Orbis Blog » windows http://blog.orbissolutions.com Business and Technology Advice Thu, 29 Aug 2013 01:49:24 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Top 5 Benefits of Windows 7 http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2009/10/09/top-5-benefits-of-windows-7/ http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2009/10/09/top-5-benefits-of-windows-7/#comments Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:05:05 +0000 http://blog.orbissolutions.com/?p=302 windows7New Taskbar: This is one of the most visible changes in Windows 7. The Quick Launch toolbar is gone. A user can now ‘pin’ applications to the toolbar (Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer are here by default). Applications are now launched and managed from the toolbar. All open windows of a given application will be grouped together under a single icon. A user can simply hover over this icon to get a thumbnail sized live look-in to each window, a feature known as “Aero Peek”. While this may take some getting used to, we really like that it organizes windows [...]]]>
  • windows7New Taskbar
    This is one of the most visible changes in Windows 7. The Quick Launch toolbar is gone. A user can now ‘pin’ applications to the toolbar (Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer are here by default). Applications are now launched and managed from the toolbar. All open windows of a given application will be grouped together under a single icon. A user can simply hover over this icon to get a thumbnail sized live look-in to each window, a feature known as “Aero Peek”.  While this may take some getting used to, we really like that it organizes windows better and allows a user to change applications more quickly and easily.
  • Device Recognition
    One of the biggest knocks on Windows Vista pertained to hardware compatibility issues. Simply put, often times if you plugged something in (a printer, external hard drive, cell phone) the computer could not communicate with these devices without installing additional software. Windows 7 comes preinstalled with a large number of drivers and can automatically search for new ones via Windows Update.
  • Less Restrictive
    Thanks to new customizable and controllable settings, Windows 7 features fewer pop-up notifications and permissions windows. Windows 7 also utilizes the “Action Center” to centralize messages pertaining to security status, Windows Update, and User Access Control.
  • Problem Steps Recorder
    Have you ever experienced a problem on your computer and when you call Orbis for assistance, the problem seems to have gone away? With the new “Problem Steps Recorder” this will be a thing of the past. Simply open up this program and click record and try to perform the troublesome task again.  Everything you do can be tracked with screenshots to assist a technical support representative in troubleshooting your issue.
  • Aero Snap & Aero Shake
    These are a couple of the cooler new features of Windows 7. “Aero Snap” allows a user to take an open window and drag it to one side of the screen and ‘snap’ it to take up half of the screen. Doing this with multiple Microsoft Word documents for example would allow you to view two open documents side-by-side.

    “Aero Shake” allows a user to grab an open window and ‘shake’ the mouse back and forth, doing so hides all other opened windows except the one selected.  Shaking the mouse again restores all hidden windows.  As monitors continue to grow in size and users transition into having multiple windows open at one time, we see these features being a convenient way to organize your work.

    • ]]>     http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2009/10/09/top-5-benefits-of-windows-7/feed/ 6     Word of the Month: “64-Bit” http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2009/10/09/word-of-the-month-64-bit/ http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2009/10/09/word-of-the-month-64-bit/#comments Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:00:57 +0000 http://blog.orbissolutions.com/?p=285 If you’ve gone PC shopping lately, you’ve probably noticed more computers with 64-bit processors, and you may have wondered what advantages they offer. Put simply, a 64-bit PC can handle larger amounts of information than a 32-bit system. Since it can use more RAM—4 GB and up—a 64-bit computer can be more responsive when you’re running lots of programs at once and switching between them frequently. Windows 7 is available in both 32-bit and 64-bit [...]]]> If you’ve gone PC shopping lately, you’ve probably noticed more computers with 64-bit processors, and you may have wondered what advantages they offer.

    Put simply, a 64-bit PC can handle larger amounts of information than a 32-bit system. Since it can use more RAM—4 GB and up—a 64-bit computer can be more responsive when you’re running lots of programs at once and switching between them frequently.

    Windows 7 is available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Most programs designed for computers running 32-bit versions of Windows will work on a computer running the 64-bit version of Windows. Notable exceptions are many antivirus programs and hardware drivers.

    ]]>     http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2009/10/09/word-of-the-month-64-bit/feed/ 0     Top 5 Ways to Keep Your Computer Safe http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2009/08/07/top-5-ways-to-keep-your-computer-safe/ http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2009/08/07/top-5-ways-to-keep-your-computer-safe/#comments Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:14:17 +0000 http://blog.orbissolutions.com/?p=229 computer bug1. Anti-Virus Program: Remember that it is not enough to simply have an anti-virus program, it is important to make sure it is updated regularly and running scheduled scans on your computer. Many times you can set these tasks to run at a time when you are not working on your machine (like in the middle of the night). There are a number of quality programs out there and some are even free. [...] ]]> computer bug1. Anti-Virus Program
    Remember that it is not enough to simply have an anti-virus program, it is important to make sure it is updated regularly and running scheduled scans on your computer. Many times you can set these tasks to run at a time when you are not working on your machine (like in the middle of the night). There are a number of quality programs out there and some are even free.

    AVG 8.5 Free Edition – AVG has become one of the most trusted names in Anti-Virus software over the last couple years. This free edition of their software has most of the features one could want in an anti-virus program such as automatic updating and scheduled scanning.

    2. Firewall
    Odds are you are protected by a hardware firewall in your router at work or at home, but if you ever use your laptop in a coffee shop or an airport, it is imperative to have software protection as well. Firewalls control the communication in and out of your computer, allowing only traffic specified by you and thus protecting against unwanted attacks.

    3. Malware removal
    Try as we may to guard against it, infectious programs and files occasionally find a way on to our machines. There are a number of free tools available on the internet that aid in removing this malicious content. Like anti-virus software, it is good to be in the habit of keeping these programs up to date and running them on occasion. Two of the products that we recommend using are listed below, and you can download them both for free.

    Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (Free) – Malwarebytes is a great full feature malware removal program. It was one of the first programs to successfully remove the pesky Antivirus 2008/2009 programs, and with databases being updated frequently it is able to stay on top of the new malware being released every day.

    Spybot Search and Destroy (Free) – At Orbis we tend to use Spybot in conjunction with Malwarebytes. It is another great program for eliminating spyware and malware on your machine. It has been around for years and they continue to keep their databases current. Use it as a tool to keep your machine running smoothly.

    4. Windows/Operating System Updates
    Microsoft is constantly releasing Security Fixes for its operating system, as well as other updates designed to improve performance. Be sure that you have Automatic Updates configured on your machine and that you install them when needed. Again, this is something that can be easily done automatically when you are typically away from your machine.

    5. Passwords
    As we migrate more of our everyday lives onto our computers, almost everything is password protected. It is important to remember a few password do’s and don’ts.

    Do:

    • Use more than one password, it may be tempting to have one ‘master’ password for your life, but if anyone were to discover it, they would have control over your entire virtual self (bank accounts, social network sites, e-mail)
    • Make it hard to figure out. Devise a system for creating passwords for yourself, one that combines both letters and numbers. Use the street you grew up on and the last few digits of an old phone number eg: Juniper0283. You don’t want to make it so hard you can’t remember, but too easy for someone to guess.

    Don’t:

    • Write it down (or save it in a file on your desktop).
    • Tell it to anyone, no matter how close of a friend/relative they may be. If you do find yourself in a position where you have given it away, be sure and change it immediately.
    • Use ‘Auto-Complete’ features for important accounts. Our internet browsers are always trying to offer a hand by offering to remember our login information, but if your computer was ever stolen, access to your accounts goes with it.

    ]]>     http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2009/08/07/top-5-ways-to-keep-your-computer-safe/feed/ 0     Keyboard Shortcuts http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2008/10/30/keyboard-shortcuts/ http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2008/10/30/keyboard-shortcuts/#comments Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:13:25 +0000 http://blog.orbissolutions.com/?p=193 keyboardKeyboard shortcuts are a great way to let you work quickly without lifting your hands from the keyboard. Here are some basics that can help you cut down on the number of times you reach for the mouse every day: CTRL + S: This saves the file that you’re working on. CTRL + C: Use […]]]> keyboardKeyboard shortcuts are a great way to let you work quickly without lifting your hands from the keyboard. Here are some basics that can help you cut down on the number of times you reach for the mouse every day:

    CTRL + S: This saves the file that you’re working on.

    CTRL + C: Use this to copy text, files, or icons that you’ve highlighted. CTRL + V will paste them where you point your mouse.

    CTRL + Z: This is the powerful UNDO shortcut. It undoes your last action. Programs vary in how many actions they’ll let you undo, some will even let you go all the way back to the beginning. (CTRL + Y is the redo shortcut.)

    ALT + TAB: This lets you switch between all of your open windows. Hold it down to bring up a system window that shows you what apps are running and which one you’re switching to.

    WINDOWS + M: This one minimizes all of the windows that are open on your desktop. To bring everything back up, hit SHIFT + WINDOWS + M

    ]]>     http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2008/10/30/keyboard-shortcuts/feed/ 0     Backing up your data http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2008/10/12/backing-up-your-data/ http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2008/10/12/backing-up-your-data/#comments Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:16:22 +0000 http://blog.orbissolutions.com/?p=199 Life PreserverMost corporate networks have a system for backing up all company data stored on the server. But what about all the personal photos, pictures, and music that are on your home computer? Most people think about backing up their data about 5 minutes after it’s too late to do any good. Make sure you’re not […]]]> Life PreserverMost corporate networks have a system for backing up all company data stored on the server. But what about all the personal photos, pictures, and music that are on your home computer? Most people think about backing up their data about 5 minutes after it’s too late to do any good. Make sure you’re not headed for a disaster and give some thought to a system for backing up your personal data.

    Fortunately, backing up your data doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming. If you’re using Windows XP, it’s especially easy.

    ]]>     http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2008/10/12/backing-up-your-data/feed/ 0     Window’s Vista Service Pack 1 Now Available http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2008/03/19/windows-vista-service-pack-1-now-available/ http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2008/03/19/windows-vista-service-pack-1-now-available/#comments Wed, 19 Mar 2008 19:00:47 +0000 http://blog.orbissolutions.com/?p=164 vista sp1Windows’ Vista Service Pack 1 is available for free download from Windows Update or Microsoft Download Center. Microsoft says SP1 will bring “improvements that address many key pieces of customer feedback, especially in the areas of performance and reliability.” Download it now from Windows Update or you can get it here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsvista/bb738089.aspx]]> vista sp1Windows’ Vista Service Pack 1 is available for free download from Windows Update or Microsoft Download Center. Microsoft says SP1 will bring “improvements that address many key pieces of customer feedback, especially in the areas of performance and reliability.”

    Download it now from Windows Update or you can get it here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsvista/bb738089.aspx

    ]]>     http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2008/03/19/windows-vista-service-pack-1-now-available/feed/ 0