As the unknown release date for Windows 8 nears, Microsoft is expected to take the wraps off Windows 8 Consumer Preview at the Mobile World Congress later this month.

Remember that in 2010, the Mobile World Congress was the same occasion Microsoft used to announce the revamped version of Windows Phone 7 in 2010...hint, hint.

The consumer preview should provide a better view of what users should expect in Windows 8 when it is finally released to the general public sometime this year.

So if you are interested in getting your hands on the latest version of Windows 8 before it hits the store shelves make sure to tune in to the Mobile World Congress on February 29th between 3-5PM CET.

Will you be giving the consumer preview a spin?

As Microsoft readies Windows 8 for public consumption some time next year they decided to create an event catered to developers to help give them a preview of the new features in Windows 8.

Microsoft is following the in the footsteps of Google who usually broadcasts their developer sessions each year at Google I/O.

I will be covering the event and the announcements made today regarding Windows 8 so that you can get a glimpse of the new operating system for PCs.

Watch the Keynote and sessions Live on the Microsoft BUILD website. What do you think about Microsoft releasing a new version of Windows? Too soon?

If you are a big fan of Dali, Escher and other surrealist painters and photographers, you're going to love the latest addition to Windows 7's theme library, the Illusions theme.

Josh Sommers is a popular Flickr photographer that puts together some of the most amazing and unique digital artwork you will ever see. His work is reminescent of Escher and other surrealist artists with the exception that these are digitally enhanced photographs.

The new Windows 7 theme features some of his most amazing work to help decorate your desktop.

Download a copy of the theme from Microsoft and make sure to subscribe to this site for more updates like these.

Whether you are professional photographer or an amateur who loves photography you know that shooting RAW is the best way to go.

The problem with shooting photos using the RAW picture format is that you either use specialized software or download plug-ins for Windows that allow you to view the pictures on your computer.

Thankfully the Windows Live team, responsible for Windows Live Photo Gallery part of the Windows Live Essentials suite of applications, released the Microsoft Camera Codec Pack.

The new codec pack enables Photo Gallery and Windows Explorer to view RAW images natively. The other feature that was left unmentioned in the announcement is the ability for other applications to also open RAW files.

So if you're shooting RAW and want an easier way to view and work with the RAW photo format, make sure to download a free copy of the Microsoft Camera Codec Pack.

The codec pack provides camera support for the following manufacturers:

• Canon
• Nikon
• Sony
• Olympus
• Pentax
• Leica
• Minolta
• Epson
• Panasonic

Make sure you view the download details to determine if your specific model is supported.