Microsoft Corp. has failed to deliver on its promise of downloadable extras for the highest-priced version of Windows Vista, critics claim.

Dubbed “Extras” and exclusive to Vista Ultimate, the downloads were touted before, at and after the launch as one of a handful of features that separated the $399 operating system from the $239 Home Premium. On Ultimate’s marketing site, Microsoft currently says of Extras: “These cutting-edge programs, innovative services, and unique publications provide a richer computing experience for Windows Vista Ultimate users.”

Trouble is, according to critics like Scott Dunn, an editor with the popular “Windows Secrets” newsletter, Microsoft hasn’t followed through. Since January, when Vista was released to consumers, no new finished Extra have been offered to Ultimate users.

“Extras is not a minor feature of Ultimate,” Dunn argued. “It’s one of the things that sets it apart from Home Premium, and one of the few unique things that has been promised Ultimate users.”

Microsoft issued three Extras when Vista debuted, including a poker game; an add-on to BitLocker, Vista’s whole-disk encryption tool; and language packs for the operating system’s Multilingual User Interface. The next month, Microsoft posted DreamScene, a video screensaver, in beta form; DreamScene has not shifted out of beta since then.

“Some of these so-called extras should have been included with Ultimate,” Dunn said, citing the BitLocker add-on. “Without that, it’s very difficult to even use BitLocker.”…

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A new version of Autodesk Maya Personal Learning Edition (PLE) software is now available for download in English and Japanese at www.autodesk.com/maya-trial. Based on Maya Complete 8.5 software, this Maya PLE provides free access to Maya 3D animation, modeling and rendering software for non-commercial use by students, industry professionals and others interested in learning the application.

Donwload Maya Personal Learning Edition

Adobe Systems Incorporated today announced the immediate availability of Adobe® Acrobat® 3D Version 8 software, a major upgrade to the desktop application for driving document-based 3D design collaboration and CAD data interoperability capabilities to virtually anyone inside manufacturing organizations and across the global supply chain.

With Acrobat 3D Version 8, CAD, CAM, CAE, and technical publishing professionals in the aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, heavy machinery, life sciences, and AEC industries can convert virtually any 3D CAD file—including large assemblies of more than 500 megabytes—into a single PDF document. The PDF file can maintain precise geometry or be compressed over 100 times smaller than the original file, depending on the needs of the specific business process. Three-dimensional CAD data can also be easily combined with other critical project information, such as product specifications, spreadsheets and bills of materials, into a more secure PDF document containing product manufacturing information (PMI). PMI is used to convey geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, annotations and other specifications directly on a 3D model.

Adobe Pressroom

In May 2007 the total number of downloads of ArtRage - Ambient Design’s free painting application - exceeded two million copies. Since its release in February 2004 more than two million copies of the free version of ArtRage have been downloaded from Ambient Design’s website. Schools, hobbyists, artists and anyone who just wants to mess around with paint have been downloading and using ArtRage Free version. There have been several major updates to ArtRage Free since its initial release.

“This is a fantastic milestone. We’re very pleased so many people have been enjoying using ArtRage. The quality of some of the artworks we’ve seen produced in ArtRage Free version is stunning. We’ve had great feedback from people who became disillusioned with the cost and hassle of using traditional art media but have started painting again in ArtRage.” - Andy Bearsley, Technical Director of Ambient Design Ltd.

ArtRage Free version is a fully-featured natural painting application. It has tools which look and feel like their real-world counterpart. For example, the oil paints mix and smear like real oil paints on real canvas. They even leave bristle marks from the virtual brush in the paint strokes. It is easy to use for new users while having features and technology powerful enough for advanced users.

The Free version of ArtRage is free to use with no time limits. It is also has no adware, spyware or other malware. It is available in English, French and German versions, for Windows and as a Universal Binary for MacOSX.

ArtRage 2 Free version can be downloaded from this web address:

http://www.artrage.com/artragedown.html

Stardock is all about offering a ton of applications for customizing the appearance of your computer, and the logon screen is no exception. They offer their LogonStudio application at no cost, and with it you’ll be able to alter the background that you see when logging into your Vista or XP machine.
By default there are only four backgrounds that ship with LogonStudio, but if you head over to WinCustomize there are many more available.

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LogonStudio

Microsoft takes a major step to try and make Windows Vista the default operating system. According to the company’s Windows Life-cycle policy
web page; Microsoft will discontinue selling its Windows XP operating system by early 2008. The company will stop selling Windows XP from January 31, 2008, despite its popularity and will focus on marketing its new Windows Vista OS, which has received lukewarm response since its launch, earlier this year.

It is a known fact that Vista facing huge compatibility and performance issues. Users have been complaining that Vista takes too long to start and shutdown, so also the application loading takes longer than Windows XP. And, the Gen-Next operating system has been rather slow on the uptake among a majority of professional PC users.

A poll by US market research firm Harris Interactive found that only 10% of those questioned were planning to upgrade to Vista in the near future. The study of 2,223 web-using Americans found that although 87% had heard of the operating system only 12% of those who knew of it were planning to install it. While the survey did find that some people waited for Vista before buying a PC, 60% said its appearance had no effect on their spending plans.

It also found that currently, 79% of those questioned were using Windows XP on their home PC.

In order to download Vista skins and themes on Windows XP(any version), you have to download a theme patcher. This basically tells your computer that you’re running “Vista” for that moment, and you’re able to switch the theme. Setup takes around 5 seconds. Instructions are included in file:

Download Vista Theme Patcher