TweakHound

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Windows

about vLite…

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vLite is a tool for customizing the Windows Vista installation before actually installing it.
Main features are:
* hotfix, language pack and driver integration
* component removal
* unattended setup
* tweaks
* split/merge Vista installation CDs
* create ISO and burn bootable CD/DVD
Windows Vista from Microsoft takes a lot of resources, we all know that. vLite provides you with an easy removal of the unwanted components in order to make Vista run faster and to your liking. This tool doesn’t use any kind of hacking, all files and registry entries are protected as they would be if you install the unedited version only with the changes you select. It configures the installation directly before the installation, meaning you’ll have to remake the ISO and reinstall it. This method is much cleaner, not to mention easier and more logical than doing it after installation on every reinstall.

There has been a bit of news about vLite floating around this week. Let me state first off that although I’ve used nLite (this is for XP), I haven’t used vLite. Simply because it wasn’t out of beta when I installed Vista.
– Paul Thurrott and Information Week seem to have just discovered this tool. Exactly how have they not heard of this before??? 🙄
–Microsoft comes out and says don’t use it.

nlite is an excellent product and I’ve no doubt that vLite meets those same standards. Yes, it isn’t for n00bs. Yes, you should know what you are installing, uninstalling, tweaking. Yes, this means you may have to take some personal responsibility and do a little research. Gasp! Oh the horror!
Anywho, I say go for it.
vLite
nLite

Release Notes for This Release of Windows Vista SP1

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These Release Notes provide important information you should know prior to deploying and using the Windows Vista SP1 operating system, including known issues. You should familiarize yourself with all of the known issues listed here prior to installing the software.

Rumors have SP1 being released on the 5th, 12th, or 15th. 🙄
Download the Release Notes (updated 31JAN08).

Random Musings: 20 January, 2007

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I know, I haven’t been updating like I should. Nothing much happens in the PC world Dec. – Jan. I’ve been working my tail off at my real job, had minor surgery (I’m fine), and went to Vegas for a few days (no, absolutely not for CES).

I finally got a widescreen monitor. The Samsung SyncMaster 226BW. I got a good deal on it at the CompUSA closing sale.
In a related note I found awesome widescreen wallpapers at these sites:
DeviantArt
InterfaceLift
more good links at Wallpaperreview.com.

I use an old program called WallpaperChanger to rotate my wallpapers and it works great under Vista (I do not use the Resize or Color options). KDE has this option built-in.

Speaking of Vista. I’m running the SP1, RC refresh and it isn’t doing too bad. I found an interesting post at Neowin today about Microsoft’s Windows Vista: The Facts. While the article is typical marketing BS, it does make a few valid (if over-hyped) points. Be sure to check out the comments at Neowin for a few laughs.
That brings me to the results of this sites Windows Vista poll. Let me state right off I am well aware that this poll would not stand up to the scientific method but it is interesting and In My Humble Opinion looks to be pretty accurate based on what I see and hear.
As of this writing (I will expire the poll in a few days, when I think of another one):
-484 total votes.
-329 have used/tried Vista
-166 like it
-163 went back to XP or are using it and don’t like it.
Pro/con that’s darn near 50/50 for Vista. I don’t care what you think of Vista, nobody at MS could look at numbers like that and say Vista is a success.

Oh, and I’ve been playing at bit of online poker. The site I play at is free and legal here in the U.S. It’s called VLPClub and you can actually win stuff. Shoot me an email at ” etc ” at this domain (tweakhound.com) if you are interested an I can send you a referral that’ll get you (and me) some bonus points.

AutoRuns for Windows v9.01

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This utility, which has the most comprehensive knowledge of auto-starting locations of any startup monitor, shows you what programs are configured to run during system bootup or login, and shows you the entries in the order Windows processes them. These programs include ones in your startup folder, Run, RunOnce, and other Registry keys. You can configure Autoruns to show other locations, including Explorer shell extensions, toolbars, browser helper objects, Winlogon notifications, auto-start services, and much more. Autoruns goes way beyond the MSConfig utility bundled with Windows Me and XP.

Download & Info