Microsoft Surface: Behind-the-Scenes First Look (with Video)

Microsoft Surface - Exclusive Review


http://www.microsoft.com/surface/index.html

[Good & bad Keyloggers]

[Good & bad Keyloggers]

Q:
What exactly is keystroke logging? I've heard it mentioned in your tips before, but I'm not quite sure what it is. Please explain!

A:
Oh, sure, I can do that! You're right, we have mentioned keystroke logging in many of our security tips before, but we've never really gone over what it is by itself. It's very important for all computer users to understand what all is involved with keystroke logging, so I'm glad you asked. I'm sure you're not the only one who has been wondering about it either. So, without further ado, let's have a discussion about keystroke logging!

Basically, keystroke logging (also known as keylogging) is a method used to capture and record user keystrokes. It's often thought of in a negative sense, but it can be used for good as well. For example, keylogging can be used to track down certain computer system errors, to research how users interact with certain systems and it can even be used to check on employee productivity for certain tasks. Keylogging is also useful in law enforcement, as it provides a way to unlock passwords and encryption keys.

Of course, keystroke logging is also a method used by hackers to get into another user's computer and steal information. That's the type we talk about the most in our computer tips, because we want to keep you safe at all times. There's really not that much to it though. If you have an antivirus program, a good firewall and some type of anti-spyware software on your computer, you will be safe from keystroke loggers. Those types of applications can stop keystroke loggers in their tracks so that your information stays protected.

Back on the other side, there are two types of keystroke logging: hardware and software based. Hardware loggers come in three different types. First, there are the devices that are attached to the keyboard cable. They are inline devices and they are very easy to install, but they're also easily detected. Secondly, there are the devices that can be installed inside an actual keyboard. They are rather difficult to install, but once they're in, they are almost impossible to detect. Thirdly, there are replacement keyboards that already have the key logger built in. Those are obviously the easiest to work with and the logger is very hard to detect.

The software loggers are basically set up to see how users interact with different software programs on a computer. Like I said before, they can be used to keep track of how an employee is performing and so on. There are several different types of software keylogging, including local machine software keyloggers, remote access software keyloggers, wireless keylogger sniffers and acoustic keyloggers. They are all used for different tasks and they all provide different results.

As you can see, keystroke logging is used in a variety of ways and while it's used for both positive and negative aspects, it is a useful procedure. There's probably a lot more technical jargon I could bog you down with in terms of keystroke logging, but I think you get the gist. Everything you really need to know about keystroke logging is discussed above. I hope you now have a better understanding of what keystroke logging is and you can go out and tell your friends all about it. It's a great dinner table topic, don't you think?!

~ Erin

Coming Soon: Windows 7?

Coming Soon: Windows 7?

Well, maybe not as soon as you think, but it is in the works! First of all, allow me to explain what Windows 7 is, just in case some of you haven't heard about it yet. Basically, Windows 7 is the name of the next big operating system to come from Microsoft. It will succeed Windows Vista by just a mere three years. That's right, Microsoft announced last week that Windows 7 is planned for a January 2010 release. That's only 18 months away. Wow!

Microsoft senior vice president Bill Veghte sent a letter out to all Microsoft customers last week to give them the good news. The letter was titled "An Update on the Windows Roadmap" and it talked about how they want to provide their users with a more "regular, predictable Windows release schedule." They didn't want to wait another five years like they did between XP and Vista. Veghte also promised that Windows 7 will be much more "straight forward," unlike parts of Windows Vista.

He went on to talk about some of the compatibility issues everyone had with Vista and how Microsoft wants to make sure that doesn't happen with Windows 7. He said they are building from the same core architecture as Windows Vista, so the work you already put into Vista will still pay off with Windows 7. So, even if you're not too happy about another new operating system hitting the shelves, at least it sounds like it will be a little easier to work with. I don't know about you, but that makes me feel a little better about the whole situation. That's all the information I have for you now, but I will continue to keep you updated as more news rolls in!

~ Erin

Microsoft Silverlight

Microsoft Silverlight

If you’re on the Web regularly, you have probably heard of Adobe Flash (or Macromedia Flash), Adobe Shockwave (or Macromedia Shockwave) and Microsoft Silverlight. Oh, you've never heard of Silverlight? Well, it’s Microsoft’s attempt to rival Adobe in its Flash and Shockwave playing fields. Who knew?!

So, what does that mean for you, the user? Basically, if you don't have Silverlight, you'll need to install it just like any other application. Yes, it will take up some of your hard drive space, but trust me, it's worth it!

Here's how to install Silverlight:

1.) First, head on over to this Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/silverlight.

2.) Select Install.

3.) You’ll then be prompted to run the .exe file, so go ahead and click Run.

4.) After a couple of questions, Silverlight will begin installing!

5.) When it's finished, you’ll need to restart your browser in order for Silverlight to start working.

That's it! Now, you need to make sure you clean out the rest of your hard drive regularly. Before Silverlight becomes a big thing, it’s acceptable to uninstall the program after you’ve used it and then easily install it again later. However, in the future, it might be just as practical to leave Silverlight on your hard drive, so you'll need to be sure you have enough room for it. Either way, I hope you enjoy this one!

~ Brandon Zubek

Tip of The day-

Better GReader

I’ve tried out many different RSS feed readers, but there's one that definitely stands out from the rest and that would have to be Google Reader. If you've ever tried Google Reader, you know how easy it is to read, prioritize and add your feeds, but today, I’m going to show you a whole slew of great new Google Reader features. Ready, set, let’s go!

The way I’m going to add the new features is through a Firefox extension called Better GReader. It's brought to you by the same talented developer of the Better Gmail extension, Gina Trapani. So, without further ado, I’m going to go over how to use Better GReader and then I'll leave you to experiment with all of the different features!

1.) First, head on over to the Better GReader download page here. To begin the download, click on the green Add to Firefox button.

2.) Next, click on the Install button and then Restart Firefox.

3.) Once Firefox has restarted, surf to the Google Reader homepage here and log in to your account.

4.) To activate any of the scripts (features), go up to the Tools menu and click on Add Ons.

5.) Find Better GReader in the list and click on Options.

6.) Under the General tab, you can select different features you would like to use.

7.) Under the Skins tab, you can choose a cool looking interface for your new Google Reader.

8.) Now, with all of that out of the way, you can now get started on trying out all of the new scripts. If you like one, simply keep it and use it. If you don’t really like one, all you have to do is uncheck the box and it will be taken away. It’s that easy. Enjoy!

~ Neil Patel

Tip ms office-Customizing Office 2007's Favorite Links

Customizing Office 2007's Favorite Links

As promised, today, we're going to take a look at MS Office 2007's equivalent to yesterday's tip about the "Look in" list feature of past Office versions.

To begin, you'll find a new title of "Favorite Links" in the Open or Save dialogue windows.

The good news is that customizing your list is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1.) Select the folder to be added to your list with a click and hold of the mouse button.

2.) Drag the folder into your Favorite Links list. You'll notice a horizontal black line that shows you where the folder will be located. You need to pay attention to that, because the folder will stay where you put it.

3.) Drop the folder into your desired location.

That's all there is to it!

But, as expected, I have a few more related tidbits for you!

• The first thing is, I did attempt to move a file to the list instead of a folder, but the program promptly told me I could not place it in the links.
  
  
• Next, if you right click on something in the list, you will find a pop up menu that includes useful choices, like Rename and Remove, along with many others.
  
  
  
  
• I also found that I could remove something from the Favorite Links list by dragging and dropping it back into the list on the right side of the dialogue window. The only drawback is that while the folder is out of the list, it's now a shortcut in the folder you dropped it into on the right. That's probably not what you were going for, so I wouldn't recommend using this one.
  
  
• You should also know that you can rearrange the Favorite Links list anytime with a quick drag and drop of any item in the list to a new location.
  
  
• Finally, the changes you make to the Favorite Links list in one program will affect all the Office programs you use, so you only have to do the work once.

Now, you have a Favorite Links list you can truly call your own!

~ April

Tip ms office-Controls for Word Page Breaks

Controls for Word Page Breaks

Along with the ability to manually insert page breaks, MS Word gives you a few ways to control the soft (or automatic) page breaks that are inserted by the program.

In older versions of Word, the Page Break controls can be found under the Format menu, Paragraph choice.

If you're using Word 2007, you'll find what you're looking for on the Home ribbon, Paragraph section. You need to click the button in the bottom right hand corner to access the Paragraph dialogue window.

You're then looking to navigate to the Line and Page Break tab.

Your choices can be found in the Pagination section at the top.

At this point, I'm sure you can see your four choices, but what do they all mean?

Oh no, not more computer jargon flying around the room!

No worries! This jargon can be easily translated and you, too, will be a master of the page break controls.

The first choice is the "Widow/Orphan control." When checked, that will prevent Word from leaving the first line of a paragraph (an orphan) at the bottom of a page or the last line of a paragraph (a widow) at the top of a new page. Basically, Word will automatically move the first line of a paragraph to the next page (avoiding the orphan). If the last line of a paragraph is pushed to a new page, Word will also move the line above it. That avoids the widow situation.

Another choice is "Keep lines together." That one, when selected, will prevent Word from inserting a page break anywhere within a selected paragraph.

You'll also find the "Keep with next" option. That choice will keep Word from separating the selected paragraph and the one immediately following it.

Finally, you have the "Page break before" choice. Just as the name indicates, it tells Word to insert a page break before the selected paragraph.

Once you select the appropriate controls for your current situation, click OK.

There you have it. Page break controls right at your fingertips!

Quick Tip-Firefox 3 Dos and Don'ts

Firefox 3 Dos and Don'ts

By now, I'm sure you all know that Mozilla recently released the third version of their ever popular Web browser Firefox. Yes, Firefox 3 has been available for a couple of weeks now and while most people were in a big hurry to install it for themselves, there may be a few of you out there who are waiting just a little while longer. And that's exactly who this tip is for today. So, if you've yet to download Firefox 3, please listen up!

Installing a new version of a Web browser is a big thing and you shouldn't rush through it. You should prepare yourself and your computer beforehand in order to get the best results. With that said, here are a few dos and don'ts you should follow before installing Firefox 3. (Note: These are brought to you by one of our best WorldStart message board users: "HARLEY!")

First of all, don't install the new version over your old version. If you do that, you could end up losing all of your files and your extensions will probably not work. So, go ahead and uninstall the older version first. Then go and start the new install. Doing that ensures a clean install and a better working browser. You should also do a full back up of your files before you begin the install. That includes all your bookmarks, your log in information and anything else you think you're going to need. I know those are only a few suggestions, but that's pretty much all you need to do. If you take your time, you'll be able to enjoy Firefox 3 that much more!

~ Erin

Tip of the day-Windows Calendar

Windows Calendar

If you’re like me, you’ve got a lot of events to go to and people to see everyday. I used to keep a journal to manage all of my appointments, but now, I just use Windows Calendar! It’s really easy to get started and once you’ve got it going, you won’t want to stop. Let's check it out!

To start up Windows Calendar in Windows Vista, go to Start, All Programs. Then choose Windows Calendar.

Wow! As you can see, it has today’s date, an appointment book and even a to-do list (called Tasks). The first thing you’re going to want to do is schedule a new appointment. Let’s pretend for a moment that you're friends with the President and Vice President of the United States. The President calls to let you know he wants to see you at 1 p.m. on June 30, 2008. So, you whip out Windows Calendar, double click on the 1 p.m. option and enter the specifics in the Details box on the right. That's all you have to do!

Now, if you ever happen to double book yourself or you need to change the details for a specific appointment, simply right click on the date and choose what you need to do from the options shown. It's as easy as that!

Happy scheduling!

~ Brandon Zubek