Some users upgrading to XP SP3 have run into a little snag: Their registries
got corrupted.
But don't start throwing stones Redmond's way; in this case, it's actually
Symantec's fault. It seems that a part of Norton anti-virus is the culprit.
Symantec has issued a workaround.
Posted by Doug Barney on 06/02/2008 at 1:15 PM0 comments
Systems management vendor Argent has never been shy. I wrote a
profile
of the company and was pleasantly surprised at how unguarded and uncensored
its CEO Andrew Blencowe was in my interview.
Blencowe's bluster reminded me of another CEO: Steve Ballmer.
Argent software competes directly with Microsoft MOM (Microsoft took a perfectly
good name, MOM, and changed it to Systems Center Operations Manager 2007 --
catchy, eh?), and is not afraid to give the Redmond colossus a little what for.
Care for an example? Go to argent.com and
click on the "Argent v Microsoft" tab. Here you'll see how Blencowe
compares himself to Mr. Ballmer.
Posted by Doug Barney on 06/02/2008 at 1:15 PM0 comments
As promised, here are
more
of your thoughts on Microsoft's low-end XP computers for Third World countries:
I have to respectfully disagree with your assertion that the OEM requirements
for XP on a low-cost machine equate a third-rate technology score for the
target countries. A machine packing a punch of 1GHz processing power, 1GB
RAM, 80GB hard drive and running Windows XP is a more-than-capable machine
for almost all desktop tasks the "average" user needs to get by.
How does that make it third-rate? Unless you're a gamer or have some other
requirements that demand a stalwart machine, a faster processor, more RAM
and more hard disk space are merely non-needed extras.
If I read the gist of the target areas correctly, the idea is that low-cost
machines can reach developing countries to better get them into the current
times. These machines would really be targeted for beginner and novice computer
users (I used "average" up above). What kind of stuff does a beginner
or novice do on a computer that these low-cost XP machines won't be able to
do? I know MySpace and YouTube work just fine. Where they will be limited
is their actual Internet connection and speed, not the processing power.
-Kris
If I recall correctly, IBM was trying to do the same with mainframe sales
in the late '60s and early '70s. IBM was only allowing older mainframes (that
had just come off lease) to be sold to India. India wanted to buy the latest
powerful mainframes but was rebuffed. India complained about this treatment,
to no avail, and so banned the sale of IBM products in India for 20 years.
-Garry
The required max specs will allow XP to run OK on these machines. Most
importantly (to MS), low-end XP "starter systems" make the Microsoft
brand imprint for future sales of any MS product, in the brain cells of potentially
decamillions of future consumers and workers. That says it all.
-Eric
This is not about what's fair. It's about Microsoft competing with Linux
in emerging markets. Though technically Vista-capable, these LCPC specifications
are robust enough for XP as well as for Linux -- though XP Home is somewhat
crippled for anyone but users with minimal needs. As for these LCPCs being
"too lame," that's up to the buyers of these systems to determine.
A lame computer is better than no computer at all. From what we've seen so
far, interest in these $200 systems (a la OLPC) has been lukewarm at best
-- and no one is telling Third World governments that they cannot buy more
robust Vista systems. Or that they cannot downgrade those systems to XP Pro
themselves. Further, you cannot tell me that for the right quantity, Microsoft
wouldn't permit an OEM to make a deal with a Third World government for XP
Pro on any box they sell at any price point.
The point is, it makes no sense for anyone with a Vista Premium-ready
system not to run Vista. It's in the user's best interest, it's in the OEM's
best interest and it's in Microsoft's best interest. Microsoft must also look
out for its OEMs, who cannot make any money on LCPCs except in very large
quantities. For OEMs, $500 is pretty much the lowest they can afford to sell
a single PC. By prohibiting their OEMs form selling XP, they are really protecting
their OEMs by limiting their support costs to a single platform. Keep in mind
that there is also a Vista Starter Edition tailored to these LCPC specifications.
Keeping XP Home around for these Vista-capable LCPC devices is no more than
Microsoft offering a bone to XP zealots to keep them busy.
-Marc
It looks like those same folks who control Microsoft absolutely loved
the 1975 cult movie "Rollerball." James Caan is XP, if you know
what I mean. As far as fairness goes, the fact is, the Third World is third-rate
for a reason. They can't cut it for economic, political or infrastructure
reasons. At least they won't have Vista shoved down their throats unless they
actually want it.
We can all say it would be nice if Microsoft would let us have what we
want, but the simple fact of the matter is you (and I) don't matter -- not
to Microsoft. Soon, I will eliminate having a computer at home. No more viruses,
no more unsolicited e-mail, no more "you have to buy our new stuff or
else what you have won't work anymore" and, finally, much more money
in my pocket and not theirs.
-Tired of the Game
Microsoft's push to Vista is the best reason why Microsoft should have
been broken up years ago. Many of us use regulated software that cannot run
on Vista and the inability to obtain new PCs with XP having any power is going
to cripple many critical operations, including many in health care.
I am not a proponent of legislation to regulate industries, but in this
case, Congress needs to mandate that Microsoft continue to produce and distribute
XP with no strings attached. Then the mistake that was made in not breaking
up Microsoft needs to be undone. Regulation only occurs when there is abuse
of a dominant condition. There is no question that Microsoft has the ability
to adversely affect the public good.
-Stephen
Thoughts? Comments? Let us have 'em! Leave a comment below or send an e-mail
to [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on 05/20/2008 at 1:15 PM0 comments
XP SP3 has wreaked a fair bit of havoc on a small number of machines. Apparently,
some HP (and some other AMD) machines
can't
stop rebooting when SP3 is installed.
Looks like an ex-Microsoft employee still has a soft spot for end users and
just released
a fix that can be installed before the service pack, eliminating the incessant
boots. Our hats should all be tipped in Jesper Johansson's direction.
Posted by Doug Barney on 05/19/2008 at 1:15 PM0 comments
Research house Aberdeen Group just released its list of the "
Top
100 Most Influential Technology Vendors for 2008."
I scrolled through the list, nodding my head as I read that Microsoft was No.
1 and IBM, Cisco and HP all made the top 10. I was surprised, though, that Oracle
was No. 2, two full places ahead of IBM. Huh? And Google not in the top 10?
Hey, I think Google is overrated, but come on!
After reading all 100 names, something wasn't right. There was no VMware. So
I read the list again. Still couldn't find it. I went through it two more times.
Still, it was nowhere to be found. Servigistics (they do service management)
is on the list, but not VMware?
Maybe I'll send the folks at Aberdeen a big box of napkins to wipe all the
egg off their faces.
Posted by Doug Barney on 05/19/2008 at 1:15 PM0 comments
Feel free to file this under the "Duh!" category. Security company
PC Tools spent last week arguing that
Vista
isn't all that secure and that third-party tools are needed for safe computing.
Of course, there are some systems where you can more or less get away with
no add-on virus/malware protection. Of the four Macs I've bought and paid for
(then promptly gave away to my children), none have ever had security software.
Linux is the same.
But Microsoft has never said that Vista fits in that category. For gosh sakes,
isn't Redmond trying to sell us all Forefront or OneCare?
Microsoft responded to PC Tool's attacks by claiming the Vista security really
isn't as bad as PC Tools made out. Like in any good p&#!!-ing contest, PC
Tools immediately
shot back, claiming that Vista security really is as bad as PC Tools
made out.
Children, children, let's try to behave, shall we?
Posted by Doug Barney on 05/19/2008 at 1:15 PM0 comments
We may have a record here. On Thursday, I wrote about XP heading to the Third
World on
artificially
restricted PCs as Microsoft pushes the industrial/developed world aggressively
toward Vista.
Within hours, my inbox was flooded. Well over 30 responses poured in. Here are as many letters as we could squeeze into one newsletter -- check out tomorrow's
for the rest.
Meanwhile, XP
is now officially part of the One Laptop Per Child program, right alongside
Linux.
Posted by Doug Barney on 05/19/2008 at 1:15 PM0 comments
USB drives are clearly cool, and clearly getting cheap. My dad wears one around
his neck with all his important files. He knows the files are safe and, as long
as he can commandeer a PC, he can use them.
MokaFive is taking that concept one
step further: Put your files, yours apps and your OS on one honking thumb
drive. This way, your full environment is always with you.
If this catches on, MokaFive execs see a day when inexpensive PCs are nearly
everywhere -- your hotel room, lobbies, wherever. All you do is plug in the
drive and that plain, old, vanilla PC turns into your own personal computing
servant.
Posted by Doug Barney on 05/19/2008 at 1:15 PM0 comments
Last
week, Doug wrote about Microsoft's attempt to limit the capabilities on
low-end computers that will run XP past its official retirement. Does this leave
developing countries with third-rate technology? Here are some of your thoughts:
I think the problem of the computers being third-rate depends on how
locked-down the systems are. If they can be upgraded by the user (memory and
processor), then it will be a good way for anybody to get a cheap PC and XP
and upgrade the hardware.
-Jim
The low-end XP computer would probably provide a more "enhanced user
experience" than one of our pokey top-of-the-line Vista machines.
-Jeff
Speaking of Vista, readers took the announcement of XP's impending retirement
as a change to air their complaints about the new OS:
Microsoft still has to deal with organizations like mine that will NOT
move to Vista without a guarantee of more manageability. We have recently
bought licenses for XP and intend to install it on any new PCs that are purchased.
I work for a school district; maybe Ballmer can explain to the tax payers
in this district why we should spend perhaps millions to re-invent our very
large network to accommodate his OS.
-Alan
Let's face it. MS and the HW vendors want us to move and spend more money.
Vista does not provide any value except for MS shareholders, thus the big
push back saying don't move to Vista. Why should we, except to spend money
for whatever reason. I've read hundreds of articles and fought with Vista
for 12 months, and I can't find a single positive note.
This is a good PR position for MS (warm and fuzzy), but the fundamental problem
still exists. The MAMS created a mess with Vista and there really is no going
back for MS as it has spent too much money and time building an Edsel (remember
Ford's big new car?). Except Ford was smart enough to move on.
-Rick
Microsoft is falling apart at the seams. All the signs are there. I think
it needs to reevaluate a large number of things, and plan to gracefully level
out as a still-profitable company before it really screw things up. The Vista
thing reminds me of the "Coke Classic" thing, and I hope that Microsoft
comes to its senses soon.
-Tom
Tell us what you think! Leave a comment below or send an e-mail to [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on 05/19/2008 at 1:15 PM0 comments
Microsoft just can't seem to lose. If Vista doesn't catch on, sell XP instead.
If the Mac market picks up, make money on Office!
Microsoft says Office 2008 for the Mac is its best-selling
Mac suite ever. No wonder Microsoft remains committed to this product line.
In fact, Microsoft has given Office for the Mac some
serious tweaks, in the form of better integration with Exchange (Redmond
magazine artists and managing editors will be happy with this!) and improved
overall printing. Microsoft also promises to bring back Visual Basic for Applications
(VBA), the souped-up macro language.
Posted by Doug Barney on 05/15/2008 at 1:15 PM0 comments
Microsoft has plans to
retire
XP in favor of Vista in the relatively near future, but it will ship XP
for years to come on
low-cost
PCs aimed at developing countries.
Apparently, though, Microsoft wants to make sure these PCs don't cut into Vista
PC sales. It's requiring
OEMs to make these XP machines with no more than a gig of RAM, an 80GB hard
drive or less, and a processor that pokes along at 1GHz or less.
I can understand this rationale, but it means that when it comes to PCs, the
Third World will also be third-rate -- and that's not too fair. Agree? Disagree?
Shoot me your thoughts at [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on 05/15/2008 at 1:15 PM0 comments
I've always liked Microsoft executive Jeff Raikes. Back in the '80s and early
'90s, it was nothing to have dinner, lunch or just a simple sit-down with everyone
from Gates to Ballmer to Raikes. You get to know a person over a plate or two
of Thai food, and Raikes impressed me as being a straight-shooting, overall
nice guy, and a man who could make Mensa members feel stupid.
This year, Raikes announced that he's leaving Microsoft. But he ain't going
very far: Raikes will be the new
CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
This is a perfect move. The Gates Foundation doesn't just write a bunch of
checks; it carefully researches how the money could do the most good. It takes
a smart man to spend Bill's money, and Raikes is just the guy for the job.
Posted by Doug Barney on 05/15/2008 at 1:15 PM0 comments