The Machets’ Blog

Name: Flash Earth Price: Free

There are many different companies that offer free maps. However, some areas are not covered my many map providers, and it can be quite difficult in finding out which one will return the best results. However, a new service called Flash Earth provides a very handy and simple way to search them all, including Google Maps, Microsoft VE, Yahoo! Maps, Ask.com, OpenLayers and NASA Terra.

Flash Earth has a great interface that is better than many of those on the official websites. Give it a go today!

Name: WLM Universal Patcher++ Price: Free

Windows Live Messenger is one of the best instant messengering programs available. However, the advertisements have become more intrusive and annoying than previous versions of the program (formerly MSN Messenger). Ads appear at the bottom of the main window as well as as text in every chat window. Many people also find the tabs to be an annoyance, as well as the search feature if Windows Live Search is not your preferred search engine.

Fortunately, there is now a way to take back control and remove all the annoyances. WLM Universal Patcher++ is a small program that doesn’t require any install. It’s simple functions are self explanatory; simply choose what you want to eliminate, and they disappear! It also enables the ability to run multiple instances of Messenger. If you don’t want to change a feature (such as removing the actions pane which I find useful), you can leave it blank.

Download WLM Universal Patcher v0.9.3

Windows Vista will be available from January 30, and Microsoft has made a timer that counts down to the launch date. You can see it below.

In the coming weeks, you will quickly start to see two new logos on software and hardware packaging. “Certified for Windows Vista” and “Works with Windows Vista” stickers will be slapped onto the boxes. Basically, “Certified for Windows Vista means that the program or hardware meets specific requirements and there should be no problems using it.

Products that “Work” with Vista have not been altered specifically for Vista but all aspects should work fine.

You will be able to tell if the programs you use on Windows XP will work with Vista by running the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor; a small program which also recommends an appropriate version of the new operating system to suit your needs.

If you would like to listen to the new sounds of Windows Vista, Long Zeng has created a short video that compares the sounds to those of Windows XP. You can listen to them on Soapbox.

Shortly sending Office 2007 off to the manufacturers, Microsoft has completed Windows Vista and it too has been RTMed.

Microsoft confirmed that Windows Vista had been released to manufacturing on Wednesday.

Both Office and Vista will hit the stores worldwide on January 30, 2007, and those that had purchased a new Windows XP computer recently will be able to upgrade to the new operating system then.

It has been a very long ride for Windows XP’s successor. After a few screenshots of Windows Longhorn to the four major test versions, beta 1, beta 2, RC1 and RC2 (which I tried but didn’t review). This excellent version of Vista will see computing evolve.

Until Windows codename Vienna (Vista’s successor)!

So you know what to look for when you purchase Windows Vista, but which edition is best suited to you? When it is launched in December 2006 and January 2007, there will be two versions for businesses, and consumers will be able to choose from three ‘home’ editions.

Windows Vista Commercial Editions

Computer users in a business environment will be subjected to one of two versions of Microsoft’s newest operating system. Windows Vista Business will offer businesses security and other features that will assist in maximising productivity in the office. Windows Vista Enterprise will only be available direct from Microsoft as it is designed for large, global organisations with complex networks and systems.

Windows Vista Consumer Editions

There are three versions of Vista for home, standalone and small networked computers. The entry level system, Windows Vista Basic, is fine for anyone who does basic functions on their computer, including reading email, using the internet and running simple programs such as Microsoft Office Word. The Aero effects will not come with Vista, and this edition is suitable for cheaper or older machines. The most common edition of Vista will be Windows Vista Premium, which includes the infamous Aero interface as well as enhanced programs such as Windows Media Center (for home entertainment systems — and yes, it’s named “Center” and not “Centre”). But to get the best experience, you will need to spend about 30% of the price of a new computer to purchase Windows Vista Ultimate. The second and third major tests were review on The Machets’ Blog was the ultimate edition. It includes features that everyone will enjoy, from entertainment features like DVD Builder to Business applications such as the new in-built Windows Calendar. Ultimate edition is the only version of Vista that will support Tablet PCs, so the price of these portable computers is set to rise.

As in Windows XP, there will be another edition designed for emerging markets in third world countries. Windows Vista Starter will be sold as a legal alternative to using unauthorised copies in countries where piracy is abundant. Starter will lack most of the features and reasons that one would want to upgrade, however it is expected to be reasonably popular like its predecessor (Windows XP Starter Edition recently sold 1 million units).

Europeans will be offered the same business and consumer editions as above, but due to legal reasons that are trying to prevent Microsoft becoming more of a monopoly, these versions will not include programs like Windows Media Player, but will still be offered as a download.

Microsoft has announced that its newest Office suite, Microsoft Office 2007, has been released to manufacturing (RTM).

From December 1 in the United States and Canada, users will be able to download a trial version of Office and purchase it if they desire. Download availability is coming soon after this date for the rest of the world. We can expect to buy Office 2007 from retail stores by January 2007; the same time Windows Vista is expected to arrive.

Microsoft Office 2007 is, in my opinion, the very best version of Office to date as it includes brand new features that are easier to find and use. It is not a different coloured or slightly different version of Office 2003, and make writing, calculations, email and more a breeze.

Microsoft wants to ensure that you’ll never lose your Windows Vista and Office 2007 boxes again. This is probably due to the fact that if you lose the Product Key, you’ll have to buy another one (unless you can recover it from your computer). They also want to make the boxes look attractive while also making them look superior to anything yet created.

So, here’s what you’ll see on the shelves (click to enlarge):