TechBits

Viral Infection!

We've had a few very nasty PC infections lately and I thought it would be good to go over some important information about how to prevent an infection on your PC. 

SCLS' Antivirus software vs fake AV programs

The first thing to discuss is the antivirus software that SCLS uses on your staff and patron PCs.  It is called Sophos and on staff PCs this software is updated multiple times a day.  On patron PCs this software is updated during the nightly updates.  If you ever see anything on the screen that says that your PC is infected and it is not coming from Sophos then you have a rogue security software program.  It tries to make you think that your computer is infected by a virus and usually prompts you to download or buy a product that removes the virus. The names of these products frequently contain words like Antivirus, Shield, Security, Protection, or Fixer. This makes them sound legitimate. They frequently run right after you download them, or the next time that your computer starts. Rogue security software can prevent applications, such as Sophos or Task Manager, from opening or even running. Rogue security software might also display legitimate and important Windows files as infections. Typical error messages or pop-up messages might contain phrases like "Warning! Your computer is infected!" or "This computer is infected by spyware and adware."  We previously wrote about this kind of popup in the article entitled "Poisonous Popups Redux" .  The very best thing to do when you see this "Fake Antivirus Popup" is to not touch the PC and immediately call the Help Desk.

How do you get these viral nasties?

Now on to how you get these viral nasties.  One way is by surfing the Internet and accidentally going to a site that has been hacked and has viruses hidden in the advertisements on the webpage.  It is also possible to hide malware in pictures that people download.  I've had quite a few people call me and say I was just looking for some pictures when I got a message that my PC was infected.  So please exercise caution when going to sites and downloading anything. Ensure that the source is a legitimate and reputable one.  Another way to get a viral nasty is via an email that says please "click this link to get" and then something that sounds really important or "please see attachment."  One of the most common emails that gets everybody is the one that is called the Package Delivery Virus.  This is where some delivery service, e.g. UPS, FedEx or DHL, say that a package could not be delivered so open an attachment or click a link to get a receipt. 

How to prevent virus infections

•If the English in an email doesn't have complete sentences or is broken English then do not open any attached files or click on any links found in the email.

•Do not open any attached files or click on any links found in an email from an unknown, suspicious or untrustworthy source.

•If an email appears to come from a friend, someone you know or a business that you use, confirm that your contact really sent the email.  Some viruses can replicate themselves and spread through email.

•Do not open any files attached to an email if the subject line is questionable or unexpected.

•When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and do not open, download, or execute any files or email attachments. Not executing is the most important.

In summary: It is always better to be safe than to spread a virus to everyone that you know, bring down the network for the entirety of SCLS, or permanently lose your data.

Replacing Obsolete Printers

The current Dell OptiPlex 7010 PC configuration that we are going with does not include a parallel port.   If you are replacing a PC that has a parallel cable-connected printer, you will no longer be able to use that printer.  Another problem with these older paralell printers is that they often do not have Windows 7 compatible print drivers.  The Epson TM-u200 receipt printers are one example. 

If you are replacing a PC that uses a parallel connected printer, you have a few options.  You can order a new printer that connects to the PC by USB cable.  You can also print to a network-attached printer or a shared printer if you have one.

I Found a Multi-tool in my Laptop

So I was just messing around with an office laptop when I discovered something interesting about the spacer Dell installed to fill in the expansion slot...

The spacer is, in fact, a multi-function tool!

It includes a mini ruler (English and Metric), holes to estimate diameter,

a temperature conversion table on the underside,

and a letter opener.

Good job, Dell, to bring functionality to what otherwise would be just a mundane piece of plastic!

(Caution: results my vary)

Widescreens are in.

For the last two months Dell has been slowly been getting ready to discontinue the standard 19 inch monitor that we’ve been purchasing for several years. They're replacing them with widescreens and making it attractive by lowering the price on them. The standard monitor can no longer be purchased with a system. We are being given a choice of 19, 22, and 24 inch widescreen monitors when purchasing a system. I will update the SCLS website once the Dell website stabilizes and they settle on standard models. The options seem to change every time I log onto their site.

The 19-inch widescreen is about a half inch shorter than your standard 19-inch monitor and two inches wider. It also costs a few dollars less than the standard monitors did. I’ve ordered a few already and so far I haven’t had any complaints from a dissatisfied user.

Thunderbird Font Size

A few libraries have asked how to change the global font size of Thunderbird instead of the font size used in messages.  If you want to change the font size of the mailboxes, the messages pane and Thunderbird menus, the Theme Font & Size Changer add-on is worth a look.

1. Download the Theme Font & Size Changer add-on
   
2. Open Thunderbird 
3. Click Tools
4. Click Add-ons
5. Click Extensions
6. Click the little "gear" at the upper right and select Install Add-on From File...
7. Go to the folder where the add-on is saved and double-click it
8. Click Install Now
9. Click Restart Now towards the upper right
10. After Thunderbird restarts, click Tools
11. Click Theme Font & Size Changer
12. Now you can test the settings until you find one you like

HTML5, CSS3 and You!

So, how is your personal relationship to HTML5 and CSS3 going? Did you even know that you had one? You do now or soon will, if your library continues to rely on Windows XP for staff or patron workstations.

Perhaps we should start with the basics. What are HTML5 and CSS3? Technically, these are website content format standards that are maturing but are still under development. They represent a large number of feature enhancements over HTML4 and CSS2; too many to get into here, and probably you don't need (or want) to care about all the details.

What's important for you to understand is that some of these new features are highly, highly desirable to website developers. This is why Google Apps (among other sites) ended their support for Internet Explorer 6 in 2010, and then ended their support for IE7 (and Firefox 3.x and other browsers) in 2011. Can you guess the fate of IE8? Hot tip: don't bet on its longevity...

Officially, Microsoft is continuing to support Windows XP SP3 and IE8 until April 8, 2014. However, there will be no new versions of IE for the XP platform; IE8 is all you get. The good news is that IE8 does support some HTML5 features. The bad news is that some sites have already dropped support for IE8 because its implementation of HTML5/CSS3 is just too primitive or incomplete.

The world is not ending, of course, at least not on account of IE8. If your budget says that XP stations will be operating in your library for some time to come, then there is always Firefox. SCLS will continue to update Firefox on XP stations for as long as we are able to, and Firefox on XP is fully capable of handling websites that demand a lot from HTML5 and CSS3. You just need to be aware that as time goes on, IE8 will become less and less useful (and in some cases impossible to use) on evolving websites.

Want to know more about what's missing from IE8 (and for that matter, from IE9 on Windows 7)? Check out the fun interactive chart at http://html5readiness.com/. Hover your mouse pointer over any spoke on the chart wheel to see the name of the new feature that it represents, and note how many spokes are missing labels indicating IE8 and IE9 support. Want to replay the "browser wars" of recent years? Dial back the chart to yesteryear by clicking on the tags above it.

Software and Hardware Compatiblity with Windows 7

As we transition staff computers from Windows XP Professional to the 64-bit version of Windows 7 Professional, it would be a good idea to make sure your library is using modern software and hardware.  SCLS will make sure standard software such as Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Thunderbird and browser plugins are compatible with Windows 7.  We also know that the Metrologic barcode scanners, DYMO LabelWriters and Star receipt printers are compatible.  Each library will be responsible for making sure their software, printers and document scanners are compatible.

A few examples of software that you should be concerned about include Dreamweaver, Contribute, Print Shop, Acrobat and Photoshop.  These are just a few of the software titles that we know libraries are using. 

A good place to start your compatibility check is at the Windows 7 Compatibility Center.  Here, you will be able to search for many different software titles and devices.  If you do not find any information about your product, the next best place to check is the manufacturer's website.

If you have any questions or concerns about compatibility, please call the Help Desk.

USB 3.0 Option Now Available.

You can now order PCs through SCLS that have a USB 3.0 card installed in the PC.

What is USB 3.0?
It’s the latest evolution in the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard of computer connectivity.  It’s referred to as Super Speed or SS which means it has to transfer data at 5 GB per second.

What is it good for?
If you use an external hard drive or transfer a lot of pictures or videos to your PC you will see a big improvement in the time it takes to transfer these files. I know for me personally when I’m transferring a video from my camera to my PC it takes 5 minutes (forever) to transfer most videos. Now if I had a USB 3.0 camera and port on my PC that would only take about 30 seconds to transfer.

How do I get USB 3.0 on my new PC?
On the PC order form select the radio button for USB 3 Controller Card to add it to your order. It will add two USB 3.0 ports to your PC, which already has 10 USB 2.0 ports.

Is USB 3.0 backward-compatible with USB 2.0?
Yes, your USB 3.0 devices will work in USB 2.0 ports (they just won’t be as fast as if you had USB 3.0 ports, too!).

How will you know what ports are USB 3.0?
So far all of the USB 3.0 devices and ports I’ve see are color-coded with blue, like in the picture above. I have been using that as an easy give away. You will also notice fine print that indicates it’s USB 3.0.

Where did those icons go?

Got your seatbelt on? Firefox 10 is being rolled out Monday and Tuesday nights to staff PCs on the SCLS network.

Upgrades = changes. Here are just a few changes you'll see between versions 3.6 and 10.0.2:

(click on the image to see it full-size)

Version 10 was released by Mozilla January 31st, and it took us some research, development, and documentation to get it rolled out. Now that the groundwork has been laid, Firefox versions after this one should be rolled out to SCLS patron and staff PCs a little more quickly after they're released by Mozilla.

The Firefox upgrade includes a "cleanup script."  If you haven't already read about it (and/or watched the video), you can do so here: http://www.scls.info/technology/updates/ffoxstaff.html

----- late addition -----

What happened to the "little down arrow that took you mutliple steps at once backwards thru a search and were necessary for some kinds of backwards movements"?

The arrow is gone, but the functionality is still there. Just right-click the "Back" button or click it and pull down to get the list.

(thanks to Liz for pointing this out!)

 

Log off?…Lock Desktop?…Reboot PCs?

I hope all of you were able to read Jon Mark’s blog posting from February 15, 2012 entitled “Help SCLS with software updates by keeping your PCs on all the time” where he talked about new procedures with your PCs to help us give you updates faster.  In his blog he referenced our new page entitled “SCLS Network PCs - On, Off, or Locked?” where we talk about best practices for your PCs.  I have received numerous questions about some items and wanted to clarify what we mean and exactly how to do it.

Staff PCs should be logged off of Windows at night (Video)
When you see your desktop with all of your shortcuts that means that you are logged on to Windows.  In order to log off of Windows at night you will need to do the following steps:

1. Close all open applications
2. Press the Ctrl, Alt and Delete keys (NOTE: All three keys must be pressed together.)
3. A window will open that has six buttons on it 
4. Click the Log Off… button
5. You will then see a window that says: “Are you sure you want to logoff?”
6. Click the Log Off button
7. Your PC will then begin the log off process
8. When it is done you will see a window that says: “Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete to begin”
9. You are now logged off of Windows

In the morning, when you want to log onto Windows, you will need to do the following steps:

1. Press the Ctrl, Alt and Delete keys (NOTE: All three keys must be pressed together.)
2. A window will open whose header says “Log On to Windows” 
3. Your User name should already be filled in
4. The cursor should be in the Password field
5. Enter your Windows password
6. Click the OK button
7. Your PC will then begin the log on process
8. Once you see your desktop you are now logged on to Windows

Please note that LINK patron PCs can NOT be logged off of Windows as they are set up to auto log in.  It is okay to leave LINK patron PCs logged on to Windows.

Don't "lock the desktop” AT NIGHT
Locking your desktop, sometimes called locking your workstation or locking your computer, prevents anyone from using your PC but your programs will remain running for quick access when you return to your computer.  If you have a staff PC that is in an area where there are patrons nearby it might be a good idea to do this to prevent tampering if you need to walk away from the PC.  To lock the desktop here are the steps:

1. Press the Ctrl, Alt and Delete keys (NOTE: All three keys must be pressed together.)
2. A window will open that has six buttons on it 
3. Click the Lock Computer button
4. You will then see a window that says: “This computer is in use and has been locked.”
5. Your PC is now locked

When you return to your PC and want to unlock it use the following steps:

1. Press the Ctrl, Alt and Delete keys (NOTE: All three keys must be pressed together.)
2. A window will open whose header says “Unlock Computer” 
3. Your User name should already be filled in
4. The cursor should be in the Password field
5. Enter your Windows password
6. Click the OK button
7. You will then be at your desktop in the state it was when you locked it

Staff PCs should be rebooted weekly to help prevent issues (Video)
Since you will be leaving all LINK staff PCs on all the time now it helps the PC if you reboot it once a week.  Here are the steps to do this:

1. Close all open applications
2. Press the Ctrl, Alt and Delete keys (NOTE: All three keys must be pressed together.)
3. A window will open that has six buttons on it 
4. Click the Shut Down… button
5. You will then see a window that says: “What do you want the computer to do?”
6. If the rectangular box says Restart then click the OK button
7. If you don’t see Restart then click in the rectangular box 
8. You then see a list of options
9. Choose Restart
10. Click the OK button
11. Your PC will then begin the restart process
12. When it is done you will see a window that says: “Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete to begin”

If you have questions or concerns about anything in this post please feel free to call the Tech Help Desk at 242-4710.