Vista - the Fiasco is Complete

Almost any computer user that had an encounter with Vista has some horror stories to tell - from slow computers, to annoying user interface; from driver incompatibility to software problems. Everything goes. The conclusion was clear, even at the very beginning - Vista is a piece of shit.

Now, studies carried out by Gartner and IDC have found that because older software is often incompatible with Vista, many consumers are trying to get used computers with XP installed, rather than buying a new PC with Vista and downgrading. Yes, that's how bad it is - businesses now prefer to buy USED computers, just to avoid Vista.

Even firms like Intel announced XP would remain the dominant OS within the company for the foreseeable future.

This proves (as if we needed more proof) that Vista is a total failure, but it also emphasizes a very important notion - Don't rush into upgrading. There are many cases in which the old version of a software or OS is better and faster. Upgrading doesn't necessarily means you are getting a better product. In fact, in many cases - upgrading is completely not needed, and might even cause problems.

Staying with your current version of a certain software might not only save you some money, but also save you a whole bunch of trouble.

Thinking of Installing IE8? Think AGAIN!

I know you are smarter than that. You don't REALLY want to install a BETA product by the all-damaging Microsoft. But say, for a second, that you had to much to drink and you you are SERIOUSLY considering installing IE8 Beta. Well - RECONSIDER.

According to Microsoft itself, you might not be able to uninstall Internet Explorer 8 once you have it on your PC. How so? Well, for Windows XP users with IE8 Beta 1 already installed, Windows XP Service Pack 3 and IE8 Beta 2 would become permanent. You would be able to upgrade IE8 but you won't be able to downgrade or remove it. Why? Who knows why? That's Microsoft for you.

IE8 Beta 2 will not work with several key services, applications and add-on programs, including certain versions of the Windows Live Mail. IE8 Beta 2 users also are currently unable to view movies on demand from Netflix.

According to Microsoft, IE8 Beta 1 was only intended for use by developers. Consumers running Windows XP need not worry about downloading IE8 Beta 2 so long as they did not install Beta 1.

Confused yet? Yeah, me too. Not that I am thinking about installing that thing on my precious computer, anyway. I'll stick with Firefox 3 and IE6 - if you don't mind, that is. You have been warned, folks. Now don't you go and do dumb things.

Help Set a Firefox World Record!

Wanna help set a world record? Easy!

All you have to do is get Firefox 3 during Download Day to help set the record for most software downloads in 24 hours.

Over 77,800 pledges have been registered thus far, and the number is rising fast. Join the party and have some fun with the best browser ever!

Some useful Firefox links:

• Firefox homepage
• 15 Cool Firefox tricks
• 30 Great Firefox Extensions
• 50+ Useful Firefox Extensions for College Students
• 16 Firefox Add-ons For Web Designers

The Best Freeware Sites

Good old freeware is always a great thing to find. Especially if it's a really good program, like Taskbar Shuffle and the sort.

Here is a list of some great freeware sites. Remember, if you enjoy a program, consider donating some money to the developer. This way, freeware will remain FREE:

• Snapfiles Freeware Section
• NoNags
• Grandfiles
  
• TechSupport - freeware utility list
• eConsultant Freeware list
• Freewarebox
• Best Freeware
• Freeware Guide
• A list of 300 freeware programs

Enjoy!

What a Wonderful List: 480+ Open Source Applications

Mashable.com has delivered again: an excellent list of over 480 Open Source applications.

Naturally, you won't need ALL of them, but a few might be extremely useful. It's very interesting to see how much open source has become part of the life of the computer user - many times without them knowing that they are using open source software.

What's really amazing to me, is the amount of times that these programs prove to be a hell of a lot better than the "regular" commercial programs. I think Pidgin is an excellent example - it's an Instant Messenger that allows you to use all of your IM accounts in one place. There's nothing new about that, but Pidgin does the job wonderfully.

It's simple, it connects instantly, it has all of the options of the "regular" IMs and it looks better than most of them. I enjoy using it, and I love the fact that it was made by people who really understand the needs of a computer user.

I also love Media Player Classic, which easily and effortlessly solved a lot of codec and drivers problem I had while playing videos on my computer.

These programs are the proof that it can be done better, lighter, more efficient and more fun. When I enjoy a program very much, like the amazingly efficient Taskbar Shuffle (Microsoft, oh Microsoft - how in the hell didn't YOU think about that), I also make it a point to donate the creator. In this case, it's not open source, but I don't really care. It's the only time that I really ENJOY paying for a piece of software.