Darren Straight’s Blog

This week marks the fifth anniversary of the beloved Windows XP operating system. And Travis Hudson from Gizmodo thinks in honor of this birthday, we should spread the love towards the often-hated Windows XP operating system.With Windows Vista on the horizon, it is important to look back at the life of Windows XP and commemorate it with a list of why we love that old workhorse of an operating system.

The Right Mouse Button
Sure, the competitor has been supporting the right mouse button for quite some time now, but they still neglect to include it in their packaged mice or touchpads on the laptops. XP has always supported the beloved right mouse button and always will. How else can you quickly steal images from the internet without the right mouse button?

Jump for the rest of the <3.
Application Support
Don’t get me wrong, the competitors have some cool software suites, but if there is a program out there, then there is a good chance it was made for XP, or has a version available for XP.

Gaming
Hands down, XP is a gaming machine. Gaming companies always make an XP version, and very few port their game over to the competitor’s operating system. Where would we be as a society without Solitaire, Freecell and Minesweeper. And don’t forget Pinball.

Customizability
Sure prepackaged computers with Windows XP are great (and cheap, see next bullet-point). But what if you want to build your own? Windows makes it easy as hell. Feel like upgrading components? Still easy. Half the time XP already has the drivers. Boy, this new video card sure is swell! And don’t even get me started on the awesome case mods that always accompany XP-powered machines.

Machine Competition
There are hundreds of companies out there manufacturing machines to run XP. This drives the prices of machines down. Want a complete desktop unit for $300? It’s possible with XP.

Speed
The competition may think they are cool with the animated enlarging icons, but that shit eats the ram, hardcore. XP uses less ram and runs a lot faster.

New Technology
What’s that? Core 2 Duo? 64-bit processing? SLI graphics? Oh, XP has been doing that for ages now.

Media Center
XP saw the addition of Windows Media Center edition. And hell, they have been doing it for years. The addition of MCE to the XP operating system saw the first steps of home entertainment and PC integration. What’s that? iTV in a year? Oh, neat, if you like old ideas.

Versions
Five years later, it is still Windows XP. Sure, they have had some service packs, but that is a hell of a lot better than buying a new update every year named after a silly animal.

Piracy
Raise your hand if you have ever used a version of XP that wasn’t exactly purchased. Windows Genuine Advantage has since hindered that possibility, somewhat, but still. XP helped kick start a generation of kids that do not pay for software with the help of P2P programs like BitTorrent, as of late. Free is always good.

Microsoft(R) Firefox 2007 Professional
The new award-winning browser from Microsoft is now faster, securer and quicker anything else on the market. Why use anything else?

• Enjoy a Better Web Experience
  MS Firefox 2007 delivers a dramatic boost in the download speeds of online pornography. By utilising a proprietary dynamic algorithm - anything that remotely resembles a tit or a boob will download up to 10 times faster. Fun at the speed of light!
• Stay Secure on the Web
  Firefox 2007’s new TakeOver(TM) technology protects the Windows Kernel by automatically recognizing all McAfee and Symantec programs as viruses. Downloading has never been safer.
• Interactive Multimedia
  Microsoft’s AKobe Phlash(TM) Plugin delivers awesome online interactive content; anything from music, videos to games. (Lawsuit from Adobe pending)
• Personalize Your Browser
  Choose from three excellent browsing styles! Minimized, Maximized and Fullscreen!

Download MS Firefox 2007 Today!

Amnesty International has issued a ‘Call to Bloggers’, asking them to get online and stand up for freedom of expression on the internet. The organisation says this is a critical time when fundamental rights – particularly freedom of expression and privacy – are under threat from governments that want to control what their citizens say, and what information they can access.

The call comes as the online world prepares to meet at the Internet Governance Forum (IGF, Athens 30/10 – 2/11) to discuss the future of the internet. Amnesty released a statement to the IGF today and is sending a delegation to ensure that human rights are not sidelined and remain at the heart of the forum’s discussions.

Amnesty’s International’s statement also coincides with an urgent appeal on behalf of a blogger in Iran who was detained this month. Kianoosh Sanjari was arrested earlier this month while reporting on clashes between security forces and supporters of Shi’a cleric Ayatollah Boroujerdi. He is being held incommunicado and Amnesty International fears that he may be at risk of torture or ill-treatment. Sanjari had allegedly gone to the home of Ayatollah Boroujerdi in the capital, Tehran, to prepare a report on the clashes that were taking place there.

Steve Ballinger, part of Amnesty International’s delegation to the IGF, said:

“Freedom of expression online is a right, not a privilege – but it’s a right that needs defending. We’re asking bloggers worldwide to show their solidarity with web users in countries where they can face jail just for criticising the government.

“The Internet Governance Forum needs to know that the online community is bothered about free expression online and willing to stand up for it.”

Amnesty International is calling on governments and companies to ensure that human rights – particularly the rights to freedom of expression, association and the right to privacy – are respected and protected.

Steve Ballinger added:

“The internet is a powerful force for human rights, enabling the free flow of ideas and information around the world.

“But some governments have sought to curtail this freedom. People have been locked up just for expressing their views in an email or a website. Sites and blogs have been shut down and firewalls built to prevent access to information. Companies have restricted internet searches to stop people accessing information that repressive governments don’t want them to see.

“Countries and businesses have failed to respect, protect and promote the rights to freedom of expression, association and privacy, and the rights of human rights defenders.”

Via: BBC News Player

With a March 2007 spaceflight in hand, American space tourist-in-training Charles Simonyi celebrated with a launch of his own Thursday as he debuted a personal website where he’ll document his trek to the International Space Station (ISS).

Simonyi [image], 58, is now set to launch towards the ISS on March 9, 2007 aboard a Russian-built Soyuz TMA-10 spacecraft that will also ferry two Expedition 15 cosmonauts to the orbital laboratory. He plans to lay down his training and flight experiences on the Internet at his website: www.charlesinspace.com.

“I want to share all that I learn with everybody, especially with kids so that they may become more involved with space sciences,” said Simonyi, a former Microsoft software developer and co-founder of Intentional Software Corp., during a Thursday press conference at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington. “I am very honored and excited to be joining the Soyuz TMA-10 mission.”

Via: Yahoo News

Hey Music Lovers, just thought id let you all know that the Finalists for the Windows Live Sessions Artists competition have now been picked, and are as follows:

POP / URBAN / RNB / DANCE / OTHER
Marie Claire Lee
Albany Down
TBC

ROCK / METAL
Day of Rising
Johnny Panic
Acacia Scripts

INDIE / ALTERNATIVE / ACOUSTIC
Native State
Dry Riser
3rd Day Syndrome

The finalists show will take place on the 2nd of November (7:30pm) at the Barfly London. The evening show will feature indie band Boy Kill Boy, tickets are onsale at http://www.barflyclub.com/, or visit http://www.messengerxclusives.com/ for your chance to win tickets!

And hey I wouldn’t mind going if someone wants to come, its more fun with someone, tickets are £9!

Wow it’s only been around 40 Minutes since wordpress 2.0.5 -Ronan has been out and I’ve already upgraded my blog to it, I’m pretty fast hey! ;)

But what’s new? Well there have been about 50 or so bugfixes, which you can review on the dev tracker here, mostly minor bug fixes around feeds, custom fields, and internationalization. So if you like the sound of what Wordpress 2.0.5 - Ronan has to offer, why not go ahead and download it!

REDMOND, Wash. — October 26, 2006 — Microsoft Corp. today announced first quarter revenue of $10.81 billion for the period ended September 30, 2006, an 11% increase over the same quarter of the prior year. Operating income for the quarter was $4.47 billion, an 11% increase compared with $4.05 billion in the prior year period. Net income and diluted earnings per share for the first quarter were $3.48 billion and $0.35 per share. For the same quarter of the previous year, net income and diluted earnings per share were $3.14 billion and $0.29, including a $0.02 per share charge for certain legal charges.Business Outlook

Microsoft management offers the following guidance for the fiscal second quarter ending December 31, 2006:

• Revenue is expected to be in the range of $11.8 billion to $12.4 billion, which reflects approximately $1.5 billion of revenue deferrals that will be captured in the fiscal third quarter as noted below.
• Operating income is expected to be in the range of $2.9 billion to $3.1 billion, which reflects approximately $1.5 billion of deferrals noted below.
• Diluted earnings per share are expected to be $0.22 to $0.24, which includes an $0.11 per share impact for deferrals noted below.

Note: The guidance above includes the impact of an approximately $1.5 billion of revenue deferral from the second to the third quarter, primarily related to the technology guarantee programs announced on October 24, 2006 for Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system.

Management offers the following guidance for the full fiscal year ending June 30, 2007:

• Revenue is expected to be in the range of $50.0 billion to $50.9 billion.
• Operating income is expected to be in the range of $19.1 billion to $19.5 billion.
• Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $1.43 to $1.46.

No Windows Live Barcode isn’t a joke. Read below for more info!

What is Windows Live Barcode
Windows Live Barcode is a set of services that transfer information between various media (PCs, billboards, magazines etc.) and handsets via Quick Response Code (QR Code), a two-dimensional barcode. It provides a new method for people to exchange information and enjoy various online services on handsets. Windows Live Barcode aims to enhance handset utility and provide you with more convenience and flexibility.

What is QR Code
The QR Code is a two-dimensional barcode. It contains a considerably greater volume of information in both vertical and horizontal directions than typical barcode in one dimension.

Hey peeps, I’ve managed to acquire an Early 1980s Vintage Microsoft Executive Phone which used to be owned by a guy named Wes Rupel or Wesley Rupel, who was one of 10 people that designed Microsoft Windows.

Wes has over 20 years of experience in technology covering software, internet infrastructure and wireless. He has demonstrated success in growing and shaping start-up enterprises.  

Wes left his chosen field of physics in 1985 to team up with 6 others at Dynamical Systems Research (Berkeley, California) and build a multitasking windowing operating system. In 1986 Microsoft and DSR merged and Wes then became one of about ten developers who architected, designed and helped build Microsoft Windows, in the late 1980’s. He holds a number of patents from that era for developing innovative algorithms to optimize performance. 

In 1999 Wes joined another startup, becoming the Development Manager of AskMe Corp., a Seattle based knowledge sharing portal.  The company grew from 10 to over 100 under his tenure. In October 2002 he left to start Allegro in Italy with AskMe colleague Savino Griesi.

Here’s a photo I’ve took of the phone, notice the old Microsoft Blibbet Logo!

Date: 13th December 2006
Location: Warwick Conference Centre
Cost: Free

BOOK HERE

XNA Games Development week, in conjunction with Microsoft, Rare and the Higher Education Academy – a series of events and workshops designed to help you understand and use XNA Game Studio Express in your student engagement.

Programme:
We’re delighted to announce that Chris Satchell – General Manager of the Microsoft Games Developer Group, and Peter Molyneux , Director of Lionhead Studios, will be giving us an overview of XNA Game Studio Express and looking at how we can inspire a new generation of games designers and developers. Finally Nick Burton from Rare will be giving us a deep-dive into the graphics platform realised by XNA Game Studio Express.

In addition, we’ll have technical speakers and guests from Microsoft, Rare, and also a number of UK Universities, who will be lifting the covers on XNA Game Studio Express, and showing you how to get to grips with this new technology.

There’ll be plenty of opportunity for discussion throughout the day, and we’ll close with a Q & A session with a panel comprising experts from both industry and academia.

You’ll leave with everything you need to start exploring XNA.

This event is open to Academics, and also to Research and Undergraduate Students alike. Spaces are limited, and will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.

Contact Email: mailto:ukmsacad@microsoft.com