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Winamp 5.8 Beta Official

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This is VERY MUCH BETA. I would NOT install it (see notes).
Download: https://download.nullsoft.com/winamp/client/winamp58_3660_beta_full_en-us.exe

Winamp 5.8 Beta, Build 3660 (official)
Notes:
Some features are works-in-progress, e.g. new in_mod & out_wasapi plugins
Sorry, no CD burning, autotag or cddb features yet.
No multinational version with lang packs yet either.
Changes since unofficial build 3563
Removed ml_nowplaying; updated libogg, libvorbis, libflac & libopenmpt; copyright updates; added more genres to file info dialog; new digital cert; various other general tweaks, fixes and prep work….
Whats New:
* New: Windows Audio (WASAPI) Output plug-in (w.i.p.)
* Improved: Added an option to completely disable Winamp’s video support
* Improved: Added an auto-fullscreen option to video prefs
* Improved: Added /ENUMPLAYLISTS to the command-line support
* Improved: Windows 8.1 and 10 compatibility
* Improved: [in_mod] OpenMPT-based Module Player (replaces old MikMod player)
* Improved: [ml_playlists] Added browse path & edit title functions in Ctrl+E editor
* Improved: [Bento] Updated scrollbars and buttons and other tweaks (thanks Martin)
* Improved: [Bento & Modern skins] Added a Playlist Search feature (thanks Victor)
* Fixed: New URLs not being remembered after using Reset history in Open URL dialog
* Fixed: Various memory leaks
* Fixed: [gen_tray] Not showing correct current icon pack in preferences
* Fixed: [in_avi] Divide-by-zero crash with badly formed files (thanks ITDefensor)
* Fixed: [in_mp3] Crashing with some ID3v2 tags
* Fixed: [ml_wire] Slow loading issue
* Fixed: [ssdp] Crash on load if jnetlib was not correctly initialized
* Misc: Minimum required OS is now Win XP sp3 (Windows 7 or higher recommended)
* Misc: More general tweaks, improvements, fixes and optimizations
* Misc: Moved shared DLLs to Winamp\Shared folder
* Removed: All former “Pro” licensed functions (Winamp is now 100% freeware again)
* Removed: gen_jumpex & UnicodeTaskbarFix (making way for native implementations)
* Removed: [in_wm] DRM support
* Replaced: CD playback and ripping now using native Windows API (instead of Sonic)
* Replaced: MP3 Decoder now mpg123 based (instead of Fraunhofer)
* Replaced: AAC Decoder now using Media Foundation (Vista and higher)
* Replaced: H.264 Decoder now using Media Foundation (Vista and higher)
* Replaced: MPEG-4 Pt.2 Decoder now using Media Foundation (Vista and higher)
* Updated: [in_vorbis] libogg 1.3.3 & libvorbis 1.3.6
* Updated: [libFLAC] FLAC 1.3.2
* Updated: [libyajl] libyajl v2.1.0
* Updated: [OpenSSL] OpenSSL v1.0.1i
* Updated: [png] libpng v1.5.24

CCleaner…

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This past 24 hours has seen a wave of fake news and hysteria over CCleaner supposed snooping.
As far as I can tell there is no new data collection. They have introduced a new privacy options section.

From a forum post:
Your privacy is very important to us and we commit to ensuring the continued confidentiality and security of all data we collect and process. We also require that any and all parties which have access to our data adhere to strict security standards and best industry practices. This protects your privacy, whether you are an EU resident or not.
As part of this commitment, we’ve updated our Privacy Policy and added a new ‘Privacy’ tab into our software. If you’re a CCleaner user, in this tab you can adjust your privacy settings. Privacy settings are unavailable for Free users as we do not collect any personal identifiable information, so Free users are essentially anonymous.

Wednesday Random Stuff…

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BIOS Hell
BIOS updates are being recalled and replaced. Woody Leonhard has the scoop on several vendors.
My new rig had a second BIOS update 2 days ago. Previous BIOS version was F5i. It has disappeared and been replaced by F5m. Yesterday I reran PCMark10 on that rig. Performance drooped again. On PCMark10 I now have a performance loss of 6.4% overall, with a high of 9.9% in Essentials. Post updated here: Meltdown & Spectre Updates Benchmarked

Software Updates
EMDB 3.10
Mp3tag 2.86

Firefox Quantum

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Firefox 57, a.k.a Firefox Quantum will be released today. It’s a big deal. Completely redesigned, the folks at Mozilla say it’s twice as fast and uses 30% less memory. In addition, the interface will be cleaner and is designed for high-resolution displays
If you want to know the hows see here: Entering the Quantum Era—How Firefox got fast again and where it’s going to get faster
One of the downsides of an all new browser is that many old add-ons will not work. It is up to the add-on creators to update their stuff. The hysterical, chicken-littles over at Zdnet call this “add-on armageddon“.
I’m pretty pumped about Firefox Quantum. I hope it returns Firefox to its former glory.

Goodbye Acronis True Image

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I’m switching to Macrium Reflect Free and Clonezilla (free too).
Ditching Acronis has been coming for a while. Over the last couple of years I have increasingly heard from users where Acronis True Image has failed them. Over the last year I’ve encountered issues on numerous occasions. The only thing saving me is I have dozens of full backups. Problems have included freezing during restore and multiple USB device issues.
*note – I only backup and restore offline using bootable media, old habits…
Although I will be using both Macrium Reflect Free and Clonezilla I will be recommending Macrium Reflect Free to the masses. Macrium Reflect Free is fast and easy to use. It provides a way to easily make a Windows PE based bootable CD or USB drive customized to your machine. It contains everything the majority of users could want.
Clonezilla is slower than Macrium but will image any and everything. Having no GUI, non-Geeks my be intimidated. Having said that, if you just follow the on screen instructions you should be fine.
Macrium Reflect 7 Free Edition is available. As of this writing I know the linked page says “coming soon” but you end up downloading v7.0.2199.