Windows 7 Beta Download Delayed Due to Overwhelming Demand

By : JR Raphael

Microsoft has delayed the public release of its Windows 7 beta download due to an overwhelming demand that its servers couldn't handle.

Windows 7 Beta Delay

The announcement was made late Friday afternoon in a posting at the official Windows 7 Blog. (click on image for full-sized view of Microsoft's message to downloaders.)

"Due to very heavy traffic we're seeing as a result of interest in the Windows 7 Beta, we are adding some additional infrastructure support to the Microsoft.com properties before we post the public beta," the message explains.

The post does not give a definitive time for when the Windows 7 beta will be made available again.

"We want to ensure customers have the best possible experience when downloading the beta, and I'll be posting here again soon once the beta goes live," it says.

Overwhelming Demand

Reports as early as Friday morning indicated that Microsoft's servers were being crushed by the demand for Windows 7, even before the files were initially posted. Microsoft had planned to allow only the first 2.5 million users to download the operating system. The company has indicated it would like to have the software fully tested and ready for its final release by the end of the year.

More on Windows 7 Beta

You can read more about PC World's first impressions of the Windows 7 public beta in this report from the floor of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. We've also put together some considerations on whether the beta is worth trying, along with a slideshow tour of the new operating system and a video presentation detailing its features.

Source : pcworld.com

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Is Windows 7 a security timebomb?

By Davey Winder in Editorial

Posted in Windows, Microsoft on January 5, 2009 at 11:29 am

Permalink | Author Profile

We already know a lot about Windows 7, mainly because details of the new Microsoft OS have been leaking like crazy for the past four months. We know it will scale to 256 processors and could well feature some kind of instant on functionality. We know that it is unlikely to be the death of XP although Vista is a different proposition.

We know that some people have already got a legit free copy and that a beta is due real soon now. We also know that a pirate version of Windows 7 is doing the rounds as a Torrent from the likes of Pirate Bay.



We know that many people will be tempted into downloading this to take a sneak peek at the new OS, and we also know that this is a very bad idea. Funnily enough, we are not alone in reaching this conclusion, and Rob Rachwald of Fortify Software has pretty much the same reasoning us we do.

Look, forget for a moment the whole software theft, copyright issues, breaking the law stuff. What worries Rachwald, and us, is the fact that you could be opening yourself up to a whole slew of security risks by installing something as low level as an OS when that OS is not even an official Beta but rather a dodgy copy downloaded from a pirate site.

“Reports suggest that pirate versions of an early build of Windows 7, which is under alpha test with developers, is available for file-sharing on the Internet. Given the low level at which this operating system installs on a PC, we recommend users give the version a very wide berth because of the associated security risks” Rachwald says.

But it seems the message is not getting through, and there are unconfirmed reports that many tens of thousands of people have downloaded and installed Build 7000 of Windows 7 from Torrent sites, all with no idea if the build has been tampered with by hackers in some way.

What we do not know is just what malware might be hiding in the close on 2.5 Gb of download.

Not to mention the small matter that, as Rachwald warns “It’s highly unlikely that any IT security application will protect the new operating system from internally-coded malware, so the fall-out from trying an unofficial version of the new operating system could be quite severe.”


source : www.itpro.co.uk

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Where next for Microsoft, Yahoo and Google?

As 2009 begins, the internet sector faces a challenge to rebuild itself after Microsoft’s

failed takeover of Yahoo, and Yahoo’s failed advertising deal with Google.


By Simon Brew, 5 Jan 2009 at 18:13
Back in June last year, as the potential union between Microsoft and Yahoo all but

disintegrated, the latter’s now ex-chief executive Jerry Yang was regarded as a man taking a

bit of a gamble. In resisting Microsoft’s proposed $44 billion merger deal (read: takeover),

Yang angered some shareholders, and confused many analysts.



After all, what rabbit was Yahoo about to pull out of the hat? What shoots of business

brilliance were forthcoming that allowed Yang to be so bullish about a firm that had

struggled to find a foothold in the past year or two? Outflanked by the likes of Facebook

and finding no way to even dent the armour of Google, Yahoo looked very much the Web 1.0

company fighting in a marketplace that had long since moved on. Not only that, it had also

turned away a bid that even the more generous observer conceded had overvalued the company.

But Yang nonetheless successfully resisted the Microsoft takeover, and instead sought solace

with a tie-up with Google. The pair agreed an online ad-deal that would see Yahoo utilise

Google’s advertising systems, with the latter’s ads appearing next to the former’s search

listings in some cases. Microsoft, meanwhile, pulled out of the potential takeover

altogether (and initially threatened that a more hostile deal could be in the offing), and

instead argued that the Department of Justice needed to step in.

This wasn’t surprising either, given that some alarm bells were ringing as to whether such a

deal between two big companies would even be allowed to get through the necessary regulatory

steps. The deal, which was set for three years with renewal options taking it potentially up

to 10, was said by Google to not need regulatory approvals. However, it nonetheless held

back on kick starting it for nearly four months to allow the necessary bodies to take a

look, with many observers noting that it might hit more problems than it was publicly saying

it was expecting.

Thus, it wasn’t a major surprise when the deal between the two parties was halted. Google

decided to pull out of the prospective partnership after it was informed by the US Justice

Department that it was filing a lawsuit to get the deal blocked. If it had gone ahead, it

would have given Google access to around four fifths of the web search market, and the firm

no doubt figured that it would be embarking on a battle it didn’t stand much chance of

winning. As Google legal officer David Drummond posted: “...it's clear that government

regulators and some advertisers continue to have concerns about the agreement.”

The Department of Justice argued that a deal would have removed the incentive for Yahoo to

fight Google in certain areas. Its statement read “Had the companies implemented their

arrangement, Yahoo’s competition likely would have been blunted immediately with respect to

the search pages that Yahoo chose to fill with ads sold by Google rather than its own ads,

and Yahoo would have had significantly reduced incentives to invest in areas of its search

advertising business where outsourcing ads to Google made financial sense for Yahoo.”

Microsoft, meanwhile, lost little time in championing the decision by the US Department of

Justice, claiming that the decision – in the words of a statement delivered by general

counsel Brad Smith – “is significant for advertisers, publishers and consumers, who voiced

overwhelming concern about this illegal deal to law enforcement and policymakers.”

source : www.itpro.co.uk

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Summarizing the Death Throes of 2008 Part. 2

by John C. Dvorak

People keep asking me to comment on the demise of the print edition of PC Magazine. Okay, I will. But note that PC Magazine is not the first or only example of the disappearance of the computer magazine. InfoWorld had already done it, and Computerworld is a laughable shell of itself.

And while everyone claims that "you can get information online nowadays," the fact is that the online experience is totally different. The writing is different, and the kind of information that can be displayed effectively is different. Both can easily exist side by side. But magazines cannot survive when advertisers have decided en masse that online is a better place to advertise, completely abandoning print.

When you combine this with the push to take what was a unique American industry and pretty much hand it over to Asia, because it's cheaper to do things over there, then pretty soon everything is done there. While this in itself isn't a bad thing, Asians as a whole have no interest in print magazine advertising. Culturally speaking, they aren't about selling more sizzle than steak. And while this is commendable on some cerebral levels, it creates a humdrum if not out-and-out depressing environment.

These changes removed a great public relations mechanism—the magazine—for promoting business in general. It cannot be recovered.

I don't see it as a coincidence that once the advertising support for computer magazines dried up, the fortunes of AMD, Intel, Seagate, even Dell and Microsoft began to wane—as did their stock prices. The horrible reputation of Vista can be directly attributed to this phenomenon. Once magazines lost their realistic and calming influence, reputations were at the mercy of the online mob, much of which, egged on by Apple, hated Microsoft.

In many ways things are just as exciting as they ever were, but you'd never know it, would you? Information is scattered every which way. When Chris Andersen developed the Internet Age notion of the long tail, he touched on this dissociation but failed to mention that this tail is no longer attached to a big fat animal. It's just a tail. And what's a tail without the animal? Dead.

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Mac Gains On Windows Part. 1

By : Gregg Keizer, Computerworld

Windows lost nearly a full percentage point of market share for the second month in a row in December, pushing Microsoft Corp.'s operating system to a new low, an Internet measurement company reported yesterday.

Meanwhile, Apple Inc. 's Mac OS X posted a record gain that brought it close to a 10% share for the first time since Net Applications Inc. began tracking operating system use.


In December, 88.7% of the people who browsed the Web sites that Net Applications monitors did so using machines powered by Windows, a 0.94 percentage point drop from November. The slide was Windows' largest in the four years that Net Applications has collected operating system data, and the second record-setting monthly loss in a row for Microsoft's software.

During November, Windows' market share slipped 0.84 percentage point, dropping the operating system under 90% for the first time since Net Applications has been tracking OS use.

The combined decline of November and December totaled 1.8 percentage points, Windows' biggest two-month dip ever, nearly double that of its previous record, a 0.92 percentage point fall in December 2007 and January 2008.

Microsoft's OS ended the year down 3.1 percentage points, a 3.4% drop in its share from the same time last year.

Apple's Mac OS X's market share continued to grow at Windows' expense. For the second month in a row, Mac OS X posted a record increase, growing by 0.76 of a percentage point to end the month at 9.6%. December was the first time that Net Applications had pegged Apple's operating system above the 9% mark.

And just as Windows set a record for a two-month drop, Mac OS X set a record for a two-month increase during November and December. Those months' combined gain of 1.4 percentage points was substantially larger than the earlier record, a 0.9 percentage point boost the operating system received in September-October 2006, and almost double the 0.73 percentage point increase of November-December 2007.

Source : http://www.pcworld.com/

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The History of The Windows (Part. 1)

Early version of Windows
Windows 1.0
The first version of Microsoft Windows, called Windows 1.0, released on 20 November 1985. This version has many shortcomings in some functionality, so that less popular in the market. In the initial Windows version 1.0 would called Interface Manager, but Rowland Hanson, head of marketing at Microsoft Corporation, the hight convince Microsoft that the name "Windows" will be more "decoy" to consumers. Windows 1.0 is not a complete operating system, but only expand the ability of MS-DOS with graphical interface enhancements. In addition, Windows 1.0 also has problems and weaknesses that are owned by the same MS-DOS.
Furthermore, Apple demanded that Microsoft limit the ability of Microsoft to make. For example, windows in Windows 1.0 can only be displayed on the screen in "tile" only, so the windows can not overwrite each other of each other. In addition, there is no such place that is used to store deleted files before (recycle bin), as Apple said that they have rights to the paradigm. Microsoft then remove the limitation of the Windows license agreement signed with Apple.

Windows 2.x
Windows version 2 also appear later on December 9, 1987, and became slightly more popular than the predecessor. Most populeritasnya obtained because of its proximity to the graphical applications made in Microsoft, Microsoft Excel for Windows and Microsoft Word for Windows. Windows applications can be run from MS-DOS, and then to enter the Windows operating, and will be out by themselves when the application is closed.
Microsoft Windows eventually obtain significant improvement when Aldus Pagemaker appear in the version for Windows, which previously could only run on the Macintosh. Some historians computer experts noted this occurrence as an application behavior that made a significant addition to Microsoft's early success as Microsoft Windows.
Windows version 2.0x using real-mode memory model, which can only access memory up to 1 megabita only. In such a configuration, Windows can run a multitasking other applications, such DESQview, who is running in Protected mode offered by the Intel 80286.

Windows 2.1x
Furthermore, the two released a new version, namely Windows/286 2.1 and Windows/386 2.1. Like previous versions of Windows, using the model Windows/286 real memory mode, but it is the first version that supports the High Memory Area (HMA). Windows/386 even have a 2.1 kernel to run in emulation mode Protected with Expanded Memory Specification (EMS) standard Lotus-Intel-Microsoft (LIM), the specification of the Extended Memory Specification (XMS), which then eventually change the topology of computing in the IBM PC. All Windows applications and DOS based currently running in real mode, which is running above the kernel mode Protected mode using the Virtual 8086, which is a new feature, which is owned by the Intel 80386.
Version 2:03 and then get the 3.0 version of Apple claims that version 2.1 because this mode has the look of the windows in Cascade (cumulative), in addition to some features of the Apple Macintosh operating system that "Fellowship" by Windows, the main problem is the display / look and feel. Judge William Schwarzer eventually cancel all 189 claims, with the exception of 9 claims filed by Apple against Microsoft on 5 January 1989.

Windows 3.0
Microsoft Windows eventually achieve success at a very significant step on the 3.0 version released in 1990. In addition to increasing the ability of Windows applications, Windows 3.0 also allows users to run several MS-DOS applications simultaneously (multitasking), as in this version has been introduced virtual memory. This version also makes the IBM PC and kompatibelnya serious challenger to the Apple Macintosh. This is because of the increased processing performance charts at that time (with the graphics card Video Graphics Array (VGA)), and also the mode Protected / Enhanced 386 mode that allows Windows applications to use more memory in a way that is more easily compared with what offered by the MS-DOS.
Windows 3.0 can run in three modes, namely, real mode, the standard mode, and mode of Enhanced 386, and processor-compatible with the Intel processor family from Intel 8086/8088, 80,286, to 80,386. Windows 3.0 will try to detect the mode which will be used, although users can be forced to work in Windows mode only by using certain switch-switch when a certain run
• win / r: force Windows to run in real mode
• win / s: forcing Windows to run in standard mode
• win / 3: to force Windows to run in the 386 Enhanced mode.
Version 3.0 is also the first version of Windows is running in Protected mode, although the kernel 386 enhanced mode is the improved version of the kernel from the kernel mode Protected in Windows/386.
Because of the backward compatibility features, Windows 3.0 applications should be compiled using 16-bit environment, so it was not the ability to use the Intel 80386 microprocessor, which is Unsurprisingly, the 32-bit processor.
Windows 3.0 version also present in the "multimedia", which is called Windows 3.0 with Multimedia Extensions 1.0, released several months later. This version dibundel with the "multimedia upgrade kits," which consist of a CD-ROM drive and a sound card, such as Creative Labs Sound Blaster Pro. This version is pioneer all the multimedia features found in versions of Windows after, such as Windows 3.1 and Windows for Workgroups, and become part of Microsoft's Multimedia PC specifications.
Features mentioned above and support the application software market is growing to make Windows 3.0 is very successful in the market. Recorded in the two years prior to the release version of Windows 3.1, Windows 3.0 sold 10 million copies. Finally, Windows 3.0 is the main source of income of Microsoft, and Microsoft do make some revisions to the plan initially.

While the switch to OS / 2
During the mid to late 1980s, Microsoft and IBM work together in developing a successor DOS operating system, known as the IBM OS / 2. OS / 2 can use all the capabilities offered by the Intel 80286 microprocessor and able to access up to 16 Megabytes memory. OS / 2 1.0 released in 1987, which features swapping and multitasking, in addition of course to allow MS-DOS applications to run on it.
OS / 2 version 1.0 is just an operating system that is based text mode / command line only. OS / 2 version 1.1 is released in 1988 offers a graphical interface, called the Presentation Manager (PM). Presentation Manager is using the same system of coordinates with the coordinates Cartesius, with different Windows operating system and several other GUI system. Use of the system causes the point coordinates x, y 0.0 on OS / 2 is placed on the bottom left corner of the screen, while on Windows, peletakannya in the top left corner. OS / 2 version 1.2, released in 1989, introduces a new file system, called the High Performance File System (HPFS), which is intended to replace the file system File Allocation Table (FAT).
In the early 1990s, the relationship between Microsoft and IBM also intensify due to the emergence of a conflict. This is because they mutually cooperate in developing a personal computer operating system each (with the IBM OS / 2 and Microsoft with its Windows), both have access to the code of each operating system. Microsoft requires further development of the Windows operating system buatannya, while IBM has a desire that all future work should be made based on the operating system OS / 2. In a trial to end this conflict, IBM and Microsoft eventually will agree that IBM developed the IBM OS / 2 version 2.0, to replace the OS / 2 version 1.3 and Windows 3.0, while Microsoft must develop a new operating system, OS / 2 version 3.0, which will then replace the OS / 2 version 2.0.
Approval is not prolonged, so that the relationship with IBM and Microsoft also stopped. IBM eventually continue the development of OS / 2, while changing the name of the Microsoft operating system OS / 2 version 3.0 (which has not been released) to Windows NT. Both still have the right to use the technology, OS / 2 and Windows that have been formed to severance agreement; but, Windows NT is actually written as a new operating system, and most of the code free from the code IBM OS / 2.
Once released version 1.3 to allow for some problems in the OS / 2 version 1.x, IBM finally released OS / 2 version 2.0 in 1992. Version 2.0 offers significantly increased, ie, an object-oriented GUI, called the Workplace Shell (WPS), which includes in a desktop and is considered by many people is the best feature in the OS / 2. Microsoft is finally "cheat" some elements of the Workplace Shell on the Windows 95 operating system, which released three years later. Version 2.0 also offers the API that supports full 32-bit instructions owned Intel 80386, so that multitasking features offer a good memory and is able to address up to 4 gigabytes. Nevertheless, many things in the internal system is still using 16-bit code, which require that the device driver must also be written using 16-bit code also, of course, in addition to several other internal matters. This is one reason why OS / 2 lack of hardware drivers. Version 2.0 also able to run DOS applications and Windows 3.0, because IBM is also still have the right to use DOS and Windows code after the "divorce" the relationship between them.
At that time, it is not clear who the winner in the race to be called the "Desktop Wars", but eventually the OS / 2 is not able to get enough market share that although IBM eventually released some versions of OS / 2 is far more intense after This version 2.0.

Windows 3.1 down to the home market and Windows NT down to the corporate market
As a response to the release of the IBM OS / 2 version 2.0 to the market, Microsoft is developing Windows 3.1, which offers some minor improvements to the Windows 3.0 (such as the ability to display the Fonts TrueType fonts, developed jointly with Apple), and there are also in in many improvements to the bug and support for multimedia. Version 3.1 also eliminate support for real-mode, so the only run in Protected mode, which are owned by the Intel 80286 microprocessor or higher. Microsoft also released the final 3:11 of Windows, which is a version of Windows 3.1 that includes all the improvements and patches released after Windows 3.1 was launched in 1992.

Windows for Workgroups
Approximately at the same time, Microsoft released Microsoft Windows for Workgroups, which is available both as an extra for Windows 3.1 and a version that covered the basic Windows environment and additional network capability in a package. Windows for Workgroups includes drivers and computer network protocol stack better, and also supports a network of peer-to-peer. One of the optional download for Windows for Workgroups is a stack TCP / IP protocols with the code name "Wolverine", which allows access to the Internet through the corporate network. Windows for Workgroups released in two versions, Windows for Workgroups 3.1 and Windows for Workgroups 3.11. Unlike versions of Windows, the Windows for Workgroups only runs at 3:11 in the 386 Enhanced, and require at least machinery processor with the Intel 80386SX.
All versions are continuously improving sales rate version of Windows 3.x. Although Windows 3.1x still has many shortcomings, which have been previously corrected by the OS / 2, such as long file names (exceed 11 characters, in the format 8.3), the desktop, or the protection of the system behavior, unwanted applications, Microsoft quickly take over GUI market in market share to IBM's desktop PC and kompatibelnya. Windows API is a de-facto standard software for consumers.

Windows NT
During that time, Microsoft continues to continue the development of the new operating system, called Windows NT. The main architect of Windows NT is Dave Cutler, who is one of the leading architects of the operating system on the VMS company Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), which later bought by Compaq, which is now part of Hewlett-Packard. Microsoft Cutler recruited in 1988 to create a version of OS / 2, which are portable, but eventually Cutler even create a new operating system.
Before moving to Microsoft, Cutler are actually creating a system of the VMS operating in the DEC, which is called by Mica. And when petinggi DEC thwart the project, he was out of the DEC, and brought many workers to experts with Microsoft. DEC have confidence that Cutler Mica to bring the code used by Microsoft and menuntutnya. Finally, Microsoft also lost and eventually directed to pay 150 million dollars and the United States have agreed to support the new CPU chip buaan DEC, DEC Alpha, the mare is registered as a fastest chip, that can run on Windows NT.
Windows NT 3.1 (Microsoft's marketing of Windows NT want to be seen as a continuation of Windows 3.1) finally appear first in beta form for the developers of the software in July 1992 in The Professional Developers Conference (PDC), which was held in San Francisco, California , The United States. Microsoft also announced his desire to develop an operating system successor to Windows NT but also replacement of Windows 3.1 in the conference (given the code name Chicago), which will then integrate them into a compact operating system. Operating system is given the name of Cairo.
It appeared that Cairo is a project that is more complex than what had been anticipated by Microsoft, and the results of NT and Chicago did not "unite" to Windows XP was launched. In addition, sections of Cairo not appear in the Microsoft Windows operating system until now. For example is WinFS subsystem, which is the implementation of the Object File System in Cairo, it was done by Microsoft in some time, but in the end Microsoft announced that they stop the development of WinFS and will combine the technology developed for WinFS in the Microsoft products and technologies that the other, is particularly Microsoft SQL Server.
Support for device drivers for Windows NT is also much less so as to develop drivers for Windows NT is considered complicated by some developers, on the Windows NT also has a superiority in the model of the device abstraction severity. This problem has been allowed to all versions of Windows NT to Windows NT 5.0 (Windows 2000) to exit the market. The programmer also complained that the drivers develop devices for Windows NT is something that complex, and hardware developers also do not want to take the risk to develop the device driver for an operating system that has limited market share. In addition, although Windows NT offers good performance and capable mengekspolitasi system resources more efficiently, in some systems with limited hardware, Windows NT system, which is considered as extravagant resources. This resulted in the emergence of public opinion that Windows NT is suitable only for machines that big and also far more expensive (such as DEC Alpha workstations with Intel Pentium or the mare is still new). Windows NT also can not work for the user's personal needs because resources are high. In addition, the GUI is the use of a copy of the GUI of Windows 3.1, which is still far less if compared with the Workplace Shell owned the OS / 2, Windows NT, so why is the replacement for Windows 3.1 is not reasonable.
However, tersebutlah features that make Windows NT is the perfect choice for the server market of the local network (LAN), which in 1993 is booming large-scale, in line with the commodity network in the office have increased dramatically. Features in the Windows NT network offers several connectivity options and a broad network of course, also the NTFS file system efficient. Windows NT is 3:51 primadona Microsoft when the market falls into this, then take over most of the market share previously owned by Novell Netware next few years.
One of the biggest improvement from Windows NT is the Application Programming Interface (API) 32-bit new, created to replace the Windows 16-bit API, which has long. 32-bit API is called the Win32 API, and from there the API call Microsoft 16-bit long as Win16. Win32 API has three main implementation: one for Windows NT (which is the Win32 API with support for Active Ansi or Unicode), one for Win32s (which is part of Win32 that can be used on Windows 3.1 system), and also one for Chicago (which only supports Ansi). This leads to high compatibility between Chicago and Windows NT, although in principle the two systems are very much different when viewed from the basic architecture.
Windows NT is the first Windows operating system made by using a hybrid kernel, after the previous versions only use the monolithic kernel only.
After 3:11 of Windows, Microsoft began to start developing a version of Windows that is oriented to users who are given the code name Chicago. Chicago mmeiliki designed to support the multitasking in a pre-emptive 32-bit as well as in the OS / 2 and Windows NT, although the 16-bit kernel is still in it for the backward compatibility reasons. Win32 API first introduced in Windows NT is adopted as a standard interface-based programming that the new 32-bit compatibility with Win16 also be maintained by using a technique called the "thunking." GUI, which is also owned by the new operating system, although Microsoft did not initially merencanakannya as part of the operating system when released. Indeed, some elements of the user interface, which is owned by Cairo borrowed and added to the operating system tersbut as other aspects of the version (especially the features Plug and Play).
Microsoft does not replace all the Windows code into 32-bit; many parts still in the form of 16-bit (although not using real mode directly), for compatibility reasons to back, performance, time and development. This and the fact that many weaknesses in the design versions of Windows, the operating system to create a new subject to this efficiency and stability.
Finally, the marketing of Microsoft Windows 95 using the name as the name of the product for Chicago, while released on 24 August 1995. Microsoft has two advantages from this launch: 1) is impossible for consumers to run Windows 95 on the DOS operating system that Microsoft is not made much cheaper; 2) although the impression impressions-DOS not been revoked from the operating system is, in fact, the version of the Marks a version for DOS loaded as part of the booting process, Windows 95 running by itself in the mode of Enhanced 386, using virtual memory and memory model and 32-bit flat. Features that make the Win32 applications to address the virtual RAM as the maximum 2 gigabytes (with 2 gigabytes rest is reserved for the operating system), and in theory prevent the application to the memory space that is owned by the other Win32 applications without the approval of the operating system. In this case, the functionality of Windows 95 approaching what is owned by Windows NT, although it does not support Windows 95/98/Me exceed 512 megabytes of memory without editing configuration system that caused.
Behind the success of Microsoft, IBM continue market OS / 2, with the produce of OS / 2 version 3.0 and OS / 2 Warp (version 4.0). IBM responding to complaints lodged by consumers about the needs of computer hardware that is required by the high-OS / 2 version 2.0, OS / 2 version 3.0 also made far more to do with the gent in the optimization of the size and speed. Released before Windows 95, OS / 2 Warp 3.0 was even dibundel in several major hardware provider in Germany. However, with the release of Windows 95, OS / 2 again lost market share again, taken over by the Windows 95.
May not be possible to find out what the reason why OS / 2 failed to gain market share in the large. Although OS / 2 can continue to run Windows 3.1 applications, there is no actual shortage that again, except on a small part of the Windows API called Win32s. Unlike Windows 3.1, IBM does not have access to the source code of Windows 95 and do not want to use time and resources available to perform emulation of the Win32 API. IBM also introduced the OS / 2 in case the United States versus Microsoft, with the blame on the marketing tactics of Microsoft, but many people may agree that the problem in the marketing of IBM, and it is less support from the developers of software that meyebabkan failure, the failure of the OS / 2.
Before using a new version of Windows, Microsoft released Windows 95 in five different versions, namely, as follows:
• Windows 95 - the actual release of Windows 95
• A Windows 95 - Windows 95 updates include the Original Service Release 1 (OSR1), which entered directly to the installation.
• Windows 95 B - includes several other major updates, such as FAT32 file system, and Internet Explorer 3.0. This version is also known as the Windows 95 OSR2, or many people in Indonesia call as Windows 97.
• Windows 95 USB B - or Windows 95 OSR2.1 is a version of Windows 95 that offers support for hardware-based bus, Universal Serial Bus / USB.
• Windows 95 C - or Windows 95 OSR2.5 include all the above features, plus Internet Explorer 4.0. This version is the version that most of the last series released Windows 95.
Windows 95 OSR2, OSR2.1 and OSR2.5 not released to the public, but only to OEM that would use the operating system to the computer buatannya. Some companies even sell OEM hard disk with the new operating system Windows 95 OSR2 in it.
In addition to the features contained in the Windows 95, Microsoft also introduced the Microsoft Plus! for Windows 95 that includes some additional features that are not owned by the Windows 95.

Windows NT 4.0
Microsoft released Windows NT 4.0, as the successor of Windows NT 3.x, which threaten the success of domination Novell Netware and UNIX in the corporate market. Windows NT 4.0 is initially being developed as part of an effort to introduce to the Windows NT workstation market. NT 4.0 has the same interface with Windows 95, but using the same kernel with Windows NT, so more stable. Indeed, there is an additional patch available for Windows NT 3:51 to make the NT 3:51 to like NT 4.0, but is not very stable and have many bugs. User interface is initially developed at the top of Windows NT, but because Windows 95 released before NT 4.0, then people tend to think "Windows NT 4.0 is a facsimile of the Windows 95."
Windows NT 4.0 comes in four versions:
• Windows NT 4.0 Workstation
• Windows NT 4.0 Server
• Windows NT 4.0 Server, Enterprise Edition (which includes support for clustering and SMP to 8-way)
• Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Server

Windows 98
On June 25, 1998, Microsoft released a new Windows operating system, known as Windows 98. Windows 98 is considered a minor revision to the Windows 95, but the general view is far more stable and reliable than the predecessor, Windows 95. Windows 98 includes many new drivers and hardware support FAT32 file system that better allow the partition to have a capacity larger than 2 gigabytes, a limit that is found in the Windows 95. USB support in Windows 98 also far better than the predecessor.
Windows 98 invited controversy when Microsoft browsers include Microsoft Internet Explorer into the operating system and can not be revoked, making the Windows Explorer and the Windows GUI is able to display the directory as though the web page. This open new cases, referred to as the United States versus Microsoft, the Microsoft asks why bother to keep dominasinya in personal computer operating systems to compete with competitors such as Netscape and IBM in a way that is not fair.
In 1999, Microsoft released Windows 98 Second Edition, a release that offers many improvements compared to previous versions. Internet Connection Sharing, which is a form of Network Address Translation, which allows several machines in a local network that can use one Internet connection point with any introduced in this version. Many minor problems in Windows that have been corrected long, which makes the Windows 98, according to many people as a version of Windows 9x the most stable among all the other versions of Windows 9x.

Windows 2000
Microsoft released Windows 2000 on 17 February 2000, a version of the previous known as Windows NT 5.0 or NT 5.0. " Windows 2000 version is aimed at two market, namely the market of workstations and server market share.
Among the features that Windows 2000 is the most significant Active Directory, a replacement model of the network model of the network NT domain, using technology that is the industry standard, such as Domain Name System (DNS), Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) and Kerberos to a machine between the connect to other machines. Windows Terminal Services also that, in Windows NT 4.0 only in one product only, on Windows 2000 is in all versions of the server. New features adopted from Windows 98 also put in it, such as the Device Manager that have been upgraded (by using the Microsoft Management Console), Windows Media Player, and DirectX 6.1 (which allows the operating system kernel based Windows NT to run the game). Windows 2000 also is a version of Windows NT-based kernel that does not require that the final users to perform activation proteins.
Although Windows 2000 can update the computer before running the Windows 98, Windows 2000 is not considered as a suitable product for home users. The reason for many, including a lack of device drivers for many users, such as scanner device (scanner) and printer (the printer), released at the time. The situation was eventually turn on Windows XP released by Microsoft.
Windows 2000 is available in six editions, namely:
• Windows 2000 Professional
• Windows 2000 Server
• Windows 2000 Advanced Server
• Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
• Windows 2000 Advanced Server Limited Edition
• Windows 2000 Datacenter Server Limited Edition

Windows Me
In September 2000, Microsoft introduced the Windows Millennium Edition (also known as Windows Me or Windows ME). This version of the Windows 98 update with support for multimedia and the Internet better. This version also features the "System Restore," which allows its users to restore the situation to a point system that is known well only when the operating system failed. System Restore feature to be still maintained in Windows XP. This version also introduced a version of Windows Movie Maker first.
Windows Me is made in a short time, approximately one year, which is intended only to fill the void between the release of Windows 98 and Windows XP operating system as a classroom for the home. Features found in Windows Me (like Internet Explorer 5.5, Windows Media Player 7.0, and Microsoft DirectX 7.1) even can be obtained for free from the Windows Update site, except for System Restore. The result, Windows Me not regarded as an operating system that is unique among his brothers from the family of Windows 9x, Windows 95 and Windows 98. Windows Me also criticized because of the emergence of stability problems, and also the support of the MS-DOS running in real mode. People even mention Windows Me as Windows Mistake Edition.
Windows Me operating system is the last monolithic kernel is made based on the Windows 9x and MS-DOS. This version also become the latest version of the Windows operating system that does not have the Windows Product Activation (WPA).

Windows XP
In 2001, Microsoft introduced the Windows XP (which has the code name "Whistler" during development. Finally, after releasing some Windows-based version of Windows 9x and NT, Microsoft succeeded in bringing together both the range of products. Windows XP using the Windows NT 5.1 kernel, making Windows NT kernel with famous kestabilannya entering the home consumer market, to replace the Windows 9x product based 16/32-bit that ripen.
Windows XP is a version of the Windows operating system that most long (at least until now), because it ranges from 2001 until 2007, when Windows Vista released to consumers. Middlebury Windows XP operating system by the end of Windows Vista on 30 January 2007.
Windows XP is available in several versions:
• Windows XP Home Edition, which is intended to market the home desktop and laptop.
• Windows XP Home Edition N, Home Edition, as usual, but do not have Windows Media Player, because the EU regulations do not memperbolehkannya.
• Windows XP Professional, intended for power users and business people.
• Windows XP Professional N, the same as Professional Edition, but do not have Windows Media Player, because the EU does not rule allows.
• Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE), released in November 2002, is a Windows XP Home Edition, which is intended to dektop and laptops with the emphasis on home entertainment.
o Windows XP Media Center Edition 2003
o Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004
o Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, released on 12 October 2004.
• Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, intended for Tablet PC (PC with touch screen)
o Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005
• Windows XP Embedded, the system is intended to benam (embedded systems)
• Windows XP Starter Edition, which is intended for users of computers in some developing countries.
• Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, released on 25 April 2005 for the home systems and workstations that use 64-bit processor based instruction set x86-64 (AMD64 or Intel EM64T).
• Windows XP 64-Bit Edition, a version of Windows XP that is intended for Intel's Itanium processor line, which maintains compatibility with 32-bit applications using the emulator software. This version is the same with Windows XP Professional, in terms of features. This product was discontinued in September 2005 when the vendor last Itanium processor-based workstation to stop products as "workstations", as they tend to focus the Itanium server computer as a base.
o Windows XP 64-Bit Edition, 2003, are made based on the code base of Windows NT 5.2 (same as Windows Server 2003).
Windows Server 2003
On 24 April 2003, Microsoft launched Windows Server 2003, an update to the operating system Windows 2000 Server, which offers many security features of the new guide "Manage Your Server wizard" that simplifies the role of an engine run, and also increase performance . Windows Server 2003 kernel using Windows NT version 5.2.
In the Windows Server 2003, some services are not needed in the server environment is disabled by default, especially the "Windows Audio" and "Themes" for the reasons stability; To be able to use voice and display the same with Windows XP, users must activate it manually , Through SNAP-in Microsoft Management Console Services.msc In addition, hardware acceleration for graphics card also turned off; again, the user must activate it manually, of course, if the device driver used "can be trusted."
In December 2005, Microsoft released Windows Server 2003 r2, which is a Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 plus some additional packages. Among all the features are new features for branch offices, and the integration of a broad identity.
Windows Server 2003 is available in five editions of the fruit:
• Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
• Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
• Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit and 64-bit)
• Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
• Windows Server 2003, Small Business Server

Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs as thin client platforms
In July 2006, Microsoft released a version of Windows XP Service Pack 2, intended to thin-client market, which is called as Windows Fundamentals for Legacy pcs (WinFLP). WinFLP only available to customers of Microsoft's Software Assurance. WinFLP goal is generally to provide upgrade options to their customers who still use Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, and Windows NT Workstation. Most users run applications on a remote machine by using Terminal Services or Citrix.

Windows Vista
After reaching the big success with Windows XP, Microsoft does not directly stop it developing Windows. The latest version of Windows, called Windows Vista, released on 30 November 2006 [1] for the business while for the home user released on 30 January 2007. Windows Vista is declared to have more security firm compared with previous versions, by introducing a limited user mode, known as the User Account Control (UAC), to replace the philosophy of "administrator-by-default" is applied in Windows XP . Windows Vista also introduces features a graph that is far more "decoy", which is called Windows Aero GUI, the new applications (such as Windows Calendar, Windows DVD Maker and several new games including Chess Titans, mahjong, and Purble Place). In addition, Windows Vista also offers a version of Microsoft Internet Explorer that is more secure, and the Windows Media Player version of the new (version 11).
Windows Vista uses the version 6.0, so that indeed there are significant differences version when compared with Windows XP that use the version 5.1 or Windows Server 2003 (5.2). Because, indeed Windows Vista have many fundamental differences, particularly on the basic architecture of the operating system.
Windows Vista is sold in several editions:
• Windows Vista Starter
• Windows Vista Home Basic
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• Windows Vista Business
• Windows Vista Enterprise
• Windows Vista Ultimate

Windows Home Server
Windows Home Server (code name has a previous Q compendium of quattro) is a server product derived from the Windows Server 2003, designed specifically for use by consumers from home users. This operating system introduced on 7 January 2007 by Bill Gates. Windows Home Server can be configured and monitored using a console program that can be installed on a PC client. This feature of Windows Media Sharing, the backup drive against local and remote drives, and duplicate files.

Windows Server 2008
Windows Server 2008, is a new version of Windows Server, which is scheduled for released on 27 February 2008. At the time of development, Windows Server has a code name "Windows Server Codenamed see." Windows Server 2008 is built on top of some of the benefits of technology and security that was initially introduced with Windows Vista, and is intended to be significantly more modular, rather predecessor, Windows Server 2003.

Windows 7
After the next release of Windows Vista known as Windows 7, which previously known as Blackcomb and Vienna.

History of operating systems, Microsoft

Movement version of MS-DOS
• MS-DOS and PC-DOS
• Windows 95 (MS-DOS 7.0)
• Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2.x, Windows 98 (MS-DOS 7.1)
• Windows Millennium Edition (MS-DOS 8.0)

Movement of the home version of Windows class
• Windows 1.0
• Windows 2.0
• Windows 2.1 (aka Windows/286 and Windows/386)
• Windows 3.0, Windows 3.1, Windows 3.1 for Workgroups, Windows 3:11, 3:11 Windows for Workgroups (WfW)
• Windows 95 (Windows 4.0)
• Windows 98 (Windows 4.1)
• Windows Millennium Edition (Windows 4.9)
Movement version of the Microsoft / IBM OS / 2
• OS / 2 1.0
• OS / 2 1.1
• OS / 2 1.2
• OS / 2 1.3

Movement-based version of Microsoft Windows NT
• Windows NT 3.1, 3.5
• Windows NT 4.0
• Windows 2000 (Windows NT 5.0)
• Windows XP (Windows NT 5.1)
• Windows Server 2003, Windows XP 64-Bit Edition 2003 (Windows NT 5.2)
• Windows XP Professional x64 Edition (Windows NT 5.2)
• Windows Fundamentals for Legacy pcs (Windows NT 5.1)
• Windows Vista (Windows NT 6.0)

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Microsoft

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT, HKEX: 4338) is a multinational computer technology corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of software products for computing devices. Headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA, its best selling products are the Microsoft Windows operating system and the Microsoft Office suite of productivity software.

Originally founded to develop and sell BASIC interpreters for the Altair 8800, Microsoft rose to dominate the home computer operating system market with MS-DOS in the mid-1980s, followed by the Windows line of operating systems. Its products have all achieved near-ubiquity in the desktop computer market. One commentator notes that Microsoft's original mission was "a computer on every desk and in every home, running Microsoft software"—it is a goal near fulfillment. Microsoft possesses footholds in other markets, with assets such as the MSNBC cable television network, the MSN Internet portal, and the Microsoft Encarta multimedia encyclopedia. The company also markets both computer hardware products such as the Microsoft mouse as well as home entertainment products such as the Xbox, Xbox 360, Zune and MSN TV. The company released an initial public offering (IPO) in the stock market, which, due to the ensuing rise of the stock price, has made four billionaires and an estimated 12,000 millionaires from Microsoft employees.

Throughout its history the company has been the target of criticism, including monopolistic business practices and anti-competitive business practices including refusal to deal and tying. The U.S. Justice Department and the European Commission, among others, have ruled against Microsoft for various antitrust violations.

Known for what is generally described as a developer-centric business culture, Microsoft has historically given customer support over Usenet newsgroups and the World Wide Web, and awards Microsoft MVP status to volunteers who are deemed helpful in assisting the company's customers.

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Windows 7: Linux Terminator

By : Preston Gralla, Computerworld
Microsoft has long been worried about Linux competition in the server market. When it came to ordinary PCs and laptops, however, it knew it had little to fear.

But that was then. Now Microsoft may fear Linux on the desktop as much as it does the Mac. It's finally taking Linux seriously as a desktop operating system, and it has designed Windows 7 to kill it.

Let me explain.

The threat to Windows comes entirely from "netbooks" -- lightweight, inexpensive laptops that typically use Intel 's low-powered Atom processor and don't come with substantial amounts of RAM or powerful graphics processors. They're designed mainly for browsing the Web, handling e-mail, writing memos, and taking care of simple word-processing or spreadsheet chores.

Netbooks will account for about a third of all PC growth this year, according to Citigroup . Shipments will rise at an annual average rate of 60% to reach 29 million netbooks in 2010, compared with 18% growth for standard notebooks, says a September BNP Paribas report.

Clearly, the future is in netbooks. And that has Microsoft worried. Netbooks can't handle Vista's hardware demands, so XP is the only Microsoft operating system that runs on them. But Linux is ideally suited for lower-powered netbooks.

The result? Acer and Asustek, which account for 90% of the netbook market, are using Linux on about 30% of their low-cost notebooks, according to Bloomberg. Making matters worse, if Linux is used on those netbooks, it means that Microsoft Office isn't. So Microsoft takes a double hit every time someone buys a Linux netbook.

Microsoft isn't just worried about ceding 30% of the netbook market to Linux. It's also worried that if people get used to running Linux on netbooks, they'll consider buying Linux on desktop PCs as well. Here's what Dickie Chang, an analyst at IDC in Taipei, told Bloomberg: "It's a real threat to Microsoft. It gives users a chance to see and try something new, showing them there is an alternative."

Microsoft, though, has a not-so-secret weapon against Linux: Windows 7. Its new operating system, slated to be introduced sometime next year, is designed to work fine on netbooks. In fact, at Microsoft's recent Professional Developers Conference, where the pre-beta of Windows 7 was unveiled, Windows Senior Vice President Steve Sinofsky showed off Windows 7 on his Lenovo S10 and said it used less than half of the netbook's 1GB of RAM.

When Windows 7 ships, expect a massive marketing blitz pushing it on netbooks with special deals, and netbook hardware taking advantage of Windows 7 capabilities, including touch screens.

In fact, the blitz has already begun. Asus CEO Jerry Shen announced that he plans to release versions of the Eee PC powered by Windows 7 in mid-2009, including a touch-screen version.

This is anything but a level playing field. Because no company owns Linux, there won't be a competing marketing push for Linux netbooks. Microsoft has shown before how tough it can be on competitors -- remember Lotus 1-2-3, WordPerfect and Harvard Graphics? So expect Linux netbook sales to fall when Windows 7 ships.

Despite Microsoft's killer instincts, I don't think Linux netbook sales will stop dead. There will always be a niche for them. But within a year of the Windows 7 launch, Linux market share will drop. The high point for Linux netbook sales will be from now until the launch of Windows 7. After that will come the inevitable decline.

Preston Gralla is a contributing editor for Computerworld.com and the author of more than 35 books, including How the Internet Works (Que, 2006).

Source : http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/155924/windows_7_linux_terminator.html?tk=rl_noinform

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