Windows Xp

ICQ, an instant messaging service, has launched a new service called ICQ Universe. The new service features an invitation-only membership. The key feature of the service is the networking of friends and colleagues. Essentially, the service hopes to provide a safer way for people to meet. ICQ Universe is like viewing your friends' and colleagues' buddy lists. It enables someone a chance to view a broader list of contacts that includes friends of people you know personally. It's all about who you know on ICQ Universe.

As you may have heard, Microsoft has decided to extend retail sells of Windows XP until the end of June. This is great news for Windows users not interested in the new Windows Vista operating system. However, it leaves very little time left for the undecided who prefer XP yet whom were trying to wait to buy until the bugs in Vista are worked out. Decision time is nigh; do you choose Vista or go for XP? Are you among those weary by the thought of using Windows Vista yet have the need or desire to purchase a new computer?

When you hear the word spyware, a red flag automatically pops up - or at least it should. Spyware is a type of software that installs itself onto a user's computer with little or no knowledge to the user and then it tracks a user's surfing habits. The Gator Corporation is a company that provides controversial advertising practices and eWallet services; the latter is the well-known Gator eWallet. The Gator eWallet program is a name that has become synonymous with the word spyware.

Hurrah for us! The chance to purchase a subsidized netbook is finally an option here in the U.S. The 3G netbooks are subsidized when purchased in combination with a mobile data plan. Dell was the first netbook manufacturer to provide this option. Dell is offering its Dell Inspiron Mini 9 with an optional AT&T built-in mobile broadband for an additional $125. Dell's offer includes a $120 rebate when you sign up for a new, two-year, $60-per-month AT&T service plan. Read more at Click here to see Website . Other netbook manufacturers also are offering their netbooks with AT&T 3G access.

I have some good news for all of you Windows 98/98SE and Windows ME users that I'm sure you'll be glad to hear. Microsoft has changed its plans and decided to extend support for Windows 98/98 SE and Windows ME until June 30, 2006. In addition to this, they are going to keep the self-help online resources available for users for exactly one year after phone support ends. The company was originally planning to end support for the Windows 98 family of operating systems last Friday, and support for Windows ME was set to expire in December of this year.

Today will be the first part of the adventures of exploring a computer's Control Panel. The Control Panel is the central location where a computer user can manage the various functions of the system. While I won't go into depth on all of the more than 20 options, I will elaborate a bit on a few of the most commonly used options in the Control Panel. First off, let's get there. The easiest way to get to the Control Panel is simply by double clicking on the My Computer icon on the Desktop, then double-clicking on the Control Panel icon.

This is my last column of the year, so I thought it would be time for a year-end technology in 2009 recap. This isn't a month-by-month recap, but more of a top eight most notable list. First up are my beloved netbooks. Netbooks have been the technology game changers since they first debuted. They have caused a chain of reaction that has led to cheaper computing options such as full-sized laptops for less then $300. Windows XP's life was extended thanks to netbooks much to the delight of Windows users.

Backing up Outlook Express e-mails and settings on a system running Windows XP can be a tedious task if done manually. However, the task can be made so much easier if a computer user uses Windows' built-in File and Settings Transfer Wizard. The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard can be found by clicking on the Start Menu, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools. Here's how: Select Old Computer, Next, then Other for the transfer method, type in a folder name, then click Next. On the transfer window, select Both files and settings and check the box below it so you can select a custom list of files and settings.

Excitement is bubbling over in the Mac world, as Apple launched Friday the latest version of its operating system, tagged Mac OS X Leopard. This version of the OS comes with an impressive set of more than 300 feature improvements. Among the many features included in Leopard are those that enhance the way its users deal with files. One of those features is a new addition to Finder called Cover Flow, which lets users browse their files in the same manner as they browse their music.

Monday, Linspire officially closed its legacy Click and Run (CNR) Warehouse. For six years, Linspire's legacy CNR service provided software installations and security updates for users of Linspire 3.0, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0. 5.1 and Freespire 1.0 Linux. Read more at http://media.linspire.com/mailers/Warehousemessage.html . All CNR software management will now be done exclusively from Linspire's new CNR service located at www.cnr.com. CNR.com is compatible with the following Linux distros: Freespire 2.0, Linspire 6.0, Ubuntu 7.04 and 7.10.

March 15 marks the date that Microsoft will begin transitioning its Live Messenger service users to Skype. This move will be for all Messenger users except those who live in China. The initial announcement for this merge of services was mentioned in mid-November 2012 on a Skype blog post at http://blogs.skype.com/en/2012/11/skypewlm.html. Microsoft confirmed the actual March 15 date in a mass email sent to its Messenger users last week. In other Skype related news, a new client for Windows (both 32-bit and 64-bit)

Installing old 32-bit software on a new 64-bit computer running Windows 7 or higher can be a challenge. This week, I will be addressing this issue, in particular what happens when one tries to install an older Adobe CS2 Suite that previously was used on an old 32-bit Windows XP computer onto a new PC running Windows 7 64-bit.  The installation starts without issue. However, during the installation, it becomes complicated after the installer shows a default install location as “C:Program File (x86)

It’s been a while since I’ve visited my mailbag, so today I will address a few mailbag questions. First up is a question from Linda S., who writes: “By accident, I deleted the clock on my sidebar and it’s not in the recycle bin and can’t find how to add a clock to the sidebar. Also checked my gadget and it’s (not) showing there either. Do you have any idea?” A: If you are running Vista ,try the following to restore the default Windows gadgets, which includes the Clock gadget: Right-click on an empty area in the Windows Sidebar, and click Properties.

Microsoft has revamped its TechNet membership program with a new branding name and a new addition to the subscription tiers. The TechNet program is designed for the IT professional community. The program gives these IT pros access to Microsoft software such as their operating systems, productivity suites and many more. This access gives an IT pro the opportunity to test, evaluate and troubleshoot the software extensively, prior to deployment. The TechNet program now will be referred to as TechNet Subscriptions.

This is my last column of the year, so I thought it would be time for a year-end technology in 2009 recap. This isn't a month-by-month recap, but more of a top eight most notable list. First up are my beloved netbooks. Netbooks have been the technology game changers since they first debuted. They have caused a chain of reaction that has led to cheaper computing options such as full-sized laptops for less then $300. Windows XP's life was extended thanks to netbooks much to the delight of Windows users.

Hurrah for us! The chance to purchase a subsidized netbook is finally an option here in the U.S. The 3G netbooks are subsidized when purchased in combination with a mobile data plan. Dell was the first netbook manufacturer to provide this option. Dell is offering its Dell Inspiron Mini 9 with an optional AT&T built-in mobile broadband for an additional $125. Dell's offer includes a $120 rebate when you sign up for a new, two-year, $60-per-month AT&T service plan. Read more at Click here to see Website . Other netbook manufacturers also are offering their netbooks with AT&T 3G access.

Windows XP users who have applied Service Pack 3 will notice a few changes. One that may not be apparent is the removal of the Address toolbar. This was done to counter issues raised by a regulatory agency. Read more about it at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/951448/en-us . There are several workarounds circulating to return the function of the toolbar. One requires swapping the browseui.dll file to an older version from a XP SP2 machine while another suggests to install a third-party tool.

As you may have heard, Microsoft has decided to extend retail sells of Windows XP until the end of June. This is great news for Windows users not interested in the new Windows Vista operating system. However, it leaves very little time left for the undecided who prefer XP yet whom were trying to wait to buy until the bugs in Vista are worked out. Decision time is nigh; do you choose Vista or go for XP? Are you among those weary by the thought of using Windows Vista yet have the need or desire to purchase a new computer?

Monday, Linspire officially closed its legacy Click and Run (CNR) Warehouse. For six years, Linspire's legacy CNR service provided software installations and security updates for users of Linspire 3.0, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0. 5.1 and Freespire 1.0 Linux. Read more at http://media.linspire.com/mailers/Warehousemessage.html . All CNR software management will now be done exclusively from Linspire's new CNR service located at www.cnr.com. CNR.com is compatible with the following Linux distros: Freespire 2.0, Linspire 6.0, Ubuntu 7.04 and 7.10.

Editor's note: This is the first in a two-part series about Eee PC. This week we're taking a closer look at Asus' Eee PC - pronounced EPC - one of the most popular Ultra Mobile PCs at the moment. I have been testing out the Galaxy Black Eee PC 4G for the last two weeks. The concept behind the name Eee PC lies within the three Es. They stand for Easy to Learn, Easy to Work, Easy to Play. Without a doubt, the Eee PC is true to its name. The Eee PC comes in four different models - Eee PC 8G, Eee PC 4G, Eee PC 4G Surf and Eee PC 2G Surf.