Archive for July, 2006
Sysinternals site is back
After being unavailable following the announcement that Microsoft has bought them, the Sysinternals site is functioning again (as of this writing). My advice is to go over to the free utilities page and download anything that looks like you might use it. These useful programs may not be available for long.
The WGA mess (continued)
The Microsoft spyware that they call Windows Genuine Advantage (the advantage is to Microsoft, not the user) continues to cause problems. Go here for some more examples.
Note that I used the term “spyware” to describe the WGA tool. If you think that’s too strong, read Brian Livingston at Windows Secrets who says, “Genuine Advantage is [...]
Comparing Firefox 2, IE 7, and Opera 9
Extreme Tech has an extensive review of the latest versions of the two mainstream browsers Firefox and Internet Explorer, as well as of the well-regarded Opera. This review is the most comprehensive that I have seen to date. Which browser does Extreme Tech prefer? The article doesn’t really say but I think it’s Opera
Users will [...]
Update your Flash player
Adobe (Macromedia) Flash is ubiquitous on the Web. Many sites have banners and other types of ads that use it. It is also used to make multimedia presentations. I use it extensively in creating educational material. Most browsers come with a plug-in or add-on to play Flash. Periodically, security holes are found in the player [...]
Windows on Mac
Desktop Pipeline reports
Parallels Inc. on Tuesday said it has started selling its software for running Windows on Apple Computer Inc.’s Intel Macs at major retailers.
The Herndon, Va., company’s Desktop for Mac virtualization software will be sold at Apple’s retail stores across the nation, as well as CompUSA, Staples, Office Depot, Fry’s Electronics and Amazon.com. The [...]
Can you tell a phish?
Phishing is now the number one security problem on the Internet. If you follow the rule to never click on links in email, you’ll avoid most of the problems. If you also block HTML graphics in email, that is even better. Responsible banks and financial institutions do not ask for sensitive information in emails. Neither [...]
Microsoft buys Sysinternals
For years, one of my favorite places to go for very useful free utilities was Sysinternals.com. Mark Russinovitch and Bryce Cogswell provided all sorts of nice little programs for system administration and management as well as commercial programs. Both are real experts on the inner workings of the various versions of Windows. Russinovitch has [...]
Beware Unexpected PowerPoint Files
If it’s not one thing, it’s another. This time it’s Powerpoint that has a security problem. The details can be read at eWeek. There’s no workaround at the moment.
Microsoft on July 17 released a security advisory with a terse message: Do not open or save unexpected Microsoft Office files, even if they come unexpectedly from [...]
Selecting text vertically in Microsoft Word
I probably use about 1% of all the features that come with Microsoft Word and I don’t usually post tips on its use. However, here is one that is too good not to pass along. I found it at TechRepublic (requires a login).
Techniques for selecting or highlighting text horizontally or in blocks are well-known. But [...]
Keeping up with Google
Every time I turn around, Google has something new and I can’t always keep up with the constant activity. Fortunately, there is somebody who is keeping track for the rest of us. My SeniorNet colleague Joel May has a Web page, All Things Google, where he has gathered all the information that will keep you [...]
Send to: an overlooked Windows function
It’s been part of Windows for years and may be old hat to some but the “Send to” function in the right-click context menu doesn’t get the use that it ought to. It’s a way to add functionality for any file or folder. Over the years, I have written about it more than once but [...]