Windows Operating Systems - How to Decide

In the last two issues of Get Connected, we discussed the pro’s and con’s of Windows 7. The new operating system was just released here in Israel and Microsoft is working hard to create a ‘buzz’ around it.

For the last month, our techs have been testing the system. Compared to XP Pro, the differences are minor. There are a few nice new bells and whistles, but we are not certain that switching away from XP will offer that much of an improved user experience to warrant the costs of changing over, plus there are definite hardware and non-support issues that must be reviewed before switching.

Win 7 performance is better than Windows XP SP3 and Vista SP2, but only if you run 64-bit Win 7. One potential gotcha: Much of the performance gains are reliant on having up-to-date 64-bit hardware drivers and components. That may mean buying new hardware, as older hardware may not have the necessary components and updated drivers.

“If it ain’t broken don’t fix it.”
If you’re considering upgrading from XP to Win 7 on the same machine, Microsoft doesn’t directly support this, and recommends that a fresh installation be made on new hardware. Any attempt to upgrade will move the directory structure known as Documents and Settings into the new, Unix-like ‘user’ directory structure, and registry settings for Win 7 will break many applications.
Many applications will need post-Win 7 upgrade adjustments, or even re-installation. Win 7 also needs at least 5GB of extra space to perform an in-place upgrade from XP temporarily.

If you are planning on buying a new computer, then Win 7 is definitely worth installing. Win 7 has the inherent architectural changes that secured XP, but it also doesn’t have the estimated 1,300 patches (including Microsoft Office patches) that XP SP3 has. The user interface has improved dramatically with Win 7, and migrating to a fresh environment rids machines of the clutter that has built up over the years.

On the other hand, if you have a Vista Business operating system, this would be the time to consider a change. Some vendors, such as HP, have Win 7-specific information on compatibility, while others have promised Win 7-specific drivers - especially for 64-bit kernel use. A 64-bit installation is what we recommend, and the drivers need to be 64-bit to gain best performance. The 32-bit version of Win 7 has little performance advantage over Vista or XP, and the 64-bit version can be much faster.

How Far Has Microsoft Come?
If you have a hard time remembering your first version of Microsoft’s operating systems, check out the following Windows commercial from Steve Ballmer, Microsoft’s current CEO - he was employee number 24 when Bill Gates started the company.

What Next?
For those of you who want to make the switch from Vista to Win 7, please call Efrat Networks. The upgrade should be done by our experts to confirm that this is the right move and to avoid loss of data. If you wish to buy a new computer, we can help design the right configuration to fit your needs.

What to Know About Bezeq’s New Network

Israel’s long-time telecom monopoly, Bezeq, is investing hundreds of millions of dollars in what they claim to be the most modern communications infrastructure in the world. They are not upgrading their infrastructure, but rather installing totally new infrastructure. Bezeq is moving their Internet gateways out of their central offices and into our neighborhoods connected by fiber optic cables.  Our connection to Bezeq Networks will still be through our copper phone lines, but only for the short distance to Bezeq’s street installed equipment. 

This sounds exciting if all of your business and leisure online activity and communications are centered in Israel. With 15Mbps or 20Mbps fiber lines, you may  experience internet like never before. However, if your business activities are in the US, these lines will not make a notable difference. The reason is that while  Bezeq’s infrastructure connects us to Internet Service Providers (”ISPs”) such as Netvision, Bezeq International, and 012, these ISPs still limit their services to destinations outside of Israel at consumer grade level because of their limited bandwidth abroad and the demand for these connections. 

Those of our clients who depend on the Internet for connections to their servers abroad, VoIP, and video conferencing will not benefit from Bezeq’s NGN in the near future. However, offices or families with a large number of users will find these connections beneficial because of their capacity to carry multiple streams simultaneously. 

Since Bezeq has a history of premature product launches, we advise our clients to hold back on the hype until Bezeq’s new offering has a chance to mature and the bugs in the network are reduced or eliminated.

Guard Dogs

Those of our clients who have asked our advice on home security and installed burglar alarm systems, know that we always advocate a family dog as the best first line deterrant for the prevention of burglaries.  Many of our clients think that we are kidding and scoff at our suggestion.  Since burglary is a “silent crime” and is committed through stealthy entry into our homes and offices, the family dog then is the best detector and noise maker to deter a thief.  So what do you do if the family dog, a real dog, is not an option?

Efrat Networks has solved this question by creating a barking dog alarm that connects to our security systems that when tripped sounds like a dog is behind the door, ready to attack an unsuspecting burglar.  Using a combination of outside and inside detectors, we provide early warning to our clients inside their homes while dissuading potential thieves to leave well enough alone and perhaps choose another target down the street. 

Ask us about our barking dogs that keep potential burglars at bay.

How much would it have cost to buy a cucumber in the 2nd Temple Market, and what’s the price for a trendy shirt at the Machaneh Yehudah Market, now?

by Orit Shayovitz, Professional Tour Guide

Our tour will start across from the archeological park of Jerusalem, near the Temple Mount.

We will explore and experience market life next to the Temple and observe its reflections in the Jewish Midrash (ancient commentaries on Jewish scripture). The sounds and smells of the open market will certainly stand out.

On our next stop, we will find ourselves in a Roman Byzantine setting, with the two Cardos roads that were the heart of city at that time (between the 3rd and the 5th centuries). You will hear the amazing story of its discovery, and learn what the Jews have to say about Roman lifestyle and developments.

From there, we will continue into the Crusader’s market that transverses the Old City from north to south. We will find that each alley has its own unique, professional workshops, and see what we can buy there today.

Moving on, we will skip directly to the 19th century, to the market in the center of the Christian Quarter - the “Muristan”. There we can learn about Christian pilgrims’ marches and hear the story of old Mrs. Berman and how she started what later became the current Berman’s Bakery, one of the largest bakeries in Jerusalem.We will walk through the Christian Quarter’s market, that used to be a major center for textile trade, then up to the Jaffa gate, and on to the Mammilla neighborhood . The old Mammilla neighborhood that was burnt and damaged at the beginning of the War of Independence in 1947, is today, a fancy, upscale mall.

Walking through the center of town we will finally find ourselves in the most colorful and lively market in Jerusalem, the “Machane Yehuda market”. We will learn how it was established as a part of the process of expanding the city outside of the walls, and see all its hidden corners and new trendy boutiques, cafes and restaurants.
 
Walk and experience colorful markets - the beating heart of the city from the 2nd Temple period, through the generations in the Old City and up to the “Modern” market of Machane Yehudah.

Orit Shayovitz is a licensed tour guide, specializing in the unique and often hidden sites of Jerusalem. If you wish to contact Orit, please send us a message and we’ll be happy to pass it along.

New Tech Ideas

As suppliers of a wide range of products, Efrat Networks gets bombarded with a variety of emails from importers pushing their wares. Some of what we’re seeing is not your run-of-the-mill products, yet we find them to be interesting enough to share with you for your consideration.

Pen Camera Recorder
Here’s where the announcer says: “It slices, it dices…”

Actually, this device can really come in handy if you’re in a meeting or at a location where a regular camcorder won’t do the job. We won’t ask any questions.

It writes, records and does take pictures. Just like in the James Bond movies…

This pen retails for $59 + VAT and comes with 4GB of storage, recording time of about 1.5 hours, and resolution of 640×480 pixels.

Logitech Sound
Logitech has released a range of new products for use with your iPod or iPhone.

The Pure-Fi Express Plus (shown to the right) and Pure-Fi Anytime are great sound solutions for next to the bed or in the office. Express Plus comes with omnidirectional stereo speakers, an alarm clock and wireless remote. It retails for NIS 419+VAT. The Anytime version includes motion-activated backlighted controls, alarm clock stereo (2.0), and an AM/FM radio. It retails for NIS 565+VAT.

Add Color to Your Life
If your kids need to make color prints for their reports, put away the markers and crayons. Now’s the time to consider buying a quality color laserjet. The HP CP1215 is a powerful printer that is easy to install. It prints high-quality color documents, supports manual duplexing (double sided printing) and takes up a small amount of real-estate on your desk. This printer retails for over $170. We have one unit remaining - it is selling for $135+VAT. First come, first served.

Back To School Software Ideas

Herbi Writer is a Tablet PC/UMPC application for people with handwriting and speech disabilities that lets them develop handwriting skills. The handwriting development software available here is being used today by occupational therapists and teachers to help their students, and the speech assistance software has been used by people who are unable to speak.

Herbi Writer shows sample letters to the student, and the student writes the letter on the computer screen. If the software considers the student’s letter to be a match for the sample, positive feedback appears on the screen. You can have reinforcing phrases spoken by the computer too. A simple game can be played to see how many letters of the alphabet are correct when writing all the letters of alphabet.

The developer of this application has been kind enough of making this fine application for free.

Efrat Networks has a wealth of experience in working with and training owners of Tablet PC’s. These computerized notebooks are powerful tools for accountants, lawyers, doctors and other professionals, along with students.  Tomas, one of our premier technicians, will tell you that his highly souped up tablet PC allows him to be a full time graduate student and work with our Efrat Networks clients, also full time.  Stay tuned for Tomas’ tips for high powered student use of computers beginning in the next issue of Get Connected.