Microsoft

Research carried out by analyst Vanson Bourne shows that UK firms have little enthusiasm for the new Windows Vista operating system. Nearly 6 out of 10 businesses say they have no plans to deploy it. (Source: Techworld.com ) 100 IT directors and ... chief technology officers at UK companies employing more than 1,000 staff were surveyed. 1 percent of those surveyed planned to deploy Vista immediately. 58 percent of those surveyed were not. In larger companies that employed more than 3,000 staff, 68 percent of those surveyed said they had no plans to deploy Vista. 78 percent of respondents across ... (view more)

Ever sit, stewing in mixed emotion as entertainment journalists report on those grab baskets bestowed upon celebrities for attending the Academy Awards? It just seems as though the rich get richer, or at least offered expensive gadgets and ... moisturizers. Now, tech fans can get that very same feeling, with recent word that Microsoft chief Bill Gates will be presented an honorary doctorate from Harvard University, some thirty years after he dropped out of the world-famous college. Gates will be given the doctorate at Harvard's 356th Commencement, which takes place on June 7. He'll also be the ... (view more)

Hewlett-Packard's (HP) newest energy star PCs won't ship with Windows Vista. In order to comply with the new Energy Star 4.0 business desktop computer standards, the Compaq dc5700, dc5750 and dc7700 will be loaded with Windows XP Pro, despite the ... fact the HP recommends Windows Vista Business. Ted Samson, a writer with InfoWorld , interviewed Todd Kruse, the global desktop product manager at HP. "We will introduce Windows Vista configurations that are Energy Star 4.0-ready in the near future. Because we were able to begin testing all the components including the 80% efficient power supply with ... (view more)

Without a doubt, the most important product release in the computer and general tech world in recent memory has been Vista, Microsoft's latest operating system (OS). In development for a decade, it's meant the employment of some 10,000 MS workers, ... laboring day and night to iron out the many bugs inherent to such an upgrade. However, as hyped as the January 2007 home release of the operating system was, sales have been low. Is this the result of a poor product, or simply the economic and logistical circumstances of the global business environment? According to many insiders, it isn't the ... (view more)

Usually, embarking on a corporate upgrade path that involves fresh software is an expensive venture. It can take millions of dollars to update company computers, pay IT overtime, and train those who might use it. However, with Microsoft's recently ... unveiled Live Search technology, the Redmond-based company is actually offering to pay corporations who integrate it. The handout is rumored to include a $25,000 base provision, with an additional $2 to $10 for every PC using the Live Search. For the time being, Microsoft is looking to try the incentive program with 30 companies in North America, ... (view more)

The recent release of Microsoft Vista and Exchange 2007 has IT managers and system administrators taking a long hard look at upgrading their organization's infrastructures reports. (Source: processor.com ). While there may be some advantages to the ... new products such as enhanced security features, optimized mobility functions and integrated searching, there are just as many if not more challenges, including hardware upgrades and compatibility issues. Keith McCall, founder and CTO of Azaleos, a company that builds appliances with Microsoft software preloaded and preconfigured then provides ... (view more)

Some versions of Windows Vista can be run for at almost a year without being activated, says Brian Livingston . Livingston, who publishes the Windows Secrets newsletter said that a single change to Vista's Registry lets users put off the operating ... system's product activation requirement an additional eight times beyond the three disclosed last month. With more research, said Livingston, it may even be possible to find a way to postpone activation indefinitely. Despite the fact that Microsoft has online documentation spelling out the pertinent Registry key, Microsoft promptly labelled the ... (view more)

Is Vista worth it? With all the hoopla, hype, and criticism floating around the 'net since Vista's release, it's no wonder users are confused as to whether the leap to Microsoft's new operating system is a good investment. In a recent article by ... Laptop Magazine, author Jeffrey Wilson wrote that "it's no secret that Microsoft's new operating system offers plenty of additional functionality over XP and gives users a much better experience overall." It's also no secret that Vista has taken some serious heat in recent weeks for a number of issues, the most frequently reported surrounding ... (view more)

Being fair minded while discussing Microsoft is difficult for me considering all the illegal activities their management has engaged in, and have been convicted for, in both U.S. and International Courts over the years. But, I do try hard to be as ... open-minded as I possibly can when talking about their software. With that in mind, I wanted to talk to you about Vista and all the hype that has been blowing around in the wind. It is confusing, conflicting, and in some cases, just too hard to believe! Let me begin. On one hand, you hear Microsoft touting the virtues of Vista as the Best OS since ... (view more)

Microsoft has reportedly made its most pricey acquisition since 2002. The Redmond-based company purchased Tellme Networks, and although the price remains undisclosed, it is estimated to be upwards of $800 million. (Source: theregister.co.uk ) Tellme ... Networks is a voice recognition company and has made a name for itself by becoming a leader in recognizing and responding to voice inquiries on the telephone. Tellme currently powers over 40% of all directory assistance calls in the US. (Source: arstechnica.com ) Meanwhile, Microsoft has been experimenting with voice recognition capabilities for ... (view more)