All I want for Seven is…

June 16, 2008
12 Comments

While Long Zheng has shined a much needed spotlight on Vista’s visual quirks at Windows UX Taskforce, I figured it’s about time someone brought to light another major aspect of Windows, the features. As important as the UI is, I can certainly cope with some minor visual flaws here and there; it’s in terms of features, where Windows is starting to fall behind. And there’s no time like the present to start getting your word out.

So here are six suggestions that I believe would be crucial to Windows Seven’s success:

• One version, Modular Installation: Boy, did Apple ever have it right with that “Basic version for $129… Premium version for $129… Business version for $129… and an Ultimate version, for $129″. One of the major criticisms Vista has faced since before it ever even hit store shelves, has been the amount of available editions. This has got to go! Users should not have to stare at the store shelf for ten minutes, looking at the comparison tables on each box, deciding which version to pick. Windows Seven MUST ship in one version, and one version only. The solution to this? Modular installation. Let the user pick what applications and features to install during the setup. To make this process easier, there should be four suggested “installation modes”, where the user can select whether they want to optimize the installation for a Home environment, a Business environment, or a Full installation (the fourth “mode” being custom). The installer will then highlight and select the suggested components to install, yet still allowing the user to make the decision in the end. That means one version and one price tag, allowing you to have the Seven you want.

Continue reading ‘All I want for Seven is…’

Zunes finally come to the Great White North

June 13, 2008
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Zune 4GB/8GB model's shownWell well well, look who finally decided to show up. As expected, the Zune has finally made it’s way over the border today, and snuggled right up onto them cosy store shelves.

If you’re Canadian, and interested in purchasing a Zune, you can now pick one up at most major retailers (ie. Future Shop, Best Buy, and so on…). The unit is available in the same three flavors as usual, with a 4GB, 8GB and 80GB model priced at 139, 189 and 249 loonies respectively (that’s $10 more on each compared to their US brotherin, for those who are interested).

And look at that, just on time for father’s day. Strategic planning on Microsoft’s part? I would think so.

Fiji, anyone?

May 31, 2008
5 Comments

I can’t get you much news about Seven, but will you settle news for Windows “Fiji”?

I thought you would. For those who aren’t “in the know”, Fiji is scheduled as the next update to Windows Vista’s Media Center, or an Update Rollup if you will. Well, thanks to a good friend whom some of you may know by the name of BoInTheMix, I have some details about this update to share with you today.

Here are just a few bits of information about Fiji:
- Will add DirecTV support, which has been a long time coming (since 2006)
- New built-in Updating engine (seperate from Windows Update) dubbed “Windows Media Center Update”
- To be named “Windows Vista Media Center Feature Pack 2008″
- Currently in private beta, but scheduled to be released in the coming months

At the moment, that’s all I can share with you. But more to come as it floats down the tubes…

What, think I’d leave it at that? Bah, never…

I’m up, I’m up!… zZzz….

May 27, 2008
3 Comments

Hey, remember me? Yeah, David, the guy who pops in here every once in a while for a blog post.

Ok, ok, so I’m not the most active blogger there is, can you really blame me though? We’re suffering somewhat of a lull when it comes to [blog worthy] technology related news. Let’s face it, there’s nothing going on in the beta world right now, and I’ll be honest, ever since I sold my MacBook, I haven’t really been popping my head into that sector much (I did look around today though, and the grass is pretty dead on that side of the fence too).

When it gets to points like this, I would generally start leaking small bits of info from the beta programs I participate in on Microsoft Connect… but it’s dead in there too (and last time I did that, it didn’t end up so well for me.)

But, just to make this blog post a little longer, here’s some quick updates:

- Windows Live Messenger 9: Squat. The devs have been hiding in their developer caves for the past few months. However, these docile creatures are said to have been spotted outside of their caverns in the darkness of the night, feasting on and devouring the top rated suggestions of their testers.

- Internet Explorer 8: Can’t say much for this either. Testing is still going strong, but no new builds are in the wild yet. However, we can expect a second beta soon it appears.

- Windows “Seven”: According to recent reports, 7 may be poking it’s head out at today’s D6 Conference in San Diego, California. Videos of today’s events will be available right over here. (Thanks, Long)

- The Mac Front: Just more rumors and the usual leaked patent applications, same old stuff. Nothing official yet.

And there you have it, you’re pretty much up to date on all the latest from the past month. Oh, and Windows Live search got a face lift… again.

Microsoft jingles keys infront of Ultimate users

April 22, 2008
1 Comment

In a horrible attempt to resurrect the once much-anticipated Ultimate Extras, Microsoft has released a few new “Exclusive Extras” for Windows Vista Ultimate users.

What exactly are these new Extras? Two new sound schemes and a couple of new Dreamscene backgrounds! It’s been seven months since we’ve last seen any new Extras, honestly, this is the best you can give us?

Microsoft, I’m sorry, but this has become inexcusable at this point. First, in October, you flood users with more language packs than anyone will ever be able to use in their lifetime, and now you release these “extras”, clearly in a sad attempt to silence our complaints. Well, congratulations, because you’ve done the exact opposite in my books. Users have payed a premium for these so called “Extras”, and a few measly novelty items like these don’t even come close to justifying that premium. You have failed your customers, once again.

Personally, I know I won’t be satisfied until I see a copy of Geometry Wars make it’s way down the Windows Update tubes.

Windows Live for All!

April 20, 2008
1 Comment

It wasn’t too many moons ago that the Windows Live Messenger team officially announced that users running either Windows Server or 64-Bit editions of Windows would not be able to install any Windows Live Applications.

Seeing as how I am currently running not only Windows Server 2008, but the 64-Bit edition as well, this poses to be a bit of an issue for me. Thankfully however, Rafael Rivera quickly discovered that it was not the applications them selves that did not support these operating systems, but the Windows Live Installer, which is required to download and install them. It also seems that installation is as easy as running the individual MSI’s for each app.

This is where things get a bit complicated. The problem here is, that Microsoft doesn’t host each MSI separately and forces users to use the Windows Live Installer, so getting your hands on these MSI’s has been a bit of a tricky process, requiring you to run the Windows Live Installer on another machine which is running a supported OS, find the hidden MSI’s that the installer downloads, and transfer them to your “unsupported” system.

However, with the help of Rafael and Matt Sharpe, I have here the MSI’s for every Windows Live Application there is, for your downloading needs:

Just run the individual MSI’s and before you know it, you’ll be running your favorite Windows Live apps on your 64-Bit/Server system!

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