Do you believe him?

Microsoft’s Ballmer continues to threaten Linux.

Tech reporter sticks with Win XP

Inquirer.net’s Erwin Oliva contemplates on upgrading to Windows Vista and decides to stick it out with Windows XP until it is declared dead by Microsoft.

Confessions of a first-time Microsoft Vista use:

I still remember the transition from Windows 95 to 98 and later XP. During that time, the adjustment in the interface were not much of an issue. I was more concerned with security back then. But then again, there were no major leaps in the Windows interface. Vista is a totally different Windows. And I believe it will take some time to learn it. And that is if you have the extra money to spare to buy more memory (at least a gigabyte of RAM) for this major upgrade.

For the past few months, I have been contemplating upgrading to Vista since Microsoft announced its availability this year. But after my recent experience, I think I will stick to XP until Microsoft decides to stop supporting it.

Technorati Tags: vista

Vista is a blessing for Linux

Replacing PCs to run Vista will increase scrap, Greenpeace warns:

The environmentalist group cited a study by US-based SoftChoice Corp. that says 50 percent of the current breed of personal computers are “below Windows Vista’s basic system requirements” and that 94 percent cannot run the software’s high-end version.

One man’s trash is another’s treasure, right? These computers that are below Vista-specs can run Linux perfectly ok. I’d say send the working computers to the Philippines so we can install Linux and give ‘em to public schools. You’d be surprise what a 3 or 4 year old computer with Linux can do.

C’mon, a 10 year old Powermac 5500 running OS 9.1 still packs enough power to teach primary school students how to use computers in their classes. So, if you belong to a company that will buy new computers for Vista, please ask them to donate the old functional ones to us.

Image courtesy of berbercarpet

Technorati Tags: linux, vista

My wish is your command

Vista has speech recognition hole:

Microsoft has admitted that speech recognition features in Vista could be hijacked so that a PC tells itself to delete files or folders.

And now you are telling me that you will trust your life with Vista?

Score another one for the little guy

Microsoft backpedals on programming patent | CNET News.com:

Microsoft plans to withdraw an attempt to patent technology already used in a free Java programming project called BlueJ, the company said Sunday.

The school bully failed and now retracts. It pays to be vigilant and I am betting that the Java Champions were able to help the little guy beat the school bully.

Technorati Tags: bluej, microsoft

Microsoft rips off academic community?

Michael’s Random Thoughts » Microsoft patents BlueJ:

Microsoft applies for patent for core BlueJ functionality.

And that’s really true. After blatantly copying BlueJ (without reference or attribution), Microsoft have now filed for patent for the functionality they knowingly copied from us.

Dr. Michael Kolling, one of the prime developers of BlueJ, blogged about how Microsoft admittedly copied a feature of BlueJ. Now, Microsoft files a patent and claims ownership. Isn’t this another one of Microsoft’s bullying tactics? You be the judge.

Technorati Tags: java, microsoft, bluej

Bug-a-roo!

With Vista released a few weeks ago, we now have security researchers releasing advisories on Vista vulnerabilities.

On Dec. 15, a Russian programmer posted a description of a flaw that makes it possible to increase a person’s privileges on all of the company’s recent operating systems, including Vista.

Over the weekend a Silicon Valley computer security firm said it had notified Microsoft that it had also found that flaw, as well as five other vulnerabilities, including one serious error in the software code underlying the company’s new Internet Explorer 7 browser.

With these vulnerabilities, I highly recommend users to try out other more affordable alternatives such as Linux or even the Mac, if you are upgrading your hardware (you may need to, if you plan on getting Vista).

Image courtesy of borghal.

Technorati Tags: Vista,vulnerability

Leo Laporte Loves Microsoft’s Zune

I captured the audio part of the Holiday special of InDigital that featured Leo Laporte highly recommending the Microsoft Zune.

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Zune, Leo Laporte, InDigital

When will we learn?

INQ7.net -Southern Indian state takes on Microsoft :

Kerala has good financial reasons for shifting to Linux. Even though Microsoft has introduced cheaper licenses for its market-leading operating system developing countries, the minimum price is still around $25 per computer. Fully functional Linux packages can be downloaded for free.

Kerala, an Indian state, shifts to Linux. Whilst our government need not do this (a blanket law to use Linux only but that would have been great!), it could, at the very least, pressure Microsoft to reduce the license of Windows operating systems. I hate to say it but it seems like the government is scared of Microsoft!

Vista is innovative, indeed!

If this isn’t proof enough that Vista did not rip-off Mac OS X, I do not know what else to say to convince you!

Technorati Tags: Vista, Mac OS X, Microsoft