Posts Tagged ‘Microsoft’

Black Screen Update

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Recently, I discussed a problem some people have been experiencing with black screens.  I had reported that a company, Prevx, had identified that Microsoft’s recent patches were responsible for black screens.  Prevx and Microsoft both have further examined the condition and determined that the black screens were not caused by Microsoft’s security updates as previous believed, but by malware, such as Daonol.  Once again, Microsoft’s patches are safe and are not the cause of these black screens.

The fix that Prevx had provided, and I had included on my previous entry, didn’t fix the problem in all cases.  The fix apparently works if the black screen began within the past couple of weeks, after running security software.  Some users had to resort to reloading Windows to repair the issue. 

Prevx identified  ten different scenarios that could trigger the black screens, and most have been available for years.  All Windows Operating Systems from NT to 7 can be affected by the problem, which is potentially million of computers world wide. 

Join Microsoft Office 2010 Beta

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

Microsoft opened their Office 2010 Beta to the public today. I joined the masses wanting a seek peek at Microsoft’s next Office suite.  I’ll keep you informed as I explore various aspects of the Office suite, including their new web apps, their social networking connector, ad- supported starter edition, and so much more. If you’re interested in a free trial of the new Microsoft Office 2010 Beta, get it here: http://www.microsoft.com/office/2010/en/default.aspx.

NASA & Microsoft Want You to Be A Martian

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

Today at Microsoft’s Professional Developers Conference, Microsoft and NASA unveiled their Be A Martian website that asks people of all ages to become a citizen scientist.  Developers are invited to create new apps that can help the space agency sift through the mountains of data that it has collected studying Mars. 

When you become a Martian, you’ll be able to earn reputation points and badges helping NASA explore the red planet.  I toured the site and was able to browse a virtual atlas of Mars, view videos and talks with Mars experts in the Two Moons Theater, let my voice be heard in the Crater City Hall, and perform actual science for NASA in the Map Room.  In the Map Room, members are able to count craters and help the space agency create a virtual 3D map of Mars by aligning maps with the ease of clicking on a few arrows. 

My first thoughts after exploring the site were my niece and nephew and how cool it would be to get them excited about science, space, and technology.  However, my little Martians will have to wait until they can grasp a mouse, they just reached their first birthday. 

Check it out here:  http://beamartian.jpl.nasa.gov/

Apple Issues New Security Update

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Let me state it plainly, I’m not a fan of Apple.  I’m a Microsoftie all the way.  However, since roughly 5 percent of the PC market consists of Macs.  I’ll give my due diligence to those people who are part of the Mac cult.

Apple just released a new security update that patched 58 vulnerabilities in its operating system.  Some of the updates close holes that allows attackers to hijack your Mac.  It is the sixth time this year, that Apple has release an update to its software.  If you use Mac, the new update should be downloaded immediately to help keep your systems safe and secure. 

For Microsoft users, tomorrow is Patch Tuesday.  Microsoft releases new updates and patches every month on the second Tuesday.