Last year, I attended VMworld in Las Vegas and it was pretty much awesome. There were 12,000 to 14,000 people there, as I recall -- more than double what Microsoft just pulled in for Tech-Ed. It was also an industry show, where Citrix and Microsoft pitched their wares right alongside VMware.
Maybe it was too much of an industry event. And maybe it was Microsoft's in-your-face Hyper-V marketing that took place right under VMware's nose. In either case, VMware is looking to turn its show into one that promotes VMware, not competitors.
After VMware changed the terms of exhibitor agreements so that companies like Microsoft and Citrix are limited to tiny booths (making them seem like bit players), the blogosphere went into an uproar. Maybe VMware deserves the heat. But as one VMware official points out, when Microsoft has a show, it restricts what direct competitors can do, as well.
Is VMware getting too big for its britches, or is what's good for Microsoft good for VMware, as well? Answers readily accepted at [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on 06/03/2009 at 1:16 PM2 comments
Service-oriented architecture (SOA) is a way of developing and deploying applications so that components and the apps themselves can easily connect. And this component-based approach also makes it easier to drop in new functions. (If I've got the definition wrong, feel free to correct me at [email protected].) The end result should be faster development and deployment, all leading to cost savings and a better return.
But according to Gartner, many enterprises adopt SOA because it seems like everyone else is doing it, and not really looking at business value or ROI.
That might be true, but it might also be that the salesmen and saleswomen from the big SOA vendors are good at what they do. Does your shop use SOA? Send me your whys and why nots at [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on 06/03/2009 at 1:16 PM1 comments
In decades past, Microsoft pre-announced products and then promptly blew each and every delivery date. Recently, though, Redmond has been more circumspect in announcing dates, always saying it will ship no software before its time.
But when it comes to Windows 7, Microsoft is beating the drums more than the Blue Man Group. The message is, barring some unforeseen disaster, Windows 7 will be out before the year is done. In fact, it will be out before Halloween, on Oct. 22.
The PC market needs this OS, especially for the holidays. Last holiday season was dismal with only Vista to pitch. A Windows 7 holiday could do much to revive the fortunes of foundering firms like Dell, and even prop up the U.S. economy.
My IT department is busy prepping a Windows 7 laptop for me, and they have enough confidence that it will be my main work machine -- and this is a company that never adopted Vista!
Posted by Doug Barney on 06/03/2009 at 1:16 PM5 comments
More readers give their takes on Microsoft's recently patented OS lockdown technology:
Locked-down OSes would be very appropriate for a corporate environment. For home users, if it could be turned on or off, it would be the best anti-botnet, anti malware device outside of a disconnected CAT5 cable. They need to put it into Windows 7 before release.
-Miles
No, I personally would never use a computer with the lockdown functionality. Microsoft having the ability to lock your machine down because you upgraded one too many pieces of hardware and Vista now thinks that you've pirated it is bad enough, but at least Microsoft can generally be trusted. The real worry is when this functionality is hijacked by viruses and malware. There are already cyber-extortion programs that are capable of wreaking havoc -- now you're going to give them that ability at the OS level? What are you thinking? And I definitely CAN'T trust Microsoft to secure this function; otherwise we wouldn't have other patches for Windows.
I do see how this could be useful in an enterprise environment, but the network better be inspecting all the packets that come through the door to keep the nasties outside.
-Jon
Let me get this straight -- I pay for an OS and I can't use it the way I want? I don't think so! No, no, no, I would not use it or recommend it. I can see a cracked OS will become more popular for some. But for me, Ubuntu Linux is looking good. It will be interesting to see what the EU will do; can you say antitrust?
-Paul
I can see it as a real advantage for better security on company computers. Most viruses are installed by unknowing users, and with a tool like this a company can minimize the threat even more. So if it is used for the right reason, this tool would be very valuable.
On the other hand, just like anything else, a tool could be misused. For example, a VAR/manufacturer could use this to sell systems that only include software that they sell and support, and not allow any other software from being installed. In this case, it does make the system more secure, but it also allows the VAR to lock the customer to only software that is purchased from the VAR/manufacturer. The only valid use for a tool like this would be for businesses to make their computer system more secure; any other use would not be appropriate.
-Shawn
What's locked down, and from whom? Is the lockdown graduated and flexible, the way security permissions are designed in application programs? Or does it flatly lock/unlock? Are there gradations for power users? For people certified in certain apps and tasks? How flexible is this lockdown system?
The number of people in a modern company who need a PC is far greater than the number who can be trained and trusted to use it wisely and ethically. Let's assume the administrator/IT manager is among the enlightened. If s/he can reliably lock down the system from semi-trained and overly adventurous users, that still leaves an important downside: the restriction of users' bright, new ideas that can't be done in lockdown mode. Then users must request permission from IT, write justifications (never get answers from IT). And it begs the question whether the system can be unlocked to do "New Task A" without enabling the download of Key Logger B.
-Jon
At my company, with over 12,000 PCs, it is a matter of faith that all PCs should be locked down in the sense that the PC's user does not have admin rights. Taking away admin rights is still in progress, with many users arguing that they require admin rights to do their job. How do other companies come down on the admin rights issue (only part of the "locked-down PC" issue)?
-Anonymous
More letters coming on Wednesday, including readers' thoughts on Mac prices. Meanwhile, leave a comment below or send an e-mail to [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on 06/01/2009 at 1:16 PM0 comments
On desktops and laptops, Linux has made less of a dent then a feather on an Abrams tank. On netbooks, though, Linux and now maybe even Google's Android pose a real threat. Microsoft got the message and will do whatever it takes to rule the netbook roost, which is exactly why it's doing away with the anticipated Windows 7 restrictions that would let just three apps run on netbooks.
I'm not the world's biggest multitasker, but I'm running four apps right now. On a netbook, I'd have to give up one just to keep running. I've said that once Mac laptops get cheap enough, I'd buy one. I'm still waiting. Now I'm waiting for a $300 Windows 7 netbook.
Posted by Doug Barney on 06/01/2009 at 1:16 PM3 comments
Microsoft has been flailing around in the search space for years. It built up the horribly named MSN Live Search into an also-ran, tried to buy Yahoo and bad-mouthed Google every chance it got. Now Microsoft has a new approach -- a built-from-scratch engine with a name that could either be the dumbest idea ever or could actually catch on. Bing was launched late last week.
I gave Bing a two-minute spin this morning, putting it through the old "Doug Barney" test in which I searched for my name. The results were pretty good. But basic search results are just the beginning of this new engine. The real plan, similar to the recently launched Wolfram search engine, is to provide richer results, such as helping one find a vendor, track down an illness or pick a product.
Have you tried Bing or Wolfram? If so, send your results to [email protected].
Meanwhile, it looks like Yahoo would still happily sell its search, but it would take "boatloads of money." Good luck with all that!
Posted by Doug Barney on 06/01/2009 at 1:16 PM2 comments
Maybe they're just trying to prop up their sagging stock, or maybe they really believe it, but both Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer recently argued that the high-tech economy has a bright future and that we ain't seen nothin' yet.
Thirty-four years after the founding of Microsoft, both believe we're still in the early stages of the computer revolution. Gates' comments focused on what technology can do to help the world, an area that The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is devoted to.
Don't believe Microsoft cares about our world? Check out this article and let know what you think at [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on 06/01/2009 at 1:16 PM1 comments
This week, Doug wrote about a new Microsoft patent that would let manufacturers lock down OSes to regulate upgrades and software installations. The vast majority of you didn't take well to that idea:
Not no, but hell no! This is just another ploy to stop open source and the gains that have been made using Linux and other operating systems! This is from the same people who called open source communism.
-Anonymous
Comrade Gates, tear down that wall! "Users will get all of the bits in each edition of Windows 7, but access to certain features depends on the edition purchased." And did you want tires on your new vehicle, sir? I wish Microsoft would spend as much time perfecting their product as they do trying to find ways for the consumer to fork over more money.
When they lock down my Windows OS, I will use Linux exclusively. Wouldn't consider buying one of the monsters and would only suggest them to my enemies.
-Stephen
Darn tooting I would recommend and use this technology within the company. When you need to ensure that a device is working as expected and that the user has not subverted the OS or the approved application install base, this is yet another tool that IT pros can turn to.
-Lee
Locked-down PCs get reformatted. Any operating system that isn't helping me do my job is hindering me. Since I own all the computing equipment used for my business, there won't be any of that behavior allowed. Any OS vendor that tries it will no longer be patronized.
-Mark
We are looking to move to a thin client environment from Sun or HP to get this kind of control over the desktop but it would be locked down by our staff, not the vendor. We would look on an OS that was under remote control by the vendor as an unacceptable security risk.
-Michael
You are right that such software represents a double-edged sword, and Microsoft has enough detractors without earning themselves more bad press. In truth, such technology could be used in "software appliances" to prevent abuse just as IT departments routinely lock down systems which are used by their employees. This could be good for the hapless user who seems to routinely screw up their computer or cell phone. But it could just as easily be used by Dell or HP to keep you from modifying or removing their crapware.
In the end, though, I don't see how such tools cold successfully lock out a determined IT geek. Ultimately, it's the consumer who doesn't know how to bypass the system that could benefit from (or get screwed by) such tools.
-Marc
No way! That's what GPs are for. It would never pass muster in our company.
-J.D.T.
I would not recommend going with Microsoft's OS crippler. It is one thing for an organization's IT department to control what is on the PCs; it is another for a disinterested party that is not knowledgable of our company's needs to do so.
-Stephen
No! I wouldn't be able to support Microsoft any longer if this were the case. It's up to the user if they want to upgrade or not, as it's their product they purchased. If MS is just worried about pirated software, they should use the same concept, which locks you out of your computer based on illicit licensing keys.
-Anonymous
You could not sell me a locked-down PC. I don't think I would take one if they paid me to. I could maybe see some possible use, maybe in prisons, but even in a school they would be a disaster, and I suspect the TCO would be very high. One more reason to stick with my Macs.
-Vicke
There is NO way I'd ever use a PC which was crippled in this way. I certainly will pass this on and will encourage all others to switch to an alternative (probably Linux) to escape from the maggot-encrusted OSes that M$ is producing.
I have worked in IT since the early 1980s and have been a loyal M$ cheerleader all along, but over the past few years it has become harder and harder to justify my support of them. The last couple of PCs I've purchased -- neither of which can be downgraded to get rid of Vista -- have soured me on M$.
-Anonymous
Check in on Monday for more responses to Microsoft's new OS patent. Meanwhile, share your thoughts by writing a comment below or e-mailing Doug at [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on 05/29/2009 at 1:16 PM0 comments
This week, Service Pack 2 for Vista and Windows Server 2008 made it to broad release. One can choose a full download as long as your network or machine won't choke on the 300MB-600MB beast. You can also opt for a tidy 43MB download through Automatic Update.
There are a few neat features snuck into the SP, including better Wi-Fi and search. But the real aim of SPs has always performance, compatibility and stability.
Have you installed SP2? If so, let us know how it's going at [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on 05/29/2009 at 1:16 PM9 comments
When most folks think of social networking, Twitter, Facebook and MySpace leap to minds. But Microsoft would rather you think about SharePoint. Microsoft is hoping that partners can make the point about SharePoint's social skills, and thus formed the Social Enterprise Alliance.
So far, it looks like only two vendors have joined the cause: speakTECH and Telligent. Not sure if Microsoft Googled or even MSN Live Searched "Social Enterprise Alliance," but if it had, it would've seen the first Google result is an organization that's been around for years and has way more than two members. Oops.
Posted by Doug Barney on 05/29/2009 at 1:16 PM0 comments
In this economy, we've stopped buying lots of things -- Hummers, boats and Moet et Chandon, to name a few. And IT slowed down, too, in many cases buying only the real essentials, like disks, replacement servers and security software.
But soon, tight-fisted CIOs might just open up to new purchases, or so says Robert Half Technology. Hot areas of investment include the aforementioned security, followed closely by virtualization and tools to make datacenters more efficient.
If you had a growing IT budget, what would you buy first? Shopping lists welcome at [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on 05/29/2009 at 1:16 PM0 comments
Doug recently pointed out that Apple's recent anti-Vista ads don't really address how much more expensive Apples are compared to PCs. But Roberto thinks we shouldn't hold our breath:
We all want it -- a cheaper Mac. But it's not going to happen. Know why? Because making a Mac cheaper is like making a Mercedes as affordable as a Camry or Accord or Focus. It will lose its identity (and niche). You even used the term Mercedes in the very same article because you wanted to convey a message. If Mercedes is not what it is right now, you would be searching for another term to use, like...well, you think about it.
-Roberto
Tell us what you think! Leave a comment below or send an e-mail to [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on 05/27/2009 at 1:16 PM1 comments