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Breaking News: Bill Gates to step down

REDMOND, Wash. - Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates announced Thursday that he will transition from day-to-day responsibilities at the company he co-founded to concentrate on the charitable work of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Gates will continue on as the company’s chairman after transferring his duties over a two-year period.

“This was a hard decision for me,” said Gates, who founded the world’s largest software company with childhood friend Paul Allen. “I’m very lucky to have two passions that I feel are so important and so challenging. As I prepare for this change, I firmly believe the road ahead for Microsoft is as bright as ever.”

Microsoft’s Chief Technical Officer Ray Ozzie will immediately assume Gate’s title as chief software architect and begin working side by side with Gates on overseeing all software technical design.

Source: MSNBC.com

Blogging from Microsoft Office Word 2007

Right now, I am writing this post in the Beta copy of Word that I downloaded the other day. I just now got a chance to actually sit down and use the product, and I have to say so far that I like what I see. The integrated blogging feature is awesome. I have been using the add-in from Blogger for quite some time but the new way of doing things the Microsoft way seems to be a much better solution.

The only negatives that I can say about the product are the performance and learning curve. Word is slightly slower than past versions, but this is a Beta release so it should be a much speedier product when it goes gold.

I have been using Word for years and since its inception very little has changed in the way it works and now I find myself having to relearn how to do very many of the everyday tasks. In just the small amount of time that I have used it, I seem to be picking up very quickly.

Good job Microsoft.

10% of Mexico's population now living in the United States

Roughly 10 percent of Mexico's population of about 107 million is now living in the United States, estimates show. About 15 percent of Mexico's labor force is working in the United States. One in every 7 Mexican workers migrates to the United States.

Read more...

PS3 is Doomed

PS3 is doomed, thanks to Sony’s ignorant attitude. None of us had the chance to seriously evaluate PS3 and the experience it has to offer. It’s impossible without a series of titles and an official product at hand, but from where we stand, Sony’s damaging attitude is all it takes to diminish the value of PS3. Kutaragi may be right in defending PS3; after all, he can’t criticize his own product, but instead of exciting users with valuable features and winning them over so they can start "saving," Kutaragi makes bearish statements in response to Nintendo’s announcement and Microsoft’s take on Sony. Last I heard companies were at E3 to impress media personnel, which yielded positive publicity, not make childish remarks when chances were against them.


Sony has this "we are undefeatable" attitude, and with 60 percent market share, who can blame them? But do they not understand market trends and how quickly they change?

http://www.cooltechzone.com/Departments/Featured_Story/Sony%3A_PS3_is_Doomed_200605152312/

Senate approves $70 billion tax cut

The Senate approved the $70 billion tax cut that President Bush wanted passed through congress. The plan to assure the stability of America for those who are in power is under way.

Live Anywhere

Microsoft has announced a new service coming to Xbox 360, Windows Vista, and Windows Mobile known as "Live Anywhere".

The new online network will provide Windows Vista and Xbox 360 gamers with
a consistent experience, with one gamertag, one set of achievements, one friends
list and voice communications between all Xbox Live members. Bringing the Live
Anywhere vision to Windows means that millions of gamers worldwide can access
all the best elements of Xbox Live whether they’re playing on an Xbox 360
system, a Windows-based PC or their mobile phone.
-Bill Gates, E3 2006

From a Microsoft Press Release:

Xbox Live experiences come to Windows-based PCs. Gamers
will have the ability to jack into the vibrant Xbox Live world from their
Windows-based PCs early next year to play games with friends. Answering the call
of millions of Windows gamers for a world that is always on, the Xbox Live
experience on Windows will give gamers a consistent online game experience in
which they have one identity, one friends list, one set of achievements and
voice communications across all games on the network. These experiences will
debut on Windows with the Windows Vista™ operating system and “Shadowrun™” this
winter.

Halo 3 coming to Xbox 360

Microsoft today announced at E3 that Halo 3 will be released on the Xbox 360. Gates announced that Halo 3 would be released months ago but now its offical. The tagline is, "This is the way the world ends, finish the fight".

Happy 60th birthday, Sony!

Its been a good 60 years from them. Lots of highs and several lows. Sony went from a no name brand to one of the most respected and powerful companies on the planet. Happy Birthday to you Sony.

read more | digg story

Xbox 360, finally!

I have finally purchased an Xbox 360! So far it is an amazing product that seems to have not fallen into the slump that so many other Microsoft projects have entered in recent years. I am going to try and have a full review up as soon as I can.

Also in the next few weeks I will update the blog with several new features, stay tuned to see what comes.

Virus targets Windows and Linux

The proof-of-concept was submitted to Russian antivirus company Kaspersky Lab, which calls it Bi.a. The virus was written in low-level computer code called "assembler" and is limited, as it only infects files in the current directory, Kaspersky said Friday on its Web site. However, it can infect files in the different formats used by Linux and Windows--ELF and PE, respectively, Kaspersky said.

The virus is a classic proof-of-concept, written to show that it's possible to create a cross-platform virus, Kaspersky said. "However, our experience shows that once proof-of-concept code is released, virus writers are usually quick to take the code and adapt it for their own use," Kaspersky said.

That concern is shared by Swa Frantzen, who tracks incidents at the SANS Internet Storm Center, which monitors network threats. "The impact of the proof-of-concept at this point is very low in itself, but it is a sign the cross-platform aspects are becoming important," Frantzen wrote on the ISC blog. "As the developers of viruses continue to research this, we will see more cross-platform malware come about in the future."

Kaspersky has added detection for the malicious software to its antivirus databases.

Source: ZDnet

Britain's new FBI-style agency logo compared to 'Thundercats'.

If you're launching yourself as Britain's FBI and say you will make the lives of organised criminals "hell" then you need a dynamic logo to match the job. It's bold, but bears a striking resemblance to the logo of the 1980s children's cartoon series Thundercats.

read more | digg story

U.S. Rolls Out Plan to Build 125 Nukes per Year.

The Bush administration Wednesday unveiled a blueprint for rebuilding the nation's decrepit nuclear weapons complex, including restoration of a large-scale bomb manufacturing capacity.

read more | digg story

Mac programs to run on Windows starting in 2007

In a somewhat related story to my last post, there are rumors that Apple will release software that will allow Windows to run application built for OS X.

Now let me see if I understand this, Apple is letting Windows run on their own hardware, while at the same time they are going to let Windows run OS X software. This to me puts Windows on top. If it can run on any hardware and run almost any software then what is the drive to buy a Mac? I think things are about to get very interesting.

Mac programs to run on Windows starting in 2007

Apple sends Windows to Boot Camp, Apple helps you run Windows XP on a Mac

Apple has released software that will allow Windows to run on Intel-based Mac hardware, called Boot Camp. It creates a second partition and includes all the drivers needed for Windows XP to run the the Mac. This move makes buying an Apple even more appealing to those who are thinking about the switch, including myself. Now all I need is the money to do it.

Boot Camp is now in Beta, and will be included in the next version of Mac OS X.

"Apple has no desire or plan to sell or support Windows, but many customers have expressed their interest to run Windows on Apple's superior hardware now that we use Intel processors," said Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing Philip Schiller. "We think Boot Camp makes the Mac even more appealing to Windows users considering making the switch."

Learn more about Apple Boot Camp

Video game ban struck down

A federal judge has ruled that a Michigan law that bars retailers from selling or renting violent video games to minors is unconstitutional.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032118/

The Simpsons Movie Trailer

In an update to the post lastnight about The upcoming Simpsons Movie here is the trailer from our good friends at Apple.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/thesimpsonsmovie/teaser/

Firefox at 10% Market Share.

Firefox has finally reached market share of 10%. At one time I was a huge "fan-boy" for Internet Explorer. And while IE7 is a very exciting release that I tend to find myself wanting to use more and more I am still a Firefox user and intend of being one for years to come. The browser is, and the facts support it, a much better browser than IE. When the final release of IE7 comes out I will try the product again and we'll see if its enough to make me switch back to IE. I doubt it.

read more | digg story

Virtual Server 2005 R2 Will Be Free, Linux Compatible

At LinuxWorld Microsoft announced it would be releasing Virtual Server 2005 R2 free of charge to all consumers, regardless of use. They also opened it up to Linux compatibility so that Linux can now be run as a virtual OS.

Microsoft is slowly opening itself up to the new world of technology in which Linux is a very important part of that world, and this move may help them in ensuring that Windows Server System will be, and stay, on top.

http://windowsitpro.com/Article/article's/49864/49864.html

Simpsons movie revealed in trailer...2007 release date!!

This is flippin' sweet (pardon my excitment)! I have been waiting for a Simpsons movie for years, I just hope this doesn't mean the end of the show.

I just returned from the theatre where I saw a "trailer" for the Simpson's Movie. Here is the first info I have been able to find on it...enjoy kidies.

read more | digg story

It works! Windows XP now runs on Intel Mac Hardware

Well we all knew it wouldn't be long before it happened. Someone was able to get Windows XP to run on the new Intel-based Macs. The game is over, but the real fun starts now.

http://onmac.net/

Windows becomes top server OS

Microsoft's Windows Server System became the number one selling server in 2005, replacing Unix which has held the top spot in all years past. Linux came in a far behind third.

"It's the first time Unix was not top overall since before the Tracker started in 1996."

Read More

UK Wants Back Door into Vista

UK officials have begun talking with Microsoft about the security features in Vista, which they say are too strong and could make it impossible for law enforcement officers to collect data from criminals' computers. The UK would like Microsoft to provide them with a software back door in Vista, so that "competently set up" Vista computers could be examined by the police if needed. Although it's unlikely that Microsoft would allow such a back door­­despite unending rumors of a CIA/NIS back door into previous Windows versions­­or even announce the existence of such a back door should one be granted, the company did say that it would work with the UK on the issue. "We are working with law enforcement to help them understand [Vista's] security features and will continue to partner with governments, law enforcement, and industry to help make the Internet a safer place to learn and communicate," a Microsoft spokesperson said this week. You know, maybe if the UK could put in a good word for Microsoft with the European Union (EU), they could make a deal.
Source: WindowsITPro.com

How could this be true, I always thought Windows was a unsecure mess that anyone could get into? (sarcasm) Well I guess someone thinks Windows Vista will be a secure OS.

BUSH: America is addicted to oil

The State of the Union

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush, in a push to take charge of the election-year agenda, is expected to say Tuesday that "America is addicted to oil" and must break its dependence on foreign suppliers in unstable parts of the world.

In his State of the Union address, Bush also is expected to renew his commitment to the central pledge of his inaugural address. "Our nation is committed to an historic, long-term goal - we seek the end of tyranny in our world," he plans to say. "The future security of America depends on it."

Excerpts were released in advance of the 9 p.m. EST speech.

Read More...

No new funding for Iraq, US planning attack on Iran

TWO UNRELATED BUT POSSIBLY RELATED STORIES

Story 1: US will not provide additional funding to rebuild Iraq
“The Bush administration does not intend to seek any new funds for Iraq reconstruction in the budget request going before Congress in February, officials say. The decision signals the winding down of an $18.4 billion U.S. rebuilding effort in which roughly half of the money was eaten away by the insurgency, a buildup of Iraq's criminal justice system and the investigation and trial of Saddam Hussein.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/02/AR2006010200370.html

Story 2: US planning to strike Iran
The US is reportedly coordinating a military strike against Iran with NATO. It is also reported that countries neighboring Iran, such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman, and Pakistan have been also updated regarding the supposed plan. American sources sent to those countries apparently mentioned an aerial attack as a possibility, but did not provide a time frame for the operation.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1135696369601

I may just be drawing connections where none exist, but could the winding down of efforts in Iraq be a sign that a strike on Iran is coming since it would free up needed resource if a conflict with Iran were to begin?

Declassified KGB Report Claims UFOs Real

The alleged "Blue Folder" the KGB kept on UFOs has not only been declassified but the Russian Academy of Sciences considers it a credible phenomenon. Not only that, they are also very interested in further researching the phenomenon further. Does this make Russia the first government to openly acknowledge UFOs as real?

read more | digg story

IE screws up my PC, Firefox saves the day...

Thanks to new hardware for my computer that I got for Christmas I have been out of commission since then, so here is a late Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

If your wondering I got a new hard drive for my computer so I installed it. Well I got to the very last stage of getting all my software back on the computer and guess what? Internet Explorer failed me, I had a terrible malware attack that forced me to reinstall the entire system again. I had a lot to do and didn’t have time to do it again and I just now found the time and got it done.

Even though I had a terrible experience with Internet Explorer I am still an avid use and will continue to use Internet Explorer.

PS: I used Firefox the second time to get the software and this time everything went perfect, so I guess Firefox is the more secure browser in this situation.