Archive for category Microsoft
Facebook Causes…
Posted by Matt in Facebook, General Posts, Google, Microsoft, Rants, Social Networking on March 25, 2010
According to Google, Yahoo, and Bing…
Facebook causes divorce, depression, jealousy, and even cancer.
Now I’m sure that once this gains enough attention Google will take it down, along with Yahoo and Bing following the same path.
Grab your screen shots now, or take the ones I’ve provided below.
Going down that list, we learn
- Facebook causes divorce
- Facebook causes application [this confused me at first. It's probably the Facebook Causes application, says Marshall Kirkpatrick ]
- Facebook causes depression
- Facebook causes donations [hey, something positive!]
- Facebook causes internet explorer to crash [clearly unfair to investor and partner Microsoft]
- Facebook causes app [probably to crash]
- Facebook causes jealousy
- Facebook causes problems [see, Facebook is the universal cause of all problems]
- Facebook causes statistics [probably stats on things that Facebook causes]
- Facebook causes cancer [it was in the Daily Mail; it must be true]
From SearchEngineLand.com
Lest we forget about Yahoo & Bing:
Facebook again causes issues such as problems, divorce, cancer and depression. But we also get new things that Facebook causes:
- Facebook causes affairs
- Facebook causes breakups
- Facebook causes jealously
- Facebook causes reentry
- Facebook causes non profits
Not as much of an impact with Bing, but still saying it causes divorce.
Xbox Live Service Update: August 11th, 2009
Posted by Matt in Microsoft, Video Games, Xbox/Live on August 9, 2009
Apparently Xbox 360′s proud Xbox Live service is getting a complete update on August 11th.
From Xbox.com:
One of the amazing things about the Xbox LIVE experience is that it’s always getting better. The upcoming August 11, 2009 Xbox LIVE Update truly cranks it up a notch – with features that improve your entertainment experience and give you new ways to express your individuality and connect with friends. With this update, you can download full Xbox 360® games and play them without a disc, and you and your friends will be able to party watch movies online through Netflix! Dress up your avatar to impress with premium props and branded apparel from fashion labels. And this update allows every piece of game content on Marketplace to be rated, so add your personal ratings and see what others think is cool. But that’s just the beginning.
Seems like Microsoft is finally releasing some well needed features.
To highlight a few, “Games on Demand”, the new service from Microsoft, adding to the Xbox Live Marketplace, where users can now purchase video games, right in the comfort of their own home. This starts on the 11th, along side the update, but the same options of purchasing games will be available on the web too on August 13th. Along with that is Netflix. This was already sort-of gaining popularity through Xbox, but now it installs with the update regardless if you had it installed or not before. Let’s just hope that they don’t get too pushy with the Netflix member service. If I don’t want to join the service or rent a movie, please don’t bug me! Unless, of course, it’s free. I will always enjoy free.
And then we move onto the avatars. The poorly stolen / Wii knock-off avatars. I will give Microsoft props on this one, only because they did finally go just a little bit over the boundary with this update. Nintendo didn’t think of this — but something tells me a Wii Update in the future will present this — the avatars now has what Microsoft is calling “props” and “branded apparel” from fashion labels. The branded apparel isn’t all that interesting too me, but the props certainly opens up a wide variety for 3rd parties everywhere. Let’s see where it goes. Now, just how interactive can these props be? That is the question. We’ll find out soon enough.
Ratings. Something that I honestly never saw Microsoft allowing. They usually aren’t big on letting consumers know if the general public thinks a product is shitty. But, for some reason now the Xbox must be different. I think it’s a great tool. We can already “Submit Player Reviews”, granted most people don’t even look at those scores anymore, but all of the xbox live members out there never really got a chance to just completely down size a video game or movie (etc). But now we can!
Add PDF & XPS Export to Microsoft Office 2007
If you tested out Microsoft Office 2007 when it was still in it’s beta version, then you will remember that you used to be able to export your Word (also works with Access, Excel, InfoPath, OneNote, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Visio) to either a PDF format or XPS format. When I first saw this feature offered for Office 2007 (for free) I was amazed and thought it was one of the greatest new features Office 2007 had to offer.
But, once the final release of Office 2007 had come out, you found yourself looking for this PDF/XPS export function, and that it had gone MIA.
Luckily, Microsoft quickly offered a download that brought that functionality back into Office. Why they removed it in the first place is beyond me.
This isn’t exactly new news because this add-on itself was released 11/8/2006 — But I am letting you know about it just in case you didn’t know.
It’s a great add-on that certainly comes in handy if you are constantly needing PDF exports and don’t want to spend the bucks to put Acrobat on top of Office. Kudos to Microsoft.
Anywho, here is the link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4d951911-3e7e-4ae6-b059-a2e79ed87041
All The Lonely People…&Windows 7/Office 14
No, this post isn’t going to be about the Beatles. Sorry for those of you who found this post because of the title. I like to mix it up every once in awhile — just to see how many people are actually paying attention.
What do I need to cover? Because I really haven’t been posting as much as I was (sorry– I’ve been busy)
Next week, President-elect Barack Obama will be sworn in and become President Obama. Not entirely sure what the new administration is promising, but I can only hope for the best. I’m usually not one to plunge into politics, but when it comes to new presidents — I usually keep track of what’s going on.
Even if you don’t live in Illinois I’m sure you have heard of Govenor Rod Blagojevich’s trial and charges. From what I’m told, Illinois has become the fool of United States because of everything. Just for those of you who don’t know what has been going on there — Apparently Blagojevich is charged of selling President elect Barack Obama’s senate seat to the highest bidder (and also I understand that Roland Burris is now attempting to take this senate seat —the right way) along with other charges such as threatening to withhold state funding to such places as the Chicago Tribune, in the event that they first remove all editors who wrote ill against Blagojevich. I also read that Blagojevich has also threatened to withhold a Children’s Hospital of funding unless the CEO sends a campaign contribution. Among other charges, which like I said I’d like to not get into on his blog — you can read more about this controversy here.
Shocked that I haven’t reported on Windows 7 at all? So am I.. which is what I’m here to do now:
Windows 7, The next big operating system upgrade from Microsoft, is set to be out by late 2009 (which at the way it looks now, since the beta is just now being released to testers — will be delayed for 2010). Although I have not messed with it myself, I have been reviewing many articles and reports [along with many screenshots] on this new upgrade. From what I can tell right now, it looks like a Vista fix SP2 style. Why they did not just release it as a service pack – is beyond me. What I’m most excited about in this upgrade is the customizable User Account Control (UAC) feature — so instead of having to permantely shut it off (Because although annoying, it has saved my ass before) you can tweak it to not be so pety & annoying. Which is good, really good.
I don’t have much of an opinion on the new GUI Microsoft is releasing with this operating system. It looks very similar to vista, except they’ve attacked the start menu and made it UNIX looking. Which, although awkward for Windows, is a plus for me.
The idea was brought up on an ZDNET Article that this next version should just be free, and offered to everyone. Well, apparently Microsoft did hear this request — they just did it wrong. If you purchase a computer after July 2009, then you will have the opportunity to upgrade to Windows 7 when it is released, provided your manufacturer is in on this promotion. Granted, that’s a really nice deal, that blows away all people who either custom-built their machines or just recently bought a really nice computer. I’m going to be upgrading to Windows 7 when it comes out, simply because that’s me and it’s what I do — but it doesn’t mean I’ll be upgrading on the day it comes out. I might just stay with Vista, you never know. (something I never thought I’d catch myself saying)
Also, what is up with the title of this new operating system? Microsoft themselves said that Windows 7 was going to become the permanent title of their next release. Although, you would think being a lover of Apple like I am, that a number attached to the end wouldn’t upset me. That’s just it — it wouldn’t upset me if Apple was the one doing this — but they already had a Mac OS 7 — many years ago. Microsoft is just trying their hardest to compete with Apple, and it will never happen. I strongly believe that if Apple went mainstream with their products — and allowed companys such as Dell, HP, etc to market their products inside their machines, then Apple would be the largest company and I see Microsoft Windows being a thing of the past. But I also can understand why Apple does not do this.
Anywho, enough about Windows 7 — and onto Office 14 “alpha”. Because I was not selected to beta-test this Office version, you will have to read more information about them on this ZDNet blog article. It almost makes me angry that I was not chosen because I have beta tested Office 2003 & 2007 for Microsoft. But, whatever, I guess.
The more I do, however, find out about Office 14 I will keep this blog posted.
Ok, I think I’ve made up for not posting in a little while. This should give you guys something to read–maybe.
Windows Sharing in Leopard
Posted by Matt in Apple, Leopard, Technology, Windows on October 27, 2008
I had to find this out on my own, so I figured I would post it on my site so maybe I can help out other people with the same problem.
I just recently upgraded to Leopard, so a lot of the things that are different about it (compared to Tiger), I’m just now finding out. One of the things that apple changed was the name and location of Windows Sharing in Preferences. It is now called SMB and here is how you find it:
Start off by opening up “Sharing” in “System Preferences”
Then, after you have “File Sharing” checked and highlighted, click on “Options…”
From the drop down menu that shows up, check the box that is called “Share files and folders using SMB”.
Though I’m not entirely sure why Apple calls Windows Sharing SMB now, this will for sure get the job done.
Your Mac (running Leopard) will now successfully show up on a Windows Computer! Yay!
A Few Things To Talk About
Posted by Matt in Halloween, Microsoft, Technology, Web on October 19, 2008
Copyright ExtremePumpkins.com
First off, it’s finally October, (has been for quite a few days now, but I’m slow on posting! Leave me alone!) and the Halloween “spirit” is glooming towards us. At least it kind of is in my town. I am starting to see more and more decorations, and more talk of what people are going to dress up as. My first costume idea was the Joker, but then I realized how many people are going to be doing that since The Dark Knight. So, on second thought: I decided to go as Beetlejuice. If I go through with it, there will be pictures posted up on the site. If I don’t go through with it, well I guess you won’t get to see any pictures.
No, I don’t go around trick or treating, because quite frankly at my age it’s considered weird and (believe it or not) illegal. But me and my friends still like to dress up and have parties, basically just another night to have a good time — only this time costumes are allowed/preferred. [obviously]
Other than that, I’m getting that old itch to re-design again. No, not the entire site, but make a few modifications. Soon, I’m planning on putting “Happy Halloween!” somewhere on my logo. Preferably the header, I just haven’t got to actually doing this yet. [Yes, I know, it's simple to do]
Beta is right.
I also find it completely fair to also rant a little about Internet Explorer 8 for a bit. The main reason is because I can’t believe I haven’t yet! Bottom line, this is a beta program, and it’s like that for good reason.
Half of the pages will not load unless Internet Explorer 8 is in “Compatibility Mode” which is fine for advanced users, who understand that new browser engine tweaks take time to re-accompany themselves with other websites & servers.
Well, there is only one problem with that logic Microsoft: Half the population is only novice users, let alone intermediate.
Though I will admit I do like the “InPrivate” feature, which didn’t fall too soon after “InCognito” from Google Chrome. Oh well, it wouldn’t be Microsoft if they didn’t rip some feature off and swap names. Although, they could have gotten a little bit more word friendly.
Hmm… I’m done here.
Until next post!
Bad Google Chrome!
OK, I thought I was going to like Google Chrome. But it appears that they have a lot of work to do before it becomes real big.
Sure, it has a lot of good features; such as stability, and definitely reliability. But, it also lacks a few big things that make browsers what they are today. As far as I can tell, it doesn’t have an RSS reader. Whenever I try to load the RSS for my page, all it shows is a bunh of blotched text. (Very simple HTML text)
Which is something a lot of people use on a browser these days. I know I love Firefox’s RSS reader… It does wonders, looks nice, and works very well. Google Chrome also has a problem loading certain pages. Pages that honestly, are not even that big of an issue, but it has problems loading them. My page has failed quite a few times on Google Chrome, and only google chrome. Sometimes Microsoft’s site will fail on me, but that could just be because Microsoft is big on pushing IE. I did notice that Apple’s site would crash out, which doesn’t make too much sense because the WebKit engine is used in Safari, which is what Google Chrome comes up as far as User-Agents go.
Who knows, I do like how simple it looks and feels, but they seemed to have forgotten quite of few tweaks & add-ons here and there that most people really look for/need in a browser.
I don’t necessarily give it two thumbs down, but I don’t think it is going to surpass Firefox anytime soon. Definitely Internet Explorer, but not firefox.
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