2010 April | Windows Tools, Help & Guides

Archive for April, 2010

Related Categories

Windows Phone 7 Series Icon Pack

Posted by Stu On April - 2 - 2010ADD COMMENTS

The Windows Phone Developer Blog have kindly released the Windows Phone 7 Series Icon Pack to download.

We’ve just release a package of application bar icons for developers building apps/games for Windows Phone 7 Series. This package contains a set of 64 app bar icons that you can use when developing applications for Windows Phone. In addition to the 64 icons in PNG format (32 dark and 32 light), this package also contains vector versions that can be easily imported into Microsoft Expression Blend 4 Beta when using the Microsoft Expression Blend Add-in Preview for Windows Phone.

WindowsPhone7SeriesIconPack Windows Phone 7 Series Icon Pack Read the rest of this entry »

You Guessed it: No Acquisition. In Other News…

Posted by Rich On April - 2 - 201030 COMMENTS

Yesterday, I played the first April fools joke on the third April 1st of Windows Guides’ existence. I am convinced this is the only day of the year I could get away with such a claim! I received phone calls, text messages, emails, IMs etc. congratulating me. I hope that because you saw the announcement, you’ll also see this and I want to thank you all for your kind words.

So, www.mintywhite.com is staying in my ownership and will continue to share the best Windows tips through our great authors.

In other news…

I am honored to receive the Microsoft MVP award again this year (as long as Microsoft didn’t mind the joke and don’t take it away.) Thank you all for your continued support and help in driving my passion to make this site the best it can be!

Thanks :)

Songbird: Free your music collection!

Posted by Harry On April - 2 - 2010ADD COMMENTS

Are you looking at a new music player? Then look this way:
Read the rest of this entry »

VirtualBox is a Free Virtualization Software Package

Posted by Rich On April - 1 - 2010ADD COMMENTS

Windows Guides’ Rating	Compatible with
4.5 out of 5

PROS: Operating system virtualization with no cost to the user. Easy to use and simple for users of all skill levels. Small footprint on system resources (other than the resources used by the virtual machine.)

CONS: There aren’t many cons with this program; however, the biggest thing that I dislike is the main menu, which is used to load the VMs— it just doesn’t match up to VMWare Workstation. But … this is free so I’ll live with it. Although the interface is kept simple, I find myself clicking next far too many times when setting up a virtual machine for the first time.

VERDICT: If you’re looking for a virtual machine host solution—whether it be for software testing, for virus execution and fun, or too write guides like I do without restarting your computer every five minutes, VirtualBox will do this for you.

PRICE: Free

VERSION REVIEWED: 3.0.4 (Screenshots) Using 3.1.4.

DOWNLOAD: Virtual Box

Read the rest of this entry »

Microsoft Acquisition of www.mintywhite.com Windows Guides

Posted by Rich On April - 1 - 201048 COMMENTS

Update: This is my first attempt at a www.mintywhite.com April Fools joke.

After nearly three months of negotiation, red tape, paperwork, phone calls, and trips to Redmond, Microsoft and I have come to an agreement on an acquisition of www.mintywhite.com. More details will follow but I want readers to be aware of what’s happening (and what will happen) around here.

In an ongoing effort, by Microsoft, to get to know their customers and help them get the most of out of Microsoft products, the Redmond, WA company wants to be part of a community that has a close connection with it’s users and their computing needs.

What does this mean for readers?

There will be no immediate changes but the future of www.mintywhite.com includes:

Windows Forums will change its name to Microsoft Help Central.
Windows Guides will be re-branded as Windows How-to Guides.
A team of Microsoft-employed writers will continue post creation.
The same quality and loyalty to readers will continue and I will stay active in the forums.

More information to come.

Thanks,

Rich

ZeuApp – Program Dashboard

Posted by Stu On April - 1 - 20103 COMMENTS

Windows Guides’ Rating	Compatible with
5 out of 5

PROS: A simple to use application dashboard with 82 freeware and open source applications for you to download. Click to go directly to the website or click to download… simple!
It’s frequently updated too, giving you the latest versions to your favourite software.

CONS: Missing some big names from the list and errr……

VERDICT: A great application for people setting up a new install, equally as great for finding new applications.
Categories include; Archivers, Audio, Video, Chat – IM, Internet, CD Burners, P2P – File Sharing, Games, Graphics, Office, Security and Utility.

PRICE: Free.

VERSION REVIEWED: 1.3.0.0

DOWNLOAD: ZeuApp – Program Chooser

(Please note that at time of writing the version reviewed was 1.3. Version 1.4 has now been released bringing many more applications to choose from.)

Read the rest of this entry »