Microsoft and RIM could be about to unveil a free Hosted BlackBerry Enterprise Service (BES), similar to Apple's MobileMe consumer service for business users.
The new service will be available to BlackBerry business customers using Microsoft's hosted email service, Exchange 2010 Online.
Currently, Exchange users can use a Microsoft-hosted BES for $10 a month; this is set to be replaced by the new collaboration which will be free for existing users – it's not clear if new users will be charged or not.
Cloudy with a chance of suits
The existing software incorporates wireless access to email, calendar, tasks and contacts with global address list integration, as well as allowing users to remotely wipe and reset their handsets.
There's no indication yet on whether the new, free version will include any additional features though.
Microsoft's cloud platform, Office 365, is also rumoured to be launching in June and may cause issues for the new hosted BlackBerry Enterprise Service, according to one source.
This source told ZDNet, "RIM is only mobile OS that doesn't use (Microsoft) ActiveSync-aware devices and has a separate device management platform - the BES environment. Most large enterprise customers run an on-premise BES server to get the advanced device management."
Read the views of online Certification Experts, which provide the real questions and correct answer and explanation for the students / professionals who are seeking or enhancing their level of expertise. more at certkingdom.com
March 19, 2011
A plea to the Windows team: Don't make Windows 7 too Mac-like
Blogger Paul Thurrott (Zdnet) has written a couple of interesting posts about the difference between “simple and “easy in the context of Windows 7.
Sure, Windows 7 is still in the pre-beta phase, meaning the user-interface elements still will be tweaked considerably before the product is released to manufacturing. But Thurrott raises a number of points that left me nodding my head in agreement.
I am a Windows user by choice, not simply because I blog about Microsoft. When I saw the recent demos of Windows 7 with its JumpLists, AeroPeek, AeroSnaps and lots of other eye candy I was torn. I want some of what's coming in Windows 7, such as fewer UAC prompts, simpler backup and restore, better peripheral handling. But I really do not care if I get more fancy bells and whistles that just clutter my desktop.
If you are a PC user like me, you definitely will pay the price. I value ease of use far more than fancy graphics. The two don't have to be mutually exclusive and given the direction Microsoft ends up taking once it provides testers with the Superbar maybe they won't.
(Given Beta 1 of Windows 7, which many are now expecting around January 13, is supposed to be feature-complete, I'm expecting we'll get to see what the Superbar will look like real soon now. Me? I still think we might see Win 7 Beta 1 on or around December 17, but in either case, it's not too long until we see the latest Windows 7 look and feel.)
If I wanted a Mac-like environment, I'd buy a Mac. I want an computing environment that helps me get my work done and doesn't require a how-to manual to figure out which icon does what. Maybe Microsoft could introduce “Windows 7 Luddite Edition for those of us who value function over form?
What's your take? Do you think Microsoft is too focused on making Windows 7 in Mac OS X's image?
On a related note, for more Windows 7 analysis in podcast form with yours truly and The Register's Software Editor Gavin Clarke check out the latest edition of “MicroBite.
Sure, Windows 7 is still in the pre-beta phase, meaning the user-interface elements still will be tweaked considerably before the product is released to manufacturing. But Thurrott raises a number of points that left me nodding my head in agreement.
I am a Windows user by choice, not simply because I blog about Microsoft. When I saw the recent demos of Windows 7 with its JumpLists, AeroPeek, AeroSnaps and lots of other eye candy I was torn. I want some of what's coming in Windows 7, such as fewer UAC prompts, simpler backup and restore, better peripheral handling. But I really do not care if I get more fancy bells and whistles that just clutter my desktop.
Windows 7 basically takes Windows one step closer to the design aesthetic of the Mac, where form is valued over function. I'm not sure this is the right strategy. Simplicity, taken in isolation, may seem like a good idea. But I'm afraid that in Windows 7, Microsoft is sacrificing too much in its bid to be more like Apple. And it's the users of Windows who will pay the price.
If you are a PC user like me, you definitely will pay the price. I value ease of use far more than fancy graphics. The two don't have to be mutually exclusive and given the direction Microsoft ends up taking once it provides testers with the Superbar maybe they won't.
(Given Beta 1 of Windows 7, which many are now expecting around January 13, is supposed to be feature-complete, I'm expecting we'll get to see what the Superbar will look like real soon now. Me? I still think we might see Win 7 Beta 1 on or around December 17, but in either case, it's not too long until we see the latest Windows 7 look and feel.)
If I wanted a Mac-like environment, I'd buy a Mac. I want an computing environment that helps me get my work done and doesn't require a how-to manual to figure out which icon does what. Maybe Microsoft could introduce “Windows 7 Luddite Edition for those of us who value function over form?
What's your take? Do you think Microsoft is too focused on making Windows 7 in Mac OS X's image?
On a related note, for more Windows 7 analysis in podcast form with yours truly and The Register's Software Editor Gavin Clarke check out the latest edition of “MicroBite.
March 17, 2011
How Search Engines Determine Results : Clearpath Technology
Search engines use something called an algorithm to determine which pages will be displayed higher for the keywords entered into the search engine. An algorithm is a step-by-step mathematical formula that produces results based on the data the search engine has compiled. Imagine an algorithm as a number-crunching machine. The algorithm is like a complicated formula that sorts information into a more useable format.
After the user has entered all this data into the algorithm "machine," sorted information begins coming out the other side. In this case, the data is a ranking of websites indexed by the search engine based on the keyword the user has already entered into the algorithm "machine." By using a complicated formula, the search engines can determine the best quality websites online without having to rely on human editors to physically visit each site and determine that site's quality. The job of the search engine is to provide the best searching experience for their users. To ensure that users keep coming back, they want to make sure they produce results that are relevant. This is an important part of SEO that we'll be discussing at great length: relevancy.
The algorithm helps determine which pages are most relevant. For example, if a user goes to a search engine and types in "snow tires," the search engine uses their technology to determine which pages most closely relate to snow tires. The job of the algorithm becomes finding the best information related to a particular keyword. The search engine then displays the results in order of relevancy.
After the user has entered all this data into the algorithm "machine," sorted information begins coming out the other side. In this case, the data is a ranking of websites indexed by the search engine based on the keyword the user has already entered into the algorithm "machine." By using a complicated formula, the search engines can determine the best quality websites online without having to rely on human editors to physically visit each site and determine that site's quality. The job of the search engine is to provide the best searching experience for their users. To ensure that users keep coming back, they want to make sure they produce results that are relevant. This is an important part of SEO that we'll be discussing at great length: relevancy.
The algorithm helps determine which pages are most relevant. For example, if a user goes to a search engine and types in "snow tires," the search engine uses their technology to determine which pages most closely relate to snow tires. The job of the algorithm becomes finding the best information related to a particular keyword. The search engine then displays the results in order of relevancy.
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