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AIR is a cross platform operating system runtime which enables web developers to empower their existing web development skills. It enables developers to build and deploy web applications and content to the desktop.

Few reasons why web developers prefer AIR are as follows:

Cross platform desktop application : An application written for a desktop can be run on any platform MacOS, Linux, Windows, etc.

Applications acts as desktop applications : AIR is full featured application framework which gives users access to file system, system tray and web all at the same time.

Desktop Applications written in JavaScript or HTML

Better integration for web applications.

Adobe AIR was released on June 16 2008. AIR provides support for building international languages. Its 1.1 version includes support for Windows XP tablet PC edition and 64 bits edition of Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Ultimate and Enterprise. Its applications can operate offline too, and can upgrade itself when reconnected to the web. More than 180 applications are available on Adobe AIR market place.

The new update of Windows Vista is due to be released next week. The update involves support for Blu-ray drives alongwith other developments.

In one of the blog posted on one of the site, Microsoft Corporation confirmed that a beta version of Windows Vista SP 2 (Service Pack 2) would be released in the coming week.

Microsoft has recently adapted a single serviceability model. The new update covers both Windows Vista Client edition and Windows Server 2008 versions. Microsoft expects that the new update should minimize the complex parts of deployment and testing for the customers.

Users can refer to this document for an in depth understanding.

The update would also cover updates for support to Blu-Ray, Blue Tooth 2.1 and Windows Search 4.0 which is the newest version of Microsoft search technology.

Though users who have upgraded Vista SP1 need not necessarily upgrade to SP2, but if they want additional packages and patches then surely go ahead and buy the product. Windows Vista service pack 1 can be freely downloaded. But for upgrading your operating system to service pack 2 is going to cost you.

So,I would suggest users to wait for some time until SP2 too becomes free for downloading.

One of the spokesperson when asked about the exact release date said “It is yet to be decided, will let the press know and also release over the web”. The manufacturers are in the task of giving final touch to the product before releasing it for the users. Microsoft has given the product for testing to selected users and is taking final feedback for improving the product’s quality as per user’s needs.

Microsoft assumes to release the final version by the mid of 2009.

Protect your computer system by applying the patch, released by Windows.

Microsoft has found evidence of a RPC (Remote Procedure Call) attack which can infect almost all versions of Windows machines across the Net. The bug is able to pass through the Firewalls installed on your machine.
Windows Server 2003, 2000, and XP (Service Pack 2 or 3 installed) are more vulnerable.

Below are the links to the patches for different versions of Windows :

1. Windows Server 2008 64-bit.
2. Windows Server 2008 32-bit
3. Windows Vista 64- bit edition
4. Windows Vista
5. Windows Server 64-bit edition
6. Windows Server 2003 (With service pack 1&2)
7. Windows XP 64- bit
8. Windows XP (With service pack 2 or 3) 
9. Windows 2000 (With Service Pack 4)

These patches have been released by Windows.

Logitech has once again proved its genuineness. Logitech has introduced an illuminates keyboard which enables the user to work in dark. The keyboard is slick and has an elegant feature. It is ultra thin which has a thickness of 9.3 mm.

The keyboard has a soft touch palm rest. Its full size key layout makes typing comfortable. It delivers an ideal combination of form and function which is a major expectation from a keyboard. It has a bright laser etched backlighted keys that deliver perfect illumination which can be adjusted as per requirement.

The keyboard is compatible on Windows XP and Windows Vista.

Logitech has also published few shortcut keys as stated below.

Control (Cntrl) key + Mouse scroll Wheel : Zoom in or out in a word document.

Cntrl + C : Copy.

Cntrl + X : Cut.

Cntrl + V : Paste.

Cntrl + Z : Undo.

Cntrl + Y : Redo.

Cntrl + P : Open Print window.

Cntrl + O : Open.

Cntrl + N : Creates a blank.

Cntrl + A : Selects complete text.

Cntrl + S : Save.

Cntrl + F : Find of Search.

Cntrl + B : Bold.

Cntrl + I : Italic.

Cntrl + U : Underline Text.

Cntrl + N : Open New Window.

Cntrl + W : Close current Internet Explorer Window.

Backspace : Go back to previous web page.

End : Go to end of the page.

Home : Go to top of the page.

Start key + E : Opens Windows Explorer Window.

Start key + F : Fin files or folders.

Start + M : Minimize Window.

Start key + R : Opens Run dialog box.

Start key + Pause : Opens System property panel.

Now is the best time to switch to Windows Vista because of its all new better features, improved security and overall performance and experience.

Features

Windows Vista has many new and improved features as compared to Windows XP.

• Windows Aero : Vista’s interface has a completely different look. It is much cleaner, has an improved graphic quality, it has Live icons with new 3D Window Flip feature. But to enjoy this feature Windows Aero requires a higher version of video graphic card, if you do not have a higher version Vista is displayed using Windows Basic. To check for the compatibility, you can use Windows Vista Advisor to check if your video card meets Windows Aero`s requirements.

• Windows Sidebar : If you are using Windows Aero, then Vista offers a panel which would display your selection of Windows gadgets which performs useful function which include – a clock, a calendar, a Microsoft Office Inbox representation and also a currency exchange tab.

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  Windows Sidebar

• Microsoft Windows Media Player11 : Though it can also be downloaded for XP, this latest Media Player was designed for Windows Vista. Windows Media Player 11 with its new graphics oriented interface, has dumped the feature of text oriented look and field of previous versions.

• Windows Search : This is one if the most helpful feature in Vista. With this feature any file can be searched from anywhere. This feature cannot be found in Windows XP.

Security

Security is one of the important features these days. This feature has been taken seriously in Windows Vista.

• · Parental Control : By setting you as an administrator Vista sets highly specific boundaries for its other users. This includes separate standard user accounts for family members. You can restrict or allow access to web sites for the users as set by you. Same can be done by access to applications and folders.

• · User Account Control (UAC) : This is a new security feature introduced in Vista. It lets you operate this OS as a standard user than as a true administrator in which you have full access.

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• Firewall : New Vista features two different firewalls, it involves firewall which was available in Windows XP and Windows Firewall with added advanced features. Windows firewall includes a bidirectional filter which scans both incoming and outgoing data.

Better User Experience

• New Start Menu : The new Start menu displays everything in context of a single menu. You do not require to scroll through a list of all applications.

• Improved Folders : Various folders such as My Documents, My Music, My Videos etc. are very simplified and appear as simple Documents, Music etc.

• Live Icons : If you are using Windows Aero, you can hover the mouse over open windows in the task bar and view a live representation of anything running in them. The same feature is offered by Windows Flip 3D feature.

These reasons might attract you to Windows Vista. But these were a handful added features. There is a lot that can be explored in Vista.