Rest in Peace Vista….

Windows Vista, released by Microsoft back in 2007 (retail version), has been killed off by Autodesk.

As of Jan 1st 2012, Autodesk officially ceased supporting Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System for all new (and upgraded versions) of its products and services released in 2012. The press release is here.

For those that can’t be bothered to read the press release, here are some key points.

Will the Autodesk software/application I recently purchased (i.e. 2012 version) work on Windows Vista even though Autodesk is ceasing support for this Operating System?

Yes, the current Autodesk product line (version 2012) will continue to be supported on Microsoft Vista. Support will cease for new versions of Autodesk products released beginning January 1, 2012.

How does this ‘ending support’ affect me and the products that I currently own (version 2012 and earlier)? I am still on Windows Vista and do not have the ability to migrate to other Windows OS.

Autodesk will continue to support you and your existing, purchased products on Windows Vista in alignment with our current product support policies.

If I choose to buy a new computer with Windows 7, can I reinstall my 2012 products on the new computer or will I have to buy new licenses?

Yes, you can continue to use your current Autodesk products with this new operating system. Once installed, you will have to obtain a new authorization code.

What do I do if I run into issues with Autodesk products on Windows Vista? Who do I contact for support?

You can continue to utilize your existing Autodesk support channels for Windows Vista issues for Autodesk products/versions which have shipped prior to January 1, 2012. For new versions of Autodesk software shipping after this date, please refer to the Autodesk Discussion Forums for peer-to-peer support if you decide to install these Autodesk products on the Windows Vista operating system.

****************************************

So, why are Autodesk doing this? Well Microsoft ended sales support for Vista back in 2011 and mainstream support ends sometime in 2012. Autodesk feel that most of their client base has either moved on to Windows 7 or stuck with Windows XP. According to Autodesk, they will work with our customers in the coming 12-24 months to understand their transition plans and make a support decision about Windows XP when it is appropriate to do so.

So, there you have it, no new releases for Vista from Autodesk. If you are running Vista at the moment, you have two choices, stick with Vista the current version of your Autodesk software, or bite the bullet and upgrade to Windows 7.

I’ve found that generally speaking, a Vista capable PC will run Windows 7 without a hitch. Check out this page from Microsoft on upgrading from Vista to 7. You can also download the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor from here. It will scan your PC for potential issues with your hardware, devices, and installed programs, and will offer recommendations on what to do before you upgrade.

Stop SOPA Ireland

It’s not often that you will see me getting political on this blog, I normally save that for the pub when my friends are drunk, but the actions of Minister Sean Sherlock and his latest bit of law making here in Ireland need to given the widest public arena possible. We have all heard of SOPA and how it faired in the US. Well Ireland has it’s own version and it is due to be passed as law this month without members of Dáil Éireann voting on the matter.

I have no problem with copyright being enforced, but there are ways and means to do it that will not hamper legitimate businesses. Minister Sherlock seems to be taking advice from one side and one side only on this debate and as we all know, a one sided debate is to dictate.

It would seem that Minister Sherlock knows that there is something inherently wrong with his bill as he is introducing this law without a vote in the Oireachtas. Why did we bother to vote and elect people to Dáil Éireann if a Minister can choose to ignore the members??

One might be paranoid and say that if they can enact this law without a vote in the Oireachtas, then what other laws can they put through with out a valid debate or vote?

If you feel annoyed, aggrieved and upset not only by this law, but also by the means it is been enacted, then check out the Stop SOPA Ireland site and put your name to the petition.

The next revolution in beauty…

The video below is unfortunately not a real advert, mores the pity. It’s the kind of thing that kids need to see on TV. As adults, we know, or at least we should know, that the images we see in magazines are manipulated to some extent. Skin tones are lightened, bodies are narrowed, legs stretched, wrinkles and blemishes removed, the list goes on and on. Unfortunately, kids don’t always realise this and can strive for a form of beauty that is just not healthy.

Anyway, take a look at the video. It’s by a guy called Jesse Rosten. Check out his reasons for making the video and some behind the scenes info here.

Netflix Ireland launches

To my North American readers, Netflix will need no introduction, but for those that have no idea what Netflix is, let me try to explain. Netflix offers Internet video streaming ("Watch Instantly") of selected titles to various devices (PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Wii, Xbox 360, PS3…). Basically, it is your local video store on the internet.

Now, being the nerd I am, I had to try the service, so this morning, I signed up for a free 1 month trial account. Signup is a simple affair, but be warned that even though it is a free trial, you still need to enter your debit or credit card details. After your month is up, the service will cost €6.99.

I plan on using my PS3 to view the service. I turned on the PS3, went to the Playstation Store and found no Netflix app. Hmmm.. now that’s not good I thought to myself. I called Netflix customer support and spoke to two very helpful ladies with American accents and they stepped me through the process of getting Netflix up and running on the PS3.

If you can’t find Netflix in the Playstation Store, I suggest you try the following:

1. Go to Playstation Store
2. Download and install Vidzone. (thanks Daherlihy!)
3. Power off PS3
4. Wait a few seconds (they said 15, but…)
5. Power on the PS3
6. Browse to TV/Video Services on the XMB and you should see Netflix.
7. Click on the icon to install the service.
8. Sign in.

And that’s how you get Netflix on your Irish PS3 if it is not appearing for you in the XMB.

I’ve also tried running Netflix on my Samsung Galaxy S2. You can download the app from the Android Market and after that, it’s an easy setup. Just sign in and away you go.

I’ve only watched a couple of shows (South Park and MythBusters), but picture quality looks good and streaming, whilst not instant, only takes 2 or 3 seconds to start on my 25Mb connection.

So, I have a month to make up my mind if I like it or not…. At €6.99 it is an affordable service, but it’s all about the content and to be quite honest, the content does not look that up to date. If they can’t compete with the local video store, then they might be in trouble.

Hey, where did that come from???

15 days to build a 30 storey, magnitude 9 resistant, 183,000 square feet hotel. That’s just damn impressive. Where is this hotel? Where do you think, China of course, somewhere called Dongting lake, in the Hunan Province.

OK, so it doesn’t take into account the amount of time spent prefabricating the building in the factory, but it’s still impressive to see a 30 storey building erected in just 15 days.

Check out the video below.

The Gym……

The new health regime continues. I hit the gym again tonight. If it was all cardio stuff, it would be fine, but nope, it’s not and the weights are killing me!

Oh well…. onwards and upwards.

Been there, seen that, done that…

I’m guessing that this is a familiar scenario for all CAD Monkeys!!

2012 - The new me and all that rubbish…

So I turned 40 a few weeks back….. Unbelievable. I still feel like I am in my 20’s, I don’t feel 40. Sure a few joints ache and my back is not the best, but they’re just old football injuries, everyone has those aches, don’t they??

Anyway, my friends decided to purchase Gym membership for me as a birthday present. I could take that one of two ways. Either be pissed off at the cheek of them to give such a present, or accept it as it was meant and use it to its full extent.

Today I checked in to the gym for the first time. It’s the first time I’ve been in a gym in about 10 years to be honest. Back in my early 30’s, I used to work out hard. 5 nights a week, pounding the road and pumping iron. Then, well I have no idea why, I stopped. Every now and again I would start up again, but I never managed to get the same level of intensity in to my workouts and found it easy to come up with excuses not to workout.

Will todays efforts be the start of something new? A turn around in lifestyle? Or will I just give it up after a few weeks?? Who knows, though I hope that this will be one New Years resolution I’ll stick to.