So, Windows 7 has been out (officially) not even a month. But, as the way it is in this industry, speculation over Windows 8 started quite a while ago. A release date has been shown on a roadmap slide from Microsoft, showing 2012.
The NSA (National Security Agency) of the USA has been helping Microsoft with security for the Windows OS. This is some great news, and should be great in the long run. Of course, I did find one thing disturbing.
The NSA and other cybersecurity experts say that simple precautions (such as installing system updates regularly and running anti-virus software and firewalls) should protect against about 80% of the attacks out there. This means that if users took these steps, the NSA and others could focus on the more dangerous 20%, or so the theory goes. Put another way, of course, that means about 20% of attacks are sophisticated enough to theoretically defeat standard security measures.
The emphasis is mine. I wonder what types of firewalls the attacks can bypass. Scary.
For all those that like to customize the look and feel of your operating system, Stardock has released the Windows 7 compatible WindowBlinds 7. I’ve always been a fan of WindowBlinds, and have been awaiting the release of this version. Give it a try, there is a free trial download to test it out.
Customize your entire Windows experience with WindowBlinds. This one-of-a-kind program can change virtually every element of the Windows graphical user interface.
There has been a lot of talk about the beta release of Office 2010. It’s been available to MSDN and Technet subscribers for a few days now, and now it’s available to the public. One nice thing to note, however, is that it is also available for Windows Mobile 6.x on Windows Marketplace for Mobile. I’ve been using the technical preview for some time, and am now using the beta. Overall, it’s a nice upgrade from Office 2007, and the improvements from the technical preview to the beta are noticeable. So, if you’ve been running the TP, take the time to upgrade to the beta.
While I don’t agree with the author on this one, this is still a very good and informative read. What don’t I agree with? The fault of the failure of Windows Mobile. It wasn’t the iPhones fault. Windows Mobile is a nice OS, but I really loved it on my Dell Axim x50V. Not so much on my Motorola Q9C. Even with the touch screen phones I’ve played with, they just don’t offer that much over the easier to use competitors. I’d like to see Windows Mobile 7 do a complete rewrite of the software. I like the Windows like interface, but there should be an option for an icon based touch screen (similar to iPhone or Android), and redo the Start menu (too many taps to get something done). Personally, I use my Dell for the WinMo features, and my MotoQ for the phone and text. An expensive phone for what it’s used for… Just a phone. They need to put the “Smart” back in SmartPhone.
Windows Mobile has lost nearly a third of its smartphone market share since 2008, research firm Gartner reports. Windows Mobile had 11 percent of the global smartphone market in the third quarter of 2008, according to Gartner, and last quarter Windows Mobile
There was a time when you could build you own PC, and buy an OEM version of Windows to run on it. Well, according to everyone BUT Microsoft. Creating confusion and caos in Microsoft’s own Windows Help forums, as well as with PC builders everywhere, Microsoft’s EULA now states that the OEM version is meant for PC builders for resale only. You cannot build a PC for yourself and use an OEM copy. Even if you work for a resale shop. If it’s for personal use, you must use a retail or upgrade version. Now, it hasn’t always been this way. Old information (now deleted on MS’s site) states that you could use an OEM copy if you built your own PC… Hmmm… Will Microsoft change it’s stance after this has come to light? They state the information on their site was a “mistake”, as well as the literature that came with previous versions of Windows.
I sure hope so. It would save us DIY’ers some money, and it would save Microsoft some face. I’ll be watching this development very closely.
Once, not so long ago, Microsoft officially allowed hobbyists and Windows enthusiasts to use discounted OEM System Builder copies on new PCs built for personal use. Last year, in a post titled OEM licensing confusion starts at Microsoft.com, I posted pictures of official, Microsoft-produced documents that made this policy crystal-clear, in plain English.
Hackers have already done some work with Windows 7, making it easier to crack. But, now they have made it so that a key doesn’t even need to be entered to install the operating system. Microsoft says that they know of the issue and are already working to resolve it. Previously, Windows Vista had a similar crack, and Microsoft remedied it through a Windows Update.
My Digital Life said the fresh hack nullifies the sppcompai.dll thereby passing product activation and licensing in the Windows Activation Technologies’ (WAT) Software Protection Platform (SPP) and Software Licensing Client (SLC).
More news about pirates. These days, they are going after the forensic tools that are available to the law enforcement agents out there. It’s available on all the torrent sites out there, among other sources. I guess it was only a matter of time.
With COFEE, law enforcement agencies without on-the-scene computer forensics capabilities can now more easily, reliably, and cost-effectively collect volatile live evidence. An officer with even minimal computer experience can be tutored
So, this guy thinks that Apple may be buying Google ad space to target specific searches. Those dealing with pirates trying to download the new Windows 7. While I don’t believe his conclusion, it does appear that Apple is going for the Windows 7 upgraders. But, why would you spend MORE money to upgrade to an Apple? You can’t just buy the OS and put it on your PC. You have to buy a machine that costs twice as much as the sum of it’s parts (and a lot more than a prebuilt PC), then add the OS to that… Yikes. No thank you.
Has Apple decided that among its top potential customers for switching to a Mac are Windows 7 pirates? Based on ads that Apple is buying on Google that might be the case — search for “download Windows 7” and you’ll see an Apple ad urging PC users to switch to the Mac. But search for “buy Windows 7” and you’ll see no such ad.
Microsoft has published a product guide for Windows 7, which gives you a look at the new features in Windows 7. As mentioned below, it isn’t a detailed how-to guide, but an overview and basic knowledge about the new features. It’s available in XPS and PDF formats for your downloading and reading pleasure.
The Windows 7 Product Guide provides a detailed look at the many new and improved features in Windows 7. The guide is designed as an accurate source of information that can help you to understand how Windows 7 Simplifies Everyday Tasks, Works the Way You Want, and Makes New Things Possible. The guide is also designed to provide IT Professionals with information about how to Make People Productive Anywhere, Manage Risk Through Enhanced Security and Control, and Reduce Costs by Streamlining PC Management. This is not a help and how to guide. Rather, it provides an overview of the many exciting features in Windows 7 and pointers to more information. The Windows 7 Product Guide is available in both XPS and PDF formats.