Elizabeth Montalbano has a nice short piece on the IDG News web site that sums up the state of DRM. There is little new in the piece, but the whole thing is here, in one place.
More and more, companies like Apple and Microsoft are under fire for the lack of interoperability inherent in their business plans. Norway has just declared such lock-in illegal. Other European nations are following.
Something has to change.
Jack
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Microsoft announces extended support for XP
This is good news for all of us with older or lower powered computers with Windows XP Home or MCE installed. Those computers will never see Vista because they can't run it to it's full potential. So this will keep our older or lower powered hardware running for another 7 years. I consider 4 to 5 years at least a reasonable life for a computer before it either breaks down or becomes so obsolete in that it is no longer no capable of ordinary tasks with then current applications.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
The definitive dual-booting guide: Linux, Vista and XP step-by-step
This looks like good directions for dual-booting, with XP and Linux, then Vista with Linux installed first and Linux with Vista installed first.
I'm betting there is going to be a lot of dual-boot Vista setups, as those who have to support it put it on machines where it won't get in their way most of the time. I, personally, am not going to dual-boot again, ever, I hope. I'll dedicate a machine to Vista. I don't have too much problem with that. But not everyone feels the same way, so here is the information you need if you're so inclined.
Jack
I'm betting there is going to be a lot of dual-boot Vista setups, as those who have to support it put it on machines where it won't get in their way most of the time. I, personally, am not going to dual-boot again, ever, I hope. I'll dedicate a machine to Vista. I don't have too much problem with that. But not everyone feels the same way, so here is the information you need if you're so inclined.
Jack
Memory Support and Windows Operating Systems
I upgraded the RAM in my main computer from 2GB to 3GB. I stopped at 3GB even though my Mobo could hold 4GB because I was told WindowsXP had a 3GB limit. I found this Microsoft web page.
"The virtual address space of processes and applications is still limited to 2 GB, unless the /3GB switch is used in the Boot.ini file."
I did see an improvement in the speed of my computer when I installed the 3rd GB. Time to reboot to see what happens.
Well I'm back after a reboot and to my surprise and delight my computer booted. I think a little faster from login, and as soon as I got all of my normal programs running (Outlook, Thurnderbird, mIRC, Tack Manager, Gaim, and Firefox, oh and Weather Watcher.) Things happen faster now, this will be fun.
This is only if you have more than 2GB or memory.
AlaskaJoe
"The virtual address space of processes and applications is still limited to 2 GB, unless the /3GB switch is used in the Boot.ini file."
I did see an improvement in the speed of my computer when I installed the 3rd GB. Time to reboot to see what happens.
Well I'm back after a reboot and to my surprise and delight my computer booted. I think a little faster from login, and as soon as I got all of my normal programs running (Outlook, Thurnderbird, mIRC, Tack Manager, Gaim, and Firefox, oh and Weather Watcher.) Things happen faster now, this will be fun.
This is only if you have more than 2GB or memory.
AlaskaJoe
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Security Oriented Web Sites
During last Sunday's show, Earl asked in our chat if I would catalog the security web sites I routinely check when looking at security issues. It is not a tremendously long list, but here they are.
For specific information on virus, worm and other malware removal, either do a Google on the name of it or go to the AV maker of your choice's site and see about information on how to accomplish that or removal tools.
Internet Storm Center
I check this one almost daily, and anytime there is a problem. You can glean a tremendous amount of information in a very short read, with links to help getting more information about problems and/or workarounds and fixes.
F-Secure
F-Secure Company web log
Both F-Secure's front page and the blog are interesting and likely to have the most details posted first of all the security companies, even if another team made the actual discovery. I don't know how they do this, but I think they maintain dedicated posting personnel all the time. At any rate, you can often enough get a 45 minute jump on other sites at these two that it is worth checking them first when trouble is in the wind.
Security Focus
More than simple security information, which clutters up the site a bit. Still, a very, very good resource for all things related to the well-being of your computer. They also have a bugtraq archive that is very useful, here.
Websence Security Labs
Loads of different threat information here. Some of it I consider a bit on the alarmist side in terms of it's presentation, but opinions vary on this and you should decide for yourself. No matter how it strikes you, there is a lot of good information here.
EEye Digital Security
EEye Tracker page for Zero-Day exploits
I watch both these pages as frequently as I can spare the time. They contain a lot of information and I have often used them in warning clients who might otherwise dismiss warnings by me as the result of my well-known paranoia.
Institute for Security and Open Methodologies
This is a place to learn about security. It will take a bit of time to wade through some of it, but there is a load of information here that cannot be found in any other single place. There are also security testing tools, some with detailed information on how to use the and interpret the results.
Malware.com
While nothing more than a handly listing of vulnerabilities and the code that exploits them, links to more information are provided for each entry. This is a very good place to go to get to some information on a problem in a hurrry, with little searching.
Ben Edelman's Site
We interviewed Ben in the past. He is one of the few definitive sources on adware/spyware infections. Ben is doing other things a lot more now, so he updates the site much less often than in the past. There is a good archive, though, and new articles do appear every couple months.
For specific information on virus, worm and other malware removal, either do a Google on the name of it or go to the AV maker of your choice's site and see about information on how to accomplish that or removal tools.
Internet Storm Center
I check this one almost daily, and anytime there is a problem. You can glean a tremendous amount of information in a very short read, with links to help getting more information about problems and/or workarounds and fixes.
F-Secure
F-Secure Company web log
Both F-Secure's front page and the blog are interesting and likely to have the most details posted first of all the security companies, even if another team made the actual discovery. I don't know how they do this, but I think they maintain dedicated posting personnel all the time. At any rate, you can often enough get a 45 minute jump on other sites at these two that it is worth checking them first when trouble is in the wind.
Security Focus
More than simple security information, which clutters up the site a bit. Still, a very, very good resource for all things related to the well-being of your computer. They also have a bugtraq archive that is very useful, here.
Websence Security Labs
Loads of different threat information here. Some of it I consider a bit on the alarmist side in terms of it's presentation, but opinions vary on this and you should decide for yourself. No matter how it strikes you, there is a lot of good information here.
EEye Digital Security
EEye Tracker page for Zero-Day exploits
I watch both these pages as frequently as I can spare the time. They contain a lot of information and I have often used them in warning clients who might otherwise dismiss warnings by me as the result of my well-known paranoia.
Institute for Security and Open Methodologies
This is a place to learn about security. It will take a bit of time to wade through some of it, but there is a load of information here that cannot be found in any other single place. There are also security testing tools, some with detailed information on how to use the and interpret the results.
Malware.com
While nothing more than a handly listing of vulnerabilities and the code that exploits them, links to more information are provided for each entry. This is a very good place to go to get to some information on a problem in a hurrry, with little searching.
Ben Edelman's Site
We interviewed Ben in the past. He is one of the few definitive sources on adware/spyware infections. Ben is doing other things a lot more now, so he updates the site much less often than in the past. There is a good archive, though, and new articles do appear every couple months.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Vista Service Pack 1 is coming
APC reckons Service Pack 1 for Vista will be out in the second half of 2007 and that it will include a lot of features that did not make it into the version to be released in a week from now.
The conventional wisdom has long held that it is not wise to move to a new Microsoft operating system until after SP1 in order to miss many of the issues that come with new code. But in this case it looks to me as if SP1 is intended as a rush job to make up for original features cut before RTM. I could be wrong about this. 11 months is how long it took for XP SP1 to debut and that would put the Vista SP1 release in December, 2007. But it sounds to me more like the release is planned for the summer and will contain mostly dumped features and not necessarily fixes for issues that have arisen since release.
I am not confident of Microsoft's ability to get Vista "right" and restored to it's originally planned glory for a while. Certainly not within a year.
Jack
The conventional wisdom has long held that it is not wise to move to a new Microsoft operating system until after SP1 in order to miss many of the issues that come with new code. But in this case it looks to me as if SP1 is intended as a rush job to make up for original features cut before RTM. I could be wrong about this. 11 months is how long it took for XP SP1 to debut and that would put the Vista SP1 release in December, 2007. But it sounds to me more like the release is planned for the summer and will contain mostly dumped features and not necessarily fixes for issues that have arisen since release.
I am not confident of Microsoft's ability to get Vista "right" and restored to it's originally planned glory for a while. Certainly not within a year.
Jack
Freebies @ PC Tools Software
PC Tools Software (makers of Spyware Doctor, among other applications) is now giving away Anti-Virus and personal firewall products. It is probably a good idea to check these out. We all know users who run with less than optimal protection because they do not have the purchase price of the necessaries. I will be downloading all I can and testing them and I suggest you do too. We can share our conclusions.
Jack
Jack
Teacher convicted due to porn pop-ups on infected computer
Is this a miscarriage of justice? A substitute school teacher in Connecticut has been found guilty of exposing children to porn when pop-ups appear on infected school computer. She could face up to 40 years in prison.
Direct link to the source of me finding out about this miscarriage of justice: SunbeltBLOG
This story needs to get more attention, as an educational effort if nothing else. I believe that most people [excluding present company, of course ;) ] don't have a clue about spyware, malware and popups. Its pretty apparent the forensic police "expert" certainly doesn't. Follow the link to get the entire story, along with updates. A Connecticut Board of Education member's blog [Region 19 BOE Gazette: Pornography in the Classroom; Justice Perverted], adds to the righteous indignation of fellow geeks, over this conviction.
--MissM
read more | digg story
Direct link to the source of me finding out about this miscarriage of justice: SunbeltBLOG
This story needs to get more attention, as an educational effort if nothing else. I believe that most people [excluding present company, of course ;) ] don't have a clue about spyware, malware and popups. Its pretty apparent the forensic police "expert" certainly doesn't. Follow the link to get the entire story, along with updates. A Connecticut Board of Education member's blog [Region 19 BOE Gazette: Pornography in the Classroom; Justice Perverted], adds to the righteous indignation of fellow geeks, over this conviction.
--MissM
read more | digg story
On Computers Radio Show Podcast 01-21-07
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 01-21-07. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
"Links from the Gregg Zone!"
Hi everyone:
It seems I’m the new kid on the block around here, so I thought I should introduce myself. My name is Gregg a long time friend of Joe’s who you all know as AlaskaJoe; we go back close to forty years now. We met in southern California, driving taxi cabs back in the early seventies, he has been as close as my brother ever since We, along with a couple of other long time friends get together every morning for coffee, thanks to this marvelous age we live in, and the graces of skype. Anyway he ask me to do a spot for his show, web, and blog pages about web surfing. Since it is a favorite pass time of mine, and I seem to a have an ability to find some different and interesting material out there, it sounded like it might be fun, so I’m going to give it a shot, and see what happens.
Here’s a short bio, to let you know a little more about me, I’m single, I live in Las Vegas, Nevada, just turned a new decade last year (now officially old). While my computer expertise is limited (some would say severely), I am getting better. I have a wide variety of interests; and a fondness for the unusual; my interests include science, new technology, anything related to human consciousness, where we came from as well as where we might be going to, metaphysic’s, world events past and present, those edgy web site’s that border on political extremes, those site’s that are almost unbelievable (but could be), and the totally absurd ones. I very much like web based movies, video clips, and audio. In the mainstream I like reading, radio (mostly talk), I have lost interest in almost all television, with the exception of, Nova, 60 Min., History, Food, Discovery, Animal Planet, and a few of the Pundit type political shows, however usually the commercials drive me away before I completely watch anything. I also seem to have a new and developing interest in Netflix movies, mostly non-mainstream stuff, documentaries, foreign, lectures, film noir, sci-fi, and the missed classics, I have been finding allot of movie leads on the net, looking and searching genre such as cult classics, film noir, and particular subject matters that interest me.
I’m not at all sure how this will develop, and would welcome any suggestions you may have. In the beginning I have decided that I will try and highlight about three to five sites a week, these I will attempt to spread over subjects as varied as I can, from totally believable to the almost over the top. I am sure there will be a very small group interested in them all, however if you find one or two to spark your interest I will feel satisfied. I would also like very much to hear from you, about subjects that I might be interested in.
So here we go:
1) Where is my flying car? This is something that was promised to me ever since I was a little kid, you know the Jetsons, those futuristic prediction guru’s, year after year said I would have one, the science shows and magazines, showed me blueprints, and artist depictions, Disneyland had models, or how about Mel Gibson’s taxi cab in the movie “The Fifth Element” was that cool or what. Well it may be closer than you think, at least there is hope. Take a look at this http://www.moller.com/ well worth clicking around the site, they are very serious, unfortunately it looks like it will be made in China.
2) When I see a story in the news I always wonder just how it may be changed due to the interpretation of the news room here in the states. It is kind of interesting to read the story as presented to the local people where it originated. This is the best site I have found to do that http://www.world-newspapers.com/ . Here you can just click on any country (there are over two hundred of them), then find a newspaper from the city you are looking for, and read the story from the perspective of that culture. There are also links to tons of magazines some free and some subscriber type, they are broken down into various interest categories. So if you happen to hear a story about several people injured by armed dacoits at Phulbariya-8 in Katmandu yesterday you can check it out, just go to site, look under Asia, click on Nepal, click on Himalayan Times, and there you go.
3) Here are a couple of links related to something I believe we all need to be following very closely, I wrote a blog on the radio’s blog page about it you can read that here http://oncomputerstips.blogspot.com/2006/12/death-of-internet.html , I also wrote a follow up with more links as a prelude to this weeks show during which Joe said he was going to devote some time to this issue. We all need to get involved in protecting our rights in this regard. If we do not speak up money, and power will very much change the landscape of the internet we all love so much. http://www.freepress.net/news/18562 , http://www.savetheinternet.com/
4) This is one of my current favorite sites it is taking up way to much of my time at the moment. The site has lots, probably hundreds of lectures, lots of video and audio, dealing with science; any subject you can think of, interviews with Nobel Prize Winners, the latest new research going on, advances that are expected in the near and distant future.
I was watching a documentary “Genghis Blues” excellent movie, but Richard Feynman the physicist was in the movie so being curious I wanted to know more about him, and started looking around found this site that has many videos from his lectures on light that he did in New Zealand in the 1970’s. Any way that’s how I got hooked http://www.vega.org.uk/
5) To wrap it up for this week I’m going to say a few words about Netflix, I have to begin by saying, that I was never a fan of the usual movies. But Netflix was always sending these offers for a two week free trial, and there were two or three movies I was curious about so I thought I would just watch those and cancel the whole thing out, “just here for the free stuff”, that kind of deal.
Well I was very pleasantly surprised by what was available. I like documentaries, non-fiction, and the edgy stuff. While looking around at the site I found a series on human consciousness, 5 DVD’s covering interviews with twenty different scientists all from different fields, talking about how they viewed the subject, and what part of the brain, body, or neither they considered our consciousness to come from. It was from a 2003 symposium, and allot of it was way over my head, but it was on a subject that has always interested me. That got me started; I branched into foreign films, and a few other areas. Then I started searching for the obscure movies that did not make the award shows, those that some how never made it into the main stream. I started looking on the internet for lists on film noir, cult film, foreign films, stuff that other people liked enough to list on the net. Now I’m hooked it is so much better than driving to the video store, always worrying about paying for something I won’t like, the money, the gas, the time, the hassle. With Netflix I have been getting fifteen to twenty movies a month, I have been watching movies I never would have considered at the store and found some real treasures. And I go to the mail box every day anyway, so there is no hassle at all. http://www.netflix.com
Well that’s it for the first week anyway looking forward to hearing any thing and everything, from anybody. Suggestions on sites, movies, rants, raves, good or bad, ideas, complaints, you name it. Gregg
It seems I’m the new kid on the block around here, so I thought I should introduce myself. My name is Gregg a long time friend of Joe’s who you all know as AlaskaJoe; we go back close to forty years now. We met in southern California, driving taxi cabs back in the early seventies, he has been as close as my brother ever since We, along with a couple of other long time friends get together every morning for coffee, thanks to this marvelous age we live in, and the graces of skype. Anyway he ask me to do a spot for his show, web, and blog pages about web surfing. Since it is a favorite pass time of mine, and I seem to a have an ability to find some different and interesting material out there, it sounded like it might be fun, so I’m going to give it a shot, and see what happens.
Here’s a short bio, to let you know a little more about me, I’m single, I live in Las Vegas, Nevada, just turned a new decade last year (now officially old). While my computer expertise is limited (some would say severely), I am getting better. I have a wide variety of interests; and a fondness for the unusual; my interests include science, new technology, anything related to human consciousness, where we came from as well as where we might be going to, metaphysic’s, world events past and present, those edgy web site’s that border on political extremes, those site’s that are almost unbelievable (but could be), and the totally absurd ones. I very much like web based movies, video clips, and audio. In the mainstream I like reading, radio (mostly talk), I have lost interest in almost all television, with the exception of, Nova, 60 Min., History, Food, Discovery, Animal Planet, and a few of the Pundit type political shows, however usually the commercials drive me away before I completely watch anything. I also seem to have a new and developing interest in Netflix movies, mostly non-mainstream stuff, documentaries, foreign, lectures, film noir, sci-fi, and the missed classics, I have been finding allot of movie leads on the net, looking and searching genre such as cult classics, film noir, and particular subject matters that interest me.
I’m not at all sure how this will develop, and would welcome any suggestions you may have. In the beginning I have decided that I will try and highlight about three to five sites a week, these I will attempt to spread over subjects as varied as I can, from totally believable to the almost over the top. I am sure there will be a very small group interested in them all, however if you find one or two to spark your interest I will feel satisfied. I would also like very much to hear from you, about subjects that I might be interested in.
So here we go:
1) Where is my flying car? This is something that was promised to me ever since I was a little kid, you know the Jetsons, those futuristic prediction guru’s, year after year said I would have one, the science shows and magazines, showed me blueprints, and artist depictions, Disneyland had models, or how about Mel Gibson’s taxi cab in the movie “The Fifth Element” was that cool or what. Well it may be closer than you think, at least there is hope. Take a look at this http://www.moller.com/ well worth clicking around the site, they are very serious, unfortunately it looks like it will be made in China.
2) When I see a story in the news I always wonder just how it may be changed due to the interpretation of the news room here in the states. It is kind of interesting to read the story as presented to the local people where it originated. This is the best site I have found to do that http://www.world-newspapers.com/ . Here you can just click on any country (there are over two hundred of them), then find a newspaper from the city you are looking for, and read the story from the perspective of that culture. There are also links to tons of magazines some free and some subscriber type, they are broken down into various interest categories. So if you happen to hear a story about several people injured by armed dacoits at Phulbariya-8 in Katmandu yesterday you can check it out, just go to site, look under Asia, click on Nepal, click on Himalayan Times, and there you go.
3) Here are a couple of links related to something I believe we all need to be following very closely, I wrote a blog on the radio’s blog page about it you can read that here http://oncomputerstips.blogspot.com/2006/12/death-of-internet.html , I also wrote a follow up with more links as a prelude to this weeks show during which Joe said he was going to devote some time to this issue. We all need to get involved in protecting our rights in this regard. If we do not speak up money, and power will very much change the landscape of the internet we all love so much. http://www.freepress.net/news/18562 , http://www.savetheinternet.com/
4) This is one of my current favorite sites it is taking up way to much of my time at the moment. The site has lots, probably hundreds of lectures, lots of video and audio, dealing with science; any subject you can think of, interviews with Nobel Prize Winners, the latest new research going on, advances that are expected in the near and distant future.
I was watching a documentary “Genghis Blues” excellent movie, but Richard Feynman the physicist was in the movie so being curious I wanted to know more about him, and started looking around found this site that has many videos from his lectures on light that he did in New Zealand in the 1970’s. Any way that’s how I got hooked http://www.vega.org.uk/
5) To wrap it up for this week I’m going to say a few words about Netflix, I have to begin by saying, that I was never a fan of the usual movies. But Netflix was always sending these offers for a two week free trial, and there were two or three movies I was curious about so I thought I would just watch those and cancel the whole thing out, “just here for the free stuff”, that kind of deal.
Well I was very pleasantly surprised by what was available. I like documentaries, non-fiction, and the edgy stuff. While looking around at the site I found a series on human consciousness, 5 DVD’s covering interviews with twenty different scientists all from different fields, talking about how they viewed the subject, and what part of the brain, body, or neither they considered our consciousness to come from. It was from a 2003 symposium, and allot of it was way over my head, but it was on a subject that has always interested me. That got me started; I branched into foreign films, and a few other areas. Then I started searching for the obscure movies that did not make the award shows, those that some how never made it into the main stream. I started looking on the internet for lists on film noir, cult film, foreign films, stuff that other people liked enough to list on the net. Now I’m hooked it is so much better than driving to the video store, always worrying about paying for something I won’t like, the money, the gas, the time, the hassle. With Netflix I have been getting fifteen to twenty movies a month, I have been watching movies I never would have considered at the store and found some real treasures. And I go to the mail box every day anyway, so there is no hassle at all. http://www.netflix.com
Well that’s it for the first week anyway looking forward to hearing any thing and everything, from anybody. Suggestions on sites, movies, rants, raves, good or bad, ideas, complaints, you name it. Gregg
Friday, January 19, 2007
Get ready to set your clocks forward, I think...
To quote webexhibits.org :
Date change in 2007
On August 8, 2005, President George W. Bush signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This Act changed the time change dates for Daylight Saving Time in the U.S. Beginning in 2007, DST will begin on the second Sunday in March and end the first Sunday in November. The Secretary of Energy will report the impact of this change to Congress. Congress retains the right to resume the 2005 Daylight Saving Time schedule once the Department of Energy study is complete.
ps. I got there from http://www.time.gov ( the official US time site )Is your flash drive fast enough for Vista’s ReadyBoost?
Ed Bott's blog post on the subject is enlightening, but a bit late, seeing as I already went out and bought a 2 GB flash drive from SanDisk that simply does not measure up, making less than half it's advertised speed on several tests. (Having used a special discount coupon, I cannot return the device, either, and am taking things up directly with the maker. More on this as it happens.
Be sure to follow the first link in the post by Bott, which will take you to a post by George Ou with more information on the same subject.
And watch out when buying flash memory devices. I sure wish I had.
Jack
Be sure to follow the first link in the post by Bott, which will take you to a post by George Ou with more information on the same subject.
And watch out when buying flash memory devices. I sure wish I had.
Jack
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Windows Vista Team Blog : Multiple announcments about Vista Pricing
Yesterday, the upgrades within versions of Vista were announced on the Vista Blog.
I'm very impressed that they are handling family licensing this way, it seems very fair. I was checking out the Vista Page, and you can only upgrade from XP (although I'm confident the majority of smart people with do a clean install). That appears to be more of a hardware issue, than anything else. Although Vista will scale down to utilize the available hardware (or so it is said...) they are certainly giving people a pretty obvious warning that this requires significant computer resources. I've downloaded the Vista Upgrade Advisor, and we'll see what that says about my system. I hope to remember to post it, when I do.
Mr. Linguini mentioned Bitlocker to me, and I read a review by Paul Thurott on the Ultimate Extras, of which BitLocker is a part.
--MissM
Windows Vista Team Blog : Multiple announcments about Vista Pricing
Good news arrives today on several Windows Vista-related fronts, my friends ... read on.
Windows Anytime Upgrade
Today we're announcing further detail on how Windows Anytime Upgrade works. Come 30 January, Windows Anytime Upgrade will allow customers to purchase and download a digital key to upgrade to a more feature-rich edition of Windows Vista. The user will then complete the upgrade process by inserting the Windows Vista DVD that came with their PC or with their retail purchase of Windows Vista. The program will be available in the US, Canada, Europe and Japan.
Manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) to upgrade from a more basic version of Windows Vista are:
* Home Basic --> Home Premium: $79
* Home Basic --> Ultimate: $199
* Home Premium --> Ultimate: $159
* Business --> Ultimate: $139
We've designed Windows Anytime Upgrade as a measure of convenience for our customers and hope it proves to be a way for you to more easily advance to a more fully-featured edition of Windows Vista.
Windows Family Discount
Also, today we're announcing news that makes it easier and more economical for those of you with multiple systems at home -- like many of you who read this blog -- to upgrade to Windows Vista. If you have need for fewer than 5 licenses for home use, you can upgrade all of your home systems by taking advantage of the Windows Vista Family Discount. (Volume licensing is the way to go if you have need for more than 5 licenses.) This program will also begin at our retail availability launch on 30 January.
The Windows Vista Family Discount was in part inspired by feedback from tech enthusiasts like you who told us that previously it was less than convenient to upgrade every node on their home networks.
We heard you loud and clear in planning the Windows Vista Family Discount. Here's how it works:
* Buy a retail copy of Windows Vista Ultimate (full or upgrade version)
* Between 30 January – 30 June, order up to two copies of Windows Vista Home Premium online
* Pay only $49.99 for each copy of Windows Vista Home Premium
* Valid in North America (US and Canada)
I'm very impressed that they are handling family licensing this way, it seems very fair. I was checking out the Vista Page, and you can only upgrade from XP (although I'm confident the majority of smart people with do a clean install). That appears to be more of a hardware issue, than anything else. Although Vista will scale down to utilize the available hardware (or so it is said...) they are certainly giving people a pretty obvious warning that this requires significant computer resources. I've downloaded the Vista Upgrade Advisor, and we'll see what that says about my system. I hope to remember to post it, when I do.
Mr. Linguini mentioned Bitlocker to me, and I read a review by Paul Thurott on the Ultimate Extras, of which BitLocker is a part.
--MissM
Windows Vista Team Blog : Multiple announcments about Vista Pricing
Attack code out for 'critical' Windows flaw
Computer code that exploits a security vulnerability in Windows has been published on the Internet, making it more urgent for users of the operating system to patch.
Microsoft provided a fix for the flaw last week with security bulletin MS07-004. At the time, the company warned that it had already seen limited cyberattacks exploiting the vulnerability.
Microsoft provided a fix for the flaw last week with security bulletin MS07-004. At the time, the company warned that it had already seen limited cyberattacks exploiting the vulnerability.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
The Twilight Years of Cap'n Crunch
John Draper has had a huge effect on tech, for a lot of different reasons, some slightly unsavory, all a direct result of his brilliance. This Wall Street Journal will let you know what he has been up to, his difficulties and triumphs.
Jack
Jack
Persistent zombie attacks target Symantec corporate software
Symantec first dismissed the threat, but worm attacks that exploit a known security hole in the company's corporate antivirus tool are proving to be persistent.
I'm just SHOCKED!
Who would have ever though Symantec would ever let a worm get in?
AlaskaJoe
I'm just SHOCKED!
Who would have ever though Symantec would ever let a worm get in?
AlaskaJoe
McAfee Avert® Labs Technical White Papers
Go ahead; scare yourself to death!
Actually, these white papers by McAfee personel and hirelings are not anywhere near as filled with hype as they could be. Most are fairly straight-forward and level-headed. Really! If you want a decent overview of the most prevalent security threats, you could do a lot worse than these. I read two and thought them informative and lacking in either hype or product promotion. They also are not overly long - an under-appreciated trait in this area.
Enjoy,
Jack
Actually, these white papers by McAfee personel and hirelings are not anywhere near as filled with hype as they could be. Most are fairly straight-forward and level-headed. Really! If you want a decent overview of the most prevalent security threats, you could do a lot worse than these. I read two and thought them informative and lacking in either hype or product promotion. They also are not overly long - an under-appreciated trait in this area.
Enjoy,
Jack
Could invisibility beat encryption?
Can you hide files in plain sight? Apparently you can, using this software from PCMesh.
The article points out that this is much weaker than stout encryption, but that may not be the point, if all you want to do is hide your wife and your love letters from the kids, or some other lightweight security chore. This is probably worth checking out, for a number of users.
Personally, I will stick with encryption for the little bit of use I have for such techniques. I can spare the time it takes and I like the certaintly that 2048 bit encryption will not be realistically breakable any time soon. I only have just over 59 megabytes encrypted, which eases the burden considerably. I really don't have that much to hide.
Even so; this is an interesting development and if it interests you, the article has a link to the company's page.
Jack
The article points out that this is much weaker than stout encryption, but that may not be the point, if all you want to do is hide your wife and your love letters from the kids, or some other lightweight security chore. This is probably worth checking out, for a number of users.
Personally, I will stick with encryption for the little bit of use I have for such techniques. I can spare the time it takes and I like the certaintly that 2048 bit encryption will not be realistically breakable any time soon. I only have just over 59 megabytes encrypted, which eases the burden considerably. I really don't have that much to hide.
Even so; this is an interesting development and if it interests you, the article has a link to the company's page.
Jack
Monday, January 15, 2007
On the importance of backward compatibility
Ian Murdock, he of DebIAN Linux and the Linux Standards Base project, has an interesting entry in his web log on backwards compatibility. It is short and definitely worth your time. In it, he contrasts the positions of Microsoft and Apple to this important issue and places Linux squarely with MS on it. That's okay, because Microsoft has the right idea on this one.
This one is worth the few minutes of your time it will take.
Jack
This one is worth the few minutes of your time it will take.
Jack
On the importance of backward compatibility
Ian Murdock of DebIAN Linux and the Linux Standards Base project writes about backward compatibility. It's a short essay and extremely illuminating, especially where it contrasts policies in place at Microsoft and Apple.
This one is definitely worth your time.
Jack
This one is definitely worth your time.
Jack
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