Microsoft Community Contributor Award: 2011

By DustinPosted on

I was recently awarded the Microsoft Community Contributor Award for 2011 for my contributions within the Microsoft community. Thank you very much, Microsoft! It is very appreciated! For all those that are volunteering your time and expertise in the Microsoft forums, Microsoft Answers, TechNet, etc., this is a great way to be recognized. In addition to my forum work, I also author a segment in the online magazine The Active Geek, I run this website, I help individuals with Windows products in person and on other various forums, and am a big supporter of Microsoft.

Thank you, Microsoft!

Assign Keyboard Shortcut To Any Application

By DustinPosted on

There is a way to assign a shortcut keystroke to applications. This is handy for a lot of us that were from before the mouse, and prefer the keyboard over the mouse. It seems faster.

Here is how to create a keyboard shortcut for an application.

1. Right click the program icon and click Properties.

2. Click the Shortcut tab.

3. In the middle of the box, under Shortcut Key, click the empty box.

4. Enter the keyboard shortcut that you would like to use (CTRL/ALT/SHIFT and a letter/number work great).

5. Press OK.

From then on, you can use the shortcut keyboard strokes to launch the application. For a lot of most-used apps, this can be handy.

Download Xbox Live DLC To Multiple Consoles

By DustinPosted on

There is a way to share DLC (downloadable content) to more than one XBox. It is a little known trick to get it working. Some people have multiple XBox 360’s in the home, with two XBox Live accounts. Here is how to buy DLC once, and apply it to both Xboxes.

1. First, you go to the second console (the one you don’t play all the time). Sign in using YOUR Xbox Live account (use the Recover Gamertag option). Puchase the DLC and download it to that console. Sign out of XBox Live. Everyone that logs into the console will have access to the DLC.

2. Now, go to your main console and sign into your account (you may need to use the Recover Gamertag, if needed). Download the DLC again. You will get a notice that you already puchased the content and ask if you want to download it again. Choose Yes. It will download it and you will have the DLC on both consoles. Only the XBox Live account that downloaded the content will be able to use it.

Microsoft Store vs. Apple Store

By DustinPosted on

A Microsoft employee shares his slightly biased view, which I agree on, towards the difference between the Apple Store and the Microsoft Store. This is one reason I really love Microsoft. You aren’t tied to one company, a single line of products, very little customization. They are all the same. That is what I don’t like in general. It seems a lot of Apple people want to be unique and different, but when you look at it, it is really is bland, boring, and (as the author states): sterile. Microsoft has dozens of vendors showcasing their products, with a lot of variety. You want a Windows Phone 7, choose from a wide selection to fit your style. You want an Apple iOS phone, you get an iPhone. You want a Windows PC: you have thousands of options, or build your own! You want an Apple PC: go choose from 3 different styles. Have fun, Apple people. You ARE unique. Just like everyone else. With Windows, you are unique. There are a million, if not more, different ways to customize your PC to make it your own.

Microsoft: Diverse in technology offerings, corporate products (Dell, HP and others), and phone offerings (Dell, Samsung, LP), not all white, some white, like any good artistic palette.  Some browns, some blacks, some reds.  Not all White and sterile.  And they got places to sit.

Apple: lacks diversity in corporate products (Apple) and phone offerings (Apple). Phrase that comes to my mind (not the Microsoft Corporate view): Whitie Tightie

Diff-IE For IE9

By DustinPosted on

I was recently told about a new add-on for Internet Explorer 9 (from @msftresearch) that highlights changes to the site from the last time you visited. It seems to work very well. If you visit a lot of sites daily, this add-on works wonders to save you time!

Diff-IE is a prototype Internet Explorer add-on that highlights the changes to a page since the last time you visited it and enables you to view and compare previously cached versions of the page.

Microsoft Windows #1 Software Business

By DustinPosted on

Microsoft Windows is the number one software business, comprising $110 Billion of worth. Following Windows by a close margin is the popular Office Suite. Amazing how one piece of software could be so well received by the community. Microsoft protects it’s Windows OS from competition and piracy so much, probably because without it, it’d just be another software company out there.

Windows, now valued at $110 billion, has surpassed IBM’s Middleware ($107 billion). The figures come courtesy of Trefis, a financial analysis firm who track the most popular stocks in the US. Trefis has been tracking Microsoft’s Windows sales over the past year and has published its results for all to see. “While most of the businesses continued to retain their position, Microsoft’s Windows Operating System emerged as the single most valuable software business segment in 2010. Microsoft Windows Operating System (at $110 billion) surpassed IBM’s Middleware, which at $107 billion now stands at a comfortable second,” states Trefis.

Angry Birds Coming To PC

By DustinPosted on

The wildly popular and very entertaining Angry Birds is getting the PC treatment. This is will very nice, as the mobile version is extremely fun, but a little slow on my tiny Droid Eris (No Windows Phone 7 on the Verizon network yet).

Rovio Mobile, creator of Angry Birds, confirmed it is close to releasing a PC version of its popular mobile game. During a Helsinki press event, Rovio briefly showcased the PC game in action. The desktop version duplicates the game play of the mobile game, but incudes high resolution graphics for the big screen. The official launch date was not announced but Rovio hints that it will be coming soon.

Quake 3 Arena Coming To XBox Live Arcade

By DustinPosted on

After 3 years in the making, Quake 3 Arena is finally coming to XBox Live Arcade. Quake 3 was an iconic game for the PC for many years, bringing the multiplayer game to XBox Live is going to be great for a quick fragging session!

We’re pleased to announce that Quake Arena Arcade will be available for download this coming Wednesday (December 15th) on Xbox LIVE Arcade.

Frag up to fifteen of your friends in six game types over Xbox LIVE, including Deathmatch, CTF, and Harvester modes. Quake Arena Arcade features over 30 classic maps, 12 Xbox-exclusive arenas, HD and widescreen support, and a brand new single player campaign.

Microsoft Has XBox Avatars For ZuneHD

By DustinPosted on

Microsoft has went deeper into the customization of the  ZuneHD, allowing you to have your XBox Live avatar engraved on the back of your Zune. It looks pretty awesome, has several different poses to choose from and is only $25 for the custom engraving.

The photo option is quite a bit different. You have to have a very clear photo with not a whole lot of detail. The photo is of my two kids, you can’t really tell from the engraving.