Well, just learned this morning after launching Excel 2007 that the Office 2007 BETA 2 suite has finally expired. I have been running the suite on one of my desktop systems since beta 2 was released last year and I guess you could say this is just another proof of how stable the suite has been. I guess its time to upgrade. 🙂
Resources:
ActiveWin: Office 2007 RTM Review
Filed under Office Productivity
From Microsoft
Looking for BIG entertainment from your PC?
Did you know that you can enjoy TV, photos, music, video, and the latest digital media all in a central place on your PC? With Windows Media Center–available in Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate editions–you can.
What’s more, you can experience Media Center on any TV in your home. Just add a Windows Media Center Extender, like an Xbox 360, to your wired or wireless home network.
These cool new PCs are ready for a Media Center experience. Are you?
New and notable
Test drive Windows Vista Business edition
Try the first edition of Windows Vista designed specifically for small businesses–without installing it on your PC!
How to install Windows Vista on a new PC
Learn how to install and troubleshoot Windows Vista and Windows Vista drivers in this self-paced online course from Microsoft Learning.
Better together: Windows Vista and Windows Live OneCare
Windows Live OneCare adds antivirus protection and automatic tune-ups to your PC powered by Windows Vista. Try Windows Live OneCare free for 90 days.
Free Windows Vista Ultimate for all attendees at MIX07
Attend MIX07, Microsoft’s cutting-edge conference for Web professionals that are designing and building next-generation PC experiences, April 30 through May 2, 2007 in Las Vegas, and you’ll receive a free edition of Windows Vista Ultimate.
Tips and tricks for Windows Vista
Featured tip for Windows Vista
Experience the enhanced user interface
If your PC supports the Windows Aero user experience, open multiple files and see how easy it is to locate the right open window using Windows Flip or Flip 3D.
1. To use Windows Flip, press Alt + Tab.
2. To use Flip 3D, press the Start menu key + Tab.
Visit our Help and How-to website to learn more about using Windows Vista.
More tips for Windows Vista
Games have never looked this good
See at a glance how DirectX 10 in Windows Vista makes games more detailed and more realistic in this article from Windows Vista Official Magazine.
Search just got easier: Finding files in Windows Vista
Every year, hard drives get bigger and cheaper, encouraging us to store more on our PCs. Learn how the powerful search system in Windows Vista helps you easily find all your important PC files.
Filed under Vista Tips & Tricks
For owners of Apple Intel based systems, Apple has released an updated beta of their dual boot utility BootCamp which will be finalized with the release of the Company’s next generation operating system Leopard. BootCamp facilitates the installation of Windows on Intel Macintosh systems.
Boot Camp 1.2 beta includes:
Download here
Filed under Vista Tips & Tricks
From ActiveWin
Quote:
Install this update to resolve an issue where an error message is received when placing a Windows Vista system into a sleep state while a PPP connection is active. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.
This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Vista License Terms.
Also available:
Thanks to Jonathan Tigner
Filed under Security
From Canucky.net
Kris Kenney talks about his experiences installing Windows Vista on his brand new, state of the art Dell XPS 710 system. He also provides a nice tutorial for owners of an XPS 700 or 710 about how to install Windows Vista on it. I was surprised that you have to remove 2 of the memory sticks for the Vista installer to work. Very insightful!
Please follow this guide only if the following conditions are true:
Read more here
Just finished installing Windows Vista – Canucky.net
Resources: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929777
Filed under Vista Tips & Tricks
So I just got a chance to install the new Windows Vista Ultimate Extras Dream Scene Backgrounds and I must say I am impressed. My favorite so far is the waterfall which reminds me of the beautiful scenic views from around my home island of Jamaica to my desktop.
The rushing water of a forest stream
A field of thistle, with a bee gathering pollen | A streetlamp reflected in a puddle, with softly falling rain
Orange wisps flowing in a computer-generated scene
The Windows Ultimate Team has done an amazing job and I’m looking forward to future releases!
Filed under Vista Journal
From Windows Ultimate
Quote:
"Windows DreamScene is currently available only as a preview version, but many of you have chosen to install it. In recognition of your interest, we accelerated our schedule to release a Content Pack that contains four video backgrounds, which are now available on Windows Update.
The four videos are:
Learn more here
Previously:
WinCustomize – Blissful Sunset DreamScene
Filed under Windows Vista
Over the weekend I was browsing the WinCustomize DreamScene gallery deciding on what I should choose, I have to say most of the available ones (for free) did not excite or interest me. Then I saw Blissful Sunset, which I have been expecting to receive through Windows Ultimate Extras for the past couple of months now. In mid February Microsoft released a preview of DreamScene through their Ultimate Extra’s service which is exclusive to licensed customers of Windows Vista Ultimate Edition. The idea is to add life to static desktop wallpapers with motion scenary which can range from nature based to abstract backgrounds.
Blissful Sunset Dreamscene by WinCustomize
I first saw Bliss Sunset at the Windows Vista launch event in New York after a demo presentation. Wowed I was by the quick glimpse which left me anticipating DreamScene, which has so far only delivered one preview. Blissful sunset comes at a cost though ($4.95) and requires that you install the free Dreamscapes software for it to work since it does not use the Microsoft based .Dream format and requires that you add the Blissful Sunset DS through Object desktops own technology. Its kinda confusing and I would have preferred if WinCustomize used the existing tools in Vista to do this.
Is it worth purchasing? To be honest with you, no, it should be free, it loses its nostalgia after a while too. There are also some small problems such as audio playing in Media Player 11 I hear skips and distant echo feedback in songs. If its paused though I don’t get the glitches. Another issue is the grass blades, I am seeing a fair amount of dirt down to the taskbar area that does not escape the fact its computer generated imagery. I can’t decide if this is a field of tall grass or sugar cane (which is a specie of grass by the way). I love playing the BeeGee’s How Deep Is Your Love while watching this dream scene, its such a soothing experience.
My nephew asked me why isn’t the sun setting? I told him because its a specific moment in time you want to always have, but, subtle sun animation would have been nice though to add to that realism. As for performance, no changes at all, the system runs just fine, except for the current audio problems I’m experiencing with it, with 2 GBs of RAM, 256 MB Video card and a 64-bit processor I wouldn’t expect it to though. Dreamscene files are big too weighing in around 27 MBs, the Bliss abstract preview weighed in at 21 MBs. Overall, its not perfect, but it is beautiful and credit must be given to the artist who came up with it. But it does prove that these things have to be tested.
Check out WinCustomize Dreamscene gallery HERE thanks to Jeff for the link
Resources:
How to enable Windows DreamScene
DreamScene – The Issues So Far
The Windows Ultimate Extras Drought
Forza 2 DreamScene for Windows Vista
Filed under Vista Journal
Here are some links from Microsoft for getting up and running with Windows Vista
Get organized with Windows Vista
Searching for lost files just got easier with Windows Vista. Using Search Folders and other new tools, you can find files faster and easier. Learn more about these new features that help you get a handle on your digital information. Then explore other features of Microsoft’s newest operating system:
Easily find and use information on your PC and the Web
Stay better connected to your information and entertainment
Easily maintain the health and security of your PC
Download Windows Vista? Yes, you can
Have you heard the news? Windows Vista upgrade editions are available to download now through your digital locker at Windows Marketplace.
Windows Vista: What’s changed from Windows XP?
Are you wondering where some of your old favorite features are? Make the transition to Windows Vista easier by learning exactly how things have changed and moved.
Filed under Vista Tips & Tricks
From Windows Ultimate via ActiveWin.com
Quote:
"Check out the download section. It was looking empty, so we created something special just for Ultimate users. We got the awesome graphics artists on the Windows Experience team to create unique static wallpapers for your desktop. They gave us two compelling images that we’re offering to you in three resolutions.
We think the images cover the gamut of displays. Even those of you with Ultimate-worthy 30-inch flat panel monitors will find something to fit your screen. The resolutions available include both 4:3 and widescreen versions."
Download HERE
Wouldn’t call this one an exclusive extra for sure, since anybody can download it and use it on their computer, even Windows 3.1 users. 😛 Hope I see some March updates for licensed users of Vista Ultimate, its been really, really long now and lets hope its something that amazes.
Resources:
The Windows Ultimate Extras Drought
Filed under Windows Vista
Teching It Easy 