The download period for Windows 7 was supposed to end Jan. 9 (which is both my sister's and Richard Nixon's birthday!). But due to overwhelming demand -- and a glitch or two -- many IT pros
couldn't get the thing. And that was too bad, as the beta already appears to be better than Vista, and Windows 7 isn't even anywhere close to shipping (this is less of a knock on Vista as it is praise for Windows 7).
To satisfy high demand and get a large test base, Windows 7 will be available for free 'til Jan. 24.
Look for a huge special report on Windows 7 driven by you, the Redmond Report reader, on the cover of the March issue of Redmond magazine.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has shipped a beta of Windows 7 remote admin tools that let IT control Windows Servers for Windows desktops. The tools can also manage Hyper-V. If you decide to dive into these features, let me know at [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on January 14, 20090 comments
Sometimes, Microsoft chooses cool names for uncool products, like Vista or Bob. Other times, it picks lame names for hot stuff. Take Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta 1, which is
now available for testing. Windows Server 2008 is a heckuvan operating system with a snoozer of a name.
One of the hottest new features of R2 is Live Migration of Hyper-V virtual machines, so if an application fails it can be moved seamlessly to a server that actually works. VMware just loves to poke Microsoft over its lack of Live Migration. Poke no more -- Live Migration is relatively close to actual release.
Posted by Doug Barney on January 14, 20090 comments
More readers share their reasons for using Internet Explorer -- with varying degrees of enthusiasm:
For my purposes, there is one HUGE benefit in using IE: the extensive options in the print preview function. We have a SaaS application that has been around for about eight years now. It was developed using frames (I know, I know, not the best choice, but eight years ago it was a great one). IE is the only browser that allows me to do a print preview of just the selected frame with no muss and no fuss. The other browsers either don't provide that option or they don't implement it correctly (i.e., they don't apply the "@media print" rules in the preview window). I don't recall if this was in IE 7 or not, but the other thing is the ease of use of the "print selected text," which also shows up in print preview.
Most of the other browsers have finally started implementing the shrink-to-fit feature. Now, if they'd only get the rest of the print preview features implemented, then I'd be ecstatic.
-Doug
IE is all I use, unless something else is required. And my company uses all .NET-based Web apps, so we have to. I have yet to have an issue where it would not work. No reason to switch.
-David
I haven't used IE in years, except when I absolutely have to -- like for forcing Windows updates. I avoid it like the plague. Until MS drops ActiveX, IE will be nothing but an attack vector for malware creators and crooks.
-Glenn
Because of ActiveX, I have to use IE. At work, we use BMC Service Desk Express for our helpdesk software, and eTime for our employees' "time clock."
Both require IE. And there are still a lot of Web sites that will not work without IE (for example, try to watch an online movie at Netflix).
For the most part, I use Firefox. It has good plug-ins to make it easier to use. Chrome hangs and shuts down too often, and Safari is just a pain to use.
-James
The one thing for me that keeps IE in use is SQL Server Reporting Services. Microsoft managed make SSRS so it is only rendered correctly in IE. Anything else and you end up with about three lines of report showing in the top left-hand corner (with scroll bars), with the remainder of the screen blank.
-Sam
Do I use IE? Only because I have to, for Microsoft Update. Do I use Chrome? Not at all. Firefox is the browser of choice. Why? The add-ons (Adblock Plus, Exit Viewer, NoScript, DownThemAll, All-in-One Sidebar). The browser...well, it works. But what sold me was the add-ons. What I found in 10 minutes for Firefox was far better than anything I found for IE 7.
-Paul
I don't even have IE installed on my Macs (four of them) and I don't use it on my PC. I never liked IE and Microsoft, but it has little to do with my choice. IE was late to incorporate the tabs and it's been unimpressively designed and somewhat unstable. Thank God (Steve Jobs and Co.) for Safari, which now works on Windows, too. I use Firefox extensively, even on the Macs.
-Gyula
IE 8's performance isn't in the same playing field as the Small Three (Firefox, Chrome, Safari). Sure, taking three to 10 times as long as the competition for JS operations is a huge improvement over previous versions of IE, but it's not exactly the sort of thing you want to encourage people to use, now is it?
-Anonymous
We want to know what you think! Leave a comment below or send an e-mail to [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on January 14, 20090 comments
Microsoft gave out only
one patch during yesterday's light Patch Tuesday. The flaw, which wasn't public 'til yesterday's patch came out, involves the Microsoft Server Message Block Protocol and affects XP, Vista, Windows 2000, and Server 2003 and 2008. Hackers could use the hole to take over workstations, execute code remotely (that old bugaboo) and compromise domain controllers.
Meanwhile, if you think Microsoft has a lot of holes, take a look at Oracle. The database company ships its patches every three months and the latest was a doozy, with over 40 fixes. Your database administrators may be far busier this week than your Window admins!
Posted by Doug Barney on January 14, 20090 comments
Patch Tuesday isn't the most accurate way to describe the second Tuesday of every month; it should be called "Patches" Tuesday since there's always more than one fix.
But this week it actually lives up to its name, as only one repair is scheduled for release. This critical patch fixes a remote code flaw in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003 and XP. So if you have a golf date tomorrow, you may be able to keep it!
Posted by Doug Barney on January 12, 20090 comments
As promised, here are just a few of your responses to Doug's
question last week about why some of you use Internet Explorer (more to come Wednesday!):
IE can be installed silently and pushed to remote workstations. Firefox requires a GUI install (try doing that on 1,000 workstations). Firefox does have an "undocumented" silent install switch, but using it results in Firefox taking over as the default browser. For some this might be OK, but not for us.
IE also has integrated Windows authentication, configuration via Group Policy and better security (see "Firefox tops list of 12 most vulnerable apps").
-Vern
I guess I am a IE bigot, but the biggest things that matter to me is that it's generally the standard for Web-browsing and most of the time, when a browser recommendation is made by a Web site, IE is at the top of the list -- or is the only one on the list.
As for the paranoiacs that have to run Firefox to "be protected from the bad men," you can lock IE down if that is your desire. Or you can stay away from the "Hackers 'R-Us.net" and the "DownloadPiratedStuffHere.com" sites.
-Dan
I use IE 8 because sometimes I want my browser to pop up before I have to get to bed. That's the bast advantage of having the thing tied to the OS. Firefox is still a slow pig to start. That being said, Firefox is my default browser because it's just smarter and it's quicker once loaded. I still depise it's bookmark management, or lack thereof. IE's URL management is dead simple.
-Dan
IE is compatible with more sites and manages downloads easier. Easy to manage, easy to support -- those are the main reasons for staying with. Oh, and it's secure (if managed properly, and having a few plug-ins helps).
-John
I use IE 7 (and 8 beta). Primary reason is that in my support role, I am often accessing Microsoft sites and, unless one uses the appropriate plug-ins, I find it awkward to stream Microsoft videos in Firefox. Thus, it is just simpler to stay with IE!
-Peter
Marc shares his thoughts on how Windows 7 will stack up against Vista, while Bruce wonders how the new OS will affect Microsoft's bottom line:
Just as XP was (in 2001) really little more than an extension of Windows 2000, Windows 7 is an extension of Vista. Vista is (and hence Windows 7 will be) sluggish with 1GB of RAM or less, but RAM is very inexpensive these days; for an extra $25 to $30, any PC can have 2GB -- plenty of RAM for all but the most hardcore gamer. Buy 4GB of RAM for only a few dollars more and hit the 32-bit ceiling. I expect Windows 7 to be the last 32-bit OS Microsoft offers.
Finally, Windows 7 will, by definition, clean up the inefficient code which plagued Vista RTM and, to a lesser extent, Vista SP1. Vista SP2 will be only marginally slower than Windows 7 RTM.
-Marc
I haven't played with Windows 7 because I don't have a machine to put it on, but to me Vista was just officially given the kiss of death by the potential announcement of possible free upgrades to Win 7. This is NOT good for Microsoft's books. Microsoft is big and has a lot of products, but this is going to hit its wallet -- the question is how hard. A person may say, "Well, now Vista sales will go up." Yes, they will, but that means for every sale of Vista, there won't be a sale for Windows 7.
And some issues like devices not working may get worse. I'm thinking about the medical market; since Windows 7 isn't out yet, this probably further delays medical devices being certified, reason being I can't see the FDA approving them for Vista and then giving them wink-nod-of-the-head approval for Windows 7. So why put a device on an OS that isn't going to be around much longer? That also means that XP will probably be extended AGAIN until Win 7 is out the door. Memo to Microsoft: Actively work with the medical industry to get its devices on your new OS so that it has its approvals when you start shipping. If doctors use it and trust it, then you have something.
-Bruce
Last week, Doug asked readers to name their most and least favorite high-tech execs. Here are a few of your votes:
Least favorite high-tech exec: Larry Ellison. He's the anti-Steve Jobs.
-Anonymous
Top exec: Mark Templeton at Citrix Systems.
-Marc
And when it comes to how software pirates are punished, Francis echoes the sentiment most of you expressed last week:
Let's face the truth. This menial sentence (and only 11 persons convicted) is a slap on the wrist at best. I don't want to hear crap about how harsh Chinese prisons are. When China is one of the top three countries for hackers, spam, spyware, malware, etc., what does it matter about software piracy?
China is simply doing this as a way to show that they are part of the world community. Bullsh*t. China is not part of the world community and never will be unless we give in to their way. International law means nothing to them. They don't give a damn about any of this or they would take a harder stance on all computer crimes. These 11 persons, although it is said they are going to prison, are probably going to end up in a luxury hotel provided by the government for doing a great job.
-Francis
More reader letters coming your way on Wednesday! In the meantime, tell us what you think by leaving a comment below or sending an e-mail to [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on January 12, 20090 comments
ormer Microsoft hotshot Paul Maritz is now
firmly in control of VMware and looking to protect VMware's business against increasingly aggressive Microsoft incursions. Now Maritz has a new ally: former Microsoft teammate and recent Borland CEO Tod Nielsen, who's now
COO of VMware.
There are two interesting elements here. For one, Nielsen remains on the Borland board, meaning Borland could well have a VMware loyalist. And second, Nielsen is assuming an operational position, which seems to undersell some of his technical skills. My guess? Nielsen will be COO, but will play a major strategic role, as well.
As for Borland, the same week Nielsen left, the company passed out 130 pink slips. Happy New Year!
Posted by Doug Barney on January 12, 20090 comments
Microsoft is proud of IE 8 and, from what I hear, it's a pretty good browser (and will be a key part of Windows 7).
But IE 8 isn't for everyone. Many corporations have custom browsers apps, and if a new browser breaks them, there's heck to pay. The answer is an admin tool that blocks the installation of IE 8 until it's fully tested.
I asked last week why some shops use IE, and today's Mailbag section is full of highly intelligent responses. Have a look!
Posted by Doug Barney on January 12, 20090 comments
At this week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Steve Ballmer announced that pretty much anyone can now
download the Windows 7 beta. Of course, you must first have a PC robust enough to run the thing. The good news is that many report that Windows 7 needs fewer resources than Vista -- that's a first!
I love the idea of a broad beta. It means the OS will get a good, solid beating, helping it ship faster and hopefully exterminate the bugs. Early reports from you, the Redmond Report reader, indicate that Windows 7 is faster and cooler than Vista. My plan? Skip Vista and move to Windows 7 when ready (and have a nice Mac lapper just for laughs).
Meanwhile, rumors have surfaced of a program that offers a free upgrade to Windows 7 for new Vista customers. The program, if true, could start this summer.
Posted by Doug Barney on January 09, 20090 comments
Doug asked, you answered. Here are a few of your impressions (mostly favorable, so far) of the Windows 7 beta. Keep 'em coming!
I've been messing with it since build 6801, an so far I'm hesitantly optimistic.
-Michael
I couldn't wait to try out the beta, and being ahead of the curve is nice when it comes to Windows 7. It has a lot of zip and pep. I hope Microsoft fine tunes the home networking of printers, but the OS is superb!
-Bryan
I am a small shop in Southeast Georgia and downloaded the copy of Windows 7 the day it was leaked to the Net. I have installed it on a Dell Optiplex GX260 with a 60GB hard drive and 2GB RAM. The processor is an Intel Pentium (R) 2.4Ghz. My first impression is: I love it. The OS is not as memory-intensive as Vista. So far, the machine has not crashed and has been running since the day of the leak. Some of the advanced features we can't use because the machine's video card is not robust enough. However, everything else is working better than expected. I am even using the RDP to "play" on the machine on my XP desktop.
I have tested Vista and Windows 7 and right now 7 is the winner. Even some of my older applications run better on 7 versus Vista. My staff and I are going to continue to hammer this OS and make it do what Vista couldn't do for us!
-Bill
I installed it on an Asus AMD 64 machine without a flaw. Had a little problem with a Linksys application (for the wireless card). However, "going direct" worked. The USB transfer is the most exciting part. I couldn't believe how fast it was compared to XP. But since I don't have Vista, I can't compare the USB transfer from/to the USB drive.
-Bill
Meanwhile, a few of you wondered about Windows 7's official name -- or whether that will even matter:
Do you have any idea what Windows 7 will be called? We knew about the Vista name long before release but I haven't heard anything about this iteration.
-Matthew
You can call it Windows 7 or anything you want. It's still Vista.
-Anonymous
Doug recently asked for some ideas on how Apple can expand its market, but one reader thinks that's missing the point:
You may want to check your premise and see things a little differently. I don't know that Apple feels a desire or need to expand for the masses. It seems quite profitable and successful as a niche player.
-Anonymous
There was a slip-up in a recent item about game consoles-turned-supercomputers, as one reader rightly points out:
Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't the Xbox 360 use a "triple-core PowerPC processor"?
-Anonymous
And Russ couldn't resist a little dig after Doug compared a do-it-yourself PS3 supercomputer to a Heathkit:
Boy, are you dating yourself or what?
-Russ
Check back in on Monday for more reader letters, including your votes for favorite and least favorite IT execs, and what Windows 7 will mean will mean for Vista. In the meantime, leave a comment below or send an e-mail to [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on January 09, 20090 comments
Google has apparently learned a thing or two about world domination from Microsoft. The latest example? Aggressive moves to
convince users to move to Firefox or Chrome.
Here's how the scheme works: Google sends out a browser alert claiming that Gmail runs faster on up-to-date browsers, then offers links to Firefox and Chrome only. I got a bunch of similar messages from Hotmail, even though I'm on the latest rev of Firefox. If I remember right, it wanted me to upgrade to the latest IE, Firefox and maybe even Safari.
Do you use IE? What are the advantages? Thoughts welcome at [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on January 09, 20090 comments
Gartner has released a
list of 11 ways to save electricity in the datacenter. To get the full report, you'll have to buy it or subscribe to a Gartner service. I'll try to save you a few bucks by summarizing the findings.
First, many datacenters are actually colder than they need to be, so turn down the A/C. There are also holes in raised floors than can be plugged so the hot air underneath doesn't escape.
While thinking about these floors, consider cleaning up the tangle of cables that disrupt air flow. Finally, you can separate cold zones from hot, cooling only what really needs cooling.
Posted by Doug Barney on January 09, 20090 comments