Saturday, June 05, 2010

Five super-secret features in Windows 7 | Tech Sanity Check | TechRepublic.com

. Dual-boot software to run Mac OS X, known as ‘Training Camp’ Apple opened the door to more users - especially IT pros - in recent years by building Boot Camp into its Macintosh computers to allow them to run Windows along side Mac OS X in a dual-boot configuration. Not to be outdone, Microsoft as a secret dual-boot loader in Windows 7 that allows it to emulate Mac hardware and configure Mac OS X as an alternative boot option using the standard off-the-shelf Mac boot discs. In a fit of cleverness, Microsoft has decided to name it “Training Camp,” which I found out when I uncovered the Help file. However, I’m not sure what it is training for...

Friday, June 04, 2010

Microsoft Patch Tuesday for June 2010: 10 bulletins

According to the Microsoft Security Response Center, Microsoft will issue 10 Security Bulletins addressing 34 vulnerabilities on Tuesday.
Once again it's time to do your windows updates. Next Tuesday sometime after 10 AM Pacific time your computer will be receiving new Windows updates. I always do the Custom install so I can get the updates that are not deemed "Critical"
This article said there are 10 updates, however if you only do the "Critical" updates you will only get 3... MAYBE.

AlaskaJoe

Patch Tuesday heads-up: 10 bulletins, 34 flaws (IE, Windows affected)

Microsoft's Patch Tuesday this month on June 8th will be a big one: 10 bulletins fixing 34 vulnerabilities in Windows, Office and Internet Explorer.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 05-30-10

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 05-30-10. 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) Sometimes there are glimmers of hope arising from future generations in the news, that give me a sense that somehow we can innovate our way through the sea of uncertainty looming before us. A while back I posted about a student at a high school science fair who engineered a breakthrough process dealing with plastics decomposing, or not, in landfills. Well here is another similar story; it is about a young Canadian winning a science fair for finding a way to use old vehicle tires to power a fuel cell. Looks promising to me, short but interesting story http://www.edmontonjournal.com
2) It was a year or more back I posted about a site called Galaxy Zoo. Where they were trying to enlist the computer oriented public to help scientists identify, count, and categorize galaxies in pictures from Hubble. It seems when I was not paying attention they started separate sites looking for merging galaxies, and super nova. Well they just started another trying to get people to help map the moon. Using super hi-def photos they want us to locate, and size, creators on the moon. Also locate and size boulders, and look for space junk like remains of objects we sent there. Looks like an interesting pass time if you are looking for something to replace your Mafia Wars, or Farmville habit. http://www.moonzoo.org/
3) I ran across several stories on the net about an artificial object approaching Earth from space, they were quoting the story as originating from NASA. The object is referred to as 2010 KQ. I had to investigate this a little further, it is a true story I found it at NASA. Most of the articles left out the fact that NASA thinks it is a rocket body that escaped orbit and is returning, however NASA did leave the door open saying it was ‘probably’ space junk. Might be worth keeping an eye on this one. http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov
4) With so much negative news out there about the oil spill in the gulf, I thought it might be nice to post something of a positive nature regarding the clean up. Seems after filming Water World, Kevin Costner motivated by the Exxon Valdez spill started on a fifteen year path investing a lot of time and money into oil clean up machines, and technology. Looks like it may be paying off now, they are using his equipment in the clean up. Very interesting article I hope it can make a dent in this disastrous situation. http://www.stltoday.com
5) This business of gaming is becoming more and more ingrained into our society; this article is talking about its addictive nature affecting our youth, and a few adults I know for that matter. They say two hours of intense gaming has the equivalent effect of snorting a line of cocaine on the brain. I think it falls into the same category of addiction that we see here in Las Vegas with casino gambling. There are probably other similar activities that have a similar effect. I suppose it is like they say here if it is causing a loss of productivity, difficulty with relationships, or unwanted behavioral changes in one’s life you just need to learn to say no. http://www.lep.co.uk
6) I thought due to our short staff for the show this week I might post an extra link or two. This one is about a soon to be coming phone technology. I am talking about a micro projector for your phone, want to show some one a picture on your phone? Just point it at a blank wall and click, get a two foot by three foot or larger hi-def projection. Easier to read stuff also I would think. Everything is hanging on the green laser, and it looks like they got it. http://www.popularmechanics.com
7) Okay just one more geeky advancement upcoming technology type story, coming out of Japan. It appears they have found a new metal oxide compound to make discs from, looks like a big deal and coming soon. One of these discs can store 200 times more data than a current blue-ray disc. And, it is much cheaper, uses commoner materials, and is even cheaper to manufacture on top of all that. http://mdn.mainichi.jp

Earl's Cyber Steals and Deals

Who needs 4GS when 3GS iPhones are just $97 ??
Walmart has cut the price of Apple's 16 GB iPhone 3GS by $100 -- to $97, from $197 -- as Apple prepares to launch a new version of the iPhone in a few weeks.
Read more:

Wal-Mart makes splashy price cuts to get mojo back


Dell Home offers its Dell Studio XPS 8100 Intel Core i5 3.2GHz Desktop PC (no monitor) for $649 with $12.95 for shipping. . It features an Intel Core i5-650 3.2GHz dual-core processor, 3GB RAM, 500GB 7200 rpm hard drive, DVD burner, NVIDIA GeForce G310 512MB video card, flash card reader, 15-month subscription to McAfee SecurityCenter, 2GB of Dell Online Backup for one year, and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit.

Beginning today, IKEA will offer a free small breakfast with coffee with no purchase necessary. Limit one per customer. Some locations are excluded. Deal ends May 31.

Dell Home again offers the Dell Inspiron 15 Pentium Dual-Core 2.2GHz 15.6" Widescreen Notebook in Jet Black for $419 with $12.95 for shipping via the directions below.Intel Pentium Dual-Core T4400 2.2GHz processor, 15.6" 1366x768 widescreen LED-backlit LCD, 2GB RAM, 250GB 5400 rpm hard drive, dual-layer DVD burner, 802.11g wireless, 4-cell battery, and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. To get this deal:
1.Click here to start at $379
2.select "Intel Pentium Dual Core T4400, 2.2GHz/800MHz FSB/1MB cache (+$40)"
3.add to your cart for $419

Buy.com offers the refurbished HP Pavilion p6310f AMD Athlon X4 2.8GHz Quad Core Desktop PC, model no. AY018AA#ABA, for $449.99. With free shipping, . AMD Athlon X4 630 2.8GHz quad-core processor, 6GB RAM, 1TB 7200 rpm hard drive, NVIDIA GeForce 9100 256MB graphics, DVD burner with LightScribe, 15-in-1 card reader, and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

HP Slimline s5580t Intel Core i5 3.2GHz Desktop PC (no monitor), model no. BS049AV#ABA, for $649.99. Coupon code "SVMB39487" cuts it to $624.99. With free shipping, It features an Intel Core i5-650 3.2GHz dual-core processor, 4GB RAM, 640GB 7200 rpm hard drive, dual layer DVD burner with LightScribe, Gigabit Ethernet, memory card reader, and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. Coupon ends July 31

DELL Small Business offers its Dell Vostro 230 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.93GHz Mini Tower Desktop PC bundled with the Dell E2010H 20" Widescreen LCD Monitor in Black for $419. With $8 for shipping, Intel Core 2 Duo E7500 2.93GHz dual-core processor, 2GB RAM, 320GB 7200 rpm hard drive, DVD burner, integrated graphics, keyboard, optical mouse, Gigabit Ethernet, and Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit.

Dell has the Dell 24" ST2410 Widescreen LCD Monitor for $259 - 30% off with coupon code XZK78GP3HB1QVC [Exp 6/3] = $181 with free shipping. Sports a 1920 x 1080 resolution, 50000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 250 cd/m2 brightness, and 5ms response time. Uses a TN panel with 2 CCFL tubes for back lighting


Newegg has the Western Digital Elements 1.5TB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive WDBAAU0015HBK-NESN for $105 - $10 off with coupon code EMCYSNW42 [Exp 6/3] = $95 with free shipping. USB 2.0

Analyst expects iPad to pass Mac - CNET News

The iPad is set to surpass Apple Mac computer shipments by September, while production levels for the yet-to-be-released iPhone 4G will hit 12 million by that time, according to an analyst.