Microsoft Adds Photo Sharing Feature in SkyDrive

SkyDrive users can now access the Photo application in Windows 8 and fetch images stored in any PC with SkyDrive installed. Updates for SkyDrive for Windows will be rolled out automatically in the Windows 8 Release Preview. Microsoft also increased the limit on the total number of files that can be stored in a SkyDrive folder from 150,000 to 10 million.

Microsoft Launches So.cl

So.cl is now open to public. The experimental research project developed by Microsoft’s FUSE Labs was designed to help students study by “exploring the possibilities of social search for the purpose of learning.” Pronounced Social, the site shows friends' searches and interests. Videos can be watched with friends and profiles can be edited. Socl currently has no way to upload photos, but Microsoft says that's coming.

How to Remove Thumb.db File in Windows XP

Thumb.db file is created by Windows for folders that contain pictures. It caches a thumbnail version of the pictures within the folder in order to view the thumbnail images faster each time the folder is opened. To remove thumb.db from being created, follow these steps:

1. Open the image folder
2. Select View then Folder Options from the menu
3. Click the View tab
4. Check the Do not cache thumbnails option
5. Click Apply to All Folders and close the window.

How to Fix Show Hidden Files and Folders

If you encountered a problem to display hidden files and folders after you enabled it, you need to edit your registry settings below. You need to back up your registry setting before re-editing it.

1. Go to Run (Windows XP) or Search programs and files for Windows 7
2. Type regedit
3. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer\Advanced
4. Replace the Hidden Reg_DWORD key to 1

Microsoft Renames Azure Services

Microsoft recently announced a name change for its Windows Azure Services. Here are the list of the upcoming name changes.

• Windows Azure Compute  - Cloud Services
• Windows Azure Platform - All Services
• Windows Azure CDN - CDN
• Windows Azure Storage  - Storage 
•  Windows Azure Traffic Manager  - Traffic Manager 
•  Windows Azure Virtual Network Virtual Network 
• AppFabric Cache - Cache 
•  AppFabric Service Bus - Service Bus 
•  AppFabric Access Control - Access Control 
•  SQL Azure - SQL Database 
•  SQL Azure Reporting Service -  SQL Reporting 

It basically states that Microsoft will drop the Azure name from the product line, again simplifying the product line in the progress. 

Windows 8 Drops DVD Playback Option

According to Windows engineering team, the upcoming Windows 8 will not have the optical discs playback support. The new OS will still have Windows Media Player, however end users will not be able to playback DVD movies with it. Windows 8 will allow end users the option to install a Windows Media Center upgrade to allow DVD playback at extra cost, though Microsoft is not saying exactly how high that cost will be. 

How to Reset Foundry FastIron Edge X448 to Factory Default

The following are the steps to reset your Foundry FastIron Edge X448 to its factory default settings.

1. You need to unplug the power cords from switch.
2. Plug the power cords back and immediately type "b" key on your console. This will pause the boot process of the switch.
3. Type the following command:

FESX448> no password
FESX448> boot system flash primary

4. Your Foundry FastIron Edge X448 switch will reboot without prompting for a password. At the opening CLI prompt, enter the following enable command:

FESX448> enable

5. After enabling, you need to enter the following command, which it will erasing all of your Foundry FastIron Edge X448 configuration. 

FESX448# erase start
FESX448# reload