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The Vista license “loophole” that isn’t

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Ed Bott discusses the issue of using a Vista upgrade disk when doing a non-upgrade install.

Look, you can argue that Microsoft’s prices are inconsistent and illogical, but that has nothing to do with the issue at hand here. An upgrade license is intended to replace a previous license, period. Advising readers to violate the terms of a license agreement is pure sensationalism, and it’s wrong.

I know it isn’t a popular stance but I agree with him 100%. I pretty much said the same thing February of last year in my Installing Windows Vista guide.

3 – Do I need an Upgrade or Full version?
If you intend on installing Vista on a machine that already has a Windows operating system, and you intend to upgrade (install over it) then get an upgrade version. Otherwise the license requirement says you need a full version. Yes you can do a clean install using an upgrade disk (instructions below). Please note, the Vista license agreement states that if you use an upgrade version then the OS you installed Vista over is no longer valid. This may or may not be a technicality based on your own set of morals. Example, I recently got a new laptop from Dell which came with XP installed and a free upgrade to Vista when available. Since I wanted to dual-boot (run both OS’s) XP and Vista I could not legally use the upgrade disk so I had to buy the full version.
(please do not write to me and whine about how expensive Vista is to justify your using an upgrade disk. Vista is not a “must have”. Stick with XP or try Linux, it’s free.)

iTunes 7.6.2 Is Out

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This includes an updated Quicktime.

iTunes 7.6.2 provides bug fixes to improve stability and performance…QuickTime 7.4.5 includes fixes that enhance reliability, improve compatibility with third-party applications, and address security issues.

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Microsoft's Vista Blogger Quits…

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Nick White, Microsoft’s in-house blogger who wrote about all things related to the Windows Vista operating system, has resigned. It’s the latest in a series of key departures from the software maker.

Geeze, whatever the reason he left it doesn’t look good image wise for Microsoft and Vista. I don’t care what you think about Vista as an OS, it’s karma just seems awful.
Microsoft’s Vista Blogger Quits As Redmond Exodus Builds

KDE 4.0.3 Release Announcement

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April 2, 2008 (The INTERNET). The KDE Community today announced the immediate availability of KDE 4.0.3, the third bugfix and maintenance release for the latest generation of the most advanced and powerful free desktop.

I haven’t even had time to try KDE 4. Most of what I’ve heard is “not ready for prime time”. Anyone out there using it? You like, or no?
I believe Ubuntu(April 24) and Fedora 9(April 29) will be the first big distros with an official release of KDE 4 with openSUSE 11 coming in June (someone school me if I’m wrong).
KDE 4.0.3 Release Announcement

Why No New Linux Sotware Posts?

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A reader wrote in to ask why I don’t do blog posts for updated software in Linux like I do for Windows.
Answer…
In Windows:
– For apps that have auto update, most Geeks have auto updates for the various apps turned off (I do too).
– This applies to Windows Update too.
– Not every app has auto update.
– There is no way to track driver updates for everything (without a 3rd party update tool).
– I do these posts for folks who (like myself) disable all the auto updates. This way they know when these are updated.
In Linux:
– Depending on your distribution, most Linux Geeks use Synaptic or Smart or the distros built-in package manager (like YaST Software Management).
– These can provide updates for the OS, all the software, and all your hardware.
– So, these sorts of posts aren’t really necessary (IMHO).

SIW 2008-04-02 is available

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SIW – System Information for Windows is a free tool that gives you detailed system specs.

4/1/2008
* Added “Security” module.
* Added WinPE 2.1 Support.
* Added U3 Support.
* Enhanced “Updates” module. It shows “Installed Updated” and “Missing Updates”. The “Missing Updates” module will connect to windowsupdate.microsoft.com
* Enhanced “Ports” module.
* Added detection of Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007. Thanks to Jan Romanowski.
* Fixed “/silent” option.
* Support for new hardware and software.
* Support for the latest Intel and AMD CPUs.
* Updated device database.
* Minor improvements.
* Bugfixes.

Download & Info

Where are the Q9450 Yorkfield's at?

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After looking at all the options I’ve decided to build my own computer again rather than buy one. First, I just can’t bring myself to have a computer I didn’t build. Second, I can do it cheaper. So with a little help from my friends I have most of the specs for it. First up was a Q9450 Yorkfield, and I can’t find it in stock (Newegg has it listed but not in stock). I thought these things were supposed to be out now? Can someone clue me in as to why they are not?

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Overview

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Windows XP Service Pack 3 Overview
Quick Details
Version: 1
Date Published: 4/1/2008
Language: English
Download Size: 428 KB – 1.0 MB*
Windows® XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes all previously released updates for the operating system. This update also includes a small number of new functionalities, which do not significantly change customers’ experience with the operating system. This white paper summarizes what is new in Windows XP SP3.

Download from Microsoft