Tech Guru
This week at LWN: Toward a freer Android
Linux-based mobile phone platforms are really just specialized distributions. Like other distributions, phone platforms will live or die based on how well they meet the needs of their users. The Android platform has a high profile at the moment as the result of the entry of more handsets into the market, but also as a [...]
What Ballmer’s Salary Says About Microsoft’s Fortunes
An Associated Press story drifting around the Intertubes today suggests that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer’s personal earnings from the company fell around 6 percent in fiscal 2009. Even with that dip, the article estimated his total pay package at somewhere in the neighborhood of $1.28 million, so if nothing else Ballmer can cry himself to [...]
Microsoft May Be Poaching Apple Employees for Its Own Stores
Microsoft is keeping quiet on the rumors currently rocketing around the blogosphere that it’s recruiting Apple Store employees to stock its own retail outlets, due to open this autumn in a strip mall near you. “Microsoft does not comment on rumors or speculation,” came the expected response from Redmond, when I asked. The rumors apparently [...]
VoiceXML – Adding Voice To Your Web Pages
VoiceXML is a markup language that allows you to create voice-enabled web applications. For example, instead of filling out a form on a web page by clicking on each of the fields and typing in the text, with a voice-enabled web page you can simply speak into the microphone of your computer and have the [...]
The Zune HD vs. iPod Touch Review (Part 1)
After weeks of writing about it, I finally got my hands on a Zune HD yesterday, courtesy of Microsoft’s Open House on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. That event was designed to show off the products that Microsoft hopes will be sales hits during the holiday season. One of which, obviously, is the Zune HD, the [...]
What is spam?
Basic definition of spam and how to prevent it, recognize identity theft spams, and avoid phishing. More: continued here
Protect yourself from the Conficker computer worm
Learn about the Conficker worm, how it spreads, and how to remove it from your computer if you’re infected. More: continued here
Darl Mc Bride Terminated From SCO
Looks like Darl got the sack in the SCO bankruptcy reorganization. Perhaps the gravy train has finally run out of fuel? More: continued here
Microsoft Using ‘Family Guy’ for Windows 7 Campaign
It looks like Microsoft hopes that “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane will do what Jerry Seinfeld couldn’t: sell an operating system. As part of the gargantuan rollout for Windows 7, Microsoft enlisted MacFarlane–who also created “American Dad” and “The Cleveland Show”–and Fox to create a commercial-free show, “Family Guy Presents: Seth & Alex’s Almost Live [...]
Tutorial: Fix the error “Volume Control Program has not been installed†from Media Blab.com.
This blog entry was gleaned fromJake Ludington’s MediaBlab, aFeatured Community Web site on September 22, 2006 . This error message generally means the application that controls volume in Windows, sndvol32.exe, is corrupt rather than uninstalled. There isn't a clear reason why this happens, although there have been cases where third party drivers from soundcard [...]
10 Years of Ximian
Today is the ten year anniversary of the incorporation of Ximian, Inc. A company founded by Nat Friedman and myself whose goal was to advance the state of the Linux desktop. It was also an excuse for Nat and myself to hang out as we had become best friends forever in the previous two years. [...]
Microsoft security updates for May 2009
Learn about and download the latest computer security updates for May 2009. Read tips on protecting your computer by using anti-spyware and anti-spam programs. More: continued here