这并不是什么新闻，但是知道的人似乎并不是很多，而且有时候要花点时间才能找到他们。
EnegyBlue (Royale) 是Windows Media Center Edition 2005 的default skin.
Royale Noir 据说是从微软内部泄露出来的未完成品。
Zune 微软官方皮肤，为了纪念推销微软推出的IPOD KILLER - ZUNE. 现在在微软网站还有的下载。
在wikipedia上有下载的链接。Enjoy!
喜欢的朋友快去下载吧！
本以为，能够在 Windows Live Messenger 上显示 i’m 图释 
的组织代码目前只有九个——即 i’m 官方网站上所列举的九个受赞助组织。但是，网上的各种消息似乎又显示一切并不仅止于此。
Google 了一把，发现了一些有趣的消息：Mess.be 在3月1日就声称在 Windows Live Messenger 8.1 中尚有其他隐藏的组织代码可以显示 i’m 图释 。而 Windows Live Messenger 前哨站更是列出了一系列新的组织代码。如此一来，组织代码数量由原来的九个增加到了十五个之多。
它们是，以前列出的九个，和六个新的隐藏代码（以下网址是根据组织代码搜索得到，可能有一定的偏差:-)）：
如果在你的显示名称栏里面输入以上代码，同样会出现那个 i’m 图释 。但是却不知为何，在最后 i’m Initiative 计划开始实施后，这些代码却没有被公布出来。或许它们和微软的谈判最后谈崩了；或许它们会作为新的加入组织，会在以后的计划中被宣布。
但是，似乎有一点是可以肯定的——现在使用以上组织代码并不会给这些组织带去额外的捐助。不过，既然身在中国的我们的选择尚不计算在捐助统计里面，那么我们就无需有任何的负担，喜欢支持哪个，就选择哪个吧……关键还是一种支持慈善组织的心意。不是吗？
from: Link
Update 一下：貌似此活动暂时还只在美国境内展开，虽然在中国能够显示
，但是估计投票并不作数，不过喜欢这个标志的话，就让它继续在自己的 Windows Live Messenger 上显示着吧。也希望以后微软能够在它支持的组织名单中，加入中国的慈善组织。
是微软最新的一个资助慈善组织的活动。你可以在你的 Windows Live Messenger 的昵称前加上一串特殊代码，以表示你支持九个慈善组织中的其中一个，而你的昵称前也会出现一个的标志。
所有参加此活动的慈善组织都将在此活动的第一年获得最低10万美元的捐款，最高不限上额。而最高能达到多少，则取决于有多少人愿意在自己的昵称前加上该组织的代码。
所有的参与活动的慈善组织：
准备提供帮助，代码 = *red+u为孩子提供理想的环境，代码 = *bgca与艾滋病（AIDS）抗争，代码 = *naf参与到解决多发性硬化症（MS）的运动，代码 = *mssoc帮助9百万流离失所的孩子，代码 = *9mil探索和保护这个星球，代码 = *sierra阻止全球变暖，代码 = *help寻找乳腺癌的治愈方法, 代码 = *komen救助生死边缘徘徊的孩子，代码 = *unicef点击各个组织后面的图标进入各个慈善组织的介绍页，除了查询更为详细的介绍信息，还能下载微软为此次活动专门设计的 Windows Live Messenger 皮肤，各个组织各有一款。
最后，此次活动要求你的 Windows Live Messenger 版本要在 8.1 以上。
from: Link
Amazon begins taking Vista orders
Microsoft insists Vista will not be released until it is truly ready |
Online retailer Amazon has begun taking orders for Microsoft’s long-delayed new operating system, Windows Vista. The US branch of Amazon is offering a number of different full-price versions of Vista, as well as upgrades from the widely-used current system, Windows XP.
Windows Vista Home Basic is listed at $199 (£106), while the home/office version, Vista Ultimate, is priced at $399 (£210). Upgrades will cost less.
Consumer versions of Vista are not due for release until January next year.
Microsoft has said that business releases of the operating system should be available from November.
The company would not confirm Amazon’s pricing structure for Vista, but a spokesman for the retailer insisted that the pricing of Vista was “the one thing we are certain of”.
Price variations
According to Amazon, PC users hoping to get their hands on Vista will be asked to pay prices similar to current rates for Windows XP.
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WINDOWS VISTA PRICES
Vista Home Basic: $199 Vista Premium: $239 Vista Ultimate: $399 Vista Business:$299 Source: Amazon.com |
An entry-level upgrade package for current XP users to install Vista Home Basic on their machines will set users back just $99.95 (£53), with a full-release version of that system costing twice the price.
A more advanced, media-rich version, known as Windows Vista Premium is also listed in the Amazon directory.
Microsoft is reportedly keen to push this version of the operating system, due to include integrated TV and other media functions currently available only through third-party add-ons or as part of the Windows XP Media Center.
The so-called Ultimate version of Vista, priced at $399 for the full version or $259 (£136) for an upgrade, is aimed at home users who wish to combine business capability with home entertainment features.
A licensed version of Vista Business will cost $299 (£157) at Amazon, with an upgrade version retailing at $199 (£106).
Quality control
Vista is the first major update since Windows XP was introduced five years ago, and was originally due for release in the second half of 2006.
But in March of this year release was postponed until 2007, and in June Microsoft chairman Bill Gates predicted there was only an “80% chance” it would be shipped on time.
The company insists that any late discovery of flaws or bugs in the system will prevent a quick release.
“Quality is the ultimate determinant,” Microsoft’s Kevin Kutz told the Associated Press.
BBC NEWS
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