XP Service Pack 3 RC1 Ready for Download

While Microsoft is quick to downplay XP when comparing it to Vista, the legacy OS continues to shackle the hearts (and systems) of many. Fortunately, Microsoft just opened up their XP service pack 3 release candidate for general download -- that means you. SP3 RC was previously only available by invitation. Now get going, you'll need time to download all 336MBs of the last major update to the six-year old OS.

Divx Pro Free Download is Available for a Limited Time

For a limited time, Divx is offering a complimentary download of their Divx Pro software, which consists of both a converter and the Codec. The converter includes an easy to use drag-and-drop feature to make your conversion time simpler. This software is definitely a useful one to have available. It is currently not mentioned when this free download ends, so if you are interested, make it quick.

Download DivX here.

Windows Vista SP1 RC1 Publicly Available

You've heard about it, you know what it's got, you want it like crazy -- and about 11 months after launch Microsoft delivers on Vista's first service pack (in release candidate form, anyway).

Vista SP1 Kills the WGA Kill Switch

Microsoft's anti-piracy system known (and loathed) as Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) is set to lose its bite. When Vista SP1 launches in early 2008, WGA will still identify -- ad-nauseam -- what it thinks to be non-legal copies of Vista. However, it will lose its ability to disable said systems. The change was announced in a presentation by WGA senior product manger, Alex Kochis, who said, "Based on customer feedback, we will not reduce user functionality on systems determined to be non-genuine." That should bring a swift end to WGA customer complaints related to false-positives, spyware concerns, or server glitches.

Vista SP1 public beta to hit in December?

Speed boost or no, all of you clamoring for some hot Vista SP1 action will be able to get a beta-style fix in December, according to ZDNet. Apparently "selected testers" will get a release candidate in the first week of the month, with general availability to come the week after. ZDNet says the current SP1 build being tested is 17051, but it's not clear whether that's the version to be released or not. Like all things SP1, looks like we'll just have to wait and see.

Windows Vista SP1 Looking Good, Due in Q1 '08

The first service pack for Windows Vista is on its way, and PC Magazine has a preview of an early private beta version. The good news is that reviewer Neil Randall found the service pack to be faster overall than the shipping version of Windows Vista, and also noticed more drivers available and improved encryption. Randall also experienced applications within Adobe Creative Suite CS2 running faster, dialog boxes popping up more rapidly, and other file copying speedups. This bodes well for the shipping version of SP1, which should be available along with Service Pack 3 of Windows XP (the last service pack for XP) in Q1 of 2008.

Vista Service Pack 1 Details Announced

After months of speculation, rumor, and silence from Microsoft, the company is finally talking publicly about Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista. Microsoft says that the first public beta of Windows Vista SP1 will be available in the next few weeks to TechNET and MSDN subscribers. The company confirmed that a smaller group of testers is already putting SP1 through its paces.

TiVo rolls out Vista-compatible, DivX-supporting Desktop 2.5

TiVo's official website still doesn't show any indication of it, but Dave Zatz of Zatz Not Funny! says the company's PR folks have confirmed to him that TiVo Desktop 2.5 is now official, and a download link has already been turned up on the TiVo Community Forum. Headlining the updates this time around is Windows Vista compatibility, not to mention support for the transfer and playback of DivX and Xvid files, along with support for conversion of previously transferred recordings. TiVo's also now finally added the iPod to the list of portable devices, and it'll kindly send converted files straight to your iTunes library.

Keyspan RF Remote for Windows Vista Sees Through Walls

This RF remote can control your Windows Media PC from up to 90 feet away allowing you to have your PC in a completely different room for about $50. Nice.

Turn Your Windows Mobile Phone into an iPhone

LifeHacker shows you how to turn your Windows Mobile phone into an iPhone wannabe.

Add Advanced Recycle Bin Options in Vista

This registry tweak replaces the Delete command from the Recycle Bin with a Clear Temp command(This prevents users from accidentally deleting the Recycle Bin Icon from the Desktop), and also adds a Disk Cleanup command which performs an Extended Disc Cleanup on all disks.

Download the reg files here.
Check out more Vista tips here.

Use Firefox as a Windows File Manager

Never thought about doing this before, but if you have the IE Tab extension for Firefox you can set it to always open "file:///*" in an IE tab and create bookmarks to your folders. All you have to do is copy the folder location into the address bar with a "file:///" prefix, replace all the "\" with a "/", and replace spaces with %20. Locationbar is also a great extension to go with this because you can then click on the root folders in the address bar (like Windows Vista) to go back.

NoPE Release New Vista

Being a pirate couldn't be easier with this Vista hack. When installing windows this cracked dvd will automatically enter the serial and download updates.

InnoDisk ReadyBoost Internal USB Drive

ReadyBoost is used to speed up your Vista loading times. InnoDisk just announced this usb stick you can plug strait into your motherboard. No need to take up a valuable usb port, now you can plug it in and forget about it. It's cheap too!

Boot Camp 1.2

Boot Camp now supports Windows Vista, better drivers, Apple Remote support, and a few other things.

X-Play: The Sims Life Stories Review

More fun and frolic with those wacky Sims, as they live their life stories.

X-Play: Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar Review

A conquest of space, reconsidered. This is the time of the Dark Avatar.

X-Play: Maelstrom Review

A mech-RPG hybrid. Doesn't that sound like fun? Here's the review for Maelstrom.

Microsoft Virtual PC 2007

Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 is fully compatible with Vista Ultimate and other Windows OS allowing you to run multiple PC operating systems virtually on one machine while sharing the files already on your PC. This is great for those apps that may not be fully compatible with Vista thats keeping you from making the switch. Very cool...and free.

Download Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 here.

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