Adding PDF’s directing to your iBook Library

I use my iPad for many different purposes but having it as a portable reference device is a big benefit. Besides creating my own PDF documents and storing them in either DropBox or iBook I also collect PDF’s from other sources as well. If you are using your iPad to do research on the internet using Safari as your browser and you come upon a PDF download you can now not only display that PDF in Safari but also save it to your iBook library for future reading/reference. Once you have the PDF loaded in Safari notice in the upper top right of the screen that you have a Open in “iBooks” button choice. The PDF will be immediately transported to your iBook App and displayed on the screen for you. If you exit back to the Library you can then Edit and Move the new document into the “Collection” that you wish it to reside. While it is displayed on the screen you have the ability to print or email it or, of course, just sit back and read it.

Amazon introduces new HTML5-based eBook format

The HTML5 format got another technology boost with Amazon announcing a new HTML5-based e-book format called Kindle Format 8 (KF8). This will allow publishers to create content with rich formatting and advanced design elements tailored to the company’s tablet and e-reader products.

The current Mobi 7 standard doesn’t quite provide the rich formatting capabilities that HTML5 promises. Where will we see the benefit? Amazon is hoping that publishers will take advantage of these new features for adding products that require richer formatting such as children’s picture books, comics and graphic novels. You may also see these new features be taken advantage of in technical and engineering books, cookbooks and school books.

We’re pleased to announce a wide range of new features and enhancements – including HTML5 support – coming in Kindle Format 8 (KF8). KF8 is the next generation file format for Kindle books – replacing Mobi 7. As showcased on Kindle Fire, KF8 enables publishers to create great-looking books in categories that require rich formatting and design such as children’s picture books, comics & graphic novels, technical & engineering books and cookbooks. Kindle Format 8 replaces the Mobi format and adds over 150 new formatting capabilities, including fixed layouts, nested tables, callouts, sidebars and Scalable Vector Graphics, opening up more opportunities to create Kindle books that readers will love.

The list of new capabilities in Kindle Format 8 can be found here.

Upcoming enhancements to Kindle Publisher Tools will make it easier and faster for publishers to create high quality Kindle books. KindleGen 2 (available soon) creates Kindle content from a wide variety of sources including HTML, XHTML, and EPUB. Kindle Previewer 2 (available soon) provides an easy way for publishers to preview how titles will look on Kindle devices and apps so they can be confident that their Kindle books look great.

The next question is whether EPUB3 which also boasts HTML5 and some CSS2.1/CSS3 features added will win out over this new format. The EPUB format has been the standard bearer for the eBook industry and has a lot of momentum in this arena. But Amazon is one of the forerunners delivering electronic media to consumers. It will be interesting to see which format will win out.

Lytro Camera allows you to take your shot and focus later…

The Lytro camera has new technology that allows you to take your photo without worrying about the focus of your shot. Called the Lytro Field Camera, this device is based on the ability to allow consumers to adjust the focus on their phtos after they have already taken the shot. It works like this: Rather than focusing on a single plane or object, the camera captures the entire light field of the scene, recording the color, luminosity, and vector direction of every ray of light.

Armed with this multidimensional data, the camera can use computational algorithms to calculate what the image would look like if it had been focused at different distances. The result is what Lytro calls “living pictures” that can be refocused on the fly, after the fact. (The best way to grasp the concept is to take a look at Lytro’s Living Picture Gallery and start clicking on the images in different spots to refocus them.)

Turning Light into Living Pictures

Lytro camera capabilities will include:

• Shoot now, focus later. People will no longer be disappointed by a picture that turns out focused on the wrong subject, such as the wall instead of a child’s smile. Lytro pictures can be flawlessly focused to one’s liking – days, weeks, even years after they’re taken.
• Unparalleled speed: Since the camera doesn’t focus before a photo is taken, people will no longer miss important moments due to the conventional delay of the lens autofocusing as you press the shutter button.
• Living pictures. Lytro creates interactive, living pictures that will engage and delight those who experience them online via social media networks, mobile phones, blogs, etc. Viewers can immerse themselves in a living picture to discover and focus in on new details by simply clicking on different parts of a picture. No software download is required.
• Low-light sensitivity. By using all of the available light in a scene, light field cameras can capture better pictures in remarkably low light environments without use of a flash.
• Immersive 3D. Using the full light field, Lytro cameras provide an immersive 3D picture that goes beyond the conventional stereo 3D by, for example, controlling the perspective view of a scene.

The initial press release from back in June, though buzz-worthy, was met with plenty of skepticism (including a bit of my own), but now that there’s a real product that’s accessible to consumers (though steeply priced), they’ve got my attention. First there’s the design: Rather than modeling the device on the expectations of a traditional camera (or any existing camera, for that matter), the designers at Lytro built the light field camera with simplicity and ease of use in mind. The camera uses a bright f/2.0, 8x optical zoom lens, and at just 1.61×1.61×4.41 inches in dimension and 8 ounces in weight, it looks more like a kaleidoscope or portable slide viewer than a camera. There are no mode dials to speak of — in fact, controls consist of just two buttons (power and shutter), a touch-activated zoom slider, plus the 1.46-inch touchscreen LCD viewfinder. Second, because the camera depends on computational processing to achieve focus at different points on the image, rather than a complex set of lenses, it doesn’t have the auto-focus mechanisms that slow down most digital cameras. This means no shutter lag (or, more accurately, auto-focus lag) to speak of and of course, less weight and complexity to the construction of the camera. Third, by capturing all available light in a scene with its f/2.0 lens, the Lytro camera inherently performs well in low light without a flash. Janice Chen – Digital Cameras & Camcorders

Lytro believes that this new technology will make conventional digital cameras obsolete. Only time will tell.

The first Lytro camera will be available for purchase online later this year. For a demonstration of living pictures, visit the Lytro Picture Gallery www.lytro.com/picture_gallery. To reserve a camera, visit Lytro.com.

For additional commentary on Lytro’s innovations, visit Ben Horowitz’s blog: http://bhorowitz.com/2011/06/21/lytro-and-the-magic-camera/

Note: It'll ship in two versions: the $399 8GB flavor can hold 350 pictures, and comes in graphite or blue, followed by a $499 16GB model, which sports an electric-red finish and stores up to 750 images. You can pre-order now but don’t expect deliver until early 2012.

Intel Releases SSD Toolbox 3.0 Software

The Intel SSD Toolbox does not support firmware updates on the following Intel SSDs. To update the firmware on these SSDs, use the Intel® SATA Solid-State Drive Firmware Update Tool.The Intel® Solid-State Drive Toolbox (Intel® SSD Toolbox) is drive management software that allows you to:
  * View current drive information for Intel® Solid-State Drives (Intel® SSDs), including:
       - Model number, capacity, and firmware version
       - Drive health
       - Estimated drive life remaining
       - SMART attributes (also available for hard disk drives and non-Intel SSDs)
       - IDENTIFY DEVICE information (also available for hard disk drives and non-Intel SSDs)
  * Optimize the performance of an Intel SSD using Trim functionality
  * Update the firmware on a supported Intel SSD
  * Run quick and full diagnostic scans to test the read and write functionality of an Intel SSD
  * Check and tune your system settings for optimal Intel SSD performance, power efficiency, and endurance
  * View your system information and hardware configuration, such as central processing unit (CPU),
     chipset, controller name, and driver versions
  * Run Secure Erase on a secondary Intel SSD

Before beginning the Intel SSD Toolbox installation, review the Release Notes and follow the instructions in the

Installation Guide. A Frequently Asked Questions document is also available for your reference.

If you need assistance with the installation or experience issues, contact Intel Customer Support.

NOTE:  Installing this version of the Intel SSD Toolbox overwrites any previous version of Intel SSD Toolbox installed in your system.

The Intel SSD Toolbox supports firmware updates on the following Intel SSDs:

Intel® Solid-State Drive Latest Firmware Version
Intel® Solid-State Drive 710 Series	6PB10362
Intel® Solid-State Drive 710 Series	6PB10362
Intel® Solid-State Drive 320 Series	4PC10362
Intel® Solid-State Drive 311 Series	2CV102M5
Intel® Solid-State Drive 310 Series	2CV102M3
Intel® X18-M / X25-M SATA SSDs (34nm)	2CV102M3
Intel® X25-V SATA SSD	2CV102M3

The Intel SSD Toolbox does not support firmware updates on the following Intel SSDs. To update the firmware on these SSDs, use the Intel® SATA Solid-State Drive Firmware Update Tool.

Intel® Solid-State Drive	Latest Firmware Version
Intel® Solid-State Drive 510 Series	PPG2 or PPG4  (120GB SSD) PWG2 or PWG4 (250GB SSD)
Intel® X18-M/X25-M SATA SSDs (50nm)	045C8820
Intel® X25-E SATA SSD (50nm)	045C8850

Sharkoon Announces Hard Drive Docking Station with Gigabit Ethernet

Press Release:

Sharkoon presents the successor to their local network, insertable hard drive docking station with the SATA QuickPort Pro LAN: The Sharkoon SATA QuickPort Pro LAN Giga replaces the existing Fast Ethernet interface with a significantly faster Gigabit Ethernet interface. Through its LAN Port, associated hard drives and other medians can be integrated into a local home or office network.

In addition to the LAN Port and plug-in for SATA hard drives in 2.5 and 3.5 inch format, the Sharkoon SATA QuickPort Pro LAN Giga provides an integrated dual USB2.0 hub and a card reader for SD, SDHC, MMC and MS cards. The USB hub and card reader are connected via USB to a computer or laptop, with hard drives also being connected alternatively via the eSATA interface.

In order to ensure that all inserted SATA hard drives, memory cards and USB devices within the QuickPort are available to all users of a local network, the docking station must be connected to the network with the corresponding software installed on all computers involved. The individual user can add the device to their computer through the Software menu. If a user accesses the device then it is closed to all remaining network users. If another user needs the device, they can simply send the current user a request for release. If needed, the reset button on the backside allows the USB server to be restarted.

Like the previous QuickPort models, the Sharkoon SATA QuickPort Pro LAN Giga is equipped with a hard drive ejection button and LEDs indicating power supply and disk activity. The adapter measures 133 x 71 x 95 mm (W x H x L), weighs 545 grams and includes an instruction manual with Tool CD, power supply, patch cable, USB cable and eSATA cable.

Should You consider upgrading to the new iPhone 4S?

There have a lot of articles written in the past few weeks that would leave you to believe that the iPhone 4S is the best smartphone that has ever been made and for a person like myself that love new technology the twinge has started deep inside me to make the leap. I am still sitting on a iPhone 3GS and it still does the job it was designed for fairly well. In all honesty, I really only use the app side of the phone for very limited functions and routinely pull out one of my iPads to do most of the things that I use these types of devices for. The reason is quite simple, I like the bigger screen. In fact, if the iPad was available in a 12 or 13 inch screen I would probably jump on that before upgrading my phone.

So let’s get back to my question. If you are a heavy phone user and want the technology upgrades that the iPhone offers then you may be a candidate. My first question: What are you upgrading from? If you own an Android, haven’t you already made the commitment in that camp to continue with the apps you have purchased and the learning curve of using that particular interface? I would probably stay with Android because you probably are there for many reasons the IOS technology cannot give you. However, if you don’t have a smartphone yet, or have and earlier version of the iPhone, then you are probably a good candidate to make the upgrade except if you are an iPhone 4 owner.

I’m not sure the difference in technology between the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4s is great enough to take the financial hit you will probably take jumping out of you current service agreement. And how will you feel when in 8-10 months from now the new iPhone 5 finally does come out with whatever wonder technology it will bring to the table. I would really be tempted to wait and see in that case.

If you are a proud owner of an iPhone 3GS or earlier then the differences between the devices is much greater. You will get a better camera (8 megapixel) with a better lens, and two cameras at that. MG Siegler noted in his October 11^th post for TechCrunch:

The camera is an even bigger deal to me. As I’ve been following for some time, and Apple noted last week, the iPhone has become the most popular camera in the world if you go by the images uploaded to Flickr. And it’s not even close. This new camera in the iPhone 4S goes above and beyond. And it’s going to push that lead even further.

If the point-and-shoot market wasn’t in trouble before, it will be now.

Much will be made about the upgrade from 5 megapixels to 8 megapixels with the iPhone 4S. But the bigger difference is the engineering behind the new camera. Apple notes with pride that their engineers were able to completely re-architect this tiny camera to produce images that are on par with the nicest point-and-shoots available. They credit five “precision elements” to record incoming light (versus four in the already excellent iPhone 4 camera) and the inclusion of a larger f/2.4 aperture to bring in more light.

Also great is that the iPhone 4S camera can shoot 1080p video for the first time. The iPhone 4 is limited to 720p. The 4S also features video stabilization, to ensure your home videos won’t make viewers want to vomit. Testing this out, it seems to work pretty well.

You will have a much faster processor so that those applications that you are running will run much more smoothly. There is even a big difference between the 4 and 4S which might make you iPhone 4 owners to make the leap anyway if speed is important to you.

You will get Siri, your own personal assistant, though it is in its beginning stages it is really kind of a neat application. In the coming months when Apple opens up the API to its army of third party programmers it will be interesting to see where they will take this part of the 4S. The limitations currently are that there only a few apps that it integrates with and they are all Apple applications. We need to see better integration with some business functions but it is really a fun and interesting start anyway. This one feature will probably be the tipping point for most new buyers and will be the ONE main competitive feature that other phones will need to compete against. The biggest downside with this technology is that it uses server side software to function and this means that you need to be connected to the internet for it to work.

So what do you think?

iPhone 4 owner – if you still have time on your contract this is a pricey upgrade. If the camera, speed and/or Siri are important to you then you may want to do this. If not you will need to wait out your contract and then take a look at what is out there at that time. You will get the IOS 5 upgrade anyway, just not with Siri.

iPhone 3GS or earlier or a new smartphone want-to-be’s – This will be a much easier decision. All of the features, including the IOS 5 will make a big difference in how you work with your phone. For me it’s an easy call. I have the 3GS, the camera will allow me to carry a much better point and shoot with me (I am a camera buff you know), I love faster and love Voice to Text Recognition functions (I use this a lot in my daily work when writing up long winded descriptions). So I will be one of those sitting in queue shortly to get my hands on this new device.

Outlook 2007/2003/2002 Add-in: Personal Folders Backup

The Personal Folders Backup download creates backup copies of your .PST files at regular intervals, in Outlook 2002 and later versions, making it easy to keep all of your Outlook folders safely backed up.

Overview

Backing up your Microsoft Outlook information is quicker and easier with the Personal Folders Backup feature. Personal Folders Backup creates backup copies of your .PST files at regular intervals, in Outlook 2002 and later versions, making it easy to keep all of your Outlook folders safely backed up.

With Personal Folders Backup, you can choose which of your .PST files you wish to back up, and how often you wish to back them up.

Each .PST file contains all of your Outlook folders, including the Inbox, Calendar, and Contacts. You can have a single .PST file (usually called "Internet Folders" or "Personal Folders" in your Folder List), but you might also have an additional .PST file that you use for archiving ("Archiving Folders"). Personal Folders Backup lets you back up any or all of these .PST files.

PFbackup and Outlook 2010

Although the Personal Folders Backup add-in 2007 compatible version (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=8B081F3A-B7D0-4B16-B8AF-5A6322F4FD01&displaylang=en) does not work with Outlook 2010 by default, you may enable it to work with Outlook 2010 by adding the following registry data to complete the backup process at shutdown.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Outlook\Addins\Microsoft.OutlookBackup.1
DWORD: RequireShutdownNotification
Value: 1

For Windows XP
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.

Windows 7 and Windows Vista
Click Start, and in the Search box type regedit, and then click regedit.exe in the search results.
3. Locate, and then click the following subkey:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\Outlook\Addins\Microsoft.OutlookBackup.1
4. Click on Edit, and then New - DWORD Value.
5. Rename the value to RequireShutdownNotification.
6. Right click on RequireShutdownNotification and then click Modify.
7. In the Edit DWORD Value dialog box, type 1 in the Value data box, and then click OK.

Forge Update: Catch Up with TechSmith's Web Show

Did you miss the latest episode of The Forge? TechSmith's very own, very live web show had an episode on September 8th and covered tips for making great screencasts, the 10 commandments of screencasting, the ScreenChamp Awards, and the screencast of the month.

You can always catch up on any episode you miss on TechSmith's YouTube channel, but there is something to be said for watching a live show. Anything can happen!

Mark your calendar for upcoming episodes of The Forge for an educational, up-close-and-personal look at TechSmith!:

• Thursday, October 13th at 2pm
• Thursday, November 10th at 2pm
• Thursday, December 8th at 2pm

Watch the Latest Episode »

From TechSmith’s Newsletter but this is something that you may want to bookmark if you are interested in making your own videos for training or other purposes.

TechSmith Help: Get Hands-on Camtasia Studio Training

TechSmith Help: Get Hands-on Camtasia Studio Training

Learn Camtasia Studio tips and tricks from TechSmith's top trainers! TechSmith is coming to Philadelphia to give you a one-on-one Camtasia Studio training experience.

Beginner Camtasia Studio (PC) Training Session - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

This 1-day hands-on Camtasia Studio training will take you through the basics of creating great-looking screencasts. From concept to published video...with lots of editing tricks in between. TechSmith goal: to help you become an intermediate - or expert! - user by the end of the day.

• When: Friday, October 21, 2011 - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
• Where: Drexel University, Korman Computing Center, Philadelphia, PA - directions to room location will be sent after registration
• Cost: $395 per seat
• Available Seats: 18 - claim your seat quickly!

Have questions? Need more information? Fill out their online form and they'll contact you. Or tweet them at @CamtasiaTips!

Ready to sign up and book your spot today? Call TechSmith toll free at: 888.750.0685 (8:00am-7:00pm EST, Monday-Friday)

New Kindle Family Priced from $79-$199

If you haven’t jumped into the eBook reader environment yet then maybe one of these new Kindle products will entice you to finally make the leap.

Amazon’s new ad subsidized Kindle for $79 has dropped the keyboard, shrunk the overall size, still has Wi-Fi and a faster processor.

• Lighter, More Compact Than Ever-Less than 6 ounces.-Lighter than a paperback, fits in your pocket.
• Holds 1,400 Books-Carry up to 1,400 books-keep your library with you wherever you go.
• Most Advanced E Ink Display-Kindle's high-contrast E Ink display delivers clear, crisp text and images.
• Read in Bright Sunlight-Kindle's E Ink screen reads like real paper, with no glare. Read as easily in bright sunlight as in your living room.
• One Month Battery Life-No battery anxiety - read for up to one month on a single charge with wireless off and a half hour of reading per day.
• Books in 60 seconds-Find a book and start reading in seconds with our fast, free wireless delivery.
• Built-In Wi-Fi-Connect to Wi-Fi hotspots at home or on the road. Includes free Wi-Fi access at AT&T hotspots across the U.S.
• Simple to Use-Kindle is ready to use right out of the box - no setup, no software to install, no computer required to download content.
• Adjustable Text Sizes-Read comfortably with eight different sizes and three font styles.
• Faster Page Turns-Kindle's powerful processor is tuned for fast, seamless page turns.
• PDF and Personal Documents-Email personal documents and PDFs direct to your Kindle to read and annotate on-the-go.
• Massive Selection-Over 1 million books, newspapers, and magazines, including latest bestsellers, Kindle exclusives, and more.
• Low Book Prices-Over 800,000 books are $9.99 or less.
• Free, Out-of-Copyright Books-Millions of free, out-of-copyright, pre-1923 titles such as Pride and Prejudice are available.
• Free Book Samples-Download and read first chapters for free before you decide to buy.
• Borrow From Your Public Library-Borrow Kindle books from your public library and start reading on your Kindle.
• Free Cloud Backup-We automatically back up your library in the cloud, so you never need to worry about losing your books. Re-download wirelessly anytime for free.
• Buy Once, Read Everywhere-Kindle books can be read on your Kindle, iPhone, iPad, Android devices, BlackBerry, Windows Phone 7, Mac, PC, or web browser with our free Kindle Reading Apps.
• Whispersync-Our Whispersync technology synchronizes your last page read, bookmarks and annotations across your devices so you can always pick up where you left off.

Most of these features flow through to all of the new Kindles. Their mid-range unit has a touch screen and still no keyboard. It is priced at $99 for Wi-Fi only and $149 with 3G. The older Kindle unit has the keyboard and is priced at $99/$139 for Wi-Fi/Wi-Fi 3G respectively. The Kindle Fire has a color Screen, is Wi-Fi only and is priced at $199. Battery lengths vary from model to model and if you are concerned about this you may want to take another look at the specs on this page: Kindle Specs. The Kindle Fire only has an 8 hour continuous reading spec compared to 1 and 2 months for the entry level and mid range touch units.

The Kindle Fire also supports playback of movies as well as apps, games, music, reading and more. It is also using the Amazon cloud-accelerated web browser which may not work with security type connections on the internet.

Movies, apps, games, music, reading and more, plus Amazon's revolutionary, cloud-accelerated web browser

• 18 million movies, TV shows, songs, magazines, and books
• Amazon Appstore - thousands of popular apps and games
• Ultra-fast web browsing - Amazon Silk

• Free cloud storage for all your Amazon content
• Vibrant color touchscreen with extra-wide viewing angle
• Fast, powerful dual-core processor
• Amazon Prime members enjoy unlimited, instant streaming of over 10,000 popular movies and TV shows

Quite a few choices. Let me know what you think.

National Cyber Security Awareness Month

Cyber Security Awareness Contest for Students!

Astaro is asking us to join them in their quest to educate students about cyber security! During the month of October, Astaro will be running a contest, giving students the chance to win a free laptop!

The rules are simple: Record a 1-2 minute video answering two important questions: What does cyber security mean to you, and what do you do to stay safe online? Act it out, record a song, make up a dance, or come up with some other way to express your thoughts on cyber security!

Check out some of the submissions now and vote for your favorite!

Cyber Security Month more info

Astaro Promotes Cyber Security Awareness more info

AVG will be ending support for Version 8.5 end of 2011

AVG Service Update

Please be advised that AVG 8.5 will no longer be supported or updated as of 31st December, 2011.

How AVG 8.5 migration works…
AVG have provided you with a step-by-step support guide to help you successfully migrate your customers.
Step 1: Installation of AVG Remote Administration 2012

• Download the latest AVG Remote Administration 2012 installation file.
  • Please select the AVG Edition based on your license.
  • Download the file AVG Admin 2012 for Windows.
• Install the AVG Remote Administration 2012.
  • Your valid AVG License Number will be required during the installation.
• After the installation, follow the AVG Admin Server Deployment Wizard.
  • When asked, perform backup of current database (it is the 8.5 version database).
  • Finish the deployment wizard. It will automatically convert the database.
  • The AVG Admin Server will be started after the wizard.

Visit AVG’s dedicated AVG 8.5 migration support site for a step-by-step guide.

I'm not sure which protection I should choose
If you are currently using AVG 8.5, it will no longer be supported after 31st December, 2011. Find the name of the product you currently have in the table below and pick the AVG 2012 equivalent migration product. Then follow the step-by-step guide to migrate to the new AVG 2012.

Wyse - P20 Zero Client running View 4.6

Wyse - P20 Zero Client - 128 MB RAM - 0 GB HDD

Ken has been playing with VMWare View and we have been tossing around what kinds of hardware we would want to use if purchasing new vs. using older equipment the Wyse P20 could be a good selection. See details below:

For virtual desktop or blade PC environments, the Wyse P class delivers workstation class performance for advanced applications including CAD, 3D solids modeling, video editing and advanced worker level office productivity. Based on a hardware PCoIP engine, this stateless zero client requires no local operating system. Unlike more flexible software-based implementations, this dedicated hardware PCoIP engine delivers the highest level of display performance available. Whilst it's just the size a notebook, the Wyse P class is a fully functional and compact virtual system that eliminates the need for a desktop, yet gives a feeling of a true PC experience. The Wyse P class includes elements for the high end user such as: multiple display support, multimedia playback, HD audio and four USB peripheral ports. The Wyse P class platform resolves the challenges of provisioning, managing, maintaining and securing enterprise desktops. It is offering a truly uncompromised computing high end user experience with the full benefits of an efficient and secure centralized computing environment.

At a glance:

Rich user experience

• Utilizes PCoIP protocol technology enabling the practical consolidation of all IT resources into the data center.
• Delivers an uncompromised user experience to each desk, anywhere, without incurring the security risks associated with transmitting data across a network.
• Supports high performance dual displays for running high resolution 3D graphics and CAD applications running on the server.

Future proof

• Decodes video transmitted over the network from a PCoIP host card or server and is agnostic to video/media format.
• Resolves the challenges of provisioning, managing, maintaining and securing enterprise desktops.
• No local operating system to maintain.

Connectivity

• Four USB peripheral ports.
• Two single-link DVI-I connectors for dual display supports up to 1920 x 1200.
• Completely driverless and stateless.
• HD audio, headphone and microphone.

Download Wyse P20 Datasheet

Quick-Start Guide: Wyse® P Class Zero Clients, Model Px0, Product ...

Intel® Reader

The mobile device that reads print aloud.

The Intel® Reader transforms printed text to the spoken word. It combines a high-resolution camera with the power of an Intel Atom™ processor to read on the spot, or store text for later listening. The Intel® Reader is perfect for blind and low vision customers as well as in an educational setting!

Easy-to-use buttons with audio and visual navigation, and straightforward menus. Weighs just over 1 pound and about the size of a paperback book. Perfect for at school, work, home, or on the go. Plays MP3, DAISY books, and text transferred from a PC. Use with the Portable Capture Station to make it easy to scan, convert, and store multiple pages from a book or magazine.

Click on this link below to see a video of the reader in action.

http://www.careinnovations.com/Products/Reader/Education.aspx

Is it time to start thinking about migrating to Windows 7?

Microsoft has already begun a major campaign talking up its soon to be released Windows 8 operating system. They are positioning it to try to make it relevant for the legions of iPad and Smartphone buyers to reconsider Windows as a choice for their operating system. While it is true that there are still some holdouts that haven’t migrated from XP to Windows 7 yet if you haven’t made the leap you may want to consider it soon. Microsoft wars that there will be no support for Windows XP beyond 2014.

“We are end-of-lifing XP and Office 2003 and everything prior in April 2014,” said Kevin Turner,  Microsoft’s chief operating officer, during a meeting with financial analysts this month. “So for all those companies that have the old products that haven’t quite started the refresh, guess what? ... It’s now time for [XP] to go.”

Typically Microsoft ends support for a product after 10 years which would mean this year but Microsoft extended support until 2014. Don’t expect another extension.

”We’re basically giving it a time-of-death stamp,” Turner said. Once it retires XP, Microsoft won’t offer support or security updates.

There are quite a few things to consider over the next few years. Most of us that are in the Microsoft house have a large commitment to their infrastructure and it would be difficult to make a complete change to another operating system. Windows 7 and the soon to be released Windows 8 are new operating systems, and though they retain some backwards compatibility with previous versions it is ever more apparent that you need to make the leap and either embrace the new operating systems or make a break and move on to something totally new.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Tech note. Repairing a broken windows boot with a missing system32.doc

Repairing an broken windows boot with a missing system32/config file

The easy way.

Ok now we have all done the boot to windows CD and ran chdsk /r and fixboot with fixmbr.

But sometimes it just won’t work, here a quick way that so far has fixed everything I have thrown at it.

• Get a copy of Ubuntu Linix
• Throw your copy in and boot to it on the broken system. The OS will load and then ask you if you wish to try it or install it. Click try, sit back and wait a min.
• Once you get to the desktop click on places>Filesystem
• The file system should have a number in front of it that will the size of your HDD
• Once inside your HDD go to system volume information.
• Once in here look for a folder called _restore-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
• (xxx should be random numbers and letters)
• Go in here you will see a bunch of RP folders with numbers next to them. These are restore points folders. Find the latest restore point and pick the one before that. Click in there and find a folder called snapshot.
• Once inside here folder your file called _registry_machine_system.
• Minimize this window.
• Open another instance of your HDD (places> File system)
• This time go to Windows/system32/config.
• Find the SYSTEM file and rename SYSTEM.old.
• Now go back to your _registry_machine_system file copy it and paste it in to system32/config and rename the file to SYSTEM.

Once all this is done, go to the top right of the OS and find the power button click it pick shut down, when it asks you to remove the disk do so, and hit enter. Let the system fully power off then turn it back on, with some luck you have ticked the system in to using an older system config file but with your changes from the last restore point. Remember restore points are made with every windows update so worst case you might lose a program that was installed a week earlier.

Hope this helps.

Scott

PR: Astaro V8.201 HTTP Proxy Issues

Since the release of Astaro Security Gateway Version 8.201, we have noticed an increased amount of customer issues regarding the HTTP Proxy. Below is an overview of the issues raised:

• 18771: Passwords with special characters (@, =, etc.) cause authentication to fail when using "Transparent w/ Auth" mode
• 18929: "Transparent Proxy w/ Auth" is not working properly
• 18880: Edir SSO authentication still times out in HTTP Proxy after V8.201
• 18825: HTTP Proxy doesn't reauthenticate AD SSO client after auth exception matched
• 18653: If the HTTPs Proxy is enabled, login to some websites may result in an "Internal Server Error"
• 18936: HTTP Proxy: SSL tunnel handler does not close client connection in all cases

For a complete list of open issues, please refer to our Known Issues List in our KnowledgeBase: http://www.astaro.com/lists/Known_Issues-ASG-V8.txt

We are working on a HTTP Proxy patch package, which we plan to release early next week.

An interesting ergonomic solution to a desk based problem …

I have found over the past few years that I am tending to spend more and more time sitting in front of my computer, stationary for long periods of time working on some project or another. The only time that I move is when I think about it and get up to shake off the stiffness and get my blood flowing again. I find that by the end of the day my legs and lower back a achy and I have actually gotten tired than on though days that I am moving around for one reason or another. My partner has taken some bricks and placed them under his desk legs to place his desk at standing work level and that seems to have helped him quite a bit. So I am always looking for a solution that will help out this situation and I may have found one from one of our venders.

We have been selling Ergotron Solutions for quite a few years and they make a lot of well built and highly effective products for mounting both computers and monitors for many different situations. An email I just received from them introduced a new product called WorkFit-C Sit-Stand Workstation that provides a work area that can be raised or lowered depending on your needs or as your needs change. They have had this product for a while but they have rereleased it with a larger work surface that makes in even more useful.

The product is promoted as a way to keep you healthier and productive while you are computing. The desk is designed with a patented “Constant Force Technology” that allows you to move the desk effortlessly from a seated to raised position, a full 20 inch adjustment. So what does the company say about their product?

Benefits

For Computer Users

• On-demand sit-stand workstation—improve your energy and productivity by standing or sitting as you work, and then switch positions whenever you choose. Standing a little more each day burns extra calories, tones muscles, improves posture, increases blood flow and ramps up metabolism
• Safe, easy-to-use—simple installation and effortless operation
• Designed to meet North American and European ergonomic standards
• Robust weight capacity holds multiple displays, keyboards, books, phones ... whatever you need in your workflow

For IT and Facilities Staff

• IT deployment friendly—simple and quick setup
• Flexible, open-architecture design is scalable for future computer equipment
• Durable, robust structure, designed to ANSI/BIFMA X5.5-2008 testing standards

For HR/Risk Management and Company Cost Savings

• Manage the cost of healthcare premiums by promoting wellness in the daily work routine
• Provide standing work platforms for employees without having to buy expensive height-adjustable chairs
• Comfortable computing offers provable ROI on investment—healthcare costs associated with unhealthy computing and missed time are reduced while productivity increases
• WorkFit helps alleviate back and neck pain, the most costly conditions affecting employees according to the 2007 OE Medicine Journal
• Studies in office ergonomics show productivity increases of 12%–18% following an ergonomic intervention where employees are provided with well-designed ergonomic furniture

The product costs about $899 plus you will probably want to add the Under Desk Keyboard Arm. a Monitor Arm, and the WorkFit Floor Mat for a total outlay of around $1,300. But what price do you put on extending your good health and possibly helping to decrease the cost of your healthcare? Looks like something to look at!

Promotion Announcement: Buy 4 MimioTeach interactive systems Get 1 Free

From September 1^st through November 18^th, for every 4 MimioTeach products purchased, your customers are able to receive a FREE MimioTeach™ (a $799.00* value)!
About the promotion:
From September 1^st through November 18^th, sell 4 of the MimioTeach units (1762261) for just $799* each and your customer can receive a FREE MimioTeach. There is no limit to the number of free MimioTeach products you can receive with this offer.

Terms & Conditions:

• Promotion valid from September 1, 2011 through November 18, 2011.
• The promotion is valid for educational sales only.
• The promotion is limited to residents of the United States and Canada.
• Any product returns (defective replacements & repairs excluded) will result in the forfeiture of the corresponding number of free goods.
• All MimioTeach units being ordered must be on one purchase order.
• This promotion cannot be combined with any other offer, including bundle pricing.
• Each part number must be clearly listed on the purchase order with corresponding price, and an approved EPR/SOR number.
• All free units must be clearly listed as zero-dollar line item including part number and quantity on your purchase order.
• This offer is available for all customers purchasing at standard end-user pricing. Volume discounts do not apply.
• There is no limit to the number of free MimioTeach units received.
• All promotion-eligible purchase orders must be received between September 1, 2011 and November 18, 2011.

PR: Get more for less with funding, bundles or grants

Take a look at this link to learn how to take advantage of the opportunities to equip your classrooms with great, easy-to-use MimioClassroom Products.

Beat the September 30th deadline to use your American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to purchase MimioClassroom products. DYMO/Mimio offers innovative products and professional development resources. Many schools have already used their ARRA funds on MimioClassroom products. But time is running out! Contact Mimio’s funding department to find out more about using your ARRA funds on MimioClassroom products >>

Stretch your budget even further with the MimioClassroom bundle. The MimioClassroom full bundle includes the MimioTeach™ interactive system, the MimioVote student assessment system (with 24 or 32 handsets), the MimioPad™ wireless tablet, and the MimioView™ document camera. By purchasing the MimioClassroom bundle, your educational institution will be able to participate in our Educator Pricing program while receiving additional savings for purchasing the complete MimioClassroom suite of products.
Get Educator Pricing for MimioClassroom products >>

Last month we announced the latest Mimio grant opportunity: Jump Start Your Classroom into the Future of Learning. This is a competitive grant open until August 26, 2011 to all K-12 education entities within the United States and Canada. Ten winning applicants will each be awarded select MimioClassroom products. Don’t miss out—submit your application today! Learn more about the Jump Start grant >>

*These opportunities are available only in the U.S. or Canada. For resources outside of North America, please contact PAConnect.