Windows Weekly 152

Windows Weekly Episode 152

Topics

• SuperSite Blog gets moderated
  • And the silliness ends

• PC sales surge in Q1 2010: We could be looking at a record year
  • 81.7 million units sold worldwide, up 26 percent
  • 17.5 million units sold in US, up  18.6 percent 

• Windows 7 Service Pack 1 leaks
  • Nothing to see here, as previously promised

• Microsoft KIN launches
  • Thoughts about Microsoft's new social phone
  • Oh, and Palm is going under. Not because of KIN, but related news.

• Another reminder: End of support for Vista RTM this past week
  • Plus other OSes expiring soon. 

• Google Docs vs. Microsoft Office
  • Come on, it's no contest

Windows 7 Feature of the Week: Readyboost

• eadyBoost first appeared in Windows Vista, providing users with a way to cheaply and easily improve the performance of their PCs by utilizing a USB memory key as a memory cache. In Windows 7, ReadyBoost is improved in numerous way: It supports multiple memory devices, can work with USB memory keys, Secure Digital (SD) memory cards, and other internal flash devices, and supports over 4 GB of storage.

Windows 7 Tip of the Week: Understand your PC-to-PC sync options

• Windows 7 has an offline files feature that can be used to sync network-based files and folders to a PC for roaming access. This works OK, but there are better options for home users.
  • Live Mesh and Windows Live Sync for PC-to-PC folder sync. (Mesh adds remote PC access and web folder).
  • SyncToy 2 for keeping a running backup of a folder on one PC on another (can be one-way or two-way). This can be useful even with WHS.
  • Carbonite and many others for PC-to-cloud sync/auto backup.
• There's a lot more that could be discussed around sync ... Bookmarks/favorites sync and so on

• Some follow-ups to last week's tip:
  • Individuals can save 25 percent on TechNet Plus subscriptions too. Here's how.
  • Very small businesses (10 or fewer employees) can get free* copies of Windows Web Server Edition and SQL Server Web Edition through WebSiteSpark
  • Startups can get an amazing range of free* Microsoft software as well as support through BizSpark - Development tools (Visual Studio/Expression Studio), platforms (Windows Server, SQL Server, Office SharePoint Server, System Center servers, more), and production licenses
• Thanks to Ola Johansson for the tip on those last two

• Bonus tip: Free Starbucks coffee today only
  • "On Thursday, April 15, the company will reward customers who bring a reusable tumbler into participating stores with a complimentary brewed coffee."
• Thanks to Jeff S. for the tip.

Software Pick of the Week

• Graphic.ly - Excellent comic book platform for Windows 7, AIR and (soon) the web
• Visual Studio 2010
  • Express editions are free
  • Students can get professional for free

Significant Products

• Link URL and optional brief description

Sponsors

Audible

• Audible.com/windows
• ad times: 1:05-1:12 and 1:15:55-1:21:17

Picks

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson (UNABRIDGED) Narrated by Scott Brick

GoToMyPC

• GoToMyPC.com/Windows
• G2MyPC #9
• ad times: 0:34-0:49 and 11:07-13:14

Carbonite

• Carbonite.com and enter offer code windows weekly (Space is required!)
• Carbonite #2
• ad times: 0:50-1:04 and 1:11:33-1:14:03

Production Information

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• Notes:

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