Archive for Microsoft
Windows 7 Family Pack Returns
Posted by: | CommentsStarting October 3 in the U.S., Windows 7 Family Pack will be available for purchase at participating retailers and online at the Microsoft Store. Purchasing the Windows 7 Family Pack gives you three upgrade licenses of Windows 7 Home Premium for the low price of $149.99. To take advantage of Family Pack, you’ll need a PC running a genuine copy of either Windows Vista or Windows XP that is capable of running Windows 7. The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor can tell you which features and editions of Windows 7 will run on your computer(s).
For those of you who don’t live in the U.S., Family Pack may be coming your way too. It goes on sale in Canada, UK, Germany, France, Australia and many other markets on or after Oct. 22 (Windows 7’s 1 year anniversary!)
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Windows Me Nostalgia
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Many, many years ago, long before I was a Microsoft MVP, I was a beta tester for Windows Me which was codenamed ‘Millennium” or ‘Milly’ as we beta testers referred to the project.
Now, I will be the first to admit that Windows Me was not the greatest version of Windows, and one was better off to stick with Windows 98 than to upgrade to Me. Windows Me was released (or escaped as some have opined) in September 2000.
Being a beta tester in those days was a lot of fun. We were a select group that had access to various builds as well as bug-finding contests (two of the prizes are seen on the left) and a private newsgroup for interacting with other testers. Not like today where Microsoft releases betas publicly for one and all to try, but don’t get me started…
Anyway, I was cleaning out some old CDs and came across some interesting stuff from those days….
How is Windows 7 Better Than Windows Vista?
Posted by: | CommentsBy Ron Hopkins
Windows 7 has sold over 150 million copies since it was first brought out into the market in October 2009 at a staggering rate of 7 copies every second. This is a historical figure in terms of the speed at which copies of the Windows operating system has been sold. The rate at which Windows 7 copies are getting sold is not only phenomenal because of it getting sold a lot faster than any previous versions of Windows including XP but is also incredible as the last Windows version i.e. Vista was a huge disaster. Many critics had mentioned that Microsoft might find it difficult to bring back the trust of computer users after their reputation was hampered through Vista. But Microsoft has proved all critics wrong and reiterated the fact that Windows are there to remain and going to get better every time.
Here are a few points on how Windows 7 is better than Widows Vista:
Microsoft Office 2010 eBook Giveaway
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A fellow Windows MVP in India, Vasu Jain, has just completed a Microsoft Office eBook that I think you will really enjoy and competes well with any print copy available on the market.
The author states:
“Microsoft Office 2010 the book is a compilation of one of the finest Tips n Tricks for Microsoft Office 2010. You can use them to enrich & enhance the Microsoft Office 2010 experience of yours. It contains over 60 Tips n Tricks for Microsoft Office 2010 Applications.
This book is for the users of Office 2010 who wish to learn and seek new opportunities via this version of Office. This book includes a list of Tutorials, Basics, Tips and tricks applicable to Office 2010 Suite in a very simple and easy to understand language so that a novice can also understand.”
The eBook is bookmarks-ready, in PDF format, with a fully linked content index. Spread over 250 pages containing over 60 articles this eBook is a sure treat for Office 2010 users.
If you would like to qualify for a free copy, simply tweet a message with the following text (copy and paste):
RT @windowsvj @WindowsTalk: MS Office 2010:Tips & Tricks Ebook @WindowsVJ.com over “250 pages & 60 articles” http://bit.ly/daE982Only those that tweet the exact message as above will qualify to win.
There are five copies to be given away and the contest will run until August 31st. Winners will be chosen by Randomizer.org
You can download a sample of the Office 2010 eBook here.
The Love-Hate Relationship Of Office 2010
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s a love/hate relationship. When Office 2007 came out, you either loved it or hated it. With Office 2010 out now, your hate may soften to accepting the product, and your love will just deepen.
The dismay in Office 2007 centered on the look and feel of the product. The introduction of a new Ribbon, which replaced the standard toolbar in Office 2003, had users grumbling. One was the familiar look that prior Office products held. You could upgrade and the transition was easy.
In Office 2007, Microsoft made a giant leap into the new and unknown, leaving many PC users baffled. The new Ribbon housed a fixed arrangement of command buttons and icons, organized commands as a set of tabs, each grouping relevant commands. The look and feel of the old standby was gone.
Great Idea: Microsoft InstaLoad Battery Installation Technology
Posted by: | CommentsFrom a Microsoft Press Release: REDMOND, Wash. July 1, 2010
Microsoft Corp. today announced a new technology aimed at improving the battery installation process called InstaLoad battery installation technology, which allows users to easily install a battery without regard to positive and negative polarity. Never again will people have to squint to see battery installation diagrams — the device simply works regardless if the battery is installed positive-side-up or positive-side-down. InstaLoad is a patented battery contact design now available for license by third-party device suppliers, with companies like Duracell already lining up to endorse the technology for use in their own products.
Product Applications and Differentiators
InstaLoad technology can be incorporated into devices that require frequent battery swap-outs, are used in less-than-ideal environments or use several batteries. Industries that could greatly benefit from this type of timesaving technology based on their environments include law enforcement, military, construction, outdoor sporting and camping. In addition, users of devices with multiple batteries and frequent battery swap-out — including battery chargers, digital cameras, camera flash units and toys — could also benefit.
Unlike existing electronic solutions designed to address battery-polarity installation, InstaLoad is a mechanical invention that does not drain battery power or require expensive electronic circuitry. InstaLoad battery contacts can be cost-effectively designed into most battery compartments, as it usually requires replacing existing battery contacts with the patented InstaLoad contact design. The technology is compatible with popular off-the-shelf batteries used in products such as flashlights, toys, battery chargers, lighting and most other battery-operated consumer electronic devices that use CR123, AA, AAA, C or D size batteries (disposable or rechargeable) or similar barrel-type battery form factors.
You can read the rest of the press release here. The InstaLoad Technology site is here.
