For those out there with AMD powered video cards, they have updated their drivers to the newest 11.3. Grab them if you need them.  Here are the links to Windows 7 / Vista 32-bit, Windows 7 / Vista 64-bit, WinXP 32-bit, and WinXP 64-bit.

This release of ATI Catalyst™ delivers support for the latest ATI CrossFireX™ profiles in a separate executable file ensuring users have access to the absolute latest set of profiles installed on their PC.

New profiles added to this release:

– Crysis 2 – Improves CrossFire performance

– Dungeons – Improves CrossFire performance with forced on Anti-Aliasing

– Crasher – Forced on Anti-Aliasing through the Catalyst Control Center has been disabled

– Shogun 2 (DX9 version) – Improves CrossFire performance

– America’s Army 3 – Improves CrossFire performance

– Flatout: Ultimate Carnage – Improves CrossFire performance

The site Winreview.ru (translation to English here) has posted screenshots showing the process of installation using an in-place upgrade from Windows 7. Nothing really spectacular here, but still pretty nice that the leaks are out there.

One thing to mention, though, is that when attempted to install using VMWare it ended with a black screen of death.

Microsoft is calling for beta testers to test a new Xbox 360 system update. Participants in the program will receive a copy of Halo: Reach along with other rewards. Definitely worth giving it a shot if you can live with the beta-ness of the whole thing!

Much like we did last year, you’ll need to visit the Microsoft Connect site from this link and sign in with your Windows LIVE ID that is connected to your Xbox LIVE Gamertag. Once you complete the survey that is presented to you, the Connect site will provide program related updates and you will receive a mail once the selection process is completed.

A couple of points before you head off to register:

• We’re looking for multiple thousands of participants, so your chances of making it in are good.

• This opportunity is open to Xbox LIVE Members in US region only*.

  To avoid any problems, read the survey carefully and double check all the information you provide.

• While both Xbox LIVE Gold and Silver members can sign up, priority will be given to Gold members in the selection process.

*Due to disc distribution limitations, this beta it will be limited to residents of the United States only.

Along with the previous post with Windows Home Server, Microsoft has announced that they have signed off on the RTM for Windows Server 2011, Small Business Server Essentials. This is a great server product for businesses with less than 25 users to offer the stability and security that comes with Microsoft’s Server products.

• When can I get purchase SBS 2011 Essentials?
  We expect SBS 2011 Essentials to be made available via all channels including VL starting May 1.
• What languages is SBS 2011 Essentials available in?
  SBS 2011 Essentials will be released in 19 languages including Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan), Chinese (Hong Kong), Czech, Dutch, English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Russian, Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish.
• When will OEMs offer SBS 2011 Essentials?
  Many OEMs and System Builders have already started building specific form factors and solutions based on SBS 2011 Essentials. We expect to start seeing them in the market starting May.
• When will the Evaluation for SBS 2011 Essentials be made available?
  The evaluation for SBS 2011 Essentials will be released in early April.
• When will I be able to download SBS 2011 Essentials via my TechNet or MSDN subscription?
  SBS 2011 Essentials will be made available on MSDN and TechNet also in early April.
• When will I be able to download SBS 2011 Essentials via MAPs or MPN?
  Further information about MPN and MAPs availability will be released early April.
• What is the difference between SBS2011 Standard and SBS 2011 Essentials?
  You can learn more about this at the official SBS 2011 website, and on the SBS 2011 TechNet site.

It’s official: Windows Home Server has been signed off for RTM. Expect to see OEM’s releasing WHS 2011 devices starting in May. For those with TechNet or MSDN subscriptions, you can download it in Early April, as well as an evaluation copy from Microsoft for the public.

I think I may give it a run to see how I like it over the domain based Windows Server 2011 SBS. I’m on the fence as it stands right now.

• When will OEM’s offer WHS 2011? Many OEM’s and System Builders have already started building specific form factors and solutions based on WHS 2011. We expect to start seeing them in the market starting May.
• What languages is WHS 2011 available in? SBS 2011 Essentials will be released in 19 languages including Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan), Chinese (Hong Kong), Czech, Dutch, English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Russian, Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish.
• When will the Evaluation for WHS 2011 be made available? The evaluation experience for WHS 2011 will be released in early April.
• When will I be able to download WHS 2011 via my TechNet or MSDN subscription? WHS 2011 will be made available on MSDN and TechNet also in early April.
• What is the difference between V1 of WHS and WHS 2011? You can learn more about differences in our comparison datasheet.

According to IDC, Apple’s iPhone is going to drop to number 3, Android is taking the number one spot with the Windows Phone 7 platform being squarely in the middle by 2015. While I do love the Windows Phone 7, and I agree that Android will overtake Apple and be in the number one spot, I do not see the iPhone dropping below Microsoft’s offering. IDC credits the jump to the deal with Nokia for bringing WP7 to the masses.

Nokia’s recent announcement to shift from Symbian to Windows Phone will have significant implications for the smartphone market going forward. "Up until the launch of Windows Phone 7 last year, Microsoft has steadily lost market share while other operating systems have brought forth new and appealing experiences," added Llamas. "The new alliance brings together Nokia’s hardware capabilities and Windows Phone’s differentiated platform. We expect the first devices to launch in 2012. By 2015, IDC expects Windows Phone to be number 2 operating system worldwide behind Android."

The site CrashIE.com was released in 2006, designed to crash Internet Explorer 7. After Microsoft patched the browser flaw used to lock up IE, the site creators found another way to do it with IE8. Now, with Internet Explorer 9, they are back. Visitors to CrashIE.com using Internet Explorer will be greeted with a locked browser. Results are mixed, with some users able to visit the site, others getting a timeout, and others getting a browser lockup with 100% CPU usage. Chrome seems to also suffer from this problem, but only sporadically. I find it funny that they claim that Safari is better than IE. Safari has to be the WORST browser I have ever used!

Warning: If you are using Internet Explorer, clicking on the link above MAY crash your browser! Click using caution!

I’ve only dabbled in Visual Basic, and am still learning by creating programs. The good news is that Microsoft is bringing XNA support to Visual Basic. I started working with C# to create an XNA application, but I’m finally glad to see it coming to VB. It’s definitely been in demand!

Tonight at DevConnections, Senior Director Dave Mendlen announced that XNA support will be coming to Visual Basic. This is part of Microsoft’s co-evolution strategy, whereby we are providing equal access to Microsoft technologies for both C# and Visual Basic developers. XNA has been a top Visual Basic customer request for the past several years, so we are excited to bring this support to the product.

One of the newest screenshots from a leak of Windows 8 shows a “Restore to original factory settings” option as part of system restore. This is a good feature, but it better have it’s own rollback feature. I’m sure someone will “accidently” use this, go past all the warnings, and want their stuff back.

Yes, this site is a Microsoft fan site, but occasionally, I mention the competition’s products. Really, Apple does make some nice products, but I don’t like their business practices. The iPod is a decent MP3 player for sure, but the mainstream response is what made me get one. I can’t get a Zune adapter for my car stereo or home receiver, so my only choice was an iPod. As far as tablets go, until Windows 8 debuts, I’m staying with the Android powered ones. But, I really like the way this guy thinks about the iPad 2.