ComputerWorld reports Web retailers go open-source wrapping up by quoting a Microsoft Gold Partner: “Our customers don’t know where Microsoft is headed…”
Archive | February, 2004
Why Good Ideas Fail…
OSNews links to an editorial on “Editorial: Why Good Ideas Fail.”
Slashdot speculates
Slashdot speculates “RSS Web-Feeds, The Next Big Thing?” Well, that does that trend. We’re mainstream now 🙂
Microsoft failed to explain the advantage of Windows XP: it’s not the OS, it’s the bundled software
OSNews links to a piece in a Seattle newspaper that reports Microsoft Exec Says Marketing Effort Faltered with Windows XP. It’s so nice that they let him have free space to explain what their advertising should have said. The best part was:
In the next version of Windows – codenamed Longhorn – Allchin said Microsoft will be working to make things run more smoothly and easily for customers.
We’ll get it right next time. Really. Oh, c’mon.
The wave is late.
In Cringely’s weekly column, he figures out what’s wrong with the U.S. economy and off-shoring. And decides he doesn’t have to move to India. Always interesting reading.
Microsoft’s Plans For Fighting Linux…
Microsoft Hints of Future Programs to Stave Off Linux Overseas. Redmond is focused on finding the right price point and feature set for its products in developing countries, says its platform strategy chief. [Microsoft Watch from Mary Jo Foley]
Chandlers ZeroPointThree available for download, evaluation, study
Exciting news! Chandler is a Python-based application that aims to provide a world-class PIM for Linux, Mac OS X and Windows. Just released: version 0.3, a preview of what’s coming, and a chance for developers to download, evaluate, comment and kibbitz on the design and implementation.
Open Source ‘Chandler’ Project Hits Milestone. The Open Source Applications Foundation just announced the release of Chandler version 0.3. Chandler is the combination personal information manager and platform that has enormous potential to help re-energize the stagnant PC desktop software marketplace. Link courtesy pf Dan Gillmor’s eJournal
Realbasic to support migration and runtime on Linux, Mac, Windows
InfoWorld reports “Real Software is adding the ability to migrate Windows applications to Linux in an upgrade of the company’s Realbasic tool.”
Globalization and the off-shoring of high-tech jobs draws protests
Computerworld News reports Anti-offshore-outsourcing groups banding together. “Major unions and grass-roots organizations that have sprung up around the country to fight the offshoring of IT and manufacturing jobs have formed the Jobs and Trade Network to fight for their cause.”
A poster on the ProFox mailing list observed:
I didn’t complain when coal mining went offshore because I wasn’t a miner,
I didn’t complain when the steel industry went offshore because I wasn’t a steel worker,
I didn’t complain when ship building went offshore because I wasn’t a
shipwright,
I didn’t complain when car manufacture went offshore because I wasn’t a car builder,
I didn’t complain when TV set production went offshore because I didn’t work in electronics,
I can hardly complain now that programming is going offshore.
Bob Frankston: It’s about connectivity
Bob Frankston writes an essay titled “It’s About Connectivity Not The Internet!” on the SATN website. He puts forth an interesting idea that the Internet is becomeing more centralized in control, but that the innovation at the edges is what is far more important: “Rather than building directly upon basic Internet protocols we can and must build upon connectivity and thus avoid dependence upon the IP address and other constructs that limit to early design decisions and work-arounds… It’s about connectivity.” Interesting read.