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Many businesses are realizing Windows 7 is the only choice for moving forward with operating systems. With the resistance shown against Windows Vista and the backing of Windows 7 by major manufacturers such as Dell and HP, you won’t be able to buyfor long. All operating systems, including XP, will go end of life eventually.

As a Michigan IT consulting coach to businesses, take my advice. No one likes change, especially when it comes to technology in the business world. Your business will have to eventually upgrade – so do it on your terms. Do not be forced into it out of lack of support from a vendor or manufacturer. Integrating Windows 7 is more well received and a smoother process when planned out and not forced on a business because a computer has crashed and “we can’t get XP from Dell anymore!”

The benefits of Windows 7 include IT admin tools such as security layers allowed on a active directory network and other built-in features specificially for users. Windows 7 is considered a more secure operating system than its predecessors just by the nature of it being the latest version and ultimately it being the forefront of Microsoft’s image to the consumer. Microsoft has always carried the negative reputation of being the “least secure” of your choices, but Windows 7 has proven to be stable, smooth running and an overall pleasant experience.

Some of the new features, such as DirectAccess and XP mode integration have a few prerequisites that require more of an updated networking environment or computers in order to function. DirectAccess provides remote employees a secure way to connect to a Windows Server (2008) without the use of separate connection software or VPN. It’s a much simpler way of providing remote access but has limitations as it must run within the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 platforms. The XP mode integration is nice which is useful for legacy applications or software that has problems running within Windows 7. Using Virtual PC as an engine, it allows users to install applications on the computer that run on top of a Virtual XP machine. This needs a computer that supports virtualization in its hardware BIOS (which not all systems do).

The beauty of Windows 7 is it doesn’t need a killer app. Microsoft is known for its proliferation of the most widely used computer operating system and leaves the killer apps to its partners or even competitors. Since it has such a large market share it doesn’t need a killer app to be adopted.  Discuss Windows 7 migration with a certified computer services firm today.

Safe Internet Blog microsoft, operating systems, Windows 7

Nope, it’s not another codename for Windows 8 that is rumored to be released by 2012, that–according to a timeline microsoft sets, since the time of windows 95, for it’s operating system life-cycle.

Windows would always be a synonym when we coined the word “PC” and that would attest the time your grandma ever heard the word computer, (we’ll not all of you might agree). With the advancement of technology, which is quite visible with Windows 7, cloud-computing also comes to it’s place.

Yes, Microsoft is working on a new generation of operating systems called Cloud-Based Operating System and rumors are there that MIDORI will be their first such operating system, which will replace Windows fully from computer map.

MIDORI is designed to run directly on native hardware (x86, x64 and ARM), will be hosted on the Windows Hyper-V hypervisor, or even be hosted by a Windows process.

MIDORI can be also seen as MICROSOFT’S answer those competitors who are applying “Virtualization” as a mean to solving issues within contemporary computing.

The main idea behind MIDORI is to develop a lightweight portable OS which can be mated easily to lots of various applications.

So when are we going to see this? It’s still too early to say since Midori is still in it’s ‘incubation’ stage and Microsoft is ‘kinda’ busy with the development of Windows 8. Cloud Computing has already been in the scene– Google’s Pioneering OS– Chromium is also based on this technology. People today want an ‘instant on’ Operating system, they just want to cut the chase and that’s what google intends to showcase with their new OS. Midori might just offer those things; Google projected, but i’m hoping i’ll get a better GUI from Microsoft than Google’s Chromium. AND mind you, this is the future of computing.

Safe Internet Blog microsoft, Midori

For people acquainted with Microsoft’s Windows Operating System, you’re well aware of how critical is to keep your system updated with the most recent patches released by Microsoft.  In addition to steeling you against any security issues, which arise on a regular basis, these updates have been proven to considerably improve the performance of the operating system.

Once a feature that many either casually overlooked or had difficulty handling, Windows Update has been through a big revamp since the transition to Windows Vista and the recently released Windows Seven.

Unlike previous versions, this crucial feature is now accessible through the search bar located in the Start menu.

Once the command “windows update” has been entered in the search bar, the Windows Update window will appear, showing you simply how streamlined the process has been made.  It is now easier to manage and download those updates where required.  From the control panel, you can install available updates, manage those already installed, and check for any that were just released.

The new Windows Update manager also enables you to view all of the updates for MS products at once, saving you the time of checking for them individually.

You should usually have questions on what it is you’re installing on your computer.  If you are unsure of just what a specific update will do, you can click a link for “more information,” that will steer you to a more educational outline of that update’s properties.

In the past, the installation of some updates has conflicted with the use of certain applications, which can regularly lead to the instability of your system.  Should such a conflict occur, the non compatible update can be removed by simply picking it from the uninstall window.

For what you need, lots of the updates will be unnecessary, yet you can still find them included in the list of updates to install.  For those updates you don’t find necessary, right-clicking on them will summon a window from which you are given option to “Hide updates.”

Keeping your Windows Updates current is only one of a variety of ways for you to make sure that your system is working properly.

Geek Choice is proud to provide informed perspectives on the future of technological advancement. As a computer repair service provider, Geek Choice is committed to staying abreast of technological trends.

Safe Internet Blog microsoft, Microsoft Update, Windows 7, Windows Update

Spam is a reality of the Internet, but not all users suffer from it at the same extent. It is definitely hard for businesses, like freelance or dropship, to distinguish valuable messages from unsolicited emails, that is why the spam blocker useful…. Software companies have come with solutions in the form of anti-spam programs meant to detect and delete over 90% of junk mail. One intelligent tool is the Exchange spam blocker first released by Microsoft in May 2004. Both individual and business users can benefit from the functions of the program regardless of the extent of the mail exposure.

Microsoft Smart Screen technology stays at the basis of the Exchange spam blocker as it is essential for the identification of the nature of the message. Starting from this option that allows one to determine which incoming email is spam, the user may stop the access of unsolicited mail messages at the gateway or at the mailbox. Initially there were tools that pre-dated the release of Exchange spam blocker. At present, Microsoft no longer provides updates for the former intelligent filters, in a clustered environment. The present version of the Exchange spam blocker supports business development by detecting and stopping spam in the tracks.

The Exchange spam blocker relies on a combination of techniques meant to identify the messages that could be spam; thus, besides the use of the Bayes filtering, the tool scans the messages for spam keywords and analyzes the spam headers. After the identification of the spam messages, it is up to the computer user to decide whether to keep or delete the messages. There are models of the Exchange spam blocker that actually inform a sender whether his or her message has been treated as spam despite its inherent legitimacy. Plus, the benefits of preventing spam directly on server before downloading into the computer are manifold: there is no malware unauthorized installation or virus attacks.

To sum it up, most of the tasks required for small business operations and personal usage should be covered by using the Exchange spam blocker. A problem of the 2003 version of the blocker used to be the impossibility to export or import blocked messages or send domains. Another problem is the fact that the user does not know how much spam is blocked or how well the filters are functioning. It is important to check the settings and learn about the best operational mode so that you can maximize the usage of your anti-spam tool.

Safe Internet Blog email, mail, microsoft, Spam, spam blocking

Given the official release of Microsoft Windows 7, you may be considering an operating system migration for your company. Every 2-4 years, Microsoft decides to unleash its latest and greatest version of Windows and migrating to these new environments is never as quick or easy as they market to the user.

Being personally been involved in migrating environments from Windows 95 all of the way to up to the current evolution of Windows (Windows 7), there has never been a time where it went 100% transitionally smooth.  Some of the major aspects of consideration before migrating are:

1. Cost vs. Value. Companies often have older computers in use.  Many times these systems are end of life or out of warranty.  It costs money and resources to upgrade each computer.  Carefully consider how much time and money to spend on an older computer.  Purchasing a computer new with the new operating system may be a smarter investment.
2. End user training.  Many businesses often overlook this soft cost.  New operating systems have new look, feel, and functionality.  There is a very real cost in getting your staff retrained. Oftentimes this cost is hard to estimate since some users are more technically savvy than others.  Many users are resistant to change – especially on their computers.
3. Application compatibility. Software developers like to take their time in making sure they have a version of their product that is compatible with the latest version of the operating system.  Just because a new version of Windows is out, doesn’t mean your business applications will function properly.  Discuss migration issues with your software vendors before making the switch.
4. Licensing costs. Be sure to discuss with your IT provider the best ways to purchase your operating systems and licensing as there are many cost-saving programs available.

With appropriate planning in place, a successful OS migration can be done in as little as a weekend with minor support required starting Monday morning.  Without the proper planning, however, you will experience major business interruptions, loss of time, money, and productivity.  Talk to a good computer services firm before taking the dive.  Executing operating system upgrades is a requirement for any business and you can’t put them off forever. Put in the appropriate time and resources with a trusted technology partner and you will find the potential pitfalls of making this major change will be minimal.

Safe Internet Blog computers, information technology, IT, microsoft, migration, software, Windows 7

If your project is going to reach its full potential then the consultancy company that you select must utilize a wide skill set and have proven experience. If you are like the most of us technical stuff is well technical and hard to follow/understand. The nature of SharePoint can be technical so it’s vital that you find a consultant that can explain things in a non technical way.

Hiring a SharePoint consultant can be a tricky task for many small business owners and enterprises because they do not know what they are looking for. You are seeking a SharePoint consultant because you do not understand the system.

Positive Steps to Finding a Great SharePoint Consultant

Your SharePoint consultant must be within budget and able to complete your objectives within a period that suits you. Technical expertise combined with proven experience working with projects similar to yours is important if your SharePoint project is to reach its full potential.
Your approach to your project is important and a sensible way to start is to outline your objectives, timeline and budget. Getting SharePoint up and running may be out of your league and that’s ok because consultants are at hand. However, you should be able to outline your budget and reasons for using SharePoint.

Now that you have a basic outline you can start to formulate an RFP (Request for Proposal) that defines your objectives, timeline and budget. Templates and information to develop an RFP can be downloaded for free. No technical knowledge of SharePoint is needed to write an RFP as it only defines your project objective and type of service you seek.

Contacting SharePoint Consultants

The next step is to locate professional SharePoint consultants and with your RFP can await proposals. One of the best ways to find experts is to search “SharePoint Consultants” or “Expert SharePoint Consultants” into Google and then contact the companies that are returned.

Microsoft Gold Partners

Microsoft has developed a certification scheme that allows clients to see the certified level of experience and skill of any provider of Microsoft products. By selecting a Microsoft Gold Partner certified company you can be guaranteed a top job and best possible help from the highest trained staff.

About the author
This article was written by Chance Hoggan who works for IRW Systems limited. IRW are expert SharePoint consultants with vast experience working in projects of all sizes.

Safe Internet Blog Consultants, microsoft, Server, SharePoint

Windows Vista in Simpler Terms

Windows Vista is the latest version of the Windows operating  system for Intel based PCs. It was released in January 2007 and its primary  objective is to improve security in the Windows OS. It has been received with  mixed reviews—its new features and improved security have been cheered, while  it has been criticized for a multitude of other reasons.

What are the Business applications?

Windows Vista’s strength is in Enterprise computing and as such it provides numerous  deployment and maintenance technologies including WIM (Windows Imaging Format),  Windows Deployment Services, 700 new Group Policy settings, and a multilingual  user interface. The Windows Vista OS also offers a Business upgrade that provides a variety of tools and features for small businesses.

Bad light for Windows Vista

Vista was never left alone by the media. The operating system was clobbered with numerous criticisms and complaints. Issues such as large system resource requirements, restrictive licensing agreements, and problems with the  User Account Control (UAC) have dogged the OS since its release and continue to make users—and  businesses—wonder whether its worth the price of an upgrade.

What are the Technical details

All in all,  there are six editions of Windows Vista; Windows Vista  Starter, Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista  Business, Windows Vista Enterprise, and Windows Vista Ultimate. Vista  capable computers are required to have at least an 800 MHz processor, 512  MB of memory, DirectX 9.0 capable graphics card, 32 MB graphics memory, and 20  GB HDD capacity. However, to fully utilize some of the special options and  high-end graphics features, it is recommended that your system have 1 GHz  processor, 1 GB memory, DirectX 9.0 and WDDM 1.0 driver support, 512 MB  graphics memory, and 40 GB HDD capacity.

Are you Upgrading to Windows Vista?

Despite the numerous negative marketing got by Windows Vista, the operating system remains to be a far improvement to Windows XP. It would be best to use this latest operating system rather than an almost decade old OS. Are you upgrading? When?

More Windows Vista information.

Safe Internet Blog microsoft, vista, windows, Windows Vista

The SharePoint Diagnostics Tool v1.0 (SPDiag) has been released. As per production information:

There is a new GUI utility published today to Microsoft.com/downloads for x32 and x64 environments which should help cut down the ping pong performance related troubleshooting discussions between IT staff, support, and developers regarding the SharePoint farm itself. Use the tool to collect data from performance counters, ULS log files, IIS log files, event logs, and WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation), and then display and analyze the data in snapshots and custom reports. You can read more about the SPDiag tool in the SPDiag User Guide .

The SharePoint Diagnostic tool (SPDiag) version 1.0, included with the latest release of the SharePoint Administration Toolkit, was created to simplify and standardize troubleshooting of SharePoint Products and Technologies, and to provide a unified view of collected data. SharePoint Products and Technologies administrators can use SPDiag to gather relevant information from a farm, display the results in a meaningful way, identify performance issues, and export the collected data and reports for analysis by Microsoft support personnel.

The SharePoint Products and Technologies platform is highly complex and can be used for a wide variety of uses. Deploying, managing, and troubleshooting SharePoint Products and Technologies requires extensive knowledge spanning multiple technology areas, including security, networking, such Web technologies as ASPX, and SQL Server.

The tool has a User guide you can download. Below is the user guide description:

The SharePoint Diagnostic tool (SPDiag) version 1.0, included with the latest release of the SharePoint Administration Toolkit, was created to simplify and standardize troubleshooting of SharePoint Products and Technologies, and to provide a unified view of collected data. SharePoint Products and Technologies administrators can use SPDiag to gather relevant information from a farm, display the results in a meaningful way, identify performance issues, and export the collected data and reports for analysis by Microsoft support personnel. This white paper explains how to use this new tool.

Safe Internet Blog microsoft, SharePoint, SharePoint Diagnostics Tool

Always falling ten years behind – Microsoft has recently announced that they are going to develop brand new web design technology to enhance user interactivity to all new levels. At a recent event hosted by a local computer magazine in the UK called, Computer Arts and Microsoft hundreds of people got to trial brand new software that was going to revolutionise the design industry.
The Expression family consist of three programs: Expression Graphic Designer, Expression Interactive Designer and Expression Web Designer. The first application is a bitmap and vector editor, the second is for creating applications and the third and final program is used for creating websites. Apparently, this new design software is suitable for all mediums of media including mobile phones, laptops and desktops. The design package could be used in any advertising agency or web design agency. Microsoft is aiming to deliver the next generation in creating tools to create the next generation of user experience but how many times have we seen them trying to attempt that? It is not new to hear that Microsoft are trying to capitalise on a market that is already completely saturated. Adobe have the edge on practically all the market and I don’t see them being piped off the top of the post by some shoddy Microsoft software. I think they just have to accept that creating software for the design industry is not their thing at all and just because they create software it does not necessarily mean that anyone will buy it. If you are a professional designer there are only a handful of design program’s that you would use and trust. Those are, Photoshop, Flash, Illustrator, Acrobat and Dreamweaver – All Adobe products. They are by far the leading brand in design software and the reason why they are so good is because everyone knows that the software will work in the first place.If you use a Microsoft piece of software you are always running the risky risk of having your computer crash, collapse, break down or maybe just explode.
Have fun Microsoft!

Safe Internet Blog adobe, design, graphic design, microsoft, photoshop, web design

At last, Microsoft has been giving teaser about their new operating system that reside in the cloud for quite sometime already. Steve Ballmer has announced in a conference that the operating system shall initially be called Windows Cloud.

During the WinHEC PDC 2008 conference, Microsoft Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie has announced Microsoft Windows Azure which is their answer to the growing business of Cloud Computing. Microsoft Windows Azure would be supported by a massive data center structure built by Microsoft. This architecture is going to compete directly with Amazon’s web services and Google’s services as well.

Azure Services Platform of Windows Azure is going to reside in the cloud and would initially be open for Visual Studio and .NET development for developing cloud applications. Later on, Microsoft has promised it is going to add open source tools and development platforms such as Ruby on Rails, and Eclipse Development Platform.

Microsoft SharePoint and CRM would find it’s way in the cloud of Windows Azure but by early January 2009, Microsoft would be deploying a limited version of Microsoft Windows Office. Aside from these two successful enterprise applications, Microsoft also promised to include SQL Services and Windows Live which currently has 400 million registered users. It is clear that their priority is going to be Windows Live since it’s user base could be the starting market point of Microsoft for Windows Azure.

The industry is hoping that the lates cloud software of Microsoft would be made readily available by 2009 and in full circle by 2010.

Microsoft describes Windows Azure as follows:

Windows Azure is a cloud services operating system that serves as the development, service hosting, and service management environment for the Azure Services Platform. Windows Azure provides developers with on-demand compute and storage to host and manage web applications on the internet through Microsoft data centers.

It is exciting that Microsoft has finally built an operating system built for the clouds as a number of companies has already started doing this a long time ago.

Safe Internet Blog Azure, microsoft, Ray Ozzie, Visual Studio, windows, Windows 7, Windows Azure