Gawker
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lawsuits
Internal emails prove Microsoft lowered Vista standards for Intel
"The real issue is Intel does not have parts to support the April timeframe." Remember the class-action lawsuit over Vista Capable PCs that lack the graphics power to run Vista's Aero interface? TechFlash has published the 29-page court document with Microsoft's internal emails. Intel CEO Paul Otellini personally intervened to convince Microsoft to lower the standards so that an entire generation of underpowered, non-upgradable PCs would be deemed Vista Capable. I know — I bought one. Microsoft computer science guy Jim Allchin was "apoplectic" over the appallingly bad idea. But Digg users never explode in rage at Intel. Once again Redmond's brightest, hardest-working tech leaders have stabbed themselves in the face.
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By Paul BoutinComment by sample032: If Aero was more than a shiny distraction, I'd agree, but between the wasted clock cycles and confusing layout, I... more » | Other threads
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software as a disservice
Microsoft, Dell agree: Windows XP is worth more than Vista
Most old software gets remaindered to the bargain bins. Not Windows XP, however. In June, Dell wangled a deal with Microsoft to let it install the older operating system for customers who didn't want Vista. In June, the companies charged $50 extra. According to this order page, XP now costs an extra $99 — on top of the cost of Windows Vista, which is baked into the basic price for the computer. Here's the full order page: More »
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By Owen ThomasComment by SusannaWhiles: Llook closely. For $100 you get both Vista Business AND XP Pro, which is the exact same price as... 1 Responses | Other threads
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hardware
HP no longer waiting for Vista to save sales
A report by BusinessWeek says "employees in HP's PC division are exploring the possibility of building a mass-market operating system. HP's software would be based on Linux, but it would be simpler and easier for mainstream users." The threat is simple: A sub-$1,000 MacBook would knock a huge hole in HP's own notebook sales. Apple is only $100 away from that goal. The division's CTO insists "it's about innovating on top of Vista." But on top of is a misleading preposition for some of his company's modifications, which bypass Vista's built-in photo and video apps in favor of HP's own. (Illustration by Paul Blow/BusinessWeek)
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By Paul BoutinComment by WagCurious: I kinda believe the CTO when he says his product will be on top of Vista. Everybody wants to put... more » | Other threads
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microsoft
How to sell Windows Vista to white people
Microsoft is pulling out all the stops to buff the image of its startingly unpopular operating system, Windows Vista. Nothing so far has worked. Don't worry, Apple and Linux fans — Microsoft is not doing anything threatening, such as actually improving the software. More »
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By Jackson WestComment by blahblob: Can't be worse than Bee Movie or Be Kind Rewind, right?…right? more » | Other threads
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microsoft
Microsoft now offers Ultimate support
Microsoft's money comes largely from its corporate clients. But they're the ones dumping Vista every chance they get. So Microsoft is trying other tactics to woo them. First, an "Ultimate" option for customer service focusing on proactive support instead of just fixing problems once they're called in. Microsoft Services Premier Ultimate is said to maintain a company's "IT health." Secondly, Microsoft is relaxing its licensing agreements to let companies reuse applications on multiple servers. [Ars Technica and CNN]
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Comment by BobDope: @macbeach: After an experience this week, I'm starting to think your average WinAdmin needs to be walked through this 'is... more » | Other threads
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microsoft
You're not the only one who hates Vista
Did you buy a new computer and come to realize that you just really hate Windows Vista? You're not alone. InfoWorld figures that 35 percent of its audience — mostly corporate users — had dumped Vista and reinstalled Windows XP on their current-model computers. Maybe IT professionals are harder to fool with marketing gimmicks. [InfoWorld]
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Comment by OaklandTechie: I don't think Vista really belongs in a corporate environment, but it's actually a much better consumer OS than you... more » | Other threads
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security
Vista security completely end-run by hack
Today at the Black Hat conference in Las Vegas, two security experts showed off a new Web-based break-in that completely bypasses all of the hardware memory protection built into Windows Vista. Once inside, a program can then load any content at all from the Internet via your browser. The best tech writeup is at Electronista: "The malicious code not only negates the effectiveness of Vista's Address Space Layout Randomization and Data Execution Prevention technologies, but specifically abuses their behavior to ensure an attack gets through." What does this mean for you? It's not the end of the world. But stand by for one very important Security Update.
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Comment by drywaller79: I hope that this isn't as horrible as they make it out to be. I'm interested into finding out exactly... more » | Other threads
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microsoft
Does Windows Vista by another name smell as bad?
Microsoft has finally released the videos from the company's "Mojave Experiment," where it convinced focus-group attendees who had heard bad things about Vista that they were trying a new and better operating system called Mojave — which was ultimately revealed to be Vista all along. Feel-good marketing triumph or sign of desperation? Considering the company had to pull this stunt at all, I'm going with the latter. [mojaveexperiment.com]
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By Jackson WestComment by TheEnd: Other then setting your desktop image each week and using your free email service to read about the latest in... more » | Other threads
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Eric Rudder
Microsoft heir apparent looks for life after Windows
Looking past the fail that is Vista, Microsoft is working on a next-generation operating system codenamed "Midori." Eric Rudder, a senior vice president at Microsoft whose name has been floated as Microsoft's next CEO, will be developing the new OS. Shockingly from a company known for slogging away at version after version of its existing software, Midori won't even be based on Windows. Programming for Midori will also be different, designed for many kinds of devices, from cell phones to server farms. More »
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Comment by TheRoyalScam: The only person that seems to be floating Eric Rudder's name as the heir apparent to Steve Ballmer is...Eric Rudder. Apparently... more » | Other threads
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great moments in customer service
Blogger gets Vista refund with only 4 emails, 3 phone calls, 2 months
In theory, Microsoft's license agreement for Vista says you can get a refund from your PC's manufacturer if you buy a model with Vista preinstalled, but replace it with Windows XP, Linux or another operating system. In practice, Equlibriate blogger Kim Kido, a k a uncle_benji, spent two months calling and emailing HP before the company finally cut her a $200 check. She's posted a detailed recap of the story, including screenshots of customer service emails and a photo of the check. I'm willing to bet Kido cost the company another $200 in customer service time. (Photo by uncle_benji)
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By Paul BoutinComment by macbeach: I'm quite sure that if more people did this the process would get harder, not easier. HP's (and other's)... more » | Other threads
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feature
Dell and Sony discover gold in the old
A relentless neophilia is Silicon Valley's signature characteristic. One must have a new iPhone, a new Twitter, a new electric car. You're either in beta or in the grave. That's why I'm intrigued by two decisions by Dell and Sony. Dell has figured out a way to wriggle around Microsoft's licensing rules and still sell its discontinued Windows XP operating system. Sony, meanwhile, is profitably selling its nine-year-old PlayStation 2 videogame console in markets like India. This just isn't done. More » -
microsoft
With Bill Gates gone, Microsoft to stop selling the last operating system he actually liked
Microsoft's Vista apologists no longer have to worry about former chief software architect Bill Gates letting slip an admission that its latest operating system sucks, sending computer makers and users back to Windows XP. As soon as Dell, HP and other major manufacturers sell their current-supply of XP-loaded PCs, no more will come off the shelves as Microsoft ends production of the aging but quite functional operating system today. But instead of moving on to Windows Vista, large corporate clients like General Motors intend to purchase Vista-loaded computers and "downgrade" them to XP. Meanwhile, only 8 percent of all software developers are working on applications for Vista, while 49 percent continue to develop for XP.
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Comment by sample032: The new laptop I recently ordered had the option to include a free Vista -> XP Professional downgrade disc. I opted. more » | Other threads
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microsoft
Intel says there's "no compelling case" to upgrade to Vista
Back when Vista launched, Microsoft predicted corporate clients would adopt the new operating system at twice the rate of its predecessor, Windows XP. Hasn't happened. Now even longtime Microsoft partner, chipmaker Intel, has decided to not upgrade its 80,000 employees to Microsoft Vista. An IT buyer at the company told the New York Times that, after "a lengthy analysis" Intel's "information technology staff just found no compelling case for adopting Vista." Instead, Intel will keep its employees on the same OS they've used since 2001, XP.
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Comment by Norcross: I'm sure the network admins, looking at updating 80,000+ workstations with legacy printer drivers are all breathing a little easier... more » | Other threads
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microsoft
Source: Windows developers chafe under new boss Steven Sinofsky
Who's the man responsible for cuts to internal spending at Microsoft? Here's a hint: he's feared, hated and respected by Windows developers: Steven Sinofsky, the SVP of Windows and Windows Live development, who's been mooted as a successor to Bill Gates. Sinofsky used to run Microsoft Office development, where he earned a reputation for "making the trains run on time." That landed him in charge of making sure fiascos like Vista never happen again. One problem, though. More »
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Comment by BobDope: Dad is not great, he doesn't give us the chocolate cake! more » | Other threads
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10 worst jobs
Support professional, product: Windows, Microsoft
Support professional, product: Windows, Microsoft More »
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Comment by Trai_Dep: The nice thing about the job is that the callers will all be consistent. more » | Other threads
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microsoft
General Motors technology chief plans to skip Windows Vista
"We're considering bypassing Vista and going straight to Windows 7," GM technology chief Fred Killeen told BusinessWeek. He said that replacing Windows XP with Vista would require the company to buy too many machines. "By the time we'd replace them, Windows 7 might be ready anyway," he said. Fred, Fred, Fred — if you ask Microsoft, Intel, Dell, and the rest of the technology industry, buying too many machines is sort of the point. (Photo by ceonyc)
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Comment by mobilesventek: And believe me, I'm making use of them - Doc says I'm much better now ;) more » | Other threads
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cubicle culture
Apple thinks corporate — or rather, corporations think Apple
Out of 250 surveyed companies, 87 percent report owning Apple computers. That's up from 48 percent In 2006. In BusinessWeek's story on Apple's creep into corporate cubicles, Dimension Data CIO Mark Slaga explains how Apple is gaining ground without really trying: "Steve Jobs doesn't need a sales force because he already has one: employees like the ones in my company." (Though, as it happens, Apple is looking for office space in Manhattan's Midtown, which could conceivably house salespeople.) More »
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Comment by BobDope: If you're a developer and you don't have an Apple, your persona is non grata son. more » | Other threads
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geek love
Is an Italian hottie the reason why Vista sucks?
In 2001, Brian Valentine, then a top Microsoft executive, was pumped about Windows XP, as a spoof infomercial shows. By the time Vista was getting ready for release, his enthusiasm had waned. The reason? Some believe he was pining for Gianna Puerini, a sales manager who had left Microsoft for Amazon.com in 2003. In July 2006, Valentine secretly signed an employment contract with Amazon.com. Microsoft did not reveal that he was leaving for Amazon.com until September 5, less than a week before he started his new job. The business rationale for hiding his departure was obvious: Valentine ran the team that was shipping its Windows Vista operating system. Losing their leader would have killed morale. More » -
great moments in pr
Microsoft pretends Vista sales video is a gag, and CNET editor buys it
With the leak of an internal sales video, Microsoft is having its ironic cake and pretending not to eat it too. Its marketing team produced an awful spoof of Bruce Springsteen singing about Vista. One should note: Companies do this routinely to motivate their salespeople, but the innocents in engineering normally aren't exposed to the cheerleading routines. Microsoft's spin on the video: It's a gag! We're being sly! And incredibly, CNET editor Charles Cooper bought their line, quoting an anonymous flack: "They thought folks internally would get a kick out of not taking themselves so seriously all the time." More »
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By Owen ThomasComment by 0-o-0: The CNET editor was duped. Inside line: Windows Client Communications PR team is trying frantically to spin their own... more » | Other threads
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horror
Internal Microsoft Vista Video is as Painful as Videos Get
You've gotta wonder how, in a company the size of Microsoft, there's not a single person who has the balls to step up and say "Hey, you know what? This Vista music video we're making for the sales department, complete with a cheesy Bruce Springsteen impersonator and horrible music, damages the dignity of not only everyone involved in its production, but everyone who watches it." Seriously, how did this little slice of cringe-inducing embarrassment ever get made? What year is this? I need to lie down. I'm sorry. Check the video after the jump. UPDATE: The video is an internal spoof, an insider confirms. First: Good for them saving their sense of style and decency and humor. Second: Could they please not spend the money staging fake concerts and really good spoof videos and keep the SP patch works coming? We kid because we love XP! [Gizmodo]
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By Adam FrucciComment by Rabid Penguin: This video makes me damn proud to be an American. Damn proud. more » | Other threads
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bad ideas
Microsoft makes Vista cheaper — as if that's why people weren't buying
Microsoft has cut the price of the U.S. consumer versions of Windows Vista. The Ultimate Edition fell from $399 to $319 and the Home Premium Edition went from $159 to $129. The Register nails it: "It's hard to believe that millions of Windows XP users were just waiting for Vista to get a little cheaper before committing themselves." Why don't they just put XP back on the shelves? That seems easier. (Photo by mkeefe)
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Comment by isights: If they really want to sell Vista, go the Apple route and sell the premium version for $129. Heck, quite... more » | Other threads
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lawsuits
Microsoft emails on Vista: "No one really believed we would ever ship"
A pile of internal emails (PDF) between Microsoft execs have surfaced as part of a suit against the company. The suit alleges that the company mislead customers in 2006 labeling PCs "Windows Vista Capable." And to judge by the emails from Microsoft execs, Microsofties agreed with the plaintiffs. One exec, Mike Nash, writes that Vista turned his $2,100 PC into nothing but an "email machine." In another, exec Steven Sinofsky confessed his Office team didn't start work on a Vista version until late 2006 because "No one really believed we would ever ship." Read the rest for yourself, below. More »
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Comment by deathbychichi: MS is hanging out in the breeze on this one, but it's more a PR embarrassment than likely that any... more » | Other threads
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vista
Vista Capable Laptops Sucked So Intel Could Dump Crappy Graphics Chips
The judge on the class action lawsuit against Microsoft for those Vista handi-capable stickers unsealed a bunch of super-juicy internal emails exchanged between Microsoft higher-ups (including Ballmer) on Vista's suckiness. They weren't oblivious to the fact that "Vista capable" machines were horrible—but they let it slide, according to exec John Kalkman:"To help Intel make their quarterly earnings so they could continue to sell motherboards with 915 graphics embedded."
They even screwed HP to make Intel happy. [Gizmodo]
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Comment by TrevorAnnalis: I use Windows Vista Ultimate on a Dell Latitude D510 laptop with the intel 915 chipset. Vista works without a problem.... more » | Other threads
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mysteries
Did Microsoft lie about top exec's departure?
The departure of Brian Valentine, a 19-year Microsoft veteran before he left in 2006, has always been a bit of a puzzle. In August of that year, Microsoft management told his staff he was taking a new job within the company after shipping Windows Vista. A month later, he left for Amazon.com. Now, Amazon.com has cleared things up with a belated SEC filing: Microsoft lied to its employees. Here's the timetable: More »
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By Owen ThomasComment by Michael Wales: To get back on topic (we all know Vista sucks, it has nothing to do with this story). Valentin really... more » | Other threads
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microsoft
Ballmer's secret plan to inseminate world with Vista
Maybe the news got lost in the hubbub surrounding Microsoft's offer to buy Yahoo, but last week Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer finally admitted the company needs to do a better job marketing Windows Vista. To demonstrate Microsoft's new marketing plan with a visual metaphor, Ballmer and Co. hired circus performers to dress as sperm, wriggling their way into a giant blue egg, which could stand for the earth — the world of IT. At least, that's what this photo, taken by CNET's Caroline McCarthy during the event in which Ballmer revealed his plans, seems to convey. Why couldn't they just hire away John Hodgman? He may complain about typecasting, but he's perfect for the role.
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Comment by raincoaster: Am I the only one who is reminded of the Tuttle-led rescue scene in Brazil? more » | Other threads
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vista
Microsoft remembers how to ship software
If Microsoft's $44.6 billion Yahoo bid tells us anything, it's that Vista doesn't matter. But some in Redmond have not gotten the memo: "New customers should feel great about buying Windows Vista today," blogs Microsoft executive Mike Nash. The source of his optimism? Windows Vista Service Pack 1 has been released to manufacturing, beginning Microsoft's arduous, 20th-century industrial process of a software rollout. Nash's main concern is that the news might stop users from buying Vista. He shouldn't be worried. More »
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By Owen ThomasComment by macbeach: The only people more embarrassed than Microsoft about Vista are the millions of users that must admit that they've locked... more » | Other threads
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stats
On December 30 and 31, Mac OS X accounted for 8 percent of computers browsing websites monitored by Net Applications, up 6.8 percent from November. Windows Vista? 10.5 percent. [Computerworld]
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Comment by corpmac: Days on which Windows use would be artificially low because of a proportion of corporate staff being on holiday, of... more » | Other threads
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feuds
CNET vs. CNET
So how bad is Windows Vista? The delayed, bloated Microsoft operating system is "very good," according to CNET, earning a 7.4 rating for its Home Premium version. But if you've actually installed it and want a second opinion, you should know that it's one of the "top ten terrible tech products" ... also according to CNET. Whom should we believe? By process of elimination, not CNET. More »
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By Owen ThomasComment by waynelambright: I spent a weekend trying to install vista. I gave up and went back to Windows 2000. more » | Other threads
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Comment by sample032: Right after everyone's done with Vista jokes, Apple's yelling "Wait up guys, I got one, now!" more » | Other threads
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microsoft
Vista upgrade as slow as the original
Extensive testing by members of the Exo.performance.network has found the forthcoming Service Pack 1 upgrade to Windows Vista to be no faster than the first relase. IT departments worldwide had hoped that by postponing their upgrade from Windows XP to Vista until SP1 was released, they'd get a performance boost to brag about. Instead, aspiring Vista users will bite the bullet and buy new computers. Not to get all MacWeenie on you, but my 2003 12" PowerBook has gotten faster with every new version of Apple's OS X.
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By Paul BoutinComment by macbeach: "boot from sleep mode" is an oxymoron. If you had a computer fast enough to make possible actually booting Windows in... more » | Other threads
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apple
More than two million copies of the latest Mac operating system, nicknamed Leopard, were sold over the weekend. That's about two percent of Microsoft's Windows Vista shipments to date. But at least Steve Jobs can gloat about accomplishing the significant sales feat in a mere three days. [Apple]
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By Tim FaulknerComment by mbrutsch: Yes, but those two millions copies of Leopard were sold to people who actually wanted it, unlike the countless copies... more » | Other threads
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microsoft
Despite the software giant's aspirations, Microsoft's older Windows XP is still the newer Windows Vista's biggest enemy. It's cheaper, a known quantity, and "good enough." The software developer has, in some measure, conceded this by allowing PCs to be preloaded with the older OS for an additional five months and, in emerging markets, until the middle of 2010. Copies of XP will also continue to be available at retail. [News.com]
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By Tim FaulknerComment by sample032: To Microsoft: Polish up the default XP theme, update a few of the features (disk encryption is a good one), and... more » | Other threads
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software
Microsoft is finally rolling out a beta version of Windows Vista Service Pack 1, and promises that the official release of the set of Vista fixes will be out next year. Maybe. But only if those other guys release their software on time. [Windows Vista Team Blog] -
internet humor
Why using desktop software is like watching Paint dry
This parody video pokes fun at Microsoft Paint, the aging art software included with Windows. YouTube commenters already point out that Vista Paint, the latest version, isn't much of an improvement. But that's not what makes it so funny to me. More »
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By Owen ThomasComment by Magister: PS) I'm in my mid-40s, so I'm probably just old school, anyway. more » | Other threads
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software
Instead of a private beta release of Windows Vista Service Pack 1, Microsoft is dribbling out some updates as "hotfixes." With such a slow pace for the beta, is it any surprise that some are whispering about a staggeringly late 2009 final release for SP1? [All About Microsoft] -
microsoft
Put a Vista PC under the Christmas tree ... in July
With the CEO of PC maker Acer proclaiming Vista a disappointment and rumor of a long, long wait for an upgrade to Vista, it's no surprise Microsoft would issue a press release encouraging everyone to purchase a Vista PC. Microsoft's marketers suggest a range of models, all surely obsolete by December. Is Vista so disappointing that they can only find holiday gift giving — in the middle of the summer — as a reason to make a purchase? Or are they simply so inept they don't see that such an outlandish excuse just serves to highlight Vista's plight? You can tell that Bill Gates, while still chairman, is no longer a presence at the company. Microsoft's famously rude cofounder would have shot down the press release's credulous opening question, "Holiday gift giving in July?" with a simple "No." -
windows
Microsoft's old software comes back to haunt it
The good news: Microsoft's annual revenues clocked in at a record $51 billion for the just-ended fiscal year. The bad news? Windows XP, Microsoft's six-year-old operating system, will still account for more than one in five copies of Windows sold next year. Previously, Microsoft thought XP would only be 15 percent of the mix. XP sales, in other words, are 40 percent higher than Microsoft had predicted. That's the clearest sign yet that the millions of programmer-hours Microsoft threw into Vista have been largely wasted. Aside from the people getting Vista automatically — without any choice, really — with a new PC, there's just not a lot of demand. The "Wow" is no.
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By Owen ThomasComment by bh: First of all, all the major hardware vendors offer both XP and Vista, and probably will continue to for a... more » | Other threads
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coders gone wild
ESRB Comments on Halo 2's Naked Ass
Luke reported yesterday on Hot Spartan, the news that Halo 2 Vista shipped with "accidental" partial nudity . The "accident" led the ESRB to issue warning labels for the game saying it contains "Partial Nudity." [Kotaku]
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Comment by dandin1: I don't mind an ass. ;) I've always enjoyed using computer game devtools because they're always intended for in-studio use... more » | Other threads
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vista
Gates' daughter dubs it "Vista Piñata"
Microsoft daddy Bill Gates tips Reuters to the most likely nickname his 10-year-old will give the new version of Windows."She became very avid and discovered a lot of computer games, including one that runs on the Xbox 360 called Viva Pinata."
Astonishingly, there were only 44 Google matches for "vista pinata." Until now.
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Fri Jul 10
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