When you read this, Windows 7 will have reached its end of support, but it still has about 27% of the current market share on Windows desktops. The Microsoft term "end of support" refers to technical support and security updates/fixes, and it means that over time your operating system will become less secure and more open to attack by malware.
Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 also went out of support on the same day. Microsoft will continue to provide ESUs, or extended security updates, for the next three years, but only through certain paid pathways. For many administrators, the real end of support will happen in 2023. So why is Windows 7 still so popular? It was the last version before the terrible Windows 8, and Windows 10 was such a new approach to an OS that many stayed with Windows 7, like many had back when XP reached its official end of life. The long-term cost of not upgrading to a supported OS version is the potential for attacks based on unpatched security holes, including ransomware.
- Another related Microsoft problem recently is the patch-for-a-patch-for-a-patch cascade that Windows users find themselves in when the folks at Redmond don't get it right for a few times in a row. While older patches didn't work, some find they are now locked out of the latest one required for a fix. Microsoft has sometimes been less than forthcoming in such situations. You can try a search for the KB4099950 hotfix if you find yourself truly stuck.
- A database was found on the public internet recently. This particular file contains the personal details of 56.2 million US residents. The location was on a computer with a Chinese IP address. The source of the data is reported to be CheckPeople.com, a fee-based site that aggregates personal info from publicly available records. The first note here is that personal privacy in general is still not being handled very well across the board since these stories have regularly surfaced. At the time of writing, staff at CheckPeople.com have been ignoring warnings that their data was in the wild, and even requests for further info.
- It has been a while since I've thought about phones from the Korean manufacturer LG. I almost bought their V20 some time back and wrote about it then. The latest V50 supports an attachable second screen as an alternative to the foldable screen, which is a novel idea. The truly foldable concept seems to be selling somewhat in China, but I still think it doesn't have very long to go before it fades from the marketplace. LG, like HTC, has been fading for some time now, and the fast pace of the phone market makes a big comeback unlikely for the near future. That said, it only takes one or two great wow factors to bring back a brand.
- I received an email from a reader asking me about Chuwi devices. I own an older unit that has since been replaced by a Lenovo notebook. My old device was dual-boot Android with an early version of Windows 10. Checking out chuwi.com, the company is still going strong and has a nice range of devices, including a dual-boot device that is at least twice as powerful and also thinner than my older device. This is of course what technology does. The Chuwi range sells at a great price point, and reviews have been kind to the units. If you are considering a less-than-top-end unit, then this brand is worth taking a look at, especially if you are looking to span Windows and Android in a single device.
- When the real specs come out in the near future, it will be interesting to see how close the following comes to the next generation of Samsung phones for the S20 series. Yes, they have skipped from S10 to S20, probably because it is 2020. According to XDA Developers, the top-of-the-line Ultra is predicted to come with a new 108MP main camera and 10X optical zoom. This should provide great photos and allow digital zoom to be of a higher quality. Samsung is also reintroducing support for up to a 1TB microSD card and as much as 16GB of RAM with up to 512GB built in memory. A 5,000mAh battery also sounds nice; the screen size may max out at 6.9 inches; and the unit should come with Android 10.
- Oops: Boeing has found yet another software flaw in their 737 Max systems, during a recent technical review. To be fair, this is what the reviews are for, and it's better found out now than in the air. But this will delay the aircraft from returning to flights until it is addressed. Boeing is silent on the issue, which appears to be related to communication between the two on-board flight systems, a recent enhancement.
James Hein is an IT professional of over 30 years' standing. You can contact him at jclhein@gmail.com.