Entries for DevilsRejection

Anyone a bit uncomfortable with the fact that Live Mesh uses Passport? [Anyone a bit uncomfortable with the fact that Live Mesh uses Passport?]

DevilsRejection — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 11:06:53 GMT

I love the idea behind Live Mesh, I genuinely feel that it is the future of the internet, the whole concept of writing applications for a mesh of data and devices as opposed to one device with one set of data is totally amazing!

But, and this is a big but, everyone who wants to use this needs a Microsoft Passport to use it. Shouldn't there be a general identity API so that people who want to use their Yahoo ID or their OpenID or their WordPress Login, Typepad, etc. etc. be able to use the login they've been using forever?

Just throwing it out there.

in reply to Anyone a bit uncomfortable with the fact that Live Mesh uses Passport?

So how do we get in touch with Rory? [So how do we get in touch with Rory?]

DevilsRejection — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 04:25:44 GMT

I mean I can Skype or email Scoble all the time, and he still manages to find time in his hectic lifestyle to send me a message back or have a chat.

I would like to have that type of relation with Rory, but of course it's reciprocal, if you don't want us having your screen names and email's that's awesome and I respect your privacy.

Just figured it would be awesome to email you every once in a while. With your new role as the face of C9 comes great responsibility to your audience :)

in reply to So how do we get in touch with Rory?

Best windows vista concept theme i've seen yet! [Best windows vista concept theme i've seen yet!]

DevilsRejection — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 03:06:24 GMT

Now I usually don't care about themes, and the one that I'm seeing in the latest builds looks tip top, but this guys just destroys anything you guys have going for you.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49608813@N00/

in reply to Best windows vista concept theme i've seen yet!

When will we get another fonts video? [When will we get another fonts video?]

DevilsRejection — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 05:25:25 GMT

For news hounds like myself, which spend hours at a time in an RSS reader, the way the fonts are rendered on websites is crucial to the desktop experience.

I haven’t tried Windows Vista since Beta 1, and even back then I noticed how much sharper the text looked. What are the advances being made in that regard?

Will people like me who won’t be able to run Aero Glass still enjoy the same font rendering experience as the fancy pants Glass guys?

Not to mention Bill Hill is great on camera!

EDIT: Been loving clear type tuner since the day it came out! Will there be a similar function in Vista?

in reply to When will we get another fonts video?

Microsoft hopes to double smartphone sales once again [Microsoft hopes to double smartphone sales once again]

DevilsRejection — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 21:05:01 GMT

Source: http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20061023-8056.html

Opinion and Question: Why aren't we getting any videos of the advances being made in the smart phone arena? Personally I am in the market for a smart phone as my life has reached a point were a paper based agenda isn't effective for me anymore. My top choices right now are the yet to be release T-Mobile Dash OR a Palm Treo 680. I'm leaning towards the Palm since my experience with Windows Mobile and with the Palm OS have taught me that Palm just gets out of your way, minimal amount of taps to do anything, and the UI is just snappier!

Content:

Arstechnica wrote:
Microsoft hopes to double the number of Windows smartphones being sold this year, from 6 million at the end of 2005 to nearly 12 million phones by the end of this year. Additionally, Microsoft hopes to keep up with this rate of growth in coming years, according to an interview in German-language Euro am Sonntag.

Microsoft's Mobile and Embedded Devices division head Peter Knook said that the number of devices operating on Windows Mobile doubled to 6 million last year, adding that they'd like to shoot for another 100 percent increase this time around. While goals of continually doubling numbers seem lofty, analyst firm Gartner said that the smartphone and PDA market expanded by 57 percent worldwide in the first half of this year, with an expected increase of 66 percent for smartphones over the entire year. Both Microsoft and RIM—who have about 6 million users each—are competing against Nokia, which currently comprises about half of the global smartphone market.

It's possible that Microsoft could come close to doubling its numbers again this year just by the mere increase in overall smartphone sales, but in order to make strides against its competitors, Microsoft will have to start offering more incentive for users to switch over to a Windows Mobile phone. One option, according to Knook, is for Windows Mobile smartphones to connect to Microsoft's Xbox Live service, Live Anywhere, allowing users to message friends on their friends lists and download mobile gaming content.

Push e-mail, as RIM has learned, has turned into big business, making smartphones into the pager of the 21st century. Microsoft has just gotten into the game, but has some ideas for ways to make Windows Mobile appeal to smartphone users—tight software integration. Microsoft, unlike some of its competitors, is gearing up to make money on all sides of the smartphone experience—Vista's built-in Mobile Sync Center syncing data from the phone with Microsoft Exchange being one of them. There is even potential for the Zune to start syncing game data from the Xbox 360 and Vista, which would then sync with a Windows Mobile smartphone. There is a lot of money tied into smartphone sales for Microsoft, and they're just dying to see how many of their products can be integrated into the smartphone user experience.

in reply to Microsoft hopes to double smartphone sales once again

Google reader: my new favorite rss reader [Google reader: my new favorite rss reader]

DevilsRejection — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 00:59:00 GMT

Now for an alpha ... holy crap!

http://reader.google.com

Will there be a Live RSS Reader?

Call it Live Web

You can have your computer sync your feed list every once in a while. Makes sense to me.

in reply to Google reader: my new favorite rss reader

EverNote: Kicking OneNote to the curb? [EverNote: Kicking OneNote to the curb?]

DevilsRejection — Sun, 08 Oct 2006 00:47:44 GMT

I only recently heard about this application, and sadly I can't try it since I'm playing with Ubuntu on my laptop for this class in college.

All that aside now, I think I'm going to throw Vista RC2 on here next weekend, but until then can I get your thoughts on this application?

http://www.evernote.com/en/news/media.php

Is it really better than One Note?

More importantly, to those of you beta testing One Note 2007, which is better in your opinion?

Stefan

in reply to EverNote: Kicking OneNote to the curb?

The Perfect Tablet PC (X60 Tablet; rumoured specs and info) [The Perfect Tablet PC (X60 Tablet; rumoured specs and info)]

DevilsRejection — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 14:45:38 GMT

An anonymous GottaBeMobile.com reader sent us the specs on the yet to be announced Lenovo X60s Tablet PC. We have every reason to believe that these are accurate and believable; however, official specs will be released when it is announced, which according to our source, is next month. No word on pricing.

I have to tell you, these specs ( if they hold to be true ) look incredibly awesome and I cannot wait to get my hands on one! The specs I'm most excited about are the high res and the multitouch for pen and touch.

    *
      Intel 945GM chipset
    *
      Intel Core Solo and Core Duo Processors Low Volt Processors
          o
            Core Duo ( L2400 (1.66ghz) and L2500 (1.83 ghz)
          o
            Core Solo (U1400 (1.2 ghz) to announce in January 2007
          o
            new 2.5" SATA high-speed, standard models with 5400rpm, up to 120gb capacity and optional 100gb 7200 rpm hd available (yeah!!)
          o
            128mb of Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
          o
            Up to 4gb of PC2-5300 DDR2 memory (667 mhz) - 3.2gb available to the operating system
          o
            2 memory slots - memory is no longer soldered to the mother board (thank goodness!)
    *
      connectivity
          o
            802.11 a/b/g
          o
            Embedded Wireless WWAN
          o
            Bluetooth options
          o
            Integrated modem and Gigabit
    *
      12.1" XGA Wide angle display ( 170 degrees) comes standard with
          o
            Anti-glare / anti reflective coating, now with dynamic screen orientation that adapts the screen to how you want to work ( we are assuming this is like the M200 and M400 accelerometer that auto rotates based on the angle you hold the screen)
          o
            Plus two other new screen options
                +
                  Optional models available with SXGA ( max res of 1400 x 1050)
                +
                  Optional models available with indoor / outdoor viewing capability with touch screen for enhanced ease of use and flexability
                      #
                        MultiTouch screen allows either finger or pen touch to move cursor for ease of use and more natural interaction with tablet (oh yeah!)
                      #
                        MultiView display provides better screen technology for viewing indoors, outdoors, and from wide angles ( 170 degrees )
    *
      UPDATE: The pen has an eraser on the end of it!

I have some initial weights and battery times to go along with the Lenovo X60s Tablet PC specs that were posted yesterday. Again, this might change at time of annoucement, but they are what was provided to my source, so I'm passing them along to you.

    *
      Weight: 3.66 lbs with 4 cell battery, 4.16 with 8 cell. That does not look to be too much different than the X41.
    *
      Battery life will be better than X41 and up to 9 hours with extended battery options

The only picture provided to me is a little blurry, and it looks just like the X41. I've posted it here anyway. Nothing much to see there.

If I receive any other pictures of the x60, I'll be sure to post them

    * More natual design featuring an eraser on the back end
    * More tactile feel with rubberized paint
    * More robust, sturdy feel
    * Compatible with current tether
    * System works with any Wacom-compatible pen
          o other pens are not supported

in reply to The Perfect Tablet PC (X60 Tablet; rumoured specs and info)

Will Vista have an OS wide spell check or dictionary like OS X? [Will Vista have an OS wide spell check or dictionary like OS X?]

DevilsRejection — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 21:55:44 GMT

I'm a two time switcher, I switched to Mac OS X earlier in the summer, but by the end of the summer I just didn't feel comfortable enough to keep the product.

That's enough backstory, anyway one thing I miss is the built in spell check and dictionary. Will this be in Vista? It was AMAZING being able to look up any word any where and have the ability to spell check in any text feild.

Thanks,
Stefan

in reply to Will Vista have an OS wide spell check or dictionary like OS X?

When is the due date for Office 2007 Beta 2 Technical Refresh? [When is the due date for Office 2007 Beta 2 Technical Refresh?]

DevilsRejection — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 02:55:06 GMT

So I have a Vista RC 1 dvd sitting waiting to be inserted into my laptop, but honestly if I'm going to go balls to the wall beta then I want to wait until the new technical refresh of office is out to have both things on my system.

a) will it be avilable to the public? if it isn't then i'll get it from the taco stand either way, i don't know why microsoft doesn't see this.

b) when will it come out?

in reply to When is the due date for Office 2007 Beta 2 Technical Refresh?

Why isn't Microsoft One Note an online AJAX application? [Why isn't Microsoft One Note an online AJAX application?]

DevilsRejection — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 23:19:07 GMT

I love and use One Note every day. It's crucial to my college experiance.

But lately I've been wondering, Google purchased writely, hello google released google notebook recently, why doesn't MS combine these two concepts: a rich text editor, and a clipping extension for firefox or some sort of extension for IE and make this:

Windows Live Notebook

Or something similar in concept.

in reply to Why isn't Microsoft One Note an online AJAX application?

Now that Vista supports Aero via OpenGL, will it increase compatability? [Now that Vista supports Aero via OpenGL, will it increase compatability?]

DevilsRejection — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 10:12:11 GMT

http://dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=3760

The problem with OpenGL was that it was never officially supported or evangelized by Microsoft. Of course, Microsoft has always advocated its own Direct3D driver model over OpenGL, but GPU manufacturers have long supported OpenGL in drivers. Many games and productivity applications still use OpenGL even today. With Windows Vista, Microsoft made it clear that OpenGL support would only work as a layer sitting on top of Direct3D. There was going to be translation involved and thus, a performance hit.

This week the Khronos group, which is responsible for developing and maintaining OpenGL, has released a report indicating that OpenGL support will now be natively supported in Vista without layering over Direct3D. Using standard Windows installable client driver (ICD), OpenGL will be fully accelerated and be fully compatible with Windows Vista's Aeroglass UI. In fact, Khronos says that by the time Windows Vista ships, Aeroglass performance on OpenGL will be superior to that of Direct3D. According to Khronos and NVIDIA:

Hardware overlays are not supported
Hardware OpenGL overlays are an obsolete feature on Vista
ATI and NVIDIA strongly recommend using compositing desktop/FBOs for same functionality
However, the OpenGL ICD drivers must still be downloaded and will not ship on the Windows Vista installation disc. Khronos said that NVIDIA already has a beta 2 ICD OpenGL driver available and ATI will release its own soon. If no ICD is present, Windows Vista will rely on the layered OpenGL mode by default and only offer basic functionality.

so vista supports aero via opengl now, fantastic.

but what level of opengl?

my thinkpad with an intel onboard gma 900 isn't aero compatible since it has software t&l. but it's opengl 1.4 compatible. will it work?

in reply to Now that Vista supports Aero via OpenGL, will it increase compatability?

Any new updates on Vista supporting EFI? [Any new updates on Vista supporting EFI?]

DevilsRejection — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 15:41:51 GMT

Yes I know Apple has boot camp, but I'd rarther just use all my hard drive space for Vista.

in reply to Any new updates on Vista supporting EFI?

Why hasn't anyone made a QuickSilver (Mac app) like program for Windows? [Why hasn't anyone made a QuickSilver (Mac app) like program for Windows?]

DevilsRejection — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 06:00:19 GMT

I switched to the Mac for about 2.5 months, and now I'm back in the Windows world, but that's for another thread.

Right now I want to know, holy freaking cow, why isn't there an application like QuickSilver out for Windows?

Here is a review for the application on Mac World just to give you an idea of what you're missing out on:

http://www.macworld.com/weblogs/macgems/2006/01/quicksilver/index.php

in reply to Why hasn't anyone made a QuickSilver (Mac app) like program for Windows?

When is Vista supposed to RTM? [When is Vista supposed to RTM?]

DevilsRejection — Sat, 15 Apr 2006 01:46:28 GMT

Did that date ever change? Last time I heard about it, supposed to be August, now I'm hearing November :(

in reply to When is Vista supposed to RTM?

So if you have an AMD dual core, how do you do a fresh install? [So if you have an AMD dual core, how do you do a fresh install?]

DevilsRejection — Fri, 23 Dec 2005 23:39:26 GMT

I've heard multiple variations, from multiple people about how you are supposed to do a fresh install of Windows XP SP2 on an AMD Athlon 64 X2 system.

Can any of the Microsofties chime in and tell C9 what exactly it is we have to do in order to get the most stable performing platform?

in reply to So if you have an AMD dual core, how do you do a fresh install?

Clear Type Tuner | What are you waiting for? Use it! [Clear Type Tuner | What are you waiting for? Use it!]

DevilsRejection — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 20:38:07 GMT

Checking out the font blog, just because I was seriously bored out of my skull, I saw a link to the Clear Type tuner and decided to give it some of my time.

I have a 22'' Mitsubishi CRT. I have never seen text this sharp... ever.

The wizard was nice and simple, two steps, and boom!

Here is a screenshot, don't know if it helps since it's so subjective:

EDIT: Now that's funny. It doesn't look the same in the screenshot as it does on the website. In what stage of the output is ClearType added?

in reply to Clear Type Tuner | What are you waiting for? Use it!

What will happen after NT 6.0 aka Vista? [What will happen after NT 6.0 aka Vista?]

DevilsRejection — Thu, 08 Dec 2005 07:00:57 GMT

Will we go to NT 7.0 or start with something new? I'm just curious because Steve B keeps on saying that he wants more releases to happen within a period of time. That usually means minor feature bumps that aren't justified for their price tag.

This thread is a little bit too early, and I'm sure it will be made again after Vista launches, but they don't call me a dreamer for nothing.

in reply to What will happen after NT 6.0 aka Vista?

This idea of bookmarks needs to be changed [This idea of bookmarks needs to be changed]

DevilsRejection — Wed, 07 Dec 2005 22:24:18 GMT

Back when all you did was visit no more than 15 sites, bookmarks was a nice way of saving sites you didn't have to type in anymore but could merely click on and be done with.

Currently... we bookmark everything. If you have fewer than 50 bookmarks then I am amazed.

What I would like is being able to add descriptions to bookmarks. Let's say I bookmark this site, I want to be able to type a little blurb about it so I can remember it, have my little blurb be searchable, and have it pop up when I hover over a bookmark.

Tagging is also a big thing. In Vista, you guys call it keywords, like giving a keyword to a picture. Giving a picture a keyword such as "Stefan" and "Party”; amazing feature! Why not extend this to bookmarks AND rss feeds.

You are getting the ball rolling on meta data, but you don't understand how big it will be. People are filling these 300 GB hard drives PC makers are including in their PC's. How in the hell do you think you will manage all that data in folders? meta data will save us all, winfs was supposed to make it into vista... it didn't and that's ok, but please: throw it into IE and Outlook so I can tag my email, my rss feeds, and my bookmarks.

in reply to This idea of bookmarks needs to be changed

Portable Gaming: How I think Microsoft could enter, and win! [Portable Gaming: How I think Microsoft could enter, and win!]

DevilsRejection — Wed, 07 Dec 2005 03:55:44 GMT

One word: Sega

When they said they would stop doing hardware... a tear shed down my face. The Dreamcast... memories of such a sweet sweet system that died way to young for it's age just because of the PS2.

Microsoft purchased Bungie, now imagine if they purchased Sega... released a totally revamped Game Gear... I would be crying of joy, literally weeping in agony on my way to sports authority so I can buy a tent for the camping I will do in front of a store.

Sega and Microsoft working together, gamers win because they get to see a familiar logo on the product: Sega. the brand is there for the taking, the company isn't worth all that much now, and come E3 2010 I want to see a damn product announcement!

in reply to Portable Gaming: How I think Microsoft could enter, and win!

Windows Server 2003 R2 has RTM'd [Windows Server 2003 R2 has RTM'd]

DevilsRejection — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 04:17:13 GMT

http://blogs.msdn.com/nigelwat/archive/2005/12/06/500356.aspx

"News just in this morning... Windows Server 2003 R2 has been released to manufacturing. This is great news, and is a fantastic stepping stone for the Windows group towards building Longhorn Server. You can get more info on R2 here."

in reply to Windows Server 2003 R2 has RTM'd

Singularity versus What we have now [Singularity versus What we have now]

DevilsRejection — Mon, 05 Dec 2005 00:50:52 GMT

I am really digging the Singularity videos in the new going deep series. So much so that when I watch them I go... wow that makes so much sense, why wasn't the OS designed like this from the start.

Singularity Episode 3, could you get someone to compare how exactly is it different from the operating systems we have today? Actually, draw it out on a whiteboard?

I know Vista isn't even out yet, and this whole Singularity thing is just a research project, but I am very excited about seeing a consumer based OS based on these guys work come out by the end of the next decade. Think that is a realistic goal?

in reply to Singularity versus What we have now

So what's this new thing called "shows" on the homepage? [So what's this new thing called "shows" on the homepage?]

DevilsRejection — Fri, 02 Dec 2005 17:13:25 GMT

I don't get it... Why are they called shows? What's the point?

in reply to So what's this new thing called "shows" on the homepage?

What makes a good IM client? [What makes a good IM client?]

DevilsRejection — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:12:48 GMT

http://www.adiumx.com/

EDIT: Seriously check out the screenshots in the above link. Don't worry about the Mac OSX GUI, this isn't about that, it's about the user experiance. Do you see how clean that is? Compared to this crap:

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5610/805/1600/messenger8_screenshot.0.jpg

http://www.softpedia.com/screenshots//MSN-Messenger-8_2.png

That little app needs to be ported to the PC.

I found this slashdot article: What Makes a Good IM Client?

Now normally I don't read the comments but since this was a question to the slashdot community I was curious to see what they said.

Suprinsingly, once you got past all the OMG GET TRILLIAN posts there is some good content:

"MSN - Ability to change your nick. Ability to accept or decline others from adding you to their buddy lists.
AIM - Ability to set auto-reply messages. Direct connect for quicker file transfers.
Yahoo! - Ability to send messages to people that are offline that they will receive next time they sign on. Ability to go invisible.

There's stuff I'm missing, no doubt, and I didn't cover every protocol out there, but those are the major things for me."

" A good client will handle multiple protocols.
A good client has a beautiful, well thought out interface (including the prefs)
A good client does not have games.
A good client does not have a stock ticker.
A good client does not have a giant SUBMIT button (Everybody knows enter/return sends).
A good client will let you organize/arrange your contact list to suit your needs (Sorry iChat -- yes, even in Tiger)
A good client is extendable.
A good client has a no-brains-needed logging feature.
A good client plays well with others (Growl, baby)
A good client has tabs (Nobody wants a dozen chat windows).
A good client will not try to reinvent the wheel (Why does control+Z minimize the chat window in Gaim?)
A good client will let me effortlessly send files (uhhhh....)

I'm thoroughly sold on Adium, but since I'm stuck on Windows at work, I use Gaim there, because it is the simplest. Trillian is extremely overrated. AIM is absolute adware garbage."

I hope the MSN Messanger team is paying attention. No one cares about the fancy IM windows, the smilies, the bloated crap, if MSN Messanger acted a little bit... more elegantly then I'm sure more people would use it. In the current state it's in, it needs to be taken into the backyard and shot in the face.

Instant Messanging is about Instant Messaging. Not webcams, not audio, not all this fancy UI crap. I love the fact that google talk is so god damn simple. If google talk supported AIM then that's it i would have found the most perfect freaking messanging app.

in reply to What makes a good IM client?

Mozilla's XUL versus Windows WPFE [Mozilla's XUL versus Windows WPFE]

DevilsRejection — Wed, 30 Nov 2005 20:02:10 GMT

Mozilla and their XUL spec: http://www.mozilla.org/projects/xul/

Windows Presentation Foundation Everywhere spec: Windows Presentation Foundation/Everywhere or WPF/E - this looks interesting it's essentially a cross platform XAML rendering engine - Windows, Mac and Devices (WinCE at the moment). http://blogs.msdn.com/dglover/archive/2005/09/14/465444.aspx

Now which one is better? Which one has it's advantages? Will the windows specification be open?