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  • XP takes baby step into the abyss

    Posted October 22, 2010 - 7:04 am

    Much maligned by the creator that wished we'd all buy its new favorite, Windows XP served loyally through three major versions and the 'upgrade' to Vista, far longer than anyone expected.
  • The greatest Windows tips of all time

    Posted January 6, 2010 - 9:01 am

    If you don't know every one of these 26 tricks and shortcuts, you're not getting your money's worth out of Windows.
  • Windows 7 on Older PCs, Windows 7 on Netbooks

    Posted October 30, 2009 - 10:49 am

    Today I spoke with a Microsoft tech in charge of helping large customers migrate from Windows XP to Windows 7. One of the interesting things he said was that Windows 7 was indeed tweaked and slimmed down to run on lower powered computers than Vista. Let's talk about that, and how Microsoft has a utility to help you load Windows 7 on your netbook.
  • Windows 7 Smells Far Better Than Vista

    Posted October 27, 2009 - 10:16 am

    three years could run Windows 7 64bit. He's right in my case.

  • Three Reasons You'll Upgrade to Windows 7 – Time, Money, and Hassle

    Posted October 19, 2009 - 11:12 am

    A few of you will move toward Macintosh and Linux operating systems for more of your computers, but not enough to hurt Microsoft. Windows 7 will become, for three reasons, the most popular personal computer OS in 2012 (assuming ancient Mayan predictions are wrong and we're still here). Those three reasons? Money, time, and hassle.
  • Are Modern Information Workers Luddites?

    Posted October 14, 2009 - 11:11 am

    Computerworld's interesting story on "8 Ways the American Information Worker Remains a Luddite" carefully hid the fact that people writing for Computerworld, and people like me, too often get excited by shiny objects rather than real work tools. I hope my focus on picking the right tool, rather than the new tool, for the job gives me at least a partial pass. My take? We spend too much time worrying about the glitzy new tools only a fraction of workers use, and ignore ways to get more work done with existing tools, whether hardware or software.
  • Video Support Key to Windows 7 Success on Netbooks

    Posted September 24, 2009 - 12:00 pm

    Windows 7 looms large on the horizon (I look forward to when I can reformat my Vista machine and start over with 7), and netbook users are as anxious as anyone. Will Windows 7 run on your netbook? It all depends on the graphic support chips inside your netbook.
  • Microsoft says turn off Windows feature to protect Windows

    Posted September 20, 2009 - 5:01 pm

    If you can't fix it, and Microsoft can't, rip it out is Microsoft's advice for Windows' SMB2 bug.
  • Windows 7 Upgrade Mess Is Depressing

    Posted September 15, 2009 - 11:19 am

    For an information company, Microsoft seems clueless on providing clear directions and upgrade paths. What upgrade option do you choose? How much does a Windows 7 upgrade cost? Anywhere from $60 to $300, depending on which of the many conflicting stories you believe. And if you want to upgrade from an XP system, your options range somewhere between “no way” and “plan to spend 20+ hours on the project.” Why can we not get a straight answer? What's with the dumb Windows 7 upgrade chart?
  • Will Microsoft's Zombie XP Stagger On Forever?

    Posted September 9, 2009 - 12:44 pm

    Microsoft has said Windows XP will no longer be available a year after Windows 7 ships “We mean it this time, and no XP reprieves anymore. Unless they're really, really necessary,” allegedly said a Microsoft spokesperson. Will XP die a year or so from now, or will Microsoft allow the Zombie, or maybe Xombie, OS to keep roaming free?
  • Microsoft Throws Windows 7 Discount Bone to SMBs: Throw It Back

    Posted September 2, 2009 - 5:37 pm

    Take the bone Microsoft is throwing us with the measly Windows 7 upgrade discount and throw that bone back. If Windows 7 Professional Upgrade isn't worth $199 until Microsoft has had time to add a service pack or at least some tweaks, it's not worth $169 with the discount before the service pack. Ignore this discount.
  • Cash for IT clunkers?

    Posted August 7, 2009 - 9:32 am

    In a just world, Vista would qualify.
  • RTM Day: Windows 7 Should Ship This October

    Posted July 23, 2009 - 1:22 pm

    I admit surprise that Windows 7 is on track to ship this October in time for holiday shopping and end of year tax purchases. Last year, I would have bet money this would not happen. But the more I read about Windows 7, the more I am convinced it may wash the bad taste of Vista away.
  • More Windows 7 on Your Netbook Arguments

    Posted July 21, 2009 - 12:53 pm

    As we get closer to the promised release date of Windows 7 (we'll see if it really does appear in October), both hype and tempers rise. Add in the netbook question, which forced Microsoft to keep XP available since Vista does so poorly on the underpowered netbook processors, and hype and tempers rub together to create some sparks.
  • If Vista Can't Run on a Netbook, Will Windows 7?

    Posted July 20, 2009 - 5:48 pm

    Microsoft changed their tune about providing a brain-dead Windows 7 version limited to running three applications at once for netbook vendors. Now Microsoft says Windows 7's improvements make it perfectly fine for netbooks without such limitations, except for one we'll talk about soon. But if Vista bogs down your netbook, will Windows 7 really be much better?
  • Will Linux and Mac Desktop Adoption Ever Reach the 20 of the 80/20 Rule?

    Posted June 12, 2009 - 2:32 pm

    I've been sitting on this post, because I was hoping to put a more positive spin on the fact that even companies that adopt Linux for desktop computer users rarely if ever provide it to more than 20 percent of their users. In other words, even companies who say they “Love Linux” only put it on one of five desktops.
  • Windows 7 to Ship in October, Install Yours in April

    Posted June 4, 2009 - 12:19 pm

    The comments from Microsofties about dumping your Vista plans make more sense now that Microsoft Sets Windows 7 Launch for October 22. I have to admit surprise that Microsoft will get Windows 7 out the door so quickly, but it also makes me nervous that Windows 7 is really Vista Version 2. That approach makes for a quick upgrade, but not necessarily a better operating system for users, especially small business users.

  • Microsoft says “Kill Vista Plans”

    Posted May 22, 2009 - 2:34 pm

    I remain fascinated by the advice from Bill Veghte, Microsoft's senior vice president for Windows business, when he included the advice “If you're just starting your testing of Vista, with the [Windows 7] Release Candidate and the quality of that offering, I would switch over and do your testing on the Release Candidate and use that going forward,” during a speech. Yes, that's the quote from ComputerWorld' story “Microsoft, Analysts Tell Companies To Kill Vista Plans.

  • Don't worry, Microsoft. 2009 won't be the year of the Linux desktop... nor will 2010, 2011, etc.

    Posted April 22, 2009 - 9:30 pm

    For years, pundits have written about the demise of Windows and the rise of Linux on the desktop. For years, Windows has avoided being pounded into oblivion by the open source movement. Although Windows has lost a little market share in recent years, it's far from a has-been and, I predict, will continue to dominate for years to come... I also predict that Linux at the desktop level will not gain the major traction that many would like to see.
  • Microsoft Allowing Windows 7 to XP Downgrades – Smart or Stupid?

    Posted April 13, 2009 - 10:53 am

    Several sources have reported the news from Microsoft that “Windows XP Downgrades Allowed with Windows 7.” Is that smart of Microsoft to allow the same downgrade option for Windows 7 they reluctantly agreed to for Vista? Does this mean Microsoft executives expect Windows 7 to get the same hostile reaction that Vista received? Or are Microsoft executives becoming more concerned about the happiness of their customers?

  • Microsoft on Windows 7: They did it right this time

    Posted April 10, 2009 - 7:30 am

    When it comes time to Monday morning quarterback Microsoft's work on Windows Vista, it's evident where the company made mistakes along the way. From overpromising and underdelivering to scrapping the code to being late to relatively poor betas, Windows Vista's development cycle was less than ideal. With Windows 7, Microsoft appears to have learned its lesson and, this time, they got it right.
  • Vista Gets Control Alt Delete from Texas Politician

    Posted April 6, 2009 - 6:32 pm

    I love being a Texan. I don't love explaining Texas politics to outsiders, but now I have to. It appears a member of the Texas State Senate added a rider to the budget, proposed and argued about every two years here. ComputerWorld's headline of “Texas State Senate Bans Vista From Use in Government Agencies” isn't quite correct yet, but that's the intent of Sen. Juan Hinojosa, a Democrat from south Texas.

  • Yo, Microsoft: Ignore Vista to Ensure Windows 7 Success

    Posted March 2, 2009 - 1:55 pm

    I refuse to print hype from Microsoft about how wonderful their Windows 7 operating system will be when it ships in a year or two. However, it may be time to start moderating the craziness for small businesses reading the hype elsewhere.
  • Windows 7 Nonsense Gets Sillier

    Posted February 13, 2009 - 1:28 pm

    Various writers and bloggers are all atwitter about Microsoft's new “guidance on Windows deployments for business customers,” a blog from a member of the Windows Product Management team. Amazingly, after sympathizing with customers worried about budgets and upgrading PCs and software, the advice from this Microsoft blog is: send us more money NOW!

  • A hazmat situation

    Posted February 13, 2009 - 11:13 am

    George suits up to take on the lastest Vista virus.
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