Android 4.4.3 update rolling out to Nexus, Motorola, and Play devices now

Google’s Android 4.4.3 is under way now (my Nexus 7 (2013) is downloading it as I am typing). This new update is supposed to bring security enhancements and bug fixes for the devices.

"This latest software update brings an improved dialer with a new interface and new colors to enhance consistency and usability, as well as several stability, framework, security fixes, and enhancements to the power profile capabilities," said Steve Horowitz, Motorola Mobile's SVP of software engineering.

Read more on this at: ZDNet

Use Windows Easy Transfer over a network to migrate from XP to Windows 8

This hand article from TechRepublic discusses the use of Windows 8’s Windows Easy Transfer tool. If you are planning the big move before Windows XP’s support vanishes next April then this may be helpful to you. While not 100% this will help with the process. One of the drawbacks of using this tool is that it does not transfer applications.This means that you will have to manually reinstall those applications that you are using to access the data.

Another product available out there for you to use is a program from LapLink called LapLink PCmover that we have had pretty good luck with migrating not only your settings and data but also most of your applications. This is very handy and if you wish to purchase a copy for yourself it only costs $59.95. So if you are ready to make the big move to either Windows 7 or 8 from your XP machine this may be a product you’ll want to add to your toolbox.

• Easy-to-Use Wizard
• Now Includes Free Transfer Assistance!
• Set it and Forget it
• Undo Feature
• Complete Selectivity
• Multiple Transfer Scenarios
• User Profile Selectivity

New Release: Camtasia Studio 8.1

Press Release:

Camtasia Studio 8.1 is here! And if you already own Camtasia Studio 8, this is a free upgrade for you.

We're looking forward to hearing what users like you will say when they get their hands on the latest version. If you think Camtasia Studio 8 couldn't be better, be assured that Camtasia Studio 8.1 offers you even more.

So, What's New?
To start, we listened closely to the feedback we were getting from Camtasia Studio 8 users. We then worked like mad to fix all the things they didn't like.

User feedback is essential to making a great product even better, so thanks for your comments and requests. Next, we wanted to give you more options when editing. So, we added a handful of new and easy-to-use editing tools.

Remove a Color
You can now use TechSmith's Remove a Color feature to superimpose yourself into your videos making it appear as though you're right in the action. Also known as chroma key or the green screen effect, Remove a Color helps you create more professional videos without having to be a video pro.

Crop, Stitch, and Copy
Use the crop tool to show your viewers exactly what you want them to see and nothing you don't. Stitch clips together to avoid having to reapply visual effects multiple times. And finally, copy an effect to quickly apply it to numerous clips – saving you time and improving your editing workflow.

On a Version Prior to Camtasia Studio 8?
When you upgrade to the current version of Camtasia Studio, you'll receive not only the newest features, but also all the great features included in Camtasia Studio 8. Take Camtasia Studio 8.1 on a test drive with our free trial, or upgrade to the latest version now and let us know how it goes!

And as always, if you have questions or want to give us some feedback, we're all ears at our feedback site.

Upgrade to Camtasia Studio 8.1 »

Microsoft Surface Firmware Updates for June 2013

Nice updates to both Surface devices

Jun. 11, 2013Paul Thurrott

Nice overview of the updates that became available last week. So if you have Surface RT or Surface Pro you may want to take a look at what is new by taking a look at Paul’s article.

Surface RT firmware improvements

Update includes these firmware and performance improvements

Surface Pro firmware improvements

Update includes driver and performance improvements including

To learn more about Windows Update, see Install Surface and Windows updates.

ASG V7 will end-of-life soon

  

Upgrade before end December 2012

Important: Version 7 of the Astaro Security Gateway (ASG) will end-of-life on 31 December 2012. On this date Sophos will stop all security patching, pattern updates, firmware updates and technical support for this version. If you still have an active installation of ASG V7 you should move to a newer version before this date.

Your migration options
You should migrate to the latest stable version of Sophos UTM 9 or ASG V8, both of which continue to receive security fixes and deliver ongoing protection for your company. For a complete list of current options, pricing, and any other questions you have please contact us at Computer Connections.

You can also take advantage of our special, limited-time opportunity to get a new appliance model at a discounted price through our Hardware Refresh Program! Speak to us to learn more.

Hardware
Hardware appliances running V7.510+ can use the option on the Up2Date menu to one-touch-upgrade to ASG V8. This brings you to the V8 platform automatically but requires further Up2Dates after the migration is complete to be on the latest version of V8.

UTM 9 is the successor to ASG V8 and includes a number of new features including the HTML 5 VPN portal and the option to add Endpoint protection. You cannot upgrade directly to this platform from ASG V7 via a one-touch operation. To move from ASG V7 to UTM 9 you will need to install UTM 9 and then restore a backup file. While your legacy configuration should import successfully, for best results you should first restore your backup into ASG V8 and then take a backup from that platform into UTM 9.

Software
Installations running an ASG V7 software appliance on their own hardware need to install an updated version and then restore a backup file of their configuration. This will apply all your settings except for log files and on-box reports. Logs can be exported in bulk from within the WebAdmin beforehand. Reports will begin anew on your updated platform as existing reports will be removed.

For further information or help upgrading please call us at 724-838-7526 and we will get one of our technical support team assigned to assist you.

Registration for $15 Windows 8 Upgrade Offer Opens

From Redmond Channel Partner news comes the announcement that the $14.99 Windows 8 upgrade offer became available on Monday.

From Redmond Blog Post:

The upgrade offer provides a discount to buyers of new Windows 7-based PCs who want to upgrade in the future to the Windows 8 Pro edition. The offer applies only to those moving to Windows 8 Pro on x86/x64 machines. Windows RT, the operating system that runs on ARM-based hardware, will only be sold preinstalled on machines; it isn't possible to download it or buy boxed copies.

The offer to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $14.99 is good only for owners of Windows 7 PCs that were purchased between June 2, 2012 and Jan. 31, 2013, according to Microsoft's announcement. An announcement made last month seemed to suggest that the offer was available with Windows XP and Vista machines too, but that's not exactly correct. The main problem is that people can't buy new PCs running those operating systems, and the offer is only extended to new PC buyers. However, the upgrade offer is still available to those people who bought a new Windows 7 PC who then downgraded that OS to Windows XP or Vista. Such downgrades do not affect the upgrade offer, or even the process of upgrading to Windows 8, according to Microsoft's FAQ.

There are some limitations that you need to know about. If you bought retail outlet or boxed copies of Windows 7 that weren’t installed on PCs or if you purchased a refurbished PC with Windows 7 preinstalled you will not qualify because your system is not new. Also, the offer is just for consumers and not businesses. An individual can only take advantage of the offer on five upgrades. Windows 7 Starter Edition also doesn’t qualify.

Redmond goes on to discuss the process:

The offer is a multistep process. The new Windows 7 PC has to be purchased within the dates of the offer. Next, those wanting to upgrade to Windows 8 have to register, and that's now open via this page. Lastly, the upgrade itself is only available when Windows 8 is released as a final product on October 26, so those signing up can't upgrade right away. Finally, the offer has a time-out clause, even for those who signed up -- that is, the Windows 8 download has to take place before Feb. 28, 2013 or the deal is null.

The upgrade happens over an Internet connection by means of a "Windows upgrade assistant" service. It can take "30 to 90 minutes" to download Windows 8, which is a 2 GB file. Of course it's not possible to upgrade a 32-bit Windows 7 PC with a 64-bit edition of Windows 8. Microsoft will provide Windows 8 on installation media for an additional charge, or upgraders can burn their own installation disks on a DVD disk or a USB drive.

If you don’t qualify for the cheap upgrade, you will be able to upgrade after the Windows 8 release for 39.95. Your requirement is to have either XP, Vista or Windows 7 installed on you machine. You will also get the Media Player as part of the package as well.  I’ll post more info on this as it comes available.

Is it time to start thinking about migrating to Windows 7?

Microsoft has already begun a major campaign talking up its soon to be released Windows 8 operating system. They are positioning it to try to make it relevant for the legions of iPad and Smartphone buyers to reconsider Windows as a choice for their operating system. While it is true that there are still some holdouts that haven’t migrated from XP to Windows 7 yet if you haven’t made the leap you may want to consider it soon. Microsoft wars that there will be no support for Windows XP beyond 2014.

“We are end-of-lifing XP and Office 2003 and everything prior in April 2014,” said Kevin Turner,  Microsoft’s chief operating officer, during a meeting with financial analysts this month. “So for all those companies that have the old products that haven’t quite started the refresh, guess what? ... It’s now time for [XP] to go.”

Typically Microsoft ends support for a product after 10 years which would mean this year but Microsoft extended support until 2014. Don’t expect another extension.

”We’re basically giving it a time-of-death stamp,” Turner said. Once it retires XP, Microsoft won’t offer support or security updates.

There are quite a few things to consider over the next few years. Most of us that are in the Microsoft house have a large commitment to their infrastructure and it would be difficult to make a complete change to another operating system. Windows 7 and the soon to be released Windows 8 are new operating systems, and though they retain some backwards compatibility with previous versions it is ever more apparent that you need to make the leap and either embrace the new operating systems or make a break and move on to something totally new.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

PR: Astaro Version 8.2 Released

Astaro has officially released Astaro Security Gateway Version 8.2 which you can now easily install via the Up2Date system in your WebAdmin.

The latest version of Astaro's flagship product includes more than 60 new features. The major ones are:

• A new web reporting engine*
• Support for 3G/UMTS USB modems
• Web Application Security form hardening
• Next Generation Firewall/Application control features
• A technical preview of Astaro Log Management

One of the new features: Application control – gain visibility and block unwanted applications

V8.2 also offers up to triple IPS performance and double VPN performance than former releases, depending on the hardware model. Also the new Application Control engine is twice as fast as the former IM/P2P engine.

Additionally available via Astaro Up2Date, is V8.201 which solidifies the V8.2 release and should be installed simultaneously. You can find more information regarding the latest releases in our Up2Date Blog here:

• Version 8.2 Release
• Version 8.201 Release

Best regards,
Your Astaro Team

*Important Note* -Installing ASG 8.200 via Up2Date from 8.103 will clear the existing Web Reporting Data. This is necessary as the database systems are vastly different. If your Web Security reports are critical, please wait before installing V8.2. We are currently working on an update where web reports can be re-added manually from log files. We will let you know as soon as this feature is ready.

Astaro, bug fix 16593 is listed below

The updates went from 8.103 to 8.200, which will be released next week.  

We will see what happens after I get 8.200 installed for everyone. 

Matt Shafer

Evernote News…

If you are using Evernote you probably have gotten this email notification from them. First off there is a new update available. To force an update on your desktop client click on the Help menu option and choose Check For Updates. You will be prompted to download and run the update if you don’t have the updated version already. While many of the changes are cosmetic, Evernote tells us that it should be more user-friendly to use.

What! You don’t have Evernote?

If you are running around with many different kinds of devices, you may want to consider looking at this program. This program has front end program interfaces for the iPad, iPhone/iPod Touch, Android, Windows Phone 7, Blackberry, Palm Pre, Palm Pixi, Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. It is a great way to share notes between all of these devices. Start with the free version and see if it is a good fit for what you do. I think that you will.

And…

If you have an iPad 2 you might be interested in the new Evernote Peek. This learning application works in conjunction with an iPad 2 and a smart cover.

Connect Peek to your Evernote account and brush up on a language, make flashcards for a quiz or test your trivia knowledge, all by simply peeking under the Smart Cover.

Take a sneak peak at how it works:

Microsoft releases Service Pack 1 for Window 7

February 22nd began delivering Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1for public consumption. Make sure that you uninstall and pre-releases of SP1 before installing this RTM (Release to Manufacturing) version on your machine. You can get the downloads here. During the process of downloading the update you will have to validate your version of the software.

Overview

---

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 helps keep your PCs and servers on the latest support level. It also provides ongoing improvements to the Windows Operating System (OS), by including previous updates delivered over Windows Update as well as continuing incremental updates to the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 platforms based on customer and partner feedback. This enables organizations to deploy a single set of updates.
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 will help you:

• Keep your PCs supported and up-to-date
• Get ongoing updates to the Windows 7 platform
• Easily deploy cumulative updates at a single time
• Meet your users' demands for greater business mobility
• Provide a comprehensive set of virtualization innovations
• Provide an easier Service Pack deployment model for better IT efficiency

Are Solid State Drives Better Than Spinning Platter Based Drives?

This is a subject that we have been musing over quite a bit lately when talking to our clients and one that you will of course have to answer for yourself based on hopefully the information that I am about to give you. The two primary things that you need to consider are how much storage do you need and how much do you want to pay to decrease data access times.

Click to read more ...

iPhone Multitasking coming soon…

Steve Jobs and company showed off new skills for the iPhone today, such as multiple apps running at one time, plus services like background location and Internet calling, and a new advertising platform called of all things, iAd. The new operating system is going to have 100 new user features. They demonstrated seven of them today calling them their 7 pillars.

Click to read more ...

XP Mode for All!

Well not quite true, you must have Windows 7 professional, Ultimate or Enterprise, but the requirement that you have  hardware Virtualization Technology built into your computer is not necessary anymore.  Microsoft announced on Thursday that it is updating XP Mode in Windows 7 to no longer require the use of hardware virtualization technology.  If your PC does have hardware virtualization technology, such as Intel VT or AMD-V, XP Mode will still use it, and you won't need the update.

You can download the updated version of the software from Microsoft's Web site—the 32-bit version is here, the 64-bit version is here. You must pass windows validation for this update to work on your machine.

Microsoft Big Easy Offer 4.0

In this economy it is important to take advantage of all of the offers that are available to you. Here is one more that you can take advantage of to help with any current installations you are planning this Quarter.

The Microsoft Big Easy Offer 4.0 runs from Jan 3, 2010 thru Mar 31,2010 and provides partner subsidy funds that can be used with us to help with the implementation of your Microsoft solution including software, hardware and services.

A subsidy is a check made payable to the Microsoft partner of your choice, us I hope. This subsidy can be used to enrich and implement your Microsoft solution. The subsidy allows you to purchase additional products or services from the us thus lowering your Total Cost of Ownership.

You can build up your subsidy by choosing:

• Products from more than one product group.
• Licenses with Software Assurance.
• Advanced or Enterprise Editions.

Talk to us and we can help you decide what you want to implement now to help you afford the best solutions for you.

Here’s the big question: How do you take advantage the Big Easy offer?

• Make a qualifying purchase between January 3, 2010 and March 31, 2010.
• Redeem your purchase within 30 days of purchase date at http://www.microsoftincentives.com/BigEasy4/redeem.aspx.
• Receive your partner subsidy check from Microsoft.
• Spend your subsidy funds with your Microsoft partner upon receipt. Please note that subsidy funds expire after 90 days of the check issue date.

There is a Big Easy Calculator that is available that will allow you to work on the best scenario for your situation.

How to use the calculator:

1. Select the license type for each product version. If you don’t know which license type to select, contact your partner for more information.
2. Select the product group from the second list.
3. Select the product from the third dropdown list.
4. Enter the number of licenses for each product in the worksheet below.

Increase your subsidy amount by adding more product groups and number of licenses, choosing advanced or Enterprise versions, and choosing licenses with Software Assurance (L&SA)!

The bottom line is that if you are considering upgrading, then here is something else that you can take advantage of to help offset the cost of implementing your installation. Be sure to contact us to help you make the best decision for you!

Update available for Kindle 2

Amazon has announced two updates to its latest generation eBook reader.  Jude and I were discussing last night how we wish that the Kindle supported PDF file format natively.  For me one of the biggest uses with the Kindle is to have all my books, manuals and white papers available to me on the device.  Up until now you had to send your file to Amazon to have it converted from native PDF to a format that could be used on your Kindle.  The Kindle DX already had this feature in it.

The earlier versions of the Kindle will get this an update through Whispernet. You will be able to add PDF Files to your Kindle via connection to your PC using the USB port on the device. This update will also provide programming changes to make better use of the battery to give the Kindle better battery life. This appears to be in direct response to the newly releasing Barnes & Noble Nook eBook Reader that offers native PDF support in 10 days of battery life without using wireless connection.

Regarding the battery life boost, Amazon states, "Battery power management for portable wireless devices is a complex technical area, and the battery life improvement announced today is the result of a six month firmware improvement and testing program." With 3G connection active on the Kindle, users can enjoy reading books for up to a week.

Remember, sometimes dreams do come true!

When upgrading and PC, It pays to do a little prep work to make it a smooth transition…

I have gone through seven system reloads in the past four months and with the last one it was made clear to me that you can never be too prepared for your transition from the old to the new. There are a few things that you need to think about, find and have ready at hand before you start the procedure.

1. Make sure you have your data backed up. The old adage, measure twice cut once is never more true than when you are about to transition to a new operating system. If you hold to the best way to clean up a system is to wipe it clean and start fresh, then whatever you had on the machine will no longer be there when you complete the new operating system installation. There is no going back to get the data so if you forget something, and you don’t have it backed up, well, it is gone in to the wind. It is important to remember how applications work. Recently I lost a year’s worth of notes because I was too cavalier about how well I had things backed up. I had thought I had everything already moved off of a workstation and moved onto the network storage (as it should have been) and it all went up in smoke. I have readjusted the way the application data is handled now, but it is too late for all of that historical data. Take it to heart that even the ones that preach backup can be bit when they are not careful enough. At the office we backup a system to a new drive before we even start a transition. As long as someone doesn’t get in the way and state that they have taken care of the info, if you look at what you are using and where you have it, you can take the steps to protect you precious information.
2. Take inventory of all the applications that you use. This will insure that your system will be up and running with all the tools you use as quickly as possible. Gather all the disks for you applications and their keys so that you can work right down the line to get the machine up and running the way you want. Here is my list of applications that I made when I prepped to install the new Windows 7 RTM on my home systems. The first thing I did was to reload Office when I finished installing the operating system so that I had access to my checklist. If you are well prepped with all your programs and unlock codes you will be able to breeze through the installation and keep your frustration level to a minimum.
3. Make sure you have available the current versions of your programs and that they are compatible with the new operating system. If you are installing into a office situation this is much more critical then in a home environment. Realize that this is the time to trim the fat. My systems tend to get bloated with all of the software installs that I perform on weekly basis to try out new things. Curiosity of the cat and all. This is one of the prime reasons that I reinstall a system as often as I do. It is easier to just start fresh sometimes then to try to make a system come back to peak performance with tweaking. This is suggestion is another attempt at limiting your frustration with the process.
4. Make sure that you have blocked out the time to do your upgrade. You don’t want to be losing your place or forgetting some key programs because you have split your attention between different projects.

Transitioning can be as painless or as painful as you allow it to be, the best way to get through the process is pre-planning the event.