Two web browsers one too many in Windows 8 Consumer Preview

By tim, on March 6th, 2012 Follow tim on Twitter

A few days in, and the reactions to Windows 8 Consumer Preview are coming thick and fast, mostly strong reactions, with love for Metro on a tablet and hate from annoyed Windows users looking for the Start menu.

For myself, I have it installed on a tablet (Samsung Series 7 Slate bought for the

…continue reading Two web browsers one too many in Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Windows 8 Consumer Preview annoyances

By tim, on March 3rd, 2012 Follow tim on Twitter

I have been running Windows 8 Consumer Preview on a dual-monitor desktop today. I encountered several annoyances. In no particular order:

The Start Menu

If you are working on the desktop, being dumped back in Metro every time you need the Start menu is disconcerting. It is not so bad on a touch slate,

…continue reading Windows 8 Consumer Preview annoyances

What’s in Windows 8 client for desktop users who do not need Metro?

By tim, on March 2nd, 2012 Follow tim on Twitter

Microsoft, rightly, is making plenty of noise about the Metro-style side of Windows 8, which is great for those using Windows 8 on a touch device. But has the company spent so much energy on that aspect, that there is little left for desktop users? That is arguable; but there are new features on

…continue reading What’s in Windows 8 client for desktop users who do not need Metro?

Here comes Windows Server 8 beta: what’s new since the Developer Preview?

By tim, on March 2nd, 2012 Follow tim on Twitter

Following the release of Windows 8 Consumer Preview, Microsoft is now offering its server cousin. You can download Windows Server 8 beta here.

What’s new since the developer preview? Here are some highlights:

Metro UI screenshots to follow! There is a new Metro Remote Desktop client as well. Voice over IP in Remote Desktop

…continue reading Here comes Windows Server 8 beta: what’s new since the Developer Preview?

The confusing state of Microsoft’s TMG and UAG firewall and proxy software

By tim, on February 21st, 2012 Follow tim on Twitter

I have been trying out Microsoft’s ForeFront Unified Access Gateway (UAG) recently, partly because it is the only supported way to publish a SharePoint site for Windows Phone. This was my first go with the product, though I am already familiar with the Threat Management Gateway (TMG) and its predecessor Internet Security and Acceleration

…continue reading The confusing state of Microsoft’s TMG and UAG firewall and proxy software

Windows on ARM fixes much that is wrong with Windows, but lack of apps makes it Microsoft’s big risk

By tim, on February 10th, 2012 Follow tim on Twitter

Vendors who create new platforms work hard to attract developers, because high availability of apps is seen as essential for success. This is why, for example, RIM is offering free PlayBooks to developers who submit apps to BlackBerry App World.

Why then would Microsoft deliberately and consciously choose to release a new family

…continue reading Windows on ARM fixes much that is wrong with Windows, but lack of apps makes it Microsoft’s big risk

Windows on ARM: Microsoft can write Desktop apps, but you cannot

By tim, on February 9th, 2012 Follow tim on Twitter

Microsoft’s Windows chief Steven Sinofsky has written a long post describing Windows on ARM (WOA), which he says is a:

new member of the Windows family, much like Windows Server, Windows Embedded, or Windows Phone

There are many point of interest in the post, but the one which stands out for me is

…continue reading Windows on ARM: Microsoft can write Desktop apps, but you cannot

Cross-platform Windows and Mac lifts Delphi sales by 54%

By tim, on February 8th, 2012 Follow tim on Twitter

Embarcadero has announced 54% growth in sales of Delphi and C++ Builder, its rapid application development tools, in 2011 vs 2010. These tools primarily target Windows, but in the 2011 XE2 edition also support Mac and iOS applications. XE2 also added a 64-bit compiler, making this the most significant Delphi release for years. The

…continue reading Cross-platform Windows and Mac lifts Delphi sales by 54%

Windows Phone 8 “Apollo”: Windows 8 kernel, more form factors

By tim, on February 2nd, 2012 Follow tim on Twitter

Microsoft’s partner ecosystem is vulnerable to leaks, as demonstrated today by reports of a video said to have been made for Nokia, which arrived in the hands of a smartphone review website. The leaked information was corroborated by Windows journalist Paul Thurrott who has received advance information independently from Microsoft, but under non-disclosure:

Thanks

…continue reading Windows Phone 8 “Apollo”: Windows 8 kernel, more form factors

What would you like to see in Microsoft Office 15?

By tim, on January 30th, 2012 Follow tim on Twitter

Today brings the news that Microsoft Office 15 is now in Technical Preview (also known as private beta).

There is little news about what is in it other than this:

With Office 15, for the first time ever, we will simultaneously update our cloud services, servers, and mobile and PC clients for Office,

…continue reading What would you like to see in Microsoft Office 15?

Tim Anderson’s ITWriting

Recent Comments

Blogroll

Archives