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Should You Upgrade to Windows 8? Questions to Consider

posted  by Anonymous -  Mon, 22/10/2012 - 11:58  

Windows 8 has a brand-new look and feel, so make sure it is right for your organization. 
By Ginny Mies
 
Windows 8 is unlike any operating system Microsoft has ever released — and that's a good thing. The bigger, bolder user interface is built for touchscreen tablets and PCs, as well as traditional desktop and laptop computers. The new Start screen resembles what you'd find on a smartphone or tablet with clean font, bright colors, and dynamic images. But Windows 8 also retains many of the features from Windows 7, so your staff should have no trouble getting used to the new interface. Looks aside, Windows 8 also offers some new features that may help your staff's productivity as well as the performance and longevity of your organization's computers. 
 
To help you decide whether Windows 8 is a good fit for your organization, we’ve come up with four questions for you to consider.
 
Will Your Organization Benefit from Windows 8’s New Features?
 
The new Start screen replaces the Start menu found in the lower-left corner of previous versions of Windows. You can "pin" apps, contacts, and favorite websites to the Start screen to quickly access them. Microsoft will also have a variety of special Start screen apps (both free and paid) through the Windows Store, which you can get to by clicking its dedicated tile on the Start screen. 
 
If you'd like the more traditional desktop view, you can click the "Desktop" tile. To switch back to the Start screen from the desktop, click in the lower left-hand corner where you'd expect to find the Start button in preceding versions of Windows. You can also toggle between the two views by pressing the Windows key, found on the lower left-hand side of your keyboard. It is easy to work strictly in the desktop if you can't get used to the new Start screen.  
 
One of the big design changes in Windows 8 is the addition of "charms" in both the desktop and Start screen views. Hover your mouse to the right edge of your screen, and you’ll see icons representing Search and Sharing functionality. Using the Search charm, you can easily search within a folder or application, or use it to prompt a Bing search in Internet Explorer. 
Here are a few more advantages of Windows 8 to consider:
 
  • Better performance: Windows 8 uses less RAM and CPU resources than Windows 7 and therefore runs faster. For more on Windows 8's performance, see this benchmark comparison between Windows 7 and Windows 8 from PCWorld. 
  • Works well on older machines: Windows 8 will not only work on your older IT equipment, but it runs faster than Windows 7.
  • Energy efficient: Windows 8 saves battery life by dropping to a low-power state when you're not doing anything power-intensive.
  • Security: Windows 8 comes with Windows Defender, which protects against malware and spyware. For more on Windows Defender and other security enhancements, read Windows 8 Security: What's New, What's Different.
  • Protection against hardware failure: Windows 8's Storage Spaces employs a software-based RAID system to protect data and ensure that it remains available in the event of a computer crash.
  • SkyDrive integration: Microsoft’s cloud storage program is built into just about every application in Windows 8. 
  • Multilingual: You can more easily switch between display languages, and additional display languages are available in Windows 8, which is of value to multilingual organizations. 

Does Your Hardware Support Windows 8?
 
Next, you should confirm that your computers can support Windows 8. If your hardware supports Windows 7, you should have no issues upgrading to Windows 8. Though Windows 8 is also designed for touch-friendly devices, you can comfortably operate it with just a mouse and keyboard.
 
Windows 8 is available in a 32-bit and a 64-bit version. These versions have different requirements. 

Requirement

32-bit

64-bit

Processor

1 GHz or faster

1 GHz or faster

RAM

1 GB

2 GB

Hard disk space

16 GB

20 GB

Graphics card

Microsoft DirectX 9
graphics device with WDDM driver

Microsoft DirectX 9
graphics device with WDDM driver

Will Your Programs Run on Windows 8?
Before upgrading, you should also determine whether your programs are compatible with Windows 8. If you’re upgrading from Windows 7, you should be able to keep most of your existing software. 
 
First, evaluate what software you have. If your organization’s computers aren’t standardized (in other words, if not every computer in your office runs the same programs), you may need to survey your users or use a free auditing program like Spiceworks IT Desktop to determine which programs are running on your computers.
Next, check if your software is compatible with Windows 8. You can run the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant before you install the operating system. Alternately, you can also check Microsoft’s Windows 8 Compatibility Center, which lists the compatibility status of Microsoft and third-party products and software. Don’t see your software listed? You can also check your software vendors' websites to make sure your programs run on Windows 8.
 
If you have programs that run only on Windows XP, you won't be able to run them on Windows 8. Unlike Windows 7, Windows 8 doesn’t have a special XP or Vista mode for running those programs. You also have the option to install Windows 8 on a virtual machine, like VirtualBox or the VMWare Player on an actual Windows XP machine. For more on virtualization, read TechSoup's Virtualization 101 article. 
 
Which Edition Should You Get?
 
Microsoft has simplified the Windows 8 editions line-up, giving customers four different versions to choose from: Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8 Enterprise, and Windows 8 RT. Windows 8 Enterprise has the same features as Windows 8 Pro plus six additional features for businesses. Note that if you are currently running any Home edition of Windows 7, you will not be able to use the Windows 8 Pro or Enterprise upgrade software available from BiGTech Donations Program. However you may be eligible to request the Windows 8 Get Genuine full OS software. Read our article How to Upgrade to Windows 8 for more information. 
The following chart shows feature differences between Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro.

Feature
name

Windows
8 Pro

Windows
8 Enterprise

Start screen, Live Tiles, Apps (Mail,
Calendar, People, Messaging, Photos , SkyDrive, Music, Video)

 

x

 

x

Windows To Go

 

x

BitLocker and BitLocker To Go

x

x

VPN client

x

x

DirectAccess

 

x

Remote Desktop

x

x

Client Hyper-V built-in virtualization
(64-bit versions only)

 

x

Conclusion
 
Windows 8's revamped look will likely require a learning curve for your organization's employees. A brown bag workshop on Windows 8's new features and functionality might be useful for your staff before upgrading.
Note: As of April 8, 2014, Microsoft will no longer support Windows XP, so if your organization's systems are still running Windows XP you should start planning an upgrade to either Windows 8 or Windows 7 as soon as possible. Windows 7 and Vista support will continue until 2017, if you decide that now is not the right time to upgrade. 
tags:  Microsoft

How to Upgrade to Windows 8

posted  by Anonymous -  Mon, 22/10/2012 - 10:26  

Tips for acquiring and upgrading to Microsoft’s latest operating system

By Ginny Mies


If your organization decides that it's ready to switch to Windows 8 and has verified that it meets the technical requirements to do so, it is time to make an upgrade plan. This article will walk you through steps to take before and during an install.


This article is geared toward the accidental techie who is comfortable installing software and who has only a handful of computers (fewer than 10) to upgrade. Those looking for tips on virtualized environments, unattended installs, or network-wide mass deployment can find support on Microsoft TechNet Windows 8 Technical Library Roadmap. 


Before You Begin
When Microsoft released Windows 7, we outlined a checklist of easy computing steps to ensure a painless upgrade from Vista or XP. Even though Windows 8 might look like a completely new operating system, these steps are still relevant for moving from Windows 7. Before you start upgrading your organization's systems to Windows 8, make sure to go through the checklist.

Getting Windows 8

Obtaining through BiGTech: Organizations eligible under the Microsoft Donation Program can request upgrade versions of Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise. Note that you cannot upgrade from any Home edition of Windows 7. See a summary of Volume Licensing Product Use Rights for specific licensing details. The full, base version of Windows 8 Pro is also available at BiGTech Donations Program via Microsoft's Get Genuine program. The full version is only available to eligible organizations that cannot use the Upgrade version and is limited to 50 licenses of any combination of Get Genuine products. More information about all Windows 8 products can be found on BiGTech’s Windows 8 Page.

New Donation Request:  If you've never requested software via BiGTech's Microsoft Donation Program, read this overview of the program and find out if your organization is eligible. 

Upgrade to Windows 8 Enterprise using Software Assurance: If you have requested a Microsoft PC operating system donation with Software Assurance within the past two years, you are eligible for a free upgrade to the latest operating system through the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center, where you can download the installation files. You can upgrade to Windows 8 Enterprise from any Windows license that is covered with Software Assurance.  For more information, visit TechSoup's Volume Licensing Service Center - Software Assurance Benefits page. 

Download ISO files: BiGTech encourages organizations to go green and download installation software rather than have discs sent to you. Learn how to download software from Microsoft's Volume Licensing Service Center and how to install Microsoft Windows from downloaded ISO files. 

Installing Windows 8

Once you decide to make the switch to Windows 8, you have a few options for deploying it. If you are upgrading from Windows 7, you can do an in-place upgrade. Your system settings, as well as your installed applications and user settings, are preserved. This requires minimal reconfiguration, and you won’t need to re-install your programs after you've upgraded. 

You can also opt to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 8 through a custom install, which is also known as a "clean" install. This means your programs, files, and settings are not preserved. You will need to back up your files and programs before upgrading and then re-install them afterwards. 

If you're upgrading from Windows Vista or XP, the line between in-place upgrade and custom install becomes a bit blurred. Depending on which operating system you're upgrading from, you will have a choice of what you can keep when you move over to the various versions of Windows 8. The following chart outlines what you can keep when upgrading from one version to another. 

 

Current operating system

New operating system

What you can keep

Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate

 

Windows 8 Pro

·         In-place upgrade: programs

·         Windows settings

·         User accounts and files

Windows 7 Professional and Enterprise

 

Windows 8 Enterprise

·         In-place upgrade: programs

·         Windows settings

·         User accounts and files

Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 or 21

Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro

Personal files and Windows settings

Windows XP with Service Pack 3

Windows 8 or Windows Pro

Personal files only

1If you are running Windows Vista RTM (release to manufacturing), you can keep your personal files only if you upgrade to Windows 8. We highly recommend downloading a free patch from Windows Update before upgrading so you can keep your Windows settings as well.

 32-Bit or 64-Bit? 

If you're questioning whether you should get a 32-bit or 64-bit version, Microsoft makes it fairly easy on you. You can upgrade to a 32-bit version of Windows 8 only if you’re running a 32-bit version of Windows. And it is the same for 64-bit versions; you can’t go from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version of Windows 8 or vice versa.

Once you've decided on an installation method, the actual process of installing Windows 8 is simple. The Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant will warn you about hardware and software compatibility issues on your system. If you have a program that's not compatible, the Upgrade Assistant will remove it and restart the installation. Make sure to have your product key handy, as you'll need it to complete the installation. 

Next, you have a choice of color themes for Windows 8 as well the opportunity to name your PC. Don't like the color you picked? You'll have more customization options after you finish installing Windows 8. You will also be asked to pick between Express settings or Custom settings. For most users, Express settings are adequate, but be sure to read through the list of settings you'll opt into. Finally, you will be asked to enter your Microsoft account information. If you don't have an account already, you can sign up for one from the prompt screen. 

And you're done! You are now running the brand-new Windows 8. 


tags:  Microsoft

Joy of Giving Week - 'Find an IT Partner' Event Registration

posted  by Anonymous -  Mon, 17/09/2012 - 11:14  

If you are an NGO with a technology idea but no reliable IT partner to implement, then this event is for you! NASSCOM Foundation in partnership with Don Bosco Institute of Technology and other NASSCOM member companies is conducting a one day 'Find an IT partner' event for NGOs in and around Mumbai.

The idea can be towards anything that enables better impact of your work - from websites, data security, MIS, etc. to mobile apps. You may include IT projects that you have already started and now needs further extension of functionality or ideas for an IT project that needs to be started from scratch. We will help you in scoping the project with realistic deadlines.
We welcome you to join us and be a part of social change.

Time Agenda
2:00 pm– 2:30 pm Welcome note & Introductions By: Prashant Pandit, AVP, NASSCOM Foundation
2:30 pm – 04:00 pm NGOs shall present their IT project(5-min PPT) to the IT-Resource-Leads.
04:00 pm– 04:15 pm IT-Resource-Leads will decide among themselves which projects to adopt
04:15pm - 5:00 pm One-on-One discussions between NGOs and the IT-Resource-Leads

Host & Venue: Don Bosco Center for Learning, Conference Room, Wing
A, Old Building, 2nd Floor, Premier Automobile Road, Opp. Kohinoor City,Off LBS
Mark, Kurla (W), Mumbai. View
on Online Map

 

tags: 

Cloud Technology and the NGO Community

posted  by Anonymous -  Fri, 14/09/2012 - 17:14  

 

 

In 2012, BiGTech Donations Program, in partnership with TechSoup Global, conducted a survey of non-profits, charities, NGOs and social benefit organizations around the world to better understand the current state of their technology infrastructure, plus their future plans for adopting cloud technologies. With more than 10,500 respondents in 88 countries, we’re pleased to add this data to our ever-evolving resources for NGOs, foundations, and those who support them. 

What Did We Find?
NGOs are using the Cloud. 90% of respondents worldwide indicated using some type of cloud technology, from “light” services like email and social networking to “heavy” services like databases and web conferencing.
There are barriers. Our survey found that lack of knowledge is the biggest barrier to additional cloud adoption, cited by 86% of the global respondents. Lack of knowledge was consistently cited as a barrier across geographies and organization sizes. 
We also found that 
• 79% of NGOs said the biggest advantage in adopting cloud technologies is administration-related, followed by cost and improved opportunities for collaboration opportunities.
• 53% of NGOs report they plan to move a significant portion of their infrastructure to cloud-based systems and services over the next few years.
How does your NGO compare? In the report, we broke down what cloud applications NGOs are currently using and plan to use in the future, on a global and regional level. If you’re wondering if your fellow organizations are using cloud-based tools like office and accounting programs, and collaboration software, our report has the answers.
And more! Find out about our key findings. Learn about the current state of cloud computing at NGOs around the world, what these organizations see as the challenges and advantages of cloud technology, and how your own organization’s technology stacks up.
Why We Conducted the Survey
We had three objectives in mind when we conducted this survey:
• Gauge how NGOs are responding to cloud computing in terms of current usage 
• Measure what NGOs perceive as the barriers to, and advantages of, cloud computing 
• Better understand these organizations’ plans for adopting cloud technologies 
In short, our hope is that understanding NGOs’ perspective on the cloud will not only provide insights for NGOs but will also help BiGTech Donations Program, TechSoup Global, and others better support the NGOs in making informed decisions about whether cloud solutions are right for them.
tags: 

Next stop is Mumbai. Only ten seats left! We Begin on September 26, 2012

posted  by Anonymous -  Fri, 14/09/2012 - 14:13  

I am missing Hyderabad already! Though my stay was as short as three nights and four days, the city’s warm and helpful people, positive air and just everything makes me want to go back right now! I’d gone there for a ConnectIT workshop that NASSCOM Foundation organizes every now and then.

The Workshop:
ConnectIT workshops are three day long, hands-on training workshops organized by NASSCOM Foundation and Microsoft in order to build the capacity of non- for- profits and Government Officers by facilitating technology enabled skills development. It was inspiring to see about 25 people from 15 different NGOs from the city enthusiastically participate in the workshop. A pre-workshop test taken by all the participants reported 51% success. Putting it simply, these NGOs had some experience in IT enabled services (usually at admin level) and hence made an interesting audience to talk about IT at a strategic level to.

And so we were all set! The trainer, Karim Padaniya along with Ram, Soumya, Professor, Sridhar, Robin, Kailas, Zahed and I together set the ball rolling for the exciting three days ahead. These few made sure the entire workshop was interactive while the others chipped in a bit less frequently. A hearty thanks to Shiva of Sanaari Software Pvt. Ltd. for the venue and especially for shielding us from the 3 hour long daily power-cuts. 

As you may notice in the agenda of the workshop, we always start with the topics Better Documentation and Project Management as most NGOs find this more challenging than anything else. Some key features of Word and Excel that are lesser known among most users got applauded. Other topics that were instant favorites were Skydrive, Movie Maker, Publisher and Social Media.

There has never been a single ConnectIT workshop that has limited its discussions to the topics mentioned in the agenda. Following the tradition, this one wasn’t any different. A major problem faced by a majority of NGOs in our country is regular updation of their respective websites. Either its a painstaking process or expensive. Having dealt with this topic before, we shared a few best practices.  Based on the other questions, we introduced a new session,’Power of Internet’ that should ensure that our participants don’t miss our trainer after the workshop. :) One of the feedbacks we got was what Ram from IKYA Global Foundation had to say.

Along with these sessions, other services offered by NASSCOM Foundation (specifically for NGOs in India) were also introduced. We were glad to know that a majority of the NGOs present there had registered with www.bigtech.in program wherein NASSCOM Foundation provides technology donations that complements our training workshops. It was a great experience in totality adding new people to our network as it always is! 

Next stop - Mumbai, 26 - 28 Sept. 2012. We did our first ConnectIT workshop in Mumbai back in 2009 so its time we revisited our NGO partners. One can register for the Mumbai workshop with this link.  

And one last thing about the Hyderabad crowd - the post-workshop test results showed an increase of 15%!

Yours,
Prashant Pandit
AVP & Tech Officer, NASSCOM Foundation

 

tags:  Microsoft

Upcoming ConnectIT Workshop in Bihar

posted  by Anonymous -  Thu, 30/08/2012 - 15:39  

As a part of our efforts in building IT capacity of government and NGOs, we are currently planning the 4th ConnectIT workshop in Bihar, tentatively during first week of October, 2012.  The previous two have been in Patna and Muzaffarpur.

ConnectIT has been a partnership between NASSCOM Foundation and Microsoft thereby enabling 50+ workshops across 8 states in India.  This 3-day hands-on workshop assists NGO staff in bettering their skills in documentation, project budgeting, marketing tools, social media introduction and online tools for collaboration by  using MS Office and Internet.

We have provisions to conduct one more and we are thinking of what would be convenient to you.  The options are:

1.Patna 

2. Darbhanga

3. Chapra

4. Bhagalpur 

Please Select a choice by clicking on http://bit.ly/ToGffe and we will plan accordingly.

About ConnectIT - The ‘ConnectIT’ capacity building workshops are an initiative of NASSCOM Foundation as part of its efforts towards building IT capacity for government officers and managers from grassroots organizations.

Considered to be an important catalyst in bringing change, Information Technology use can support the NGOs to increasing productivity; improve communication and collaboration; organize critical information and facilities technology enabled skills development training. Worldwide, experiences have shown that ICT use is relevant and useful, even in highly traditional settings. 

 

tags: 

Donated Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrades for Nonprofits

posted  by Anonymous -  Tue, 14/08/2012 - 18:08  

Microsoft donates more than 200 of its products — including Windows 7 Professional and Enterprise Upgrades — to eligible nonprofits through BiGTech. Organizations that join BiGTech, register an organization, and qualify can request and receive donations of Microsoft products and many more products from other BiGTech donor partners.


Microsoft 7 Upgrade Solutions



Windows Operating Systems Upgrade

See all Microsoft product donations available through BiGTech.

All donated and discounted products are available to qualifying NGOs for a small administrative fee that partially subsidizes BiGTech's operations.

tags:  Microsoft, Operating Systems

Donated Microsoft Software for Nonprofits

posted  by Anonymous -  Tue, 14/08/2012 - 15:43    Microsoft donates more than 200 of its software products — including Microsoft Office 2010, Windows 7 Upgrades, Windows Server software, and more — to eligible nonprofits through BiGTech. Organizations that join BiGTech, register, and qualify can request and receive donations of Microsoft products and many more products from other BiGTech donor partners.

Microsoft Office Donations Now Available

Microsoft Office Donations Now AvailableThe following Microsoft Office products are available now through BiGTech:

Microsoft Office

Windows Operating System Upgrades  

All donated and discounted products are available to qualifying NGOs for a small administrative fee that partially subsidizes BiGTech's operations.for Mac Standard 2011
tags:  Microsoft

Where is 'Assistive Technology' today?

posted  by Anonymous -  Tue, 24/07/2012 - 12:13  

Assistive technologies of varied range have the potential of bridging the gap and bringing down barriers which were earlier seen as inevitable for the differently abled population. BiGTech explores several assistive technologies provided by Barrierbreak Technologies- an enterprise that is a leading assistive technology provider and finds out what it has to offer to the people with special needs.

 

Shilpi Kapoor, who heads Barrierbreak, talks about the products range that can benefit the visually impaired, mobility impaired, hearing impaired and learning impaired. Here is what she has to say about assistive technology and its impact in the life of people with disabilities.

 

Given the right environment, people with disabilities can be as productive as those without disabilities. How does Assistive technology help in boosting an inclusive environment?

Assistive technology solutions can range from the simple to the complex, but they all have one thing in common – they assist people with a wide range of disabilities and impairments to overcome their limitations and achieve greater independence. These are technologies that help the blind to perform activities that typically require ‘seeing’, the deaf to do things that would typically require them to ‘hear’ and the non-verbal to accomplish tasks that would typically need ‘speech’.

A person with cognitive or learning impairment who has difficulties reading, writing and spelling or has dyslexia can use literacy software solutions like the Dolphin Easy Tutor. It includes Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and converts scan printed pages into electronic text, Dolphin EasyReader - the digital talking book player allows the user to read and listen to content through a combination of text, audio and images. A hearing impaired person can use the hearing aid compatible and large key phone for assistance.

Computer aids such as the Dolphin Supernova Screen Reader & Magnifier, adaptive keyboards and ClearView desktop magnifiers can have a major impact in the education of persons with disability.

 

What is the main problem that people with disabilities face as far as assistive technology is concerned?

The primary problem that needs to be addressed is the limited access to technology for people with disabilities. In education and day-today life, assistive technology is not available to the persons with disabilities. This hampers them in their education and growth. Many people are not even aware of available assistive technologies and thus the use of these technologies is minimal in our country.

 

How can a person/organization procure Assistive Technology from Barrierbreak and what is the support provided on procurement?

Barrierbreak offers a wide range of assistive technology products that cater to the needs of people with different types of disabilities. Be it for a person with visual impairment, hearing impairment, mobility impairment or learning impairment - You will find a product that would suit the person according to his disabilities!

You can write to us at info(at)barrierbreak.com or visit www.barrierbreak.com for information on various assistive technology products pan disability. You can call Barrierbreak for a demo on the product you wish to procure or you also have the option to view videos or download demo of various products on our website.

We also provide customized training on the product purchased by the person or organization so that the users can get accustomed with the technology accommodating to their needs.

A number of NGO’s have been our clients for assistive technology products; to name a few - National Association for Blind (NAB), SPJ Sadhana School, Xavier's Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged (XRCVC), Forum of Autism, Arth Astha, Able Disable All People Together (ADAPT), Asha Army School etc.

 

What are the steps taken by Barrierbreak in the space of Assistive Technology?

We have initiated Techshare India - A program with RNIB to promote accessibility and assistive technology. It has a pan disability conference, where 40 plus exhibitors showcase their products and services for people with disability. Besides, our Abilities Unlimited program is a format to spread awareness among organizations around the needs of persons with disabilities.

The BarrierBreak Accessibility Lab has numerous assistive technologies that can be used by people with disabilities. You can call us at +91-22-2686 0485/6 or email us and drop in to experience our accessibility lab.

In addition, we would also be calling NGO’s to participate in a pilot study to know the impact of assistive technology in the lives of people. The NGO’s selected by the Barrierbreak team would get an opportunity to use a product for 30 days on a trail basis for free. This would help them explore the product before investing on them.

tags: 

Only three days left! NGOs, tell us your technology needs in 10 mins

posted  by Anonymous -  Wed, 14/03/2012 - 12:46   TechSoup wants to learn more about how your organization uses traditional and cloud-based technology and about your plans for the future.

Take our survey – it’s short, only 10 minutes, and intended for anyone who has responsibility for recommending, purchasing or managing IT products or services at an NGO including nonprofits, charities, libraries, foundations or similar organizations. All ranges of IT influencers are invited -- from accidental techies to IT directors.

By better understanding the tools you currently use and your future plans, we can work with our partners around the world to provide nonprofits like yours the technology resources they need to operate at their full potential.

What are we doing with the results? 

Around May 2012, we’ll publish a white paper with the survey results detailing the responses of nonprofits based in the United States, and in 37 countries around the world. The results will support organizations like yours in making informed IT decisions. They will provide insights into how your peers are using technology, and into the currents needs and issues around adopting cloud technologies.

If you’re interested in receiving a report on the survey findings, be sure to provide your email address at the end of the survey.We’ll send you the white paper when it’s finished in late spring. It’ll also be available for free on our site.
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