Linux developers working on uniting Windows 8 Secure Boot fixes

Thanks to Microsoft's Windows 8 UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) Secure Boot there was no easy way to boot Linux, or any other operating system, on Windows 8 PCs. Now, there are two ways, the recently released Linux Foundation (LF) UEFI secure boot system and Matthew Garrett's shim system to boot Linux on these PCs. Soon, there will be only one unified way.

UEFI Secure Boot Linux expert Garrett wrote in his blog, "we now have two signed bootloaders available." The shim method, which Garrett worked on, is now used by Fedora, openSUSE, and Ubuntu. "The LF loader is a different solution to the same problem," said Garrett.

According to Garrett, "One of the primary functional differences between Shim and the LF loader is that the LF loader is based around cryptographic hashes rather than signing keys. This means that the user has to explicitly add a hash to the list of permitted binaries whenever a distribution updates their bootloader or kernel. Doing that involves being physically present at the machine, so it's kind of a pain."

So why did the LF create it then? Garrett explained, "Being hash based means that you don't need to maintain any signing infrastructure. This means that distributions can support Secure Boot without having to change their build process at all. Shim already supports this use case (and some distributions are using it), but the LF loader has nicer UI for managing it."

In addition, Garrett conceded, "Shim implements Secure Boot loading in a less than entirely ideal way - it duplicates the firmware's entire binary loading, validation, relocation and execution code. This is necessary because the UEFI specification doesn't provide any mechanism for adding additional authentication mechanisms. The main downside of this is that the standard UEFI LoadImage() and StartImage() calls don't work under Shim. The LF loader hooks into the low-level security architecture and installs its own handlers, which means the standard UEFI interfaces work. The upshot is that you can use bootloaders like Gummiboot or efilinux [user-friendly UEFI boot menu systems] without having to modify them to call out to Shim."

So, with two different approaches to the same goal, Garrett has decided to merge them together. He's now working on "integrating the LF loader's UI and security code into Shim with the aim of producing one loader that'll satisfy the full set of use cases."

Jame Bottomley, the Linux kernel developer behind the LF UEFI bootloader thinks this is a fine idea. "We’re currently investigating merging them. The main sticking point is the validity of the security override protocol," wrote Bottomley.

Once that problem is fixed, and the usual programming teething troubles are overcome, we'll see a new, unified Linux bootloader for all Intel-based Windows 8 PCs. Neither method, nor the forthcoming unified one, will work on any ARM-powered Windows RT tablet or laptop. Microsoft ARM-powered devices are permanently locked into Windows 8. Still, within the next few months, booting and installing Linux on Intel-based Windows 8 PCs will once more be a matter as simple as putting a Linux CD or USB stick in a PC and re-booting the system.

Source : zdnet

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Intel Wants Windows Phone Engineers

Yup, Intel is set to make a splash at Mobile World Congress later this month with a slew of smartphones, tablets and Ultrabooks, and we have also seen how LinkedIn was used to help recruit folks to help out with the upcoming Motorola X phone. Well, LinkedIn is in the spotlight again now, as we have word that Intel has published a job opportunity on LinkedIn which is looking out for Windows Phone engineers. One can read into that however one wants to, but how about this – could Intel be looking into a mobile platform as part of their future investment?

The job listed at LinkedIn specifically requested for those who are experts in the Windows Phone environment, and it would be interesting to see what else the future will bring. At this point in time, Windows Phone devices are powered mostly by ARM with Qualcomm as the exclusive chip provider, but two is definitely company from our perspective, and neither do I think that three’s a crowd. The job description’s opening pitch reads as such, “Windows Phone Engineers: Intel would like to talk to you. If you have Windows phone expertise, the Intel site in Redmond would like to talk to you.”

Source : ubergizmo

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Windows Store Grows Quickly With Majority of Free Apps

The Windows Store has grown to 20,610 apps for Windows 8 and Windows RT.

Win App Update reports that Microsoft surpassed 20,000 apps on November 20th. Just before the launch of Windows 8, there were just 3,000 applications, which indicates that developers are showing more interest in Microsoft's new operating system and the opportunity to sell applications via an app store. However, 17,958 Windows 8/RT apps, or 87 percent, of those 20,610 titles were offered as free apps.

Win App Update said that 500 new apps are joining the Windows Store every day, but "only a fraction of these are truly stellar apps" and a true killer app is still missing. Microsoft frequently indicated that it was strongly encouraging some app developers to create versions of their programs specifically for the Windows Store, but the landscape appears to be rather spotty at this time.

In fact, some of the older Windows 8 users may be reminded of the early days of shareware download portals such as download.com and tucows.com, which focused on quantity rather than quality of software. True gems were hard to find and that seems to be no different today.

Source: tomshardware.com

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500 days of support left for 500M Windows XP PCs, likely leading to a second wind for Windows 7

Fascinating data from ZDNet and Camwood makes two points: There are around 500 million computers in the market running Windows XP at the moment, and 500 days remain until extended support ends for the operating system.

Once the end of that countdown is met, Windows XP will cease to receive patches and other security updates. The operating system will therefore become dangerous for consumers, and anathema to the enterprise, for whom security is paramount.

Therefore, Windows XP is coming to an end, and to fully migrate its user base – which won’t happen – the market would need to shift 1 million users a day to a more modern operating system.

As you already know, that will break down in the following way: Windows 8 for consumers, and Windows 7 for the enterprise. Through the Software Assurance for Volume Licensing program, enterprise customers will be able to continue deploying Windows 7 to their fleets of machines.

At the same time, consumers acting along normal upgrade cycles will find themselves in a Windows 8 world, unless they want to snag a system builder’s copy of Windows 7, which all but none of them will do.

Thus, we have two paths for the 500 million active Windows XP PCs – inactive machines would not show up in the market share data. Even breaking the remaining machines into halves, the data indicates that Windows 7 will sell another 250 million licences.

That’s a huge figure, and a mountain of cash from a past product for Microsoft.

The users upgrading from XP to Windows 8 are already accounted for in Microsoft’s public plans; the company continues to discuss 400 million Windows 8 devices in the next year or so.

However, the staying power of Windows 7 is somewhat based in the fact that XP has refused to die. Microsoft, as we recall, extended its support of the operating system. This has delayed upgrade cycles to Windows 7, into the Windows 8 era.

So, Windows 7 will continue to sell through the end of Windows XP. This will keep its market share high, even as Windows 8 comes into its own. Thus, queue the ‘Windows 8 fails to overtake Windows 7′ stories. But now you know better.

Top Image Credit: Tim Parkinson
Source: thenextweb.com

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Don't kill my Windows XP!

October 25th is the official release date for Windows 8, but I, for one, have no intention of "upgrading" to Windows 8 from Windows 7 or XP. Indeed, I still think XP SP3 is one of the best versions of Windows ever, so why exactly should I switch?

Yeah, so XP SP3 is five years old. So what? Does it still work? Yes. Does it still run all my Windows applications? Yes. So, tell me again, exactly why I should upgrade?

Oh sure, Windows 7 SP1 has some good points. It's a bit faster, it's a bit more secure, it has some nice network features such as Libraries and DirectAccess,  and it has Internet Explorer (IE) 9, which is better than IE 8. Of course, Chrome 21 is better than any version of IE and it runs just fine on Windows 7 and XP.

The bottom line is that while I prefer desktop Linux, especially Mint, on my Windows PCs I'm still using XP on many of them. Why? Because it just works.

I've always been a big believer in using what works. One of my pet phrases is "If it's not broke, then why fix it?" When it comes to Windows, it seems I'm not the only one who sees it that way. Windows 7, after three years, has only in the last month passed Windows XP in popularity.

One of the reasons why I'm so hostile to Windows 8 is that it breaks all the old ways of doing things in Windows and offers no real improvements over Windows 7 or XP. True, Windows 8 will have antivirus Defender/Security Essentials built-in, but any business IT person worth his or her salt already has those running. The simple truth is there's no reason what-so-ever to "upgrade" an older computer to Windows 8.

Be that as it may, XP has recently been getting a bad rap for security. Contrary to some reports, properly maintained and updated XP is as secure as any version of Windows. Besides, if safety is your number one concern for your desktop operating system, you should be running Linux, not Windows.

Eventually -- April 8, 2014, to be exact -- Microsoft says it will no longer support XP. But, Microsoft has extended XP's lifespan several times before. XP was supposed to have been taken off life-support years ago. Then, because Vista was such a flop, XP Home was brought back from the dead.

Oddly enough, it seems Microsoft will still let you "downgrade" and buy Windows XP after April 8, 2014. That's another reason I expect XP's support to be extended still further into the future. I can't see Microsoft's business customers putting up with paying cash money for a system that Microsoft then won't support.

Heck, if the Windows 8 launch turns out to be as big a disaster as I think it will be, who knows? Maybe XP will yet see its end of support life extended for a few more years. I, for one, would be happy to keep running XP for another few years. In short, don't kill my Windows XP!

Source : zdnet

 

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Over half of surveyed Windows 8 users prefer Windows 7

Well, this can't be good news for Microsoft, as a recent survey of Windows 8 users found that just over half of them still prefer Windows 7.

The survey comes from Forumswindows8.com, an independent help and support site for the new operating system.

After polling 50,000 active Windows 8 users, 53 percent of respondents said that Windows 7 is still their favorite Windows OS while only 25 percent said that they preferred Windows 8.

When asked about individual Windows 8 features, fast boot up and shut down times came out on top with 56 percent saying it was their favorite feature.

Easy installation came in a close second with 50 percent citing it as their favorite feature, while Internet Explorer was a distant third with 35 percent of respondents.

First, the bad news...

The much-touted Windows 8 UI (formerly called the Metro UI) came in further down the list of favorite features, garnering praise from only 22 percent of those surveyed.

The charms bar, another Windows 8 staple, only resonated with 13 percent of users, and received the lowest ranking for favorite Windows 8 feature just above "other."

According to the survey, the number one weakness to be improved in Windows 8 is the price, with 35 percent of respondents saying it is their biggest concern with the OS.

Users will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 for only $39.99, or $69.99 at retail, for the first few months. However, in February after the promotional period ends the price jumps up to $199.99, which is where the price concerns may stem from.

After price, the major Windows 8 concerns were system requirements and software compatibility, which were respectively listed as the top concern for 26 percent and 25 percent of respondents.

Now, some good news...

It isn't all bad news for Windows 8 though, as the people surveyed said they like the idea of using the operating system on tablets. And, 35 percent said that the Microsoft Surface tablet was their first choice, compared to 33 percent saying Android and 26 percent wanting an iPad.

Windows Phone 8 also beat out the iPhone with 29 percent saying they would prefer Microsoft's mobile OS compared to 22 percent favoring Apple's smartphone. Both were well behind Android though, with 42 percent saying they prefer it over either Windows Phone 8 or an iPhone.

Windows 8 will be Microsoft's biggest shift for its operating system yet when it launches on Oct. 26.

Although according to Intel, the OS may not be completely ready in time for launch, with final optimizations and improvements to get patched in after the fact.

Via Forumwindows8.com

Source: techradar.com

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Microsoft Windows Update Hoax Steals Your Passwords

Beware: The next time you get an email from privacy@microsoft.com in your inbox, click delete.

That’s because you’re likely the target of a phishing scam designed to steal Gmail, Yahoo, Windows Live and AOL passwords, according to Naked Security, a blog by IT security firm Sophos.

Entitled, “Microsoft Windows Update,” the email urges recipients to verify their email accounts by entering personal login information.

Dear Windows User,

It has come to our attention that your Microsoft windows Installation records are out of date. Every Windows installation has to be tied to an email account for daily update.

This requires you to verify the Email Account. Failure to verify your records will result in account suspension. Click in the Verify button below and enter your login information on the following page to Confirm your records.

VERIFY

Thank you,
Microsoft Windows Team.

While the hoax is pretty slick, eagle-eye Internet users will notice odd instances of capitalization and grammar that betray the email’s insidious intentions.

Clicking on the “verify” link leads you to a third-party website that purports to be Microsoft.com, but actually isn’t the real deal, Naked Security says. Here, users are warned that their computers are out-of-date and at high risk; they are then “required” to select one of four email providers and enter their username and password. Naturally, this information is sent directly to the scammers — putting recipients at risk of online identity theft.

Have you encountered the Microsoft Windows Update hoax? What about other online scams? Tell us in the comments below.

Source : mashable.com

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Tech leaders vacillate on iPhone 5, with growing anticipation of Windows 8

When I sit with business professionals in corporate meeting rooms and look at the executives sitting in business class on airplanes, I increasingly notice most of them carry the same device: iPhone. Two years ago, these same people were almost all using a BlackBerry. What device will they be using two years from now? According to members of TechRepublic’s CIO Jury, Windows phones are going to have the inside track at stealing Apple's thunder.


We'll get a big clue to help decipher the future of the smartphone market on Wednesday when Apple unveils its sixth generation iPhone at 10:00AM Pacific in San Francisco. Apple appears squarely locked into a two-year product cycle with the iPhone, where it announces a major redesign one year and then an incremental upgrade the next year. This is a redesign year. So, there's a lot riding on the new iPhone, since it will have 24 months of influence in the red hot smartphone market.

Whether all but the most security-conscious companies will dump their BlackBerry phones for iPhones is one of the questions hanging out there. Whether iPhone can continue to keep pace with the growth of Android in the consumer market is another big question. But, percolating under the surface there's another issue that could potentially catch the mobile market by surprise--growing anticipation in the corporate world for Windows 8 phones and tablets.

That's the message we heard loud and clear this week when we did a private poll of the members of TechRepublic's CIO Jury, an international group of about 200 influential technology executives. To be fair, there are still plenty of IT executives excited about the next iPhone, but we were surprised at how much enthusiasm we heard about Windows devices--especially in response to a question about the iPhone where we never specifically asked about Windows 8.

First, let's look at what we got from the tech executives who are eagerly anticipating the next iPhone.
Brian Wells, Associate VP of Health Technology and Academic Computing at Penn Medicine, said, "I will upgrade [to the next iPhone] regardless as in my role at Penn I need to stay out in front to ensure the device and new OS features will be supported by our infrastructure. I have many clinicians and executives that will likely upgrade and we need to stay ahead of them."

Michael Spears, CIO at NCCI Holdings, said, "I am one who is expecting to upgrade to the iPhone 5 pending Wednesday's announcement. I currently have the iPhone 4S. Apple always delivers with a few new key features. I'm not sure I am excited about a larger device, but I'll probably come to appreciate it once I see it... Although each release of the phone keeps getting better, I'm beginning to view my phone as an accessory to the iPad primarily for checking mail and basic functions... I have no interest in switching to Android, I value staying in the ecosystem as much as the device itself."
Afonso Caetano, CIO at J Macêdo, said, "Without doubt, the iPhone 5 will be my next phone, though I will have to wait a bit until it can be released in Apple stores in Brazil. I'm quite interested in the announcement of the new iPhone [on] Wednesday because of the evolution that it will bring and, above all, help me to answer the curiosity of other company executives if [it is] worth it or not to change [from] the current iPhone 4S."

Graham Yellowly, CTO of Equities, Risk and Client Service at LCH Clearnet, said, "I currently have an iPhone 4. The reason I am extremely likely to proceed with the upgrade to iPhone 5 is due to the fact that I like technology and 'gadgets' so would be interested in migrating upwards to a newer model. I find the screen quality and size of the iPhone 4 to be good, a bigger screen won't make much difference to me as if I need a bigger screen I use the iPad and the current iPhone 4 screen is big enough to read web pages clearly and displays photos and videos brilliantly. Faster processing won't make a difference either, though 4G is very tempting if and when we ever get a 4G service in the UK that is compatible with the iPhone 5.... So in summary there is no compelling reason to upgrade, but I will anyway."

If you only read those quotes you wouldn't think Apple has much to worry about. So, let's hear how some of the naysayers responded.

"The release of the iPhone 5 will not have any bearing on my organisation's mobile device decisions," said Scott Kerr, IT director at Scotmid. "The hardware itself is almost irrelevant with the OS, integration and security abilities being more important. To this extent the Nokia [Windows Phone 8] devices are more interesting. Apple will continue to upgrade their products on a regular basis and it is impossible for businesses to keep up with what Apple might be doing."

Adam Gerrard, CTO at LateRooms Group, said, "[The new iPhone is] not likely to be my next personal device. I'm waiting for the Windows 8 phones and the Windows Surface to arrive before I make my next personal technology investment decision. I currently use a BlackBerry for mobile [communications] and a 7" Android 4.0 tablet which uses my BlackBerry as a wireless hotspot for connectivity. I need devices that improve my productivity and integrate into my business life rather than a stylish data reader (which has been my experience of Apple products to date) that looks trendy to be seen with when out of the office. I await the iPhone 5 from a business perspective as the people who will buy it tend to be a good target market segment for high margin sales opportunities and we will want to understand how to most effectively target this specific device."

The Android response came from Kevin Leypoldt, IS Director of Structural Integrity Associates, who said,

For the first time since the launch of the iPhone I can actually see Apple missing the mark here. The 4S hardware last year was a disappointment for many... Android (both hardware and operating system) have come a long way, fueled by constant innovation, over the last year. It's my opinion that Android (as a whole) has become the mark to beat. The hardware has surpassed Apple with larger screens and faster processors. Then the improved OS (Ice Cream Sandwich and now Jelly Bean) now incorporate many of the same OS/software features that Apple set as the standard...
I guess I see it as Apple’s game to lose, and the fact that they seem committed to this annual refresh schedule really leaves them at a disadvantage which may actually take a bite out of the Apple this go around. On the flip side there are a bunch of folks on a listing Blackberry ship that may be waiting for iPhone 5 before they abandon ship. These incremental advancements may be all they need to see before they jump. Personally I am a current 4S user, but I think that I am searching for a reason to abandon ship myself and see how the Android boat performs. We shall see what Wednesday brings.

However, the responses that Apple should be most concerned about are the ones that came from Shawn Beighle, CIO of The International Republican Institute, and Dale Huhtala, executive director of enterprise technology infrastructure services at Service Alberta.
Beighle said,

To be completely honest, from a business standpoint I'm much more excited to see how Windows 8 Mobile rolls out, along with Surface. With all three platforms: PC, tablet and smartphone all running the same kernel, while also having Active Directory tied in and the controls that come with that, this has incredible potential.

As with everything in the tech-world though, seeing is believing.

I currently have an iPhone 4, which I decided not to the upgrade to the 4S, simply because there wasn't enough of a compelling reason to do so. I will upgrade to the iPhone 5 though, since my 4 is really at the end of its lifespan. I'm not overly excited about the upgrade mind you, it's just time to do so.

If Microsoft is successful with Windows Mobile 8 and Surface though, I'll most likely drop the iPhone altogether. That's a big 'if' though.

Huhtala wrote,

We are not waiting for the iPhone 5. In fact, we did a massive transition of over 4,000 phones from BlackBerry devices to iPhone 4S devices over the summer. This aligns with our recent requirements to host iPad devices via a managed Mobile Device Management (MDM) tool that has been implemented for the enterprise.

Overall, we've found that iOS devices are not a good fit into the corporate model – software is very difficult to manage across these devices. A volume deployment solution was recently announced by Apple in Canada (last week) that may help, but as Apple themselves have told us – these devices are consumer devices that were not meant to be deployed in an enterprise environment. That is very apparent.

We are hoping to investigate the options available with a Windows 8 phone/tablet in the upcoming year. The belief is that these will be more corporate-friendly, though initial investigations are showing that we'll likely need still another set of infrastructure to manage these devices as well. They will be a better fit for the corporate environment, particularly around managing files – something iOS definitely does not do well.

In short, we're mildly interested in the new announcements – and expect a flood of requests for the new phones, and possibly the new smaller iPad if that gets announced – but it won't be a direction-changer like the Windows 8 devices may be.

Let's not forget that these comments also show how much Apple has invaded the enterprise in the past couple years. It's a standard part of the conversation now. That said, it still has its limitations -- particularly security and device management -- and since Android has been unable to exploit those weaknesses (and, in many cases, is even worse), that leaves a big opening for Windows 8 phones and tablets.

However, it's far from a done deal that Microsoft is going to swoop in and steal market share. The new Windows products look solid in demos, but they are going to have to be really, really good when they actually land in the hands of real people.

The other thing to keep in mind here is that this is no longer a completely top-down decision where a company decides on the technology vendor, buys a bunch of devices, and then hands them out to certain sets of employees. There's also the bottom-up part of the equation--bring your own device (BYOD).

Even if some companies recommend that employees buy Windows 8 devices and offer better access to more company resources to people who connect with Windows 8 devices, ultimately those devices (and their app and content ecosystem) are going to have to be good enough that individual consumers don't feel like they are giving up anything by buying a Windows device instead of an Android device or iPhone. On Wednesday, we'll see if Apple sets that bar a little higher.

Source : zdnet.com

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Five things Desktop Linux has to do to beat Windows 8

In 2007, thanks to netbooks and Vista, Linux briefly exploded onto the desktop.  Microsoft soon realized they were losing the low-end laptop market and they brought XP back from the dead and practically gave it away to original equipment manufacturers (OEM)s. It worked. Linux's popularity receded.  In 2012, Microsoft is once more bringing out a dog of a desktop operating system, Windows 8, so desktop Linux will once more get a chance to shine... if it can.

Linux is more than good enough on the desktop. Just ask Google, which used its own Ubuntu-spin, Goobuntu, not just for its engineering desktops but for everyone's PCs.

While much of the reason why Linux hasn't gone much of anywhere on the desktop has been because of Microsoft's iron-grip on OEMs and anti-Linux FUD, Linux hasn't helped itself much either. So what can Linux do to be as competitive as the Mac with Windows?

5) Give independent software vendors (ISV)s more support.

I, and a lot more important Linux figures than I am, such as Linus Torvalds, think Miguel de Icaza, one of the GNOME's Linux desktop creators in his article What Killed The Linux Desktop was often off-base. But, de Icaza did make some good points. One of the most important of these was that “no two Linux distributions agreed on which core components the system should use. Either they did not agree, the schedule of the transitions were out of sync or there were competing implementations for the same functionality.”

Sure, fundamental programs work on all versions of Linux, but say you're an ISV, what desktop should you build for? KDE? The slumping GNOME? Ubuntu's Unity? My own favorite Linux Mint Cinnamon?

A first look at Ubuntu Linux 12.04's Unity desktop (Gallery)

If I'm an ISV the last thing I want to do is throw money and time into crafting half-a-dozen versions of my user-interface for each significant Linux desktop. On the other hand, some ISVs, such as game maker Valve, has looked at Windows 8, turned its back on it, and are now moving to Linux. That's great but Linux needs to do more to encourage ISVs. 

De Icaza thinks the only way Linux on the mainstream desktop will ever take off is “to take one distro, one set of components as a baseline, abandon everything else and everyone should just contribute to this single Linux. Whether this is Canonical's Ubuntu, or Red Hat's Fedora or Debian's system or a new joint effort.”

He's right. I think that's been Canonical plan for Ubuntu all along. Linux pros may not care much for Unity, but even the most un-techie people on the planet can use Ubuntu Linux with Unity. While lots of great distributions, such as Mint, are meant for desktop users, only Ubuntu really targets the mass-market. If I were an ISV, Ubuntu would be my Linux of choice. After all, it's already Valve's pick.

4) Slow down the pace of change.

I like playing with the newest toys more than most people. Most hardcore Linux users do. Josephine User doesn't want to deal with a major update of her desktop every six months. That's why the successful Linux vendors—Canonical, Red Hat, and SUSE—release long term support versions of their operating systems.

Three years, not six months, is an update cadence that works for most people. Yes, that may mean your desktop release is running the Linux 3.5 kernel. Do you really think most people care about that? They don't. There's a reason why Windows XP, after 11-years in the top desktop spot—has only now been overtaken by Windows 7. People prefer King Log over King Stork. They may say they want the shiniest gizmos but at the end of the day they want their desktop to look and work the same as they did the day before.

That's a lesson that both Microsoft, with Windows 8 Metro, and Linux distributions that default to GNOME 3.x should learn.

3) Work even harder to get  low-level hardware vendor support.

Sure, you really can run Linux on pretty much any PC today—goodness knows I do—but if you want to make the most of your hardware, the vendors, like NVIDIA, still don't deliver the driver goods.

There's not a lot the Linux distributions can do about this. I mean if Red Hat wants a server equipment OEM to listen, they'll pay attention. Red Hat is a major server player. But, no one in the desktop space has that kind of clout. The only thing Linux can do is to offer to build Linux drivers for the OEMs. And, indeed, under Greg Kroah-Hartman's guidance Linux developers have been building free Linux hardware drivers for years. Even now, though, too many OEMs won't accept this free offer.

2) Pound on PC vendors' doors.

Over the years, Dell, HP, and Lenovo has all fooled around with pre-installed desktop Linux. Even now if you're Joe Consumer you can't just go to their Web sites or a store and be sure you can buy a Linux PC or laptop. Outside of the US and Western Europe, it's actually easier to get Linux PCs.

Yes, it's actually easy to install Linux on a PC—I do it at least every other week—but most people won't go to the trouble.

We must have more vendors supporting pre-installed Linux desktops. It's great that we have System76 and ZaReason, but we need the big vendors to fully commit to the Linux desktop as well. I mean it's nice that Dell is well on its way to producing a high-end laptop, the Sputnik, for Linux developers, but it would be better still if you could currently order a run-of-the-mill Dell with Ubuntu as well.

At the same time, Linux computers should cost less than their Windows relations. After all, Linux doesn't cost an OEM anything like as much as Windows does. Nevertheless, the first Linux Ultrabook laptop costs as much as its Windows brother.

What the Linux distributors can do here is simply promote Linux on the desktop more to the OEMs. As far as I can tell only Canonical, once again, is really making a determined effort to promote the traditional Linux desktop. If you really want to see Fedora, openSUSE, whatever, Linux desktops in the market their distributors need to get on the stick and start pushing and working with OEMs.

1) Linux distributors need to take the traditional desktop seriously.

You know, I think it's wonderful that Linux, thanks to Android, is ruling smartphones and the new generation of Android tablets, such as the Nexus 7 and the Amazon Kindle Fire HD are finally giving the iPad competition. But, the desktop is not going away anytime soon.

I like my fancy tablets as much as anyone does but when it comes to punching in words or keying in data give me a real computer with a real keyboard any day of the week. That's not going to change.

Only two Linux companies seem to get this. One, of course, is Canonical. The other is Google with its Chrome OS and Chromebooks. Google is trying its best to get you to buy, and now rent, Chromebooks. Google gets it. Google may be the king of the Internet, and Chrome OS may be just the Chrome Web browser on top of a thin layer of Linux, but they know the CPU on the desk with a keyboard in front of it is far from dead.

If we really want to see Linux desktops compete, you have a couple of choices. One, you can start supporting Ubuntu or Chrome OS, since they're only Linux distributions that seem to take the business of the Linux desktop seriously. If not them, then the Linux community must back another distribution to the hilt

You see, de Icaza was right on one fundamental point. For the Linux desktop to really take off, we must “take one distro, one set of components as a baseline, abandon everything else and everyone should just contribute to this single Linux.” Then, and only then, will we have a desktop Linux that will be able to really take advantage of the opportunity that Microsoft is handing us with Windows 8.

Source : zdnet.com

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Windows 7 Overtakes Windows XP As the Most Popular Desktop OS

Windows 7 is now the world’s most popular desktop operating system, according to the August report from Net Applications.

In August, Windows 7 had a 42.76% market share, a fraction of a point more than Windows XP’s 42.52%. Windows Vista sits at third place with a 6.15% market share, followed by Mac OS X 10.7 and Mac OS X 10.6 with 2.45% and 2.38%, respectively.

All in all, older versions included, Microsoft controls some 92% of the market.

It took three years for Windows 7 to become the world’s most popular OS. Microsoft’s desktop operating system, which was launched in October 2009, will soon be replaced by a newer version — Windows 8.

Windows 8, which is scheduled to go on sale on October 26, will be Microsoft’s first operating system designed to work just as well on tablets as it does on desktop computers. Users running Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Professional for $39.99 via an online download.

Source : mashable.com

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Windows Next: Just call it 'Blue'?

It's been a couple weeks of Microsoft naming madness. To top it all off at the end of last week, there were new leaks about the next version of Windows unearthed by various sites.

It's not surprising Microsoft already is working on whatever version of Windows follows Windows 8. It'd be way more surprising if the company wasn't doing this.

But already there "Windows 9" references, including new ones unearthed by Microsoft Kitchen's Stephen Chapman and Win8China (as cited by the WinUnleaked site).

I've heard the next version of Windows is not going to be Windows 9. Instead, I've heard from a couple of my contacts that some kind of an update is coming next year. The Windows release codenamed "Blue" -- mentioned by Win8China last week -- is likely the codename of this interim release, my contacts claim.

I'm not clear if Blue is simply what we in the Windows world typically call a service pack, which is a rollup of fixes and updates. Or maybe Blue is more of a feature pack, which would/could include be a rollup of fixes plus some new features.

The word seems to be, whichever it is, that Microsoft is moving away from the big-bang Windows release schedule to which it typically has adhered, and is now attempting to move toward something more like what Apple does, with point releases.  I'll be curious if Blue eventually gets a version number, like Windows 8.1 or 8.5 or something. And if we'll see Blue materializes in the summer of 2013, as I've heard from some of my contacts....

What's interesting about "Blue" as a codename is that it deviates from the city-name pattern that is used by many Microsoft divisions. (The corporate-codename thinking, supposedly, is city names are less likely to be something for which Microsoft will/can get in naming trouble, though that isn't always true.) That said, the Windows team has for the past couple of releases used numbers (7, 8) rather than city names as codenames.

Another fact of potential interest to other codename buffs: This isn't the first time Microsoft has used the Blue codename. The Azure folks have used Blue before, as has the MSN team.

Source : zdnet.com

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The Real Reason Your Lumia Phone Won’t Get Windows Phone 8

After unveiling the Surface tablet, the company revealed a couple of days later its biggest-ever upgrade to Windows Phone — the Windows Phone 8. However, the latter news left a sour taste in the mouth of users who bought into Microsoft’s mobile platform early, as current Windows Phone users found out they wouldn’t be getting the update.

Why wouldn’t Microsoft let its most loyal mobile users in on its latest and greatest software? The reason is actually very simple: This isn’t the same Windows Phone operating system as the one they’ve been using. Although Windows Phone 8 resembles its predecessors in both looks and functionality, everything has changed under the hood.

“The oversimplified way of putting it is that, before, you had a phone that ran programs; now you have a computer that can make phone calls,” says Greg Sullivan, Microsoft’s senior marketing manager for Windows Phone (shown above). “There is a fundamental difference architecturally.”

Windows Phone has been re-coded from the ground up for Version 8. The original Windows Phone (Version 7) and all subsequent upgrades before 8 are actually based on Windows CE, Microsoft’s earlier mobile operating system. Windows CE was also the basis for Windows Mobile, which came before Windows Phone 7.

Windows Phone 8, however, is based on the same core software as Windows 8 itself (the Windows NT kernel). While that has many benefits — for users, hardware makers, developers and Microsoft — it means all those phones that were designed to run Windows Phone 7 can’t run the new OS.

All isn’t lost on current Windows Phone users, however. The most visible upgrade in Windows Phone 8 — the super-customizable home screen — will come to older Windows Phones through an upgrade to Windows Phone 7.8, and Microsoft says it’ll continue to support the previous Windows Phone OS.

“The sense that we just bought something and we don’t want to be left behind is what we’re delivering on,” says Sullivan. “Nokia is doing a bunch of works to keep this fresh. They’re going to continue to invest in the Lumia line and add new capability and new functionality.”

Was it really impossible to get those previous phones running Windows Phone 8, though? Hardware is often adaptable — the same Intel chips that power Windows PCs also power Macs, after all. Couldn’t Microsoft have worked out a way for those phones to get the latest version?

Yes, says Sullivan, but the cost would have been severe, and the benefits would have been minimal. Much of the functionality that Windows Phone 8 opens up has to do with higher resolutions, multi-core processors and technologies like near-field communication (NFC) — technologies current Windows Phones simply don’t have.

“That has a fair amount to do with it,” Sullivan says. “All of the work we would have had to do to get it on this architecture — and then there’s no benefit.”

Windows Phone 8 has much more in common with Windows 8 and Windows RT than previous generations of Windows Phone. The similarity goes beyond just sharing the same software code (the kernel), as, for instance,OS X and iOS do. Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 actually share the same “core,” as Sullivan puts it, which means all Windows products will soon share the same device drivers, file system, networking stack (with IPv6 compatibility), media software, and most elements having to do with security.

“There’s a lot more than just the OS kernel that’s being shared,” Sullivan explains. “That’s one of the benefits of being on this shared core — we get to inherit the architecture and the scale of a very large number of users.”

Source : mashable.com

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Microsoft Promises Oct. 26 Launch Date for Windows 8

 According to Microsoft’s official Windows blog, the company’s Steven Sinofsky just announced a firm ship date for Microsoft’s upcoming operating system, Windows 8, at its annual sales meeting. Sinofsky announced that the OS will ship as both an upgrade and on new PCs starting Oct. 26.

This follows a recent announcement that Windows 8 would ship sometime in October. Currently, it’s available as a Release Preview version. The firm ship date is a signal that the company has the product very near a final version. There is still, however, no firm ship date announced for its upcoming foray into hardware, the Surface. 

 

Source : wired.com

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Microsoft Officially Announces Windows 8 for October

Microsoft will ship its Windows 8 “Release to Manufacturer” (or RTM) build to OEM partners the first week of August, and the operating itself will officially launch to the public by the end of October. Windows Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Financial Officer Tami Reller made these announcements at Microsoft’s annual Worldwide Developer Conference in Toronto on Monday.

The news comes as no surprise, as Microsoft had previously stated it would make Windows 8 available in time for the holidays and many speculated that this meant an October release. But this is the first official release date the company has given since announcing Windows 8.

Once Windows RTM launches in August, Microsoft will turn on the commerce platform for apps in the Windows Store, allowing developers to make money off of their apps. (Currently, all apps are free in Windows 8 Release Preview.) Come October, users will be able to upgrade to Windows 8, as well as purchase new Windows 8 and Windows RT PCs, notebooks and tablets.

Reller also announced that more than 630 million licenses of Windows 7 have been sold. Microsoft is hedging its future on Windows 8, so it wants to convince its current users to make the switch. The company is pricing its Windows 8 upgrade accordingly, making it as cheap and easy as possible for current users to upgrade — a digital download will cost only $40, while a boxed DVD version will go for $70.

The move from a desktop-focused OS to the Metro UI is a huge bet and shift for the company. And with Windows RT and the Surface tablet, the company is making its first forays into the tablet market to compete with the iPad.

Source : wired.com

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Notifications Support For Twitter On Windows Phone

Starting this week, Windows Phone users with a Twitter fixation will have a much easier time feeding the little, blue, bird-shaped beast. The latest update to the app features long-awaited Notifications support. Downloading version 1.5 will deliver such important Twitter info as retweets, mentions, direct messages, new followers and favorited tweets to the forefront where they belong. You can download the app in the source link below and then tell all your friends through the microblogging service of your choice, whatever that might be. Fair warning in the meantime -- a number of folks are reporting issues with the update, and we've had some difficulty getting it up an running on our own handsets. Feel free to sound off in the comments below -- since you may have some trouble doing so on Twitter.

Source: engadget.com

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How To: Uninstall Windows 8 From Dual Boot Windows 7

After Microsoft launched windows 8 developer preview every geek like me wants to test it. I have installed windows 8 developer preview with my windows 7 but it’s not a stable version so crashing is obvious. Now what to do if  you want to uninstall Windows 8 developer preview from your dual-boot windows 7. Here is the guide :
Removing or uninstalling windows 8 developer preview from dual-boot windows 7 is very easy just follow these steps :-
Ok, first off all Boot in to your windows 7 ?  Go to Start and In the Search Box type ‘Advanced System Settings’ ? Hit Enter

After hitting enter button you will see the this window [See Below]

Click on the Advanced tab at the top ? then under Startup And Recovery Click on Settings
Now under Startup and Recover window you will see Default operating system under Default operating system Select your default operating system Windows 7

If you wish to keep Windows 8 and have Windows 7 as your Default Operating System then that you finished, all done.
To remove Windows 8 from you computer follow the guide below
To Remove Windows 8 Go to Start ? Right Click on Computer ? Select Manage ? In the left pane Click Disk Management

Now locate your Windows 8 partition Right Click and Select Delete Volume.
Windows 8 has now been removed and now you can reclaim the partition or put it to another use.

That’s it.

 Source: digg.com

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How to automatically back up your personal files in Windows 8

 

Windows 8 offers several features designed to secure your files, but one of the most useful ones is File History.

The new File History feature can back up all your documents, browser favorites, desktop icons, and other personal files. Once set, File History runs automatically at specific times, though you can always trigger it manually.

You can also set the backup destination to a USB or network drive so your files are recoverable even if your hard drive crashes or gets corrupted. If one of your personal files gets lost or damaged, you can simply restore its most recent copy from the File History.

Here's how File History works in the Windows 8 Release Preview:

1. Plug in a blank USB drive. Make sure the drive has enough space to house all of your documents and other personal files.

2. At the Metro Start screen, type the phrase file history. Under the search field, click on the Settings category. From the search results on the left pane, click on the result for File History.

3. File History should detect and display the USB drive. Click the Turn on button to enable File History. You'll see a message that "File History is saving copies of your files for the first time." After the backup completes, File History displays a message telling you when the files were last copied.

4. If you want to use a network drive instead of a USB drive, click the Turn off button. Remove the USB drive. In the left pane, click on the select drive option. Then click the Add network location button. Windows displays the names of your networked PCs and drives. Click the network drive you wish to use.

5. Select a specific network share or folder where you want to save the File History. You can also click on the New folder button to create a new folder to store the File History. Then click the Select Folder button. You should see the network drive and folder listed as the File History drive. Click OK. Windows asks if you want to move your existing files to the new location. Answer No.

6. The network drive now appears as the new backup location. File History copies your files to the network drive. After the backup completes, File History displays a message telling you when the files were last copied.

7. You can exclude certain folders from being part of the File History. In the left pane, click on the Exclude folders option. In the Exclude from File History screen, click Add. Choose any folder you wish to exclude from the history. Click Add again to exclude another folder if you wish. Click Save changes when you're done.

8. You can tweak other settings as well. In the left pane, click on the Advanced settings option. In the Save copies of files dropdown box, select how often you want the files to be saved. Every hour is the default. In the size of offline cache dropdown box, select how much space you want to devote to the File History on the backup location. Five percent is the default. And in the Keep saved versions dropdown box, select how long you want to keep the saved version. Forever is the default. Click Save changes when done.

9. Finally, to restore a file or files, click on the Restore personal files option in the left pane. Double-click the folder or category of files you wish to restore, for example, Documents. Select the file or files you wish to restore. Click the button to Restore to original location. A Windows Explorer window pops up showing the restored files in their original location. Close the File History window when you're done.

    

   Source : news.cnet.com

 

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Microsoft Shows Off Payment Technology in New Phone Software

Microsoft’s mobile operating system, Windows Phone, hasn’t made much of an impact on the phone market. But the company is far from giving up. It is investing even more in the software with a major upgrade set for release this fall. What’s it got that the iPhone doesn’t? A complete mobile payment system.

The new software, Windows Phone 8, will be built on the same foundation as Windows 8, the next version of Microsoft’s operating system for desktops and tablets, the company said on Wednesday at a conference for software developers in San Francisco.

Among other features, Windows Phone 8 introduces support for hardware with near-field communication, a technology that enables devices to exchange information wirelessly over very short distances, allowing smartphones to be used for payments. Accompanying that, Windows Phone 8 will include a wallet application to store credit cards, coupons, frequent flyer accounts and customers’ credit and debit card information.

That’s a bit better than what Apple offers for mobile payments. Apple’s new iPhone software, due out this fall, has a similar wallet app called Passbook. But its hardware doesn’t include near-field communication, so it relies on displaying bar codes to redeem purchases. (The addition of Passbook, however, hints that Apple may be preparing to add near-field to a future iPhone.)

Other than enabling payments, the technology will allow Windows phones to pull off some other nifty tricks. Tapping two phones together could exchange business cards, or link the phones  to play a board game, said Joe Belfiore, Microsoft’s vice president for the Windows phone program.

Windows Phone 8 will also add features like encryption to improve security and support for multicore processors, which would improve multitasking.

Source: bits.blogs.nytimes.com

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Android Vs. Windows SmartPhones – Which One You Should Choose?

“With the constant development in technology and the increase in brand names, it really becomes a tough call to choose the best mobile phone among the numerous ones available in the market. The dilemma in today’s world is to decide between the various Operating Systems of the phone more than the brands of the phone. In that category, two operating systems are ruling the technology world which is ANDROID and WINDOWS. What is so special about these two operating systems? Let us have a quick glance through.

 

WINDOWS VS ANDROID

It is a well known fact that the android is established by Google and Windows OS has been established by Microsoft but what makes the two compete so hard?

- Android phones are very user friendly and they have a lot of applications like Google maps, navigation tools, high speed and performance apps which enable the users to stay glued and dependent on the phone.
- The special feature of this android phone is that nearly thousands of applications can be used at the same time without majorly disrupting the speed of the phone.
- The other added feature of android is that the Wi-Fi connectivity which is very sharp and provides instant usage without any delays.
- Irrespective to the camera resolutions, the picture clarity and automatic light adjustment tends to be better in androids than mango Operating Systems.
- Windows operating system supported phones give us the experience of using a compact hand sized laptop or PC.
- Windows and Android go hand in hand in terms of the user interface but windows tends to vary in terms of the touch screen. Windows offer high sensitive touch screens which saves a lot of time for the users.
- In terms of applications it is more or less the same as Android.
- Windows attracts the younger generation by supporting XBOX Live integration which provides time to time gaming updates in the phone.

 

Therefore…

Both Windows and Android have their own advantages and disadvantages and mainly the needs of individuals vary. It cannot be zeroed down to one of the operating system in a general basis as we have seen both the operating systems’ features in varied aspects. In short one might say that windows is the best as long as the user needs a good gaming experience with a high sensitive touch screen. And Android tends to be the best for people who want the help of Google maps, GPS navigators, and simultaneous running of ample number of applications. People who find high sensitive touch screens a little annoying as even a light touch might end up in an unwanted outgoing call or internet access can go for Android as their touch screens or not so sensitive.

Though there are many pros and cons for both the operating systems, either of them tend to put a tough competition in the market irrespective of their mediocre and high prices. Hence how many ever Operative Systems are introduced, customers tend to pick what they desire!

Source: digg.com

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Why Windows 8 could be the next Vista

Thinking about Windows 8 fills me with a strong sense of unease. Whether it’s the thought of using the OS on my desktop on a daily basis or the coming backlash by consumers when the OS lands, it distresses me on more levels than it should. Windows 8 could very well be the next Vista.

Plainly said, Windows 8 is Microsoft’s attempt to make Windows everything to everyone in the new mobile-focused landscape. It will work on tablets, laptops, desktops, and any type of hybrid device manufacturers can produce. It will work with touch screens, keyboards, mice, or even a stylus. It’s extremely versatile — and that’s both a blessing and a curse.

Microsoft launched the Release Preview of Windows 8 (download it here) two weeks ago, and this will be the final preview version of the OS before it ships, most likely late in the third quarter of this year.

I’ve been using Windows 8 Release Preview on a thin-and-powerful Samsung laptop and while I like aspects of the operating system, it often frustrates me. I don’t find the machine great for multitasking. Even with smart touchpad gestures, there are kinks that need to be worked out.

More seriously, it’s a fundamental change in the way Windows works, and that’s going to throw many consumers for a loop.

How Vista prefigures Windows 8

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Microsoft has sold 600 million licenses for Windows 7 since its launch in October 2009, making it one of the most successful software products of all time. Despite that, many people are still running Windows XP, a 10-year-old version of Windows, despite the fact that Microsoft will stop supporting XP in April 2014. (Seriously: According to StatCounter, 31 percent of desktop web users worldwide are using XP, while NetApplications says it’s actually around 45 percent.)

Why are so many people clinging so hard to an outmoded OS? Most likely it’s thanks to a little speed bump known as Windows Vista, which came between Windows XP and Windows 7.

No matter how you spin it, the launch of Vista in 2007 was a PR disaster marred by not-powerful-enough hardware, technical glitches, and incompatible programs.

“Vista shipped too early, and third-party support was late,” Michael Silver, a vice president and analyst for research company Gartner, told VentureBeat. “A big part of what killed Vista was not having hardware support.”

Vista adoption was slow, and Microsoft realized the damaging perception wasn’t going away. By the time Vista got its Service Pack 2 update, it actually was quite good and worked much like Windows 7 worked on its launch. But the damage was done and consumers still hated the Vista brand. Vista now has less than 9 percent of the world market share, per StatCounter.

Now with Windows 8, Microsoft is almost certainly setting itself up for a Vista-like adoption problem.

This time around, consumers won’t be pushing back on Windows 8 because of technical problems but because the OS looks and feels so radically different. Watching a 66-year-old woman trying to use Windows 8 for the first time is excruciating. Based on these kinds of reactions and many conversations I’ve had with analysts, older and non-tech-savvy folks will look at Windows 8 and recoil. Tech folks like myself aren’t exactly clamoring to get Windows 8 on our primary machines either.

And on the business side, it’s hard enough to get enterprises moved over to Windows 7, let alone even start thinking about 8. So we shouldn’t expect business adoption for 8 in the next several years, unless they are looking to experiment with tablets and haven’t already dived in with the iPad.

Frank Gillett, a vice president and analyst at Forrester, another research firm, told us that he’s not entirely comfortable with the Vista/Windows 8 parallel, but admits there will be an adoption problem from consumers and businesses.

“Windows 8 is not a technical bomb like Vista was, but it’s a challenge to get people to learn something new,” Gillett said. “It’s an unconventional experience and a challenging transition for Microsoft to make. Adoption will be a little slow.”

Gillett also points out that the competitive landscape is wildly different for Windows 8 versus Vista. Whereas Windows desktops and laptops used to control the world, OSes and devices have changed. Now we have players like Apple and Samsung putting out tablets and smartphones that are making Windows fight harder than ever. Yes, Windows 7 is 600 million licenses strong, but for how many will Win 7 be their last taste of Windows?

How Windows 8 could succeed

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Paul Thurrott of WinSuperSite has a measured and intelligent response to the idea of Win 8 being the next Vista and says the comparison is apt because 8 and Vista both brought sea changes to computing. He even thinks there could be a Windows 9 OS that comes out quickly like 7 did to win back people’s hearts. Thurrott writes:

Some are too quick to decry Windows 8 as “the next Vista,” a product that for some reason has been universally panned despite outselling its nearest rival, OS X, by a factor of about a hundred. But this comparison is actually apt, just not for the reason you think. Windows 8 is very much like Vista because it represents a sea change, a huge platform bet that will confuse and confound some, even while it sets up Windows for another decade of expansion. Maybe there will be a Windows 9 that will clean up the mess, like Windows 7 cleaned up Vista’s mess. But as I’ve written in the past, if Windows 8 is a mess, and it is, then it’s a wonderful mess.

Gartner’s Silver believes the success or failure of Windows 8 will come down to two big things: 1) What devices manufactures create to run the OS and 2) What awesome and crazy apps people create for it.

On the device front, Silver suggests the most important form factor for Windows 8 will be laptop/tablet hybrids that feature a full touch screen, keyboard, and touchpad. One of the best laptop/tablet hybrids I’ve seen so far is Lenovo’s IdeaPad Yoga, a laptop that can bend over backwards and turn into a Windows 8 tablet. Asus recently debuted a similar Windows 8 hybrid tablet at Computex. Hybrid machines like these radically shift how you use Windows with touch and still provide the keyboard/touchpad you already know.

I see room for success in the tablet space, and Windows 8 tablets could provide a more viable challenge to the iPad than Android has. Instead of fighting the iPad head-to-head, many Android-based tablets (Kindle Fire, Nook Tablet, etc.) have decided to go cheap to get people interested in the units.

By contrast, Windows 8 on tablets is actually fun and makes the experience way more natural than using Windows 8 on a laptop or desktop. Also, businesses may be more apt to a Windows 8 tablet than BlackBerry’s terrible Playbook.

Now when it comes to apps, Silver’s other big Windows 8 success factor, there is no doubt that a mobile-focused platform today must have sweet software to succeed. The reason iOS and Android have succeeded so well over rivals (including Windows Phone) is due to awesome apps that add new experiences for entertainment, news, and education. Metro-style Windows 8 apps like Cocktail Flow (see above), Fresh Paint, and the game Cut the Rope all look great, but there still aren’t that many good examples in the Windows Store.

Personally, I really like Google’s developer build of a Metro-style Chrome browser for Windows 8 because it ignores some of the Metro guidelines, thus making it a better fit for a desktop/laptop than Internet Explorer 10, Windows 8′s default browser.

The development of great apps and devices may not happen in time for the supposed late third-quarter launch. Manufacturers may not have enough cool devices ready for launch day and app-makers may not be tempted to create apps until after they see consumers’ reactions to Windows 8.

Of course, Microsoft reserves the option to delay Windows 8 until next year if it feels things simply aren’t ready.

“Windows 8 may not fall into place this year,” Silver told us. “It’s better to ship a late product than a bad one. You don’t get many chances to have a ‘Vista’ and recover from that.”

But as it stands, Windows 8 is casting a shadow over CEO Steve Ballmer and the Microsoft team, even if they don’t want to admit it. Will Microsoft find a flashlight before launch or will the company trudge into the dark unknown?

Source: digg.com

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