The First Real Look at Windows 8

After months of speculation, we finally get our first look at Windows 8, coming next year…and what a look it is! First, there is a Microsoft-produced video showing off the new operating system.  Then, there are two articles, both by Windows expert Paul Thurrott, analyzing in-depth what the new system contains. As more videos are released by Microsoft, I will have them here.

There is also an interesting article on how cell phone carriers are killing off the hottest market going with their unbridled greed. An interesting analysis, to say the least.  Finally, Microsoft has released a new tool for analyzing your computer if you think you might be infected with malware or you just want to see if you might have a dangerous rootkit. It is designed to be a self-booting operating system on a CD, or USB stick so it can’t be fooled by some kinds of malware that prevent you from seeing you are infected. It takes a few hours to run, so will run it overnight while sleeping. 

Hope you have a great weekend. Cheers! - JRC

YouTube - Building "Windows 8" - Video #1

This is the first of several videos produced by Microsoft showing off Windows 8. It looks very interesting. Don't be fooled that it is a touch-screen only operating system...it will run on a desktop with a mouse just like you are doing now.

Windows 8 Preview: An Analysis of the First Public Unveiling

Watch the above video first, then read this. On June 1, 2011, Microsoft unveiled some of its plans for Windows 8, its next Windows client release, for the first time. This unveiling included a public appearance from president Steven Sinofsky, the man most directly responsible for Windows, but also a video in which Microsoft Director of Program Management Jensen Harris directly manipulates what appears to be a touch-screen-based PC running Windows 8, and running through various new features.

Windows 8 Preview: An 2nd Analysis of the Computex Announcements

(Read and view the first 2 stories first before reading this.) In addition to the Steven Sinofsky and Jensen Harris demos of Windows 8 this week, Microsoft's Michael Angiulo also showed off the next Windows for the company's hardware partners at the Computex trade show. And not surprisingly, his talk included some details the others didn't mention. Here's another ton of new Windows 8 information! ...

Will the carriers kill the mobile revolution?

If the telecommunications industry were competitive, the market would keep the carriers from raising prices even faster. But it isn't competitive now; in most cities there are few choices for serious business users. If AT&T succeeds in swallowing T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless advances in its plan to smash the smaller, regional carriers, the market will be even less competitive and the mobile revolution will slow to dial-up speeds.

New Microsoft Malware Cleaner

Microsoft has just released a product called the Standalone System Sweeper (Beta), which can be launched from CD or USB stick. According to Microsoft "it is meant to be used in situations where you cannot start your PC due to a virus or other malware infection." You can also run it to see if you might have a hidden rootkit.