach.
Here's what Redmond Report reader James had to add:
"There are some software products that should be a little bloated. However I should have control over how bloated they are. What I mean is have a base software package. Then sell additional features that will extend the software to do what I want/need. Take, for instance, Word. There should be a basic version with a small footprint. Now if I want to add some features so I can do things more efficiently then I can buy a feature pack that will accomplish this task."
Thanks James!
I have no idea how these two approaches will be reconciled, but if you have a clue, send it to me at [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on 03/02/2012 at 1:19 PM1 comments
There's no shortage of free stuff on the Web. Mail is free, search is free, YouTube is free and, if you don't mind breaking copyright laws, premium movies and music are free as well.
But all this comes with a cost. If you are a pirate, the music and movie companies may come after you. And the fines are stiff than a Dean Martin cocktail.
There's also the hidden cost of free services. FaceBook seems friendly on the surface, and it sure is making a lot of lucky folks filthy rich. But when you sign up, you surrender control of your data -- which has been sold to third-party marketers. And the newest Facebook feature lets friends (and parents and bosses) track your every single little move. Like a neck tattoo, this never really goes away.
Google is one of the worst offenders. They parse Gmail for key words, then sell you to advertisers (is that why I'm getting all those weight loss banners?), and the new social media tool Google+ collects even more. Under Google's new policy, all information from all your Google services is pulled together, letting the company know more about you than family or friends possibly do.
Free comes with a price. If you sign up for free services, understand exactly what you are surrendering. It may be details of your life.
Is a lack of privacy simply the price to pay for free software and social connections or are we a bunch of dupes? You tell me at [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on 03/02/2012 at 4:59 PM6 comments