Windows Vista is without a doubt the most user experience oriented operating system ever to come out of Redmond. Windows Aero, although not as revolutionary and innovative as Microsoft is applauding it to be, is a new design in terms of graphical user interface and a divergent visual perspective in comparison to Vista’s successor, Windows XP, for that matter. And in addition to the graphical UI, Microsoft has also revamped the logon process. Microsoft failed to deliver the same volume of eye candy to the logon visuals as it did to Windows Aero, but in terms of small details, it really hits the spot.

And speaking of small details, there are a couple of visual tweaks delivered by Andreas Verhoeven, that will really serve to pimp up your desktop. In the screenshots included at the bottom you will be able to observe the details added through the deployment of Glass Toasts, Thumbnail Sizer and 3D User Picture. Trust me, it’s the little things that count, and Verhoeven simply took a few basic elements of Vista and tweaked them. (more…)

3d animated, 3d user, aero, basic elements, graphical ui, graphical user interface, logon, microsoft, revamped, taskbar button, thumbnail, toasts, tweaks, verhoeven, vista, visual perspective, Windows, windowsxp

I almost never type http:// in front of web-addresses when I’m browsing, but after using IE7 and Vista for some time now it seems like I don’t have a choice if I want to browse quickly.

I’ll try and describe the problem better;

• I open IE7 and type in the address; zumzum-keepingitreal.blogspot.com as shown below;

• I press Enter and it takes 15-20 seconds before page starts loading, before this apparently nothing is happening.

If I do it like this;

• Open IE7 and type in the address; http://zumzum-keepingitreal.blogspot.com as shown below;

• Press Enter, then the page is loaded and displayed right away.

After some testing I find this to be a problem on every web-address I’ve tested. No http:// first and it takes 15-20 seconds before anything happens. I’ve also done some testing on Windows XP with IE7 and Windows 2003 Server with IE7 here pages load instantly without using http:// in front of the address.

After monitoring what happens with Process Monitor when I press Enter in IE7 without typing http:// in front of the address. It turns out Vista/IE7 is checking my local machine (local disks) and local network (mapped drives etc.) before it goes out to the internet to find the site.

So what is going on here? I’ve tried to find some information about this problem, but it turns out other people who have noticed this only have the same “fixes” as me….

• Start adding pages to Favorites
• Use cached address list for sites you’ve been to before
• Always type http:// first (I’ve never done this and probably never will)
• Switch browser

None of these “fixes” are good enough for me, so if you have any input or more information about this please share in the comments section.

By defect, Vista deals with the problems of defragmentation of the discs while regularly launching work of optimization of the distribution of the files on ALL the discs. Even the option of manually started defragmentation (button “Defragment now”) carries out the maintenance action on all the discs without leaving of another choice to the user.

To manually launch a defragmentation on a disc given and exclusively this one, it is necessary to call upon the functions of invites orders:

1. Launch invites it orders in mode “Administrator” (using the right button of the mouse).
2. Seize order “DEFRAG X: - W - F - v” by replacing “X: ” by the unit disc which you wish defragmenter (C: , D: , etc).

The order posts some general information, but is not really talkative during the execution of the defragmentation. It returns the hand only once the defragmentation of the disc finished.

If you wish a convivial interface for defragmenter your discs, choose either the software freeware DiskDefrag from AusLogics, or for the solutions paying but more advanced such as PerfectDisk from Raxco or Diskeeper 2007 from Diskeeper.

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I’ve been a regular visitor to hirescovers.net for several years now and the artists there won’t stop to amaze me with their Photoshop skills. It’s amazing what skills someone can develop and I thought I would make a post about it so more people get to know this site and get to know their work.

What I also find interesting is that most of the cover art one can find here is way much better than the official covers released. I’ve put 3 samples below so you can see what quality you can expect if you decide to join up with them.

Microsoft Tech Ed SEA 2007 will be around town from 10th Sept till 14th Sept, 07, at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

In this year’s Tech Ed SEA (Southeast Asia) 2007, there will be more than 120 breakout sessions, hands on experiences and you also get to meet with your peers from the same region! What’s best is you might be able to find your next dream job through one of your new peers.

Tech Ed SEA 2007 will have 7 tracks this year:

• Windows Infrastructure Track
• Office, Messaging, and Collaboration Track
• Systems Management Track
• Enterprise Data Management Track
• Architecture & Team Development Track
• Developer Technology Track
• Web Development & User Experience Track

If you are going, you can also catch me at the Instructor Led Lab, Day 2, 1st session (usually it will be quiet for the morning session), on the topic Managing Network Security Using Windows Firewall with Advanced Security. Alternatively, you can meet me over at the Ask-The-Expert (ATE) Booth on Tuesday (11st Sept) from 12PM till 3PM, Exhibition Hall.

See you there!

More information of Tech Ed SEA 2007 can be found here.

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As far as Microsoft is concerned there is only one choice possible in terms of desktop clients. But Windows Vista is also the clear option over Windows XP when it comes down to the Redmond company’s preferred operating system for mobile PCs.

source: news.softpedia.com