Software

Windows XP nears the end

7 Comments / Computers, Software / By /

As an IT consultant, I’ve been through many different incarnations of Windows, and after a long and somewhat painful process, Microsoft finally rolled out a version of Windows that was in many ways pretty good (and this from a sys admin who has spent many an hour using choice epithets to describe Microsoft and their products). Sure, Microsoft still has us installing tons of security patches monthly and protecting every last inch of the OS, but at least we’ve got a pretty stable operating system.

Vista’s launch was not met with a lot of applause, and corporate environments in particular don’t have any desire to upgrade from XP or even 2000 in some cases. But the sad and inevitable news is that XP will be phased out. Microsoft of course is a business that is out to make a profit. You can’t do that if no one is buying your latest product. So here are the important dates in the remaining lifetime of XP that you need know. …

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Mozilla launches Extend Firefox 3 Contest

Networking & Internet, Software / By /

I have to wait for Firefox 3, as much as I want to upgrade now, what with the promise of better memory management and performance increases, because I depend too much on the over 2 dozen extensions that I have. But Mozilla got smart with the upcoming next release of Firefox – they’ve launched a competition (Extend Firefox 3) to recruit developers to create brand new extensions that take advantage of new features in FF 3, as well as to simply upgrade existing extensions so that they continue to work.

Prizes include travel to a Mozilla Developer Day, development gear (including a Macbook Air), and Firefox swag. Come on Firefox community – keep me loving my browser!

PicLens–Firefox Extension is a Photo Library Revolution

3 Comments / Cameras and Photo, Miscellaneous, Software / By /

PicLens The Internet’s collective library of images is vast. A quick Google image search can quickly locate a picture of pretty much anyone or anything. Flickr is not only a great site for hosting your own photo albums, but the ability to search and browse other people’s photos is a pastime in itself. The problem is that in 2008, even with broadband, and 2 gHz processors and gigabytes of RAM, web surfing is still something of a click-load-scroll and click again affair.

PicLens is a Firefox extension for Windows or Mac that takes the flat, utilitarian view of a Google or Flickr image result and turns it into a 3D wall of images. You can zoom in or out, and scroll down the wall with speed that literally might make you dizzy (my wife had to ask me to stop to prevent her vertigo from kicking in). Read on for more details. …

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Dell told Microsoft about Vista issues

Computers, Software / By /

I knew it. Vista simply wasn’t ready for prime time. Some internal documents that emerged from a class-action lawsuit over Vista Capable illustrated that hardware vendor, Dell, pushed back on Microsoft to fix issues with Vista before launching. Microsoft knew fully well of Dell’s feedback as early as Aug 2005.

Microsoft has evolved considerably since their days of dubious business practices and shoddy software. Windows XP is actually a pretty stable OS and I’m not afraid that Windows 2003 Server is about to crash every day, so this news surprises me a bit. On the other hand, I suppose old habits die hard. *sigh*

Skyfire Looks to Save Windows Mobile Web Browsing

Phones, Software / By /

With iPhone users now being treated to a desktop like web experience on a portable device, jealous Windows Mobile users have had to cough up twenty-five smackers for Opera Mobile to get a mediocre (but at least functional) mobile web browser. But it looks like Opera’s stranglehold as the only decent mobile web experience may be coming to and an end when Skyfire makes its first public appearance. Promising a desktop like browsing experience, complete with support for flash, YouTube, ajax, and more, Skyfire looks to be heaven sent for Windows Mobile users.

Check out a video demo of Skyfire and get more info at TechLore.com.

The Technology Week in view: 28th January 2008

Networking & Internet, Phones, Software / By /

This week Microsoft Powershell gets put under the spotlight in Power Shell. If you’ve heard of PowerShell (it used to be called Monad) or you haven’t but you are using Microsoft server systems then you really should be reading more about it so pop it onto your radar now. Powershell is an interesting technology that on the face of it doesn’t indicate much but lift the lid and it really is a revelation. The power of the thing and extensibility is surprising – you’ll soon be loving cmdlets. Here is a little tip if you have been receiving the Event 400 Powershell message in the event logs.
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Most Significant ‘dot release’ of Mac OS X Ever

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According to the Apple Insider, the Mac OS X 10.5.2 (due out next month) will have nearly 100 fixes and could be the most significant ‘dot release’ of Mac OS X ever.

Currently in private testing among developers are twenty new fixes in Mac OS X 10.5.2 build 9C16, which was released during last week’s Macworld Expo including fixes with Time Machine backups and previewing PDF, image and mail attachments. The latest build includes thirty seven core focus areas. Of course, support for Apple’s newly announced Time Capsule backup application and a revised version of the company’s “Stacks” desktop feature are expected to be included.

CES 2008: Guitar Wizard Teaches You to be a Real Guitar Hero

2 Comments / CES, Gaming & Toys, Software / By /

Educational software maker, Music Wizard, who makes the acclaimed Piano Wizard is set to launch the follow-up to that title with one that gives all credit to the Guitar Hero line of games for their decision to make this title. Guitar Wizard claims to teach you how to play guitar and read music in 5 steps by having you lean and play in a game-like environment. Read on for more info and a screenshot of the prototype. …

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CES 2008: Palm Talks about their next generation Linux-based OS

CES, Software / By /

We spoke with Palm and they’re hoping to have their Linux-based OS out by the end of 2008. That’s still a long way away, and the exact plan for it is still up in the air. We asked about how much compatibility they plan to build into it so that the thousands of PalmOS apps out there can still be useful and while they don’t have a firm plan in place, they recognize the value in those applications and in not having to recreate the wheel.

We also asked what they planned to do to engage the Linux developer community, and again, no definitive plan but a desire to get them involved. Obviously the more they get that community involved, the more that their Linux OS can take off. We were definitely encouraged by what we heard.

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