We are going back a few years and wanted to let windows users know a little more of the packages and differencies of Windows Vista as we have not been writing about that particular subject before.

Windows vista different versions

Windows Vista comes in following different versions Home Basic, Home Premium, Business and Ultimate. These versions are also available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

Windows vista different features

The below main features can be seen as microsoft sales pitches for the windows vista operating system when it was officially launched.

- Most secure windows ever, with windows defender and windows firewall.

- Quickly find what you need, with instant search and windows internet explorer 7.

- Elegant windows aero desktop experience, with windows flip 3D navigations.

- Best choice for laptops, with enhanced Windows Mobility Center and Tablet Pc support.

- Collaborate and share documents, with Windows Meeting Space.

- Experience photos and entertainment, in your living room with Windows Media Center.

- Enjoy Windows Media Center, on TV's throughout your home with Xbox 360 and other devices.

- Protect against hardware failure, with advanced business backup features.

- Business networking and Remote Desktop, for easier connectivity.

- Better protect your data, against loss or theft with Windows Bitlocker Drive Encryption.

Only Windows Vista Ultimate contains all above features and 64-bit version is included in the Vista Ultimate media box.

Now, many of you have probably had dreams of making your own operating system that suits each and every of your needs and operates flawlessly while looking beautiful and sleek.  Anyone could probably think of one or more things that they would like to change about Windows 7, Snow Leopard, Linux, or any other operating system out there.  While many of us spend time dreaming and wishing that an operating system could be perfect, there are other people out there who are actually taking the initiative to make the perfect operating system.  One such person is a man named Barton Smith.  Late last year (2008), Barton Smith published his conceptualization of the future of operating systems.  He has dubbed his operating system Locus (unrelated to the Unix-based operating system of the same name developed by UCLA in the 1980s).  This article will cover some of the Locus features that are worth drooling over.

Combining cutting-edge technology with a cutting-edge operating system

These days, networking is all the craze.  Whether it has to do with local area networking, wireless networking, or wide area networking, the technology world is becoming increasingly interconnected.  Smith takes advantage of this fact by turning Locus into what he dubs a "location-based operating system".  Basically, the Locus operating system taps into Wi-Fi and GPS mapping systems to locate where the user is, seamlessly switching to user-set profiles depending on the location of the user.  For example, you can have profiles for your kitchen, living room, office, car travel, airplane travel, or any other location or activity.  When the operating system "senses" that you are in a particular location or partaking in a particular location, it will change to the corresponding profile or "panel" (as they are called in Locus) that you have made.  You can also change the panel whenever you want, so you have complete control over your operating system and your device.

Smooth and beautiful interface

One of the major pluses of Locus is that it not only has some amazing features, but it also looks beautiful.  There are currently videos of the Locus operating system concept that detail its design and functions.  Locus makes use of a system called Documents Explore, which makes for an integrated and seamless desktop experience.  Instead of opening various applications in different windows (much like the operating systems and programs of today), Locus allows users to simply touch or select documents which will then zoom to the front of the screen and the editing tools will fade in to allow you to work on the document.

With all of the great features that Barton Smith has thought up for his Locus operating system, it would be an understatement to say that this is something worth waiting for.  Personally, we can't wait for this operating system to come out (if it ever does).  Let's just hope that Smith's ideas don't get stolen before he can fully develop Locus into a working operating system.

It seems that the people of Nokia are really working hard. Summer of last year, they afforded us glimpses of the upcoming mobile operating system Symbian^4. Although they haven't released the actual product yet, another teaser comes up that gives consumers a more refined idea of what to expect form the communications company.

The company has already submitted a proposal, authored by the Head of User Experience Design for Nokia Symbian Devices, Elizabeth Dykstra-Erickson, and is now asking for reactions from its users and developers. Gaining people's attention, the "User Interface Concept Proposal" contains more technical aspects of the much awaited Symbian^4.

What are the new additions to noted in the released proposal?

A few of the small additions that you might find notable are the top and bottom menu bars that can disappear completely off screen. Hence, the menu will be cut back down and streamlined into four basics, namely music, photos, applications, and contacts. As mentioned, the ultimate objective of the S^4 user interface is to "simplify the S60 experience".

In the proposal, Nokia has been honest about the similarities and dissimilarities of their S^4 to competitors. For example, the moveable homescreen is much like Androids.  However, instead of having one multi-panel screen, Symbian will adapt independent pages for the functions. The flattened application library adapted by iPhone also comes into play; however, Symbian will not be going for manual organization. Instead, Nokia have opted for an alphabetically arranged layout. Also mentioned is Palm's WebOS exit commands with Symbian saving the condition when exiting rather than keeping the application running in the background. It seems that users can also expect more consistency throughout the Symbian^4.

Symbian^4 is on its way

Of course, keep in mind that these are only proposals and currently has no guarantees for outcome. However, the proposal comes from Symbian's largest costumer, so the odds of it being approved are on their favor. Hopefully, Nokia will be addressing the problems found in its current Symbian. What makes this interesting is the fact that Nokia still doesn't have an OS that is specially made for touch screen phones. For N97, they are using a version of the Symbian S60 which doesn't really mean much since it only add touch-phone elements, but leaves the remaining factors as it is. Hence, we should be able to expect something more from Nokia's upcoming mobile operating system.

The bad news is that we won't be able to see the results until sometime around 2011. But judging from the proposal, we'll be seeing better results in the future. In the meantime, people might want to read the proposal and start figuring out for themselves if the Symbian^4 is worth all the hype.

Just recently, Google hosted a big event launching its latest Nexus One, the first model created on the Android 2.1 operating system (OS). The event mostly centered on the Android 2.1 OS and what the user's can expect from Google's latest. And now, the developers and users can get their hands on the Android 2.1 SDK and start availing of its features. So what exactly would make users love this Android 2.1? Here are some of the features you might love about the new OS:

Multiple emails

The new OS is capable of opening more than one Gmail account via the same inbox. This is especially useful for people who have multiple Gmail accounts, which when you think about it is practically everyone. Hence, you don't have to make switches anymore, subtracting the hassle of setting up two separate accounts.

Photo gallery

The photo gallery will be grouped according to dates, time, and location. This translates to a much more coordinated album. What's more, you'll be able to do your browsing via a 3D wall, which Google has adapted from COOLIRIS.

Living wallpapers

Although for some, this feature could just be one way of wasting your battery, others may find an interactive wallpaper a novelty. Especially for those who want their phones to look pretty, the interactive wallpaper feature can be one of the most attractive attribute of the Android 2.1.

Voice controls

Some people count this as an amazing feature. Imagine being able to send emails and tweets via voice directions. Now, isn't that cool? You can tell the phone what you want and it will take you there via specific voice directions. With this feature, people could find greatly increased efficiency in their daily lives, not to mention that it sounds like something out of a futuristic movie.

Weather application

It provides per minute updates via GPS and gives information ranging from temperature and humidity in your location.

Google Earth

Granted, this is not entirely new since iPhone already has Google Earth. However, some users may find that Android 2.1's Google Earth has a few tweaks that put it a few notches cooler than iPhone's.

Automatic phonebook

This device is relatively easy to use. The only thing you have to do is sign up on your Google account via phone, and just like that, everything's updated. User friendly at its best, once connected, it can automatically pull up relevant information without too much problems.

The application becomes more efficient too. No longer do you have to drag--all you have to do is tap and the application zooms in. Now, isn't that great? There are actually various features that you might love about Google's Android 2.1, but so far these are the ones you might want to watch out for.

Windows 7 has been claimed by many as one of the best operating system releases to date.  Aside from being a popular and well-received operating system, Windows 7 is also a new piece of software that many people are purchasing and installing on their systems.  While most people are installing Windows 7 from a DVD, you can have a go at using a USB drive to install Windows 7.  Some of the advantages of transferring your Windows 7 installation disk to a USB drive include the portability and ease of using a USB drive, the speed of USB drives in comparison to DVD disks, and you won't need a DVD drive to get Windows 7 installed on your computer.  This article will cover two easy-to-use pieces of software for transferring your Windows 7 DVD installation to your USB drive.

Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool

The Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool is a piece of software that allows you to copy the image file of your Windows 7 from your DVD to a USB flash drive or another DVD disc.  To use this software, all you have to do is download it (free of charge) and install it on your computer, then follow the on-screen instructions.  Those running Windows XP will need to install the Microsoft .NET Framework v2 as well as the Microsoft Image Mastering API v2.  Once your system is set up to run and use the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool, you run the program, point it to where your Windows 7 installation files are, then indicate the USB flash drive that you want to use, and follow the directions on the screen to copy the Windows installation to your USB flash drive.  Once all of that is done, insert your flash drive into the computer then browse to the "Setup.exe" file to begin the Windows 7 installation.  Another cool feature of this application is that it creates a bootable version of the Windows installation.  What that means is you can go into your BIOS and set your computer to boot from your USB drive, which will then boot into the Windows 7 installer.

WinToFlash

Another useful tool that has pretty much the same features as the software mentioned above is WinToFlash.  This piece of software is meant to help you copy a Windows installer from a CD, DVD, or hard-drive source onto a USB flash drive.  WinToFlash can be used for Windows XP, 2003, Vista, 2008, or 7, making it very versatile.  Furthermore, WinToFlash has a wizard mode that makes it easier than ever to format your USB media, copy the installation files, and prep your USB as a bootable installation disc for your Windows operating system.  Like the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool, WinToFlash is free and can be downloaded from the Internet with ease.

Reminders about using a USB flash drive to install Windows 7

-  Make sure not to remove the USB drive while the installation files are being copied onto it or during the Windows installation.

-  You may need to fiddle with your BIOS to get your computer to boot from your USB drive, so just be careful what you touch in the BIOS.

-  These methods should only be used for legal copies of the Windows operating systems.

The mobile operating system known as Android has taken the world by storm.  The Android operating system has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a project by the startup company Android Inc.  Today, Android is owned by Google and it has become a big name among consumers who want a flexible, functional, and highly customizable mobile operating system for their mobile phones.  Here are five free Android apps that you might want to give a try:

1.  For gamers -  NESoid

This little application is a treat to all of those gamers who want to get their games on the go.  NESoid is an Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) emulator, which means it can run digital versions (ROMs) of NES games.  If you want to unlock extra features, you just have to pay $3, but you can still play games with the free version.

2.  For IM lovers -  Fring

If you love staying online and keeping in contact with your friends, relatives, co-workers, and the rest of the instant messaging world, then you should grab Fring.  This peer-to-peer Mobile VoIP application allows you to talk and chat with most of the instant messaging and Internet telephony networks.  Some of the networks you can use include Yahoo Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, MSN Messenger, AIM, Google Talk, ICQ, Skype, and SIP providers.  Fring allows you to stay connected while your on the go.

3.  For the proudly productive -  Documents To Go

If you want the ability to edit your documents on your Android-powered mobile phone, then Documents To Go is the best answer.  This application allows you to view, edit, and even create documents such as Adobe PDF, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.  The free version gives you access to features for viewing, editing, and creating Microsoft Word and Excel files.  Premium features include support for PowerPoint and PDF files.

4.  For tinkerers -  Astro

If you are a tinkerer who likes to see all the files, processes, and tasks on your phone, then Astro is a great application for you.  This app allows you to view, copy, cut, paste, delete, or move files on your phone and any storage card you have in the phone.  Astro can read zip or tgz files, as well as backup and restore many of your public applications.  This handy app also allows you to send files as attachments, view and kill open tasks, and take full control over your phone.

5.  For multimedia junkies -  FxCamera

Anyone who loves taking photos with their mobile will love the FxCamera app.  This free application gives you various effects so you can make the most of your phone's built-in camera.  Some of the effects that FxCamera can give you include normal, Warhol, SymmetriCam, Fisheye, Polaroid, and ToyCam.

There were earlier rumors that the Google Chrome is readily available in the market. This time, Google itself speaks about its Chrome plans. Finally, the executives from the topnotch search engine company have decided to take away all the mystery from the supposedly upcoming operating system. Well, Google does try its hand on other projects but will always be thought of as the reason behind the search engine boom.

More details about Google Chrome

Product Management vice president Sundhar Pichai talked about what people should expect from the Chrome. The assembly took place in Mountain View HQ last November 2009. Pichai showed sample screenshots of the Google Chrome, declaring that the operating system was designed with netbook users in mind. So, Google Chrome is recommended for light, easy computing.  Though the Chrome’s code is open sourced, netbook users still have about a year to wait it out.

Based from the introduction, the Google Chrome will make everything faster and more improved. So, the operating system is working on features that already exist today. If it is an improvement of all operating systems today, will Google Chrome become the best OS when it is finally ready?

Pichai was actually asked about whether Google is heading for a head-on collision with Microsoft. Microsoft is also working its way to having its operating system widely accepted and used by netbooks. Pichai did not respond to the question directly but just laughed it off saying that the industry is experiencing “tremendous innovation in personal computing once again.”

Reactions to Google's announcement

Though the Google Chrome is still a year away from being sold, future competitors are already reacting to the announcement. For example, Microsoft believes that the Chrome frame will just expose computers to more malware. The company stated last September 2009 that Internet users are better off with Internet Explorer’s latest version. The Google Chrome frame is a plug in for web browsers and just a portion of what should be expected from the Chrome operating system. Still, the reaction coming from Microsoft may be a sign of future disputes. Even Mozilla’s maker, Firefox, joined Microsoft in criticizing the Google Chrome frame. Consumers should be wondering by now how the reactions will be like when the Google Chrome OS is out in the market. Will Google’s OS be a success or a target of constant criticism?

In 2010, Google Chrome will be released. It will be installed into some netbooks ready for selling. Google does have to rival Microsoft’s 96% claim on netbooks. Though Microsoft’s web browser, the Internet Explorer, is losing some shares, it is still the leader by a mile over Google’s Chrome browser. Right now, consumers can only speculate as to what will happen to Google Chrome operating system’s opening day. Will it ever put a dent on Windows?

Even when Windows 7 has yet to take on a more massive world market, there are already talks about Microsoft Windows 8. As rumors would have it, the major OS upgrade is set to come out tentatively by 2012. This is according to hints and comments from Microsoft insiders. And it seems that, this early, a lot of people are already looking forward to Microsoft’s latest OS  upgrade.

Microsoft has a schedule to keep

According to talks, the software giant wants to speed up its major upgrade pace. Historically, the company has been releasing its Windows upgrades every six years. Case in point is the upgrade from Windows XP  to Windows Vista. Windows XP was released in 2001. Its follow-up, Windows Vista, came out in 2007, amidst lukewarm reception and bad reviews. Vista was originally slated for release in 2006.

It was this poor reception that pushed Microsoft to release Microsoft 7 only after two years, in 2009. Even so, the Microsoft product roadmap positioned Windows 7 as the much needed update to Vista, hence, the early release. Talks have it that Windows 8 is a major upgrade from Windows 7. Thus, there are many who doubt if Microsoft can push through with such a project in just a short period of time.

Windows 8: rumors and plans

This early, Windows 8 is already being touted as the end of 32-bit operating systems. With its planned 128-bit architecture, expectations are high and forecasts remain positive.

Word on the professional networking site LinkedIn even has it that Microsoft is now looking for program managers who can work with such 128-bit architecture, as planned for Windows 8 and Windows 9.

Forecasts on Windows 8

The early spotlight on Windows 8 has gotten the tech media practitioners talking. They’ve come out with expectations and the inevitable wish list.

Randall Kennedy of Infoworld is the one to first speak of Windows 8 overshadowing 32-bit operating systems. He also posits the integration of Live Mesh into Windows 8. As Microsoft’s cloud-based multi-computer document synchronization service, Live Mesh will be a significant improvement to Window 7’s document sync services. Windows 8 may soon allow online and multiple computer file sharing. In a way, this will also see how much influence Google’s Chrome OS  will have on the Microsoft OS, pending more popular acceptance of its web-only operating system.

Another tech commentator Preston Galla of Computerworld wants to see a simpler way to integrate between the operating systems of Mac, Linux, and Windows. Current status quo still has users jumping hoops when it comes to networking between different operating systems. Likewise, he wants a better and easier version of the Windows Media Center.

Because of what Windows 8 can offer to consumers and professionals, many are looking forward to Microsoft's latest version of its operating system.

As if its decided lead in spiders, searches, and engines is not enough, Google launches its new Chrome OS, the company’s browser-based operating system. The new OS offers marked differences in data handling, such as cloud data storage, adding more user security and ease of use. It is also a very light operating system and does not eat up a lot of RAM. This is ideal for netbooks and systems that rely on cloud computing.  Being a by-product of the Chrome browser, the Chrome OS also boasts of similar security features that the browser has been known for.

How it works

Security is one of the key components in the Chrome OS. The system fuses typical system-level security systems with exploit mitigation techniques. Thus, it successfully decreases the venues for attack and the system codes that can be attacked by malicious programs. And because all applications run through the browser, the operating system is more compact and easier to control and protect.

Sandboxing has been crucial in how Chrome functions. Through sandboxing, processes and applications have minimal interactions with each other and the operating system kernel. This partitioning of processes and applications makes it difficult for any malicious attacks to affect the whole system. Crashes become seldom, if these occur at all.

Security

Security is also one of the trademarks of the Chrome OS. Contrary to current trends in operating systems, Chrome limits the ability of applications to download and run any binary. This minimizes any application compromises that open up the whole system to attacks.

Likewise, the Chrome OS boasts of a verified boot process. This boot process allows the system to start up and boot without possible harm to the system’s memory, the Linux kernel, and the partition tables. This is done through cryptography.

Since the whole Chrome OS  is secured by Google, it is close to impossible for any malicious program to penetrate and run. And even when some freak malicious programs do manage to get through the doubly secured kernel hardening and processing infrastructure, this will be immediately detected upon reboot. This sends a prompt to the user. It also initiates  self-cleaning program within the system.

The cleaning process has less hassle too than the others. Since the system data is set apart from the user data, the system can fix itself without causing the user any setting changes and lost data. Cached data is also kept intact, within the “cloud” of Google servers. Adding to user specification security, the user data within the browser, OS , and plug-ins are encrypted. Devices cannot share user data.

For any bugs found upon installation, the Chrome OS has set up an auto system update and patch. All this is done in the background, even while the user keeps on working online.
Now, that makes for a lot of exciting new stuff from a technology company that’s been very reliable and attentive to its users.

It's that time of the year again.  Time to set up the Christmas tree, hang the lights, enjoy some eggnog, put on a smile, grab your coat, and buy some gifts for your loved ones.  However, the gift of giving is oftentimes a lot more difficult than it sounds.  Finding the perfect gift for your relatives, friends, and co-workers, can take a lot of time, effort, money, and waiting-in-line at the cashier.  If you can't seem to think of the right gift for someone on your Christmas list, you may want to consider giving the gift of great software.  Computers are playing an increasingly more involved role in our lives as they help us with just about everything at the office, at home, and on the go.  So why not consider one of these great pieces of software as a Christmas gift to your loved ones?

1.  Operating systems

Two of the best operating systems in the software market these days are Microsoft's Windows 7 for personal computers and Apple's Snow Leopard for Mac.  Although these software programs can cost hundreds of dollars, they are great upgrades over older operating systems and they are sure to last for years to come, since Apple and Microsoft both offer free updates for licensed copies of their operating system.  Also, whoever receives the gift of an operating system is likely to remember you and the Christmas that they received the software every time they boot up their computer.

2.  System security

System security is essential for any and all computers these days.  Viruses, malware, spyware, hacker intrusions, phishing attempts, and worms are just a few of the many types of cyber attacks that can ruin your system and put your data at risk.  The gift of a year's subscription to a top-notch security suite software is the perfect way to show your love and care for someone.  AVG Internet Security 9.0 is a top-rated security software suite for Windows-based systems that costs $54.99 for a one-year subscription.  If your gift is for a Mac user, then you may want to get Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac, which comes from the award-winning computer security software developer Kaspersky, and costs $39.95 per year.

3.  Productivity

The gift of productivity is always welcomed and appreciated.  There are tons of productivity software out there for both Windows and Mac, but none are quite as comprehensive as the office suites.  For Windows, the Microsoft Office Standard 2007 suite provides a powerful set of programs, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.  Microsoft Office Standard 2007 costs approximately $400, but you can upgrade from previous versions for less than $300.  You can also opt for the Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 suite, which costs less than $200.  Office 2008 for Mac is a great productivity tool for Mac users.  The Business Edition of Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac costs less than $400, while the upgrade version costs less than $300. As for the Home and Student version for Mac, it costs less than $200.