Gmail accounts and disproportionally large pst-files | MSOutlook.info

My mailbox size as reported in Gmail is 7.3GB. However, my mailbox size reported in Outlook is 15GB and my pst-file is 19GB.

Why is there such a huge difference and how can I reduce the amount of space the pst-file takes on my disk?

When you configure your Gmail account via IMAP, you’ll also find an “All Mail” folder in the [Gmail] root folder which lists all your messages again, regardless which folder they are in. This will basically duplicate all mails and also double the mailbox size. To reduce the size, unsubscribe from the “All Mail” folder and run Compact Now for your account.

Unsubscribe from the All Mail folder

You can unsubscribe from the “All mail” folder in the following way;

1. Right click on the top of your Gmail mailbox (so one level above the [Gmail] folder itself) and choose IMAP Folders…
2. In the IMAP Folders dialog click on the Query button.
3. From the folder list that is being retrieved select; [Gmail]/All Mail
4. Press the Unsubscribe button.
5. Press OK to close the IMAP Folders dialog.

Unsubscribe from the All Mail folder to remove duplicate content and make the pst-file smaller.

Compact the pst-file

Now that you have unsubscribed from the All Mail folder, you can force Outlook to directly compact the pst-file so that the size of the pst-file will be reduced and free space is returned to your disk.

1. Right click on the top of your Gmail mailbox and choose Properties.
2. Click on the button Advanced…
3. Click on Compact Now.

Note 1: Even after compacting your pst-file, it could still be 25% or even up to 40% larger than the reported mailbox size in Outlook. This is because the pst-file also includes hidden items such as indexes, rules, views, forms, quick steps and other meta data).

Note 2: Depending on the size of your pst-file and the speed of your disk, the compacting process could take quite a while, could slow down your computer and block access to Outlook. You might want to consider running this process overnight instead. For more info about running Compact Now also see; Shrink pst-file

All Mail Folder Search Folder alternative

If you used the All Mail Folder and want to continue to use it without doubling your pst-file, you can create a “All Mail” Search Folder as an alternative;

1. Create a new Search Folder (keyboard shortcut: CTRL+SHIFT+P).
2. Select: Create a custom Search Folder.
3. Click on: Choose…
4. Specify a name. For instance; All Mail
5. Click on “Browse…” and verify that the root of your Gmail mailbox is selected and that the option “Search Subfolders” is enabled.
6. Click OK until you’ve returned to the main Outlook window.

Belkin Plucks Linksys Brand From Cisco | Maximum PC

Cisco found a way out of the consumer networking market, thanks to Belkin.

Call it an end of an era, if you wish, but Cisco is hightailing it out of the consumer space after selling off its Home Networking Business Unit to Belkin for an undisclosed sum of money. The deal includes the familiar Linksys brand, which Cisco acquired back in 2003. At the time, Linksys had 305 employees and revenues of more than $500 million. All of its products were branded Linksys by Cisco following the transaction, though Cisco has reportedly been looking to get out of the consumer space for some time now.

Cisco dropkicked its Flip video camera division in 2011, eliminating around 550 jobs in the process and taking a $300 million charge. By selling its Home Networking division to Belkin, Cisco is pretty much out of the consumer space at this point.

"We’re very excited about this announcement," said Chet Pipkin, CEO of Belkin. "Our two organizations share many core beliefs – we have similar beginnings and share a passion for meeting the real needs of our customers through the strengths of an entrepreneurial culture. Belkin’s ultimate goal is to be the global leader in the connected home and wireless networking space and this acquisition is an important step to realizing that vision."

Belkin said it intends to maintain the Linksys brand and will offer support to existing owners as part of the transaction. All current and future Linksys warranties will be honored by Belkin, the company said.

Once the deal closes, Belkin will account for nearly a third -- 30 percent -- of the U.S. retail home and small business networking market.

Sorry, Windows 8, but I love and miss Windows 7

Life as an early adopter is sprinkled with moments of joy and regret after first trying out a product up until another shiny toy takes its place. The burning desire to pursue something new often backfires in my endeavors, with personal expectations rarely fulfilled by cutting-edge software or hardware. My experience running Windows 8 is no different, as Microsoft's latest entry into consumer operating systems seldom ticks all the right boxes. But I plow through, even though what I really want is to go back to Windows 7.

I started using Windows 8 in mid-August and throughout all my time with it not once did I ever feel comfortable enough to say: "This is a keeper". Fact is what I love about Windows 8 I almost never use, and what I loathe I do have to deal with every single time -- it's a self-destructive relationship I simply do not want to be in anymore. On the other hand, at the opposite end lies Windows 7, which fits me like a tailored suit -- no extra "in your face" functionality that I rarely take advantage of. Simply put -- less is more.

Lacks Emotional Attachment

The new Windows 8 Start screen appears to be the touchscreen fan's delight, but for someone like me that has a four year-old laptop without any fancy touchscreen panel the connection between man and machine is just not there. Yes, there are live tiles, it's modern and sports a clean look, but at the same time plenty of the new features that the Start menu touts carry absolutely no weight for me. I have a Google Galaxy Nexus and Apple iPad 2, both of which I use for weather information, notifications, emails, Facebook chats, Google+ and more.

Because I can actually hold and therefore physically interact with each of them the actual experience is much more intimate when operating various apps. I can't hold my laptop like I can use the iPad 2 for instance. There's a connection with both my mobile devices, one I simply do not get with the new Start menu. The latter makes Windows 8 feel like an unwanted guest that I want gone as soon as possible.

By comparison, Windows 7 features the plain and simple, no frills Start button that through its utter simplicity actually provides a gratifying experience with each click. It pops up and without any confusion I can restart and shut down my laptop or navigate through my computer, in a manner that feels natural for a long-time Windows user. Maybe just like my colleague Wayne Williams I will immediately fall in love with the new start menu on a Windows 8 tablet, but clearly not on a non-touchscreen device.

Productivity Only Using the Desktop

Yet again, Windows 8 may feature apps but the browser offers a much more rewarding experience from my point of view. I only have to switch tabs to get to where I want, whereas using the apps in Windows 8 only causes frustration when navigating between them -- the experience is not optimized for mouse operation. There are keyboard shortcuts, sure, but why go through all that trouble when Windows 7 paired with a browser is just as good or better?

My main issue though, and one that I seem to spot more and more often, is that I use Windows 8 just like I did with Windows 7. I am not necessarily a fan of precise guesstimates but I will say that 99 percent of the time spent on my laptop is done in desktop mode with barely to no Start screen use. The reason is simple: In desktop mode I can choose the arrangement and the size of any opened window, allowing me to view two web pages, or Word documents for instance, at the same time without zooming out. That is how, in part, I view productivity.

But what's the point in having a large panel with a high resolution if I am limited to viewing two apps concomitantly only in a predetermined size? Because that's how the Windows 8 Start menu does it -- one app takes a quarter or so of the display real estate and the other is shown in the remaining space. Works good for looking at incoming emails in a narrow-sized Mail app and browsing the Interwebs at the same time, but it is awful when trying to display two apps of the same size at the same time -- it just doesn't work, and the new user interface does not appear to be designed with similar usage patterns in mind.

Is Cutting Edge worth It?

While writing this article a question kept coming at me: "Is Windows 8 worth it?" Throughout my time with it, honestly speaking, Windows 8 has served me relatively well, with only minor software issues like a nagging blue screen of death (or more), but at the same time so did Windows 7. More so I love the latter, it feels natural and I do sense a connection while with the former I have to force myself to love it.

Operating systems are not usually designed to be loved, but at the end of the day that peculiar element is of the utmost importance. When there is no joy in using Windows 8 I feel no joy in using my laptop either. It's silly maybe, but it matters to me. To solve my very own conundrum: "No, Windows 8 is not worth it".

How to disable the password complexity in Windows Server 2008?

You can do this using two methods:

Method 1:

In Windows Server 2008, there is an option in Local Security Policy. Click on Start and then Administrative Tools and then click on Local Security Policy. In Local Security Policy, click on Account Policies and then click on Password Policy. Under Password Policy, double click on “Password must meet complexity requirements” and then select the Disabled option. Then click on Apply and then click on OK. Then close the Local Security Policy and then close the Administrative Tools window.

Method 2:

You can use the Group Policy Editor to disable password complexity. Click on Start and then click on Run. In the Run dialog box, type gpedit.msc and hit Enter or click on OK. Then click on Computer Configuration and then Windows Settings and then Security Settings and then Account Policies and then click on Password Policy. Under Password Policy, double click on “Password must meet complexity requirements” and then select the Disabled option. Then click on Apply and then click on OK. Then close the Local Group Policy Editor.

go to start - administrative tools - group policy management - domains - group policy objects - right click on default domain policy - edit - computer configuration - policies - security settings - account polocy - double click on password must meet password complaxity requirement and disable it ..



go to start - administrative tools - group policy management - domains - group policy objects - right click on default domain policy - edit - computer configuration - policies - security settings - account polocy - double click on password must meet password complaxity requirement and disable it ..
go to run and type
gpupdate and enter
done !!!!

HURRICANE TECHNOLOGY TIPS

1.     HAVE A PLAN - Make sure your business is prepared to run despite loss of power, computers, people or access to your office. If your company depends on data, make sure it is placed in a secure, redundant Data Center facility.

2.     BACK UP - Back up your critical data using an off-site backup service. If this is not in your budget, create a copy of your data on a jump drive or external hard drive, place this drive in a sealed plastic bag, and store it out of harm's way. Be sure to back up and restore your data frequently!

3.     LOAD - Load your business critical contacts into your cell phone or PDA. It is also a good idea to print them and store them in a sealed plastic bag.

4.     KNOW YOUR PASSWORDS - Many people rely on their PC to remember their usernames and passwords. Make sure to memorize or record all critical passwords - including the password to access your e-mail through webmail.

5.     SECURE THE OFFICE - Before leaving, be sure to have all of your computers password-protected. This will help keep unwanted visitors from accessing your data.

6.     USE A UPS - Storm or no storm, you should plug your computer and monitor into a UPS to guard against electricity strikes and potential loss of power. A UPS can give you enough time to properly shut down your PC when a storm threatens.

7.     UNPLUG - Unplug your servers, computers, and other gadgets and move them from the floor and away from the windows.

8.     TAKE A PICTURE - Take a picture of your servers and computers BEFORE the storm hits. This will help if an insurance claim is necessary.

Searcher beware: Bing has twice as many poison links as Google - Neowin

Searcher beware: Bing has twice as many poison links as Google

Tyler Holman

Microsoft prides itself on claiming that Bing gives more relevant results than Google, and a new study claims that it's definitely true - at least if you're looking for viruses. 

Over at Sophos' Naked Security blog, Fraser Howard says that compared to Google users, Bing users encounter twice as many 'poisoned links,' or websites that contain malware and exploits like Blackhole. A whopping 92% of poison links encountered on Bing come from images. Howard says that three out of the six images shown below redirect to malicious sites:

Now, why does Bing have more poisoned links than its competitors? That's a good question, and one that Sophos doesn't offer an answer to. It's possible, though, that it really doesn't have that problem - maybe it's just that a large portion of Bing users are less tech savvy than Google users, and possbily less skilled when it comes to avoiding malware. Since Sophos' findings rely on the number of malicious redirects encountered by their security software, it's not exactly set in stone that Bing has more poison links than Google, just that Sophos users are encountering more malware through Bing than through Google.

More importantly, what can you do to protect yourself when you're searching? Besides buying lots and lots of Sophos products, it's generally a good idea to look at the URL before you click on it, and make sure that you really know where you're going. And most importantly, try not to be stupid.

With Apple's Siri, a Romance Gone Sour - NYTimes.com

Karen Bleier/Agence France-Presse — Getty ImagesResults from Siri can be less than satisfying.

Late last summer, I was introduced to a new special someone. I wasn’t looking to meet this new muse; it all just kind of happened.

We met at an Apple product announcement in Cupertino, Calif. She was helpful, smart and even funny, cracking sarcastic jokes and making me laugh. What more could a guy ask for?

Since then, we have had some major communication issues. She frequently misunderstands what I’m saying. Sometimes she is just unavailable. Often, she responds with the same, repetitive statement.

Her name is Siri.

At first, Siri, the voice-activated digital assistant on Apple iPhones, seemed a little too good to be true. Siri lured me into a relationship promising to help me set up appointments, to gently wake me in the morning for work, and to give me the ability to text someone while I was driving.

It didn’t work out that way. “There’s something wrong, and I can’t answer your questions right now. Please try again in a little while,” Siri will say when I ask something. Or: “I’m really sorry about this, but I can’t take any requests right now. Please try again in a little while.”

She is always polite. But I’m starting to suspect that “I’m really sorry” is just something Siri says to shut me up.

Apple introduced Siri as a beta test, meaning it was still a work in progress. That was unusual for Apple, but the company was counting on it to change the way people searched for information on mobile devices. It wanted a head start. But it doesn’t seem ready to change anything yet. Many people I have spoken to have switched Siri off and reverted to the iPhone’s voice dictation service (the little microphone next to the keyboard), which is more reliable because it doesn’t use Siri’s artificial intelligence software.

Those who have left it have done that for good reason. Gene Munster, a securities analyst at Piper Jaffray, recently ran a series of tests with Siri and discovered that this is a significant problem for Apple.

Mr. Munster subjected Siri to over 1,600 voice tests, half in a quiet room and half on a busy Minneapolis street. In the quiet room, Siri understood requests 89 percent of the time, but she was able to accurately answer a question only 68 percent of the time. On a busy street, Siri could comprehend what people were saying 83 percent of the time, but answer a question correctly only 62 percent of the time.

It could hear well enough. The problem in his analysis was that the software was not good enough to understand questions. Mr. Munster gave Siri a “grade D” and said it needed to sharply improve in order to be an alternative method of mobile search.

Over time, things have really soured between Siri and me. We barely speak anymore. And, although she doesn’t know this, I’ve started seeing someone else. Her name, although not as mysterious or sexy, is Google Voice Search.

Google Voice Search, available in the latest operating software for Androidphones, is a much better listener. It’s definitely smarter. If I ask Google Voice Search a question, like, “Who is Tim Cook?” it responds with an answer. (He’s the chief executive of Apple.) If I ask Siri the same question, the response is: “I don’t see Tim Cook in your contacts.”

Side-by-side comparisons, in videos posted on YouTube, give the upstart from Google the advantage. Apple used Siri as a primary selling point for its new iPhone, and now Apple is losing its advantage. At the D: All Things Digital conference in May, Mr. Cook was asked about Siri’s mistakes. “We have a lot of people working on this,” he told the audience.

“You’ll be really pleased with some of the things that you’ll see over the coming months,” he promised.

Trudy Muller, an Apple spokeswoman, said, “Siri is currently in beta, and we are continuing to improve it.” She also said, “Siri is one of the most popular features of iPhone 4S and customers love it.”

She’s apparently not wrong about that. John Barrett, director of consumer analytics at the Parks Associates research firm, recently surveyed 482 iPhone owners. “Although there were some mild frustrations, most people really like the service,” Mr. Barrett said. Of those surveyed, he said, 55 percent gave Siri a high rating, 21 percent said it was quite satisfactory, and only 10 percent were completely dissatisfied.

The question will be whether those who find Siri frustrating will toss the iPhone aside and embrace Android.

I still find it disappointing, and last week I had what will probably be my last conversation with Siri for a while.

“Siri. I think it’s time for us to take a break,” I told her.

“Hmm … Let me think. … one second,” Siri said in response, adding a few moments later, “I don’t know what you mean by ‘I think it’s time for us to take a break.’ ”