Featured news — posted September 14, 2004

By now word of something called Windows XP SP2 is filtering around to computer and Internet users everywhere.  We told you it was on its way in a previous e-Newsletter, including advice from Microsoft that XP SP2 be deployed by business users, especially on remote systems, as soon as practical.  We also warned you about some bumps in the road you might expect and encouraged you to research further, while we did so, too.

What is SP2?  SP stands for Service Pack, and it's a bolt-on to Windows XP that Microsoft hopes makes its operating system more secure and less exploitable by hackers, viruses and the like.  It is downloadable manually or even automatically if you have the "Automatic Updates" feature turned on in XP.  (If you don't know whether you do or not, on your XP computer right click My Computer on your desktop, choose Properties, click the "Automatic Updates" tab, and see if the checkbox beside "Keep my computer up to date" is checked.  If so, you can choose to be notified before anything is downloaded or installed, have updates downloaded automatically but ask you before installing, or simply download and install updates automatically.)

Software vendors — a la mode included — have been working to ensure their wares are compatible with SP2, given Microsoft's recommendation that it be deployed on all computers running XP eventually.  We're taking this very seriously, because your being operational is serious business for you, and for us.  We have had a team of eight of our IT professionals working with everything we develop and sell at a la mode to ensure compatibility with WinTOTAL and all your other mission-critical appraisal software and systems.  To date, we are happy to report that WinTOTAL and all our products work with Windows XP SP2 installed.  Please read our "WinTOTAL and XP Service Pack 2" report by clicking here.

That said, we recommend installing Windows XP SP2 only after taking the utmost precautions at this time.  This includes backing up all your relevant data onto removable or remote media (CD, tape, Vault), scheduling the install when you have no pressing deadlines you'll need the computer for, and disabling automatic updates so you can schedule the install when most convenient.  Microsoft also recommends scanning your system for spyware and adware, which can interfere with the SP2 installation.  There are many reputable programs out there that will do this, and many more disguising themselves as spyware/adware removal programs that actually infest your computer.  Be careful!  One program your indefatigable newsletter editor has used to good effect is Spybot Search & Destroy, which can be read about and downloaded here.  a la mode isn't affiliated with the makers of this program, can't officially recommend it and can't provide technical support.  You know someone who's used it (I like to think we know each other!), that's the extent of it.

We know this is different advice than you may have gotten from other software vendors, who are concerned primarily with whether their programs work.  But we realize that if WinTOTAL, for example, works but you have problems with print or video drivers, your digital camera software, disabled firewalls or other systems, or have a computer susceptible to takeover or destruction by viruses, having an operational WinTOTAL isn't going to do you much good.

A recent PC Magazine article warns that "Windows XP SP2 Has a Dangerous Hole."  It seems that remote systems, run by hackers or virus propagators or spammers, can access the firewall, updates and antivirus settings of XP computers with SP2 installed.  The way the Windows Security Center, a new feature of SP2 operates, PC Mag warned, "could potentially allow attackers to spoof the state of security on a user's system while accessing data, infecting the system, or turning the PC into a zombie for spam or other purposes."  Microsoft responded that for the "spoofing" described to work, hackers would have to behave differently than hackers normally do, but PC Mag correctly points out, "Maybe we're giving hackers and malware writers too much credit.... However, it is another tool in the hacker's toolbox. To have easy public access to the security status of a user's machine is like sending a password in plain text to a website. It may not be used, but then again it might." 

Microsoft has published and maintains a list of known issues and programs that don't work with SP2 installed — see it by clicking here.  Included as of this writing are, for example, Windows Scanner and Camera Wizard for Xerox Network Scanners, a host of backup programs, NetShield 4.5 by McAfee Security, Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition 8.x and 9.x, no fewer than five Microsoft applications (though none of the biggies, like Word or Excel), and AutoCAD 2000, 2002 and 2004.  According to Microsoft, many FTP clients, multimedia streaming software and new mail notifications in some e-mail programs may not work.  File-sharing through some Instant Messaging systems may fail.  Remote Desktop and File Sharing under XP itself may not work. 

And this covers Microsoft's known issues.  There are roughly 50,000 copies of WinTOTAL installed in North America, and potentially that many different particular settings, sets of drivers, collections of other software and systems, and configurations.  Fortunately, we have the resources to dedicate to testing WinTOTAL and our other programs with a range of different shared drivers, different configurations and under other different testing circumstances.  Be wary of any software, appraisal or otherwise, that touts that it works flawlessly with Windows XP without any caution as to problems that might occur with printer or video drivers, remote assistance, antivirus software or the like that is independent of its product.  You don't need to be lulled into a false sense of security by a company that may be more concerned with your knowing its program will work as well as WinTOTAL will with SP2 installed than with the rest of your computer being actually operational at the same time.

The security enhancements of SP2, once they work, make an install desirable.  Not installing it simply is not an option, if you are to maintain a secure, operational system.  But the safest course is to tread lightly.  The best thing to do is to follow the procedure described above (right click My Computer on your desktop, choose Properties, click the "Automatic Updates" tab), ensure "Keep my computer up to date" is checked, but choose the option that has Windows ask you before it installs updates.  If you decline when asked, it will ask again in the future.  This way, you can avoid SP2 until you've backed up your data and systems and have a free block of time in case you run into problems.  This way, too, you will not miss out on any other security patches or updates independent of SP2 in the interim.

a la mode offers training that is certified for Continuing Education in a number of states.  Certificates are always provided promptly, either at the completion of the course or by mail afterward, so for our CE, you shouldn't have to rely on just an affidavit.  But in the event a state were to contact us about your attendance at one of the courses we run, our database records will make verifying your attendance a nearly immediate thing.  We won't be a roadblock for you if your CE is audited, we can promise you! 

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Loans program has a new electronic appraisal delivery method instituted August 30.  The new process replaces the former process of appraisals being sent directly to lenders and Regional Loan Centers (RLCs).  Instead of e-mailing appraisals to the respective e-mail account for each local RLC and to each lender, under E-Appraisals, the name of the new initiative, VA fee appraisers now submit their appraisals to one centralized VA web site (direct URL: http://vip.vba.va.gov). 

"This will enhance our ability to track and monitor all incoming appraisals," the VA said.  Additionally, E-Appraisals will interface with The Appraisal System (TAS) and, upon receipt of an appraisal, TAS will show it as “pending review.” With E-Appraisals lender SARs can immediately proceed to review the appraisal and issue the Notice of Value.  SARs will no longer have to wait to receive an appraisal sent to them by the appraiser or lender agent.

The VA initiated E-Commerce appraisal delivery in August, 2001.  "VA fee appraisers were required to electronically submit appraisals to the lender, if provided lender e-mail address, and to the local RLC using a Portable Document Format (PDF)," the VA said in a circular.  "With E-Commerce, appraisal delivery to the lenders and VA was expedited and appraisal turn-around times greatly reduced.  In sum, E-Commerce benefited many veterans by providing prompt and better appraisal service to lenders."  It said E-Appraisals is the next step in a continuing process of streamlining appraisal delivery.

The new system is operational but not currently required; VA fee appraisers have until October 1 to begin using the system.  "All appraisals will continue to be in Adobe Acrobat PDF Format and must be submitted as full and complete appraisal reports," the VA said.  "Submission of partial appraisal reports, appraisal addenda or correspondence to E-Appraisals is unacceptable." 

The VA said that if any problems are encountered with the E-Appraisals Application, please contact the Construction and Valuation Unit TAS Help-Desk of the local RLC.

VA fee appraisers should register as a user of TAS if not already registered.  Registration asks for your Regional Office and Appraiser ID.  Access the registration page directly by clicking here.