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Thanks for your support!

• Vic Limbo
• Piter Warezow
• Daniel Alvarez

A BIG thank you to Binverse for supplying the accounts for the competition!

If you see your name but have not been contacted, please email binverse@mintywhite.com from the same email address with which you entered the competition and we’ll get you taken care of.

Apply by August 16th 2011 to be considered for a position starting September 1st, 2011.

To get more details on writing for Windows Guides, head here and apply today: Write for Windows Guides.

So here’s today’s (check back Wednesday for more great wallpapers or read the rest of the guide to see the other genre’s we have coming up):

3D and Abstract Desktop Wallpaper Collection [Set 1]

3D and Abstract Desktop Wallpaper Collection [Set 2]

Abstract Text Desktop Wallpaper Collection

Animal Themed Desktop Wallpaper Collection

Car & other Vehicle Themed Desktop Wallpaper Collection

Cities & Buildings Desktop Wallpaper Collection

Computer Themed Desktop Wallpaper Collection

Flowers & Plants Desktop Wallpaper Collection [Set 1]

Flowers & Plants Desktop Wallpaper Collection [Set 2]

Landscapes & Horizons Desktop Wallpaper Collection

Nature Themed Desktop Wallpaper Collection [Set 1]

Nature Themed Desktop Wallpaper Collection [Set 2]

People Themed Desktop Wallpaper Collection

Space Themed Desktop Wallpaper Collection

Surreal & Fantasy Themed Desktop Wallpaper Collection

Textured, Patterned & Colorful Desktop Wallpaper Collection [Set 1]

Textured, Patterned & Colorful Desktop Wallpaper Collection [Set 2]

Video Game & Cartoon Themed Desktop Wallpaper Collection

Windows Themed Desktop Wallpaper Collection

Want to be the first to know when the latest collection is released?

On Windows Forums, members have shared some great tutorials and to help you find them, we’ve created a Windows 7 Tutorials forum.

Here are some of the recent topics in the forum:

• Remove or change the shortcut arrow [How-To]
• Change the background in Window 7 Media Center
• Create a Master Control Panel in Windows 7
• How To Center The Taskbar Icons

Windows 7 Tutorials forum

Here are some of the recent topics in the forum:

• Custom Windows 7 Start Orbs
• Bing Dynamic Wallpaper Windows 7 Theme
• Akropovic Theme for Windows 7
• Token Start Orbs

Windows 7 Customization forum

Here’s a quick overview of the team:

	Name (Username)	Joined Team	Location	Operating System	Profile
	RSVR85	September 2009			rsvr85
	Mike	November 2009			Mike
	Thomas	January 2010			Thomas
	Harry	February 2010			Harry
	Steven Downer (DarkNovaGamer)	March 2010			DarkNovaGamer
	Angel Luis	April 2010			Angel Luis
	Taylor Ling (ghost 301)	July 2010			ghost301
	Deck Hazen (Deck)	July 2010			Deck
	swooper	July 2010			swooper
	Spazz	August 2010			Spazz
	N J West (Nicholas)	October 2009			Nicholas
	ashmsa (Scragg)	January 2010			Scragg
	sergiogarcia9	May 2010			sergiogarcia9
	Rich Robinson (Rich)	February 2008			Rich

Now here’s few sentences about each writer:

RSVR85

Hobbies: Sports, Motorsports, Art & Design, Culinary art, Games Consoles, Gadgets and of course PC’s.

First time using a computer (and which one): I was young when I first mashed a keyboard.  It was my uncles.  All I can remember about it, was it was big and ran DOS.

What are the specs of your current computer? (Proprietary, some customisations)  Wireless HP Touchsmart, AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-56, 3GB RAM, GeForce7600 Go, 2TB HDD.

Mike

Hobbies: Playing sports (soccer, basketball, golf), gaming (PC Games, FIFA10, Starcraft and soon Starcraft 2, Modern Warfare, etc.), home improvement, building PCs, and staying up-to-date in tech news.

First time using a computer (and which one): Probably 1990, it was a Vendex Headstart III 286

What are the specs of your current computer? I’m running a custom-built desktop with a Gigabyte GA-G41M-ES2L microATX motherboard, a Pentium E6300 dual-core 2.8GHz processor, 4GB of G.Skill DDR2 800 RAM, 3 HDDs (1 1TB WD Caviar Black, 1 640GB WD Caviar Black, 1 180GB Seagate), an EVGA Nvidia GeForce 9800GT 512MB HD GPU, an AverMedia AverTVHD Duet TV Tuner card, and an LG DVD+R burner. I have a Microsoft wireless laser keyboard and mouse, a 19″ Acer 1680×1050 LCD monitor, and I run Windows 7 Professional on top of all of that.

What PC component would you be and why? The RAM. I prioritize my to-do list and make sure tasks are executed as quickly as possible while multitasking. I also have a short memory and there is usually not enough of me around :)

Predictions for Windows 8? I think Windows 8 will be highly cloud-based, storing most of the user information on the net somewhere to be accessed by any Windows 8 computer. I also think there will be an integrated app store much like mobile devices, and our computers will be more location-based than before.

Final words? I’m a huge Android geek. I love the platform and the hardware produced for it and am looking in to learning basic Android app coding. I write mainly on mobile integration/cloud apps, some software reviews, and tutorials on media center and OS tweaks.

Thomas

Hobbies: Besides Computers you mean :-p? Photography and Music.

First time using a computer (and which one): 1981, A Tandberg EC10.

What are the specs of your current computer? Homemade Computer, 4GB RAM, 64-bit OS (of course)

Dual (HD) monitor setup and 500 GB Harddrive.

What PC component would you be and why? The CPU, because that’s where the action is :-p

Predictions for Windows 8? I’m hoping it will not be another ME, or Vista.

I am thinking that Microsoft finally will incorporate many of the 3rd party plugins that really makes Windows a great OS. Like the ones we write about here at mintywhite.

Final words? I love getting feedback from our readers, so keep’em coming. Even if it’s just a click on the “I Like It” button.

Harry

Hobbies: Assisting people with all their IT ‘woes’, Xbox 360, Dogs.

First time using a computer (and which one): Was given a ‘no-name’ box, with 64MB RAM and Windows 98

What are the specs of your current computer? Mainly showing people around the operating system, hardware isn’t my strongest point.

What PC component would you be and why? I definitely wouldn’t be the RAM or hard drive – they must live very busy lives ;) Not sure what I would be, though!

Predictions for Windows 8? Good ol’ 32-bit will finally be abandoned, and 128-bit will take its place. I think (or hope) that it will also support 3D as standard. Otherwise, they can’t do much to beat Windows 7!

Steven Downer (DarkNovaGamer)

Hobbies: I like to work on computers. It can be hardware or software related.

First time using a computer (and which one):2003, HP Pavilion (Unknown)

What are the specs of your current computer? Hackintosh – OS X/Windows 7 Dual Boot, Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3L Motherboard, 4GB DDR2 1066MHz RAM, EVGA nVidia GTX 260 SuperClocked Graphics card, and so on.

What PC component would you be and why? Hmm.. that’s a tough one. I’d likely be a graphics card! Not exactly sure why but that’s what I’d like to be. Just feels natural.

Predictions for Windows 8? I’m expecting Microsoft to fully rework the GUI. I’d personally like to see some more eye-candy! Who doesn’t like candy!?

Final words? “I’ll be getting married to my Fiancée Elizabeth soon. No exact date yet.

Thats about all I can think of guys, but feel free to ask me any questions on the forums and I’ll be sure to respond at some point! :)”

Angel Luis

Hobbies: Computers, of course :) I like reading and running. I love travel and learn new things such as improving my english.

First time using a computer (and which one): 1986. Commodore 16.

What are the specs of your current computer? Intel Pentium Dual E2220 @ 2.4Ghz, 4 GB, Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit.

What PC component would you be and why? A CPU, I am capable of doing a lot of maths operations using my brain.

Predictions for Windows 8? For me I don’t want more features. A better user experience, using resources in a more efficient way is what I expect. Microsoft with Windows has an advantage over other operating systems and is the number of people using it. This, which can be seen as a pressure, is the best way to test everything.

Final words? I love computer problems. I hate formatting computers because is a lost opportunity to learn.

Taylor Ling (ghost 301)

Hobbies: I love gaming very much. I love car simulation game and RTS game. I also like to keep myself updated with latest news of IT world, gadgets etc. Beside that, I always love to test new software and share my experience to the others. Singing and badminton also are some of my hobbies.

First time using a computer (and which one): 1999? Custom build model with Windows 3.1.

What are the specs of your current computer? I don’t have a very powerful rig yet due to the limitation in financial status at the moment, but still it handles well in quite a number of games and my daily usage. My PC is having a AMD Athlon Dual Core 7750, 4GB RAM, nVidia GeForce GT240, and using Windows 7 Professional 64 bit.

What PC component would you be and why? High quality sound card? I love singing so I hope my voice output can be the best. :P

Predictions for Windows 8? Faster boot time. Less security issues. Even better user-friendly interface. Perhaps one version to rule them all instead of having Home basic, Home Premium, Professional etc. like in Windows 7. Better integration in Tablet. New logo? :P ”

Final words? Drop me a comment or two in my post, so I can learn more and polish my writing skill. Still in the very learning process so please forgive if there is any mistake done.

Deck Hazen (Deck)

Hobbies: The Internet (of course) also theoretical physics — quantum mechanics, cosmology, parallel universes – that sort of thing. I’m into DIY and I’ve got a great workshop in my garage – I’m hoping to find time to fire up my wood lathe and turn out a bowl or two. Also – Solar Energy — still just in the “learning” phase, but I have 2 solar panels on my roof that feed a bank of rechargeable “AA” batteries during the day, and then power my string of diode night-lights that run from the bedroom to the bathroom. And then there is Cryonics — I hope to be frozen in liquid nitrogen at some point toward the end of my life, and then revived when future technology (nanobots) can repair my old body and keep me young and healthy unit I decide to pull my own plug.

First time using a computer (and which one): 1976 – DEC PDP 11/70

What are the specs of your current computer? 2 machines – both Pentium dual core – the “Data” box has a 2 Tb RAID array, while the “Media” box just got an 8 Tb RAID upgrade featuring a 9-drive enclosure that I built myself out of sheet metal and pop-sicle sticks. 3-screen display – Media box goes to the 42″ high def wall mounted flat screen (upper) while the “Data” box goes to the dual flat screen 22″ monitors just underneath.

What PC component would you be and why? no idea — something powerful and fast I expect.

Predictions for Windows 8? Bill Gates will be even richer than he is now.

Final words? I love feedback on my stuff — good, bad, ugly — bring it!

swooper

Hobbies: I make spare time to:

• Game on – I’ll whoop you in any genre, but despise MMO
• Pull electronic things apart and see how they work
• Make old computers useful however i can, utilising Linux and a library of spare parts.
• I’m a painter, using acrylics and water colours.

First time using a computer (and which one): 1998 P2 633mhz desktop 64mb graphics FTW :3

What are the specs of your current computer?

• Win 7 64 bit Ultimate / Xp Pro/ Kubuntu
• Intel Core 2 Duo E8400, 4GB DDR2 RAM
• Asus Dark Knight Nvidia GeForce GTX+
• 30/250/500/640GB Drives

What PC component would you be and why? Heatsink, cause I’d always be chillun. XD

Predictions for Windows 8? 3 new wallpapers and a gadget. Seriously though? There is going to be a LOT of online movement, given that “”Cloud Computing”" is digital life two point oh. We even have HP pumping out printers 2.0 that print via the internet with their own e-mail address. Next they will have twitter too, to tell their iPad friends what they ‘juzt printed!!1′.

Really, I sense MS is just following the ideas of Google and Linux in trying to merge everything online with the desktop now included. Even mac seems to trail open source these days. Oh, but they have pretty icons.

Spazz

Hobbies:

• Computers.
• Movies – Sci-Fi.
• Food.
• Woodwork.

First time using a computer (and which one): 1987 – XT 8086

What are the specs of your current computer? Not too impressive, 2,3GHz dualcore, 2GB Ram, 160GB HDD, Windows 7.

What PC component would you be and why? HDD, I am a gatherer. Too sentimental to let go of stuff, I suppose.

Predictions for Windows 8? As Vista was a step-up from XP, and 7 less so from Vista, I think 8 will be at least as big or bigger than XP from 2000.

Final words? I new to this and hope I can contribute positively.

N J West(Nicholas)

Hobbies:

• Programming.
• Mathematics.
• Physics.
• Reading SciFi.
• Running Experiments.

First time using a computer (and which one): 1995 (PowerMac G2)

What are the specs of your current computer? I don’t so much have a main computer, but I do have a server (an ex-laptop with a broken screen which is currently down for major maintenance), an ‘Ultra-Portable’ laptop running Windows 7 and Ubuntu, 10.10 and an iMac G5 running Snow Leopard and Ubuntu 10.04 under VirtualBox.

What PC component would you be and why? Processor, because I am very good at processing information, which is why I am very fond of Maths.

Predictions for Windows 8? No startling or ground-breaking new technologies, just making the kernel and the OS smaller and more efficient, increasing operating speeds and maybe a few new core programs.

Final words? Not much, I shall refrain from advertising my site while it is down. I have had to take a break from writing while I have been doing my GCSEs, but I will be starting a review soon.

ashmsa (Scragg)

Hobbies: CB RADIOS, COMPUTERS, Horse Shoes.

First time using a computer (and which one): 1993 286

What are the specs of your current computer? CLONE Gamer

What PC component would you be and why? Memory because I need more in my head LOL

sergiogarcia9

Hobbies: Graphics, Software, Computers, Cars and Motorbikes. Also I like hanging out with my friends and family

First time using a computer (and which one): 1999, can’t remember what brand. I have only been really into PC’s the last 2-3 years.

What are the specs of your current computer? AMD Athlon II X4 Quad Core 2.6ghz, Foxconn motherboard, Nvidia gt220, 4gb Ram, Coolermaster HAF 922 case, 750gb + 500 gb HDD’s (7200rpm)

What PC component would you be and why? The CPU. Because the CPU is what brings it all together, its the main component of every system and an important component as well. Without it, no computer can run.

Predictions for Windows 8? Clean simple GUI, easy interface, and new options regarding customization. But to be honest, i do not think Windows 8 will be made much different than 7. But i’ll wait and find out!

Rich Robinson (Rich)

Hobbies: Road biking, skiing, football (soccer), running, hanging out with my family (and our two puppies), computers, home improvement, cars, tennis, and pretty much anything outdoors.

First time using a computer (and which one): 1990, Commodore 64. If that doesn’t count: 1992, Apple IIc.

What are the specs of your current computer? Quad Core @ 3.0 GHz, 1066 Mhz FSB, 8GB 1066 RAM,  5+ TB HDD, NVIDIA GTS250.

What PC component would you be and why? I’d be an ethernet card so I could learn something with all the inputs coming to the machine (yeah, I’d be nosey) without really thinking about the information I had to push around all day if I didn’t want to.

Predictions for Windows 8? User awareness (auto login, custom interface etc.), quicker startup (instant on), more touch-screen support, and a Windows app store.

Final words? Thanks for reading this and thanks for visiting Windows Guides. I really appreciate all the writers for how hard they work and I thank you for visiting this site.

Final Words

When asked who would win in a battle between a Hot Dog and a Cheeseburger, the team unanimously voted cheeseburger. Now you know what kind of team you’re dealing with :)

I hope you enjoyed reading about our team. I’m sure they’d appreciate a comment or two on their latest posts to let them know how they’re doing on what you’d like to see.

Changes

• [Change] Cover page with new icon, description, and formatting.
• [Change] New subtitle: “Improve Your PC’s Performance, Speed, and Reliability”
• [Change] References to 2nd edition of the book.
• [Change] Organized terminology in alphabetical order.
• [Change] Modified heading structure of book to aid in navigation.

Updates

• [Update] About the Author section to include new books and hobbies.
• [Update] Removed recommendation for Smart Defrag.
• [Update] Removed recommendation for AVG Internet Security.
• [Update] Screenshots of programs to their latest versions for consistency.
• [Update] Updated information about the PC Decrapifier.

Features

• [Feature] Added definiton for Windows Update to the terminology section.
• [Feature] Added internal links to help with navigation throughout the book.
• [Feature] Link color convention to distinguish between Windows Guides, external site, and internal book links.
• [Feature] Information on how to create and use a system restore point.
• [Feature] Information on how to backup your data using Windows backup.
• [Feature] Information on how to back up your data to optical media.
• [Feature] Section explaining how to “Keep Windows and Installed Software up to Date.”
• [Feature] Instructions to help users keep Windows up to date.
• [Feature] Instructions to help users keep their browser and flash up to date.
• [Feature] Instructions to help users keep all other installed software up to date.
• [Feature] Recommendation for Microsoft Security Essentials.
• [Feature] Add recommendation for Defraggler.
• [Feature] Add recommendation for CCleaner.
• [Feature] Instructions to help users find and delete duplicate files.

Fixes

• [Fix] Changed bulletted and numbered lists from justified text to left-aligned text.
• [Fix] Grammar updates.

Download the PC Maintenance Handbook 2nd Edition (Free Newsletter sign up required.) Direct Link for newsletter subscribers (Instructions for subscribers)

Changes

Updates

Features

Fixes

Download the PC Security Handbook 2nd Edition (Free Newsletter sign up required.) Direct Link for newsletter subscribers (Instructions for subscribers)

• Available to write at least one post per week.
• A native or fluent English speaker.
• Technically inclined and have a deep knowledge about Windows.
• Creative and can write interesting articles with original, quality content.
• Familiar with writing articles using WordPress (or willing to learn without assistance.)
• Able to take high quality screenshots, which help users follow your guides.
• Using Windows 7 on your computer and you have access to Windows XP and Vista.

The application deadline is Wednesday July 21st, 2010 @ 5PM ET.
For more information, please go here or apply below: