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Windows 8 introduces a new touch paradigm that is different from other touch devices on the market. To help you get started I have outlined the basics of touch on Windows 8 that are used throughout the new Metro interface. Not all touch gestures are compatible with every Metro application; some are up to the developer to implement when appropriate.

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It's Windows reimagined and reinvented from a solid core of Windows 7 speed and reliability. It's an all-new touch interface. It's a new Windows for new devices. And it's easy to try now—whether you're installing it for the first time, or moving from the Windows 8 previews.

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Port 3389 is the home of the remote desktop protocol that powers Remote Desktop Services on all modern versions of Windows.  If your system has Remote Desktop enabled, it is listening for connections on port 3389.  Since this port is both well known and can be used to attack accounts, it is low hanging fruit for script kiddies and bots looking for an easy target.

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The Microsoft Camera Codec Pack enables viewing RAW image files taken by more than 150 cameras from Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Pentax, Leica, Minolta, Epson and Panasonic. The codec pack enables viewing of the files in any image viewer that is based in Windows Imaging Codecs (WIC) such as Windows Explorer, Photo Viewer and Windows Live Photo Gallery.

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The default flower user picture is displayed for new accounts and on various logon screens throughout the OS.  Customizing this picture requires a simple file copy and doing so will allow you to personalize your PC or even display a corporate logo.

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Microsoft included a batch rename feature in the latest version of Windows allowing you to select multiple files, right click on one and select rename. All of the selected files will be renamed with the name you provided and a number. This functionality works well for basic files but does not provide any flexibility in exactly how the files are numbered and also does not allow the file extension to...

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Adobe ReaderThe Adobe download manager is part of the normal install of Adobe Reader and Flash that allows Adobe to bundle additional software with their products. After the download manager is installed, Reader/Flash along with other software (Adobe Air) can be downloaded and installed. When dial-up Internet connections where common download managers provided a valuable...

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While the ribbon interface in Office 2010 is a refined version included in Office 2007 it is completely new for many users that upgraded from Office 2003 directly to 2010. For new users the most popular problem is finding where settings and features are located in the redesigned ribbon menu.

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Windows 7 and 8 includes a free image burning utility called the Windows Disc Image Burner that allows you to quickly write CD and DVD images. The utility has a graphical interface but can be run from the command prompt by passing the proper parameters.

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Starting with Windows Vista, Microsoft no longer includes the telnet command installed by default.  It is still available but must be installed or enabled by the user.  The normal way to enabled additional features is through the “Turn Windows features on or off” window found in Control Panel.  This accomplishes the task but can be annoying when you are working in Command Prompt and need to use the...

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