Microsoft Office

Armelle O’Neal over on Microsoft at Work has listed some great ways to protect your data.

Back Up Your Data
In 2004, 59 percent of computer attacks in government agencies, corporations, and educational institutions in the United States were attributed to mobile PC theft.1 In the same year, mobile PC theft resulted in $6.7 million of losses.2 These statistics underscore the importance of regularly (optimally weekly, but at least monthly) archiving your documents, folders, and settings so that you can retrieve the data if your mobile PC is stolen or the hard disk drive fails. You can back up your data to a CD or DVD, to a USB flash card, or to another computer if your computer is on a network. To back up data, you can use the Backup utility in Microsoft Windows XP.

Encrypt Your Data
Data encryption provides a great line of defense against misuse of information if your mobile PC is stolen. Data encryption is the transcription of data from an intelligible format to an unintelligible, but decryptable, format. When encrypted, stolen data on a mobile PC is worthless.

You can encrypt a subset of files or folders or a full disk, in which case it protects the data stored in files and folders, the operating system, and any installed programs.

If you’re using Windows XP, you can use Encrypting File System (EFS) to encrypt your data, including Web folders and offline folders. EFS allows you to seamlessly encrypt your data. When you save data to the disk, it’s encrypted on the fly.

Important To use EFS, you must be using the NTFS file system. To find out the file system you’re using, click Start and point to My Computer. In the My Computer window, right-click the hard drive and check the File format field on the General tab of the Properties dialog box.

Use an Anti-Theft Device
One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to secure your mobile PC is to use a security cable or lock, with or without an alarm, to attach your mobile PC to a stationery object. Most mobile PCs have security slots in the side or the back of their case.

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You know those “top 25 random things about you” lists that are going around on Facebook (and elsewhere)? I’ve received a few too many in the past few days. My colleague David Salaguinto must have been looking over my shoulder this weekend because his Office OFFline comic today matches the reality of my FB and email inboxes. Yours too? I ran out of time this weekend to inflict on my friends and coworkers my own version, so for now I’ll borrow his (and then I’ll get back to serving up the latest Office help-and-to info for saving time and money. Honest.)

Ok, I havent’ received a single one of these ‘annoying’ 25 things about you’ lists, and i’m feeling quite left out of being annoyed.

From Office OFFline and our community podcasters to the latest in demos optimized for mobile devices, we’ve got a podcast for you. Enjoy! And don’t forget to let us know what you like.

What are podcasts?
A podcast is an audio or video file that is distributed on the Internet. Some podcasts serve as entertainment, such as TV show episodes, cartoons, or the latest music. Other podcasts offer training, “how-to” overviews, step-by-step demonstrations, and tutorials on a particular subject. Much of this content is produced and shared by people just like you.

Unlike multimedia files that you download or stream to your computer one file at a time, podcasts can part of a series whose “episodes” can be downloaded on a schedule and automatically updated if the content changes. Subscribing to podcasts is an easy way to keep track of new content from your favorite authors. Subscriptions also let you discover new content that covers a variety of subjects that may be of interest to you.

The name “podcast” derives from the combination of the terms “iPod” (one of the first portable media players) and “broadcast.” While you can watch podcasts on your computer like any other Web video or audio file, most people enjoy podcasts on their portable media players, like the Zune or the iPod. Think of podcasts as downloadable TV or radio shows that you can watch or listen to no matter where you are.

Let Microsoft and Silverlight help you build your sweetie a Valentine’s Day card!

Build your own Valentine’s card. Microsoft and Silverlight have created a website to help you build a Valentine’s Day Card. There are three options. Finish all three to send your Valentine’s email.

Silverlight Valentine’s card FAQ

Q: How do I create my customized Valentine’s card?

A: There are four steps:

Click on and login to either your Flickr or Windows Live Spaces account, then select the picture you want to put on your card.
Click on and write your personalized greeting
Click on and select the tune that best fits your greeting
Click on to send an email with your customized picture, greeting and tune. Note that the greeting will be sent using your default email application. You can then add text to the message and send to your love.

Q. I selected a picture and now I cannot seem to close the dialog, what should I do?

A. This is by design, select another button and the dialog will disappear.

Q. I have photos in my Windows Live Spaces account but I can’t select any, what is wrong?

A. You can only use photos that are designated to public consumption. If you want a picture to be used, define it as a public access picture.

Q. I selected many photos from my Windows Live Spaces account but only one photo is selected in the card, why is that?

A. The application only supports one image to be used in the greeting.

When Microsoft and Cray team up, everybody wins!

This dynamic duo is bringing high productivity supercomputing into the mainstream. Cray CX1 supercomputers with Microsoft Windows® HPC Server 2008 and Intel Xeon Processors provide “Ease-of-Everything” for new users of HPC for as little as $25,000. 3 easy steps to enter:

Register now!
Download the Cray CX1 and Windows HPC Server 2008 datasheet.
Download the free 180-day Windows HPC Server 2008 evaluation copy.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open only to authorized representatives of US companies who do not manufacture, sell, or resell server hardware for use at high performance computing workloads. Game ends January 31, 2009. Winners will be announced on February 12, 2009.

SuperDuoSuperSweeps Privacy Statement

(Last updated: November 5, 2008)

Microsoft is committed to protecting your privacy. This privacy statement explains data collection and use practices of the SuperDuoSuperSweeps site (the “Site”) hosted for Microsoft by K/P Corporation; it does not apply to other online or offline Microsoft sites, products or services. By accessing the Site, you are consenting to the information collection and use practices described in this privacy statement.

Collecting Your Personal Information
We will ask you when we need information that personally identifies you or allows us to contact you.The personal information we collect includes your name, title, company or organization name, work E-mail, work phone, work or home address.

Use of Your Personal Information
The personal information collected on this Site will be used to operate the Site and to provide the service(s) or carry out the transaction(s) you have requested or authorized.

In support of these uses, Microsoft may use personal information to provide you with more effective customer service, to improve the Site and any related Microsoft products or services, and to make the Site easier to use by eliminating the need for you to repeatedly enter the same information or by customizing the Site to your particular preference or interests.

Tuesday January 20th
Watch President-elect Barack Obama become the next President of the United States on CNN.com Live. Update your own Facebook status and see status updates from your friends and other Facebook users on CNN.com Live.

Don’t miss out!

Add me on Facebook, Brick ONeil, as we watch this historic day when our Nation Inaugurates our first African American/Black President! What a proud day for the United States, and indeed, the World.

Remember where you were when America’s first chosen African American President was sworn in to bring America back! The entire world waits in eager anticipation, seeing President Elect Obama as the one person who can bring everyone together. What will his first actions, as President, be? How will world leaders welcome him? TIme will tell.

Enjoy history in the making.

The European Commission said on Friday it had filed fresh antitrust charges against Microsoft for abusing its dominant position in personal computer operating systems to push its Internet Explorer web browser.

Microsoft faces new charges in a European Court that they have been accused of beating the competition with a big stick by inserting their world famous “Internet Explorer” web browser into their software that goes into all computers. The official charges are “Microsoft’s tying of Internet Explorer to the Windows operating system harms competition between web browsers, undermines product innovation and ultimately reduces consumer choice,” Europe’s top antitrust watchdog said in a statement.”

The Commission “sets out evidence and outlines its preliminary conclusion that Microsoft’s tying of Internet Explorer to the Windows operating system harms competition between Web browsers, undermines product innovation and ultimately reduces consumer choice,” the EU executive said in a statement.

“If the preliminary views expressed in the statement of objection are confirmed, the Commission may impose a fine on Microsoft, require Microsoft to cease the abuse and impose a remedy that would restore genuine consumer choice and enable competition on the merits.”

Microsoft and the EU have engaged in a running spat over competition issues for years, and the U.S. company has been fined several times for allegedly abusing its 95 percent dominance of personal computer systems through its ubiquitous Windows software.

Microsoft is no stranger to European courts. In September 2007, Microsoft lost an appeal before Europe’s second-highest court against a fine of nearly 500 million euros that EU regulators slapped on the company in 2004 for abusing its dominant market power.

In February, the commission hit Microsoft with a further fine of 899 million euros for defying its 2004 ruling. Microsoft has lodged an appeal against the decision.

Microsoft continues to appeal each decision.

Microsoft Home Magazine has something for everyone. Microsoft’s Canadian division has an online magazine that offers articles, tips and tidbits for everyone, from families, corporate types, educators, those in school, hobbyists and the list goes on.

Microsoft Home Magazine has the following sections:

Communications & mobility
Gaming & fun
Home office
Life & style
Memories & crafts
Music & movies
Productivity & planning
Safety & security

There is a newsletter, if you are so inclined to receive it.

Microsoft Home Magazine looks well put-together and the articles are well-written and of interest to everyone. One article was on taking learning-distance courses to complete a degree, another was on how business women are using Windows Mobile to market and conduct busiess. On the gaming page there was a blurb about how one man used his XBOX 360 to: “The Xbox 360 allows me to link my computer with all 10 of my hard drives to my 50″ plasma and Dolby surround sound system. Now I can just pick up my Media Center remote for my 360, press the Media Center button and have instant access to all the media on my hard drives. I’m in love with the notion that I can select any movie, photo or song stored on my computer and it instantly shows on my TV.”
— Jeff W., London, Ont.

The site also offers templetes, downloads, not to mention articles and videos. The site is well done; I spent quite some time browsing around, reading articles and tips from users. It’s fun reading how other people are using the same products you are.

Microsoft shows off it’s latest software on their GPS navagation, MSN Direct.

For what MSN Direct has to offer, just feast your eyes on this:

Additional OEMs including Kenwood Corp., Mio Technology Corp. and Nextar Inc., along with automotive manufacturers BMW AG, Scion and Suzuki Motor Corp., are offering MSN Direct-enabled navigation devices and solutions.

Projected to be available by the first quarter of 2009, these new services will be offered on select MSN Direct-compatible navigation devices and will expand upon what is already an exceptional array of features offered by MSN Direct, including Smart Traffic, weather, gas prices, news headlines, stock quotes, local events, movie times and Send to GPS using Live Search Maps.

MSN Direct now covers 134 metro areas/regions and expanded from 31 to 94 markets. More roads are covered, according to Joe Coco, product unit manager for MSN Direct at the ICES.

Covered now as well is enhances weather, with doppler maps. Drivers can view weather along their route, or take a route with less invasive weather.

Expanded Network of MSN Direct Partners

MSN Direct is offered in both portable and in-dash navigation devices. Subscribers can now choose from more than 30 devices manufactured by new consumer electronics partners Kenwood, Mio and Nextar, along with existing partners Garmin Ltd., Alpine Electronics and Pioneer Electronics. Automotive manufacturers BMW, Scion and Suzuki are providing cost-effective integrated navigation solutions. Car models with MSN Direct include the BMW 1 Series, 3 Series and X3; the Scion xB; and the Suzuki SX4.

Prices: annual fee of $49.95 plus applicable tax, or pay a one-time fee of $129.95 plus tax.

Learn what Microsoft Office can do to make your everyday life easier.

Microsoft Presspass has a great interview with Michael Schultz, Microsoft Office Live Director of Marketing.

There are millions and millions of people around the world using Microsoft Office to help manage their lives. They use the Office products to help schedule carpools, grocery shopping, design party invitations, write reports, just to name a few of the many helpful ideas Microsoft Office helps.

This week, Presspass (of the Microsoft network) spoke to Michael Shultz at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Schultz talked about how using traditional desktop software in conjunction with services such as the upcoming Office Web applications (lightweight, Web-based versions of Office applications expected to be released as part of the next version of Office) could change how consumers work and play, as well as about how parents, students, and home-based businesses can use Office 2007 to make life easier.

In part, here’s what Shultz and Presspass had to say:

Office 2007 can synchronize with Office Web Online to help search for ideas, products and reports. This can help students with school products, businesses with employees online and many other applications. Office Web applications, such as one being developed for Microsoft Office OneNote (becomea MOONie–MicrosOft OneNote!).

Office 2007 can help with tracking your exercise. Says Schulz: “After each daily run, you can post your time to a personal fitness workspace in Office Live Workspace and compare it to previous times. If you share that workspace with your teammates, they’ll get an e-mail every time you update the workspace and will be able to see how you’re doing, and whether they need to step it up.”

Use one of the many online options to share your information: from Office Online, Web based applications, Groove, Infopath, Outlook, for starters. The options are limitless on how you choose to share your information.

Families, businesses, schools and friends can keep in touch instantly with all the available technology Microsoft Office has to offer.