In Windows XP I always used Nero to burn CDs and DVDs. I can’t count the number of times a user asked for help with their CD they brought from home. They dragged the file to the disk, which added it to the index, but they never did the final Burn process to create the CD, so of course the files don’t end up on the disk. With Vista I figured I’d give it another try and see how the built in burning facilities work. Here’s an area that Vista hasn’t improved. It’s virtually identical to how it works in XP. Yes you can burn discs with this feature, but there are better alternatives. (more…)

An obvious religious post from a Linux supporter. Many of the points are weak, but their are certainly some good points raised. (more…)

Why Microsoft would prefer you go to the store instead of click from your couch. (more…)

I‘ve been using Firefox recently, since they finally released the Google Toolbar beta that includes Google Bookmarks. I have version 2.0 installed both at work and at home. A few days ago I got a pop-up message saying that an upgrade was available, to version 2.0.0.1, so I went ahead and let it download, install it, and restart Firefox. No problem. When I saw the notification the second time, there was no surprise, running two copies of course I’d have to update them both. (more…)

An excellent overview of the many states your Vista license can be in. (more…)

Vista has a feature called The Forgotten Password Wizard. With it, you can create a special disk to reset your password if you forget it. For it to work, you need to act now, while you still know your password! (more…)

A post on the Microsoft Security Response Center Blog notes that proof of concept code has been publicly posted that could allow local elevation of privileges on Vista (as well as 2000, XP, and Server 2003). Here’s the meat of the post: (more…)

• Vista is WinHlp-less.
  Old fashioned .hlp files no longer work in Vista, and vendors are prohibited from distributing the Windows Help program. Only users can download it, and only once it’s made available before the consumer release of Vista.
• Windows Vista Capable and Premium Ready PCs
  Microsoft updates it’s requirements for running Vista.
• Windows Vista Team Blog : Windows Vista and protection from malware
  An easy to understand explanation of Vista’s resistance/vulnerability to viruses.

Microsoft updates it’s requirements for running Vista. (more…)

The new search tool in Vista is far superior to the version found in the previous versions of Windows. It’s on par with Google’s Desktop Search in making it easy to find your documents, as well as applications. Being able to find your files so easily makes how you organize your files less important, which is nearly life saving for some of the users I know. But is this really a good thing? (more…)