Microsoft's U Turn on Windows 7 Starter Limit
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Microsoft Corp said on Friday it would not limit the number of applications available at one time on the Starter edition of its upcoming Windows 7 operating system, reversing its earlier strategy of limiting its capabilities and urging users to upgrade.
The move is a significant climbdown for Microsoft as it looks to keep a hold on the fast-growing market for small, cheap personal computers - known as netbooks - which are the principal market for the most basic version of Microsoft's new operating system, expected to roll out later this year. The world's largest software company had originally planned that users could run only three programs at one one time using Starter. The new plan would not limit the number of applications that could be used. "We believe these changes will make Windows 7 Starter an even more attractive option for customers who want a small notebook PC for very basic tasks, like browsing the web, checking email and personal productivity," a Microsoft executive wrote in of the company's public blogs.
Microsoft acknowledged its plan to limit Starter's capabilities and then try to sell users upgrades, had not been well received by potential customers and partners, which are generally looking to increase the powers of netbooks rather than impose limitations. Netbooks, or notebook PCs, have taken the computing world by storm in the last year or so, offering stripped-down functions on a small screen for only a few hundred dollars. Young users in particular have embraced them as an easy and cheap way to surf the Internet and send e-mails while on the move or at a cafe.
Microsoft noted that the Starter edition will still be inferior to its other, more expensive versions, designed for use on full PCs. Windows 7 Starter will not allow use of more than one monitor, support Windows Media Center for watching recorded TV, or contain a number of other features. But Microsoft pointed out that its more advanced Windows 7 versions will also work on netbooks.
Labels: Software
GMail: Inserting Images in Text Body, now possible
Monday, April 13, 2009
Google Labs reports a new feature in GMail.
The new “Inserting images” Labs feature that has been added to Google’s email client must not be mistaken with the option to attach images to outgoing emails; what this feature does is go beyond adding a simple attachment, it lets you insert images to the message body. The bonus is that you can add images you have stored locally, or you can add the URL address of an online image (a preview is available so that you can be sue the image is the one you want to add).
Follow these 3 simple steps in order to activate the new feature provided by Google Labs:
Step 1 – Go to Gmail and login to your account. If 
you do not have one, perhaps this would be the best time to sign up (it’s free and you get tons of features to play with). If you already have a Google account and you are logged in, access Labs by simply clicking here.
you do not have one, perhaps this would be the best time to sign up (it’s free and you get tons of features to play with). If you already have a Google account and you are logged in, access Labs by simply clicking here.Step 2 – In the top right corner of the screen, right next to your user name you should be able to see “Settings”; click it. Now locate “Labs” and click it as well.
Step 3 – Locate “Inserting images” and select “Enable”. Use a keyboard shortcut (such as the one available to Firefox users: Ctrl + F and type in “Inserting images”) to rapidly locate the feature. Click “Save Changes” (at the bottom of the screen) and you’re done.
After the feature has been enabled, when you compose an email, simply click the add images icon to insert the images of your choosing. Remember that you must first enable “rich formatting”. Here is how it should look when you have “Inserting images enabled.
Labels: Google
