• Vista “mangles” metadata
  If you use metadata on your files, photos for instance, you may run into problems with non-vista software not being able to access that data.
• PC sales jump in Vista’s debut week
  Not surprising that some people waited until they could get a computer with Vista on it instead of dealing with the less than enjoyable upgrade process and licensing.
• Iranians claim to have cracked Vista and sell it at $8 a pop
  Another reason for Bush to want to bomb them back to the stone age?
• FirePanel Vista 1.2.0.0
  A shareware extension for the Vista firewall. “It adds features not normally available to your Windows Firewall. Set rules, monitor your firewall activity, watch logs, all in one handy window.”
• TechSmith Announces SnagIt for Windows Vista
  Popular for making tutorial movies, and capturing webcams, SnagIt is now certified for Vista.
• AVG Free now Vista-ready
  The free version of the AVG anti-virus software is updated to work better with Vista.
• NASA Employees Warned About Vista Security Loophole
  Bitlocker can’t protect if you ’sleep’ instead of ‘hibernate’ or ’shutdown’.
• All Vista HQ wallpapers
  Want to use the Home Premium wallpaper on your Home Basic machine? Download it now!
• Windows Vista Terms You Should Know
  A glossary of more than 80 terms related to Vista.
• Windows Vista Business Value Tool
  Figure out what Vista will really cost your Business.
• Microsoft removed the WAIK download – better wait with Vista roll out
  If you downloaded WAIK this week, you might want to wait on using it.
• More fatal Windows Vista exploit
  Details of a keyboard and mouse subsystem flaw. You better read this one before getting too worried.
• Microsoft Vista Released | The Onion - America’s Finest News Source
  Important details about Vista’s features. A must read
• How to Install Windows Vista..hehe.
  A parody of how to install Vista. It appears this guy shredded an actual Vista Home Premium Disk!

Lately the web has been buzzing about the loophole that allows a user to purchase an upgrade version of Vista, and still be able to install it, even if they don’t have an older operating system to upgrade from. This can save a person near 35% of the cost of the full equivalent version of Vista. Microsoft has now stated that they don’t have any plans to try and stop this. That doesn’t sound like the Microsoft I know! Keep reading →

The Microsoft Security Response Center blog released advance notification for the February security bulletins. The next updates will be on the 13th (second Tuesday of the month) around 10am PT. It’s unclear how many of these releases will effect Vista, but if I had to guess I’d say that a bare bones Vista install will need six updates, more if you have other software like Office installed. Here’s what’s slated to come down the pipe: Keep reading →

• How to safely test Windows Vista
  Three good tips on how to test Vista without losing your XP install.
• Vista’s silent validation checks and Microsoft’s paranoia
  A nice article about validation and pirating. Though Microsoft says it’s pricing takes into account pirating (the customer suffers) this author has it right, Microsoft’s pricing is based on what we’re willing to pay, and that’s it.
• Vista Performance Shootout: Upgrade Vs. Clean Installation
  If performance is your only criteria, it doesn’t matter. I’m sure if a similar test was done to measure reliability, the clean install would win.
• Tallest Windows Vista Advertisment Ever
  An ad on the side of a skyscraper? Why not.
• Deploying Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System Images Using SMS 2003 Virtual Lab
  A Microsoft ‘Worldwide Event’
• Amazon admits misleading customers over Vista upgrade
  Bad Amazon, bad bad Amazon! Now go to your room.
• When is a firewall not a firewall? When it’s Vista’s built-in firewall
  Ouch, hard for Microsoft to spin this one. What happened to being more secure as a default? The firewall team didn’t follow that rule.

• Check out the Windows Vista Innovation Caf
  An interesting way to preview Vista applications online.
• 10 Vista myths exposed
  Most of these are common sense, but not a bad read none-the-less.
• RAW Codecs from Sony and Olympus are available
  In addition to the previously mentioned Nikon codec, now you’ve got Sony and Olympus to choose from as well.
• Microsoft Vista: Gamers Should Consider Waiting
  Sounds like there’s not many compelling reasons for gamers to move to Vista until Drect X 10 games become available.
• Apple: None Of Our Products Are Windows Vista Compatible
  Is Apple that incompetent that they can’t figure out how to make their software work with Vista, or are they deliberately dragging their feet?

• Microsoft Slow to Turn On Vista Activation Tools
  Some companies are delayed, others won’t deploy at all due to Microsoft’s late, and some say inept, volume license server tools.
• WPF/E CTP (Feb 2007)
  If you’re looking to create rich browser-based experiences with animation, video and audio simply using web-standards friendly AJAX and XAML for presentation than this is right up your alley.
• Cunning Advertising
  The ‘Lost’ commercials, using Flip 3D and sponsored by ‘Windows Vista’.

A man goes to see his doctor. He says “Doctor, every time I bend my right arm I get a sharp pain.” The doctor responds “Then stop bending your right arm!” Not the best advice to be sure. Well, Microsoft is giving the same advice to some of it’s Vista users. Keep reading →

As reported yesterday on Computerworld, Microsoft retail customer support for Vista (as well as all other OS’s) is 60% higher than in the past, due to a boost in rates put in effect January 30th. Previously $35 per incident, customers will now have to pay $59 per incident. Is this justified? Keep reading →

First available in Windows 2000, Dynamic Disk is feature that, among other things, can act like a software RAID. It allows you to have multiple disks appear as one, which can then include an unlimited number of volumes. This can allow you to better organize your files, improve file performance, and if the right options are used, even protect your data against loss due to drive failure. So what’s the problem? Keep reading →

• Reminding me that Vista is exciting
  A nice post about the parts of Vista that the ‘average’ user might find exciting.
• Wow stops now as Vista disrupts online games
  The stronger security is breaking many of the downloadable games online.
• Windows Defender lets spyware onto Vista
  84% of a sample set of 25 spyware slipped by, some dating back to 2006, and a few were able to install themselves.
• SNL News - The Vista Promotion in NYC
  Wow, one of Manhattan’s famed 7 story buildings!
• Vista uses 600MB of memory with no applications running
  A quick look at how much memory Vista uses.