Archive for the 'Microsoft' Category

Office Compatibility

OpenOffice or Microsoft Office. Use either. It’s like OS X vs. Linux… whatever tool that is best for the job right?

Here’s how you can make the two play a little nicer…

OpenOffice

Users with older versions of Microsoft Office Products, including Word 2000/2002/2003, Excel 2000/2002/2003, PowerPoint 2000/2002/2003)

Users of Microsoft Office 2007

Posted by Karl Herrick on November 20th, 2009 in Apple, OpenOffice, Microsoft, Linux | No Comments »

The network config

My network setup is going through a transitory phase as I swap parts and move things around. Here’s what I have to work with:

I also have some other miscellaneous parts/systems that can be used as needed. My thought was to have one MythTV backend, that will also serve as a file share, and backups. This may present some problems with the bandwidth and disk speeds on the Pentium IV box, but that remains to be seen. I am hoping the newest desktop will continue to run some form of Linux, and XP Home virtualized to provide the cordless telephone service. And then finally the two laptops, for all their mobility as well as using XBMC for additional MythTV frontends.

Posted by Karl Herrick on August 20th, 2009 in Microsoft, Windows, Linux | 2 Comments »

Windows 7 - XP Mode

So I downloaded the Windows 7 beta, but never installed it (had to keep Ubuntu and MythTV going strong). To be honest, I have heard it is fantastic… what Vista should have been, yada, yada, etc. Anyhow, I just read that some of the editions of 7 will have “XP Mode”, sort of like Apple had “Classic Environment” when they moved to OS X from OS 9. XP Mode will in fact be XP running in a virtual environment. How cool is that? Maybe business IT will be more easily persuaded to move on.

Windows 7 gets virtual ‘XP mode’

Windows 7 Release Candidate 1’s Best Surprise New Features

Google News

Posted by Karl Herrick on April 25th, 2009 in Microsoft, Windows | No Comments »

XP License Availability Roadmap

Here’s what Microsoft has to say about when they will stop selling various Window XP flavors: (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/default.mspx)

Under the Support Lifecycle policy, Windows desktop licenses are available for four years after general availability in all standard product distribution channels (e.g. direct OEM, System Builders, retail, and Volume Licensing programs via licenses or via downgrade rights). Licenses will continue to be available through downgrade rights available in Volume Licensing programs after end of general availability.

Windows XP Professional
Date of General Availability
December 31, 2001

Direct OEM and Retail License Availability (end date)
June 30, 2008

System Builder License Availability (end date)
January 31, 2009

Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
Date of General Availability
February 11, 2003

Direct OEM and Retail License Availability (end date)
June 30, 2008

System Builder License Availability (end date)
January 31, 2009

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
Date of General Availability
April 25, 2005

Direct OEM and Retail License Availability (end date)
June 30, 2008

System Builder License Availability (end date)
January 31, 2009

Windows XP Home Edition
Date of General Availability
December 31, 2001

Direct OEM and Retail License Availability (end date)
June 30, 20083

System Builder License Availability (end date)
January 31, 2009

Windows XP Media Center Edition2
Date of General Availability
October 28, 2002

Direct OEM and Retail License Availability (end date)
June 30, 2008

System Builder License Availability (end date)
January 31, 2009

2 Includes the 2002, 2004, and 2005 editions of Windows Media Center.
3 As of April 2008, Microsoft is extending availability of Windows XP Home Edition for OEMs to install on Ultra Low-Cost PCs. The new OEM end date will be the later of either June 30, 2010, or one year after the general availability of the next version of Windows.

A few more thoughts on this (and loop holes):
How-to get Windows XP past the June 30th cutoff (or not)
How to Get Windows XP After June 30

Posted by Karl Herrick on April 14th, 2008 in Microsoft, Windows | No Comments »

Giving your computer to hackers

If you use the Internet, and want a better life, look in the mirror, and repeat this mantra 3 times daily:

“Stop using Internet Explorer.”

Even the US Computer Emergency Readiness Team has said, “Use a different web browser” in reference to Internet Explorer. With as many flaws that this browser contains, it is no doubt the best decision you could make in regards to your browsing habits.

Think bugs, spyware, popups, viruses, trojans, fraud, identity theft and all of the other bad words that are related to Internet use. Yeah, that may go a bit overboard, but you get the idea… Internet Explorer does not adequately protect the user from the invasion of cyber-theives on the prowl. And yes there are others that do. For example, Opera and Firefox.

So… after saying all of that, read this: Internet Explorer currently has a flaw in it, that Microsoft has known about for some time that has no fix for it yet. Even in fully patched Windows XP SP2 systems. All you have to do is browse to a specially crafted website, and hackers can launch what ever program on your computer they feel like.

I will say that again… all you have to do when using Internet Explorer is click a link, and you could be infected. There are no known sites currently implementing this hack, but as in the past, it could only be a matter of days.

eWeek has an article on it: Zero-Day Exploit Targets IE.

Posted by Karl Herrick on November 21st, 2005 in Microsoft, Firefox | No Comments »