New Windows Tip

This is a tip from Paul Thurrott’s Supersite for Windows. You may know the keyboard shortcut for Internet Explorer start fullscreen mode is F11. What you don’t know is the same shortcut works in for Windows Explorer and other applications. I’ll let Paul tell you more about it.

Upgrade To Windows 7 Now

If your still using the Windows XP or Windows 7 RC  (time is running out for the RC – release candidate) you might want to be thinking about installing your Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade that you preordered back in the summer of 2009 for $49. Didn’t catch that deal? I’m sorry.

There are several methods for upgrading. If you’re current using Windows Vista then the upgrade path is obvious. First make a backup of all of your data. While your computer is ON put in the Windows 7 disk. A setup screen will start. Just follow the prompts. Do not install the new OS over the vista install. You’ll want to start over with a clean install. After install is complete get all of the update then activate your Win7 installation. This is the easiest install. If your installing from Windows XP, Windows 7 RC or from a clean hard-drive gets more complicated. Here’s instructions from Paul Thurrott’s Supersite for Windows.

Process Explorer

Programs and and services the run in the background on your computer can kill your system performance. Process Explorer is a very good way to see what is going on on your computer. You can see all the programs and services that are turned on and see if it is something you may turn off. Very useful and it’s free!

Visual Basic Express

I would be the first to tell you, “I don’t know the first thing about programming.” I’ve tried and tried to no avail. Being a poor typist and having little attention span are huge problems when trying to learn to
code. I just can’t do it! I’ve tried to learn Python and Rube but I tired of it quickly. I keep think, “Why do you have to go through that to add two number together. What I need is a GUI (graphical user interface). Visual Basic Express is a free version of the popular programing platform. I’m going to download and install it tonight. I will attempt to get something going with it and report back to you.

I am always talking about Opensource

Software and I am a big believer in O.S. VB Express is not opensource but it is free. I just want to try it and see if I can get anything out of it. Once I get an understanding of how programming works I wiil try to go back to Python. Maybe I will never get it!

Free Malware Protection

That’s right! Never pay for an anti-virus or spy-ware programs again. Microsoft has a new anti-malware program and they are giving it away. Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spy-ware, and other malicious software. It’s easy to install. It effortless to use and Security Essentials does not slow your computer down as far as I can tell. For XP, Vista and Windows 7. Download it today.

Windows 7 Book

As you may know there is a new version of Windows (Windows 7) coming out October 22. What you don’t know is there are already books on the subject. One of these is Windows 7 Secrets by Paul Thurrott (co-host of the Windows Weekly poadcast on the TWIT network and creator of the Supersite for Windows). Windows 7 Secrets is one thousand pages of instruction, tip, tricks and (Can you believe it?) secrets. This is a great book for anyone that wants to learn all they can about Windows 7 or anyone who just needs a quick reference book.

Windows 7 Tip

Here’s a great Windows 7 tip from Veronica at Techzilla.

Win 7 Family Pack

It has been reported by ZDNet and Computer World that a multi-licence of Windows 7 upgrade will be available. It can be installed on 3 computers and will cost between $135 and $159.

What Microsoft is doing with Windows 7 is great. The OS is terrific! These deals are good! MS just seems to be heading the right direction. Now if we could just get rid of the crazy activation process.

Windows 7 Pricing

I’ve heard many rumors about the pricing of the new Window 7 operating system. (Should be released in the fall.) Rumored is anywhere from $49.99 for an upgrade from Windows Vista only and upgrade from XP for $99 which I believe is a fair price. (I believe the price will not be that low.) I have not heard much about non-upgrades till today. ARS Technica has reported that the rumored price for non-upgrades will be $259 for Windows 7 Home Premium. I consider this to be an extraordinary blunder. I may be forced to buy the upgrade because I have so many customers and friends that use Windows but I will continue my campaign for them to use Linux (Ubuntu).

The Microsoft Problem

I have been very psyched (delighted) about Windows 7. I’ve been beta testing it and is a great OS. The by far best Windows yet!

After working with Windows 7 and being totally blown away by it, a different project was presented to me. The project was to restore multiple laptops with Windows XP Professional for a non-profit. Each computer had it’s own product key for XP Pro. I have numerous full retail copies of XP Pro. I also have multiple OEM copies of XP Pro. Even though I had all legitimate copies on Windows XP Pro and I had legitimate product keys and I still could not activate Windows online. Apparently there is a third type of CD you can use that you can activate. I do not know what type that is but I have been told. The other alternative is to get a manufacturer’s restore disk that will make it like it was when the computer was new (Slow and full of “crapware”). They charge a lot of money for these CDs (Lenovo $80 or $90) though the CD cost them almost nothing and you’ve already payed for this software!!!!! This is so egregious the Attorney General or Congress should investigate.

Microsoft in an attempt to reduce piracy has made it so difficult for it’s users to do the most basic things like install Windows with a legitimate product key. Until I tried Windows 7 I was thinking of never buying Windows again and only using Linux. Now after this experience I’m thinking that this plan was a good one!