Microsoft has stopped the SP1 Prereq Merry-Go-Round…

Vista SP1 has been available for a little bit, but hasn’t hit many computers in the wild due to a problem with one of the prereq KB installs.  Two months ago, when the prereq was released, it sent some computers into an endless series of reboots.  Many users stuck in that loop were without any recourse as they watched the scenery blur as they went in circles on that merry-go-round from hell.

Continue Reading

My friend Mark emailed me this morning about Microsoft’s Plays For Sure technology. Looks like Microsoft is turning off the DRM servers in August 2008 which will eventually orphan your music.

Ever wonder why we loath DRM around here as much as we do even when companies come along offering free, all you can eat deals? Well, if the Sony ATRAC debacle didn’t serve as a warning there’s always this: Microsoft just announced that it will no longer supply authorization keys for songs purchased from the defunct MSN Music service. That means that the PlaysForSure music you purchased will only play on your registered computers (up to 5) for as long as they shall live. As Microsoft puts it, “If you attempt to transfer your songs to additional computers after August 31, 2008, those songs will not successfully play.” It’s worth noting that the move also locks the registered PC into whatever OS it’s running — any major update or switch to Ubuntu for example, would kill all your music, dead. Now imagine what would happen if iTunes shuttered its store — Steve won’t be around forever you know

Link: Microsoft Plays for Sure
Link: eWeek Microsoft Watch: Copy of Dear John Email sent to Plays for Sure Customers

Microsoft last night introduced a new service called Live Mesh. After reading a half dozen summaries of the service (none of which had very concrete information), I concluded that Live Mesh is an advanced synchronization tool that does pretty much what Windows Live Foldershare has been accomplishing on my PC for the last two years. Using Foldershare I create one folder on my office computer called “Sync” - then on each of my remote computers Foldershare automatically synchronizes the contents of the folder (and all subfolders). It’s very cool - BUT - I also use Google Apps (documents and spreadsheets) - which don’t require any of this because all data is saved on the web and accessible from any Internet connected computer. This is where Microsoft is getting desperate to close the gap and protect their legacy desktop software. Will Live Mesh be worth the wait? It’s hard to say but you can get in line to test it - and I’ll show you where to sign up.

Continue Reading

Here’s a video demonstration of Microsoft Surface taken at an AT&T store yesterday. They show how Microsoft Surface technology can be used by AT&T customers to research coverage areas and how you can place a cellular phone on Surface and receive information about phone features and accessories. Reportedly numerous people can use the device at one time allowing different areas of the screen to be manipulated independently. Still, my experience in cell phone stores has been -5 on a scale of 1 to 10. Simply put, when presented with the opportunity of using a Port-a-Potty at the County Fair on a 95 degree day and visiting any cell phone store - - I’ll wait in line for the Port-a-Potty. Here’s hoping Microsoft Surface technology makes cell store experiences a little more pleasant.

Link:Microsoft Surface

Five AT&T Stores are rumored to be hosting previews of the new Microsoft Surface technology. I’m not sure how formal these previews can be inside a cell phone store (ever visit a cell phone store and try asking them a question - unless it’s “where do I pay my overdue bill” nobody seems to have an answer that I can’t find online). Preview locations on the next page.
Continue Reading