Top month news:
50 Windows XP & Vista Tips & Tricks
Computer Active has compiled a list of 50 tips to improve performance of both XP and Vista.
For most people using a computer means using
Windows and over the years Microsoft’s operating system has become easier to use.
However, there is always room for improvement, so
in this feature we have compiled 50 of the finest tips for Windows XP and Vista. These can help to make Windows even better, easier to use and faster.
Most don’t even require you to install any extra software, so if you want to make your copy of XP or Vista better, it’s possible to get
started immediately.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
09.05.2008Google's Picasa sends its last 'Hello' on May 15
Obsolescence comes in many forms, one being the natural kind, the other planned. Then there's the suddenly, unexpectedly enforced kind, which is
rarer but which reared its ugly head today with one of Google's more innovative, but old, ideas...
betanews.com -
10.05.2008Firefox 3 RC1 Code Complete
Schrep: Thanks to all the hard work of the Mozilla community as of
9:15 AM PDT today we are code complete for
Firefox 3 Release Candidate 1 (RC1). New nightly builds are available - if you are a nightly tester/Minefield user you can help test these builds by
selecting “Check for Updates” from your help menu.
Assuming no new issues are found today the build team will start
official prep work for Release Candidate 1 (RC1) tomorrow. QA will start their
extensive
RC1 test pass on Monday. If all goes well we should have the Release
Candidate publicly available in late May.
View Full Article:
Mozilla Developer Center (via
HardOCP)..
winbeta.org -
11.05.2008TorrentSpy must pay $110 million to MPAA
A clear message to all torrent websites hosted on the US soil was sent all over the world today: A federal judge is hitting the shuttered TorrentSpy
service with a $111 million penalty for facilitating the infringement of thousands of copyrighted works. U.S. District Judge Florence -Marie
Cooper in Los Angeles, ruling in a case brought by the Motion Picture Association of America, said site operator Justin Bunnell and associates must
pay the maximum $30,000 for "each of the 3,699 infringements shown." The case, producing what is among the largest fines in copyright history,
was bolstered after the MPAA allegedly paid a hacker $15,000 for internal TorrentSpy e-mails and correspondence.
“This
substantial money judgment sends a strong message about the illegality of these sites,” MPAA Chairman Dan Glickman said in a statement.
TorrentSpy, a U.S.-based torrent tacking service, shuttered in March after it lost its case against the MPAA. TorrentSpy did not lose on the merits,
but defaulted after it failed to produce internal records. No U.S. case has squarely addressed the legalities of BitTorrent tracking services,
although one case is nearing a resolution. Judge Cooper ordered TorrentSpy permanently shuttered. TorrentSpy attorney Ira Rothken was not immediately
available for comment. He has appealed the default order to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.
News Source:
Release Log Read full story.....
neowin.net -
08.05.2008Microsoft Silently Rolls Out Anti-Hack Update For Vista
The release of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 not only heralded a long-awaited update of the operating system, it also meant the end of two common
Windows Vista anti-activation exploits - the Grace Timer exploit and the Paradox OEM BIOS activation crack. But those who think they can escape by not
updating to Service Pack 1 would be sadly mistaken.
That's because Microsoft has surreptitiously released an anti-hack detection update
via Windows Update. Those who chose to have Windows Vista install updates automatically would have this update installed and running by now. If you
chose to manually select updates to be installed, you should find this update listed.
View:
Full Article @ Tech ARP Read full story.....
neowin.net -
12.05.2008XP SP3 cripples some PCs with endless reboots
Installing Windows XP Service Pack 3 sends some PCs into an endless series of reboots, according to posts to a Microsoft support forum.
Jesper Johansson, a former program manager for security policy at Microsoft and a prominent Windows blogger, has worked with users to tentatively
identify the problem as involving only machines using processors from Advanced Micro Devices.
Messages from frustrated users began
accumulating on the XP SP3 support newsgroup Wednesday, just a day after Microsoft released the update to the general public.
"I just
installed Windows XP SP3 and after completing the processes and when the system reboots, the system cannot proceed to load the Windows," said a user
labeled as "Olin" in a message that kicked off a long thread. "It just displays the flash screen of Windows then after it reboots again.
Most users who left messages on the forum said that they were unable to boot into Windows Safe mode.
View:
ComputerWorld Read full story.....
neowin.net -
09.05.2008Windows Vista Feature Pack for Wireless
Microsoft has released a "Feature Pack" for Vista, providing the operating system with enhanced wireless capabilties.
The Microsoft
Support page lists the following features:
▪Bluetooth version 2.1 support
▪Unified Pairing user interface
▪Windows Connect Now updates
Windows has never traditionally had Feature Packs on the client side, though such releases have
been made for Server operating systems.
Although details relating to the release are publicly available on the Microsoft Support site, no
download link is available, and users are required to contact their computer manufacturer for a copy of the feature pack.
View:
Description
of the Vista Feature Pack for Wireless 
News Source:
istartedsomething ..
jcxp.net -
18.04.2008Don't slipstream XP SP3 on Windows Vista!
This just in from Bink, seems he had a pretty interesting weekend attempting to Slipstream XP SP3.
"So I build a new Windows XP ISO with
SP3 integrated, this is a Volume License editions (VOL) which only accepts Volume License Keys (VLK). When I want to install it on a clean machine, I
noticed that setup prompts for a product key and it does not allow me to continue, which should be a new feature in XP sp3. OK so I fill in the VLK
but it does not accept it, I try another one from a customer of mine, does not work either. Angry
I found out that the problem is when you
do the XP Sp3 slipstream process on a WIndows Vista machine, the API gives a different response and screws up the PID process. This is a bug and
Microsoft knew about this in December, still the bug remained and made it all the way to RTM, nice work Microsoft.
So XP SP slipstream only
on XP or 2003 machines!!!"
News Source:
Bink Read full story.....
neowin.net -
05.05.2008Windows XP SP3 Final Available at MajorGeeks
Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes all previously released updates for the operating system. This update also includes a small number of new
functionalities, which do not significantly change customers experience with the operating system.
Supported Operating Systems:
Windows XP; Windows XP Home Edition ; Windows XP Home Edition N; Windows XP Media Center Edition; Windows XP Professional Edition ; Windows XP
Professional N; Windows XP Service Pack 1; Windows XP Service Pack 2; Windows XP Starter Edition; Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.
Download:
Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3 Final (MajorGeeks)..
winbeta.org -
23.04.2008Windows XP Service Pack 3 Timeline Update
Update: The build number for the final version of SP3 is 5512. Nick MacKechnie: Windows XP SP3 has been released to manufacturing as of April 21st (US Time)
with the release to web planned for April 29th (US Time). The detailed schedule by channel is below.
Windows XP SP3 - detailed by channel schedule
| Channel / Release Vector | Planned dates (US)
|
| RTM (release to manufacturing)
| Apr-21 |
| OEM Channel | Apr-21 |
| Windows Update | Apr-29 |
| Download Centre | Apr-29 |
| MSDN/Technet Download | May-02 |
| Windows XP SP3 Fulfillment Media | May-19
|
| VL Customers via download
| Jun-01
|
| Automatic Updates
| Jun-10 |
View Full Article:
MSDN Blogs..
winbeta.org -
22.04.2008Windows 7 M1 Build 6574.1 Info and Screenshots
ThinkNext, the Chinese Website that
previously posted screenshots of Windows
7 M1 Build 6519 is back with with new info and screenshots for an updated Windows 7 M1 release, Build 6574.1:
No, even Milestone 1
isnt a single release. Microsoft releases multiple versions of M1 with different minor version numbers. Well, for me it is the 2nd one Ive gotten but
Ive no idea about how many releases Microsoft did before. Ill use Win7 M1 R2, which stands for Windows 7 Milestone 1 Release 2, to describe it in the
following. Please be noted, Release 2 is my naming convention, not Microsofts.
View
Full Article/Screenshots:
ThinkNext (via
WinFuture.de)..
winbeta.org -
21.04.2008Recent Firefox update caused crashes, possible hole
While there is no evidence of an exploit as of yet, Mozilla is taking a proactive measure to fix the issue before it could be...
betanews.com -
18.04.2008XP SP3 Integrated Images on MSDN & Technet
Microsoft is pleased to make available integrated retail and volume license installs of Windows XP SP3, to MSDN and TechNet Plus subscribers.
Integrated retail and volume license installs are available in the following languages: Chinese Simplified, English, French, German, Italian,
Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish. Additional languages will be made available soon.
Please see the MSDN Subscriber
Downloads or TechNet Plus Subscriber Downloads to obtain these releases. The main TechNet resource page for Windows XP SP3 is updated with this
information.
File Name: en_windows_xp_professional_with_service_pack_3_x86_cd_vl_x14-73974.iso
Date Posted (UTC): 5/2/2008
12:05:18AM
SHA-1: 66ac289ae27724c5ae17139227cbe78c01eefe40
CRC: FFFFFFFF
Source:
Microsoft TechNet Forums Read full story.....
neowin.net -
03.05.2008New Ubuntu Linux runs in Windows from an emulated image
The latest Ubuntu operating system, version 8.04, code-named "Hardy Heron," has a new feature aimed at making it easier for Microsoft Windows
users to install and test the operating system without creating a separate virtual machine...
betanews.com -
25.04.2008Windows 7 build 6574 info leaked
Windows 7 is confirmed to still be under works, and despite the fact that Microsoft has tried to hold back the details about the next version of
Windows almost to perfection, details managed to slip through the company's closed doors.
The initial Windows 7 Milestone 1 build was
dropped at the end of 2007 and in early January 2008, but only to close partners of the company. But the development of Windows 7 has moved along
since version 6.1 Build 6519.1.x86.fre.winmain.071220-1525. From build 6519.1, Microsoft went up all the way to Version 6.1 Build 6574.1, reportedly
made available in March 2008. Although the latest build has higher digits it still stands under the category of Milestone 1.
Continue this
article at the Read More link... Forum:
Windows 7 build 6574 Discussion Source and Screenshots:
SoftpediaWith this release, the company has tweaked the installation process of the operating system only
superficially, but now the License Agreement references Windows 7 instead of Windows Vista. The build still contains the same kernel as Windows Vista,
it has yet to move on to the kernel labeled 'MinWin'. The installer no longer requires the introduction of a product key until the finalization of
the installation process, and after the initial setup, and even at that, the phase can be skipped entirely. Allowing users to run the build as a
trial.
The build also features a touched-up GUI. Windows Explorer comes with two new buttons, one for Views and the other for switching
the preview panel on or off. The build brings to the table the Health Center, complete with mouse over reactions. Windows 7 M1 Build 6.1.6574.1 also
permits end users to temporarily disable the User Account Control in scenarios where the UAC requires multiple confirmations.
..
jcxp.net -
28.04.2008Microsoft XP SP3 on track to RTM on April 21
Mary Jo Foley: Even though I vowed
I was getting out of the date-prediction
business at least when it came to Windows XP Service Pack (SP) 3 Im breaking my promise. I am hearing from reliable sources that Microsoft is
planning to announce the release to manufacturing (RTM) of XP SP3 tomorrow, April 21.
View Full Article:
Mary Jo Foley's
Blog..
winbeta.org -
20.04.2008Windows 7 M1 Build 6574.1
Chinese site ThinkNext has once again released screenshots of another build of Windows 7 that is currently being worked on by Microsoft.
Amongst the changes are some refining with Windows Explorer and the addition of a Windows Health Center that provides alerts and monitors the
systems health state. Microsoft is currently testing Windows 7 internally and is widely expected to announce further details at its PDC (professional
developers conference) in October this year. The company is expected to ship Windows 7 in Q1 2010.
The build was posted without the full
build string, which leads us to believe that a partner purposely violated the NDA with the Redmond based software company, and made it difficult to
trace back to a specific developer lab. As quoted from the site below:
"This time it’s the 2nd release of Windows 7 Milestone 1.
Version 6.1 (build 6574.1.{SECRET}). The {SECRET} here means I won’t expose detail. No, even Milestone 1 isn’t a single release. Microsoft
releases multiple versions of M1 with different minor version numbers. Well, for me it is the 2nd one I’ve gotten but I’ve no idea about
how many releases Microsoft did before. I’ll use Win7 M1 R2, which stands for Windows 7 Milestone 1 Release 2, to describe it in the following.
Please be noted, ‘Release 2’ is my naming convention, not Microsoft’s."
View:
ThinkNext - Windows 7 M1 6574.1 Screenshots Read full story.....
neowin.net -
22.04.2008iReboot 1.1 Released
Back in August of 2007, NeoSmart Technologies released iReboot 1.0 - a tiny application that sits quietly and unobtrusively in the taskbar and is used
to select which OS you'd like to reboot into.
iReboot isn't by any means a major application, but it's gathered a pretty
strong following over the months, mostly by people interested in boosting productivity (or increasing laziness) to the max. But there was one flaw in
iReboot that made all the hard work we put into making it as unobtrusive and minimalistic as possible almost meaningless: if you had UAC enabled,
iReboot will not run automatically at startup, no matter what you do.
View Full
Article:
The NeoSmart Files..
winbeta.org -
27.04.2008Microsoft's piracy problem could grow
When it comes to software piracy, Microsoft may just be aiding the enemy.
Microsoft has been counting on gains against unlicensed
software to boost revenue from the Windows unit, which accounts for a huge chunk of overall profits and sales. However, one of the company's own
decisions could make its antipiracy battle more difficult.
View Full Article:
CNET News..
winbeta.org -
26.04.2008Dell tries again with its XPS 730 high-end desktop gaming system
After one of the worst starts in the history of PCs two years ago, Dell's XPS desktop series has come crawling back, but not without scrapes and
bruises along the way. Yesterday it revealed a new 730 model it hopes can recapture Dell's glory...
betanews.com -
03.05.2008AMD Phenom X3 processor family performance
AMD known for its fighting underdog spirit recently relaunched the Phenom with the B3-stepping, which we looked at just recently. The B3-stepping has
not exactly breathed new life into the Phenom processors, but it has given AMD a chance to regroup and retarget its products, forcedly aiming at
cheaper and more affordable Intel processors.
The latest processor series from AMD is a little unusual as it makes use of not one, two, or
even four cores, but rather three! That’s right, the new Phenom X3 carries an unusual core configuration, and I guess the question most of you
are probably asking yourselves (as we did) is why? The most reasonable explanation is that this still allows AMD to sell Phenom X4 processors with a
defective core, minimizing their loss. Second, it gives some leverage for AMD to compete with Intel’s dual-core processors, being able to pull
the "additional core" card.
The Phenom X3 family consists of three new processors: the 8450 (2.10GHz), 8650 (2.30GHz) and 8750
(2.40GHz), all of which we are testing here today.
View:
AMD Phenom X3 processor
family performance @ TechSpot
Read
full story.....
neowin.net -
06.05.2008Microsoft ups Yahoo offer above $31 in bid for friendly deal
Microsoft Corp. finally dangled a higher takeover bid in front of Yahoo Inc. Friday, hoping to reach a friendly deal after weeks of saber rattling.
The Redmond, Wash.-based software maker upped its offer beyond the original value of $44.6 billion, or $31 per share, according to a
person familiar with the matter. The specifics of the new offer weren't known by this person, who didn't want to be identified because the
negotiations are still confidential.
The New York Times, citing unnamed sources, reported Microsoft boosted the offer by "by several
dollars" per share, lending weight to the assertion by many market analysts that Microsoft can afford to pay up to $35 a share. Representatives
from Microsoft and Yahoo declined to comment on the negotiations. The talks were expected to continue into the weekend.
In an intriguing
twist, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and Yahoo President Susan Decker were both expected to be in Omaha, Neb. this weekend to attend Berkshire
Hathaway Inc.'s annual meeting. Both Gates and Decker are on the board of the company led by famed investor Warren Buffett. The prospect of a
sweetened offer lifted Yahoo shares 80 cents in extended trading after surging $1.86, or nearly 7 percent, to finish the regular session at
$28.67.
View:
Full Article @ Yahoo! Read full story.....
neowin.net -
03.05.2008DST Update for Windows XP (KB942763)
Installing this update enables your computer to automatically adjust the computer clock on the correct date in 2007 and 2008 due to revised Daylight
Saving Time laws in many countries. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.
System Requirements
- Supported Operating Systems: Windows XP Service Pack 2; Windows XP Service Pack 3
Download:
Update for
Windows XP (KB942763) WGA Validation Required
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
22.04.2008Microsoft Launches Beta of New All-in-One Service for Consumers
Q&A: Group Product Manager Bryson Gordon discusses Albany -- a new service to help consumers be more protected, productive and connected and to
stay current with essential software and security updates...
microsoft.com/presspass -
18.04.2008Qwest DSL gets a speed increase in ten US States
Qwest Communications, Internet, TV, phone service provider for 14 western states announced the latest speeds available in the phased rollout of its
Fiber-to-the-node (FTTN) network...
betanews.com -
26.04.2008Windows XP SP3 official release delayed, but download still available
As expected, the self-extracting .EXE version of Windows XP Service Pack 3 was made available to the general public by Microsoft this morning.
However, due to a last minute problem, the official release has been delayed...
betanews.com -
29.04.2008Intel updates graphics with multimedia capabilities
Intel's long-awaited DirectX-10 graphics update for its chipsets is available.
DirectX is a collection of application
programming interfaces (APIs) for handling multimedia tasks in Microsoft-based environments, especially those tasks related to games and video.
DirectX-10 support was mentioned by Intel as far back as 2006 when its popular 965 chipset was introduced.
The new Windows Vista
driver enables DirectX10 functionality for Intel GM965 and G35 Express chipset based platforms. The GM965 uses the X3100 Intel graphics engine, while
the G35 uses the X3500.
The update is
available here.
View Full Article:
CNET News Blogs..
winbeta.org -
03.05.2008Apple Buys Chip Designer
Late Tuesday, in response to questions from Forbes.com, an Apple spokesman said Apple has agreed to buy a boutique microprocessor design company
called PA Semi. The company, which is known for its design of sophisticated, low-power chips, could spell a new future for Apple's flagship
iPhone, and possibly iPod products as well.
The 150-person chip company, P.A. Semi, was founded in 2003 by Dan Dobberpuhl, who was a lead
designer for the well-regarded Alpha and StrongARM microprocessors developed by Digital Equipment in the 1990s.
"Apple buys smaller
technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not comment on our purposes and plans," said Apple (nasdaq: AAPL - news - people )
spokesman Steve Dowling. He declined to comment on the value of the deal, which a person familiar with the deal suggested was done for $278
million in cash. Apple is due to announce its quarterly earnings Wednesday.
The decision to center the iPhone design around a chip that
Apple could own marks a significant strategic choice by Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs, and is aimed at ensuring Apple can continue to differentiate
its flagship phone as a raft of competitors flood the market. According to a source affiliated with the chip company, Jobs and Senior Vice President
Tony Fadell led the tiny group of executives who spearheaded the acquisition, which included negotiations that took place in Jobs' home.
View:
Full Article @ Forbes.com Read full story.....
neowin.net -
23.04.2008Xbox 360 to get wireless sport-themed controllers
Qmotions, the peripheral manufacturing subsidiary of the Actiga Corp. and a maker of controllers unique to individual sports games, will soon be
releasing fully Microsoft-endorsed Xbox 360 wireless controllers...
betanews.com -
03.05.2008Windows XP SP3 now available via Windows Update
Windows XP SP3 is finally here for those that use Windows
Update, and
here is a direct link to the stand-alone version of SP3 for x86 XP systems (32 bit). Thanks
Bink! I can't confirm if the 64bit version of SP3
is available from today, can anyone confirm?
Here is an interesting
article regarding SP3 performance, ignoring the fact that Vista SP1 is still faster than XP SP2/SP3 users
will enjoy a performance boost
over SP2. When will people learn that Vista ain't all bad!
Windows® XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes all previously released
updates for the operating system. This update also includes a small number of new functionalities, which do not significantly change customers’
experience with the operating system.
This white
paper summarizes what is new in Windows XP SP3.
Download:
Stand AloneWindows XP SP3 English, 32 Bit (316 MB)
Link:
Service Pack 3 for Windows XP
via Windows Update (Size varies)
Read more for additional languages..
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
29.04.2008Windows Vista Delivers Richer, Safer User Experience
Stylish, versatile Windows Vista powers a new wave of eye-catching PCs, with Service Pack 1 making consumers digital experiences more reliable and
secure than ever...
microsoft.com/presspass -
24.04.2008PhizzPop Design Challenge Winner has Silverlight Dialed In
Rich Internet application designed by Cynergy Systems wins nationwide contest highlights the power of the Microsoft Web platform and Silverlight...
microsoft.com/presspass -
17.04.2008Microsoft Research New Faculty Fellowships Help Young Professors Succeed
As the 2008 fellowship award winners are announced, PressPass checks in with two past Microsoft awardees to see how the fellowships have helped them
drive breakthrough research...
microsoft.com/presspass -
01.05.2008What's happening to Windows XP on June 30th?
Jared Proudfoot: I want to take another break from the discussion of the overall Support Lifecycle policies to address some common confusion that
weve been hearing regarding the support dates for Windows XP. Recently, there have been a number of posts in the blogosphere about Windows
XP and the upcoming end of Direct OEM and Retail License availability. Some people are interpreting this as the end of support for Windows
XP.
Please let me try and clear this up Support for Windows XP will continue, in accordance with the Microsoft Support
Lifecycle policy. This means that the
Mainstream Support phase will end on April 14, 2009 and the
Extended Support phase will end on April 8, 2014.
Thats at
least another 6 years of support remaining for Windows XP!
View Full Article: Microsoft Support
Lifecycle Blog..
winbeta.org - 26.04.2008
Free satellite TV service begins in the UK
A free-to-view satellite television and radio service from the BBC and ITV is being launched across the UK.
Freesat is available to 98% of
homes with a satellite dish, including those who are currently unable to receive Freeview television. It broadcasts 80 digital TV and radio channels
including the main ones, and will rise to 200 by the end of 2008. Users make a one-off payment for a dish, set-top box and installation, but will not
pay a monthly subscription.
Emma Scott from Freesat told BBC Radio 5Live: "It's got 98% coverage across the UK and it's only homes
that really don't have a clear line of sight to the satellite that can't get it, or certain listed buildings.
"But unlike Freeview
you can receive Freesat across the country, which means that in those areas that at the moment can't get access to free digital television this is
the first time that you can get free digital TV."
View: BBC News
Read full story.....
neowin.net - 06.05.2008
Hotmail via Outlook Express no more after June 30th
Thanks to brent3000 who posted this in our Back Page News forum,
it seems Microsoft is permanently disabling the ability to receive Hotmail via Outlook Express from June 30th. The software giant recommended via
email to its DAV protocol users, the free Windows Live Mail desktop utility as an alternative.
Thank you for using Microsoft®
Outlook® Express. Our information indicates that you use Outlook Express to access a Windows Live™ Hotmail® e-mail account via a protocol
called DAV (Distributed Authoring and Versioning protocol). DAV, like POP3 or IMAP, is the way that a mail client communicates with a web-based mail
server.
As a valued customer, we want to provide advanced notice that as of June 30, 2008, Microsoft is disabling the DAV protocol and you
will no longer be able to access your Hotmail Inbox via Outlook Express. As an alternative, we recommend that you download Windows Live Mail, a free desktop e-mail client that has the familiarity of Outlook
Express and much more. This next generation of free e-mail software will allow you to easily manage multiple e-mail accounts—including Windows
Live Hotmail, plus other e-mail accounts that support POP3/IMAP. Better yet, Windows Live Mail integrates well with other Windows Live services, and
downloads in minutes. After you provide your user name and password, you will automatically be linked to your Hotmail account, providing continued
access to your email and contacts.
Link to: Article in Back Page
News
Read full
story.....
neowin.net - 22.04.2008
Microsoft Spurs Economic Activity in Asia through Localized Software Initiatives
Microsoft Innovation Centers in Indonesia and Pakistan shed light on how to realize the potential of technology for sustainable economic growth...
microsoft.com/presspass - 09.05.2008
New Enterprise Sales Leadership and Strategy Focuses on Customer Connections, Business Value
Q&A: Worldwide Enterprise Sales Vice President Austen Mulinder discusses the strategy Microsofts enterprise sales teams are taking to accelerate the
evolution from a product sales orientation to a trusted advisor role...
microsoft.com/presspass - 07.05.2008
What Happened to Operation Aborted?
You browse to your favorite news site. The content starts loading, you've already started reading the headline, and then it happens. Those of you
familiar with the operation aborted dialog know that it spells sudden doom for the website you're currently viewing. Unsuspecting users have no
idea what it means and simply click 'OK' and then watch in horror as the web page they were just reading disappears; only to be replaced by an
navigation error screen. More savvy users move the dialog out of the way so that they can finish reading what was visible before they too accept the
inevitable...
This dialog (and its side-effects) is gone in Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1.
View: The Full Article @ The IEBlog
Read full story.....
neowin.net - 25.04.2008
New York Orders Large Web Retailers To Charge Sales Tax
New York Internet shoppers, take note: in five weeks, sales tax-free shopping will end on many Web sites thanks to rewritten state rules that are
trying to force Internet retailers to collect. For years, retailers with "brick and mortar" stores in New York, such as Wal-Mart, have charged sales
tax on orders placed through their Web sites. Yet Amazon.com and other e-tailers with no physical stores have not charged the tax, much to the delight
of Internet bargain hunters, like online shopper April Cantin. "Coming here, you have to pay a lot of tax, when you pay on line, you pay nothing,
just shipping and handling and the item," she says.
However, in the midst of a budget crisis, New York is now telling Amazon and
certain other large Internet-only vendors they must collect state and local sales tax -- if they allow sales via "click-throughs" from New
York-based Web sites. The new rule is set to go into effect on June 1. The state estimates this new Internet tax will bring in $50 million this
year and $75 million next year. But the new rulings aren't sitting well with the Internet giants. Amazon, the largest Internet retailer, is
objecting to the decision, saying "this is the wrong time to increase taxes on New Yorkers."
View: Full Story at CBS TV NY
Read full story.....
neowin.net - 25.04.2008
AMD Reports Net Loss of $358 Million
Chip-maker AMD revealed some first
quarter financial numbers today, and the results aren't exactly stellar. Total revenue for the company was $1.505 billion, but it had
sustained a net loss of $358 million, or $0.59 per share, and an operating loss of $264 million. These results include an impact of
$50 million, or $0.08 per share, from ATI acquisition-related charges. However, although first quarter revenue decreased 15% compared to the
fourth quarter of 2007, it actually increased 22% compared to the first quarter of 2007.
“A seasonally weak first quarter was
amplified by a challenging economic environment for consumers and lower than expected revenues of previous generation products, resulting in lower
than expected revenues in all business segments.” said Robert J. Rivet, AMD’s Chief Financial officer. “We remain committed
to achieve operating profitability in the second half of the year, driven by our portfolio of new products and platforms and aggressive restructuring
programs.”
Thanks for the tip, HenryC!
Read full story.....
neowin.net - 19.04.2008
Do you want a Live Mesh invite? Have an invite to share? Visit www.sharemesh.com
Long Zheng: You might have heard the buzz about Microsoft’s Live Mesh software-as-a-service platform
launched over the past week and wondered what all the fuss is about. Well you probably didn't get very far before you were stopped in the
registration process to find out it was invite-only. Apparently it’s a necessary to help them scale with demand.
View Full Article: Long Zheng's Blog..
winbeta.org - 26.04.2008
Microsoft Launches New Windows Vista Ultimate Extras
Despite no announcement being made on UltimatePC.com, Microsoft have released a new sound scheme and a content pack for Windows DreamScene as part of
its Windows Vista Ultimate Extras offerings for customers who purchased the Ultimate edition of Vista.
After installing the sound pack
customers get Ultimate Extras Pearl and Glass sound schemes and additional Windows DreamScene Content.
For those who have been waiting for
Ultimate Extras perhaps this is a sign that more is to come from the software giant.
View: Windows Vista Ultimate Extras
Read full story.....
neowin.net - 23.04.2008
Windows XP Service Pack 3 Released to Manufacturing
As expected and reported by Neowin last week,
Microsoft, via Chris Keroack the Windows XP SP3 Release Manager for the Windows Serviceability team, has announced the release of Windows XP Service
Pack (SP) 3 to manufacturing.
Here’s the official word, via a post to the TechNet XP Forum, thanks to sgtLENIN for the heads up:
“Today we are happy to
announce that Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) has released to manufacturing (RTM). Windows XP SP3 bits are now working their way through our
manufacturing channels to be available to OEM and Enterprise customers.
We are also in the final stages of preparing for release to the web
(i.e. you!) on April 29th, via Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center. Online documentation for Windows XP SP3, such as Microsoft Knowledge
Base articles and the Microsoft TechNet Windows XP TechCenter, will be updated then. For customers who use Windows XP at home, Windows XP SP3
Automatic Update distribution for users at home will begin in early summer.
Thanks to everyone here who installed the public betas –
you not only gave us detailed feedback but also helped each other out with timely troubleshooting. Through the beta program we found several important
issues and were able to confirm some essential fixes. We couldn’t have done this without you.
We will still be monitoring this forum
during the next few weeks in case you have more feedback about the release of Windows XP SP3.”
Link: Microsoft TechNet XP Forum
Read full story.....
neowin.net - 22.04.2008
Windows XP SP3 released to manufacturing, downloadable 4/29
In a post to Microsoft's TechNet Forum minutes ago, a Microsoft official announced that Service Pack 3 of Windows XP has released to its
manufacturing channels, in order to reach OEM and enterprise customers by late April...
betanews.com - 21.04.2008
Grape: a New Desktop
Thom Holwerda: Rethinking the desktop metaphor, or even improving it in any significant way, is a daunting task, and few dare to take the risk. The
end result is that the desktop metaphor that we use today barely changed over the years - which is quite unique for the computing industry, as
normally, things change very rapidly.
The problem seems to be that any proposed improvements or changes to the graphical user
interface are either too evolutionary to be significant, or too radical to be practical. The key seems to be to strike a balance between offering
genuine improvement, but at the same time, be recognisable enough so that 'normal' users can identify with it effortlessly. I rarely, if ever,
encounter such an improvement - until a few days ago. Cue Grape.
View Full Article: OSNews..
winbeta.org - 14.05.2008
Apple Ends Stealth Safari Installs For Windows
Apple has revised the way it sends software updates to Windows PCs via its Software Update service in response to charges that it was sneaking its
Safari Web browser onto users' desktops without their permission or knowledge.
The latest version of the Software Update tool for Windows,
version 2.1.0.110, now clearly lists software that can be downloaded via the service and groups the updates into those for applications already on the
user's computer and updates for new software.
The new version of Software Update also gives users the ability to turn off the
service.
In modifying Software Update, Apple was clearly responding to widespread criticism that the service downloaded Safari 3.1 onto
users' systems surreptitiously.
The company included the browser as a stealth update for users of the Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) Windows
versions of its iTunes and QuickTime software. Mozilla CEO John Lilly likened the strategy to tactics used by hackers to insert malicious code into
downloads.
"Apple has made it incredibly easy -- the default, even -- for users to install ride along software that they didn't ask
for, and maybe didn't want," said Lilly, in a recent blog post. "This is wrong, and borders on malware distribution practices."
View: Full article @
informationweek
Read full
story.....
neowin.net - 19.04.2008
Skype testing software for mobile phones
Skype is looking to expand its mobile offerings and is opening up a public beta for its mobile software...
betanews.com - 26.04.2008
GIGABYTE X48T-DQ6 Review @ Bjorn3D
Today we are going to take a look at GIGABYTE's high end motherboard, the X48T-DQ6. GIGABYTE makes two versions of this board utilizing
Intel's X48 chipset. The X48 which is a DDR2 variant and the X48T which is the DDR3 version that we will be covering today. The X48 brings minimal
changes to the chipset when compared to the X38 and the only tangible difference should be more overclocking headroom.
In recent years
GIGABYTE has truly reinvented itself as a leader in innovation. In today's world the name of the game, or color to be more specific, is green. We
have green cars, green homes and now you can add motherboards to the growing list of items going green. GIGABYTE has made a concerted effort to
produce motherboards that use the least amount of energy possible without sacrificing performance. A task not easily accomplished. To this end they
have dubbed this innovation DES or Dynamic Energy Saver. A system which can adjust voltage, power phases and clocks speeds of the board and CPU to
ensure as little energy as possile is wasted while providing as much power as needed.
Is it possible to have a power efficient system
without losing performance? Let's find out.
Link to: Full Review @ Bjorn3D
Read full story.....
neowin.net - 09.05.2008
New Microsoft Services Leadership and Structure Streamlines IT Services and Support for Customers and Partners Worldwide
Q&A: Maria Martinez, Corporate Vice President of Worldwide Services, discusses how restructuring of the companys Services division provides increased
and enhanced IT services and support capabilities to industry partners and customers...
microsoft.com/presspass - 30.04.2008
