Windows Community Podcast Series (WMA Format)

More Details on Windows 7, part 2 (WMA)

Mon, 1 Jun 2009 10:36:28 -0700

My conversation with Brian Yee, a senior product manager on the Windows 7 team, continues in this podcast. Brian shares his insights on system requirements, device compatibility, and how to approach upgrading/migrating to Windows 7.

More Details on Windows 7, part 1 (WMA)

Wed, 27 May 2009 10:05:12 -0700

I continue to roam the halls with my trusty digital audio recorder, finding interesting folks to talk with about Windows 7. My latest "volunteer" is Brian Yee, a senior product manager on the Windows team. Brian’s responsibility spans all the major consumer features for Windows 7 so he has a big job and yet he was kind enough to spend some time with me.

We talked about so many topics, we’re going to split this podcast into two parts. In this first part, we cover the visual changes to Windows 7 -- the user interface or UI in geek speak -- including things like jumplists and the new taskbar. We also spend some time going over the performance enhancements in Windows 7 that make it efficient in using system resources. And finally we talk about finding and searching for things using libraries on one PC or that span multiple PCs.

Windows 7 and Windows Live (WMA)

Tue, 12 May 2009 08:56:19 -0700

I started this podcast series mostly around Windows Live topics, and now it seems I’ve come full circle. But this time, I’m looking at Windows Live from the perspective of how it relates and complements Windows 7. Joining me in the discussion is Mark Croft, a Director on the Windows Product Management team.

Mark and I spent some time talking about how Windows Live and Windows 7 fit together and why certain features and functions are in one product versus the other. We also discussed how customers can get Windows Live and what the future might hold for the two products.

Windows 7 Media Overview (WMA)

Fri, 8 May 2009 13:56:26 -0700

There are some really cool media features and scenarios being enabled by Windows 7. One of the best parts of my job is that I get to talk to some of the Microsoft employees that make these things possible. Adam Anderson is just such a person, truly passionate about media and what’s coming up in Windows 7.

Windows 7 Overview (WMA)

Tue, 7 Apr 2009 09:52:52 -0700

I’m jazzed for the upcoming release of Windows 7. I’ve been running it for a few months now, and it’s really been smooth sailing. Without a doubt, I can safely say it’s the best beta operating system I’ve ever tested.

To get a better understanding of Windows 7, I recently sat down with Parri Munsell, a Director in the Windows Product Management team. Parri and I talked about what’s new in the release, some of his personal favorite features, as well as what he’s hearing from our customers and partners. We also talked about what he think might be the "sleeper" feature of Windows 7. You’ll have to take a listen to find out what it is.

Conversation with Greg (WMA)

Wed, 4 Mar 2009 14:11:51 -0800

This podcast is no longer available via RSS but you can download it at http://bit.ly/nKlzr

From time-to-time, I have the pleasure of podcasting with community members to learn more about them, how they use technology in their lives, as well as what other hobbies or interests they might have. For this latest installment in our podcast series, the guest star is Greg. If you’re a member of our Windows community, you know Greg. He’s contributed a lot of great posts to the Clubhouse and he also participates in a number of Windows Live Groups such as All Things Live and LiveSoapbox.

As you’ll hear in our podcast, Greg has been working in around technology for a quite a while and uses it extensively in his personal life too. He lives in Tennessee and has a great family and a number of pets. And last but not least, his answer to my "most embarrassing online moment" question is one of the best I’ve heard.

Conversation with Kelly Poe about Release Windows 7 (WMA)

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:08:42 -0800

This podcast is no longer available via RSS but you can download it at http://bit.ly/nKlzr

One of the things I really like about Twitter is how fast you can learn about cool new things people are doing. That’s exactly how I found out about Kelly Poe (pictured here) and his campaign to Release Windows 7. Kelly’s tweet was picked up by Todd Bishop and others and it started spreading like wildfire.

I had a chance to chat with Kelly recently about how he got started with Release Windows 7, his plans for a new YouTube channel, and the ideas he has next for the community he’s created. I encourage you to take a listen, then visit Kelly’s website, check out his YouTube channel, and upload a video with your favorite Windows 7 features and why you’re ready to see the product released.

Windows Live Hotmail QuickAdd (WMA)

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:18:39 -0800

This podcast is no longer available via RSS but you can download it at http://bit.ly/nKlzr

How many times do you send a link to a map, a movie, or a restaurant in e-mail? Wouldn’t it be great if you could send something more than just a URL? Thanks to a new feature rolling out now to all Hotmail customers, the "only lonely link" problem might finally be solved. That new feature is called QuickAdd and many of you might already have it as part of your Hotmail account. It’s part of a whole bunch of new Hotmail capabilities rolling out now. To learn more about QuickAdd, I sat down with Chad Estes, a Senior Program Manager on the Windows Live team. Take a listen to our podcast and you’ll hear more about how the idea for QuickAdd came about as well as some of the ways customers are using it.

Conversation with Vasudev (WMA)

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:43:20 -0800

This podcast is no longer available via RSS but you can download it at http://bit.ly/nKlzr

For this latest installment of my Windows Live podcast series, I connected with Vasudev, a gold-level member of our Windows Live Community. We’ve been meaning to record the podcast for a while, but the technical challenges of configuring a Live Meeting with computer audio and recording that audio proved a little daunting. But we prevailed over the technical gremlins and were able to have a great conversation. Vasudev told me a bit more about how he uses technology, how he is involved in various Microsoft communities, and even what some of his hobbies are. I confess I might never understand Cricket, but now I know someone I can turn to for education.

Conversation with Mindy (WMA)

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:28:20 -0800

This podcast is no longer available via RSS but you can download it at http://bit.ly/nKlzr

Earlier this month, I talked with another one of our community members -- Mindy. She’s not only a community member, but also a Microsoft MVP for Live Search QnA. Mindy and I talked about a lot of things, starting with her work with QnA. Then we went on to talk about Windows Live products and services, touching on Messenger, Spaces, and Hotmail. Finally, we wrapped up with a discussion about security and safety, specifically for families with younger children.

Windows Live Writer (WMA)

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:06:02 -0800

This podcast is no longer available via RSS but you can download it at http://bit.ly/nKlzr

I recently sat down with Becky Pezely, Senior Program Manager on the Writer team to get her take on the current beta release of Writer as well as what’s coming up right around the corner when Writer goes from beta to final release. We talked about some of the cool new video and photo things being added to the product as well as just how much easier blogging is when you use Writer.

Conversation with Technogran (WMA)

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:59:43 -0700

This podcast is no longer available via RSS but you can download it at http://bit.ly/nKlzr

In this podcast, I had the pleasure of talking with another one of our Windows Live community members. She goes by Technogran on Windows Live Spaces and in the community, but her real name is Sandra. She’s a grandmother in the UK, and as you’ll hear she has quite a sophisticated technology setup, including both a PS3 and an Xbox 360! If you’ve been reading her posts, you’ll know she’s into photography too. And best of all (in my opinion anyway), she’s using video calling in Windows Live Messenger to keep in touch with her grandchildren up in Scotland.

Conversation with Volvoshine (WMA)

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:21:49 -0700

This podcast is no longer available via RSS but you can download it at http://bit.ly/nKlzr

The Windows Live Podcast Series is turning in a new direction for a while. Starting with this podcast, we'll be having a set of conversations with some of our Windows Live Community members. Volvoshine (Ryan) is our first guest, and he tells us a bit more about himself and how he uses technology in his life.

Windows Live Photo Gallery Beta (WMA)

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:06:37 -0700

This podcast is no longer available via RSS but you can download it at http://bit.ly/nKlzr

JP Wollersheim is back, joining me this time to discuss what's new in the latest beta release of Windows Live Photo Gallery. We talk about the new plug-in model, facial detection features, and the other extras built into the new beta.

Windows Live E-Mail Solutions (WMA)

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:17:50 -0700

This podcast is no longer available via RSS but you can download it at http://bit.ly/nKlzr

Windows Live offers a wide range of different e-mail solutions, ranging from Hotmail on the web to the Windows Live Mail application you can install on your PC. There is also an Outlook Connector for linking your Windows Live e-mail account into Microsoft Outlook. Walter Harp, a Director on the Windows Live team, discussed all these options with me, including the recent beta releases and upcoming releases planned around e-mail.

Windows Live Messenger Beta (WMA)

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:20:55 -0700

This podcast is no longer available via RSS but you can download it at http://bit.ly/nKlzr

Recently, a new beta test version of Windows Live Messenger was released. Michael Bramlage, a Senior Product Manager on the Windows Live team joins me for this podcast to tell us all more about this most recent release.

Windows Live SkyDrive (WMA)

Tue, 9 Sep 2008 10:16:07 -0700

This podcast is no longer available via RSS but you can download it at http://bit.ly/nKlzr

Windows Live SkyDrive is one of the hottest new Windows Live services. Ian Tien, Senior Product Manager, talked with me and explained why customers are excited about the product.

Windows Live Events (WMA)

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:18:51 -0700

This podcast is no longer available via RSS but you can download it at http://bit.ly/nKlzr

Charlotte Jones, a Senior Product Manager on Windows Live Events, sat down with me to discuss the product in more detail.

GIVE Live (WMA)

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:23:10 -0700

This podcast is no longer available via RSS but you can download it at http://bit.ly/nKlzr

Two Microsoft employees in the Charlotte, NC (USA) office have come up with an interesting way to use Windows Live to reach out and touch the life of a sponsored child in Brazil.

Photo Gallery (WMA)

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 15:06:41 -0700

This podcast is no longer available via RSS but you can download it at http://bit.ly/nKlzr

To get an overview of the product, I chatted with JP Wollersheim, Senior Product Manager for Windows Live Photo Gallery. We talked about what he hears from customers, as well as what some of his favorite parts of the product are.

i'm Initiative (WMA)

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:42:03 -0700

This podcast is no longer available via RSS but you can download it at http://bit.ly/nKlzr

Tina He, a product management intern here at Microsoft, and I discussed the i'm Initiative. We talked about what it is, what people are doing with it, and how it benefits various causes.

Windows Live Overview (WMA)

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:22:32 -0700

This podcast is no longer available via RSS but you can download it at http://bit.ly/nKlzr

Interview with Ryan Gavin, Senior Director of Product Management for Windows Live where we discussed a general overview of the product.