The news has spread at warp speed today!
Download Windows 8.1 RTM, Visual Studio 2013 RC and Windows Server 2012 R2 RTM Today
For those wondering, the SHA1 hash is exactly the same as WZT version that was released last week.
Props to those guys!
This Site
Monday Random Stuff
The Week Ahead
Tomorrow Microsoft will have lots of updates for you and Adobe will update Reader.
Men Acting Like Boys
Most of us men never really grow up but we should at least act like an adult in public.
The recent TechCrunch Hackathon and Halo character controversies have reinforced the fact that some folks need to grow up:
TechCrunch Titstare Demo (video – warning, may be offensive to some and possibly NSFW)
Halo character controversy at Gamespot
Speccy
Piriform has updated their free system info tool.
You Knew This Was Coming
Instagram will have ads next year.
Happily, I never signed up there.
My Thoughts On Windows 8.1 RTM
*Note – This is an opinion piece, not a review. And a short one at that.
I put a poll up last week to see what the regulars who stop by here think. Here are the results (as of this writing):
What is your opinion of Win 8.1 RTM?
No Windows 8 for me. (42%)
Waiting for Oct. 18th. (30%)
Meh. (11%)
It sucks. (9%)
It Rocks. (8%)
(Yes, I am aware this is an unscientific poll.)
[Read more…] about My Thoughts On Windows 8.1 RTM
New Poll Up – What is your opinion of Win 8.1 RTM?
I haven’t done polls here for quite a while. Gonna give it another shot (just for fun).
The poll is located in the right sidebar. Please vote!
Fix – Programs Prevent Windows Shutdown
On occasion a misbehaving program may prevent Windows from shutting down. [Read more…] about Fix – Programs Prevent Windows Shutdown
Start8 1.20
Stardock has released Start8 1.20.
This program adds a Windows 7 style Start Menu to Windows 8. It is my personal favorite. Cost is $4.99 (U.S.).
Product Page
Download
Release Notes
Start8 1.20 Changelog
-Updated for Windows 8.1 Preview build compatibility
-Start8 allows customizing the Start button image AND provides a desktop Start menu
-Added new prompt on first run to select a default button image. Upgrade installs will not see this prompt.
-When running on Windows 8.1 Preview, respect the OS configuration for “boot to desktop”
-When used with Stardock WindowBlinds, you can also override the Start button in use with the WB setting for “always use the OS” button
-Options for showing the Windows 8.1 Start screen in other than full-screen mode are disabled in this version of Start8
Avoiding The OpenCandy Installer
Many good freeware programs come bundled with the OpenCandy installer. This article provides information on OpenCandy and shows how to avoid it.
[Read more…] about Avoiding The OpenCandy Installer
Basic Browser Security – Passwords
This article is about protecting your browser passwords. It covers; Password protecting the browser, 2 factor authentication, and password managers. [Read more…] about Basic Browser Security – Passwords
Basic Browser Security – Private Browsing
This article covers private browsing for Windows, Linux, and mobile platforms.
Private Browsing
(Also called Privacy mode, InPrivate browsing, Incognito mode.)
Basically when using private browsing most of the stuff usually stored on your computer by the browser no longer is. Among other things this includes cookies, history, and passwords. The security advantage of this is obvious (less stored information = less chance information is compromised). This browsing mode is not only useful on public machines but also shared computers at home and on mobile devices. [Read more…] about Basic Browser Security – Private Browsing
Random Friday Stuff
Short version today. I’m off to watch the Redskins practice!
Paul Thurrott has an interesting take on Windows 8 usage:
“So over 1-in-3 Windows 8 licenses sales were downgraded (or not otherwise used).”
Slightly surprising but understandable given many peoples feelings about Windows 8.
For those who are interested, here is How To Downgrade Windows 8.
Puran File Recovery 1.1 released. “Version 1.1 Added support for multiple languages” Those guys really need a blog or Twitter page, or something. My review here.
Hope y’all have a safe and happy weekend!