Tech News Blog
2.18.05
New Threat is an Old Tool
Once used only by IT security personnel to monitor networked computers, kernel rootkits maybe the next security threat on the horizon according to a report in PC World. The threat was one of the topics examined by security gurus at the RSA Security Conference in San Francisco this week. The tool has been used for years, but crackers have co-opted the program and the bad people are hiding their work deeper within the system, making it harder to detect according to PC World.

New Plague Present?
An issue that initially seemed to be associated with Apple’s latest update, 10.3.8 has instead morphed into a more disturbing problem, pop-under ads that appear behind the browser and cannot be blocked. MacFixIt reports these ads began appearing last week, and Mozilla, OmniWeb, Camino, Firefox, and Safari users have all reported receiving these ads; MacFixIt has several suggestions to temporarily thwart this new annoyance.

Listen to The Tech Guy
I improve my digital knowledge every weekend between 11 am to 2 pm (PST) by listening to Leo Laporte, The Tech Guy on KFI Internet stream and if you are in the Los Angeles area tune into AM640 and listen live. Leo answers questions on all things digital and uses Multiple Platforms without bias; visit Leo’s web site then click on the KFI logo to listen to the Internet stream.

Open Source Updates
Gentoo, Debian, Fedora, and Mandrake (1, 2) have updates available according to Secunia.

Apple Tip of the Day: Keyboard Shortcut to Server
To quickly connect to other computers on your network you can use Command-K. This will launch the connect to server window and from there you can select any computer on your network.

PC Tip of the Day: Keyboard Shortcut
The PC tip of the day is another handy keyboard shortcut to open the My Computer window just click on the Windows logo key + E key.

What is a Fat Server?
This should have been the ‘What is’ question for February 8, 2005—Fat Tuesday; according to Answers.com a fat server is, “A server in a client/server environment that performs most or all of the application processing with little or none performed in the client. The counterpart to a fat server is a thin client.”

Tech News Blog
2.17.05
MyDoom Back Again
According to PC World, a new variant of the MyDoom worm is striking Internet users. This version is similar to the fraud that hit last July and slowed some of the major search engines with requests. The worm infects other PCs via the email, so exercise caution when opening email; most worms use addresses from an infected computers’ address book, so the attack could be disguised as a message from a friend.

Microsoft Issues Fix for Windows Media Player
Microsoft has released another patch out of sequence for a flaw that existed in Windows Media player according to an article in CNET. The release bulletin issued by Microsoft notes that the fix will “… add additional integrity checks to the DRM system …”.

Some of Microsoft’s Xbox Cords Faulty
Reuters is reporting that Microsoft issued a recall on Xbox consoles that were made before October 23, 2003. If the Xbox was made in Europe, the recall effects those made before January 13, 2004. Microsoft will replace the power cords on the affected models and you can visit the Xbox web site for more information.

Open Source Updates
Secunia issued these bulletins for open source systems: Linux Kernel 2.6/, Conectiva, Mandrake, Debian (1, 2), and Gentoo (1, 2).

Apple Tip of the Day: Keyboard Shortcut to Applications
If you want to open your Applications folder from your Apple keyboard, use the following key combination: Shift-Command-A; another way to quickly access this folder is to create an alias and park the alias in your dock. Control or right click on the Applications folder and select Make Alias. Then drag the alias to your dock.

PC Tip of the Day: Keyboard Shortcut
You can open the start menu with one keystroke if you use a Windows keyboard; click on the Windows icon key located between the Control and Alt key and the Start menu will open up.

What is Client Server?
Answers.com provides this definition for client server, “An architecture in which the user's PC (the client) is the requesting machine and the server is the supplying machine, both of which are connected via a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, client/server was the hot buzzword as applications were migrated from centralized minicomputers and mainframes to networks of desktop computers.
In client/server, the client processes the user interface (Windows, Mac, etc.) and can perform some or all of the application processing. Servers range in capacity from high-end PCs to mainframes. A database server maintains the databases and processes requests from the client to extract data from or to update the database. An application server provides additional business processing for the clients.
In a LAN environment, servers are widely used to store data and programs and share those files with the client PCs. In this case, the servers act as remote disk drives to the clients. In addition, technically, the server is cooperating with the clients by providing file-sharing services, but this scenario does not embody the real meaning of client/server (note examples below). The important concept of client/server is that both client and server each take on some of the application processing. See client/server development system.”

Tech News Blog
2.16.05
New Tune Has Better Chorus
Now he’s singing our song and though it may send shudders through the IT security industry, the latest tune from Microsoft’s Bill Gates regarding upcoming changes for Windows people is welcome news for beleaguered PC users. First, Microsoft will update Internet Exploder and make it harder for scammers to execute their crackers’ code. Gates also announced that the company will continue to offer Windows AntiSpyware free, and while this may not be great news for third-party anti-spyware producers, it should help the end users improve their PCs safety. Read more about the keynote at PC World.

Printer Problem Has Solution
Mac-heads that are experiencing printer problems after installing the latest update from Apple, 10.3.8 will find a workaround for the problem if you visit MacFixIt; the issue has affected people that have Epson printers connected to an Airport Express. Resetting the Airport Express seems to correct this conflict.

Free Download from iTunes
You can download a free song from the Apple iTunes Music store and the artist changes every Tuesday. Get your free tune by clicking on the iTunes logo to the left. You can help defer the operating costs of Multiple Platforms.com by purchasing your iTunes music through the link at the left. Thanks!

Open Source Updates
Secunia has released these bulletins for open source users: Debian (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), Gentoo (1, 2, 3), Mandrake, and KDE.

Apple Tip of the Day: Quick Check for New Mail
If you need to check for new email messages using .Mail, just right click or control click on the Mail icon in the dock; select Get New Mail and the application will check the server for new messages.

PC Tip of the Day: Windows Media Player 10 Error Messages
If you use Windows Media Player 10 and you receive an error message, Microsoft has a page that list all the codes with links to troubleshooting advice for those pesky annoyances.

What is Server Software?
According to Answers.com server software is, “Software that resides in a server and provides services to multiple users on the network. Contrast with client software. (see: Tuesday’s Multiple Platforms’ definition) See client/server.”

Tech News Blog
2.15.05
Make IM Safer
Two researchers from UC Berkeley have released free software that will make your IM communications more secure if both parties have application installed. According to the report from CNET, the program can verify who is on the receiving end of your IM and prevents crackers from viewing messages. The term for this technology is ‘perfect forward security’; it sounds good and the price is right.

Next Step for Red Hat Power PC
CNET has a good news story for open source users and multiple platform people; the next release from Red Hat will include a version of Fedora that will run on Power chips like the PowerPC found in Apple’s G5. Users would also be able to run multiple platforms simultaneously using Xen, an open source software.

GRAMMY Downloads Cheaper
Apple announced that the iTunes Music store would offer all albums with GRAMMY award winning tracks for $2 off the normal cost. You can also download a special version of “Across the Universe” performed by an all-star cast of musicians on the night of the awards for 99 cents; help support Multiple Platforms.com by purchasing your iTunes from the link to the Apple Music store to the left.

Open Source Updates
Secunia released update and security bulletins for these open source systems: Sun Solaris (1, 2), Gentoo (1, 2), Conectiva, Debian, Fedora, Mandrake, and SuSE.

Apple Tip of the Day: Compose a New Message Quickly
If you want to open a new email message quickly, just right click or control click on the Mail icon in the dock; one of the options will be to compose a new message, select that option to start a new email message.

PC Tip of the Day: Find Your Email Faster
If you use Outlook you can tweak the program to make finding your email messages easier; learn how to use your Search Folder by visiting the Microsoft web site.

What is Client Software?
The definition of the day is client software and comes from Answers.com, “Software that resides in a user's desktop or laptop computer, PDA or cell phone. Contrast with server software. See client/server.”

Tech News Blog
2.14.05
Happy Valentines Day!
Microsoft to Users: Install Update
According to a story in PC World, Microsoft is urging Windows and Office users to download and install the updates released last week. I installed the updates on my main PC and have not encountered any conflicts; if you have any adverse experiences, drop us an email and let us know what happened. Remember to use spyware removal tools and check for viruses before applying these patches.

Apple Update
I also applied the updates released by Apple without any ill affects. MacFixIt has reports on some Internet slow downs and iTunes connectivity issues post-update installation. The slow-down issue could be related to your router, particularly if you use one by Netgear. If you are experiencing any of the aforementioned issues, visit MacFixIt for some solutions.

Security Conference Starts Today
Driven by worries of phishing attacks and spyware threats, the 2005 RSA Conference that begins today in San Francisco should draw record attendance according to a story carried by PC World. Most of the big names in the security field will be present and Microsoft’s Bill Gates will deliver the keynote speech.

Open Source Updates
Secunia released the following updates between Friday and Monday 0700 PST: Debian (1, 2, 3, 4), Mandrake (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), Red Hat (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8), SuSE (1), Fedora (1, 2), KDE, and Gentoo (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).

Apple Tip of the Day: Office 2004 Free Trial
Apple owners can take Microsoft’s Office 2004 for a free 30-day test drive by visiting Mactopia.

PC Tip of the Day: Check for Office Updates
Microsoft’s Office software has several updates available and you can check if you need to install a patch by visiting Microsoft’s Office web site.

What is a PDA?
Answers.com provides this definition, “(Personal Digital Assistant) A handheld computer that serves as an organizer for personal information. It generally includes at least a name and address database, to-do list and note taker. PDAs may be combined with cell phones and other wireless technologies, providing a mobile office for people on the go.
PDAs are pen based and use a stylus to tap selections on menus and to enter printed characters. The unit may also include a small on-screen keyboard that is tapped with the pen. Data are synchronized between the PDA and desktop computer via cable or wireless transmission.
A PDA is like a palmtop computer except that the PDA typically uses a pen whereas the palmtop uses a small keyboard. Apple's MessagePad, more commonly known as the "Newton," was the pioneer in this field in 1993. However, PalmPilots, introduced a couple years after, popularized the technology. See Newton and Palm.”