Encrypt volumes through a cross-platform GUI with TrueCrypt 5.0

I usually don't post stuff about Linux procedures and how-to here, but as this also mentions and details some Windows features of TrueCrypt, I thought I would go ahead.

It's a one page basic how-to about TrueCrypt 5.0 and I think it is a very easy introduction to using it, which I recommend most mobile users do.

Enjoy,

Jack

TrojanGet infects users around the world

You have got to read this post!

FlashGet, the popular downloader extension to Firefox is now proven dangerous and suspicion cast upon the folks who built and distribute it, at least for the way they maintain their web site.

If you are or have been a FlashGet user, you need to check this out and probably to scan your system.

Jack

Building your own Solid State Drive (guide)

Now here's something to do while you're waiting for the Domino's delivery.

Check it out. This is a sure antidote to the high prices of Solid State Drives.

Jack

Firefox 3 Memory Usage

Firefox has always had problems with memory. If you closed it fairly frequently and had enough system RAM, you might not have noticed them, but if you were pressed for memory space or [particularly] if you left FF open for long periods of time, you were vulnerable. Those issues plagued me badly here because I might leave the browser open for a week or more.

Apparently FF 3 is making splendid progress addressing this shortcoming. It's about time, to be perfectly frank. Here's an account of what has been changed.

Jack

Video of Optimus Keyboard

This was too cool not to share. This is the future of electronics, imo. Thanks to Ryan Block from
engadget for sharing. :)

--MissM

No quick fix for Windows Home Server bug

This is strictly an opinion, but I wonder what the hang up is? It seems that MS, with its vast resources, could get this fixed faster. Oh yes, I've considered that it is low level and that other personnel would have to be brought up to speed on it. It is also probably sensitive, proprietary code that they are working on. But come on, this company is extremely rich. Seems to me that at the prices of MS products, the customers deserve a quicker fix than this. Same goes for the long, slow development of Vista SP 1 and XP SP 3 -- if they ever get here.

Why I really like Amazon!

I thought this might interest some of you, and its all part of my so far failed amazon experiment. :)

I have become a real fan of Amazon as gas prices increase, I can have UPS do the driving for me. This is a real bargain for me, because I belong to Amazon Prime account, and for $75 per year, you can get free 2 day shipping (I don't know what happens out of the lower 48 states). I also am trying what amazon calls "subscribe and save," that saves you 15% on everything that you have setup for a regular order. I also like to take advantage of the half price deals on things I normally buy. I will admit that I've been burned buying things on sale, or by accident, but I chalk that up to education (Who knew the kids would hate the teriyaki rice crisps??? :P ).

Amazon is having a 50% off Sci-Fi television series DVD sale. If you want to find the deals, go to Amazon, and on the left side "Shop all departments," go to "Movies, Music & Games," "Movies & TV." Then you look on the right side and the 3rd box from top shows the link to the half off sci-fi tv shows and then The first thing I looked for was Star Trek, The Original Series, because I heard that one was very expensive. Unfortunately they didn't have it, but they did have a few seasons of Doctor Who, Stargate and Dark Angel.


--MissM

ok, first attempt failed: Here's another :)
Final attempt sucks! I hate the length of url's with Amazon, and I have tried to figure out how to do it simply, but its still eluding me. My apologies, but thank you for your patience with my experiment.

Suddenly, the iPhone is a Mobile Computer - News and Analysis by PC Magazine

"The iPhone and iPod Touch became a true mobile computing platform today as Apple held an event announcing a software developer's kit and software store, plus support for Microsoft Exchange e-mail, contacts and calendaring, as well as parental controls for the iPhone coming in a software update in late June."

Maybe Apple has come up with something for everyone.

AlaskaJoe

Thieving Third-Party Gmail App Highlights Google Security Worries

The people behind G-Archiver have pulled the product pending a revision to correct this. However, they don't seem like people I would trust, not least because one can find another application to perform this function easily.

Jack

How to avoid WHS corruption issues

They're making progress against file corruption issues in Windows Home Server. That's the good news. The bad news is that the issues underlying the problems are so fundamental that nothing like a comprehensive fix is happening in a hurry.

Even so; the number of installations affected seems to be almost as small as Microsoft says it is and there are a LOT of things you can do to avoid the problems at all, fix or no fix. This article gives them in a nice, compact list.

Jack

Analysis: Intel to fight recession with solid state drives

Here it is. This is the "tipping point" for one of the two Solid State Drive formats to win over the other. This decision by Intel will move SSDs from niche products to mainstream ones and introduce price competition in a relatively short period of time.

It's not just prices dropping that we have to look forward to, but a steady increase in capacities, too. SSDs will grow larger, faster and in all probability more reliable in a hurry. What's not to like?

Jack

Nearing 3000 posts

It was brought to my attention this morning that we are nearing 3000 posts on this blog. In fact with this post, we have only 12 to go to hit the big round number. So this is a good opportunity to thank everyone who has ever contributed to this blog.

Special thanks go to the guy who has carried it when the rest of us were MIA. So thanks most of all to you, Jack. I don't think anyone would dispute that you are the most loyal and prolific of the blog members.

In closing, many thanks to all involved and a special shout out to you, Jack.

Acid 3 is out! IE 5.5 beats IE 7?

First off; DON'T FREAK!!

Here's the deal; A lot of fuss was made (and rightly so) when an early beta of IE 8 correctly rendered the Acid2 test.

Almost immediately, though, the goalposts were moved by the release of the Acid3 test. These are the first published results of various browser/platforms' performance in the Acid3 test. These results are so far from definitive that it's silly. So take them for what they are worth, which is nearly nothing beyond the curiosity value.

Even so; they're interesting.

Jack

Eee PC to Get Intel’s Diamondville, Hard Drives, and Fashion Forward Style

I was all ready to talk about Asus' EeePC and their competitors yesterday but we ran out of time.

Asus will be expanding the line in some interesting ways soon. Everex is moving into the market segment. At least on model is coming from HPQ and the rumors from Dell are very interesting. While everyone knew this segment would heat up, I don't think all that many of you with whom I discussed this saw things taking off like they appear to be. I know I didn't.

We will keep you posted, though, as our blog moves toward our 3000th post this week.

Jack

They Criticized Vista. And They Should Know

I usually try to avoid posting NY Times articles because of the subscription, but this one is worth firing up your throw-away email for.

It seems that many within Microsoft knew that lowering the bar and labeling low end PCs as "Vista Capable", pre Vista release, would cause heartache and confusion on down the line.

About the only solace one can take is that some Microsoft bigwigs have suffered the same pain and uncertainty at the release of Vista as their customers did. This article presents a picture of a company that was penny wise and pound foolish, and that now faces paying the piper because here comes da' judge.

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 03-09-08

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 03-09-08. 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 is a news item I ran across that fits my interest in robotics, DYI, new inventions, technology changing society, humor, and the just plain cool. A guy in Atlanta Georgia made a Robocop from a barbeque smoker, and is using it to patrol his neighborhood. This has the smell of a trend to me; evidently, he is being quite effective with controlling the turf he patrols with it. It seems to me there are several advantages to having a robot-vigilante type tool; it keeps the operator away from possible violence. Also offers the possibility of collecting photographic, and audio evidence in these on street type environments, make them small like the radio controlled AVT toys, you have a paparazzo’s dream. I am totally confused about how I feel when it comes to the ethics, and legality of all this, but then every time I walk into a casino I am being secretly filmed from hundreds of cameras, ATM’s, convenience stores, banks, parking lots, even my front gate at the condo’s where I live. Anyway, here is the link http://www.cnn.com

2) Next up a tax I can vote for, I ran across something about Ireland taxing plastic bags, I do not remember the source, but it spurred my interest so I started looking into it. It seems that in Ireland they have started a 15 cents tax each on plastic bag, in an attempt to help control pollution. I thought this was a great idea it is in effect a voluntary tax, but serves two purposes, raises monies to pay for environmental projects, while reducing pollution. The trees here in Las Vegas are bearing a strange fruit these days, plastic bags waving in the breeze everywhere. The “Ireland Solution”, is being watched in many other countries around the world, while several countries have banned them altogether. I could also get behind that idea. Link to the BBC story http://news.bbc.co.uk

3) This link is related to the last one just in case you thought the subject trivial, I have one here that might bring things into focus. I had no idea six months ago that this was going on, and I am sure most of you have not been aware of it either. It seems there are islands of trash in the Pacific Ocean the size of continents. These are putting toxins into the human food chain, destroying, fish, bird, and sea mammal populations. Just for starters, increase your awareness and check out this article. http://www.dailygalaxy.com

4) Now for something a little lighter, I really liked this link about a candle cannon it is a short video. If you like Myth Busters stuff you will really enjoy is one, I know I did. Not going to get into it to much other than to say just how far away do you think you can blow out the candles on a birthday cake. http://www.youtube.com

5) Now to wind up here is a link to the smallest production car ever made, from way back in 1963 the P-50. Was said to be cheaper than walking, the car cost less than 200 pounds, and gets over 100 mpg. If you are wondering how small, think about small enough to pick up and bring into the building set it next to your desk. Very cool video, about a very cool car, be sure to check it out http://www.youtube.com

Microsoft slates four patches for next week

Looks like the patches are mainly concerned with Office, this month.

Enjoy,
Jack

JAVA Updates

It's time to update your Java again, whether the runtime environment or the development kit. Here's a list of some of the security problems fixed and many of them are serious enough that we all need to do the update in a hurry.

Jack

Whistle-Blower: Feds Have a High-Speed Backdoor Into Wireless Carrier

So can you hear me now?

Sorry, I couldn't resist. This comes on the heals of the revelation that the FBI has gathered more information than it was authorized to. See: More FBI Privacy Violations Confirmed