Slashdot | Registerfly's Accreditation Terminated by ICANN

Just in case you have used registerfly as a provider, I wanted to post this. The only things I've ever heard about them was from Newshutch.com , I lost my home page for a weekend (technically not the weekend, because I got the ip and used that not the DNS :P), because of their incompetence. Newshutch blog post about it

Slashdot | Registerfly's Accreditation Terminated by ICANN

--MissM

P.S. This Week in Tech's del.icio.us feed. [Oh go ahead click it, it won't hurt!]
P.P.S. The DST 2007 page I mentioned earlier is here.

The 59 Top Influencers in IT Security

The first name I recognized in this list was Bruce Schneier and he's #5, but I thought I'd recognize more than 4 or 5 names on the list. Some names that I thought might be missing were, of course, Ben Edelman (a previous guest on the show and focus of several blog posts) and Alex Eckelberry of Sunbelt Software. Perhaps they don't qualify as influencers though, just documentation and protection from spyware and adaware.

Anyway, go read the article and leave people that you think were left out in the comments. Thanks!
--MissM
The 59 Top Influencers in IT Security
I was looking for the DST2007 blog from MS, but couldn't find it, and am in a rush. Sorry. I hope to find it later, and post it for your edification. :)

Slashdot | MPAA Violates Another Software License

Posted without comment.

W3C Launches New HTML Working Group

What is happening is that the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is looking toward the future of web presentation. This is rather complex and [frankly] somewhat boring. But those of us who code HTML or any derivative thereof probably need to at least follow the proposed changes and perhaps we need to contribute.

Check it out.
Jack

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 03-11-07

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 03-11-07. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.
Don't forget Geek Meet 2007 will be in the Boston area May 4-6 If you would like to join us here is the information for you. http://GeekMeet.OnComputers.info

OS/2 2.1 tutorial

This was posted on OS News.com and I thought to pass it along for nostalgia's sake. It's exactly what it looks like; a tutorial for new OS/2 users.

This whole site is full of things like this. I did not know it existed, but have been studying it since I was steered to it. The home page is here. This one is definitely worth a look or two.

Jack

"Links from the Gregg Zone!"

1) This is one of the best ebay sites I have found, for those who are interested in what is going on with the auction site. What it is, is a list of the most active currently running auctions rated by how many people have the item listed in there watch list. Meaning only the very most interested buyers, these guys will be notified by email every time there is a bid. The site is broken down into different categories, from cars to the most bizarre, including sections on electronics, computer games, tech toys, etc. Just a quick sample 1969 Mustang for $90,100.00 with 40 bids, Basket ball patch $11,000 18 bids, how about the skeleton of Snippy the horse, it was the first reported alien animal mutilation case, this one ends Thursday currently at $1500.00, there’s a $2,000.00 beer can, you can get a piece of Jerry Seinfeld’s chewing gum for $13.00 a real bargain. Makes you wonder what’s in your closet? http://pulselist.blogspot.com/

2) This link is a follow up to last week’s links on coins. It seems there is an opportunity right now to find a little extra cash in your pocket due to a recent mix up at the mint. It appears there were as many as 50,000 (they do not know exactly how many) miss-stamped Washington dollars put into circulation last February 15, that’s less than a month ago, they are currently selling on ebay between $40.00 and $60.00 each. Called the Godless dollars because the in “God we Trust” along with several other markings were left off of the edge, where the new coins were supposed to have it inscribed. Here is a link to the story in the Daily Breeze. http://hosted.ap.org

3) Well I said I would start putting up a link or two related to some of the Art Bell type stuff I run across, to start off, here is one I promised last week during the show when I mentioned planes, helicopters, submarines and the like on Egyptian pyramids written in hieroglyphics http://www.catchpenny.org/abydos.html it is an interesting site, take a look around, the home button is at the bottom of the page. The other site I have for you is a pretty good net movie on U.F.O’s http://video.google.com/ about one and a half hours long, from 2006 so it’s not that old, better than the stuff you see on the History channel.

4) One more quickie for anyone who does not know about the phone rebate on your income tax this year, I.R.S says about a third of the people are missing it, so don’t miss out!! It is this year only, your first, last, and only chance. Rather than put up a link to the I.R.S., I’m sure you can find it, this is a link is to a news story about how much trouble they are having with scammers and the like. But every one gets $30.00 to $60.00 guaranteed depending on how many dependents, just for asking. http://www.usnews.com/

OneCare Deletes Users' Outlook Files

Ruh roh! Windows Live OneCare service deletes the outlook.pst file?!?!?!!?
Just a warning, and the first paragraph of the article in BetaNews:

A rash of users of Microsoft's new Windows Live OneCare service, launched last January 30, have been reporting on Microsoft's support forums that virus scans performed by the service have resulted in the deletion of their OUTLOOK.PST files - the local, centralized repositories of e-mail, scheduling, and collaboration data used by Outlook.

go read the rest of the article:BetaNews | OneCare Deletes Users' Outlook Files
--MissM

Why Apple's 'consumer' Macs are enterprise-worthy

The sub-header reads; "Not everyone needs a Mac Pro; sometimes a mini might do."

With the coming of Vista and it's increased costs both for licensing, software, hardware and retraining, some of the businesses I have dealings with are indeed looking toward Macs. Make no mistake about it; they WILL move away from Windows. The question is to what.

The learning curve for Linux is perceived to be too steep. The perception is more drastic than the reality, here, but there is no doubt that it will take a while to get used to the new regime.

Macs have MS Office if events prove you must have that. The OS is tied to the hardware, which is seen as an advantage for business because there is only one basic flavor of it, not the dozens of Linux distributions or the 3-4 versions of Vista that need choosing between. Macs are seen as "intuitive" and so with less of a learning curve. (I don't find that true and in fact dumped the Mac OS X when the learning curve proved too steep. I went to Linux on the Mac.) Java on the Mac is good enough that one can run one's Java software with little or no modification.

In the end; the cost of switching to Macs looks not much worse than the cost of switching to Vista. Upgrades are more manageable, as well. There is not much reason not to.

Jack

RSS in 7 minutes

RSS is da bomb! Its the ONLY way I could possibly read as many websites as I do. It turbocharges your web browsing, really!
--MissM

Learn Ubuntu Linux with freely available e-book - Lifehacker

At LifeHacker I found the following post:
Tech-book aggregator eBookSpyder has the complete text of the Ubuntu Linux Bible available for download as a PDF.

As you might expect from the title, the 931-page book covers everything you need to know about installing, configuring and using Ubuntu. It teaches you groups, graphics, gaming, spreadsheets, e-mail and much more. It's an impressively comprehensive guide--highly recommended for anyone interested in Ubuntu. Indeed, if you find the e-book useful, why not support the author and buy the hardcopy version? Either way, you'll need a password to unlock the PDF: It's 'ebookspyder.net' (without the apostrophes, of course). — Rick Broida
Ubuntu Linux Bible [eBookSpyder]
--MissM
Learn Ubuntu Linux with freely available e-book - Lifehacker

Dissection of a Rootkit The Dissection of a Rootkit

Here is a decent, short article about rootkits at EWeek.com. The author takes a realistic and pessimistic view of defenses available now for dealing with rootkits. It's somewhat scary.

The best part of the article is the links to two PDFs on the subject. One is text, the other is a slide show to go with it. I recommend these for anyone who still doesn't get what rootkits are and how dangerous they are.

Jack

Patch Your FireFox! Mozilla Foundation Security Advisory 2007-09

This is a critical flaw, introduced with a patch for another security problem that was issued in the middle of last December. It's very important you patch this right away. Evidently a lot of folks think so, too, as the Mozilla servers are apparently almost swamped, as of 11:30 a.m. US Central time.

Some notices of this flaw state that disabling javascript will protect against this privilege escalation flaw. The Mozilla Foundation states this is not true. There is no workaround. You must update your Firefox, Sea Monkey or Thunderbird installation.

Jack

Anti-Virus Comparisons

This is an independent site (at least they claim to be and to all appearances are) which compares anti-virus and anti-malware applications.

I've resisted posting stuff like this because all the sites I have seen comparisons at are allied with security companies and so at least appear to have an agenda. Hopefully, this site can give objective results.


Jack

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 03-04-07

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 03-04-07. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

One little bit more on DTX form factor computers

I was just assured by one of my contacts that DTX motherboards and cases with power supplies will be available within the next couple weeks. Now, I'm going to lie back and see if the really smart early-adopters I know, like MissM, invest in it and what kind of experiences they have. I think all will be well and my next computer may very well be a DTX unit, though I am not aware of any OEMs making computers using this form factor, yet.

Jack

Firmware rootkits are the latest threat

Like we really need some new security issues to worry about, right? This is one that we have to be aware of and follow as it develops because we are vulnerable on this score. So start your keeping up with the news with this link at ZDNet.

Jack

Restoring Vista functionality once in reduced functionality mode

ZDNet UK has a series of images that will tell you just how to restore functionality, and so access to your files, should Vista lock you out.

Jack

"Links from the Gregg Zone!"

1) It just amazes the heck out of me how interesting it can be cruising around the net looking for something. One day last week I found in my pocket, a 1983 penny without a copper coating. Thinking it might be worth something I started looking into it on Google. It seems if you have a 1983 copper penny it may be worth a bunch, but not zinc, only worth a penny, no surprise. But, as the radio guy Paul Harvey says; “Now for the rest of the story”. I found out that people are now hording pennies not the copper ones, the newer zinc ones, seems the melt down value is at .8 cents, and they are speculating it will go up. Arizona is the main pusher to abolish the penny, because they will make tons of money on copper, if the nickel replaces the penny, HUH!! Here’s the site check it out. armchairpresident.com I found out how to melt down three pre 1982 penny’s and five post 1982 penny’s and make brass. This site will tell you how to do it. matse1.mse.uiuc.edu . Here is a site that mathematically, in a very scientific way, breaks down everything involved to determine if a penny is worth picking up, pointless but interesting. everything2.comSaved the best for last, just shows how it can pay off researching the mundane stuff in your life, I thought it was pointless to look at my pocket change since they converted everything in 1964, and 1982 this site tells you the ten top most valuable modern coins. Ranging from a real stunner a 1969 penny worth over $35,000.00, a 2005 nickel worth $1,400.00, and 2004 quarter @ $600.00, there’s more but, you get the idea. coins.about.com

2) This is a pretty neat site, for novices like me it is an on line computer encyclopedia site, any term, or subject related to computers, explained. I still have no idea what they are talking about half the time, but it is a start. Makes me at least feel like I have a place to look up those terms you guy’s insist on confusing me with. whatis.techtarget.com

3) For any Art Bell fans that may be out there I decided I would start putting up some of the related links I run across, I like on line movies, I guess because they are free, any way here is a link to William Hennery’s “Star Gates of the Gods” about 40 min. video.google.com

The Truth About Switching to a Mac

I just had to post this one. Stripped of all the hype, this person's reasons for switching to a Mac are, well, boring, mundane and featureless. That's really what switching from Windows to anything is all about. Sure, there are some hitches. There are some benefits, too. In the end, while I'm happy I'm not using Windows for much, I have to be honest and say that not all that much has changed, either.

And here I expected it to change my luck, my life and my bowling average.

Jack