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IE8 achieves web standards milestone
2007-12-19 19:50:00
Today Internet Explorer General Manager Dean Hachamovitch posted about an important milestone in the development of the next version of Internet Explorer, IE8.  As of last week ? 12 December, to be exact ? the latest build correctly renders the Acid2 browser test in IE8 standards mode.  As Dean points out, this is just one of many milestones ahead for Internet Explorer 8 and we can expect to hear more as further progress is made. IE8 will be at MIX08, with a beta release due sometime in the first half of 2008. If you have questions on IE8 and the team?s progress, those are best directed to the IE Team blog.
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Generate a System Health Report in Windows Vista
2007-12-17 08:45:00
In Windows Vista , users can have an extensive System Health Report generated for them in helping troubleshoot performance and reliability issues on their PC or to see how healthy their PC is in general. For the average user, this probably won't mean anything. But for me, I'm the type of user that really likes having the ability to create reports that tell me about my PC so I was really excited to find this ability in Windows Vista . This evening I decided to generate a report on my main desktop PC for the first time and see what it says. To have a System Health Report generated: Open Start Menu. Right-click on "Computer" and click "Properties". In the System Properties window, click on your Windows Experience Index rating. In the Performance Information and Tools window, under "Tasks" in the left-hand options pane click "Advanced Tools". Under Advanced Tools window choose "Generate a system health report" at the bottom. The report generates after about 60 seconds of testing. H...

Windows Vista SP1 RC now available for public download
2007-12-12 17:31:00
We're making available today the RC release of Windows Vista SP1, found here on MSDN and here on TechNet, with an FAQ here.  I invite you to download, install and use the SP1 RC and let us know about your experience by providing your feedback here. Before you install SP1 RC, please bear in mind the following points of advice, detailed in this short article: If you have a prior version of SP1 Beta installed, you must uninstall it prior to installing RC. This is pre-release code and will change before the final release. This pre-release software is provided for testing purposes only.  Microsoft does not recommend installing this software on primary or mission-critical systems. Microsoft recommends that you backup your data prior to installing any pre-release software. Windows Vista SP1 Release Candidate is time-limited software.  It will no longer operate after June 30, 2008 and should be uninstalled prior to that date. Support is through self-help and peer support vi...
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Improving reliability and performance: Update preview release available to
2007-12-11 20:52:00
Surely it's no news to you that we use Windows Update to continually deliver ongoing improvements to our customers so that Windows is always up-to-date.  Plus, doing so eliminates the need to wait for larger releases like service packs.  Some updates are released to the community for general feedback prior to delivery via Windows Update, as is the case today.  The Windows Serviceability Team today is rolling out another update on the Microsoft Download Center.  The update is categorized as a "preview release" and may be subject to change before it is released via Windows Update (we expect that to occur in January).  Today's update preview release is geared toward improving reliability and performance in Windows Vista and we highly encourage you to install it.  It includes: Improvement of previous issues affecting going into or resuming from sleep/hibernate under some scenarios Fix of a previous issue with the disk spindown feature to improve battery ...
More About: Performance , Preview , Release , Perform

Deployed: Windows Vista SP1 RC on ALL of my PC?s
2007-12-05 20:22:00
Today Nick announced the availability of the release candidate for Windows Vista SP1. I had a chance to get the RC build of Windows Vista SP1 installed a few days ago. I decided to roll the RC out on all of my PCs which showcase a variety of device types and scenarios: My Main Desktop PC running Windows Vista Ultimate x64 - check. My Test/Work PC running Windows Vista Business - check. My Dell Vostro 1500 Laptop running Windows Vista Ultimate - check. My Samsung Q1 UMPC running Windows Vista Home Premium - check. My Digital CableCard PC running Windows Vista Home Premium - check. In installing the RC on my PCs, I did a combination of using the standalone installer and Windows Update. Before proceeding to install the SP1 RC bits, I first needed to uninstall the SP1 beta bits first. Users looking to install the Windows Vista SP1 RC will need to uninstall any previous version of SP1 prior to the installation of the RC from either Windows Update or the standalone installer. With W...

Announcing Windows Vista SP1 Release Candidate (RC)
2007-12-05 20:06:00
Today we're making available the release candidate (RC) of Windows Vista SP1 via Microsoft Connect, and tomorrow subscribers to TechNet and MDSN will have access to those RC bits too.  In addition, the RC will be available to the public next week via Microsoft's Download Center. The release candidate phase of beta software is typically the final phase before the RTM (release-to-manufacturing) of a product and indicates that the code has attained a significant level of performance and stability. Let me call out several changes made since the Beta release of Service Pack 1 -- many of which came about as a result of direct feedback from our Beta-testing community (thank you!): The size of the standalone installers have decreased significantly. For example, the standalone installer packages consisting of all 36 languages (x86 and x64 chip architectures) are smaller by over 50%. The standalone installer packages consisting of just the 5 languages (again, x86 and x64) sl...
More About: Windows Vista , Release , Release Candidate

Try Windows Media Center - you may already have it!
2007-12-03 21:31:00
If your PC is running Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate, you have a great feature set you may not even know about: Windows Media Center .   Windows Media Center can turn your PC from a ?plain vanilla? computer into something pretty powerful and impressive: the hub of your entertainment system.  Surprised?  Well (if you ask nicely), I?ll tell you more.   Use Windows Media Center to browse your music collection by cover art or year, organize photos and create albums and jazz up custom slide shows with music.  If you?re a sports fan, you?ll definitely want to check out your favorite team?s scores and stats on SportsLounge (U.S. and Canada only).       And if you like movies and TV, you?ll enjoy Internet TV Beta. This new feature allows you to play free streaming video content on demand, choosing from more than 100 hours of TV entertainment, music concerts, movie trailers, news, and sports content from MSN Video.   Are yo...

Rolling out Windows Home Server with a HP MediaSmart Server
2007-12-03 12:03:00
This weekend I completed the roll-out of my new HP MediaSmart Server running Windows Home Server.  I ordered the HP MediaSmart Server EX470. I originally had Windows Home Server running on my Dell Dimension E520 but decommissioned it when I created my "Ultimate" PC. I really wanted to try out the experience the average consumer will have in purchasing a Windows Home Server and setting it up in their home. The HP MediaSmart Server seemed like the perfect choice in checking out the Windows Home Server experience.   The HP MediaSmart Server EX470 has the following specs: Processor - AMD 1.8GHz 64-bit Sempron Memory - 512MB DDR Interfaces - 4 USB 2.0 Ports, 1 eSATA Port Storage - 1 500GB SATA 7200 RPM The EX470 model of the HP MediaSmart Server comes with a single 500GB harddrive, however the EX475 model comes with 1TB (two 500GB SATA harddrives). I don't need 1TB just yet so decided to go with the EX470. The EX470 comes with 3 expansion slots to add my own harddrives...
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The right time to assess Windows Vista?s performance
2007-12-01 01:29:00
Measuring the performance of an operating system is a tricky thing.  At the same time, it's the right and necessary thing to do, because performance is one of many criteria important to customers.  Part of the trick of measuring performance is to time testing execution with the product cycle such that the results are as meaningful as possible for customers; this helps them make a better decision by making use of the full array of available information.  As one example, about a year ago we commissioned a firm called Principled Technologies to conduct a study comparing Windows XP SP2 to Windows Vista RTM.  That study found the performance measures of the two operating systems were within the same range for many tasks that home and business users frequently perform under real-world conditions. My point is that we waited to conduct these benchmarking tests until Windows Vista had reached the RTM milestone in the product cycle, as this allowed us to provide our custo...
More About: Performance , Time

Change Your Logon Background in Windows Vista
2007-11-29 10:16:00
I caught this via Steve Clayton (who caught it via Jeff Sandquist showing off his home) - Stardock has a really neat application called LogonStudio that allows you to change the background of your logon screen in Windows Vista . I absolutely love the space background. LogonStudio is available as a free download and also allows you to create your own backgrounds as well as download logon backgrounds via Stardock's WinCustomize Gallery too. Folks who create their own backgrounds can submit them to the WinCustomize Gallery. Give it a try. Let me know what you think.
More About: Windows Vista , Change , Background

Checking out Dell?s Vostro 1500 Business Laptop
2007-11-27 11:18:00
Two weeks ago my new Dell Vostro 1500 arrived. Dell's Vostro Notebook line-up is a relatively new line-up of laptops that cater to business users.  While I love the Tablet PC experience the HP tx1000 offers, I was in need for something a little more powerful. I'm the type of guy that likes to feel like I am taking my desktop PC with me when I travel. After looking at the specs for the Vostro 1500, I decided to customize it for some added benefit. Here are the specs on my Vostro 1500: Processor - Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.2GHz Processor Screen - 15.4 Widescreen XGA+ LCD TrueLife Memory - 2GB DDR2 Graphics - NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT 256MB Storage - 160GB 7200RPM SATA Harddrive Media - 8x DVD-RW with double-layer DVD-R write capability Network - Intel 4965AGN Wireless-N Mini-card Integrated 2.0 Megapixel Webcam Mobile Broadband - Dell Wireless 5520 HSDPA 3.6 Mini-card (for AT&T) With Windows Vista Ultimate (this laptop deserves nothing less), the Vostro 1500 has everythi...
More About: Business , Laptop , Sine

Silicon Valley Install Fair next month
2007-11-19 18:48:00
Similar to last month's Redmond-based Install Fair , the Windows Vista SP1 Deployment Team is holding another Install Fair at our Silicon Valley campus early next month.  You're welcome to drop by if you find yourself in the neighborhood, provided you register beforehand. Windows Vista SP1 Beta Install Fair - Silicon Valley   Date:  8-9 December 2007, 9:00am - 4:00pm  Location:  Microsoft Silicon Valley Campus, 1065 La Avenida St., Mountain View, CA 94043 Timeslots: Desktops:  9:00am or 1:00pm Laptops:  9:00am or 1:00pm Registrations must be made via email to Windows Vista Install Fair Registration (vsp1reg@microsoft.com).  Please indicate your preferred timeslot when replying.  Spaces are limited. What is Windows Vista SP1?  Windows Vista SP1 is an update to Windows Vista that addresses feedback from our customers.  In addition to previously released updates, SP1 will contain changes focused on addressing...
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Two New Games for Windows Titles Hit This Week
2007-11-16 09:07:00
Michael Wolf over on the Gamerscore Blog announced on Wednesday two new Games for Windows Live titles hitting store shelves this week: Crysis and Kane & Lynch: Dead Men. Crysis received a score of 98 out of 100 by PC Gamer and utilizes Windows Vista's DirectX 10 offering incredible graphics. And Kane & Lynch: Dead Men is a Games for Windows - LIVE title supporting online game play for up to 8 players with free List Play for Silver users and, for Gold members, enhanced matchmaking and online multiplayer achievements. Gears of War was also released as a Games for Windows - LIVE title earlier this month. The Games for Windows - LIVE update I posted about in October was released as well. Michael Wolf has some information on the update including some specifics about getting the update installed with Gears of War. I was able to install the Games for Windows - LIVE update flawlessly through Shadowrun. You can also download it and install it separately. Remember, games under ...
More About: Week , Titles

Upgrade to Next Version of Windows Live OneCare Announced for All Subscribe
2007-11-15 06:09:00
The new version of the Windows Live OneCare service is being made available today, running on both 32- and 64-bit Windows Vista systems (32-bit Windows XP SP2 is also supported).  We built OneCare because we know that most homes have more than a single computer (surely not news to you if you're a reader of this blog), with PC security and maintenance being needs consistently expressed by both home users and small business owners.  A lot of these customers run PCs without basic anti-virus and anti-spyware protection, and even fewer perform performance-enhancing tasks such as disk defragmentation and regular system back-ups.  Furthermore, the plethora of digital photos stored on PCs means that more and more people are trusting their systems to archive digital memories, but given the general consumer's lack of understanding of archival software, doing so becomes a risky proposition indeed.  And, when you factor in the prevalence of wireless networks in use in...
More About: Windows Live , Subscribe , Version

Listening to Music in Style with New Zune Device & Software
2007-11-15 01:37:00
Yesterday was an exciting day for the Zune Team. Their new Zune devices - the Zune 4, Zune 8, and Zune 80 - hit store shelves and they launched a brand new version of Zune.net now with your very own Social Profile (your Zune Card). The Zune Team also launched a new version of the Zune software - completely re-done and much improved. There is quite a bit of reviews on both the new devices and Zune software all over the web today. I'd like to call out the reviews by Featured Community member Jason Dunn over at Zune Thoughts. He's got some fantastic videos up on the new devices and software worth checking out. I'd like to share a few things myself on the Zune software, the Zune 8, and the Zune Social web service. First off, yesterday I created a video demo of the Zune software designed to give you a quick overview of what the Zune software offers. I shot the video yesterday hoping to get it up yesterday so when I say "today" I really mean yesterday. Take a look at the video: Video...
More About: Software , Music , Style , Device

Windows Vista Hardware Assessment Getting A Major Facelift: Tool Expansion
2007-11-14 19:37:00
Hi all!  It's been a little bit over 2 months since my last blog on the Windows Vista Hardware Assessment 2.1 (WVHA) release back in August.  You may wonder what our dev team is up to. Well, aside from getting the much needed rest, we have been busy working on the NEXT version of the tool.  Yes, we're talking about a major expansion here.  For those of you who haven't heard of WVHA, it's basically a network-wide readiness assessment tool that goes out to your network and securely assess each PC for their hardware and device compatibility for Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office migration - click here for my detailed blog post. Tool Expansion - Microsoft Assessment and Planning Solution Accelerator This expansion will not only retain the original WVHA functionalities and the 7-language localization, but it will also incorporate many elements for the Windows Server 2008 wave and Microsoft Integrated Virtualization initiative. Imagine having the same ag...
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TechEd IT Forum Europe, Day 2: Microsoft Deployment and Windows Vista Deplo
2007-11-13 08:56:00
Day 2 begins here in Barcelona at TechEd IT Forum and we've got more news to share with you.  With more and more businesses looking to deploy Windows Vista , we wanted to remind IT Pros that we offer tools to help accelerate the testing and planning for the migration.  We recently announced Microsoft Deployment, the next version of what was formally known as Business Desktop Deployment (BDD), and today we're announcing updates to several Windows Vista deployment planning tools to aid the deployment process. So what's in Microsoft Deployment that wasn't available in BDD? For starters, it integrates with recently released deployment technologies such as System Center Configuration Manager 2007 or the Windows Automated Installation Kit to create a single path for image creation and automated installation.  Microsoft Deployment can be used by IT professionals to deploy Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003 and pre-release versions of Windows Server 2008, as well as to de...
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Giving the Microsoft Diagnostic and Recovery Toolset (DaRT) a Try
2007-11-13 03:02:00
Today, Nick told you about some updates to the tools in the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) from Barcelona, Spain at TechEd IT Forum. I recently had a chance to give one of the components of MDOP - the Microsoft Diagnostic and Recovery Toolset (DaRT) 6.0 - a try. DaRT is an excellent set of tools for IT Professionals to troubleshoot unresponsive PCs and removing viruses and malware off infected PCs in their environment. DaRT 6.0  also now has the ability for IT Professionals to conduct offline removal of malware and viruses from infected PCs. The first thing I noticed when I started using DaRT is that it provides two options to the IT Professional: a way to analyze crash files from unresponsive PCs through the Crash Analysis Wizard, and a way to create a startup disc with the necessary tools in fixing an unresponsive PC that is unable to boot into Windows called ERD Commander. I first took a look at the Crash Analysis Wizard. The Crash Analysis Wizard allows an IT ...
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New Updates to Windows Vista available via Windows Update this week
2007-11-12 16:00:00
As you probably know and as we?ve mentioned in previous posts, we use Windows Update to periodically deliver updates for Windows Vista . We do this so that customers need not wait for a service pack or another or larger release to benefit from the ongoing improvements we make to Windows. With Windows Update, we can regularly service Windows as quickly, effectively and unobtrusively as possible, so that keeping your Windows OS up-to-date is easier and more convenient for you. All you have to do is make sure you are signed up to have updates installed automatically, and you?re good to go.  Continuous improvement is the name of this game. The non-security updates planned for release through Windows Update this week include: An update on system compatibility, reliability and stability:  extends the battery life for mobile devices, improves stability of wireless network services, and shortens recovery time after Windows Vista experiences a period of inactivity, among other fixe...
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TechEd IT Forum Europe, Day 1: Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack
2007-11-12 14:00:00
To jump start TechEd IT Forum in Barcelona, Spain, this week, I'd like to highlight some announcements that IT professionals are really going to appreciate.  We're updating the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) to further assist IT professionals in complex enterprise environments in their desktop manageability pursuits.  Our improvements to MDOP should help IT pros save the companies money by further driving down total cost of desktop ownership. First off, we're today announcing the public beta availability of Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.5, an integral component of MDOP.  Formerly known as Microsoft "SoftGrid Application Virtualization" and now with the 4.5 release moniker "Microsoft Application Virtualization," this package transforms applications into virtualized, network-available services.  IT professionals will be able to use Microsoft Application Virtualization to deliver localized applications within localized environments.  Mic...
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Microphone Arrays: Digital Microphones
2007-11-10 02:54:00
Below is part 2 of an audio series by Windows Vista Sound team Program Manager Richard Fricks, the first being Richard's piece on Using a microphone array to enhance sound capture.  This follow-on article details how to get more out of your PC by using a digital microphone. The digital microphone is a perfect fit for Windows Vista's microphone array technology.  Digital microphones have been around for years, but until recently, the ability to integrate such technology into an everyday laptop computer at an affordable price has not.  Did I mention they are incredibly compact?  Here is a picture of a bottom-port Akustica digital microphone:   Akustica AKU2000 This is a great example of a high quality, cost-effective digital microphone that is easily integrated into a laptop PC. There are some unique characteristics of this particular microphone that warrant mention.  First of all, Akustica has a unique fabrication process that allows them to incorporat...
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Announcing the Microsoft Deployment Solution Accelerator!
2007-11-10 00:50:00
Microsoft Deployment is the next version of Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) 2007. Microsoft Deployment, the fourth generation deployment accelerator, enables deployment of servers and desktops. Its tools and end-to-end guidance reduce deployment time, standardize desktop and server images, limit service disruptions, reduce post-deployment help desk costs and improve security and ongoing configuration management. Microsoft Deployment follows the trend for unified deployment tools across desktops, servers, and applications. This release represents an exciting opportunity for thousands of current BDD 2007 users to easily adopt Microsoft Deployment?s new capabilities for Windows Server® imaging and deployment automation. At the same time, Microsoft Deployment continues to enhance Windows Vista® and 2007 Office system deployment using new technologies, like System Center Configuration Manager 2007 or the new multicast feature in Windows Deployment Services. Microsoft Deployment adds...
More About: Microsoft , Accelerator , Solution , Anno

Share Calendars to Windows Calendar with Windows Live Calendar (Beta)
2007-11-08 07:17:00
Yesterday, along with the launch of the new Windows Live apps and services, Microsoft also commenced with the public beta of Windows Live Calendar. Denise Ho, Lead Program Manager for Windows Live Calendar, made the announcement off of the Windows Live Hotmail blog. Windows Live Calendar is designed to make it easier to share your plans with friends and family. Using Windows Live Calendar, you can share your calendar out to people in your Windows Live Contacts. For those of them using Windows Live Calendar, they can accept an invite to view your shared calendar which will then appear in their account when they log in to Windows Live Calendar. For friends who don't have Windows Live ID's - you can send them a secret link to view your calendar without the need to sign in. You can read Denise's post mentioned above for the complete lowdown on what Windows Live Calendar offers. But I'd like to call out a specific scenario that Windows Live Calendar supports - something I've adopte...
More About: Beta , Calendars

Real People - Digital Lives
2007-11-07 19:28:00
This week we posted some new videos on www.windows.com and www.windowslive.com. We call them demos but really they?re little stories about people using Windows to do more, connect with loved ones and share memories. I?m excited about the videos for a couple of reasons (besides the fact that it?s always fun to have something you had a hand in producing actually Out There ? in front of real people who will have real opinions about them) ? naturally I?m excited about the chance to paint a picture of Windows Vista and Windows Live working together and to showcase new features and capabilities in the product, but what I?m most excited about is the opportunity to put Windows in the context of people?s lives ? which is an approach we haven?t traditionally taken with product demos on the Windows website.   I went out on a limb a bit with these videos because of this ? our initial storyboards revolved around the product, just showing the UI and talking about the benefits, but...
More About: People , Real , Lives , Digital

Announcing the next generation in Windows Live apps & services
2007-11-06 19:25:00
Today the Windows Live team announces the final release of the Windows Live suite of applications and web services designed to enhance the Windows user experience.  Consumers can now download the full Windows Live suite at once or pick and choose their favorite apps and services. Why Windows Live on this blog?  Simply put, the two product platforms are now linked more than ever before.  Windows Live includes the Windows name because, ultimately, it is designed to take the Windows computing experience one step further.  The power of the PC is now combined with the flexibility and pervasiveness of Windows Live online services.  For example, the Windows Live Photo Gallery client app for Windows Vista now includes panoramic photo stitch and the ability to publish to Flickr. This release comprises these Windows Live Applications: Windows Live Messenger 8.5 Windows Live Mail Windows Live Writer Windows Live Photo Gallery Windows Live OneCare Family Safety ...and ...
More About: Services , Generation

Putting together the ?Ultimate? PC
2007-11-06 07:44:00
This weekend, I decided to "evaluate" all my PC's on my home network. My main Desktop PC wasn't performing like I wanted it to and was running a combination of new and old hardware. I had a Test / Work PC running a combination of new and old hardware as well. My Test / Work PC was also running x64 which was something I wanted to move to on my main Desktop PC for quite some time now (I like being on the "bleeding edge"). So I decided to take the best parts of my main Desktop PC and my Test / Work PC and combine them together to create the "Ultimate " Desktop PC for myself. I was pretty satisfied with the results. Here are the specs of what I ended up with: Processor - AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 4600 Motherboard - ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Graphics - NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GTS Memory - 4GB Keyboard / Mouse - Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 Monitor - Dual 24-inch Dell UltraSharp 2407 Flat Panel Displays Storage: 160GB Maxtor Harddrive, 160GB Western Digital Harddrive, 320 Western Di...
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Daylight Savings Time is ending, time to fall back
2007-11-03 19:18:00
In 2007, Daylight Savings Time started on 11th March 2007, three weeks earlier than normal.  Daylight Savings Time is ending this year one week later than usual, on 4th November (tomorrow).  Because in 2007 we've had four more weeks of Daylight Savings Time, your PC's date and time may be affected when Daylight Savings Time ends this weekend. If you are a Windows Vista user and have Automatic Updates configured for Windows Update, you most likely already have the necessary update to ensure your date and time will make the change come the 4th. However, if you are unsure whether your Windows Vista PC has the update, you can go to the Daylight Savings Time Help and Support Center at Microsoft.com and use the associated wizard to get the necessary update for your PC.  If your Windows Vista PC already has the update, when attempting to install the update you will be alerted that it does not apply to your system. Another way to check to see if your Windows...
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Camcorders and DSLRs take over Official Windows Vista Magazine
2007-11-01 19:18:00
The Winter 2007 issue of the Official Windows Vista Magazine should be hitting newsstands very soon and will be of interest to those of you considering picking up a camcorder, digital webcam or DSLR camera this holiday season.  This issue provides some excellent how-to articles on importing photos from your digital camera, as well tips for editing video from your camcorder.  On top of that, the authors review some of the latest DSLR models, such as the Canon PowerShot G7 -- a Certified for Windows Vista product --, in stores now for this holiday season.    Check out this issue's ideas for potential gifts for your family's digital media enthusiasts who're using Windows Vista.
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An Overview of Windows Sound and Music ?Glitching? Issues
2007-10-29 21:35:00
The following post comes from my colleague Steve Ball, Senior Program Manager for Sound in Windows Vista, and continues his team's on-going series on how Windows Vista treats various forms of audio. ----- Part I: Why does my Windows sound sometimes "glitch?" Windows is a rich and complex OS designed for multi-tasking users whose tasks must share access to scarce system hardware and resources.  Unfortunately, despite multiple decades of incredible advances in PC and CPU architectures, there are non-trivial, complex interactions between applications, processes, and devices in even the most advanced personal computers that make a supposedly "easy" task -- like playing back music without occasional glitches -- much more difficult than it may seem at first glance. Another way of thinking about this:  it seems odd that a modern >$2000 PC may sometimes have trouble seamlessly playing back music when $20 CD players can effortlessly playback music without glitches.  ...
More About: Music , Issues , Overview

Visiting the Windows Consumer Experience Space in New York City
2007-10-26 05:43:00
In New York City this week, Microsoft has invited over 200 members of the press to visit the Windows Consumer Experience Space at Peter White Studios. There, they will get hands on demos of scenarios that both Windows Vista and Windows Live together enable for consumers. The scenarios at the Windows Consumer Experience Space include demos of the Windows Live apps (such as Windows Live Mail and Windows Live Photo Gallery), gaming on Windows Vista, and Windows Media Center and its home entertainment capabilities. Windows Senior Product Manager Craig Cincotta gives us a tour of the Windows Consumer Experience Space where folks will come through for their demos: Video: Windows Consumer Experience Space Walk-thru One of the scenarios being demoed is the ability to create panoramic shots in Windows Live Photo Gallery. I absolutely love this feature and decided to go down to Times Square and take a few shots to create a panoramic view of Times Square during both during the even...