Results

Since its introduction into the market in 2006, user reviews of Microsoft Windows Vista have generally been bad. If this blog is any indication, all it takes is one user to lament over their troubles with the OS, and pretty soon, hundreds more are ready to jump on board with the negative argument. Furthermore, the list of grievances seems pretty hefty. According to Vista users, the OS monopolizes system resources, has an unacceptable lag time, user account control (or lack thereof), and some experts claim that Vista is an imitation platform of the Mac OS X Tiger (a “copycat,” if you will). One article even published several ways to hack the Vista in an attempt to improve its performance to end users. Across the board, it seems as though Vista has failed to impress.

It seems that Microsoft has picked up on this vibe from Vista users. In a recent eWeek article, the question was asked, has Microsoft given up on its own OS? As author Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols puts it, when it comes to the perceived failure of Vista, “I know it. You know it. Even Microsoft’s most devoted yes-men know it…and perhaps Microsoft knows it as well. What else can explain why there’s so much talk about Windows 7?” For those who haven’t been keeping up with their technology gossip, Windows 7 is the current title of the next supposed big Microsoft release, and many industry insiders expect that it will far surpass Vista. The industry buzz on this topic, as well as the expedited fashion in which Microsoft seems to be developing this next operating system, has lead many to believe that Vista is being pushed wayside.

But just how much of this buzz is coming from Microsoft? As this article points out, much of the supposed “leaked information” may be coming from Microsoft insiders who are trying to counteract the negative feedback that has been generated from the release of Vista. In that same article, Directions on Microsoft analyst Michael Cherry relayed his opinion that some of the allegations being waged against Vista may have been trumped up by Microsoft, claiming, “I don’t think Vista is as bad as Microsoft has convinced people it is.”

Could it be, perhaps, that in light of the disappointments with the initial release of Vista (which had many users and businesses running back to Windows XP), Microsoft is now helping to sabotage its own OS in hopes of generating even greater sales with Microsoft Windows 7? Though I am neither an industry expert nor a marketing guru, it does make sense if you think about it. If Microsoft perpetuates the negative image of Vista, their next release will then by comparison seem infinitely better, which will more than likely beef up sales. It’s a likely explanation for Microsoft’s lack of support for Vista.

In any case, one thing seems clear - users are ready for an alternative to Vista. With more and more users and corporations opting to stay with their current OS (Windows XP), it makes sense that the buzz for the next big Microsoft release would be growing. Expectations are certainly high for Windows 7. Let’s just hope Microsoft can deliver!

A beta version of Internet Explorer 8 was released for download last week, and it seems to make major concessions to the development community that are unprecedented. Microsoft’s latest browser, though still working out kinks, has reportedly passed the Acid2 test, a major standards compliance test which most browser releases strive to render correctly. Other features are also specifically geared towards developers, and this version of IE introduces several new tools that are likely to please. As the IEBlog says, “While supporting the features tested in Acid2 is important for many reasons, it is just one of several milestones for the interoperability, standards compliance, and backwards compatibility that we’re committed to for this release.” These goals are a welcome sign for web developers who struggle to optimize their pages for multiple browsers.

One of the most anticipated new features being tested in this beta release is called “WebSlices”, which is a means by which users can get updates from other sites directly through the browser. This means that users can “subscribe” to portions of outside web pages which update frequently, similar to an RSS feed. This will allow IE 8 users to receive information about their EBay auctions, Facebook friends’ activities, etc.

“Activities” is another Microsoft IE8 feature that has been highly anticipated. It allows users to highlight text on a page and use a proprietary button to find information about that text on other web pages. For example, one could read an article about the Nintendo Wii, highlight the product name, and find retailers who have it in stock. Users could also visit the website of a local restaurant, use Activities to find their location on LiveMaps, and email the information to a friend through Hotmail.

On the developer side of the table, though, IE8 promises better support for AJAX web pages and the ability to “run” both IE8 and IE7 on the same machine. Developers who develop websites and applications for large audiences are constantly struggling to make them work in a myriad of browsers, and Microsoft’s IE updates were an annoyance. Some even turned to less-than-stable setups to allow them access to different releases of IE on the same machine. IE8 features a handy “Emulate IE7″ button in the browser which will display a project as it will appear to IE7 users.

Never easily satisfied, the developer community has a lot to say about the “Emulate IE7″ feature. While some appreciate the option, they have strong opinions about how the feature was executed. One of the most common complains is that it forces you to end your browsing session and restart, possibly losing your footing in your project. One user comment on IEBlog regarding the “Emulate IE7″ function, says it nicely: “With all respect, Microsoft seems to be still putting bandaids on bandaids.” Another commenter jokes, “An ‘Emulate Firefox 3.0′ would be cooler.” Microsoft is undoubtedly listening to this harsh criticism, and developers are being cruel to be kind. IE8 is a beta release aimed mostly at developers, and many of these kinks will be taken into account for the 1.0 version.

Though I’m no developer, I downloaded IE8 and explored the new features. I found it incredibly slow to respond and load content in the feeds, though I did appreciate being able to import bookmarks and favorites from other browsers and drag-and-drop them within the toolbar. It has much of the same look at IE7, so there won’t be a steep learning curve for current users. It did crash on me when I tried to access WebSlices for the first time, and it seems to attempt a “restore session” feature, though it crashed again when I tried to take advantage of it. Some webpages displayed badly, with photos overlapping type, etc. Another user testing out the new browser says, “Unfortunately, I experienced plenty of browser crashes and hanging in my use of the IE8 beta, as installed on Windows XP with Service Pack 2 with Google and Yahoo Toolbars installed.” So it wasn’t just me, a poor Vista user.

As blogger Sarah Perez, who was at the MIX08 conference, put it, “this launch shows that Microsoft is not taking Firefox’s creep into browser market share lightly.” Many of IE8’s new bag of tricks are aimed at mimicking the Firefox features that users and developers love. Now let’s hope that this beta launch is just the tip of the iceberg that Microsoft has planned for IE8.

Adobe is no stranger to RIA developers, and their recent release is another move in the right direction. Adobe Integrated Runtime (AIR) has sparked discussions among developers and at Microsoft, which has been courting Adobe devotees with Silverlight, a tool to compete with Flash technology. AIR was tested throughout 2007 under the codename Apollo, and the 1.0 version was announced in late February along with a new release of Flex. So how will Microsoft’s forays into RIA technology stack up with AIR?

AIR is a cross-operating system runtime which can integrate with existing HTML/AJAX, Flex, or Flash apps that can be deployed not only to the web, but also to a desktop environment. AIR applications are meant to be versatile, reaching users who rely on desktop technology and those who have tasted the proverbial web-based “Kool-Aid”. As Adobe’s website points out, “You can use your existing web development resources to create engaging, branded applications that run on all major desktop operating systems.” Indeed, while AIR runs on Windows and Mac, Adobe is planning to work on Linux support for those users, with a projected availability in the second half of 2008. Best of all, like Flex, AIR is free.

Reviews are positive thus far, and it seems as though AIR will give Adobe a boost against rival Silverlight. As Forrester Research analyst Jeffrey Hammond told eWeek, “They’ve done a lot of thinking about security in particular. That’s critical when you start to break down the barriers between the browser and the desktop…I think AIR and Flex 3.0 get the edge over Silverlight 1.0 when it comes to depth of programming model and developer capability.” Other users are just as excited. One blogger writes, “Some of my favorite words to hear these days from startups are ‘we’re working on/have an AIR app.’”

AIR is a step towards integrating desktop applications and rich internet applications. This will benefit users in several ways: not only will AIR allow RIA developers to add some beauty and cross-platform meat to their products, but it will also bring some of the power of the web cloud to desktops. It bypasses the limitations of web browsers, allowing offline functionality while still maintaining the speed and data processing skills of purely web-based applications. A good example of this can be found in eBay Desktop, a glorified widget of sorts that allows users to monitor auctions in real time (without refreshing), list their items in an offline environment, and upload directly to eBay. Adobe has also made other AIR applications available for test spins on their website.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about both Silverlight and AIR is the attempt both products making to reach out to developers and designers alike. While Microsoft products typically appeal more to developers and Adobe tends to attract the designer pool, both AIR and Silverlight are trying to marry the two communities. As RedMonk analyst Michael Coté pointed out to eWeek, “There’s this idea of a designer/developer out there that we’ve been chasing forever: a person who can not only write clean code but make the result look good and be usable.” Microsoft, Adobe, and others who produce tools for RIA companies are trying to reach this mythical persona.

Perhaps the combined designer/developer persona does exists, but I suspect that releases like AIR and Silverlight are more likely to create this community than to find it lurking somewhere. With the integration of technologies like Flex, Flash, and AIR on the Adobe end and Silverlight, Visual Studio, and Expression on the Microsoft side, developers are becoming designers and designers are becoming developers. In order to compete with the thousands of applications out there, companies are having to use all the tools in the bag, and bag keeps getting bigger and bigger. The winner of this competition between Adobe and Microsoft is not really the developers or designers, but the end user, who is treated to a functional, usable, and beautiful product.

The team at Google is optimistic about the company’s latest release. They have recently launched Google Sites, a free, user-friendly web site building application aimed at professional teams and businesses, and the service has been incorporated into Google Apps. Using the technology from their 2006 acquisition of the wiki platform JotSpot, Google Sites boasts the following:

• Anyone can use this application (”as simple as editing a document”)
• It will create an environment in which all forms of media can be made readily available to your team (”one-stop sharing”)
• Peer editing of your ongoing projects (”to keep it fresh and up-to-date”)

In addition, there is even an introductory video available which will allow users to tour the application’s features. This CNET article quotes Matt Glotzbach, product management director for Google Enterprises, as saying Google Sites fills “a key hole in the Google Apps Suite. It is the nucleus for other pieces to fit into for online collaboration.” It sure seems as though this new application would be well received, having even been dubbed a “Microsoft SharePoint killer” because of its relative low cost and collaboration features.

However, many feel that these early views of the product might be all hype. Take for example that last comparison, that some believe Google Sites to be a major rival to Microsoft’s SharePoint. Yes, it is true that Google Sites is less expensive and more “user friendly,” as Google has aimed the service at a larger target audience than simply IT professionals. However, the list of competitive features ends there. Many industry experts do not think that Google Sites is ready to compete with industry leaders like IBM and Microsoft. In a recent interview with eWeek, Forrester Research analyst Erica Driver points out that, “Google Apps is still limited compared to IBM Lotus Quickr and Microsoft SharePoint platforms.” Driver also points out other industry professionals’ criticisms of Google’s entire suite, Google Apps, claiming that it lacks “secondary functionality.” According to Driver, these would include search features, information rights management, business process management and informal learning. She goes on to say that competitive products include “an abundance of functionality,” which includes basic content services, collaboration and communication, social computing, portal services, and productivity tools.

Early user reviews of the application have not been promising, either. As one blogger writes,”After 16 months at Google developer’s hands, the outcome is substandard. This is such a pity.” Michael Dressler, partner at The Last Mile Group and one of the original JotSpot developers, was discouraged by the lack of an API (application program interface). JotSpot developers feel disappointed because without an API it’s impossible to create new, more sophisticated applications with this product. To some, this means that JotSpot technology has regressed since it was originally acquired by Google.

There is also quite a bit of negative feedback regarding security and ownership of information over Google Sites. According to the legal agreement users make when they use this application, any information you post can be used by Google for the purposes of promoting their site. Furthermore, Google can (at any time, for reasons they see fit) block access to or destroy your data files. For many enterprise users, this is clearly a cause for concern.

Still, not all reviews are bad. Writer Dan Farber believes that Google Sites and the entire Google Apps Suite has the potential to give competitors a run for their money: “Google Sites is a key piece of functionality for Google Apps. It gives the suite a way to integrate all kinds of components in support of accomplishing a particular task. Adding social capabilities and a database to the suite will turn up the heat on Microsoft to show what it has waiting in the wings to go beyond the prodigious Microsoft Office.” So, even though Google’s suite is a web app tool and Office isn’t, some believe there is a potential for Google’s platform to out-perform Microsoft in terms of usability. And, of course, Google Sites is still in the early stages of release; the company has historically been very responsive to user feedback and complaints, and has planned upgrades accordingly.

Taking into consideration the feedback from industry professionals, it appears that Google Sites is going to meet with some resistance. There is much criticism and little praise to be found for the tool. Though this does not necessarily mean that the application is doomed, it does somewhat imply that there are many upgrades and improvements that Google might consider looking into in order to counter some of the arguments being made against the web suite. However, if the current atmosphere is any indication, it does not appear as though Google Sites will present any stiff competition for Microsoft and IBM. It will be interesting to see if a second release of the application will provide the functionality that Sites is missing.

As Yahoo! Research Chief Prabhakar Raghavan recently told Businessweek, “In a sense, there are only five computers on Earth.” These computers, vast data centers which have come to be called “clouds”, belong to Google, Yahoo!, IBM, Amazon, and Microsoft. Nearly all of our online activities, from sifting through CNN.com’s news stories to searching for risotto recipes to updating our family’s blog, are facilitated by a vast network of computers owned by one of these companies. These clouds are able to process huge amounts of data at amazing speeds, and many industry experts point to them as the wave of the future. The five big clouds are now opening up to smaller businesses, allowing them to compete in the world of data-intensive computing.

Clouds are essentially networks made up of a myriad of smaller machines, inexpensive servers, which can store and move huge amounts of data. These next-generation supercomputers are what allow Google to achieve their goal, “to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” Most of these cloud clusters are not on a company’s central campus, but in various locations around the world. And when one machine dies or outlives its usefulness, it is replaced and the service goes on uninterrupted. Businessweek likens the trend toward cloud computing to a shift in how American’s receive electricity: “At the most basic level, it’s the computing equivalent of the evolution in electricity a century ago when farms and businesses shut down their own generators and bought power instead from efficient industrial utilities.”

Now, smaller businesses will have the option of shutting down their small “generators”, expensive, clunky, and inefficient servers which cannot compare to power of clouds like Google’s or Amazon’s. As Talkibie reported in January, Amazon’s Web Services Division is reaching out to businesses who would essentially “rent” a piece of the cloud. Applications, websites, data, and even documents could be hosted on Amazon’s cloud, allowing smaller companies to launch products without the risk or investment of their own data centers.

Yahoo! has also taken an active role in expanding cloud computing beyond the borders of Silicon Valley. They’ve pioneered an open source project called Hadoop, which mimics some of the functions of Google’s groundbreaking software MapReduce. MapReduce essentially breaks down every computing task into thousands of smaller tasks which can be completed by individual machines within the cloud, then reassembles the information gathered into an answer. Yahoo! is working to make this software available on other computing clusters through Hadoop. Ironically, Google is now using Hadoop for some its community projects (MapReduce is too secret). Yahoo!, like Google, is making some of its computing power available to universities for scientific research and teaching.

IBM has also made gestures to open its cloud to business customers. In addition to hosting web applications for small and medium-sized businesses, they have collaborated with Google to build a prototype cloud for use by large universities. Fitted-out with Hadoop and IBM’s business applications, the joint Google/IBM university cloud will help computer scientists further develop the cloud computing of the next generation. Microsoft also sees the application of clouds to scientific study and higher learning. As Businessweek reports, Tony Hey, Microsoft’s vice-president for external research predicts that clouds will, “function as huge virtual laboratories, with a new generation of librarians - some of them human - “curating” troves of data, opening them to researchers with the right credentials.”

This trend towards open clouds will not only help small businesses, scientists, and students, but it will also change the landscape of the internet. It will likely increase its size and scope dramatically, and allow us to connect across boundaries in record speed. These five companies are essentially setting themselves up as the world’s computer, with the internet as their operating system. They are providing top universities with the latest research into computing, not the other way around. Though it’s too early to tell whether the trend toward large-scale clouds will benefit the average user, it is certain to change the way we interact with each other through technology.

A new popularity contest has begun in the social bookmarking world. Yahoo! has just released the Beta version of Yahoo! Buzz, a user-ranked social bookmarking application that will allow users to share “the buzz.” According to Yahoo!, the buzz “can be about anything - a great story on a major news site, an extraordinary bit from an obscure site, an intriguing video, or a fantastic blog that shouldn’t be missed.” Ranking on this site is based on a point system, and the most “buzzworthy” stories may appear on the Yahoo! home page.

So what makes this social bookmarking site so unique? The ranking for each story is decided by three factors: the number of times a story is searched for on Yahoo!, the number of times a story is e-mailed from Buzz, and the number of votes the stories receive (collectively termed a “Buzz Score”). Other similar sites, such as Digg, rank articles based on a single group of results (usually, strictly based on votes or single views). In this way, Yahoo! believes that the user is able “to impact what millions will see on [the site].”

From my explorations of the new service, there is a wide range of popular searches. Yahoo! subscribers have been looking up stories and information on everything from Paris Fashion Week to Starbucks Coffee to Anne Frank. Buzz takes the phrase “live in the moment” to a whole new level. The site uniquely incorporates the most current news and blog postings into the algorithm they use to determine rankings, which set it apart from competitors. This Web 2.0 strategy not only incorporates user-generated content, but also provides a way for frequently-updated sites to jump ahead of those which are more static. Search engines love new content, and Yahoo! has taken this preference to new heights.

An interesting point to consider is if the launch of Yahoo! Buzz will have any effect on the current Microsoft/Yahoo! deal. Recently, we published a story regarding Microsoft’s attempt of buying out Yahoo!. Certainly, the success of Yahoo! Buzz would be yet another reason why such a deal would be beneficial for Microsoft, who have struggled in the online area due to a lack of web experience. Access to applications such as this, as well as all of the other features that Yahoo! has to offer, would propel Microsoft into the web arena they are so eager to enter.

Review of Yahoo! Buzz are mixed, to say the least. One argument focuses on the fact that the site currently has less than 100 pre-approved news publishers, which pales in comparison to sites like Digg. However, this will also ensure that these sites will be able to handle the traffic flow generated by Buzz users (the same cannot be said for Digg). And, while there are those who believe that Digg is still superior, there are others who feel that Yahoo! may be on to something. As blogger Matthew Ingram puts it, “I think the Digg gang can probably sleep safe at night for a little while, but Yahoo could turn out to be a strong competitor.” I think so, too, Matthew.

Just like during your high school days, web success is based on popularity. Yahoo! Buzz offers users the chance to explore the most popular websites, blogs, and web entertainment out there today. Surely, this will prove to be a successful application for Yahoo! (and who knows….perhaps Microsoft as well?).

Many industry experts, journalists, and bloggers have expressed their displeasure with Microsoft’s possible takeover of Yahoo!. Though the executives at Yahoo! have so far rejected the $41.7 billion offer, many expect a deal will be reached at a higher price, much to the dismay of the lion’s share of writers on the subject. As Jerry Yang, Yahoo!’s CEO, fends off the strong arm tactics of Steve Ballmer at Microsoft, we find ourselves rooting for him without knowing exactly why. Is it because we like the underdog? Or just because we hate Microsoft? Is there anything positive that could come out of this deal for consumers?

Yahoo! has been spiraling downward for quite awhile, and they haven’t been able to compete with search engine giant Google. Google has inked deal after deal with rival companies, perhaps the most important being the acquisition of DoubleClick, an internet advertising broker, which gives Google even more control over how ads reach internet users. The DoubleClick deal was cleared by the FCC after months of hearings, but is still awaiting approval by European courts. Yahoo! has lost ground to Google consistently when it comes to search technology and advertising, though Microsoft’s offer clearly intends to buck this trend.

Almost every news source covering the deal mentions that Microsoft wants a piece of the internet advertising industry. Perhaps together Yahoo! and Microsoft can present a viable alternative to Google for both search users and advertisers. The key to developing solid, targeted ad technology is collecting user behavior data, which is one thing at which Yahoo! has always excelled. As the Seattle Times reports, “Yahoo assembles a profile of a person’s behavior based on searches within Yahoo, videos watched, ads clicked and visits to Yahoo sites and partner sites such as eBay. The profile that emerges could have details such as a person’s basic salary, health concerns, cars, number of children, gender, age, ZIP code, industry and work.” Yahoo! is able to collect these detailed profiles in a way that Microsoft is not, and the information could lead to a vast improvement in Microsoft’s presence and success online.

Aside from the expected boost in Microsoft’s online ad chops, industry experts are speculating about the company’s possible plans to expand online software efforts. As the Wall Street Journal reported last week, “the company’s products face pressure to evolve as the rise of online services changes how people use technology.” Microsoft is being outmatched by the Software As A Service (SAAS) industry right now, and they rely almost exclusively on traditional software licensing for their revenue. Their competition comes from SAAS vendors who provide value to business users by hosting applications on proprietary servers, freeing businesses from expensive data centers and draconian licensing fees.

The Yahoo! deal could help Microsoft transition into the online software arena. As British insurance company Aviva PLC told the Wall Street Journal, “[the company] hopes Microsoft will combine Yahoo’s online software and knowledge of how the Internet works with Microsoft’s understanding of how a business operates to develop innovative corporate software.” If the deal goes through, Microsoft should be making plans to harness not only Yahoo!’s potential for ad revenue but also their expertise in web applications.

This dual strategy would push them towards the ultimate goal of competing with Google, which has an early lead in providing office tools through web applications. Google Apps, which includes word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation programs is becoming more and more popular with businesses of all sizes. Microsoft has made some moves to allow online access to its Office Suite, and perhaps with help from Yahoo!’s experts they will bring their software to the next generation of delivery.

Speculation is still all over the board, and it will likely be quite awhile until a deal is reached. One has to wonder, due to the recent fine imposed by the EU against Microsoft for a record $1.4 billion, if a merger of the two will be approved by government anti-trust groups. While I definitely sympathize with the folks at Yahoo! and hope against hope that they will be able to fight off the acquisition, there just might be some benefits for users in the long run. Most of us are stuck with Microsoft our software provider whether we like it or not, and a deal with Yahoo! just may give them the innovative approach they need to please us.

Last spring, Microsoft launched a new browser plugin called Silverlight, which was designed to give developers of Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) another weapon in their arsenals. Silverlight, which competes with products like Adobe Flash, Java FX, Quicktime, and Adobe Shockwave, allows web-based applications to be developed with animation, vector graphics, and video/audio playback capabilities. Now, as the launch of Silverlight 2.0 nears, RIA development teams are taking notice of the flexibility and convenience of Microsoft’s attempt to rival Adobe.

Silverlight 2.0 is slotted for release sometime in the first quarter of 2008, with a beta version expected in time for Microsoft’s MIX conference in early March. The new version adds value for developers by supporting .NET languages and development tools. This means that content can be coded in a myriad of languages, including some dynamic languages like Ruby and Python. Fast and efficient video delivery and animation is Microsoft’s main focus with Silverlight, and it appears to be paying off.

Some of the features that have RIA developers eagerly awaiting Silverlight 2.0 include:

• Support for Windows-based and Macintosh systems (Linux support is in the works through third-party Moonlight)
• Quality vector-based graphics, media, animation, text, and video which can be integrated into an existing web app
• Enhancement capability for existing standards in RIAs (AJAX, etc.)
• Fast installation due to small (2 MB) file size
• Ability to work in a variety of browsers
• Choice of development languages using .NET framework
• Uniformity in media format which can be scaled for different media (HD or mobile), and support for WMA and MP3 audio
• Text-based XAML format which allows RIA content to be searched and indexed

The tool’s creators hope that Silverlight will stand up to the unusual scrutiny that is so often directed at Microsoft products. They want to present a solid, attractive alternative to Adobe products, which have dominated the design world, while still appealing to developers. In a recent interview with eWeek, Cynergy Systems VP Dave Wolf describes the reason he things Silverlight will take off. “There is no question that the Microsoft developer community is huge, passionate and, for the most part, they get enterprise software development.” For industry insiders like Wolf, Silverlight is a flexible option for developers who don’t use Flash technology.

Silverlight has won several awards, including CNET’s Webware 100 Award, which is significant since it’s based on voting by industry insiders. It’s an early victory for a relatively young technology. Perhaps the most promising thing about Silverlight’s positive reception is the continued expansion of RIAs into the mainstream. More and more developers are relying on technology which allows the seamless incorporation of multiple media, and Silverlight is another step in that direction. The web application world is becoming more inclusive of video, sound, and animation, and users are starting to expect a web experience saturated with these interactive elements. Silverlight 2.0 will make it easier and more efficient for developers to give the people what they want. And that is always a good thing.

A remarkable trend has hit the technology industry hard, with more and more enterprises opting for web-based applications in lieu of traditional software packages. This model is reflected in the field of project management, where online tools are multiplying like rabbits. No longer to teams have to rely on Excel spreadsheets, Powerpoint presentations, and Project’s limited tracking functions. These web-based project management tools can help an enterprise not only manage scheduling, budgets, resources, and communications, but they can also help identify best practices throughout the product development process.

One reason web-based applications for project teams has been so popular is its ability to connect users from anywhere in real-time. Many manufacturers have relationships with groups in China or Mexico, while many IT developers have teams in India. Using a web-based tool solves the time zone problem as well as the “versioning” problem, so every team member has access to the same information.

Open Workbench is a good example of a web-based, open source project management tool. It’s optimized for Windows, with similar functionality to Microsoft Project (a comparison page is available on the Open Workbench website). The code is available for customization, and like most open source tools, it is free to any number of users and any type of organization. They make a profit through training documentation, though user forums are also available at no cost. Open Workbench is also available in French and German, allowing international enterprises to collaborate within the same application.

Another key player in this industry is Mingle, a product of ThoughtWorks Studios. It is geared specifically towards Agile software development teams. The set up mimics a “card wall” or “sticky note wall,” so that it mimics the old standard tracking method of leaving notes for team members. The tasks can be arranged and color-coded according to their importance and time sensitivity. Though web-based like Open Workbench, it’s not open source, which allows for little independent customization. It’s also not free. At $59 per user per month, it could be an expensive tool for larger teams.

Another good option is Project Insight, who’s client list includes toy companies, software developers, ad agencies, and design firms. Their goal is to create features that, “satisfy experienced project managers and are easy enough for team member to learn and adopt.” The pricing model is slightly more affordable than Mingle, starting at $250 a month for the package plus hosting. Project Insight is also carefully integrated with MS Office products, allowing users to import existing Project files into Project Insight. The most interesting thing about their tool is it’s appeal to different development teams in different industries. For example, Razor USA, best known for the Razor scooter, has incorporated Project Insight into their team activities including design, development, and manufacturing. “The [Razor] product design and development team is in Los Angeles and the manufacturing is in Asia, so coordinating tasks and activities across the globe is imperative.” This web-based model allows collaboration in real-time.

Project management software is one of the early adopters of the trend towards web-based applications, and we’ll likely see more tools for enterprise following this model. As businesses continues to embrace the global economy, software will also need to adapt to meet the needs of international development teams.

Following a year slumping stock prices and weeks of lay-off rumors, Microsoft has made their move, bidding a reported $44.6 billion for search engine Yahoo! Inc. The bid was unsolicited, and it has the technology world buzzing with excitement. This is perhaps the most calculated move which Microsoft has made in response to Google’s dominance of online advertising and search, and industry experts are eager to see how the takeover will play out.

In a press release issued this morning, Yahoo! states: “The Company said that its Board of Directors will evaluate this proposal carefully and promptly in the context of Yahoo!’s strategic plans and pursue the best course of action to maximize long-term value for shareholders.” If they really want to please the shareholders, they’ll take the money and run. Their profits have declined for five consecutive quarters, and they’ve announced significant lay-offs later this month. The deal would be a 62 percent increase over the closing price of their stock on Thursday. Microsoft’s offer is $31 per share, which is no doubt an attempt to pounce while Yahoo is weak.

If the deal goes through, it would be largest acquisition Microsoft has ever made. The AP spoke with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, and he is optimistic about the deal. “This is a decision we have - and I have - thought long and hard about. We are confident it’s the right path for Microsoft and Yahoo.” Ballmer also issued a press release expressing his hopes for the future: “We believe our combination will deliver superior value to our respective shareholders and better choice and innovation to our customers and industry partners.”

The deal would increase competition in the growing online advertising market, a space in which both Yahoo! and Microsoft have struggled. The online ad industry is expected to double by 2010, and Google currently holds the keys to the kingdom. Despite its popularity as a portal site, Yahoo! has failed to attract major advertising dollars. The deal could also lead to a combined search engine, drawing on users from Yahoo and MSN, which are both failing to compete with Google’s 60 percent share of the search market.

What does this mean for current Yahoo and Microsoft users? The Guardian is predicting that Flickr and Upcoming could replace Microsoft products which aren’t as popular. They also expect web-based office suites could be rolled out to rival Google Apps. Microsoft’s Office suite software could be accessible to Yahoo! Mail users, a strong user-base for the company. Microsoft has made no promises regarding branding, however, so major changes to Yahoo!’s image could be forthcoming.

The Justice Department has expressed interest in examining the deal, which could create significant problems for Microsoft. Google recently faced opposition in its acquisition of DoubleClick, though the merger was eventually cleared by the FCC. Microsoft has indicated their strong commitment to this deal, and negotiations may turn hostile. In their letter to the Yahoo! Board of Directors, Microsoft says it, “reserves the right to pursue all necessary steps to ensure that Yahoo!’s shareholders are provided with the opportunity to realize the value inherent in our proposal.”

Rest assured, bloggers and news outlets around the world will be watching this story, and it will be fascinating to see if Microsoft has finally struck a deal that will give them the chance to compete with Google.