Sunday, February 12, 2006
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 02-12-06
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 02-12-06. If you prefer, you can download the same file here via ftp.
A Fix for Zone Alarm Phoning Home
I haven't used Zone Alarm in a while and so missed when the story broke. However; it appears ZA phones home to servers controlled by Zone Labs. No one has given a satisfactory explanation of why this behavior was coded in, to the best of my knowledge. There are four servers involved.
This little article in The Inquirer details how to block this behavior, using the hosts file in ZA itself. It's easy to implement.
Jack
This little article in The Inquirer details how to block this behavior, using the hosts file in ZA itself. It's easy to implement.
Jack
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Microsoft Security Bulletin Advance Notification
From the MSRC [MS resource center] Advanced Notification of upcoming February MS updates.
--MissM
Microsoft Security Bulletin Advance Notification
--MissM
Microsoft Security Bulletin Advance Notification
99 performance tips for WinXP
Massive list of simple tweaks to improve your rig's performance.
I was reminded of everybody searching their memory trying to figure out how to get to System Restore during a recent OnComputers Radio Show, and I thought that having a handy dandy bookmark/favorite (You're not really still using IE are you? ;) ) "archived" on the blog, would be a good thing.
--MissM
read more | digg story
AND another kewl digg post about Nano Coatings. They will be able to protect your ipod screen and your car, its environmentally friendly, and cheaper!!
read more | digg story
I was reminded of everybody searching their memory trying to figure out how to get to System Restore during a recent OnComputers Radio Show, and I thought that having a handy dandy bookmark/favorite (You're not really still using IE are you? ;) ) "archived" on the blog, would be a good thing.
--MissM
read more | digg story
AND another kewl digg post about Nano Coatings. They will be able to protect your ipod screen and your car, its environmentally friendly, and cheaper!!
"liquid solids" composed of extremely tiny particles, possess unique characteristics -- like extreme flexibility, easy adhesion and resistance to corrosion and microbial growth -- that could profoundly change the manufacturing process.
read more | digg story
99 performance tips for WinXP
Massive list of simple tweaks to improve your rig's performance.
I was reminded of everybody searching their memory trying to figure out how to get to System Restore on OnComputers Radio Show, recently, and I thought that having a handy dandy bookmark/favorite (You're not really still using IE are you? ;) )
read more | digg story
I was reminded of everybody searching their memory trying to figure out how to get to System Restore on OnComputers Radio Show, recently, and I thought that having a handy dandy bookmark/favorite (You're not really still using IE are you? ;) )
read more | digg story
Friday, February 10, 2006
I'll Stay "Small Time", Thank You
It's a story about the woes of computer and tech journalism. As one moves up the ladder of prominence, more and more of this stuff starts to happen.
I just turned down a gig with a noted cell phone handset maker because of the NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) they wanted signed. I simply didn't see why I should sit two whole days in my wheelchair (not to mention the travel difficulties) and then not be able to write or talk on the show about it until everyone else can, as well.
The company's reaction to this was to offer all sorts of goods for test as an inducement to attend. I have no idea whether anyone else got offered anything, but I think they were all slated to get the same goody bag as I got, just later in the process.
To the writer of the article cited above, this is a matter of journalistic integrity. To me, just a waste of my time. (You all know how little journalistic integrity I really have, so there's no sense in my trying to fly that lie past you, right?)
The article is worth a read for the way it tells you how some journalists, including those we depend on, are pressured.
I just turned down a gig with a noted cell phone handset maker because of the NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) they wanted signed. I simply didn't see why I should sit two whole days in my wheelchair (not to mention the travel difficulties) and then not be able to write or talk on the show about it until everyone else can, as well.
The company's reaction to this was to offer all sorts of goods for test as an inducement to attend. I have no idea whether anyone else got offered anything, but I think they were all slated to get the same goody bag as I got, just later in the process.
To the writer of the article cited above, this is a matter of journalistic integrity. To me, just a waste of my time. (You all know how little journalistic integrity I really have, so there's no sense in my trying to fly that lie past you, right?)
The article is worth a read for the way it tells you how some journalists, including those we depend on, are pressured.
Don’t use Google toolbar, says EFF
The link above is to a synopsis in The Inquirer. The Electronic Frontier Foundation warning is here.
The problem is, to put it very succinctly, that in order to index your computer for search, Google has to have copies of the docs indexed. These are open to subpoena from the government and subsequent data-mining. This whole deal must have federal security people salivating like a dog does over a steak.
Jack
The problem is, to put it very succinctly, that in order to index your computer for search, Google has to have copies of the docs indexed. These are open to subpoena from the government and subsequent data-mining. This whole deal must have federal security people salivating like a dog does over a steak.
Jack
Thursday, February 09, 2006
For All Geek Kittys
Catproof your computer. Got this from an email to Fred Langa's newsletter, as the correspondent says: "I thought it was a joke at first, but its real"
The real question as Fred puts it is, "Will my own typing activate it?"
Joe, hally??? ;)
PawSense helps you catproof your computer.
--MissM
The real question as Fred puts it is, "Will my own typing activate it?"
Joe, hally??? ;)
PawSense helps you catproof your computer.
--MissM
Microsoft Security Response Center Blog! : Two new security advisories posted
Two new security advisories posted
Hi folks, Mike Reavey here. Just wanted to point out two new security advisories that we posted late last night.
The first is related to a WMF vulnerability in older versions of Internet Explorer. This is different from the issue addressed by MS06-001 and only impacts older versions of Internet Explorer – if you’re using IE6SP1 or later, you’re protected from this issue. The second is related to a research paper regarding default services behavior that has already been addressed in Windows XP SP2 and Windows Server 2003 SP1. For more information, check out the advisories located here:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/913333.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/914457.mspx
-Mike
*This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.*
Published Wednesday, February 08, 2006 5:42 PM by stepto
Microsoft Security Response Center Blog! : Two new security advisories posted
--MissM
Hi folks, Mike Reavey here. Just wanted to point out two new security advisories that we posted late last night.
The first is related to a WMF vulnerability in older versions of Internet Explorer. This is different from the issue addressed by MS06-001 and only impacts older versions of Internet Explorer – if you’re using IE6SP1 or later, you’re protected from this issue. The second is related to a research paper regarding default services behavior that has already been addressed in Windows XP SP2 and Windows Server 2003 SP1. For more information, check out the advisories located here:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/913333.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/914457.mspx
-Mike
*This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.*
Published Wednesday, February 08, 2006 5:42 PM by stepto
Microsoft Security Response Center Blog! : Two new security advisories posted
--MissM
Monday, February 06, 2006
Why I Do Not and Will Not Use GMail
The link is to an article in MIT's Technology Review. In it, the author details just how much of a leap of faith users must make to use GMail. Google has far and away the most comprehensive privacy policy in the business, but it does not go nearly far enough. The repositories of email on Google's servers are a tempting target for everyone from law enforcement to divorce lawyers trawling for evidence. Users have so little control over deletion of email that unwanted copies can (and probably do) lay about for months after the deletion command is given.
So, even though I have nothing to hide (except an ugly mole here or there, which is another story entirely) I refuse to use GMail. I simply do not trust the system or the owners of it enough to allow my personal business to be deposited there.
You might want to read this article, just so you are making an informed decision on whether or not to use GMail.
Jack
So, even though I have nothing to hide (except an ugly mole here or there, which is another story entirely) I refuse to use GMail. I simply do not trust the system or the owners of it enough to allow my personal business to be deposited there.
You might want to read this article, just so you are making an informed decision on whether or not to use GMail.
Jack
How Much RAM Do You Need?
It seems as if every computer user, plus their dogs, has an opinion on this. The show cast is pretty well in agreement on the subject, but so many variables apply that our opinions can hardly be said to apply globally.
In an article at XBit Labs.com, Ilya Gavrichenkov reveals some testing designed to measure up against the the common wisdom. While not conclusive at all, it certainly is food for thought and on that basis I recommend reading it.
Jack
In an article at XBit Labs.com, Ilya Gavrichenkov reveals some testing designed to measure up against the the common wisdom. While not conclusive at all, it certainly is food for thought and on that basis I recommend reading it.
Jack
Sunday, February 05, 2006
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 02-05-06
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 02-05-06. If you prefer, you can download the same file here via ftp.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
NOD32 The Anti-Virus that WORKS!
By now I'm sure you've heard about the Kama Sutra worm (also known as Blackmal and VB.NEI) scheduled to activate on February 3, 2006.
Rest assured that you and your NOD32 customers are proactively protected. However, your non-NOD32 users may have problems and need help. Be prepared to let them know that NOD32 can protect them from current and evolving threats before they occur.
Remember you can buy NOD32 from AlaskaJoe to help support the radio show.
Rest assured that you and your NOD32 customers are proactively protected. However, your non-NOD32 users may have problems and need help. Be prepared to let them know that NOD32 can protect them from current and evolving threats before they occur.
Remember you can buy NOD32 from AlaskaJoe to help support the radio show.
New worm relies on old trick
February 3, 2006
"That's when the Kama Sutra computer worm will begin destroying critical files on infected computers. And hundreds of thousands of machines may have the worm lurking within their Windows operating system, ready to be unleashed on February 3 and the third of every month thereafter."
This is a very destructive, but very preventible. Take the common sense precautions outlined in the article and you should be okay.
"That's when the Kama Sutra computer worm will begin destroying critical files on infected computers. And hundreds of thousands of machines may have the worm lurking within their Windows operating system, ready to be unleashed on February 3 and the third of every month thereafter."
This is a very destructive, but very preventible. Take the common sense precautions outlined in the article and you should be okay.
Wireless Networking in the Developing World
It's an eBook, available at no charge under a Creative Commons license.
I got the link from Waleed al-Shobbaky, a journalist friend from Egypt. I have read a decent part of it now and think some of you might find it food for thought. Because I have spent long periods in parts of our own nation without even telephone service and am intimately involved with charities attempting to change things like that, I feel a kinship with those in under-developed and/or developing nations.
There is no doubt that wireless technology in the form of cell phones. Now other types of wireless services are starting to make their mark. Large areas, even entire nations, will see their access to information open up to a flood. How they will use this is open to question, of course, but the one thing that cannot be argued is that the status quo will change.
Jack
I got the link from Waleed al-Shobbaky, a journalist friend from Egypt. I have read a decent part of it now and think some of you might find it food for thought. Because I have spent long periods in parts of our own nation without even telephone service and am intimately involved with charities attempting to change things like that, I feel a kinship with those in under-developed and/or developing nations.
There is no doubt that wireless technology in the form of cell phones. Now other types of wireless services are starting to make their mark. Large areas, even entire nations, will see their access to information open up to a flood. How they will use this is open to question, of course, but the one thing that cannot be argued is that the status quo will change.
Jack
Gates Speaks Out Against Net Censorship - Yahoo! News
"'The ability to really withhold information no longer exists,' Gates told a government forum on the Internet."
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Make Your Windows Machine Look and Behave More Like a Mac
I found this from a link at Wired News.
What it does is make your Windows XP machine look and behave more like a Mac. Lots of Mac users have told me that they can function better in the Mac environment because it suits how they work better. If you think you might be one of those or are just curious, download the free trial of TopDesk and give it a whirl. Should you decide to keep it, the price is only $10 (USD). It's definitely worth a whirl. I rather liked the trial.
Jack
What it does is make your Windows XP machine look and behave more like a Mac. Lots of Mac users have told me that they can function better in the Mac environment because it suits how they work better. If you think you might be one of those or are just curious, download the free trial of TopDesk and give it a whirl. Should you decide to keep it, the price is only $10 (USD). It's definitely worth a whirl. I rather liked the trial.
Jack
Are You Ready for Goobuntu?
Google working on a operating system for real. It's not just a rumor. Whether or not this really means anything is unclear and will be until Google clears it up.
So why are they doing this? Mostly because they can and, in my opinion, they'd be negligent if they didn't check out the possibilities. Checking something out, even by developing it to a state of usability, is a long ways from actually letting the beast out into the wild.
Will Google take Microsoft on in their core business, operating systems? I have no idea and I'm betting no decision has been made. They could do it, but be aware that they most likely won't do it, simply because that would be an outright war with MS. I could be wrong. I am not privy to the market data Google has and that is what they will judge whether or not to dive in by.
Stay tuned.
Jack
So why are they doing this? Mostly because they can and, in my opinion, they'd be negligent if they didn't check out the possibilities. Checking something out, even by developing it to a state of usability, is a long ways from actually letting the beast out into the wild.
Will Google take Microsoft on in their core business, operating systems? I have no idea and I'm betting no decision has been made. They could do it, but be aware that they most likely won't do it, simply because that would be an outright war with MS. I could be wrong. I am not privy to the market data Google has and that is what they will judge whether or not to dive in by.
Stay tuned.
Jack
Politicians deface Wikipedia
You gotta love this one!
It seems Wikipedia's problems with rogue edits are being taken advantage of by pols. The kids just won't play fair.
Jack
It seems Wikipedia's problems with rogue edits are being taken advantage of by pols. The kids just won't play fair.
Jack
Sunday, January 29, 2006
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 01-29-06
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 01-29-06. If you prefer, you can download the same file here via ftp.
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