What Microsoft Can Reveal About You

Apparently, a copy of the Microsoft "Global Criminal Compliance Handbook" has leaked. This handbook details what information Microsoft collects about you when you use their online services. So, if your using any of the following: Windows e-mail services, Windows Live ID, Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Spaces & MSN Groups, Windows Live Admin & Office Live Small Business, Office Live Workspace & Windows Live Small Business, or Xbox Live, they have information readily available on you. This information can be reported to the authorities if it is absolutely necessary. We're talking copies of e-mails, connection history, credit card numbers, Xbox serial numbers, etc. I would hope that most of you are not surprised by this news. It is just good to remember to be cautious in your online endeavors. You can read about this in more detail at this URL: http://blogs.computerworld.com/15655/leaked_microsoft_intelligence_document_heres_what_microsoft_will_reveal_to_police_about_you?source=CTWNLE_nlt_networking_2010-02-26

Can't Stop, Won't Stop

It appears that Microsoft will attempt something a little different with the release of Windows 7. Microsoft is going to offer a Windows XP mode or XPM for users that have the Professional and Ultimate versions of the OS. Microsoft says its sole purpose will be to assist small businesses with their transitions to Windows 7.

Take a look at this article and take a look at some of the comments that follow. It seems to me that some users dread a new operating system because they may not want to keep up hardware-wise. One user made a comment about having no issue running Windows Vista. I wouldn't imagine they would with a 64-bit processor and 8 gigs of RAM. Now Microsoft has good products, don't get me wrong. However, can they produce an OS that can install on virtually any hardware? How about a small variation so that users don't have to relearn an OS when a new version is released?

When I'm not using Windows, I'm usually using Ubuntu. I can put Ubuntu on just about any system I desire without spending more money on hardware. It's going to install on virtually any hardware I can grab, no extended transition. I'm just sayin.....

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=Software+Development&articleId=9132177&taxonomyId=63&pageNumber=1

Shazam! Now That's an App

This past Sunday, I was traveling back up to Columbia, SC for some training the following morning. I was riding with a friend, and a song came on the radio. Out of the blue, he asked me if I knew the name of the song. I didn't know, but I remembered that I had just downloaded an app to my iPhone that recognized music and gave you the song and the artist. Almost simultaneously we began to lose the radio station signal and another station began to bleed in. I quickly started the app and put it close the car speakers. I think the app may have been able to pick up maybe 3 seconds of a very weak song on the radio before we completely lost the signal. I moved my iPhone away from the car speaker and looked at the screen. After about 20 seconds or so, the Shazam app produced the song and the artist. I was impressed; if you have an iPhone or some other smart phone, give it a try. I believe it is available for Blackberry and the Google G1.

http://www.shazam.com/music/web/home.html

Network Attached Storage

The prices are dropping for NAS or Network Attached Storage systems. If you're not sure what they are.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_attached_storage

We have NAS systems if you need them. Give us a call at 843-737-6583 or contact us at sales@sevens-vstore.com. We may be able to find something for you!

Ubuntu 9.04 is on the Way!

Ubuntu 9.04 will be here soon.

I Am Impressed

To my friends, colleagues, and readers: Yes, I am impressed with Internet Explorer 8 so I'll put that out there. I will still remain a Firefox user for now. I highly recommend you check IE8 out if you haven't done so already. Here is the link:

http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/141861412/direct/01/?href=http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=142200

Another Browser

With the the emergence of so many different Internet browsers, it's gonna come down to security, reliability, and usability. Microsoft has a prototype in the works which is going to be named Gazelle. Microsoft claims that this is going to be more secure than Internet Explorer, Chrome, or Firefox.