Thursday, December 16, 2004
Friday 12-17-04 Tech News Blog
Multipleplatforms.com |
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| Tech News Multipleplatforms.com for the links to theses stories and more. Please Visit Windows Critical Flaw Patched Microsoft has released a patch for a critical flaw that could compromise PC that had printer and file sharing enabled. If this describes your computer, read the article below from PC World. This is an update you may want to download soon; or consider disabling the aforementioned sharing preferences. You are also protected if your PC is behind a router. Microsoft Fixes 'Critical' XP Firewall Issue Fix prevents users from sharing their files and printers with the entire Internet. [PCWorld.com - Latest News Stories] Apple iTunes Downloads Top 200 Million The Apple iTunes Store marked the 200 millionth download according to Apple’s Hot News web site. iTunes Tops 200 Million Downloads Music fans have purchased and downloaded more than 200 million songs from the iTunes Music Store. The 200 millionth song, part of “The Complete U2,” was purchased by Ryan Alekman from Belchertown, MA. iTunes has made it easy to give the gift of music this holiday season with $15 and $25 iTunes prepaid cards available from retailers including Amazon.com, Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, Kroger, RadioShack, 7-Eleven, Target, as well as the Apple online store and Apple retail stores. [Dec 16] [Apple Hot News] Routine Maintenance For Macs Most of the maintenance processes for your Mac are set to run in the middle of the night and most of us do not leave our Apples powered up all night. You can change the commands that tell your Mac when to run these tasks or you can use a software tool like the one from Macaroni. You can check it out free for thirty-days, and after that it is only $8.99 with discounts available for multiple license. Macaroni 2.0.4 - Performs OS X maintenance... Macaroni 2.0.4 - Performs OS X maintenance routines. [MacUpdate - Mac OS X] Open Source Updates Secunia released the following open source related bulletins: Gentoo update for vim/gvim Gentoo has issued updates for vim and gvim. These fix some vulnerabilities, which can be exploited by malicious, local users to gain escalated privileges. [Secunia - Latest Secunia Security Advisories] Mandrake update for kdebase/kdelibs MandrakeSoft has issued updates for kdebase and kdelibs. These fix some vulnerabilities, which can be exploited by malicious people to spoof the content of websites. [Secunia - Latest Secunia Security Advisories] Fedora update for flim Fedora has issued an update for flim. This fixes a vulnerability, which can be exploited by malicious, local users to perform certain actions on a vulnerable system with escalated privileges. [Secunia - Latest Secunia Security Advisories] Fedora update for kdebase/kdelibs Fedora has issued updates for kdebase and kdelibs. These fix some vulnerabilities, which can be exploited by malicious people to spoof the content of websites. [Secunia - Latest Secunia Security Advisories] Almost Free Stuff: Belkin Wireless Router You can get a Belkin wireless router from PC Connection for less than ten dollars after rebates if you visit Free After Rebate.com/. If you don’t have a wireless router and you have a laptop, you should take advantage of this offer and use the savings for a wireless card for your notebook. This router will function with multiple platforms; Apple-heads do not have to use an Airport router if you don’t want to. PC Tip of the Day: Search Microsoft’s Support Site If you own a PC this is a tip you’ll want to keep handy and add the URL to your bookmarks right next to Multiple Platforms.com/, to search the Microsoft Support site visit: http://search.microsoft.com/search/results.aspx?st=b&na=90&View=en-us&qu=error+messages Apple Tip of the Day: Quicksilver Quicksilver is a great tool that I heard about from Dan, the chat room moderator for Leo Laporte, The Tech Guy on KFI. Here is the description of the free software from the, “Quicksilver allows you to navigate to what you need quickly and easily, while keeping your hands on the keyboard. For example, if you want to launch an application hidden in the depths of your file system, simply activate Quicksilver with a keystroke, type a few letters of the application's name, then hit Return or Enter to launch it. When you don't need Quicksilver, it keeps out of your way, preserving precious screen real estate, and yet you can summon it instantly with a key stroke - just like Mercury the winged messenger. [Ed. Note: Actually, Roman mythological texts are remarkably silent on whether Mercury could be summoned with a key stroke, but it would have been great if he could. Quicksilver will certainly make you feel as if you have god-like powers.] Quicksilver indexes and parses selected parts of the contents of your hard drive in the Catalog, so that it locates and displays the items matching your search really quickly. If you are a programmer or an über-geek, you will be glad to know that you can extend and customise Quicksilver until it does exactly what you want it to. The modular structure also means that the application will never be bloated: You only load the modules that you find useful.” What Is a Document Map There is no GPS for your documents, but there is a map and Jegswork.com has this definition: “An outline on the left of the document display in Word that is based on the paragraphs that use a heading style. Clicking on an entry scrolls the document to that point in the document.” Please visit our other site: www.californiafairsandfestivals.com |
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Thursday 12-16-04 Tech News Blog
Multipleplatforms.com |
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| Tech News 12-16-04 Apple Releases Panther Update Apple has released another security update and according to Apple: "The 10.3.7 Update delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for Mac OS X v10.3 "Panther" and is recommended for all users. Key enhancements include: • improved AFP support for saving documents with long file names • improved OpenGL technology and updated ATI and NVIDIA graphics drivers • improved FireWire device compatibility • updated Preview application • improved compatibility for third party applications • previous standalone security updates" What To Get Mac-Heads If you have an Apple lover on your shopping list, ComputerWorld has the shopping list that we all approve of. At the top of the list is a new iMac. My brother just has received one of these little gems and I can't wait to help him set it up, I know he'll love it. My brother-in-law loves his new iPod and can't imagine life without it; what could they both use? A membership to .Mac because the benefits are worth far more than the cost of membership and we are proud to announce our affiliation with .Mac and you can learn more about the benefits by clicking on the logo below. Cool Mac stuff: What to give for the holidays Knowing that some Mac-heads can sometimes be hard to buy for, columnist Ryan Faas offers some gift ideas for the Mac fan in your life. [Computerworld News] 
Adobe Flaws Fixed Secunia released a security bulletin regarding this flaw post-publishing and in a timely manner, Adobe has already responded to the flaws uncovered this week. CNET has the story, and don't forget to update your Acrobat programs. Adobe smoothes kinks in Acrobat The software firm patches three security holes with the release of the latest version of its document reader. [CNET News.com] Everything You Wanted to Know About and iPod The Apple Hot News has the link to a comprehensive FAQ/guide for Apple's iPod. The article by Walt Mossberg promises tips for all levels of iPod users and includes links to iPod sites. iPod User’s Guide Introducing his iPod User’s Guide, the Wall Street Journal’s Walt Mossberg writes, “By all accounts, millions of people will buy or receive Apple Computer’s iPod digital-music players this holiday season. The gadgets are beautifully designed and simple to operate, which is one reason they’re so popular, even after three years on the market and despite a rising number of competitors.” [Dec 15] [Apple Hot News] Phishing Pickups: Season For Giving? Phishers must be working overtime to purchase those special holiday gifts judging by the increase in their attempts against Earthlink and MSN customers. CNET is reporting the two companies have been hammered by a whopping 29% increase in phishing attempts in the November. 'Phishing' attacks rocket in November EarthLink and MSN were hard hit by the 29 percent increase in fraud, according to a new report. [CNET News.com] Apple Tip of the Day: .Mac Membership We love the fact that you can backup and store important data offsite. I also like to use the web sites on .Mac to post pictures of events that I want a large number of friends to view, but don't really care to share with all the visitors to this web site and California Fairs and Festivals.com , our other web site. The following is from ComputerWorld regarding .Mac: "Many users can appreciate the tools that come with a .Mac membership, particularly those who aren't up to creating Web pages or Web-based photo albums on their own. For $99, a .Mac membership makes sharing photos a snap, plus you get a cool .mac e-mail address, 250MB of online storage, free Virex software and a host of other freebies. It's ideal for the Mac-fan with almost everything."
Open Source Tip: Power Tools for Linux RootPrompt is a great source for Unix information and they are featuring an article on Power Tools for Linux. Visit the web site, or click on the link directly below to read this review of Linux tools. Linux Power Tools 15 Dec 2004: "Linux is a great desktop OS for developers as well as system administrators. Let us take a look at some of the utilities which makes this a great environment for system administrators and developers. Most of the content below is taken from the home pages of these apps and the I make no claims on the originality. My aim introduce the reader to the wonderful tools that are available in a Linux/BSD desktop environment." Story [RootPrompt.org -- Nothing but Unix] Have You Ordered Items Through Our Links? If you have ordered an item through any of our links, please contact us regarding the merchant and the date the item shipped. It has come to my attention that we have not been receiving commissions on some of the sales that have been generated through the ads at this site. We only receive income for carrying these ads if an ordered is placed after clicking on the ad. However, several friends have ordered merchandise through these links and we haven't received renumeration from the companies. I intend to remove any of the ads that do not adhere to the policies of our agreement, and your help would be greatly appreciated in this matter. Just use the form below if you have made purchases through this web site and give me the merchant and date you made a purchase. You do not need to provide me with any other information. If you prefer, you can use the contact us link and submit your information anonymously. Thanks for your support! Please visit our other site: www.californiafairsandfestivals.com
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Wednesday 12-15-04 Tech News Blog
Multipleplatforms.com |
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| Tech News 12-15-04 New Worm Hides as Holiday Greeting The latest worm to squirm its' way onto the scene has been dubbed Zafi and this little annelid hides behind a cheery holiday greeting, then infects your PC. Zafi Worm Hides Behind Christmas Cheer New variant offers holiday greetings before infecting your PC with a virus. [PCWorld.com - Latest News Stories] Test Drive MSN New Desktop Search Suite You can take the beta version of MSN's new desktop search suite by visiting MSN.com/; remember it is a beta version, so do not use it to build and store information you will need later for a thesis or dissertation. In fact, you may want to read the article following this one before using any desktop search tools. MSN Ships Revolutionary Desktop Search Tool On Monday afternoon, Microsoft's MSN unit unveiled a beta version of the MSN Toolbar Suite, a sweeping set of desktop and Web searching tools that promises to give Windows users today many of the search features the company originally promised for [Windows & .NET Magazine - Windows & .NET Magazine] Next Target For Crackers: Desktop Search Engines It really is annoying that just as a new technology begins to sweep across the tech world, crackers start scheming up ways to take advantage of our new tools, but it is reality according to a report from CNET. So, as we have informed you previously, desktop search software could compromise your PC. That is why you need not only a router to protect your PC from incoming attacks by crackers, but you also need a software firewall to monitor your outbound traffic on the computer. I still like the free firewall from ZoneLabs and you can find a link for this nifty tool at the bottom of this page. Desktop search new target for viruses? Security experts warn it's "just a matter of time" before virus writers eye desktop search tools. [CNET News.com] Related Story: Gartner: Google desktop search not enterprise-ready The tool is fine for home, an analyst says, but when it comes to office use, "we have some security and privacy issues." [CNET News.com] PC Tip of the Day: Microsoft Releases Patches Microsoft has released their monthly patches and there are no critical flaws associated with this release. To learn more about this update visit PC World: Microsoft Issues Five Bulletins on Windows Flaws Desktops, servers affected, but no vulnerabilities deemed critical. [PCWorld.com - Latest News Stories] Multiple Platforms Tip of the Day: Free Download from iTunes You can get a free download from iTunes and you won't be breaking any laws with this freebie. Just click on the logo for the iTunes Music Store to the right and get your free tune. You can also purchase gift certificates at iTunes for the holidays or any day. Apple Tip of the Day: Impress Your Friends Today the Apple tip is from The Apple Hot News web site and allows Mac-heads to show-off to their PC friends: Mac OS X Tip of the Week: Be a Show-off Want to impress your Windows-using friends and colleagues? Start a QuickTime movie, play a DVD, click on the visualizer in iTunes while it plays a song. Then press F9 and watch what happens. [Dec 15] [Apple Hot News] Open Source Updates Secunia has released the following update bulletins for open source systems: OpenBSD isakmpd Denial of Service Vulnerability A vulnerability has been reported in OpenBSD, which can be exploited by malicious, local users to cause a DoS (Denial of Service). [Secunia - Latest Secunia Security Advisories] Debian update for atari800 Debian has issued an update for atari800. This fixes multiple vulnerabilities, which can be exploited by malicious, local users to escalate their privileges on a vulnerable system. [Secunia - Latest Secunia Security Advisories] Debian update for zgv Debian has issued an update for zgv. This fixes multiple vulnerabilities, which potentially can be exploited by malicious people to compromise a vulnerable system. [Secunia - Latest Secunia Security Advisories] Linux Kernel IGMP and "__scm_send()" Vulnerabilities Paul Starzetz has reported some vulnerabilities in the Linux Kernel, which can be exploited by malicious people to cause a DoS (Denial of Service), and by malicious, local users to cause a DoS, gain knowledge of sensitive information, or potentially gain escalated privileges. [Secunia - Latest Secunia Security Advisories] Secunia Releases Security Bulletin for Opera Browsers Secunia has released a security bulletin for users of Opera. Read more about this flaw classified as less critical from Secunia's site: Opera Default Application "kfmclient exec" Security Issue Giovanni Delvecchio has discovered a security issue in Opera, which can be exploited by malicious people to compromise a user's system. [Secunia - Latest Secunia Security Advisories] Free Norton Ghost Upgrade The Ghost tool from Norton is one of their best products and you can get a free upgrade after rebates by visiting Buy.com. Please click on their logo to the right and order your upgrade. Then follow the link below from Free After Rebate.com to learn the details on the rebates. Symantec Norton Ghost 9.0 (upgrade/competitive upgrade) Symantec Norton Ghost 9.0 (upgrade/competitive upgrade) $63.99 -- just $3.99 after 2 rebates -- at Buy.com. Buy.com provides free standard shipping! Rebate expires December 15, 2004 -- Hurry! [Free After Rebate] What is Ghost? According to Wikipedia, "Ghost is a disk cloning program, originally produced by Binary Research, but purchased by Symantec in 1998. Ghost was the program that originated the disk-cloning software market. The name originally was an acronym for 'General Hardware Oriented Software Transfer'. Ghost was originally written by Murray Haszard in 1996, using the experience of a parallel and serial file-copying program previously produced by Binary Research. Initially, Ghost supported only FAT filesystems directly, but it could also copy (although not resize) other filesystems by performing a sector copy. Ghost added support for the NTFS filesystem later that year, and also provided a program to change the Security ID (SID) that made Windows NT systems distinguishable from each other. Support for the ext2 filesystem was added in 1999 and for ext3 subsequently. Ghost was developed in Auckland, New Zealand and, although a few functions such as translation into other languages are now carried out elsewhere, the main development and quality assurance is still in Auckland. The first versions of Ghost supported only the cloning of entire disks, but version 3.1 in 1997 allowed the cloning of individual partitions as well." Please visit our other site: www.californiafairsandfestivals.com
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Monday, December 13, 2004
Tuesday 12-14 Tech News Blog
Multipleplatforms.com |
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| Tech News For the links to all these stories and more visit: Multipleplatforms.com 12-14-04 The iBook Logic Board Recall Expires Soon If you have an iBook that qualifies for the logic board recall and have experienced video display problems, your time to act is running short as the recall expires in four days. AppleInsider is reporting that some lucky iBook owners are receiving more than just a new logic board with their iBook repair, to learn more read: Briefly: iBook repair upgrades, Tiger, iTunes, iCal Apple Offers Free Super-Sizing of iBook Repairs In an article published last month, AppleInsider ... [AppleInsider] Apple Releases iCal Update Apple has released an update for iCal and they have this to say about that. " iCal 1.5.5 includes improvements in iSync synchronization on computers running Mac OS X version 10.2. iCal 1.5.4 or later includes security enhancements to help protect your computer when subscribing to calendars or importing events with alarms that open files or applications." To download the update, click on the Apple in your toolbar and then select Software Update. Desktop Search Beta Available From MSN The desktop search tool de jour is from MSN and is available as a beta release according to PC World. In my world, grading and finals are the priority, so for the how-to click on: MSN Desktop Search Debuts Beta application is available as part of the new MSN Toolbar Suite. [PCWorld.com - Latest News Stories] Almost Free Stuff I just purchased a male-to-female USB 2.0 6-foot cable for the same price that you can order one from PC Connection after rebate. Get all the details from Free After Reabate.com: USB 2.0 Blue Illuminated Male-to-Male Cable (6-foot) USB 2.0 Blue Illuminated Male-to-Male Cable (6-foot) $5.10 -- just 10 cents after $5 rebate -- at eCOST. eCOST charges $7.95 shipping plus a $3.95 handling fee -- but if you spend $25, eCOST may provide free shipping. Rebate expires December 31, 2004. [Free After Rebate] The Survey Says: Open Source Has Best Quality After four years of research the verdict is in, the judgement: Linux is plagued by fewer bugs than most software according to a report carried by CNET. The researchers found flaws in Linux code compared to other commercial program code at a ratio of 1:5. So are we five times crazier to be using anything but open source, or are we just five times lazier (and cozier). Security research suggests Linux has fewer flaws Four years of research by a code-analysis firm finds that the latest open-source OS beats commercial software for quality. [CNET News.com] Ten Million Strong, And Growing Their proudly crowing about the growing going on in the world of Mozilla, as the celebrate a landmark ten-million downloads of their free and safe browser projects. Haven't joined the crowd yet? Click on the link above. 
Learn About VNC There are many ways to connect to your multiple platforms and we have been playing with them all lately in an effort to remove the clutter from the desktop. VNC is a tool multiple platform users can employ and O"Reilly MacDevCenter.com has a review/how-to on VNC: Homemade Dot-Mac: Remote Control Ever dreamed of having remote access to your Mac? This edition of Homemade Dot-Mac proves that having remote access, actually getting to see your screen and take control of your mouse, is a lot easier than you ever imagined. Alan Graham promises that it's quick and painless using VNC. [O'Reilly MacDevCenter.com] Apple, Open Source, and PC Tip of the Day: Set Password Remember that routers (wireless and otherwise) ship with a default name and password. Some routers (Belkin is one exapmle) do not even require a password initially, you only have to click on enter the preferences. Remember to reset the router name and password whenever you purchase a router or update the firmware or risk having someone else change them for you, or worse co-opt your machine and turn it into a zombie. Yesterday I logged on to my neighbors wireless router accidentently because the system was wide-open and my Airport card was enabled. What is DRAM? It sounds like a bad word, but according to Wikipedia DRAM is: "DRAM is a type of random access memory that stores each bit of data in a separate capacitor. The amount of electric charge stored in the capacitor determines whether the bit is considered 1 or 0. As leakage causes the charge on a capacitor to decay, the information gets lost eventually, unless the charge is refreshed periodically. Because it must be refreshed periodically, it is a dynamic memory as opposed to static memory like SRAM. Also, since DRAM loses its data when the power supply is removed, it is in the class of volatile memory devices." Please visit our other site: www.californiafairsandfestivals.com
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Monday 12-13-04 Tech News Blog
Multipleplatforms.com |
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| Tech News Visit Multipleplatforms.com for the links to these stories and more 12-13-04 Security News: Routers Leave Hole for Crackers Leo Laporte, The Tech Guy on KFI had security expert Steve Gibson as his guest on Sunday and as usual, Steve had a plethora of good advice and is advising all router users to disable the Plug-and-Play functionality option on their router. To read more about this router security flaw visit Leo or Steve's web site. You can also check the security of your system at Steve's web site by clicking on the Shields Up security check feature. Phishing Attempts Increase If at first you don't succeed, try, try again seems to be the motto behind an increase in the phishing attempts according to PC World. Find out what new methods these crooks are using by reading the following article at PC World. Phishing Scams Continue to Grow After a drop off earlier this fall, more fraudulent Web sites are popping up. [PCWorld.com - Latest News Stories] PC News: More Desktop Search Tools Coming Following the lead of Blinx, Google, X1, and our favorite Copernic Desktop Search, several big name players are preparing desktop search tools of their own. Read more about this subject at PC World.com: Desktop Search Avalanche Set to Hit Yahoo, Ask Jeeves, and Microsoft all plan to follow Google to the desktop. [PCWorld.com - Latest News Stories] PC Tip of the Day: Copernic Desktop Search Today the tip is related to the story above because I like this desktop search tool by Copernic. In fact, I like it so much that I removed the Google and Blinx Desktop programs from my PCs. I still have a few more days of the free trial from X1, but I am afraid Copernic has my business after the free trial expires. You can download this cool application from the Copernic web site, and I detected no spyware associated with it. Mac News: Apple iTunes Allows Payment with PayPal The Apple iTunes Music store is making it easier for customers to pay for music they download by including PayPal as an alternative for music lovers. ActiveMac carried the following story regarding this topic: Apple Says ITunes Music Store Now Accepts PayPal Apple Computer Inc. on Friday said customers of its iTunes online music store can now use eBay Inc.'s online payment service PayPal to buy songs and audiobooks, becoming the second major online music store to do so. Starting Friday, purchases from Cupertino, California-based Apple's online music store can be funded via PayPal, using a credit card, bank account or a stored account balance. [ActiveMac] NetNewsWire Is Great I can scan through hundreds of sources and thousands of stories about the tech world every day thanks to NetNewsWire's RSS software and you can try out the light version of the same product if you visit Mac OS X Apps web site. NetNewsWire Lite 1.0.8 NetNewsWire Lit is an easy-to-use RSS Web newsreader for Mac OS X. Its familiar three-paned interface - similar to Apple Mail and Outlook Express - can fetch and display news from thousands of different websites and weblogs, making it quick and easy to keep up with the latest news. [Mac OS X Apps] Apple Tip of the Day: Workaround for iBook and Powerbook Problems Today the Apple tip works for you and me; I have been experiencing this issue with my iBook after it has gone into the sleep mode, a blank screen. If your PowerBook or iBook is unresponsive after going into the sleep mode, read about the fix at MacFixIt. PowerBook/iBook stays unresponsive after attempted wake-from-sleep (#4): New workarounds, confirmation for others We continue to cover an issue where PowerBooks and iBooks appear unresponsive when owners attempts to wake them from sleep mode; specifically, the screens remains black or, in some cases, the lapt [MacFixIt] Open Source News: Computerworld has the scoop on a new version of GNOME for open source users: New GNOME version is available for Linux users Improvements include new file manager, ability to recognize removable storage devices and an integrated e-mail and groupwware client. [Computerworld Linux News] Open Source Updates Secunia has released bulletins regarding the following open source systems: Red Hat update for imlib Red Hat has issued an update for imlib. This fixes multiple vulnerabilities, which potentially can be exploited by malicious people to compromise a vulnerable system. [Secunia - Latest Secunia Security Advisories] Gentoo update for phprojekt Gentoo has issued an update for phprojekt. This fixes a vulnerability, which can be exploited by malicious people to bypass certain security restrictions. [Secunia - Latest Secunia Security Advisories] Debian update for xfree86 Debian has issued an update for xfree86. This fixes some vulnerabilities, which can be exploited by malicious people to cause a DoS (Denial of Service) or compromise a vulnerable system. [Secunia - Latest Secunia Security Advisories] What is CMOS? According to Wikipedia, "In computing the term CMOS is often used to mean the non-volatile memory that stores motherboard BIOS information. This was called the CMOS RAM or just the CMOS because it usually used a low-power CMOS memory chip, powered by a small battery. The term remains common but has become a misnomer as nearly all modern computer components except the "CMOS memory" are constructed in CMOS technology. For the "CMOS", in modern computers, flash memory is usually employed. Most modern PCs have I/O addresses assigned to read or write to the CMOS memory which typically stores BIOS configuration and RTC." Please visit our other site: www.californiafairsandfestivals.com
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