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September 19, 2004

Random thought:

Making your Mac manageable

My comments about Macs have been (and are) compromised somewhat by the way I use a Mac. While my younger daughter (a student a the Columbus College of Art and Design) has a desktop Mac, I'm limited to a notebook Mac. Until recently that Mac was a slow (500 MHz) G3 system. I've recently purchased a G4 PowerBook, but that's nothing to compare with dual-processor G5 systems that sit on some users' desktops. Or even the G4 dual-processor machine that sits on Kaydee's desk. (Processor envy? Yes.)

One problem with notebook computers (whether Windows or Mac) is the keyboard. No notebook computer has ever had a good keyboard. This is particularly true if your preference is, as is mine, for split keyboards. Undersized straight keyboards found on notebook computers are hard to use.

So I bought an Adesso Intellimedia keyboard. The "special" keys are supposed to provide immediate access to website and media functions. They don't (at least not for OS X 10.3) but that's OK. I don't really need the special keys that are above the function keys. I just need a keyboard that's easy to use and the Intellimedia is. It's a USB keyboard -- plug it in and it works. Plug the USB mouse into one of the USB ports on the keyboard and it works. Cool.

Next problem: Notebook computers are small and the screen is too low. If you have a Mac PowerBook, you may also have noticed that the underside gets rather warm. So warm that it's not comfortable to use on your lap. If you want a cool lap, buy a notebook computer that uses a Transmeta processor and runs Windows. If you want a cool notebook computer -- -- --- ----- ----- ah, let's not go there.

The solution to using a notebook computer on the desk is a product from Griffin Technology. It's called the "iCurve" so you know it was designed for Mac users, but Windows PC users may also find the Icurve (proper nouns begin with capital letters) useful. It elevates the notebook computer several inches. This places the screen closer to eye level and also allows air to circulate freely around the computer. Both of these are good things.

Adding an external keyboard and the Icurve will cost about $100, but the cost is reasonable when you consider how much more usable the computer is with these additions.

PC/Windows users please note: The Adesso keyboard is not what you want. Buy a Microsoft keyboard or one of several others with split-key layouts. Or if you're still one of the people who hasn't learned to appreciate split keyboards, one of the standard keyboards.

Whether you own a Windows or Mac notebook, the Icurve is a good choice.

Any comments I make about Macs in the future will be based less on the form factor and keyboard layout than on the way the machine actually works. And that's the way it should be.

Patching the un-patched

Now that SP2 is out for Windows XP, Microsoft has a patch dilemma: Supporting patches for Windows 2000, Windows XP (sans SP2) and Windows XP (with SP2). Larry Seltzer had some interesting comments about that this week.

Larry is a big fan of Automatic Updates. I continue to be cautious about update. I want to know what Microsoft is planning to install. I want to be the one who approves changes to the operating system. Download and prepare anything you want, Microsoft, but let me give permission to install the patches. Larry takes a different approach and there is logic behind his statement: "I'm optimistic because another thing SP2 does is really, really urge you to turn on Automatic Updates. Some experts are uncomfortable with Automatic Updates. Fine, experts can turn them off, but novices should be running them. Enterprises and other expert-run networks can set up their own Windows Software Update Services servers and test patches while still allowing automatic updates to proceed as soon as they think it prudent."

I want control because I do the necessary homework to learn about patches and, as soon as I'm sure that the patch does something I want to have done, I allow it to be installed. Most people who have real lives probably aren't as interested in the details. So maybe turning on Automatic Updates is a good idea.

Subtitle: Why you SHOULD have installed the SP2 update

This week, Microsoft released a patch to take care of a problem that involves potentially hostile JPG files that could be used to execute code on your computer. Microsoft considered this a "critical" threat, meaning that you should either get the patch immediately or upgrade to SP2 (following the cautious approach already described here and elsewhere.)

Those who have upgraded to SP2 on Windows XP don't need the patch unless they have installed applications that are vulnerable. According to Microsoft, " Windows XP Service Pack 2 does not contain a vulnerable version of the affected component. However, if you have installed any of the affected Office, Visio, or Project applications you should install the updates for those applications. The easiest way to address this vulnerability is to install the updates provided by Office Update. If you have not installed any of the affected Office, Visio, or Project applications you do not have to install any other security updates because the other affected software and affected components use the operating system version of the vulnerable component on Windows XP Service Pack 2."

If you don't have automatic updates turned on, be sure to visit both of these sites:

• windowsupdate.microsoft.com
• officeupdate.microsoft.com

Because this is the first critical update after the full release of SP2 and because it is somewhat dependent on applications that are installed on the computer, the update process is more complex than usual. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and follow the path indicated by your situation.

Microsoft's complete (long) explanation is here.

Office 2004 (Mac) update

Error correction: Last week I said that Microsoft's Macintosh Business Unit is headquartered in California. That's incorrect. It's actually headquartered with the rest of Microsoft in Redmond, Washington, but about 40% of the MBU workforce is located in Mountain View, California.

Additional information: One of the odd problems I reported last week was nothing more than a minor annoyance. On the Mac, only Max is available as an Office assistant all of the others are gone. I searched the CD for them. I searched Microsoft's website for them. Then I asked Microsoft support. As it turns out, the only wan to get the other assistants back is to copy from from your copy of Office X, if it's still on the computer. Or, if you have the CD from the previous version, you can install them from there. There's probably a logical reason for this, but I can't think of one.

Here's the conversation I had with Microsoft. Frequently, when I'm talking with support folks, I wonder if they're carefully trained to ignore questions that the user has asked and to answer questions that weren't asked. The messages from Microsoft are in black. My messages are in blue. Comments are at the right in this typeface.

I want to change the Office Assistant, but only the Mac is present and the scroll buttons are grayed. I can't find any reference to other assistants on the CD or on the website.		I stated the problem: I have a Mac and would like to replace the office assistant (Max) with one of the other assistants. I can't find them on the CD or on the website. Expected response: Information about where to find them.
First response: From: Andrea Zuo (Intl Vendor) Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2004 01:11 To: 'bill.blinn@610tech.net' Subject: SRZ040908001843 Office 2004 : change the Office Assistant Dear Bill, Thank you for choosing Microsoft Online Support. My name is Andrea Zuo, and I will be assisting you with this Service Request. In your case, you've indicated that you are unable to change the Office Assistant. We shall be working to resolve this specific issue through the course of the case. If I have misunderstood your concern, please let me know. I would like to confirm what you want. Do you want to import the Office assistant in Office x into Office 2004 or other assistant? Sorry I do not understand you meaning very clearly. Please perform the following step to resolve the issue. Recreate Office 2004 Preferences ================================ Corrupt Office 2004 preferences can cause this problem. Let's follow the steps below to recreate the settings. To do so:
1. Quit all Office applications. 2. Drag the file "Normal" from the folder "[Hard drive]: Users: [User name]: Documents: Microsoft User Data" to your desktop. 3. Drag any folders related to Excel, Word, PowerPoint in the folder "[Hard drive]: Applications: Microsoft Office 2004: Office: Startup" to your desktop if there is any. 4. Drag the "Microsoft" folder from the folder "[Hard drive]: Users: [User name]: Library: Preferences" to the desktop. 5. Restart Office 2004 applications and test whether the issue still occurs. Refresh Entourage 2004 Preferences ================================== Sometimes corrupt Entourage preferences can cause such problems. Let's refresh the Entourage preferences as below: 1. Quit Entourage if it is still running. 2. Go to the "[Hard drive]: Users: [User name]: Library: Preferences: Microsoft" folder, move the following files to Desktop. com.microsoft.Entourage.prefs.plist com.microsoft.Office.prefs.plist Entourage Preferences Microsoft Office ACL [English] Office 11 First Run 3. Drag the com.microsoft.Entourage.plist from the folder "[Hard drive]: Users: [User name]: Library: Preferences" to the desktop. 4. Start Entourage and test if the problem ceases. If the issue persists, could you please help me to capture a screenshot when you open Office Assistant and the scoll is grayed?		I know that I said I'm using a Mac and that one of the first things one does to fix a problem is delete the preferences files, but how removing the preferences files could possibly cause a missing feature to appear is puzzling. Still, I did it. Previously I had installed Office 2004 a second time to ensure that I'd specified all the features I wanted to have installed.
Use the following steps to capture a screenshot: a) Press Command+Shift+3, and the screen picture are then saved on your desktop with the filename picture1, picture2, etc. Alternatively, you can press Command+Shift+4, and the mouse cursor will become a cross and you can drag the mouse to include a rectangular range. The range will be saved as a picture file on the desktop. b) Open the latest picture to make sure it is the one you just created and send it to me Please check it on your side and provide me with the results at your earliest convenience. If you have any questions or concerns related to this issue, please let me know. I appreciate your time and look forward to hearing from you. Best regards, Andrea Zuo Support Professional Microsoft Office Online Support v-anzuo@microsoft.com mailto:v-anzuo@microsoft.com Delighting our customers is my top priority. Please let my manager or me know what you think of the level of service provided. You can send feedback to Microsoft Management at managers@microsoft.com (Office_Online_Feedback) mailto:managers@microsoft.com?subject=Office_Online_Feedback Check out our bookstore http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=7249 which provides a wealth of information that you can use to troubleshoot an issue or help answer a question.		I dutifully captured an image of the screen showing that the situation was as I had described it.
The suggested changes made no difference. I have attached a screen capture to illustrate the situation.		I then sent the screen capture to Microsoft.
Microsoft again: From: Andrea Zuo (Intl Vendor) Sent: Monday, September 13, 2004 00:12 To: 'Bill Blinn' Subject: RE: SRZ040908001843 Office 2004 : change the Office Assistant Dear Bill, Thank you for your response and for the test results.
Please understand that there is only one Office assistant in Office 2004. Therefore the button is grayed. If you want to import Office assistant from Office X, please refer to the following steps: 1. Quit All Office applications 2. Copy the assistants from HardDrive:Applications:Microsoft Office X:Office:Assistants to assistants folder -> HardDrive:Applications:Microsoft Office 2004:Office:Assistants 3. Re-launch Application; go to HELP -> Use Office Assistant. Control + Click on Assistant and select "Choose Assistant". Option to choose multiple assistants now appear Does the issue resolve? If you have any questions or concerns related to this issue, please let me know. I appreciate your time and look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Andrea Zuo Windows Support Engineer		This is going to be difficult to do because I don't have Office X on the machine! Had I said anything that would suggest Office X might have been on the machine? (No, but I hadn't specifically said that it wasn't on the machine.)
But ... Office X isn't installed. Just Office 2004. I have Office 2003 on a Windows machine, but I presume the files are not compatible. Why were the additional assistants omitted from this version?		I've stated the facts: It's a Mac, Office X isn't, on the machine and I presume the Windows versions of the assistants will not work on a Mac.
Microsoft: From: Andrea Zuo (Intl Vendor) Sent: Monday, September 13, 2004 19:37 To: 'Bill Blinn' Subject: RE: Re[2]: SRZ040908001843 Office 2004 : change the Office Assistant Dear Bill, Thank you for your update.
Please understand that we cannot import Office assistant from Outlook 2003 into Office 2004. They are the different version for Windows or Macintosh. If you have Office X installed before on your local disk, you will be able to import Office assistant into Office 2004. Meanwhile you can install other Office assistant from the value pack from your Office X installation CD. However if you have the previous version Office on Macintosh, you will be unable to import Office assistant from the Office for Windows version. Your understanding is appreciated. Based on the current situation, I would like to know if you have any problem regarding this issue. If you haven¡¯t, I would like to go ahead and achieve this case as not unresolved. I will mark this incident as Non-Decrement and it won't be counted against your free support incidents If you have additional technical questions or concerns not related to this specific issue please open up a new case. For your convenience I have included the following link. http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];oasoem It was my pleasure to work with you on this issue. Thank you for choosing Microsoft, and we look forward to serving you in the future! Have a nice day! Best regards, Andrea Zuo Support Professional Microsoft Office Online Support v-anzuo@microsoft.com mailto:v-anzuo@microsoft.com Delighting our customers is my top priority. Please let my manager or me know what you think of the level of service provided. You can send feedback to Microsoft Management at managers@microsoft.com (Office_Online_Feedback) mailto:managers@microsoft.com?subject=Office_Online_Feedback Check out our bookstore http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=7249 which provides a wealth of information that you can use to troubleshoot an issue or help answer a question.		So if I have Office X installed (which I've already said that I don't) then I can copy the files from there. Or if I have the Office X CD (which I do) I can copy them from there. In either case, there's nothing more to be said. And my question about why the assistants were removed from this version was conveniently ignored.

While this wasn't a totally satisfying experience, I have to point out that Microsoft does one thing that's somewhat unusual: I dealt with just one person throughout the process. This is more of a positive than it might seem. Many companies set up their support departments so that each follow-up message goes to whomever is next in the queue. The usual result is that the user must continually explain the problem to a series of support technicians and the problem takes much longer to resolve.

Except that Andrea Zuo didn't answer my "why" question (she probably hasn't been told why and wouldn't be permitted to say so) she did resolve the problem and in just a few exchanges.

Nerdly News

A lower price for Windows

Microsoft is lowering the price that manufacturers pay for OEM copies of Windows, but only for a new version of the OS (Windows XP Starter Edition). Oh ... and the "Starter Edition" is sold only in non-English versions.

So we're beginning to see a prescription-drug market effect under which those in the United States will pay more than anybody else for the same product.

Windows XP Home Edition costs users about $100 to buy if they want to upgrade an earlier version of the OS. PC manufacturers won't say what they pay. Neither will Microsoft, but most experts guess $50 to $75. Currently every machine sold with Windows has that cost built in.

Microsoft is trying to address the needs of small vendors in 3rd-world countries and the reasons are obvious: Linux, the open-source operating system, is being adopted widely in Europe and particularly in Asia. Microsoft's crystal ball shows huge areas of the global landscape not under its control unless it does something and does it fast.

Hence the new edition.

Last year, when Thailand's government started distributing Linux, Microsoft came up with some price concessions. If you live in, say, Sumatra and you want a copy of the Starter Edition, how much will you pay? Sorry, I don't know. But you won't be able to buy it anyway. Starter Edition will be sold only to PC manufacturers. People closer to Microsoft than I am suggest that the price will be around $20 per license.

It'll start shipping in October.

Software pirates sink

Eleven people in California, Texas, and Washington have been charged with conspiring to distribute more than $30 million of counterfeit computer software and products. The gang, if convicted, faces 15 to 75 years in prison.

The charges ended a 2-year investigation the government called "Operation Digital Marauder". FBI agents seized more than $56 million worth of counterfeit Microsoft, Adobe, and Symantec products, along with an industrial CD replicator and sophisticated printing equipment.

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