Apple has always been strong in the educational market, but over the last decade-and-a-half, Microsoft has bitten deep into Apple's share with cheap software.
Now that the Mac is gaining overall market share, Microsoft is fighting for students with cheap versions of Windows 7 for as little as $30. You can't even get a one-quarter keg of cheap beer for that amount!
All you need to qualify is an .edu e-mail address or a valid way to prove you're a student. The best part? Thirty bucks gets you Home Premium or Windows 7 Pro, not the low-end stuff.
What about the rest of us? Looks like we'll be paying four times as much.
Posted by Doug Barney on 09/21/2009 at 1:17 PM5 comments
Readers share their thoughts on the possible
20-hour wait some "super users" might experience when they upgrade to Windows 7:
So? From 2001 until December 2006, I re-installed Windows XP dozens of times (mainly because the system was choking itself) and NOT ONCE was I able to complete a re-installation of XP in less than three days! It is a long and painful process to wait for XP to install, then wait for its service packs and then its patches to install, let alone having to reconfigure the handful of applications I was absolutely dependent upon. These were not unattended installs, either; if you walked away from the system at the wrong time, you could return hours later (often the next morning) only to realize that the system had been waiting for a response from you since you walked away the night before.
Don't try to convince anyone that staying with XP is less painful than moving to Windows 7. It just isn't!
-Marc
One of the biggest time-savers out there for migrating is keeping your data either on a separate partition or on a server. As far as upgrades are concerned, if the applications are compatible, Windows should be easily upgrade to Windows 7 with no hitches. Just make sure to use the Upgrade Advisor. Of course, going from a x32 to a x64 system would be a bit more involved. Personally, I do my homework first -- checking for updated software, x64 versions -- as well as keep all my data on a separate machine (also great for disaster recovery).
Twenty hours is a bit much, especially for a "super user." Were the applications he used downloaded when upgrading, or did he have the original disks? Maybe my machine is faster, maybe my applications are faster-installing, but I have MANY applications (from Office to Visual Studio to VMs), and can be done in just a few hours.
-Dustin
Yes, I agree an upgrade can take quite a bit of time, especially if you have a lot of data. The reason for this is that Windows 7 first performs a complete backup of your settings and data (including the program files and Windows folder), installs a new version of Windows, and then restores all the data and settings. The more data and custom settings you have, the longer it will take.
In my opinion, it is better to fully backup all your data and settings and do a clean install, unless there is a real compelling reason to upgrade (such as, you just don't have the time or will to recreate all your custom settings or you will not be able to reinstall software due to not having the disks). I have found that my machines that had clean installs performed much better than those I upgraded, and besides it only took me a few hours more to reinstall my programs and restore my data. Though it does sometimes take a few days to get around to redoing all your custom settings, the performance differences between upgrading and doing a clean install are worth it.
-Asif
Upgrade hassles aside, these readers have installed higher-end versions of Windows 7 on their netbooks, and the world did not end:
I've installed the Windows 7 Ultimate RTM on my Acer Aspire One netbook with excellent results. It's no speed demon, but it performs well with the dual-core ATOM processor, even on this modest machine with only 1GB of RAM. I encountered no problems during the install (all hardware recognized) and I'm pleased with the results.
If users recognize that all netbooks will have some inherent limitations and adjust their usage to keep those limitations in mind, they should be as happy with a Windows 7 netbook installation as I am.
-David
I've been running Windows 7 Professional on an Asus EeePC netbook for a week now. I've got no real complaints, and in fact am thinking of setting Windows 7 as the default OS (I set the netbook to dual-boot after upgrading the hard drive from 160GB to 500GB before the Windows 7 installation). When I got the netbook in March, I immediately upgraded the RAM to 2GB for performance reasons. I knew even then that XP Home would run better with the extra memory installed. I've got Office 2007 on the system, and I'm confident that it will run as well under Windows 7 as under XP. Application compatibility is always an issue with new versions of Windows, but so far it hasn't been a problem.
My user experience index on the netbook is only 2.2 with Windows 7, but that's because of the graphics subsystem. From a usability standpoint, it's just fine. I've got the Aero desktop running with all those bells and whistles. So far, my experience with Windows 7 Pro on the netbook has been very satisfactory. If anything unexpected shows up, I'll let you know, but for now I can only say that Microsoft has done a fine job with its latest and greatest on even the lowliest of platforms.
-Dennis
Doug has been asking readers for their thoughts on Bing for his son's writing project. One reader shares his experience, while another one shares his confusion:
Since you asked, I've been using Bing as my primary search engine since it came out as Bing (not MS Live Search). My reaction is that it's good, but no better than Google. It doesn't do a better job of giving me what I want in the first few results, and a search with the same terms gives very similar results, especially near the top of the list. If I didn't know better, I would assume that Bing was just a front end for Google. The search business must be lucrative.
-Anonymous
As a Bing user, what the hell is happening with MS and Sun? Yesterday, I was installing Java Virtual Machine and it had an option to install the Bing Bar. But as I remember, Java and MS were not going well. In fact, they're not friends anymore.
-Mateus
Doug ruffled some feathers recently after he made a dig at Ann Coulter, but these readers don't mind mixing politics with IT commentary:
I saw the Coulter comment and laughed. Not because I am a Democrat (I'm not), but because it was close and it was humorous. I did think that you might get some feedback from others on it, but I wasn't expecting what I saw in the comments.
I know that right now, political fever is high, but if I ever lose the ability to laugh at myself, I might as well hang up my hat (which I don't wear, so no sweat). I do listen to conservative talk radio and sometimes have to turn it off out of frustration even though I consider myself a staunch constitutional conservative. Blind adherence to any party, movement or group is a quick way to lose your individual thought and voice. I do worry about you, though, saying that you can listen to Barney Frank all day...
-Joe
Yes, stop the political comments, stop the comments about your kids and how many laptops you have, stop any way for us to think of you as more human than robot. It's not like there's a source out there for us to read that is completely impersonal...or is there? (Like the AP, USA Today...)
-Michael
Finally, a week ago, Doug asked readers to share what they learned from 9/11. Here's Rich's take:
I just want to say thanks for remembering 9/11 in your newsletter every year. I read several IT publications on a weekly basis, and you are the only one who mentions it.
I made my usual commute from New Jersey to downtown New York that morning and walked out of the WTC at 8:36 a.m. Ten minutes later the first plane hit. My wife worked across the street from the WTC and ran several blocks to my job. We stayed there until noon (when we thought it was safe to leave).
The lesson learned? Don't take life for granted. Enjoy it. Be happy.
-Rich
Tell us what you think! Leave a comment below or send an e-mail to [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on 09/18/2009 at 1:17 PM0 comments
Microsoft almost always wants you to upgrade to the latest and presumably greatest, even though in some cases the new tool is less ready for prime time than a Jason Alexander solo sitcom. But Microsoft is telling IT that the time to move to Windows 7 is now.
Ironically enough, this Windows 7 push just happens to coincide with its Volume Licensing availability.
I've used XP for years, and at first it's fine. Then I find the system simply breaks down, gets slow and becomes flakier than an Au Bon Pain trash can. No amount of defragging and disk cleanup seems to help. And I hate reinstalling. As for Vista, your letters (probably in the hundreds) convinced me that this is an OS well worth skipping.
Windows 7? So far, so good. You all seem to like it, and though my machine still crashes when the lid is shut (I'm using the RC), overall it's a very nice OS. Based on all that, I think IT should convert as soon as economically feasible. So I agree with Microsoft on this one -- so long as your math also tells you it makes sense. Hey, you know your shop better than I do.
But based on a story we discussed Wednesday in which Microsoft warned it can take 20-plus hours in some cases to move to Windows 7, you might want to run a few test migrations!
Posted by Doug Barney on 09/18/2009 at 1:17 PM4 comments
Microsoft Office Web Apps are now available for testing -- on an invitation-only basis. These are lightweight versions of Word, Excel, etc. that run on the Web. Like with Google Apps, documents can be shared across the Web.
The coolest part, for me, is a feature that lets me use my hard drive-based Office tools to save to the Web as easily as I save to my laptop. I hope this is the answer to my file synchronization issues. How do you synchronize between your various desktop and laptop computers? Give me the answers I desperately need at [email protected].
Meanwhile, I'd like lightweight versions of all these apps -- that I can install on my hard drive!
Posted by Doug Barney on 09/18/2009 at 1:17 PM1 comments
It seems that IPv6 has been imminent for the past decade -- just like the coming collapse of Microsoft that never happened. In fact, it's been nearly 10 years since I interviewed Vint Cerf, who pushed IT and the Internet as a whole to adopt the new protocol because we were running out of addresses.
There has been some movement, and Microsoft support sure hasn't hurt. But those that proselytize IPv6 for its increased security might want to cool their heels: It's not radically more secure than good, old IPv4.
It seems that hackers are poring through IPv6 textbooks and technical docs (can't get a date, eh?) and finding holes. However, others argue that done right and done from scratch, IPv6 can be the platform for a more rational, secure network infrastructure. And its longer addresses should be harder to crack.
Have you moved or are you moving to IPv6? Give me the lowdown at [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on 09/18/2009 at 1:17 PM4 comments
A few more readers
echoed Jim's sentiment regarding comments with a political bent:
While I may not like Ann Coulter any more than you, I don't feel that the political chiding has any place in these IT articles. I've seen you make similar comments in past articles and it's difficult to overlook. I really enjoy my Redmond magazine and Visual Studio Magazine subscriptions, but these types of comments are really starting to turn me off of these publications.
I mean nothing personal, but it would be nice to see you use a small degree of professionalism -- as I know you're capable of from past articles -- and refrain from the political commentary.
-Dustin
Your political comments are out of place in this newsletter.
-Terry
Reader count: minus one (hopefully more).
-RFP
Doug asked readers this week if they thought Microsoft had any open source credibility. Marc says no, but that's OK:
To the open source zealots? No! Nor is there ANYTHING that Microsoft can do to win over these folks. That said, all one has to do is look at the number of open source applications -- especially in academia -- that are NOT ported to Windows (even if it has UNIX/GNU/Linux roots) to understand that it really doesn't matter what the zealots think. The point is that open source ISVs are no different than any other software developer. They will write code for whatever platform their users want to use. As long as Windows is the overwhelming choice of users, it will also be the overwhelming choice of open source developers.
The zealots would prefer that we only think about the GPL when we talk about open source, but there are a number of open source licenses out there and there is a lot of public domain code and "closed source" code available at no charge, as well. Microsoft's reticence to work with GPL is understandable since GPL 3 proponents don't even want GPL code running under Windows. Well, too bad. There needs to be room for all and Microsoft's decision to invite all open source developers to the table (while also self-serving) is a smart one.
-Marc
A few weeks ago, Doug asked readers to share their worst hacker story. Rich's story probably wouldn't qualify for the "worst," but if you're a Yankee fan, it's probably up there:
Neither I nor my company has ever been hacked, but I do recall the N.Y. Yankees' Web site being compromised after the Yanks beat the Mets in the 2000 World Series. The very next morning after Game 6 (around 8:30), I went to their Web site and was greeted with a picture of...hmm, how shall I say? Let's put it this way: It was a very "up close and personal" shot of some place on the human body where the sun does not shine. It was up for maybe 10 to 15 minutes before the site suddenly became "unavailable." I haven't heard or read anything about it since.
Since you're from Massachusetts, I wouldn't be surprised if you are smiling right now.
-Rich
Got a comment? Let us have it! Leave a comment below or send an e-mail to [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on 09/16/2009 at 1:17 PM1 comments
Did you know it could take more than 20 hours to migrate to Windows 7?
Who's making this outrageous claim? Apple? The Linux community? No. It's Microsoft itself. Well, I'll be darned.
While most Windows 7 upgrades take one to six hours, you super users out there better be warned. As our story points out, "The longest install involved a super user (650GB of data, 40 apps installed) running mid-level hardware. That upgrade, for a 32-bit version, took 20 hours, 15 minutes."
Are you a super user? Have you found tricks to ease the migration to new operating systems? If so, shoot your secrets to [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on 09/16/2009 at 1:17 PM7 comments
Bing is getting some reviews but so far it hasn't made Google so much as hiccup. But anyone who knows Microsoft knows that Microsoft is in this for the long haul. It'll keep plugging away 'til it gets where it wants to be: on top. Microsoft may never make it to the peak of Search Mountain (Google is already building condos there) but it can gain a healthy and sustainable market share.
Part of that effort is evolving Bing, including a nifty new way to search based on images -- a technique that also helps increase the install rate of the required Silverlight.
For me, I'm still not sure how Bing is a decision engine. I'm also unclear on how Bing does or will serve the enterprise and integrate with Microsoft's enterprise search tools. I'm hoping to talk to Microsoft soon and will report back on these matters.
By the way, I'm still looking for Bing users as well as Microsoft enterprise search customers. Either can e-mail me at [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on 09/16/2009 at 1:17 PM0 comments
I was browsing our site RedmondReport.com (check it out) and found a great analysis of how Microsoft is faring in this tough economy. In fact, it's almost as good as my article, "The Strength to Endure."
The article by Joe Wilcox looks at where Google, Microsoft and Apple were a year ago compared to now. Apple and Google are actually doing exceptionally well. Microsoft, while doing less well, is still holding up just fine. There's no tech news, but if you own MSFT stock or are just curious, it's a fine piece.
Posted by Doug Barney on 09/16/2009 at 1:17 PM0 comments
I got a bunch of letters this week complaining about my Ann Coulter wise-crack. Some of you think the comment was political and that politics has nothing to with the newsletter. On the surface, I completely understand this reaction. Here what regular reader Jim had to say:
"While I generally find it beneficial to read your newsletter, I am having difficulty with your repeated snide and snarky references to conservative political figures. I fail to see how a snide reference to Ann Coulter does anything to communicate the point of your articles. If it does, then why are these snide references reserved for conservative-thinking people? And, just to make sure we're clear, the Ann Coulter reference was just the last such of several.
"Perhaps I'm just not the right kind of person to be in your audience. I will look forward to your reply to determine whether I should remove myself from your mailing list."
Here's what I wrote to him:
"I thought about that as I wrote it. If you read regularly, I make fun of conservative and liberal talking heads, such as Keith Olbermann. I am in no way a liberal nor conservative. I focus on issues in my own politics, not parties.
"I'll make it up to you by making fun of a liberal. Who do you suggest? Al Franken? Chris Mathews? Let me know.
"I also make fun of Bill O'Reilly, not for his politics but for his bluster. He knows he has a huge ego and that is part of his show. I find O'Reilly to be about the most interesting and independent TV personality. I can predict what Rachel Maddow (how can anyone be so condescending and smug?), Hannity, Olbermann and Coulter will say; they are that doctrinaire. I can't do that with Bill.
"When I watch commentators, I am less interested in their point of view than I am in the originality of their thought and honesty. I don't like self-important, narrow-minded windbags like Bill Maher or Sean Hannity -- or Ann Coulter. On the other hand, I can listen to Pat Buchanan or even Barney Frank all day long.
"In short, I am making fun of the personalities and character flaws of these talking heads, not where they stand on issues."
Posted by Doug Barney on 09/16/2009 at 1:17 PM16 comments
Microsoft's plans for financial growth include pushing Windows 7 for netbooks and moving to a subscription-based software model. Doug askedreaders if either of those would work for them. Here are some of your answers:
I don't rent my computers and I won't rent the software on them unless there is an absolutely fantastic price-break. Even then, I'd probably switch to Linux for about half of them. Free beats anything Microsoft might offer.
-Anonymous
No, I am happy with XP on netbooks and would NOT use Windows 7. And no, I would not go with 'subscription' pricing on any software, let alone Windows 7.
-Anonymous
Another way MS is raising funds seems to be through audits of existing customers. As a Microsoft infrastructure consulting firm, I have seen more customers audited in the last year than in the last 10 year combined. I'm not bashing Microsoft; it does make sense and customers who are up to spec with licensing have nothing to worry about.
-Mike
Tell us what you think! Leave a comment below or send an e-mail to [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on 09/14/2009 at 1:17 PM0 comments
Many believe in environmental causes. But convincing capitalist bosses to change the business to save trees, fleas and bees is tougher than getting Ann Coulter to stop dyeing her hair (or shut up).
For IT, green computing isn't as much about saving the environment as saving green -- as in dollars. Now that energy costs are increasing and budgets are falling faster than Hanson's album sales, IT and their businesses' bosses are getting serious about green. That is, at least, according to reseller CDW who recently polled IT pros.
Virtualization may be the best way to save on power. You can literally turn a single server into 12 separate machines and the increase in energy use is marginal. The problem with most existing virt solutions is there's a huge investment in new hardware and software -- and after that, you can start saving dough. The spending might be entirely logical, but CFOs all around the world are still choking on these proposals.
For an increasing number of people, this math does work and virtualization adoption is increasing faster than a Caster Semanaya 800-meter run (or press leak). CDW reports that server virtualization adoption went from 35 percent last year to 30 percent this year.
Posted by Doug Barney on 09/14/2009 at 1:17 PM1 comments