Microsoft Launches 'Channel 9' Blog 311
Decaffeinated Jedi writes "As reported by News.com, Microsoft quietly launched Channel 9, a blog/discussion forum aimed at improving communication with outside developers, on Tuesday. Named for the audio channel that many airlines use to let passengers listen in on crew conversations during flight, Channel 9's creators state the following in a welcoming message: 'Five of us in Redmond are crazy enough to think we just might learn something from getting to know each other...Join in, and have a look inside our cockpit and help us fly the plane.'"
Outer space strikes back (Score:5, Funny)
Microsoft are going to ditch the NT mega-kernel and use Plan 9 instead. These are the first tentative steps in the migration from the huge monolithic NT ring-main to the elegance that is Plan 9. [deep voice] From the people who brought you Unix, PLAN 9 [/voice] Da da daaaaaaah bom-bom bom-bom bom-booom
Simon
Re:Outer space strikes back (Score:3, Funny)
How cute, they think it will only suck for a couple days.
Re:Outer space strikes back (Score:4, Funny)
Channel 9 for EMERGENCIES ;) (Score:2)
There are hordes of people and reports that more are about start using Open Source!!
Man the catapults! Gather the pitchforks! The hords are coming!
Re:Outer space strikes back (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Outer space strikes back (Score:2, Informative)
Ladies and Gentlemen (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Ladies and Gentlemen (Score:3, Funny)
Simon.
Re:Ladies and Gentlemen (Score:2, Insightful)
xpunkx (Score:2)
User IDs (Score:3, Funny)
Re:User IDs (Score:2)
Wait, is that a pro-Linux or pro-Microsoft statement? If Channel9 is doing the protecting, that goes to say they are protecting this person from, um, us?
In other words, I'm thinking maybe this guy went to the dark side....
Re:Ladies and Gentlemen (Score:2)
Quietly launched, huh? (Score:2, Funny)
Tora! Tora! Tora! (Score:2, Funny)
Thank you (Score:5, Funny)
I would not fly a constantly crashing plane anymore.
Huh? (Score:4, Funny)
Huh? Is this a joke or something? Well, if it is a joke, I just don't get it. Oh.. wait, is this a joke about Microsoft? Perhaps about Windows? Wait, that might be it. Windows crashing right? Is that the joke? Are you saying Windows crashes a lot and making a joke about that? Oh, yeah, wow. That is funny. Wow. Good stuff. I'd mod you up if I could because I wouldn't have thought of something that funny. No, my humor is much more dull than jokes about Microsoft Windows crashing. Heh. I probably would have made some dumb joke about a blue screen. Not very original. But, wow, a joke about it crashing is much funnier.
Thank you so much.
Re:Huh? (Score:4, Informative)
Professor Frinke: Are you kidding? ! This sarcasm detector is off the charts!
CBG: Oh, a sarcasm detector- that's a *real* useful invention.
device explodes
First Headline (Score:5, Funny)
Finally Microsoft figured it out.
Re:First Headline (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:First Headline (Score:5, Insightful)
Which is funny because at the same time they are talking about listening, they are also working on the next service pack for their flagship product, and the whole service pack is focussed on nothing but security. But of course, you won't count that since it would get in the way of your complaining.
Re:First Headline (Score:2)
Is referring to me as a "troll" supposed to make it less obvious that you're trolling? In particular, that your claiming that it includes tabbed browsing, which isn't even true.
As if I don't have enough to read up on (Score:5, Funny)
I don't have time to listen to Codekeeper Willie talk about typesetting and anthropology.
Re: (Score:2, Funny)
Not surprising... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Not surprising... (Score:2)
Regardless, this could actually be a useful site. I hope people don't flame it into submission after this slashdot posting.
Re:Not surprising... (Score:5, Insightful)
The back-end language & web server shouldn't matter. You should still be able to generate a standards-compliant page that looks great in modern browsers. Instead, their front page has 366 errors [w3.org] on it.
Now, I'm not one of those people who insists every page has to validate, but this is just sloppy. MSDN, not just Channel 9, reeks of it, too. I suppose one could argue that you can't blame them, as they are Microsoft, so of course they're going to code to their browser, but I don't buy that argument.
Re:Not surprising... (Score:2)
Still, Slashdot's HTML is pretty aweful. They are coding to the browsers instead of the standards just as much as MS is - they've just chosen more than one browser.
Re:Not surprising... (Score:2)
Re:Not surprising... (Score:2)
Oh really [sourceforge.net]?
Re:Not surprising... (Score:2, Informative)
They probably use FontPage. Coincidence? I think not!
Re:Not surprising... (Score:2)
That's right. I just went to the site with Firefox and firewall mentions that WMP wants to load. I say no thank you at which point browswer locks up solid. Not nice.
Re:Not surprising... (Score:2)
Re:Not surprising... (Score:2)
There are a lot of errors (not just MSIE specific attributes,which I can't expect MS not to use), but quite a bit of those validation errors are "rules" that are not really necessary.
For example, while ALT tags are good, they are really not necessary for spacer images, purely eye candy elements, etc. I'm big on HTML standards, but you just don't need ALT tags on every image...
Re:Not surprising... (Score:2)
Re:Not surprising... (Score:3, Funny)
OK- who among you really answered Yes to that? I mean, if Microsoft said it's safe then it must be, right?
Re:Not surprising... (Score:2, Insightful)
I'm not able to use Channel9 to communicate because I'm getting the following error:
"The file "wmpplugin.exe" is of type
application/x-msdownload (Binare Executable), and
Mozilla does not know how to handle this file type.
This file is located at:
http://download.microsoft.com/..... etc.
I'm running SuSE Linux 8.1 with Mozilla as my browser.
No, I'm not trying to be smart-alecky, nor do I have an 'agenda', I'm just hoping to converse and I'm prevented from doing so by the site.
Just wonderi
Hey Peter! (Score:5, Funny)
Ok, someome please tell me I'm not the only one who heard Lawrence's voice from Office Space, [imdb.com] yelling "Hey Peter! Check out Channel 9! Breast exam!"
--JoeBeOS icon! (Score:2)
The top video (Score:2, Interesting)
Two points: 1: I really like to see this sorta thing from big companies, gives them a personal touch. That's why Google is so good - not afraid to be more personal and real.
Also, M$ must be sucking bandwidth streaming those videos to every slashprole.
Re:The top video (Score:2, Funny)
the irony of this (Score:5, Interesting)
Maybe you have to be a pilot to fully understand what I mean.
-dr
Re:the irony of this (Score:3, Insightful)
No, I'm willing to bet that being a pilot in this case merely serves to overanalyze throwaway lines to the point of them not meaning anything any more.
Re:the irony of this (Score:2, Insightful)
They're all "technical evangelists" (Score:5, Insightful)
If you want to reach more folks: Can we instead talk to a developer who wants to talk about the best way of doing things, rather than someone whose job is to come up with problems where MS is the solution?
Re:They're all "technical evangelists" (Score:2)
At what point did Microsoft become a religeon? I have never liked their usage of the word "evangelist" in job titles. At some point they're going to cross the line and send someone to my house to knock on my door with something they call a "bible" (it'll probably be blue, cryptic and the book won't open properly). But all kidding aside, IMO, that's kinda wierd. I always laughed at those web sites [egomania.nu] about how Bill Gates was the devil
Re:They're all "technical evangelists" (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:They're all "technical evangelists" (Score:2)
Microsoft bashers: your prompt for comments about copying Apple above.
Re:They're all "technical evangelists" (Score:2, Troll)
The funny part about channel9.msdn.com is that it outlines why security will never be M$'s forte. The development cycle (which they partially outline) doesn't give enough freedom for fixing of bugs and
Re:They're all "technical evangelists" (Score:2)
Are you actually familiar with the job description of the title? It might be a position of advocating external standards (i.e., HTML) internally, thinking all day of Microsoft products that can be improved with it. If so, they would be the right people to talk to.
Re:They're all "technical evangelists" (Score:3, Informative)
Especially Raymond Chen's [msdn.com]. Not only is it interesting, but it fits quite well the original request for "a developer who wants to talk about the best way of doing things".
I hate this ... (Score:5, Interesting)
This sort of "gee whiz we're just regular guys, we're going to let you peek under the tent" sort or pr-marketing speak rings so false and just raises my BS detectors to max.
I spent years dealing with Apple's evangelists and while they'd do this sort of thing occasionally usually they were smart enough enough to treat their developers as being vaguely intelligent
Re:I hate this ... (Score:3, Funny)
PULL THE NOSE UP! PULL THE NOSE UP! WE'RE GONNA CRASH!!!! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
Segment fault at <a very personal memory address>
Re:I hate this ... (Score:4, Insightful)
6. Don't shock the system. Lasting change only happens in baby steps.
7. Know when to turn the mic off. There are some topics which will only result in problems when you discuss them. This has nothing to do with censorship, but with working within the reality of the system that exists in our world today. You will not change anything by taking on legal or financial issues, you will only shock the system, spook the passengers, and create a negative situation.
Re:I hate this ... (Score:3, Funny)
Scorchio! (Score:5, Funny)
Boutros boutros ghali
(Or do you mean a different Channel 9?)
Don't bother visiting with Firefox (Score:5, Interesting)
Bleagh...
Re:Don't bother visiting with Firefox (Score:5, Informative)
2.That quote refers to Bill Hill, not Gates.
3.And no, it doesn't. Update to a decent build.
If there's one thing people hate, it's when you solve their problems, eh.
Re:Don't bother visiting with Firefox (Score:2)
Re:Don't bother visiting with Firefox (Score:2)
and the site seems geared more towards "hey look at our faces" than anything else.
It's not like even the pilot in an airplane has any say on in where the plane is headed and if some passanger tries to make a change of plans his a criminal.
.
Re:Don't bother visiting with Firefox (Score:2)
2. My mistake, I was assuming it was directed towards You Know Who.
3. Well, it's good that it works in Firefox for you, but I tried visiting the site again and I had a lockup issue.
Re:Don't bother visiting with Firefox (Score:2)
3. No crash here. Though I find it interesting that you would blame the site for crashing the browser instead of a bug in the browser...
Re:Don't bother visiting with Firefox (Score:3, Insightful)
In any case, I didn't go any further in the site. I didn't have the right plugins. For some reason I was expecting a blog, what I got instead was a colorful MTV-wannabe multimedia web site. I guess it's technically a blog, but it's certainly not my idea of a blog.
This might be sincere... (Score:2)
Spooky. (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Spooky. (Score:2)
Video Blog (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Video Blog (Score:2)
Try mplayerplug-in [sourceforge.net] or konqueror.
The whole thing works fine in moz here. Vids and all.
That site is crap! (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:That site is crap! (Score:2)
Re:That site is crap! (Score:2)
The idea is nice -- allow feedback from gurus directly to your dev people. Damn good idea, one of the nicest things about open source.
That site, however, is *awful*. I don't think I've been on a website that is quite that atrocious for a long time.
I'm using FireSomething with the font size jacked up, and believe me, that site does not cope well.
Re:That site is crap! (Score:2)
Re:That site is crap! (Score:2)
Hmm... and this is the web site's fault? Sounds like your browser might not be very robust to me...
Re:That site is crap! (Score:2)
Of course slashdot doesn't look like ass when viewed in any major browser, whereas msdn looks pretty aweful in anything but IE.
Boutrous boutrous gali (Score:2, Funny)
La Rutha: O no. Aga non es functivo, ma microsoftos destructivos la dejeuner.
Daviid: De nada. Mater que pater beefsteak cuisinarti tel para.
Lizabet: El parenticos favoritos!
Alberto: Scorchio!
Help them fly the plane? (Score:5, Funny)
EULA requires neural implant DRM dongle (Score:5, Funny)
Watch out! (Score:5, Funny)
AAAAHHHHHHH! Watch out for that giant freaking penguin that's about to eat the plane!!!!
Aw, hell. It's too late anyway.
Named for (Score:2)
Damn...Here I was thinking I'll get to see some Cubs games on MSN.
wiki error (Score:2)
We apologize, but an unknown error has occured in the forums. This error has been logged.
Re:wiki error (Score:2)
The Other Channel 9 (Score:5, Interesting)
On CB radios, channel 9 is the channel used for emergencies. Pretty interesting double entendre.
Top 5 things you don't want to hear on channel 9 (Score:2, Funny)
I don't know if I would want to listen in on the crew.
5. Hey dude, got anything to eat? I've really got the muchies right now.
4. Do you smell that? <sniff> <sniff> It's like a burning smell...
3. Dallas Tower, we have a flameout on starboard engine 2.
2. Jesus H. Cripes, Climb! Climb!
And the number one thing you don't want to hear on channel 9:
1. Our Father who art i
Re:Top 5 things you don't want to hear on channel (Score:2)
5) I am Mohamed, we are hijacking the plane
4) I am Marwan, we are hijacking the plane
3) I am Hani, we are hijacking the plane
2) I am Ziad, we are hijacking the plane
1) Allah Ahkbar
For those who don't know, these are the four ring leaders on each flight. Never forget what they have done. Never again!
Free Long Distance to India? (Score:5, Interesting)
Or you could do the evil commie thing and keep your money to yourself and help people all around the world by using free software. Hire that uneployed IT guy on your block and help a programmer make a living. You won't be sorry you did.
Yep, that business about closed source helping programmers make money WAS A LIE. If 70 billion dollars in the bank, pema-temps and H1B slaves were not evidence enough of where this "Intelectual Property" BS was going, Hyperbad should be.
Wow. Windows developers have got no soul... (Score:5, Funny)
Even our windows supporters are way more hardcore than those dweebs.
Channneel Naaaain! (Score:4, Funny)
Reel cool guys. (Score:3, Interesting)
http://channel9.msdn.com/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID
I recognize half those things (perticularly the CPU fan and the soda can "graveyard") as part of my life at some point in time, and I'm sure other
Five of us in Redmond... (Score:5, Insightful)
Seriously, couldn't this have been handled by an additional group in the microsoft.* usenet hierarchy? Including automatic replication to servers all over the world -- for free...
I smell a problem with this... (Score:2)
I'll stick with (Score:2)
Ha! (Score:2, Insightful)
Into the Nearest Building, No Doubt (Score:2)
> help us fly the plane.
Please tell me the airline... (Score:3, Funny)
Uhm, ok so my reasoning isn't so strange.
Wow, Microsoft discovered blogs (Score:3, Insightful)
1. Why would I "help them fly the plane?"
2. Why would I contribute *anything* to Microsoft(positive/negative comment, let alone code) - so they could turn around and eihter sell it or maybe even use it against me?
3. How much are Bill Hill and the rest of Microsoft alumni paid for their blog appearances and patronizing comments like "The most important operating system is not Windows"? (coming from a guy on Microsoft's payroll, this comes across as almost hypocritical)
4. What's up with dorky one-size-too small gray golf shirts?
Seriously, what is the point of Channel 9?
Oh yeah, and BeOS called and it wants its color scheme back.
"Named for the audio channel...." I'm sorry? (Score:3, Informative)
Do reporters actually check on facts there days? Or just write the first thing that comes to their head after leaving the airport.
Scary (Score:3, Funny)
'Five of us in Redmond are crazy enough to think
The Fav Five want me to join them in their cock pit? No, I wont do it!!!
Re:Reminds me of a cartoon (A Far Side one?)... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Technical evangelist ? (Score:4, Insightful)
Yes, that's basically what they do. Plus they try to convince people that their platform is cool and cutting-edge. Basically what every Linux user does for free (although often not very well). But to be fair, Apple's the one that started it as a paid position, and others besides (such as Be) did the same thing, so it isn't like Microsoft is doing something singularly evil in this regard.
Re:Uh-oh.. (Score:3, Funny)
Glad to oblige...