Windows Client UPDATE--Multiplying Processor Power on the Desktop--May 12, 2005
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===============
1. Commentary
- Multiplying Processor Power on the Desktop
2. Reader Challenge
- April 2005 Reader Challenge Winners
- May 2005 Reader Challenge
3. News & Views
- Microsoft Teams with Massachusetts to Fight Spammers
4. Resources
- Tip: Accessing Windows Update from Behind a Firewall
- Featured Blog: Court Strikes Down Broadcast Flag
5. New and Improved
- Manage Contacts and Communications
- Tell Us About a Hot Product and Get a T-Shirt!
==== Sponsor: Provision secure, manageable PCs with VMware ACE ====
VMware ACE is a ground-breaking technology from VMware, the leader in virtualization technology, for provisioning isolated, secure, and standardized environments on any industry-standard PC. With VMware ACE, you can secure sensitive enterprise data, reduce security risk from unmanaged and unsecured PCs, and simplify desktop support and management of legacy desktop applications by using a consistent and secure PC environment across all enterprise PCs. For a free trial and to learn more, go to: http://www.vmware.com/wl/offer/1591/0
==========
- Multiplying Processor Power on the Desktop
- April 2005 Reader Challenge Winners
- May 2005 Reader Challenge
- Microsoft Teams with Massachusetts to Fight Spammers
- Tip: Accessing Windows Update from Behind a Firewall
- Featured Blog: Court Strikes Down Broadcast Flag
- Manage Contacts and Communications
- Tell Us About a Hot Product and Get a T-Shirt!
==== 1. Commentary: Multiplying Processor Power on the Desktop ====
by David Chernicoff, [email protected]
Now that both Intel and AMD have begun shipping dual-core and multicore processors, what does this technology mean to the desktop user? I have a long history of supporting SMP for desktop applications, and many high-end users with specific needs will benefit from the implementation of this new multicore technology. And the new technology will bring the benefits of SMP to the end user at a lower price point.
Multicore processors are exactly what they sound like; one CPU that has two (or more) complete CPU chips in one die. (You can see an image of the die at ftp://download.intel.com/pressroom/kits/pentiumee/smithfield_die_med.jpg .) Although multicore technology provides roughly twice the processing power (compared with the previous generation of single-core chips), it will still require properly threaded applications that can take advantage of SMP capabilities. Therefore, most of your current applications won't see much of a performance boost from a migration to multicore processors. Certain classes of desktop applications, mainly in the video- and image-editing world, are already fairly well threaded. AMD and Intel are touting the advantages that multicore computing will bring to the end user, but at this point in time, few applications that benefit from SMP computing exist for the average knowledge worker.
This situation will change as the multicore desktop becomes the workplace standard. As multicore hardware becomes widely available, software developers will need to take advantage of the technology to remain competitive.
System design will also be crucial when implementing multicore processors. Server-class systems have long been designed for high-bandwidth, heavy data-manipulation tasks. Desktop systems are less expensive, in part, because the components don't need to support a server-class workload. Desktops that can support this performance level are generally sold as workstations and command a premium price. Multicore desktops will ship first in workstation-class product lines, filtering down to premium desktops and eventually to general-purpose desktop computers.
Both AMD and Intel will continue to produce single-core CPUs for the foreseeable future, and there's little reason at this point to rush to upgrade your existing users. Of the two mainstream technologies recently announced--multicore CPUs and x64 versions of Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP--it will be interesting to see where the software developers place their development efforts.
You can find more details about the multicore products available from Intel and AMD at the following URLs:
What to Expect from AMD's Dual Core Processors
http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/46147/46147.html
Introducing Multi-Core Technology
http://multicore.amd.com/Technology
Intel Dual-Core Processor-Based Platforms
http://www.intel.com/pressroom/kits/pentiumee/index.htm
==========
by David Chernicoff, [email protected]
http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/46147/46147.html
http://multicore.amd.com/Technology
http://www.intel.com/pressroom/kits/pentiumee/index.htm
==== Sponsor: Free Security eBook, Chapter 3 Now Available! ====
Download Chapter 3 of ScriptLogic's newest eBook, “The Definitive Guide to Securing Windows in the Enterprise” available now, FREE. In Chapter 3 of this FREE eBook, you'll learn how to reduce your attack surface by uninstalling unnecessary services, and using alternatives to the bundled software typically installed on newer Windows operating systems. Download chapter 3 of this FREE eBook at http://www.scriptlogic.com/wip-may12.asp and if you haven't already, download chapters 1 and 2 for even more tips on securing your Windows enterprise. http://www.scriptlogic.com/wip-may12.asp
==== 2. Reader Challenge ====
by Kathy Ivens, [email protected]
April 2005 Reader Challenge Winners
Congratulations to the winners of our April Reader Challenge. First prize, a copy of "Learning Windows Server 2003," goes to Mike Piontkowski of California. Second prize, a copy of "Windows Server 2003 in a Nutshell," goes to Shawn P. Lemay of New York. Both books are from O'Reilly Associates Publishing. Visit http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/45873/45873.html to read the answer to the April Reader Challenge.
May 2005 Reader Challenge
Solve this month's Windows Client challenge, and you might win a prize! Email your solution (don't use an attachment) to [email protected] by May 25, 2005. You must include your full name and street mailing address (without that information, we can't send you a prize if you win; your answer is eliminated, even if it's correct).
I choose winners at random from the pool of correct entries. I'm a sucker for humor and originality, and a cleverly written correct answer gets an extra chance. Because I receive so many entries each month, I can't reply to respondents, and I never respond to a request for a receipt. Look for the solutions to this month's problem at http://www.windowsitpro.com/articles/index.cfm?articleid=46399 on May 26, 2005.
The May 2005 Challenge:
As a computer professional, you've probably learned that friends and relatives use you as their personal Help desk. You get questions at social events, and when your home telephone rings, there's an excellent chance that someone's calling with a computer question.
I've decided that from now on, when I'm at a party, I'm going to tell people that I work in a bread factory, tying twist ties at the end of the plastic bag. (By the way, the color of a twist tie on a commercial bakery product tells you which day of the week the product was baked. Do you know the color-to-day code? I'll include it with the answer to this month's challenge so you can tell whether the product you want to buy is fresh.)
Sigh! Even after I establish a new fictional professional identity, the people who already know I'm an IT pro will continue to ply me with questions. Here are a few recent queries I received. Your challenge is to come up with the correct answers for the hapless callers.
Question 1:
I just selected some text from a Web page and pressed Ctrl-C to copy it to my word processor. I pressed Ctrl-V to paste the text in a blank document window, and now my firewall software has displayed a popup message telling me that my word processor is trying to access the Internet at IP address 127.0.0.1. Should I click Yes or No?
Question 2:
My computer has a wireless adapter, which is on the floor below my desk. The wireless router is on the desk and connects to the other computer on the network (two rooms away) as well as the DSL modem. When I connect to the other computer, the connection is extremely slow. Sometimes the adapter icon on my taskbar displays an error message for minutes at a time, saying there is no connection. The problem is intermittent, so I don't think the problem is bad hardware. It can't be that I'm too far away from the router, so what's going on?
==== 3. News & Views ====
by Paul Thurrott, [email protected]
Microsoft Teams with Massachusetts to Fight Spammers
Microsoft has announced that it's working with the state of Massachusetts to stop one of the world's largest spam rings, which was working out of the Boston area. The civil complaint resulted in a state judge ordering the shutdown of the spam operation, which had been generating millions of unsolicited spam messages each month. Read the entire article at the following URL:
http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/46407/46407.html
==== Events and Resources ====
A complete Web and live events directory brought to you by Windows IT Pro: http://www.windowsitpro.com/events)
Improve the Availability of Your Exchange Servers
Managing storage growth, providing application resiliency, and handling small errors and problems before they grow are all important aspects of boosting your Exchange uptime. In this free Web seminar, discover how storage and application management techniques for Exchange can be used to improve the resiliency and performance of your Exchange infrastructure. Register now!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/seminars/exchangeapplicationavailability/index.cfm?code=0511emailannc
Updating Software on Windows Desktops and Servers: WSUS and Beyond
In this free Web seminar, join industry expert Dan Holme as he explores options for implementing and managing WSUS and other automated solutions in your organization. You'll learn how WSUS makes it easy to keep Windows systems and Microsoft applications up-to-date with patches, security rollups, drivers, and updates. Plus, you'll discover alternatives to manage the deployment and patching of non-Microsoft software.
http://www.windowsitpro.com/seminars/WSUS/index.cfm?code=0511emailannc
Get Ready for SQL Server 2005 Roadshow in a City Near You
Get the facts about migrating to SQL Server 2005. SQL Server experts will present real-world information about administration, development, and business intelligence to help you implement a best-practices migration to SQL Server 2005 and improve your database computing environment. Attend and receive a 1-year membership to PASS and 1-year subscription to SQL Server Magazine. Register now!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/roadshows/sqlserverusa/index.cfm?code=0509emailanncs
Establish a Manageable Desktop Software Configuration and Control IT Costs
Managing desktop software configurations is a manual process, resulting in unplanned costs, deployment delays, and client confusion. In this free Web seminar, find out how you can meet software-package-preparation requirements and increase your desktop reliability, user satisfaction, and IT cost effectiveness. You'll learn about the new application process, issue management during package preparation, historical recording and reporting, and more.
http://www.windowsitpro.com/seminars/SoftwarePackagingWorkflow/index.cfm?code=0511emailannc
Take the Hack IIS 6.0 challenge now!
Follow along as industry guru Roger Grimes puts IIS 6.0 to the test. The first hacker to succeed will win an xBox.
http://www.hackiis6.com
Get Ready for SQL Server 2005 Roadshow in Europe
Get the facts about migrating to SQL Server 2005. SQL Server experts will present real-world information about administration, development, and business intelligence to help you implement a best-practices migration to SQL Server 2005 and improve your database computing environment. Receive a 1-year membership to PASS and 1-year subscription to SQL Server Magazine. Register Now!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/roadshows/sqlservereurope/index.cfm?code=0511emailannc
============
by Kathy Ivens, [email protected]
Congratulations to the winners of our April Reader Challenge. First prize, a copy of "Learning Windows Server 2003," goes to Mike Piontkowski of California. Second prize, a copy of "Windows Server 2003 in a Nutshell," goes to Shawn P. Lemay of New York. Both books are from O'Reilly Associates Publishing. Visit http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/45873/45873.html to read the answer to the April Reader Challenge.
Solve this month's Windows Client challenge, and you might win a prize! Email your solution (don't use an attachment) to [email protected] by May 25, 2005. You must include your full name and street mailing address (without that information, we can't send you a prize if you win; your answer is eliminated, even if it's correct).
I choose winners at random from the pool of correct entries. I'm a sucker for humor and originality, and a cleverly written correct answer gets an extra chance. Because I receive so many entries each month, I can't reply to respondents, and I never respond to a request for a receipt. Look for the solutions to this month's problem at http://www.windowsitpro.com/articles/index.cfm?articleid=46399 on May 26, 2005.
As a computer professional, you've probably learned that friends and relatives use you as their personal Help desk. You get questions at social events, and when your home telephone rings, there's an excellent chance that someone's calling with a computer question.
I've decided that from now on, when I'm at a party, I'm going to tell people that I work in a bread factory, tying twist ties at the end of the plastic bag. (By the way, the color of a twist tie on a commercial bakery product tells you which day of the week the product was baked. Do you know the color-to-day code? I'll include it with the answer to this month's challenge so you can tell whether the product you want to buy is fresh.)
Sigh! Even after I establish a new fictional professional identity, the people who already know I'm an IT pro will continue to ply me with questions. Here are a few recent queries I received. Your challenge is to come up with the correct answers for the hapless callers.
by Paul Thurrott, [email protected]
Microsoft has announced that it's working with the state of Massachusetts to stop one of the world's largest spam rings, which was working out of the Boston area. The civil complaint resulted in a state judge ordering the shutdown of the spam operation, which had been generating millions of unsolicited spam messages each month. Read the entire article at the following URL:
http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/46407/46407.html
A complete Web and live events directory brought to you by Windows IT Pro: http://www.windowsitpro.com/events)
Managing storage growth, providing application resiliency, and handling small errors and problems before they grow are all important aspects of boosting your Exchange uptime. In this free Web seminar, discover how storage and application management techniques for Exchange can be used to improve the resiliency and performance of your Exchange infrastructure. Register now!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/seminars/exchangeapplicationavailability/index.cfm?code=0511emailannc
In this free Web seminar, join industry expert Dan Holme as he explores options for implementing and managing WSUS and other automated solutions in your organization. You'll learn how WSUS makes it easy to keep Windows systems and Microsoft applications up-to-date with patches, security rollups, drivers, and updates. Plus, you'll discover alternatives to manage the deployment and patching of non-Microsoft software.
http://www.windowsitpro.com/seminars/WSUS/index.cfm?code=0511emailannc
Get the facts about migrating to SQL Server 2005. SQL Server experts will present real-world information about administration, development, and business intelligence to help you implement a best-practices migration to SQL Server 2005 and improve your database computing environment. Attend and receive a 1-year membership to PASS and 1-year subscription to SQL Server Magazine. Register now!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/roadshows/sqlserverusa/index.cfm?code=0509emailanncs
Managing desktop software configurations is a manual process, resulting in unplanned costs, deployment delays, and client confusion. In this free Web seminar, find out how you can meet software-package-preparation requirements and increase your desktop reliability, user satisfaction, and IT cost effectiveness. You'll learn about the new application process, issue management during package preparation, historical recording and reporting, and more.
http://www.windowsitpro.com/seminars/SoftwarePackagingWorkflow/index.cfm?code=0511emailannc
Follow along as industry guru Roger Grimes puts IIS 6.0 to the test. The first hacker to succeed will win an xBox.
http://www.hackiis6.com
Get the facts about migrating to SQL Server 2005. SQL Server experts will present real-world information about administration, development, and business intelligence to help you implement a best-practices migration to SQL Server 2005 and improve your database computing environment. Receive a 1-year membership to PASS and 1-year subscription to SQL Server Magazine. Register Now!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/roadshows/sqlservereurope/index.cfm?code=0511emailannc
==== Featured White Paper ====
Phishing, Viruses, Bot-Nets and More: How to Prevent the "Perfect Storm" from Devastating Your Email System
Unfortunately, fragmented appliance-based and software-based antispam solutions operating inside the email gateway can't prevent a potentially devastating impact on your email system and users. In this free white paper, learn how you can protect your email boundary and stop attacks with a multilayered approach that effectively prevents the perfect storm from ever reaching your email gateway. Download your copy now!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/whitepapers/postini/phishing/index.cfm?code=0511emailanncs
~~~~ Hot Release: Netopia ~~~~
The Competitive Advantages of Multi-Platform Remote Control: A Pathway to Increased Productivity
The largest cost component associated with computers in the workplace is "misdirected end user activities" - the amount of time wasted by end users trying to fix a problem themselves or trying to help a colleague fix a problem that is best handled by IT staff. In this free white paper discover how to achieve a faster resolution of IT-related problems, reduce end-user downtime, increase employee productivity, and operate in a more efficient manner. Discover how you can outperform the competition by controlling costs and boosting productivity and download this free white paper now! http://www.windowsitpro.com/whitepapers/netopia/remotecontrol/index.cfm?code=wclientnlhot_512
==== 4. Peer to Peer ====
Tip: Accessing Windows Update from Behind a Firewall
(contributed by David Chernicoff, [email protected])
Accessing Windows Update from Behind a Firewall
I've heard from several people that have been unable to access the Windows Update Web site. Instead, they get an error message with an obscure error number. The problem is usually that a firewall (not Windows XP Firewall) between the client and the Internet isn't allowing the client anonymous access to the Windows Update site. To solve the problem, configure the firewall to allow anonymous access to the site. Because there are multiple update servers, you might need to explicitly include wildcard permissions (e.g., https://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and http://*.windowsupdate.microsft.com ) along with permissions for http://download.windowsupdate.com .
Featured Blog: Court Strikes Down Broadcast Flag
Read the latest posting to The Connected Home Tech Blog
http://www.windowsitpro.com/windows/article/articleid/46388/46388.html
==== Announcements ====
(from Windows IT Pro and its partners)
SQL Server Magazine Gives DBAs and Developers What They Need
With SQL Server 2005 right around the corner, it's important to note that SQL Server Magazine is on target to deliver comprehensive coverage of all betas of the new product and the final release. If you aren’t already a subscriber, now is the time to subscribe. Act now and save 47% off the cover price, plus get the new Reporting Services poster.
http://www.sqlmag.com/rd.cfm?code=mdeu2155wu
Nominate Yourself or a Friend for the MCP Hall of Fame
Are you a top-notch MCP who deserves to be a part of the first-ever MCP Hall of Fame? Get the fame you deserve by nominating yourself or a peer to become a part of this influential community of certified professionals. You could win a VIP trip to Microsoft and other valuable prizes. Enter now--it's easy:
http://www.windowsitpro.com/mcphalloffame/index.cfm?code=05emailannc
==== 5. New and Improved ====
by Gayle Rodcay, [email protected]
Manage Contacts and Communications
Interactive Intelligence announces enhancements to its Customer Interaction Center (CIC) open standards-based contact center suite. CIC provides multimedia routing and queuing, speech-enabled interactive voice response, call recording, Web chat, and more and can run on both traditional and VoIP networks. The software upgrade provides broader desktop client support, enhanced Web self-service, and improved email response-management capabilities. For more information about CIC, visit the company's Web site.
http://www.ININ.com
Tell Us About a Hot Product and Get a T-Shirt!
Have you used a product that changed your IT experience by saving you time or easing your daily burden? Tell us about the product, and we'll send you a Windows IT Pro T-shirt if we write about the product in a future Windows IT Pro What's Hot column. Send your product suggestions with information about how the product has helped you to [email protected]
==== Sponsored Link ====
Converting a Microsoft Access Application to Oracle HTML DB
Convert MS Access into a Web application for multiple users. Download now!
http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;15956147;8214395;r?http://www.windowsitpro.com/whitepapers/oracle/htmlaccess/index.cfm
==== Contact Us ====
About the newsletter -- [email protected]
About technical questions -- http://www.windowsitpro.com/forums
About product news -- [email protected]
About your subscription -- [email protected]
About sponsoring an UPDATE -- [email protected]
==========
Unfortunately, fragmented appliance-based and software-based antispam solutions operating inside the email gateway can't prevent a potentially devastating impact on your email system and users. In this free white paper, learn how you can protect your email boundary and stop attacks with a multilayered approach that effectively prevents the perfect storm from ever reaching your email gateway. Download your copy now!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/whitepapers/postini/phishing/index.cfm?code=0511emailanncs
The largest cost component associated with computers in the workplace is "misdirected end user activities" - the amount of time wasted by end users trying to fix a problem themselves or trying to help a colleague fix a problem that is best handled by IT staff. In this free white paper discover how to achieve a faster resolution of IT-related problems, reduce end-user downtime, increase employee productivity, and operate in a more efficient manner. Discover how you can outperform the competition by controlling costs and boosting productivity and download this free white paper now! http://www.windowsitpro.com/whitepapers/netopia/remotecontrol/index.cfm?code=wclientnlhot_512
(contributed by David Chernicoff, [email protected])
I've heard from several people that have been unable to access the Windows Update Web site. Instead, they get an error message with an obscure error number. The problem is usually that a firewall (not Windows XP Firewall) between the client and the Internet isn't allowing the client anonymous access to the Windows Update site. To solve the problem, configure the firewall to allow anonymous access to the site. Because there are multiple update servers, you might need to explicitly include wildcard permissions (e.g., https://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and http://*.windowsupdate.microsft.com ) along with permissions for http://download.windowsupdate.com .
Read the latest posting to The Connected Home Tech Blog
http://www.windowsitpro.com/windows/article/articleid/46388/46388.html
(from Windows IT Pro and its partners)
With SQL Server 2005 right around the corner, it's important to note that SQL Server Magazine is on target to deliver comprehensive coverage of all betas of the new product and the final release. If you aren’t already a subscriber, now is the time to subscribe. Act now and save 47% off the cover price, plus get the new Reporting Services poster.
http://www.sqlmag.com/rd.cfm?code=mdeu2155wu
Are you a top-notch MCP who deserves to be a part of the first-ever MCP Hall of Fame? Get the fame you deserve by nominating yourself or a peer to become a part of this influential community of certified professionals. You could win a VIP trip to Microsoft and other valuable prizes. Enter now--it's easy:
http://www.windowsitpro.com/mcphalloffame/index.cfm?code=05emailannc
by Gayle Rodcay, [email protected]
Interactive Intelligence announces enhancements to its Customer Interaction Center (CIC) open standards-based contact center suite. CIC provides multimedia routing and queuing, speech-enabled interactive voice response, call recording, Web chat, and more and can run on both traditional and VoIP networks. The software upgrade provides broader desktop client support, enhanced Web self-service, and improved email response-management capabilities. For more information about CIC, visit the company's Web site.
http://www.ININ.com
Have you used a product that changed your IT experience by saving you time or easing your daily burden? Tell us about the product, and we'll send you a Windows IT Pro T-shirt if we write about the product in a future Windows IT Pro What's Hot column. Send your product suggestions with information about how the product has helped you to [email protected]
Convert MS Access into a Web application for multiple users. Download now!
http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;15956147;8214395;r?http://www.windowsitpro.com/whitepapers/oracle/htmlaccess/index.cfm
About technical questions -- http://www.windowsitpro.com/forums
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Make sure that overzealous antispam software doesn't block your copy of Windows Client UPDATE--add [email protected] to your list of allowed senders and contacts.
==== This Issue Sponsored By ====
This email newsletter comes to you free and is supported by the following advertisers, which offer products and services in which you might be interested. Please take a moment to visit these advertisers' Web sites and show your support for Windows Client UPDATE.
Provision secure, manageable PCs with VMware ACE, Free Trial Software
http://www.vmware.com/wl/offer/1591/0
Free Security eBook, Chapter 3 Now Available!
http://www.scriptlogic.com/wip-may12.asp
==========
This email newsletter is brought to you by Windows IT Pro, the leading publication for IT professionals deploying Windows and related technologies. Subscribe today!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/rd.cfm?code=00eu205xeb
http://www.windowsitpro.com/aboutus/index.cfm?action=privacy Windows IT Pro is a division of Penton Media, Inc. 221 East 29th Street, Loveland, CO 80538, Attention: Customer Service Department Copyright 2005, Penton Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.vmware.com/wl/offer/1591/0
http://www.scriptlogic.com/wip-may12.asp
1. Commentary
- Multiplying Processor Power on the Desktop
2. Reader Challenge
- April 2005 Reader Challenge Winners
- May 2005 Reader Challenge
3. News & Views
- Microsoft Teams with Massachusetts to Fight Spammers
4. Resources
- Tip: Accessing Windows Update from Behind a Firewall
- Featured Blog: Court Strikes Down Broadcast Flag
5. New and Improved
- Manage Contacts and Communications
- Tell Us About a Hot Product and Get a T-Shirt!
==== Sponsor: Provision secure, manageable PCs with VMware ACE ====
VMware ACE is a ground-breaking technology from VMware, the leader in virtualization technology, for provisioning isolated, secure, and standardized environments on any industry-standard PC. With VMware ACE, you can secure sensitive enterprise data, reduce security risk from unmanaged and unsecured PCs, and simplify desktop support and management of legacy desktop applications by using a consistent and secure PC environment across all enterprise PCs. For a free trial and to learn more, go to: http://www.vmware.com/wl/offer/1591/0
==========
- Multiplying Processor Power on the Desktop
- April 2005 Reader Challenge Winners
- May 2005 Reader Challenge
- Microsoft Teams with Massachusetts to Fight Spammers
- Tip: Accessing Windows Update from Behind a Firewall
- Featured Blog: Court Strikes Down Broadcast Flag
- Manage Contacts and Communications
- Tell Us About a Hot Product and Get a T-Shirt!
==== 1. Commentary: Multiplying Processor Power on the Desktop ====
by David Chernicoff, [email protected]
Now that both Intel and AMD have begun shipping dual-core and multicore processors, what does this technology mean to the desktop user? I have a long history of supporting SMP for desktop applications, and many high-end users with specific needs will benefit from the implementation of this new multicore technology. And the new technology will bring the benefits of SMP to the end user at a lower price point.
Multicore processors are exactly what they sound like; one CPU that has two (or more) complete CPU chips in one die. (You can see an image of the die at ftp://download.intel.com/pressroom/kits/pentiumee/smithfield_die_med.jpg .) Although multicore technology provides roughly twice the processing power (compared with the previous generation of single-core chips), it will still require properly threaded applications that can take advantage of SMP capabilities. Therefore, most of your current applications won't see much of a performance boost from a migration to multicore processors. Certain classes of desktop applications, mainly in the video- and image-editing world, are already fairly well threaded. AMD and Intel are touting the advantages that multicore computing will bring to the end user, but at this point in time, few applications that benefit from SMP computing exist for the average knowledge worker.
This situation will change as the multicore desktop becomes the workplace standard. As multicore hardware becomes widely available, software developers will need to take advantage of the technology to remain competitive.
System design will also be crucial when implementing multicore processors. Server-class systems have long been designed for high-bandwidth, heavy data-manipulation tasks. Desktop systems are less expensive, in part, because the components don't need to support a server-class workload. Desktops that can support this performance level are generally sold as workstations and command a premium price. Multicore desktops will ship first in workstation-class product lines, filtering down to premium desktops and eventually to general-purpose desktop computers.
Both AMD and Intel will continue to produce single-core CPUs for the foreseeable future, and there's little reason at this point to rush to upgrade your existing users. Of the two mainstream technologies recently announced--multicore CPUs and x64 versions of Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP--it will be interesting to see where the software developers place their development efforts.
You can find more details about the multicore products available from Intel and AMD at the following URLs:
What to Expect from AMD's Dual Core Processors
http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/46147/46147.html
Introducing Multi-Core Technology
http://multicore.amd.com/Technology
Intel Dual-Core Processor-Based Platforms
http://www.intel.com/pressroom/kits/pentiumee/index.htm
==========
by David Chernicoff, [email protected]
http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/46147/46147.html
http://multicore.amd.com/Technology
http://www.intel.com/pressroom/kits/pentiumee/index.htm
==== Sponsor: Free Security eBook, Chapter 3 Now Available! ====
Download Chapter 3 of ScriptLogic's newest eBook, “The Definitive Guide to Securing Windows in the Enterprise” available now, FREE. In Chapter 3 of this FREE eBook, you'll learn how to reduce your attack surface by uninstalling unnecessary services, and using alternatives to the bundled software typically installed on newer Windows operating systems. Download chapter 3 of this FREE eBook at http://www.scriptlogic.com/wip-may12.asp and if you haven't already, download chapters 1 and 2 for even more tips on securing your Windows enterprise. http://www.scriptlogic.com/wip-may12.asp
==== 2. Reader Challenge ====
by Kathy Ivens, [email protected]
April 2005 Reader Challenge Winners
Congratulations to the winners of our April Reader Challenge. First prize, a copy of "Learning Windows Server 2003," goes to Mike Piontkowski of California. Second prize, a copy of "Windows Server 2003 in a Nutshell," goes to Shawn P. Lemay of New York. Both books are from O'Reilly Associates Publishing. Visit http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/45873/45873.html to read the answer to the April Reader Challenge.
May 2005 Reader Challenge
Solve this month's Windows Client challenge, and you might win a prize! Email your solution (don't use an attachment) to [email protected] by May 25, 2005. You must include your full name and street mailing address (without that information, we can't send you a prize if you win; your answer is eliminated, even if it's correct).
I choose winners at random from the pool of correct entries. I'm a sucker for humor and originality, and a cleverly written correct answer gets an extra chance. Because I receive so many entries each month, I can't reply to respondents, and I never respond to a request for a receipt. Look for the solutions to this month's problem at http://www.windowsitpro.com/articles/index.cfm?articleid=46399 on May 26, 2005.
The May 2005 Challenge:
As a computer professional, you've probably learned that friends and relatives use you as their personal Help desk. You get questions at social events, and when your home telephone rings, there's an excellent chance that someone's calling with a computer question.
I've decided that from now on, when I'm at a party, I'm going to tell people that I work in a bread factory, tying twist ties at the end of the plastic bag. (By the way, the color of a twist tie on a commercial bakery product tells you which day of the week the product was baked. Do you know the color-to-day code? I'll include it with the answer to this month's challenge so you can tell whether the product you want to buy is fresh.)
Sigh! Even after I establish a new fictional professional identity, the people who already know I'm an IT pro will continue to ply me with questions. Here are a few recent queries I received. Your challenge is to come up with the correct answers for the hapless callers.
Question 1:
I just selected some text from a Web page and pressed Ctrl-C to copy it to my word processor. I pressed Ctrl-V to paste the text in a blank document window, and now my firewall software has displayed a popup message telling me that my word processor is trying to access the Internet at IP address 127.0.0.1. Should I click Yes or No?
Question 2:
My computer has a wireless adapter, which is on the floor below my desk. The wireless router is on the desk and connects to the other computer on the network (two rooms away) as well as the DSL modem. When I connect to the other computer, the connection is extremely slow. Sometimes the adapter icon on my taskbar displays an error message for minutes at a time, saying there is no connection. The problem is intermittent, so I don't think the problem is bad hardware. It can't be that I'm too far away from the router, so what's going on?
==== 3. News & Views ====
by Paul Thurrott, [email protected]
Microsoft Teams with Massachusetts to Fight Spammers
Microsoft has announced that it's working with the state of Massachusetts to stop one of the world's largest spam rings, which was working out of the Boston area. The civil complaint resulted in a state judge ordering the shutdown of the spam operation, which had been generating millions of unsolicited spam messages each month. Read the entire article at the following URL:
http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/46407/46407.html
==== Events and Resources ====
A complete Web and live events directory brought to you by Windows IT Pro: http://www.windowsitpro.com/events)
Improve the Availability of Your Exchange Servers
Managing storage growth, providing application resiliency, and handling small errors and problems before they grow are all important aspects of boosting your Exchange uptime. In this free Web seminar, discover how storage and application management techniques for Exchange can be used to improve the resiliency and performance of your Exchange infrastructure. Register now!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/seminars/exchangeapplicationavailability/index.cfm?code=0511emailannc
Updating Software on Windows Desktops and Servers: WSUS and Beyond
In this free Web seminar, join industry expert Dan Holme as he explores options for implementing and managing WSUS and other automated solutions in your organization. You'll learn how WSUS makes it easy to keep Windows systems and Microsoft applications up-to-date with patches, security rollups, drivers, and updates. Plus, you'll discover alternatives to manage the deployment and patching of non-Microsoft software.
http://www.windowsitpro.com/seminars/WSUS/index.cfm?code=0511emailannc
Get Ready for SQL Server 2005 Roadshow in a City Near You
Get the facts about migrating to SQL Server 2005. SQL Server experts will present real-world information about administration, development, and business intelligence to help you implement a best-practices migration to SQL Server 2005 and improve your database computing environment. Attend and receive a 1-year membership to PASS and 1-year subscription to SQL Server Magazine. Register now!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/roadshows/sqlserverusa/index.cfm?code=0509emailanncs
Establish a Manageable Desktop Software Configuration and Control IT Costs
Managing desktop software configurations is a manual process, resulting in unplanned costs, deployment delays, and client confusion. In this free Web seminar, find out how you can meet software-package-preparation requirements and increase your desktop reliability, user satisfaction, and IT cost effectiveness. You'll learn about the new application process, issue management during package preparation, historical recording and reporting, and more.
http://www.windowsitpro.com/seminars/SoftwarePackagingWorkflow/index.cfm?code=0511emailannc
Take the Hack IIS 6.0 challenge now!
Follow along as industry guru Roger Grimes puts IIS 6.0 to the test. The first hacker to succeed will win an xBox.
http://www.hackiis6.com
Get Ready for SQL Server 2005 Roadshow in Europe
Get the facts about migrating to SQL Server 2005. SQL Server experts will present real-world information about administration, development, and business intelligence to help you implement a best-practices migration to SQL Server 2005 and improve your database computing environment. Receive a 1-year membership to PASS and 1-year subscription to SQL Server Magazine. Register Now!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/roadshows/sqlservereurope/index.cfm?code=0511emailannc
============
by Kathy Ivens, [email protected]
Congratulations to the winners of our April Reader Challenge. First prize, a copy of "Learning Windows Server 2003," goes to Mike Piontkowski of California. Second prize, a copy of "Windows Server 2003 in a Nutshell," goes to Shawn P. Lemay of New York. Both books are from O'Reilly Associates Publishing. Visit http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/45873/45873.html to read the answer to the April Reader Challenge.
Solve this month's Windows Client challenge, and you might win a prize! Email your solution (don't use an attachment) to [email protected] by May 25, 2005. You must include your full name and street mailing address (without that information, we can't send you a prize if you win; your answer is eliminated, even if it's correct).
I choose winners at random from the pool of correct entries. I'm a sucker for humor and originality, and a cleverly written correct answer gets an extra chance. Because I receive so many entries each month, I can't reply to respondents, and I never respond to a request for a receipt. Look for the solutions to this month's problem at http://www.windowsitpro.com/articles/index.cfm?articleid=46399 on May 26, 2005.
As a computer professional, you've probably learned that friends and relatives use you as their personal Help desk. You get questions at social events, and when your home telephone rings, there's an excellent chance that someone's calling with a computer question.
I've decided that from now on, when I'm at a party, I'm going to tell people that I work in a bread factory, tying twist ties at the end of the plastic bag. (By the way, the color of a twist tie on a commercial bakery product tells you which day of the week the product was baked. Do you know the color-to-day code? I'll include it with the answer to this month's challenge so you can tell whether the product you want to buy is fresh.)
Sigh! Even after I establish a new fictional professional identity, the people who already know I'm an IT pro will continue to ply me with questions. Here are a few recent queries I received. Your challenge is to come up with the correct answers for the hapless callers.
by Paul Thurrott, [email protected]
Microsoft has announced that it's working with the state of Massachusetts to stop one of the world's largest spam rings, which was working out of the Boston area. The civil complaint resulted in a state judge ordering the shutdown of the spam operation, which had been generating millions of unsolicited spam messages each month. Read the entire article at the following URL:
http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/46407/46407.html
A complete Web and live events directory brought to you by Windows IT Pro: http://www.windowsitpro.com/events)
Managing storage growth, providing application resiliency, and handling small errors and problems before they grow are all important aspects of boosting your Exchange uptime. In this free Web seminar, discover how storage and application management techniques for Exchange can be used to improve the resiliency and performance of your Exchange infrastructure. Register now!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/seminars/exchangeapplicationavailability/index.cfm?code=0511emailannc
In this free Web seminar, join industry expert Dan Holme as he explores options for implementing and managing WSUS and other automated solutions in your organization. You'll learn how WSUS makes it easy to keep Windows systems and Microsoft applications up-to-date with patches, security rollups, drivers, and updates. Plus, you'll discover alternatives to manage the deployment and patching of non-Microsoft software.
http://www.windowsitpro.com/seminars/WSUS/index.cfm?code=0511emailannc
Get the facts about migrating to SQL Server 2005. SQL Server experts will present real-world information about administration, development, and business intelligence to help you implement a best-practices migration to SQL Server 2005 and improve your database computing environment. Attend and receive a 1-year membership to PASS and 1-year subscription to SQL Server Magazine. Register now!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/roadshows/sqlserverusa/index.cfm?code=0509emailanncs
Managing desktop software configurations is a manual process, resulting in unplanned costs, deployment delays, and client confusion. In this free Web seminar, find out how you can meet software-package-preparation requirements and increase your desktop reliability, user satisfaction, and IT cost effectiveness. You'll learn about the new application process, issue management during package preparation, historical recording and reporting, and more.
http://www.windowsitpro.com/seminars/SoftwarePackagingWorkflow/index.cfm?code=0511emailannc
Follow along as industry guru Roger Grimes puts IIS 6.0 to the test. The first hacker to succeed will win an xBox.
http://www.hackiis6.com
Get the facts about migrating to SQL Server 2005. SQL Server experts will present real-world information about administration, development, and business intelligence to help you implement a best-practices migration to SQL Server 2005 and improve your database computing environment. Receive a 1-year membership to PASS and 1-year subscription to SQL Server Magazine. Register Now!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/roadshows/sqlservereurope/index.cfm?code=0511emailannc
==== Featured White Paper ====
Phishing, Viruses, Bot-Nets and More: How to Prevent the "Perfect Storm" from Devastating Your Email System
Unfortunately, fragmented appliance-based and software-based antispam solutions operating inside the email gateway can't prevent a potentially devastating impact on your email system and users. In this free white paper, learn how you can protect your email boundary and stop attacks with a multilayered approach that effectively prevents the perfect storm from ever reaching your email gateway. Download your copy now!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/whitepapers/postini/phishing/index.cfm?code=0511emailanncs
~~~~ Hot Release: Netopia ~~~~
The Competitive Advantages of Multi-Platform Remote Control: A Pathway to Increased Productivity
The largest cost component associated with computers in the workplace is "misdirected end user activities" - the amount of time wasted by end users trying to fix a problem themselves or trying to help a colleague fix a problem that is best handled by IT staff. In this free white paper discover how to achieve a faster resolution of IT-related problems, reduce end-user downtime, increase employee productivity, and operate in a more efficient manner. Discover how you can outperform the competition by controlling costs and boosting productivity and download this free white paper now! http://www.windowsitpro.com/whitepapers/netopia/remotecontrol/index.cfm?code=wclientnlhot_512
==== 4. Peer to Peer ====
Tip: Accessing Windows Update from Behind a Firewall
(contributed by David Chernicoff, [email protected])
Accessing Windows Update from Behind a Firewall
I've heard from several people that have been unable to access the Windows Update Web site. Instead, they get an error message with an obscure error number. The problem is usually that a firewall (not Windows XP Firewall) between the client and the Internet isn't allowing the client anonymous access to the Windows Update site. To solve the problem, configure the firewall to allow anonymous access to the site. Because there are multiple update servers, you might need to explicitly include wildcard permissions (e.g., https://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and http://*.windowsupdate.microsft.com ) along with permissions for http://download.windowsupdate.com .
Featured Blog: Court Strikes Down Broadcast Flag
Read the latest posting to The Connected Home Tech Blog
http://www.windowsitpro.com/windows/article/articleid/46388/46388.html
==== Announcements ====
(from Windows IT Pro and its partners)
SQL Server Magazine Gives DBAs and Developers What They Need
With SQL Server 2005 right around the corner, it's important to note that SQL Server Magazine is on target to deliver comprehensive coverage of all betas of the new product and the final release. If you aren’t already a subscriber, now is the time to subscribe. Act now and save 47% off the cover price, plus get the new Reporting Services poster.
http://www.sqlmag.com/rd.cfm?code=mdeu2155wu
Nominate Yourself or a Friend for the MCP Hall of Fame
Are you a top-notch MCP who deserves to be a part of the first-ever MCP Hall of Fame? Get the fame you deserve by nominating yourself or a peer to become a part of this influential community of certified professionals. You could win a VIP trip to Microsoft and other valuable prizes. Enter now--it's easy:
http://www.windowsitpro.com/mcphalloffame/index.cfm?code=05emailannc
==== 5. New and Improved ====
by Gayle Rodcay, [email protected]
Manage Contacts and Communications
Interactive Intelligence announces enhancements to its Customer Interaction Center (CIC) open standards-based contact center suite. CIC provides multimedia routing and queuing, speech-enabled interactive voice response, call recording, Web chat, and more and can run on both traditional and VoIP networks. The software upgrade provides broader desktop client support, enhanced Web self-service, and improved email response-management capabilities. For more information about CIC, visit the company's Web site.
http://www.ININ.com
Tell Us About a Hot Product and Get a T-Shirt!
Have you used a product that changed your IT experience by saving you time or easing your daily burden? Tell us about the product, and we'll send you a Windows IT Pro T-shirt if we write about the product in a future Windows IT Pro What's Hot column. Send your product suggestions with information about how the product has helped you to [email protected]
==== Sponsored Link ====
Converting a Microsoft Access Application to Oracle HTML DB
Convert MS Access into a Web application for multiple users. Download now!
http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;15956147;8214395;r?http://www.windowsitpro.com/whitepapers/oracle/htmlaccess/index.cfm
==== Contact Us ====
About the newsletter -- [email protected]
About technical questions -- http://www.windowsitpro.com/forums
About product news -- [email protected]
About your subscription -- [email protected]
About sponsoring an UPDATE -- [email protected]
===============
Unfortunately, fragmented appliance-based and software-based antispam solutions operating inside the email gateway can't prevent a potentially devastating impact on your email system and users. In this free white paper, learn how you can protect your email boundary and stop attacks with a multilayered approach that effectively prevents the perfect storm from ever reaching your email gateway. Download your copy now!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/whitepapers/postini/phishing/index.cfm?code=0511emailanncs
The largest cost component associated with computers in the workplace is "misdirected end user activities" - the amount of time wasted by end users trying to fix a problem themselves or trying to help a colleague fix a problem that is best handled by IT staff. In this free white paper discover how to achieve a faster resolution of IT-related problems, reduce end-user downtime, increase employee productivity, and operate in a more efficient manner. Discover how you can outperform the competition by controlling costs and boosting productivity and download this free white paper now! http://www.windowsitpro.com/whitepapers/netopia/remotecontrol/index.cfm?code=wclientnlhot_512
(contributed by David Chernicoff, [email protected])
I've heard from several people that have been unable to access the Windows Update Web site. Instead, they get an error message with an obscure error number. The problem is usually that a firewall (not Windows XP Firewall) between the client and the Internet isn't allowing the client anonymous access to the Windows Update site. To solve the problem, configure the firewall to allow anonymous access to the site. Because there are multiple update servers, you might need to explicitly include wildcard permissions (e.g., https://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and http://*.windowsupdate.microsft.com ) along with permissions for http://download.windowsupdate.com .
Read the latest posting to The Connected Home Tech Blog
http://www.windowsitpro.com/windows/article/articleid/46388/46388.html
(from Windows IT Pro and its partners)
With SQL Server 2005 right around the corner, it's important to note that SQL Server Magazine is on target to deliver comprehensive coverage of all betas of the new product and the final release. If you aren’t already a subscriber, now is the time to subscribe. Act now and save 47% off the cover price, plus get the new Reporting Services poster.
http://www.sqlmag.com/rd.cfm?code=mdeu2155wu
Are you a top-notch MCP who deserves to be a part of the first-ever MCP Hall of Fame? Get the fame you deserve by nominating yourself or a peer to become a part of this influential community of certified professionals. You could win a VIP trip to Microsoft and other valuable prizes. Enter now--it's easy:
http://www.windowsitpro.com/mcphalloffame/index.cfm?code=05emailannc
by Gayle Rodcay, [email protected]
Interactive Intelligence announces enhancements to its Customer Interaction Center (CIC) open standards-based contact center suite. CIC provides multimedia routing and queuing, speech-enabled interactive voice response, call recording, Web chat, and more and can run on both traditional and VoIP networks. The software upgrade provides broader desktop client support, enhanced Web self-service, and improved email response-management capabilities. For more information about CIC, visit the company's Web site.
http://www.ININ.com
Have you used a product that changed your IT experience by saving you time or easing your daily burden? Tell us about the product, and we'll send you a Windows IT Pro T-shirt if we write about the product in a future Windows IT Pro What's Hot column. Send your product suggestions with information about how the product has helped you to [email protected]
Convert MS Access into a Web application for multiple users. Download now!
http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;15956147;8214395;r?http://www.windowsitpro.com/whitepapers/oracle/htmlaccess/index.cfm
About technical questions -- http://www.windowsitpro.com/forums
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About your subscription -- [email protected]
About sponsoring an UPDATE -- [email protected]
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