Network Velocity

Windows XP and Office 2003 reach end of Microsoft lifecycle

Microsoft has confirmed that they will be ending mainstream support for Windows XP and Office 2003 on April 14. The end of mainstream support means that Microsoft will no longer provide bug fixes or service packs for these products. Microsoft will continue to provide security updates through the year 2014, but only if Microsoft deems the flaw to be critical. Windows Server 2003, which is the basis of many company networks, is also approaching the end of mainstream support in Microsoft's softw...

Study cites 44% productivity increase for dual monitor users

A recent study at the University of Utah found "people who used two 20-inch monitors were 44 percent more productive at certain text-editing operations than people using a single 18-inch monitor." While the real world impact of using two monitors over a single monitor may vary by user and task, there is no denying that today's multi-tasking workforce stands to benefit from a multi-monitor setup.  Think about the impact of this study. A potential increase in productivity from an investmen...

2008 Economic Stimulus Act Provides Tax Benefits to Businesses

The IRS passed legislation in 2008 which allows for businesses to claim higher expenses than in previous years. From the IRS web site: Under the new law, a qualifying business can expense up to $250,000 of section 179 property purchased by the taxpayer in a tax year beginning in 2008. Absent this legislation, the 2008 expensing limit for section 179 property would have been $128,000. The $250,000 amount provided under the new law is reduced if the cost of all section 179 property placed in s...