The Digital DoorMatt

The future of multi-touch

digitaldive — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:30:23 GMT

Take a look at this great example of multi-touch. The concept provides some great examples of applications of this new innovation:

From 1 to 7 – Windows 7 is launched

digitaldive — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:18:40 GMT

Well it’s finally arrived, Windows 7 has RTM’d! Over the past week I’ve been at MGX in Atlanta, Microsoft’s global sales and marketing conference. On Wednesday, Steve Ballmer, Kevin Turner and Steven Sinofski took to the stage to sign off the RTM, and it was a great feeling to watch our best ever version of Windows get signed off!

Over the past year, I’ve been blogging about the new capabilities, advances and experiences I’ve had of Windows 7. We’ve had more Windows 7 pre-orders than a year’s worth of Vista sales! It’s also been fantastic watching the press’ take-up of our new OS.

· Guardian (Jack Schofield blog) -- It's official: Windows 7 has been released to manufacturing

· The Daily Telegraph -- Windows 7 vs Snow Leopard: Battle of the brands

· V3 -- Windows 7 hits release to manufacturing

· TechRadar -- Windows 7 releases to manufacturing

· PC Pro -- Microsoft finishes Windows 7

· Computer Weekly -- Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 released to manufacturers

· ZDNet -- Microsoft wraps up Windows 7 code

This is going to be a fantastic OS, and to celebrate, here’s some vintage footage of Steve Ballmer selling the first version of Windows, enjoy!

Microsoft is number 1 UK brand

digitaldive — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:25:04 GMT

Microsoft has regained it’s number 1 spot in the Superbrands top consumer brands, taking back the top spot from Google.

Superbrands commissions research against a list of around 1,400 brands, to identify the UK’s leading brands. This includes talking to experts and consumers, for brands to appear in a ‘Top 500’ list. Criteria for brands in the top spots must represent Quality, Reliability and Distinction.

The top 10 were:

Microsoft
Rolex
Google
British Airways
BBC
Mercedes-Benz
Coca-Cola
Lego
Apple
Encyclopaedia Britannica

Take a look at the BBC article.

“Introducing” Microsoft Office 2010 – the Technical Preview

digitaldive — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:15:47 GMT

I recently blogged about Office 2010 - The Movie, a teaser about the next version of Office.

Yesterday at the Worldwide Partner Conference, Microsoft introduced and took the covers off the Microsoft Office 2010 technical preview!!

The Office 2010 site quotes:

“Microsoft® Office 2010 gives you rich and powerful new ways to deliver your best work whether you’re at work, home, or school on a computer, Web browser, or Smartphone. Grab your audience’s attention and inspire them with your ideas using enhanced tools, customizable templates, and photo editing capabilities. Work with multiple people from different locations at the exact same time using new co-authoring capabilities. By offering more ways to access your files from virtually anywhere, Office 2010 puts you in control.”

You can also get a sneak peek at SharePoint 2010, and view some of the new features and screens at:

2010 Sneak Peek Overview Video: http://sharepoint.microsoft.com/2010/Sneak_Peek/Pages/Overview-Video.aspx
2010 Sneak Peek IT Pro Video: http://sharepoint.microsoft.com/2010/Sneak_Peek/Pages/IT-Pro-video.aspx
2010 Sneak Peek Developer Video: http://sharepoint.microsoft.com/2010/Sneak_Peek/Pages/Developer-video.aspx
2010 Sneak Peek Get Ready: http://sharepoint.microsoft.com/2010/Sneak_Peek/Pages/Get_Ready.aspx
2010 Sneak Peek FAQ: http://sharepoint.microsoft.com/2010/Sneak_Peek/Pages/FAQ.aspx

If you would like to be considered for the tech preview, sign up!

With Windows 7, let’s not forget Vista!

digitaldive — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:42:43 GMT

Both outside and inside Microsoft, the hype of Windows 7 is ever growing. Not only is Windows 7 more visually appealing, stable, more power efficient and performing, it delivers a whole host of great capability for business users.

However, let's not forget what started this all, Windows Vista. Yes, Vista had it's share of problems when it was first released back in February 2007, however those days are behind it, particularly with the delivery of service packs one and two, and Windows 7 expands on many of the capabilities pioneered in Vista.

For example, the enhanced driver model. Traditionally (XP and previous), drivers were stored in the kernel, which meant if they had a bug or became unstable, the whole system would crash (i.e. a BSOD). Now, as often as possible, drivers are now rarely stored in kernel mode, which ultimately means better stability, and fewer (if any) BSODs. If a driver fails in Vista (and 7), you'll get a message stating that the application has crashed, rather than the whole system going down.

And let's not forget the new WIM format. WIM is a hardware-agnostic, file-based image format, meaning that you need only one image to address many different hardware configurations. The WIM image format also lets you store multiple images within one actual file. For example, Microsoft can ship multiple SKUs in one WIM image file. You store images with and without core applications in a single image file. Also, you can mark one of the images as bootable, allowing you to start a computer from a disk image contained in a WIM file. WIM also has a number of other advantages:

The WIM image format enables compression and single instancing, thus reducing the size of image files significantly. Single instancing is a technique that allows you to store two or more copies of a file for the space cost of one copy. For example, if images 1, 2, and 3 all contain file A, single-instancing stores a single copy of the file A and points images 1, 2, and 3 to that copy.
The WIM image format allows you to service an image offline. You can add or delete certain operating system components, patches, and drivers without creating a new image. Rather than spending a few hours updating an image, which you do now with Microsoft Windows XP, for example, you can update an image in minutes. For example, to add a patch to a Windows XP image, you must boot the master image, add the patch, and then prepare the image again. With Windows Vista, you can simply service the image offline.
The WIM image format lets you install a disk image on partitions of any size, unlike sector-based image formats that require you to deploy a disk image to a partition that's the same size or larger than the source disk.
Windows Vista provides an API for the WIM image format called WIMGAPI that developers can use to work with WIM image files.
The WIM image format allows for non-destructive deployment. This means that you can leave data on the volume to which you apply the image because the application of the image does not erase the disk's existing contents.

From a security perspective, Vista introduced a whole host of new capability from the core upwards to make it our most secure (released) OS to date. Look at the enhanced security model, BitLocker et al. Take a look at the report on vulnerabilities between XP and Vista and see the improvements.

And of course, Vista offers great manageability, allowing IT admins to be in more control of their environment then ever before, with loads more group policy settings to control power, accessibility etc.

Of course, Windows 7 builds upon everything in the above, but let’s not lose sight of the other improvements we’ve already made to get there!

New kid on the block becomes number 2!

digitaldive — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:16:31 GMT

Microsoft’s new search engine, Bing, has become the number 2 search engine in less than a week, according to StatCounter Global Stats. Not bad going for a new search engine, albeit the replacement for Live Search.

The “decision engine” enables you to find information more intelligently, based on the context of your search, rather than just finding a massive list of results. For example, if you search for a camera make and model, it will give you reviews and potential purchase options, as well as the standard manufacture site etc etc.

Take a look at the full article, and also discover bing!

Hyper-V Management from Windows 7

digitaldive — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:10:09 GMT

I’m having fun playing with Windows 7, and am pleasantly surprised at how well rounded and stable it is, especially for a Beta! However, I wasn’t so happy when I found the Hyper-V remote management tools for Vista wouldn’t install! :(

However, I’ve found out that there is a version for Windows 7 – hoorah! And I’ve also learnt that the update will be compatible with Hyper-V R2 when it’s released. Double hoorah!

Of course, being a guy, I didn’t read the manual (well in this case, the blurb which precedes the download), which meant a few minutes hunting for a non-existent management tool! What you must do, after installing the update, is turn the feature on in Windows. So after installing the update:

Go to Control Panel.
In the Programs and Features area, click Turn Windows features on or off.
If you are prompted by User Account Control to enable the Windows Features dialog box to open, click Continue.
In the Windows Features dialog box, expand Remote Server Administration Tools.

UPDATE – The version for the Windows 7 version can be found here (I haven’t updated the link for the Beta as it expires next month, so you should be using the RC by now!):

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=f6c62797-791c-48e3-b754-c7c0a09f32f3&displaylang=en

Windows 7 General Availability date announced!

digitaldive — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:18:50 GMT

Something all customers have been asking recently , the General Availability (i.e. on the shelf) date for Windows 7 has been announced as October 22^nd 2009. This was announced yesterday on the Windows team blog.

The RTM (Release to Manufacturing) date hasn’t been confirmed yet, however it is expected the code will be available around the 2^nd half of July. Windows Server 2008 R2 is expected to be around this time too. Not long to go people!!

http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/06/02/the-date-for-general-availability-ga-of-windows-7-is.aspx

TechNet goes virtual

digitaldive — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:12:22 GMT

TechNet is launching it’s first virtual conference in the UK, with the idea to help you be more environmentally friendly, reduce costs, but still learn about the latest Microsoft tech. There are two streams to the event, a Technology stream (including Windows 7, Windows Server, OCS, deployment and SharePoint), and an IT manager stream (with topics including futures, managing cost, growing the business and virtualization).

Take a look at the full agenda, and further information here. You can also register by clicking the link above.

Xbox – who needs a controller?

digitaldive — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:09:03 GMT

Just saw a video of ‘Project Natal’, a concept showcased to show how gaming doesn’t need a controller. Well it does, but just you! Very cool!

“This incredible new experience is made possible thanks to the Project Natal Sensor, which combines an RGB camera, depth sensor, multi-array microphone and custom processor running proprietary software all in one device. Existing cameras and controllers only trace movement in 2D, but Project Natal tracks full body movement in 3D and responds to commands, directions… even shifts of emotion in your voice!”

From 1 to 7 – Windows 7 is launched

digitaldive — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 01:09:00 GMT

· Guardian (Jack Schofield blog) -- It's official: Windows 7 has been released to manufacturing

· The Daily Telegraph -- Windows 7 vs Snow Leopard: Battle of the brands

· V3 -- Windows 7 hits release to manufacturing

· TechRadar -- Windows 7 releases to manufacturing

· PC Pro -- Microsoft finishes Windows 7

· Computer Weekly -- Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 released to manufacturers

· ZDNet -- Microsoft wraps up Windows 7 code

This is going to be a fantastic OS, and to celebrate, here’s some vintage footage of Steve Ballmer selling the first version of Windows, enjoy!

Windows – from evolution to revolution

digitaldive — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:54:48 GMT

I was speaking to a customer the other day about Windows 7, and it really got me thinking about how the Windows platform has evolved.

Back in the day, the operating system used to be all about doing other ‘stuff’, running applications, accessing websites and so forth. It was almost ‘transparent’ to the user, and this was certainly the perception of customers and users. It was a springboard so that we could do all the other things we needed from a PC, and everything on the OS was there to support this notion.

Even as the OS evolved from 1, 2, 3.1, 95 and the like, the advancements and evolution were there to make the experience of everything running on the PC more seamless, secure, stable and rich.

Then we take today, with the new generations of Operating System, like Vista, and soon with Windows 7. Yes they have evolved to the point where they are far more secure, stable and rich then they have ever been.

However, the OS isn’t just about enabling you to do ‘other stuff’ any more. Now it really is a platform of capability. Take some of the new features in 7 for example, a lot of which I've already blogged about, like Direct Access, AppLocker and BitLocker. Whilst these aren’t applications as such, it really shows how the OS has become a solution platform in itself, adding distinct and tangible value before we even start thinking about everything else we can add (install) to do the other things we need from our PC.

From a personal point of view, I’ve certainly seen and felt the benefits of the new generation. I feel more productive with Direct Access for example, knowing I can truly work from anywhere, with access to all of the resources I need, without having to worry about dodgy VPN connections and the like.

It’s an exciting time, bring on the release of 7!

Office 2010 – THE MOVIE

digitaldive — Wed, 13 May 2009 23:16:50 GMT

So I’ve been playing with the tech preview of Office 2010, and I’m really excited, it’s going to be great. And soon, the tech preview will open up to select folk (click the button below to sign up).

In the meantime, you can take a look at Office 2010 – The Movie!

Windows 7 – available this year and running XP apps!!

digitaldive — Wed, 13 May 2009 23:03:57 GMT

Woohoo! At TechEd on Monday, Bill Veghte announced that “…with the early RC testing and partner feedback we’ve received over the past few weeks, Windows 7 is tracking well for holiday availability”. How exciting! We should see RTM in 2009.

It’s been talked about a lot, and now you can play with it! Windows 7 will have capability to provide an XP environment to support legacy applications, by using virtualization technology. You need Professional, Enterprise or Ultimate to run it, however it’ll allow you to upgrade to the latest platform, whilst potentially being able to run XP applications, and run apps which wouldn’t normally run side-by-side together.

Windows XP Mode provides a 32-bit Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (SP3) environment pre-loaded on a virtual hard disk. Client virtualization software, like Windows Virtual PC is a pre-requisite to use Windows XP Mode. The above screenshot (from here) shows Office 2003 running in XP mode, with Office 2007 running on Windows 7, side by side.

Take a look here for the beta.

The cloud is getting bigger!

digitaldive — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:00:24 GMT

Microsoft recently announced how we will be expanding our online services for the desktop and datacenter. Building on the current strategy, we announced several advancements which will compliment our existing on-premise offerings:

• The Dynamic Datacenter Toolkit for Enterprises, a new service offering to help customers create private clouds, and a Dynamic Datacenter Toolkit for Hosters, which provides the ability to deploy on-demand managed services and virtualized servers powered by System Center and Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V.

• System Center Online Desktop Manager, an integrated security and management tool that will provide desktop management capabilities in the form of an online service. Designed to help businesses keep their IT environments secure and up-to-date using a Web-based subscription service to monitor, troubleshoot, update, configure and secure desktops, this new service will be available in beta by the end of this year.

• Microsoft Forefront Online Security for Exchange, an online service that helps protect an organization’s messaging infrastructure from spam, malware and e-mail policy violations.

• The availability in coming weeks of a second beta of a new set of technologies, code-named “Geneva,” that makes it dramatically easier for customers to build more secure access and multi-company collaboration into software and hosted services.

• The availability of the Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS), which delivers enterprise-class communications and collaboration software as subscription services to businesses of all sizes, for purchase in 19 countries worldwide.

• System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2, which delivers end-to-end service management across Windows and non-Windows environments. A final release within 60 days is planned.

• Partner support, including the HP Insight Control suite for Microsoft System Center, which delivers a comprehensive set of infrastructure management capabilities for managing HP ProLiant and BladeSystem servers, as well as support for the PRO feature from Dell and others.

This announcement also included the idea of ‘public’ and ‘private’ clouds, the former being the idea of hosted cloud computing, the latter around organizations hosting their own clouds for their internal business.