Entries tagged with windows - Channel 10

Media Center University Episode 5

brianjo — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:50:00 GMT

The CE Installer blog posted Episode 5 of the Media Center University series this week.

This episode is the second half of Todd Rutherford's presentation on integrating Windows Media Center into a whole home solution and focuses on content acquisition. Topics covered include online content and streaming along with personal media content.

There's a lot of great information in these videos, so be sure to check them out if you're interested in building home entertainment systems.

Media Center University – Part 2

brianjo — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:44:00 GMT

Check out the CE Installer Blog, where Mike Seamons continues his presentation of Optimizing Media Center for Entertainment. In this installment, Mike discusses the steps he takes to optimize Windows Media Center. He discusses removing all unnecessary software, installing Windows Updates and other configuration. Additionally, he discusses how to integrate Zune with WMC.

Topics covered include:

Removing all Unnecessary Files

Network and Sharing Tips

Cleaning the Desktop

Setting the Resolution, sounds, and screen saver

Setting Up Windows Media Player

Syncing everything with Zune

Default Content Removal

Write a Gadget, Win a Dell XPS 420!

sarahintampa — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 05:48:00 GMT

With the release of the Windows SideShow Managed API SDK and the Windows SideShow for Windows Mobile Developer Preview, the Windows SideShow Team is encouraging developers to write some great gadgets by partnering up with NVIDIA to sponsor a gadget-writing contest. All finalists will get a trip to San Jose, CA in August for NVISION 2008 and one grand prize winner will receive a Dell XPS 420 SideShow-enabled desktop PC.

If you haven’t already heard, Windows SideShow is a new technology that lets Microsoft Windows send data to devices that could include, but aren’t limited to, mobile phones, digital picture frames, displays embedded in keyboards, front-panel computer displays, and displays attached to a laptop. Think you have a great idea for a gadget? Study up and get to work - the contest ends July 18, 2008.

Ultimate Video Relay Contest

Laura — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:55:00 GMT

The Windows Vista Ultimate team has partnered up with TriggerStreet to create one seriously awesome challenge. Their team of pro's (directed by Kyle Newman) has created a 5 minute video and now it's up to YOU to create the next five minutes. Right now, all you have to do is write a killer script- and if you're one of the winners you'll get all the tools you need to actually shoot it. You can see the first couple minutes of Kyle's movie here, and then head to their site to get started on your own.

Stardock Releases MyColors

sarahintampa — Fri, 02 May 2008 03:23:00 GMT

The team at WinCustomize has just announced that their MyColors skinning suite is now available to the general public. For anyone interested in skinning Windows, running MyColors is going to be a lot of fun. With the application of a MyColors theme, you can completely transform your version of Windows - GUI, icons, gadgets, wallpaper, and all. The MyColors suite will offer many themes that appeal to sports fans - like themes from the NBA, NHL, and NCAA - but there are other themes available as well. For example, Ford and GM are offering themes featuring their vehicles, but Windows geeks will want to check out the "Diamond theme," a theme that is very much like Aero Diamond, one of the concepts floated around before the Vista team settled on Aero Glass. If you're already running Stardock's WindowBlinds or Object Desktop, you can still run MyColors without uninstalling those items. The Diamond theme is free, as is the MyColors app, but the other themes are available for purchase at $20 each.

The art of the demo: Part 2

Laura — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:48:00 GMT

Introducing people to new and exciting ways to use Microsoft products is one of the perks of working for this company- but it's also a challenge. You have to be pretty creative in order to catch peoples attention. That's why we created the "World Cup Demo Competition". Microsoft employees from all over the world were asked to perform a demonstration of Windows Vista applications and really WOW their audiences. The best demo'er wins ten grand! This video is the second of the three finalists, take a look and give your feedback. Click here to see the first finalist.

The art of the Demo : Part 1

Laura — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:09:00 GMT

Introducing people to new and exciting ways to use Microsoft products is one of the perks of working for this company- but it's also a challenge. You have to be pretty creative in order to catch peoples attention. That's why we created the "World Cup Demo Competition". Microsoft employees from all over the world were asked to perform a demonstration of Windows Vista applications and really WOW their audiences. The best demo'er wins ten grand! This video is the first of the three finalists, take a look and give your feedback. I'll post all three and then announce the winner on Wednesday.

Startup Faster with Startup Delayer

sarahintampa — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:03:00 GMT

By now, most of you have heard about editing your startup options via msconfig, but that process involves checking or unchecking programs from running at startup altogether.

However, you might have quite a few programs that you do need to run, like your online backup or your anti-virus auto-updating program. Unfortunately, some of these programs can take a lot of time to start up when you first turn on your computer. This is where Startup Delayer can help.

Startup Delayer takes a different approach than msconfig. Like msconfig, you can use the program to enable and disable programs from running, but you can also use it to have programs run after startup at a designated time, by customizing the intervals at which they begin to run.

To do so, you just go into Startup Delayer's options and specify how many seconds after Windows has started up before running each program.

Startup Delayer is free and can be downloaded from here. (via Download Blog)

HP's Upline

sarahintampa — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:57:00 GMT

HP has just announced that they are launching a new online storage service called Upline. The service provides unlimited storage for all your documents, photos, music, videos, and anything else you have on your Windows PC. The interface makes Upline easy to use, which is important, and once installed, the service checks for new files every 15 minutes (by default) and then uploads them in the background to HP's servers.

A free version lets you store 1 GB of data for one year, but if you're really going to back up your computer, you'll need to go with one of the paid plans. For $59/year, a "Home" plan is available, which gives you unlimited storage and allows up to three PCs to connect. That's quite a bargain when you think about it. (But is it really unlimited?)

For businesses, the unlimited storage option can range up to $299 per year, depending on how many users and PCs you have.

While you're traveling, you can access your stored files from a web-based interface from which you can also email the files or publish them for public access.

If desired, you can specify the program to back up to a second hard drive, server, or PC on your local network, too.

There are, however, a couple of problems you should be aware of: Upline doesn't back up email archives or system restore files, but that may change in the future.

In the meantime, you can check out what Upline has to offer from the HP homepage for the service here.

JD and Brian Podcast - Episode 5

brianjo — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:03:00 GMT

This week on the podcast, JD and I welcome guests Nic Fillingham and Andrew Duthie for a lively discussion of Windows Vista Service Pack 1, cool stuff we saw on Channel 10, and we ask the question, "How do you handle all the different social networks?"

Links:

JD and Brian Podcast - Episode 4

brianjo — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:03:00 GMT

This week on the podcast, JD and I talk about MIX08, South by Southwest, Microsoft Techfest, and the Electronic House Expo.

Links:

Windows Music

sarahintampa — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:15:00 GMT

This is one of those things you just have to hear to believe: a YouTube user going by username of "SomethingUnreal" put together a mix of Windows sounds to actually make some pretty decent music. The sounds used were taken from Windows 98 and Windows XP and are mostly what I would call the annoying "blips and beeps" you hear when an error occurs or Windows is giving you some other type of feedback. But the music itself isn't annoying at all...it's kind of catchy. You can watch the video here. There's a high-quality version and an extended version of the song available for download from that link, too.

Cairo, a New Windows Shell

sarahintampa — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 18:13:00 GMT

Cairo is an alternative Windows shell that will let you completely change your desktop from using the current Windows UI to a brand new system. The design team behind the project wants their shell to offer an elegant but functional alternative to the Windows desktop. The Cairo shell offers many different features, some of which can be found in standalone programs, but never all combined into one seamless shell replacement program. Some of the features include a Start-Bar to replace the Start menu, a dynamic desktop where you can browse files and folders right from the desktop, multiple desktops, a launcher, file/application grouping, and much more. The Cairo shell is currently in a private alpha, so stay tuned to their site to find out when it will be available to the public.

Microsoft Issues New Product Principles: The Ozzie Effect

Jesse — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:28:00 GMT

Microsoft this morning announced four guiding principles for it's major products, including Vista, Office, and SQL Server. Ensuring open connections, data portability, enhanced support for industry standards, and open engagement with the industry have all been listed as prioritied for current and future versions of the company's products.

As what a few of us here at C10 view as the first major impact of Ray Ozzie taking the helm, we will begin to see increased industry and community engagement from Microsoft; more APIs and documentation will be made available without licensing fees. There is also an Open Source Interoperability Initiative created as part of today's announcement, which is designed to further the conversations between Microsoft and the open source community.

(...to Expand Interoperability - MS PressPass)

JD and Brian Podcast - Episode 1

brianjo — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:53:00 GMT

JD and I have decided to start our own little podcast to discuss things that are happening in the world of technology. For convenience, I've set this up to be hosted at http://jdandbrian.podshow.com, but it will still have an RSS feed from my Channel 10 blog page.

In this first episode, we introduce ourselves and talk about what we're going to talk about on the show. We're planning to record these on Thursday, and I'll try to have them posted by Friday morning.

Links from today's show:

Microsoft Press Pass Site

TechMeme Discussion of the Microsoft/Yahoo offer

Lance Ulanoff column

New York Amateur Computer Club

JD's Blog

Brian's Blog

I'll set up the subscription links for Zune and iTunes when I get a chance. Please leave a note and let us know what you think and what you might want to hear about.

(RED) Wallpapers

sarahintampa — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:44:00 GMT

You may have noticed (ahem...Dell Superbowl commercial) a new (RED) campaign going on. Microsoft is offering Windows Vista Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED edition. The (RED) edition is enhanced with (PRODUCT) RED wallpapers, gadgets, and a unique screen saver and DreamScene™. When you buy (RED) a portion of the profits goes directly to The Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa, and there’s no extra cost to you. However, some of you may already have a new PC, but want to show your support for the (RED) campaign anyway. You can find some cool, fan-created, unofficial (RED)-inspired wallpapers online here. These were created back in 2007 - long before this current campaign launched. Although nowhere near as good as buying a (RED) PC, at least you are there in spirit! (P.S. You can switch Vista's built-in clock gadget to red, too! Just go into its options!) (via istartedsomething)

Talking High End HTPCs with Inteset

Nic — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 05:34:00 GMT

From 4TB, rack mounted, RAID 5 content servers (for the home) to gold tipped, passively cooled, multi-room Media Center extenders, the world of high end, home theatre PCs (HTPCs) will have most of us drooling and seriously consider smashing open the piggy bank.

One of the companies at CES this year in the high end HTPC space was Inteset. We sat down with David Hirsh from Inteset to talk about the types of products and services his company offers and what sets high end HTPC's apart.

Company Web Site: http://www.inteset.com/

Touring the Windows Vista Pavillion

Nic — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 05:36:00 GMT

The Windows Vista Pavillion at CES is a huge white tent divided into several sections demonstrating the various Windows Vista usage scenarios; Digital Memories (photos), Music, Gaming, Productivity, TV & Movies etc etc.
We took a tour through the pavillion and checked out some of the cool new devices on show - such as the HP MediaSmart TV and Samsung "back pack" Media Centre Extender.

We also sat down with JP Wollersheim from the Windows Live team and ran through the updated work flow for digital photos on Windows Vista. From camera to PC to email, photo printing labs and wifi enabled digital photo frames.

Games for Windows at CES 2008

Laura — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 22:55:00 GMT

You may have noticed that we haven't shown you much from the Xbox team yet this year from CES- but that doesn't mean Microsoft didn't have a stellar gaming presence. Games for Windows went from two titles announced last year, to 60 this year! In fact, 20% of the games sold for the PC were Games For Windows branded. I stopped by to clear up some confusion Tina was having about what exactly "Games For Windows" means and take a look at their new titles. Also...there's been buzzing on the show floor about a "Secret Game" that they're keeping behind closed doors and under lock and key...so I opened the doors and picked the lock.

Saving files as PDF

brianjo — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:23:00 GMT

I caught a great article from Codswallop on PDF writers via Digg today. PDF can be useful for sharing documents with users who don't have Office installed, for archiving, or for when you want to print out something and you suddenly realize that your printer is out of ink.

I don't save files to PDF that often, but when I need to, I've got a couple of specific tools that I use that makes the process really simple.

Microsoft Save as PDF or XPS

This utility lets you save files as PDF from within Office applications. This Office 2007 add-in lets you optimize your saved files for print or online use.

CutePDF

CutePDF comes in both freeware and a commercial versions. The freeware version is free for both personal and commercial use. The commercial version offers a list of great features and is currently priced at around $50.00 US.

If you use PDF a lot, you should also check out Sarah's post: Outlook 2007 Tip: Preview PDFs Automatically.

Skip the Taskbar!

sarahintampa — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:04:00 GMT

Not a fan of using the taskbar? Skip it with an application called miniMIZE, you can minimize windows to thumbnails that stick to your desktop instead. miniMIZE, a clone of a discontinued app called MINt, has a lot of features, making it a more flexible choice than similar programs, like ThumbWin (it's in English, too - a big plus for me!) With miniMIZE, you can use its auto-placing feature to select where on your screen your thumbnails will appear; this setting is retained so the next time you minimize a window, the app will remember where you want your thumbnails placed. Of course, you can drag the thumbnails around the screen, too. There are hot keys for cycling through thumbnails, minimizing windows, and showing/hiding thumbnails. The thumbnails are all the same size and can be pinned to three different levels - Desktop, Normal, and Top. Another handy feature is the icon that displays on each thumbnail to show you the program the thumbnail is from. You can see this in this screenshot here. miniMIZE is a free download, but you can make donations to the developers here if you find it useful. (via appaholic)

Windows Media Center Extenders

Laura — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 01:03:00 GMT

We all seem to collect boatloads of media- be it photos, movies, music, etc.- and with so much media it seems a shame to only have it viewable from one location. Enter the Media Center Extender. Granted, these have been around for a while and anybody with an Xbox 360 knows the joys it can truly bring. Here we give you the latest and greatest Media Center Extenders available to you and your family this holiday season.

Our Favorite Gadgets

Laura — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:48:00 GMT

Windows Vista Gadgets have become a very commonplace feature on our computer desktops. However, navigating through the thousands and thousands that are offered to you can be a towering feat. So, my team and I have gone ahead and done some of that work for you. I offer you, our top 10 gadgets that will greatly improve your life, productivity, health, wealth and wisdom (and a few just for fun).

CSI Widget, GamePass, PopCap, Say It, Twadget, Last.Fm, Mini Thesaurus, Mini Dictionary, Dream Interpreter, Expedia Fare Alert

What are yours?

Windows Live Photo Gallery: Share Your Photos & Videos

Laura — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:11:00 GMT

It's here and it's all yours. The new release of Windows Live Photo Gallery lets you be a photo editor and one touch publisher. It's so easy now to share all your tagged images on sites like FlickR and Spaces. Plus, you've got to check out the new panoramic photo editing feature- go ahead and take it for a spin.

Reminiscing: Videos that will take you back

Larry — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:07:00 GMT

I came across two videos last night that will take you back to a simpler time. The first is a video showing various Windows start-up screens - along with the start-up sounds. It wasn't until I saw this that I was reminded just how many times I've heard each of those.

The second video is an orchestra playing music from old video games (1.2 million views in 2 weeks!) starting with Pong and moving through some of our favorites including Rastan, which probably had the best video game theme music until Halo launched in 2001. Orchestras playing video game theme music isn't new and is always a crowd pleaser, no doubt from the countless hours of it being engrained in our heads.