Microsoft Small Business Server 2008 too expensive for hardware, market

By tim, on January 21st, 2009 Follow tim on Twitter

When Microsoft introduced Small Business Server 2008, it upped the price of the base package and reduced the cost of client access licenses.

That’s OK for the, umm, larger small business; but it’s made the product expensive for those tiny setups who only need 5 or 10 CALs.

RIght now, ebuyer.com is offering SBS

…continue reading Microsoft Small Business Server 2008 too expensive for hardware, market

Want Google Earth in your browser? Don’t use Google Chrome.

By tim, on January 20th, 2009 Follow tim on Twitter

I’ve been trying various mapping APIs and took a look at Google’s new Earth browser plug-in. It looked a bit odd in IE7 so I tried Google Chrome. Not supported:

Given that it now works in Safari on the Mac (which also uses Webkit) I’m a little surprised. No doubt the team

…continue reading Want Google Earth in your browser? Don’t use Google Chrome.

10 steps to a well-behaved Windows application

By tim, on January 20th, 2009 Follow tim on Twitter

I wrote a short summary of Microsoft’s latest (I think) guidelines for well-behaved Windows applications.

It is a significant topic. A large part of the thinking behind Vista’s contentious User Account Control (which is being continued in Windows 7) is to push app developers into writing applications that conform more closely to the guidelines,

…continue reading 10 steps to a well-behaved Windows application

SQLite developer argues for quick bug disclosure and fixes, despite egg on face

By tim, on January 16th, 2009 Follow tim on Twitter

SQLite developer D Richard Hipp has posted to his mailing list to announce a third release in the space of a few days, to fix bugs discovered in version 3.6.10:

Some concern has been expressed that we are releasing too frequently. (Three releases in one week is a lot!) The concern is that this

…continue reading SQLite developer argues for quick bug disclosure and fixes, despite egg on face

Web app with Silverlight and Virtual Earth

By tim, on January 16th, 2009 Follow tim on Twitter

I’m writing on mapping applications right now and came across this impressive example from Port Metro Vancouver. It uses Microsoft’s Silverlight and Virtual Earth. The bit you want is the interactive map on the home page. Wait for it to load, then click the uncaptioned button (to the right of Webcams Wall) for full

…continue reading Web app with Silverlight and Virtual Earth

Windows 7 beta image gallery

By tim, on January 15th, 2009 Follow tim on Twitter

The Guardian has posted a gallery of screenshots I took from the Windows 7 beta.

It includes an actual Device Stage, for the Sansa Clip. I did actually use this to update the firmware, which is not something you can do from the generic device connection dialog. It wasn’t truly seamless though, involving a

…continue reading Windows 7 beta image gallery

What happens when you click a Windows 7 taskbar icon?

By tim, on January 13th, 2009 Follow tim on Twitter

While working on a Windows 7 piece recently, I tried to write a description of what happens when you click on an icon in the Windows 7 taskbar. Trouble is, there are so many contextual variations that it is hard to describe concisely. Here’s what I’ve got so far.

…continue reading What happens when you click a Windows 7 taskbar icon?

Apple Dock vs Windows 7 taskbar

By tim, on January 12th, 2009 Follow tim on Twitter

Here’s the Apple OS X Dock (Leopard):

Here’s the Windows 7 taskbar (Beta 1):

Note: the running apps in the Dock are indicated by the small white dot in the reflection. The running apps in the taskbar are indicated by the extra illumination in the top left corner of the icon

…continue reading Apple Dock vs Windows 7 taskbar

Another useless Microsoft search experience

By tim, on January 11th, 2009 Follow tim on Twitter

I do not make posts like this just to needle Microsoft. I’d like to see it compete better with Google, not because I have anything against Google, but because competition is good. So I’m explaining why I can’t use Microsoft’s search product as currently implemented, in the hope that it will help to improve

…continue reading Another useless Microsoft search experience

Windows 7 beta 1 performance observations

By tim, on January 11th, 2009 Follow tim on Twitter

There are various reasons why someone might be impressed with the performance of the Windows 7 beta. One is that the beta is a clean, plain Microsoft install – no anti-virus, no cruft and clutter, no OEM foistware. The only fair comparison is with an equally clean install of Windows XP or Vista on

…continue reading Windows 7 beta 1 performance observations

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