Tag Archives: Microsoft Windows 2000

About 1357 days ago Business Software

Windows 7: Should You Upgrade?

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Windows 7, Microsoft’s next computer operating system (OS), is looking to win over skeptics disappointed with the much-hyped but often-maligned Windows Vista. While it’s not available until Oct. 22, the early buzz is uniformly positive — “Microsoft’s mojo is back” seems to be the general consensus — but does this mean your business should upgrade to Windows 7 at launch, if at all? First, a look at a few new features and improvements over past operating systems. Benefits to upgrading A key focus to Windows 7 is speed and compatibility. From faster start-up times to quicker program launches to overall performance, Windows 7 addresses many of the speed issues found lacking in its predecessor. This is true even for underpowered netbooks and older PCs. And when it comes to hardware and software compatibility, Windows 7 will work with more accessories and programs, which wasn’t the case when Windows Vista debuted in early 2007. “It’s no secret Vista had a rough start — the ecosystem just wasn’t ready for it — and as a result it frustrated many users,” says Michael Silver, research vice president and analyst for client computing at Gartner, Inc., a Stamford, Conn.-based research and consulting group. “Windows 7 will address many of these concerns.” “In all fairness, though, Vista wasn’t as bad as its reputation. Plus, Microsoft made many improvements to that OS over the past three years,” adds Silver. “So Windows 7 will build on these Vista tweaks, and add better memory management, a more intuitive user interface, and many networking enhancements, too.” Windows 7′s streamlined interface includes a cleaner desktop and task bar, which now lies along the bottom of the screen, and a preview of what’s inside by simply hovering your mouse above the icons. Carmi Levy, an independent technology analyst based in London, Ontario, agrees with Silver. “The user interface is also light years ahead of Windows XP and Vista — and finally gives Windows users something to brag about when they meet Mac users at parties.” For the sizable number of companies out there still running Windows XP, Windows 7 should offer much of what they like about XP, adds Levy. “This includes relatively snappy performance on older or trailing-edge hardware, excellent driver availability, and industry support — plus improved security and desktop administration.” Levy says Windows 7′s “touch” support will also be compelling to some users. “Windows 7 will have built-in support for multi-touch gestures, handwriting, and voice, for those computers built to support alternative input options.” Timing your upgrade Benefits aside, Silver believes a small or mid-sized business must assess how old their computers are before considering an OS upgrade. “Generally, we don’t recommend an organization upgrade all PCs at once to a new OS, spending money on something that might not bring you a discernable return of investment. But if the computers are relatively new you might already be eligible for a free Windows 7 upgrade.” If not, says Silver, a company might want to wait until the PCs need replacing and “skipping Windows 7 won’t be an option at that point.” He predicts: “This version is going to be very popular.” Levy agrees that businesses using Windows XP will be pleased with Windows 7, but what about businesses currently running Vista? “Although Windows 7 can conceivably deliver faster performance on equivalent hardware, upgrading operating systems on existing desktops and laptops is not an insignificant undertaking,” she says. “Software has to be tested on a new operating system, as does all related hardware that the machine connects to on the corporate network” Levy adds. “Similarly, no matter whether you’re running Vista, XP, or even something older like Windows 2000, you never want to be the first company on your block to adopt a new OS.” Levy says companies interested in upgrading might consider working with it in a test or pilot environment, “and then implement them on all PCs after Microsoft has had a chance to work through the inevitable set of bugs that will affect any new operating system.”

About 2150 days ago PCs, Laptops, and Notebooks

Mac vs. PC: A Renewed Debate

In 2006, Forester Research surveyed nearly a thousand IT decision makers at small-to-mid-sized businesses in North America and Europe, and asked what operating system was employed at the company. The results were as follows: Linux — 1 percent Mac OS X — 1 percent Windows XP — 71 percent Windows 2000 — 20 percent Windows “other” (primarily Windows 95, 98 and ME) — 7 percent. “This data is not surprising,” says Ben Gray, an analyst at Forrester. “These businesses see no major drivers to get off the Microsoft roadmap.” But there are signs that the landscape has changed over the past year. Windows Vista launched at the start of the year, touted as the most secure and feature-rich operating system Microsoft has ever released, but criticized by some because of cost, usability, and hardware requirements. And then there’s the upcoming Mac OS X Leopard, which is set to launch in October with more than 300 “innovations,” as Apple puts it. And, now, there are even Intel-based Macs that can also run Windows. “It’s interesting to see how these numbers will hold up a year later and we’ll be getting this data soon,” answers Gray. Still, he’d be surprised “if we saw a jump in Mac or Linux more than 1 percent.” And so we thought it a good time to chat with experts to see which operating system is best for you and your growing business. The cost equation On average, Windows-based machines cost less than Macs, but the gap is narrowing, says Michael Gartenberg, vice president and research director at Jupiter Research, a New York City-based technology advisory firm. “You’re not paying that much of a premium anymore, and pound-for-pound, the Apple hardware can offer better value,” says Gartenberg. “Obviously there are pros and cons for each choice, and your decision will also come down to what kind of business you’re running, if you need laptops or desktops, and what software you want to run on the machines.” While Windows machines are cheaper, it might cost your employees more time when it comes to configuration and support, says Carmi Levy, senior vice president of strategic consulting at AR Communications, a Toronto-based consulting firm. “One must factor in the costs associated with managing your PCs,” says Levy. “Mac machines are, on average, more reliable and stable, which means less problems and fewer calls to the help desk, which has long-term cost implications.” Vulnerability to viruses Compared to Windows-based machines, it’s no secret Macs are less vulnerable to viruses, malware, and other security and privacy threats — largely because they are less often targeted. “Part of this reason is because Macs are not as popular as Windows, therefore rogue writers of malicious software will more often target the most-used operating systems,” Levy says. But some users say that Macs are also more architecturally resistant to attacks. With the introduction of Windows Vista, Microsoft has added extra security measures to prevent users from falling victim to malware and other security threats. Does this new operating system change the game? “To a certain extent, yes, Windows Vista is less resistant to incursion than previous versions. It represents an improvement. But it’s still not everything Microsoft has laid it out to be as there have been attacks since it launched,” adds Levy. “Close, but no cigar.” Software selection There are far more third-party software programs available for Windows, likely because it’s the world’s dominant operating system, than for Mac operating systems. “If you buy a Mac you’ll have less choice. Period,” says Levy. “Instead of 10 choices [on a piece of software] you may only have one or two, which will likely result in higher costs because there’s less competition among developers and if you don’t like dealing with this company, they may be the only game in town,” he adds. Gartenberg, however, believes there is “more than enough Mac software these days” and quickly points out Mac users can run the Windows operating system now anyway, providing they have an Intel-based Mac and a program such as BootCamp or Parallels. “Now you can have best of both worlds,” Gartenberg says. “There is no longer a penalty for using a Mac today.” Other considerations While Levy says employees might save time with Macs because of less calls to call centers, he believes Windows, on the other hand, might be more familiar and intuitive than the Mac platform. “The majority of staff members already use Windows at home, so keep in mind there might be a significant training challenge on Macs — plus it might be more difficult to find IT staff that can support the Mac environment because there are fewer of them,” Levy points out. Gartenberg acknowledges that there are a few benefits to Microsoft’s platform. “You will find more selection with Windows-based PCs, such as those manufactured by Sony, Lenovo, HP, and Dell,” he says. “You will have more choice in laptop sizes and weight compared to the Mac,” he says, as Apple’s lightest notebook is about five pounds, compared to some Windows compatible machines that are now hovering right under three pounds. “And there are no Tablet PCs on the Mac, a form factor that is important so some businesses,” Gartenberg says.

About 2150 days ago Data Security

Guarding Against the Threat from Within

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You’ve installed protective software, adjusted your hardware, and developed a range of new office policies, all in the name of protecting your computer networks and systems from hackers, phishers, and scammers. Externally, your system seems protected. But what are you doing to prevent an inside job? Do outgoing or disgruntled employees, or on-site contractors, have too much access to your company’s top-secret data? The answer could well be yes. According to a March 2006 Enterprise Strategy Group survey of 227 IT professionals, “employees and on-site contractors were cited as the most likely threat to confidential data security.” They even outranked concerns over off-shore outsourcers and random hackers. A separate 2005 study by PriceWaterhouseCoopers found that 33 percent of all security breaches involved current employees, and another 28 percent involved former employees or former partners. And the stakes are high: According to those surveyed, up to 50 percent of the data used in their offices could be considered confidential. The survey warned that while many companies use gateway filtering technologies to protect their network perimeter, they are much less likely to have adopted access controls and other policies to protect their systems from within. What can your company do to protect itself inside and out? For answers, IncTechnology.com looked up Kevin Mitnick, the former hacker-turned-IT security consultant. Mitnick, who served jail time in the 1990s for illegally gaining access to computer networks, now runs his own small business, Mitnick Security LLC, in Las Vegas, Nev., and helps firms address IT security problems. Have a plan The first step is to create a company-wide policy. Ideally, this policy should include “physical, technical, and human factor elements,” says Mitnick. For example, terminated employees should immediately lose access to not only the physical office, but to the computer network as well. Develop access controls In smaller businesses in particular, almost anyone in the company can access any data they choose. Eliminate this risk by setting up internal firewalls, Mitnick says, “so that sales people can’t access the payroll.” Through the operating system, set restrictive missions on files and directories or certain information, and allow only select employees access to it. Keep your OS up to date Mitnick notes that a lot of companies, especially smaller ones on a budget, don’t update their computer operating systems often enough. “I’ve seen businesses still using Windows 2000,” he says. The newer systems, especially Vista, have better access-control options. New password policies Don’t let employees share passwords, Mitnick warns. “And don’t post passwords on Post-it notes in your office,” he adds. In fact, for very small offices with less than 20 employees, Mitnick recommends that all employees change their passwords every time a person leaves the company.  Larger companies might consider changing out passwords periodically, or developing additional passwords for sensitive information. Whether passwords get changed or not, however, terminated employees should lose their access to the network immediately. Monitor employee computer use If an employee has put in notice to leave the company — on pleasant terms or not — your IT staff should start watching their computer habits. “Most employees take work product,” says Mitnick. IT staff should watch for e-mails the employee might be sending him or herself, e-mails that the employee’s friends within the company might be sending to them, or downloads to CDs, DVDs, or iPods. In addition, companies should block employee access to free storage sites, such as Yahoo’s Briefcase, notes securityinfowatch.com. Seek out help If your business, or simply your IT department, is too small to handle this type of project, consider hiring a consultant or VAR to help put a system in place, says Mitnick. With luck, taking these steps will help you to protect your computer networks inside and out.

About 4341 days ago Business Software

Database Driving Essentials

You’ve honed your HTML skills and now you want to take your Web site to the next level by adding some database interactivity. You’ve browsed around the Net looking for ideas, tried out Web-based tutorials, and you’re raring to get going with some real code. Here are five essential resources you’re going to need on your journey — don’t set out without them. Yes, the advocates of tools such as Macromedia Dreamweaver UltraDev and Microsoft Visual Studio claim you can build your site just by pointing and clicking, without writing a line of code. These packages come with excellent tutorials that appear to prove this point. But believe me, out there in the messy real world, when you are working on a live application, you will need to edit that code by hand. Ignore all those seasoned Web hands who boast they only use Notepad and get yourself a proper programmer’s text editor. It might cost you all of $20 (U.S.), but it will be worth every cent. I’ve been using TextPad constantly, for years, and I wouldn’t exchange it for anything else. But quite a few equally good editors are out there, including NoteTab, EditPlus and UltraEdit. Or try a search at a site such as Download.com to find others. Some text editors are free, others cost a few bucks. Download evaluation copies, try them and register the one you feel most comfortable using. Then spend some time getting to know its capabilities. All these editors offer some incredibly powerful features, such as advanced search and replace options, which can save you hours of tedious work. Test EnvironmentSet up a Web server and a database on your own computer for testing. When you’re just starting out in server-side programming, you will make plenty of mistakes — and some of these mistakes will crash your machine. I can assure you it’s much less hassle to crash your own PC than your live Web server. If you’re paying for your Internet access by the minute, testing off-line will also save you money. Microsoft Windows 98, 2000 and ME come with a Web server built into the operating system (Personal Web Server in the case of Windows 98, and Internet Information Server for Windows 2000) so you are likely to have one installed. You’ll probably also need to set up a database connection using Object Database Connectivity between your selected database — for example, Microsoft Access — and your Web server. If your target environment is a UNIX Web server running Apache, PHP and MySQL, a very common configuration, you can still set up a reasonably close approximation on your PC. Windows versions of all three of these applications are available. Setup is considerably more complex, but you’ll find some good tutorials at Webmonkey that take you through the process step by step. BookmarksWhich brings me to essential tool No. 3, a collection of bookmarks to help you learn your chosen technology. Whatever you need to do when you’re starting out, you’ll almost never have to develop it from scratch. You’re certain to find an example you can adapt to your needs on one of the many tutorial sites. Even when you’re more experienced, these sites are a rich source of information.

About 4736 days ago Wireless Networks

Can I use microwave technology to connect two offices?

An inc.com user asks:I need to network offices located three and ten miles apart. Can I connect them via microwave? Information Technology mentor Glenn Weadock responds:Yes. The good news is that you have many products from which to choose. That’s also the bad news, in that choosing one isn’t always easy. I suggest that you consider microwave and another technology called Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) in the context of other, more traditional options, some of which I discuss here. You will find a fairly linear relationship between data throughput capability and cost, so you can decide how much speed your business can justify buying. Microwave technology is worth considering, in my opinion, if you require high-speed connections and you have a bunch of money in the bank. Such systems need a line of sight between buildings or a satellite link. You can achieve data throughput rates of 10 Mbps, 20 Mbps, and higher, over a range up to 10 miles (or more with satellite support). However, you will need FCC licenses if you choose this technology. Pinnacle Communications and Digital Microwave are two examples of vendors of microwave systems. DSSS, another wireless option, is a radio technology that offers data throughput in the range of 1.5 Mbps over a three- to five-mile range, although you can stretch the range to ten miles or so with amplification equipment. Wave Wireless’s SpeedLAN is an example of this type of system. DSSS is typically less expensive than microwave, and it uses an unlicensed part of the radio spectrum so you don’t need government approval to use it. Microwave and DSSS are both cool technologies, but don’t forget more traditional options, especially if line-of-sight problems or budget constraints place wireless networking out of reach. A T1 line is a digital link that uses two pairs of wires, can handle data, video, and voice, and runs at speeds up to around 1.5 Mbps. (If you can tolerate slower speeds, you can look at a “fractional T1,” which is proportionally slower and less expensive.) For slower leased-line connections that are still faster than analog ones, DSL and ISDN lines can represent a cost-effective solution, with many businesses today favoring DSL. The traditional analog leased line is a fixed point-to-point conditioned phone line between offices. Dial-up links using unconditioned POTS (Plain Old Telephone System) lines are definitely the least expensive connections, but they suffer from fairly severe speed limitations. Today’s 56K modems often connect at speeds of 33 kbps to 45 kbps, but you can use a bank of several modems to create multilink connections that go faster. In closing, I should mention that you don’t have to have private, dedicated links between your offices to network them. You can create a private network inside the public Internet. If you already use an Internet service provider, you can use those connections to create a secure “tunnel” of communication that serves your company. Such links constitute a “virtual private network,” or VPN. You can set up a VPN with readily available software, such as Windows NT or Windows 2000. Network communications over a VPN are encrypted so that other Internet surfers can’t see your VPN traffic. Copyright © 2000 inc.com

About 4767 days ago Business Software

I have Windows 98 (or NT) on my office PCs. Should I upgrade to Windows 2000?

Information Technology mentor Glenn Weadock responds:This is the question on the minds of millions of Windows users since Windows 2000Professional debuted February 17. Windows 2000 is the “workstation” version ofMicrosoft’s latest operating system family. It’s an upgrade for Windows 95, 98, and NTWorkstation 4.0 users. The price (which varies depending on rebates but is at least $149) is pretty high for an operating system upgrade in this day of $500 PCs, so it’s natural to askif the product is worth buying. If you have Windows 95 or 98, I see no reason to rush out and upgrade right away as long as: All your programs are working reliably. You don’t spend a ton of time on the Internet. You are not running Windows 2000 Server as your network operating system (if you have a network). Upgrading to Windows 2000 probably makes more sense if you have annoying reliability problems, spend a lot of time on the Net, or run Windows 2000 Server on your network. Why? For one, Windows 2000 is demonstrably more reliable than Windows 95/98. Also, when Windows 2000 and Windows 2000 Server run together, you get various benefits that you don’t get otherwise. Finally, Windows 2000 shouldprovide you with a snappier Web surfing experience than you get with Windows 95/98. If you decide to upgrade to Windows 2000, check Microsoft’s Windows HCL (Hardware Compatibility List, which you can find at www.microsoft.com/hcl) to be sure your hardware is supported by Windows 2000. Try to check out all the specific components, not just the PC itself. A PC may appear on the HCL, but one or more internal or external devices — such as a modem — may not. Also, make sure your hardware is fast enough and big enough to run this bloated software product! You should have a Pentium II class processor and 96 to 128 megabytes of RAM to ensure a happy experience, despite the much lower published minimum requirements. Finally, if you’re buying one or more new PCs, look for machines that come with Windows 2000 preloaded. That’s normally the cheapest way to obtain this operating system, and you also have the vendor’s guarantee in this situation that all the hardware works with Windows 2000. Just make sure you get a Windows 2000 CD-ROM in the bargain; some computer resellers don’t include the CD in the package. Thatleaves you high and dry if your hard drive heads south for the winter.

About 4767 days ago PCs, Laptops, and Notebooks

Should I upgrade my office PCs to Windows Millennium Edition instead of Windows 2000?

Information Technology mentor Glenn Weadock responds:You can think about Windows Millennium Edition, aka “Windows Me,” as “Windows 98, Part 3.” Due out in May or thereabouts, this home-oriented operating system uses the Windows 95/98 code base rather than the more reliable NT/2000 code base. Based on a look at the prerelease software, I am underwhelmed. Millennium is such a small step forward from 95/98 that, in my opinion, it probably isn’t worth the time it would take to upgrade. If you’re going to upgrade your office operating system, I think Windows 2000 is a better bet. If you’re buying new PCs for the office, my advice is to get them with Windows 2000 preloaded instead of Windows Me, even if it costs you a few more bucks.

About 4797 days ago Computer Security

Prevent Malicious Attacks on Your Business Data

Viruses are pieces of foreign code (programs) introduced into your system to perform unauthorized acts against your internal network. Some of the viruses may contain nothing more than a simple note that says, “Hello.” But far more often, the programs reproduce themselves and then attack, corrupting files at the core of the system and causing it to crash. What It Is A virus is a program that may or may not attach itself to a file and replicate itself. It may or may not corrupt the data of the file it invades. It may or may not try to use all of the computer’s processing resources in an attempt to crash the machine. If that seems vague, it’s because the people who create and deploy viruses all have different intentions. Viruses occur in various forms, including: Worms. This type of virus contains self-replicating, self-propelling code that invades a computer, steals its resources to replicate itself, and uses your local network to spread itself to all the computers attached to your network. Trojan horses. This type of virus masquerades as a useful or desirable program but upon execution it may release a worm or logic bomb. Logic bombs. This virus launches an attack triggered by an event, such as the computer clock reaching a certain date. The logic bomb may release or be a virus. How to Recognize It Viruses can be introduced to your system in two ways: via e-mail or by unauthorized access into your network. E-mail attack. The typical way to introduce any type of foreign code into your system is through e-mail. When an unsuspecting person opens e-mail attachments from someone whom they don’t know, the file executes its primary function. By monitoring what you receive, you may be able to recognize malicious e-mail attacks. Unauthorized network access. When a virus can’t be sent via e-mail, it’s introduced through your network. Hackers penetrate a secure area by subverting its security measures. Network hackers may accomplish this by running programs that try millions of passwords until one is accepted. The best way to recognize an attempt to gain unauthorized access is to be familiar with your system. Setting up, monitoring, and logging benchmarks – established reference points from which to measure performance – will help monitor your performance and also alert you when something is wrong. Who Is Doing It and Why Hackers who spread viruses are more interested in demonstrating their skills than attempting to steal or alter data. Some virus attacks can be merely a nuisance – the equivalent of graffiti on your store wall – designed to demonstrate your vulnerability and the hacker’s capabilities. A virus in your network is just one indication that your security has been breached. Many times a site trespasser enters through a small hole or security gap and, upon leaving, leaves a larger hole (called a backdoor) through which other unauthorized users can more easily enter your system. Hackers often trade – and sometimes sell – these illegal accesses. How to Protect Yourself No one connected to a computer network is really safe from hackers. Luckily, most invasions or infections don’t result in serious injury to the system that has been attacked, provided that you have an ongoing backup plan. Here are some common security measures you can take to protect your system from virus attacks. Farm out (outsource) your Web hosting services to a large reputable provider. A good host will keep its servers’ virus protection programs updated and use high-level hardware (and software) to keep its customers safe. Hosting companies are experts in security – it’s their business – so let them handle it. They are also accountable for errors and are prepared to remedy situations expeditiously. Erect a firewall between the Web server and your network. Firewalls are the foremost means of protection for your system. A firewall is a set of related programs located at a gateway server, which protects the resources of a private network from other networks. You can’t buy a computer that uses an operating system without at least the simplest form of firewall already on it. You should also take a look at purchasing better firewalls that can be customized. Review your server architecture. Some sites are organized so that Internet traffic rarely has access to its network. For example, your site may be hosted on a stand-alone server that you only communicate with when updating files or downloading a database. This architecture essentially creates an off-site host, for those times when you need excellent protection from viruses and other threats to security. Place e-mail virus scanners on all computers. The only real defense is limiting your risk by using virus scanners and enforcing security measures on network computers. Most operating systems ship with security measures including e-mail scanners. These programs scan and filter mail for possibly unfriendly attachments. But be aware: Hackers see security systems as a challenge, not an obstacle. Hire a skilled system administrator. Your system administrator should know your system well enough to anticipate when problems may arise. This person will use benchmarks to monitor performance and server logs to monitor trends in performance and traffic. Keep up-to-date with security patches for your operating system and server software. Patches are security updates that cover known holes in the security system. Whoever runs the system should maintain a regular schedule of checking with the vendor for flaws, bugs, or patches that may have been reported. For example, the first patch for Microsoft’s Windows 2000 came out Tuesday, March 21, 2000, just weeks after the release of Windows. Remove unused communication ports. Communication ports are used to allow data to enter and leave the system. Each system will typically have more than 60,000 possible ports. You can use system administration tools to close any unused ports. Make sure that the system defaults are checked and changed if necessary. Copyright © 1995-2000 Pinnacle WebWorkz Inc. All rights reserved. Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form.

About 4828 days ago Telecom and Wireless

Meet Glenn Weadock

Glenn Weadock is president of Independent Software, Inc. (ISI), a Denver-area computer consulting firm he cofounded in 1982. As an office automation specialist, he works with personal computers, networks, and minicomputers and has designed, installed and supported hundreds of systems across the United States. Weadock has written 13 commercial books to date. His titles include Creating Cool PowerPoint 97 Presentations with Emily Weadock (IDG, 1997), Bulletproofing Windows 98 with Gerald R. Routledge (McGraw-Hill, 1998), Small Business Networking For Dummies (IDG, 1998), and Windows 2000 Registry For Dummies (IDG 1999). Through ISI, Weadock also designs and presents technical seminars on Windows and help desk topics. He has conducted more than 160 intensive, two-day public and on-site seminars since 1988. As course director, Glenn wrote seminars, created instructor slide shows, wrote marketing materials, and served as main instructor on such topics as: supporting and troubleshooting Windows 95; troubleshooting and fine-tuning the networked PC; and customer service excellence for the help desk professional. In January 1998, Weadock testified as the Department of Justice’s technical expert in a contempt hearing regarding Windows 95 and Internet Explorer. In November 1998, he testified as one of three technical expert witnesses, along with computer science professors from Princeton and MIT, in the landmark U.S. vs. Microsoft antitrust trial, on issues of corporate computing practices and Web browser integration. Weadock graduated with distinction from Stanford University in 1980 with a B.S. in General Engineering.