John On Technology

Tafiti

2007-08-21T10:31:00.001-07:00

Tafiti. Swahili for 'do research'. Microsoft has just released Tafiti which is a site that “helps people use the Web for research that spans multiple queries and sessions by helping them visualize, store and share the result. “ Since Search is becoming increasingly specialized, across different user scenarios, vertical subject areas and entry points, Tafiti, which uses Silverlight for

John on Technology is now AbsoluteVista

2007-08-18T21:06:00.001-07:00

John On Technology is now combined with AbsoluteVista and can be found at www.Absolutevista.com . AbsoluteVista.com is now served by FeedBurner. The feed link is here. http://feeds.feedburner.com/absolutevista-cs Technorati Tags: AbsoluteVista.com, SmallBizVista.com, Logikworx del.icio.us Tags: AbsoluteVista.com, SmallBizVista.com, Logikworx LiveJournal Tags: AbsoluteVista.com,

Bora Bora, Tahiti mugs

2007-04-26T20:52:00.001-07:00

My mug collection just grew with 2 mugs and a shot glass from Bora Bora. Thanks Taiwo!

Off point: CSI

2007-03-31T08:15:00.001-07:00

I watched CSI: Miami the other day for the 1st time, and what I saw prompted me to watch CSI and CSI: New York to verify that I wasn't dreaming! Forensic technicians packin' heat? Are you freakin' kiddin' me? Just like they are sworn officers of the law? One name came to mind immediately. Dennis Fung Yes, Dennis Fung! He of the OJ Simpson murder trial. The guy who botched the forensic evidence.

AbsoluteVista: Have mercy?

2007-02-08T15:16:00.000-08:00

AbsoluteVista: Have mercy?

Jim Allchin's last post at Microsoft

2007-02-01T22:30:00.001-08:00

Full text: As most of you know, today is my last day as a fulltime employee at Microsoft. It’s been an exciting 16+ years and all I can say is that I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be in this industry and at Microsoft. What an incredible chance to work with such a great set of people. I was also very fortunate to be in an environment that allowed me to work on a team

Thanks, Jim Allchin

2007-01-29T12:44:00.001-08:00

Thank you and farewell. Over the years, anyone with any knowledge of Windows has come to appreciate and respect the way Jim Allchin managed the team. On the client side, Jim was tasked with preserving and extending the most important, and undoubtedly the most valuable brand in technology, Windows. And what a remarkable job he has done! While America slept, and contrary to the beliefs of

Vista Family Discount

2007-01-18T12:20:00.001-08:00

The NDA has been lifted, so.. Microsoft is allowing, for the first time, a Family & Friends Discount on its flagship operating system, currently Windows Vista. First disclosed to me under a strict NDA on Saturday, January 6, 2007, at the recently concluded Windows Vista RTM Labs in Las Vegas, the Windows Vista Family Discount (the official name) plan gives purchasers of the retail SKU of Windows

The iBrick & Media Harlotry

2007-01-13T21:43:00.001-08:00

Not even Alexander Graham Bell had the chutzpah to bestow all those nonsensical platitudes on the first telephone as Steve Jobs did on the iPhone iBrick. But, worse than Stevie is the media, especially mainstream media and Apple fanboi. Following the press conference, they all anointed the iBrick as the second coming. Wow. Are you freakin' kiddin' me? Have they no shame? In one fell swoop,

NeoSmart Technologies EasyBCD

2007-01-11T12:06:00.001-08:00

NeoSmart Technologies' EasyBCD, now in version 1.52 is a new addition to our Technology toolbox, and a must-have. Download it today. Technorati tags: John Obeto, Logikworx, Windows Vista, SmallBizVista.com, AbsoluteVista.com, Software, EasyBCD

NeoSmart Technologies EasyBCD

2007-01-11T12:06:00.000-08:00

Vista Lab II

2007-01-07T23:39:00.000-08:00

Session 1: A tour through the 2007 Microsoft Partner Pavilion 2007 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center Several Microsoft Employees For the second year, Microsoft gave members of the Microsoft Featured Communities a private tour of the Microsoft Partner Pavilion before the opening of CES. There was an added treat this year at the Microsoft Partner Pavilion: an august

Vista Lab After Hours

2007-01-06T23:49:00.000-08:00

January 6, 2005 Tony & Tina’s Wedding The entire group of Vista RTM Lab Invitees went to see Tony & Tina’s Wedding, a dinner theater play currently showing nightly at the Rio. I had thought I would be super bored by the event, but the actors roped us in. at times I felt that I was reliving a bizzaro wedding I had been to in the past. I recommend it. Also, guess who I met there? Darryl K.

Vista Lab I

2007-01-06T23:38:00.001-08:00

Introduction & WelcomeNick White, Microsoft This is the largest Vista Lab ever, with a lot more new faces, even a Microsoft MVP from Nigeria. Nick welcomed and thanked us for being there. Thanking us for being there and our contributions? When we should be thanking him, Terri, Brandon, Aaron, and by proxy, Microsoft for this opportunity to get ahead in the game! Loaded sessions, NDA stuff, lots

Velocity Micro HTPC preliminary review

2007-01-04T00:19:00.000-08:00

On December 26, 2006, I received a Velocity Micro HTPC (Home-Theatre PC) for long-term review courtesy of Microsoft and AMD as part of a reach-out (to bloggers) project. The system has the following specs: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000 Dual 400GB SATA RAID-1 Hard Drives 2GB DDR2 Lightscribe DVD RW AMD Radeon 1950XT 256MB AMD TV Wonder 650 HD Tuner Microsoft Wireless Media Center Keyboard

Wseley Autrey

2007-01-03T15:22:00.000-08:00

Reading this article about Wesley Autrey's saving of a teenager who had fallen onto the subway tracks just as a train was pulling into the station just sent chills through my spine. Even with his own two daughters waiting on the station! What a humanity-affirming event for both his daughters and the rescued kid. In his own words after refusing to be called a hero, “I don’t feel like I did

2007 International CES

2007-01-03T12:28:00.000-08:00

Where I'll be blogging about the Vista RTM labs, the 2007 International CES, the Vanishing Point Game, etc. etc. The Toshiba Tecra M7 Tablet PC has not arrived yet; despite being ordered on the 19th of December - my rant about Toshiba's (supposed) customer service will have to wait for another day - so I have to use a regular laptop. Urgh! The Zune is locked and loaded: DISCO, 80's pop, and Ragga

Happy New Year to all

2007-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Best wishes.

Ars Technica

2006-12-31T22:54:00.000-08:00

Articles like this are the reason why Ars Technica is on my reading list. These lines from the article are especially revealing: First, the essential details: Microsoft directly contacted a number of bloggers to offer them loaded laptops as "review units" (their language) which bloggers could chose to review, or not. Microsoft said that bloggers had the option of returning the laptop, giving

My dad is

2006-12-31T00:01:00.000-08:00

today! By the Glory of God to whom I eternally give thanks. Happy Birthday to you, Dad, and congratulations on reaching this milestone. Praise God for your continued good health.© 2006, John Obeto II for SmallBizVista.com® Technorati tags: John Obeto, Logikworx, AbsoluteVista.com, SmallBizVista.com

The Spoils of Christmas 2006

2006-12-28T11:49:00.000-08:00

The very good thing about a Christmas Day birthday is that the gifts keep getting better as your family and friends become, more, well, well-off! It was a very, very profitable haul this Christmas for yours truly, even by Ferengi standards! Check this out: Canon Digital Rebel XTi Zune in Black: Wifey, retro payment for my Zune 3 mugs for my collection (Really Big) Shirt Paciotti Shoes

Dream system to review!

2006-12-27T18:32:00.000-08:00

Select community leaders were given either a Ferrari 1000/5000 notebook computer, or a Velocity Micro MCE system for a long-term review. Velocity Micro MCE or Ferrari? The choice was hard but... Velocity Micro MCE Box (picture below) with the following drool-ian specs: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Dual 400GB SATA RAID-1 Hard Drives 2GB DDR2 Lightscribe DVD RW AMD Radeon 1950XT 256MB AMD TV

What is a zoo-nie?

2006-12-23T11:13:00.000-08:00

At Costco the yesterday, I heard a droid try to help a customer looking at MP3 players. This is a Zoo-Nie (Zoo-ney?) I totally cracked up! Funny enough, the droid steered the customer away from an iPod to the Zune, but ran out of good things to say about Zune other than it was the new thing this Christmas. I proceeded to help out, starting with the name. BTW, customer bought the Zune in

O Oh, here come the apologists!

2006-12-10T22:56:00.000-08:00

Reading the LATimes fishwrap today was a revelation. An article in it on the errors of the anti-doping agencies virtually killing the careers of athletes was the cause. Mentioned, of course was the current fiasco with Floyd Landis and his alleged doping at the Tour de France. Isn't it niiice to see all these guys hypocrites come out with their carving knives sharpened? These are the same

Los Angeles Lakers 106, Spurs 99

2006-12-10T22:12:00.000-08:00

With KB24's 34-point, 8-rebound evening coupled with Lamar Odom's near triple-double (18 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists), the Los Angeles Lakers defeated their first respected opponent of the season, the San Antonio Spurs. Hopefully, this keeps up as we now go on the road. The line: Lakers (14-6) Season Stats | Roster Starters Name Min Reb Ast PF Pts K Bryant, G 39 8 1 2 34 L Odom,

Network Rival to YouTube?

2006-12-09T11:51:00.000-08:00

Don't look now, but the networks are looking to create a rival to YouTube.Suits, don't waste time, money, and talent on this any further. There is a viable alternative available right now:MSN Soapbox.Though it is still in beta, it has a lot going for it: better UI, easier uploading experience, and the backing of Microsoft, a company that knows how to play nice with you.Technorati tags: John Obeto

The Classmate PC

2006-12-06T21:50:00.000-08:00

This very welcome bit of news hit today. After the rants commentary of this weekend about the WankerPC, I just love this new development. Hopefully, enough orders will pour in bringing down the cost of the devices. My rejoinder to the comment on my post here: I don't waste my time on anyone who reduces meaningful discourse on computing to a referendum on Microsoft and Intel. This time though,

Little or light blogging the next 2 weeks

2006-11-20T09:13:00.000-08:00

I'll be taking off for a Thanksgiving drive through the Midwest.Technorati tags: John Obeto, The Interlocutor, Windows, Microsoft, Logikworx, SmallBizVista.com, Vista

$399 per Vista TAP Beta Testers gift!

2006-11-18T12:54:00.000-08:00

In what is undoubtedly a further display of class from a powerful company, Microsoft is giving a free copy of Windows Vista to each and every TAP beta participant who filed at least one bug report.Thanks, Microsoft.The free copy is the beta tester's choice of either Vista Ultimate Edition or Vista Business Edition. The Ultimate edition is the top-of-the-line version of Vista and is indeed a

Man shot waiting to buy PS3

2006-11-17T08:53:00.000-08:00

Further signs that we do live in a truly bizarre world.Some yobless dude is shot by some bonejackers while waiting in line at 3.15 am to purchase a PS3.First off, nothing good ever happens in public at or around 3.00 am, a real witching hour for evil.Secondly, you won't see me in the CPT, Bed-Sty, or Overtown waiting at any time of day for anything, especially a P-S-freakin'-3, OK?Most

Man shot waiting to buy PS3

2006-11-17T08:52:00.000-08:00

Further signs that we do live in a truly bizarre world. Some yobless dude is shot by some bonejackers while waiting in line at 3.15 am to purchase a PS3. First off, nothing good ever happens in public at or around 3.00 am, a real witching hour for evil. Secondly, you won't see me in the CPT, Bed-Sty, or Overtown waiting at any time of day for anything, especially a P-S-freakin'-3, OK? Most

Out of memory at Line 2

2006-11-14T16:07:00.000-08:00

This is a new one for me. Brought to you by Windows Internet Explorer v7 for Vista.

ZUNE!!!

2006-11-14T11:29:00.000-08:00

I eagerly await delivery of my unit. Zune!!!

Windows PowerShell goes 1.0

2006-11-14T11:28:00.000-08:00

Yaay! I was out the door, but this post by Alex Heaton on the Windows Vista Team Blog about PowerShell, aka Monad, going gold and available for (free) downloading, prompted this post. If you work from the command line, you'd fall in love with this tool.

2006 CRN Industry Hall of Fame Awards

2006-11-14T10:39:00.000-08:00

I am off to the 2006 CRN Hall of Fame Awards Conference, Banquet, and after-awards event in San Jose.

Windows Vista Security Guide

2006-11-10T17:20:00.000-08:00

TechNet is making the Windows Vista Security Guide available for download.For IT pros, this is a must.

Microsoft Sysinternals Process Monitor v1.01

2006-11-10T11:16:00.000-08:00

This is a great tool for monitoring processes running on a system, either for tech support purposes, or just plain nosey or paranoid.From the product download page:Process Monitor is an advanced monitoring tool for Windows that shows real-time file system, Registry and process/thread activity. It combines the features of two legacy Sysinternals utilities, Filemon and Regmon, and adds an extensive

Photosynth

2006-11-10T11:00:00.000-08:00

Microsoft Live Labs has done it again! This product, Photosynth, will blow you out of the water! I cannot wait for a beta or shipping product.

Extra! Extra!! Vista RTMs!!!

2006-11-08T11:45:00.000-08:00

Microsoft Windows Vista™ has been released to manufacturing today! Congratulations, MSFT. Press Release is here.

Microsoft Sysinternals RootkitRevealer v1.7

2006-11-07T08:57:00.000-08:00

What it is:RootkitRevealer is an advanced rootkit detection utility. It runs on Windows NT 4 and higher and its output lists Registry and file system API discrepancies that may indicate the presence of a user-mode or kernel-mode rootkit. RootkitRevealer successfully detects all persistent rootkits published at www.rootkit.com, including AFX, Vanquish and HackerDefenderDownload here.

Microsoft Office 2007 RTMs

2006-11-06T09:58:00.000-08:00

Microsoft has released the 2007 Microsoft Office System - the official name - to manufacturing, with a January 2007 retail target. Props to the team for the product. Jensen Harris' An Office User Interface blog has more on this here, and the official line is here.

Who asked you, David Stern?

2006-11-05T17:38:00.000-08:00

In the news was this titbit about NBA commissioner Stern having an opinion about the WADA and Floyd Landis. Who asked your opinion on drugs, Davey? Er, do you have an opinion of the armed force you call your players? Better yet, why don't you fix that annoyance called the NBA Store? I placed an order at the NBA store for the 3 colors of the new KB24 gear since my KO8E gear would be obsolete.

Lakers 118, Seattle 112

2006-11-04T14:12:00.000-08:00

Seems, contrary to the opinions of those idiots in print and online outside of Los Angeles, that KB24 can play within the system, as his return didn't change the momentum of the Los Angeles Lakers when they edged past Seattle last night. Five Lakers scored in double figures, with Andrew Bynum just missing out on a double as well on his way to grabbing nine rebounds. BTW, the Lakers are at 3-0

Robot Sentry

2006-11-03T13:28:00.000-08:00

Dailymotion blogged videoI want, I want! Brought to you by Samsung. Yes, Samsung!

Tech editor cannot install IE7?

2006-11-02T14:00:00.000-08:00

The road to irrelevancy, for some publications, is mercifully swift and welcome, but for others, long and arduous; especially for their readers.To wit:The editor-in-chief of eWeek, could not successfully install IE7!WTF??? Are you freakin' kiddin' me?Is that the worst bunch of drivel you have read in a while or what?If you remember that eWeek evolved from PCWeek, and now offers up this nonsense,

Lakers 110, Golden State 98

2006-11-01T23:01:00.000-08:00

Them boys are rollin' along.The emergence of Ronny Turiaf, and the continued inspired play of Lamar Odom is a pleasure. Game Stats Lakers (2-0)Season Stats | Roster Starters Name Min Reb Ast PF Pts L Odom, F 33 9 9 1 22 L Walton, F 29 6 2 2 15 M Evans, G 16 4 1 3 8 S Parker, G 23 4 1 2 6 A Bynum, C 11 4 2 4 5 Bench Name Min Reb Ast PF Pts R Turiaf 32 9 3 5 23 V

Zune Dislike #1

2006-10-31T20:11:00.000-08:00

It is not yet released but I know something I hate about Zune already: reloading my (new) Zune account with content from my current URGE account. How pi$$ed am I going to be? Three items would mitigate this problem for me: A larger catalog of songs than any other subscription service available today, especially the crucial DISCO and Ragga eras. A better PC interface than even the current URGE

(Small) Kids & God

2006-10-31T17:56:00.000-08:00

While I was in Da' Basement, I decided, on one of the days I felt better, to try out the pressure washer I purchased to wash the whips eight, nine months ago. (Hey, I got around to it, didn't I?) After hooking up the hoses and whatnot, I started spraying the cars, and out comes John to help me. I turned the pressure the least powerful setting, gave him the nozzle and waited for him to either

Lakers 114, Phoenix 106

2006-10-31T15:48:00.000-08:00

What a niiiice start to the 2006/2007 NBA season for the Los Angeles Lakers.Even with KB24 on the bench along with Kwame Brown and Chris Mihm.Even with Phoenix scoring 41 points in the first quarter on the way to a Lakers deficit of 19 points at that time.However, 'D', as in defense, always wins. And a jump-shooting team cam only be relegated to the stands during the NBA finals.Memo to Phoenix:

Apple: We are upset with Windows for iPod virus!

2006-10-17T23:58:00.000-07:00

From the Apple website: Small Number of Video iPods Shipped With Windows Virus We recently discovered that a small number - less than 1% - of the Video iPods available for purchase after September 12, 2006, left our contract manufacturer carrying the Windows RavMonE.exe virus. This known virus affects only Windows computers, and up to date anti-virus software which is included with most Windows

Breaking News: Apple not worried about Zune!

2006-10-16T14:34:00.000-07:00

So was Digital Research (CP/M) about MS-DOS So was Lotus Development (Lotus 123) about Excel So was Software Publishing Corp. (Harvard Graphics) about PowerPoint So was WordPerfect (WordPerfect) about Word So was Ashton-Tate (dBASE) about Access So Was Aldus/Adobe (PageMaker) about Publisher So was Novell (NetWare) about NT, now Windows Server. So was IBM (OS/2) about Windows 95 So was Netscape (

Kaspersky: Microsoft is not blocking rivals

2006-10-06T12:25:00.000-07:00

Just as I thought! Natalya Kaspersky, CEO and co-founder of the eponymous Russian antivirus company, Kaspersky Lab, informed Reuters that Microsoft was still being as open as in the past with antivirus vendors. This information completely and utterly derails the whining's of Symantec and McAfee. After bungling all the goodwill established by past management regimes at their respective brands with

Build 5744 is released

2006-10-06T11:29:00.000-07:00

Windows Vista beta Build 5744 has been released to the TAP community. Downloading........

Steroids, Bonds, Clemens, etc., etc.

2006-10-02T22:50:00.000-07:00

Can a brotha' buy a break? How do you think though, that brotha's around the US, even those that really, truly dislike Bonds must feel at this time? Clemens juiced! (allegedly) zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...... Pettitte juiced! (allegedly) Snore......... Tejeda juiced! (allegedly) Whatever........ Thankfully there are still principled journalists out there, not alleged baseball 'purists' - rhymes with

Mary Jo Foley's All About Microsoft

2006-09-22T14:12:00.000-07:00

Longtime Microsoft and industry analyst, Mary Jo Foley, is now blogging at All About Microsoft. Already, she has delivered a couple of nuggets: a question on whether Works should be moved online, and another on the Vista prognostications of the punditry. Bookmark her site for her opinions and insight!

Good help is hard to find

2006-09-18T11:31:00.000-07:00

Used to be, you hired someone for a job, they regarded themselves as artisans and created art. No longer. More and more do we hear news of people not taking pride in their chosen profession, masquerading as craftsmen when they are just pretenders. Case in point is Saddam Hussain. For years this yum-yum terrorized an entire subcontinent. (Of course it did matter that the other 'leaders' were

Tiger & Alligator

2006-08-08T10:39:00.000-07:00

This clown, Yates, in NY,NY just had a suit he filed against the City of NY,NY tossed!He, believe it or not, is pissed because the city entered his apartment without a warrant to remove his 10-ft, 400lb tiger, and 280lb alligator from his (public housing) apartment!¿Que?What an idiot!

Windows Live Spaces is now Live!

2006-08-03T07:36:00.000-07:00

The design change is like Win3x to Vista Aero. It is that great.Live Spaces is so easy on the eyes right now that I just might make it my primary blog.Actually, no. I still cannot edit post time.Still a very nice upgrade.

Dell abandons PDA development???

2006-08-03T07:31:00.000-07:00

Somebody wake me up!Is dell still in the PDA business?Their sad offerings have been eyesores for a while now, and now they finally pull the plug? What was the big event?Apart from price, there was zero valueadd going with a Dell PDA.Absolutely Z-E-R-O! Design was an afterthought. There weren't any gee-whiz features. Even the stale design had been frozen for a while. One would have thought that

Microsoft's "Zune" is Real

2006-07-21T12:54:00.000-07:00

Piracy? What Piracy?

2006-07-17T17:33:00.000-07:00

John Battelle, in his Searchblog, has this article about an acquaintance who finds that Battelle’s book, The Search is on the street-vendor’s bestseller list in….Mumbai (Bombay)! Can you imagine? I like Battelle’s view of this, “……how cool is it that The Search is a street bestseller in Mumbai?! Do I care about the piracy? No. No, no no. I care that someone in Mumbai cared enough to rip it off,

Vista 5472 released

2006-07-17T15:56:00.000-07:00

Just downloading this puppy.More later.

Discovery Lands in Florida

2006-07-17T10:54:00.000-07:00

Welcome home, People!A few minutes ago, the Space Shuttle Discovery made a safe landing at Cape Canaveral, in Florida.Hello!!!I cannot be happier!This has turned out to be a very good weekend for me: my son Trevor getting baptized, having a combined baptismal and late birthday party for him, seeing family members and friends, no more soccer on TV, Michael Schumacher winning at Magny Cours, and

Virtual PC is now free!

2006-07-12T14:27:00.000-07:00

Microsoft's Virtual PC product, both the currently shipping Virtual PC 2004, and the forthcoming Virtual PC 2007 and later versions, are now, and will be free!This is a huge, huge announcement.When the announcement was made on April 3, about the freedom of Virtual Server, I wondered why Virtual PC was not included. At the time, it seemed that Microsoft was still playing defense, trying to emulate

Going to da' Basement

2006-07-08T15:29:00.000-07:00

I'm taking a break, aka, going to da basement, from now until July 18 for the baptism of my younger son, Trevor.Since there will be lots of family members and friends from all over the globe, I decided to use this downtime to finish my detailed and publish Windows Vista Beta II Review.This is my 2nd Beta II Review; however, this time I am aided by the Windows VistaTM Product Guide.Also slated to

AOL may offer web services for free

2006-07-06T15:13:00.000-07:00

And, pray tell, who cares?Really, who?The company, apart from all the cattle/customers/users/whatever they're called, do not pass the relevance test any more.I can only hope that this development spurs Microsoft to open up the MSN Explorer product.Though, in all reality, while it has been surpassed by the free Windows Live products gound at Live.com, it is still groundbreaking and relevant in

IE7 Beta 3 Released

2006-06-29T10:50:00.000-07:00

The Founders’ Era at Microsoft Ends

2006-06-15T18:10:00.000-07:00

In an unexpected announcement today, William H Gates III, Chairman and Chief Software Architect, and co-founder of Microsoft, revealed that he was stepping down from the CSA rôle immediately, handing the reins over Ray Ozzie, one of the Chief Technology Officers at Microsoft.The transition will take two years, with Bill G. stepping away from Microsoft duties in July, 2008 when he becomes plain ol

Ray Ozzie will Replace Bill G. as Chief Software Architect

2006-06-15T14:37:00.000-07:00

A very good omen.Hey, if Bill G. calls you the 'Best Software Programmer in the World', despite the fact that you were then working for Manzi, followed by IBM - in their minds his chief competitor, he (Bill G.) purchases your company, and then hands you the reins for making gut-wrenching decisions to move his baby forward, I don't expect anything less!And from the start, it was a good purchase,

Bill Gates is leaving Microsoft in 2008!!!

2006-06-15T14:17:00.000-07:00

What a surprise.I got the call from Michael Reyes, CEO of Hardware Geeks, asking me if I had heard the news.I thought he was making a bad joke, but then again, Mike sounded down.Flicking on the boob-tube, I went to Bloomberg and received the blow: it WAS true!Bill G is leaving MSFT in '08!I am still stunned!Michaels newsflash is here, and Im sure you can catch a glimpse everywhere for the next

On The Wheels of Steel - Week ending June 17 2006

2006-06-15T13:28:00.000-07:00

This week, I have DJ Jimi Ds Naijamix Select VIIISacha - Show me love; Biglo - Delicious; Azadus - Madam; Lord of the Ajasa - Ajasa; Madmelon & Mountain Black - Danfo Driver; El Dee - African Chiquito; Trybessmen ft D.Art Alade - Youngman; DBanj - Tongbolo; JJC - Ewajo; Mr Solek - Your Number; El Dee - Do tie; 2 Face - Keep on Rocking; The Last Two - Keshin Kalaye; Magic System - 1er Gaou; DBanj

60% Infection Rates for PCs?

2006-06-15T13:11:00.000-07:00

The headlines scream that figure out.Microsoft scanned 270 million PCs from January 2005 thru March 2006 and found malicious software on 5.7 million of them.Now, I am not a rocket scientist, actually, I am, but my math, being fuzzy after all these years in IT does not compute that to be 60%.However, that is a whole lot of PCs carrying a malicious payload.Trip this: some of those same PCs were

KB24 is #3?

2006-06-14T09:24:00.000-07:00

The prognosticators at Dime magazine have declared, in their Top 10 NBA players, that Ko8e KB8 KB24, aka Kobe Bryant, is the 3rd best player in the league, behind D-Wade #1, and Dirk at #2.What? Are you kidding me?Normally this would elicit a vitriolic response from Johnny O, but this time, I will contain me-self.Why?Because the same Madamme Cleos at Dime magazine foresaw the New Jersey Nets

Google co-founder in stable condition after concience removal

2006-06-09T14:02:00.000-07:00

This article in Silicon Valley's Good Morning Silicon Valley blog says best what was on my mind over Serge's admission.

My Favorite Hedonist

2006-06-08T12:20:00.000-07:00

My favorite Hedonist, Paul Allen, of Vulcan Ventures, has his yachts described in this article.From the article:....Paul Allen, for example, owns a $200 million 416-foot yacht called the Octopus. It carries a ten-man submarine, two helicopters, and a crew of 60.[...]The kicker to this is that Allen actually has two other yachts: the Tatoosh which at 301 feet is the 15th-largest in the worldand

Vista Beta II CPP

2006-06-08T08:23:00.000-07:00

Microsoft has announced the Windows Vista Customer Preview Program. This opens the Vista Beta to all who want it.And I advise all who want it to try it.Current CPP build is 5384.4

John III Starts Preschool Today

2006-06-05T08:50:00.000-07:00

For the 1st time.Off to John's Preschool I go.

Applied Digital CEO: Immigrants Should wear RFID Tags

2006-06-01T14:11:00.000-07:00

Just when you think it is safe to go back into the water, comes a bit of stupid, moronic drivel, this one coming from the pie-hole of the CEO of Applied Digital, Scott Silverman.In a particularly frightening statement, this idiot states that, "if foreigners were tagged using Applied Digital RFID implants at the border, the technology could verify their identities in the workplace."The mind

Segway ‘Centaur’

2006-05-31T22:31:00.000-07:00

A search on the ‘Net found what I was looking for: the 4-wheeled Segway, the Centaur in the November 7, 2004 issue of Popular Science.Nice, Nice.Of course there isn’t any new info about it since the November 7, 2004 article. It is now called the Concept Centaur on the Segway website at Segway.com.Here is a link to a video on it; Windows Media format, of course! And a slideshow .I’ll probably have

Ballmer: “Vista Still On Track”

2006-05-31T21:29:00.000-07:00

We’ve now heard it from the top: Stevie B., aka Steve Ballmer, the more gregarious half of the IT duo, The ‘Softies, made the declaration today in New York.According to him, Vista™ is on track to be shipped in the first half of January 2007; barring, of course, any last minute snafus.Now, let the speculation continue to run rampant!

Off-Point: Segway mulls Offering Purchase Financing

2006-05-31T15:17:00.000-07:00

Since I started losing weight, this is welcome news.I have wanted one for a while but the weight limits were a problem, since it was not built for ‘Big Guys’. And I had seen a quad in either Popular Mechanics or Popular Science, which seemed like the cat’s meow! I could imagine me-self showing up at Starbucks and parking the quad, leaving a couple of wheels popping a wheelie while I sip my plain

Ballmer Defends Microsoft’s ‘Cash Problem’

2006-05-31T14:56:00.000-07:00

The fact that he has to shows how much the world has changed since the 1980s.At that time Michael R. Milken was vilified for using debt offerings. Now, debt is all the rage!I’m quite sure GM would like to have Microsoft’s problem

Greek & Turkish Planes Collide

2006-05-29T08:50:00.000-07:00

In this newsbite from the beeb, two F-16 fighters, one Turkish, the other Greek collided over the Aegean Sea, with the Greek pilot losing his life. The Turk ejected safely and was rescued.But for the Greek loosing his life, this stupid game would be funny.The report startlingly reveals that this kind of low-level skirmishes have been occurring for a while, which begs the question, "Why is this

Desmond Dekker, R.I.P.

2006-05-29T00:53:00.000-07:00

Reggae great, Desmond Dekker died in London this past weekend.Singer of that wonderful 1968 hit, The Israelites, Dekker was 64 and survived by a son and daughter.Among his other hits were the stark 007 (Shanty Town), and Rude Boy Train.He will be missed.

715!

2006-05-28T23:37:00.000-07:00

What a milestone!Here's hoping that quite a few 'baseball purists' have freaking fatal heart attacks.To all who wanted Barry to 'just retire' at the start of this season, "May your souls rot in hell"!Mutha'fu*kers!!!Now that he has surpassed the 'Bambino', what are you going to do?So much has been made of Bonds getting to 715 that today a few words seem necessary from Yours Truly.To all that say

MSN Spaces

2006-05-25T09:13:00.000-07:00

Don't look now, but MSN Spaces has been a sleeper hit.Actually, it has shot to the top of the charts, becoming the largest blogging service worldwide, according to comScore Media Metrix.101 unique visitors in April? Wow!The Microsoft press release is here.Copyright © 2006, John Obeto II for SmallBizVista.com®

Keeping things in perspective

2006-05-25T09:06:00.000-07:00

While a lot has been said and written about the slowness of downloads of the new betas from Microsoft, Robert Scoble, the Scobelizer, in this post, reminds us of how it used to be.He writesHey, I remember when I was a beta tester on Windows 95. I had to download the entire OS on a 28.8 modem! I did that every weekend. How things have changed!Personally, I remember when I upgraded to a 1200baud

IM'ing with Terri

2006-05-24T20:48:00.000-07:00

Logged on to Windows Live Messenger 8 beta, and, one of my contacts, Terri Stratton, editor-in-chief of The Tablet PC and a moderator of The Hive popped up.I asked her about an interview she had with Jim Alchin posted to The Hive and she replied that she was on vacation in Alaska!Alaska, and had just come in from fishing!This IM thing makes you tethered to the world, eh?

Stupid Article: Your World Wiithout Microsoft

2006-05-24T15:24:00.000-07:00

Coming out of the piehole of a 'pundit' at InfoWorld is an article with the above title.More disturbing is the quote from a Mac fanboi on the editorial team at that magazine in response to a question that, "Microsoft's disappearance would be a good thing, saying, "I hope it would jump start the kind of competitive innovation we haven't seen forever."????Whew!I'll stop here while you catch up.What

Global Piracy

2006-05-23T19:05:00.000-07:00

In this article, Ars Technica rightly takes the BSA piracy numbers to task.Personally, I have always wondered about these numbers that seemed to be SWAGs, and bandied around by law-enforcement types and legislators just before they reduce our rights furtther.I mean, if that was the case, everyone in LDCs must be software/media pirates!Puh-leeeeeeeeeese!!!Just how do you extrapolate an order of

Microsoft's Pay-As-You-Go PC Program

2006-05-22T15:18:00.000-07:00

This hearkens back to numerous posts I have made virtually everywhere about Microsoft's need to seed the emerging markets with Windows, in order to make it truly ubiquitous.And it IS a very good IDEA.If it catches on, forget about the immediate, attendant PC sales! This will not only increase the affordability, in the markets that can barely afford it now, but are getting industrialized, of PCs

Shameless Plug!

2006-05-22T14:39:00.000-07:00

A quote from Yours Truly to Mary Jo Foley, of Microsoft Watch, made it into this week's issue of eWeek, both print and online.I read my first issue of PC Week, the predecessor magazine to eWeek back in 1986 and I 've had a subscription since 1987. Now, I'm in it!I have admired her for years, and Mary Jo's Microsoft Watch site introduced me to some valuable sites such as Daily Rotation which

Antoine Walker

2006-05-19T13:54:00.000-07:00

In a post here, just after KO8E's 81-point coming-out party, I excoriated Antoine Walker for stating that he would have clotheslined Ko8e in order to stop him from getting to 81.Well, I now stand sit before you munching on a platter of crow.Listening to Antoine talk a few minutes ago on a Sports Talk Radio interview - the show name I won't mention because the host is an abominable swine, and I

What a moron!

2006-05-18T22:40:00.000-07:00

David Pogue must be a moron!Over the past several, I get tired of his constant Microsft bashing.Every review of his is a referendum on Microsoft, Windows, etc.I can't burst open the NYTimes fishwrap without some stupid rant disguised as a review form that idiot.The latest: the Treo 700p. The best part about it is the Palm OS?Homie, shake yourself!

Dell to use AMD Chips

2006-05-18T16:30:00.000-07:00

That thud was my jaw hitting the floor.More on this as I get it.

Samsung 16GB Flash Drive

2006-05-18T12:31:00.000-07:00

Gizmodo is reporting that the Samsung 16GB solid-state announced last year is being setup for ordering by a certain web site for $1999.00.Yes, $1999.00!WTF???If, as expected, 8GB USB drive become available later this year for $175 to $200 MSRP, just what is the point of a doubling of the capacity for 5x the price?Unbelievable.Copyright © 2006, John Obeto II for SmallBizVista.com®

Vista Minimum Hardware Requirements

2006-05-18T12:20:00.000-07:00

Microsoft today released the minimum hardware requirement specifications for the upcoming Windows Vista operating system.From the press release, found here:To qualify as Capable or Premium Ready, PCs must meet or exceed the following requirements: Windows Vista Capable Windows Vista Premium Ready Processor: Modern processor (at least 800 MHz)1 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64)1

1000 Posts

2006-05-18T10:17:00.000-07:00

Hive member PhotoStory just pointed out that I had made my 1000th post to The Hive.The Hive is a community of community leaders from all over the world and serves as a repository for some of the broadest ranges of views on computing, especially Microsoft- and Windows-centric computing.I'm surprised. That it is only 1000! In actuality, while 1000 is a lot and I hope it won't take me as long to get

Windows Media Player 11 beta & URGE Released

2006-05-17T10:46:00.000-07:00

URGE, the new online music service offering from a Microsoft/MTV collaboration was released to the public today, along with the attendent Windows Media Player 11 beta.I am in the process of applying for the 14-day trial in order to browse the playlist (for songs from the 1980s).I also hope that music videos are included; that would be an excellent valueadd.Copyright © 2006, John Obeto II for

Vista beta Build 5381 Preview Report Released

2006-05-16T14:04:00.000-07:00

My Vista 5381.1 Preview Report has been released on the internal Logikworx website.A more detailed review will be released next week, along with my Vista Beta II Lab report.Copyright © 2006, John Obeto II for SmallBizVista.com®