Another permanent gadget on my desktop from the Windows 7 Personalization Gallery is the Woot Gadget:

This gadget provides you real time info on what the current Woot of the Day is and also tracks Woot Off’s live. 

Never heard of Woot before?  Check them out at their website – Woot.  Each day they offer one deal – that is a Woot.  On a day where there is a . . . → Read More: Woot Windows Sidebar Gadget]]> Tweet

Another permanent gadget on my desktop from the Windows 7 Personalization Gallery is the Woot Gadget:

This gadget provides you real time info on what the current Woot of the Day is and also tracks Woot Off’s live. 

Never heard of Woot before?  Check them out at their website – Woot.  Each day they offer one deal – that is a Woot.  On a day where there is a Woot Off then several products may be offered in order as they sell out.

You have to keep an eye on Woot as you never know what deal might show up or how quick they will sell.  This gadget helps you do that right from your desktop without having to visit the website until your ready to order the item.

Happy Wooting!

Download the Woot Sidebar Gadget

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Microsoft’s newest version of the Xbox 360 and a Kinect for Xbox 360 Sensor together in one package as a bundle.  OK sounds like a deal.

This newly available bundle includes:

This entire bundle is available for only . . . → Read More: Kinect and Xbox 360 250GB Bundle Available for Pre-Order From Amazon.com]]> Tweet

Microsoft’s newest version of the Xbox 360 and a Kinect for Xbox 360 Sensor together in one package as a bundle.  OK sounds like a deal.

This newly available bundle includes:

• Xbox 360 250GB Console
• Kinect Sensor for Xbox 360
• Kinect Adventures Game – rated "E" for Everyone
• Xbox 360 Black Wireless Controller and Xbox 360 Headset
• Xbox 360 Composite A/V cable (standard definition)

This entire bundle is available for only $399.99 and will ship at no cost with Super Saver Shipping.

So is this bundle worth it?  Well lets take a look at the individual item costs:

• Xbox 360 250GB Slim = $299.99
• Kinect for Xbox 360 Sensor = $149.99
• Kinect Game = $49.00
• Total Cost of Individual Items = $498.98

Your total savings by purchasing this bundle is $98.99 – turns out to be a good savings – especially if you do not own an Xbox 360 already.  This will get you a complete gaming setup for less!

Order the Xbox 360 Console (250GB) and Kinect for Xbox 360 Bundle from Amazon.com

So are you going to do it?

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Microsoft has posted an updated version of the Microsoft Outlook Hotmail Connector for download:

With Microsoft Outlook Hotmail Connector 32-bit/64-bit, you can use Microsoft Office Outlook 2010 32-bit/64-bit to access and manage your Microsoft Windows Live Hotmail or Microsoft Office Live Mail accounts, including e-mail messages, contacts and calendars for free!

Outlook Hotmail Connector enables you to use your Live Hotmail accounts within Outlook:

As we continue exploring the contents of the Windows 7 Personalization Gallery here is another very whimsical and light colored theme for your desktop:

Download the Daydream Windows 7 Theme

See our list of WindowsObserver.com Windows 7 Themes Downloads and learn how to make your own Windows 7 themes to share.

Related Posts: Imagination Windows 7 Theme . . . → Read More: Windows 7 Daydream Theme]]> Tweet

As we continue exploring the contents of the Windows 7 Personalization Gallery here is another very whimsical and light colored theme for your desktop:

Download the Daydream Windows 7 Theme

See our list of WindowsObserver.com Windows 7 Themes Downloads and learn how to make your own Windows 7 themes to share.

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Curious about what 32-bit and 64-bit means when it comes to Windows?

Let Microsoft help you out with a series of frequently asked questions about the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows:

What is the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows?

The terms 32-bit and 64-bit refer to the way a computer’s processor (also called a CPU), handles information. The 64-bit version of Windows handles large amounts of random . . . → Read More: Questions About 32-bit and 64-bit Versions of Windows]]> Tweet

Curious about what 32-bit and 64-bit means when it comes to Windows?

Let Microsoft help you out with a series of frequently asked questions about the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows:

What is the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows?

The terms 32-bit and 64-bit refer to the way a computer’s processor (also called a CPU), handles information. The 64-bit version of Windows handles large amounts of random access memory (RAM) more effectively than a 32-bit system.

See all the 32-bit and 64-bit Windows Frequently Asked Questions

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The September updates have been posted to the Microsoft Download Center:

New to this months updates are those for the 2011 version of . . . → Read More: Microsoft Map Program Updates for September 2010 Released]]> Tweet

The September updates have been posted to the Microsoft Download Center:

• Streets and Trips 2010 and MapPoint 2010 Construction Update
• MapPoint 2006 and Streets and Trips 2007 Construction Update
• Streets and Trips 2009 and MapPoint 2009 Construction Update
• Streets and Trips 2008 Construction Update
• Streets and Trips 2006 Construction Update
• Streets and Trips 2011 and MapPoint 2011 Construction Update

New to this months updates are those for the 2011 version of the Microsoft mapping programs.

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No not that Microsoft Bob – this one:

This is page one of a two page brochure Microsoft posted for download yesterday.  This is a continuing campaign to bring attention to the illegal use of software and Microsoft’s efforts to prosecute anyone they catch selling illegally installed software on computer systems.

Don’t be this Microsoft Bob!

Download the Don’t Get Caught Anti-Piracy Fact Sheet

Related Posts: Microsoft Continues . . . → Read More: Microsoft Bob Is Back]]> Tweet

No not that Microsoft Bob – this one:

This is page one of a two page brochure Microsoft posted for download yesterday.  This is a continuing campaign to bring attention to the illegal use of software and Microsoft’s efforts to prosecute anyone they catch selling illegally installed software on computer systems.

Don’t be this Microsoft Bob!

Download the Don’t Get Caught Anti-Piracy Fact Sheet

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As I am digging through my daily RSS feed review I am really amazed at how much coverage the Google weird Doodle is getting today.

I mean even all of these main stream news sites have covered it today:

On top of all those sites you have . . . → Read More: Why Is Everyone Writing About Google and their Unique Doodle Today?]]> Tweet

As I am digging through my daily RSS feed review I am really amazed at how much coverage the Google weird Doodle is getting today.

I mean even all of these main stream news sites have covered it today:

• CNN
• MSNBC
• ABC
• CBS
• FOX
• WASHINGTON POST
• NPR
• USA TODAY
• CHRISTIAN SCIENCNE MONITOR
• NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
• WALL STREET JOURNAL
• ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION
• TIME

On top of all those sites you have the tech blogs and others that are also posting about this – all for a group of moving color balls.  Amazing.

Oh yeah – don’t forget Twitter – it is currently trending under two topics:

• Doodle
• Homepage

By the way – curious what the Balls In Motion really stand for?  I think it is a social experiment in how to get absolutely free advertising and buzz (sorry Google – no pun intended) for something you have done – this one is an absolute success.

What do you think it is all about?

P.S. Ooops, I guess I added to the mayhem with this post didn’t I!

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Did you know that Microsoft has nearly 100 language files that can be used on Windows 7 and Windows Vista?

They come in two types:

Language Packs. If you’re running the Ultimate or Enterprise edition of Windows Vista or Windows 7, you can download any of the 33 available language packs by using Windows Update. Language packs provide a translated version of Windows dialog boxes, menu items, and help content.

Another one of my permanent sidebar gadgets in Windows 7 is from the Windows 7 Personalization Gallery gadget section – the All CPU Meter:

This gadget adapts based on however many cores you have, up to 24, and allows you to keep an eye on the level of work your processor is doing.  It also tracks your RAM usage, shows your CPU clock speed and the graphic changes to show . . . → Read More: CPU Meter Windows 7 Sidebar Gadget]]> Tweet

Another one of my permanent sidebar gadgets in Windows 7 is from the Windows 7 Personalization Gallery gadget section – the All CPU Meter:

This gadget adapts based on however many cores you have, up to 24, and allows you to keep an eye on the level of work your processor is doing.  It also tracks your RAM usage, shows your CPU clock speed and the graphic changes to show the manufacturer of your processor.

The author of this gadget provides a great breakdown of the entire gadget interface:

Download the All CPU Meter

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• Woot Windows Sidebar Gadget

If you happen to be experiencing network connectivity issues in Windows 7 then this troubleshooting guide from Microsoft can be very handy in getting to the bottom of it.

This tutorial is designed to help you identify and fix network connection problems in Windows. This tutorial doesn’t cover network connection problems related to specific programs. Network connection problems can be caused by cables that aren’t connected properly, corrupt drivers, incompatible drivers, . . . → Read More: Troubleshoot Windows 7 Network Problems]]> Tweet

If you happen to be experiencing network connectivity issues in Windows 7 then this troubleshooting guide from Microsoft can be very handy in getting to the bottom of it.

This tutorial is designed to help you identify and fix network connection problems in Windows. This tutorial doesn’t cover network connection problems related to specific programs. Network connection problems can be caused by cables that aren’t connected properly, corrupt drivers, incompatible drivers, network connection settings, missing updates, and hardware or software problems.

Not only can you follow along with this troubleshooter online but there is a XPS and PDF version of it that can be printed out and used offline while working on the connectivity problems.

Download Troubleshooter in XPS

Download Troubleshooter in PDF

Visit Windows 7 Network Connectivity Issues Page

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As we begin a new week we continue our exploration of the various items available in the Windows 7 Personalization Gallery.  Today we are sharing two different desktop wallpapers that show off some Autumn colors as we get ready for fall here in the US and other parts of the world:

Download Golden Leaves Background

Download Autumn Leaves Background

If you’re a blogger and using Windows Live Writer to prepare your blog posts then this plugin can come in very handy for tweeting out new posts to your Twitter account as they are published.

Send a Tweet announcing your newly published blog post. A shortened link to your post is automatically generated through the TinyURL service. Customize your default message in the options menu.

I am mentioning this because . . . → Read More: Twitter Notify Plugin for Windows Live Writer Updated]]> Tweet

If you’re a blogger and using Windows Live Writer to prepare your blog posts then this plugin can come in very handy for tweeting out new posts to your Twitter account as they are published.

Send a Tweet announcing your newly published blog post. A shortened link to your post is automatically generated through the TinyURL service. Customize your default message in the options menu.

I am mentioning this because it has been updated to work with Twitters oAuth authentication process that went into effect last week.  Prior to this update it had stopped working due to that change over.

Currently this plugin uses a shortened URL via the TinyURL service however my good friend, Scott Lovegrove, has created a tweaker for this plugin so you can modify it to use your favorite URL shortening service.

Download Scott Lovegrove’s Twitter Notify Tweaker

By the way, if for some reason your not using Windows Live Writer – then you should be.  It has changed the world of blogging!

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It seems the first official commercial for Windows Phone has hit the Internet via YouTube on the Windows Phone UK page:

Apparently The Revolution is Coming – personally I can not wait for it to get here.  After Windows Phone 7’s recent RTM it will soon be time to get the handsets in everyone’s hands and see what this phone can really do.

At the end of the video it . . . → Read More: First Windows Phone 7 Commercial On YouTube]]> Tweet

It seems the first official commercial for Windows Phone has hit the Internet via YouTube on the Windows Phone UK page:

Apparently The Revolution is Coming – personally I can not wait for it to get here.  After Windows Phone 7’s recent RTM it will soon be time to get the handsets in everyone’s hands and see what this phone can really do.

At the end of the video it directs you to visit the windowsphone7.com website which had additional news, buzz and additional multimedia and info about Windows Phone 7.

So do you plan to join the revolution?

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At the Google Privacy Center they have recently posted a highlighted entry about their privacy policies that indicates a significant shift is coming as it relates to Google, its products and privacy:

We are updating our privacy policies to make them more user-friendly and to better reflect how our products work together. Find out more details about the updates and read the new policy. The updated policy will take effect on . . . → Read More: Google Privacy Gets Transparent]]> Tweet

At the Google Privacy Center they have recently posted a highlighted entry about their privacy policies that indicates a significant shift is coming as it relates to Google, its products and privacy:

We are updating our privacy policies to make them more user-friendly and to better reflect how our products work together. Find out more details about the updates and read the new policy. The updated policy will take effect on October 3, 2010.

Instead of a separate policy for each of its products there is now one page of privacy policy and it applies to all the products, services and websites provided by Google.  They do indicate they may provide more in depth information about a product and how it uses the information you provide but the general policy applies across the board.

You have to imagine that this change to a clearer policy without all the legalese is in response to lessons they have learned watching Facebook go through their privacy issues over the last several months.

I say this is a good thing and I hope it starts a trend of companies simplifying their privacy policies to fully protect their customers data and keep it all out in the open how it will be handled.

What do you think – Good, Bad or Indifferent?

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It seems my wife’s garden is in a second cycle of blooming as the temperatures here in North East Florida start to cool down a little as Summer comes to a close.  So I grabbed the camera and snapped some shots of the unique and colorful flowers that are out there.

Of course my next step is to share them with all of you as I typically do to show off . . . → Read More: New Windows 7 Theme for Margo’s Garden Labor Day 2010]]> Tweet

It seems my wife’s garden is in a second cycle of blooming as the temperatures here in North East Florida start to cool down a little as Summer comes to a close.  So I grabbed the camera and snapped some shots of the unique and colorful flowers that are out there.

Of course my next step is to share them with all of you as I typically do to show off just how easily Windows 7 lets you share the themes you create.

Margo’s Garden Labor Day 2010

Download Margo’s Garden Labor Day 2010 Windows 7 Theme

See our list of WindowsObserver.com Windows 7 Themes Downloads and learn how to make your own Windows 7 themes to share.

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