Archive for August, 2007

Halo 3 Released to Manufacturing

Published at 08/31/2007 in Computers. View Comments

A couple of days ago the folks over at Bungie Studios sent a little something out the doors. They released the final code for Halo 3 to go to manufacturing and reproduction.

Three years in the making by renowned developer Bungie Studios, Halo 3 is now finished and will begin its journey to store shelves around the world in less than four weeks. Halo 3, which has already set new records as the fastest pre-ordered game in history, has exceeded one million presales in North America alone. The title is set to shatter day-one entertainment sales records when it is released worldwide beginning Tuesday, September 25.

“This is a huge milestone for us and a big cause for celebration at Bungie and Microsoft Game Studios,” said Harold Ryan, Studio Head at Bungie Studios. “This is the game we’ve always wanted to make and certainly the best game our studio has developed. We can’t wait for gamers to get their hands on it on September 25.”

It’s pretty impressive to me to think they’re expecting single day sales records for this game in the stores in less than 4 weeks. I’ll be it’s a pretty impressive process to see these factories churn out millions of copies of this game ready to be put on store shelves. I’d like to see that on “How It’s Made”.

Oh yeah! If my boss is reading this. If I happen to call off of work on Wednesday, September 26th, it’s only a coincidence okay?

Source: Halo 3 Released to Manufacturing

Should Microsoft Stop Selling and Just Rent Their Software?

Published at 08/31/2007 in Computers. View Comments

An article by Dana Blankenhorn on ZDNet.com has an interesting question she’s posing. At least I think this is a question she’s posing. Her article actually states that Microsoft should be afraid of open-source software, but I’m not sure that’s actually the case.

What they may need to be concerned with is a change in the software and computer application industry space and adjust accordingly.

Instead of selling Windows for, say, $150, through an OEM, sell one year of it for $99. Require registration for updates, and then charge $75/year for maintenance, just like the anti-virals do.

The same thing with Office. Don’t sell it for $500. Sell it for $300, but for one year only. Then ask for another year of maintenance. Or, even better, get their credit card and charge $30/month for the whole shebang, Windows, Office and all.

Now you’ve got recurring revenue, you’re actually getting more than retail (because people keep PCs for three years, not two), and you’ve got constant access to the customer’s PC in order to provide the service that customer is paying for.

That does make sense to me, but I’m just not sure how many people would adjust to that model.

For example, I keep my computers for quite awhile without upgrading them completely. I upgrade to a new Windows version when they come out, which isn’t exactly regularly. I’ll upgrade my Office applications maybe every version, maybe skipping one. ( I LOVE OFFICE 2007). For each of these purchases I plop down a chunk of cash, consider it an investment and I’m done with it. I don’t really think about the purchase price anymore.

Continue reading ‘Should Microsoft Stop Selling and Just Rent Their Software?’

I Missed A Windows Home Server Seminar

Published at 08/31/2007 in Computers. View Comments

This week has just been crazy, and it looked a lot like the 5 weeks before this one and the week to come.

The problem this week is that I couldn’t squeeze into my calendar a seminar in my area that was going to be devoted to Microsoft’s new Windows Home Server.

Totally bummed I couldn’t fit it in, so now I’m trying to see if I notice any chatter about new details that may be available.

Has anyone heard anything?

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