Saturday, February 27, 2010

Microsoft warns over rogue Security Essentials • The Register

Security essentials 2010 is a piece of software Microsoft said installs a fake virus scanner on your machine and]monitors and blocks processes it doesn't like.

Always beware of where you download things from, make sure they are the real thing!

Always go to the web site to download something, never from a random link. In the case of something from Microsoft, go to http://www.Microsoft.com and search for Microsoft Security Essentials.

Downloaders beware!

AlaskaJoe

NASA Extends the Internet Out Into Space

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station received a special software upgrade this week - personal access to the Internet and the World Wide Web via the ultimate wireless connection. Expedition 22 Flight Engineer T.J. Creamer made first use of the new system Friday, when he posted the first unassisted update to his Twitter account, @Astro_TJ, from the space station. Previous tweets from space had to be e-mailed to the ground where support personnel posted them to the astronaut's Twitter. (source: nasa.gov)

My big question is: Why can't we all get wireless internet here on Earth? They can get wireless internet in space!

AlaskaJoe

Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows: They Don't Call Them "Essentials" For Nothing

Windows 7 is an impressive and refined OS with fun and productive new features. (In fact, I award it a rare 5-out-of-5 stars in my own review.) But there are some important pieces missing. And while we might debate Microsoft's rationale for not including these solutions in Windows, the truth is, they're easy enough to find and install separately. Best of all, they're free.

Some of these are very useful, I use most of them. (I use Pidgin IM for Messenger.) However the rest are very cool.

Microsoft Security Essentials is now my Anti-Virus of choice. It's free and works just as well as any you can pay for. There are version for Windows XP and both 32 bit and 64 bit Windows 7 & Vista.

Enjoy, AlaskaJoe

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

MagicJack dials wrong number in legal attack on Boing Boing Boing Boing

Gadget maker MagicJack recently lost a defamation lawsuit that it filed against Boing Boing. The judge dismissed its case and ordered it to pay us more than $50,000 in legal costs.
I have said on the show before I never could get my MagicJack working and I tried it on 3 computers here to no avail. When I called support I got no joy out of them and when asked to have my MagicJack replaced I was ignored by 2 support people. I gave up and through it out.

AlaskaJoe

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

DailyTech - Broadband Providers Complain as March 17 FCC Broadband Plan Unveiling Nears

Reuters reports that the FCC's national broadband plan is set to be unveiled on March 17 to Congress. The plan hopes to bring affordable and fast broadband internet access to the 90 million Americans who lack service today.
Last week, the FCC announced that it is aiming for nationwide broadband speeds of 100Mbps

That would be nice, however the ISP's are saying they can't get those speeds in the next 10 years. MY question to them is WHY NOT?

We shall see!
AlaskaJoe

FCC survey: Americans need broadband basics

"The Federal Communications Commission's first-ever survey on Internet usage and attitudes concludes that those who aren't connected today need to be taught how to navigate the Web, find online information that is valuable to them and avoid hazards such as Internet scams."

Just my opinion, but I think a lot of people who are already on the Internet need this training, too.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 02-21-10

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 02-21-10. 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) The breakthroughs for green tech seem to be coming along at a pretty fast clip these days. Sometimes the advances signifying the most promise seem to run under the radar. The main talking point about this new solar advancement revolves around manufacturing technique, and materials. The main point I thought was not using Rare Earth Minerals, something I think we will see more about these shortages future news, especially regarding the economic world power structure. (See next link). http://www.eetasia.com
2) It seems that our attention is always focused on the big stuff, we think about running out of oil, peak oil. Constantly worried about how short supply will affect world politics. It creates wars both economic, and military. This article and its rather ominous statements of fact about high tech industries and rare earth minerals, they are mostly coming from China, who is talking about a shortage and eliminating their export, it should be a wake-up call for our government if we can avoid our distractions. It might also point to an investment opportunity, if you can find a way to exploit it. http://news.yahoo.com
3) One of the things I like to do on line it to take those little tests, of one sort or another, you know how many states can you identify, just the general knowledge type. So when I saw this I have to admit I was drawn in and totally humiliated. Anyway I just had to post it here; it is a copy of an eighth grade graduation test from 1895. The link I chose starts with a comment and link, to snopes.com, I think they are right, the guys at snopes went a little over with their defensive simplification; they seemed to miss the point, just my interpretation. Next week I will post the answers for the Google-challenged. http://www.rense.com
4) I worked with para-transit for several years, driving people with various types of disability around Las Vegas, I suppose that is why I am attracted to advancements that help solve issues in those communities. This one is a twofer, think of a hybrid between an office chair, and a mountain bike, that is this wheel chair. Designed for rural settings, rocks, mud, sand,and dirt roads, there are many people in the world unable to walk, living in rural conditions that offer no choice other than dragging themselves on the ground, sometimes for miles. This is aimed at helping them. The unit is designed to be manufactured locally from new, and used bicycle parts for less than $200.00. The hope here is to provide local jobs, in addition to helping others with disabilities. http://news.cnet.com
5) My geek link for the week... one of my favorite web things is Google, I am always at least mildly interested by headlines concerning them. This fell into that category and thought it interesting. Looks like Google is going into the ISP business, or, well maybe not. There are evidently several layers to this announcement. Hope it all works out as planned. http://www.slate.com/