Two New Articles!

I am glad to announce the addition of two new articles! The only way to get to them right now are the links: Changing The Screensaver and Optimizing Your Hard Drive With DMA. In the next couple of days, these pages will be reflected on the main pages and on the menus.

March Site Update

It’s time for the monthly site update!

What’s New:

• New domain! (http://usingwindows.awardspace.com)
• New user interface!
• In the process of choosing a wiki (see post).
• Rollover menu in action!

What’s Coming:

• A wiki will be chosen.
• Updating new UI on pages.
• Continue to add content.

That’s all for now!

Second Life for PS3 Revealed!

Sony revealed that it will be releasing a “Second Life” for the PS3, all FREE! You will have a 3D environment to roam in, your own apartment to store things, and you can access it from your PS3 (or PSP). More details to come.

Experimental Wiki

While I am currently working out which wiki I should choose, I want to let you know that I currently have three wikis. At the end, I will choose one of them to be the official wiki. The links are:

1. The wiki that’s on my site. It’s not the one I’ll be choosing, since I have little knowledge of PHP and other programming languages.
2. The wiki that’s a notch higher on my list. This wiki works, and it is hosted on another site for free. Nice.
3. The wiki that’s top on my list at the moment. This wiki has all the benefits of the last one and wraps it all up in a wonderfully customizable user interface, more classic look, and looks more like Wikipedia, which most should be familiar with and be able to start using right away.

In the next couple of weeks, I will choose one of these wikis to be the official “Using Windows” wiki!

New User Interface!

There is a new user interface to the site! If you haven’t visited yet, the URL is http://usingwindows.awardspace.com. The logo has been expanded to fit the site. I plan to optimize and improve the logo in the future. The new UI is only on the index page for now; I plan to convert the whole site to the new UI soon. I’m still seeing what I can do with the rollover menus.

The "Using Windows" Wiki!

That’s right!  The “Using Windows” wiki has launched!  A wiki allows anyone to edit information.  It is like a free encyclopedia.  The link is http://usingwindows.awardspace.com/wiki. 

The blog is staying here at http://usingwindows.wordpress.com instead of the non-working link: http://usingwindows.awardspace.com/wordpress.  The reason is that I like the style so much and cannot duplicate it using the wordpress.org software, I have decided to stay here and use my remaining database for something else.

The “Using Windows” Forum is Up!

You heard it right, the “Using Windows” Forum is officially up! It’s the place to discuss the site, Microsoft Windows, and other OS’s! Keep in mind that I am the owner, administrator, and moderator, so follow the Terms of Service when posting! The wonderful folks at Forumer.com have hosted the forum, among many others. The link is http://usingwindows.10.forumer.com. Have fun!

Vista And Office 2007 Will Be Available For Download

Microsoft has announced that they will be making Windows Vista and Office 2007 available for download. With plenty security and anti-hacking options in place, they think they’re ready to do this. I can imagine that many users will take advantage of this opportunity, although I rather the packaging and official authenticated Microsoft CD. I might download Office 2007, but not Windows Vista. We’re looking at one exciting year!

First Look at PS3 (cont.)

I’m continuing my first look of my new PS3 system!

1. There are 20 GB and 60 GB configurations. Obviously, the 60 gig configuration is better, if you’re willing to pay the extra cash. The 20 GB version lacks the media card reader, 40 GB of space, and other things, including wireless Internet capabilities, which I can’t live without.
2. A feature to connect wirelessly (tell me, what config. do you need?) to a PSP system, called Remote Play. You can watch videos, play music, view photos, and even use the PS3’s web browser using your PSP system.
3. A slot-loading drive, which I think is an improvement and buttons you touch lightly to accomplish their purpose.
4. Sony’s Playstation Store is PS3-only, and includes both free and paid games and demos, including Blu-Ray trailers and a fix to use PS2 games that require a hard drive on the PS3.

That’s it for my PS3 first look. Following in the next couple of days will be an in-depth view of the PS3’s features.

First Look at PS3

In my last post, I told you how I got a PS3. Now, it’s time to see all of its features and capabilities: (will be continued in another post

1. The PS3 brings back the XMB (Cross Media Bar) from the PSP, PSX, and some Sony TV’s. PSP, PSX and Sony TV users will be automatically familiar with the PS3 interface. Even if you are not, it’s very easy to learn.
2. The PS3 has great graphics, even on a SD TV. One game I played was Need For Speed: Carbon. The graphics were really good, with a high framerate. I also played demos of Motorstorm and GT HD. Both did exceptionally well in terms of graphics.
3. Has wireless capabilites, both with controllers and Internet access.
4. The Playstation Network launched at the same time as the PS3, including a Playstation Store, where PS3 users can download PS One classics and game demos, among other things.
5. Compatibility with PS2 and PS1 titles, making the PS3 having the largest game collection ever.
6. Support for various USB devices, including a keyboard and mouse, to help when surfing the web.
7. From above, the PS3 can also surf the web. Not as fast and full-featured as a computer, but it’s basic enough for a console.
8. Support for Linux.
9. The last one for this time: a hard drive. The PS3 comes in 20 GB and 60 GB configurations.

In the next post, I will continue this list…