Links for 2006-01-27 [del.icio.us]
- How to use BitTorrent to send files | Poromenos' Stuff
Interesting Tutorial on using BitTorrent to send files.
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How to secure Firefox, Internet Explorer, Konqueror, Mozilla, Netscape, Opera and Safari
CERT (Computer Emergency Readiness Team) has a nice article on Securing Your Web Browser. The guide is designed for people without IT support but is a useful for corporate IT as well.
There are 5 sections:
- Why Secure Your Web Browser?
- Understanding Web Browser Features
- Vulnerabilities and Attack Vectors
- How to Secure Your Web Browser - This coveres IE, Firefox, Opera, Safari and other major browsers
- Keeping Your Computer Secure
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Stanford on iTunes
Forbes is reporting that Stanford University is making a deal with Apple to provide audio content through iTunes. These would be lectures, speeches and other campus events. The new service is called Stanford on iTunes.
While I applaud their efforts I don't like that their conent is only available via iTunes. If they want to make if free to the public why not just post the RSS feed and let us enjoy?
Not only that but, from their FAQ:
"The tracks offered in Stanford on iTunes are kept apart from the content on the main
iTunes Music Store. Thus, you will not be able to access Stanford on iTunes directly without
first visiting itunes.stanford.edu."
"The tracks offered in Stanford on iTunes are kept apart from the content on the main
iTunes Music Store. Thus, you will not be able to access Stanford on iTunes directly without
first visiting itunes.stanford.edu."
Wouldn't want just anyone stumbling across educational content. And, oh yeah, m4a format so I have an extra step to do to get it to mp3.
Update: Poking around Standford's site I did find that they have a series of guest lecturers from their Technology Ventures Program that are available as podcasts. You can sign up using iTunes or whatever client you like here: Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders. Subscribed.
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Google and third party cookies
There's news out there that Google is setting third party cookies. Further investigations have shown that it isn't Google it's Firefox! See the deal is that Firefox uses prefetching. So when you do a Google search Firefox uses idle time to prefetch the top links in an effort to help speed your browsing. This might result in you getting cooking for sites you didn't go to. This stuff freaks people out.
Here are a few Firefox tips on the subject of cookies.
Delete cookies when you are done:
Go to Tools -> Options -> Privacy tab -> Cookies
Check "Allow sites to set cookies"
In the Keep Cookies drop down, change the selection to "until I exit Firefox"
Check "Allow sites to set cookies"
In the Keep Cookies drop down, change the selection to "until I exit Firefox"
This lets you have cookies and not leave a trail when you are done. Now if you revisit sites often and would like to keep cookies for those sites then click the "Exceptions" button on that page and enter the Address of the web sites and click "Allow".
Turn Prefetch off:
If this prefetch business has you paranoid you can disable it.
In the Firefox address bar type "about:config"
Look for a line called "network.prefetch-next"
Double click on the line to toggle it to "False"
Restart Firefox
Look for a line called "network.prefetch-next"
Double click on the line to toggle it to "False"
Restart Firefox
Additional articles:
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Links for 2006-01-24 [del.icio.us]
- BigBlueBall - Connect Google Talk to AIM, MSN, & Yahoo
use Google Talk to connect to your friends on AIM, MSN, Yahoo or ICQ - Help Your TV Make the Most of Every Signal
This article offers tips on how to get the best-looking picture for all of your video sources.
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Overhauled: Google Desktop Search Help, Tips and Tricks
I've just uploaded a huge update to my Google Desktop Tips page. I've redesigned the site with a new layout and have updated all the links.
The site hadn't been updated in a long time and now reflects the new features since version 2.0.
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Links for 2006-01-20 [del.icio.us]
- WinMine Toolkit Home Page
The WinMine Toolkit is a set of tools for Windows 2000/NT/XP that allow you to build statistical models from data.
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Microsoft GroupShot
Microsoft Research has a curious new app called GroupShot. The idea is that if you've got several pictures taken from the same angle you can mix and match the best bits to form one good image. It is easier explained by looking at their GroupShot Screenshots.
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Cool Calendar Maker
LifeHacker points to an interesting little free app for Macs called HappyNewYear! It lets you drag and drop a few of your images and print out a calendar that fits into a CD jewel case. Might be a fun gift for friends and family.
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Links for 2006-01-19 [del.icio.us]
- FreeNAS: The Free NAS Server
FreeNAS is a small Operating System based on FreeBSD 6 that provide Free Network-Attached Storage services (CIFS, FTP and NFS).
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Headed to Pluto
New Horizons...We're GO!
2:00:00PM EST today
Mission Milestones
February 2007 Jupiter gravity assist
March 2007 - June 2015 Interplanetary cruise
July 2015 Pluto-Charon encounter
2016-2020 Kuiper Belt objects encounter
February 2007 Jupiter gravity assist
March 2007 - June 2015 Interplanetary cruise
July 2015 Pluto-Charon encounter
2016-2020 Kuiper Belt objects encounter
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Links for 2006-01-17 [del.icio.us]
- Amazon Search Tool
Woah...very cool! It's a search tool that works in Mozilla browsers only. Go to the page and you have a very nice interface for searching Amazon. Lets you choose, preview, read reviews and add to cart. Actually it's pretty brilliant because it totally
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The Olympics via RSS
Follow all the Torino Olympic action vis RSS! NBC has set up several feeds so you can follow all of your favorite sports.via: Teknokool
New Horizons Set to go
New Horizons is set to launch tomorrow, 1/17/06, atop an Atlas V. The mission is to Pluto, its moon Charon and the Kuiper belt.
Count down starts at 11am EST with a lunch window of 1:24 p.m. to 3:23 p.m. EST.
ETA to Pluto...2015
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Use any page on your mobile via Google
Google has a new page (http://www.google.com/gwt/n) you can go to with you mobile phone or other small screen device and put in a URL that you want to go to and it will do it's best to strip out what it can to make it visible on your device. You can also choose whether you want to see images or not.
You can also build your own URL's. For example,
My blog without images:
My blog with images:
via InsideGoogle
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Flight Search Engine
dohop is an new flight search engine. It is supposed to let you search low-cost and regulary air carriers together. It isn't a booking service just a way to find flights.
I did a quick search just to try it and it looks pretty cool. The company is based in Iceland which by itself is interesting to me. They started out with European flights but I tried San Diego to Phoenix and it returned results so it is international now. The default currency is Euro but there is a widget at the top of the screen that you just select your own currency and the screen updates in real time.
I think I'm going to start with this next time I travel.
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Thunderbird 1.5 Released
Mozillazine reports:Thunderbird 1.5 Released
This one I haven't been trying yet. I ran Firefox for a long time during the beta cycle. Looks like it has some interesting features like software update and phishing detection.
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Play Windows Media on a Mac
LifeHacker reports that there is now a plug-in for Quicktime on the Mac that will let you play WMA and WMV files.
Definitely good news.
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Gnomedex 6.0 set for the end of June
Chris announcedGnomedex 6.0- A Higher Resolution. Going to be June 29th to July 1st in Seattle. If it is anything like what I heard about last year it should be really interesting. Tickets aren't available yet but should be soon. They usually sell out right away.
Anyone planning on going?
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WINE users beware of the WMF exploit
ZDNet is reporting this morning that people running Linux and running WINE could be exposed to the WMF exploit. Have a look at the ZDNet article.
Also, if you haven't rebooted since you got the official Microsoft patch the article recommends that you do.
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More on Google Pack
I downloaded the Google Pack (or at least the components I was interested in trying). One thing I found cool was that you select your components and then it downloads a small (less then 300k) file and it remembers what components you want when you run it. Additionally you can pause the downloads and start them later. Smart thinking for those out there still on slow connections.
On of the components I downloaded was the new Google Video player. I wondered what formats it played and noticed when you go to File - Open that your selections are .gvi and .gvp files. Yep, Google's own format.
John Battelle has a lengthy article about the new Google Video and Google Pack offerings. Looks like Google is going to do their own DRM but it's up to the conent producer to say whether it is part of the file or not.
Battelle wondered about and inclusion of Open Office:
"I spoke to Marissa Mayer about Pack, and she had some fun stuff to say about it. I noticed no version of Open Office in the Pack, and she reminded me this is just the first version of the Pack, and since it updates itself automatically, why, there might be Open Office in an update shortly. They are in active discussions, I was told."
That would really make things interesting. A new PC could be made productive with some great software with just a single download. And it auto updates all the components.
Now with all this latest hype, don't forget about all that dark fiber optic cable Google bought up and also their interest in power line networks.
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Google Pack is Live
I haven't downloaded it yet but I did notice the Google Pack site is now Live.
Looks like you can add and remove software to save download time if you aready have or don't want part of it. That's cool.
Another interesting aspect is the Google Updater. It runs in your Task Tray and lets you know when updates are available.
Additionally, if you already have some of the software from the pack, Upader checks to see if you have the latest version. If you don't it will go ahead and get the latest.
The software is free. Some may be lite versions. The version of Norton Anti-Virus comes with 6 months of virus definition updates free and then requires you to pay if you want to keep the subscription.
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From the Rumor Mill...Clinton to become new MS CEO
Bye bye Ballmer...hello..wait for it...Bill Clinton? Article on VoIP Watch.
Technorati Tags : Microsoft
via scripting news
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Yahoo Go!
"Yahoo! Go allows you to access the information and content that is important to you on whatever device you choose."
Interesting. Mobile is going to be big in '06. We'll have to see what happens as more users begin to deal with more digital restriciton management.
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Links for 2006-01-05 [del.icio.us]
- Introducing HD DVD
Crutchfield Advisor - Introducing HD DVD: High definition video on a disc is here - Batch File Command Reference for Windows 2000
Nice reference if you want to build complex batch commands
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Warning: My blog could cause suicide
Here's someone that tried to post a comment on my blog:
"Sick of being around"? Dude, take a step back. Maybe go offline and rethink your life for a while.
"Sick of being around"? Dude, take a step back. Maybe go offline and rethink your life for a while.
Google Pack?
So apparently Google is going to announce tomorrow at CES a video download service and also Google Pack. The pack is a bundle that is said to include (with my thoughts beside each):
* Firefox (Tell me you don't still use IE)
* A version of Norton AntiVirus (Will it stay free or what? I use AVG now and it's free)
* Adobe Reader (My PC came with Reader 7)
* RealPlayer (Yuck. I hope they let you opt out of this install)
* Trillian (Interesting. Google Talk didn't work with the old free version.)
* Ad-Aware (Good addition to the other 2. You can never use just one.)
* Google Desktop Search (I still use this too.)
* Google Earth (Nice if you have the bandwidth)
* Picasa (My favorite photo management software.)
* Google Talk (Could get interesting with the AOL/GOOG convergence. Although I don't IM much)
* Google Toolbar (I use the Firefox version)
* Screensaver (wtf? Maybe it will be really cool and integrate RSS??)
* A version of Norton AntiVirus (Will it stay free or what? I use AVG now and it's free)
* Adobe Reader (My PC came with Reader 7)
* RealPlayer (Yuck. I hope they let you opt out of this install)
* Trillian (Interesting. Google Talk didn't work with the old free version.)
* Ad-Aware (Good addition to the other 2. You can never use just one.)
* Google Desktop Search (I still use this too.)
* Google Earth (Nice if you have the bandwidth)
* Picasa (My favorite photo management software.)
* Google Talk (Could get interesting with the AOL/GOOG convergence. Although I don't IM much)
* Google Toolbar (I use the Firefox version)
* Screensaver (wtf? Maybe it will be really cool and integrate RSS??)
Nathan at InsideGoogle calls it the anti-Microsoft pack.
From the WSJ. "Google Pack, which will involve a single installer program for all applications, could also ease some of Google's own work providing technical support to users."
Seems like the geek community is giving this one a big yawn. I think otherwise. Yeah as I geek I've installed the ones I use and keep up with this stuff but what about your non tech friends and family? Wouldn't it be really easy to just say go download and install GooglePack (or send them a CD you burned yourself) and they will have what they need to stay secure and happy and not have to figure out where to get all the stuff and more?
Interesting to watch is how some of these non-Google created components will be licensed. If it's crippleware people will go right back to MS or other vendors. And what happens if say Picasa is upgraded? Do I need a whole now pack? Will they have software updates to individual components?
The link I've found for GooglePack: http://pack.google.com/pack/pack_installer.html
didn't work. I took me to a login page but not any further. Guess we'll have to see tomorrow.
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Links for 2006-01-04 [del.icio.us]
- Disable Annoying Networking Balloon Tips in XP
Windows XP frequently displays annoying balloon tips in the task bar when network connection/disconnection events occur. For advanced users who can understand the net-notification icons (and their status) on the taskbar, this hack prevents the distracting
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New chipset to support both coming versions of DVD
Broadcom has announced their BCM7411D chipset which might help ease consumers fears of being left with a non standard box.
Via Macworld: "Our chipset will play 100 per cent of HD DVD and 100 per cent of Blu-Ray, and all the special features that come with that"
This could be excellent news as we move toward HD.
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Micro Mosquito Helicopter toy at CES
Mineature R/C/ helicopter on display at the CES. How cool is that? I want it!
Via Gear Live
Technorati Tags : Helicopter, Toy, CES
Combined CES feed
Keep up with the CES. Here's a feedjumbler feed I built from Findory,Technorati and IceRocket Feeds. Maybe some dupes but you shouldn't miss much.
Update: Added Flickr tagged CES
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Links for 2006-01-02 [del.icio.us]
- Convert DVR-MS to PSP Automatically
How to convert DVR-MS (Windows Media Center files) to your PSP
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WMF Exploit Patch Available - install NOW
This is THE fix until Microsoft issues their own patch. The beauty here is that there is no mucking about in your registry nor is there any nasty unregestering of dlls that will break the viewing of thumbnails.
You can download the patch via Security Now.
This safely and "dynamically patches" the vulnerable function in Windows to neuter it and, after rebooting, renders any Windows 2000, XP, 64-bit XP and 2003 systems completely invulnerable to exploitation of the Windows Metafile vulnerability.
Be sure to read all the details on the site.
Today's special show explains this patch.
If you aren't listening to the weekly Security Now podcasts you should. Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte do a great job of makeing the technical details of computer secutiry easy to understand. Even if you know all the details about networking you're sure to learn something new.
Update: Internet Storm Center has an nice FAQ on the WMF threat
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SEO Analyzer
Here is an tool you can use to see how optimized your page is for search engines. SEO Analyzer. The tool checks the following items on your page:
- web standards
- semantic structure
- obsolete and deprecated HTML
- improper use of table elements
- inline styles
- download size and time
- outgoing links
- top keywords
It's free. Give it a go on your site.
via: InsideGoogle
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