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April 2005

UpdateXP.com

 Newsletter...

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Friday 29th April 2005

Well time for another newsletter!

It has been another busy month with another visit down to Microsoft's' UK headquarters for an open day where I had the opportunity to view some of the advances being made in project "Longhorn" - the next generation Microsoft operating system that will replace Windows XP in summer 2006.


Microsoft Project "Longhorn"
---------------------------

Speaking of project "Longhorn" a few emails have started to come in asking me if:

a) I will be creating a new website for users of the Longhorn desktop software (there will be a server version too.)

b) Will I be abandoning www.updatexp.com when the new software is released next year?

...well the answer is:

a) YES

b) NO

...I fully intend to carry on with www.updatexp.com as long as there seems to be a need for it!

...I will also be creating a website for "Longhorn" when released.

In fact I shall be creating *TWO* websites.

I am working on a website (NO name yet) that will show the BETA version of "Longhorn" - as much as Microsoft let me that is! The idea is to demonstrate some of the new features and discuss some of the underlying technologies... And all in a language that the "average" computer user can understand :-)

Then when project "Longhorn" does get released next year, I shall have a new site, similar in style to www.updatexp.com , ready for the world!

I also intend to release a book on using the Digital Media applications available in the new software - more on that in another newsletter...

So basically it is "watch this space"... at the moment!


The Windows XP Podcast
----------------------

This month I have also been working on the infrastructure required to start a weekly "Windows XP Podcast".

For those of you yet to experience a "Podcast" it is a radio style show that can be downloaded as a music file, usually an MP3, and then listened to on your mobile phone, mobile MP3 player, iPod etc.

Podcasts are proving VERY popular, so much so that the broadcasting industry as been caught by surprise!

I now have a semi-professional "mobile" recording studio set up. (Decent studio quality microphone, USB external sound card, mixing software etc...)

Next step is to purchase a server dedicated to storing and downloading the Podcast shows. Not knowing how popular this particular Windows XP Podcast will become means it is difficult to judge just how much "bandwidth" to purchase on a monthly basis. So I am just going to go ahead and order enough for 75,000 monthly downloads and see where we go from there!!!

(One of the most popular Podcasts on the internet is Adam Curry's "The Daily Source Code" and he has already had to upgrade his resources twice in less than six months....)

...Well enough of my chatter!

Below are this months newsletter articles for you to enjoy.

Regards

Marc Liron - MVP

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April 2005 - Windows Update XP Newsletter

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This Newsletter's Contents:

1. Microsoft Home User Security Videos..

2. File Corruption in Outlook Express...

3. MSN Search Tip - The Encarta Result...

4. The New Nokia N91 Mobile...

5. Really A Microsoft MVP...?

6. Another Windows Update Error...

7. Windows Automatic Updates...

8. Choose The Right MP3 Player For YOU...

9. Entertaining Backup Video With John Cleese..?

10. Repairing Internet Explorer...

11. Windows STOP Messages...

12. Two Security Articles...

13. Software From Microsoft MVP's...

14. www.watch-dvds-in-wmp.com

15. Launching Soon...

16. RSS Training Website (Free)...

17. Useless Fact...


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1. Microsoft Home User Security Videos..

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Microsoft have recently added some GREAT security related
videos for the home user...

Aimed at Non Technical folk these are highly recommended
viewing!

Check them out here:

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/videos/default.mspx

You can even download them here:

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/videos/terms.mspx

Enjoy and learn!


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2. File Corruption in Outlook Express...

---------------------------------------------------

It is a rare day on the Internet that we do not see
some scary warning about the latest e-mail threat from
viruses, worms, and Trojan Horses. But there is another
e-mail threat that can be just as damaging as a virus
and yet is rarely discussed in computer media.

That threat is file corruption, a somewhat nerdy term
for damage to a file that prevents a computer program
from being able to use it. For Outlook Express users,
file corruption can often mean the disappearance of
entire folders of saved e-mail.

In this article Tom Koch looks at the common causes of
corruption, how to avoid it, and how to recover
messages if it occurs.

Here is the article online:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/IE/community/columns/filecorruption.mspx


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3. MSN Search Tip - The Encarta Result...

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You may not be aware, but Microsoft's search engine (MSN)
has a wealth of information available and it can find facts
and information just as well as Google can!

One of the key features of the MSN search engine is
the ability to return results from its' "Encarta" database.

Called "Direct Answers" it is a new MSN Search technology
that looks in real time for patterns in queries to determine
if the customer is asking a specific question that can be
answered with a factual answer instead of just links to
other pages.

More in this article:

http://www.updatexp.com/msn-advanced-search.html


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4. The New Nokia N91 Mobile...

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Why would I write an article on a Cell Phone?

...well Nokia have just released the N91 Mobile and
it is so much more than a phone!

Why?

Well the clue is in the 4Gb Hard Disk that it contains.

Nokia are claiming you can get around 3,000 music tracks
and that the N91 will challenge the dominance of Apples'
iPod range of music players.

Need to be convinced?

Then find the facts and judge for yourself at:

http://www.updatexp.com/nokia-n91.html 

NB - If after reading this article you have a strong
opinion then I would like to know about it!

...just hot the "reply" button and let me know your
thoughts...


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5. Really A Microsoft MVP...?

---------------------------------------------------

I still get a regular supply of emails from folk who
visit my site and question me over my Microsoft MVP
award...

Just to prove I really do exist Microsoft have now
put a small page about me on their corporate website!

You can check it out here:

http://www.marc-liron-mvp.com

Want to know more about the MVP program? Click here:

http://mvp.support.microsoft.com


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6. Another Windows Update Error...

---------------------------------------------------

Ever visited the Windows Update Site to manually install
new updates only to discover the site lists updates
that you already installed?

Then you need to read this article to solve the problem!

http://www.updatexp.com/windows-update-already-installed.html


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7. Windows Automatic Updates...

---------------------------------------------------

Confused over Windows Automatic Updates? Don't even know
what they are?

Then you NEED to read this article and get to grips
with this important topic...

http://www.updatexp.com/windows-automatic-updates.html 


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8. Choose The Right MP3 Player For YOU...

---------------------------------------------------

MP3 players are every where today. In 2005 we will see
another record year in sales of these portable music
players... so which type is the best one to suit your
needs?

Well you can find out right here:

http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/content.aspx?ctid=130

NB - If you have never come across this site before then
spend some time exploring the thousands of products
and software reviews!


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9. Entertaining Backup Video With John Cleese..?

---------------------------------------------------

On Adam Curry's Podcast this week he mentioned this
website and I just had to share it with you...

It certainly had me in stitches, even though it is
trying to make a valid point about using online storage
for backups of you important data.

Check out the hilarious video:

http://www.backuptrauma.com/video/default2.aspx

Now this is an advert for an expensive backup solution
for large business customers. BUT if you want a similar
solution for the home user of small business then read:

http://www.updatexp.com/online-data-storage.html


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10. Repairing Internet Explorer...

---------------------------------------------------

Ever had a problem with Internet Explorer and needed to
repair it?

Then you will have discovered the lack of information
available to help you do this simple task!

In this article I discuss the 2 methods available to you:

http://www.updatexp.com/repair-internet-explorer.html


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11. Windows STOP Messages...

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When Windows XP detects a problem from which it cannot
recover, it displays Stop messages. These are text-mode
error messages that report information about the condition.

Stop messages, sometimes referred to as blue screens (BSoD),
contain specific information that can help you diagnose
and possibly resolve the problem detected by the Windows
kernel.

http://www.updatexp.com/stop-messages.html

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12. Two Security Articles...

---------------------------------------------------

Security online is a big issue these days. So you may
find these two articles an interesting and informative
read!

# Phishing - 5 Tips For Your Online Safety...

"How to protect yourself from Phishing Scams"

http://www.updatexp.com/phishing.html


# The FTC's Top 10 Dot Con's:

"Ten Dot Con's That Are Still Catching Folk Out..."

http://www.updatexp.com/dot-con.html



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13. Software From Microsoft MVP's...

---------------------------------------------------

In this UK edition of Windows XP Magazine this month
there is a six page feature on the software created by
UK Microsoft MVP's like myself.

You have probably already taken a look at my free
video/audio codec checking utility at:

"SHERLOCK - The Codec Detective!"

http://www.updatexp.com/sherlock-codec-detective.html

Over the next few newsletter issues I am going to
highlight some of the software from my colleagues.


# Color Detector v2.0

http://www.updatexp.com/color-detector.html


# Evidence Blaster 2005

http://www.updatexp.com/evidence-blaster.html 


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14. www.watch-dvds-in-wmp.com

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Did you know that you can play DVD's using Windows
Media Player?

The "DVD XPack" instantly adds DVD playback to Windows
Media Player 9 & 10. It Installs the same theatre-quality
video and audio decoders proven by over 45 million
users of WinDVD - the world's leading software DVD
player. (and at a fraction of the cost...)

It's FAST, cheap and Microsoft approved!

http://www.watch-dvds-in-wmp.com

I have been using this plug-in for several years now
and have never had a problem!

ALSO...

When you click the link above you will see a range of
links at the top of the web page you are taken to.

Checkout the selection of Video creation and backup
software available whilst you are there.
(Demos are available for most products....)

As a "Digital Media" professional this is the company
that I use and recommend for digital video software.

If you are looking for a great value deal then take
a look at their new 9-in-1 package of audio, video and
backup software:

http://www.updatexp.com/media-one.html


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15. Launching Soon...

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Spyware is a *HUGE* problem for online users and guess
what, your anti-virus software is virtually useless
in fighting back!

...so I have created this free course just for
subscribers like you.

This training course will give you the FACTS and
PRACTICAL solutions against an issue that is not
going to go away.

Learn to defend yourself!

Sign up at:

http://www.fighting-spyware.com

...and I shall email you the day the website course
goes live.



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16. RSS Training Website (Free)...

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Seen those "orange" RSS buttons on websites recently?

Confused as to what the are?

If you have NOT already taken this free course in
learning all about RSS then sign up now at:

http://www.rss-lessons.com

Take the confusion out of RSS for good!

Free videos and PDF handouts that you can keep for
future reference :-)

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17. Useless Fact...

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The MSN Messenger server "farm" handles over 70 million
concurrent sessions every single day! Until recently,
they were using 250 32-bit servers to manage that load.
When they switched to Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition running
on x64 hardware, they reduced the size of the farm
to just 25 servers.

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Well, I hope you found this newsletter useful?

Until next time!

Don't forget to tell your friends about us!

Kind Regards

Marc Liron
Microsoft MVP in Digital Media
www.marcliron.com

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