microsoft

Familiar with Linux? It's the hardcore techie's answer to the more restrictive (albeit user-friendly) operating systems from Microsoft and Apple. Those who know what they're doing with Linux can achieve unparalleled goals via software applications ... and open source technology. It's also a great way to hack an Xbox. Changes are possible upon the horizon, however, with the recent announcement that Microsoft has partnered with Linux owner Novell. The result is a relationship that will continue until at least 2012, and include some major cash transactions. The primary goal of the agreement is to ... (view more)

Microsoft has recently released Windows Media Player 11, the newest installment for Windows XP. One of the biggest changes is the Media Player's integration with "URGE," MTV Networks' digital music center. URGE's catalog offers more than 110,000 ... artists and over 2 million songs. Users can query for "instant searches," which easily narrows search results with each entry; they can also sign up to receive streaming content according to their preferences. The integration is one of the ways in which Microsoft hopes to surmount Apple's dominance in the digital music industry. (Source: toptechnews. ... (view more)

For those who have seen Microsoft's much-anticipated new operating system, Windows Vista, delayed time and time again, the recent news that the OS has officially gone gold will be refreshing (if not surprising) news. Announced at 11am Pacific time ... yesterday, Microsoft has officially moved production of Vista to manufacturers. That's the last step before retailers get their hands on the OS, which is set to ship to business soon and home PCs by the end of January. The release dates, although rumored for months, have never been 100% clear. Instead, information leaks are generally confirming ... (view more)

Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) has been released as of November 1, 2006. If you're not ready for it yet, there are a few options to prevent its installation through Automatic Updates. Personally, I update my computer manually, so I can see what's being ... installed before it's installed. Reports say that IE7 is more secure and has more functionality than Internet Explorer 6 (some improvements include tabbed browsing and a built-in RSS reader) -- but I prefer to wait until they get a few more bugs worked out and some patches for the flaws that still exist before I'll agree to install it myself. Many ... (view more)

Representatives from Google Inc. were unable to comment on the measures Microsoft Corporation has taken to ensure that its customers will have easy accessibility to an array of Internet search engines when the Vista operating system launches in the ... coming months. (Source: technology.canoe.ca ) In a recent media interview, David Drummond, Google's senior vice president of corporate development continually stressed the importance of consumer choice of search and other applications when using the Vista system. (Source: iht.com ) Vista is Microsoft's first major update in nearly six years and the ... (view more)

Microsoft recently announced a big change to the MSN Music website: as of November 14th (the launch date of the much-hyped Zune), the website will no longer be offering music downloads. While the MSN Music website will still remain, its focus will ... change toward offering information such as interviews with musicians and industry news, as well as hosting live concerts. The biggest change is that the "Buy Song" buttons will be taken off and replaced by links to the Zune and Real Rhapsody websites. In addition, the MSN Radio service will be free. (Source: news.com ) MSN Music was launched in ... (view more)

Wouldn't it be nice if every company offered users its lowest-selling, zero-profit-making products for free? Hey, I'd take a Sega Dreamcast. Well, now it appears that Microsoft is offering Office Accounting Express 2007 to end users for free, ... providing a complimentary license to download the otherwise expensive product. Office Accounting Express 2007 (OAE 2007) is a low-end calculating program for small businesses. That doesn't make it a cheap product, but apparently it hasn't exactly been popular amongst Microsoft clients. As a result, the company is offering the program for free download as ... (view more)

It seems Mr. Bill Gates will be donning a big red suit this holiday season, as Microsoft readies its new operating system, Vista, for release in the New Year. The software giant appears ready to launch a massive upgrade program for many of its loyal ... customers, with reduced prices for those interested in replacing the Windows XP operating system with Vista. The generous upgrade offers are being called "coupons" by some, with speculation that the initiative is being driven by Microsoft's own guilt over continuously pushing back Vista's release. The "coupons" will be available any day now, and ... (view more)

According to reports, Microsoft has posted some very impressive profits for the first quarter of its fiscal year. This period, ending September 30, saw earnings that were generally higher than most expectations expressed by the company, a surprise ... considering the fact that Microsoft's most anticipated product, the operating system Vista, is yet to even be released. The official terminology for said earnings place the profits at the "high end of expectations". The reasoning behind such a bountiful windfall appears to be the success of both the Xbox 360 console and Microsoft's SQL Server 2005. ... (view more)

Have you recently made the leap of faith from the relatively-buggy Internet Explorer 6 to the recently released and even-more-buggy IE7? IE7 is Microsoft's latest web browser and promises better options and security. Although it has gone through its ... own controversy in recent weeks, Internet Explorer 7 is generally considered an advancement in Internet surfing. And with that said, there are strong rumors that the Redmond-based company has already begun working on Internet Explorer "Next," which should be ultimately dubbed Internet Explorer 8.0. Recently appointed Internet Explorer platform ... (view more)