Bloom ahead with my newsletter designed to help you keep up to date with the latest technology, tips, tricks and computer safety.  This Newsletter is designed to keep you “In the Know” about new advances in technology that you cannot afford to miss out on.

This edition contains the following:

1. Happy Holidays!
2. The Battle Of Free Antivirus Programs
3. Microsoft Office 2010 – Free Beta Available Now
4. MiFi – Wireless Networking Everywhere for all your devices

Happy Holidays!

From the Desk of Jason Brooks:
 
It’s been three and a half years since we started the business and things have been going great thanks to all of our excellent clients.  For the first time in four years, I will be taking a vacation, a honeymoon actually.  I will be gone from Christmas until mid-January.  During this time, Lanette will be fielding calls and we will have several technicians available in the case of an emergency.  Please call 800-813-0926 or email her directly at lanette@beanstalkcomputing.com. 

Happy Holidays and see you when I get back!

The Battle Of Free Antivirus Programs: AVG Free 9 Versus Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0

No computer system that goes online can be without an anti-virus application.  Luckily, there are anti-virus applications that you can download free. Here are two of the latest ones released.

Note that in a business environment Beanstalk Computing recommends a more professional antivirus solution.  This is for personal use only.

Published by AVG Technologies just this 11th of November, AVG Free 9 will work on Windows 2000, XP, Vista, and Windows 7. It has been optimized to use less memory and slow down your computer much less than previous versions, and is trusted by many users as they are already in their ninth version.

AVG 9 also has new features such as anti-phishing and  screening websites that you visit. Furthermore, it comes with a convenient safety ranking ratings for search engines which can save you a lot of time.

Looking at the new free anti-virus of Microsoft, Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) Version 1.0, you might be even more impressed. It works best on Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7.

Trying MSE, you will notice that it is has a simple, clear graphic interface that is very user-friendly. It comes with a green/red taskbar icon that quickly lets you know the status of antivirus quickly and easily.

For a free anti-virus software, MSE is surprisingly adept at what it does, and out chases AVG 9 as far as its friendly interface is concerned. Of course, AVG 9 has one solid wall to lean on: Its trust and history with users which can be hard to compete with.

Microsoft Office 2010 – Free Beta Available Now



“When you think about Microsoft Office, you most likely think of Word, Excel, Outlook and the other core Office applications. This is understandable, since the traditional Microsoft Office suite is now 20 years old.”

“In Office 2010, for the first time, email, the central purpose of Microsoft Outlook, becomes a fundamental capability.”

The BIGGEST addition to Office 2010 is the web edition of its applications, in direct competition with Google Docs.  “Office Web Applications consists of stripped-down, web-based versions of Word, Excel, OneNote, and PowerPoint. Microsoft sees this technology as key to the future of Office, and the company's expectation is that we will lose the distinction between the PC desktop and web-based versions eventually.”

For a closer look at all the new features of Office 2010 head over to Paul Thurott’s Supersite Article.

Microsoft Office 2010 is now in beta and is expected to be release in the first quarter of 2010. Download the Beta here.

Beanstalk Computing does not recommend using Beta software on your primary computer.

MiFi – Wireless Networking Everywhere for all your devices

If you have been looking for a device that will allow you to do online work just about anywhere, then the MiFi is for you. This is a handy credit-card size Wifi access point that works extremely fast, and can accommodate up to 5 different devices.

Touted to be the world’s first ever Intelligent Mobile Hotspot for CDMA from Novatel. The MiFi 2200 has a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery capacity of up to 4 hours in full capacity if being used on one device only, and has up to a 30 foot range. It is also GPS enabled and carries an advanced antenna system.

How can you get connected? You can choose Sprint’s MiFi package which includes a $99.99 deal for the MiFi card, provided you avail of the mail in rebate of $50. Then you have pay $59.99 a month for the subscription.

Verizon, on the other hand has several choices starting with a plan that does not even require a subscription. But you have to pay full price of $269.99 for the MiFi package. You can choice from a $15 day pass, a $39.99 250MB monthly rate, or a 5GB package with a monthly rate of $59.99.

Beanstalk Computing, Inc
615 "C" Street, Suite 225, San Diego, CA 92101
phone: 800-813-0926 | fax: 877-893-2570 info@beanstalkcomputing.com