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1. 
   Review - Disk2vhd

   1.63 (Oct 17, 2010)

   This rating is not for the product itself. I would install anything this dev team produces and give it the highest rating. My issue is with Microsoft.
   
   Bottom line: I ported over an XP machine, but had activation issues which rendered my virtual machine worthless. So, I have to try something else.
   
   Here's the how and the why.
   
   I have a specific need to continue to support several applications that I have been building on XP SP3, using Microsoft Visual C++. However, I am also eager to upgrade to Windows 7. I am familiar with Virtual PC and VirtualBox, but I don't feel like wasting the time to configure a new machine when I could just port my old XP dev environment over to a Virtual Image.
   
   Disk2vhd sounded like the perfect solution at the perfect time. I created an image of my XP machine, copied it over to my Window 7 machine, and tried to fire it up in VirtualBox. The first thing that came up was the Microsoft activation page. I had to enter in a product key in order to continue. It is either that or shut down the machine. I tried every path through that maze, but the only way to continue was to enter a valid XP activation key. Being a member of MSDN, I can download Windows images and obtain activation keys. I looked up my key, and discovered that I could use the key to activate 10 machines; I had used up 1 activation, and had 9 left. I obtained another key (now I have 8 left), and entered it into the Virtual XP's activation window. It was not accepted. I tried the other key, but that was not accepted either. Now, I have wasted 1 of my ten keys, and have nothing to show for it.
   
   This might be a great product, but what good is making a virtual image is activation issues prevent you from actually running it?

2. 
   Review - Microsoft Zune

   4.0 (Sep 15, 2009)

   I'll have my HD as soon as UPS delivers it. But, to be prepared, I downloaded this software.
   
   It's not necessarily bloated. The setup package is a ZIP file that breaks down into many smaller programs. There are separate 32 and 64 bit setup packages in English, French, and Spanish. There's also a setup for .NET and numerous Windows updates, necessary to run the software. There's also a firmware upgrade for the device.
   
   I must add that I have been scouring the Internet for days to find a comprehensive, and not superficial review. I have yet to find one that told me other than the bare essentials that you can read in an ad on Best Buy or Amazon. How does the web browser work? What can you do with it? How easy it is to connect to your home wireless network? Can you synch or stream music from your home PC? What is the quality of reception of the HD radio?
   
   In response to all these reviewers, I don't really care about subscribing to some software store, as I already own 124 gig of music. I'm not looking for games or apps. I am buying the player to play the music I already own. I don't really care about the UI, as I tend to pick out some music, put the player in my pocket, and listen to the music. I don't care about constantly diddling with a UI or impressing other people with it.

3. 
   Review - FolderShare

   14.0.1331.0415 Beta (Apr 23, 2008)

   I would like to try using it, but when I install it on my computer, it says it's checking my account on the server, and it comes back to me saying that I need to download a newer version at www.foldershare.com. I try downloading from that website and still keep getting the same message. If I can't install it, I can't try it. If I can't try it, I can't rate it.
   
   And to top it all off, when I try and register with my personal Email address, it says that account has already been used. But, when I log into to their server using this account, and ask to reset my password and send me the new password, it says that account doesn't exist!

4. 
   Review - Microsoft Windows Live OneCare

   1.5.1890.34 (Apr 12, 2007)

   Use this software at your peril. I bought a 3-machine license and installed it on 2 different XP machines (Media Center and Pro). While installed, I couldn't get an Internet connection. After I uninstalled it, I found my firewall to be completely trashed. I cannot start the traditional MS XP firewall, even though I get constant harrassing reminders to do so. I would, but I can't. I even ran the Live One Care cleanup tool (twice!), and still no firewall.
   
   Also, I am so disgusted with recent MS "upgrades" trashing my machine, I turned them off and restored my machine to earlier, happier days when at least I could boot my machines.
   
   Normally, I am a huge Microsoft supporter, but I am starting to waver.

5. Comment - Is Windows 8's app store better late than never?

   1.5.1890.34 (Aug 19, 2011 - 6:10 AM)

   Some of us "over here" do not "cherish" the Apple brand. What planet are you living on?
   
   It's a little silly to think of the Windows 8 App Store being "late". If so, Windows 8, itself is also late. But, Microsoft has had its marketplace for years. At least since Vista came out.

6. Comment - iPad kills HP TouchPad, is BlackBerry PlayBook next?

   1.5.1890.34 (Aug 19, 2011 - 6:05 AM)

   Is the iPad still the center of your universe? Did not Android also have anything to do with it?

7. Comment - Nielsen: Most Android apps used sparingly

   1.5.1890.34 (Aug 19, 2011 - 6:03 AM)

   Who replies on Nielsen? Only all the companies that advertize on radio and TV. And, when it comes to measuring app use on phones and tablets, cite us another survey that tells us something different from the Nielsen results. Until then, it's your opinion vs Nielsen -- a company that has actually studied the situation.
   
   Also, your spelling isn't fool-proof. I would get it checked.

8. Comment - Nielsen: Most Android apps used sparingly

   1.5.1890.34 (Aug 19, 2011 - 6:00 AM)

   This is what I have been saying all along. It's not how MANY apps are in the store, but how many you USE.

9. Comment - Office 365 becomes Office 364 with Wednesday outage

   1.5.1890.34 (Aug 18, 2011 - 4:26 AM)

   This is why I am not impressed with the cloud.