InformationWeek Sling Media Sling Media: We're Good For Cable March 30, 2006: "Sling Media's “Slingbox” grabs the TV signal at the home and slings it out over a broadband connection to a laptop, cell phone or any other connected device. Where the Tivo allows viewers to “time shift” their programming, Sling allows them to “place shift” it.
While Sling is still a young company and the quality of "slung" media is poor given bandwidth constraints, some members of the content and broadcasting communities have already expressed concern over the device. Krikorian points out, however, that the skepticism is unfounded because Sling neither records content nor distributes it to more than one end point at a time."
Friday, March 31, 2006
Good Morning Silicon Valley: Why yes, your honor, Steve Jobs did teach me everything I know about diplomacy
Good Morning Silicon Valley: Why yes, your honor, Steve Jobs did teach me everything I know about diplomacy: "In the first day of oral arguments in a closely watched court case in London on Wednesday, Apple Computer attorney Anthony Grabiner argued that any 'moron' could distinguish between its iTunes music distribution service and Apple Corps, the Beatles' record label.
...
Grabiner might want to choose his words a bit more carefully in the future if he knows what's good for him. According to Geoffrey Vos, a lawyer for Apple Corps, Apple CEO Steve Jobs offered to buy the Apple Records name for $1 million in 2003."
...
Grabiner might want to choose his words a bit more carefully in the future if he knows what's good for him. According to Geoffrey Vos, a lawyer for Apple Corps, Apple CEO Steve Jobs offered to buy the Apple Records name for $1 million in 2003."
Wired News: Steve Jobs' Best Quotes Ever
Wired News: Steve Jobs' Best Quotes Ever: "Here's a selection of some of the most insanely great things the man has said, organized by topic: innovation and design, fixing Apple, his greatest sales pitches, life's lessons, taking the fight to the enemy and Pixar."
A fun example:
"'Apple has some tremendous assets, but I believe without some attention, the company could, could, could -- I'm searching for the right word -- could, could die.'-- On his return as interim CEO, in Time, Aug. 18, 1997"
A fun example:
"'Apple has some tremendous assets, but I believe without some attention, the company could, could, could -- I'm searching for the right word -- could, could die.'-- On his return as interim CEO, in Time, Aug. 18, 1997"
Apple vs. Apple is an old song - MarketWatch
Apple vs. Apple is an old song - MarketWatch: "So what can be done now and will this make any difference whatsoever to investors? Unless the British courts cave to the Americans, all that can be done is to open the pocketbook and dole out another few million to the already loaded owners of Apple Corps.
This shouldn't hurt the bottom line to any real extent during a period of rapid growth. But what it does do is reinforce the notion of karma on the somewhat spiritual and ascetic Steve Jobs. After all it was during his first reign at Apple that the company itself first became litigious. "
This shouldn't hurt the bottom line to any real extent during a period of rapid growth. But what it does do is reinforce the notion of karma on the somewhat spiritual and ascetic Steve Jobs. After all it was during his first reign at Apple that the company itself first became litigious. "
U.S. Asks European Union to Be Fair in Microsoft Case - New York Times
U.S. Asks European Union to Be Fair in Microsoft Case - New York Times: "The United States government has intervened in Microsoft's antitrust dispute with the European Commission, urging it and the 25 national governments in the European Union to be fair to the company, American diplomats and European officials said on Thursday."
Comcast reaches video-on-demand deal with NBC - Yahoo! News
Comcast reaches video-on-demand deal with NBC - Yahoo! News: "Cable operator Comcast Corp. on Thursday said it will sell popular NBC television shows, such as 'Law & Order' and 'The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,' through its video-on-demand service starting in May.
The deal makes available top prime-time and late night programs from the NBC broadcast network, as well as popular shows from NBC Universal's USA, Bravo and Sci-Fi cable channels."
The deal makes available top prime-time and late night programs from the NBC broadcast network, as well as popular shows from NBC Universal's USA, Bravo and Sci-Fi cable channels."
Thursday, March 30, 2006
CRN | Open Source E-mail | Zimbra, Scalix Tweak E-Mail
CRN Open Source E-mail Zimbra, Scalix Tweak E-Mail Two very smart companies that are helping to revitalize the messaging market.
Another Perspective on Facebook
Another Perspective on Facebook: "In Student Monitor's monthly report on what's hot with the collegiate set, Josh Weil highlighted what the market researcher says is some remarkable momentum for Facebook."
See the full post for interesting Facebook stats. BW also suggests maybe Facebook is what Google has in mind for that $2B. That'd be kinda pitiful, imho...
See the full post for interesting Facebook stats. BW also suggests maybe Facebook is what Google has in mind for that $2B. That'd be kinda pitiful, imho...
Apple stock up after fresh EU Microsoft concerns - Boston.com
Apple stock up after fresh EU Microsoft concerns - Boston.com: "Shares of Apple Computer Inc rose 6.2 percent on Wednesday as rival Microsoft Corp. faced fresh antitrust pressure from the European Commission."
This is entertaining, considering Apple is bundling far stuff more than Microsoft ever has (including Apple Corps-offending music-related tools). Of course, with single-digit market share, the Mac is held to different regulatory standards. Go figure.
This is entertaining, considering Apple is bundling far stuff more than Microsoft ever has (including Apple Corps-offending music-related tools). Of course, with single-digit market share, the Mac is held to different regulatory standards. Go figure.
The Seattle Times: Business & Technology: Origami, up close
The Seattle Times: Business & Technology: Origami, up close: "The crowd at Seattle's Espresso Vivace Roasteria barely noticed, but Otto Berkes was there recently using one of the first models of Microsoft's super-hyped 'Origami' handheld computers."
Check out the photo gallery sidebar -- I know what's on my birthday gift wish list for this year...
Check out the photo gallery sidebar -- I know what's on my birthday gift wish list for this year...
British Court Hears Apple v. Apple and 'Le Freak' - New York Times
British Court Hears Apple v. Apple and 'Le Freak' - New York Times: "Mr. Vos also showed a television commercial for iTunes, featuring the British band Coldplay performing 'Speed of Sound.' The ad features the Apple Computer logo alongside a reference to 'iTunes.com,' and promotes a Coldplay album.
'We know what they're selling with that,' Mr. Vos said.
One band that Mr. Vos was unable to highlight on iTunes was the Beatles themselves. Apple Corps -- which is owned by Ringo Starr; Paul McCartney; John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono; and the estate of George Harrison -- has so far refused to license the Beatles' music catalog for digital sales. That makes it one of only a handful of bands still unavailable via legitimate online music sites."
'We know what they're selling with that,' Mr. Vos said.
One band that Mr. Vos was unable to highlight on iTunes was the Beatles themselves. Apple Corps -- which is owned by Ringo Starr; Paul McCartney; John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono; and the estate of George Harrison -- has so far refused to license the Beatles' music catalog for digital sales. That makes it one of only a handful of bands still unavailable via legitimate online music sites."
Finally, Microsoft Releases Windows Vista Hardware Requirements
Finally, Microsoft Releases Windows Vista Hardware Requirements: "According to a page on the Microsoft Web site, 'there is no reason to wait till Microsoft launches Windows Vista before you deploy PCs.' The company then lays out the following guidelines for what constitutes a Vista capable PC:
- A 'modern' Intel, AMD, or Via CPU.
- 512 MB of RAM or more.
- A DirectX 9-class 3D graphics card."
See the full post for more details
- A 'modern' Intel, AMD, or Via CPU.
- 512 MB of RAM or more.
- A DirectX 9-class 3D graphics card."
See the full post for more details
EU Warns Microsoft About Windows Vista
EU Warns Microsoft About Windows Vista: "This may just be the best news about Windows Vista that Microsoft has gotten in a long time. I mean, think about it: If Windows Vista wasn't so impressive and comprehensive, then why would the European Union (EU) even care about it?"
WSJ.com - Google to Sell 5.3 Million Shares Valued at $2 Billion
WSJ.com - Google to Sell 5.3 Million Shares Valued at $2 Billion "Google Inc. yesterday filed with regulators to sell 5.3 million new shares, currently valued at around $2 billion.
The Mountain View, Calif., Internet company said the share sale would partially meet the demand of index funds that need to own Google when it is included in the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index at the end of the month. Google said it would use the proceeds from the sale for "general corporate purposes, including working capital and capital expenditures, and possible acquisitions of complementary businesses, technologies or other assets." It said in its filing with regulators that it currently didn't have commitments to make any material acquisitions."
The Mountain View, Calif., Internet company said the share sale would partially meet the demand of index funds that need to own Google when it is included in the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index at the end of the month. Google said it would use the proceeds from the sale for "general corporate purposes, including working capital and capital expenditures, and possible acquisitions of complementary businesses, technologies or other assets." It said in its filing with regulators that it currently didn't have commitments to make any material acquisitions."
Personal Technology -- Ask.Com's New Look Scores Big Points Against Search Rivals
Personal Technology -- Ask.Com's New Look Scores Big Points Against Search Rivals.: "Ask Jeeves, a largely failed search service, has been overhauled and renamed Ask.com. I've been testing the new Ask.com against the search champ, Google. I've found that in terms of relevant results and ease of use, Ask holds its own with Google, and even beats the champ on some searches. It has some very nice features Google lacks, including previews of the sites it finds, an easy way to narrow or broaden your search results, and frequent top-of-the-screen answers that lead you directly to core information."
Maybe Google will use part of that next ~$2B to acquire some of its search competitors...
Maybe Google will use part of that next ~$2B to acquire some of its search competitors...
Job applicants' online musings get hard look - The Boston Globe
Job applicants' online musings get hard look - The Boston Globe: "Employers hoping to gain insight into the character and personalities of job applicants are increasingly likely to peruse blogs, Google, and social sites such as MySpace.com and Friendster for clues about the applicants' likes, dislikes, and habits.
''For potential employees, it is not uncommon for senior executives to have a media search conducted that would include all public statements the individual has made,' said Tal Moise, chief executive of VerifiedPerson, which performs online background checks for US employers. ``What the public needs to understand is that whenever information is in the general domain, assume it is not private.'"
To paraphrase: don't be stupid...
''For potential employees, it is not uncommon for senior executives to have a media search conducted that would include all public statements the individual has made,' said Tal Moise, chief executive of VerifiedPerson, which performs online background checks for US employers. ``What the public needs to understand is that whenever information is in the general domain, assume it is not private.'"
To paraphrase: don't be stupid...
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
AMD lures high-ranking Itanium designer | CNET News.com
AMD lures high-ranking Itanium designer CNET News.com: "Advanced Micro Devices has hired Samuel Naffziger, a high-ranking designer of Intel's Itanium processors, and eight of his Fort Collins, Colo.-based colleagues working on the high-end processor."
Flash price plunge heralds cheaper MP3 players? | Channel Register
Flash price plunge heralds cheaper MP3 players? Channel Register: "iPods and other MP3 players look set to become much cheaper thanks to a dramatic decline in the price of NAND Flash chips. According to memory industry watcher DRAMeXchange, NAND Flash prices on the spot market have fallen by more than 50 per cent since the start of 2006. It said 2GBb and 4Gb NAND Flash chip prices fell by 63 per cent on average. Other parts saw their prices drop by at least 43 per cent."
I'm starting to suspect my next mobile PC won't have a hard disk...
I'm starting to suspect my next mobile PC won't have a hard disk...
Slashdot | Review of GMail for Your Domain
Slashdot Review of GMail for Your Domain "DevanJedi writes 'Google recently started offering GMail hosted email service, with 25 free 2 GB email accounts, for universities and beta-testing private domains. Science Addiction has a review of the GMail for Your Domain service and its features including screenshots and speculation on future Google free and paid hosting efforts.'"
The Sleeping Giant Goes on the Offensive - April 3, 2006
The Sleeping Giant Goes on the Offensive - April 3, 2006: "Think you can you crack the iPod market?
[Steve Ballmer:] It's going to take an innovative proposition. In five years are people really going to carry two devices? One device that is their communication device, one device that is music? There's going to be a lot of opportunities to get back in that game. We want to be in that game. Expect to see announcements from us in that area in the next 12 months."
[Steve Ballmer:] It's going to take an innovative proposition. In five years are people really going to carry two devices? One device that is their communication device, one device that is music? There's going to be a lot of opportunities to get back in that game. We want to be in that game. Expect to see announcements from us in that area in the next 12 months."
Good Morning Silicon Valley: How many times do I have to tell you, Ballmer: I'm not interested in the position.
Good Morning Silicon Valley: How many times do I have to tell you, Ballmer: I'm not interested in the position. "With Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, the next major release of OS X slated for this summer, and Windows Vista ever the laggard (see "Don't you know Lunar New Year is the new Christmas?"), this would be a truly inopportune time to let things slip. That's not likely to happen as long as Bertrand Serlet still has an office in Cupertino though."
Maybe it was simply a conscientious objector move in response the spat with The Beatles...
Maybe it was simply a conscientious objector move in response the spat with The Beatles...
Apple vs. That Other Apple
Apple vs. That Other Apple: "'Apple Computer can argue that its use of the trademark has nothing to do with music,' Bromberg says. 'They could say, 'This isn't our music. We're selling access to this service.' That's another argument for a low royalty.'
For the record company, a big settlement could be a way of getting its hands back on one of the crown jewels of The Beatles' legacy: the publishing rights to some 250 songs that are controlled by Sony/ATV, a joint venture between the singer Michael Jackson and Sony (SNE), his record company.
Jackson, you may remember, is in debt up to his eyeballs, and his 50% stake in the song catalogs controlled by Sony/ATV could be worth as much as $200 million. The singer's $270 million debt used to be held by Bank of America (BAC) but is now owed to New York-based Fortress Investment Group."
Who needs reality TV when we have the Apple Corps/Computer lawuit potentially leading to near-bankrupt Michael Jackson losing control of the Beatles portfolio?
For the record company, a big settlement could be a way of getting its hands back on one of the crown jewels of The Beatles' legacy: the publishing rights to some 250 songs that are controlled by Sony/ATV, a joint venture between the singer Michael Jackson and Sony (SNE), his record company.
Jackson, you may remember, is in debt up to his eyeballs, and his 50% stake in the song catalogs controlled by Sony/ATV could be worth as much as $200 million. The singer's $270 million debt used to be held by Bank of America (BAC) but is now owed to New York-based Fortress Investment Group."
Who needs reality TV when we have the Apple Corps/Computer lawuit potentially leading to near-bankrupt Michael Jackson losing control of the Beatles portfolio?
Facebook On the Block, Looking For $2 Billion
Facebook On the Block, Looking For $2 Billion: "As Steve writes, it may seem like a lot of dough, but Facebook is the 7th most heavily trafficked site on the Web in terms of page views, according to comScore Media Metrix.
Update: I just read Russell Beattie's thread about this and how valuing companies through page views is a bad sign. It's back to the bad old days of the Internet bubble. But it's definitely happening. When MySpace blasted into the public consciousness last year, what it touted then too was page views. Not a good thing..."
Get ready for bubble burst v2 -- it's only a matter of time...
Update: I just read Russell Beattie's thread about this and how valuing companies through page views is a bad sign. It's back to the bad old days of the Internet bubble. But it's definitely happening. When MySpace blasted into the public consciousness last year, what it touted then too was page views. Not a good thing..."
Get ready for bubble burst v2 -- it's only a matter of time...
TiVo stock rise hinges on EchoStar patent case - Boston.com
TiVo stock rise hinges on EchoStar patent case - Boston.com: "In the case, set to begin on Wednesday in Federal District Court in Marshall in the Eastern District of Texas, TiVo charges EchoStar, which operates the No. 2 U.S. satellite television service, with stealing technology that allows users to record one TV program while watching another via a DVR."
Yahoo to terminate "Yahoo Plus" Web package - Yahoo! News
Yahoo to terminate "Yahoo Plus" Web package - Yahoo! News: "Internet company Yahoo Inc. (Nasdaq:YHOO - news) will terminate a bundled offering of special Web services next month based on consumer response to the package, though the individual features will still be available, the company said on Tuesday."
In fewer words, the formerly premium services will now be free.
In fewer words, the formerly premium services will now be free.
The Mossberg Solution -- Setting Up Your Own Security Camera at Home
The Mossberg Solution -- Setting Up Your Own Security Camera at Home: "Overall, the LukWerks Digital Video Surveillance System was a pleasure to use. It could be useful in many scenarios, and its video quality was really quite impressive. We especially liked the software, which was intuitive and simple -- nothing like what we expected from a home-surveillance system. LukWerks won't capture intruders, but it might let you know they're coming."
WSJ.com - EU Warns Microsoft Over Vista
WSJ.com - EU Warns Microsoft Over Vista: "Ms. Kroes's spokesman, Jonathan Todd, said that the EU is concerned about Microsoft's plans for Internet search. Though Mr. Todd didn't elaborate, Google Inc. and other Internet-search services have said they are concerned that Microsoft could use its Internet Explorer 7 Web browser to unfairly direct computer users to Microsoft's own search service. Microsoft says it will include ways to set the browser to its competitors' services.
EU regulators have also warned Microsoft against putting certain software-security functions into the Vista system, according to Mr. Todd."
Go figure...
EU regulators have also warned Microsoft against putting certain software-security functions into the Vista system, according to Mr. Todd."
Go figure...
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Tevanian to leave Apple | CNET News.com
Tevanian to leave Apple CNET News.com: "Avie Tevanian, the man who has led Apple Computer's software development efforts for nearly a decade, is leaving the company.
An Apple representative confirmed Tuesday that Tevanian will leave Apple's employ on March 31 and said he 'plans to take some time off in the interim.' "
That sounds kind of abrupt...
An Apple representative confirmed Tuesday that Tevanian will leave Apple's employ on March 31 and said he 'plans to take some time off in the interim.' "
That sounds kind of abrupt...
Steve Richards - Adventures in home working :: Main Page
Steve Richards - Adventures in home working :: Main Page: "Frustrated at the manual work needed to keep multiple machines in synch, then try Allway Sync, I use it to keep my Desktop, Laptop and Tablet in synch and it’s working great so far, what follows is a much longer description that might be worth reading if you like detail!"
Timely snapshot; I need a tool of this type. I currently use a mix of IBM Lotus Notes, Microsoft Groove, and Novell iFolder, but it'd be handy to have a simple file-based alternative for some sync/back-up needs (especially since Novell is reportedly going Linux-only for the iFolder server component).
Timely snapshot; I need a tool of this type. I currently use a mix of IBM Lotus Notes, Microsoft Groove, and Novell iFolder, but it'd be handy to have a simple file-based alternative for some sync/back-up needs (especially since Novell is reportedly going Linux-only for the iFolder server component).
Bill Gates' Web Site - Speech Transcript, Microsoft Business Solutions Convergence 2006
Bill Gates' Web Site - Speech Transcript, Microsoft Business Solutions Convergence 2006: "The Evolving Business App: Role-Based Composite Applications
So applications are changing in their architecture, and the change we have now is that we can't be monolithic in the user interface, that's the role-based, and we can't ignore all of the communications and productivity software advances that are taking place. We need to sit on top of those and let people very easily build the composite applications."
Hmm -- this seems vaguely familiar somehow...
So applications are changing in their architecture, and the change we have now is that we can't be monolithic in the user interface, that's the role-based, and we can't ignore all of the communications and productivity software advances that are taking place. We need to sit on top of those and let people very easily build the composite applications."
Hmm -- this seems vaguely familiar somehow...
John Cook's Venture Blog - The Newsweek curse?
John Cook's Venture Blog - The Newsweek curse?: "Is it time for the venture capitalists to stop investing in consumer Internet companies? If you believe in the cover story curse -- usually reserved for Sports Illustrated -- now might be the time to put away the wallets.
Newsweek's April 3 cover story looks at the Web 2.0 phenomena -- discussing the rise of content sites such as Flickr, MySpace, YouTube and others."
Newsweek's April 3 cover story looks at the Web 2.0 phenomena -- discussing the rise of content sites such as Flickr, MySpace, YouTube and others."
Good Morning Silicon Valley: Mr. Jobs, it's almost time for your periodic contribution to the Beatles Preservation Fund
Good Morning Silicon Valley: Mr. Jobs, it's almost time for your periodic contribution to the Beatles Preservation Fund: "'When it first happened with the iPod, we said, 'What could they be thinking?' ' a Beatles legal insider once said of Apple's alleged transgressions. 'They knew we had the agreement, and that we'd won a lot of money from them already.' Things have changed a bit in the ensuing years though. Apple's argument that iTunes is a data transmission service and as such isn't bound by the agreement preventing it from distributing content on physical media may protect it from damages this time around."
CRN | Juergen Geck, Software, Open Source | Suse Linux CTO To Exit Novell
CRN Juergen Geck, Software, Open Source Suse Linux CTO To Exit Novell: "Juergen Geck, former CTO of SUSE Linux, is slated to finish his duties at Novell at the end of this week. Novell declined to comment.
Geck, vice president and SUSE Linux CTO at the company, said in an e-mail that his contract with Novell officially ends June 30. He described the parting as amicable.
...
'There's nothing for [Geck] to do. He's a thinker, a strategist, and differs with Novell,' said one source close to SUSE, who asked not to be named."
Geck, vice president and SUSE Linux CTO at the company, said in an e-mail that his contract with Novell officially ends June 30. He described the parting as amicable.
...
'There's nothing for [Geck] to do. He's a thinker, a strategist, and differs with Novell,' said one source close to SUSE, who asked not to be named."
Facebook's on the Block
Facebook's on the Block: "Facebook, the Web site where students around the world socialize and swap information, has put itself on the block, BusinessWeek Online has learned. The owners of the privately held company have turned down a $750 million offer and hope to fetch as much as $2 billion in a sale, senior industry executives familiar with the matter say."
Reminds me of PointCast -- which turned down a $450M offer from News Corp in 1997, only to crash and burn shortly thereafter.
Reminds me of PointCast -- which turned down a $450M offer from News Corp in 1997, only to crash and burn shortly thereafter.
Google Joins the Lobbying Herd - New York Times
Google Joins the Lobbying Herd - New York Times "Google has hired politically connected lobbying firms and consultants with ties to Republican leaders like the party chairman, Ken Mehlman; Speaker J. Dennis Hastert; and Senator John McCain; and advisers say the company may set up a fund-raising arm for political donations to candidates. And in a town where Republicans hold the levers of power, Google has begun stockpiling pieces of the party's machine."
It's unfortunate this sort of stuff appears to be a cost of conducting post-90s business in the US... but it's also very pragmatic on Google's part.
It's unfortunate this sort of stuff appears to be a cost of conducting post-90s business in the US... but it's also very pragmatic on Google's part.
Opinion: Windows Reorg Proves Microsoft Still Doesn't Get It
Opinion: Windows Reorg Proves Microsoft Still Doesn't Get It: "The folks at MSN and, to a lesser extent, at Xbox, understand the new world order. It's not clear that Sinofsky has any better understanding of the problems at Windows than he did at Office. After all, this is the man who killed Net Docs, at attempt at bringing office productivity to the Web several years ago. That's right, he snuffed out exactly the kind of software services that Microsoft is now promoting with Windows Live, and he did so not because it had no merit but because it threatened his Office cash cow, which, as I've mentioned, hasn't exactly changed dramatically in ten years. Again, I don't know the man, and I wish him all the best. But I'm nervous that Microsoft is simply putting on appearances and not getting to the root of its problems."
I don't often disagree with Paul Thurrott's perspectives, but I do in this instance. BTW Net Docs didn't get killed; it morphed into XDocs, which became InfoPath -- a product line that will, in Office 2007, significantly expand the types of apps Microsoft-focused developers can deliver in browser clients.
I don't often disagree with Paul Thurrott's perspectives, but I do in this instance. BTW Net Docs didn't get killed; it morphed into XDocs, which became InfoPath -- a product line that will, in Office 2007, significantly expand the types of apps Microsoft-focused developers can deliver in browser clients.
WSJ.com - How France Became A Leader in Offering Faster Broadband
WSJ.com - How France Became A Leader in Offering Faster Broadband: "For years, France's telecommunications industry was a state-owned monopoly with one of the world's most backward broadband markets. But thanks to deregulation six years ago, French consumers have access to high-speed Internet service that is much faster and cheaper than in the U.S.
One telecom company in particular has exploited the changes and created competition in France -- a start-up called Iliad. Over 1.1 million French subscribers pay as low as €29.99 ($36) monthly for a 'triple play' package called Free that includes 81 TV channels, unlimited phone calls within France and to 14 countries, and high-speed Internet. The least expensive comparable package from most cable and phone operators in the U.S. is more than $90, although more TV channels are generally included.
...
Iliad built its own hardware, dubbed the "Freebox," to deliver Internet, voice, and TV services. Iliad also designed its own DSLAMs -- the machines that direct traffic into and out of subscribers' homes. The company uses open source Linux software to write its own programs for Internet TV. It was one of the first companies in the world to offer Internet TV in December 2003."
One telecom company in particular has exploited the changes and created competition in France -- a start-up called Iliad. Over 1.1 million French subscribers pay as low as €29.99 ($36) monthly for a 'triple play' package called Free that includes 81 TV channels, unlimited phone calls within France and to 14 countries, and high-speed Internet. The least expensive comparable package from most cable and phone operators in the U.S. is more than $90, although more TV channels are generally included.
...
Iliad built its own hardware, dubbed the "Freebox," to deliver Internet, voice, and TV services. Iliad also designed its own DSLAMs -- the machines that direct traffic into and out of subscribers' homes. The company uses open source Linux software to write its own programs for Internet TV. It was one of the first companies in the world to offer Internet TV in December 2003."
WSJ.com - Jobs Gives Up Apple Shares To Satisfy Tax Obligations
WSJ.com - Jobs Gives Up Apple Shares To Satisfy Tax Obligations: "Apple Computer Inc. CEO and chairman Steve Jobs has given up nearly half of his stake in the company to satisfy tax obligations on 10 million restricted Apple shares that vested this month.
In a filing with U.S. securities regulators last week, Apple said it has withheld more than 4.5 million company shares, worth $296 million, from Mr. Jobs, leaving the Apple executive with 5.4 million company shares, worth $323 million. The shares were part of 10 million shares of restricted stock Apple awarded to Mr. Jobs in March 2003, a grant that vested over three years."
I trust the Wall Street Journal in this context...
In a filing with U.S. securities regulators last week, Apple said it has withheld more than 4.5 million company shares, worth $296 million, from Mr. Jobs, leaving the Apple executive with 5.4 million company shares, worth $323 million. The shares were part of 10 million shares of restricted stock Apple awarded to Mr. Jobs in March 2003, a grant that vested over three years."
I trust the Wall Street Journal in this context...
Online tutoring pays off at home, abroad - The Boston Globe
Online tutoring pays off at home, abroad - The Boston Globe "In the basement of his parents' home in Wellesley, Aashish Sharma is brushing up on high school chemistry, with help from George Mathew, a tutor with a master's degree in the subject.
Mathew works for a US firm, but does his tutoring while seated at a computer in the southern Indian city of Cochin. Thanks to a high-speed Internet link, and software that lets him sketch chemical formulas onto a computer screen, Mathew can give 16-year-old Aashish one-on-one tutoring from 8,000 miles and half a day away."
Mathew works for a US firm, but does his tutoring while seated at a computer in the southern Indian city of Cochin. Thanks to a high-speed Internet link, and software that lets him sketch chemical formulas onto a computer screen, Mathew can give 16-year-old Aashish one-on-one tutoring from 8,000 miles and half a day away."
Monday, March 27, 2006
New Media Musings: At 30, where is Apple heading next?
New Media Musings: At 30, where is Apple heading next? Handy index to Apple history article collection in San Jose Mercury News. Fun exchange with Steve Wozniak in one of the articles:
"Q You were working at Hewlett-Packard while you and Steve Jobs were creating Apple Computer. Did HP know about your Apple work?
A Yes. As soon as Steve Jobs suggested, ``Why don't we sell a PC board of this computer,'' I said, `I think I signed something, an employment contract, that said what I designed belongs to Hewlett-Packard.' And I loved that company. That was my company for life. So I approached Hewlett-Packard first. Boy, did I make a pitch. I wanted them to do it. I had the Apple I, and I had a description of what the Apple II could do. I spoke of color. I described an $800 machine that ran BASIC (an early computer language), came out of the box fully built and talked to your home TV. And Hewlett-Packard found some reasons it couldn't be a Hewlett-Packard product."
"Q You were working at Hewlett-Packard while you and Steve Jobs were creating Apple Computer. Did HP know about your Apple work?
A Yes. As soon as Steve Jobs suggested, ``Why don't we sell a PC board of this computer,'' I said, `I think I signed something, an employment contract, that said what I designed belongs to Hewlett-Packard.' And I loved that company. That was my company for life. So I approached Hewlett-Packard first. Boy, did I make a pitch. I wanted them to do it. I had the Apple I, and I had a description of what the Apple II could do. I spoke of color. I described an $800 machine that ran BASIC (an early computer language), came out of the box fully built and talked to your home TV. And Hewlett-Packard found some reasons it couldn't be a Hewlett-Packard product."
*michael parekh on IT*: ON APPLE, VISTA AND PROVOCATIVE "NEWS" HEADLINES
*michael parekh on IT*: ON APPLE, VISTA AND PROVOCATIVE "NEWS" HEADLINES: "As part of the net-share settlement, Apple will essentially sell, repurchase and then retire the 4,573,553 shares it used to pay Jobs' taxes. These transactions will not represent expenses to the company, but will be accounted for as reductions to cash with corresponding reductions to shareholders' equity. "
"... the rest of the story" on Jobs' reported stock sale -- perhaps; via Om Malik. Timely reality check, in any case.
"... the rest of the story" on Jobs' reported stock sale -- perhaps; via Om Malik. Timely reality check, in any case.
Beatles 'bigger than Steve Jobs'
Beatles 'bigger than Steve Jobs': "Apple (the non-musical one) is claiming in its defence that iTunes is merely a 'data transmission mechanism' and that it only agreed not to get into records, tapes and CDs. When asked about the case, Sir Paul McCartney gave a cheeky grin and a thumbs-up sign. "
For a 3rd Time, Two Apples Meet in Court - New York Times
For a 3rd Time, Two Apples Meet in Court - New York Times: "This is the third time the two companies have sparred. Apple Corps first sued Apple Computer in 1980 over the use of its name; a modest settlement was accompanied by an agreement that stipulated that Apple Computer, then a Silicon Valley start-up, would stay out of the music business. In 1989, after newer hardware and software made it easier to use Macintosh computers to synthesize sound, the Beatles' company sued again, resulting in a $26.5 million settlement in 1991 that left Macs able to edit and play back sound files but not create music. After the iTunes music store and software were introduced in April 2003, the record company filed suit a third time."
I think this is one of the most under-reported stories of the last few years, and I expect Apple Corps to perform a spectacular cashectomy on Apple Computer. It's also a classic case study in hypocrisy, as Jobs et al brazenly violate their contract with Apple Corps while using litigation in attempts to control everything from blogging college students to business partners who won't play according to Apple's whims.
A deal is a deal -- Apple signed a contract when it negotiated for the right to name its company. Fitting that Jobs was probably the person who led that deal in the first place; somehow I suspect he was most adamant, ~30 years ago, about the company name...
I think this is one of the most under-reported stories of the last few years, and I expect Apple Corps to perform a spectacular cashectomy on Apple Computer. It's also a classic case study in hypocrisy, as Jobs et al brazenly violate their contract with Apple Corps while using litigation in attempts to control everything from blogging college students to business partners who won't play according to Apple's whims.
A deal is a deal -- Apple signed a contract when it negotiated for the right to name its company. Fitting that Jobs was probably the person who led that deal in the first place; somehow I suspect he was most adamant, ~30 years ago, about the company name...
Windows Is So Slow, but Why? - New York Times
Windows Is So Slow, but Why? - New York Times: "So what's wrong with Microsoft? There is, after all, no shortage of smart software engineers working at the corporate campus in Redmond, Wash. The problem, it seems, is largely that Microsoft's past success and its bundling strategy have become a weakness.
Windows runs on 330 million personal computers worldwide. Three hundred PC manufacturers around the world install Windows on their machines; thousands of devices like printers, scanners and music players plug into Windows computers; and tens of thousands of third-party software applications run on Windows. And a crucial reason Microsoft holds more than 90 percent of the PC operating system market is that the company strains to make sure software and hardware that ran on previous versions of Windows will also work on the new one -- compatibility, in computing terms."
This is an interesting snapshot, but I disagree with some implicit themes such as:
1. There hasn't been a signficiant Windows XP update since 2001 -- while Microsoft hasn't charged for upgrades, as, e.g., Apple has, there have been several substantive XP updates during the last few years
2. The market doesn't need or care about backward compatibility -- I think Apple's recent experience in breaking compatibility is a useful counter-example, even though Apple has also managed to alienate most of its traditional ISVs (i.e., customers still care about compatibility...)
Windows runs on 330 million personal computers worldwide. Three hundred PC manufacturers around the world install Windows on their machines; thousands of devices like printers, scanners and music players plug into Windows computers; and tens of thousands of third-party software applications run on Windows. And a crucial reason Microsoft holds more than 90 percent of the PC operating system market is that the company strains to make sure software and hardware that ran on previous versions of Windows will also work on the new one -- compatibility, in computing terms."
This is an interesting snapshot, but I disagree with some implicit themes such as:
1. There hasn't been a signficiant Windows XP update since 2001 -- while Microsoft hasn't charged for upgrades, as, e.g., Apple has, there have been several substantive XP updates during the last few years
2. The market doesn't need or care about backward compatibility -- I think Apple's recent experience in breaking compatibility is a useful counter-example, even though Apple has also managed to alienate most of its traditional ISVs (i.e., customers still care about compatibility...)
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Amazon.com: Computer Lib/Dream Machines: Books: Theodor H. Nelson
Amazon.com: Computer Lib/Dream Machines: Books: Theodor H. Nelson Cool -- I have a collector's item... I'm wrapping up a Burton Group report on wikis in the enterprise, and went to Amazon.com to check the publisher and date for Nelson's classic hypertext book; the lowest price for a used copy at the moment is $161.70!
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Jobs dumps Apple stock | The Register
Jobs dumps Apple stock The Register: "Apple Computer founder and CEO Steve Jobs sold 45 per cent of his Apple stock this week. Jobs sold 4.57m shares at a price of $64.66, netting him a cool $295m.
Jobs was granted the 10m shares in 2003, but they didn't vest until now."
2006/03/27 update: check this story for a reality check; The Register is now officially off my news source list (except for occasional humorous headlines/quotes...)
Jobs was granted the 10m shares in 2003, but they didn't vest until now."
2006/03/27 update: check this story for a reality check; The Register is now officially off my news source list (except for occasional humorous headlines/quotes...)
WSJ.com - Blogger Resigns From Post Site Amid Plagiarism Allegations
WSJ.com - Blogger Resigns From Post Site Amid Plagiarism Allegations: "A new conservative blogger for washingtonpost.com resigned Friday, a day after allegations surfaced that he had plagiarized movie reviews as a journalist in college.
Ben Domenech had just started writing a daily Web log when another online publication, Salon.com, made the allegations."
Ben Domenech had just started writing a daily Web log when another online publication, Salon.com, made the allegations."
Friday, March 24, 2006
A portrait of the blogger as a young plagiarist | Salon.com
A portrait of the blogger as a young plagiarist Salon.com: "Does the Washington Post intend to maintain journalistic standards in the brave new blogosphere? Or are those standards incompatible with the Post company's ambitions for WashingtonPost.com? "
PCWorld.com - PCs Will Be Ready for Vista, Despite Delay
PCWorld.com - PCs Will Be Ready for Vista, Despite Delay: "'We're already selling lots of 1GB [DRAM] modules for notebooks that are compatible with Vista,' said Pai Pei-lin, vice president of global marketing and sales at Nanya Technology, in an interview.
Computer hardware in general will be ready for Vista on time despite the delay, he said, so any further change in the schedule--such as an early release--would be possible."
Computer hardware in general will be ready for Vista on time despite the delay, he said, so any further change in the schedule--such as an early release--would be possible."
Ballmer, Bemused - Forbes.com
Ballmer, Bemused - Forbes.com: "You mention intellectual property. What's going on in terms of Microsoft IP showing up in Linux? And what are you going to do about it?
Well, I think there are experts who claim Linux violates our intellectual property. I'm not going to comment. But to the degree that that's the case, of course we owe it to our shareholders to have a strategy. And when there is something interesting to say, you'll be the first to hear it"
Well, I think there are experts who claim Linux violates our intellectual property. I'm not going to comment. But to the degree that that's the case, of course we owe it to our shareholders to have a strategy. And when there is something interesting to say, you'll be the first to hear it"
WSJ.com - In a War of Words, Famed Encyclopedia Defends Its Turf
WSJ.com - In a War of Words, Famed Encyclopedia Defends Its Turf: "Mr. Wales says he was 'pleased' with Nature's study, but adds, 'It's hardly true we're as good as Britannica.' He says he was glad Nature chose to compare science-related themes 'because on history and the social sciences, we're much weaker.' In other areas -- including computer science and the history of 'Star Trek,' he says, Wikipedia is 'way better.'"
(This final part of the WSJ article stuck in my head after my initial post below...)
(This final part of the WSJ article stuck in my head after my initial post below...)
BBC NEWS | Technology | Teen craze over networking sites
BBC NEWS Technology Teen craze over networking sites: "While almost everyone who uses the net has heard of Friends Reunited, relatively few will be familiar with Bebo, unless they happen to be a teenager.
In the 13 months since it launched, Bebo has racked up more than 22 million members. It is aimed at those aged 13-30 but has proved particularly popular with school and college students. "
In the 13 months since it launched, Bebo has racked up more than 22 million members. It is aimed at those aged 13-30 but has proved particularly popular with school and college students. "
Microsoft announces Office 2007 delay | CNET News.com
Microsoft announces Office 2007 delay CNET News.com: "As with Vista, Microsoft hopes to finish the code for Office 2007 this year and make it available to some large businesses by the end of December.
'We have, however, decided to coordinate with Windows Vista to hit retail store shelves in January 2007,' a Microsoft representative said in an e-mail to CNET News.com. 'We believe this will provide an easier experience for consumers and retailers alike.' "
'We have, however, decided to coordinate with Windows Vista to hit retail store shelves in January 2007,' a Microsoft representative said in an e-mail to CNET News.com. 'We believe this will provide an easier experience for consumers and retailers alike.' "
Palm's 3Q Profits Soar, Beat Expectations: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
Palm's 3Q Profits Soar, Beat Expectations: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance: "The company said it shipped 564,000 Treos, including newly released Microsoft Corp. Windows Mobile-based models, to cellular carriers in the quarter. That was more than double the 279,000 units shipped in the year-ago period.
The Treo product line accounted for more than 70 percent of the quarter's revenue, up from 46 percent last year. The jump affirmed Palm's own strategic expectations and reflected an industrywide shift in interests from basic personal digital assistants, which Palm pioneered, to more advanced cell phones that combine PDA, data and voice functions."
The Treo product line accounted for more than 70 percent of the quarter's revenue, up from 46 percent last year. The jump affirmed Palm's own strategic expectations and reflected an industrywide shift in interests from basic personal digital assistants, which Palm pioneered, to more advanced cell phones that combine PDA, data and voice functions."
WSJ.com - Laptops Prove Weakest Link In Data Security
WSJ.com - Laptops Prove Weakest Link In Data Security: "In 2005, U.S. corporations spent $12 billion on information security, including antivirus and antispyware software, and systems to authenticate users who sign on to computer terminals, according to IDC, a Framingham, Mass., technology research firm. But companies spent less than $100 million on encryption software for laptops and desktops.
While surveys show that more than 60% of large companies use some form of encryption software on laptops, it is typically installed only on machines used by the highest level employees, like the chief executive and chief financial officer, says Charles Kolodgy, an IDC research director."
While surveys show that more than 60% of large companies use some form of encryption software on laptops, it is typically installed only on machines used by the highest level employees, like the chief executive and chief financial officer, says Charles Kolodgy, an IDC research director."
WSJ.com - In a War of Words, Famed Encyclopedia Defends Its Turf
WSJ.com - In a War of Words, Famed Encyclopedia Defends Its Turf: "The venerable Encyclopaedia Britannica is launching an unusual public war to defend itself against a scientific article that argued it's scarcely better than a free-for-all Web upstart.
On Dec. 15, the scientific journal Nature ran a two-page 'special report' titled 'Internet encyclopedias go head to head.' It compared the accuracy of science entries for the online encyclopedia Wikipedia and the online version of Encyclopaedia Britannica.
...
Now, Britannica's editors are firing back with a strongly worded open letter demanding that Nature retract its article and a 7,000-word rebuttal on its Web site. Executives at Britannica say the letter will appear in half-page ads in The Times of London, the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune as early as Monday. The letter says that Nature's study "was so poorly carried out and its findings so error-laden that it was completely without validity." The letter was emailed Wednesday to roughly 5,000 librarians, school-district administrators and curriculum coordinators."
On Dec. 15, the scientific journal Nature ran a two-page 'special report' titled 'Internet encyclopedias go head to head.' It compared the accuracy of science entries for the online encyclopedia Wikipedia and the online version of Encyclopaedia Britannica.
...
Now, Britannica's editors are firing back with a strongly worded open letter demanding that Nature retract its article and a 7,000-word rebuttal on its Web site. Executives at Britannica say the letter will appear in half-page ads in The Times of London, the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune as early as Monday. The letter says that Nature's study "was so poorly carried out and its findings so error-laden that it was completely without validity." The letter was emailed Wednesday to roughly 5,000 librarians, school-district administrators and curriculum coordinators."
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Slingbox Video Streaming Not Perfect, but Remarkable
Slingbox Video Streaming Not Perfect, but Remarkable: "With all of its trying moments -- say, when the Verizon broadband would mysteriously shrivel away to 30 or 40 kbps -- Sling video also looks pretty good compared with other options for on-the-go TV watching.
Unlike Apple's iTunes downloads or the mobile-video services of wireless carriers, Sling doesn't require you to pay for each show or cough up a subscription fee. Unlike video recordings transferred from a Media Center PC, it doesn't require running complicated software before syncing large files over to your handheld."
The content liberation revolution continues...
Unlike Apple's iTunes downloads or the mobile-video services of wireless carriers, Sling doesn't require you to pay for each show or cough up a subscription fee. Unlike video recordings transferred from a Media Center PC, it doesn't require running complicated software before syncing large files over to your handheld."
The content liberation revolution continues...
GigaOM : ? Meet Ajax Write
GigaOM : ? Meet Ajax Write "Our good buddy, Michael “disruption is my middle name” Robertson is at it again. After taking on Vonage and Skype with SIPphone and Gizmo Project, he is now going after Microsoft’s cash-cow application, Microsoft Word, using a new online word processor called ajaxWrite.
...
Michael Robertson is really one of the most bright and distruptive entrepreneurs ever. This ajaxWrite thing looks silly at first, but the application itself is much usable than its competitors. It should get better and better."
...
Michael Robertson is really one of the most bright and distruptive entrepreneurs ever. This ajaxWrite thing looks silly at first, but the application itself is much usable than its competitors. It should get better and better."
CRN | Dell, AMD | Dell Picks Up AMD-Based Line With Alienware Purchase
CRN Dell, AMD Dell Picks Up AMD-Based Line With Alienware Purchase: "Andy Kretzer, director of sales and marketing at Bold Data Technology, a Fremont, Calif.-based system builder, said the deal shows just how quickly the IT space is changing. 'Intel in Macintosh, AMD in Dell,' Kretzer said. 'It's a strange new world.'
The most interesting part of the deal, said Kretzer, is Dell finally tying the knot with AMD despite pressure from Intel. 'This is a back-door in for AMD,' he said. "
The most interesting part of the deal, said Kretzer, is Dell finally tying the knot with AMD despite pressure from Intel. 'This is a back-door in for AMD,' he said. "
Laptop with HP employee data stolen | CNET News.com
Laptop with HP employee data stolen CNET News.com: "A laptop with information on almost 200,000 current and former Hewlett-Packard employees was stolen last week, putting them at risk of identity fraud.
The stolen computer belongs to Fidelity Investments, which provides services to HP, a representative for the Palo Alto, Calif., technology giant said Wednesday. The laptop was being used by several Fidelity employees in an off-site location, said Anne Crowley, a spokeswoman for Fidelity, which is based in Boston. "
The stolen computer belongs to Fidelity Investments, which provides services to HP, a representative for the Palo Alto, Calif., technology giant said Wednesday. The laptop was being used by several Fidelity employees in an off-site location, said Anne Crowley, a spokeswoman for Fidelity, which is based in Boston. "
TV Here, There, Everywhere - New York Times
TV Here, There, Everywhere - New York Times: "Last year, a strange-looking gadget called the Slingbox ($250) began offering that possibility. It's designed to let you, a traveler on the road, watch what's on TV back at your house, or what's been recorded by a video recorder like a TiVo. The requirements are high-speed Internet connections at both ends, a home network and a Windows computer -- usually a laptop -- to watch on. (A Mac version is due by midyear.)
Today is another milestone in society's great march toward anytime, anywhere TV. Starting today, Slingbox owners can install new player software on Windows Mobile palmtops and cellphones, thereby eliminating even the laptop requirement. "
Today is another milestone in society's great march toward anytime, anywhere TV. Starting today, Slingbox owners can install new player software on Windows Mobile palmtops and cellphones, thereby eliminating even the laptop requirement. "
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
WSJ.com - Dell Agrees to Buy Alienware
WSJ.com - Dell Agrees to Buy Alienware: "Dell Inc. agreed to buy Alienware Corp., a maker of high-end desktop computers used by videogame enthusiasts. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Dell, based in Round Rock, Texas, said Alienware will operate as a standalone unit and maintain its own product development, marketing and sales operations. The management and founders of Alienware will continue to run the Miami-based business."
Dude, you're in the high-end AMD box business! This is a multifaceted milestone for Dell.
Dell, based in Round Rock, Texas, said Alienware will operate as a standalone unit and maintain its own product development, marketing and sales operations. The management and founders of Alienware will continue to run the Miami-based business."
Dude, you're in the high-end AMD box business! This is a multifaceted milestone for Dell.
Open-source business | Open, but not as usual | Economist.com
Open-source business Open, but not as usual Economist.com: "The “open-source” process of creating things is quickly becoming a threat—and an opportunity—to businesses of all kinds. Though the term at first described a model of software development (where the underlying programming code is open to inspection, modification and redistribution), the approach has moved far beyond its origins. From legal research to biotechnology, open-business practices have emerged as a mainstream way for collaboration to happen online. New business models are being built around commercialising open-source wares, by bundling them in other products or services. Though these might not contain any software “source code”, the “open-source” label can now apply more broadly to all sorts of endeavour that amalgamate the contributions of private individuals to create something that, in effect, becomes freely available to all."
Timely open source reality check from The Economist (I would have blogged this article last week, but it was for subscribers only then; now it's "freely available to all...")
Timely open source reality check from The Economist (I would have blogged this article last week, but it was for subscribers only then; now it's "freely available to all...")
Windows Vista delay: Good news for Apple? - Computerworld
Windows Vista delay: Good news for Apple? - Computerworld: "Microsoft's decision to delay the consumer versions of Windows Vista until early 2007 could encourage some holiday computer buyers to get Macs instead, industry analysts say.
'This gives Apple the biggest competitive advantage they've had in history from Microsoft,' veteran technology consultant Rob Enderle, founder of the Enderle Group, said of the delay announced by Jim Allchin, co-president of Microsoft's Platform and Services Division. "
Er, yeah, maybe if Vista slipped a couple years instead of a couple weeks or months. Taking until October, 2001 to get a robust, 32-bit, consumer-oriented version of Windows (i.e., XP) into market was the biggest competitive advantage Microsoft ever gave Apple, and it didn't seem to help Apple much in the grand scheme of things.
'This gives Apple the biggest competitive advantage they've had in history from Microsoft,' veteran technology consultant Rob Enderle, founder of the Enderle Group, said of the delay announced by Jim Allchin, co-president of Microsoft's Platform and Services Division. "
Er, yeah, maybe if Vista slipped a couple years instead of a couple weeks or months. Taking until October, 2001 to get a robust, 32-bit, consumer-oriented version of Windows (i.e., XP) into market was the biggest competitive advantage Microsoft ever gave Apple, and it didn't seem to help Apple much in the grand scheme of things.
Microsoft's Receding Vista
Microsoft's Receding Vista: "Sherlund predicts the arrival of Vista will add $1 billion to $1.5 billion in incremental revenue in the first 18 months after its release and will help usher in a period of accelerated overall revenue growth for Microsoft. The delay means that revenue ramp-up will be postponed. Shares of Microsoft dropped 2.6% in extended trading, after the delay was disclosed.
The delay will also push back something else that had been expected: Allchin's retirement. After 15 years at Microsoft, he had planned to leave when he finished this upgrade. 'Quality is the top thing,' Allchin says. 'I'm going to stay until the quality is right.' "
The delay will also push back something else that had been expected: Allchin's retirement. After 15 years at Microsoft, he had planned to leave when he finished this upgrade. 'Quality is the top thing,' Allchin says. 'I'm going to stay until the quality is right.' "
EarlyStageVC: Writely - The Back Story
EarlyStageVC: Writely - The Back Story "Sam, Steve, and Claudia have done it. Writely is now part of Google. Here’s the back story to this ‘overnight success’ that every Web 2.0 developer should know. Overnight success is part of the Myth of Silicon Valley. This overnight success is twenty years in the making. And I think it means the business-as-feature GYM shopping spree is going to slow down from here."
Interesting background on the Writely team (via Barry Briggs), including key roles on FullPaint, FullWrite, Claris Home Page, and Adobe Dreamweaver, apparently.
Interesting background on the Writely team (via Barry Briggs), including key roles on FullPaint, FullWrite, Claris Home Page, and Adobe Dreamweaver, apparently.
Exclusive: Microsoft Delays Vista RTM to October, General Availability in November & January
Exclusive: Microsoft Delays Vista RTM to October, General Availability in November & January: "Microsoft announced on Tuesday that it will not be able to deliver Windows Vista in time for the Holiday 2006 selling season. My sources now tell me that the company plans to ship Windows Vista to manufacturing on or before October 25, 2006, approximately two months later than the previous shipment schedule. "
Microsoft to Delay Next Version of Windows - New York Times
Microsoft to Delay Next Version of Windows - New York Times: "The security testing process, for example, has included dozens of outside computer security consulting companies -- known as blue-hat hackers -- who are given access to the Windows Vista code and its documentation and asked to try to find any ways to break in. Mr. Allchin characterized that program alone as the 'largest penetration-testing effort ever conducted on a commercial software product.'
The shipment delay, he conceded, was 'a bit painful, but we're trying to take a leadership role here and do the right thing.'"
The shipment delay, he conceded, was 'a bit painful, but we're trying to take a leadership role here and do the right thing.'"
WSJ.com - Yahoo Rolls Out Computer-to-Phone Calling
WSJ.com - Yahoo Rolls Out Computer-to-Phone Calling: "Yahoo Inc. Wednesday will begin letting consumers make and receive voice calls between their computers and traditional telephones.
U.S. users of Yahoo's Messenger instant messaging service will be able to call friends' telephones from their computers for low fees such as two cents per minute within the U.S. Consumers can also pay to have a traditional telephone number that directs incoming calls to their computer for $2.99 a month or $29.90 a year. U.S. users can select a telephone number located in the U.S., France or U.K."
U.S. users of Yahoo's Messenger instant messaging service will be able to call friends' telephones from their computers for low fees such as two cents per minute within the U.S. Consumers can also pay to have a traditional telephone number that directs incoming calls to their computer for $2.99 a month or $29.90 a year. U.S. users can select a telephone number located in the U.S., France or U.K."
WSJ.com - Microsoft Delays Windows Vista Debut Again
WSJ.com - Microsoft Delays Windows Vista Debut Again: "The delay and management appointment highlight a broader effort by Microsoft to inject more management oversight into the Windows group, Microsoft's largest contributor of revenue and profit.
Tapping Mr. Sinofsky, 40 years old, adds an executive from Microsoft's Office group to the Windows division. Mr. Sinofsky, who joined Microsoft in 1989 and served as a technical assistant to Chairman Bill Gates, has earned a reputation in his current role as head of the Office product group as a no-nonsense manager willing to push back against engineers, according to people familiar with the executive."
Tapping Mr. Sinofsky, 40 years old, adds an executive from Microsoft's Office group to the Windows division. Mr. Sinofsky, who joined Microsoft in 1989 and served as a technical assistant to Chairman Bill Gates, has earned a reputation in his current role as head of the Office product group as a no-nonsense manager willing to push back against engineers, according to people familiar with the executive."
Google's Schmidt Clears The Air
Google's Schmidt Clears The Air: "'Office is not the business we're in,' Schmidt said, saying the company wanted to do new things.
Schmidt said he saw Writely and other server-based tools as another way to collect and organize the world's data. 'All the world's information includes personal information,' he noted.
But Schmidt also said the company can't possibly be doing all the things that people say it is working on. 'We're not really that exciting,' he said.
But he also noted that the company's image also gives it a certain aura within the technology industry. 'The mystique works in our benefit,' he said. 'It's an engineering recruitment tool.' "
Schmidt said he saw Writely and other server-based tools as another way to collect and organize the world's data. 'All the world's information includes personal information,' he noted.
But Schmidt also said the company can't possibly be doing all the things that people say it is working on. 'We're not really that exciting,' he said.
But he also noted that the company's image also gives it a certain aura within the technology industry. 'The mystique works in our benefit,' he said. 'It's an engineering recruitment tool.' "
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Microsoft Updates Windows Vista Road Map: Business availability for Windows Vista in November 2006, consumer availability in January 2007.
Microsoft Updates Windows Vista Road Map: Business availability for Windows Vista in November 2006, consumer availability in January 2007.: "'Product quality and a great out-of-box experience have been two of our key drivers for Windows Vista, and we are on track to deliver on both,' said Jim Allchin, co-president for the Platforms & Services Division at Microsoft. 'But the industry requires greater lead time to deliver Windows Vista on new PCs during holiday. We must optimize for the industry, so we've decided to separate business and consumer availability.'
Because of the way businesses test and deploy software, it makes sense for Microsoft volume licensing customers to receive windows Windows Vista starting in November of this year. Availability for consumers and on new PCs will follow in January."
I suspect there will be lots of "Includes a free upgrade to Windows Vista" PC offers starting in October or so... Not good news for Microsoft and its hardware partners, in any case, but more embarrassing (in terms of inability to hit schedule goals) than any sort of massively business-impacting crisis...
Because of the way businesses test and deploy software, it makes sense for Microsoft volume licensing customers to receive windows Windows Vista starting in November of this year. Availability for consumers and on new PCs will follow in January."
I suspect there will be lots of "Includes a free upgrade to Windows Vista" PC offers starting in October or so... Not good news for Microsoft and its hardware partners, in any case, but more embarrassing (in terms of inability to hit schedule goals) than any sort of massively business-impacting crisis...
The Seattle Times: Business & Technology: Microsoft wraps itself in vision of future Web
The Seattle Times: Business & Technology: Microsoft wraps itself in vision of future Web: "'The real power of that whole platform is based on the Vista operating system, and it's going to take awhile; I'd say three to five years,' said Richard Monson-Haefel, an analyst at Salt Lake City-based Burton Group and a former Java developer.
At the same time, he said, Microsoft's easy-to-use programming tools are appealing to Web developers, despite the buzz for alternatives such as open-source software.
'Developers are in the end pragmatists,' he said. 'Some of your louder, squeakier wheels tend to be idealists when it comes to what technologies are best, but ... everybody else just wants to solve a problem and go home to their kids.'"
At the same time, he said, Microsoft's easy-to-use programming tools are appealing to Web developers, despite the buzz for alternatives such as open-source software.
'Developers are in the end pragmatists,' he said. 'Some of your louder, squeakier wheels tend to be idealists when it comes to what technologies are best, but ... everybody else just wants to solve a problem and go home to their kids.'"
GigaOM : ? Google Finance Disappoints
GigaOM : ? Google Finance Disappoints: "After playing around with it for about 15 minutes, it is obvious that it will be a long time, and I mean long time in Internet years that is, before Google Finance really catches up to Yahoo Finance, which in fact is the gold standard. (Just by the virtue of lack of competitors, as it might be.)"
Google Offers Search Service on Finance - New York Times
Google Offers Search Service on Finance - New York Times "Google said the service, at finance.google.com, would distinguish itself by providing stock charts with interactive qualities like those on its Google Maps service, allowing users to find deeper or specified layers of data by sliding the cursor.
The site will focus on current and historical data for both public and private companies, and following a Google practice for its new offerings, it will not immediately carry advertisements."
The site will focus on current and historical data for both public and private companies, and following a Google practice for its new offerings, it will not immediately carry advertisements."
Microsoft Develops Version of Internet Software Tools - New York Times
Microsoft Develops Version of Internet Software Tools - New York Times: "The company showed off the next version of its Web browser, Internet Explorer 7, which will be released later this year. It has features for alerting users if they are about to tap into Web sites known for spyware or phishing. Its new print feature allows users to preview the Web page and make sure they print the entire page, instead of having words on the right-hand side of the page not printed.
Internet Explorer 6, the previous version, was released five years ago. 'We're doing a mea culpa saying, hey, we waited too long,' Mr. Gates said."
Internet Explorer 6, the previous version, was released five years ago. 'We're doing a mea culpa saying, hey, we waited too long,' Mr. Gates said."
WSJ.com - Microsoft Studies Portable Device For Videogames
WSJ.com - Microsoft Studies Portable Device For Videogames: "Microsoft Corp. is considering developing a portable game device that would further pit the company against Sony Corp. and Nintendo Co. in an increasingly important sector of the videogames business, according to people familiar with the matter.
The Redmond, Wash., software company could release the device as early as the end of the year, but it may end up deciding on a later launch date, these people said. The product is being planned by the group within Microsoft responsible for the company's Xbox console. The product may also allow users to play music and videos, a move that would put the device in competition with Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod."
The Redmond, Wash., software company could release the device as early as the end of the year, but it may end up deciding on a later launch date, these people said. The product is being planned by the group within Microsoft responsible for the company's Xbox console. The product may also allow users to play music and videos, a move that would put the device in competition with Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod."
Monday, March 20, 2006
Former Interwoven exec: Follow me and switch to open source CMS
Former Interwoven exec: Follow me and switch to open source CMS: "In one year's time, Alfresco vice president of engineering Kevin Cochrane hopes the content management (CMS) space has been upended by open source.
He also hopes that Alfresco -- once the dust has settled and the IBM's and EMC's of the commercial CMS world have been cut at the knees by his firm's open source CMS applications ? finds itself at the top of this heap as the de facto standard in Web content management.
...
Cochrane joined Interwoven in 1996 as its fourth employee and led the development of the company's flagship product, TeamSite."
One of Documentum's co-founders is also a key Alfresco developer.
He also hopes that Alfresco -- once the dust has settled and the IBM's and EMC's of the commercial CMS world have been cut at the knees by his firm's open source CMS applications ? finds itself at the top of this heap as the de facto standard in Web content management.
...
Cochrane joined Interwoven in 1996 as its fourth employee and led the development of the company's flagship product, TeamSite."
One of Documentum's co-founders is also a key Alfresco developer.
Eclipse bulks up, reaches out | CNET News.com
Eclipse bulks up, reaches out CNET News.com Among other developments:
"Last fall, Eclipse hired Ward Cunningham, a software programmer credited with building the first wiki application, as its director of committer community development.
In a keynote speech at EclipseCon, Cunningham will discuss plans to enhance the Eclipse software and processes with collaborative features, he said."
"Last fall, Eclipse hired Ward Cunningham, a software programmer credited with building the first wiki application, as its director of committer community development.
In a keynote speech at EclipseCon, Cunningham will discuss plans to enhance the Eclipse software and processes with collaborative features, he said."
Are We Having a Conversation Yet? An Art Form Evolves - New York Times
Are We Having a Conversation Yet? An Art Form Evolves - New York Times: "This state of affairs helped inspire Stephen Miller's new book, 'Conversation: A History of a Declining Art' (Yale, $27.50). Mr. Miller, who is a contributing editor to The Wilson Quarterly, finds countertrends, as well -- Internet communities that lead to new forms of conversation, diverse gatherings in which disagreements become an expected aspect of conversation. But, he writes, the 'forces sapping conversation seem stronger than the forces nourishing it.' So Mr. Miller, in response, is recounting another kind of conversation that has taken place over the centuries, one whose subject is conversation itself."
The Seattle Times: Business & Technology: Microsoft's new Vista should reach store shelves by holidays
The Seattle Times: Business & Technology: Microsoft's new Vista should reach store shelves by holidays: "But Microsoft's new operating system is still on track to be done and released to manufacturers (RTM) in August, in time for Vista PCs to go on sale during the holiday season, a company manager said at a trade meeting in Bellevue.
'The current thinking is it's highly probable the end of August is RTM, so it's in the market in December,' Carter Maslan, director of technical evangelism, told The Indus Entrepreneurs group Thursday night."
'The current thinking is it's highly probable the end of August is RTM, so it's in the market in December,' Carter Maslan, director of technical evangelism, told The Indus Entrepreneurs group Thursday night."
Brightcove acquires MetaStories, joining two Internet start-ups - The Boston Globe
Brightcove acquires MetaStories, joining two Internet start-ups - The Boston Globe: "The Internet television start-up Brightcove of Cambridge is set to disclose today that it has acquired Seattle-based MetaStories, another start-up that provides tools for producing interactive online content.
...
Brian Monnin, the MetaStories cofounder and chief executive, who is a veteran of Microsoft Corp.'s MSN division, will remain in Seattle with his 10-person team and report to Allaire. Rather than move MetaStories to Brightcove's headquarters in Cambridge, home to most of its 50 employees, Allaire said that he decided to keep the Seattle operation as a base for recruiting multimedia employees from companies like Microsoft, Real Networks, and Amazon.com."
...
Brian Monnin, the MetaStories cofounder and chief executive, who is a veteran of Microsoft Corp.'s MSN division, will remain in Seattle with his 10-person team and report to Allaire. Rather than move MetaStories to Brightcove's headquarters in Cambridge, home to most of its 50 employees, Allaire said that he decided to keep the Seattle operation as a base for recruiting multimedia employees from companies like Microsoft, Real Networks, and Amazon.com."
Microsoft Takes on Craigslist in the Battle for Classified Ads - New York Times
Microsoft Takes on Craigslist in the Battle for Classified Ads - New York Times: "In doing so, Microsoft is treading on ground that has swallowed many other companies, and one that Google has also recently begun to explore. But Microsoft is taking a more comprehensive approach than others, using its instant messaging, mapping and blogging services to help people sell items among groups of local friends and acquaintances.
...
With 205 million people signed up as Messenger users, and another 40 million users of MSN Spaces (and 100 million Spaces visitors in the last 16 months), the company already has a strong network of potential classifieds customers, said Garry Wiseman, Microsoft's product unit manager for Windows Live Expo."
...
With 205 million people signed up as Messenger users, and another 40 million users of MSN Spaces (and 100 million Spaces visitors in the last 16 months), the company already has a strong network of potential classifieds customers, said Garry Wiseman, Microsoft's product unit manager for Windows Live Expo."
TiVo Has Been Cutting Out More Than Just the Commercials Lately - New York Times
TiVo Has Been Cutting Out More Than Just the Commercials Lately - New York Times: "Because of a software glitch in some machines, TiVo customers have been discovering over the last few months that some of the shows they had set to record were cut off before the programs ended."
Oops...
Oops...
While AT&T Does Deals, Verizon Spends to Hone Its Networks - New York Times
While AT&T Does Deals, Verizon Spends to Hone Its Networks - New York Times: "To offer that service, Mr. Whitacre is taking a less costly -- but also less proven -- approach to his fiber network rollout than Mr. Seidenberg. AT&T is stringing fiber lines to neighborhoods and using the existing copper lines to connect the rest of the way to homes. It is expected to spend about $12 billion on its network by 2010 to serve nearly 32 million homes (including those of BellSouth customers), according to Bernstein Research.
Verizon will spend about $18 billion by 2010 to run fiber lines into people's homes, Bernstein says. The Verizon network will serve half that number of customers, but will offer more bandwidth than networks run by AT&T and the cable companies. "
Verizon will spend about $18 billion by 2010 to run fiber lines into people's homes, Bernstein says. The Verizon network will serve half that number of customers, but will offer more bandwidth than networks run by AT&T and the cable companies. "
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Big media and the internet | Net dreams | Economist.com
Big media and the internet Net dreams Economist.com: "Which of the big entertainment conglomerates is furthest ahead? That, of course, is fiercely debated by rival executives. Many were jealous of Mr Murdoch's purchase of MySpace.com, a social-networking site, because its soaring popularity has pushed News Corporation up among the giants of the internet by page views. Viacom is believed to have wanted to buy the site, but it lost out to News Corporation at the last moment. Now, however, after a furore over men lying about their age on MySpace.com so as to meet under-age girls, competitors are feeling a bit less envious. "
Read the full article (no subscription to The Economist required)
Read the full article (no subscription to The Economist required)
Technology Review: Cinegames - Microsoft’s new Xbox changes the state of play
Technology Review: Cinegames - Microsoft’s new Xbox changes the state of play "Thirty-four years after Pong, video games are finally maturing from arcade-style tests of fine-motor skills into an independent art form. That lag time shouldn't be surprising: it wasn't until 1915, fully 20 years after the invention of motion pictures, that The Birth of a Nation set down the basic grammar of movie storytelling, and it was only in 1977, almost 30 years after the birth of network television, that Roots introduced the first art form truly unique to TV, the miniseries. Now that video games can credibly evoke emotion and borrow elements from movies and other media without slavishly imitating them, it's time to welcome them into our museums, libraries, and living rooms."
No single-page view, annoyingly, but still a timely article.
No single-page view, annoyingly, but still a timely article.
Social Networking Won't Lift Netscape from Web Limbo - Yahoo! News
Social Networking Won't Lift Netscape from Web Limbo - Yahoo! News: "Diehard Netscape fans can never fully suppress the dreams that Netscape will somehow rise again to regain its rightful place at the top of the World Wide Web.
But the fact remains the Netscape's owners and handlers were as much to blame as Microsoft that Internet Explorer quickly bulldozed the browser pioneer from the top spot. "
At least as much to blame, imho...
But the fact remains the Netscape's owners and handlers were as much to blame as Microsoft that Internet Explorer quickly bulldozed the browser pioneer from the top spot. "
At least as much to blame, imho...
Apple's Mac Mini, Filling Out the Living Room
Apple's Mac Mini, Filling Out the Living Room: "The Mac mini, sold in $599 and $799 configurations, is a little cheaper than most Media Center PCs and a lot simpler and smaller than all of them. But it also shows its relative youth with some needless oversights and, in the two models I tried, one crippling flaw.
The biggest difference between the mini and Media Center is that Apple doesn't include any way to tune into or record TV programs. The company built this machine to bring the computer to the TV, not the other way around."
The biggest difference between the mini and Media Center is that Apple doesn't include any way to tune into or record TV programs. The company built this machine to bring the computer to the TV, not the other way around."
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Andover Townsman: Tangled Web
Andover Townsman: Tangled Web: "'A scary reality of the Internet-driven 21st Century is that sexual predators now can stalk victims from their own homes. Just two weeks ago, two men were arrested in Connecticut for using Myspace.com, a free online community consisting of more than 60 million members, to arrange sexual encounters with an 11-year-old and a 14-year-old girl.
...
My computer knowledge is extremely limited,' Himmer admitted, 'but as limited as it is, I was able to sign on to Myspace and find tons of kids that my daughter grew up with, whose parents would be appalled at what they have posted on there.'"
Sites/services such as Myspace, Facebook, and Bebo are in big trouble when this sort of article starts appearing on p. 1 of town newspapers...
...
My computer knowledge is extremely limited,' Himmer admitted, 'but as limited as it is, I was able to sign on to Myspace and find tons of kids that my daughter grew up with, whose parents would be appalled at what they have posted on there.'"
Sites/services such as Myspace, Facebook, and Bebo are in big trouble when this sort of article starts appearing on p. 1 of town newspapers...
Friday, March 17, 2006
Don Dodge on The Next Big Thing : The Next Big Thing doesn't exist?
Don Dodge on The Next Big Thing : The Next Big Thing doesn't exist? "In a CNET story today IBM exec Nicholas Donofrio says "The fact is that innovation was a little different in the 20th century. It's not easy (now) to come up with greater and different things," Donofrio said. "If you're looking for the next big thing, stop looking. There's no such thing as the next big thing,".
The Next Big Thing does exist...it just doesn't look BIG to IBM. That is a common problem with large companies. When you have revenues of $40B to $100B no one thing will move the needle. Nothing looks big or interesting. Innovative or disruptive technologies are viewed as a threat to the core revenue stream, rather than promising new opportunities. This is the premise of The Innovators Dilemma by Clayton Christensen.
Here is a sampling of the hot start-ups we are working with now. Any one of them could emerge as The Next Big Thing."
Handy list from Microsoft's Don Dodge
The Next Big Thing does exist...it just doesn't look BIG to IBM. That is a common problem with large companies. When you have revenues of $40B to $100B no one thing will move the needle. Nothing looks big or interesting. Innovative or disruptive technologies are viewed as a threat to the core revenue stream, rather than promising new opportunities. This is the premise of The Innovators Dilemma by Clayton Christensen.
Here is a sampling of the hot start-ups we are working with now. Any one of them could emerge as The Next Big Thing."
Handy list from Microsoft's Don Dodge
GigaOM : Zimbra, EMail Done Right
GigaOM : Zimbra, EMail Done Right: "I would go out on a limb and say that it combines the best of both Microsoft Outlook and Google’s GMail! Plus, Zimbra has this “search and save search feature” that is very much like Apple Mail’s smart mailboxes. (This save search feature also helps the company over come the inherent problem of filing everything away in folders. The conversation view of Zimbra is what really really rocks: it puts everything in context, I can tag it accordingly, for my own use later. "
Great to see innovation in the messaging market again.
Great to see innovation in the messaging market again.
Netscape Reportedly Trying for a Comeback
Netscape Reportedly Trying for a Comeback: "Several news reports suggest Time Warner plans to resurrect its once high-flying Netscape division by turning it into a social networking hub. "
Irrefutable evidence that "social networking" has jumped the shark...
Irrefutable evidence that "social networking" has jumped the shark...
GE's Blogging R&D Squad
GE's Blogging R&D Squad: "This has to be every hardcore geek's dream: GE's scientists and engineers at its R&D center are blogging, giving a peek at what they are working on. At Edison's Desk, the researchers post on everything from the challenges of renewable energy to the promise of self cleaning cars. (err..Apparently through turning hydrophilic polymers into superhydrophobic surfaces....) "
NewsGator - News Archive: NewsGator Extends RSS Leadership with New Mobile Applications
NewsGator - News Archiv: NewsGator Extends RSS Leadership with New Mobile Applications: "NewsGator Technologies, Inc., the leading RSS platform company, today announced that it has expanded its mobile portfolio with new RSS aggregators for Windows Mobile and J2ME-enabled devices. The new products accompany the NewsGator Mobile reader for HTML-enabled devices as part of the industry's most complete mobile RSS catalog. All three mobile products synchronize with the NewsGator family of products, anchored by NewsGator Online, the company's Web-based aggregator, allowing customers to read content and manage their subscriptions seamlessly from any device."
Sun's top software exec leaves for Adobe | CNET News.com
Sun's top software exec leaves for Adobe CNET News.com: "John Loiacono, Sun Microsystems' executive vice president for software, is leaving the company to join Adobe Systems as senior vice president of its Creative Solutions Group, CNET News.com has learned. "
Microsoft Reveals Plan to Take Business From I.B.M. - New York Times
Microsoft Reveals Plan to Take Business From I.B.M. - New York Times: "The Microsoft approach, Mr. Ballmer said, is to offer new software tools for what he called 'the next wave of improvement in business operations.' That path, he insisted, is very different from that of I.B.M., which he portrayed as mainly a services business whose consultants help companies and then depart.
'We're talking about giving people in business the tools to be more productive every day,' he said. 'I.B.M. is talking about a project.'"
Meanwhile...
"Ken Bisconti, a vice president in I.B.M.'s software group, said the Microsoft demonstrations, which he saw on a Webcast, were a display of 'more functions than people need or want in a pure Microsoft software environment.'
'Microsoft,' Mr. Bisconti added, 'is clinging to a pre-Internet, proprietary software model.'"
Competition = good...
'We're talking about giving people in business the tools to be more productive every day,' he said. 'I.B.M. is talking about a project.'"
Meanwhile...
"Ken Bisconti, a vice president in I.B.M.'s software group, said the Microsoft demonstrations, which he saw on a Webcast, were a display of 'more functions than people need or want in a pure Microsoft software environment.'
'Microsoft,' Mr. Bisconti added, 'is clinging to a pre-Internet, proprietary software model.'"
Competition = good...
Executive Q&A: What Is a People-Ready" Business?
Executive Q&A: What Is a People-Ready" Business?: ""PressPass: Are you doing other things to help companies become more People-Ready?
Raikes: Sure. We're also making it easier and more economical for customers to access software that works together, enabling comprehensive solutions for their collaboration, communication and compliance needs. As a result, customers can now deploy on their own schedule and scale as required, ensure the tools are there when the business needs them, and have earlier access to more training and support for new technologies and desktop deployment planning services that enable People-Ready business."
This collaboration thing is gonna be big, real big... :)
Raikes: Sure. We're also making it easier and more economical for customers to access software that works together, enabling comprehensive solutions for their collaboration, communication and compliance needs. As a result, customers can now deploy on their own schedule and scale as required, ensure the tools are there when the business needs them, and have earlier access to more training and support for new technologies and desktop deployment planning services that enable People-Ready business."
This collaboration thing is gonna be big, real big... :)
Microsoft and Epic Records to Offer Ongoing Exclusive Entertainment Content on Xbox Live
Microsoft and Epic Records to Offer Ongoing Exclusive Entertainment Content on Xbox Live: "Microsoft Corp. and music giant Epic Records today announced an agreement to make available a full year of exclusive artist content and high-definition music video downloads free for all Xbox 360™ gamers. Over the next year, Xbox 360 and Epic Records will showcase 12 up-and-coming artists through the Artist of the Month (AOM) program via the Xbox Live® service, the first and only unified global online entertainment network. Through the alliance, millions of Xbox Live members can enter a monthly sweepstakes with a prize of gaming against some of the hottest musicians through the Xbox Live Game with Fame™ program."
My television set-top box is starting to feel insecure...
My television set-top box is starting to feel insecure...
Thursday, March 16, 2006
iTunes Offers First Feature-Length Movie
iTunes Offers First Feature-Length Movie: "First came the songs, then music videos and TV shows, and now Apple may be bringing movies to your home computer or video iPod.
Apple took the first step today by making the Disney Channel original film 'High School Musical' available for a $9.99 download price. The made-for-TV movie is already widely popular among the 'tween' set. The music soundtrack is highly sought-after on the iTunes site -- one of its songs is currently listed as the second most popular download in the soundtrack category."
Apple took the first step today by making the Disney Channel original film 'High School Musical' available for a $9.99 download price. The made-for-TV movie is already widely popular among the 'tween' set. The music soundtrack is highly sought-after on the iTunes site -- one of its songs is currently listed as the second most popular download in the soundtrack category."
Microsoft builds bridges with Live Clipboard | InfoWorld
Microsoft builds bridges with Live Clipboard InfoWorld: "The rift had begun to close between Windows and the Web. Then progress slowed, and by the time the boom went bust it had ground to a halt. The Web was gradually de-emphasized and then, with Longhorn/Vista, actively deprecated. Internet Explorer lay fallow. There was action in the WS-Heavy arena, but nobody was minding the WS-Lite store. "
Jon Udell on Microsoft's new Internet realities, on the eve of Microsoft's first web developer/designer-focused event in a decade or so.
Jon Udell on Microsoft's new Internet realities, on the eve of Microsoft's first web developer/designer-focused event in a decade or so.
Viva Piata Universe Revealed Entertainment Property Brought to Life by Microsoft, Rare and 4Kids Entertainment
Viva Piata Universe Revealed Entertainment Property Brought to Life by Microsoft, Rare and 4Kids Entertainment:
"Set to release this holiday season worldwide, “Viva Piñata” is a customizable, social and spontaneous game that invites players of all ages and skills to explore an immersive world where they are challenged to create and maintain a living garden ecosystem that grows in real time. Beginning with a few basic tools, players build and take control of their environment to attract and host more than 60 species of wild piñata, utilizing hundreds of customizable elements to create their very own distinctively unique thriving paradise.
“Viva Piñata” gameplay continues to evolve with new content available via the Xbox Live® service and the ability to play, trade and interact with more than 2 million gamers via the online service."
"Set to release this holiday season worldwide, “Viva Piñata” is a customizable, social and spontaneous game that invites players of all ages and skills to explore an immersive world where they are challenged to create and maintain a living garden ecosystem that grows in real time. Beginning with a few basic tools, players build and take control of their environment to attract and host more than 60 species of wild piñata, utilizing hundreds of customizable elements to create their very own distinctively unique thriving paradise.
“Viva Piñata” gameplay continues to evolve with new content available via the Xbox Live® service and the ability to play, trade and interact with more than 2 million gamers via the online service."
Bill Gates mocks MIT's $100 laptop project - Yahoo! News
Bill Gates mocks MIT's $100 laptop project - Yahoo! News: "'The last thing you want to do for a shared use computer is have it be something without a disk ... and with a tiny little screen,' Gates said at the Microsoft Government Leaders Forum in suburban Washington.
...
'If you are going to go have people share the computer, get a broadband connection and have somebody there who can help support the user, geez, get a decent computer where you can actually read the text and you're not sitting there cranking the thing while you're trying to type,' Gates said."
...
'If you are going to go have people share the computer, get a broadband connection and have somebody there who can help support the user, geez, get a decent computer where you can actually read the text and you're not sitting there cranking the thing while you're trying to type,' Gates said."
WSJ.com - Google Expands Number of Sellers Eligible for Online Payment Service
WSJ.com - Google Expands Number of Sellers Eligible for Online Payment Service: "Google Inc. is increasing the number of sellers who can use its online payment-processing service, in a move that could put pressure on eBay Inc.'s online auctions and PayPal payments services to cut or even eliminate some fees.
Last month, Google began processing payments for some sellers using its Google Base service, which lets users submit information such as classified-like listings of items for sale. The Mountain View, Calif., company in recent weeks extended that offering to more sellers. Under the program, Google handles the billing of a consumer's credit card for an unspecified number of sellers."
Last month, Google began processing payments for some sellers using its Google Base service, which lets users submit information such as classified-like listings of items for sale. The Mountain View, Calif., company in recent weeks extended that offering to more sellers. Under the program, Google handles the billing of a consumer's credit card for an unspecified number of sellers."
Cisco Plans Its Home Invasion - Enterprise Technology - MSNBC.com
Cisco Plans Its Home Invasion - Enterprise Technology - MSNBC.com: "In the digital domicile of the future, according to Chambers, television, telephone and Web services will flow into living rooms over the same fat Internet pipe. Consumers will exert as much control over their TVs as they now have over their Web browsers, ordering from a limitless menu of programming. With a few clicks of the remote control, viewers will be able not only to watch old movie classics, but to open video and audio connections to far-flung family members, so they can view shows (say, Duke basketball) and talk to each other as though they were all sitting in the same room. Most telling about Chambers's vision, though, is, he believes Cisco itself is in position to deliver all this technology directly to the home. It's one thing to be the behind-the-scenes hardware Goliath that laid out all the infrastructure for the Net --quite another to be a company every consumer recognizes."
Timely snapshot of Cisco's strategy
Timely snapshot of Cisco's strategy
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
IBM DB2 database pioneer Haderle joins small database vendor - Computerworld
IBM DB2 database pioneer Haderle joins small database vendor - Computerworld: "A 37-year employee of IBM, Haderle, 62, led the technical team that created DB2 from the 1970s through the early 1990s. He is credited with more than 50 database patents and disclosures. He retired from IBM last year after serving 14 years as vice president and chief technology officer at the information management division of IBM.
Ants, which claims 18 corporate customers, said its method of storing information avoids the need to lock rows of data, as most SQL databases do, while maintaining data integrity. That enables increased transaction speeds, especially in online transaction processing environments where bottlenecks may occur when many users try to read or write to the same data fields at the same time."
Ants, which claims 18 corporate customers, said its method of storing information avoids the need to lock rows of data, as most SQL databases do, while maintaining data integrity. That enables increased transaction speeds, especially in online transaction processing environments where bottlenecks may occur when many users try to read or write to the same data fields at the same time."
Tribble on Apple's security troubles | Newsmakers | CNET News.com
Tribble on Apple's security troubles Newsmakers CNET News.com: "Tribble, vice president of software technology, started at Apple in the early days of the company, as manager of the original software team and helped to design Mac OS. He rejoined Apple in 2002 after leaving the company to work on various ventures, including the NeXT Computer, which he helped found with current Apple CEO Steve Jobs. "
Timely interview with one of the pioneers who created the Mac.
Timely interview with one of the pioneers who created the Mac.
Mr. Dell opens up about Desktop Linux
Mr. Dell opens up about Desktop Linux: "So, what would it take though to get Dell to offer fully-supported Linux on its complete line of desktops?
Dell replied, 'We love Linux, and we're doing our best to support the Linux community. We see lots of opportunity there. If the Linux desktops could converge at their cores, such a common platform would make it easier to support. Or, if there was a leading or highly preferred version that a majority of users would want, we'd preload it.'
In the end, 'we see [the Linux desktop] as a customer-driven activity. If customers want it, well, Dell will give it to them.'
One company has not played a role in Dell's Linux decisions. 'Microsoft has not talked to us about Linux. If they did, I wouldn't care. It's none of their business,' concluded Dell. "
Dell replied, 'We love Linux, and we're doing our best to support the Linux community. We see lots of opportunity there. If the Linux desktops could converge at their cores, such a common platform would make it easier to support. Or, if there was a leading or highly preferred version that a majority of users would want, we'd preload it.'
In the end, 'we see [the Linux desktop] as a customer-driven activity. If customers want it, well, Dell will give it to them.'
One company has not played a role in Dell's Linux decisions. 'Microsoft has not talked to us about Linux. If they did, I wouldn't care. It's none of their business,' concluded Dell. "
Working from home is working - The Boston Globe
Working from home is working - The Boston Globe: "e than 30 years after the lifestyle began inching into corporate culture, there were almost 14 million Americans telecommuting at least part time in 2004, and an additional 7 million running businesses from home, according to the Labor Department. Human resources experts believe the number will continue to climb because more workers are demanding flexibility, and because high-speed Internet connections make telecommuting easier than ever.
In 2005, 44 percent of US companies offered at least some telecommuting options, according to a survey of 1,043 large employers by Mercer Human Resources Consulting."
In 2005, 44 percent of US companies offered at least some telecommuting options, according to a survey of 1,043 large employers by Mercer Human Resources Consulting."
Study Says Chips in ID Tags Are Vulnerable to Viruses - New York Times
Study Says Chips in ID Tags Are Vulnerable to Viruses - New York Times: "In the researchers' paper, 'Is Your Cat Infected With a Computer Virus?,' the group, affiliated with the computer science department at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, also describes how the vulnerability could be used to undermine a variety of tracking systems."
Google, DOJ Head to Court
Google, DOJ Head to Court: "You might be wondering what case it is that Google feels so strongly about fighting. The DOJ is attempting to measure the effectiveness of the Child Online Protection Act, a law that shields children from explicitly sexual material on the Internet. So while Google had no problem censoring its search engine in order to remain in the crucial Chinese market, it has refused to help US law enforcement officials fight sexual predators.
Obviously, the issues are a little more complex than this basic summary. But I find Google's decision to fight this request a bit bizarre, especially when they had no problem bowing to China, one of the most egregious human rights violators on earth."
Obviously, the issues are a little more complex than this basic summary. But I find Google's decision to fight this request a bit bizarre, especially when they had no problem bowing to China, one of the most egregious human rights violators on earth."
Microsoft Developing Web's Largest Advertising Network: Ad testing begins on Office Live, Windows Live Mail and MSN Spaces.
Microsoft Developing Web's Largest Advertising Network: Ad testing begins on Office Live, Windows Live Mail and MSN Spaces. "Microsoft Corp. today announced it has begun testing display advertisements across Microsoft® Office Live, Windows Live™ Mail and MSN® Spaces. The multimarket tests include advertisements from such global companies as Coca-Cola Brazil, JCPenney Co. Inc. and Monster Worldwide Inc. and mark the beginning of providing advertisers with broader access to Microsoft’s valuable online audience. This effort will help generate revenue to provide consumers with a wide array of free and low-cost online services such as Web hosting, e-mail and Web services.
...
MSN attracts more than 465 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 42 markets and 21 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering compelling programmed content experiences to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide."
...
MSN attracts more than 465 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 42 markets and 21 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering compelling programmed content experiences to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide."
Movie theaters may ask to jam cell phones - Yahoo! News
Movie theaters may ask to jam cell phones - Yahoo! News: "Movie theater owners faced with falling attendance are considering asking federal authorities for permission to jam cell phone reception in an attempt to stop annoying conversations during films, the head of the industry's trade group said on Tuesday."
WSJ.com - Sony Delays Release Of PlayStation 3 Until November
WSJ.com - Sony Delays Release Of PlayStation 3 Until November: "Sony Corp. postponed the release of its much awaited PlayStation 3 machine until November because of delays in finalizing its next-generation disk technology.
The company's Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. unit earlier had set the launch of the next-generatioin videogame console for this spring. The PlayStation 3 is critical for Sony's profits and brand image, so the delay is seen as a major setback for the Japanese electronics and entertainment company as it struggles to mount a recovery after several years of poor earnings."
The company's Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. unit earlier had set the launch of the next-generatioin videogame console for this spring. The PlayStation 3 is critical for Sony's profits and brand image, so the delay is seen as a major setback for the Japanese electronics and entertainment company as it struggles to mount a recovery after several years of poor earnings."
PCWorld.com - Privacy Watch: How Much Does Google Know About You?
PCWorld.com - Privacy Watch: How Much Does Google Know About You?: "If you use Google, for instance, and are not blocking cookies, the search engine likely has placed a cookie on your system that won't expire until 2038. That cookie lets Google track what you searched for, when you conducted the search, and which results you clicked. The cookie doesn't identify you by name, but it does identify you by your system's information and IP address."
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Software Notebook: Helping PCs peer into the minds of users
Software Notebook: Helping PCs peer into the minds of users: "The personal computer as mind reader? Not quite, but some Microsoft researchers believe they may be able to improve the computing experience by giving the machine on your desk a general sense for what's happening inside your head.
The project builds on established methods of using sensors to detect electrical impulses from the brain and assess a person's cognitive state. Such techniques can determine, for example, whether someone's mind is relaxed, crunching numbers or imagining objects at any particular moment."
We are Borg...
The project builds on established methods of using sensors to detect electrical impulses from the brain and assess a person's cognitive state. Such techniques can determine, for example, whether someone's mind is relaxed, crunching numbers or imagining objects at any particular moment."
We are Borg...
FTPOnline.com: Live Messenger Ignites IM Mash-Up Wars
FTPOnline.com: "To check out the programming facilities MSN is exposing, go to Messenger Gadget for Live.com. {Gadgets are new Microsoft-speak for small applets from Vista and Windows Live.} It allows people to launch Messenger Bots and Activities (some mashups) right from the Gadget as long as they are running MSN Messenger 7.5, Windows Live Messenger 8.0, or later. There is an overview of Gadget development and a blog on Gadget development has updates, and the Gadget Builder has more information. Other pages are Getting Started with Live.com Gadgets, and Building a simple gadget for Live.com. They'll also give you information on using DHTML and Ajax, while you're at it."
Amazon's Newest Product: Storage
Amazon's Newest Product: Storage: "Huh? That's right, the online store with 'Earth's biggest selection' of everything from books to zithers will announce Tuesday morning that it's adding a new and different kind of service: an unlimited data storage service aimed at software developers who are creating new Web sites and services."
Very smart -- read the entire article.
Very smart -- read the entire article.
French plan would open iTunes to other devices
French plan would open iTunes to other devices: "France is pushing through a law that would force Apple Computer Inc to open its iTunes online music store and enable consumers to download songs onto devices other than the computer maker's popular iPod player."
I guess Apple "FairPlay" didn't translate into French...
I guess Apple "FairPlay" didn't translate into French...
Killing me softly with salad dressing choices | News.blog | CNET News.com
Killing me softly with salad dressing choices News.blog CNET News.com: "Those who live in North America and Western Europe have more options in terms of food, careers, consumer items and everything else, said Barry Schwartz, Swarthmore professor and author of 'Why Less is More' at PC Forum taking place in Carlsbad, Calif. this week. And that's the problem.
...
Interestingly, the speech was pitched at a room full of execs and venture capitalists that spend their time concocting the next big thing."
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Interestingly, the speech was pitched at a room full of execs and venture capitalists that spend their time concocting the next big thing."
Microsoft Strives to Help Make Internet Use Safer, More Family-Friendly
Microsoft Strives to Help Make Internet Use Safer, More Family-Friendly: "This customizable, dynamic safety service will help consumers better protect themselves and their families through content filtering for the Web, contact list management tools for communication services such as e-mail and instant messenger, and online/usage activity reports. It also will expand upon current parental control technologies by providing more options for families. For instance, one feature will warn users before they enter a site that has been deemed inappropriate and then logs the activity if the user chooses to proceed to the site ? a tool to help parents understand how their children may be using the Internet.
I should also mention that Windows Live Family Safety Settings will also work in concert with the family safety offerings built into the upcoming Windows Vista, which, when used together, will help provide families with valuable layers of protection through both Web- and PC-based safety settings. "
Brilliant PR to do this in conjunction with the American Academy of Pediatrics; read the full Q&A for a timely reality check.
I should also mention that Windows Live Family Safety Settings will also work in concert with the family safety offerings built into the upcoming Windows Vista, which, when used together, will help provide families with valuable layers of protection through both Web- and PC-based safety settings. "
Brilliant PR to do this in conjunction with the American Academy of Pediatrics; read the full Q&A for a timely reality check.
Microsoft to offer free parental Web monitoring - Yahoo! News
Microsoft to offer free parental Web monitoring - Yahoo! News: "Microsoft plans to roll out Windows Live Family Safety Settings in the summer, which will allow parents to filter Web sites and receive reports to see what their children are doing online.
The company also plans to eventually allow parents to control who communicates with their children over e-mail, instant messaging and in their blogs.
....
The software giant already offers a similar service under its subscription-based MSN premium, but Microsoft said customers are increasingly asking for the service to be free."
Cool -- these features are the primary reason I pay $99.95/year for MSN Premium today...
The company also plans to eventually allow parents to control who communicates with their children over e-mail, instant messaging and in their blogs.
....
The software giant already offers a similar service under its subscription-based MSN premium, but Microsoft said customers are increasingly asking for the service to be free."
Cool -- these features are the primary reason I pay $99.95/year for MSN Premium today...
WSJ.com - Google, U.S. Set For Court Face-Off Over Search Data
WSJ.com - Google, U.S. Set For Court Face-Off Over Search Data: "The government hopes to use the Google data to defend its Child Online Protection Act, a law designed to shield minors from sexually explicit material on the Internet. The Supreme Court has blocked implementation of the act.
In seeking the Google data, the Bush administration intends to defend the act in federal court in Pennsylvania against the ACLU's claim it violates the Constitution's First Amendment right to free speech. The government argues the Google information will help it determine whether filtering software can satisfactorily keep minors from offensive material online or whether the stronger measures of the act are needed.
In legal papers, the Justice Department said it might be willing to accept a smaller random sample of Web site addresses to ease worries that Google trade secrets might be revealed."
In seeking the Google data, the Bush administration intends to defend the act in federal court in Pennsylvania against the ACLU's claim it violates the Constitution's First Amendment right to free speech. The government argues the Google information will help it determine whether filtering software can satisfactorily keep minors from offensive material online or whether the stronger measures of the act are needed.
In legal papers, the Justice Department said it might be willing to accept a smaller random sample of Web site addresses to ease worries that Google trade secrets might be revealed."
Monday, March 13, 2006
FTPOnline.com: Orcas and the Future of Visual Studio
FTPOnline.com: Orcas and the Future of Visual Studio: "FTPOnline: What is Orcas, what is its focus, and what is its status?
Sam [Guckenheimer, Lead Product Planner for Orcas]: Visual Studio code-named 'Orcas' delivers on Microsoft's vision of smart client applications by enabling developers to rapidly create data driven, connected applications that deliver the highest quality rich user experiences, providing full support for the Windows Vista and Office System smart client platforms. Beyond that, Visual Studio code-named 'Orcas' enterprise capabilities enable developers in any size organization to rapidly create more secure, manageable & reliable applications using key technologies such as the Microsoft Business Framework and Dynamic Systems Initiative. As per the current status, our teams have now started developing on this vision, and we will know more about timelines and release mechanisms around TechEd in June."
Sam [Guckenheimer, Lead Product Planner for Orcas]: Visual Studio code-named 'Orcas' delivers on Microsoft's vision of smart client applications by enabling developers to rapidly create data driven, connected applications that deliver the highest quality rich user experiences, providing full support for the Windows Vista and Office System smart client platforms. Beyond that, Visual Studio code-named 'Orcas' enterprise capabilities enable developers in any size organization to rapidly create more secure, manageable & reliable applications using key technologies such as the Microsoft Business Framework and Dynamic Systems Initiative. As per the current status, our teams have now started developing on this vision, and we will know more about timelines and release mechanisms around TechEd in June."
Wired 14.03: Can Microsoft Save the Net?
Wired 14.03: Posts: "Now, with the debut of the Info?Card identity management system, Microsoft is leading a network-wide effort to address the issue. To those of us long skeptical of the technology giant's intentions, the plan seems too good to be true. Yet the solution is not only right, it could be the most important contribution to Internet security since cryptography.
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Again, if this sounds scary to those suspicious of Microsoft, it shouldn't. It's a protocol - a set of rules for exchanging information - not a Microsoft product. Any company can provide certified protection for data using the protocol, and many will. So unlike Microsoft's Passport system, the dubious personal info repository that alarmed many people a few years ago, no central administrator decides how privacy is protected or trust secured. Instead, the protocol solves the problem of security the same way the Internet solved the problem of browsers - through competition on an open, neutral platform. This is infrastructure for a digital age. It's TCP/IP for privacy and security.
None of this means there isn't a role for (smart) government policy and laws against online fraud or theft. There plainly is. But if this identity layer sticks, then there is a wider range of solutions to the problem. In particular, there is one that seemed impossible to me just a year ago, one that's consistent with the decentralized design of the Internet. That's an extraordinary gift to the online world, from a giant that increasingly depends on the Net's extraordinary design."
Lawrence Lessig on InfoCard (via Barry Briggs)
Compaq founder pushing to build academic library online | CNET News.com
Compaq founder pushing to build academic library online CNET News.com: "Ever wonder where Compaq founder Rod Canion is? He's with Questia Media, which wants to bring a university-class library to a high school near you.
The Houston-based company is gathering academic and textbook publishers like John Wiley and Sons and putting their works on the Web. For $20 a month, or $100 for a full-year subscription, individuals can get full access to peer-review articles, textbooks and other academic publications online. High schools can access the database too, for about 85 percent of the cost, said CEO Troy Williams.
...
Although most people haven't heard of the company, Google has. Questia was one of the early big purchasers of AdWords on Google. CEO Eric Schmidt called once a few years ago to ask who they were and what they were up to, Williams recalled."
The Houston-based company is gathering academic and textbook publishers like John Wiley and Sons and putting their works on the Web. For $20 a month, or $100 for a full-year subscription, individuals can get full access to peer-review articles, textbooks and other academic publications online. High schools can access the database too, for about 85 percent of the cost, said CEO Troy Williams.
...
Although most people haven't heard of the company, Google has. Questia was one of the early big purchasers of AdWords on Google. CEO Eric Schmidt called once a few years ago to ask who they were and what they were up to, Williams recalled."
Alive and Well in Silicon Alley - New York Times
Alive and Well in Silicon Alley - New York Times: "Though few new-media entrepreneurs would say it loudly for fear of jinxing themselves, Silicon Alley is buzzing again. In recent months a number of Manhattan new-media companies have been involved in heady high-dollar deals that carried a faint but alluring whiff of the good old days. Start-ups are once again popping up like mushrooms in Manhattan, and last May the New York Software Industry Association opened a technology incubator at its headquarters at 55 Broad Street. It now houses 14 new companies."
Oracle Introduces Oracle(R) SQL Developer - Free, Database Development Tool: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
Oracle Introduces Oracle(R) SQL Developer - Free, Database Development Tool: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance: "Oracle today announced the general availability of Oracle SQL Developer (formerly code named Project Raptor), a new, free, database development tool. Designed for Oracle Database developers, Oracle SQL Developer simplifies development cycles and reduces the need to buy third-party tools for developing and debugging SQL and PL/SQL code. The introduction of this tool underscores Oracle's commitment to improving the productivity and supporting the needs of the database development community."
WSJ.com - IBM Expands Consulting Service
WSJ.com - IBM Expands Consulting Service: "Hoping to boost slumping revenue from its consulting operations, International Business Machines Corp. will begin selling some services to small and medium-sized businesses through regional resellers.
IBM has provided the bulk of its consulting services to major companies on high-priced projects. But revenue from IBM's Business Consulting Services group fell 6% in the fourth quarter, prompting the company to pursue consulting arrangements with smaller businesses."
IBM has provided the bulk of its consulting services to major companies on high-priced projects. But revenue from IBM's Business Consulting Services group fell 6% in the fourth quarter, prompting the company to pursue consulting arrangements with smaller businesses."
How Office got its groove - The Boston Globe
How Office got its groove - The Boston Globe: "With the sun rising over the Cascade Mountains, the Massachusetts technology sage tasked with refocusing Microsoft Corp. for a new era was pondering his assignment.
''The biggest threat for Microsoft or for any technology company is if you stand still,' Ray Ozzie said. ''You have to reflect on the environment and how you shift your business strategy.'"
Nice snapshot of Ray Ozzie's role at Microsoft, a year after Microsoft announced plans to acquire Groove Networks.
''The biggest threat for Microsoft or for any technology company is if you stand still,' Ray Ozzie said. ''You have to reflect on the environment and how you shift your business strategy.'"
Nice snapshot of Ray Ozzie's role at Microsoft, a year after Microsoft announced plans to acquire Groove Networks.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Pandemic planning: ultimate collaboration
Pandemic planning: ultimate collaboration "A pandemic's unpredictability and lack of planning time leave no room for duplication of effort. Technologies such as wikis are particularly well suited to this problem. Wikiware recently has emerged as an effective way to allow many users to simultaneously contribute to shared documents. Most relevant to pandemic preparation is www.fluwikie.com, perhaps the world's most comprehensive repository for pandemic-related news and views. Although the business-continuity section is less detailed than its other areas, this can change in hours if companies begin to post their own continuity plans, for example, and create Q&A threads."
Microsoft: IPTV to reach critical mass this year | InfoWorld
Microsoft: IPTV to reach critical mass this year InfoWorld: "At least four major telecommunications carriers will be offering services on Microsoft's (Profile, Products, Articles) IPTV platform to hundreds of thousands of users by the end of the year, a Microsoft executive predicted on Friday at the Cebit trade show in Hanover, Germany.
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Worldwide forecast for IPTV subscribers by digital consumer market research firm The Diffusion Group seem to match Microsoft's optimism for IPTV subscribers. The group predicts that by 2007, subscribers for IPTV will hit 8.9 million worldwide; by 2010, the number of IPTV subscribers should climb to 37.8 million worldwide."
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Worldwide forecast for IPTV subscribers by digital consumer market research firm The Diffusion Group seem to match Microsoft's optimism for IPTV subscribers. The group predicts that by 2007, subscribers for IPTV will hit 8.9 million worldwide; by 2010, the number of IPTV subscribers should climb to 37.8 million worldwide."
GigaOM : Six Apart Buys Splash Blog
GigaOM : ? Six Apart Buys Splash Blog "Another day, another acquisition. Six Apart has acquired mobile blogging software company Splash Data, that makes Splash Blog for an undisclosed amount of money. I have been able to confirm it. The news of the deal first showed up here."
Security vendors: Windows OneCare won't cut it - Computerworld
Security vendors: Windows OneCare won't cut it - Computerworld: "'There is absolutely nothing new or revolutionary in Vista or OneCare from a security perspective,' [Rowan] Trollope [Symantec's vice president of consumer products and solutions] said. 'They've certainly made improvements in terms of catching up to where the market was but at the end of the day it's protection against last year's threats.'
By the third quarter, Symantec is planning to release a product called Genesis that would combine several security elements together with minimal effects on the performance of a computer, Trollope said. Genesis will have antivirus, antispyware and antiphishing technology built into one product, he said. The price of Genesis hasn't been released, he said."
By the third quarter, Symantec is planning to release a product called Genesis that would combine several security elements together with minimal effects on the performance of a computer, Trollope said. Genesis will have antivirus, antispyware and antiphishing technology built into one product, he said. The price of Genesis hasn't been released, he said."
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