M3 Sweatt

Of interest… Russ Cooper wonders in Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine why many computer software and system vendors can’t seem to rationalize the efforts around automatic updates.

“We definitely have a problem with every vendor wanting to use automatic updates. What occurs on setup of a new PC these days is simply ridiculous.

“To solve this mess, PC vendors need to figure out how to get new machines set up at the consumer’s home without this flourish.”

This can be hassle when you buy a new PC on the leading edge of a new major service pack or update. I’ve run into this, where a new PC out of the box had to download a number of updates from Microsoft, as well as from the OEM for on-board systems (like Wi-Fi and graphics chips) and peripherals.

Most OEMs are super and able to get the most of the updates loaded on the PC, but it can be challenging to get it to be up-to-the-minute current. Virtually every computer peripheral I’ve brought into the house had a new update available (even major firmware revisions, as was the case with a wireless router recently).

For me, Automatic Update not only keeps keeps Windows current it also ensures that the latest security updates are installed. 

I have a Windows Media Center at home along with PCs running standard Windows XP Home and Professional, and I haven’t been impacted by any limitatons the author noted… but I recall past glitches with some peripheral vendor updates.

Since moving to Windows XP SP1 and then to SP2, I’ve found that the number of times my PC has to reboot after an update has gone down… my main gripe surrounding reboots with Automatic Update.

Take a look at the Updates & Maintenance site for more information.

More info:

• Get the latest Microsoft Updates and Office Updates 


• Windows Live Safety Center for a free PC safety scan


• How to update your computer: Frequently asked questions
  

Tags: Microsoft, update, automatic update, Windows XP.

The past few days have been back to back busy in preparation for a number of important discussions and presentations (no name dropping here), so I’ve been lax in posting this week.

The Microsoft Customer Service Site provides assistance on non-technical issues such as product purchases, subscriptions, online services, product information and details on Microsoft education and certification programs.

For Friday reading: Seth Godin writes this week about the unwritten rule 3 on Stew Leonard’s famous granite rock:

“If the customer is wrong, they’re not your customer any more.”

This is going in a review deck I’m working on for next week.

I agree that when you treat a customer like they’re wrong, they’ll walk away from your product and tell two friends, and they’ll tell two friends… you get the picture. You only have so many chances to help a customer out, and turn around their perceptions. And if you don’t, you risk alienating them.

Seth is worth reading regularly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: customer service, customers, seth godin.

 

 

TechWeb’s Desktop Pipeline has published their Top 10 Windows XP Tips…

“With Vista at least seven months away, we’ll all be using Windows XP for some time to come. So why not make the most of it? Here’s our all-time favorite Win XP hacks, tips, tricks, and fixes.”

An interesting list, with my favorites being 1, 2, and 5. (with apologies to Monty Python)

• Tip 10: Halt background services to improve performance.
  


• Tip 9: Increase available disk space by scaling back System Restore.
  


• Tip 8: Scrub your hard drive clean.
  


• Tip 7: Run two displays on the same PC.
  


• Tip 6: Force unresponsive applications to close at shutdown.
  


• Tip 5: Automatically optimize your hard drive.
  


• Tip 4: Set a custom resolution.
  


• Tip 3: Stay on top of registry changes.
  


• Tip 2: Recover lost data.
  


• Tip 1: Automatically log when and why shutdowns have occurred.
  


• Bonus tips!
  

Don’t miss TweakUI, which I’m surprised did not make it into the Top Ten list (but is in the bonus tips)…

Download TweakUI. Microsoft’s downloadable suite of PowerToys includes one of our favorite utilities: TweakUI. This handy app gives you a plethora of ways to customize Windows XP, including changing the location of the My Music and My Documents folders, adjusting Windows’ appearance, altering the contents of the Start Menu, and more. It’s at least 10 tips in one!

My favorite part of the article recalls The Robot’s dialogue from “Lost in Space,” with the heading “Danger, Danger!” A little dramatic, but it calls attention that many items do involve modifications to the Windows Registry.

“Before you jump into the story, a word to the wise: Some of the tips discussed here involve hacking Win XP’s powerful registry. Before you make any registry changes, make sure you back up your existing registry; that way, you’ll be able to restore it in case something gets fouled up.

“Backing up your registry is easy. Simply open RegEdit (click Start > Run, type regedit and click OK), then select File > Export from the main menu. You can export a copy of your registry to any folder on any hard drive in your system. Exporting a copy to the desktop is usually easiest.”

Tags: Microsoft, TweakUI, tips, Windows XP.