Did Microsoft screw the pooch with releasing Vista?

Microsoft has announced that they are extending sales of XP for six months. Originally slated to stop retail sales at the end of this year, it's now pushed back. And "...will allow computer makers in emerging markets to build machines with Windows XP Starter Edition until June 2010."

They've had poor adoption rates and lots of businesses are actively resisting implementing it. They're still having VOIP problems with some vendors. They're still having integration problems with some security providers. It is really sounding more and more like a truly half-baked product release.

http://www.news.com/Microsoft-extends-Windows-XPs-stay/2100-1016_3-6210524.html

http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/09/28/1622223


An editorial at CNet is saying that Microsoft utterly screwed up and should abandon Vista because it is such a crappy product. Of course, crapiness level will vary radically from person to person as no two people use their computers the same way.

http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/09/27/1852202


Now Microsoft is allowing people to downgrade their installation and install XP even though the computer came with Vista. Is this a tacit admission of a product that was not ready for prime time or what? Corporate America uses PCs on around a three year replacement cycle. So theoretically your computer is replaced every three years after it is fully depreciated. The reality is that you're probably using your computer for 3-5 years. Speaking from experience, I know that pretty much no computers at my previous or current job would run Vista. And if you're running minimal help desk staffing levels, you don't have the manpower to go around trying to upgrade computer hardware to meet Vista levels.

But wait! If the newly-purchased computers come in with Vista, then isn't all well?

Not by a long shot. Because now you're looking at application incompatibility. Your OS can't be verified by network security. Your OS had problems doing VPN connections. You have just opened a humongous can of worms, so to try to keep everything running smooth, you whip out your XP Pro CD and reformat the hard drive and downgrade the installation, just to keep everything working. Hey, we're site licensed, so we're OK, right? Or we're not site licensed and we just don't give a damn because we don't want to fight Vista. It doesn't matter, we have the responsibility of keeping the enterprise running, regardless of whatever crap software we're handed.

When comics start quoting Churchill to get a point across, it means something: http://ars.userfriendly.org/cartoons/?id=20070928.


MS is in a difficult position. IT departments are resisting their OS. They're also resisting their Office suite. They're sticking with an office suite released four years ago and an operating system a year or two older than that BECAUSE THEY WORK. If MS were to work on XP's core for better 64-bit support to get better integration with the newer generation of CPUs from Intel and AMD, that would be great. Sadly, MS doesn't have the best of track records with their server operating systems going from 32 to 64 bit, they've also dropped the ball on some of their app transitions. For example, if you go to 64 bt SQL Server, you LOSE FUNCTIONALITY. Certain features, which may or may not be significant for your installation, don't work under the 64 bit version.

I REALLY hope they clean up some of this with the February release of their 2008 server products.


Oh, and just so Excel doesn't feel left out, the 2007 version is having problems multiplying!

http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2007/09/28/microsoft_excel_fails_math_test/

I know there's no context....

but the last two panels of this comic are very good.

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0489.html

Electronic car door locks have been hacked

It seems that all of them buy encryption from one company, and that company uses 20 year old encryption. Normally it would still take a lot of brute force effort to break the code, but there is a flaw in the system.

http://redtape.msnbc.com/2007/08/researchers-say.html

http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2007/09/keeloq_broken.html

4 y/o girl asked to remove hoodie

Park security had a standing policy of no hoodies. Amazing how much of a threat that a four year old girl can pose.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/6983288.stm

http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2007/09/fouryearold_gir.html

An article near and dear to my wife's heart: light pollution

Some interesting personal security implications.

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/08/20/070820fa_fact_owen?printable=true

http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2007/09/light_and_crime.html

Yeah, I can buy these results

Your Score: Hungry Brain

Your brains craves 54 % Exploration, 72 % Affiliation, 64 % Recreation and 95 % Sensation

We have determined that you have a Hungry Brain. When it comes to craving stimulation your brain often wants an extra helping. Your brain has an above average craving for stimulation in three of the four dimensions. It can take a little extra effort for your brain to be well stimulated.



Above Average Systems: Affiliation, Recreation & Sensation

Affiliation

Our Affiliation system helps us to organize our bonding and connecting behaviors. If you are strengthening your relationship with someone then your Affiliation system is helping you out. When it gets properly stimulated you will feel that you are loved and that you belong.



Recreation

Our Recreation system helps us to organize our playing, joking and goofing around behaviors. Whenever you are trying to play a game or let go from the stresses of the day your Recreation system is helping you out. When it gets properly activated you feel a sense of relaxed jubilation and carefree optimism.



Sensation

Our Sensation system helps us to organize our sexual arousal and pleasure seeking behaviors. This is one of the smoothest running systems in the brain, easily capable of fading in the background as it operates. When it gets properly activated your can feel the chemistry between yourself and another person.



Secondary System: Exploration

Exploration

Our Exploration system helps us to organize our searching and learning behaviors. If you are trying to look for an object or new information then the Exploration system is helping you out. When it gets properly stimulated then you will feel emotions such as curiosity and inquisitiveness.


Thank you for taking this test. You have the chance to scroll down to near the bottom of this page and give it a positive rating. Even one positive vote helps.

Link: The Optimal Stimulation Test written by alexandertru on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

An MMO bans men playing female characters

If you try to create a female character, you have to show up on a web cam to prove that you're a woman. Conversely, women DO NOT have to prove they are a man to create male characters.

Double standards FTW!

http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/09/26/1517244