The video players, Adobe's Flash and Microsoft's Silverlight, are in a heated competition according to USAToday.
If you watch video online — on YouTube, MySpace, CNN, Hulu or elsewhere — you're viewing in Adobe's Flash, a software plug-in that's on 98% of computers.
But Microsoft hopes to change that with a new version of its Silverlight plug-in and software, designed for higher-quality online video and snazzier graphics on websites. The software giant has signed up some big partners to help show off Silverlight, including online movie rental service Netflix and rival Blockbuster.
I've learned my lesson - to distrust anything touted by Microsoft. I will stick with Flash, and there's no way I will download Silverlight.
Showing posts with label computers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label computers. Show all posts
Monday, November 10, 2008
OpenOffice.org downloaded 10 million times
The free office suite program had 10 million downloads of its latest release.
Hopefully it's not just one person.
OpenOffice.org Achieves Ten Million Downloads at the End of its Beijing Conference
Hopefully it's not just one person.
OpenOffice.org Achieves Ten Million Downloads at the End of its Beijing Conference
Saturday, November 1, 2008
OS X running on a netbook
Wired, which seems pro-PC to me, wrote a story titled "Apple has 'Interesting Ideas' for netbooks" and then shows OS X running on a PC netbook.
"We'll wait and see how that nascent category evolves, and we've got some pretty interesting ideas if it does," Jobs said.He added that to the company's knowledge, netbooks aren't selling all that well. However, recent reports strongly disagree.
In my opinion the MacBook Air is a high-powered netbook, granted it's priced significantly higher, but the screen is significantly larger too and it's a more robust computer than netbooks.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Crossover Office
Crossover Office is software that allows Linux and Mac users the ability to use Windows based Microsoft Office applications to run on their computers. The company, CodeWeavers, that produces it is offering it for free right now.
The whole story can be found here.
The whole story can be found here.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Economy hurts, turn to open source software
Read an interesting article today about the bad economy and computer software prices.
When the Stock Market Gives you Lemons, You Make Lemonade
Facing tough times? Now might be a good time to turn to Open Source.
Jason Perlow, who wrote the article, made some good points.
So if your Windows XP system is getting clunky with age – like my wife’s old PC was — why not forget purchasing some new Core 2 Quad 4GB Vista PCs for a year, and look into refurbishing your 2 or 3-year old systems with a free, feature rich, and less resource-intensive Linux distribution such as Ubuntu or OpenSUSE? Instead of Microsoft Office, why not run OpenOffice? Set up a file, web or database server with CentOS or Debian. Do you need a virtualization solution? Check out VMWare ESX 3i or investigate KVM and OpenVZ, with a solution like ProxMox.
Sure, we all want the economy to return to a stable and growing state, and we want to be able to improve our business and personal computing infrastructure. But in the meantime, we can all breathe easy that in terms of software, Open Source and Linux has us covered.
My friend at work was going through the same problems with his XP machine. He made the switch to Ubuntu and hasn't looked back.
When the Stock Market Gives you Lemons, You Make Lemonade
Facing tough times? Now might be a good time to turn to Open Source.
Jason Perlow, who wrote the article, made some good points.
So if your Windows XP system is getting clunky with age – like my wife’s old PC was — why not forget purchasing some new Core 2 Quad 4GB Vista PCs for a year, and look into refurbishing your 2 or 3-year old systems with a free, feature rich, and less resource-intensive Linux distribution such as Ubuntu or OpenSUSE? Instead of Microsoft Office, why not run OpenOffice? Set up a file, web or database server with CentOS or Debian. Do you need a virtualization solution? Check out VMWare ESX 3i or investigate KVM and OpenVZ, with a solution like ProxMox.
Sure, we all want the economy to return to a stable and growing state, and we want to be able to improve our business and personal computing infrastructure. But in the meantime, we can all breathe easy that in terms of software, Open Source and Linux has us covered.
My friend at work was going through the same problems with his XP machine. He made the switch to Ubuntu and hasn't looked back.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Nothing but love hate for Microsoft
This is brought to you by this thread.
"The idea that Bill Gates has appeared like a knight in shining armour to lead all customers out of a mire of technological chaos neatly ignores the fact that it was he who, by peddling second-rate technology, led them into it in the first place." - Douglas Adams
"The court confirmed that consumers were suffering at the hands of Microsoft." - Neelie Kroes
rage:
But come on now!! Every one knows that Mac is just as or damn near as venerable to hacking as PC, it just hasn't been shown it's ugly face yet.
I think like 80% of internet users use PC computers to MAYBE (really more like 15%) use Mac. And you wonder why there is a huge ratio of attacks (malware.spyware.virus) on PC compared to MAC??? In part, it's a numbers game.
The bad guys are starting to hit Macs now too. Now, of course nobody wants this. But it is how the World works(kill the King), not just the World of Tech.
Mac has started having some updates just like PC always does. Mac never used to have to worry about this, but thanks to more people using Macs, I believe it has caused more intrest in the hacking community as reguards to Macs.
More users on Mac = More money More Problems. Welcome to the World of Tech Mac!!
It's all numbers. Hackers love numbers it seems.
Me:
All false and all myths.
Roughly Drafted Magazine - The Unavoidable Malware Myth: Why Apple Won’t Inherit Microsoft’s Malware Crown
April 1st, 2008
The Malware Market Share Myth.
Does malware development require some threshold of market share before it can exist? Is the malware ecosystem “irreducibly complex” in a way that prevents small pockets of malware from spontaneously developing to exploit smaller markets? If so, this would explain why Apple now has 20% or more of certain markets, but does not have even 1% of the malware market.
Alas, this theory is easy to crush. There have been many examples of thriving malware “serving” minor markets. Back when all computers used floppy disks, and floppies were easy to infect with boot sector viruses, Macintoshes of the Classic Mac OS era carried and transmitted viruses on floppies despite never having more than 8 to 11% of the market. Viruses were around because of a weakness, not because of the Mac reaching a certain market share threshold in popularity.
Even platform targets that are tiny to the point of insignificant are attacked by malware. Specific versions of small minority of Symbian phones were attacked by a Bluetooth virus, not because those models made up 95% of the phone market, but because there was an open flaw in their software that left them vulnerable to attack.
The idea that Apple will inherit Microsoft’s problems is based in the ignorance that Windows’ security problems are rooted in its popularity, rather than its poor architectural design. That is not true, as countless examples of viruses attacking minor platforms attest. Malware targets weakness, not popularity. Windows is plagued with malware, not because it is ubiquitous, but because it is riddled with weaknesses.
Emphasis mine.
vangvace:
Mac=overpriced PC with a presumably better OS. Though since you can't get OS X on anything but a mac without serious hacks, it's a hindrance to truly being better imo.
I then posted Harry McCracken's blog series asking are Macs really more expensive, which he found they aren't
Mid-range laptops
http://technologizer.com/2008/08/14/are-macs-more-expensive-lets-do-the-math-once-and-for-all/3/
MacBook: $1299 (white case)
Dell XPS M1330: $1287 (including an “instant rebate” of $100)
HP dv4t: $1218.99 (including an “instant rebate” of $100)
Sony VGN-SR190: $1608.99
Cheapest
http://technologizer.com/2008/08/16/are-macs-more-expensive-round-two-survival-of-the-cheapest/3/
The MacBook at $1049, gets blown away by the cheapest PC, $599
All-in-one
http://technologizer.com/2008/08/17/are-macs-more-expensive-all-in-one/3/
iMac: $1399 final price ($1474 at MacConnection, plus a $75 rebate; Apple’s list is $1499)
Dell XPS One: $1349 (from Dell.com, after $300 of those mysterious “instant savings”)
Gateway One: $1359.99 (at Tiger Direct; Gateway’s list is $1499.99)
Sony VGC-LT32E: $1299 (at SonyStyle.com; “original price” was $1399)
?
http://technologizer.com/2008/08/25/are-macs-more-expensive-round-four-the-skinny-on-the-mini/3/
Mac Mini: $699
Dell Studio Hybrid: $678
HP Pavilion Slimline s3500z: $588.99 (after $50 in “instant savings”)
Shuttle XPC X200H: $980
vangvace then responds that one gets less ess hardware for your money with a Mac, and that OS X is flawed, showing cracks now.
That post was so absurd, that I responded in kind.
I was going to point by point refute everything you just posted, but I've come to a realization. Just right now .... You're right. I can't believe I've been wrong about this whole Mac vs. PC argument the whole time. Holy fucking christ, you've really opened my eyes. I think I'll sell my Mac tomorrow even though it's never had one virus, never slowed down, never had a BSOD, does everything I need it too, starts fast, shuts down fast, hasn't overheated, hasn't had one hardware problem, yes the OS has been updated several times, but quite frankly that's been a pain in the ass even though they've been free, and I was so looking forward to something not to work right when I installed an update that things went so smoothy that I was pissed off and took it out on Microsoft and Bill Gates. Thanks vangvace! For all you Apple fanboi's out there check eBay soon I'll be selling my near perfect three-year-old, 12", PowerBook G4. I've only dropped it twice, and it still works perfectly.
vangvace calls me a crybaby.
vangvace ... I agree with you! PC hardware is infinitely better. I remember using PC laptops in Bosnia that constantly crashed, but I'm sure it was just the dirt and mud. Using XP I had several BSODs in an office environment in Baghdad, probably just the sand there. Used several Gateways that crashed all the time, but I'm sure it was because I worked in a basement then.
eva unit zero said he works with both and finds the Macs constantly fail. And that his wife's iBook logic board needed replacing twice in the first year.
Never had a problem with the logic board and I guess I new will because I'll be selling my PowerBook as soon a buy my new PC and get all my files transferred over.
Yep. I can't wait to buy a $599 PC with Vista.
I'm a PC now! Just like Eva Longoria, Deepak Chopra and Tony Parker.
"The idea that Bill Gates has appeared like a knight in shining armour to lead all customers out of a mire of technological chaos neatly ignores the fact that it was he who, by peddling second-rate technology, led them into it in the first place." - Douglas Adams
"The court confirmed that consumers were suffering at the hands of Microsoft." - Neelie Kroes
rage:
But come on now!! Every one knows that Mac is just as or damn near as venerable to hacking as PC, it just hasn't been shown it's ugly face yet.
I think like 80% of internet users use PC computers to MAYBE (really more like 15%) use Mac. And you wonder why there is a huge ratio of attacks (malware.spyware.virus) on PC compared to MAC??? In part, it's a numbers game.
The bad guys are starting to hit Macs now too. Now, of course nobody wants this. But it is how the World works(kill the King), not just the World of Tech.
Mac has started having some updates just like PC always does. Mac never used to have to worry about this, but thanks to more people using Macs, I believe it has caused more intrest in the hacking community as reguards to Macs.
More users on Mac = More money More Problems. Welcome to the World of Tech Mac!!
It's all numbers. Hackers love numbers it seems.
Me:
All false and all myths.
Roughly Drafted Magazine - The Unavoidable Malware Myth: Why Apple Won’t Inherit Microsoft’s Malware Crown
April 1st, 2008
The Malware Market Share Myth.
Does malware development require some threshold of market share before it can exist? Is the malware ecosystem “irreducibly complex” in a way that prevents small pockets of malware from spontaneously developing to exploit smaller markets? If so, this would explain why Apple now has 20% or more of certain markets, but does not have even 1% of the malware market.
Alas, this theory is easy to crush. There have been many examples of thriving malware “serving” minor markets. Back when all computers used floppy disks, and floppies were easy to infect with boot sector viruses, Macintoshes of the Classic Mac OS era carried and transmitted viruses on floppies despite never having more than 8 to 11% of the market. Viruses were around because of a weakness, not because of the Mac reaching a certain market share threshold in popularity.
Even platform targets that are tiny to the point of insignificant are attacked by malware. Specific versions of small minority of Symbian phones were attacked by a Bluetooth virus, not because those models made up 95% of the phone market, but because there was an open flaw in their software that left them vulnerable to attack.
The idea that Apple will inherit Microsoft’s problems is based in the ignorance that Windows’ security problems are rooted in its popularity, rather than its poor architectural design. That is not true, as countless examples of viruses attacking minor platforms attest. Malware targets weakness, not popularity. Windows is plagued with malware, not because it is ubiquitous, but because it is riddled with weaknesses.
Emphasis mine.
vangvace:
Mac=overpriced PC with a presumably better OS. Though since you can't get OS X on anything but a mac without serious hacks, it's a hindrance to truly being better imo.
I then posted Harry McCracken's blog series asking are Macs really more expensive, which he found they aren't
Mid-range laptops
http://technologizer.com/2008/08/14/are-macs-more-expensive-lets-do-the-math-once-and-for-all/3/
MacBook: $1299 (white case)
Dell XPS M1330: $1287 (including an “instant rebate” of $100)
HP dv4t: $1218.99 (including an “instant rebate” of $100)
Sony VGN-SR190: $1608.99
Cheapest
http://technologizer.com/2008/08/16/are-macs-more-expensive-round-two-survival-of-the-cheapest/3/
The MacBook at $1049, gets blown away by the cheapest PC, $599
All-in-one
http://technologizer.com/2008/08/17/are-macs-more-expensive-all-in-one/3/
iMac: $1399 final price ($1474 at MacConnection, plus a $75 rebate; Apple’s list is $1499)
Dell XPS One: $1349 (from Dell.com, after $300 of those mysterious “instant savings”)
Gateway One: $1359.99 (at Tiger Direct; Gateway’s list is $1499.99)
Sony VGC-LT32E: $1299 (at SonyStyle.com; “original price” was $1399)
?
http://technologizer.com/2008/08/25/are-macs-more-expensive-round-four-the-skinny-on-the-mini/3/
Mac Mini: $699
Dell Studio Hybrid: $678
HP Pavilion Slimline s3500z: $588.99 (after $50 in “instant savings”)
Shuttle XPC X200H: $980
vangvace then responds that one gets less ess hardware for your money with a Mac, and that OS X is flawed, showing cracks now.
That post was so absurd, that I responded in kind.
I was going to point by point refute everything you just posted, but I've come to a realization. Just right now .... You're right. I can't believe I've been wrong about this whole Mac vs. PC argument the whole time. Holy fucking christ, you've really opened my eyes. I think I'll sell my Mac tomorrow even though it's never had one virus, never slowed down, never had a BSOD, does everything I need it too, starts fast, shuts down fast, hasn't overheated, hasn't had one hardware problem, yes the OS has been updated several times, but quite frankly that's been a pain in the ass even though they've been free, and I was so looking forward to something not to work right when I installed an update that things went so smoothy that I was pissed off and took it out on Microsoft and Bill Gates. Thanks vangvace! For all you Apple fanboi's out there check eBay soon I'll be selling my near perfect three-year-old, 12", PowerBook G4. I've only dropped it twice, and it still works perfectly.
vangvace calls me a crybaby.
vangvace ... I agree with you! PC hardware is infinitely better. I remember using PC laptops in Bosnia that constantly crashed, but I'm sure it was just the dirt and mud. Using XP I had several BSODs in an office environment in Baghdad, probably just the sand there. Used several Gateways that crashed all the time, but I'm sure it was because I worked in a basement then.
eva unit zero said he works with both and finds the Macs constantly fail. And that his wife's iBook logic board needed replacing twice in the first year.
Never had a problem with the logic board and I guess I new will because I'll be selling my PowerBook as soon a buy my new PC and get all my files transferred over.
Yep. I can't wait to buy a $599 PC with Vista.
I'm a PC now! Just like Eva Longoria, Deepak Chopra and Tony Parker.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Microsoft-free desktops
Microsoft-free desktops is a good concept to me, and that's what ITWire is reporting.
IBM, three major Linux distributors and their hardware partners are teaming up to deliver "Microsoft-free" desktop PCs to the one billion unit worldwide market. The cost could be as little as half that of systems using Microsoft equivalents.
The move puts even more pressure on Microsoft, already under siege from competitors such as Apple, Google and Mozilla, which continue to erode its market share in strategic areas.
Less Microsoft in my life = good. I've said and written that before, but it bears repeating.
In 2006 I got a friend of mine to switch to Ubuntu. He's loved it ever since then. About a month ago a co-worker was complaining about his computer and how he'd need to re-install Windows. I told him about Ubuntu too. He installed it on his home desktop and has loved it too. He also installed Ubuntu on his grandmother's computer. She loves it too. What's that line about old dogs?
I turned other people on to Apple computers. A buddy of mine who's back in Iraq, still loves his MacBook, which he bought when we came home in 2006. I also influenced my sister's ex-boyfriend to buy a MacBook. My cousin has a MacBook Pro, and he loves that. Especially since I set up his Mighty Mouse to right click.
At work I still am forced to use Windows-based PCs, but that might be changing from what I'm hearing.
Also about a year ago was a report the U.S. Army would be adopting Macs to combat the inherent security flaws of Windows-based PCs - U.S. Army seeks to integrate Macs.
Following Internet attacks on the likes of the Pentagon -- and other members of the military-industrial complex, such as Boeing, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman -- the Army has been working to increase its defenses against hackers, and Macs are forming a portion of this because there are said to be far fewer exploits for Mac OS X than there are for Windows. Of the Army's approximately 700,000 desktops and servers, 20,000 are made by Apple.
I haven't seen more of that, but I hope it's true. It's hard for a big organization to change its course. So that might be another reason.
It's also hard for people to get out of the rut they're in. Generally people fear change.
There are many viable and better alternatives to a Windows-based machines - Just Say No to Microsoft. Or if readers prefer books over web sites.
IBM, three major Linux distributors and their hardware partners are teaming up to deliver "Microsoft-free" desktop PCs to the one billion unit worldwide market. The cost could be as little as half that of systems using Microsoft equivalents.
The move puts even more pressure on Microsoft, already under siege from competitors such as Apple, Google and Mozilla, which continue to erode its market share in strategic areas.
Less Microsoft in my life = good. I've said and written that before, but it bears repeating.
In 2006 I got a friend of mine to switch to Ubuntu. He's loved it ever since then. About a month ago a co-worker was complaining about his computer and how he'd need to re-install Windows. I told him about Ubuntu too. He installed it on his home desktop and has loved it too. He also installed Ubuntu on his grandmother's computer. She loves it too. What's that line about old dogs?
I turned other people on to Apple computers. A buddy of mine who's back in Iraq, still loves his MacBook, which he bought when we came home in 2006. I also influenced my sister's ex-boyfriend to buy a MacBook. My cousin has a MacBook Pro, and he loves that. Especially since I set up his Mighty Mouse to right click.
At work I still am forced to use Windows-based PCs, but that might be changing from what I'm hearing.
Also about a year ago was a report the U.S. Army would be adopting Macs to combat the inherent security flaws of Windows-based PCs - U.S. Army seeks to integrate Macs.
Following Internet attacks on the likes of the Pentagon -- and other members of the military-industrial complex, such as Boeing, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman -- the Army has been working to increase its defenses against hackers, and Macs are forming a portion of this because there are said to be far fewer exploits for Mac OS X than there are for Windows. Of the Army's approximately 700,000 desktops and servers, 20,000 are made by Apple.
I haven't seen more of that, but I hope it's true. It's hard for a big organization to change its course. So that might be another reason.
It's also hard for people to get out of the rut they're in. Generally people fear change.
There are many viable and better alternatives to a Windows-based machines - Just Say No to Microsoft. Or if readers prefer books over web sites.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
