Microsoft Office Genuine Advantage (OGA)

Microsoft moved to the next stage of anti-piracy in its release of the Office Genuine Advantage (OGA) update. It was released last week as an Important update and checks Office XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007 installations.

"Office Genuine Advantage Notifications (KB949810) Download size: 712 KB Update type: Important Office Genuine Advantage Notifications is part of Microsoft’s effort to reduce software piracy. Installing this software will help confirm that the copy of Office install on this computer is genuine and properly licensed. If the copy of Office installed on the computer is not genuine, the software will provide periodic reminders to help you take appropriate action and protect yourself from security threats posed by counterfeit software."

Regardless of whether you have Automatic Updates set to automatically download and install, it is necessary to approve the license agreement before the OGA installation will continue. Note that OGA cannot be removed after installation nor can the messages be stopped if your Office installation fails the anti-piracy test.

Accept the license terms and click Finish to install

In the event you receive a "This copy of Microsoft Office is not genuine" message after installing OGA, please visit Genuine Microsoft Software and click on Validate Office, then restart your computer.

Be careful to avoid the pitfalls described in the predictions described by Tom Kelchner of Sunbelt Software.

"-- A news story in the next few weeks about somebody’s discovery of a mechanism to defeat or sidestep OGA security.

-- The availability of patches, or entire reverse engineered Windows operating systems and Office versions that suppress or evade the OGA nag screens. The pirated apps will probably attempt to evade updates. The net result will be that they also will avoid patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities.

-- Trojanized Windows Office versions that are distributed as apps that evade the Windows Genuine Advantage mechanisms.

-- Malicious spam advertising the above.

-- Yet more bot-riddled machines in China."

Only get Microsoft updates from Microsoft Update or Automatic Update, not third parties. Remember, Microsoft updates are never sent via e-mail nor are they advertised or available on non-Microsoft websites.

For additional information on OGA Notifications, please visit Genuine Office Support.

References:

• Microsoft Genuine: Genuine Microsoft Software
• Microsoft KB 949810: Description of the Office Genuine Advantage Notifications application
• Press Pass: Safety First: Beefing Up Anti-Piracy Features in Microsoft Office
  
  
  • "As the piracy trade becomes more sophisticated, the Microsoft Office Genuine Advantage program adopts an end-to-end approach to protect Office customers from the risks of counterfeit software."

• Security Fix: Microsoft Expands Office Anti-Piracy Program
• Sunbelt Blog: Microsoft rolls out next phase of Office Genuine Advantage

Clubhouse Tags: Clubhouse, How-to, security, update, Office

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Power IT Down Day!

Join Microsoft, Citrix, Intel and HP to support Power IT Down Day on August 27. As explained in the Microsoft FutureFed blog:

"According to the Environment Protection Agency, IT accounts for 2% of all power consumption in the nation, and the government is the largest energy consumer in the country spending $293 million annually just to power its PCs. As federal agencies work to reduce energy consumption for cost-savings and environmental benefits, Power IT Down Day focuses on the little things that we as individuals can do to support energy efficiency. To join the cause, you just have to pledge to turn your computers, printers, monitors and other IT devices off at the end of the day on August 27. When just one person leaves this type of equipment turned on overnight, he or she wastes approximately 13 kilowatt hours. Last year, 2,800 people participated, saving more than 37,000 kilowatt hours in one night."

Sign up here: Power IT Down Day August 27th


The confirmation e-mail will include that your commitment to save energy will be added to the total savings calculation. A portion of the cost savings will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project.



Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Windows Live Movie Maker: “It’s So Easy”

A family member has a special birthday coming up and I had thought to create a collage of pictures from old photograph albums created prior to the digital era. Then, last week, I followed a Twitter link announcing the release from Beta of the new Windows Live Movie Maker. After I read about the new Windows Live Movie Maker and watched the brief video “Introduction & Walk-through”, I thought it might be fun to give it a try.

Please understand that I have tried programs like this before, only to give up because they did not work as described or were much too complicated for my purposes. But the Windows Live Movie Maker sounded simple enough and I soon discovered how simple it is to use. In fact, the only time-consuming part of the project was selecting the photographs to include in the movie. (I don’t think that I should mention the time spent with at least a half-dozen family albums spread around me as I relived the memories invoked by all those pictures.) After scanning the pictures with my Kodak EASYSHARE Printer, I used Windows Live Photo Gallery to easily adjust and crop the the pictures.

Since the special birthday has not arrived yet, I cannot share that movie with you. Instead, allow me to illustrate how easy it is to create a simple project – so easy that I know you can do it too!

After installing Windows Live Movie Maker, you can find it under All Programs > Windows Live. Click to launch the program and you will see the window shown to the right for your new movie. (Note the Windows 7 style ribbon.)

Now all you need to do is navigate to where your stored images (or videos) are stored on your computer. Select the images you want to include in the movie and drag them to the Movie Maker window.

Windows Live Movie Maker will format the images for your movie.

Want to add some music to accompany the show? Merely click “Add music” on the ribbon and navigate to the file where your music is stored. One more step and the project is done. Click on “AutoMovie” and respond to the prompt:

Add a Title, caption images as desired and complete the credits. The options are also available as easy picks from the ribbon: and that is all there is to it! You have a finished product: "It's So Easy".

For simple instructions on how to publish your finished product to YouTube as well as other helpful information, check out the videos the Windows Live Team created:

• Getting started with Windows Live Movie Maker
• Using AutoMovie
• Easily create beautiful videos using AutoMovie
• Three ways to share your video creation (YouTube, burn to DVD, save as HD)
• Add photos and videos to Movie Maker to get started
• Add transitions or visual effects
• Edit video clips to include the best footage in your movie
• Add and edit music
• Why we like the storyboard
• Add a title, captions and credits
• Publish to YouTube

References:

• Download Link: http://download.live.com/
  
• The new Windows Live Movie Maker
• Hands on with Windows Live Movie Maker
• Podcast: Windows Live Movie Maker

Clubhouse Tags: Clubhouse, challenge-movie, Movie Maker, Picture Gallery, family, How-to, Story

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

For the 'former' Windows XP User

There are many early adapters of Windows XP who skipped the move to Windows Vista but have decided to upgrade to Windows 7. For those people, there will be some changes in the look and feel of Windows.

Not to worry, Andre DaCosta prepared a quick guide with side-by-side image comparisons to help new Windows 7 users become familiar with some of the changes and benefits of Windows 7. See Andre's article in For the 'former' Windows XP User - Welcome to Windows 7!

(The Windows XP --> Windows 7 image was fun to create with SmartArt Tools in Microsoft Office 2010, Technical Preview.)











Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Microsoft Security Essentials Beta Update

An update to the Beta Microsoft Security Essentials software was released. The current version is 1.0.1500.0, identified as "Microsoft Security Essentials Product version update package - KB972958". At the time of this posting, there are no results in a search for KB 972958.

The most noticeable change in the version update is the updated tray icon showing a check mark on a green background when the settings indicate that the computer status is "Protected". Turning off, for example, the real-time protection results in the icon turning red with an X and the message that the Computer is "At risk".

Reported Accessibility Improvements: "Tab and Crtl+Tab functions cycle focus from the tab (labeled as a button), though all of the controls on that page then back up to the tab. Left and Right Arrows navigate between the tabs."

Because Microsoft Security Essentials is still in Beta, it is expected that any other changes were bug fixes.




Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Office Update Discontinued

Effective August 1, 2009, Microsoft discontinued support for "Office Update" and the "Office Update Inventory Tool". Aside from security updates, in order to continue obtaining the latest updates for Microsoft Office products, use either Microsoft Update or Automatic Update.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions are available at Office Online.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why is Microsoft decommissioning the Office Update service?
• What benefits do I receive by using the Microsoft Update service?
• What will happen if I attempt to access the Office Update website after August 1, 2009?
• I am running Windows Vista. Will my servicing experience be different?
• Will I still be able to use the Office Update Inventory Tool to deploy Office updates?
• I use SMS to deploy my Office updates. How does this affect me?
• I use Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) to determine the security state of my computer systems. How does this affect me?
• How will I maintain my existing Office administrative installation point after the Office Update service is decommissioned?

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Microsoft Office 2007 SP2

The Microsoft Office Sustained Engineering blog announced that distribution of Service Pack 2 (SP2) for the Microsoft Office 2007 system will begin via Automatic Update during the week of September 21, 2009.

A description of the Microsoft Office 2007 SP2 and Microsoft Office Language Pack 2007 SP2 is available in Knowledge Base Article 953195. For a list of all 2007 Office system SP 2 as well as Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Service Pack 2 see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 968170.

Additional information regarding the service pack is available in the Microsoft PressPass interview of Jane Liles, group program manager, Office Sustained Engineering: Office Service Pack 2 Q&A.

Download Link: The 2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 2 (SP2)




Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Contemplating Windows 7?

Time is running out if you are contemplating an upgrade but would like to test drive Windows 7 first. The Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) is an ideal way to test the operating system in a non-critical environment. However, downloads will end on August 20, 2009.

Full details are available at TechNet in Windows 7 Release Candidate.

There is a wealth of information available on Windows 7. For starters, see the list below.

• If you are a Windows XP users, the activation process will be new to you. A brief demonistration is available in Activating Windows 7.
  
  
• TechNet Magazine has a compilation of tips for Windows 7 at Windows 7 beta 1 Tips.
  
  
• For more in-dept information, Talking About Windows provides a behind-the-scenes look at the next generation of Windows. It is a video blog with contributions provided by Microsoft engineers who helped build Windows 7.
  
  
• Should you need assistance, Microsoft Answers is a great source to get help. The Getting Ready for Windows 7 Forum is dedicated to help you learn about Windows 7, and get help with installation and upgrade of the Release Candidate.
  
  

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Upgrade to Windows and Microsoft Update Services Begins

The Microsoft Update Product Team Blog posted an update today that the previously announced upgrade to the Windows Update and Microsoft Update services started today, although it will take several months to complete.

Unless Windows Update (or Automatic Updates) is disabled, regardless of your settings, the upgrade will be downloaded and installed automatically.

Additional information is available in my previous post, Important: Upcoming Upgrade for Windows Update.




Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

The Best Windows Website Contest -- Have You Voted?

The Windows Club, "Best Windows Website, 2009" contest has moved to the popular vote phase. From among the 60+ participants, the individual rankings of each of the judges, viz. Ed Bott, Rafael Rivera, Steve Sinchak, Paul Schottland, Lowell Heddings, Emil Protalinski, Howard Lo, James Fisher, Anand Khanse and myself, were compiled to arrive at the following shortlist of 10 websites, linked below in rough sort of alphabetical order (where 4=four and 7=seven).

Please visit these Windows websites and then cast your vote for and canvas for your favorite Windows website, so that it can move on to the final round. The criteria in short was and should be:

Does the website have substantial original quality content of interest & use to a Windows 7 and Vista user ?

• http://bhandler.spaces.live.com/
• http://4sysops.com/
• http://www.sevenforums.com/
• http://www.7tutorials.com/
• http://www.intowindows.com/
• http://maximumpcguides.com/windows-7/
• http://www.msigeek.com/
• http://windows7center.com/
• http://www.windowsvalley.com/
• http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/

The Windows Club Poll: Vote for the Best Windows Website 2009.



Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Zune HD -- WOW!

The exciting new Zune HD is available for preorder from August 13, 2009 until September 15, 2009.

If you are not familiar with the features of the Zune HD, watch the video below from Grand Tour of the Zune HD, with glimpses of Bing and browser. Note, in particular, some of my favorite features, including the magnificant OLED touch screen, built-in HD receiver, browser and alphabet browsing.

Preorder the Zune HD!

Zune HD Features:


Zune HD 16: Color, Onyx Black

Up to 5 hours of high definition video, or 22 hours of standard definition video optimized for device, or 4,000 songs, or 25,000 pictures

Battery: Music, up to 24 hours (wireless off); video, up to 4 hours

• 
  

Zune HD 32 GB: Color, Platinum Silver

Up to 10 hours of high definition video, or 48 hours of standard definition video optimized for device, or 8,000 songs, or 25,000 pictures

Battery: Music, up to 24 hours (wireless off); video, up to 4 hours



Both the 16 an 32 GB Zune HD have a 3.3-inch OLED color display with a 16:9 aspect ratio made of scratch-resistant glass with Touch input capability. Additional similarities include:

Product dimensions: 52.7 mm x 102.1 mm x 8.9 mm (w x h x d)
Outputs: Headphone jack / AV output
Orientation: Vertical (music) and horizontal (pictures and videos)
Resolution: 480 pixels x 272 pixels
Wireless connectivity: 802.11b/g compatible
Charge Time: 3 hours; 2 hours to 90 percent

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Java SE Runtime Environment 6u16 Update

Sun Microsystems has released update Java SE 6u16. This update does not contain any new fixes for security vulnerabilities. If you have already installed Java SE 6 Update 15, you have the latest security fixes and do not need to upgrade to this release to be current on security fixes.

From the Release Notes, BugID: 6862295, JDWP threadid changes during debugging session (leading to ignored breakpoints) was fixed in this update.

In the event you have any old Java updates prior to 6u10, it is strongly advised that you go to Add/Remove programs and uninstall those versions as the "update mechanism" did not remove those vulnerable versions. Following the uninstall, run JavaRa. Merely unzip JavaRa to your desktop and do the following:

• Double-click on JavaRa.exe to start the program. (Windows Vista users right-click JavaRa.exe > Select Run as Administrator)
  
• Click on Remove Older Versions to remove older versions of Java.
  

Download Link: Java SE Runtime Environment 6u16.

Note: uncheck any pre-checked toolbar and/or software options presented with the update. They are not part of the software update and are completely optional.)





Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

August 2009 Bulletin Release

Microsoft released the new security bulletins listed below to resolve critical problem vulnerabilities. In addition to the new bulletins, Microsoft has released one new security advisory, one updated security advisory and two revised security bulletins.

Updated Security Advisory:

Microsoft updated Security Advisory 973882 - Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Active Template Library (ATL) Could Allow Remote Code Execution.

Revised Security Bulletins:

• Security Bulletin MS09-029 - Vulnerabilities in the Embedded OpenType Font Engine Could Allow Remote Code Execution (961371)
• Security Bulletin MS09-035 - Vulnerabilities in Visual Studio Active Template Library Could Allow Remote Code Execution (969706)

New Security Bulletins:

Critical:

• MS09-043
  Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Web Components Could Allow Remote Code Execution (957638)
  
• MS09-044
  Vulnerabilities in Remote Desktop Connection Could Allow Remote Code Execution (970927)
  
• MS09-039
  Vulnerabilities in WINS Could Allow Remote Code Execution (969883)
  
• MS09-038
  Vulnerabilities in Windows Media File Processing Could Allow Remote Code Execution (971557)
  
• MS09-037
  Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Active Template Library (ATL) Could Allow Remote Code Execution (973908)
  

Important:

• MS09-041
  Vulnerability in Workstation Service Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (971657)
  
• MS09-040
  Vulnerability in Message Queuing Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (971032)
  
• MS09-036
  Vulnerability in ASP.NET in Microsoft Windows Could Allow Denial of Service (970957)
  
• MS09-042
  Vulnerability in Telnet Could Allow Remote Code Execution (960859)
  

References:

• MSRC: August 2009 Bulletin Release
• TechNet: Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for August 2009

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

August 2009 Advance Notification

On August 11, 2009, Microsoft is planning to release nine new security bulletins. Below is a summary. Note that all bulletins require a restart except Bulletin 8. However, after installing updates, it is always recommended to restart the computer.

The full version of the Microsoft Security Bulletin Advance Notification for this month can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms09-aug.mspx. Jerry Bryant's report at the MSRC Blog is at August 2009 Advance Notification

Critical:

Bulletin 1

• Vulnerability Impact: Remote Code Execution
• Restart Requirement: May require restart
• Affected Software: Microsoft Office, Microsoft Visual Studio, Microsoft ISA Server, and Microsoft BizTalk Server.

Bulletin 2

• Vulnerability Impact: Remote Code Execution
• Restart Requirement: Requires restart
• Affected Software: Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, and Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac.

Bulletin 3

• Vulnerability Impact: Remote Code Execution
• Restart Requirement: Requires restart
• Affected Software: Microsoft Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003

Bulletin 4

• Vulnerability Impact: Remote Code Execution
• Restart Requirement: Requires restart
• Affected Software: Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008.

Bulletin 5

• Vulnerability Impact: Remote Code Execution
• Restart Requirement: Requires restart
• Affected Software: Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008.

Important:

Bulletin 6

• Vulnerability Impact: Elevation of Privilege
• Restart Requirement: Requires restart
• Affected Software: Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008.

Bulletin 7

• Vulnerability Impact: Elevation of Privilege
• Restart Requirement: Requires restart
• Affected Software: Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Vista.

Bulletin 8

• Vulnerability Impact: Denial of Service
• Restart Requirement: Does not require restart
• Affected Software: Microsoft .NET Framework on Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.

Bulletin 9

• Vulnerability Impact: Remote Code Execution
• Restart Requirement: Requires restart
• Affected Software: Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...