Last week's news that Apple has overtaken Microsoft as the World's biggest IT company once again highlighted the enigma that is, Steve Balmer. The Microsoft CEO is one of the most, ahem, "flamboyant" characters in the business and some say you don't have to look any further than Bastion Booger lookalike Balmer to see why Microsoft has gone downhill in the ten years he's been at the helm. Like him or loathe him, you can't ignore his enthusiasm for all things Microsoft and if you've missed some of Balmer's antics over the past 25 years, here is a roundup of some of the highlights.

Balmer sells Windows 1.0 "except in Nebraska"

You'd be forgiven for thinking Balmer was selling a new window cleaner on one of those dodgy shopping channels as oppose to the very first version of Windows while watching this. For anyone who thinks Balmer has gone barmy (and bald) with age, this hard sell proves that he always was both back in 1985:

Today I've been trying out the new Android FroYo OS, and guess what? It's delicious. Almost as tasty as an Apple, in fact. Standout features of the new Google Mobile OS include a much faster web browser with support for Flash 10.1, performance enhancements, and an beefed-up Android Market.

As you'll see from the video, Android 2.2 makes some significant changes over the previous version. But don't just take Google's word for it. Why not try out the new operating system yourself on your PC? All you need to do is download the Android SDK and follow this process:

1. Unzip the downloaded file and launch the SDK Setup executable. Highlight the Available Packages option in the left-hand column and expand the list within Sties, Packages and Archives. Check the option to install SDK Platform Android 2.2, API 8, revision 1. Now click Install Selected.

2. After the package has finished downloading, go to the Virtual Devices option and click on the New button. Enter a name for your virtual device and choose the Android 2.2 package from the Target drop-down list. Now click on the Create AVD button.

3. Your new virtual Android device, running 2.2 will be now shown in the main Virtual Devices panel. Highlight it, and click on Start to launch the new operating system in emulation mode.

4. It might take a few minutes to start the virtual device, but it's worth the wait. You'll get to try out the new helper, which explains how to get around the OS; take a peek at the new Car Mode; integrate your own email using the new Exchange settings, and even try and access Flash content in the web browser.

Not all of the new features of Android 2.2 can be tested, of course. You won't get an idea of the speed of the new browser, for instance; and the Market isn't accessible through the virtual device. However, it's worth checking out while we wait to see the OS actually running on a device.

Windows: When your computer starts to work slower than usual, it's time for some fixes and tweaks. Advanced SystemCare helps you fix the most common computer problems: Registry broken keys, hijacked settings, a fragmented hard drive or junk files taking too much space. The program also includes a bunch of tools to analyze and optimize your system.

iPhone: The new official Twitter iPhone app aims to give users a complete Twitter experience on the go. There are lots of Twitter apps available, like Echofon but this really is a benchmark release. It's user friendly and simple for basic users, but also has all the abilities more hardcore users require. Writing a tweet is simple, and a menu can be opened to add hash tags, photos, users, video or even a geotag to your post.

Mac: Do you want to run Windows at the same time as OS X on your Mac but don't want to pay for software like Parallels to do it? With VirtualBox (now updated to version 3.2), you can install any version of Windows - as long as you have the installation CD - Linux, Solaris and just about any other operating system you can think of absolutely free. It's also extremely easy to setup and use for those new to virtual environments.

There are only a couple of days to go until Google's I/O developer event. Which means that it won't be long before we see some official news about the latest version of Android, 2.2 (aka: Froyo which is San Franciscan for 'frozen yogurt', I believe).

But if you can't wait for I/O and you simply must see what Android 2.2 probably looks like, check out the last few frames of this very enlightening video about Flash on Android devices. Posted by Adobe Evangelist, Ryan Stewart, the only non-browser bit of the video seems to show that he's rocking a Froyo device - which would make a lot of sense.

Windows 7 Starter Edition is the light version of Windows, aimed mainly at netbooks. It lets you run Windows 7 with low hardware configurations and less hassle, but in exchange for that it has some serious limitations, like running a maximum of three applications at a time or not being able to customize the desktop background image. While you can’t do anything about the former, you can at least skip the latter with Starter Background Changer.

This simple app enables you to customize the desktop wallpaper in Windows 7 Starter Edition, just like in the others. First of all, you need to install it on your system. The installation process is in French, but it’s really simple: just keep on clicking Suivant (“Next”) on all the steps, and then Démarrer ("Start") on the last one.  Starter Background Changer will perform the necessary changes in Windows Registry to let you change the wallpaper and add the Personalize option to the Desktop context menu.

Do you want to give your creaky old Vista system a makeover, but aren't ready to make the move to Windows 7? Here's how to apply a theme that will give you that shiny 7 look!

1: Download and install VistaGlazz. This app will apply the patches necessary to allow you to use custom themes in Vista, and it's extremely easy to use. So, open VistaGlazz and click the central icon. This will tell you that you need to apply two system changes, and then allow you to make both together, after which your PC will restart.

2: For now, Vista will look just the same, so download the Windows 7 theme from here. Unpack the file, and drag the folder to C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes:

3: Now all you need to do is apply the Windows 7 theme. Right click on your desktop, and choose Personalize. A menu will pop up, and you should click on Themes. 

If you don't see the Windows 7 theme, click Browse, and select it from C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes. To finish, click Apply, and after a few seconds, your Vista desktop will be transformed into a Windows 7 lookalike!

The news I'd been waiting for finally turned up this week. During the first quarter of 2010, Android overtook iPhone to reach 2nd place in the US smartphone market, behind Blackberry. To many observers, this will come as no surprise - Android is available on an ever-increasing roster of devices while the iPhone is just... the iPhone. It's also worth pointing out that new iPhone models are always released in June, so there's a possibility that this change will be reversed in Q2/Q3 - though how many consumers are aware of this, I'm not sure.

Still, the evidence does seem to suggest that Google's 'one platform, many devices' strategy might end up making the difference in achieving market dominance for a mobile OS. Both RIM and Apple are dedicated to proprietary, closed platforms, RIM on a line of Blackberry handsets, Apple on effectively a single phone. While it's tempting to say that perhaps RIM will eventually release Android devices - their OS is so old, it would make sense - I don't believe that'll happen any time soon.

What I do believe is that within two years, Android will overtake both Blackberry and iPhone - and, yes, Symbian - to become the world's dominant mobile phone operating system. In fact, Android will probably claim as much as 50% of the US market. This will be due mainly to Google's strategy rather than any particular consumer swing towards Android. Though as it approaches 50%, Android will start to feel some customer loyalty and OS awareness, I suspect that like Symbian, many of its users will be completely unaware of its name.

But Google's catch-all strategy won't just make Android more popular. It'll also actively drive users away from iPhone. Why? Because when half the people you know share data, games and more on one platform, that becomes the de facto platform for your social group. iPhone - like Mac - has achieved this sort of dominance in some very influential social sets (like people working for tech companies, in new media and in marketing, advertising and PR) but as the continued dominance of Blackberry indicates, Apple has failed to make serious inroads to become the phone of choice for many professionals in more traditional industries.

Finally - and perhaps most importantly - Apple is not great at constant innovation within one product line. That's hardly surprising because no single company seems to be able to achieve the 'permanent revolution'  dream of a continually exciting device. Apple's history makes its own shortcomings all too clear: the company regularly introduces exciting new products which attract a loyal user base... and then, save for occasional refinements like a faster processor, leaves those devices and moves on to new product lines. In two years, the iPhone will be slightly better than it is now. But it'll still be an iPhone. And the iPhone, for all its brilliance and all the impact it has had, will be getting old by then. Apple will either have to innovate an entirely new phone device (no, not the iPad) or the iPhone's user base will grow more slowly and eventually settle. Just like Mac.

A restore point includes a backup copy of the Windows Registry and all important system files. Restore points are automatically created from time to time, and also after installing or uninstalling certain applications. But you can also create them manually if you want, following these easy steps:

1. Open the Start menu and go to Accessories > System Tools > System Restore.  In this window, select Create a restore point and click Next.

2. Enter a name for your restore point. You can use a descriptive name that reminds you of the reason why you created the restore point, such as “before deleting Registry keys” or “before installing the X application”.

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It's clear to us at Softonic that a huge number of people, after switching from Windows to Mac, still want to use Internet Explorer. Well the bad news for Mac newbies is that Internet Explorer for Mac is absolutely atrocious so you'll have to say goodbye to it now. In fact, it's so bad it's virtually unusable nowadays because websites simply won't render in it properly anymore.

This is what I got when I tried to visit Softonic's Mac site with it:

Not only does it fail to load most of the page but the elements it did load were badly aligned. Anything other than Google's homepage seemed to crash Internet Explorer for Mac immediately. Added to the fact that it doesn't even support Flash, tabbed browsing, modern JavaScript engines, extensions or even ad-pop-up blocking, you'd have to be absolutely masochistic to use it.

Part of the problem, apart from that it's not even a decent browser on Windows, is that Microsoft abandoned support and development of Internet Explorer for Mac in 2005. Since the browser is subsequently no longer designed to handle the requirements of most modern web pages, we strongly advise you to try Firefox, Chrome, Safari or Opera instead.

Alternatively, just check out all of the other browsers available for Mac. You have been warned!

Got a great idea for an app but don't have any programming knowledge to build it? Then let Nokia make it for you! To celebrate the launch of its N8 phone, Nokia is running a competition called Make My App, where contestants are invited to send their ideas for cutting-edge mobile applications.

You can suggest an idea in one of four different application categories: Think Green, Fun and Games, Earlier Living and Better World. All you need to do is visit the Make My App page, enter your name and email address and give a description of your app. You can even attach conceptual drawings, layouts or sketches. Bizarrely, the judging panel includes Tim Kring, creator of the hit TV show Heroes, and Mat Osman, bassist for 90s indie band, Suede.

There will be 12 overall winners who win a trip to September's Nokia World event in London to see their apps get made by professional developers. The lucky dozen will also win a Nokia N8 device, with their application already loaded. The winning apps will make it onto the Ovi Store, for the whole world to download and enjoy. There's no mention of any cut of the proceeds of the app's sales though, which seems pretty tight on Nokia's part.

The closing date for entries is June 27th. Better make sure your idea is great though because I've already entered and my app is going to take some beating!

Windows 7's start button is something you'll use all the time, but what if you get bored of it? Windows 7 Start Button Changer, unsurprisingly, lets you change it!

You can download the application here, and it comes with 10 sets of sample 'orbs' to get you started. If you don't like them, there are lots more to be found on DeviantArt.com. Alternatively, you can create a BMP image (54 x 162 pixels) made up of three 54 x 54 pixel images.

To use Windows 7 Start Button Changer, extract the RAR file - IZArc is a great app for this - and move the folder (it will be called W7SBC) to Program Files.

Next, run the program as an administrator by right clicking the .EXE file in the W7SBC folder, and choosing Run as. Windows 7 Start Button Changer will automatically back up your current start button, and by clicking on the Select and Change Start Button icon, you can pick the BMP image of your choice.

The results are not always perfect, but it's pretty good overall. If you're not happy, just click Restore Original Explorer Backup and everything will be put back to normal.

It's Earth Day on April 22, so what are you doing to help the environment? As well as recycling and using low energy lightbulbs and so on, one way to save a lot of energy is to use devices more efficiently. Even if you are one of the few people who don't believe in man-made climate change, saving energy means saving money, which no one can complain about! Computers use lots of energy - in offices, only lighting consumes more - but they are also full of energy saving potential. I've done some research into PC energy usage and myths, and come up with four easy ways to save energy on your PC.

iPhone owners will be waking up with a big grin on their faces today, following the announcement by Apple of the new iPhone OS 4.0. The upgrade to the operating system includes some very welcome new features that will enhance the iPhone experience no end. However, there are still some things that we were hoping to see which Apple neglected to include in OS 4.0. Here's a quick rundown of what's in and what's still missing.

Highlights

Multitasking. The new OS finally delivers the ability to run multiple applications at the same time. This is something that's sure to silence all those Android fanboys who poked fun at the iPhone for its mono-app handicap. Multi-tasking is enabled through a tidy dock which pops up from the bottom of the screen. You can switch to another app simply by clicking on its icon, and you can even kill running apps from here without leaving the application you're currently running.

Threaded email. You know the way GMail lets you track your email conversations by threading the messages? Well, now you'll be able to do the same with the iPhone's Mail app, which will bunch all replies within one message. Other changes to Mail include the ability to add multiple Exchange accounts, faster switching between accounts, and a unified mailbox for checking mail from all your accounts in the same place.

Games Center. Take note gamers - you'll no longer be forced to sign up to different services like OpenFeint, Crystal and Plus+ to post your scores online. Apple has introduced a new standard in the shape of Games Center. Besides offering leaderboards and achievements, the network will offer you a way of finding like-minded gamers and challenging them to battles.

Personalization. iPhone OS 4.0 will give you the ability to display a background wallpaper on all screens. Until now, the only way you could pimp your Apple phone was to stick a picture on the welcome screen. Now this will be visible on every menu screen which is great.

Folders. One of the big surprises for me was OS 4.0's support for folders. You'll be able to drag apps on top of each other to make a folder, then name and categorize the folder, and even drag them onto the dock for quick access. This is great for anyone with as many apps on their device as me. In fact, Apple reckons it will allow you to stuff up to 2,000 apps on one iPhone. Wow.

Were you getting excited about the forthcoming Windows Mobile version of Firefox? Well, forget it kid, because Mozilla has just announced that it's scrapping the whole project. Despite being in the works for some time, development of the Windows Mobile version Fennec (a.k.a Firefox Mobile) has now stopped - and it's all Microsoft's fault, says Mozilla.

According to Stuart Parmenter, technical lead, Firefox Mobile, it will be impossible for Mozilla to develop the app for new Windows Phones 7 platform due to the way Microsoft has closed off development to native applications. In a frank blog post, Parmenter says that Mozilla had been expecting a native development kit with the new OS, and now that's not been forthcoming, Fennec for Windows Mobile is being put on hold.

While we think Windows Phone 7 looks interesting and has the potential to do well in the market, Microsoft has unfortunately decided to close off development to native applications. Because of this, we won’t be able to provide Firefox for Windows Phone 7 at this time. Given that Microsoft is staking their future in mobile on Windows Mobile 7 (not 6.5) and because we don’t know if or when Microsoft will release a native development kit, we are putting our Windows Mobile development on hold.

In a subtle dig in the ribs of Microsoft, Parmenter goes on to say that he and his team will use the knowledge they gained from working on the Windows Mobile version to help with development of Fennec on other mobile platforms. Perhaps when Microsoft sees Firefox running on Maemo and Android it might rue its decision not to open up to native development. Or then again, it's plan all along could've been to wipe out anything that might compete with the native IE app in Windows 7 Phones.

As software bloggers, the only easter eggs the OnSoftware team give out every year are the ones hidden within computer programs. As designated easter bunny for this year I decided I'd dig up some of the hidden treats from the Great Software Easter Egg Hunt of 2008. That was the year I got over eggs-ited about the cool features, games and jokes buried within popular software. Here's a quick resume of my favorites:

Uncover a Space Monkey in Adobe Photoshop

Instant victory in Windows Solitaire and Minesweeper

Unlock dancing llamas in Winamp

Play pinball in Word

Make Adobe Acrobat bark like a dog

Watch the MS Works developers fly around your screen

Make waves in WinRAR

Play a Star Wars shooter inside Open Office

If you're hungry for more, go check out some of the cool Google easter eggs in Mashable's post, which includes a great one about how to unlock teddy bears and ninjas in Picasa. More goodies can be discovered if you go and read TechCrunch's software easter egg round-up from last year. If that doesn't satisfy your craving then pay a visit to the Easter Egg Archive, where you'll find hundreds of secrets from a wide range of applications. Happy hunting!