Posted 7:24 p.m. by Jim Courtney

During 2004 I did some assignments with Runaware, Inc., a Swedish-based company that provides a platform for evaluating live software from a remote server. Because the Runaware engine bypasses all the hassles of doing evaluations on your local PC, such as installation process, registry alteration, conflicts with installed software and memory limitations, you can go to a Runaware supported website, try the software for ten minutes or ten hours and make a more definitive decision on whether you want to further pursue a purchase.

The Runaware platform operates on a Citrix Metaframe Access platform thereby allowing up to 100 evaluations to occur simultaneously over the Internet. On starting a session, it addresses Windows and software login issues, launches a real session of the fully operational software and then cleans up all the "residual litter" such as trial documents prior to closing down the particular session. So you get to try a fully operational version without all the local PC clutter issues. The only limitation is on printing and saving files (usually you can't). (Document) files created during a session are deleted as the session is terminated.

A list of software publishers using the Runaware platform can be found on the Runaware website, along with links to the various publishers marketing webpages.

Last week Microsoft launched use of the Runaware platform to allow Test Drives of the complete Office 2003 Desktop, including Front Page 2003, OneNote and InfoPath. One additional feature is a Windows Mobile 5 emulator that I will use to make a decision on whether to upgrade my Dell Axim X50v. Finally I have a way to evaluate for myself all the OneNote benefits that Scoble raves about.

Disclosure: while I had a couple of consulting assignments in 2004 for Runaware, I am currently under no contractual arrangement with them at this time.

One item to note: to run the Runaware platform for Microsoft Office 2003 Desktop, you need to use MS Internet Explorer as an ActiveX is downloaded the first time you use it. With other publishers' setups, Runaware will first check to see if you have a Java runtime loaded; if not then it downloads the ActiveX.

Posted 9:47 a.m. by Jim Courtney

Last spring, via a reference from Skype Journal, I ended up meeting a developer of plug-ins for Outlook who is based in Sweden. Subsquently he was contracted by Skype to write a plug-in linking Skype with Outlook; I was asked if I would be a beta tester.

After completing several alpha versions, Peter was hired by Skype to complete this project; the final version was released a couple of weeks ago. And then the editors of Skype Journal asked me to write a review. This kept me from going "stir crazy" while convalescing from my surgery at home.

"... The result is a utility that is now a standard component of my Outlook operation; I can heartily recommend that you give it a try. For me it has passed the Jeff Sandquist seven day rule and become a part of my daily work life."

Posted 10:33 a.m. by Jim Courtney

I found it interesting to note the order in which I visited various blogs following a two week hiatus without Internet access following my surgery. I should mention that my interest is driven partially by my long term interest in startups and my heritage with Voice over IP where Quarterdeck had one of the pioneering VoIP software products in 1996. Here is what I found I was looking at to get myself updated (in order):

The Post Money Value: Rick Segal was our Microsoft evangelist when I was at Quarterdeck in Los Angeles ten years ago. His talks always combine elements of useful information with a wit and sense of humore that always makes sure you remember it. His posts are invaluable from not only the VC's perspective on what is important for considering an investment but also for his focus on ensuring there is true user value inherent in technology-based products and services. Why this one first? because I needed entertainment as much as information when recovering from surgery.

SaundersLog: Alec Saunders provides one of the more complete yet concise perspectives on Voice over IP and where it is headed. His background as a former Microsoft Product Manager serves this market well in viewing VoIP as a platform for application development, not simply a legacy phone system replacement. His Voice 2.0 Manifesto on Iotum's Simply Relevant blog is becoming recognized as an industry classic; Alec is CEO of Iotum. You do have to filter out the VoIP/technology entries from his well-articulated postings on Canadian politics and his enjoyment of both fine wines and the Ottawa Senators.

Skype Journal: Phil, Bill and Stuart do an excellent job of independently reviewing issues related to Skype. As a frequent user of not only Skype but also SkypeOut, I find it useful to keep up to date on the latest in their offerings. In addition due to a contact I made with the developer of a third party product for Skype last spring, I ended up being a beta test for Skype for Outlook when he was contracted to build this utility (and then later became a Skype employee).

Fractals of Change: Tom always provides interesting commentary from the perspective of someone who has been through both large corporations and the startup exercise in the rapidly changing communications world. And hopefully I will soon get the time to read his blook. (AT&T Internet was one of the "partners" for whom I was responsible when I was in business development at Quarterdeck.)

More to come... (I'll get to Scoble eventually..)