A2Z Computer Services Inc

Corporate I.T. Solutions, Computer Repair and Web Design in Henderson, KY

April 2013 Update Details

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It’s the second Tuesday of April and that means it is Microsoft‘s Patch Tuesday, the day of the month when Microsoft releases several scheduled patches and updates for their various software products. In the arena of Third-Party applications, Adobe has updated a small number of products and Java still sits at version 7 Update 17. So, here is a quick break down of the updates:

Microsoft:

  • Two Critical bulletins that cover Internet Explorer and Remote Desktop Client. Both of these vulnerabilities allow for attackers to launch programs remotely.
  • Seven Important bulletins that affect various Windows versions (two impact Windows 8 directly), Office, and Windows Defender. 5 of these vulnerabilities allow for a user to increase their privileges on a computer, while 1 bulletin can results in a denial of service for Domain systems, and the last bulletin causes information disclosure.

Adobe:

  • One update to Coldfusion that could allow an individual with no credentials to the administrative console to gain access.
  • One update to Shockwave Player that could allow an individual to remotely launch programs on a computer.
  • One update to Flash Player and Air that could allow an attacker to crash the program and take control of the computer system.

Users are encouraged to apply these updates to a test system prior to deployment to their critical systems to test for conflicts and problems caused by the updates to existing programs. Microsoft Windows users are encouraged to test and apply both Critical updates as soon as possible to avoid potential exploitation.

There are currently limited known attacks in the wild for the Microsoft updates, none of which currently target either Critical bulletin.

Here are links to the security update advisories:

Microsoft: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/bulletin/ms13-apr

Adobe: https://www.adobe.com/support/security/

Additionally, April 8th 2013 marks the day that Windows XP Service Pack 3 has 365 days remaining on its Extended Support. After April 8th, 2014, Microsoft will no longer be providing updates or patches for Windows XP Service Pack 3. Service Pack’s 1 and 2 are currently no longer supported.

For more details or to schedule an onsite service call to get updates installed as part of our Preventive Maintenance service, feel free to contact us.

Update – New Licensing Agreement for Office 2013

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As reported previously, Microsoft has updated it’s licensing agreement for Office 2013 such that users are required to purchase a new copy of Office 2013 should they decide to re-install the suite on another computer, such as a new computer replacing a failed one.

However, after much complaint from users, Microsoft has decided to repent and update the EULA once again. Now, users may perform one transfer every 90 days (uninstall from one computer to install onto another), except for hardware failures when a computer is being replaced. Those situations allow for immediate re-installation.

It will take some time for the changes to be implemented in the activation process and users may be required to call in to active re-installed copies of Office 2013 for a short time period.

For more information, check out Office’s very own blog post: http://blogs.office.com/b/office-news/archive/2013/03/06/office-2013-retail-license-agreement-now-transferable.aspx

Questions or concerns? Just give us a shout.

New Licensing Agreement for Office 2013

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Changes are a given. In software, they happen quite often. And for Microsoft, they happen without so much as a whisper.

Office 2013 Logo Microsoft released Office 2013 this past January, and with it, major changes in the licensing agreement. However, they didn’t mention anything at the time about the changes. Not until Valentine’s day.

Microsoft confirmed to ComputerWorld in an email exchange that Office 2013’s end user license agreement, or EULA, specifies that by installing Office 2013 on a specific PC, the software license is tied to that particular PC. Effectively, if you replace your PC, you must also purchase a new copy of Office 2013.

For reference, the previous Office version, 2010, allowed a user who purchased a single license retail copy to install Office on a PC, and then re-install it on a new PC that replaces the old PC.

Obviously, for an individual who may be replacing their computer in the near future, this can prove to be a costly change. However, this is an option from Microsoft to help avoid such a wallet rummaging headache.

Office 365 LogoMicrosoft has been selling Office 365 since mid-2011. 365 is a subscription based service that allows a user to have access to the Office programs from multiple systems (up to 5 with Home Premium). Instead of paying upfront for a single license, 365 charges either a per year fee or a per month fee and can be used on any combination of PC’s and Mac systems. Also, should you replace a system, simply deactivate the license on that computer and you can put Office on a new one.

The changes in the EULA, plus the fact that you have to dig through multiple pages on Office.com to find details on Office 2013, show that Microsoft is pushing consumers more towards subscription based cloud services over conventional retail products.

So, you may be wondering what option is best for you. And just like the answer to most questions of this nature, simply put, it depends on you. Individuals with a single PC in their home or business will likely never see the need to have 5 or more computers licensed for Office 365 and would be fine with a retail copy of 2013, even if they replace the PC within a year or so.

Multiple PC households and small to medium sized businesses will likely find the subscriptions both cost effective and more efficient, with the ability to share and collaborate on documents, plus the inclusion of Office products such as Access and Publisher.

If you’re thinking of making the switch to the latest version of Office, give us a quick call or Contact Us and we’ll help you figure out what option is best for you.

ComputerWorld’s Article

 

The Importance of Routine Maintenance

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Most individuals who own a car get it regularly serviced. Oil change, filter change, check other fluids, check brakes, honk the horn, flash the lights, etc. Manufacturers highly recommend this routine maintenance be performed to keep your vehicle running at tip-top shape and to help prevent breakdowns.

Dusty CPU FanA computer system isn’t much different. It needs an occasional cleaning to keep it running at its peak performance: remove temporary files, update the operating system and other programs, check for malware such as viruses, adware, and Trojans, clean out the dust that’s accumulated inside, and ensure that all the fans are running and keeping that dust from settling.

Preventative Maintenance

While your computer doesn’t keep a ticker going to show how many computing miles it’s been through, it is recommended to have your system serviced for maintenance at least once every 6 months. If the computer operates in highly dirty area, such an industrial plant work floor or a wood workers shop, or even in that auto service station where your car is treated at regular intervals, then the maintenance should be performed more often, and would depend on how much dust and dirt gather inside the system every couple of months. Did you know that dust and nicotine on printed circuit boards actually conduct electricity? We’ve seen them short out systems causing a complete failure.

If your systems haven’t been looked at for maintenance in quite a while, consider giving us a call. Whether you’re a business or a residential customer, we can get you taken care of.

Business customer with more than 3 systems? Let us put you on a regular, 6 month schedule to get your maintenance done. Qualifying customers are eligible for discounted rates.

4 Reasons To Hire A Professional Web Designer

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4 Reasons To Hire A Professional Web DesignerIn our day and age, every company needs a website, regardless of the size of the organization or the volume of business that it does. When you finally decide to get your website up and running, you’re faced with many choices. You may decide to listen to the commercials on TV and visit a do-it-yourself web services provider that promises you can have your business website up and running in just an hour without any technical knowledge. Or, you may even feel really brave and visit the library, check out a bunch of web design books, purchase some expensive web design software, fill up on coffee and get to work. Odds are that in time you will be able to build a website. But there’s a difference between just building a website and building a website that yields results.

Aside from the seemingly cheaper options, there is another route you might choose to take in boosting your online presence with a new website: hire a professional web designer. The first thought that comes to mind when faced with these options is to save money. Considering the state of the economy, this is very understandable. And yes, hiring a professional web designer does in fact cost more money up front than the do-it-yourself options. However, hiring a professional will save you many headaches and bring in a greater return in the long run. Which is what having a website for your business is all about in the first place.

So here are 4 reasons why hiring a professional web designer is the best choice for your company:

You Need A Successful Website

Truth be told, almost anyone can build a website. But there’s all the difference in the world between just building a website and building a successful website. A website requires more elements and skill sets than you might think. Creating a high quality design requires graphic design and layout knowledge. Then you have search engine optimization, copy writing, high quality photos, marketing knowledge and ongoing maintenance. All of these elements are equally important to ensure your website yields results.

You Have A Business To Run

As a business owner, especially a small business owner, you already wear at least 20 different hats on a weekly basis. You may be in charge of everything from performing your company’s services, running sales, accounting, office management, payroll and much more. Do you really need to add building a website to that list? With that being said, you should play an active role in the development process by approving designs, suggesting how you want the content to flow and maybe even learning how to manage and update the site after it has been launched. But your time is better spent running your successful business and leaving the development of your website to a professional.

A Professional Designer Is Accessible

When you’re working with a professional web designer, you have someone you can call upon with questions or concerns, and in most cases you have someone you can actually sit down and talk with face to face. Communication is a very important aspect for business owners and web designers. When you choose to go the “do-it-yourself in an hour” route you are sacrificing customer service and human interaction.

A Professional Designer Is Dedicated To Your Project

When you take time to learn how to build your own site, you end up sacrificing precious time spent running your business, and will likely give up building the site altogether. When you work with a professional designer, you have someone who is fully committed to completing and launching your project in a timely manner, allowing you to focus on what you’re best at: running your business.

This is only a small selection of reasons to hire a professional web designer over a do-it-yourself approach. But, the point to take away is that you need a website. And more than that, you need a successful website that yields results and grows your business. So as you’re considering launching a new website for your business, consider contacting a professional designer to discuss your needs.

(If you’re interested in working with A2Z, we would love to sit down with you to learn more about your business and your website needs, and tell you how we can help get your successful online presence launched. You can contact us here, give us a call or stop by the office.)