Archive for April, 2009
Ever increasing storage capacity
The constant increase in the capabilities of computers is one of the phenomena of the modern technological world. Everyone is probably familiar with the increases in computing power but another area that has seen huge increases is in data storage. The first hard drive held 5 MB and cost $50,000. It had the size of [...]
Advance for quantum computing
Computers using quantum mechanical systems offer enormous promise but are still a long way from practical use. Another step forward in realizing the potential has been announced:
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have demonstrated a technique for efficiently suppressing errors in quantum computers. The advance could eventually make it [...]
Linux and the average PC user
Following up on the preceding post, I’d like to point out Adrian Kingsley-Hughes’ ZDNet post, The state of Linux – Is it ready for the “average” user? He concludes that it is easy enough and probably worthwhile for many PC users to give Linux a try. He also concludes:
That said, I don’t think that Linux [...]
Latest version of Ubuntu Linux
Most home PC users won’t care but Ubuntu Linux is out in its latest version, “Jaunty Jackalope”. I mention it because the developers keep making it better and there is always the prospect that some home users might want to try it. Reviews are very good. For example, CNET says:
Here’s what the official press release [...]
Some Windows 7 versions allow virtualized XP
Microsoft has revealed that Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate versions will come with the ability to run Windows XP in a virtual mode:
Windows XP Mode is specifically designed to help small businesses move to Windows 7. Windows XP Mode provides you with the flexibility to run many older productivity applications on a Windows 7 [...]
Big botnet discovered
PC World reports:
Criminals have built a massive “botnet” network of hacked computers that has infected an estimated 1.9 million computers worldwide, including systems within U.S. and U.K. government networks, security vendor Finjan reported Tuesday.
A group of six criminals has run the operation since February, controlling the botnet from a server located in the Ukraine, Finjan [...]
Windows Vista SP2 coming soon?
The Windows Club says service pack 2 for Windows Vista should probably be out in early May.
Web browser reviews
The majority of home PC users don’t bother with any browser except the Internet Explorer (IE) that comes bundled with Windows. Personally, I think this is a mistake but inertia is a powerful ally for Microsoft. I have often mentioned Firefox as my own choice but there are also some other good alternatives to IE. [...]
Quick way to configure Windows user accounts
If you want to add/modify a user account or change a user password in Windows, you can go the long way through Control Panel or you can take a shortcut. In Windows XP, go to Start-Run and enter
control userpasswords2
In Windows Vista, enter the same command in Start Search.
Does Windows matter anymore?
At ZDNet, Jason Hiner (Editor in Chief of TechRepublic) opines that we have reached a time when Windows or whatever operating system (OS) is used is becoming irrelevant. It’s the Web that matters. He concludes:
Twenty years ago, we thought the computer was the revolution, but it wasn’t. The advent of the Internet – and the [...]
Gmail hack?
Windows Secrets is reporting that an unpatched security hole is allowing Gmail accounts to be hacked:
Exploits allowing hackers to break into Gmail accounts are likely to occur, if they’re not already circulating, after security researchers released details of a hole that Google has reportedly declined to patch.
The article goes on to describe methods for protecting [...]