Microsoft has released several new reliability updates.
Most are for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 but there are a few for XP and Vista as well.
Hit up Windows Update to see the ones available to you.
Computer News
Using The Acronis True Image Boot CD
New article up: Using The Acronis True Image Boot CD
Acronis coupons have been updated too. 15% off of True Image and Disk Director through July, 18th.
iTunes 10.2.2
Download Be sure to see Ed Bott’s – The unofficial guide to installing iTunes 10 without bloatware
iTunes 10.2.2 provides a number of important bug fixes, including:
-Addresses an issue where iTunes may become unresponsive when syncing an iPad.
-Resolves an issue which may cause syncing photos with iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to take longer than necessary.
-Fixes a problem where video previews on the iTunes Store may skip while playing.
-Addresses other issues that improve stability and performance.
Time To Run Windows Update
I’ve got more updates today than I ever recall seeing before. Updates available for XP, 2K3, Vista, 2K8, Seven, Office 2K3 through 2K10, and several developer tools. Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for April 2011
Time To Run Windows Update
Updates available for XP, 2K3, Vista, 2K8, and Seven. Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for March 2011
iTunes 10.2 Released
What’s new in iTunes 10.2
* Sync with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 4.3.
* Improved Home Sharing. Browse and play from your iTunes libraries with Home Sharing on any iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 4.3.
SSD Tweak Guide (sort of)
I’ve got a new article up: SSD Tweak Guide (sort of)
Please use that articles comment section.
Microsoft Fix it Updated
Microsoft Fix it has been updated to version 2.5. For those who don’t know what this is yet:
Microsoft Fix it troubleshooters help you automatically diagnose and repair common computer problems, and provide you with the next steps to take if your problems aren’t fixed.
You can see / download all Fix it apps here. I recommend this only for advanced users.
Home users should check out the main Fix it page here.
Time To Run Windows Update.
Got Windows? Then you got updates. Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for February 2011
New Article Up – Using VirtualBox 4
The purpose of this article is to introduce the average PC user to VirtualBox. Terminology may be simplified to make it easier to understand for the non-Geek.
This article contains 3 sections and covers installing VirtualBox Hosts and Guests under Windows and openSUSE.
VirtualBox is virtualization software that runs under most modern operating systems. What this means in layman’s terms is that you set up an environment that pretends to be an actual computer, this is a “virtual machine” ( VM for short). With that virtual machine you can run another operating system in a window just like you would run another program. For instance, if you are using Windows 7 you could run Ubuntu in a window at the same time (see screenshots below for examples). To be clear, only the machine (computer) is virtual, you are actually running this other operating system.
The advantages of using virtual machines are many. For the home user these would include trying out new operating systems and the ability to run programs from different operating systems.
You can run many Windows games under Linux, or use Microsoft Office. You could try the latest Windows 7 SP beta, test new programs, tweaks, and configurations. You can try the latest Linux distros in an environment that is more realistic than a Live CD.
My favorite way to use VirtualBox is to run Windows under Linux. More specifically, I run Windows XP and 7 under openSUSE 11.3 (more on this later).
Security is also an advantage. The main operating system is separate from the one running on the virtual machine. For the most part viruses, malware, crashes, bugs, etc. are all contained inside the OS running in that VM. This of course does not relieve you of the responsibility of using safe computing habits. Lets say you download a file that contains a virus while under an Ubuntu VM and then run that file in Windows you could get infected.