Ballmer: We Don't Need No Stinking iPhones!

The reports I've read about last week's Microsoft company meeting expressed horror and surprise that CEO Steve Ballmer would rip an iPhone out of an employee's hands, threaten to stomp it into tiny Apple pieces, and then periodically berate the employee during his speech.

At first, I figure Ballmer just wigged out and was truly outraged. Then I remembered a recent dinner with a guy who wrote these speeches for Steve for two years. Ballmer always wants to have an impact -- and will take chances to get one. My guess: This was planned all along. Ballmer has the last laugh.

Posted by Doug Barney on 09/14/20093 comments

Microsoft and Open Source: Take 2

Those of us who know at least a bit about software development have heard of CodePlex. This is a Web site built by Microsoft where programmers can share and post hunks of open source code.

Now CodePlex has evolved into a quasi-independent foundation where people can share and post open source code. The difference between the Web site and foundation, as I understand it, is the foundation offers more mechanisms to license and distribute the code. It's also a liaison between open source zealots and commercial software vendors.

Posted by Doug Barney on 09/14/20091 comments

Doug's Mailbag: XP Mode, Windows 7, More

After Sophos recently voiced its concerns about XP Mode (which it said can leave Windows even more vulnerable to attacks) Joseph raised a few questions of his own:

While I can see why in some specialized circumstances XP Mode may be necessary, I think releasing it as a generally available add-on is a mistake. There are many questions I have regarding licensing especially around security software, such as whether the host AV will be able to protect the VM or if I'll need to pay for two separate AVs -- one for the host and one for the XP VM.

Also, what about updates? Does this mean MS will continue to issue patches for as long as the XP Mode add-on is available? And what kind of support will be available since we are now in the extended support phase of XP Pro, according to MS' lifecycle chart?
-Joseph

Posted by Doug Barney on 09/11/20090 comments

Eight Years Later

Today is a special and somber day, the eighth anniversary of the despicable attacks against New York City and the Pentagon. I was at a computer show across from the CNN Center in Atlanta with 30,000 other folks when the news broke. Two days later, driving past New York on my way home, I was surrounded by the acrid metallic scent of what used to be two glorious buildings.

What does this have to with IT? Not much. It transcends IT and makes all other issues seem minor. What did you learn from 9/11? Tell us all by writing to [email protected].

Posted by Doug Barney on 09/11/20093 comments

Microsoft Licensing Purposely Hard

It's nice sometimes to be validated. After researching two cover stories about Microsoft licensing, I decided that Microsoft made licensing hard on purpose. The more confused customers are, the more power Redmond sales reps have.

Now the esteemed analyst firm Directions on Microsoft agrees. In a recent article, the group (made up largely of ex-Microsoft execs) clearly believes Microsoft builds in this complexity as a negotiating tactic. The idea is IT gets so frustrated; it just pays the bill rather than unravel the tangle of terms and conditions.

Posted by Doug Barney on 09/11/20090 comments

Microsoft's Financial Future

The economic downturn wreaked havoc on banks, auto makers and millions of mom-and-pop operations. But Microsoft has come through relatively unscathed. Sure, its profits are down, but it still has plenty of them.

But that's not enough for Redmond. Microsoft wants to go back to the days of rising cash. Its plan? Continue to push search, get netbook customers to buy higher-end versions of Window 7, and successfully move to a subscription-based software model. Sounds like a plan to me.

Posted by Doug Barney on 09/11/20094 comments

Security Third Parties Displeased

Microsoft's relationship with third parties is a bit like a high school romance, full of love, conflict and talking behind each others' backs. In the virtualization space, Microsoft is laying on the charm, trying to woo partners away from VMware. It ain't so pretty in security, an area that's been testy for years.

Now, I happen to be a fan of many of Microsoft's security initiatives; monthly patches, more secure software and a general openness all leave me impressed. But I also respect the third parties who are actually manning the trenches, doing battle with hackers and, increasingly, fighting Microsoft itself. Case in point: Microsoft and third-party bloggers are doing battle through some increasingly emotional blog postings.

Posted by Doug Barney on 09/09/20092 comments

Patches Execute RCE Flaws

Every Patch Tuesday has the self-same theme: fighting remote code execution flaws. And that makes sense. If a hacker can access a network and run their own malicious software, they can officially call themselves a big-shot (feel free to replace the word "shot" with a more accurate term).

This month, Microsoft fixed a range of RCE problems. First, the JScript engine, which can be exploited through malicious Web pages, is repaired. So is a wireless LAN hole in Windows Server 2008 and Vista. Microsoft also offered a TCP/IP fix that can apply to certain Cisco gear, as well.

Posted by Doug Barney on 09/09/20090 comments

The Ultimate Windows Server?

Many months ago, I spoke with storage and virtualization guru Jon Toigo about the IBM System z, otherwise known as a mainframe. This puppy isn't your father's mainframe; it runs on Power6 processors (a lot of them), the same basic chip that drove Macs for years. The latest System z was touted as being able to operate up to 1,500 virtual machines, so for those seeking green datacenters, that mainframe is pretty darn compelling.

The only problem was IBM didn't announce support for Windows servers. Toigo, though, told me these machines could, in fact, be made to run Windows.

Posted by Doug Barney on 09/09/20090 comments

Searching for Enterprise Search

Recently, I've been asking Redmond Report readers to e-mail me about Bing (I'll be in touch soon, I promise).

Now I need more help. Do you use any of Microsoft's enterprise search products, or Google's enterprise search? If so, shoot me an e-mail and tell me what you like and don't like. I'm at [email protected].

Posted by Doug Barney on 09/09/20091 comments

Doug's Mailbag: A World Without Word, Content Debate, More

Last week, Kurt (blogging in Doug's stead) wrote about Dell and HP jumping to Microsoft's defense in the Word patent case, claiming that as partners, the ruling would hurt their sales, too. Would PC sales really plunge without Word? Here are some of your thoughts:

You asked if people would buy a new PC without Word on it. My one-word answer is "Yes." Word processing is just one small part of what I would use a computer for. As you said, OpenOffice is a great option; the price is right and there would be virtually no learning curve. And if we are going that way, might as well go with its spreadsheet and presentation tool, as well. I think most people would be able to absorb any hiccups caused if MS is forced to stop selling Word (though I am sure Microsoft would feel the hit). People don't really care HOW their document gets created, as long as they can create it without a lot of effort, and as long as the person they send it to can open and read it.

As for the second part of your question about whether manufacturers are really facing hardships, probably not -- but they will they figure out a way to stick it to the customers! I am old enough to remember when ATMs were free. At first, banks thought they were great because they didn't have to hire another employee to work the drive-up window. But then they said, "Wait a minute. This is a convenience to the customer, and although it is saving us money, I'll bet we could get them to pay us for this convenience." And sure enough, we do. So I am sure that PC manufactures will figure out a way to get us to pay them for not giving us something (such as MS Office).
-James

I heard a rumour that OpenOffice contains the same infractions that Word contain with regards to .XML. Loading OpenOffice might not be a solution. This also brings up the question of who you take on if an open source package contains someone else's IP.
-Greg

I've got to agree with MS, Dell and HP on this one. Since, for better or worse, I use MS Office at home for a myriad of tasks (not to mention being compatible with work), I can't imagine buying a computer if I couldn't get Word on it (either by OEM or by buying off-the-shelf). Only those who just do e-mail and/or browse the Web with their computers wouldn't be affected by this decision. But some of us actually use our computers to get things done!
-Ron

Posted by Doug Barney on 09/02/20090 comments

Virtualization's Big Week: The VMware Story

Every year VMware holds its VMworld show, and for the past few it has drawn in excess of 10,000 people. I was there last year and it made Tech-Ed seem small in comparison. This year VMware didn't make a lot of hot announcements. Instead, it reiterated its wish to own the cloud market, both real external clouds and internal enterprise clouds.

Posted by Doug Barney on 09/02/20091 comments