CEEK Technology AT and Mainstream Product News

FW: Windows Updates Downloader

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:29:25 GMT

Dear Blog Site

Sincerely,

Christopher McMillan, CIO
CEEK Technology
Blog: http://ceektechnology.spaces.live.com
Web Site: http://www.ceektechnology.com

WM: chrismcmillan@ceektech.com or christophermcmillan@hotmail.com
E-mail: chrismcmillan@ceektech.com or christophermcmillan@hotmail.com

Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:14:31 -0700
Subject: Windows Updates Downloader
From: chrismmcmillan@gmail.com
To: christophermcmillan@hotmail.com

Sent to you by Chris McMillan, Federal Marketing Manager via Google Reader:

Windows Updates Downloader

via SuperSite Blog by pthurrott on 7/22/08

Here's a cool Windows utility that could end up as my software pick this week. Looks very interesting, especially for your slipstreaming mavens out there:

One of the great things about creating unattended Windows installations is that you can integrate all of the latest updates into the installation and avoid spending hours waiting for the updates to download and install themselves after a fresh installation. As time goes on since the last service pack was released, the list of Windows updates tends to grow to be quite lengthy.
Creating an unattended Windows installation solved the installation portion of the problem but all of the updates needed to be manually downloaded before they could be integrated into the installation source. With the quantity of updates quickly approaching triple digits, it was clear something was needed to speed things up. This is where WUD comes along.
WUD allows you to download all of the current Windows Updates using a simple interface. All of the updates are contained in Update Lists (ULs) which allows you to choose which updates you want for which version of Windows. Once WUD has complete it's downloads, you simply integrate them into your Windows source using one of the many popular tools such as nLite.
As time goes on the Windows Updates Downloader continues to evolve. ULs are available for software other then Windows and automatic installation of updates is available on supported versions of Windows. WUD aims to help power users, tweakers and system administrators speed up their unattended installs, network deployments and automatic updates.

A rambling description, but the tool looks excellent.
Thanks Alex.

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Fw: [CCB-L] Press Release: Mobile Eyes Demonstration on Tek Talk

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:22:55 GMT

From: Robert Leblond

Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 2:15 AM

To: ccb-l@googlegroups.com ; 'Carol Cyr'

Cc: 'Claude Everett' ; dean@topdotenterprises.com ; Penny Hutchinson ; 'Freeman,Mike - TOS-DITT2' ; 'Tanase, Georgeta' ; 'Handy, Sandra' ; 'Jessie Lorenz' ; joaniemarie@earthlink.net ; 'Kurt Weston' ; Ruth Mititi ; Robert Hudson ; smunoz@visionbeyondsight.org ; wmbpipesmoker@adelphia.net

Subject: [CCB-L] Press Release: Mobile Eyes Demonstration on Tek Talk

Mobile Eyes, Basic and Professional, a Product that Combines 9 Functions-In-One Product, Will be Demonstrated During Tek Talk Monday, July 28, 2008.

The Accessible World News Wire, Indianapolis, Indiana USA

If you are looking for a portable device that is a hand-held Optical Character Recognition scanner, an organizer, media player, notes recorder, electronic magnifier, barcode reader, and more, you definitely will want to be in the virtual audience when Assistive Technology Center LLC of Sacramento, California demonstrates the many features of Mobile Eyes, Basic and Professional. Performing the functions of nine different devices and counting, for less than half the cost and at fraction of the weight, MobilEyes has become one of the most innovative and established values in technology today for both blind and partially sighted. .

As usual, plenty of time will be available for questions and answers about this unique product.

Contact: Connie Leblond, Assistive Technology Center LLC, Sacramento, California.

Phone: 916-381-5011 or 888-723-5011 Ext. 3

Web: http://www.atechcenter.net

Email: connie@atechcenter.net

Date: Monday, July 28, 2008

Time: 5:00 p.m. Pacific, 6:00 p.m. Mountain, 7:00 p.m. Central, 8:00 p.m. Eastern and elsewhere in the world Tuesday 0:00 GMT.

Where: TekTalk Conference Room at: http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

Or, alternatively,

http://www.accessibleworld.org. Select the TekTalk room, enter your first and last names on the sign-in screen.

All Tech Talk training events are recorded so if you are unable to participate live at the above times then you may download the presentation or podcast from the Tech Talk archives on our website at http://www.accessibleworld.org.

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer, speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with the presenters and others in the virtual audience.

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to the Accessible World online rooms.

Sign up information for all Accessible World News Wires and discussion lists are also available at our website: http://www.accessibleworld.org.

Media Contacts:

Robert Acosta, Chair, Planning Committee

818-998-0044

Email: boacosta@pacbell.net

Web: http://www.helpinghands4theblind.com

Pat Price, Founder and Events Coordinator

The Accessible World Symposiums

Vision Worldwide, Inc.

317-254-1185

Email: pat@patprice.org

Web: http://www.accessibleworld.org

The Accessible World, a division of Vision Worldwide, Inc. (a 501 (c( (3) not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly relevant information about new products, services, and training opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access barriers that adversely affect them.

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
73 years of serving the blind of California, we are the California Council of the Blind.

Please support the California Council of the Blind by using www.ccbnet.gttrends.com
for your travel needs. 50% of the commissions from your travel purchases will be donated to CCB.

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "California Council of the Blind" group.
To post to this group, send email to CCB-L@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to CCB-L-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/CCB-L?hl=en
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

FW: Protect yourself from software-vendor snarketing [Newsletter Comp Version]

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:28:19 GMT

If your software garbles this newsletter, read this issue at WindowsSecrets.com.

Windows Secrets Newsletter • Issue 161 • 2008-07-17 • Circulation: over 275,000

Support Alert is merging with Windows Secrets
The Support Alert Newsletter will merge with the Windows Secrets Newsletter on July 24, creating a combined readership of more than 400,000 (see my Introduction column). The editor of Support Alert, Ian "Gizmo" Richards, has prepared for us a special get-acquainted gift: 9 Free Programs Every PC Should Have, an all-new e-book. All Windows Secrets subscribers, free and paid, can download this 38-page printable PDF file at no cost. Simply visit your WS preferences page, update your preferences as you wish, and you'll see a download link after you click the Save button:
To get your free bonus: Visit your preferences page
Watch for our first combined newsletter next week. Thanks for your support! —Brian Livingston, editorial director

Table of contents
INTRODUCTION: New readers join us from Support Alert on July 24
TOP STORY: Protect yourself from software-vendor "snarketing"
KNOWN ISSUES: SAN + WS = the info Windows users need
WACKY WEB WEEK: So that's why they're called flip-flops!
BEST SOFTWARE: The top Firefox security and privacy add-ons
WOODY'S WINDOWS: Microsoft presents: Attack of the Killer Updates
PERIMETER SCAN: Block a serious threat to your DNS servers
PERMALINKS: Send these links to your friends and co-workers

Fw: Outlook vs. Gmail—The Definitive Comparison

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:15:48 GMT

From: Chris McMillan, Federal Marketing Manager

Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 8:46 AM

To: Christopher McMillan

Subject: Outlook vs. Gmail—The Definitive Comparison

Sent to you by Chris McMillan, Federal Marketing Manager via Google Reader:

Outlook vs. Gmail—The Definitive Comparison

via SuperSite Blog by pthurrott on 7/20/08

Lifehacker offers up an excellent comparison of Microsoft Outlook (traditional desktop email application) and Gmail (cloud computing Web-based email service):

Being digital vagabonds without an Exchange server, we Lifehacker writers use online apps like Gmail and Google Calendar to get things done. But can an Outlook user make the switch without losing out? Guest contributor Jared Goralnick's here today to take a look.

This is exactly the move I made a year ago, so yeah, it can be done. But hopefully this guide will serve as an interesting push for those who are still on the fence. I feel very strongly that, while Outlook is excellent software for what it is, it is also the way things used to be done. The world is moving on, and Gmail is a pointer to that future.

Gmail launched in 2004 and has matured each year, but Microsoft Outlook (with Exchange) is still the most popular tool for accessing email. Comparing the two side by side, is it time to jump ship from either platform? Let's find out.
Outlook and Gmail are very different approaches to email organization. Over time, Google has begun to add more features and Microsoft has improved its search and scaled-down complex features. They have very different and very apparent roots, but things are changing.
I personally use Outlook for business correspondence and managing responsibilities, and Gmail for social media and most web activities. Some people combine their activities and choose just one email application, and that's fine, too.
If one thing is clear, it's that Gmail has become an increasingly mature product that can be used for business. With the Postini acquisition, Google is beginning to offer enterprise-level services (like compliance archiving, service level agreements, and more comprehensive spam policies). I foresee the addition of tasks and integration with the Google Search Appliance positioning Google squarely against Microsoft.

Agreed. If you can get over the presumed "AOL-ness" of a Web mail solution, and you should, you'll be surprised by how good Gmail is.

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Fw: The MobileMe disaster continues: Now it's not 'Exchange for the rest of us' ...

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:14:53 GMT

From: Chris McMillan, Federal Marketing Manager

Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 8:47 AM

To: Christopher McMillan

Subject: The MobileMe disaster continues: Now it's not 'Exchange for the rest of us' ...

Sent to you by Chris McMillan, Federal Marketing Manager via Google Reader:

The MobileMe disaster continues: Now it's not 'Exchange for the rest of us' anymore

via SuperSite Blog by pthurrott on 7/17/08

I just received the following note that Apple sent to its sales force. In it, the company says that it will no longer use the "Exchange for the rest of us" slogan because MobileMe, unlike Exchange, does not really use push technology. This whole thing is unbelievable to me:

MobileMe Messaging Update
MobileMe messaging is being updated effective immediately. In order to set appropriate expectations with our customers, focus your sales discussion on "automatic sync" rather than "push." Additionally, we will no longer describe MobileMe as "Exchange for the rest of us."
When discussing the sync features of MobileMe, you may tell a customer that:

Updates between me.com and iPhone or iPod touch will occur in a matter of seconds.
Updates between me.com and Macs running Mac OS X Leopard and Windows PCs may take up to 15 minutes when MobileMe is set to sync automatically (Macs running Mac OS X Tiger may experience longer sync times).

As I noted previously, the distinction between "automatic sync" and "push" is sort of subtle and unlikely to affect most people. But Apple has a history of over-promising and under-delivering (Leopard's secret features, anyone?) and they get a total pass on this with the press. I don't get it, not now that the company is selling to a mass market. Microsoft would be skewered endlessly for doing something like this.

Exchange for the rest of us? More like "half-baked, partially-realized sync service that works better on Macs than it does on PCs, even though most iPhone users have PCs." Granted, that's not much of a marketing slogan.

BTW ... speaking of the press and Apple, here's a great example of what I'm talking about. The New York Times' David Pogue, who, from what I can tell, writes an occasional column about digital cameras on the off weeks in which there's nothing Apple-related to discuss, appears to provide a well-rounded "review" of MobileMe in today's edition. But look at what's really happening here:

The magic is impressive. Make a change on your Mac, watch it appear on your iPhone and your PC. Add a new friend to the address book in Outlook Express on your Windows XP machine, and watch it appear in Windows Contacts on your Vista PC. Change an appointment in iCal on the kitchen Mac, and know that it will wirelessly sprout onto your traveling spouse’s iPhone four states away. And your Web bookmarks are the same everywhere.

OK, now let's pick it apart.

The magic is impressive. Make a change on your Mac, watch it appear on your iPhone and your PC ...

... up to fifteen minutes later. It's magic!

Add a new friend to the address book in Outlook Express on your Windows XP machine, and watch it appear in Windows Contacts on your Vista PC ...

... Again, up to fifteen minutes later.

Change an appointment in iCal on the kitchen Mac, and know that it will wirelessly sprout onto your traveling spouse’s iPhone four states away.

Notice that he switched from Windows to Mac on this one. There's a reason: On Windows, you have to pay at least $100 before you can sync calendars at all. There are only two Windows-compatible calendar syncing options available, despite the fact that Microsoft includes a free iCal clone in Windows Vista called Windows Calendar. Those two expensive options include Apple's own MobileMe service ($100 a year) and Microsoft Outlook ($110).

Now, granted, this is a MobileMe review, so he's talking about the very service you might be paying for anyway. But in carefully choosing his sync points above, Pogue is, in fact, also very carefully masking a huge problem with the iPhone and iPhone 3G: You can't sync calendars on Windows unless you pay extra for something else. This is why the phrase "Apple apologist" comes up with people like this. It's the appearance of fairness couched in what is really a promotion of all things Apple. Ignoring faults is a lie. Unless of course it's just ignorance. Which may be worse.

And your Web bookmarks are the same everywhere.

Are they now?

You want to know the truth about MobileMe on Windows? Here it is: Roughly 75 percent of all Windows users use Internet Explorer. And, sure enough, MobileMe syncs IE (and, cough, Safari) bookmarks. Neat. But the MobileMe Web interface—you know, the only way a Windows user can actually access the service's photo gallery, iDisk (without getting help), and help interfaces—doesn't work with IE, the browser that's used by most people on earth. In fact, Apple actually tosses up a nasty message when you try to use IE:

Cute, eh?

See, MobileMe only works with non-Microsoft browsers like Firefox and Safari. But get this: MobileMe won't sync your Firefox bookmarks at all. Crazy, right?

Kids, welcome to the halfway house that is Apple software running on Windows. You will never get the full meal deal unless you make the switch. And that, folks, is the unapologetic truth. The truth that reviewers like Pogue will never, ever mention, either because they don't know (i.e. they don't really use the systems that most of their readers use) or because they don't care (they're promoting Apple and its products).

Read it again:

And your Web bookmarks are the same everywhere.

So they're the same everywhere, if you use IE, in which case you can't access MobileMe. Or they're not the same everywhere because you use Firefox to access MobileMe and it doesn't support Firefox bookmark syncing. Curious that Mr. Pogue doesn't mention this. What does work, of course, is Safari: If you use only Apple products, everything works just fine. He does mention this:

Beware, though: you need the latest version of Firefox or Apple’s Safari Web browser to exploit all the features.

Except, of course, for bookmark sync. That won't work with Firefox.

Pogue even includes this insane little rah-rah sentence to explain away the IE stuff:

After all those years of being treated like an oppressed minority, it must give Apple some satisfaction to exclude Internet Explorer because it “has known compatibility issues with modern Web standards.”

Weird that every other Web site/application/service has no problem with IE 7. Weird.

Apple apologists will say I'm picking nits. But I'm not a Mac user, or a Windows apologist, I'm a Windows user. As, incidentally, are most iPhone users. As, incidentally, will be most MobileMe users. And when I discuss things like the iPhone and MobileMe, I do so from the position of someone who is part of the majority. And I'd like to know why it's OK for Apple to continually insult this majority crowd of its customers. Calendaring sync has been broken on Windows since the iPhone launched. It's still broken, unless you pay Apple $100 a year to fix it or happen to own Outlook.

Seriously, where is the outrage?

The magic is impressive. That's really all I'm saying here.

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Fw: New tab switching added for Firefox 3.1

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:14:14 GMT

From: Chris McMillan, Federal Marketing Manager

Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 8:47 AM

To: Christopher McMillan

Subject: New tab switching added for Firefox 3.1

Sent to you by Chris McMillan, Federal Marketing Manager via Google Reader:

New tab switching added for Firefox 3.1

via SuperSite Blog by pthurrott on 7/16/08

Mozilla Links reports on an interesting new feature for Firefox 3.1:

As announced before, tab switching is getting a dramatic update for Firefox 3.1 in both visual and behavior.
Press Ctrl + Tab (or Shift + Ctrl + Tab) and you are presented with tab thumbnails and titles with the most recently visited ones first so you can more easily determine which tab you want to go, have the one you most probably want to go closer, and as a result get to it faster. Hold Ctrl pressed and keep pressing Tab to see the thumbnails smoothly scroll to the left while the status bar displays the tab web address.

Ctrl-Tab, a Firefox extension developed by Dao Gotwald, that has served as a prototype for this change is available from Mozilla Add-ons.

Thanks Sebastian.

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FW: July AccessWorld(R) Now Available

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 06:08:33 GMT

July AccessWorld(R) Now Available

Dear Blog Site

Sincerely,

Christopher McMillan, CIO
CEEK Technology
Blog: http://ceektechnology.spaces.live.com
Web Site: http://www.ceektechnology.com

WM: chrismcmillan@ceektech.com or christophermcmillan@hotmail.com
E-mail: chrismcmillan@ceektech.com or christophermcmillan@hotmail.com

From: AccessWorld [mailto:accessworld@afb.net]
Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 2:54 PM
To: AFB Subscriber
Subject: July AccessWorld(R) Now Available

AFB

American Foundation
for the Blind

Expanding possibilities for people with vision loss

The July issue of AccessWorld is now available on our web site.

This issue features:

Rootbound Thinking in an Anemic Low Vision Industry, by Jim Halliday--An assistive technology pioneer critiques the CCTV industry
Now Playing: A Review of the Accessibility of Digital Audio Players, Part 1, by Darren Burton--We determine the accessibility of off-the-shelf players, including ones from Apple, Microsoft, Creative Labs, Sony, and more
The Sky's the Limit: Accessible In-flight Entertainment and Information Systems May Be on the Way, by Lee Huffman--Fasten your seatbelts for a preview of a system offering selectable fonts, video description, talking menus, and more
A Pocketful of Sound by Anna Dresner, Reviewed by Deborah Kendrick--We review a valuable how-to guide on audio players
Online Learning: What Works, What Doesn't, by Amy Salmon--We feature a source of free, accessible online courses
Editor's Page
Letters to the Editor
AccessWorld News
Calendar

Jay Leventhal
Editor-in-Chief

AccessWorld®, is the American Foundation for the Blind's technology magazine.

Be sure to sign up on the AccessWorld home page to receive AccessWorld Extra, the e-mail newsletter produced by AccessWorld staff six times per year. When you sign up for AccessWorld Extra, you are also added to the list of people who receive e-mail announcements when new issues of AccessWorld are posted.

You can unsubscribe at any time. To remove your name from this mailing list, or to find out what other newsletters are available from AFB, visit http://www.afb.org/myAFBNewsletter2.asp.

FW: [GW Micro] Special Steps to Use Window-Eyes with ZoomText

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:41:46 GMT

[GW Micro] Special Steps to Use Window-Eyes with ZoomText

Dear Blog Site

Sincerely,

Christopher McMillan, CIO
CEEK Technology
Blog: http://ceektechnology.spaces.live.com
Web Site: http://www.ceektechnology.com

WM: chrismcmillan@ceektech.com or christophermcmillan@hotmail.com
E-mail: chrismcmillan@ceektech.com or christophermcmillan@hotmail.com

From: gw-news@gwmicro.com [mailto:gw-news@gwmicro.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2008 3:36 PM
To: gw-news@gwmicro.com
Subject: [GW Micro] Special Steps to Use Window-Eyes with ZoomText

Greetings,

A new article has just been posted to the GW Micro Knowledgebase:

Special Steps to Use Window-Eyes with ZoomText

You can access this article by selecting the link above, or by entering GWKB1089 (or just 1089) into the Knowledgebase Search form located on the GW Micro Knowlegebase page.

If you find this article useful, please take a moment to rate it using the rating scale at the bottom of the article page.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 260-489-3671, or via email at support@gwmicro.com.

Enjoy!

The gw-news list is an announce only list used for GW Micro news and product information.

FW: Braille Sense Plus Training in Chicago, IL

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:08:40 GMT

Braille Sense Plus Training in Chicago, IL

Dear Blog SIte

Sincerely,

Christopher McMillan, CIO
CEEK Technology
Blog: http://ceektechnology.spaces.live.com
Web Site: http://www.ceektechnology.com

WM: chrismcmillan@ceektech.com or christophermcmillan@hotmail.com
E-mail: chrismcmillan@ceektech.com or christophermcmillan@hotmail.com

From: gw-news@gwmicro.com [mailto:gw-news@gwmicro.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2008 12:17 PM
To: gw-news@gwmicro.com
Subject: Braille Sense Plus Training in Chicago, IL

Greetings,

The following event has been posted to the GW Micro Upcoming Events page:

Name: Braille Sense Plus Training in Chicago, IL
When: Thursday, September 18, 2008
What: Braille Sense Plus Training
Who: Jeremy Curry
Comments: Are you a teacher, and looking for a Braille notetaker for your students? Are you a student looking for a new notetaker? Or, perhaps you work for the government, and are interested in the latest assistive technology. This is a rare opportunity for you to get hands-on training on the latest Braille notetaker available: the Braille Sense Plus.

The Braille Sense Plus replaces the Braille Sense, and is the smallest, lightest, and most advanced Braille notetaker on the market with a 32-cell Braille display. It boasts 8 GB of built-in user storage along with built-in Wi-Fi to access the Internet wirelessly and built-in Bluetooth. The Braille Sense Plus is also the only Braille notetaker on the market to include a user-removable battery, so that you do not have to send in your unit for repair when the battery goes dead, unlike its competitors. Along that same line, the Braille Sense Plus contains an LCD display, making it easy for sighted teachers to see exactly what their students are doing. It also serves as a way to communicate the people who are deaf and blind, and the Braille Sense Plus even provides Sendero GPS when the optional SenseNav is added.

Come and check out what all of the fuss is about over the Braille Sense Plus. This is an extremely rare opportunity for you to get training on the latest Braille notetaker technology for absolutely no cost. There will be Braille Sense Plus units available for the hands-on training, so class space is extremely limited. Attendees will be allowed in on a first-come, first-serve basis.

This special GW Micro event will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2008 at the Guild for the Blind in Chicago, IL from 9 A.M. to 12 P.M. Central time. The Guild for the Blind is located at 180 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60601. You must register for this event. To register, please contact David Flament at (312) 236-8569. Again, this is a free event, and we expect that demand will be very high, so register soon. If you have any other questions regarding the training, please contact Jeremy Curry at jeremy@gwmicro.com or at (260) 489-3671, ext. 210.

The gw-news list is an announce only list used for GW Micro news and product information.

FW: July 2008 Update Release

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:22:22 GMT

Dear Blog Site

Sincerely,

Christopher McMillan, CIO
CEEK Technology
Blog: http://ceektechnology.spaces.live.com
Web Site: http://www.ceektechnology.com

WM: chrismcmillan@ceektech.com or christophermcmillan@hotmail.com
E-mail: chrismcmillan@ceektech.com or christophermcmillan@hotmail.com

Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 15:42:28 -0700
Subject: July 2008 Update Release
From: chrismmcmillan@gmail.com
To: christophermcmillan@hotmail.com

Here are the security updates for Microsoft Office.

Sent to you by Chris McMillan, Federal Marketing Manager via Google Reader:

July 2008 Update Release

via Office Sustained Engineering by David [Microsoft] on 7/7/08

On Tuesday, July 8th, 2008, Office released two critical non-security updates to Outlook and two updates to the Outlook Junk Email Filter. The Update for Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 (KB953432) consolidates hotfixes to address several issues, including an issue that prevents users from opening certain JPEG attachments after installing the MS08-015 security update. The Update for Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 (KB952142) also consolidates hotfixes to address several issues, including an issue that causes Outlook to hang and behave oddly if the MS08-015 security update was installed before Outlook was started for the first time. We recommend that all users of Outlook 2003 and 2007 install the appropriate update for your version of Outlook. In addition to these updates, Office also released Update for Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 Junk Email Filter (KB953465) and Update for Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 Junk Email Filter (KB953463).

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FW: Microsoft Security Response Center Blog: MSRC Blog: Microsoft Security Advisory 953635

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:20:37 GMT

Dear Blog Site

Sincerely,

Christopher McMillan, CIO
CEEK Technology
Blog: http://ceektechnology.spaces.live.com
Web Site: http://www.ceektechnology.com

WM: chrismcmillan@ceektech.com or christophermcmillan@hotmail.com
E-mail: chrismcmillan@ceektech.com or christophermcmillan@hotmail.com

From: alerts@live.com
To: christophermcmillan@hotmail.com
Subject: Microsoft Security Response Center Blog: MSRC Blog: Microsoft Security Advisory 953635
Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 20:12:40 -0700

Alerts from Microsoft TwC Blog Sites

christophermcmillan@hotmail.com,

You have received the following alert from Microsoft TwC Blog Sites provided by Windows Live Alerts Service

Microsoft Security Response Center Blog: MSRC Blog: Microsoft Security Advisory 953635

Add more alerts

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You received this email because you subscribed to Windows Live Alerts. Use this link to unsubscribe from Windows Live Alerts. If you have questions about our privacy policies please read our Privacy Statement. This is a non monitored email account. If you have questions please visit alerts.live.com. This email was sent by Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052. ©2006 Microsoft Corporation.

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FW: Tech press continues bashing Windows Vista

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:12:07 GMT

Dear Blog Site

Sincerely,

Christopher McMillan, CIO
CEEK Technology
Blog: http://ceektechnology.spaces.live.com
Web Site: http://www.ceektechnology.com

Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 12:41:27 -0700
Subject: Tech press continues bashing Windows Vista
From: chrismmcmillan@gmail.com
To: christophermcmillan@hotmail.com

Sent to you by Chris McMillan, Federal Marketing Manager via Google Reader:

Tech press continues bashing Windows Vista

via SuperSite Blog by pthurrott on 7/8/08

Doesn't this just get old at some point?
In the latest example of reporter-I-really-respect-doing-the-wrong-thing, CNET's Ina Fried today wrote a strange article that's more Microsoft bashing than actual reporting. Given her history, this is very, very surprising. Seriously, she's good stuff.
Here's how the article starts:

Microsoft on Tuesday released a new tool designed to allow customers to see whether their hardware and software will work properly with Windows Vista.

Well, except that Microsoft on Tuesday did not release a new tool. Microsoft intends to release a beta version of new tool sometime on Tuesday. It wasn't up as of the publication of the quoted article. But looking over the public Windows Web site (Available via http://www.windows.com or http://www.microsoft/com/windows), I don't see any message about this site existing, or that it's coming. The importance of this fact will become clear in a moment.

No, this isn't an old article. It is July 2008 and Microsoft still finds it necessary to show customers that plenty of hardware and software works with Vista, which has now been on the market for more than 18 months.

They sure do. Apparently the tech press and blogosphere has been mindlessly repeating some untrue rumor about Vista still having compatibility issues. I know, I know. It sounds crazy. But it happens. And those Apple Switcher ads? Get this: People believe they're true. I know. I laugh just thinking about it.
But seriously, folks. Here's the real problem with this article:

The online tool is off to a rough start as well. It was supposed to be publicly available in beta form starting this morning.

It was ... supposed to be? According to whom? Microsoft? Did Microsoft brief you about this earlier than Tuesday and then, what, it didn't happen? If Microsoft doesn't announce publicly that something is going to happen on a particular day and then that thing doesn't happen ... is that, what? Bad? Funny?

However, those that went to the site on Tuesday morning instead got the message, "The Windows Vista Compatibility Center is currently unavailable. Thank you for your interest, but this site is not available yet. Please check back soon."

Now why would anyone visit this beta Web site? Is there a link to it somewhere? I mean somewhere other than this very article in which you explain that the site should be there but isn't? In other words, we read that the site is not available and then visit it, and sure enough, it's not there. Is that really what this is?

I'll let that speak for itself.

Except that you won't. You're not letting this speak for itself, you're editorializing it pretty heavily and then even providing some screen shots—one of which was given to you by Microsoft to show what the site should look like. You're doing everything but letting it speak for itself.

A Microsoft spokesperson said the issue should be resolved later in the day.

Here's the real story. Look how easy this is to write:

Microsoft still pushing Vista compatibility story
by Paul Thurrott
Sometime on Tuesday, Microsoft will release a beta version of a new tool designed to allow customers to see whether their hardware and software will work properly with Windows Vista.
That's the whole story. You can write it like that. Or you can make a mountain out of a molehill.

PS: Before posting this, I did the requisite ten seconds of research and actually called Microsoft. The company confirmed a few facts: It had briefed CNET about the beta compatibility site and its Tuesday availability. There are no links to this site from anywhere on the Microsoft public Web site. So the only way any individual could ever think to visit it ... would be if they read the CNET article and found out about it there first.
Please tell me I'm missing something. Please. I would love to be wrong about this one.

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FW: July 2008 Bulletin Monthly Release

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:10:42 GMT

Dear Blog Site

Sincerely,

Christopher McMillan, CIO
CEEK Technology
Blog: http://ceektechnology.spaces.live.com
Web Site: http://www.ceektechnology.com

Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 12:42:17 -0700
Subject: July 2008 Bulletin Monthly Release

Sent to you by Chris McMillan, Federal Marketing Manager via Google Reader:

July 2008 Bulletin Monthly Release

via The Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) by MSRCTEAM on 7/8/08

July 2008 Monthly Bulletin Release

I'm Simon, Release Manager in the MSRC. The July 2008 release contains 4 new bulletins, all with maximum severities of "Important".

MS08-037            Vulnerabilities in DNS Could Allow Spoofing (953230)

MS08-038            Vulnerability in Windows Explorer Could Allow Remote Code Execution (950582)

MS08-039            Vulnerabilities in Outlook Web Access for Exchange Server Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (953747)

MS08-040            Vulnerabilities in Microsoft SQL Server Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (941203)

For a technical deep dive regarding these bulletins, please visit our Security Vulnerability Research and Defence blog.

If you have the Windows Internal Database (Microsoft Windows 2003 or Microsoft Windows 2008) installed on or enabled without SQL Server 2005 SP2 and you have are opt-into Microsoft Update, the SQL Server 2005 service pack 2 update may be offered incorrectly and fail to install. The Windows Internal Database will be updated as expected, since the Windows Internal Database update is also offered. Microsoft is working on resolving this issue and will be updating the detection logic to avoid the incorrect offering.

In addition, we’ll also be releasing an infrastructure update to the Windows Update client itself later this month, which has been standard practice for over 8 years. Windows Vista customers who select “never check for updates” (and Windows XP customers who select “turn off Automatic Update”) in their WU settings will not receive this WU infrastructure update unless they elect to install it manually by visiting Windows Update. For more information, please visit the Microsoft Update blog.

Please join us for the regular monthly security bulletin webcast, Wednesday July 9, 11:00 PDT (GMT -7). We'll have an overview of the July bulletins, and you'll have the opportunity to ask us questions around the release.

Cheers,

Simon

*This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.*

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FW: HumanWare Introduces Four New Portable Video Magnifiers for Low Vision

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:08:06 GMT

FYI!!

Sincerely,

Christopher McMillan, CIO
CEEK Technology
Blog: http://ceektechnology.spaces.live.com
Web Site: http://www.ceektechnology.com

From: nicolas.lagace@humanware.com
To: Chris McMillan
Subject: HumanWare Introduces Four New Portable Video Magnifiers for Low Vision
Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 12:25:25 -0400

HUMANWARE INTRODUCES FOUR NEW PORTABLE VIDEO MAGNIFIERS FOR LOW VISION

Longueuil, Quebec, July 7, 2008 – HumanWare expands its low vision product line with the announcement of four new video magnifiers at Vision 2008, an international conference on low vision being held in Montreal this week. With these new products, HumanWare is better able to serve the needs of the growing number of people with low vision – those whose vision cannot be completely corrected even with the most powerful prescription glasses.

HumanWare's new video magnifiers are designed to meet the needs of different environments and applications. Each product offers unique features to improve the user's independence.

The new products include:
SmartView Pocket. an extremely lightweight handheld video magnifier that can be used in the home or around town, wherever things are too small to see. Large, intuitive buttons make the unit easy to use. The Pocket provides up to 9x magnification on its 3.6-inch LCD screen.

SmartView Graduate. Ideally suited for helping low vision students fully participate in class by being able to see across the room and magnify items on their desk. The Graduate connects to a notebook computer via a USB interface to provide up to 50x magnification on the computer screen. The camera turns to view the desktop or distant objects. The unit easily fits into a computer bag and weighs only 2.5 pounds, which makes it extremely easy to carry between classes.

SmartView Nano. The smallest video magnifier available at a very affordable price. The Nano magnifies objects from 5x to 20x, making it easy to read fine print on pill bottles, ingredients on product labels, or seat numbers on theater tickets.

SmartView Mobile. A portable video magnifier with a 7-inch screen, providing up to 18x magnification. The Mobile is ideal for those who need a portable device but cannot compromise on magnification and screen size. Perfect for taking to the library, carrying around home or using at the office.

"With these new products, HumanWare has significantly increased its offering of portable devices," explains Ted Judge, Product Manager. "Users want to be able to read regular or small print wherever they are, and these new additions to the SmartView family help people see and read, whether at home, the store, the office, or out on the town."
The SmartView Graduate and Smartview Pocket video magnifiers are available now, and the SmartView Nano will be available at the end of July. The SmartView Mobile will be available in Europe and Asia in August.

About HumanWare

HumanWare is the global leader in assistive technologies for the print disabled. HumanWare provides products to people who are blind or have low vision, and persons/or individuals with learning disabilities. HumanWare offers a collection of innovative products, including BrailleNote, the leading productivity device for the blind in education, business, and for personal use; the Victor Reader product line, the world's leading digital audiobook players; myReader2, HumanWare's unique "auto-reader" for people with low vision; and the ClassMate Reader, the only portable book player to offer synchronized text and audio for individuals.

For more information about these products please visit:
http://www.humanware.com/en-usa/products/low_vision/smartview

or contact us:

Canada
Call toll free: 1 888 723-7273
Email: ca.info@humanware.com

U.K./Europe
Tel: +44 1933 415 800
Email: eu.info@humanware.com

Australia/Asia
Tel: +61 2 9686 2600
Email: au.sales@humanware.com

U.S.A.
Call toll free 1 800 722-3393 or 925 680-7100
Email: us.info@humanware.com

Media contact:
Nicolas Lagace
Tel.: 450 463-1717
Email: nicolas.lagace@humanware.com

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