Microsoft’s Overlooked Innovation
Posted by Stephen in Computer history, Personal on 15. Feb, 2010 | View Comments
It’s fun to bash Microsoft. It’s easy, too, with Apple solidly conquering the high end of the PC and mobile markets and Google’s command of the Internet. But how fair are these articles skewering Microsoft, such as “Microsoft’s chronic lack of innovation” published today at Techworld? I suggest that Microsoft innovates as well as, if not better than, any other massive company. But no one innovates like an outsider.
Google’s Evil Buzz Is Building
Posted by Stephen in Apple, Computer history, Personal, Virtual Storage on 12. Feb, 2010 | View Comments
Although “don’t be evil” isn’t Google’s official corporate motto, the company and its admirers have embraced the concept implicitly and explicitly. But pride goeth before a fall, and the buzz around Google isn’t just about their new social networking feature: Cynicism and disillusionment with Google is growing.
Vendor Non-Blogs
Posted by Stephen in Enterprise storage, Personal, Virtual Storage on 20. Jan, 2010 | View Comments
Biased content isn’t just found on blogs – it’s much more likely to be found in other areas like Twitter and discussion forums. When does discussion become Astroturf?
Is GDrive Finally Being Launched?
Posted by Stephen in Enterprise storage, Personal, Terabyte home, Virtual Storage on 12. Jan, 2010 | View Comments
Today, Google announced that their existing Docs platform will soon open up to storage of all file types. This was widely anticipated, as Google evolved the Docs service over the past year and added references to “Files” rather than specific document types. This could be the next step towards the long-rumored “GDrive” storage offering.
Are Microsoft and EMC beginning a renaissance of geek respect?
Posted by Stephen in Apple, Computer history, Enterprise storage, Gestalt IT, Personal, Virtual Storage on 08. Jan, 2010 | View Comments
What’s the difference between naughty and nice when it comes to IT companies? Microsoft and EMC would definitely not have made the nice list over the last decade, but things are changing. With their competition taking dents in the ongoing battles, Microsoft and EMC just don’t look so bad anymore.
How To Configure Drobo Dashboard Email for Gmail and Google Apps
Posted by Stephen in Apple, Personal, Terabyte home on 30. Nov, 2009 | View Comments
One of the cool automatic things that the Drobo “storage robot” can do is send you an email when it wants your attention. Well, to be more accurate, The Drobo Dashboard software on a connected PC or Mac sends the email, but you get the point. But if you’re like me and use Google’s Gmail as your email system, you might be wondering just how to configure Drobo Dashboard. Here’s a quick guide to get it all working!
The Dumb Disk Fallacy
Posted by Stephen in Computer history, Enterprise storage, Gestalt IT, Terabyte home on 13. Oct, 2009 | View Comments
I am spending a few weeks examining the truths and fictions that bind our industry together. Let’s start with one of my favorite old canards: That enterprise storage must be overpriced because bare disk drives are so cheap.
I have seen this straw man argument set up by so many throughout my career that it has [...]
We Don’t Need Cloud Standards (Yet)
Posted by Stephen in Computer history, Enterprise storage, Gestalt IT, Virtual Storage on 16. Sep, 2009 | View Comments
Championing “open” and calling for standards has become the first stalling action by late-movers in technology spaces. They see opportunity passing by and try to hold back progress and FUD the market by yelling about proprietary solutions, vendor lock-in, and a lack of standards. Many well-intentioned IT folks follow along: After all, who doesn’t want openness, standardization, and interoperability?
Google Reader Gets More Social
Posted by Stephen in Personal on 15. Jul, 2009 | View Comments
Google Reader has long been my RSS feed reader of choice, but using it was never much of a social experience. The earlier attempts at community, from shared feeds to comments, just fell flat. Good thing the solo experience (not to mention the iPhone version) was so solid or I would have given up a [...]
How To Install Google Gears in Safari 4
Posted by Stephen in Apple on 06. Jul, 2009 | View Comments
Update: Google Gears is not compatible with Snow Leopard and will not install. We’ll have to wait for an updated version.
Google Gears is awesome for users of Google Reader and Google Mail, but Apple’s latest updated browser seems to disagree with Gears for some reason. But follow these steps and you will have Gears up [...]
