Archive for May, 2008
Freeware site
Tech Support Alert has always been an excellent source for learning about the best freeware and the site now has a new look. There are also articles and guides on various computer topics.
Break for travel
I will be traveling for a few days. The next post will be on Monday.
Manual for AVG anti-virus
As I previously noted, the free anti-virus product AVG has been upgraded to version 8.0. This version has more features and, if you would like some information and instruction, there is a manual that can be downloaded at this link. It’s a 2.7 MB PDF.
Via The Blade
Microsoft malware tips
The Microsoft site has many pages with computing tips. Some are very elementary and not very useful but there are also some helpful ones. Among these is the article Computer viruses: description, prevention, and recovery. It includes a list of possible symptoms of a virus infection. (The term “virus” is used here to denote malware [...]
Microsoft reaches for the sky (redux)
In a previous post, I noted that Microsoft had announced that it was going to introduce software that would compete with Google Sky. The software is now available and Search Engine Land says:
Microsoft has launched (an appropriate metaphor this time) its Worldwide Telescope desktop application. You must download the software, but then you’re treated [...]
Microsoft tries to block Linux on low cost PCs
For developing countries and even in the US, there have recently been a number of low-cost PCs being offered. Because it is free, some version of Linux was initially the operating system being used. Microsoft reacted by first doing its best to throw cold water on the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) project and is [...]
New type of search at Wikipedia
A small company called Powerset is developing a form of what is called “semantic” search. Semantic search involves not just words and phrases but the actual meaning of the search terms. A beta search facility from Powerset is now being used at Wikipedia. There are always rumors about Microsoft buying things these days and one [...]
Windows in your car
And I don’t mean the kind that roll down, that’s Microsoft Windows I refer to. Microsoft is not content to monopolize just your computer. It wants Windows everywhere, including your car. Mike Elgan writes:
Microsoft wants to turn your car into a Windows machine (please, no “crash” jokes). And Microsoft isn’t alone. In-dash “infotainment,” emergency and [...]
Windows XP service pack 3 installed
I installed Windows XP SP3 on my desktop yesterday without event. It took 23 minutes on a fast machine. However, I don’t have any of the components that have been reported to cause trouble and I have a pretty clean system. Your experience may vary. This service pack is mostly a rollup of previous patches [...]
Botnet map
Speaking of botnets, go to What a Botnet Looks Like to see a mapped representation. Here’s the description:
Researcher David Vorel mapped interconnected, bot-infected IP addresses and created this geometric representation; CSO contributor Scott Berinato annotated the map and added interactive controls so you can zoom in and explore botnets’ inner workings.
Botnets overload us with spam
If you ever wonder where all that spam gets mailed out, the answer is botnets. These networks of zombie computers account for most spam. According to a report described at PC World, one botnet using a Trojan called Srizbi is responsible for half of all spam:
Joe Stewart, director at US consultancy Secure Works, said [...]
