If you ever try to upgrade the firmware on you Windows Mobile device (or install a custom/hacked/leaked ROM), you’re always warned to backup your device before getting started. But how do you back it up? Most backup software costs money, and the rule of thumb when it comes to mobile is Always Look For Free First.
Thankfully, there is a free alternative, as I was pleased to discover when looking at upgrading to Windows Mobile 6. PIM Backup runs on Windows Mobile 2003SE, Windows Mobile 5.0, and Windows Mobile 6. It backs up your appointments, call logs, contacts, messages (including text), speed dials, tasks, and your entire file system, and can be configured to include or exclude any thing, with many options.
Your backup can be done faster and more reliably to a binary file, or a little slower to a text file, which you can edit and draw data out of, if you wish. Files can be backed up to your device’s storage card, for backups on the go and transferring to another mobile device. Automatic backups can be scheduled and automatically performed at a specified time.
I used PIM Backup, and was impressed with the quality of the program. I can’t imagine paying for backup software after the great job PIM did. You can download it from the creator, Dotfred, who has other mobile device programs as well, including a task manager, a program that notifies the user if the storage card comes loose, a Start Menu replacement that runs as a service, and an Alt-Tab style task switcher for mobiles.
February 5th, 2008
Posted by
Nathan Weinberg |
Windows Mobile, General |
2 comments
I feel like I have to do an update on this every few month; five months later, and still no news on when the Silverlight plugin for Opera will be released. Seven months have passed since an Opera developer said the “Silverlight plugin should now work” in Opera 9.22, and we’re now on Opera 9.25 and still, nothing. I’m in middle of talking to some Opera folks, so I’ll try to get an answer on this one.
February 5th, 2008
Posted by
Nathan Weinberg |
Silverlight, Developers |
3 comments
Microsoft announced two new computer mice, the Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 and Wireless Laser Mouse 7000. Both have similar features: They’re wireless (2.4 GHz frequency, 30 foot range), have high definition lasers, have button access to Windows Vista Flip 3D, the Magnifier tool and Tilt Wheel. The difference is in the look (the 7000 is the black one) and the 7000’s rechargeable battery and charging station.
(via Engadget)
Both will be available in March, and should be available for pre-order on Amazon
any second now. Retail price is $50 for the 6000 and $70 for the 7000.
February 5th, 2008
Posted by
Nathan Weinberg |
General |
no comments
Microsoft has chosen Morgan Stanley and The Blackstone Group to run the complicated financial details of its acquisition of Yahoo. Morgan Stanley has strong links with both companies, though Microsoft has avoided using them for anything in nine years, and Blackstone worked on Reuters $17 billion deal last year. Both companies stand to collect $100 million in fees if the deal goes through.
Meanwhile, Yahoo is using Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers. Microsoft often uses Goldman, and Yahoo’s retainer of them could explain why they had to go with Morgan Stanley for this deal.
Follow the continuing coverage of Microsoft’s planned acquisition of Yahoo on this page.
February 5th, 2008
Posted by
Nathan Weinberg |
Yahoo Acquisition, Developers, Yahoo |
no comments
Sorry about the flood of posts about the Microsoft offer to buy Yahoo, but there’s just so many things to say about it.
I just found this funny:
Yes, ESPN fans will recognize that as the news ticker at the bottom of the screen on the sports channel. What does Microsoft Yahoo have to do with sports? Nothing! It’s just such big news, everybody’s talking about it.
Follow the continuing coverage on this page.
Here are the posts so far on this story:
Microsoft Offers To Buy Yahoo - Friday
A Detailed Look At Microsoft’s Offer To Buy Yahoo - (InsideGoogle link to InsideMicrosoft)
Microsoft/Yahoo Buyout Photoshop Contest
Which Yahoos Will Become Microsofties? - Monday
Does Microsoft-Yahoo Spell The End of MSN?
Google Tries To Make Yahoo An Offer It Can’t Refuse (InsideGoogle)
A Look At Windows Live Flickr
Microsoft Looking To Take On Debt Over Yahoo
Some Microsoft/Yahoo Overlap You May Not Have Considered
February 5th, 2008
Posted by
Nathan Weinberg |
Yahoo Acquisition, Corporate, Yahoo, Humor |
2 comments
Office Online tackled the Super Bowl this week, running this comic on Friday:
Obviously, all expectations where a little off, so this comic ran Monday:
What an amazing game. Even if you were rooting for New England, you have to admit we saw some great football and great drama. That was one for the ages, and every time someone attempts a perfect season, we’ll be talking about Super Bowl 42, every bit as much as we talk about the ‘72 Dolphins.
Anyway, here in New York, we’ve got a parade starting in 40 minutes. Gotta go!
UPDATE: David posted another followup Super Bowl comic, explaining why the Giants were able to pull off the upset victory.
February 5th, 2008
Posted by
Nathan Weinberg |
Office, Humor, Applications |
one comment
If I wrote about every single program that brings Windows Vista features to other versions of Windows, I’d never have to write about anything else. Still, I’d better mention this one, which brings Flip 3D, the Vista feature that flips through open windows in a 3D environment, to Windows 2000, Windows 2003 and Windows XP. Download it here.
(via Lifehacker)
February 5th, 2008
Posted by
Nathan Weinberg |
XP, Vista, Windows |
one comment
Microsoft has picked up Greg Linden, one of my favorite geeks and the guy who created Findory and Amazon.com’s recommendation engine. Greg’s biggest strength comes in the form of personalized services, as both at Amazon and Findory he designed websites that learned from user behavior and improved what was shown to the user in extremely effective ways, first with books, then with news and blogs.
Now, as Principal Research SDE at Microsoft’s Live Labs, Greg will be working under Gary Flake’s Labs group on something we probably won’t hear much about for awhile, given the secrecy around those guys. I’m hoping he’s bring personalization to Windows Live Search, putting his killer algorithms to the biggest test, and maybe that some form of Findory can live on at Microsoft.
I’m very excited about what Greg could bring to Microsoft, and I know I’m not the only one. I talked to some sources at Microsoft, and while they couldn’t tell me what he’s working on (because they have no idea), they did say they were excited and anticipating something special. Few guys can design software that just works, works extremely well, and actually ship it when needed, and Microsoft now has one of those guys, and hopefully knows how to use him.
February 5th, 2008
Posted by
Nathan Weinberg |
Live, Corporate, Windows |
2 comments
