Windows 8 Release Preview out now!

Download it!

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-8/release-preview

Meh, meh, meh... let's see...

Official post:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/05/31/delivering-the-windows-8-release-preview.aspx

Edit:

A user (xpclient) made a good "what is missing" post:
http://xpwasmyidea.blogspot.it/2011/09/features-removed-in-windows-8.html

China urban growth

Interesting...

HFSExplorer, reading Mac OSx file systems

This multiplatform software is very usefull and easy to use to read HFS (Mac OS Standard), HFS+ (Mac OS Extended), HFSX (Mac OS Extended with case sensitive file names) and open .dmg disk images.

It works on Xp too.

Download: http://catacombae.org/hfsx.html  (you need a Java RE installation)

Trying Ubuntu 12.04 :slowpoke:

I'm just trying Ubuntu 12.04 (yeah, slowpoke breaking news and I'm not a big fan of it) and for another big scoop (slowpoke again) I have to say that Unity UI is really really bad.

Another step to bring down desktop UI to the mobile OS UI, sacrificing functionality for fashion.


How can you use that crap?


So, the right steps are:

•  update Ubuntu
•  terminal :   sudo apt-get install kde-full    (yeah, full - good internet connection and time required -)
•  LogOut
•  choose KDE from Login options

Oh yes, finally something comfortable... resizable gadgets, previews, everything customizable... the Heaven.

Follow LCL on Twitter

What are you waiting for?

https://twitter.com/#!/LCoasterLab

Images, news, links and other stuff from the Web and the RL.

Customize OSX with CrystalClear

I don't know, this pseudo-glass is not bad... but uhm... too glass? There is a good effects choice...
If you are bored from the usual gray ... why not try it?

Download: http://www.marsthemes.com/crystalclear/

Developing desktop software is dead? #VS11

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/05/no-cost-desktop-software-development-is-dead-on-windows-8/#

Short story:

Visual Studio 11 is only for Metro Apps and for desktop application developers need the 500$ pro licence... so if you want to develop desktop software you must use the old Visual Studio10.

A bunch of 3rd-party softwares is developed by young guys (16>25 years old) not companies., 3rd-party softwares that add features to Windows (that out-of-the-box has ... almost nothing)

Microsoft should encourage those who produce software for its operating system, Metro or Desktop.

GG M$!  You know how to attract developers!!!

Nokia Lumia 900

Don't try at home.

How to use other file systems on Windows!

If you need to write or simply to read ext2/ext3/ext4 file systems on your Windows just try EXT2Fsd.

- Unzip
- Read Readme.txt
- Run Setup.bat for the auto setup


Download: http://www.ext2fsd.com/

Windows Metro jokes gallery (4 images)

Since its appearance the Metro UI has attracted the attention of many and has been the victim of jokes and teasing...


Let's see some...

Do you remember Windows 1.0?

[Nostalgia PS1] Soul Reaver #2

I'm really enjoying this game...
Raziel the vampire is now something different.
A old god save him, but yes, he's dead.
You can switch between the two worlds:
the material one and the spiritual one.



Screenshots .... >>

Goodbye old chap, Aero glass

Few days ago Microsoft announces that the Aero theme will be changed in Windows 8 and the "glass" effect will be removed with shadows and other things.

only a incomplete preview, says MS

I like the Aero Glass effect and the Aero translucency in Windows 7 (elegant imho), with shadows and other effects.
These effects slow down the system? Maybe, if you have a old Pc (or if you don't want to waste resources for that), but you can choose to deactivate them.

Customization. You can choose.
Ok, the GUI design must evolve, but what is the price?

Users want customize their visual experience, so why there isn't this dialog on Windows 8?

I hope it's disappeared because it's a Beta, but...

The right path for me? Everything customizable, so users can fine tune their Windows.
Microsoft removes the customization? Customization utilities/tools will be created.
So, another 3rd-party software to install and another feature removed out-of-the-box.
GG.

Mac & Win GUI evolution

I found this picture, very interesting, about the GUI evolution of Windows and Mac OS:

Windows 8 : desktop environment

Everybody here:  http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/05/18/creating-the-windows-8-user-experience.aspx

Now.

Vice, C64 on your pc and...

Nostalgia time?
Install a C64 emulator on your PC! Continue >>>>>

How to - Tweak: bigger Alt+Tab for Windows

After enlarging Windows Aero preview thumbnails (see previous posts)... why not enlarge ALT+TAB previews?
This trick works on Windows Vista too.

You must create a new key in the system registry and insert several values... delete the created key if you mess something. :P

Let's start.

[Nostalgia Ps1] : Soul Reaver #1

This time... Soul Reaver (1999)!!
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver is the second chapter of the Kain saga.
Do you remember the original first chapther (Blood Omen - 1996)?
I have old memories about it, never played, but I remember the solution written in a PC magazine...
Soul Reaver is the adventure of Raziel, killed by Kain, interesting uh?
This game was released for Playstation in 1999 and I remember I had a demo version, but few years ago I found the original CD. (I have a pc version too, but it doesn't work very well)
It's time to play it!

The intro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFiLNc46jAM

Let's start! (Follow the blog for the #2 part and the other updates)

Why xxx sites have social buttons?

Who is the sane person who shares "Busty preg brunette XXX fu**ed by mandingo hardcore with big coc*" on Facebook?
If someone of you knows the answer please send a comment.
Thank you, your help is very appreciated.

All about file types, how to change icons...

... and more.

Default Programs Editor (DPE) is a very good utility to change some things in Windows.
Blame on you Microsoft, because you don't include these basic things out of the box. Shame on you!

DPE includes:

• Customization of File Type settings (Context menu, icons, description...)
• Customization of the Autoplay settings
• Customization of the Default Programs settings

Autoplay and Default Programs settings can easily changed with Windows options, but we are interested in the File Type settings...

Context menu: you can edit voices of the contextual menu for every file type
Icon: finally I can select an icon (on WXp you can do this without 3d-party tools) for the file type
Description: ok, not so usefull, but you can change it.

Changing icons for file types... my choice:

Download DPE:  http://defaultprogramseditor.com/

How to convert images to Icons

You can use this tool to convert images to icons and using them in your OS.
The Windows icons max size is 256x256 (Windows Vista) but this tool converts your image in a icon that contains various size (for small icons, etc... like .ico format).

I suggest you to use PNG images that support transparency.

Run the software and a little box appears, right-click on it to show options...
Select the "Choose formats" and set the options to configure the max icon size.
Drag and drop your image in the box and the icon will be created (in the original image path)

Download:
http://www.pngfactory.net/customxp/logitheque-41-2-telecharger-ToYcon.html

Follow LCL!!!

Follow LCL on Twitter for random things, minor news, funny images, interesting things etc..

https://twitter.com/#!/LCoasterLab

Yes, only Twitter, I hate Facebook.

Alt+Tab on Windows 8 is ugly

I know you agree with me...

and I hope that MS will get rid of some screens from windows 95 like...

Is that a CRT monitor?

[HW] Summer is coming (6 images)

Summer is coming and your computer is in serious danger.
Do you have cleaned the fans? The dust-filters?
Or do you have a watercooled pc?

Let's see some "solution"...

Cool down your wi-fi router!

Lol wat?

What I have updated?

If you don't remember what you have updated with Windows Update follow these steps:

• Open Windows Update (WIN + write "windows update" + Enter, or go to Control Panel)
• Click "View update history"
• Click the "update pack" to see more details
• Click the links in the dialog box for more details (sometimes you will redirected in the Windows homepage)

I know, it's obvious, but not everyone knows it ...

Wolfenstein 3D in your browser

20 years of Wolfenstein... :_)

So why not playing it in your browser??  http://wolfenstein.bethsoft.com

Your temperatures in the taskbar

I tried several softwares, but Open Hardware Monitor is ok for me.
I used HWMonitor, but for some reasons that I don't know it shows me only the mobo temps.

So I downloaded OHM to keep an eye on fans and temperatures (summer is coming...) and it works like a charm.

You can active a gadget on your desktop or put values (like cpu temp, cpu fan etc...) in your traybar.

Obviously to do this, the program must be in the background.
This does not pose any problem or slow down, just select the options on "Options":
- Start minimized
- Run on windows startup


Right click on the value in the traybar to change color or show other options.


Download: http://openhardwaremonitor.org/

DOS wallpaper

MS Dos, sweet memories...

How to enlarge Windows Aero Preview thumbnails

350 px, the preview can use all the space depending of the window

If you think that your preview thumbnails in the taskbar are too small you can choose to change their dimension without a 3rd-party software or admin rights.

Follow LCL on Twitter!

Guys, now we have a Twitter account. WE HAVE TECHNOLOGY.
Follow LCL on Twitter for random things, minor news, etc..

https://twitter.com/#!/LCoasterLab

Yes, only Twitter, I hate Facebook.

Destroy your scrollwheel...

...and your finger in this website:  http://thedeepestsite.com/

Windows Manager for Android!

After the iOS WM ... an Android windows manager, but this is free!

It seems a sort of Windows Metro Snap.

Take a look and try it : http://www.onskreen.com/cornerstone/

Dreaming the future ['70s] (6 images)

In the seventies engineers at NASA imagined that the first orbital colony would be built within 25 to 50 years.
These were their visions of the future ... Halo you say?

"Multitasking" on iOS with a WManager

With this windows manager (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cYWha8YFi8) iOS on Apple Ipad kicks ass.
You can transform your fullscreen app in a sizable and movable windows for true efficiency.
It's called Quasar.

Pro:
- Fluid
- Good UI
- This is a killer app

Cons?
- It costs 9,99 $
- It's only for jailbroken devices

Ok, it's a "hack", a custom tweak, but iOS with that feature blows away the other mobile operating systems.
Just think about Windows 8 carrying a dual tasking (snapping apps) not only in tablets, but also in desktops.
Android with the "app bar" (like the app bar in W8, the left bar that contains all opened apps) offers a quick way to switch and show apps, but it's not a windows manager.

How long will take Apple to implement this natively?
And the Android developers?
And the Windows Developer Team... oh wait, we already know :facepalm:

Friendzone, various levels (10 images)

When you love a girl, but you are only a friend for her (despite all your efforts)...