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Review: 3 Free Bootable Rescue Discs

http://www.esecurityplanet.com/network-security/review-3-free-bootable-rescue-discs.html
From the article: " We recently reviewed some free bootable antivirus discs that you can use to scan and remove malware from outside of Windows. Now we’ll review some general bootable rescue discs. These discs can help you repair, restore, or diagnose almost any computer problem. You can run virus scans, backup important files, restore the boot configuration, cleanup temporary files, manage drivers and services, and much more. They boot into their own OS so you can use them even if you can’t get Windows to boot up. "
Any one of these discs can help get your Windows PC back on track.

IT's guide to managing Macs in the OS X Lion era

http://www.infoworld.com/t/mac-os-x/its-guide-managing-macs-in-the-os-x-lion-era-177361
From the article: " No longer relegated to the fringe, Macs are fast becoming integral to today's business organization. As a result, IT can no longer rely on one or two dedicated "Mac guys" to maintain its Mac fleet. Instead, Mac management has become an issue that any CIO or systems administrator may be faced with on any given day. "
Active Directory: The hub of modern Mac management

UAC May be a Nuisance but it Serves a Purpose

http://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/uac-may-be-nuisance-it-serves-purpose?source=NWWNLE_nlt_daily_pm_2011-08-12
From the article: " If UAC prompts suddenly disappear, you might want to take a close look at what's going on with your computer. "
OK, but I still hate UAC.

Windows XP is a Rootkit Spawning Pool

http://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/windows-xp-rootkit-spawning-pool?source=NWWNLE_nlt_daily_pm_2011-08-01
From the article: " If you're still dragging your feet on moving to Windows 7, consider this: a report from the Czech antivirus firm Avast notes that three in four PCs infected with rootkits are running Windows XP, and it's not because so many people use the aging operating system. "
Three-quarters of all rootkit infections are on Windows XP machines, and it's not because XP is so ubiquitous.

Microsoft ends support for Windows Vista SP1

http://www.techspot.com/news/44660-microsoft-ends-support-for-windows-vista-sp1.html
From the article: " As planned, Microsoft today ended support for Windows Vista Service Pack 1. This means the software giant will no longer provide any assisted support or security updates. Windows Vista users are thus encouraged to upgrade to Service Pack 2, or move to Windows 7 altogether. "
The beginning of the end for Vista

Working with Snow Leopard and Microsoft Active Directory

http://www.macwindows.com/snowleopardAD.html
From the article: " Snow Leopard and Active Directory Tips and Reports "
Bind that Mac!

Microsoft revs dump-XP campaign, says 'time to move on'

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/071211-microsoft-revs-dump-xp-campaign-says.html?source=NWWNLE_nlt_daily_pm_2011-07-12
From the article: " Microsoft on Monday made its most aggressive move yet to convince customers to drop Windows XP and adopt Windows 7, telling them that there were only 1,000 days of support life left in the older operating system. "
Death to XP.

7 free Windows tune-up tools and tips

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/071111-windows-tools-tips.html?source=NWWNLE_nlt_daily_am_2011-07-11
From the article: " You don't need to spend money to keep a Windows computer running in top form. Here's how to fix, clean and maintain Windows using programs you can download now for free. The following software and tips generally apply to Windows 7, Vista and XP, and are listed in the order you should use them for the first time on a computer you suspect may be infected with malware or running slower than it should. "

Windows 7 has lots of 'GodModes'

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10426627-56.html?tag=nl.e703
From the article: " Those intrigued by the "GodMode" in Windows 7 may be interested to know that there are many other similar shortcuts hidden within the operating system. Intended for developers as a shortcut to various internal settings, such features have been around since Vista and even before, according to the head of Microsoft's Windows division, who tells CNET that the so-called GodMode settings folder uncovered by bloggers is just one of many undocumented developer features included in Windows. "

How to Setup a VPN in Windows Vista: The Host

http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/testdrive/article.php/3785976
From the article: " A VPN creates a secure connection to a private network, such as your company network, using the infrastructure of a public network like the Internet. Once you have established this virtual connection to your office network, you can access all of its resources (data files, applications, printers, etc.) just as if you were back in the office using your desktop PC. This is a very efficient and cost effective way for remote users to maintain their productivity, while still retaining their mobility. "
VPN set up for Vista

Windows Remote Desktop: Setting Up Traditional Access

http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/webmaster/article.php/3772746
From the article: " Dragging around a laptop — especially those desktop replacements weighing a ton — on your weekend adventures and other trips can become tiresome quickly. However, you can now "take along" your entire PC, including all your files, without the hassle. The Remote Desktop feature in Windows XP Professional and Windows Vista Business and Ultimate editions enable you to access your PC from another computer anywhere in the world. You'll have access to everything on your computer as if you were sitting in front of it. "
Some remote access tricks

CIOs Of Midsize Companies In No Hurry For Vista

http://www.crn.com/it-channel/210601994;jsessionid=OOGDNJZZY5WUKQSNDLOSKHSCJUNN2JVN?pgno=1
From the article: " Everything Channel asked 13 CIOs of midsize companies what their plans were for upgrading to Microsoft Vista within their organization. A show of hands earlier in the day during a keynote address at the Midsize Enterprise Summit indicated that many companies planned to bypass the beleaguered OS, or at least were in no hurry to adopt it. The 12 responses we received were pretty consistent: Vista is still more trouble than it's worth, said the CIOs "
Some important comments.

4 easy changes make Vista much quicker

http://www.financetechnews.com/4-easy-changes-make-vista-much-quicker/
From the article: " Are employees in your company complaining about Vista’s slow response time? Here’s a simple way to help: Turn off some of Vista’s unnecessary features. Many PCs, especially in workplace settings, don’t have the specs to handle all of Vista’s power-gobbling features. That makes the system run slowly, and employees’ productivity suffers. "
Speed thrills!

What are ActiveX controls and are they dangerous?

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=182204&messageID=1990309
From the article: " Every once in a while a Web site asks me if I want to load an ActiveX control. I usually click the X button to close the window instead of the OK button, but sometimes I have to allow it, such as when I use Symantec's free online virus scan. The thing is, I am worried that having these on the computer could leave me vulnerable for attack later, so how do I get rid of them? "
ActiveX,is it a virus in itself? Or is there a good reason for it to exist?

Why Can't I See My Computer on the Network?

http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/webmaster/print.php/3643151
From the article: " People who use peer-to-peer networks often face a difficult and annoying problem; when they look in Network Neighborhood or My Network Places on their PCs, they can't see all of the other systems that are part of the workgroup. Unfortunately, this problem is more common than anyone would like to admit. "
Peer to peer networking tricks

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