Microsoft set to launch Windows 7, the new OS that will make up for Vista´s fiasco

The so-called Microsoft Windows 7 will finally hit retail stores on October 22. The new version of Microsoft operative system will attempt to regain the trust and confidence of Windows users and leave the oft-criticized Windows Vista on the past.

When the beta was launched several months ago, there were many viewpoints, but users concluded that Microsoft amended Vista ´s performance and speed, and fixing many bugs and polishing its interface. Windows 7 addresses many compatibility issues as well as many new features making it an operative system way more stable that Vista . In other words, Windows 7 is what Vista should have been in the first place.

Microsoft´CEO Steve Ballmer stated that “Windows 7 is the best Windows ever” and to reinforce this statement, he announced International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Vegas some of the Windows 7 enhancements and new features. According to Ballmer, the new operating system is expected to be less processor-hungry than Vista , and will feature a much simpler installation process. In addition, it will give users one-click access to the last file they worked on, fewer compatibility issues with devices such as printers and digital cameras, and a greater ability to synchronize files and data between computers within the home, and stream music and photos between machines.

Moreover, you can watch many TV shows with Media Player; Internet Explorer 8 is –of course- included in the OS. You can also run application in compatibility Mode (Windows 98/ME/Vista /XP SP3 and more); protect your data with BitLocker and more. Windows 7 will be available in 35 languages at the time of release. Windows 7 also aim for gamers by including DirectX 11, enabling developers to add new graphical features to their graphic engines.

This time, Microsoft will launch the “Home Premium”, “Professional” and “Ultimate” RTM (final) version of Windows 7 32 (x86) and 64 (x64) bits at full retail price for those who want a new license and there´s a also a retail upgrade for Windows XP/Vista users.

Microsoft is looking for vindication with the release of Windows 7 and hopefully make people forget about Vista ´s fiasco. Steve Guggenheimer, Corporate Vice President of the OEM Division, stated “As we’ve said many times, quality is our primary goal,” and it seems this time they are going the right one.

The most complete codec packs

The current wide variety of multimedia formats has become an issue when playing audio or video files. We often download videos from the internet which use different codecs and we do not always have the proper codecs to play them. How many times did you download an audio or video file just to see you couldn´t play it? Next, we will give you a short review detailing four different codec packs: K-Lite Mega Codec Pack, Codec Pack de ELISOFT, Combined Community Codec Pack and Vista Codec Package.

K-Lite Mega Codec Pack

K-Lite Mega Codec Pack is one of the most complete codec packs up to date. It includes three codec packages: K-Lite Codec Pack Full, QuickTime Alternative and Real Alternative.
Among the included codecs, we can find the most popular ones such as Divx and Xvid required for playing any DVD, as well as other multimedia formats such as MP3, MP4, MPEG, Realmedia, QuickTime and more. But that´s not it, it also offers several applications and players such as BSPlayer, Media Player Classic and Gspot codec detector.
Installation is completely customizable, this means the user selects which codecs he wishes to install. K-Lite Mega Codec Pack has several installation alternatives: K-Lite Codec Pack Basic contains only the most essential things. Standard contains everything you need to play all the commonly used formats. This package should be enough for the average user; and Full contains even more codecs. What´s more, K-Lite Mega Codec Pack detects broken codecs and filters too, eliminating them from the system and installing new ones.

ELISOFT Codec Pack

ELISOFT Codec Pack is known for its adaptability since it´s compatible with all operative systems, featuring an easy installation and un-installation.
It contains all the standard codecs to play most audio and video formats. It also includes filters to improve image and sound quality.
ELISOFT Codec Pack features the possibility of analyzing and repairing damaged video files.
ELISOFT Codec Pack enables users to play video file with several audio tracks, as well as inserting subtitles and other useful tools.

What´s special about this Pack, is that both DirectShow filters and codecs can be enabled or disabled from the program.

Combined Community Codec Pack

CCCP is a compilation of codecs originally made for playing anime videos. CCCP is simple, light-weight, safe and reliable.
Before installing CCCP, the installer detects possible codec issues with your system -previously installed codecs that is – avoiding further codec troubleshooting.
Apart from having standard codecs such as Divx, Xvid and AVI, CCCP offers free audio and video players and an application for making movie subtitles.

Vista Codec Package

Vista Codec Package is one of the first codec packages made for Windows Vista for playing non-standard multimedia files. It doesn´t contain any player, it´s just a codec pack.
One of its important features is the possibility of playing FLV files, a flash video format used by YouTube among other flash sites.
This pack includes support for all existing audio and video formats for playing the most popular codecs such as xvid and DivX and even several less common formats. We recommend installing only one codec pack at a time. In case you fell like trying another one, uninstall the current codec pack and only then proceed to installing another. Quicktime and Realmedia formats are also supported in this release, allowing video to be streamed in most cases. Although not as comprehensive as the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack, this may be suited to users looking for a lighter option that will allow more flexibility of the codecs installed.

As you´ve seen in this short review, there is not a huge difference among these codec packs, which in fact are most popular ones. For that reason you will have to choose the most suitable for your needs. In our opinion, the most complete and full-featured codec pack is Combined Community Codec Pack. Why? Because it´s small and compact, containing only what is needed for most videos; it intentionally disables support for many codecs it considers unnecessary. It thus can potentially avoid problems caused by inappropriate combinations of filters by providing an all-inclusive playback solution. Additionally, unlike many competing packs, CCCP is designed around decoding rather than encoding, and as such doesn’t include many video encoders that other packs do.
Still, other packages might suit yours needs better or you may find them easier to work with, give them a try.

Sick and tired of the same old desktop style? Bored of the same old desktop wallpapers? Screensavers make no difference whatsoever? If the answer is “yes”, then it´s time for you to try Vista Transformation Pack: the most complete Windows Vista theme for Windows XP

Vista Transformation Pack

Vista Transformation Pack is the new program for updating and configuring the visual appearance of your PC, so you can have it just the way you like it. It’s an application that lets you transform the interface of your copy of Windows XP so that it has the look of Microsoft’s more recent operating system, the Windows Vista. With Vista Transformation Pack you’ll get to change not only the visual themes, but also the startup screen, mouse cursors, screensavers, sidebars, clock, and much, much more…

Among the different changes featured in this new version of Vista Transformation Pack we can enumerate: CPU information now displayed in the Welcome Centre, background installation, a new option to install with the recommended settings for your particular PC, an added Flip 3D clone -which clones the famous Flip3D task switcher for Vista- and a new transparent glass effect for windows – without a doubt one of the most attention-grabbing features of Windows Vista. All of them will give your computer a new face.

This original application also installs several free tools, such as Glass2k and LClock. The first of these two allows you to set a transparency effect on the windows, whilst the second modifies the appearance of the clock located in the system tray.
Vista Transformation Pack features an installation process that no user will have problems with: various windows will open asking you which of the changes you wish to make, what screen resolution you prefer, and what application mode you want to use. Last of all, it’s worth taking a look at the window in which you specify the components to tweak: you can simply follow the instructions when doing this but don’t forget that this program overwrites a lot of files belonging to the operating system.

Although Vista Transformation Pack is a very stable program, it can represent a real problem to Windows. For example, some operations and features of your computer could start to take longer than usual. Also, it is a program which takes up pretty much space, which is why it is advisable that it be installed only in PCs that have a good data processing capacity.

In short, this Vista Transformation Pack new version represents a pretty interesting option for those users who want to experience their operational system’s appearance in a completely different way, and without having the need to install Windows Vista.

Download Vista Transformation Pack