For those that haven’t tried it yet, there is a great program available for Windows, bundled with most versions. It’s Windows Media Center. If you have a lot of media, be it music or movies or if you want to watch TV on your PC, this is something to try out. I’ve been using several different alternatives but have found some great add-ons to WMC to make it do exactly what I want it to do. How-To Geek has a good guide on how to get it setup and watch some good movies or some free TV.
If you don
Mozilla Firefox has decided not to add 64-bit support on their new Firefox version 4 (Note: Google Account required to read thread). While I don’t like it, there are still other options. Although, I’ve noticed quite a few sites out there that are programming for Firefox rather than Internet Explorer. Once Adobe implements a 64-bit version of Flash, I’m sure more browsers will be pushing the 64-bit envelope.
Early in the summer we decided to not yet provide supported 64-bit builds on Windows [2], and will instead work on delivering those in some future release.
After getting a lot of flak from users, Microsoft is bringing back it’s popular Family Pack, which allows you three copies of the Windows Home Premium of Windows 7 for $149.00. The pack is being released October 3rd, and is again available for a limited time. Last time, they “ran out” in 2 months.
Microsoft also plans to start selling the family pack again in many other places, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Australia, though places outside the U.S. will have to wait until at least October 22nd.
After fixing a few issues with the backend of the site, I believe I have everything back up and running. This post serves as an update for my readers, as well as a test post to make sure everything is working. Check out our Forums to discuss anything, or to check out our contests. The next contest is going to be a few licenses of a popular Windows tweaking program, after the review is posted.
Major Chipmaker Intel is buying anti-virus under-performer McAfee. Intel is usually the top dog when it comes to microprocessors, and I’m guessing there is a rhyme and reason to the buyout. I’m guessing McAfee has something up their sleeves to make it a worthwhile venture. Otherwise, it is a bad move to buy one of the worst anti-virus vendors out there. Not only does McAfee do poorly at recognizing viruses, it is also notorious for being a system hog (up there with Norton). For a great anti-virus (free, as well), look to Microsoft Security Essentials, AVG Free, Avast, or others.
The acquisition reflects that security is now a fundamental component of online computing. Today
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 2 has been released to Technet subscribers and IT professionals for a month or so, but Microsoft has released it to the public. I’ve been using it for a while, and have had zero problems with it. Of course, it is still beta, so YMMV. Grab it if you want to try it, it is basically a roll up of all updates to date. Choose the “No Guided Experience” for the no registering version.
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Beta helps keep your PCs and servers on the latest support level, provides ongoing improvements to the Windows Operating System (OS), by including previous updates delivered over Windows Update
Microsoft is holding a contest to see who is the best at Microsoft Office applications Word and Excel. More than 115,000 people entered the contest, and now it’s down to 50 teens and young adults in the finals. I know a few people that are considered experts in Word or Excel (mostly Excel, and I’d go as far as to call them Excel Geniuses, rather than experts) and I’d like to see how they would stack up against the worlds “best”. I’m sure they’d give them a good run for their money, and it’d be a tossup as to who would win. [Also, pics are here]
As for the winners, each completed their exam with a perfect score and did so in a matter of 10 or 15 minutes as opposed to the allotted 50 minutes. The top finisher in each of the four categories (Word 2003, Word 2007, Excel 2003, and Excel 2007) each got a $6,500 scholarship.
There are some sources saying that they have received an invitation to help beta test Microsoft’s Kinect platform for the XBox 360. They aren’t sure if it is 100% accurate, but if so, check your emails for an invite! I’d sure like to try this thing out!
If an invitation provided to Joystiq by several tipsters is accurate, Microsoft will soon begin the “Xbox Live and Kinect Beta Program.” Several readers claim to have received the invitation via Microsoft Connect, a Microsoft service used to gather customer feedback on its products. The invitation itself includes little information about the program, though it notes that participants will be provided with “a unique opportunity to see pre-release software.”
Bing has been releasing quite a few themepacks for Windows 7, but they have now released a new theme that is dynamically changed via a RSS feed from Bing. It allows the theme to get content from the internet and display it as a background. This is very similar to Johns Background Switcher, but all contained in a single theme file, and isn’t as customizable (and doesn’t get “questionable” images!). I’ve used John’s Background Switcher for some time now, and it is a treat to have a new background image that you’ve never seen before on screen. Bing has some awesome pictures available, and this theme throws a lot of them at you, but I really like the custom ability of the type of images from John’s. It is more tailored to your interested (if you want anime, robots, food, or whatever, it’s there!).
Indeed, this is the first dynamic theme from the Redmond company, in the sense in which it is not a fixed package, with new wallpapers being accessed via the web all the time.
More Pro-Windows advertising from Microsoft. They have a new comparison page for users that are looking to compare Mac vs. PC. Of course, it is from Microsoft, so there really isn’t any positive things from the Mac camp. There are a few positives about using a Mac, none of which apply to me, so a PC is definitely the right choice for me.
PCs are designed for work and play, with features you need to get things done on the job or at school and have fun at home or on the go. From easily sharing Microsoft Office documents to watching HDTV and Blu-ray movies, PCs help you do it all.
