Seems like everyone is uncovering a new cloud storage service these days, as both Google and Amazon now have their own 5GB of free online storage, accessible from anywhere and a variety of devices. Microsoft’s SkyDrive has been around for much longer, previously offering 25GB of free storage, and now 7GB for new users (existing users can get a free upgrade). The new SkyDrive for Windows desktop application is an alternative to Windows Live Mesh, letting you sync a folder directly to your SkyDrive instead of just having a separate synced storage area. Check after the break to see if you should give it a try on your own.

Installing Skydrive for Windows is a fairly painless process, as it asks you to login to your Windows Live account, select a folder to sync, and then whether or not you want to be able to access files remotely from a different computer (I decided to disable this for security). I dedicated a folder on my hard drive as my SkyDrive folder, and  then relocated the folders I wanted to sync to that folder (namely, school work). After setup has completed, the software itself has no real interface, offering only a simple settings panel which you will rarely need to access.

While it may seem odd that I moved my preexisting folders into a newer one for the sake of syncing, SkyDrive currently lacks selective folder sync. That means, SkyDrive will only sync a single selected folder and all of its contents, with an identical copy for both the hard drive and in the cloud. It’s quite a setback for those familiar with services like DropBox or SugarSync where you can pick and choose what folders you want to sync into the cloud, and I hope Microsoft will implement syncing multiple folders.

As a syncing tool, SkyDrive for Windows does a solid job keeping files up to date. As long as the SkyDrive application is running (which takes just a few seconds to launch, even if you decide not to make it run on startup), any changes you make to the SkyDrive folder on your hard drive will be reflected in your SkyDrive in the cloud. From there on, you can access your files on a wide variety of platforms: just about any desktop browser will work, and there are dedicated applications for iOS and Windows Phone.

Installing SkyDrive on other machines will cause any pre-existing files to be uploaded while already existing ones to be downloaded into the specified SkyDrive folder. So there are advantages to not having selective folder sync: what’s in your hard drive sync folder is going to perfectly match the cloud drive itself, making it incredibly easy to upload and find files, with the knowledge that they’ll be available on every single one of your devices in a small amount of time.

SkyDrive is an excellent service for those who want a little more storage space than the competition (7GB rather than 5GB, or even 25GB for existing users) and don’t want to make syncing files a hassle. SkyDrive for Windows integrates your cloud storage perfectly with a dedicated folder, which can be great on-the-go with a SkyDrive supported mobile device. You can give SkyDrive for Windows a try over at the SkyDrive apps page.

Despite the large move of media from physical platforms to purely digital, we still encounter the CD or DVD format often. Burning your own audio CDs or home DVDs for backing up files or playback on a DVD player is easier than ever, with dozens of free tools available online. The problem with burning onto blank discs is the lack of a proper label: a string of words using a permanent marker isn’t nearly as attractive as a full-color label. HP’s Lightscribe technology offers a solution: inscribe a greyscale label directly onto the disc itself without needing any extra hardware – just a Lightscribe compatible DVD drive.

The premise of Lighscribe is supposed to be simple: after burning data onto a specially marked Lightscribe compatible CD or DVD, flip the disc so the label faces downwards on the burner and use special software to inscribe something on the surface. Lightscribe will only produce greyscale labels, so whatever software you use will convert any images into greyscale automatically. Depending on where you buy, Lightscribe compatible discs will be a little more expensive than standard blank discs. The standard color is a light gold, with multiple color options available as well. I was disappointed to find that there was no ‘white’ Lightscribe disc available for a true greyscale label, so all Lightscribe labels will come with a slight color hue (which is more noticeable on some discs).

What discs you use can offer mixed results, some better than others. I tested two ‘cake boxes’ of discs – a 25 pack of Polaroid Lightscribe CDs, and a 50 pack of HP Lightscribe DVD+Rs. For starters, the two types of discs had a different finish on the label, which I don’t know if it’s brand or type related, as the HP DVDs were shiny and reflective while the Polaroid CDs were a little more matte. This definitely affects the final product after burning: the CDs seemed sharper and had better viewing angles, while the DVDs could be darker and harder to see from the side.

HP only provides software to burn basic text labels, so I turned to SureThing CD Labeler Deluxe  ($25 at full price) which is capable of labeling Lightscribe discs. Many recommend doing a double burn, where you print a label on a disc twice to increase contrast and improve visibility. Toggling on both High Contrast mode in the Lightscribe control panel and Best quality in the software, a finalized disc can take around an hour long depending on how dark your design is and your drive speed. Of course, you can always choose to just do a single burn, but from what I’ve seen it’s almost a necessity to do a double burn for good results. There is no support for full disc labels, so when designing your label you need to get around the big hole in the middle.

Because the design is burned on while the disc spins (sort of like how a record is played), printing sections of solid grey/black will cause lines to show up, which can be a little ugly with solid black. Unlike the disc labels on retail discs, Lightscribe doesn’t have a protective coating on its surface. That means, any liquid including fingerprints will leave a mark on the label, which can be a big hassle when picking up and moving finished discs. To avoid leaving smudges on the disc (which cannot be cleaned off, I tried to drown it in alcohol and it didn’t work), you need to handle it only by the edges. This can be a problem when putting Lightscribe discs in a case or drive, as most people are used to pressing down on the label to ‘lock’ in the disc.

Conclusion
It’s a very neat concept: instead of requiring a special printer to create attractive looking customized CD and DVD labels, inscribe a label using just your disk drive. Lightscribe enabled drives and disc media cost just a little bit more than ordinary ones, so the solution is fairly cost effective. However, Lightscribe’s limitations for some users, like being greyscale only and long burn times coupled with disc handling restrictions, may not fully justify the price premium.

Pros:

• Not too much more expensive than regular disc drives and media
• Results are high quality and look sharp, a step above hand-written labels
• Easy to use, works well with images and text
• Never runs out of ‘ink’
• Free basic labeling software (text only)

Cons:

• More advanced labeling software (with images) can cost money
• Slow burning times (20-30 minutes each, double burn recommended)
• Disc labels are extremely prone to fingerprints and cannot be cleaned
• Inconsistent results

The DVD drive used in this review can be found here. These are the DVDs used in the review, and these are the CDs.

Windows prompting for a restart to update files is a common occurrence in Windows 7, displaying a countdown timer indicating how much time you have left before your computer restarts. For the most part, this isn’t an intrusive notification: you can postpone the next prompt and restart indefinitely, until Windows restarts without telling you. This can happen right after you wake up your computer when the countdown has reached the end, or while you’re playing a fullscreen game and the prompt is hidden. Here’s a way to disable the automatic reboots without turning off the notification entirely, so you’ll still know when it’s necessary to restart your PC.

Begin by opening the Local Group Policy Editor. Using the Start search bar, or the Run box, type in gpedit.msc and press enter. On the left column, head from Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update. On the right, the Policy Editor will present you with a list of settings to modify. Find the one labeled “No auto-restart with logged on users for scheduled automatic updates installations”.

Double click on the setting and then choose the “Enabled” radio button on the left. While not necessary, you can leave a comment for yourself indicating you disabled auto-restarts in the box on the right in case you ever went back to change this setting. Press the “OK” button and close the Local Group Policy Editor, and the settings will be applied the next time you restart your computer.

Remember, doing this does not disable the prompt entirely, only the automatic restarting part of it. So when Windows updates in the background and needs to restart, a prompt will be displayed without the countdown timer, telling you that it’s necessary to restart the computer to finish installing updates.

Officialy a Windows exclusive, Nvidia Optimus technology switches between integrated graphics and a dedicated graphics card automatically for increased performance when you need it at the cost of battery life. Nvidia has stated that they currently do not have plans to implement Optimus for Linux, and so installing any Linux distribution on an Optimus enabled laptop results in using just the integrated graphics. The open-source Bumblebee project aims to provide support for Nvidia Optimus on Linux that works on any Optimus enabled laptop, with packages for ArchLinux, Ubuntu, and Mandriva available for download and installation.

Still under heavy development, Bumblebee 3.0 introduces automatic power management support, deciding for you when to turn on and off the Nvidia GPU. Previously, Bumblebee only turned on and off the dedicated graphics card when explicitly stated for certain programs, similar to Nvidia’s preferred graphics processor option. Bumblebee runs entirely via command line, with a GUI interface in the works that you can test (at your own risk).

The software uses a few workarounds to get the Nvidia processor working alongside the integrated graphics: Bumblebee watches for programs that request the use of the Nvidia GPU, then starts a server to draw out frames onto a ‘fake’ screen. Setbacks in the design of Optimus technology do not allow frames to be displayed directly on the screen, and thus the software VirtualGL is used to copy the rendered frames onto the screen using integrated graphics.

Bumblebee’s implementation of Optimus on Linux is bound to have more limitations and issues than Nvidia’s official drivers and software, and I would recommend keeping a Windows installation on devices with Optimus for the sake of compatibility purposes. Nevertheless, with each new release, Bumblebee is slowly becoming a solid alternative for Nvidia’s drivers. Novice users may have trouble setting up and using Bumblebee, especially now that it has multiple forks (or versions) available and that currently Bumblebee works via command line only.

Downloads, guides, and other discussion can be found on the Bumblebee project’s website. Updates can be slow, and documentation as well, so you should try to stick with the official instructions as much as you can before deviating onto documentation for your specific distribution.

[Bumblebee Project - Home]

There’s an endless amount of media files and types, and no operating system or portable media player can playback every codec in the world. You’re bound to encounter a filetype or codec you haven’t seen before when downloading videos, movies, or music, and chances are you won’t be able to play it back either without installing something else. To combat this problem, you can either install a compatible media player, or obtain the required codec. Which of the options are better, and should you just opt for a codec pack instead? Read along as we explain the main differences and discuss which solution should work the best for you when you come across an unknown file format.

Before you do anything, it’s necessary to identify what kind of file you’re dealing with. A tool like MediaInfo can get you the information on the video and/or audio streams that you can’t play back.

Option 1: Install the Required Codec

The codec of a video or audio stream determines how it was encoded, kind of like the way a puzzle was put together or a file was encrypted. Installing the missing codec will tell your computer how to playback or ‘decode’ a media file. A few examples include XviD, which was unplayable natively on Windows XP, or Ogg Vorbis, an open source audio codec that Windows Media Player has never supported. A quick search of what comes up in MediaInfo should provide the necessary instructions to properly install a codec for your operating system.

Once you have a codec installed, you’ll be able to play back media files that use that codec. Manually installing a required codec is best for when there’s a specific format that you’re looking to play back, whether it’s just once or on a regular basis, because it changes your system the least: individual codecs won’t bloat your system if you only have a few of them, and it’s easy to uninstall just a single codec.

Option 2: Install a Compatible Media Player

A media player like VLC will come with its own codecs, and is capable of playing a much larger array of files than any version of Windows Media Player. Installing a new media player, even for just a few files, is typically easier than having to install a codec, as it’s about the same as installing any other program. Many media players available are capable of decoding most formats on the web, and even if you’re unsure if a player like VLC or Media Player Classic can play back your file, you should try anyway.

That said, the problem with having multiple media players on your system is they might end up fighting for file associations and mess up anything you already have set up.  Most installers will prompt you for file association options before the media player is installed, only to fail to restore the original associations when you have them uninstalled. If you plan to use multiple media players, you should dedicate them to certain types of files only. For example, I use the Zune software client as my music manager and player, but because of its slow launch time and poor codec support, I use either Windows Media Player or VLC to play back videos instead.

Option 3: Install a Codec Pack

Installing a large codec pack lets you reap the advantages of having multiple media players by letting you play back just about any file on the web without having to deal with the hassle of managing multiple media players. While this solution certainly sounds best on paper, it adversely affects your system the most. Despite how well organized codec packs claim to be, they come with many limitations: you probably won’t have the latest version of each codec, the way all the codecs are installed can be sloppy, and for the most part, you’ll be installing more codecs than you actually need.

You will, however, be able to play back just about any file on the web. Even the slimmest of codec packs can pack in support for a format barely anyone uses, so it’s a ‘set and forget’ kind of thing (you will have to manually update it every few weeks though). Codec packs usually work best with Windows Media Player, so if you’re a hardcore WMP fan, this may be the best option for you.

Conclusion

What you choose to do really depends on what kind of situation you’re in. If you only have to deal with one unknown format, just stick with a single codec: a codec pack can be too much to manage. For an assortment of unknown files, we would recommend installing a media player such as VLC instead of a codec pack because they’re easier to manage. If you wish to remain with a single media player to avoid complications, a codec pack will let you play back pretty much anything on the web.

It’s expected of netbooks to sacrifice the DVD drive expected on larger laptops for the sake of portability. Using physical DVDs or CDs is then impossible without an external reader, and those can be expensive and bulky, not really worth it if all your other computers have DVD drives already. Disc image mounting lets you ‘emulate’ having a DVD drive, so you can install software typically only available on a disc without using the disc itself. WinCDEmu is an incredibly simple free way to mount disc image files and create ISO images of discs, integrating seamlessly into Windows almost like the utility is part of the OS itself.

Installation takes just a few seconds, as you won’t need to restart your computer when it’s done: device drivers will work as soon as the software is done installing. WinCDEmu will assign .ISO files to open with itself by default, so they can be mounted just by double clicking them. The WinCDEmu Settings panel will show up in your start menu, which you’ll rarely have to access.

WinCDEmu works like this: open an .ISO file (double click), select a drive letter (or have Windows decide for you automatically), and the disc image will show up as a DVD drive in Explorer after prompted for a drive letter and a few other settings. To eject, either double click the .ISO file again or right click on the disc drive in Explorer and press “Eject”. The software itself is almost entirely hidden and embedded within Windows: the drive letter choices can be chosen automatically within the WinCDEmu settings. Alternatively, if you wish to create an .ISO file from a physical disc inserted in a drive, right click on the disc drive and select “Create ISO Image” and the following dialogue prompts will step you through the process.

As a disc mounting tool, WinCDEmu was designed to do one thing: manage.ISO files, and it does it well. No need to worry about taskbar tray items, or startup objects – everything just works. The only setting that you can really tweak is whether or not it requires UAC rights to mount a disc image, which most people don’t actually use anyway. Unless you’re working with odd disc image formats, WinCDEmu should be all you need for mounting disc images and creating .ISO files for backup and other purposes.

[WinCDEmu (Free, works on all versions of Windows) - SysProgs]

Gaming keyboards aren’t known to come cheap these days: mechanical keys, famous for their fast (and loud) response when pressed, are typically found on keyboards $100 and up. Not many people are willing to spend that much on a keyboard, and may make the mistake of purchasing a cheap keyboard with too many limitations and downsides. Microsoft’s Sidewinder X4 aims to fill the gap between cheap and high-performance keyboards, having a pricetag of roughly $50 while still having many of the features expected in a gaming keyboard, such as programmable macro keys and a backlight. Check out our review and comments after the break.

With a glossy, plastic outline, the Sidewinder X4′s design is meant to contrast a deep red with black. Expect to see every one of the standard keyboard keys available, and then some extra ones that we’ll talk about later. The Sidewinder X4 comes with half-height keys, all with a distinct and easily readable label even with the backlight turned off. At the bottom, there’s a wrist pad that juts roughly two inches out, while not removable, is not too large to get in the way of things. The whole thing is a little heavier than you’d expect, likely as a result of the un-removable wrist pad. There’s very few design flaws to find here, the more notable ones being the easily-scratched key borders and lack of rubber pads on the keyboard stand, both of which are minor issues.

There’s three separate ‘regions’ when it comes to the type of keys available on the Sidewinder X4. You have the standard typing keys expected in a full-size keyboard, then the six programmable macro keys on the left, and a row of additional keys at the very top. As for the typing part of the keyboard, there’s only one extra key, which is a dedicated calculator button located above the numpad. In terms of layout, the top row of keys, which include the media keys, brightness control, and macro management, are well placed and easily identified. The placement of the six macro keys can be a little odd when using them – since they sit directly to the left of the typing keys, you either have to stretch your pinky/little finger out to press them, or move your entire hand. The entire keyboard is backlit, which drastically helps typing at night and the brightness can be adjusted to three levels or turned off using the brighness key on the top row.

You may have never used a half-height keyboard before, and fortunately, you’ll have no trouble getting used to them with the Sidewinder X4. Compared to full-height keys, you don’t have to depress the individual keys as much, and so the responsiveness is excellent for a non-mechanical keyboard. Typing feels fluid and the keys keep up incredibly well, with no odd sizes for keys like backspace and enter, and the wristpad is comfortable and is a welcome addition, rather than a nuisance. The only thing you may have to stumble a little over are the function keys, which are wider and thinner in height compared to a standard key. I found myself hitting the key borders more often than I would have liked when gaming, due to the small gap between the function keys and the number keys.

All of the special keys that you won’t find on a traditional keyboard are managed through Microsoft’s Intellitype software, free for download online or automatically installed via Windows Update. I was disappointed to find out that the macros, while they can be programmed in real time, are not stored in the keyboard itself. So if you ever switch computers and take the keyboard with you, you’ll have to reinstall the Intellitype software and re-program any macros you have assigned. With the Intellitype software, you can manage what the special keys are assigned to do, allowing you to adjust little details such as the timing between key presses. Additional features include the ability to assign keys to individual programs or other built-in commands, such as copy/paste, save file, zoom in/out, etc. The built-in media keys, which can be reassigned, work well with Windows Media Player and the Zune software, though support for other media players can be flaky (VLC is a no-go, unfortunately).

What’s neat is that you can record macros right on the keyboard and without opening the Intellitype software, by pressing the record button located on the top row, pressing the key you want to reassign, and then Intellitype will capture a recording of all the key presses until you press the record button again, effectively assigning the initial key with all the recorded presses. A toggle on the upper left corner lets you switch between three profiles, effectively giving you 18 total (6 keys * 3 profiles) custom macros. This isn’t actually that many when you compare it to the similarly priced Logitech G110, and some may be disappointed with the total number of dedicated macro keys.

A special part of the Sidewinder X4 is its anti-ghosting technology. Traditional keyboards can fail to register key presses after more than 3 keys are pressed down at once, which can be a serious issue when gaming. Ghosting is something you may or may not discover on your own, because it can be hard to tell the difference between a game glitch or a failed key register. The Sidewinder X4 is extremely capable when it comes to multiple key presses (virtually unlimited, technically capped at 26 keys), actually more than similar keyboards in its class – most keyboards which advertise anti-ghosting abilities have specific set regions where more than 3 keys can be pressed, but the Sidewinder X4′s anti-ghosting works for every key on the keyboard. It’s reassuring to know that problems won’t arise as a result of multiple key presses when gaming with the Sidewinder X4, as it can mean the difference between life and death (in-game, of course).

When it comes to real-world performance, the Sidewinder X4 excels. From typing essays to landing headshots, all with a handy backlight, the keyboard feels like it does good at just about anything. The programmable macro keys, which are awkward to use at first, can become a handy shortcut for launching often-used applications or gaming combos. The ability to record macros right on the keyboard itself is a huge plus, allowing you to adapt the macro keys to any game in a matter of seconds. The flat texture of the keys themselves negates the slippery, grimy feeling of fingerprints even after a day of constant use, and overall, using the keyboard is a comfortable experience.

Conclusion
Microsoft’s Sidewinder X4 packs many of the features you would expect in a gaming keyboard, such as programmable macro keys and a backlight. The half-height keys feel good to use and respond quickly when typing, and the dedicated programmable macro keys can be reprogrammed on-the-fly to adapt to any game, with support for three different profiles. You won’t find any extra gimmicks like USB ports or audio jacks here, as the Sidewinder X4 is meant to be a keyboard that’s a step up from a cheap desktop option, and some may be disappointed with the amount of macro keys available. It’s easy to overlook these downsides when using the keyboard itself, which provides a smooth experience for just about anything, making the Sidewinder X4 an excellent option as a budget gaming keyboard.

Pros:

• Full size keyboard with familiar key placement and size
• Six dedicated macro keys that can be reprogrammed on the fly
• Quick key response which feels like a mechanical keyboard
• Dedicated row of media keys and a calculator button
• Three different profiles that can be switched on the fly
• Attractive, adjustable red backlight helps typing at night
• Anti-ghosting technology allows virtually unlimited multiple key presses at once across every single key

Cons:

• $50 isn’t too cheap for non-enthusiasts
• Wrist pad can’t be removed
• Non-traditional key placement can be awkward
• Macros are managed by Intellitype software, not the keyboard itself

Microsoft’s Sidewinder X4 has won our Gold Award for excellent hardware. You can purchase the Sidewinder X4 off of Amazon for roughly $50.

[Microsoft SideWinder X4 Keyboard - Amazon]