This is a first – a dual-screen laptop computer that Lenovo is releasing.

As you might imagine, this will take quite a lap to fit on – this is one big and heavy unit, coming in somewhere around 11 pounds. And you’ll need a fat wallet for that fat lap, as Lenovo won’t be giving this one away: prices look to start around $3600 – expect well over $4000 for it outfitted like you want.

But: Two screens, baby! As a committed two-monitor guy, that is pretty darn neat. The primary screen is 17″, and the secondary screen is 10.6″. The unit also comes with a dual DVI interface so you can hook up even more external monitors.

Computerworld has a good article on this unit here.

While the internet essentially puts the entire world right outside your storefront door, there are challenges to selling abroad – from shipping to understanding local customs and preferences. PayPal has put together a new resource to help small businesses sell abroad called the Global Selling Guide.

• Read the story on Small Biz Technology…

Welcome to microblogging, a new form of Internet communication that has interesting business possibilities. Twitter started as a personal service, where members answered the question “What are you doing?” in 140 characters or less. While many tweets, as the messages are called, broadcast mundane inanities about snacking or napping, increasingly proponents are using Twitter to broadcast news, to promote their companies, and to establish closer relationships with clients and customers.

• Read the story on Inc. Technology…

Whether it’s to clinch a sale, show off a new product or discuss a potential acquisition, the digital projector is major part of everyday corporate work. Welcome to the era of the microprojector.

• Read the story on PCW Business Center…

What will the financial crisis mean to your business’ IT budget? Will there be pressure to
make existing IT systems go farther? On the other hand, is this a good time to buy?

• Read the story on Inc. Technology…

In 2009, have a “tech audit” with your consultant and let her review your day to day business processes and see how technology can help.

• Read the story on Small Biz Technology…

What are the new technologies that stand to change the way you do business in 2009 and beyond? Here are at 10 to consider.

• Read the story on Inc. Technology…

Quick Link: Find the hotfix here

Well, they said they would bring it out via Windows Update – which would, of course, be easiest, and which they didn’t do – but either way Microsoft has finally posted a fix for the massive security flaw currently with all versions of Windows Explorer. See earlier blog posts for details.

I have installed this fix, and so far my workstation hasn’t burst into flames. I am thinking that is a good sign. Seriously, if we see anything untoward with this fix we will post comments here. At this point our recommendation is to install this fix.

For the Microsoft post with the install details, go here. Find your flavor of Internet Explorer (version 7 in most cases), and your version of Windows (XP Pro, Vista 32-bit, etc) and download the fix, which can be done right from the page. On some browsers you will need to download the fix to your PC and install from there. The install does require a reboot, so be ready for that.

…well, at least by mid-day Wednesday.

According to a post dated 5:12pm Tuesday, December 16, 2008, PC World claims Microsoft will be issuing an emergency security patch for the Internet Explorer 7 (and below) security flaw. MS will post this patch by 1:00pm Wednesday, December 17.

The patch will be available through Windows Update. Our recommendation: apply the patch.

Here are some details from the post:

Getting the Patch

Microsoft’s emergency security patch will become available Wednesday at 1 p.m. EST at the Microsoft Update site as well as at the Microsoft Download Center. All users of IE5, 6, and 7 are advised to install it. A separate patch is expected to be made available for users of IE8 Beta 2. Expect to see far more detail by midday Wednesday when Microsoft officially issues its security bulletin.

See the post here.

There is a really big and genuine security issue with Internet Explorer that everyone should pay attention to. As of now, Tuesday December 16, Microsoft has not released a patch to repair the issue.

This flaw has been known about for nearly a week, and has currently spread to over 2 million computers. It is a flaw that hackers are specifically targeting, and you should consider yourself at risk.

From Google News:

The problem, first revealed last week, allows criminals to hijack computers and steal passwords if the user visits an infected website. As many as 10,000 sites have already been compromised to take advantage of the flaw, according to anti-virus software producer Trend Micro.

The recommendation from security experts is to not use Internet Explorer until such time as Microsoft releases the needed patch or hotfix. Use Firefox or Google Chrome instead (or Safari on a Mac). That’s our recommendation also.

As of now, the primary exploitation of this flaw is happening in China. But it is growing fast.

See these stories for more information:

Wired Magazine

PC World

PC Magazine has a manual workaround here that will give sufficient protection to continue to use IE. It is sort of convoluted, but it will work.

Here is another workaround from eWeek.