Microsoft VS Google

Microsoft network cannot still go beyond the Google giant in the Internet search market. Its new Bing Internet search engine, which it showed publicly for the first time will still provide search results for any term an online user types into it. But Bing is initially designed to provide a much richer search experience for people looking for information in four categories: shopping, travel, health and local businesses.

The strategy could give Microsoft a shot at peeling away users from rival search engines in some popular search areas that also offer lucrative opportunities for selling related advertising. But even if Microsoft is successful, it still faces the problem that Google and Yahoo could simply duplicate Bing’s features. Search engines have a long history of copying each other’s interface changes.

In recent years, for example, all of them have begun suggesting related search terms and blending more photos and videos into their search results.
“If some particular feature becomes particularly popular, it wouldn’t be terribly difficult for Google to mimic that feature,” says Greg Sterling, an Internet analyst with Sterling Market Intelligence, a research firm.

Bing faces another challenge as well: Microsoft’s own research shows that more than 60% of consumers say they are satisfied with existing Internet search engines. That doesn’t bode well for the company’s efforts to eat into Google’s 64% share of the U.S. search market, which far outstrips Yahoo’s 20% share and Microsoft’s 8%, according to comScore Inc.

Microsoft’s approach of going after the four search categories mirrors attempts others have made to compete with Google by building so-called “vertical” search engines, which specialize in showing results in categories where Google’s results are perceived to be weak.

In general, those properties have failed to gain much traction because most consumers prefer a one-stop shop. At the same time, Yahoo and Google have developed and deployed technology unique to specific search areas, like local businesses and shopping.

Tax Changes for Overseas Firms

American President Barack Obama proposed changing provisions in the tax code that he says encourage U.S. companies to move jobs overseas, as part of a broader package aimed at saving $210 billion over 10 years.

Obama will seek to follow through on a campaign promise to change the tax treatment of American firms with overseas operations. That portion of his plan — opposed by such firms as Pfizer Inc and Oracle Corp — would raise more than $100 billion in revenue over the next decade.

In an echo of a line he used often on the campaign trail last year, Obama vowed in a February address to the U.S. Congress to make the tax code more fair by “finally ending the tax breaks for corporations that ship our jobs overseas.”

Currently, U.S. firms are allowed to defer paying taxes on profits earned overseas if they plow those profits back into their foreign subsidiaries. An array of firms signed onto a letter to congressional leaders in March opposing changes to the so-called deferral provision, saying they would make U.S. businesses less competitive.

Windows 7 Downgrade Option

Windows 7, the operating system designed and developed by Microsoft, allows users to downgrade their system to lower version of system. It enables the user to utilize this advanced downgrade option if needed.

Downgrade rights have long been a part of the Windows license for certain versions, particularly for businesses. With Vista, the downgrade right was not only marketed by computer makers, but, once Microsoft stopped selling XP, some PC makers sold Vista machines that were “pre-downgraded” to Windows XP.

Microsoft is actually expanding that Vista downgrade rights program slightly, the company confirmed on Monday. Under the new program, PC makers will be able to ship pre-downgraded machines based on anticipated demand for those systems. Until now, computers makers could only ship XP-downgraded machines if a particular customer had specified that is what he or she had wanted.Microsoft plans a similar program for Windows 7, allowing users to go back not only to Vista, should they choose, but also to Windows XP.

Microsoft hasn’t detailed exactly how downgrade rights will work with Windows 7–beyond confirming that users will be able to go back to XP–but presumably the rights will be attached to the Ultimate and Professional versions of Windows 7.

Is IT slump a major crisis???

With IT sector experiencing a slow down, the global financial situation is facing a critical time that is being felt by everyone associated with the sector. It also seems that the current situation is so bleak that many employees are quite uncertain about their jobs in terms of security.

The Slump in IT industry is slowly but surely affecting other businesses to a greater extent. The share market getting down day by day which is actually presenting a loss to many of the stack holders. Also the rent offered for flats is dropping by miles. Even if a two bedroom flat whose rent is fixed as Rs.18,000 is offered for Rs.12,000, no one is ready to accept it. The real estate business is dipping too. Cab services are another casualty experiencing 35 to 40% decrease in its turnover. The land owners who are ready to sell their lands at a considerable lower price are also stumbling upon to get their work done as no one is coming forward to buy at this Black time of information technology.

An environment of uncertainty and financial tensions increases stress levels. The employees who are brought to work recently are also experiencing the maximum fear of losing their jobs. For example if in a family both husband and wife are bound to IT then the tension doubles. Also the formula of “Hiring and Firing” make the situation even more complex.
When will this situation recover???

Can IT recover back??? If so it will reflect in the growth of other businesses thereby increasing the global economy.