The Unofficial Microsoft Weblog

Microsoft do da ro-bot! - June 6, 2006

Filed under: News and Info, MSN, Windows Live, Windows - General, Dev Tools - GeneralMicrosoft is holding a contest to see who can develop the best new BOTs for the newly launched Windows Live Messenger Beta. BOTs are those little pieces of software that typically help users with things such as movie times, stock quotes, even price quotes and help with using IM. For any budding IM developers out there, you can find the three, yes three, software development kits (SDKs) from Microsoft...
http://microsoft.weblogsinc.com/2006/06/06/microsoft-do-da-ro-bot/

Microsoft to bring life to PC games - June 6, 2006

Filed under: XP, Vista, Trends and Buzz, News and Info, XBOX, XBOX 360, PC, Windows - GeneralFor a long time now, Microsoft hasn't been focusing on PC games, and even us PC gamers can't blame them. Going from zero to 360 in a few years, not bad at all. Now though, Microsoft is going to begin focusing on PC games again. Many think Microsoft will develop, or have developed a gaming platform for the PC that rivals the ease and simplicity of the XBOX brand. Hopefully this is true. A little birdie...
http://microsoft.weblogsinc.com/2006/06/06/microsoft-to-bring-life-to-pc-games/

Why do people pirate software - June 6, 2006

Filed under: XP, Vista, Trends and Buzz, Legal Issues, News and Info, Windows - GeneralCnet features Microsoft executive Michala Alexander talking about piracy and why people do it. Alexander states that, "it's just because people want what they can get for the cheapest price." While I understand this view and agree with the observation of human nature, I think the deeper issue is that software companies still cause a lot of piracy, because they haven't figured out what customers need. I know...
http://microsoft.weblogsinc.com/2006/06/06/why-do-people-pirate-software/

Microsoft does the cam-cam. - June 6, 2006

Filed under: XP, Vista, Trends and Buzz, News and Info, Windows - GeneralApple's iSight cameras now built into many products have been a big hit with mac users. Microsoft is taking a few clues and has come up with their own idea for a web cam as well. It is about time. I have often wished and wondered if this was an idea Microsoft sees the potential in, and apparently they do. The LifeCams should be available sometime this month, according to Mary Jo Foley of Microsoft Watch. No word yet on...
http://microsoft.weblogsinc.com/2006/06/06/microsoft-does-the-cam-cam/