Saturday, August 14, 2004
Saturday Tech News Blog
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| Tech News 8-14-04 Apple Remembers Jaguar MacNN is reporting that Apple has released an update for the Safari browser that Jaguar uses. Apple has also issued an update for the iPod earlier in the week. Panther Update Okay We have not encountered problems with the latest update from Apple and most of the reports to MacFixIt are of the positive variety as we previously reported. Go ahead and install the update if you haven’t already. Remember to Repair Disk Permissions accessed from the Utilities files after you have installed the updates and restarted. Yahoo Security Update for IM CNET reports that Yahoo has issued a security update for their Instant Messaging applications. If you use Yahoo’s IM, please read the article from CNET. We Got Ours The Novell / Linux Technical Resource Kit finally arrived in the mail. We read about this Dark Tip from Kevin Rose and passed the word on to you. Hope you took advantage of this offer courtesy of the Dark Tipper. Technology Clip Art Microsoft has technology based clip art available free at the MS web site. What is a Packet? In our continuing effort to make geek speak more meaningful to you, we are offering the word of the day, packet. You here the IT guys talk about packets of information, and according to the Technomom’s web site, a packet is: “A unit of data sent across a network. When a large block of data is to be sent over a network, it is broken up into several packets, sent, and the reassembled at the other end. Packets often include checksum codes to detect transmission errors. The exact layout of an individual packet is determined by the protocol being used.” Leo On the Air Leo Laporte, The Tech Guy on KFI will be on the air this weekend from 12-3 pm PDT answering questions from you on anything with a chip. Listen to Leo live on KFI AM 640 in Southern California or on the Internet elsewhere. Weekend Tune-up If you use Ad-Aware, Virex, and/or Norton, it is time to visit your update site and install the new fixes available for these applications. Then you can scan for spyware and viruses to insure that you have a happy computer. Free Tech Support We would love to help you with your computer question, but one difficulty we have experienced is a lack of all the details when someone is having problems. Please use the submit a question form and include everything that you know about the issue: your computer/specifications, operating system, application/version, problem, when does the problem occur, what did you do to the computer prior to the problem, what resources have you searched for solutions, and any other information that you feel might help us help you. Finally, include your e-mail address or check the news section frequently in the event that we need more information to provide you with a good answer. We will not, nor have we any interest in using your e-mail address for anything other than provide you with a sound and timely response. 
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Friday, August 13, 2004
Friday Tech News Blog
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| Tech News 8-13-04 Mac OS X 10.3.5 Reviews Are Positive MacFixIt is reporting good news regarding the latest update for Panther, OS X 10.3.5 and some Mac users are reporting the patch has repaired annoyances leftover from the previous update. Open Source Updates Galore Secunia reports the following updates and security issues for open source users: Gentoo Linux 1.x (1,2,3,4) Mandrake Linux 9.x (1,2) Conectiva Linux 9 SuSE Linux 9.1 Adobe Acrobat Security Issue Secunia has issued a security alert for Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.5 and you should visit the Secunia web site for more information on the possibility of a malicious PDF file damaging your computer. Change Macro Virus Protection Learn how to change your Macro Virus Protection when using Office 2003 by visiting the Microsoft Support Site. PC Build Update Yes, we built it, and they came to pick it up; and we were sad to see that baby go. If you missed the parts list for the computer build, visit the News Archives to find the components we used. We really loved the motherboard! And all the parts came with great instructions, so what is the hold-up with the how-to article? Building a computer, and writing about the same are two different beasts; compounding the issue is a lack of time for this job that I love, and demands from the tasks that pay the bills (AKA real work). It will be coming soon, we promise. What Is TCP/IP? Yesterday, we helped define what an IP address is and within the definition, there was more geek speak, the blah, blah, blah, TCP/IP, blah, blah. We introduced the later in hopes that you would return today seeking the answer for the question: what the heck is TCP/IP? According to the University of California at Davis: “Transmission Control Protocol. Together with Internet Protocol (IP), TCP is one of the core protocols underlying the Internet. The two protocols are usually referred to as a group, by the term ‘TCP/IP.’ TCP enables two computers to establish a connection and exchange information. TCP guarantees delivery of data and also guarantees that information packets will be delivered in the same order in which they were sent.” Got a question about definitions you need answered? Visit the ‘submit a question’ page and fire away. Back to School Clip Art Microsoft has a Back to School Special on Clip Art, and you can download until your academia clip art needs are fulfilled when you visit the MS web site. Listen, Learn, Laugh, Contribute to the Wiki Every weekend we listen to Leo Laporte, The Tech Guy on KFI, not just to assist Leo with the show notes, but because every hour contains so much valuable information on making computers your friend. Leo loves his job, and it reverberates throughout his show; and he speaks in a language that all computers users can understand. When you listen to the show, you can also contribute by using the Wiki Word of the Day Password to contribute to the show notes. That’s how we help Leo and the listeners and you can do the same. The Tech Guy is on live in the Southern California area on AM640, or you can listen on the Internet at the KFI web site both Saturday and Sunday from 12-3pm PDT. 
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Thursday, August 12, 2004
Thursday Tech News Blog
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| Tech News 8-12-04 Launch Bar For Macs We tried a new tool last weekend, Launch Bar for Apple users. Recommended by Leo Laporte, The Tech Guy on KFI, this neat application allows you to quickly choose the window or application that you need when you using multiple programs. Disable Auto Update Temporarily If your computer is set to download Windows updates automatically, you can delay implementation of Microsoft’s Windows XP Service Pack 2 update by visiting the Microsoft TechNet for instructions. SP2 Install Causes Programs to Malfunction Already installed SP2 and are experiencing problems with various programs? You can visit the Microsoft Knowledge Base to learn about possible solutions. After SP2 Install, E-mail Images Gone If you cannot view images that are contained in e-mails after you installed the SP2 update, Microsoft has advice available at their MS Knowledge Base web site. Updates for Gentoo and KDE Secunia Security issued update bulletins for Gentoo Linux 1.x and KDE 3.x, click on the links to learn more. What is an IP Address? Blah, blah, blah, your IP address, blah, blah. You have heard it before, the geek speaker in your neighborhood has talked about, and we have too. So, what is an IP Address? According to Google: “Every computer connected to the Internet is assigned a unique number known as an Internet Protocol (IP) address. Since these numbers are usually assigned in country-based blocks, an IP address can often be used to identify the country from which a computer is connecting to the Internet.” Free Tunes There was so much to report on early in the week, we forgot to remind you about the free download available from the Apple iTunes Music Store. This week the single from Simple Kid, “Staring At the Sun” is the featured tune, visit the Apple iTunes Music Store to download your free copy. Your Daily Tech News Source If this is your first visit to Multiple Platforms.com, welcome and if you have been here before, welcome back. We work hard to provide you with daily tech news items, tips, and security updates for users of multiple platforms: Apple, Linux/Open Source, and Windows. We strive to provide you with the information you need to keep your computer happy and running on cruise control, and show you how to use multiple platforms to make your life more productive. Please visit us daily and let us help you make your surfing on the computer more enjoyable.
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Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Wednesday Tech News Blog
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| Tech News 8-11-04 More Mac Updates Apple users have two more updates available, one to update Java and another to update iSync. We have installed the updates on our Macs with G3 processors without experiencing any conflicts. Remember whenever you update you should also Repair Disk Permissions accessed through your Utilities folder. Get Rid of Browser Hijackers Leo Laporte, The Tech Guy on KFI and host of Call For Help fielded several calls this weekend from listeners that have become victims of browser hijacking. Leo has great advice to rid your computer of this frustrating PC problem at his web site along with the links to immunize your computer from future problems. Don’t Reuse a Password Reusing your password is convenient but not prudent; to learn why you shouldn’t reuse your favorite password, visit the Microsoft web site. CoolWebSearch Ain’t Cool If your PC has been infected by the CoolWebSearch virus, Spybot S&D and Ad-Aware may not remove it according to PC World. They are recommending CW Shredder v1.59.1 and the tool is available free courtesy of everyone’s buddy, Dutch student Merijn. US Bank Hoax Reported Sophos has added a new hoax to their list and this one claims to be from U.S. Bank account holder. The hoax e-mail states that “your U.S. Bank account” has been blocked “because we have been notified that your account may have been compromised by outside parties.” Visit our Sophos web page for the link to learn more about this scam. If you receive a letter of this type, it is a perfect time to let your fingers do the walking, across the dial pad of your telephone. DO NOT CLICK ON A LINK FROM A CORRESPONDENCE LIKE THIS. IT COULD LEAD TO HUGE PROBLEMS! Updates for Open Source Users Secunia issued warnings or update bulletins for the following open source systems: Gentoo Linux 1.x (1,2); Slackware (1,2,3) What is Open Source? What is open source? The University of California, Davis provides this definition: “Computer programs or operating systems for which the source code is publicly available are referred to as open-source software. Inherent in the open source philosophy is the freedom of a distributed community of programmers to modify and improve the code. The most widely known example of open-source software is the Linux operating system.” Other members of the open source community include Knoppix, KDE, Slackware and Gentoo Linux, Debain, and many more.
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Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Tuesday Tech News Blog
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| Tech News 8-10-04 Back For Encore: Bagle, Again The Bagle worm is making another appearance courtesy of e-mail with an attached file in the Zip format. According to CNET, the new worm has been dubbed the Bagle.AQ worm and contains either “price” or “new price” in the subject line. McAfee has labeled this a medium risk threat. Apple Updates Apple has released two updates: OS X 10.3.5 and a Security update. We have implemented both downloads on our older Macs with G3 processors and have not experienced any difficulties with Panther, Classic, networking, Office for Mac versions, iTunes, iPhoto, and Internet browser compatibility. Having stated that, we would recommend that you wait seven to ten days before installing this update. There is a report by Secunia of a security risks for Mac Safari users however, and if this is your browser of choice, then you should install the security fix. When you are ready to download the updates, click on the Apple icon in your Tool Bar, then choose Software Update and follow the prompts from Apple. Learn More About the Security Update Apple provides a detailed explanation of the contents and projected effects of the security and systems updates at the Apple Support site. Secunia Alerts for Open Source Users Secunia Security issued bulletins regarding flaws or updates for the following: Mandrake Linux 9.x and Mandrake Multi Network Firewall 8.x Slackware Linux 8.x to 9.1 Gentoo Linux 1.x Sun Solaris 7 to 9 John Mayer Concerts at iTune Music Store John Mayer loves his Macs, and now he taking the Apple infatuation a step further by offering some of his concerts performances at the iTunes Music Store according to a report carried by MacNN. TiVo Offers $100 Rebate TiVo is offering a $100 rebate on the forty-hour digital video recorder according to a report in BetaNews.Com/. Arnold Likes Open Source Look The Governor’s Office of California has recently concluded a report exploring cost-cutting measures to save this state from an increasing state deficit, and the one of the suggestions is a “glowing recommendation for OSS”, according to a report in LinuxToday. Microsoft Advice for MyDoom and Doomjuice Worms Microsoft has the following advice for PC users: don’t get MyDoom or Doomjuice! But if their great advice is to little and to late, you can learn more about the back door potential of these worm variants and all the havoc they can cause for you and your computer from the MS web site. Ad-Aware Touted Multipleplatforms.com is not alone in recommending Ad-Aware as a component of your PC protection as evidenced by a report from PC World that gives the free spyware removal tool from Lavasoft a rousing round of support. Leo likes it, and as a native Californian, we are inclined to believe that Arnold would like it too!
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Monday, August 09, 2004
Monday Tech News Blog
Multipleplatforms.com |
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| Tech News 8-9-04 What is … an Operating System? We call this web site Multipleplatforms, so what is a platform? The simple answer is a platform is an operating system and therefore, multiple platforms means we use more than one operating system. What is an operating system? The answer to that excellent question can be found at the Apple web site, but the answer can be applied across multiple platforms. Security Updates for Open Source Users Secunia issued the following security warnings and updates: Connectiva Linux 8, 9 (1,2); SuSE Linux 8 to 9.1; and Sun Solaris 8/9 AOL Instant Messenger 5.x Security Issue Secunia also issued a highly critical alert for AOL Instant Messenger 5.x/. There is an issue that can cause your computer to become compromised (you can get hacked). Secunia noted that other version of AOL IM might also be at risk. New Releases for Open Source LinuxToday reports the release or updates of the following: Feather Linux 0.5.6; Insert v1.2.14; blackPanther OS 4.0; and IBM Hold The Update Please PC World is reporting that IBM is requesting their employees not update their computers with Microsoft’s Windows XP Service Pack 2. This is the same advice we extended on Saturday and was further confirmed Sunday by The Tech Guy on KFI, Leo Laporte. Wait at least seven to ten days on this update; let others find out what is wrong with the patch first! I know this is contrary to what we normally preach about staying updated, but we aren’t the only ones suggesting this as the previous sentences and stories indicate. There is no consensus from the experts on whether this patch will make Internet Explorer safe to surf with again, so you should continue to use an alternative browser until we hear the all clear for the Internet Gurus.
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Sunday, August 08, 2004
Sunday Tech News Blog
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| 8-8-04 Justification For a New Mac IGM has a great story for those Mac Heads looking for a good reason to upgrade to a new computer. The story contains a link to Apple that helps prospective buyers determine their potential for increased productivity and decreased expenses if they purchase a new PowerMac. Problem With First iPhoto Update MacFixIt is reporting that Apple users that downloaded the first iPhoto update released early last week are experiencing some problems. If this describes you, visit MacFixIt to learn more on this issue. SP2 Release Dates According to sources, Microsoft will release the Download Center on August 9th. On August 10th, it will be released for the Windows Update site for automatic updates only. And if all the previous rollout is without problems, it will be released to the rest of us on August 16th. Leo Talks About SP2 Leo Laporte will talk about the SP2 update on his show the Tech Guy on KFI today from 12-3pm PDT. You can listen live in LA at AM640 or on the Internet.  Please visit our other site: www.californiafairsandfestivals.com
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