Memorial Day Weekend

May 26, 2006 | blog

We’re off for an extended weekend at Amy’s grandmother’s place for Memorial Day weekend.

I’m going to be back to GPRS for ‘Net access for the next few days, but will try to be posting all weekend. I’ve brought some work with for my real job and for my blogs as well.

My hope is to get some graphic work done as well for Snowmoblog, which I’ve been neglecting for a week or two.

Mac User – A Response

May 25, 2006 | blog

Ok, there is this anonymous commenter on the ‘Activation servers overloaded at Microsoft‘ post on Scobleizer that really dishes it out, but fails to link back to anything of substance, or to give an actual name.  I was going to post the following on the comments there, but decided I did not really want to start a flame war in Robert’s comments, so here is my post that I’ll trackback to that post.

Hi Mac User,
I’m glad you have passion for the OS that you prefer – it makes computing fun.

My issue with your long post here, is simply that you posted anonymously.  Without any links to more discussions you may have had on the topic, or to back up your points with supporting data.

Your long-winded post falls on deaf ears if you don’t have the guts  to mention your real name, or point to your site or supporting documentation.

Ugh, I really dislike anonyous posters, they don’t have any credibility, but obviously have a lot of time on their hands.

Betas, betas, everywhere

May 24, 2006 | blog

About 2-3 months ago I rebuilt my PC from the ground up.  Fresh XP install, sans many desktop apps I normally would have loaded up.  I marveled at the performance increase.  Was stunned at the boot times.  Reveled in the un-crowded desktop and Start Menu.

Well that lasted about 2 months.

Lets see…

  • Internet Explorer Beta 2
  • Office 2007 Plus Professional Beta 2
  • Office OneNote 2007 Beta 2
  • Office Visio 2007 Beta 2
  • Office Project 2007 Beta 2
  • Media Player 11 Beta
  • VMware Server Beta
  • Windows Defender Beta

Well, I guess I can’t help myself.  Guess I’ll have to start over again..

…now where did I put that fresh Vista Beta 2 DVD that I just burned?

Word 2007 – Incorrect date when blog posting…

May 24, 2006 | blog

Boy they were not kidding… I thought that when I tried posting from Word 2007 that it didn’t actually post.  Well it did – in 1969.  Fantastic this new Microsoft technology, transported 37 years back in time just to post to my blog.  Yeah I’m being snarky – and I really mean it in good humor, as I had read information indicating that many people were seeing incorrect dates when posting to blogs.

I’ll leave the ‘old’ posts out there for a little while, (though I will delete them evenually).  Its kind of funny to see the Archive in the sidebar on the right list:

  • May 2006
  • April 2006
  • March 2006
  • February 2006
  • December 1969

Well have fun!

By the way – you can read a bit of info on Word’s blog-related need-to-knows here.

Beta 2 of Office 2007 & Vista

May 24, 2006 | blog

Hey, I just want to point out to anyone who is trying to download either Windows Vista Beta 2 or Office 2007 Beta 2 that the download servers are getting hit hard.  I’ve read some comments around the blogosphere that MS did not plan well for the release, that there should have been more servers dedicated to the release.

Well that’s all well and good to whine & complain express your viewpoint, but I’d like to see most any project manager try to gauge the market interest in beta software and plan accordingly.  Especially when there are so many people talking trash voicing their concern about your products; it gets hard to scope out the potential number of downloads, times, d/l rates, the increase in broadband connections from the last major d/l offered, etc…  There are dozens of constantly changing variables in planning for a release like this, and it is nearly impossible to get it 100% at the ‘launch’ – I don’t care who you are or what you produce and sell.

You know, for so many people criticizing Microsoft on their disappointment in the Vista feature set, or their business practices, or whatever other ‘evil’ is credited to them, it is impressive that there are so many people trying out the next versions of their core products.  Myself, I’m not surprised – Microsoft has made several significant changes in the last few years.  I’ve seen it in the quality of software, timeliness of security patches & updates, the openness of the company, and the helpfulness of the employees that I’ve worked with on a few projects.

Now that so many people are getting Office B2 and Vista B2 to ‘test’ – here is my $.02 for you.  This is your chance to improve the product.  The next few months while Beta 2 gets polished into release candidates, and ultimately RTM – you have the chance to improve the product.

Do you remember all the things in XP, 2000, or NT that drove you nuts?  What if you would have had the chance to at least point them out to MS, so there may have been some focus on the issue before you bought the software.  Take this opportunity to submit your feedback to MS – all the contact info is on the Office Beta 2 and Vista Beta 2 websites.

Now… enjoy!

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