LifeBiscuit

Complete Backup of your PC in Windows Vista

2007-03-21T02:11:25Z

I believe the best backup strategy for businesses is to create backup copy of the entire computers so they can be restored to the original state following a disaster or data loss events. When you completely backup your computer, it means the entire computer is backed up, including the operating system, software, system settings and files. In case disaster strikes, you could restore your computer systems to their original states or to a new computer. The advantage of using Windows Vista Business, Ultimate and Enterprise edition is the ability to create backup of your entire computer without the need for any additional software. Today, I am going to teach you how to use Windows Complete PC Backup feature to create a backup image of your systems. ### Complete PC Backup Before we get started, you should choose whether you'd like to save the backup image on an external disk or set of DVDs. Personally, I prefer to use an external hard disk because it is a faster and cheaper method.

Click on the start menu and go to Control Panel.
Once you're in the control panel go to the Backup your computer. (It is located under the System and Maintenance option).
Click on the Back up computer button. View screenshot »
The Windows Complete PC Backup wizard will now appear.
You should choose where you want to save the backup, on a hard disk or set of DVDs.
Confirm your backup settings and click Start backup.

### Restore computer from system image backup Now that you've backed up your computers, there are two ways you can restore your computer. The first option is to restore the computer using a Windows installation disks and the second option is to restore using the pre-installed recovery option. When you restore computers from a Windows Complete PC backup image, it is a complete restoration. You can't choose individual item to restore therefore it is important that you keep your backup to the latest.

Skype introduces Skype Prime

2007-03-08T11:47:32Z

Skype introduced a new feature called **Skype Prime Beta**, a service that allows you to charge for audio and video calls via Skype. This feature allows your business to charge people for for calling you. You can charge callers either a one-off fee or by the minute. Skype Prime enables businesses to charge premium call charge to customers. There are no borders with Skype Prime, the feature is available to callers and providers globally. Currently in beta, Skype Prime feature is available on Skype 3.1 beta for Windows. You can download Skype 3.1. Along with Skype Prime feature, it also contains bugfixes. More information on Skype Prime.

LifeBiscuit.com: Site relaunch

2007-02-28T05:28:38Z

We have just finished redesigning our website and improving the information on the site. The goal of the redesign is to provide you with better information about our company and services. We have added a new "event" section on the main page of our site. This section contain conferences related to technology where someone from our company will attend. The event section is marked up using microformats hCalendar. Feel free to comment on the new design!

Windows Vista goes gold

2006-11-09T00:36:42Z

Microsoft announced the release to manufacturing (RTM) of Windows Vista. In software development, release to manufacturing (RTM) is the major milestone where Microsoft declared the product is finished. Volume license business customers will get their copies by the end of this month, while the consumers will get their copies on January 30, 2007. Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007 will be available through MSDN subscriber downloads within 7 days. The new operating system won't be available to buyers who buy new computers this holiday season. However, you might be able to receive an Express Upgrade to Windows Vista when you buy a qualifying Windows Vista capable PC from participating PC manufacturers.

Apple released MacBook with Intel Core 2 Duo

2006-11-09T00:13:05Z

Apple has updated its MacBook notebook line featuring a new Intel Core 2 Duo chips. Apple claim the new MacBooks are 25% faster than the Core Duo MacBook predecessors. You can choose between Intel Core 2 Duo 1.83 GHz or 2.0 GHz.

Ubuntu Marketplace

2006-11-01T19:02:38Z

We are now listed in the Ubuntu Marketplace for Oceania. The ubuntu marketplace lists companies providing support for desktops and servers running Ubuntu Linux. Ubuntu is a Linux-based operating system, freely available with both community and professional support. Ubuntu is based on Debian Linux and it focus on user and usability. Ubuntu recently released a new version of its operating system, Ubuntu 6.10 code named Edgy Eft. Check out Edgy Eft's new features. Feel free to contact us if your business require Ubuntu services/support.

Skype for Mac 2.0 out of beta

2006-10-24T07:16:42Z

A new version of Skype has been released today with a new video chat feature. Video chat allows you to make video calls to other Skype users for free. You can now make video calls to co-workers, business colleagues, friends or family using Skype. The system requirements to run Skype 2.0 for Mac are: Mac computers with G4 800 Mhz processor or faster, Mac OS X 10.3 or later, 512 MB RAM and 40MB free disk space, microphone and webcam. Suggested webcams include Apple iSight, Philips SPC900NC, or Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000. Download Skype for Mac 2.0 now.

Internet Explorer 7 released

2006-10-19T15:06:59Z

Microsoft released a new version of Internet Explorer version 7. Here are a number of improvements Microsoft made in Internet Explorer:

Phising Filter

Phising filter is designed to warn you if the website you are visiting is a Phising site. Phising is fraudulent attempt to steal your personal information -- such as your credit card number, bank account number or password. A phising site is designed to look like a legitimate bank or a web service (i.e. PayPal or eBay). When you use Phising Filter to check websites automatically or manually, the address you are visiting will be sent to Microsoft. It is recommended to enable Phising Filter, since Phising attack can be very tricky for most people.

Tabbed browsing

Tabbed browsing allows you to open multiple websites in the same window. This is a feature has been around for a long time for users of Mozilla Firefox.

Improved Printing

Internet Explorer 7 automatically shrinks text for improved printing; so all web page content fits on your final printed page. IE6 has problem where it cuts the printed pages, leaving you missing a word or two on every line.

Integrated Search

Internet Explorer 7 has a built in search bar allowing users to save time by entering a search term directly into the search bar and receive immediate results. You can also add multiple search provides such as Google, Amazon, Windows Live, Yahoo Search, ESPN, Wikipedia, ask.com, etc.

RSS support

Internet Explorer 7 has its own feed reader so you don't have to download external software to subscribe to your favourite sites or blogs. For those who don't know what RSS is, feel free to read this great explanation of what RSS is. Don't forget to subscribe to this blog's feed when you understand what RSS means.

Windows Internet Explorer

Microsoft also changed the name of Internet Explorer in version 7 from Microsoft Internet Explorer to "Windows Internet Explorer".

Download

Internet Explorer 6 users are encouraged to download and upgrade their Internet Explorer. It offers features that could improve your web browsing experience. It also offers better security to protect you from bad guys. To install IE7, you are required to install Windows XP Services Pack 2 (SP2). You should really consider upgrading to Service Pack 2 if you're still on Service Pack 1 because Microsoft ended the support for Windows XP SP1 a few weeks ago (10th October 2006). Related sites:

Software of the Day: OpenOffice.org

2006-10-17T07:54:31Z

What is it?

OpenOffice.org is an open source office suite application available on major operating systems including Microsoft Windows, Linux, Solaris, Mac OS X and FreeBSD.

Why is it great?

Free of charge -- no commercial licenses. You can use it for any purpose- private, commercial, educational, government, etc.
Free to distribute -- You can download it, burn it and pass it to family, friends, employees, students, etc.
Multilingual -- Support many different languages.
Friendly -- The software looked and feels like other office suite softwares.
Compatiblity -- Ability to read and write most of the file formats in other office software.

Who made it?

Sun Microsystems is the primary contributor to code to OpenOffice.org. Since OpenOffice.org is an open source project, anyone willing to contribute to the community is welcome to join.

Components

Writer -- Word Processor software for OpenOffice.org
Calc -- Spreadsheet software of OpenOffice.org.
Impress -- The presentation software similar to Microsoft PowerPoint.
Base -- Database software similar to Microsoft Access.
Draw -- a vector graphic editor.
Math -- MATH is OpenOffice.org's component for mathematical equations.

Where to get it?

OpenOffice.org is available for download from OpenOffice.org.

Commentary

Because OpenOffice.org is available to anyone for free, it is a great alternative for business looking to cut costs. OpenOffice.org can open documents written with Microsoft Office (Word and Excel) allowing you to open files written by anyone with Microsoft Office. In addition to opening Microsoft Office file formats, OpenOffice.org also has the ability to write documents to Microsoft Office formats allowing people with Microst Office to open documents you prepared using OpenOffice.org OpenOffice.org has the ability to export documents to Portable Document Format (PDF) without the need to purchase additional software.

Windows Vista closer to final release

2006-09-23T15:11:06Z

Microsoft released a new interim build of Windows Vista to its beta testers on 22 September 2006. This build (5728) comes three weeks after Microsoft released Windows Vista RC1 (build 5600) to testers. This build has a number of improvements and updates from RC1. The new builds are available in three different languages: English, German, and Japanese. Both the x86 and x64 builds are available for beta testers. Build 5728 may be the last public release of the operating system before it is released to customers. Microsoft Windows Vista is expected to be available to volume license customers in November 2006 and wil be available to consumers in January 2007.

Toshiba recalls 340,000 batteries

2006-09-19T15:53:22Z

Toshiba has followed Dell and Apple to recall 340,000 batteries for Satellite and Dynabook notebooks. According to Toshiba spokesman the defective batteries do not pose fire risk. The batteries for these notebooks could fail on the road because of problems with storing and transmitting power. Unfortunately, at this time there is no way you can find out if you've got an affected product. If you own a Toshiba Satellite or Dynabook notebooks, you should contact Toshiba to see if your battery is affected. Affected batteries will be replaced for free.

Welcome to LogBiscuit

2006-09-08T14:13:28Z

Welcome to LogBiscuit, the blog of LifeBiscuit, an Australian IT support/services company based in Sydney, Australia. This blog will focus on many different topics that we are passionate about. LifeBiscuit's website is currently being worked on, a new design will appear within the next few days.