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Windows Live SkyDrive Launches Today
2008-02-21 18:58:00
Today Windows Live SkyDrive leaves the "Beta" tag behind - introducing 5GB of storage for its users and becoming available in 35 new countries and regions. Read the Windows Live SkyDrive launch announcement from their team blog! On top of being available to users in the United States, United Kingdom, and India, Windows Live SkyDrive is now available in the following 35 countries and regions: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Finland, Guatemala, Honduras, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Turkey. With 5GB of storage, you can store quite a bit of your photos, music, Office documents and more. Did I mention that the 5GB of storage is also free? For those who have been beta testing Windows Live SkyDrive - with today's launch you can expect to see ...
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Update on Windows Vista SP1 Prerequisite KB937287
2008-02-20 00:41:00
We've heard a few reports about problems customers may be experiencing as a result of KB937287, the servicing stack update I blogged about last week, and I wanted to provide a quick update for you. Immediately after receiving reports of this error, we made the decision to temporarily suspend automatic distribution of the update to avoid further customer impact while we investigate possible causes.   So far, we've been able to determine that this problem only affects a small number of customers in unique circumstances. We are working to identify possible solutions and will make the update available again shortly after we address the issue. Customers who may be experiencing this issue can use system restore to correct it or contact 1-866-PC-Safety for help troubleshooting.  Additional guidance will be available via Microsoft's free Update Support Center soon.
More About: Windows , Windows Vista , Vista

Unboxing Logitech?s Cordless Desktop S 510
2008-02-13 23:32:00
A couple of days ago, my old wireless desktop set (mouse and keyboard) had its receiver die on me. So I had to go out and grab another wireless desktop set for my PC. Microsoft offers some great wireless desktop sets but I decided to go with Logitech 's Cordless Desktop S 510. The Logitech Cordless Desktop S 510 is Certified for Windows Vista and has some great features: Fast 27 MHz wireless performance. Programmable F-Keys that can be set to open favorite applications, websites, or files. One-Touch Controls that let you access music, video, volume, email, and the Internet. Power Management lets you go longer with a low-battery light and auto-off. Tilt Wheel plus Zoom allows you to go side to side or in and out on photos, websites or even spreadsheets. I took some Unboxing shots to share. The design of the keyboard is light, thin and simple which is really great. I see a lot of keyboards with their One-Touch Controls on the top of the keyboard - the S 510 keyboard has the...

Windows Vista SP1 Prerequisites & Non-Security Update coming via Windows Up
2008-02-12 18:53:00
Today we have a non-security update scheduled for distribution via Windows Update that you may find of some interest. The non-security update KB947172, a Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista , addresses an issue introduced by KB941229 where, when watching live digital TV on an Xbox 360, changing channels may freeze the UI. This update is included in Windows Vista SP1. Speaking of Windows Vista SP1, the final two of three prerequisite updates needed to install Windows Vista SP1 will also be hitting Windows Update.  KB937287 which is the servicing stack update and KB938371 which is a multi-component update are both required before installing Windows Vista SP1. KB938371 will not be offered to Windows Vista Enterprise and Windows Vista Ultimate systems until KB935509, the first prerequisite in the series of three, has been installed. Both of the Windows Vista SP1 prerequisites are marked "Important" and will install automatically if you have Window Updates set to th...
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Windows Vista SP1 availability for technical customers
2008-02-11 17:00:00
On Monday (February 4th), we announced the release to manufacturing (RTM) of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1).  Overall, people are excited to hear that we have reached this milestone, but some are disappointed they are not able to immediately download it. In my blog post on the subject, I noted that we were going to make SP1 available to customers in stages to make sure we delivered a great experience.  As I explained, one reason for this is that we are working through an issue with a small set of hardware devices that may not function properly after the Windows Vista -based PC they are installed on is updated to SP1.  This is an issue with the way the device drivers were re-installed during the SP1 update process, not with the drivers themselves -- these drivers worked on Windows Vista RTM and they work on Windows Vista SP1.  For new PCs with Windows Vista SP1 pre-installed, this is not an issue.  We are working with the manufacturers of these devices to...
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Watch the Super Bowl Ads in Windows Media Center
2008-02-10 10:56:00
Our friends on the eHome Team (the folks responsible for Windows Media Center and other cool things) passed along that the Super Bowl ads are available in Windows Media Center through the Internet TV Beta - currently available to U.S. Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate users. The Super Bowl ads are listed under Top Picks in Internet TV. Click here for bigger versions of the screenshots. I suggest checking out the Iron Man movie commercial ;-) The above screenshots were uploaded to Windows Live Spaces using Windows Live Photo Gallery. I've set up a Windows Live Space for the Windows Experience Blog - check it out.
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Announcing the RTM of Windows Vista SP1
2008-02-04 15:00:00
Hi, Mike Nash here from the Windows Product Management group at Microsoft.  Today we are excited to announce that we have released Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista to manufacturing (RTM) for our first set of languages (English, French, Spanish, German and Japanese). Service Pack 1 is a very important milestone because it addresses many of the key issues that our customers have identified with Windows Vista over the last year both, directly and through programs like the Customer Experience Improvement Program.  With Service Pack 1, we have made great progress in performance, reliability and compatibility.  One of the great things about my job is that I get to play with the latest builds of our products -- I've personally been running Windows Vista SP1 pretty exclusively for a few months and I've noticed that my systems run faster and more reliably than they did with the "Gold" release of Windows Vista. When we first released Windows Vista last year, there were lots o...

The Live Search Maps Gadget is back!
2008-02-01 10:06:00
Donavon West, whose company Live Gadget s.net was hired by Microsoft to develop the Live Search Maps Gadget originally, has announced via LiveSide that the Live Search Maps gadget is back and available for download! This awesome gadget lets you look at traffic in many different cities. I use this gadget all the time especially when traveling up to Seattle. Donavon says work has been done "under-the-hood" so visually the gadget won't look much different than before. He also says new cities have been added: Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, San Antonio and Toronto. New cities will automatically show up in the Live Search Maps Gadget when they are added going forward. This gadget is a must-have for folks who commute and do quite a bit of traveling.
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Windows Vista Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED - it?s Personal!
2008-01-31 08:25:00
One of the reasons I came to work in the Windows team was because I wanted to work on something with meaning; something that could have a positive impact on people's lives. Because of Windows, millions of people get to enjoy opportunities to do more with their lives - either as a direct result of using a PC, or through the jobs created in our partner ecosystem. Love it or hate it, Windows enables people and businesses, and that means impact. The impact I prefer, though, is on an even more personal level - for example, as a product manager for Windows Vista , I had the privilege of working with the teams who built important consumer features like Parental Controls. As a result, I've been able to help touch people's lives in a positive way. That's why I work in Windows and why I'm passionate about what Windows can offer. Now we have another way to touch lives - Windows Vista Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED on Dell (PRODUCT) RED PCs. This appeals to me on a number of levels, not just beca...
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Enabling the Windows Vista Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED bits
2008-01-29 03:23:00
In order to get started using your brand-new Dell (PRODUCT) RED PC right out of the box, you will need to enable a few things in order for the Windows Vista Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED bits such as the Sidebar Gadgets and Windows DreamScene to run. In the following video - I show you exactly what you need to do to view the awesome (PRODUCT) RED Sidebar Gadgets as well as the (PRODUCT) RED DreamScene. Video: Windows (PRODUCT) RED: Sidebar Gadgets and DreamScene As shown in the video, in order to utilize Windows Sidebar I first needed to deactivate Google Sidebar. My preference is Windows Sidebar anyway - especially with the all the gadgets I run. After I deactivated Google Sidebar and got Windows Sidebar running, I needed to install the (PRODUCT) RED gadgets which are located in the following directory on your Dell (PRODUCT) RED PC: C:dell edRecoveryGadgetsVista Once the (PRODUCT) RED Sidebar Gadgets are installed, I was able to use the Gadget Picker in Windows Sidebar to add the...
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Finding (PRODUCT) RED Dell PCs at Best Buy
2008-01-29 02:45:00
On top of purchasing your (PRODUCT) RED PCs from Dell online, Dell is also providing the (PRODUCT) RED PCs for purchase at Best Buy. Here is a search of BestBuy.com for Dell's (PRODUCT) RED PCs. Just click on one of the PCs and you can choose to search near-by stores for inventory. In going to Best Buy to purchase your (PRODUCT) RED PC, just ask a sales associate for a (PRODUCT) RED Dell PC. All (PRODUCT) RED Dell PCs have a special (PRODUCT) RED sticker on the side of their boxes which helps tell them apart from the normal non-(PRODUCT) RED PCs.
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Announcing Microsoft Assessment and Planning Beta Refresh for Windows Vista
2008-01-26 22:12:00
Introducing Microsoft Assessment and Planning 3.0  For those of you who are considering the migration of your desktop and server infrastructure to Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008, we have good news for you! As we've announced at TechEd IT Forum 2007 in Barcelona last November, the Microsoft Solution Accelerators team is going to release the expanded version of Windows Vista Hardware Assessment 2.1 called Microsoft Assessment and Planning 3.0 (aka MAP). In short, MAP is an automated agent-less network-wide inventory and assessment tool that can quickly determine if your organization's desktops and servers are ready for migration to Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. What do I mean by AGENT-LESS inventory?  Simply put, it means that you do not need to launch any software agents on any of those machines you want this tool to inventory and query - so no more security concerns and user interruption! It offers quick network-wide inventory of machines and genera...

(PRODUCT) RED at Microsoft
2008-01-26 02:45:00
Today here at Microsoft 's Redmond campus there is quite a bit of (PRODUCT) RED presence in the air, helping spread the word of the efforts to help eliminate AIDS in Africa.    We had banners hanging from buildings across campus as well as pole banners around light posts on the roads and in parking lots.    In Microsoft cafés across campus, (PRODUCT) RED table tents took to the tables. Here are some close-up shots of those table tents: As we announced earlier this week, proceeds from each purchase of a Dell (PRODUCT) RED PC running Windows Vista Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED go to the Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa.
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Taking a peek at Windows Vista Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED running on Dell PCs
2008-01-25 01:28:00
Last week in Redmond I had the pleasure of taking a look the PCs from Dell running Windows Vista Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED.  The line-up includes the Dell XPS M1330 and M1530 laptops, the Dell XPS One, and Dell's 948 All-in-One printer. And all of them of course in red! Using Windows Live Photo Gallery, I've uploaded some shots I took of the (PRODUCT) RED line-up to Flickr to share with everyone - enjoy.   You can check out my entire (PRODUCT) RED set of photos on Flickr here. Expect more to be added in the coming days!
More About: Running , Windows Vista , Product

Connect, collaborate and change a life. Join (RED)
2008-01-24 20:16:00
How can one person, through the simple act of making a purchase, make a difference in the world?  For one, you could join Microsoft, Dell and (RED) by helping to eliminate AIDS in Africa.  We're calling our (PRODUCT) RED offering Windows Vista Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED, and this is how it works:  you buy a new PC, and people living with HIV/AIDS in Africa get the pills they need to help them stay alive.   Why are we doing this?  Because we are in the unique position to be able to reach millions of Windows users, helping to raise awareness of the good that choosing (RED) does and at the same time making it possible for people using our technology to help other people in the process. By offering our best product, Windows Vista Ultimate, running on great PCs from Dell, we make it easy to choose quality, meet your own needs, and do something extraordinary in the process.  Not every day do you have the opportunity for your purchase to do something good for the...
More About: Life , Collaborate , Change , Join , Connect

Welcome to the (Product) Red Blog
2008-01-24 09:55:00
Please delete this holding post.
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Do the (RED) thing
2008-01-23 04:32:00
There's been some speculation online that Windows, Dell and (RED) are going to make an announcement later this week at Davos.  Wouldn't it be incredible if, through the simple act of choosing a PC, and at no extra cost to you, you could put someone living with AIDS in Africa on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment for more than six months?  Windows, Dell and (RED) are proud to introduce our (PRODUCT) RED products later this week.  Look for details in the coming days...
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Microsoft Virtualization Day: Helping IT professionals do more with less
2008-01-22 16:00:00
I'm relaying the following article on behalf of my colleague Shanen Boettcher, General Manager of Windows Product Management for the enterprise.  It's the first in a series of posts from Shanen exploring what we're doing to make it simpler and easier to introduce and get the most out of virtualization of Windows in enterprise environments. Today we're making a series of announcements outlining our company-wide strategy for virtualization from the desktop to the datacenter. For all the hype and excitement in the industry, the primary scenario of using machine-level hardware virtualization to consolidate server machines has been used on less than 10% of hardware servers.  While virtualization started in server consolidation, it is only a small piece of the value offered by virtualization.  Nowadays virtualization is not a single technology; instead, it is a collection of technologies that can be applied to all aspects of the server and the desktop.  Less than 1...
More About: Microsoft , Virtualization , Professionals , Fess

Extending Windows: Ford Sync demo from CES
2008-01-16 06:52:00
While at CES last week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Velle Kolde, Senior Product Manager for Microsoft Auto, to view a demo of Ford Sync .  I left our chat very impressed.  Ford Sync, like many of the products being developed by Microsoft Automotive, are perfect examples of how we're extending the Windows platform (Windows CE 5.0, in this case) beyond the desktop to arenas outside the domain of typical computing.  Check out this video demo to learn more.  Video: Ford Sync Demo at CES 2008

CES 2008 Round-up & Wrap-up
2008-01-15 01:14:00
Now that CES 2008 has officially ended, I wanted to take a moment to do a round-up and wrap up post on CES coverage both here and from others. Featured Community members did some coverage on their sites of CES this year. Josh Phillips from Windows Connected has Day 1 and Day 2 write-ups of his experience online. The folks from Neowin shot some excellent videos of Microsoft Surface. And Jason Dunn has a post up on his experience riding the Media Center Express CES Bus from San Francisco to Las Vegas as well as CES in general. It was also great meeting up with John Obeto, Michael Reyes from HardwareGeeks, Ash Nallwalla and Brad Wardell from Stardock. And special thanks to Robert McLaws from Windows-Now for spending a great deal of time on the Media Center Express CES Bus setting up a fantastic Windows Media Center experience. Speaking of the Media Center Express CES Bus, blogger Robert Scoble shot a piece for Donny Duetsch's show on CNBC on the bus with a group of other bloggers....
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Panoramic Shots for CES using Windows Live Photo Gallery
2008-01-09 19:30:00
Being able to create panoramtic stitches in Windows Live Photo Gallery is one of my favorite features ever. I deciced while at CES, I really wanted to use the feature to show off a few locations of both CES and Las Vegas. While at CES this week, I essentially lived in Windows Live Photo Gallery uploading photos to Flickr to share with you here. But here are a few panoramic shots I created. The above is a shot of me standing at the Microsoft Product Pavilion Tent and facing the Las Vegas Convention Center. This gives you an idea of how busy CES can get (both with people, buses, taxis, etc). My next shot is from the Microsoft Auto Showroom. They had several cars there demostrating awesome Microsoft Auto technology - such as Ford Sync. And the last shot I have is actually the first panoramic shot I created while at CES. Its the view from my hotel room looking out toward the strip. Not really an impressive view but certainly a neat panoramic shot (at least in my opinion) non-the-less...
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Cool New ?Fashion? PCs from CES 2008
2008-01-09 08:03:00
This afternoon, I was able to stop by the Microsoft Booth (or more like Microsoft Quadrant) here at CES to take a look at what Microsoft was showing off. There, I was able to check out a handful of brand new and very unique new PCs that are due to hit the market in 2008 or already on the market now. I took some shots of those PCs to share with you. I am also including some interesting tidbits about each of the PCs. Haier Notebook VM: The Haier Notebook PC comes with an Intel Core 2 Duo ULV U2500 processor and has a 4 layered metalic paint that helps minimize scratches. Its also only 3.5 lbs! Lenovo u110: The Lenovo u110 comes with a Intel Core 2 Duo LV/ULV processor and is under 2.2 lbs with a solid state drive. Sony VAIO LT HD PC/TV: The Sony VAIO LT is wall-mountable and comes with a Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 processor. It also has a built in webcam and mic which will be great for doing video calls in Windows Live Messenger. Ego Signature: The Ego Signature comes with an AMD T...
More About: Fashion , Cool , Fash

Bill Gates Last Day Video
2008-01-08 02:03:00
Channel 10 was able to score a high-quality version of the hilarious "Bill 's Last Day" video from yesterday's keynote - viewable in glorious Silverlight: Bill's Last Day: The CES Keynote video This is the only official version. Thought you might enjoy the video ;-) I'm posting this from my Samsung Q1 Ultra.
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Media Center Express Bus Schedule and where to hop on!
2008-01-07 22:45:00
To catch the Media Center Express CES Bus from the BlogHaus at the Bellagio, all you need to do is head out the front doors to the taxi area. The Bus will be in this vicinity. You will be able to catch it there. I've taken photos to show where folks need to go to catch the bus from the BlogHaus: 1. Head out the front doors of the Bellagio heading out to the taxi area. 2. You will see lion statues where people are lining up to catch taxis. 3. The bus will pull in where the taxis pull in and be in this general area to pick folks up. Please DO NOT go down the escalators to the Bellagio Tour Bus area. The Media Center Express CES Bus will not be picking up folks from this area.  (DO NOT go here) January 7th :12.15PM - Departure from Bellagio to Sands Hotel (for 1PM arrival).3:00PM - Depart Sands Expo for LVCC. Drop off only.5:00PM - Depart Bellagio to the Wynn Hotel (ShowStoppers event) 8.30PM - Depart Wynn Hotel to the Bellagio. As time permits, go back to Wynn Hotel for p...
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Non-security update rolls out Tuesday
2008-01-07 22:27:00
Tomorrow, Tuesday 8 January, we are releasing several non-security update packages via Windows Update .  The updates include the regular monthly Malicious Software Removal Tool and Windows Mail Junk Mail Filter, two updates in our regular series of Windows Vista updates (KB943302 for application compatibility and KB943899 for reliability and performance), and one update of particular notice: KB935509.  Similar to previous updates that enhanced Windows Vista?s performance and reliability, these updates will be distributed automatically through Windows Update. Tomorrow?s KB935509 release is a little different than past updates.  It is a prerequisite for installing SP1 and is applicable only for Windows Vista Ultimate and Enterprise users, because it only affects versions of Windows Vista supporting BitLocker Drive Encryption. This update modifies the boot loader to enable successful install or uninstall of the service pack if the PC uses BitLocker encryption.&...
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Update from Las Vegas ? CES 2008 begins!
2008-01-07 08:36:00
Wow what a day! This morning started off real early for Nick and I as we headed over to the Las Vegas Convention Center (where CES is taking place) to do an early walk-through of the Microsoft Product Pavilion with several of our Featured Community members and MVPs. There, we were able to preview some of the new and exciting PCs coming this year like Lenovo's new IdeaPad laptops and the ASUS Lamborghini VX3. Folks from the Certified for Windows Vista Team were on hand to discuss new devices coming like the Samsung SPF-83V Digital Picture Frame. Many of HP's new products were also there for us to check out. I am really excited for these new and upcoming "Fashion" PCs.   Microsoft's Aaron Coldiron was on hand at the Microsoft Product Pavilion giving us demos of many of the Windows Live applications and services including Windows Live Mail and Windows Live Messenger. Aaron demonstrated how he was able to take photos with his Windows Mobile phone and quickly upload them to his ...
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Get your ticket to ride the CES 2008 Media Center Express
2008-01-04 20:42:00
This year at CES we're partnering with PodTech to provide ground transportation specifically for bloggers attending CES via the Windows Vista Media Center Express.  This is an executive-class coach with a distinctive, custom exterior design, so you'll know it when you see it.  We dreamed up the Media Center Express as a way to help bloggers get between the CES BlogHaus at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino and CES 2008 at the Las Vegas Conference Center, while also providing them an entertaining, hands-on experience with cool technology -- and of course refreshments -- en route.  (If you've ever been to CES, then you know how difficult it can be to negotiate the Las Vegas streets while competing with the 150K other people in attendance.)  We've equipped the bus with PCs and hardware showcasing some of the best aspects of Windows Vista, namely, Windows Media Center and Certified for Windows Vista devices.  If you're coming to CES, regis...
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Finding Certified for Windows Vista Devices
2008-01-03 11:53:00
Ever in need to search for a Certified for Windows Vista device? I've got the site just for you. A few weeks ago I needed to find some Certified for Windows Vista devices in a specific category: printers. I was directed by a friend to the Windows Vista Hardware Compatibility site where they offer a searchable and categorized database for both Certified for Windows Vista devices and Works with Windows Vista devices. Check it out. I found exactly what I was looking for. I also stumbled upon the "Look for the Logo" Gadget for Windows Sidebar which allows you to search for Certified for Windows Vista devices right from your desktop. Even better, the gadget was developed by gadget master Donavon West. 2 great resources for Certified for Windows Vista devices!
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?Keep Everything Clear of the Doors?
2007-12-28 18:22:00
As we wind up 2007, I thought I'd share with you an emailed security communiqué sent last week by Ed Gibson, Chief Security Advisor at our Microsoft UK office in Reading, providing a gentle reminder to take the necessary precautionary measures to ensure you're safe when using the Web.  As Ed mentions, if you're running Windows Vista, you already have numerous tools at your disposal to help keep your PC and data safe when you're online.  Nevertheless, it's always a good idea to ensure those apps and tools are up-to-date, and now is as good a time as any.  So until 2008 ...  "Keep Everything Clear of the Doors " You've seen it, read it, heard it so many times you've blocked it out...routine, mundane...but instinctively you take the necessary precautions.  And the idiots who think they can beat the doors for gosh sakes...some make it, most don't...when will they learn.  Even though, I suspect the next time you hear this spoken over th...
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Twitter with Friends Using the WPF Client Witty
2007-12-26 23:05:00
Twittering with friends seems to be the new "thing-to-do" on the web these days. Many bloggers are using it and it has even made its way into an episode of CSI! So what exactly is Twitter you ask? Twitter is an online web service that lets you post what you are doing - in 140 characters or less - in which those who are "following" can track what you're doing based on what you post. Bloggers sometimes also use Twitter to share URLs and to share quick thoughts on a variety of topics. Now I said that Twitter was a web service right? Well the Twitter developers have released an API in which developers can use to create "Twitter clients" to be used outside the web browser. Alan Le, from the company Vertigo, has utilized the Twitter API and designed a WPF Twitter client called Witty that extends the Twitter experience into Windows Vista. If you recall, WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation) is built in to Windows Vista.   I also blogged about another awesome product from the Vert...
More About: Friends , Twitter , Client