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Archive for the ‘geek talk’ Category

Firefox 4 (pre) Review

Saturday, August 1st, 2009

Firefox may be headed for a couple of significant design changes as the latest mockups from the organization reveal that they are contemplating a Chrome-esque interface. Two mockups were displayed, one with the traditional tabs under the address bar and another with the tabs above the address bar. Although I’ve never contemplated the pros and cons of the design decision, the Mozilla Foundation believes the following to be the case for the tabs above the address bar:

Positives:
- Save Vertical Space
- Efficiency/Remove Visual Complexity – Right now the tabs have to be connected to something. So we are adding an extra visual element for them to connect to.
- Shorter Mouse Distance to Page Controls

Negatives:
- Breaks Consistency/Familiarity – Moving things confuses existing users.
- Title is MIA – With the space removed from the titlebar you only get the truncated version in the tab.
- Longer Mouse Distance to Tabs – Takes longer to mouse to a tab.
- Lost Space – Sandwiched in between the application icon and the window widgets you lose some space.

Obviously the best compromise would be for Firefox to offer the ability to switch between the two designs. However, I also suspect that moving forward the browser “industry” as a whole will have to decide on which design they prefer.
Another interesting possibility that the folks at Mozilla might be implementing is the combo Stop/Refresh/Go button. When an address is being typed in the field, the button will represent a standard Go button. When the page is loading the button will change into stop mode. Finally, once the page is loaded, the button will change to refresh. It’s an interesting concept as it definitely could be more intuitive for many users.

All in all, I think that Firefox 4.0 is shaping up to be one heck of an amazing browser and it’s good to see that Mozilla is still trying to be innovative. Their browser is already one of the best (and many would argue it’s actually the best) and from the these mockups it’s pretty easy to see that, despite its heavy competition, Firefox may still be the king of browsers for years to come.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Microsoft To Give Apple a run for the COOL money

Friday, July 31st, 2009

A little while ago, I wrote about Microsoft’s new store idea and how it can and should compete with the widely successful Apple retail stores. Two days ago the good people at Gizmodo received some leaked slides from a PowerPoint presentation that show how the new stores will look. Suffice it to say, I think Microsoft will be giving Apple a run for their “cool” money.


First of all, each store will have wall-sized TV displays that will wrap around the entire store! Included in the leaked slides are some of the messages that will be displayed. One of these messages says “Windows 7 training starting in 5 minutes” while another is an advertisement for Bing. Essentially these messages will scroll along the walls around the room. I don’t know about you, but I think this is one heck of a cool idea!


Functionally, the new retail concept will have a clone of the popular Genius bar, dubbed the “Answers bar”. This will be a place where people can chat with experienced Microsoft employees about various problems. In addition to the Answers Bar, the general layout of the store will mimic that of Apple. A few tables with computers and various gadgets will be in the middle of the floor. Software, the Answers Bar, and other stuff will be on the sides. Given that the functionality mirrors the Apple Store, I take this as strong evidence that Microsoft is serious about rebranding themselves as a good, trendy option.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of the Microsoft Store is that its primary focus will be on Windows 7, Xbox, Media Center, Surface and Windows Mobile. Many people will be quick to see that Office isn’t included there and developers can see that there’s nothing about Visual Studio. It seems like these stores really will be oriented strictly at the consumer, leaving all potential business/school aspects out of the equation. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it’s pretty hard to argue that Microsoft will be losing market share in Office any time soon, however, I definitely think it’s odd that it’s not mentioned anywhere in the store.

All in all, Microsoft seems to be headed in the right direction with this idea. The store layout looks absolutely amazing and I’m really looking forward to seeing the first location. Sadly, as far as I can tell, the location of the first store isn’t mentioned in the presentation. I’m thinking either San Francisco or New York would be good places to start. Anyone else have any guesses?

Popularity: 6% [?]

Swine Flu / H1N1 / Tamiflu – a Review

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

This is weird.  I shouldn’t write this but I cannot resist.

I probably have Swine Flu.  I have sent swabs off to be tested at the laboratory but considering my GP only got the swabs to me after I had been taking Tamiflu for a day and a half I figure the results will be worthless.

Swine Flu was looking like a breeze until yesterday, when I guess the symptoms kicked in hard and I spent most of the day in bed, shivering a nursing a big headache.  On top of this the Tamiflu has been making me sick, so inbetween shivering I have been hugging the toilet bowl, nice.

I feel I am over the wrost now, but I still have a headache and my tummy feels unsafe.  I guess I got off lightly.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Office 2010 to Begin Cloud Initiative?

Monday, July 20th, 2009

As we reported earlier on FlipCurve, cloud computing is definitely the next big thing in the computer industry. Marketed as being easy to use and convenient, the real motivation to usher in the centralization of software, we believe, is to drastically reduce piracy. Google Docs has been one example of a web-based service that permits users to view and edit documents on the go. However, Microsoft’s latest version of Office 2010 will include a lightweight web-based version that likely won’t replace the desktop one, but should serve as a test-bed for the response for cloud computing. For consumers, Microsoft is planning to serve the applications through Live (err… is that Bing now?) using an ad-supported format, much like their other sites. Corporate customers will be able to host their own web versions using Exchange.

Even with all the clout that Google has, it still doesn’t have the same level of influence that Microsoft has with its Office suite. Considering the extensive user base it already has, I think most people would agree that if any application will be able to ignite the movement towards cloud document management/editing, it will be Microsoft Office. It should be noted that all preliminary previews are indicating that Office 2010 is a strong improvement over its “love it or hate it” predecessor. If Microsoft can come up with a strong web release of Office, we may start seeing those ad-based or subscription-based services that were mentioned on this blog.

It’s hard to argue that Microsoft’s release of a web based Office will not be a pivotal moment in the cloud computing movement. This will be the first time that a really large application has taken baby steps towards becoming a cloud app, so it will be interesting to see not only how the public responds, but also what kind of advertising revenues it can generate. I mean, honestly, how many people will click on an ad while typing a Word document? I can’t see it being too long before a subscription model is proposed, provided that there is enough public demand for Office 2010 on the web.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Microsoft Retail Stores Coming Soon

Sunday, July 19th, 2009

It’s been rumored for a while that Microsoft will be opening up retail stores in order to compete with Apple’s very successful retail operation. Now, a Microsoft spokeswoman has confirmed that the stores are on track to open this fall, although more specific details were unavailable. The folks at the massive software corporation are claiming that this will not really be about the retail experience to sell products to customers. Rather, they contend, it will be about branding and giving people a chance to try, test, and see the full range of products that both Microsoft and the PC world offer.

Spy shots: Microsoft retail store plans revealed First pictures of its flagship store model. (via @techradar)

Spy shots: Microsoft retail store plans revealed First pictures of its flagship store model. (via @techradar)

This is a very interesting strategy by the software giant as they really seem to be trying to go head-to-head with Apple on many fronts. First there were the “I’m a PC” ads which made a blatant ploy at using the money factor to encourage those hit by the recession to consider a PC. Now, Microsoft appears to be targeting consumers more directly. It’s becoming clearer with each passing day that Microsoft is scared that their current branding is going to lead them into a whole lot of trouble. As such, they are trying to re-brand themselves from the current corporate Office image and “you just get Windows because you need it” stigmas to a more consumer-oriented, chic store.

Unfortunately for Microsoft, I don’t see this working because, strangely enough, they appear to be marketing themselves as the wise second choice. Can’t afford an Apple (or direct from the company, are you not “cool enough” to own an Apple)? Choose a PC. Didn’t find anything you liked at the Apple Store? Come inside ours. In other words, implicit in all their campaigns is the assumption that you’ll check out an Apple first and when you can’t find what you’re looking for, then you’ll look at Microsoft. The problem is that the “cheap alternative” can only work for so long. Eventually, the top brass will have to position Windows, Office, etc. as products that you look at first and never feel compelled to look elsewhere.

Indeed, it could be argued that one of the reasons why Apple’s ads are so effective is that they take a concept and show the general public why Apple is better than Microsoft with regards to this specific item. If you don’t like having to download drivers, Apple contends, choose a Mac. If you don’t like having a BSOD (which in all fairness to Microsoft, this has been basically eliminated since XP), choose a Mac. If the executives at Microsoft are smart, they will use the stores to showcase why PCs are better than Macs for the same, or less, money. Despite what many Mac fanboys say, there are quite a few advantages that the PC has over a Mac. For example, maybe having a large display of the plethora of software that you can get for the PC, in comparison to the relatively tiny amount for the Mac, would demonstrate why one should choose Windows. Or along those lines, the stores could have various cool Alienware PCs on display, showing how much of a better gaming platform Windows is (considering that you can get better graphics cards in a PC laptop for the same money as a Mac laptop), and how much you’ll sacrifice if you’re a gamer and move to the Mac. It may be a subtle difference, but each one of these demonstrates why a Windows/PC combination is actually better than a Mac, as opposed to simply saying, “you can’t afford a Mac so here’s a PC”.

All in all, it will be interesting to see how the retail stores play out as a “branding” initiative for Microsoft. Details are still sparse at this time. I mean, we currently don’t even know if the company is planning to sell their software at the stores. We don’t know if this is just a showroom or a real retail outlet. But I think the people at Microsoft are a lot smarter than most give them credit for. They know that with the pressure from Apple, Linux, and now even Chrome OS, the next few years represent a pivotal time for their business. They can either retain their undisputed dominance in the software market, or they can fall by the wayside and be relegated to simply an average company. I hope that they make the right decisions and realize that their best bet is to showcase the strengths of their own products through these retail outlets, rather than just providing these as a means of comparison.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Twitter frolics and #habitatintern promises

Sunday, July 12th, 2009

So I have been goofing off on Twitter and possibly “writing cheques my body can’t cash”.  @darenbbc has been talking about an incident regarding an intern (working for the furniture retailer Habitiat, click here for more info) who tried to over hype his/her employer’s tweets by doing some #hashtag spamming.  TO be honest on the level that we work at http://www.flipcurve.com that is fair game.  We have so few readers if we offended someone by using #iranelection inappropriately I would be quite happy with the publicity it would generate.  I understand that as a large company with a real profile to protect that isn’t the case and the intern clearly acted outside of the company’s communications policy (I type that, laughing, safe in the knowledge that Twitter as a whole will be outside the comms policy of all but the most enlightened PLCs).

I have promised said intern a chance to admin the Twitter account for http://www.flipcurve.com if they come forward.  I really hope they do, and I hope to be able to share what I know about marketing using social media with them (I could fit all of that into one tweet if I am honest).  I also want to keep a little of the Internet’s wild west spirit alive in doing do.  I really hate the way everything has been commercialised beyond enjoyment on the majority of websites, that’s why I stopped using Myspace and never got into Bebo.  Facebook is much the same but I like the interaction with people I know I have there.  Twitter is still mostly a free-space, but it wont stay that way forever.

Which websites or online tools do you think keep the wild-west spirit of the internet alive?

Popularity: 7% [?]

What’s the Big Deal with Cloud Computing?

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

The web, including the team at FlipCurve, has been abuzz ever since the announcement of Google’s new operating system. Yet most recently, an article has appeared in BusinessWeek that has asked the more subtle question to this massive announcement: “What is Google’s Goal?” The author of the BusinessWeek article, Stephen Wildstrom, suspects that Google’s goal is to have a light weight operating system that is used for content consumption. Games and other processor intensive applications, Mr. Wildstrom contends, will still have to remain on full computers.

Now, he’s probably right. The salable idea behind the use of a lightweight OS is that it provides for content on the go. No longer do you have to take a full laptop when you want to check your e-mail, nor do you have to check it on a small phone screen. Simply open up your netbook and you can view it anywhere, conveniently. However, as good as this sounds, I believe this is providing cover for the real reason why cloud computing is being pushed so heavily.

Piracy concerns have been steadily escalating over the past few years. Movies, games, apps, if you can name it, chances are you can pirate it. Most attempts at preventing piracy have failed. Take a look at DRM if you don’t want to believe me – almost no-one actually likes the thought of DRM and any attempts to make operating systems and hardware support it eventually fall flat on their face. What most people don’t realize is that cloud computing virtually eliminates piracy. And the software manufacturers would like for you to remain in that way of thinking.

Consider an example of probably the most pirated application – Microsoft Word. Now, let’s suppose that cloud computing swings into full effect. Word becomes a rich Web (3.0?) application that feels like the real Word. Better yet, you can access it from any browser, be it on a netbook, desktop, or desktop. You can edit your documents anywhere you have an internet connection. Sounds great doesn’t it? Now, let’s say that Microsoft sets a very reasonable price of $5 per month or $60 per year to use this service. They control access to it via a login for each person. How does one pirate Word now? If you try to login to another person’s account, I’m sure they’ll do a Battle.net type system whereby if two IPs are logged into the same account at the same time it’s banned. Download it off the server? Not possible, in the same way that dynamic PHP-based web sites can’t be downloaded now. The bottom line is that you can’t pirate it in any way because it won’t exist locally.

Games and other processor intensive applications, I suspect will start to be offloaded to custom machines. If cloud computing really takes off, then games for the PC will essentially die. Already we have XNA for the 360 which allows independent developers to make games for the Xbox. For other applications like movie editing, what we might start to see is a blend of cloud computing and local computing. Maybe the actual processor intensive parts (the encoder for example) will be stored locally, with a sort of key/lock mechanism. Only the cloud computing interface can invoke the encoder to do its job. That way all local components are worthless without the subscription cloud components.

Of course, this would also put the final nail in the coffin for physical distribution as everything would be “high in the sky”. There will be no more need for actual software stores (well, maybe except gaming places as I don’t see people being able to regularly download 9 GB game ISOs anytime soon). It’s unknown how cloud computing would work, but what I suspect is that there’ll be some sort of a repository system. You’ll add a repository on Chrome OS and then the applications will appear on your desktop. Some repositories will need a user name and password for subscription content, while others will simply just be the equivalent of freeware. Independent developers would then create their own repository if they were developing software, or they would have the 360, iPhone, PSP, etc. for games.

Cloud computing is significantly more revolutionary than I believe most people realize. A lot are just seeing the features of it and thinking, “wow that’s cool”, without understanding how it will dramatically change the face of computing as we know it today. You will no longer *own* anything. Most likely every software application will be sold as either a subscription or an ad-sponsored app. There will be no local files that you can modify if you wanted, nor will you be able to keep an old version if you like it better. If Microsoft releases a new version of Word to their cloud, you’ll probably have to use it. Of course, the benefits would be that you’d continuously have the latest and greatest, so long as you paid for the subscription. There are many other potential revenue sources of the subscription model, such as “micro-subscriptions”. If you needed to view an Access database, you could pay $1, for example, to use Access for 24 hours.

To conclude, obviously the rampant levels of piracy need to be stopped (there are people out there who have watched hundreds of movies without even paying for a single one of them). Yet, oddly enough, it’s these same people who are likely cheering on cloud computing which will completely remove the ability to have pirated content. Indeed, I truly believe that this concept is one of the most ingenious strategies of all time. Software corporations have finally found a way to finish piracy in a way that is amicable to everybody.

Business Week

Popularity: 6% [?]

Google annouced there OS just to beat Microsoft to their big news! (ms gazelle)

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

Well my learned reader, check this shizzle out:

“Microsoft has been developing “Gazelle” as an alternative to Internet Explorer. The browser acts like a self-contained operating system and is designed to address the fact that browsers like IE and Chrome have not been built by design to handle multiple processes and web applications in a secure manner. The implications from this is that older browsers have suffered performance and security issues”

This could really set the cat (aibo of course) amongst the pigeons!

Popularity: 3% [?]

Wordpress for iPhone

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

As any of you regular FlipCurve visitors will know by now I rarely write on anything geeky, and stick to the safety of reviewing films… Unless of course the geeky subject involves the iPhone, and this will be no different.

What better way to review the WordPress app for iPhone 3GS, and 3G on the iPhone itself. Straight away I’m impressed that it has been programed to integrate the landscape QWERTY keyboard, it’s almost as easy as using your PC/Mac. I can certainly see why it would be useful to a regularly travelling blogger, something to do on those long commutes to work every morning (*coughs, Guy get an iPhone).

The format is simple, much like an email, you add a subject title chose a category and simply type your message….. Easy peasy. From the off I can’t see anything that can be improved, and haven’t used it enough to spot faults, so 10/10 so far.

Over time I’m sure I’ll be able to give more feedback, but initial impressions are pretty unbeatable and yes, I really did type this on my iPhone! Nice!

Popularity: 2% [?]

Google Announces; Google Operating System

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

After years of this being the in the pipelines of the net’s rumor-mill, it’s going to be happening, and I for one am excited!  Flipcurve will be covering this as much as possible.

The software, called the GoogleChrome Operating System, is initially intended for use in the tiny, low-cost portable computers known as netbooks, which have been selling quickly even as demand for other PCs has plummeted. Google said it believed the software would also be able to power full-size PCs.

From NY TIMES

And if that hasn’t got you excited (okay, it isn’t much)

Google said the Chrome OS project is completely separate from its Android open source operating system for smartphones. However, “While there are areas where Google Chrome OS and Android overlap, we believe choice will drive innovation for the benefit of everyone, including Google….

“They want their computers to always run as fast as when they first bought them. They want their data to be accessible to them wherever they are and not have to worry about losing their computer or forgetting to back up files. Even more importantly, they don’t want to spend hours configuring their computers to work with every new piece of hardware, or have to worry about constant software updates.”

From Redorbit

As an avid netbook user I am going to one of the first to install the Chrome Operating system onto my netbook.

Loving it.

Popularity: 3% [?]

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