Archive for November, 2007
Updated version of Microsoft SyncToy
Two years ago, Microsoft added SyncToy to its PowerToys collection. It has now been updated to version 2. The tool is designed to keep the contents of two different folders synchronized. It is useful as a folder backup or for using a thumb drive to keep the contents of folders on different computers the same. [...]
IE7Pro add-on for Internet Explorer 7
As I have said before, one big advantage for the Firefox browser is all the free extensions that can be added. For example, there are excellent controls for configuring scripting and for blocking obnoxious ads. Internet Explorer has far fewer useful free add-ons but I have been trying one for a few weeks that I [...]
Google removes malware sites
As previously posted, crafty hackers were seeding malware sites into the results of searches on the major services. InformationWeek reports that Google has cleaned these out:
In response to a concerted effort by cybercriminals to infect the computers of Google (NSDQ: GOOG) users with malware and make them unwitting partners in crime, Google apparently has [...]
Kindle buzz
While it hasn’t quite reached the media frenzy that accompanied the iPhone, the discussion about Amazon’s new ebook reader is a big item in the media. Some of it may be the relief by professional writers hoping that people may actually be reading books for a change but on the whole Kindle sounds interesting. It [...]
Alternatives to Microsoft Office
For what many people do, Office is not only very expensive but overkill. Sure, Office has a raft of features but how many do you use? In fact, how many do you even know about? Do you use spread sheets with pivot points? There are some alternatives to Office that will cost you a lot [...]
More help with holiday shopping
Steve Bass has a suggestion for getting help with holiday shopping. He recommends Retrevo. I haven’t had time to check the service out personally but Bass writes:
With every search, Retrevo grabs information from blogs, forums, reviewers, and manufacturers, and gives me a quick overview in one easy-to-read panel. At a single glance I can get [...]
Malware plants in search results
The bad guys have another stratagem up their sleeves. ZDNet reports that hackers are planting links to malware so that they turn up in Google searches:
For the last two days, security software firm Sunbelt Software has been all over what could develop into a scary trend: Rigged Google search results that deliver big malware payloads.
Be [...]
Google Maps add new layer
Google keeps building on Google Maps and now it has added a “Terrain” button that hikers, climbers, and nature lovers will enjoy. Details are at this link. Here is a partial description:
Today we’re releasing Terrain maps to help highlight this natural beauty even more. These maps focus on physical features such as mountains, valleys, and [...]
Searching for product reviews
Holiday shopping time is here but before you buy that gizmo you might want to see what others think about it. A post at Lockergnome points out a site called Summize that is a search engine just for product reviews.
Whether this narrowly focused search engine is more efficient at finding reviews than a general [...]
QuickTime Security hole – again
A serious security flaw is being reported for the QuickTime player yet again. No fix is available as of this posting. Personally, I would disable it if I had it. This is one buggy piece of software. Don’t let it connect to the Internet. If you have an outbound firewall, block it. Greg Keizer writes [...]
Suite of applications from Sysinternals
I often mention the many useful free applications for system administration that Sysinternals creates. Many of the troubleshooting utilities have now been bundled in a suite. Many of these are quite specialized and not generally useful to the home PC user but many others like Autoruns are worth having by almost anybody. Go here [...]
