Blog Profile / Ed Bott's Microsoft Report
| URL : | http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/ | |
|---|---|---|
| Filed Under: | Technology Industry News / Microsoft | |
| Posts on Regator: | 505 | |
| Posts / Week: | 2.9 | |
| Archived Since: | February 3, 2010 | |
Blog Post Archive
Free Windows 8 upgrades? Not so fast (or easy)...
You might have heard reports that Microsoft has accidentally been giving away free licenses to Windows 8 Pro. Sorry, but that's not true. It's just another move in the long cat-and-mouse game between Microsoft and the pirates.
How PC makers destroy the Windows experience
Building a PC should be easy. Design great hardware, add an operating system and any specialized tools that your hardware needs, and delight the user. So why do some PC makers insist on screwing things up?
How Steven Sinofsky changed Microsoft, for better and for worse
When Steven Sinofsky moved to the Windows division in 2006, it was fundamentally broken. He leaves behind an engineering process that runs smoothly. But he also leaves a legacy of cutthroat politics and feuding between divisions.
How outraged should you be about ads in Windows 8 apps? Not at all
Repeat after me: There are no ads in Windows 8. Yes, you can find ads if you look closely at a group of consumer apps from a separate Microsoft division. But you'll be surprised to learn the real reason why those apps are in every copy of Windows 8.
What do normal people think of new Windows 8 PCs?
Real people, the kind who don't read tech blogs and who buy PCs from shopping channels on basic cable, have finally got their hands on Windows 8. The early reviews will almost certainly surprise you.
How much do you have to pay to use Office 2013 RT for work?
Yes, you can legally use Office 2013 to do real work on a Windows RT device like Microsoft's Surface. But be prepared to pay extra. I've got details, including the monthly price tag.
The ultimate Windows 8 upgrade FAQ
You've got questions about the Windows 8 upgrade. Can you burn the upgrade files to DVD or a USB flash drive? Is it possible to go from a 32-bit Windows PC to 64-bit? Who qualifies for cheap upgrades? I've got the answers you're looking for.
How do you get the best deal on a Windows 8 Pro upgrade?
You can get a smoking deal on an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro if you're ready to make that purchase before January 31, 2013. But there are some gotchas, and one inexplicable and unfair pricing decision means that early buyers of Windows 8 PCs pay more than Windows 7 users.
Bing doesn't like Google all that much, either
Google's search suggestions for Windows 8 are like a treasure map for haters. But guess what Bing users see when they begin typing Google-related searches?
Microsoft's Sinofsky responds to complaint over Office 2013 on Surface RT
An emotional complaint from an early buyer of the Surface RT went viral, inspiring a long discussion of the issue on the popular Hacker News discussion board. That thread inspired a response from a very authoritative source.
Hands on with Microsoft's Surface RT: Can it hit the sweet spot?
I've spent the last week using Microsoft's new Surface with Windows RT. It does some things remarkably well, but it's not a PC. Is it right for you?
Windows 8 is the new XP
This new version of Windows is a disaster. Power users can't wait to replace the UI, and businesses are avoiding it like the plague. I'm talking, of course, about Windows XP. Ah, how quickly we forget.
Online clues suggest a Skype surprise for Windows 8 and Surface
In all of this week's news about Microsoft's Surface with Windows RT, one app has gone practically unmentioned. Will a "modern UI" version of Skype play a starring role at next week's Windows 8 launch event?
An inside look at Microsoft's Surface RT
A behind-the-scenes look at the labs where Microsoft designed its first-ever Windows PC, plus an inside look at the device itself.
Microsoft finally takes the wraps off its Surface hardware
Until now, Microsoft's ARM-powered Surface device has been a nearly mythical creature. With less than two weeks till its on-sale date, the company has finally offered details and given reporters hands-on time with the hardware. Here's what you need to know.
What are the cheapest and easiest upgrade paths to Windows 8?
Microsoft has finally spilled most pricing details for Windows 8. But buying and upgrading is still confusing. Use this guide to find the cheapest, best way to upgrade. Oh, and be sure to read this if you plan to stick with Windows 7. You can avoid a big gotcha if you know your rights.
Prices and packaging for Windows 8 go public
Online retailer Newegg began taking preorders for Windows 8 today. Their product lineup includes pricing and packaging details that Microsoft has not previously announced.
Microsoft takes on Google directly in German patent lawsuit
Microsoft has finally taken its battle against Android directly to the source. In a German courtroom today, Microsoft's lawyers announced they were adding Google as a defendant in a patent-infringement lawsuit against Google subsidiary Motorola Mobility.
The Do Not Track standard has crossed into crazy territory
The advertising industry wants to change the definition of Do Not Track into something Orwell would be proud of. One influential member of the W3C working group says he's lost the energy to go on. Is it time to kill Do Not Track?
Adobe and Microsoft release Flash security updates in sync
Adobe today announced the release of a major security update for its Flash Player and Air software. Microsoft delivered its version of that patch roughly an hour later, significantly improving on its embarrassingly late performance last month.