We have just posted up Episode #3 of Weekly Tech Update.  Below are the show notes and some details on how you can more free stuff.


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RadioShack Becomes "The Shack"
Not so much a name change as a "brand" change, RadioShack tries to push "The Shack" as a newer, cooler store.  Will the original "Shaq" sue for phonetical infringement?
Jason states that we'll still call RadioShack "RadioShack" and not "The Shack" in a year.

Windows 7 RTM Released

• Windows 7 Starter
• Windows 7 Home Basic
• Windows 7 Home Premium
• Windows 7 Professional
• Windows 7 Ultimate
• Windows 7 Enterprise**

** Won't be available in retail.
* Both versions available in either 64-bit and 32-bit flavors.

XP Mode Improved in latest release of Windows 7
"XP Mode" is virtualization that enables you to virtually run a machine inside your Windows 7 operating system that runs XP.  This is particularly useful if you have old peripherals and applications that don't work under Vista or Windows 7.  DailyTech has more info.

Other Virtualization Software:
VirtualBox - Free - All platforms
VMWare - Not free, but great.
Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 - Free - Windows

How to upgrade Windows XP to Windows 7
There isn't a direct upgrade built-in, but the above guide will help you preserve your data and make the transition easier.

HD DVD returns and kicks Blu-ray to the gutter
The "new" format is supported by Toshiba and is called the CBHD (China Blue Hi-definition Disk).  It could cost as little as 25% of Blu-Ray.  It is doing very well in China.

Bing Goes The Internet
This Youtube clip just shows that Microsoft is 100% inconsistent when it comes to advertising ideas.  It hasn't gone viral, but with over 110,000 views it's at least getting some press.

10 Companies we love to hate
PCWorld lists the 10 companies that people love to hate.  Apple & Microsoft take top spots, but there are a couple that may surprise you.  My biggest surprise is Ticketmaster.  Jason hates it enough for both of us regardless.

No Social Networking/Twitter for Marines
In the age of social networks, the US Military has recently issued an order that prohibits soldiers from Twitter, Facebook etc.  There are some good reasons.  On the other hand, ChannelWeb says why the Marines need Social Networking.  It's an interesting two-sided argument.

Reviews since Episode #2:
Zalman CNPS9900 LED Cooler
Thermaltake ISGC-300 Cooler

Upcoming BCCHardware features:
Jason's got more coolers and a case.
Ben Heide has a Crucial SSD and Windows 7 info.
Ben Guenter has the NZXT Beta case almost done.

Follow us on Twitter
Ben Heide is twitter.com/bcchardware
Jason Schneider is twitter.com/bcc_fujitsu
WeeklyTechUpdate is twitter.com/wtupdate

How can you win some free stuff?
There are a couple of ways: 1) Listen to our podcast and post your feedback here, and 2) send some interesting news links to podcast@bcchardware.com with "WTU" somewhere in the subject line.

What can you win?
NZXT Avatar Mouse Congrats to Krab!!
Sentry LX Fan Controller
NZXT Cryo S Laptop Cooler

The contest will run until August 18, 2009 when we release Episode #4.  Good luck and Enjoy!

Thanks for the feedback hoargard, I'm sure next weeks show will have a bit more Windows 7 talk, we'll also have a couple new reviews to talk about.

Thanks for listening

I read about it when news broke about this HD format and one comment by a reader in the link sums it up:

The big arghuement against BR was always the royalty thing. Any new format will be costly, but the studios saw blu ray as a) a means to screw EVERYONE in the whole food chain and b) ram DRM down everyones throats.