I am Microsoftie 4 ever (18+ years) working in Windows Services and Content team in the UK, my blog is mainly focused on the Windows family of products and trying to provide help pointers and resources for customers on our products.
So you have probably heard that Windows 7 E in the European Economic Area doesn't come with a browser and requires a clean install as well. That might sound a little doaunting so we have put together some additional help for you at http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows7/help/installing-e
Below is a copy of what is there
'Guidance on installing Windows 7
Step One: Back up your files and personal data
As you need to perform a custom (clean) install, you need to generate backup copies of all personal data including documents, pictures, music and videos, this is independent of whether Windows Vista, Windows XP, or another operating system is installed on your PC. You can save your files to a USB, external hard drive or to an online storage device such as http://skydrive.live.com/.
With Windows Easy Transfer you can simply transfer user accounts and data from one Windows operating system to another. In addition you can read Windows help instructions, and watch a video on Windows Easy Transfer. You can also learn how you can restore certain files in this article. Click here for more information.
Step Two: Save your preferred browser (e.g Internet Explorer 8 or a browser from another software manufacturer)
Go to your preferred browser of choice and instead of running the application, save it to your preferred storage device whether that is a DVD, USB or an external storage device, have that handy for when you install Windows 7 as this will be needed for you to be able to get onto the internet.
Please see here to obtain Internet Explorer 8.
You can learn more about saving Internet Explorer 8 or alternatively order a CD by clicking here.
Step Three: Install Windows 7
Next, install Windows 7 by following the included instructions.
Step Four: Re-install your browser
Re-install your browser from your DVD, USB, or other external storage device.
Step Five: Re-install all your personal data
Re-install all your personal data including your files and media that you want to use on your PC.'
I hope that is useful
Rob
Just wanted to point out this great article from TechRadar UK
50 Vista customisation tips for beginners TechRadar UK
We also have lots of great content on Windows Help and how to about how to personalise Windows Vista and you can get to the best of that content at http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-GB/personalize.mspx
The Razorfish Social Influence Marketing Report is well worth a read if you are at all interested in the world of social networking.
‘Social Influence Marketing is about recognizing, accounting and tapping into the fact that as your potential consumer makes a purchasing decision, he or she is being influenced by different circles of people through conversations with them, both online and off. It is not enough to market to the consumer anymore; as a marketer you also have to market to each individual’s social influencers throughout the marketing funnel.’
It covers a wide range of topics related to the subject including
and a list of the 10 ways to make the Twitterverse work for your brand:
Just a reminder that if you have forgotten for UK customers the Windows 7 pre order program starts tomorrow 15th July, in fact we plan to have the site available shortly after midnight tonight (fingers crossed) so you can place your orders as early as possible.
You will be able to order Windows 7 in time to to get it for the October 22nd release at a special price of Windows 7 Home Premium E for £49.99** or Windows 7 Professional E for £99.99*
Read more about the offer at Microsoft Windows: Windows 7 Pre-Order Offer
* Estimated retail price, only available until August 9th 2009 or until stock runs out
This is such a super cool site and use of social networking sites/technology
Not only is the site wonderfully put together but its use of things like Twitter for you to follow in real time is fantastic. You can follow 3 twitter streams for Apollo 11 including @app11_capcom , @app11_spacecraft and @app11_eagle
Apollo 11 was before I was born (just) yet the whole event and lunar missions are something that still makes you tingle and what was achieved technically and the risks taken by all those involved.
There is also a rather cool desktop mission tracker widget where you can track the missions countdown and status after launch
Thanks to @ianxx for the tip
Ray Ozzie speaking to the BBC on life after Windows 7
BBC NEWS | Technology | Microsoft on life after Windows 7
Just a short <2 min clip but well worth listening to.
This looks a rather nifty mobile application from OABsoftware in the Netherlands Mobile Media Center that can turn your Windows Mobile device into a media center.
Some Screen shots below but you can use your mobile phone to:
Disclaimer time: This software is from a 3rd party and not MS. I have not tried it (but it looks smart) and there maybe other alternatives on the market.
Thanks to @Vasudevg for the tip.
Just wanted to point out some changes and updates over on the Windows Communities site
Windows Communities
In a blog post @MarcusMSFT the Windows Community Manager says
‘…it gives us another place to show off all of your great tips and stories! Plus this site lets people know about some of the other Windows communities they can get involved in, like Answers, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. We’re looking forward to turning up the volume of traffic to this site.”
Another new part of the Windows website that is worth checking out is the new Exploring Windows area.”
If you are big into twitter follow @MSwindows and @windowslive for the best cool stuff.
Thanks to @technogranma for the tip
I heard this story whilst listening to Radio 4 on the way home on Monday and it really caught my interest.
“The world's largest thesaurus is due to be published this autumn, Oxford University Press has said. The project began in 1965 and will include almost the entire vocabulary of the English language. The work was nearly destroyed in a fire in 1978, but despite the building being gutted, a metal filing cabinet protected the files. A spokesman said the final tome would contain over 230,000 categories with 800,000 meanings.”
“The world's largest thesaurus is due to be published this autumn, Oxford University Press has said.
The project began in 1965 and will include almost the entire vocabulary of the English language.
The work was nearly destroyed in a fire in 1978, but despite the building being gutted, a metal filing cabinet protected the files.
A spokesman said the final tome would contain over 230,000 categories with 800,000 meanings.”
BBC NEWS | UK | England | Oxfordshire | Forty-year wait for new thesaurus
Probably makes the Thesaurus in Word a little puny
Also can you imagine working on a 40 year project? what would you do when you finished?
“Professor Christian Kay, 69, one of four co-editors, began working on the book in the late 1960s when she was 27. She said: "I didn't think at the time I would be involved 40 years later.”
“Professor Christian Kay, 69, one of four co-editors, began working on the book in the late 1960s when she was 27.
She said: "I didn't think at the time I would be involved 40 years later.”
Just wanted to point out this really cool new site from Microsoft, still in beta
“Learning Snacks are short, interactive learning presentations about Microsoft technologies and include various media, such as animations and recorded demos. Are you an expert? Be part of this growing and vibrant community - create your own Learning Snack and share it with the world here! “
There is plenty of Windows content on there such as Windows 7 and Windows Vista and you can submit your own content and share it with everyone.
Its currently in beta but well worth checking out at Microsoft Learning Snack Box - create and share your e-learning snacks with the community