simon-may.com - Latest Comments

Re: Why monitor Windows Azure with System Center?

Jenniferstanfield — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 23:44:55 -0000

someone deleated my reimage drive on 7and i bought the program on techNet and it now says its not compatiable after scan and took my payment wont resent key for software

Re: Stream Spotify to your Squeezebox or WMP

Jmeldrum76 — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:45:32 -0000

There is no c:\program files\spotify on windows 7.

Re: A tour of Microsoft’s Datacentres

Tony Sutcliffe — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 08:46:40 -0000

This is a superb video - something that everyone working in IT depts of all sizes should see.

Re: Well done Logitech!

Dave Hudson — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 14:26:16 -0000

i disagree - you were spot on - apparently you haven't rebooted your PC in a while. EVERYTIME I reboot that stupid box pops up and I click "dont take survey" every time. I've been a long time logitech buyer, but this is enough to make me stop.....

Re: I’m now an MTA (Microsoft Technology Associate)

Mark — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 14:24:37 -0000

Hi Simon, how did you manage to find somewhere in the UK to buy the exam voucher and take the exam, I'm having no luck finding anywhere

Re: Why you need to get off Windows XP and move to Windows 7

Jurman — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 10:51:37 -0000

Question! Has Windows 7 been accepted as a reliable Operating System by the Computer Forensic Investigations Industry and the courts? As far as I know Windows XP Professional is still the proffered Investigative Operating System Tool that is accepted by all courts world wide.

And what of those who cant install Windows 7 due to their computer is to old? Just leave them out in the cold! that's like saying "get a new computer tight arse" or "cant afford a new computer, tough" is it not.

Re: Welcome to the “post PC era” no wait it’s not

michael greenland — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 08:55:23 -0000

Thom, I am agreeing with the definition, but not the sentiment. We ARE in the Post-PC era.

Post-PC is device agnostic, yes. Well, less about the arrogant machine, anyway. 'How do I learn how to use this, how long will it take me to learn to operate' is replaced with 'What can this device enable me to do right now, this second?'

The video is interesting, but for designers - offers nothing 'new'. Minority Report was 2002, and this takes us no further, other than placing the tech in less dramatic situations. Designers learn this stuff at Uni, and ask far more far reaching questions. (Like - how do we replace the screen - even when it's translucent - it's kind of anti-social).

It's less about device, and all about experience and enablement. How can we enable people to do more, with less?

Post-PC is actually about Post-'sit up at the keyboard and type', and more about - let's go! It's the difference between the stone tablet and the invention of paper, and the freedom to use, rather than learn. 20 years from now, I think we'll be saying that the iOS was the watershed moment. The moment when computing became accessible. When the interface became user-centric.

The focus now - is how do we make this technology democratic - and truly enable people.

Re: Welcome to the “post PC era” no wait it’s not

Thom McKiernan — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 11:49:59 -0000

I decided to expand on my thought's on my own blog » What is the Post-PC era and are we there yet? http://bit.ly/lydyvc

Re: Welcome to the “post PC era” no wait it’s not

Thom McKiernan — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 04:11:00 -0000

So what you are basically saying, Michael, is that Simon is correct in his definition?

To me, "post-PC" is something we are seeing the beginning of but it's not due to the latest slate/tablet or whatever smartphone is around. Those devices are, as Simon states, still PCs.

Post-PC is not about the device, it is about the user.

I, as a person, will become "post-pc" because I won't need to worry about one particular device. The Internet started this off and the "cloud" is taking it to the next level (along with the connected services and devices).

The Microsoft 2019 vision video (http://bit.ly/iVXJ49) is a good example of what I see "Post-PC" as, with children communicating through glass etc. not becuase there is no beige box on the table, or Skyping each other through a smartphone but because of the way they are communicating with each other.

Post-PC is when people come before the device

Re: Welcome to the “post PC era” no wait it’s not

michael greenland — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:28:33 -0000

Simon - excellent response to my blog. Maybe, being cynical, the fact that PC is universal term fits Steve Job's aims in more than one way - Post-PC, a sideswipe at a close relative.

Before anyone says I’m an Apple Fanboy - I’ve moved from an iPhone to an Android device - as the user experience is more mature on Android - and I mentioned before - I use both PC and Mac.

For the masses, who don't use Smartphones or Computers, I guess the premise of Post-PC will be quite meaningless. For those that do though - I think we have to be realistic.

Taking the discussion up a notch - and the question of semantics - I think the truth is that PC (as a description) defines an era. It is an era firmly anchored in films such Superman III, Jumping Jack Flash and Weird Science. Beige 'terminals', with green screens and keyboards akin to a plastic box of 'Terry's All Gold'. PC, as a term belongs to the likes of Sir Clive Sinclair and Alan Sugar. ‘Amstrad CPC 464'. ‘IBM PC’. Sadly, PC is more associated with the woolly jumper, floppy discs and C:/ardigans. And - I think - the term PC will always be associated there too. Just look at the Wikipedia description. It's not only a tad inaccurate, but is says little about the human enablement factor, and more about the boxes. Lots of boxes. And lots of wires.

It does come down to semantics really though I suppose. I'd love to agree with your sentiment of we’re not Post-PC - but I don't. Personal Computing was special when it was new. In the 80's, 'personal' was hip. Personal Stereo. Personal Computer. Personal Banking. Personal (hey everyone, you’re an individual, and so is our product). But now we've all got 'Personal Computers' in our pockets..., they're not special in the same way anymore. So PC, as a term - it may be used (due to the amount of “PC’s” out there) - but it belongs more to the era of Neon socks and Space invaders - and Monster Munch. And there in lies the problem. (In fact - in the era of the PC - when schools shared one BBC Micro with 200 pupils - it was anything but personal).

As soon as we say ‘Post-PC’ therefore, we’re kinda saying ‘Post-Knight Rider’, or ‘Post-Legwarmers’. Or even ‘Post-Van Halen’. Some of these come back in different guises, but the original - anchors it firmly in the past.

Computers are Charles Babbage and Punchcards, and huge tape reels. Our computing now - has moved on. When we can recall our favourite music during our lives from our device, and trust these devices with our family album - they’ve moved beyond mere ‘Computing’ - and into our daily stream of thought. ‘Computing’ was something you did. But we’ve moved that out of the way. Now - we just ‘do’.

So - Post-PC. I guess for me, means we’ve gone past that dogma. Touch is the new, the hip, the cool. And a touch device is still a PC of sorts- well, ish. Only it isn’t. The difference between a touch device and a screen + keyboard +/- box combo is the difference between a proper Barista in a Coffee Bar and a warm cup of brown in a Transport Caff. Sure, the latter is still coffee. But the former is refined, considered, and made to enjoy - and delivered to delight and entrance. The problem with the PC of old is that it was always slightly overwhelming. Like it knew more than you, and you were the fleshy input device - rather than the other way around. The PC - as a device - was extremely arrogant.

So the promise of touch devices - notice I’m not saying touch computing - is that suddenly, the device is here to help. It changes on the fly to help us work with it. Human.

For me therefore - I’m saying that we truly are Post-PC. By humanising the technology, the technology is fading away. ‘Hi-tech’ is ‘low-tech’. User experience wins. Quiet, considered, seamless user experience. True human enablement doesn’t come with a programming language - it comes with simplicity. When your grandmother can write an email and add an attachment; and when your four-year old is mixing songs - then the tech has moved out of the way.

I’d love to see Microsoft move Laptops and Desktops away from the monicker of ‘PC’, and into something else. Something less ‘PC’, and more about the enablement. More about life. the promise of PC's - was never Personal Computing. It was always enablement. But it never took the time to explain - until now.

In the 1980’s, ‘Personal’ was the leading edge. In the 2010's, ‘Social’ is the norm. In the world of devices, it’s not about ‘my PC’ anymore. It’s about our shared experience, or sharing. In that respect - the devices we carry are not PC’s, but are something entirely different. Tablets do not belong to the PC world. They belong to a new generation of devices. They may ‘compute’, but they are no longer ‘computers’.

Post-PC - it’s here, it’s now. The question is - what’s next?

Re: How the public cloud affects your IT Department

Simon May — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 04:09:33 -0000

Hi Martin,

You are correct there are about 5 spelling mistakes and 2 grammar mistakes in the post - will try not to do that again ...

Si

Re: How the public cloud affects your IT Department

Martin Anderson — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 02:15:35 -0000

This is a fantastic blog with great info and analysis, but the grammar, punctuation and spelling is in severe need of attention. I don't just mean the odd glitch - this is something that's really going to hold you back, and it's crazy, because you're a very good writer.

Re: Resources from my #uktechdays “Better Together” session

Amit Dalvi — Thu, 26 May 2011 05:36:23 -0000

Hi Simon, Could you please advise on the link where you have uploaded all the Slide Decks and Demos for 23rd and 24th?
Amit

Re: How to backup iTunes before your Windows 7 upgrade

yousuck — Fri, 20 May 2011 14:29:51 -0000

wow, this is useless.

Re: Learn more about Windows XP video

salmanshah — Fri, 06 May 2011 05:04:11 -0000

Wow. Luckily I still have the Technology to play the device. VCR player :)

Re: 2 Story Concrete Slide in a Home

Concrete Polishing — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 03:21:40 -0000

It was interesting. You seem very knowledgeable in your field.

Re: Apple Wireless Keyboard with Windows 7

Anthonylyons87 — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 23:34:09 -0000

cant sorry not can cant lol

Re: Apple Wireless Keyboard with Windows 7

Anthonylyons87 — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 23:32:54 -0000

i can pair or find my apple keyboard i try to discover but can find help please

Re: Moving your website to SharePoint 2010–guest post by Applicable

nuxnix — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 07:07:57 -0000

Delighted to see @appl1cable featured after all our hard work on this very social #SharePoint

Re: How to backup iTunes before your Windows 7 upgrade

Sjrmay — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 17:00:25 -0000

I don't think itunes supports that

Re: How to backup iTunes before your Windows 7 upgrade

Crowsriver — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 13:13:10 -0000

What if you want to backup to external hard drive?

Re: Y-CAM

Kevin Leon Clarke — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 15:26:06 -0000

Any joy getting this to work with Windows 7 Phone?

Re: Free Apps

Thom McKiernan — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 11:15:07 -0000

Just wanted to point out a typo. You say "Winodws Mobile" at the end of the 1st paragraph.
So when are we going to see some of you WP7 apps? ;)

Re: Windows 7 RC has 15 days left (Updated)

remove antivirus action virus — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 07:44:58 -0000

I still use XP:P

Re: Who can legally get to your data in the cloud

Mark Wilson — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 10:01:08 -0000

Correction: The law applies to any other *US-based* cloud provider.

Critically, as I understand it (and note I'm not a lawyer), if the Patriot Act is invoked to move data outside the EU for a customer with a presence inside the EU, that could incriminate the IT Director from that EU organisation.

As for Safe Harbor, isn't that just a guideline, so Patriot Act (law) trumps any safe harbor considerations?

The real issue here is that cloud services do not live within one jurisdiction. What's lacking right now though is some clarity as to what the legal impact is for hosting data with Microsoft (or any other cloud provider) who is legally subject to laws such as the US Patriot Act (I'm sure there are others elsewhere too).