Time is running out. Upgrade to Windows 7 Soon!
As you may know Windows XP, the Grand Doyenne of Operating Systems will soon be retired by Microsoft. Support for Windows XP SP2 ended on July 13, 2010 and by 2014 support for the entire OS will be redundant.
So what does this mean for my business?
Don’t worry if you are not currently running the latest version of Windows. Your PCs should continue to start and run as normal.
The only concern for your business is that when Microsoft withdraws support for an Operating System (OS—i.e. XP, Vista and Windows 7. An OS is like the petrol in your car—it powers your PC) it stops producing critical security updates to protect your PCs from viruses, spyware and other malicious software.
What should I do to protect my network?
If you are currently running XP SP2 (32 Bit) you will need to upgrade to XP SP3 to ensure your PCs remain protected. XP SP3 will continue to be supported through to April 2014. If you are an SS customer we will have programmed your PCs to automatically upgrade to SP3.
You should also consider upgrading to the latest Microsoft Operating System – Windows 7…
Windows 7 you say? Tell me more!
I am glad you asked. Windows 7 is the new kid on the block as far as Microsoft OS is concerned and has been acclaimed by many as the best OS by Microsoft to date achieving what the much derided Vista attempted to do but failed miserably.
You may have seen the adverts on TV about the new OS (”I am a PC and Windows 7 is my idea”) which demonstrated some of the key features of Windows 7.
Let me outline some of these features and tell you why they will benefit your business if you upgrade.
1. Security. Windows 7 is more secure than XP and offers better user controls
2. Greater compatibility. Unlike Windows Vista, most hardware and software is readily compatible with Windows 7 and will work right out of the box, with no need to download and install additional drivers
3. Lower system requirements. Windows 7 does not need as much resource to run in comparison to Vista so you can pretty much run 7 on your current hardware.
4. Simpler Navigation. Features such as Aero-shake and Aero-Peek make navigation so much easier in Windows 7
5. Better Multi-Tasking. Windows 7 now offers a more aesthetically pleasing, icon-based taskbar that lets you permanently pin and organize favourite programs on it. You can additionally point to icons to get thumbnail previews of open files and windows associated with each program, all accessible with a click
6. Simpler File Organisation. Libraries, which serve as all-purpose containers, allow you to conveniently catalogue photos, music, video and files in single locations, no matter where they live on your hard drive. Because of this, it’s a breeze to keep all materials related to the same work project organized in one readily retrievable location.
7. Better overall performance. Enjoy faster boot times improved desktop responsiveness, more reliable desktop search functions, simpler document retrieval. Making it infinitely simpler to organize, store and navigate both your desktop and supported applications.
To find out more about upgrading to Windows 7, get in touch now – 0800 001 5942
MoreMicrosoft, Google, RIM, Apple, Twitter , Facebook – We Thank You!
This post is really a letter of gratitude to the movers and shakers of the technology world – to say thank you for how they have truly revolutionised the way we live and work.
Last week my colleague Suzie hit a brick wall when trying to find some information on behalf of our client. “Why don’t you try Google” said Sim – Client Services Manager. Within 10 minutes of conducting a search on Google she had found the information she required. “Where would we be without Google!” she shrieked and clapped her hands in glee!
Where exactly! And not just Google, in fact – where would we be without the technological advances of brought to us by Microsoft, Apple, RIM, Facebook and Twitter. Most PCs and Laptops that we use both at home and at work are powered by software developed by Microsoft; Smartphones such as RIM’s BlackBerry are a business person’s best friend and Apple’s iPad has revolutionised the way we use computers. Where will Facebook and Twitter users be without their daily updates, retweets and the like?
The effect these tech giants now have on our day to day lives became more evident to me on a recent holiday trip.
After strong arming “workaholic hubby” to take some time off we agreed on a 12 night cruise to the Mediterranean taking in ports such as Madeira, Lisbon, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria. Although I was glad for the time off there was a sense of dread that I would be unreachable in case of emergencies especially as we had just kicked off a new marketing drive. What if I was urgently needed to redraft a piece of literature? What about new leads that came in? Would I be able to respond accordingly or at least instruct the team on how to respond? What if I was unreachable? I noticed there were two sea days on the itinerary (when you are on the sea far from land and far from any form of communication). This meant that I would be completely out of reach during those days!
I needn’t have worried.
My trusted Blackberry ensured that I received every email message sent to me even during sea days because although we were stuck at sea the ship was fully equipped with its own telecommunication mast that allowed us to receive email messages. Because we were on an American ship, our mobile phones assumed we were in America and adapted its frequencies accordingly. Communicating with the team back in England was also simple and using Blackberry’s Messenger service all messages sent to the team was free. Bonus!
I had planned to finish an article which formed part of the marketing campaign but on reaching the ship I discovered that I had left the usb stick with the article at home – along with some material which I had planned to use as a resource. I remembered that I had emailed the document to myself prior to leaving for the holiday so I knew I could simply download the document from my email account which could be easily accessed using OWA (Outlook Web Access). Once the document was downloaded, I quickly located the missing resources using Google and I was able to complete my article as planned.
Imagine what would have happened if I did not have the tools mentioned above to hand? The cynical amongst you may well say “you would have had more of a holiday” but I disagree. In all honesty, I was able to enjoy my holiday more because my mind was at rest knowing that a) I could be contactable in case of any emergency and b) if I needed to do any urgent work it could be done without hassle.
I am sure you all have your own stories about how Technology saved the day. I for one will never stop singing the praises of the technology giants that have made my life easier. So once again thank you!
Honor Roll (feel free to make your own suggestions)
Microsoft, Apple, RIM, Amazon, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Google, Yahoo, EBay, PayPal, Skype, Dropbox, Wikipedia,
Something to Learn from the Education Sector
Recently I have been spending time with some of our education clients providing training on Moodle.
If you have never heard of Moodle - (and most of you wouldn’t) Moodle stands for Modular Object Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment (what?!) and is an e-learning software that is typically used to create modular internet based courses. Moodle is open source software which means it is FREE and has long been the darling of the education sector as it comes with powerful collaboration features and helps relieve teacher workload by allowing its users to pool resources, set assignments and automate the marking process.
It is not often that the education sector has something to teach the commercial world but this lesson is one that I believe the business world would be wise to pay attention to.
Here are some of the features of Moodle and I have explained how the business world can take advantage of them.
Powerful Collaboration Tools
There are so many colaboration tools within Moodle that will help businesses become more productive. Tools such as Discussion Forums, Wikis, Databases, Glossary, Shared Calendars, Blogs etc. My favourite is the messaging tool – which is a kind of chat room. This would work exceptionally well in the business context as it would allow users to exchange instant messages with colleagues in different departments, different sites or even different regions. It is also a great way to keep in touch with clients. Think about the money you will save and much more it is FREE!
Pooling Resources
One of the advantages of using Moodle is that it allows users to Pool Resources in one central location. I remember a conversation I had with a client – a solicitor at a local practice based in Birmingham. He relayed a story about how once just before a major case, he had forgotten important information that would form the basis of his legal argument. Normally he would have simply asked his PA to fax across the copy of the document, however his PA was absent due to a family bereavement and trying to explain where the files could be to another colleague was proving fruitless. Imagine if they had Moodle in place. Not only would he have been able to access the files himself (you can access Moodle where ever you are as far as you have an internet connection), finding the file would have been much more easier using Moodle’s search functionality! If this idea is making you think “intranet” then you would be thinking on the right lines! Moodle works exceptionally well when used as a company’s intranet and did I mention it was FREE?! (well every little helps..)
Moodle for Training and Staff Development
Teachers love Moodle because it helps them automate the marking process. They can set tests and homework online. Students can enrol for the tests / homework and the results are instantly sent to the teachers. Moodle also allows teachers to create courses online for their students which means they can learn in their own time.
Why not do the same? Times are hard and with budgets ever decreasing, this may mean that the kitty for training is limited. So think outside the box! The internet (God bless Google) is full of free resources that you can utilise to train your team. Let’s say for example you wanted to create a course teaching users how to use Excel. Using the internet you can find videos, instruction manuals, cheat sheets etc that you include as part of your course. Your users will simply follow the instructions contained within the course, watch the videos, take the relevant tests that you set and hey presto! They are experts! Check out this site for an example of a “course” in action. You may need to log in before you can access the course. For user name type in manager and the password is demo.
Thats enough mutterings from me today! Give me a call if you want to discuss further how Moodle can help your business on 0121 309 0060 or email me angela@supremesystems.co.uk. You can also visit Moodle’s Site for more information. If it is IT Support you need – give me a shout too! 
It’s now 7.50pm and I have front row tickets for the X Factor( front row being the settee in my front room). I hope you have a great week ahead. Next week I will be extolling the virtues of VOIP (those of you who have outrageously high phone bills will love this post – Using VOIP can help you reduce your phonebill by atleast 40%!)
Ciao!
