The writer Bill Ray is indeed expressing "arrogance" and some prejudice in suggesting that " ...It's easy to accuse Cupertino of American arrogance in failing to respect local laws, but that seems unlikely "...., since Mr. Ray has no evidence that Apple did not intentionally disregard the laws of Italy.
The arrogance generally does come from US companies, such as Microsoft's actions against the European Union in their ant-competitive/Ant-Trust case, and many Brits play their usual role of American Dupe.
I am constantly bewildered why computer users of Microsoft Windows get upset about the company's strange and what some would call "dirty tricks"- unethical and possibly illegal actions in regard to competitors' products.
These people really need to get a life and accept -once and for all and unequivocally - the realities and catastrophes of using Windows OS software, most particularly with non-Microsoft applications from those they envy and wish to crush.
Their whining and complaining has become a bore to most others who know better.
The one critical and all important point missing from all the Press's GaGa praise of Microsoft's mobile solutions, is that no matter what Microsoft puts out - even now, is still based on a very unreliable and abysmal security record. This is not "new" design software, but GeeWhiz! appearance and Gosh! superficial functionality based on the same ole tired, broken technology.
Please! , give them the 315th pass on Mango and Windows 8, and whatever else you are drooling over from Redmond. None of this will make a hair brain difference in the overall result "shortly" down the road - failure of users to have performance, reliability or security they get elsewhere.
Gavin Clark make at least one false assumption in his declaration that once a large commercial (proprietary) CRM/ERP software company gets a foothold in a client's door, they are unmovable.
That may apply - for time being - for Oracle, SAP and other behemoths of the "old software model", but the significant emergence of Free/Open Source Software (FOSS) based CRM/ERP like ERP5, OpenERP, Compiere and others that have proven robust, flexible and scalable for large enterprises - while NOT locking clients into one company - are gaining use and success rapidly.
Gavin needs to learn more about the real changes in the software world.
It would be nice though - for Microsoft customers - if, for once their rhetoric comes closer to the reality of failed and under performing technology releases that the company has consistently put out over the past decades.
There is nothing like flashy propaganda, particularly if clients suffer from Attention Deficit Syndrome (ADS) - as many Microsoft customers apparently do - and have no idea that what they bought into is not what they are getting, or even reasonably comparable to competitive solutions from other vendors.
The one point missing from article and most commenters, is that no matter how much "vision" Microsoft and Bill Gates himself may have had about tablet technology and related 'innovation', the company did not and does not have great or even very good software to compete effectively - although they will probably always make hundreds of $$millions or even $$billions from the Microsoft (simple minded?) faithful.
Anyone who 'really' knows the technical facts and lineage of Windows - any iteration or version - understands quite clearly that most all of it is based on legacy code and design, which will not adapt well - translate that as paste/glue onto modern, mobile Internet technologies.
A perfect analogy related to me recently by a senior technical VP from one of the largest three [real innovative] technology companies in USA is: no matter what the features and specifications of a luxury sports car, e.g. Porsche 911 or Ferrari (equivalent to any hardware), it will never reach it's potential or be great if it only runs on 30 Octane gasoline - equivalent to Microsoft OS.
I do sincerely hope that if Herb Sutter is amoung many C++ ISO group members from Microsoft, that the language standard is not corrupted - even subtly - as has been done to the severe detriment of other languages - like the Microsoft license of Java, or their "Iron-" iterations of Ruby, Python and PHP, as just a few examples.
The technology industry or their clients of technology, meaning the whole world, can no longer afford - in the twenty first century to endure the draconian behavior of Microsoft in attempting - and sometimes succeeding - to force shape technology in their own mold, and ultimately breaking everything and thus setting back technological progress many years.
Andrew Orlowski's suggestion that Apple's new proprietary mail protocol is an "improvement" over standards based POP3 or IMAP is ridiculous on it' face, and he has absolutely no technical or other evidence that supports such an uninformed and off-the-wall statement..
Why does the Register allow all these oddball and technically false stories to be published? There is no question that many "group" designated technology standards have failed to be productive or efficient, but Internet and Web protocols, have been excellent in promoting the explosion of communications, and the upcoming improvements like - IPv6 and HTML5 - "designed by committee" will make things even better. Has apple contributed to or created any of these new great protocols?
Once again, Microsoft have demonstrated their complete lack of creativity and wish to "copy" WebOS and Chrome OS in making the web, communications more unified and cooperative - that is, Microsoft's way or no way.
If HP put WebOS on and configure the software to be integral to all their printers and devices, also like Cisco, Vyatta, Netgear, RIM and just about everyone else in the technology sphere - based on Linux or UNIX like software, then Microsoft is dillusional in thinking they can compete on that basis.
However, they have an important ACE playing card; the generally ignorant public, particularly that segment with little or no good understanding and lack of in-depth knowledge of what is really transpiring in Mobile and communications technologies.
Only that they like Microsoft and Bill Gates - as "American" success stories - representing one of the richest persons and one of the largest corporations in the world. So much for superficial bragging rights.
Unfortunately tens of billions of dollars will be wasted by Microsoft chasing far superior and more modern technologies, rather than putting similar effort and finances on improving their very weak and insecure - although citizen popular - products and services.
Nokia would have to be "brain dead" to make Microsoft Mobile OS a strategic part of their overall Mobile plan. They would no worse off by sticking with Symbian until the MeeGo platform is completely in place and robust. At least there would not be an appearance on confusion and lowered quality by rejecting the Windows mobile disaster.
It is bad enough they hired an executive from Redmond, a place where there has been no innovation in the latest technologies - Mobile, Cloud Computing and Multi-Media.
Mary Jo Foley and other Microsoft pundits never seem to explain certain facets of Microsoft's disjointed strategy plans, when for instance she 'confidently' proclaims near future offering of Windows 8 for Arm mobile devices.
Since Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7 are desktop OS, never designed for or effective in mobile technology - as compared to iOS or Android, then the question becomes " Is Windows 8 or whatever a completely different , "new" OS for these purposes, or just another Frankenstein modification/downgrading of their flagship, ancient technology? Why is there no in-depth mention of Windows 7 Mobile in connection/relation to Windows 8 for conversion/upgrade/whatever for competing with purpose built iOS and Android?
These aspects are never mentioned by independent Microsoft marketers/fan club.
The review of this Asus netbook is seriously flawed, simply because the reviewer assumes that the only way for this computer to have acceptable performance is by running Windows OS, and to do that the Netbook needs to become bloated.
If the reviewer runs one of the Netbook optimized Linux distributions, that will prove the computer is quite "snappy" and needs less bloat.
The argument/case of "popularity" of Windows over Linux is not the question or even important, but fair, intelligent and competent technical reviews are. Not stupid Microsoft shills with one point of view, and little broad technology experience.
The one issue omitted from the article on Microsoft mobile 7 "strategy" is that no matter what shenanigans Microsoft might engage in to sell more smartphones, the severe lack of reliability and good security in their phones can never make up for any Gee-Whiz! presentations and marketing ploys.
Of course there will always be Microsofties who buy their mobile products no matter what, but one can only hope such simple mindedness is vanishing and that most astute consumers now realize the availability of much "superior" alternatives to the crap they bore until now.
Matt Assay may be naive, as well as nostalgic in writing about Novell. Five years ago, I had secured contract for complete re-engineering of software infrastructure for two hotel clients in Bemuda, using Suse Linux Enterprise Servers and complimentary apps.
All three Novell "gold partners" on the island were point blank in stating that they had no intention of supporting Linux - in any fashion - and would be pushing Microsoft solutions. I further learned that these Novell Partners refused to undertake any Suse Linux training programs, but insisted -and got - re-certification of "partnership" status from Novell, even while remaining Microsoft Gold Partners which they happily proclaimed as the only platform of support.
Hovsepian knew of this situation, and approved of and accepted the course. He is/was a terrible manager of Novell and possibly drove Novell into the dump as a Microsoft agent.
The software development process in the USA will suffer dramatically if Paul Allen were to succeed with his patent claims. The situation with software patents has become ridiculous, and I hope that the European Union, Asian countries, India and elsewhere - outside middle country in North America - are sensible enough to avoid this snake pit, and ban software patents outright.
However, I somehow suspect the the US government and technology industry will fight tooth and nail to try and prevent this happening, by intimidating the world to bow to it's demands in this area. They have already lost the war, why not make everyone else miserable.
As a former IBM customer and affiliate I was ultimately suspicious of IBM purchase proposal for Sun, as I was confident they would screw-up any benefits of the deal as they have done with many other investments in the past, and give advantage to others.
The Oracle-Sun deal looks more promising in that Oracle, as a software company has no intention of surrendering any software advantage to arch rival Microsoft, to which IBM has basically succeeded.
Plus, Oracle has finally gotten the message that Java, and much of the Free/Open Source Software in the Sun portfolio can actually allow them to strongly challenge the 'status quo' of corporate computing outside of database technology.
It is fortunate for all European Union computer users that the EU Antitrust Commission has taken
a strong, common sense approach to the problems posed by Microsoft continuing to abuse it's position in the technology marketplace to the detriment of all citizens.
Unfortunately this story, as well as what is similarly transpiring in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, South Africa is not well reported i the USA technology or general media. Many suspect this is because of the "Iron Fist" control and suppression Microsoft has over most all of the commercial media in that country, who attempt to publish any report critical of or negative about their unsavory actions.
If, as is generally agreed most of Rich Internet Applications (RIA) are being developed with cross-platform tools and indeed on UNIX/LINUX, why then would not the team include GNU/Linux in their comparison?
It is unfortunate that because of the limited knowledge of and experience with GNU/Linux of most technology "writers", a fair anf worthwhile comparison in technologies is missed.
The key word or consideration noticeably missing from the mention by those who advocate using Nintendo wii or Microsoft Xbox 360 (other than in jest) is use of GNU/Linux - which is fully suitable for such project, but totally unavailable on either alternative platforms and certainly infinitely more powerful and scalable than any OS from Microsoft - period.
Story on Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) by opera CTO
The one thing not mentioned much in all previous comments is that "good" web developers succumb to the will of Microsoft and are part of the problem. If most developed to ACID2 test - at minimum and IE did not work correctly, they could then demonstrate to clients how bad IE is, and possibly then convince clients to allow "standards compliant" sites, which surely would help force Microsoft to change and adhere.
There is no accounting for the Microsoft shills and dupes that respond to such article with outragious and non-sensical (plus totally innacurate and false) claims apologizing for and supporting Microsoft in their ridiculous behavior. I am very pleased that at least the European Union (EU) plus many Asian, all South American and some African nations are rejecting this foolishness from Microsoft, which more people, organizations (including states governments) and businesses in USA need to do.
The USA is going down the tube quickly in regard quality technology.
Register
21 posts • joined Thursday 21st February 2008 01:48 GMT
Apple sanction in Italy
The writer Bill Ray is indeed expressing "arrogance" and some prejudice in suggesting that " ...It's easy to accuse Cupertino of American arrogance in failing to respect local laws, but that seems unlikely "...., since Mr. Ray has no evidence that Apple did not intentionally disregard the laws of Italy.
The arrogance generally does come from US companies, such as Microsoft's actions against the European Union in their ant-competitive/Ant-Trust case, and many Brits play their usual role of American Dupe.
Uproar over Microsoft dirty tricks?
I am constantly bewildered why computer users of Microsoft Windows get upset about the company's strange and what some would call "dirty tricks"- unethical and possibly illegal actions in regard to competitors' products.
These people really need to get a life and accept -once and for all and unequivocally - the realities and catastrophes of using Windows OS software, most particularly with non-Microsoft applications from those they envy and wish to crush.
Their whining and complaining has become a bore to most others who know better.
Gaga Press over Microsoft Mobile
The one critical and all important point missing from all the Press's GaGa praise of Microsoft's mobile solutions, is that no matter what Microsoft puts out - even now, is still based on a very unreliable and abysmal security record. This is not "new" design software, but GeeWhiz! appearance and Gosh! superficial functionality based on the same ole tired, broken technology.
Please! , give them the 315th pass on Mango and Windows 8, and whatever else you are drooling over from Redmond. None of this will make a hair brain difference in the overall result "shortly" down the road - failure of users to have performance, reliability or security they get elsewhere.
HP and Enterprise Business Software
Gavin Clark make at least one false assumption in his declaration that once a large commercial (proprietary) CRM/ERP software company gets a foothold in a client's door, they are unmovable.
That may apply - for time being - for Oracle, SAP and other behemoths of the "old software model", but the significant emergence of Free/Open Source Software (FOSS) based CRM/ERP like ERP5, OpenERP, Compiere and others that have proven robust, flexible and scalable for large enterprises - while NOT locking clients into one company - are gaining use and success rapidly.
Gavin needs to learn more about the real changes in the software world.
W. Anderson
wanderson@kimalcorp.org
Microsoft "New" software announcements
Great Announcements!
It would be nice though - for Microsoft customers - if, for once their rhetoric comes closer to the reality of failed and under performing technology releases that the company has consistently put out over the past decades.
There is nothing like flashy propaganda, particularly if clients suffer from Attention Deficit Syndrome (ADS) - as many Microsoft customers apparently do - and have no idea that what they bought into is not what they are getting, or even reasonably comparable to competitive solutions from other vendors.
Microsoft & Tablets
The one point missing from article and most commenters, is that no matter how much "vision" Microsoft and Bill Gates himself may have had about tablet technology and related 'innovation', the company did not and does not have great or even very good software to compete effectively - although they will probably always make hundreds of $$millions or even $$billions from the Microsoft (simple minded?) faithful.
Anyone who 'really' knows the technical facts and lineage of Windows - any iteration or version - understands quite clearly that most all of it is based on legacy code and design, which will not adapt well - translate that as paste/glue onto modern, mobile Internet technologies.
A perfect analogy related to me recently by a senior technical VP from one of the largest three [real innovative] technology companies in USA is: no matter what the features and specifications of a luxury sports car, e.g. Porsche 911 or Ferrari (equivalent to any hardware), it will never reach it's potential or be great if it only runs on 30 Octane gasoline - equivalent to Microsoft OS.
Nuf said.
W. Anderson
wanderson@nac.net
Neww C++ and it's Microsoft connections
I do sincerely hope that if Herb Sutter is amoung many C++ ISO group members from Microsoft, that the language standard is not corrupted - even subtly - as has been done to the severe detriment of other languages - like the Microsoft license of Java, or their "Iron-" iterations of Ruby, Python and PHP, as just a few examples.
The technology industry or their clients of technology, meaning the whole world, can no longer afford - in the twenty first century to endure the draconian behavior of Microsoft in attempting - and sometimes succeeding - to force shape technology in their own mold, and ultimately breaking everything and thus setting back technological progress many years.
Everyone is sick and tired of that.
Apple's new proprietary protocol
Andrew Orlowski's suggestion that Apple's new proprietary mail protocol is an "improvement" over standards based POP3 or IMAP is ridiculous on it' face, and he has absolutely no technical or other evidence that supports such an uninformed and off-the-wall statement..
Why does the Register allow all these oddball and technically false stories to be published? There is no question that many "group" designated technology standards have failed to be productive or efficient, but Internet and Web protocols, have been excellent in promoting the explosion of communications, and the upcoming improvements like - IPv6 and HTML5 - "designed by committee" will make things even better. Has apple contributed to or created any of these new great protocols?
I doubt the article author would have a clue.
Microsoft poor copying again
Once again, Microsoft have demonstrated their complete lack of creativity and wish to "copy" WebOS and Chrome OS in making the web, communications more unified and cooperative - that is, Microsoft's way or no way.
If HP put WebOS on and configure the software to be integral to all their printers and devices, also like Cisco, Vyatta, Netgear, RIM and just about everyone else in the technology sphere - based on Linux or UNIX like software, then Microsoft is dillusional in thinking they can compete on that basis.
However, they have an important ACE playing card; the generally ignorant public, particularly that segment with little or no good understanding and lack of in-depth knowledge of what is really transpiring in Mobile and communications technologies.
Only that they like Microsoft and Bill Gates - as "American" success stories - representing one of the richest persons and one of the largest corporations in the world. So much for superficial bragging rights.
Unfortunately tens of billions of dollars will be wasted by Microsoft chasing far superior and more modern technologies, rather than putting similar effort and finances on improving their very weak and insecure - although citizen popular - products and services.
W. Anderson
Nokia and mobile OS strategy
Nokia would have to be "brain dead" to make Microsoft Mobile OS a strategic part of their overall Mobile plan. They would no worse off by sticking with Symbian until the MeeGo platform is completely in place and robust. At least there would not be an appearance on confusion and lowered quality by rejecting the Windows mobile disaster.
It is bad enough they hired an executive from Redmond, a place where there has been no innovation in the latest technologies - Mobile, Cloud Computing and Multi-Media.
W. Anderson
Microsoft & Arm/mobile/whatever
Mary Jo Foley and other Microsoft pundits never seem to explain certain facets of Microsoft's disjointed strategy plans, when for instance she 'confidently' proclaims near future offering of Windows 8 for Arm mobile devices.
Since Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7 are desktop OS, never designed for or effective in mobile technology - as compared to iOS or Android, then the question becomes " Is Windows 8 or whatever a completely different , "new" OS for these purposes, or just another Frankenstein modification/downgrading of their flagship, ancient technology? Why is there no in-depth mention of Windows 7 Mobile in connection/relation to Windows 8 for conversion/upgrade/whatever for competing with purpose built iOS and Android?
These aspects are never mentioned by independent Microsoft marketers/fan club.
W. Anderson
faulty netbook report
The review of this Asus netbook is seriously flawed, simply because the reviewer assumes that the only way for this computer to have acceptable performance is by running Windows OS, and to do that the Netbook needs to become bloated.
If the reviewer runs one of the Netbook optimized Linux distributions, that will prove the computer is quite "snappy" and needs less bloat.
The argument/case of "popularity" of Windows over Linux is not the question or even important, but fair, intelligent and competent technical reviews are. Not stupid Microsoft shills with one point of view, and little broad technology experience.
Microsoft and smartphones
The one issue omitted from the article on Microsoft mobile 7 "strategy" is that no matter what shenanigans Microsoft might engage in to sell more smartphones, the severe lack of reliability and good security in their phones can never make up for any Gee-Whiz! presentations and marketing ploys.
Of course there will always be Microsofties who buy their mobile products no matter what, but one can only hope such simple mindedness is vanishing and that most astute consumers now realize the availability of much "superior" alternatives to the crap they bore until now.
Novell saga
Matt Assay may be naive, as well as nostalgic in writing about Novell. Five years ago, I had secured contract for complete re-engineering of software infrastructure for two hotel clients in Bemuda, using Suse Linux Enterprise Servers and complimentary apps.
All three Novell "gold partners" on the island were point blank in stating that they had no intention of supporting Linux - in any fashion - and would be pushing Microsoft solutions. I further learned that these Novell Partners refused to undertake any Suse Linux training programs, but insisted -and got - re-certification of "partnership" status from Novell, even while remaining Microsoft Gold Partners which they happily proclaimed as the only platform of support.
Hovsepian knew of this situation, and approved of and accepted the course. He is/was a terrible manager of Novell and possibly drove Novell into the dump as a Microsoft agent.
Mobile market comparisons
The authors completely forgot to pigeon-hole MeeGo, the Linux-based Mobile software from Nokia and Intel.
It has been reported that many auto manufacturers in Europe have already endorsed MeeGo for their entire lines of automobiles.
Plus, with some inherent compatibility to Android via the Linux kernel, this should prove an interesting categorization.
Paul Allen's Patents law suit
The software development process in the USA will suffer dramatically if Paul Allen were to succeed with his patent claims. The situation with software patents has become ridiculous, and I hope that the European Union, Asian countries, India and elsewhere - outside middle country in North America - are sensible enough to avoid this snake pit, and ban software patents outright.
However, I somehow suspect the the US government and technology industry will fight tooth and nail to try and prevent this happening, by intimidating the world to bow to it's demands in this area. They have already lost the war, why not make everyone else miserable.
Oracle purchase of Sun
As a former IBM customer and affiliate I was ultimately suspicious of IBM purchase proposal for Sun, as I was confident they would screw-up any benefits of the deal as they have done with many other investments in the past, and give advantage to others.
The Oracle-Sun deal looks more promising in that Oracle, as a software company has no intention of surrendering any software advantage to arch rival Microsoft, to which IBM has basically succeeded.
Plus, Oracle has finally gotten the message that Java, and much of the Free/Open Source Software in the Sun portfolio can actually allow them to strongly challenge the 'status quo' of corporate computing outside of database technology.
W. Anderson
wanderson@kimalcorp.org
Microsoft and the EU antitrust
It is fortunate for all European Union computer users that the EU Antitrust Commission has taken
a strong, common sense approach to the problems posed by Microsoft continuing to abuse it's position in the technology marketplace to the detriment of all citizens.
Unfortunately this story, as well as what is similarly transpiring in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, South Africa is not well reported i the USA technology or general media. Many suspect this is because of the "Iron Fist" control and suppression Microsoft has over most all of the commercial media in that country, who attempt to publish any report critical of or negative about their unsavory actions.
RIA testing
If, as is generally agreed most of Rich Internet Applications (RIA) are being developed with cross-platform tools and indeed on UNIX/LINUX, why then would not the team include GNU/Linux in their comparison?
It is unfortunate that because of the limited knowledge of and experience with GNU/Linux of most technology "writers", a fair anf worthwhile comparison in technologies is missed.
W. Anderson
wanderson@nac.net
story on PS3 cluster
The key word or consideration noticeably missing from the mention by those who advocate using Nintendo wii or Microsoft Xbox 360 (other than in jest) is use of GNU/Linux - which is fully suitable for such project, but totally unavailable on either alternative platforms and certainly infinitely more powerful and scalable than any OS from Microsoft - period.
Story on Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) by opera CTO
The one thing not mentioned much in all previous comments is that "good" web developers succumb to the will of Microsoft and are part of the problem. If most developed to ACID2 test - at minimum and IE did not work correctly, they could then demonstrate to clients how bad IE is, and possibly then convince clients to allow "standards compliant" sites, which surely would help force Microsoft to change and adhere.
There is no accounting for the Microsoft shills and dupes that respond to such article with outragious and non-sensical (plus totally innacurate and false) claims apologizing for and supporting Microsoft in their ridiculous behavior. I am very pleased that at least the European Union (EU) plus many Asian, all South American and some African nations are rejecting this foolishness from Microsoft, which more people, organizations (including states governments) and businesses in USA need to do.
The USA is going down the tube quickly in regard quality technology.