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Microsoft News Roundup, Mid-January Edition

Mark 'Marcus Soperus' Soper — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 23:08:37 -0600

Where Do You Want to Go Today? Can I Help You With That?

The Times of London reports that Microsoft is seeking a patent for a sensor-based wireless monitoring system that will measure workers' metabolism to help detect worker stress and offer appropriate assistance. The patent application, number 20070300174, was filed December 27, and can be viewed at the US Patent and Trademark Office website.

As you can imagine, workplace privacy advocates aren't happy - and I'm wondering who gets the blame if your blood pressure increases because Clippy keeps showing up and offering to help you type something - even after you send him away. Well, at least Microsoft is no longer shipping Microsoft Bob, which would be liable to send even the calmest worker into screaming fits. If products based on this patent eventually come to market, Microsoft's old "Where Do You Want to Go Today" ad campaign (spoofed here) won't be just a slogan.

Don't Wait for Malware to Strike - Use Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool

Even if you regularly use antivirus and antimalware programs from any vendor, Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool is worth a try. Updated monthly as part of 'Patch Tuesday' security updates, it targets some of the nastiest malware programs in existance, including recently-notorious baddies such as Zlob, Haxdoor, and many others. It offers two levels of scanning, can scan specified folders, and can be run from the command line with various custom switches. See Knowledge Base article 890830 for details. See the complete list of malware it removes here, and if you didn't get the latest version via Windows Update, you can run it from the Web or download it.

Using Windows Sidebar? Keep It Safe With Sidebar Protection

If you're running Windows Vista, especially if you have a widescreen display, chances are you're using Windows Sidebar to put that extra screen real estate to work. Now you can protect yourself against poorly-coded gadgets that can compromise your system. Install Windows Sidebar Protection. Get links to the download and all the information you need by visiting the Microsoft Security Advisory (943411) website.

Need Excel Viewing? Grab Excel Viewer!

Redmond has rolled out a new version of the Excel Viewer utility that supports all Excel files from Excel 97 through 2007.

Microsoft News - Thanksgiving Week Edition [Updated]

Mark 'Marcus Soperus' Soper — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:16:20 -0600

.NET Framework Fans, This One's for You

Various versions of .NET Framework are the underpinnings of many recent Microsoft and third-party Windows applications. Yesterday Microsoft rolled out the .NET Framework Service Pack 1 for Windows XP (and Windows Server 2003), and yes, it's also available for x64 users. Despite the name, this 23MB (x86) or 46MB (x64) download is actually a full replacement for the original .NET Framework 2.0. It is also necessary for .NET Framework 3.0 Service Pack 1 and .NET Framework 3.5. And speaking of .NET Framework 3.0, its Service Pack 1 is also available now. It weighs in at a relatively svelt 2.4MB.

Downloads for Microsoft Office, Old and New

Microsoft Office 2007's default file formats are XML-based, annoying the daylights out of users of older Microsoft Office users when Office 2007 users forget to select a legacy file format when saving. [Updated 11-21-07] Earlier versions of Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack enable users of Office 2000, XP, or 2003 to work with Microsoft's version of XML files. Now, with the popularity of Open Office XML file formats, Microsoft has added support for those formats to Office 2007. So whether you're interchanging files with users of Office 2007 or OpenOffice, you no longer need to tell those users to use "Save As" to select a legacy file format: just download the latest Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack to get support for OpenOffice XML files as well as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 files. This 27MB download enables users of Office 2003, Office XP, and Office 2000 to open and save using the new file formats supported by Office 2007, as well as enabling Microsoft Office Word Viewer 2003, Excel Viewer 2003, and PowerPoint Viewer 2003 to view Office 2007 and OpenOffice XML files. [End Update]

Before you install it, be sure you've installed all of the updates for your version of Office. See Microsoft Knowledge Base article 924074 for links and more information. If you use a complex script language (or a right-to-left language such as Arabic, Hebrew, Thai, Farsi, Hindi, Tamil, or Malayam) with Word 2002 or Word 2000, you also need to read Microsoft KB article 925451 for to see how to enable support for Word 2007 documents with these features.

Word 2007 users no longer need to switch over to Excel 2007 to perform math or graphing. Instead, they can use the Microsoft Math add-in, a 2.4MB download available in .msi (Windows Installer) format. It requires Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0, so you might want to install .NET Framework 2.0 SP1 discussed previously.

Windows OneCare 2.0 Firewall Fix Is Here

If you're having problems installing upgrades or enabling the firewall in Windows OneCare version 2.0, grab this 781KB fix right away. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully, as you will need to reconfigure custom program and port settings after installing the update, and most Windows XP users will need to rerun the repair tool after running it the first time and restarting their systems.

Happy Thanksgiving (and don't buy all the tech goodies on Friday - save me a few).

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Office SP3 Giveth Security but Taketh Away Plenty [Updated]

Mark Soper — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 23:01:53 -0500

Monday, Microsoft introduced Service Pack 3 for Office 2003. This 118MB download is packed full of updates, including both previous service packs and many additional updates. As usual, Microsoft says the update fixes issues involving the "big three" concerns for any Windows user: security, stability, and performance. But, what will you lose in the process?

Goodbye, Legacy Files, Goodbye!

Install SP3, and Office 2003 blocks access to a bunch of file formats, including Lotus 1-2-3 and Quattro spreadsheets, .DIF and .SLK database files, PowerPoint presentations predating PowerPoint 97; very old versions of Word for Windows (1.x, 2.x) and Macintosh (4.x, 5.x) files, CorelDraw image files (.cdr), and others. Mama Microsoft says these filetypes present various security risks. The problem is, you might depend upon Office 2003 for access to these files. Fortunately, if you're not afraid of the Windows Registry (I recommend respect, but not fear), you can fiddle your system to enable Office 2003 post-SP3 to use these files. See Knowledge Base article 938810 for details.

What Else Is Gone?

Here are just three examples of changes that might cause you grief at home or the office:

Fast Saves has left the building. It may be the fastest way to save a file, but Fast Saves leaves in metadata, such as comments ("this paragraph is my idiot boss's idea") that might lead to security issues (like losing your job). Can you remove the metadata yourself? Yes, you can. Does Microsoft trust you to do it? Not anymore. Are you surprised? Probably not.
Some add-ins and ActiveX controls won't work as expected. Don't like it? The workaround reduces security (of course).
Microsoft Document Imaging gets broken by SP3, but you can fix it - again.

For links to all of the changes, good, bad, and ugly, see the Description of Office 2003 SP3 page.

Should You Install SP3?

Office 2003 SP3 looks like a really mixed bag. If you (or your company) access legacy data files, installing SP3 will create big headaches. And, even if you don't, other changes in SP3 have the potential to make users and system administrators alike reach for their favorite pain reliever. Install SP3 at home, and you might find yourself short of playtime while you fix problems.

Before you install SP3, take the time to read all of the notes - and keep in mind that the only way to banish SP3 from your system if you change your mind later is to uninstall Office 2003 and reinstall it. Ouch! As for me, I'm going to wait a while. Microsoft's been known to issue revised versions of its service packs - and this one looks like a prime candidate for second thoughts from Redmond.

The Office 2003 SP3 download page has links to previous service packs and fixes, so you can choose the updates you need yourself.

[the following section was added 9-23-07]

Upgrading to SP3 and Keeping Your Legacy File Options Open - the Easy Way

You (or your company) may decide that the upgrade to Office 2003 SP3 is worthwhile, but if you need continued access to legacy file formats that SP3 kicks to the curb, there are a couple of ways around the problem without tinkering with the Windows Registry:

1. Use a standalone file conversion program, such as:

DataViz's Conversions Plus. The new version is Windows Vista (and XP) compatible, and can convert virtually all legacy file formats that Office 2003 will block after the SP3 upgrade, including MacOS files (if you need to read Mac-formatted floppy discs, you also need MacDrive 7).
Advanced Computer Innovation's File Merlin. File Merlin also supports virtually all legacy file formats, and the company also offers online conversions.

2. Run a second office suite and use it mainly for conversions, such as:

OpenOffice 2.x. See Chapter 3 of the OpenOffice 2.0 documentation for a list of file formats supported.
Corel WordPerfect Office X3. To see a list of file formats supported by WordPerfect Office X3, open the Corel support page, enter 757264 in the text field, and click the link provided.