Golden Consulting, Inc.

Get ready, there are some new updates coming to Microsoft Edge that will boost your team’s productivity and efficiency. What's in store? First up, AI Compose - this is your very own writing assistant right within Edge. This feature will suggest rewrite options for text on web pages, helping you craft clearer, more polished content. Need to tweak the tone or format? AI Compose can help you do that too. And here's where it gets even better. Edge is stepping up its game with support for digital pen input. Now, you can jot down notes or fill out forms directly on web pages using your stylus. That’s got to be a big time-saver. Edge is also rolling out enhancements like improved clipboard functionality and a new EditContext API tool for web developers. That’ll give them more control over Edge's text prediction function, making for a smoother browsing experience for everyone. Maybe you're wondering how these upgrades will benefit your business. Well, imagine your team effortlessly collaborating on web projects, refining content, and jotting down ideas in real-time. With Edge's new features, you'll save time, streamline workflows, and boost productivity like never before. Microsoft wants your feedback too. They're actively seeking input to fine-tune these features and make Edge even better. So why not give them a try and see how they can help your business. I’d love to hear what you think of these new features too. #Edge #Microsoft #productivity https://lnkd.in/g7uccHU6

27 years ago today Deep Blue made chess history. Does this sound familiar? On May 11, 1997, this mighty IBM computer and AI powerhouse took on the reigning chess champ, Garry Kasparov, and came out on top in the deciding game of their epic showdown. Now, I’ve got to admit, I've always had a soft spot for the incredible feats of artificial intelligence. But Deep Blue's victory over Kasparov? That was next-level stuff. With its lightning-fast calculations and strategic prowess, Deep Blue proved that AI wasn't just a novelty - it was a force to be reckoned with. But let's not forget that this wasn't Deep Blue's first rodeo. A year earlier, it had already given Kasparov a run for his money in two individual games. And although Kasparov eventually clinched the match, Deep Blue wasn't ready to throw in the towel just yet. With some reprogramming and upgrades, it came back stronger than ever in 1997, calculating a mind-boggling 200 million moves per second. Now, some might say, 'What's the big deal? Chess computers have been wiping the floor with us since the '80s!' And yeah, they're not wrong. But there's something about Deep Blue's victory that captured the world's imagination and marked a milestone in the journey of AI and machine learning. Do you fancy your chances against an AI chess rival today? #DeepBlue #TechHistory #ChessChamp https://lnkd.in/ddZUeMDs

AI is supposed to make our lives easier, right? Well, Facebook's recent move to introduce a 'Comment with AI' feature has got me thinking… is AI making us lazy? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for innovation and making things more efficient. But when it comes to our social relationships, maybe we're stepping into murky waters. With Meta's AI analyzing our posts and suggesting responses, it's like having a virtual assistant for our online interactions. Sounds convenient, but convenience isn't always the answer, especially when we’re chatting with other people. Sure, the AI can whip up responses with various emotions and styles - casual, heartfelt, insightful, inspirational, supportive. But can it truly capture the nuances of our relationships and interactions? That's where things get tricky. In reality, the 'Comment with AI' feature creates generic responses, which highlights the risk of going overboard or coming off as cold, depending on the relationship between the ‘writer’ and the post owner. And let's not forget the editing power people have over these AI-generated responses. While it's great to have the option to tailor our comments, are we losing the authenticity of our interactions in the process? Meta's AI developments, like the Llama large language model, have certainly brought about some impressive advancements. From Instagram's AI image editor to Facebook's 'Comment with AI' feature, there's no denying the potential. But perhaps it's time to pause and consider the implications. So, what do you think? Is AI making us lazy in our social interactions, or is it simply streamlining our lives? I’d love to know what you think. #AI #Facebook #TooFar https://lnkd.in/d2ZFg2vy

Have you tried Zoom’s Workplace collaboration space? It’s similar to Teams, and I can see the company is working hard to keep up with Microsoft. Now Zoom is bringing in the power of artificial intelligence with its AI Companion. This tool, powered by ChatGPT, acts as a digital sidekick, offering post-meeting summaries, identifying action items, and even helping compose chats and email drafts. Zoom's got some other tricks up its sleeve, too. With new Zoom Phone capabilities, you'll get post-call summaries, voice mail prioritization, and task extraction. Did I mention the mixed reality app? Imagine collaborating in a 3D space with your team, sharing designs and ideas like never before. This one’s great for creatives. And Zoom's Workplace collaboration app is getting a makeover with a simplified navigation bar, customizable color themes, and a multi-speaker view that highlights active participants in meetings. Plus, the Ask AI Companion chatbot is coming soon to help with routine tasks like creating meeting materials and drafting agendas. I know what you’re thinking… yes, a lot of these new features bear a striking resemblance to updates we’ve seen in Teams lately. I’ll leave you to decide which you prefer. #Zoom #AI #CollaborationTool https://lnkd.in/d686VWaU

Thought Microsoft Teams couldn’t get any better? You’d be wrong. Soon you’ll be able to give your team a turbo boost with Microsoft Teams' lightning-fast new app. Starting in July, Microsoft will bid farewell to its classic Teams client in favor of the sleeker, speedier version. And let me tell you, this upgrade is a game-changer. The new app promises blazing-fast speeds and consumes 50% less memory, giving your team the power to collaborate like never before. Now, I know change can be daunting, but don’t worry. Microsoft has extended the transition period to give you ample time to make the switch. But with the classic client reaching its end-of-support in just two months, there's no time like the present to upgrade and unlock the full potential of Teams. And here's the best part - upgrading is a breeze. Simply make the switch to the new Teams app, and you'll enjoy all the latest updates, security patches, and cutting-edge features that Microsoft has to offer. Plus, you'll avoid any annoying notifications reminding you that the classic client is no longer supported. Have you already made the upgrade? What do you think to the new and improved app? #Microsoft #Teams #NewApp https://lnkd.in/dvWuH7WM

I’ve got an interesting one to talk about today: Malvertising. Have you heard of it? Recently there’s been an ad scam on Bing, where an advert looks like it’s from NordVPN, but it’s actually there to trick you. So what exactly is malvertising, and how can you protect your business from falling victim? Malvertising, short for malicious advertising, is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Cyber criminals embed malware into seemingly harmless online ads. They’re trying to lure people into clicking. Recently, they’ve impersonated NordVPN on Bing, redirecting people to a fake site and tricking them into downloading malware onto their devices. So, how does this all work? Well, imagine you're scrolling through search results or reading an article, and you come across an ad promoting something familiar, like a VPN service. You click, thinking it's legit, and start to download what you think is software… but behind the scenes, malware is being unleashed onto your device faster than you can say 'cyber security”. Luckily, there are ways to armor up. The first rule is to always be vigilant. Keep an eye out for red flags like misspelled URLs or suspicious domain endings. If something seems off, it probably is. Stick to trusted sources when downloading software, and always double-check the website's legitimacy before hitting a download button. Another handy tool is an ad-blocker. These protect your browsing experience and your device from potential harm. And as a bonus, they're super easy to set up and use. Remember, if in doubt, trust your gut. If an ad seems too good to be true or raises any suspicions, steer clear. Your cyber security is worth more than a flashy offer. #Malvertising #CyberSecurity #malware https://lnkd.in/dqrBXfee

If you rely heavily on Windows for your daily tasks, you'll be thrilled to hear about the latest preview update. Microsoft has been hard at work addressing some issues, and let me tell you, they've hit the nail on the head with this one! Here’s one that’s going to be music to many people’s ears - the Windows Search function in Windows 10. It’s such a basic need and frankly it hasn’t been good enough recently. We've all experienced typing in the search bar only to get inaccurate suggestions or, even worse, a crash. But Microsoft has been listening, and they’ve fixed a load of bugs. They’ve also made the search experience faster, more reliable, and tailored just for you. Of course, if you’ve upgraded to Windows 11 already, you won’t have struggled with these search problems… just another one of the many benefits to the updated OS. If it’s time for your business to make the upgrade, my team and I can help. Get in touch. #Microsoft #Windows10 #WindowsSearch https://lnkd.in/dzwNTB3h

Ever found yourself wishing you could slap a password on a folder in Windows 11 to keep your documents, photos, or other sensitive files extra safe? Well, you're not alone. But, the thing is, Windows 11 doesn't offer a built-in feature to directly password-protect folders. That’s not bad news though. Your Windows account already comes equipped with password protection. So, when you log in, you're essentially locking down access to your profile and all the files within it. Microsoft makes the assumption that you, and you alone, are the only person accessing your Windows account. If you're using the BitLocker security feature, your data gets an added layer of encryption, making it even tougher for unauthorized people to sneak a peek at your files. But what if you share your PC with others, or you simply want that extra level of security? Enter the virtual hard disk and BitLocker combo. With these tools, you can create a virtual drive - a kind of digital vault, if you will - and lock it down with BitLocker. Basically, it’s a secure folder within your computer, accessible only to those with the password. Setting it up is pretty straightforward. Just fire up the Disk Management tool, create a new virtual hard disk, enable BitLocker on it, and boom! You've got yourself a password-protected virtual drive. Now, you can store all your sensitive files in there, knowing they're tucked away safely from prying eyes. There's always a workaround to beef up your file security. Of course there are better ways to increase security and protect files within a business - can my team and I help you with that? #Windows11 #FileSecurity #FolderPassword https://lnkd.in/eQuPCrjD

Heads up! There's another cyber threat on the loose, and this one’s targeting Microsoft Word and Excel files. Let me explain: Hackers are using a technique called steganography to hide malware inside innocent-looking JPG files. They then send out phishing emails loaded with these files, hoping someone takes the bait (phishing emails look like they’re from someone you trust but they’re not). If you accidentally open one of these booby-trapped files, it's not good. A nasty script is unleashed, leading to the download and installation of all sorts of malware. Think info stealers, remote access trojans, and more. But I know you can stay protected from this one. It’s totally doable with a little common sense and some cyber security awareness. First off, stay sharp with incoming emails, especially ones with attachments or suspicious links. When in doubt, just hit delete. Plus, don't forget to keep your Office suite up-to-date. There's a fix for this vulnerability that's been hanging around for years. Double-check you’re all updated and safe (my team can help you with that). So there you have it - stay vigilant, keep those software updates rolling, and keep your business’s data safe. #Microsoft #Word #CyberSecurity https://lnkd.in/eXsGpT23

If you, like me, believe tech companies should have solid planet-saving goals, you’ll be interested in this one. Apple recently dropped its annual environmental report, and it's good. The mission is to go completely carbon neutral by 2030 - and there’s no messing around. Lisa Jackson, Apple's eco guru, said they're pulling out all the stops to hit that target. From increasing wind and solar power to revamping recycling tech, Apple's leaving no stone unturned. Even their product designs are getting a green makeover. And they're not going it alone. Apple's rallying the troops, working with more than 320 suppliers to cut emissions and go renewable. Plus, they're updating their products with recycled materials - like the new MacBook Air, made with over 50% recycled materials. And get this… Apple's not just talking the talk on climate justice. They're aiming for 100% recycled rare earth materials and are even using recycled cobalt in iPhone batteries. It’s safe to say, they're pumping serious cash into carbon offset projects, aiming to make a real difference. And they're not afraid to admit when things need a tune-up, like calling out the shortcomings of carbon credits. Honesty is the best policy, right? Do you think more tech companies need to be open about their environmental goals… and shortcomings? #Apple #EnvironmentalGoals #CarbonNeutral https://lnkd.in/eQkcHZc8