No 1: Slide Show, The Best and Worst Microsoft Products-June 24, 2008
From the server-side scripting Active Server Pages to perennial stalwarts Windows Server 2003 and Exchange Server, Microsoft has more than a few solid products. On the other hand, there’s Hotmail, Internet Explorer 6, ActiveX and, of course, the very regrettable and forgettable Bob. eWEEK Labs picks the 10 best and 10 worst Microsoft products so far.
Related News Story: Bill Gates: It’s a Wonderful Life-June 24, 2008
In his time, Bill Gates helped spur the PC revolution that has changed how people work and live. And he built one of the most powerful and influential companies that the world has ever seen. Nevertheless, lots of people hate him and Microsoft-some of that hatred probably earned-but his company has done a lot of good, too, and accomplished quite a bit to help bring about the current computing age. And no one can deny that Microsoft’s co-founder changed computing, changed business and changed our lives.
No. 2: Slide Show, The 25 Most Influential People at IBM-Jan. 18, 2008
Powerful and influential Chairman and CEO Samuel J. Palmisano tops any list at IBM, but the iconic IT firm also includes such talent as Rodney C. Adkins, who leads IBM’s global server and storage systems hardware and software development, as well as semiconductor manufacturing operations. And then there’s Michael E. Daniels, who oversees the go-to-market and business-line management for IBM’s offerings in strategic outsourcing, integrated technology services, small and midsize business services, maintenance, and IBM global financing. And, well, the list goes on.
No. 3: Slide Show, Seven Client OSes That Could Replace Windows-Aug. 13, 2008
Microsoft’s Windows is the undisputed king of the desktop, and, for a long time now, it’s seemed as though Windows would reign forever more. However, with customer uptake of Windows Vista still limp-even with the magical Service Pack 1 milestone months behind us-it’s time to ask if any one of Windows’ client operating systems has what it takes to capture a bigger chunk of the mainstream desktop. Here are some of the contenders.
No. 4: Slide Show, eWEEK Labs Walk-Through: Windows 7-Oct. 28, 2008
In October, Microsoft gave the public its first peek at the Windows client release that’s supposed to make up for the disappointing Vista. Based on eWEEK’s early tests of the new client, Windows 7’s speed and polish earn impressive kudos.
Related Review: Windows 7 a Big Improvement over Vista-Oct. 28, 2008
Windows 7 is a less ambitious offering than Vista, but one with more realistic goals. Seven’s new features and improved performance make it seem like a better version of Vista rather than a major step forward.
No. 5: Slide Show, Emerald Green Computing Comes to IT-March 12, 2008
The Irish may be known for many things, but one of the things they don’t get enough credit for is their IT acumen. It turns out that Ireland has a number of indigenous companies that leverage the country’s growing base of network specialists and application developers focused on specific vertical markets, such as financial software and e-learning systems.
No. 6: The 100 Most Influential People in IT-April 7, 2008
Editors from eWEEK, CIO Insight and Baseline put their heads together to name the 100 people who are having the most influence on IT-the people who are shaping the future of the way we use technology. The list includes people who not only have a tangible track record of IT success, but also have had far-reaching influence, the ability to effect change and a deep level of engagement in developing emerging technologies.
No. 7: Top 10 Disruptive Technologies Affecting the Data Center-Feb. 22, 2008
Several technologies are poised to shake up the data center. Gartner Research Vice President Carl Claunch provided eWEEK with a list of 10 technologies to watch. They are all relatively immature today, Claunch said, but will mature enough for widespread use in the next 18 to 36 months.
No. 8: Inside Intel ‘Larrabee’-Aug. 6, 2008
Intel’s “Larrabee” processor is Intel’s first multicore processor and first stand-alone graphics card. It is also a swipe at graphics chip makers Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices, whose powerful graphics chips are starting to look like a threat to Silicon Valley’s king of silicon chips. Larrabee will have numerous x86 processor cores and support for OpenGL and DirectX, allowing it to run existing games and software requiring high-end graphics.
Related Story: Intel Details ‘Larrabee’ Processor Architecture-Aug. 4, 2008
Intel describes aspects of its Larrabee microarchitecture, including the design of an x86 processing core developed specifically for the chip. The chip maker explains why its engineers believe the Larrabee processor will usher in a new era of parallel software programming.
No. 9: Windows Live SkyDrive Exits Beta-Feb. 21, 2008
Microsoft’s free online file management and sharing service, Windows Live SkyDrive, offers 5GB of storage. Users get password-protected “anywhere access” to their information, which can be shared with others. This anywhere, anytime access to files is key to Microsoft’s Windows Live vision: the powerful integration between Web services and client software.
Related Story: Microsoft to Phase Out Windows Live OneCare-Nov. 18, 2008
Microsoft is giving up on its Windows Live OneCare subscription service next June. But it is not giving up on the security business entirely-it has plans for a free anti-malware product code-named Morro. The new service will be designed to use minimal computing resources to make it useful in low-bandwidth scenarios and on less powerful PCs.
No. 10: Slide Show, Solid-State Memory Will Kill HHDs-Aug. 22, 2008
HHD, or hybrid hard drive, disk storage is a technology that will generally give way to the simpler, more efficient SSD, or solid-state drive, form factor. Want proof? Seagate Technology, Western Digital, Samsung, Toshiba, Fujitsu, Intel, AMD, Micron Technology, SanDisk and LSI Logic are well into flash development as the next generation of processors begins to take shape. Here’s why SSD storage will kill HHD storage.
Related News Story: Intel Unveils Its First Solid-State SATA Storage Drives-Aug. 19, 2008
Intel has been putting a great deal of R&D into developing flash memory SSDs that will withstand the rigors of 24/7 data center server usage, heavy-duty client/server desktop and laptop use, and embedded applications. Intel is convinced that it has added enough storage capacity-up to 160GB-on these SSDs to more than handle enterprise duty.