EduNotes Newsletter (Internet & Computer Technology)

Employees will likely want to shop online � let them know it's OK (if it is) to use work computers as long they use them outside of their normal work hours.
Spam has an incredibly huge upsurge at this time. Just be aware of this as there is little that your email provider can do.
If your business traditionally slows at this time of year, this might be a good time to do some extra computer training. Keep you and your staff abreast of your technology.
Try not to succumb to the urge to get the cheap computers available this shopping season. The big makers are trying to get rid of excess inventory which means the clunkers that no one wanted to pay full price for are now cheap.
Budget now for your technology for next year. If you've got computers purchased before 2003, they will likely need to be upgraded or traded out for newer models. Do you need to upgrade your Operating Systems (is you're not using Windows XP SP2, you do [sorry Mac users, Microsoft still rules in business])? Are you getting the most of the tools you already own or do you need to invest in more training?

I've been using my beta version of Windows Vista now for more than a month. And I like it. Most of the familiar tasks are accomplished the same way they always have been. Gone is the �Start� button. After more than 10 years of being ridiculed for having to click the Start button to shut the computer off, Microsoft removed the Start from the button but it's still in the same spot. It just has a nifty Windows logo on it instead.

A cool new tool is the Window Switcher. Of course Mac fans will be ho-humming because its very similar to the bar that has been a part of Macs since OS X rolled out. Some Windows aficionados will wonder what the purpose is since you've already got a task bar. But what the switcher does is provide a very visual way of choosing the program or window you want to switch to. The task bar just provides a written description of what that window has open. The new Window Switcher shrinks all open windows down to a smaller version and then tiles them across the screen so you can quickly grab or click on the one you want. Click on it and then it pops to the forefront, ready to be used.

I have yet to see any particular useablity in this next feature but it's pretty cool, too. Non-maximized windows have transparency. This newsletter is being created in Word, the bar across the top that would have been a bluish-gray in XP is transparent so I can see the desktop behind it. Like I said, I know what value it brings but lends a very classy look to it.

Remember clicking on Start and then on Programs and having the programs fill the whole screen? That frustration is gone. Now when you click on Programs, you can scroll up or down and program groups don't open unless you click on them. This new method also features smart scrolling so if you open a sub program folder and highlight it, it moves itself so you can see what it says without having to also scroll right and left.

Probably the coolest feature is Windows Gadgets. Gadgets hang out by default on the right side of your screen. Want the local weather? There's a gadget for that. Want all your picture albums to rotate through as thumbnails? There's a gadget for that. Want a clock? Yep, there's one for that, too. In fact, if you think �Gee it would be nice if I had a gadget that did X� there's probably one that does just what you want at microsoftgadgets.com.

Microsoft has now released the business version of Vista to production though we were not able to find any new computers with it available � by next month at this time there should be plenty available. The consumer version should be widely available in January or February.

EduCyber really does partner with its clients. We want you to be successful in the long term. So whether we're watching your network or building your web site or driving more traffic to your site, we're here to help. Call Brian at 720-275-4646 to see how we can help you today.

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