I’m really getting tired of the additional security measures being implemented daily. My performance has taken a hit because of the security and frankly, computing is losing its fun. Vista has new features that are really a pain, and I wonder what the future of computing is.  Because of a few malcontents, computing has become more of a defensive exercise. Each new operating system is more secure, but the tradeoff is not user friendly. Nobody wants to press numerous buttons to get a simple task done.

First & foremost my computer is a tool. I use this in my business and would be lost without it. I used to play games and surf, but no more. Who wants’ to fight a machine that’s always on the defensive. I love the “Are you Sure” buttons. Now you might to go 3 of them compared to 2 a few years ago. Because of Spam, E-mail has become a joke. I bet I receive ¼ of the emails sent to me. Purchasing items on the Internet is dangerous at best, and wallet lightning at worst. Microsoft has said they can’t guarantee the security of your data. Be scared, real scared. If Microsoft can’t guarantee your security, were in real trouble. Apple & Linux security is a joke. The Federal Government routinely checks your searches and can get into your computer anytime they want.

Don’t discount the Federal Government. The loss of our freedoms because of the Patriot Act are Staggering. If you want to guarantee your data, Stay Off the Internet……

                Microsoft’s Windows Defender Expired December 31, 2006. Yes that’s right EXPIRED. Seems Microsoft was giving out the Windows Defender Beta up until the end of 2006. Everyone running Defender needs to reinstall this program. This hopefully will be the end of the Windows Defender Beta crap.

                           Microsoft has to be more heads up in these matters. Microsoft’s Tech Support Personnel were inundated by calls from consumers getting the Windows Defender Startup error. Microsoft called in additional staff and tried to figure out what happened. I notified Microsoft 10:00 AM EST about the problem and the fix.

                    Microsoft: someone dropped the ball badly at your shop. Now you have millions of Clients who think Windows Defender won’t run properly on their PC.

Windows Defender will run just fine if you reinstall it. The Link for Windows Defender is: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

                  As you know I’m a Microsoft Certified Tech, but not necessarily a company man. I routinely call Microsoft out when they’ve done badly. Well Folks: Vista is awesome. I loaded the Home Basic version of Vista. What a nice upgrade. I’m using OEM software, same as everyone else. I find this product to be a very easy install and had only one driver problem. I linked up to my Secured Wireless Router in seconds. I really didn’t see any Critical bugs and only a few operational changes.

I had been previously using a release candidate copy of the Business Premium, it was allright. Microsoft’s software engineers must have been working overtime because the changes are major. The first edition release is worth the money, and I’ll recommend it to everyone. I’m running an Inspiron 1100 Laptop, Pentium 4 with a Gig and a Half of Ram. I’m using a stock Video Card and still have decent graphics.

Because I expect so much from Microsoft I tend to be Over Critical. Microsoft is and will stay the best bet in computing. The Value we receive from Microsoft normally exceeds my expectations. I love the Microsoft bashers as they really know very little about computer security. Everybody over at Microsoft should be real proud. As a Microsoft Certified Pro, I am. Vista & Microsoft will continue to be ahead of my expectations in computing, always surprising me with innovation.