Google Chrome November 18, 2008

I just read an interesting article in CPU Magazine. (http://snipurl.com/5u0un  [www_computerpoweruser_com] ). No, really, CPU Mag has had a few interesting articles over time.

This one deals with a previous version of Chrome, this one by Microsoft. It was developed in 1998 but never released as Microsoft appeared concerned about litigation over anti-competitive actions.

I was training at Bell Canada one day, so many years ago. During a conversation with a bunch of people, they mentioned that Bell had become timid. They were afraid to take decisions because of possible repercussions from the CRTC. More anti-competitive litigation threats.

There was once a company called Ashton-Tate. Developers of dBase IV. Windows 3.0 had just launched, and like so many developers, Ashton-Tate missed the trend and failed to develop a Windows database. The started losing money. I was working for Ingram Micro at the time and was invited to a meeting called by Ashton-Tate to discuss their state. They told us about some applications they were working on. More specifically, they were working on a system where they developed a kernel for an integrated Office application. Except, they would also allow others to create plugins to perform tasks to add features. Way ahead of the times. Ashton-Tate was purchased by Borland (developers of Paradox) and the project disappeared.

Microsoft did not release Chrome. Worse, it is buried somewhere in the Microsoft Archives, all but forgotten.

All of this makes me wonder how many great ideas bite the dust because of market conditions?

How many of these ideas disappear?

Programming and the restricted user June 13, 2008

I run a couple of networks for clients. We have elected to restrict all users. No installation of programs and so on. One of the benefits of this strategy is that there have been no infections on the desktops or the network. Makes my job a lot easier. This is not a control issue. Users can still change their desktops and personalise their environment. Just no installation of programs.

Microsoft has very cleverly allowed programmers to install .ini files and other elements of a program that need to be modified in the user section to which even the restricted user has access. So why do companies insist on placing these files in either the Windows or Program Files folders? Or in its own folder in the root directory?

Some programs require that the registry be modified for each user that logs into a computer. This creates its own nightmare scenario. Filezilla, for instance, creates an XML file where all these parameters are saved. Clever solution. But then the Site Manager in Filezilla requires the user to have limited access to the Filezilla folder which begs the question – WHY? I do not mean to pick on Filezilla. Wonderful program. And they are by no means the only culprits.

It would surely be simpler to place these files in locations that are managed by users and do not require an administrator to intervene.

I have not had a clear answer from anyone.

Programming: must be complicated June 13, 2008

I figured out the other day that programming computers must be very tough.

We are all very fond of bashing Microsoft. But if you think about it, they have managed to create an operating system that works on over 80% of the computers out there. This is not a closed loop where they control the hardware environment. It is wide open and out of Microsoft’s control.

Microsoft also attempted to make things easy for the end user. Drag and drop utilities from anywhere to anywhere, an interface that encourages sharing between applications and so on. The side effect of this ease of use has made computers vulnerable to viruses and trojans. And before you start commenting on the security of the MAC, be aware that attacks on the MAC are beginning to appear and the operating system is showing the same vulnerabilities as Windows.

Microsoft has begun locking down the computer. Each lock-down appears to reveal another potential point of entry, which is followed by another patch and so it continues. And again, the MAC is subject to the same list of patches, as is the Linux operating system.

Adobe has also been subjected to some issues recently as well, with Adobe Acrobat showing potential vulnerabilities, as has Flash. Sun’s Java environment has joined the list. All these programs keep releasing new versions and patches, which creates a non-ending spiral of updates to correct vulnerabilities.

We are not talking about one company having these problems. The list is getting longer each day and includes the leading software companies: Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, Symantec, Mozilla, and on and on. It seems that no one is immune to this, and we cannot blame Microsoft for the problems faced by all these companies.

The programmers in these companies are very smart people. And the companies seem to know what they are doing. It just must be really difficult to program.