Links from the Gregg Zone

1) Starting green as usual, but there is a little geek stuff to sneak in here also. Just to prove how fast an easy it may be to get us into a more reasonable energy position nationally. What has to happen is to make it easier for people to help with the switch. How about printing up solar cells with an ink jet printer? I ran across a story on this company some place following my usual pattern of link jumping, some how I wound up at this story from popular mechanics. http://www.popularmechanics.com This is going to require a couple more links to cover the subject, first their main page, complete with a video from the discovery channel, where I originally started link hopping. http://www.konarka.com/ Now just to enforce that investment angle I have been talking about one more link on the way to number 2 for the week. http://earth2tech.com
2) Next up another of those cool cars I would like to take a drive, or dive in. For the movie buffs this is from the bond movie “The Spy Who Loved Me”. Seems forty years after the movie fake was cruising around with the fishes, the guys over at Rinspeed decided they needed to take an ordinary Lotus Elise (there is an oxymoron for you, no Lotus is ordinary) and create the sQuba. A sports car that doubles as a submarine, and it is an electric vehicle, how is that for ultra cool. Link has a video, story and a few pictures. The car was unveiled at the Geneva Motor show back in March. http://jalopnik.com
3) Now for the weird link of the week, yea I know that makes some of you a little queasy this is not to bad, but defiantly weird. The head line got me from the start, “The Great Swallower”, now that just had to be clicked on. Seems the Great Swallower is a fish; yes that is its real name. It hales from the Grand Cayman Islands, and evidently really lives up to his name. Seems this one out did himself the 7.5 inch fish swallowed another fish that was 34 inches long, I mean that is between 5 and 6 times as big as he is, it killed him, but he pulled it off. http://www.underwatertimes.com
4) Okay I know I am not supposed to touch anything political, not even with a ten foot poll. Any way I just could not resist this one something to be said for the entertainment of coincidence, I will be good, stay quiet and not comment at all, check it out it is just interesting, and I liked it. http://www.dailymail.co.uk
5) The geek link as usual is a little over my pay grade, but seemed timely as it is dated yesterday afternoon, so I thought I would take a chance and put it up. Maybe everyone has not already heard about it, it scared me a bit when I read it, so my alternative motive is to have some one make me feel safe. Tell me I am well protected behind something, cause this is the kind of thing that would nail me. http://arstechnica.com

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 09-21-08

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 09-21-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific that's 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

Links from the Gregg Zone

1) Starting off with my usual green link, this week I will point out something with a much broader scope than my normal new product. I heard a story on the news this morning, well more like a 15 sec. sound byte. He mentioned “green degrees” as in college degrees. Of course this tickled my Google juices, led to several links one of which I put up here. I am going to predict that this will be the new dot com. If you are looking for a field to invest in, a career for a young person’s study, or an area to move your own work career into, this I believe will be the way to go. Governments will be pouring monies and resources into this area; the political interest has only begun. All fields from environmental accounting, (how best to use incentives, grants, tax breaks etc.), to environmental zoning, (how to best allocate land uses in cities and states). The new niche fields of study and employment opening up in the next ten years; will be staggering. http://www.kcbd.com
2) The next link here is my cool video site, crossed with my cool DYI site for the week. The first video should catch your eye, “How to Double Your Gas Mileage” now if I was a commuter this is one I would have to check into. There are a lot of others of interest here. I know I will be spending a little more time at this site in the next few days. http://www.kipkay.com/
3) Now for my scary technology link of the month. Just when you thought your privacy could not get anymore invaded than it has been in the last ten years. Seems they can now see through walls, even from those drone planes in Iraq. It appears this may be the new top-secret technology Woodward was talking about in those interviews about the surge last week. This link is just to a story link in Slate Magazine, if you want to check into it further you will have to do your own googling. http://www.slate.com
4) I just had to bring this up, I am sure everyone has already heard about it, but just in case here is a link to an article in Times Online a story about Google’s new idea about off shore data bases. I just wanted an excuse to comment, why does it need to be off shore; there are other large water bodies with-in our borders, how about the great lakes. Seems to me they just want to circumvent taxes, and regulation. Just a thought, but are we not right now suffering from some lack of regulation in the economy. What about terrorism, my God what a target. http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/
5) Last up the geek link, this is a link to Google’s Official Blog Site, a blog by Chad Hurly CEO and co-founder of YouTube, about the future of online video. A very interesting read. http://googleblog.blogspot.com

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 09-14-08

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 09-14-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific that's 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

Links from the Gregg Zone

1) Green link for the week, this is one you may like especially if it works out for you. I saw this advertised on T.V. went to the site to see what was up. If you every thought you might like to switch over to solar for your electricity. This may be for you the link is to the main page, the menu in red to the right, and at the bottom titled “government incentives”, that is where the meat is. Several states have enough incentives to pay for the entire system, others have some substantial discounts. They say their installers will file for the incentives, and have they will have them approved in advance of the installation. Anyway it looks good to me, but then you know how the internet is. http://www.power-savetv.com
2) Next up; I seem to have a lot of car stuff these days here is one more to add to the list. Peugeot concept cars. These are a little over the top for my taste, but who knows where things are headed. The slide show is mainly just artist type shots of the design, there is not much detail. Reminded me of watching one of those women fashion shows, it may be interesting on the runway, but I hope not to see many on the street. Anyway you be the judge. http://www.telegraph.co.uk
3) Here is a link to the top ten physics videos at wired magazine, I thought most of them were pretty neat, the one from mythbusters I have seen, and the last one, well lets just say I am not into rap, but interesting if you turn off the sound and read the captions. http://blog.wired.com
4) Okay this is not a gadget, toy, or geek link, but it sure is an interesting read. An article from Discovery Magazine on how laughter may outlive humans, and even numbers, I must admit I have not yet learned who it is laughing at the end. Us or the chimps. It is based on the Copernican Principal dealing with the longevity of things, like humans. It is just one of those interesting reads, not to long, but makes you think about, you know stuff. http://discovermagazine.com
5) Finally something geeky, say happy fiftieth birthday to the Microchip, a nice little video here, along with a pretty good article on Jack Kilby the inventor working at Texas Instruments. Probably the single most world changing invention of all time. Another interesting read. I was surprised at my lack of appreciation for this event in our history. http://technology.timesonline.co.uk

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 09-07-08

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 09-07-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific that's 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

How to remove Antivirus 2009 (Uninstall Instructions)

"When Antivirus 2009 is installed, a Internet Explorer browser helper object is also installed that displays fake messages when using Internet Explorer."

This is a very nasty SPYWARE, this website tells you how to remove it from your computer.

This also works on AntiVirusXP and AntiVirus 2008 also Doctor AntiVirus (They are all in the same family.)

I would like to thank Ron N. a Podcast listener for this link and info on how to remove it.

AlaskaJoe

Links from the Gregg Zone

1) As usual a start with the green car link. This time one put out by Ford, it goes on sale this November, gets 65 mpg, but we can’t buy one. Seems we are always getting the short end of the stick these days. This is a very nice five passenger job called the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic. If you want to move to Europe you can have one, but not for the U.S. Story here, check it out maybe next year http://www.businessweek.com/
2) The gadget link for the week, the top five gadgets that could get you arrested. I don’t think I will have any trouble with them, just not my cup of tea, well maybe the pocket laser, just for the cool toy appeal. Anyway you might find something here to tickle your fancy. http://www.wired.com
3) While I am on the subject of cool gadgets, check out this, robots are really getting interesting these days. These have to be the best robot videos I have seen in a long time. Prototypes for the Army of course, but they are totally amazing. http://www.dialaphone.co.uk
4) Now for something I found that qualifies as the just plain interesting site for this week. Seems that for thousands of years no one has noticed this phenomenon, it appears all grazing animals from cattle, to deer all face north and south while grazing. The think it is related to the magnetic earth fields. Article from BBC here http://news.bbc.co.uk
5) Last up my geek link for the week, seems the old remote control, that often misplaced, extension of my right arm, may soon be a thing of the past. The new replacement being a small camera, interacting with a small processor to locate my hand then process visual information translating my waves, and gestures into command prompts to control the T.V. Article from the Telegraph Magazine in the U.K. linked here, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
6) A late add-on here I usually put up five, but I almost forgot this one, and it is time sensitive. The idea that we will live or die by our technology may reach an ultimate climax this Wednesday. Reminiscent of that decision about the first atomic bomb, and not knowing for sure if the chain reaction would stop, or destroy the planet. Seems we are at it again with the Large Hadron Collider Atlas Detector. The will flip the switch on Wednesday some scientist think it could destroy the planet in 1/20th of a second then, the moon, sun, all planets and on to the entire cosmos at the speed of light. Read it here before it is too late. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 08-31-08

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 08-31-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific that's 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

If you would like to see some of the pictures from when Sue & I drove up to Denali National Park, I have some posted here. The drive from Cantwell to Paxton Alaska MAP This scenic, 133 mile/214 km route connects the Richardson Highway with Denali National Park and Preserve. The highway begins at Paxson Junction (mile 177/km 285 on the Richardson Highway) and ends at Cantwell Junction where it merges with the Parks Highway. It is only 28 miles from this point to the Denali National Park. This highway is closed in winter from October to mid-May. About 100 miles are gravel road.

Links from the Gregg Zone

1) Starting off with the green links this week I am going to skirt the issue of avoiding political involvement by putting up two links one for each side and asking you to please get involved in understanding the positions they represent. These sites have the parties energy plans spelled out with their goals and objectives, read them to help you decide where your support should be. I truly believe we are at a major turning point in our history; we need to do something to change direction, because we cannot sustain the path we are on. Please take the time to educate yourselves so you can participate in saving ourselves from the inevitable. First link to John McCain’s Lexington Project http://www.johnmccain.com/ Second link to Baraack Obama’s New Energy for America’s plan http://my.barackobama.com/
2) Next up something a little geeky Joe and I ran into this earlier today google-goofing the subject of RFID hacking start off with an article in Wired http://www.wired.com now where to get the stuff and a little more on using it at Think Geek http://www.thinkgeek.com
3) Staying in Meek Mode for another link I think you will like this a lot. This is a link to the video presentations at the O’Reilly Emerging Technology Conference earlier this year; they emphasize the new technologies that seem to have the greatest chance to take off in the future. Some very interesting stuff here. http://en.oreilly.com
4) Now a little of that over my pay grade material, but most likely of interest to anyone involved in the computer world. It has been around for a while, so it may not be new to you, but if it is you might want to check it out. Called The Risk Digest, it is a “Forum On Risks To The Public In Computers And Related Systems”, with a searchable listing of over 2,000 issues dating from 1985 to the present. http://catless.ncl.ac.uk
5) Last something from the land of weird, actually very weird. Seems there is a woman in Indonesia who has wires growing from inside of her body, it has been going on for seventeen years, and doctors are clueless. http://thewhyfile.blogspot.com It made me think about Morgellons Disease if you have not heard about it here is a link to a news story on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 08-24-08

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 08-24-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific that's 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

Links from the Gregg Zone

1) For the green links for this week, due to a site sent to me by Joe are going to revisit the run your car on water topic. First the link Joe sent me for a product he saw advertised on T.V. in Alaska. http://www.hydro4000.com/ This is a device that separates the hydrogen and oxygen in water to form Browns Gas or HHO. I have found mixed reviews on the efficiency going to take a wait and see approach for a while. Now for a couple more sites on the subject, this is using water only; it is a water fuel cell watch the YouTube video here, http://www.youtube.com, now a site dedicated to research on the water fuel cell, complete with a link to the court transcript charging him with fraud. However there is a lot of technical data on how the system could work. Here is a link to as many YouTube videos on the subject as you might want http://www.youtube.com

2) As long as I am on the subject of water and cars, I want one of these.
http://www.watercar.com

3) Okay that is pretty cool alright, but what about poor Joe in Alaska the water is frozen for more than half of the year, how about a snow vehicle built by Lotus. Now you are talking it is even a green machine running on bio-diesel. I would like one of these also, but it would have to have one heck of a heater. http://blog.wired.com

4) Now for a little something deeper, along time back there was a guest on Art Bell who believed humans were hard wired to believe in God. He said this was a necessary evolution that came with our power of reason. When we watched someone die it was necessary to create something to ease our mind as to what happens next, according to him we would go nuts or something, at least if I remember his premise correctly. Well it seems there is a new branch of science dealing with our mind connection to religion, it is called neurotheology. Here is a link to a BBC movie dealing with it; the video is in six parts thanks to YouTube’s new way of doing things.
http://www.youtube.com

5) This next one is just for Keith, our up coming guest. I want him to install one of these in my place as soon as he finishes with Tony’s. I know it would take me months to get it right, but I still want one. Can the remote, and voice activate your house, just like Star Trek, I ask and receive. “Computer reduce lighting by 40% and raise temperature by four degrees.” http://www.engadget.com

Dell's Eee-killer to ship with Ubuntu preinstalled

"Dell's much-anticipated subnotebook product, which could be available to consumers by the end of the week, will be offered with Ubuntu 8.04 preinstalled."
The specifications also show that the device includes an 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, up to 1GB of RAM, and an 8.9" screen with support for a resolution of 1024x600.
Sounds like a nice laptop, Maybe I need a new one :)
Thanks Buzz for this URL!

AlaskaJoe

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 08-17-08

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 08-17-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific that's 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

Links from the Gregg Zone

1) Well as usual a green link to kick things off, this is an example of what we can expect in the next few years. As solar energy becomes more attractive to industry, more research into new technology will also create improvements to the existing ones. Here is a perfect example for solar panels. http://news.bbc.co.uk

2) If you thought all U.F.O.’s are from off planet think again, seems the British military has some and are in development to turn them into some sort of weapon. This link has a story and an interesting video showing their prototype in action, mainly for surveillance at least for now, but who knows where it will go in the future. http://www.thought-criminal.org

3) Now for a little on something we touched on last week, the subject of digital drugs, that is a slang term for binaural beats, or using that part of the brain that sorts out sound, the way we determine the direction a sound is coming from. The binaural beat tricks the brain into a certain frequency alpha, beta delta, etcetera. This first link is the article that got me interested, http://www.usatoday.com this link is to an article in U.S. Today by, oh no Kim Komando, sorry but that was the first thing I saw. The second link is to Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/ a very interesting read on the subject. The third link is to a site where you can try them for free, so don’t buy anything until you check them out to see if there is something there for you http://www.i-dose.us/

4) My geek link for the week, an article titled “What Will Linux Look Like in 2012” this is from Information Weekly August 14, I am sorry this is one of those I thought might interest you, but most of it slid right past my lack of geekness. http://www.informationweek.com

5) To top things of for the week here is a link to an article that I have to hope is not real; if it is then I fear Google has gone way over the edge. An addition to Google Maps that can actually look into your house, by into I mean inside your home. Sounds a little fishy to me, I have not had time to look into it further. Check it out sounds scary to me. http://www.bbspot.com

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 08-10-08

This is a re-post of the On Computers Radio show podcast for 08-10-08. The first file posted was corrupt. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific that's 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 08-10-08

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 08-10-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

Links from the Gregg Zone

1) Well to start off as usual a little something green, although this week it is not a gadget or new technology. It is something a little closer to my heart, well actually maybe my stomach. I ran across this article in the New York Times about gardening for the, well lets just call them the more relaxed gardeners among us. If you have thought it would be nice to eat fresh grown fruits and vegetables, locally farm raised meats, but you know, who has the time and or energy for all that. Well there is an entrepreneur living on the west coast who may offer you an out. They do all the work, and leave the box of goodies on the porch, if only I had the money, http://finance.yahoo.com

2) I am sure you noticed that the Olympics are on, might make a low audience for the show this week, but that is another matter. I thought I should post a few sites dealing with the quad-annual event. Most of these were sent to me by Joe, the first one I am using deals with computer security. Very interesting they are talking about how it is for journalist, when you think about it, the way China is when it comes to the inter-net and their semi-paranoid attitude when it comes to their image, human rights and all. The video here is very good, even at my pay grade I found it quite interesting. http://blog.wired.com I looked up one of the suggested sites in the video on computer security, this is a site written for people dealing with human rights. Lots of links here. http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/

3) Another link to watch the Olympics online, they have lists of places to go and follow them, although I have been willing to put up with my big screen LCD T.V. in the living room, beer and a recliner, but for the hard core here is a site from Wired to find links galore. http://howto.wired.com/

4) While we are on the subject of T.V. here is a link from Uncle John, a T.V. for free on the net site, not live T.V., but they have tons of old, and new T.V. programs in complete episodes. If you like the Simpsons, E.R., or whatever it is probably here for the watching. I have been having trouble with overload of what is available to absorb my free time, but the site is easier to navigate than most, check it out at http://www.fancast.com/

5) I try to stay out of politics, and religion when doing my links, but this one was one I ran across that I just thought was to good to let slide, I am going to try and keep to myself out of trouble by not commenting on it for fear of exposing my political leanings and inviting those weird emails. I will leave the details up to you. http://cspanjunkie.org/

Vista's Security Rendered Completely Useless by New Exploit

"'This stuff just takes a knife to a large part of the security mesh Microsoft built into Vista,' said Dai Zovi to SearchSecurity.com. 'If you think about the fact that .NET loads DLLs into the browser itself and then Microsoft assumes they're safe because they're .NET objects, you see that Microsoft didn't think about the idea that these could be used as stepping stones for other attacks. This is a real tour de force.'"

Oops, they did it again. When you read this, it seems amazing that no one discovered this huge gaping hole sooner.

2008 Olympics: The digital games | Beyond Binary - A blog by Ina Fried - CNET News.com

"Two years ago, watching the Olympics live via the Internet was limited to a single gold medal game of a popular sport. This year, everything from preliminary table tennis matches to team handball will be available both live and on-demand directly to the PC."

Will you be watching the Olympics on your computer this year? I know in the past I watched a lot of it on TV.

AlaskaJoe

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 08-03-08

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 08-03-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Jack in Ft Worth on Saturday, October 25th everyone is welcome.

Jayna is looking for assistance in honoring Jack's final wishes to be laid to rest in South Dakota. She needs your help with expenses, (Air fare, Hotel and car rental). Anyone wishing to help, please click here to Donate.

Links from the Gregg Zone

1) Well here we are again, to start us off this week as usual a green link. How about a kit to build your own street legal, plug in electric personal vehicle for an affordable price, about $3400.00? The market for this type of device is about to explode, that is just a personal prediction, but I really believe it. I think those classified ads in the back of magazines like popular mechanics will be the bell weather. Of course the internet will be the main place, but look for the old mediums to denote a move into main stream. http://www.bugev.net/

2) This is a link into what seems to me like a disturbing direction society is headed in, a use of advanced technology to track every individual on the planet. Given the use of millions of cameras by the British, the new confiscation laws of lap tops at air ports (currently only entering or leaving the country, I see that as an ice breaker). This is just one of those seemingly necessary tools of law enforcement, but it is the trend that concerns me, how long before the technology is used in a more sinister way. http://technology.newscientist.com

3) Here is a link to some thing I thought fell into that area between useless and ridicules, but then who am I to judge, I will leave that up to you. Let me just say smell alarm. http://www.techeblog.com

4) My apology to who ever I was talking to when they brought this up as a possible link. I have forgotten who it was that suggested it to me as a possible link, so I cannot give credit. But, thanks when I remembered to check further into it, it turned out to be a definite link for the zone. I believe I first linked to the Antikythera Mechanism that 2000 year old computer found by sponge divers a long time ago, but for any one that missed it here is the Wikipedia link http://en.wikipedia.org/, seems they have found a new twist, evidently it was used to track the Olympics also. What with the games coming up I thought it might be an interesting read, here is a link to the article http://www.usatoday.com

5) Leaving on a lighter note this site struck me as pretty cool. Reading an article about how people no longer know the words to the songs they down load due to there not being a print out of the lyrics, like in the old days. When I was younger all the record albums had the lyrics for every song, so when you were singing along you made sense. This site is about the most misheard lyrics, coupled with the real lyrics. Interesting site, even the name of the site is from a Jimmy Hendrix song, it was excuse me while I kiss the sky, not kiss this guy. There are thousands of them, and you can add your own if you want to. http://www.kissthisguy.com/

Once Tricked Into Using It, XP Users Start to Love Vista

Many have said they’re not interested in Windows Vista, that Windows XP is just fine for them. And in fact, you could go so far as to say some of them actually hate the OS. Still, a new OS, Mojave, may just be the key to a new marketing campaign.

Will you go to Mojave?
AlaskaJoe

» Dell Issues BIOS Updates to Prevent NVIDIA Notebook GPU Failures » Blog Archive Alice Hill’s Real Tech News - Independent Tech

While Dell certainly isn’t the only notebook vendor to use the affected GPUs, they are the first to issue a series of BIOS updates to address the issues. Of course, much like the driver, this will increase your fan usage, cooling the GPU, but increasing noise and reducing battery life.

As noted in Dell’s post, however, if you’re seeing any of the following:

* Multiple images
* Random characters on the screen
* Lines on the screen
* No video
For a full list of computers effected read the full story.

AlaskaJoe

iPhone 3G: From 'must have' to 'maybe later'

On last Sunday's show, I was asked if I was going to get a new iPhone or stick with my current iPhone. I'm sticking with the original. Here's an article that touches on some of the reasons. I have to note that I've had no problems with the 2.0 firmware, but ymmv.

iPhone NDA: Doing more harm than good

"The iPhone software development kit (SDK) is the only sanctioned way to develop applications for Apple's iPhone and iPod touch. The SDK includes APIs, documentation, and sample code; so far, Apple is treating all of it as confidential information. To download and use the SDK, developers must accept a nondisclosure agreement that prohibits discussion of any of this 'confidential information.' Since the platform targeted by the SDK—the iPhone OS 2.0—was released July 11, the NDA has become a source of frustration for the growing development community."

Come on Apple. It's time to lift the NDA.

Tech rigged S.F. computer meltdown, prosecutors say

Here's a follow-up to a story I posted last week and which we discussed on the show. This just gets stranger and stranger. It shows what a trusted individual can do if they have the mind to.

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 07-27-08

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 07-27-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.


There will be a Celebration of Life for Jack in Ft Worth on Saturday, October 25th everyone is welcome.

Jayna is looking for assistance in honoring Jack's final wishes to be laid to rest in South Dakota. She needs your help with expenses, (Air fare, Hotel and car rental). Anyone wishing to help, please click here to Donate.

Links from the Gregg Zone

1) First up for the week a link Joe sent me, another on hyper-mileing, ways to coax a few more miles per gallon out of your car, just by modifying your driving habits. http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/

2) I have noticed a lot of difficultly lately with web video, and audio streaming, and it seems to be getting worse. I was thinking it was something to do with my system. Not so sure now I ran across this article that seems to point in other directions. Too much data too little time; or something like that. Link to the article in TechnewsWorld magazine here http://www.technewsworld.com/

3) Here is another one on the future car. There is going to be so much come out in the next few years, as far as different ways to commute, it is already getting hard to keep up. This is an area I really like, the compressed air car. Has me wondering if the next VW Bug craze will be coming out of India. http://www.dancewithshadows.com

4) Okay I know I am in a rut here but what can I say, I can’t resist foldable cars, and airplanes to save space in your garage, or make parking in New York possible. I just had to toss this on in for good measure http://www.techeblog.com/

5) Last up for the week I am sure you have seen it in the news that after years of research they have finally found out what is behind the northern lights, thought I would post an article that explains what is going on. http://science.nasa.gov

High-priority patch fixes critical vulns in RealPlayer | The Register

"The company says versions for Windows, Mac, Linux operating systems are all vulnerable to at least one of the flaws and that users should update as soon as possible."

If your running RealAudio you better upgrade.
AlaskaJoe

Setup CCleaner to Automatically Run Each Night in Vista or XP :: the How-To Geek

If you don't use CCleaner you might want to take a look at it. I found it a year or so back. I like it a lot better than the old RegCleaner we used to use to fix the registry. CCleaner also lets you kill things in Start up.
The author also wrote "Create a Shortcut or Hotkey to Run CCleaner Silently" he tells you how to run CCleaner.
AlaskaJoe

Escapee ‘Spam King’ dead in apparent murder-suicide | Zero Day | ZDNet.com

Convicted spammer Eddie Davidson, who escaped from federal prison over the weekend, killed his wife and 3-year-old daughter before killing himself in what is being described as a murder-suicide.
A SPAMMER did something right, except he killed his wife and child also. :(
AlaskaJoe

Parts of San Francisco Network Still Locked out

This story is more than a little strange. I bet in the future San Francisco city network admins have to go through very, very stringent background checks.

Microsoft Drops Player Fees On Games For Windows Live

"Games For Windows Live is 'now offering completely free online multiplayer' service, Microsoft said in a statement posted on the service's Web site. The company previously charged a monthly fee of $7.99. However, the emergence of several free online gaming services may have prompted Microsoft to drop the monthly charge."

When it works, competition can be wonderful!

Computer Mouse R.I.P. In Five Years, Experts Say

We discussed this one the on the show today. I don't believe it. Neither do most of the readers of the article according to the comments. My favorite comment:
i predict the end of analysts in five years.

HP shatters excessive packaging world record

Seeing is believing. Take a look at the picture. I thought I had seen it all. Looks like HP is not getting any awards for being "green" anytime soon. Maybe if they cut back a little on the packaging, they could even charge less. Then again, maybe not.

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 07-20-08

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 07-20-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

Jack 'daWabbit' Imsdahl 1950-2008

It is with deep regret that we must inform everyone that our friend and colleague, Jack 'daWabbit' Imsdahl, succumbed to liver cancer and passed in his sleep during the AM hours on Sunday, July 20th.

Anyone wishing to send regards to Jayna, please send an email to memorial@oncomputers.info and your comments will be forwarded to her.

There will be a Celebration of Life party in Jack's honor in Ft Worth in the near future. Details will be forthcoming.

Links from the Gregg Zone

1) Going to start off with a link sent to me by our fried Tony in California it is one of those spoof sites to sort of tweak your friends minds a little. The link is the one sent to me, you will just have to click on it to see just how well it is done, do your own at the end. I think you can have a lot of fun, of course that is if you can spell. http://www.news3online.com/

2) This is one for those who do not understand just how bad the economy can get. When I read this article I was torn between being scared, and thinking it was a little funny. I would think if you lived there you sure would not see the humor. Zimbabwe has just released 100 billion dollar bills, and yes that is billion with a “B”. If that surprises you how about this one of those bills is not enough to buy a loaf of bread. Worth about one dollar U.S. http://us.cnn.com

3) For the first of two green links this week a site I like quite a bit. Good videos, thoughtful solutions, interesting links. They have a different way of looking at the oil problem, they show industries how they can profit by changing. When you compare the price of a barrel of oil to a wind mill, or solar panel, the ratio changes as the price of oil increases, there by making what was once costly cheaper. If we remove the subsidy’s we give to the oil companies, or start to give them to the green producers, we might have a chance. http://www.rmi.org/

4) Here is another green link I thought you might link it is from a radio interview I heard the other night that just floored me. Basically about converting to alcohol. I had no idea how twisted the oil problem is when viewed through the lens of history. The early Fords were alcohol cars, designed for the farms using stills to create their own fuel. It was the oil barons who sold our future for a buck. Did you know that four million dollars were donated to the probation movement by oil people, the legislation pushed through congress by wealthy oil people. Not to stop people from drinking alcohol, but to stop us from fueling their cars with it. http://www.permaculture.com/

5) Last a link suggested by Joe, I know it was one of Jacks favorites also, he told me once that he went here daily to click the ad button. Every click helps to feed animals in need of care. I thought it might be a good time to ask those of you who might be interested to help with something he cared about. http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com

BBC NEWS | Technology | Say goodbye to the computer mouse

"It's nearly 40 years old but one leading research company says the days of the computer mouse are numbered."
Can you live without your mouse? I know Riley can. We all have had to get around in our computer without a mouse, but do you do it by choice?
We will see how this goes.
AlaskaJoe

Dosbox

I've been a pinball enthusiast for 40 years or so. I have a bunch of old pinball computer games. Most of them are from the days before windows. Most of them won't run under windows. I used to use a DOS boot disk but, geting the sound to work was hit and miss. I finally googled DOS emualtor and DOSBOX came up. It's a DOS emulator for windows. It's basically simulates a 486 in windows. Most important it emulates a sound blaster 16 and Gravis ultrasound. It runs all my old pinball games fine. If you got old DOS games you still want to play, check it out.

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 07-13-08

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 07-13-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

Links from the Gregg Zone

1) As usual I will start off the week with a green link. It should be rather obvious, what with the gas situation and all that in the near future we will be looking for something different to drive. This is a link I ran across dealing with the hybrids out there, quite a lot of links here to help keep you educated as to what is out there, or on the drawing board. http://www.care2.com

2) Next up a link on how to hypermile. Not a term you are familiar with well it is also related to the previous subject, but it is more oriented with today. This is the most extensive article I hound on how to hypermile. That is to get the very utmost gas mileage from what ever you are driving now. Tricks of the trade so to speak, some sensible and some down right scary. So if you choose to try some of these do so with utmost caution. http://www.cleanmpg.com

3) This link is to a scientific study on animal behavior I found quite interesting. They taught a group of monkeys to use money. It is very interesting to see they are a lot like us, they had what amounted to a bank robbery, started to spend their cash to buy fruit, and the most surprising was prostitution. I guess it really is the oldest profession. http://lists.ibiblio.org

4) If you are a Science Fiction enthusiast you might like to check out this site, you can even write and submit your own short novel in a contest. I have not had much time in the last few days to investigate this, I ran across it last week and had it in my follow up folder on the desk top, but I thought I would enter it here for those who might like to look around, I know I will be back soon as it looks pretty interesting. http://www.orionsarm.com/

5) The last one for the week an article on the Viacom YouTube fight. Seems YouTube has been ordered to turn over records of every clip watched, along with time and IP address of every viewer who watched it. Kind of makes you wonder where all that personal information on us all will wind up. Think the spamers might want to know what you are interested in, and what you IP address is, not to mention the government, lawyers, and the Lord knows who else. Maybe it is just me, but I do not like where all this seems to be heading. http://www.news.com.au/

Update on Zone Alarm

Installed latest version and all is well. Click title for more info.

MS update KB951748 and ZoneAlarm --- PROBLEM

Experienced this myself. If you install this update all websites are blocked. You can either not install the update or setting the Internet zone of ZA to medium also works. I did the latter and also turned on windows firewall.

Is site X down for everyone, or just me?

Have you heard that question all too often?

Well Alex Payne has, and he did something about it. He has created downforeveryoneorjustme.com Where you can ask if your favorite site is really down, or if may be your connection.

The article has other details about outages of some of the biggest sites on the web. The article is actually titled : "Internet traffic grows, and so do glitches"

Getaway day: How to secure your laptop for holiday travel | Zero Day | ZDNet.com

It’s getaway day and as we prepare to hit the road, trudge through airport security and snag that car rental, spare a thought for the valuable data that travels with you on that trusty old laptop.

This is a good article on how to encrypt files on your computer. It's a good idea when you travel.

AlaskaJoe

Firefox 2.0.0.15 security update, July 1, 2008

Twelve vulnerabilities fixed in total, some platform specific. Four rated critical, four rated high, two rated moderate, and two rated low.

Link above is to the Firefox 2.0.0.15 Release Notes, links from there take you to the list of items fixed.

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 06-29-08

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 06-29-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

Next week will be the 4th of July weekend and most of the OnComputers hosts will be gone for the weekend. We will be playing the Geek Meet 2007 show from Boston. Have a great 4th of July and be safe!
AlaskaJoe

Links from the Gregg Zone

1) This first link I am putting up is one that comes with the strongest disclaimer I can think of. I have not watched this video nor do I intend to watch it. It was sent to me by someone connected to the show, they ask me not to divulge their involvement or any reference to the fact they sent it. Please understand I have not watched it and will not watch it, and I like the very weird. But I do not believe in censorship, and the nature of my listings is somewhat related to the very bizarre, this evidently qualifies in spades. Even our friend in California who is banned from the show has expressed utter disgust with this, and has asked me to bury it in the cyber trash heap. If you are an animal lover do not watch this video, if you have a squeamish bone in your body do not watch this video, if you do watch it and are upset by it do not say you were not warned, do not hold me responsible in any way. What we have here is a Russian experiment involving the severed head of a rather cute little dog, kept alive without a body, and experimented on. Frankenstein was fiction this may not be, I hope I made myself clear, please use utmost restraint here http://gizmodo.com

2) Somewhat related although much more palatable is the story of Mike the Wonder Chicken, he was a headless chicken, who lived for a year and a half. Wow I almost feel like Halloween is here. Anyway this is a story I heard about a long time ago and looked up only because of that last link sent to me. Seems there was a chicken in the forties that was making all the side shows; and a lot of money for the owner. The owner was getting a chicken ready for dinner, when he cut off its head the chicken did not even seem to notice. The owners kept Mike alive using an eyedropper to feed him for eighteen months. The chicken walked around, scratched the ground, tried to peck, crow and cluck (but only gurgled), and basically acted like a chicken. He only died because they had forgotten his eye dropper, and he could not be aspirated as he sometimes needed. There is even a holiday in the Colorado town where he lived honoring Mike, now that’s pretty weird. http://www.sideshowworld.com

3) Okay enough of that….. Let’s get back to something a little less macabre. Another link sent to me by one of our listeners, (thanks JavaBeans) something a little easier on the sensibilities. This has to be the oddest green link I have had up since I started with the show. A building that generates its electric power by rotating each individual floor, or apartment. The building never looks the same at any time EVER each of its forty floors rotate individually of each other powered by the wind, and that rotation creates the electric power for the building, it even has some extra to feed into the grid. There are plans to build two of them one in Dubai and one in Moscow. This link to a BBC story complete with video is a must read for those into the green side of the internet. http://news.bbc.co.uk

4) Now still another link sent to me by a listener here in Las Vegas (thanks USS ROVER) for my geek link of the week (actually there are two of them). This is something that everyone should have on their daily schedule, one of those things you click on when you check your mail, and or read the news, just to see what is offered for the day. After all how can you beat something for free, those of us who live in Las Vegas almost worship the very word. This is free software downloads that rotate daily, some are quite expensive if you want to buy them, the catch they are only free for 24 hours, so pay attention. The second link is the same thing only it is for games, sounds like a gamers’ paradise. Thanks again Rover. http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/ http://game.giveawayoftheday.com/

5) Last is something I just found at a site I use on a daily basis, but for some reason just did not notice. I am a devotee, and big fan of craigslist I am there at least once a day and often several times a day. Not sure how I missed the little link on the left side that says “best-of-craigslist”, but this is a great read just check it out even if you are not a user, buyer, or seller. http://www.craigslist.org

Laptop seizures at customs raise outcry

We talked about this very subject on the show on Sunday. Be sure not to have anything you don't absolutely need on your computer and certainly don't have anything personal.

No reprieve: XP phase-out begins June 30 | All about Microsoft | ZDNet.com

It looks like this MIGHT be your last chance to buy a new computer with Windows XP installed.

I find that interesting the day Intel says it is staying it isn't moving to Vista Microsoft decides to pull the plug on Windows XP.

After months of rumors that Microsoft might rethink its decision to pull the plug on Windows XP, the official word is out: XP is on its way out.

Microsoft is sticking to its plan to cease providing PC makers with XP to preload on new PCs after June 30, as Microsoft is now letting customers know via a letter it has posted to its Windows XP and Windows Vista Web sites.

AlaskaJoe

ICANN to vote on more Top Level Domains

Depending on the vote this week, YOU TOO COULD OWN YOUR VERY OWN TOP LEVEL DOMAIN!

They are not cheap to own from what I have read in the past, but it may be possible soon.

www.alaskajoe.oncomputers ? nah....

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 06-22-08

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 06-22-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

Todays guest from the Better Business Bureau

Michael Lauf, Director of Public Relations is with the Better Business Bureau www.bbb.org

Michael has been in Evansville Indiana since 2001. His degree is in Radio-TV Broadcasting from Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel Illinois. Michael worked in radio in Vincennes Indiana from 1983-1993 and ran his own DJ service from 1990-2000.
Michael speaks for free to schools, churches, businesses and helps disabled persons learn to use computers. He is involved with Serotek corporation who allows any visually impaired person in the world a free speech application to use their computer.
www.serotek.com
Blog:
www.bbbconsumereducation.com

Links from the Gregg Zone

1) At the time of writing this on Friday night the 21st of June, 2008, even though I am not big on birthdays, and the like. I must acknowledge a rather auspicious event that happened on this day sixty years past on this very day in Manchester England. According to a linked article here the modern computer as we know it had its sixtieth birthday today. This was the first programmable computer with rewritable memory a whopping 128 bytes, check out the article with a video clip here.

2) As my green link of the week another offering about the water fueled car, this has become a favorite topic of mine. Seems a company in Japan Genepax, just last week announced their new car, running on water. I have seen an awful lot of stuff about this subject, mostly on the fringe and rather questionable, But operating on the principal where there is smoke, you may find fire, I keep my hopes alive. There are two links here the first I ran across from Reuters at engadget with video, released on June 12, and the other at Wikipidea, they already have a reference page. Very interesting stuff. 1) http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/13/genepax-shows-off-water-powered-fuel-cell-vehicle/ 2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genepax

3) Well for link number three I want to start by reviewing a link I posted last week for the new Netflix viewer for your television. I got it and installed it yesterday, it works great, installed in about a half hour, very simple and easy. This is the direction I believe television is headed. In a few years we will not even recognize the way we watch today. As another aside to this concept I offer a link to an article about hoe Hulu is kicking YouTubes tale. The main problem I see to the way most of the online T.V. sites are working is the program guides, when those are modified to the skill level of average people watch out. Article link here and here is YouTube's response to that article.

4) Link number four is offering a spot to do some future preparation for what
will surly be a host of future links coming up. What can I be referring to, well just think about the date, December 23rd 2012 is only a little over four years away. Here is a Wiki page to get you started in regards as to what will surly be one of the main topics around the water cooler very soon. Why not have some ammunition in your corner, there are a lot of quick reads on the major topics, and people here.

5) My on the lighter side link for the week, I have always liked puzzles of different forms. Here is an online free puzzle link, one of many I am sure, but I have managed to waste several hours here with puzzles that I liked. So I thought I would pass it along http://www.freepuzzles.com/

Planning a Trip to the Olympics? ( or most anywhere )

Food for Secure Computing Thought :

When traveling outside your country, LEAVE THE TOYS AT HOME!

Industrial espionage may be more of a threat than theft as you travel abroad. And don't just leave your toys at home, check everything you bring back very carefully! Treat any media as infected, be it optical ( CD/DVD/HDDVD/BluRay ), solidstate ( USB and other flash media, Solid State hard drives ) or magnetic ( internal or external hard drives ).

The article linked above has some very interesting and thought provoking comments.

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 06-15-08

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 06-15-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

Links from the Gregg Zone

1) First up for the week has to be my big spend. Yea I just spent $99.00 for a new toy, just because the money I got from those firemen’s pants was burning a hole in my PayPal account, and I did not get enough to buy the microscope I had in mind. This seemed to me to be something we will see a lot of in the future. I heard someone say the other day television as we know it today will be unrecognizable in ten to fifteen years. My toy site here http://www.roku.com/netflixplayer/

2) Now that I’ve calmed down a bit time for my green link of the week. Seems Ford has a new prototype out, a flex-fuel hybrid electric vehicle. The engine is needed after the first thirty miles, provided you keep the speed down. Then once the flex-fuel (85% ethanol) it kicks out a healthy 50 mpg city, and 88 mpg highway. Sounds awfully good to me, another thought Ford stock at the moment is around $6.25 per share. Wonder how many patents they own on this technology, just a thought. Article link here http://gas2.org/

3) This is a link to a short story here falls under the same comment as last weeks cell phone corn popping link. I am fairly sure it will be shot down, but I just had to toss it in. I am not a big fan of happy faces any where, but the thought there is one on Mars just sort of disturbs my sense of faith in the idea of the universe being somehow above all that. I can only hope it does not turn yellow at sunset. For what it is worth here is the link. http://jackbrummet.blogspot.com

4) I was at Mufon the other day doing a quick check on a newspaper article that mentioned a UFO sighting, when it dawned on me that there are most likely people who do not know about the site. Say you heard about a sighting in the next town, or maybe you have seen something yourself. At Mufon you can search by time and location to see if others may have filed reports. They get thousands every year, there are also other things to read there all around an interesting place to visit. http://www.mufon.com

5) My last link was a surprise to me as I found it at a site I visit often. I am referring to New Scientist, I find myself there a lot, by links to stories or text type links. For some reason I noticed and clicked on the video link. I like T.V. stations like Discovery, Science Channel, T.L.C., Edu. 1 & 2, at this site they have the video so you can just start it and it will go to the next. Interesting short science stories, about five min. each. Almost like watching Discovery News. http://www.newscientist.com/

Blackmailing Trojan encrypts hard-drive

Kaspersky Labs wants help cracking the endryption used in a "ransomware" scheme. We are going to see more and more of this sort of thing and it may well be that groups of security venders and interested parties (i.e. clients, law enforcement will have to join together to put something of a brake on it.

Check it out.)

Jack

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 06-08-08

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 06-08-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

Links from the Gregg Zone

1) Not to sure how green this car is, but BBC says it is the worlds cheapest. That statement causes one to ponder the term cheap. Just how cheap would the world’s cheapest car be? Well this car fresh off the line is $2,500.00; I would have to say that’s cheap considering today’s prices. I don’t think I would want to get in any arguments with SUV’s. http://news.bbc.co.uk/

2) This is one of those links I am going to post feeling there must be more to the story. If the short videos are on the up and up, they will justify my stance on cell phones. If anyone out there has the ability to try this I would like to hear about it, but email me no phone calls. http://icantseeyou.typepad.com

3) The next couple of links are on the subject of my paranoia concerning the invasion of the computer related side of my life. First up an article about using a toaster to hack a computer. While that sounds a little absurd given all the talk around here about heat control in your computer, the general drift about the subject I find disturbing www.darkreading.com/

4) Related to the last link another hacker worry story. Seems this guy using a computer hooked to the television in a hotel can hack into everyone staying at the property, heck maybe the whole chain world wide, why not? http://www.cnet.com.au/

5) Last link for the week is going to be a new gadget the new Polaroid Photo Printer, what caught my eye about this was the Zink Paper. Could this be the return of the concept of film, what made Kodak, Fuji and the other giants so big, was rhe need to use film, a required medium, like ink cartridges for printers. http://www.electronista.com/

Microsoft Security Bulletin Advance Notification for June 2008

Here is Microsoft's announcement of issues addressed in June's "Patch Tuesday". Three are rated "critical", Microsoft's highest rating. Three are rated "important" and one is rated "moderate". Many of the flaws patched have to do with remote code execution flaws and so are ones you will want fixed regardless of their actual rating.

This MS announcement is rather short and it looks like the company has exerted some effort to make them easier to read and digest, too, which is nice.

Jack

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 06-01-08

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 06-01-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

Links from the Gregg Zone

1) Starting off the week with my green link as usual. I just watched a movie suggested to me by a listener; and friend Gary from California. The movie was called “A Crude Awakening” I tried to find a place to watch it on line, but had no success. However if you have instant view at Netflix available you can watch it there. Very enlightening movie, it really drove home just what a mess we are in. One of the most difficult problems we have is overcoming our established infrastructure, as in gas stations, and gas driven engines. Well this might have been very hopeful answer, unfortunately the inventor was murdered, and everything disappeared. Kind of illustrates why we are probably doomed, money and power are so entrenched in our society. Those in power will destroy everyone and everything rather than give it up. Video here, read the intro at the top. http://www.liveleak.com

2) Next up one of those just interesting science articles. Seems they have weighed the Milky Way Galaxy, one of those things I suppose they do just because they can. Kind of like in the early days when someone decided to determine the circumference of the earth. Later to weigh the planet in my limited world the big question is why, or so what. Though I am sure they have reasons that are just beyond my understanding. In case you are wondering the answer is slightly less than one trillion solar masses. http://www.livescience.com

3) One more link that is just an interesting read, The Six Most Badass Stunts Ever Pulled in the Name of Science. You might also be interested in the link to The Five Most Badass Presidents, same site. There is some offensive language in some of the text, if that bothers you, you might want to pass. http://www.cracked.coml

4) With the economy getting more dicey by the moment I thought I would post this article from CNN Money, kind of a follow up on the coupon lady I posted a week or two back. This one deals a lot more with on line advice. Actually it was pretty interesting to find out just how much I did not know about smart shopping, lots of tricks here. http://www.money.cnn.com/

5) Okay to close out the week my just plain cool link. This would require a much younger Gregg to take it seriously, but I can dream. And when it comes to something I think is just kind of cool this would have to be near the top of the list. The wearable motorcycle Wow, me thinks I like it, though it most likely will never make it into production, but then why not. http://www.impactlab.com

Full Disclosure and why Vendors Hate it

The link above will take you to a fairly short, yet comprehensive rumination of why full and complete disclosure of security problems in phones, computers and their software and other communication/office devices we use.

This discussion has been taking place for ages now. Nothing has ever been settled. Nothing! Frankly, the signal to noise ratio is frightening. It's all laid out here for those of you who are already impressed with a need for full disclosure. And for those of you not so convinced, this may alter your position.

Jack

Microsoft Confirms Windows 7 for 2010 (17 screenshots)

Now it begins. Microsoft isn't going to be all that talkative about the next version of Windows, at least for a while. They don't want to hurt Vista sales. However; they do want you to know they are working on a successor to Vista and have evidently released a few screenshots (17 in all) to show that off.

It really does seem as if they have copied the Apple Mac desktop, this time.

Jack

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 05-25-08

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 05-25-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

This is only a short show, because of Memorial day weekend and the Indy 500 race we only did about 1 hour live .
AlaskaJoe

Microsoft Expands List of Formats Supported in Microsoft Office

If one refuses to see a Microsoft conspiracy behind every move they make (and I do) this looks like a very good thing. For the first time interoperability is not about others interoperating with MS so much as it is about MS interoperating with everyone else.

Progress in this direction can only be a good thing.

Jack

Mac Clone Maker Psystar Ships First 'Service Pack'

Who'd have thunk it? Not only is PsyStar for real, they are serious about quality in the same way we all hoped they were. Apple is not sending in the legal dogs (at least not yet) and reports on the machines themselves are generally good.

And now PsyStar is fixing stuff in OS X that Apple has not yet gotten around to fixing. I'm not sure what to think about all this, except to cheer PsyStar on and keep to myself around the "true believer" Mac fans I know.

Jack

Annoying software: a rogues' gallery

Everyone who has been around computing for a while has a similar list. I happen to pretty much agree with this one and thought you would like to see it.

Enjoy,
Jack

Windows XP SP3 reboot bug

A brief quote from the link "The problem occurs on AMD-based systems where Windows was build from an OEM image captured on an Intel-based system."

All I can say is OOPS, and I sure am glad I own real XP OEM CDs that came with my custom built computers.

Gregg Link

Mozilla phancies doing a Phorm

Firefox - your friendly data snooper

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/05/19/firefox_data_snoop/

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 05-18-08

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 05-18-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

Links from the Gregg zone

1) My first link up for the week, as usual will be something with a green tint, and as usual dealing with technology. After all, if we are to survive our situation it will be advances in technology that gets us out of the mess we are currently suffering from. This has evidently been around for a while, but it was news to me so I thought I would post it in case some of you missed it. It was evidently part of the movie “Hunt for Red October” I have seen the movie put just put it in my queue at Netflix, because I do not remember. Anyway, check it out, called magnetohydrodynamics or MHD, uses magnetic energy to push seawater for propulsion. No moving parts, silent, low cost and almost pollution free. http://query.nytimes.com

2) Next up is my cool video link for the week. You must have seen those animated drawings where they flip through the pages of a tablet creating the perception of movement. Well this is one where an artist named “Blu” did it in South America with stop photographs, and graffiti on the walls of Buenos Aries. It took him the entire summer, and I believe that for sure. http://www.youtube.com

3) All right staying with the concepts of cool, art, and technology, but getting a little geeky. If you have not seen this yet, and are into your digital camera, this will knock your socks off. How about a device you can buy for your current digital camera that will give you billion-pixel panorama shots. These pictures are zoom capable, and will allow you to navigate the entire picture panning from side to side. And. What would be the cost for such a device? About $300.00 plus the cost of the software, that is probably included. http://technology.timesonline.co.

4) Another rather geeky item I ran across, aimed mostly at gamers, but it may have other applications. We are talking about a peripheral monitor, this is a nice link dealing with this concept, there is a very good video showing and explaining the devise. I would like to try this, but I think in the end, it would give me a headache. http://uk.gizmodo.com

5) This has to be one of the most interesting articles I have run across in quite awhile. This may very well be worth the price of admission all by itself. This lady, Chrissy has got to be the world’s best shopper, and proves if you are willing to do the homework, you too can perform these shopping miracles. Try imagining going in to a Target buying $380.00 worth of merchandise, and paying 2 cents at the register. Granted that was her best trip ever, and she was very proud of it, but all I can say is WOW. http://www.11alive.com

Spammers ordered to pay MySpace 230 mln dlrs - Yahoo! News

Maybe one day the spammers will learn that they can not win.....

Fedora 9 - an OS that even the Linux challenged can love

The Register has a nice, relatively short yet relative comprehensive review of the recently released Fedora 9. I think you might want to read it.

To me, the only area where Fedora lacks in relation to what I see as the best is in package management. If you are going to set up a desktop and simply leave it alone (meaning no constant installations of "stuff") Fedora should be fine. It has it's own personality and this is a good thing. I've seen it in action now and am actually thinking of trying it.

Jack

What is blocking Vista users from recording NBC shows?

As the post makes clear, no one seems to know (or want to admit) just what is going on here. Hardly surprising, that. It's an embarassment for DRM and providers both.

This is one to watch, though. It's most likely to come to naught, but there is a chance we might at least get a glimpse into DRM policies at NBC, Microsoft and cable providers, who have to this point been quite successful in keeping them out of the spotlight.

Jack

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 05-11-08

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 05-11-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

Happy Mothers day!

Links from the Gregg zone

I need to start the week with an apology for last weeks missing blog. While most of the events that caused me to go blogless for the week were beyond my control. It seems I lost all of the links, except this one from Riley http://www.liveatc.net . As for the rest of the links, I thought I had them saved somewhere, but when I started looking for them in order to get the blog up, they had disappeared into the Gregg Zone. I will try to get them and post them sometime during the week.

1) First link up for the week as I often do will be the green link for the week. Having trouble with gas prices? This may be for you, I ran across this link about having your own personal Ethanol Refinery in your own back yard. This was just unveiled last Thursday by a company called “Micro Fueler” Their target price is $1.00 per gallon, while I see holes in the idea for the masses, it may work well on an individual basis, worth checking out at this link. http://www.sciam.com

2) Next up a product trying to be along the green line, I think it is more in the realm of very cool, oh and just a little dangerous. We are talking hybrid here though it sure is not a Prius. What do you think about a cross between a Segway, motorbike, and a unicycle? It is totally electric powered, 40mph, and very spiffy if I was still twenty years old would probably be in trouble. http://gizmodo.com

3) As long as we are looking at cool stuff, here is another concept I really like. I used to fold and fly paper airplanes like most youngsters. The idea of launching one off the Empire State Building was high on my wish list. Well we all grow up, but some of us keep the dreams alive. There is a group of serious people getting ready to launch a bunch of origami planes from the Space Station. Wow would I have liked to be in on that, I hope they pull it off. Of course if they do they may have to pay a lot to get it back on Ebay. http://www.lasvegassun.com

4) Here is my geek link for the week, as usual while it sounds very cool to me; I have to admit I really have no idea what they are talking about, over my pay grade. So forgive me if it is old, lame, and uninteresting. But, if it is a good one give me credit for getting lucky. It is a DYI link (the “build it link”, has directions to build your own). http://www.popsci.com/

5) This is a link to an article which I suppose may affect me, seems inter-net addiction has been given a DSM-V number by The American Psychiatric Association. While I do not fit any of the three subgroups mentioned in the article, the general symptoms are another story. There are quite a few copy and paste type papers to google, I may need to read a little further. http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/

Free 'AxBan' Tool Kills Bad ActiveX Controls

The byline says; "Errata Security offers freebie ActiveX 'killbit' tool for users".

Face it; ActiveX is evil. Everyone needs to know this and, more importantly, act on the knowledge. This new tool from Errata Security seems to offer some promise for power users, at least. As soon as I can get a copy, I will test it and see exactly who it is suited for.

Jack

Microsoft May Build a Copyright Cop Into Every Zune

First off; RELAX ! This is the classic tempest in a teapot. Honest. And the New York Times should be ashamed of itself for posting it in the first place. Surely a bit more research is/was called for. At least that's my take on things.

NBC mentioned it and reporters took off with the thought, without checking the reality. Microsoft vehemently denies it and I believe them, as the presence of any such capability is relatively easy to verify, meaning they would be caught in relatively short order. It is a certainty that they know this and they do not want the product damaged in the public eye by such a thing.

Unfortunately, they might have been damaged a lot just because the subject came up and The Times ran with it.

Jack

First look: OpenOffice.org 3.0 beta a big step forward

I thought I would just pop this onto the duallie (Ubuntu Fiesty) and check it out. Instead, I have been locked in dependency hell with not enough time to sort things out. I'll get it running before too long. For now, though, Ars Technica has a nice piece about it that will tell you what to expect.

Jack

Firefox Infects Vietnamese Users With Trojan Code

I found out about this two days ago when a local pal wrote me to ask if I knew any way Firefox could infect a machine. It seems a Vietnamese national he knows who lives here had the problem. I've been following it since.

This is a tale that should teach us not to trust everything. EVERY system in place to protect us can break down. What is remarkable is that this doesn't happen more often.

I had it happen with a very well known download site in 1999. (They shall remain nameless here.) I downloaded a newly posted file and my AV freaked out. I contacted them and that was the end of the problem. However, some 1100 users who had also downloaded the file had to be notified, with red faces all around and many apologies.

Scan your system regularly. It is NOT a waste of time.

Jack

Fake MP3s Running Rampant

McAfee and others are calling this the most severe malware outbreak in the last few years, though they do not rate it all that highly.

This post is interesting both for how it demonstrates malware authors trying to cloak themselves in an air of legitimacy and how they rely on users not reading the EULA that is trying to make them look on the up and up.

Jack

Windows XP SP3 is out!

Windows XP SP3 came out yesterday, You can get it from Windows Updates.
I guess Microsoft fixed the problem they had.

Joe

Privacy and Preference Settings in Adobe Flash

Privacy settings in Flash are a well kept secret. Well, that might be too strong a statement. At least I know I rarely thought about them. Here's Adobe's take on how to go about setting them.

This is well worth a good look.

Jack

OpenSolaris 2008.5

If you want to try a "true Unix", meaning one that has descended fairly directly from the original AT&T source tree, whether via Berkeley or not, this is your shot. Linux is not a Unix, though it is closely related and structured in the same way. (That sort of statement can cause endless argument, so please let it go and move on :))

The link above will take you to a personal blog/review of OpenSolaris 2008.5 by one Bill Beebe that I thought pretty nice. (One of those "I wish I had written that" things.)

Jason Perlow, writing on ZDNet, has a real "rah-rah" take on it, here.

And the Practical Technology blog has a very odd take on Open Solaris, predicting more or less that it has arrived just in time to be killed off. No, really. See that here.

Jack

Read all about it… before it disappears

Paper that sheds it's ink in 24 hours. You can reprocess it or simply let it fade, then print on it again after it has been stripped.

I have no idea what to make of this one. If you read it real fast, it sounds like a grand thing. But I wonder what will happen when someone prints a valuable document for archiving on this stuff by accident. Still, it's interesting.

Jack

MicroSoft drops the bid for Yahoo

As Aaron mentioned on the show today, MicroSoft has dropped their bid for Yahoo. But from across the pond, we have views from the BBC's Time Weber, short and kind of interesting read.

Quite the turn around from Ballmer's statements early last week that they would be putting forth their plans for Yahoo.

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 05-04-08

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 05-04-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

Ubuntu Hardy Heron: Beyond the Hype and into the Dilemma

Bruce Byfield has written a pretty good review of Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron's place in the market. He concentrates mainly on the tension between "free" software and proprietary extensions. For those of you who have wondered exactly what that argument is about, this is for you. Byfield lays it all out succinctly and accurately.

I'm an Ubuntu fan. I'm a Linux and free software advocate. There are problems in paradise, though, and Byfield has laid them out in an easy to understand form. Well worth your time.

Jack

Review: PsyStar OpenComputer

The link above will take you to a short review at OS News.com and here is CNet's take on one of the machines offered.

I think it is safe to say that the company is trying to pull this off. It is not a scam. However, I will still excercise and preach caution as it might be easy for PsyStar to either get swamped under the demand or crushed by Apple's lawyers, whether temporarily or permanently.

Jack

The ABCs of securing your wireless network

Ars Technica gives you the basics. If you haven't, or even if you have secured your wireless router, you might want to read this article.

Man gets prison after hundreds of thousands of spam e-mails - Boston.com

One down, infinite number left to go.

XP SP3 not generally available yet, after all | All about Microsoft | ZDNet.com

"Microsoft has decided not to release Windows XP Service Pack (SP) 3 to Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center as planned on April 29. The reason? A last-minute compatibility issue with a Microsoft application — Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS)."
I guess we have to wait a little longer for XP SP3.

Joe

Getting to Know the Nabaztag Internet Rabbit

You can tell by my nick that I have something of an attachment to rabbits, though I won't go into that here.

I have looked at the Nabaztag rabbit for a while now, but have given up on most articles about it because they are simply too dense. Mac Tidbits has finally reviewed it right.

Jack

Psystar delivers Hackintosh

That the company is delivering small numbers (and there is only evidence for a very few deliveries, yet) does not make this a wise investment. However; PsyStar is headed in the direction of proving themselves worthy of our money. Let's see how they do before sending off checks, though.

ALL early reports are very good.

Jack

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 04-27-08

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 04-27-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.
Remember the pictures from Geek Meet 2008 are up, you can click here to see them.

Links from the Gregg zone

1) Well, we are going to start the week green, I ran across this site following a link about green gasoline. A very promising breakthrough announced earlier this month April 7, in the magazine Chemistry & Sustainability a publication in the biomass field. Link to the article here http://www.nextenergynews.com it seems they have found a new process for handling stuff like switchgrass, cottonwood, woodchips, cornhusks, and the like into green gasoline. The process is cheap and produces a product almost exactly like gasoline, even can be used as jet fuel. The carbon footprint for the process is almost zero, and produces electricity as a by-product to the process. The other thing I like about this site is an extensive amount of videos concerning everything from electric cars and alt. fuels, to geothermal and wind power. A very interesting site, you should not miss this one if the subject interest you.

2) This is along the same line, here is a video I looked up due to a reference on the Jay Leno show, actually, there are several of them here, but this one caught me because you can do it today. Leno commented that he uses zero gas to commute back and forth to work. His Prius hybrid prototype uses only electric power for the first forty miles, his commute is twenty, he plugs it in when he gets to work. Later I saw an interview with a couple of guys who have an add-on conversion kit to boost the Prius hybrid up to 100+ mpg. That got me googling the conversion cost is currently about three thousand dollars installed in one day, which will come down. It can be reversed to the point you can use it on a lease car, remove it and they will not be able to detect it was ever there. http://www.youtube.com

3) This is a link to a short article I ran across I thought some of you might be interested in. Seems that Sony one of the most vocal music piracy companies, is being sued by a small software company for using pirated software in Sony computers. An ironic twist if there is any thing to it. http://www.news.com.

4) However, that previous story link is nothing compared to one Jack sent me about a Rupert Murdoch firm going on trial for tech sabotage. This one reads like a spy novel, the cast of characters include hired hackers, former intelligence agents, Canadians, TV pirates, Bulgarian and German hackers, a UK-Israeli firm, the Israel domestic security agency, a research lab in Haifa, would-be terrorist Yossi Tsuria, code breakers, people disappearing only to be found hanging in the park, I mean this sounds more like a TV movie than a trial over TV smart cards. http://www.wired.com

5) To wrap it up for the week another link sent to me by Jack about one of my favorite things, duct tape. I cannot begin to recall one tenth of the times duct tape has saved my day. I think it is one of the greatest inventions of all time, at least for the handy-person around the house. I had no idea that it was used on the moon to save the day for the Lunar-Lander. What I found most surprising was the comment about it being under the seat in the space ship, I thought the weight factor would have prohibited any such thing. You just have to read this; it will win a beer at the local pub trivia contest every time. http://science.nasa.gov