mike farquhar january 2009 msn and skype-like programs msn and skype-like programs computer group...

Mike FarquharMike FarquharJanuary 2009January 2009

MSN and Skype-like programsMSN and Skype-like programs

Computer GroupComputer Group


• Talk about MSN and Skype-like programs

• Demo MSN• Demo Skype• Questions

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But…

… before we start…

… I have 3 “quickies”

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..1st quickie

Security update

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Security UpdateSecurity Update ANTIVIRUSANTIVIRUS

Version 8 of AVG

available from FileHippo

(see the link on the website)

Security UpdateSecurity Update SPYWARESPYWARE

For Spyware my recommendations have changed as AVG8 includes

an anti-spyware component

I now recommend that, if you’re using Windows XP that you remove Microsoft Defender

To sum up….

Security UpdateSecurity Update

My Current RecommendationsMy Current Recommendations

• If you’re using Windows VISTA…run• AVG8 (and disable either the antispyware

component of AVG or Windows Defender)• If you’re using Windows XP…run only

• AVG8• If you’re using Windows’98 or Me…run

• AVG7.5 for Antivirus• Spybot and/or AdAware for AntiSpyware• ZoneAlarm 5.5 for a Firewall

Links for all these are available on the website

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Keep your computer updated.Keep your computer updated.

• Use Windows Update (to update just Windows)

• Or use Microsoft Update to update Windows, Office and many more.

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…and don’t forget…

…keep doing your BACKUPSBACKUPS onto separate media.

• CD or DVD• Pen drive• External USB hard drive• Network

…or, wherever, just do it!

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…2nd quickie

MS Office 2007

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Microsoft Office File FormatsMicrosoft Office File Formats

• With the introduction of Office 2007 Microsoft improved their products in ways that the format of their files could not cope with.

• So they designed new format.• These new formats, for the various

components of MS Office use the new file types, e.g. “.DOCX” for MS Word and “.XLSX” for MS Excel.

• This can cause confusion and problems….11


These new format are not natively understood by earlier versions of Office.

So we have the scenario that, for example, Word2003 cannot read Word2007 docs whereas Word2007 can read Word2003 and earlier docs.

So what can we do about this?

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• Owners of the earlier versions of Office…Office’97 / Office’2000 / OfficeXP / Office2003

• …can get an update from Microsoft to allow them to read the new formats.

• These are available on Microsoft Update• More details of this are in the Microsoft

Knowledgebase article 924074 . • Get it here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/924074

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• Owners of the new version, Office2007, can also do something to help their older cousins.

• Office2007 programs can individually be configured so that they save file, not in the new O2007 formats, but in a format called “Word 97-2003 Document (*.DOC)” (DEMO)

• This, as it implies, is compatible with the earlier versions.

• Again, more details are available at:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/924074

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Microsoft Office2007Microsoft Office2007

• The Home and Student edition of Office2007 is available currently for under £54

• This includes licenses for 3 computers at the same address. (not for business users)

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…3rd quickie

The U3A Website

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The U3A websiteThe U3A website

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MSN and Skype belong to a class of programs more properly calledInternet Telephone providersInternet Telephone providers

There are many of these..

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Internet Telephone providersInternet Telephone providersThe one thing that defines them is...

They allow telephone communication over the internet.

This communication is called Voice Over Internet Protocol or VOIP

As far as me and you are concerned the reason to use any of these system is to … SAVE MONEY

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MSN and Skype-like programsMSN and Skype-like programsA recent magazine article compared 6 service providers and the latest VOIP software. The opinion of the magazine as to possible savings is reflected in the number of stars. (***** is best)

Microsoft – Windows Live Messenger **Tesco - Internet Phone **Skype – Skype 3.8 ***VOIPCHEAP.COM – VoIPcheap ****BT - Broadband Talk **Gradwell – Single user UK Unlimited ****Connexin – UK Unlimited *****Sipgate – Sipgate **VOIPTALK – VoIPTalk 1000 ***VONAGE – V-Plan 2 ****

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MSN and Skype-like programsMSN and Skype-like programsI’m not going to talk about all of these

but if anyone is interested and wants to read the article in full please

contact me.

What I will talk about is the two which have been requested, namely,

Windows Live MessengerSkype

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MSN and Skype-like programsMSN and Skype-like programsWindows Live MessengerWindows Live MessengerThe magazine report concluded:• Good Chat and File Sharing• Very Limited for VOIP• Calls limited to other MSN Users

The MSN software is freeMy opinion is reflected in my

usage of MSN. I only use it for textual “chat” and not video.

DEMO25

MSN and Skype-like programsMSN and Skype-like programsSKYPESKYPE

The magazine report concluded:• Easy to Use• Useful Features• Calls to Mobile Phones are Expensive

My opinion is reflected in my usage of Skype. I use it, in preference, for all communications

and video whenever possible.

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MSN and Skype-like programsMSN and Skype-like programsSKYPE: some terms need explanation:• SkypeIN – rent a phone number (anywhere in

the world) then others can call you from landlines or VOIP phones.

• SkypeOUT – Phoning from Skype out to landlines.

• Skype to Skype - These calls are free.• The PC software is free.• Skype works well with webcams giving a

rudimentary VideoConferencing System.

DEMO 27

mike farquhar january 2009 msn and skype-like programs msn and skype-like programs computer group...

Documents

microsoft update

website slide

windows update

programs msn

microsoft office2007

microsoft defender

quickie security update

security update spyware