Tag Archives: Windows

Microsoft forced to offer Europeans choice of browsers

by andy
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Microsoft forced to offer Europeans choice of browsers

From today, millions of Europeans who use Windows will be given the choice of whether to switch their default browser from Internet Explorer to one of eleven others. It follows a lengthy legal battle in Europe which has seen Microsoft accused of anti-competitive behaviour because it bundles Internet Explorer with the Windows operating system. This means that many computer users don’t realise there are alternative browsers available — amusing given that many users don’t really appreciate what a ‘browser’ really is. Us geeks have been switching in droves to alternatives such as Firefox, Opera, Safari and Chrome, but most ‘standard’ users have stuck with IE out of ignorance. It’s interesting Read more »

Personality types charted on OS usage

by andy
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Personality types charted on OS usage

Previously, we discovered that certain tasks are equally productive on all operating systems, and that the only real difference between Mac and Windows is the maximise button, but we thought that there had to be more to it than that. Having been subjected to various personality tests in the past, I was glad to find this simple chart that shows you what type of person you are based on the operating systems you predominantly use. It looks like I’m an “Artsie” (be careful how you pronounce that) though at one time I could have been a graphic designer, or just a plain loser. Do you fit with this diagram? Pity Read more »

Did Microsoft Finally Get Something Right?

by Franky Branckaute
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Did Microsoft Finally Get Something Right?

I don’t particularly follow the mobile phone market unless they are made of Lego blocks, but yesterday I followed the releases over at MWC. Mainly to see what Windows 6.5 would look like and in the hope of more information around the Palm Pre. For once I must admit that the Redmonders finally got something right with WM6.5. The honeycomb setup for the phone’s homepage looks attractive and most of all usable. That must be a first for Microsoft! Even though the background of choice too dark is and Windows Mobile still fugly looks with the humongous status bar and its icons, it certainly looks thousand times better than any Read more »

Why Windows 7 Needs Several Versions, But Not 6

by Franky Branckaute
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Why Windows 7 Needs Several Versions, But Not 6

Much has been said about the 7 different editions Windows 7 will be released in. As usual this was a typical example of bloggers complaining just to complain. Things actually are much simpler and we here at Forever Geek will simplify the choice for you and explain why Windows 7 needs different editions. There are only 3 versions that matter for the consumer And one probable nuisance for most bloggers. Read more »

$250,000 Bounty For Downadup/Conficker Virus Creator

by Noemi Twigg
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$250,000 Bounty For Downadup/Conficker Virus Creator

Who wants $250,000?  I sure do!  Off the top of my head, I can name more things than I can count that I can do with that much money.  This amount – £172,000 – is actually well within your reach IF you know the person behind the Conficker worm.  This worm started circulating in October of 2008 and has since then infected countless computers – we’re talking of millions here – all over the world. Read more »

The Gurus vs. The Genius Bar

by Jim
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The Gurus vs. The Genius Bar

Apple Stores would soon compete with Microsoft Stores with Microsoft announcing the thrust to open Microsoft Stores in the following months world wide.  This effort “to help shoppers make smarter decisions about spending money on technology”, remarks newly appointed VP for retail stores David Porter.  With recession biting deeper on worldwide economy, I think Microsoft anticipate consumers to think twice before purchasing any tech item.  A $500 notebook vs. a $1,000+ counterpart is a valid option to know. It’s “The Gurus” vs. “The Genius Bar” too in the customer-service representatives arena.  We can expect pleasant Microsoft smiles from BestBuy.  These gurus will be answering questions about PCs and Microsoft products, as well as Read more »

Is Linux Losing Ground in the Netbook Market?

by J. Angelo Racoma
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The Asus EeePC is a thing of wonder. I got myself the first version the week it came out. It was an EeePC 701, with a paltry 4GB of storage, 512MB RAM and a seven-inch screen. But it was small, and it could fit my camera bag, and thus I could do work virtually anywhere without having to kill my back carrying a full-sized laptop. The original EeePC also came shipped with Linux (Xandros, in the case of Asus), and that added to the novelty of it. Linux enthusiasts were banking on the popularity of Linux-based netbooks, which could supposedly bring Linux closer to the common user (a.k.a. the 90+ Read more »

Windows Vista: More Choices, More Headaches

by J. Angelo Racoma
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Windows Vista: More Choices, More Headaches

Joel Spolsky writes about the usability aspect of Windows Vista’s having at least nine ways of shutting down. He argues that giving users more choices is more restrictive than liberating, especially since most users won’t know the difference among these, anyway. Every time you want to leave your computer, you have to choose between nine, count them, nine options: two icons and seven menu items. The two icons, I think, are shortcuts to menu items. I’m guessing the lock icon does the same thing as the lock menu item, but I’m not sure which menu item the on/off icon corresponds to. On laptops, it’s even worse, since you have the Read more »