Issue 13 - Late Spring Newsletter 2011

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Welcome to Issue 13 of the Hillside Computer Services Newsletter.

Summer at long last is on it's way because I heard my first cuckoo of the year last Friday, which is a sure fire way of telling that it's time to dust off the barbeque.

On the computer scene things seem to be pretty stagnant. Microsoft are allegedly releasing a new operating system early next year, imaginatively called Windows 8 and Apple are releasing a new version of their OS X operating system (Lion) sometime this coming summer. Apart from that the main PC manufacturers seem to be playing the waiting game ready for these new operating systems to become a reality.

I know I keep going on about regularly scanning your computer for viruses and Trojans, but over the past couple of months there has been a marked increase in the number customers' PCs becoming infected. Viruses are relatively easy (though time consuming) to remove, but Trojans are very difficult to successfully remove. Often the only course of action is for me to backup their data and perform a full clean reinstallation of Windows, their applications and restoring their data etc. This too is time consuming but also is an expensive process. So do make sure that you scan regularly. If you are at all worried that your PC's performance isn't what it was say last week, then please do call me sooner rather than later.

You can print this newsletter off to read at your leisure. Just press the print button on your web browser and please feel free to pass this newsletter onto anyone you know who might benefit from reading it (friends, family, a bloke at work etc.).

Don't forget that my new contact details can be found at the bottom of this page.

News

New version of Internet Explorer

Microsoft recently released a new version of Internet Explorer, Version 9. It has a different feel to previous versions and is pretty nifty. The minimalist interface leaves more room for webpages on screen and has many built in security features. It unfortunately only works with Windows Vista and Windows 7. If you'd like this installing, give me a call.

Cheque guarantee cards.

Not computer related, but interesting all the same. I received a circular through the post a few weeks ago from my bank, which unusually contained some useful information. By useful I don't mean interest rates going down or I that have been specially selected to have a new credit card. They wrote to tell me that cheque guarantee scheme is being closed on 30th June 2011 after it's first introduction in 1965.

An interesting but old quotation from the UK Payments Administration web site says it all.

"Of the 1.4 billion cheques written last year only 95 million (7%) were guaranteed. This represents a decline of one-third on the previous year and a fall of 70% in the number of guaranteed cheques over the past five years. This decline has been driven by many retailers, petrol stations and similar outlets taking a decision to no longer accept cheques. No major UK-wide supermarket chain now accepts cheques. As some major retailers stopped accepting cheques part way through 2008, a further 25% fall is forecast for 2009, and it is expected that the rapid decline will continue: by 2011 guaranteed cheque volumes are forecast to be only half 2008 levels."

I don't think that the closure of the scheme is going to affect many, as most people use a debit card, which essentially does the same job. However, if you do still use a guarantee card and don't have a debit card it may be worth contacting your bank and applying for one.

Read More Here

Hints 'n' Tips

"What version of operating system am I using?"

Generally when I ask people what version of operating system are they using on their systems, I usually get an answer such as XP or Vista.

The reason why I ask is that there is a vast amount of software available, which will only work on particular sub-sets of operating systems. If you attempt to install a piece of software written specifically for a specific Service Pack, then often the software will not install, or if it does will prove to be extremely unreliable / unstable.

In the more recent versions of Microsoft Windows, Microsoft release what are known as Service Packs. These are released for specific versions of Windows, which provide fixes to known problems (bugs) and operating system enhancements. The Service Packs are available either to download and install, or sometimes install via Windows Update.

A quick summary of the versions of Windows and their Service Packs are listed:

It is important that the latest Service Pack is installed on your PC as they do solve quite a number of issues (some of which you didn't know existed and others that you have experienced).

"OK. So how do I know what particular version of Windows do I have installed on my PC?"

It is very easy to check.

• Firstly start your PC (if it's not on already) and wait until it has fully started up
• Click on the Start button at the bottom left corner of your screen
• Click on Control Panel
• Double click on System
• The resultant window entitled System Properties will open and will show a number of tabs along the top.
• Click on the General tab if it's not showing already
• You can then see what specific version of operating system you have

In this example, you can see that the computer is running Windows XP Service Pack 3. The most up to date version of XP's Service Packs.

This method covers Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7.

"Right. What if I use an Apple Mac?"

If you are using an Apple Mac, you are running a particular version of OSX. As with Windows, there are various subsets to the operating System. Note: there are sub subsets of Apples OS X i.e. 10.6.7 as shown in the picture below.

To find which version you are running, click on the Apple symbol at the top left hand corner of the screen.

• Click on About This Mac.
• A small window opens and shows you something similar to this (this Mac is running the most up to date version of Apple's OSX operating system).

"How do I update my computer to the latest Windows Service Pack or version of Mac OS X?"

With Windows it can be quite a convoluted process and things can sometimes go wrong. Please note that it can be quite a lengthy process to install Service Packs and OS X updates (if indeed any are required) and you MUST follow the prompts exactly and be done in exactly the correct order. If you wish I can come and do it for you. Give me a call.

With Apple Mac's, the process is quite easy. Click on the Apple symbol at the top left hand corner of your screen and click on Software Update and just follow the prompts.

Please note: You can only update for free within your operating systems sub-set. If you want to upgrade from Windows XP to Vista for example then you will need to purchase the operating system upgrade. Likewise with Apple OS X.

A great Google Maps feature

Having just moved house I've found it quite difficult and frustrating to find local services such as a plumber or decorator, especially if your neighbours can't recommend anyone to you, but help is at hand as there is an easier way rather than wading through Yellow Pages for example.

• Launch your web browser and go to the Google home page; www.google.co.uk
• Click on Maps at the top left
• Zoom into your home (or preferred location)
• In the white box at the top of the screen type in for example; decorator, and lo and behold all the local decorators in your chosen location are shown on the map.

This isn't a fool proof as it's dependant on whether the trader has submitted his business to Google and it's been verified by them, but I've found it an immensely useful tool.

Jokes

A computer programmer enters a lift, wanting to go to the 12th floor.
So, he pushes 1, then he pushes 2, and starts looking for the Enter key.

Dilbert by Scott Adams

Endpiece

Well that wraps up another issue. I hope to get the next one out to you during the Summer.

Remember:

• Scan your PC for viruses / Trojans and nasties once a week.rKeep your software updated.
• Do regular backups - weekly or more if needs be.
• If you have any computer problems, call me sooner rather than later.
• Don’t forget that back issues of the Newsletters are from www.hillsidecomputers.co.uk
  

For more information and details on any of the issues mentioned in this missive or any computing problems / queries, please contact me, and don’t forget to send me your email address if you’d like to be kept in touch with what’s happening in the computer world. Your details will not be passed on to any third party.

Happy and safe computing.

Mike Hamilton Hillside Computer Services 91, Nunnery Drive Thetford Norfolk IP24 3EP Office telephone - (01842) 824427 Mobile - 0780 752 3859 info@hillsidecomputers.co.uk www.hillsidecomputers.co.uk

Hillside Computer Services