Kyle LeBoeuf

While browsing lifehacker this afternoon I came across this nugget (emphasis mine):

“Over at ZDNet, Windows expert Ed Bott shows how to install iTunes components piece-by-piece, starting with extracting the components from the installer so that you can install each piece separately—he also walks through exactly which pieces you’ll need to install depending on which iPod model you have, or which features you are using. It’s a great read for anybody stuck using iTunes on Windows.”

I don’t like this because it’s phrased as if using iTunes on Windows is a bad thing. Great media player/iPod manager

“Install iTunes 10 Without the Extra Bloatware” (Lifehacker)

Since lunchtime has already passed, I figured I’d call this something else. I took some time to sift through my Google Reader updates and share some nice read links with you.

- CrunchGear comments on RealNetwork’s claim that it will sell ReadDVD as if “nothing ever happened” if it wins its lawsuit with the MPAA. I don’t really see this going in favor of RealNetworks. Even if it leaves the CSS intact, it still lets you copy the DVD, thus guaranteeing a MPAA freak-out.

- Also on CrunchGear is an interesting post about a girl who sent over 14,528 messages in a single month. That’s insane. I text a lot, but I only have about half that number for the previous month.

- Lifehacker offers up an alternative to XP users who want to get the Windows 7 eye-candy but still remain within the safe zone of stable release software via several desktop customization hacks

- Shirt.woot seems to have run into a FUBAR-situation with it’s planned shirt for the day,  so instead, it’s offering another random shirt day. Joy. In for 3.

- There’s been lots of discussion in the blogosphere over the past couple of days over Google Chrome’s development path, and it’s only been increased following this CNET interview with Chrome’s product manager. He claims that a Mac version is not far away. Is it just me, or is the development for this thing moving at a very high pace? Or maybe Google has a facination with version numbers…

That’s all I have for right now. Maybe I’ll update the post later.

Kyle

Imagine this scenario:

You are part of a multi-billion software company, with your software being used on anywhere from 90-95% of all computers in the world. Now, imagine that you are working on the next highly-anticipated iteration of your flagship product. You announce that you will be distributing a free beta of this new product to the public, to folks who offer good feedback on your product for free, on top of allowing consumers to get used to the product and getting to see it in action.

Now, imagine that after building up anticipation for the release of this beta, you launch this product using servers designed to handle a small fraction of this expected demanded. Your servers crash, leaving millions of customers (and writers) frustrated, for something you should’ve been prepared for in the first place.

Yes folks, this actually happened. That company’s name is none other than Microsoft! They announced that 2.5 million downloads of the Windows 7 Beta 1 would be available to the public, and the story was picked up by tons of different blogs and publications. The publicity surrounding this beta was extremely high, especially following the Microsoft Keynote at CES and the flurry of coverage surrounding the operating system at that time.

So, you’re Microsoft, and you see that everyone knows about the download you will be posting, and what do you do? In this case, Microsoft decided not to prepare for the surge in traffic. Their reward? Server crashes and lot of upset folks. They were forced to pull down their servers while they upgrade the infrastructure and prepare for the traffic (WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!!!!!).

Here’s an image, for effect (click to make larger):

From the Windows 7 beta download page:

“Thanks for your interest in the Windows 7 Beta. The volume has been phenomenal — we’re in the process of adding more servers to handle the demand. We’re sorry for the delay and we’ll re-post the Beta as soon as we can ensure a quality download experience.”

Gina Trapani, top editor for the blog Lifehacker, shares my sentiments.

Come on Microsoft. We all know that you’ve got a ton of cash laying around. Invest in the hardware, spend the money, and don’t disappoint your market.

Kyle