This week seems to be "Vista Week" here at MG. To continue the theme, we'll point to an article over at Dan's Data. With 64bit processors becoming more commonplace in home/home office computers, many consumers considering an upgrade to Windows Vista are tempted by the 64bit editions with the assumption of better support and faster performance. The reality is, the greater majority of the software and hardware device drivers are still living in a 32-bit world, and will likely remain that way for the foreseeable future.

Looking at the insanity that is the Windows Vista upgrade path, many people are confused as to what version is right for them. Microsoft's own web site doesn't even go into enough detail between Basic, Premium, Business, Ultimate, and the mix-and-match versions between.

In an attempt do demystify, GameStop has an article, A Walk Through Windows Vista that should help most people decide:

Microsoft is touting Windows Vista as being "the best OS for games" (paraphrased). While this may be true for games developed on, and specifically geared toward Vista, gamers should stop and ask the question - "What about my 'old' games?" - and consider the answers very carefully.

ExtremeTech has a new article entitled Will Vista Run Your Games: The Final Word that every gamer considering taking the leap into "Vista-land" should read before shelling out the dough. Here's an excerpt:

Read the full article here: Microsoft going the way of Steam

Hey all, this demo is what you need if you been waiting for the PC release of Halo and wondering if it's worth the fifty bucks.

Being stuck at work I havn't had time to try it.... Although having time to write an article at work is another story.

Here are some links:

3dgamers.com Worthplaying Games

Looks like the wait is almost over for the PC version of Halo. According to this Blue's News article the game should be on store shelves September 30th. About time don't need to get an Xbox now

Still more waiting for Mac, even though Halo was developed on them.

Microsoft DirectX is a group of technologies designed to make Windows-based computers an ideal platform for running and displaying applications rich in multimedia elements such as full-color graphics, video, 3D animation, and rich audio. DirectX 9.0 includes security and performance updates, along with many new features across all technologies, which can be accessed by applications using the DirectX 9.0 APIs.

Greetings Age fans,

First things first, a big thanks to everyone for being so patient as we put the finishing touches on the Age of Mythology Online Multiplayer Alpha build. We will actually start shipping these out in the next seven to ten days so the time is now to start clearing space on both your hard drive and your social calendar. The Alpha build that you will receive will include:
- All nine civilizations
- All four Ages
- Full tech tree
- Two multiplayer maps

This build will not include the following:

It is Official Halo is coming out for PC and those weird looking things called "MACs?!?!".

You can read the press release for yourselves here

Congratulations, you are one of the lucky 10,000 gamers invited to participate in Ensemble's online multiplayer test of Age of Mythology. This alpha version of Age of Mythology will contain two of the nine civilizations that will be available when the game is released this October. Up to four players will be able to compete head-to-head as a follower of either Zeus or Poseidon on one of two multiplayer maps.

We will begin shipping the Age of Mythology alphas to all winners at the end of July. We will be sending follow-up emails with more details, so please stay tuned.