Windows 7 May Ship Sooner Than Expected
The next Windows client will probably ship before most of you even move to
Vista. Windows 7, as it's currently called, may ship
late
next year.
I'm hoping that Microsoft re-architects the Windows client to truly exploit
multicore processors. The OS itself could be more multithreaded so operations
are distributed against processors. It could make the multitasking -- instead
of largely sharing a single processor -- work across the cores. And Microsoft
could revamp the API to make it easier for developers to parallelize their apps.
What is your experience with dual and multicore desktops? Are you thrilled
or disappointed in their performance? Let me know at [email protected].
Heading On Up to Redmond
If you're one of Microsoft's largest customers or partners, you've probably
been wined and dined on its campus, probably at the Executive Briefing Center.
If you head up there again, you may find fancier digs. After a two-year makeover,
that center is now 20,000
square feet larger.
So if you haven't been invited there yet, now might be a good time to drop
a few hints.
Leopard Making Friends, Influencing
Users
Redmond magazine just completed a major reader survey (thanks to all
who took the time to answer our many questions!), and the news on Vista is not
good. While there's massive excitement about Windows Server 2008, Vista adoption
is anemic. Apple is taking full advantage of this in the consumer market, making
millions with overpriced but solid and easy to use laptops and desktops.
Apple's laptop hardware, I've found, is as flaky as any HP or Dell I've ever
owned, but the things never crash or get fatally infected with viruses. If you
can afford to pay double or triple for the same amount of hardware, the Mac
is the machine for you!
For many, the price is worth it. In fact, Leopard users tend to be a pretty
happy lot, at least according to ChangeWave Research. Over 80 percent of
Leopard users are "very satisfied." Roughly half of XP users are that
happy. And Vista really took it on the chin -- only 15 percent of Vista Home
Basic users are "very satisfied."
Ninja Made Easier
Sunbelt Software has long been a fixture in the Windows third-party market.
Its crown jewel may well be Ninja, a suite of e-mail-centric security tools,
which was recently
well-reviewed by the experts at Redmond magazine.
Now, Sunbelt is making it easier to install this anti-virus, anti-spam, e-mail
management tool in the form of the new Ninja
Blade appliance. Based on Dell PowerEdge servers, the appliance is designed
to drop into your network and start working.
Sick of Your Job?
Tired of IT? Worried about a recession? Or just hate your boss? Joanne Dustin
may have the answer. No, she doesn't have a bunch of openings for Chippendale
dancers or highly paid Hollywood assistants. Instead, she has a book that explains
how she moved from IT to another career: writing about how she went from IT
to a career writing and speaking about moving from IT!
The book is Life
Beyond IT: Open the Door, Your Future is Waiting. You can find it on
Amazon.com (or perhaps your co-worker's desk drawer!).
Even if you aren't considering a career change, I have a little advice: You
should be a pro, not just an IT pro. That means acting like you deserve a job
that's a level or two (or three) above where you are right now. Act like a pro,
dress like a pro and -- without being arrogant or pushy -- be a leader in your
group. Great jobs in IT and beyond may soon come your way. (Hmm, does that sound
like I stole it from a fortune cookie?)
About the Author
Doug Barney is editor in chief of Redmond magazine and the VP, editorial director of Redmond Media Group.