Monthly Archives: December 2012

The so-called “Fiscal Cliff”

Posted on December 26, 2012 by

I know this isn’t IT or tech related, but for the next few days conversation is going to be dominated by the looming “Fiscal Cliff” more than by tech.  That’s sad for those of us who would much rather see … Continue reading →

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A few odds and ends for a slow news day

Posted on December 25, 2012 by

Everyone else in the house apparently is still asleep, so I figure it’s a good time to write down some odds and ends! I finally had a decent experience with Best Buy carrying Microsoft Surface.  The store in Parker Colorado … Continue reading →

Posted in Microsoft | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Putting Expression Studio’s demise in perspective

Posted on December 22, 2012 by

Microsoft’s recent move to disband the Expression Studio suite, and discontinue some of its component products, is the latest example of a retrenchment that is returning the Developer Division (DevDiv) to its roots.  Understanding that history will help make sense of … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft | Tagged , , , | 31 Comments

Does Microsoft have a Phablet Strategy?

Posted on December 20, 2012 by

Recent reports are that HTC cancelled a Windows Phone 8-based entry into the so-called Phablet category.  Phablets, for those who don’t follow these things, are crossover devices between Phones and Tablets with screen sizes starting at 5″.  I tend to think … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Mobile, Windows, Windows Phone | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

And now for another edition of How the Windows Eco-System Fails: Best Buy at its worst

Posted on December 18, 2012 by

I decided to pay a visit to my local Best Buy to see how things were shaping up for the final run up to Christmas.  Just after walking in the door I am greeted by this: Yes, the large Windows … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Windows | Tagged , | 31 Comments

Some Anti-Malware basics

Posted on December 17, 2012 by

This is not a blog post for the IT professional, unless you have little idea how anti-malware, reputation, etc. work.  It is a small primer for those who don’t quite get all this anti-malware stuff. At its core anti-malware seems … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Security | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Google’s Exchange ActiveSync Debacle

Posted on December 17, 2012 by

I’m having trouble getting too worked up about Google’s decision to drop Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) support for non-paying customers of Gmail et al.  If this really was an attempt to slow Microsoft’s progress in mobile it was both petty and … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Mobile, Windows, Windows Phone | Tagged , , | 18 Comments

Are evaluations of Microsoft Security Essentials unfair?

Posted on December 13, 2012 by

Microsoft Security Essentials has recently come under some criticism for poor test results.  The obvious, or maybe not so obvious, question to ask is how much of this is about the performance of Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) and how much … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Security, Windows | Tagged , , | 26 Comments

OEMs continue to fail on the Windows 8 Launch

Posted on December 3, 2012 by

The more I wander around looking at Windows 8 in the retail channel the more frustrated I become.  There remains very little availability of systems that showcase Windows 8.  By that I mean, where are systems that make you feel … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Windows | Tagged , , | 13 Comments