New SBS 2008 Book

We have just received our copy of David Overtons new SBS2008. We will be reviewing it and adding our thoughts over the coming weeks. To obtain your own copy of this book please visit:

http://www.packtpub.com/small-business-server-2008-installation-migration-configuration/book

Vista SP2 Released...

Today Microsoft released the final version of SP2 including support recording Blu-ray straight from the Vista OS.

Make sure you un-install any previous pre-releases of SP2 before installing (look for KB948265)

The new service pack can be downloaded from 'here' or if you already have our Active Fix Technology we will be pushing the update out to you very shortly after testing to ensure it does not have any adverse effect on your machine.

Additional Vista SP2 Updates include:

* Fixes Wi-Fi issues when Vista awakes from sleep mode.
* Improves performance of Vista desktop sidebar gadget allowing for RSS feeds to perform better.
* Address overall Vista system performance issues. Microsoft says SP2 repairs nearly 700 nagging Vista bugs and security updates.
* Boosts power management efficiency by 10 percent.
* Give your computer support for VIA Technologies' new 64-bit CPU
* Let your system support exFAT, which can handle larger files and can also use UTC timestamps so you can synchronize files across different time zones.

Google unveils 'smarter search'

Web giant Google has unveiled new products that it says will push search in a new direction.
Google is using so-called semantic web technology to leverage the underlying data on websites to enhance results.

"The race in search is far from over and innovation and continued improvement is absolutely pivotal," said Google's Marissa Mayer.
Google said it could not afford to rest on its laurels in the quest to build the perfect search engine.

Google has over 63% of the US market compared with rival Yahoo, on 20%.

"I've said this many times but search is still in its infancy. Our engineers are worried about what is the next big thing in search and how are they going to find it," said Ms Mayer, who is the vice-president of search products and user experience.

She said that last year Google had released more than 360 products and in the first quarter of this year it had been 120. Ms Mayer added that this was proof that "Google gets better all the time".

Google has in the past said that despite its lead in the marketplace, users were "one click away" from switching to other alternatives.

Vanessa Fox of SearchEngineLand told the BBC that Google's ability to constantly innovate gave them a leading edge.

"Google is saying: 'We have to provide for all searchers and do things at scale.' It means they have to launch all sorts of features while some companies can concentrate on just one thing. The key thing behind why they are still ahead is because they are able to innovate at such a pace," said Ms Fox.

For the full article click here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8047076.stm

Windows 7 revs up for launch

Microsoft has signalled an early end to the Vista era with the release of the near-final release Candidate 1 version of the next-generation Windows 7. Not only that, it looks like XP may have a reprieve!

New PCs could be loaded with Windows 7 as early as October, according to US reports.
Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions will offer an XP Mode (XPM) running applications in a virtual XP environment. Licensed users will be able to download the XP code, with Service Pack 3.

XPM will not be like XP because the app will be launched from within Windows 7. It will, however, bypass upgrade conflicts and the need for backward compatibility into new code – one reason Windows gets so bloated.

We awaited Vista with baited breath in the hope it was to be next generation of OS only to have to move back towards XP. Perhaps Windows 7 will be the one, watch this space for further updates!

Carphone to purchase Tiscali UK

Carphone Warehouse is to buy the UK assets of Italian internet service provider Tiscali for £236m.
The deal, which is expected to be completed by the end of June, will create the UK's largest home broadband provider with 4.25m subscribers.
Tiscali had previously been in talks with BSkyB, but negotiations broke down earlier this year.
Carphone Warehouse currently provides broadband services under its TalkTalk brand and via AOL Broadband.
Thousands of Prodigy internet customers were reported to have been left with no internet after the service provider was cut off by its supplier BT. Earlier it was fined £30,000 by Ofcom for mishandling broadband migrations.

Malicious H1N1 PDF file spreads password stealer as swine flu leaflets begin to be delivered

As the UK begins to receive leaflets giving advice on swine flu, spammers are not far behind with a malicious file.

For the full article on this click here