When Microsoft finally releases its follow-up to Windows Vista and it’s time for the business and technology journalists (yes, bloggers are included in that grouping) across the world to decide if Windows 7 is the kind of operating system most people should want to use, Microsoft will be facing a deluge of biased individuals that, aware of that bias or not, won’t give Windows 7 a fair shake.

Maybe it’s wrong for a journalist to call out colleagues and fill you in on a dirty tiny secret that occurs across all sectors of this business, but, to be quite honest, I don’t think I’m saying anything that should come as a surprise to anyone who follows the news. Regardless of whether you believe in the greatness of Steve Jobs or you choose to use only Velocity Micro machines out of your hatred for Apple, one thing remains: the vast majority of journalists use Macs to write their stories and have a deep-seated love for Apple products.

And even though some journalists are expected to be “objective,” I’m a firm believer that that’s impossible. Aware or not of the language being used, there isn’t one journalist in the world (tech or not) that can be undeniably objective at any time. I applaud it, though — I think objectivity is a crock and doesn’t truly reflect the history and time-honored tradition of journalism.

But I digress. When Windows 7 hits store shelves and countless Computers near you, don’t anticipate too many glowing endorsements. Granted, there will be some and I’m sure that you’ll find some of the ideal coverage here on CNET, thanks to a relatively diverse set of journalists that fall on either side of the fence. But across the Web, don’t expect too many positive reviews.

Why? Because when a journalist that was (at one time, at least) a geek writes a review about Windows on a Mac machine, which they’ve used for the past decade, immediately they’ve lost true objectivity and they’re playing in a world that’s unknown. In essence, they were raised and continue to thrive off a Mac and now they’re expected to comment on a Windows machine?

I don’t think so.

…

source The Digital Home

Share This

When Microsoft finally releases its follow-up to Windows Vista and it’s time for the business and technology journalists (yes, bloggers are included in that grouping) across the world to decide if Windows 7 is the kind of operating system most people should want to use, Microsoft will be facing a deluge of biased individuals that, aware of that bias or not, won’t give Windows 7 a fair shake.

Maybe it’s wrong for a journalist to call out colleagues and fill you in on a dirty little secret that occurs across all sectors of this business, but, to be quite honest, I don’t think I’m saying anything that should come as a surprise to anyone who follows the news. Regardless of whether you believe in the greatness of Steve Jobs or you select to use only Velocity Micro machines out of your hatred for Apple, one thing remains: the vast majority of journalists use Macs to write their stories and have a deep-seated love for Apple products.

And although some journalists are expected to be “objective,” I’m a firm believer that that’s impossible. Aware or not of the language being used, there isn’t one journalist in the world (tech or not) that can be undeniably objective at any time. I applaud it, though — I think objectivity is a crock and doesn’t truly reflect the history and time-honored tradition of journalism.

But I digress. When Windows 7 hits store shelves and countless Computers near you, don’t anticipate too many glowing endorsements. Granted, there will be some and I’m sure that you’ll find some of the best coverage here on CNET, thanks to a relatively diverse set of journalists that fall on either side of the fence. But across the Web, don’t expect too many positive reviews.

Why? Because when a journalist that was (at one time, at least) a geek writes a review about Windows on a Mac machine, which they’ve used for the past decade, immediately they’ve lost true objectivity and they’re playing in a world that’s unknown. In essence, they were raised and continue to thrive off a Mac and now they’re expected to comment on a Windows machine?

I don’t think so.

…

source The Digital Home

Share This

Why is it so hard for everyone discussing Circuit City’s Chapter 11 filing and New York Stock Exchange stock suspension to tell the world what really happened with this company?

No, Circuit City isn’t dying because of the credit crunch, and there’s no way we can blame its demise on the preferential treatment competitors like Ideal Purchase are receiving. And we certainly can’t blame it on the online-retail industry.

For some reason, every story I see written about the topic gives the company line–Circuit City is forced to file for Chapter 11 protection because of the “tight credit market”–and yet no one tells it care about it really is: Circuit City is dying this day, and will be a mere memory in just a few short months, because the company’s executives ran the business into the ground.

Some believe that with the on the internet onslaught being what it is, there’s really only room for one major electronics retailer in the brick-and-mortar space. Anyone who believes that has no grip on reality.

There’s room for multiple big-box electronics retailers. If Circuit City executives established a business model that competed with Best Buy’s instead of trying to replicate it, none of this would have ever happened, and we would be wondering which retailer will have the superior holiday shopping season.

Instead, we’re digging Circuit City’s hole.

…

source The Digital Home

Share This

Despite time concerns, it appears as though Halo 3 Recon will have a bit more meat to it than what we thought. According to the latest Game Informer spread on the game, Recon will feature an open environment where players can traverse the game’s focal point, New Mombasa, and take missions at will.

The new details stemming from the article (via CVG) are numerous. First of all, players will be experiencing Recon through the eyes of a soldier called The Rookie. Just like Master Chief, he’ll remain behind his helmet. Apparently, he won’t be speaking either. He’ll lack shields, but not the ability to regenerate health. Basically he’s a step down from the Chief, which should lend credence to the slower paced, strategic gameplay.

The story of the game revolves around the disappearance of four squad members. Each member’s location is provided as a pinpoint on the game’s map system, which can be checked via a PDA. After getting the map hammered, players will visit the scene of a disappearance and put together clues to solve what happened. At this point, the game will put players in the shoes of the missing soldier to act out what happened in the scenario.

Share This

Good news for all you non-Youtube world wide web video watchers who have G1s, the people of Adobe have basically confirmed that an Android-based version of Flash will be ready in coming months. Any device with at least 200MHz processors, more than 16MB RAM and a “completely capable web browser” will be able to render web-based flash content. [Adobe via ModmyGphone]

Share This

In 2003, Ubisoft reinvented Jordan Mechner’s classic Prince of Persia title with their multi-platform title, The Sands of Time. Ubisoft reinvigorated the franchise, bringing it new life to a fresh generation of gamers.

After completing the “Sands of Time” trilogy, Ubisoft is ready to move on and in a way, once again reinvent the franchise. This December, an all-new Prince of Persia game comes to Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. The title features a fresh, illustrative style, along with a new prince who will fight alongside a magical ally, Elika.

Share This

Just me unboxing the teleprompter.

Share This