We strongly advise anyone using Remote Desktop Services to apply Microsoft Patch KB2621440 at the earliest opportunity. This patch fixes two privately reported vulnerabilities within the Remote Desktop Services frequently used by administrators to control servers and end-users using Remote Desktops.

It affects ALL versions of Windows.

The more serious of the two vulnerabilities could allow an unauthenticated hacker to run code on a vulnerable machine, which potentially could result in a very serious security breach.

We believe that this vulnerability will be exploited in the very nearing future.

The South West Branch of BCS The Chartered Institute for IT has announced that its 2011 AGM will be held on Thursday, 29th September 2011 at 6:30pm at Plymouth University. The formal meeting will be followed by a presentation at 7:00pm by Dr Dan Livingstone (Plymouth University).

Dr Livingstone's presentation will provide an overview of current shifts in the perceived value of games development and the impact on the South West of this fast evolving sector as well as the opportunities for independent developers; Gamification, Tangental Learning and Experiential Design.

Dr Livingstone leads the new BSc Computing and Games Development degree at Plymouth University and has well established links with key players in the sector, including graduate startups, nationally recognised independent development studios and regional initiatives such as explay.

He is an academic partner and Jury member of Europrix awards with the International Center for New Media in Salzburg, he leads the new interactive systems studio within the University's School of Computing and Mathematics and is a staff member of CRNS the Center for Robotics & Neural Systems.

The event, which will conclude with a free buffet and networking opportunity, is open to the general public (although voting at the AGM will be restricted to Branch members). People who wish to attend are asked to register at http://www.bcs-southwest.org.uk to help with catering arrangements, etc. The web site also includes directions to the venue on the university's campus.

The Institution of Analysts and Programmers has announced that its 2011 Symposium will be held in London on 14th October 2011 at the Churchill War Rooms and that it will be on "The Virtual World."

The Institution of Analysts and
Programmers Coat of Arms

The day-long event features a number of notable speakers, including Neil Cross (MD, Advanced 365), Richard Hall (MD, CloudOrigin and former Marketing Director of Avanade), Henry Nash (Manager, IBM Cloud Solutions), Simon Rice (Principal Policy Adviser for Technology at the Information Commissioner's Office) and Dale Vile (MD, Freeform Dynamics).

The event is using the #IAPSymposium2011 hash tag on Twitter.

The cost of entry includes lunch with ample opportunity to network with some of the senior members of the IT profession expected to attend.

More details are available at http://www.iap.org.uk/main/events/symposium-2011.

The next event being organisation by BCS The Chartered Institute for IT in the South West is focusing on computing technologies of yesteryear. The event is taking place at the University of Plymouth on Tuesday, 14th December 2010 at 19:30.

The evening will start with a brief talk covering the early days of micro-computing followed by an opportunity to use and play with a variety of early devices.

The event is also being used to launch a retro-computing web site, which is being supported by the BCS South West Branch.

There will also be plenty of mince pies!

The event is free and open to members of the public, but attendees are asked to register at www.bcs-southwest.org.uk to help with the catering and venue arrangements.