Currently browsing posts under the tag: computers.

Would Microsoft built computers be a way around the DoJ?

4

The other day I wrote and talked about the idea of Microsoft getting into building their retail chain computers. Well today Alex over at the Sunbelt Software blog has a post about how the Microsoft branded PCs at their retail stores are coming with Microsoft Security Essentials pre-loaded.

However, for their new PC re-selling initiative, they are hand-selecting a number of PCs from major manufacturers (Dell, HP, Lenovo, Sony, Toshiba, Asus and Acer), and creating “Signature” editions.
These special editions are pre-built with standard Windows components (IE 8, etc.), but also include Windows Media Center, Internet TV for Media Center, Microsoft Security Essentials, Bing 3D Maps, Zune 4.0 and all the major Live components.

Alex also goes on to point out how this is a potential way for the company to get around any anti-trust issues

This is also a nifty way for Microsoft to potentially get around anti-trust issues. They don’t include Apple products (Quicktime, iTunes). They don’t include non-Microsoft security applications. But it’s because it’s their own product they are selling on their own stores.

That kind of an interesting aspect to the idea of Microsoft building its own computer systems.

Post tags: ,

Category: Microsoft

Should Microsoft build computers?

2

Earlier today I wrote up a post over at The Inquisitr where I asked this question and provided some reasons as to why this might be something for them to think about. Then this evening on the Cynical Bastards Daily Edition podcast my co-host and myself hashed out the subject a little more.

So if you’re interested and have some opinions on the topic you can find the post and podcast here:

Should Microsoft be thinking about making their own PCs? – The Inquisitr
CobWEBs Daily Edition podcast: Come on Microsoft, quit being such a wuss – Shooting at Bubbles

Now back to your regularly scheduled reading.

Post tags: , ,

Category: Microsoft

PJ’s Forum Round-up – 9.7.08

15

Welcome all!

This is my first foray into the contributing writer’s world so I hope you’ll hang in there.  I’ve put together a few forum sticky’s and comments for Steven in the past so I’m by no means a new member on the scene, maybe it’d be best to chalk me up as a member less posted.  Indeed, my first introduction to Steven was as a member of the Lockergnome crowd many years back.  Being the individualistic group we were, we banded together and decided to be individuals elsewhere.  When we figured out we had no place to go, Steven ponied up the forums and away we went.  That must have 8, 9 or even 12 years ago.

A bit about me.
I’m one of those guys that loves to delve into anything technology-oriented and I’m especially fascinated with how that technology affects our lives and can be turned towards good or bad uses.  In the real world I work as a technical security contractor for a major US government agency.  At work I get to conduct research into the negative side of technology and how it can be applied in inappropriate uses.  I’m also the father of two wonderful young ladies and I’m married to one of the most awesome ladies ever.  I say awesome because she really is.  My wife supports my interests in technological matters and is constantly feeding my addiction by encouraging me to keep buying new things.  That’s the point where I get to investigate the appropriate use of technology.  My interest in technology was sparked by my father back in the ’80s when he purchased a TI-59 programmable calculator.  I’ve eat, breathed and drank just about every iteration of home computer since then, including a few VAXs.  Along the way, it seems, I’ve learned a few things about computers, what goes wrong with them, and how to share the solutions, which made me a perfect fit in Steven’s little group of helpers.

So, to the point. Steven asked for a volunteer to put together a weekly round-up of what occurred in the forums. I stepped forward and raised my hand. Now I’m writing. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy the writing.

We have a rather special person in the forums. An unique individual with the odd ability to ask questions and subsequently answer them. Allow me to introduce to you our fellow member Joe. He’s asked so many questions and then answered them himself that we’ve turned his name into a verb. Now when folks ask a question and reply to themselves we say they’ve “Joe’d” the rest of the forum. Only, something strange happened recently. Joe asked a question and couldn’t answer it within the allocated post-post hour. He wanted to know the differences between 64- and 32- bit systems.  Five posts later, Pierre answered with one of the more succinct responses I’ve seen come from his fingers.  I’d tell you what he said but I would only do the man a disservice.  Go.  Read for yourself.  Learn from the human mainframe known as Pierre.

One of our hotter topics lately has to do with a problem posted by Moosepucky.  In his “Need LOTS of HELP!!!!!” post he states “I have had my main system go south.   Posts fine, SCSI / raid post fine(.)  (I)t gets to where the XP pro logo “should” appear and freezes.”  Despite the utter lack of mentioning any causal factors, he finally Joe’s the group and arrives at a solution all by himself.  Turns out he was using….  Well, again, I’ll let you read the thread.  Along the way, you’ll pick up a neat trick (or two) from Pierre, the human mainframe.

~ David ~ asks “I’m trying to understand exactly how a spooled print job progresses to help me troubleshoot a client’s setup. Could anyone confirm if I have this figured correctly?” in his post “Spooling – do I have this right?“  (It sounds more like one of those college book thesis papers….)  If spooling is your thing, take a look and see if you can help answer the question.  Me?  I prefer spooning.

There are many hot topics undergoing considerable action over in the Cage but you’ll have to join the forums and ask permission to enter the Cage.  It’s not a place for the faint of heart.  XCARLOSX, Infinidean, Chadman, Cleo and a few of the others will skewer you with their commentary.  You’ve been warned, beyond those doors lie dragons.

I would like to take the opportunity to point out one resource oriented section of the forums that seems to get underutilized:  “Tutorials, FAQ’s & Other Helpful Stuff“.  Your’s truely, Pierre (the human mainframe), and many of the other usual suspects have been our main contributor in this area but I’d like to challenge you, the blog reader, to check it out and see if you can contribute.  In this section of the forum, you’ll find some neat little tips, tricks and suggestions that you probably won’t find elsewhere.

Until next time:  “Have a great day!”

Post tags: , , ,

Category: Forum News