Peter Cook: Microsoft

OpenDocument standard ratified

Mon, 08 May 2006 03:42:34 GMT

An international standards group sets the stage for worldwide adoption of this open-source file format.
[Via CNET News.com]

The iPod Observer - Now Playing - Microsoft Confirms it Originated iPod Box Parody Video

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 02:31:07 GMT

Microsoft spokesman Tom Pilla on Tuesday confirmed with iPod Observer that his company initiated the creation of the iPod packaging parody video that was first reported last month. "It was an internal-only video clip commissioned by our packaging [team] to humorously highlight the challenges we have faced RE: packaging and to educate marketers here about the pitfalls of packaging/branding," he said via e-mail.

A sense of humour? Who knew?! It's a good parody.

Winner announced in Windows XP on Intel Mac contest

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 02:30:00 GMT

According to an article on ArsTechnica, the solution developed by narf is "fairly complicated." The tech site notes that users will need a Windows PC to complete the process, which is likely to defeat the purpose of the hack for most people. However, anyone with a bit of computer knowledge, access to a PC and 30 minutes to spare, should be able to get the solution working.

Mac takes bite out of Windows

Sat, 12 Nov 2005 01:38:10 GMT

Hardly a week goes by that I don't hear from a friend or colleague with a monumental Windows problem.

I tell them I'm glad to help, on one condition: Next time they buy a computer, they agree to consider a Macintosh. A year ago, after a particularly trying week of spyware, adware, viral attacks, lock-ups and reboots, I changed my primary computer to a Mac.

Presentation Zen: Gates, Jobs, & the Zen aesthetic

Wed, 09 Nov 2005 15:35:42 GMT

As a follow up to yesterday's post on Bill Gates' presentation style, I thought it would be useful to examine briefly the two contrasting visual approaches employed by Gates and Jobs in their presentations while keeping key aesthetic concepts found in Zen in mind. I believe we can use many of the concepts in Zen and Zen aesthetics to help us compare their presentation visuals as well as help us improve our own visuals. My point in comparing Jobs and Gates is not to poke fun but to learn.

News: Microsoft posts Mac Office 2004 11.2.1 Update

Tue, 25 Oct 2005 17:25:31 GMT

Microsoft has posted an update to Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac that fixes issues related to Entourage that have cropped up since the Service Pack 2 release.
[Via MacCentral]

News: Windows worm beginning to spread

Sun, 21 Aug 2005 04:49:13 GMT

A variety of worms that exploit a Windows vulnerability disclosed last week are hitting many systems worldwide, reportedly including some at cable network CNN, and could reach critical mass in the next several hours, according to antivirus vendor Trend Micro Inc.
[Via MacCentral]

Microsoft wants to put the brakes on HD Radio

Wed, 27 Jul 2005 21:11:49 GMT

This is an interesting little tidbit. Apparently Microsoft is asking the FCC to halt adoption of HD Radio, questioning both the codec and the mechanism for Digital Audio Broadcasting. Last month the FCC requested comments from all interested regarding the proposed standards.

Microsoft has stepped up and wants the FCC to hold off adopting the recommendations in the NRSC-5 document. What exactly do they see wrong with it?

[Via Droxy (Digital Radio)]

Microsoft patents music learning

Thu, 07 Jul 2005 04:25:07 GMT

Blog: If ever there was something to take the magic out of music, it's reading a Microsoft patent on teaching people to understand...
[Via CNET News.com]

12 minutes to PC infection

Mon, 04 Jul 2005 17:33:01 GMT

If a Windows computer is not properly protected when connected to the Internet, chances are it will take all of 12 minutes before it becomes infected, a security company says
[Via The Globe and Mail - Technology News]

Get a Mac.

Once Again, Microsoft Faces Antitrust Suit

Mon, 04 Jul 2005 17:29:38 GMT

Microsoft's efforts to extricate itself from antitrust disputes received another setback last week when the founder of the Go Corporation filed suit in federal and state courts last Wednesday.
[Via New York Times: Technology]

Next Office edition to default to XML

Fri, 03 Jun 2005 04:23:11 GMT

Internet-friendly XML technology will be default file format for documents created in Word, Excel and PowerPoint
[Via The Globe and Mail - Technology News]

Next Office edition to default to XML

Thu, 02 Jun 2005 20:54:05 GMT

Internet-friendly XML technology will be default file format for documents created in Word, Excel and PowerPoint
[Via The Globe and Mail - Technology News]

Loading “macosxhints - 10.4: Reclaim drive space after an Archive and Install”

Wed, 01 Jun 2005 15:38:33 GMT

Q: A couple of reports have mentioned that the Xbox 360 games you and your partners are demonstrating are running on emulators on Apple's Macintosh computers. Did Bill Gates grit his teeth when he read that?

The Xbox team thinks different!

Q: They think different? I like that. I'm sure Steve Jobs would like that, too!

Well, I have more G5's than any human being on planet earth right now. That was the closest hardware system that was out there. Even though we're doing highly customized parts, they still are derivative of off-the-shelf parts. So we've given them a good approximation. When we get the final hardware, the performance is just going to skyrocket.

Steve Gillmor : "On Thursday, Google laid...

Tue, 24 May 2005 05:37:00 GMT

Steve Gillmor: "On Thursday, Google laid down a 60-day window for offering RSS support in their Fusion operating system/office suite hybrid. On Sunday night Steve Jobs laid down a 60-day window for RSS enclosure support inside iTunes. Today, as the smoke clears from these two cannon blasts across Microsoft's bow, Bill Gates must surely realize he's just been upgraded to the RSS revolution. Hoisted on his own petard."
[Via Scripting News]

Reboot These Error Messages

Fri, 20 May 2005 14:16:39 GMT

If Microsoft had any brains, it would completely overhaul Windows's error messages.
[Via NYT > Pogue's Posts]

Apple - Support - Downloads - Bonjour for Windows

Mon, 09 May 2005 22:38:05 GMT

Bonjour, also known as zero-configuration networking, enables automatic discovery of computers, devices, and services on IP networks. Bonjour uses industry standard IP protocols to allow devices to automatically discover each other without the need to enter IP addresses or configure DNS servers.

As far as I know Apple has one other piece of software for Windows: iTunes. It's pretty obvious what the motivation was there: iPods and the iTunes store. So what's with this? I'm guessing that they are laying the foundation for an as yet unannounced consumer product.

PC users drowning in data, Microsoft says

Wed, 27 Apr 2005 22:24:27 GMT

Experts must improve search systems so users can make sense of such mind-boggling amounts of information, Bill Gates says
[Via The Globe and Mail - Technology News]

Well . . . you could buy a Mac and use Spotlight!

Apple's Big Virus

Thu, 21 Apr 2005 18:33:06 GMT

The influence of the 'Mac culture'

After your identity has been stolen, your bank accounts compromised, 53 critical patches and 27 reboots later, when will you decide that you've had enough?…

[Via The Register]
"Just as Windows users have become accustomed to 140,000 viruses, Apple users have become accustomed to none. It's a major cultural difference that admittedly, sometimes causes Apple users to do stupid things -- and get away with them. It's hard to describe the freedom of using a system with no malware known to have spread. It's liberating."

I can't believe Bill Gates is being...

Thu, 21 Apr 2005 18:23:25 GMT

I can't believe Bill Gates is being considered by the Discovery Channel as the "greatest American." A long time ago he took over other people's ideas (this was before software patents), and then once he cleared the field of all competition, went on permanent vacation. Just shows how much we're about perceptions, if he wins the award what they really mean is he's the greatest impersonation of a great American.
[Via Scripting News]

Microsoft to kill MSN for the Mac

Fri, 11 Mar 2005 23:23:55 GMT

Software maker says it will discontinue its dial-up software for Mac users. Perhaps Apples and butterflies don't get along.
[Via CNET News.com]

Firefox reaches 25 million desktops

Sat, 19 Feb 2005 04:45:31 GMT

Mozilla's browser continues to build a strong following, challenging the dominance of Microsoft's IE.
[Via CNET News.com]

Microsoft doubles profits on slow sales

Mon, 31 Jan 2005 19:49:41 GMT

"Microsoft Corp., the world's largest software maker, said second-quarter profit doubled on lower stock- based compensation costs. Sales growth declined to 6.5 percent as demand slowed for Windows and Office," reports Bloomberg. "Net income rose to $3.46 billion, or 32...
[Via Online]

Gates Donates $750 Mln for Child Vaccines -Papers

Tue, 25 Jan 2005 04:33:27 GMT

LONDON (Reuters) - Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates is donating $750 million to pay for wider vaccination programs in developing countries, British newspapers said on Tuesday.
[Via Reuters: World]

HOWTO make your PC more secure, by Bruce Schneier

Tue, 14 Dec 2004 00:30:24 GMT

Cory Doctorow: For my money, Bruce Schneier is the best computer security person in the field right now. He's just published a list of security recommendations for individuals who want to make their PCs safer:

Operating systems: If possible, don't use Microsoft Windows. Buy a Macintosh or use Linux. If you must use Windows, set up Automatic Update so that you automatically receive security patches. And delete the files "command.com" and "cmd.exe."
Applications: Limit the number of applications on your machine. If you don't need it, don't install it. If you no longer need it, uninstall it. Look into one of the free office suites as an alternative to Microsoft Office. Regularly check for updates to the applications you use and install them. Keeping your applications patched is important, but don't lose sleep over it.
Browsing: Don't use Microsoft Internet Explorer, period. Limit use of cookies and applets to those few sites that provide services you need. Set your browser to regularly delete cookies. Don't assume a Web site is what it claims to be, unless you've typed in the URL yourself. Make sure the address bar shows the exact address, not a near-miss.
Web sites: Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption does not provide any assurance that the vendor is trustworthy or that its database of customer information is secure.

Link
[Via Boing Boing]