McDonalds (Australia) has a heck of a way to get connected to their wi-fi if using Windows. Mac users get the quick and easy instructions. For us Windows users, they go through a huge amount of information that really isn’t needed.

For most users, their PC’s are already setup for DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol – automatically gets an IP address from the server) and DNS.

When I visit McDonalds, I connect to the wireless internet the same way as usual. It pops up on the available networks list, just as simple as the Mac. So, is McDonalds very Mac biased, or do they not understand Windows networking?

Sorry, McDonalds, you need someone else to write your wi-fi setup instructions. Someone that actually knows how Windows works and how to use it. The writer was obviously used to a Mac and didn’t know how using Windows!

My favorite search engine should be dropped according to the New York Times. Bing is a great search engine, but it’s cash flow is really horrible. Bleeding $2.6 billion dollars last fiscal year, it hasn’t been Microsoft’s golden child. But, if Bing were to go to the wayside, Microsoft would lose a big online “billboard” of advertising. Personally, I prefer Bing to Google, and it’s results are getting quite a bit better. When searching Google, I find myself visiting more irrelevant links than when using Bing.

Of course, the NYT mentions Apple may be a better owner for Bing. How’s that going to work? Bing is a type of cherry, not Apple.

Microsoft needs to concentrate on a different kind of search: finding a buyer for Bing, its online search business. Bing is the industry’s distant No. 2 after Google. It has become a distraction for the software giant — one that costs shareholders dearly. The division that houses Bing lost $2.6 billion in the latest fiscal year. Facebook, or even Apple, might make a better home for Bing. A sale would be a boon for Microsoft’s investors.

Ex-Microsoft manager Bob Muglia is moving to network giant Juniper to be the executive vice president of it’s software solutions division. He joins another ex-Microsoft employee: Kevin Johnson, former president of platforms and services division.

"We are excited to have a leader of Bob’s caliber coming on board to lead Juniper’s software initiatives, and I’m confident that his vision, management savvy and technical expertise will bring tremendous value to our organization," said Johnson in a statement. "As we continue to execute on our growth strategy centered on systems and software, we look forward to Bob playing a central role in extending our leadership position in network-powered software solutions."

The new Xbox 360 design has been announced, and it coincides with the release of the Star Wars Kinect game. Appearing like a familiar droid, R2D2 with a controller similar to C3PO. It also has the sounds of the little speechless droid when powering on and opening the tray. Of course, these aren’t the droids we’re looking for. Move along.

Xbox 360 Limited Edition Kinect Star Wars Bundle

This first ever custom Xbox 360 and Kinect bundle includes an R2-D2 blue-and-white themed console, a custom Xbox 360 Wireless Controller inspired by C-3PO and the first ever white Kinect sensor. The bundle is set to debut alongside Kinect Star Wars this holiday, but is available now for pre-order through participating retailers. Priced at $449.99, the Xbox 360 Limited Edition Kinect Star Wars Bundle will include:

• Kinect Star Wars game
• Custom R2-D2-themed Xbox 360 Console with custom sounds (Hear them (MP3)  – >  Power on and Tray eject)
• White Kinect Sensor
• Custom C-3PO-themed Xbox 360 Wireless Controller
• 320 GB Hard Drive
• Xbox 360 Wired Headset
• Kinect Adventures game
• Exclusive downloadable content

I am working on a new site design, made to be easier on the eyes and easier to navigate. Not to mention it will be a bit faster. Now, I’m looking for suggestions that readers would like to see included in the design. I am still leery about adding forums, as most, if not all, of my sites have tried to avoid the “Not Another Tech Site With Forums” syndrome that so many others have. There are other sites out there with very great forums with knowledgeable people helping others – I visit them at least a few times a week myself.

So, send me your comments, suggestions, wish lists, etc. on what should be included in the new site design!

For you Harry Potter fans out there, today marks the release of the newest, and final, Harry Potter film. Microsoft has also released a new theme for your desktop.

We are still roughly 6 months out for the January 2012 Consumer Electronics Show, but there is already talk about the keynote speech from Steve Ballmer. Reportedly giving the public their first taste of Windows 8 with the release of a public beta, Ballmer is going to get the crowd excited, as usual.

Microsoft’s upcoming BUILD developer event in September is expected to bring some more Windows 8 news, but more specific to developers rather than public end user consumption.

Microsoft has been keynoting at CES for a number of years and 2012 will be no different. Ballmer is set to take to the stage at 6:30PM on Monday January 9 in The Venetian. Microsoft has previously introduced the original Xbox and Avatar Kinect during its keynote address. The software giant used CES 2009 to launch the first public beta of its Windows 7 operating system.

According to Russian site MSWin.Me, Windows 8 beta may be released between July 14th and the 28th. While this is just a rumor, it may have some merit. The previous rumor was that Microsoft was going to release the Community Technology Preview at the 2011 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in Los Angeles, California in July.

As mentioned earlier, Microsoft at the end of June was to gather the community technology preview (CTP) version of Windows 8 to demonstrate (and, possibly, to "test drive") to its partners at the Conference, WPC2011, to be held in Los Angeles from 10 to 14 July. Information about whether the established this Assembly, we do not have, but there is something more meaningful: one of the team members, WZor.net has shared information about what Windows 8 beta, according to their sources, collected between 14 and 28 July.

Windows 7 had the commercials and focused on consumer feedback and suggestions to improve the operating system. It seems that with Windows 8, that is not longer the case.

A former IT manager, Chris Carlucci, had sent Microsoft an email for a suggestion to improve Windows 8. The reply he got from Microsoft Customer Service Representative Alex was less than encouraging.

For Alex began in a hopeful tone: "I understand you would like to submit suggestion for the next generation of Windows. I will be glad to assist you with the information."

However, things went a little awry in the very next paragraph: "Chris, I would like to inform you that, while Microsoft does accept suggestions for existing products and services, we do not accept suggestions for new products, technologies, processes."

So, while Microsoft may take some suggestions for products that are currently released and in production, they will not take any for upcoming products. How this makes the products better is beyond me. Perhaps to improve later editions of software, but leave the current (or near release) buggy and incomplete by a consumer viewpoint.

The Windows Live team has posted a YouTube video showing the speed difference 6 months can make with their updated Hotmail web email client. It sure has come a long way since the HoTMaiL  days. I wonder if my old (OLD) login would still work?

It appears to be around twice as fast, but I am sure there is some bias in there to make it look better than it actually is, even unintentionally. How did they squeeze some extra speed out of the client? Caching, preloading and asynchronous operations.