Microsoft have released an update, bug-fix and enhancement package for Windows XP. Their aim is to make your PC safer online, easier to configure, with improved wireless networking security and many other improvements.

All these improvements are in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2). This is a free update for Windows XP, which can be downloaded from Microsoft at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx. Be aware this is over 200MB so you may want to order a CD. Alternatively SP2 CD's are now appearing on the front of many Computer magazines.

So, what does it contain? Well the major thrust of this update is online security. The control panel now contains the “Windows Security Centre” a central point where everything security related can be seen and managed.

The security enhancements include an improved Firewall, which works much like the free version of ZoneAlarm, blocking unauthorised access to or from the Internet. Security is also improved in Outlook Express and Internet Explorer. Potentially dangerous attachments are isolated in Outlook Express, and users are warned when downloading in Internet Explorer. None of this removes the need for up to date virus protection though, so you still need AVG, Norton or other virus protection software.

One of the nicer “enhancements” for me is that Internet Explorer can now block “pop ups” on the internet. These are annoying little windows, often containing adverts that some web-sites cause to open up on your screen. The default now is for IE is to block these, and give a warning to the user, very nice.

For wireless network users there are also enhancements to wireless connectivity, making it easier to securely connect to a wireless network. Tablet PC users are not left out either, with improve handwriting recognition as wall as the other enhancements.

So the big question is – should you install it? I would say unhesitatingly YES. SP2 contains many improvements that will make your use of the PC more secure and safe. It will also help to slow the spread of viruses and problems through the internet by reducing the number of machines that can be infected.

One downside is that SP2 is only for Windows XP users, if you're still running Windows 2000 or earlier you'll have to upgrade to get these new features.

More information from Microsoft at http://www.microsoft.com If you want help or guidance installing SP2 then please talk to us at the Burningsuit Consultancy, we can help.

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Here is the text of a joint press release put out earlier this month by us together with the Charity Migrant Helpline. Thanks to this we were featured on Newsforge, and will soon be featuring in a case study on the OpenOffice web site.

Burningsuit helps Migrant Helpline move to OpenSource

The Charity Migrant Helpline is moving its 200 computer users over from Microsoft Windows to an Open Source solution with help and training from The Burningsuit Consultancy.

The Dover and Southern England based Charity is moving its users over to OpenOffice.org applications running on Mandrake Linux with Ximian Evolution Email. To help achieve this change The Burningsuit Consultancy has created and is delivering bespoke training courses which give all users the essential skills they need in the new environment.

“Migrant Helpline gets many benefits from using OpenSource software” says Chief Executive Annie Ledger. “We’ve found it to be stable, fast, and less prone to viruses and other exploits. It has all the features we need, and with a bit of training it’s easy to use”.

The Burningsuit Consultancy is training the whole organisation in groups of up to ten at Migrant Helpline's training suite in Dover. Feedback from the course is good with over 95% of delegates rating the course as “good or “excellent”. Importantly 68% of the staff who have completed the course now say that they can do things with OpenOffice they couldn’t do with previous systems. Topics such as the use of styles in OpenOffice are clearly explained and taught and this, together with easy to use Quick Reference Guides and the careful configuring of the courses to Migrant Helpline’s needs, has resulted in an improvement in IT skills across the organisation.

“Training is vital to the successful adoption of any computer software, and this is especially true with Open Source applications.” says Stuart Box, Senior Partner at The Burningsuit Consultancy. “Many companies try OpenOffice, but give up because it’s slightly different, and they find it’s not an exact copy of what they know. Properly configured training in OpenOffice and other Open Source applications can overcome these difficulties, explain the differences and make users far more productive.”

“Open Office is a wonderful application, easily as good if not better than its commercial alternatives, but its adoption is being held up by a lack of understanding of the applications. Migrant Helpline have proved that with proper training and control OpenOffice and other Open Source software can provide solutions that are fast, stable and cost effective, yet offer all the benefits and features of their commercial alternatives”.

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Recently my trusty Palm Pilot died. (Oh dry the starting tear dear reader, it was something like eight years old, positively aged for a piece of technology.) It had worked well for me, did all I wanted, carried my Diary, Contacts and such, and was reliable, - right up to a couple of weeks ago, when it stopped working altogether.

So I concluded it was time to treat myself to another. Well, things have changed since Pilot first brought out the little Palm. The Ipaq and Windows mobile version now vies with the Palm as the most popular palmtop.

After some research I opted for an HP Ipaq 3715, and now after using it for a couple of weeks I love it! It comes with Pocket Outlook, Word and Excel, so I can carry my Diary, Contacts, Email and important documents with me. It has Wireless Networking and Bluetooth communications too, so I can connect to the Internet when I'm out and about. The Ipaq also comes with “Nevo” software that can control my TV and Hi-Fi like an infra-red “zapper”, and headphones so I can “stream” music wirelessly from my PC to the Ipaq, or listen to audiobooks, a particular love of mine, from audible.com.

A very handy piece of kit, all those functions for both work and play, and it cost about the same as the Palm Pilot did eight years ago. Lets just hope it lasts as long!

If you want to carry your Diary, Email, Contact and more! In your pocket, call us, and discuss the options.

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