Newsletter Archives

• Microsoft Backup triggers help-desk calls and confusion

  Posted on October 2, 2023 at 02:45 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 20.40 • 2023-10-02

  ON SECURITY

  

  By Susan Bradley

  I applaud Microsoft for admitting that we all need to back up our computers and workstations, or at least have a recovery plan of some sort.

  But Microsoft’s recent backup implementation, its suddenly appearing Microsoft Backup app, is not well thought out and is a one-size-fits-all solution — that doesn’t fit well at all.

  Here’s the backstory. The new Backup app is available for both Windows 10 and 11. That’s a surprise, because we’ve been put on notice that Windows 10 22H2 is the final release, with only security updates coming our way until October 2025.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.40.0, 2023-10-02).
  This story also appears in our public Newsletter.

  On Security Backup, KB5029331, KB5030211, Microsoft Accounts, Newsletters, Patch Lady Posts, Windows backup

• How Amazon ejected AI-written e-books from its bestseller lists

  Posted on October 2, 2023 at 02:44 CDT by B. Livingston • Comment in the Forums

  PUBLIC DEFENDER

  

  By Brian Livingston

  The giant online retailer, Amazon.com, faced a problem. Hackers were using chatbots to create fake e-books — mostly novels full of gibberish — and posting them into the Kindle Unlimited (KU) service.

  The perps then launched scripts to “read” their works. The automated traffic resulted in Amazon’s e-book bestseller lists being dominated by drivel.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.40.0, 2023-10-02).

  Public Defender AI, Amazon, ChatGPT, DDoS, E-Books, Generative AI, GPT-Author, Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, Newsletters

• Ten stunning features in Microsoft Word

  Posted on October 2, 2023 at 02:43 CDT by Peter Deegan • Comment in the Forums

  MICROSOFT 365

  

  By Peter Deegan

  Microsoft Word has been around for so long, it’s easy to forget how great it really is.

  If you ask Microsoft about great Word features, they’ll drag out a list of recent innovations (starting and ending with “AI” and plenty of “cloud” in between). My own “stunning features” are things we take for granted, with some tips to make better use of them.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.40.0, 2023-10-02).

  Microsoft 365 Art, Collaboration, Indexes, Newsletters, Styles, Voice input, Word

• Thunderbolt

  Posted on October 2, 2023 at 02:42 CDT by Ed Tittel • Comment in the Forums

  HARDWARE

  

  By Ed Tittel

  Not many people know this, but Thunderbolt originated as an optical networking technology. Apple and Intel worked on its initial design.

  Known as Light Peak, it was based upon optical components and fiber-optic cables at Intel’s Silicon Photonics lab. When it turned out that copper cables could deliver the same 10 Gbps bandwidth as the more expensive and finicky optical elements, the cheaper, less demanding technology won.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.40.0, 2023-10-02).

  Hardware Docking stations, Newsletters, NVMe, performance, Thunderbolt, USB, USB Implementers Forum

• Why File Explorer keeps me on Windows

  Posted on September 25, 2023 at 02:44 CDT by Josh Hendrickson • Comment in the Forums

  WINDOWS

  

  By Josh Hendrickson

  I own both a fairly powerful Windows PC and a Mac Studio.

  Technically, the Mac Studio, with its M1 processor, far outstrips my desktop PC. And yet my PC continues to be my daily driver. Why?

  File Explorer.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.39.0, 2023-09-25).

  Windows File Explorer, Finder, MacOS, Newsletters, Windows, Windows Explorer

• Uninstalr — “World’s best cup of coffee”

  Posted on September 25, 2023 at 02:43 CDT by Deanna McElveen • Comment in the Forums

  FREEWARE SPOTLIGHT

  

  By Deanna McElveen

  In the movie “Elf,” Buddy discovers the world’s best cup of coffee. He may take the signage on the building a bit too literally as he bursts in to congratulate the staff of the coffee shop. Well, today I am Buddy, but I actually tasted the coffee.

  Uninstalr by Macecraft Software has the words right there on their website: “Uninstalr is the best Windows uninstaller.” Well, anyone can put that on their website. I was, of course, skeptical, because I have used all the uninstaller programs.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.39.0, 2023-09-25).

  Freeware Spotlight Application uninstalls, Deanna's Freeware Spotlight, Newsletters, Uninstallers

• Locked out of your refurbished computer?

  Posted on September 25, 2023 at 02:42 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  ON SECURITY

  

  By Susan Bradley

  Corporate “leftovers” may impact your new computer.

  All of us want to purchase a good deal. Often I will look for refurbished computers, many of them systems coming off corporate leases, because they are an excellent value. Many times, they are less than three years old and support Windows 11. Some even come with Windows 11.

  Most of these systems have been reset to factory defaults, so the configuration process is basically the same OOBE you would get with a new PC. You start the boot process, set it up with either a Microsoft account or a local account with the no@thankyou.com email trick, and off you go. You’re happy: you have a well-built computer that is cheaper than anything you’d purchase elsewhere.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.39.0, 2023-09-25).

  On Security Autopilot, Intune, Newsletters, Patch Lady Posts, Refurbished Equipment

• Apple 2030

  Posted on September 18, 2023 at 02:45 CDT by Will Fastie • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 20.38 • 2023-09-18

  APPLE NEWS

  

  By Will Fastie

  Mother Nature deems Apple’s ambitious clean-energy goals worthy, albeit surprising.

  Oscar winner Octavia Spencer, in her starring role as Mother Nature in Apple’s fall event, stole the show. Apple goes Hollywood all the time in these events, but this was different.

  In a nicely done surprise skit, Mother Nature has come to Apple to audit its progress on meeting its green goals, specifically carbon neutrality. This alone was funny because all companies seem to have stated goals, but it’s hard to know whether any are being achieved. Mother Nature was skeptical to the point of assuming Apple was just blowing smoke, so to speak.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.38.0, 2023-09-18).
  This story also appears in our public Newsletter.

  Apple Apple News, Apple Watch, iPhone, iPhone 15, Newsletters, Photography, USB-C

• Wi-Fi 7? Why not!

  Posted on September 18, 2023 at 02:44 CDT by B. Livingston • Comment in the Forums

  PUBLIC DEFENDER

  

  By Brian Livingston

  International standards bodies are just months away from finalizing a wireless networking improvement that’s being called Wi-Fi 7. When devices start supporting and using the new protocol, Wi-Fi 7 promises theoretical speeds far beyond what’s currently possible with Wi-Fi 6 (which was officially approved back in 2014).

  But don’t go out and buy all new stuff just yet. Theory is one thing, and reality is another. You may never see noticeably faster speeds from any Wi-Fi 7 devices you may own in the future. What are the reasons for this? I’m glad you asked.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.38.0, 2023-09-18).

  Public Defender 802.11be, Newsletters, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 7

• Second city — the AI view from Washington

  Posted on September 18, 2023 at 02:43 CDT by Max Stul Oppenheimer • Comment in the Forums

  LEGAL BRIEF

  

  By Max Stul Oppenheimer, Esq.

  Multiple players are deciding their opening moves in reacting to the sudden entry of this technology into the public consciousness.

  Not surprisingly, their approaches differ because their interests differ.

  In my previous installment (2023-08-28), we saw how Microsoft is grappling with how to protect its interests — offensive and defensive — in a highly volatile and unpredictable future. In the short time since that article published, it appears that Microsoft may already be fine-tuning its approach.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.38.0, 2023-09-18).

  Legal Brief AI, Generative AI, Government, Microsoft, Microsoft Service Agreement, Newsletters, Policy

• Zeroing in on zero days

  Posted on September 18, 2023 at 02:42 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  PATCH WATCH

  

  By Susan Bradley

  September’s updates are out, with several zero days and several interesting vulnerabilities.

  The good news is that for consumers and home users, many of these are unique to a business network and won’t be seen in a home network.

  What will be seen this month is that the update installation and reboot process will take longer. I’m not sure what is triggering the slowness, but note that this month’s updates also include .NET updates. Patience.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.38.0, 2023-09-18).

  Patch Watch Backup, CVE-2023-36761, CVE-2023-36802, CVE-2023-38148, Intel Processors, KB5020805, Newsletters, Patch Lady Posts, Windows backup

• How to upgrade your Windows 10 PC to Windows 11

  Posted on September 11, 2023 at 02:45 CDT by Lance Whitney • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 20.37 • 2023-09-11

  WINDOWS 11

  

  By Lance Whitney

  Can you switch your computer from Windows 10 to Windows 11 without any major hiccups? Here’s how the upgrade played out for me.

  I recently decided to move my Windows 10 Lenovo laptop to Windows 11. Lately, for both personal and professional reasons, I’ve been relying more on features that are exclusive to Windows 11 — including Phone Link support for the iPhone, the new Photos app, AI integration, support for Android apps, smarter voice dictation, and screen recording in the Snipping Tool.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.37.0, 2023-09-11).
  This story also appears in our public Newsletter.

  Windows 11 Newsletters, upgrade, Windows 10, Windows 11
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