The link is to a comment piece on ZDNet UK. It details what you can do with a Zune, and more importantly what you cannot do, which seems to be nearly everything. Read it and save your dough.
Jack
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Monday, September 18, 2006
Internet Explorer daxctle.ocx "KeyFrame()" Method Vulnerability
The link will take you to a Secunia warning about yet another ActiveX flaw that allows attackers to construct a malicious web page that can crash the browser or, much more seriously and the point of this advisory, run malicious code on the user's machine.
Not for the first time; I have to wonder when MS will give up on ActiveX, which offers no unique benefits and a seemingly endless series of vulnerabilities.
Jack
Not for the first time; I have to wonder when MS will give up on ActiveX, which offers no unique benefits and a seemingly endless series of vulnerabilities.
Jack
Sunday, September 17, 2006
On Computers Radio Show Podcast 09-17-06
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 09-17-06. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. If you prefer, you can download the same file here via ftp.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Dell Customers Ask for More
Dell is in trouble, as this eWeek article illustrates. They can recover. There is not any doubt about that. It is simply that selling cheap PCs is not enough to wow the masses, any more, whether they are corporate types or home users.
In the past, Dell's service was really something to crow about and they are still bragging on it, though it has gone downhill enough to elicit more complaints than praise. Dell definitely needs to fix this, pronto. Their use of remote administration is surely one step in the right direction, but is not nearly enough to reverse the trend of ill will they have generated in the last couple years. I think they know it and will take their best shot at doing better. They have to hurry, though.
And while Dell has been proud in the past that they do almost no R&D (thus saving a lot of money) they are going to have to start. Customers are demanding innovation in all but the cheapest machines. In order to meet that expectation, Dell is going to have to innovate on their own, rather than just aping features that have proven popular in other maker's lines.
The laptop battery recall isn't really their fault, but how they handle it will influence a LOT of possible customer's opinions. Dell is off to what looks like a good start, but they have to execute all the way through. They are dependent on Sony to come up with the replacement batteries in a reasonable amount of time and if there are problems Dell will have to find a second supplier....pronto. They may already have. I don't know.
Their future is in their own hands.
Jack
In the past, Dell's service was really something to crow about and they are still bragging on it, though it has gone downhill enough to elicit more complaints than praise. Dell definitely needs to fix this, pronto. Their use of remote administration is surely one step in the right direction, but is not nearly enough to reverse the trend of ill will they have generated in the last couple years. I think they know it and will take their best shot at doing better. They have to hurry, though.
And while Dell has been proud in the past that they do almost no R&D (thus saving a lot of money) they are going to have to start. Customers are demanding innovation in all but the cheapest machines. In order to meet that expectation, Dell is going to have to innovate on their own, rather than just aping features that have proven popular in other maker's lines.
The laptop battery recall isn't really their fault, but how they handle it will influence a LOT of possible customer's opinions. Dell is off to what looks like a good start, but they have to execute all the way through. They are dependent on Sony to come up with the replacement batteries in a reasonable amount of time and if there are problems Dell will have to find a second supplier....pronto. They may already have. I don't know.
Their future is in their own hands.
Jack
Dell Customers Ask for More
Dell is in trouble, as this eWeek article illustrates. They can recover. There is not any doubt about that. It is simply that selling cheap PCs is not enough to wow the masses, any more, whether they are corporate types or home users.
In the past, Dell's service was really something to crow about and they are still bragging on it, though it has gone downhill enough to elicit more complaints than praise. Dell definitely needs to fix this, pronto. Their use of remote administration is surely one step in the right direction, but is not nearly enough to reverse the trend of ill will they have generated in the last couple years. I think they know it and will take their best shot at doing better. They have to hurry, though.
And while Dell has been proud in the past that they do almost no R&D (thus saving a lot of money) they are going to have to start. Customers are demanding innovation in all but the cheapest machines. In order to meet that expectation, Dell is going to have to innovate on their own, rather than just aping features that have proven popular in other maker's lines.
The laptop battery recall isn't really their fault, but how they handle it will influence a LOT of possible customer's opinions. Dell is off to what looks like a good start, but they have to execute all the way through. They are dependent on Sony to come up with the replacement batteries in a reasonable amount of time and if there are problems Dell will have to find a second supplier....pronto. They may already have. I don't know.
Their future is in their own hands.
Jack
In the past, Dell's service was really something to crow about and they are still bragging on it, though it has gone downhill enough to elicit more complaints than praise. Dell definitely needs to fix this, pronto. Their use of remote administration is surely one step in the right direction, but is not nearly enough to reverse the trend of ill will they have generated in the last couple years. I think they know it and will take their best shot at doing better. They have to hurry, though.
And while Dell has been proud in the past that they do almost no R&D (thus saving a lot of money) they are going to have to start. Customers are demanding innovation in all but the cheapest machines. In order to meet that expectation, Dell is going to have to innovate on their own, rather than just aping features that have proven popular in other maker's lines.
The laptop battery recall isn't really their fault, but how they handle it will influence a LOT of possible customer's opinions. Dell is off to what looks like a good start, but they have to execute all the way through. They are dependent on Sony to come up with the replacement batteries in a reasonable amount of time and if there are problems Dell will have to find a second supplier....pronto. They may already have. I don't know.
Their future is in their own hands.
Jack
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Windows Vista RC1 Now Downloadable By Anyone
Or you can do what I did if your Internet connection is not up to snuff for a 3 to 4 GB download, and order a DVD for a very reasonable $3 plus $2 shipping.
So if you've been wanting to take a look at Vista for yourself, now is your chance.
So if you've been wanting to take a look at Vista for yourself, now is your chance.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Microsoft Releases New "Open Specifications Promise" on 35 Web Services Specifications
While the link above is to a rather long and detailed post at Consortiuminfo.org, I found it very informative on matters of patent licensing in regards to software standards.
The subject of the post is Microsoft's promise not to assert patent holder's rights against implementers of a proposed standard. Essentially, this means that while MS has the patents, they won't sue anyone using the technology in implementation of the standard in question.
Like I said; it is complex. But this will go a long ways towards clearing up any questions you might have on the subject. It is very well written and quite understandable, which is refreshing.
Jack
The subject of the post is Microsoft's promise not to assert patent holder's rights against implementers of a proposed standard. Essentially, this means that while MS has the patents, they won't sue anyone using the technology in implementation of the standard in question.
Like I said; it is complex. But this will go a long ways towards clearing up any questions you might have on the subject. It is very well written and quite understandable, which is refreshing.
Jack
Cookies Detected by Anti-Spyware Programs: The Current Status
Ben Edelmen has posted a link to a study that he was commissioned to do about which cookies 9 different spyware detectors detect and remove. I found it interesting, and it has a handy graph. Check it out. The Summary is as follows:
The report is available here.
--MissM
I test eleven anti-spyware programs for their treatment of cookies from 50 advertising systems. I report my observations in full detail, along with analysis of notable detections. For example, I find that PC Tools Spyware Doctor detects the most cookies from within my sample (50%), while cookies from Advertising.com, Aquantive/Atlas, Casale Media, FastClick, and MediaPlex are most often detected (each detected by 8 of the 11 anti-spyware programs tested). Conversion-tracking cookies from Yahoo Overture are widely detected (6/11), but no anti-spyware programs detects the corresponding Google cookies, perhaps because Google's cookies use arbitrary names that are hard for scanners to identify. I conclude by reporting some anomalies observed in testing, and by suggesting privacy-protective practices that may nonetheless accommodate typical advertiser objectives.
The report is available here.
--MissM
WOW-Pen Eco100 Review
I'm mainly a trackball user, since Joe rightly convinced me it was the key to solving ergonomic problems that had resulted in a bad case of "frozen shoulder". I do still have mice on some machines, but don't use them much. The exception is my laptop(s), where I have been unable to find a suitable trackball for mobile use that I can rationalize paying for.
ExtremeTech has a review on a "pen" mouse. It looks very, very attractive, though I will have to wait for later models which will better the current model's 400 dpi resolution. When they come out I'll pawn something if I have to to get one. (I wonder how much they will give me for a cat that loves to type? I could solve two problems at once that way.)
Anyway; the idea of a "pen" mouse is one I like and I cannot wait for them to be just a bit more capable.
Jack
ExtremeTech has a review on a "pen" mouse. It looks very, very attractive, though I will have to wait for later models which will better the current model's 400 dpi resolution. When they come out I'll pawn something if I have to to get one. (I wonder how much they will give me for a cat that loves to type? I could solve two problems at once that way.)
Anyway; the idea of a "pen" mouse is one I like and I cannot wait for them to be just a bit more capable.
Jack
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Microsoft delivers 'Save as PDF' add-on | CNET News.com
"Microsoft has released a free download that will enable Office 2007 users to save documents in both Adobe Systems's PDF format and Microsoft's own rival format, XPS."
Microsoft said it was coming.
Microsoft said it was coming.
Top Windows writer abandons Microsoft
"MICROSOFT DEVELOPER and writer Pete Wright has had enough of Vole and has bought an Apple."
It looks like some of the people in Redmond are leaving! What does this mean?
Thanks Rick-in-Florida for this.
It looks like some of the people in Redmond are leaving! What does this mean?
Thanks Rick-in-Florida for this.
A Few Well Deserved Kudos for Western Digital
I never say this, but I really hate knowledge bases. Even FAQ sections seem depressingly inadequate nearly all the time. Knowledge bases always seem hard to navigate. So much so that it is often a full day's work to find and digest enough information to solve whatever problem it is I am having. The Microsoft KB is like that. It's not their fault, either. The entire site shows that they try really hard to make it pertinent, up to date and usable, but there is so much information to dispense and it overlaps so dramatically that one is often left sorting through literally dozens of articles that might, just might, apply to what you are about. I appreciate Microsoft's efforts to make their KB usable, but with so much there, even the best search facility falls flat at times and I have to sort through all those possible hits. Sometimes more than once, if I haven't chosen my search terms well enough.
You have all heard me complain about being poor. It's a common enough affliction, these days. Because I and a lot of those whose computers I service are not terribly flush, I often buy factory refurbished parts, particularly hard drives.
I stick with the major brands and have had remarkably little trouble with them. They have given good service over an acceptable service life and on the very few occasions I have had trouble, the vendors and/or the manufacturers have made things right in short order.
The brand of refurbished hard drive that has gotten most of my business lately is Western Digital. My local vendors always seem to have them and occasionally Fry's has them on sale. Generally, I can get an 80 GB Caviar IDE drive (7200 rpm) very affordably. That is all the capacity most of my users, including myself, need. And the drive is so common that even the beta RAID drivers for Vista see them on the first try. Linux RAID software works just as well with them. Should someone need more capacity or redundancy, tossing another one into the box is easy as pie and cheap.
(I generally don't go in for bigger drives because I own and work on a LOT of older hardware. Often the older disk controllers or bios cannot see larger drives and rather than partition to overcome this, I just stick with that size.)
I have spent the last few nights trying to get a 5 year old bios to see one of my WD refurbs. It just would not. I could even install an OS, but it would not boot after the installation because a bios cannot hand off to the OS hardware it cannot see. I tried all the tricks I know and not one thing worked. I don't have enough hair left to be pulling it out, so I hit the WD web site.
What I found there was a delight. The FAQ had a couple "the bios can't see it" entries. Both recommended I download their diagnostic tools as well as giving me information on remedies to try. Everything was plain, clear and easy to find. The solution turned out to be an alternative jumper setting which was not listed on the label of the drive. I ran the diagnostic tools on an XP machine overnight. It took 9 hours, but I did not mind. I was asleep, after all.
In the end, I added a few bookmarks to my favorites under "help" and read about 10 articles that gave me a better understanding of what had happened and things to look out for, that I might anticipate problems. It really was a treat to see a knowledge base so well laid out and easy to digest. I just wish the Microsoft KB could be that way, but the sheer size of it would defeat anyone who tried to make it over and I just have to accept that.
And the PC boots and runs just fine, now.
Jack
You have all heard me complain about being poor. It's a common enough affliction, these days. Because I and a lot of those whose computers I service are not terribly flush, I often buy factory refurbished parts, particularly hard drives.
I stick with the major brands and have had remarkably little trouble with them. They have given good service over an acceptable service life and on the very few occasions I have had trouble, the vendors and/or the manufacturers have made things right in short order.
The brand of refurbished hard drive that has gotten most of my business lately is Western Digital. My local vendors always seem to have them and occasionally Fry's has them on sale. Generally, I can get an 80 GB Caviar IDE drive (7200 rpm) very affordably. That is all the capacity most of my users, including myself, need. And the drive is so common that even the beta RAID drivers for Vista see them on the first try. Linux RAID software works just as well with them. Should someone need more capacity or redundancy, tossing another one into the box is easy as pie and cheap.
(I generally don't go in for bigger drives because I own and work on a LOT of older hardware. Often the older disk controllers or bios cannot see larger drives and rather than partition to overcome this, I just stick with that size.)
I have spent the last few nights trying to get a 5 year old bios to see one of my WD refurbs. It just would not. I could even install an OS, but it would not boot after the installation because a bios cannot hand off to the OS hardware it cannot see. I tried all the tricks I know and not one thing worked. I don't have enough hair left to be pulling it out, so I hit the WD web site.
What I found there was a delight. The FAQ had a couple "the bios can't see it" entries. Both recommended I download their diagnostic tools as well as giving me information on remedies to try. Everything was plain, clear and easy to find. The solution turned out to be an alternative jumper setting which was not listed on the label of the drive. I ran the diagnostic tools on an XP machine overnight. It took 9 hours, but I did not mind. I was asleep, after all.
In the end, I added a few bookmarks to my favorites under "help" and read about 10 articles that gave me a better understanding of what had happened and things to look out for, that I might anticipate problems. It really was a treat to see a knowledge base so well laid out and easy to digest. I just wish the Microsoft KB could be that way, but the sheer size of it would defeat anyone who tried to make it over and I just have to accept that.
And the PC boots and runs just fine, now.
Jack
Sunday, September 10, 2006
On Computers Radio Show Podcast 09-10-06
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 09-10-06. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. If you prefer, you can download the same file here via ftp.
Friday, September 08, 2006
Silicon Valley to Get Free Broadband
"The Metro Connect network will be a combination of Wi-Fi and WiMAX and span 1,500 square miles. It includes six tiers of service, two of which are free.
Metro Connect will use mesh wireless technology from Cisco and network design by IBM. Azulstar, an ISP, will be the network operator for service provisioning of the 802.11b/g network. SeaKay, a nonprofit, will work directly with the municipalities to enable the construction and support of the network."
Will you be subscribing? The four remaining levels will have anywhere from 400 to 1,000 kilobits per second and cost between $14.95 and $59.95 per month.
I think I'll stick with my cable!
AlaskaJoe
Metro Connect will use mesh wireless technology from Cisco and network design by IBM. Azulstar, an ISP, will be the network operator for service provisioning of the 802.11b/g network. SeaKay, a nonprofit, will work directly with the municipalities to enable the construction and support of the network."
Will you be subscribing? The four remaining levels will have anywhere from 400 to 1,000 kilobits per second and cost between $14.95 and $59.95 per month.
I think I'll stick with my cable!
AlaskaJoe
Thursday, September 07, 2006
'Critical' patch for Office coming | Tech News on ZDNet
"Microsoft plans to release a 'critical' security update for Office next week, one of three bulletins it will distribute as part of its monthly patch cycle."
Do your Windows/Microsoft Updates.
Do your Windows/Microsoft Updates.
Microsoft Research Builds 'BrowserShield'
This is kind of neat and shows real promise, though it is a long ways from production, to the best of my knowledge.
Basically, the add-on to Internet Explorer deals with malicious code hidden within a web site, cleaning it and preventing execution, yet allowing the user to view the site. Apparently in concert with anti-virus and firewall apps, it is very effective.
Jack
Basically, the add-on to Internet Explorer deals with malicious code hidden within a web site, cleaning it and preventing execution, yet allowing the user to view the site. Apparently in concert with anti-virus and firewall apps, it is very effective.
Jack
It's not just Linux: Open Source has arrived
Linux-Watch reports on an IDC study which shows the true scale of open source and free software adoption. It's huge! In fact; the scale of FOSS adoption is really the only surprise in the survey, as we've all known FOSS has definitely been a major part of IT in recent years. I think the big numbers will surprise even some of the most rabid FOSS boosters.
Jack
Jack
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Free Disk Defragmenter!!
I saw this mentioned in an article on The Inquirer's site.
Auslogic is offering their defragmenter for NT, W2K, XP, and Vista for free. I downloaded it this morning and find it serviceable, though lacking in some features I would use. It is much faster than the Windows defragmenter and seems to do a good job.
Jack
Auslogic is offering their defragmenter for NT, W2K, XP, and Vista for free. I downloaded it this morning and find it serviceable, though lacking in some features I would use. It is much faster than the Windows defragmenter and seems to do a good job.
Jack
The Dark Side of Windows Vista RC1
Paul Thurrott really unloads on Vista RC1's user interface. Reading the article, he has a LOT of very good points. There are some places where it's just plain nonsense and no amount of talking is going to make a selling point out of it.
The point is made that the new interface is going to require a lot of retraining, particularly for users who are visually challenged. That is not good unless there is a real reason for it, like an improvement in function. Unfortunately, that does not seem to be the case.
Jack
The point is made that the new interface is going to require a lot of retraining, particularly for users who are visually challenged. That is not good unless there is a real reason for it, like an improvement in function. Unfortunately, that does not seem to be the case.
Jack
zCodec is a Trojan
"It is known as adware/ZCodec or Adware/EMediacodec and affects most versions of Windows. Some of the files that the adware has been downloading are particularly nasty, including a rootkit called Ruins.MB, which does what it says on the tin."
SECURITY OUTFIT Panda software says that a video codec which is appearing in the wild offering "up to 40 percent better video quality" is a nasty bit of adware.
SECURITY OUTFIT Panda software says that a video codec which is appearing in the wild offering "up to 40 percent better video quality" is a nasty bit of adware.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Open Season on Unsecured Wi-Fi
Computer World's site has a very, very good article that lays out the problem with unsecured wireless connection. Whether or not you can fully secure your wireless, it is imperative you do all you can in order to escape any legal liability for actions taken by someone who intrudes on your LAN and Internet connection.
Nowhere is it clear that doing so will shield you from liability, but it has worked in a couple cases when the owner proved that he/she had taken all the steps they could, given their equipment.
Jack
Nowhere is it clear that doing so will shield you from liability, but it has worked in a couple cases when the owner proved that he/she had taken all the steps they could, given their equipment.
Jack
Word flaw hit with zero-day attack
An "extremely critical flaw" in Microsoft Word 2000 is currently being exploited by malicious attackers, which could lead to remote execution of code on a user's system, security researcher Secunia advised Tuesday.
The vulnerability affects systems running Windows 2000 and occurs when processing malicious Word 2000 documents, according to Secunia's security advisory.
The vulnerability affects systems running Windows 2000 and occurs when processing malicious Word 2000 documents, according to Secunia's security advisory.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Sunday, September 03, 2006
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 09-03-06
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 09-03-06. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. If you prefer, you can download the same file here via ftp.
Friday, September 01, 2006
InfoWorld Tech Watch | TrackMeNot fools search engines
TrackmeNot is a firefox extension I've been using for the last week, almost. It generates random search queries at a rate that is user configurable (you enable via a choice under Tools, and the first few times I tried to open options it didn't work, but it's worked fine ever since then). Basically, it floods the search queries you make, I call it the "baffle 'em with BS" theory. ;)
Some of the queries are extremely odd, for instance the one currently is 'canned hex' (I'll post the ones I see while I'm working on this post, for you entertainment: 'patch gobbles,'daemon legaleses') But, it seems to work with no major hit in browser performance or connectivity, though I did get 600KB+/sec while getting some podcasts (just to show that I am a total broadband brat hehehe).
The Infoworld Weblog posted an article about TrackMeNot and other options to protect your privacy on the internet (to a limited
extent, I know...). A brief excerpt below with a link to the article.
InfoWorld Tech Watch|TrackMeNot fools search engines
--MissM
Some of the queries are extremely odd, for instance the one currently is 'canned hex' (I'll post the ones I see while I'm working on this post, for you entertainment: 'patch gobbles,'daemon legaleses') But, it seems to work with no major hit in browser performance or connectivity, though I did get 600KB+/sec while getting some podcasts (just to show that I am a total broadband brat hehehe).
The Infoworld Weblog posted an article about TrackMeNot and other options to protect your privacy on the internet (to a limited
extent, I know...). A brief excerpt below with a link to the article.
In the wake of AOL's stunningly ill-conceived decision to publicize the search habits of hundreds of thousand of its users, as well as reports of various search engines employing user-profiling, we're seeing more Web tools emerge aimed at helping users hide their tracks -- or baffle their trackers.
Browzar falls under the former category. Though the name sounds like Godzilla's next-dorr neighbor on Monster Island, Browzar is actually a Web browser designed to protect users' privacy by not retaining details of the Web sites they've searched. It does so by automatically deleting Internet caches, histories, cookies and auto-complete forms.
Taking a different tack from Browzar is a Firefox extension called TrackMeNot. Rather than employing concealment or encryption to mask a user's browsing activities, it "periodically issues randomized search-queries to popular search engines, e.g., AOL, Yahoo!, Google, and MSN," according to the TrackMeNot Web site.
InfoWorld Tech Watch|TrackMeNot fools search engines
--MissM
Four Tough Lessons of System Recovery
This is described as "a cautionary tale", too. I thought it interesting and illustrative.
Enjoy
Jack
Enjoy
Jack
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Announcing Tesseract OCR
An acquaintance who is working in OCR (Optical Character Recognition) for a university library turned me on to this. She is really excited by this and I think it is pretty neat, as well.
Tesseract is a rather old HP project. Along the way, HP decided they did not really want to be in the OCR business. Tesseract is not a product and in fact is fairly far away from being ready for prime time. However, the "engine" is unique and contains features that might serve other open source OCR projects. Conversely, features from other projects might be added to Tesseract. At least those are the hopes.
While there are already a host of pretty good OCR products out there, both proprietary and free software, there is room for improvement in all of them. So any new technology released for this use is interesting and has the possibility of changing our user experience for the better.
Jack
Tesseract is a rather old HP project. Along the way, HP decided they did not really want to be in the OCR business. Tesseract is not a product and in fact is fairly far away from being ready for prime time. However, the "engine" is unique and contains features that might serve other open source OCR projects. Conversely, features from other projects might be added to Tesseract. At least those are the hopes.
While there are already a host of pretty good OCR products out there, both proprietary and free software, there is room for improvement in all of them. So any new technology released for this use is interesting and has the possibility of changing our user experience for the better.
Jack
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
California passes Wi-Fi user protection bill
California is on the verge of mandating warning messages on wireless and other internet access gear regarding it's use in unsecured configurations. Survey after survey shows that most home wireless setups are not secured in any way. Relatively few business wireless access schemes are secured, though the percentage is not as low as that for home networks.
A recent online chat with an R&D staffer at NetGear revealed they are willing to sell wireless gear that will not allow an insecure connection to be set up. However, their research also showed that such a device would be overwhelmingly rejected by consumers, even given price parity with other gear!
I have no idea what the solution is, but something must be done. Mandating warnings seems pretty pale, though, given the wide awareness of security and the consumer's evident unwillingness to take steps to be more secure.
Jack
A recent online chat with an R&D staffer at NetGear revealed they are willing to sell wireless gear that will not allow an insecure connection to be set up. However, their research also showed that such a device would be overwhelmingly rejected by consumers, even given price parity with other gear!
I have no idea what the solution is, but something must be done. Mandating warnings seems pretty pale, though, given the wide awareness of security and the consumer's evident unwillingness to take steps to be more secure.
Jack
Mac OS X-friendly OpenOffice to go public next month
The existence of an Open Office version that will run natively on Apple's OS X using the Aqua graphics system will be revealed at Apple Expo Paris next month.
Until now, a Mac user had to install the X windowing system on their machine to run OO. This was available via the OS X 10.4.x installation CD or via download. The new version will require no such gymnastics of the user and will be welcome for that. This is a big step forward for OO.
Jack
Until now, a Mac user had to install the X windowing system on their machine to run OO. This was available via the OS X 10.4.x installation CD or via download. The new version will require no such gymnastics of the user and will be welcome for that. This is a big step forward for OO.
Jack
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
AOL 9.0 Accused of Behaving Like Badware
Frankly, there is nothing in this article that surprises me. And I suspect there are more badware type features yet to be exposed.
As Joe says; "Friends don't let friends use AOL".
Jack
As Joe says; "Friends don't let friends use AOL".
Jack
Microsoft leaks Vista pricing
From the "they've got to be kidding, dept."
Jack pointed this link out to me. This could just be another droll, Inquirer joke, but if this is true...
Update: Ed Bott has a more thoughful analysis and makes his best guess at the US prices. I still think it is too much to pay for what I predict will be a buggy, rushed to deadline, OS. I can only hope MS proves us naysayers wrong.
2nd Update: It seems that Amazon has decided to list Vista prices and release date though MS officially denies it. At $399 for Ultimate it better be danged good.
Jack pointed this link out to me. This could just be another droll, Inquirer joke, but if this is true...
Update: Ed Bott has a more thoughful analysis and makes his best guess at the US prices. I still think it is too much to pay for what I predict will be a buggy, rushed to deadline, OS. I can only hope MS proves us naysayers wrong.
2nd Update: It seems that Amazon has decided to list Vista prices and release date though MS officially denies it. At $399 for Ultimate it better be danged good.
Ray Tracing
Brett Thomas has a pretty good article on Bit-Tech.net about ray tracing. It is evidently the shape of things to come and this article will give you an overview of how it works.
Currently, most of our computer graphics are done by pixel shading, a very, very processor intensive way of going about things. Ray tracing is supposedly better and we are at the point where it is possible. The calculations needed to accomplish ray tracing are massive, as well, but you don't have to perform so many of them to render good, or even great, graphics.
I have messed with ray tracing in the guise of various graphics editing programs and I must say that I don't understand it very well. However; it is amazing how much more realistic one can make an animated frame using it. I guess I'm trying to say I see at least some of the potential of this scheme. Whether or not it is the next big thing, it is coming, as the chosen route ahead by those who build our graphics hardware.
Jack
Currently, most of our computer graphics are done by pixel shading, a very, very processor intensive way of going about things. Ray tracing is supposedly better and we are at the point where it is possible. The calculations needed to accomplish ray tracing are massive, as well, but you don't have to perform so many of them to render good, or even great, graphics.
I have messed with ray tracing in the guise of various graphics editing programs and I must say that I don't understand it very well. However; it is amazing how much more realistic one can make an animated frame using it. I guess I'm trying to say I see at least some of the potential of this scheme. Whether or not it is the next big thing, it is coming, as the chosen route ahead by those who build our graphics hardware.
Jack
Monday, August 28, 2006
Google Office still needs some renovating | News.blog | CNET News.com
Mark Shuttleworth; One on the Chin - Updated
The link is to Mark Shuttleworth's personal blog. For those of you who do not know, Mark is the money and the driving force behind the Ubuntu GNU/Linux distribution. Ubuntu and it's derivatives are currently the most popular deskto Linux flavor and doing reasonably well in the server space, though it is plainly targeted at desktop users. Ubuntu is based upon Debian, which is the reason it is also seeing server usage. Debian is well suited to that and apparently Ubuntu only slightly less so, even in it's present form.
In the blog entry, Mark takes full responsibility for the problems with a patch to X that the distro had this last week. He also accepts all the virulent criticism they received. That is the way it should be, of course. The Ubuntu team knows such things are unacceptable and says it aloud. They vow to change whatever needs to be changed to keep it from happening again.
The entry is pretty short and well worth a read.
Jack
Update;
Here is an article with more particulars than Shuttleworth's blog post. Though I talked about it on the show, I thought I had best put up some details.
Jack
In the blog entry, Mark takes full responsibility for the problems with a patch to X that the distro had this last week. He also accepts all the virulent criticism they received. That is the way it should be, of course. The Ubuntu team knows such things are unacceptable and says it aloud. They vow to change whatever needs to be changed to keep it from happening again.
The entry is pretty short and well worth a read.
Jack
Update;
Here is an article with more particulars than Shuttleworth's blog post. Though I talked about it on the show, I thought I had best put up some details.
Jack
Sunday, August 27, 2006
On Computers Radio Show Podcast 08-27-06
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 08-27-06. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. If you prefer, you can download the same file here via ftp.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Gartner on the shape of Windows to come
Gartner analysts predict Vista will be the last "monolithic" release of Windows. Whether or not their arguments are correct, they do make a good case for a modular Windows that would (as a desired side effect) also make subscription to Software Assurance plans mandatory. This by it's ability to receive timely updates and even upgrades almost automatically.
Between the potential of virtualization technologies and the ever growing complexity of Windows (now said to be well over 50 million l ines of code in Vista) MS is forced to do something. Gartner makes a case for modularity, much like that present in Linux distributions to manage it.
Jack
Between the potential of virtualization technologies and the ever growing complexity of Windows (now said to be well over 50 million l ines of code in Vista) MS is forced to do something. Gartner makes a case for modularity, much like that present in Linux distributions to manage it.
Jack
SunbeltBLOG: The Consumer Reports testing scandal: It's far, far worse than we initially thought.
I'd heard about Consumer Reports creating viruses to test anti-virus software, well apparently they didn't properly test anti-spyware software, either, I've posted the first part of the president of Sunbelt Software article about it, but the whole thing has to be read to be believed. This is the first black eye that Consumer Reports has ever gotten (that I know of, anyway....), even though I don't always agree with their tech advice.
--MissM
The post link:SunbeltBLOG: The Consumer Reports testing scandal: It's far, far worse than we initially thought.
Over the past two weeks, Consumer Reports has been slammed by the bulk of professional researchers in the security community for testing antivirus programs using 5,500 “fake” viruses.
Consumer Reports fans and a minority group in the security community, however, fought back —– after all, Consumer Reports is seen by many as a competent, independent testing lab and antivirus companies are generally seen as lazy, self-serving, money-hungry companies who have been soaking users for years with crappy products and high subscription fees, etc, etc. So even though Consumer Reports was lambasted by professional security researchers with no ties to antivirus companies, it was seen by some as whining by money-hungry antivirus companies.
Well, ok, on to Chapter 2, which is more damning than the AV test. Because I have something which is so incredible, it boggles the mind
In addition to antivirus programs, Consumer Reports tested antispyware applications. And they have now confirmed that they did not test against any spyware for their antispyware testing. (Feel free to read that sentence again.)
Instead, their entire test of antispyware applications was based on running applications against Spycar, a set of applications written by Intelguardians that mimic spyware behavior — directly against the explicit instructions of the Spycar developers.
--MissM
The post link:SunbeltBLOG: The Consumer Reports testing scandal: It's far, far worse than we initially thought.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
15-inch PowerBook G4 Battery Exchange Program
From the apple site:
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and other international safety authorities, Apple is voluntarily recalling certain lithium ion rechargeable batteries that were sold worldwide from January 2004 through August 2004 for use with 15-inch PowerBook G4 (Aluminum) notebook computers. These batteries were manufactured by LG Chem, Ltd. of South Korea.
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and other international safety authorities, Apple is voluntarily recalling certain lithium ion rechargeable batteries that were sold worldwide from January 2004 through August 2004 for use with 15-inch PowerBook G4 (Aluminum) notebook computers. These batteries were manufactured by LG Chem, Ltd. of South Korea.
SunbeltBLOG: Remember to report your phishes to PIRT
I like the idea of PIRT, which is a group that works to eliminate phishing sites. I was reminded of it by Sunbelt Blog. The President of Sunbelt Software Alex Eckelberry writes:
--MissM
SunbeltBLOG: Remember to report your phishes to PIRT
Remember to send in phishing scams to PIRT, the Phishing Incident and Takedown squad for takedown.
Two ways:
1. Email them to pirt @ castlecops.com as an attachment.
or
2. Go to the web interface at castlecops.com/pirt, and enter at least the phishing URL.
Also, we still need more volunteers to help take these sites down. Nothing more satisfying than toasting a fresh phish. Join the crew by clicking here.
--MissM
SunbeltBLOG: Remember to report your phishes to PIRT
Sophos offers free rootkit detection tool
I have not tried this, yet. However, early reports are that this is a really decent tool and overdue.
If you download and run this, please let us know how it goes. I have a feeling this is just the first of many important security tools that will be made available in the near future.
Jack
If you download and run this, please let us know how it goes. I have a feeling this is just the first of many important security tools that will be made available in the near future.
Jack
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Weird Al Says 'Don't Download This Song'
Weird Al proves once again that he can spell I-R-O-N-Y with his freely downloadable recording of "Don't Download This Song". Of course I did!
How much is Windows worth?
Ed Bott's blog on ZDNet is often informative and sometimes even truly entertaining. Here is an article about how consumers perceive the worth of the Windows operating system. It puts the subject in a light I have not seen before and for that is worth a read.
Jack
Jack
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Microsoft Acknowleges Open Source Will Run on Vista
This is surely a policy shift for Microsoft, in it's own small way. I cannot see it as a revolutionary step, which is how some are depicting it. The company known for it's arrogance is bending a little bit. That's all. The world has not ended and you don't need to pack your snow shoes when you die.
That Microsoft is inviting in open source projects where previously only ISVs producing proprietary software got in is merely an acknowlegement of the fact that many open source projects have resulted in major products that have to be accomodated. Period. There is no more to say about it.
I expect we will hear similar news for some other projects, such as MySQL, Apache and perhaps some of the other open source databases.
Jack
That Microsoft is inviting in open source projects where previously only ISVs producing proprietary software got in is merely an acknowlegement of the fact that many open source projects have resulted in major products that have to be accomodated. Period. There is no more to say about it.
I expect we will hear similar news for some other projects, such as MySQL, Apache and perhaps some of the other open source databases.
Jack
OSI Seeks Open-Source License Reform
There have been recurring calls to simplify free and open source licensing over the last 3-4 years. There have been efforts to fix things so consumers of the software products won't be confused by the different licenses, some of which conflict, notably the General Public License (GPL). It conflicts with many, perhaps even most, of the other licenses.
There is reason to believe that this effort will do some genuine good, though no one believes it will fix the problem. The best result can be a gradual movement, fueled mostly by new projects, to more acceptable licenses. Progress, but not perfection, is the watchword here.
Jack
There is reason to believe that this effort will do some genuine good, though no one believes it will fix the problem. The best result can be a gradual movement, fueled mostly by new projects, to more acceptable licenses. Progress, but not perfection, is the watchword here.
Jack
Schneier on Security; Educating Users
This was published earlier this year and now Mr. Schneier has re-posted it on his blog. In the interim, I have directed a lot of frustrated business managers to it. You all will be familiar with the content. It's just nice to see it all in one place and I recommend saving a copy for the next client who doesn't understand why her or his employees can't get it right.
Jack
Jack
Why doesn't Linux need defragmenting?
We have had a question or two in the OCLUG newsgroup and our chats about the Linux file system and how to maintain it. Ext3, the usual default file system in Linux distributions, is representative. Others, like versions of the Reiser file system are also common and Linux can interact with many different file systems.
Here is a not terribly technicall explanation of why Linux file systems do not need the most common maintenance operation present in Windows.
I will qualify the title, slightly. Occasionally, I have used a defragmentation utility on ext3 and ext3 systems that have been hit unusually hard by continuous file writes. It is a risky operation, really, because the utilities available are not equal to the highly developed ones for defragmenting Windows. In any event, in Linux they are not often needed. Almost never, in fact. Which is why I am not making a big thing about the title of this.
Jack
Here is a not terribly technicall explanation of why Linux file systems do not need the most common maintenance operation present in Windows.
I will qualify the title, slightly. Occasionally, I have used a defragmentation utility on ext3 and ext3 systems that have been hit unusually hard by continuous file writes. It is a risky operation, really, because the utilities available are not equal to the highly developed ones for defragmenting Windows. In any event, in Linux they are not often needed. Almost never, in fact. Which is why I am not making a big thing about the title of this.
Jack
Monday, August 21, 2006
Microsoft fixes faulty security patch | Tech News on ZDNet
"Microsoft on Thursday issued a 'hotfix' for a fault in a security patch designed to correct a flaw already being targeted by worms."
If you don't have auto update turned on remember to do your Windows/Microsoft Updates this week.
AlaskaJoe
If you don't have auto update turned on remember to do your Windows/Microsoft Updates this week.
AlaskaJoe
How to make a universe
Obviously these folks don't have any trouble assembling a new barbecue grill.
There is more here.
Jack
There is more here.
Jack
Dell, Sony discussed battery problem 10 months ago
Automobile manufacturers learned a long time ago that waiting for problems to become public and then appearing to be dragged, kicking and screaming, to a remedial recall is bad form. So they changed their tack to proactive recalls with enough publicity given to alert any consumers other means of notification missed. Our government actually cooperates in this to great success.
Well, Sony and Dell and several other companies in the tech sector really need to take a lesson from the car companies. There is less of a black eye in proactive consumer protection than there is in getting caught out in this sort of snafu. And they need to learn it really, really fast, as the devices we carry store more and more energy and thus have ever greater potential for harm.
Can you imagine current tech sector attitudes doing us any good at all when portable fuel cells, with combustable fuel on board, come into wide use?
Jack
Well, Sony and Dell and several other companies in the tech sector really need to take a lesson from the car companies. There is less of a black eye in proactive consumer protection than there is in getting caught out in this sort of snafu. And they need to learn it really, really fast, as the devices we carry store more and more energy and thus have ever greater potential for harm.
Can you imagine current tech sector attitudes doing us any good at all when portable fuel cells, with combustable fuel on board, come into wide use?
Jack
TechCrunch: Good stuff!
I just read about this at TechCrunch, and with GeekMeet 2007 up for discussion, I thought that everybody who reads this could use it. [hint, hint] AND! There's an RSS feed (for the non-luddites :P) for the cities you put in. On first glance this is very neat, I'll be interested to see how the trends go.
Airfare Predictions, Find Cheap Airline Tickets - Farecast
And in an homage to the BSers that read this blog, another interesting site from Techcrunch.
--MissM
Airfare Predictions, Find Cheap Airline Tickets - Farecast
And in an homage to the BSers that read this blog, another interesting site from Techcrunch.
--MissM
Wired News: Privacy Debacle Hall of Fame
Wired has the Top 10 list! As additional info to the post below on lack of privacy in search:
10. ChoicePoint data spill:
9. VA laptop theft:
8. CardSystems hacked:
7. Discovery of data on used hard drives for sale:
6. Philip Agee's revenge:
5. Amy Boyer's murder:
4. Testing CAPPS II:
3. COINTELPRO:
2. AT&T lets the NSA listen to all phone calls:
You have to go to the article to see the Number 1 "privacy disaster," and the details of the above countdown. Have a great week! ;)
Wired News: Privacy Debacle Hall of Fame
--MissM
And in an "Ohhh pretty pictures" way check out some aurora pictures from August 7th.
The company claimed it was trying to help researchers by providing "anonymized" search information, but experts and the public were shocked at how easy it was to figure out who had been searching on what. Apparently, AOL's anonymizing process didn't include removing names, addresses and Social Security numbers. Although the company has since apologized and taken the data down, there are at least half-a-dozen mirrors still out there for all to browse.
10. ChoicePoint data spill:
9. VA laptop theft:
8. CardSystems hacked:
7. Discovery of data on used hard drives for sale:
6. Philip Agee's revenge:
5. Amy Boyer's murder:
4. Testing CAPPS II:
3. COINTELPRO:
2. AT&T lets the NSA listen to all phone calls:
You have to go to the article to see the Number 1 "privacy disaster," and the details of the above countdown. Have a great week! ;)
Wired News: Privacy Debacle Hall of Fame
--MissM
And in an "Ohhh pretty pictures" way check out some aurora pictures from August 7th.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 08-20-06
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 08-20-06. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. If you prefer, you can download the same file here via ftp.
What do Google, Yahoo, AOL and Microsoft's MSN know about you?
The Mercury News has a comprehensive article about search histories and what can be divined from them. It is scary how much can be told about you by them, even if you have a dynamic IP.
I think it is about time we get real protection of our private data from our legislatures and to hell with commercial interests.
Jack
I think it is about time we get real protection of our private data from our legislatures and to hell with commercial interests.
Jack
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Lenovo Notebooks Include Sony Batteries; Co. Says They're Safe
This article is a couple of days old, but it gives some interesting insight into the laptop battery business. It is not just the battery, but the battery design and the computer design that go into the blazing laptop equation.
The Vista Domino Effect On Tech - Forbes.com
Here's an interesting analysis of whether a Vista delay will be good or bad and for which businesses. If Microsoft is reading this they will not rush the release.
AT&T turns back on Chicago suburb over franchise agreement
This concerns Naperville, IL, a large and generally very affluent suburb. Evidently not all of it is affluent enough for AT&T. They want to cherry pick where to put their fiber and Naperville said no. Go Naperville!
Why do I dislike AT&T (which is really SBC in sheep's clothing) more and more each day?
Why do I dislike AT&T (which is really SBC in sheep's clothing) more and more each day?
Writely registration is now open!
Google has put Writely up for users to try. Remember when you sign up that it is a beta and you're supposed to be hunting bugs.
I've used it. It works better than any previous version and I think it approaching the level of usefulness that will be demanded by most folks. You power users of word processors are going to wait for a while to get all the features you need.
If you don't mind a little bug documentation, this is a good thing to check out. It's also a fine demonstration of an AJAX web app and as such it really does fire up my imagination..
Jack
I've used it. It works better than any previous version and I think it approaching the level of usefulness that will be demanded by most folks. You power users of word processors are going to wait for a while to get all the features you need.
If you don't mind a little bug documentation, this is a good thing to check out. It's also a fine demonstration of an AJAX web app and as such it really does fire up my imagination..
Jack
Philips contemplating LCD sell off - report
Everyone who had the dough to invest in LCD panel manufacture did just that. After all, weren't they going to be THE NEXT BIG THING?
It turned out that they were and they weren't. Sales amount to billions. Consumers love them. But the whole world can't buy enough to match the manufacturer's capacity. They simply over-estimated how fast they would fly off the shelves or there were simply too many outfits making them. Accounts differ.
Anyway; prices fell to insanely low levels for a while and will remain near those lows for the foreseeable future. So, LCD Panels have become NEXT BIG THING TO GET OUT OF. (Sorry. I just couldn't resist the emphatic statement.) The margins are thinner than the number of people who dare to go hunting with Dick Cheney. Phillips is just the first in a line of foundrys who will be selling off or dismantling their flat panel operations.
I guess I am crowing a bit. I've been telling you this would happen. Not Phillips in specific, but the over-supply was so dramatic that it was plain some of the manufacturers would have to bail.
Jack
It turned out that they were and they weren't. Sales amount to billions. Consumers love them. But the whole world can't buy enough to match the manufacturer's capacity. They simply over-estimated how fast they would fly off the shelves or there were simply too many outfits making them. Accounts differ.
Anyway; prices fell to insanely low levels for a while and will remain near those lows for the foreseeable future. So, LCD Panels have become NEXT BIG THING TO GET OUT OF. (Sorry. I just couldn't resist the emphatic statement.) The margins are thinner than the number of people who dare to go hunting with Dick Cheney. Phillips is just the first in a line of foundrys who will be selling off or dismantling their flat panel operations.
I guess I am crowing a bit. I've been telling you this would happen. Not Phillips in specific, but the over-supply was so dramatic that it was plain some of the manufacturers would have to bail.
Jack
Boing Boing: Commodore Amiga playing-cards
I thought this might interest some people who read the blog
Boing Boing: Commodore Amiga playing-cards
--MissM
These retro-tech playing cards feature images from the sadly departed Commodore Amiga personal computer, a dead media competitor to Windows and Mac OS machines from the GUI Cambrian Era. I owned an Amiga 1000 in 1984 1985, which was a stupendously promising, but underperforming, piece of shit. I later had lots of fun video-editing with the Amiga Toasters, but eventually gave up on the platform a little before the company itself croaked. Link (via Gizmodo)
Boing Boing: Commodore Amiga playing-cards
--MissM
Friday, August 18, 2006
Boeing to End In-Flight Internet Service
The good news is that this incarnation of the service is dead. The idea is not dead.
In the meantime I can think of 2 reasons why only a handful of people used the service each flight. The first being price. I might buy an hour for $10, but a whole flight for $26.95 adds up pretty fast. The second? A lack of a power outlet in coach seats (some airlines do supply power to first class and possibly to business class -- so far I've never seen power at a coach seat). Continuous use of WiFi eats batteries pretty fast so to really make this fly, it would include power at the seat of the subscriber.
I believe them when they said the terror alert wasn't inrelated. I see that as a little disingenuous though it certainly may not have been the main reason. There is a clear relationship. If passengers can't bring their laptops into the cabin, there are no customers, period.
In the meantime I can think of 2 reasons why only a handful of people used the service each flight. The first being price. I might buy an hour for $10, but a whole flight for $26.95 adds up pretty fast. The second? A lack of a power outlet in coach seats (some airlines do supply power to first class and possibly to business class -- so far I've never seen power at a coach seat). Continuous use of WiFi eats batteries pretty fast so to really make this fly, it would include power at the seat of the subscriber.
I believe them when they said the terror alert wasn't inrelated. I see that as a little disingenuous though it certainly may not have been the main reason. There is a clear relationship. If passengers can't bring their laptops into the cabin, there are no customers, period.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Dell Battery Recall Web site
Dell’s response has been to set up a hotline, in a bid to drive the battery callers away from its already beleagured customer support teams. However the average waiting time, listening to classical music, to get to a human is now 30 minutes.
A spokesDell has admitted to Business Week that there are long telephone delays, saying the company had already received 90,000 orders for new batteries. She suggested using the Dell battery programme site for a faster service.
If you have a Dell Laptop and want to order a new battery go to their battery recal web site.
AlaskaJoe
A spokesDell has admitted to Business Week that there are long telephone delays, saying the company had already received 90,000 orders for new batteries. She suggested using the Dell battery programme site for a faster service.
If you have a Dell Laptop and want to order a new battery go to their battery recal web site.
AlaskaJoe
Oh No I think I'm in trouble!!
They are having a woot off day, where they keep changing the item rather then just selling on item the whole day They take paypal, I already bought and espresso/cappucino maker for $15 and a 1 gig flash drive for $15.99 to pickup at microcenter.
Please put it on the blog so others can share in my pain.
This is from hally from our chat
Please put it on the blog so others can share in my pain.
This is from hally from our chat
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Microsoft patch can cause IE trouble
Microsoft's security update from Aug. 8 to Internet Explorer is causing browser trouble for some systems.
After people apply the MS06-042 update, rated "critical" by Microsoft, IE may crash when certain Web sites are viewed.
Sounds like another patch for a patch is coming out soon.
AlaskaJoe
After people apply the MS06-042 update, rated "critical" by Microsoft, IE may crash when certain Web sites are viewed.
Sounds like another patch for a patch is coming out soon.
AlaskaJoe
CNN.com - With shovels, AOL looks for retribution - Aug 15, 2006
I can't wait to see the results from this.....
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Dell recalls 4m laptop batteries
From the BBC:
The world's largest manufacturer of personal computers, Dell, is to recall 4.1 million of its notebook computer batteries because of a fire risk.
Most batteries are in computers sold in the US but more than 1 million are thought to be elsewhere.
The world's largest manufacturer of personal computers, Dell, is to recall 4.1 million of its notebook computer batteries because of a fire risk.
Most batteries are in computers sold in the US but more than 1 million are thought to be elsewhere.
TechTV Reborn as 'UndoTV'
This is great news for those of us who miss our daily dose of The ScreenSavers or Call for Help. Though by now most of us already listen to at least some of Chris's and Leo's podcasts, and also watch or listen to dl.tv. Anything that will feed the need for quality tech programming is a plus in my opinion.
P.S. For those of us in the US who can't get the Canadian version of Call for help, it is available via Google video. Sadly, at at $.99 per episode, and that is a little expensive to watch on a regular basis.
P.S. For those of us in the US who can't get the Canadian version of Call for help, it is available via Google video. Sadly, at at $.99 per episode, and that is a little expensive to watch on a regular basis.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Laptop batteries on planes are an accident waiting to happen
Even thought this article was in the Inquirer, it provides a poor man's glimps of an article that was in the Wall Street Journal (I don't have a paid subscription). Since we have discussed this, especially with Peter, on the show it is interesting to have the figures and details of incidents that this article provides.
powered by Ubuntu stickers :: free stuff
Since we have so many Ubuntu fans that read this blog.... Right??? :)
I thought I'd pass this on, I know nothing about the company or anything,
but a SASE for stickers seems like a good deal. Enjoy!
Show your Ubuntu pride !!
FREE strip of four 'powered by Ubuntu' stickers
Send a self addressed stamped envelope to:
System76, Inc. (Free Sticker)
875 S. Colorado Blvd. #765
Denver, Colorado 80246
powered by Ubuntu stickers :: system76 :
--MissM
I thought I'd pass this on, I know nothing about the company or anything,
but a SASE for stickers seems like a good deal. Enjoy!
Show your Ubuntu pride !!
FREE strip of four 'powered by Ubuntu' stickers
Send a self addressed stamped envelope to:
System76, Inc. (Free Sticker)
875 S. Colorado Blvd. #765
Denver, Colorado 80246
powered by Ubuntu stickers :: system76 :
--MissM
Doubts dog anonymous Thinkpad code for Linux kernel
I thought this merited posting because it illustrates well the processes of open development in the Linux kernel. Contrary to SCO's claims, everything is documented and the various developers insist on it. There is nothing haphazard at all about the processes or the documentation.
As I understand it; the code in question is directly related to Lenovo's decision to ship at least one model of Thinkpad (the T60) with pre-installed Linux. The anonymous coder could be a Lenovo employee. Or not. The worry is that the code violates someone's intellectual property and, while the coder may well be allowed to remain anonymous, she/he will be forced to come clean to the kernel maintainers in order to assure one and all they are not infringing on someone else's claim.
Jack
As I understand it; the code in question is directly related to Lenovo's decision to ship at least one model of Thinkpad (the T60) with pre-installed Linux. The anonymous coder could be a Lenovo employee. Or not. The worry is that the code violates someone's intellectual property and, while the coder may well be allowed to remain anonymous, she/he will be forced to come clean to the kernel maintainers in order to assure one and all they are not infringing on someone else's claim.
Jack
Microsoft Photography Blog : Photosynth Technology Preview
This is not released yet, but I thought it might interest some of the photographers and travelers, the video is neat, I hear. [h/t CrankyGeeks]
Microsoft Photography Blog : Photosynth Technology Preview
Video of Notre Dame and how Photosynth works here. The concept is to be able to check the ambience of a restaurant via photos accumulated and placed relative to each other to create a 3D world. Interesting idea, I think.
--MissM
Photosynth collections start with a set of photographs of roughly the same subject, such as a place, object, or monument. The photographs might have been taken all at once by the same photographer, or they might be a disparate set of pictures collected from different photographers at different times. The images are then processed by a preprocessor program that identifies “features” in the photographs – identifiable points in each image. (This picture shows a photo with some of its feature points superimposed.)
Microsoft Photography Blog : Photosynth Technology Preview
Video of Notre Dame and how Photosynth works here. The concept is to be able to check the ambience of a restaurant via photos accumulated and placed relative to each other to create a 3D world. Interesting idea, I think.
--MissM
Sunday, August 13, 2006
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 08-13-06
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 08-13-06. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. If you prefer, you can download the same file here via ftp.
Network Security | IT Security | Vulnerability Assessment | Intrusion Prevention
If you aren't sure you were patched against the recent MS06-040 exploit (the one in the news) you can download and run this scanner.
Colleges enrol more open source software
Silicon.com has a nice 1 page article about increasing usage of free and/or open source software in colleges and Universities. Use of FOSS products is widespread and still growing fast.
The article points out some interesting and probably troubling disconnects between software acquisition policies and reality. It seems that while IT departments are well aware of FOSS products and use them, management and policy makers are not.
Jack
The article points out some interesting and probably troubling disconnects between software acquisition policies and reality. It seems that while IT departments are well aware of FOSS products and use them, management and policy makers are not.
Jack
Friday, August 11, 2006
Blooming of Amorphophallus titanum (corpse flower) at BBG
Isn't the Internet wonderful? If you can't make it to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for the blooming of the Corpse Flower, you can see it via Web cam here:
http://www.bbg.org/vis2/2006/titan/webcam/index.html
As they say: All the fun, none of the stink!
http://www.bbg.org/vis2/2006/titan/webcam/index.html
As they say: All the fun, none of the stink!
Twenty five years of the IBM PC
From the BBC:
Computer firm IBM made technological history on 12 August 1981 with the announcement of a personal computer - the IBM 5150.
Costing $1,565, the 5150 had just 16K of memory - scarcely more than a couple of modest e-mails worth.
Computer firm IBM made technological history on 12 August 1981 with the announcement of a personal computer - the IBM 5150.
Costing $1,565, the 5150 had just 16K of memory - scarcely more than a couple of modest e-mails worth.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Intel posts Linux-friendly GMA 3000 drivers
Intel has always been friendly to Free and Open Source Software and this is just more evidence that they are not averse to taking the risk of posting their code for the World plus their dogs to see. Of course, in this case, they hope to leverage that to gain feedback and perhaps help with what they admit is code unready for public release. I'm sure they will get plenty of both as more and more users demand Free Software drivers for use with Linux and other FOSS operating systems.
(Admittedly, the outcry for FOSS drivers is not coming from a great mob of people. In fact, the phenomenon is rather small, but gaining at a surprising rate. Just ask NVidia how many emails they receive on the subject. If they give a truthful answer, one that matches what my friend who works there reports, you will see this is not a minor dustup.)
As embedded graphics is the most common scheme used by OEMs, this can only be to the good for those of us who cannot afford a high end graphics adaptor and want to run Free Software and operating systems on our machines.
Jack
(Admittedly, the outcry for FOSS drivers is not coming from a great mob of people. In fact, the phenomenon is rather small, but gaining at a surprising rate. Just ask NVidia how many emails they receive on the subject. If they give a truthful answer, one that matches what my friend who works there reports, you will see this is not a minor dustup.)
As embedded graphics is the most common scheme used by OEMs, this can only be to the good for those of us who cannot afford a high end graphics adaptor and want to run Free Software and operating systems on our machines.
Jack
PC-BSD: The Most Beginner Friendly OS
I've mentioned PC BSD in our chats. I think I even mentioned it on the show. I have tried an earlier version and though I did not have completely compatible hardware, the experience was pleasant.
The link above will take you to a lightweight review of PC BSD at OS Weekly.com and I think you will find it informative and pleasant to read.
Once it is installed, PC BSD will look just like a Linux/KDE installation. It runs the same desktop environment (KDE) and a lot of the same software. The command line will be different, because the FreeBSD upon which PC BSD is built is a "true" Unix and not just very similar, as Linux is, but the GNU utilities, tools and applications are there, so it won't be all that foreign if you are acquainted with Linux. And I do believe PC BSD is well enough developed that a newbie can actually deal with it at least as well as the most newbie friendly Linux. Time and experience will tell if I am right in that, but I am confident in my statement.
PC BSD may or may not be nothing more than a blip on the alternative OS radar screen, but it does appear to meet a lot of needs and be something users can live with. Unfortunately, that does not guarantee success. Even so, I think this OS has a decent chance of winning a desktop following.
Jack
All
The link above will take you to a lightweight review of PC BSD at OS Weekly.com and I think you will find it informative and pleasant to read.
Once it is installed, PC BSD will look just like a Linux/KDE installation. It runs the same desktop environment (KDE) and a lot of the same software. The command line will be different, because the FreeBSD upon which PC BSD is built is a "true" Unix and not just very similar, as Linux is, but the GNU utilities, tools and applications are there, so it won't be all that foreign if you are acquainted with Linux. And I do believe PC BSD is well enough developed that a newbie can actually deal with it at least as well as the most newbie friendly Linux. Time and experience will tell if I am right in that, but I am confident in my statement.
PC BSD may or may not be nothing more than a blip on the alternative OS radar screen, but it does appear to meet a lot of needs and be something users can live with. Unfortunately, that does not guarantee success. Even so, I think this OS has a decent chance of winning a desktop following.
Jack
All
Microsoft to Tighten the Genuine Advantage Screws
It's not like we did not know this was coming and this and other contemporary articles still lack all the particulars. Even so, it is apparent Microsoft is going to great lengths to enforce it's copyrights and penalize those who insist on using pirated copies of their Vista operating system and Office 2007.
I have to wonder how much privacy we are going to have to give up so that MS can check the validity of our licenses. And it is going to be a real struggle for the company to deal with the inevitable false positives where the validation mechanisms declare a legitimate copy to be pirated.
Time will tell.
Jack
I have to wonder how much privacy we are going to have to give up so that MS can check the validity of our licenses. And it is going to be a real struggle for the company to deal with the inevitable false positives where the validation mechanisms declare a legitimate copy to be pirated.
Time will tell.
Jack
Is Microsoft installing spyware?
With all of the spyware around these days, do we have to worry about Microsoft?
Did you know Microsoft "Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications" tool, is calling home and connect to Microsoft servers every time you boot (pilot version), or every two weeks (current release). I would like to know WHY? What information about you and your computer does Microsoft NEED every two weeks?
USSROVER gave me this web site, I though everyone should be told about this tool to remove the WGA.
RemoveWGA enables you to remove the Microsoft "Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications"
This computer is waiting for a reboot so it can complete the removal of the WGA.
I'm back and here is a screen shot of the window I got on reboot!
FYI it took longer than normal to reboot don't worry it will come back up.
AlaskaJoe
Did you know Microsoft "Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications" tool, is calling home and connect to Microsoft servers every time you boot (pilot version), or every two weeks (current release). I would like to know WHY? What information about you and your computer does Microsoft NEED every two weeks?
USSROVER gave me this web site, I though everyone should be told about this tool to remove the WGA.
RemoveWGA enables you to remove the Microsoft "Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications"
This computer is waiting for a reboot so it can complete the removal of the WGA.
I'm back and here is a screen shot of the window I got on reboot!
FYI it took longer than normal to reboot don't worry it will come back up.
AlaskaJoe
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Yahoo! Developer Network - Python Developer Center
Yahoo! has started a Python Developer site which includes documentation on the Python language itself and on Yahoo!'s APIs. This matches sites they already have up for the PHP and javascript languages.
This is simply another example of companies trying to leverage individual developers and communities of developers to enhance their offerings. It happens a lot and as a corporate practice is growing by leaps and bounds.
Check it out. It is quite an interesting site.
Jack
This is simply another example of companies trying to leverage individual developers and communities of developers to enhance their offerings. It happens a lot and as a corporate practice is growing by leaps and bounds.
Check it out. It is quite an interesting site.
Jack
A Face Is Exposed for AOL Searcher No. 4417749
Even though she talked to reporters, the bottom line is that Ms. Arnold felt disillusioned and she dropped her AOL subscription.
IMHO, the search engine that best protects my privacy is the one I will use. If no search engine protects my privacy then the only choice, since using the web without a search engine is counterproductive, is to use a trustworthy anonymizer.
IMHO, the search engine that best protects my privacy is the one I will use. If no search engine protects my privacy then the only choice, since using the web without a search engine is counterproductive, is to use a trustworthy anonymizer.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
The Black Hat Wi-Fi exploit coverup
The link is to a rant at NewsForge. It's worth a read. Whether or not you agree, it is for certain that more and more often, our access to security information depends on one or another corporation's willingness to allow us to see it.
Scary stuff.
Jack
Scary stuff.
Jack
Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for August, 2006
Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for August, 2006
Published: August 8, 2006 | Updated: August 8, 2006
Version: 1.0
An end-user version of this information is available by visiting the following Web site.
Protect Your PC: Microsoft has provided information about how you can help protect your PC at the following locations:
•
End-users can visit the Protect Your PC Web site.
•
IT Professionals can visit the Security Guidance Center Web site.
Update Management Strategies: The Patch Management, Security Updates, and Downloads Web site provides additional information about Microsoft’s best practices recommendations for applying security updates.
IT Pro Security Zone Community: Learn to improve security and optimize your IT infrastructure, and participate with other IT Pros on security topics in the IT Pro Security Zone Web site.
Microsoft Security Notification Service: To receive automatic e-mail notifications whenever Microsoft security bulletins are issued, subscribe to the Microsoft Security Notification Service. [I believe that you have to have a passport account for this, which irritates the doo wop out of me, for the record.]
Summary
Included in this advisory are updates for newly discovered vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities, broken down by severity are:
Critical (9)
Important (3)
Additional details available below:
Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for August, 2006
Published: August 8, 2006 | Updated: August 8, 2006
Version: 1.0
An end-user version of this information is available by visiting the following Web site.
Protect Your PC: Microsoft has provided information about how you can help protect your PC at the following locations:
•
End-users can visit the Protect Your PC Web site.
•
IT Professionals can visit the Security Guidance Center Web site.
Update Management Strategies: The Patch Management, Security Updates, and Downloads Web site provides additional information about Microsoft’s best practices recommendations for applying security updates.
IT Pro Security Zone Community: Learn to improve security and optimize your IT infrastructure, and participate with other IT Pros on security topics in the IT Pro Security Zone Web site.
Microsoft Security Notification Service: To receive automatic e-mail notifications whenever Microsoft security bulletins are issued, subscribe to the Microsoft Security Notification Service. [I believe that you have to have a passport account for this, which irritates the doo wop out of me, for the record.]
Summary
Included in this advisory are updates for newly discovered vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities, broken down by severity are:
Critical (9)
Important (3)
Additional details available below:
Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for August, 2006
Microsoft backs GetHuman customer service plan
Microsoft and Nuance, a company that makes voice recognition software used in call center automation, have joined with GetHuman.com to set standards for customer service. It is a move that has been needed for a long time, though of course there is no guarantee it will come to full fruition. The presence of GetHuman.com's founder, Paul English is probably a very good sign, though, as he will not be prone to accept half measures.
I've really only ever had one bad time with Microsoft support. My largest complaints have been with HP and especially Xerox, where I once tried unsuccessfully to reach a human continuously for two solid days to place an order. Even the sales department was unreachable to me, due to their automated contact structure. They lost when I convinced the company to go with our second choice because they were reachable without delay or having to jump through hoops.
Jack
I've really only ever had one bad time with Microsoft support. My largest complaints have been with HP and especially Xerox, where I once tried unsuccessfully to reach a human continuously for two solid days to place an order. Even the sales department was unreachable to me, due to their automated contact structure. They lost when I convinced the company to go with our second choice because they were reachable without delay or having to jump through hoops.
Jack
VMware to open Windows-on-Mac tool to public testers
Along with the Parallels virtualization app, VMWare will have one that allows running Windows XP concurrently with OS X on Mac hardware in a virtual installation. It's a public beta, right now and I suggest those of you in a position to give it a whirl do so.
In a related announcement, Microsoft has admitted they are going to stop development of Virtual PC. Details can be found here.
Jack
In a related announcement, Microsoft has admitted they are going to stop development of Virtual PC. Details can be found here.
Jack
The myth of the living-room PC
I agree with the author. Part of it is the two foot, ten foot interface thing.
I think time is another thing. Everyone has different needs, but everyone only has so many hours in a day. I know that I spend more hours a day on satellite and broadcast radio, streaming audio, podcasts, YouTube, and Netflix, than I do on TV. I certainly do not want to dedicate a computer to such a limited pupose.
And have you ever tried to run a computer, only using a remote control? Need I say more.
I think time is another thing. Everyone has different needs, but everyone only has so many hours in a day. I know that I spend more hours a day on satellite and broadcast radio, streaming audio, podcasts, YouTube, and Netflix, than I do on TV. I certainly do not want to dedicate a computer to such a limited pupose.
And have you ever tried to run a computer, only using a remote control? Need I say more.
AOL offers free antivirus software
The good news is that it is Kaspersky based. The bad news is that "free" is a relative term. According to the article you have to agree to terms like this:
"Active Virus Shield collects a host of information that may be used for marketing purposes, starting with the e-mail address required to download and run the product, according to the fine print. Other data collected include usage stats, responses to ads and details about the PC, according to the AOL agreement."
I'd rather pay for my anti-virus with cash up front. That is a much lower price than what AOL wants for it.
"Active Virus Shield collects a host of information that may be used for marketing purposes, starting with the e-mail address required to download and run the product, according to the fine print. Other data collected include usage stats, responses to ads and details about the PC, according to the AOL agreement."
I'd rather pay for my anti-virus with cash up front. That is a much lower price than what AOL wants for it.
Open-source router to take on Cisco
There have been and continue to be open source routers, but this is the first time I've seen one offered with a paid support program.
I have used some of the earlier "routers on a floppy", buth here and for commercial clients. I found them a really decent way to extend the useful life of an old PC and even a Pentium II at 233 MHz with only 64 megabytes of memory is capable of routing all the traffic in a fairly large office without breaking a sweat. I had one with exactly those specifications working in an office with 24 PCs and it ran like a champ for 3 years, until the hardware gave up.
As those had no firewall capabilities, I usually found it easier to actually install Linux and run that application alongside a software firewall. They were never an ideal solution, but they did serve.
Now, this company has a fully featured router app that will run on older hardware alongside today's fully featured firewall applications. You can download the software for yourself, though support costs money. It looks good.
Jack
I have used some of the earlier "routers on a floppy", buth here and for commercial clients. I found them a really decent way to extend the useful life of an old PC and even a Pentium II at 233 MHz with only 64 megabytes of memory is capable of routing all the traffic in a fairly large office without breaking a sweat. I had one with exactly those specifications working in an office with 24 PCs and it ran like a champ for 3 years, until the hardware gave up.
As those had no firewall capabilities, I usually found it easier to actually install Linux and run that application alongside a software firewall. They were never an ideal solution, but they did serve.
Now, this company has a fully featured router app that will run on older hardware alongside today's fully featured firewall applications. You can download the software for yourself, though support costs money. It looks good.
Jack
Sunday, August 06, 2006
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 08-06-06
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 08-06-06. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. If you prefer, you can download the same file here via ftp.
Pics of another exploding laptop
This time it's an Apple PowerBook. I'm not posting this stiff to smear Apple. One good look at these pics SHOULD convince you to check and see if your laptop batteries are being recalled. If they are, please, please exchange them. What if this happens on a plane or in your car while you are driving at speed? For your sake and for the sake of others, please check this out.
Jack
Jack
Google puts up 'Beware of malware' signs
Now here is a great idea. Should you do a search on Google and click on a returned link which leads to a site known to offer malware, Google will put up a warning. Should you wish to click through, you can. Google respects your judgement on the matter, but they figure you need information to be safe and this provides it.
The CNet News.com article linked to above is a short and informative read. And of course; as soon as I get the time I'm going to do some searches for things like "free screensavers" and see how the warnings look. I'll either use a Linux box or my virtual XP Home installation, just to be safe.
Jack
The CNet News.com article linked to above is a short and informative read. And of course; as soon as I get the time I'm going to do some searches for things like "free screensavers" and see how the warnings look. I'll either use a Linux box or my virtual XP Home installation, just to be safe.
Jack
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Symantec fixes its chuch spyware mistake
It's all fixed. Symantec offers no real explanation, so I don't know if my earlier speculation was on or off, but I'll stick with it until someone provides particulars, due to my recent experiences.
Jack
Jack
How to fix a dead hard drive
Here is a quick review of what you can do to recover data from a dead drive. The lack of specifics is simply that the first thing you try is software based. Any software. All the stuff you find in your toolbox and on the web. There are thousands of choices - literally.
This little blurb at The Inquirer is informative and will give you enough of an idea as to what data recovery involves that you can start experimenting on an old drive that contains nothing you really need to save and learn the moves.
Jack
This little blurb at The Inquirer is informative and will give you enough of an idea as to what data recovery involves that you can start experimenting on an old drive that contains nothing you really need to save and learn the moves.
Jack
Desktop Linux breakthrough: Lenovo preloads SUSE on ThinkPad
Both HP and Dell have dabbled in this and several second tier outlets do it routinely, but this is apparently the first time a major maker has done it very publicly and for every customer, from the largest business or government to you and I. That is unless you cound HP's continued offering of Mandriva Linux in France, which I do not.
So, the Linux desktop finally makes it into public visibility as a viable option. Will it change things? I do not know, except that I may buy a Thinkpad, despite that tiny pointer thingie in the middle of the keyboard.
Jack
So, the Linux desktop finally makes it into public visibility as a viable option. Will it change things? I do not know, except that I may buy a Thinkpad, despite that tiny pointer thingie in the middle of the keyboard.
Jack
Friday, August 04, 2006
Circuit City invites wrath of the MPAA by copying DVDs
"Fair Use advocates, take notice. Circuit City is apparently putting its neck on the line to provide customers with DVD transfer services. The company is offering a 'DVD video transfer service' that for all intents and purposes is illegal. The company will take commercial DVDs and rip them for use on portable devices for $10 for 1 DVD, $20 for 3 DVDs or $30 for 5 DVDs. That is, until their legal department hears what's happening."
I wonder how long it will take the RIAA to do something?
AlaskaJoe
I wonder how long it will take the RIAA to do something?
AlaskaJoe
Microsoft and Apple 'must improve security patches'
The argument over whether or not Apple and Microsoft (and some other, less common operating system publishers, as well) should publish device driver updates for all compatible devices has raged for a long time.
In the past, I sided with those saying "no", figuring the OS vendors were taking on something for which they weren't responsible. I was okay leaving the responsibility to me, the user. But my argument ignored the fact that most users are incapable of keeping up with this task, not to mention that they don't want the work load. They just want to use the computer.
I think MS and Apple and the rest have to start doing this. Recent security research has concentrated on device drivers as routes for getting into a computer. Right now, wireless device drivers are the target, but there are many others that could be used for nefarious purposes, as well. MS could bundle this service in with One Care or simply do it in Windows Update and Microsoft Update simply as an act in their users' best interests.
It has to happen. Regular users are not capable of securing their systems now. With new vectors of attack being revealed at a dizzying pace, this will only get worse.
Jack
P.S. Don't forget to disable your wireless connection when out in public, unless you are using it.
In the past, I sided with those saying "no", figuring the OS vendors were taking on something for which they weren't responsible. I was okay leaving the responsibility to me, the user. But my argument ignored the fact that most users are incapable of keeping up with this task, not to mention that they don't want the work load. They just want to use the computer.
I think MS and Apple and the rest have to start doing this. Recent security research has concentrated on device drivers as routes for getting into a computer. Right now, wireless device drivers are the target, but there are many others that could be used for nefarious purposes, as well. MS could bundle this service in with One Care or simply do it in Windows Update and Microsoft Update simply as an act in their users' best interests.
It has to happen. Regular users are not capable of securing their systems now. With new vectors of attack being revealed at a dizzying pace, this will only get worse.
Jack
P.S. Don't forget to disable your wireless connection when out in public, unless you are using it.
Symantec error leaves vicars in a twist
This is not a black mark on Symantec. It's just the kind of thing that happens as threat databases get larger and both legitimate developer and virus/worm writers re-use snippets of code found on the web.
I just came up against the same thing. My friend John and I were writing a very small Python app for his employer. Much of the gui and some of the actual executable code came from The Vaults of Parnassus, which is a popular Python code repository. (See it here. It is a fine resource!) Every AV application we have access to freaks at our application because three or four malware programs also use the same bits of code our application does. So, we are stuck re-inventing the wheel, though in an admittedly very small way.
I assume something like this is what happened in this case.
Jack
I just came up against the same thing. My friend John and I were writing a very small Python app for his employer. Much of the gui and some of the actual executable code came from The Vaults of Parnassus, which is a popular Python code repository. (See it here. It is a fine resource!) Every AV application we have access to freaks at our application because three or four malware programs also use the same bits of code our application does. So, we are stuck re-inventing the wheel, though in an admittedly very small way.
I assume something like this is what happened in this case.
Jack
Foxmarks Bookmark Synchronizer :: Mozilla Add-ons :: Add Features to Mozilla Software
"If you use Firefox on more than one computer, you'll want Foxmarks. Install Foxmarks on each computer, and it will work silently in the background to keep your bookmarks synchronized. As a bonus, log in to my.foxcloud.com from any computer anywhere to access your bookmarks."
This is a very kewl plug-in, it works with both Windows and Unubtu's FireFox.
Thanks, brockj49464 from our chat.
This is a very kewl plug-in, it works with both Windows and Unubtu's FireFox.
Thanks, brockj49464 from our chat.
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