No Option for Changing Windows Vista’s DVD Burning Option
I don't burn data files to CDs or DVDs often these days. But, when I do I always want to use the "Mastered" option that closes the disc after burning and is readable on most computers. "Live File System" is the DVD burn default and is near useless since I never want to use a DVD like a floppy, it is not readable on some systems, and it takes perhaps an hour to format the DVD for use. I never ever want to use it. It is especially useless when we can now buy large USB flash drives and external hard drives for very low prices.
The old "Mastered" style on the other hand is useful for burning family photos on a monthly basis for offsite storage. And yes, I can't find any simple way to make it the default burning option. There's probably a registry setting to do that. But, I haven't gone hunting for it yet. So, I have to remember to manually change that option for the one or two DVDs I burn each month. And, oh yes, if I forget to do so, there is no way to stop the process short of bringing up the Task Manager and manually killing the process from there.
I haven't looked at how Windows 7 Beta handles this since I'm running it on a DVD-less netbook. But, I'll attach an external DVD later and report back.
My Prediction of How Microsoft Retail Stores Will Work
I've been reading about Microsoft planning to open retail stores. They even hired a Walmart exec to head the operation. If it is anything like the Microsoft Company Store in Redmond, WA, these retail stores will be fun but a bit cluttered with lots of logo items (shirts, etc.) that are actually pretty good. But, here's my prediction of three features we will see in Microsoft's consumer retail stores:
1. As you approach the store's doors, you will be asked three times if you really want to enter the store. Lights will dim each time the question is posed to you.
2. When purchasing a product you will be asked three times if you really want to buy the product. If there is some kind of error during this process, you will be asked to return the item to the shelf and begin the purchase process from that procedure point. If you there is a really big problem during checkout, you will be asked to return home first, change your clothing to whatever you were wearing when you woke up, and then drive back to the store to try to purchase the product again.
3. If you catch a cold or flu virus while in the store, you will be mind-wiped and returned to factory state before being advised to get rest, drink plenty of water, and eat chicken soup.
Answer: Windows Vista, iMovie 08, Windows Live Movie Maker beta – Name 3 Things People Want to Downgrade From
I posted an item over the O'Reilly Blogs titled...
Glad I'm not the only one who thinks that Windows Live Movie Maker is useless.
eMachines D3024 Does Not Boot if Mouse is Dead
I have an old eMachines D3024 that I use to run Fedora Linux. This morning it got "stuck" on the BIOS screen while booting. I went through the usual behavior of reseating RAM (DIMM) and internal cables. That didn't help at all. Then, I noticed that the Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse Receiver 2.0 (a USB mouse RF receiver) was not lit up when the PC was turned on. It normally lights up a small LED on the front of the receiver. So, I grabbed a wired mouse and plugged it in to the PC. And, yep, the PC booted with a functional mouse attached.
This is the first time I've see a PC that would not boot past the BIOS startup screen just because a mouse was not installed. So, it sure was a head scratcher problem for me.