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1. 
   Review - Skype for Windows

   5.5.0.114 (Aug 28, 2011)

   New version does not install on Windows 2000. Portable version does not run either, so remove Windows 2000 from compatibility list folks.
   
   Just for the curious, I down-graded my P3 laptop that I use in cable rooms to Windows 2000 running on a solid-state flash drive. Windows 2000 light and stable for testing. Running on a solid state drive means I can carry the laptop around in environments that I would not normally subject a laptop to. I use a SATA drive in the multi-bay when I need a modern OS. I believe an old P3 is much more versatile than a netbook with a 10-inch screen and no drive bays.
   
   i downloaded the last version of Skype 4.2 and it installs and runs fine in 2K. You can get old versions here: http://www.oldapps.com/skype.php.
   
   And yes, Skype for Windows is bloated. Why would anyone want a new version for Linux when you see what has happened to the Windows versions?

2. 
   Review - VMware Player

   2.5.2.156735 (Apr 3, 2009)

   I have found VMware Player the best way to run Windows applications on Linux (Ubuntu). For example: running WinXp in VMware Player allows you to use TaxCut for your taxesI Or for that matter QuickBooks for your accounting.
   I have found the performance of VMware Player much better on a 1-GHz host than QtEmu or VirtualBox. And Wine is fine for many portable win32 apps, but does not yet have enough compatibility for things like Tax Preparation software.
   I look forward to the day when serious financial software will be available in for Linux so there is no need for emulators. Office productivity and Internet applications are pretty much there now.

3. 
   Review - Microsoft Expression Web

   12.0.4017.1004 CTP1 (May 18, 2006)

   I had no problesm downloading or installing on Windows XP Pro SP2.
   
   The download page has been moved on MS site -- here is the new link: http://www.microsoft.com...6fc6&DisplayLang=en
   
   I've used MS FrontPage since ver. 1.1. Because of the extra panes in Expression, I had to increase the screen resolution to 1200x1000 in order to not have to scroll around my web page.
   
   I like the split page view. I do a lot of hand coding and this is a very handy feature.
   
   Tables and paragraphs are represented differently in Expression, however I did not feel that I was starting from scrach as I have in other non-MS programs.
   
   This program will take a lot of exploring, however after updating several dozen web pages on a FrontPage enabled Windows server, I like much of what I see.
   
   The only question I now have "is this a replacement to FrontPage or will this be a second offering (professional version) for those wishing more similar to Works vs Office?" as I've read elsewhere.

4. Comment - Firefox 5 arrives early -- get it now!

   12.0.4017.1004 CTP1 (Jun 20, 2011 - 12:29 PM)

   I think it is time for Firefox to consider Rolling Releases like the Linux community. Twice a year would be about right, with security fixes in between. I don't care how they number the releases.
   
   From what I see of Windows 8, it appears that in addition to going after the hand-held market, they have an opportunity to lock down the OS and even the Application Layer and only allow development of the GUI Tile Layer. If this happens, then Firefox and other Open Source projects will be minimalized. Mozilla needs to see the hand-writing on the wall and tie their wagon to Linux.
   
   Microsoft knows that they can not win any war that is on equal footing, so look for them to pull out all the stops before they are irrelevan in the way people connect to the Internet. I believe that Microsoft has looked long and hard at the Apple model and they have taken notice.
   
   For those of us that want an open and transparent computer, we better get behind the Open Source community and support them. Thank you Mozilla for changing the way I view the Internet.

5. Comment - Deeper inside IE8 Beta 2

   12.0.4017.1004 CTP1 (Aug 29, 2008 - 1:03 AM)

   Microsoft has been upgrading their OS through Microsoft applications since the release of Windows 95. In the early days of Windows 9x, the only way to have a smooth running system was to have IE, Works, Office, Money, Picture-It, Publisher and FrontPage all installed on your computer and use them exclusively. Woe to those who chose to use non-MS applications in the early days.
   
   Only since the release of Windows XP has their OS been complete enough to run 3rd party applications without the update (integration) help of MS applications. Why do you think corporate America pays all those licensing fees for MS applications?
   
   Of course the release of SP3 for XP has destabilized my systems to a point that I think I'm back running Win98 at times.
   
   If Microsoft thinks that having several "Blue Screens of Death" a day will get me to upgrade to Vista, they are sadly mistaken. Microsoft is simply making it easier for me to rationalize buying a new laptop that does not run the Windows platform.

6. Comment - IE8 Beta 2 adds standards mode, suggestions, 'Web slices'

   12.0.4017.1004 CTP1 (Aug 28, 2008 - 9:54 AM)

   IE8-b2 is interesting ...
   
   BetaNews.com does not render in standard mode (page is blank on WinXP Pro SP3). The browser reports 6 expected objects are missing and fails to display any text or graphics.
   
   When I enable IE6 "compatibility mode", IE8-b2 strips out all the advertising (that I otherwise have to block in Firefox 3 using plug-ins) by apparently ignoring the missing object calls.
   
   However when I use IE8-b2 as the rendering engine in Firefox 3 all looks normal. This is good news since I only use IE (as alternate rendering engine for Firefox) when I run into IE specific features during browsing.
   
   It is good to see Microsoft back working on the companies core product (software). But in my case it is too little, too late. With the exception of Windows XP, I've completely converted to open source software. My hope is that ReactOS will soon be ready for prime time.

7. Comment - Next Up to Sue Vonage? AT&T

   12.0.4017.1004 CTP1 (Oct 22, 2007 - 11:01 PM)

   I hate to see Vonage have such a tough go. I've used the service for several years and they continue to innovate and offer services long before others. Here is what's new if you are a Vonage customer: http://alpha.vonage.com

8. Comment - Supreme Court Rejects Microsoft-Best Buy Appeal

   12.0.4017.1004 CTP1 (Oct 16, 2007 - 12:21 AM)

   This should be an interesting case to follow. As I remember, Best Buy associates got spiffs (money) for signing up people to the MSN service. At the time, this was one of the few ways associates got extra money above their regular hourly rate in the computer area of the sales floor.