Microsoft’s New Browser Spartan Replaces Internet Explorer

The longest waited retirement in the browsing world

Almost 20 years on, it seems that Internet Explorer is finally being given its marching orders, and heading to the tech graveyard. IE may not be the most popular of modern-day browsers, but it’s certainly the longest serving and until recently wore the crown for the most used browser, for many years.

Internet explorer’s glory days have been over for quite some time now, but it seems that Microsoft just haven’t been able to shake the browser we all grew up with. This isn’t down to nostalgia though, simply convenience more than anything. If you’re a son, daughter, grandson or granddaughter then you’ve probably experienced first-hand the pain felt when seeing a relative navigate through IE to simply show you a photo on Facebook or a video on YouTube.

Microsoft are completely aware of the mockery that IE has been subject to since the rise of Google Chrome in 2008, or even Mozila Firefox all the way back in 2002. Competition has slowly pushed IE out of contention with those savvy enough to download a different web browser. The stats show that until 2010, IE still held around 50% of the market. Though this has now dropped dramatically to 20 % according to Google’s GOOGL TECH30, which now places Chrome’s share of the market as the majority holder with 48%.

IE’s main problem has been its failure to maintain the high standards set by the other mainstream browsers such as Chrome, Firefox and even Apple’s Safari. Its ‘heavy’ tasking and constant bugs destroy the sense in using it. It’s become “the browser that you use to download another browser”. Microsoft aren’t completely oblivious to this though, in March 2015 they released the “The Browser You Loved To Hate” video on YouTube, which basically mocked themselves prior to the release of IE 9 and promised a much improved system next time.

On the 21^st of this month, in Redmond, Washington, Windows 10 will be exhibited for the first time. Along with many new features, IE will be scrapped. ‘Spartan’ will be the new, improved windows browser.

So far it’s unknown whether Spartan will hold its codename or whether it’s just temporary. What we do know though, is that Spartan will essentially try to take on the giants of the browsing world due to its performance, rather than the fact that it just comes installed (which was arguably IE’s route to success. Unknowing and unsavvy users are unaware of the ability to change or even the need to change).

For starters, the new browser is a from-scratch project, using Microsoft’s Chakra JavaScript engine and Trident rendering engine, instead of WebKit (used by browsers such as Safari, Google Chrome and Konqueror). The problem with not choosing WebKit lays with potential mobile applications though. As it stands, the Apple App Store doesn’t allow browsers that don’t use WebKit javascript and framework. If Spartan is to play in the big league, then you’d think it would be in its best interest to abide by all the rules that allow mass growth across as many platforms as possible.

A welcomed upgrade for loyal Microsoft fans will be the introduction of extensions, which have indisputably reshaped and reformed the way in which we browse. Extensions from 3^rd parties on browsers like Chrome make browsing a lot more customizable, aiding the user’s desires.

Popular extensions like Adblock, Hola or AlienTube (for those of us who are sick of the pre-pubescent comments on YouTube videos) make our browsing experiences a whole lot more enjoyable and make our experiences that little bit more personal. Whether you’re just looking for a cool South Park theme for your browser or a widget a quick and easy application to screen shot your work, the Chrome Web Store caters to all needs. If Microsoft and Spartan can match or surpass this, they may well be on to a winner.

There is however, a rumour running the mill that IE might not get the full axing. IE 11 (the current version) could be thrown into Windows 10 alongside Spartan in order to cover programs requiring a browser requiring backwards compatibility. Presumably with a few bug fixes here and there to meet minimum requirements.

Not many will grieve over the long-awaited retirement of Internet Explorer. The last 10 years have slowly seen the spiralling decline of its popularity and current browser quality. Whereas the big dogs constantly update and regulate their browsers in order to create the best experience for their users, Microsoft seemingly showed users the two middle fingers and really never showed much intent on fixing the many existing problems.

Hopefully this means that we will no longer have to explain to our older relatives why their browser simply isn’t good enough. No more conversations about whether or not Grandpa’s email will be deleted if we opt for Chrome over IE,or whether your Aunt’s internet banking is now visible to all the scallywags of the dark internet.

January 21^st will hopefully shed more light on Spartan as well as Windows 10 as a whole. The new ‘lightweight’ browser has a lot to make up for and will face fierce competition from industry leaders if Microsoft want the new IE to experience the former glory of its ancestor.

Intel Breathes New Life Into Google Glass

Intel breathes new life into the Google Glass

Not long ago the Google Glass was donned to wear the crown of future technology, an innovation to make all our sci-fi augmented reality fantasies come to life and to ‘upgrade’ the way in which we go about our everyday lives.

In truth, the Google Glass can almost be deemed as a flop. With several affiliated co-developers across an array of the Google Glass’ features either dropping the affiliation due to a lack of sales and overall interest, or even those who after the initial burst of excitement and enthusiasm have slowly withdrawn their inclusion from the Google Glass, as to preserve their own image and financial interest.

There have been 3 important hindrances that have slowly brought Google Glass to an almost standstill.

Firstly, as with all tech products (in fact, pretty much everything) cost is a major player in the search for the best tech. But at $1,500, this is by no means a piece of kit we can put away a little cash for at the end of each month and treat ourselves with. At double the price of the iPhone 6 it’s hard not to gag a little when taking into account what you’re actually getting for something with such an exaggerated price tag.

Secondly, as much the inner sci-fi nerd in us would love to roam the streets feeling like a cyborg, with the Iron Man’s internal computer in our eye-sight, it’s just not quite socially acceptable, yet. Various reviewers have deemed the Glass as “socially awkward” and have had mixed reviews from those curious of the queer looking pair of spectacles worn on the users face when in social situations.

Despite making an agreement with Google Glass back in March, Luxottica, the luxury frame makers who designed frames for well-known brands such as Oakley or Ray Bands; founder Leonardo Del Vecchio told the Financial Times that he’d be embarrassed “going around with that on my face”, which definitely didn’t do Google Glass’ reputation much good.

Lastly, the lack of apps and enthusiasm from developers and even Google itself has been much further below par than one may expect from such a promising idea with so much initial hype. Big game producers such as Little Guy Games have stopped production because “There’s no market at this point,”. Tom Frencel, the Chief Executive gave his verdict and explained how the situation would have been different if 200 million units had been sold, but they haven’t.

Large companies will only invest their time and money into something that they strongly believe has the potential to be a great commercial success, this is no secret. It does however lead us to wonder what the Google Glass actually is to Google. If they had envisioned widespread success then we would have expected to see more focus and imagination into sustaining and building on the existing product to find the commercial success that they had once pictured.

But with Intel now joining Google in an effort to change the course and turn the tide as to the fate of the Google Glass it will be interesting to see where their priorities lay in the revamp.

Emphasis is likely to be focussed on power conservation. One of the major flaws to the Google Glass was its lack of battery life, a trait that frustrates all users across almost every platform of smart technology. As it stands, battery life for the Google Glass is around 8 hours, which isn’t awful, but it’s not entirely practical for those using the technology constantly and vigorously.

Intel’s chosen chip to replace the existing Texas Instrument’s existing one is currently unknown, but with such importance and stress on the upgrade surpassing the quality and practicality of its predecessor you have to imagine that there will be no short-comings in the production. This is of course, unless Google still sees the Glass as an ongoing experiment, or an attempt to cut production cost.

One of the biggest revelations for the Google Glass will be a change its target audience. Whereas initially the concept was aimed at a broad and more general market (which undoubtedly aided its downfall due to price tag and not really doing anything other than a smartphone (or allowing the user to become the terminator for 8 hours at a time)). Now, the Google Glass will be promoted to industries that require a more hands on approach.

Google is using a program called ‘Glass at Work’ working alongside software developers Augmedix Inc. and APX Labs LLC to implement into industries including healthcare, allowing doctors and nurses to hands free find and record data with ease, thus saving time and money.

That being said, the primary target audience is still directed towards the average consumer. ““We expect Glass to evolve and be more useful for companies, but it will still be a crossover device for consumers,” said Eric Johnsen, vice president of business development at APX Labs, the producer of the Glass software.

As for the aesthetics which were highly criticised for being ‘too nerdy’ by many, Google filed a patent at the beginning of the year and actually published it earlier this week. Google seemed to have taken in the negative feedback and have bounced back with something that doesn’t have the same garish properties of the first edition, but certainly doesn’t address the issue of making the Google Glass a little more discreet. But then again if you’re wearing a pair of $1,500 glasses then chances are you want people to know you’re wearing them.

The design is definitely refreshing though, and a whole lot more futuristic. The component that handles the tech on one side seems to have been re-envisioned to make it smaller and slightly less offensive to the onlooker. Just one look at the frame tells you that the weight has been slashed, giving the user more comfort for extended periods of usage.

Sergey Brin who leads operations at the top-secret lab which produces the Glass, had promised a release date for this year, presumably to meet Christmas season, but it seems that this will be pushed back until next year.

The Google Glass is similar to the recently featured Amazon Echo in many ways. Two major corporations that are more playing with ideas, rather than obnoxiously hitting the market expecting their new products to change consumerism in their favour.

Yes the Google Glass is nerdy, yes it’s easy to mock and tie it to clumsy 80s film props like I have, but let’s give Google a chance. Personally, I hope that the focus and drive stays prominent and visible for all to see so that investors and developers start to take the Google Glass seriously and begin to delve into a new division of smart technology.

There’s no doubt that Google have to get it right this time. Competition is bound to arise and challenge Google with something similar but Google has a head start, and with intel on board it the future is starting to look a little less gloomy for the Google Glass.

Command Prompt Tutorials

Command Prompt Tutorials for Beginners

Below is a video  on FTI’s Top Ten Commands, Basic Commands, Fun Commands and Advanced Commands In Windows.

Level Beginner

 

 

 

Show Notes!

1. cmd (Hit Enter) The cmd command starts a new instance of the command interpreter

2. color(Hit Enter) The color command is used to change the colors of the text and background within the Command Prompt window.

3. cls(Hit Enter) The cls command clears the screen of all previously entered commands and other text.

4. Cd(Hit Enter) the Cd command is the shorthand version of the chdir command.

5. Chdir(Hit Enter) The chdir command is used to display the drive letter and folder that you are currently in.
Chdir can also be used to change the drive and/or directory that you want to work in.

6. Ipconfig(Hit Enter) The ipconfig command is used to display detailed IP info for each network adapter utilizing TCP/IP.
The ipconfig command can also be used to release and renew IP addresses on systems configured to receive them
via a DHCP server.

ipconfig/release(Hit Enter)Release IP address

ipconfig/renew(Hit Enter) Renew your IP address

Ipconfig/all(Hit Enter) Display all info for each network adapter

7. netstat -a(Hit Enter)

8. Exit(Hit Enter) The exit command is used to end the Command Prompt session that you’re currently working in.

9. Del(Hit Enter) The del command is used to delete one or more files. The del command is the same as the erase command.

10. Ping

ping http://www.myspace.com (Hit Enter)

 

Bonus Commands

1. net user (Hit Enter) lists all users

• net user jasper * (Hit Enter) Change password for jasper

1. Dir (Hit Enter) The dir command is used to display a list of files and folders contained inside the folder that you are currently working in. The dir command also displays other important information like the hard drive’s serial number, the total number of files listed, their combined size, the total amount of free space left on the drive, and more.
2. Dispdiag(Hit Enter) The dispdiag command is used to output a log of information about the display system.
3. Erase(Hit Enter) The erase command is used to delete one or more files. The erase command is the same as the del command.
4. Getmac(Hit Enter) The getmac command is used to display the media access control (MAC) address of all the network controllers on a system.
5. Help(Hit Enter) The help command provides more detailed information on other Command Prompt commands.
6. Date(Hit Enter) The date command is used to show or change the current date.
7. Defrag(Hit Enter) The defrag command is used to defragment a drive you specify.The defrag command is the command line version of Microsoft’s Disk Defragmenter.
8. Hostname(Hit Enter) The hostname command displays the name of the current host.

 

 

 

Satya Nadella Microsofts 3rd CEO

With the end of Ballmer, Microsoft was on the hunt for a 3rd CEO, even Gates was on the committee to finding someone to strengthen the mission for Microsoft on becoming a devices and services business in an advancing fast-paced industry.

Well everyone’s question was answered today! when Microsoft announced that they have appointed Satya Nadella to be the 3rd CEO of Microsoft in its 40 yr history of being mostly a OS and Software company. Now Nadella is no stranger to what it takes to be a leader, not only has he been with Microsoft for more than 2 decades, but he also managed to lead its cloud and enterprise services to great success.

One question remains!
Will we get those outburst presentations like the previous CEO Steve Ballmer? The answer is most likely no, Nadella takes a more casual approach to public speaking in which he can be at times enthusiastic at best.

However with Nadellas public speaking skills comes his technical background. Nadella was born in Hyderabad, India where he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology, after electrical engineering he then decided to go for his master’s in computer science at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and a MBA from the University of Chicago. A far cry from Ballmer’s degrees in mathematics and economics from Harvard and a few other stints at various colleges, after dropping out.

Ballmer seemed more of a business type, Nadella is more of an engineer with a good business background, to me it seemed Nadella is a perfect match for Microsoft, more so than Ballmer was.

After working at countless Technology focused companies, which include Sun Microsystems, Nadella wins over the heads at Microsoft to become the 3rd CEO of the “newly Device and Services Business”.

What do you folks think of Nadella? Does he have the skills to follow through on Microsoft’s mission to become a device and services business? Will you Miss Ballmer?

Navigating Windows 8

Tutorial on how to navigate Windows 8

Level Beginner