Microsoft achieved Carbon Trust Standard

Microsoft has achieved Carbon Trust standard after reducing its carbon footprint by 7% since 2007. It intends to reduce it in total by 30% by 2012.

It reduced its carbon footprint in many ways including:

• Composing and recycling from its company cafes
• Providing an employee bus service (The connector)
  See the video mms://msstudios.wmod.llnwd.net/a2294/o21/presspass/1001394_Environment_Leadership_MBR.wmv

Microsoft is helping others to reduce their carbon footprints. Here are a few examples:

• Windows 7 includes power saver features
• Microsoft has developed Environmental Sustainability Dashboard for Microsoft Dynamics AX to show companies their own environmental impact
• Microsoft Hohm (only available in the USA) http://www.microsoft-hohm.com/ is a free web service providing tips on energy saving.

Google Maps and 3D Imagery

Google Maps now contains Earth View to show maps in 3D imagery. You might need to download a plug-in but it will prompt you.

It provides some 3D views to see such as Stonehenge, Sydney Opera House, Grand Canyon, Statue of Liberty.

Just go to www.maps.google.co.uk/earthview.

Bing Maps 3D also provides viewing in three dimensions http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=e9298080-50c4-4f2e-9fc4-4009074996ba.

3 Peaks Challenge

Why not take part in an event for IT professionals - the 3 Peaks Challenge?

You will climb Ben Nevis in the Scottish highlands, Scafell Pike in the Lake District, Snowdon in Wales and then celebrate your achievements with a meal and awards ceremony afterwards.

The minimum fundraising per team is £6,0000 and the event is very demanding. The money raised will go towards helping people in poverty.

The event is for IT professionals and if you want to find out more, visit http://www.carechallenge.org.uk/IT

Floppy Disks

Sony will stop manufacturing Floppy disks in March 2011.

Sales of floppy disks have gone from 47 million in 2000 to around 12 million in 2009.

To read the history of the floppy disk see Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floppy_disk

Website Age Ratings

Tibboh www.tibboh.co.uk, a broadband provider has developed age rating classifications for websites. It worked with the British Board of Film Classification to create age ratings of U, PG, 12, 15 and 18.

The service is available with Tibboh's £19.99 a month broadband package.

Digital Economy Act 2010

The Digital Economy Bill became the Digital Economy Act 2010 on Friday 9th April 2010 after it was given Royal Assent.

It includes provisions relating to copyright, domain registries, security and safety online and more. Contents on the Act can be found in the press release here: http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=413002&NewsAreaID=2

50 pence Broadband Tax Update

We wrote in a previous blog post that a 50 pence broadband tax was being introduced.

http://softwareandsupport.blogspot.com/2009/07/tax-for-broadband.html

This has now been put on hold - at least until after the General Election.

In Private Browsing

You can carry out private browsing in Internet Explorer 8. This means that if you share your PC with someone they will not be able to view your browsing history.

To turn this on open Internet Explorer 8. Click Tools on the menu bar and InPrivate Browsing and an InPrivate icon will appear at the start of your browser bar.