DL

01-23-2006 Hardware Specification Data EXE
Identification of ALL hardware on your machine and save/show as .xml format.
Of course, you have the option to send it to Microsoft. May be they will send you some new hardware for testing and retain it after Beta expired:)

WinSAT V6.0 Build-5270

WinSAT V6.0 Build-5270
Windows System Assessment Tool

Go test it yourself.
Start> run
Type the following command:
winsat dwm :Measure your - LDDM supported Display Card
winsat disk :Measure your - Storage performance
winsat mem :Measure your - Memory Bandwith
winsat aurora :Lovely moving aurora screen appear :)
winsat d3d :Measure your Direct3D Gaming Performance
Moving colored screen appear :)
winsat moobe :Check your OS regarding the followings.
Processor Performance (mine: 89.95 MB/s)
System Memory Bandwith (mine: 74144.34 MB/s)
Gaming Performance (mine: 1874.52 F/s <0.00>)
Disk Performance (mine: 246.53 MB/s)
Video Encode Time (mine: 16.31294 secs)
Video Decode Time (mine: 0.01596 secs)

WinSAT was found since Builds 5048.

Explanation of TAP

Technology Adoption Program (TAP )

- The granddaddy of Microsoft's beta programs centered on a core group of key customers and partners who are early adopters of key Microsoft technologies;

- Not a replacement for Microsoft's mega-beta tests (public and private) for products such as Windows, Office and Visual Studio. Instead, it's more of an "elite" beta-test program;

- Launced Winter 2003 which supersedes Microsoft's Early Adoption Program (EAP), Joint Development Program (JDP) & Rapid Deployment Program (RDP);

- Reserved for a select group of customers and partners with whom Microsoft is interested in holding "an ongoing dialogue on pre-release code," according to the company;

- All TAP participants are those who plan to put the beta code into early production;

- "TAP is a framework that gives customers a consistent view of pre-release customer programs," said Linda Apsley, lead program manager with Microsoft's Customer Experience Team;

- It is currently consists of four different programs namely: 1) Product validation (similar to the JDP); 2) Product evaluation (like a traditional beta program); 3) Rapid deployment (akin to the Microsoft RDP); 4) A new "solutions implementation" program that covers the post-RTM product phase.

Explanation of Aero, Aero Glass, Aero Express, Aero Diamond.

Aero (code-name) – an acronym for
Authentic,
Energetic,
Reflective,
Open.

Aero Glass
The full Windows Vista desktop experience. Built on the DWM (Desktop Window Manager) previously known as DCE (Desktop Compositing Engine), it adds support for
1) 3D Graphics,
2) Translucency,
3) Animation & other visual effects.
I explained, tested and distributed the whole concept as
Slow Motion "Sticky Mode" Revisited (Flip3D) dated Dec 29, 2005.

Aero Express*
AeroExpress, lacking many features of the highest level code-named Aero Glass. However, in December 2005, Microsoft announced that there would only be two levels available, "Windows Vista Aero" and "Windows Vista Basic", with the previous "Express" level integrated into the new "Windows Vista Aero" level. A control panel was added to enable the user to fine tune this functionality, such as being able to turn off the "glass" translucency effect. These levels are provided so that the Aero interface (to some extent) can be used with a relatively low-end graphics card.

*Aero Express does not use DWM. There is no SDK interface for changing from Aero Glass to Aero Express.

Aero Diamond
A variation of Aero, code-named "Aero Diamond", is slated to be the user interface for the Windows Vista Media Center Edition experience.

DL - Media Center Diagnostic Tool (AGAIN)

01-10-2006 MCDiag January2006_011006
This time it works and really display the specification & errors if any on my MCE.

“Flight Simulator X”

“Flight Simulator X” which showcases the Windows Vista platform through stunning graphics and incredible realism.

The Distance between & The Lady & The Folded Chess Set

1st Pic: What's the distance between A/B/ C/ D ?
The same or just illusion..........

2nd Pic: The Lady
Sitting or Standing or........

3rd Pic: The Folded Chess Set
Are you looking from the top or the bottom of the chessboard?

It's boring to wait for Official Beta 2.

DL - Media Center Diagnostic Tool

01-06-2006 Media Center Diagnostic Tool
Stupid program that didn't do anything. Microsoft have again coding error in it. Hopefully they will release a second one soon.

DL for that mis-writtenly expired MCE

All of us have our 5270 MCE application expired started 1 Jan 2006. I submit that bug (possibly sources code error that they forgot to check) on the same day.
However Microsoft speedly launched the following patches within 5 days for us. Thanks.

01-05-2006 Media Center Edition Update for 32 bit Windows Vista
01-05-2006 Media Center Edition Update for 64 bit Windows Vista

The MCE is back with live TV function (with NVIDIA_PureVideo_Decoder installed at your own cost) enabled.
Cheers 8)

Huge DL

Title: Vista Ascend Training Pre-Requisites
Date: 12/30/2005
Size: 3,730.5 MB
Only ava to selected testers like me:)