Funky Mouse, Hollow Oak, Bere Regis (2026)

15/09/2024

Ever feel like you need a second monitor to juggle all your tasks? With Windows 11's split screen feature, you can easily manage multiple apps on a single screen - no extra monitors needed.

Imagine comparing documents side-by-side, keeping an eye on your social feed while working, or following a tutorial while checking your emails, all on one screen. Windows 11 makes this simple with its 'Snap' feature.

Here’s how it works: Simply drag your app to the side or corner of the screen, or hover over the maximise button to choose from several layout options. You can even use handy keyboard shortcuts (like Win + left/right arrow) to snap your windows into place. Once you’re set up, Windows 11 will even suggest apps to fill the remaining space.

My team and I are full of useful advice like this. If you want more, get in touch.

Snap to it by learning how to use split screen in Windows 11

14/09/2024

Imagine you’ve got a two hour video lesson saved on your computer, and you need to find a specific part, fast. Soon, Windows 11 could make that a reality with a cool new feature called 'Intelligent Media Search.'

This feature could allow you to search within your video and audio files for specific phrases or spoken words. No more hunting through hours of content to find that one key moment.

Here’s how it would work: Windows 11 will start indexing your media files, setting up an AI model to transcribe them. Once that’s done, you’ll get a notification letting you know that your files are ready for content-based search. This means you can quickly locate the exact spot where a specific word or phrase is mentioned.

Whether you’re reviewing a recorded meeting, searching through a podcast for a quote, or just trying to find a specific topic in a video, this feature could save you loads of time and effort.

Can you imagine you and your team using this?

Windows 11 is reportedly getting a powerful AI feature that will let you search inside local video and audio files.

13/09/2024

Once again, Microsoft Teams is getting even better. Now you can set your work hours and location directly in the app, so your people know when and where you’re available.

It will also suggest changes to your work hours based on your activity. For example, if you're working outside your scheduled hours, Teams might recommend updating your working time to reflect your actual availability. It’s a smart way to make sure your profile stays accurate… and you can easily turn off these suggestions if they’re not for you.

This update is rolling out on all platforms (Android, iOS, desktop, and Mac), and is part of Teams' ongoing promise to make work easier and more efficient for everyone. It’s all about keeping your business running smoothly.

Are you looking forward to trying out this new feature in your business?

Microsoft has released the roadmap for Teams and it comes up with very interesting features, including compact chat lists and work hours.

12/09/2024

If you’re a fan of the classic 8-bit Sinclair ZX Spectrum, you’re in for a treat. A full-sized, modern remake of this iconic computer is about to hit the market, and it’s called The Spectrum.

This new device is modelled after the beloved Spectrum 48K, complete with those famous rubber block keys and the rainbow stripe.

It launches on the 22nd November and comes pre-loaded with 48 classic games like Manic Miner, The Hobbit, Saboteur, and Head Over Heels.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. You can easily load your own games via USB. Woohoo!

Best of all, you’ll only need to spend £89 to bring the nostalgia of the 80s into to your living room. It comes with an HDMI port and USB connectivity. You’ll need to supply your own USB-C power supply, and there's no mention of a joystick (which might be a bit disappointing for some).

Will this make it to your Christmas wishlist?

Users can load their own games via USB.

11/09/2024

Cyber criminals are nothing if not creative. This time they’ve got a scam using Microsoft Sway - a cloud-based 365 tool most people have never heard of (it’s used for creating interactive presentations and reports).

It’s a niche product. And unfortunately it’s now being exploited to host phishing pages.

Recently, a 2,000-fold increase in attacks using Sway was seen. Cyber criminals are using it to create presentations that include QR codes, which then redirect victims to fake Microsoft 365 login pages. If someone falls for it, they unknowingly hand over their login credentials.

What makes this scam difficult to spot is that QR codes, typically seen as harmless image files, can bypass antivirus tools and email protections. Plus, they’re often scanned on phones, which can have weaker security than computers.

So, what can you do to protect your business?

Stay vigilant! Always be sceptical of emails that seem urgent or out of the blue, especially if they ask you to scan a QR code or log in somewhere unexpected. Double-check the sender’s information and, when in doubt, contact the sender directly through a known and trusted method.

If you’re worried, my team and I can help you stay secure. Get in touch.

Microsoft Sway abused to hold QR codes leading to malicious sites

10/09/2024

Heads up: Microsoft Teams is getting a major security upgrade this October that will make your workspace safer.

It’s introducing new rules. Admins must evaluate apps and extensions before they’re deployed.

So, what does this mean for your business?

Starting next month, your IT admins will have tools to check the safety of apps and Copilot extensions. This includes detailed security and certification information such as results from Microsoft 365 security tests, and proof provided by app creators.

For apps that aren’t yet certified, admins will get info on how the app handles data and its overall security.

This new feature is part of Microsoft’s ongoing effort to improve security across its platforms, especially Teams.

Do you look at security info or, like many business owners and managers, just assume the platform is on top of it?

Microsoft Teams will be enhanced to provide better security to organizations by giving admins the tools to check out for any irregularities.

09/09/2024

Tell me... do you use Microsoft Forms in your business? Then here’s some good news. Microsoft’s just announced a better syncing solution that makes it easier and more reliable to sync your Forms data with Excel.

Up until now, syncing wasn’t perfect. It only worked with certain types of forms and could be unreliable.

The older syncing method will be phased out by the 20th of October. So it's important to upgrade your workbooks to keep everything running smoothly. If you don't upgrade, your existing data will still be there, but new responses won’t sync automatically.

If you manage forms through OneDrive, SharePoint, or Teams, you’ll soon notice a prompt to upgrade your sync. For once it’s genuinely easy – just a click, and your data will be reliably synced.

More good news: While syncing only works with Excel for the web, Microsoft is working on bringing this improved functionality to Excel for Windows and macOS.

This will make life so much easier, right?

Microsoft is rolling out a new syncing solution that keeps data in sync across Forms and Excel for the web.

08/09/2024

Microsoft's PowerToys is about to get even better with a new feature called Workspaces.

If you’re not familiar, PowerToys is a collection of free utilities that helps you customise and optimise your Windows experience. It’s perfect for saving time and reducing those repetitive tasks that can slow you down.

So, what’s new?

The upcoming Workspaces feature will let you create custom groups of apps that you can launch with just one click. Imagine having all your essential tools, like your browser, email, and a project management app, open and arranged exactly how you like them, instantly. Whatever your plans for the day, you can set up your workspace in seconds.

Here’s how it works: You arrange your apps on the screen, save the layout, and then create a shortcut. Next time, instead of opening each app individually, just click your shortcut, and everything will pop up in the right place. You can even include commands or run apps as an admin, making it super versatile.

This new feature is expected in the next PowerToys update, version 0.84. It’s a handy tool that can boost your productivity and make your workday smoother.

BIG warning from me though… if you don’t know what you’re doing with PowerToys, you can quickly start changing things that could break your PC. Play it safe and get my team to do this for you.

PowerToys is getting a new utility called Workspaces (App Layouts). It will let you create sets of specific apps in specific arrangements for different purposes and launch them with a single click.

07/09/2024

Phishing scams are a big deal these days, and they’re getting trickier. But first, what is phishing?

It’s when cyber criminals send you fake emails or messages that look legit to steal your passwords or financial info. If they succeed, it can lead to nasty consequences, like data breaches or losing money.

But here’s the thing: Phishing isn’t just those obvious scam emails anymore. Nowadays, criminals are using AI to create super convincing emails or even fake video calls. It’s getting harder to tell what’s real and what’s not.

So, how do you protect yourself and your business? First, ditch the old-school approach of just looking out for typos. Instead, think about using smart security tools that can catch these attacks before they reach you. AI-powered tools can spot weird behaviour and flag it before it becomes a problem.

And don’t forget about your team. Make sure everyone knows what phishing looks like and how to avoid it. Tailored training can help your staff recognise the latest scams so they don’t fall for them.

You don’t need to do it all alone - my team can help with all of this. Let’s talk. Get in touch.

Key phishing trends to look out for in 2024

06/09/2024

Tesla is on the hunt for adventurous people to help train its humanoid Optimus robot, and the job is anything but ordinary.

As a 'Data Collection Operator,' you’ll get to wear a motion capture suit and mimic the actions Optimus will need to perform in the real world. It’s like being a living, breathing model for a robot apprentice.

Interested?

This unique gig pays up to $48 (£37) an hour, but it’s not for the faint of heart. You’ll need to walk over seven hours a day, carry up to 30 pounds, and wear a VR headset for extended periods. Oh, and if you’re between 5’7’’ and 5’11’’, you’re the perfect fit (literally) to match Optimus' height.

Tesla has already hired more than 50 people for this role, showing just how serious they are about training Optimus to be 'genuinely useful' in the near future.

But don’t expect these bots to hit the factory floor just yet. Experts say it could take millions of hours of training before Optimus is ready for action.

Still, it’s an exciting step forward in the world of robotics, and who knows, maybe one day, you’ll be working alongside a robot trained by your own moves.

Can you ever imagine using humanoid robots in your business? What would you get them to do?

Specifically to don mocap suits to train how Optimus moves.

05/09/2024

On this day in 1980, a piece of tech history quietly came to an end as the last IBM 7030 “Stretch” mainframe was shut down at Brigham Young University.

This computer wasn’t just any machine; it was IBM’s first supercomputer to use transistors instead of vacuum tubes. It was also the first computer designed with the help of another computer, and it held the title of the world’s fastest computer in the 1960s.

The Stretch played a crucial role in scientific research and set the stage for future innovations, despite falling short of its ambitious performance goals. It was even labelled one of IT’s biggest project management failures, but its design and technology paved the way for the highly successful IBM System/360, which revolutionised computing in the years that followed.

The story teaches us a valuable business lesson: Even when a project doesn’t meet all expectations, the knowledge and advancements gained can lead to greater successes down the road.

In business, not every venture will be a home run, but the experience and insights you gain can drive future innovation and growth.

Do you have your own Stretch story in your business?

September 5, 1980 The last IBM 7030 “Stretch” mainframe in active use is decommissioned at Brigham Young University. The first Stretch was delivered to Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1961, giving the model almost 20 years of operational service. The Stretch was famous for many things, but per...

04/09/2024

If you've noticed Outlook crashing lately, especially when opening it or starting in Safe Mode, you're not alone.

Microsoft has identified an issue affecting some people. It’s to do with corrupted email rules within Microsoft 365 accounts, and it can't be fixed by simply going back to an earlier version or creating a new profile.

To check if this issue affects you, you can look for certain error codes in the Windows Event Viewer. But if that sounds complicated, don’t worry, Microsoft has provided a temporary solution.

The key step is to remove all email rules associated with your account. You can do this by running a specific command or manually deleting the rules via Outlook Web Access. If necessary, you might also need to create a new Outlook profile.

This workaround should help keep Outlook running smoothly while Microsoft works on a permanent fix. If you’ve been affected by this, my team can help get things running smoothly again - get in touch.

Microsoft has shared a workaround for a known issue affecting Microsoft 365 customers and causing classic Outlook to crash after opening or when starting up in Safe mode.

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