A small but welcome change in Windows Vista
Most of the time, an operating system should be invisible. It should do its work behind the scenes and not get in your face.
The Ed Bott Report
Get outspoken insights and expert advice on the products and companies that define today's tech landscape, from a source who knows these technologies inside and out.
Ed Bott
Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications.
Latest Posts
A better Windows than Windows?
Years ago, IBM tried to sell OS/2 with the tagline "a better Windows than Windows." They failed, because it simply wasn't true. But Apple has the opportunity to succeed where IBM failed. Just look past Boot Camp.
Throw in the towel on malware? No way
No, Microsoft is not throwing in the towel on malware. The basic principles of security are the same as ever: Prevent untrusted software from getting on your computers and on your network. If a bad guy can convince you to install an untrusted program that alters your operating system, it's not your computer anynore.
Apple's Boot Camp is just the start
Apple has formally introduced a utility called Boot Camp that lets owners of Intel-based Macs run Windows XP: Boot Camp simplifies Windows installation on an Intel-based Mac by providing a simple graphical step-by-step assistant application to dynamically create a second partition on the hard drive for Windows, to burn a CD with all the necessary Windows drivers, and to install Windows from a Windows XP installation CD.
Why does Microsoft Passport suck?
The Microsoft Passport Network is supposed to be an effortless way to share a single set of logon credentials across multiple sites. Instead, it’s a colossal annoyance. Even Microsoft employees gripe about the inconsistencies and abysmal user experience of Passport. But help may be on the way.
Want a Windows Vista capable PC? Follow these three rules
Last week, Microsoft announced that it will begin allowing OEMs to slap a "Vista Capable" sticker on new PCs that meet minimum standards. You could try to figure out which hardware is best suited for Vista from the official guidelines. But you don't need a sticker to decide on a new PC, just some common sense. I've boiled it down to three simple rules.
More brand-name confusion in Redmond
One of the biggest branding mistakes Microsoft ever made was to call its free e-mail client - the one included with every copy of Windows since 1998 - Outlook Express. To this day, sensible people assume - incorrectly - that there's a connection between Microsoft Outlook, which is a member of the Office family, and the free Outlook Express.With Windows Vista, Outlook Express is getting a complete rewrite and a new name: Windows Mail. Meanwhile, the e-mail (and so much more) client in Office 2007 will keep the Outlook name. Brand confusion eliminated, right?Errr, not exactly.
More brand-name confusion in Redmond
One of the biggest branding mistakes Microsoft ever made was to call its free e-mail client - the one included with every copy of Windows since 1998 - Outlook Express. To this day, sensible people assume - incorrectly - that there's a connection between Microsoft Outlook, which is a member of the Office family, and the free Outlook Express.With Windows Vista, Outlook Express is getting a complete rewrite and a new name: Windows Mail. Meanwhile, the e-mail (and so much more) client in Office 2007 will keep the Outlook name. Brand confusion eliminated, right?Errr, not exactly.
Windows Vista shifts the platform
One of the world's leading software companies just released a major upgrade to its flagship operating system. It's missing key features, and its decision to use an all-new kernel means that application developers have to scramble to fix major compatibility issues. It's doomed to failure, right?Not exactly.
Patches: Once a month is not enough
Microsoft needs to rethink its policy of stockpiling security bulletins and patches and releasing them all on the second Tuesday of each month. It doesn’t solve a problem for any customer, and it exposes an unknown number of innocent Windows users to unnecessary risk.