They are already testing a beta build of the client that supports in-game rendering for DirectX 10 and 11. This means that Xfire will start working with modern games, allowing you to chat, take screenshots, record video, and broadcast live gameplay all from the Xfire overlay that appears on-top of the game. They are currently testing with World of Warcraft (DX11), The Lord of The Rings Online (DX10/DX11), Dungeons & Dragons (DX10/DX11), and Battlefield 3 (DX10/DX11). If all goes well, expect to see a lot more newer games supporting XIG.

They are also focusing on fixing some of the social network features. Xfire has a network manager feature that allows you to chat on other networks such as AIM, MSN, and Twitter. However since it was first implemented, some of the protocols have changed, creating issues with the Xfire client. Fixes are promised, as well as support for additional networks.

Overall, it seems like it is a good time to be an Xfire user, and they want your feedback. If you currently use Xfire, take a few minutes to complete this survey and let them know how you feel about it.

Now to go download that beta client so I can get Xfire working in Battlefield 3.

Also a big thank you goes out to the LASERSHIP guy that left my box sitting outside during a tropical storm. Its not that type of water cooler dude.

Now I just need to get my RAM back.

Now I just need to get my RAM back.

The hardest part about replacing the laptop’s screen was actually getting the replacement screen. The first site we ordered the replacement from canceled the order the next day and said the part was out of stock. The second site charged the credit card and said the screen was shipped, but after a week of waiting we called them up to find out that they were actually out of stock and never shipped anything else despite them charging the credit card. The third site we ordered from charged his card and shipped the screen, but never provided any tracking information. Emails to their customer support went unanswered, and the website didn’t offer a phone number. After twelve days of waiting nervously it finally arrived. It was shipped from Sweden via US Mail. The mailman delivered his own package to the office.

Replacing the screen only took about two hours. Since I was disassembling the top half of the laptop anyway, I decided to take apart the other half to clean it out with compressed air. After blowing all of the fans out, it was a simple matter to remove the old screen and replace it with the new one. At only $175 for the screen and $50 for my labor he had a working laptop again. That sure beats the $400 Toshiba was asking for out of warranty repairs.