Sunday, June 6th, 2010 |
Usually most computer users that have Microsoft Windows operating system installed on their computers try to use the latest version because it is always the most improved one and it brings the latest features. This is what happens usually. But when the so advertised Windows Vista was released on the market a lot of people found it really annoying and just could not stand having to use a computer with Vista installed. So they downgraded their operating system back to Windows XP that proved to be a reliable software for so long.
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I know that some people are simply a bit more resistent to new things, but this is certainly not the case. Most of these guys tried Vista and decided to return to XP. If you ask me I will tell you the same thing: I prefer XP any time if I have to choose between Vista and XP. However, Windows Vista did bring some very useful and interesting features that are new compared to the others. For example one of the best features introduced by Vista is the possibility to install all kinds of gadgets on your desktop and you will have a quick access to all the things you want to monitor. Considering this many users have asked on forums if there is any possibility to use the <strong>Vista gadgets for XP</strong>. This would be the best combination for them.
I was a bit skeptical about this but apparently it is possible. I did some research and I ran across some web pages that offer the Vista gadgets for free download and they also seem to be compatible with Windows XP. So don’t be surprised when you will see an XP desktop with a Vista sidebar. So I guess you now have the possibility to choose which of the Vista gadgets you want to install in your XP sidebar. You will be able to download and install gadgets like Vista clock gadget, calendar gadget, calculator gadget, search engine, compass, currency, Moon pases etc.
But apart from using the desktop <strong>Vista gadgets for XP</strong>, you can also use other Vista features like the Vista interface for Windows Explorer browser, the photo gallery with the photos that allos your desktop photo to change every 20 seconds. You can also change the picture of the recycle bin with the one used in Vista, and also the clock, system and hard drive information. In the end you will get a Windows XP operating system iwth a Vista design and look and gadgets. I guess this is the best way to use the best features in each of them
Here are some useful links that will lead you to the web sites that allow you to download for free different Vista gadgets that are compatible with Windows XP: <a href=”http://en.softonic.com/s/vista-sidebar-xp-gadgets” target=”_blank”>www.softonic.com</a>, <a href=”http://www.thoosje.com/” target=”_blank”>www.thoosje.com</a>, <a href=”http://www.megaleecher.net/taxonomy/term/4628″ target=”_blank”>www.megaleecher.net</a>, <a href=”http://www.gigglecomputer.com/2009/01/10-best-and-free-vista-gadgets-for-xp_30.html” target=”_blank”>www.gigglecomputer.com</a>, <a href=”http://sirburuslan.com/blog-internet/2825/Free-Download-gadgets-for-Windows-XP-and-Vista/en/” target=”_blank”>www.sirburuslan.com</a> . After downloading the ones you would like to use, just install and use them easily. Arrange them on your desktop as you see fit and use them every time you need to.
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Thursday, June 3rd, 2010 |
I am one of those people who use the internet frequently – I mean I am as good as dead if the internet connection is down for some reason or the internet speed is just so slow that it takes for ever until an internet page loads. When I need specific information about one thing I google it and open ten tabs with the most relevant results and then I read or better scan them one after another, looking for the information I need. So you can imagine my frustration and concern when I can’t do that and opening ten pages just takes me five minutes. And I can tell you there’s nothing wrong with my computer, as I take good care of that.
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So the only problem might be the internet speed, which is not always within the limits it is supposed to. So I decided to look for and install an<strong> internet speed Vista gadget</strong> that allows me to constantly monitor the internet speed delivered by the internet provider. Thank God for all the gadgets that Vista supports and all the desktop gadgets that make my life easier and that allow me to find the exact information I need in the blink of an eye, just taking a look at the monitor.
It did not take much to find more places where I can download such a gadget and install it on my computer. Here is what I found and you can follow the links if you are looking for the same thing or if you are a bit curious about what this <strong>internet speed Vista gadget</strong> can do: <a href=”http://gallery.live.com/results.aspx?pl=1&bt=1&q=internet%20speed” target=”_blank”>www.gallery.live.com</a>, <a href=”http://www.brothersoft.com/isp-monitor-vista-gadget-74269.html” target=”_blank”>www.brothersoft.com</a>, <a href=”http://www.download3k.com/Desktop-Enhancements/Other-enhancements/Download-Speed-Test-Gadget.html” target=”_blank”>www.download3k.com</a>, <a href=”http://speedtestpro.net/” target=”_blank”>www.speedtestpro.net</a>, <a href=”http://vista.gallery.microsoft.com/liveItemDetail.aspx?li=09cdf70c-c140-48ee-85f1-6b5eeef421da&pl=1&bt=1″ target=”_blank”>www.microsoft.com</a>, <a href=”http://www.softpedia.com/get/Windows-Widgets/System-Utilities/cFosSpeed-Gadget.shtml” target=”_blank”>www.softpedia.com</a> and <a href=”http://www.review-ninja.com/2009/04/3-most-usefull-windows-vista-gadget.html” target=”_blank”>www.review-ninja.com</a>.
It really does not matter which one you choose because all you have to do is download it for free and then install it on your desktop and you will be able to always keep an eye on the internet speed that is provided to you. You can test your upstream, downstream, ping and packet loss and compare them with others. Not all these gadgets are meant to be displayed on the desktop, but the one offered by Softpedia surely was designed to be <span id=”intelliTxt”>Vista Sidebar gadget and it will display the internet speed permanently on your desktop.
This way you can check if the internet speed you pay for and which is guaranteed by contract is really provided to you or not. Sometimes you have the possibility to choose between different models of graphics that usually show the internet speed as a bar of a certain color and also has the desired speed at the side for comparison. Or you can choose to have it displayed as a speedometer, just like the one you have on board your car. The Speed Test offered by Microsoft is a bit more complex and can show you </span><span id=”ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_LiveItemContactInfo1_ltDesc”>the maximum bandwidth speed, </span><span id=”ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_LiveItemContactInfo1_ltDesc”>your own website download speed, response time and errors, but also the hard drive space and activity because you might need to know them when you are downloading a certain file or software in order to make sure you have enough space for that.
But if you want to check all the benefits offered by these gadgets, you will have to see for yourselves, especially as they are all free for download.
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