A New Vista Laptop

New Laptop - PaD 3/12/07
Originally uploaded by dewelch.

As my clients begin to get Windows Vista on new computers, I needed a new machine to assist them with the questions they will almost certainly have.

This is an HP Pavilion DV200 with 2 GB of RAM, 160GB HD and AMD Turion Dual Core Processor.

So far, I am liking it a lot. Very perky. I got the 15" version, as I plan on carrying this around a lot more than my previous laptop, as I am doing more speaking engagements on podcasting and other topics.

Tags: laptop notebook new technology windows vista windows vista

Elsewhere Online: Microsoft Hit By U.S. DOT Ban On Windows Vista, Explorer 7, and Office 2007

This article from Information Week can certainly make you think twice about upgrading to the latest versions of several Windows products. While the concerns are certainly larger for large corporations and governmental agencies, they bring up some issues that all of face in smaller ways.

Concerns over compatibility seem to be the most pressing for the government, as they have a series of legacy applications which are installed throughout their organizations. Where you or I might only need worry about upgrading 2 or 3 programs, they must must consider upgrading 10-15 application across tens of thousands of users.

The article calls out the fact that the government, and many companies, are not seeing a compelling reason to upgrade. It seems more likely that Vista and other software will arrive in some piecemeal fashion, rather than part of a complete overhaul.

Microsoft Hit By U.S. DOT Ban On Windows Vista, Explorer 7, and Office 2007 (Paul McDougall/InformationWeek)

Microsoft Hit By U.S. DOT Ban On Windows Vista, Explorer 7, and Office 2007 — Tens of thousands of federal workers are prohibited from upgrading to the latest versions, according to memos seen by InformationWeek. — Citing concerns over cost and compatibility, the top technology official …

Source: InformationWeek

(Via Techmeme.)

Technorati Tags: work, workplace, technology, windows, microsoft, software, computers, business, vista

Elsewhere Online: Windows Vista screencasts - istartedsomething

I haven't had enough free time to put together any Vista screencasts, but I was lucky enough to find these Vista demonstrations from istartedsomething.com. They don't have sound, but they do provide a nice visual overview of the new features found in Windows Vista.

Windows Vista screencasts - istartedsomething

Here’s several Windows Vista screencasts focusing on various important new features: Aero Glass, file management, guided help, tablet PC functionality, sidebar, improved search indexing and Media Center. These are just a taste of some of the new features you will find in Windows Vista. These screencast was done in quite a hurry, so I apologise for the lack of depth and variety, had a bit more time so there’s a bit of variety now.

(Via istartedsomething.)

Technorati Tags: howto, how-to, tutorial, technology, windows, microsoft, vista, screencast

Something may come in very handy...Belkin Easy Transfer Cable for Windows

Hi all: If you have an old PC and want to move to a new PC (especially with Vista (!)) - you need an easy way to "get 'er done". The link below depicts a piece from Belkin that may make it easier. I'll try to read up on it and get back to you here. Here tis:

Belkin Easy Transfer Cable for Windows Photo Gallery

(credit Paul Thurrott's WinSuperSite

Talk with you soon! - SDA

Software: Climb any mountain (or is that Vista...?)

OK so Vista is readily available. Any PC a consumer sees at this point out is gonna have it. Question is, which flavor do you want? (or need...!)

Here is a piece from a favorite site that does a nice job of laying it out. Something tells that a certain podcast from someone we all know (!)@(#*$%*$(#$) may be talking about this very topic.

Here she is: Understanding the Vista Product Editions

(Paul Thurrutt's SuperSite for Windows writeup)

Have at it and have fun. So far so good from my perspective. Very smooth ride even with some of my favorite open-source tools loaded as well... Complete listing to follow... as soon as I have a minute...

:-) "No harm, no foul" SDA

Sorry Windows Vista sidebar...

You had to go. Google Desktop is my gadget/index/info/weather/performance tool of choice. It was pretty but too large to keep open all the time.

Check this LifeHacker article for the notes on how to disable it:

Windows Vista Tip: Disable the sidebar

At LEAST I gave it a week.... (:)-)

SDA