I been asked where can i find Information about XP, Vista or Windows 7. I look all over the net, or I search Microsoft.com but is there one spot to start from.
The answers is Yes
Microsoft heard this and for the IT pros there is a great spot called Springboard at www.microsoft.com/springboard this one site has information on how to deploy, explore, manage and link on learning about these products. The site has lots of Videos and blogs that are great.
Check it out
That a question I get all the time.
So how to tell.
Step 1
You could replace your hard drive in your computer install Vista an test – Do not do this lots of time and end of day you may have bought Vista and you hard ware does not support vista
Step 2
Buy an new computer (that will work but maybe you old printer, scanner or other software will not work)
Step 3 go online and use some free resources
You can download the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor – The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor will help you to determine if your Windows XP-based PC can run Windows Vista. You can also use the Upgrade Advisor to determine if your Windows Vista-based PC is ready for an upgrade to a more powerful edition of Windows Vista
Then you can go to the Windows Compatibility Center
This site will also tell you if your favorite stuff works with Windows Vista? Here’s where you can find out if it already does or if you just need a software upgrade or a new driver. You’ll get details on thousands of software programs and devices and benefit from users’ feedback.
Top 5 Product Key Activation Challenges IT Pros Encountered and Solved
Windows Vista® and Windows Server® 2008 include some significant changes relating to product activation over Windows® XP and Windows Server 2003. These changes, while simple, often caused concerns and operational challenges for IT Pros in deploying Windows. Microsoft® product support services identified the five most common product activation related issues encountered by various customers who are evaluating and or deploying Windows Vista (or Windows Server 2008). Understanding these issues will help you and your team to manage the activation changes more effectively and optimize your deployment experience. Share this WP with your customers and colleagues to help them manage the activation changes more effectively and optimize their deployment experience.
A One Pager – document on Genuine software
Top 10 Things You Should Know About Genuine Windows
Microsoft is educating customers and partners on Genuine software, in effort to protect them from counterfeit and pirated software. Are you familiar with the concepts of ‘Genuine Windows’ or ‘Genuine Microsoft Software’? Learn more about what it means to become ‘Genuine’ and get an overview of product activation, validation, licensing and compliance. Share this one page guide with your customers or colleagues to learn more about what it means to become ‘Genuine’ and get an overview of product activation, validation, licensing and compliance.
Customizing Windows Vista Business Edition
Licensing, Reimaging, and Product Activation Considerations
This white paper discusses the benefits of customizing Windows Vista Business Edition and reviews the activation impacts associated with customization. It also provides the policy implications of customization and details these implications through common customization scenarios.
Link follows
I came across this really need application. You have a web cam on your computer do you use it all the time? Well with this application you can set your computer use to record video when your computer sees motion or a predetermined schedule.
Mom, dad worried what the nanny or baby sitter is doing?
With this utility you aver the EYE on the room with this tool. The software supports multiple cameras including IP cameras!
Once the video is taken you have FTP to a location or have the software e-mail you snapshots.
Have you been taking lots of pictures, have you created videos, what next. There is a really cool technology call Photosynth.
This is a site on the net where you upload you pictures and the site bring all you photos together into an interactive picture.
Think about this,
How many people took pictures of the moment when Obama takes the oath?
How many different angles where there, would it be great if you could virtually move you view of the event by clicking on pictures and look at the event from different points of view.
To see a demo go here
http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2009/44.president/inauguration/themoment/
To create your own Photosynth go here
http://photosynth.net/learn.aspx
To see more Photosynth
There is a great article on User Account Control (UAC) on the Microsoft site. I am putting a lick to it here for those who like to see what changed and why.
UAC is your friend if you allow it to help protect you.
http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2008/10/08/user-account-control.aspx
Be one of the first to download the Windows 7 Beta.
This pre-release version of Windows 7 is available to the first 2.5 million people who download.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/beta-download.aspx
Vista Shortcuts using the Windows key:
Window key+B Sets focus to first icon in the notification area. You can use arrow keys to move among the icons in the notification area or press Tab to move around
on the taskbar.
Window key+D
Show Desktop (without the Sidebar).
Window key+E Windows Explorer (opens to Computer).
Window key+F Find Files or Folders (aka Search).
Window key+M Minimize All windows (Sidebar not included).
Window key+Shift+M Undo Minimize All Windows.
Window key+R Open the Run dialog box.
Window key+Tab 3-D Flip (flips you through your applications but with a cool graphic instead of the standard Alt+Tab). Requires the use of the Aero user interface.
Window key+Pause/Break System Properties.
Window key+F1 Windows Help.
Window key+L Locks workstation. If the user account has a password, it must be reentered to unlock the system again.
Window key+U Ease of Access Settings.
Window key+Spacebar This shows the Sidebar (the Sidebar must be open, but minimized).
Ctrl+Window key+Tab Brings up Flip-3D, but it will stay on the desktop so you can scroll up, down, left and right.