Archive for the ‘Software Update’ Category
Description
Windows Internet Explorer 7 (also called Internet Explorer 7 or simply IE7) is the latest browser from Microsoft. This version of Windows Internet Explorer 7 will only run on Windows XP with Service Pack 2 installed.
According to Microsoft, Windows Internet Explorer 7 features a ‘new look’ and new capabilities - which is what they say every time they release an updated version. The toolbars have been moved around and redesigned, but no great leaps there. It also adds features currently in Mozilla - tabbed browsing and support for RSS feeds. As usual, Microsoft have promised improved security, but their track record in this area does not build much confidence (in a sadly predictable outcome, a new vulnerability in IE7 was discovered less than 24 hours after the official release of the final version). One feature that was actually helpful is the automated text shrink option available for printing. This makes it easier to print out the whole Web page.
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Description
As your CD and DVD collection grows, there are two important problems you face - do your CDs and DVDs still work? What can you do when a CD or DVD starts to have problems? These are crucial questions since the discs are used to store valuable files like email, home movies, photographs, business/tax records and music. The solution is to use a free program like CDCheck. It can scan most CDs in a few minutes to tell you if the data is OK - this way, you don’t have to find out the hard way that there is a problem. Plus you can use the time it takes for a scan to complete as indicator of the CD or DVDs overall health - even though files may not be recorded as damaged, slower results normally indicate a CD that is on the way out (expect longer times if there are more files on the CD).
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Description
Few people know how to backup messages, settings, address books or rules in Outlook Express. How would you feel if one day you lost all your messages and contact details but had no backup? In addition, there may come a time when you want to move your Outlook Express files and settings to another computer (a common occurrence when upgrading from Windows 95 or 98 to Windows XP). There is no simple button in Outlook Express to backup files, but there is a free program.
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Description
This download for iTunes will update the core iTunes software and includes the latest version of QuickTime. It includes support for the newer iPod Nano models, video downloads and a has slightly newer look. Mainly this release is a bug fix, one of many over recent months and it also address security issues with the included Quicktime component. The download can be used to upgrade an existing version of iTunes or to set up iTunes on a new PC.
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Description
Adobe’s Acrobat Reader 8.1 is the latest release of this PDF viewing tool. It lets you view, print, search and share Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files using a variety of platforms and devices. Version 8 has a redesigned interface with the two-up mode to view page spreads without excess space in the middle and other tools such as Zoom in, pan over and ‘leverage the loupe’. You can also launch an online, real-time meeting via Acrobat and deliver online training, support or communicate with remote audiences in real time. According to Adobe, Acrobat Reader 8.1 also improves scrolling and zooming for the rendering of 2D and 3D graphics, plus it fixes a whole bunch of bugs encountered in version 8.0.
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Description
Microsoft Office 2007 Service Pack 1 (also called Office 2007 and Office 12 SP1) provides the latest updates to Microsoft Office 2007. SP1 contains significant security enhancements and stability and performance improvements. Some of the fixes included with SP1 have been previously released as separate updates. This service pack combines them into one integrated package, and it includes a number of other changes designed to improve the reliability and performance of Office 2007 programs. More information about Service Pack 1 can be found at the lengthy Microsoft support document KB936982.
Notes:
- From Microsoft: “to successfully install SP1, you must have Microsoft Installer 3.1 (MSI 3.1) or higher”. See the Windows section of this site for the download, if required.
- The Office 2007 SP1 download is the entire standalone package. It can be used to update different computers with Office 2007 SP1, plus it can be saved to disc for future use. The download is also a significant 220MB in size and may require a download manager if your connection is slow or unreliable.
Applies to:
Microsoft Office 2007 (Microsoft Office 12)
Requirements
Any Windows version of Microsoft Office 2007 or any component of Microsoft Office 2007 such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook etc.
Windows XP or Vista
File Size
220MB
File Name
office2007sp1-kb936982-fullfile-en-us.exe
Author/Supplier
Microsoft
Download
Description
DirectX 9.0c will help improve multimedia experiences on most PCs. This latest version of DirectX offers better security, updated graphics, faster frame rates, and support for massively multiplayer games. It also features more immersive audio when running and displaying programs rich in multimedia elements such as full-color graphics, video, 3-D animation and surround sound. If you had an earlier version of DirectX installed on your system, you will see little difference in available space on your hard drive following the installation. DirectX 9.0c will overwrite any earlier versions. This release also resolves a number of minor bugs and includes security updates.
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Description
This patch (KB929123) applies to Outlook Express 6 for XP SP2: you must have already installed Windows XP Service Pack 2 before this patch. It fixes the problem known as the ‘remote code execution vulnerability in Outlook Express’ that exists ‘due to an incorrectly handled malformed NNTP response.’ It is rated as critical for Windows XP.
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Description
Windows Media Player 11 is the latest release of Microsoft’s video and audio player. Here’s the low-down:
Fixed in Firefox 2.0.0.7
MFSA 2007-28 Code execution via QuickTime Media-link files