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Thoughts and things I care to shareRebutting some Scoble posts
Now, I’ve subscribed to Scoble’s blog for almost 2 years or so and I really enjoy his writing style and much of what he has to say. Though in the past few days he’s written a few posts I need to comment on.
Maybe it’s because I took the weekend off to spend with the family and reading about three days posts just gets me more motivated to address some things. Keep in mind, I’m not upset with Robert, and I’m certainly not about to stop reading his blog! So I’ll start with the newest and work my way back – it won’t take long, it’s only a few posts:
- Inside new Sharepoint’s RSS, blogs, and wikis – Thanks for the information! I’ve been following the SharePoint product for the past 2-3 years and am very excited for new details on what’s going on. My hope is to have SharePoint brought inside my employer in the next year or so – its just too powerful a platform not to implement. The nice part is that many business and IT leaders are starting to find the usefulness of the product. The only reason it didn’t make it in the door in 2004 was because of restore options for the database – just not flexible enough. One simple question, and when Microsoft and their partners said “well, not in this version” and couldn’t put a timeline on the request – talks dissolved on the project. We’ll see where they’re at now.
- Has Microsoft changed? WinFS post getting questioned internally – Hmmm, I’ve had similar thoughts and wonder a number of things. Is WinFS as the “Windows Future Storage” really gone? Does it matter? As our Web 2.0-centric world spins faster and faster – with better broadband and wireless connections, does it matter for a local relational file system? If all our data is stored online, and most of our apps are web-based, what is the usefulness of a WinFS type subsystem – heck what’s the use of a fat client? Did Bill Gates just let all his pet projects whither as he left for “summer vacation” as Robert puts it? Does Bill care? Was WinFS a pet project? Humph!
- Dear Al Gore: here’s some inconvenient truths – Now I have to admit up front that I am not fond of the former V.P. and that I have not read his book or watched his movie. It’s my opinion that his current media attention is simply targeted at his 2008 run for President – ’nuff said on that. What I will say on this one is that I agree with Robert that our society has several self-induced issues facing it in the next many years, the environment is hardly one of them. Yes, we all could work better at conserving energy in the instances that Robert mentions – and more. The real challenges that we face are the re-writing of history to meet currently desired interpretations, lack of integrity & objectivity in the drive-by media, rejection of traditional cultural norms, and unwillingness to find the middle ground in the political arena.
One thing I’ve noticed about Robert’s blog in recent months is that he really has taken it back as a personal blog instead of the Microsoft PR outlet that it had a tendency to sound like. Now I know I’m on the opposite political fence from Robert, but I do appreciate his open discussion.
On a side note Robert, I do hope the move goes well, with as little issue as possible!
WinFS – Is it really gone?
Slashdot is reporting that WinFS Gets the Axe. The full discussion is actuall over at the WinFS Team Blog. According to what I can gleen from the post is that a number of important advances the WinFS team has made will be integrated into the next release of SQL Server. Also, as client components become ready for “prime time” they will be integrated into the Windows client:
Windows will continue to adopt work as it’s ready
The way I read this is that Microsoft simply can’t make this technology work as a file-system replacement at this time and are choosing to “productize” the current advances that the team has made and will not answer all the questions we all have regarding the promised “Windows Future Storage” feature for Windows Vista.
Beta, Beta, Beta
Ah, Microsoft beta software. Applications you love to hate… wait a minute. This stuff actually works!
So I’ve reconfigured my system yet again – well, about a month ago I did :). Figured that I couldn’t get around it any longer and loaded up Windows Vista B2, Office 2007 B2 (w/ OneNote, Visio, Project), and the included IE7 B2, and Media Player 11 that comes with Vista.
My first reaction – its slow, but that’s part of beta software. It may be feature complete, but the performance optimizations have yet to be done. With that said, Vista performance is much improved over previous beta releases and so is IE7 – it’s gotten much more stable.
Previously I had not been keeping up on the Office betas, so when I had the chance to “level set” my system I figured that I needed to go all the way. The new toolbars in Office 2007 are a nice surprise – I mean, I had read about them last year and was intrigued, but didn’t know what to expect. It turns out that (for me) they are a productivity enhancement. The tool I needed was within easy reach, right on the visible toolbar, and organized by function with easy to identify icons and labels.
Internet Explorer 7 is a pleasant experience as well, with the new tabbed interface and built-in RSS support. Usually I add the MSN Toolbar to IE6 for a (pseudo) tabbed interface, and Pluck for RSS reading. IE7 is polished enough that I am quite pleased with the tabs and the RSS support. I simply imported my OPML file containing my feeds into the browser and I was off and reading my feeds in seconds. The other neat feature is the search function – the fact that you can easily add different search tools with a simple click or two, and choose your favorite search engine very easily.
Honestly, I’ve not used Media Player 11 yet – I have a better speaker system on my main home system and simply play tunes on that PC instead. Sooner or later I’ll get around to trying it out and I’ll probably talk about it then.
One new item in Vista B2, is the new Windows Mobile Device Center, a replacement for ActiveSync. This tool is used to sync your Pocket PC or Smartphone with Outlook. It works very well, though its really not significantly different than ActiveSync, simply built into the OS. The process and interface is highly polished as is the entire Vista and Office 2007 experience. Added functionality to sync media and such with mobile audio, mobile video, and camera devices automatically just like PPCs have done for years.
Of course Vista Ultimate Edition includes the Tablet PC and Media Center features in addition to the base “Windows Pro” full Active Directory networking integration. I’ve only toyed around a little – my laptop is not a Tablet PC so those specific tools don’t add anything in my case. The Media Center features are intriguing and I’ll be investigating them more as time goes on. I’ve not had a MCE before, so I’ve got some exploring to do – neat stuff though!
Alright this post is getting quite long so I’ll cut it short – though I’ll admit to using the OneNote & Word combo to post a number of posts lately. The integration promises to be impressive, though it is a little rough in this beta. This post details what it takes to post from OneNote 2007.
Anyone else running all the major MS betas on their main system? What do you think?
Upcoming launch of HP iPaq hw6915 – yawn
So Engadget Mobile is reporting that the HP iPaq hw6915 Windows Mobile based Pocket PC Phone is set to be launched on July 4th, 2006.
So what!?!
The device is way overdue, brings nothing new to the table, and is ridiculously overpriced. It just shows that HP had long ago lost the edge on Pocket PC design.
Priced at $890 (US), this low-resolution thumb cramper is probably going to be an easy pass by most smartphone shoppers this summer. Even with a processor upgrade over previous models and having WM5’s AKU2 incorporated in the device, there are more compelling designs available.
With smartphones like the Moto Q, Samsung’s SGH-i320, or the HTC Wizard based devices like the T-Mobile MDA or Cingular 8125, and their CDMA brother, the XV6700 available on both Sprint and Verizon.
You could compare the 6915 to the Palm Treo 700w in a number of ways, but even as a previous HP PPC owner, I’d throw down on the 700w. Or even the Treo 700p which has a stunning 360×360 screen, though it is a Palm OS device.
Anyway, I think there are many, many better choices than this overpriced device.
MSFP available for Verizon XV6700
It must be the week of upgrades for Windows Mobile devices. Kevin Tofel over at jkOnTheRun has posted on the new firmware, and is pondering upgrading tonight.
If you are looking for links, jkOnTheRun also has them for you. Now I can’t wait for T-Mobile USA to release their ROM upgrade for the MDA – though I already have flashed my device to the Qtek ROM with MSFP (it rocks).
Have fun everyone!
Preview of Windows Mobile Device Center
If you have been watching the Windows Vista space, you would be aware that there is a built-in sync service called Windows Mobile Device Center.
With WMDC, ActiveSync will be a fuzzy memory as all synchronization services are brought directly into the OS with Vista. In addition to Pocket PC and Smartphone, the new tool will sync audio, video, and camera devices as well.
Anyway, Smartphone Thoughts has a Quick Look at the new Windows Mobile Device Center. Check it out, its worth a look!
BlackBerry 8700 nominated for MTV award?
RIMarkable has the scoop on this – it seems that in addition to the Video iPod, and the Sony PSP, the BlackBerry 8700 has been nominated in the “All That Rocks” promotion.
You can watch MTV2 on July 30th for the winners to this deal.
MSFP available for T-Mobile UK
T-Mobile UK has released the MSFP ROM upgrades for the following devices:
- MDA Compact II
- MDA Vario
- MDA Pro
While the A2DP serio audio update is not included and there are no ROM releases for their Smartphone devices, these three Windows Mobile devices sold by T-Mobile UK can be upgraded to support push-mail from any corporate Exchange or hosted Exchange service on the Internet.
msmobiles.com has more details and links to the upgrades.
Moto Q for GSM Networks?
Engadget Mobile is reporting on a rumour that there will be a Motorola Q smartphone out by the end of the year supporting GSM networks and HSDPA data services!
From the post, it sounds like it might be launched in Europe first, but with quad band radios it may make its way to the US a little early. Neat stuff!
Second Tour – Jerry Loss
This post is for my friend Jerry Loss who is a U.S. Marine in the reserves and just got activated to go to Iraq for a second tour.
Jerry will be posting occasionally on his blog about his experiences and to keep in contact with friends and such. He’s a great example of the calibur of people in our armed forces; smart, honest, determined, a quick wit, and loyal. My best wishes travel with him, and we all are looking forward to seeing him back home in about a year.
To Jerry and everyone else serving for our country & our freedoms I simply want to say:
Thank you
I hope the leadership of the Republican Party will take his word seriously. Because this is exactly right.
This is very simple: only Americans citizens should be allowed to vote in American elections.
The SAVE America Act is common sense, and we need to pass it now!
I don’t recall you complaining when gas was $5.00 under Biden.
Hypocrisy much?
Please RT!
This Middle Ages bullshit is a cancer on the planet👇👇🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸