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1. Comment - Internet Explorer 7 Final Released

   (Oct 19, 2006 - 11:08 AM)

   Browser Wars
   
   Welcome to the next round of the browser wars. Microsoft just released Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP SP2. Another day, another under -whelming product from the minds at Microsoft. I know I wonder constantly, "what the heck are they thinking?".
   
   Internet Explorer is another reactive (as opposed to proactive) move by Microsoft brought about solely because another company is threatening part of their monopoly. Is there any doubt that IE7 was a knee jerk reaction to Mozilla's Firefox & Opera's web browsers stealing significant market share?
   Because they are constantly in reactive (can you say crisis?) mode these days, the results are very predictable. Microsoft's latest reincarnation of Internet Explorer catches up to Firefox & Opera on some features, falls short on others, and in general offers nothing that the others don't. And let's not forget that Firefox 2 is scheduled for release shortly and that Firefox 3 is already under development.
   
   Here are some random snippets on the web regarding IE7.
   
   IE 7 is an attempt by Microsoft to catch rival browsers as it includes features that have long been seen in competitors such as Firefox and Opera.
   
   Internet Explorer 7 is a solid upgrade, but it's disappointing that after five years, the best Microsoft could do was to mostly catch up to smaller competitors.
   
   IE 7 was Microsoft's one chance to leapfrog ahead of the competition, but the company has only barely caught sight of the current front-runners. For more features and greater security, switch to Mozilla Firefox.
   
   The choice is yours. You can enable Microsoft to keep dumping average software on us, or you can vote with your hard earned mind share. Let me know what you think.
   
   Welcome to the next round of the browser wars. Microsoft just released Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP SP2. Another day, another under -whelming product from the minds at Microsoft. I know I wonder constantly, "what the heck are they thinking?".
   
   Internet Explorer is another reactive (as opposed to proactive) move by Microsoft brought about solely because another company is threatening part of their monopoly. Is there any doubt that IE7 was a knee jerk reaction to Mozilla's Firefox & Opera's web browsers stealing significant market share?
   Because they are constantly in reactive (can you say crisis?) mode these days, the results are very predictable. Microsoft's latest reincarnation of Internet Explorer catches up to Firefox & Opera on some features, falls short on others, and in general offers nothing that the others don't. And let's not forget that Firefox 2 is scheduled for release shortly and that Firefox 3 is already under development.
   
   Here are some random snippets on the web regarding IE7.
   
   IE 7 is an attempt by Microsoft to catch rival browsers as it includes features that have long been seen in competitors such as Firefox and Opera.
   
   Internet Explorer 7 is a solid upgrade, but it's disappointing that after five years, the best Microsoft could do was to mostly catch up to smaller competitors.
   
   IE 7 was Microsoft's one chance to leapfrog ahead of the competition, but the company has only barely caught sight of the current front-runners. For more features and greater security, switch to Mozilla Firefox.
   
   The choice is yours. You can enable Microsoft to keep dumping average software on us, or you can vote with your hard earned mind share. Let me know what you think.
   
   I'm Guessing ©2006
   imguessingblog.blogspot.com

2. Comment - Google Online Office Suite Gets Closer

   (Oct 11, 2006 - 8:04 PM)

   Two days, two developments. I know the web-centric world moves fast, but Google just punched it into overdrive. First, they bought YouTube. Wether you think it was investment or not, this much is certain. It signals a s*** in Google's strategy. Over the last year Google has furiously released products, to mixed reviews. Buying YouTube shows they have "manned up", and realized that other companies have better products, so why re-invent the wheel, when it can just be bought.
   
   The second s*** came today, when Google combined Writely & Google Spreadsheets into Google Docs & Spreadsheets. Last week Google said they were going to stop releasing new products & services, just for sake of releasing them. Instead Google said they were going to focus on improving their existing products, and it only took them a week. They have also refocused the efforts of their engineers to tweak their world class serch engine
   
   Now compare that to Microsoft. Over three years ago Microsoft announced their "Trustworthy Computing" initiative. Talk about a load of hot steaming bullsoft. Microsoft's current software is as buggy as ever and the new software still hasn't made it out the door. Meanwhile, Microsoft dives head first into the security software and portable document business. Major bullsoft. All this after rebranding/repackaging/renaming many existing software services under the "Windows Live" brand. Notice I didn't say improving.
   
   So, Google's strategy it seems, is to focus on existing products to strengthen them and to buy companies that compliment their company. Microsoft's strategy is to rebrand/repackage/rename their existing average/over priced software, and hope that no one notices they really don't have a strategy.
   
   In my first blog article, I wrote about the Long, Slow Death of Microsoft. Prophetic? Visonary? Not really. Millions hold the same opinion, and that number grows daily. But over the last few days it may prove I've miscalculated. Maybe it's not going to be the Long. Slow Death of Microsoft. The web-centric world is speeding along, and Microsoft is just a deer in the headlights.
   
   I'm Guessing ©2006

3. Comment - Microsoft 'Soapbox' Takes On YouTube

   (Sep 19, 2006 - 4:33 PM)

   MS Technology Envy
   
   Here we go again with another case of Microsoft technology envy. You know, where some one, or some company is jealous because "their" technology is bigger than ours. And so it goes with Soapbox, Microsoft's supposed answer to YouTube, the highly popular, entertaining and non-profitable video sharing website.
   
   I mean, I sort of understand Microsofts reasoning. Why produce a few world class, pricey software packages and/or services, when we can produce a whole slew of average, pricey software packages and/or services. Microsoft marketing must be doing caffeine IV's just thinking about the possibilities.
   
   Reviewers have mostly been under-whelmed. Soapbox brings a few nifty tech tricks to the table, but nothing earth shattering. So customers who currently use and peruse YouTube, will have no compelling reason to switch to Soapbox. I'm guessing this will be another Xbox (losing $100 - $300 per game unit) or Zune (not sure how much they'll lose, but pretty sure it will be enough to feed a small city for a month).
   
   Once again, Microsoft's ego has gotten in the way. They just can't handle it when another tech company is successful. Instead of tipping the hat and giving kudos, they insist on trying to enter a market where they have no expertise, just because they can. Technology envy, bad, tipping the hat and giving kudos, good. Why am I not surprised which one Microsoft chose?
   
   And, really, what's with that name anyway?. When is the last time anyone got on/off a Soapbox? Seems Microsoft thinks it's been too long.
   
   I'm Guessing
   imguessingblog@gmail.com
   http://imguessingblog.blogspot.com
   I'm Guessing @ Google Base

4. Comment - Google Moves into Business Software

   (Aug 28, 2006 - 5:29 PM)

   The Bell Tolls For Microsoft
   
   Today Google released a new service named Google Apps for Your Domain. Notice I didn't say software package. Reffering to this new service as a software package would be doing it a disservice.
   
   This is not merely a collection of free software/services that Google is offering. That in itself is pretty nice for small business owners. I owned a small company during the late 1980's through the late 1990's, and I would have loved not having to spend all the money I did on software packages, that were no more functional than what Goolge is offering now for free. What Google is offering business owners, is the chance to re-think the way they do business, at no financial cost.
   
   How nice would it be to buy "packaged" software, and then get your money back a month later when you discover it really doesn't meet your needs? If you're anything like me, you have a lot of software collecting dust, because it's didn't do what you thought it would. Google is offering the chance to try a new business model for free, and if doesn't work, you can always go back to over paying Microsoft for average software.
   
   Every day the web-centric world moves a little further away from the desktop as we know it. Every day Microsoft pretends that they still are a player. Every day the true web players, distance themselves further from the desktop world. The bell tolls a little longer, a little louder, every day. I'm guessing Microsoft can hear the ringing in their ears.
   
   I’m Guessing
   
   http://imguessingblog.blogspot.com
   
   imguessingblog@gmail.com

5. Comment - Microsoft Invites Mozilla Devs Over

   (Aug 23, 2006 - 8:55 AM)

   Microsoft Reaches Out To Firefox Developers
   
   Why does it feel like Microsoft is trying to sell me a used car that someone was driving in New Orleans, before Hurricane Katrina hit? Firefox has worked just fine without Microsoft’s help up until this point, so what is the problem? Wait a minute, I just answered my own question. My bad.
   
   I’m sure Mozilla & the Open Source community would love some help dumbing down their software to Microsoft’s sub-standards. Why put out good software for free, when you can put out average stuff and make billions.
   
   For some reason I just can’t the get the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale out of my head when thinking about Microsoft’s “offer”. Maybe Microsoft’s intents are genuine. Maybe they really do want to help. Maybe.
   
   If it was me, I would cover all my bases. Politely listen to what Microsoft has to say. Offer them as little as possible about the future direction of your products. Reveal nothing that can come back to bite you. Sincerely shake their hands, and after they are out of eyesight, count your fingers, just in case.
   
   I’m Guessing
   http://imguessingblog.blogspot.com
   imguessingblog@gmail.com