June 19, 2013

Diversification Keeps Microsoft Strong

December 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Recently, Microsoft announced strong gains for its first quarter, having what some called an exceptional quarter. While sales for the company’s computers were up, the company is seeing a return on some of the products it has branched out into in recent years.

The report shows a record gain for the company. According to compilations bys Thomson Reuters, Microsoft delivered $5.41 billion in net income. That’s a 50 percent increase over the same quarter a year ago. While Wall Street analysts estimated shares at 55 cents, they actually earned 62 cents. Overall, the company’s revenue should grow 25 percent.

What’s behind Microsoft’s success? For starters, the company was success in tapping into the gaming industry with the Xbox gaming console and games. It’s also seeing success with its smartphones devices, which are really miniature laptops with the dual purpose of being a phone.

The increased sales will allow the company to diversify into other areas, such as Internet search and software for smartphones. Currently, Microsoft offers a fraction of the apps of its top competitors, which consumers definitely take into consider when shopping for a new phone.

In October, Microsoft released its latest software for its smartphone. The Windows Phone 7 is getting great reviews and shows the strides Microsoft will take to capture its fair share of the market. Microsoft also made a deal with Facebook to boost its search engine, Bing. When users like a certain product, company or organization on Facebook, Bing will include the recommendations in its search results.

Of course, Microsoft won’t stop there. It also made a deal with a subsidiary of Alibaba to host shopping searches for Taoboa.com on Bing. And its corporate sales are going strong. All in all, there’s only one sure bet about Microsoft: It’s going to keep fighting to maintain its place as a computing giant.

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Seeking Open Sources for Los Angeles Apartments

December 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Software is not the convenience it should be — this is a truth you know too well, having often experienced the failed applications, the programs that never offer what you need. Source codes always refuse you, trapped within their own limitations. They can’t be modified; they can’t be changed. Instead they simply do what their manufacturers declare, leaving you with frustrations. Your computer isn’t what it should be. Your time isn’t the comfort you crave.

Something must change — and Linux seems suddenly appealing. Linux systems can make your need to find Los Angeles apartments easier. With a Linux system, you can search the internet faster looking for Los Angeles  apartments

While all in the surrounding Los Angeles apartments may cling to their Microsoft products (and the subsequent worries), you understand that software is meant to serve you. Your desires are to be recognized; and so you look to Linux for its open sources.

Simply explained: an open source code is the unprotected language of a specific piece of software. This language can be accessed by the individual and can then be rewritten. A program’s purpose can be shifted as needed, allowing for complete freedom.

This revolutionary idea is one you now covet. You’re tired of applications that can’t meet your expectations. You’re lamenting every new software you must buy (simply because one can never satisfy). Linux offers the advantage you’ve been waiting for.

Through open sources you can accomplish:

One: Sustainability. Defining programs to your needs ensures that they will last. Each is tailored to you and offers constancy.

Two: Cost Efficiency. Dollars can be spared when you’re not having to seek out new software again and again. You can instead redesign what you already have.

Three: Creativity. Discover your own abilities as you manipulate codes. Your computer can become a tribute to clever programs — each created by you.

Linux is not the common choice. This does not, however, make it less of a convenience. It’s the discovery of freedom and the evolution of all applications.

It works.

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Linux EXT4 Improves Flash Media Speed

December 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Image by phauly via Flickr

If you’ve been paying attention to the Linux EXT4 filesystem, you probably have seen one of the many reports addressing its improved function. One report specifically highlighted the improve speed for the filesystem on flash media. If you aren’t sure why this is important, you need to consider the current situation with flash media.

Microsoft uses FAT32 for its flash media. It offers the typical compatibility users expect to find with any type of Microsoft product. Almost every operating system can understand—read/write—FAT32. While the compatibility and the 2 GB storage limit are nice, Microsoft has begun to pursue patent issues with developers using FAT32, leading many to avoid it all together.

Another option is NTFS; however, this runs into some trouble. For starters, NTFS doesn’t offer the compatibility of FAT32. Many devices don’t support it, which means it is hit and miss to use. Some believe this is intentional as Microsoft is keeping it locked up.

With these issues, it’s no wonder people want another option, and the Linux EXT4 filesystem may be just the thing. In its benchmark tests, the EXT4 showed faster speeds over both FAT32 and NTFS filesystems. This increase speed may make it the perfect option for smaller devices, and especially for flash media.

Those considering using the EXT4 filesystem may want to know that overall this product has stood the test of time. Many consider it a stable alternative to FAT32 and NTFS. The best operating system to use with the filesystem is Linux, which is obviously the most compatible, but the EXT4 will work with other operating systems, too.

Other benefits to using the EXT4 include reducing the amount of garbage in the system, including defragmented files and other junk. This also helps boost the speed. In comparison, the NTFS holds a reputation of file corruption. With all the added advantages, you may want to consider switching your filesystem.

Filed Under: Linux Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Travel-Sized Linux Operating Systems

November 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Damn Small Linux 1.0
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With new operating systems getting bigger and more complex, they can eat up half your hard drive before you even get the computer out of the box. Linux is more compact then most OS, but what if you wanted an even smaller Linux OS? One that is so small it can fit on a small USB pen drive? Look no further; here are two good ones — and they’re completely free.

NimbleX is one of the most compact and handy operating systems you’ll ever see. It’s so tiny it can be stashed on a jump drive, Mp3 player or even a mini CD. It doesn’t require an installation and can be expanded to do pretty much anything. It supports a high resolution and Bluetooth too. Many types of software are built in so that you have all the normal tools at your finger tips. CD burner, Internet tools like FTP and lots more. NimbleX was made to be tiny and versatile, which is exactly what it is. Software for download for NimbleX is available even if you get the smaller version of the OS.

DSL or “Damn Small Linux” is the best known compact operating system for Linux users. It’s 50MB in size and can be run inside other operating systems or on its own. DSL comes as a full OS, with applications that were chosen to be fast and tiny. The entire operating system can run in a computer with as little as 128MB of memory.

Most Windows and Mac operating systems come with loads of pre-installed software. Most of it is useful, but there are dozens of bells and whistles that just eat up your RAM and hard drive space. Starting with OS like Linux gives you a clean slate and only the most necessary tools. OS like NimbleX and DSL give you the very basics and leave lots of space to expand.

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Would Google’s Purchase of ITA Software Hurt Microsoft?

November 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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In recent weeks, Microsoft has been boasting strong revenue while promote its current strategies to regain a larger section of the market in everything from Internet browsers to smartphones. The company seems to be on the rebound from the years when it was a little slow in upgrading its systems, which left room for competitors to step in. Still, a new announcement from Google seems to have Microsoft on edge.

Google has already dipped its business into Microsoft’s waters by releasing it own browser Chrome. Not to mention the amount of traffic Google’s search pulls over Bing. Now, it appears Google wants a bigger chunk of the market because it announced it plans to purchase ITA Software in a $700 million transaction.

The announcement immediately brought the other software and web giants out to play, namely Microsoft, Kayak, and Expedia. Together, they hope to stop the transaction. The main opposing coalition actually doesn’t have Microsoft’s name on it, leading many to question whether the company is staying in the background while trying to maneuver things to its favor. FairSearch.org is going to bat to try to keep Google from completing its purchase.

While Microsoft has not put its name on the coalition, it is speaking out against the acquisition, specifically to the U.S. Department of Justice. The department is looking at the deal due to competitive concerns. Google already has the second highest Internet traffic on the web, second only to an ISP provider, so in all actuality, this acquisition could be another nail in Microsoft’s coffin.

But people would be remiss to think that this would put Microsoft out of the game. The company continues to diversify and is having success with its new lines and products. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt Microsoft if Google were unable to complete the transaction.

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Will Google’s Cloud Take Down Linux and Other Operating Systems?

November 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Google’s got its head in the cloud. You might think this means in the literal sense as Google moved up to take the second place for the most Internet traffic (second behind an ISP provider). But that’s not what it means. Google is making a move to enter the cloud computing game.

Cloud computing is an old form of computing with a new take on it. Think about applications like Yahoo mail or Google mail. You don’t have to download any software on your computer in order to access and use your email programs with these companies. Instead, they host everything you need and you simply log on to use the programs. Well, that’s cloud computing at its most basic form.

Now, expand that by several times. Consider tossing the hard drive out the window. Say goodbye to Linux, Microsoft, and Mac. Is this possible? Some think that Google may be able to convince consumers that it is. If everything you needed happened to be in one cloud, why couldn’t you ditch the hard drive? While you’re at it, you can store files, access applications, and manage all aspects of your life in the cloud. Just think how much faster your computer would be if it didn’t have to search through old files and clogged registries.

Google’s cloud computing system will piggyback off another successful Google tool, its Internet browser Chrome. The cloud operating system will operate under the name Chrome OS. According to Google, there’s no reason not to make a switch to the cloud. The current operating systems relied on hard drives because technology wasn’t at the point it is now.

Most computers won’t be able to take advantage of cloud computing at this point in time, but Google expects the next versions of computers to begin backing off on hard drive programs and downloaded software as more and more companies develop clouds.

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Will Having a Linux Operating System Protect Your Computer?

November 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Cyber crime is one of the fastest growing arenas for thieves, so much so, that it has surpassed traditional crime. The nature of the Internet is such that it allows thieves to operate from anywhere they can connect to the Internet and their malicious servers. When it comes to Internet crimes, information is the commodity. Thieves want usernames, passwords, bank accounts, credit card numbers, and any other personal information they can get.

With cyber crime being a real reality, people often do everything possible to try to protect their computers and their information. After all, it’s a common practice for malware and viruses to disintegrate your registry after digging out any personal information it can report back to the hackers. One thing to consider is whether the operating system you use may play a role in protecting your computer.

In some ways, the answer is yes. Hackers usually will try to gather as much information from each hit as possible. When you consider that Microsoft is on the majority of computers, it makes sense that hackers would target viruses to be able to interact with Windows. In fact, the level of attack often goes right along with popularity. Macs tend to have more attacks than Linux operating systems.

Just like anti-virus programs can help protect you from some of the junk used by hackers, a Linux-based computer can offer some benefit. But, it won’t eliminate all attacks. Many hackers take advantage of vulnerabilities in programs compatible with Linux as a way to hit more operating systems at once. Recent attacks that have target Linux systems include a vulnerability with Adobe and the Jawa Trojan.

The bottom line is that while a Linux operating system may reduce the risk of some cyber crimes, it won’t protect you from all attacks. However, it can help.

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Windows vs Linux: Customization

October 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment
A Windows for Workgroups 3.11 desktop, which u...
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Chances are you use Windows. It’s about as likely as flipping a coin twice at getting heads at least once. However, as with many Microsoft users, you’re not likely to be fanatically devoted to your OS. In fact, if you could be convinced that something better existed, you would probably make a switch. Linux may provide that solution. It’s not a system for everyone, but it does offer a lot of great features. In this series, we will compare and contrast various aspects of the Windows and Linux operating systems. Today, we will discuss customization.

Windows is known as the “customizable OS” by those who chose it over Macintosh. It simply allows greater access to deep layers of the system itself, not to mention extra layers of customization through software and driver additions. However, Microsoft has limited how much Windows can actually be customized for the sake of maintaining stability.

The GUI customization allowed by Windows is, by default, little more than the ability to change graphic elements. This means you can change the screen sizes, resolution, the color scheme, your background, and so forth.

You can change even more graphic elements by downloading third-party software. More importantly, software of this nature can help you change how Windows reacts to your input. Sadly, since it was not designed for this purpose, Windows will sometimes throw a fit when you try to go into this more advanced customization. Alternatively, this customization can be emulated through an application. This is more stable but requires more system resources.

As usual, it’s difficult to pin an exact answer on how customizable Linux is. This is largely because it has so many different distributions which provide varying layers of customization. Some environments offer similarly limited customization to Windows. However, others allow you to customize well more than your GUI, giving you access to system code which allows you to change the input reactions for your system. While only advanced users can really take advantage of this, it’s highly beneficial for that niche group.

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Linux vs Windows: Support and Training

October 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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No one has ever pretended that Windows is an perfect operating system. Perhaps that does give them a certain leg up over Linux users, many of whom tout the system as if it embodied deity-like flawlessness. However, the arrogance of some of its users is no excuse not to give Linux a fair shake. In this series, we are discussing the major differences between Linux and Windows in a wide variety of areas. In today’s entry, we will discuss the support and training provided for each.

Getting Support from Microsoft

There are many communities available on the web where you can find great resources for Windows. These include the Developer’s Network, TechNet, and a huge variety of smaller name forums. This active community is generally glad to provide some assistance free of charge, although some of the higher end communities require some form of subscription fee.

It’s also very possible to get assistance directly from Microsoft. The best way to do this is typically through their phone support. While it comes with a hefty price-tag, these experts are typically well trained enough that they can get your issues resolved quite quickly.

Due to its longstanding presence as the dominant operating system in the market there are also many training programs offered for Windows. These range from courses at community colleges to DVD or CD-ROM series to help guide you through your system to a large collection of books on the topic.

Support for Linux

If Windows has a solid community backbone, then Linux’s is made out of titanium. It’s easy to track down helpful advice in one of many free forums. The advanced users found here, many of whom are programmers for the Linux framework, are more than glad to offer their assistance. There is the added advantage that bug reports can actually be addressed by these communities.

Many of the different Linux distributions offer some degree of independent support. To some degree, these things can be found free of charge. However, advanced extras like phone support typically come with a fee, and many of the free distros are lacking in that particular department.

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Windows vs Linux: Gaming

October 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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In this series, we have covered many of the major ways in which Linux and Windows systems vary. While Windows certainly has the majority of support for personal computer users, server space is far more based in Linux. Perhaps the reason for Microsoft owning so much of the “personal use” market is the presence of gaming options. In today’s entry, we will discuss how gaming differs between a Linux and Windows system.

Windows: The Gaming Addict

Windows has no shortage of games to play. Out of the box, Windows will support the majority of games that can be found on the market with just a update driver. There are some compatibility issues when it comes to games older than a few years, especially ones designed for Windows 98 and earlier. Even these compatibility issues can often be resolved. Windows Compatibility Mode, a variety of patches, and a devoted PC gamer community have all led to a resilient approach to gaming.

Almost all games are designed with Windows in mind. This means that there is no lengthy process to get your game on. Additionally, Windows has advanced graphics drivers which are required for many games. Without these, advanced hardware acceleration may not be possible.

Linux: It’s Getting There

Linux does a decent job of playing Windows games. Wine and Cedega are two of the most popular additions to help your Linux system use software designed for a Windows platform. These aren’t emulators, so they can reach high speeds, sometimes even surpassing Windows velocity.

Copy protection, undocumented features, and requirements for advanced graphics acceleration all make this battle uphill for Linux. While many of these hurdles can be leapt over, doing so is far from easy for standard users. The community actively seeks to fix these issues, but sound and interface drivers remain problematic.

Linux has fewer compatibility issues for games it can play. Almost any game that plays on one distro can be played on all of them. Ironically, some older games designed for Windows and DOS play more easily on a Linux system than they do on current Windows versions.

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