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.
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.
