This and That Technology Tips Windows XP Service Pack 2 Explained August 20, 2004 Micro$oft has been working on a major release for Windows XP - called a Service Pack - dubbed "Service Pack 2" - for quite some time. It's a culmination of security patches, bug fixes and some enhancements. It was officially released on 8/10/04 and it is slowly being pushed out (through Windows Updates) to all PCs which have Automatic windows update enabled. Since this update is huge, between 100 MB and 300 MB, it will take loads of time to download and if Microsoft pushed it to everyone at once - it would slow down the Internet. It should be available to order on CD soon, if so desired. It's a "no charge" upgrade (as it basically tightens up Windows and this billion dollar (cost for Microsoft to completed this project) update might decrease the bad press and eggs everyone continually throws at Microsoft). This newsletter is not meant to be a tutorial on Service Pack 2, nor is it conclusive with all features and enhancements. It's meant to be a cautionary warning on implementing the service pack too soon plus a "Best of" look at Service Pack 2. Our Recommendation DO NOT install this update until all the kinks are worked out. I would wait at least 4-6 weeks or until you hear favorable press about the service pack implementation. Definitely not the time to be an "early adopter!" If you do install, I doubt that your machine will crash because of this update. What could happen is that it may disable several of your programs and may make it hard to get to certain websites. If you install it, send me an email and let me know how it went! 2 major Sections of Service Pack 2 Update Security Updates New "Security Center"  - Monitors "Windows Updates, Firewall and Anti-virus settings" Windows Updates - more user friendly, new "look and feel" Windows Firewall - Will be turned on by default - which stops people from coming on to your computer. Still doesn't stop your computer from attacking other computers (stopping outbound traffic), nor does it disable any damaging programs already residing on your computer. Would still recommend running Zone Alarm - free version (www.zonelabs.com). Outlook Express By default, HTML Pages and Web pages images are blocked and you are asked permission if you want to load images. This will prevent hackers from damaging your computer from this type of email and stop spammers from knowing you've viewed their email without you even opening it!. If you use Outlook Express, this may cause some confusion at first, I'm afraid. Internet Explorer Pop up blocker is introduced. Consolidated Plug-in manger is new feature (cool part is if add-on crashes IE - you will get option to permanently disable this add-on). *********************************************** Our Recommended Partners http://www.itmcomputing.com/partners.php We now feature products which we recommend for purchase. All products on this page are products we have thoroughly tested and are most likely used on a daily basis. In your daily life, there are lots of choices out there when you are purchasing products. We make it simple by having just 1 product in each category. You can buy a book full of coupons, print business cards, stop SPAM from infecting your mail box, find a great way to kick-start your marketing, rent DVDs, listen to books on hand-held devices and print stamps from your own computer. Featured Products of the Month Spam Solution Our featured spam product stops SPAM dead in its tracks. It allows mail from people you approve. All other folks get a "word" to type in - to verify they're a person - not a spammer (there definitely is a difference here). Your spam will go down to zero in a matter of a couple of days. Go to our site to check it out or click here. Remote Access for your Computers/ Use Computer while on Vacation / Use home computer while at work As many of our clients know, this is the tool we use to access client's desktops and solve their computer problems. It also doubles as a great product to use while away on business or when you want to access your home computer from work. Most offices these days won't let you check your Yahoo! or Hotmail accounts, but you can normally use this product. Go to our site to check out Remote Access Software, http://www.itmcomputing.com/partners.php or click here. Check out our full listing of partners: http://www.itmcomputing.com/partners.php *********************************************** Functional Improvements 1. Increased Blue Tooth capabilities - making it easier to use non-Microsoft bluetooth products. 2. Improved Wireless Usage; Allows you to stop annoying warning about logging on to insecure network and makes it easier to set up wireless, can take wireless settings from PC/PC using USB flash drivers. 3. Tablet PC gets an update. *********************************************** Web Design - We'll design the perfect site for you!! So, you've started a small business, you've been reading my computing tips, and you decide it's time for a new website. Or, you want a makeover on your current site and you just don't have the time to learn HTML (ugh!). Well, we've been providing web design services for over 5 years now and our designs just keep getting better. Take a gander at our current portfolio with the newest websites up top: http://www.itmcomputing.com/webportfolio.php . We'll be happy to provide you with a free quotation - either fill out our form: http://www.itmcomputing.com/contact_web.php or give us a holler at 408.732.8500. *********************************************** Helpful Sites for more information and transition Norton Tech Support Center http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/ Zone Alarm Press Release http://download.zonelabs.com/bin/free/rapidDeploy/press/2004/pr_23.html Windows XP Support Center http://snipurl.com/8gjz What to know before installing SP2 http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx These programs (and my guess) many more may not work after installing SP 2 http://snipurl.com/8gu2 Windows XP Service Pack 2 - Resources for IT Professionals http://snipurl.com/8ip6 ************************ Hope you enjoyed the ride.... Clyde Lerner, In The Moment Computing Phone: 408.732.8500 E-mail comments/feedback to: http://www.itmcomputing.com/contact_computer.php This newsletter is a service of In The Moment Computing and is Copyright 2005 Clyde Lerner. All worldwide rights reserved. If forwarding, please forward all of e-mail, not any portion therein. To see past issues of This and That Computer Tips newsletter, please visit the web at: http://www.itmcomputing.com/newsletter.php and click on "Archives." Please note: Unless requested, questions pertaining to this newsletter will be answered in a 3-4 week time frame. If you need a faster response, there will be a small consultation fee of $15 per e-mail response. You will receive a reply within 48 hours. "Complete Computer Help (Networks, New Computer Installs, Software Training) for Individuals and Small Businesses" "Designing your Perfect Website, at an Affordable Cost, in a Timely Manner" Eliminate and Destroy unwanted email: http://spamarrest.com/affl?1337207 Send a greeting card through the Internet so recipient gets card in their postal mailbox: www.sendoutcards.com/7197 - let me walk you through how to send a card - it's easy. ©2004 In The Moment (ITM) Computing. All rights reserved.