May 2010   

Office 2010 has been released.  It is slightly more expensive, and looks a lot like Office 2007.  Outlook has the most changes, including more graphical options, integration with social networking, and the ability to view email as conversations (threads). It is a compelling upgrade.  All products integrate with Windows Live, and allow you to save directly to internet storage.  There is a Web based version of the Office suite, called Office Web Apps, which will be free as part of Windows Live.  PowerPoint supports video editing, and online web presentations.  Picture editing, print to .PDF, and Screen capture is built in to all programs.  The ribbon has been revamped, and is now completely customizable.  If you are still on Office 2003, it’s time to upgrade.  Office 2007 users should consider upgrading for Outlook.  This month’s Lunch Bytes will be about Office 2010.  www.toriangroup.com/events
www.microsoft.com/office
www.winsupersite.com/office/o2010_suite.asp
 
MS Office is designed to work with SharePoint Foundation server 2010, also just released. It’s free. This is a powerful collaboration tool with built-in document management.  Features include version control, publishing and workflow, and role based security. It is intended to be used as an internal website for company use.
http://sharepoint2010.microsoft.com/product/related-technologies/
Pages/Sharepoint-Foundation-2010.aspx 
 
AVG Antivirus has been detecting QuickBooks files as virus. Update AVG and Repair QuickBooks.
http://support.quickbooks.intuit.com/support/Pages/KnowledgeBaseArticle/1007372
 
SQL Server 2008 R2 was released this month, as was Visual Studio 2010, with .Net 4.0. This is mostly of interest to developers.  www.microsoft.com/sqlserver
 
www.meettheboss.com  Videos and presentations for CEO’s and financial services executives.  Requires registration and review of your job role.
 
HP buys Palm  www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2363201,00.asp
 
BGInfo is a nice tool for displaying the server name and IP address on the desktop.
Sysinternals are well known utilities for programmers and system admins.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb842062.aspx
 
National Broadband plan – Internet for everyone. http://www.broadband.gov
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/geekend/?p=4713&tag=nl.e101
 
Microsoft InTune is a suite of PC management tools for small businesses without a server. It uses Forefront antivirus. Currently in Beta.  
www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsintune/default.aspx
 
Network Access Protection is a feature of Windows 2008 server that allows you to block access to your network for remote workers who are not fully patched and protected by current antivirus software. Recommended for clients who have teleworkers.
 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/network/bb545879.aspx
 
Symantec Internet threat report. Brazil and India are gaining criminal market share. www.symantec.com/business/theme.jsp?themeid=threatreport
 
SECURITY
 
Beware of emailed resumes. I have seen some fake job application emails, which probably carry an infected attachment.  Check the credibility of the message before opening.
You may also see emails appearing to come from your IT department with the subject: ‘Settings for your mailbox are changed’, with an infected attachment.
PDF files can be infected – be careful opening any PDF from an unknown source.  Keeping Acrobat current reduces the risk.
 
Most office copiers have a hard drive which contains a copy of the documents that were copied. Be sure to wipe this drive before getting rid of your copier.
www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/04/19/eveningnews/main6412439.shtml
 
Windows Critical updates were released May 11th. There is one for Outlook Express, and one that affects Visual Basic for MS Office. If you have gotten Outlook Express working in Windows 7 (rather than Windows Mail) there are some special steps to take with this update – contact us. Some non-critical updates were released the end of April, which should also be installed on your workstations. www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms10-may.mspx
 
There is an update for Adobe Shockwave. Install when prompted.
www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb10-12.html
 
Google Chrome 4.1 is out. Chrome has proven more secure, faster than other browsers, and now supports plug-ins, similar to Firefox.  Recommended as more secure with questionable sites. The update addresses some known flaws, and should automatically install. Update if you have Chrome installed, and consider using Google Chrome for research and browsing unknown sites.
http://googlechromereleases.blogspot.com/2010/04/stable-update-bug-and-security-fixes.html
Browser comparison and review: http://lifehacker.com/5457242/
browser-speed-tests-firefox-36-chrome-4-opera-105-and-extensions
http://arstechnica.com/security/news/2009/03/
chrome-is-the-only-browser-left-standing-in-pwn2own-contest.ars
 
Foxit Reader has an update to version 3.3. Some of the updated items are security related.  Foxit is a popular alternative to Adobe Acrobat Reader.
www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/570177
www.foxitsoftware.com/downloads/index.php
 
There is an un-patched security flaw in SharePoint 3.0. It is not an issue unless the site is exposed to the internet -  most are not.
www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/983438.mspx
 
NEWS

Lunch Bytes May 20th 12-1PM at the Visalia Chamber of Commerce. Free.
The Productive Office, including Office 2010.  www.toriangroup.com/events  Also see below.
 
Jose passed his Windows Server 2008 Administration test.