ExtremeTech has gotten hold of one of the very first Intel quad core processors. The specs of the E670 are impressive, as are the results ET got out of it.
The article is filled with good information. Quad cores are almost here. Enjoy.
Jack
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Friday, September 29, 2006
ATI's Linux drivers do not totally suck, shock
It's a tale about installing drivers for video under Linux. A cautionary tale, at that, and a series of reasons why average users probably won't cleave to Linux at home for a while, yet.
Jack
Jack
Project Vampire is about to Fly..
This is Rahul Sood's blog entry in which (toward the end) he announces the purchase of VooDoo PC by HP. He definitely likes to tell a story and I thought you would find it interesting. I did.
Jack
Jack
Friday fun! Check out the HD images of a sunken airship
This is cool, and just for fun, to try to start the weekend off right.
MercuryNews.com | 09/27/2006 | Scientists unveil high-definition images of huge airship sunk in 1935
--MissM
MercuryNews.com | 09/27/2006 | Scientists unveil high-definition images of huge airship sunk in 1935
--MissM
Symantec Lashes Out at Microsoft for Barring Vista Code Access
After a stretch of acting like a good corporate citizen by doing such things as promising not to sue over implementation of some web standards on which they hold patents, Microsoft is acting like, well, Microsoft. If Symantec's allegations are true, and even MS acknowleges they are, their behavior is back in anti-trust territory.
Dominance of a market should carry responsibility and not allow shennanigans like this.
Jack
Dominance of a market should carry responsibility and not allow shennanigans like this.
Jack
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Epos intros cheap handwriting recognition
Handwriting recognition is essential to some people's vision of future computing. It sure is to mine. This short article at The Inquirer will tell you about one such technology. The company, Epos, does not build anything, instead seeking to license the technology to others. I think they have a winner, here, and would love to have a sample.
There are others. I have a friend who programs for Electronic Arts, the game maker, here in the Dallas/Fort Worth, TX area. He tells me that within EA exists a very good pen recognition program that could be developed into a winning product, though he says the company probably won't do that. This is simply an offshoot of what they do for a living and is not seen as a product.
Further; rumor has it that Wacom, the tablet input people, will soon have a new tablet that has enough memory to be used without a PC for dozens of pages of dense text, then uploaded to the computer via encrypted BlueTooth or unencrypted USB/Firewire, depending on your preference. Combined with good handwriting recognition, this could be a killer app for a lot of people, myself included.
Interesting times, eh?
Jack
There are others. I have a friend who programs for Electronic Arts, the game maker, here in the Dallas/Fort Worth, TX area. He tells me that within EA exists a very good pen recognition program that could be developed into a winning product, though he says the company probably won't do that. This is simply an offshoot of what they do for a living and is not seen as a product.
Further; rumor has it that Wacom, the tablet input people, will soon have a new tablet that has enough memory to be used without a PC for dozens of pages of dense text, then uploaded to the computer via encrypted BlueTooth or unencrypted USB/Firewire, depending on your preference. Combined with good handwriting recognition, this could be a killer app for a lot of people, myself included.
Interesting times, eh?
Jack
LivePC Engine and BetaGarage
Everyone knows about LiveCDs by now. At least I think they do. Well, here is a system based on VMWare's excellent technology that allows one to run different virtual machines for any purpose. They have Haiku, Linux and other virtual installations for download now and it seems as if developers are working hard to make more. There is even a "Christian" edition of Ubuntu GNU/Linux and a child safe desktop.
It is worth checking out. This is one possible shape of the personal computing future.
Jack
It is worth checking out. This is one possible shape of the personal computing future.
Jack
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Langa Blog: Microsoft Releases IE Security Patch Early
Courtesy of Fred Langa's Blog, MS released a patch for the VML exploit documented by all of us (that post anyway :P ). This is the first I've seen of it, and wanted to post the update, ASAP. Go get it! Now!
Langa Blog: Microsoft Releases IE Security Patch Early
The Internet Explorer patch to fix a Vector Markup Language (VML) security hole (which we blogged this morning, saying that Microsoft may release it early) has now been released. Get the update here. Learn more about it here.
GO HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE FREE LANGALIST E-NEWSLETTER!
--MissM
Langa Blog: Microsoft Releases IE Security Patch Early
The Internet Explorer patch to fix a Vector Markup Language (VML) security hole (which we blogged this morning, saying that Microsoft may release it early) has now been released. Get the update here. Learn more about it here.
GO HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE FREE LANGALIST E-NEWSLETTER!
--MissM
"IE for Linux" hack offers one more reason not to boot Windows
My neighbor, who is a fervent Windows and IE user quipped that this is what happens when sick minds are not occupied properly.
According to all reports, it works. You can run IE in many versions on your Linux machine, provided only that you have the wine libraries and common runtimes installed. So, you would not have to boot to Windows to see how your web site looks in IE or to access web apps that rely on ActiveX.
I will try it soon and report.
Jack
According to all reports, it works. You can run IE in many versions on your Linux machine, provided only that you have the wine libraries and common runtimes installed. So, you would not have to boot to Windows to see how your web site looks in IE or to access web apps that rely on ActiveX.
I will try it soon and report.
Jack
Monday, September 25, 2006
Spyware, Bots, Rootkits Flooding Through Unpatched IE Hole
Yet another IE hole. This one is gaping and the workarounds I have seen are not particularly impressive. MS will have to patch quickly, and it will not be in time, as so many machines are already infected.
Also, there is now an exploit that takes advantage of legitimate features in Adobe's Acrobat Reader which requires no user interaction, other than opening what appears to be a legitimate PDF file.
It's not safe out there and it is getting worse. I'll bet the Mac users are in such a smug state right now that they can hardly stand it.
Jack
Also, there is now an exploit that takes advantage of legitimate features in Adobe's Acrobat Reader which requires no user interaction, other than opening what appears to be a legitimate PDF file.
It's not safe out there and it is getting worse. I'll bet the Mac users are in such a smug state right now that they can hardly stand it.
Jack
Sunday, September 24, 2006
On Computers Radio Show Podcast 09-24-06
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 09-24-06. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. If you prefer, you can download the same file here via ftp.
NTI Offers One Day Free Download of New USB Storage Partitioning, Encryption Software
Thought we'd get you this over the weekend so you could (hopefully) post it on Monday to alert everyone NTI is launching the new NTI Ninja USB device protection software with a free 1-day download...yes FREE!!!
You want a review copy? Hey we can get you the software early (ok one lousy
day but hey???) Let us know if you need anything else -- A
Free Tuesday
NTI Offers One Day Free Download of New USB Storage Partitioning, Encryption Software
Starting at midnight tonight, NewTech Infosystems (NTI) will be making their new Ninja software - a USB data storage and protection software solution - available
free on their web site, www.ntius.com. Unlike most fixed
partition USB software, NTI Ninja allows users to adjust the size of their public and private partitions on their portable storage device. In addition, the software provides users with complete storage area anti-tamper encryption and password protection.
The new software was developed to meet the dramatic increase in today's mobile workforce, the increased use of USB storage devices and the need to protect content and data from being stolen or compromised on the small, portable devices.
To kickoff Ninja protection, the company will make the software available free at the firm's website tomorrow (September 26). After that -- the software that works with Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP operating systems - will have a suggested retail price of $24.95.
NTI Ninja allows users to adjust the size of their private and public workspaces on virtually any USB flash or hard drive device to meet their specific storage requirements.
To ensure private and sensitive information is not compromised even if the device is lost or stolen, NTI Ninja includes core encryption and password protection.
The password protection and encryption application complies with the Advanced
Encryption Standard (AES), the government- and corporate-grade encryption standard.
The 128-bit AES encryption prevents brute force password protection of the user's
private storage areas while providing free, easy access to the public storage
space on the USB device. Individuals can use the software on USB flash and hard
drives as well as SD cards, cell and smartphones, iPods and MP3 Players.
Users can reformat the storage device at any time to meet changing requirements.
For your free copy of NTI Ninja download it tomorrow (September 26) at www.ntius.com
. After that…$24.95!
You want a review copy? Hey we can get you the software early (ok one lousy
day but hey???) Let us know if you need anything else -- A
Free Tuesday
NTI Offers One Day Free Download of New USB Storage Partitioning, Encryption Software
Starting at midnight tonight, NewTech Infosystems (NTI) will be making their new Ninja software - a USB data storage and protection software solution - available
free on their web site, www.ntius.com
partition USB software, NTI Ninja allows users to adjust the size of their public and private partitions on their portable storage device. In addition, the software provides users with complete storage area anti-tamper encryption and password protection.
The new software was developed to meet the dramatic increase in today's mobile workforce, the increased use of USB storage devices and the need to protect content and data from being stolen or compromised on the small, portable devices.
To kickoff Ninja protection, the company will make the software available free at the firm's website tomorrow (September 26). After that -- the software that works with Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP operating systems - will have a suggested retail price of $24.95.
NTI Ninja allows users to adjust the size of their private and public workspaces on virtually any USB flash or hard drive device to meet their specific storage requirements.
To ensure private and sensitive information is not compromised even if the device is lost or stolen, NTI Ninja includes core encryption and password protection.
The password protection and encryption application complies with the Advanced
Encryption Standard (AES), the government- and corporate-grade encryption standard.
The 128-bit AES encryption prevents brute force password protection of the user's
private storage areas while providing free, easy access to the public storage
space on the USB device. Individuals can use the software on USB flash and hard
drives as well as SD cards, cell and smartphones, iPods and MP3 Players.
Users can reformat the storage device at any time to meet changing requirements.
For your free copy of NTI Ninja download it tomorrow (September 26) at www.ntius.com
. After that…$24.95!
Saturday, September 23, 2006
BBspot - Microsoft Requiring Fingerprints and DNA for Vista WGA
Just a little humor to lighten the day.....
Friday, September 22, 2006
Workaround needed for IE hole
Been here, done this. Or something similar. This is just more info on the same that Jack and MissM have been posting, but it gives a specific workaround. I did it. It is a quick, easy, cut-n-paste. To reverse it is just as easy when the patch comes out. Since IE is so intertwined with Windows, I will remind you that this is needed even if your default browser is Firefox or Opera, etc.
On a personal note I've been completely down with something very nasty this week. If I had eaten spinach I'd know what it was, but I didn't so I'm thinking it was something Norwalk'ish. If you want the details you can look that up. I'm making a slow but steady recovery at this point.
On a personal note I've been completely down with something very nasty this week. If I had eaten spinach I'd know what it was, but I didn't so I'm thinking it was something Norwalk'ish. If you want the details you can look that up. I'm making a slow but steady recovery at this point.
SunbeltBLOG: Seen in the wild: Zero Day exploit being used to infect PCs
This is a different exploit than the one Jack posted below, and its been out a few days, but I've accumulated some links about it, here.
Day Zero
Still Day One: Sunbelt
Microsoft's response (Still Day One)
Minor fix to exploit mitigation
Secunia: Day One
The President of Sunbelt Software publicized this first, on his blog. As I recall one company discovered it, and notified Microsoft, but hadn't announced it yet. Why two days before it was posted here, you ask? Well, my reluctance was because it was an IE exploit, I thought, and I didn't want to repeat what an excellent browser Firefox is. But, I hope that this adds to your knowledge of the current exploit being used by the scum of the internet.
--MissM
Day Zero
Still Day One: Sunbelt
Microsoft's response (Still Day One)
Minor fix to exploit mitigation
Secunia: Day One
The President of Sunbelt Software publicized this first, on his blog. As I recall one company discovered it, and notified Microsoft, but hadn't announced it yet. Why two days before it was posted here, you ask? Well, my reluctance was because it was an IE exploit, I thought, and I didn't want to repeat what an excellent browser Firefox is. But, I hope that this adds to your knowledge of the current exploit being used by the scum of the internet.
--MissM
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Microsoft's Zune doesn't seem to give much to it's owner
The link is to a comment piece on ZDNet UK. It details what you can do with a Zune, and more importantly what you cannot do, which seems to be nearly everything. Read it and save your dough.
Jack
Jack
Monday, September 18, 2006
Internet Explorer daxctle.ocx "KeyFrame()" Method Vulnerability
The link will take you to a Secunia warning about yet another ActiveX flaw that allows attackers to construct a malicious web page that can crash the browser or, much more seriously and the point of this advisory, run malicious code on the user's machine.
Not for the first time; I have to wonder when MS will give up on ActiveX, which offers no unique benefits and a seemingly endless series of vulnerabilities.
Jack
Not for the first time; I have to wonder when MS will give up on ActiveX, which offers no unique benefits and a seemingly endless series of vulnerabilities.
Jack
Sunday, September 17, 2006
On Computers Radio Show Podcast 09-17-06
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 09-17-06. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. If you prefer, you can download the same file here via ftp.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Dell Customers Ask for More
Dell is in trouble, as this eWeek article illustrates. They can recover. There is not any doubt about that. It is simply that selling cheap PCs is not enough to wow the masses, any more, whether they are corporate types or home users.
In the past, Dell's service was really something to crow about and they are still bragging on it, though it has gone downhill enough to elicit more complaints than praise. Dell definitely needs to fix this, pronto. Their use of remote administration is surely one step in the right direction, but is not nearly enough to reverse the trend of ill will they have generated in the last couple years. I think they know it and will take their best shot at doing better. They have to hurry, though.
And while Dell has been proud in the past that they do almost no R&D (thus saving a lot of money) they are going to have to start. Customers are demanding innovation in all but the cheapest machines. In order to meet that expectation, Dell is going to have to innovate on their own, rather than just aping features that have proven popular in other maker's lines.
The laptop battery recall isn't really their fault, but how they handle it will influence a LOT of possible customer's opinions. Dell is off to what looks like a good start, but they have to execute all the way through. They are dependent on Sony to come up with the replacement batteries in a reasonable amount of time and if there are problems Dell will have to find a second supplier....pronto. They may already have. I don't know.
Their future is in their own hands.
Jack
In the past, Dell's service was really something to crow about and they are still bragging on it, though it has gone downhill enough to elicit more complaints than praise. Dell definitely needs to fix this, pronto. Their use of remote administration is surely one step in the right direction, but is not nearly enough to reverse the trend of ill will they have generated in the last couple years. I think they know it and will take their best shot at doing better. They have to hurry, though.
And while Dell has been proud in the past that they do almost no R&D (thus saving a lot of money) they are going to have to start. Customers are demanding innovation in all but the cheapest machines. In order to meet that expectation, Dell is going to have to innovate on their own, rather than just aping features that have proven popular in other maker's lines.
The laptop battery recall isn't really their fault, but how they handle it will influence a LOT of possible customer's opinions. Dell is off to what looks like a good start, but they have to execute all the way through. They are dependent on Sony to come up with the replacement batteries in a reasonable amount of time and if there are problems Dell will have to find a second supplier....pronto. They may already have. I don't know.
Their future is in their own hands.
Jack
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