I am in the beauuuutiful City of Angels, Los Angeles, California for the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference, or PDC2009.
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Monday, November 16, 2009
Monday, November 09, 2009
Browser OEMs complain louder to the EU
I simply cannot grokk these browser yobs. Really cannot.
First off, Opera whines to the desmids at the EU Directorate for Quashing American Inventiveness about Windows 7 shipping with an included browser.
As usual, they are granted an audience by those numbskulls who immediately try to harm Microsoft.
Resources used
- Common sense.
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The SmallBizWindows Verbatim InSight Portable Hard Drive Review
In the past year, Verbatim has gone on a tear, solidifying their hold on several market segments, and moving boldly into new ones.
A market segment that Verbatim obviously views as important is the portable hard drive space.
The Verbatim InSight 500 GB portable hard drive is one innovation the company has brought to market recently.
This is a nicely styled, fast, and extremely quiet portable hard drive. It came in a well-padded retail box, with a USB-to-mini-USB cable – the drive has a mini-USB interface, and a quick start guide. Nero BackItUp soft was pre-installed on the hard drive.
Apart from the very sleek styling, the InSight has an always-on LCD display that gives you notification of the drive name and remaining free space on the drive – whether the drive is powered or not.
Backups, backups, Backups!
Resources used
- Microsoft Windows 7
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2
- Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2
- HP z400 Personal Workstation
- HP z800 Personal Workstation
- HP IQ518 TouchSmart PC
- HP ProLiant M110 G5
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The SmallBizWindows Epson WorkForce 610 Review
About a year ago, we reviewed the Epson WorkForce 600 MFC printer and deemed it business ready.
A few months ago, we were given the opportunity to review the latest iteration of that printer, and accepted.
The new Epson WorkForce 610 printer is virtually the same as the old 600, but for better and faster connections to networks.
Resources used
- Microsoft Windows 7
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2
- Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2
- HP tx2 TouchSmart Tablet PC
- HP z800 Personal Workstation
- HP ProLiant ML350 G5
- Toshiba Tecra M7
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Wednesday, November 04, 2009
HP delivers key pieces of Converged Infrastructure vision
Over the past year, we have heard of HP’s Converged Infrastructure vision.
Today, HP has opened the kimono just a little bit wider, and laid some cards on the table for all to see.
What is HP Converged Infrastructure?
HP Converged Infrastructure calls for the end-to-end virtualization of resources in the data center and unification under common management. With HP Virtual Resource Pools, modular standards-based technology assets can be quickly assigned or repurposed to support any workload or application need from enterprise, to cloud and high performance computing applications.
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Tuesday, November 03, 2009
iPhone bug keeps Safari humming, and your costs running up…
OSX.Loosemaque: malware just for OS X
Say what you may about the open source types, but they generally come across as intelligent types. Misguided, yes; but intelligent, nonetheless.
Contrast that with the herd that is known somewhat affectionately as Macaholics.
With their incredibly insular view of the world at large, they seem to live as much as possible to the ideals espoused by those I’m a PC, You’re a Mac ads…(read more)
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Monday, November 02, 2009
China has a lunar mission planned for 2020?
And where are we?
The fact that they have a lunar mission on the books is galling enough.
The fact that we do not, is beyond the pale.
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MySQL founder’s seller’s remorse
What is it with these smart people selling out for a lot of moola, pulling the ripcord and ejecting when the new owners of their respective ‘babies’ start ignoring them, then whining about how they would like to buy their ‘baby’ back? The Skype babies come to mind….
Also check out MySQL.
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Shiny new thing: HP StorageWorks Data Vault x510
At The Orbiting O’Odua today, I received a new HP StorageWorks Data Vault x510 for review.
Running the Windows Home Server Operating system, but optimized for business, the Data Vault x510 represents the second WHS-based device being reviewed here at the O’Odua. The other device is an Acer Aspire A340 Windows Home Server. The Aspire A340 is a home device.
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The SmallBizWindows HP Mini 1000 MIe Windows 7 Review
Netbooks are all the rage nowadays. They are cheap, accessible, and seemingly everywhere
However, until the release of Windows 7, most of these devices have come with Windows XP based on the heavy resource requirements if Windows Vista™.
Well, now there is Windows 7.
In January 2009, I received an HP Mini 1000 Mie Edition for review as part of a social media program run by Ivy Worldwide (formerly known as BuzzCorps).
This was the least-powered version of the Mini 1000 series. It was equipped with a 1 GHz Intel Atom processor, integrated graphics, 1 GB of RAM, and a 16 GB SSD (solid state disk). The unit came with a customized Ubuntu Linux.
To be fair, I decided to give Linux a go. I used Ubuntu for a few weeks until driver issues forced me to return to the Light. Of Windows, that is…(read more)
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The SmallBizWindows MotionDSP vReveal Review
One of the guilty pleasures most of us enjoy nowadays is that of being armature photographers, armed with our cellphone cameras, looking for the next doofus who would make our production the next viral hit on the Internet.
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Torrents contain malware? Who knew?
Psst! Would you like some malware with that illegal torrent download?
Microsoft researchers, in analyzing data, have found out that illegal downloads from torrents have become a particularly effective malware distribution channel
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Office 2010 public beta due this month
The Microsoft Office Team has sent out notifications about the close of the Office 2010 Technical Preview, and its transition into a public beta.
From the notice:
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Microsoft Office Accounting bites the dust
Who didn’t see this coming?
If you’ve ever tried to use Office Accounting, you would have seen the end nearing fast.
Why did it fail?
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Microsoft Security Essentials voted best (free) antivirus software
AV-Comparatives has looked into the current crop of free antivirus programs, and crowned Microsoft’s new Security Essentials the best of the lot.
That is pretty remarkable for a product that is new, and from a company generally regarded by stalwarts in that sector as a abecedarian.
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Friday, October 30, 2009
Rampant shark-jumping by Apple Fanbois
Quick question: what version of Windows would you position against the just-announced Apple Leopard Server?
If you answered Microsoft Windows Home Server, you would be right.
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Connectify turns a Windows 7 device into a hotspot
Apparently, an undocumented feature in Windows 7, the software router, is the ability to turn the wi-fi functionality of your system into a hotspot.
Since Microsoft didn’t develop it further, an enterprising company called Nomadio had taken a further step, and created an end user app for it.
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The SmallBizWindows Epson WorkForce 310 Printer Review
While it is very good to have a crazy-big, wicked-fast color laser printer such as the HP Color LaserJet CP6015 or the award winning CM6040f, most smaller businesses would only have the resources for a desktop multifunction device (MFC), also known as all-in-ones (AIO).
For those smaller companies or needs, Epson has the WorkForce line of MFCs. At AbsolutelyWindows, we have three of these devices in our review inventory: the WorkForce 310, WorkForce 600, and WorkForce 610 all-in-ones.
We are reviewing the WorkForce 310 here.
The Epson WorkForce 310 is a small MFC created for businesses. Part of the WorkForce line, the 310 is, in Epson terminology, a 4-in-1 printer, giving the user print, copy, scan, and fax functionality.
Resources used in this review:
- Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate Edition, x64
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Small Business
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2
- Microsoft Office 2010 Technical Preview
- HP Compaq C700 Notebook Computer
- HP tx2 TouchSmart Tablet PC
- Toshiba Tecra M7, MedikLabs
- HP ProLiant ML110 G5
- HP ProLiant ML350 G5
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Microsoft USB/DVD Download Tool
With netbooks everywhere, potential upgraders have found out that their path to Windows 7 bliss is blocked by the lack of an optical drive.
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The SmallBizWindows Verbatim 250 GB Premier Edition Hard Drive Review
In this day and age, backups, of any kind, are a must. With the advent of Windows 7 into our computing lives, backups are even more important.
Based on that, I decided to ask for, and I received three portable hard drives from Verbatim for review here at AbsolutelyWindows: a 250 GB Verbatim Premier Edition portable hard drive, a 500 GB Verbatim InSight portable hard drive, and a 1 TB Verbatim Quad-interface Professional hard drive. We are reviewing the 250 GB Premier Edition Portable Hard Drive here.
Resources used in this review:
- Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate Edition, x64
- Windows Server 2008 R2
- Microsoft Office 2010 Technical Preview, x64
- Microsoft SyncToy v2.0, x64
- HP tx2 Tablet PC
- HP dv2 Notebook computer
- HP z400 Personal Workstation
- HP z800 Personal Workstation
- Toshiba Tecra M7, MedikLabs
- HP ProLiant ML110 G5
- HP ProLiant ML350 G5, MedikLabs
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Thursday, October 29, 2009
NASA Ares I-X users in a new stage in space transportation
With NASA about to sunset all Space Shuttle missions, the ‘replacement’ for the Shuttle, the Ares rocket took to the skies yesterday in a planned launch.
While I for one, is not pleased with the replacement of a manned vehicle with a rocket – manned or unmanned, I am pleased that NASA is showing some signs of life.
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Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Microsoft gifts the World the Outlook .pst format
Why?
Seriously though, this is ‘A Good Thing’ as there should be more interoperability between the myriad numbers of email clients out there.
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Xerox innovates with printed circuits
Xerox is one of those companies that continually confounds me.
They are very innovative and creative, yet as a company, they take falling asleep at the wheel to be some sort of sacred mantra when it comes to corporate strategy*.
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Joe Davidson Designs makes me look good
Joe Davidson Designs, of Ontario, Canada, is the designer of all logos, artwork, and other graphics used by Logikworx, and all associated and affiliated companies.
Joe is very good at what he does, and goes beyond the task by constantly refining the designs, sometimes for weeks after the ‘final’ product was delivered. (I know, that part costs money, re-doing the documents.)
A few friends had asked about the new AbsolutelyWindows, SmallBizWindows, and Logikworx logos, so I asked the normally shy Joe to provide a bio.
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Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The SmallBizWindows HP Color LaserJet CP6015 Review
For the past several months, we have had an HP Color LaserJet CP6015, both in CP6015dn and CP6015xh versions for review here at SmallBizWindows.
As with the award-winning HP CM6040f MFC, the CP6015 is one big, heavy machine, weighing in at approximately 285lbs just by itself (without the booklet maker accessory).
Based on its capabilities (and girth), I decided to conduct the review at MedikLabs, a fully-functioning pediatric practice in Northern Colorado.
Resources used in this review:
- Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate Edition, x64
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Small Business
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2
- Microsoft Office 2010 Technical Preview
- HP Compaq C700 Notebook Computer
- HP tx2 TouchSmart Tablet PC
- Toshiba Tecra M7, MedikLabs
- HP ProLiant ML110 G5
- HP ProLiant ML350 G5
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Monday, October 26, 2009
Microsoft cancels ‘The Family Guy’ ad placement deal
Microsoft is a rarity these days.
Not just as a hugely successful and profitable software company, but as a company that employs some of the most brilliant people on Terra; from the actual foot soldiers (the Microserfs) to the wonks at Microsoft Research.
Unfortunately, this penchant for hiring brainiacs seemingly does not extend to their marketing types…(read more)
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Sunday, October 25, 2009
How I designed Windows 7, Part Deux
In my last post, I listed my Microsoft Wish List for 2008.
Earlier today, I was sent a private message about a blog I posted back in July 2008 titled, 10 Steps to a Successful Windows 7.
Re-reading the article, I realized my contribution was greater than I thought!
From the article:…(read more)
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Saturday, October 24, 2009
I, John Obeto, designed Windows 7!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Windows 7 Launched Today!
Earlier on today, Microsoft released Windows 7 into general availability*.
I was at the Windows 7 Launch Party in New York City**, and it was a departure from the past Windows launch because of the palpable confidence of Microserfs.
Led by the always effusive Steve Ballmer, Microsoft wowed the crowd…(read more)
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Tuesday, October 20, 2009
How to Kill a Brand 101: the Microsoft Sidekick Fiasco
For a company that prides itself on doing the right thing at the right time – witness their seeming acquiescence for over three years, to the totally inaccurate I’m a PC, I’m a Mac ads from Apple, Microsoft sure fubar’d this incident.
What went wrong?
For the past week, I have watched and listened as absolutely no Microsoft C-level executive stepped up to the plate, and owned the meltdown, on behalf of Microsoft, the company…(read more)
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Monday, September 14, 2009
Forgive me but why all the love for Zune HD?
I mean, it this the best that Microsoft could do in this space?
Forgive me but why all the love for Zune HD?
In a vacuum, the decision to release Zune HD would have been brilliant.
However, it is very disconcerting to see people going gaga over this device IMO, shamelessly.
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Do numbskulls sometimes run Microsoft?
Last week, I advised a friend to switch to Microsoft Online Services from Office Live, due to my concerns about data security and retention.
She agreed.
However, this tech-savvy woman ran into issues with migrating her current Hotmail-based emails to Exchange online.
Unable to reach me over the weekend, she contacted Microsoft Online Services for assistance.
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Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Microsoft at Best Buy: more whining.
Russia’s FAS drops antitrust action against Microsoft
When prosecutorial overreach is corrected, it is always a beautiful thing.
Case in point is the dropping, on September 7, of antitrust action related to Windows XP by the Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service, FAS.
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Friday, September 04, 2009
Ladies, Gentlemen: please patch your new Snow Leopard install
‘Absolutely secure’; complete security; a ‘bulletproof operating system’; ‘no need for malware’.
Remember those trite platitudes from the “You’re a PC, I’m a Mac” ads?
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Thursday, September 03, 2009
Run Curt, run!
Am I the only one wishing that Curt Schilling would go ahead and really run for the open Senate seat in Massachusetts?
Curt, baby, run!
Please!
Previously
Can Curt shut up?
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Policeman shoots fire chief in court over tickets
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Yesterday’s Gmail outage: how prepared were you?
One of the little lessons lost in yesterday’s Gmail meltdown, was that as nice, and as trendy as the digerati make Gmail out to be; you know the ‘Next Big Thing’, Gmail is so NOT ready for Prime Time!
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Tuesday, September 01, 2009
40 percent growth for netbooks? Enter Google Chrome OS
By any metric, a 40% year-over-year growth rate is impressive.
For the netbook market, that number has enabled it to zoom to 22% market share in a very short period of time.
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Monday, August 31, 2009
HP dx9000 TouchSmart Business PC Giveaway
Last month, we introduced the HP TouchSmart dx9000 giveaway to a lucky winner who develops a great business-ready application. This baby is up for grabs—it could be all yours! All you need to do create a touch app that businesses can use.
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Sunday, August 30, 2009
Swiss government listens in on VOIP
Not content to be the bankers for the world’s dictators, and other bad people, the Swiss government has added VOIP snooping to their list of tasks.
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Diskeeper invents new defragmentation scheme
If the claims in this Computerworld story are true, Diskeeper is poised to deliver some serious $$$ to stakeholders!
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Snow Leopard: upgrade pricing done right!
While is is not like me to give props to the loops at #1, Infinite Loop, in Cupertino, I have to give them mungo props for having an impressive connection to their consumers.
Take the upgrade price for the recently-released Mac OS X, known as Snow Leper: $30 USD.
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Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
OS X has, em, malware?
Just caught this tidbit on the blogosphere: that OS X 10.6 (Snow Leper) will come with anti-malware software out of the box!
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Another open source vendor joins the continuum
So, come to find out that despite the bleating of the open source types, some companies are being realistic, and kissing Microsoft’s ring signing protection agreements with Microsoft.
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SCO really is Lazarus!!!
Do you remember in the old, campy horror flicks, where the hero/heroine uses a sharpened silver implement, usually of the improvised type, to continually stab the evil zombie fiend, while insanely chanting, die, die, die?
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Nokia Booklet 3G Netbook – this is BIG!
When Microsoft announced an alliance with Nokia two weeks ago today, I was left, well, completely underwhelmed.
To me, what was necessary, was for Microsoft and Nokia to form an alliance centered around operating systems.
Since it was Nokia, I assumed, and wanted such an OS alliance to be centered around cellular telephones.
I was shortsighted.
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Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard to ship on Friday
For the first time in a very long time, I am torn between performing a cursory look at the forthcoming Apple Mac OS X v10.6, aka ‘Snow Leper’, and performing an in-depth review.
I have sent out an email to all business owner clients to gauge their interest in such a review.
Let’s see how it goes….
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Sunday, August 23, 2009
4 ways to make HP Gabble more relevant
The Redbox onslaught: was Blockbuster asleep?
Monday, August 17, 2009
iPhone GPS app for $100? Hello, anybody home?
Saturday, August 15, 2009
The SmallBizWindows HP z400 Personal Workstation Review
Last year, HP led all comers in ISA workstations with their xw8600 personal workstation, one of which was reviewed by yours truly.
We were so impressed by the xw8600 that we gave it the very first SmallBizWindows Absolute Best Award, with it going on to win the Product of the Year Award 2008 from our editorial board.
In March this year, HP dropped another bombshell: they weren’t sitting still, and they announced, and shipped the new HP Z-series workstations, a very worthy replacement for the xw-series…(read more)
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Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Stardock & Windows Customizations
Microsoft & Nokia, sitting in a tree….
Earlier today, Microsoft and Nokia informed the Earth of their latest agreement, one that allows for the development and delivery of Microsoft’s Office Mobile to Nokia’s line of smartphones.
In a vacuum, it would be giddy news…(read more)
Related
Mary Jo Foley
Joe Wilcox
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Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Verbatim moves in, starts redefining the USB Flash drive space
The 787, Boeing, and hubris
Last year, flush with profits, Boeing executives decided to completely lose their minds, and, rather than negotiate with its unions, the dolts decided to allow a strike.
Whomever came up with that adage, “If you ever want to hear God laugh, make a plan” is a bonafide genius...(Read more)
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Go Google all the way? Nyet!!
Windows 7 RTM migrations are on!
Verbatim 1TB quad-interface portable hard drive.
I have received a Verbatim Quad-Interface Portable Hard Drive in the Orbiting O’Odua.
eSATA II, USB 2.0, FireWire 400, and FireWire 800, this drive aims to do it all.
We are up to tasking it, what with our Windows 7 migrations taking place.
More to come.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Throwing WinMo a lifeline by porting iPhone Apps to 6.5
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