Favorite Files

1. AnyDVD HD
2. BonkEnc
3. doPDF
4. DVDFab HD Decrypter
5. MediaInfo
6. nVIDIA ForceWare Drivers for Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/7
7. Realtek High Definition Audio Codecs for Windows
8. Sumatra PDF
9. Unstoppable Copier for Windows

Recent Posts

1. 
   Review - AnyDVD HD

   6.6.2.0 Beta (Feb 8, 2010)

   Come on now - stop the accusations - just rip or praise the PRODUCT not each other, and the world will be a better place. :)
   
   Incredibly expensive, not the most stable and compatible. Makes your choices and takes your chances...

2. 
   Review - Gmail Manager

   0.6 (Feb 1, 2010)

   Not a bad app, but why not just use IMAP with Thunderbird or Outlook Express?
   
   There must be a market for it, and it's cool that it's open source. Just not all that awesome in concept, I guess.

3. 
   Review - nVIDIA ForceWare Drivers for Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/7

   196.21 (Jan 21, 2010)

   I have found that 196.21 has a bug regarding the proper listing of available resolutions. In testing, I found that 195.62 also has this bug as does 191.07. However, 186.18 does NOT have this bug.
   
   So I'm sticking with 186.18, though I will continue testing new versions to see if the bug is corrected at some point.

4. 
   Review - Realtek High Definition Audio Codecs for Windows

   2.40 (Jan 1, 2010)

   Seems a good, solid release.
   
   As an alternative to that pesky IE-centric REALTEK page, you can go to GURU3D and get them. They repackage them but they work great and download fast.
   
   http://downloads.guru3d....;-Media-Codecs_c30.html
   
   Hope you find that useful. It'd be nice if Betanews hosted them though.
   
   Here are the more recent DXDIAG version numbers and their corresponding R2.xx values:
   
   Version: 5.10.0.6013 (2.40)
   Version: 5.10.0.6000 (2.39)
   Version: 5.10.0.5995 (2.38)
   Version: 5.10.0.5983 (2.37)
   Version: 5.10.0.5969 (2.36)
   Version: 5.10.0.5953 (2.35)
   Version: 5.10.0.5943 (2.34)
   Version: 5.10.0.5936 (2.33)
   Version: 5.10.0.5928 (2.32)
   Version: 5.10.0.5919 (2.31)
   Version: 5.10.0.5911 (2.30)
   Version: 5.10.0.5898 (2.29)
   Version: 5.10.0.5888 (2.28)

5. 
   Review - WinZip

   14.0 Build 8688 (Dec 17, 2009)

   This app is slow and bulky compared to 7zip and WinRAR (when handling ZIP files), the licensing changes are flat-out a bad value, especially for those who paid for Lifetime updates and got shafted.
   
   I can hardly believe that this product is still considered as worth purchasing. Annual "Upgrade Assurance".? Please...

6. Comment - Amazon launches a sleeker, spookier Kindle 2

   14.0 Build 8688 (Feb 9, 2009 - 6:05 PM)

   I'm not terribly fond of the price (I would think $99 USD would be a much nicer price, for example), but I do indeed like the re-design.
   
   I'd very much like to be able to walk into a Brick and Mortar store and give it a look and perhaps get hands-on with a display model, just so I can see what all of the buzz is about.
   
   I'm glad that the product is an apparent success. Perhaps producing it in quantity will help lower the price for consumers in a few months.

7. Comment - Microsoft on Win7 UAC: 'Take the emotions out of the discussion'

   14.0 Build 8688 (Feb 6, 2009 - 12:02 AM)

   I don't know, man. Why harsh on them for trying to get rid of the annoyances? That UAC settings screen with the drag bar says it all - you set it to what you prefer and you are good to go.
   
   Everybody was upset that the UAC was TOO intrusive by default, so they just changed the default. There is nothing stopping people from changing it to the right setting for them.
   
   Home users and gamers may not want ANY of those prompts, while corporations might want it all locked down tight.
   
   If there are two distinct markets - the home consumer and the corporate client - maybe have the home version set at a more tolerant default.
   
   As long as Microsoft gives users the OPTION to configure it the way they want, and they make it pretty much idiot proof on HOW to configure it, then I don't understand why folks would be all upset.
   
   I do sort of wish that they would be more Modular in their approach to added features and functionality.
   
   Have a nice base level and let folks download and install the pieces that best meet there needs. Maybe you have the "I need to be protected from myself" kit that totally ramps up security big time and a "Hey, I'm an old-school hacker that can handle it by myself" option where they may install a less intrusive package, if they do at all.
   
   On this one, I think Microsoft is just trying to do what people have whined about - get rid of the annoying prompts.
   
   It's only the DEFAULT setting here - they give you the tools to adjust it pretty easily, right? So why get all freaky about it?
   
   It's when the DON'T give you the choice that folks should be angry about.

8. Comment - Microsoft offers clarifications on Windows 7 SKU issues

   14.0 Build 8688 (Feb 5, 2009 - 1:53 PM)

   Drats. :-(
   
   Instead, how about only 2?
   
   Windows 7 Home
   
   Windows 7 Business
   
   Home has all the multimedia goodies, but none of the "host web pages / connect to huge corporate networks" type of stuff.
   
   Business has a lean, clean install that is locked down by default and can be extended modularly to include any features available, but as a separate install.
   
   That might be okay...

9. Comment - Windows 7's ability to selectively elevate privileges is under scrutiny

   14.0 Build 8688 (Feb 5, 2009 - 1:36 PM)

   This is more thoughts about why you need TWO versions of Windows 7.
   
   Windows 7 Home
   
   Windows 7 Business
   
   Home has all the multimedia goodies, but none of the "host web pages / connect to huge corporate networks" type of stuff. Option right at the install asking "How secure do you want to be today?":
   
   - Option 1: Simple file and printer sharing, no passwords required, fully functional internet / ftp access enabled, no in-network firewall blocking, choice of single user or multi user configuration.
   
   - Option 2: Protect me from the world, I have no idea of the horrors facing me out there in the IntarWebZ, Blockade and Panic Room me please.
   
   Business has a lean, clean install that is locked down by default and can be extended modularly to include any features available, but as a separate install. You have a Media Player 6.4 kind of thing with limited codec support - No DirectX, no gaming features, and Media Center, DVD Maker and all the "fluff" is not included by default.
   
   There ya go. How freakin' cool would THAT be?
   
   :-)

10. Comment - Steve Jobs takes leave for a medical sabbatical

    14.0 Build 8688 (Jan 15, 2009 - 11:11 PM)

    He's an incredibly inspiring figure. He may even be a visionary. He's also an innovator. Taking some concepts that are out there and improving on them and even coming up with original products like the iPod, iPhone, etc. Seems that when he was pushed out by that gnarly Ex-Pepsi exec, he rebounded by founding Next, which was WAY before its time (no floppy - just optical drives) and the Next interface, dock, etc. Then he takes Pixar and does his magic there. Then he gets asked back to Apple and again, he does his magic there.
    
    He is an incredible talent and as I mentioned, a true inspiration to many. Not just his employees but to an entire industry, I believe.
    
    Minds with that level of talent and dedication are few and far between, and I think he really deserves mad props for his incredible journey and the successes he has had.
    
    Maybe he was brash and hasty as a younger man, but he still had that drive and that vision, and now as he has matured, he has humility and experience to help balance all of that out.
    
    Get well soon, Mr. Jobs. A lot of folks are pullin' for ya.