Windows XP SP3 Is Unofficially Available For Download

If you're an Windows XP fan who's been waiting for the release of SP3 but that April 29th seems just to far away, you can get you an unofficial copy right now. So if you have the guts to download unproven Service Packs and install them on your system, you can find them via MajorGeeks and Softpedia. I think I'm just gonna wait, but for you brave ones, let me know how it goes.

[Major Geeks and Softpedia via Gizmodo]

Still on XP? Try Release Candidate 3

Ok, I don't want to explain the obvious to geeks "in the know"; but some folks might not be aware of what a Release Candidate is. A release candidate is software that is done with Beta Testing. The release candidate may in fact be the final code to be released. it ususally availible to everyone; and occasionally they may put out a second release candidate if a situation arises. Bugs should be OUT of the code having been Beta tested by this time. Usually the only thing that might change between the first or second release candidates is a feature set.
Ok, now that that's out of the way; Service Pack 3 (SP3) for Windows XP is FINALLY out as a Release Candidate (RC). What does this mean? You can download SP3 and install it to your XP PC and it will not only have all the bug fixes and features added since SP2; but it will have new features as well. SP2 has been one of the most stable points in any Operating System's life. But it's long in the tooth now.
Many folks out there who have heard horror stories about Vista are not willing to jump to that new platform. These folk are the people targeted to use SP3 for Windows XP. It's from Microsoft, and it doesn't cost a dime. It is particularly useful for folks who want to install/reinstall their XP system. By downloading and installing SP3, you save all the time you would spend having to individually update every little bug fix, new feature put out over the last few years for XP. It's all rolled into SP3.
I will close by saying that this is not a word of caution. By the time a product is at RC1 level; it should be completely stable. If you choose to install SP3 (RC1); you will not lose any feature or program. Soon (January or February) the FINAL SP3 will be released and you can update you RC version to the FINAL version painlessly.

Typically RC's are installed by Geeks who want to taste the future before the masses. I happen to be one of those. (and PROUDLY!) ZDNet's Mary Joe Foley tells you all you need to know and gives you links to download and install SP3 (RC1) right here.

Have fun!!!

Windows XP SP3 Running Faster Than Vista SP1?

In what seems to be a strange twist in the Microsoft world, it seems that Vista's main competitor may be Windows XP. ComputerWorld is reporting that testing of Windows XP SP3 is on going, and that Microsoft Office runs considerably faster (10%) than XP SP2.

The problem?

Well it looks like it also runs much faster than Windows Vista too. Which isn't a good thing considering that Microsoft has been trying to convince business users to migrate to Vista. And since the latest tests for Vista SP1 have been less than stellar, business users haven't had a reason to "upgrade" to Vista.

Microsoft needs to rethink Vista!!!
XP SP3 is due out sometime next year.

[slashdot.org]

Vista SP1: Looking Good So Far

Well good news for you early adopters of Windows Vista. PC Magazine has a preview of the SP1 beta that is out, and the returns are sounding pretty good. Neil Randall who is the reviewer states that Vista runs faster, and noted that there are lots more driver support than the launch version. He also states that application windows open faster and file copying is quicker.

It is due out in Q1 of 2008, along with SP3 for Windows XP.

[PC Magazine via Gizmodo]