I’ve decided to start a new series on this blog, which I’m calling Perspectives. I realize that I end a lot of posts with “we’ll see where this goes”, but we never get to see, since I’m not going to repeat the same stuff every day until a conclusion is reached. Blogs tend to be so obsessed with the “now”, that we never pay attention to what’s happened in the past, and we forget things that might be important. So, every day, unless I’m way too busy (or not around), I’ll post about whatever I was discussing a year ago, and, as time goes by, two years ago, and so on.
On January 4, 2005, it was all about a bunch of applications Microsoft was developing.
One, MSN Desktop Search, was a huge deal then. Now? Well I haven’t mentioned it in maybe half a year. In late 2004, everyone thought desktop search was the future of computing, that a program like Google Desktop Search would be the most important thing on your desktop, and we were completely wrong. Desktop search has yet to catch on significantly beyond early adopters, and many have realized it is not the be-all-end-all but an operating system feature, and one seldom used enough that we could wait for Vista to get it. Besides, antivirus programs were already slowing down our systems; we didn’t need another massive, memory-intensive program.
On the antivirus and antispyware front, Microsoft was fast developing Microsoft AntiSpyware (now Windows Defender) and A1 (now Windows OneCare Live). I don’t think anyone expected that AntiSpyware and OneCare would be as good as they were when they dropped not long ago. Microsoft is building the rare security suite that doesn’t bloat and ruin your computing experience. When these products release in their final versions, I think the Windows user community will be quite pleased.
Finally, Microsoft was recruiting for AdCenter. Conceptually, AdCenter seems interesting, but we’ll have to wait and see if it is good enough to hurt Google.
This has been “Perspectives”, I’m Lionel Osbourne.
January 4th, 2006
Posted by
Nathan Weinberg |
Google, AntiSpyware, Perspectives, Desktop Search, Security, MSN, Search, General |
one comment
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EA cuts price on some titles from $50 to $40 in anticipation of Xbox 360 launch
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Microsoft will release an enterprise-grade version of its desktop search software today.
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Its just funny
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Certain Microsoft software will be released exclusively in 64-bit versions, forcing some business customers to invest in 64-bit hardware.
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Egypt and Turkey to get low-cost XP
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Which of the _four_ Vista interface levels will your system be able to handle?
November 15th, 2005
Posted by
Nathan Weinberg |
Vista, XP, Bookmarks, Xbox 360, Xbox, Windows, Desktop Search, General |
no comments
Search Engine Watch reports that the MSN developer center, with access to the major MSN APIs, is now live. It features tools and information regarding MSN Messenger, MSN Search, MSN Virtual Earth, the MSN Search Toolbar and Windows Desktop Search, and Start.com.
September 13th, 2005
Posted by
Nathan Weinberg |
Messenger, Virtual Earth, Desktop Search, Search, MSN, General |
one comment
NOTE: Despite these news items appearing at various websites, I cannot verify that the items mentioned are available for download. Please comment if you can find them. Until then, consider this a “preview”. - they’re finally live
Determined to bring every IE7 feature to IE6, albeit in a way that can sometimes make you wish you were using IE7 instead, MSN has released the phishing filter add-in for IE6 as an add-in for the MSN Search Toolbar. Download it here.
In addition, on that same page, you’ll find a Games add-in, which gives quick access to MSN Games, with link to the day’s most popular games, your favorites, even answer a trivia question right in the toolbar.
Finally, Bink notes that a roaming favorites add-in was released to beta testers, that will allow users to get their favorites on any computer, so long as it has the MSN Search Toolbar installed.
(via Microsoft Watch)
Also on the add-ins front, I noticed this cool third party add-in from Viapoint that brings virtual smart folders to Windows Desktop Search, a great feature.
UPDATE: Earthlink says “We invented the toolbar phishing filter first”. Hoo, hoo; tell em, Fred!
August 31st, 2005
Posted by
Nathan Weinberg |
Desktop Search, Internet Explorer, Search, MSN, Applications, General |
2 comments
With no official announcement, Microsoft has put out the Windows Desktop Search API to allow developers to build it into their applications. There’s a good roundup on Channel 9, and even a command line interface. Jonathon Hardwick spotted it, and he seems pretty excited.
I’m glad to see all these APIs out there (Google also has one), and while we are seeing some nice plugins, I’m surprised that we aren’t seeing major software building hooks into these programs. I think its a combination of two factors: 1) None of these programs have caught on or taken a large market share and 2) They’re waiting for a standardized API. Well, if I were building desktop search hooks into my app and I had to ick just one, I’d go with Windows Desktop Search, since its API is likely to be related to whatever Longhorn uses.
June 30th, 2005
Posted by
Nathan Weinberg |
Desktop Search, MSN, General |
2 comments
MSN unveiled in Japan last week several international versions of its Internet Explorer toolbar and desktop search product. You can now download them:
June 30th, 2005
Posted by
Nathan Weinberg |
Desktop Search, Search, MSN, General |
one comment
Microsoft has taken the MSN Toolbar Suite out of beta, rechristening it the much better MSN Search Toolbar with Windows Desktop Search. The new version features a preview pane for desktop search, a customization wizard, additional indexing options, and improved performance, stability and reliability. The MSN Search blog, in announcing the release, also confirms that future releases will bring tabbed browsing to IE6, and that they are developing corporate desktop search.
May 16th, 2005
Posted by
Nathan Weinberg |
Desktop Search, MSN, General |
no comments
This post is more of a “What do you think?” variety. Scoble points out that MSN Search ranks blogs far lower than either Google or Yahoo. What sort of decision was made there that accounts for this? Does MSN like older material more, or does it care less about backlinks, or is it using MSN user data in its rankings? Does MSN give blogs a lower ranking specifically, in preparation for creating a blog search engine? Is this a good thing? I’m very interested to see in what everyone thinks.
Scoble has another theory:
Anyway, it sure looks like MSN is not giving blogs as much juice as other search engines. My friend Christopher Coulter thinks that’s a good thing, because it keeps blog noise down. Me, I wonder if Google is playing up blogs to continue the good brand feelings that Google generates online and elsewhere among influentials?
May 8th, 2005
Posted by
Nathan Weinberg |
Google, Yahoo, Desktop Search, MSN, Blogs, General |
one comment
Okay, so here I am going to touch on some of the news I missed out on over the last week and a half. In addition, all InsideMicrosoft news will be here for a short time, since that site isn’t working. The reason? Some error I get when trying to login. If someone is familiar with the inner workings of WordPress and could give me a hand, I would be eternally grateful. So, in no particular order:
- ActiveWords agent for MSN Desktop Search
- Bill Gates surprised by strong anti-Microsoft reaction to its withdrawing support for an anti-discrimination bill. Gates says next time, Microsoft will try to consider its employees feelings ahead of those of outside factors.
- Gates joins board of Berkshire Hathaway
- Windows XP may see Service Pack 3 before Longhorn
- Microsoft earnings report described as so-so.
- Scott Granneman takes a look at open source programs for Windows. Am I the only one who is surprised when I find a program that can’t be had for free in some version?
- Paint.NET 2.1 released
- Geek dinner tonight in New York - Attendees to include Robert Scoble, Steve Rubel, Dave Winer, Mary Jo Foley, Joel Spolsky(maybe even myself, if my day ends early enough) - (links - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Online advertising continues to grow
- MSN Search making slow but steady gains
- MSN making cross-promotional deal with Mark Burnett for upcoming show, not unlike Yahoo’s current Apprentice deal
- Reuters hit bad by virus transmitted through MSN Messenger
- Microsoft switches its servers to 64-bit
- AOL rebuilding IM client
- Microsoft to generate products and services for auto industry
- Microsoft releases what may be the Xbox 360’s logo, and it may be the very definition of terrible
- Scoble is putting together a groupd of bloggers to be “on the inside” for the development of Longhorn, the next version of Windows. If you guys want to see some great stuff here, go over there and nominate me.
Wow, I thought I’d never get caught up! Well, back to your regularly scheduled blogging (and for god’s sakes, someone help me fix the other blogs).
May 3rd, 2005
Posted by
Nathan Weinberg |
Longhorn, Open Source, Desktop Search, Xbox, Windows, Security, Blogs, MSN, Search, General |
no comments
Yahoo has refreshed its Desktop Search Beta, and the new version saves a history of your Yahoo Messenger conversations, as well as adding contact list search. Hopefully, future desktop search releases (from all companies) will index more than just one IM program (Google only indexes AOL Instant Messenger).
(via the Yahoo Search Blog)
March 23rd, 2005
Posted by
Nathan Weinberg |
Yahoo, Desktop Search, General |
no comments
Using IFilters, you can add to MSN Desktop Search the capability to search additional file types. For example, the MP3 IFilter scans MP3s for text contained within the MP3 (like tags with the artists name, album title, even all the lyrics) and indexes them. The JPEG IFilter allows indexing of all sorts of metadata, including the all-important EXIF data that can include the date and time the photo was taken, the camera it was taken with, and all sorts of other yummy details photographers love. Best of all, the IFilters are the same used for Indexing Service, so they are part of a standard that is likely to continue to improve and grow. I recommend installing all the IFilters for any file type you commonly use.
More information on IFilters, and a list of where to download free IFilters, is available at ifilter.org. For others, just Google it.
(via Weblogs > Furry Goat)
March 12th, 2005
Posted by
Nathan Weinberg |
Desktop Search, MSN, General |
7 comments
Michael Kaplan, a Microsoft Technical Lead himself, details how MSN’s Toolbar Suite installer ignores and breaks several important Windows standards. First off, the Toolbar Suite has issues and non-support for the 50% of Windows users who live outside the U.S. and have their localized versions of Windows. Also, the lack of Windows Server 2003 support and the use of inappropriate NLS settings mean he isn’t installing this piece of software anytime soon.
Thumbs down for the MSN Toolbar Suite Beta from this developer. 
February 3rd, 2005
Posted by
Nathan Weinberg |
Desktop Search, MSN, General |
no comments
MSN has released an update for its Toolbar Suite, with fixes for Outlook, performance, and other bugs. The new version, 02.00.0001.1203, has:
- Eliminated the virus pop ups and increased performance (more below)
- Ability to index Outlook items when it isn’t your default email client
- Clear Deskbar text after performing searches
- Fixed a majority of reported Dr. Watson bugs
- Several bug fixes to improve overall stability & robustness
- Email attachments are no longer saved to a temporary file (which would hurt performance and drive antivirus scanners batty). Instead, they are streamed directly to the filter.
You don’t need it, but you can install it if it will help you. Read more at the MSN Search Weblog, and download it here. Marc Orchant reports that it still hasn’t fixed an IMAP bug.
February 1st, 2005
Posted by
Nathan Weinberg |
Desktop Search, MSN, General |
no comments
BusinessWeek takes a look at whether Google, MSN, Yahoo, and other’s can find a way to make money off of their desktop search programs.
January 12th, 2005
Posted by
Nathan Weinberg |
Yahoo, AskJeeves, Google, Desktop Search, MSN |
one comment
Slate has a roundup and review of five desktop search products, and declares Copernic the best, followed by MSN, Google, Hotbot, and last, Ask Jeeves. It’s reasons are similar to mine.
AskJeeves gets points for having a user-friendly interface, and well-organized tabs, but loses a lot for being too simplistic. Hotbot is an Internet Explorer add-in that searches from a toolbar and displays results in an IE sidebar. It gets good marks for allowing you to add file types, web history, even RSS feeds, but gets demerits for not allowing searches of any media files, such as music and videos. While they like Google’s web history, thumbnails, and integration, it’s inability to search certain files and lack of advanced options keeps it from rising above third place. Meanwhile, MSN wins lots of points for having a more advanced interface than all of them, but Copernic trumps it for an even more advanced interface.
What have we learned? Whoever offers the most features, wins. Let your users do whatever they want; don’t try to make assumptions for them. Also, with AOL using Copernic’s tech in its AOL Browser, the AOL Browser is looking more and more to be an exciting pieve of software.
(via Slashdot)
January 4th, 2005
Posted by
Nathan Weinberg |
AskJeeves, Google, Desktop Search, MSN |
2 comments
