After several delays and many slipped dates, Microsoft has announced that Longhorn, the code name for the next version of the Windows desktop operating system will ship in 2006. In order to meet this deadline they will remove several features and release them in subsequent service packs. Longhorn has been touted as a major new operating system. It will utilize many new technologies and sport a new user interface. We expect to be beta testing the new operating system sometime in 2005.
If all goes well, the new server operating system is expected to ship in 2007. I wouldn't hold my breath though. Microsoft has had a lot of trouble keeping with schedules in the last couple of years. It may have something to do with all the law suits. Several more have been announced this week from cities and counties in California. I guess where there's money there's law suits.
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Thursday, August 26, 2004
About My Trip To Chicago
I spent most of last week at the CMP XChange Conference in Chicago. CMP is a media company that publishes several magazines targeted towards IT solution providers. They get all the major manufacturers and distributors to sponsor the event. Then they invite companies similar to ours to attend and they even pick up the tab. This is the second XChange I have been to and generally I find them to be fun and useful.
One of the best things about the event for me is meeting with other solution providers similar to ourselves. Attendees vary from one man operations to $100 million companies. However, the largest population is companies around our size. It's interesting to talk with owners of similar businesses and find that they have similar issues that we deal we on a day to day basis. (Surprise!) It's also interesting to see that we generally all see the same trends happening in the industry and are looking at ways to help us guide our Clients through these trends over the next few years. I'll have more about that later.
It was also good to meet with the major vendors as well as some newcomers. There are some pretty cool products just becoming available. Many of these may be of interest to our Clients. More about that later.
I had a great time and hope to be invited again. More about that later!
One of the best things about the event for me is meeting with other solution providers similar to ourselves. Attendees vary from one man operations to $100 million companies. However, the largest population is companies around our size. It's interesting to talk with owners of similar businesses and find that they have similar issues that we deal we on a day to day basis. (Surprise!) It's also interesting to see that we generally all see the same trends happening in the industry and are looking at ways to help us guide our Clients through these trends over the next few years. I'll have more about that later.
It was also good to meet with the major vendors as well as some newcomers. There are some pretty cool products just becoming available. Many of these may be of interest to our Clients. More about that later.
I had a great time and hope to be invited again. More about that later!
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Windows XP Service Pack 2 Released
Last Friday Microsoft began rolling out the long awaited Windows XP SP2. The rollout is being controlled because of the possible complications with installing SP2 as well as the fact that they didn't want to bring their update servers to their knees with 100 million users trying to get the update at the same time.
The update is loaded with security features, has easier wireless network setup features, and several modifications to Internet Explorer, including a pop up blocker. The main concern with the service pack is the security changes. When you install SP2 a software firewall is turned on by default. This WILL cause some problems with some applications.
We are advising that all Clients implement SP2. However, we suggest your rollout be controlled and staged to minimize problems. We have been and will continue to test SP2 to determine where problem areas may come up.
If you have Windows Auto Update turned on you may want to disable it for a short period until you are ready to install SP2. If you do this, make sure you manually install any other critical updates that Microsoft may release. If you are running Microsoft CRM do not install SP2 until you install an update for CRM.
The update is loaded with security features, has easier wireless network setup features, and several modifications to Internet Explorer, including a pop up blocker. The main concern with the service pack is the security changes. When you install SP2 a software firewall is turned on by default. This WILL cause some problems with some applications.
We are advising that all Clients implement SP2. However, we suggest your rollout be controlled and staged to minimize problems. We have been and will continue to test SP2 to determine where problem areas may come up.
If you have Windows Auto Update turned on you may want to disable it for a short period until you are ready to install SP2. If you do this, make sure you manually install any other critical updates that Microsoft may release. If you are running Microsoft CRM do not install SP2 until you install an update for CRM.
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