Print - Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Will Include Capitulation to Google

Windows Vista SP 1 Will Include Microsoft Capitulation to Google

=================================================
SonaSafe for Exchange Server
Get your free trial TODAY http://www.sonasoft.com/products/exchange.asp

Visit our sponsor, who brings you WinInfo Daily Update:

==== SPONSOR: Sonasoft ==========================

SonaSafe for Exchange Server is the only software that offers both backup/recovery and replication for Exchange Server as part of a single integrated solution. The solution provides automated one-click rapid recovery to the point of failure; Reliable replication, no distance limitation, can be anywhere in the world. Typically, customers have to buy multiple solutions from different vendors to get similar capability. Also, it would cost four to five times more to get comparable functionality offered by Sonasoft's SonaSafe solution.

Get your free trial TODAY http://www.sonasoft.com/products/exchange.asp

==== IN THE NEWS ================================

Windows Vista SP 1 Will Include Microsoft Capitulation to Google

by Paul Thurrott, thurrott@windowsitpro.com

In a surprising move, Microsoft has bowed to Internet rival Google and will change the design of Vista so that Google's desktop search product can more closely integrate with the OS. Microsoft also used this event to quietly change the shipping schedule for Vista SP1. According to Microsoft, Vista SP1 will appear in beta form by the end of 2007. Vista SP1 was originally scheduled to be released by the end of 2007. Apparently this desktop search change will delay that release.

"Microsoft has reached an agreement with the States and the DOJ to address a complaint filed by Google regarding desktop search in Windows Vista," a Microsoft representative told me late Tuesday evening. Brad Smith, Microsoft senior vice president and general counsel, says the company is "pleased to reach an agreement with all the States and the Justice Department that addresses their concerns so that everyone can move forward." Previously, Microsoft had described Google's complaint as "baseless."

Here's what Microsoft has agreed to do:

- Let consumers and PC makers select a default desktop search program in Vista, similar to the way they currently select defaults for third-party Web browsers and media players.

- Provide links to the default desktop search program in the Vista Start menu and Windows Explorer windows, whether the user chooses the default Instant Search feature or a third-party alternative.

- Provide information to developers so that they can create their own desktop search programs that are optimized for performance on Vista.

Microsoft also provided a final version of its 27-page joint status report detailing its ongoing compliance with its 2004 US antitrust settlement. The report includes several other details, including that Microsoft plans to implement these desktop search changes as part of Vista SP1, and the company says a beta version of that update will ship by the end of 2007. Microsoft also noted that Google's complaint that Vista was slowing Google desktop search was somewhat spurious: Contrary to Google's complaint, Vista doesn't slow down Google's product. Instead, the existence of two competing desktop search products, each running simultaneously and generating their own indices, slows down the PC.

I have more information about this startling and unnecessary change on the SuperSite for Windows:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_google_changes.asp

==== EVENTS AND RESOURCES =======================

Learn how to simulate production workloads in a test environment and analyze results of key changes in your SQL Server environment BEFORE you put them into production.
http://www.sqlmag.com/go/seminars/idera/SQLscaler?partnerref=061807e&r

==== FEATURED WHITE PAPER =======================

Learn how Symantec and IBM deliver a comprehensive archiving solution for email, files, instant messages, databases, and VoIP, as well as many other document formats, while helping you reduce storage costs and simplifying management. Understand the challenges surrounding an Exchange environment and the Symantec and IBM capabilities to solve them. http://www.windowsitpro.com/go/whitepapers/symantec/yellowbook?code=061807featwp

==== ANNOUNCEMENT ===============================

Scripting Pro VIP--Just Download and Run
Scripting Pro VIP is an online resource that delivers in-depth articles (and downloadable code) every week on topics such as ADSI and ADO. Subscribers also receive tips, cautionary advice, direct access to our editors, and a host of other unique benefits! Order now at an exclusive charter rate and save up to $50!
https://store.pentontech.com/index.cfm?s=1&promocode=eu2672uc

==== CONTACT US =================================

About the newsletter -- letters@windowsitpro.com
About technical questions -- http://www.windowsitpro.com/forums
About product news -- products@windowsitpro.com
About your subscription -- windowsitproupdate@windowsitpro.com
About sponsoring an UPDATE -- emedia_opps@windowsitpro.com

==== BY THE WAY =================================

Be sure to add WinInfo_UPDATE@list.windowsitpro.com to your list of allowed senders and contacts.

Take a look at all of our technology newsletters:
http://www.windowsitpro.com/email/

This email newsletter is by the same people who create Windows IT Pro every month. Check it out!
http://www.winnetmag.com/rd.cfm?code=00ep204xeb
http://www.windowsitpro.com/

==== MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT ========================

You are subscribed as %%$email%%

You are receiving this email message because you subscribed to this newsletter on our Web site. To unsubscribe, click the unsubscribe link:
%%UNSUB_HREF%%

View the Windows IT Pro privacy policy at
http://www.windowsitpro.com/aboutus/index.cfm?action=privacy

=================================================
Windows IT Pro is a division of Penton Media Inc.
221 East 29th Street, Loveland, CO 80538
Attention: Customer Service Department
Copyright 2007, Penton Media Inc. All Rights Reserved.

GOOGLE 3 MICROSOFT 0 Web search - Google Advertisement - Google Desktop search - Google Total World Domination - ? IMHO i think Google is going for a sweep!!!

I think you're jumping the gun kabato. Just because they will have access to the Vista search boxes, doesn't automatically mean Google will yield better / more accurate results. We won't really know until we see them in action, no?

"Vista SP1 was originally scheduled to appear in final form by the end of 2001. This instant search change, apparently, will delay that release." So it'll be delayed... until 2002, Paul?

This just looks like the path of least resistance. If the code that is Windows is well designed, it shouldn't be too difficult for Microsoft to allow a different search product to be integrated into Windows. It seems like Microsoft may be just tired of this battle (I think they could have won this one), plus they may also be looking for brownie points going forward.

Given the way Microsoft has handled the Linux affair in the legal arena... something just seems fishy with this one. Microsoft seems by all accounts to have the high ground, only to give it up to a direct competitor? Although it could be something simple enough as to blame the Vista SP1 delay on Google ;). "Captain! The Service Pack, she's not ready Sir! And some partners are getting restless..." "Hmm... how long would it take to make the indexing algorithm modularized so that we could swap in different ones?" "Ahh... probably a few days with a decent team... why?" *Manaical Laugh* "You shall get a single entry level programmer with no large project experience and put him in lead of the project! Put everyone else on the SP priorities... that should buy us some time..."

i'd bet that this is going to expose Google as being a spyware company what with entire hard drives being indexed now. if people thought Google was bad enough just taking book contents without permission, they're going to be in for a real shock later this year. XP

Actually, I knew SP1 wasn't going to be released this year. Microsoft had no plans to release it this year. I knew someone in the Customer Support forecasting team. This team is responsible for forecasting the number of calls, etc. to MS customer support. Their model obviously uses project timeline data for forecasts. When I spoke to her two months ago, she told me Vista SP1 would be released some time next year.

"she told me Vista SP1 would be released some time next year" so this is just a bit of reassuring optimism then?: http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9017198 "But the [Vista] deployment [in enterprises] will actually happen when the Service Pack gets released in the fourth quarter time frame, probably the October-November time frame," said Otellini. XP

"so this is just a bit of reassuring optimism then?:" I assume it is, because as far as I know, they've internally been planning for a 2008 release. Outside, it's a lot more confusing, though. Ballmer probably still denies the existence of SP1.

>>Outside, it's a lot more confusing, though. Ballmer probably still denies the existence of SP1. No its not. When my sig changes to Vista (sp2) then you know that (sp1) has been released. I can not depoly it until the "10's of 1000's" have finished beta testing it. The offical release of a MS product is (sp1) just ask any Win IT Pro. Hell - its only another 7 - or so months away. For an OS that was delayed for years whats a few months or years? Vista (sp1) " Chaning soon? to be Vista (sp2)"

I've heard that MS will not allow it's own search processes to be turned off - even if you use Google's instead. This means, effectively, more of your computer's resources are tied up when you use a 3rd party search feature. (Waethorn, are you sitting down?) I think Microsoft is getting the shaft on this one. OS X has had Spotlight for years and it works great. Microsoft should be allowed to build that same functionality into Vista and not have to kowtow to Google. Mainly because Google's desktop software is a MESS. It's like it was coded by 3 year olds. And, of course, OEM's will undoubtedly sign a deal with Google that gets them money in exchange for setting Google Desktop Search as the default on new machines. The end result: the consumer gets a machine bogged down with stuff that doesn't need to be there and doesn't work as well as Microsoft's solution. Honestly, this is ridiculous. Microsoft may be a monopoly and they may be having some tough times, but you don't step on a guy's throat after you kick him in the crotch. Sheesh.

The point is this: The government should ask the question, "What is best for the end consumer?" NOT "What is best for "competition" in the marketplace?" If Google truly had a superior solution, then they would win the test. Since they don't have one, Microsoft should get a green light to make Spotlight (er, I mean Search or Desktop Search or whatever-you-windows-guys-are-calling-2004's-technology-these-days) for Vista.

It's the same thing everyone has been saying for a while now.... if Google wants integrated search... then write an OS. Then you can make google search the only indexing tool in the G-OS!

"Waethorn, are you sitting down?" i've never condoned the use of Google software - EVER! it's just bad for the consumer - from a user interface standpoint, and a privacy standpoint. "if Google wants integrated search... then write an OS" they'll likely make another horrendous Linux dist to go along with their sad app UI's. XP

You hit the nail on the head this time bdkjones... All of MS's competitors will cry foul for ANYTHING they add to the O/S for now on... Maybe consumers will see past the bundling of tird-party crapware and chose to pursh pc's w/o it - but I doubt it...

Heh, seems MS is playing dirty now. Google is upset at MS's plan. Looking at it now, they are giving Google everything except what they really wanted, to be able to disable instant search completely. But given the situation, Google crying fowl at this point makes them appear stubborn, and makes their argument seem fishy. There is no way in the world Google can make it look benevolent when they want a key feature to be disabled, given the graces that MS has promised in SP1. Google:"Hey this isn't fair, MS should give me a headstart." MS:"Ok... I'll give you 10 feet." Google:"By head start I meant shoot yourself in the foot and put on a blindfold"