Microsoft has released a Vista update targeted at hardcore gamers and pirates :-D. Labeled, handily, as the 'March 2007 Windows Vista Application Compatibility Update', the fix is "a package of software updates that address common application compatibility issues in Windows Vista," according to the firm. It fixes problems whereby games and applications may not install correctly, run properly or could cause system instability and/or instant user death. Maybe not that last one.  What's notable is that many of the titles on the list of those updated are of particular interest to gamers and hackers. Lego Star Wars, Battlefield 2 and Age of Empires III all get fixes, which will be a relief to multiplayer game fans.

If you're a hardware enthusiast, you'll be pleased the HDTach, the popular software for measuring hard disk performance, is fixed.  And if you're the kind of person that loves to download illegal music and movies, it's good to see that Microsoft has spent its time fixing problems with BitLord and Azureus, two of the most popular BitTorrent clients out there. At least if Vista has to be riddled with a DRM infection, it's good of Microsoft to make sure that tools for downloading illegally still run hunky-dory.