You know what's the most intriguing part about Windows Vista? I told you a few times before that, as far as I am concerned, it works just great, I have no reliability problems, and most programs I ran so far on it didn't encounter any compatibility issues(remember that I said "most," and not "all"), but the parts I really can't stand are the so-called "security innovations"("UAC" should say it all) and the "new, streamlined, amazing interface," which really sucks, if you ask me. Since more and more people get back to XP, I thought that talking about downloadable Windows XP skins would be a good idea, although there will be some saying "Windows XP is dead," and I respect their opinion. I just wish them a happy life with Vista, so now we can get to the subject...

While "downloadable Windows XP" skins often involves patching your Windows or installing some of the programs I will mention later, there are also Windows themes(themes, skins, call them as you wish, it's the same thing) available right from Microsoft and, most important, officially supported by them, in most cases, if you really need support for such a thing. Unfortunately, I can't say I was impressed by the content I found on Microsoft.com, but you should spare a few minutes to check the Windows XP Desktop Enhancements page.<-336x280 Large Rectangle - right-> Apart from Windows Media Player skins, you can also find screensavers, wallpapers, and a few desktop themes, as I was just saying.

Moving to more serious things, we have TuneUp Utilities 2008, a very good all-in-one system optimizer that features "Individual Windows styling." Now, the program is priced at $39.95, but you can get the trial version and play with it for a while, or simply go to this page and see the visual styles available for TuneUp Utilities users. You'll need the program to use them, anyway, but I think this is the easiest way to see what you'll get.

For a long time, Aston was my favorite Windows XP customization choice, but I had to drop it along the way due to some strange incompatibilities. Anyway, the idea is that, for most Widows XP stylers, this program is a heavenly gift. Just check its official page for a few minutes, and you'll get the idea(just to let you know...when they say this is faster than the default Windows shell, it's more than just advertising!).

Other than the above, there are also WindowsBlinds, StyleXP and many others(your hints are welcomed!), but the best resource when it comes to downloadable Windows XP skins remains ThemeXP, probably the richest Windows XP graphics resource on the Web(who knows a better one, step forward and say it out loud!).

These being said, I conclude this article, hoping the information presented here will help you make your Windows XP look as cool as can be, and make your Windows Vista friends envy you! One more thing - if you find a great Windows XP theme, don't be a bad boy/girl, and get back here to tell us about it, all right? Good luck!

While the Arctic sea ice is disappearing at an accelerated rate, some people worry about how illegal can be using LimeWire, or how to setup Azureus. One of my worries, as we speak, is to check out Google Chrome for you, and that's exactly what I used for most of the day to do my surfing. Anyway, I won't rush the review, because sometimes it's better to do things right and slow, rather than making a quick mess, so I'll leave world's latest Internet browser for another day, and move on to - once again - P2P downloads!

So...what about P2P music downloads? Apart from the fact that everyone does it, nobody admits it, and they all enjoy it! No, I am not talking about anything dirty - P2P downloads can also be 100% legal, but ISP guys are surely scared of it. Why?

The answer should be obvious - the more P2P downloaders you have as subscribers, the more bandwidth they use, the smaller your profit...<-125x125 Button - right-> or something like that. If it's not P2P music, it's P2P video, and that's even worse, because it takes up more bandwidth, no matter if it's legal or not.

According to recent surveys from multiple sources, P2P traffic decreased heavily for some US and UK ISPs, being replaced by traffic with video streaming sites, such as Hulu, YouTube, Veoh, or the BBC iPlayer. The most interesting part is that even Japan sees such a change, but they have the most insane service plans available anywhere on Earth , think about 100Mbps symmetric fiber optic Internet connection for only $40/month!!!

I just got a headache. Really, and you want to know why? It's incredible how far could go Japan in terms of connection speed, simply incredible! Now, what they really need is a HD video and music streaming site, since I am sure P2P music downloads are not for these guys - just think about the quality of the video and music you can stream over a 100Mbps connection!

I love Google, I must confess it. I know nothing is perfect, and while I must admit Google has its weak spots, and that I am not crazy at all about the Google Pack or Google Video, I still have a lot of interest on any new software product arriving from the Internet search giant's labs. Google Chrome is the last software tool from Google, and what could be better than a Web browser from the company currently pushing the Web into the direction it sees fit?

Why another Web browser? Good question, and if you check the last link above, you'll also get your answer, but since not everyone is crazy about comic books(great job, Google, I love the comics about Chrome!), let me tell you just the most important part: no memory hogs, each tab to run independently, and if something crashes, you only lose one tab, and not the entire pages open in the browser! How's that?

Today, Chrome's Beta version will be released in 100 countries, and the answer to the question above, but straight from Google's Sundar Pichai, vice president of product management, <-125x125 Button - right->and Linus Upson, engineering director, looks like this - "Why are we launching Google Chrome? Because we believe we can add value for users and, at the same time, help drive innovation on the web."

The 38 pages comic I mentioned a bit earlier is really worth checking out, believe me! On the technical side, it is worth being mentioned that Google Chrome will use the WebKit engine, combine with Google's Gears, as well as a new JavaScript virtual machine called "V8" (probably the improved version will be "V8 turbo," hahaha!), and the entire project will be, just as OpenSocial and Android, open source. Even more, it seems Chrome also uses code from Mozilla - "We've used components from Apple's WebKit and Mozilla's Firefox, among others -- and in that spirit, we are making all of our code open source as well. We hope to collaborate with the entire community to help drive the web forward."

Although this will only be an early Beta version, I hardly wait to get my hands on it! If it proves to be good enough for an early Beta, you may even be able to read its review here in a few days!

Are you downloading something as we speak? Are you sure all the files on your computer are "clean" from the legal point of view? Believe me - the more media content you have on your computer (excluding family photos and your dirty college video footage, of course), the less chances for everything to be all right exist. Anyway, don't worry too much, just be sure not to share the content of your hard drive, because there are some people just waiting to get their hands on you and squeeze some money...

...and, unfortunately for Jeffrey Howell, sharing "Waiting For A Girl Like You," "Money For Nothing," and "Sweet Child O' Mine" on P2P networks ended up being extremely expensive. I am really sorry for the guy, but I guess he missed reading about downloading music ilegally, or about staying on the safe side with Limewire. Well, too bad for him, I must say.<-180x150 Small Rectangle - right->

Now, RIAA can celebrate another so-called "victory against illegal sharing," since Jeffrey got a $40,850 fine, and this happened mainly because he destroyed the evidence of his computer activity, after being ordered to preserve it. He did things right, formatting his hard drive and using a file-wiping software, but that's exactly what is completely useless, once you have been caught.

Apart from being ordered to pay the amount I just mentioned, and $350 court costs, Jeffrey was ordered to stop infringing copyrights, "including without limitation by using the Internet or any online media distribution system to reproduce (i.e., download) any of Plaintiffs' Recordings, or to distribute (i.e., upload) any of Plaintiffs' Recordings."

Wait, there's even more to this! As a precaution, our guy also has to "destroy all copies of those downloaded recordings transferred onto any physical medium or device in Defendant's possession, custody, or control."

I think destroying entirely his computer, cancelling the Internet subscription and go buy a ranch, grow some cattle, would be easier. Probably that's what RIAA has in mind for all of us...even though when we're only listening to our friends' CDs while drinking a beer, and not sharing a single bit of illegal information.