Windows

The story on 60 Minutes about the Conficker worm missed the larger picture.

Free support for Windows XP ends on April 14th, and the Windows 7 release candidate arrives in May, coincidence? I don't think so.

A few days ago, Steve Ballmer stirred up a hornet's nest when he said that Apple users pay a $500 tax for buying Macs instead of PCs. What he neglected to mention, though, is that plenty of people believe they pay a Microsoft tax for using Windows --- and it's not the price of operating system they're complaining about.

With its latest Linux release Novell, Novell has made Linux about as close to Windows as it can get. Whether that's a good thing or not, depends on where you're coming from.

Windows will be key to cloud computing - and the clients that connect to it, says Microsoft's Craig Mundie.

Ubuntu and Kubuntu handle multiple concurrent file updates the same as Windows 7, poorly. Ditto for deleting in-use files. Avoiding low-end poorly designed applications goes a long way, but doesn't get at the real issue.

Here's more evidence that the Linux threat to Windows is over: A new study concludes that Linux is losing ground in the netbook market. When it comes to Linux on the desktop, the war is over --- unless Android comes to the rescue.

Google coming out with its own Linux desktop would be the best thing that ever happened to the Linux desktop and Microsoft's worse nightmare. And, that last part is just fine by Google.

In today's podcast: Sun's 16-core Rock processor coming later this year; Microsoft patches Windows kernel; and Germany ratifies cybercrime law.

There's been a lot of talk -- including from me -- that Linux is hurting Microsoft because of its big market share in netbook sales. But recent figures from the research firm NPD Group show that it's a myth. Windows now has more than 90% of all netbook sales. The game is over.

In today's podcast: European law enforcement to make tapping Skype easier; most iPhone apps don't pass test of time; and Microsoft planning Facebook-like Windows feature.

Sometimes the best friend a Windows user can have when things go haywire is a good Linux-based repair kit.

A modification to the userChrome.css file can force Firefox 3 to always display secure HTTPS web pages with a green address bar.

User demand has kept XP in the market, but Microsoft insists on charging extra for it. Now, one user isn't going to take it anymore.

Microsoft and Windows users seem to be able to laugh at themselves. Linux users can't.