| Chris Dunn - [News] |
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Chris Dunn - [News]
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Under Review: Windows 8 and OS X Lion
Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:06:40 +0000
2012 is going to be a big year in technology and I wanted to get an early start. Currently in my virtual lab I am testing Windows 8 and OS X Lion 10.7.2.
Hot off the presses is OS X Lion 10.7.2 that latest Apple operating system. Following the popularity of the iPod, iPhone and iPad we have seen a noticeable growth in market share of Apple computers. Predominantly led by users now familiar with Apple products taking the step from their PC to their first Mac.
While still a learning curve for home users the real challenges apply when these devices are beginning to be transferred into the enterprise usually into previously Windows only environments. Steve Jobs made no secret of his disregard for the enterprise and how his focus was on creating consumer products to inspire ingenuity. Without a doubt he succeeded in this with the development of all of these devices which consumers love, but where does this leave enterprise users and what happens when these devices and apple computers in general enter the enterprise?
Generally there are problems with integration, usability and higher support volumes, or mac users end up running in their own isolated silo away from the rest of the business isolated from the corporate environment. So why do we see problems? It is due to the inability to integrate the operating system into a traditionally windows environment? Is it due to a lack of understanding of the differences in the operating systems? Can you do everything you normally do on your Windows computer on the mac? Is it still secure?
To reopen the case in this high adoption period, the only solution was to make it happen, so with my virtualised OS X Lion 10.7.2 machine join me over the next few weeks as I enter the Lion's den and attempt to fully integrate into our corporate network and replace my daily Windows 7 machine with a Mac. Let the games begin...
....but wait, there's more...
Microsoft is not about to let Apple take over so easily, entering the ring in the far corner, we have the new kid on the block, Windows 8, ready for your home desktop this year.
So what's new? What's changed? What works? Join me as I take the Windows 8 developer preview for a test drive.
Watch this space.
Christian.
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Is this the end of PC Anywhere?
Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:07:14 +0000
In 2006 the source code to a number of popular Symantec software titles was stolen. This included applications such as Norton Antivirus Corporate Edition, Norton Internet Security, Norton Utilities, Norton GoBack and PC Anywhere.
Symantec had previously advised the risk from this theft was low as long as customers were using the latest versions of their software as updates to most of these applications has now overcome any risk.
This week however Symantec released an announcement indicating the problem was more serious than they were first aware and advising customers. The announcement came after a hacker called YamaTough released the source code to Norton Utilities and threatened to publish its anti-virus programs.
The application of real concern to Symantec now is PC Anywhere. As this is a remote access tool for users computers, losing the source code puts the network at risk as an understanding of how the software works would allow a hacker to hijack users computers. Even though the threat is a few years old, the underlying platform of PC Anywhere still has some common features. As a result Symantec has now advised all users to temporarily stop using the product until it releases an update to resolve the issue. This is a major step for a company, as rarely do vendors recommend totally disabling their products.
With fewer than 50,000 users of PC Anywhere, Symantec is not worried but this indicates the amount of trust we put in vendors to supply secure software and the risks a minor mistake or incident can lead to. At least they told us.
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WyMI released from the labs
Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:36:15 +0000
WyMI is a Systems Administrators best friend. A computer auditing tool that uses WMI to provide an easy ability to search and retrieve important information about your system
WyMI requires no installation and no special configuration. Data is captured and refreshed at specified intervals. This can be stopped and a snapshot exported to CSV that wil be automatically opened in the default program (usually Excel).
WyMI can report on:
BIOS
Computer
Desktop
Environment Variables
Find Computers
Logical Drives
Motherboard
Network Adapters
Operating System
Physical Drives
Physical Memory
Print Jobs
Printers
Processes
Processor
Routing Table
Services
Shares
Timezone
User Accounts
Video
Did I mention it's FREE?
Find out more about WyMI in Software > Utilities
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Windows 8 + Kinect
Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:43:47 +0000
Well the news from the CES Conference this week indicates that there will be a new development release of Windows 8 on February 1 and a potential public release in October.
Presenting at it's last CES Microsoft indicated that Kinect (that crazy control with your body feature on the XBOX that makes you look like you are performing sign language at your TV) will be a feature of Windows 8 ensuring that you will soon see people on the train making strange hand signals at their laptop as they run applications.
Apparently Microsoft have been wooing developers and at release time there will be wide range of Kinect available applications ready to go.
Add that to the new all-in-one version of Windows that is meant to run on everything from Atom Netbooks to Laptops, Desktops and mobile phones and Microsoft could be on to a winner here.
I can't wait!
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Print Queue Manager 5.1.5 Released
Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:40:51 +0000
Print Queue Manager update 5.1.5 has been released.
This fixes and issue where changing between favourites using either the Favourites panel or the favourites menu does not refresh the queue correctly and can show no jobs.
Now when switching between favourites a full refresh is performed to ensure all jobs currently in queue are displayed.
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Appneta PathTest (Windows)
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:52:02 +0000
PathTest - The most accurate network capacity test tool available.
PathTest is a free capacity testing tool that will give you the most accurate results possible. It allows you to determine the maximum capacity between any two network end points using precision packet-flooding techniques to completely fill up the network path to its absolute maximum capacity.
PathTest can test using TCP, UDP or ICMP protocols for either layer 3 or layer 4 capacity testing and it support DSCP markings to adhere to your QoS policies.
PathTest also lets you specify several run-time options including total packets sent, packet size, maximum allowed bandwidth, one-way or bi-directional testing and more.
PathTest will push your network to its absolute limits using precision packet-flooding techniques to completely fill the network path for a user-defined duration (up to 10 secs maximum).
http://www.testmypath.com/
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PRTG Traffic Monitoring (Windows/Android/iPhone/iPad)
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:45:57 +0000
PRTG: Easy to Use Monitoring of Bandwidth, Performance and Availability
PRTG by Paessler provides reliable network monitoring for 10, 100 or 1000 nodes.
Easy to use, simple, at a glance network diagnostics derived from 115 types of sensors allowing you to understand the operation of your network.
Avoid performance bottlenecks and deliver a better level of service.
Reduce costs by minimizing downtime and maximising performance.
PRTG monitoring runs 24/7 to provide real time network activity. With iOS/Android support you can now monitor your network from anywhere.
As soon as outages occur the software will alert you by sending emails, SMS, pager messages, and other notifications. Request times and downtimes are constantly recorded in the database and you can compile performance, downtime, and SLA reports at any given time.
Highly recommended for any network administrator.
Try it free today from http://www.paessler.com/prtg
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2x Virtual Desktops (Windows/Android/iPhone/iPad)
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:38:52 +0000
Use a terminal server? Want to access applications without accessing your desktop?
Looking for a more affordable solution than Citrix?
2x provides cost effective virtual desktop solutions allowing you to turn a terminal server into an application server and provide quick and easy remote access to applications and services.
2x can operate as a thin client operating system, a virtual desktop layer, or as an application on mobile devices to provide virtual desktops & applications to any mobile & desktop device.
It supports all major hypervisors from Microsoft, VMware, Citrix and more and integrates powerful universal printing & scanning functionality.
Best of all it is free to try for up to 3 users.
Find out more at: http://www.2x.com/
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Rejila - Virtual Servers (Windows/Linux)
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:32:29 +0000
What is the fastest way to commission a new server? Virtually of course.
What about if you don't have a datacentre or ISP partner who can do this? Sign up to Rejila.
Rejila provides real time virtual servers, commissioned in minutes with software and services. The fastest way to get a server online.
http://www.rejila.com/
Rejila servers are available from as little as 10c/hour.
No Contracts are required. Hosting is in Australia. Windows or Linux Systems available. Drag and Drop Deployment.
So if you need a server and you need it now. Try Rejila.
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who owns your iCloud?
Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:26:13 +0000
Do you user iCloud on your iPhone ?Is that a work iPhone ?Who owns your Apple ID ?
Services for mobile users has become a whole new area for businesses and IT to deal with. These days it is almost impossible to use an iPhone without an Apple ID, or an Android phone without a google account. But when that device is a work device, not a personal device, who owns that account, who pays for that account, who can backup that device to iCloud, what data is stored on it and do they lose that account when they leave? These questions need to be answered by every business using smartphones.
The reason? It took me 15 minutes to setup a new iPhone from my iCloud backup and bring across all applications, settings and data. What did I need? My Apple ID.
If you use a work phone do you have a personal or company Apple ID? Do you buy your own apps? Do you have any work related pictures or documents?
When you leave will the IT department disable your Apple ID? Do they know your Apple ID? If they don't what is there to stop you walking out the door with pictures, documents and contacts from your phone without needing your corporate accounts.
This is why in the age of the smartphone IT departments need to be quicker and more flexible than before. BYOD (Bring-Your-Own-Device) is rapidly growing in popularity but there are important management strategies required to implement this in your business to ensure you are not compromising your security or user privacy.
When it comes to the introduction of these technologies in the workplace IT needs to be seen as a leader, not as a stumbling block. This means strategies need to be put in to place now to prepare your business for the complexity of smartphone and tablet devices from a variety of platforms to ensure you are prepared when the boss asks you to let Jimmy use his personal phone at work.
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