QuickBooks 2009 Release 9 (R9) Won’t Be Backwards Compatible with Earlier Releases of QB 2009   Released as an Automatic Update on December 1, The database engine is being updated, causing changes in the data structure that are incompatible with the data prior to the update. Each company file opened will go through a data conversion the first time it is opened. Prior backups then cannot be restored.
We have had several calls from clients who updated their workstations, and then could not use QB until the server was updated as well. For accountants, this will affect client backups and copies of their data that they bring you.
We have seen some cases where the standalone database on the server does not update. You then need to do a complete reinstall on the server. Call us for help.
http://support.quickbooks.intuit.com/support/Pages/KnowledgeBaseArticle/898626
 
QuickBooks flaw: if exploited, it could allow a cyber criminal to access the data on your computer. Download and install the latest patch.  QuickBooks 2006 and Earlier: Because Intuit no longer supports those earlier versions, there is no corrective update for this ActiveX vulnerability. Given the potential vulnerability, Intuit recommends that you uninstall these earlier versions. http://security.intuit.com/alerts/alert.php?a=7
 
Some of the HP multifunction DeskJet printers install a lot of extra software that can really slow things down. Talk to us before buying one. 
http://h30434.www3.hp.com/psg/board/message?board.id=Software&message.id=3468
 
MS Office 2010 scheduled for release in June.
http://www.betanews.com/article/Confirmed-Office-2010-to-ship-in-June/1259616600
 
HTML5 will make it easier to write interactive web sites.
http://lifehacker.com/5416100/how-html5-will-change-the-way-you-use-the-web  
 
Building a Christmas wish list? Use Amazon Universal Wish List. Not just for Amazon products. www.amazon.com/gp/wishlist/get-button
Other options http://lifehacker.com/5414134/five-best-wishlist-tools
 
SyncToy 2.1 is a free application that synchronizes files and folders between locations
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=C26EFA36-98E0-4EE9-A7C5-98D0592D8C52&displaylang=en
 
Microsoft Online Services Diagnostics and Logging Support Toolkit.  For troubleshooting Windows Live and other MS online services.  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/960625
IOSafe is now offering a 2 Terabyte (2000 GB) model of their Fire resistant backup drive. We recommend this combined with Acronis imaging software as a backup solution.   https://iosafe.com/2TB-solo-press-release
 
http://freemypdf.com Remove restrictions from .pdf files – free online tool.
 
Asus and Toshiba are rated most reliable laptops.
http://gizmodo.com/5406415/laptop-reliability-study-asus-and-toshiba-come-out-on-top
 
Christmas gift guides:
http://www.nytimes.com/gift-guide/holiday-2009/categories.html
http://www.mahalo.com/top-10-tech-christmas-presents
 
Windows updates are due Dec. 8^th. There are 2 for XP, one for IE, 6 total. Additional updates came out at the end of November, which should also be installed.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms09-dec.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/977544.mspx
 
Java is now at Version 6 update 17. Remember to manually uninstall older versions when you update. www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp
 
Adobe Flash also has a critical update: www.adobe.com/support/security
 
Firefox current version is 3.54: www.mozilla.org/security/known-vulnerabilities
 
Christmas Scams http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/155521
 
We have had a couple of clients this month with serious server or virus problems that could have been prevented with regular maintenance. Prevention is cheaper, and maintaining older equipment becomes more expensive as it ages.
 
As part of the requirement to maintain our Microsoft Gold partner status, we will be sending out a survey to clients regarding their experience with us and with our implementation of Microsoft products. You may receive a separate email inviting you to participate in the next few days. 
 
Preston and Jose are getting a raise in rates Jan 1, due to their gaining additional skills and certification. We are forgoing our usual annual rate increase due to the economy.
 
Merry Christmas!