The Ekaru Technology Advisor  Vol 6-4  May 2006

Welcome to this month's issue! The Technology Advisor's mission is to provide quick technology tips and trends to help you manage and grow your business!

Get Ready for Windows Vista:
Just when you got used to Windows XP, there's a new Windows operating system on the horizon - Windows Vista - which will be released by Microsoft by the end of this year or early 2007.

Although the operating system won't be released for a while, if you are buying a new PC this year, you should consider readiness for Windows Vista as an important part of your purchase decision, because you may want to upgrade after the new operating system is available. It's been estimated that about 50% of PCs currently in use are not equipped to handle Windows Vista!

One of the interesting things about Windows Vista is that the user experience adapts to the system capabilities of the system is installed on. To help consumers know if their hardware is capable, Microsoft has started a new logo program. A Windows Vista Capable PC logo can run Windows Vista. The minimum requirements include (reference: Microsoft web site):

A Windows Vista Capable PC includes at least (think "minimum"!):

• A modern processor (at least 800MHz).
• 512 MB of system memory (We think 1G is a safer bet).
• A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.

To get the full experience of Windows Vista, including the new Aero graphical interface, you will need a Windows Vista Capable PC that is designated Premium Ready (or meets the minimum requirements). These requirements include (reference: Microsoft web site):

A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:

• 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor.
• 1 GB of system memory.
• A graphics processor that runs Windows Aero.
• 128 MB of graphics memory.
• 40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
• DVD-ROM Drive3.
• Audio output capability.
• Internet access capability.

When Windows XP Service Pack 2 was released a few years ago, there was a very long list of application incompatibilities. This caused lot of glitches for users who upgraded, and at the time we recommended to clients to wait a while before moving forward. We expect the same bumps in the road when Vista is released.

There are a lot of important features we're tracking that are worth taking a look at:

Security:

• Improved firewall to handle inbound and outbound traffic
• Restricted services to help prevent malware infestations
• Enhancements to Internet Explorer
• User account control to enable some administrative rights upon entry of credentials (to get around the "all or nothing" user vs administrator rights)
• Authentication - enabling integration to biometrics and tokens vs simple password protection
• Full volume encryption to protect the contents of lost or stolen systems
• Windows Defender (Anti-Spyware) software is included with Vista

User Interface:

• Tabbed browsing in Internet Explorer
• High resolution thumbnails in Document Explorer (replaces "My Documents")
• Virtual folders by keywords - makes it easier to find things fast
• Aero interface - better control of screen resolution and size of fonts

We encourage you to check out the Microsoft web site periodically to learn more about the upcoming changes.

Technology Workshop: Voice over IP, Video over IP. Your network isn't just for data anymore!
June 7 at 12noon. One of the big trends we're following this year is the increased interest in Voice over IP (VoIP) for businesses. There are many new services and products available. At this workshop, we'll cover the new technologies you need to know about, what questions you should ask before moving forward, and the pros and cons of the various products and services available. Arrive early for networking and bring your questions to get the most from the workshop. Location: Ekaru office: 319 Littleton Road; Westford, MA. Space is limited. RSVP by June 5, 2006.

Microsoft Excel Boot Camp
Wednesday June 28, 2006 - 8:30am - 10:30am. Following up on our popular workshop last month, we will be offering a series of more in-depth training sessions on Microsoft Office applications, starting with Excel. The workshop will be highly interactive, and you'll have the opportunity to bring your files and show the instructor what's driving you crazy. Send us an e-mail if you would like to attend.

Ekaru in the News!
Speed Trap. How fast is your high speed REALLY going?
DElight! - Spring 2006

Technology Tip: Get organized with Microsoft Outlook - Task timeline.
If you're only using Microsoft Outlook for sending email, you're missing out on a lot of capabilities! Here's a neat feature to organize your "to do" list. In Microsoft Outlook, select "Tasks". Enter tasks with due dates, then select "Task Timeline" as the "View". All your tasks will be organized by due date in a timeline. This is a helpful way to get a handle on your list if you prefer a more visual approach to your "to do" list without having to go through the trouble of creating customized views.

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   Hello Sun!

Sincerely,
Team Ekaru

Introductory Technology Assessment Over 170 local small businesses have chosen Ekaru to manage their computers and networks. We offer a free, no-obligation initial consultation to get started. We'll visit your office, review your network, and make recommendations. Call us toll-free at 866-463-5278 x1 or email us to schedule a no-obligation assessment.

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