B-List

... just because I haven't had a dig at the Evil Empire for a while and
they've done so much lately to deserve a serve :)

1. "Lies, Damned Lies, and Bill Gates"
  <http://daringfireball.net/2007/02/lies_damned_lies_and_bill_gates>
Maybe Chairman Bill sick of everyone loving Apple's products and hating
the stuff his company makes, or perhaps he's just a little bit scared?

2. Praising Vista - Not!
* "The Trouble with Vista"
  <http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9009961>
"It isn't the features you can see in Vista, or the lack thereof --
 it's the priority shift at Microsoft's core"

* "Uninspiring Vista"
  <http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/17992/>
"How Microsoft's long-awaited operating system disappointed a stubborn
 fan"

* "Few rush out to buy new Windows Vista"
  <http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070130/ap_on_hi_te/microsoft_vista_launch>
"Consumers can finally get their hands on Microsoft Corp.'s long-delayed
 Windows Vista, but unlike the mad midnight rushes retailers saw with
 the recently released video game consoles, stores saw only a trickle
 of early adopters Tuesday"

3. Vista Upgrade Path
* Vista and Mac OS X Leopard Upgrade Chart
  <http://macintosh.wordpress.com/2007/02/02/vista-and-mac-os-x-leopard-upgrade-chart/>

* "Windows Vista Product Editions Preview"
  <http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_editions.asp>
A look at the various Vista editions - so much choice it's enough to
give you a headache ...
"In the Home category, Microsoft will create four product editions:
 Windows Starter 2007, Windows Vista Home Basic (and Home Basic N for
 the European market), Windows Vista Home Premium, and Windows Vista
 Ultimate (previously known as "Uber" Edition). In the Business category,
 there will are three editions: Windows Vista Small Business, Windows
 Vista Business (previously known as Professional Standard Edition;
 along with Business N for the European market), and Windows Vista
 Enterprise (previously known as Professional Premium Edition)"

4. "Microsoft Confirms it Originated iPod Box Parody Video"
  <http://www.ipodobserver.com/story/25957>

5. Zany Zune
* "Avoid the loony Zune"
  <http://www.suntimes.com/technology/ihnatko/147048,CST-FIN-Andy23.article>
"Yes, Microsoft's new Zune digital music player is just plain dreadful.
 I've spent a week setting this thing up and using it, and the overall
 experience is about as pleasant as having an airbag deploy in your
 face."

* Microsoft Zune Review
  <http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/zune.asp>
"I'm sorry if I'm beating this to death, but seriously, there seems to
 be nothing about the iPod that Microsoft is unwilling to copy. It's
 pathological."
"The bottom line is that Microsoft should have waited until it had a
 more compelling product to sell. I can't imagine what they were
 thinking."

* Zune Setup - Installation Error
  <http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=294929001&context=set-72157594292367584&size=o>
This is an actual error screen from the Zune Setup program.  Many
people have speculated as to what exactly is going on in the photo.

Flickr has some amusing photoshopped Zune screens, if you dare.

----

In the tradition of "fair and balanced reporting", as made famous by
Fox News, I offer you my criticism of Apple's Mighty Mouse:
  <http://bruno-rants.blogspot.com/2007/02/apples-mighty-mouse-not-so-mighty-in.html>