Most computer repair people who advertise on Craigslist dont tell you who they are?
Why hide your email address if you're a legitimate business?
They dont even tell you their name.
And, I've noticed, the cheaper they are, the more they go out of their way to hide any contact information.
It's just like my customers tell me: "You get what you pay for."
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Controversial National Security-level Internet treaty trimmed
ACTA, the secret police-state copyright "trade agreement" (so it doesnt have to be ratified by elected officials), has had the paragraph that would have forced your Internet Service Provider to cut off your Internet service if you did something the movie studios or record companies didnt like taken out.
This "trade agreement" is still so horrible it will turn all developed nations into police states, though.
Article here: http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/04/acta-treaty/ .
This "trade agreement" is still so horrible it will turn all developed nations into police states, though.
Article here: http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/04/acta-treaty/ .
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Another reason why you shouldnt use McAfee Antivirus
Because a poorly tested virus update file might kill Windows dead.
check out the article here: http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2010/04/broken-mcafee-dat-update-cripples-windows-workstations.ars
check out the article here: http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2010/04/broken-mcafee-dat-update-cripples-windows-workstations.ars
Monday, April 19, 2010
Craigslist phish almost catches me
Just about everyone has heard of "phishing," the emails that are supposedly from a trusted website or business that are actually from criminals and scammers.
As you know, all scams that succeed do so because they play on the essential human desire to get ahead, get something for nothing, or to gain an advantage over one's competition. So, on Saturday last, I received an email that looked like it came from Craigslist, and since I have ads on Craigslist I read the email instead of dismissing it.
But because the email promised a reasonable product (free premium ad placement on Craigslist) and because the email did not have any spelling errors or funny grammar, I clicked on the link provided, exactly like I should not have.
This shows how sophisticated some phishing can be, even when the when the message is simple.
This also shows how easy it is to fall victim to scams, even when you know what is going on.
If you are reading this, you may be wondering what the outcome of my encounter with this phishing email was. That outcome was nothing.
I clicked on the link, just like I shouldnt have, and Firefox opened up a new tab and instead of loading the scammers page, Firefox gave me a bright red page with a policeman holding a stop sign next to a warning that said "This page is known to be fraudulent, do you wish to continue?"
This warning stopped me in my tracks and made me go back to the email and examine it more closely. When I did, I saw the obvious markings of a phishing email.
This is why I use Firefox, and why you should too.
As you know, all scams that succeed do so because they play on the essential human desire to get ahead, get something for nothing, or to gain an advantage over one's competition. So, on Saturday last, I received an email that looked like it came from Craigslist, and since I have ads on Craigslist I read the email instead of dismissing it.
But because the email promised a reasonable product (free premium ad placement on Craigslist) and because the email did not have any spelling errors or funny grammar, I clicked on the link provided, exactly like I should not have.
This shows how sophisticated some phishing can be, even when the when the message is simple.
This also shows how easy it is to fall victim to scams, even when you know what is going on.
If you are reading this, you may be wondering what the outcome of my encounter with this phishing email was. That outcome was nothing.
I clicked on the link, just like I shouldnt have, and Firefox opened up a new tab and instead of loading the scammers page, Firefox gave me a bright red page with a policeman holding a stop sign next to a warning that said "This page is known to be fraudulent, do you wish to continue?"
This warning stopped me in my tracks and made me go back to the email and examine it more closely. When I did, I saw the obvious markings of a phishing email.
This is why I use Firefox, and why you should too.
Friday, April 16, 2010
The Future of Innovation Requires Ending Copyright Tyranny Now
If you dont know about the current state of copyright or think there is nothing wrong with it, check out this article on Cnet: http://news.cnet.com/8301-31322_3-20002541-256.html?tag=newsFeaturedBlogArea.0
The writer makes a great point about how America, you know, The Land of the Free, is quietly and every so subtly become a copyright police state, where Hollywood's movie studios and the record industry corporations are using Congress to demand that the police (yes, your *local* police), the FBI, and the Border Patrol stop, search and seize iPods and any other type of portable media player including iPhones and Blackberrys.
Forget terrorists, murderers, rapists, bank robbers and illegal immigrants, the RIAA and MPAA are even now demanding that every level of law enforcement stop what they are doing and make sure that every portable music or video player contains only legally purchased music or videos.
If the owner cannot produce proof of purchase at the time of search, the player must be seized and destroyed on the spot, lest the police themselves become corrupted.
The problem with having music or video on a portable player, according to the RIAA and MPAA, is that no music or video that exists on a portable player is legal, since the terms of the End User License Agreement clearly state that the music or video is not legally allowed to be transferred to any portable player.
Like the article says, this leads to a copyright police state. In America.
The writer makes a great point about how America, you know, The Land of the Free, is quietly and every so subtly become a copyright police state, where Hollywood's movie studios and the record industry corporations are using Congress to demand that the police (yes, your *local* police), the FBI, and the Border Patrol stop, search and seize iPods and any other type of portable media player including iPhones and Blackberrys.
Forget terrorists, murderers, rapists, bank robbers and illegal immigrants, the RIAA and MPAA are even now demanding that every level of law enforcement stop what they are doing and make sure that every portable music or video player contains only legally purchased music or videos.
If the owner cannot produce proof of purchase at the time of search, the player must be seized and destroyed on the spot, lest the police themselves become corrupted.
The problem with having music or video on a portable player, according to the RIAA and MPAA, is that no music or video that exists on a portable player is legal, since the terms of the End User License Agreement clearly state that the music or video is not legally allowed to be transferred to any portable player.
Like the article says, this leads to a copyright police state. In America.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Govt spying on online purchases
Unveiled recently at a wiretapping and eavesdroppers conference, a small Arizona company is selling a box* you can plug into a network and use to secretly spy on what people are saying and doing (i.e. shopping) on what are supposedly "secure" websites, such as Gmail, Ebay, Amazon, etc.
This companies wiretap box requires the cooperation of the same companies who tell your browser what websites are safe to go to.
This box, with the (voluntary, coerced, blackmailed, or bribed) cooperation of the Certifying Authority (CA) allows government agencies, law enforcement or anyone with enough money to use this box to intercept your email, read it and then let go on to its destination.
Also, it can be used to spy on your shopping habits (because its been proven that most bureaucrats are bored and curious voyeurs).
So just be aware that you may be being spied upon by people you would rather not know what your email says or what you are buying.
And no, there's nothing you can do about it.
Here the link to a couple of articles on the topic, here, and here.
*I say "box," but it is actually a router; "box" is easier to understand for the non-technical audience.
This companies wiretap box requires the cooperation of the same companies who tell your browser what websites are safe to go to.
This box, with the (voluntary, coerced, blackmailed, or bribed) cooperation of the Certifying Authority (CA) allows government agencies, law enforcement or anyone with enough money to use this box to intercept your email, read it and then let go on to its destination.
Also, it can be used to spy on your shopping habits (because its been proven that most bureaucrats are bored and curious voyeurs).
So just be aware that you may be being spied upon by people you would rather not know what your email says or what you are buying.
And no, there's nothing you can do about it.
Here the link to a couple of articles on the topic, here, and here.
*I say "box," but it is actually a router; "box" is easier to understand for the non-technical audience.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Should you care about 4G?
4G is the new next-generation of cell phone network speeds.
Technically, 4G means "4th Generation network." Yes, the ads promise it to be faster, better, etc.,etc.; but should you care?
The short answer is "not really."
The long answer is if you are an average user with a non-smart phone, this wont matter to you.
If you have a smart (Windows, Android, or i) phone, the speed difference wont be tremendous, and probably not existent anywhere 3G doesnt reach now.
You're better off using Wi-fi, wherever its available. In fact, most major networks (except Verizon) are expanding their wi-fi networks to handle the expected increase in data traffic.
Technically, 4G means "4th Generation network." Yes, the ads promise it to be faster, better, etc.,etc.; but should you care?
The short answer is "not really."
The long answer is if you are an average user with a non-smart phone, this wont matter to you.
If you have a smart (Windows, Android, or i) phone, the speed difference wont be tremendous, and probably not existent anywhere 3G doesnt reach now.
You're better off using Wi-fi, wherever its available. In fact, most major networks (except Verizon) are expanding their wi-fi networks to handle the expected increase in data traffic.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
PDF overtakes Word as virus spreader
As it happens, Adobe's Acrobat PDF(Portable Document Format) program has overtaken Microsoft Word as the program most attacked by viruses.
This is because Microsoft has been trying very hard to fix any and all of the loopholes in Word and Office that allow viruses to attack them, while Adobe has not.
This has become a problem because more computers have some version of Adobe Acrobat on them than have Word, and most installed versions of Acrobat are old and unpatched; this allows loopholes in the program to be exploited by the bad guys.
See the article here: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/03/09/adobe_reader_attacks/
If you would like an alternative to Acrobat, try the free Foxit PDF Reader: http://download.cnet.com/Foxit-Reader/3000-10743_4-10313206.html
This is because Microsoft has been trying very hard to fix any and all of the loopholes in Word and Office that allow viruses to attack them, while Adobe has not.
This has become a problem because more computers have some version of Adobe Acrobat on them than have Word, and most installed versions of Acrobat are old and unpatched; this allows loopholes in the program to be exploited by the bad guys.
See the article here: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/03/09/adobe_reader_attacks/
If you would like an alternative to Acrobat, try the free Foxit PDF Reader: http://download.cnet.com/Foxit-Reader/3000-10743_4-10313206.html
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
MagicJack's agreement allow spying on your phone calls
If you have the MagicJack USB phone service you may want to know that by using it you are allowing the MagicJack company to listen in on your phone calls and sell any information obtained to advertisers who will then pay MagicJack.
I'm not saying that you should not use the service; just be aware that anything you say while on the phone will be used to target advertising at you, and that confidential information between you and the person to whom you are speaking may be sold to interested third parties such as your employer or your health insurer.
Here is the link to the article: http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/04/14/magicjacks-eula-says.html
I'm not saying that you should not use the service; just be aware that anything you say while on the phone will be used to target advertising at you, and that confidential information between you and the person to whom you are speaking may be sold to interested third parties such as your employer or your health insurer.
Here is the link to the article: http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/04/14/magicjacks-eula-says.html
Monday, March 22, 2010
Malware causes Windows crash during Auto Update
ZDNet has a story about a piece of of malware(virus, spyware, etc.) which infects Windows below the operating level, which caused some PC's to stop working during or right after Automatic Updates in February.
This type of malware is called a 'rootkit', because it is a 'kit' of programs that infects Windows at the 'root' of the software.
If you looked at the listing of all of your files and folders, you would notice that all of the folders appear to start downward from the Desktop and branch out from there; kind of like an upside down tree. (This is why the listing is called a "folder tree.")
The very top is called the "root," like the root of a tree; If you have access to the root of any computer, you can do anything you want, even reprogram the whole computer.
This type of malware is called a 'rootkit', because it is a 'kit' of programs that infects Windows at the 'root' of the software.
If you looked at the listing of all of your files and folders, you would notice that all of the folders appear to start downward from the Desktop and branch out from there; kind of like an upside down tree. (This is why the listing is called a "folder tree.")
The very top is called the "root," like the root of a tree; If you have access to the root of any computer, you can do anything you want, even reprogram the whole computer.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Next Explorer wont run on XP
Microsoft's newest version of Internet Explorer wont run on Windows XP, according to the general manager of Microsoft's Internet Explorer group.
He said at a recent conference that a "modern browser" needed a "modern operating system" to run.
Also, of note, because of security concerns surrounding Internet Explorer 6, some large and popular websites have announced that they will no longer be allowing computers who are using IE 6 to access their websites.
This may not seem fair, but it is in the best interests of all concerned. Anyone who is still using Internet Explorer 6 really should be using IE 7 or 8.
The newer versions will help in preventing virus attacks for you and help these websites from being attacked; which is also good for you.
He said at a recent conference that a "modern browser" needed a "modern operating system" to run.
Also, of note, because of security concerns surrounding Internet Explorer 6, some large and popular websites have announced that they will no longer be allowing computers who are using IE 6 to access their websites.
This may not seem fair, but it is in the best interests of all concerned. Anyone who is still using Internet Explorer 6 really should be using IE 7 or 8.
The newer versions will help in preventing virus attacks for you and help these websites from being attacked; which is also good for you.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
New hard drives may hurt XP performance
Ars Technica has a good article on why Windows XP may be slower when using brand new hard drives: http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2010/03/why-new-hard-disks-might-not-be-much-fun-for-xp-users.ars
It boils down to bigger hard drives need more error correction space to keep your data intact; and so, as hard drives get bigger, it becomes harder to maintain the integrity of your data.
The solution is to change the size of the storage areas on the hard drive so that it is easier to maintain the integrity of the data.
Because Windows XP was created before this was an issue XP has to perform more actions to read and write data of off these newer hard drives, which makes everything slow down.
This is another good reason to move on to Windows 7 as soon as possible.
It boils down to bigger hard drives need more error correction space to keep your data intact; and so, as hard drives get bigger, it becomes harder to maintain the integrity of your data.
The solution is to change the size of the storage areas on the hard drive so that it is easier to maintain the integrity of the data.
Because Windows XP was created before this was an issue XP has to perform more actions to read and write data of off these newer hard drives, which makes everything slow down.
This is another good reason to move on to Windows 7 as soon as possible.
Friday, January 08, 2010
First post of the New Year
Here it is, the first post of the New Year.
Last year, I resolved to post more often and I almost made it. Three quarters of the year, I posted at least once a week (on average).
Lets see if I can do better this year.
So, until I have something to write about, have some free stuff. This is Maximum PC magazines's Best Free Applications of 2009.
See you next time.
Last year, I resolved to post more often and I almost made it. Three quarters of the year, I posted at least once a week (on average).
Lets see if I can do better this year.
So, until I have something to write about, have some free stuff. This is Maximum PC magazines's Best Free Applications of 2009.
See you next time.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Online reviews
If you've ever searched for anything online, you have no doubt read online reviews for it. Whether it is a piece of clothing, an electronic item or a store or professional service, there are reviews for it.
As an aware consumer, you need to be skeptical of all user reviews because of the anonymous nature of the Internet and the competitive nature of some businesses (like computer repair).
If there are 'tons' of negative reviews for a business and few positive reviews, check to see if the negative reviews were posted within a day or two of each other. If there were really that many unhappy customers, the reviews would be spread out and what the people said would be different from review to review (fake reviews tend to say the same thing over and over again).
Also, check the website of the person or company involve to see if the complaints mention thing that the company actually does; for instance, if the website says they never give estimates, but all the reviews claim that the final charge was "over the estimate", its probably a fake review posted by a competitor.
Also, check other review sites, and see if the review are more even somewhere else.
There, now you are a more informed and knowledgeable consumer.
As an aware consumer, you need to be skeptical of all user reviews because of the anonymous nature of the Internet and the competitive nature of some businesses (like computer repair).
If there are 'tons' of negative reviews for a business and few positive reviews, check to see if the negative reviews were posted within a day or two of each other. If there were really that many unhappy customers, the reviews would be spread out and what the people said would be different from review to review (fake reviews tend to say the same thing over and over again).
Also, check the website of the person or company involve to see if the complaints mention thing that the company actually does; for instance, if the website says they never give estimates, but all the reviews claim that the final charge was "over the estimate", its probably a fake review posted by a competitor.
Also, check other review sites, and see if the review are more even somewhere else.
There, now you are a more informed and knowledgeable consumer.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Some things to know about Windows 7
Hardware Minimums:
Yes, you need to know what hardware you machine has, in order to know whether you can put Win 7 on it. These requirements are for the lowest amount of acceptable operation.
These requirements are (as I have tested them):
Next time, can you just put Windows 7 in the computer and say "Go!"?
Yes, you need to know what hardware you machine has, in order to know whether you can put Win 7 on it. These requirements are for the lowest amount of acceptable operation.
These requirements are (as I have tested them):
- A CPU of 1.5 Ghz or better. You find this out by right-clicking on My Computer, going the list and clicking on Properties. This will also tell you how much RAM you have.
- 1 GB of RAM. There doesnt seem to be appreciable lag in opening programs with this amount of RAM installed. At least half of you have this amount already; the rest will need to spend the $40 to meet this requirement.
- A 20 GB hard drive or larger. Since even the cheapest computer these days comes with at least 40 GB or more, you should be fine without even looking.
- A video card that is DirectX 9.0 hardware compliant. If you have a installed a video card at any time in the last three years, you are OK. Dont know if you have a video card? Look at the back of your tower; if the blue cable is coming from near the bottom, you do. If the cable is coming from the top(or top of the middle area), you dont. But thats OK, video cards are very inexpensive (unless you intend to play video games or start editing movies).
- A DVD drive. Also very cheap.
Next time, can you just put Windows 7 in the computer and say "Go!"?
Windows 7
Windows 7 comes out today; I will be buying it (if not today, then soon).
Will you, my vast reading audience, also be buying Windows 7? Will you buy the boxed software and keep your current hardware, or will you buy an entirely new computer?
If you are wondering whether you should or not, the answer is Yes, if your budget allows.
I have said previously that Windows 7 is a worthwhile product based on other peoples reviews and a limited amount of my own testing. I think that it deserves the chance to prove to you that it is safer than XP, as easy to use as XP(after the somewhat short learning curve), and at least as fast as XP.
And no, I dont work for Microsoft, nor have I been compensated for saying nice things about Windows.
Will you, my vast reading audience, also be buying Windows 7? Will you buy the boxed software and keep your current hardware, or will you buy an entirely new computer?
If you are wondering whether you should or not, the answer is Yes, if your budget allows.
I have said previously that Windows 7 is a worthwhile product based on other peoples reviews and a limited amount of my own testing. I think that it deserves the chance to prove to you that it is safer than XP, as easy to use as XP(after the somewhat short learning curve), and at least as fast as XP.
And no, I dont work for Microsoft, nor have I been compensated for saying nice things about Windows.
I Know I've Said This Before, But...
If you search Craigslist for computer help, you will find dozens of ads for people only too willing to help out with your troubles, myself included.
What concerns me is when I see an ad that says "Hi, I am an experienced computer person, but I dont want to tell you who I am, give you any sense I really might know what I am doing or give you any actual contact information." The ads dont actually say that, of course; but it is the sense one gets from reading them.
It is quite possible that I get this sense only because they are competing with me for business, but I dont think so. I am quite happy to share the large customer base around here, but... I would prefer that people selling a service to people who may not know any better at least provide a phone number, if not an email address and a website address, instead of using Craigslists anonymous email system.
How does anyone know that this anonymous person on Craigslist is who they claim to be if the only contact is through an anonymous email?
I know, I am just being paranoid, but it still bugs me. Am I right to be this concerned, or not?
What concerns me is when I see an ad that says "Hi, I am an experienced computer person, but I dont want to tell you who I am, give you any sense I really might know what I am doing or give you any actual contact information." The ads dont actually say that, of course; but it is the sense one gets from reading them.
It is quite possible that I get this sense only because they are competing with me for business, but I dont think so. I am quite happy to share the large customer base around here, but... I would prefer that people selling a service to people who may not know any better at least provide a phone number, if not an email address and a website address, instead of using Craigslists anonymous email system.
How does anyone know that this anonymous person on Craigslist is who they claim to be if the only contact is through an anonymous email?
I know, I am just being paranoid, but it still bugs me. Am I right to be this concerned, or not?
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Device driver not installing?
If you are installing a device driver for a new piece of hardware, or more often, installing the same driver as part of a re-installation process, you may find that the installer will run but the driver wont install.
There are many reasons for this, but, more importantly, the question is 'if the installer program wont install the driver, how do I get the driver put in?'
The answer is to go to Device Manager, find the piece of hardware you are installing, right-click on it and click on 'Update Driver'. Then you follow the prompts, browse for your device driver, and click OK.
This should allow the driver to be installed.
There are many reasons for this, but, more importantly, the question is 'if the installer program wont install the driver, how do I get the driver put in?'
The answer is to go to Device Manager, find the piece of hardware you are installing, right-click on it and click on 'Update Driver'. Then you follow the prompts, browse for your device driver, and click OK.
This should allow the driver to be installed.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Cats are bad for laptops
Especially when they urinate on the keyboard when no-one is looking.
If you have a laptop, and are not sure of your kitty's temperament, always close the screen on your laptop when you walk away from or are not using it.
If you notice any sort of liquid on your laptop, and it is running, turn it off. DO NOT move your laptop or attempt to drain off the liquid; there are enough cracks and seams on the face of a laptop that any movement will allow the liquid the run inside and cause additional damage.
Instead, take a paper towel or anything handy that is absorbent and pat up the liquid. Once you have patted up all the liquid you can see, remove the battery while keeping the laptop as level as possible.
If the liquid appears clear and is thought to be water, let the laptop sit open so the water can evaporate.
If the liquid appears colored, pat up all the liquid you can, then get a hand towel or several paper towels and lay them over the wet area and gently close the lid.
What we want to happen is that the weight of the lid will force the towel(s) close enough to any remaining liquid so that over the course of several hours or overnight the towel(s) will soak up any remaining liquid.
After letting the laptop sit, replace the battery and attempt to start Windows. If Windows does not start normally, shut down the laptop, remove the battery and call a repair person.
And pray that your backups are up to date. You have been making backups of everything you can't lose, havent you?
If you have a laptop, and are not sure of your kitty's temperament, always close the screen on your laptop when you walk away from or are not using it.
If you notice any sort of liquid on your laptop, and it is running, turn it off. DO NOT move your laptop or attempt to drain off the liquid; there are enough cracks and seams on the face of a laptop that any movement will allow the liquid the run inside and cause additional damage.
Instead, take a paper towel or anything handy that is absorbent and pat up the liquid. Once you have patted up all the liquid you can see, remove the battery while keeping the laptop as level as possible.
If the liquid appears clear and is thought to be water, let the laptop sit open so the water can evaporate.
If the liquid appears colored, pat up all the liquid you can, then get a hand towel or several paper towels and lay them over the wet area and gently close the lid.
What we want to happen is that the weight of the lid will force the towel(s) close enough to any remaining liquid so that over the course of several hours or overnight the towel(s) will soak up any remaining liquid.
After letting the laptop sit, replace the battery and attempt to start Windows. If Windows does not start normally, shut down the laptop, remove the battery and call a repair person.
And pray that your backups are up to date. You have been making backups of everything you can't lose, havent you?
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Is this the year of Microsoft's success?
I think the answer is Yes.
When you consider that the 3 major products that Microsoft is releasing this year, Windows 7, Bing! search, and Security Essentials(code-named 'Morro'), have all gotten positive reviews by some of the biggest critics of Microsoft, it looks Microsoft has achieved something truly memorable for the company and its products.
Windows 7 has become more than 'just Vista Service Pack 2'; Microsoft has improved all of the things that worked about Vista to make them easier to use, fixed or otherwise adjusted all of the things that Vista's critics felt were unusable.
The smallest amount of computer hardware needed to run Windows 7, and have it not feel like swimming through molasses, is equivalent to what Windows XP was running on when Vista was released (2 Ghz CPU, 1GB of RAM, and video hardware capable of running Direct X 9).
This is like running tomorrows high-needs programs on a three year old computer and never noticing the difference in speed.
Bing! search is now what Google was like to begin with but with all of the knowledge of what people want and how they look for it. Bing! isnt quite as good as Google, yet, but there are some areas where the supplemental information that Bing! provides alongside the search results make it as or more useful than the same search on Google.
Search engine reviewers say that if Microsoft focuses on making Bing! searches better, rather than more marketable or whatever Microsoft usually does that turns a bright idea into garbage, that in 2 years Bing! will be a serious competitor to Google.
Don't hold your breath on that, though; this is Microsoft we're talking about here. They somehow always find some way to turn a diamond into glass.
Microsoft's Security Essentials software, which is their latest attempt at serious and effective protection software, is a suite of programs that includes anti-virus, firewall and anti-spyware.
It appears that the third time really is a charm for Microsoft's attempts at security software; reviewers who have tried out the test, or 'beta', release have had positive things to say about it.
Which is unusual for an industry which has grown accustomed to warning people about avoiding certain Microsoft programs.
There you have it; the very real possibility of Microsoft having a year of successes for the first time since Windows 95, perhaps for the first time in the company's history.
When you consider that the 3 major products that Microsoft is releasing this year, Windows 7, Bing! search, and Security Essentials(code-named 'Morro'), have all gotten positive reviews by some of the biggest critics of Microsoft, it looks Microsoft has achieved something truly memorable for the company and its products.
Windows 7 has become more than 'just Vista Service Pack 2'; Microsoft has improved all of the things that worked about Vista to make them easier to use, fixed or otherwise adjusted all of the things that Vista's critics felt were unusable.
The smallest amount of computer hardware needed to run Windows 7, and have it not feel like swimming through molasses, is equivalent to what Windows XP was running on when Vista was released (2 Ghz CPU, 1GB of RAM, and video hardware capable of running Direct X 9).
This is like running tomorrows high-needs programs on a three year old computer and never noticing the difference in speed.
Bing! search is now what Google was like to begin with but with all of the knowledge of what people want and how they look for it. Bing! isnt quite as good as Google, yet, but there are some areas where the supplemental information that Bing! provides alongside the search results make it as or more useful than the same search on Google.
Search engine reviewers say that if Microsoft focuses on making Bing! searches better, rather than more marketable or whatever Microsoft usually does that turns a bright idea into garbage, that in 2 years Bing! will be a serious competitor to Google.
Don't hold your breath on that, though; this is Microsoft we're talking about here. They somehow always find some way to turn a diamond into glass.
Microsoft's Security Essentials software, which is their latest attempt at serious and effective protection software, is a suite of programs that includes anti-virus, firewall and anti-spyware.
It appears that the third time really is a charm for Microsoft's attempts at security software; reviewers who have tried out the test, or 'beta', release have had positive things to say about it.
Which is unusual for an industry which has grown accustomed to warning people about avoiding certain Microsoft programs.
There you have it; the very real possibility of Microsoft having a year of successes for the first time since Windows 95, perhaps for the first time in the company's history.
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