ABN 23 114 975 772 newsletter@quarkgroup.com.au | www.quarkgroup.com.au | issue 18 | march 2006 
Welcome

Welcome to the March 2006 issue of the Quark Group Newsletter.

March has been quite a busy month for us with a number of projects still on the go and a few being finalized. We trust that you've also had a productive month and would like to remind you that the Quark Group is here to assist with your technology needs.

This month we finish our series on Microsoft (and general) Licensing with a look at the pros and cons of the various options. We also talk a bit more about multi-room audio systems and how they can make life more comfortable at home and the office.

Do you have colleagues and friends who would find information in this Newsletter beneficial? If so, please pass this on to them and also have them subscribe to our mailing list so we can keep in contact with them personally.

If you have any comments or would like more information about anything covered in this Newsletter, please contact Quark Group Pty Ltd.
 
In This Issue...
Update Zone
The latest updates for Windows, Microsoft Office, Mac OS X and other important software.
The Latest Crimeware Information
Many people don't give a second thought to malicious software. More often than not it is these people who are infected by anything and everything currently out there.
Licensing: Summary
Most software companies are willing to take all necessary steps to protect their software licenses. Running unlicensed software is theft, after all.
Multi-Room Audio
Without the bulk of stereo components in every location, Quark AudioVisual and Quark Automation can bring music to all parts of your life!
Next Month
We cover some of the options to enable mobile laptop users to still have access to your business data.
Special Offers
Special offers for Quark Group clients
(This link redirects to the Quark IT website.)
Signing Off
Final words.

Update Zone
Important Service Pack Information
Microsoft Desktop Operating Systems
Microsoft Windows XP Professional (and Home)
Latest Service Pack
2
Critical
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
Latest Service Pack
4
Critical
 
Microsoft Desktop Applications
Microsoft Office 2003
Latest Service Pack
2
Important
Microsoft Office 2002 (Office XP)
Latest Service Pack
3
Critical
Microsoft Office 2000
Latest Service Pack
3
Critical
Microsoft Office for Mac 2004
Latest Service Pack
2
Important
 
Microsoft Server Operating Systems
Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003
Latest Service Pack
1
Important
Microsoft Windows Server 2003
Latest Service Pack
1
Critical
Microsoft Windows 2000 Small Business Server
Latest Service Pack
1a
Critical
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
Latest Service Pack
4
Critical
 
m0n0wall Updates
Current Version:
        1.21 (20060101)
 
NOD32 Updates
NOD32 Windows x32 Base:
        2.51.20
NOD32 Windows x64 Base:
        2.51.20
Virus Signature Database:
        1.1461 (20060329)
 
Mac OS X Updates
Latest OS X Version:
        10.4.5
Latest Security Update:
        2006-002 (Mar 2006)
The Latest Security Update Information
Microsoft Security Releases

On 14 March, 2006 Microsoft released 2 new security updates for Windows and Office with a maximum severity of Critical. These updates requires a reboot. There were no other non-security related updates released. An updated Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool was also released.


Update Availability

These updates are available via the Microsoft Update website as well as the various Security Bulletins. Please contact Quark IT to discuss your network security and maintenance options.


Macromedia Flash Player

Adobe has released an update to fix a recently discovered critical vulnerability in Macromedia Flash Player 8. Macromedia Shockwave Player also needs to be updated because it contains affected Flash Player components. If you are running Macromedia Flash Player version 8.0.22.0 and earlier or Macromedia Shockwave Player 10.1.0.11 and earlier then you should immediately upgrade these players.


Mac OS X 10.4.5 Security Updates

Apple has released two security updates this month (2006-001 and 2006-002 v 1.1) for their latest OS X operating system that address a number of critical vulnerabilities.

The Latest Crimeware Information
PopUps, Adware, Spyware and Skiing

Whilst congratulations may be due to our Multi-Millionaire Men's Mogul Medalist (and Gold Medalist at that), Dale Begg-Smith, for his recent performance in Italy, our commiserations must go out to those poor unfortunate souls who have been duped into helped him gain his millions.

Begg-Smith is the proprietor of 2nd Thought, a company that makes its money from the production and delivery of a malicious piece of adware (a software program that downloads itself onto your PC, generally without your knowledge, and then targets advertising popups at you after observing your browsing habits and sending this information to their servers).

This 2nd Thought spyware may also change your home page and redirect your browser to various porn sites. Isn't that great for the kiddies and also compliance with your company's Email and Internet Policy and various workplace regulations.

Just for kicks, a toolbar named "Mysearch" may also be installed and redirect all of your searches to their search engine, providing more fodder for their targeting of unwanted advertisements to your computer.

It is people like Begg-Smith who make the Internet an unsavoury place and degrade the experience to the point that a number of people are no longer interested in using the Internet because of the malicious junk and questionable material that gets thrust upon them.
Top 5 Threats (February, 2006)
     Malicious Application   Count
1. Win32/Bagle.FA worm 522 424
2. Win32/Netsky.Q worm 358 902
3. HTML/Phishing.gen trojan 287 659
4. Win32/Zafi.B worm 164 085
5. Win32/Netsky.D worm 99 994

source: http://www.virus-radar.com


So, whilst Begg-Smith skied a very straight line to win his gold medal at the recent Winter Olympics, he's definitely skating on thin ice when it comes to his business practices.

How can anyone truly respect someone - Australian or other - who makes his living by creating misery and frustration for other people?

Quark IT is able to protect your home and office computers against malicious programs like 2nd Thought and many other viruses and other crimeware programs. We can provide solutions to enhance your Company Security Policy where information technology, staff and building security is involved.

Licensing: Summary
The main choices

Using a computer for any form of commercial work means that Education and Student/Teacher licensing can be ruled out right away. If you are looking at a computer for your children to use exclusively for education, schoolwork and entertainment, then Student licensing will more often than not be the cheapest way to fly.

Now, for the rest of us, that basically leaves OEM, Version Upgrade, Competitive Upgrade, Full Packaged Product and some form of Volume Licensing as the remaining options that we are able to consider.


What did that all mean again?

All of the following descriptions are generalizations that will need to be confirmed for each and every product you purchase. There's no single, blanket rule covering all options - if that were the case, why would you need Quark IT to decipher all of this mumbo jumbo for you?   ;-)

OEM licensing is only valid when sold with a new computer system.

Version Upgrade licenses can only be used to upgrade an existing license, for example your old copy of Office 2000 to the new Office 2003.

Competitive Upgrades are available in some cases when a vendor offers you a discount to move from their competitor's program to their own and often requires that you send in, for example, the CD-ROM, License Key and manual from the original product.

Full Packaged Product is where you buy a retail box of software off a shelf in a computer store (or, preferably, from Quark IT) because you are installing this on an already existing computer and where you own no earlier version of the software.

Volume Licensing is used where you are able to purchase an initial minimum quantity of 5 licenses to qualify and then can purchase additional licenses in one-off quantities.
So, what's best?

OEM versions of Windows XP Pro are generally the only way to purchase this Operating System (with a new computer system, that is) as Upgrade licenses are not very cost effective. Where possible, Quark IT will recommend a Volume Licensing agreement unless there are extenuating circumstances such as a very, very good price on an OEM version. More often than not, purchasing some form of Volume License Agreement will reduce the amount of money you need to spend on Licensing as well as give additional rights such as the ability to install the software or operating system on different hardware should you choose to upgrade later on (something that OEM Licensing specifically prohibits) and gives you one place to store all of your licenses - the Microsoft eOpen website. Of course, other manufacturers have similar Licensing programs.


What if I have existing unlicensed software?

Address the situation as soon as possible - running unlicensed or incorrectly licensed software is a breach of the Australian Copyright Act 1968 and heavy penalties can be applied for breaches.

Quark IT can perform a software audit of the machines on your network and also your home computers to determine what software is installed, what Licenses you own, what Licenses you are using and any discrepancies that need to be addressed. A full software audit is a rather time consuming activity on both our behalf and yours, requiring that not only is the software audited, but also your purchase and accounting records of these Licenses. It is, however, far preferable to having the BSAA auditor arrive on your doorstep with their maximum AU$467,500 criminal fine (plus court costs and unlimited damages) for companies.


If you have any concerns about the number or type of Software Licenses that you have purchased or are using, please contact Quark IT and we can assist you to determine if you are correctly and adequately licensed and then what (if any) steps need to be taken.

Multi-Room Audio
What is Multi-Room Audio?

Last month we introduced the concept of Multi-Room Audio (MRA) with a brief overview of the C-Bus™ version from Clipsal®. This month, we expand on the topic with a general outline of the systems available and what features these can give you in your home.

For those that may have missed the first article or were too busy checking out the "Update Zone" alerts from IT division, we will recap the basics of MRA.

Multi-Room Audio enables you to play back any audio source, such as a CD player, Digital Music Server, iPod®, or AM/FM tuner, from any location besides the main listening room. Quite simply, it is being able to listen to your music anywhere inside or outside your home without having to have extra CD players, tuners, etc. in every place you want sound. More importantly, quality Multi-Room Audio systems should give you the ability to control that source from wherever you happen to be around your home.


In its most basic form, Multi-Room Audio can be achieved by adding a second set of speakers and a stereo amplifier to the Zone 2 outputs on your existing system. That's okay if you have them. Using the Zone 2 outputs is okay when you want to add a second room or a pair of outdoor speakers to your existing Audio/Visual setup. What you don’t generally get with this sort of system is control. For example, if you want to change volume, no problem. The remote control you got with your multi-zone capable amplifier/receiver probably lets you do it from the same room your main equipment is located in. That in itself can be a pain. Every time you want to change volume out on the deck, you need to walk back inside and point the remote at the main system, then go back out to your rapidly cooling BBQ and equally rapidly warming glass of wine. Not exactly ideal.
Functional Multi-Room Audio Systems

This next step up is what we call Intelligent Multi-Room Audio, and it starts to feel a little more like home. Actually, it can make your house feel a lot more like home because now we start to look at systems that work as part of the house, rather than an addition tacked on by your local supermarket retailer. If you have more than two areas where you would like audio, or want the ease of being able to access your entire music collection from any location in or around your home at anytime, Quark Automation has the solution for you. With Intelligent Multi-Room Audio, you can play back any number of different music sources in as many areas as required – all easily controlled from a wall-mounted switch or touch panel on the wall.


Ideally, Multi-Room Audio will be designed and implemented by experts that are prepared to sit down and really understand how you entertain and relax with sound in your home. There are a number of factors that need to be assessed including number of rooms/outdoor areas, room and outdoor acoustics, aesthetics, number and age of users, installation requirements, and level of sound quality being sought. This is just the surface of what an expert should look at when helping you to choose your perfect system. The answer to these questions will largely determine what products are best for you. This is where Quark Automation comes in. It is very easy to become dazzled with the range of products and types on the market and at the end of the day, what we all want to experience is something that is easy to use, sounds good and quite simply, just works.


For the full "Multi-Room Audio" article, click here.

Next Month
Mobile Workers

As the nature of business changes with the times, so does the application of Information Technology to your business processes.

We'll continue our discussion on the application of mobile technology to your business, this month discussing laptops used out of the office and how they can remain connected to your data.
Security Systems

Quark Automation can supply, design and install a home security or office security system with movement, heat and other sensors to help secure your staff, property and your family.

Again, if there is anything you'd like to see covered in future Newsletters, please email us with any suggestions or comments.

Signing off

That almost brings our March 2006 Quark Group Newsletter to an end.

Vodafone has switched on their 3G transmission capabilities in Brisbane. This means that anyone who uses a 3G compatible mobile device and is on the Vodafone network can immediately gain the benefit of enhanced speed. The area covered is roughly from Strathpine to Kenmore, to Ipswich to Browns Plains and also the Gold Coast. Check the Vodafone website for the updated coverage map.

Microsoft Origami - we were going to give a more in depth overview this month, but we ran out of time. When these devices look like being available in Australia I promise we will go into more depth about this new PC format - the Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC).

Quark Automation is constantly investigating new technology and new products to enable us to deliver the most useful solutions to your automation, audiovisual and security needs.

Quark IT will be attending a product training day next month about Cisco IP telephony solutions suited for the small to medium business. If you are looking for a new telephone system, please ask us about the solutions we can provide.

If you know anyone else who would like to receive this Newsletter, please feel free to forward this edition to them and also ask them to email us requesting a subscription. Please contact us if you would like Quark Group to assist you in ensuring that your home as well as your office computing environment is as functional as it can be.