Gates, Not Retired Yet, Talks Vista Dates
Despite announcing plans to leave Microsoft's day-to-day operations, when Bill
Gates talks, people listen. And Gates seems to be saying that
Vista
will take as long as Vista takes, deadlines be damned!
Gates, rightly so, argues that Vista has to be done right and done well, rather
than done on time. Let's face it, they've already blown the holiday
sales season, so it really doesn't matter when it arrives. Oh, unless
you're a Software Assurance customer and you were under the impression
that you qualified for free upgrades to Vista.
I think Software Assurance upgrades should be based on announced ship dates,
not the actual ship date. Why should IT pay for an upgrade just because Redmond
blew its dates? Tell me where I'm wrong at [email protected].
Vista -- Less the Glass
There will be two rather different looks to Vista when it finally comes
out. The well-heeled will revel in the glory that is the translucent Aero Glass
interface. Those that can't afford the latest, greatest and most expensive
graphics cards must make do with a lesser
look and feel, details and screenshots of which are starting to emerge.
User Name: FBIDirector, Password: Waronterror
When the U.S. government spies, it's called anti-terrorism. When a computer
consultant exposes major problems with the FBI's computer security, it's
called a crime.
Joe Colon, an FBI consultant, found the list of passwords, including one for
FBI director Robert Mueller. Then the
feds caught Colon, who faces a year in the big house.
Google Party Plane
Some people strike it rich and still live like paupers. Digital Equipment
Corp. founder Ken Olson was famous for owning cars so ratty our teenagers wouldn't
even have driven 'em. Others get a few bucks and start partying like it's 1999.
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While Bill Gates spent his first two decades in Redmond flying commercial,
the newly rich boy-geniuses from Google have higher expectations: They're
building what may be the
largest private jet in the world. At first we were told this was an efficient
way for executives and guests to travel. As it turns out, this is just one big
party plane, complete with hammocks, king-size beds and plenty of bling. But
shareholders should fear not -- none of the cash for this extravagance is coming
from Google itself.
Amazon in Space
Google might be about to cruise at 32,000 feet, but Jeff Bezos is shooting
a bit higher. The Amazon.com founder is funding
a private space travel company that plans to go as high as 325,000 feet.
Take that Google!
About the Author
Doug Barney is editor in chief of Redmond magazine and the VP, editorial director of Redmond Media Group.