Antivirus is a huge security and performance issue for most of us. So I thought I would mention that Microsoft just released their free AV software for home users today:
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
I have been using the beta, and I am very happy with it. Of course I take no responsibility for it acts on your machine! 
I hear people complaining about the ability for the Kindle or other eBook readers to correctly and legible render PDF’s but the reality is, the format itself does not support scaling or dynamically repaginating for various size screens.
Adobe PDF became the defacto way to send documents in a universal format across the internet because it was free, and it worked great when the expectation was to print said document. Or even read a short document. But the moment a document gets more that a few pages long it becomes unbearable hard to read on various size screens.
Well its time people – the number of us attempting to read books and other large documents on various devices, including netbooks is growing rapidly. Either Adobe needs to step up and update the PDF format to support scaling and repaginating or there needs to be a new sheriff in town!
So say we all?
-Keith
Show Notes:
AV-Test Deems Windows Security Essentials “Very Good”
http://www.winbeta.org/comments.php?shownews=19688
Lifehacker – Alice Takes Household Shopping Off Your To-Do List – Shopping
http://lifehacker.com/5301363/alice-takes-household-shopping-off-your-to+do-list
Gizmodo – Independent Jury Rules On Steorn’s Free Energy Machine: Guilty (Of Not Working) – Steorn jury
http://gizmodo.com/5301033/independent-jury-rules-on-steorns-free-energy-machine-guilty...
animoto – the end of slideshows
http://animoto.com/
Fotografix / l.madhavan
http://lmadhavan.com/software/fotografix/
Gizmodo – Vending Machine Dispenses Gold Bars To Go – Gold vending machine
http://gizmodo.com/5296930/vending-machine-dispenses-gold-bars-to-go
Lifehacker – Simulate Office Presence with Skype and VNC – remote working
http://lifehacker.com/5295818/simulate-office-presence-with-skype-and-vnc
Microsoft Podcasts Search: Certification
http://www.microsoft.com/events/podcasts/default.aspx?pageId=x1097&search=born+to+learn
Microsoft Security Essentials: What wannabe testers need to know | All about Microsoft | ZDNet.com
http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=3120
Paul Thurrott’s SuperSite for Windows: Microsoft Security Essentials Public Beta (June 23, 2009)
http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/mse_beta.asp
Enable tethering in iPhone 3.0 – UPDATE
http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/06/17/enable-tethering-in-iphone-30/
More questions (and even a few answers) about Windows 7 E | All about Microsoft | ZDNet.com
http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=3109
WinBeta.org Beta News and Reviews
http://www.winbeta.org/comments.php?shownews=19660
Netflix Has Begun Processing Discs on Saturdays | News, Netflix | geeksugar – Technology & Gadgets
http://www.geeksugar.com/3321792
Keirsey’s PersonalityZone – Fathers Day
http://www.keirsey.com/personalityzone/lz85.asp
i-Aroma: Japan wants to add fragrances to the web experience
http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/06/17/i-aroma-japan-wants-to-add-fragrances-to-the-web-e...
Palm responds to Apple’s warning | Crave – CNET
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10266423-1.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
The Amazon Kindle could enjoy iPod-like success | The Digital Home – CNET News
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10266420-17.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
iTiVo Lets You Download Your TiVo Recorded Shows Into Tunes to Get Them Onto Your iPhone or iPod | Geek Tip, How to, Download of the Day | geeksugar – Technology & Gadgets
http://www.geeksugar.com/3314699
More alleged Microsoft Morro screen shots, details leak | All about Microsoft | ZDNet.com
http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=3090
Microsoft posts teaser for Office 2010 | Beyond Binary – CNET News
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10266464-56.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
Intel spells out Core i3, i5, i7 branding | Nanotech – The Circuits Blog – CNET News
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10266536-64.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
Yeah, What Is A Browser Anyway?
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/17/yeah-what-is-a-browser-anyway/
Gizmodo – Zune HD Packs Nvidia Tegra: Better Video and Better Battery Life – Zune hd nvidia tegra
http://gizmodo.com/5293404/zune-hd-packs-nvidia-tegra-better-video-and-better-battery-life
Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows Media Player in Windows 7 – Windows Experience Blog – The Windows Blog
http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsexperience/archive/2009/06/16/keyboard-shortcut...
Apple warns about unsupported players’ iTunes integration | Apple – CNET News
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10266147-37.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
Ok it looks like its available for “limited downloads”. While I am not sure what that means, if your looking to try a different Free Antivirus and Antimalware solution, then it may be worth trying MSE. You can download it from:
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
P.S. I have it running and it seems very lightweight and immediately detected my IPScanner app on my jumpdrive. I told MSE to ignore it, but I was impressed that it detected something no other product has called out.
-Keith
Show Notes:
WalkingHotSpot – A revolutionary new internet access solution that will turn your mobile phone into your own anytime, anywhere “Walking” Wi-Fi hotspot
http://www.walkinghotspot.com/devices
Lifehacker – Nexus Dock Has Leopard-Style Eye-Candy Effects – Featured Windows Download
http://lifehacker.com/5292890/nexus-dock-has-leopard+style-eye+candy-effects
Zango – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zango
Gizmodo – Futuristic Movie Timeline: The Next Few Decades Will Be Eventful – Sci-fi
http://gizmodo.com/5292550/futuristic-movie-timeline-the-next-few-decades-will-be-eventful
That Reinvention Of The Web Thing Opera Was Talking About? It’s Called Opera Unite
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/16/that-reinvention-of-the-web-thing-opera-was-talkin...
Opera Unite Puts a Media Server in Your Browser
http://lifehacker.com/5292297/opera-unite-puts-a-media-server-in-your-browser/gallery/
Ars Father’s Day Gift Guide: Geek Dad Edition – Ars Technica
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/guides/2009/06/fathers-day-gift-guide-geek.ars/2
Obama administration aims to fix broken Real ID Act – Ars Technica
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/06/obama-administration-aims-to-fix-broken...
Make it better: Amazon Kindle 2 | Crave – CNET
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10265061-1.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
Lifehacker – Netalyzr Determines Your Network Health – Network utilities
http://lifehacker.com/5291653/netalyzr-determines-your-network-health
Lifehacker – PowerResizer Brings Windows 7’s Window Sizing to All – Window Management
http://lifehacker.com/5289805/powerresizer-brings-windows-7s-window-sizing-to-all
CrunchPad unboxed, handled on video
http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/14/crunchpad-unboxed-handled-on-video/
Free and Cheap Remote Control: DimDim and Techinline « Deliciously Geeky
http://dgpodcast.wordpress.com/2009/06/11/free-and-cheap-remote-control-dimdim-and-tech...
Does Microsoft’s Bing have Google running scared? | Microsoft – CNET News
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-10264417-75.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
PureSync Homepage – Synchronize folders and files, automatic backups, photo sync
http://www.jumpingbytes.com/en/puresync.html
Lifehacker – WinCDEmu Integrates Image Mounting into Windows Explorer – Disk Images
http://lifehacker.com/5283082/wincdemu-integrates-image-mounting-into-windows-explorer
MOXI – Internet Connectivity
http://moxi.com/us/internet_connectivity.html
Welcome to the Marlaverse: Novels by T.A. Pratt (An ass-kicking sorceress)
http://www.marlamason.net/
Lifehacker – ViGlance Converts the Vanilla Taskbar into a Windows 7-like Superbar – Customize
http://lifehacker.com/5288408/viglance-converts-the-vanilla-taskbar-into-a-windows-7+li...
Gizmodo – Leopard 10.5 Getting One Last Update To Fix Bugs, Placate Sad PowerPC Users – Leopard 10.5.8
http://gizmodo.com/5288045/leopard-105-getting-one-last-update-to-fix-bugs-placate-sad-...
Two new Mac attacks surface | Security – CNET News
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10263002-83.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
Jimmy Fallon rocks out with Project Natal
http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/11/jimmy-fallon-rocks-out-with-project-natal/
LiberKey – All softwares
http://www.liberkey.com/en/tous-les-logiciels.html
Microsoft ready to launch beta of its free Morro antivirus offering | All about Microsoft | ZDNet.com
http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=3023
Sci Fi – Arizona
http://www.scifi-az.com/
Must have:
1. Preloaded with maps of USA – DUH! If you live in the US, but worth double checking the side of the box and making sure your not going to have to pay a fee to download the maps.
2. Ability to update said maps – An extension of the requirement above, its good to know that you can update the maps, even for a small fee if need be.
3. Excellent User Interface that clearly identifies the next road in the Trip – This turns out to NOT be as obvious, for example the TomTom One has this feature turned off in the UI by default, after turning it on, the TomTom One becomes very usable. (Just to be clear, its very helpful to have the ability to glance at the GPS and know what road or street to look for next, especially if your GPS lacks Text to Speech)
4. Text to Speech – Many current GPS units, have the ability to say out loud the name of the next turn, this can be very helpful, especially during city driving when you are making turn after turn.
5. Lane Assistants – California here we come. I have noticed in particular that California will have many highways split off at once. This can be confusing if your GPS is telling you to bare right and there are two or three options to your right. The Lane Assistant will clearly identify which lane to take to remain on course.
6. Large Database of “Points of Interest” – Extremely helpful in a strange location to locate the nearest Coffee shop, IHOP, BestBuy, Wal-Mart, Target, or Shoe Repair – as the case may be…
Nice to have:
- Free Real-Time Traffic updates for the life of the product*
- Radar Info
- Emergency Help
- Speed Assistant
- Extendable memory
-Keith
I read one book every week or so, that is until I encountered Marla Mason. I got the first book in the series completely free from the Sony eBook store. I read it on a lark, and like crack – I was complete and utterly addicted. T.A. Pratt has dreamed up and executed an astounding original set of characters and circumstances that makes the whole series fun, exciting, and addictive.
For the record, I read the current series of four books in less than two weeks. While some will say that’s not astoundingly fast, so what – I say. Its fast and more ravenous than I have otherwise been driven by other authors. And really what I want everyone to understand is that the books are not only compelling, but intelligent – while remaining entertaining and absorbing. I nearly missed a flight while reading one book in the series.
Now here’s the problem – the real world publisher of T.A. Pratt may not continue to publish the books. Well, that just sucks to put it bluntly. So if I have stirred your interest in a great series of books, please please check out: http://www.marlamason.net and perhaps pickup a copy of the first book. If you like magic and Sci-Fi, I guarantee you will fall in love with the series.
At the very least check out MaralaMason.net and decide for yourself.
-Keith
I don’t think of myself as a cheapskate, but I sure do like to minimize cost. In this case, I have been using DimDim – a remote desktop conferencing tool. DimDim allows up to twenty participants for FREE. A four letter word that like a lot! Anyway, it seems to work great on XP, and has some UAC issues on Vista. But for free – it is very very usable, and I suspect they are working on making it a better experience in Vista and in future, Windows 7. ( I was reminded that is also supports Mac OS X )
Besides presentations, sometimes you need a quick and easy way to help resolve a problem on a remote computer or demonstrate how to accomplish some task. Well then there is Techinline to the rescue. Its a top notch solution for remote desktop support and is inexpensive compared to its competitors. It would be choice for small business remote assistance. After the free trial, you can purchase five sessions for as little as twenty dollars. My only complaint is how the screen was scaled. Other than that, it works great.
Check them both out.
-Keith
Show Notes:
Google plots Exchange escape with Outlook plug-in | Webware – CNET
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10260879-2.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
Lifehacker – Nomad.NET is a Powerful, Tabbed File Manager – Featured Windows Download
http://lifehacker.com/5284579/nomadnet-is-a-powerful-tabbed-file-manager
Report: Novell eyeing open-source app store | Software, Interrupted – CNET News
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13846_3-10260440-62.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
Gizmodo – Beanzawave USB-Powered Beans Microwave is What USB Was Created For – Beanzawave
http://i.gizmodo.com/5283559/beanzawave-usb+powered-beans-microwave-is-what-usb-was-cre...
Plants vs Zombies™ Official Site – PopCap Games – Free Download Games
http://www.popcap.com/games/pvz
InfraRecorder – Burning software
http://infrarecorder.org/
Hulu board member: let’s talk subscription fees – Ars Technica
http://arstechnica.com/media/news/2009/06/hulu-board-member-lets-talk-subscriptions.ars
Show Notes:
New malware attack infecting Web sites | Security – CNET News
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10255226-83.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
Jing 2.1 adds Web cam, capturing heft | The Download Blog – Download.com
http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-10254947-12.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
bit-tech.net | Microsoft reveals native Win 7 video transcoding
http://www.bit-tech.net/news/bits/2009/06/02/microsoft-reveals-native-win-7-video-transc/1
YouTube XL Brings The World’s Most Popular Video Portal To Your TV
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/02/youtube-xl-brings-the-worlds-most-popular-video-portal-to-your-tv/
Free 1 Year Subscription to the Microsoft TechNet Plus Site – CheapStingyBargains Forums
http://www.cheapstingybargains.com/forums/freebies/22909-free-1-year-subscription-micro...
Windows 7 to launch October 22 | Beyond Binary – CNET News
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10253924-56.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
Actual Window Manager: transparent windows, minimize to tray, stay on top, close popup windows, run mode and much
http://www.actualtools.com/windowmanager/
Using Remote Desktop with Dual Monitors | SplitView
http://www.splitview.com/using-remote-desktop-with-dual-monitors-in-span-mode
WindowSpace Shareware download and review – manage multiple open windows from SnapFiles
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/windowspace.html
MaxTo
www.maxto.net/
http://Let you Maximize Windows to different parts of you Monitor
Money Manager Freeware download and review – manage your personal finances from SnapFiles
http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/Money_Manager/moneymanager.html
Gizmodo – Ultimate Lock Picker Cracks Medeco High Security Deadbolts In Minutes – lock picking
http://gizmodo.com/5274594/ultimate-lock-picker-cracks-medeco-high-security-deadbolts-in-minutes
Lifehacker – Synchronize Nearly Any Storage Device with iTunes – iTunes
http://lifehacker.com/5273791/synchronize-nearly-any-storage-device-with-itunes
Lifehacker – RadarSync Keeps Your Programs Up To Date – Drivers
http://lifehacker.com/5274450/radarsync-keeps-your-programs-up-to-date
Patent app shows Roombas pooping on potties, being big boys
http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/01/patent-app-shows-roombas-pooping-on-potties-being-bi...
Xbox takes center stage, opens E3 2009 | Gaming and Culture – CNET News
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10797_3-10253306-235.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
PSP Go revealed in detail—it’s real – Ars Technica
http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/05/psp-go-revealed-detailed-real.ars
New 16GB ‘PSP Go’ revealed early | Crave – CNET
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10252769-1.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
Could it be? That would be very cool, and while there at it – could they just put it on Windows Media Center as well! Please!
Get the details at Gizmodo:
http://gizmodo.com/5272573/is-hulu-coming-to-xbox-360
-Keith
Show Notes:
——————————————————-
BING
Bing: Microsoft’s new search… er, decision engine
http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=2900
——————————————————-
ZUNE HD
Microsoft confirms Zune HD coming this fall | Beyond Binary – CNET News
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10249364-56.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
Gizmodo – Zune HD Hands On: Photos and Video Tour – Zune hd preview
http://gizmodo.com/5272228/zune-hd-hands-on-photos-and-video-tour
Zune HD hands-on
http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/28/zune-hd-hands-on/
Exclusive: Steve Ballmer demos the Zune HD for Engadget!
http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/28/exclusive-steve-ballmer-demos-the-zune-hd-for-engadget/
Zune HD | Zune.net
http://www.zune.net/en-us/mp3players/zunehd/default.htm
——————————————————-
Palm Pre – iTunes Support
AP News | Palm Pre Syncs with iTunes
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TEC_PALM_PRE?SITE=CAGRA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
iTunes support confirmed for Palm Pre
http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/28/itunes-support-confirmed-for-palm-pre/
——————————————————-
Windows 7
WSUAN’s Network Connection : Step-by-Step Guide for setting up DirectAccess in a test lab is now available
http://blogs.technet.com/wsnetdoc/archive/2009/05/28/step-by-step-guide-for-setting-up-directaccess-in-a-test-lab
-is-now-available.aspx
Web browsers get a 12% speed boost in Windows 7 over Vista | Software News – Betanews
http://www.betanews.com/article/Chrome-Firefox-IE8-accelerate-12-or-more-in-Windows-7-over-Vista/1243540763
The Windows 7 Bi-hourly Shutdowns – The Windows Blog
http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/05/05/the-windows-7-release-candidate-rc-is-here.aspx
——————————————————-
Hacking and Security
The Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) : Microsoft Security Advisory 971778 Vulnerability in Microsoft
DirectShow Released
http://blogs.technet.com/msrc/archive/2009/05/28/microsoft-security-advisory-971778-vulnerability-in-microsoft-
directshow-released.aspx
AnalogX AnonyMAC Freeware download and review – change your MAC address from SnapFiles
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/anonymac.html
Defense Department developing portable hacking device for soldiers
http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/26/defense-department-developing-portable-hacking-device-for-soldie/
——————————————————-
Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008
Download details: Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 for x64-based systems
Download details: Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 for 32bit (KB948465)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a4dd31d5-f907-4406-9012-a5c3199ea2b3&DisplayLang=en
——————————————————-
Software Picks and Downloads
Gizmodo – Hulu Desktop Is a Peek at the Future of TV – Hulu desktop
http://gizmodo.com/5272139/hulu-desktop-is-a-peek-at-the-future-of-tv
Lightscreen – Home Page
http://lightscreen.sourceforge.net/
——————————————————-
Hardware
MSI’s X-Slim X340 now shipping in US for $899.99
http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/27/msis-x-slim-x340-now-shipping-in-us-for-899-99/
AT&T DECT 6.0 Bluetooth Cordless Phone 3-pk. With Telephone Answering Device : Target
http://www.target.com/AT-Bluetooth-Cordless-Telephone-Answering/dp/B001S2PKOK/sr=1-
1/qid=1243362288/ref=sr_1_1/181-4331424-9568660?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=0&index=target&rh=k%3Aat%26T%20bluetooth&page=1
——————————————————-
Show Notes:
CopyPasteTool – copy and paste text software
http://www.copypastetool.com/
Touchatag
http://www.touchatag.com/
Netflix coming to Windows Media Center | Digital Media – CNET News
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10245258-93.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
Security firm warns of Java flaw in Mac OS X | Apple – CNET News
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10245360-37.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
Gizmodo – Asimov’s Laws of Robotics Are Total BS – Asimov’s laws of robotics
http://gizmodo.com/5260042/asimovs-laws-of-robotics-are-total-bs
iRobot’s military Ember bots are tiny treaded hotspots
http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/18/irobots-military-ember-bots-are-tiny-treaded-hotspots/
Zune-Xbox rumors map to Microsoft organization | Digital Noise: Music and Tech – CNET News
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13526_3-10242332-27.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
DriverMax – FREE driver download program for Windows XP & Vista
http://www.innovative-sol.com/drivermax/index.htm
Device Remover – The Powerfull Device Manager
http://www.pro-it-education.de/software/deviceremover/
–
It seems that many people including myself are running into Windows XP, Vista, and Windows Server 2003 machines that are having trouble installing this update.
To solve the problem I gleaned a good bit of detail from searching the web. I then created a batch file called FixKB956672install.cmd
It contained the following lines:
REGSVR32 WUAPI.DLL /S
REGSVR32 WUAUENG.DLL /S
REGSVR32 WUAUENG1.DLL /S
REGSVR32 ATL.DLL /S
REGSVR32 WUCLTUI.DLL /S
REGSVR32 WUPS.DLL /S
REGSVR32 WUPS2.DLL /S
REGSVR32 WUWEB.DLL /S
net stop WuAuServ
ren C:\windows\SoftwareDistribution SDold
net start WuAuServ
I then re-ran Windows Update and the update installed just fine.
Disclaimer: Use at your own risk, your mileage may vary….
-Keith
Keith DG
gregybull
dgchris
kristenavanerven
