windowsvista

Windows activation has been controversial from day one. Tomorrow, my friend Brian Livingston, will demonstrate a simple process that will enable any user to delay Windows Vista activation indefinitely.

WHAT?!

No software to install, no special hardware to buy – Microsoft has provided the activation workaround for you, according to Brian. His webcast is scheduled for tomorrow at 11am PDT (2pm EDT) – and the information will be posted to Windows Secrets at some point shortly after Midnight. I’m highly skeptical, but I also trust Brian to provide accurate information. Did Microsoft set the stage to reverse its activation policies? Only one bit needs to be flipped, apparently – but we must wait with bated breath for the tweak. All of my Vista installs have already been activated, but this is interesting news (nevertheless).

Read more on Microsoft Provides Windows Vista Activation Workaround…

As a follow-up to the Windows Vista Story, Lockergnomie Jerry Whelan just sent me an update about Windows Vista’s audio bugaboos…

It’s unbelievable that Microsoft would dump the HAL Layer for sound cards because doing so kills all the advanced features of all the cards. The real problem comes with home recording – ALL the controls, such as volume mixer, reverb, panning, graphic equalizer, noise removal, EAX effects, stereo tweaks, multiple inputs, and anything else you can think of that makes home recording possible and effective – well, they’re gone and you can no longer use them. In other words, you might as well make your recordings on an old tape cassette recorder.

Read more on Creative Sound Windows Vista Audio Warning…

I’m celebrating tonight’s Windows Vista launch in style – at home, on my computer, sitting in my half-finished home office, with the candlestick, watching the Plasma television screen (currently running an OS X RSS screen saver). Party of one! I’d turn on my new webcam so that you might celebrate with me, but… Microsoft’s LifeCam drivers are still wonky on Vista.

Read more on Windows Vista Launch…