Windows RT: And Asus makes none

I don’t see any Windows RT machines out there – either now, or on the horizon.

InfoWorld Tech Watch.

Why I’m keeping my Windows XP machine

I need it. Seriously. Even after Microsoft cuts off support.

InfoWorld Tech Watch.

Microsoft patches Office 2010, SharePoint, Office Web Apps

Trifecta. A job well done. But I wouldn’t install it for a few more weeks.

InfoWorld Tech Watch

One more botched MS patch: KB 2844286

This month we’ve seen a lot of them. 

Probably won’t be a problem for you as it’s a SharePoint screw-up, but just in case…

InfoWorld Tech Watch

Surface RT tanked…

… but expect Microsoft’s numbers to turn out rosy.

One of the nice benefits of a reorg.

InfoWorld Tech Watch

Terry Meyerson’s first big headache…

… Windows RT

I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes right now.

InfoWorld Tech Watch.

3 more botched Windows patches: KB 2803821, KB 2840628, and KB 2821895

Actually, I talked about KB 2803821 last week, but Microsoft finally acknowledged the problem. Four days after my article appeared.

I really wonder who in the Sam Hill is running the patching organization these days. Oy.

InfoWorld Tech Watch

Fortunately, you’re smart — you wait and patch when the coast is clear. Right?

Developers stand up to keep TechNet alive

If you ever thought of using TechNet, take a look at this article and consider signing the petition. I have.

InfoWorld Tech Watch

Another botched Windows patch: MS13-057/KB 2803821/KB 2834904

If you’re looking at a video, and you only see half of it — the top half is completely black, but the bottom half is normal, hey, have I got a patch for you.

Microsoft hasn’t even acknowledged the problems, much less pulled the patch or offered a workaround.

Automatic Update strikes again. Watch the drama unfold at InfoWorld Tech Watch. [Link corrected. Mea culpa!]

And, please, the next time an “expert” tells you to turn on Microsoft Automatic Update, point them to the growing pile of patch problems so far this year. (For patch problems last year, see my InfoWorld slideshow.) Patching Windows and Office is an impossible job. I’m amazed that the folks in the MSRC keep their sanity. But the bottom line is that, if you allow Microsoft to update your machine without watching your own back, you’re going to get stung, sooner or later.

Notes on the Microsoft reorg

This also just in from EP:

 I read your recent article on the “reorganization” of Microsoft here:
http://www.infoworld.com/t/microsoft-windows/the-new-microsoft-how-the-reorg-will-affect-you-222491
I guess after the reorg of Microsoft, that would put the creation of a
Windows 7 Service Pack 2 in major jeopardy as it’s been more than 2
years since Microsoft released Windows 7 Service Pack 1.  Looks like MS
doesn’t seem to have any current plans of making a Win7 SP2.  It would have been nice if MS attempted to implement USB 3.0 in Windows 7 via SP2.

************

I don’t think there’s a snowball’s chance in Death Valley that MS will ever release a Win7 SP2. Too bad, really, because I know a lot of people (present company included) who plan to use Win7 for a long, long time.

Adobe patches

This just in from EP:

new security updates for Adobe Flash Player are posted here:
http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb13-17.html
No more security updates are available for Flash Player 10.3 from this point on as it only features patches for Flash Player versions 11.7 and 11.8. Windows 8 users will receive the final release of Flash Player 11.8
through an update from Microsoft on this security advisory:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/advisory/2755801

also, a new security update for Adobe Shockwave Player is posted here:
http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb13-18.html

The new Microsoft

How the reorg will affect you.

InfoWorld Tech Watch