So while technically this is an operating system blog, it is hard to pass up posting about the iPad. For the uninformed, the iPad is the new tablet computer from Apple. To say the least it is not getting the warmest of welcomes right now. Here are a couple of its shortcomings followed up by some humor at its expense:

No Flash support
No Multitasking
No USB
No Camera
4:3 Aspect ratio
Locked into using iTunes
Its name sounds like a feminine hygiene product
No GPS
Models with 3G cost more and is still locked to AT&T
It has a MASSIVE bezel around the edge.

Check It Out> Fail Blog, Youtube

A year ago I wrote a post called Windows 7 Search Sucks! and it has without question, been the most popular post I have ever written. The reason for this should be obvious to anyone that has tried to use this feature of Windows 7.  I had hoped that the problems with it were due to it being in beta, but my hopes were dashed as soon as it went RTM.

If you are in the same boat as the rest of that hate this feature, there are alternatives. My favorite that I have continually gone back to time and time again is called “Everything”. While it is probably not the best name for a search engine, it does do an excellent job.

Maybe the Microsoft employees that read this blog could put some pressure on the Search Team to actually do something about Windows 7. In its current state it is an embarrassment to both Windows 7 and Microsoft.

Download Everything

Remember all of that chaos from Microsoft’s launch of  Windows 95?  Windows 7 did make people as crazy as Windows 95 did but apparently that was not necessary. “Windows 7 is by far the fastest selling Operating System in history” -Craig Beilinson. Mr. Beilinson did not release the actual sales data for Windows 7 but we can assume it is pretty substantial.

With the saturation of computers today and an operating system like Windows 7 being so universal, it is easy to see why so many people rushed out to purchase it. It has successfully revived many older computers (and Netbooks) that otherwise would not see a modern operating system.

Check It Out> Fast Company,

A year ago Palm announced at CES it’s new webOS and Pre smartphone which took the show by storm. As much promise as it appeared to have, when it was actually released people were not as receptive to it because of it being on the less than spectacular Sprint network. Things are about to change however as there is expected to be a big announcement from Palm at this years CES:  OpenGL Graphics!

While it is still speculation as to exactly what they will announce, the latest release for webOS (version 1.3.5) has brought a lot of surprises including the addition of OpenGL ES files. This has enabled the WebOS Internals team to release DOOM for webOS via Preware (an application used to load un-official applications onto the Pre). This also gives more evidence that the Need For Speed video released this past November was real despite everyone saying it was a fake.

Check It Out> Precentral

When it comes to creating a full application for an operating system, no one makes it easier than Palm. They have received a lot of publicity for the sole fact that their new smartphone operating system is primarily focused on standard web technologies. This allows developers to get started very quickly with languages they are already familiar with. As if using html, CSS, html5 and JavaScript was not enough, now they have released Ares.

Ares is a development environment that is fully hosted inside of an Internet browser.

Ares Features:

• Complete integrated development environment
  • Drag-and-drop interface builder
  • Code editor
  • Visual debugger
  • Log viewer
  • Source control integration
• Fingertip access to the full library of Mojo UI widgets
• Push-button project & scene creation
• Drag-and-drop file upload
• Instant project upload & download for seamless desktop/cloud workflow
• Preview apps in the browser
• Run apps directly on the webOS emulator or device (requires SDK installation)
• Use Ares in Safari, Chrome or Firefox

This past weekend it was released to Beta status and anyone can try it after registering for the Palm Developer Network. When it comes to developing an application it is hard for it to get much easier than Ares. Palm has gone above and beyond any other mobile device manufacture to make it this way so that developers will get involved with the webOS platform. While easy, it is still powerful and is only going to be getting more powerful as time goes on.

Check It Out> Ares