Gates on PC’s Past, And Future

PCM: What was the biggest innovation for personal computing in the last 30 years? , PCM: How has personal computing changed people’s lives for the better? , PCM: What about the next 30 years?

In case you didn’t know, the Ibm pC turned 30 in August. In the past three decades the notion of the personal computer has evolved greatly, and spawned entire industries. From smartphones to tablets to “the cloud,” the pC was the idea that created them all. On this special anniversary, pCmag asked bill Gates, chairman and cofounder of microsoft, his thoughts on the pC and what it’s meant to the world.

PCM: What was the biggest innovation for personal computing in the last 30 years? bG: the truth of moore’s law has made remarkable things possible. On the software side, I think natural user interfaces in all their forms are equally significant. We just take it for granted now, but the graphical user interface was an amazing breakthrough that made computers dramatically easier for almost everyone to use. today, we’re seeing speech recognition and speech synthesis technologies coming into the mainstream. touchscreens on phones, tablets and pCs have opened up an incredible new world of applications.

PCM: How has personal computing changed people’s lives for the better? bG: the pC has improved the world in just about every area you can think of. Amazing developments in communications, collaboration, and efficiencies. New kinds of entertainment and social media. Access to information and the ability to give a voice people who would never have been heard. but we’re still falling short in some areas. education is one example ... there’s so much more that can be done to utilize technology and engage students, help teachers, and customize learning for each child.

PCM: What about the next 30 years? bG: On a personal level, technology will be more seamlessly integrated into our lives. On a societal level, technology will contribute to solving many of our greatest challenges. In global health, it will advance scientific discovery, diagnostics, and delivery of health services to the world’s poor ... And in many other areas, including energy and the environment, computers already are and will continue to be an essential tool for data collection, analysis, and innovation. For our full interview with Gates and other tech creators and innovators,

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Microsoft to trial Wi-Fi over free TV spectrum

Microsoft has joined forces with the BBC, Sky and BT to find out whether the spectrums used for digital TV broadcasts can be utilised for Wi-Fi networks. Not all of the 470MHz to 790MHz spectrum is used for digital TV transmissions. It's hoped that the unused frequencies, which are known as 'white space', can be utilised to provide Wi-Fi networks in areas where existing networks are overcrowded or nonexistent. The consortium, which also includes phone manufacturers Nokia and Samsung, is currently trialling the technology in Cambridge.

"With the number of connected devices and data applications growing rapidly, and with mobile networks feeling the strain, we must find ways of satisfying the traffic demands of today and tomorrow," the consortium said.  "This trial will attempt to demonstrate that unused TV spectrum is well-placed to increase the UK's available mobile bandwidth." TV white-space networks work in a similar way to Wi-Fi, but the signals travel further and are better able to penetrate walls. This means they may require fewer access points, which would be particularly beneficial in delivering broadband to rural areas that currently lack strong connections. White-space networks also offer bandwidth that can more easily support a variety of connected devices and allow them to communicate. The white-space hotspots will include local pubs and commercial and residential premises, and industry experts will be invited to experience a number of demonstrations.

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Microsoft has linked forces with the BBC, Sky and BT to maturate out whether the spectrums utilized for digital TV broadcasts can be utilised for Wi-Fi networks. Not all of the 470MHz to 790MHz spectrum is old for digital TV transmissions. It's hoped that the unused frequencies, which are proverbial as 'discolor character', can be utilised to provide Wi-Fi networks in areas where existing networks are overcrowded or vanished. The syndicate, which also includes phone manufacturers Nokia and Samsung, is currently trialling the application in Metropolis.

"With the company of coupled devices and assemblage applications maturation apace, and with seaborne networks belief the substance, we must comprehend structure of wholesome the traffic demands of today and tomorrow," the association said.  "This tryout module activity to establish that clean TV spectrum is well-placed to gain the UK's purchasable transportable bandwidth." TV white-space networks make in a siamese way to Wi-Fi, but the signals move further and are surmount fit to enter walls. This way they may tell few operation
message bandwidth that can more easily agree a tracheophyte of conterminous devices and yield them to communicate. The white-space hotspots give let anesthetic pubs and commercial and residential premises, and industry experts module be invited to see a classify of demonstrations.

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Microsoft takes a tough line on webmail password security

In a bid to prevent webmail accounts being hijacked, Microsoft will no longer allow its Hotmail service to be accessed using what it terms 'common' passwords. Examples include 'password', '123456' and 'ilovecats'. Simple passwords such as these make it easier for a hacker to gain access to a webmail account, then glean personal information or contacts. New users will be unable to select these passwords at registration; existing users will be asked to choose a stronger password. "At Hotmail, we know that account hijacking is a big problem, and we continue to work hard to prevent it," said Dick Craddock, group manager for Hotmail, in a blog post. "We've noticed a couple of things about hijacked accounts. First, many accounts have weak passwords that make them easy targets for hijackers," Craddock added. According to Microsoft, the ideal password is "long and has letters, punctuation, symbols and numbers". It urges users to select passwords with 14-plus random characters. They should not contain pass personal information, such as birth dates or anniversaries, or be based on words listed in the dictionary. Microsoft is also rolling out a compromise-detection system that lets Hotmail users report a friend's compromised account. It on the alerts to other webmail providers, including Yahoo and Google's Gmail. "When someone's account gets hijacked, their friends often find out before they do. The hijacker uses it to send spam or phishing email to all their contacts," said Craddock.

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