May 15, 2008 | computers, hardware, Vista
We have learned a lot about Windows XP in the last seven years. I can work deeply in Windows XP with confidence, and I’ve developed a pretty good collection of tools for troubleshooting – some from third parties but a lot that are included with Windows XP...
May 11, 2008 | computers, Microsoft, security, WinXP
Every time I think Microsoft is going to learn a lesson and show some communication skills, it makes another misstep.Windows XP Service Pack 3 is a collection of previously released security patches and updates, with a handful of new features and absolutely nothing...
May 5, 2008 | broadband, computers, Internet, mobile, network, security, wireless
If you have a wireless notebook, there’s yet another way the bad guys can get past your defenses.When you connect to a wireless access point, normally you’re in “infrastructure” mode. Network traffic to all the computers using the wireless...
Apr 23, 2008 | computers, mail, Microsoft, Office, OneCare, photos, security, software, Vista, web_services
Microsoft is working on a package of software and online services that might be exactly right for students and home computer users. Although Vista includes important features out of the box, it does not include Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, and Powerpoint....
Apr 21, 2008 | computers, Vista
Columnist Ed Bott was curious about a friend who complained bitterly about the way Vista ran on his brand new Sony Vaio laptop last year, so he asked permission to look it over. Recently he got a similar new Vaio from Sony to see what had changed in a year.He...
Apr 14, 2008 | Apple, computers, hardware
I had a feeling of deja vu when I was talking to a friend about a new computer last week. In the late 1980s and early 90s, I set up dozens of Gateway computers. They were comparatively inexpensive, they were pioneers in the business of custom configurations for...