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Tech News Blog
1.14.05
New Worm Plays Tetris
The latest worm roaming in the wild plays Tetris with you while it infects your PC and any other computer it can wiggle into according to CNET. The worm has been dubbed ‘Cellery.A’, and the security firm Sophos warns network administrators to be wary of allowing the downloading of games now that this new avenue of attack has been successfully exploited.

Review of Microsoft AntiSpyware
PC World features a review of the antispyware software now available from Microsoft and they give the product a positive spin. The applications includes some nice advance features like browser hijack restore and provides you with the ability to monitor your bandwidth to make sure you’re computer is only working for you.

PowerBook RAM Problems
The MacMegasite reports that some 15-inch PowerBook G4s recently delivered from Apple are not recognizing RAM in the lower DIMM slot. The problem could be related to a logic board issue as simply switching or replacing the RAM has failed to resolve the problem. Make sure you check how much RAM you have running, I have repeated a previously published Apple tip of the day in the event that you missed it (see below).

More Info On Mac Mini
CNET and the David Pogue from the New York Times have excellent round-ups of the new Mac Mini and why it might be the next computer purchase you make. The article by CNET provides prices comparisons with several configurations of PCs. Remember that you can use a KVM switch to simplify your desktop and get around the ‘lack-of’ a keyboard, video, and monitor component of the Mac Mini. I’m thinking that an iPod Shuttle might be my next purchase.

Update Your Wacom Driver
If you use a Graphire 3 Wacom Tablet there is a reason your mouse and pen are attacking strangely, you need to update your driver. Visit Wacom for the latest driver update for the Graphire 3 here, or if you are not sure which Wacom tablet you use, click here. If you haven’t used a Wacom tablet, you should they make photo editing, drawing much easier and the mouse provided by Wacom is very comfortable to use.

Listen to Leo at New Time
For a first hand account of the events in San Francisco this week you can catch Leo Laporte’s show, The Tech Guy on KFI. Leo is answering questions on all thing digital at the new time of 11-2 pm PDT; and he will have plenty of news from MacExpo. Listen to Leo at AM640 or on the Internet using links from Leo’s web site.

Updates for Open Source
Secunia has released update or security bulletins for the following open source systems: Linux Kernel 2.6.x/, Redhat (1, 2) SuSE Linux, Conectiva Linux 9 (1, 2, 3), OpenBSD, Gentoo linux (1, 2), Fedora Core 2/3, and Debian (1, 2, 3)

Apple Tip of the Day: Find Out What’s Up
If you need to know what version of OS X you are running, or you want to verify that the RAM you just installed is present, this Apple tip of the day is for you. To check what you have under the hood of your Mac just click on the Apple in your Toolbar and choose About This Mac. In addition to the aforementioned information, you can also check for software updates and find out which processor powers your Mac (Re-published for the benefit of PowerBook owners).

PC Tip of the Day: Turn Off System Restore
The tip of the day seems somewhat counter intuitive, but there are times you might actually want to disable System Restore on your XP, and you should always turn it off when using a disinfection program according the Leo Laporte, The Tech Guy on KFI. To access System Restore and turn of the same use this path: Start/ Control Panels/ Systems/ System Restore. From there you will be able to turn off the System Restore or adjust the amount of disk space usage allotted for System Restore.

What is WAV?
According to Wikipedia, “WAV (or WAVE), short for WAVEform audio format, is a Microsoft and IBM audio file format standard for storing audio on PCs. It is a variant of the RIFF bitstream format method for storing data in "chunks", and thus also close to the IFF and the AIFF format used on Macintosh computers. It takes into account some peculiarities of the Intel CPU such as little endian byte order. The RIFF format acts as a "wrapper" for various audio compression codecs. It is the main format used on Windows systems for raw audio. Though a WAV file can hold audio compressed with any codec, by far the most common format is PCM audio data. Since PCM uses an uncompressed, lossless storage method which keeps all the samples of an audio track, professional users or audio experts may use the WAV format for maximum audio quality. WAV audio can also be edited and manipulated with relative ease using software.”

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Tech News Blog
1.13.05
Mozilla Has Flaws
Secunia is reporting a spoofing flaw deemed ‘not critical’ has been discovered in most versions of Mozilla and Firefox and effects Windows users. Keep the popup blocker activated and according to Secunia, “Do not take positive actions on dialogs from untrusted sources.”

Analysts Predict Mac Mini Will Boosts Apple Market Share
Although the experts are not predicting that the Mac Mini will turn all PC users into Mac-heads, they are predicting an increase in the number of homes with multiple platforms, according to a report in eWeek. Steve Baker, an industry expert states in the eWeek article, “It's aimed squarely at the consumer adding multiple PCs to the house and who want a small form factor.” Don’t forget, you heard it here first; when you use multiple platforms you get the best of both worlds.

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition v7.3
PC World reports that the top download of the week at their site is free software from Grisoft, AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition v7.3/. This program has a long record of accomplishment inkeeping your system clean, but it is up to the PC owner to keep the application current; if you do not update a program, especially firewalls, spyware, and anti-virus applications they are worthless.

Apple Updates iTunes to Fix Flaws
Apple has released an update for iTunes, iTunes 4.7.1 and according to the report in CNET the patch is in response to a security flaw that exists in the 4.7 versions of iTunes. Apple claims that the update is to accommodate the recently introduced iPod Shuttle. A patch is available for multiple platforms. I installed the update yesterday and haven’t experienced any problems; MacFixIt readers have not reported any problems so far, but I will monitor the situation and keep you posted if problems occur.

Open Source Updates
The security experts at Secunia have been busy and the following updates are available for open source systems: Gentoo Linux 1.x/. Mandrake (1, 2), Debian, Fedora Core 2/3, OpenBSD 3.x/, and Redhat (1, 2, 3, 4).

Apple Tip of the Day: Sync That iPod
The Apple tip of the day is aimed at iPod owners who need to master the art of synchronization and applies to Windows iTunes users too. To learn how to sync your iPod with your computer visit the Apple web site. You can sync from the Mac to the iPod or you can sync from your iPod to Mac or Windows PC.

PC Tip of the Day: Configure Remote Desktop
If you have a PC with Windows XP Pro, you can access the computer remotely and that is the tip of the day. First, follow this path: Start/ Control Panels/ Systems/ Remote and then you can click on Allow users to connect remotely to this computer and Select Remote Users. The Windows Firewall automatically configures itself to allow your selected remote users connect. There are some limitations to Remote Desktop including the lack of control over the monitor of the PC being remotely accessed. The host PC, the computer that is being controlled, cannot see what you are doing and a learning opportunity can be lost.

What is an AAC File?
Toshiba has this definition for AAC: “Acronym for Advanced Audio Coding. Digital Audio Encoding Method used by the MEA110, and recently selected by BMG and Universal Music as the preferred platform for digital music delivery. Advanced Audio Coding is highly compatible with digital copy protection protocols and watermarking; requires 25% less bandwidth than MP-3, and delivers a higher quality audio signal than MP-3.”

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Tech News Blog
1.12.05
Secunia Releases Highly Critical Bulletin for Windows
Secunia has released a security bulletin rated highly critical regarding a flaw that, “… is caused due to an unchecked buffer in the indexing service. This can be exploited to execute arbitrary code through a malicious query.” The flaw affects Microsoft Windows XP and 2003 systems and Secunia recommends applying patches. What patches should you apply? Read on.

Microsoft Releases Patches for Windows
Microsoft has released patches that repair several security holes that are present in Windows XP. According to PC World, Microsoft also offers their new Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) and the early reviews have been positive on the latter. Although I previously warned you about beta applications, Giant has actually tested this beta version before being acquired by Microsoft.

Roundup of Apple’s New Products
First, a correction from yesterday: the new Apple music player is the iPod Shuffle, not the iShuffle as I stated. I was getting the news from the MacMerc chat room and with so many contributing to the chat, while the keynote speech was being delivered and it was difficult to ascertain exact information. Then I encountered difficulties with Dreamweaver and wasn’t able to correct the error. Sorry. For the best information on the releases, visit the Apple Hot News web site.

Multiple Platforms Gets a Boost
With the terrific bargain offered by Apple with the release of the Mini Mac, the world of Multiple Platforms just received a big boost. How so you ask. I use my computers for the activities they are best suited for, the Macs are used for creative endeavors, compiling information for the tech news, building and maintaining web sites, and opening all my email. I use my PCs to communicate with those in the business world that only have Windows platforms, I use if for programs only available for PC operating systems, and I use my PCs to dabble in the open source world. With the availability of an inexpensive, compact Mac Mini you can too can add a second platform to your world, and with the addition of a KVM (keyboard, video, monitor) switch you can use one keyboard and monitor for your new Mac and your PC. It really is beneficially to be fluent in multiple platforms, as you can have the best of all worlds!

Open Source Updates
Secunia released update bulletins for these open source systems: Gentoo Linux 1.x (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7), Debian (1, 2), and Mandrake Linux.

Apple Tip of the Day: Invest in a .Mac Account
If you were influenced by yesterday’s Keynote speech by Apple’s Steve Jobs and purchase a new Apple product, please allow me to further influence you by suggesting that you spend the additional $99 and include a .Mac account to your new purchase total. Here are some of the ways a .Mac account can help you: offsite storage, your own web page, email accounts with massive storage space, inside information and software only available to .Mac members.

PC Tip of The Day: Check Your Automatic Updates Status
If you have installed SP 2, you can check the status of your Automatic Update follow this path: Start/ Control Panels/ Systems/ Automatic Updates. From here you can determine your current update status and change it if necessary. I keep our PCs set to Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them. Then when I’m ready to install the update, it is available and I don’t have to waste time waiting for a download.

What is a WMA?
Today our definitions of audio files continues with this explanation from Wikipedia, “Windows Media Audio (WMA) is a proprietary compressed audio file format developed by Microsoft. It was initially a competitor to the MP3 format, but with the introduction of Apple's iTunes Music Store, it has positioned itself as a competitor to the Advanced Audio Coding format used by Apple. It is part of the Windows Media framework. An initial reason for the development of WMA might have been that MP3 technology is patented and has to be licensed from Thomson for inclusion in the Microsoft Windows operating system. A WMA file is almost always encapsulated in an Advanced Systems Format (ASF) file. The resulting file may have the filename suffix "wma" or "asf" with the "wma" suffix being used only if the file is strictly audio. The ASF file format specifies how metadata about the file is to be encoded, akin to the ID3 tags used by MP3 files. ASF is also patented in the United States. Files in this format can be played using Windows Media Player, Winamp and many other alternative media players. The FFmpeg project have reverse-engineered and reimplemented the WMA format to allow its use on POSIX compliant operating systems such as Linux.”

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Tech News Blog

1.10.05
Best of Electronics Show
Everything about the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas is gone but the hangovers and blisters, however PC World has captured the best of the show in pictures and they provide a wrap-up of the same at their site. The theme of the show seems to be a smaller package with a larger punch, or a big screen with an even bigger price. Leo Laporte, The Tech Guy on KFI has reviews from several tech experts covering the show including Kevin Rose and Patrick Norton.

Big Week for Apple
The rumors will be confirmed or refuted tomorrow when Steve Jobs presents his keynote speech, but expect many announcements today and throughout the week about new applications and cool add-ons for Mac-heads. First up in new applications includes a new beta version of a desktop search tool from blinkx, blinkx 2.0 according to MacNN. I have not had a chance to check this tool out on the Mac, but it worked well on the PCs (although not as well as Copernic). In a story on the same product, MacMinute states that the company calls the process “Smart folders” and the folders are updated when new information is available. Another release aimed at Apple users and featured by MacNN is a release from MacWeb.com, iApp Server 1.0/. This will help FileMaker Pro 7 users post data to their web sites. In another announcement, AquaMinds’ announced an update for their organizing application, NoteTaker 1.9/. According to MacCentral, the update includes new plug-ins for freehand drawing, diagramming, and more.

Open Source Updates
Secunia has released bulletins for the following open source systems: Debian (1, 2), Linux 2.4.x/ 2.6.x/, Fedora Core 2/3, and Gentoo Linux 1.x/.

Apple Tip of the Day: Find Out What’s Up
If you need to know what version of OS X you are running, or you want to verify that the RAM you just installed is present, this Apple tip of the day is for you. To check what you have under the hood of your Mac just click on the Apple in your Toolbar and choose About This Mac. In addition to the aforementioned information, you can also check for software updates and find out which processor powers your Mac.

PC Tip of the Day: Check Your Vital Stats
The PC tip of the day is the method you use to check the status of your XP operating system. Although this is a basic tip, you would be amazed at how many people can’t tell me if they’ve updated their PC to Microsoft’s Service Pack 2. Begin by clicking on Start and choose Control Panel; then select System and the General tab will contain the version of your operating system and which Service Pack is installed. If you haven’t installed SP 2 you should follow the directions provided by Leo Laporte, The Tech Guy on KFI. The take-home message is to install SP2 on a clean system, free of spyware.

What is a MP 3?
This week we will focus on the types of audio files used in the tech world and today the definition is courtesy of Intel: “The file extension for the audio layer (layer 3) of a MPEG file is MP3. This layer uses perceptual (what can be heard) audio coding and psychoacoustic compression to remove redundant or irrelevant sound signals. It then adds a filter bank known as a Modified Discrete Cosine Transform (MDCT), which increases the resolution of the frequency. The resulting file is shrunk by a factor of 12 (from 1411.2 kbps to 112-128 kbps) without sacrificing sound quality. MP3 files are small enough to easily transfer across the Internet.”