Microsoft Cloud Computing & Anti-Spam

It's a dull Sunday & a great time to write you a News Letter to let you know of all the interesting happenings in the PC world with Microsoft Windows. Microsoft are due to release a new version of Windows next year called Windows 7.0. It will use the DNA of Windows Vista but by all accounts will be smaller, faster, better "Microsoft words". Man you have to laugh, every time they release a version of Windows, they say exactly the same thing. I will include a snippet from a blog post explaining the basic features.

MICROSOFT & CLOUD COMPUTING

Microsoft are also moving into cloud computing for the enterprise users. In simple English, they are creating another operating system that will live in the cloud "internet" on huge data centers "big rooms full of server computers" which will allow for software writers to make programs to run from the internet instead of on your own computer. I personally think this will be fantastic because you will be able to access your programs from anywhere on any computer instead of having to have everything on your own computer. BUT we will need far faster internet speeds than we have now. In some areas in the US they have cable internet with speeds 10 times faster than our max speed in NZ. WOW I want it... NOW !!!! :-) Remember to vote for the party that will give us faster internet speed, :-)

There are a few forward thinking companies in NZ already providing 'Cloud Computing" An example of this is a company providing Accounting software called http://www.xero.com/ which runs in internet explorer on any computer from anywhere. Very cleaver. You pay a monthly subscription to the company & they look after backups & updates for you.


Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) on Tuesday took the wraps of the preview version of Windows 7, which will be the successor to Vista. Julie Larson Green, Microsoft's vice president for Windows experience, hosted a demo in which she walked attendees through the features of the operating system.

At first glance, Windows 7 maintains the streamlined look of Vista, but appears more muted -- even Windows XP-like. Mostly, Microsoft seems to be focusing more on functionality. In the press release touting the Windows 7 preview, Microsoft framed those functionality issues in general terms. As the release words it, Windows 7 will enable users to "work the way you want," "make everyday tasks faster and easier," and "make new things possible."
Regarding that last bullet point, Microsoft explains this means Windows 7 will be easier to connect to cameras, phones, and printers. That's handled in the OS by Windows 7's new Device Center.

Most obviously, a quick tour through Windows 7 reveals its new
taskbar, which is sparser than in previous iterations of the OS. From the screen shots, it's clear that Microsoft has listened to criticism and tuned many features, including search and access to security controls. The look and feel of the user interface is also highly customizable. The version of Windows 7 previewed at PDC is technically a pre-beta release. The official shipment of the final version is expected in about a year's time.

EMAIL & SPAM

A few of our customers are complaining about the amount of spam they still receive. The complaints are mainly coming for customers connected too & using one particular internet provider. I have mentioned in previous news letters, It's a fantastic idea to use a company link GMAIL from Google or YAHOO MAIL from YAHOO. They both have very good anti-spam & anti-virus features. Both Gabi or I can change your mail for you on your computer. There are many ways to do it. For an example my main email address is actually gilcomnz@gmail.com. I forward all mail addressed to grant@gilcom.co.nz to gilcomnz@gmail.com then tell Outlook Express to check Gmail for my mail. The idea of this is once the mail sent to grant@gilcom.co.nz gets to GMAIL, All the rubbish is removed & I only get the mail I want. Another advantage of this is if you change ISP's "Internet Service Providers" you ALWAYS keep the same email address.

Voice Over IP

Hi guys 

As I mentioned in our previous newsletter, we have been trialing a voice over IP service from 2talk in Auckland. I started by connecting my own phones and ported my 5733947 number onto the system. The system works absolutly fine. We had a few hick ups in the past with our Internet provider which has since been sorted out. 

What is voice over IP you may ask. It's basically connecting your home or business telephones to the Internet and using you internet connection to make and receive phone calls instead of using telecom or any other land line based phone provider with the intention of saving heaps of money and getting some real cool features like caller id, voice mail, cheap calls to cellphones and heaps more.

To get the absolute savings from this system, you idealy need to be using a wireless Internet provider such as EOL or Netsmart. For an example you could pay a total of 80.00 per month which would include your Internet connection and phone calls to anywhere in NZ and 40 other countries unlimited, voice mail, caller id and a fax line. 

So far I have setup two accountants, Dobsons electrical, and a few other home customers and all works great. The most important thing is to have a very good, reliable Internet connection. 

We install a small box in your home or business and organise the porting of your phone numbers and set the whole system up for you for a one off fee of $195.00 for a home installation. Businesses are more involved with extentions and line stepping and we would need to visit and discuss the costs and installation. 

If you are interested, please give us a call at 07 5733947 or 0275528089. 

Cheers

Grant Gilbert

GILCOM LTD 

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Test Post From iPhone

AVG. Quite a few of you have been commenting on a few problems with AVG and reduced speed of your computers.

AVG maybe running a scan of your hard drive in the middle of the day. You can click on tools and advanced options and go into the schedule option and change to another time of the day that suites you better.

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Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is here

The following is an exert from CNET. To read the full artical. click Here

A little more than one year after its release, Windows Vista will receive its first service pack update in March. Microsoft says the pack will offer better compatibility with third-party hardware, increased reliability, tighter security, and better performance. But unlike the last Windows Service Pack release, Windows XP SP2--which offered users a new Windows Firewall, an improved Automatic Updates feature, and a pop-up ad blocker for Internet Explorer--Windows Vista SP1 is largely a code update, devoid of new eye candy, and very light on "must-have" features for home users. Most of the features touted by Microsoft are for the Business, Enterprise, or Ultimate editions of the operating system. Our advice: Be patient, and don't download it once it becomes available. Wait until Windows Vista SP1 is offered to your PC via Microsoft's Automatic Updates service.

If you would like to download it click here but be aware it is almost 1/2 a Gig in size

Resizing Photos in Picasa to upload to TradeMe

I have been asked by a few to explain how to resize your photos to a smaller size so you can upload them to Trade Me or to email. In this example, I will be using Picasa from Google which you should have installed.We first need to make a new folder on our desktop called “Trade Me photos” so right click on your desktop & from the menu, choose New / Folder then type in the name Trade Me Photos.Next we need to start Picasa. Now click on the first photo (once) to highlight it, then push and hold the “ctrl” on the keyboard. Now click on each of the other photos you want to resize. You should now have a few photos with blue outlines around them showing you they are highlighted.Now click on FILE in the top left corner of the screen then click on “Export Picture to folder” or just click on the EXPORT button at the bottom of the screen.Now click on browse then the new folder you made “Trade Me photos” then OK. Now make sure the dot in on the resize to. Now slide the slider so the number in the box says 640. Now click OK and that’s it.You should now have your photos in the folder “Trade Me photos” on the desktop in 640 x 480 resolution with is perfect for emailing or uploading to Trade Me.

Using Webmail

Have you tried using Web mail instead of Outlook Express or the like. Using web mail has some great advantages over the normal pop client but it’s not for everyone. I have been trialing both GMAIL from Google, Yahoo Mail from Yahoo & Hotmail from Microsoft. These are the three main servers in the world at the moment & GMAIL & YAHOO Mail both provide excellent spam filtering while Hotmail is not so good, easy user interfaces & fast access to your mail from any computer connected to the internet.

With GMAIL you can setup it up to POP (go & get) your email from your internet service providers mail boxes like netsmart, EOL, Xtra & Clear and bring it to your GMAIL mailbox & in the process, it rips out all the SPAM. YAHOO mail or Hotmail can’t do this BUT you can forward mail from your internet service provider’s mail boxes to either Hotmail or Yahoo mail.
I have also had a few people ask me “can they get emails back when they are deleted from Outlook Express” The long answer is yes but it requires some surgery but with GMAIL, You can configure it to Archive your deleted emails which is fantastic because when you delete them, they are just hidden & will show up when you do a search of your mail in GMAIL. Both Yahoo & Hotmail seem to work on the same principal as Outlook Express, Once they are gone, they are gone. If you are like me & delete stuff then a few weeks later, want it back, GMAIL is the one for you.

To setup either a GMAIL, YAHOO or HOTMAIL account, just go to their websites (gamil.com, yahoo.com, hotmail.com) & set yourself up with a username & password & you are ready to go. Another fantastic reason for this is so many people use more than one computer these days & it’s so nice to be able to get access to your emails from anywhere.

Most of the ISP’s in NZ already provide Web mail services so you could start there to try it as you probably are already setup on their server but I haven’t seen a local Webmail service as good as Google’s Gmail for features, ease of use & the logical way it works is just great.The next question you probably have is how do I get all my “Contact, Address book” from Outlook Express into GMAIL, YAHOO mail or Hotmail. You need to first EXPORT your addresses from Outlook Express to a file on your desktop then while in GMAIL, YAHOO MAIL or HOTMAIL, Go to the Contacts section & look for a link to IMPORT & choose the file on your desktop & suck them in.

Resizing Photos in Picasa 2 to export to Trademe

I have been asked by a few to explain how to resize your photos to a smaller size so you can upload them to Trade Me or to email. In this example, I will be using Picasa from Google which you should have installed.
We first need to make a new folder on our desktop called “Trade Me photos” so right click on your desktop & from the menu, choose New / Folder then type in the name Trade Me Photos.
Next we need to start Picasa. Now click on the first photo (once) to highlight it, then push and hold the “ctrl” on the keyboard. Now click on each of the other photos you want to resize. You should now have a few photos with blue outlines around them showing you they are highlighted.
Now click on FILE in the top left corner of the screen then click on “Export Picture to folder” or just click on the EXPORT button at the bottom of the screen.
Now click on browse then the new folder you made “Trade Me photos” then OK. Now make sure the dot in on the resize to. Now slide the slider so the number in the box says 640. Now click OK and that’s it.
You should now have your photos in the folder “Trade Me photos” on the desktop in 640 x 480 resolution with is perfect for emailing or uploading to Trade Me.

Windows Vista Service Pack (1) is here

The following is an exert from CNET. To read the full artical. click Here

A little more than one year after its release, Windows Vista will receive its first service pack update in March. Microsoft says the pack will offer better compatibility with third-party hardware, increased reliability, tighter security, and better performance. But unlike the last Windows Service Pack release, Windows XP SP2--which offered users a new Windows Firewall, an improved Automatic Updates feature, and a pop-up ad blocker for Internet Explorer--Windows Vista SP1 is largely a code update, devoid of new eye candy, and very light on "must-have" features for home users. Most of the features touted by Microsoft are for the Business, Enterprise, or Ultimate editions of the operating system. Our advice: Be patient, and don't download it once it becomes available. Wait until Windows Vista SP1 is offered to your PC via Microsoft's Automatic Updates service. If you would like to download it click here but be aware it is almost 1/2 a Gig in size.