Category Archives: Windows

Fewer Windows 8 Editions, thankfully

Posted on April 18, 2012 by halberenson

Well, one of the shoes I mentioned has dropped and I pretty much got this prediction right.  We are down to the logical number of editions for Windows.  The “new” one for ARM-based systems, mainstream Windows, Pro, and Enterprise.  The one … Continue reading →

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

The Corruption of “Release Candidate”

Posted on April 3, 2012 by halberenson

With various news reports that a “Release Candidate” or RC of Windows 8 is due in May or June it is useful to reflect on how that term has been corrupted over the years, particularly by Microsoft’s Windows team. Once … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Windows | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Windows Phone Apps on Windows 8: Missed opportunity or a Shoe yet to drop

Posted on March 17, 2012 by halberenson

There is a very recent hint that Microsoft might be planning to allow Windows Phone 7 apps to run unmodified on Windows 8.  To date Microsoft has focused on encouraging developers to port their Windows Phone apps to Windows 8 by … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Windows, Windows Phone | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

How many more Windows 8 shoes are left to drop?

Posted on March 15, 2012 by halberenson

Now that the Windows 8 Consumer Preview has been picked apart the question I’m asking is how many more shoes are there left to drop?  As we’ve all seen, the current Microsoft philosophy (particularly for  the Windows group) is to only … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Windows | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Can you use multiple “windows” with Windows 8?

Posted on March 2, 2012 by halberenson

Of course you can, particularly with the Desktop.  Yes when you live primarily in the Desktop then the Start Screen is more jarring then the Start Menu was.  I would likely pin more things to the Task Bar or put … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Windows | Tagged , | 14 Comments

Can Windows 8’s Metro succeed on the desktop?

Posted on February 25, 2012 by halberenson

The biggest cloud hanging over Windows 8 is how desktop (and notebook) users will react to the new Metro user experience (which I’ll refer to as MoSh to differentiate the new “Modern Shell” from the app model and Store change).  What … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Windows | Tagged , , , | 36 Comments

Why a locked down Metro/WinRT model makes such a big difference to security

Posted on February 15, 2012 by halberenson

Secunia is reporting that 78% of end-point (individual computers for all those not in the security business) vulnerabilities are attributable to third-party software.  That’s everything from browser plug-ins like Flash and Java, to Adobe Reader, to Quicken or any other desktop … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Security, Windows | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Dear Developer, excuse me while I slap you silly

Posted on February 15, 2012 by halberenson

Today I’m going to abandon my usual balanced friendly analysis approach and play devil’s advocate, because I think there is an audience that needs a wakeup call.    No it’s not developers of consumer apps, I think they’ve already gotten it.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Windows | Tagged , , , , , | 76 Comments

Windows 8 is not all about Tablets, it’s about the future

Posted on February 12, 2012 by halberenson

What we know about Windows 8, mostly driven by the Developer Preview but also by various comments from Microsoft, is quite polarizing.  The most controversial aspects are around the move to the new Metro app model and user experience.  Many … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Windows | Tagged , , , | 97 Comments

Windows on ARM (WOA)

Posted on February 9, 2012 by halberenson

I was going to hold off on further Windows 8 comments until the Consumer Preview shipped, but since Steven Sinofsky posted detailed information on Windows 8’s ARM support today I thought I’d make a few remarks. The most important clarification … Continue reading →

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