Mimor » Microsoft

Microsoft’s Bing.com is running on Linux servers

Mimor — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 22:27:13 +0000

Ok, Windows Server 2003 was great, and Windows Server 2008 is even greater, as told by Microsoft @ the It-pro days in Ghent (Belgium) 2 years ago.
So, we’re going flat on the assumption that they’re using their own ‘great’ server technology for their own good.
After all, according to their website, Windows Server is cheaper, safer and better than any other technology around.

But wait, what’s this?

As a search page should be quick, secure and efficient I agree you should use Linux, but I never saw this one coming!
Other searches for microsoft results in different linux hosted services beneath the microsoft.com domain.

wb.dlservice.microsoft.com
search.microsoft.com
vista.gallery.microsoft.com
social.microsoft.com
fullproduct.download.microsoft.com
silverlight.dlservice.microsoft.com (This one is even hosted on Ubuntu)

I know the saying: “Keep your friends close, but your enemy’s closer” (not sure who came up with this slogan), but this is way too funny!

Microsoft Windows 7 upgrade chart

Mimor — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:02:10 +0000

Looking out for the release of Windows 7?
Been wondering if you’ll have to backup and reinstall the whole thing?
Then now, Microsoft has answered you question.
Or they tried to.

(Source)

I guess someone’s head is gonna roll for this.
This image has been used as anti-publicity all over the internet by now.
Is Microsoft trying to get in favor with Bingo players in general?
I wonder what went wrong at the Microsoft office.

How many times did you pay for an unused OS?

Mimor — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:53:50 +0000

When you buy a computer from a know merchant, it comes with a pre-loaded OS (mostly Microsoft’s Windows).
And yes, you pay for it. But “‘what if” you don’t use it? Is it possible to buy a OS-free system?Whenever you buy your computer in one of those super-stores or mega-electronic-stores, you’ll end up paying for a OEM pre-installed OS.
The price of an OEM license is much cheaper than its retail-version. And by cheaper, I don’t only point out to the price.

Few people know that they do not have the right to reinstall the OEM windows version on other hardware.
It’s a single install license, which doesn’t allow another operating system to run on the hardware.
Scott Hacker wrote a nice article on it: “He Who Controls the Bootloader“.
And don’t try to return you windows because it is broken… there’s no product warranty on the software. (Only on the installation media)
To prevent this post of getting to a flame against MS, I’ll stop it here. I suppose you can still google?

But all of this is already accepted as normal by the widespread users. But how about people who don’t want to use Windows as their OS?
Do we have to pay for something we’re not going to use? Do we have a choice? It’s hard. All mainstream system-dealers sell only pre-installed Windows machines.
Dell has launched its N-series in the US, which was largely applauded by the Foss-folks.
But when will they do the same for europe?
Or can we get to the manufacturer and ask for a refund?

For now, I’d like to keep it with a simple vote on Dell’s Ideastorm page to sell OS-free computers all over the world.
It’s not that I’m having a problem with the loss of money, as I never actually paid for my MS products (myself), but this way of marketing is not the most respectful way to treat customers.
Try to sell Washing machines without warranty, only on it’s boxes. And restrict your customers of moving it to their new home, as they got it together with their first smaller apartment.