Windows 7 is scheduled to be released at the end of October. There has been a lot of hype about this version, and how its better than Windows Vista. But should you upgrade? Here is my advice:

1. If you are buying a new computer, get Windows 7, its better than Vista and it will be worth it. ‘Downgrades to XP will be phased out (if they haven’t already) so you don’t have much if a choice anyway. Based on on the reviews, you won’t be disappointed with Windows 7
2. If you have Windows XP do NOT upgrade to Windows 7, the hardware requirements may be more than you have;  many of your programs won’t work without an add on (that’s not available on the lowest priced version of Windows 7); some hardware won’t work; and you can’t actually upgrade–you have backup your data,  erase you hard drive and install Windows 7, download and install the XP add-on,  reinstall your drivers, install your programs, and restore your backup.  Since Microsoft will continue to support XP for the next couple of years, my advice is to  just  buy a new computer when you are ready for Windows 7
3. If you already have Vista its a bit murky. You can upgrade from like version of Vista to like version of Windows 7 without erasing your hard-drive and all of your data and programs. In addition, most of your hardware will be compatible.  So in this case, the upgrade isn’t a big hairy deal. On the other hand, if Vista works for you why bother with the effort and expense. If you do need to upgrade, stick with like versions. Here is a list of the upgrade paths:

• 32-bit Vista Home Basic/Premium upgrades to 32-bit Windows 7 Home Premium
• 64-bit Vista Home Basic/Premium upgrades to 64-bit Windows 7 Home Premium
• 32-bit Vista Business upgrades to 32-Bit Windows 7 Professional
• 64-bit Vista Business upgrades to 64-Bit Windows 7 Professional
• 32-bit Vista Ultimate upgrades to 32-Bit Windows 7 Ultimate
• 64-bit Vista Ultimate upgrades to 64-Bit Windows 7 Ultimate

(Source Microsoft)

Also before you upgrade, download the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to confirm that you won’t have any problems.

Another reminder: Always backup your important data before you do an upgrade.

Good luck, and leave me a comment to tell me what you decide, and how it goes.

If you have a small or  home business and you’re active on social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace  you are a sitting duck when it comes to password security.

Why, because you’ve probably put the answer to your password reset verification questions in your social network profiles. Usually the password reset verification questions are thinks like the town you were born in, your favorite pet, where you were married, etc. Frequently this information is in a profile, or other post you’ve created. You mother’s maiden name, your wedding date, and your kids names may be on that family tree site you site or application you use. The list goes on…

So what should you do?

1. Think about those verification questions
2  Sanitize your social networking profiles and remove or obscure that information, so it can’t be used against you
3. Or better yet, change your verification questions, to information you have never published,  since once information is  on the Internet old copies are stored all over the place.

Remember most of the information put put on social networking sites are searchable somehow, so don’t risk your security–think about what you put out there and how it can be used.
I know of a documented and publicized case where a hacker used social networking to get answers to verification questions as part of network break-in.

Man with Laptop

If starting or running a home business you probably need  a computer. I strongly recommend that you get a laptop instead of a desktop computer for the following reasons:

1. A laptop isn’t much more expensive then a desktop when you factor in the monitor and extras like a webcam.
2. Frequently at home you may not always have a permanent location for your office, or you may need to temporarily relocate your office (when your office is being vacuumed, to watch the kids. etc)
3. If the kids are having a birthday party (or something else disruptive is going on) and you have a critical proposal to get out, you can just take the laptop somewhere else to work.
4. You really should have separate computer for work since you don’t want your spouse’s ‘free’ apps on your business computer
5. Its nice to have your own computer  to take to presentations and customer meetings.

While having a laptop is nice, trying to buy one can be very confusing, while I’m not going to make any specific recommendations, I would like to give you some guidelines.

1. Small, cheap and powerful– Pick any two. Laptops are compromises, so you need to understand that you cannot ‘have it all’. For must home office systems I would recommend that you sacrifice size/weight for value and power (Unless you travel a lot)
2. Don’t confuse a notebook or laptop with a netbook,  netbooks are not desktop replacements.  See my related post on Netbooks
3. Buy a dual-core Processor, not a single-core processor.
4. Get 3GB memory or, if you can afford it  4GB of memory
5. Get a 260 GB hard drive
6. If at all possible get a built in webcam.
7. Spring for 802.11/b/g/n card (N is new but its probably going to be the new standard, it’s much faster)
8. Make sure it has a DVD-RW drive.
9. If you are comparing systems, more USB ports are better then less.
10. Stick to a brand name.

You should be able to get a laptop with these specs for under $800. Make sure you shop on the Internet, at electronics, and office supply warehouses. Sometimes the in-the-store deals are better than the Internet.
Also, at this point Windows 7 will be out in about 3 weeks (around October 22) so wait for for it, before you buy if at all possible. (If not make sure the version of Vista you get has a free upgrade to Windows 7