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Windows Vista

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windows vista

Microsoft Pulling Vista SP1 Off Automatic Software Update

Microsoft's not only delaying Windows XP SP3 temporarily, but they're also pulling off Windows Vista SP1—which has already been pushed out to automatic software update—because of potential incompatibilities. Most of us don't need to worry about it since this is just an issue with MS's SQL Servers that affect Microsoft Dynamics Retail management systems. Unless you're running a SQL database at home to track the chore distribution for your family, you can go ahead and manually fetch the update and install it yourself. [PCWorld]

4:47 PM on Thu May 1 2008
By Jason Chen
4,624 views, 24 comments

Latest by Kaiser-Machead: @92BuickLeSabre: That's geekilly funny. more »

home automation

Crestron Home Automation Adds Windows Sideshow Support

Crestron, the company that makes crazy high-end home automation equipment that lets you turn off your lights by just breathing loudly, just announced Windows Sideshow support. You remember Windows Sideshow, right? The Windows Vista feature that lets you feed Vista's Gadgets onto an external device. Crestron's including this on all Crestron touchpanels and 2-way devices that support dynamic text. Not only does it read data, you can even send control information back to Windows to change a song or turn off your BitTorrent downloads because you're about to play some Xbox Live. More »

6:10 PM on Wed Apr 16 2008
By Jason Chen
2,345 views, 7 comments

Latest by Stride: Specialists in custom install of home automation installation and smart home systems. Custom audio installation including smart home automation and whole house lighting control systems and mood lighting. The very best smart home automation systems.Home Automation more »

windows vista

Vista Update Scrambling USB Devices, SP1 Auto-Rollout Stalled?

An update that went out last week for Vista to patch security holes in Windows Defender (ironically) is apparently knocking out some USB devices like mice and keyboards, so that they stop working entirely. Microsoft actually admits the issue: "We are aware of concerns that a recent Microsoft update may be causing problems with USB devices. We are investigating the matter, and at this time, do not have any information to share." So you might wanna skip that one. Speaking of, the Reg also says Vista SP1's supposed auto roll-out "remains missing in action" and has an MS spokesman seemingly confirm the delay. We installed manually a while ago. Anyone got the automatic update? [The Reg]

5:50 PM on Wed Apr 16 2008
By matt buchanan
4,539 views, 40 comments

Latest by SneakerFiend: @openfly: Happy i had a hacked version and got caught. My xp isn't as great as vista is but give it a week and it should be up and running faster than vista was. If not then im going to remove more »

windows vista

Microsoft: We Designed Vista User Account Control to Piss You Off

The truth is out! Windows Vista's User Account Control makes you want to put your computer through a wall because that's what Microsoft wanted. David Cross, a product manager who designed UAC (sadly, not that one), told attendees at the RSA 2008 conference, "The reason we put UAC into the platform was to annoy users. I'm serious." More »

2:20 PM on Fri Apr 11 2008
By matt buchanan
33,062 views, 137 comments

windows vista sp1

Windows Vista SP1 Update: Endless Restart Bug Fixed, Automatic Rollout Starts Next Week

As people who've already made (or attempted) the jump to Vista SP1 know, before you get to the actual service pack, you've gotta clear a gauntlet of pre-install updates, which started rolling out in Feb. One of the updates apparently sent some users into an endless spiral of reboots, so Microsoft hit pause on the auto-rollout. Two months later, it's fixed! Microsoft now returns you to your regularly scheduled SP1 programming, which goes full-throttle automatic update next week. Here's what you're in for. [Windows Vista Blog]

2:32 PM on Mon Apr 7 2008
By matt buchanan
6,380 views, 41 comments

Latest by Mandatory_Field: As far as browsing performance goes (which is probably nowadays 50% of people's perception of OS speed), anyone complaining about slowness there has probably not figured out to turn off the phishing flter. Which, on the other hand, probably means more »

umpc

Hands On HTC Shift EV-DO

HTC had their Shift UMPC on display here at CTIA, which packs Sprint EV-DO, an 800 MHz Celeron processor, 1 GB RAM and a 40 GB SSD into a tidy $1500 package. After getting touchy feely with it for a few minutes, I found it wasn't half bad. I was especially impressed by the proprietary HTC SnapView interface that runs on top of Windows Vista, and provides quick access to weather, calendars and emails (similar to the Windows Mobile 6.1 homescreen that it's based around).
More »

4:16 PM on Wed Apr 2 2008
By Adrian Covert
4,353 views, 11 comments

Latest by hanswurst0815: Is that a fingerprint reader on the screen's lower right? more »

vista

Microsoft So Confident in Vista SP1, They're Offering a Free Year of Support

Usually, Microsoft only gives you a gratis year of support if you buy a boxed version of Vista. But because the ride to SP1 has been so peanut butter-smooth (hey, sarcasm) they're offering free support for all users who upgrade to SP1, even if you got Vista on say, your Dell box. "Unlimited installation and compatibility support" via email and chat is free until Mar. 18, 2009. Any of you guys still have problems with your install? [CNET]

1:30 PM on Tue Mar 25 2008
By matt buchanan
5,071 views, 65 comments

Latest by aec007: @se.blackheart: If you read the fine print in the "things to know before installing SP1" you would have notice that is says "some" drivers might fail after installation. And the procedure is to unistall the driver and re-install it.No big more »

usb gadget

USB Gadget Display is Like Vista Sideshow, but Supports Windows XP

When is Vista Sideshow not Vista Sideshow? When it does the same thing as Sideshow—display little widgets on an external device—but doesn't use Vista's Gadgets. The USB Gadget Display does look like a little 2-inch LCD display, which shows clocks and various other things like CPU and RAM usage (but mostly clocks) outside of your machine, but it works with Windows XP, something Sideshow can't claim. Though, looking at the quality of these widgets, it might be worth it for you to upgrade to Vista. [Everything USB]

8:00 PM on Wed Mar 19 2008
By Jason Chen
5,356 views, 6 comments

Latest by MacMasterShane: is there anymore info on this thing? Everything USB is just another news site, but no one actually lists a manufacturer or retailer of it? more »

laptops

HTC Shift Vista UMPC Coming in EV-DO Flavor

It's only been a couple weeks since the Windows Vista-capable HTC Shift UMPC was just released in the US and it's already getting an EV-DO version for you to hook up to Verizon or Sprint (theoretically). LaptopMag's review of it mirrors what we've seen in European reviews of the device (it's been out there for a few months): it's got a cramped keyboard, slightly slow CPU, short battery life and weak Wi-Fi. It probably won't replace your normal laptop if you're traveling, but if you're packing light, it makes for a workable alternative. [Amazon via LaptopMag]

3:59 PM on Wed Mar 19 2008
By Jason Chen
3,505 views, 8 comments

Latest by hkicedude: I wish the UMPC or those small laptop life cycles are as short as these cellphone-computers. I have been looking around a while now for a replacement of my Eeepc but nothing comes close to the default Linux OS. Kojinsha more »

microsoft

Officially Official: Windows Vista SP1 Is Available... NOW

Windows' much demanded Vista Service Pack 1 is finally free for you to download from Windows Update or Microsoft Download Center. Microsoft says SP1 will bring "improvements that address many key pieces of customer feedback, especially in the areas of performance and reliability." Gaming and networking are two particular areas of improvement, though experienced opinionators like our beloved Mossberg think it may well just be turd polish (not his words, to be sure). Want more info? Keep your eyes on this blog.

12:44 PM on Tue Mar 18 2008
By Wilson Rothman
22,795 views, 107 comments

Latest by zimstyles: wow 726.5mb for the x64 dload... thats just annoying and for some reason i am getting 300kb so a good 40mins better be worth it more »

windows vista

Rumor: Windows Vista SP 1 Coming Tuesday?

There's no official confirmation from Microsoft, but many sources seem to claim that Windows Vista's Service Pack 1 will be officially available starting tomorrow, March 18. One of these sources is Amazon, which lists the SP1 as being released on March 18. Another is TechARP, which got the RTM date on SP1 correct a few months ago. We'll see what the real deal is tomorrow when you can download and install it on your current machine direct from Microsoft. [Amazon via Computerworld]

3:15 PM on Mon Mar 17 2008
By Jason Chen
3,985 views, 36 comments

Latest by Dirk: @NikFromNYC: What the hell are you talking about? more »

software

Microsoft Cuts Vista Prices, XP Still Better

Looks like Microsoft is trying another push to get Vista Ultimate running as your OS of choice. The top-end operating system will receive a price cut from $399 to $319, whilst the upgrade version will now retail at $219, a savings of $40 on the original price. Vista Home Premium will also be dropped in price, from $159 to $129. If you were holding out, now seems like a good time as any to take the Vista plunge, or stick with XP SP3 because it kicks Vista-ass. Your call. Note: the Digg badge on this post corresponds to the original news' Digg. [News.com]


3:45 AM on Fri Feb 29 2008
By Haroon Malik
5,264 views, 90 comments

Latest by aec007: @spock11384: It "feels" secure?You really don't know Vista then... That would make YOU the idiot. For being a gamer, you seem to be a lousy one.XP was also a problem when it came out and that was with far less requirements more »

vista

Vista Capable Laptops Sucked So Intel Could Dump Crappy Graphics Chips

The judge on the class action lawsuit against Microsoft for those Vista handi-capable stickers unsealed a bunch of super-juicy internal emails exchanged between Microsoft higher-ups (including Ballmer) on Vista's suckiness. They weren't oblivious to the fact that "Vista capable" machines were horrible—but they let it slide, according to exec John Kalkman:
"To help Intel make their quarterly earnings so they could continue to sell motherboards with 915 graphics embedded."
They even screwed HP to make Intel happy. More »

8:00 PM on Thu Feb 28 2008
By matt buchanan
12,605 views, 61 comments

Latest by BombrMan: @sho38: What? The OS turns aero on and off by itself. If you have a strong enough machine to run it then aero turns on, if not it turns off. Come on, don't act like you've had experience with this more »

windows vista

Vista Capable Sticker Lawsuit Becomes Class Action

Remember the lawsuit filed a little while ago against Microsoft because PCs with "Windows Vista Capable" stickers weren't actually all that Vista Capable? A federal judge just granted that suit class action status, meaning that if you bought a Vista "Capable" PC during the 2006 Holidays, you might be in store to get a little bit of cash back. More »

6:45 PM on Tue Feb 26 2008
By Jason Chen
7,369 views, 50 comments

microsoft

EU Skeptical of Microsoft's Open Grizzly Bear Embrace

Microsoft's sudden embrace of interoperability and openness is a big change of tune from the tightly puckered song of the past right? Well, the EU says they've heard it all before—at least four times. And while EU regulators breathing down Ballmer's neck is undoubtedly one of the reasons for the shift—you know, aside from remaining relevant and holding on to developers—they said it's not going to let Microsoft off the hook yet. More »

8:20 PM on Thu Feb 21 2008
By matt buchanan
1,490 views, 13 comments

Latest by Drew: I'd like to see MS stop selling Windows in the EU. I wouldn't even care if it killed them. Hey you! You put a web browser in your OS like OSX, BSD, Linux, Palmos, Synergy, (every more »

microsoft

Microsoft Goes Open, Won't Sue Open Source Developers Either

Reading the writing that's on the wall, Microsoft is going to play nice with open source. They've laid out for new interoperability principles for their biggest products: Vista, Office 2007, Server 2008 (plus some more bizzy wares) and "all future versions of these products." Their new get-along principles are "ensuring open connections; promoting data portability; enhancing support for industry standards; and fostering more open engagement with customers and the industry." They're also pledging they will not sue open source developers for using their protocols. More »

11:49 AM on Thu Feb 21 2008
By matt buchanan
5,039 views, 21 comments

Latest by jetdillo: Now, I knew M$ was clueless, but I didn't think they were too stupid to know how to use a calendar. It's nowhere near April 1st. "I've never trusted Klingons and I never will..." more »

windows vista sp1

Mossberg Reviews Vista SP1: "Don't Expect Much From It"

Today, Mossberg takes a look at the lukewarmly anticipated Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista. It's an odd little beast of a review, its flat, monotonal surface covering a bed of barbs. (Most of 'em are true.) Here's the sharpest one (bold is mine):
SP1 doesn't resolve some of the most annoying flaws in Vista, including slow start-ups and reboots, and a security system that nags you too much and requires add-on anti-virus software. I guess these problems will either never be fixed fully or will have to wait for SP2.
That's a Stinger. Missile. More »

11:09 PM on Wed Feb 13 2008
By matt buchanan
18,324 views, 86 comments

Latest by Sleeper_Service: Get a life. more »

netflix

MyNetflix Media Center Plug-In Turns Your PC Into a True Netflix Box

Anthony Park's MyNetflix plug-in for Vista Media Center is an awesome little add-on that lets you do pretty much anything you want with Netflix from within MC. More »

1:35 PM on Mon Feb 11 2008
By matt buchanan
13,024 views, 23 comments