And you thought a monitor was just a piece of hardware you plug into a VGA, DVI, or HDMI port on your computer...
"The rates of performance improvements for GPUs have exceeded Moore's law by a wide margin. Experts say GPUs have been improving at a "Moore's Law Cubed" rate, which roughly translates to a doubling of graphics processing power every year. To date, this massive graphics processing power has predominantly been used for video games, multimedia-rich suites, like video editing, special effects applications, and for high-end technical applications like computer-aided design. As a result, even though virtually every modern PC includes one, the power of the GPU is rarely used in day-to-day activities, resulting in GPUs not being a top priority in the PC design process.
Windows Vista harnesses the power of the GPU for more than just gaming. For starters, Windows Vista relies on the GPU to give all customers a better overall day-to-day desktop experience. The Windows video playback infrastructure relies on WDDM to deliver high-definition (HD) video playback and to take video playback to a level on par with the latest consumer electronics devices. In addition, there are a number of other key applications that now utilize the GPU, such as the new Windows Photo Gallery. This wider utilization of the GPU, concurrently by the operating system and multiple applications, is enabled by WDDM."
From an MSDN article on the Vista Display Driver Model
November 16, 2010
Vista Service Pack 2
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 is a good, and free, investment to make, because it ..."supports new kinds of hardware and emerging hardware standards, and includes all updates delivered since SP1"
Get it here!
Get it here!
August 28, 2010
Windows 7 Tops Windows Vista in Net Usage
Windows 7 is now slighly ahead of its predecessor, Windows Vista, in overall internet usage. Windows XP is still tops, however. Apple products continue to garner around 5% of the total.
"In less than a year on the market, Windows 7 is now being used more than predecessor Windows Vista, according to market researcher Netmarketshare.
For July, Windows 7 was used on 14.46 percent of devices accessing the Internet, compared with Windows Vista's 14.34 percent, marking the first time the newer version surpassed its predecessor. Microsoft has said that 175 million copies of Windows 7 have been purchased since the product was released last fall."
Windows 7 Usage
~~~
"In less than a year on the market, Windows 7 is now being used more than predecessor Windows Vista, according to market researcher Netmarketshare.
For July, Windows 7 was used on 14.46 percent of devices accessing the Internet, compared with Windows Vista's 14.34 percent, marking the first time the newer version surpassed its predecessor. Microsoft has said that 175 million copies of Windows 7 have been purchased since the product was released last fall."
Windows 7 Usage
~~~
Picassa Facebook Uploader
Alright, pictures from within Picasa can be uploaded to Facebook. The default Picassa install does not offer this capability, so a third party add on is needed.
Facebook Uploader is here.
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Facebook Uploader is here.
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May 21, 2010
Add On Software, Uninstall a Program
It never ceases to amaze me how many applications or software packages end up on our laptops or PCs. I have provided various levels of support and systems administration within business environments. That is because people (who have proper Administrator rights) frequently get programs installed that they do not use. In fact they do not remember installing the software at all because this software was added on as part of another package.
For example, Java and Instant Messenger programs frequently come with add ons included (toolbars, McAfee Security Scans etc etc). How does the software get added on? Well, you know how we all whiz through software installs? VERY RAPIDLY. As a result, there is usually a check mark for an add on that gets missed while we are installing something else. These programs are usually not harmful (USUALLY) but are very annoying to many people.
To remove, for Vista and later, just type in "Programs" in the "Start Search", from the lowest left point on your screen(Start menu). Then "Programs and Features" will appear in the list on the menu. Open it and uninstall any software not in use.
For example, Java and Instant Messenger programs frequently come with add ons included (toolbars, McAfee Security Scans etc etc). How does the software get added on? Well, you know how we all whiz through software installs? VERY RAPIDLY. As a result, there is usually a check mark for an add on that gets missed while we are installing something else. These programs are usually not harmful (USUALLY) but are very annoying to many people.
To remove, for Vista and later, just type in "Programs" in the "Start Search", from the lowest left point on your screen(Start menu). Then "Programs and Features" will appear in the list on the menu. Open it and uninstall any software not in use.
May 12, 2010
Microsoft Office 2010 to be FREE?!
Yes, it is true. The spanking new version of Office 2010 will be free, and available online. In other words, it will compete (keep up with?) Google Apps, the other ONLINE office package.
So, instead of purchasing a standard DVD software package with license key, you can now sign up online for access to a web site called "SkyDrive"
As MS Office has been the leading software (in sales and other realms) for years now, this will indeed be a force to reckon with in the years to come.
Here is the summary:
"How to begin using your Office Web Apps (Technical Preview) on Windows LiveFollow these instructions to successfully begin using Office Web Apps.
1. Open an existing document or create a new one in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint 2010 Beta on your PC.
2. Click File to open Backstage, a full-window file menu that gives you easy access to functions such as saving, printing, and sharing.
3. Click Share and then Save to SkyDrive (The free online storage service from Windows Live).
4. In Backstage, click Sign in. You will be prompted to enter your Windows Live ID, or create a Windows Live account. If you use Hotmail, Messenger, or Xbox Live, you already have a Windows Live ID.
5. Select from the list of SkyDrive folders that is displayed and then click Save As.
6. In the dialog box that appears, type a file name and then click Save. Click File, and then click Close.
7. Visit http://skydrive.live.com. If prompted, enter your Windows live ID and password and click Sign in.
8. Select the folder where you saved your document. Click the file and then select View.
9. You will be prompted to read and accept the terms of use. When you click Accept, you will be able to view, edit, and share your document online. To access all of your documents saved online, just log in at http://skydrive.live.com
To access all of your documents saved online, just log in at http://skydrive.live.com"
Learn more about Office 2010 (Beta)
~~~
So, instead of purchasing a standard DVD software package with license key, you can now sign up online for access to a web site called "SkyDrive"
As MS Office has been the leading software (in sales and other realms) for years now, this will indeed be a force to reckon with in the years to come.
Here is the summary:
"How to begin using your Office Web Apps (Technical Preview) on Windows LiveFollow these instructions to successfully begin using Office Web Apps.
1. Open an existing document or create a new one in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint 2010 Beta on your PC.
2. Click File to open Backstage, a full-window file menu that gives you easy access to functions such as saving, printing, and sharing.
3. Click Share and then Save to SkyDrive (The free online storage service from Windows Live).
4. In Backstage, click Sign in. You will be prompted to enter your Windows Live ID, or create a Windows Live account. If you use Hotmail, Messenger, or Xbox Live, you already have a Windows Live ID.
5. Select from the list of SkyDrive folders that is displayed and then click Save As.
6. In the dialog box that appears, type a file name and then click Save. Click File, and then click Close.
7. Visit http://skydrive.live.com. If prompted, enter your Windows live ID and password and click Sign in.
8. Select the folder where you saved your document. Click the file and then select View.
9. You will be prompted to read and accept the terms of use. When you click Accept, you will be able to view, edit, and share your document online. To access all of your documents saved online, just log in at http://skydrive.live.com
To access all of your documents saved online, just log in at http://skydrive.live.com"
Learn more about Office 2010 (Beta)
~~~
Free Security Tools from Microsoft
Microsoft Security Essentials are available for Vista. Why not download and install them? After all they are free. The download is only 6 Megabytes and is easy to install. Even if you have another antivirus application, this is another tool in the fight against spyware and malware, and yes, viruses.
"Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.
Microsoft Security Essentials is a free download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It’s easy to tell if your PC is secure — when you’re green, you’re good. It’s that simple.
Microsoft Security Essentials runs quietly and efficiently in the background so that you are free to use your Windows-based PC the way you want—without interruptions or long computer wait times."
Get the Security Tools here!
~~~
"Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.
Microsoft Security Essentials is a free download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It’s easy to tell if your PC is secure — when you’re green, you’re good. It’s that simple.
Microsoft Security Essentials runs quietly and efficiently in the background so that you are free to use your Windows-based PC the way you want—without interruptions or long computer wait times."
Get the Security Tools here!
~~~
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