PC World: No Microsoft Patches This Month After All

Microsoft has decided not to go ahead with its monthly security update after encountering an unspecified quality issue with the software patch it had planned to release next Tuesday.

Unpatched Firefox flaw may expose users | Tech News on ZDNet

A new, unpatched flaw in that affects all versions of Firefox could let attackers surreptitiously run malicious code on users' PCs, a security researcher has warned.
Maybe it is safe to use IE!
Joe

eBay in talks to buy Skype, report says | CNET News.com

I was wondering what the tie in was. Then I got to nearly the end of the article.

"The person familiar with the situation told the Journal that eBay was keen on adding services that make it easier to buy and sell goods online, as it did when it acquired the electronic-payment processing service PayPal in 2002."

I'm not sure that I want to actually talk to buyers and sellers, though. E-mail has worked just fine for me so far.

What is more interesting is the pay per call mentioned at the very end. Perhaps this would be useful, especially for overseas calls, which are still pretty expensive.

This is in the very early stages so whether you are for or against it, don't count on it.

Enter Crucial's Exclusive World Cyber Games Giveaway

FREE GEAR IS GOOD!
Enter Crucial's World Cyber Games Giveaway
Joe

FEMA to Mac, Linux users: drop dead

This, in my opinion is even more serious than the previous post about the Copywright Office, though I can't find it... ZDNet's article about it. And I'm concerned about the efforts put forth by the volunteers to get the evacuees internet access to find their families....
Should web developers develop to the market or the standard???

--MissM

AnnualCreditReport

Its now nationwide, as a public service I post it here :)

Don't check if you're gonna need credit in the next few months, cause you only get one free check a year. They DO try to sell you other things, but you don't have to buy them! Resistance is NOT futile ;)

--MissM

Microsoft revamps keyboards and mice

Well, we speculated that the gradual cancellation of several models of Microsoft mice and keyboards over thhe past months either meant they were getting out of peripherals or clearing out backlogs of stock in preparation for new models. This Techworld.com article has a nice outline of Microsoft's new offerings and links to the MS press releases.

There are gamer's mice along with new and improved ergonomics on keyboards for touch typists. They're reasonably priced and will almost certainly be discounted fairly quickly. Those of you with failing ergo keyboards for which you have not been able to find replacements will rejoice.

Jack

Katrina public web kiosk project wants volunteers

A Linux developer is organizing volunteers for a public "web station" project to assist Hurricane Katrina victims. Steve Hargadon's plan is to create numerous Linux-based public kiosks that boot directly into the Firefox browser and display a special home page with links to various services.

I know we have geeks everywhere, who want to help, and just might've missed this :)

--MissM

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DRAFT People Finder Interchange Format

Via: Dave Winer Standards drafted to facilitate the database building of lost and misplaced people, devastated by the hurricane.

--MissM

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 09-04-05

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 09-04-2005. If you prefer, you can download the same file here via ftp. If you find the FTP link doesn't work because of the server problems, please right click on the podcast link above and save as. We will be moving to the new server in the next few weeks.

Windows Vista Self-Guided Tour

This "self guided tour" of Windows Vista is intended for someone who has a copy of it running at hand. However; even a quick reading will give you a pretty good idea of what Microsoft wants the product to be and what it actually consists of.

Jack