Standing O

What a way to put an end to Gnomedex 5.0.. Adam Curry giving a live podcast for his speech and ending with thanking Chris and Ponzi. My opinion after being at the last three, they just keep getting better. Now that Chris has settled in Seattle, what just so happens to be the home of Microsoft, it is a safe bet that for the next one anyway, Gnomedex will happen in Seattle with what is to be expected as another learning experience for all that attend. Well done Chris and Ponzi and thank you!

It's Gnomedex 5.0 Official Day 1

If you don't know anything about Blogging then this is certainly the place to be. Close to 400 people are here at Gnomedex this year, listening and taking part in what any and all topics relating to blogs and blogging. Since my blog is pretty much based on technical updates and information that I feel is important for my existing clients as well as anyone looking for information and instruction with computers in general. RSS has been mentioned on occasion, it is still something relatively new in the internet workplace, that is, if you can consider about 3 years new.  What has gone from an individual posting of their diary to a website can now be seen and heard via audio and video "podcasting".

 

 

The first dealing with "podcasting" finds over 5 million sites when doing a google search today.

Blogging uses the RSS file format for its distribution and therefore appears initially as a need download specific software in order to view and post your feed.  Interestingly enough, as I was busy downloading one blog editor, a fellow gnomedexer walked over to me and handed me a cd stating that "this is better then what you are using". Of course everyone will have their own opinion on this and just like any other software you use right now to do things on the internet, like your web browser, there are many versions available, all with their pros and cons, as I can see things.  The one issue I have had just getting in to the blog community is finding out just what is required.  Right now, I am using blogger which, run by Google, allows you to create a free blog, much like Microsoft's Hotmail is a free web based email that is free for anyone to use, you can utilize this software which doesn't require any download, to post and maintain your blog.

 

Microsoft is at Gnomedex of course, as one of the major sponsors. IE 7 (Internet Explorer) will be released in December with a beta coming out this summer (soon?)  We all got a sneak preview of this new browser which will have an integrated RSS news aggregator, something that many other browsers have already introduced, but of course when you are dealing with the massive numbers of users throughout the world that are currently using some form of IE, Microsoft will wait until they have it right.  This being said, you should be ready for the release by getting more knowledgeable about this now. I say this because it truly will be the future of the internet as we see it right now. 

 

I could have mentioned this in one of my very first blogs that I created since that was at Gnomedex 3.0, when Chris was so excited about this "new thing called RSS", but I didn't simply because it was so new and I like to understand what it is I am working with before I go out and start training people on how to use it. It has taken the three years for me to see the usefulness of this service, however that may also be only because during this early growth in this product that people have found so many other uses. Now with podcasting it truly allows people to illustrate their thoughts and feelings to whatever their post may be about in formats other then writing.

 

I know I have mentioned RSS before but now, here I am at Gnomedex 5.0 and as I see it, this is a must for all who use the internet in some form and fashion, whether it be with email and typical web surfing, you are going to need to know about this, so take my advice and start learning all you can about this and get started with your blog!

 

 

I'm off to Gnomedex 5.0

I'm off to Gnomedex 5.0 in Seattle. Looking forward to a West Coast version as this will now be my third, starting with 3.0 in Des Moines, Iowa and 4.0 last year in Lake Tahoe. Will report daily with many links to view. If you wanted to know about RSS and Blogging then this should tell you everything and more!

Client Tip of the Day

If you are an existing client of mine then there is a good chance you are using Norton Systemworks. A quick tip for you on keeping things running at peak performance...

When you get up from using the computer and you know you are going to be away for a few hours, start Norton Systemworks' Speed Disk. Even though this is on a schedule, by choosing to "optimize now" will optimize more then it will in the scheduled mode, since this has been set up to optimize only if more then 10% fragmented.

If you are not sure what I am talking about and you haven't visited my TIPS then please do and of course always know that I am a key click away by email!

Wireless Zero Configuration for networks install

This article is, if for no other reason, something that I required to fix a crazy problem with a D-link wireless network card that basically took out this service completely from windows xp.

The basic points are listed below but if you require more information you should read the full article. As this is not something you will have to fix hopefully ever in your lifetime, this blog entry will probably be more for me when I am in the field and come across this same problem again. It is nice to know that I can visit my own blog to find the answers!

Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel. If you're in Category View, then click the Network and Internet Connections icon, then the Network Connections icon. If you're in Classic View, double-click the Network Connections icon. In the Network Connections window, under LAN or High Speed Internet, select the Local Area Connection icon. On the menu bar, click File and select Properties, or just right-click on the Local Area Connection icon and select Properties from the context menu). In the Local Area Connection Properties window, on the General tab, click the Install button. In the Select Network Component Type window, under "Click the type of network component you want to install," click to select the Service icon, then click the Add button. In the Select Network Service window, click the Have Disk button, then the Browse button. In the Locate File window, browse to the C:\Windows\Inf folder (this is a hidden folder). Click to select NETWZC.INF, then click the Open button. In the Install From Disk window, click the OK button. In the Select Network Service window, in the Network Service box, select Microsoft as the manufacturer, then click to select Wireless Zero Configuration. Click the OK button.

Kazaa Rates as Worst Pest on CA's Spyware List

As mentioned in a previous blog, just how bad kazaa and limewire are, now it appears even Bit Torrent has been hit with spyware, but nothing like what you get with kazaa as mentioned in this article from eweek.com

Just remember, if you are going to use file sharing programs you are going to have to double up on your spyware scans and even there is no guarantee that you will get rid of it all through normal measures either. You can always get a copy of the latest spyware scanners from the SOFTWARE/SUPPORT section of this website.

Microsoft releases a new set of patches--have you got them yet?

As ZDNet reports here

Be sure you go and get these right away. In some cases, depending on how you have your "automatic updates" set up, you might have already downloaded them and your computer is now prompting you to install the new updates. You will see a small globe icon on your system tray that when you click on it, it will ask you if you want to complete the install. This is one more reason I am sure Microsoft can't wait to get IE7.0 released as I am sure a lot of these security issues will have been addressed in the new framework. We will just have to wait and see, but in my opinion, I am still going to stick with AvantBrowser as my choice, however that doesn't mean I didn't get these updates. Even if you are not using the Internet Explorer as your main web browser, realize that it is part of the windows operating system and if you are connected to the Internet then these patches are necessary!

As always, if you are client of mine and are not sure what to do, you can always drop me a line and I"ll explain the procedure for me to help you out by connecting to your computer. If you are not a client of mine, then you can always still ask me a question here.

I don't know how to make it any clearer--if you install Kazaa or Limewire, then expect to have viruses as well!

It seems a never ending story, computer guy comes over to fix a computer that is "running very slow" and the first thing you see when you look on the system tray is that dreaded K icon! As well, in the quicklaunch tray is teaming with programs, all of which are also running in processes (in the background). Did I mention the home usually has a teenager in it? This is typical simply because it is that age group that is currently wrapped up in... Rap and all other forms of music--to fill up that mp3 player. Please do everyone a favour and don't install these programs. WinMX is the only one that I recommend at this point when it comes to any form of peer to peer file sharing. That and Bit Torrent of course but then again bit torrent I have found it used more for the larger files that are found when downloading entire TV programs. Remember you can always review the TIPS, especially for Optimizing your computer. Spyware is out of control and most of that is because of uneducated users which means they do not know any better so it is up to all that do know, to pass the word around.. Just as it is when it comes to every teenager seems to think if you don't have kazaa then you're not cool--one lesson I guess could be to pass the repair bill on to them as well. That is one way to learn the value of a bad download!

Recalling and deleting email already sent using an exchange server TIP

Here is something that may help if you have just sent email to someone that you made a big mistake on.. note however, that it will only work if the ISP accepts microsoft exchange commands in which case so long as the recepient hasn't checked their mail box and the mail is still at the ISPs server, you might have a chance...
Here's how:

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This feature requires you to be using a Microsoft Exchange Server e-mail account.
You can recall or replace a message only if its recipient is logged on and using Microsoft Outlook and has not read the message or moved it from their Inbox.
In Mail, in the Navigation Pane (Navigation Pane: The column on the left side of the Outlook window that includes panes such as Shortcuts or Mail and the shortcuts or folders within each pane. Click a folder to show the items in the folder.), click Sent Items.
Open the message you want to recall or replace.
In the message window, on the Actions menu, click Recall This Message.
Note This command does not appear unless you are using an Exchange e-mail account.
Do one of the following:
Recall the message
Click Delete unread copies of this message.
To be notified about the success of the recall or replacement for each recipient, select the Tell me if recall succeeds or fails for each recipient check box.
Replace the message
Click Delete unread copies and replace with a new message.
To be notified about the success of the recall or replacement for each recipient, select the Tell me if recall succeeds or fails for each recipient check box.
Click OK, and then type a new message.
Note To replace a message, you must send a new one. If you do not send the new item (item: An item is the basic element that holds information in Outlook (similar to a file in other programs). Items include e-mail messages, appointments, contacts, tasks, journal entries, notes, posted items, and documents.), the original message is still recalled.

Three Ways Phishers Are Hooking You

This story by Bill Brenner of Search Security.com details some ways that phishera are compromising corporate servers so they can lure victims - and has some basic techniques administrators can follow to prevent them.

Most people think of phishing as authentic-looking, but bogus e-mails designed to trick them out of their bank account numbers. But recent research by the Honeynet Project & Research Alliance shows it’s much more complicated - and scarier - than that.
Phishers are using malicious Web servers, port redirection and botnets with stunning success to hook users, the alliance warned in a new report. Their efforts are far more elaborate and organized than first thought, and in many cases they're coordinating with other phishing groups and mixing methods.
[Continue reading Three Ways Phishers Are Hooking You]