Friday Roundup: On IBM, Microsoft, SaaS and filmloop.com

We knew IBM liked Firefox but this is pretty cool all the same. Check out the link to a toolbar for developerworks search, on the new Workplace developer site.

Oh yeah, while we’re on the subject of developerworks, how about this for IBM getting lesscode.

Use DB2-native XML with PHP: Native XML in the next release of DB2 UDB will let you develop Web apps with smaller code size, less complexity, a simpler schema, and better management of schema evolution. (DB2)

Ryan? So now IBM is supporting a simpler access mechanism than Java, so when is it going to simplify the data store…. 😉

Microsoft Operations Manager 2005 dependency issues. just a helpful pointer if you’re having problems installing it.

Hey IBM developer relations – what are you going to do to help startups become software as a service players (yes I already know some of the plans)? Here are some of Microsoft’s plans though (with licensing issue insights, thanks Sam! One for the blogroll eh, Mr Simonds).  Hat tip to Don Dodge, but hey man, you really need to go easy on the coolaid:

Today it [Sharepoint] is the leading document repository with more than twice as many servers deployed as its closest competitor. Sharepoint 2005 is awesome. The content/document management applications being built on top of Sharepoint by companies like KnowledgeLake, and Meridio are absolutely amazing. Documentum and FileNet can’t compete on a price/performance basis.

MSN Search was no where five years ago. Today it is as good or better than Google in terms of size, speed, and relevance. The technical advances made by the MSN Search team are truly extraordinary.

More servers is not always a good thing. Have you noticed this trend called server consolidation? Twice as many deployed is not a measure of quality, and its certainly not an example of Microsoft as a startup; on the contrary its clear evidence of Microsoft winning by bundling, as far as I can see. And the MSN search statements don’t seem tenable, either. But that’s just my opinion.

And finally for some cool stuff (via Dwayne Melancon) check out filmloop. One of my favourite flickr features is the ability to see pictures as slideshows- like my wife trying to hush the baby – but its not fully set up for narrative. Well filmloop defiantly is. I think this service could be a big success. Why? Because it responds to people’s desire for storytelling. Also the introductory loop is viral as hell. I defy you not to enjoy it (and check out those hand pointy gun poses, Cote!). So here is an application and service that enables to share short film narratives with friends and family. Cool.

People are more interesting than companies and stories are more interesting than pretty much anything else.

filmloop will work for guerilla and traditional marketing, just as well as for people’s weddings, barmitzvahs and funerals. What would I like to see in future? If Yahoo can do it without screwing up, Flickr and filmloop would make a great integrated combo. Having said all that all I really have done is downloaded it. I will try and play a little this weekend, and see what stories emerge. My new baby is more interesting than any technology, but everybody knows new dads need new technology to record the little one. I am actually surprised there isn’t more marketing aimed at new fathers in this space – video editing, digital cameras, and so on. I am in the market for two new digital cameras now little J has arrived. Another way of looking at filmloop; why not a powerpoint replacement, augmenting the Lessig Method (death to bullet points)?

And on that note, its time to call it a day. I hope you all have a great weekend and that life treats you as well as it is treating me.