Is Vista the next ME?

Remember Windows ME? I can’t really blame you if you don’t and if you do, like me, you are trying to forget. ME was rushed out to fill the gap between WINDOWS98 and 2000 and the release of XP. In fact ME made the #4 spot in “The 25 Worst Tech Products of All Time” (http://www.pcworld.com/article/125772-2/the_25_worst_tech_products_of_all_time.html).
It was only on the shelves a short time, it was buggy and at times hard to work with. But, what I think really helped kill it was that Microsoft was touting XP at the same time it was releasing ME.
Now where am I going with this? I recently had a chance to see a demo of the new Windows 7, yep, another operating system (OS). It was kind of cool but it is still in progress. It has some cool new touch screen support, all new security .. bla .. bla. But nothing to really wow me. If all goes well it should be released some time in 2009. It was while at this demonstration that I couldn’t help but notice the similarities between ME and Vista.
While Microsoft marketing was out pumping the new release of Vista, Bill Gates was on TV announcing that MS would release a new OS every three years.
Now, true XP has been out for seven years and that’s the point. It is relatively stable, everyone has become familiar and comfortable. Why switch now and then have to again in three years. So, for the most part I think Vista is going to get skipped over, just like ME.
Now there are other reasons Vista hasn’t caught on. Reasons like problems with driver support and running legacy software. It is really really top heavy and not meant to upgrade older machines. I also think that there are too many versions and it is just too expensive especially Ultimate. And again, there is nothing to really wow anybody.
The public has resisted Vista so much that MS has extended the life cycle of XP twice. And, to combat poor Vista sales the major manufactures are still offering XP.
So …why give up my XP? The service life of a system is around 5-6 years anyway, why not just wait and upgrade to Windows 7 when it comes out next year. Get a new system, get my six years out of it then get upgrade to what ever OS is out then.
I think MS misjudges the public’s willingness and or ability to tear their homes and business apart every three years and learn new software.

What is in a .name?

The Internet has grown no argument there. It has replaced ground mail and the phone book. It has revolutionized business and banking but, there is one little piece that has gone un-noticed until now. In fact it has become the fastest growing segment in the private sector (a little corporate talk) and that is personal web sites.
And, that is because of the .name web extension. We are all familiar with .com, .net, .biz, .tv, but the real sleeper has been .name.
Why a personal web site?
- It's memorable. Use your first, middle, last or nickname in any order. The only thing anyone needs to remember is your name.
- You can have your own personal email.
- It is a global top level domain, .name works for individuals in exactly the same way .com works for businesses.
- It is personal. Use it to show off your family photos, or as an online portfolio, your .name domain is the best way to express yourself online.
- It's non-commercial. No companies no third parties in your domain. It's your name ending in .name, and that's it!
One of the great things about the Internet is freedom of expression, the opportunity for anyone to publish something on your own. It can be about your favorite sports team or music celebrity, personal or family news, political views, anything. There are a huge number and variety of individuals' web pages already online, including some very professional family and personal websites intended to keep relatives and friends up-to-date.
It is relatively simple to produce and publish your own pages, it can be great fun, and you also can learn some IT skills. Software for web page creation is easily available on the web, with many free or low costs. There are many websites that give advice and tips for budding designers. Many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) offer space to "host" personal web pages as part of their offers, and there are websites that offer free space for personal pages.
So, what’s in a name? A whole lot and you can take it global.