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

Paid To Search, Peek At Windows 7 & Revisiting Vista

Tech Expert Segment for 30 May 2008

Focusing on Microsoft for my weekly radio segment on KXL, we took a look at Microsoft's new Live Search Cashback program, took a peek at early features of the next version of Windows, and a second look at Windows XP woes.

Live Search Cashback
The program is pretty simple. Use Microsoft's Live Search to find products you're looking to buy from hundres of merchants and get a rebate. Now of course, there are screens and screens of terms and conditions but as a marketing promotion to entice users into giving Live Search a try... it's about as rudimentary as you get.

Sites such as ebates.com have similar offers, fueled by a vendor's affiliate program. Microsoft's offering takes this to the next level. Hit $5.00 and you can request a kickback from your purchases. Score!

Learn more about Live Search Cashback by visiting the website or read the comprehensive FAQs.

Windows 7: Early Peek
If I could put the word early in 4-foot letters on your screen for added emphasis, I would... this should not, by any means, be taken as a thorough look at the next version of Microsoft's flagship operating system -- rather a peek at what's going on at the Redmond, Washington headquarters. With that caveat...

The transitioning Bill Gates and his successor Steve Ballmer demonstrated a multitouch feature of the new Windows 7 operating system. Similar to the iPhone's touch interface and the Microsoft Surface (among others), it sports pinching, twisting and touching the screen. If this dream comes true, soon all computers will have touchscreens. (I can hear users everywhere saying... does this mean I need yet ANOTHER computer upgrade?) Don't worry -- it's not due out until late 2009 (and then if history repeats itself, likely delayed).

Check out a video of Windows 7 multitouch preview in a previous post on this blog.

Windows Vista: User complaints
Also on today's show we chatted about user feedback to XP. In chatting with users it seems some are starting to give the plagued operating system a second chance. What has your reaction to Windows Vista been? Did you load and rollback? Ready to give it a second try? Drop me a line.

Listen to this report, originally broadcast on KXL-AM Friday May 30: kxl_techexpert-microsoftcashback&news_20080530.mp3 (MP3)