Windows Observer

Windows Observer is owned and operated by Richard Hay. In January 2010 Richard's community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when he received his first Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for Windows Desktop Experience and in January 2011 when he was renewed as a Microsoft MVP in a new category called Windows Expert-Consumer.

Windows Observer: How To Become a Microsoft Beta Tester

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Are you analytical and enjoy testing out the latest and greatest software and tools out there? Do you hesitate to install the latest version of a set of drivers, software update, etc. or do you just go without even backing up your data? Do your family and friends call you for tech support and helping them with their computers?

Well, if you answered yes to any of the above questions then you just might have what it takes to be a beta tester.

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Windows Observer: Tracking Down Popular Windows Sidebar Gadgets

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Back in October of this year Microsoft shut down the Windows Live Gallery which contained a huge collection of sidebar gadgets for your Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems. This large collection of add-ons was replaced by a single page of gadgets at the Windows Personalization Gallery. I am not sure what the criteria was for the remaining gadgets but many folks are coming here in search of Gadgets after we profiled quite a few in a series of blog posts last year.

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Windows Observer: Roll Your Own URL Shortener Service

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There are plenty of options available to shorten links that you share across the internet. These services really started when Twitter and the 140 character tweet limit came about. Of course when you use a commercially available service you put all your eggs in one basket so if that service ever goes defunct then you have lost your links and any data connected to them such as analytics.

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Windows Observer: How to Create Your Own Dynamic RSS Themes

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Ever wonder how those dynamic Windows 7 themes work? Well I want to show you just how you can create your own dynamic theme with just a few extra steps in front of the typical built in sharing that Windows 7 offers through Theme Packs. First you need a theme file and for this we are just going to utilize one of the files that are already included in Windows 7.

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Windows Observer: Using Microsoft’s New Online Safety Scanner

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Microsoft recently announced the availability of an online scanner to check your system for issues such as virus infections, spyware and malware. This new service is called the Microsoft Safety Scanner and although it has not been said directly by anyone at Microsoft that I have seen this service seems to be the obvious replacement for the now defunct Windows Live OneCare Online scan service.

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