Andrew Tech Help

Today has been big in the Microsoft world. Microsoft finally unveiled their latest version of their IM client - Windows Live Messenger 2010. The software isn't available to download in beta form yet, but they've posted screenshots and videos of what will be available when it's released. The rumors that have come from allegedly leaked documents which state the timeline say that we'll start to get access to the web services from May 23 and a beta of the Windows Live Essentials June followed by final versions of everything in August. That's the rumors anyway. Hopefully we'll see stuff before these dates, because Windows Live 4 and especially Messenger 2010 look very exciting. Microsoft is turning Windows Live into the only place you need to go to find your social online services. Whether you want to IM you friends, send an e-mail, check what's happening on Facebook, Twitter or Flickr or just see what your friends have to say about websites, Microsoft wants you to think of Windows Live and Windows Live Messenger 2010 brings that concept into practice. Just a reminder though, if you're still Running Windows XP as your operating system, then you cannot upgrade to Messenger 2010, it is a Windows Vista and 7 only product. You'll be limited to the web services of Windows Live (or Messenger 2009 which will continue to work) if you continue to use XP.

Windows 7 is missing many of the features that were previously available in Windows Vista (and even in some cases Windows XP) because Microsoft made the decision to remove some of the extra components in Windows 7. These programs were moved to the Windows Live Essentials package, which Microsoft suggests you install as soon as you get Windows 7 (most PC manufacturers have it preinstalled) to get the most optimal experience. The Windows Live Essentials package currently includes a mail client, an instant messaging client, photo gallery and editor, movie maker, internet safety filter, a blogging application called Writer, the Windows Live Toolbar for Internet Explorer and a few extra programs including a syncing application, Silverlight, Outlook Connector and Office Live Addin. These programs along with the associate web apps (Hotmail, Calendar, Home, Profile, People, Photos, Skydrive, Events, Groups, Family Safety and Spaces) make up what is called Windows Live Wave 3. Windows Live Wave 3 was released to the public in January 2009, 9 months before Windows 7 was released and was built to work with XP and Vista more than it was to work with Windows 7. That's where Windows Live Wave 4 comes in.

Office 2010 will be hitting our shelves (but more likely our downloads folder) in about June this year according to Microsoft, but in November 2009 Microsoft released their new beta version to the public to try. This is a public beta, unlike the technical preview I showed you back in May which was invitation only. The beta adds many new additions and stylings that weren't present in the technical preview. This article will provide a small preview into some of the new features available in Office 2010. You can download your own version of the Office 2010 beta at www.microsoft.com/office2010 .

Liked the look of Windows 7 from the reviews? Been testing Windows 7 for the last 8 months and want to get a copy of the final version? Well if you're a student and can prove it through either an e-mail address ending in .edu or and e-mail address from an approved educational institution or have a valid student ID card then you can get Windows 7 for a very cheap student price.