Here's the user agreement to run the Windows Vista Service Pack 1 update...it's not like I really have a choice
MICROSOFT SOFTWARE LICENSE TERMS
WINDOWS VISTA SERVICE PACK 1
Microsoft Corporation (or based on where you live, one of its affiliates) licenses this supplement to you. If you are licensed to use Windows Vista (the "software"), you may use this supplement. You may not use it if you do not have a license for the software. You may use a copy of this supplement with each validly licensed copy of the software.
The following license terms describe additional terms for the software. These terms and the license terms for the software apply to your use of the supplement. If there is a conflict, these supplemental license terms apply. The changes include:
· details about the number of service connections available
· additional information about the activation and validation functions of the software, which determine whether the software is counterfeit, improperly licensed or a non-genuine Windows product
· additional privacy disclosures about Internet-based services
· description of rights for academic and specific-geographic software
· availability of a digital proof of license
This list highlights some of the changes. The terms below govern your use of the software.
By using this supplement, you accept these terms. If you do not accept them, do not use this supplement.
If you comply with these license terms, you have the rights below.
1. ADDITIONAL LICENSING REQUIREMENTS AND/OR USE RIGHTS.
a. Windows Vista Ultimate, Business, and Home Premium. For these three editions, you may allow up to 10 other devices to connect to the software installed on the licensed device to use File Services, Print Services, Internet Information Services and Internet Connection Sharing and Telephony Services. However, you may not exceed a total of 10 connections at one time.
b. Windows Vista Home Basic. For this edition, you may allow up to 5 other devices to connect to the software installed on the licensed device to use File Services, Print Services, Internet Information Services and Internet Connection Sharing and Telephony Services. However, you may not exceed a total of 5 connections at one time.
2. MANDATORY ACTIVATION.
Activation associates the use of the software with a specific device. During activation, the software will send information about the software and the device to Microsoft. This information includes the version, language and product key of the software, the Internet protocol address of the device, and information derived from the hardware configuration of the device. For more information, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Linkid=96549. By using the software, you consent to the transmission of this information. If properly licensed, you have the right to use the version of the software installed during the installation process up to the time permitted for activation. Unless the software is activated, you have no right to use the software after the time permitted for activation. This is to prevent its unlicensed use. You are not permitted to bypass or circumvent activation. If the device is connected to the Internet, the software may automatically connect to Microsoft for activation. You can also activate the software manually by Internet or telephone. If you do so, Internet and telephone service charges may apply. Some changes to your computer components or the software may require you to reactivate the software. The software will remind you to activate it until you do.
3. VALIDATION.
a. Validation verifies that the software has been activated and is properly licensed. It also verifies that no unauthorized changes have been made to the validation, licensing, or activation functions of the software. Validation may also check for certain malicious or unauthorized software related to such unauthorized changes. A validation check confirming that you are properly licensed permits you to continue to use the software, certain features of the software or to obtain additional benefits. You are not permitted to circumvent validation. This is to prevent unlicensed use of the software. For more information, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Linkid=96550.
b. The software will from time to time perform a validation check of the software. The check may be initiated by the software or Microsoft. To enable the activation function and validation checks, the software may from time to time require updates or additional downloads of the validation, licensing or activation functions of the software. The updates or downloads are required for the proper functioning of the software and may be downloaded and installed without further notice to you. These updates and downloads may be delivered to you through the Windows Update service (if you use the service) or through other means. During or after a validation check, the software may send information about the software, the device and the results of the validation check to Microsoft. This information includes, for example, the version and product key of the software, any unauthorized changes made to the validation, licensing or activation functions of the software, any related malicious or unauthorized software found and the Internet protocol address of the device. Microsoft does not use the information to identify or contact you. By using the software, you consent to the transmission of this information. For more information about validation and what is sent during or after a validation check, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Linkid=96551.
c. If, after a validation check, the software is found to be counterfeit, improperly licensed, a non-genuine Windows product, or include unauthorized changes, the functionality and experience of using the software will be affected, for example:
Microsoft may
· repair the software, remove, quarantine or disable any unauthorized changes that may interfere with the proper use of the software, including circumvention of the activation or validation functions of the software, or
· check and remove malicious or unauthorized software known to be related to such unauthorized changes, or
· provide notices that the software is improperly licensed or a non-genuine Windows product
and you may
· receive reminders to obtain a properly licensed copy of the software, or
· need to follow Microsoft’s instructions to be licensed to use the software and reactivate,
and you may not be able to
· use or continue to use the software or some of the features of the software, or
· obtain certain updates or upgrades from Microsoft
d. You may only obtain updates or upgrades for the software from Microsoft or authorized sources. For more information on obtaining updates from authorized sources see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Linkid=96552.
4. INTERNET-BASED SERVICES. Microsoft provides Internet-based services with the software. It may change or cancel them at any time. The following are in addition to the Windows Vista license terms.
a. Consent for Internet-Based Services. The software features described below and in the Windows Vista Privacy Statement connect to Microsoft or service provider computer systems over the Internet. In some cases, you will not receive a separate notice when they connect. You may switch off these features or not use them. For more information about these features, see the Windows Vista Privacy Statement at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Linkid=96553. By using these features, you consent to the transmission of this information. Microsoft does not use the information to identify or contact you.
Computer Information. The following features use Internet protocols, which send to the appropriate systems computer information, such as your Internet protocol address, the type of operating system, browser and name and version of the software you are using, and the language code of the device where you installed the software. Microsoft uses this information to make the Internet-based services available to you.
· Plug and Play. You may connect new hardware to your device. Your device may not have the drivers needed to communicate with that hardware. If so, the update feature of the software can obtain the correct driver from Microsoft and install it on your device. An administrator can disable this update feature.
· Windows Update. To enable the proper functioning of the Windows Update service in the software (if you use it), updates or downloads to the Windows Update service will be required from time to time and downloaded and installed without further notice to you.
5. ACADEMIC EDITION SOFTWARE. You must be a "Qualified Educational User" to use software marked as "Academic Edition" or "AE." If you do not know whether you are a Qualified Educational User, visit www.microsoft.com/education or contact the Microsoft affiliate serving your country.
6. GEOGRAPHIC RESTRICTIONS. If the software is marked as requiring activation in a specific geographic region, then you are only permitted to activate this software in the geographic region indicated on the software packaging. You may not be able to activate the software outside of that region. For further information on geographic restrictions, visit http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=99189.
7. PROOF OF LICENSE.
a. Genuine Proof of License. If you acquired the software on a disc or other media, a genuine Microsoft proof of license label with a genuine copy of the software identifies licensed software. To be valid, this label must appear on Microsoft packaging. If you receive the label separately, it is invalid. You should keep the packaging that has the label on it to prove that you are licensed to use the software.
b. Windows Anytime Upgrade License. If you upgrade the software using Windows Anytime Upgrade, your proof of license is identified by
· the genuine Microsoft proof of license label for the software you upgraded from, and
· the genuine Microsoft proof of purchase label from the Windows Anytime Upgrade Kit you used to upgrade
c. Online Purchase Digital License. If you purchased the software online from a Microsoft approved digital license seller, your proof of license is identified by a digital license stored in the digital locker at Windows Marketplace.
d. To identify genuine Microsoft software, see http://www.howtotell.com.
EULAID:VistaSP1_R1.0_Upgrade_RTL_en-US
Monday, November 3, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Ripped off by PayPal
Someone ordered an eBook from me several months ago through PayPal---now, the customer disputes the payment, said he never initiated the purchase, and wants his money back.
No big deal--it's not inventory, it was an eBook. However, I didn't think this was possible with PayPal, since they validate the Credit Card Numbers and CID (3 or 4 Digit Security Code that appears on the front or back of a Credit card).
Apparently, if I really, really, really want to prevent chargebacks like this from occurring, I need to pay more money for the transaction than I already do.
I can't wait to see what the below listed 'settlement fee' costs me.
Here's the email I just received.
Dear John Smiley
We recently notified you that one of your buyers filed a chargeback withtheir credit card company indicating unauthorized credit card use.
It is PayPal's standard practice to attempt to dispute wrongfulchargebacks. After careful consideration of the information provided by youand the buyer regarding the transaction detailed below, we have determinedthat we will be unable to successfully dispute this chargeback with thebuyer's credit card issuer.
Since the credit card issuer granted the chargeback to the buyer, we havedebited $12.95 USD from your PayPal account in order to reimburse thebuyer. This is in accordance with the terms of the PayPal User Agreement.
Also, PayPal was charged a settlement fee. As a result we debited yourPayPal account to pay for this fee. This action was taken in accordance with the terms of the PayPal User Agreement.
Please review the transaction information below and other details about this case.
No big deal--it's not inventory, it was an eBook. However, I didn't think this was possible with PayPal, since they validate the Credit Card Numbers and CID (3 or 4 Digit Security Code that appears on the front or back of a Credit card).
Apparently, if I really, really, really want to prevent chargebacks like this from occurring, I need to pay more money for the transaction than I already do.
I can't wait to see what the below listed 'settlement fee' costs me.
Here's the email I just received.
Dear John Smiley
We recently notified you that one of your buyers filed a chargeback withtheir credit card company indicating unauthorized credit card use.
It is PayPal's standard practice to attempt to dispute wrongfulchargebacks. After careful consideration of the information provided by youand the buyer regarding the transaction detailed below, we have determinedthat we will be unable to successfully dispute this chargeback with thebuyer's credit card issuer.
Since the credit card issuer granted the chargeback to the buyer, we havedebited $12.95 USD from your PayPal account in order to reimburse thebuyer. This is in accordance with the terms of the PayPal User Agreement.
Also, PayPal was charged a settlement fee. As a result we debited yourPayPal account to pay for this fee. This action was taken in accordance with the terms of the PayPal User Agreement.
Please review the transaction information below and other details about this case.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
webworkerdaily.com
Just found this link...check it out, it seems like a pretty valuable site...
http://webworkerdaily.com/
http://webworkerdaily.com/
Monday, October 27, 2008
Self Publishing
I started self publishing last year---primarily putting out of books back in print.
This year I wrote and self published two original titles---not (and never) available anywhere else.
The only source of supply for these books is my Print on Demand company lulu.com---if anyone buys a book, I know about it.
That's why it's really interesting to find that my 'new' books are now being sold all over the world as used books.
Could someone be printing these on their own and selling them as mine?
Tsk...tsk...shame on you.
This year I wrote and self published two original titles---not (and never) available anywhere else.
The only source of supply for these books is my Print on Demand company lulu.com---if anyone buys a book, I know about it.
That's why it's really interesting to find that my 'new' books are now being sold all over the world as used books.
Could someone be printing these on their own and selling them as mine?
Tsk...tsk...shame on you.
Visual Basic History
One of my most popular pages on my Website is my history of Visual Basic
http://www.johnsmiley.com/visualbasic/vbhistory.htm
--so I thought I would repeat it here...
March 6, 1988
Microsoft Buys Tripod
Alan Cooper, the 'father' of Visual Basic, shows a drag-and-drop shell prototype called Tripod to Bill Gates. Microsoft negotiates to buy the concept, now code-named Ruby. The Tool includes a widget control box, the ability to add widgets dynamically, and a small language engine.
January 1, 1991
PowerSoft's Powerbuilder Debuts
DataWindow gives point-and-click SQL data access.
March 20, 1991
Visual Basic 1.0 Debuts at Windows World
Microsoft marries QuickBasic to Ruby shell app and gives it a new code name: Thunder. The result is the first tool that lets you create Windows apps quickly, easily, and visually. Features include a drag-and=drop control toolbox, codeless UI creation, and an event-oriented programming model.
May 1991
Third Party Market Born
Several standard-setting add-ons become available at or slightly after VB1's introduction, including MicroHelp's VBTools.
May 1991
Sheridan Software's VBAssist Debuts
First add-on to integrate directly into the IDE
March 1992
Visual Basic 2.0 Toolkit (Rawhide) Released
This toolkit integrated several third-party tools into a single package, putting controls in the hands of many VB developers for the first time. It provided instrumental in helping VB's third party market achieve critical mass.
September 1992
Visual Basic 1.0 for DOS is released. Figure this one out :)
The language itself was not quite compatible with Visual Basic for Windows, as it was actually the next version of Microsoft's DOS-based BASIC compilers, QuickBASIC and BASIC Professional Development System.
November 1992
Visual Basic 2 Debuts
Adds ODBC Level 1 support, MDI forms, and object variables. First version to feature the Professional Edition. The programming environment was easier to use, and its speed was improved.
November 1992
Microsoft Access Ships
It brings VB's combination of extensibility, ease-of-use, and visual point-and-click emphasis to a Relational Database. It also includes a macro language called Access BASIC that contains a subset of VB 2.0's core syntax.
June 1993
Visual Basic 3 Debuts
Integrates the Access Engine (Jet), OLE Automation and reporting. It came in both Standard and Professional versions. Visual Basic 3 included version 1.1 of the Microsoft Jet DatabaseEngine that could read and write Jet (or Access) 1.x databases.
May 1995
Borland's Delphi Debuts
The perennial preview for the features you'll find in the next VB release.
Fall 1996
Internet Explorer 3.0 Ships
Features include VBScript, which contains a subset of VB. It lets developers leverage their existing VB skills in Web programming.
October 1996
Visual Basic 4 Debuts
Permits you to create your own add-ins. Also introduces classes and OCX's. Was the first version that could created 32 bit as well as 16-bit Windows programs (remember that?)
Winter 1996
NT Option Pack 4 Released
Includes Internet Information Server 3.0, which includes ASP. Enabled VB programmers to leverage their existing skills on Web servers.
January 1997
Microsoft Office 97 Debuts
Developer Edition integrates VBA into all Office apps (except Outlook which uses VBScript)
April 1997
Visual Basic 5 Debuts
Incorporates compiler, WithEvents, and the ability to create ActiveX controls. A free, downloadable Control Creation Edition was also released for creation of ActiveX controls. It was also used as an introductory form of Visual Basic: a regular. exe project could be created and run in the IDE, but not compiled.
October 1998
Visual Basic 6 Debuts
Introduces WebClasses, windowless controls, data designers, new reporting designers, and the ability to create data sources.
November 1998
John Smiley writes his first Visual Basic book, Learn to Program with Visual Basic 6
May 1999
John Smiley writes his second Visual Basic book, Learn to Program with Visual Basic 6 Examples
July 1999
John Smiley writes his third Visual Basic book, Learn to Program with Visual Basic 6 Databases
December 1999
John Smiley writes his fourth Visual Basic book, Learn to Program with Visual Basic 6 Objects
January 2002
John Smiley writes his fifth Visual Basic book, Learn to Program with Visual Basic.Net
February 2002
Visual Basic.Net (VB 7.0) Debuts
April 2003
Visual Basic.Net 2003 (VB 7.1) Debuts
March 31, 2005
Mainstream support for Visual Basic 6 ends
October 18, 2005
Visual Basic.Net 2005 (VB 8.0) Debuts
October 18 2005
Visual Basic.Net 2005 Express Version Introduced
May 16, 2007
John Smiley writes his sixth Visual Basic book, Learn to Program with Visual Basic.Net 2005 Express
November 19, 2007
Visual Basic.Net 2008 (VB 9.0) Debuts
November 19, 2007
Visual Basic.Net 2008 Express Version Introduced
March 31, 2008
Extended support for Visual Basic 6 ends
August 16, 2008
John Smiley writes his seventh Visual Basic book, Learn to Program with Visual Basic.Net 2008 Express
??? VBx (VB 10.0)
http://www.johnsmiley.com/visualbasic/vbhistory.htm
--so I thought I would repeat it here...
March 6, 1988
Microsoft Buys Tripod
Alan Cooper, the 'father' of Visual Basic, shows a drag-and-drop shell prototype called Tripod to Bill Gates. Microsoft negotiates to buy the concept, now code-named Ruby. The Tool includes a widget control box, the ability to add widgets dynamically, and a small language engine.
January 1, 1991
PowerSoft's Powerbuilder Debuts
DataWindow gives point-and-click SQL data access.
March 20, 1991
Visual Basic 1.0 Debuts at Windows World
Microsoft marries QuickBasic to Ruby shell app and gives it a new code name: Thunder. The result is the first tool that lets you create Windows apps quickly, easily, and visually. Features include a drag-and=drop control toolbox, codeless UI creation, and an event-oriented programming model.
May 1991
Third Party Market Born
Several standard-setting add-ons become available at or slightly after VB1's introduction, including MicroHelp's VBTools.
May 1991
Sheridan Software's VBAssist Debuts
First add-on to integrate directly into the IDE
March 1992
Visual Basic 2.0 Toolkit (Rawhide) Released
This toolkit integrated several third-party tools into a single package, putting controls in the hands of many VB developers for the first time. It provided instrumental in helping VB's third party market achieve critical mass.
September 1992
Visual Basic 1.0 for DOS is released. Figure this one out :)
The language itself was not quite compatible with Visual Basic for Windows, as it was actually the next version of Microsoft's DOS-based BASIC compilers, QuickBASIC and BASIC Professional Development System.
November 1992
Visual Basic 2 Debuts
Adds ODBC Level 1 support, MDI forms, and object variables. First version to feature the Professional Edition. The programming environment was easier to use, and its speed was improved.
November 1992
Microsoft Access Ships
It brings VB's combination of extensibility, ease-of-use, and visual point-and-click emphasis to a Relational Database. It also includes a macro language called Access BASIC that contains a subset of VB 2.0's core syntax.
June 1993
Visual Basic 3 Debuts
Integrates the Access Engine (Jet), OLE Automation and reporting. It came in both Standard and Professional versions. Visual Basic 3 included version 1.1 of the Microsoft Jet DatabaseEngine that could read and write Jet (or Access) 1.x databases.
May 1995
Borland's Delphi Debuts
The perennial preview for the features you'll find in the next VB release.
Fall 1996
Internet Explorer 3.0 Ships
Features include VBScript, which contains a subset of VB. It lets developers leverage their existing VB skills in Web programming.
October 1996
Visual Basic 4 Debuts
Permits you to create your own add-ins. Also introduces classes and OCX's. Was the first version that could created 32 bit as well as 16-bit Windows programs (remember that?)
Winter 1996
NT Option Pack 4 Released
Includes Internet Information Server 3.0, which includes ASP. Enabled VB programmers to leverage their existing skills on Web servers.
January 1997
Microsoft Office 97 Debuts
Developer Edition integrates VBA into all Office apps (except Outlook which uses VBScript)
April 1997
Visual Basic 5 Debuts
Incorporates compiler, WithEvents, and the ability to create ActiveX controls. A free, downloadable Control Creation Edition was also released for creation of ActiveX controls. It was also used as an introductory form of Visual Basic: a regular. exe project could be created and run in the IDE, but not compiled.
October 1998
Visual Basic 6 Debuts
Introduces WebClasses, windowless controls, data designers, new reporting designers, and the ability to create data sources.
November 1998
John Smiley writes his first Visual Basic book, Learn to Program with Visual Basic 6
May 1999
John Smiley writes his second Visual Basic book, Learn to Program with Visual Basic 6 Examples
July 1999
John Smiley writes his third Visual Basic book, Learn to Program with Visual Basic 6 Databases
December 1999
John Smiley writes his fourth Visual Basic book, Learn to Program with Visual Basic 6 Objects
January 2002
John Smiley writes his fifth Visual Basic book, Learn to Program with Visual Basic.Net
February 2002
Visual Basic.Net (VB 7.0) Debuts
April 2003
Visual Basic.Net 2003 (VB 7.1) Debuts
March 31, 2005
Mainstream support for Visual Basic 6 ends
October 18, 2005
Visual Basic.Net 2005 (VB 8.0) Debuts
October 18 2005
Visual Basic.Net 2005 Express Version Introduced
May 16, 2007
John Smiley writes his sixth Visual Basic book, Learn to Program with Visual Basic.Net 2005 Express
November 19, 2007
Visual Basic.Net 2008 (VB 9.0) Debuts
November 19, 2007
Visual Basic.Net 2008 Express Version Introduced
March 31, 2008
Extended support for Visual Basic 6 ends
August 16, 2008
John Smiley writes his seventh Visual Basic book, Learn to Program with Visual Basic.Net 2008 Express
??? VBx (VB 10.0)
Oracle 10g Express Edition
I'm teaching a course on Oracle SQL PL/SQL right now using Oracle's 10g Express edition.
This edition allows you to have a fully operational version of the powerful Oracle database on your PC. So far, it's been great!
Here's the link...the install is fast and easy, you just need to register with Oracle to download and install it.
http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/database/xe/index.html
There's also a newer version of Oracle 11g Standard Edition available if you would rather work with that one--here's the link for that...
http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/database/index.htm
Along with installing the database, it would be a great idea of also install Oracle SQL Developer, which is a GUI for managing the database. Here's the direct link for Oracle SQL Developer...
http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/sql/index.html
By the way, if you are interested in learning more about the course, follow this link...
http://www.johnsmiley.com/main/training.htm
This edition allows you to have a fully operational version of the powerful Oracle database on your PC. So far, it's been great!
Here's the link...the install is fast and easy, you just need to register with Oracle to download and install it.
http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/database/xe/index.html
There's also a newer version of Oracle 11g Standard Edition available if you would rather work with that one--here's the link for that...
http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/database/index.htm
Along with installing the database, it would be a great idea of also install Oracle SQL Developer, which is a GUI for managing the database. Here's the direct link for Oracle SQL Developer...
http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/sql/index.html
By the way, if you are interested in learning more about the course, follow this link...
http://www.johnsmiley.com/main/training.htm
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Creating Microsoft Vista Gadgets
I just received an email from a reader asking if I knew how to create Vista Sidebar Gadgets.
I don't--but I do see that Microsoft has a tutorial on building them---that might make an interesting Seminar for my Internet School. Here's the link for Part 1...
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/topics/vista/gadgets-pt1.mspx
I don't see a Part 2.
I don't--but I do see that Microsoft has a tutorial on building them---that might make an interesting Seminar for my Internet School. Here's the link for Part 1...
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/topics/vista/gadgets-pt1.mspx
I don't see a Part 2.
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