HOWETechnical

If China Gets Microsoft Office for $29, Why Don’t We?

// July 22nd, 2009 // No Comments » // Software

In order to take a bite out of piracy, Microsoft sells copies of its Office Suite in China for just $29 dollars. I wonder how many copies Americans would have to pirate to get the same price? So much for the notion that “crime does not pay!”

I found the pricing information earlier today in a BusinessWeek story about how Microsoft is slashing prices to grab market share and fight off Google and the others that are giving away functionality Microsoft customers are used to paying for.

The magazine said Microsoft estimates 95 percent of all copies of Office used in China are illegal copies. Since the $29 pricing started in September, sales of Office have supposedly increased 800 percent.

This looks like a case of where crime pays big dividends. And, no, I am not suggesting for readers to pirate copies of Office in order to send Redmond a pricing message.

Still, we Westerners have been paying through the nose for Office for almost two decades. If anyone deserves a price break, it’s us–not the thieving Chinese. But, it seems that if you are a fast-growing market, lawlessness aside, Microsoft wants to cut you a deal.

I understand what Microsoft is doing and why. I am happy for anything that reduces software theft, but that doesn’t make me nearly as happy as a $29 copy of Office would.

This pricing is another demonstration of how Microsoft’s business model is under attack, especially in the consumer and small business space. Its enterprise business isn’t as solid as it used to be, either, as big corporate customers are remarkably happy with the software they are already using.

These changes haven’t caught Redmond quite as flat-footed as when Netscape first arrived on the scene, forcing Microsoft to Internet-enable products at warp speed.

The company has doubtless seen the current market turmoil coming for years, but had little reason to tip its hand. Microsoft clearly needs be more responsive with its pricing and find better ways to compete globally. I guess giving the Chinese $29 copies Microsoft Office is a part of this.

This is still more Microsoft angst we will just have to live with.

(Article originally written by David Coursey)

Opera launches Opera Unite, brings the power of a web server to the Opera browser

// June 18th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Software, Tech, Videos

Earlier this month, Opera launched Opera 10 Beta, which brought email, RSS, and torrent tracking to the browser, and today they released Opera Unite, which brings the power of a web server to the Opera Browser. What does this mean? Well, if you download and install Opera Unite Alpha for Windows, Linux, or OS X from Opera Labs, you can host a chat room on your local computer, serve up a website from your computer, share photos, share media, and do basic file sharing all via the Opera browser. People connecting to all these services do so through a publicly available URL and they don’t have to have Opera installed on their machines. The services work through any modern browser, although you can only host your own Opera Unite services via your own Opera Browser running on your machine.

Another interesting bit about this technology is that you can install other Opera Unite “applications” within your browser to expand the functionality of this server. In order to get up and running, you have to sign up for a free Opera account. This seems to provide the handshake between remote users trying to access your Opera Unite applications and the applications themselves which are hosted in your browser on your local machine.

So far, I’ve been testing the file sharing and the chat. It’s definitely cool and I can see the future power of this, but it is also clearly in Alpha stage with a few bugs. Also, when accessing the shared files folder, clicking on the file names themselves works for opening or downloading the files, but clicking the actual download link consistently failed for me. It appears that the .png files that I was sharing from a folder on my computer were trying to download as .png.html files when using the download link, and therefore failed.

Make sure you visit Opera’s site dedicated to Opera Unite to see some instructional videos further explaining what it means to have a server in your browser. Here’s one of those videos that is a sort of commercial for the philosophy behind Opera Unite:

Bing - Microsoft’s New Decision Engine Done Right!

// May 30th, 2009 // 15 Comments » // Software, Tech, Videos

Let’s face it, in the recent years of search engine wars, Microsoft’s Live Search has fallen dramatically short of the “most used engine” prize against search giant Google, as well as even Yahoo!, despite the company’s steep decline in market share and credibility. Despite numerous promotions giving those who would switch to Live Search discounts on Ebay purchases, rewards products based on how many searches in a day you performed, and even double cash back rewards for participating sponsors (ex: Foot Locker and Lenovo), Live Search has been unable to make a dent in Google’s majority market share. Not for long, though. In an attempt to increase their presence in the online search engine business, Microsoft has developed an amazing new mashup-style engine that will not only give you intuitive search results, but also provide you with competitive rates on airfare, lodging, retail products, and more…all without leaving their site. This “decision engine”, as Microsoft calls it, has been named Bing, and I for one believe it will give Google a real run for it’s money, allowing that Microsoft improves their search algorithm to something greater than what Live Search has. Additionally, Microsoft has stated that it will not force Bing on anybody. Naturally it will be the default IE search engine in new Windows based computers starting this Christmas, however the default engine can be easily changed to that of an alternate engine, should the user prefer. Given the details at hand, I for one am proud of Microsoft for changing their methodologies of gaining market share from that of statistical manipulation and what would otherwise be unfair practices (if they were to succeed, that is, which they didn’t with Live Search), to more of a business oriented values based playing field.

Take a look at the below video to see more of what Bing promises to achieve.
Official Site: Microsoft Bing

Windows 7 - Got the RDC Blues? Not Anymore!

// May 29th, 2009 // No Comments » // OS, Software

As many of you know, the newest version of RDC (Remote Desktop Connection) included in the 7100 build of Windows 7 RC has some major issues with being incredibly sluggish. This seems to only persist when connecting to Windows 2000 / 2003 machines, which unfortunately just so happens to be the operating system(s) in use by a great majority of servers. In addition, it seems that this issue was not present in the 7000 build of Windows 7 Beta, nor was it in the 7050 build either.

There is relief, however! I’ve stumbled upon this little workaround that will allow you to run a previous version of Windows RDC in Windows 7 RC (7100). So, until Microsoft has fixed the issue officially, let this serve as a band-aid for your RDC blues.

Step 1: Download 7zip (available at 7-Zip )
Step 2: Download an old version of Remote Desktop Here: RDC Download
Step 3: Using 7zip, extract msrdpcli.exe to any folder.
Step 4: Using 7zip, extract msrdpcli.msi to any folder.
Step 5: Using 7zip, extract data.cab to any folder.
Step 6: Rename F1059_mstscax.dll to mstscax.dll .
Step 7: Rename F1060_mstsc.exe to mstsc.exe .
Step 8: Rename F1061_mstsc.chm to mstsc.chm .

You can now place those last 3 files wherever you want, and run mstsc.exe to launch the old RDC client.

Free Microsoft Software for IT Students

// October 25th, 2008 // No Comments » // Software

Microsoft DreamSpark: http://www.dreamspark.com

This is not “Hot off the Press” news, however it is to all too many IT students worldwide. Not too long ago, Micrsoft announced the launch of DreamSpark; a resource for any worldwide IT student that allows free download and use of Microsoft development and design software during the course of their education. To utilize this amazing oportunity, all one needs to do is verify their student status through the DreamSpark website and start downloading. Software titles include (but are not limited to):

Visit DreamSpark: http://www.dreamspark.com

More about Microsoft DreamSpark from Microsoft’s site:

“Now, for the first time, Microsoft is giving its valuable software developer and design tools directly to students worldwide at no charge! This site enables students like you to download professional-level Microsoft developer and design tools to unlock your creative potential and set you on the path to academic and career success, by supporting and advancing your learning and skills through technical design, technology, math, science and engineering activities.

In order to get this software from Microsoft at no charge, you will be asked to establish or verify your student status once every 12 months. This process is built into this DreamSpark site itself. Verification of valid student status will enable students from around the globe to download Microsoft developer and design tools at no charge. Note: You must be at least 18 years old or have otherwise reached the age of majority in the place (province, state or country) where you live, or if not, your parent or legal guardian must accept the Microsoft DreamSpark software license terms on your behalf, in order for you to download and use the software.

It is our hope that the DreamSpark program will spark your creativity and help you harness software’s transformative magic to turn your good ideas into reality, by equipping you with the tools you need to succeed and excel during your academic experience and skills you will need after graduation” (Microsoft, 2008).

sources:
Microsoft (2008). Microsoft DreamSpark. Retrieved October25, 2008, from https://downloads.channel8.msdn.com/Overview.aspx

Artists See a Future With BitTorrent

// October 14th, 2008 // No Comments » // Software, Tech

Giving away music for free might not sound like a very solid business model to most people, but it is. Most artists make most money from concerts and merchandise, not so much album sales. Even more so, the key to success are the fans, and what better way to introduce people to your music by giving it away for free?

A whole new generation of artists, most of who grew up with Napster, Limewire and BitTorrent, are starting to utilize the power of filesharing networks. This year alone, thousands of albums were released online for free, and this number is growing at an increasing rate. The possibilities are endless. Some artists use sites like Jamendo, others go for mainstream BitTorrent sites like The Pirate Bay and Mininova, and yet another group prefers niche BitTorrent communities such as What.cd.

On What.cd, one of the larger music communities with over 60,000 members, artists have found a particularly successful outlet. In fact, the free albums are particularly popular, and often among the most downloaded. The music minded members, of which quite a few are artists themselves, are very appreciative of every new album. This August a compilation CD was released with tracks from 19 artists who uploaded their music to the site. This CD, titled “The What CD” is the most active torrent of all time on the tracker.

At TorrentFreak we have now reached a point where we can no longer mention all the artists that give away their music for free. While it was a rather exceptional thing to do three years ago, it has become mainstream today. It is, however, worth talking to one of these new generation of bands and artists who decide to share their music at no cost.

The Pragmatic is such a band. Today, the 5 member band, which was founded in 2006, has released the album ‘Circles’ on BitTorrent and Rapidshare. André, one of the band members, who plays an analog synthesizer from the early 80s, explained to us why they chose to give away their music for free.

“With this first release we really wanted to try out giving it out for free and just see what happens,” he said. “Bands like Radiohead and NIN come out and release stuff for free and have success, but that’s largely because of their already established careers. They’ve built that up the traditional way and they’ve reaped the rewards of that, but their success in file-sharing is more of a perk of that status.”

“Growing up, every musician dreamed of that big shiny record deal, but I don’t think it’s relevant anymore. Labels have had to sober up and re-think what their roles are. It used to be about music, and I think file-sharing has brought that to their attention. By releasing it for free, I guess we could be losing money, but in the long run I think we’re (hopefully) making fans.”

Similar to most other people, André is part of a generation that grew up with file-sharing. It is part of the music industry now, and it exposes people to more music than they would ever hear on mainstream radio. It is probably not what the RIAA wants to hear, or will ever admit, but music is more popular than ever thanks to file-sharing. André agrees, and told TorrentFreak:

“Fans go to shows, buy merch and support bands for all the right reasons. I think that our generation grew up with an almost insatiable need for more and more music. I know I did. I’ve downloaded lots of albums I loved and bought physical versions. I’ve downloaded plenty of albums I hated and deleted. I can’t begin to count how many bands I know and love because of Napster/Soulseek/Bittorrent. File-sharing was never really about stealing music, it was about finding music you loved.”

“Labels will complain and sue their very core audience just to make a dollar. I can’t blame them, it’s the way they’ve built their company. Change scares them, especially when they don’t control it. I honestly believe that I wouldn’t be a musician today if Napster hadn’t appeared. I think Napster fostered the incredible current musical culture and nobody gives them credit for it. I find it very hard for an upcoming artist to get any exposure without being willing to promote their music on p2p networks.”

The clash between artist and labels, and the ever increasing piracy statistics are forcing the big labels to rethink their business models. Nowadays, BitTorrent has the power to promote artists based on their music, not on the advertising budget. It is hard to deny that the music labels are in a crisis, however, music itself is more alive than ever before.

OpenOffice.org becomes an even better alternative

// October 14th, 2008 // No Comments » // Software

I’ve long been an admirer of OpenOffice.org, the free, open-source office suite that’s a serious alternative to pricey products such as Microsoft Office. It strikes me as a no-brainer to at least try it when you’re in the market for an updated productivity suite, because it costs you nothing but your time.

But I’m amazed when I run across people who are hesitant to give it a try, even when they’re just as hesitant to shell out big bucks for Microsoft’s product.

To be clear: If you are considering buying a commercial office suite, don’t do it until you have given OpenOffice.org a shot. That’s particularly true of the new version, which was released today. OpenOffice.org 3.0 is a significant upgrade and, again, is completely free.

If, after using it for a while, you don’t think it meets your needs, you can always uninstall it and buy a commercial product. But I suspect most users will find it’s more than adequate for their needs, and the price can’t be beat. Taking the time to give it a test drive could save you a bundle.

The final version of OpenOffice.org 3.0 is available at the main OpenOffice.org site. The are versions for Windows, Macintosh, Linux and Unix users. You can read the release notes for details about what’s new.

This is a particularly interesting release for Macintosh users. In the past, running OpenOffice.org on the Mac required use of a Unix shell called X11. This is the first version of the suite that runs natively on the Mac. (There has long been a separate native-Mac project called NeoOffice, based on the OpenOffice.org source code, but it tends to lag behind in features.)

If you are a cross-platform user who works in more than one operating system, you’ll appreciate that OpenOffice.org 3.0 has nearly identical interfaces in the Windows, Mac, Unix and Linux flavors. For example, here’s how the Windows version of Writer, the word processor, looks in Vista:

And here’s what it looks like in Leopard (OS X 10.5.5):

OpenOffice.org launches from a single “Welcome” screen in the Mac. The single-window model is available in Windows, too, but there are individual shortcuts for the word processor, spreadsheet, presentation manager, database and other tools as well. From this one window, you can start any kind of document, or launch an existing one.

Version 3.0 can open dozens of document types, including the newer OpenXML formats used by Office 2007 in Windows and Office 2008 on the Mac, such as .docx from Word. However, while OpenOffice.org 3.0 can read these formats, it can’t write to them. Instead, it can save to the previous Office formats, such as the older Word’s .doc. This makes it a great choice for opening Office 2007/2007 documents that may be sent to you, even if you don’t have Microsoft’s newer suite.

Past versions of OpenOffice.org have had some compatibility issues with complex Office documents, particularly the spreadsheet and presentation manager. I’ve only been playing with OpenOffice.org 3.0 for a couple of days at this writing, but so far I’ve not yet found any big issues with it not rendering Office documents properly.

However, Mac users should note that OpenOffice.org 3.0 won’t open or write documents generated by Apple’s iWork Suite. It’s one of the few common formats not supported here.

For the most part, version 3.0 is snappy and robust. It seems to be a little faster on the Windows platform than on the Mac, which may have to do with the fact that this is the first native-Mac release. Still, on the Mac, it launches faster than most of the Office 2008 applications.

The polish and new capabilities of OpenOffice.org 3.0 make this a winner. Even if you’re a die-hard user of a commercial suite, you owe it to yourself to give this new release a try. You literally have nothing to lose.

Update: OpenOffice.org’s Web site is overwhelmed by demand for the software. If your browser times out when you try to access the site, keep trying.