Windows Blue may bring back boot-to-desktop, Start button

del.icio.us Tags: Technology,Windows 8,computers

 

Jared Newman@onejarednewman

Jared writes for PCWorld and TechHive from his remote outpost in Cincinnati.
More by Jared Newman

With Windows Blue, Microsoft may concede that not everyone wants or needs the new modern-style Start screen.

Citing unnamed sources, both ZDNet and The Verge say that Microsoft is considering a boot-to-desktop option in Windows Blue, an update to Windows 8 that’s expected to arrive this summer. This option, disabled by default, would allow users to bypass Windows 8’s modern-style Start screen when turning the computer on.

Signs of a boot-to-desktop option were also spotted earlier this week in one of the operating system files in a leaked version of Windows Blue. Presumably this option would be simpler than the existing workaround, which involves using Task Schedule to open Explorer on startup.

However, reports conflict on whether Microsoft will bring back the Start button. ZDNet says that Microsoft has considered it, while The Verge says Microsoft will retain the “hot corners” that bring up the modern-style Start menu and the Charms bar.

It’s also unclear whether Microsoft would bring back a pop-up Start menu for desktop users, allowing them to avoid the modern-style interface entirely. That would make sense, as the main point of a boot-to-desktop option is to let business users adopt Windows 8 without making major changes in workflow. However, Microsoft may be skittish about letting those users abandon the modern-style interface and Windows Store so easily. The company insists that most users are quick to adopt the new features of Windows 8.

Without a classic Start menu, users would still have to go through the Start screen to launch any apps that aren’t pinned to the taskbar or placed as shortcuts on the desktop. Alternatively, users could continue to rely on third-party options, such as Start8 and Classic Shell.

In any case, Microsoft reportedly hasn’t made up its mind. “Until it ships, anything can change,” ZDNet’s anonymous source said.

ALERT! UPnP vulnerability leaves millions of devices exposed to attack

del.icio.us Tags: network,security,UPnP

WARNING! This is not a joke, or a scam, people. Please inform your friends, and family.

Here's how to check and see if you are safe:

Step 1) Go to www.grc.com

Step 2) click on Services in the menu, and select ShieldsUP!

Step 3) on the next page click the "Proceed" button

Step 4) Click on the "GRC's Instant UPnP Exposure Test" button

Step 5) Depending on the result, you will be instructed if any further steps need to be taken. (I was safe) All of you should do this A.S.A.P.

ALERT!    

http://www.klocwork.com/blog/embedded-software/universal-plug-and-play-vulnerabilities-leave-millions-of-devices-exposed/

https://protect.iu.edu/blog/2013/02/08/upnp-vulnerabilities-network-devices

http://www.symantec.com/connect/articles/microsoft-upnp-universal-plug-and-play-vulnerability

7 Things I Wished Every Computer User Knew

Technorati Tags: computers,tips

1) Keep all your data backed up.

Put it on a disc, external HDD, upload it to a data safe website, another computer, somewhere! One place is NO GOOD, two places is OK, but once one fails, you need to create another second spot! This will save you from 99 to 149 dollars when you bring your computer in to Geek Squad right off the bat. NO manufacturer warranty covers your data, you need to do it yourself. Back up your pictures, contacts, documents, taxes, music and ANY business information you have.

2) Have recovery discs for each computer you have.

This is your licensed copy of your OS. These are specific to your computer's guts (processor, mother board, sound and graphics cards) They have the drivers needed for your computer to use itself. Burn them right away when you get your computer on to DVDs and put them somewhere safe. It will take from 1-3 hours to do. If you loose them you can order them from your manufacturer for between 15 and 50 dollars, depending on the brand. HP is usually cheaper, Sony is wicked expensive. They take about 2 or 3 weeks to get in if you end up needing them when you replace a hard drive or need to fix windows. If you don't get them that way, you can purchase a full copy of snow leopard for about 30 dollars, or windows 7 for about 200.

3) One antivirus at a time, please.

Two at a time is like pushing fat pigs through a dog door, neither can get inside correctly and they block each other from functioning properly. They can tear nasty holes in your operating system depending on which ones you're trying to combine (seen it!) or at least SLOW YOU DOWN TO A CRAWL because two systems are trying to scan your every move as well as each other's moves. More than one is usually LESS protection than one good one. Remove the old ones, even if they're expired they'll get in the way. YOUR COMPUTER CAME WITH A TRIAL OF SOMETHING, take it off if that’s not the one you're gonna use! Most antivirus is 40 dollars for a year, but if you buy 2 or 3 licenses you usually get a deal.

4) Don't install tool bars, they're bloatware that will slow down your internet speeds.

You don't need 5 of them, they take up most of the screen and will end up effecting performance.

5) "Free" stuff can be expensive:

Free games, movies, music taken from torrent sites, as well as pornography sites and even free social networking sites are riddled with viruses. Virus removal is 129-199. Be safe and smart on the internet. If you got a virus, it's your own fault. Viruses are a software issue, and are considered private data, not covered by any warranties.

6) Computers don’t like liquids.

This includes water, coke, beer, soup, bodily fluids and excessive cleaners. Don't spray screen cleaner directly on your screen, spray it on your cleaning cloth and then wipe. A stream of any liquid can cause damage. Computers also don’t like gravity or being punched. This will probably cause lots more damage and not fix a speed issue.

7) No computer is immortal.

Technology changes at an extremely fast rate. Average computer life span is 2-3 years for a laptop or closer to 4 for a desktop. This makes sense, because laptops undergo more stress: movement, impact, temperature changes, and are prone to overheating on a lap. Your computer takes electricity, and circulates through lots of things and gets hot. They burn out sometimes, but if you have your data backed up, you'll be up and ready on a new one in no time.
You wouldn't get mad at your mechanic because you don't know how to change your oil, or your vet because you didn't know how to take care of your dog. BE POLLITE to people in the service industry. They touch your grimy nasty computers full of skin, nicotine, pet hair, dust bunnies... and fix them if you can't.

Windows 7 Pro 64 bit–$139 @ Newegg

Technorati Tags: Windows 7,operating systems

*Use of this OEM System Builder Channel software is subject to the terms of the Microsoft OEM System Builder License. This software is intended for pre-installation on a new personal computer for resale. This OEM System Builder Channel software requires the assembler to provide end user support for the Windows software and cannot be transferred to another computer once it is installed. To acquire Windows software with support provided by Microsoft please see our full package "Retail" product offerings.

ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime: 10-inch Super IPS+ display, 12-hour battery and quad-core Tegra 3, ships in December for $499

By Dana Wollman posted Nov 9th 2011 12:49AM

Breaking News

For three weeks now, Android fans have been fidgeting impatiently. Specifically, ever since ASUS chairman Jonney Shih took the stage at last month's AsiaD conference and teased the next-gen Transformer tablet. Though he only gave us a quick glimpse, he recited a laundry list of specs: a 10.1-inch display, 8.3mm-thick body, mini-HDMI output, microSD slot and an update to Ice Cream Sandwich by the end of the year, if not sooner. Not to mention, it'll pack NVIDIA's hot-off-the-presses Tegra 3SoC, making it the first-ever quad-core tablet. We knew this: we'd learn more on November 9th.
Well, that day has come, and so have the juicy details. We just got word that the tablet will go on sale worldwide in December, starting at $499 with a beefy 32GB of storage, moving up to $599 for a 64GB model. (That signature keyboard dock you see up there will cost $149.) In addition to those basic specs Mr. Shih revealed last month, we now know this has a 1280 x 800, Super IPS+ Gorilla Glass display with a 178-degree viewing angle and a max brightness of 600 nits. It also packs 1GB of RAM, GPS, a gyroscope, SonicMaster audio and a 1.2 megapixel front-facing camera. Rounding out the list is an 8MP shooter with an auto-focusing f/2.4 lens and a back-illuminated CMOS sensor that captures 1080p video. Touch-to-focus is also an option here, and ASUS claims a 30 percent boost in color enhancement over competing tabs.
As for battery life, we initially heard reports of 14.5-hour runtime, but ASUS is now saying the tablet alone can squeeze out 12 hours thanks to a 22Wh battery, and that the dock will add an additional six hours of juice. In addition, the slimmed-down, 1.2-pound dock brings all the other benefits the last-gen model offered, including a touchpad, USB 2.0 port and full-sized SD slot. Software-wise, it'll ship with Android 3.2 and apps such as SuperNote and Polaris Office, and we're told we'll learn more about that ICS update in "early December."
In terms of design, you may have already noticed the Prime sports the same spun aluminum digs as the company's Zenbooks, though this is the first time we're seeing clear, close-up shots of it -- and in two colors, no less! At 8.3mm (0.33 inches) thick and 586 grams (1.29 pounds) without the dock, it's a smidge skinnier than the iPad 2 and Galaxy Tab 10.1, which means, unsurprisingly, that your old Transformer dock won't be compatible. Finally, ASUS coated both the display and metal cover with a hydro-oleophobic coating that makes it more fingerprint-resistant. For now, we've got photos below and if you can wait a few more weeks, we'll most definitely be putting this thing through its paces in a full review. And if you're looking for something a little less expensive, well, the original Transformer should be getting Ice Cream Sandwich soon, and we wouldn't be surprised if Santa brought a few holiday rebates.

Acer AC100 Server – Just add Office 365, mix, and serve. (Great for Windows Home Server too.)

AC100

The Acer AC100 delivers essential server-class features and expandability along with unique Acer utilities¹ and Microsoft^® Small Business Server 2011 Essentials¹ to ensure the success of startup and small-size businesses. The ultra-micro tower server is ENERGY STAR^® certified and features an 80 PLUS^® efficient power supply that saves space and energy while keeping your employees and office highly productive.
Coming Soon

• Benefits

Smart investment for growing businesses

A brand-new Intel^® architecture drives the AC100 ultra-micro tower server with an industry-leading 32 nm processor, greater memory capacity, and higher performance to handle large workloads more efficiently. A PCI Express^® x8 expansion slot and multiple USB/eSATA ports are available for external expansion. Four hot-swappable hard disk drives for up to 6 TB of data storage satisfy the demands of growing businesses.

Server-class reliability and security

The AC100 is packed with dependable server-class hardware: an integrated Gigabit Ethernet controller transmits data quickly and safely; ECC memory protection enhances data integrity and reliability; pre-configured RAID 0, 1, 5 models¹ ensure data security; and automatic backup protects valuable data and enables secure remote access from the web.

Friendly UI and add-ins optimize office productivity

Acer Dashboard¹ and Acer ITSmart¹ include powerful utilities to ease office IT operations and increase employee productivity: Sever Health Monitoring, Client PC Power Saving, Printer Sharing and Fax Notification, Intel^® vPro™ Management²

Cost-effective expandability, green computing

The AC100 is designed with a tool-less micro tower chassis that allows easy component access, reducing maintenance and service costs. What's more, this tower server is ENERGY STAR^® certified and equipped with an 80 PLUS^® power supply for maximum energy efficiency.