The new Dell XPS 600

ELL are trying to lure more customers using superficiality of looks. Dell have recently seen a sharp drop in earnings, particularly due to hardware repairs.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Dell Inc. is trying to spice up its image — and turn around lagging sales growth — by shaking Apple Computer Inc.’s hold on hipness, but it may be tough to match its smaller rival’s flair.

Believe it or not, Microsoft decided to include Linux equipment in their network environmernt, as was reported last week.

The next time Bill Gates sends an e-mail through Microsoft’s shiny new Wireless LAN it will be passed through a behind-the-scenes Linux-based network appliance.

[...]

Pandey’s (senior director of Microsoft IT) appraisal of Aruba’s technology is in stark contrast to Microsoft’s “Get the Facts” rhetoric which places Windows as a more secure, and higher-performing choice over Linux.

I decided to take this a step further and compose a pseudo BBC article on Bill Gates’ full migration to Linux. Notice that the URL clearly contains the word ¨Amusement¨, which gives context and clarifies that all is cynicism, I hope.

“Me loves me penguin…”

In short, I read the following item, which I believe is old news despite the datestamp:

The world’s largest maker of personal computers, Dell, has reported a fall in third-quarter profits after taking a charge to repair faulty parts.

Putting two and two together, the following item on bad Intel capacitors got Slashdotted a short while ago:

At issue are faulty capacitors on motherboards that store power and regulate voltage. Defective capacitors found in the Dell Optiplex workstations, some Apple iMac G5s, HP xw-series workstations made in 2004 and PCs with the Intel D865GBF motherboard have been found to bulge, pop, leak and crust over, causing video failure and periodic system shutdowns.

I have recently discovered a UK shop that sells laptops without an operating system (i.e. without Windows) and offers many AMD options too. Thus, they are entitled to have a link.

Related link: Linux on the laptop

Encouraging news to Open Source advocates have been published today.

Firstly, OpenDocument (a la OpenOffice) attracts further interest, much as in the Massachusetts case, which stirred similar interest elsewhere:

Big guns in the software industry are massing behind OpenDocument as government customers show more interest in open-source alternatives to Microsoft’s desktop software.

Secondly, IBM, Sony and Philips sidle closer to Linux:

Three of the world’s biggest electronics companies — IBM, Sony and Philips — have joined forces with the two largest Linux software distributors to create a company for sharing Linux patents, royalty-free.

Well, somebody’s happy!

Although Google Suggest is a separate (yet tight) extension of the
search bar, its name reflects on reason for fear among giants like Wal-Mart

HE New York Times discusses the effect of ‘Googling’ things on industry. The article broadens its scope to discuss the small, the large and the intimidatingly large-scale impact.

Since many people begin their Web surfing with Google’s search page, information (or global knowledge) is somewhat controlled and centralised in Google’s datacentres. Search engines are able to provide advice to their consumers, much like trusted peers. With search engine optimisation there can be bias, which is dangerous. Moreover, with bad publicity in blogs and forums, many companies become overly concerned.

Wal-Mart, the nation’s largest retailer, often intimidates its competitors and suppliers. Makers of goods from diapers to DVD’s must cater to its whims. But there is one company that even Wal-Mart eyes warily these days: Google, a seven-year-old business in a seemingly distant industry.

…

Wal-Mart is scarcely alone in its concern. As Google increasingly becomes the starting point for finding information and buying products and services, companies that even a year ago did not see themselves as competing with Google are beginning to view the company with some angst – mixed with admiration.

…

Google, the reigning giant of Web search, could extend its economic reach in the next few years as more people get high-speed Internet service and cellphones become full-fledged search tools, according to analysts. And ever-smarter software, they say, will cull and organize larger and larger digital storehouses of news, images, real estate listings and traffic reports, delivering results that are more like the advice of a trusted human expert.

Found yesterday in Dave Winer’s blog

FeedLounge: one among many (Web)
applications which tolerate invalid feeds

HEER hypocrisy is the only way one can describe the latest statement from Microsoft’s RSS team. Microsoft have broken and ignored many International standards over the years. This caused many application to malfunction even when they stuck with standards. Now, when matters do not suit them, Microsoft decide to say farewell to feeds that are not well-formed XML [rel="nofollow"]. Many projects, even the tiniest among them, have tolerated malformed RSS feeds. Yet, this appear to be too much to ask from biggest standards-breaking criminal of all.

Potentially, Windows Vista and Internet Explorer 7 will simply refuse to handle anything that does not adhere to or complies with standards. Need I even mention that Microsoft are set to ‘extend’ RSS, thus breaking RSS protocols?

Our years of experience in with HTML in Internet Explorer have taught us the long-term pain that results from being too liberal with what you accept from others. Hence, we%u2019ve adopted the following overriding principle for IE 7 and RSS platform in Windows Vista:

We will only support feeds that are well-formed XML.

The memo/statement titled “Reining in Google” is becoming rather popular in cyberspace. It discusses Google’s attempt to re-write copyright laws or at least reach a point of acceptance through persistence. They have already begun scanning books in 3 large libraries despite the looming lawsuits. I recently mentioned an item which Google had posted in defence of Google Print, but has it not gone out-of-hand already?

Where is the Google that I used to know? The Google that vowed not to do evil and even considered employing me as a system administrator. I am filled with mixed emotions. Before the IPO, Google reflected on Page and Brin. It is now that lunatic Schmidt and thousands of greedy investors.

UPDATE (05/11/2005): With reference to a previous mentioning of Microsoft book scanning, it is now official. Microsoft begin digitising books as well.