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.
Find out if SA is right for you by reading my hard-hitting free special report.
Posted by Doug Barney on October 19, 20061 comments
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." The only problem, according to a European court,
is that no one seems to realize that Spam can actually refer to a high-calorie
processed canned meat-style foodstuff.
Posted by Doug Barney on October 18, 20060 comments
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
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.
Meanwhile, I came across a Web site that lists 11 different ways to spell the
Libyan leader’s name -- check it out
here.
Posted by Doug Barney on October 18, 20060 comments
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 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 from the mean streets of New York to the exotic
avenues of Southern China.
Microsoft, which has a pretty rippin' supply chain of its own, is now moving
aggressively into the supply chain software market with Dynamics. The only problem
is figuring out which of the four supply chain solutions to go with!
Posted by Doug Barney on October 17, 20060 comments
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
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 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
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
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. While I may be sad, my liver
sure is happy.
Posted by Doug Barney on October 12, 20061 comments
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: "Windows
XP Starter Edition Milestone: Helping Millions Cross the Digital Divide."
Maybe the math is right; maybe that many people cluster around each individual
PC. There's one trying to create a document, another watching and a third explaining
how to hit ctrl-alt-del all at once!
Posted by Doug Barney on October 11, 20060 comments