MS Windows

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Windows 7 Coming Update or Windows 9 Preview?

Posted on 13th April 2014

20140328-214831.jpgNow that the Windows 7 Update 1 has begun to make its rounds, could Microsoft be getting ready to push yet another update with GUI changes?

Engadget reports that Microsoft Asia is working on testing some new ideas with the tiles in the MetroUI interface. Some of the features they are testing include the ability to interact with the tile without having to launch the program. Microsoft Asia is looking at better integration with desktop apps and the interfacing with tiles.

It is unknown if these new ideas will become part of some future release of Windows, either Update 2 for 8.1 or Windows 9. It does add “interesting” to the vocabulary of what might become part of the Windows ecosystem.

Head on over to Engadget to see a few videos on the new ideas.

Engadget – Microsoft tests Live Tiles you can use without leaving the Start screen

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Out With the Old and In With the New

Posted on 8th April 2014

20140328-214831.jpgAs I stated earlier today, Windows XP was retired by Microsoft from receiving any further support or updates. It seems that along with this retirement, there is also a major update to Microsoft’s flagship operating system.

When Microsoft released Windows 8 to the world in October of 2012, it was met with much criticism. A lot of this criticism was based around Microsoft’s major shift from the desktop environment. The idea that their new operating system was designed with touch input as the primary interface scared a lot of people. What Microsoft did next, was wholly based on the criticism that they received. One year later, in October of 2013, Windows 8.1 was released as a free update. Included, was the previously removed start button from the desktop’s task bar as well as a few other changes.

Microsoft did not stop there.

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The Day Has Come.

Posted on 8th April 2014

20140328-215005.jpgToday is the day that Microsoft has cut support for Windows XP. As stated in an earlier post, this means that the operating system will cease to receive patches for both critical and non-critical issues. They will also cut support through their tech support hotline, but expect most 3rd party tech support companies to continue to support it for a little while.

Hopefully, you have already upgraded any workstations to either Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1.

One point that I have not seen overly mentioned, is that if you are running Windows 7 and using XP Mode for a legacy application, the discontinuation of support in XP will also affect it. Hopefully, you have already upgraded any legacy programs from the XP days to a suitable one that is compatible with Windows 7 or 8.

Now that Windows XP is becoming a nostalgic novelty, time to add it to the virtual machine museum.

 

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When Windows XP Ceases to Protect You.

Posted on 28th March 2014

20140328-215005.jpgMicrosoft has announced, to the dismay of many users, that they will be discontinuing support for Windows XP on April 8, 2014. The imminent discontinuation of support for the fabled operating system has drummed up a lot of questions from clients. There are various opinions on the subject, but I believe the article at the end of this post does a good job explaining what is happening, and some bad and better ways to handle the situation.

Keep in mind, if you are running XP in a business, I believe that you are at greater risk. Also, if you are running server 2003 or before, it may be wise to upgrade the server to at least 2008, or maybe make the move to the cloud.

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Media Connected Home – Part 1

Posted on 15th April 2013

The way that we access media has been changing over the years. The ways of the DVD, and even the Blu-Ray, are starting to die as the preferred method of accessing media. With the invention of Netflix, CinemaNow, and even the older On Demand, the DVD and Blu-Ray have become less desirable. The DVR is now a home entertainment staple for keeping up to date with favorite shows.

What about accessing this media in different locations like on your smartphone or tablet? How about on another TV in your home? Some cable services offer whole home DVR which is a great way to watch your recorded media in different rooms instead of just one. What if your provider doesn’t offer it? How about if you are on the road? What if that episode is not available on Netflix or Hulu? What if a movie you want to watch while on the road is not synced to your smartphone or tablet? How about if it is not on Netflix or CinemaNow? Using a SlingBox to access your recorded programming but running out of space?

A Media Connected Home is the solution.