Windows is Back!

As a long time Windows user, I remember the early versions - Windows 3.1 was a real breakthrough not only for Microsoft, but also for the industry. It brought a visual interface within reach of ‘the masses’ and spurred on the software industry. Four years later another giant step forward was made with the multi-tasking and ultra stable Windows NT 3.51/4.

Since then the progress has been down right disappointing. Microsoft got side tracked into pointless products, trying to compete in every market space imaginable, and as a result its core products got neglected.

Windows XP was OK, Windows Vista was disappointing. Enter Windows 7…..

Windows 7 feels fast, stable, looks good, is functional. Windows 7 can confidently and proudly walk in the footsteps of its revolutionary ancestors, Windows 3.1 and NT. Windows 7 is far ahead of its competition in terms of looks, compatibility, and manageability. It runs on any half decent computer. I even installed it on a 6 year old notebook and it runs fine.

Microsoft critics might talk about ‘open source’ and free Linux, or the expensive and proprietary/closed Apple (in the sense of API's and control by Apple). No chance.

Windows 7 will re-establish Microsoft leadership as the consumer and desktop OS of the future. I wrote a post about the danger of Chrome OS for the future of Microsoft and calling them to action. I believe Windows 7 is a good response to the Google Chrome OS threat. Sure, Google Chrome might do well on Netbooks, but I don’t give it much chance in the corporate world, as well as with consumers who want more then a browser.

I like Windows 7. I’ve decided. I will be holding on to my Microsoft shares :-) !

Tweeting is for birds

Twitter is becoming ever more popular, but I for one am not a fan of twitter. Millions of Twitterers (I am resisting the temptation to shorten that to “Twits”) just chirping mostly pointless “tweets” every day, or re-tweeting other tweets. But to me the verb tweeting is linked to a bird (and in fact it’s the twitter logo) – not the most intelligent of animals. Granted I do not know much about birds, but as far as I know they just ‘tweet away’, and there is little communication going on between the birds. And this bears a striking resemblance to Twitter.

‘Followers’ are supposed to read your tweets, but seeing the sheer amount of tweets I can not see how. Many of the followers are network marketers who never take any notice of your tweets. They are busy following people to boost their follower count and send marketing messages when you follow them back. Twitter is great for teenagers to follow every move of their pop idol, but for business communication or marketing I fail to see the point.

Oh, and please follow me on twitter.com/ngalea :-)

Cisco buys Tandberg for $3 Billion

Tandberg. T-a-n-d-b-e-r-g. Their big in video conferencing. In Sweden. Yes thats 3 billion. 3,000,000,000. No, not 3 million. Yes, for Tandberg.

Cisco moves in mysterious ways. A couple of weeks ago Cisco could have bought Nortel customer base and engineers for a mere $900 million. And move over all those customers to Cisco Callmanager. It decided otherwise.

Today it spends 3 billion on Teleconferencing. Sure its a good market and a good fit for Cisco. But then there are other companies they could have bought for a lot less, or else spend a bit more for a big brand name such as Polycom...

Skype - Two weeks after the buy out

Since Skype was bought 2 weeks ago, i have already noticed quite a number changes at Skype in a relatively short period of time. Not sure if these were all initiated after the purchase but still.....

First of all, friday the Skype Extras program was stopped. A mail was sent last friday (11 September) that effective 11 September (yes the same day) the extras program would be cancelled and removed from the website. Thats like a few hours warning. Not a big deal, but strange. I am assuming that they will relaunch it in another form requiring some testing or membership fee.

There are things happening in the Skype for SIP program. The website has been updated and there now is a official certification program - run by a third party testing company. But there is now also a charge for Skype for SIP PER CHANNEL. 20 euros per channel whereby each channel supports 2 calls. It goes down as you order more channels, but it sounds pretty steep to me.

I have also heard on the grape vine that Skype is on a drive to move "worthwhile" customers from pre paid to post paid.

All in All there is change in the air, and change driving towards more aggresively capturing revenue. The venture capitalist's signature is unmistakable. That can be a good thing if it turns Skype in a leading global low cost telecom provider. Of course it will have to meet the expectations along the way.......

Breaking news: Skype sold for 2.75 billion

Skype has just been sold in a deal valued 2.75 billion. Buyers are a group of investors. They are buying a company that is growing rapidly with more then $550 million in sales this year alone. At a little more then 5 times revenue, with a growing user base and a strong brand, I think its an interesting investment. At the same time, selling Skype will be a relief for Ebay. Ebay and Skype we're just never a good fit. Ebay will still keep 35% of the business, that is to say they get a cash pay out of $1.9 billion.

I am intrigued to see how the new owners will deal with the original Skype founders. And then of course what their vision will be for the Skype service. (beyond making lots of money in the short term which is what investors tend to focus on :-) )

Interesting days/months ahead for the entire VoIP / telco business!

Of Apple Iphone versus Windows Mobile

I recently switched from a Windows mobile phone to an Iphone. Yes a little late. Rarely have I seen a technology gap so large between 2 products. So what does the picture have to do with it? Well, keen divers and snorklers amongst you might avail themselves of the latest Windows mobile phone at no charge! Its at the bottom of that sea. (TIP: Its a greek island) Finders = keepers. Considering the state of Windows mobile, and that particular phone, I have an inkling that this might not be enough incentive to get your goggles out. SO....... let me add a FREE 1 MONTH holiday in same island to that!

Oh Mr Balmer, what were you smoking when you could have bought Apple for a pittance??

Google Chrome OS – Mr Gates, please come back?

The announcement by Google of its new OS has the industry buzzing - and it will certainly be interesting to see the clash of these titans. Google will strike Microsoft right in its heartland– the Windows desktop system and its accompanying office package. Of course, the OS is still very much 'vaporware', but the threat is real.

I remember the ‘attacks’ by IBM (OS/2), Novell (Dr DOS), Corel & Borland (on Office), as well as Linux in more recent years. Each time Microsoft prevailed simply because it had the better product, the better marketing and the competing product was just not ‘different’ enough. So Microsoft has the track record to shake off Google - only things are little different now.

The market parameters have changed and so has Microsoft. Microsoft is no longer the lean, mean and focused company that it was in the nineties. It has not focused on its main stay products – Windows XP/Vista and Office. There has been little innovation for those products whilst the market has been demanding faster and more manageable versions.

Instead, Microsoft has been messing about making Financial and CRM software (Dynamics), VoIP / Conferencing software (OCS/Response point), Firewall software (ISA server), Xbox, Zune, Online Search, Online ads - and not been very successful at it! Does Microsoft need to be in those businesses? I think not. The stock market does not think so either. Luckily Google has been kind enough to give Microsoft a headstart (Chrome OS will not come until 2010)

Windows is an excellent operating system and Microsoft has the credentials to come out victorious against Google. But it will require focus and commitment.

Who better then Bill Gates to lead such an effort? He has done it before in 96 when he embraced the internet. He has the vision to do it. Build a brand new netbook OS!

As a Microsoft Shareholder: Mr Gates, please consider a come back to head up this effort!

3CX wins Readers Choice Award

3CX just won a readers choice award - ahead of Cisco and Asterisk. See the full information on the readers choice results here:

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/news/WindowsNetworking-Readers-Choice-Award-IP-PBX-Servers-3CX-Phone-System-for-Windows-Apr09.html