Grab Your Popcorn: Office 2010 "The Movie" Trailer Released

Sure, it's over-the-top cheese, but the "trailer" for Microsoft Office 2010 is at least worth a sneak. Here's hoping this isn't a case of "you saw the best stuff in the trailer" as disappointed movie-goers are too familiar with:



CNET reports, "For those who want more hard-core information on the next Office, you shouldn't have to wait too long. Microsoft has said it will have a technical preview of the software this month."

More information about Office 2010 expected in the coming days and of course, we'll stay on top of it for you.

Google Throws Chrome into Operating System Battle

Covering the tech world, a few things are certain: There will be much speculation and rumors before any Apple announcement, and Google has been said to be creating everything. (Reports of Google creating a death ray are, at this time, only rumors.)

Late last night Google admitted one of these spculations, an operating system, was actively under development. The Chrome operating system, set for public release in 2010, initially targets low-end netbooks -- those super-portable machines focused largely on basic online activity (email, web browisng, note taking).

Many netbooks now run an older version of the Microsoft Windows operating system, XP. While the Vista requirements are generally too much for netbooks to handle, Windows 7 is expected to fare much better. [I've been running Windows 7 on a netbook with pleasing results.]

While Google hasn't announced much in the way of details, we do know the operating system will be an expansion of the freely-available Chrome web browser.

There's much work to be done, and last night's post raises more questions than it answers, for now this closing thought from Google:

We have a lot of work to do, and we're definitely going to need a lot of help from the open source community to accomplish this vision. We're excited for what's to come and we hope you are too. Stay tuned for more updates in the fall and have a great summer.

Stay tuned to this blog (subscribe for updates via. email) for more of what you need-to-know when details of Google Chrome is released.

Microsoft Warns of Security Hole -- No Fix Yet!

Microsoft is warning users of Windows XP and Server 2003 software of a serious threat potentially allowing hackers control of your computer.

Generally Microsoft will announce security updates and patch vulnerabilities before announcing details. This time, there has been no warning -- there is a workaround allowing users to disable functionality and avoid infection.

Here's what you need to do:

• Visit the Microsoft Security alert website for self-help instructions.
  
• Be especially vigilent about websites you visit, warnings you receive and other online behaviour.
  
• Report any susipcious computer activity to your company IT department and look for warnings / advice from system managers.

Affected Systems:
* Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2, when used with:
o Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
o Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
o Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
o Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
o Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter x64 Edition
o Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition
o Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition
o Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
o Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition for Itanium-Based Systems
o Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems
* Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2, when used with:
o Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
o Microsoft Windows XP Professional
* Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3, when used with:
o Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
o Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Comcast launches WiMAX service- Starting in PDX

The second of three planned WiMAX offerings launches today in Portland.

Riding the coattails of Clearwire's existing offering, Comcast Corp. will begin selling customers their own WiMAX service dubbed "High-Speed 2go" according to the company's press release. Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago, "and more" to launch by year end.

Sprint Nextel Corp. spokespeople tell me their own (or for those keeping track, the 3rd way customers can buy essentially the same service running on the same network) offering will launch "soon".

I'm testing the Sprint 3G/4G dual-mode device now and will keep you posted.

From Comcast:

Comcast is selling two different data cards and service plans:

* Comcast High-Speed 2go Metro service uses a 4G-only data card giving customers the fastest wireless service within the 4G metro coverage area. The Metro device operates only in a 4G service footprint.
* Comcast High-Speed 2go Nationwide service delivers the fastest metro 4G service plus coast-to-coast access on Sprint’s national 3G network. The Nationwide device automatically switches between available 4G and 3G networks.

DTV Switch times for Portland, OR & Seattle, WA

After years of planning and months of procrastinating, DTV "switch day" has arrived.

Starting today, you will no longer be able to watch your local broadcast station programming over-the-air using analog signals. Those without a newer television will need a converter box and compatible antenna, or a subscription to a paid-service such as cable or satellite.

Each station has slightly different plans for today's transition. Here's a list of compiled transition times for Portland, OR and Seattle, WA. Remember, after the transition you'll want to "rescan" your converter box to pick up any station frequency changes or moves.

Portland, Oregon:
KATU (ABC / ch. 2): 11:35pm
KOIN (CBS / ch. 6): 7:25am
KGW (NBC / ch. 8): 3:05am
KOPB (PBS / ch. 10): 1:05am
KPTV (FOX / ch. 12): 9:30am
KRCW 9:00
KPDX 9:30:00
KPXG Transitioned already
KNMT Transitioned already
(some info from KGW.com)

Seattle, Washington:
KOMO (ABC / ch. 4): 9:00am
KING (NBC / ch. 5): 9:00am
KIRO (CBS / ch. 7): 9:00am
KCPQ (FOX / ch. 13): 9:00am
KONG (Ind / ch. 16): 9:00am

If you have questions (or know of a station I missed above), hit me up in the comments on by email and I'll do my best to answer!

Welcome to the world, DTV!

Update: Fisher Stations Return to DISH Networks

Sometime in the veil of darkness, the months-long dispute between broadcaster Fisher Communications (owners of Portland-based KATU-TV and Seattle's KOMO-TV & KOMO Radio) and satellite provider DISH Network appears to worked itself out.

Flipping to the appropriate channel on your DISH Networks receiver, you'll find a return of ABC programming in respective markets. (I can't personally verify, but I'd guess Fisher smaller-market stations have also rejoined the satellite lineup.)

Is it a coincidence this move comes mere hours before the analog television signal shut-off that could leave Fisher customers with the clumsy step of needing a converter box for that one lone network not broadcast on DISH? The timing is quite suspicious. (Tonight is also the continuation of the NBA finals on ABC.)

If I had to guess, for what it's worth, Fisher couldn't risk losing more viewers.

Welcome back Fisher stations to DISH Networks! We missed you.

Disclosure: I have previously provided technology content for KATU's "AM Northwest" and KOMO's now-defunct "Northwest Afternoon" and KOMO 4 News as well as Fisher Interactive websites. I have no relationship with Fisher Communications at this time.

BING: What it really means... Acronym definitions.

Fair warning - this post should be considered time-wasting and the reader is hereby warned of the extreme lack of value that will follow this disclaimer.

So I was thinking about Microsoft's Bing search, err... decision engine today and couldn't help but jumping on the "what does it really mean" bandwagon. Here are some of my ideas, I'm sure there are hundreds more. Vote for your favorites and if you have some of your own, by all means comment away.

• BING: But it's not Google (source: Twitter)
  
• BING: Ballmer: "I need Gates!"
  
• BING: Because it's no good
  
• BING: Betsy - I'm now gay
  
• BING: Beautiful images no guts
  
• BING: Booze is needed greatly
  
• BING: Brian Is Now Goofy! (thanks: @marcusatmsft

I did warn this post would be a waste of your time. :-p