1. Eliminate annoying folder crashes
Reliability is something we all fret about, and often we only come across a PC problem when needing to get something done quickly. If you're having a problem with your computer being unstable, one of the options open to you is to open folders in a new process. By default, and as you'd expect, Windows 7 opens new folders within the same process. If you have a crashing folder, this isn't that helpful, especially if you need to get something done rapidly. So in Computer, hold down Shift, right-click on the drive you want to open, and select Open in new process. This folder will then open within the new process and will be unaffected by any other problems your system is experiencing.

2. Reduce your sound while making a call
Windows 7 introduces some smart volume-adjusting technology. Your computer can automatically reduce the volume of your PC's sound when you receive a call to your computer over a service such as Skype or Windows Live Call. You can get your system to reduce the volume by 80 per cent, 50 per cent or even to mute all other sounds. The latter setting could be useful if you're listening to music, for example. To change this setting, right click on your speaker icon in the taskbar or go to Sound and click on the Communications tab. You can of course switch this feature off if you just want your PC to do nothing when you receive a call.

3. Powerful new calculator
The Windows 7 calculator might initially seem nothing special, but it has hidden depths. It includes plenty of unit conversions such as length and weight, while you can also do date-related calculations such as working out the number of days before a certain date.
In addition, there are ready-to-go Worksheets for vehicle economy, leasing costs and mortgage calculations. The main menu also gives you powerful new Statistics and Programmer modes. The treatment of the calculator is typical of how many standard Windows applications have been given new life.

4. Bring fonts to life
Ever been frustrated by not being able to see what fonts look like? Now you can banish that irritation forever. In Windows 7 previewing Fonts is easy. The new Fonts applet in Control Panel gives you a preview for each font on your system, so you'll be to see all your fonts at a glance. Handily, Windows 7 also groups together font families, so when you can still see the different fonts within a family, the window makes things simple with just a single entry for each family. Oh, and in case you didn't know, Windows 7 also introduces a new open type script font called Gabriola.

5. Be the PC problem solver
The Problem Steps Recorder enables you to get to the bottom of those PC problems that friends and family come to you with. Like many of us, you probably get asked by friends and relatives about their own PC problems. But without actually seeing the problem firsthand, it can be difficult to troubleshoot. The Problem Steps Recorder enables them to let you know exactly what's going on with their Windows 7 PC. If they have an issue, they can simply launch the Problem Steps Recorder by going to Start, typing PSR and hitting Return. They then click Start record. The Problem Steps Recorder takes over and notes mouse clicks and keypresses as well as taking screen grabs. Everything is put into a single file which can then be emailed to you. If you often get asked about problems, it could save you a lot of time.

6. Change your display
If you want to change the display currently selected, just press the Windows key and P to flip between the displays plugged into your system. This works similarly to Alt and Tab for open programs. To make the most of your display, Windows 7 also provides a Display Colour Calibration Wizard. This helps you to set up your flat screen or other display perfectly by adjusting brightness, contrast and colour settings. Type DCCW into Start Search, then hit Return to launch it.

7. Lock down your apps
AppLocker is a completely new feature for Windows 7 that enables you to lock down certain applications for users that you specify, using rules and properties to provide access control for applications. Meant primarily for businesses, it's available in Windows 7 Ultimate, while you can also create rules in Windows 7 Professional. You can configure numerous rules including restricting applications by publisher, for example, so you could restrict certain games or simply applications you use for work. AppLocker is hidden away though, in the Local Group Policy Editor. To launch this, run GPEDIT.MSC and go to Computer Configuration > Windows Settings. Then highlight Security Settings and look for Application Control Policies. AppLocker is within this group.

8. Shake your mouse for clarity
One of our favourite little enhancements to Windows 7 is the shake to minimise feature. If your desktop is cluttered with windows, it can be a time-consuming process to minimise them all to your taskbar. Now you don't need to. Just grab hold of the title bar of the window you still want to use with your mouse, and shake it around a little. All the windows will minimise to the taskbar, except for the one you're using. Cool eh? Oh, and should you want to clear the entire desktop, then just click on the area next to the clock in the bottom right-hand corner.

9. Power up defragmentation
Defragmenting your drives is a more powerful function than ever in Windows 7, and the command line defragmenter also has some interesting new skills. Click Start, then type CMD and hit Return. Now type defrag followed by any combination of /c /h /u or /r – new tools for more powerful defragmentation. /r is the most useful, enabling you to defrag multiple drives at the same time – providing they are physically separate and not just partitions of the same drive. /u keeps you up-to-date with constant information about what's going on throughout the process. View the new options by entering defrag /?.

10. Search for anything
The Windows 7 search tool is more than just a way to find a file you've misplaced. It can be easily extended to search online resources as well as your own computer. It does this by using search connectors that you can easily download online. You can add search connectors for various services including YouTube, Amazon and eBay from here. To add Flickr support, go to here. When you download the connector, select Open when offered and it'll install immediately. Search connectors are very small and will download in a matter of seconds.

What is Virtualizaiton?

What is Virtualization?

Today’s x86 computer hardware was designed to run a single operating system and a single application, leaving most machines vastly underutilized. Virtualization lets you run multiple virtual machines on a single physical machine, with each virtual machine sharing the resources of that one physical computer across multiple environments. Different virtual machines can run different operating systems and multiple applications on the same physical computer. While others are leaping aboard the virtualization bandwagon now, VMware is the market leader in virtualization. Our technology is production-proven, used by more than 170,000 customers, including 100% of the Fortune 100.

How Does Virtualization Work?

The VMware virtualization platform is built on a business-ready architecture. Use software such as VMware vSphere and VMware ESXi (a free download) to transform or “virtualize” the hardware resources of an x86-based computer—including the CPU, RAM, hard disk and network controller—to create a fully functional virtual machine that can run its own operating system and applications just like a “real” computer. Each virtual machine contains a complete system, eliminating potential conflicts. VMware virtualization works by inserting a thin layer of software directly on the computer hardware or on a host operating system. This contains a virtual machine monitor or “hypervisor” that allocates hardware resources dynamically and transparently. Multiple operating systems run concurrently on a single physical computer and share hardware resources with each other. By encapsulating an entire machine, including CPU, memory, operating system, and network devices, a virtual machine is completely compatible with all standard x86 operating systems, applications, and device drivers. You can safely run several operating systems and applications at the same time on a single computer, with each having access to the resources it needs when it needs them.

 

Build your Datacenter on a Flexible Architecture

Virtualizing a single physical computer is just the beginning. You can build an entire virtual infrastructure, scaling across hundreds of interconnected physical computers and storage devices with VMware vSphere, a proven virtualization platform used as the foundation for building private and public clouds. You don’t need to assign servers, storage, or network bandwidth permanently to each application. Instead, your hardware resources are dynamically allocated when and where they’re needed within your private cloud. Your highest priority applications always have the necessary resources without wasting money on excess hardware only used at peak times. Connect this private cloud to a public cloud to create a hybrid cloud, giving your business the flexibility, availability and scalability it needs to thrive.

Manage your Resources with the Lowest TCO

It’s not just virtualization that’s important. You need the management tools to run those machines and the ability to run the wide selection of applications and infrastructure services your business depends on. VMware lets you increase service availability while eliminating error-prone manual tasks. IT operations are more efficient and effective with VMware virtualization. Your staff will handle double or triple the number of servers, giving users access to the services they need while retaining centralized control. Deliver built-in availability, security, and performance across the board, from the desktop to the datacenter.

Why Your Company Should Virtualize

Virtualizing your IT infrastructure lets you reduce IT costs while increasing the efficiency, utilization, and flexibility of your existing assets. Around the world, companies of every size benefit from VMware virtualization. Thousands of organizations—including all of the Fortune 100—use VMware virtualization solutions. See how virtualizing 100% of your IT infrastructure will benefit your organization.

Top 5 Reasons to Adopt Virtualization Software

• Get more out of your existing resources: Pool common infrastructure resources and break the legacy “one application to one server” model with server consolidation.
• Reduce datacenter costs by reducing your physical infrastructure and improving your server to admin ratio: Fewer servers and related IT hardware means reduced real estate and reduced power and cooling requirements. Better management tools let you improve your server to admin ratio so personnel requirements are reduced as well.
• Increase availability of hardware and applications for improved business continuity: Securely backup and migrate entire virtual environments with no interruption in service. Eliminate planned downtime and recover immediately from unplanned issues.
• Gain operational flexibility: Respond to market changes with dynamic resource management, faster server provisioning and improved desktop and application deployment.
• Improve desktop manageability and security: Deploy, manage and monitor secure desktop environments that users can access locally or remotely, with or without a network connection, on almost any standard desktop, laptop or tablet PC.

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VODA Tip

PROBLEM STEPS RECORDER

The Problem Steps Recorder enables you to get to the bottom of those PC problems that fr iends and family come to you with. Like many of us, you probably get asked by friends and relatives about their own PC problems. But without actually seeing the problem firsthand, it can sometimes be difficult to troubleshoot.

The Problem Steps Recorder enables them to let you know exactly what's going on with their Windows 7 PC.

If they have an issue, they can simply launch the Problem Steps Recorder by going to Start, typing PSR and hitting Return. They then click Start record. The Problem Steps Recorder takes over and notes mouse clicks and keypresses as well as taking screen grabs. Everything is put into a single zip file which can then be emailed to you. If you often get asked about problems, it could save you a lot of time.

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Quote of the Month

My future starts when I wake up every morning... Every day I find something creative to do with my life.
— Miles Davis

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Product of the Month

Office 2010 is packed full of new features designed to help you save time, work smarter and deliver faster projects.

• With the new Office Web Apps, you can review documents and do lightweight editing from virtually anywhere and on any device with a browser.
• Get a seamless online/offline experience that saves you time. You can now work offline in SharePoint Workspace 2010 and then instantly sync only the changes to your PC when you get back online—so your content stays consistent and your team stays up-to-date.

• With the new Broadcast Slide Show feature in Microsoft PowerPoint® 2010 you can broadcast your slide show directly to anyone, anywhere with a browser.

 

• With the new Conversation View in Microsoft Outlook® 2010 cleans up and removes duplicate information, so e-mail stays organized and is easier to search.
• The easy-to-use, powerful new video and photo editing tools in Office 2010 help you add real impact to your communications, without the expense of professional fees.

• With new Sparklines in Excel 2010, entire trends can be shown in a single cell to help improve data visualization and give you meaningful insights into your business processes—so you can clearly determine your customers’ needs.

It’s easy to find the right Office 2010 suite to meet your unique needs. 

The new product lineup in Office 2010 provides simple and clear descriptions, making it easier for you to choose the product that works for your business:

 

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Ask the VODA Expert

Q: Will Windows 7 help my computer run better?

A: Yes, it has some built in features to help trouble shoot problems that may arise...

1. Find out what's causing reliability issues. If your PC has issues every once in a while, such as crashes or application hangs, type reliability in the Instant Search bar to open the Reliability Monitor; it will show your system's reliability history over a period of time and what seems to hit your reliability the most.

2. See a system diagnostic of your computer in 60 seconds with minimal effort. Rather than go to Administrative Tools, then to Performance Monitor, and finally to Data Collector Sets just to launch the System Diagnostic DCS, simply open up an administrator command prompt and type perfmon /report.

3. Get automatic email alerts for error events. Have an error event in Event Viewer that you want to be emailed about when it happens again? Open Event Viewer, locate the event error through the logs, select the event, and use the Attach Task to This Event wizard in the Actions pane to attach a task to that event, such as displaying a message, running a program, or sending an email.

4. See your Windows Experience Index (WEI) performance score. Type wei in the Instant Search bar and click the Check the Windows Experience Index link to see your system score (aka the Base score) and individual component scores. To see the underlying XML files that are created when this score is calculated, go to c:\Windows\Performance\WinSAT\DataStore and look for the latest (Formal) assessment XML for a full review of the results from the Windows System Assessment Tool (WinSAT). Finally, if you want to have some nerdy fun, you can adjust the permissions settings and give your system a higher WEI score.

Keep in mind that Windows 7 does not include a email application such as Outlook Express or Windows Mail. If you do not have a Webmail account, and you want to retrieve email thru your ISP account, you will need the full version of Outlook, usually packaged with Office.

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Latest Virus Threats

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