MSDN 2.0

A year ago, Microsoft updated its TechNet Web site with a large focus on modernizing the navigation. Now Jeff Schwartz, a writer for Redmond Developer News (our dev book that focuses on management issues -- check 'er out here ) reports that MSDN is getting a similar facelift More

Posted by Doug Barney on April 21, 20080 comments


Microsoft Builds a Simple OS

Microsoft may be in a position to replace Windows with its own new OS, after all. Microsoft Research has a brand-new, stripped-down, ready-to-rock OS development called Singularity .

The new OS is designed from scratch to resist attacks such as buffer overflows and actually checks code for stability and compatibility before it runs. It all sounds great. But, then again, Microsoft will have to do something about all that backward compatibility.

Posted by Doug Barney on April 14, 20080 comments


Windows Client Collapse?

Last week, I voiced a few concerns over Gartner's analysis of virtualization . The esteemed group argued that PC virtualization will spell the end of "the monolithic, general-purpose operating system" (read: Windows).

I did an analysis of Windows on the desktop and found it almost impossible to kill. Compatibility, OEMs and the economics of Windows PCs will keep the OS large and in charge for years to come. There's simply nothing that can replace it. The Mac, Linux, mobile devices -- all just nibble around the edges of the Microsoft monopoly.

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Posted by Doug Barney on April 14, 20080 comments


Redmond Helps Hardware Gurus Innovate

While Microsoft Research preps Singularity , the same group has also built a unique system to test out new hardware designs.

On the surface, it seems like a killer PC, one a geeky teenage game freak might own. It's got a boatload of computer and network interfaces and 64 gigs of RAM. But unlike that sick gaming system, Microsoft's BEE3 has a bunch of programmable arrays, so designers can turn it into anything they want without having to build new chips first.

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Posted by Doug Barney on April 14, 20080 comments


Real Security Needed for Virtual Environments

At the recent RSA Security Conference, the talk wasn't just about patches, hackers from Bulgaria and the latest virus. Much of the conversation revolved around security for virtual shops .

The concept is surprisingly simple and alarmingly scary. If you have 1,000 VMs, a single attack can compromise them all. Vendors are just now starting to address these issues, and, fortunately, we haven't had that one killer attack that makes us all rethink the drive to virtualize. VMware is helping by sharing APIs with security companies, who are now starting to build VM-specific tools.

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Posted by Doug Barney on April 14, 20080 comments


Microsoft Getting Yahoo Cold Feet?

I have written many newsletter items and even a full-fledged editorial arguing that Yahoo isn't worth nearly $44 billion, and buying it is a backward move for Microsoft.

Maybe Microsoft read some of this stuff or is just getting cold feet. At the very least, Microsoft is reportedly wondering if Yahoo is worth the original bid or if the bean counters from Redmond should knock it down a few bills.

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Posted by Doug Barney on April 07, 20080 comments


Patch Tuesday Already?

I feel like apologizing every time I write about Patch Tuesday, which is exactly 12 times a year.

The reason I'm so sheepish is that every story is nearly the same, describing remote execution exploits, Internet Explorer holes...you get the picture. But like covering every nuance of the Iraq war or the fight for the Democratic nomination, it's painful, boring and necessary. At least I'll try to keep it short.

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Posted by Doug Barney on April 07, 20080 comments


Gartner Says Virtualization Is Hot, So It Must Be True

When it comes to reputation, Gartner is as well-respected as the pope, John McCain and Mother Teresa put together -- despite the fact that a decade ago, Gartner overestimated the cost of owning PCs by about ten-fold. It seems that somehow the gurus from Stamford, Conn. can do no wrong.

In the case of virtualization, Gartner is mostly right, but I have a few bones to pick. First, Gartner says that through 2012, virtualization is the "highest-impact trend in [the] infrastructure and operations market." Check.

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Posted by Doug Barney on April 07, 20080 comments


Hyper-V: As Easy as Pie (Once You Configure the Stove!)

Our new magazine/Web site/blog/newsletter Virtualization Review is fully up and running. In fact, we just printed and shipped tens of thousands of copies of the very first issue.

Leading our virtualization charge is former Redmond Editor Keith Ward, now editor of Virtualization Review. (Keith is so good, we hire him back every time he leaves for what he thinks are greener pastures. Now he knows the truth: Ain't nothing greener than virtualization!)

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Posted by Doug Barney on March 31, 20080 comments


Bill on Immigration (Bill Gates, That Is)

I try to avoid being political in this newsletter, but in this case I'm making an exception.

Here's the backdrop: Bill Gates has long argued for loosening our Visa rules so companies such as Microsoft can bring in smart people. Bill made this same case in a speech a few weeks ago in front of the U.S. House of Representatives.

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Posted by Doug Barney on March 31, 20080 comments


Google Earth Hour: Feel Good While Doing Nothing

Last week, Google turned its page black to raise awareness of energy conservation.

My first thought turned to hypocrisy. Google uses millions of kilowatt hours powering massive server farms so we can look for Kim Kardashian videos.

Turns out, there was a deeper irony. Apparently, it takes more electricity to power a black screen than a light one.

Posted by Doug Barney on March 31, 20080 comments


Enterprise Search, Take 4

Microsoft is taking a fresh stab at enterprise search with Windows Search 4.0 , designed largely for Windows shops.

This is a pretty big area, and one that is very easy to test. Any clown can tell you which search works best -- that's why Google rules in Web and desktop searches. It only takes one or two queries before the depth of its indexing proves superior.

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Posted by Doug Barney on March 31, 20080 comments