Baytown Computer Tech
Software, Computer Help
Windows 7 RTM: Scheduled for July 13, 2009!
Posted by admin | Filed under Software Fixes
WZor has just posted an update regarding the signing-off of Windows 7 RTM! Here is the roadmap to RTM:
Basically, between now and July 10, 2009, Microsoft will be preparing the build containing all of the SKU’s which will be sent out to partners first, possibly Connect and MSDN/Technet subscribers next, and finally customers when it hits the store shelves! Then, on July 13, 2009, Windows 7 will officially be COMPLETED! This is bittersweet for me as I was hoping to have an RTM build to install soon, but I suppose a couple more weeks isn’t too long to wait. 
WZor also noted that employees will have access to the RTM build on July 10th, so be on the lookout for the RTM build shortly thereafter. Likewise, in regards to what the RTM build number will be, WZor says their sources report it will most likely be rounded to 7300.
So, the RTM build that leaks may look something like be:
6.1.7300.0.winmain.??????-????
More as it comes in!
http://www.wzor.net/
Weird Al Yankovic - Craigslist
Posted by admin | Filed under Software Fixes
Tribute to the Doors
Weird Al’s homage to The Doors, featuring Ray Manzarek himself on keyboards. Video directed by Liam Lynch.
How To Install Windows 7 On Almost Any Netbook
Posted by admin | Filed under Software Fixes
Windows 7 is free for now, and works extremely well on netbooks. That said, installing the OS on these tiny laptops—especially low-end models—can be daunting. Here’s how to do it, the easy way:
If the Release Candidate is any indication (and it should be), then Windows 7 will be a nice upgrade for any Windows user. The new OS, however, is a huge step up for netbook users. Vista is notoriously poorly suited to netbooks; a buggy resource hog that subjects its users to incessant dialog boxes and requires far too many clicks to perform basic tasks, it’s kind of a nightmare to use on a 9-inch laptop with a 1.5-inch trackpad.
Windows XP has been given a boost by netbooks, as its system requirements—more-or-less decided in 2001—are more in line with the specs hardware like the Eee PC and Mini 9. But let’s face it: XP is nearly a decade old. Its user experience is trumped by free alternatives like Ubuntu Netbook Remix and Linpus, and it’s not at all optimized for solid-state drives—especially cheap ones. This means that on low-end, SSD-based netbooks, it borders on unusable.
Hence, Windows 7. It’s noticeably faster than Vista on low-spec machines, properly optimized for netbook hardware, and, most importantly, free (for now). Thing is, installation isn’t quite as easy as it is on a regular PC—in fact, it can be a pain in the ass: netbooks don’t have DVD drives, which means you’ve either got to get your hands on an external drive or boot from a USB stick for a clean install. Furthermore, smaller SSDs, like the 8GB units in popular versions of the Dell Mini 9 and Acer Aspire One, make a default installation impossible, or at least impractically tight. Luckily, there are simple methods to deal with both of these problems. Let’s get started.
Best free services online
Posted by admin | Filed under online services
FrugalFilter: I used to do _____, but now I use _____ on the internet for free! Examples and …
Here are some of my favorite things to do on-line that used to cost money in the real world:
I used to pay for long-distance calls, but now I use Skype.
I used to buy stamps to mail my bills, but now I’ve discovered online bill pay at my bank’s web site. I still can’t believe that they mail out the check for me, to anyone in the US!
I once thought of paying for satellite radio (Sirius, XM), but now just listen to Pandora.
I used to buy blank CD’s to back up my data, but now I use the 2GB free storage/backup system at Mozy.
Anyways, I’m sure that there’s more to discover. What’s your favorite way to save money with the internet?
I used to buy newspapers/magazines, now I get all my news and print entertainment online.
posted by Eicats at 2:03 PM on April 7 [2 favorites]
I thought about buying a Kindle, but now they have a free app for the iPhone.
posted by GaelFC at 2:04 PM on April 7
posted by box at 2:05 PM on April 7 [2 favorites]
I used to rent movies, but now I watch Hulu.
posted by jbickers at 2:14 PM on April 7 [1 favorite]
I used to pay for cable, now I watch TV on the internet for free.
posted by leapfrog at 2:28 PM on April 7 [4 favorites]
My parents used to pay travel agents, now I use Travelocity/Expedia/Southwest/Orbitz/etc
Folks used to go to used car dealers, now I go to craigslist
posted by jcruelty at 2:31 PM on April 7 (more…)
Protecting Against the Conficker Worm
Posted by admin | Filed under Software Fixes
FrugalTech
BitDefender has released what it claims is the first vaccination tool to remove the notorious Conficker virus that infected some 9 million Windows machines in about three months.