technical solutions and commentary

A freeware utility from Log.in Consultants provides a simple method for administrations to easily sequence customized MSI application installations. This utility is an add-in for the Native SoftGrid Sequencer. According to Log.in Consultants, it is most beneficial when using automated software distribution software such as Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003. If you want to virtualize applications which are typically manually installed, you don’t need this add-in utility.

You can get the applicaiton here.
Disclaimer: I have not had the chance to personally use this utility, so I cannot recommend using it.

More information of SoftGrid application sequencing is in MS KB932137.

The Pandora Project creates smart music play lists based upon what music you tell it you like. There is a huge library of music and it’s all free streams. Thanks to Daniel Mackey, a developer & blogger, for writing an application that allows the use of Pandora without having to keep a full blown web browser window open. This is an application I have been wanting, since the time I discovered Pandora. Try out Pandora and the Application from Dan.

If you are running Windows Vita and have applications which rely on Java RE, you should consider updating to Java Runtime Engine 6. This resolves some issues with Windows Aero and other application compatability issues. You can download the 32-bit version direclty here. This verison installs on Window Vista, XP, 2003, etc.