FYI - How to Uninstall VISTA
If you upgrade to Vista from Windows XP, you may be finding it difficult to revert back to XP. Be sure you have made the necessary backups before upgrading to Vista or before attempting to downgrade your Windows Vista installation to XP. You can try to downgrade without losing data via the Microsoft Knowledge Base article at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/933168.

But the best way is to use a fresh XP CD with a fresh license key. While you can try to use a previous license of XP from that computer, it may not work, as there have been issues with Vista rendering previous XP licenses useless after a Vista upgrade. This makes sense, as Microsoft does not want you to sell the upgraded XP after you are no longer using it. So be sure to get your hands on a boxed copy of XP before attempting an upgrade.
More information can be found here: http://www.pctechbytes.com/computer/article-87.html

1.  Here is Good News!
Microsoft says to extend XP sales for five more months -
SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. (MSFT.O) said on Thursday it plans to keep selling its Windows XP operating system until the end of June 2008, delaying a scheduled transition to its newer Windows Vista software by five months...Microsoft said it decided to extend XP sales in response to feedback from computer manufacturers who said there were customers who still wanted to buy the older operating system...The company downplayed any dissatisfaction with Vista, saying it is the fastest-selling operating system in the history of Microsoft. As of the end of June, Microsoft had sold more than 60 million Windows Vista licenses.

Commentary: This specifically says licenses, no mention how many of those 60 million are actually running Vista vs how many 'downgraded' to XP.  A friend ran Vista Ultimate on his daughter's system for a month then put it back to XP.


2.  Microsoft releases the First REAL extra for Vista Ultimate: -
http://www.microsoft-watch.com/content/vista/windows_vista_ultimate_plus_or_minus.html
Update: Most user's "extras" are missing. According to Microsoft's Windows Vista blog, DreamScene should come with four scenes but most users got one. Windows Update should offer a content pack with four more scenes, but most got none.
Commentary: Many users are feeling, ah, extra something best left unsaid.


3.  Hardware Note - 17" LCD Monitors continue to increase in price and may soon become hard to get.  The best value right now are the 19" Monitors with Viewsonic leading the pack.  Most will be available with Manufacturers warranties only.

4.  NEW Hardware announcement - 1TB (terabyte) Seagate Hard Drives are Coming Soon! 

5. Microsoft Office 2007 Compatibility Issues: Microsoft Office 2007 provides a lot of new features and functionality, but what about compatibility? Here are 10 tips for dealing with compatibility issues when you upgrade to the latest versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook: 10 things you should know about Office 2007 compatibility issues

6.  Windows XP SP3? - An Upgraded XP or "Vista Lite?"
http://seekingalpha.com/article/49563-windows-xp-sp3-an-upgraded-xp-or-vista-lite


7.  Where did my 4GB of memory go?  You bought a new computer systems with 4GB of RAM and you can only see about 2.8GB. Why? Because of the 32-bit Operating System limitation.  You need a 64-bit Operating System to see all 4GB.  Remember Microsoft's 640K DOS memory limitation?  Check out http://adviceonstuff.com/?p=229

8.  Here's how committed Dell is to resellers
:  Dell Launches Mega-Bundle, But Cuts Out Channel
http://www.crn.com/it-channel/202401073.  Not only does Dell get their VAR's customers and sell directly to them, they have a big launch and don't invite their resellers.

 

We will try to keep you up to date as the news becomes available.
Please feel free to check back often - Have a Great Day!

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