Microsoft starts explaining its RSS feed reader patent

Posted by multippt

A few days ago, Microsoft attempted to patent RSS (really simple syndication) feed readers. RSS feeds are used as a means by news publishers and bloggers to notify subscribers of the RSS feed of new content. Readers are needed to display the feeds.

Dave Winer, the co-inventor of the RSS feed system, commented on the patent, stating that it is likely that Microsoft would attempt to make money out of RSS if the patent were approved. Several bloggers criticised the patent applications by Microsoft as being unoriginal. Although Microsoft’s patent claim is questionable, some feel that there is no need to go against Microsoft, since its possible that Microsoft has good intentions to do such action.

Microsoft’s RSS team responded to responses of Microsoft’s patent on RSS. The team claimed that the patent is used to describe ways to improve the RSS end-user and developer experience. The patent does not mean that Microsoft is claiming that they invented the RSS feed system. The patent is also intended for the benefit of (RSS) feed publishers, developers and users, and that it is proof of Microsoft’s commitment and contributions to the RSS community.  In addition, the team stated that other companies such as Apple and Google have patented in a fashion similar to what Microsoft is doing.

Via Microsoft Team RSS blog

Is your computer (Windows) Vista “premium” ready?

Posted by multippt

Yes you have heard of Windows Vista, the new generation of Windows that will make its debute next year, 2007. By then, I’m sure you have heard of numerous guides to preparing your computer for Windows Vista. Some of this guides show guidelines to enable your computer to be Windows Vista ready. Of these, some of them go a step further and prepare them to be Windows Vista “premium” ready. However, this guide you are reading is different from those guide. This guide will show you the minimum requirements for your computer to be Windows Vista “Premium” ready, and yes, this means your computer should be able to get those nice Aero glass effects if you follow this guideline.

Processor
Your processor needs to have a processor speed of at least 1.4 GHz (to be safe, though 1.0GHz is the minimum for Windows Vista “premium” ready computers), which is quite common in new computers. However, if your computer have a processor speed lesser than that, chances are, you would need to replace the processor with a more powerful one, or get a new computer.

RAM (Random Access Memory)
Large amounts of RAM is very useful for an operating system that will utilize the computer resources fully (in this case, Windows Vista). 1GB of RAM is recommended. Of course, the more the merrier. 1GB of RAM is quite common in computers available in the market at the moment. In case your computer do not have this amount of RAM in your computer, you can choose to upgrade the RAM (since RAM is the most easiest hardware component of the computer to upgrade compared to the rest).

Graphics
You need a relatively powerful graphics card (specially for Aero glass). A video card with 128MB of graphics memory should be quite adequate for those who have a resolution of 1920 by 1200 and lesser. Video cards such as ATI Radeon 5500 and above, NIVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 and above, and Intel GMA 950 and above should give the much needed memory. However, if your computer screen resolution is as much as 2560 by 1600 may need up to 512MB of video memory. Other than that, your graphics card needs to support DirectX 9.0 (or above, though DirectX 10.0 enabled graphics cards will be available by next year, 2007), video card 3D acceleration, WDDM support, and pixel shader 2.0.

Hard Drive
This shouldn’t be a problem if your computer has at least 15GB of free disk space (for installing Windows Vista). However, it is recommended that you have at least 40GB of total hard disk space.

DVD Drive
This is needed to install Windows Vista, since Windows Vista only ships on DVD.

Microsoft’s newly designed homepage

Posted by multippt

Yesterday, Microsoft launched a new home page, that probably incorporates months of research and customer feedback and adjustments. The design in my own opinion is quite clean and “vista”-like, probably in reference to the upcoming Windows Vista operating system.

Via Microsoft

Windows Vista activation cracked

Posted by multippt

Recently, several hackers have found alternative ways of activating the corporate version of Windows Vista. A file has been distributed online that contains a VMware machine (a virtual machine) which consist of a KMS (Key Management Service) server.

A KMS server is needed to activate copies of Windows Vista (for businesses) to allow the operating system to be used. The official KMS server is usually given to companies that have 25 or more computers running Windows Vista. The copy will need to be reactivated every 6 months in order to continue to use the system.

Of course, please do not use the circulated file to illegally activate a copy of Windows Vista.

Via Yahoo! news

Windows Vista to be released to volume license customers

Posted by multippt

Windows Vista, which represents the new generation of the Microsoft Windows operating system, would be released today, which is the 30th of November, to customers making volume purchases of it. This means that companies could get their hands on it soon.

However though, the vast majority of us would not be able to purchase it, until the 30th of January, next year, 2007.