Optional Downgrade to Windows XP

While Microsoft is trying to put the best spin on the usability and adoption of its Windows Vista operating system (OS), the software company has now offered an option for Vista Business and Ultimate users to downgrade their operating systems to Windows XP. This policy applies only to buyers of new machines that come with Vista Business or Ultimate, and not to PCs pre-loaded with Vista Home or Enterprise.

If you have any favorite applications or peripherals running on XP, be sure that they will work with Vista before you purchase a machine loaded with that OS. Many PC users in the Kingdom have complained that their old software programs won’t work on their new machines. The truth is that for many consumers in Saudi Arabia, the only genuine software running on their PC is the OS. Copied software that was originally written for other operating systems sometimes won’t work with Vista and because it’s illegal, that software can’t be upgraded.

Take Action, Make Art

HP and MTV have joined together in “Take Action. Make Art” — a global design competition that challenges young people around the world to create graphics to be used in the design of a special edition HP notebook PC. Contest entrants are encouraged to submit ideas related to any subject that brings out their passion. The winning submission selected by a panel, will be used in the design of a special edition HP Pavilion notebook PC using the company’s HP Imprint finish.

“We are challenging youths to develop something more than just cool, hip designs,” said Satjiv Chahil, senior vice president, Global Marketing, Personal Systems Group, HP. “Imagine that your design is a positive thought, a belief, a message you want to broadcast to the world. We want young people to show us what is personal to them by incorporating that thought into the design itself.”

Contestants can submit a design along with a brief explanation at www.mtv-tama.com through Oct. 17. The winner of the competition will be invited to attend the MTV Europe Music Awards in Munich, Germany, in November as a special guest of MTV. At the show, the new limited edition 14-inch diagonal HP Pavilion notebook featuring the Intel Centrino Duo processor technology will be showcased. The winner also will be invited to visit several HP sites, including Tokyo and Houston, to witness the design make its way through the notebook development process.

The notebook is expected to be available to consumers worldwide in March 2008, and winning designs from runners-up in Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and the United States will also have their personal expressions created into adhesive notebook “skins” available to consumers around the world.

DJSI Lists Alcatel-Lucent

Alcatel-Lucent has been listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI). The DJSI World selects the top 10 percent of the leading sustainable companies out of 2,500 companies in the world.

Alcatel-Lucent was assessed in terms of corporate governance, ethics, labor practices, supply chain standards, environmental management, digital inclusion, dialogue with stakeholders and corporate citizenship. Inclusion in this index is recognition of Alcatel-Lucent’s significant achievements regarding sustainable development, and also results of the integration of best-in-class practices of former Alcatel and Lucent since their merger in December 2006.