How well do popular Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Fedora and OpenSUSE stack up against Microsoft's new desktop flagship, Windows 7? eWEEK Labs identified 10 features new in Windows 7 and put them head-to-head with popular Linux distros to see how the platforms compete. Labs Analysts Jason Brooks and Andrew Garcia found that Version 7 makes big strides on the Windows front with its new features, but that Linux is competitive by most counts...

Microsoft will put Windows 7 on store shelves and computer makers will have systems ready to sell with Vista's successor on Oct. 22, the company confirmed today.

Microsoft will also offer discounted or free upgrades to Windows 7 to users who buy PCs in the months leading up to the operating system's launch in a program dubbed "Windows Upgrade Option," a company spokeswoman said Tuesday. Although the name is new, the program had been reported as early as January, when a usually-reliable Web site leaked information about the deal, including its July 1 kick-off.

Some lucky Brits received their pre-ordered copy of Windows 7 earlier today -- several days before it goes on sale -- proving that there is at least one good thing to result from postal strikes.

One excited CNET UK reader -- Tom Brown, from Hertfordshire -- dropped us a line earlier this evening to express his delight that he had come home to a package from PC World. It was his copy of Windows 7 Home Premium, which he pre-ordered a couple of months ago.

The following beta firmware is provided on a trial basis only and without any kind of warranty. It is heavily advised not to use this beta firmware for any critical purpose. By downloading the beta firmware file, you expressly agree that the use of the firmware is at your own risk and discretion. It is not supported through the normal support channels. All questions, comments and issues should be directed to this board.

- This code can be used with all hardware revisions of the DGL-4500 - This code addresses the WAN slowdown and lockups

Microsoft on Monday apologized for the length of time it is taking to restore missing data to T-Mobile Sidekicks. The company said it expects to begin restoring data this week, but added that bringing back all data will take longer than that.

In a note on its Web site, Microsoft said that the reason for the delay is that the company wants to make sure that it doesn't risk messing up data as it restores information to users' phones.

Microsoft has updated the advisory for MS09-054, a cumulative security update for Internet Explorer, to describe its impact on Firefox users. The first version failed to mention any impact, leading to what may have been an overreaction on Mozilla's part.

An entry on Microsoft's Security Research & Defense blog goes into the matter further. The bottom line: Firefox users should apply MS09-054, even though it's labeled as an update for IE.

With the Windows 7 launch looming, Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) is sponsoring Fox's upcoming "Family Guy" comedy special in an apparent bid to market Windows 7 to viewers in a way that's unconventional and creative.

The astonishingly irreverent Family Guy show often pokes fun at Microsoft, and Bill Gates and the Zune have been targets in the past. But while Family Guy's raucous content might seem a bit outside of Microsoft's typical marketing purview, Microsoft seems to think that the right kind of edgily-crafted Windows 7-related marketing content will resonate with the show's audience.

When Asus launched the Eee PC in 2007, we recognized that netbooks had the potential to be a major game-changer for mobile computing. Two years and several iterations later, the evolving netbook form factor is better and more compelling than ever before. Hardware vendors have found ways to deliver longer battery life, bigger displays, and more usable keyboards without compromising the mobility advantages of the little laptops.

City of Industry, CA - Oct 13, 2009. Enermax is proud to launch it's global technical support forum. By offering this worldwide communication tool, ENERMAX product manager & engineers continue publishing great tips & tricks for the PC & answer questions directly to users.

Lavasoft has updated its popular malware and spyware detection and removal tool Ad-Aware. Rather than a dramatic redo, version 8.1 builds on the improvements made in the previous version. The new version is faster, has better removal abilities, and introduces a behavioral detection engine.