Part of the big improvements for Firefox 3.5 was it is suppose to be faster. Unless you have started using Firefox 3.5 with a clean profile, you are going to notice that the initial startup of Firefox can be a bit (or for some user painfully) slow at times. This is especially true for those on Windows. There are a couple quick fixes to improve the startup time of your Firefox. These involve cleaning up temporary files (Windows users) and vacuuming your databases. Both tips come courtesy of Percy at Mozilla Links.
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In a move that has been described as “a step backward in the retail software arena” Microsoft release a statement saying they will NOT bundle Internet Explorer (or any other browsers) with Windows 7 when it it is release in the European Market. Since the computer will not have a web browser installed, users will be unable to go on to the Internet to download a web browser. Microsoft’s “solution” to this is to offer Internet Explorer at no charge on a CD-ROM. Full details are on the Microsoft Blog plus response from the European Union (EU). Yep, this is…
As Firefox users it is easy for us to forget, overlook or even not notice the large (choke) hold Microsoft has on the browser market. For all intents and purposes, Microsoft has a monopoly on the browser market with Internet Explorer. Over the past couple years Firefox’s market share has grown tremendously in Europe. In January 2009 the European Commission (EC) stated its preliminary conclusion that “Microsoft’s tying of Internet Explorer to the Windows operating system harms competition between web browsers, undermines product innovation and ultimately reduces consumer choice.” Over the past couple months Mitchell has discussed on her blog…
I’ve done a quick update on the How To Remove Microsoft .NET Spyware Extension post with the addition of links to information concerning the Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant 1.0 add-on as well as about the KB951847 update.
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…
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…
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…
Back in mid October 2007, after an upgrade gone bad, I had to abandon my custom built XP system and purchase an off-the-shelf HP PC with Windows Vista Home Premium. For the most part going from Windows XP to Windows Vista wasn’t too bad. A slight learning curve on the new interface and then of course the UAC (best explained with this Get a Mac ad). One problem I did not run into was not having certain peripherals not working with Vista. Both my monitor and printer were fairly new and had a ‘Works with Windows Vista’ sticker on them….
There is a new naughty word… [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50DHHMBIJf8]
Phase 2 of Microsoft’s newest ad campaign (sans Jerry Seinfeld) is I’m A PC Microsoft has entered a new phase of its $300 million Windows ad campaign. In a briefing this morning, the software maker said it’s releasing a 60-second commercial that seems designed to directly counter Apple’s popular PC-bashing Macintosh ads. …Phase II of the commercial campaign omits comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who figured in the three commercials* making up Phase I, but Phase II’s first spot does feature a brief appearance by company co-founder and chairman Bill Gates. I’m A PC: Pride [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS61ovpaA8Q] I’m A PC: I Am Not…