As you may have read, the Beta release of Windows Live OneCare 2.5 is now available on Microsoft Connect for folks to start testing. I of course went ahead and installed Windows Live OneCare 2.5 to give it a spin myself. So what's new with Windows Live OneCare 2.5? After installing the Beta myself, I didn't notice anything different over the non-Beta version. I decided to ping the Windows Live OneCare team to see what we can expect with Windows Live OneCare 2.5. They tell me that the Windows Live OneCare 2.5 release is mainly what they call an "under-the-hood" release. That means that we won't see any big  new features like the great OneCare Circle introduced in 2.0.  Going forward with the Windows Live OneCare 2.5 Beta - continue to expect the improvements and changes to remain "under-the-hood" and not very noticeable in the UI.

In testing the Windows Live OneCare 2.5 Beta, I noticed after installing it on one of my PCs and signing in with my Windows Live ID that contains my OneCare Subscription - it was not displaying my OneCare Circle. This was because I was running the non-Beta version of Windows Live OneCare on my other PCs. When signing in with your Windows Live ID that contains your OneCare Subscription in Windows Live OneCare 2.5 Beta - it creates a new subscription for testing purposes. In order for me to take advantage of my complete OneCare Circle, I will need to install Windows Live OneCare 2.5 on my other PCs. I don't have to worry because this won't affect my OneCare Subscription in any way and I can always uninstall Windows Live OneCare 2.5 Beta and go back to the non-Beta version of Windows Live OneCare.

Interesting in giving Windows Live OneCare 2.5 Beta a try? Just click here to go to Microsoft Connect and fill out the short survey. All feedback for Windows Live OneCare 2.5 Beta should be submitted via Microsoft Connect.

Remember - it's important to stay "green" with Windows Live OneCare. And by that, we mean keeping your OneCare status green ;-)

I have a quick update for you about Windows Vista SP1. The Microsoft Update Blog contains some important information about updates to the SP1 prerequisite distribution plan. Starting tomorrow, we are resuming the automatic update and installation of the Servicing Stack Update.

In mid-April, we will begin distributing SP1 (in the first 5 languages) using the Automatic Update system.  We have a lot of Windows users, so not everyone will get it on the same day.  In fact, it will go to a small percentage of Windows Vista users each day. The exact timing of when you will receive it depends on when your PC is ready for Windows Vista SP1.

In addition to starting the automatic delivery of the first 5 languages, I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you that also we're on track for the initial release of SP1 in the remaining languages in mid-April.

Service Pack 1 for Vista was released a few weeks ago. For now, it is an optional update. Beginning mid April, SP1 will start automatically downloading to PCs - Only on machines that have automatic updates turned on. Not to fear, it will download but not install automatically.

If you are not familiar with the new layout of Automatic updates, you can see if it is available for downloading by opening Internet Explorer, click on tools, then Automatic updates. It will bring up the Automatic Update application. Click on the link that says "View Available Updates"

If SP1 is available, it will look something like this:



If you want to try it out now, but you still do not see it in your list of optional updates there are a few things you need to check:

-You have a pre-release version of Vista. If you do, you need to uninstall windows, and install a fresh full release.

-You already have it. To check, simply go to the start menu, and right click on computer and go to properties

-SP1 is only available in these languages: English, French, Spanish, German, and Japanese. If you have another language version of Windows installed, it is not available yet

-Windows update has detected that you have drivers that are problematic with SP1. If this is the case, SP1 will not show up in your list of updates (No way we know yet to determine if this is the case)

-You are missing pre-requisite patches needed. Simply keep running automatic update until you are fully patched.

We are still testing it out here ourselves...we can't recommend for or against it yet. I think many of the fixes will be invisible to most - since their major focus for SP1 was driver incompatibilities.

For the people who love to go mobile, Willcom Inc. has unveiled a mobile device that incorporates Intel Corp’s Centrino Atom which is sure to be big hit with the fanatics of technology. We are all aware that most people today are getting techie in terms of available mobile computers and with the integration of the new Windows Vista OS, a lot of businessmen and students will surely want to get a hold of this new technology to help satisfy their mobile computing needs.

The device, developed and manufactured by Sharp Corp, employs Microsoft Corp’s operating software “Windows Vista Home Premium.” The new device is targeted “not only at business people in their 20s and 30s who are already using smartphones, but also at students and other users who might use the product for personal use,” said Masaki Kikugawa, representative director and president of Willcom, expressing the company’s stance to attract a wider range of users.

We see most people today having one or two devices in hand and regardless for what purpose they are, they all point to one thing and that is the need of technology as far as Internet browsing and organization of their scheduled tasks and appointments in their daily chores today.

This is only one of the many mobile manufacturers who have been offering various mobile devices which are also used as status symbolisms for most. Some may not even use them to their maximum capability but with technology always a step ahead, it is not surprising to note that the entire features and capabilities of these devices will soon be used to their maximum potential.

(Source) Tech On

Change the Outlook screen resolution

Steps Follows in Windows Vista

1. Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
2. Under Appearance and Personalization, click Adjust screen resolution.
3. Under Resolution, drag the slider to change the screen resolution.

Steps Follows in Microsoft Windows XP

1. In Control Panel, click Appearance and Themes, and then click Change the screen resolution.
2. Under Screen resolution, drag the slider to change the screen resolution.

Note Your monitor and video adapter determine your screen resolution options