Microsoft Reorganization to Affect MSN Writers
October 3, 2013
Is a shakeup at MSN a loss for those of us who value news coverage? Nick Farrell at TechEye.net believes so; he indignantly reports, “Microsoft Downgrades MSN News Service.” Alas, it does seem that some of my (our?) fellow freelance writers are on the chopping block. The write-up asserts:
“Microsoft cut its MSN.com freelance and contract budget. In an industry where most of the original content comes from freelancers, this means that Microsoft is going to be playing it safe and following a news churn. “
Farrell may be jumping to conclusions here. The article he cites, “MSN Cutting Number of Contractors, Increasing Full-Time Employees” at the Seattle Times, does say Microsoft is reducing the number of contractors that write for MSN, but that they will also be adding to their full-time staff. Janet I. Tu writes:
“The company did not say how many contractor positions are being cut but did say that different vendors, who provide the contract workers, would be affected to different degrees. Full-time employees at MSN do not appear to be affected by the cuts and, indeed, the company says it’s planning to expand the number of MSN’s full-time employees.”
Tu goes on to quote Microsoft VP Brian MacDonald:
“Total dollars spent in the Puget Sound area is increasing on MSN and the Bing apps. This is a line item budget shift but absolutely not a spend reduction for cost savings.”
I’m afraid this directly contradicts Farrell’s insistence that, “according to the Seattle Times, the cuts are a result of budget-tightening and a post-reorganization cunning plan.” Hmm. Has Farrell sussed out something unstated by Microsoft (in which case, better support for his assertion would be nice), or is this a false alarm?
Cynthia Murrell, October 03, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Microsoft Gives Users Better Features in Update
October 2, 2013
Microsoft decided it was time to give its SharePoint Cloud users more features, says ZDNet in “Microsoft Raises SharePoint Online Upload Limits To 2 GB, Allows .Exe Uploads.” What is exciting users the most is the upload size has been changed from the miniscule 250 MB to 2 GB. In a world where users are producing more video and image driven content the measly 250 MB could not handle user content. Other updates include an extended period for files in the recycling bin, more file types are supported, and raised limits on site collection and list lookup thresholds.
The update is a big jump for SharePoint Cloud users, who have been working with the equivalent of a basic package for years. While users are happy about the update, there are security concerns will the new file additions:
“Addressing security concerns that could arise from allowing users to upload .exe and .dll files, Microsoft notes that SharePoint will “not execute any arbitrary EXEs or DLLs” uploaded by users from a team site or SkyDrive Pro account. It points out that SharePoint only accepts uploads from authenticated users and has Microsoft’s inbuilt AV engine amongst other layers of defense.”
It is all taken care of nice and neat. Microsoft is looking to improve SharePoint user experience and they are on the right track. Stephen Arnold of Arnold IT, a renowned search expert, wonders how search will be handled with the upgrade. They may need to beef it up just like the other features.
Whitney Grace, October 02, 2013
Microsoft Decides It Is Time To Improve SharePoint Cloud
September 30, 2013
After a long while, Microsoft will update SharePoint Cloud. CRN tells us in the article, “Microsoft Beefs Up Cloud SharePoint With More Storage, Better Management,” that SharePoint Cloud’s upgrade comes as an investment on Microsoft’s part, because it is an important name on its sixteen-billon dollar business list. Microsoft is increasing the file upload size on the Cloud-based storage from 250 MB to 2 GB per file. Also users can now store .exe and .dll files on the Cloud just like they can on a server-based SharePoint installation. The goal is to eliminate sync problems SharePoint users have. Deleted items will stay in the recycle bin for a total of ninety days, instead of thirty.
“With all these changes, Microsoft is closing a gap between SharePoint Online and the on-premise version and opening up SharePoint Online to more users, Matt Scherocman, president of Interlink Cloud Advisors, a Cincinnati-based Microsoft, told CRN.”
Microsoft is giving its users more liberty and flexibility to work across multiple devices. To remain competitive this is the advantage it needs to remain a big league player. Stephen E Arnold of Arnold IT is curious how Microsoft will handle the search aspect of the Cloud. Will it be deployed across the server and the Cloud-based installation? What about security issues if that is the case? The updates are necessary, but it is important to not forget findability.
Whitney Grace, September 30, 2013
Improved SharePoint Migration with Metalogix
September 30, 2013
It is big business to improve on the SharePoint infrastructure, and countless companies specialize in add-ons and customization. Metalogix throws their name into the ring. Read more in the story, “Improved SharePoint Migration with Metalogix Content Matrix 6.2.”
The article begins:
“Metalogix has released Content Matrix 6.2, featuring a new tool for administrators to allow site and site collection owners, as well as power users, to tag, classify and organize SharePoint content. Metalogix says Content Matrix 6.2 offers an easier way for organizations to keep content organized as they migrate to SharePoint 2013 or Office 365.”
So organization and ease of migration are goals for the Metalogix product, but some say that these are problems that SharePoint users should not have to overcome. Stephen E. Arnold, one of the leading search expert with 30 years of experience, keeps an eye on SharePoint news on his Web presence, Beyond Search.
He asks the question:
“Does any of the enterprise software work without legions of technical experts applying bandages 24×7? Of the hundreds of thousands of apps, how many are in for the long haul?”
For now SharePoint augmentation and customization is big business, and there are plenty of options on the market. We will follow Arnold and see what comes down the pipe for SharePoint.
Emily Rae Aldridge, September 30, 2013
SharePoint Training Makes A Novice An Expert
September 29, 2013
Stephen Arnold, the noted search expert of Arnold IT, alerted me to PR Web’s news on trainings: “SharePoint Solutions Announces New SharePoint Training Classes In Nashville.” The different types of experience you have under your belt make all the difference between failure and success. Arnold notes that with the proper training the chances of success are increased, so it might be a good idea for those in or near the Nashville area to sign up for the classes. If one cannot make it to Nashville, the classes are offered live online.
SharePoint Solutions will be teaching the sessions, with the first beginning September 24. Training sessions have been scheduled for September, October, and November.
“ ‘Our courses provide students with practical hands-on training from instructors who are not only experts in SharePoint, but also experts in communicating technical information in a helpful, easy-to-understand manner,’ said Randy Moody, sales and marketing representative for SharePoint Solutions.”
The classes cover a variety of topics that include an introduction to SharePoint, basic business intelligence training, and trainings involving InfoPath. Becoming an expert in anything, such as Arnold with search, takes time to learn the fundamentals. SharePoint Solution’s courses are the basic tools to get you started on becoming a SharePoint expert.
Whitney Grace, September 29, 2013
Tahoe Partners are Microsoft Business Critical
September 28, 2013
Tahoe Partners is a Chicago-based consulting firm that was recently awarded as a Microsoft Business-Critical SharePoint program. You can read all the details in the press release, “Tahoe Partners Selected to Microsoft Business Critical SharePoint Program.”
The article gives a little more information about the BCSP program:
“The Business-Critical SharePoint (BCSP) partner program is focused on expanding the market for building and delivering business-critical solutions by connecting line-of-business (LOB) systems with SharePoint.”
But according to Stephen E. Arnold, an industry leader in search technologies, a SharePoint stamp of approval does not go very far these days. In his article, “Software: Its Dark Side and Search,” Arnold states the trouble with current enterprise search options:
“Findability is not making much progress. I am not sure the developers are to blame. Computational boundaries, the complexity of language, and the ‘needs’ of the busy worker contribute to systems which are increasingly alike. The enterprise search systems are equally useful and equally disappointing. Good business for consultants and technical wellness staff comes from the present situation.”
So perhaps the Microsoft BCSP is just an acknowledgement that SharePoint only works well when supplemented and augmented.
Emily Rae Aldridge, September 28, 2013
Rethink SharePoint Authentications
September 27, 2013
Microsoft’s recent SharePoint security bulletin left a few developers shaking in their the code. According to Threat Post’s article, “SharePoint Fixes Priority For September 2013 Patch Tuesday,” online SharePoint installations are vulnerable to thirteen critical threats and Microsoft only patched ten of them. The threats lead to remote code execution on the collaboration server. Nearly all versions of SharePoint are affected and any installation that has disabled the user highest risk.
The CVE-2013-1330 bug is the worst threat. It is a remote code execution that gives the attacker privileges in the context of W3WP service account, but it requires authentication to gain access. If that feature is turned off, your SharePoint installation is a delightful smorgasbord of hacked information.
Some are surprised about Microsoft’s alarm and user ignorance:
“ ‘It’s interesting that Microsoft prioritized the SharePoint bulletin as highly as they did. In theory, the vulnerability requires authentication. Given the frequency with which people disable SharePoint authentication and the ease of access to documentation on that process, the priority needs to be that high,’ said Tyler Reguly, technical manager of security research and development at Tripwire. ‘People know their computers and email need good passwords. It boggles my mind that we see so many SharePoint deployments in anonymous mode. ‘”
I have been told multiple times by online expert Stephen E Arnold of Arnold IT to always take security risks seriously and find a solution quickly or private information will be stolen faster than a Google search.
Whitney Grace, September 27, 2013
SharePoint Not on the Radar
September 26, 2013
Microsoft recently updated its SharePoint Cloud services to include more options that allow more flexibility for mobile users. While the PR for this update has been well received, “AIIM Research Indicates SharePoint Has A ‘Cloudy’ Future” says PRWeb. This reminds me of something Stephen E Arnold of Arnold IT notes in many of reports about how upgrades may be good, but they do not solve the underlying problems, such as implementation and security.
AIIM conducted a survey and found that only 6% of its respondents found their deployments successful, while 43% are struggling with implementing SharePoint, and another 28% say that progress has stalled in their SharePoint projects. That only touches the shallow end of the SharePoint pool. Many companies are also running multiple versions of the software, which can only lead to compatibility issues.
And how is SharePoint Cloud security viewed?
“ ‘There are many benefits to tapping into the power of SharePoint 2013, specifically the mobile and social aspects, yet as our research indicates, many business and IT leaders are wary of security issues around cloud technology,’ said AIIM President John Mancini. ‘While using SharePoint can help companies of any size, as a collaborative platform and even a records management tool, it’s clear from our research that, based on a variety of factors, deployments and adoption of the technology has not reached its original goals.’”
SharePoint is a viable solution, but behind the shiny labels and screensaver there are many, many problems.
Whitney Grace, September 26, 2013
Bing Redesigns News Page to Follow Trends
September 26, 2013
The news wing at Bing seems to have adapted their curation algorithm to deliver more fluff with less substance, engadget reveals in, “Bing’s Overhauled News Layout Highlights Trending Social Topics, Rapid Downfall of Humanity.” Just as I was afraid we were in danger of paying more attention to matters of war and peace than to celebrity antics! We’ve got to keep our modern priorities straight, and Bing’s redesign should help make sure we keep our attention on the momentary instead of the momentous.
Writer Darren Murph is brief but sharp in his criticism of the change:
“You know who seems like someone well equipped to dictate what shows up on a news site? That weird guy in your Facebook feed who is way, way too vocal about his political beliefs. Blatant sarcasm aside, Bing News has overhauled its web portal in order to accomplish two primary goals: look less like Google News, and surface stories that are trending. . . . ‘The latest buzz’ from social channels will be highlighted, leaving news that actually matters to languish somewhere in the abyss. But hey, the next Casey Anthony trial is totally the most important thing ever, right?”
It is easy to blame aggregators for this sort of approach, but they are just trying to give users what we desire. Who really wants to read about serious stuff that poses real implications for all of humanity? What a downer.
It may be hard for younger folks to imagine, but there once was a time when citizens considered it a basic, personal responsibility to understand what was going on in the world so we could give sensible input to our representatives and cast informed votes. You know, intelligently participate in this democracy thing we talk so much about. Yet today we are too busy (or distracted) to give any brain power to understanding complex things. Instead, we demand the abridged versions from talking heads whose opinions we’ve been groomed to accept. Better yet, just give us some hapless public figure to rebuke. We’re really good at that.
Cynthia Murrell, September 26, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Bing Offers Users a New Product Search
September 17, 2013
Microsoft’s version of search tries to remain competitive with Google, but lately it has been in the shadows compared to the new Google Glass and practically everything else the search giant does. Bing, however, had made the news again according to Search Engine Watch with the headline: “New Bing Product Search Launches.” The Bing team has decided to integrate shopping results into regular search results so users can see product features, specifications, reviews, related products, and make some more dough from those who pay to have their Web sites driven to the top.
Bing has also change the dashboard to feature three columns to display the shopping results:
· “The larger column will contain the main search results with the familiar blue links.
· The second column contains the Snapshot information complete with image, overview information, reviews related searches and paid ads.
· The third column is the Bing Social Sidebar, when users are signed in. The Social Sidebar adds information from Facebook, Klout and other social networks to help searchers make decisions based on friend or industry-leader recommendations.”
Bing denies that its new search is not pay-to-play and the results will not be skewed in favor of one Web site over another. Do we believe it? Who knows what goes on behind company doors? Paid ads will still appear in new shopping results and there is a new product ad option called Rich Captions for advertisers to add a meta description into search results. And there is the new way to make money. The new product feature has not launched yet, Bing is still tweaking the bugs.
Whitney Grace, September 17, 2013
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