Sunday, September 28, 2014

BitTorrent Releases Secure Messaging Software

According to Windows online support blogs, the test version of BitTorrent Bleep has been launched by the company. The advantage of this software is that it allows users to send messages and make calls without the help of a central server. This system makes use of a special technique where a user is found out with the help of other user groups. Another advantage is that there will be no records of the calls made or messages sent. The new software is designed for the National Security Agency.

Windows online support blogs say that with the software, the communication takes place only between two computers and as mentioned above, no server comes into play. This peer-to-peer technique will help the agency to avoid surveillance of the calls. BitTorrent will make the software available only through invitations and since it is in the testing phase, many modifications are expected. One of the disadvantages of the software is that for now, the software would work only on Windows 7 and Windows 8 PCs. However, the company says, it would soon release the version for other platforms.

The new software is an example of BitTorrent’s efforts in developing applications aimed at distributed computing technology. The company had launched BitTorrent Sync last year and it was aimed to replace the cloud-based programs. With the new messaging and online calling service, the company aims to safeguard the privacy of the users. In case of cloud based servers, there are some major threats to the data. One such issue associated with this is that the electronic signals are handled using central servers. With this, the metadata goes through these central servers. This data can be monitored and intercepted, which affects the data security.

The new BitTorrent Bleep will help you to speak and chat freely without the fear of data being intercepted by unknown sources. The project was announced in 2013 and is ready within a year. Once the testing with the alpha version is over, the company would soon make necessary changes to the software and release it for the public. As of now, users may go to the BitTorrent blog and click the button ‘Request A Bleep Invite’. This will take you to the BitTorrent labs website, where you will find the link to download the alpha version of the program. Simply click it to download the setup file. Install it and start exploring new ways of secure communication.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Fixing Windows Installer Errors

You might not have noticed it as such, but there’s something called Windows Installer in Windows OS, which guides you through the installation of software programs. Now, sometimes this doesn’t work as it should, leaving you unable to install a program in the computer.

Finding out there’s something wrong in the computer is itself hard enough for many users. Most people dial the Windows support number at the slightest sign of trouble and here too, this might be the case. But, there are a few things you can try yourself before calling someone for help.

If Windows installer doesn’t respond the way it should, or doesn’t pop up when you launch the installer for a program, try one of the following methods.

Re-register it

Sometimes re-registering is all it takes, so here’s how you do it.
  • Go to the Start menu, and hit the Run option.
  • Type msiexec /unreg in the dialog box, and hit the Enter key.
  • Go to the Start menu again, and hit the Run option.
  • Type in msiexec /regserver, and hit Enter.
Make sure that it’s enabled
Sometimes Windows Installer doesn’t launch automatically, and maybe that’s the problem you have.
  • Go to the Start menu, and select the Run option.
  • Type in services.msc, and then hit the Enter key.
  • Check that the value in the Startup type: field isn’t set to disabled; if it is, change it to Manual.
Windows registry is one of the most error prone areas in the operating system, and it’s hard to fix manually once it’s corrupted. There are many ways of doing this automatedly, utilities that are designed to de-clutter it more thoroughly and safely. Not even the pros like to mess around with the OS registry, because the information it contains is so important to the OS.

If you want the registry cleaned up, a scanner software is your best bet. Many other issues you have only barely noticed, could be removed this way as well. There’s always a hike in the speed and smoothness of the operating system after a registry cleanup. Much and nearly all of the redundant data is removed each scan, with your computer able to run more efficiently as an upshot.

For more such tips on fixing you Windows problems, search the other posts here. We provide assistance for any of your PC issues, so call our Windows support number if you need any help.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

GoToMeeting App For Windows 8 OS

You may have heard of or even used the GoToMeeting app by Citrix. With the help of this app on your smartphone, you will be able to start a meeting or join one from anywhere in the world. This app is available as a free download from the Windows store and the app now has a major update that, from its looks, seems to be the biggest overhaul that this app has received since day one. This article discusses the latest updates and features to the GoToMeeting app in detail. You can read ahead to know more on this app.

The users will be able to download this free app to join or state a meeting in seconds. The users will be able to view and present slide presentations, design spreadsheets, mockups, reports whatever the meeting presenters choose to share onscreen and then communicate over the built in Internet phone or audio conference. Many new features are now made available inside the app. This has been made possible with the feedback that was coming straight from the users of the app themselves.

With the latest updates, the users of the GoToMeeting app will be able to schedule meetings; regular users of GoToMeeting will now be able to invite others to their meetings through social networks, email messages, pin meetings to the Start screen, chat with other participants etc. The list of newly added features to the GoToMeeting app is large. Attendees of GoToWebinar will now be able to raise their hand to participate in polls and other question and answer sessions.

In addition, the latest update that is available on the Windows 8 Store brings the following, “The following new features have been added – Presenters: now you can share the following content directly from your Windows Tablet; a file from your device or another app such as Sharefile, Dropbox or OneDrive; share a browser; share the whiteboard.” If you wish to know more on the latest features and updates to the GoToMeeting app for Windows 8 operating system, you can contact the Windows support number. The support technician will be able to inform you more on the Windows 8 features of the GotoMeeting app.

You may also visit the official website of GoToMeeting app to know more on the Windows 8 features of the app that is available as a free download in the Windows Store.

Monday, September 1, 2014

Windows XP Support Ends Yet You See Many Users Clinging On To It

We all know by now that Windows XP is no more supported by the software giant Microsoft Corporation. This means that the 13-year-old operating system will not be receiving any security updates, hotfixes, patches, or Windows tech support either free or paid.

Microsoft has been intending to do this for many years now. But, the software giant could not go ahead with the plans because of the huge number of Windows XP users in the market. Windows XP survived thirteen long years. This is by far the longest period of support enjoyed by any Microsoft product.

There are many reasons why XP reigned supreme from so many years in the software universe. Here are the three main reasons for that.

Familiarity

Windows XP is so familiar that when we think of an operating system, you tend to picture the interface of XP at first. It supports a wide range of applications to make the user experience much better. Windows XP was undoubtedly the most popular operating system of the last decade. In fact, Windows XP ruled the market until Windows 7 took over.

Windows Vista a horrendous OS

If Windows XP reached the pinnacle, Windows Vista was the nadir of Microsoft’s operating system development history. No words can adequately describe what went wrong with Vista. There was so much hype with it, but the software delivered very little. It was probably the success of Windows XP, which in some way caused Vista to bomb big time. With the failure of Windows Vista, Windows XP’s market share remained at the top.

Products compatible with Windows XP
As Windows XP dominated the major operating system for about a decade, many software products were specifically developed to be compatible with the platform. And so, many small business software products are only compatible with Windows XP. This is why many SMBs are stilling continuing with Windows XP.

Whatever the reason for not migrating to newer Windows operating systems be, with no official Windows tech support and security updates available, Windows XP users are actually taking a huge risk. Even before the end of support, Windows XP was the most targeted operating system. So, you can imagine the kind of bombardment your XP powered system will have to face in the future.

It is best to migrate to advanced, superior, and feature-packed operating systems like Windows 8 or Windows 8.1. You will surely get more to enjoy with such metro-ized operating systems.