Windows 7 RC Self-Destructs
Just in case any of you are still using the free release candidate (RC) version of the operating system, you will start noticing strange goings-in. The trial period has now ended and it begins with warning pop-ups, and unannounced twice-hourly shutdowns; anything you are working on will not be saved. This will continue until June 1st when it goes into ‘non-genuine’ mode, at which point a permanent warning notice appears on the screen, the wallpaper disappears and it will no longer be possible to download updates. Be warned, there are a number of fixes on the Internet that claim to be able to fix Windows 7 Release Candidate’s suicidal tendency but as far as I’m aware none of them work properly and some of them contain viruses or malware.
Sugababes Love Windows 7
There’s little doubt that Windows 7 is getting more than its fair share of love out there, with Microsoft citing double the number of sold licenses compared to that of Windows Vista in the first month on the market. In the UK, the software giant has tapped local girlband the Sugababes for a special promotion built around Windows 7. The best place to get started along and get a chance to win the prizes that the Redmond company has reserved is the Sugababes Love Windows 7 website.
But, by no means is the Windows 7 promotion a coincidence. The girls’ latest album is titled ‘Sweet 7,’ and believe it or not, it’s their 7th album. At the same time, Microsoft is apparently nowhere done with 7-related Windows 7 marketing stunts, so the collaboration with the Sugababes is a match made in heaven. Read more
Top things to do after you upgrade from Windows 7
The Windows 7 launch is a proud moment for us at Windows Live. Windows Live delivers the software and services that make your new, or upgraded, Windows 7 PC lots of fun. So, we want to remind you to get the latest and greatest of Windows Live for your new Windows 7 PC!
We recommend the following top things to do after installing Windows 7:
1. Personalize your PC: Make your Windows 7 PC your own by pinning your favorite programs to the enhanced Windows Taskbar, to easily preview and switch between Windows. Then, customize your desktop with one of the many new themes available in Windows 7 (or easily download a new one that suits your personality), and drag your favorite gadgets where you want them on your desktop.
2. Download Windows Live Essentials – the killer apps for Windows 7: Once you have Windows 7 installed, go to download.live.com to download free programs for email, IM, movie-making, photos and more!
3. Organize your multiple email accounts in one place: Organize your multiple email accounts using Window Live Mail (including Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail Plus and Gmail) so you can receive email in one place, organized into separate folders. You can even add RSS feeds to stay up on your favorite sites and blogs. Read more
Windows 7 RTM Multilingual User Interface Packs
Microsoft released the Multilingual User Interface Packs for Windows 7 RTM on August 25th 2009 via Windows Update. At the end of the past week, the direct download links for the Windows 7 RTM MUI Packs were also made public, allowing all users to grab the releases. Of course that not all Windows 7 users will in fact be able to take advantage of the MUI Packs. When it comes down to Windows 7, Microsoft went with the same strategy as for Windows Vista.
In this regard, only the Ultimate and Enterprise editions of Windows 7 are capable of integrating the Multilingual User Interface packs, just as it was the case with Vista’s Enterprise and Ultimate SKUs. Windows 7 Enterprise is of course available only to volume licensing customers with Software Assurance, while Ultimate is the high-end edition of Windows 7, and the most costly.
The MUI Packs allow end users to install more languages than just one in Windows 7 and to have the operating system’s graphical user interface be tailored for each specific additional language. The general strategy for Microsoft is to serve the MUI Packs as optional updates via WU to just Enterprise and ultimate users of Windows 7. But for those who want to grab the Windows 7 MUI Packs themselves, the direct download links are now available both for the 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) flavors of the operating system. Read more
Windows 7 RTM in 36 Languages
October 2009 will mark the general availability of Windows 7 at a global scale. Starting on October 22, 2009, Microsoft will release the next iteration of the Windows client in no less than 36 different localized versions across just as many markets around the world. In this regard, the Redmond company explained that the GA of Windows 7 would come in two separate stages. The first will take place on October 22, as previously announced, and is planned to involve almost half of the localized flavors of the operating system.
According to Microsoft, the English, Spanish, Japanese, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Chinese (Hong Kong) languages of Windows 7 will all be offered to consumers in their respective markets on October 22. Read more
Windows 7 Goes Gold
We’re fast approaching one of the final milestones in the run up to the consumer launch of Windows 7 this autumn. But in advance of that, on July 10th, the so-called ‘Gold’ RTM or Release To Manufacture version of the operating system will be confirmed, swiftly followed by distribution to manufacturers and developers on July 13th. This head start should help avoid some of the problems following the launch of Vista when far too many hardware devices didn’t have the necessary drivers in place. Barring any unforeseen last minute glitches or bugs this is the version of the software that will go on sale on October 22nd. Good news too on pricing, it looks like it will be a fair bit cheaper than Vista.
XP Gets Another Reprieve
It’s the operating system that just refuses to die. According to Engadget Microsoft has given the venerable old XP another extension that will see it carrying on until 2011. Before you get too excited, though, this applies only to the XP downgrade option, available on PCs sold with Windows 7 pre-installed. Now pay attention, it’s all rather complicated. Apparently this move follows complaints from business users, worried about Windows 7 licensing issues. Basically companies buying new Win 7 PCs before April 23rd next year will still have the option to downgrade to XP, to help them with the transition, but after April 23rd the only downgrade will be to Vista, which obviously isn’t much help to XP users wanting to make the change. Confused? You will be…
eSobi Now Compatible with Windows 7
eSobi, a multi-purpose information navigator, is among the first software solutions certified for Microsoft’s next iteration of the Windows client. The Redmond-based company has been driving Windows 7 compatibility hard, inviting third-party developers to jump aboard, and eSobi was little shy of tailoring its product to the successor of Windows Vista.
The “Compatible with the Windows 7″ logo attests that eSobi is designed to play nice with both the 32-bit and the 64-bit flavors of the upcoming operating system from Microsoft, scheduled to RTM by the end of July, and to launch on October 22, 2009.
“eSobi has earned its global reputation on making it more efficient and personal to utilize Internet resources in daily life,” explained Wen Lee, chairman of eSobi Inc. “By working with Microsoft and as the very first company in our category to receive the Compatible with Windows 7 logo, eSobi customers can have confidence of the compatibility, reliability, security, and performance of eSobi on their Windows 7-based computers.” Read more
Soft Cell Netbook
There’s no denying netbooks have become hugely popular and they are an essential travelling companion, but like all laptops, large and small, they have one big drawback. Somehow they always run out of power at the most inconvenient moment. That won’t be a problem with this new one from Norhtec? The Geko Edubook looks like just another 8.9-inch cheapie, and the starting price is competitive, the baseline model will be a touch under £170, but the big bonus feature is that it doesn’t use a proprietary rechargeable battery pack. Instead it uses a set of 8 standard AA cells. It will run for up to 4 hours on NiMh rechargeables, and if you get caught short all you have to do is pop into the nearest shop and drop in some Duracells and it’s good to go for another 6 hours, thanks to the very low power consumption (there’s no fan and it uses an LED backlight). It even has it’s own built-in charger so there’s no need to lug a mains adaptor around with you either. The rest of the spec is fairly routine. It has a 1Ghz processor, it comes with 256, 512 or 1Gb of RAM and there’s a choice of standard hard drive or SD flash storage. Needless to say it supports Windows XP or stick with the pre-installed Ubuntu Linux operating system. They’re taking orders now for US delivery, unfortunately there’s no word on the European release just yet.
Expected to come before Windows 7
Windows 7 beta, the border is removed and the remaining free by millions of users worldwide have been tested. I collect a huge appreciation of the different sectors in relation to the beta of Windows 7 from Microsoft, a news came. In fact, many experts were estimated by the courage to say but no one could. And finally, Microsoft was expected to explain, this is another Windows 7 beta will not!
So easy to use on your Windows 7 beta to get comfortable. Microsoft Windows 7 as that for the first RC, so the final release version of the island were out on the market. RC version probably will not be open to the public. Read more
