Windows 7 to salvage Vista 'train wreck'

SAN FRANCISCO - Microsoft is scheduled to release Windows 7 to the world on Thursday as the US software giant tries to regain its stride after an embarrassing stumble with the previous generation operating system Vista.

"It's a big deal for Microsoft," analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group in Silicon Valley said of the Windows 7 launch. "Windows Vista was a train wreck."

While computer users may not give much thought to operating systems that serve as the brains of their machines, the programs are at the heart of Microsoft's global software empire.

Microsoft operating systems run more than 90 percent of the computers on Earth.

Importantly for Microsoft, versions of its popular programs such as Office, Outlook and Excel evolve to work better with successive Windows releases.

Winning users of new Windows systems translates into increased sales of other packaged software for the Redmond, Washington-based company.

Vista's dismal reception in the market broke Microsoft's rhythm regarding hooking people on upgraded software.

Computer users held firm to Windows XP, shunning much-maligned Vista.

"Microsoft is still a packaged software company," Enderle said. "If people don't buy their updated packages, they feel it."

Microsoft apparently learned a lesson from Vista and worked closely with computer makers, users and software developers while crafting Windows 7.

More than eight million people have dabbled with Windows 7 since Microsoft began a beta test phase in January, according to Parri Munsell, director of consumer product management for the Windows client group.

Early reviews praise Windows 7 for being everything Vista should have been.

"We always listen to our customers, but we took an even more thoughtful and pragmatic process this time around," Munsell told AFP. "We feel really good that people have been trying it for themselves."

Windows 7 features winning raves include enabling computers, television, radios, digital picture frames and other "smart" devices in homes to talk to each other.

Windows 7 also lets people use PCs to record television programmes and then watch shows "on demand" at any Internet-linked computer using Microsoft's Live service.

Touch-screen capabilities built into Windows 7 should give birth to monitors that further blur lines between television sets and PCs, according to Munsell.

Microsoft's primary objective with Windows 7 was to simplify the lives of PC users, according to Munsell.

"This is going to be the next XP where it sticks around for a very long time,"
said analyst Matt Rosoff of Directions On Microsoft, a private firm focused on tracking the software firm.

"It performs well with a lot of hardware and software, and then it gets out of the way. It is not flashy, but it is solid."

He added that Windows 7 works "surprisingly well" on netbooks -- low-cost bare-bones laptop computers that have devoured market share in the recent grim economic times.

Windows 7 will be available pre-loaded on personal computers as of Thursday, and people who bought Vista machines in recent months will be able to upgrade free.

Upgrading a home computer to Windows 7 will cost from 120 US dollars to 220 US dollars, depending on the version.

As well-built as Windows 7 is, it probably won't boost consumer PC purchases, which depend heavily on the economy, according to Rosoff.

A lot of corporations clinging to Windows XP are expected to upgrade to Windows 7, but after Microsoft's new Office 2010 suite of business applications is released next year.

"This kind of gets Microsoft back on track with its core business," Rosoff said. "It is not going to be something that takes the world by storm, but it is a solid operating system that people will be relying on for years."

The failure of Vista to catch on hurt Microsoft competitively, giving Apple the opportunity to woo PC users to Macintosh computers.

Apple could benefit anew if PC users faced with switching operating systems go for Macintosh machines instead of Windows 7, according to analysts.

Microsoft has been faulted in the past for lacking the type of marketing pizzazz for which longtime rival Apple is famous. Microsoft has devoted an ample budget to advertising Windows 7.

Microsoft has already been lambasted for hokey online videos describing how people can throw Windows 7 launch parties in their homes.

Microsoft and television studio Fox announced that Windows 7 will be the theme of an animated "Family Guy" television show featuring "musical numbers, comedy sketches, and celebrity guests."

"The fact that Microsoft is trying new things is actually pretty unique," Enderle said. "They are going to try to show that Microsoft and innovative marketing is not an oxymoron."

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/technologynews/view/1012090/1/.html

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Palm Centro Review

By: Christopher Meinck

The Palm Centro smartphone represents Palm's smallest and lightest smartphone to date. In addition to a new form factor, this new smartphone also carries a new name, "Centro". Palm's reasoning behind the new naming convention is the Palm Centro is "central to everything in your life". In reality, Palm is looking to capture a new audience who may have associated the Treo brand with being too "clunky" or business-like. Either way, it's hard to deny the Centro's strong ties to the Treo smartphone and that's not such a bad thing.

Designed for the CEO of the household or the young executive, the Centro features an entirely new form factor at an entirely new price point. Billed as $99.99, the new Palm Centro comes in under $100 as you'll see advertised in various marketing channels. This price is dependant upon signing a 2-year agreement and a supporting $25 data plan. Compared with Verizon and AT&T, Sprint's data pricing is still relatively cheap compared to the competition. If you are new to smartphones, then don't let the requirement of data disuade you from considering the Centro. Any smartphone would require a data plan and it's necessary to get the most from a smartphone. Data is required for web, instant messaging and email - basically all the good stuff you'd expect from a capable smartphone.

Centro Certainly Pocketable
The Centro may not be as thin as other smartphones such as the Moto Q, but it is most definitely smaller. The Centro is flat out pocketable and it's best friend might be the front pocket of your favorite jeans. It also feels light and this can be partially attributed to the smaller battery and plastic shell casing. Carryovers from the Treo smartphone include the ringer switch at the top of the phone allowing you to easily switch the ringer to vibrate mode and vice versa. The buttons on the front of the Centro have the familiar Power/End Call and Answer Call buttons. Neslted in the middle of the device are buttons for Phone, Calendar, Email/Messaging and Home (Applications). The 5-way navigator is a departure from previous designs. The rim that allows for 4-way selection appears to be too thin, but I had no issue navigating as it's actually raised from the center button. Suprisingly, the center button despite being larger than the previous Treo buttons, is a bit more difficult to use. I found that due to it being recessed, I sometimes hit the rim of the 4-way selector. The silver panel across the center of the device allows for navigating the Centro along application selection and answering calls. The panel does not provide the same tactile feel found on the Treo. In the real world, this had very little impact on my usability, but worth noting as something Palm's product design group might want to tackle with future hardware modifications.

What About The Centro Keyboard?

Where the panel lacks tactile reinforcement, the keyboard certainly makes up for it. Palm uses what is called "sheet key technology". What that means to the average user is that Palm has found a way to put a miniscule, yet fully functional keyboard onto a very small form factor. I've mentioned tactile responsiveness often and it's because I feel it's important to the successful implementation of a QWERTY keyboard. The Centro keyboard is responsive and that makes typing much easier, faster and will result in less typos. I was able to type at a fairly brisk pace, with very few errors. Given my history with the Treo, when conducting my review, I was probably more focused on the keyboard than other features of the Centro. The keyboard is certainly not without it's faults. The keys feel cramped and you'll noticed very little extension of your thumbs while typing on the Centro. On Treo smartphones, there is certainly more movement of your thumbs. That in mind, I'd be hesistant to say the keyboard is a deal breaker. If you are new to smartphones, the Centro keyboard will be a major upgrade when compared to standard 12-key wireless phone. If you are a Treo user considering the move to Centro, then it would certainly depend on your usage patterns and quite honestly the size of your hands. In making a small device, there are trade-offs that are unavoidable and the Centro keyboard is one. Thankfully, Palm has done a great job squeezing in a very responsive, tactile keyboard that is quite good onto a super small smartphone.

Centro Design
This is not your father's Treo, or at least not yet. Palm's peppy taglines speak of happy hours and in general "good times". The Centro ushers in this new era of Palm smartphones in two splashy colors. Ruby Red and Black Onyx are glossy colors that are accented with a touch of sparkle. The colors look as if they were inspired by a classic 50's diner. Even the device itself has a sort of retro feel to it. The design, while new, is certainly not something you'd see from Jonathon Ives. If this device were twice the size, you could make a case it was an old Handspring design that never left the drawing board until now. With the glossy finish comes a slick finish. While the trend in smartphones had shifted to rubberized coatings, Palm has bucked the trend with the Centro. According to Palm's product manager for the Centro, he reasoning behind this decision was to make the Centro "pocketable" and it certainly hits the mark. In addition to being pocketable, the Centro is a joy to hold. Pardon the pun, but the Centro fits nicely in the palm of your hand. Grabbing my keys, wallet and Centro didn't weigh me down at all.
Accessorizing the Centro

Those considering the Centro as an upgrade from the Treo will find that "most" of their accessories will work with the Centro. It features the Athena multi-connector allowing you to use your existing Treo chargers and hot sync cables. The device uses microSD, so you will not be able to utilize your existing memory expansion cards. Those planning on utilizing the Centro as a multimedia device will want to invest in a microSD, as opposed to storing your media on the device. The Centro supports microSD cards up to 4GB. Accessing the card slot required the removal of the battery door, which is a bit tricky with the glossy surface. On a positive note, this will prevent you from accidental loss of your memory card.

To keep costs down, Palm did not include a wired headset. For most, your existing Bluetooth headset will make you forget about the omission. Other cost cutters include the flimsy stylus. There are times when you will need to use a stylus to select onscreen icons when surfing the web or using other applications on the Centro. The included stylus, in all it's bright red glory, is certainly usuable but bends too easily. When accessorizing your Palm Centro, include a few dollars for an upgrade to your Centro stylus. Both the Treo 650 and Treo 700 series styli do not fit the Centro.

Battery life was surprisingly good during my testing period. I deliberately failed to charge my Centro each night and it lasted a few days of moderate calls, web surfing, IM and Sprint TV. Your mileage will vary, but overall battery life was more than sufficient for my needs. Power users will have to wait for extended battery solutions that will invarably become available in the next few weeks or months ahead.

Software Shines In Small Package
It's very appropriate that the title of this site is Everything Centro, as you can do most everything on the Centro. The software bundle is robust and almost identical to what's included on Palm's flagship model, the more expensive Treo 755p. The Palm OS is certainly showing its age, but this has allowed a certain refinement of the OS not found in other smartphones. When making a smartphone purchased, you'll be hard pressed to find this compliment of features and most certainly cannot be had at under $100.
Threaded SMS offers chat-style text messaging
Included Docs To Go allows document editing/reading of Microsoft Office documents
IM application provides integration of AIM, Messenger and Yahoo allowing you to be logged into all three services at once
Phone application offers feature allowing you to "Ignore with text", so if you are unable to take a call you can respond with a text message.
Streaming live TV using SprintTV (data plan required). Some minor buffering issues, but good quality picture is excellent "time killer". Expect to pay extra for assorted channels that are not included.
Full version of PocketTunes which is arguably the best MP3 player for the Palm OS
GoogleMaps
Sodoku
Voice Memo

Of course in addition to these apps, the Centro also offers an email client and web browser. While the web browser is fast, it is the "mobile web". To date, the only mobile device to offer a desktop like web experience has been the iPhone. Still, for access to sports scores, news and more, the web browser will offer fast and easy access. As long as you don't expect the "full version" of a website, you will not be disappointed.

With age, comes applications. There are thousands of available applications that extend the capabilities of the Centro. Most are available as free trial software, allowing you to try before you buy. In addition, there are plenty of free software applications for the Centro and this is certainly one of the advantages of an open platform.

Overall
While the Palm Centro probably will not win any smartphone beauty contests, the true beauty of the device lies in its size and feature-set. Palm has repacked their "smartphone experience" in a truly pocketable device. When the Treo is working late, the Centro is at happy hour and that's exactly where Palm hopes it's next generation of customers lie. While the Centro certainly evokes memories of the Treo, the new form factor is a distinct departure. If you are an existing Treo owner, the trade-off is simple. The Centro offers a similar experience in bite-size format, but expect some minor frustrations with the keyboard during extended typing sessions. If this is your first smartphone, you'll find the full QWERTY keyboard to be a major upgrade from a 12-key cellphone and the small form factor to be an extremely palatable solution. While some Treo accessories will work, existing Treo owners and new Palm users should expect to add costs for various accessories including case, replacement stylus and microSD memory expansion card. With a robust software package, new pocketable design and aggressive price point of $99.95, Palm's Centro smartphone represents an excellent value for first time smartphone buyers.

http://www.everythingcentro.com/palm-centro-review/

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Transformers 2

In “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” two years have passed since Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) and the Autobots saved the human race from the invading Decepticons. Now he's preparing for the biggest challenge of his life: leaving home for college.
Despite his extreme heroics, the battle of Mission City has become an urban legend believed only by conspiracy theorists. Sam is still an average teenager with everyday anxieties and excitement about heading off into adulthood, separating from his parents (Kevin Dunn and Julie White) for the first time, and vowing to be faithful to girlfriend Mikaela (Megan Fox). Of course, he also has to explain his departure to his guardian robot, Bumblebee.
Leaving home is something the Autobots understand only too well. With the destruction of the Allspark, the Transformers home planet of Cybertron is uninhabitable, and the Autobots make the best of their lives on earth, working in league with the military as part of a TOP SECRET team called NEST. Operating alongside their human counterparts, field commanders Major Lennox (Josh Duhamel) and USAF Master Sergeant Epps (Tyrese Gibson), the NEST TEAM seeks to hunt down whatever remaining Decepticons are still hiding on earth. Unfortunately, even as the Autobots try to make a new life among humans, they discover they may not be welcome.
National Security Advisor Theodore Galloway (John Benjamin Hickey), driven to prove that all Transformers should be banished from earth, endeavors to terminate NEST, believing the Autobots’ very presence may endanger the human race. Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots, agrees to leave our planet if the governments of the world wish it... but he warns Galloway to consider what happens if the Autobots leave earth defenseless.
Meanwhile at school, Sam adjusts to his pushy, legend-in-his-own mind roommate, Leo (Ramon Rodriguez), and an equally aggressive temptation in the form of a new co-ed, Alice (Isabel Lucas). Sam does his best to navigate college life, until suddenly he’s besieged by visions flashing across his brain like thunderbolts. The Decepticons soon learn what Sam doesn’t know; that he alone holds the key to the outcome of the struggle between evil and the ultimate power of good.
A normal life will have to wait. With the help of the Autobots, the soldiers of NEST, and an old adversary-turned-ally (John Turturro, returning as former Sector 7 Agent Simmons), Sam and Mikaela must uncover the secret history of the Transformers presence on earth, and the sacrifices that have to be made to save it from an ancient threat sworn on returning here for revenge... an ancient Decepticon named THE FALLEN.

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Kidnapping Miyabi

Beautiful star famous porn film "Maria Ozawa" or better known as "Miyabi" will come to Indonesia. She will play comedy movie titled "Kidnapping Miyabi" or in Indonesian title  "Menculik Miyabi". No idea when Miyabi speaking  Indonesian, when she spoke English too comical. But the ideas and plans to bring Miyabi was a very brilliant idea and need thumbs up. Let us looked forward to his arrival, or even we reject her arrival, it's up to you, you are determining

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'Millionaire' Contestant Makes Worst Use Of Lifelines Ever

NEW YORK Idaho resident Kathy Evans brought humiliation to her friends and family Tuesday when she set a new standard for stupidity with her appearance on the popular TV show, 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’.

It seems that Evans, a 32-year-old wife and mother of two, got stuck on the first question, and proceeded to make what fans of the show are dubbing 'the absolute worst use of lifelines ever.'

After being introduced to the show's host Meredith Vieira, Evans assured her that she was ready to play, whereupon she was posed with an extremely easy $100 question. The question was: 'Which of the following is the largest?'

A) A Peanut
B) An Elephant
C) The Moon
D) Hey, who you calling large?

Immediately Mrs. Evans was struck with an all consuming panic as she realized that this was a question to which she did not readily know the answer.
'Hmm, oh boy, that's a toughie,' said Evans, as Vieira did her level best to hide her disbelief and disgust.

'I mean, I'm sure I've heard of some of these things before, but I have no idea how large they would be.'

Evans made the decision to use the first of her three lifelines, the 50/50. Answers A and D were removed, leaving her to decide which was bigger, an elephant or the moon. However, faced with an incredibly easy question, Evans still remained unsure.

'Oh! It removed the two I was leaning towards!' exclaimed Evans. 'Darn. I think I better phone a friend.'

Using the second of her two lifelines on the first question, Mrs. Evans asked to be connected with her friend Betsy, who is an office assistant.

'Hi Betsy! How are you? This is Kathy! I'm on TV!' said Evans, wasting the first seven seconds of her call.

'Ok, I got an important question. Which of the following is the largest? B, an elephant, or C, the moon. 15 seconds hun.’

Betsy quickly replied that the answer was C, the moon. Evans proceeded to argue with her friend for the remaining ten seconds.

'Come on Betsy, are you sure?' said Evans. 'How sure are you? Duh, that can't be it.’

To everyone's astonishment, the moronic Evans declined to take her friend's advice and pick The Moon.

'I just don't know if I can trust Betsy. She's not all that bright. So I think I'd like to ask the audience,' said Evans.

Asked to vote on the correct answer, the audience returned 98% in favor of answer C, 'The Moon.'

Having used up all her lifelines, Evans then made the dumbest choice of her life.

'Wow, seems like everybody is against what I'm thinking,' said the too-stupid-to-live Evans. 'But you know, sometimes you just got to go with your gut. So, let's see. For which is larger, an elephant or the moon, I'm going to have to go with B, an elephant. Final answer.'

Evans sat before the dumbfounded audience, the only one waiting with bated breath, and was told that she was wrong, and that the answer was in fact, C, The Moon.


Caution...they walk among us!

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

This one is actually better! (No comments needed!)




Caution... They Walk Among Us!
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Some guy bought a new fridge for his house. To get rid of his old fridge, he put it in his front yard and hung a sign on it saying: 'Free to good home. You want it, you take it.' For three days the fridge sat there without even one person looking twice at it. He eventually decided that people were too untrusting of this deal.
It looked too good to be true, so he changed the sign to read: 'Fridge for sale $50.'
The next day someone stole it!

***They walk amongst us!***
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
*One day I was walking down the beach with some friends when someone shouted....' Look at that dead bird!' Someone looked up at the sky and said...'where?'

***They walk among us!!***
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
While looking at a house, my brother asked the estate agent which direction was north because, he explained, he didn't want the sun waking him up every morning. She asked, 'Does the sun rise in the north?' When my brother explained that the sun rises in the east, and has for sometime, she shook her head and said, 'Oh, I don't keep up with that stuff'

***They Walk Among Us!!***
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
My colleague and I were eating our lunch in our cafeteria, when we overheard one of the administrative assistants talking about the sunburn she got on her weekend drive to the beach. She drove down in a convertible, but 'didn't think she'd get sunburned because the car was moving'.

***They Walk Among Us!!!!***
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
My sister has a lifesaving tool in her car it's designed to cut through a seat belt if she gets trapped She keeps it in the trunk.

***They Walk Among Us!!!!!***
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
I was hanging out with a friend when we saw a woman with a nose ring attached to an earring by a chain. My friend said, 'Wouldn't the chain rip out every time she turned her head?' I had to explain that a person's nose and ear remain the same distance apart no matter which way the head is turned...

***They Walk Among Us!!!!!!! ***
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

I couldn't find my luggage at the airport baggage area. So I went to the lost luggage office and told the woman there that my bags never showed up. She smiled and told me not to worry because she was a trained professional and I was in good hands. 'Now,' she asked me, 'Has your plane arrived yet?'...
(I work with professionals like this.)

***They Walk Among Us!!!!!!!!***
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
While working at a pizza parlor I observed a man ordering a small pizza to go. He appeared to be alone and the cook asked him if he would like it cut into 4 pieces or 6. He thought about it for some time before responding. 'Just cut it into 4 pieces; I don't think I'm hungry enough to eat 6 pieces.Â

***Yep, They Walk Among Us, too.!!!!!!!!

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Prayer

I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, "Go, throw yourself into the sea," and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done to him.
Mark 11:23 –

whatever you ask  for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Mark 11:24 –

UNEMPLOYED GRADUATE:

An unemployed graduate woke up one morning and checked his pocket. All he had left was $10. He decided to use it to buy food and then wait for death as he was too proud to go begging. He was frustrated as he could find no job, and nobody was ready to help him.

He bought food and as he sat down to eat, an old man and two little children came along and asked him to help them with food as they had not eaten for almost a week. He
looked at them. They were so lean that he could see their bones coming out. Their eyes had gone into the socket. With the last bit of compassion he had, he gave them the food. The old man and children prayed that God would bless and prosper him and then gave him a very old coin. The young graduate said to them 'you need the prayer more than I do'.

With no money, no job, no food, the young graduate went under the bridge to rest and wait for death. As he was about to sleep, he saw an old newspaper on the ground. He picked it up, and suddenly he saw an advertisement for people with old coins to come to a certain address.
He decided to go there with the old coin the old man gave him. On getting to the place, he gave the proprietor the coin. The proprietor screamed, brought out a big book and showed the young graduate a photograph. This same old coin was worth 3 million dollars. The young graduate was overjoyed as the proprietor gave him a bank draft for 3 million dollars within an hour. He collected the Bank Draft and went in search of the old man and little children.
By the time he got to where he left them eating, they had gone. He asked the owner of the canteen if he knew them. He said no but they left a note for you. He quickly opened the note thinking it would lead him to find them.

This is what the note said: 'You gave us your all and we have rewarded you back with the coin,' signed God the Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost. 1 Kings 17:10-16; Matthew 11:28-30

PRAYER:
Here is your financial blessing! It's a simple prayer, you've got 30 seconds. If you need a financial blessing,continue reading this e-mail.
Heavenly Father, most Gracious and Loving God,
I pray to you that you abundantly Bless my family and me. I know that you recognize, that a family is more than just a mother, father, sister, brother husband and wife, but all Who believe a nd trust in you.
Father, I send up a prayer request for financial blessing for not only the person who sent this to me, but for Me and all that I have forwarded this message on to. And that the power of joined prayer by those who believe and trust in you is more powerful than anything.
I thank you in advance for your blessings.

Father God, deliver the person reading this right now and those who will read it in the near future from debt and debt burdens. Release your Godly wisdom that I may be a good steward over all that You have given me Father, for I know how wonderful and mighty You are and how if we just obey You and walk in Your word and have the faith of a Mustard seed that You will pour out blessings.

I thank You now Lord for the recent blessings I have received and for the blessings yet to come Because I know You are not done with me yet.

In Jesus name, I pray,
Amen

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