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This
Month's Newsletter
Spring
is finally in full bloom in the Northwest. We hope that you're enjoying spring
wherever you live as well. It's time to dust off those Windows Mobile devices so
that you can take your computing outside and enjoy the weather!
This
month we bring you a number of items to help you get the most out of Windows
Vista, as well as pass along a few new free trials and downloads.
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Windows
News: Windows Vista Beta 2, RC1, and RC2 Set to Expire
On
May 31, 2007, the pre-release versions of Windows Vista will expire. This means
that if you are running a pre-release version of Windows Vista (Beta 2, RC1, or
RC2) you will begin to receive notifications about the upcoming expiration on
May 18, 2007. To avoid work disruption and the loss of data, it is strongly
recommended that if you are running any of these pre-release versions of Windows
Vista, you migrate your PCs to the final version of Windows Vista before May
31. To install the final version of Windows Vista on any of these
pre-release versions of Windows Vista, you may purchase the desired Windows
Vista Upgrade. The Windows Vista Upgrade must be the same language version as
the pre-release version you are replacing. To find the versions of Windows Vista
available for purchase through Windows Marketplace, click here.
New
Resource: The Windows Experience Blog
The
Windows Vista team has announced a new blog called The Windows Experience,
focusing on the user experience of working Windows Vista in a variety of ways.
For example, are you curious to know how, exactly, Windows Vista will make your
games better? Or improve the way you work with photos? Or enable you to find,
organize, and work with files? The Windows Experience blog will report on those
types of activities, and more. Click here to read the initial post
in the Windows Experience and check back regularly to find out what new
frontiers blogger Brandon LeBlanc explores with Windows Vista.
Choosing
Devices That Work with Windows Vista
Are
you wondering which devices and hardware work with Windows Vista? Get the
information you need to make informed purchasing choices. Click here to learn how to
distinguish between the "Certified for Windows Vista" and "Works with Windows
Vista" programs that have been tested to provide you with the best experience.
Top
Downloads for Windows Vista
Since
the Windows Vista release, users have been enjoying customizing the operating
system and adding gadgets, security features, and more. You can see what other
users are adding to their Windows Vista experience by going to the Downloads
page on the Windows Vista
site. The Popular Downloads tab lists the most popular downloads. Click any
link for more information about the products listed.
Get
the Latest Windows Vista Drivers
If
you want to make sure your hardware devices make the most of Windows Vista
features, or you need additional support finding answers and solutions to
Windows Vista compatibility, please check out the online resources supporting
Windows Vista users. You'll find a compatibility list of hardware products that
work with Windows Vista, help with hardware, devices, and drivers and more at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/updatemanagement/bb310559.aspx.
The
Basics of Windows Vista Gadgets
Adding a gadget to
Windows Vista is easier than you might think. You can browse through all your
available gadget options by going to the Windows Vista Gadget Gallery.
In the Browse column on the left side of the page, select the type of gadgets
you want to see. You can then click the name of a gadget in either the Popular
Downloads column or the Top Rated column to display details about the gadget.
When you have found the one you want, click Download. For more information about
adding, downloading, and even creating your own gadgets for Windows Vista, go to
the Windows Vista Gadget
Gallery.
A
Look at Windows Live Hotmail
As
you may have heard, Windows Live Hotmail has been in beta for several months,
and users working with the program rave about the great improvements. Now you
can drag and drop messages into custom folders; read through your messages
without opening them; and easily integrate your contact lists with your Windows
Live Hotmail account. You also get 2GB of storage space-and it's still free,
accessible from any device you can use to browse the Web. If you haven't yet
tried the Windows Live Hotmail beta, click here to get started.
Add-Ons
for IE 7
Are
you already an IE 7 user? You can personalize the way you surf by checking out
the fun and useful add-ons for Internet Explorer 7. Click here to go to Windows
Marketplace and find the add-ons that are available now.
Introducing
Office Accounting Express 2007
If you run a small or
home-based business, you may want to take a look at a new free trial available
from Microsoft. Office Account Express 2007 is a financial management program
designed for people who are currently using pen and paper (or Excel
spreadsheets) to manage the data in their businesses. Office Accounting Express
2007 enables you to import, organize, update, and share information in a secure,
easy-to-use environment. Built-in tools enable business owners to sell items
easily on ebay and receive payment automatically through PayPal. Click here to read the Office
Accounting Express 2007 FAQ and click here to start the free
download.
Fixing
Stubborn PC Problems
If
you are known as the PC guru in your user group, you may be used to group
members coming to you with all sorts of computer problems. In the article, "3
Stubborn PC Problems You Can Fix," technology writer Chris Tull shows you how to
troubleshoot some of the most common-and persistent-PC problems most users face
at one time or another. Click here to read the article and
share it with your group.
Resources
for Leaders
Basic
Training for Office 2007 On Office Online, you'll find a new set of
resources designed to help you begin using the major features in Office 2007
applications quickly and easily. Click here to get the basics on
working with the Ribbon, collaborating online, creating and using forms, working
with graphics, and much more. Better Together DemoYou've
probably seen online demos of Office 2007 and Windows Vista, but have you seen
the two programs used together? This online demo shows you how the
features of Office 2007 really shine when the new system is used with Windows
Vista. This is a good demo to brush up on your own understanding or to share
with your group. Great Content for Group MeetingsNeed
materials for your meetings? Check out the resources available online, including
webcasts, on-demand webcasts, and training tools you can use to enhance your
meeting with Windows Vista Tips and Tricks. Click here to find out more.
Coming
Next Month
Here
are a few of the stories we're working to bring you next month. Be sure to write
to us at mindshar@microsoft.com and
let us know what topics you would like to share with your user groups! .
Things to Try with Windows Vista . Top Office 2007 downloads . Excitement
builds for Halo 3 . Microsoft USB Flash Drive Manager . Your stories,
events, and more! Thanks, as always, for your participation in Mindshare.
See you next month! Until next time, Sheri Sullivan Mindshare
Project Manager, Microsoft Corporation mindshar@microsoft.comwww.microsoft.com/mindshare
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Big Blue and Cousins: The Greater Victoria Personal Computer Users' Association—
