MSN Direct just released a Technology Preview of MSN Direct for Windows Mobile devices! Cool-eh! It is a Windows Mobile Standard (Smartphone) application that connects to the MSN Direct information service and delivers the information that you want to hear about and it also updates automatically, you never have to enter an URL, or wait for a web page to load. You get instant access to information such as top news stories, stock updates, weather, sports, entertainment, and business news.

It is free to download and even available as a CAB installer for download. As the application requires data connectivity from your wireless carrier, the usual disclaimers about checking with your wireless provider for coverage areas and service fees apply.

Visit their website msndirect.com for MSN Direct services, devices, coverage, pricing and availability.

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It was Bram Cohen who came up with the concept of the bit torrent protocol in 2001. Even today, with all the various torrent client software available, everyone has heard of the bit torrent. The reason for this, is that Bram Cohen’s company is called BitTorrent and is also the holder of the intellectual rights o the bit torrent protocol used by many of the P2P client programs available today.

The goal, was to create a means to distribute large amounts of data without the original data distributor having to pay for the entire expense of hosting a website to get traffic as well as use bandwidth to allow your visitors to download the data. Another goal was to also increase redundancy as well as reduce the burden of the original distributor. It was a success. The creation of the bit torrent protocol, now allows anyone to be a distributor regardless of your income or financial standings. When you offer your data in the form of a torrent file, others can download directly from your computer, placing the bandwidth usage on the ISP and not your own. Then, once another person has the complete file, and a third person comes along, they can download from both computers simultaneously.

The goal is the same with any type of torrent software, They are all built with the basic bit torrent protocol in mind, but can literally be on any programming platform. There are some that are developed on Python and C++ as well as Visual Basic and more.

Regardless of the software platform used to build your bit torrent software, the basic bit torrent protocol remains the same. It allows you to connect with other bit torrent users, even if they are utilizing a different client. If you already have a bit torrent client and have already downloaded a file, then you may have noticed your “Peers” section which will show you all the computers that your computer is currently connected to. Some clients will even tell you which bit torrent client software your “peers” are using as well as they may even show you the flag of the country in which that particular IP address belongs to.

The bit torrent client is no where near being fully developed. They are undergoing changes almost on a monthly basis. As each new bug get uncovered, an update is released. It is very important to maintain your up dates. On top of all of this, you may wonder how it can still be in development even though you have a non-beta version already installed on your computer. The reason is simple. Unlike Windows who has been around for well over 10 years, the bit torrent protocol has been around for a fairly short time. The shortness of time that the bit torrent protocol has been in existence, coupled with the ever increasing pressure from ISPs and copyright authorities, the bit torrent protocol is in an ever-adapting form that is constantly changing as each new problem arises.

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There are many variations of development methods involved with the designing of a bit torrent client end software. Regardless of the various forms of programming language available to develop application software, the one constant that stays true, is the use of the bit torrent protocol. Without the use of the same protocol, you can not share with those who are on the bit torrent network.

Many different programming languages have been used for bit torrent software; there was even talk about how to build one with JavaScript, which of course is next to impossible due to the rules involved with the JavaScript programming language in regards to remote files. None the less, development of the world’s largest online community continues, and so the community is always expanding as well.

While some bit torrent application software may be developed on C++, other may use Visual Basic, but due to the fact that in general, bit torrent clients are free to those who want it, the programming languages, tend to stay away from the high-end programming languages. The largest percentages of applications available have been developed using Python and other similar programming languages.

Bit torrent programs are not only developed on a variety of programming languages, but it has also been developed for a variety of operating systems as well. Regardless as to whether you are using Windows, OS2 or Linux based operating systems, you can find a bit torrent client for any type of operating system that has been produced going back as far as Windows 95. The best part is that even though you can get a bit torrent client that will run on Windows 95, the bit torrent protocol was not even developed and released until 2006 to the mass public. Of course it was available before then, even as far back as the early 2000’s, but it had gone through many tests as well as taking a bit of time to become popular enough to be readily accessible to the world.

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Windows Vista is included with most new computers, and those new computers are usually a customer’s first experience with Windows Vista. The changes from XP to Vista can be overwhelming to even to most savvy computer user. Thankfully Microsoft made is easier to adapt to Windows Vista.

Obviously, the first step to acquainting yourself with Vista is to look at the “Welcome Center.” It automatically opens when the computer turns on and it had many useful features. Perhaps the most useful of those features is the “What’s New in Windows Vista” tool. Clicking this brings up a variety of options, each of which are designed to show you, the user, what has been added to Windows Vista compared to Windows XP. All of the new features are explained in depth and each feature is demonstrated. These tutorials also show how to access each feature as well as how to use them.

Another good way to get to know Vista is through simple trial and error. Experimenting with display options, properties and other customizable features is a great way to understand them. Change any features you want to make them work how you want them. One of the most common features to be changed in Vista is the Windows Start Bar. Many people prefer the classic Windows XP style compared to the Windows Vista style, and it is reasonably easy to change.

If you just got Windows Vista then it is fairly likely that you don’t know how to use it. Before trying to utilize Windows Vista fully you should try to become acquainted with as many aspects of it as possible. If looking at demos and tutorials doesn’t help enough contacting Microsoft is always an option. Another successful and simple method to understand Vista is through online forums. Many web forums have sections dedicated to Windows Vista where you can ask for support or even just ask how to do something. So if you just got Windows Vista and have no idea how to use it do not be discouraged. Through some simple steps you can easily learn how to use and understand Windows Vista!

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Thats right you can get Microsoft Office for free, as in, completely free of charge. There are no hidden fees, no registering on unknown sites, and no SPYWARE. Most importantly it is completely, 100% legal. Ok so it might not be the real Microsoft Office, but some of the leading open source office programs compete with Office very well and in some aspects are actually better than the real thing. The main reason that these office suites are free is because the are open source. Open source software is a type of software development where any community coders can submit lines of code to fix problems and add features. Each of these coders build off each others ideas, and a very high quality program is nearly always the result.

The undisputed leader of open source office suites is OpenOffice.org or as it is usually called, OpenOffice. OpenOffice was created as a free alternative to Microsoft Office, and in nearly all aspects it is a very good alternative. OpenOffice can run on Windows, Linux, and even Mac OS X, making a universal office program as well. OpenOffice included: Writer, which is a word processor and is very similar to Microsoft Word, Calc, which is a spreadsheet program very similar to Microsoft Excel in both features and mathematical functions, Impress, which is a sideshow presentation program very similar to Microsoft PowerPoint but with some small differences, Base, which is a database system similar to Microsoft Access, Draw, which is a vector image editor similar to CorelDRAW, and Math, which is used for creating mathematical formulas. Each of these programs differs from the Microsoft original in some way, but nearly all features are available either through OpenOffice or through the use of additional plugins. OpenOffice can save files in OpenOffice format, or in a variety of other formats, making it possible to edit Writer files in Microsoft Word.

Another popular office program is Google Docs, provided free by Google. Google Docs is a fully web based office suite, including a word processor, spreadsheet and presentation creator. Google Docs is fully compatible with Microsoft file formats, making it easy to edit or create files which can be used in Microsoft Office. One of the biggest shortcomings of Google Docs is the fact that it is online only. Many users like having an actual program rather than simply an online tool, but it is effective. Google Docs also gives you the ability to save your document either to your computer or to your Google account, making it easily accessible from anywhere.

There are dozens more Microsoft Office replacement programs available on the internet, some are free but some do cost money. OpenOffice and Google Docs are simply the two undisputed best replacements and both are very effective. If you are planning on upgrading your computer and will need a new office suite, or if you are tired of using your illegal copy of Microsoft Office one of these free office suites is a great idea!

Popularity: 2% [?]