Microsoft website cannot be displayed - programming error...

Just a follow-on from my comments regarding Microsoft's inability to write a website for their own browser that works, or alternatively a browser that will run their own websites - whichever is more accurate, please see today's total frustration maker!

All I want to do is get on, use their products and get my work done! Why must it be made so difficult?

Windows 8 - Setup and first impressions

OK, so here we are, the morning after the day before and my first full day using Windows 8! Well the install was smooth enough. I was very impressed by the simple and easy initial setup options which will be incredibly easy for home/non-technical users to fly through.

After the set up the primary objective was to get myself back in working order with all the programs I use day-to-day. Office was the first thing on the machine after I added it to the corporate network - (Office 2010, will be going back to my 2013 preview later today). Firefox was installed without any issues, and much to my surprise Sage 50 Accounts and our remote support tool GoToAssist had no problems either!

So far, only two issues. One was struggling to install Google Chrome, and the other was struggling to install Remote Desktop Connection Manager. Chrome was simply fixed by removing some registry keys - instructions to follow - and Remote Desktop Connection Manager I am still working on - any advice gratefully received!

You will be pleased to here that so far, the Metro (or not metro, or whatever they call it now) interface really isn't bothering me, and I am starting to adapt to a new way of working, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

As always, any questions about Windows 8? Any software you want me to install and test? Get in touch!

The big Windows 8 test!

Today I have taken a big decision. I have decided to upgrade my laptop at work to Windows 8 (using dual boot so I can run back to Windows 7 with my tail between my legs should I want to!). This will be used every day with a keyboard and a mouse and no touch interface whatsoever - very brave I know!

I will be noting my impressions of day-to-day use, good and bad, in the blog, and if anyone would like anything tested or specific W8 questions answered please let me know.

I will be updating with my first impressions after installing, adding to my work domain and getting my profile set up as it is on my current Windows 7 machine. Wish me luck...

Microsoft Fixes Internet Explorer Hole

Microsoft has today released a "Fix It" to help fill the hole that has been in its Internet Explorer browser since IE6 and affects all subsequent releases up to and including IE9.

Although somewhat ridiculous that there has been this vulnerability for so many years, and surprising it hasn't been exploited until recently, you have to be impressed how quickly Microsoft have acknowledged and in turn resolved the issue.

Although it created massive headaches implementing their recommended "workaround" and the various issues that workaround created, they have been better than their word in releasing the Fix It well within the 1 week estimated time frame.

So you know, you can see the Microsoft blog post here, and get the Fix It here.

Additionally, if you need any help or advice installing this fix, or have some questions about the recent discovery, Tweet Me @MikeParker104 or comment below!

Like a fisherman who doesn't understand how a net works...

Something that has always fascinated me is how large companies and or people who work in very powerful positions can be completely incompetent sometimes. I am thinking a bank manager not being able to run a bank, things like that.

But in this instance my confusion is based around Microsoft, one of the most successful companies in the world that not only writes countless websites, but also builds the browser that (according to figures I have found from April) nearly half of all devices use to browse the internet. So why, I ask, are they unable to make websites run properly within said browser - most confusingly, their own?

I am an odd one when it comes to browsers. I use social centre RockMelt at home so that I can chat with friends and keep up to date on my feeds while I browse. At work I use Mozilla Firefox, because it just works. But as I am a Microsoft Certified Professional, and I work for a Microsoft Partner, I need to access their websites. Now conveniently for them, they have managed to make the websites they build have areas that only work in Internet Explorer. So I also have IE installed at home and at work.

Now this would be fine, I have no problem in flicking on to IE when I need to access my accreditation certificates or download some software from the Microsoft Partner Network. But the thing is, I normally find everything takes twice as long to do in IE if it gets there at all. Today, it took me several hours to go through the required pages and sign in processes in the correct order in the correct browser while holding my right ear for just the right length of time before I was able to download one piece of software. I completed the Project Plan quicker than I downloaded the software I used to write it!

Just a little rant that will make all of you who think computers just pick on you or you are at fault realise, it is not just you. Computers hate us all. Especially those of us that try to tame them it seems...

Inspiration...

I recently read an article outlining the best ways to help grow your business. This included such inspired and  insightful tips as "advertise", "make your advertising interesting", "make sure you have some good reviews/testimonials" and "advertise (more)". As is my habit, I am exaggerating, but only slightly! But some interesting things did come out of this blog post. Namely, an expectation that people in my industry (that's IT by the way if you hadn't yet gathered) already have a blog that is followed by large numbers of people! As you can tell, with this being blog post 1 of 1, I did not!

I have always enjoyed writing, and even more, expressing my opinions, so it should be no shock that the idea of writing a blog has always appealed to me. My trouble is inspiration. Although I have lots of opinions, whenever I seem to come to start something like a blog, I don't really find I have anything to say. This is probably why my Twitter feed is limited to organising dinner with a friend when I am too lazy to write a full message on Facebook/email/text, and the occasional rant about a piece of technology I either desperately want but cannot afford or cannot work out how to fix.

However, inspiration came from the blog post I criticised so freely earlier, in another one of its suggested business growing techniques. Namely "Give 'how-to' lessons". So here, I thought, I may finally have found something to write about!

My plan, at present, is to start this little rambling on one hand, to get my technological frustrations off my chest (I am sure this will be the focus of post No. 2) as well as help with any IT questions any poor soul who stumbles upon my blog may have. Such as, how can I protect my computer from viruses for free? How can I clean my laptop without killing it with a cloth that is too damp? How can I make my photos smaller so it doesn't take longer than the duration of my actual holiday to upload the pictures to Facebook? Things like that. So if you have any IT questions, queries or opinions please comment, email, tweet, etc!

Things I find out or remember in my day to day support of businesses will also go up here and hopefully I will be able to help one person or another.

The fatal flaw in this plan at present is a lack of followership, with my current number at time of typing being 0. Now that I have got past obstacle one - not having a blog - I move to obstacle two - getting someone to read it! Wish me luck!