Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Now Available

Windows Vista celebrated its first birthday in January 2008, and while some people are still clinging to their Windows XP security blankets computers (or even Windows 98), many people have already made the jump to Windows Vista on their PC's.  The good news for the fearful bunch out there is the Service Pack 1 is now available for Windows Vista.  Service Packs are major updates Microsoft releases that includes all previous updates as well some underlying changes to the way Windows works.  Installing Service Pack 1 is as simple as running Windows Update from your Control Panel.  Microsoft will be rolling out the Service Pack based on the compatibility of the drivers it finds in your system.  When all of the necessary components have been updated through Windows Update then it will present Service Pack 1 as an optional update.  Installing the update may take up to an hour (and up to three restarts) depending on the speed of your system. 

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Microsoft releases Windows Home Server to manufacturing - Engadget

Microsoft is hoping to fill an ever-increasing need in home networks or even small businesses by providing a whole new system called Microsoft Home Server. Microsoft Home Server, which will be available in the coming months through providers such as HP and others, will provide your home network with a central location for data storage and sharing. Windows Home Server also provides you remote access to your home network PC's and data. Look at your favorite PC retailer in the coming weeks for the Windows Home Server to meet your home storage needs.

Link to Microsoft releases Windows Home Server to manufacturing - Engadget

FolderShare.com - sync files, sync folders, transfer files, share files, web download, access files anywhere

A growing need among those who often use multiple computers in different locations is to have access to the documents you need wherever you are. In the old days we had floppies, zip drives, cd-rw's, and even flash drives, but physical media often was damaged lost or mis-labeled leading to data loss. Microsoft has a new service in beta called FolderShare.com allowing users to synchronize files and folders across multiple computers both Mac and PC. Now you can access your files from your home PC from your Office PC and vice versa.

link to FolderShare.com - sync files, sync folders, transfer files, share files, web download, access files anywhere

Microsoft to extend warranty against red rings of death to 3 years

Microsoft is extending the hardware warranty of Xbox 360 consoles to those experiencing the red rings of death, signifying the consoles transformation into an expensive brick. If you or someone you know has had issues with their Xbox 360 have them contact Microsoft to get it straightened out before the extended warranty ends.

Link to Ars Technica | Microsoft to extend warranty against red rings of death to 3 years

BetaNews | Microsoft Patches 7 Critical Vulnerabilities

Patch Tuesday came and went July 11th this week as Microsoft released ten new updates, seven of which are deemed critical. Be sure to install any available updates to your Windows systems.

Windows XP and Windows Vista should be configured to update and install updates automatically on a daily basis. Check the Security Center in the Control Panel to ensure Windows Updates are scheduled to be installed. The default option for Windows XP and Windows Vista is Daily at 3:00 AM to download and install any updates. If your computer is on at 3:00 AM it will check for any new updates, download and install those updates, and restart the computer if necessary. If your computer is not on at 3:00 AM the computer should check for updates the next time it is powered on. You can manually check for in Windows XP by going to http://update.microsoft.com/ in Internet Explorer. Windows Vista handles Windows Update through the Control Panel. Click on Check for Updates in the Windows Update section of the Control Panel.

Link to BetaNews | Microsoft Patches 7 Critical Vulnerabilities
Link to Microsoft's Official Security Bulletin for July 2007

BetaNews | Windows Live Mobile Search 2.0 Out

Microsoft has updated their Windows Live Mobile Search available to Windows Mobile phones, Java-enabled phones, and Blackberry phones (beta). Windows Live Mobile Search provides your mobile phone with local maps, driving directions, live traffic data, movie showtimes, and GPS integration. Phones not directly supported by the installable software (read iPhone) may access the same content at http://m.live.com/.

Here's a list of other Windows Live software worth noting:

• Windows Live Writer - for writing blog posts offline with many popular blogging providers
  
• Windows Live Mail - a newer, better desktop mail application to replace Outlook Express with Hotmail integration
  
• Windows Live Family Safety - parental controls for your Windows computers to help protect children's access to the Internet
• Microsoft Office Live - get your business on the web with email, website, and customer resource management hosted by Microsoft

Link to BetaNews | Windows Live Mobile Search 2.0 Out

BetaNews | Microsoft Finalizes Malware Portal

Microsoft has released a web portal for end users of their security products, such as Windows Live One Care, Windows Defender, and Forefront Client Security, to research and understand the latest security threats that could affect their computers.

Link to BetaNews | Microsoft Finalizes Malware Portal

BetaNews | New Windows Server, Visual Studio, SQL Server to Launch in February

A year after Windows Vista release Microsoft will announce the availability of their new line of server products targeted towards businesses and IT professionals on February 27, 2008. Included in the launch will be Windows Server 2008, Visual Studio 2008, and SQL Server 2008.


Link to BetaNews | New Windows Server, Visual Studio, SQL Server to Launch in February

Office 2004 gets 11.3.6 security and Entourage update

While the Intel Mac users continue to wait for Microsoft to release the universal Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac, Microsoft continues to patch security and performance issues with Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac. Mac users should run Microsoft Update in their Applications folder to install the update.

Link to More Details on the 11.3.6 Update
Link to Office 2004 gets 11.3.6 security and Entourage update

BetaNews | Microsoft Issues Patches for 15 Flaws

Once a month Microsoft releases updates (or patches) to their products such as Windows and Office. This day has come to be known as Patch Tuesday. Your computer should be telling you within the next day that you have updates ready to be installed. Be sure to install them and restart your computer as necessary. If you would like to manually update point Internet Explorer to http://update.microsoft.com/ and choose the Express option.

Link to BetaNews | Microsoft Issues Patches for 15 Flaws

Xbox 360 Elite Review

If you've been tempted to go out an replace or get your own Xbox 360 Elite, you would be wise to first read Ars Technica's review fo the so-called "elite" console.

Here's a summary of what you'll get over the traditional Xbox 360 Premium system (in order of value):

• 120 GB Hard drive (for storing more Xbox Live Marketplace content)
• HDMI Output (one cable to support high-definition audio and video)
• Black (yes, it's black instead of white)
• Elite price tag (the Elite costs $180 more)
• Bragging rights
  

Here's a summary of what they missed:

• Wireless
• HD-DVD built-in drive
• Quieter and cooler console

Link to Xbox 360 Elite Review

Seven Security Bulletins for Patch Tuesday

Seven Security Bulletins for Patch Tuesday

Have your Windows Update shortcut ready for this coming Tuesday because Microsoft is issuing seven updates affecting Windows, Office, and various server software.

Configure Windows XP to Automatically Login

Configure Windows XP to Automatically Login

Windows XP has a feature which automatically logs you on when your computer starts if you only have one account and no password on your system. Occasionally you'll find that Windows XP no longer logs you in automatically. Follow the above link to turn that feature back on.

Windows Live Writer

Windows Live Writer is a free tool made my Microsoft to help you do desktop based blog posts. It's WYSIWYG interface provides simple access to inserting links, pictures, and more into your blog. Windows Live Writer is compatible with many of the major blogging services available.

BetaNews | Microsoft Patches Vista Flaw, 4 Others

BetaNews | Microsoft Patches Vista Flaw, 4 Others


It's update time again for your Windows computers. Be sure to install any available updates for all you Windows XP and Windows Vista users. (Windows Vista users: Use the Control Panel to install available updates.)

Microsoft introduces Windows Home Server, Sync at CES

Microsoft introduces Windows Home Server, Sync at CES

CES brought the announcement of many different innovative products that may or may not be available now to consumers. One of those unavailable new products is the Windows Home Server designed by Microsoft to provide users of home networks to stream their media and share their files with their devices throughout the house. Included with the Windows Home Server is a dedicated backup solution to keep your ever growing collection of pictures, documents, music, and videos safely backed up without having to worry about it.

Microsoft also announced a partnership with Ford to provide data and media integration of your personal digital devices (i.e. phones, Zune, etc.) with your Ford automobile. Please tell me that I won't need antivirus for my car.

This Is Your Brain....This Is Your Brain on Social Networking...Any Questions?

It seems that by the time parents get around to hearing about youth trends, especially Internet-based trends, it is too late. Social networking websites are indeed the latest trend which allows users to post their personal profile to the public so that all can see what's going on in your life including pictures, videos, and personal information. Microsoft has put together an article called, "How to Help Your Kids Use Social Networking Websites More Safely" which details what social networking websites are, how they work, and bits of wisdom on how to set boundaries for your family.

Perhaps the Ad Council should put together a commercial with the tagline: "Talk to your kids about MySpace."

See Wikipedia's list of Social Networking Websites

So Many Versions of Windows Vista? How Do I Decide?

ExtremeTech has published a handy chart for helping you determine which of the seven versions of Windows Vista is right for you. Two of the seven versions are not on the chart because those versions are for European or developing nations.

To make it simple you will typically be started off with Windows Vista Home Basic with a budget PC with the option to upgrade for a few dollars to Windows Vista Home Premium. The high-end multimedia and gaming PC's may come with the option to get Windows Vista Ultimate pre-installed. Most home users should do fine with Home Basic, but you might as well shell out the extra bucks to upgrade to Home Premium. The Business and Enterprise editions are specifically for corporate networks. If you run a SOHO business you should evaluate whether or not to upgrade to the Business edition, but most likely you will not need those functions for everyday business tasks.

Steve Ballmer Makes Microsoft's Biggest Announcement Since 1995

Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft Corporation, announced to the world on November 30th the immediate availability of the next versions of their operating system, Windows Vista, office productivity suite, Office System 2007, email server, Exchange Server 2007, as well as other minor software products. The simultaneous release of the Windows client and Office product hasn't happened since 1995 which launched Microsoft into the forefront of personal computing at home at and at the office. Steve Ballmer confidently told the world that this day will mark another milestone in forward progress for Microsoft and the world.

Read the official press release to see all of the product announcements.

Xbox 360 Update Available

Microsoft has a released an update to the Xbox 360 to this's Xbox Live service today to fix some problems it has been having with 1080p resolutions, VGA connections, and wired headsets on wireless controllers.

From Engadget