Here Are Options For Windows XP Apocalypse

Microsoft Windows XP wordmark official. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Are you ready for the “XP Apocalypse” on April 8?

That’s when Microsoft Corp. plans to stop issuing security updates for the aging but still popular XP version of its flagship Windows operating system, which by some estimates is still running on nearly 1 in 3 personal computers in homes and offices around the world, along with some bank ATMs and other commercial systems.

Security experts say those machines will become significantly more vulnerable to viruses, spyware and other malicious hacks once Microsoft withdraws its support. No one’s predicting a Mayan-style cataclysm, but if you’re still using XP, here are some things to consider.

Microsoft started selling XP back in 2001 — long before the much-maligned Vista and two subsequent versions known as Windows 7 and Windows 8. The company says it’s already overextended the natural life cycle of XP, while newer versions of Windows offer better security and performance, especially when it comes to newer Web services and touch-enabled programs.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/business/technology/2014/03/30/Here-are-options-for-Windows-XP-apocalypse/stories/201403300126#ixzz2xUxkUud7

New Pottstown Targeted Home Improvement Assistance Program

Genesis Housing Corporation

The new program offers small dollar grants and/or small dollar, low interest loans to resident homeowners meeting the eligibility requirements for owner-occupied properties located within the targeted neighborhoods. Examples of eligible work are roofs, windows, heaters, sewer lines, electrical upgrades and other general home repairs.

The eligible Pottstown neighborhoods are:
Schuylkill River to High St, Manatawny St. to Washington St.;

High St. to Beech St., Manatawny St. to Warren St.; and

Beech St to Wilson St., Hanover St. / Farmington to Adams St.

Applications are available by calling 610-275-4357, or on our website atwww.genesishousing.org or via email at info@genesishousing.org.

LancasterHistory.Org Is Set To Move Its Expanded Lancaster County Collection Into Its New $8.6 Million Building

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Lancaster County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“Lancaster County‘s attic” has a new home.

That includes the ostrich egg from the Colonial-era Juliana library, the Oscar statuette awarded to RCA for making the first color picture tube, leather buckets from Lancaster’s Union Fire Company No. 1 and donated pewter, handmade cradles and racks of paintings.

Those items, 2,750 in all from the Heritage Center collection, have formally joined the 15,000 artifacts from LancasterHistory.org in a newly renovated and expanded facility.

The $8.6 million “Campus of History,” at Marietta and President avenues in Lancaster Township, will open to the public Feb. 1.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/797224_LancasterHistory-org-is-set-to-move-its-expanded-Lancaster-County-collection-into-its-new–8-6-million-building.html#ixzz2GMWo3rqN

$52 Million To Fix Worst Building Problems In Reading School District

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States Public School Districts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Years of neglect have left the Reading School District with a host of buildings in desperate need of repairs.

Upgrades are needed to heating systems, windows, fire safety systems, roofs and a number of other areas.

Reading has about $56 million available in bond funds for construction, and officials are in the process of figuring out how to spend it.

Michael Kautter of Kautter & Kelley Architects, who was hired to do a feasibility study, recently updated the school board on the status of the enormous project. In all, the feasibility study found nearly $83 million in needed repairs throughout the district.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=413023