windows

I’m Not In The Cult Of Mac

I’ve had the privilege to use a Macbook Pro free of charge for the past few months. Decked out, retina display, the works. I’ve owned an iPhone since the 3GS and it’s been a wonderful device. The Macbook is the first Apple computer I’ve ever owned. I used the opportunity to learn the quirks of the Apple ecosystem. Instead of control C it’s command C. The mouse I tested in the Apple store has one button with no way to right-click. I’ve learned by using the Macbook Pro that it doesn’t improve my productivity at all, it slows it down.

One of the biggest pains in the ass with a retina display is when I take screen captures, the resolution of the image is doubled. What would normally be a 500 pixel wide image on my desktop is a 1,000 pixel wide image on the Macbook. So far, I haven’t found a way to take screen captures in non-retina display resolutions. Speaking of Retina, I don’t see what the big deal is. Things look nice on the screen but they look pretty damn good on my LED monitor as well.

So far, I’ve yet to do anything with the Mac Book Pro that justifies its cost. I’d never be the owner of a Mac Book Pro now that I’ve had the chance to use one the past few months. I’d rather use a decked out 15 inch Windows 7 Home Premium notebook. This way, I could use the same exact programs and workflow I use on my desktop. My mouse would have a right click button and I can go back to using Control-C instead of a command key. I’d be more productive and happier overall.

Windows Crumpled Into Chrome

Could Google Chrome be the operating system of the future? Maybe, maybe not. But it’s worth noting that the Windows Logo can easily be crumpled into a Google Chrome logo. See for yourself.

Google-Sfida-Microsoft-con-Chrome-Fieni

The cartoon was created by Federico Fieni. He has a whole assortment of cartoons like this one but they are in Spanish I believe so I can’t figure out what they say. However, the man definitely has some artistic skills.

Microsoft Working On XP For OLPC

Microsoft’s software engineers are “working hard” on a slimmed-down version of Windows XP for the One Laptop Per Child project, but company officials say there is still much work to be done. James Utzschneider, GM of Marketing and Communications of Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential Group, says in his blog that contrary to earlier media reports that XP doesn’t yet run on the OLPC, but adds that his team has been working on the operating system since the beginning of the year.

TG Daily

Here is an idea, just slap on Windows Vista Home Basic and you’re pretty much covered. Besides, Vista Basic is a glorified version of XP anyways so it shouldn’t be that difficult. Also, theres not much to slim down in Vista basic. The only reason I can think of for them not using Home Basic is that, it’s TOO stripped down and instead, they would have to ADD things to it.

Get A Mac Misprint

Recently, PC World did a piece on how the fastest notebook to run Windows Vista was a Macbook Pro. Since that article has made it into the public, the Apple marketing department has jumped all over the opportunity to cash in on the review.

If I were Microsoft, I’d get Apple off my back and disable any way for an Apple based machine to run Microsoft software, including anything in a virtual environment. Microsoft can’t run Mac software, but Mac can run Microsoft software. Someone needs to pimp slap Steve Jobs.

Windows Home Server Now Available

Windows Home Server Logo

Just an FYI for those interested. Windows Home Server is now available to the public for purchase. Windows Home Server software, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com, Best Buy.com, Buy.com, Circuit City.com and CompUSA.com. According to Microsoft, Windows Home Server will be shipped to customers and available via other leading retailer Web sites later in November. Additional Microsoft hardware and software partners are also delivering new consumer products and solutions designed to work with Windows Home Server.

“Digital devices and content are everywhere in our day-to-day lives and they are more important all the time,” said Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft. “With the launch of Windows Home Server, Microsoft and its partners are creating a new consumer product category that will help people keep their digital media safe and make it easier for them to enjoy it with friends and family.”

HP is currently selling a Windows Home server solution in the HP MediaSmart Server, powered by AMD LIVE! The server is offered in 500GB version for $599(U.S) and a 1TB model for $749(U.S.) For those that don’t like HP, here are a list of alternatives coming out later this year and next.

Available in Europe in late 2007, the Fujitsu Siemens Computers SCALEO Home Server 1900 offers 1TB capacity across two hard drives, Gigabit Ethernet and advanced power management features.

Iomega Corp. today unveiled new details about its home server product due in early 2008, the Iomega HomeCenter Server, which will ship with one 500GB hard drive and four “easy-swap” drive bays for storage expansion.

• Available in early 2008, the Life|ware Life|storage will offer enterprise-class capabilities to consumers, including Life|ware Entertainment and Automation Server software for home management.

• The MAXDATA Belinea o.center, which will also be available in Europe soon, is energy-efficient, offers advanced management and media functions, and allows up to four hot plug SATA hard drives.

• Also available in Europe later this year, the Medion Home Server comes with up to 2 TB of storage capacity and will offer universal plug-and-play media streaming based on PacketVideo PVConnect software.

• Available now, the Tranquil PC T7-HSA Tranquil Harmony Home Server is a small, quiet and energy-efficient solution with 500GB and 1TB options.

• On sale today, the Velocity Micro NetMagix HomeServer is a small, sleek unit that can be situated in a horizontal or vertical position, starting with 1 TB of expandable storage capacity.

Third-party software developers have created more than 35 innovative add-in programs to run on the Windows Home Server platform. These solutions provide personal blogging and media sharing, home security, home automation, protection against viruses and malware, and more. Several software vendors today announced support for Windows Home Server:

• Avira GmbH in Germany today announced that its malware detection and removal technology will support Windows Home Server.

• Diskeeper Corporation today released a special edition of its Diskeeper 2008 defragmentation software for Windows Home Server.

• Embedded Automation Inc. released the mControl add-in for Windows Home Server, providing home automation functionality.

• Proxure Inc. announced the release of KeepVault for Windows Home Server, providing automatic, online backup and storage of data.

• SageTV LLC released SageTV Media Server for Windows Home Server, enabling media streaming from Windows Home Server to any PC or Macintosh, at home or over the Internet.

• SightSpeed Inc. announced SightSpeed 6.0 video chat service compatibility with Windows Home Server.

• Telligent Systems Graffiti CMS is compatible with Windows Home Server, enabling users to quickly create personal Web sites and blogs.

• WiLife Inc. announced the release of Command Center Software version 2.1 home security software for Windows Home Server.

I’m really considering picking up a copy of Windows Home Server. My family runs at least 3 Windows based machines so it would only make sense. Will you be picking up a copy of WHS or will you purchase a machine with it already pre-installed?

Digg Labs ScreenSaver

Digg.com LogoDigg has turned their popular Digg Labs applications into desktop screensavers. The applications can be downloaded from their respective pages:

The screensavers are available for Mac and Windows users and include Adobe Flash 9 if you don’t have it installed. On the Mac you’ll need at least OSX 10.4 and on Windows you need either Windows XP or Vista. I personally enjoy watching the STACK as it looks like it’s raining Diggs.