Computer stuff...
Amazon’s mp3 store is up and running. ARS Technica has a quick look at what you can expect.
Amazon’s 256kbps tracks are $0.89 or $0.99 each, which compares quite well with Wal-Mart’s $0.94 per track price for music at the same bit rate. iTunes continues to sell 256kbps AAC files without DRM for $1.29, but this is only available with EMI tracks at the moment.
ARS Technica – Amazon’s MP3 store brings more DRM-free music at lower prices than iTunes Store
Paul Thurrott has started a new blog. He is one of the few “windows pundits” that I respect. I look forward to visiting his blog
Updates: ZoomIt v1.7, Process Monitor v1.23, PsExec v1.86
ZoomIt v1.7: Coming fast on the heels of v1.6, v1.7 of this small and powerful screen zooming and annotation tool adds better straight-line support with auto-snapping and the ability to draw arrows.
Process Monitor v1.23: This update adds a new option, /WaitForIdle, to better support scripted execution. It also adds the /HookRegistry switch for forcing Process Monitor to use Registry hooking on Vista, which enables Process Monitor to see SoftGrid virtual Registry operations.
PsExec v1.86: This update supports launching processes in “nt authority\network service” and “nt authority\local service” accounts.
…So I blame Steve Jobs, who has seduced me into buying his sleek machines, even if their delicate organs seem to fail with alarming regularity, like the beautiful consumptive heroines in Victorian novels…
Even if the Windows Ultimate team has fled to the International Date Line, summer is officially over. Normally I wouldn’t care what season it is in the northern hemisphere but today it proves this team is incapable delivering anything and should never be trusted again.
Article at Istartedsomething.com
This article has been retired. See A Look At Acronis True Image 2009.
Lifehacker, the software and productivity guide, is a blog that covers tips and tricks for streamlining your life with computers (and sometimes without). Updated several times daily, Lifehacker points out software downloads, web sites, do-it-yourself projects, how-to’s, tutorials, shortcuts and tips for going beyond the default settings and getting things done in the most clever, unexpected and efficient ways. Think of Lifehacker as self-help for geeks.
MSConfig on steriods! It’s a must-have.
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.
ForceWare Release 163.69 WHQL
# WHQL Certified driver for GeForce 6, 7, and 8 series GPUs.
# Improved compatibility and performance for NVIDIA SLI™ technology on DirectX 9, DirectX 10, and OpenGL applications.
# Improved compatibility for The Way It’s Meant To Be Played™ game titles: BioShock, Crysis, Enemy Territory: Quake Wars, Hellgate: London, and World in Conflict.
# Added HD video post-processing for H.264, VC-1 and MPEG-2 HD content on the GeForce 8500 and 8600 series GPUs.
# Numerous game and application compatibility fixes. Please read the release notes for more information on product support, features, driver fixes and known compatibility issues.
Download’em
Vista users should also check out these MS/Nvidia Hotfixes.
This version patches a security vulnerability (“code execution via QuickTime Media-link files“).
Hit up the Firefox homepage to download it.