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Microsoft Releases Free Tinker Game

Martin Brinkmann — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:40:52 +0000

Tinker was one of the few Windows Vista Ultimate extras that were released by Microsoft. It was a classic puzzle game that put the player in the role of a robot that had to solve 60 levels with classic puzzle elements. Microsoft made an announcement a few weeks ago that they would release some of the Vista Ultimate extras to the public. The game Tinker is the first to be released with Hold’Em, the other game that was exclusive to Vista Ultimate users, to follow suite later on.

Tinker is available at the Windows Live Marketplace which means that only users with a valid Windows Live account and an installed copy of Games for Windows Live can download the game for free. The good news – besides that the game is offered for free – is the fact that it is available not only for Windows 7 users but also for Windows XP and Windows vista users.

The not so good news is that Microsoft wants additional information before the game can be downloaded including the user’s name and address. A download of the Games for Windows live client is required before the download of the game can be started. The client can be downloaded directly at the Microsoft website. A Windows Live account can be created from within the program’s interface after the installation if that should be necessary.

Tinker itself has a size of 59 Megabytes and seems to be identical with the version that was released back then for Windows Vista Ultimate users. It will be interesting to see how Windows Vista Ultimate users react on the release of on of their exclusives. Everyone else will likely be very happy that this game is released for free.

Enable Bitlocker On Unsupported Hardware

Martin Brinkmann — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 14:19:38 +0000

Bitlocker is an additional software component that gets distributed with Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate and Enterprise only. It can be used to encrypt full partitions on computer systems but can only be run on supported hardware. Bitlocker by default does require a Trusted Platform Module chip (TPM Chip) that is located on the computer’s motherboard. This chip contains a cryptographic key that Bitlocker uses in the encryption process.

There is however a way to enable Bitlocker encryption even if the computer does not have a TPM chip. The following method will enable Bitlocker and should work in the upcoming Microsoft operating system Windows 7 as well.

Run [gpedit.msc] by either clicking on the Windows Vista Start Menu button or by using the shortcut [Windows R]. This will open the Group Policy Editor.
Locate the following menu: Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\BitLocker Drive Encryption
Enable the Advanced Startup Options by double-clicking on Control Panel Setup to display the advanced options.
Click on Enabled and check the Allow Bitlocker Without A Compatible TPM Checkbox.

A click on OK will enable Bitlocker on computer systems without Trusted Platform Module chips. It is from then on possible to save the Bitlocker encryption key on an external storage device like an USB stick or Flash memory card. This key is essential for accessing the encrypted partitions. There is no way of accessing the encrypted partition or hard drive if the storage device gets damaged or lost.

The Extra Money For Windows Vista Ultimate Is Finally Paying Off

Martin Brinkmann — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:19:52 +0000

Microsoft made lots of promises at the time when Windows Vista was released concerning the extras that Windows Vista Ultimate users would get. Only a handful of extras have been released since then and many Windows Vista Ultimate users are questioning the underlying business model. There are not any statistics on how many users bought Vista Ultimate because of the exclusive extras but there are surely some who spend the extra money in fear or missing essential tools and applications.

The Windows Vista Ultimate extras that have been released are Windows Dreamscene, a video background application, A Hold’Em Poker game, a puzzle game called Tinker that comes with an extra sound scheme, two additional sound schemes, various MUI language packs and the Bitlocker and EFS Enhancement tools.

And that’s it. The main focus seems to be on entertainment which is probably a sector that most Windows Vista Ultimate users do not care about. To be fair, Windows Vista Ultimate is the only edition of Windows Vista that provides all features of the operating system by combining Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Enterprise in one software package.

The reason for this post? Well Microsoft released new extras which have already been mentioned in the second paragraph: The Tinker game that includes the sound scheme and another Dreamscene package.

Users who bought Windows Vista Ultimate for the extras can rejoice and enjoy another background and some new sounds. How many will be happy with the new extras? Take an educated guess.

Yuck new Windows Vista Ultimate Extras

Martin Brinkmann — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:36:36 +0000

There were basically two editions of Windows XP named Home and Professional. While this was confusing for some it turned out to be a minor problem. In Vista Microsoft decided to create more editions, Windows Vista Home Basic & Premium, Vista Business and Vista Ultimate. I’m not even comparing Enterprise editions and those specifically designed for the European Union. Vista Ultimate was special. It contained all the features of all editions and got a bonus called Windows Vista Ultimate Extras.

Microsoft promised cutting edge programs, innovative services and unique publications just for Windows Vista Ultimate users. If you take a look at what they have delivered after more than one year: DreamScene, Language Packs, BitLocker, a poker game and sound schemes. What you get is a video screen saver, a game, some sounds, new languages (wonder how many need these) and Bitlocker which is a drive encryption software. Does that look like cutting edge programs, innovative services and unique publications to you ?

I wonder how many users who actually made the purchase thinking that they would receive some great add-ons and bonus will buy the ultimate edition of Windows 7 once it comes out. Are you a Vista Ultimate user ? What are your thoughts about the extras so far ? Oh, in case you are wondering what new extras have been released: Two new sound schemes and a third Dreamscene pack.