Monthly Archives: April 2023

  • April 2023 Office non-Security updates

    Microsoft released NO non-security updates for Office on April 4, 2023.

    Reminder:  Extended Support ends for Office 2013 next week on Patch Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

    On April 10, 2018, Office 2013 reached End of Mainstream Support. Extended Support ends for Office 2013 on April 11, 2023.
    Office 2016 also reached  End of Mainstream Support on October 13, 2020. EOS for Office 2016 is October 14, 2025.

    Updates are for the .msi version (perpetual). Office 365 and C2R are not included.

    Security updates for all supported versions of Microsoft Office are released on the second Tuesday of the month (Patch Tuesday).

  • Inside the overpacked Microsoft 365 app

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    ISSUE 20.14 • 2023-04-03

    MICROSOFT 365

    Peter Deegan

    By Peter Deegan

    The Microsoft 365 app — formerly known as the Office 365 app — is what I call the Office “all-in-one” app.

    It’s available for Apple (iPhone/iPad) and Android devices and combines the Word, Excel, and PowerPoint mobile apps into a single app — with elements of OneDrive, the Lens app, and many other Microsoft features thrown in for good measure. Anyone can use the app, though there are some extras for Microsoft 365 customers.

    Because the “all-new” Microsoft 365 mobile app is being pushed heavily, let’s take a closer look.

    Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.14.0, 2023-04-03).
    This story also appears in our public Newsletter.

  • Ten top forum topics — Newsletter and blog

    FROM THE FORUMS

    Talk Bubbles

    As you all know, a forum topic is associated with every post on our blog (the site’s home page) and every article published in our newsletter.

    Almost every one of those topics generates some interest, so almost all have at least a few replies from the readership. The replies may be compliments on our articles, complaints about what we have written, disagreement with our conclusions, corrections of errors, further information about the topic, or in-depth commentary about specific points.

    Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.14.0, 2023-04-03).
    This story also appears in our public Newsletter.

  • How to get the most out of Google Bard and Bing Chat

    PUBLIC DEFENDER

    Brian Livingston

    By Brian Livingston

    Whether you like it or not, generative artificial intelligence — gen AI — is making its way into Google’s search engine, Gmail, and Docs. Its Redmond competitor is building OpenAI’s GPT-4 into Microsoft 365, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more.

    Other tech companies don’t want to go down the tubes like buggy whips, slide rules, and Silicon Valley Bank. So they’re all racing against the two software giants to bolt gen AI into their apps and gadgets. Who knows, you might get AI-driven responses from holographic humanoids in Facebook’s failed virtual metaverse.

    Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.14.0, 2023-04-03).

  • Large or small? Old or new? Borrowed and blue?

    HARDWARE

    Ben Myers

    By Ben Myers

    Decade-long trends in computer hardware make for more expansive and perplexing choices.

    So you need to buy another computer, or two, or more? What do you buy — large or small, mainstream brand, traditional or custom, new or used?

    Running a cradle-to-grave computer business including the repair and resale of gently used computers, I originally expected to portray the various tradeoffs between buying new and buying used computers. Then I realized that the trends that have swept over the computer industry in the past decade can, and do, have great influence over what to buy. Trends first, new vs. used later.

    Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.14.0, 2023-04-03).

  • Firmware and drivers

    PATCH WATCH

    Susan Bradley

    By Susan Bradley

    Why are drivers and firmware so important?

    Once upon a time, you would set up a computer and any display adapter driver or firmware would be automatically installed to match the hardware. More than likely, you would not install new drivers for a long, long time.

    But now with both Windows 10 and 11, I annually review drivers and firmware as the Windows feature releases come out. I go through certain steps and processes to rule out issues that might have been triggered by out-of-date drivers, especially if I’ve encountered side effects that I can’t otherwise explain.

    Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.14.0, 2023-04-03).