I started using Windows Live Writer as my Blog post editor a couple of weeks ago.

I have only encountered one problem that it changed apostrophes in to question marks. That seems to be fixed by the changing the Character set to Western European Windows instead of the default UTF-8. You do this under Weblog > Edit Web Log Settings > Advanced.

Now what makes this significant is we now have a (Microsoft word style) editing tool that real people can use. I find the Wordpress WYSIWYG editor to be very clumsy.

But with Windows Live Writer at the front end and Wordpress as the back end. This has removed all the ugliness from creating blog posts. Anyone who wants to blog, writes, anyone who writes knows how to use a word processor.

All you need is:-

A Unix web hosting account with mysql database  (check out my webhost http://www.1steasy.com)

Windows Live Writer (Free http://get.live.com/betas/writer_betas)

Wordpress (Free http://www.wordpress.org)

Choose a Wordpress Template (Free http://themes.wordpress.net/)

Ta da you are now in the web publishing business.

If you want to start a blog but have some questions use the comments section or e-mail me. mailto:colindiponio@gmail.com

As of June 2007 If I get a new Dell PC pre-installed with Windows XP Pro Service Pack 2 I have to install 43 Updates and IE7 via Windows Update.

If I am rebuilding a Dell using the Windows XP Pro Service Pack 2 OEM Media (a CD) I have a whopping 80 updates from Windows update (see pic above).

The person I feel sorry for is one trying to update the original Windows XP Pro to Windows XP Pro SP2 fully updated.

Its about time for Windows XP Pro Service Pack 3 and the Media to install it from.

The issue of creating Slip Streamed Windows XP SP2 install media is slightly more complicated when using Dell’s OEM media as the source, The windows is pre-activated  (I assume its also tied to the oem bios) and the media is already slip streamed to SP2, minus the latest updates.

This problem is only going to get worse as I know I will still be rebuilding Windows XP Pro machines well into the 2008 to 2010 time frame.

If anyone knows of a legal and legitimate way to create Windows XP Pro SP2 Fully Patched from Dell OEM Media let me know.

Great news from Microsoft’s Keith Combs. He and his team are going to produce 200 Windows Vista Screencasts for all of the Windows Vista Features as listed in the official Windows Vista Product guide.

As a Screencaster I know this is a big job. I currently produce about one Screencast a week typically on a new technology topic.

They have chosen to do these Screencasts in Techsmith’s Camtasia (the same tool I use).

I am really looking forward to seeing these Screencasts as they are a great way of learning about new features.

Anyway bookmark Keiths Blog if you want to see how this project turns out.

Link: Site- Keith Combs’ Blahg

Apparently Microsoft Office 2003 will no longer be available OEM from the end of this month.

This doesnt really make sense to me. Why then supply Windows XP OEM all the way up to December 2007 the same audience who want Windows XP Pro (for compatibility and reliability) will more than likely want Microsoft Office 2003 for the same reasons.

If you have a volume license agreement you can exercise your downgrade right. Office 2007 to Office 2003

If however you get Microsoft Office shipped with a new PC like from an OEM supplier like Dell your time is running out.

I have been installing computers for a very long time. Over that time you learn how to organise yourself so you can shave time off the install.

All you need is:-

Your own 4 Way Plug boards (2 of them, so you can power 4 computers at any one time).

Your own Hub/Switch (so you can network multiple PC’s from the same location without disrupting other users).

A space you can spread out on, ideally a desk.

Today for example I had to install 6 workstations in a call centre. Running on the PC’s is a bespoke call centre application.

All in all the installation has about 25 steps per computer.

Now I could have installed these in two banks of three, but chose three banks of two. The install is quite complicated so concentrating on two at time was good enough.

Having the systems stacked allows you to use the same keyboard, mouse, network and power cables per bank. When you are finished with first two computers a quick trip around the back and all you have to do is move the cables up to the next two computers waiting.

 With a 25 step install having a printed check list is crucial, so you can tick off each step.

Are you a North West based business looking for a really smart I.T Consultant? get in touch I can help you Tel: 01606-841587.