Welcome

Welcome to the March 2014 newsletter from 2BrightSparks.

In this issue, find out about the latest updates to SyncBackPro/SE/Free and OnClick Utilities. We have new articles that focus on those lesser known facets of Windows computing like Alternate Data Streams, Regular Expressions, and Sessions in Windows. We also remind our users about the withdrawal of technical assistance by Microsoft for Windows XP, and provide some sound advice on getting quick fixes to issues they experience when using our software.

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If you have any suggestions on what you might like to see in future issues of this newsletter, drop us a line with your suggestions.


SyncBackPro/SE/Free V6 are Updated

Enjoy the latest 6.5.30.0 update to SyncBackPro, SyncBackSE and SyncBackFree. For those who already have V6 installed, do not uninstall/re-install, or you will lose your profiles and settings. Simply install 'over the top' of your current installation.

Download SyncBackPro V6

Download SyncBackSE V6

Download SyncBackFree V6

Review the history of changes for SyncBackFree/SE/Pro

What if I use a pre-version 6 of SyncBackFree/SE/Pro?

Read the Article SyncBackSE/Pro V6 Upgrades Explained for the full details, or check whether you qualify for a Free Upgrade Today.

If you are running a version of "SyncBack" freeware (V3), install SyncBackFree and follow the installation instructions.

SyncBackFree, SyncBackSE and SyncBackPro

There are three versions of our backup program: "SyncBackFree" which is freeware, and "SyncBackSE" and "SyncBackPro" which are commercial programs.

Compare the freeware and commercial versions

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OnClick Utilities Update

If you have paid for a license of OnClick Utilities in the past, no matter what the version number, enjoy a free update to the latest version!

The latest updates of OnClick Utilities are now available with 10 essential updates and fixes. Highlights include options in EncryptOnClick to show passwords and to not delete a file after encrypting or decrypting; a deep file search option (to search using ASCII, Unicode (LE, BE, and UTF-8)) and a -deep command line parameter in FindOnClick, and an updated OnClick Utilities help file.

Download OnClick Utilities

The downloads page above details what additional benefits the paid-for versions provide.

OnClick Utilities Bundle Discount

All seven OnClick Utility programs are available for a single payment of US$29.95. If you purchase a license of either SyncBackSE or SyncBackPro and place that into your store cart first, you'll have the opportunity of purchasing all seven OnClick Utility programs for just $14.95.

Visit the 2BrightSparks Web Store

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Microsoft Ends Windows XP Technical Assistance

Put a date in your diary: after April 8, 2014, technical assistance by Microsoft for Windows XP will no longer be available, including automatic updates. We took a look at some stats on the number of people still using Windows XP and it remains a popular system. The latest news will however force many to upgrade. You can read more about the news from Microsoft here:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/end-support-help

Although we can't help you upgrade to the latest edition of Windows, be assured that SyncBackFree, SyncBackSE, and SyncBackPro continue to work perfectly on newer versions of Windows including the very latest edition of Windows 8.1.

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New Articles at 2BrightSparks

Since our last newsletter we have published five new articles that seek to illuminate some lesser known yet important areas of Windows computing that we hope you will find valuable:

Alternate Data Streams in NTFS

Despite the widespread use of Microsoft’s operating systems, Windows users may not be aware of a lesser known feature in the NTFS file system (New Technology File System) called Alternate Data Streams (ADS). This article aims to provide some essential information on ADS as well as its uses and drawbacks.

The Basic Principles of Data Compression

Internet users who download or upload files from/to the web, or use email to send or receive attachments will most likely have encountered files in compressed format. In this topic we will cover how compression works, the advantages and disadvantages of compression, as well as types of compression.

Understanding Sessions in Windows

In 2006, Microsoft released the Windows Vista operating system and incorporated several new security features. One significant change was called “Session 0 Isolation” and continues to form a part of the services enhancements first introduced in Windows Vista and supported in later versions of Windows. In this article we will focus on what sessions are and how they work...

A Brief Introduction to Regular Expressions

This article introduces regular expressions, also known as “regex”. People who are programmers or web designers may be more familiar with the functionalities of regular expressions, although some regular PC users also make use of this powerful search tool that extracts text by matching specific words, characters or patterns.

Sending E-Mails with Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)

Despite the widespread use of email, most people have little understanding behind the way email is sent to recipients. This article introduces readers to the protocol required for sending emails...

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An Invaluable Online Resource

If you ever run into difficulties or require technical advice when using our software you will very likely find the answer in our regularly updated online Knowledge Base which is packed with close to 500 technical articles, FAQs, and information about how we do business.

An example of a recently added resource focuses on high resolution display issues. Although high resolution computer monitors remain relatively uncommon, laptops are beginning to feature far more pixels per inch than ever before. When a user contacts us about a problem like this we try to not only assist them as quickly as possible, we also publish the solution so others can benefit from their feedback.

SyncBackFree/SE/Pro v6.5.22.0 introduced changes to the manifest file to improve compatibility between the display routines and high resolution monitors. The manifest file is an XML file that contains settings that informs the Windows operating system how to handle a program when it runs.

In some very rare cases, the change to the manifest file introduced with v6.5.22.0 of our backup software may cause problems if you are using a high resolution screen. This doesn't occur in the majority of cases, but just now and again it does. If you have experienced difficulties viewing your display when running SyncBackFree/SE/Pro, there is a simple resolution to the problem which involves modifying the manifest file that comes with the program. Even though this issue affects very few users, we still published a Technical Article about the issue and a way to resolve the problem.

If you run into a difficulties when using our software and the answer is not immediately apparent in the help file, your first port of call should be to visit and search our Knowledge Base.

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Lucky Draw Winners

Every month, ten lucky winners who complete the SyncBackSE/Pro survey forms receive a free license for OnClick Utilities. The link to the survey is contained in the order confirmation email. We will even allow you to transfer your license to friends or family if you've already got a license. Good luck!

To date, over 1100 lucky people have already received free software from us just by simply completing the survey, so what are you waiting for?

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Until Next Time

Thanks for reading! Like/don't like this format? Let us know.

If you have any suggestions on what you might like to see in future issues of this newsletter, drop us a line with your suggestions.

The 2BrightSparks Team.
2BrightSparks Pte Ltd.
www.2brightsparks.com

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