Archive for the 'Microsoft' Category

Do You Know What The File Extensions Mean?

Published on October 1, 2008 in internet, Linux, Mac, Microsoft, tech blog, technology, tools and web sites. 2 Comments

Did you know that at one point, Microsoft restricted the file extension to just three characters? What that means is, files like .torrent stood no chance of running on a MS OS like Windows. This has changed since, and thanks to sites like www.file-extension.com, we can now track the progress and purpose of even the lesser know file extensions.

A precise outline of the nature and function of file extensions is not as simple as one would image, with over 40 years of developments and competing influences of Mac, Windows/Dos, and Unix-like operating systems, file systems and metadata formats are now harder to recognize and in some instances trust.

Three of the most popular type of files downloaded frequently online are probably the file extension MP3, GZ files and Zip. My personal favorite is the versatile MP3s, which are commonly used to encode audio with an intentionally simple algorithm specifically designed to maximize compression whilst still reproducing an audio track that sounds faithful to the original. Not only are these files versatile, they can be played with most all audio players.

Back to the File Extension site, I found that neither UNIX nor Mac operating systems used file extensions when they started rolling out. Instead each had their own file systems, with different conventions for storing metadata, which thankfully has changed over time. If you think you have see it all, check the site and you will realize that there are thousands of extensions you have used and many we will never. And when you do run into questions, you can count on file-extension.com to help you out.

Apple – Mac OS X Leopard Shows its Spots

Published on October 30, 2007 in AAPL, Apple, Leopard, Mac, mac os x, MacOsX, Microsoft, Vista, Windows Vista, wireless and wwdc 2007. 1 Comment

Apple Mac OS X Leopard

Apple (AAPL) announced that it had sold or delivered more than 2 million copies of OS X 10.5 in its first weekend, as compared to OS X Tiger which took nearly six weeks for the same. There is a lot of speculation that the launch of Leopard would be the most successful of all Apple OS releases.

Mac users are already rushing to Apple Inc.’s support forums to report degrading in their wireless connections. As of today, the company has not posted any support document addressing this problem or provided a fix.

There is no comparable data on records, but Microsoft is said to be licensed 20 million copies in its first month, 88 million copies of Vista in nine months. There is no doubting that the user base for Apple Computers is growing, but would it surpass the sales of Microsoft’s Vista? I doubt so.

“Claim Your Content”: Google’s New Filter for YouTube

Published on April 16, 2007 in Blogosphere, claim your content, copyrights, doubleclick, eric schmidt, ethics, fair competition, filter, Google, Google Inc., media, Microsoft, online videos, Web 2, Web 2.0, Web technology and YouTube. 0 Comments

copyrightsGoogle CEO, Eric Schmidt assures a new system called “Claim Your Content” which will automatically identify copyright material in an attempt to decrease the “massive intentional copyright infringement” allegations on the video-sharing site YouTube.

Microsoft recently asserted that Google’s pending acquisition of DoubleClick may be a threat to fair competition and Schmidt did not lose any opportunity to ridicule Microsoft and alleged that Microsoft made arguments only because it’s a competitor.

Are the ethical arguments by Microsoft made against Google justified or merely a fear of competition? Big or small, competition can be brutal.

The Simpsons on MySpace or The Simpsons on YouTube

Published on March 8, 2007 in 24, acquisitions, American Idol, Blogosphere, business planning, copyrights, digital media, Fox TV, media, Microsoft, MySpace, news, Prison Break, technology, The Simpsons, viral video, Web 2.0, Web technology, web traffic and YouTube. 1 Comment

simpsonsCurrently, News Corp. owned Fox shows, such as 24 and Prison Break, are available on the News Corp. owned social networking portal, MySpace. There is speculation that the media giant is planning collaboration with multiple media companies to establish an online video platform to compete with YouTube.

MySpace is the no.1 social networking site in the U.K. and Australia and successfully tapped many other international markets. News Corp. may soon allow members to embed Fox TV shows and Fox videos, on their home pages in order to monetize by rapid increase in online video distribution.

New’s Corp has a wider range and richer content as compared to other large traffic internet sites like Google and Yahoo. MySpace is growing faster than comparable sites like Google, YouTube, Yahoo, Time Warner, Microsoft and Ebay. Its unique monthly audience of 61.5 million was up 73% from January, 2006, according to comScore.

Although Fox TV served YouTube with a subpoena earlier in January demanding the Google-owned viral video site disclose the identity of a user who uploaded copies of entire recent episodes of primetime series 24 and The Simpsons, I doubt if much will change because a huge chunk of YouTube’s popularity is based on copyrighted videos viewers get to watch for free.

The choice is yours for now, would you watch News Corp. owned Fox TV shows like The Simpsons, Family Guy, American Idol, etc. on News Corp. owned MySpace, or would you watch the same on YouTube?

Windows Vista: Turn off the “Wow”?

Published on March 2, 2007 in 2007, Blogosphere, Microsoft, Operating system, Personal technology, tech blog, technology, Vista and Windows Vista. 3 Comments

vista Microsoft has listed a 100 “wows”? for its latest OS, Windows Vista.

Sadly, majority of the votes on the net are against Vista. XP works

just fine for everyone at the moment, for several reasons and most people would like to first try Vista on their secondary computers or elsewhere, before upgrading to it.

Understandable. Upgrading to Vista doesn’t just mean spending up to $400 on software, but also cash on RAM and video card upgrades, or buying a new PC. In order to get the peripherals compatible with the new Vista install, or even to get the software compatible with Vista, a service pack has already been recommended. So what really appeals about Vista?

Does it have a touch screen? Or is photo tagging and 3-D window flipping winning some consumers or the “coupons”? that came along for the upgrade? No matter how much you criticize Big Bill for this latest Microsoft Operating System, the interface is attractive, some do like the glass effects and of course it comes with an improved security. Although a learning curve is involved, it would be worth a try as the bugs are removed and as the prices go down, maybe in a while, it could turn on the “Wow”?!!!
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