Steve Langasek has announced the availability of the third alpha release of Ubuntu 9.04 "Jaunty Jackalope": "Welcome to Jaunty Jackalope Alpha-3, which will in time become Ubuntu 9.04. New features: updated packages; X.Org server 1.6 - in the short term, this will again cause increased instability for some users while the video drivers catch up; new style for notifications and notification preferences - a simple menu which can be used to set preferences for notification icons, such as where they pop up on the taskbar; includes the 2.6.28 kernel based on 2.6.28-rc8; ext4 installation support - supports the option of installing on the new ext4 file system, ext3 is likely to remain the default for Jaunty." Read the release announcement and release notes for more details. Download (MD5): jaunty-desktop-i386.iso (691MB, torrent), jaunty-desktop-amd64.iso (697MB, torrent). Also available are alpha 3 CD/DVD images for Kubuntu (download, release notes), Xubuntu (download), Ubuntu Studio (download) and Mythbuntu (download).
17 Ocak 2009 Cumartesi
Ubuntu 9.04 Alpha 3
Steve Langasek has announced the availability of the third alpha release of Ubuntu 9.04 "Jaunty Jackalope": "Welcome to Jaunty Jackalope Alpha-3, which will in time become Ubuntu 9.04. New features: updated packages; X.Org server 1.6 - in the short term, this will again cause increased instability for some users while the video drivers catch up; new style for notifications and notification preferences - a simple menu which can be used to set preferences for notification icons, such as where they pop up on the taskbar; includes the 2.6.28 kernel based on 2.6.28-rc8; ext4 installation support - supports the option of installing on the new ext4 file system, ext3 is likely to remain the default for Jaunty." Read the release announcement and release notes for more details. Download (MD5): jaunty-desktop-i386.iso (691MB, torrent), jaunty-desktop-amd64.iso (697MB, torrent). Also available are alpha 3 CD/DVD images for Kubuntu (download, release notes), Xubuntu (download), Ubuntu Studio (download) and Mythbuntu (download).
nVidia Forceware 181.22 Beta
For now:
XP 32:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_181.22_beta.html
XP 64:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp64_181.22_beta.html
Vista 32:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/winvista_x86_181.22_beta.html
Vista 64:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/winvista_x64_181.22_beta.html
Fixed Issues–Windows Vista 32-bit
Multi-GPU Issues
• [SLI]: Fallout3–the game crashes in some game maps when played at high
resolutions (1440x900 or higher) and high settings. [500665]
• [SLI], S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky Benchmark–added an SLI profile for the
application.[506981]
• GeForce GTX 295: Occasionally, only one GPU is recognized as supporting CUDA
and PhysX after the system is rebooted. [506018]
Fixed Issues–Windows Vista 64-bit
Multi-GPU Issues
• [SLI]: Fallout3–the game crashes in some game maps when played at high
resolutions (1440x900 or higher) and high settings. [500665]
• [SLI], S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky Benchmark–added an SLI profile for the
application.[506981]
The following are features that are not currently supported or have limited support in this driver release:
• NVIDIA SLI Antialiasing
• NVIDIA Control Panel Display Category
• The Graph tab on the Adjust Desktop Color Settings page is not available.
XP 32:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_181.22_beta.html
XP 64:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp64_181.22_beta.html
Vista 32:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/winvista_x86_181.22_beta.html
Vista 64:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/winvista_x64_181.22_beta.html
Fixed Issues–Windows Vista 32-bit
Multi-GPU Issues
• [SLI]: Fallout3–the game crashes in some game maps when played at high
resolutions (1440x900 or higher) and high settings. [500665]
• [SLI], S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky Benchmark–added an SLI profile for the
application.[506981]
• GeForce GTX 295: Occasionally, only one GPU is recognized as supporting CUDA
and PhysX after the system is rebooted. [506018]
Fixed Issues–Windows Vista 64-bit
Multi-GPU Issues
• [SLI]: Fallout3–the game crashes in some game maps when played at high
resolutions (1440x900 or higher) and high settings. [500665]
• [SLI], S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky Benchmark–added an SLI profile for the
application.[506981]
The following are features that are not currently supported or have limited support in this driver release:
• NVIDIA SLI Antialiasing
• NVIDIA Control Panel Display Category
• The Graph tab on the Adjust Desktop Color Settings page is not available.
16 Ocak 2009 Cuma
Orbit Downloader 2.8.2
Orbit Downloader is a great speed, super light,easy-to-use free download manager. It is based on p2p and multi-source downloading technology and supports HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, MMS and RTSP protocols. Using Orbit Downloader, you can almost download everything online with 500% faster speed, like youtube video, rapidshare files, flash and streaming media etc. Anyway, Orbit Downloader is an indispendsable tool for download acceleration and management. • Great Speed. Orbit Downloader is based on p2p and multi-source downloading technology, which make you download files up to 500% faster than before.
• Super Light: micro-sized and resource-friendly. Orbit Downloader is written with efficiency in mind, it typically uses less than 3MB of memory and 3% of cpu when downloading. Additionally, the installation package is less than 1.6MB.
• Easy to Use. Orbit Downloader has a simple and clear user interface. It is easy to use and config for both newbies and professions.
• The Most Comprehensive Download Tools. Internet Downloader all in one: Orbit Downloader supports most protocols and have a function of “Flash and Streaming Media Capturer”, so you can download videos from youtube metacafe, files from rapidshare, metalink files, flash and streaming media online more simple and easy.
• Support IE, Firefox, Maxthon and Opera. Orbit Downloader integrates seamlessly into IE, FireFox, Maxthon and Opera without installing any other plugin
• Free and Safe. 100% free and no registration allowed. No adware!!! No spyware!!!
Main features:
1. Extreme download acceleration.
In general, Orbit Downloader is based on P2P techonology. It has a smart download logic accelerator that features intelligent dynamic file segmentation. And it has advanced robust multithread download algorithm implemented with high quality. Orbit Downloader can download up to 500% faster with great acceleration.
2. Support Youtube video, Rapidshare files download.
In general, Orbit Downloader is based on P2P techonology. It has a smart download logic accelerator that features intelligent dynamic file segmentation. And it has advanced robust multithread download algorithm implemented with high quality. Orbit Downloader can download up to 500% faster with great acceleration.
3. Catch Flash and Streaming media online.
When you hover your mouse on the flash or streaming media file in the webpage, Orbit Downloader can recognize the flash or streaming media automatically and display a small button on it. You can easily download the flash or streaming media file with one clicking on the small button.
4. Support IE, Firefox, Maxthon, Opera.
Orbit Downloader supports IE, FireFox, Maxthon and Opera.
5. Support Metalink download.
Orbit Downloader supports Metalink download and gives you extremely fast download speeds.
6. Support HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, MMS and RTSP protocols.
You can easily download files with a browser click from any remote server via HTTP/ HTTPS/ FTP/ RTSP/ MMS.
7. Support Proxy server configuration.
You can set Orbit Downloader to use a proxy server. Orbit Downloader can work well with HTTP,HTTP and SOCKS5 protocols.
8. Support download pasue and resume.
Orbit Downloader can resume broken downloads. So you needn't start the downloading process from the very beginning after casual interruption. You can resume unfinished download from the moment when it was interrupted.
9. General download management.
Orbit Downloader's easy-to-use management features and simple-yet-powerful configuration options can make both your downloading process and downloaded files management as easy as never before.
New Features:
* Support Social Music Download: Pandora, Yahoo, Myspace, IMEEM, Radioblogclub, Lala and more...
* Support Social Video Download: Youtube, Dailymotion, Myspace, Yahoo, Metacafe, Google and more...
Changes in Orbit Downloader 2.8.2 ( Jan 16, 2009):
* Add: Integrate Orbit Downloader support Google Chrome
* Improve: make Grab Pro download RTMP video more efficiently
* Fix: some bugs
Homepage - http://www.orbitdownloader.com
Size: 2.15 MB
Ultimate Boot CD 5.0 Beta 9/ Ultimate Boot CD 4.1.1
 Ultimate Boot CD lets you run diagnostics from CD, not from an unwell hard drive or a series of teeny floppies. You can create a boot CD with any of a variety of hard drive diagnostics, hard disk management programs, memory diagnostics, Linux-based rescue discs, and more. You need the Ultimate Boot CD if you want to: When you boot up from the CD, a text-based menu will be displayed, and you will be able to select the tool you want to run. The selected tool actually boots off a virtual floppy disk created in memory. Tools currently included in the Ultimate Boot CD Changes in version 5.0 Beta 9: Homepage - http://www.ultimatebootcd.com Size : 212 MB Download Ultimate Boot CD 4.1.1 - |
14 Ocak 2009 Çarşamba
NVIDIA PhysX System Software WHQL PhysX v9.09.0010
PhysX v9.09.0010
Release Highlights
* Supports NVIDIA PhysX acceleration on all GeForce 8-series, 9-series and 200-series GPUs with a minimum of 256MB dedicated graphics memory.
* Experience GPU PhysX acceleration in many games and demos, some of which are highlighted in PowerPack downloads on www.geforce.com.
* Resolves PhysX SDK runtime issues with multi-GPU configurations in Hybrid environments.
* Improves performance of some PhysX enabled games on GeForce GTX 285 and GTX 295 products.
* Resolves occasional system crashes when PhysX is enabled on some systems when running on EA’s Mirrors Edge.
* Runtime upgrade ONLY for AGEIA PhysX processors users. (New installations should install older PhysX system software such as version 8.09.04 – prior to installing this update).
* Includes the latest PhysX runtimes used in the latest game titles.
* Supports NVIDIA PhysX acceleration on GeForce via CUDA 2.0 for SDK versions 2.7.3, 2.7.2, 2.7.5, 2.8.0 and 2.8.1 (requires graphics driver v177.81 or later).
* Includes all the latest PhysX SDK Runtimes.
* Supports latest combines PhysX and SLI control panel featured in the latest GeForce drivers.
Release Highlights
* Supports NVIDIA PhysX acceleration on all GeForce 8-series, 9-series and 200-series GPUs with a minimum of 256MB dedicated graphics memory.
* Experience GPU PhysX acceleration in many games and demos, some of which are highlighted in PowerPack downloads on www.geforce.com.
* Resolves PhysX SDK runtime issues with multi-GPU configurations in Hybrid environments.
* Improves performance of some PhysX enabled games on GeForce GTX 285 and GTX 295 products.
* Resolves occasional system crashes when PhysX is enabled on some systems when running on EA’s Mirrors Edge.
* Runtime upgrade ONLY for AGEIA PhysX processors users. (New installations should install older PhysX system software such as version 8.09.04 – prior to installing this update).
* Includes the latest PhysX runtimes used in the latest game titles.
* Supports NVIDIA PhysX acceleration on GeForce via CUDA 2.0 for SDK versions 2.7.3, 2.7.2, 2.7.5, 2.8.0 and 2.8.1 (requires graphics driver v177.81 or later).
* Includes all the latest PhysX SDK Runtimes.
* Supports latest combines PhysX and SLI control panel featured in the latest GeForce drivers.
12 Ocak 2009 Pazartesi
Upcoming Releases and Announcements
Summary of expected upcoming releases
- 2009-01-13: Frugalware Linux 1.0pre2
- 2009-01-15: Ubuntu 9.04 Alpha 3
- 2009-01-16: Mandriva 2009.1 Beta 1
- 2009-01-16: Pardus Linux 2008.2 RC1
- 2009-01-23: Pardus Linux 2008.2 RC2
- 2009-01-30: Pardus Linux 2008.2 (see release schedule)
- 2009-02-03: Fedora 11 Alpha
- 2009-02-05: Ubuntu 9.04 Alpha 4
- 2009-02-09: Mandriva 2009.1 Beta 2
- 2009-02-10: Frugalware Linux 1.0rc1
- 2009-02-24: Frugalware Linux 1.0rc2
- 2009-02-26: Ubuntu 9.04 Alpha 5
- 2009-03-03: Mandriva 2009.1 RC1
- 2009-03-10: Frugalware Linux 1.0 (see roadmap)
- 2009-03-12: Ubuntu 9.04 Alpha 6
- 2009-03-24: Fedora 11 Beta
- 2009-03-24: Mandriva 2009.1 RC2
- 2009-03-26: Ubuntu 9.04 Beta
- 2009-04-16: Mandriva Linux 2009.1 (see development planning)
- 2009-04-16: Ubuntu 9.04 RC
- 2009-04-23: Ubuntu 9.04 (see release schedule)
- 2009-03-28: Fedora 11 Beta
- 2009-04-XX: Musix GNU+Linux 2.0r0 (see roadmap)
- 2009-05-26: Fedora 11 (see proposed release schedule)
Windows 7: Easy Connect overview (Neowin)
So far, in our Windows 7 Overview series, we have published the following:
Over the next few weeks we will be adding many more focus items on Windows 7 including Touch, Windows 7 networking and media enhancements. Stay tuned for the ultimate Windows 7 focus from Neowin.net. Here is an overview of Easy Connect in Windows 7.
EasyConnect
There are times when we need help from others to solve certain computer problems and in the same way you would like to offer your help to someone who needs help. With Easy Connect in Windows 7, offering help or getting help is just a few clicks away!
To access Easy Connect, type Troubleshooting in the Start Menu and then select Get Help from someone you trust
You would now get the option to offer your help to someone or get help from someone. Choose the option depending on your need.
Invite Someone
There are two options to choose from if you want to help from others:
You can create an invitation and invite your helper using that invitation or you can use Easy Connect. Easy Connect is the easiest of both which just requires you to create a password which can then be shared with your helper to connect to your machine.
Choosing Easy Connect will start listening for incoming connections and also creates a unique password for your session. You can send this password to your helper. The helper would use this password to connect to your remote session.
You need to save your invitation file if you choose the invitation method and send the invitation file to your helper along with the session password.
Offer help to someone
Choosing to help someone would require you to connect to their remote session using the Easy Connect password or using the invitation file.
As seen before, Easy Connect is the easiest as it just requires only a password!
Once connected, you get the remote session on your screen!
You can now choose to request control or chat and offer your help to your friend.
- Windows 7 beta quick review
- Windows 7: Action Center Overview
- Windows 7: User Account Control (UAC) Overview
- Windows 7: Calibate Your Display
- Windows 7: Federated Search
- Windows 7: Device Stage
- Windows 7: Internet Explorer 8 Overview
Over the next few weeks we will be adding many more focus items on Windows 7 including Touch, Windows 7 networking and media enhancements. Stay tuned for the ultimate Windows 7 focus from Neowin.net. Here is an overview of Easy Connect in Windows 7.
EasyConnect
There are times when we need help from others to solve certain computer problems and in the same way you would like to offer your help to someone who needs help. With Easy Connect in Windows 7, offering help or getting help is just a few clicks away!
To access Easy Connect, type Troubleshooting in the Start Menu and then select Get Help from someone you trust
You would now get the option to offer your help to someone or get help from someone. Choose the option depending on your need.
Invite Someone
There are two options to choose from if you want to help from others:
- Use the Invitation File
- Use Easy Connect
You can create an invitation and invite your helper using that invitation or you can use Easy Connect. Easy Connect is the easiest of both which just requires you to create a password which can then be shared with your helper to connect to your machine.
Choosing Easy Connect will start listening for incoming connections and also creates a unique password for your session. You can send this password to your helper. The helper would use this password to connect to your remote session.
You need to save your invitation file if you choose the invitation method and send the invitation file to your helper along with the session password.
Offer help to someone
Choosing to help someone would require you to connect to their remote session using the Easy Connect password or using the invitation file.
As seen before, Easy Connect is the easiest as it just requires only a password!
Once connected, you get the remote session on your screen!
You can now choose to request control or chat and offer your help to your friend.
First Office 14 screenshot
Microsoft enthusiast and blogger Stephen Chapman sends word that he has discovered an early concept Office 14 screenshot from a PowerPoint presentation hosted on Microsoft.com.
The screenshot itself appears to be from a slide deck detailing Grava's intergration into Office 14. Grava is a set of tools developed for the needs of those creating educational content. Stephen says he "noticed that instead of the Office logo in the orb, there's a 'G' to obviously signify Grava, so does this mean we're looking at a standalone Grava application or a conceptual idea for how the interface of Office might change to signify the user is currently using Grava? If nothing else, we can see the ribbon influence in yet another application and further indication that the ribbon is certainly not going away in Office 14."
You can see from the screenshot that the ribbon UI is slightly refined and image controls have been placed into the taskbar. Microsoft has kept quiet on Office 14 plans and many have speculated that development has been delayed for a 2010 release.
The screenshot itself appears to be from a slide deck detailing Grava's intergration into Office 14. Grava is a set of tools developed for the needs of those creating educational content. Stephen says he "noticed that instead of the Office logo in the orb, there's a 'G' to obviously signify Grava, so does this mean we're looking at a standalone Grava application or a conceptual idea for how the interface of Office might change to signify the user is currently using Grava? If nothing else, we can see the ribbon influence in yet another application and further indication that the ribbon is certainly not going away in Office 14."
You can see from the screenshot that the ribbon UI is slightly refined and image controls have been placed into the taskbar. Microsoft has kept quiet on Office 14 plans and many have speculated that development has been delayed for a 2010 release.
Messenger Plus! Live 4.79.353 Beta
Messenger Plus! Live is an add-on for Windows Live Messenger that adds tons of features and extras to the software. Extend the possibilities of Messenger and make your experience a lot more entertaining!The only thing needed to use Messenger Plus! Live is Windows Live Messenger (the latest version of MSN Messenger) which requires Windows XP or above. Messenger Plus! Live is compatible with Windows Live Messenger 8.0 to 9.0 and can be installed on 32bit and 64bit versions of Windows XP and Windows Vista.
Installed more than 350 million times since 2001, when it started as a simple add-on for MSN Messenger 3, Messenger Plus! is guaranteed to improve your Messenger experience by leaps and bounds. You won't just get a couple of new options, what you'll get is a whole new dimension for the Windows Live Messenger software.
Messenger Plus! adds lots of capabilities to Windows Live Messenger. The new features can be accessed easily from the various Plus! menus and buttons you'll find added to all the main Messenger windows. Here is a short list of some of the features most people enjoy in the software:
• Tabbed Chats
• Custom Sounds
• Colors, Formatting and Commands
• Quick Texts
• Personalized Status
• HTML Chat Logging
• Contacts on Desktop
• Account Polygamy
• Messenger Lock
• Contact List Clean-up
• Event Viewer and Logging
The current version is distributed with the following languages:
English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, German, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Swedish, Thai, Turkish.
Changes in Messenger Plus! Live 4.79.342 Beta (31/10/2008):
* This change log is for a beta version. It will be updated until the final version is released.
* Compatibility for the Windows Live Messenger 9 Beta version of 2007 has been removed.
* Contacts from Yahoo! Messenger are now handled better by Messenger Plus!.
* Added compatibility for the current public Beta version of Windows Live Messenger 9 (also known as Version 2009 Wave 3 and Version 14).
o Everything is supposed to be operational in the software with the new beta, including scripts and skins. Oh yeah.
o The "Show contacts as Idle" option will properly display "Idle" for your contacts' status in chat windows but not in the contact list. For that reason, an "(Idle)" indicator has been added in the contact list's tooltip (Messenger 9 only).
o The Messenger Plus! menus displayed by buttons added in the windows of Messenger are more properly aligned.
o Skins: when a skin that redefines the shape of a window in Messenger is loaded in Messenger 9, the window frame present in Vista is properly removed.
o Skins: some of the animated pictures extracted and decoded by the Resource Extractor can't be replaced with the animation kept intact.
o Skins: vertical gradient colors cannot be created for Messenger 9, only horizontal gradients are supported.
* Messenger Plus! now displays many of its windows using the specific color selected for each contact. Display pictures are also displayed in contact related popup notifications (can be turned off in the preferences).
* The Contact Information window now displays an animation for animated display pictures.
* When chatting with more than 2 people, the size of the header in chat logs is now reduced.
* When chatting in a group in Messenger 9, whenever possible, Messenger Plus! creates a single chat log file associated to the group.
* The "enhance copy/paste" feature now doesn't do anything with pictures and lets Messenger handles it.
* A new icon is displayed in tabbed chats for group chats.
* Windows 7 is now properly reported by (!VER). Messenger Plus! is currently reported to work on this OS.
* Fixed: the Messenger Plus! icons may not be added in the Messenger windows if a skin is enabled but failed to load.
* Fixed: spin controls in the emotion sound wizard are inversed.
* Fixed: Messenger Plus! windows don't look good when a very bright color is selected in Messenger. The color of titles in all windows has been darkened too.
* Fixed: in Messenger 8.5, the names of contacts that are using Messenger 9 may be displayed incorrectly by Messenger Plus!.
* Fixed: Messenger may crash on startup if a hooking error occurs (problem introduced in version 4.70).
* Fixed: when several user sessions are active and Messenger Plus! needs to restart Messenger (when importing a skin for example), the Messengers of all the user sessions are closed.
* Fixed: "Format Codes" button not added in the the Chinese Messenger options.
* Scripts: Image elements now support GIF pictures. Use the new AllowAnimate attribute to automatically animate the picture on screen.
* Scripts: MsgPlus.DisplayToastContact now supports an additional "Contact" parameter to allow Messenger Plus! to colorize the toasts your script display according to a contact's profile.
* Scripts: added a new "ProfileColor" property to Contact objects. You can use this to know what color is currently associated to a specific contact (according to its Messenger profile).
* Scripts: added a new "BaseColor" property to PlusWnd objects. Use it if you want to modify the base color of your windows, for example, to match contact specific colors.
* Scripts and Skins: the
* Scripts. Fixed: DataBloc::ReadInterfacePtr() does not work as expected.
* Skins: the Resource Extractor has been improved for Messenger 9.
o All UI files are extracted and consolidated properly from Messenger 9.
o The "rcanim", "rcfloat", "rcbmp" and "rcchar" resource identifiers are now recognized and handled properly.
o RLE resources are properly decrypted again (this was not the case with the last beta version of Messenger 9).
o Cursors are extracted.
o Strings from "msgres" are extracted.
o Added basic consolidation mode (third check state in the Resource Extractor window). Use it to produce consolidated windows files that can be used safely in your final skin. Things like strings are not replaced in this mode (for localisation reasons).
* Skins: the skininfo schema file has been modified for Messenger 9.
o Strings from "msgres" can now be modified.
o The cursors specified in "msgres" can be replaced.
* Skins. Fixed: Metadata is not applied properly when replacing pictures that did not any Metadata in the first place.
* Skins: the tabbed chat bar can now be skinned with the picture of your choice, displayed in mosaic and colorized if required. The "MessengerPlus\TabbedChatBar" option element has been deprecated and it is recommended that you do not use it (it may not produce good results in Messenger 9).
* Skins. Fixed: Build and Revision can be inversed when reading the Information\Compatibility element.
* Skins: thanks to research done by Willz, a new element named "FrameCount" has been added to picture's Metadata. You can use it when replacing or adding animated pictures.
Homepage - http://www.msgpluslive.net
Size: 4.73 MB
11 Ocak 2009 Pazar
IE8 Final Looking Like a March 2009 (or Post-March 2009) Release
If you are holding your breath while waiting for the successor of IE7, feel free to exhale at any time because Microsoft is by no means in any hurry to deliver the RTW (release to web) version of Internet Explorer 8. In fact, a recent move from the Redmond company reveals that the gold release of IE8 might come as late as over a year after the launch of the Beta 1 build, if not even later. Of course, with no official confirmation, anticipating the final release of IE8 is nothing short of examining chicken entrails. However, the Redmond company does provide indications pointing to the availability of Internet Explorer 8 closer to, or even well into, the second quarter of 2009.
The giant is offering free and unlimited support for issues related to the deployment and usage of pre-released versions of IE8. Although the official help and support is currently focused on Windows Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 (All Languages), Microsoft does emphasize that pre-released versions of the browser are in fact supported, and not just the second Beta. Up to this point in time the company has promised to support development milestones of IE8 until March 31, 2009. “Free unlimited installation and usage support is available for Internet Explorer 8 pre-released versions, but only for North America English customers. This support for Internet Explorer 8 pre-released versions is valid until March 31st, 2009. Advanced issues are not supported. Advanced issues include, but are not limited to, problems that are associated with software and hardware development, domain connectivity, server-based technologies, Web site development, and business-critical systems,” the message on the page reads, as you can very well see from the adjacent image.
The initial deadline for the IE8 pre-RTW support cut-off date was November 1, 2008. In mid-November, Microsoft pushed the date forward to December 31, 2008. Furthermore, just ahead of the start of 2009, support for IE8 pre-RTW was extended until the end of March 2009.
Moving onward from IE8 Beta, the software giant delivered the IE8 pre-RCPartner Release and confirmed that it was gearing up for one more public development milestone build at the start of 2009. With IE8 Release Candidate planned for availability early next year, it is clear that the RTW launch is being pushed forward well into 2009. In accordance with the new March 31, 2009 end-of-support date for pre-released versions of the browser, the final version of Internet Explorer 8 is bound to hit by the end of March 2009 at the earliest, but it could slip even later into 2009.
However, one crucial aspect has to be taken into consideration. Between March 18 – 20, 2009, Microsoft will hold its MIX09 web-centric conference in Las Vegas. Last year, at MIX08 the Redmond company introduced Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1. This year, MIX09 could be synonymous with the RTW of Internet Explorer 8. Earlier this month I contacted Microsoft in relation to its plans for IE8.
“In regard to your questions, we will release one more public update of Internet Explorer 8 in the first quarter of 2009, and then follow that up with the final release. Our timeline is driven by the quality of the product. Microsoft is deliberate in our approach to releasing new products and we feel a strong obligation to our customers to do so in a responsible manner that ensures they are getting the safest, most reliable product possible,” a Microsoft spokesperson stated for Softpedia. (Jack - thanks for the heads up on this one)
For the time being, Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) Beta 2 is available for download here.
The giant is offering free and unlimited support for issues related to the deployment and usage of pre-released versions of IE8. Although the official help and support is currently focused on Windows Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 (All Languages), Microsoft does emphasize that pre-released versions of the browser are in fact supported, and not just the second Beta. Up to this point in time the company has promised to support development milestones of IE8 until March 31, 2009. “Free unlimited installation and usage support is available for Internet Explorer 8 pre-released versions, but only for North America English customers. This support for Internet Explorer 8 pre-released versions is valid until March 31st, 2009. Advanced issues are not supported. Advanced issues include, but are not limited to, problems that are associated with software and hardware development, domain connectivity, server-based technologies, Web site development, and business-critical systems,” the message on the page reads, as you can very well see from the adjacent image.
The initial deadline for the IE8 pre-RTW support cut-off date was November 1, 2008. In mid-November, Microsoft pushed the date forward to December 31, 2008. Furthermore, just ahead of the start of 2009, support for IE8 pre-RTW was extended until the end of March 2009.
 |
However, one crucial aspect has to be taken into consideration. Between March 18 – 20, 2009, Microsoft will hold its MIX09 web-centric conference in Las Vegas. Last year, at MIX08 the Redmond company introduced Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1. This year, MIX09 could be synonymous with the RTW of Internet Explorer 8. Earlier this month I contacted Microsoft in relation to its plans for IE8.
“In regard to your questions, we will release one more public update of Internet Explorer 8 in the first quarter of 2009, and then follow that up with the final release. Our timeline is driven by the quality of the product. Microsoft is deliberate in our approach to releasing new products and we feel a strong obligation to our customers to do so in a responsible manner that ensures they are getting the safest, most reliable product possible,” a Microsoft spokesperson stated for Softpedia. (Jack - thanks for the heads up on this one)
For the time being, Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) Beta 2 is available for download here.
Downloading and Installing Windows 7 Beta Build 7000
Microsoft went live with the public release of Windows 7 Beta on January 9, 2009, just to discontinue downloads by the end of the very same day, citing server overload due to the high volume of traffic and the need to beef up its infrastructure. However, fact is that, while all the official sources of Windows 7 Beta have stopped offering the operating system, the bits continue to be available via direct download links. In this context, Windows 7 Beta is available for download right here on Softpedia, both the 32-bit version 7000.0.081212-1400_client_en-us_Ultimate-GB1CULFRE_EN_DVD, and the 64-bit flavor 7000.0.081212-1400_client_en-us_Ultimate-GB1CULXFRE_EN_DVD. Initially, the company planned to deliver Win 7 Beta to up to 2.5 million users starting January 9. Windows 7 Server (Windows Server 2008 R2) was indeed released to the general public ahead of the weekend, with the public Beta program of the server edition of Win 7 offering a smooth experience. Not the same could be said about Windows 7 client Beta, with Microsoft.com servers incapable of dealing with the huge traffic numbers, a scenario which prompted the Redmond company to announce that the availability of the public Beta was postponed.
With the software giant flexing its server muscles and rebuilding the Microsoft.com infrastructure dedicated to Windows 7 Beta, users have been left in the dark as to when the bits of the operating system will be made available again. At the same time, Microsoft has failed to disclose the exact volume of traffic that left the Windows 7 hotspots on Microsoft.com and TechNet useless throughout January 9. Fact is that there have been no reports of successful downloads of Windows 7 Beta from any official Microsoft sources, or of the product keys for the operating system, for that matter.
“When we update you - we want to make sure the entire process is online and working. Unfortunately, we're not at that point yet, and some things (like getting product keys) may or may not work, or may work sometimes and not other times,” Brandon LeBlanc, Windows communications manager on the Windows Client Communications Team, revealed. “I have no ETA on when everything will be online at Windows.com for you to start downloading and accessing product keys, but I can assure you when we have another update I will be posting it. We are fully committed to keeping you updated, which is why we made this post earlier today. When we have more to add, we will do so. I apologize for the delay and it is great to see so many people excited to test out Windows 7.”
Downloading Windows 7 Beta
On January 09, 2009, at 8:38PM, LeBlanc stated that “As far as I know, it's still Jan. 9th here in Redmond and I didn't give out a specific time here in my blog posts on when we'd go live with the Windows 7 Beta,” in response to users who were reporting not being able to access the Beta.
However, Windows 7 Beta was and still is, in fact, available for download. The direct download links were initially published by Tweakers, and remained live at the time this article was written, despite Microsoft officially shutting down downloads of Windows 7 Beta. All you have to do in order to grab the Beta bits, is to navigate to this page on Softpedia, hit the Download button, and then choose between the x86 or x64 versions of the platform. As you will be able to see, both of the links belong to Microsoft.com.
Installing Windows 7 Beta
The 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7 Beta have been packaged as ISO images. This means that the end-users will have to burn the images onto DVDs, or simply capture them in Virtual PC 2007, if they will install the operating system in a virtual machine using Microsoft's free virtualization solution. Use the screenshots integrated with this article, in order to get an idea of what deploying Windows 7 Beta 1 feels like.
Still, despite the Beta 1 bits being available through the direct download links, the public product keys for the operating system are a whole different matter altogether. “You will have to wait for us to officially go live with the Windows 7 Beta via Windows.com and register to get your product key,” LeBlanc stated.
One alternative method to obtain Windows 7 Beta is to sign-in TechNet Downloads, and copy and paste the following links in the address bar: https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/scripts/gcs.aspx?Product=tn-win7-32-ww&LCID=1033 (for 32-bit key), or https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/scripts/gcs.aspx?Product=tn-win7-64-ww&LCID=1033 (for 64-bit). Reports indicate that, given sufficient determination and a consistent number of refreshes, the page will eventually offer Windows 7 Beta product keys. Otherwise, you can wait until Microsoft starts offering both Windows 7 Beta and product keys officially again.
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Here are a few excerpts from the Windows 7 Beta 1 EULA – End Users License Agreement for Microsoft pre-release software license terms – Microsoft Windows 7 Operating System Beta:
- Installation and use rights – You may install and use any number of copies of the software on your premises to design, develop, and test your programs for use with the software. You may not use the software in a live operating environment, unless Microsoft permits you to do so under another agreement.
This software will stop running on August 1, 2009. You may not receive any other notice. You may not be able to access data used with the software when it stops running.
The terms of this agreement will expire on August 1, 2009. You have the right to use the software under the license terms of this agreement during this period. If you do not have a product key, you may need to reinstall the software every 30 days.
- Use with virtualization technologies – Instead of using the software directly on the licensed device, you may install and use the software within only one virtual (or otherwise emulated) hardware system on the licensed device. When used in a virtualized environment, content protected by digital rights management technology, BitLocker or any full volume disk drive encryption technology may not be as secure as protected content not in a virtualized environment.
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What's the status now?
Well, on January 10, 2009, at 12:43AM, LeBlanc informed that “We continue to work to add servers to Microsoft.com to support the demand of the Windows 7 Beta. Part of adding servers is also network configurations to ensure everything works correctly.” On January 10, 2009, at 1:00AM, the same LeBlanc added that “I don't have a timeframe to give you. I think its awesome you['re] so dedicated to trying out the beta (...). Rest assured I am sitting here working very hard to get you all an update.”
On January 10, 2009, at 3:26AM, a very dedicated LeBlanc said that “I spent the last few hours in a conference room here in Redmond with a wonderful group of people dedicated to getting the Windows 7 Beta online for folks. We are continuing to add servers and tweak a few things on the network site to enable us to open access to the Beta. Some of the folks I've been spending time with in this conference room will be working overnight. I know many of you are concerned about getting a product key for the Windows 7 Beta, and concerned about missing your chance to get a product key. I can't say much on this just yet, but I will say you this: don't worry.”
Microsoft did not provide a deadline as to when it planned to go live with the Windows 7 downloads again. Judging by the information delivered by LeBlanc (who made an excellent effort in keeping users up-to-date), the software giant is hard at work on getting the infrastructure up and running for the delivery of Windows 7 Beta.
In the meantime, the direct download links are still live, and you can grab Windows 7 Beta here.
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