Microsoft

How To Remove Microsoft .NET Spyware Extension

Back around the end of January there was a Microsoft Windows Update (KB951847) that installed the SpyWare (done without user consent/knowledge and can not be removed easily) Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant 1.0 extension into Firefox. Note: If you have not install Windows Update KB951847 OR not using Windows Update this extension will not be installed. Notice how the ‘Uninstall’ button is greyed out? I learned about this from a post )Microsoft Infiltrates Firefox) at GoFirefox! However, because I am using Shiretoko 3.1b3pre and the add-on was not compatible with this build it never fully installed. I was able to remove…

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Microsoft TV Ads Produced Mixed Results

In September 2008 Microsoft launched a new and rather odd campaign featuring former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates and comedian Jerry Seinfeld. The first was the Gates-Seinfeld Shoe Store Commercial, which if anything confused viewers as to what Microsoft was trying to advertise. They continued with two more commercials with Gates and Seinfeld living with a new family. About two weeks later, Microsoft shifted directions and launched a new campaign, I’m A PC. The New York Times ran an article today citing a study done by Brand Keys, a New York market research company. The study looked at how the ads changed…

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That Darn ‘V-Word’ Again

An article on the Microsoft Blog reminded me of the Get a Mac: V-Word commerical from October 2008: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50DHHMBIJf8] As the ‘Vista Capable’ lawsuit continues to drag on, more documents have been released. This time, documents dated around August 2005 from Windows Product Management Group advised Microsoft not to use ‘Vista’ generation name on “Home Basic”, instead only carry the Windows brand name. They also gave the same advice for the “Stater Edition” (not available in United States, Canada, Europe, Israel, Australia or New Zealand). A quick refresher, a PC ‘branded’ as ‘Vista Capable’ meets the minimum requirements to run…

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Microsoft Ordered to Delete Browser

From the Associated Press/NewYorkTimes.com: BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union said Friday that Microsoft’s practice of selling the Internet Explorer browser together with its Windows operating system violated the union’s antitrust rules. It ordered the software giant to untie the browser from its operating system in the 27-nation union, enabling makers of rival browsers to compete fairly. “Microsoft’s tying of Internet Explorer to the Windows operating system harms competition between Web browsers, undermines product innovation and ultimately reduces consumer choice,” the E.U. said in a statement. I find this a little extreme. First off, Microsoft is not “selling” the Internet…

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New Tab Behavior Coming in Fx 3.1

Back in September, I reviewed the add-on Tabs Open Relative, which had suddenly become very popular with the release of Google Chrome. The current tab behavior in Firefox is for a new (child) tab opened via a link to do so at the end of the tab bar. However both Chrome and IE8 (Beta) will open the child tab to the right of the current tab (or other child tab). New tabs opened via the new tab button, file menu or control+T will still open at the end of the tab bar. This new behavior will be included in the…

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Microsoft/Yahoo: Microsoft in Talks Again?

While nothing official has been released by Microsoft, The Times of London is reporting Microsoft Corp. has resumed its pursuit of Yahoo in a deal that could cost the Redmond-based company $20 billion, less than half of what it offered for the search site this summer. Microsoft has put forward Jonathan Miller, ex-chairman and chief executive of AOL, and Ross Levinsohn, a former president of Fox Interactive Media, to lead a new management team at Yahoo under a 10-year agreement. Microsoft would have a two-year option to buy Yahoo outright for $20 billion. The report also says senior management at…

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More Microsoft/Intel Emails

More emails have been released in the Vista Capable case this afternoon. Including more on the email exchanges between Microsoft’s Ballmer and Intel’s Otellini and the loosening of the ‘Vista Capable’ requirements. Microsoft senior vice president Will Poole e-mailed Ballmer: Steve, following up on the call you took from Paul today, we have changed our program so that Intel’s current integrated parts qualify for ‘Vista Capable’ branding … This change completely resolves their problem. Also released were some emails regarding Best Buy’s CEO wanting to talk to Ballmer about Vista-related issues. One Microsoft executive described Best Buy as “whining.” while…

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Microsoft/Yahoo: When Ballmer Speaks…

…Yahoo’s stock goes up or (in most cases) down dramatically .  A follow-up to yesterday’s post Microsoft/Yahoo: Ballmer “We are done…” At Wednesday’s shareholders’ meeting Ballmer said, “We are done with all acquisition discussions with Yahoo. I’ve said that a bunch of times. Somehow some people have gotten confused nonetheless.” Yes Steve, people are confused as your comments are “somewhat confusing”. Seattle PI reporter Joseph Tartakoff takes a look back at Steve Ballmer’s public comments on the possibility of a Yahoo deal over the past few months and the (mostly negaitvie) effect on Yahoo’s stock. Source: The Microsoft Blog

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Windows Vista For SENIORS

Weighing in at hefty 400 pages is Windows Vista For SENIORS, For senior citizens who want to start using computers. Also in the series is Switching to Windows Vista For SENIORS and More Windows Vista for SENIORS. Yep, more! This next edition is slightly smaller at 352 pages. I am not too sure if Windows Vista would be such a good idea for senior citizens who want to start using computers. Windows XP would seem simpler to use and can still be found on the ultra low-cost machines until June 2010. These machine would also be more suitable alternative for…

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