Posts Tagged ‘ windows ’

Windows Mojave - Best idea ever! 29 July 2008 at 6:35 am by Jason 298 views

Meet Windows Mojave:

The “Mojave Experiment”

It’s fast, it’s sleek, it’s cool, it’s hip, it’s… really Windows Vista?

This is the best marketing idea Microsoft has come up with in a long time.  Dealing, as I do, with many novice computer users, getting them to switch to Vista has been an uphill fight.  Most of them haven’t tried the OS or even seen it.  They’re getting all their info from word of mouth and aren’t sitting down to try it.  In this “experiment,” Microsoft has taken many different users and after listening to them bash Windows Vista, ask them to try the newest OS, Windows Mojave.  Upon trying it, everyone is loving it and wanting it, and then comes the reveal… it’s actually Windows Vista.

It’s a great watch… I love the responses some of the people give (for real hilarity, click the link that says “You can’t please everyone.”) and how honest they are.

Seriously people, give Vista a try.  Yes, it had issues… but so did XP… and 2000… and ME… and 98… and 95… ad infinitum.  It’s not like Microsoft is the only company to have issues with new products (let us not forget the MobileMe mess) and if you never try anything new, you’ll be left behind.

Some information about the experiment via the Windows Vista Blog:

  • The focus group took place over three days in San Francisco and was conducted earlier this month.
  • All participants were either Mac, Linux, or users of versions of Windows that came before Windows Vista. Respondents were chosen from the focus group organizer’s database, called at random, but then selected based on having a low perception of Vista (<5 rating on a scale of 1-10).
  • The participants were given a demo by a trained retail salesperson - geared towards the experiences they seemed most interested in following a series of interviews. While the retail salesperson drove the demo, it was geared by the interests and direction of the participant.
  • We did not use some geeked out or custom built PC. We used an HP Pavilion DV2500. It had 2GB of RAM and was running an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU T7500 @ 2.20GHz. The OS was a 32 bit version of Windows Vista Ultimate.
  • Of the 120 respondents polled, on a scale of 1:10 where 10 was the highest rating, the average pre-rating for Windows Vista was 4.4. After they saw the demo, respondents rated Mojave an average of 8.5.

There you have it.  If you’re using an older version of Windows… go give Vista a chance!



+ Daily del.icio.us Bookmarks for 07/09/08 By Jason 09 July 2008 at 8:01 pm 94 views No Comments

These are my daily “Good to Know” links for 07/09/08 … please enjoy:

LEGO Hamster Lift Might Actually Be More Cruel Than the Wheel | Gizmodo

The hamster wheel… on one hand, it keeps the hamster in shape. On the other, that hamster going nowhere. This elevator leaves us, again, floating in moral ambiguity. One one hand, it’s a LEGO elevator. On the other…well, just watch.

A Perspective on 3-D Visual Illusions | Scientific American

In this illusion, two identical side-by-side images of the same tilted and receding object appear to be leaning at two different angles.

Linux for housewives. XP for geeks. | ZDNet

The computer proletariat is rising up - and computing will never be the same. Tiny, sub-$500 ?netbooks? like the Asus Eee are the hottest thing going in notebooks today. And some surprising things are happening. Like housewives on Linux.

NASA sets date for final shuttle mission in 2010 | Physorg

Following a detailed, integrated assessment, NASA selected target launch dates for the remaining eight space shuttle missions on the current manifest in 2009 and 2010. May 31st, 2010 will be the final launch for the time being.

Apple Just Gave Out My Apple ID Password Because Someone Asked | Consumerist

All the security in the world can be rendered useless by human error, it seems. Marko Karppinen, a software designer, says Apple gave his password to someone who simply emailed them and asked for it.

Bill Gates Chews Out Microsoft Over XP | Gizmodo

We came across this jewel from 2003… this is a leaked memo from Microsoft, it’s several pages of Gates just laying into his design and programming staff for his personal experience when trying to install Windows Moviemaker.

Come back for more links tomorrow!!



+ Microsoft has released the dates of Windows XP SP3! By Jason 15 April 2008 at 4:18 pm 144 views No Comments

Taken from Neowin.net:

With Service Pack 3 for Windows XP just over the horizon, we’ve managed to get our hands on the internal schedule for the release of the highly anticipated update to the aging operating system. As you can see in the list below, most of the stages will occur before the end of the month, though forced automatic updates won’t land until June. This delay should give system administrators an ample amount of time to prepare for the upgrade or simply come up with an excuse for when things go awry.

  • April 14, 2008: Support is available for the release version of Service Pack 3 for Windows XP
  • April 21, 2008: Original Equipment Manufacturers, Volume License, Connect, and MSDN and TechNet subscribers
  • April 29, 2008: Microsoft Update, Windows Update, Download Center
  • June 10, 2008: Automatic Updates

Good news, everyone! SP3 will most likely be the last service pack for XP, and man, it’s been a long time coming! :D Spread the word!



+ Daily del.icio.us Bookmarks for 04/05/08 By Jason 05 April 2008 at 6:01 pm 165 views 1 Comment

These are my daily “Good to Know” links for 04/05/08 … please enjoy:

Battle of the Bands (Wii) | Joystiq

Battle of the Bands pits gamers against each other in a rhythm competition. The tug-of-war between the players causes the song play to play in the winner's genre, so you could hear "Whoomp! There it is" as country or "Man of Constant Sorrow" in hip-hop.

Windows 7 to arrive next year, says Bill Gates | Engadget

Bill Gates told investors this afternoon that Windows 7 will come "in the next year" and that he's "super-enthused" about it.

Viper made of recycled keyboard | Korean Art & Artist

This work is Viper made of recycled computer keyboard painter Choi Jung Hyun made this work at his exhibition for the purpose of making audience be aware of the importance of recycling.

Old School Geek Computer Desk | BoingBoing

A computer geek's desk from 25 years ago, complete with a Star Wars drinking glass collection

In Memorium: 'The Office' Dedicates Episode To Internet Piano Prodigy | Defamer

In case you missed it, at the end of the episode they showed a video of a 15-year-old boy playing The Office theme on his piano, followed by an "In Memoriam" note. That boy was Nathan Alden Robinson, who died last month of complications from the flu.

Come back for more links tomorrow!!



+ Windows Code-Name Livephase?! By Jason 01 April 2008 at 12:37 pm 529 views 1 Comment

I’m not one to usually brag about what betas I’ve gotten invited to (okay, maybe I brag a little), but today I opened my Inbox and was faced with this:

Windows Livephase?

Here’s the text (edited out anything that would get me in trouble):

CONFIDENTIAL – PLEASE DO NOT FORWARD THIS EMAIL OR DISCLOSE ANY INFORMATION INCLUDED

Dear Microsoft Beta Tester,

The Windows Product Team recommended you as an ideal candidate for an exciting new Beta program, based on your participation as a Windows Code-Name “Longhorn” Beta tester. We value the feedback you have provided us in the past as trusted partners, and thank you for helping us make Microsoft Windows better for you and other customers. Now, you have the opportunity to continue to provide important feedback about the next generation of Microsoft products!

We are pleased to offer you an early preview of Windows Code-Name “Livephase,” by extending this invitation to join the Livephase beta program. Your participation is completely voluntary. Livephase Beta Program participants will preview software for the next generation of Windows as well as Internet Explorer 8 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. If you choose to participate you will have the opportunity to provide Microsoft with feedback as we continue work on these exciting new releases.

What is Windows Code-Name “Livephase”?

The next version of Windows, Code-Name “Livephase,” promises to be the most secure and intuitive Windows release to date. It delivers on the promise of allowing people to use their computers more effectively and confidently to achieve their goals and pursue their passions. It offers new tools to help protect the integrity of your system and your information, easier ways to find, visualize and organize your information, and provides better integration across applications, devices and systems. Most of all Windows Code-Name “Livephase” will focus on mobility and the common issues that arise when accessing multiple computers.

Livephase will provide advancements in the following key areas:

· A strong focus on the fundamentals of the operating system, including advancements in performance, mobility, and ease of use.
· Major improvements to help PC users to work smarter and provide exciting new experiences for mobile users.
· The next-generation developer platform to make it easier for developers to create breakthrough applications.

What you can expect if you choose to participate:

You will be notified by email when the software becomes available to test. The beta software will be available via download. If you elect to receive mailed releases, only major milestone releases (Beta 1, Beta 2, etc) will be sent to you. Participants can expect access to Windows, the Windows Driver Kit the Platform Software Development Kit as well as Internet Explorer 8 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. We may make other software available as well, and it’s important to note that some of the above software may not be available immediately after the program gets underway.

We are offering you this exclusive, early sneak preview of “Livephase” as part of an elite group of trusted Beta testers, because we believe that you will provide us valuable feedback, and will also respect the confidentiality of “Livephase” by not disclosing any details about this product.

If you would like to participate, please go to this URL to apply: http://connect.microsoft.com/InvitationUse.aspx?ProgramID=XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. (If this link does not work for you, copy the full link and paste it into the Web browser address bar.) You will need to register on Microsoft Connect if you have not already done so, and we will ask you to agree to a Non Disclosure Agreement before we share more details about “Livephase.”

After you complete the Non Disclosure Agreement, we will contact you with more details about “Livephase” and the Beta. Please note that the Beta is open only to those who receive this official invitation from us – please do not forward or share this invitation with anyone else.

If you choose to participate, we ask that you install the software once it is received. At a minimum we ask that you provide us feedback about your experience by reporting bugs that you encounter. We have other activities planned such as private discussion groups, online chats and chances for you to help the Windows development team test some of the new Livephase features. More details on these will follow if you choose to join the beta.

Thank-you for your participation, and we look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,
The Windows Product Team

You’ve received this email because you participated in the Windows Code-Name Longhorn beta program. If you would like to be removed from the “Livephase” beta please send an email to XXXXXXXXXX@microsoft.com with the words Opt-Out in the Subject line. We value your privacy. Please read the Privacy Statement for complete information.

Do you think this could be the codename of the Windows 7 Beta?! I mean, it talks about “mobility” and we know that Bill Gates is interested in that! It also made mention to my work as a Longhorn Beta Tester! This is so exciting!! I filled out the NDA and the only thing I get is a “Thank You” page saying that more information will be coming shortly and a picture of the logo:

Livephase Logo?

It’s pretty much the same as the Vista logo, but exciting nevertheless!! I wonder how many other people got this invite! Awesome awesome news!! :)

EDIT (April 2nd) - Gotcha!  April Fools!!

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