CNet's Ina Fried is reporting general availability of Windows 7 Final before the holidays. Over on Microsoft's Channel 10, Sarah Perez is confirming a release to manufacturing (RTM) target date of the last two weeks of July followed by general availability on October 22nd.
This doesn't come as too much of a surprise to those of us that have been using the beta release, followed by the RC. The operating system is simply a huge improvement in many ways over Vista and is much more configurable.
Recent updates / add-ons and driver releases (as well as 31+ new language packs) just keep adding the to appeal (and ease of use).
In my own personal tests, the native Windows 7 RC operating system runs Firefox, IE8, Chrome and almost all of my XP programs flawlessly, without having to turn on the XP virtualization add-on.
From networking with others, I can say fairly certainly that if you're using a recent PC (IE: Last two years), it's a pretty good bet that the Windows 7 will find your drivers (unlike early versions of Vista), make backing-up easier than ever ... and much more.
So once again we have Microsoft 'firing on all cylinders'. First Bing, then the Xbox announcement and now Windows 7 just months away.
Despite others' predictions, my own take is that pent up demand by both individuals and industry along with the lowest prices of good PC's in years will bring Windows 7 out-of-the-box quickly. Once IT guys (and gals :) get their hands on it, as well as some of the tools already available on TechNet, they're going to realize that their productivity will go up dramatically as they no longer have to write scripts or go to the command line to get things done, and, Windows 7 is MUCH more self-repairing than any previous Microsoft operating system.
Of all the announcements from Redmond this week, this is the one to be watching.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Microsoft's Bing goes live in preview (Update 2)
This morning, users of Live.com as well as MSN search got a little surprise ... two days early.
Prior to an upcoming multi media advertising blitz valued at 80-100 million dollars, Bing is now live in most time zones in 'preview mode'.
Bing Travel, born out of Microsoft's Farecast acquisition, is also now live as well as other new members of the 'Bing family', not exclusive of Bing Cashback.
The Bing preview video (using Silverlight) had been up for the past three days. Search experts and those just wondering how Bing will effect the search landscape can now test the product without invitation and, no doubt, we'll see a few thousand articles posted throughout the day.
Bing is being promoted not as a 'Internet Search Engine' but as a decision making product. Users with specific questions will be able, if all goes well for Microsoft, to type in a question or phrase and receive some relevant links in return.
With a few memories of 'Ask Jeeves' or maybe Yahoo Answers ... Bing is here.
Update 1: Mouse over the below on Bing (to the right of the result) and you'll see contents of
our last blog post .... pretty cool.
Edited 11:46 AM ET 6/1/2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Silverlight 3 keeps the heat on Flash
Silverlight, Microsoft's competing technology to Adobe's Flash is ratcheting up soon.
In this piece, I mentioned that I had been using the Silverlight 3 Beta client with Windows 7 RC (along side Flash).
At least on this 'test notebook', no issues to report.
Today came word from ZDNet's Mary-Jo Foley that Silverlight 3.0 will go final on July 10th.
Rich Media, as it's been called, whether it be Flash or Silverlight, has been an issue for the SEO community although Google has addressed it directly with a partnering of sorts with Adobe.
Most SEO companies are still advising clients to limit the animations, videos etc. in these formats on their primary landing pages so that search engine bots have an easier time picking up the important and relevant content.
On the other hand, the newer website technologies are providing platforms for not only 'fancy presentations' but easier site navigation and just more content in a smaller space.
Still a touchy one for most small webmasters. On the other hand, take a look at many major retailers (and many others) and you will notice an ongoing evolution embracing rich media for product demos and more.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Just Bing and Wave! (Update 1)
Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to do an extensive blog post today (It never fails?).
On the other hand, at this hour ... hundreds of others already have (see below).
The buzz is hot from both Google and Microsoft and is more than overshadowing news from Hulu and elsewhere.
I'll share some of the key stories and press releases in our shared feed (lower right) shortly.
Bing it is for Microsoft's new search launch (with a whole family of ''Baby Bings' ... including the re-branding of numerous products, and Bing Travel born out of the Farecast acquisition ...) and from Google, it's Google Wave which by all accounts looks like it has the potential to take 'real-time' (ala FriendFeed) and social networking to a whole new dimension.
This is not just exciting 'geek stuff'. It is, very possibly, 'the next big thing' as well as another huge web marketing shift.
So much for the so-called echo chamber .... There are plenty of 'takes' at this hour. Pick up a few of your favorite publications (free) at TechMeMe here :)
Update: I thought a few of you might find the below screenshot a little more than interesting.
Yes, Bing is buying PPC (Pay-per-click ads) on Google!
edited 9 PM ET 5/28/2009
On the other hand, at this hour ... hundreds of others already have (see below).
The buzz is hot from both Google and Microsoft and is more than overshadowing news from Hulu and elsewhere.
I'll share some of the key stories and press releases in our shared feed (lower right) shortly.
Bing it is for Microsoft's new search launch (with a whole family of ''Baby Bings' ... including the re-branding of numerous products, and Bing Travel born out of the Farecast acquisition ...) and from Google, it's Google Wave which by all accounts looks like it has the potential to take 'real-time' (ala FriendFeed) and social networking to a whole new dimension.
This is not just exciting 'geek stuff'. It is, very possibly, 'the next big thing' as well as another huge web marketing shift.
So much for the so-called echo chamber .... There are plenty of 'takes' at this hour. Pick up a few of your favorite publications (free) at TechMeMe here :)
Update: I thought a few of you might find the below screenshot a little more than interesting.
Yes, Bing is buying PPC (Pay-per-click ads) on Google!
edited 9 PM ET 5/28/2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
One of today's Windows 7 Updates was real
Microsoft quietly rolled out an automatic update late Tuesday for Beta testers of Windows 7 RC.
Included were 3 'test updates' and 1 update for the compatibility view in Internet Explorer 8.
In addition, a host of new Windows 7 language packs were released (as optional) and can be downloaded by visiting Windows Update.
Note: Depending on your settings, you may already have them or need to visit Windows update for the IE8 patch.
More on the Windows 7 RC (which is still available for download) can be found here.
Included were 3 'test updates' and 1 update for the compatibility view in Internet Explorer 8.
In addition, a host of new Windows 7 language packs were released (as optional) and can be downloaded by visiting Windows Update.
Note: Depending on your settings, you may already have them or need to visit Windows update for the IE8 patch.
More on the Windows 7 RC (which is still available for download) can be found here.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 now available
A short time ago, Microsoft released Service Pack 2 for Vista and Windows Server 2008.
Available from the Microsoft Download Center, the new SP2 's are available as stand-alones and/or a burnable ISO for DVD.
"The latest service pack for both Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista, supports new types of hardware and emerging hardware standards, includes all of the updates that have been delivered since SP1, and simplifies deployment, for consumers, developers, and IT professionals".
Sidenote for the Beta crowd: Microsoft has also recently released Visual Studio 2010 and .Net Framework 4 Beta 1, as well as Silverlight 3.0 Beta for developers. These betas, at least for me under Windows 7 RC, have been running without issues so far and are worth checking out on a non-mission critical PC for forward looking developers.
Great week all
Charlie
Available from the Microsoft Download Center, the new SP2 's are available as stand-alones and/or a burnable ISO for DVD.
"The latest service pack for both Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista, supports new types of hardware and emerging hardware standards, includes all of the updates that have been delivered since SP1, and simplifies deployment, for consumers, developers, and IT professionals".
Sidenote for the Beta crowd: Microsoft has also recently released Visual Studio 2010 and .Net Framework 4 Beta 1, as well as Silverlight 3.0 Beta for developers. These betas, at least for me under Windows 7 RC, have been running without issues so far and are worth checking out on a non-mission critical PC for forward looking developers.
Great week all
Charlie
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Microsoft Search Engine - Looks like Bing, not Kumo (Update 2)
While Microsoft was planning the announce their new search engine initiative at the upcoming D7 conference, it appears AdAge is breaking the news a little early.
In an article revealed a short time ago on the web (dated tomorrow ??), AdAge discusses an 80 million dollar advertising campaign to be orchestrated by JWT for Microsoft's new search engine ...... Bing.
Search Engine Land's Danny Sullivan, among others, have had Bing on their list of potential names for Microsoft's upcoming new search product.
While screenshots of Kumo did leak in early March, Sullivan commented "I really doubt that will be the final name". (Numerous screen shots were inadvertently delivered to the web in early March branded Kumo).
Microsoft responded at that time.
In a Search Engine Land post on May 20, assuming this all pans out, Sullivan pretty much nailed it.
Microsoft has been seriously trailing market share leader Google (approx 62%) and Yahoo! (20%) with their MSN and Live.com products. Recently, it was revealed that Digg would be dropping their content network as well.
The question on everyone's mind is whether or not yet another identity will help Microsoft capture a reasonable share of the lucrative search market and, whether or not Kumo, (I mean Bing ?) .... will be better.
As for me .... I'm likin' Bing a lot more than Kumo :)
A little discussion is evolving on Friendfeed here.
Sidenote: The D7 conference will be held May 26 though May 28. The schedule can be found here.
Edited with additional references May 25 1 AM ET
In an article revealed a short time ago on the web (dated tomorrow ??), AdAge discusses an 80 million dollar advertising campaign to be orchestrated by JWT for Microsoft's new search engine ...... Bing.
Search Engine Land's Danny Sullivan, among others, have had Bing on their list of potential names for Microsoft's upcoming new search product.
While screenshots of Kumo did leak in early March, Sullivan commented "I really doubt that will be the final name". (Numerous screen shots were inadvertently delivered to the web in early March branded Kumo).
Microsoft responded at that time.
In a Search Engine Land post on May 20, assuming this all pans out, Sullivan pretty much nailed it.
Microsoft has been seriously trailing market share leader Google (approx 62%) and Yahoo! (20%) with their MSN and Live.com products. Recently, it was revealed that Digg would be dropping their content network as well.
The question on everyone's mind is whether or not yet another identity will help Microsoft capture a reasonable share of the lucrative search market and, whether or not Kumo, (I mean Bing ?) .... will be better.
As for me .... I'm likin' Bing a lot more than Kumo :)
A little discussion is evolving on Friendfeed here.
Sidenote: The D7 conference will be held May 26 though May 28. The schedule can be found here.
Edited with additional references May 25 1 AM ET
Saturday, May 23, 2009
The analysts are wrong - Get used it it.
It takes a lot more to get people to your website (and returning) than it did 6 months ago.
I read a lot of stuff, almost daily, from a variety of sources. Solid online marketing requires a keen knowledge of today's trends and where things seem to be going.
Just as 'hot media' and cable news changed the world as we knew it, the Internet and rapid technology advances are changing at an absolutely unprecedented pace.
Last year, I did a couple of pieces on how Google was 'hyper-indexing' some blogs and websites. That was, for all intents and purposes, a BIG deal. Within seconds of a post here (when I was writing daily), it would be indexed by Google (as well as many, many other blogs and websites).
TechMeMe's bot was also indexing within minutes and there were other examples.
The landscape has changed again.
Where is it going?
Global log-ins, hyper-fast import and export from services such as Friendfeed, breaking news from 'citizens journalists' with Twitter and trends now monitored on services such as TwitScoop (lower right) and TweetMeme, plus the ultra-huge and still growing community we know as Facebook opening up for importing and exporting as well .... and in real-time.
Yes, the real-time web is here. It takes 'hot media' and global communications to a whole new level.
Networks are connecting with each other. Digg to Facebook. 57 services (You read that right) to Friendfeed. Thousands of apps being written for Twitter and hundreds of millions of users with access from Facebook. There are MANY more examples including startups that many of us haven't even heard of yet.
Not only does this effect Internet Marketing in a huge way but it is, in fact, part of the 'worldwide economic shift' continuing. Media, whether it be TV, Radio, Newspapers etc. will never be the same.
More than ever, those marketing on the Internet (large and small) need to be tuned to everything that is happening. They need to be engaged daily, or have advisors that are.
We've reached yet another turning point, and we, as an industry, need to continue not only using the tools, our past knowledge and our relationships .... but we need to be testing different vehicles.
Why the headline? The Internet Marketing space is now what I'll call 'hyper-dynamic'. While subscribing and absorbing published information is still healthy and useful, it's a 50 / 50 proposition at this juncture. In-person networking at the analysts' seminars is probably a lot more important for most.
As I write this piece and keep an eye on the marketing vehicles being used by a variety of Fortune 500 companies, I can say, in my humble opinion, that about 20 per cent of them 'get it'.
As the economies of the world begin to turn around, there's no doubt, that if they stay 'tuned and flexible', they'll win.
Good Weekend my friends, and,
Take a few moments to thank a vet or someone in the military on Monday...
Charlie
Update: It appears 'hyper-indexing' by Google is alive and well :)
staff edit 5/23/2009 10 PM ET
I read a lot of stuff, almost daily, from a variety of sources. Solid online marketing requires a keen knowledge of today's trends and where things seem to be going.
Just as 'hot media' and cable news changed the world as we knew it, the Internet and rapid technology advances are changing at an absolutely unprecedented pace.
Last year, I did a couple of pieces on how Google was 'hyper-indexing' some blogs and websites. That was, for all intents and purposes, a BIG deal. Within seconds of a post here (when I was writing daily), it would be indexed by Google (as well as many, many other blogs and websites).
TechMeMe's bot was also indexing within minutes and there were other examples.
The landscape has changed again.
Where is it going?
Global log-ins, hyper-fast import and export from services such as Friendfeed, breaking news from 'citizens journalists' with Twitter and trends now monitored on services such as TwitScoop (lower right) and TweetMeme, plus the ultra-huge and still growing community we know as Facebook opening up for importing and exporting as well .... and in real-time.
Yes, the real-time web is here. It takes 'hot media' and global communications to a whole new level.
Networks are connecting with each other. Digg to Facebook. 57 services (You read that right) to Friendfeed. Thousands of apps being written for Twitter and hundreds of millions of users with access from Facebook. There are MANY more examples including startups that many of us haven't even heard of yet.
Not only does this effect Internet Marketing in a huge way but it is, in fact, part of the 'worldwide economic shift' continuing. Media, whether it be TV, Radio, Newspapers etc. will never be the same.
More than ever, those marketing on the Internet (large and small) need to be tuned to everything that is happening. They need to be engaged daily, or have advisors that are.
We've reached yet another turning point, and we, as an industry, need to continue not only using the tools, our past knowledge and our relationships .... but we need to be testing different vehicles.
Why the headline? The Internet Marketing space is now what I'll call 'hyper-dynamic'. While subscribing and absorbing published information is still healthy and useful, it's a 50 / 50 proposition at this juncture. In-person networking at the analysts' seminars is probably a lot more important for most.
As I write this piece and keep an eye on the marketing vehicles being used by a variety of Fortune 500 companies, I can say, in my humble opinion, that about 20 per cent of them 'get it'.
As the economies of the world begin to turn around, there's no doubt, that if they stay 'tuned and flexible', they'll win.
Good Weekend my friends, and,
Take a few moments to thank a vet or someone in the military on Monday...
Charlie
Update: It appears 'hyper-indexing' by Google is alive and well :)
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Microsoft refreshes AdCenter for Spring
New additions include more control over ad distribution, time-saving shortcuts, and additional control over targeting and bidding.
The AdCenter post (which includes an extensive PDF with more information) can be found here.
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