Feb 19, 2007 | blog
It’s going to be very interesting to see how well the new Windows Home Server comes through for end users. One very neat twist is the way Home Server is going to manage disk space.
No more drive letters for Home Server clients for one thing. The new system will dynamically manage the drive space that is made available to the server and it’s clients. That should make it very simple for end-users as they leverage the online storage and automated backup features of the new system.
Via: Bink.nu – The Death of the Windows Drive Letters
Technorati tags: Microsoft+Home+Server
Jan 31, 2007 | blog
As some may know, I’ve been a longtime PPC user, actually starting with the old “Palm-size PC” back in 1998 or so. But the topic of this post is the parent operating system of the Pocket PC (and Windows Mobile for that matter) called Windows CE.
So we’ve been working on some Windows CE based devices for our warehouse management system at work. The goal, of course, being a fast-booting, lightweight client device to use for a web-based WM tool.
The main trouble with the devices we had, was really the WinCE operating system and its ability (or lack thereof) to be able to use EAP-TLS to secure the wireless network. Eventually a network stack update from the manufacturer did the trick, but it was frustrating to have everything configured correctly, but have the damn software not be able to connect up.
So, it’s one more chapter in alternate operating systems. If it’s not this it would be something else, perhaps Linux of some flavor. I’d actually like to have the ability to work with a Linux system at work – I think there is a huge potential for the OS in what we use PCs for. But that’s another story.
Fortunately its almost over – its been kind of fun, writing some scripts and such. Scripts are something that I don’t get to write as much. We use most tools right out of the box (or try to), so there is as little custom work as possible. Still, once in awhile a need comes along for a good script, and this was one of them for me. 🙂
As much as I’ve liked Windows CE based systems in the past, I’ve had about enough of them at this point. Working with these systems has brought the operating system’s deficiencies to the surface, and they are not pretty.
Jan 25, 2007 | blog
Ah, finally have the full skinny on the free T-Mobile WiFi Hotspot offer for new Windows Vista Users. The offer is for 3 months of service only starting this Friday. While the rumor of this news was spreading around the web this morning, there was no additional information on the length of the offer.
Even for 3 months this is a great chance to try out the hotspot service at your favorite coffee shop.
Via: Information Week – T-Mobile Offers Three Months Free Hotspot Access To Vista Users
Jan 13, 2007 | blog
I’m just going to give out my recommendation as a blanket statement to everyone. When you start seriously thinking of upgrading to Microsoft’s Windows Vista, simply plan on buying a new computer.
In the long run, you will be much, much happier with the result. Unless you just bought a new computer and have the “coupon” for the Vista upgrade, upgrading aging hardware, migrating your data and dealing with some hard to find drivers will be a painful experience.
So, I strongly recommend just going and buying a new PC when the time is right. Instead of spending additional money on upgrading RAM, disk, video, etc… just put that cash aside for a new computer.
With that said, my second recommendation to go with Vista is to forget desktops. Look at purchasing a laptop instead. Yeah, yeah, yeah this doesn’t accommodate all the gamers out there, but you guys know what you need anyway. I’m talking about the average computer user who is served quite well in the sub $1,000 market for laptops. Trust me, there are literally dozens of options among the 1st and 2nd tier vendors. Laptops are starting to head below $500 now for the low-end, but you’ll find the machine to fill your needs somewhere between $600-$1,000 at this time.
Another option to consider is the latest in mobility, a UMPCs that will provide the utmost in mobile computing convenience.
Just remember that Vista is a new experience, and the slow or troublesome computer you’ve been putting up with will be a great backup web browser, but not a good candidate for a Vista upgrade.
Disagree? Well, let me know in the comments!
Jan 4, 2007 | blog
I’m not sure that many would. The biggest use of a home server would be for storing recorded video in its original high-quality state.
Most consumers don’t know what they would need a server for and those that have moved into recording or watching video content are using services like SlingBox or Orb. These types of services allow them to watch live TV over the Internet from anywhere with a broadband connection.
What else would consumers use a server for? Let’s try some ideas:
- Email: No, Yahoo, GMail, Live Mail, and many others have that tied up – why host or store your email anymore?
- Streaming Media: Why, with YouTube, online audio services, iPod/iTunes, and the like would you want to manage all those files and stream them?
- Web Server: Huh, all the free blogging services, hosting services and such – even the fee-based services are cheap! Why bother with managing a server?
- IM: Nope, GTalk, Live Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, etc… is where your friends are. Not “Bob’s Messenger” with you and your mom.
Well, I can’t come up with much more in the time I have, but you get the drift. A year ago, I still would have thought this was a great idea, but now I think MS would be better served coming up with better Vista licensing plans for consumers with multiple computers – Office too!
Via: Neowin.net – Microsoft to unveil Windows Home Server at CES
It’s going to be very interesting to see how well the new Windows Home Server comes through for end users. One very neat twist is the way Home Server is going to manage disk space.
