Cliff Forster came up with the idea, and Semper Media Group provided the original soundtrack for us.

After months of testing and numerous betas and release candidates, Microsoft has finally approved the final press of Windows Vista Service Pack 2.

The new service pack offers bug fixes, a rollup of the updates released since Vista’s 2007 RTM, and a selection of new features:

• SP2 contains Blue tooth 2.1 feature pack supporting the most recent specification for Blue tooth technology.
• Ability to record data on Blu-Ray media.
• Adds Windows Connect Now (WCN) Wi-Fi Configuration to Windows Vista SP2.
• exFAT file system now supports UTC timestamps, which enables correct file synchronization across time zones.
• SP2 provides support for new form factors, such as ICCD/CCID. new form factor support –example USB form factor as opposed to PCMCIA).
• Support for the new VIA 64-bit CPU.

As a note, SP2 requires that the system be prepared with SP1 prior to installation.

Download: x86-32
Download: x86-64

Since the advent of Windows XP, it has been possible to customize the appearance of the Windows UI. Microsoft has never made this stunningly obvious, but users who happen to stumble upon the vast array of available shell styles often find one that’s more to their liking than the default UI. If you think Windows is in need of a visual pick-me-up, we’re serving up a selection of our favorites.

Before taking a crack at the visual styles below, make sure you patch your installation of Windows Vista with CodeGazer’s Vista Glazz utility. This will unlock the ability to install third-party themes that don’t carry the Microsoft stamp of approval.

Lastly, make sure you carefully follow the installation instructions provided by each author. Some shell styles may require you to take extra steps to ensure your installation matches the picture.

Curved by dimage

This slick theme offers Windows 7-style window borders with a Windows XP-inspired task bar that’s been purged of Vista’s orb. The alternative desaturated theme resurrects the orb and delivers the Curved theme in a palette of greys.

Image courtesy of DeviantArt user dimage

Windows 7 Style by giannisgx89

Windows 7 is receiving acclaim for its fresh reinterpretation of the Aero Glass style that debuted with Vista. The Windows 7 Style faithfully adapts the new theme for use in the OS where Aero got its start.

Image courtesy of DeviantArt user giannisgx89

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Tweak Town compares Windows 7 beta VGA performance against Vista.

In the ongoing lawsuit concerning users feeling duped by Microsoft’s “Vista Capable” stickers, federal judge Marsha Pechman has decided to strip the suit of its class action status.

The recent decision has no doubt brought relief to a Microsoft which stood to lose millions in the wake of successful execution by the plaintiffs. Microsoft must now be willing to treat with individual lawsuits, but we’re rather of the belief that the number of angry people has suddenly shrunk.

Pechman’s ruling (PDF) cites insufficient evidence for class action status, but reserved the notion that Vista Capable stickers could have been misleading. “At this juncture, the Court believes the most appropriate remedy for Plaintiffs’ failure to present evidence suggesting class-wide causation is decertification,” she wrote. “The question is … whether Microsoft’s use of the ‘Vista Capable’ designation had the capacity to deceive.”

The case has been in the courts since 2007 when incensed users claimed that the December ‘06 “Vista Capable” campaign produced systems that may have been unprepared to run Media Center or Aero.

It’s funny how on the day the Windows 7 beta downloads come to an end, a document leaks out outlining Microsoft’s consumer upgrade plan for the new OS.

The good news is it looks like the upgrade will be free.

The bad news is it’ll be free for only for people who purchased the more expensive versions of Vista. Here’s the breakdown:

• Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Home Premium
• Vista Business to Windows 7 Professional
• Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Ultimate

XP users and anyone with Vista Home Basic or Starter Edition will be stuck paying full price. Also, no word yet on multiple license packages.

Microsoft has announced today that the NVIDIA ION platform has been certified to run Windows Vista Home Premuim through the Windows Hardware Quality Labs testing program. This certification is a stamp of approval for hardware compatibility.

Microsoft has certified the NVIDIA ION platform to ensure that upcoming ION-based PCs will deliver:
• Silky smooth 1080p high definition video including Blu-ray movies
• Exciting video game play with support for Microsoft’s DirectX 10 API
• Support for premium Windows Vista features including Aero Glass and Flip3D
• GPU acceleration for faster photo editing and video transcoding

ION-based systems combine a low-power Intel Atom processor and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M GPU in a tiny package to allow for inexpensive, robust machines. Netbooks and desktops are expected to go on sale soon starting at $299.

ZDNet AU goes out on the town to see what people think about KDE4 as “Windows 7.” Mostly, they’re just pissed at Vista.

Tweak Town benchmarks Vista Service Pack 2 RC1 to check for performance changes.

Microsoft has ended speculation regarding Windows 7’s iterations by announcing that there will be six separate editions of the new operating system.

Microsoft is anchoring their new product strategy to the Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional editions. Virtually identical to Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional value propositions, these two SKUs will comprise the majority of all OEM sales conducted in retail channels. Like XP Home, 7 Home Premium’s most glaring omission is the lack of domain support. This alone will tip many collegiate students and network administrators in favor of Professional, as was the case with XP. With the addition of domain joins, 7 Pro’s biggest additions come in the form of EFS, presentation mode, and the mobility center.

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We find it sort of ironic that the boys in Redmond are rallying around today as Data Privacy Day.  We’re pretty sure they’d pay for ET’s cellphone contract, but that’s neither here nor there. The truth of the matter is that privacy is good for everybody, and talking about it is a good thing.

For a couple lulz and some Vista rara, check their blag:

As a security guy, I get all sorts of questions from people about privacy. A lot of folks really think about online privacy as the same thing as computer security. Others see it as a pure tradeoff between one or the other. I don’t necessarily think that giving up privacy results in greater security; nor do I believe that greater security requires a loss of privacy. No matter what your thoughts are on security and privacy, I hope there is one thing we can all agree on: both are important.

Tweak Town benchmarks Windows 7 beta vs Windows Vista SP1 SSD performance.