Canada | Windows 7

Microsoft Internet Explorer users have lower IQ

Aug 032011

A study by Canada based company reveals more people on the higher side of IQ scale have moved away from Internet Explorer in the last 5 years BANGALORE, INDIA: A Vancouver based Psychometric Consulting company, AptiQuant, has released a report on, ‘Intelligence Quotient and Browser Usage’, a trial it conducted to measure the effects of cognitive …

Finally Australia gets Windows 7 Family Pack!

Windows 7 No Responses »

Jan 122010

Guess I got it all wrong! In my post on November 1, 2009 entitled “So much for product loyalty” I reported that Microsoft wasn’t releasing the Family Pack version in Australia and I complained about their short-sighted view.

As you all know Microsoft released it in the United States, Canada and in Europe leaving us here in Australia “out on a limb” so to speak. Well the Family Pack version sold out pretty quick in the United States and Canada with many complaints from thwarted customers who missed out.

Here in Australia, several weeks ago, the Family Pack became available and all the regular retail stores stocked it. It is freely available at $247 give or take where you go to buy it. A curious thing is that the Australian packaging is different. It is green instead of the orange colour of the American version. (See Picture)

United States Version – Orange Australian Version – Green

I like to think my earlier complaint was helpful in us out here getting access to the Family Pack but more likely Microsoft’s strategy was to blitz the bigger markets first and then move on to the smaller ones, namely Australia.

I was keen to get a copy and thinking we’d never see it here bought a copy from Amazon and had it sent to a friend in the United States. The cost converted from United States dollars was significantly below the current price in Australia.

I had to use this method to get it as Amazon are really difficult about computer software and refuse to send this to you if you live outside of United States and Canada. They’re happy sell everything else but computer software is a big NO, NO!

So I am happy with my imported copy and I installed it on my three computers – a desktop, a laptop and now a new Netbook which initially had XP on it. The installation for the Netbook was trouble-free. All three computers are sweetly talking to each other using Windows HomeGroup. This feature makes communication across two or more computers a real breeze. Perhaps HomeGroup is one on the best features of Windows 7 given the hassles you used to have setting up a network with Windows XP.

So much for Product Loyalty!

Windows 7 No Responses »

Nov 012009

Australia is not far behind the United Kingdom, the EU, Japan, Canada and the United States in its usage of Microsoft products. Large numbers of Australian computer users regularly use the current versions of Windows. This market makes for a rich source of income for Microsoft.

Why then does Microsoft treat Australia as second-class citizens?

I have two grievances about this unreasonable behaviour which I’d like to air.

Grievance No 1

Why do we pay a higher price for Windows 7 in Australia?

Here we have to pay premium prices for both the upgrade and the full versions. The Table below shows you current Australian prices and compares them with the United Kingdom, and the United States. You can see there is a significant pricing difference.

Windows 7 Price Comparison	Australia	United Kingdom	Convert to $AU	United States	Convert to $AU

Home Premium Upgrade	$ 199.00	£64.66	$ 118.11	$ 114.99	$ 127.70
Home Premium Full Version	$ 299.00	£106.33	$ 194.22	$ 188.99	$ 209.89
Home Premium Family Pack	N/A	£129.95	$ 235.63	$ 178.99	$ 198.78

Note: The comparative prices are taken from Amazon, US and Amazon UK. The currency conversion rates are current at writing this post.

The costs for the upgrade and full copy for the Professional and the Ultimate versions are below:

Upgrade

Professional $399 AU
Ultimate $429 AU

Full Version

Professional $449 AU
Ultimate $469 AU

Now it should be said that by a little judicious shopping around you can get all versions, with the exception of the Home Premium Family Pack a little cheaper here in Australia but not by much.

Grievance No 2

My second complaint concerns the availability of Home Premium Family Pack.

While it is freely available in the United Kingdom and the United States, it is unavailable in Australia. Here we miss out again!

Why are we in Australia deprived?

Is this because Australia is at the ends of the earth and we don’t count for much or is there a more sinister reason. Why should Microsoft stop milking the cash cow that is the Australian consumer market? Am I being cynical when I say it isn’t economic!

I believe Microsoft is quite happy to clean up in Australia by only providing the upgrade version or the full version, knowing full well that all those Aussies will line up in droves and buy the new product anyway.

A possible light at the end of the tunnel!

In one of our computer magazines the writer suggested that Microsoft might, and he said “a big might!” generously provide the Home Premium Family Pack some time in 2010.

Meantime those families with two or more computers will have to consider whether it is good economics to buy two copies of Windows 7 or perhaps wait for the possible arrival of the Home Premium Family version in the distant future. It’s crazy that this Family Pack deal is available in other parts of the world but not here. I’m sure Apple does not restrict the sale of their family pack.

In conclusion, I am bound to say that Microsoft’s failure to provide the Home Premium Family Pack misses a golden opportunity to fill households in Australia with Windows 7. This is an incredible oversight.

I can’t work Microsoft out!

And another thing! I regularly buy books and CDs from Amazon, in fact you could say I am a good customer BUT when I tried to purchase the Home Premium Family Pack my request was refused. It seems Amazon is barred from selling software to overseas customers. Is this another example of Microsoft pulling the strings?

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Windows 7 Home Premium Family Pack, Windows 7 Pricing differences

Web Conferencing Software – How to do a Cost Effective Job Interview

Software No Responses »

Oct 302009

The most cost effective web conferencing tool available today is VYEW with a free price tag and feature rich components that compete with the leading web conferencing providers. The cost structure includes a free version with unlimited meetings, SSL secure logon, 10 participants and 20 separate meeting topic white boards. There is however advertising with the free version. The white boards could be images, documents, presentations, notes and drawings. Paid subscriptions starting at 6.95 have no advertising and increase the number of meeting participants and white boards allowed.

Employees of the company can upload presentations at any time and have colleagues view them anytime. In addition this is a cost effective way of conducting meetings with employees in distant cities or interviewing prospective employees at your convenience without the interview costs. There could be a significant decrease in training costs as a result of seminars and courses presented online.

The software is web browser based with multi-platform support and no software install required to run a conference. You can use your current web cam to have a visual of all members and share desktops and screen captures. You can stream what is on your desktop to all participants or take a screen shot and share it. Voice over IP is supported with this software as a push button feature sending voice communications via the data network. Each online meeting supports telephone conferencing where topics and ideas are discussed. The collaboration features include white board tools, annotations, public and private text chat. White board drawing tools are nifty allowing you to convey ideas with the drawing tools as you would with any technical meeting. In addition multi language support is available for meetings with non-english speaking countries. There is a session recording feature, however that does require install of windows software. Any recorded meeting could be used as training material or as a presentation to clients.

There is all of the security features you would find with any web conferencing software such as permission settings, usage statistics and invite manager. The invite manager works using the member email address and including a note inviting members and setting permission levels.

Shaun Hummel is an author of various technical books and has a web site focused on information technology job search solutions and certifications.

http://www.networkjobsolutions.com

Shaun Hummel, CCNP, is a Senior Network Engineer with 11 years experience in enterprise network planning, design, and implementation. He has worked for various private and public companies in Canada and the United States improving infrastructure, security, and management. He has written Network Planning and Design Guide, Cisco Wireless Network Design Guide and Network Assessment Guide. www.networkjobsolutions.com

Windows 7 Installation

Featured No Responses »

Oct 282009

windows-7-aurora-green-wallpaper

Windows 7 beta is now available on the market. There are a few steps to install on your PC.

1. Preparing the DVD ISO image

Burn a DVD ISO image downloaded. The requirements are a DVD burner, DVD burning software and a DVD-R or DVD-RW. Thus, the installation disc will be ready. Preferably choose a very low burn speed for best results.

2. Set up your computer and BIOS settings

After burning the DVD to restart your computer.

3 Booting Tips

Read the instructions carefully so that the process runs correctly during the Windows 7 installation.

In the dropdown, select your preferred language, time and currency, a keyboard or input method.

Install option is now on the next page you will install Windows 7. If the installation is damaged then use the Repair option to make the team. This button is on the bottom left. Carefully read the license terms before accepting.

On the next screen you will find two options, update and customized (advanced). Preferably choose the latter.

4. Place of the installation of Windows 7

When you click the custom button on the screen for selecting installation location. If not a test machine, you get the list of all hard disk partitions. The recommended size is 15 GB. Be aware of important data on the drive you choose. Otherwise it will be deleted.

5. Create or modify partitions

Click the advanced options of the unit, such as delete, format, new and expanded. You can also create a new partition only opting for the new button. After the partition has been selected, click Next to continue. The new option provides a text box to enter the sizes. Click the application button to continue. Window 7 could create additional partitions for system files.

Almost everything is now done. A 8.8-GB primary partition is created in this way. Select the newly created partition.

Click Next. Wait for 20-30 minutes. And all the new operating system Windows 7 is on your PC, installed.

Windows 7 – author bio
Alina Wilson is a technical and security specialist, associated with numerous tech firms including iYogi. iYogi is synergistic ally aligned to offer help for windows 7 tech support, Microsoft support, computer repair, PC help services, computer support, online technical support, data back-up services to its clients in Australia, US, UK and Canada by Microsoft certified technician.

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Microsoft Internet Explorer users have lower IQ

Finally Australia gets Windows 7 Family Pack!