Microsoft
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My Close Encounters with Bill Gates
Bill Gates got involved with microcomputer software in 1975, and he built Microsoft by seeing, seizing and maximizing key opportunities.
My first use of Microsoft software was in 1978, and my first personal brush with Bill was in 1981.
During Microsoft's most influential period, the '80s and '90s, I had a variety of face-to-face Bill Gates experiences. Here are some of my Boomer Years stories.
The sad end of Microsoft Windows XP
Submitted by John L. Hawkins on 9 June, 2008 - 16:46.I got some interesting responses to my January 2008 post about how I escaped from the insanity of Windows Vista back to the productive calm of Windows XP. For instance, InfoWorld quoted me extensively in an article, and I was one of the first to sign their "Save XP" petition. But apparently, it didn't get saved. Now what?
Mapping Software: DeLorme vs. Microsoft
Submitted by John L. Hawkins on 21 May, 2008 - 16:23.I like to take road trips, and especially roads I haven't traveled, to places I haven't been. So, I consider mapping software an essential feature of my laptop computer.
I know, many newer cars (including one of mine) have GPS-based satellite navigation systems. And the pocket-sized sat-nav systems are affordable and wonderful. Web sites with maps are helpful. And good old paper maps are still as useful as ever. But none of these provide all the capabilities I get from mapping software on my laptop.
There are two major mapping software products, Microsoft Streets and Trips, and DeLorme Street Atlas USA, and I think one strongly out-classes the other.
How I escaped from Windows Vista
Submitted by John L. Hawkins on 23 January, 2008 - 00:00.I have a new/old laptop computer and I love it -- finally -- because I dumped Microsoft Windows Vista.
In June 2007 I got a new Lenovo ThinkPad T61 with Windows Vista. I expected to be thrilled with my new laptop, but instead, it was horrible. Whatever I tried to do, the new computer fought me -- and usually, it won. By "do" I mean basic stuff: save a file, connect to my office network and the Internet, turn on, turn off, copy some files. It's MY computer -- shouldn't I be allowed to do these things? Nope, not without lots of effort, wasted time, and sometimes, complete failure.
Winning the Influence Game: What Every Business Leader Should Know About Government
Articles about major companies often have little to do with products and services, and much more to do with government red tape. Yet when Michael Watkins began searching for information on how companies should work with government, he turned up empty-handed. This prompted Watkins to co-author "Winning the Influence Game: What Every Business Leader Should Know About Government". ADVISOR asked Watkins how today's business leaders can build a beneficial relationship with government.
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