Unfortunately when they tried to apply the service pack to the computer to fix the network file copying performance, it prompted them it cannot due to faulty driver installations.
All posts by Long Zheng
Vista SP1 RTMed! Go downlo…oh wait…nevermind
Why it is going to take Microsoft more than a month to deliver Windows Vista Service Pack 1 over its digital distribution network, Windows Update, from release-to-manufacturing date is beyond the capacity of my understanding. Although notably the Mardi Gras is in March, maybe that has something to do with it.
Update: Some have pointed out that the delay is in fact due to some driver problems on existing Windows Vista computers that prevents a flawless upgrade. The bizarre thing is that they’re not spending a month working around the problem, assuming they can. They’re going to spend a month working out which drivers are problematic, and when March comes around, Windows Update is only going to alert and prevent those users with faulty driver installs from installing SP1. They’re delaying a benefit to potentially millions of users because some driver programmers made a boohoo.
Still begs the question why advanced users can’t download it from Microsoft.com Downloads today. What difference does it make in March?
Having installed SP1 RC Refresh 2 flawlessly, I can vouch for the improved Vista experience even if it’s a unmeasurable amount. There is no reason not to install it, and everything you gain is a bonus.
Dean Hachamovitch to keynote at MIX08
During December of 2007, Microsoft had a conversation with several bloggers reassuring them there will be disclosure of Internet Explorer 8 at MIX08. At the time, the MIX website did not contain any hints to where that disclosure might occur.
With only a handful of weeks to go, the MIX08 agenda was silently updated sometime in the past week to confirm Dean Hachamovitch as an opening keynote speaker. His presence at MIX could very well be the first public demonstration of IE8.
For those who doubt my sleuthing skills, here’s a Google Cache copy of the agenda page from January 28 without Dean.
Dean of course is the General Manager for the Internet Explorer team at Microsoft with a conspicuously difficult to pronounce last name. You might remember him from such memorable blog posts as “please don’t mistake silence for inaction” and “Internet Explorer 8 and Acid2: A Milestone“. Some speculate he was pressured to speak out about IE8 only after Bill Gates had said “he’ll look into (the silence over IE8)”. You can also see more of Dean and his legs on his Channel9 interview with Robert Scoble.
At the time of writing, the speakers biography page has yet to be updated with Dean’s profile so “schedule subject to change” definitely rings true. A sessions search with the keywords “Internet Explorer” still yields zero results. Hopefully they can finalize the session details sooner than later and we’ll see a much bigger presence of Internet Explorer at MIX.
Update: Four days later, the news reaches Microsoft. 😛
“Operation Smile” public art display for Windows Live
[flv:operationsmile.flv 670 376]
For the launch of Windows Live Wave 2 late last year, Microsoft together with the non-profit organization “Operation Smile” hosted an event in New York with a dazzling art installation featuring a 60-feet wide white sphere. On this sphere, they projected a dynamically-generated visualization of smiling faces with thousands of smaller pictures. The end result if nothing of a sheer visual spectacle. And because everything was rendered in real-time, attendees at the event could even upload their own face pictures into the pool of faces although I’m sure it’ll be one hell of a “Where’s Waldo” to find.
It was put together by creative studio “firstborn” using an open-source visual graphics platform called Processing. Check out their website for more gorgeous screenshots as well as a look at the behind the scenes wizardry.
This sure gives the Times Square NYE Ball a run for its money.
Microsoft + Yahoo = Big Mess?
Everyone on the sideline seems to be very excited about possible Yahoo and Microsoft merger, but I’m not so sure it’s going to turn out pretty. Microsoft has a history of making acquisitions, and few comes to mind of anywhere close to a success. The recent exception being Bungie, and only because Microsoft left them alone.
For example, in 1997 Microsoft acquired Vxtreme Inc for their web theater technology with $75 million. What web theater?
With the help of Josh Philips from WindowsConnected.com we’ve compiled a list of existing Yahoo services and matched it with existing Microsoft offerings. It’s an astounding number of overlaps. Of course there’s many more services from Microsoft without Yahoo equivalents (ex. Office Live).
Now imagine for each and every one of these you have to make a decision – to keep it as is, integrate Yahoo’s into Microsoft’s, integrate Microsoft’s into Yahoo’s or even come up with a new hybrid. Simple branding aside, I think the developers are going to have to work quite a few late nights to integrate what I believe are two monolithic systems together.
Whatever they do, they better not ruin Flickr.
Did I miss anything? Please help me correct it.
Unofficially (RED) wallpapers for your non-(RED) PCs
My first reaction to Microsoft’s announcement of Windows Vista (RED) edition was “cool” and my second reaction was “where can I get those special (RED)-branded wallpapers?”. Unfortunately for me and many others who also shared the same ideas to promote and show support for the (RED) campaign on our computers, we couldn’t, or at least not without purchasing a computer we don’t really need. The reason I’ve been told they are so protected is because of special licensing deals between Microsoft, Dell and (RED). That to me is fairly reasonable and I didn’t look into it any further.
However thanks to a reader who shared a link to a collection of fan-created (RED)-inspired wallpapers, my enthusiasm has been restored. Just as a clarification, these are not copies of the exclusive wallpapers in the special (RED) PCs. In fact, these were created in 2007 – long before this deal was announced.
There are 12 variations of this wallpaper available – all sharing the same theme of positive words which has the term “red” in them. These include: admired, adored, discovered, empowered, endeavored, hammered, honored, incredible, scored, shared, treasured and uncensored. These words are featured quite boldly in the center of a grungy red surface.
Simple, yet powerful with lots of empty spaces around the sides for all your icons. The shade of red is surprisingly easy on the eyes, unlike Microsoft’s own website. Go get them here and share the (RED) love.
P.S. Windows Vista actually comes with a red clock gadget for those who’s looking for matching sets.