The blog of Rob Margel - Windows Help

Mobile Media Center from OABSoftware

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.

Rob

Updated Windows Communities

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

Rob

Forty-year wait for new thesaurus

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.”

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.”

Rob

Microsoft Learning Snack Box (beta)

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

Rob

Latest Laptop hunters – This Mac is too Small

To be honest I thought maybe the laptop hunters series had run its course but there is a new ad available, this time with Matt and Olivia who are looking for a laptop for under $700 with a large screen, long battery life and ability to share pictures.

for all the other laptop hunters

Rob

Microsoft Fix it Desktop Gadget

I just got of a call from my colleague Andre who works in the online support area for Microsoft.  We where discussing the Microsoft Fix it Solution Center and he mentioned that there was a Desktop Gadget that you can install to see the most popular/recently released Fixit solutions.  I had realised there was and have now downloaded it to my desktop.

Microsoft Fixit is an automated set of sixes to common software problems in a simple and easy way.

“Fix it provides a way to apply automated fixes, workarounds, or configuration changes so you don’t have to perform a long list of manual steps yourself.”

You can download it here.  And learn more about desktop gadgets

Rob

A handful of useful Windows Vista configuration tips and tricks

Greg Shultz over on Tech Republic quite rightly points out that although Windows 7 is getting all the hype there is still a lot you can do with Windows Vista and he has a short list of tips ands tricks.

Below is the short list with some Windows Help and How to links that should also help you

• Using the system Configuration tools tab – Using System Configuration
• Add the run command to the start menu – Customising the Start menu
• Instantly copy a path to the Clipboard -
• Match services to processes in task manager – Understanding process information in task manager

Get a handful of useful Windows Vista configuration tips and tricks | Microsoft Windows | TechRepublic.com

Rob

Order your copy of Windows 7 from the Microsoft Store from July 15th

As mentioned last week, the pre-order for Windows 7 in the UK happens between 15th July and 9th August. You will be able to get hold of the special pre order offer from out partners and also the Microsoft Store.

Chris my colleague who runs the store for the UK has informed me of there new pre-order pages and you may want to check them out at Microsoft Store UK - Windows 7 Preview. And don’t forget to come back on the 15th July to get your copy at the special price

Rob

Sinhala Windows Vista LIP now available

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

Click here to download the Sinhala Vista LIP

Or Click here to view the Sinhala Download page for more Sinhala downloads

 Updated 07/07/2009 with working URLs

Rob

Funny IE 8 Videos with Dean Cain

Well I thought they where at least mildly amusing…

Thanks to Kevin for the tip

Rob

Download Windows Feature Comparison Chart

Ever wondered what the different features are in Windows XP SP3 Vs Windows Vista SP1 Vs Windows 7? Well now you have you answer with the following download

Windows Client Feature Comparison for IT Professionals

Which is a nice pdf 1 page comparison table.

updated with that thanks for the tip to  @vasudevg

Rob

Microsoft Maren – Type Arabic in Roman characters on the fly

Just wanted to point out this really cool looking Windows Extension Microsoft Maren that lets you type using a Roman character keyboard and have it convert to Arabic on the fly.

‘Lack of access to an Arabic keyboard or lack of familiarity with one are two of the most common problems preventing Arabic users from communicating in their own language.

Microsoft Maren is a Windows extension that comes to the rescue, allowing you to type Arabic in Roman characters (Romanized Arabic, Arabizi, Arabish or Franco-Arabic) and have it converted on the fly to Arabic script.

Maren integrates seamlessly with Windows and works in most Windows applications and websites’

Download Microsoft Maren

Rob

12 hot (and free) apps to power up Windows 7

TechRadar has come up with a very useful list of 12 hot (and free) apps to power up Windows 7 which covers all sorts of great tweaks and addins inlcuding:

1. EnhanceMySe7en – which seems to have almost every tweak available in one package
2. Standalone Stack – rather cool looking tiled stack of items within a folder
3. LogonStudio – easily change he windows boot screen
4. Sysinternals on technet – where you can find utilities to help you manage, troubleshoot and diagnose Windows systems and applications
5. Notepad++ – notepad but lots more

plus 7 others.

Please note I have not tried all these applications / utilities so you do so at your own risk…

Rob

Everything you wanted to know about the Windows 7 Pre-order in the UK

So Windows 7 pre-order is available in the US and some other countries Brazil and Israel I think, however if you are based in the UK the pre-order is not available till 15th July.

However we have put together an FAQ which should hopefully answer all your questions such as:

• How much will it cost.
• Where to get it from.
• When is it available
• Windows 7 System requirements
• Eligibility
• How many copies can you order

you can access the FAQ at http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/buy/offers/pre-order.aspx

Rob

Get 25% of a TV Tuner via Microsoft, Dabs and Huappauge

I have been working with my colleague Elena to get this special promotion live on our Windows web sites here in the UK.

The deal is that if you buy any PC with Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate from DABS you can get 25% off the Hauppauge HVR 900 TV Tuner.  Click the banner above to check it out and it may be something worthwhile if you are in the market for a Windows Media Center ready PC.

You can read more about it at our Windows Media Center page

Rob