Quite a bit of talk around the web and on blogs recently regarding the next release of Windows, Windows 7. I have collected some of the highlights or comments as follows:

• 2009 – Early 2009 release (most likely beta) for developers or testers to get their hands on it
• 2010 – Early 2010 Windows 7 goes to RTM (hopefully the date won’t shift)
• Windows 7 will nag users much less than its much-maligned predecessor, Vista
• Will let users choose to see fewer alerts and warnings
• Significant design changes to the way windows and icons look, and to where certain features and functions are stashed in the system
• “add printer” will return to the quick access start menu after most users complained about its removal
• More testing with end-users rather than developers
• Taskbar changes (removed some redundant buttons that launch applications)
• When users roll over the icon of a program in the task bar, it will be easier to see how many documents or windows are open, and switch between them
• "jumplists," which are a quick way of organising recently used files, websites or often-used program features
• Introduced a concept called "libraries," which automatically finds similar files from a single PC, an external hard drive and even other PCs on a home network, then displays them together in a single folder. That could be handy for organising the family's digital photos that have been stored in over a number of PC’s or hard drives
• Some degree by poking or swiping fingers across the screen to activate programs or functions
• Improved the speed of the system and cut the amount of memory it needs to run. That's been another complaint about Vista, which generally needs new PC gear or hardware configurations than Windows XP
• Note really related to Windows 7, but Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote software will work in web browsers of Internet Explorer browser, Firefox and Safari

So we look forward to seeing what all unfolds in 2009 with Windows 7. Could this mean an early death for Vista? You be the judge.

Happy reading!

Greg Olsen
Yellow Duck Guy

Virustotal is an online service that analyzes suspicious files and facilitates the quick detection of viruses, worms, trojans, and all kinds of malware detected by antivirus engines. It is a site I use frequently to check any files against viruses, worms, trojans and malware which I have received or any trial software versions I download from the Internet. 

To use: Simply head over to http://www.virustotal.com/ and upload your file and their service will provide an in-depth scan of the file against the latest leading virus scanners. To give you an idea of these, see the list below (list as at 11th October 2008):

AhnLab-V3
AntiVir 7.8.1.34
Authentium 5.1.0.4
Avast 4.8.1248.0
AVG 8.0.0.161
BitDefender 7.2
CAT-QuickHeal 9.50
ClamAV 0.93.1
DrWeb 4.44.0.09170
eSafe 7.0.17.0
eTrust-Vet 31.6.6141
Ewido 4.0
F-Prot 4.4.4.56
F-Secure 8.0.14332.0
Fortinet 3.113.0.0
GData 19
Ikarus T3.1.1.34.0
K7AntiVirus 7.10.490
Kaspersky 7.0.0.125
McAfee 5403
Microsoft 1.4005
NOD32 3513
Norman 5.80.02
Panda 9.0.0.4
PCTools 4.4.2.0
Prevx1 V2
Rising 20.65.42.00 
SecureWeb-Gateway 6.7.6
Sophos 4.34.0
Sunbelt 3.1.1715.1
Symantec 10
TheHacker 6.3.1.0.106
TrendMicro 8.700.0.1004
VBA32 3.12.8.6
ViRobot 2008.10.10.1416
VirusBuster 4.5.11.0

Enjoy!

Greg Olsen
Yellow Duck Guy

Microsoft Dynamics CRM is available via Facebook, the social networking site right here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=21809302488&ref=mf

A place for Dynamic CRM groups, pros, user's and friends to chat about the world of CRM.

If you are already a Facebook member and work with Microsoft Dynamics CRM then I suggest join the online group today.

Greg Olsen
Yellow Duck Guy