Getting bored of the standard wallpapers shipped with Windows Vista ? Not got Vista? Got a Mac? Whatever OS you're running, check out these new images from one of the photographers responsible for the desktop 'Vistas' available as desktop backgrounds in Windows Vista.

These, like the originals, are absolutely stunning scenic images. But these simply didn't make the cut for the final DVD release of Vista. I have to say I love most of the ones currently part of Microsoft's latest OS, but I'm already getting slightly bored of the scenes. It's not because they're dull, but simply because I've already glimpsed them several hundred times.

They're not being made available by Microsoft officially (at least not for the moment) but you can download them from Hamad Darwish's World of Photography website. Of course, should these not be enough, you can always check out the Vista DreamScenes - providing you have Vista Ultimate installed.

While we're talking about wallpapers, I'll tell a little anecdote about XP and I. Given my penchant for changing desktops, I've always kept the desktop background of every Windows XP PC I've ever had as its 'bliss hill' default. 'Why' is a question I'm always asked when somebody sees me using a Windows XP PC.

The reason is quite simple. Whenever you write for our sister title, Windows XP: The Official Magazine , you have to take screenshots using the default colour scheme. And that includes having 'bliss hill' in the background. Simple as that.