News Archives - Page 6 of 6

Microsoft Windows 7 – Coming Replacement for Vista and XP

Get ready for the building flood of information about Windows 7. If you haven’t heard much about it yet, no need to worry, you most definitely will. After stumbling more than a little with Windows Vista, Microsoft has circled the wagons and is hunkered down to make the next version of Windows all that they had hoped Vista would be and much more. They also plan to deliver this next version of the Windows operating system sooner than most people expected.

Many details are sketchy or “fluid” as Windows 7 is still in an early beta testing phase, however Microsoft held its annual Developer’s Conference in late October and a flurry of information has come out of those sessions. This post will touch on some of the initial high level details based on information that is currently available. More will follow in the coming months.

Windows 7 – So Soon After Windows Vista’s Release

For a wide range of reasons Windows Vista has not lived up to its promises. A large number of the initial problems that came along with Vista’s release have been eliminated or mitigated. Vista Service Pack 1 helped resolve a significant number of issues and there will be a Vista Service Pack 2 in the not too distant future to fix other problems. But there are still a number of issues that have significantly impacted the rate of adoption of Vista, especially in larger businesses. The belief is that Microsoft hopes the new OS will help people and businesses turn the page on Vista (and XP too) and move to Windows 7.

A Little Background

Microsoft’s development roadmap has shown a follow up to Windows Vista for some time. The challenges with the marketing and adoption of Vista have motivated Microsoft to speed up the delivery of this next version of Windows. Originally sporting a codename of “Vienna”, (“Windows 7” was also originally just a codename) Microsoft announced in October 2008 that they would use Windows 7 as the final name of the product. Microsoft settled on Windows 7 because, according to the company, this will be the seventh version of the Windows operating system.

Note: a relatively small number of people ever used Windows versions 1 or 2 (they weren’t much fun) and it wasn’t until the release of Windows 3.0 in May 1990 that people actually began using the Windows OS in any significant number.

Windows 7 – When?

Nailing down the actual release date for a major operating system like Windows is always a tricky proposition. The word currently emanating from Redmond is that Microsoft is planning on getting Windows 7 completed in time to run on PCs that ship for next year’s holiday buying season. So that would set a release target of October/November 2009. Time will tell.

Windows 7 – Any Better Than Windows XP or Windows Vista?

It is still early in the beta testing phase, but from the information released so far and from the initial reviews and analysis of industry “people who know” there does seem to be a fair amount of optimism over Windows 7. Key areas of focus appear to be usability and performance. Initial indications are that Microsoft is not trying to cram a ton of additional bells and whistles into Windows 7. Instead they appear focused on making the environment easier to use and more intuitive. And faster.

There will definitely be a number of new features in a wide range of areas including networking, multimedia and security. Initial reports are that Windows 7 will not contain all of the bundled applications that the company has historically installed by default with the OS. Instead, Microsoft will make items such as e-mail, photo gallery features, and video-editing capabilities available as downloadable applications, collectively called Windows Live Essentials.

Other benefits with Windows 7 reportedly include a less intrusive User Account Control (UAC) function that was introduced with Vista. UAC is the feature that has you OK a warning dialog every time you install a program or change a system setting. While having a security feature like UAC has its benefits, people have found this feature very intrusive. Windows 7 provides more granularity in the settings for the UAC (less annoyance). The Operating System is also positioned as being more “aware”, especially for mobile computers that work in different environments (home, office, cafe, airport). There will also be more awareness of “cloud computing.”

Cloud Computing

Rapidly becoming a much more common phrase in the connected world, cloud computing is explained by Wikipedia – “Cloud computing is Internet-based (“cloud”) development and use of computer technology (“computing”). The cloud is a metaphor for the Internet (based on how it is depicted in computer network diagrams) and is an abstraction for the complex infrastructure it conceals…the common theme is reliance on the Internet for satisfying the computing needs of the users. For example, Google Apps provides common business applications online that are accessed from a web browser, while the software and data are stored on the servers.”

So it’s not just your data that is being sent to a web site or a server somewhere on the Internet. Cloud computing actually involves applications (programs) such as word processors, picture editors, email, contact management, blogs and data management that exist somewhere out there in the cloud on a computer or server that you do not control.

Microsoft is embracing cloud computing with their Live.com and Windows Live set of services and products. Initial indications are that Windows 7 will be “cloud computing aware” and be able to take advantage of current and future services Microsoft provides through Windows Live.

More Windows 7 Information to Come

There has been extensive media coverage of Windows 7 and this post has really just scratched the surface. More information and details will arrive in the coming months on features, functionality and performance of Windows 7. If you want to dig into the latest Win 7 info simply go to your favorite search engine and enter “Windows 7″ or Windows 7 news.”

Be sure to see our later posts on Windows 7 including: Microsoft Windows 7 Release Insights and Windows 7 – Eight Reasons Why You Will Want It. Lots of current Win7 info.

Security News: Microsoft Identifies Nasty New Bug | Provides Windows Patch

By MikeM

The last few weeks have seen a significant uptick in security problems. Many of these headaches are being caused by the concern of a new software worm circulating around the Internet. The Worm is now being identified as “Gimmiv” and the problem is serious enough for Microsoft to release a rare emergency Windows security patch – two weeks ahead of its normally scheduled monthly release of updates and patches.

According to PC Magazine, “This vulnerability is one of those rare ones that could result in a true network worm, where a system could be successfully attacked over the network with no user action at all.” The Microsoft advisory states that “Firewall best practices and standard default firewall configurations can help protect network resources from attacks that originate outside the enterprise perimeter.” It appears that firewalls, including the default Windows Firewall included in Windows XP and Vista, will block it.

“Antivirus 2008 ” — It Is Actually Spyware

Another spyware infestation we have seen (and removed) first hand recently includes a series of pop up windows indicating that you need to take some type of action to protect your system. Some of these pop ups are very well disguised and look very much like actual Windows Security dialog boxes. This spyware infestation includes “products” with names like “Antivirus 2008″ “Antivirus 2009”, “System Antivirus 2008”, “Windows Antivirus 2008” and “Vista Antivirus 2008” and “Ultimate Antivirus 2008.” Removal of these items is not necessarily an easy or straight forward process.

Some of these pop ups will explain that you need to pay $49.95 for the full antivirus license — Do Not. This group of spyware is what is known as a Trojan horse and can open up backdoor gateways into infected systems. Once infected the Trojan can download additional nasty items onto your system from the Internet as well as send your files off to other systems. Having your QuickBooks files sent off to who-knows-where is not a comforting thought.

If you do happen to see any indication of the above noted spyware “products” do not click on any of the links. Pop ups from these items can also include fraudulent error messages with some that look much like Windows messages. Clicking on any of the links can cause additional pop ups and/or cause other web sites to load in your browser. Current indications are that this spyware uses what is known as the Zlob Trojan as part of its engine for spreading the infestation. More information is available on the web by searching under any of the “product” names mentioned above.

What To Do — Recommended Actions:

Be sure your Internet security software is up-to-date. Run a manual update in the near future.
Run a full scan of your system after everything is up-to-date.
Install all current Windows patches and updates including Windows XP Service Pack 3 if running XP.
As always, close all other programs before installing Windows updates & patches.
Be sure to use firewall software and not just antivirus software. Firewall software is included in all Internet Security Suites.

Tech News – BlackBerry Storm, New Touch Screen Phone from RIM

By MikeM

Rumored for some time, Research in Motion (RIM) recently unveiled their newest mobile phone – the BlackBerry Storm. Clearly positioned as a direct competitor to the Apple iPhone, the Storm is RIM’s most consumer-oriented BlackBerry yet.

The Storm stands out as the first touch-screen BlackBerry, yet there is a twist – the Storm features a touch-sensitive display that’s unlike displays on any other touch-screen smartphone currently available. Called “ClickThrough” the display mechanism includes a suspension system that lies beneath the display. When you select an application or enter text, you actually push down on the screen like you would any other tactile button.

Featuring a SureType keyboard when the smartphone is in portrait mode, the Storm switches to a full QWERTY keyboard in landscape mode. With a built-in accelerometer, the Storm will automatically rotate the screen depending on how the phone is being held – vertically or horizontally. The keys also glow blue when typing.

The Storm is about the size of the BlackBerry Curve, but slightly thicker measuring 4.4 inches high, 2.4 inches wide, 0.5 inch deep and weighing 5.6 ounces. It’s equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack and has four shortcut keys – Talk and End, Back, and BlackBerry menu. Battery Life is listed as 15 days (Standby time) and 5.5 hours (Talk time).

The Storm will run the latest BlackBerry OS (version 4.7), providing an updated interface while still including support for multiple e-mail accounts from a range of sources, along with wireless synchronization. It comes with 128MB of flash memory and 1GB of onboard memory that is supplemented by a microSD/SDHC expansion slot supporting cards up to 16GB. In addition to an attachment viewer, you can also do some light editing on Microsoft Word and PowerPoint files.

The phone comes with a number of multimedia capabilities and can handle various music and video formats, including MP3, AAC, WMA, WMV, and MPEG4. Also included is Media Sync software that will help with synchronizing iTunes files with the Storm. The Storm’s camera is 3.2-megapixels with video recording, auto focus, and flash.

A specific release date and pricing were not announced, but indications are that the Storm from Verizon would be out by the holiday season with “competitive” pricing. There is a lot to like about this newest BlackBerry. Visit the RIM web site – and eventually the Verizon Wireless web site – for additional details.

A Universal Remote Worth Recommending

By MikeM

Like many people, we have tried and tested numerous remote control devices of different shapes, sizes, functionality and programmability in our house. None of them were truly useful solutions. That changed recently when we purchased a “Harmony One – Advanced Universal Remote” made by Logitech. This is a very slick device that actually allows us to control all the functions of our numerous audio and video devices from a single remote and generally with only a single touch of a button for each activity.

Logitech Harmony One

The device fits comfortably in your hand and has a small, high resolution, full color touch screen that allows you to select your most common activities from the icons on the screen. For instance, say you were watching TV and wanted to watch a DVD – with the Harmony One you simply press the icon that says Watch DVD. The remote then automatically sends the correct codes to all the appropriate devices – such as turning on the DVD player, switching the input on the TV to the DVD player from the Tivo box, switching the audio source on the audio/video receiver, and perhaps several other functions depending on what components you have hooked up. All with the press of one button. And all without having to track down and access several different remotes.

Harmony One – Different from Other Remotes

What makes the Harmony One different? Well for starters it just works. It is simple to use and it has all the necessary buttons and controls for all of our different devices in a well laid out format. A major benefit is that it does not require any programming. The device comes with software and a USB cable. You install the software on your computer and then you go the through the question and answer set up where you enter the manufacturer and model number for each of your devices. The software contains a huge database of remote control set-up codes for hundreds of thousands of components. When you have entered all of your components, the software uploads the appropriate codes into the Harmony One.

No more programming a “universal” remote by pointing two remotes at each other while pressing several different keys while waiting for certain lights to flash while standing on one foot while reciting the words to “A Whiter Shade of Pale.” And if you ever change your system components you can go back to your computer, launch the software, make the modifications and then upload the new settings via the USB connection. Pretty painless.

Oh, and the Harmony One also features backlit buttons that turn off after 15 seconds of inactivity and then come back on as soon as you move the remote. Plus no more changing the batteries as the unit has a built-in rechargeable battery and a charging cradle.

Harmony One – Cost

The only downside I have found with the Harmony One so far is that it’s not cheap. List price is $249, but I have seen it discounted significantly in stores and on sites like Amazon.com. So it definitely costs more than the $35 remote control devices you might see at Long’s, but if you are spending somewhere north of $3,000 (and sometime substantially more) for your entire home theatre set up it kind of makes sense to have a way to utilize your investment that doesn’t require searching and cursing.

Real World Testing

This may sound like a blatant plug for a product, but we have put the Harmony One through a strenuous series of detailed tests by our main audio/video tester – my wife. After a month of her using the Harmony One to control the Panasonic plasma TV, the Tivo HD, the NAD Audio/Video Receiver, and the Oppo DVD player there has not been one single obscenity uttered to date (at least not due to the remote). And there has been only one call to tech support – me. So, from my perspective, that’s a bargain.