Most users familiar with Windows are most likely using a version of Internet Explorer or Firefox. These are comfortable, familiar browsers that have been with us for years and then Apple decides to release Safari to the millions of Windows hordes around the globe. The current version of Safari is a beta but predictions are pouring in that Apple is doomed to fail on the “browser wars” front.

Windows Vista and Mac OSX continue to slug it out and while Microsoft and Apple will attempt to lure people to their respective operating systems, both have managed to increase market share.

A number of companies have nothing good to say about Microsoft, whether it is based in fact or in fiction. On Friday, Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer said that Google’s complaint over the built-in search function of Vista, is “baseless.”

It’s approaching the 6 month anniversary of Vista being on the market and yet, a number of compatibility issues are still present within the operating system, not to mention an untold number of existing or yet to be discovered security holes and bugs.

Check Point Software Technologies has released its ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 7.1 today, four months since Microsoft release Vista. The two-way firewall was designed to run on the latest Windows operating system, Vista.

In order to curb piracy, Microsoft embedded some very tiny holograms on every single Vista DVD sold. Not that you would be able to see them because they are so small, it’s nearly impossible with the naked eye.

O&O software, makers of disk utilities and well known for their UnErase and Defragging utilities have added another piece of the puzzle to their repertoire. It has released Safe Erase 3 for securely deleting files on Vista.

The Australia NSW Department of Education and Training announced that the department has made its decision to standardize its computing environment using Vista’s predecessor, Windows XP Professional.

Now that we have yet another choice for the browser wars on Windows based machines, it’s time to analyze that choice. Of course, I’m talking about Apple’s brand new browser (for Windows XP and Vista users), Safari 3 Beta. I tried it out; don’t expect too much out of it but one thing you will get is a gaping security hole which is not good browsing.

I think I’m going to start a section called “why can’t we all just get along” because everyone in the US is “sue the other guy” happy from corporations to individuals. Google has complained to some Department of Justice officials that certain features within Microsoft’s newest operating system, Vista, that discourage users from using Google software.

Corel has announced its latest versions of consumer video editing and DVD authoring software has been Certified for Windows Vista. The Ulead VideoStudio 11 now available in two versions, the ‘regular’ and ‘Plus’ version, enhanced the previous version.

There are all sorts of ways of running an operating system within an operating system. The most common is known as a virtual system by which the host computer emulates another operating system within its own. It’s how Parallels works, which runs Windows XP or Vista within Mac OSX. The same can be done with Ubuntu and Windows but it’s not something I would tinker with, there is an easier way.

You’d think that people would have gotten it through their heads that companies simply do not email about critical security updates, the FBI (or Homeland security or ANY Federal agency) will not email you requesting information and Microsoft will not send you an email containing security updates.  Nonetheless that has not stopped certain malware distributors from trying.

Days of difficulty finally seem to be over for users of Windows Mobile devices trying to synch with PCs running Windows Vista. Microsoft has launched Windows Mobile Device Center 6.1 and claims the newly released software supports better file synching between Windows Mobile devices and computers running Windows Vista.

In less developed nations, I have no doubt that the number of pirated copies of Windows (any version) outnumber the copies of legitimate versions.  It also doesn’t surprise me that Russians like their pirated copies as well and not just individuals, banks, so don’t be surprised if you can’t get money out of an ATM in Russia because Windows isn’t activated.