TECH: Retirement for some Microsoft Products 6/30/09

Today (6/30/09) is the end of the line for MSN web messenger, which is one of the last remaining pieces of the MSN brand of a few years ago. MSN Web Messenger is being retired effective today to make way for the new integrated Hotmail with Messenger (which was released a few months ago). As of now, if you need to connect to the messenger service, and are on a machine where you can’t install the normal client (Library, school, work) you will be able to access your messenger as part of your hotmail access. For those who do not use hotmail for email, you can still log into hotmail using your messenger address and just ignore the email portion of your screen or adjust your screen size to only show the messenger part of the window.

There are also other options for accessing a Windows Live list other than the MSN provided web Messenger or Hotmail (Meebo or the Yahoo Web Messenger are 2 of the most common).

Additionally, today (6/30/09) Microsoft Money, Microsoft Encarta and Windows Live OneCare are also all meeting the “Glue Factory”.

Contest: Windows 7 survey could get you a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate Edition

Something I found from the blog of Stephen Rose (who is Sr Community Manager – Windows Client IT Pro) (http://blogs.technet.com/stephenrose/ (http://blogs NULL.technet NULL.com/stephenrose/) ).

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“Another chance to win a copy of windows 7!

We had so many responses from our last survey, we are doing it again. One lucky winner will get a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate Edition when it becomes available this Oct. Find the survey here (http://www NULL.surveymonkey NULL.com/s NULL.aspx?sm=m3JUWwZRopxsrICu6SV4Vg_3d_3d) and good luck!

Also, congratulations to Deirdre Wingell winner of our last contest who wins a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate and a cool piece of Windows 7 swag!

Contest closes on June 30th at 12pm PST so hurry!”

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Which means that if you fill out a survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=m3JUWwZRopxsrICu6SV4Vg_3d_3d (http://www NULL.surveymonkey NULL.com/s NULL.aspx?sm=m3JUWwZRopxsrICu6SV4Vg_3d_3d) that you would be in the running for a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate. The survey is all of 4 questions and is multiple choice.

For those who are worried about spam, you can just use an email address from Hotmail or Gmail (Just make sure you check it). You have until 3pm (EST) to enter.

Good Luck!

**For disclosure, I am in now way related to or have anything to do with this survey or contest. I’m just passing on info, for information purposes.

And More: Compare shipping rates – Fast & Free

Just came across this one, and since I do ship packages on a regular basis, I have already found good use for it. The site is called ShipGooDER ( http://shipgooder.com/ (http://shipgooder NULL.com/) ) and it allows you to compare shipping rates for everything from local carriers to national shippers (FedEx/UPS). The site which doesn’t ask for you to sign up or enter any personal information, is very simple to use. From there main page all you do is enter the To/From zip codes and the number of packages / weight and select search and what you get is

which will let you pick from a break out of pricing by number of days or by couriers (The map choice gives you a Google map breakout of the distance you have selected). So if you ship this may be a good way to save….

Troubleshooting: Sony Cybershot DSC-S40 white screen

This one comes courtesy of my mother. She has a Sony Cybershot and while visiting she told me that her camera wasn’t working that when she turned it on, it would make all the noises that it is supposed to but that the display screen was white and would not show anything. The camera which is just over a yr old (figures just after the warranty ends), has had the issue for a couple of weeks.

I did some research and discovered that the Sony camera’s have an issue where something on the inside of the camera can rub against the cable that connects to the display and that will cause a short. I also discovered that the cable for the display runs across the bottom of the unit under where the screen is.

SOLUTION:

After playing with it a little I discovered that if you apply a little pressure on the right bottom corner of the screen that will move the cable and fix the short and get the screen working again.

Software: Windows 7 Coupon Offer

If your near one of 21 Micro Center Stores ( http://www.microcenter.com/at_the_stores/index.html (http://www NULL.microcenter NULL.com/at_the_stores/index NULL.html) ) then and you visit this weekend (by end of business 6/28/09) you can get a $10 off coupon where you can get Windows 7 for $10 lower than the pre-order price.

The rules to the offer from the Micro Center site http://www.microcenter.com/storefronts/microsoft/windows7/preorder.html?BrCs=498&BrCg=16184650&BrRc=1101370061

How to get your Windows® 7 Upgrade Savings Coupon:
1. Come to Micro Center between 6/26/09 – 6/28/09 and ask an associate about the Windows® 7 Upgrade Coupon.
2. Choose either Windows® 7 Home Premium Upgrade coupon or Professional Upgrade coupon.
3. Name, address and email are required, but no purchase is necessary to receive the coupon.
4. Return to Micro Center between 10/22/09 – 11/4/09 with your Windows® 7 Upgrade coupon to purchase your upgrade.

*Micro Center exclusive offer expires 6/28/09. In-store purchase only. Limit one coupon per household. Limited quantities. While supplies last. Promotion may end at any time or hour. Offer valid on Windows® 7 Home Premium Upgrade or Professional Upgrade version only. General availability of Windows® 7 scheduled for 10/22/09. California customers are required to sign up for Micro Center Rewards Program.

So if your near a Micro Center store you can get a deal on Windows 7 and not even have to Pre-order as Rule #3 says you don’t have to pay for it now. You will pay for it when you go to pick it up.

How to: Windows 7 – Minimizing Windows Live Messenger to Systray

I have been using Windows 7 Release candidate since its release on my Lenovo laptop (RC 7100 on Intel Celeron 1.73ghz w/2 1/2 gigs of memory) and its been running great. However there is one thing that has been bugging me until recently that I discovered the solution.

– Windows Live Messenger minimizes to the task bar (the area next to the start menu where you normally see other programs appear) when in the older versions it would minimize to the Systray ( the area next to the clock).

The simple way to get Windows Live Messenger back into the Systray for anyone like me that likes to limit programs on the task bar (considering I normally have 15 or 20 windows on average open on the taskbar usually is –

1 - Exit Live Messenger completely

2 – On the icon you click on to open Windows Live Messenger, right click and go to properties (left click on properties)

2 – Click on the compatibility tab and the change the compatibility mode to Vista and press ok.

3 – Click and start your Windows Live Messenger as usual from the icon, now when you minimize you will see Messenger minimize to the SysTray.*

* If you have more than one icon you use for Windows Live Messenger (Desktop, Start Menu, Quick Launch Bar, etc) you need to make the change on each one, if you don’t and use that icon without the change, then it will not go to the Systray.

Enjoy…

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Monthly Archives: June 2009