Download Squadhttp://www.downloadsquad.comDownload Squadhttp://www.downloadsquad.com/media/feedlogo.gifDownload Squadhttp://www.downloadsquad.comen-usCopyright 2008 Blogsmith, LLC. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/wattOS: Light weight, Ubuntu-based Linux distrohttp://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/07/12/wattos-light-weight-ubuntu-based-linux-distro/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/07/12/wattos-light-weight-ubuntu-based-linux-distro/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/07/12/wattos-light-weight-ubuntu-based-linux-distro/#commentsFiled under: , ,

WattOS
WattOS is a new Linux distribution that's based on Ubuntu, but designed for low-power machines. It has low system requirements, which means you can run it on older hardware. But the developers are also hoping to build advanced power management features into the OS so that you'll have a full Linux desktop experience without consuming much power (by today's computer standards).

The operating system comes in four flavors:
  • wattOS: The core operating system which features a Gnome desktop
  • mWattOS: Uses the Xfce interface
  • µWattOS: Features a command line interface and a light-weight GUI
  • Substation: A server edition
WattOS is currently available as a public alpha, which means there's still a lot of work to do, but the operating system is perfectly usable, if a little rough around the edges. It comes with a stripped down set of applications. For examle, instead of OpenOffice.org you get AbiWord and Gnumeric. But WattOS supports apt-get and the Synaptic Package Manager, which makes it easy to add additional applications.

[via Sizlopedia]
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]]>linuxubuntuwattosBrad Linder2008-07-12T10:00:00+00:00Best Buy charges $20 for Ubuntu: Good news or bad for Linux?http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/07/11/best-buy-charges-20-for-ubuntu-good-news-or-bad-for-linux/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/07/11/best-buy-charges-20-for-ubuntu-good-news-or-bad-for-linux/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/07/11/best-buy-charges-20-for-ubuntu-good-news-or-bad-for-linux/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Best Buy Ubuntu
Like many other versions of Linux, Ubuntu is available as a free download. In fact, if you don't want to download a 600+ MB disc image, you can even request a free CD. It'll take up to 10 weeks to ship, but you don't have to pay a penny. So it's kind of baffling to see Best Buy selling Ubuntu for $19.99. There's nothing preventing anyone from charging for Ubuntu. But since it's available for free, why would you pay?

It's possible that customers who had never even heard of Ubuntu before could come across an Ubuntu package in a Best Buy store or on the company's web site and be persuaded by the low price (compared with other operating systems like Windows or OS X). So the move could help grow the market for Ubuntu and other open source software. And of course, it'd be hard to get a store like Best Buy to carry software without charging for it.

Canonical's director of corporate services, Steve George, says that the goal is to provide Ubuntu to customers who are looking for software and support. The version sold at Best Buy comes with 60 days of support service.

What do you think? Is the fact that Best Buy is carrying Ubuntu good news for the Linux distro and open source software in general? Or is this like asking people to pay for air?

[via Digg]
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]]>Brad Linder2008-07-11T10:00:00+00:00Windows XP ain't the only OS retiring this year: Goodbye Windows 3.11http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/07/10/windows-xp-aint-the-only-os-retiring-this-year-goodbye-windows/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/07/10/windows-xp-aint-the-only-os-retiring-this-year-goodbye-windows/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/07/10/windows-xp-aint-the-only-os-retiring-this-year-goodbye-windows/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Windows 3.11
Microsoft may have sent Windows XP into partial retirement in June, but did you know that you can still pick up a copy of Windows 3.11 for Workgroups? Microsoft has been allowing OEMs to license the ancient operating system for embedded devices for years. But Windows 3.11 for Workgroups will no longer be available after November 1, 2008. So hurry up and get your copy (if you're an equipment manufacturer) now! Or don't.

In other news, CNET reports that Windows XP is selling like wildfire at online retailers like Amazon. That's because while Microsoft may no longer be offering the operating system through retail channels, any store that's still got a few boxes in stock can continue to sell Windows XP until the inventory is gone.

Right now Windows XP Home version is #15 in software sales at Amazon, while Windows XP Pro is #14. It's not clear how many copies the retailer has left, but the operating system is currently listed as "in stock."

[via Ed Bott's Windows Expertise]
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]]>end-of-lifewindows-3.11windows-xpBrad Linder2008-07-10T12:00:00+00:00Xandros buys Linspirehttp://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/07/03/xandros-buys-linspire/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/07/03/xandros-buys-linspire/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/07/03/xandros-buys-linspire/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Linspire 6
Xandros isn't exactly a household name, but the little Linux distribution struck it big (well, biggish anyway) last year when Asus decided to slap a customized version of the operating system on its uber-popular Eee PC laptop lineup. And now Xandros appears to be flexing its muscles a bit. The company this week announced that it has purchased Linspire, the company behind the Linspire and Freespire Linux distributions.

Linspire started its life out as Lindows, and was designed to be as much like Windows as possible. The idea behind the Linux distribution was to make the transition from Windows to Linux nearly seamless. That never quite happened, but Microsoft still didn't take too kindly to Lindows and forced the company to change its name to Linspire a few years ago.

While Linspire (like any Linux distro) can run many Windows programs thanks to WINE, the company's primary advantage over other distros is its super-simple "Click'N'Run" (or CNR) repository system which allows users to download and install free and commercial applications.

Xandros has no plans to eliminte the Linspire (which costs $50) and Freespire (the free version of Linspire). But the acquisition will give Xandros access to Linspire's intellectual property like CNR, which means new versions of Xandros could be even easier to use than the version Asus is using for the Eee PC.

[via E-Commerce News]
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]]>linspirelinuxoperating-systemsxandrosBrad Linder2008-07-03T13:30:00+00:00Microsoft softens Windows XP restrictionshttp://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/07/03/microsoft-softens-windows-xp-restrictions/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/07/03/microsoft-softens-windows-xp-restrictions/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/07/03/microsoft-softens-windows-xp-restrictions/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Eee PC XPMicrosoft may have ceased offering Windows XP to retail customers, but that doesn't mean you can't get your hands on the venerable operating system. The company is allowing PC makers to offer customers a "downgrade" option if they purchase a new computer with Windows Vista Business or Ultimate. And Microsoft has been trying to fend off the Linux threat (more of a mosquito than an alien invasion) posed by ultra-low-cost laptops like the Asus Eee PC by allowing some cheap laptop makers to use XP.

Originally, Microsoft was only letting PC makers get away with that low-cost option if a PC met strict requirements. For example, it had to use 1GB of RAM or less, have a 10.2 inch or smaller display, and less than 80GB of storage capacity. Now IDG news is reporting that Microosft is easing off on some of those requirements.

Here's the new definition of an ULPC (Ultra Low Cost PC):
  • Display: 14.1 inch or smaller
  • Hard drive: 160GB or less
  • CPU: Single Core, and no more than 1GHz (with exceptions for low-power processors like the 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU used by the Eee PC 901, Acer Aspire One, and MSI Wind)
  • RAM: 1GB
Will this move be enough to help Microsoft maintain its market share? We're going to tentatively say yes, because honestly, we're not convinced that Linux-based laptops were going to make much of a dent anyway. Especially ULPC Linux based laptops, which are so cheap that many users are picking them up as second and third computers, not primary machines.
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]]>eee-pculpcwindows-xpBrad Linder2008-07-03T11:30:00+00:00Ubuntu 8.10 alpha 1 packs a new theme (finally)http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/30/ubuntu-8-10-alpha-1-packs-a-new-theme-finally/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/30/ubuntu-8-10-alpha-1-packs-a-new-theme-finally/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/30/ubuntu-8-10-alpha-1-packs-a-new-theme-finally/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

New theme! Om nom nom nomNever one to rest on their laurels, the Ubuntu team is hard at work on the next cutting edge version of their popular distro, Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex (who the heck names these releases?).

As with most other Ubuntu alphas, there isn't much to write home about yet. However, much to our surprise, it has a new interface theme, for the first time since Dapper Drake. "That ugly brown theme", as many people on the internet referred to it, has been the standard on Ubuntu for over a year now, and you either love it or hate it.

"NewHuman" takes the art of Ubuntu in a new direction, and only time will tell if it makes it into the final release, scheduled for October of this year. Those who are interested in participating in the testing process may download an ISO image from the official site. As always, the Alpha versions are not recommended for production machines, so distro shufflers need not apply.
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]]>AlphasHuman ThemeHumanThemeLinuxUbuntuIan Dumych2008-06-30T09:00:00+00:00Linux Mint Elyssa: Ubuntu Hardy with a fresh aftertastehttp://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/27/linux-mint-elyssa-ubuntu-hardy-with-a-fresh-aftertaste/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/27/linux-mint-elyssa-ubuntu-hardy-with-a-fresh-aftertaste/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/27/linux-mint-elyssa-ubuntu-hardy-with-a-fresh-aftertaste/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

MMM, mintyIf you haven't heard of Linux Mint by now, you probably aren't listening very well. Mint is a distro that is heavily based on Ubuntu, but has gradually evolved on its own, with unique management tools and a stunning set of artwork (no dirt brown here!). This latest iteration brings clarity and convenience to the newest Ubuntu base, 8.04.

The most obvious improvement on its parent distro is the fact that it actually contains codecs and Flash support out of the box. The desktop layout is more similar to Windows, making this a good migration path for Microsoft refugees.

For those already familiar with Mint, this new version may not seem very different at first glance, but one big difference between this release and pretty much every other Linux distro is the inclusion of Flash 10 beta. Flash on Linux has been a rather sluggish experience for a while now, but on our humble Pentium 4 testing machine, sites like Youtube and Hulu seemed to work just as well as they do on Windows. The rest of the changes are generally little tweaks and usability improvements.

Mint can be downloaded from any one of many mirrors provided on the site, but we found the Torrent they provide to be very active and well seeded, so that is probably the best choice for now.
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]]>Desktop LinuxDesktopLinuxDistro HoppingDistroHoppingLinux MintLinuxMintIan Dumych2008-06-27T13:00:00+00:00Fiji to Microsoft: Stop using our namehttp://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/26/fiji-to-microsoft-stop-using-our-name/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/26/fiji-to-microsoft-stop-using-our-name/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/26/fiji-to-microsoft-stop-using-our-name/#commentsFiled under: ,

Fiji WaterLike most tech companies, Microsoft tends to come up with code names for upcoming software releases. Windows Vista was called "Longhorn" before it was released. And for a while, we've been hearing that Microsoft is working on an updated version of the operating system called "Fiji."

Fiji won't be Windows 7, but rather an updated version of Windows Vista that could contain additional features such as an updated version of Windows Media Center.

There's pretty much zero chance that Microsoft will ever release a product called Fiji. This is just a codename used by the developers. But apparently Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, attorney general of the nation of Fiji says he's not particularly pleased with Microsoft's use of the name. Of course, it seems that Sayed-Khaiyum may be under the mistaken impression that Microsoft will release a commercial product called Fiji, since the attorney general says the country's name should not be used for "commercial gain."

[via Ian Dixon's Blog]
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]]>codenamesfijimicrosoftwindowsBrad Linder2008-06-26T17:00:00+00:00Bill Gates in 2003: WIndows usability going backwardshttp://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/25/bill-gates-in-2003-windows-usability-going-backwards/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/25/bill-gates-in-2003-windows-usability-going-backwards/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/25/bill-gates-in-2003-windows-usability-going-backwards/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Bill Gates letter from 2003
Have you ever had one of those days when you can't seem to get your computer to do anything you want it to? Say you want to download Windows Movie Maker, so you go to the Microsoft web site, check out the download page, and simply can't find it anywhere. When you do finally find it after performing a search, the page times out before you can download it. And once you've finally managed to get it on your PC, the installation process is excruciating.

It turns out you're not the only person who has trouble getting Windows to do what you want it to. The above scenerio is described in great detail in an email Bill Gates sent in 2003. This letter was released to the public along with a huge pile of other communications as part of the antitrust litigation Microsoft's been involved in for the past few years. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer has posted the text of the entire email, but here are a few of our favorite parts:
  • Gates seems infuriated that it takes so long for Microsoft web pages to load
  • He had no idea why he would have to use Windows Update to install additional software before he could install Windows Movie Maker
  • His computer was unuseable for 6 minutes while applying updates
  • He asked why he should have to reboot his machine, which he reboots every night
Upon installing Movie Maker, Gates checks the add/remove programs dialog to see if it shows up, and instead he finds a list of programs with obscure names like Windows XP Hotfix Q329048. hHe writes "Someone decided to trash the one part of Windows that was usable?" he asked. "The file system is no longer usable, the registry is not usable. This program listing was one sane place, but now it is all crapped up."
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]]>bill-gatesmicrosoftwindowsBrad Linder2008-06-25T17:00:00+00:00Microsoft to support Windows XP through at least 2014http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/25/microsoft-to-support-windows-xp-through-at-least-2014/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/25/microsoft-to-support-windows-xp-through-at-least-2014/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/25/microsoft-to-support-windows-xp-through-at-least-2014/#commentsFiled under: ,

Windows XP SP3Microsoft may finally be phasing out Windows XP sales, but the company is telling customers that it will offer support for the operating system through 2014.

June 30th is the last day you'll be able to pick up a retail copy of Windows XP. But you will still be able to purchase a computer running Windows Vista Business or Ultimate editions and ask the computer maker to downgrade the system to XP for you. Some PC makers may offer this option for free while others will charge a fee.

Microsoft is also making an exception to the no-sales-beyond-June 30th rule for some low-cost, low-power devices like the Asus Eee PC. So it makes sense for the company to offer a few more years of support. Add to this the fact that Windows Vista adoption has been slow in some sectors, and it honestly seems like Microsoft didn't have much choice but to offer extended support for an operating system that was first released in 2001.
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]]>microsoftsupportwindows-xpBrad Linder2008-06-25T11:30:00+00:00Tiny XP Rev 09: Windows XP with cuise controlhttp://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/24/tiny-xp-rev-09-windows-xp-with-cuise-control/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/24/tiny-xp-rev-09-windows-xp-with-cuise-control/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/24/tiny-xp-rev-09-windows-xp-with-cuise-control/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Installing or reinstalling Windows can be a real hassle. Although Windows XP comes with a basic set of drivers, there's a good chance you'll have to dig out the driver disc for some of your hardware, or scour the Internet for the appropriate files. And many power users apply hundreds of tweaks to Windows for increased performance and stability. Indeed, a simple reinstall can become a full fledged weekend project.

With Tiny XP, cumbersome installs are a thing of the past. This powerful custom install disk contains hundreds of the drivers, both new and obscure, meaning no more hunting. The supercharged version of the Windows installer properly configured devices on our test machine, a Latitude 640, that even Dell didn't mention, such as an infrared port. In addition, Tiny XP installs thousands of registry hacks, that improve the system so much you'll never want to go back to the standard version. As if that's not enough, it even includes a bunch of cool options at boot time for trouble shooting, and even a fully functional copy of the Damn Small Linux live CD!

Downloading TinyXP is very illegal since it's basically pirated version of Windows. The argument between fair use and IP law isn't going to end any time soon, so use at your own risk. Don't worry though, although it might not be as easy, there are legal ways to get similar results.
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]]>Custom XPCustomXpDamn Small LinuxDamnSmallLinuxDSLRegistry HacksRegistryHacksSlipstreamIan Dumych2008-06-24T15:30:00+00:00Nokia buys out Symbian, announces platform to go open sourcehttp://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/24/nokia-buys-out-symbian-announces-platform-to-go-open-source/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/24/nokia-buys-out-symbian-announces-platform-to-go-open-source/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/24/nokia-buys-out-symbian-announces-platform-to-go-open-source/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

SymbianNokia has announced that it is buying out the 52 percent of Symbian that it didn't already own and opening up the platform. Nokia and a number of other companies including AT&T, LG, and Samsung have also announced the creation of the Symbian Foundation.

Now, open source software is great for developers because it mean that anyone can easily look at the code, tweak it, and write applications designed to run well on the platform. But ther's also a huge benefit for telecom companies. Nokia will provide access to the Symbian OS royalty-free to members of the Symbian Foundation. And anyone can join the foundation for a nominal $1500 annual fee.

Symbian currently has about 60 percent of the mobile browser market share. The move to make the platform open source should help Nokia and Symbian maintain that lead in the face of challenges from the LiMo Foundation and Google's Linux-based Android platform.

[via OStatic]
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]]>nokiaopen-sourcesymbiansymbian-osBrad Linder2008-06-24T15:00:00+00:00HELP! Windows cannot open this filehttp://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/20/help-windows-cannot-open-this-file/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/20/help-windows-cannot-open-this-file/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/20/help-windows-cannot-open-this-file/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Can not open dialog

You've just downloaded that must have program only to realize that Windows has no idea what to do with it. After an hour of Google searching, forum posting, and being called n00b, you finally figure it out.

If only there was a guide that showed you how to get all those needed programs. We at Download Squad feel your pain and have put together a list of 10 free programs that will take care of those pesky "Windows cannot open this file" messages once and for all.

Note: See a blatant omission or oversight? Please add it to the comments. With your help, we hope to re-post a more complete list the future.

  1. K-Lite codec pack

    File Types: DivX, XviD, AVI, Mpeg 1-4, AC3, AAC, FLAC, WAV, FLV, OGG, VOB, and tons you've never heard of.

    Description: Why there are 85,000,000 different audio and video types we have no idea. What we do know is trying to install codecs one at a time generally ends in a reformat.

    Thankfully, the good people from K-Lite (Koors Lite?) have bundled all the software and codecs you need into one executable. Cheers!


  2. Real Alternative and QuickTime Alternative

    File Types: RM, RA, RAM, RPM, RMVB, RPX, SMI, SMIL, RT, RP, MOV, QT, 3GP

    Description: Before the days of Youtube, the Real Player and QuickTime were kings of Internet multimedia. Sure you had to deal with popups, reminders, updates, and bloatware, but that 1" video was so worth it.

    Fortunately, the Real and Quicktime Alternatives removed the real in Real Player and restored the quick to QuickTime. Enjoy your 1" video!

Continue reading HELP! Windows cannot open this file

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]]>codecsextensionfreewaresharewaretoolstweet-thisutilitieswindowsAlan Silcott2008-06-20T19:00:00+00:00Giveaway: OpenSUSE 11.0 box set with all the trimmings!http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/19/giveaway-opensuse-11-0-box-set-with-all-the-trimmings/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/19/giveaway-opensuse-11-0-box-set-with-all-the-trimmings/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/19/giveaway-opensuse-11-0-box-set-with-all-the-trimmings/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

openSUSE box of goodness

The people at the OpenSUSE project are so excited about their recent 11.0 release, they're ready to share the love with a lucky Download Squad reader! And it's not that garden variety elementary school crush sort of love, either. It's the bona fide, dyed in the wool, hand-holding sort of love, complete with instruction manuals, quick start guides and 90 days of end-user installation support bliss!

The OpenSUSE 11.0 boxed version is especially nice for new users, not only because of the support and great manuals, but because it has every iteration of OpenSUSE 11.0 you could ever imagine. Need the x86 version? There it is! Got a 64 bit processor and a ridiculous amount of RAM to support? Hey, the 64 bit version's there too!

There's the usual Linux suspects, too, of course: KDE, GNOME, Xfce, OpenOffice, Firefox, GIMP, Amarok, firewall software, and AppArmor. But lest your heart become overwhelmed, there are a few hoops you have to jump through to get up close and personal with the OpenSUSE 11.0 box set of love.

In order to win the OpenSUSE 11.0 team's heart (or at least the fruits of their labor):
  • Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older
  • Leave a comment on this post and tell us what you like best about free speech and/or free beer (and keep in mind that our moms visit this site, so go easy on the free speech concerning the free beer, okay?)
  • Contest is open until 11:59 pm Eastern Time, June 26, 2008
  • You may enter once.
  • One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
  • Prize is one boxed copy of OpenSUSE 11.0, including manuals and 90 days of end-user installation support. (valued at $60)
  • Click here for complete official rules.
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]]>giveawaylinuxopensuseopensuse 11Opensuse11Kristin Shoemaker2008-06-19T19:00:00+00:00OpenSUSE 11.0 proves chameleons can take on Herons any dayhttp://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/19/opensuse-11-0-proves-chameleons-can-take-on-herons-any-day/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/19/opensuse-11-0-proves-chameleons-can-take-on-herons-any-day/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/19/opensuse-11-0-proves-chameleons-can-take-on-herons-any-day/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

OpenSUSE 11.0 GNOME desktop versionOpenSUSE has always been an odd sort of Linux distribution. It's always been reasonably user friendly, very stable, and quite nicely pulled off the not-so-easy task of being good for new users while offering advanced and power users the flexibility and freedom they require.

Yet OpenSUSE often gets a bad wrap. There's that whole Novell/Microsoft/the world is ending conspiracy thing going on, for one thing. Certainly when Novell bought SuSE, it was disturbing. What were Novell's intentions? Where were things going to go from this point? Was openSUSE going to suffer for it?

Suffer? We probably wouldn't go as far as to say that. Were the changes and improvements to the distribution immediately after Novell took the helm earth-shaking? No, not particularly. They were modest, and worked well enough, but nothing that seemed leaps and bounds beyond the previous versions.

Nothing seemed leaps and bounds beyond -- until now. Today, OpenSUSE officially rolled out the 11.0 release. OpenSUSE seems to have scrutinized itself, from the kernel to the community. The developers pushed away from what seemed like an "adapt to survive" mode, and rolled out a release with changes so dramatic and beautiful that the distribution's chameleon ("geeko") mascot seems less cute and instead genuinely fitting.

If we had one word, and only one word to use to describe OpenSUSE 11.0, it would be this:

Fast.

Yes, dear readers. We just used the word "fast" (boldface, even) in relation to an OpenSUSE release. It starts and runs applications quickly, and we can say completely honestly, it installs quickly. We aren't just talking system updates and "here and there" YaST additions. No... You can boot the liveCD and have a complete OpenSUSE 11.0 system on your hard drive in what seems even slightly less time than an Ubuntu install.
next page
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]]>installerlinuxlivecdnovellopensuseopensuse 11Opensuse11tweet-thisKristin Shoemaker2008-06-19T10:00:00+00:00Windows 7 themes for Windows XPhttp://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/18/windows-7-themes-for-windows-xp/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/18/windows-7-themes-for-windows-xp/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/18/windows-7-themes-for-windows-xp/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Windows 7 uxtheme
Sure, we don't actually have any real idea what Windows 7 will look like. But if you believe the screenshots floating around the web, the next version of Windows will look an awful lot like Vista. With a few new effects. And so when the folks at DeviantART decided to put together a few Windows 7 themes for Windows XP, it shouldn't come as a surprise that the themes look and feel a lot like Windows Vista.

That said, they're much prettier than the default themes available for Windows XP. Unfortunately, Microsoft doesn't make it easy to install third party themes for Windows XP. Officially you're pretty much stuck with Windows XP, Windows Classic, and a Microsoft Zune theme. So the first thing you need to do to install a third party theme is to install a program called UxTheme Patcher.

If you're running Windows XP SP2 or earlier, you can download a Windows 7 theme and UxTheme Patcher in one fell swoop at MegaLeecher. Just unzip the file and click the multi-patcher file in the UX Theme Patcher Folder and then click the Windows 7 M1 VS.msstyles file in the Windows 7 M1 VS subfolder in the Themes folder.

But the included UxTheme Patcher isn't compatible with Windows XP SP3. So if you have SP3 installed, you'll need to download and install a patcher from another location. Once you've done that and rebooted your system, you should be able to install third party themes like the Windows 7 theme. Just don't expect it to look like much other than a Windows Vista theme.

What are some of your favorite third party themes for Windows XP? Let us know in the comments.

[via Life Rocks 2.0 and Shell Extension City]
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]]>themesuxthemeuxtheme-patcherwindows-7windows-7-themewindows-xpwindows-xp-sp3Brad Linder2008-06-18T15:00:00+00:00Reminder: Windows Vista SP1 RC expires on June 30http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/16/reminder-windows-vista-sp1-rc-expires-on-june-30/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/16/reminder-windows-vista-sp1-rc-expires-on-june-30/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/16/reminder-windows-vista-sp1-rc-expires-on-june-30/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Windows VistaNow that Windows Vista SP1 has been out for a few months, there's no particularly good reason that you should be running an early release candidate of the service pack. But if you're too lazy to have uninstalled it, you've got about two weeks before Microsoft forces you to do so.

Starting June 30th, any machines running a release candidate of Windows Vista SP1 will only be able to run for about an hour at a time. Basically, you boot your system, it runs normally for an hour, and then the kernel shuts down and you get a message that says END_OF_NT_EVALUATION_PERIOD. At least it's fairly easy to understand.

But wait! Didn't Microsoft push Windows Vista SP1 final out through automatic updates? Well, yes, it did. But you can only install Windows SP1 if you've first rolled back any release candidates of the service pack. So if you haven't done that yet, there's no time like the present.

[via Flexbeta]
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]]>release-candidatesp1vistawindows-vistawindows-vista-sp1Brad Linder2008-06-16T14:00:00+00:00EFiX to offer USB stick that lets you install OS X on any PChttp://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/13/efix-to-offer-usb-stick-that-lets-you-install-os-x-on-any-pc/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/13/efix-to-offer-usb-stick-that-lets-you-install-os-x-on-any-pc/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/13/efix-to-offer-usb-stick-that-lets-you-install-os-x-on-any-pc/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Been thinking about trying to install OS X on your non-Macintosh PC, but don't feel like hacking a bunch of configuration files to get the system up and running? In another week or two, you may not have to. EFiX plans to release a bootable USB stick that is purported to have software that will let you install OS X on any PC with an Intel CPU, as long as you have a retail installation DVD.

Keep in mind, even though you will need to buy a legal copy of OS X to use this method, installing OS X on a non-Apple machine is still a violation of Apple's terms of use.

It's not entirely clear how the EFiX USB stick works, but it does appear to work -- under some circumstances at least. OSx86 contributor netkas got his hands on an early version and shot the video above showing what happens when he used the stick with an OS X restore disc and his Macbook. You won't be able to get your hands on one until the developers begin selling the USB sticks on June 23rd.

[via Hack A Day]
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]]>efixmacos-xosx86Brad Linder2008-06-13T15:00:00+00:00OpenSUSE traffic report: Merged forums open, drive to 11.0 on schedulehttp://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/10/opensuse-traffic-report-merged-forums-open-drive-to-11-0-on-sc/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/10/opensuse-traffic-report-merged-forums-open-drive-to-11-0-on-sc/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/10/opensuse-traffic-report-merged-forums-open-drive-to-11-0-on-sc/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Flickr user treefell road signThis morning, the good folks over at the openSUSE project announced the official launch of the merged forums. Prior to this, English speaking openSUSE users had a bit of a confusing ride when it came to joining a support community specifically for their distro -- they had the support forums at the Novell openSUSE site, suseforums.net, and suselinuxsupport.de to choose from. The merged forums, located at forums.opensuse.org, are archived and searchable, and the new forum is open for posting (openSUSE members with an account for the wiki or bugzilla will be able to use their existing accounts on the forums, but suseforums and suselinuxsupport users will need to create new accounts).

Those who have never used openSUSE might have difficulty grasping the significance of this. It seems like a little thing, really... But the real strength of Linux (and any distro) is the knowledge and experience of the community, its experiences with different bits of hardware in different configurations. That strength is undermined when the community is divided between three sites -- even if they're three very, very good sites. If a user asks a question on one site, but the person who knows the answer is on one or two of the others (or doesn't have endless hours a day to comb forums), it is a real disadvantage to the person asking, those searching for an answer to the same problem, and ultimately the distribution in general.

The openSUSE project hopes to add more languages to the merged forums in the near future. Okay, it probably won't happen anywhere near in time for the openSUSE 11.0 release (on schedule for June 19th), but we're guessing that most people really won't mind, being much too distracted with a faster install process and a new and improved version of Zypper.
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]]>communityforumslinuxnovellopensusesupportKristin Shoemaker2008-06-10T11:30:00+00:00As June 30th approaches, are you stocking up on Windows XP licenses?http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/05/as-june-30th-approaches-are-you-stocking-up-on-windows-xp-licen/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/05/as-june-30th-approaches-are-you-stocking-up-on-windows-xp-licen/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/05/as-june-30th-approaches-are-you-stocking-up-on-windows-xp-licen/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Windows XPMicrosoft may be cutting off Windows XP sales on June 30th, but that doesn't mean you won't be able to walk into a store and pick up a PC running the venerable operating system over the July 4th holiday weekend. That's because there are a whole bunch of loopholes in the cutoff date. PC World has a rundown, but here's an overview:
  • If you're a PC maker with a bunch of Windows XP licenses lying around, nobody's going to stop you from putting them on any computers you sell from now to eternity
  • If you're a PC maker selling computers with Windows Vista Business or Ultimate, you can offer customers a "downgrade" option
  • Microsoft has made an exception through 2010 for PC makers selling low cost desktops and laptops meeting strict requirements (the hard drives can't be too large, the processor's can't be too fast, etc.)
On the other hand, if you want to buy a retail copy of Windows XP, it looks like your time is running out. If you think you might need a usable copy of Windows XP in the future, now might be a good time to buy a copy.

But we're going to assume that a whole lot of people aren't paying much attention to the deadline and will wind up downloading bootleg copies of Windows XP if they need to reinstall their PC operating system sometime this fall.
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]]>microsoftoperating-systemswindowswindows-xpBrad Linder2008-06-05T16:00:00+00:00