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27/04/2017

20/03/2017

Microsoft Started Blocking Windows 7/8.1 Updates For PCs Running New Processors

You might have heard the latest news about Microsoft blocking new security patches and updates for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users running the latest processors from Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and others.

Don't panic, this new policy doesn't mean that all Windows 7 and 8.1 users will not be able to receive latest updates in general because Microsoft has promised to support Windows 7 until 2020, and Windows 8.1 until 2023.

But those who have upgraded their machines running older versions of Windows to the latest processors, or manually downgraded their new laptops to run Windows 7/8.1 would be out of luck.

A recently published Microsoft Knowledge Base article suggests that if you are running the older version of operating systems on your computers that feature new processors, including Intel's 7th generation Core i3, i5 and i7 ("Kaby Lake"), AMD Ryzen ("Bristol Ridge") and Qualcomm 8996 chips or later, the security updates will not install.

Instead, you will see error messages when using Windows Update to get patches for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. The error messages read:

"Unsupported Hardware.

Your PC uses a processor that is not supported on this version of Windows, and you will not receive updates."

"Windows could not search for new updates. An error occurred while checking for new updates for your computer. Error(s) found: Code 80240037 Windows Update encountered an unknown error."

So, What's the Solution ? (According to Microsoft)

Users would require upgrading their systems to the newest version of Windows, i.e. Windows 10, despite Windows 7 being supported to 2020 and Windows 8.1 to 2023.

Microsoft announced this limitation in January 2016, when the company said making Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 OSes run on the latest processors was "challenging."

"For Windows 7 to run on any modern silicon, device drivers and firmware need to emulate Windows 7's expectations for interrupt processing, bus support, and power states- which is challenging for WiFi, graphics, security, and more," Terry Myerson, VP of Microsoft's Windows and Devices Group, said last year.

The initial announcement also included PCs that use 6th-generation Intel processors ("Skylake"), but Microsoft backed off on its plan and released a list of Skylake-based systems that will be fully supported to receive security updates through the official end of support phase for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, i.e. January 14, 2020, and January 10, 2023, respectively.

Microsoft Indirectly forcing users to adopt Windows 10

This end of updates for new devices doesn't come as a surprise to some PC owners, as Microsoft is making every effort to run its latest Windows on all Windows computers since the launch of Windows 10.

An alarm for those still running Windows Vista on their machines: The operating system will no longer receive security updates, non-security hotfixes, paid assisted supports, or online technical updates from Microsoft beginning April 11, 2017.

So, it's high time for Windows Vista users to upgrade their PCs to the latest version of Windows operating system in order to protect your devices from malware or other security threats.

Ditch Windows for Linux; Try This:

No doubt Windows 10 has been viewed as a welcome successor to Windows 8, both by businesses and individuals, with more enhanced security features. But the OS has also come under scrutiny from those who are concerned about their privacy.

So why not switch to a free Windows 10 alternative? Privacy concerned people can move to Linux operating systems, such as Ubuntu – a Debian-based OS and part of open source Linux family, and Fedora – Red Hat's Linux distro with estimated 1.2 Million users.

12/03/2017

5 SEO tips to help gain website traffic

Good on page SEO strategies come in all shapes and sizes, but these are proven.

#1 Keywords Are Key, How to Choose Them

So much time and effort on optimizing websites with keywords that are not being searched. You should invest your time and energy in finding the best keywords that are suited to the content you are providing. One of the most effective ways of doing this is using Google Trends.

Google Trends allows you to look at the search volume, and rising search terms by category, region, country, and time. For example, you can see what the best keyword searches are related to tech and sports were for the the past 12 months, as well as what the current top 10 keywords are. There are other tools that can do this for you, but this is the one that I personally recommend. If you have a Google account, it also lets you export this data for later use. You can also determine this information by also running searches through the search engine of your choice and they will usually offer “related searches”.

Once you know what keywords you will be targeting, its not only enough to include them in your keyword meta tags, they should be used appropriately within the content of the page. Keyword stuffing is something that marketers and SEO’s are tempted to do and it is a terrible practice that never helps the end user. The true goal of any marketer, web designer, or developer should be to create a positive experience for users in which their needs and/or desires are met.

#2 Optimize Your Page Title If You Want to Reach the Top

Choosing an appropriate title that will tell users and search engines what your content is about is important. Just using the common titles “Home”, “Index”, or “Page 1”, does not tell a human being, or a search engine, anything useful about the information someone is going to find on the page they are going to. I recommend keeping it under 60-80 characters as some search engines cut them off at that point.

If you really want to be on the first page of the search engine results, you have to include your keywords in your title tag. If at all possible, before any other words in the title, Try to put the keywords in the title before any other words if you can. Repeating keywords in the title can get you flagged as Spam, so try to avoid this when you can.

It also helps if your title represents a Call to Action, a statement that compels the user to do something. For instance “Become A Famous Motion Designer” may be and ideal title for a blog featuring advice on how to accomplish that particular goal. Call to Action statements are a good way to attract readers to click on your link. Click Through Rates play a major roll in how search engines determine the relevance of your web site.

#3 Using Headings and Bold Text to Organize Content

Headings are important when it comes to organizing information. It's similar to how newspapers and other print material are setup and typically how humans recognize important information. Be sure to include at least H1-H3 when assembling your page, and try to set them up appropriately. Search engines, like human beings, notice this, and if you tie your keywords to your heading tags, it helps the search engines understand how valuable or relevant the content of your site is to that particular keyword or phrase.

Bold tags also work in a similar fashion to a lesser degree, and may be used to highlight an important portion of content within a sentence or paragraph.

#4 Using ALT and Title Tags

The importance of website accessibility is something that many web designers overlook. Part of the issue is that in addition to no taking a portion of your audience that may be disabled into account, you’re not looking at the obvious advantages this gives you from a SEO perspective.

Computers by nature are mostly “blind, and deaf”, when you really think about it. The same accessibility and interaction issues that the handicapped would have with a website are the same problems that a search engine will have. Using the title attribute is the direct method of telling the search engines about the relevance of the link. It’s also a standard for making your page accessible to disabled people.

#5 Naming Conventions

People and search engines both only understand what you tell them. How do I know when I can download an image of a dog from your site if its file name is “galleryimage001.jpg”? You can't really. The search engine referencing images of dogs is certain to over look you as well if your content isn't named correctly. Naming your image “small-poodle-01.jpg” makes a lot more sense to the search engine, as well as the person who is trying to download an image from your site without renaming the file.

This same logic applies to the directory structure of your site. By naming your pages in a logical way that utilizes your keywords, both search engines and people will have an easier time understanding and navigating the contents of your site. If your keyword is the title of your web page, the file name, the alt and title tags of your links and images, as well as the content of your page, you’re well on your way to having all of your sites SEO squared away.

03/01/2017

A Big Thank you to all our Customers for having trusted us to maintain your system. We also take this opportunity to say a very BIG THANK YOU for all staff who was involved in shaping us to what we are now since 1997. Thank you everyone and have a Awesome New Year.

27/03/2016

In Google for Work Connect, discuss the latest features with Googlers and other Apps admins like you. Learn tips and tricks that will make your work and life easier. Be the first to know what's happening with Google Apps.

26/03/2016

30-30-30 Hard Reset Rule for Routers.

Broadband routers used for home networking provide a reset switch, often a very small, recessed button on the back of the unit. This button allows you to override the current state of the device and restore it to the default settings it had when it was first manufactured.

Some people don't realize that pressing a router's reset button for just a second or two may do nothing. Depending on the type of router and its current state (including the nature of any problems it may have), you may need to hold down the button longer.

Networking enthusiasts have developed this so-called 30-30-30 hard reset procedure that should fully reset any home router to its default settings at any time.

How to Perform a 30-30-30 Router Reset

Follow these steps to perform a router hard reset:

1. When the unit is powered on, hold down its reset button for 30 seconds

2. While still holding down the reset button, unplug the router from power and hold for an additional 30 seconds

3. Still holding down the reset button, turn on power to the router again and hold for 30 more seconds

After this process is complete, a total of 90 seconds, your router should be restored to its factory default state. Note that your particular router may not require the full 30-30-30 procedure. For example, some routers can at times be hard reset after only 10 seconds and without power cycling. Nevertheless, memorizing and following this 30-30-30 rule is recommended as a general guideline.

21/12/2015

Top 8 Cyber Security Tips for Christmas Online Shopping

As the most wonderful time of the year has come - Christmas, it has brought with itself the time of online shopping.

According to National Retail Federation, more than 151 million people shopped in store, but more than 100 Million shopped online during Cyber Monday sales and even why wouldn't it be so given the vast conveniences of online shopping.

It is quite visible in these days that more and more people are heading towards online shopping rather than the malls to purchase gifts for Christmas.

However, the main question arises: Is it safe to do so? Especially with so many users sharing credit card information online.

Here are some tips that you have to keep in mind before providing your credit card number and clicking, 'BUY'

1. DO NOT CLICK On Suspicious Links

Malicious links are sent by scammers who look more real than the original ones. As these links are specifically of the well-known sites like eBay and Flipkart, many online users fall victim.

The safest way of not getting tricked by these would be NOT to open them if provided via social media sites, messages or emails from unknown sources.

2. Keep your Eye on New Vendors

People tend to purchase goods and services from new vendors as they generally give attractive discounts.

However, one should always be safe from such vendors as sometimes the customer is trapped and exploited easily.

One of the main problems is FAKE CUSTOMERS REVIEW. Never rely totally on company or seller review information.

Always get a double confirmation of the things that are necessary including product purpose and suitability, materials and construction, quality, and other things like speedy shipping, prompt refunds, and returns.

Always try to start from minimum purchases and then shift to the major ones.

Always look before you leap.

3. Always Use Strong Passwords

This tip is one of the most obvious ones, but people do not intend to use it generally.

Always try to avoid easy to crack passwords by including a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters in your password.

Avoid using the most common passwords like your name, 123456 and password.

Most importantly don't use the same password for multiple sites.

4. Always Use Secured Websites

Before typing your sensitive information online, check to make sure if the website you just visited is a secure site.

Secure sites have a closed padlock in the status bar, and its URL starts with HTTPS, which means:

Communication is encrypted
SSL verifies authenticity

5. Avoid Using Debit Cards, Instead Use Credit Cards

For online shopping purposes, using a credit card is always considered to be a comparatively better option rather than using a debit card.

In a case, if someone manages to intercept your financial information online, they can do less damage.

Credit cards have spending limits but debit cards do not

Credit cards should also be used with low credit limits even as
other option also given by the bank as "one-time use."

You can even make use of virtual credit cards that are specifically designed for online shopping only.

6. Important Things to Remember While Shopping

Always keep documentation of your online purchases, mostly an email is sent to the customer confirming the order.

It is the duty of every customer to print the document or save it somewhere safe till receiving the order.

Moreover, it is always suggested to log off from the retailer's website after making the purchase.

These are always considered to be the smarter options to adapt than to become a victim.

7. Do Not Provide Your Details to Every Website You Visit

Online stores provide an option for the customers to check out as a one time customer.

If you are not shopping regularly from any site, avoid filling unnecessary information, just in case, to be safe.

8. Check Your Bank Statements Regularly

Most of the banks now allow for setting up email notifications of any credit card transaction.

If you see any charges that are unusual, they have to get reported, and suitable actions should be taken that are needed to get a prompt refund.

04/12/2015

Microsoft has announced the date it will kill support for its mobile operating system

Microsoft has announced that it will kill support for Windows 10 Mobile, its consumer and business operating system for smartphones, on September 1 2018.

The operating system is not currently available to non-Microsoft consumer devices, but the company has already made it clear that support — which means regular updates for both features and security — will last around 36 months.

Support for Windows 10, the desktop version of the operating system, will end in 2025, a full decade after its release. Microsoft has only just stopped supporting Windows XP after 12 years.

Both the consumer and business version of Windows 10 Mobile will stop receiving updates in 2019, according to the document. "Microsoft will make updates available for the Operating System, including security updates, for a minimum of 24 months after the lifecycle start date," it reads.

Windows 10 has gained over 200 million users in just three months. The mobile version of the operating system is struggling, however, capturing just 2.5% of the worldwide smartphone marketshare.

03/12/2015

Windows 10 Users Asked To Downgrade To Windows 7 Or 8.1 By PC Tech Support

On one hand, where Microsoft is trying to encourage as many users to use its new operating system, Windows 10, tech support engineers on the other hand, are recommending the complete removal of the OS and downgrade it to older builds of Windows, such as Windows 7 or 8.1.

According to a report from Laptop, it seems that OEMs such as Dell, HP, and Lenovo support engineers have one by one recommended users to uninstall Windows 10 and go back to their previous Windows version, be it 7 or 8.1.

Laptop performed a test to determine how tech support services respond to certain technical questions about Windows 10. However, the answer was in every case odd and unexpected to everyone’s surprise.

For instance, in case of Dell, when the support service was contacted for instructions on changing the touchpad’s scrolling direction on a laptop running Windows 10, the engineers at the other end claimed that there are a lot of glitches with Microsoft’s latest OS and transferred the call to another “expert” who suggested removing Windows 10.

In a statement Dell released to Laptop, “As Windows 10 continues to evolve, we sometimes recommend a customer revert to their previous operating system to troubleshoot a specific issue they’re having.”

The company also adds, “We remain committed to Windows 10 and are ready to help our customers make the transition as easy as possible.”

In the case of HP, the support engineer not only tried to resolve the reported problem to no avail but also tried to downgrade to Windows 8.1, saying that she “doesn’t recommend customers to upgrade to Windows 10.”

Mike Nash, HP’s VP of customer experience, had a very good answer when asked why support staff tell users to downgrade: “At the end of the day, the person’s job is to get the PC running.” He added “Given the scenario, it might have been the most expeditious thing to get them back to a known good space.”

Lastly, in the case of Lenovo, the staff had no idea about Hey Cortana and advised the caller to keep the microphone always on in order to be able to launch the personal assistant at any given moment.

In spite of all these suggestions that are clearly against Microsoft’s policy of encouraging everyone to move to Windows 10, the reviews of Windows 10 so far have been largely positive. As of now, it is just plain confusion between Windows 8 and Windows 10, which the tech support surely will become more well-versed with the new OS in due course of time.

01/12/2015

The Monster RAM: Here’s Samsung’s New Crazy 128GB RAM Chip

Short Bytes: I’ve never met a single person in life who said “now my PC has enough RAM” and didn’t regret the statement after a couple of years. Understanding the same, hardware companies are innovating and bringing more options to fulfill your fantasies. To heat-up the war of the world’s fastest and largest RAM modules, Samsung has now released its 128GB DDR4 RAM for enterprise servers.

Samsung has recently announced that is has started producing 128GB DDR4 RAM modules at a large scale. This chip may look like a regular RAM module, but Samsung claims to come up with a breakthrough in the capacity and energy efficiency.

This new and crazy 128GB RAM is mainly focused on the big enterprise servers and makes use of Samsung’s “through silicon via” manufacturing technique. This beast packs 36 individual 4GB chunks of 3D TSV DDR4 DRAM.

This isn’t the first instance of monster RAM modules. Earlier in May, companies like Kingston and Corsair made the 128GB RAMs a reality and drove us crazy.

Designed for the enterprise, the RAM is claimed to have “the largest capacity and the highest energy efficiency of any DRAM modules today.” Talking about the speed, it touches as much as 2,400 megabits per second.

The chip also promises power savings up to 50 percent and data buffer section to optimize the module performance power consumption.

The Korean tech giant also mentions about the “e-modules with data transfer speeds of up to 2,667Mbps and 3,200Mbps that help to meet intensifying enterprise server needs, while expanding TSV applications into high bandwidth memory (HBM) and consumer products.”

Samsung hasn’t said anything about the pricing yet, but it’ll be expensive to start with, there’s no doubt about that.

28/11/2015