Web Hosting Blog

AIR is a cross platform operating system runtime which enables web developers to empower their existing web development skills. It enables developers to build and deploy web applications and content to the desktop.

Few reasons why web developers prefer AIR are as follows:

Cross platform desktop application : An application written for a desktop can be run on any platform MacOS, Linux, Windows, etc.

Applications acts as desktop applications : AIR is full featured application framework which gives users access to file system, system tray and web all at the same time.

Desktop Applications written in JavaScript or HTML

Better integration for web applications.

Adobe AIR was released on June 16 2008. AIR provides support for building international languages. Its 1.1 version includes support for Windows XP tablet PC edition and 64 bits edition of Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Ultimate and Enterprise. Its applications can operate offline too, and can upgrade itself when reconnected to the web. More than 180 applications are available on Adobe AIR market place.

Various versions Windows 3.x made its debut in early 1990’s. These were the first Windows Graphical User Interface (GUI) versions that contributed largely to Microsoft’s success.

From 1^st November Microsoft has stopped issuing license for this software including Windows 3.11. These versions of Windows helped Microsoft form its foundation for future success.

Windows 3.x series were the first Windows based operating systems. Windows had introduced the concept of iconography with these series. As days passed, Windows kept on showing improvements in graphics, multimedia accessories such as sound cards, CD Rom etc. too was introduced and other features.

Until 2001 Microsoft provided support for Windows 3.x. Since then it has rooted itself firmly, but it was only untill 1^st November 2008.

Using this OS many Jets used to provide on flight entertainment systems for its customers.

Introductory version of Windows was completely compatible with MsDOS applications. But now most of the older versions have been taken over by either Windows XP or Window Vista, we can yet find people to be more comfortable working on Windows 95 and Windows 98 operating systems.

These older Windows edition are still functional and if a user still wants to install them it would work fine. But using this OS is completely unsafe from attacks.

Protect your computer system by applying the patch, released by Windows.

Microsoft has found evidence of a RPC (Remote Procedure Call) attack which can infect almost all versions of Windows machines across the Net. The bug is able to pass through the Firewalls installed on your machine.
Windows Server 2003, 2000, and XP (Service Pack 2 or 3 installed) are more vulnerable.

Below are the links to the patches for different versions of Windows :

1. Windows Server 2008 64-bit.
2. Windows Server 2008 32-bit
3. Windows Vista 64- bit edition
4. Windows Vista
5. Windows Server 64-bit edition
6. Windows Server 2003 (With service pack 1&2)
7. Windows XP 64- bit
8. Windows XP (With service pack 2 or 3) 
9. Windows 2000 (With Service Pack 4)

These patches have been released by Windows.

Logitech has once again proved its genuineness. Logitech has introduced an illuminates keyboard which enables the user to work in dark. The keyboard is slick and has an elegant feature. It is ultra thin which has a thickness of 9.3 mm.

The keyboard has a soft touch palm rest. Its full size key layout makes typing comfortable. It delivers an ideal combination of form and function which is a major expectation from a keyboard. It has a bright laser etched backlighted keys that deliver perfect illumination which can be adjusted as per requirement.

The keyboard is compatible on Windows XP and Windows Vista.

Logitech has also published few shortcut keys as stated below.

Control (Cntrl) key + Mouse scroll Wheel : Zoom in or out in a word document.

Cntrl + C : Copy.

Cntrl + X : Cut.

Cntrl + V : Paste.

Cntrl + Z : Undo.

Cntrl + Y : Redo.

Cntrl + P : Open Print window.

Cntrl + O : Open.

Cntrl + N : Creates a blank.

Cntrl + A : Selects complete text.

Cntrl + S : Save.

Cntrl + F : Find of Search.

Cntrl + B : Bold.

Cntrl + I : Italic.

Cntrl + U : Underline Text.

Cntrl + N : Open New Window.

Cntrl + W : Close current Internet Explorer Window.

Backspace : Go back to previous web page.

End : Go to end of the page.

Home : Go to top of the page.

Start key + E : Opens Windows Explorer Window.

Start key + F : Fin files or folders.

Start + M : Minimize Window.

Start key + R : Opens Run dialog box.

Start key + Pause : Opens System property panel.

There is an estimated 2,00,000 nasty programs in existence today. And the majority of them are aimed at sabotaging Windows PC`s.

Such programs can reach the machine through e-mail, instant messenger, internet connection or the web browser if the user visits an incorrect website. Windows users feel under attack as the threats are abundant and emerge very fast.

Users need to take some simple steps to avoid the problem as day-by-day attacks on the users are becoming more and more sophisticated.

Companies such as Trend Micro, Kaspersky and Microsoft offer free computer scanning free computer scanning services for the users who want to scan their machines via web.

Organisations such as the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) which provides assistance on Setting up a safe net connection.

Here are some basic steps which will help the users stay safe online.

ANTIVIRUS

Every PC must have an Anti-Virus software it is the first thing that any user should have on their computer system. It must be updated on a regular basis.

Good anti-virus use programs use heuristic techniques to spot viruses which have not been identified but have all the signs of a virus.

Nowadays many personal computers come with anti-virus already installed but may be user needs to buy an annual package. It is always better to get annual subscription than letting your bank account details being hacked and emptied.

FIREWALL

A firewall too is one of the most important security software for PC users. New versions of Windows XP have an in-built firewall. Though I feel that its features are limited but enough protected.

Comodo and Zone Alarm firms have free firewalls available.

Using a Hub or a Router can be useful to connect to the web. It can block some of the lower intensity attacks.

SPYWARE

A simple browsing of web too can expose you to all kind of danger.

An Anti-Spyware software will help clean up your PC incase you get hit. There are add-ons available for the browsers which can warn you of potentially harmful sites. McAfee`s Site Advisor is among them. Google too warns about a potentially unsafe web-site.

Security experts recommend the use of web browsers such as Mozilla Firefox or Opera instead of the traditional ones.

UPDATE

With Windows user, one needs to keep the updating the software.

Never open an attachment in a mail that you haven’t expected.

Never reply to spam mails. Stay extra careful about a mail that asks your financial details no matter if it confirms your address. Learn to spot phishing e-mails.

SUMMARY

Use anti-spyware and anti-virus programs.

Anti-virus and spyware programs should be updated atleast one a week.

Install a firewall and don’t forget to check it is switched On.

Updates to the operating system should be assured to have Installed.

Monitoring of your system is very essential.

Family members who use the web should be educated about the threats.

Just follow these simple steps and sit back and enjoy your work with the PC.

Now is the best time to switch to Windows Vista because of its all new better features, improved security and overall performance and experience.

Features

Windows Vista has many new and improved features as compared to Windows XP.

• Windows Aero : Vista’s interface has a completely different look. It is much cleaner, has an improved graphic quality, it has Live icons with new 3D Window Flip feature. But to enjoy this feature Windows Aero requires a higher version of video graphic card, if you do not have a higher version Vista is displayed using Windows Basic. To check for the compatibility, you can use Windows Vista Advisor to check if your video card meets Windows Aero`s requirements.

• Windows Sidebar : If you are using Windows Aero, then Vista offers a panel which would display your selection of Windows gadgets which performs useful function which include – a clock, a calendar, a Microsoft Office Inbox representation and also a currency exchange tab.

• 

  Windows Sidebar

• Microsoft Windows Media Player11 : Though it can also be downloaded for XP, this latest Media Player was designed for Windows Vista. Windows Media Player 11 with its new graphics oriented interface, has dumped the feature of text oriented look and field of previous versions.

• Windows Search : This is one if the most helpful feature in Vista. With this feature any file can be searched from anywhere. This feature cannot be found in Windows XP.

Security

Security is one of the important features these days. This feature has been taken seriously in Windows Vista.

• · Parental Control : By setting you as an administrator Vista sets highly specific boundaries for its other users. This includes separate standard user accounts for family members. You can restrict or allow access to web sites for the users as set by you. Same can be done by access to applications and folders.

• · User Account Control (UAC) : This is a new security feature introduced in Vista. It lets you operate this OS as a standard user than as a true administrator in which you have full access.

·

• Firewall : New Vista features two different firewalls, it involves firewall which was available in Windows XP and Windows Firewall with added advanced features. Windows firewall includes a bidirectional filter which scans both incoming and outgoing data.

Better User Experience

• New Start Menu : The new Start menu displays everything in context of a single menu. You do not require to scroll through a list of all applications.

• Improved Folders : Various folders such as My Documents, My Music, My Videos etc. are very simplified and appear as simple Documents, Music etc.

• Live Icons : If you are using Windows Aero, you can hover the mouse over open windows in the task bar and view a live representation of anything running in them. The same feature is offered by Windows Flip 3D feature.

These reasons might attract you to Windows Vista. But these were a handful added features. There is a lot that can be explored in Vista.