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Office 2010 is Here  - The newest version of Microsoft Office has been released. It is available in a smaller number of versions than previously. There is also a dual pricing standard that lets you spend less if you are willing to download the program and make your own disk using what is called Product Key Card. If you have a previous version of Office there is no upgrade pricing this time but the prices overall have been reduced. The versions, features and costs are:

• Office Home and Student. What's in it: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote. Cost with disc: $149. Cost with Product Key Card: $119.
• Office Home and Business. What's in it: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook. Cost with disc: $279. Cost with Product Key Card: $199.
• Office Professional. What's in it: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher, Access. Cost with disc: $499. Cost with Product Key Card: $349.

Be Careful With Virus Warnings - There is a new type of threat out there which is causing a lot of people problems. You will be working on your computer when you get a pop up telling you that your computer is infected with a virus and to click on the button to do a scan. If you do, the program will 'scan' your computer, confirm you are infected and tell you they can fix it for you. If you follow the link you will be given the option to buy their solution. The solution you buy will not only not fix the  nonexistent problem but will probably infect you with real viruses, charge your credit card and then sell your credit card number to identity thieves. There are several variants of this scam all with official sounding names like XP Antivirus 2010. Make sure you know what anti-virus program you are using and only act on messages that you are fairly certain are from your program. If you don't currently have an antivirus program, or yours has expired, there are a number of good free programs available including Microsoft Security Essentials, AVG Free, Avast free and Avira personal free.
If you already have an antivirus program (expired or not) be sure to uninstall it before installing the new one to prevent your system from slowing to a crawl.

Productivity Tip
What Should I Update - From time to time you may get a notice that program X needs an update. Should you do it? I get asked this question frequently so here is a general guide. If it is a windows update, java, iTunes, QuickTime, Adobe Flash, or Adobe Acrobat you definitely should do it. These programs are found on most computers and they have become a vector for infections. By keeping them up to date you minimize your risk. In other cases it is a matter of what is installed on your computer. If the update refers to a program you know you have installed then you should get it. If you are unsure check your all programs list and see if you can find the program. If not, don't install the update until you have been able to determine if this is something you should have.
When installing these programs be sure to pay attention to what else they may want to install. Apple for example frequently offers to install the Safari browser and others offer browser toolbars or other things. Frequently these offers are pre-selected for your "convenience". if you don't want them be sure to uncheck the boxes.

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Fun Site
Me And My Shadow  - A creative teacher has a disagreement with his shadow. We should all have had such teachers.
Shadow