Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Microsoft Makes a Comeback in Beijing
Carly Fiorina and HP
I found an interesting post on Fiorina's situation that recalls the lyrics of the song ``Celluloid Heroes'' by Ray Davies and the Kinks:
Everybody's a dreamer, and everybody's a star
And everybody's in show biz, it doesn't matter who you are.
And those who are successful,
Be always on your guard,
Success walks hand in hand with failure
Along Hollywood Boulevard.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Google's New Toolbar Causes Concern
"Let's face it, Google is to the Web what Microsoft is to PCs -- the operating system everyone uses to search. It has nearly the same lock on consumers' share of mind. ... And millions use the Google Toolbar. They shouldn't get away with what Microsoft was unable to."
Monday, February 14, 2005
Sun & Utility Computing
Utility computing is a term companies such as IBM, HP and Sun are overhyping right now and it is defined as the 'provision of IT-based functionality on demand'. In many of the articles written on the subject, users can't help but be confused as to the difference between utility computing and previous, failed attempts to reduce the cost and complexity of IT.
Sun’s President Jonathan Schwartz explains on his blog that “many suppliers in the technology industry have relied on mass inefficiencies to drive short-term profits—why bother delivering a computing service if you can custom-build a grid for each customer and sell 10X the infrastructure? To us, that sounds like betting against the network—a bad move for any market.” But, later explains to ZD Net’s Dan Farber that more than 99 percent of Sun’s business is exactly what he just condemned.
Sun belief is that there is a utility-like view of computing emerging that will drive a kind of generic use of computing capacity. Mr. Schwartz points to Google as a generic search utility, eBay as an auction utility.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Hybrid Cars...
The major US automakers are developing their own hybrid models right now. Ford has recently released a hybrid version of its Escape SUV, which averages around 36 mpg. The Lexus 400h, a 270 hp luxury hybrid, averages 27.6 mpg (8.5l/100km). GM intends to put hybrids into its full-sized Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon SUVs in late 2007. Daimler Chrysler is planning a hybrid Dodge Durango with a 20% increase in gas mileage ( 22.3 mpg combined city/highway for the Durango HEV compared with 17.1 mpg for a comparable conventional V-8 Durango). GM and DaimlerChrysler will work on what they call "two-mode full hybrid" technology - an electrically variable transmission with two hybrid drive modes.