Well, it’s been done. It was said that it couldn’t be done, but we had to wait to find out. Well, it came fast! You can use your Windows 7 Upgrade disk to perform a clean install, rather than being forced to have Vista installed first.

It was the final unanswered question about Windows 7. But now, thanks to numerous reader reports and my own hands-on experience, I’m can now report that Microsoft is still making it difficult to clean install Windows 7 with Upgrade media. But fear not, there is some good news. While you can’t simply use Upgrade media to do a clean install of Windows 7 on an unused PC with a blank hard drive, the workaround this time is easier than ever. Assuming you know the trick.

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For those that want to upgrade to Windows 7 on your Netbook, or a similar device without using the DVD drive, Microsoft has released a tool (Dubbed the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool, or WUDT) that allows you to install Windows 7 using a USB drive. Sure, you’ve been able to do this before, but now it’s done using an official, supported Microsoft branded piece of software.

“For netbook users without DVD drives, the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool [WUDT] will take an ISO image and create a bootable USB device that can be used to install Windows 7,” Microsoft spokesperson Brandon LeBlanc wrote in an Oct. 22 entry on The Windows Blog. “The WUDT can also create a Windows 7 installation DVD from the ISO file as well.”

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Well, tomorrow is the official day Windows 7 is released. Anyone have any plans on running out and buying a copy off the shelf or ordering from Newegg or Amazon? I’m running it right now, and it’s awesome. Much better than Vista, and Vista was good. If you’re going to hold off until you build your next (or buy) PC, don’t hold off too long! 🙂

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So, I’m a bit of a MS FSX (Flight Simulator X) fan, which is no surprise. And I’ve heard of the ATI Eyefinity feature of their new GPU line. But, seeing both together was just…. Wow… I know what I’m going to be upgrading to this coming Spring (I’m waiting for the Spring refresh).

What you see above is a flight simulator running on 24 monitors from one PC, the holy grail for most flight sim addicts. What was once the domain of hacks, registry tweaks, or amazingly expensive proprietary solutions is now easy. Very soon, you will be able to get that in off the shelf consumer products. This is what AMD calls Eyefinity.

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Not sure where this started, but it’s pretty awesome. Stewie is promoting Windows 7. Definitely an advertisement! 🙂 Also, the original is below.

Mariland is a lucky state. They can get free vouchers from the employment office for free training on Microsoft products. That’s really nice and all, but I’m not in Mariland! 🙂 I wish this was a country wide promotion. I could use some training in some MS products that I rarely use to get up to speed and be a knowledgeable user! And free certifications?! At least this says one thing: Microsoft is one of the very few US companies that are actually investing in the US economy and recovery. Thanks Microsoft! You’re one in a million!

Marylanders will be able to use the vouchers to take advantage of Microsoft eLearning courses delivered over the www, and to cover the cost of certain Microsoft certification exams. Maryland state employees are not eligible for this program.

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For those that are interested, CNET has a preview of what to expect when Microsoft finally releases their Social Networking features on the XBox 360. While some of you love Twitter, I’m not so much a fan. I use it very rarely. I use Facebook, but won’t be updating by my XBox. But, the last.fm feature will get a bit of usage. I love music, so that’s a bonus. I’d like to see XM and/or Sirius satellite radio streaming included. That’d be cool.

Microsoft was expected to release Twitter, Facebook, and Last.fm apps for the Xbox 360 as part of a system software update that went out back in August. It was decided that the apps should be delayed for a fall release, but CNET got a sneak peek of the apps on Wednesday from Ron Pessner, Microsoft’s general manager of games for Windows Live.

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Micheal Dell says that you’ll love your PC again, with Windows 7, Office 2010 and the new range of Intel processors. I’ve loved my PC for quite a while. Don’t know why he hasn’t liked his. Maybe because he got a Dell, dude! I’ve never really liked the guy, myself. But, Dell computers used to be good quality, until the past couple years. I’ve worked on more Dell problems than any other. And most of my clients are switching to HP or Acer. Sorry, Dell…