January, 2009

The Engineering Windows 7 blog has just put up a great article about the Windows Experience Index in Windows 7.  SO it thought I would quickly check and see what my score was, remembering that in Vista I scored a not so great 3.0

…and now I am a big fat 2.0, really got hit by the hard disk and graphics limitations of my PC

Anyone got a higher, or lower score?

To find out your Windows Experience Score, simply type ‘ Score’ into the start menu

Rob

If you like your Windows Vista in Luxembourgish, then you can download the latest Windows Vista Language Interface Pack (LIP) now:

Click here to download the Luxembourgish Vista LIP.

Rob

Following on from my updated list of Windows Vista Shortcut keys (which all seem to work in Windows 7 as far as I can tell) I have shamelessly copied a list of Windows 7 Shortcut keys from Mintywhite (aka Windows guides)

Windows Key + left arrow = dock window to the left hand side of the screen

Windows Key + right arrow = dock window to the right-hand side of the screen

Windows Key + SHIFT + Left arrow = Move the current window one monitor to the left

Windows Key + SHIFT + right arrow =  Move the current window one monitor to the right

Windows Key + up arrow = maximise current window

Windows Key + down arrow = Minimize current window

Windows Key and Home = Minimize/maximise non-active windows

Windows Key and numbers  = Launch programs from the taskbar

Windows Key and Space = Enable Aero Peek

Windows Key and P = open projector mode to change external display settings

Windows Key + T Jump to the taskbar to select a new windows with <—or –> and Enter

CTRL + Left Click = Use on taskbar items to switch between windows of that program only

Shift and Left click = use on taskbar items to open another instance of that program

any more let me know

updated 10 Feb 2009

ALT + P – brings up the Page drop down in IE and also in windows explorer toggles the file preview pane

Windows Key + E = opens Windows Explorer

CTRL + SHIFT + CLICK = lunch an app with full admin rights 

Updated 23 Feb 2009

Probably the complete, official and correct list from the Windows7 Blog

Rob

Here is a quick tip, if you are running the Windows 7 Beta and are having problem connecting your E650 phone, getting errors such as Device Driver was not successfully installed

then try downloading the Mobile Device Center 6.1, although it claims that

‘The Windows Mobile Device Center 6.1 is only supported on Windows Vista.’

It seems to work, although you may want to make any backups before doing so.

Download the software and then connect the phone through the USB-Mini usb cable, unlock it and follow the screens to set it up.

	1. setup your device
	2. Choose what kinds of items you want to sync - Contacts - Calendar - Email - Tasks - Mobile Favourites - Files - One Note
	3. Enter in your email server and account details if appropriate
	4. Connect to your exchange server
	5. all setup and ready to Sync
	6. and syncing…
	7. Connected and now you can use the device

Hope that helps if you are having problems

Rob

I have been using the Microsoft Arc mouse now for a week and thought I would pop down my thoughts and feedback on it.

Things I like about it

• The overall physical product design is great, and as it is different to most mice. You get a lot of questions about it wherever you use it, even internally at Microsoft.
• It feels great in your hand and the top covering provides just the right amount of feeling back into the hand
• The super tiny usb receiver that also sticks (magnetised) into a little section when not in use.
• The folding leg to reduce size when travelling is very tidy and feels very sturdy
• It glides over every surface I have tried effortlessly, more than previous mice
• The little pouch carry case is a nice little extra to keep it all tidy when dumped into your laptop bag
• It worked with Windows 7 with no problems

Things I think can be improved

• I am sure I am going to break the battery holder after a couple of uses, it looks a little flimsy to me and bends a lot when opening
• The feedback left and right on the scroll wheel isn’t great, certainly not as good as previous scroll wheel mice I have used
• After the first use my wrist was a little sore, which i put down to a slightly different position compared to the previous mouse, however this has gone away as I get used to it and change my arm/hand posture to compensate.
• The packaging could I think be reduced and made easier to get into

Overall it is a pretty good mouse, it ticks all the boxes as well as looking fantastic which counts a lot to me and will probably be on my desk for some time to come.

Rob

Just a quick note to highlight a Windows Live site that has just gone live in the UK Explore Windows Live

‘Windows Live offers a complete set of services that lets you integrate, share and use all your digital stuff from any PC, Phone or Web Device. We have created a brand new personalised home page experience that manages all of your internet activity at http://home.live.com. Monitor your favourite social network feeds, view friends’ photo albums and much more! ‘

Learn about all the services and things you can do in Windows Live such as Messenger, Hotmail, Photos, Groups, Skydrive, Mail, Photography, Calendar, Events, Spaces, Writer, Movie Maker and Family Safety.

If you are new to Windows Live or just want to get the latest info and downloads then this is a good place to start.

Also remember if you are using Windows Live and stuck with a problem then the Windows Help and How-to Windows Live help center might be able to sort you out.

Rob

Just before the holidays MSN Mobile Music Store was launched in the U.K. where you can buy such things as ringtones, full track downloads and music videos from the likes of EMI, Warner, SONY  etc…

To access the service: Text ‘MSN’ to 63463 and you will receive an SMS with a link to the MSN Mobile site. Once you are at the site, save the URL in your bookmarks, or as your home page if your device allows.

I have not tried it yet myself but it is on my list of things to do

MSN Mobile UK

however I do think the MSN guys need to update the image which shows a device with a stock ticker showing the FTSE at 6,210.20

which according to Yahoo hasn’t closed at that price since 19 May 2008

Rob

Since starting this blog I have occasionally posted about highly rated articles on the Windows Help and How-to web site, such as here and here. So I thought as it was the start of the new year to look back a little and  do a quick summary of the top 20 highest ranking articles for all of 2008, based on your feedback:

1. Home and small office networking: recommended links
2. Additional information for IT Pros
3. Traffic (definition)
4. Trapped on tape: Transferring audio from cassettes to your computer
5. Certificates: frequently asked questions
6. Convert your old photos to digital pictures: Using a scanner to archive your memories digitally
7. Toss out those VHS tapes: Save your home videos to DVD
8. Introduction to computers
9. Understanding Windows automatic updating
10. Delete your Internet cookies
11. Sharing photos with your friends and family
12. Tips for comfortable computing
13. Show or hide the Recycle Bin
14. Creating photo panoramas with Windows Live Photo Gallery
15. Digital photos and videos made easy with Windows Live Photo Gallery
16. Demo: What's new with finding and organizing files?
17. DJ for a day: Mixing music using Windows Media Player
18. What is disk defragmentation?
19. Don't take the bait! Internet Explorer 7 tools help you recognize phishing scams
20. Demo: Smart ways to turn off your computer

Rob

There was a lot of coverage of Twitter traffic overtaking Digg earlier this week well in the UK traffic has grown rapidly according to Hitwise in the last 12 months:

Twitter use in the UK explodes by ten times says Hitwise

I don’t think that me getting into Twitter in October is the main cause of the massive increase seen in the last few months. But rather the celebs that are tweeting…

‘Famous Twitterers are boosting the site. Stephen Fry, has over 50,000 followers, John Cleese can claim more than 30,000, and 2,000 people are following Andy Murray’s progress at the Australian Open. Jonathan Ross (13,000+ followers) is spreading the Twitter religion by verifying if his celeb pals are on it. He calls himself the “Number One Twitter Detective’

I am not a big follower of celebs on Twitter, in fact the only ones I follow are

1. Lance Armstrong http://twitter.com/lancearmstrong
2. Rhodri Marsden http://twitter.com/rhodri

Rob

Just wanted to share this excellent article written by a colleague of mine Chris Moore about how to use Windows Live Writer and Spaces to create a free online travel Blog

The posting Chris.Life : A free travel blog with Windows Live Writer and Spaces covers Chris and his girlfriends trip to Thailand.  Chris covers

• setting up his space at http://chrismdotcom.spaces.live.com/ and blog
• Installing and setting up windows Live writer
• Creating offline blog posts
• Uploading blog postings to spaces

Excellent read :)

Rob