Firefox 2 - Beta Released

Mozilla's latest beta release of the next Firefox browser is fully ready to download now. The new browser has several good features and improvements over the current version of Firefox (1.5.x) like glowing buttons in the user interface, a scrollable tab bar, a close tab button on each individual tab and improved RSS subscription options.

Whenever you click on an RSS feed, you can choose between adding it to a desktop reader, saving it as a Live Bookmark, or adding it to a web-based reader.

The mozilla look and feel seems to be a compete with the Microsoft Internet Explorer 7, the most notable ones built-in phishing protection and an integrated spell-checker for text forms.

Firefox 2 Beta 2 also cleans up some of the previous releases' annoying behaviors. There's a search engine manager for that little integrated search box that makes deleting engines as easy as adding them. There's also a new Windows installer that should resolve some of the installation difficulties reported by Windows users.
The new beta also has something called Session Restore, which will restore your open pages, tabs, and text in forms in case the browser crashes. If you want to try the beta, you can download it using the following links:

Windows:
http://www.mozilla.com/products/download.html?product=firefox-2.0b2&os=win&lang=en-US

Mac:
http://www.mozilla.com/products/download.html?product=firefox-2.0b2&os=osx&lang=en-US

Linux:
http://www.mozilla.com/products/download.html?product=firefox-2.0b2&os=linux&lang=en-US

New Radeon Xpress 1250 chipset from ATI..

Radeon Xpress 1250 is the first Intel-based chipset to support ATI's Avivo display and video architecture.

With this technology now your PCs can produce "vibrant images" and "smooth video playback", and "true-to-life images". Might be targeted for the Windows Vista, as it can handle Windows new Aero Glass features with ease.

The card works with ATI's SB600 South Bridge support for up to 10 Hi-Speed USB 2.0 ports, 4 SATA II ports and with RAID capability.

A trial version of a free parental-control tool for Windows XP..

Windows Live OneCare Family Safety Beta

Free software that helps you and your kids explore the Internet more safely. Family Safety helps you filter information based on each child's age to help protect them from stuff you don't want them to see. You can also limit searches, block or allow certain Web sites, and monitor what they're doing online. Check it out...

http://ideas.live.com/programpage.aspx?versionid=a78d3383-8c23-4b95-a56c-b9967270629e

No BlueRay and HD DVD Support in Windows Vista.. :(

On Thursday, August 24th the APC Magazine has reported that the Windows Vista 32-bit OS doesnt come with Blu-Ray, and HD DVD playback support.

Initially Microsoft has scheduled Windows Vista to released in October and to able to meet the deadline, it seems that lots of pre decided features have not been included, that includes the Avalon presentation layer and WinFS file system.

At the Tech.Ed 2006 conference in Sydney, Microsoft Senior Program Manager Steve Riley revealed that only the 64-bit version of Vista will play protected video in either optical format at the full 1080p resolution.
However, still the both will be available as unsigned drivers. The hardware vendors, who does like to include the support may probably provide the required driver set to have these playback.

Volume Shadow Copy - Old wine in a new bottle :)

Microsoft is providing the undelete system feature in Windows Vista too.. The technology, which is automatically switched on in Vista, is called 'volume shadow copy' and Vista users will see it appear under the 'previous versions' banner.

It maintains backups of older versions of files when you edit and save a new version, similar to .bak files. This feature is very helpful to retrive the files, in the case of accidental deletions.

This feature can easily be disabled via the system protection tab within the system properties control panel.