SC's Tech Blog

My Mind on my Money & My Money on my LIVE!

samerc — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:11:07 GMT

Do you have a Windows Live Account? Check out the Video Below and see why you should have one!

Home.Live.Com

(Liked the Audio?? – Download it from Here)

Cheers,

Why am i Still Single & What’s new in PowerPoint 2010?

samerc — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:31:17 GMT

You have to admit the Title is Catchy!

I get this question a lot that i decided to do a Powerpoint Presentation about it :P …. (There’s lots of Beautiful Women in Lebanon… Why are you Still Single????) so here it goes :o)

PS: The figures and Everything in the Video are made for FUN, Entertainment &Demo purposes only…

The Pictures i used

I needed a drawing of a Man and of a Woman… so i Binged for a Toilet Sign :o)
Using the New Background Remover from PowerPoint 2010 i managed to separate the woman from the photo
	But as you can see the Head was not selected as in the drawing it is not attached to the Body so i had to use the Mark Areas to Keep in the Background Removal Tools

The Transitions

PowerPoint 2010 includes New & Improved Transitions that we used to see in Enterprise Video Editing Softwares

The Animations

The Animations haven’t change dramatically much :o) (i know the Lebanese English :P)… Because they already been impressive in 2007

The Tie

	For the Tie.. I inserted a Triangle Shape and i Duplicated it.. The new Part is that Powerpoint now enables you to Snap so you will know the right path to use
Then i used to Group… so i use the tie as One Object!

The Video

One of the most impressive New Features is the VIDEO Tools!!!!


i downloaded a Video Trailer from Youtube for the movie “THE BACHELOR”
	With Powerpoint 2010 you can apply the Same Photo Effects that you used to apply on Photos in the 2007 Edition…
Trust me … COOOL Feature!!
	Now with the Built in Trimmer… i managed to Trim the Trailer to just a small portion… (Where 100s of Brides chasing the Bachelor)
I Also Changed the Poster Frame of the Video displayed on the Slide
	you can also control the behavior of your Video with Ease using the Playback Tools!

Changing the Colors based on Statistics :o)

This is an easy part, you just select the the Photo and use the RECOLOR Feature

Dressing the Bride

To Dress the Bride i had to use my design Skills :p

Changing the Colors of the Shape the using the EDIT POINTS i now have a Bride Dress

Off course this is not Lebanese because Women in Lebanon are NEVER SATISFIED so it requires a Pikasso to draw a Lebanese Wedding Dress :P

The Final Animation…

Using the Advanced Animation Pane, and with different orders and Animations… that was it :o)

Creating the Video

Now using Powepoint 2010, you can Create a Video of the Presentation you just created!!

And you can Control the Quality of the Final Version of the Video

i hope you liked this one… because i really enjoyed making it :o)

Download all the Materials

Cheers,

Windows 7 | Free Learning Snacks for IT Pros!

samerc — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:07:51 GMT

Hello IT Pros!

Why don’t you watch these “Learning Snacks” Videos and learn more about how can you benefit Windows 7,

Introducing Windows 7 Learning Snacks
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/_silverlight/learningsnacks/win7/snack01/Default.html

Implementing User Account Control in Windows 7
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/_silverlight/learningsnacks/win7/snack02/Default.html

Introducing BitLocker and AppLocker in Windows 7
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/_silverlight/learningsnacks/win7/snack03/Default.html

Desktop Experience in Windows 7
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/_silverlight/learningsnacks/win7/snack04/Default.html

Setting Up a Home Network in Windows 7
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/_silverlight/learningsnacks/win7/snack05/Default.html

Introducing the Troubleshooting Platform in Windows 7
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/_silverlight/learningsnacks/win7/snack06/Default.html

Using the Development Image Servicing and Management Tool for Servicing Windows 7 Images
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/_silverlight/learningsnacks/win7/snack07/Default.html

Windows 7 Volume Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/_silverlight/learningsnacks/win7/snack09/default.html

Windows 7 Remote Connectivity
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/_silverlight/learningsnacks/win7/snack11/default.html

Windows 7 Automation
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/_silverlight/learningsnacks/win7/snack12/default.html

Cheers,

Windows 7 | 20 4 7 | Day 20 | Recap

samerc — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:10:37 GMT

Hey Everyone,

Today is Day 20 and the Last day of the Windows 7 | 20 4 7, it has been a long month… But an Exciting One indeed!! every weekday i was writing a Post on a feature of Windows 7 and i was also featured on the Morning Show on Radio One with Gavin Ford,

All the innovations in Windows 7 won’t matter if the operating system doesn’t deliver on the basics. You need your PC to be reliable, responsive and safe. You want your laptop’s battery to last longer, and you need the applications and devices you depend on to work well with your PC. In other words, you want everything to “just work”—and to work how you want it to.

Performance. Windows 7 has made significant performance improvements in how your computer starts up, shuts down and resumes from standby compared to earlier versions of Windows. Search and indexing are faster, and you can better take advantage of external USB flash memory drives to improve performance.

Reliability. Reliability improvements in Windows 7 include troubleshooters to improve reliability. The end result is that your Windows 7-based PC is more resilient, so you’ll experience fewer hangs and crashes.

Application Compatibility. A key engineering goal for Microsoft is software that runs on Windows Vista will run as well or better on Windows 7. And for untested or in-house developed applications, Windows 7 includes a number of in-box compatibility aids.

Device Compatibility. As with software, Microsoft set an engineering goal that devices that work with Windows Vista will also work with Windows 7—and has greatly expanded the list of devices and peripherals that are being tested for compatibility.

Security. Windows 7 builds upon the strong security lineage of Windows Vista and retains all of the development processes and technologies that have made Windows Vista the most secure version of the Windows client to date. From the solid security foundation of Windows Vista, Windows 7 makes significant enhancements to the core security technologies of event auditing, User Account Control, security enhanced storage devices, and improved authentication experiences.

Improved Battery Life. Improvements to power management in Windows 7 will help extend the battery life of your mobile PC.

For a Quick Refresher on the main features, you can watch my Remixed Overview

& remember with Windows Easy Transfer, Migrating to Windows 7 is easier than Ever!

Also Putting the Web @ Your Service with Internet Explorer 8 (IE8); IE8 is the latest web browser from Microsoft and is included in Windows 7 and is also available as a separate Download for earlier versions of windows; its main features includes search suggestions, Accelerators, Web Slices an inPrivate Browsing

and at the end, always ask for your GENUINE COPY of Windows!!

Enjoy Windows 7 & Cheers!

Windows 7 | 20 4 7 | Day 19 | Connectivity & HomeGroup

samerc — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:22:45 GMT

Many homes now have more than one PC / Laptop. In fact, a growing % of the households in Lebanon have two or more PCs/Laptop. Very few of these households have set up a home network because it’s too complicated, so in Windows 7, it’s simpler with some improvements in connecting to a network and a new feature called HomeGroup.

You know in Lebanon not so long ago, the concept of NETWORKING and NETWORK was not very common outside of the IT people, and even imagining the collaboration between different computers to share documents and connect was something very (relatively) complicated; but after a while with the spread of WI-FI in public places and also with the evolution of “Network Cafe” where friends can go and play a game Together, each from his own PC… the idea was more and amore acceptable and the request for an Easy way to Setup an Wireless network at Home and connect to a Wireless network at an airport or any WI-FI available;

Improved Wireless Networking - Connecting to a wireless network is easier than ever

With Windows 7 it’s so easy to join a wireless network, I don’t need to use a wizard or even open a window. I simply click the network icon in the system tray to see a list of available networks. I then pick the network I want and click Connect. I’m ready to begin surfing the web.

The first time I connect to a new network, Windows 7 asks me if I’m at Home, Work or out in Public. Windows 7 uses this information to adjust the firewall and other security settings to suit where I’m at.

before going into HomeGroup, i want to share with you my Favorite feature in Windows 7 related to the Networking thing.. it’s called, Location Aware Printing :o) so you can now go to different locations and you will be able to Print to the Right Printer

HomeGroup - Makes it easy to share media, documents and printers across multiple PCs with Simple security control

If I tell Windows 7 that I’m connecting to a Home network, I’m asked if I want to join a HomeGroup.

HomeGroup helps you set up a home network in just 3 steps, so you can share documents, pictures, videos, music, and even printers with other computers and devices.

That’s it… Very Easy :o)…

Cheers,

Windows 7 | 20 4 7 | Day 18 | Windows Touch

samerc — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:39:47 GMT

Windows 7 also makes New things possible: There are several new features in Windows 7 that will have niche appeal - for tech or media enthusiasts and one of them is called Windows Touch.

Windows Touch

With the goal of continuing to innovate on the windows platform to make everyday things easier for customers, and enable developers to create more intuitive applications, Windows 7 Touch provides customers with yet another choice in how they interact with their PC.

The addition of touch computing makes interaction with the PC faster and more intuitive. Not meant to replace the mouse and keyboard, the addition of touch computing merely makes interaction with your PC and the web faster and easier.

And if you want to see a Nice Demo of a Real Time Application you can check the AutoDesk demo (creators of Autocad) and how they were demoing 3d Design leveraging Multi-Touch or Windows Touch

Cheers,

Windows 7 | 20 4 7 | Day 17 | AppLocker

samerc — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:06:29 GMT

One of the Design Goals of Windows 7 is to Enhance Security and Control.

Now CONTROL is something as super important in an Enterprise world as Security… imagine how difficult the management of 100s of Computers in an enterprise or School when you don’t have any control over them and where the user can do whatever they want and install whatever application he desires on his machine… You’ve heard of different privileges & Roles like the Administrator role, the Power user etc… and also IT Administrators uses all types of methods to make sure they are in control of the IT infrastructure in their company… Now with Windows 7 & Windows Server 2008 R2 … they can even control which Version of an APP a user can run :o) using AppLocker!

Windows 7 builds on the security foundation of Windows Vista and delivers increased flexibility for IT professionals responsible for securing PCs and data.

AppLocker™

Windows 7 reenergizes application control policies with AppLocker: a flexible, easy to administer mechanism that allows IT professionals to specify what is allowed to run in the desktop infrastructure, and gives users the ability to run applications, installation programs and scripts that they require to be productive. As a result, IT professionals can enforce application standardization within their organization while providing improved security, as well as operational and compliance benefits.

Just like you buy a car… you want to be in FULL Control of it… you would want to manage an IT Infrastructure where YOU are in CONTROL…

Cheers,

Scratch IE – Remixed by SC

samerc — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:19:03 GMT

Well IE 8 has lots of Features and the most common new Features are the InPrivate Mode, Accelerators and WebSlices;

Check out this Remixed Overview i’ve done over the Weekend; it’s just IE Scratched!

Cheers,

Windows 7 | 20 4 7 | Day 16 | IE8 InPrivate Browsing

samerc — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:16:44 GMT

Hello There!

You know Windows Internet Explorer 8 or IE8 has lots of Features and one of the most useful are the ones related to Security!

Maybe The first thing you will notice when you start using IE8 is the Domain name Highlighting in the address bar, so let’s say you clicked a link that was supposed to send you to a certain website, but instead that this link sent you to a different website, with the Address Highlighting you will Notice it first :o)

InPrivate Browsing - more privacy options when browsing

IE’s Delete Browsing History can help protect your privacy after the fact – if you remember to use the feature. But what if you know you want to browse privately in advance?

Let’s say I’m trying to buy a bicycle for someone special. When I activate InPrivate Browsing, Internet Explorer 8 starts a new browser window. With InPrivate Browsing I can research, compare prices, and even order the gift. My browsing history, cookies and any cached files are forgotten once I close the window. I don’t have to worry about my browsing history ruining the surprise.

Now Starting an inprivate browsing session is very easy, you just click on Safety and then Inprivate Browsing

and you will notice that the address bar will have “InPrivate” next to it

And what happen in the InPrivate Mode… Stays in the InPrivate Mode

And by the way, if you’re a parent, Parental Controls trumps this setting so you can still view history. It’s all about putting you in control.

And one Final Thing, with Internet Explorer 8 SmartScreen Filtering you can now be notified if there’s a security threat when you are downloading a file or accessing a “Fishy” website

Cheers,

Windows 7 | 20 4 7 | Day 15 | BitLocker To Go

samerc — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:02:37 GMT

Hello There!

Well for many of us who have been using computers for the past years, we don’t need a Genius in Technology to explain the evolution in personal data storage; When i was still in School my first home PC used to have a hard disk of 420 MB of space and i was like the COOLest guy in School (among the Geeks who didn’t get dates :P) and that was even less than 1 CD ROM… So now with the Evolution of Storage we talk in GIGABYTES (1000s of Megabytes) of storage or even TERABYTES (1000s of Gigabytes) of information! and relatively the external devices that can store Gigabytes of information can be very very small… so they are easy to LOSE!

SO… having said that, now you can store a whole load of excel sheets, documents and files from your company on a USB Key and if you lost it and it falls into the wrong hands.. it can be seriously BAD… so you need to learn more about how Windows 7 can help you in that!

BitLocker drive encryption functionality in Windows 7 delivers an improved experience for IT professionals and end users, including the ability to right-click on a drive to enable BitLocker protection, automatic creation of the required hidden boot partition, and improved key management.

Windows 7 also introduces BitLocker To Go, which provides data protection for removable storage devices such as USB flash drives. BitLocker To Go gives IT professionals better control over how removable storage devices can be used. For example, IT Professionals can require data protection for writing to any removable storage device while allowing unprotected storage devices to be used in a read-only mode.

Cheers,

Windows 7 | 20 4 7 | Day 14 | Device Stage

samerc — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:37:36 GMT

Hey there and it’s the day of the Launch!

Now, with Device Stage in Windows 7, when you plug in a device it automatically identifies the device, even your specific device (color and model), and gives you specific calls to action for that particular device. It can act the source for the device documentation – reducing the need for printed paper documents and making the information consistently available in one place.

Device Stage is especially powerful for multifunction devices as people can discover all the possibilities of what they can do with their device.

With your printer, this is one place to manage print, fax, scan, copy without having to install third party software.

With your phone, you can manage ring tones, sync contacts and media, and even get to the user manual.

In addition to Device Stage, we have grouped all devices – everything that attached to the PC – into one location called Devices & Printers.

All in one place – everything that connects to the PC system unit will appear and allow common tasks easily all in one place

All device functions now in one place (e.g. scanning & faxing – fixing the Multi Function Printer/Device issue).

Cheers,

Windows 7 Features for IT Pros - Interview with an MVP

samerc — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:12:40 GMT

I was lucky to capture an interview with Maral Topalian a Microsoft MVP from Lebanon in Management Infrastructure to talk about the New Features of Windows 7 for IT Pros before she did her presentation today in the Community Night held in the Microsoft Office in Beirut;

Cheers,

Windows 7 | 20 4 7 | Day 13 | a Good VS. a Cool Feature

samerc — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:16:09 GMT

Today is Day 13, therefore i would like to be more creative in describing the below;

Windows 7 has lots of Features, some are the GOOD Features… and some are the COOL Features… and trust me there’s a difference :)..

A Good Feature is one of the BASICS that is similar to the Vegetable plate that is rich with Vitamins but not necessary the most attractive platter!

One of the GOOD features in Windows 7 is the User Account Control that falls in the Security model

User Account Control (UAC) is an important security feature (it existed first in Windows Vista) which helps prevent unauthorized changes to your computer. These changes can be initiated by applications, viruses or other users. UAC makes sure these changes are made only with approval from the administrator of the computer. If these changes are not approved by the administrator, they will never be executed and the system will remain unchanged.

In Windows Vista and Windows 7, applications run by default without any administrative permissions. They have the same permission levels as a normal user would. They cannot make any changes to the system.
When an application wants to make system changes such as: modifications which affect other users, modifications of system files and folders, installation of new software, UAC prompts the user to ask for permission. An UAC prompt in Windows 7 looks similar to the one below.

If the user clicks on No, the change won't be performed. If the user clicks on Yes, the application received administrative permissions and is able to make system changes. These permissions will be given until the application stops running or it is closed by the user.

So UAC asks for your permission before it lets programs make changes to your PC. UAC in Windows 7 works so you don’t have to choose between security and “peace and quiet” so Fewer prompts & more control over settings; Action Center includes additional settings for UAC so you can pick what works for you.

I've spoken on the UAC in the “notification day” read about it here

Now with one off the COOL Features…

Personalization - It’s easy to make Windows 7 look the way you want

Well let’s be fair.. the word personalizing your computer can carry a load of things in it… because once YOU started using it then it became personalized :o)… However nowadays everyone have a different STYLE and now with Windows 7 you can show this style of yours with ease… you Right Click and then PERSONALIZE…

Everyone’s Windows desktop looks different, and most likely, you’ve changed your desktop background to fit your style.

With Windows 7 you can personalize your desktop by using new shades of glass, rich backgrounds, and unique sound schemes so your PC really reflects your style. A new feature called the Desktop Background Slideshow allows you to set entire albums of photos as a rotating desktop background.

When you are done customizing your background creation you can even save it so can send it to friends and family.

Cheers,

Windows 7 | 20 4 7 | Day 12 | IE8 Web Slices

samerc — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:39:22 GMT

Put the Web @ Your Service with Internet Explorer 8 (IE8); IE8 is the latest web browser from Microsoft and is included in Windows 7 and is also available as a separate Download for earlier versions of windows; its main features includes search suggestions, Accelerators, Web Slices an inPrivate Browsing

Today is about Web Slices!

Web Slices - keep up with changes to the websites you care about most

If I want to track this eBay auction to make sure I get the best deal, I can just add a Web Slice. A Web Slice allows me to view up-to-date information within a page without having to come back to website over and over.

or let me give you a Lebanese Example :) of where we can use that :P

in Lebanon, you find that everyone is always involved in a way in politics and NEWS is quite VERY important for Most Lebanese… and not only that… COMPARING NEWS is MUCH more important.. as they have to compare different news source for the SAME INFORMATION… so instead of opening daily 4 – 5 different websites, to check the headlines etc.. you can make it as easy as clicking few buttons on the top :o)… so wait until the News Sites implements Web Slices and you’ll have more time to work now :P

and another example i use sometimes to elaborate the need to attendees in some events i speak in, is the “La Tabkha” example… here it is:

in Lebanon there’s one Famous Restaurant that serves Lebanese Home Cooked Food and deliver it to your home / office, and it’s called “La Tabkha” (which is a Combination of the French “La” ( the ) and Arabic “Tabkha” (home cooked meal)) and since i spend most of my time at the office, on the road or in the Air :P, most of my food is FAST Food… so lots of the time i try to benefit from eating a home cooked meal at the office… so i go and check their website like daily to know the specials… i only go there to see 4 x 4 CM :o) … so if they have it as a Webslice… i can visit it everyday without leaving my work screen :o) … anyways maybe they will someday :P

Let’s See an example of how you can add a WebSlice

Go to MSN.com and click on get the MSN.com SlideShow Webslice by simply adding it from the page or from the top menu on the right.

Here’s the steps on how to do so:

1– go to msn.com

2 - From the Top Right, you will notice a Green Button

or just hover over the center of the page and you’ll notice the green icon next to the page

3- Click!

4- There you go :o)!

Now you can access MSN Slideshow from anywhere (below is me accessing the Webslice while I'm on my Facebook page)

Cheers,

BOOM! Shake The Taskbar

samerc — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:44:15 GMT

i got lots of positive feedbacks on my First Remix, so i decided to do another one; and there it is :o)

Cheers,