The Technofundie

Bing

2009-06-01T17:03:00.000-07:00

I just started trying this new bing/kumo search engine (which is
in preview mode now). On the first page it looks a lot like Yahoo but it does look better than Google. Like Yahoo it has a Sponsored sites section. Unlike Yahoo on the left hand side it displays your search history which you can clear or turn off.
On the top menu if you click images, look on the left hand side you will see the following
+ SIZE
+ LAYOUT
+ COLOR
+ STYLE
+ PEOPLE

Just click on any one of these. SIZE gives you 5 options: all, small, medium, large, and wallpaper;
LAYOUT gives you 3 options: square, wide and tall.
COLOR gives you 2 options: color and black & white;
STYLE gives you 2 options: photograph and illustration
PEOPLE gives you 3 options: just faces, head & shoulders, and other.

Under Videos on the left hand side you can choose to display results that are a specified length, screen size, resolution, or from a specified source (msn, mtv, youtube, dailymotion, yahoo!).

Now this is my favorite. Click on
maps. With bing maps you can get
see a clear photograph in Bird's eye view of your own house. Google doesn't have that. Only a few landmarks have photographs (I don't know why that is). I don't think you'll have worry about privacy concerns. The photos are not updated and I can tell that the photo was taken weeks or months ago based on details of the photo.

Bing

Windows Vista Service Pack 2

2009-05-26T21:41:00.000-07:00

Today is the day SP 2 is available to Vista users. I am right now installing it. I sure hope this one is better than the last Service Pack. I had to find a program that would remove the virus that was hijacking the windows update site. I finally found one called Superantispyware - I know it sounds cheesy but it works. The only advice I would give on using it is if you have the same problem I had and the Superantispyware program finds DNS-Changer, do not restart your computer. Just check update.microsoft.com on internet explorer and you should be able to download updates again.

Good bye bulky cooling fans ?

2009-05-18T21:57:00.000-07:00

Now this is something I'm looking forward to. A quieter laptop. It looks though we will have to be wait a while.

News Source

Dell has issue with Windows 7 price

2009-05-18T21:26:00.000-07:00

Ok. Windows 7 is not even out on the market yet and Dell has a problem with the proposed price of Windows 7? Why should that even be an issue? I don't think most consumers are really that concerned about the price as they usually buy computers with operating system already included in the price. It's really a non-issue in my opinion.

News Source

The Perfect Laptop OS?

2009-05-08T20:32:00.000-07:00

While perusing pcworld.com today I found a review of an alternative OS (only for laptops) to Windows called HyperSpace. What I find interesting about this is that it didn't say that it is a Linux based OS. Since it is, why do they charge people for it?
If you want an Linux OS for your laptop you can get a decent one from ubuntu.com.

Here's the link to the article if you are interested however.
HyperSpace

Consumer Reports: Mac vs. PC

2009-05-05T19:59:00.000-07:00

Consumer Reports recently came out with a report on the difference in price and performance with Apple MacBooks and Windows PCs. Why is it Windows vs
Mac when even MacBooks could have Windows installed on them? Since they were testing MacBooks (which are laptops) the competition should be referred to as PC Laptops/Notebooks/whatever. The report said that Mac runs better then Windows - which is true (btw Windows runs better on a Mac then on a PC - Dell, HP). Microsoft even sells software for Macs. Microsoft is not as competitive with Apple as people think. So then why is Microsoft telling people that PCs are cheaper? Because they are cheaper. It doesn't matter to Microsoft whether the computer is a PC or a Mac as long their software is on it. But if PCs cost less it means consumers can spend more on Microsoft products.
Compare Prices of competing OSes below.
apple.com store - Mac OS x v10.5.6 Leopard $129
microsoft.com store - Windows Vista Home Basic with SP1 $199.95
Windows Vista does cost more then the latest Mac OS but not much more. Mac hardware is more expensive then PC hardware. People who have the money to buy Macs by them but in a poor economy such as this one PCs will always do better in sales.

I'd like to see a report on Apple versus IBM or instead of Apple MacBooks vs. Windows PCs, Apple MacBooks vs Linux PCs.

News Link

Microsoft will still sell Vista

2009-05-04T18:33:00.000-07:00

Microsoft will still be selling Vista after Windows 7 is out at least until January 2011. The question I have is "Why?". I can understand offering support for Vista till then but to actually continue producing and selling it especially when it is one of the least popular Operating Systems ever by Microsoft. Aren't they afraid they will end up with a Net Loss if they continue selling it? Please just give us Vista users Windows Updates and any Tecnical support (not that I need it) and that's it. We'll switch over to Windows 7 when Vista no longer can satisfy our technical needs.

News Source

Wi-fi for streaming HD video

2009-04-30T19:47:00.000-07:00

Sometime later this year, Quantenna Communications will start selling a new more powerful chipset for wireless routers which will provide a reliable way of streaming high definition videos through a connection with double the range and bandwith. You will need a laptop with Wireless N technology though.

News Source

AMD not making dual core server processors any more

2009-04-29T00:10:00.000-07:00

If you are in a small or medium sized business that's looking for an AMD dual core processor for servers there is some good and some not so good news. The not so good news is that you could still get a dual core server processor but not from AMD directly, which means those buy directly from AMD to sell them at retail will likely be cutting prices significantly. The really good news though is that some of the quad core Opteron processors which give your pc much more power any ways have been reduced in process by nearly 43% (Quad-Core AMD Opteron 2374 HE). Most big businesses today need servers that run faster and dual core chips don't meet those needs. A processor that can do more tasks simultaneously is also more secure, more energy efficient and less costly in the long run.

Here is the price list for AMD processors

News Source

Windows 7 Release Candidate

2009-04-28T19:54:00.000-07:00

Mark this on your calendar. May 5th is when Microsoft realeases the first release candidate of Windows 7. I just wish I didn't have to download it. My download transfer rate is too slow for something that big.

Here's some screen shots

28 nm

2009-04-17T22:00:00.000-07:00

28 nm. That's right, IBM is doing it again (along with Samsung,
Singapore's Chartered, the recently-spun-off-from-AMD Globalfoundries, Germany's Infineon, and Switzerland's STMicroelectronics) - together known as the IBM Technology Alliance. What this means is faster processing speeds and longer battery life than the previous 32 nm process.
Read Story Here or Here

The only question now is. Will Intel still be able to get their 22 nm process
(see Intel story) technology completed and on the market before the ITA gets the 28 nm ready?

Don't Forget to Check Windows Update

2009-04-14T20:27:00.000-07:00

I almost forgot to check Windows Update on my computer today. I checked and noticed I had 6 updates to install (5 were important). It's been 6 months since the last security updates and today (April 14) is the day Microsoft gives Windows users the latest updates. Some of the ones listed below I didn't get so I didn't need to install. I use Windows Vista.

MS09-009 - addresses a vulnerability in Microsoft Office (KB 968557)

MS09-010 - addresses a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office (KB 960477)

MS09-011 - addresses a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows (KB 961373)

MS09-012 - addresses a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows (KB 959454)

MS09-013 - addresses a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows (KB 960803)

MS09-014 - addresses a vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer (KB 963027)

MS09-015 - addresses a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows (KB 959426)

MS09-016 - addresses a vulnerability in Microsoft ISA Server (KB 961759)

Conficker infects University of Utah network

2009-04-13T16:37:00.000-07:00

Conficker infected about 800 computers at the University of Utah possibly through an infected removable USB device last week.
A spokesman with the university's school of health sciences (it was only health and medical computers that were infected) said that IT personnel believe that no data was stolen as a result of the infection. "We think we caught it early". The university does post tips on curing Conficker worms but I have to ask Don't they have a policy requiring students and staff to scan usb devices for worms and viruses?. If they had preventative measures in place this wouldn't have happened. There are even secure USB devices with AES (up to 256-bit) encryption and password protection students can buy. This should be mandatory in every school.

Visa Credit Card Phone

2009-04-10T19:18:00.000-07:00

This could be number one on list of least secure things to make your life easier. Visa has just introduced a credit on a Phone. what this is is a sticker equipped with a radio frequency identification (R.F.I.D) tag
that lets you wave the phone over a terminal when you want to buy something. The problem is any one with advanced knowledge of technology knows that RFID is easily hacked. I won't be surprised if there is an increase in the number of cancelled credit card numbers because some technologically savvy thief has been using their credit card information online. The only way to prevent this would be if people were checked by security for RFID readers. Unfortunately there is a price to pay for convenience.

BitTorrent

2009-04-09T17:17:00.000-07:00

Even though BitTorrent has been around for several years, the news about the bootleg or BitTorrent release of the movie Wolverine which is yet to be released in theaters has given it worldwide attention on and off the net. For those who have never used this here is the site where one can download the software http://www.bittorrent.com/. Personally I've never had a need to use it but there are over 160, 000, 000 clients worldwide who use it because it is "the global standard for delivering high-quality files over the internet" or so it says on their site http://www.bittorrent.com/btusers/what-is-bittorrent. BitTorrent is perfectly legal like many things on the internet but there are those who will use it illegally. Does this mean that BitTorrent Technology is partially responsible. Should they be searching the internet for bootlegs such as Wolverine and telling the webmasters/administrators to take them off? Or should they report what they find to the FBI so it doesn't like they permit this kind of activity? I don't think this will hurt the movie industry - a movie like Wolverine is your typical summer action movie and is meant to be seen on a big screen not your LCD monitor - It might hurt a movie like Bruno though.

How to know if you are infected with Conficker

2009-04-02T16:33:00.000-07:00

If you want to know a quick and easy way to know if you are infected with the conficker virus
click on this link Conficker Eye Chart.
There is no software to install or run. Please do your homework before clicking on "free scan" from sites like StopSign.com. I don't necessarily endorse the advertisers in the Google ads next to this post or anywhere on this page.

Apple for PC Users: Wireless Networking

2009-03-30T19:32:00.000-07:00

You don't need to be a Mac user to use an Apple Wi-Fi base station.
Apple offers three choices in Wi-Fi base stations (802.11n) for both Mac and
PC users who want to wirelessly connect with other users in a network.

Airport Express

Numbers of users: max. 10
USB port: For printers only
You can stream iTunes to external speakers with this
You can take it with you.
For use in apartment, smaller home, or dorm
Price $99

Airport Extreme

Numbers of users: max. 50
USB port: For printers and external hard drive
For use in larger home, office or classroom
Price: $179

Time Capsule

Numbers of users: max. 50
USB port: For printers and external hard drive
500 GB or 1 TB wireless storage
Price: $299 (500GB), $499 (1TB)
Great for backing up data

http://www.apple.com/wifi/

Worried about the April Fools Virus?

2009-03-27T21:23:00.000-07:00

We have been hearing in the news lately about the threat of the virus or worm known as "conficker" or "Downadup". The latest is set to be released in April 1st (very soon). Whether this will happen or not everybody, especially those who run Windows XP, Vista or even Windows 7 beta should have an Antivirus Program installed and running. Don't depend on Windows Defender or Windows Firewall to defend your system against attacks. Even Microsoft recommends antivirus programs from third parties.
See link below. My personal recommendation is one that I have used for years and that is PCSecurityShield Shield Deluxe. Also always remember to do a virus scan for every file you download before you open that file. Other things you should or can do is make sure your firewall is turned on (The Windows Firewall) and disable Remote Assistance (In Vista you can simply right-click on Computer (or left-click if you're left-handed mouse user), click Properties, click Remote Settings and in the dialog box that comes up uncheck the box with the check mark beside Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer and click Apply. The best prevention however is simply to not be connected at all. On Wednesday I won't even be using my computer because I always take Wednesday's off from computer use.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/antivirus-partners/windows-xp.aspx

Windows Vulnerabilities: MWS for UNIX

2009-03-26T18:50:00.000-07:00

No surprise here. Why would you even try to make Windows work with UNIX?

From http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/34258

Vulnerable:

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit edition 0
Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit edition 0
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate
Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise
Microsoft Windows Services for UNIX 3.5
Microsoft Windows Services for UNIX 3.0 Standard Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition 0
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter 0
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition 0
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Datacenter Edition 0

USB 3.0 in 2010

2009-03-16T12:54:00.000-07:00

The wait is almost over. 10 years from the day USB 2.0 released (I can still remember the day I bought a USB 2.0 port card to upgrade my computer that didn't have USB ports. This one promises to not only be faster at 5 Gbps but will make Firewire 800 which is faster than USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) and eSATA obsolete. It also supports full-duplex data transfers (2.0 only supports half-duplex) which means you will be able to upload and download simultaneously. You won't need to wait for all files to finish to downloading from one location before you can upload files to another location. The downside of this is you will have to either buy a new computer that has USB 3.0 ports or buy a USB port pci express card (not the old pci) for your current computer. A USB 3.0 flash drive for example will run at slower USB 2.0 speeds in a USB port. While most people won't need USB 3.0 if you have large amounts of data to transfer or you like to download movies it will significantly decrease wait times.

Internet Explorer 8 Preview Review

2009-02-27T11:27:00.000-08:00

I recently downloaded the Internet Explorer 8 Preview and so far it looks good for a microsoft browser although there is not much different here then in the previous Internet Explorer. In the tools tab there are some new things like Smartscreen filter which replace the phishing filter that was extremely slow and made me one to just use Mozilla Firefox which I still favor although Apple's Safari is becoming a favorite because of its speed advantage - pages open much faster than in Firefox and Internet Explorer. Other than that from a business viewpoint this is good for Microsoft.

Shortcuts

2009-01-26T12:39:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been frustrated with trying find things on Windows Vista? There is an easier way.

Keyboard Shortcut
1. Go to your start button and click on it.
2. Just above it there is a text box called Start Search
3. To find the Device Manager all you have to do is type "Dev Man" and Press Enter.

You can also create a Desktop Shortcut
1. Click Start
2. Click Control Panel
3. Click Classic View
4. Right Click on Device Manager (2nd Row First icon)
5. Select and click on Create Shortcut.

IPv6

2009-01-21T13:55:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been reading a book called Windows Server 2008 Unleashed. I'm not a fan of Windows operating systems but it does explain a lot about the internet. One subject it discusses is IPv6. Unlike IPv4 which can only provide just over 4 Billion unique internet addresses and is only 32 -bit, IPv6 (which is in Windows Server 20o8 by default) provides over 340 Trillion Trillion Trillion unique addresses (It is able to do this because it is 128-bit. When you consider the number of people on the planet this is more than enough for every person. This means that one person can connect to the internet through many devices. There isn't the possibility of running out of room. One question I have though. Why did they call it IPv6 and not IPv5? Do they like skipping numbers...like school grades for example?