Problem with Windows Vista solved

Back in a previous life I wrote software for Windows. I just got off of a support call for some software that I once wrote and the results of that call helped explain why Windows Vista is having so many problems with previously built software. It turns out the default installation location is no longer Program Files but rather Program Files (x86). So basically, lots of software that is out there will be referencing "Program Files" specifically when they read or save data and that will cause a problem. The solution is easy. If you have a program called 'videogame', just look for it in C:\Program Files (x86)\ and copy it into C:\Program Files\ and you'll be up and running.

I am going to assume that if programmers had used the special term [Program Files] in their programming folder references rather than hard coding the references, that the upgrade wouldn't be a problem. Still, bad move by Microsoft to change something so foundational. You might as well have not tried to make things backwards compatible at all if you were going to do that.

MC Hammer, Blogging, and I can still do the running man

After listening to Ruth McCartney speak last week I feel a little more in touch with the music scene as it relates to IT and using it to keep in contact with fans. The same concepts apply to companies who make products and should be cultivating their fan base. Even MC Hammer has a blog.

http://mchammer.blogspot.com/

http://mchammer.blogspot.com/2008/03/blast24-running-man.html

I scrolled down and clicked on the one that mentioned the running man. I love the fact that Hammer not only posted it but commented on it. Hilarious. I can still do these moves by the way.