Hackers Use Banner Ads on Major Sites to Hijack Your PCThere is a new danger on the Internet. Banner ads on several legitimate websites have been "infected" with malware.
Wire writes "If you've seen any of the ads, you may have experienced something like this: You're on a legitimate site. Your browser window closes down. A new browser window comes up, redirecting you to an antivirus site, while a dialog box comes up telling you that your computer is infected and that your hard drive is being scanned. The malware tries to download software to your computer and scans your hard drive again."
Written by Winston on November 19th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Security.
Microsoft has begun rolling out to testers a near-final Release Candidate build of Windows XP Service Pack 3. Testers said they began pulling down the bits from Microsoft’s private download site on November 18.
A Microsoft spokesman said recently "
Late last week, Windows XP SP3 was made available to about 15,000 beta testers. A broader beta will be available at a later date. We are targeting 1H 2008 for the release of XP SP3 RTM, though our timing will always be based on customer feedback as a first priority.â€
The combined SP3 package is about 340MBytes in size and can currently only be downloaded from Microsoft's connect website by registered beta testers. It updates all the 32-Bit versions of XP from Home to Professional. Apart from the English language version there is also a German and a Japanese version. In addition, the website offers a script which adds a string to the Registry and allows any version of XP to receive the respective RC1 update suitable for this XP via Windows Update (download size for XP Professional: about 91 MBytes). However, an initial trial installation this way proved unsuccessful.
SP3 should contain all the patches and updates released earlier, including those which were part of previous versions. According to Microsoft there is a total of more than 1000. In addition, it provides several add-ons which have been available separately, for example Background Intelligent Transfer Service (Bits) 2.5, Windows Installer 3.1, Management-Console (MMC) 3.0 and Core XML Services 6.0. New features include the integration of Network Access Protection (NAP), a feature which is already familiar from Vista and in a Server 2008 environment, for example, only allows access to the local network if the respective PC is running Windows at the current patch level.
Unlike Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista, the SP3 package combined with an XP CD enables users to create an installation package which allows installing both XP and SP3 in one go (Slipstream installation). As in Vista, the installation key no longer appears to be an installation prerequisite in this case.
Microsoft previously said it plans to release the final version of XP SP3 in the first half of 2008 which is
rumored to have windows vista features aswell.
Written by PCWizKid on November 19th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on windows xp vista powertoys tweakui tweak service pack 3.
-
Another opportunity to install SP1 with Microsoft’s help.
-
Yet another survey that says Vista is in trouble in the enterprise. If you ask 1000 people if they are concerned about something, anything, you’re gonna get a large percentage that are. The question is loaded, as are many of these surveys.
Written by Joe on November 19th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Beta and Deployment and Enterprise and Install and News and PR and sp1.
Tired of the old Windows Vista default Boot Screen? Well then, there is a simple alternative solution involving nothing more than your copy of the operating system. And just a tad of tweaking, but nothing extensive, and certainly nothing that would cause Vista to become instable or unusable. The fact of the matter is that you will only have to make use of one of the system maintenance tools that ships by default with the platform. And of course that the first tool coming to mind is the System Configuration Utility, or msconfig.
In order to access the System Configuration Utility all you have to do is enter “msconfig” in the Search Box under the Start Menu. Then right-click the highlighted search result and from the contextual menu choose Run as Administrator. The second tab of the utility involves the boot configuration of the operating system or the operating systems installed. From here, you will be able not only to change the default Windows Vista boot screen but also to alter the way in which the platform starts. (more…)
aurora borealis,
boot screen,
default configuration,
default windows,
hidden vista,
maintenance tools,
microsoft animation,
msconfig,
old windows,
operating system,
startup mode,
start windows,
system configuration utility,
system maintenance,
vista,
Windows
Written by Jason on November 19th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on aurora borealis and boot screen and default configuration and default windows and hidden vista and maintenance tools and microsoft animation and msconfig and old windows and operating system and start windows and startup mode and system configuration utility and system maintenance and vista and windows.
Similar to last month's Redmond-based Install Fair, the Windows Vista SP1 Deployment Team is holding another Install Fair at our Silicon Valley campus early next month. You're welcome to drop by if you find yourself in the neighborhood, provided you register Read More......(
read more)
Written by Windows Vista Team Blog on November 19th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Featured News and Windows Vista and service pack 1 and sp1.
Even if you don’t own a Dell computer, there’s a lot to thank them for how they have changed the concept of buying and selling factory-built computers. Besides being extremely competitive, they’ve also made computers customizable inside-out for all segments of the market both in the home and business. Which is why when Dell (finally) announced their Tablet PC offering, every tablet enthusiast scribbled with joy, including moi. Many believe and hope Dell could set the Tablet PC industry right, even if price is all they’ve got.
| Latitudeâ„¢ XT RTS (Ready To Ship) Dates |
| Americas |
Brazil |
Europe |
APCC |
Japan |
CCC |
| 12/03/07 |
11/16/07 |
11/16/07 |
11/16/07 |
11/16/07 |
11/16/07 |
But according to internal documentation (above), Dell’s first Tablet PC, Latitude XT, was intended to ship in most regions outside America last Friday. Unfortunately it seems to have suffered a delay since it has not appeared on any Dell’s regional websites. The delay might be related to the recent LCD shortage.
On the bright side, I do have some official technical specification information for the Latitude XT, more or less confirming the leaked specifications from a month ago.
| Product Overview |
| Features |
XT |
| Processor type |
Intel® Core™2 Duo Ultra Low Voltage
(Merom) |
| Processor speeds |
Dual Core:
1.2 GHz (U7600) |
| System chipset |
ATi RS600ME/SB600 |
| Memory |
DDR2: 1 GB at 667 MHz onboard, one 667 MHz SODIMM |
| Memory min/max |
1 GB / 3 GB at 667 MHz |
| LCD types |
Dual-bulb CCFL:
12.1-inch WXGA (1280×800)
LED back-lit:
12.1-inch WXGA (1280×800) |
| Video |
ATI Radeon Xpress 1250 |
| Video memory |
256 MB of UMA memory plus variable HyperMemoryâ„¢ |
| Audio |
IDT STAC9505 Codec
Digital array microphone (CCFL version only) |
| USB support |
Three USB 2.0 connectors, one powered |
| Hard drive interface |
PATA |
| Media bay options1 |
D-Bay drives:
24X CD-ROM
24X CD-RW/DVD
8X DVD
8X DVD+/-RW
Secondary 80 GB HDD
Media slice drives:
8X DVD+/-RW |
| Wireless options |
WLAN:
Dellâ„¢ Wireless 1390 a/b/g Mini-Card
Dell Wireless 1490 a/b/g Mini-Card
Dell Wireless 1505 a/b/g/n Mini-Card
WWAN:
Dell Wireless 5720 Mobile Broadband Mini-Card
(various providers)
Dell Wireless 5520 Mobile Broadband Mini-Card
(various providers) |
| Bluetooth support |
Dell 360 Bluetooth® v2.0 |
| NIC (LOM) |
Broadcom BCM5756 Integrated Gigabit Ethernet |
| Modem |
External only (optional) |
| I/O card slots |
ExpressCardâ„¢ 54
SDâ„¢ card |
| IR support |
N / A |
| Connectors |
Power
Video (VGA)
RJ-45 (network)
USB 2.0 (x3, 1 powered)
IEEE 1394a
Audio (headphone and mic)
Secure Digital (SDâ„¢) media card reader
ExpressCard slot |
| Operating system |
Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 (RTS= 12/10/2007)
Microsoft Windows Vistaâ„¢ Business 32-bit
Microsoft Windows Vista Business 64-bit
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit
Novell Certification
Red Flag Linux (China) |
| Docking support |
Media base |
| AC adapter |
45 W and 65 W (65 W ships with optional media slice and / or battery slice) |
| Battery |
4-cell "smart" lithium-ion
6-cell "smart" lithium-ion
9-cell High-capacity "smart" lithium-ion (battery slice) |
| Weight |
LED Backlit LCD
1.6 kg (3.57 lb) (with 4-cell battery)
Dual-bulb CCFL LCD
1.8 kg (4.0 lb) (with 6-cell battery) |
And even more specifically about the display screen and tablet input device.
| Both LED backlit thin-and-light LCD and Dual-bulb (CCFL) LCD options: |
| Panel design |
12.1 inches WXGA |
| Display area |
Horizontal: 261.12 mm (10.28 inches)
Vertical: 163.20 mm (6.42 inches)
Diagonal: 307.34 mm (12.1 inches) |
| Aspect ratio |
16:1 |
| Number of pixels |
1280 X 3 (RGB) X 800 dots |
| Pixel pitch |
0.204 mm X 0.204 mm nominal |
| Viewing angles |
| Horizontal |
±70 degrees |
| Vertical |
±70 degrees |
| LED backlit thin-and-light LCD option: |
| Luminescence |
220 nits (typical) |
| Dual-bulb (CCFL) LCD option: |
| Luminescence |
400 nits (typical) |
| Digitizer |
| Interface |
capacitive touch |
| Input resolution |
1000 dpi |
| Position report rate |
133 PPS |
| Coordinate accuracy |
± 0.4 mm (avg.) |
| Coordinate jitter |
± 0.4 mm (avg.) |
| Pen |
| Dimensions |
| Length |
133 mm (5.2 inches) |
| Diameter |
9 mm (0.35 inches) |
| Type |
two-button, non-battery powered |
Written by Long Zheng on November 19th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on blog.
It looks like Apple is tracking iPhone users data including IMEI number, IP address and stock quote preferences (amongst other things) through a hidden string in the Weather.app and Stocks.app iPhone applications. This information is sent to “http://iphone-wu.apple.com/dgw?imei=%@&apptype=finance” (IP resolved “17.254.32.16″). See screenshot below for details.
From this information, Apple could build a profile on users. Where they travel, where they spend their free time, where they work, where they invest their money, what they browse, etc etc. Obviously most users would like to be able to control who has access to this information. If they connect this data with the credit card that you used to purchase the iPhone (remember, you can’t use cash anymore), they could build an even bigger profile on you.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like you can doanything about it - though hackers are working on it now. According to Uneasysilence.com, if you use an iPhone, you’ve already forfeited this right to privacy (from the Apple Terms of service):
When you interact with Apple, we may collect personal information relevant to the situation, such as your name, mailing address, phone number, email address, and contact preferences; your credit card information and information about the Apple products you own, such as their serial numbers and date of purchase; and information relating to a support or service issue.
Whether or not the backlash from this will cause Apple to change its policy remains to be seen. However, there are alreadly lots of people deleting the Stocks.app and Weather.apps from their iPhones and donning their tinfoil hats.
Read more here
Written by admin on November 19th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on General.
Commenter praful asks what to me is a rather confused question ,
but I'll try to guess what the real question is. If you drag My Computer to the Start button in XP,
you get an expanding menu that lets you see all files and folders as submenus. Is this Read More......(
read more)
Written by The Old New Thing : Code on November 19th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Code.
I gotta a call from my grandfather, He recently purchased a Laptop with Windows Vista installed, now being the helpful grandson, I immediately drove to his house and taught him the basic of Windows Vista, and also how to use Windows Mail. Now this process, I will guide you how to setup up your Windows Mail.
1. Open Windows Mail -> go to Tools -> click on Accounts
2. Click the Add button
3. Select E-mail Account on the Account Type window
4. Enter the name you want your recipients to see when they receive your e-mails -> click Next
5. On the Internet E-mail Address window, type your e-mail address for example youremailaddress@email.com -> click Next.
6. On the Set up e-mail servers window, enter the e-mail server information its either POP3 or IMAP
7. In the Internet Mail Logon window, enter your Internet ID and password for your e-mail account -> click Finish
8. Done!
Written by PC Freak on November 19th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on tutorials.
Are you ready to make that leap towards a different Operating system other than Windows? Cant afford a Mac? Well if "free" is in your budget look no further. The latest open source release of the OS
Ubuntu 7.10 - codename Gutsy Gibbon is out and waiting for you. I must say I am impressed. Though If its Eyecandy your looking for, make sure you have a decent video card such as the
GeForce 8500GT
which is affordable entry level beauty.
Like with anything you buy (though Ubuntu is free) you're probably going to weigh the pros and cons first. Here are my observations in no particular order.
Pros:
- Installation is fast and easy, in my case I upgraded from Ubuntu Feisty 7.04.
Desktop looks beautiful and Compiz-Fusion makes it out of this world. Improved interface for setting up 3D effects selection - the Compiz Fusion is now enabled by default. - Layout is clean, uncluttered and all applications are easily accessible.
- System speed and responsiveness, both boot-up and actual work with the OS is faster than in the previous release. Startup and shutdown screens won’t blink any more, so no more watching of a boring black screen even for a second.
- WiFi support with WEP during system installation
- Tracker (full-text file search) works without any actions.
- Automatic detection of existing systems, proper GRUB configuration.
- Automatic detection and mounting of all system partitions (including the NTFS one).
- Option to install the OS on encrypted partitions (when installing from the Alternate CD only)
- Firefox Fonts are rendered better, look clearer and sharper
- Repositories in this release are well stocked with many updates/addons. All are easy to activate and there was no need to manually enter new ones to get non-free add-ons and other proprietary software like Opera or Adobe Reader.
Cons:
- Firewall application is not included by default.
- New users to Ubuntu still need to install additional open source apps and utilities such as Some basic applications that you should consider installing :
vlc - open source video player that plays about every format under the sun.
gftp - ftp program (basic but does the job)
k3b - one of the best CD/DVD burning program on the planet
opera - alternative web browser (make sure you have the canoncial repository enabled)
mozilla-thunderbird - can’t live without this one.
amarok - very slick itunes like audio player
kubuntu-desktop - installs the KDE version of ubuntu
ardour - multitrack audio editor
azureus - bittorrent client
Kino - non linear video editor
Soundconverter - convert audio files between Ogg, MP3, FLAC, WAV
Skype
1.) Select “Synaptic –> Repositories –> Third Party Software –> + ADDâ€
2.) Paste this into the APT Line: “deb http://download.skype.com/linux/repos/debian/ stable non-freeâ€
3.) Then search for “Skypeâ€, check the corresponding box and then click “Installâ€
Google Earth / Desktop
1.) Download PGP Key : linux_signing_key.pub
2.) Select “Synaptic –> Repositories –> Authentication –> + IMPORT KEY FILEâ€
3.) Browse to the directory where you downloaded linux_signing_key.pub and select that
4.) Select “Synaptic –> Repositories –> Third Party Software –> + ADDâ€
5.) Paste into the APT Line: “deb http://dl.google.com/linux/deb/ stable non-freeâ€
6.) Click “Reloadâ€
7.) Then search for “Google†and install the Google applications of your choice
VMware Server (Run Windows and Windows applications in Ubuntu 7.10)
1.) Register for a VMware Server serial number here.
2.) from terminal “sudo apt-get install build-essentialâ€
3.) download VMware Server for Linux - Binary (.tar.gz) here.
4.) from terminal cd dir to the downloaded file and type “tar zvxf VMware-server-1.0.4-56528.tar.gzâ€
5.) from terminal “cd vmware-server-distrib/â€
6.) from terminal “sudo ./vmware-install.plâ€
7.) hit the “enter†key for every question asked, if question doesn’t accept the “Enter†key then select “Yesâ€.
8.) Run VMware Server by selecting “Applicatoins –> System Tools –> VMware Server Consoleâ€
- After I upgraded from Ubuntu Feisty 7.04, my Desktop effects (eyecandy) got reset and after re-enabling it all I am still not able to get the 3D Cube back to work like it was. Still trying to debug that, but all other effects are spectacular and working great.
Conclusion:
The much anticipated wait is over. Ubuntu 7.10 is worth every penny (though its free) and I highly recommend it for all those who dont mind installing 3rd party open source apps.
Written by PCWizKid on November 19th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on ubuntu 7.10 gusty gibbon fiesty fawn linux open source.
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