Point-N-Click Computer Solutions - October 2007 Newsletter

New Product Spotlight:

Although Windows XP Media Center 2005 isn't new I thought it is still appropriate to add it to this section of my newsletter since most people are unaware of this product. Microsoft released this product a few years ago and many of you may already own this operating system, and not yet unaware of the features offered within it. The most current version is known as Windows Vista Home Premium which is the upgrade to Windows XP Media center 2005 (pictured). Both versions are currently available for purchase. When the system boots up it looks just like Windows however there is a button and the applications area that allow you to access the media center option within this operating system.

So you might be asking who needs it and what does it do. The types of businesses that might benefit from Windows Media Center would be ones with a waiting room, or conference room. The ideal customer for this product would be the homeowner who is interested in music, pictures, video, and TV. Properly configured this system will allow you to store and playback your photographs, family videos, downloaded music or your CD library onto your TV while sitting in the comfort of your living room. The system will also allow you to watch live TV or listen to the radio while having the ability to rewind it, recorded it, and/or pause it at the click of a button. When was the last time you had friends or family over to your home and pulled out your photo albums or played back your family home videos? Having a system installed at our home allows us to queue up the photos of our visitors and music player list allowing us to create an instant slide show with a music background. I then have the ability to play this throughout my home on as many TVs as I'd like. However it doesn't stop there. By subscribing to a free web site known as ORB this information is available real time to friends and family throughout the world. Don't worry this website requires a password for the viewer which will allow you the privacy you'd expect. ORB will also allow you to watch live TV from a computer anywhere very similar to Slingbox technology. I use this while working late at the office and not wanting to miss my favorite TV show.

The next time you are considering a new home computer think about Microsoft Media Center. The cost is about the same as a standard Windows XP workstation. To learn more about what a media center is and how it works you can click on the following links or schedule a demo by calling us at Point-N-Click.

Microsoft Media Center Official Website - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/default.mspx
ORB's official website - http://www.orb.com/orb/