Chrome pips IE to top of the browser charts

Google's Chrome has taken its place as the world's most popular browser and has left Internet Explorer in second position.

Whilst the ranking (taken from StatCounter's Global Stats) from last week (14-20th May) firmly places Chrome in pole position it is actually down to usage in Asia and South America.  The US still favours IE and Europe Firefox, albeit Chrome sits in second position for the pair.

Cloudy, actually today it's snowing...

We at Nexus pride ourselves on giving information to our clients.  We have recently noticed that the more we talk about cloud computer the more people look at you like you have just switched to another language – in this case techno babble!

I therefore decided to put this to the test and have asked all at Nexus the same question – What is the cloud? And to be honest we all have a different opinion and view ‘the cloud’ as a different entity.  As with clouds you have different types and the formation of each provide a different look and feel.  This is the same for the technology cloud; you have a range from obtaining email services through to Facebook.  In fact cloud technology has been around for a long time but under a different name.  As a technology company we acknowledge we need to embrace the cloud and thus we have decided to put together various papers covering standard questions and answers which will help you the client decide whether a potential cloud service has a silver lining.

If you would like a copy of the FAQ’s we produce please click here and email me.  I will add you to our new newsletter ‘cloudy days’ and keep you posted on the techno weather.

Gareth.

It doesn't get PC viruses - It gets Mac viruses!

Summary - Microsoft released seven security updates yesterday to fix 23 vulnerabilities in Windows.  Apple release an update in Feb that covered 51 vulnerabilities.


All software producers face attack of their software and potential flaws in their coding.  The most important aspect is the speed at which the vulnerability is patched or fixed.

Microsoft release their patches on what is termed Patch Tuesday (yesterday), a monthly delivery of all updates.  Any emergency update will still be released as and when but on average it this is the day for updates. Each update is provided with a full transparent break down of why it is needed, what is fixes and thus allows IT guys (like me) to decided on whether the patch is needed for clients and rolled out.

Apple on the other hand are very guarded on their OS and patching.  Recently we have seen the flashback malware attack the Mac community and it took Apple 49 days to deliver a patch.  In this time some 600,000 users were infected.

I believe Apple has had it easy to date as Microsoft were deemed as the ones with shoddy software and those Mac users had delight over the fact their systems didn't need virus protection or updates.  Moving forward more and more people are combining both Apple and Microsoft and thus companies need, in my opinion, both transparency and continuity in updates.  This provides the end user with the confidence that their manufacturer not only cares and has their finger on the pulse but also ensures minimum disruption in the work place.

Linked In app released for Ipad

For all you LinkedIn fans there is now a LinkedIn app.  I have been using the Andriod version on my HTC and it is very user friendly.  The iPad version will add a calendar that will link data of the people you're meeting.  Best of all its FREE!!

Plans for a single Operating System at Microsoft

Andy Lees, the President of Windows Phone, has said that a “single ecosystem” for PCs, phones, tablets and other devices could emerge by 2015.

Andy Lee was speaking at the at Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference. He said, “You can have full PC compute power available in whatever form factor you like,” said Lees, implying that the company might wish to use a common interface across different devices. The trend, already visible in Windows 8 for PCs apparently learning from Windows Phone, would mean replicate Apple’s recent use of gestures on PCs, laptops, tablets and phones.
Lees also commented on the fact that Microsoft wants to provide “coherence and consistency” across different devices, “particularly with Xbox”. So far, the company has used its IE9 browser on phones and PCs.

Nilay Patel claimed “Microsoft is planning to somehow harmonize not only Windows for PCs and Windows Phone, but also the Xbox operating system sometime within the next four years — a timeframe that perfectly lines up with both the end of the Xbox 360′s 10-year lifecycle and the end of Windows 8′s expected three-year run.”

Watch out for fake virus alerts

Rogue security software, also known as "scareware," is software that appears to be beneficial from a security perspective but provides limited or no security, generates erroneous or misleading alerts, or attempts to lure users into participating in fraudulent transactions.

How does rogue security software get on my computer?
Rogue security software designers create legitimate looking pop-up windows that advertise security update software. These windows might appear on your screen while you surf the web.

The "updates" or "alerts" in the pop-up windows call for you to take some sort of action, such as clicking to install the software, accept recommended updates, or remove unwanted viruses or spyware. When you click, the rogue security software downloads to your computer.

Rogue security software might also appear in the list of search results when you are searching for trustworthy antispyware software, so it is important to protect your computer.

For the full article from Microsoft click here.

If you do end up with nasties on your machine our advice is to switch it off and contact us on 0845 644 2731, we can clean it up and save your data. On that note always, always ensure you have an upto date backup!

Microsoft Buys Skype for $8.5 Billion - Why?

You’ve heard the rumors and now it is official, Microsoft has acquired Skype for a whopping $8.5 billion. On the face of it you may think that purchasing a company for such a vast amount given that Skype made a $7 million loss last year is somewhat bizarre, but I think there are several reasons for this purchase.

Firstly, the integration into existing products such as Xbox and Windows Phone 7, it certainly would be a contender for Apple’s Facetime if you implement in your living room, using Kinect!!

Secondly, with the up and coming cloud services Office365, Microsoft Lync will play a major part in providing business class services and the adoption of Skype will provide an inroad to a whole new client base. Making the move from a free product to a paid service in the region of $5 for a bundle of value add services seems to make sense.

Finally, competition, in my opinion if you have a lot of money in the bank then it makes sense to purchase an existing technology to enhance your portfolio or indeed if you want your technology to succeed then simply remove your competition!