Microsoft Windows 10 free preview controversy

Microsoft has found itself in a whirlwind of publicity this weekend, after its announcement on Friday that it intended to provide free of charge Windows 10 upgrades to users of Windows 7 and Windows 8, extending cover to those who were using preview versions of Windows 10 via its Insider Program.

This would have meant that existing users could download a Windows 10 preview and benefit from upgrades to Windows 10 for the full term of the operating system.

Of course, this could result in people taking advantage of this rather generous act by rolling out as many versions of Windows 10 previews as they want to, then waiting to save large sums of money when Windows 10 previews become final build and licences need to be purchased.

This weekend’s blog – which has now been altered – stated that preview users would "receive the Windows 10 final release build and remain activated".

On Friday, Gabriel Aul, GM of Microsoft's operating system, Tweeted;

"Install [preview build] 10130, connect registered Insider MSA, upgrade to RTM, stays genuine."

Since this date, however, the "remain activated" term has been dropped from the Microsoft blog, now reading "as long as you are running an Insider Preview build and connected with the MSA you used to register, you will receive the Windows 10 final release build".

It also states "only people running Genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 can upgrade to Windows 10 as part of the free upgrade offer".

At the moment, it is still unknown as to whether Microsoft is actually going to drop its promise of free upgrades for Windows 10 preview versions, but it seems that the company is erring on the side of caution with its announcements from hereon in. 

We will of course, keep you posted – follow us on Twitter @AceComputerSup and Facebook to keep up to date with all of the latest technology and computing news.

In the meantime, if you need assistance with your business or home operating systems then please do not hesitate to contact us on 01902 375304!

Could Twitter work for your business?

Could Twitter work for your business?

In the week that Kensington Palace deleted a gobbledegook tweet that was sent from its official account, and the media had a field day about it, it goes to show that Twitter is certainly not overlooked.

So the official Kensington Palace Twitter account may or not have been hacked (certain sources have suggested that it may be lively toddler Prince George getting his hands on a computer and having a play), but let’s not forget how powerful social media can be.

How often do you watch news reports with “news just in from Twitter” or quotes from observers taken directly from Twitter instead of actually interviewing people the old-fashioned way? And online twitter polls, daytime TV shows – you name it, Twitter is everywhere.

A lot of businesses don’t invest in Twitter due to a time issue but if you get it right, it can be an invaluable way to communicate with your customers and also act as a valuable branding tool. It can also be an excellent way to help improve your businesses SEO.

But you have to be dedicated. Twitter is not a job that you hand to the office junior who may update it some days, and not others. It takes daily time, care and attention and building a community online who are engaged and want to hear and help spread the message about what your company is doing is not an easy thing to do.

You must also have your website up to date with the relevant social media buttons – people are much more likely to share articles or pages from your website to their followers and friends if they are there than if they are not.

For more information on how we can help get your business and website Twitter-ready, call 01902 375 304 or of course, why not Tweet us @ACEComputerSup to find out how we can help!

Important warning about using laptop computers in bed

At ACE Computer Support, we keep you up to date with the latest computing news. This week, a very disturbing story has been shared across social media channels and it is one that we are very much compelled to share across our channels to help spread the word.

Manasa Anji  posted;

“A couple lost their 25 year old son in a fire at home on June 4th.

The son, who had graduated with MBA two weeks earlier, had come home for a while. He had lunch with his dad at home and decided to go back to bed while waiting for his mom to come back  from work. Some-time later their neighbours called 911 when they saw black smoke coming out of the house.

“Unfortunately, the 25 year old died in the three year old house. It took several days of investigation to find out the cause of the fire.

“It was determined that the fire was caused by the laptop resting on the bed. When the laptop was on the bed the cooling fan did not get the air to cool the computer and that is what caused the fire. He did not even wake up to get out of the bed because he died of breathing in carbon monoxide emitted out of the burnt laptop.

“The reason I am writing this to all of you is that I have seen many of us and also our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, friends and family using the laptop while in bed. Let us all decide and make it a practice not to do that.

“The risk is real. Let us make it a rule not to use the laptop on bed with blankets and pillows around. Please educate as many people as you can.”

So please, everyone, take heed – this is a very real warning. Please share on your Facebook page and retweet where you can. By spreading the word and raising more awareness, it could save lives.