January 2005 - Posts
Thanks to Scoble for this.
There is a bug in Microsoft MapPoint that takes you on a crazy adventure all over Europe while the start and end points are in the same country. The bug is expected to be fixed in February.
@Matthew
Update:
1) You can read the response from Microsoft @ <http://www.mp2kmag.com/mappoint/discussion/viewtopic.asp?p=12088#12088>.
2) c|net News.com also picked up on the story.
3) February is gone [today is March 2] and the bug has been fixed! In case you didn't know, MSN Maps & Directions has been redesigned as well.
Hello everyone,
Paul said I need to update more so I thought I would tell you all that the MSN.com beta has officially launched. You can check out the new features at <http://www.msn.com/?opt=out> or <http://www.msn.com/defaultpf.armx> [the former will create a cookie so you get the beta page every time you go to msn.com]. I really like the choice of colors, simple white or classic blue. More information can be found on the tour page and be sure to be heard by giving your own feedback.
Also of note, My MSN can now import RSS feeds, like mine! That means that you can create a My MSN module that updates the latest headlines from some of your favorite sites [or blogs] that support RSS [usually an orange logo]. Check it out at <http://rss.msn.com/> and <http://my.msn.com/>! One thing I would like to see is the ability to import multiple RSS feeds into one module [or cluster them if you will], giving you the latest headlines from a combination of sites/feeds [i.e. the latest headlines from IT, international news, business news, et cetera]. Submit your own feedback at <http://support.msn.com/feedback.aspx?productkey=msncom>.
One last thing, in case you haven't noticed, MSN Search has switched over to the beta service and appears to no longer be using Yahoo's Inktomi or Slurp technologies, but it's own MSN Advantage and MSNBot. I have been using the beta service quite a bit since MSN Toolbar Suite has launched and I must say I'm quite impressed. However, the old search is still in IE's Search Assistant, IE's Auto Search or simply <http://www.search.msn.com/>. For more information, please visit the MSN Search Team's Blog.
Expect more updates when I recover all my data from this nasty recovery CD that reformatted my HDD! Thanks to Jonathan and Ontrack's EasyRecovery Pro, I should be back up and running shortly.
@Matthew
Update: MSNtv2 is also using the old search. Snap.com, a company I've never heard about, offers an interesting search technology also now in beta.
Hello everyone,
Mess.be is reporting that some MSN Messenger users are showing their sympathy for tsunami victims with a rose (f) in front of their display name. My prayers are with them all...
@Matthew
Update: Only one of my friends has actually done this, which I find to be quite surprising. Also, I ended up putting the rose at the end of my name so that I would be listed alphabetically.
Hello everyone,
Well good news tonight [right before I go to bed of course], Microsoft has released their Anti-Spyware [*cough* Anti-Adware */cough*] beta created from the acquisition of GIANT Company Software. Current users of GIANT Anti-Spyware are recommended to use their current software subscription, which will be supported <http://www.giantcompany.com/commonQuestions.htm#gen_beta>. If you would like to participate in the preview, download at <http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=321cd7a2-6a57-4c57-a8bd-dbf62eda9671> or visit <http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware> for more information.
Please note this is beta quality software and is not supported by Microsoft. The software is set to expire on 2005/07/31. However, if you have any difficulties, please submit any new cases via newsgroup at <http://communities.microsoft.com/newsgroups/default.asp?ICP=spyware>. You can also access the newsgroup via NNTP newsreader by entering <news://privatenews.microsoft.com> as the server and 'privatenews\spyware' as the login name with password: 'spyware' [case-sensitive].
@Matthew
PS--I'm not a big fan of the 'spyware' label since spyware refers to malicious users using software to spy or steal things from your computer. Adware is a specific form of malware usually packaged with freeware or shareware as means of advertisement revenue. However, GIANT does a great job of protecting from all malware except viruses, Trojan horses, et cetera. Now I can't wait for the Anti-Virus solution from Microsoft [PC Satisfaction Trial].
Update:
1) It appears there may be a little more propping going on as some links fail, try to download the EN-US version at <http://download.microsoft.com/download/8/1/5/815d2d60-49b5-44dc-ae35-fca2f2c6f0cc/MicrosoftAntiSpywareInstall.exe>.
2) The official site was finally propped earlier today at <http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software>.