Windows 7 Audit

Windows 7 could be coming to your agency soon but will you be able to run it? Make sure with Microsoft's Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. This free program scans your system to see if it's ready for Windows 7, and alerts you about any known compatibility issues. Once downloaded and installed, run the program and click the Start Check button. It takes several minutes to scan your system and all of its connected peripherals. My system took two minutes to scan.

The advisor checks your system against the minimum requirements for Windows 7 which are: 1Ghz CPU; 1GB RAM; and 16GB free hard drive space. If you want to run the Aero interface (the pretty user interface that was introduced with Vista), you'll also need a DirectX9-capable graphics card with 128MB.

My system passed with flying colors, including the ability to run Aero.

There were three programs (including two from Microsoft) that the advisor indicated may have minor issues with Windows 7. If you see any in your list, check at the software manufacturer's website for a patch. 

Check your system today with Microsoft's Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.


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The good, the bad and ugly of PC Maintenace.

The good thing about computer maintenance is that it can be very simple. The bad thing about maintenance is that most rely on auto-updates to work properly, forget about them... then problems get ugly. Then you call for a computer technician. So what can you do?

Daily/Weekly

Upto weekly - your data should be backed up. Online backup services have become readily available, less expensive, easy to use. I use iDrive and iBackup.

Sorry, I just have not had time to complete this post.Please contact me to schedule time to discuss your technology needs.

Buzz OnSite

Support often requires an on-site visit but with remote control service I will be able to review your server and all workstations for those quick questions and problems. Not intended to replace an on-site call but enhance support services to get your agency personnel back to work quickly

Remote support will include:

1. Help desk support
2. Off-hours update installation
3. Review of audit service

Buzz OnSite is a remote control solution subscribed through LogMeIn. LogMeIn is a leading provider of on-demand, remote-connectivity and support solutions to small businesses, IT service providers and consumers. 

Utilizing the LogMein Free for remote control, I deploy LogMein to all computers in the organization which enables me to instantly connect to remotely assist either during business hours or off-hours whichever is necessary to keep work flow loss to a minimum.

Additionally, we can share LogMeIn Free to employees to assist them to connect during those times when away from the office, staying home with a sick child or catching up on unfinished business. With a few keystroke they have connection to work and you maintain control to their access. If the employee needs to print to their home office then their paid product of LogMeIn Pro is the only choice I recommend.

If you would have questions or like additional information, please contact me.

Careful of hitchhickers in marketing!

Ok, you are installing that new software whether purchased, freeware or trailware and many times you get more than what you were looking for. I am not talking about a virus, spyware, adware or anything malicious. The computer world calls that malware but I am talking about the extra 'stuff' that tags-along... some call it advertising but I call it a hitchhiking. Wikipedia defines "Hitchhiking (also known as thumbing, hitching, autostop or thumbing up a ride) is a means of transportation that is gained by asking people, usually strangers, for a ride...".

I will use the toolbar as an example. A necessary toolbar is that provided by Roboform. Roboform is a password manager which is made easier to use with the assistance of the browser toolbar. I still customize it so I don't waste screen space but the remaining buttons help me use the product faster.

An unnecessary toolbar is that customised (Google, Yahoo, MSN, etc) toolbar installed with some other applications. Typically it might be branded with their logo but has maybe a single link to open their software. The other buttons are standard links to your webmail, search, pictures. Sometimes they have popup blockers, site authentication, adware/spyware, weather and traffic notifications. I subscribe to a simple edict - if it helps with business use it otherwise loose it. Many of the functions of these toolbars already have been incorporated into the Internet Explorer such as tabs, popup blockers, phishing filter etc. The point is NOT that I am single minded Microsoft but it is supported by all the carrier and business sites. If you have a problem with a carrier or business site, trying disabling or removing the toolbar. I have seen some user workstations with IE8 + Roboform + Google Toolbar + Yahoo + MyCoupons. I wonder how anything could work. This user needed Yahoo to get to their personal webmail and favorites and did not want to miss the daily specials from MyCoupons. Oh, by the way, he also had traffic.com and weather.com running in the system tray! Done with my RANT for the day but I hope you understand why I caution about Hitchhikers. Click here for Toolbar Madness.

So when you open your browser does it look anything Toolbar Madness? Do you have new desktop shortcuts causing you to ask where it came from. I am going to give a developer a break here and say sometimes the extras are include with an installation as marketing or advertising. They need to do this often so they can obtain revenue so they can continue developing freeware or trailware. Advertising revenue is the Google or Yahoo Toolbar. I use and recommend a great product by Piriform called CCleaner. During installation you see their Logo, accept the License Agreement, select the default install location and INSTALLATION OPTIONS. The inattentive clicks rapidly through these and bam, you got the Yahoo Toolbar. With this products I unselect Add Desktop Shortcut, Add Run CCleaner in Recycle Bin, Add Open CCleaner in Recycle Bin but most importantly I don't want to Add CCleaner Yahoo Toolbar. Please read the installation screens carefully to avoid the Hitchhiker. Let me reiterate that CCleaner is a great product. The Yahoo Toolbar is useful to some but only when wanted. Don't trick me with it as a pre-selected option. I can accept an additional screen to advertise or recommend why the toolbar could be useful. Don't assume that it is wanted.

Internet Explorer 8 making life complicated!

Many of you understand my feelings about automatic updates... the Microsoft Service you hate to love. It seems like we just got over Internet Explorer 7 when BAM! another update forced upon us that conflicts with agency operations - Internet Explorer 8 (IE8). Microsoft has recently decided that IE8 is an important update causing it to be installed via automatic updates. So now the questions and problems start about what should I do?

Already installed IE8

Back in January 2009 Beta1 version of Internet Explorer 8 was released. Warnings prior to download cautioned installing the software on a production computer. Beta2 was released trying to fix open, discovered, reported and patched issues but then some additional problems became apparent like the inability to completely uninstall the Beta1. Surprise that issues still exist uninstalling Beta2! The answer at this point is IF IE8 is not conflicting with your agency management system or the priority carrier websites you're lucky. Be cautioned that additional automatic updates might cause conflicts as fixes/patches are installed.

Thinking about installing IE8

You might be stuck in a difficult situation, as a carrier might require IE8. When this is the case, the responsible course is to determine if the employee's primary product is this carrier's rating site and you don't care about any conflicts with other sites then continue with installation. An option might be to install another internet browser supported by that carrier (maybe Firefox) be careful though as some carrier sites don't support Firefox.

Preventing installation of IE8

We can prevent the installation of IE8 via automatic updates in multiple ways but unfortunately, we can only advise employees. That is we can disable the auto-installation of IE but CAN NOT PREVENT an employee from downloading IE8 for installation manually! Please email all employees that installation of IE8 may not be compatible with the agency management system and some carrier sites preventing production. While there is a tool distributed by Microsoft - "Toolkit to Disable Automatic Delivery of Internet Explorer 8" (read here then download). I recommend an additional manual check by running Windows Update, Custom installation which will present available High-Priority Updates. If IE8 is found then Uncheck the checkbox to deselect the install, Click on the boxed plus sign to expand the description, Check the box labeled "Don't show this update again", and proceed with the rest of the update. Remember that monthly updates are important!

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Is your AntiVirus outdated?

Most agencies are using Symantec AntiVirus Corporate ver 8.x or 9.x... the current version sold is ver10x if you are using an older version the product is unlicensed, outdated and may stop updating. You should upgrade now to get the best AV solution protecting your systems with the latest technology.

Signature updates may continue (some are not) since your product expired but your installed version is not as effective as even the latest edition. I have successfully migrated many agencies to Eset NOD32, which is the best in class compared to the most known antivirus solutions. Click here for a comparative analysis.

Other than just being more accurate, NOD32 has smaller memory requirements which means more space for your other applications. NOD32 'threat sense technology' provides zero day threat protection and unknown virus. It provides this protection by sensing virus like activity rather than relying on recognizing the virus signature. This is important because while others are waiting to define what the new virus looks like NOD32 detects virus activity or potentially unwanted programs and prevents it from infecting you computer.

Visit Eset NOD32 for information, an online scan or purchase.Contact me here for a personal response or to schedule an appointment.

OpenDNS will filter your web surfing.

OpenDNS provides domain names systems (DNS) support for your computer. As implemented by OpenDNS, their service is not like other DNS because it provides faster and smarter service, phishing protection and web content filtering. When installed it will provide a safer and more productive internet environment in your agency and their service is free.

OpenDNS is faster, more reliable and smarter than your internet provider's dns. They have created a matrix of redundant servers in five (5) sites throughout the United States to provide a rollover of service upon any outage any one site could experience. Smarter as they will fix typos when they can but if not they provide search results based on your URL entry which is better than just giving an error "page not found".

Phishing protection blocks fraudulent attempts to direct you to a website to get you to provide personal and confidential information. OpenDNS currently blocks over 250,000 sites known to phish.

Web Content Filtering is another service provided through OpenDNS. When enabling web content filtering you can select from four standard levels of filtering or create a custom filter based on over 50 categories. Additionally site whitelisting and blacklisting is available for even more control for your agency.

I recommend OpenDNS and implement it so you can benefit from the following:

1. Faster more reliable internet access through a better DNS.
2. Assist in providing safer internet use with phishing protection.
3. Better productivity eliminating access to non-business sites.
4. Assist with compliance to web acceptable use policy (sample).
5. Block access to adult and gambling sites.
6. Filtering based on your request both implemented and ongoing.

To reiterate the best function of OpenDNS is the Web Content Filtering so you can block access to Facebook, MySpace, personal webmail, dating sites, YouTube and many other time wasters. Studies show that employees admit to wasting almost 1.6 hours per day surfing the web. That sounds very high but do you know HOW MUCH TIME you are loosing in productivity. The internet is the single highest time waster in business above socializing and conducting personal business.

I have successfully implemented OpenDNS at various insurance agencies. Installation is quick in revising DNS in network properties or changing DHCP configuration. While OpenDNS service is free the only fee is my installation which is best done with a monthly update check but can be done in about 5 minutes per computer.

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Life and Death of WindowsXP but what's next!

In a recent article "The 100 Best Products of the Year" - PCWorld, Edited by Mark Sullivan the fourth (4th) product listed is Windows XP. Originally released October 25, 2001 it has evolved into the favored operating system. This is not an expression of what could become of Windows Vista only a statement of what has become of Windows XP... and when you make your next computer purchase.

"Microsoft Windows XP (operating system, not sold separately)
It has been discontinued except as an option for certain low-end
PCs, but XP is leaner, meaner and less bloated than Vista. Despite
the outcry from users, however, at press time Microsoft still
planned to retire the OS on June 30, 2008. Read full article here "

I remember years ago that we could not give up Windows 2000 because of the instability of Windows XP. Drivers and application software finally caught up. Stability no longer became an issue. It was then hacked and attacked but Microsoft released monthly security and critical updates to help us through. Three service packs had been released and installed to further keep this going with the latest released just April 21, 2008. You did install SP3 by now I hope? Contact me if not.

Well you are moving towards the perfect storm:

1. How long will Microsoft authorize sales of Windows XP?
2. How long will OEM's like Dell continue to offer Vista with the XP downgrade?
   Click here to read Dell's downgrade offer.
3. How long will AMS continue supporting Windows XP? They did drop support for Windows 2000 on a prior version of AMS360.
4. How long until hardware and software manufacturers release stable drivers?
5. Will your new computer purchases support all the latest hardware?
6. Will your current hardware survive until all the questions are answered?

Deciding when to purchase your next computers will be a challenge. Your workstations are now 4, 5 even 6 years old. Remember you were happy with a 2 to 3 year life cycle in the '90s. Purchasing tomorrow at the "big block" store will not save you money. I have been seeing too many clients purchase these computers with the wrong version of Vista which you don't want and configurations that don't support the Vista version needed for AMS360.

I am working hard to research answers for you but I could use some of your input. Please post a comment with some of your thoughts and concerns.

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