Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

The next version of Windows comes out tomorrow. While buying a new PC or laptop running Windows 7 is the best way to experience the new Windows, some of you may be interested in upgrading. You can use this utility to determine if the hardware and software on your PC is capable of running Windows 7. The good news is that if you're running Windows Vista you're most likely sure to be able to upgrade, and you would be glad if you did so. Microsoft took Windows Vista and re-engineered it to be faster, slimmer, and more efficient making it the best version of Windows in a long time.

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FROM ghacks.net

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor: "

Microsoft has updated their software Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor two days ago. Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor is a tool that runs on Windows XP and Windows Vista. It can be used to audit the computer system to find out if it is compatible with Microsoft’s latest operating system Windows 7. To do that the program will scan the computer system’s hardware and software for compatibility issues. It also offers guidance and explains how to overcome these issues to make the system compatible with Windows 7.

The program needs to be installed before it can be used to audit the system. A scan takes less than a minute to complete.

The results of the system audit are displayed in two tabs for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 systems with the 32-bit report displayed by default.

Each report is divided into the three sections System, Devices and Programs. System analyses general issues the user might run into, for example if Windows Aero is supported or if a custom installation is required (for Windows XP systems). The hardware of the system is analysed under Devices again with information if hardware is compatible with Windows 7. Programs finally takes a look at some of the installed programs and displays if they have issues running under Windows 7.

The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor can be helpful for users who are already running a computer system with another Microsoft operating system. It on the other hand does not help users who plan to build a PC on their own or purchase a system. A false positive was listed in the report on a Windows XP SP3 test system. Missing Windows Aero support was one of the issues that were found by the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor which seems highly unlikely considering that an Ati Radeon HD 4870 video card was installed in the system. The software can be downloaded at the Microsoft website.

Tags: audit, windows 7, windows 7 upgrade advisor, windows software

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Lenovo Windows 7 Drivers

With the general availability of Windows 7 just nine days away it looks like Lenovo is finally releasing Windows 7 drivers for my Lenovo T61. Score one for Lenovo.

SoundMax Audio Software for Windows 7 - ThinkPad R61, R61i, T61, T61p, X61, X61s, X61 Tablet (2009-10-05)

Palm Pixi Hands-On Gallery (CTIA 09) - Updated with Video!

Palm has been making a comeback this year with a whole new kind of smartphone designed to compete with the iPhone, Blackberry, and other phones. Their first handset with the new WebOS is the Palm Pre debuted earlier this year. Now they announce the Pixi coming to Sprint this month. While the Pixi sports the new WebOS software it is slightly less powered handset than the Pre, but will be a perfect fit for someone needing a consumer based smartphone or messaging phone.

Palm Pixi Hands-On Gallery (CTIA 09) - Updated with Video!: "

The Palm Pixi was here at CTIA 09, but not in a big way. Sprint reps had it on hand and gave us some time with it. There's nothing new here, honestly - it's the same build we've seen before with webOS 1.2.9 (but don't read into that version number too much, the '.9' there is pretty much just an internal build number tossed on there for testing), Facebook app, Yahoo integration into Synergy, and so on.

Still, the form factor continues to amaze, the lack of WiFi continues to disappoint, and the fact that we don't yet have firm pricing or availability continues to frustrate. All of the preceding emotions will be amplified for you as you gaze upon our Pixi gallery, after the break!

Update: What's a hands-on without the video proof? Video embedded after the break as well :D

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PlayOn Releases New Beta

PlayOn streams Internet video from Hulu, CBS, YouTube, and Netflix to your UPnP players such as Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and other devices.  The new better provides better support for Netflix and Hulu high resolution (480p).  Read more about the new beta here: Almost a Release Candidate.

Avast Antivirus Releases 4.8

Avast Antivirus has released version 4.8 of the free full-featured antivirus product.  With the new version comes antispyware protection and rootkit detection.  The ever-evolving world of computer security requires new levels of protection that Avast continues to offer for free to Home users.  You'll need to request a free license key by registering your email address with them.  The key is valid for a year at which time you can register for another key.  So ditch the bloated Norton and McAfee products that are sucking your system resources and install Avast.

Photoshop Express: Edit Your Photos Online

Adobe's Photoshop digital imaging software has always been the best of the best for digital image and photo editing for professionals.  Now Adobe has released a consumer-level, web-based photo editing application for the rest of us dubbed Photoshop Express.  The software is currently in beta testing and requires you to sign up for a free account to begin using the site.  Once you are signed up you get 2 GB of free online storage for your photos as well as a personalized URL to share your photos with your friends and family.

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Now Available

Windows Vista celebrated its first birthday in January 2008, and while some people are still clinging to their Windows XP security blankets computers (or even Windows 98), many people have already made the jump to Windows Vista on their PC's.  The good news for the fearful bunch out there is the Service Pack 1 is now available for Windows Vista.  Service Packs are major updates Microsoft releases that includes all previous updates as well some underlying changes to the way Windows works.  Installing Service Pack 1 is as simple as running Windows Update from your Control Panel.  Microsoft will be rolling out the Service Pack based on the compatibility of the drivers it finds in your system.  When all of the necessary components have been updated through Windows Update then it will present Service Pack 1 as an optional update.  Installing the update may take up to an hour (and up to three restarts) depending on the speed of your system. 

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Roxio versus Nero

Two of the most popular consumer level DVD authoring programs are made by Roxio and Nero.  Roxio's Easy Media Creator and Nero's Suite are both priced around $100 and provide about the same features.  The goal of these products is to bring media management and creation to the desktop for the every day person.  With these applications you can import video and pictures from your camera, edit them, and then make your own DVD's.  While both products aim for simplicity they are in many ways complicated and buggy.  In addition the bundled software take over your computer by making itself the default application for every media file type available.  Fortunately Windows Vista Home Premium now comes with Windows Movie Maker and Windows DVD Maker which should be able to meet most of the needs of the everyday person.  If you needed features beyond what Windows Vista can provide, I'd recommend going with Nero first.

Apple Releases Major Update for OS 10.4

Betanews is reporting that Apple has released the eleventh major operating system update for OS 10.4 Tiger which includes some security fixes as well as Safari 3. It isn't clear how many more major updates will be released, but security fixes will most likely be issued for a few years. If your hardware is supported you can upgrade to Apple's latest OS version 10.5 also known as Leopard for $129.

iTunes 7.5 Released

Apple released an update to iTunes recently bringing some much needed performance improvements and bug fixes. Update iTunes to version 7.5 through Apple Software Update on Windows or through Software Update on the Mac. According to Ars Technica iTunes 7.6 is already in the works rumored to have some much anticipated new features.

Firefox Updated

A recent update for Firefox has been released to fix a few security issues bringing it up to version 2.0.0.9. In Firefox click Help, Check for Updates to make sure you have the latest version installed.

Microsoft releases Windows Home Server to manufacturing - Engadget

Microsoft is hoping to fill an ever-increasing need in home networks or even small businesses by providing a whole new system called Microsoft Home Server. Microsoft Home Server, which will be available in the coming months through providers such as HP and others, will provide your home network with a central location for data storage and sharing. Windows Home Server also provides you remote access to your home network PC's and data. Look at your favorite PC retailer in the coming weeks for the Windows Home Server to meet your home storage needs.

Link to Microsoft releases Windows Home Server to manufacturing - Engadget

Featured Windows Download: Install missing codecs with CodecInstaller - Lifehacker

If you have ever downloaded a song or a video file from the Internet and just couldn't play it back on your Windows computer it may be because you didn't have the proper codecs installed. A codec is a piece of software that can enable your media player the media clip in whatever format it may have arrived in without trying to convert it to another format. You can use CodecInstaller (freeware) to install any missing codecs onto your computer to prevent that unplayable media problem from happening again.

Link to Featured Windows Download: Install missing codecs with CodecInstaller - Lifehacker

BetaNews | Google Acquires Postini for $625 Million

For those of us using Google services such as Gmail and particularly Google Apps for Domains (both are free) we may see enhancements coming soon to certain Google services thanks to Google's acquisition of Postini. Postini provides corporate antispam, email archiving, and other "enterprise" services. It is not clear yet what Google plans to do with their latest acquisition, but the typical pattern usually includes Google incorporating the best features and releasing them for free and then charging for expanded features. As Google continues to look for ways to "organize the world's information," let's hope they also uphold their mantra to "do no evil."

Link to BetaNews | Google Acquires Postini for $625 Million

BetaNews | BBC Launches Free Online TV in UK

The media industry takes another step into the online entertainment space as BBC announces their new online TV application called iPlayer. Available for Windows XP computers located in the United Kingdom, users can download shows available in the BBC catalog and watch them on their own time. The content is of course protected by digital rights management preventing the files from being copied. In addition each downloaded show expires after thirty days. While this represents another move to online television (IPTV), the availability and usability of the media is rather limited.

Link to BetaNews | BBC Launches Free Online TV in UK
Link to Engadget | BBC launches iPlayer online video service

BetaNews | Congress Expresses Concern Over Digital TV Switch

If you are a part of the 19% of Americans still receiving your TV signal from your rabbit-ears antenna via over the air broadcast you may want to know that coming February 2009 Congress has decided to pull the plug on analog TV broadcasting. In the meantime Americans need to make the switch to cable, satellite, fiber, or over the air digital high-definition broadcast requiring an HDTV compatible antenna. You can most likely benefit from this free broadcast HDTV right now if you have a digital tuner in your TV combined with the HDTV antenna. Have an HDTV is almost exclusively necessary to have a digital tuner. To summarize if you want to keep watching TV for free after February 2009 you'll need to make sure you have an HDTV television set along with an HDTV antenna. Both HDTV's and antennas are available from low-end to high-end at various retailers such as WalMart, Best Buy, Circuit City, and more.


Link to BetaNews | Congress Expresses Concern Over Digital TV Switch

Joost: What is all the hype?

Here is my response to CyberNet's excellent post on Joost's recent announcement.

I think what Joost represents as a technology and a philosophy shift in the media market is what the world needs to help shake things up and add some competition to the big media conglomerates. Just in the last year there has been so many announcements about IPTV in various forms that have caused the industry to reevaluate what consumers want. As Apple launched into the iTunes Movie and TV stores and products like Joost and Amazon Unbox were announced we saw ABC, NBC, and others start making their shows available through web portals. This is a step in the right direction which I think Joost represents. I think Joost gets all the hype not because of their content or their sometimes unstable application, but because they are riding the waves of their former successes of Skype and Kazaa. Those guys seem to know what they are doing not only in technology but seeing and meeting the need of what the world wants.

What is Joost?
Joost is an interactive, on-demand, Internet- connected, television application that runs on Windows and Mac that allows you to watch tv and movies for free on your computer.

OpenDNS - Free, Fast, Secure DNS with Phishing Protection and Adult Site Blocking

Switching to broadband (high-speed) Internet access such as DSL or Cable Internet brings a whole new level of Internet experience. Unfortunately with all that wonder also comes additional security issues. OpenDNS steps in to help home users, small business owners, and even larger organizations increase their Internet efficiency and security by providing DNS service that can filter out phishing domains, typographical errors, and even adult-oriented websites (optional).

DNS, or Domain Name System, tells your computer where to go when you tell it to go to a specific website such as http://www.google.com. DNS is provided by all ISP's, but not all ISP's optimize their DNS service to include additional features and protections like OpenDNS. Setting up OpenDNS is a one time setup and is provided free to all users. The settings should be applied to your home router so that all the computers on your home network automatically benefit from OpenDNS. Filtering out adult-oriented websites with OpenDNS will require you to setup an account (free).

Link to OpenDNS

FolderShare.com - sync files, sync folders, transfer files, share files, web download, access files anywhere

A growing need among those who often use multiple computers in different locations is to have access to the documents you need wherever you are. In the old days we had floppies, zip drives, cd-rw's, and even flash drives, but physical media often was damaged lost or mis-labeled leading to data loss. Microsoft has a new service in beta called FolderShare.com allowing users to synchronize files and folders across multiple computers both Mac and PC. Now you can access your files from your home PC from your Office PC and vice versa.

link to FolderShare.com - sync files, sync folders, transfer files, share files, web download, access files anywhere

Microsoft to extend warranty against red rings of death to 3 years

Microsoft is extending the hardware warranty of Xbox 360 consoles to those experiencing the red rings of death, signifying the consoles transformation into an expensive brick. If you or someone you know has had issues with their Xbox 360 have them contact Microsoft to get it straightened out before the extended warranty ends.

Link to Ars Technica | Microsoft to extend warranty against red rings of death to 3 years