Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 BETA (CPP).

For those who would like to try it out, the SP2 "Beta" is already a live download from MS TechNet.

TechNet wrote ...
Windows Server 2008/Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) Beta is an update to Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. It provides customer and partner feedback driven fixes into a single service pack, minimizing deployment and testing complexity. In addition to all previously released updates, SP2 will contain changes focused on addressing reliability and performance issues, supporting new types of hardware, and adding support for several emerging standards.

Get it via Windows Update.

Or Five Language SP2 Standalone:

ISO

x86 (intel and windows 32-bit)

x64 (Intel and Windows 64-bit)

IA64 (AMD and Windows 64-bit)

The TechNet page:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd262148.aspx?ITPID=fr2189s

Again, please be guided, this is still "Beta". Cheers to all! 8)

Transform Windows Vista into Windows VXP — the hybrid

Way back the years of "Longhorn" and up to today when Vista is the current windows version, I will never forget those applications or tweaks to make your windows XP look and feel like Longhorn/Vista.

There are a lot of Vista-haters out there. We can't blame them, we are all entitled to our own preferences and opinions.

Anyways, this tweak or workaround is the other way around.... making Vista look and feel like XP.

An excerpt from the article:

In this edition of the Windows Vista Report, I’m going to show those of you who hate Vista, but are stuck with it, how to convert Windows Vista into Windows XP by stripping out as many of Vista’s components as possible thereby making the OS both look and operate more like XP. We can even come up with a fancy name for the transformed OS. Let’s call it Windows VXP!

Most of the tweaks stated in the said TechRepublic article I have done previously in all our Vista machines. However, I will try the whole bunch as soon as I get my hands on a Vista machine.

Oh by the way, here is the article:
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/window-on-windows/?p=819

Cheers! 8)

Silicon Power eSATA/USB SSD

Press Release:
http://www.silicon-power.com/news/new_view.php?no=20081203001&start=0&currlang=utf8

(Taipei, Taiwan) This is not a normal USB flash drive. Silicon Power has released the availability of its pioneering product: eSATA/USB SSD (eSATA; External Serial ATA), a high-capacity handy SSD in worldwide markets. The eSATA/USB SSD features eSATA and Mini USB dual interface, hot plug and play and four-channel high performance technology. The eSATA connection has a read speed of 92 MB/s and a write speed of 48MB/s, which is 8 times the write speed of the normal USB. The eSATA/USB SSD is available in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB capacities that are ideal for those wanting high-speed data transfer, high-capacity and portability.

The eSATA connector provides external data transfer at speeds up to 3Gbps, which is higher than USB 2.0 interface with 480MB/s. It is very convenient for large volume of data transfer at a short time. The bottom of the eSATA/USB SSD is a Mini USB connector offering a read speed of 33MB/s and a write speed of 25MB/s.

eSATA/USB SSD vs. USB Pen Drive

Speed \ Device	eSATA connection	Mini USB connection	Normal USB Pen Drive
Read (MB)/s	92.2MB/s	33.9MB/s	15MB/s
Write (MB)/s	48.9MB/s	25.6MB/s	6MB/s

OCZ CrossOver USB 2.0 Flash Drive

Official Page:
http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/flash_drives/ocz_crossover_usb_2_0_flash_drive

The CrossOver USB 2.0 Flash drive is the latest line of flash media that also doubles as a microSD™ and microSDHC™ card adapter. For the on-the-go student, gamer, or professional, the OCZ CrossOver flash drive eliminates the need for card readers and transfers your important multimedia files to and from your computer, phone, and camera.

The integrated card reader is compatible with the latest microSD and microSDHC media cards. This convenient feature enables you to expand the CrossOver’s 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB onboard storage capacity, as well as view and transfer your files from your microSD device. Combining a durable aluminum design and discrete card reader, the sleek and versatile CrossOver features excellent instant plug-and-play and ingenious capability to store and transfer via high-speed USB and microSD.

All OCZ CrossOver flash drives come backed with a 2 year warranty for unparalleled peace of mind, upholding the OCZ commitment to quality.

Nokia N97