SA Customers Get Free Tools

Remember when Microsoft bought application virtualization vendor Softricity? Sure you do. If you're a Software Assurance customer, you'll be getting this virtualization software free as of January . Softricity's SoftGrid is pretty cool. By streaming the apps, software can be deployed more flexibly. Better than that, the software isn't physically installed and doesn't mess with the registry, reducing conflicts. If you don't have SA, SoftGrid will cost you $10 per PC per year. More

Posted by Doug Barney on October 19, 20061 comments


Diluting Spam

As a kid I loved Spam, once pilfering a can from the cupboard and slipping it under my pillow so I’d have fatty, delicious, porkish dreams. As an adult, I hate the stuff -- at least the kind with the lowercase "s."

Hormel, makers of the uppercase form of Spam, is also irritated by unwanted e-mail. In fact, it tried to prevent antispam vendors from disparaging the name "Spam." More

Posted by Doug Barney on October 18, 20060 comments


Virtual License Revamp a Gift for Developers

Microsoft's virtualization software now has true open source-style licensing with the news that developers can run as many operating systems as they like for free and without a license .

Such actions don't seem to faze VMware, which just announced that it's operating a $750 million yearly revenue run rate. Not everyone is afraid of Microsoft.

Posted by Doug Barney on October 18, 20060 comments


Loving Libyan Linux Laptops

I once tried to learn how to spell the name of Moammar Gadhafi only to find that the press had three to four different spellings depending on the magazine or newspaper. Libyan kids can go through the same frustration by using Google and their shiny new $100 Linux laptops, all thanks to Moammar who plans to give over a million youngsters laptops and satellite connections to the Internet More

Posted by Doug Barney on October 18, 20060 comments


Vista Days Away

Microsoft PR may be playing it cagey, but Vista developers aren't. Apparently, the folks in Building 9 have an electronic sign counting down the days until Vista is released to manufacturing. Earlier this week, the ticker said RTM was nine days away. I'm getting chills already (but that's probably just the fall weather here in New England).

Posted by Doug Barney on October 18, 20061 comments


IBM Moves Sourcing Office Closer to the Source

IBM may have sold a big chunk of its business, the laptop business, to Chinese company Lenovo, but that doesn't mean Big Blue's balance of trade is off-kilter. Like any good Fortune 10 company, IBM buys billions worth of goods every year from China. And like any good company with its supply chain act together, IBM is inching closer to the source, moving its global procurement office More

Posted by Doug Barney on October 17, 20060 comments


Vista's Strange Holiday Celebration

How can you party when you miss the party? For Windows Vista, the answer is to make so much noise, people actually think you're there! Microsoft, as I'm sure we all suspected, is working with OEMs to promote Vista-ready PCs and laptops this December, including Vista-ready games, productivity apps and hardware add-ons. What we're really all waiting for are coupons for free upgrades to Vista for any machine bought during the holiday rampage!

Posted by Doug Barney on October 17, 20061 comments


Vista on Time -- This Time

If you're late to work four days in a row, but get there promptly at 9 a.m. on Friday, can you still claim to be on time? If you're Windows Vista, you can! This OS has been late more times than Dagwood Bumstead, but come November, Microsoft promises it will be there on time and with bells on. There will even be a version for Europe next month with all the stuff the EU objects to ripped out.

Posted by Doug Barney on October 17, 20061 comments


St. Bernard Wolfs Down Singlefin

St. Bernard Software is buying Singlefin , which is known for its line of filtering tools that work with the Web, IM and e-mail. These tools can be installed and run by IT, or bought as a managed service.

While I'm sad to lose a third party, if it strengthens St. Bernard for the long run, I'm all for it!

Posted by Doug Barney on October 12, 20060 comments


Bill for President

Here I go writing a bang-up, highly controversial column advising Bill Gates to run for president, and what happens? Nuthin', goose egg, almost no response whatsoever. So come on, loyal readers. Read the column and then comment -- whether you love it or think it's dimmer than a Britney Spears brain wave.

Posted by Doug Barney on October 12, 20060 comments


New Orleans Suffers a Series of Microsoft Blows

I was pleased as Planter's Punch when I heard Microsoft was planning to have Tech-Ed in New Orleans next year. What a great way to help get this city back on its feet. Unfortunately, the city and its airport aren't recovered enough to handle the crowds, so Microsoft had to bow out of Tech-Ed and two other shows More

Posted by Doug Barney on October 12, 20061 comments


Cheap Windows Math

Windows XP Starter Edition is a cool idea. This less expensive version of Windows with fewer features is designed to make it easier for those in poor countries to afford a personal computer. I think it should be available worldwide. Like there aren't poor folks in the United States, Canada, Italy or Germany? (Maybe they should keep it out of Luxembourg and Monaco.)

Over a million copies have been sold, which led an overzealous Microsoft PR type to write this headline: " More

Posted by Doug Barney on October 11, 20060 comments