Are you one of the many Microsoft
customers still using an older computer
that’s running on Windows XP software?
Microsoft has said that nearly 30% of aD
its software users are stiD running this
12-year-old operating system. The time has •
come when you really need to look into
buying a newer operating system, especially
after April 8 when Microsoft will discontinue security updates and patches for
Microsoft Security Essentials anti-virus software for XP users.
Microsoft offers the following on its website:
.. after April 8, 2014, technical assistance for Windows XP will no longer be
available, including automatic updates that help protect your PC. Microsoft will also
stop providing Microsoft Security Essentials for download on Windows XP on this
date. (If you already have Microsoft Security Essentials installed, you will continue
to receive anti-malware signature updates for a limited time, but this does not mean
that your PC will be secure because Microsoft wiU no longer be providing security
updates to help protect your PC.)
“If you continue to use Windows XP after support ends, your computer will still
work but it might become more vulnerable to security risks and viruses. Also, as
more software and hardware manufacturers continue to optimize for more recent
versions of Windows, you can expect to encounter greater numbers of apps and
devices that do not work with Windows XP.
“To stay protected after support ends, you have two options:
“Upgrade your current PC
“Very few older computers will be able to run Windows 8.1, which is the latest
version of Windows. We recommend that you download and run the Windows
Upgrade Assistant to check if your PC meets the system requirements for Windows
8.1 and then follow the steps in the tutorial to upgrade if your PC is able. For more
detailed information, read the FAQ.
“Get a new PC
“If your current PC can’t run Windows 8.1, it might be time to consider shopping
for a new one. Be sure to explore our great selection of new PCs. They’re more
powerful, lightweight, and stylish than ever before—and wfth an average price that’s
considerably less expensive than the average PC was 10 years ago.”
If you want to upgrade your operating system from XP to Windows 7 Home
without having to buy a new computer, you can still buy the Windows 7 download
from Best Buy, amazon.com or newegg.com for about $80. Just be sure that if you
plan to install Windows 7 on an older computer that you buy their standalone 32-bit
software and not the newer software that uses 32/64-bit software that is being sold
for newer, faster computer systems. The good news is Microsoft plans to support
Windows 7 until 2020.
I highly recommend that you consider purchasing a new computer instead of just
loading a newer operating system onto your old one. Important ifer upgrading your PC:
• Older computers are running on a much slower 32-bit hardware system,
instead of the more modern and much faster 64-bit hardware. The 32-bft may
be too small to accommodate a new operating system download.
• Failing to upgrade now will only result in more issues to resolve in the near
future.
Rumors abound about Microsoft’s plans to cut the cost of upgrading from XP
software and suggest that Microsoft will offer continued updates for a monthly price,
but so far they are only rumors, .
Replacement computers can be purchased locally for as little as $300, but keep
in mind that better quality, better security and faster operating speeds will come at
a higher cost. Also, if you biiy your new computer from a local store that also offers
technical support, you will be able to get help transferring your files from your old
working computer.
If you choose to ignore these warnings apd continue using your XP operating
system, you run the risk of having your computer infected with some redly nasty
Trojans, malware, spyware and key loggers that will actively steal your identity This
may be the time you want to consider Linux as an alternative to Microsoft—or make
the much more expensive leap to a Mac. Whatever you do, just leave XP behind.
Here are some of the things going on in
Pine Knoll Shores this glorious spring.
Next dinner with the mayor. The next
dinner with Mayor Ken Jones will be on
April 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the Clamdigger Inn.
Smart water meters. We have completed
our test with Carteret-Craven Electric
Cooperative (CCEC) to see if smart meters
can transmit usage data to the CCEC
headquarters in Newport (they can). We
are now examining the pros/cons of having
water biUs sent to you with your electric bill—that is, your CCEC electric bill
would have the Pine Knoll Shores water bill on the same piece of paper, and you
would make one payment for both utilities. On April 24 at 6 p.m., we plan a brief
to the Board of Commissioners on the entire water meter project. TTiis will be at'
town hall.
East End Stormwater Project. By the time you are reading this, the project
should be largely completed. In addition to installing the drainage lines, we are
reading water table levels at monitoring wells on two sites in town. Hopefully,
starting this year we will be able to connect the dots between water table levels,
recent rainfall amounts and predicted rainfall amounts in order to start moving
water to Bogue Sound before we have massive flooding on the east side of town. I
want to remind all that this system will not prevent localized standing water, but we
hope it will prevent 11 days of standing water on Oakleaf Drive, Myrtle Court and
Juniper/Yaupon/Willow roads..
Sale of town’s oceanfront lot. As mentioned last month, the town has decided
to sell the oceanfront lot at 117 Rnollwood via a sealed bid process. If you are
interested in submitting a bid, you can find more information on the town’s website
at townofpks.com. Bids will be opened on May 8.
Sidewalks. We expect to start construction on the project the first week of April.
The completion date is May 9. The plans for the two segments we are building are
on display at town hall.
Budget planning—timeline for next ifiscal year. The table below provides the
timeline for our remaining meetings for next year’s budget. I suggest you call Town
Clerk Scott Sherrill at 247-4353, ext. 11, to check for any changes before you arrive
for a meeting. All budget meetings are open to the public.
DATE
TOPIC
April 10, 6 p.m.
First Monthly Regularly Scheduled Board of
Commissioners’ Meeting
April 18
Budget Worksheets to Board
April 24,6 p.m.
Second Monthly Regularly Scheduled Board of
Commissioners’ Meeting
Discussion of FY 2014-2015 Budget
May 8,6 p.m.
First Monthly Regularly Scheduled Board of
Commissioners’ Meeting
Discussion of FY 2014-2015 Budget (if needed)
May 22,6 p.m.
Second Monthly Regularly Scheduled Board of
Commissioners’ Meeting
Budget Message; Presentation of Proposed Budget;
Call for Public Hearing
May 23,4 p.m.
Mayor’s Budget Brief and Webinar
June 12,6 p.m.
First Monthly Regularly Scheduled Board of
Commissioners’ Meeting and Budget Hearing; -
(vote no later than June 30)
CDRriER
By Dan Law
KORNER
April 2014 I The Shoreline 25