Protecting the environment is an increasing concern in all aspects of our lives, and technology is no exception. There are several steps each of us can take to lessen our impact on the environment. 1. Turn off the computer if you’re not using it (especially at night and weekends). In contrast to popular belief, this does not take up more energy than leaving it running, and it can also reduce wear on the system. 2. Use the computer’s power-management features to conserve energy while the computer is running. 3. Recycle or donate your old technology; it protects the environment from hazardous wastes. Monitors, computers, keyboards and printer cartridges can all be recycled (independently or through the manufacturer), and donating these items can help those in need.

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In a posting on a Mozilla newsgroup site, Microsoft’s open-source software lab offered “some 1:1 support in getting Firefox and Thunderbird to run on Vista,” stressing the software giant’s commitment to open source projects. Thunderbird is Mozilla’s email client and its Firefox web browser is one of Internet Explorer’s few competitors. Because of this, among other factors, the invite was initially received with mixed emotions in the online community (many skeptical of Microsoft’s motives, others not clear why help is needed). But Mozilla has accepted the offer. Mozilla software engineers will get one-on-one time with Microsoft people at its open source facility in Redmond, WA.

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recommends that Windows users apply Microsoft Security Patch MS06-040 as soon as possible. The patch will fix a vulnerability that could enable an attacker to remotely take control of a system and install programs, view, change or delete data, and create new accounts. DHS advises to make haste, as the vulnerability could impact government, private industry and individual home users alike. Users may visit http://update.microsoft.com and select “express” to install these critical security updates. Visit Microsoft.

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With the new release of Quark 7, the debate over the best page design software continues. Earlier this Summer Quark released its first upgrade in three years, addressing some issues that now put it back in competition with Adobe’s InDesign. Among them: integration of the OpenType font format; ability to manipulate the opacity of objects and type; add drop shadows without Photoshop; tab functions; improved palette control; and more. Though Quark lagged in InDesign’s shadow for some time, these new features prove that the program is still in the running. Visit Quark.

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Internet Explorer 7, the “high priority” update from Microsoft, will address the many security vulnerabilities in IE 6. It will be delivered via Automatic Updates in Windows XP. The Automatic Updates feature (typically used for just patching security weaknesses) is being implemented because of the significance of the security enhancements in IE 7. Though users will be given the choice to install, not install or postpone installation, businesses are encouraged to prepare for the update expected later this year.

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