Backups aren't expensive, but they are necessary

It’s Okay if your small business can’t afford a dedicated IT expert, but most small shops, without fail, make the same mistake — they don’t perform frequent and reliable backups. No one really takes responsibility for backing up data and it’s every soul for oneself.

You might think that the cost and labor are prohibitive, but that’s false economy. You can’t afford not to backup your data. Besides, it just isn’t true. If I told you that backing up data would require about five minutes per PC, would you be interested? You might be surprised just how easy it is to back up your data regularly (using Windows).

First, you must determine where you’re going to store backups. The average PC user with small IT resources, has more options than you might think:

* Purchase an external hard drive for each PC. They’re less than $100 now — totally within reach of any small business.
* Purchase a USB flash drive for each PC. They’re even cheaper (usually) than an external hard drive.

Once you have the storage medium, decide whether to backup the entire system or just the data. A full system backup, initially, isn’t a bad idea, but it might be unnecessary. In this area, you can bend a little. At the worst, you might have to reinstall software. If a PC has a dedicated purpose and has very little software on it, reinstalling the software won’t take any longer than restoring it. In addition, Windows System Restore feature lets you turn back the clock to recover from some problems.

When you’re ready to define a backup job, launch Windows Backup feature (using Windows XP, but instructions will be similar for earlier versions). From the Start menu, choose All Programs. Then, select Accessories, System Tools, and finally Backup to launch the wizard that will walk you through the following process:

1. Read the opening pane, but don’t switch to Advanced Mode just yet, and then click Next.
2. In the next pane, select Backup Files and Settings (if necessary) and click Next.
3. Unless you use My Documents and Favorites, choose Click All Information on This Computer or Let Me Choose What to Backup and then click Next. julyblogtoa4fig1r.jpg
4. When you select to choose files, the next pane lets you select folders and specific files. Click the + signs to expand folders. Check folders and files that you want to back up. Click Next when you’re ready to continue. julyblogtoat4fig2r.jpg
5. Now you’re ready to identify your backup storage. You can click Browse for a full system scan or choose an existing target. Then, click Next.julyblogtoat4fig3r.jpg
6. At this point, you can execute the backup by clicking Finish, but don’t. Instead, click Advanced so you can schedule regular backups.
7. The default, Normal, is adequate for most users, so click Next. You can learn more about backup types from Windows Help and Support.
8. In the next pane, check Verify Data After Backup if you’re backing up critical data. It will take a little more time, but it’s worth it. In addition, unless you have a good reason not to, don’t check Disable Volume Shadow Copy. This setting allows the system to backup data while users are writing to it. Click Next to continue. julyblogtoat4fig4r.jpg
9. Choose whether you want to append or replace the existing backup file, and click Next. Most likely you’ll just replace the last backup file.
10. Now you’re ready to set up a schedule for backups. Click the Later option, give the backup a name, and then click Set Schedule. Specify a Schedule Task and Start Time (usually at night when nobody’s around). You might want to check out the Advanced options, but the Schedule tab options are adequate for most users. Click OK and confirm your account by entering and confirming a password for the backup task. Be sure to memorize it or write it down and store it in a safe and secure place. When Windows returns you to the wizard, click Next and then Finish.julyblogtoat4fig5r.jpg

Users should backup their work regularly — every day isn’t too often, even for the smallest business. Critical data should be backed up even more frequently. Windows will even let you define more than one backup job. For instance, you might backup accounting worksheets once a day while backing up an ongoing development project every 30 minutes. After you define each backup job, users won’t have to do anything, except insert the USB flash drive, if necessary. Windows will do all the work for them (I mean… you).

You don’t need a high-priced consultant (if you still think you do, please call me) or pricey hardware. You need an inexpensive and external storage medium and a little time to set up the schedule. In addition, spend a little time with each user so you know what folders and files need to be included in the backup.

Windows Vista -- Borg technology -- prepare to be assimilated

If you want to discuss upgrades with me, be sure to wear a raincoat. Simply hearing the word makes me want to spit on the ground. It use to mean new toys and dead bugs. Now it means bend over while we introduce a few new problems! Yes, I admit that I’m suffering from upgradaphobia. I’m sick of it. Enough already!Unfortunately, it’s just going to get worse. Vista, Microsoft’s latest and greatest operating system is now appearing in our collective nightmare. If you haven’t seen it, you’ve heard about it. Everyone hates it, but we’re all going to buy it, run it, support it, and eventually, pay tribute to it.
Now, there’s a lot I could say about Vista. I could try to convince you that you’ll love it. At least, that’s what Microsoft promises. All that marketing hype is already out there and easy enough to find. Instead, I’m going to give you the skinny on this one — you’re going to support Vista whether you want to or not:

• It is almost impossible to buy a new pc that’s running traditional Windows. They’re all running Vista. Now, if you have the buying power, you might be able to work a deal with someone. It’s worth a try and good luck with that. I know a few people who have downgraded after purchasing their new Vista systems, but it wasn’t easy.
• There will be no more upgrades to Windows.

Whether you have new PC’s in this year’s budget or the head honcho wants a new laptop, you’re going to have to support Vista.

Traditional Windows isn’t dead, but it’s time to call in Hospice. When you upgrade to Vista is up to you, but you are going to — how Borg of Microsoft.

Hidden Vista tricks that can make you more productive

Takeaway: There are literally hundreds of new features and hidden tricks in Vista. Here are a few that will be helpful to you as you begin to get accustomed to using the new Windows Vista operating system

If you've installed the new Vista OS, chances are good that you're looking in every nook and cranny for all of the hidden tricks to using its new features. Of course, there are literally hundreds of new features and hidden tricks in Vista. It would be impossible to uncover or reveal, all of these hidden tricks in one article. But I’ve chosen a few that I think will be helpful to you as you begin to get accustomed to using the new Windows Vista operating system. Let’s take a look.

Launching your favorite applications with the [Windows] key

, I showed you how to put the main area of the Start Menu to much better use by configuring it as a launching area for all the programs you use most often. However, Windows Vista provides you with an even better way to quickly access your favorite applications--you can assign them to special [Windows] key combinations.

To take advantage of this hidden trick, all you have to do is add the shortcuts to your favorite applications to the Quick Launch toolbar, which you can do with a simple drag and drop operation. You can have up to 10 shortcuts on the Quick Launch toolbar to use with the [Windows] key. By default, the Show Desktop and the Switch Between Windows/Flip 3D shortcuts are already on the Quick Launch toolbar, so with the idea that you’d leave them there, you can add up to 8 additional shortcuts.

Moving left to right, the first shortcut on the Quick Launch toolbar is automatically assigned to [Windows]+1, the second shortcut to [Windows]+2 and so on. The tenth shortcut on the Quick Launch toolbar is automatically assigned to [Windows]+0. By unlocking the Taskbar (via a simple right-click on the Taskbar and clicking Lock the Taskbar) and expanding the Quick Launch toolbar, as shown in Figure A, you can use drag and drop to arrange the shortcuts in any order that you want.

Figure A

In this Quick Launch toolbar arrangement, [Windows]+6 launches Notepad while [Windows]+0 launches the new Windows Vista Snipping Tool.

Once you memorize which numeric [Windows] keys are assigned to which application shortcuts; you can resize the Quick Launch toolbar to its default size and relock the Taskbar, as shown in Figure B. This lets you use the all the space on the Taskbar as you normally would and still be able to launch any of your applications with a simple [Windows] keystroke.

Figure B

You can resize the Quick Launch toolbar so that it doesn’t take space away from the Taskbar, yet still access the shortcuts via the [Windows] key combinations.

Other Win Key combinations

Here are a couple of other handy [Windows] key shortcuts:

[Windows]+T: Cycles through programs using the Live Taskbar feature.

[Windows]+[Spacebar]: Brings the Windows Sidebar to the foreground.

Using the mouse wheel to change the icon views

If you’re using Windows Explorer to work with your files and folders, you’ve probably already discovered the new Views menu. You just click the arrow next to the Views icon on the toolbar to bring up the Views menu, as shown in Figure C, and then drag the slider up or down to change the size and appearance of the file and folder icons.

Figure C

The slider on the Views menu has seven settings that range from Extra Large Icons to Tiles.

While clicking the icon and dragging the slider is simple enough there is an easier way. Simply hold down the [Ctrl] key and scroll your mouse wheel up and down to resize the icons from Tiles to Extra Large Icons.

Using the [Ctrl] key and the mouse wheel combination also works on the Desktop. While the Desktop is selected, just hold down the [Ctrl] key and scroll your mouse wheel up and down to resize the icons from a microscopic 16 x 16 all the way up to huge 256 x 256 renditions.

Reveal the Menu Bar in Windows Explorer

As you can see in Figure D, the Menu Bar in Windows Explorer is no longer visible. However, it's still there, as shown in Figure E. Just press [Alt] key to toggle the Menu Bar on and off.

Figure D

The Menu Bar no longer appears in Windows Explorer default layout configuration.

Figure E

Pressing the [Alt] key temporarily brings the Menu Bar back into the layout.

If you’d rather have the Menu Bar visible all of the time, just click the arrow next to the Organize icon on the toolbar, open the Layout submenu and select Menu Bar, as shown in Figure F.

Figure F

You can make the Menu Bar visible all of the time from the Layout menu.

The Menu Bar is no longer visible in Internet Explorer 7 either; however, you can use the same trick--just press the [Alt] key to toggle the Menu Bar on and off. If you want the Menu Bar visible all of the time, pull down the View menu, open the Toolbars submenu, and select Menu Bar.

Instantly copy a path to the Clipboard

Have you ever wanted to obtain a copy of the path of a file nested deep down in your hard drive’s organization structure? If so, you know the drill, launch Windows Explorer, traverse the directory to the file, select the contents of the address bar, copy the path, paste it in Notepad, and then type the filename itself.

Fortunately, with Windows Vista, you no longer have to perform such acrobatics just to get the path to a file. All you have to do is hold down the [Shift] key, right-click on the file or folder, and select the new command titled Copy as Path, as shown in Figure G. When you do, the path to the file or folder is copied to the Clipboard and you can simply paste it anywhere you want.

Figure G

The Copy as Path command saves a lot of time and effort when it comes to getting path listings.

Conclusion

I’ll cover more hidden tricks in upcoming editions of the Windows Vista Report. In the meantime, please drop by the discussion area and let us know if you have discovered any cool tricks in Windows Vista.

Microsoft security updates for August 2009

As part of Microsoft's routine, monthly security update cycle, we released 9 new security updates on August 11, 2009.

Latest Security Updates

• MS09-036 - addresses a vulnerability in ASP.NET (KB 970957)
• MS09-037 - addresses a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows (KB 973908)
• MS09-038 - addresses a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows (KB 971557)
• MS09-039 - addresses a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows (KB 969883)
• MS09-040 - addresses a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows (KB 971032)
• MS09-041 - addresses a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows (KB 971657)
• MS09-042 - addresses a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows (KB 960859)
• MS09-043 - addresses a vulnerability in Office Web Components (KB 957638)
• MS09-044 - addresses a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows (KB 970927)

How to get the Updates

If you have automating updating turned on, you might already have the updates. To learn how to turn automatic updating on for your operating system, see Update your PC automatically.

If you do not have automatic updating turned on, or to check whether you need the updates, go to Microsoft Update.

Security updates are also available from the Microsoft Download Center. You can find them most easily by doing a keyword search using the words security update and the month the update was released.

Technical information or if you are an IT pro

IT professionals and systems administrators - Go to Microsoft TechNet for detailed information about these updates.

Other steps you can take to help protect your computer

• Make sure you have a firewall, and antivirus and antispyware programs
• Scan and clean your computer to remove malicious software

An unbelievable 81 new Windows 7 wallpapers to download!

Make your desktop look like Windows 7 with this stunning set of wallpapers

Since the recent Windows 7 builds have been released, all three of them, there are an additional 81 Windows 7 wallpapers available to download, and we've put them right here so you can grab them now.

There are more localized versions, including some new appearances from South Africa, Russia and Canada, as well as architecture, characters and more.

Image resolution is full HD 1920 x 1200, so they look great - even on very large screens.

You can download each pack individually by clicking on the respective image, or get them all in one single download here.

Wallpapers

Australia

Canada

Great Britain

Russia

U.S

South Africa

Landscapes

Nature

Characters

Architecture

Scenes

Windows Vista minimum supported system requirements

Home Basic / Home Premium / Business / Ultimate

• 800 MHz processor and 512 MB of system memory

• 20 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space

• Support for Super VGA graphics

• CD-ROM drive

Windows Vista Home Premium / Business / Ultimate

• 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor

• 1 GB of system memory

• 40 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space

• Support for DirectX 9 graphics with:

  • WDDM Driver

  • 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum)

  • Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware

  • 32 bits per pixel

• DVD-ROM drive

• Audio Output

• Internet access (fees may apply)

Additional requirements

Actual requirements and product functionality may vary based on your system configuration. Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor can help you determine which features and edition of Windows Vista will run on your computer.

While all editions of Windows Vista can support multiple core CPUs, only Windows Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise can support dual processors.

Home Premium / Ultimate

TV tuner card required for TV functionality (compatible remote control optional).

Home Premium / Business / Ultimate

Windows Tablet and Touch Technology requires a Tablet PC or a touch screen.

Ultimate

Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption requires a USB Flash Drive and a system with a TPM 1.2 chip.

Windows Vista recommended system requirements

Home Basic

• 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor

• 512 MB of system memory

• 20 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space

• Support for DirectX 9 graphics and 32 MB of graphics memory

• DVD-ROM drive

• Audio Output

• Internet access (fees may apply)

Additional requirements

Actual requirements and product functionality may vary based on your system configuration. Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor can help you determine which features and edition of Windows Vista will run on your computer.

While all editions of Windows Vista can support multiple core CPUs, only Windows Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise can support dual processors.