Are you “considering replacing your battery” since you’ve upgraded to Windows 7? Then decided to wait it out to see what Microsoft’s testing would uncover? Well, a blog article from Microsoft revealed that they “see nothing more than the normal course of battery degradation over time.”
The blog reminds us that “batteries usually have a warranty of 12 months, which is about the length of time when statistically we expect to see noticeable degradation.” And goes on to explain how Windows 7 calculates the battery life… Basically, the threshold is set at a 40% performing capacity or 60% degradation. If a battery originally had 5 hours of charge, it would now deliver an average 2 hours of charge. If a battery fails to perform at 40% capacity, the warning message appears. When testing systems that displayed the warning message, Microsoft concluded, “we’re simply seeing batteries that are not performing above the designated threshold.”
The test report discovered “only a very small percentage of users are receiving the ‘Consider replacing your battery’ notification, and as expected, we are seeing systems older than ~1.5 years.” However, if you’re still having issues contrary to these findings, Microsoft encourages you to send it in. TechNet, Microsoft Answers forum or the Microsoft Support page are their suggested means for reporting problems.
Andrew, our graphic designer here at SoftwareMedia.com, put together an animation tutorial using Adobe Flash and Adobe Fireworks (after much pushing and nagging from me, I admit). Learn how to apply motion to objects in Flash by using the classic tween feature.
If Andrew starts to bug the crap out of you, click on the image above to get him to stop waving and bobbing. Don’t worry, I got annoyed too — so I made sure he built in that click to bring things to a halt. Just kidding, Andrew… you rock, for making this tutorial….
First, Andrew reviews how to remove the background from an image using the magic wand and eraser tools in Adobe Fireworks. After the image has been cleaned up, Andrew describes how to copy it to your Flash library. He also touches on useful functions such as tracing a bitmap, creating symbols and working with the timeline in Adobe Flash.
Are there other Flash or Fireworks applications/functions/features you would like Andrew to capture a tutorial for? Let us know by leaving us comments!
Ina Fried over at CNET’s Beyond Binary blog posted a tip about a “technology guarantee” for Microsoft Office 2010. Cut straight to the chase, Ina reports how Microsoft may be offering a tech guarantee (later purchases of a product about to head for the grave are given a free upgrade to the inevitable new product being released soon) for those that buy Microsoft Office 2007 from March 5 to September 30. The tip was a quickly concealed leak from an Microsoft employee and Microsoft does not confirm anything, but it’s likely to hold true. Read the Beyond Binary post for full details.
Do you want to upgrade your Vista or Windows XP computer to a Windows 7 system? But you don’t want to spend the money for a new computer? Past versions of the Windows operating system have all grown “more resource-hungry than the last,” reports the Sydney Morning Herald. Each time a PC user wanted the latest Windows system, that user usually had to buy a new, better computer — more RAM, better processor, etc., whatever the need may be for running the new Windows system. Then came the acclaimed Windows 7 OS.
Zazz, an online retailer, refurbishes a number of computers running Windows XP. And since “Customers started asking how these computers would run Windows 8,” Zazz media manager Scott Lewis had his team run a few tests. The results of his tests? Upgrade to Windows 7 already! Upgrading is especially recommended for computers running a dual-core processor and at least 2GB of RAM. However, those with less are also encouraged to upgrade. Surprisingly “Photoshop ran faster on Windows 7 even with 1GB or RAM,” says Lewis.
If you’re ready to upgrade, be sure to read Jeremy’s post on Windows 7 Upgrade Eligibility and Paths. Also, check out the Sydney Morning Herald article for more information on Lewis’ findings and a few useful links.
Loopt, a mobile application, announced they are donating $1 for every check-in at Chipotle, Whole Foods or Panera Bread before the end of Sunday. The proceeds will go towards the relief efforts in Haiti and there’s no charge to the Loopt user either. Minutes later, I read that Gowalla, a competing app, will be launching a campaign called “Hearts for Haiti” on Monday, February 8th.
The Hearts for Haiti campaign will take place in the SF Bay Area at three specified locations — two Peet’s coffee shops and the Barenaked Ladies concert. When someone uses Gowalla to check-in at one of those locations during the event, $50 will be donated in to the Red Cross in that person’s name. Gowalla hopes to reach $20,000. In addition to Gowalla’s charitable efforts, the two Peet’s locations will also be donating 10% of sales towards Haiti efforts. Details on when to go where can be found over at the Gowalla Blog.
Take the Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition “20-Minute” Challenge: fully deploy the software in just 20 minutes. At the CRN Test Labs, Endpoint Protection SBE was installed in 16 minutes. How long does it take you?
More information about the product may be found at the Symantec website. There’s also a quick blog breaking down the challenge.
If you just want to start the timer, the product is available for download here. The product is limited 30-day trialware, but once you’re convinced and ready to commit SoftwareMedia.com is ready for you. Feel free to hit up our licensing specialists and take advantage of our software licensing price guarantee!
Have you been having issues with your battery and Windows 7 loaded laptop? Is your new, fully charged battery telling you to “Consider replacing your battery”? Well, you aren’t the only one. Engadget already has proof that something is wrong. And The Register posted an article just last week about the frustrations of Windows 7 users. After several months of this issue floating about, Microsoft is finally playing the same tune of their Windows 7 ads: listening to customer feedback.
“We are investigating this issue in conjunction with our hardware partners, which appears to be related to system firmware,” said a Microsoft rep. Fairly useless at this point for solving the issue, but Microsoft reassures its users that information will be provided as it becomes available.
A series of 23 cedar, cypress and evergreen trees were illegally removed from a Vancouver woman’s former home. Margaret Burnyeat, listed as the property owner up til June 24th, 2009, her daughter and Michael Safronick (of Michael Safronick Tree Care Limited) have been charged with violating an old tree bylaw. Although Burnyeat received a permit to remove two trees back in May, penalties in excess of the two permitted trees will run her anywhere between CA$500 and CA$20,000 (approximately $468 to $18,715). So, how did Google help the Canadian city fight this crime?
At a lost for which backup software to use? CA’s ARCserve Backup and Symantec’s Backup Exec have been top contenders when it comes to company backup software. But, according to an independent study conducted by Productive Corp., ARCserve “clearly” surpasses Backup Exec’s features and technology.
The two products were compared in “9 categories to help you uncover the right solution for your data backup needs.” Productive points out that although “these two data backup and storage products are relatively similar in function,” the differences in features are made evident in the product comparison. These features include the nine categories: “ease of install,” “ease of use,” “scalability,” “performance,” “cost,” “data security,” “supported systems,” “customer service,” and “extra value.” The review also concludes ARCserve being a better return on investment product.
A few days ago, Intel announced new contracts in place to incorporate “approximately 2.5 megawatts worth of new solar power projects at eight U.S. locations.” These eight locations spread over four states: Arizona, California, New Mexico and Oregon. Brian Krzanich, vice president of Manufacturing and Supply Chain for Intel tells us, “Intel is committed to renewable energy to reduce our own carbon footprint as well as to spur the market and make renewables more economically feasible for individuals and businesses to deploy.”
Intel has also increased their renewable energy credit purchases by 10 percent. This green feat has again stabilized their hold as the “largest single purchases of green power,” as named by the EPA. “These announcements represent our broader commitment which includes diversifying our energy portfolio through solar and other clean energy investments, and this will continue to be a priority for us around the globe,” says Krzanich.
Granted, Intel is an enormous company, hence enormous consumption, but they are highly dedicated to the greening business. They have invested more than $125 million in clean tech companies. Since 2001, the corporation has saved over 650 million kilowatt hours with their green initiatives and invested more than $30 million to fund those efforts.
Yay for big corporations like Intel and Adobe. More information about can be found from the Intel press room.
Are you “considering replacing your battery” since you’ve upgraded to Windows 7? Then decided to wait it out to see what Microsoft’s testing would uncover? Well, a blog article from Microsoft revealed that they “see nothing more than the normal course of battery degradation over time.”
Ina Fried over at CNET’s Beyond Binary blog posted a tip about a “technology guarantee” for 
Do you want to upgrade your Vista or Windows XP computer to a 
Loopt, a mobile application, 
Have you been having issues with your battery and Windows 7 loaded laptop? Is your new, fully charged battery telling you to “Consider replacing your battery”? Well, you aren’t the only one. Engadget already has 
A series of 23 cedar, cypress and evergreen trees were 
