2522 + Interview Questions in Computer News in Other Page 18 InterviewSolution

851.	Solve : Old File Formats rescued?
Answer» A joint effort is underway to write an app that can read and use dozens of obsolete file formats. Full StoryIt's an interesting issue. I always THOUGHT most companies would take data and convert it to a more recent format and not simply LET it EXIST in a dying format. In the digital age it isn't that hard to AUTOMATE a conversion.

Discussion

852.	Solve : Mr. Cleo reports: Microsoft lets users yank IE8 from Windows 7?
Answer» It looks, like M$ was forced to learn something....thanks to European affort http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9128976&intsrc=news_ts_head A just-leaked build of Windows 7 lets users remove Internet Explorer (IE), the first time that Microsoft Corp. has offered the option since it integrated the browser with Windows in 1997, two bloggers reported today. The move might have been prompted by recent charges by the European Union that Microsoft has stifled browser competition by bundling IE with its operating system, the bloggers speculated. According to postings on Chris' Repository of Knowledge and AeroXperience, the 7048 build of Windows 7 -- a version that has not been released to the public but is available as a pirated copy on file-sharing sites -- includes an option to eliminate Internet Explorer 8 (IE8). Both blogs posted a screenshot of Windows 7's "Windows Features" dialog box, which included an option to turn off IE8. "There is a catch: For now, this only seems to wipe the actual executable running Internet Explorer 8 (iexplore.exe)," said Bryant Zadegan in an entry on AeroXperience. "This might've been the only way to do it WITHOUT killing the rest of Windows," Zadegan noted. "In addition, this actually takes two reboots and a configuration step to complete, so there's definitely something going on behind the scenes, likely a remapping of where IE-related functions can be found for other elements in Windows so that Windows doesn't complain about IE's nonexistence." On Chris' Repository, Chris Holmes chimed in with more information. "All references to IE are removed from the OS," Holmes said. Both Zadegan and Holmes, who collaborated on digging up the new option, also posted Windows 7 screenshots that showed the operating system sans IE: Microsoft's browser was absent from the "Set Program Defaults" choices. Windows 7 Build 7048 first began appearing on file-sharing sites, such as The Pirate Bay and Mininova, two BitTorrent tracking sites, on Monday. Traffic has been substantial since then, with Mininova reporting more than 21,000 downloads of the pirated operating system. Microsoft has only released one build to the public -- Windows 7 beta, build 7000 -- which it rolled out JAN. 10 but has since stopped offering. The company has been mum, however, about when it will deliver another build to users, though it has hinted that it would do so when it wrapped up a "release candidate." Zadegan and Holmes each mentioned the accusations made LAST month by EU antitrust officials against Microsoft's bundling of IE, and the possible actions it may demand. One solution under consideration would require Microsoft to DISABLE IE if the user decided to install a different browser, such as Mozilla Corp.'s Firefox or Google Inc.'s Chrome. "A quick solution to the EU's argument against them?" asked Holmes. "Time will tell." Microsoft had no comment when asked to confirm whether Windows 7 will let users dump IE8 or whether the option was in reaction to the EU charges.well, so is this going to be like windows 95? Where you have to go to the store and buy internet explorer just to have an internet browser when you connect windows 7 to the internet for the first time.No. It MEANS you will have the option of uninstalling it.

Discussion

853.	Solve : "Wall Wart PC"?
Answer» If this company gets its way for about $100.00 U.S. you could have a mini PC in any home with a phone line... Full StoryIt's Linux. Marvell's $100 Linux Computer Fits in Your Hand Quote Marvell says that the SheevaPlug draws about as much power as a night LIGHT during use and still packs a 1.2GHz Sheeva ARM compatible processing core, 512MB of RAM and 512MB of flash storage. People can buy the devices in single unit quantities for $100, but Marvell says that when bought in BULK, the SheevaPlug can go for as low as about $50 per unit. Cute If it doubles as a hand grenade count me in.I wonder if you can fold on it If you could i would get like 10 of em hahahahhahaWith jump drives and other alternatives for storage I'm really having an extremely difficult time think why 95%+ of people would need such a device. In other words why would the standard consumer (e.g. your parents) need or want something like this? If anyone comes up with something please post it. I see this as sort of a file server replacement - for people who want to share files across a network, it's an ALTERNATIVE to leaving a full computer on to do it, as it takes up less space and uses less power. Only thing is, it's lacking the amount of USB and Firewire ports to make large amounts of storage viable, and it doesn't have enough Ethernet ports to make it useful as, say, a router, which I think would be a great use for this type of device.Well it does have one USB port and a USB hub I'd imagine could be connected to that to allow a lot more storage to be used VIA USB. Quote Plug computers would draw just about 5W of power, come with a 1.2-GHz CPU, a USB [2.0] port and internet connectivity. But I was looking for some type of alternatives to file SHARING. I can't imagine the market share for a low power file sharing server being that much in demand. Quote Well it does have one USB port and a USB hub I'd imagine could be connected to that to allow a lot more storage to be used VIA USB. That then, to me, defeats the object of a small file server, with cables and hubs lying around. Valid point though, a USB hub would expand the amount of ports available. Other than using it as a router, which doesn't seem workable, I can't really think of any more uses for this. Unless of course someone creates a way to use these in a cluster ... but then the cost would become a factor.Ohh your idea of a cluster gave me a good idea. Set these up as [emailprotected] servers. Although sure the CPU on these wouldn't do much good.My cluster idea was inspired by CR's comment Quote from: computeruler on February 28, 2009, 12:54:49 PM I wonder if you can fold on it If you could i would get like 10 of em hahahahhaha I don't think they'd be cost effective for folding, if [emailprotected] would even work - I don't know what actual type of processor is in these. Buying ten would be $1000 ... for that price you could buy a computer with a few graphics cards and a quad core for folding. It'd use more power, take up a little more space, but would almost certainly crunch faster IMO. I'd estimate about 100-150 points per day for these wall-warts - a pure guess, but my graphics card alone would outperform ten of these for folding.true I dunno, it seems a little too odd to be true. I mean what happens in a power surge... }BOOM{

853.

Solve : "Wall Wart PC"?

Answer»

If this company gets its way for about $100.00 U.S. you could have a mini PC in any home with a phone line...

Full StoryIt's Linux.

Marvell's $100 Linux Computer Fits in Your Hand

Quote

Marvell says that the SheevaPlug draws about as much power as a night LIGHT during use and still packs a 1.2GHz Sheeva ARM compatible processing core, 512MB of RAM and 512MB of flash storage. People can buy the devices in single unit quantities for $100, but Marvell says that when bought in BULK, the SheevaPlug can go for as low as about $50 per unit.

Cute If it doubles as a hand grenade count me in.I wonder if you can fold on it If you could i would get like 10 of em hahahahhahaWith jump drives and other alternatives for storage I'm really having an extremely difficult time think why 95%+ of people would need such a device. In other words why would the standard consumer (e.g. your parents) need or want something like this?

If anyone comes up with something please post it.

I see this as sort of a file server replacement - for people who want to share files across a network, it's an ALTERNATIVE to leaving a full computer on to do it, as it takes up less space and uses less power.
Only thing is, it's lacking the amount of USB and Firewire ports to make large amounts of storage viable, and it doesn't have enough Ethernet ports to make it useful as, say, a router, which I think would be a great use for this type of device.Well it does have one USB port and a USB hub I'd imagine could be connected to that to allow a lot more storage to be used VIA USB.

Quote

Plug computers would draw just about 5W of power, come with a 1.2-GHz CPU, a USB [2.0] port and internet connectivity.

But I was looking for some type of alternatives to file SHARING. I can't imagine the market share for a low power file sharing server being that much in demand.

Quote

Well it does have one USB port and a USB hub I'd imagine could be connected to that to allow a lot more storage to be used VIA USB.

That then, to me, defeats the object of a small file server, with cables and hubs lying around. Valid point though, a USB hub would expand the amount of ports available.

Other than using it as a router, which doesn't seem workable, I can't really think of any more uses for this.
Unless of course someone creates a way to use these in a cluster ... but then the cost would become a factor.Ohh your idea of a cluster gave me a good idea. Set these up as [emailprotected] servers. Although sure the CPU on these wouldn't do much good.My cluster idea was inspired by CR's comment
Quote from: computeruler on February 28, 2009, 12:54:49 PM

I wonder if you can fold on it If you could i would get like 10 of em hahahahhaha

I don't think they'd be cost effective for folding, if [emailprotected] would even work - I don't know what actual type of processor is in these. Buying ten would be $1000 ... for that price you could buy a computer with a few graphics cards and a quad core for folding. It'd use more power, take up a little more space, but would almost certainly crunch faster IMO.
I'd estimate about 100-150 points per day for these wall-warts - a pure guess, but my graphics card alone would outperform ten of these for folding.true I dunno, it seems a little too odd to be true. I mean what happens in a power surge...

}BOOM{

Discussion

854.	Solve : Free Iphones?
Answer» i'd thought you'd say that...but dont you THINK that JAPAN thinks that we are BEHIND in TECHNOLOGY?

Discussion

855.	Solve : Mozilla Firefox 3 3.0.7?
Answer» RELEASE NOTES HTTP://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/3.0.7/releasenotes/ http://www.majorgeeks.com/Mozilla_Firefox_3_d2248.html

Discussion

856.	Solve : 3/3/09: Math fans to celebrate Square Root Day?
Answer» Dust off the SLIDE rules and recharge the calculators. Square Root Day is upon us. The math-buffs' holiday, which only occurs nine times each century, falls on Tuesday — 3/3/09 (for the mathematically challenged, three is the square root of nine). Link And I had a maths exam today...... My fiancee will love that. She's a High School Maths Teacher. Quote from: Glitch on March 03, 2009, 02:50:51 PM ?? ??I'm a math fan... That's my way of celebrating...Lack of MONEY is the root of all evil...not money itself.I stand corrected...as always. I'm with you Glitch 'Mo money 'Mo problems. Good to seeya Glitch... My science teacher had this up on the board. He told me there were 12 times. I dont remember though If only i'd listened to what my maths teacher said to me!!hey, why was there no celebration february 2nd last year? it was a cube root day.. somewhat.I missed it in the news. I added square root day because I happened to see it in the news. lol... I didn't even KNOW there was a cube root day

Discussion

857.	Solve : Facebook Users Are Warned on New Variant of Koobface Worm?
Answer» http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/03/03/facebook-users-are-warned-on-new-variant-of-koobface-worm/ Facebook users must be extra careful when receiving messages from friends who send you a link to lead you to a video site as this could be a virus. When users click on to the video link, it will lead users to a page displaying the name and photo of the friend. Users are required to install some applications in order to view the video clip. Once users click on to the “Install” button, it will redirect users to a download site to download a “setup.exe” file, which is the new variant of Koobface dubbed Worm_Koobface.az. RESEARCHERS from security firm, Trend Micro, warn users of this popular social-networking site to beware of the new Kooface worm which is currently spreading widely. Koobface is a worm which was initially found on Facebook in December last year. This virus has thence spread to other social networking sites such as MySpace, Bebo, Friendster, hi5, MyYearbook, Tagged.com, Netlog, Fubar, and LiveJournal.com. The earlier versions of this worm didn’t have all the complexities and automation built in. “This new variant has a back end doing all the modifications”, Jamz Yaneza, a senior threat analyst and RESEARCHER at Trend Micro highlighted. Security expert from Trend Micro, Rik Ferguson, also commented: “The worm connects to the respective site using login credentials stored in the gathered cookies. It then searches for an infected user’s friends, who are then sent messages containing a link where a copy of the worm is downloaded. It also sends and receives information from an infected machine by connecting to several servers. This allows hackers to execute commands on the affected machine.” Users are advised to ignore or confirm with the sender when receiving this kind of message rather than clicking on the link directly which will open up a can of worms, literally speaking! Had a few friends encounter this worm. I never happened to receive any message though, unless it's still an e-mail I haven't got to.thats why i dont add many APPS to my facebookYeah I try to stay AWAY from the apps as well on Facebook, mainly just because many of them annoy me more than help me.

Discussion

858.	Solve : stealing personal info from limewire?
Answer» http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21652542/ be carful all you limewire users! Quote SEATTLE - A Seattle man charged with using online file-sharing programs such as Limewire to commit identity theft pleaded guilty Monday in federal court. Gregory Kopiloff, 35, pleaded guilty to one count each of mail fraud, accessing a protected computer without authorization to further fraud, and aggravated identity theft. As part of a plea agreement, another count of aggravated identity theft was dropped. Kopiloff acknowledged using file-sharing programs to invade victims' computers to get access to their personal information in tax returns, credit reports, bank statements and student financial aid applications. He then used that information to open credit lines and shop online. Kopiloff admitted using the personal information of more than 50 PEOPLE to fraudulently purchase and resell more than $73,000 in merchandise. Although people have been prosecuted for using networks to illegally share copyright music, movies and software, the Justice Department, after Kopiloff's September arrest, called this its first case against someone accused of using file-sharing to commit identity theft. According to court documents, Kopiloff used peer to peer file-sharing programs, which are most commonly known for their use in replicating copyright protected music and videos. Using programs such as Limewire, he could search the computers of others who were part of the file-sharing "network" for tax returns and credit reports that had been stored electronically. He also obtained personal information by more old-fashioned methods, such as stealing mail or taking records from trash cans, the U.S. attorney's office said. Kopiloff's sentencing was scheduled for JAN. 28 before U.S. District JUDGE James L. Robart. Mail Fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Accessing a protected computer carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Aggravated identity theft carries a two-year prison sentence, to be served consecutive with the prison time imposed for the underlying conviction. So, if you suspect that there still might be a few criminals out there using the internet, here is what you should do: 1. Avoid Llimewire. Bit Torrent and other file shares. 2. Avoid forums where you personal information is available. LIKE Face Place. 3. Tran off your computer when you are not using it. And your wireless router. How do you tran off your computer Quote How do you tran off your computer Shocked Roll Eyes Inside joke. Code: [Select]Tran the alias of a computer programmer who was a member of the American demoscene group Renaissance Here is a video for laymen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO0kRE5OTZIROFL! I... love.... mother! HAHA i love the part with microsoft sam too ROFL that was so funnyYesh, the poor Kid posted on Face Mat web site and called himself Dr. Tran as a joke amd lost his privacy! It could happen to YOU! ..if you post private information on any web site.But limewire doesnt have anything to do with posting your private infoQuote But limewire doesnt have anything to do with posting your private info And leaving the keys in the car has nothing to do with auto theft. Of course, that does not justify or excuse auto-theft. When you use lime wire, or any current P2P, it is the same as giving people use of your computer and all the information they can hack from it. Of course, that does not justify hacking somebody's computer. Read the article over again. And read the terms of use of web sites that accept information from you for storage on their systems. They distance themselves from any responsibility. It is as if they know something bad will happen. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21652542/ What do you think "Shared Folder" means...So wait he got it just by searching things and it was on their computer?"File sharing." It takes two or more computers to do it. Peer to Peer can't be done without more than one peer "communicating" with one another. These are things people don't realize when they host their files to be shared. Someone with the knowledge can exploit a badly configured peer and see/steal everything on their computer. Not to mention the trojans/keyloggers that may be injected into the download. Quote LINK P2P programs form a direct conduit onto your computer, their security measures are easily circumvented, and Malware writers are increasingly exploiting them to spread their wares onto your computer. Further to that, if your P2P program is not configured correctly you may be sharing more files than you realise. There have been cases where people's Passwords, Address Books and other personal, private, and financial details have been exposed to the file sharing network by a badly configured program. This article from INFOWORLD illustrates the dangers of a poorly configured P2P program. http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/09/06/Seattle-man-arrested-for-p-to-p-ID-theft_1.html When you use them you are downloading software from an unknown source directly onto your computer, bypassing your Firewall and Anti-Virus software. Many of these Downloads are targeted to carry infections. Quote ... he got it just by searching things and it was on their computer? That is as much as they gave out to the media. A full disclosure would just entourage more criminals to do it. Thee is some kind of flaw, bug, glitch or quirk that he used to get into the entire computer, not just the share directory. Or so it would seem. At this point, we do not know how you can protect yourself. Edit strike that. Do do not use Peer 2 Peer stuff. Or have an old stripped PC you use to do file sharing . Keep the big box off the network. And talk to you credit card company about extra protection. Happened to watch the Nightly news recently that was talking about this. For those interested, wasn't a bad piece. OMG! it shows you how to do it too so easy to do! stupid nigiera! and coulnt they get arrested?

858.

Solve : stealing personal info from limewire?

Answer» http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21652542/
be carful all you limewire users!
Quote

SEATTLE - A Seattle man charged with using online file-sharing programs such as Limewire to commit identity theft pleaded guilty Monday in federal court.

Gregory Kopiloff, 35, pleaded guilty to one count each of mail fraud, accessing a protected computer without authorization to further fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

As part of a plea agreement, another count of aggravated identity theft was dropped.

Kopiloff acknowledged using file-sharing programs to invade victims' computers to get access to their personal information in tax returns, credit reports, bank statements and student financial aid applications. He then used that information to open credit lines and shop online.

Kopiloff admitted using the personal information of more than 50 PEOPLE to fraudulently purchase and resell more than $73,000 in merchandise.

Although people have been prosecuted for using networks to illegally share copyright music, movies and software, the Justice Department, after Kopiloff's September arrest, called this its first case against someone accused of using file-sharing to commit identity theft.

According to court documents, Kopiloff used peer to peer file-sharing programs, which are most commonly known for their use in replicating copyright protected music and videos.

Using programs such as Limewire, he could search the computers of others who were part of the file-sharing "network" for tax returns and credit reports that had been stored electronically.

He also obtained personal information by more old-fashioned methods, such as stealing mail or taking records from trash cans, the U.S. attorney's office said.

Kopiloff's sentencing was scheduled for JAN. 28 before U.S. District JUDGE James L. Robart. Mail Fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Accessing a protected computer carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Aggravated identity theft carries a two-year prison sentence, to be served consecutive with the prison time imposed for the underlying conviction.

So, if you suspect that there still might be a few criminals out there using the internet, here is what you should do:
1. Avoid Llimewire. Bit Torrent and other file shares.
2. Avoid forums where you personal information is available. LIKE Face Place.
3. Tran off your computer when you are not using it. And your wireless router.
How do you tran off your computer Quote

How do you tran off your computer Shocked Roll Eyes

Inside joke.
Code: [Select]Tran the alias of a computer programmer
who was a member of the American demoscene
group Renaissance
Here is a video for laymen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO0kRE5OTZIROFL! I... love.... mother!
HAHA i love the part with microsoft sam too
ROFL that was so funnyYesh, the poor Kid posted on Face Mat web site and called
himself Dr. Tran as a joke amd lost his privacy!

It could happen to YOU!

..if you post private information on any web site.But limewire doesnt have anything to do with posting your private infoQuote

But limewire doesnt have anything to do
with posting your private info

And leaving the keys in the car
has nothing to do with auto theft.
Of course, that does not justify or excuse auto-theft.

When you use lime wire, or any current P2P, it is the same as giving people use of your computer and all the information they can hack from it. Of course, that does not justify hacking somebody's computer.

Read the article over again. And read the terms of use of web sites that accept information from you for storage on their systems. They distance themselves from any responsibility. It is as if they know something bad will happen.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21652542/

What do you think "Shared Folder" means...So wait he got it just by searching things and it was on their computer?"File sharing." It takes two or more computers to do it. Peer to Peer can't be done without more than one peer "communicating" with one another. These are things people don't realize when they host their files to be shared. Someone with the knowledge can exploit a badly configured peer and see/steal everything on their computer. Not to mention the trojans/keyloggers that may be injected into the download.

Quote

LINK

P2P programs form a direct conduit onto your computer, their security measures are easily circumvented, and Malware writers are increasingly exploiting them to spread their wares onto your computer. Further to that, if your P2P program is not configured correctly you may be sharing more files than you realise. There have been cases where people's Passwords, Address Books and other personal, private, and financial details have been exposed to the file sharing network by a badly configured program.

This article from INFOWORLD illustrates the dangers of a poorly configured P2P program.
http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/09/06/Seattle-man-arrested-for-p-to-p-ID-theft_1.html

When you use them you are downloading software from an unknown source directly onto your computer, bypassing your Firewall and Anti-Virus software. Many of these Downloads are targeted to carry infections.

Quote

... he got it just by searching things
and it was on their computer?

That is as much as they gave out to the media. A full disclosure would just entourage more criminals to do it. Thee is some kind of flaw, bug, glitch or quirk that he used to get into the entire computer, not just the share directory.
Or so it would seem.
At this point, we do not know how you can protect yourself.
Edit strike that. Do do not use Peer 2 Peer stuff. Or have an old stripped PC you use to do file sharing . Keep the big box off the network.

And talk to you credit card company about extra protection.
Happened to watch the Nightly news recently that was talking about this. For those interested, wasn't a bad piece.

OMG! it shows you how to do it too so easy to do!
stupid nigiera! and coulnt they get arrested?

Discussion

859.	Solve : New PC worm discovered in the UK?
Answer» Full Story Take note EvilFantasy... XD I've heard, Norton kills it While working at an OEM I heard of SEVERAL similiar cases to this although a worm is new to me. Usually it was something like a mouse or cockroach getting STUCK in the fans. Too bad this guy or the tech fixing it didn't take a picture of the DAMAGE. Where's the one about the snake in the computer?maybe we should get a RAID sprayer installed inside the computers. And make it spray every 1 hour or so. EDIT: Wait so the cat put the worm inside the computer? .................What's that smell Hasn't any one READ the book or seen the movie "How to Eat Fried worms"? Maybe the guy figured he would cook up a little snack and was in the middle of a major battle on WOW and he didn't want to get up so he figured he would just use his laptop to cook the worm.I saw the movei hahaha What is movei?movie

Discussion

860.	Solve : Seattle PC builder beats Microsoft with free Windows 7 upgrade offer?
Answer» http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9128741&intsrc=hm_list A Seattle-area PC seller will offer free Windows 7 upgrades to customers who buy new Vista-powered machines starting next week, beating Microsoft Corp. and its biggest hardware partners to the punch by months. Puget Sound Systems Inc., an Auburn, Wash.-based system builder that sells PCs nationally, will launch its own Windows 7 upgrade program next week, said Jon Bach, the company's president, today. "This is completely independent of any Microsoft [upgrade] program for Windows 7," said Bach. Beginning next week, Puget customers who purchase PCs that cost at least $1,000 and are equipped with the 64-bit edition of Windows Vista Ultimate will be eligible for a free upgrade later this year to the 64-bit version of Windows 7 Ultimate. During a Friday interview, however, Bach said Puget would consider also offering upgrades from Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Home Premium. "We're seeing more and more people who are hesitant to purchase a PC because they're HEARING good things about Windows 7 and wonder whether they should wait three-fourths of a year before buying," said Bach, explaining why Puget is jumping into the upgrade offer. "We see this as an opportunity to do something exciting when there's not a whole lot of things happening in the business at the moment." However, Puget requires that the customer RETURN the system to its Washington facility for the upgrade. The company does that to make sure that the upgrades go SMOOTHLY. Buyers will be responsible for shipping costs both to and from Puget. "This will cost us about $200 per system," Bach said. "That's about what our margins are, so this is something we're looking at as break-even. But it's a way for us to get some exposure." The free upgrade offer is currently set to expire June 15, although Bach said that the date might change, depending on what Microsoft announces as Windows 7's release nears. Bach selected the mid-June expiration of Puget's program because he expects Microsoft to kick off its own Vista-to-Windows 7 upgrade program near the end of June. "As soon as that [program begins], we would rather they foot the bill," said Bach. According to the usually reliable TechARP.com Web site, Microsoft will offer free or discounted Windows 7 upgrades to users who buy Vista PCs after June 28, 2009. Microsoft's Windows 7 program, which the company has not publicly named or even acknowledged, would be similar to 2006's Vista Express Upgrade; it provided free or discounted Vista upgrades to people who purchased PCs powered by Windows XP between Oct. 26, 2006, and March 15, 2007. Vista Express didn't go as smoothly as Microsoft would have liked, however, as customers blasted manufacturers such as Dell Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Co. when they had to wait months for their upgrade. Puget will start upgrading Vista PCs to Windows 7 within 30 days of the latter's public launch, said Bach, and it will be taking machines on a first-come, first-serve basis. Depending on the volume of returned systems, turn-around time could stretch to as long as a week, he acknowledged. Microsoft has not spelled out a ship date for Windows 7. After the Jan. 10 launch of the new operating system's public beta, it has been working on a "release candidate," which some have speculated will be available in early April. More information about Puget's Windows 7 upgrade program can be found on the system builder's Web site. I could be wrong but I think it's illegal to offer a product that isn't YET available. Unless he has a guarantee by or pre-ordered from MS. He will have that offer shut down and possible be sued... I don't remember what law it is. Something to do with fair business practice or something similar I think. I assume, it's more like a promissory note....upgrade, when 7 actually comes out...Good story Broni but looks like a good publicity stunt that's working IMO. I like these quotes in the article: Quote ... Puget customers who purchase PCs that cost at least $1,000 ... ... However, Puget requires that the customer return the system to its Washington facility for the upgrade. The company does that to make sure that the upgrades go smoothly. Buyers will be responsible for shipping costs both to and from Puget. "This will cost us about $200 per system," Bach said. "That's about what our margins are, so this is something we're looking at as break-even. But it's a way for us to get some exposure." ... Not sure why anyone would want to buy a system for at least $1,000 and then have to fork out another $200.00 not to mention probably several days without a computer while it's getting upgraded by the company. Just to have the ability to get Windows 7 in the future. Personally I'd recommend to just use the computer you have and then go out and buy a computer with Windows 7 when it comes out. Good catches....

Discussion

861.	Solve : iTunes getting bigger, and bigger - Taming iTunes?
Answer» http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=554 How do you supersize a simple music manager? Ask Apple. The Windows version of iTunes 8, released earlier this month and quickly patched after it caused an outbreak of blue-screen crashes, is a 64MB download. (For the sake of comparison, Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP is just over 24 MB.) The full iTunes 8 installation takes up nearly 200MB of space on a Windows PC. Slimming down the bloated iTunes 8 installerAs it turns out, the iTunes installer has been bulking up for the past year or two. Don’t be fooled by the filename: iTunes801Setup.exe, the most recent version as of this writing, includes much more than the iTunes client. Without any disclosure and without your consent, the iTunes 8 setup program installs kernel-mode drivers, multiple system services, and at least one add-in. It takes a supersize helping of CHUTZPAH to create an ad that criticizes Windows for its “bloat” and then deliver an upgrade with as much unnecessary junk as this one. The last time I wrote about this, several commenters defended Apple by insisting that every component in that full install was necessary, and that trying to carve away any of those bits will degrade Apple’s awesome end-to-end experience. I’ve looked at the iTunes installer on multiple Windows machines and am convinced that those Apple defenders are wrong. If you’re like most people, you don’t need any of that additional junk. In this post, I’ll explain how you can figure out which parts of the package you need, and then show you how to wrestle control of iTunes back. For starters, let’s look at everything that’s in the iTunes 8 Windows installer, with an explanation of what it’s used for and how you can decide whether you need it: * QuickTime is Apple’s multimedia framework, a collection of codecs, plugins, DLLs, and several players designed to help you play back digital media files in most popular formats. The big selling point is support for the QuickTime movie (.mov) format, via the standalone player or an embedded ActiveX control. * iTunes is Apple’s all-purpose media player/device sync application. If you own an iPod, this is the only officially supported way to interact with it, although third-party alternatives are available. iTunes also provides access to the iTunes store, and if you own an iPhone you must use iTunes to activate it, update its firmware, and sync its content with your PC. * Bonjour is Apple’s implementation of the open-source Zeroconf, a multicast DNS responder used to discover services on a local area network. It’s installed by default with the iTunes download and also installed silently with some Adobe products, a decision that “freaked out” some Adobe customers. Adding unauthorized peer-to-peer services on a corporate network is a distinct no-no, as a number of customers have told Apple on their support forums. (The response? Crickets.) If you want to share iTunes libraries over a network or use Apple TV, you need Bonjour. If you have a printer attached to an AirPort device, you should use Bonjour. However, if you simply want to play media files and sync your iTunes library with your iPod, you don’t need Bonjour. (And Photoshop users can safely remove it as well unless they have a Version Cue server on their network.) * Apple Mobile Device Support is the synchronization framework for the iPhone and iPod Touch family of “mobile devices.” This package is not necessary if you have any other member of the iPod family, including the Classic, Mini, Nano, or Shuffle, which sync just fine using just the basic iTunes app. * MobileMe is the support software that enables synchronization of email and contacts and calendar items with Apple’s MobileMe service (previously .Mac). It is included with the iTunes installer to update existing installations, but is no longer installed as part of a default new setup. * Apple Software Update is a utility that checks for new versions of Apple software installed on your PC. It also pushes new Windows-compatible Apple software programs. Understanding how this utility works is crucial; it can and will install software you have explicitly rejected if you don’t monitor its actions carefully. So, how do you wrestle back control of iTunes so that you’re not INSTALLING unneeded and unwanted junk? Your essential starting point is to unpack the installer files from the single file that Apple provides. You’ll need a third-party utility to do this. If you already have WinZip or WinRAR installed, you can use the File, Open menu to extract files from iTunes801Setup.exe (or, on x64 Windows machines, iTunes80164Setup.exe). I use the wonderful free IZArc utility, shown here displaying the contents of the 64-bit iTunes 8.0 installer. Performing a SELECTIVE iTunes install involves three steps: 1. Extract the installer files you need to a local folder. 2. Run the installers with the proper command-line switches. 3. Prevent Apple Software Update from undoing your careful work later. I believe most Windows users can safely slot themselves into one of the following five installation scenarios. Use the bold-faced text to determine which one applies to you, then follow the accompanying instructions. You want to play QuickTime movies and media clips. If you don’t own an iPod and you prefer another media player to iTunes, avoid iTunes completely. Go to Apple’s QuickTime download page and choose the QuickTime-only option (don’t accept the default, which includes the full, bloated iTunes installer). If you’d prefer an even lighter option, try the unofficial QuickTime Alternative, which runs on XP and Vista. You want to use iTunes with an iPod Classic, Mini, Nano, or Shuffle. Extract two files from the iTunes8Setup file, QuickTime.msi and iTunes.msi, and save them in a local folder. Open a command prompt window, navigate to that folder, and run the following commands: * Quicktime.msi /passive * iTunes.msi /passive (If you have an x64 system, the second command is iTunes64.msi /passive.) The /passive switch performs both installations in unattended mode. After you complete the installation and restart your system, you can rip and burn CDs, play music from your collection, buy music tracks and TV shows from the iTunes store, and synchronize music and other media files with any iPod except an iPod Touch or iPhone. You want to combine multiple iTunes libraries on a local network and/or connect to an Apple TV device. Install the QuickTime and iTunes packages as described in the previous scenario, and also extract and install Bonjour.msi using the /passive switch. Note that Bonjour must be installed on any computer whose library you want to share. You want to activate and manage an iPhone or synchronize with an iPod Touch. In addition to installing the iTunes and QuickTime packages, you’ll need to extract and run AppleMobileDeviceSupport.msi (on x64 installations, be sure to use AppleMobileDeviceSupport64.msi.) The original iPhone does not support or require Bonjour; I am unable to confirm whether the iPhone 3G uses it. And finally, decide whether you want to install Apple Software Update. Given the history of SERIOUS security flaws in QuickTime and iTunes, it’s crucial to remain up to date with patches for all Apple programs you choose to install. The trouble with Apple Software Update is that any attempt to “update” iTunes will install the other, unwanted packages as well. If you decide to use Apple Software Update, I recommend using it as a detection system only. When you see that a new update is available, download the iTunes installer manually and then extract and update only those components you want. i don't care how much room is takes up on my hard drive, i'm using it! Quote from: cohen on October 04, 2008, 10:41:34 PM i don't care how much room is takes up on my hard drive, i'm using it! High five! i think its a pretty good program to keep your music organized. actually, with a 500 GB hard drive there's no need to worry about the size of iTunes!The main point of a whole article was this: Without any disclosure and without your consent, the iTunes 8 setup program installs kernel-mode drivers, multiple system services, and at least one add-in.I think they missed it...iTunes is the devil.Quote from: iamyourmom on October 05, 2008, 03:15:34 AM with a 500 GB hard drive there's no need to worry about the size of iTunes! If you say that about every program you install, you'll have no free space soon enough. Think also about the RAM and CPU time it's gobbling up, even leaving aside the very suspicious install routine and updater. It's people that just don't care how bloated things are that allow software developers to keep making bloated and invasive programs like this. Repent, repent, before it is too late!Nasty business. Putting things in installers other than the advertised program is awful. Always be wary of bloated installers. Quote from: Calum on October 05, 2008, 11:06:11 AM Quote from: iamyourmom on October 05, 2008, 03:15:34 AM with a 500 GB hard drive there's no need to worry about the size of iTunes! If you say that about every program you install, you'll have no free space soon enough. Yeah, I know. Mine's only 70 gig. From my own perspective, I can say, that 500GB hard drive, which I also have, becomes smaller, and smaller with new OS, bigger programs, and so on. Couple of years ago, I'd never imagine, I could use 500GB of space, but....now... To start with 500GB HD is in reality only about 466GB, so we have already 43GB missing. Vista with all restore points, and ERUNT restore points takes about 16GB on my computer. RECOVERY partition, another 9GB. Add all programs, and data......after 1 year of using my computer, I have 269GB left. Surely, I have a lot of stuf, I could move to external HD, DVDs, etc., but hey, I have 500GB hard drive. Plenty of space, isn't it? Or is it?The fact that they even have kernel drivers is total BS.Quote from: iamyourmom on October 05, 2008, 03:15:34 AM Quote from: cohen on October 04, 2008, 10:41:34 PM i don't care how much room is takes up on my hard drive, i'm using it! High five! i think its a pretty good program to keep your music organized. actually, with a 500 GB hard drive there's no need to worry about the size of iTunes! The concern was not over it's size- that was a secondary concern for those who don't actually like unnecessary cruft. Data always expands to fill the space you have to store it.Does this mean that if I've already installed it, there is no undoing it? You can always uninstall it, unless you use it.

861.

Solve : iTunes getting bigger, and bigger - Taming iTunes?

Answer» http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=554

How do you supersize a simple music manager? Ask Apple. The Windows version of iTunes 8, released earlier this month and quickly patched after it caused an outbreak of blue-screen crashes, is a 64MB download. (For the sake of comparison, Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP is just over 24 MB.) The full iTunes 8 installation takes up nearly 200MB of space on a Windows PC.

Slimming down the bloated iTunes 8 installerAs it turns out, the iTunes installer has been bulking up for the past year or two. Don’t be fooled by the filename: iTunes801Setup.exe, the most recent version as of this writing, includes much more than the iTunes client. Without any disclosure and without your consent, the iTunes 8 setup program installs kernel-mode drivers, multiple system services, and at least one add-in. It takes a supersize helping of CHUTZPAH to create an ad that criticizes Windows for its “bloat” and then deliver an upgrade with as much unnecessary junk as this one.

The last time I wrote about this, several commenters defended Apple by insisting that every component in that full install was necessary, and that trying to carve away any of those bits will degrade Apple’s awesome end-to-end experience. I’ve looked at the iTunes installer on multiple Windows machines and am convinced that those Apple defenders are wrong. If you’re like most people, you don’t need any of that additional junk. In this post, I’ll explain how you can figure out which parts of the package you need, and then show you how to wrestle control of iTunes back.

For starters, let’s look at everything that’s in the iTunes 8 Windows installer, with an explanation of what it’s used for and how you can decide whether you need it:

* QuickTime is Apple’s multimedia framework, a collection of codecs, plugins, DLLs, and several players designed to help you play back digital media files in most popular formats. The big selling point is support for the QuickTime movie (.mov) format, via the standalone player or an embedded ActiveX control.
* iTunes is Apple’s all-purpose media player/device sync application. If you own an iPod, this is the only officially supported way to interact with it, although third-party alternatives are available. iTunes also provides access to the iTunes store, and if you own an iPhone you must use iTunes to activate it, update its firmware, and sync its content with your PC.
* Bonjour is Apple’s implementation of the open-source Zeroconf, a multicast DNS responder used to discover services on a local area network. It’s installed by default with the iTunes download and also installed silently with some Adobe products, a decision that “freaked out” some Adobe customers. Adding unauthorized peer-to-peer services on a corporate network is a distinct no-no, as a number of customers have told Apple on their support forums. (The response? Crickets.) If you want to share iTunes libraries over a network or use Apple TV, you need Bonjour. If you have a printer attached to an AirPort device, you should use Bonjour. However, if you simply want to play media files and sync your iTunes library with your iPod, you don’t need Bonjour. (And Photoshop users can safely remove it as well unless they have a Version Cue server on their network.)
* Apple Mobile Device Support is the synchronization framework for the iPhone and iPod Touch family of “mobile devices.” This package is not necessary if you have any other member of the iPod family, including the Classic, Mini, Nano, or Shuffle, which sync just fine using just the basic iTunes app.
* MobileMe is the support software that enables synchronization of email and contacts and calendar items with Apple’s MobileMe service (previously .Mac). It is included with the iTunes installer to update existing installations, but is no longer installed as part of a default new setup.
* Apple Software Update is a utility that checks for new versions of Apple software installed on your PC. It also pushes new Windows-compatible Apple software programs. Understanding how this utility works is crucial; it can and will install software you have explicitly rejected if you don’t monitor its actions carefully.

So, how do you wrestle back control of iTunes so that you’re not INSTALLING unneeded and unwanted junk? Your essential starting point is to unpack the installer files from the single file that Apple provides. You’ll need a third-party utility to do this. If you already have WinZip or WinRAR installed, you can use the File, Open menu to extract files from iTunes801Setup.exe (or, on x64 Windows machines, iTunes80164Setup.exe). I use the wonderful free IZArc utility, shown here displaying the contents of the 64-bit iTunes 8.0 installer.

Performing a SELECTIVE iTunes install involves three steps:

1. Extract the installer files you need to a local folder.

2. Run the installers with the proper command-line switches.

3. Prevent Apple Software Update from undoing your careful work later.

I believe most Windows users can safely slot themselves into one of the following five installation scenarios. Use the bold-faced text to determine which one applies to you, then follow the accompanying instructions.

You want to play QuickTime movies and media clips. If you don’t own an iPod and you prefer another media player to iTunes, avoid iTunes completely. Go to Apple’s QuickTime download page and choose the QuickTime-only option (don’t accept the default, which includes the full, bloated iTunes installer). If you’d prefer an even lighter option, try the unofficial QuickTime Alternative, which runs on XP and Vista.

You want to use iTunes with an iPod Classic, Mini, Nano, or Shuffle. Extract two files from the iTunes8Setup file, QuickTime.msi and iTunes.msi, and save them in a local folder. Open a command prompt window, navigate to that folder, and run the following commands:

* Quicktime.msi /passive
* iTunes.msi /passive

(If you have an x64 system, the second command is iTunes64.msi /passive.) The /passive switch performs both installations in unattended mode. After you complete the installation and restart your system, you can rip and burn CDs, play music from your collection, buy music tracks and TV shows from the iTunes store, and synchronize music and other media files with any iPod except an iPod Touch or iPhone.

You want to combine multiple iTunes libraries on a local network and/or connect to an Apple TV device. Install the QuickTime and iTunes packages as described in the previous scenario, and also extract and install Bonjour.msi using the /passive switch. Note that Bonjour must be installed on any computer whose library you want to share.

You want to activate and manage an iPhone or synchronize with an iPod Touch. In addition to installing the iTunes and QuickTime packages, you’ll need to extract and run AppleMobileDeviceSupport.msi (on x64 installations, be sure to use AppleMobileDeviceSupport64.msi.) The original iPhone does not support or require Bonjour; I am unable to confirm whether the iPhone 3G uses it.

And finally, decide whether you want to install Apple Software Update. Given the history of SERIOUS security flaws in QuickTime and iTunes, it’s crucial to remain up to date with patches for all Apple programs you choose to install. The trouble with Apple Software Update is that any attempt to “update” iTunes will install the other, unwanted packages as well. If you decide to use Apple Software Update, I recommend using it as a detection system only. When you see that a new update is available, download the iTunes installer manually and then extract and update only those components you want.
i don't care how much room is takes up on my hard drive, i'm using it! Quote from: cohen on October 04, 2008, 10:41:34 PM

i don't care how much room is takes up on my hard drive, i'm using it!

High five! i think its a pretty good program to keep your music organized. actually, with a 500 GB hard drive there's no need to worry about the size of iTunes!The main point of a whole article was this:
Without any disclosure and without your consent, the iTunes 8 setup program installs kernel-mode drivers, multiple system services, and at least one add-in.I think they missed it...iTunes is the devil.Quote from: iamyourmom on October 05, 2008, 03:15:34 AM

with a 500 GB hard drive there's no need to worry about the size of iTunes!

If you say that about every program you install, you'll have no free space soon enough.
Think also about the RAM and CPU time it's gobbling up, even leaving aside the very suspicious install routine and updater.
It's people that just don't care how bloated things are that allow software developers to keep making bloated and invasive programs like this.
Repent, repent, before it is too late!Nasty business. Putting things in installers other than the advertised program is awful. Always be wary of bloated installers.

Quote from: Calum on October 05, 2008, 11:06:11 AM

Quote from: iamyourmom on October 05, 2008, 03:15:34 AM
with a 500 GB hard drive there's no need to worry about the size of iTunes!
If you say that about every program you install, you'll have no free space soon enough.

Yeah, I know. Mine's only 70 gig. From my own perspective, I can say, that 500GB hard drive, which I also have, becomes smaller, and smaller with new OS, bigger programs, and so on. Couple of years ago, I'd never imagine, I could use 500GB of space, but....now...
To start with 500GB HD is in reality only about 466GB, so we have already 43GB missing.
Vista with all restore points, and ERUNT restore points takes about 16GB on my computer. RECOVERY partition, another 9GB.
Add all programs, and data......after 1 year of using my computer, I have 269GB left.
Surely, I have a lot of stuf, I could move to external HD, DVDs, etc., but hey, I have 500GB hard drive. Plenty of space, isn't it? Or is it?The fact that they even have kernel drivers is total BS.Quote from: iamyourmom on October 05, 2008, 03:15:34 AM

Quote from: cohen on October 04, 2008, 10:41:34 PM
i don't care how much room is takes up on my hard drive, i'm using it!

High five! i think its a pretty good program to keep your music organized. actually, with a 500 GB hard drive there's no need to worry about the size of iTunes!

The concern was not over it's size- that was a secondary concern for those who don't actually like unnecessary cruft.

Data always expands to fill the space you have to store it.Does this mean that if I've already installed it, there is no undoing it? You can always uninstall it, unless you use it.

Discussion

862.	Solve : Intel's Nehalem chip?
Answer» From: http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9119540&intsrc=hm_list Intel Corp. has scheduled the launch of its first Nehalem chip for Nov. 17, which also will be the day several PC makers begin shipping desktop computers running the new processor. Steve Smith, vice president and director of operations for Intel's digital enterprise group, told Computerworld earlier this week that the first Nehalem chip, officially named Core i7, will be a quad-core designed for high-end desktops for power users and gamers. Intel has been shipping previews of the chips to hardware vendors since September. Rob Enderle, an analyst at Enderle Group, said this week that he has been test-driving an Intel-built desktop running the quad-core chip with hyper-threading turned on, so it's virtually an eight-core processor. "It's FAST. It's really fast," said Enderle. The analyst also noted that the chip shows "significant improvement" in power efficiency, a key requirement for high-performance computing. The Nehalem architecture features a 45-nanometer, four-core processor with an integrated memory CONTROLLER that eliminates the need for a front-side bus. The new architecture is modular, which will make it easier to scale chips from TWO to eight cores, officials say. The Core i7 chips also are being designed to have two-way, simultaneous multithreading. They will also use Intel's QuickPath interconnect and have a three-level cache hierarchy, Intel said. Smith said that an eight-core Nehalem is slated to ship in the second half of 2009, and two-core and four-core Nehalem chips for laptops should ship at about the same time.Wonder how hot it runs...According to what i've READ as cool as the later Quad core series... My Q6600 runs quite cool. I future-proofed and made sure my board would support these new chips thinking i may get one in 2 years....now i don't think i'll wait that long !

Discussion

863.	Solve : Internet in space?
Answer» For your next trip to the moon, take your computer. Secure Networks for Military and First Responders Most of us are on the Web EVERY day. Whether we're reading the news or downloading music to an MP3 player, we rarely stop to think about how the Internet works. That's because it's so easy to use. NASA engineers would like to operate and communicate with satellites, robots and SPACECRAFT just as easily. In 2003, engineers at NASA's Glenn Research Center TOOK the first step TOWARD making that goal a reality when they sent a miniature Cisco router into low Earth orbit on a satellite. The team proved that Internet Protocols can be used to communicate with satellites...... _______________________________________ _ [links Removed] You have links to completely unrelated sites, but NONE for the article you got this from?This guy's setting his spam roots.. Maybe its a bot?Quote from: Dead_Reckon on January 08, 2009, 12:25:52 AM This guy's setting his spam roots.. Maybe its a bot? Or maybe he's just a sad, sad person wasting his time writing these posts knowing they will be removed.Quote from: Dead_Reckon on January 08, 2009, 12:25:52 AM This guy's setting his spam roots.. Maybe its a bot? Doesnt appear to be so... the article is valid, and on the NASA site. http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/technologies/secure_networks.html Quote from: [emailprotected] on January 07, 2009, 10:58:24 PM Whether we're reading the news or downloading music to an MP3 player, we rarely stop to think about how the Internet works. Speak for yourself. Dickweed. After being spammed, I most hate being patronized.The internet isn't easy to use. It's the browser software that makes it so. I don't recall ever having to manually send ACK and FIN packets and so forth down the line to access websites.

863.

Solve : Internet in space?

Answer»

For your next trip to the moon, take your computer.

Secure Networks for Military and First Responders

Most of us are on the Web EVERY day. Whether we're reading the news or downloading music to an MP3 player, we rarely stop to think about how the Internet works. That's because it's so easy to use.

NASA engineers would like to operate and communicate with satellites, robots and SPACECRAFT just as easily. In 2003, engineers at NASA's Glenn Research Center TOOK the first step TOWARD making that goal a reality when they sent a miniature Cisco router into low Earth orbit on a satellite. The team proved that Internet Protocols can be used to communicate with satellites......

_______________________________________ _
[links Removed]
You have links to completely unrelated sites, but NONE for the article you got this from?This guy's setting his spam roots.. Maybe its a bot?Quote from: Dead_Reckon on January 08, 2009, 12:25:52 AM

This guy's setting his spam roots.. Maybe its a bot?

Or maybe he's just a sad, sad person wasting his time writing these posts knowing they will be removed.Quote from: Dead_Reckon on January 08, 2009, 12:25:52 AM

This guy's setting his spam roots.. Maybe its a bot?

Doesnt appear to be so... the article is valid, and on the NASA site.

http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/technologies/secure_networks.html
Quote from: [emailprotected] on January 07, 2009, 10:58:24 PM

Whether we're reading the news or downloading music to an MP3 player, we rarely stop to think about how the Internet works.

Speak for yourself. Dickweed. After being spammed, I most hate being patronized.The internet isn't easy to use. It's the browser software that makes it so.

I don't recall ever having to manually send ACK and FIN packets and so forth down the line to access websites.

Discussion

864.	Solve : Thanks to gamers, the desktop supercomputer arrives?
Answer» The definition of a PERSONAL supercomputer goes something like this: It's INEXPENSIVE, can sit on a desk, plugs into a wall socket and is at least within jumping distance of the Top500 supercomputing list. By that measure, Nvidia Corp.'s new computer is one of the first arrivals in this emerging product category. Nvidia today unveiled a workstation it calls the Tesla Personal Supercomputer at the Supercomputing 08 show here. The Tesla sports 960 cores, delivers almost 4 teraflops of performance and costs less than $9,995. It achieves that speed and PRICE by using four graphics PROCESSING units (GPU), each of which has 240 cores. YouTube video on it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUGUCaxrrL0 Link

Discussion

865.	Solve : Windows 7: One compatibility label, no confusion?
Answer» MICROSOFT is reducing its four Windows-compatible logos, responsible for confusion and a class action lawsuit, down to a single system for CONSUMERS and partners. Partners that want compatibility with Windows Vista's successor operating system, Windows 7, will only have to navigate a single certification program, Microsoft said WEDNESDAY, and consumers NEED to look for just a single sticker on their PCs, peripherals or software. Link

Discussion

866.	Solve : Lenovo Readies Laptop With 2 LCD Screens?
Answer» http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/155860/article.html?tk=nl_cxanws Lenovo Group Ltd. Friday announced the release of a ThinkPad laptop that takes the "desktop replacement" category of notebook PCs to a new level. The ThinkPad W700ds appears to be the first laptop ever to sport two LCD screens -- a 17-inch primary and a 10.6-inch secondary screen. The souped-up "mobile workstation," as Lenovo calls it, also comes with customers' choice of quad-core Intel Core 2 processors and Nvidia Quadro mobile graphics CPU with as many as 128 CORES. It also comes with as much as 8GB of DDR3 memory and a pair of hard drive/solid-state drive bays for up to 960GB of storage. It's all in an 11-pound brick -- five times the weight of netbooks, such as the Asus Eee 701, and at least double the weight of typical laptops -- that is encased in the ThinkPad's trademark ebony exterior. "This is the nitro-burning drag racer of ThinkPads," said Craig Merrigan, vice president of global consumer marketing for Lenovo, in a briefing this week. The W700ds is EXPECTED to be available in January starting at $3,600. News about the W700ds was originally timed for release the week of the Consumer Electronics Show in early January. But details leaked out on blogs earlier this month after a Web page went live early on IBM's Web site. "Why two screens? Most people are using two monitors at their desktop. So we wanted to give them all the things they are used to on their desk," said Wes Williams, worldwide product marketing manager for ThinkPads. The primary WUXGA 17-inch screen is brighter and more colorful than other notebook PC screens, Williams said. The main screen is rated at 400 nits of brightness, which is brighter than any other notebook in the market, Williams said. It also has a color gamut equivalent to 72% of AdobeRGB that is better than other notebooks and a plus for photographers and GRAPHIC designers, he said. The W700ds' secondary 10.6-inch vertical screen is about the size of a typical netbook display, Lenovo says, or about 40% the size of the W700ds' primary 17-inch display. It can also be tilted up to 30 degrees like a car's rearview mirror. The W700ds also includes a built-in WACOM digitizer, also called an electronic drawing pad, and color calibration software. Despite its power and weight, Williams claimed that the W700ds runs "incredibly cool" due to the use of dual fans and dual heat reduction systems. The tradeoffs? Besides price and weight, the W700ds is bulkier than typical laptops, measuring 16 inches by 12 inches, and is 2.1 inches thick. The ultra-thin MacBook Air, by comparison, is 13 x 9 inches and only 0.75 inches thick. Richard Shim , an analyst with research firm IDC, said the W700ds is a "very niche-y, technical showcase type of product" that will nevertheless likely be a "big hit" with photographers, designers and developers who will value the included productivity-enhancing tools over its shoulder-aching weight. Lenovo unveiled the single-screen version of the ThinkPad W700 in August. That machines starts with a price tag of about $2,500. To connect to external monitors, the W700 includes both DisplayPort video adapters as well as dual-link DVI. The W700ds is so wide that it boasts a separate numeric keypad, a rarity on laptop keyboards.woa! thats cool! i want one for gaming! so i can im people at the same time of courseWow! Looks good! Definitely something I will consider getting in the future.Quote That machines starts with a price tag of about $2,500 Have you used someone's Chrome account again?Quote from: Broni on January 01, 2009, 10:07:29 PM Quote That machines starts with a price tag of about $2,500 Have you used someone's Chrome account again? OOh! I forgot the money I saved up... Be right back, let me get to the store!

866.

Solve : Lenovo Readies Laptop With 2 LCD Screens?

Answer» http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/155860/article.html?tk=nl_cxanws

Lenovo Group Ltd. Friday announced the release of a ThinkPad laptop that takes the "desktop replacement" category of notebook PCs to a new level.

The ThinkPad W700ds appears to be the first laptop ever to sport two LCD screens -- a 17-inch primary and a 10.6-inch secondary screen.

The souped-up "mobile workstation," as Lenovo calls it, also comes with customers' choice of quad-core Intel Core 2 processors and Nvidia Quadro mobile graphics CPU with as many as 128 CORES. It also comes with as much as 8GB of DDR3 memory and a pair of hard drive/solid-state drive bays for up to 960GB of storage.

It's all in an 11-pound brick -- five times the weight of netbooks, such as the Asus Eee 701, and at least double the weight of typical laptops -- that is encased in the ThinkPad's trademark ebony exterior.

"This is the nitro-burning drag racer of ThinkPads," said Craig Merrigan, vice president of global consumer marketing for Lenovo, in a briefing this week.

The W700ds is EXPECTED to be available in January starting at $3,600.

News about the W700ds was originally timed for release the week of the Consumer Electronics Show in early January. But details leaked out on blogs earlier this month after a Web page went live early on IBM's Web site.

"Why two screens? Most people are using two monitors at their desktop. So we wanted to give them all the things they are used to on their desk," said Wes Williams, worldwide product marketing manager for ThinkPads.

The primary WUXGA 17-inch screen is brighter and more colorful than other notebook PC screens, Williams said. The main screen is rated at 400 nits of brightness, which is brighter than any other notebook in the market, Williams said. It also has a color gamut equivalent to 72% of AdobeRGB that is better than other notebooks and a plus for photographers and GRAPHIC designers, he said.

The W700ds' secondary 10.6-inch vertical screen is about the size of a typical netbook display, Lenovo says, or about 40% the size of the W700ds' primary 17-inch display. It can also be tilted up to 30 degrees like a car's rearview mirror.

The W700ds also includes a built-in WACOM digitizer, also called an electronic drawing pad, and color calibration software. Despite its power and weight, Williams claimed that the W700ds runs "incredibly cool" due to the use of dual fans and dual heat reduction systems.

The tradeoffs? Besides price and weight, the W700ds is bulkier than typical laptops, measuring 16 inches by 12 inches, and is 2.1 inches thick. The ultra-thin MacBook Air, by comparison, is 13 x 9 inches and only 0.75 inches thick.

Richard Shim , an analyst with research firm IDC, said the W700ds is a "very niche-y, technical showcase type of product" that will nevertheless likely be a "big hit" with photographers, designers and developers who will value the included productivity-enhancing tools over its shoulder-aching weight.

Lenovo unveiled the single-screen version of the ThinkPad W700 in August. That machines starts with a price tag of about $2,500.

To connect to external monitors, the W700 includes both DisplayPort video adapters as well as dual-link DVI.

The W700ds is so wide that it boasts a separate numeric keypad, a rarity on laptop keyboards.woa! thats cool! i want one for gaming! so i can im people at the same time of courseWow! Looks good! Definitely something I will consider getting in the future.Quote

That machines starts with a price tag of about $2,500

Have you used someone's Chrome account again?Quote from: Broni on January 01, 2009, 10:07:29 PM

Quote
That machines starts with a price tag of about $2,500
Have you used someone's Chrome account again?

OOh! I forgot the money I saved up... Be right back, let me get to the store!

Discussion

867.	Solve : 40 Years of the Mouse?
Answer» http://www.pcworld.com/article/155353/article.html?tk=nl_cxasld A celebration of Douglas Engelbart's indomitable, ever-evolving pointing device on the 40th anniversary of its public debut. On December 9, 1968, Stanford Research Institute scientist Douglas Engelbart demonstrated his unique invention--the computer mouse--for the first time in public. It took another DECADE and a HALF for it to catch on, but once it did, computing was never the same. And today, it's hard to imagine using a desktop or laptop computer without a mouse (or one of its latter-day substitutes such as the touchpad). In celebration of this anniversary, Technologizer's Harry McCracken looks at some of the mightiest mice of the past four decades. Above is Engelbart's first prototype mouse (held by its inventor). Note the square shape, hand-crafted wood case, and giant WHEEL inside. The part of this little beast that most resembles a modern mouse is the tail-like cord that gave it its name–though many mice do AWAY with that today, of course.So.....Congratulations!

Discussion

868.	Solve : Tech Watch: The Minority Report Computer Is Real?
Answer» Prepare to be amazed. A group of visionaries has created a real-world, working version of the big-screen GESTURAL interface that NERDS everywhere drooled over in the 2002 Tom Cruise film. If you saw Minority Report, you probably saw the multi-screen, gesture-based interface that Tom Cruise uses to pull up police files and though, “That's cool. But I'll never live to see that thing invented.” Then you might have seen Microsoft demo its Surface operating system, and thought that's as close as the world would ever get to intuitive, mouse-and-keyboard-free computing. Well, you'd be wrong on both counts. Not only does the interface of the future exist, but after several years of development, it's entering commercial form. Sure, you'll probably never live to see it put to use in local law enforcement - even the FBI has famously outdated computers - but someday, the local fuzz might get their hands on G-speak: a “spatial operating environment.” LinkIf only I had a basement....Quote from: Carbon Dudeoxide on November 20, 2008, 02:26:32 AM If only I had a basement.... Heck...put an addition on the house.If I had a basement, I'd fill it with water and train belugas in the black arts. I'd also run a senior aquatic fitness center. Do you think seniors and belugas would get along? In any case- very NEAT- I had heard of a few EXPENSIVE DEVICES that read brain waves- for such things as mouse movement... but nothing like this.

Discussion

869.	Solve : Computer virus attacks 'to peak next Monday'?
Answer» Internet users are being warned to stay vigilant by researchers who believe that next Monday could be the worst DAY the year for computer attacks. After analysing information on viruses and internet worms taken from more than 500,000 machines around the world, security experts at PC Tools have pinpointed November 24 as the potential PEAK of malicious software activity for 2008. LinkWhat's so special about the 24th? How would they know?Quote from: Carbon Dudeoxide on November 20, 2008, 02:27:35 AM What's so special about the 24th? How would they know? The hackers read that article and assume that they are expected to attack that day. It's a self-fufilling prophecy. It has now become a point of pride for the hackers to attack on that date.I think it also has something to do with this. Spam Volume Plummets as ISPs Pull the Plug on McColo The experts are saying that that this win will ACTUALLY be a loss. The bad guys will have to ramp up their efforts to fill in the lost monies meaning one of the worst outbreaks of spam ever.

Discussion

870.	Solve : Microsoft Security Update??
Answer» My Mom got an emal a few days ago from "[emailprotected]" (I think) saying that a security update for all Microsoft OS's has been released. A file was attached called "KB..." something or other... Just to check and see if it was a VIRUS, I clicked on the attachment. Without the dialog "Run, Save, Cancel, etc." coming up, AVAST popped up saying that it stopped a virus entering the system. Just to let everyone KNOW...Microsoft will NEVER contact you or ANYONE else about security updates...NEVER Please let her know and pass it on to as many people as you can. You should have her visit our Virus and Spyware section and follow the instructions at the top of the page as she is most likely infected ! !Exatly Windows will tell you, if there are.hmm, it's kind of ironic that you would fall for such a trick- given you posted this. And, since I'm too lazy to think of a better analogy, I'll just copy my original reply. Quote tssk tssk kpac... tssk.... spammers can easily change the "From" field... Quote from: kpac Just to check and see if it was a virus, I clicked on the attachment. that's kind of like saying, "I wanted to make sure the chainsaw worked, so I chopped off my leg." I thought I had one but I lost it

870.

Solve : Microsoft Security Update??

Answer»

My Mom got an emal a few days ago from "[emailprotected]" (I think) saying that a security update for all Microsoft OS's has been released. A file was attached called "KB..." something or other...

Just to check and see if it was a VIRUS, I clicked on the attachment. Without the dialog "Run, Save, Cancel, etc." coming up, AVAST popped up saying that it stopped a virus entering the system.

Just to let everyone KNOW...Microsoft will NEVER contact you or ANYONE else about security updates...NEVER

Please let her know and pass it on to as many people as you can.

You should have her visit our Virus and Spyware section and follow the instructions at the top of the page as she is most likely infected ! !Exatly Windows will tell you, if there are.hmm, it's kind of ironic that you would fall for such a trick- given you posted this.

And, since I'm too lazy to think of a better analogy, I'll just copy my original reply.

Quote

tssk tssk kpac... tssk....

spammers can easily change the "From" field...

Quote from: kpac
Just to check and see if it was a virus, I clicked on the attachment.

that's kind of like saying, "I wanted to make sure the chainsaw worked, so I chopped off my leg."

I thought I had one but I lost it

Discussion

871.	Solve : Microsoft to offer free security?
Answer» Should be interesting to see how this impacts the Antivirus companies.. --- In a surprise move, Microsoft has announced it will offer a free anti-virus and security solution from the second half of next year. It will stop selling OneCare, its all-in-one security and PC management service, from the end of June 2009. LinkAs long as they're burying One Care i see this as a step in the right direction... Albeit a small step. I wonder who the Vendor is... Yeah I was curious about that as well but couldn't find really any specific DETAILS about who the vendor was. Totally agree with you too on GETTING rid of One Care was never a fan of that.I'm not getting too excited.....alert, rather.Looks like they are going at it alone. Code-named “Morro.” But why? Windows Defender is a joke and One Care sucks. Quote http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2008/nov08/11-18NoCostSecurityPR.mspx Built on Microsoft’s award-winning malware protection engine, “Morro” will take advantage of the same core anti-malware technology that fuels the COMPANY’s current line of security products, which have received the VB100 award from Virus BULLETIN, Checkmark Certification from West Coast Labs and certification from the International Computer Security Association Labs. The new solution will deliver the same core protection against malware as that offered through Microsoft’s enterprise solutions, but will not include many of the additional non-security features found in many consumer security suites. doesn't microsoft say everything they release is "award winning"?Quote But why? You know, pretty "normal" for M$. They WANT to have a piece of everything.

871.

Solve : Microsoft to offer free security?

Answer»

Should be interesting to see how this impacts the Antivirus companies..

---

In a surprise move, Microsoft has announced it will offer a free anti-virus and security solution from the second half of next year.

It will stop selling OneCare, its all-in-one security and PC management service, from the end of June 2009.

LinkAs long as they're burying One Care i see this as a step in the right direction...
Albeit a small step.
I wonder who the Vendor is... Yeah I was curious about that as well but couldn't find really any specific DETAILS about who the vendor was. Totally agree with you too on GETTING rid of One Care was never a fan of that.I'm not getting too excited.....alert, rather.Looks like they are going at it alone.

Code-named “Morro.”

But why? Windows Defender is a joke and One Care sucks.

Quote

http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2008/nov08/11-18NoCostSecurityPR.mspx
Built on Microsoft’s award-winning malware protection engine, “Morro” will take advantage of the same core anti-malware technology that fuels the COMPANY’s current line of security products, which have received the VB100 award from Virus BULLETIN, Checkmark Certification from West Coast Labs and certification from the International Computer Security Association Labs. The new solution will deliver the same core protection against malware as that offered through Microsoft’s enterprise solutions, but will not include many of the additional non-security features found in many consumer security suites.

doesn't microsoft say everything they release is "award winning"?Quote

But why?

You know, pretty "normal" for M$. They WANT to have a piece of everything.

Discussion

872.	Solve : Criticism - "Using Pendrive to boost Windows XP, Yes, its true!"?
Answer» there has also been mixed SUCCESS with pudding, a Desk FAN, and TWO squirrels.Got rid of it, the UNINSTALLER was asking me to give valuable FEEDBACK, and "why"() did I uninstall it.

Discussion

873.	Solve : Dr. Libshitz Can't Get an E-Mail Address?
Answer» http://www.pcworld.com/article/155067/articles.html?tk=nl_cxanws Quote Dr. Herman I. Libshitz is used to people giving him, uh, crap about his name. The doctor, raised in Philadelphia and now living in CHESTERTOWN, Maryland, learned early on he'd have to DEFEND his family's honor. "When you're named Libshitz, you expect problems with your name," he says. "Can you imagine what a drill sergeant did with Libshitz?" Still, Libshitz's foray into cyberspace proved more irksome than the teasing he had endured in his younger years. It started around 1998, when he and his wife bought a computer and tried to sign up for an AOL account. "AOL told me my name was insulting and offensive," he remembers. "They wouldn't give me an e-mail address." Libshitz fought and won that battle. But it was only the beginning. Fast-forward to July 2008, when Libshitz and his wife decided to upgrade their home Internet service from dial-up to broadband. They logged on to Verizon's Web site only to find that, once again, the ISP wouldn't accept their name for use in an e-mail address. If your last name is Scunthorpe, Cockburn, or similar, forget about Internet.....LOL Cockburn ha ha ha! I used to go to a doctor with the last name censored. His wife's name was OPHELIA. I'm not making that up. He wasn't a proctologist, though that would have been funnier.

Discussion

874.	Solve : Microsoft to fix eight bugs in year's final Patch Tuesday?
Answer» Microsoft will deliver eight security updates next week, SIX of them marked "critical," to PLUG holes in Windows, Internet Explorer, Office, and other products. TWO of the eight updates will patch Windows, another two are aimed at Office, while the remaining four TARGET Internet Explorer (IE), SharePoint, Windows Media PLAYER, Visual Basic, and Visual Studio, Microsoft said Thursday in its monthly advance warning of what to expect next Tuesday. Link

Discussion

875.	Solve : Sun Java Runtime Environment 6 Update 11?
Answer» HA!!

Discussion

876.	Solve : Verizon Wins $31 Million Judgment in Cybersquatting Case?
Answer» Verizon Communications has won USD $31.15 MILLION in damages in a cybersquatting CASE it BROUGHT against domain REGISTRY OnlineNIC, while Microsoft is seeking judgment against the same company and Yahoo has recently filed similar charges. http://starlite-media.blogspot.com/2008/12/verizon-wins-31-million-judgment-in.htmlGood Luck COLLECTING..... Yeah....good jail time may do, though...

Discussion

877.	Solve : Firefox users targeted by rare piece of malware?
Answer» RESEARCHERS at BitDefender have discovered a new type of malicious software that collects passwords for banking sites but targets only Firefox users. The malware, which BitDefender dubbed "Trojan.PWS.ChromeInject.A" sits in Firefox's add-ons folder, said Viorel Canja, the head of BitDefender's lab. The malware runs when Firefox is started. Linkthe comments are even better then the article, since it predictably turns into a Firefox Vs IE debate...Heh yeah I AGREE was READING through a few of them after initially reading the article. This is the IMPORTANT part. Quote Two YEARS ago a spyware package that masqueraded as an extension to the Firefox web browser was spotted on the net. Like ChromeInject-A, FormSpy failed to do much harm. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/12/04/firefox_plug_in_trojan/

Discussion

878.	Solve : CastleCops has shut down for good?
Answer» http://www.castlecops.com/ The constant attacks on the site coupled with funding issues has finally become too much apparently. Remember though that all the databases were copied/moved to System Lookup some time ago, so the resources are still available. Quote Greetings Folks, You have arrived at the CastleCops website, which is currently offline. It has been our pleasure to INVESTIGATE online crime and volunteer with our virtual family to assist with your computer needs and make the Internet a safer place. Unfortunately, all things come to an end. Keep up the good fight folks, for the spirit of this community lies within each of us. We are empowered to improve the safety and security of the Internet in our own way. Let us feel blessed for the impact we made and the relationships created. This is a sad day INDEED...They put up a good fight. Maybe like the old Tom Coyote forums they will return under a new name one day. I just think that it's disgusting that their enemies succeeded in getting it to this point...That's the first thing I thought too. They had some pretty big server/funding issues also. Hopefully that was the biggest reason and not the bad guys. The Wiki pages are still there though. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CastleCopsJust found a few more comments. Looks like part of the reason is it just simply got too big. Paul and Robin, the site owners, did not have the time or the resources to keep the site up. The site had become so slow it was becoming very hard to look anything up or post there. a) MALWARE authors DOS attacks against it b) Server costs skyrocket c) Revenue/donations can't cover the costs Such a shame this happened, but sounds like it was really unavoidable. At least the resources are still online though.Although the resources are available, this is still sad. CastleCops was a very LARGE part of my training and I hate to see it go.A bit more specific information from a few people closely associated with the Castle Cops web site. sjb007;96805Quote From what I know Castlecops was closed down due to a couple of factors. It had nothing to do with the DDOS attacks which had been the problem of prior slowdowns - that problem had been overcome, other slowdowns came from a faulty card which needed replacing in one of the servers (which was completed). From what I know the main contributing factors were: Paul getting a job with Microsoft which also meant them relocating to Redmond, also Robin has her hands tied with the ever growing family which has just recently grown by one more! They had tried to sell the site but from what I was led to belive they hit problem along the way. Its a shame castlecops has dissapeared, it was a stopping place for many of the top malware experts, it was also where I was trained to fight malware and where got the bug for killing malware. Its a shame to see it go. TonyKlein;420874 Quote from: Quote from: Osc;420856 SystemLookup is a great site - much faster than CC ever was and as long as they keep those lists updated, we're all the better off. You needn't worry about that: the Lists are being updated throughout the day by an editing team currently consisting of the following members of the anti-malware community: Marckie Metallica miekiemoes nasdaq random/random Rorschach112 TonyKlein Vino Rosso Zupe Happy Holidays and all the best for 2009 to everyone at Help2Go!

878.

Solve : CastleCops has shut down for good?

Answer» http://www.castlecops.com/

The constant attacks on the site coupled with funding issues has finally become too much apparently. Remember though that all the databases were copied/moved to System Lookup some time ago, so the resources are still available.

Quote

Greetings Folks,

You have arrived at the CastleCops website, which is currently offline. It has been our pleasure to INVESTIGATE online crime and volunteer with our virtual family to assist with your computer needs and make the Internet a safer place. Unfortunately, all things come to an end. Keep up the good fight folks, for the spirit of this community lies within each of us. We are empowered to improve the safety and security of the Internet in our own way. Let us feel blessed for the impact we made and the relationships created.

This is a sad day INDEED...They put up a good fight. Maybe like the old Tom Coyote forums they will return under a new name one day. I just think that it's disgusting that their enemies succeeded in getting it to this point...That's the first thing I thought too. They had some pretty big server/funding issues also. Hopefully that was the biggest reason and not the bad guys.

The Wiki pages are still there though. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CastleCopsJust found a few more comments. Looks like part of the reason is it just simply got too big.

Paul and Robin, the site owners, did not have the time or the resources to keep the site up. The site had become so slow it was becoming very hard to look anything up or post there.

a) MALWARE authors DOS attacks against it
b) Server costs skyrocket
c) Revenue/donations can't cover the costs

Such a shame this happened, but sounds like it was really unavoidable.
At least the resources are still online though.Although the resources are available, this is still sad. CastleCops was a very LARGE part of my training and I hate to see it go.A bit more specific information from a few people closely associated with the Castle Cops web site.

sjb007;96805Quote

From what I know Castlecops was closed down due to a couple of factors. It had nothing to do with the DDOS attacks which had been the problem of prior slowdowns - that problem had been overcome, other slowdowns came from a faulty card which needed replacing in one of the servers (which was completed). From what I know the main contributing factors were: Paul getting a job with Microsoft which also meant them relocating to Redmond, also Robin has her hands tied with the ever growing family which has just recently grown by one more! They had tried to sell the site but from what I was led to belive they hit problem along the way. Its a shame castlecops has dissapeared, it was a stopping place for many of the top malware experts, it was also where I was trained to fight malware and where got the bug for killing malware. Its a shame to see it go.

TonyKlein;420874
Quote from:

Quote from:
Osc;420856 SystemLookup is a great site - much faster than CC ever was and as long as they keep those lists updated, we're all the better off.

You needn't worry about that: the Lists are being updated throughout the day by an editing team currently consisting of the following members of the anti-malware community:

Marckie
Metallica
miekiemoes
nasdaq
random/random
Rorschach112
TonyKlein
Vino Rosso
Zupe

Happy Holidays and all the best for 2009 to everyone at Help2Go!

Discussion

879.	Solve : Another extension for XP?
Answer» FULL Story. Retailers/builders now have until MAY of 2009 to order OEM XP for INCLUSION in their machines due to high DEMAND...

Discussion

880.	Solve : XP Service Pack 3 blocks .NET security patches?
Answer» HERE Installing SP3 on Windows XP eliminates the operating system's ability to install important security patches for Microsoft's .NET technology and possibly other software. This problem forces XP SP3 users to apply patches manually to complete vital updates. The new error is the latest in a long series of glitches relating to XP's SP3, which Scott Dunn described in his Sept. 11 Top Story. The issues include spontaneous rebooting of systems based on AMD chipsets, as documented by Jesper Johansson in a blog post from last May. To determine whether your XP SP3 system has a version — or multiple versions — of the .NET Framework installed, open Control Panel's Add or Remove Programs applet and look for it among the list of currently installed programs. If you don't see any .NET entries, you don't have the framework installed on your system and needn't be CONCERNED about the update problem. If you do see a listing for Microsoft .NET Framework, you need to USE a third-party update service such as Secunia's Software Inspector (described below) to patch the program. More at the above LINK...Nice find. Some ADDITIONAL details. The exact title is "Microsoft .NET Framework x.x" Where x.x is the version of the .NET Framework.So THIS is why, when I open Microsoft MONEY, it sometimes pops something up, at each and every click! It was making me crazy. Thank you for the information, I'll check it out right away.

Discussion

881.	Solve : New trojan in mass DNS hijack?
Answer» Researchers have identified a new trojan that can tamper with a wide array of devices on a local network, an exploit that sends them to impostor websites even if they are hardened MACHINES that are fully patched or run non-Windows operating systems. LinkI dealt with this exact rootkit a few days ago. It's a nasty bugger!! I'm HIGHLY suspicious it is a new variation of the TDSSSERV rootkit which is wrecking MANY a PC. Here is a shortened version of what to do. Note I had to use The Avenger to finally delete the driver. c:\windows\system32\drivers\ndisprot.sys <- Delete bad driver Then use the IPCONFIG /flushdns command and possibly even reset your router. Now use malwarebytes and then your antivirus to remove the REMAINING infections.

Discussion

882.	Solve : Toshiba to show 512GB solid-state drive at CES?
Answer» TOSHIBA said Wednesday that it will showcase a 512GB solid-state drive at the Consumer Electronics Show next MONTH and begin SHIPMENTS in the second quarter of 2009. Quote Pricing in sample quantities RANGES from $220 for the 64GB drive to $1,652 for the 512GB drive, Toshiba said. LinkIncredible

Discussion

883.	Solve : Comcast to intro bandwidth use tracker in January?
Answer» Comcast will soon provide its subscribers with a tool to MONITOR how close they are to the 250GB cap imposed by the Internet service provider at the end of August. The online bandwidth meter will be available on January 5th, according to an ANONYMOUS tip, and will have a three-hour delay as opposed to real-time monitoring. The meter will retain up to three months of usage records and will allow users to monitor multiple MAC addresses. LinkI have comcast and it's (almost) the only service available in the entire Southern Maryland area, unless you use wireless. Everyone has it, however no one understands just what the bandwidth issue really is and what it will mean to us. Can you give me a little more information? Thank you, SheilaThe bandwidth "issue" according to Comcast is that they're getting stressed with users using more with more multimedia and especially P2P applications. So they're limiting all of the users to a monthly quota to help reduce overall usage. What this means to you and the Internet? COULD be a lot actually, could definately reduce INNOVATION on the Internet with new programs such as Internet TV, online movie sites, and other bandwidth intensive sites. Could lead to higher costs to the consumer and/or loss of Internet if they exceed their limits. Could be the start of lower and lower bandwidth limits causing users to have to pay higher costs so they can be in a bracket of bandwidth. All assumptions of course because I can't see into the future. However, the Internet was not created for this type of structured bandwidth usage payment planning. I understand the ISP's concern but I strongly believe this issue could be resolved by limiting the abusers and not all consumers. This is the information that Comcast sent me. (below) I would really like to know if what they say about it being over the amount most would need, is correct, or just some "Don't worry" thing they are trying to sell me. We are online 24 hours a day. There are 2 of us, one in the day, one at night. Will this make a difference. Is this enough for just about anyone? I use forums, download photos, watch small clips like the ones on youtube, use e-mail, I did watch my first movie last week, I ebay a lot, use online shopping, and other short visits, like my finance links, and that's about it. However I am on for at least 18 hours a day myself, and my husband the rest. This is what they say about it. (not all of it) but most. Tell me what you think. Thank you, Sheila In the updated AUP, we clarify that monthly data (or bandwidth) usage of more than 250 Gigabytes (GB) is the specific threshold that defines excessive use of our service. We have an excessive use policy because a fraction of one percent of our customers use such a disproportionate amount of bandwidth every month that they may DEGRADE the online experience of other customers. 250 GB/month is an extremely large amount of bandwidth and it's very likely that your monthly data usage doesn't even come close to that amount. In fact, the threshold is approximately 100 times greater than the typical or median residential customer usage, which is 2 to 3 GB/month. To put it in perspective, to reach 250 GB of data usage in one month a customer would have to do any one of the following: * Send more than 50 million plain text emails (at 5 KB/email); * Download 62,500 songs (at 4 MB/song); or * Download 125 standard definition movies (at 2 GB/movie). And online gamers should know that even the heaviest multi- or single-player gaming activity would not typically come close to this threshold over the course of a month. I forgot to mention that I have had a lot of problems with parts of comcast not working or something. Pages freeze up sometimes, or take forever to finish downloading. They did notify us that this may happen for a while, while they are upgrading. They have not upgraded my e-mail yet, and they have done everyone elses I know, but I do have tons and tons of e-mail saved. In the process of trying to save it now. That's about it. Let me know what you think of the above information from Comcast, and what I wrote here too. Thanks you, Sheila

Discussion

884.	Solve : Detroit Newspapers First to Openly Concede Defeat to the Internet?
Answer» HERE The Detroit News and Detroit Free press have conceded defeat to the Internet, and are cutting home delivery of the print version of their newspapers to just three days a week, and supplementing them by emailing a digital version to subscribers instead. “The dynamics of delivering INFORMATION to audiences has changed forever due to technology,” said David Hunke, publisher of the Detroit Free Press. “We’re fighting for our survival.” Circulation for the print version of newspapers has been on a steady decline, with the decrease in print circulation hitting double digits for some papers. People are getting their news on the Internet. In a statement today, Paul Anger, executive editor of the Detroit Free Press, explained “We’re putting more emphasis on up-to-the minute news and multimedia reports and conversations on www.freep.com. Our traffic has soared, up to almost 4 MILLION page views in a single day, and we’re a leader in online growth.” Anger added that the decision “allows us to print a daily newspaper, devote more resources to digital delivery of information and maintain Michigan’s largest and best news staff to keep providing exclusive news, information and commentary by journalists who understand what is RELEVANT here.” Said Hunke, “Our decision to limit home delivery to three days a week reflects the reality that major newspaper markets are facing daunting economic challenges. We can’t live in the past. We need to shift resources to the digital side of our business, which readers and advertisers are clearly telling us is our future.” While the newspapers are cutting home delivery to three days a week, they will still be available on the newsstands every day. There will also be a subscription-by-mail service for those who are homebound and unable to access the digital version of the papers. I can remember back in the mid 70s, early 80S...how there was a lot of talk about heading towards a "paperless society". Twenty years later and its finally starting to raise an eyebrow...PC Magazine recently did the same...they are ceasing print operations.I realize, it must have to do with economy, as well, but San Jose Mercury News, which I read, is getting thinner by day...As much time i spend on the web i have to admit eventually and unfortunately i'll miss the coziness of a well published newspaper... Heck i already deal with all the yo yo's with their laptops at the coffee shop. The bright side is Quote i'll miss the coziness of a well published newspaper... Same here...Make way for progress. The environmentalists---lol--TREE HUGGERS should really love this. I was told if a man drops his billfold in California he has to walk along kicking it to the next state before he can bend over and pick it up. Kinda reminds one of 'soap- on- a -rope' lol Quote Kinda reminds one of 'soap- on- a -rope' lol Huh Hey, want to know what images jump to mind when you say that? Quote from: Raptor on December 20, 2008, 05:59:07 AM Quote Kinda reminds one of 'soap- on- a -rope' lol Huh Hey, want to know what images jump to mind when you say that? Killed by Dr. Raptor-----> lol

884.

Solve : Detroit Newspapers First to Openly Concede Defeat to the Internet?

Answer» HERE

The Detroit News and Detroit Free press have conceded defeat to the Internet, and are cutting home delivery of the print version of their newspapers to just three days a week, and supplementing them by emailing a digital version to subscribers instead.

“The dynamics of delivering INFORMATION to audiences has changed forever due to technology,” said David Hunke, publisher of the Detroit Free Press. “We’re fighting for our survival.”

Circulation for the print version of newspapers has been on a steady decline, with the decrease in print circulation hitting double digits for some papers. People are getting their news on the Internet.

In a statement today, Paul Anger, executive editor of the Detroit Free Press, explained “We’re putting more emphasis on up-to-the minute news and multimedia reports and conversations on www.freep.com. Our traffic has soared, up to almost 4 MILLION page views in a single day, and we’re a leader in online growth.”

Anger added that the decision “allows us to print a daily newspaper, devote more resources to digital delivery of information and maintain Michigan’s largest and best news staff to keep providing exclusive news, information and commentary by journalists who understand what is RELEVANT here.”

Said Hunke, “Our decision to limit home delivery to three days a week reflects the reality that major newspaper markets are facing daunting economic challenges. We can’t live in the past. We need to shift resources to the digital side of our business, which readers and advertisers are clearly telling us is our future.”

While the newspapers are cutting home delivery to three days a week, they will still be available on the newsstands every day. There will also be a subscription-by-mail service for those who are homebound and unable to access the digital version of the papers.
I can remember back in the mid 70s, early 80S...how there was a lot of talk about heading towards a "paperless society". Twenty years later and its finally starting to raise an eyebrow...PC Magazine recently did the same...they are ceasing print operations.I realize, it must have to do with economy, as well, but San Jose Mercury News, which I read, is getting thinner by day...As much time i spend on the web i have to admit eventually and unfortunately i'll miss the coziness of a well published newspaper...
Heck i already deal with all the yo yo's with their laptops at the coffee shop.
The bright side is Quote

i'll miss the coziness of a well published newspaper...

Same here...Make way for progress. The environmentalists---lol--TREE HUGGERS should really love this.

I was told if a man drops his billfold in California he has to walk along
kicking it to the next state before he can bend over and pick it up.

Kinda reminds one of 'soap- on- a -rope' lol Quote

Kinda reminds one of 'soap- on- a -rope' lol Huh

Hey, want to know what images jump to mind when you say that? Quote from: Raptor on December 20, 2008, 05:59:07 AM

Quote
Kinda reminds one of 'soap- on- a -rope' lol Huh

Hey, want to know what images jump to mind when you say that?

Killed by Dr. Raptor-----> lol

Discussion

885.	Solve : Microsoft DHCP bugs make Windows lose networking?
Answer» http://windowssecrets.com/comp/081211/ Numerous perplexed Windows users have discovered that attempting to connect their PCs (especially Vista) to their existing networks or Wi-Fi hotspots results in flaky or nonexistent connections. One reason: a change by Microsoft in Vista's Dynamic Host Control Protocol (DHCP) is causing conflicts with some networking hardware, which can require a Registry edit to fix. The many reports of Vista networking snafus range from the gravest of symptoms — no Internet connectivity at all — to occasional connection drops: * No-Fi when in power-saving MODE. Microsoft acknowledged last year that wireless connections on portable computers running Windows Vista would slow down or disconnect completely when battery management kicks in. The culprit is that, unlike Windows XP, Vista assumes that all wireless routers correctly implement Wi-Fi's power-save protocol. Unfortunately, many access points don't support this spec. The solution? Plug your laptop into an AC outlet or modify the notebook's power-saving plan, as described in Knowledge Base article 928152. * Vista INSISTS on the "broadcast flag." The same skewed reasoning led the wizards of Redmond to another infuriating decision, which Microsoft only belatedly EXPLAINED. You bring home your new Vista computer, or you upgrade your XP system to Vista, only to discover that the machine won't connect to your local network or the Internet. You try everything to fix the problem. You waste hours — days, even — tweaking SETTINGS, plugging and unplugging, resetting, rebooting, and rehashing, but to no avail. The problem? Windows Vista assumes that your router's DHCP server — the one that hands out dynamic IP addresses to computers and other devices on the network — supports the DHCP broadcast flag. Again, many routers don't support this flag. The solution requires a Registry edit to toggle off Vista's broadcast-flag expectations. REFER to the Resolution section of KB article 928233 for step-by-step instructions. * Two network adapters spell trouble. Yet another kind of network malfunction afflicts PCs running Vista or Windows Server 2008 that have more than one network adapter installed. The multiple adapters befuddle the Network Location Awareness service in those OSes. This causes the service to disable Internet access to both adapters and label them as Local only. KB article 947041 explains the problem but provides no solution. The only cure at this time may be to disable one of the network adapters. Thanks, Microsoft. Solutions at the above link

Discussion

886.	Solve : US shuts down 'scareware' sellers?
Answer» "The US government has moved to shut down SELLERS of fake security software. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has won a restraining order that stops several sellers of "scareware" from continuing to trade." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7779223.stm Chris xxI think they are following Microsofts example. Microsoft sues more alleged spammers Excellent news...2 of them are a b to get rid of....About time.Since it's the US government they are probably more interested in COLLECTING unpaid taxes the they are protecting us. Our safety is probably just a side EFFECT of this one.They should throw all those scareware people In jail,(BUT OUR JAILS ARE SO OVERCROWDED!) And these INTERNET scammers are getting really bad, And seem to be Increaseing because of the economy situation. I have a friend that got scamed out of 2 grand on a online thing. I hate con artist, Manpulators, users, brainwashers, and scamers! If Its to good to be true It usually Is! I have always been the type of person that attracts to the Light , not the dark side of things. But I guess thats the way the world works, Good vs Bad, Ying and yang. WHATEVER!!! lolyeah i can see the conversations in jail. "What are you all in for?" "I killed 5 men." "I ran over 10 police officers in cold blood" "I posed as an old lady in order to drain their accounts."" I got $29.95 from 3 1/2 million suckers...."and inevitably, one of those 3 1/2 million suckers would be an inmate.Suckers........ Inmates................ I don't like where this Is going, lol.

Discussion

887.	Solve : December AV-Comparatives Report?
Answer» Quote Comparative results and reports are published online during the following months: March and September: comparative results of on-demand detection of virus/malware June and December: retrospective/proactive test results "The Retrospective test report of November has been released. Go to www.av-comparatives.org, click on Comparatives and select the Report Nr. 20 to read the detailed test results. Many products got lower awards due too many false alarms. Kaspersky took a plunge... Readers should really read the full report to understand the results. http://www.av-comparatives.org/ avast! Professional Edition 4.8 AVG Anti-Virus 8.0 AVIRA AntiVir Premium 8.1 BitDefender Antivirus 11 eScan Anti-Virus 9.0 ESET NOD32 Anti-Virus 3.0 F-Secure Anti-Virus 2009 G DATA AntiVirusKit (AVK) 2009 Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2009 McAfee VirusScan Plus 12.1 Microsoft OneCare 2.5 Norman Antivirus & Anti-Spyware 7.1 Sophos Endpoint Protection 7.5.1 Symantec NORTON Anti-Virus 2009 TrustPort Antivirus Workstation 2.8 VBA32 Scanner for Windows 3.12.8.2Thanx for the update... NOD keeps climbing it seems. Might have to take it around the block to see.I've always liked Nod32. It's my "go-to" online scanner in malware removal. http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/ Especially if I think or see evidence there is illegal software running. It SNIFFS out and removes it I still trust the Kaspersky online scanner also only it doesn't include any removal options.Nod32 is definitely making a legitimate run at the top spot! I've always liked their reviews and testing methods myself... They seem to be the least biased out there.I agree. You will notice that there are a few not on the testing list. Panda being the most notable. This is because they won't let AV Comparatives test their products. A few articles. anti-virus rants: av-comparatives vs panda AV Comparatives tries to beat a PandaFor awhile there were others that were excluded as well... But if you dug deep enough into the material it was always the AV brand that refused...not them. This immediately put them up there on my CREDIBILITY list as being un-biased. The only software they mention on the site is a direct link to the vendors site, no sponsor links. That says about all I need to know right there. Panda shouldn't be so easily offended by whatever it is they did. From what i remember of it Panda originally challenged their testing methods after a so-so review and their Engineers and the Panda Engineers had back and forth bickering that carried on for some time... Last i heard it was in the "i'm rubber...you're glue" stage...Re NOD32: I've used it myself, both the older 2.7 and the new 3.0 (3.0 I used both as the standalone AV, and as the security suite). I was very impressed by v2.7, it's fairly light on resources (COMPARABLE to AVG 7.5 IMO). v3 is a bit heavier, and I ran into some issues - when uninstalling the trial version I was on, the system froze, had to do a hard reset. The firewall was not removed, and because it installed as a networking driver, somehow I couldn't use my network card. I found no way to fix this, and had to reformat. I'd still recommend it though, I can't comment on its actual effectiveness as I didn't run into any viruses whilst using it but it does TEND to get good reviews.

887.

Solve : December AV-Comparatives Report?

Answer»

Quote

Comparative results and reports are published online during the following months:
March and September: comparative results of on-demand detection of virus/malware
June and December: retrospective/proactive test results

"The Retrospective test report of November has been released. Go to www.av-comparatives.org, click on Comparatives and select the Report Nr. 20 to read the detailed test results.

Many products got lower awards due too many false alarms. Kaspersky took a plunge...

Readers should really read the full report to understand the results.

http://www.av-comparatives.org/

avast! Professional Edition 4.8
AVG Anti-Virus 8.0
AVIRA AntiVir Premium 8.1
BitDefender Antivirus 11
eScan Anti-Virus 9.0
ESET NOD32 Anti-Virus 3.0
F-Secure Anti-Virus 2009
G DATA AntiVirusKit (AVK) 2009
Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2009
McAfee VirusScan Plus 12.1
Microsoft OneCare 2.5
Norman Antivirus & Anti-Spyware 7.1
Sophos Endpoint Protection 7.5.1
Symantec NORTON Anti-Virus 2009
TrustPort Antivirus Workstation 2.8
VBA32 Scanner for Windows 3.12.8.2Thanx for the update...
NOD keeps climbing it seems.
Might have to take it around the block to see.I've always liked Nod32. It's my "go-to" online scanner in malware removal. http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/

Especially if I think or see evidence there is illegal software running. It SNIFFS out and removes it

I still trust the Kaspersky online scanner also only it doesn't include any removal options.Nod32 is definitely making a legitimate run at the top spot!

I've always liked their reviews and testing methods myself...
They seem to be the least biased out there.I agree. You will notice that there are a few not on the testing list. Panda being the most notable. This is because they won't let AV Comparatives test their products.

A few articles.
anti-virus rants: av-comparatives vs panda
AV Comparatives tries to beat a PandaFor awhile there were others that were excluded as well...
But if you dug deep enough into the material it was always the AV brand that refused...not them.
This immediately put them up there on my CREDIBILITY list as being un-biased.

The only software they mention on the site is a direct link to the vendors site, no sponsor links. That says about all I need to know right there. Panda shouldn't be so easily offended by whatever it is they did. From what i remember of it Panda originally challenged their testing methods after a so-so review and their Engineers and the Panda Engineers had back and forth bickering that carried on for some time...

Last i heard it was in the "i'm rubber...you're glue" stage...Re NOD32: I've used it myself, both the older 2.7 and the new 3.0 (3.0 I used both as the standalone AV, and as the security suite). I was very impressed by v2.7, it's fairly light on resources (COMPARABLE to AVG 7.5 IMO). v3 is a bit heavier, and I ran into some issues - when uninstalling the trial version I was on, the system froze, had to do a hard reset. The firewall was not removed, and because it installed as a networking driver, somehow I couldn't use my network card. I found no way to fix this, and had to reformat.
I'd still recommend it though, I can't comment on its actual effectiveness as I didn't run into any viruses whilst using it but it does TEND to get good reviews.

Discussion

888.	Solve : Firefox 3.1 Beta 2?
Answer» CLOSER to the final version of the next release. FIREFOX 3.1 Beta 2 Release Notes http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/3.1b2/releasenotes/Heh, I didn't even realize there was an FF 3.1 yet. what are the new features of this beta version?Quote from: chuchu61190 on December 16, 2008, 12:05:47 AM what are the new features of this beta version? Quote from: EVILFANTASY on December 08, 2008, 09:52:21 PM Closer to the final version of the next release. Firefox 3.1 Beta 2 Release Notes http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/3.1b2/releasenotes/ Wish I had the time to TRY out the beta. But I like what I see from the release notes.New FF release today. Mozilla Firefox 3 3.0.5 Mozilla Firefox 3 3.0.5 Mozilla Firefox 2 2.0.0.19

888.

Solve : Firefox 3.1 Beta 2?

Answer» CLOSER to the final version of the next release.

FIREFOX 3.1 Beta 2 Release Notes

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/3.1b2/releasenotes/Heh, I didn't even realize there was an FF 3.1 yet.

what are the new features of this beta version?Quote from: chuchu61190 on December 16, 2008, 12:05:47 AM

what are the new features of this beta version?

Quote from: EVILFANTASY on December 08, 2008, 09:52:21 PM

Closer to the final version of the next release.

Firefox 3.1 Beta 2 Release Notes

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/3.1b2/releasenotes/

Wish I had the time to TRY out the beta. But I like what I see from the release notes.New FF release today. Mozilla Firefox 3 3.0.5

Mozilla Firefox 3 3.0.5

Mozilla Firefox 2 2.0.0.19

Discussion

889.	Solve : Mozilla hastily shoves Firefox updates out door?
Answer» Mozilla has rushed out updates to plug a few critical holes in versions 2 and 3 of its popular open source Firefox BROWSER. Firefox 3.0.5 fixes three critical security flaws in the browser, while 2.0.0.19 stitches four critical vulns. LinkFirefox rules. 2.0.0.19 quickly went to 2.0.0.20. Not sure why, I just noticed the new UPDATE released today. Mozilla Firefox 2 2.0.0.20 http://www.majorgeeks.com/Mozilla_Firefox_2_d285.htmlQuote from: evilfantasy on December 18, 2008, 08:07:30 PM 2.0.0.19 quickly went to 2.0.0.20. Not sure why, I just noticed the new update released today. Mozilla Firefox 2 2.0.0.20 http://www.majorgeeks.com/Mozilla_Firefox_2_d285.html Oops! Mozilla forgets Firefox 2 patch, MUST re-issue update A "clerical error" by Mozilla omitted ONE of the security patches that was supposed to be included in the Windows version of Tuesday's Firefox 2.0.0.19 release, a company executive said Wednesday. LinkOooh, Firefox 3.0.5? Yes Sir!

Discussion

890.	Solve : ABIT closing its doors on December 31st?
Answer» About the time when TweakTown STARTED pumping out technology content, ABIT produced the best motherboards on the MARKET. They always included the very latest in TECHNOLOGIES, they were the first to create a jumperless motherboard and were the PIONEERS of creating the overclocking revolution. Link

Discussion

891.	Solve : Google to store patients' health records?
Answer» I'm a big Google supporter but even this raises concerns with me. I don't think a search Engine needs to keep medical records. --- Google Inc. will begin storing the medical records of a few thousand people as it tests a long-awaited HEALTH service that's likely to raise more concerns about the volume of sensitive information entrusted to the INTERNET search leader. LinkThank you for sharing the informationThe link doesn't appear to work anymore, but it provide this other article: http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2008/12/15/story7.html?ana=from_rss I don't know the whole story, but they make it sound like the records are only from patients who agree to share them and that they can only be accessed by doctors (MUCH like how only realtors can ACCESS special MLS listings). If that's the case, then it doesn't sound like a huge concern to me. But like I said, I don't know the whole story.Looks like a spammer, hijacking old post. But thanks for the updated link for those who may be interested in reading more about this. Apparently a lot of users are in love with this feature, I recall a few months ago seeing a TV show about a woman talking about how helpful it was. However, spammer has been banned, link removed.HA ha, sheesh, I didn't realize that this post was almost a year old. Sorry about that. In any case, I'm glad the spammer has been taken care of.

Discussion

892.	Solve : Serious flaw in Internet Explorer not fixed yet?
Answer» http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11238205?nclick_check=1 SAN FRANCISCO—Users of all current versions of Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer browser might be vulnerable to having their computers hijacked because of a serious security hole in the software that had yet to be fixed Monday. The flaw lets criminals commandeer VICTIMS' machines merely by tricking them into visiting Web sites tainted with malicious programming code. As many as 10,000 sites have been compromised since last week to exploit the browser flaw, according to antivirus software maker Trend Micro Inc. The sites are mostly Chinese and have been serving up programs that steal passwords for computer games, which can be sold for money on the BLACK market. However, the hole is such that it could be "adopted by more financially motivated criminals for more serious mayhem—that's a big fear right now," Paul Ferguson, a Trend Micro security researcher, said Monday. "Zero-day" vulnerabilities like this are security holes that haven't been repaired by the software makers. They're a gold mine for criminals because users have few ways to fight off attacks. The latest vulnerability is noteworthy because Internet Explorer is the default browser for most of the world's computers. Also, while Microsoft says it has detected attacks only against version 7 of Internet Explorer, which is the most widely used edition, the company warned that other versions are also potentially vulnerable. Microsoft said it is investigating the flaw and is considering fixing it through an emergency software patch outside of its normal monthly updates, but declined further comment. The company is telling users to employ a series of complicated workarounds to minimize the threat. Many security experts, meanwhile, are urging Internet Explorer users to use another browser until a patch is released. Microsoft Security Advisory, regarding the above issue: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/961051.mspxWill be interesting to see if Microsoft addresses this issue since they said that the last set of patches was going to be the last patch until the new year. http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/3791581/Microsoft+Set+to+Fix+IE+Zero+Day+Flaw.htm Quote Microsoft is set to release an out of cycle patch for the zero day IE flaw that has left users at risk since Thursday December 11TH when the flaw was first reported. The patch is expected tomorrow and for many users, won't come too soon. The patch is available now. http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS08-dec.mspxInternet Explorer is a glorified UPDATER that happens to be able to browse the web. Mine was WAITING in the System Tray when I started the computer just now so it looks like they have actually pushed out a non-standard automatic update release.I didn't get any notification. I had to check manually.I think with a lot of their patches they seem to be letting those more serious about their security try it out on their computers before pushing it out to everyone. Although that could just be hopeful thinking, maybe it really does just take a lot of time for it to get to all users. I haven't seen it yet either and will probably wait until it's pushed out with the automatic updates since I'm almost exclusively using Firefox now.

Discussion

893.	Solve : Mr. Cleo reports: Windows 7 RTM May Release in September or October 2009?
Answer» YES IRELAND....PEH....

Discussion

894.	Solve : Mr. Cleo reports: Windows 7 RC Gets 36 Changes?
Answer» http://www.techtree.com/India/News/Windows_7_RC_Gets_36_Changes/551-99470-643.html After the overwhelming response to Windows 7 and requests for features from users, Microsoft has finally released the feature LIST of the Windows 7 Release Candidate. This release candidate of Windows 7 is expected to arrive on April 10, 2009, as per Ars Technica. In all, Microsoft's senior program manager, Chaitanya Sareen, outlined 36 changes in the Windows 7 release candidate. Minor changes will give users more control than what they had in the Windows 7 beta. However, Paul Thurrott dismissed these "laundry list of tiny changes, much like the '300+ New Features!' lists that Apple makes every TIME it ships a new version of Mac OS X." Here are a few important changes we'd like to highlight: Windows Flip (Alt+Tab) with Aero Peek The ALT+TAB window feature will be implemented in Aero Peek. Time delay in flipping between and cycling through windows will be displayed in the RESPECTIVE window through Aero Peek. Keyboard shortcut: Windows Logo+ # Keyboard speed and efficiency freaks would love the new keyboard shortcut - Windows Logo KEY + # key. This new shortcut will give you access to the taskbar for launching and switching to a program that is running. Touch-y tweaks This much hyped touch feature in Windows 7 gets some improvements like multi-touch keyboard, drag-n-drop support, and multi-touch right click in the release candidate. Native .mov file support Say adios to QuickTime, for now, Windows 7 RC will allow .mov file playback on the fly. FAT32 support Support for non-removable FAT32 and NTFS hard DRIVES will be added, which was absent in Windows 7 Beta. Several enhancements and performance tweaks have been added in the exhaustive list of changes. We know that the new features are going to disappoint many users (read: testers), but this time Microsoft is taking each step carefully to not repeat past mistakes. Rumors based on insider information indicate the release of Windows 7 RC on April 10, 2009. Let's hope Microsoft has learned its lesson from the Windows 7 beta launch and will be well prepared for the Windows 7 Release Candidate roll-out.

Discussion

895.	Solve : Windows 7 to kill off QuickTime on PCs??
Answer» I'd really be in favor of this feature. MICROSOFT has some good news for movie fans. If you want to watch .mov files in Windows 7, you don't need to INSTALL Apple's QuickTime. Bye, bye annoying SYSTEM tray icon! Adios, Apple update! Linkthank God....that really did get annoying and i couldn't get it to not show up on startup even when i edited the REGISTRY... Windows MIGHT just be free from Apple finally! think i found Fred McMuary and waldo is in the 5 row to the far right...QuickTime Alternative: http://www.free-codecs.com/download/quicktime_alternative.htm

Discussion

896.	Solve : Closing and Locking the lid on Yahoo Briefcase?
Answer» Quote Dear Yahoo! Briefcase user, We will be officially CLOSING Yahoo! Briefcase on March 30, 2009. Until then, we are offering you the OPPORTUNITY to download your files back to your computer. You will need to take action before we close, after which any files remaining on Yahoo! Briefcase will be deleted and no longer accessible. To access your Yahoo! Briefcase ACCOUNT, click the link below: Hmm honestly never used the service. How was it while it was up?I never had issues with it at all... Handy for grabbing Docs and files on the road which is what i mainly used it for.... It was also (shhh) easy to get by the.exe BLOCK so i could move small apps from one location to another. I have so many other options now i won't miss it at all...but it was handy for it's time.

896.

Solve : Closing and Locking the lid on Yahoo Briefcase?

Answer»

Quote

Dear Yahoo! Briefcase user,

We will be officially CLOSING Yahoo! Briefcase on March 30, 2009. Until then, we are offering you the OPPORTUNITY to download your files back to your computer. You will need to take action before we close, after which any files remaining on Yahoo! Briefcase will be deleted and no longer accessible.

To access your Yahoo! Briefcase ACCOUNT, click the link below:

Hmm honestly never used the service. How was it while it was up?I never had issues with it at all...
Handy for grabbing Docs and files on the road which is what i mainly used it for....
It was also (shhh) easy to get by the.exe BLOCK so i could move small apps from one location to another.

I have so many other options now i won't miss it at all...but it was handy for it's time.

Discussion

897.	Solve : Virut on the rise?
Answer» bye any chance evil fantasy is it possible to contract the virus bye going to IRC channel?Possibly. If you visit a page which injects code through your browser then it's completely possible. See here: Under the Hood: Virut. I love the first line. "Virut is a weird freak amongst malware." Oh and an update from the first post. This new version is also infecting every mp3, doc, dll and on and on... should No script stop that?That would be a good start as far as the browser is concerned. Quote from: evilfantasy on February 21, 2009, 07:59:40 PM "Virut is a weird freak amongst malware." That actually isn't 100% true- there have been a few file infecting viruses with IRC and networking capabilities built in- in fact the author of a book studying viruses and how they work had one as an example. Interestingly enough, he submitted all his virus code to anti-malware authors/companies, in the hopes that they would add his virus signatures to prevent anybody doing anything malicious with them- it took most vendors over a year after publication before the AVs were catching them Obviously none have been as widespread.The EXPLOSION of p2p use has a lot to do with how rapid and widespread virus are now. People and antivirus vendors caught on to email/chat attachments pretty fast so many are able to avoid the malware spread through such means. With p2p all it TAKES is uploading the latest cracked version of a hot game, movie or CD to a single host site and it takes off like wild fire throughout the rest of the torrent sites and ultimately to the user.IM is the new horizon for infections.Quote from: patio on February 21, 2009, 11:52:51 PM IM is the new horizon for infections. which brings up an interesting story. yesterday somebody added me to MSN, so I figured, alright, I'll give them a chance. Immediately they sign in and ask for "help with VB" or something, and attach a zip. So I transfer it, unzip it... and it's an EXE file. they claimed it was their visual basic program. Can't REMEMBER exactly what they said was "wrong" with it, but I found a few things interesting when I opened the file with dependency viewer. In that is wasn't dependent on any vb runtime. This was a very strange VB program indeed! additionally viewing the resources revealed some untyped date that looked to be some SORT of executable (in that it started with MZ.) but I decided to play along with them(I didn't run the program I'm just messing with them. great fun)... Them:"Did you open it?" Me:"Yeah. It just opened a command window, and then closed." Me:"hmm. looks like I got infected somehow." Them:"PWNED" Me:"how?" Them:"It was my trojan >" Me:"Oh, it's a good thing I didn't run it then. I kind of figured out it wasn't a VB program like you claimed." Them:"I'm kidding I really need help with C++. Can you run it and check for me" Me:F---- off. (deletes contact) So, all in all, I got some entertainment for a few minutes anyway.Quote from: BC_Programmer on February 22, 2009, 09:29:05 AM Quote from: patio on February 21, 2009, 11:52:51 PM IM is the new horizon for infections. which brings up an interesting story. yesterday somebody added me to MSN, so I figured, alright, I'll give them a chance. Immediately they sign in and ask for "help with VB" or something, and attach a zip. So I transfer it, unzip it... and it's an EXE file. they claimed it was their visual basic program. Can't remember exactly what they said was "wrong" with it, but I found a few things interesting when I opened the file with dependency viewer. In that is wasn't dependent on any vb runtime. This was a very strange VB program indeed! additionally viewing the resources revealed some untyped date that looked to be some sort of executable (in that it started with MZ.) but I decided to play along with them(I didn't run the program I'm just messing with them. great fun)... <Names are changed to protect the innocent> Them:"Did you open it?" Me:"Yeah. It just opened a command window, and then closed." Me:"hmm. looks like I got infected somehow." Them:"PWNED" Me:"how?" Them:"It was my trojan >" Me:"Oh, it's a good thing I didn't run it then. I kind of figured out it wasn't a VB program like you claimed." Them:"I'm kidding I really need help with C++. Can you run it and check for me" Me:F---- off. (deletes contact) So, all in all, I got some entertainment for a few minutes anyway. Lol nice I wish that kind of stuff would happen to me.How do i get a copy of this so called virut? Just want to test one out on my virtual pc. See if i can stop it.Quote from: kizza1645 on February 25, 2009, 02:05:19 AM How do i get a copy of this so called virut? Just want to test one out on my virtual pc. See if i can stop it. see if you can stop it. yeah using your "hacker skills" which probably pretty much END at being able to show hidden files/folders. How would you stop it? There is no feasible attack vector to stop it. If EvilFantasy says a reformat/reinstall is required- your wasting your time.Quote from: BC_Programmer on February 25, 2009, 03:06:48 AM Quote from: kizza1645 on February 25, 2009, 02:05:19 AM How do i get a copy of this so called virut? Just want to test one out on my virtual pc. See if i can stop it. see if you can stop it. yeah using your "hacker skills" which probably pretty much end at being able to show hidden files/folders. How would you stop it? There is no feasible attack vector to stop it. If EvilFantasy says a reformat/reinstall is required- your wasting your time. well i at least want to watch what happens.....Quote from: kizza1645 on February 25, 2009, 11:51:52 PM well i at least want to watch what happens..... See here: Under the Hood: Virut.

897.

Solve : Virut on the rise?

Answer»

bye any chance evil fantasy is it possible to contract the virus bye going to IRC channel?Possibly. If you visit a page which injects code through your browser then it's completely possible.

See here: Under the Hood: Virut. I love the first line. "Virut is a weird freak amongst malware."

Oh and an update from the first post. This new version is also infecting every mp3, doc, dll and on and on... should No script stop that?That would be a good start as far as the browser is concerned. Quote from: evilfantasy on February 21, 2009, 07:59:40 PM

"Virut is a weird freak amongst malware."

That actually isn't 100% true- there have been a few file infecting viruses with IRC and networking capabilities built in- in fact the author of a book studying viruses and how they work had one as an example.

Interestingly enough, he submitted all his virus code to anti-malware authors/companies, in the hopes that they would add his virus signatures to prevent anybody doing anything malicious with them- it took most vendors over a year after publication before the AVs were catching them

Obviously none have been as widespread.The EXPLOSION of p2p use has a lot to do with how rapid and widespread virus are now. People and antivirus vendors caught on to email/chat attachments pretty fast so many are able to avoid the malware spread through such means. With p2p all it TAKES is uploading the latest cracked version of a hot game, movie or CD to a single host site and it takes off like wild fire throughout the rest of the torrent sites and ultimately to the user.IM is the new horizon for infections.Quote from: patio on February 21, 2009, 11:52:51 PM

IM is the new horizon for infections.

which brings up an interesting story.

yesterday somebody added me to MSN, so I figured, alright, I'll give them a chance.

Immediately they sign in and ask for "help with VB" or something, and attach a zip.

So I transfer it, unzip it... and it's an EXE file.

they claimed it was their visual basic program. Can't REMEMBER exactly what they said was "wrong" with it, but I found a few things interesting when I opened the file with dependency viewer.

In that is wasn't dependent on any vb runtime. This was a very strange VB program indeed! additionally viewing the resources revealed some untyped date that looked to be some SORT of executable (in that it started with MZ.)

but I decided to play along with them(I didn't run the program I'm just messing with them. great fun)...

Them:"Did you open it?"

Me:"Yeah. It just opened a command window, and then closed."

Me:"hmm. looks like I got infected somehow."

Them:"PWNED"

Me:"how?"

Them:"It was my trojan >"

Me:"Oh, it's a good thing I didn't run it then. I kind of figured out it wasn't a VB program like you claimed."

Them:"I'm kidding I really need help with C++. Can you run it and check for me"

Me:F---- off.

(deletes contact)

So, all in all, I got some entertainment for a few minutes anyway.Quote from: BC_Programmer on February 22, 2009, 09:29:05 AM

Quote from: patio on February 21, 2009, 11:52:51 PM
IM is the new horizon for infections.

which brings up an interesting story.

yesterday somebody added me to MSN, so I figured, alright, I'll give them a chance.

Immediately they sign in and ask for "help with VB" or something, and attach a zip.

So I transfer it, unzip it... and it's an EXE file.

they claimed it was their visual basic program. Can't remember exactly what they said was "wrong" with it, but I found a few things interesting when I opened the file with dependency viewer.

In that is wasn't dependent on any vb runtime. This was a very strange VB program indeed! additionally viewing the resources revealed some untyped date that looked to be some sort of executable (in that it started with MZ.)

but I decided to play along with them(I didn't run the program I'm just messing with them. great fun)...
<Names are changed to protect the innocent>

Them:"Did you open it?"

Me:"Yeah. It just opened a command window, and then closed."

Me:"hmm. looks like I got infected somehow."

Them:"PWNED"

Me:"how?"

Them:"It was my trojan >"

Me:"Oh, it's a good thing I didn't run it then. I kind of figured out it wasn't a VB program like you claimed."

Them:"I'm kidding I really need help with C++. Can you run it and check for me"

Me:F---- off.

(deletes contact)

So, all in all, I got some entertainment for a few minutes anyway.

Lol nice I wish that kind of stuff would happen to me.How do i get a copy of this so called virut?

Just want to test one out on my virtual pc.
See if i can stop it.Quote from: kizza1645 on February 25, 2009, 02:05:19 AM

How do i get a copy of this so called virut?

Just want to test one out on my virtual pc.
See if i can stop it.

see if you can stop it. yeah using your "hacker skills" which probably pretty much END at being able to show hidden files/folders.

How would you stop it? There is no feasible attack vector to stop it.

If EvilFantasy says a reformat/reinstall is required- your wasting your time.Quote from: BC_Programmer on February 25, 2009, 03:06:48 AM

Quote from: kizza1645 on February 25, 2009, 02:05:19 AM
How do i get a copy of this so called virut?

Just want to test one out on my virtual pc.
See if i can stop it.

see if you can stop it. yeah using your "hacker skills" which probably pretty much end at being able to show hidden files/folders.

How would you stop it? There is no feasible attack vector to stop it.

If EvilFantasy says a reformat/reinstall is required- your wasting your time.

well i at least want to watch what happens.....Quote from: kizza1645 on February 25, 2009, 11:51:52 PM

well i at least want to watch what happens.....

See here: Under the Hood: Virut.

Discussion

898.	Solve : Warner Bros. Recruits Students to Spy on Pirates?
Answer» Warner Bros Entertainment UK is recruiting tech-savvy students to help the COMPANY with their anti-piracy efforts. During the 12 month internship the students will have to maintain ACCOUNTS at private BITTORRENT sites, develop link-scanning bots, MAKE trap purchases and perform various other anti-piracy tasks. Link lol, pay money to some student to do something illegal to prevent something illegal! Quote from: Azzaboi on March 29, 2010, 01:08:04 PM lol, pay money to some student to do something illegal to prevent something illegal! Think about undercover cops. They purchase illegal drugs so they can BUST the dealers.

898.

Solve : Warner Bros. Recruits Students to Spy on Pirates?

Answer»

Warner Bros Entertainment UK is recruiting tech-savvy students to help the COMPANY with their anti-piracy efforts. During the 12 month internship the students will have to maintain ACCOUNTS at private BITTORRENT sites, develop link-scanning bots, MAKE trap purchases and perform various other anti-piracy tasks.

Link
lol, pay money to some student to do something illegal to prevent something illegal! Quote from: Azzaboi on March 29, 2010, 01:08:04 PM

lol, pay money to some student to do something illegal to prevent something illegal!

Think about undercover cops. They purchase illegal drugs so they can BUST the dealers.

Discussion

899.	Solve : AP Exclusive: `Smart' meters have security holes?
Answer» Computer-security researchers say new "smart" meters that are designed to help deliver electricity more efficiently also have flaws that could let HACKERS tamper with the power grid in previously impossible ways. At the very least, the vulnerabilities open the door for attackers to jack up strangers' power BILLS. These flaws also could GET hackers a key step closer to EXPLOITING one of the most dangerous capabilities of the new technology, which is the ability to remotely turn someone ELSE's power on and off. Link

Discussion

900.	Solve : AVG offers Free bootable scanner?
Answer» GRAB it Here...

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