Dan sent me this video that parodies Dateline NBC’s “To Catch a Predator” to deliver a message about software piracy. Take a look:
The link at the end goes to nopiracy.com, which is just a redirect to the Business Software Alliance’s page for reporting software piracy.
I’m completely unable to find an answer (though this Russian forum might have something), so I’ll give ten bucks via PayPal (or whatever) to the first person to give me a working answer to this question:
How do I force an ATI X1550 card to output YPrPb signals on VGA under Windows Vista?
Even if it’s a stupid answer, if it works, I’ll pay you. It’s probably a registry key, or maybe there’s software, or maybe the Russians know something. If I have to buy the ATI HDTV dongle, and you can confirm that for me, I’ll give you five bucks.
Thanks for the assistance.
Microsoft is in the process of testing Service Pack 3 for Windows XP, in preparation for a wide release, and all indications are that it is a significant performance improvement for XP. In fact, the performance of XP under SP3 is so good, that some are saying it makes Windows Vista look like a chump.
It’s already a fact that Windows XP, with a six-year old architecture and tons of patches to stabilize and protect it, is Windows Vista’s number one competitor. XP is relatively stable, carries lower requirements, is compatible with almost everything and is usually already installed on most computers (except brand new ones). The challenge for Microsoft isn’t so much to prove Vista is better than Apple’s Mac OS, but that it is better than XP.
Microsoft until now has been challenging the image of XP in the marketplace, but when SP3 releases, it’ll actually be competing with itself. XP SP3 is an improvement to an already popular operating system, one that puts a direct shot across Vista’s bow, and actually sets up the team that developed SP3 as competition for Windows Vista.
Microsoft’s not stupid. It knows that it is in some ways shooting its own Vista in the foot with SP3, making Vista’s adoption harder against an improved XP point release. It would have been dishonest to its customers to cripple XP SP3 just to help Vista, and you can see how much Microsoft has improved in that it isn’t doing so. An “evil” company certainly would have.
Microsoft is likely counting on two things. Most probably, it will not significantly market SP3 like it did for Service Pack 2 three years ago. Current users will get the improvement, but Microsoft won’t encourage people to buy XP now that it has been improved. Microsoft wants you to get a better XP, but if you don’t have it, they still want you picking up Vista, which is also getting an improved Service Pack 1 release.
Besides that, Microsoft is probably hoping the good will from SP3 will encourage you to keep using Windows. Microsoft is seriously improving an older product at a significant cost to itself, showing commitment to improving its users experience at any cost. Microsoft will remind you that Vista will receive the same commitment, and that Apple charges money for point releases every two years.
Will it work? SP3 is going to cost Microsoft and Vista in the short run, but in the long run it could be a huge help for the company. At the least, if you’re buying XP, you’re still not buying Apple, right?
Photo by doobybrain under CC license
This site has been down for two days, which, you know, is always fun and profitable. The reason? Me and GoDaddy came up with this wonderful sponsorship agreement, which would allow this site to move to a dedicated server and thusly be more stable and not ever go down for two days, as well as allowing me the flexibility to install lots of useful plugins I couldn’t otherwise on a shared host.
Problem is, that didn’t work out so well. Turns out running a server is hard 
In the end, I’m glad to say the problem was not my fault, I’m just the one suffering for it. Turns out that GoDaddy’s default server provisioning enables a service called iptables, which manages a lot of NAT and firewall stuff on Linux, but installed it without enabling the ports for HTTP and FTP access (which are kind of important). Also, I have to change a setting in an “A-Record”, whatever the hell that is.
Anyway, I’m going to re-attempts the server move this weekend. Until then, enjoy some speedblogging.
Also, I’m still looking for someone interested in helping me sell some ads for this site. Traffic has been spiking like crazy, and on a 30% commission, it’s a nice way to make some side money. If you’re interested, just hit the contact form or comment on this post.
Over the last six months, I’ve been slowly building my wife a computer on the cheap. In total, I’ve spent maybe $100, plus various collected junk parts, and built a very nice Media Center PC without hurting the old bank account. Problem is, the goal is to connect the PC to the HDTV, and the video card outputs VGA and S-Video, neither of which I can connect to the TV for an HD signal.
I picked up a VGA to component video cable, and summarilly discovered I know nothing about video equipment. As I understand, and please correct me if I’m still wrong, the VGA outputs RGB signals and my TV only accepts over component YPbPr signals, so a cable isn’t enough. I either need an RGA to component converter (not cheap) or a video card that can output a compatible signal.
Now, here’s what I think I’ve gathered: Some video cards can be set to output YPbPr component over VGA, and then my VGA-to-component cable will work. Others output DVI and I can get a converter to plug it into my TV’s single HDMI slot (which I’d rather not do, I’m saving that for the Xbox 360). Also, there are other ways to get component out of my computer, including video cards that take component cables.
I’d prefer to be able to use my VGA-to-component cable. HDMI (or rather, DVI to HDMI) is a last resort. If you understand this better than I do, please explain what I’m wrong about. I have some Amazon referral money I can use to pay for it, but I’d like to spend under $100 for the card and accessories (like cables), and hopefully I can sell the current (unused) video card to make some of that back.
Besides some advice, I’d like to give something back, so if you recommend a video card (AGP, or worst case regular PCI), list it below in the comments with an Amazon referral code, so when I buy it you can get some money back. Consider that the PC has a weak power supply, so if the card requires me to buy a new power supply, it better be cheap enough that both the card and the power supply are under $100.
So, if you know a little about video cards and formats, help me out (earn a little referral cash) so I can finish this thing and my wife can stop borrowing my laptop. I’d really appreciate the advice.
Microsoft has confirmed that a new version of its Messenger instant messaging software will ship with and when Mac Office 2008 hits stores. While we don’t know anything about features, or even if it’ll be named Windows Live Messenger or MSN Messenger (presumably the new name, though), at least Mac fans are getting a new version. Not only that, but work is already going on for Messenger 7, which will be the first Mac version with audio/video capabilities.
(via Digg)
Microsoft updated the Zune software today to the new version 2.0, so users of first-gen Zune devices can go get their new firmware and features. The update brings a much-improved version of the software, better than the Windows Media Player clone first version, with wireless sync, a new Zune Marketplace with over a million DRM-free tracks, cool new album art visualizations, and the new Zune social network.
The new Zunes go on sale, too, so get yourself an 80-gigabyte for $250 at Amazon, or the 8-gigabyte Flash Zune for $200 in red or pink or green, $187 in black, or the 4-gigabyte for $150 in pink or red or green, $138 in black.
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If you’re wondering why the 80-gig Zune is only available in black, the answer is: It isn’t. The big secret Microsoft held back is Zune Originals, the website where you can order any Zune (right now, only the Flash Zunes, but next month, the 80-gigger also) and choose the color, select artwork to be etched on the back, and/or add up to five lines of text to be etched on the back, at no additional charge.
Consumers no longer need to settle for the same portable media player as everybody else. The new Zune Originals online store will let people make a unique statement by customizing their Zune with laser-engraved art or personal text. Zune worked with 18 accomplished artists from all over the world to create a collection of 27 different designs, called the Artist Series, which will be available exclusively through Zune Originals. In addition to the Artist Series, a separate Tattoo Series will feature 20 graphics that consumers can have laser-engraved on their Zune with up to three lines of text. Alternatively, people can choose to engrave up to five lines of text in place of a design. On the Zune Originals Web site, customers can choose their Zune (Zune 80GB, Zune 8GB or Zune 4GB), pick a color and then select a design and their desired text.
This is a really cool service, one you have to pay for and sometimes don’t even get with that other fruit company, and to give it away for free is really great. Microsoft is making it easy and affordable to personalize your Zune, and that is going to be very appealing to some potential purchasers.
The only downside I can see is that, as time goes by, retailers are going to discount the Zune, making the Zune Originals version more expensive than retail. Since Microsoft is going by the official retail price, which will not go down for a while, this won’t be very “free” for much longer, which is a shame. Amazon is already selling some Zunes for $12-13 off, and that divide will only worsen.
Long Zheng spotted a Corvette hot yellow Zune, which looks really cool. I might have to give that one a second look when it becomes official.
You can now get the code for Windows Live Messenger IM Control for your website. This lets you include Live Messenger on your blog, so your readers can send you IMs without needing a screen name, or your customers can ask support questions on any website. The code is extremely simple, will run in any blog that can take a YouTube embed (using a simple IFRAME, rather than SCRIPT tags), and it doesn’t reveal your IM screen name to potential spammers.
Here it is, embedded in this post after the break:
It’s after the break, because it seems to break my site template in both IE and Opera, and doesn’t seem to be working. I’ll try to figure out why and fix it. If it does work for you, send me a message to let me know.
Microsoft abruptly fired Chief Information Officer and corporate VP Stuart Scott this week, and everyone’s been trying to figure out why he was kicked out. Valleywag leads the pack, as always, wondering what the company means when it says he fired “for violation of company policies”. They also suggest that Microsoft fired him while he was traveling to his sister’s funeral, in order to further embarrass him. Most of the speculation is in the direction of him being fired for cheating, or rather having an affair with an employee of his.
Valleywag talks about another firing at the beginning of the year, that of Martin Taylor, Steve Ballmer’s right hand man. Apparently the rumor mill has been spinning on that one, with company insiders saying Taylor was given the boot for charging the company for hotel rooms he charged the company for, rooms he used for weekend getaways as part of an affair with a coworker.
Seems to be becoming a pattern, or perhaps not. People are always having office romances, and some people are always cheating on their wives (just read InsideGoogle). Microsoft is just standing up and being willing to fire these people, no matter how important they are to the company. You’ve got to respect that, applying company policies to everyone no matter their pay grade, though having to hire a fourth new CIO in four years must be getting tiring.
Check out these commercials for the Ford Sync, the voice activated entertainment and communications system for Ford cars developed by Microsoft:
(via Steve Clayton)
Joint Photographic Experts Group, which owns the JPEG standard, has voted to make Microsoft’s HD Photo their new standard, under the name JPEG XR. Once the process is done (it takes about a year), JPEG XR will be the new version of JPEG, with newer software and operating systems, plus top cameras (and, if we’re lucky, all cameras) supporting the format. Adobe likes the format, and cameras supporting it are supposed to hit in the middle of next year.
Why should you like JPEG XR? Because right now, most cameras offer either RAW or JPEG. RAW changes from camera manufacturer to manufacturer, so you can’t just share the files, and JPEG is an aging standard that doesn’t have the greatest quality in the world (though it still looks damn good at high quality levels). JPEG XR will bring JPEG closer to the level of RAW, but should still work with all computers and software, making it more shareable and widely supported, while looking a whole lot better.
Microsoft may have invented the standard, but it isn’t controlling it. The standard belongs to the world. They just hope you remember, if you fall in love with the new standard, that they did something really good for the photography world here. Give ‘em some credit, kay?
Previous posts:
Microsoft Taking On JPEG; About Damn Time! - May 25, 2006
Microsoft To Make HD Photo A Standard - March 16, 2007
HD Photo Becomes JPEG XR - August 8
HD Photo Plugin For Photoshop Released For Mac OS - August 23
Microsoft Pro Photo Downloads - Get Em! - August 27
Microsoft has just made available a free trial of Windows Home Server. The 120-day evaluation disk will only cost six dollars to ship, and give you four months to see if Home Server brings you enough benefits. If it does, the full version will be completely worth whatever it costs, though I’m not sure if you can buy the license from Microsoft or if you just need to head to Newegg. Either way, if you wanted to see whether the hype is a good fit for your house, pick it up now.
What will you receive?
Windows Home Server Installation DVD
Windows Home Server Connector CD
Home Computer Restore CD
Are you ready?
This software is intended for evaluation purposes only. In order to preserve your existing data, you must backup prior to installation. The setup process for server installation will erase any existing data.
(via Absoblogginlutely, found on Findory)
Sony’s XL1 200-disk DVD changer, the one-of-a-kind Media Center-connectable daisy-chaining 200-disk DVD player is down to $177 on Amazon, and now might be the time to pull the trigger on this one. Sony’s own store just liquidated its stock, as far as I can tell, by unloading whatever units it had left for a hundred bucks (it’s out of stock already, sorry), which puts a lot of evidence behind speculation that this thing is going away forever, to be replaced either by a newer, better, and far more expensive model, or to just go away forever.
We’ve been hotly anticipating the first public closed beta of codename “Gatineau”, Microsoft in-development website analytics service, and it’s finally here. Invites went out yesterday, and you might already have them.
I’ve be reviewing it right now, instead of just telling you about it, if the invites weren’t tied specifically to the Passport from which you first requested it from, and some screw-up resulted in mine going to the wrong Passport. I’ve got my regular Hotmail, plus one for my business email, and my AdCenter account is part of my business account, but the invite went to my Hotmail account, and now Adcenter won’t accept it. Maybe somebody wants to fix this for me?
Anyway, check out screenshots by Ian Thomas, along with a lot details.
Windows Live Search has released a new version of their first class Windows Mobile application, adding some killer new features.
The big one: Voice recognition. When you need to select a location on the map, instead of typing it in or browsing to it on the map, you can hit a Speak button and just tell it where to go. That means that when you need driving directions, when you want to find movie showtimes, or if you just need to browse the map, you can just say the name of the neighborhood you are in and get it, just like that.
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I went to the Nightmare: Ghost Stories haunted house in Manhattan yesterday, and afterwards we needed to drop off a friend at the subway. I told my phone where I was, and it brought up the satellite map, complete with local subway locations. Then I clicked the Movies button, and we got showtimes for Saw IV in the area. When we decided to see the movie back in Queens, I just told the phone to look there, and it did.
Honestly, nothing compares to how good this is. If you’re using Google Maps on your phone and you can switch to this, you’d be crazy not to. The voice control is so easy, and accurate enough on a Manhattan street, that there’s no reason to use anything else.
The other new feature: Gas prices.
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Hit the Gas Prices button on the home screen, and it’ll search for all the local gas prices, then list them according to the lowest prices. You can get more details, or hit a Map All button to see all the gas stations on a map, so you aren’t driving for forty minutes to save three cents a gallon.
Get the new version at wls.live.com.
If you have a Blackberry, there’s a new Blackberry Live Search application. It doesn’t have the voice search or gas prices, but it does have all the regular local search, mapping, movie showtimes, and traffic information. It’s also available at wls.live.com.
They’ve also improved the browser-based Live Maps, available at m.live.com. It now includes better, more readable maps, traffic conditions (that are taken into account in the driving directions).
There are two videos about the new Live Search mobile application, the first being a two-minute rundown, the other an eight-minute more detailed overview, both available at Rob Chambers’ blog. I’d embed them here, but Soapbox doesn’t work in my regular browser, and IE seems convinced that Flash player isn’t installed.
There are four posts at Resource Shelf, chock full of domains registered by or transferred to Microsoft, that you might be interested in.
Post #1 contains such gems as Empowerforisvsenroll.com, extendersformediacenter.com (Microsoft just keeps buying Media Center Extender domains), healthvault-int.com (for the recently launched Health Vault), Directmusic.org, mom-live.com (because of Real Live Moms), secure-hotmail.com, windows-vista.net and windowsvista-forum.com.
The second post has so many domains, they’re on a seperate page. They include lots of “hyper-v”-related domains, whatever that is, including hyper-vclub, hyper-vdownload, hyper-vstore. I’m seeing a bunch of sites speculating as to what hyper-v is, and why Microsoft needed to buy up tens of domains containing the term. If you’ve got a clue, let me know. I’m anticipating Microsoft launching a new brand of some sort under the Hyper-V name.
The third post contains 3DMaptour.com (related to new Live Maps features), Cycle-on.org, Innovateonmobile.com (gotta compete with that iPhone), Antispymobile.com (could a mobile device antispyware tool be coming?) and Visualbasicsucks.com.
And, finally, the fourth post contains Findmediacenter.com, Federatedidentity.net, Journeyzune.org, Vboxlab.com and Msglobalexpo.com (Microsoft Expo? I’m in!).
Microsoft has released its quarterly earnings report, and how good was it? The stock is up $30 billion!
Microsoft stock in after hours trading is up $3.55, which translates to $33.37 billion. Microsoft gained in the last few hours more than most companies are worth, smashing nicely above the $300 billion barrier. Microsoft stock was last $35.56 in July of 2001, a huge gain for the stock.
How good was the quarter? The facts:
My favorite part, the revenue and profit/loss per division:
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Three Months Ended September 30, |
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2007 | 2006 |
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Segments |
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| Client |
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$4,138 | $3,316 |
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| Server and Tools |
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2,900 | 2,496 |
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| Online Services Business |
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671 | 536 |
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| Microsoft Business Division |
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4,111 | 3,419 |
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| Entertainment and Devices Division |
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1,929 | 1,011 |
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| Unallocated and Other |
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13 | 33 |
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$13,762 | $10,811 |
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Three Months Ended September 30, |
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2007 | 2006 |
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Segments |
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| Client |
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$3,367 | $2,660 |
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| Server and Tools |
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962 | 771 |
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| Online Services Business |
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(264) | (102) |
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| Microsoft Business Division |
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2,694 | 2,227 |
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| Entertainment and Devices Division |
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165 | (142) |
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| Corporate-Level Activity |
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(1,006) | (940) |
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$5,918 | $4,474 |
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As you can see, revenue in the Entertainment and Devices division was up 90%, resulting in the first-ever profit for the division, almost entirely attributable to Halo 3 (but not entirely, so its possible, but not guaranteed, they could show a profit next quarter, too). Revenue was up over twenty percent in the Online Services division, but it lost 150% more money, due to rising costs. Revenue in the Client division, which sells Windows Vista, was up $800 million, a really good sign.
Amazing, just amazing. Microsoft really hit this one out of the park.
UPDATE: Venkat reminds me in the comments that this is, indeed, the Entertainment and Devices division’s second quarterly profit. The first? When Halo 2 came out, of course!
The Microsoft Affiliate Network has added a new offer, letting you invite people to download the Windows Live Toolbar and earn a $1 commission. Here’s one of the ad units available:
They’ve also got a 200×170 button, 180×620 skyscraper, and 140×260 mini scraper.
There’s also an MSN AdCenter affiliate program, but you have to be a Microsoft partner to be eligible. This is what the banner looks like:
There are also these text paragraph ads:
Connect with buyers with Microsoft adCenter
Search
Marketing isn’t about reaching a lot of people; it’s about reaching the right people: Buyers. Through Microsoft adCenter, you can reach out to 97 million MSN users, 83% of whom have recently purchased online.1 So sign up and start using adCenter,.
¹Source: Nielsen//NetRatings, June-07, US Home/Work Combined; Nielsen//NetRatings @ Plan, Summer 2007 Release.
And this one:
Reach
out to 97 million potential customers with Microsoft adCenter today.1
¹Source: Nielsen//NetRatings, June-07, US Home/Work Combined
And two others of that style. Plus a more standard text link ad (”Sign Up for a Microsoft adCenter Account”), about eight variations worth.
This is in addition to the Windows Live OneCare offer I’ve mentioned before. The OneCare offer has been reduced to 50 cents (from $1.50), so you might want to jump on the Toolbar offer in case its price goes down.
| GoDaddy.com promo! $6.95 .COM code: BNC695 |
