The next land grab.
And you know what?
I'll be waiting in line.
Uncategorized
Acer Ferrari 5000
I want to get one of these a my desktop replacement while I use the Gateway M285 as my primary tablet.
Especially if it is offered with a 17" screen.
And carries the colors of my FIA Formula One team!
Gotta talk to Hive member Barb about the specs.
Gateway M285
Looks like the new replacement for my primary laptop is going to be the Gateway M285 convertible Tablet PC.
Why Gateway?
Don't like their systems, configurations, initial crapware installed policies.
Not one bit!
However
- The M285 is the only dual-core convertible Tablet PC out there with a 14" wide-screen.
- Convertible since I like the option of typing. I know, the Lenovo/IBM X41 has a better keyboard, but the screen size is less than 14" and there isn't currently a dual-core option.
I hate this choice like a mutha' but want to make a decision within the next couple of weeks, unless there is an announced maestro out there; e.g., Acer Ferrari dual-core AMD tablet with 14" or more.
That I would wait several months for.
Heck, I don't even know if the M285 can 'Glass' on Vista, since the top video option is the ATI Radeon 1400 w/ 64MB.
Major Bummer!
Thanks to Hive member/Moderator/Microsoft MVP Terri (Terri Stratton) for the research, hands-on demo, and recommendations.
Terri Stratton is also Editor-in-Chief of The Tablet PC
Copyright © 2006, John Obeto II for SmallBizVista.com®
RIAA: Illegal Downloads Contained
You think?
Wasn't the download epidemic a figment of their collective imaginations?
File this under 'Who Are They Foolin'?'
Can you imagine these yo-yos making a fair assessment of anything?
The Founders’ Era at Microsoft Ends
In an unexpected announcement today, William H Gates III, Chairman and Chief Software Architect, and co-founder of Microsoft, revealed that he was stepping down from the CSA rôle immediately, handing the reins over Ray Ozzie, one of the Chief Technology Officers at Microsoft.
The transition will take two years, with Bill G. stepping away from Microsoft duties in July, 2008 when he becomes plain ol’ Chairman.
To say that this development was unexpected is a titanic understatement. And the fact that the resignee is Bill rather than current CEO Steve Ballmer, must have come as a systemic shock to the Wall Street-types who have been clamoring for Ballmer’s resignation, especially since the announcement of increased CAPEX spending and the subsequent stock slide.
In fact, I had the same conversation a few weeks ago with a client and Microsoft stockholder who wanted to wave Stevie B. bye-bye.
My position, which this resignation validates somewhat, was that Ballmer, and Gates, were doing the right thing in refocusing the company due to the new competitive threat, which was not only Google, per se, but everything built on AJAX, and web-enabled. I mentioned the hiring of Ozzie, and the changes he was bringing to Microsoft by asking for a web-based component of all their products, and, most importantly, the numerous numbers of innovations, most of them under strict NDA, that the Microserfs were trying to bring to market.
Unfortunately, the only innovations we hear about are either the failed ones or their positioning vis-à-vis those of the current media harlot darling, Google.
Well, now the cat is out of the bag.
As expected the media airwaves and blogosphere is abuzz with this news, with everyone and man + dog holding forth their opinions on the subject.
The general reaction has been one of shock; with most shocked that Bill G would retire. As usual, the reaction of the conspiracy theorists in the Hezbollah wing of the open source movement (is there any other wing?) is that this is part of a Grand Design to further Microsoft-ness to the human race.
Since we are charged with bringing you cogent information, we decided to go to the top and ask longtime industry and Microsoft analyst, Mary Jo Foley about what this means.
"I think Microsoft needed to do something to show company watchers that it is preparing itself for the next phase of life for the company. While many folks have been predicting CEO Steve Ballmer would step down, it ended up being Gates who is moving on. I think a Microsoft without Gates is going to be a very different company -- probably more cooperative, less cut-throat and less feared," said Mary Jo Foley, Editor of the Microsoft Watch newsletter and Web site.
True that!
Bill Gates is synonymous with the might of Microsoft and the fear it induces; both in partners and competitors. As a result, there is a feeling that a kindler gentler, Microsoft might emerge with Gates’ resignation.
Indeed, as Michael J. Reyes, CEO of Hardware Geeks informed me, “Some users on our forums seem to think that Microsoft will be better off without Bill Gates at the helm. But I say, Bill gates did a great job at Microsoft no matter if you liked how he did it or not.”
You do not become the Big Kahuna just by playing nice; you have to fight for success. And if you look closely at Microsoft today, even in the midst of all the generally unfounded negative press, the average Microserf is still as committed and passionate about making a difference as the first Microsoft employee I met over sixteen years ago. Which is impressive.
A different take on Bill’s stepping down can be found in this statement by Larry Richman, Public Relations Officer of both Pro-Networks.org and VistaMaNiA.org, touching on another part of Gates’ character: “I have wanted him to do this for a long time. His foundation not only is the largest philanthropic organization in the world, but he has given away more money than all the great philanthropists combined. His money does so much to help the poor, hungry, sick, uneducated -- I've wondered why he doesn't put all of his own physical and political energy towards that as well. To me, Microsoft is small beans compared to what he could do if he puts his day-to-day efforts towards what he is now putting his considerable wealth towards. I am thrilled by this decision. I applaud him and wish others would follow his example. Bravo, Bill, bravo.”
Wow!
Actually, double WOW!
Totally lost in today’s news is this facet of Bill Gates: his philanthropy, and Larry is right to point it out.
Chief O. Asuelimen, Chairman and Managing Director of DAGMA/Remix Group Limited, in Nigeria, echoed Larry’s sentiments “While we have placed, in conjunction with Logikworx a lot of computer systems that utilize Microsoft software, my respect for Bill Gates comes entirely from his foundation. Every time we specify Microsoft software, I can still see, in my mind's eye, photographs of his father visiting the sick and impoverished throughout Africa, and I respect and pray for him a little bit more.”
I will attempt to contact more community leaders, influencers, users, and friends over the next few days in order to get a pulse on this development.
Larry Richman and Michael J. Reyes are also members of The Hive, a community of community leaders.
The transition will take two years, with Bill G. stepping away from Microsoft duties in July, 2008 when he becomes plain ol’ Chairman.
To say that this development was unexpected is a titanic understatement. And the fact that the resignee is Bill rather than current CEO Steve Ballmer, must have come as a systemic shock to the Wall Street-types who have been clamoring for Ballmer’s resignation, especially since the announcement of increased CAPEX spending and the subsequent stock slide.
In fact, I had the same conversation a few weeks ago with a client and Microsoft stockholder who wanted to wave Stevie B. bye-bye.
My position, which this resignation validates somewhat, was that Ballmer, and Gates, were doing the right thing in refocusing the company due to the new competitive threat, which was not only Google, per se, but everything built on AJAX, and web-enabled. I mentioned the hiring of Ozzie, and the changes he was bringing to Microsoft by asking for a web-based component of all their products, and, most importantly, the numerous numbers of innovations, most of them under strict NDA, that the Microserfs were trying to bring to market.
Unfortunately, the only innovations we hear about are either the failed ones or their positioning vis-à-vis those of the current media harlot darling, Google.
Well, now the cat is out of the bag.
As expected the media airwaves and blogosphere is abuzz with this news, with everyone and man + dog holding forth their opinions on the subject.
The general reaction has been one of shock; with most shocked that Bill G would retire. As usual, the reaction of the conspiracy theorists in the Hezbollah wing of the open source movement (is there any other wing?) is that this is part of a Grand Design to further Microsoft-ness to the human race.
Since we are charged with bringing you cogent information, we decided to go to the top and ask longtime industry and Microsoft analyst, Mary Jo Foley about what this means.
"I think Microsoft needed to do something to show company watchers that it is preparing itself for the next phase of life for the company. While many folks have been predicting CEO Steve Ballmer would step down, it ended up being Gates who is moving on. I think a Microsoft without Gates is going to be a very different company -- probably more cooperative, less cut-throat and less feared," said Mary Jo Foley, Editor of the Microsoft Watch newsletter and Web site.
True that!
Bill Gates is synonymous with the might of Microsoft and the fear it induces; both in partners and competitors. As a result, there is a feeling that a kindler gentler, Microsoft might emerge with Gates’ resignation.
Indeed, as Michael J. Reyes, CEO of Hardware Geeks informed me, “Some users on our forums seem to think that Microsoft will be better off without Bill Gates at the helm. But I say, Bill gates did a great job at Microsoft no matter if you liked how he did it or not.”
You do not become the Big Kahuna just by playing nice; you have to fight for success. And if you look closely at Microsoft today, even in the midst of all the generally unfounded negative press, the average Microserf is still as committed and passionate about making a difference as the first Microsoft employee I met over sixteen years ago. Which is impressive.
A different take on Bill’s stepping down can be found in this statement by Larry Richman, Public Relations Officer of both Pro-Networks.org and VistaMaNiA.org, touching on another part of Gates’ character: “I have wanted him to do this for a long time. His foundation not only is the largest philanthropic organization in the world, but he has given away more money than all the great philanthropists combined. His money does so much to help the poor, hungry, sick, uneducated -- I've wondered why he doesn't put all of his own physical and political energy towards that as well. To me, Microsoft is small beans compared to what he could do if he puts his day-to-day efforts towards what he is now putting his considerable wealth towards. I am thrilled by this decision. I applaud him and wish others would follow his example. Bravo, Bill, bravo.”
Wow!
Actually, double WOW!
Totally lost in today’s news is this facet of Bill Gates: his philanthropy, and Larry is right to point it out.
Chief O. Asuelimen, Chairman and Managing Director of DAGMA/Remix Group Limited, in Nigeria, echoed Larry’s sentiments “While we have placed, in conjunction with Logikworx a lot of computer systems that utilize Microsoft software, my respect for Bill Gates comes entirely from his foundation. Every time we specify Microsoft software, I can still see, in my mind's eye, photographs of his father visiting the sick and impoverished throughout Africa, and I respect and pray for him a little bit more.”
I will attempt to contact more community leaders, influencers, users, and friends over the next few days in order to get a pulse on this development.
Larry Richman and Michael J. Reyes are also members of The Hive, a community of community leaders.
Copyright © 2006, John Obeto II for SmallBizVista.com®
Ray Ozzie will Replace Bill G. as Chief Software Architect
A very good omen.
Hey, if Bill G. calls you the 'Best Software Programmer in the World', despite the fact that you were then working for Manzi, followed by IBM - in their minds his chief competitor, he (Bill G.) purchases your company, and then hands you the reins for making gut-wrenching decisions to move his baby forward, I don't expect anything less!
And from the start, it was a good purchase, and a very brilliant hire.
Kudos guys.
Bill Gates is leaving Microsoft in 2008!!!
What a surprise.
I got the call from Michael Reyes, CEO of Hardware Geeks, asking me if I had heard the news.
I thought he was making a bad joke, but then again, Mike sounded down.
Flicking on the boob-tube, I went to Bloomberg and received the blow: it WAS true!
Bill G is leaving MSFT in 08!
I am still stunned!
Michaels newsflash is here, and Im sure you can catch a glimpse everywhere for the next few, with dissections in the blogosphere and other insiders telling us bullshit as news.
On The Wheels of Steel - Week ending June 17 2006
This week, I have DJ Jimi Ds Naijamix Select VIII
Sacha - Show me love; Biglo - Delicious; Azadus - Madam; Lord of the Ajasa - Ajasa; Madmelon & Mountain Black - Danfo Driver; El Dee - African Chiquito; Trybessmen ft D.Art Alade - Youngman; DBanj - Tongbolo; JJC - Ewajo; Mr Solek - Your Number; El Dee - Do tie; 2 Face - Keep on Rocking; The Last Two - Keshin Kalaye; Magic System - 1er Gaou; DBanj - Ika O Da; Awilo - Karolina; Omahane Pozo - Miana Mekoye; Eduboy - Gwam Gwam Gwam
DJ Jimi D is a Bad A$$ MixMaster! He can be found at the Afrigroove website or reached at jimi@afrigroove.com.
DJ Jimi D is a Bad A$$ MixMaster! He can be found at the Afrigroove website or reached at jimi@afrigroove.com.
60% Infection Rates for PCs?
The headlines scream that figure out. Microsoft scanned 270 million PCs from January 2005 thru March 2006 and found malicious software on 5.7 million of them. Now, I am not a rocket scientist, actually, I am, but my math, being fuzzy after all these years in IT does not compute that to be 60%. However, that is a whole lot of PCs carrying a malicious payload. Trip this: some of those same PCs were re-infected with completely new malware after an initial disinfection, some many more times. Reminds me of a couple of old saws from back in Nigeria, one of them from Uromi: a dog which runs out into the street without heeding its owner’s calls is looking to get hit by a car; and a Yoruba saying: the person looking to die generally finds someone looking to kill him/her. Moral: no matter what you do, or what OS is in place, some ‘Net users will always be victimized as a result of their stupidity!
KB24 is #3?
The prognosticators at Dime magazine have declared, in their Top 10 NBA players, that Ko8e KB8 KB24, aka Kobe Bryant, is the 3rd best player in the league, behind D-Wade #1, and Dirk at #2.
What? Are you kidding me?
Normally this would elicit a vitriolic response from Johnny O, but this time, I will contain me-self.
Why?
Because the same Madamme Cleos at Dime magazine foresaw the New Jersey Nets winning the NBA championship this year.
Yeah, New Jersey!
'Nuff said!
What? Are you kidding me?
Normally this would elicit a vitriolic response from Johnny O, but this time, I will contain me-self.
Why?
Because the same Madamme Cleos at Dime magazine foresaw the New Jersey Nets winning the NBA championship this year.
Yeah, New Jersey!
'Nuff said!
Schumi Comes in 2nd at Silverstone
While this is over 1000% better than the debacle last season, just WTF is wrong with Jean Todt and the entire Ferrari team?
Renault?
In the past, OK. But not right now!
If Ferrari cannot leverage the current regulations and Schumi, once Michael's skills start to deteriorate, they are fucked.
Heck, most renaults are sold with 4-cyls, and when you think of the Ferrari road engines, from the legendary flat-12s in the Berlinetta Boxers from the days of yore, to the current offerings, the V8 in the F430, and the 612HP V12 in the new 599 GTB, the question again is, "Renault?"
Alonso wins pole for Silverstone
For this weekend's British Grand Prix, Alonso wins the pole while Schumi and Massa fall to third and fourth respectively
Google co-founder in stable condition after conscience removal
This article in Silicon Valley's Good Morning Silicon Valley blog says best what was on my mind over Serge's admission.
My Favorite Hedonist
My favorite Hedonist, Paul Allen, of Vulcan Ventures, has his yachts described in this article.
From the article:
....Paul Allen, for example, owns a $200 million 416-foot yacht called the Octopus. It carries a ten-man submarine, two helicopters, and a crew of 60.
[...]
The kicker to this is that Allen actually has two other yachts: the Tatoosh which at 301 feet is the 15th-largest in the worldand the 198-foot Meduse. Alas, the Meduse can carry only one helicopter. To show you how far out of hand things have gotten, the Tatoosh was the third-largest private yacht in the world just three years ago...
I just love this guy! He should be appointed the Federal Secretary of Enjoyment & Leisure Services.
BTW, Allen is also co-founder of Microsoft.
Vista Beta II CPP
Microsoft has announced the Windows Vista Customer Preview Program. This opens the Vista Beta to all who want it. And I advise all who want it to try it. Current CPP build is 5384.4
John III Starts Preschool Today
For the 1st time.
Off to John's Preschool I go.
Applied Digital CEO: Immigrants Should wear RFID Tags
Just when you think it is safe to go back into the water, comes a bit of stupid, moronic drivel, this one coming from the pie-hole of the CEO of Applied Digital, Scott Silverman.
In a particularly frightening statement, this idiot states that, "if foreigners were tagged using Applied Digital RFID implants at the border, the technology could verify their identities in the workplace."The mind boggles!
Can you imagine anything this horrid?When I, as an American, go abroad, do I want to be tagged?
Hell Fu*king NO!!!
Not by a despotic government! And definitely not by a government in a heavily-industrialized - read that as NATO - country.
I mean, WTF is next?Tagging criminals?
Tagging schoolkids? Sorry, some bonehead school district in California already tried that.Tagging babies at birth instead of names? Vic & Rosa, here is THX1139? or 7-of-9?
Or the best two yet:Tagging by ethnic group?
Tagging by criminality potential, a la Minority Report?Where does this stop, Scott?
As a Black man, and a member of a global ethnic minority, developments like this are downright scary!
Goes to show, just because you run a relevant company, does not mean you have any common sense, moral, or decency values.Scott Silverman, take a bow. Officially, IMO, you ARE an A$$hole!
Segway ‘Centaur’
A search on the ‘Net found what I was looking for: the 4-wheeled Segway, the Centaur in the November 7, 2004 issue of Popular Science.
Nice, Nice. Of course there isn’t any new info about it since the November 7, 2004 article. It is now called the Concept Centaur on the Segway website at Segway.com. Here is a link to a video on it; Windows Media format, of course! And a slideshow . I’ll probably have to convince Wifey of my (immediate) need for the Segway
Ballmer: “Vista Still On Track”
We’ve now heard it from the top: Stevie B., aka Steve Ballmer, the more gregarious half of the IT duo, The ‘Softies, made the declaration today in New York. According to him, Vista™ is on track to be shipped in the first half of January 2007; barring, of course, any last minute snafus. Now, let the speculation continue to run rampant!
Off-Point: Segway mulls Offering Purchase Financing
Since I started losing weight, this is welcome news.
I have wanted one for a while but the weight limits were a problem, since it was not built for ‘Big Guys’.
And I had seen a quad in either Popular Mechanics or Popular Science, which seemed like the cat’s meow!
I could imagine me-self showing up at Starbucks and parking the quad, leaving a couple of wheels popping a wheelie while I sip my plain coffee, Splenda® only, fat-free cream. (Quite a fall from an upside-down double-white chocolate moca, with whipped cream, isn’t it? Then again, I’m happy to be alive and WILL beat this diabetes thing!)
It would make the entry cost so little as to pass muster with She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed.
If only she can get past her fear of my killing myself….