Microsoft, webloggers and Community
I’d like to see this happen…
“Microsoft wants to help webloggers and others build strong communities like Slashdot around their products.”
Although according to The Scobleizer, it’s unlikely they “get it”.
However, there are a few exceptions, like for example, the IBS community at ASP.Net
Microsoft’s SPOT: The Atari Connection
“Microsoft’s SPOT smart objects might indeed be tomorrow’s technology – if you were living in the 1980’s. That’s because the technology used in SPOT, FM subcarrier transmission, was originally used as a last-gasp effort by the Atari 2600 to distribute games wirelessly over the radio.” (via ExtremeTech)
Microsoft’s Weblog Software
I wish I wrote this article because I had the same epiphany last year after I evaluated SharePoint Team Services, in that it was ideally suited to be a Webloging tool and many Office XP users didn’t even realize they had it!
Quotes:
“The one player which seems to be fully aware of both the weblog space and SharePoint’s potential is Ray Ozzie‘s Groove Networks, which has fully embraced the SharePoint platform…”
“SharePoint is probably not going to have an impact in the short term. It’s possible that Microsoft will realize the potential of their bCentral service hosting SharePoint sites, and that the MSN team will seize the opportunity to improve the friendliness of the interface and turn it into a commercial mass-market product. The likelihood of that, however, is completly negligible. On the business side, though, Microsoft has pieces in place that put it a full year ahead of any competitor in the areas of network identity integration, document management, and project management functions. “
Tim Bray on Office 11 and XML
From an article on XML Journal: “that when the huge universe of MS Office documents becomes available for processing by any programmer with a Perl script and a bit of intelligence, all sorts of wonderful new things can be invented that you and I can’t imagine.”
What the heck is that service?
Did you ever wonder what a particular service was doing and if you
needed it running? Well, this site has the answer. Very handy!
U.S. Considers Microsoft Passport as National ID
It’s not likely to happen, but interesting and perhaps scary… Passport as National ID?
Blue Screen Of Death
Funny … “The infamous Blue Screen Of Death, documented for your viewing pleasure” (thanks John)
Microsoft takes Web services to the Office
we knew this was coming, but it’s still interesting … “Microsoft next week will deliver its Office XP Web Services Toolkit in hopes of turning the desktop into a more strategically important Web services platform.”
more quotes:
“Users can then construct Word-based or Excel-based templates that import and integrate external data and Web services.”
“Office XP would eventually play a big role in making Web services available among clients via a peer-to-peer implementation, most likely using Groove Networks’ environment.”
Microsoft Personal Security Advisor
looks like a decent tool for locking down your workstation (not server) … “Microsoft Personal Security Advisor (MPSA) is an easy to use web application that will help you secure your Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 2000 personal computer system."