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WINDOWS: Longhorn–Innovation or Desperation?

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Actually, it may simply be a whole lot of perspiration. If you’ve not watched it already, you need to take a look at the keynote from yesterday’s WinHEC event (click here to view) and see some of the upcoming innovation related to Longhorn and Windows XP 64-bit.

Here’s some of what I took away from the demos:

1. Though you might not believe me, you need to watch the keynote and see the SQL 2005 demo on the 64-bit platform. I’ve always wondered what 64-bit would do, and this is the best visual representation of it I’ve seen.
2. The new search and smart-folder functions built into Longhorn are impressive. And while the demo is still on pre-beta software, Steve Jobs better look out–the capabilities blow Spotlight out of the water. Yeah, I know, it’s still more than a year off, so he’s got time to catch-up.
3. The graphical interface and built-in content management are quite visually impressive. Sure, you can get Windows Blinds to do some of the GUI stuff, but you can tell from the demos that using MS Windows out of the box is going to be quite an experience.

That’s my take for now. Give the video a look and let me know what you think.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

EMULATION: CherryOS Frustration, Imagination, Alienation

In reply to HutchTech Blog

From Paul Thurrot’s blog (http://www.internet-nexus.com):

The last bite on CherryOS


The thief who ripped off Pear PC and tried to foist in on the world as his own creation announces that Cherry OS is no more:

I decided that [Cherry OS] is not worth the hassle, not now or in the future. [Cherry OS] went to work without brushing its teeth or taking a shower, it was not ready.

Oh yeah, I know ? everyone out there who has their certain opinion about me will have their great comment hour right now. Its [sic] ok I expect that anyway.

As you should. You completely stole intellectual property from some hard working folks, and you deserve every comment you get, jerk.

I agree with Paul: The guys at Cherry OS should be flogged, tarred and feathered, then drawn and quartered. What jerks!

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

OPINION: Dvorak – The Dumbing Down of America

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Dvorak’s done it again. No, not the exploding into a million tiny pieces thing. No, he’s hit the nail on the head. How many people do you know that can’t even do a simple Internet search (you know, with that net-web world-wide thingy on the big blue ‘E’)? We’re not talking about not being able to program the VCR here, we’re talking about doing something akin to looking up a phone number in the phone book–oops, is that asking too much?

Read the column yourself with the link below.

Opinion Column by PC Magazine: The Dumbing Down of America

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

UTILITIES: PC World – Free and Cheap Fixes

In reply to HutchTech Blog

If you need free and cheap software to fix, enhance, remove, [insert adjective here] your system, then check out this list. I found a couple of real gems–you will too.

PCWorld.com – Supercharge Your Software with These Utilities

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

TABLET PC: Big Blue Takes the Red Pill

In reply to HutchTech Blog

I know, most of the news around tablets lately has focused on Apple’s slate patent (Google it if you want more), something they should have been working on for a long time. But according my inside sources, IBM has stayed out of the TabletPC arena, mostly due to pride. That’s right, Uncle Bill didn’t come to play at their party a year or two prior to the release of the TabletPC spec, so IBM wasn’t going to come to Bill’s party. Neener Neener. Now that TablePCs are starting to move, and the prices are lowering, IBM is ready to step up. Read the eWeek article below for more.

IBM Develops ThinkPad Tablet PC

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

GOOGLE: Hacking Crime in the Windy City

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Google hacks are just plain cool. Sorry, I’m enamored of the search engine’s continued ingenuity and flexibility. You need to check out this post on Slashdot and see the Chicago crime data for yourself. I guess it’s time to consider brushing off my database skills and see what other moves Google knows.

Slashdot Google Map Hack & Chicago Crime Data

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

MAC: Stale Chips Prompt Apple Migration

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Though he doesn’t come
right out and say it, Steve Jobs is tired of waiting on IBM to get
their PowerPC processors up-to-speed. While I’ll definitely wait until
next year’s 64-bit chips hit the market, things are looking up for both
PC and Mac users. I have a new iBook G4 (1.5Ghz) that just doesn’t
compare to my 2-year-old 1.5 GHz Pentium M-based Gateway.

I know IBM spent a lot of money building a brand new plant to
produce the PowerPC chips, and hopefully they’ll recoup some of that
with the new powerful game console CPUs they’re promising. I think
Steve just got tired of trying to foist the “speed isn’t everything”
mantra. I’ve read several articles that talked about the market share
apple lost when they switched from Motorola’s chipset to the PowerPC,
but I doubt this is comparable. I don’t yet know how this will help the
end user when it comes to price, but it has got to make a dent. Read
more are the DesgnTechnica.com article below.

Apple Makes a Switch to Intel – Computing News – Designtechnica

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

SCAM: Bad “Bad Apple”

In reply to HutchTech Blog

So, you’ve heard that
iTunes 4.9 is going to have support for podcasts. Yeah! However, if
you’re like me you just don’t want to wait. Well, you’re gonna have to.
All this hubbub, over a recently released iTunes 4.8 hack called “Bad
Apple” that would unlock the podcasting capabilities of iTunes, is a
scam. You heard me. It’s going to insert itself into your startup
settings, and change your hosts file (which means you’re going to get
some nasty spyware–or worse).

So rather than even try it, just be patient, iTunes 4.9 will be
here soon enough. Oh, and don’t blame me for the nasty rash it’ll give
you if you ignore my warnings–their is no topical cream. Ouch!

I really had hoped it would be something awesome. Looks like I’m just going to have to wait.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

MEDIA: Is a “FREE” TiVo in Your Future

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Our friends at CNet have
an excellent article on the pros and cons of the free TiVo knock-offs
your cable/satellite company are offering–and you might be pleasantly
surprised (see link below). I’m still attached to my ReplayTV, mostly
because I can strip anything I record off as MPEG-2 and copy it to my
PC/Server over my home network. However, I’ve been toying with building
a Media Center PC (first using Orb–see article below–and then
possibly migrating to the actual MS Media Center OS–since I have my
legit/licensed MAPS version just sitting there ready to be used). Feel
free to talk back in the comments section and let me know what you
think.

Check out the link to the CNet article below.

Fully Equipped: Free HD TiVo knockoff: is it worth it? – CNET reviews

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

SECURITY: Control Those Pesky Start-Up Apps the Easy Way

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Back in the day if you
wanted to control those pesky auto-starting apps on your PC, you had
edit your win.ini, sys.ini, and even the registry. Then came the advent
of MSCONFIG.exe for Windows 98 and ME. Even though it didn’t come on
Windows NT or 2K, it worked if you copied it to their HDD. You could
easily check/un-check the apps you didn’t want to auto-start without
touching the registry. But if you didn’t know what you were doing, you
could stop the wrong start-up process and injure your system.

Now you can use the “Advanced Tools” in the FREE MS Anti-Spyware
Beta 1 to control those pesky start-up programs and even find out more
about them (check out the screenshot below). It’s easy to use, gives
you all kinds of info about the various programs that start-up along
with Windows, and best of all, it’s free!

.

Get the free MS Anti-Spyware Beta 1 (for Windows 2K, 2003 Server and XP only) at http://www.microsoft.com/spyware.
In my personal experience, using the MS product along with Spybot
Search & Destroy, and Spyware Blaster keeps my PC spyware-free. And
believe me, that provides a huge performance boost for any machine.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

SECURITY: Control Those Pesky Start-Up Apps the Easy Way

In reply to SECURITY: Control Those Pesky Start-Up Apps the Easy Way

Great tip it works well.

WINDOWS: Windows XP Speed Daemons

In reply to HutchTech Blog

TechRepublic is sharing some of the wealth from the 2nd Edition of Windows XP Hacks, published by O’Reilly. I have the book, and these are actually four of the most useful things in it. Take a look at other similar downloads from TechRepublic, as well. I believe they’ve got several portions of the Hacks manuals available online for free.

Here’s the link: Use these four Registry tweaks to accelerate Windows XP – TechRepublic

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

BLOG: Is the Blogosphere Ready for Primetime?

In reply to HutchTech Blog

If you spend even a
little time in the blogosphere these days you’ll note the constantly
shifting technology (blogcasts anyone?), the incessant attacks on the
established media elite (hey, they actually pay two “blog babes” to
read these things on CNN), and the general migration for the original
diary-type blogs to content/topic oriented blogging.

I enjoy blogging, in fact, I wish I could do more of it. Amazingly,
people actually read this stuff (a great big “thank you” is in order
here). Amazingly, the folks at TechRepublic.com are even re-posting
this blog, for free, further expanding the reach of the HutchTech
franchise. Okay, let me clarify, this is not something their doing just
for me, actually they’re offering it to all their members. In an
attempt to build a stronger online community, TechRepublic is offering
to upload your blog and show it off to others who might be interested.
As far as I’m concerned, it never hurts to expand your reach. In fact,
the added exposure will probably improve the blog in general.

So, whether you’re reading this at hutchtech.blogspot.com or
techrepublic.com, I thank you for your time. I hope you’ll read,
research, test, and enjoy. Perhaps you’ll even be inspired to try
blogging yourself. If you’ve got something to say, say it, you might be
surprised who’s listening.

– Hutch

UPDATE: Check out this link to the Daily Show video: http://movies.crooksandliars.com/cnn-blogs.wmv

This post originally appeared on an external website

BLOG: Is the Blogosphere Ready for Primetime?

In reply to BLOG: Is the Blogosphere Ready for Primetime?

Wow, thanks for the kudos. Would you have any objections to us using
some of the above text as a “testimonial” to promote our blog platform? We’d love to point people your way.

MAC: Widget Wrangler–An Addict

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Okay, except for the snafu causing Snerdware’s GroupCal 2.0 to quit working with iCal, my transition to OS X v10.4 Tiger has been very smooth. And like many, I’ve succumbed to falling in love with widgets. I’ve used other widget programs before (on both the Mac and PC), but nothing seems to run as smoothly as Apple’s version. However, I do have one beef–my iBook screen is just too small to use very many at once. Okay, maybe trying to have 15 of them open (my current count) is not exactly what was intended, but it’s what I want. So, we need to virtualize our widget display options. Something like a widget wrangler to allow us to have multiple widget desktops: one for network/communications, another for news/media, another for research, etc. This way I could setup my virtual widget zones just once and not have to keep on removing and adding what I think I need at the moment.function (match)
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MAC: Widget Wrangler–An Addict

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Okay, except for the snafu causing Snerdware’s GroupCal 2.0 to quit working with iCal, my transition to OS X v10.4 Tiger has been very smooth. And like many, I’ve succumbed to falling in love with widgets. I’ve used other widget programs before (on both the Mac and PC), but nothing seems to run as smoothly as Apple’s version. However, I do have one beef–my iBook screen is just too small to use very many at once. Okay, maybe trying to have 15 of them open (my current count) is not exactly what was intended, but it’s what I want. So, we need to virtualize our widget display options. Something like a widget wrangler to allow us to have multiple widget desktops: one for network/communications, another for news/media, another for research, etc. This way I could setup my virtual widget zones just once and not have to keep on removing and adding what I think I need at the moment.

Just a thought. Please.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

MAC: Widget Wrangler–An Addict’s Cry for Help

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Okay, except for the snafu causing Snerdware’s GroupCal 2.0 to quit working with iCal, my transition to OS X v10.4 Tiger has been very smooth. And like many, I’ve succumbed to falling in love with widgets. I’ve used other widget programs before (on both the Mac and PC), but nothing seems to run as smoothly as Apple’s version. However, I do have one beef–my iBook screen is just too small to use very many at once. Okay, maybe trying to have 15 of them open (my current count) is not exactly what was intended, but it’s what I want. So, we need to virtualize our widget display options. Something like a widget wrangler to allow us to have multiple widget desktops: one for network/communications, another for news/media, another for research, etc. This way I could setup my virtual widget zones just once and not have to keep on removing and adding what I think I need at the moment.

Just a thought. Please.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

MAC/EXCHANGE: So Much To Do About Something

In reply to HutchTech Blog

In recent days I’ve begun
to feel that the blog is turning into a list of Mac related reports.
Sorry, I’ll be writing about some more PC/Web-Based/Cross-Platform
stuff in coming days. However, I must begin a rant against the wonder
and horror that is MS Exchange.

I love Exchange. I hate Exchange. For those of you who don’t know,
Exchange is the preferred (yes, I’m prepared to defend this term)
method of storing, sending, and accessing e-mail for most larger
corporations and businesses. But Exchange is more. It stores notes,
calendars, tasks, etc., etc. Making all this data available from
anywhere (if you use the web-based options) and to multiple users in a
single Exchange/Domain environment. It’s far from perfect, but recent
advances have made it an even more stable and useful tool. That said,
if you plan on using any OS other than Windows forget having a great
experience with Exchange.

I want to use Exchange. I want one calendar, one inbox, one list of
tasks and notes. On my Mac I can use the web to access my Exchange
account, but since the layout is IE 6-centric, the experience is far
from satisfying. I could use Outlook 2001, but sadly it won’t work
outside my domain. In other words, it doesn’t have the RPC over SSL
capabilities that Outlook 2003 for the PC does. I could use Entourage
(and do for some things), but it only syncs my calendar and mail with
Exchange. And quite frankly, it’s not a very nice looking application.
I used Snerdware’s wonderful GroupCal product for quite a while (yes, I
purchased a fully licensed version). GroupCal allowed me to have my
iCal program synchronize my tasks and calendar with the Exchange
server, but ever since OS X v10.4 Tiger, which included iCal 2.0,
GroupCal doesn’t work–supposedly the developers are working on it, but
we’ll have to wait and see.

So, you can see my frustration. I’d love to be able to work
seamlessly in both the Mac and PC environment, and to do so means I
have to have a unified method of getting my calendars, tasks, mail, and
notes. E-mail I’ve conquered (that’s another story), but the others
have a long way to go.

I sure hope the Mac development team at Microsoft is listening. If
they want to help their Exchange compatriots continue to take over the
world they’re going to have to.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

SECURITY: How Low Can You Go?

In reply to HutchTech Blog

One of the keys to a secure desktop is giving users only the amount of power they really need. Many new security threats take advantage of the fact that most users are setup with administrative privileges on their computer. Back in the Win9x days there was really no other option, and because of convenience this practice has continued (by default really) in the Windows XP world (and, yes, those few of you home users that use Windows 2000 need to listen up too). Longhorn promises to move users into the least-privileged universe (Apple has moved OS X there, and yes, I know, Linux has been there for quite a while–maybe since the beginning).

So what is least-privilege about? Basically your day-to-day user account would not have administrative rights on the computer. Meaning that you, and all those vicious worms crawling the Internet, would not be able to install any software. To install software you would have to log out and log on as administrator, or right-click the executable and choose the “Run as…” Option and enter your local admin credentials.

Recently eWeek.com had an article talking about how users can implement this option now, long before Longhorn. I have to say that while this sounds great in theory, most users will end up frustrated by the amount of programs that may not function properly (or at all) for them if they don’t have admin rights. I tried it for all of 1 day and had to give up on the idea–too many of the apps I use would not work. Take a look at the eWeek article (see link below) and maybe try it yourself. By the way, the article links to an MS Knowledgebase article with a list of programs that have issues with least privilege, so you might want to start there.

– Hutch

See the eWeek.com article here: Users Overlook XP’s Non-Admin Security Option

This post originally appeared on an external website

PODCAST: The Screen Savers are TWITs

In reply to HutchTech Blog

I can’t believe it took me soooo long to post this, but the Original TSS (The Screen Savers) gang is back, podcasting on This Week in Tech (www.twit.tv). If you miss the old days of Leo, Patrick, Kevin, Yoshi, Roger, Robert, etc., etc. you can get a weekly dose of their posts and podcasts.

– Hutch

Official TWIT Link: this WEEK in TECH | your first podcast of the week is the last word in tech

This post originally appeared on an external website

FUTURE: On-Demand Air Travel

In reply to HutchTech Blog

I’d seen some initial research that NASA was doing in the On-Demand Airline arena, but never expected to see companies using this model quite so soon. If driving to a smaller, local airport, leaving when you want and landing where you want intrigues you, then check out the link at Release1-0.com below.

– Hutch

Release 1.0 / Fresh Produce / New Ideas that Matter: On-demand air travel

This post originally appeared on an external website

MEDIA: Do-It-Yourself DVR

In reply to HutchTech Blog

My ancient, yet beloved,ReplayTV bit the dust a few weeks ago. I’ve loved my ReplayTV because content was easily accessible via my network on any PC (yes, I could even stream the MPEG2 content via WiFi). However, my few days without it made me realize that I need to upgrade to a PC-based (or possibly Mac-based) DVR hooked to the TV. While the initial hardware investment is extreme (if you’re looking for quality encoding you’re going to have to pay for a quality video card, or in my case, two of them), eventually you save on not paying the monthly subscription fees for the programming guides. Systm.org recently had a Linux option you should check out. Orb is still bugging me to try out their solution (which I promise to do prior to any other option, I promise). I’m anxious to see how the new Windows Media Center OS measures up. Below is a link to a PCMag.com article on do-it-yourself DVR options. You might also want to check out their sister site extremetech.com for DVR alternatives. Let me know what you think the best options might be.

– Hutch

Solution from PC Magazine: Do-It-Yourself DVR

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MEDIA: Do-It-Yourself DVR

In reply to MEDIA: Do-It-Yourself DVR

I’ve built 3 HTPCs over the past couple of years. If you need advice on hardware or software, let me know.

http://www.smorty71.com/htpc/

GOOGLE: Searching the Globe – for FREE

In reply to HutchTech Blog

NEWS FLASH: The wait is over. Google’s purchase of Keyhole has finally led to a new, FREE product: Google Earth. If you’ve been enjoying the Google Maps, you really need to take a look at Google Earth too. Visit using the link below.

– Hutch

Google Earth – Home

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APPLE: iTunes 4.9 – Podcasting Goes Mainstream

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Earlier in the month Steve jobs announced that the next version of iTunes would support podcasting. I know I’ll be reading up on how to begin my podcasts (yes, coming soon, HutchTech Radio). I advise you to use the link below and check it out for yourself.

– Hutch

Apple – iTunes

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ANNOUNCEMENT: Hutch Tech Radio is on the Way

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Friends, Readers, Techizens, Lend me your ears! With the release of
iTunes 4.9, we finally have a reason to push forward production on our
first weekly Hutch Tech Radio broadcast. We’re looking to cover
anything technology related (just look at the blog to see how varied
our topics are). We’ll cover both personal and business technology,
interviews (hopefully), network security, product reviews, etc., etc.,
etc. Don?t worry, just because I?m an iTunes fan doesn?t mean you have
to use it to get the podcast. We?ll be encoding in .MP3 format and that
should allow you to download and listen to the broadcast in whatever
way works best for you.

So, what does all this mean to you? As
we begin our foray into broadcasting, we want your questions. The
podcast won?t be anything without your input. To help stimulate you in
this regard we?re going to be giving away a free Hutch Tech T-shirt to
the best question submitted each week. Since this will be a podcast,
we?re looking for audio questions, but you can also send your question
via e-mail. I will endeavor to respond to every question, but
undoubtedly this will become impossible. As we begin, I?ll be giving a
free Hutch Tech T-shirt to the first 5 usable audio questions
submitted. Let me stress usable. You?ll need to e-mail your question to HutchTech@gmail.com.
Record your question in .WAV or .MP3 format. Start out with your name,
where you?re from and your question. Try to keep the length of your
question to 30 seconds or less. Believe it or not, you can say quite a
bit in 30 seconds.

I?m shooting for the initial broadcast to be
released by July 8-9, 2005?but no promises. Send in your questions and
keep checking the blog for further details.

– Hutch

HUTCH TECH RADIO: Hutch Tech Logo Contest

In reply to HutchTech Blog

If there are any budding artists out there we’re in need of a Hutch Tech logo. I’d like it to be simple enough to use both on the site and our t-shirts. Besides, it would be kind of difficult to give away a Hutch Tech t-shirt without your logo.

The winner will have their design plastered all over the site, as well as the shirts, and I’ll gladly give them a plug on the show.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

RSS: Longhorn [Hearts] RSS

In reply to HutchTech Blog

We’re not yet certain if we’re going to have to wait for fully integrated IE RSS features until the release of Longhorn, but evidently Microsoft is serious about getting your subscription-based content into IE (and more). Check out the link below for video from Gnomedex where MS previews some of the RSS options they’re preparing.

– Hutch

Looking at RSS in Longhorn – News – ZDNet

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JAVA: The Participation Super Highway is Coming – ZDNet

In reply to HutchTech Blog

I’ve long felt the guys at Sun just don’t live in the same world you and I do. Yes, they had an awesome product back in the day, but their lack of innovation has forced them to turn to Java as the last best hope for Sun-kind. Now they’re dissing the “Information Super Highway” and replacing it with the “Participation Super Highway”. I’m not sure I agree with them, but they deserve one last gasp at importance.

Evidently your next-gen DVD player will use Java as the standard interface programming language. Sounds cool enough, maybe now we’ll get some extra DVD content/games/extras worth our time. Check on the link to a ZDNet video on the Blu-Ray/Sun announcement.

– Hutch

Schwartz: The Information Age is dead – News – ZDNet

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HOAX: Stupid People Don’t Deserve E-mail

In reply to HutchTech Blog

I couldn’t believe the following article from eWeek (see link below): E-mail Hoaxes Spread Latest Threats. Are stupid people still opening attachments they’re not expecting? Do people still not use up-to-date virus protection? Should stupid people be allowed to have e-mail? Remember, all this is coming from a guy who didn’t use anti-virus protection until 2001 because I was smart enough to avoid those things that would infect me–or so I wanted to believe. I never did get infected, but the superviruses and worms of that era made me take another look at my security strategy.

Anyway, perhaps we need to force people to take a test before they get e-mail. Maybe even web-based e-mail services should start using a system requiring user’s PCs to meet minimum AV and Spyware requirements before they can even connect to the mail system. On the other hand, maybe these are the same people who are making spam so profitable by actually buying things from vendors that use it. They’re the ones still buying stuff from door-to-door salesmen. Caveat Emptor.

– Hutch

E-Mail Hoaxes Spread Latest Threats

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INTERNET: Battle of the Personal Portals

In reply to HutchTech Blog

While Google has been amassing forward-thinking technologies and discovering how to give them away and still make money, don’t think their rivals have been sitting still, weeping in a corner. Okay, so they have been weeping in a corner, but they haven’t been sitting still. Yahoo!, Amazon/A9, and Google have all been putting together some amazing web-based personal portals for your perusal.

Now, as a laptop user, I’m naturally skeptical of anything solely web-based. I need content available offline at anytime. But if I’m really honest, how often do I actually pull out my laptop in a location without some kind of connectivity? Though this isn’t a formal statistical analysis, I would bet it’s less than 5 percent of the time, maybe even less than 2 percent. So I need to fess up and be honest: I can live without a fat client, local version of my information. But only if I have to.

Your choice of portal (though you can obviously use all three) really depends on what kind of content you want and how you want to use it. Here’s a brief rundown on what these top three services offer:

A9 (http://www.a9.com) – Though you may not have heard of A9, you most certainly know their parent company Amazon.com. A9 really took the idea of personal portal a whole new level. They offer basic search capabilities, but also have range of tools you can select (I prefer to show mine as a list of buttons down the side of the browser window). You can save your searches, comment on various web pages, keep a diary, all with a free, password-protected account. If you’ve not tried it, take a gander.

Yahoo! My Web (myweb.search.yahoo.com) – Yahoo!’s tool allows you keep an online history and list of links similar to A9, however you can also decide if you want to share certain links with the outside world. Assuming you have friends and family that are interested in what you find interesting, this could be useful. Now you’ve got to use the Yahoo! Toolbar if you want to take advantage of some of the one-click features, but it could be worth it if you don’t find too many web toolbars annoying, and yes, it works with both IE and Firefox. Overall, you can tell the site is still in beta, but it does tie together nicely with Yahoo!’s instant message and e-mail systems, so if you’re already using those, consider this another extension to the suite. Another interesting feature is My Web’s ability to save stored copies of websites–no more clicking old links that lead nowhere or loosing that really important information when someone updates/edits the site.

Google Personalized Search (http://www.google.com/psearch) – Still brewing in the labs (labs.google.com) is Google Personalized Search. After logging in and viewing a series of somewhat confusing pages, you’ll have the option to choose between Google “classic home” or “personalized search”. Now, I’m a huge Google fan, but I have to say that their personalized search is, thus far, just a google-esque version of My Yahoo! or My MSN portal sites from yesteryear. You get personal web news, weather, movie, and stock info while you search. Nice, but not yet impressive. Perhaps the stew’s not done yet.

All these services require you to sign up for a free account of some kind which provides you with a certain level of security, but I wouldn’t consider using these services to store your important personal information. They do, however, make for great entry points into web searching and storage of favorites, comments, and search history. And let’s not forget that free is always a nice price, so why not try all of them and see what works for you.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

COMMENTARY: Beware the Platform Zealot

In reply to HutchTech Blog

I was reading of yet another IE flaw today on a tech website. Nothing new or exciting. An exploit is discovered, reported on. Microsoft responds. Patch is issued. YAWN…

Now, don?t take me the wrong way here, I believe Internet/network security is important (just see my rant against ignorant e-mail users below), but this is hardly breaking news. What really garnered my attention was the long list of comments from readers beneath the story. I didn?t even have to read the actual postings, the titles themselves were impetuous and inflammatory enough to stand on their own. What I don?t understand is the absolute zealotry some people have when it comes to technology platforms. For example, why would an avid Mac user bother to read, let alone comment on, a story about IE flaws? Why are the UNIX guys jumping up and down with glee at every mention of a Microsoft bug?

Let?s face it, right now it is a Microsoft Windows world. Maybe you can get away with running Linux servers on the back-end. Maybe you?re a single box user and prefer the Mac?s Aqua interface. But this doesn?t mean that those who don?t are somehow lesser humans upon which you should heap disdain. I?ve been waiting for a truly beautiful and functional laptop-ready Linux for several years now and it just doesn?t exist. I’d love to fully switch to the Mac, but I have to live in a cross-platform universe. I’d like Microsoft to adhere to messaging/calendaring standards that work with Linux and Mac.

I’m not loyal to any platform–I expect them to be loyal to me. I use both PCs and Macs. I like both for various reasons. If you?ve been reading my postings lately, you also know that I have a love/hate relationship with MS Exchange. However, I?ve looked at the Linux based alternative (yes, it?s cross platform, but commercial), and it cost?s much more per seat than MS Small Business Server (which is where I?m running Exchange now). My point is that technology is not about loyalty, it?s about function. Oh, and before you alternative techies get too high and mighty about your platforms, check out any listing of open-source, Apple, Unix, Linux bugs and security issues from the last 6-9 months and amazingly you?ll see more entries than Microsoft has for the same period. Because these other platforms don?t have as many users they don?t get as much attention. That doesn?t mean they?re immune.

Platform zealots tend to forget that most users of technology are just that: users. They don?t care about the command line. They?re not interested in kernels, compiling, or paying for annual service packs (yes, Steve Jobs, I?m talking to you). In fact, most users aren?t even interested in interfaces, back-end servers, etc. They just want the technology to work. If we put half the energy the zealots have into actually developing more secure and stable options for end-users, what a wonderful world this would be. [CUE SAPPY MUSIC]

Use the platforms you love. I do. But please have the courtesy to remember that your choices may not always work for everyone else. Vive la diff?rence. – Hutch

INTERFACE: Gushing Over GUIs

In reply to HutchTech Blog

If you miss your Apple ][ green screen, you’re going to have to pull out some old manuals or computer mags, but if your favorite ancient user interface involves actual point-and-click technology, you’ll probably find it at the GUIdebook (see the link below–as reported by our friends at Attack of the Show ). While it doesn’t have screenshots of my beloved Commodore 64, it does have pictures of some of the best GUIs of yesteryear. Besides, if you really need your C64 fix, go get an emulator and actually use it!

So if you’re pining for your old BeOS, OS/2 or even Windows GUI layout, check it out using the link below.

– Hutch

GUIdebook > GUIs

This post originally appeared on an external website

SECURITY: Return of the Night of the Day of the Hero Zombies…

In reply to HutchTech Blog

No, it’s not a new horror flick, but it could become one. Zombies attacking zombies does sound like the plotline for the next George Romero film.

Back in the golden days of worm and virus yore (you know, a year or two ago), some enterprising coder decided to turn a worm or two on its head and use it for good. “Why not,” he thought, “use the same hole the evil worm is using to force unpatched systems to patch themselves?” At first, I was quite enthralled with the idea until I realized something: What if I’m unpatched on purpose? Perhaps I plan on doing other things to preclude infection and don’t want outside interference.

Most of us get inoculated from various diseases when we’re young, but at least we see the doctor or nurse and know what’s coming. Having someone else invisibly intrude into your tech domain without your permission, even with good intentions, is akin to doctors sneaking into your house at night to administer vaccinations to your children.

Remember, no one would need to do this if we’d all take precautions to protect our own systems to begin with. And I’m not just talking about Aunt Erma who has her DSL hooked up but wouldn’t know a firewall if it dropped on her head, no I’m talking about businesses that don’t spend enough time on preventive measures and appropriate patching. If you want to use the tech you’ve got to carry out due diligence and secure your systems.

Check out what Larry Seltzer at eWeek has to say about this tech-ethic phenom with the link below.

– Hutch

Return of the Anti-Zombies

This post originally appeared on an external website

SPYWARE: Say It Isn’t So, Uncle Bill

In reply to HutchTech Blog

When I first read reports that Microsoft was planning on purchasing spyware/privacy-invader Claria (formerly Gain) I assumed that it was a hoax. Now it look as if that may have been so much wishful thinking. Whether or not Uncle Bill ever buys Claria, it does seem as if someone is cozying up to the purveyors of anti-privacy programs and downgrading how Microsoft’s own AntiSpyware Beta views these badies.

Take a look, if you dare, at the eWeek article yourself with the link below.

– Hutch

Microsoft Downgrades Claria Adware Detections

This post originally appeared on an external website

SECURITY: Law and Order on the Net – eWeek

In reply to HutchTech Blog

I’ve really been enjoying Larry Seltzer’s columns recently, and this one on legal issues and the Internet is another gem. I remember back in the ’80s when, unless you actually destroyed or stole property, computer crime wasn’t truly criminal–at least according to statute. Two decades later and we’re still in a legal morass when it comes to cyberspace.

Here’s the introductory blurb that caught my attention (add your own “bum-bum” at the end):

In the Internet criminal justice system the people are betrayed by two groups: the hackers and the legal authorities who don’t take the offenders seriously. These are their stories.

Take a gander at the whole story yourself with the link below.

– Hutch

Law and Order on the Internet

This post originally appeared on an external website

MEDIA: Slingbox-Will it Slay Orb and WinMCE?

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Check out the PC Mag review of Slingbox, a standalone DVR device that makes your content available online without a PC. While there are no monthly fees, it does cost $250. I still like the idea of having an actual PC (whether it’s Windows or Linux based), but that’s just me. What do you think? What do you use? If you’re not yet capturing content for use away from your TV, what will it take to move you into that arena? Check out the PC Mag link below and leave your comments.

– Hutch

Slingbox review by PC Magazine

UPDATE: Check out the TechRepublic Blog post from CNet’s sMoRTy71 on the new legal challenges Slingbox is facing by clicking here.

This post originally appeared on an external website

SPYWARE: Say It Isn’t So, Uncle Bill

In reply to HutchTech Blog

When I first read reports that Microsoft was planning on purchasing spyware/privacy-invader Claria (formerly Gain) I assumed that it was a hoax. Now it look as if that may have been so much wishful thinking. Whether or not Uncle Bill ever buys Claria, it does seem as if someone is cozying up to the purveyors of anti-privacy programs and downgrading how Microsoft’s own AntiSpyware Beta views these badies.

Take a look, if you dare, at the eWeek article yourself with the link below.

– Hutch

Microsoft Downgrades Claria Adware Detections

This post originally appeared on an external website

SPYWARE: Say It Isn’t So, Uncle Bill

In reply to HutchTech Blog

When I first read reports that Microsoft was planning on purchasing spyware/privacy-invader Claria (formerly Gain) I assumed that it was a hoax. Now it looks as if that may have been so much wishful thinking. Whether or not Uncle Bill ever buys Claria, it does seem as if someone is cozying up to the purveyors of anti-privacy programs and downgrading how Microsoft’s own AntiSpyware Beta views these badies.

Take a look, if you dare, at the eWeek article yourself with the link below.

– Hutch

Microsoft Downgrades Claria Adware Detections

This post originally appeared on an external website

SPYWARE: Say It Isn’t So, Uncle Bill!

In reply to SPYWARE: Say It Isn’t So, Uncle Bill

Billy Boy does it again!

What next? Ignoring Viruses?

M

SPYWARE: Say It Isn’t So, Uncle Bill

In reply to SPYWARE: Say It Isn’t So, Uncle Bill

There is no gray area for me or my clients when it comes to SAM (Spyware, Adware, Malware). I take a routine hard line by choosing to delete every little thing MS Antispyware Beta finds. The same applies to the two additional backup scanners I recommend: PepiMK’s Spybot Search & Destroy and Lavasoft’s Adaware. I call them the “Trinity” of spyware scanners!

I will reverse my MS Antispyware endorsement to clients ONLY if it stops “flaging” claria products (notice I do not capitalize brand corporate names that offer sneaky death & destruction products). Maybe in the future i’ll be spelling Microsoft all lower case! Good work on noticing the “trend” anyway!

SPYWARE: Say It Isn’t So, Uncle Bill

In reply to SPYWARE: Say It Isn’t So, Uncle Bill

Do You think maybe they are going to rid spyware from the inside-out?

What better way is there to beat them than to join them and use those same people working for Claria to aid Microsoft.  Personally, I’m tired of all this bickering about, “What are we going to do?”.  While millions are being siphoned from our pockets in more than just stolen privacy and defense, someone is going to jump in and start the real fight.  Why would anyone think Bill Gates wants to spy on them?  Sure Windows (any version) has vulnerabilities, so does the rest of them.  I’m tired of having to fortify my protection just to get on the internet for the slightest reason.  I’m really tired of having to fix computers that are loaded down with invasive software that lugs down even the fastest computer.  I don’t think Microsoft is as bad as many proclaim and I sure don’t believe they are looking for spyware avenues.  Think!  It would be too easy to build that into windows.  Let’s buy all these sites and turn them to our weapon for privacy.

SPYWARE: Say It Isn’t So, Uncle Bill!

In reply to HutchTech Blog

When I first read reports that Microsoft was planning on purchasing spyware/privacy-invader Claria (formerly Gain) I assumed that it was a hoax. Now it look as if that may have been so much wishful thinking. Whether or not Uncle Bill ever buys Claria, it does seem as if someone is cozying up to the purveyors of anti-privacy programs and downgrading how Microsoft’s own AntiSpyware Beta views these badies.

Take a look, if you dare, at the eWeek article yourself with the link below.

– Hutch

Microsoft Downgrades Claria Adware Detections

This post originally appeared on an external website

BLOG: Freedom, Blogging, and the Constitution – EFF

In reply to HutchTech Blog

If you blog, or for that matter, surf the Internet-web-thingy, you need to check out the link below and look at the information the Electronic Freedom Foundation (http://www.eff.org) has put together for you. While I don’t think there’s any way for you to justify spending hours on the company payroll posting your daily dietary choices, there are some legal issues of which you should be aware.

Now, if you’re not blogging (and shame on you if you’re not), at least look at how you can protect your privacy while surfing–for free. That’s right, the EFF has put together cross-platform options using Privoxy and TOR to help you surf anonymously. Now, let me say right off the bat that if you’re using 802.11b down at the coffee shop, as I am right now, then you’ll definitely notice a decrease in speed. However, if you’re also looking at doing research (or anything, for that matter) that you want to remain anonymous, then you need to use TOR. Check it out at tor.eff.org.

– Hutch

EFF: Bloggers

This post originally appeared on an external website

UPGRADES: Wasteful or Needful? – CNET

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Whether we’ll admit it or not, all of us have probably made the “silly” upgrade at some point. You know, the $1000 racing tires for the Geo Metro; the time you actually used the mini-bar when the store was right next door; buying a PowerPC Macintosh in the last half of 2005.

As someone enamored with technology, I find it difficult to resist the temptation not to upgrade constantly, but experience (and a real-world budget) can often keep one from the sophomoric mistakes of the past. Either way, take a look at some of the upgrades you may not need to make if you’ll really think about them. Rafe Needleman has written an excellent article at the link below.

– Hutch

Works for Me: Silly upgrades – CNET reviews

This post originally appeared on an external website

MOBILE PHONES: Call Me When You’re Ready for Prime Time

In reply to HutchTech Blog

WARNING: The following rant will be incomprehensible and offensive to U.S.-based cell phone company management. Read at your own risk.

I won’t be purchasing a new cell phone anytime soon. No, it’s not the finances, the coverage, or selection of vendors, content, or options. I’ve got all of these and then some. No, I refuse to purchase any technology that’s obsolete before I even get it out of the box. I’m not exaggerating here. Let me explain…

The real issue is standardization. Think about it. When you buy a digital camera to use with your computer, you expect the camera manufacturer to make it’s product compatible with your system, and allow you to edit the pictures you take with your choice of software in a non-proprietary format. If you want to use it with a laptop or desktop doesn’t matter. If you want to take it overseas, fine. If you move to a region where that company doesn’t have a support center, no problem. You also don’t expect them to lock down any features that make it difficult, if not impossible for you to use other pieces of hardware with your camera. Competition and free market forces have pushed innovation forward and digital camera prices down.

The phone companies have actually stifled innovation with their proprietary formats, disabling/damaging of promising technology (READ: Bluetooth) and locking various models of phones to their network alone. Consumers don’t drive cell phone innovation, phone companies drive the phone manufacturers. Phone companies are afraid of competition and want to hook you into their long-term plans by having a lock on that new, cool model with it’s short-term technology you just can’t live without–at least until next week, when the next model shows up.

I’m sick of the lack of standardization, inability to choose the phone you want, and lagging behind Europe and Asia when it comes to our cell phone market. Besides, more of the optional uses I have for a cell phone are being overtaken by laptops, music/media devices, and other portable technology. If I ever get ubiquitous WiFi and Skype on handheld, I could kiss my cell phone goodbye. So, [insert cell company name here], when you’re ready to actually let me, the consumer, call the shots, gimme a call.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

EXPOS?: SoloGig.com–Fraud and Deception Find Work

In reply to HutchTech Blog

There are a million sordid tales in the wired city. This is one of them.

With the new tech bubble about to expand, I’ve recently had reason to revamp the ol’ r?sum? and begin looking at various job boards and other online job search tools. While I wish I had better news to report, here’s the basic lowdown: these online tools are still far behind the technology curve. However, that review will have to wait for another day. Today I need to expose the fraudulent practices of one SoloGig.com.

SoloGig bills itself as an online repository of tech jobs for the freelance technology professional, but it is actually an insidious way of getting your hard earned cash out of your wallet and into SoloGig’s pocket. First off, who’s behind SoloGig.com? Well, believe it or not, it’s non other than CareerBuilder.com. My local paper uses CareerBuilder as its sole online source for displaying job-related classifieds, and I have been very pleased with CareerBuilder’s content and services. But free is only nice if it actually delivers, and CareerBuilder has seemed to do that for me. Imagine, then, my surprise as I find out that they’re the ones foisting SoloGig’s fraud upon unsuspecting tech pros.

I was looking for some solo gigs and therefore thought SoloGig.com would be a great fit. I signed up and paid for the premium service–yes, paid cold, hard cash. While no one can promise you job listings down the street, or even in your own hometown, I expected to find something in the greater Southern Puget Sound region, and was sorely disappointed. Instead, what I noted was that few, if any, of the listings on SoloGig were actually freelance or contract jobs. Most were retreads of online jobs I’d seen elsewhere, and most of these were pretty old to boot. But as I took a look at these listings, and asked the engine to sort them by their posting date, I noted another anomaly: postings were supposedly taking place mere tenths of a second apart. This was true not just of one or two individual postings, but entire web pages full of listings. How was it possible that job listings I’d seen over a week or two ago elsewhere were supposedly fresh leads posted mere moments before on SoloGig? My contention, and one that was never denied in my correspondence with SoloGig.com, was that someone (or more properly a SQL script of some kind) was freshening the listings to make it look like SoloGig had all kinds of new postings.

Because SoloGig is owned by CareerBuilder, I found it odd that they would lag so far behind them in re-posting this data if they were simply sharing it. I decided it was time to Google SoloGig and see what complaints were out there (something I should have done in the beginning). Lo and behold, others had noticed similar issues, and most reported problems with billing and refunds. Well, eventually I had had enough of my time with SoloGig and asked for a refund. I was ready to duke it out with the billing department, but, to my great relief, my refund was posted within 24-hours of receiving my cancellation notice.

While I never expected SoloGig to be responsible for getting me a job, I did expect them to be honest with their data–especially when you pay them to do so.

Though my tale ends somewhat happily (after all I didn’t lose my money), it is still a cautionary tale in the murky ways of the web.

– Hutch

Remember to post your comments below. Please write if you’ve had similar experiences with SoloGig or other paid job search engines.

This post originally appeared on an external website

EXPOS?: SoloGig.com–Fraud and Deception Find Work

In reply to EXPOS?: SoloGig.com–Fraud and Deception Find Work

So you didn’t get a gig, get over it!  I’ve been a member of Sologig.com for almost 3 years now and have completed dozens of projects from the contacts I made there.  I’ve also found their customer service department much more amicable than of others freelance sites.

EXPOS?: SoloGig.com–Fraud and Deception Find Work

In reply to EXPOS?: SoloGig.com–Fraud and Deception Find Work

I think you missed the point.  There were no gigs to get–they were all reposted off of other sites and the company was duping it’s members by LYING about how recently the jobs were posted.  I’m not disgruntled–they gave me my money back, but I sure wouldn’t want anyone else to have the same experience I did.  If it worked for you great, but your point doesn’t have anything to do with my post.

– Hutch

P.S. I happened to look at your account profile, columbus9@ and noticed that you’ve got no actual information there, no answers to Tech Q&A, and you’ve only joined in the last few days–do you work for sologig.com?

Does anyone else know who this person really is, or is this just a way to plant a comment on the site to somehow negate my post?  Hmmmmm….

EXPOS?: SoloGig.com–Fraud and Deception Find Work

In reply to EXPOS?: SoloGig.com–Fraud and Deception Find Work

Hutch-

I just recently joined this website, though I read it often.  I joined sologig just recently also – about a month ago.  Though the navigation was not the easiest and smooth, I was able to find some interesting work.  More importantly, I was actually contacted by a handful of companies.  The poor jobs you mentioned can be eliminated if  you refine your search you can actually get some really interesting jobs here.  I also noticed that this site seems to be changing every week.  It appears that there are people working at trying to make this a better experience online.  I hope it works.  Now I have not found a job/project from this source, I have felt that my investment was worth it.  I also contacted Careerbuilder after I read you post.  They didnt confirm your claim, however on your other board someone stated that a company has recently spammed jobs from particular boards to job boards that have traffic.  That is a very interesting concept and I think its valid….

EXPOS?: SoloGig.com–Fraud and Deception Find Work

In reply to EXPOS?: SoloGig.com–Fraud and Deception Find Work

Hutch-

I just recently joined this website, though I read it often.  I joined sologig just recently also – about a month ago.  Though the navigation was not the easiest and smooth, I was able to find some interesting work.  More importantly, I was actually contacted by a handful of companies.  The poor jobs you mentioned can be eliminated if  you refine your search you can actually get some really interesting jobs here.  I also noticed that this site seems to be changing every week.  It appears that there are people working at trying to make this a better experience online.  I hope it works.  Now I have not found a job/project from this source, I have felt that my investment was worth it.  I also contacted Careerbuilder after I read you post.  They didnt confirm your claim, however on your other board someone stated that a company has recently spammed jobs from particular boards to job boards that have traffic.  That is a very interesting concept and I think its valid….

EXPOS?: SoloGig.com–Fraud and Deception Find Work

In reply to EXPOS?: SoloGig.com–Fraud and Deception Find Work

Sologig is a total fraud-never give them a credit card!? I had the same thing happen but worse-I have been billed repeatedly for this non existant service several times in one month-this has resulted in late fees and other things. I have spoken to 3 customer service agents at AMEX each of whom said they would make a note of it and every time I get a new bill and back fees.? There is no real person to talk to emails never get real personalized responses your only hope is to cancel the credit card in question. Amy in CT.

EXPOS?: SoloGig.com–Fraud and Deception Find Work

In reply to EXPOS?: SoloGig.com–Fraud and Deception Find Work

An update on SOLOGIG FRAUD.  It is march 22, 2006 AND I AM STILL BEING BILLED by this fraud.  When calling Career Builder 888-688-2237 I got to speak with “KAZZ” whose directl line is770-576-3055 she claimed only “Josh” has direct contact with SOLOGIG but there is no way to contact him directly.  When I asked for a supervisor I was told no supervisors are in before 9:30 am American Express after 30 min on the phone with Steve ID# 2655  March 21, 2006 there is “nothing AMEX can do” and cancelling my card will not stop SOLO gig from rebilling me.

EXPOS?: SoloGig.com–Fraud and Deception Find Work

In reply to EXPOS?: SoloGig.com–Fraud and Deception Find Work

As a new “recruit” to Tech Pros Group, I was asked
to give my firsthand opinions regarding the program on this website due to some earlier
comments made by others. I discovered Tech Pros Group in an online ad from
CareerBuilders.com. The part of the ad that interested me was the possibility
of a paid internship after going through the program.

I am in my early 40’s and I was teaching at a private
undergraduate school in an area completely unrelated to IT (ancient Near
Eastern studies [ANE]). I had gone as far as I could without my Ph.D. in the
field, and while I was accepted to a leading university’s doctoral program
(humanities department), I began to feel as if several more years of study and
more than $100k of tuition was a bit much. I loved teaching, but at this point
in life I didn’t think that a doctorate was the best way to go – especially
when the job market in the field is so limited.

I had a background in MIS from the 80’s and mid-90’s, but I
had gotten out of it to pursue my BA and MA. I began looking for new career
opportunities when I saw the Tech Pros Group’s ad. It seemed ideal: the chance
to learn a new subject that was enormously marketable (computer networking) and
the possibility of a paid internship to help me get started – plus job
placement. Well, it is said that if something seems too good to be true, it
probably is. I applied, figuring that I had nothing to lose at this point. I
needed a career change, but I could not take the time needed to go to a
technical or law school (both fields with excellent job opportunities,
something that the field of ANE studies doesn’t offer.) I applied and found out
more about the program.

I was skeptical (who wouldn’t be?), but I figured that an
investment of $5k for the program and housing for 3 months wasn’t the greatest
risk in the world. Besides, Tech Pros Group was in excellent standing with the
Better Business Bureau and members of the Irvine, CA Chamber of Commerce for a
couple of years. In the worst case, I would be out $5k. In the best case, the
program would be challenging but good and I would have a new career that didn’t
take 3 years or so to develop.

I was accepted into the program for the summer of 06,
resigned my teaching position, and went to Irvine California, filled with hope and
trepidation, not knowing what to expect. I found that with every passing day,
the certainty that I had made a good decision in signing on with Tech Pros
Group increased. The first day was spent discussing career objectives, which
was something I didn’t expect. I thought that we would be treated as buckets
into which instructors dumped IT knowledge. Instead, everything that is done is
to increase each person’s viability in the marketplace. In other words, career,
not pure knowledge, is the goal. To that goal Tech Pros Group has candidates
work on job interview skills through multiple interviews, resume
assistance, and hours of hands on lab experience.

Not everyone remained after the first week, and I had to
make a decision early on whether or not I wanted to stay in the program. Some
left feeling that they could get their certification in MS or Cisco anywhere
and not have to pay Tech Pros Group for it. I understood such an argument,
however, Tech Pros Group is not a certification mill. Certification is crucial
and the focus of the first few weeks, however, students are also presented with
excellent lectures and “at a distance” guidance in the hands on lab
work. I say “from a distance” because the philosophy is that there
will be no Tech Pros instructor with the student on his or her jobsite or
interview. Therefore, the students should be used to having to learn for
themselves and take initiative in finding answers and solving problems. The
instructors are there to answer any questions, but it is up to the student to
do all that he or she can before asking. Again, the emphasis is not the
accumulation of IT knowledge, but rather the applicability of knowledge to the
end of a successful career in IT. This was my biggest surprise, and I am glad
that I signed up. 

It is a lot of work (even by graduate studies standards), but
it is not impossible. It is not for everyone, but then, nothing is. For me this
is turning out to what I was looking for and a more. Based on my own
experience, I would commend someone looking for a new opportunity to consider
Tech Pros Group. I am glad I made the decision to come here, stay here, and
make the most of this chance.

– Jules T.

MEDIA: De-Embed Online Media with Firefox

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Straight from a podcast by the geeks at Diggnation.com: You can finally take those media clips you find online and easily save them to your hard drive using Firefox.

Once your media has fully loaded in the Firefox browser, right click somewhere on the page (not directly on the media) and select View Page Info (see Image 1).

 
Next, click on the Media tab and scroll down the list of media (all the buttons, graphics, movies, etc. will be listed, so be sure you find the actual .mov, .wmv, .wma, etc. you’re looking for), and click the Save As button (Image 2).

 

Now enjoy your media online or offline to your heart’s content. Couldn’t be simpler, and the folks at Mozilla/Firefox had it in there all the time.

– Hutch

UPDATE: I’ve found that some media files can still give you the slip, so look at the size of the embedded object to see if you’re really going to be able to save it.

This post originally appeared on an external website

FREE: Sound Off, Get Software. Really?

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Yeah, you’ve got opinions. Sure, they must be right. If only they’d asked you before they:

(a) added that stupid tab at the top
(b) moved that option to another menu
(c) called that bug a feature

Well, your opinions do matter, and now you can sound off…and get free software! It’s going to be free Microsoft software, but hey, that’s not a bad deal (especially since you’re still using that less-than-legitimate license key you got from a friend of a friend of a friend). The Microsoft Usability Group is looking for people to enroll in their program and get free software–with the caveat that you’ll fill out their usability reports.

I recently participated in two of this team’s projects related to the update of the MS Partner website and scored $250 in compensation (for about 5-7 hours of work). If they’re offering free software in lieu of a check, that’s works too. Check it out for yourself at the link below.

– Hutch

Usability Enrollment Form

This post originally appeared on an external website

LINUX: OS Popularity = Insecurity

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Okay, I know, it can’t possibly be that simple. Just because something is popular doesn’t mean its insecure. In fact, if you take a look over the last year, I think Apple OS X actually had more critical security flaws than Windows XP (as a budding switcher, I don’t relish this reality). But what about Linux? Our oft compiled friend is a bit harder to pin down. Multiple versions, kernels, variations, compilations, and thousands of software packages make it a bit harder to track. While I still don’t believe that Linux is a great desktop alternative for most users, it has a well deserved reputation as a robust server platform. However, will all that popularity cause it to become the next big security hole in most organizations?

Please don’t think that I’m defending Microsoft–they have their own set of server issues, but the Linux zealots had better make sure they’ve got their act together, or they’re in for some major embarrassment (and I believe they’d hate to give Uncle Bill something to giggle about). Check out the ZDNet story at the link below.

– Hutch

If Linux ruled the world how secure would it be? Open Source ZDNet.com

This post originally appeared on an external website

LINUX: OS Popularity = Insecurity

In reply to LINUX: OS Popularity = Insecurity

eh?  What do you mean by multiple versions?  What do you mean
by kernels, variations, compilations, and software packages somehow
making the OS insecure?

the issue(s) with MIT Kerberos were patched and fixed far faster than I’ve seen MS act….

LINUX: OS Popularity = Insecurity

In reply to LINUX: OS Popularity = Insecurity

eh?  What do you mean by multiple versions?  What do you mean
by kernels, variations, compilations, and software packages somehow
making the OS insecure?

the issue(s) with MIT Kerberos were patched and fixed far faster than I’ve seen MS act….

LINUX: OS Popularity = Insecurity

In reply to LINUX: OS Popularity = Insecurity

No, no, no.  I didn’t say multiple versions, kernels, software packages made Linux less secure.  I said it made such vulnerabilities harder to track.  Believe me, I love the Linux ideal, and I love open source, but you have to admit it’s quite a quagmire to wade through if you’re not a true geek.  I can’t imagine putting Linux on grandma’s PC and hoping it would stay patched and secure.

And what’s with the “we’re faster than Bill” line?  Zealots don’t do themselves any good when they whine like this.  I’ve seen MS put out patches faster than Mozilla for Firefox–who cares.  I’m not looking to dissuade anyone from any OS, I was commenting on the fact that just because certain OSes get more press doesn’t mean that less popular OSes are by default more secure.

Thanks for the comments.  I’m glad to know someone’s reading.

– Hutch

LINUX: OS Popularity = Insecurity

In reply to LINUX: OS Popularity = Insecurity

I think what was meant about the speed of patching was more of:
since the source is available to anyone who wants it, when a flaw /
breach is found there are programmers with that version of the source
working on it within minutes, unlike a commercial house, where if a
flaw is found friday afternoon, they don’t even look at it until monday
at the earliest.
( after all that’s why they are getting paid )
the open source programmer is doing it on his own time, for fun. ( more often than not )

in respect to patching, if you are using a brebuilt distro, like
debian, fedora, red hat, madriva, linspire….. you can set a cron job
to update weekly, no interaction required.
( just like windows automatic update )
the more recent version of linux distros leave very little to distinguish from windows in look / feel.
Xandros is probably the closest to windows, as they are focussed on being a first step from windows to linux.
( might not think they are, but after people see linux, and find out
about the other flavours, they start looking at the other flavours.
moving into less windows like distros over time if they wish )

LINUX: OS Popularity = Insecurity

In reply to LINUX: OS Popularity = Insecurity

I see your point. Viruses and worms are designed to steal information
or destroy it, and do as much of that is possible.  It IS true
that there are more EXPLOITED
vulnerabilities in Microsoft software simply because it is the most
widely used.  Notice the bold ‘exploited’.  I’m not saying
Microsoft has any more or less vulnerabilities than Linux, or anything
else like that.  Hackers want to do the most damage
possible.  If the most popular product is Windows, they will
tailor their viruses to destroy Windows machines.  If it’s Linux,
they’ll tailor them to Linux machines.

Windows, Linux, or any operating system…They all have
vulnerabilities.  Linux has less (it’s true) because any “true
geek” can wade through the REAL CODE and find them, and fix them. 
Windows is limited to as fast as Microsoft can find them.

It all goes around in a circle.  Vulnerabilities are exploited,
then patched.  The hackers find new vulnerabilities.  It’s
all a part of the ever evolving world of technology we live in!

LINUX: OS Popularity = Insecurity

In reply to LINUX: OS Popularity = Insecurity

You’re still missing the point.  Okay, so a “true geek” will cron or keep his Linux distro updated, sure.  But do we really believe that there are fewer published vulnerabilities for non-MS OSes?  I’ve seen the stats–check it out at sans.org and you’ll see that there are plenty of vulnerabilities to go around.

Let me just simply restate my point: MS has issues (no doubt), but so does everyone else. 

Let’s quit bickering about who’s better, that’s all I ask.  Otherwise it becomes personal and people get defensive, and then, no one communicates they only banter back and forth…I’m just tired of it.  I’m tired of the Linux/Open Source and (probably the biggest offender) Mac zealots thinking that wasting time demeaning MS equals proving the value of their favorite systems.  I’m a Mac user (iBook G4 1.33 GHz) and a PC user, and I’ve dabbled with Linux off and on since 2000 and so I’ve seen what they all have to offer–believe me, no one has the corner on “perfect” security.  To deny this simple fact is to betray your bias.

P.S. Thanks to everyone who’s commenting, I’ve really enjoyed the conversation.

LINUX: OS Popularity = Insecurity

In reply to LINUX: OS Popularity = Insecurity

The thing about the statistics is:
 – The WIndows stats count the vulnerabilities in Windows
 – The Open Source stats tend to count the vulnerabilities in all
Open Source programs, including GUI’s and applications, not just in the
Linux kernel itself.
(Lies, damned lies and statistics…)

The big advantage that Linux has over Windows can be summed up in one
word: “Monoculture”.  With Windows you have a monoculture: if an
exploit will work on XP SP2, it’ll probably work on all XP
installations, and Win2K, and Win98, and WInNT, and WinME.  With
Linux, you don’t need to use Gnome as your desktop – you can use KDE,
or iceWM, or one of the others.  You don’t need to use FireFox as
your browser – there’s many other alternatives.   Rather than
OpenOffice, you could use one of the alternatives.  If a flaw
shows up in most common applications, there’s another open-source
alternative that you can use at least for the time being while you’re
waiting for the development team to finish testing the patch.

Plus that, you don’t need to install any other software than you REALLY
need.  The servers don’t need office productivity software,
browsers, e-mail clients, games, etc. (even GUI’s, if your server staff
know their BASH shell command lines).  The secretary’s machine
doesn’t need all the server maintenance software, and can live fine
with an office productivity suite like OpenOffice and an e-mail client
like Evolution or Kontact, or even Thunderbird.  You can leave the
web browsers off the machines if they’re not required for work, keeping
your staff from browsing the Web.

And to install new software – including malware – requires the password of someone with Root-level access.

You’ve already mentioned how fast new patches become available.

Add all that up, and with Linux you’re handing all those crackers out
there quite the challenge – they need to get root access, through
something that enough Linux users use to make the effort worthwhile,
and in a very short window of opportunity before the patches come out
and slam the door on that exploit.  They basically have to know
about it and get their virus/worm/whatever out there before anybody
else finds out it exists.  As long as you use smart security
protocols (for example passwords, patches, access) in your procedures,
you should be relatively secure from most troubles.

LINUX: OS Popularity = Insecurity

In reply to LINUX: OS Popularity = Insecurity

It is what it is folks.

If my mom tried to run linux she’d be using the root account just because its easy and she can do enough to get into the internet and get on her email and you all know that’s going to have the same security issues as windows.  If you can’t get your Mom or Dad to use Linux correctly then how do you think your going to get the masses to switch from windows/mac to RedHat/Suse/Linspire etc. 

You can’t compare “open source” to Windows I don’t think.   You could compare Redhat, SUSE, and the various other big OS distro’s to Windows.  And those I have seen compariable security alerts to windows.  You have to compare apples to apples here people using a general term such as “Open Source” does nothing.  So compare  RedHat, SUSE to Windows, Compare OpenOffice to Office etc.  but don’t compare “open source” to Windows its just not the same.  To compare “Open Source” you would have to compare it to its opposite which is “Closed Source” 

In the end, its developers writing software.  There are pro’s and cons to both however they will both have there problems.  I’d be willing to be 10-15 years from now computers will turn into sort of a mesh between a computer and something as simple as turning on a light switch.  You turn it on, you use it you can change the faceplate, or add a different knob but that’ll be about it.  But for now I think your only seeing the top of the iceberg of security issues with linux because the majority of users are still on windows.

 

 

 

 

LINUX: OS Popularity = Insecurity

In reply to LINUX: OS Popularity = Insecurity

If security is your penultimate concern Install FreeBSD and be done with it.  If you favor Linux, look in to Bastille Linux.

Mark

FREE: Sound Off, Get Software? Really?

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Yeah, you’ve got opinions. Sure, they must be right. If only they’d asked you before they:

(a) added that stupid tab at the top
(b) moved that option to another menu
(c) called that bug a feature

Well, your opinions do matter, and now you can sound off…and get free software! It’s going to be free Microsoft software, but hey, that’s not a bad deal (especially since you’re still using that less-than-legitimate license key you got from a friend of a friend of a friend). The Microsoft Usability Group is looking for people to enroll in their program and get free software–with the caveat that you’ll fill out their usability reports.

I recently participated in two of this team’s projects related to the update of the MS Partner website and scored $250 in compensation (for about 5-7 hours of work). If they’re offering free software in lieu of a check, that’s works too. Check it out for yourself at the link below.

– Hutch

Usability Enrollment Form

This post originally appeared on an external website

MILITARY: The Tech of War

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Regardless of your political views on current military actions around the globe, an eye opening two-part series on the technology of warfare is currently airing on the Discovery Times channel (I’m viewing it via Comcast’s On-Demand menu). The program is entitled The Perfect War.

One comment made by a military commander was quite telling; here’s my best paraphrase: “We fought to beat the sound barrier during the cold war–now we’re fighting to beat the time barrier.” The show, which I believe is part of a larger series on Discovery Times, gives a very up-to-date inside look at the air, sea, ground, and space technologies being used by the U.S. and its allies. I remember being impressed at the technology we used during the first Gulf War, but this next generation military tech is something else entirely. Take a look at it if for no other reason than to know what’s coming to a PC near you in the not-to-distant future.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

ETHICS: The Tech Giveth, the Tech Taketh Away

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Technology can be an awesome thing. It can also cause us to lose perspective. These wonderful time-saving devices often eat up more time than we like. Our ability to communicate with anyone, anywhere, anytime leads to unrealistic expectations of our availability. Our world grows smaller, like an ill-fitting pair of pants. Something’s gotta give.

So is the answer to turn tech on its head and make it work to secure your time? Well, perhaps, but I certainly can’t take it as far as our friends at eWeek. In a recent article (see link below) recalling tips and tricks for the “White Collar Slacker”, Marc Saltzman says it’s time to make technology work for you. What surprises me is not that someone has come up with a way to defraud their employers of productivity, but that they’re publicizing it with such boldness.

There are changes coming to the American workplace, and technology will play a role, but please tell me we’re not going to engage in a employer vs. employee cyberwar.

– Hutch

White Lies Help Stressed Computer Users

This post originally appeared on an external website

ETHICS: The Tech Giveth, the Tech Taketh Away

In reply to ETHICS: The Tech Giveth, the Tech Taketh Away

I think that article is a sign of the sad state of tech publishing.
Ethical or not, does that stuff really warrant a book? I think the
article reviewing the book could have covered the entire topic had they
been given a couple more pages to do it.

WINDOWS: Spring Clean Your PC – Better Late Than Never

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Remember how zippy that
precious PC of yours seemed the day you plucked gingerly from its
cardboard box? Now it sits, sluggishly whirring as you attempt to open
a 2KB text file. Would you like to reclaim some of it’s original
luster? Sometimes it’s good to get back to basics and do some simple
Spring cleaning. If you missed this recent downloadable document on
TechRepublic, there’s no time like the present to get it and put some
pep back in your PC’s step.

– Hutch

Clean up your machine with the help of Degunking Windows – TechRepublic (this document may require you to sign up for a FREE account with TechRepublic before you can download it)

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LONGHORN: New Windows OS is a Room with a View

In reply to HutchTech Blog

After much anticipation [yawn], Microsoft has finally announced the official name for the next version of Windows (until now, codenamed Longhorn): Windows Vista.

Here’s a blurb from http://www.microsoft.com/longhorn:

Introducing Windows Vista

It enables a new level of confidence in your PC and in your ability to get the most out of it. It introduces clear ways to organize and use information the way you want to use it. It seamlessly connects you to information, people, and devices that help you get the most out of life.

While I’m anxious to get my hands on it (along with some new hardware to really showcase the features), I’m wondering if it will live up to this simple list of promises.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

LONGHORN: New Windows OS is a Room with a View

In reply to LONGHORN: New Windows OS is a Room with a View

Ahh, and to think I was going to rename it myself to Windows Longshot.  

LONGHORN: New Windows OS is a Room with a View

In reply to LONGHORN: New Windows OS is a Room with a View

Now, instead of Longshot, we can call it “Hasta la Vista”.  Brilliant marketing.  >:)

CELLPHONES: Surf the Web on Your Phone…And Like It?

In reply to HutchTech Blog

The promise of technology is great. Delivery, however, often stinks. Such is the current state of the cell phone. Even if you have one of those brick-like PocketPC/Smart Phone devices with a 240×320 screen, looking at web pages on it just doesn’t bring the kind of joy one should expect. Surely the Jetsons never experienced such angst.

Thanks to our friends over at IYHY.com you can now surf the interweb in text version alone–old school rules! Just sign up for a free account (I suggest doing this on your PC first), plug in a few of your favorite sites and IYHY will keep a list of these available for your account. Once you surf over to the IYHY.com site on your phone, log in and BEHOLD: Your list of sites (and the ability to plug in additional URLs) appears. Click on the link and there’s your favorite site all decked out in rich, glorious text.

Thanks to Sarah Lane (at sarahlane.com) for the tip.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

EARTH/MAPS: This Summer the Battle for the Earth Begins…Online

In reply to HutchTech Blog

As if cyberspace weren’t a large enough battlefield, search giants MSN and Google are duking it out over outer space. Their current target: Earth. We’ve all used those various online mapping sites to get directions, and sometimes those have been less than accurate. Now imagine taking that inaccuracy and adding topographical satellite images that might be more than 5 years old and you’ve got the picture. [NOTE: Please excuse my overt skepticism, but I hate old data. I understand that security issues preclude real-time satellite images from being available to the general public, but anything older than a year or two should be headed to the historical archive.]

Both MSN and Google are now offering the ability to view your maps with topographical info.

MSN: The Virtual Earth offered by MSN is, simply put, a lame rip off of Google Maps. They attempt to use the same tiling technology that allows you to easily grab and scroll the map your currently viewing, removing the need for clicking the pesky arrows and waiting for a screen refresh. Notice I said “attempt”. While the site works, you might as well go to Google Maps. Not only will you find a cleaner look and faster refresh, in my test searches I noticed that MSN’s satellite images were older than Google’s.

GOOGLE: Topographical mapping comes in two flavors from Google. You can use the standard Google Maps: do a location search and toggle street map view/satellite view. The tiling technology allows you to quickly and easily slide your view and center it the way you want. If you’re up for a beefy download, you can install Google Earth (previously Keyhole) for free. This gives you not only the ability to view satellite imagery, but change your view into an almost 3D perspective. You can do a flyover of the area and get a feel for what to expect on your drive.

We’ve still got a long way to go before the virtual world looks as great as the real one, but for now, if you need to go beyond the map in your glove box, I heartily recommend Google’s version of earth. In this war, we all win.

– Hutch

MSN Virtual Earth
Google Maps
Google Earth

This post originally appeared on an external website

EARTH/MAPS: This Summer the Battle for the Earth Begins…Online

In reply to EARTH/MAPS: This Summer the Battle for the Earth Begins…Online

Another thing that is in Google Earth’s favor is the broad array of
overlays that are available as part of it.  Some of them are
restaurants, lodging, ATM’s, etc., as well as zip code boundaries, US
congressional districts, and 3-dimensional building outlines for
selected cities.  There is also a nifty web-based BBS, which, if
you enable it, allows you to click on other people’s bookmarks and then
a web page comes up where you can comment on the location or submit
your own geographic bookmark.

EARTH/MAPS: This Summer the Battle for the Earth Begins…Online

In reply to EARTH/MAPS: This Summer the Battle for the Earth Begins…Online

MSN and Goggle have come to the party late with NASA Winds program been out there 18 mths ago.

 

John

EARTH/MAPS: This Summer the Battle for the Earth Begins…Online

In reply to EARTH/MAPS: This Summer the Battle for the Earth Begins…Online

Yes, but NASA’s program is a HUGE download compared to Google (180MB compared to 10.4MB).  However, they’re really not meant for the same audience.  Google’s tool is more practical and oriented toward business, travel, etc.  NASA’s tool is more educational in nature.  Both have their place, and I’ll give NASA credit for being first on the scene, but they’re tool is in a category all its own.

– Hutch

WIDGETS: Konfabulator is FREE

In reply to HutchTech Blog

YES! Enjoy it while you can. With Google starting the buy-it-give-it-away craze, other’s were bound to join in. I don’t know how the business model works, but so what. Cool stuff is now free. Konfabulator has now joined the ranks of free cool stuff thanks to Yahoo!. Go get it now, before they have to change their mind.

– Hutch

Yahoo!, here we come!

This post originally appeared on an external website

NETWORKING: I Feel the Need, the Need for Speed

In reply to HutchTech Blog

I’ve often written about various tweaks, hacks, settings, etc. that you can use to speed up your computer. There never seems to be enough speed to go around. Funny thing is, one of the least examined areas on our computers, our network connection, can be a major limitation to zippy online bliss. We just assume that since our broadband provider keeps upping the speed of our connections that means we’re automatically seeing the benefits. A recent article by Matt Lake at CNet gives some very basic hints at how to start looking at your network settings and pepping up your communication on the ol’ Interweb (see link below).

– Hutch

Geeks with tweaks – On the Dot – Internet

This post originally appeared on an external website

GLORY DAYS: What’s All the Buzz About?

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Words mean things. Or at least they should. Every few minutes a new tech buzzword is born, destined to live out its short life in relative fame, only to end it in relative obscurity.

CNet’s Anchordesk has been living in the past this summer, taking time to remind us of what was hip and happening in tech just a short decade ago. In a recent article on buzzwords (see link below), they make the case that our bandwidth really needs a paradigm shift, or we might not get enough eyeballs and end up a dot-bomb. I think you get my point.

– Hutch

Top 10 buzzwords – CNET.com

P.S. Thanks for your patience during my recent hiatus. Sadly, it wasn’t a vacation, but my time away from the keyboard has spurred me on to bolder and bloggier things. He’s baaaacckkk….

This post originally appeared on an external website

VANITY: You Love Me, You Really Love Me…

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Recently I had the privilege of being profiled in TechRepublic’s Blog Roundup newsletter (this blog is re-published on the TR website). So in an attempt to preserve, if not lengthen, my fifteen minutes of fame, here’s the text of that write-up:

Blogger Spotlight: HutchTech
Want to read a delightfully tech-centric blog with a great voice? Try The Hutch Tech Blog – Keeping Tech From Stealing Your Pants Daily. HutchTech is an IT Consultant from Olympia, WA. He’s one of the community team’s favorite people because he’s usually talking about something we need to know, or something that’s just plain cool. For example, he recently posted about free widgets from Konfabulator.
He blogs regularly and even tags his posts! He’s offered answers in the Technical Q & A, and has even posted to a discussion. Great job, Hutch. You make TR a better community.

No, thank you TR and gang–you’re response to my musings has made this endeavor worth doing. Just wait until the podcasts begin…you ain’t seen nuttin’ yet.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

VANITY: You Love Me, You Really Love Me…

In reply to VANITY: You Love Me, You Really Love Me…

If you liked that, this news should send you to the moon: Your “Blogger
Spotlight” mention was the most clicked link in that email send. Keep
it up, Hutch!

DESKTOP SEARCH: A Journey Into the Dark Underbelly of My File System

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Portals, Search Engines, the Desktop. Oh my! Everything techie seems to be embroiled in some kind of eternal struggle. If it’s not Mac crusaders duking it out with Microsoft evangelists, then it seems to be portalists, digital cartographers, or greedy search engine tycoons waging war upon unsuspecting netizen’s machines. Need I mention the Linux freaks calling everyone names? This being the case, it should come as no surprise that The Great Campaign for Desktop Supremacy has begun. Here’s my take on the big three, with some extra thoughts on some of your other options.

Google Desktop Search
Call me predictable, but I tend to love all things Google. However, this is an area where my playdoh-colored friends and I part company. When we first heard hints that Google would be oogling our desktops, I had high hopes. Remember the first time you used Google Deskbar? Up popped this mini-browser (and rather quickly at that, I might add). You could re-size it and even use it to view web pages if you configured things properly. I dreamed that Google would unleash this same type of search capability upon my hard drive. Sadly, friends, it is not so.

In my test searches, I found that Google Desktop Search really wasn’t all that quick at returning results. Now, I might be quibbling over a few seconds here and there, but look-and-feel tend to be just as important as function these days (just ask the Windows Vista team about Mac OS X). I found nothing lacking in the actual results returned, but I spend enough time in my browser with Google that having yet another web page full of results just didn’t do it for me. Filtering is limited to clicking the categories listed above your search results (e.g. All, Emails, or Files), but if you’re just looking for MS Word docs, you’re going to have to re-do your Google Desktop preferences to only query for those file types. While you do get a thumbnail preview of some queried files (mostly web/HTML-based files and images), you don’t get any usable preview of your files. Maybe they’ll get these right in another version or two.

Microsoft Windows Desktop Search
Bucking current trends (and often common sense) I also tend to have high hopes for Microsoft products–if for no other reason than that they know all the secret code and can integrate their apps more tightly into the OS. Even though Windows Desktop Search uses Windows Explorer to bring up results (and I’m using it on a decently robust machine), it still seemed to lag in both returning results and producing previews.

Interestingly enough, double-clicking the taskbar icon doesn’t launch the search app, instead you’re presented with a menu of options, one of which is Search Now–hmmm, maybe that’s what I wanted when I double-clicked the icon!? Once you have the window open, search speed is so-so, and while previews take a few seconds to appear, they are indeed fully readable previews of your files (note that large documents will take a while to appear in your preview pane).

 

My high hopes twice-dashed against the shore of reality, and with the recommendation of none other than PC World’s Stephen Manes, I held my nose and turned to Yahoo!

Yahoo! Desktop Search [BETA]
In our pre-Google universe I used to appreciate Yahoo! more, but once Google caught my eye, I seemed destined to never return to my once and former paramour. I think it was the ugly Yahoo! Instant Messenger that drove us apart. All that aside, Yahoo! Desktop Search takes a different approach to displaying your files. When you double-click the taskbar icon, up pops the app showing a full listing of all your files. The other contenders start with a blank slate to fill, but with Yahoo! as you type your search value in the box, the list automatically adapts, cutting those files which don’t meet your criteria. Previews seemed to load more quickly in Yahoo!’s Desktop Search, but every once in a while it would auto-resize the document into a smaller, nearly unreadable size. You can right-click and choose Normal under the Preview heading to set things right, but it’s still a glitch–hence it’s still in beta.

One of the best things about Yahoo!’s tool is how it let’s you filter your query results. You can use the handy tabs across the top of the window, or click the refine button to further detail how you want things filtered. While Windows DS has some similar functions they’re not nearly as granular, and Yahoo!’s are just handier and laid out better. Another trick Yahoo! manages is allowing you to immediately click on buttons above the preview pane to reply/forward e-mail, or attach and send documents in e-mail immediately. Even Windows DS doesn’t allow for that.

However, I do have one complaint. When looking for a word document that was an attachment, I had to look under the attachment tab, not the documents tab. Microsoft’s tool does a better job of delineating this and looking at all documents (attachments or not) as docs, but I think I can learn to live with this. I’ll just keep reminding myself it’s in beta.

Some users of each of these tools have reported issues with the time it takes to index their drives, but I’ve been running all three simultaneously for quite a while, and I’ve not noticed any performance issues, nor any long waits for indexing to complete.

Other Contenders
Copernic Desktop Search was actually one of the first free options out there, but I remember it bogging down my system and not exactly being speedy. I’m probably being too harsh and a bit unfair in comparing their product of two years ago with today’s new stuff, so I may give it another chance at some future undisclosed date. Updates to follow.

Being a Mac user (about 30% of the time), I’ve also enjoyed the benefits of Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger’s (yes you have to spell it out this way each time or Stevie the Boy Wonder gets all up in your face) Spotlight. It’s quick, it’s free (if you own the OS), and Microsoft’s going to have its work cut out in copying it for Vista–especially sans WinFS. Of course, you can’t use any of the aforementioned apps on a Mac, and you can’t use Spotlight in Windows, so while Spotlight is cool, it’s no real competition. Unless [insert dream sequence segue here]…once Apple goes fully Intel, and the BIOS guys make it ultra quick to switch between OS X and Windows on a dual-boot Apple system, then I could use Spotlight to find stuff on my hard drive…okay, so it’s a bit far fetched, but a guy’s gotta have a dream.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

HUH?: ZDNet Takes “A Peek Inside Microsoft’s Linux Lab”

In reply to HutchTech Blog

From somewhere in Bizzaro World in the distant realm of the oxymoron there is a place called the Microsoft Linux and Open-Source Software Lab. I find this as amazing as I’m sure our Linux-touting friends find it vexing. Take the red or blue pill, it doesn’t really matter, just give me something for this headache.

ZDNet’s done a full write-up which you can read at the link below.

– Hutch

ZDNet: Printer Friendly – At Microsoft, the yin and yang of Linux

This post originally appeared on an external website

MACINTEL: Wired News – Mac Hacks Allow OS X on PCs

In reply to HutchTech Blog

This one speaks for itself–I think it’s time to fire up VMWare again…

– Hutch

Wired News: Mac Hacks Allow OS X on PCs

This post originally appeared on an external website

PODCAST: Anticipation…It’s Making Me Wait…It’s Slow Good

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Okay, so there still isn’t a podcast posted…yet. I hope you’ll continue to patiently wait as I slog over the mundanities and realities of life hoping to one day broadcast my golden voice from this lofty perch.

In the meantime, we do have a new Hutch Tech Blog logo [take a peek to right-hand column]. So we hereby give a very gracious “Thank You” to Ms. Megan Irving whose diligent effort paid off: I got a logo; she’ll be getting the very first Hutch Tech T-Shirt we produce. Thanks again, Megan.

Now back to the podcast…I have received several written questions/topic ideas, and would encourage you to continue sending them to HutchTech@gmail.com. However, I’m also looking for some audio questions to share in the broadcast. I’ve established an account with Gizmo (similar to Skype) which can receive your audio questions. I chose Gizmo over Skype for several reasons: Voice mail is free (and let’s face it, this blog doesn’t pay the bills), it seems to be less system intensive than Skype on my PC, it’s cross platform, and did I mention the voice mail was free? You can get your copy at http://www.gizmoproject.com (Windows and Mac versions are available now, Linux will be supported in September). Leave a message in the Gizmo voice mailbox HutchTech, and who knows, if you’re question is used in the podcast, you could end up with a HutchTech T-shirt.

That’s the update for now. More to come…

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

CROSS PLATFORM: Killing Two Keyboards with One Open-Source Project

In reply to HutchTech Blog

I love my Windows laptop. I love my Mac iBook. But who wants to have two keyboards and two sets of mice cluttering the desk. Now, since they’re both laptops, I don’t need the video portion of a KVM switch to share single KB/mousing bliss, nor do I need the expense. Instead, I’ve found Synergy (see link below).

Synergy allows me to setup multiple (and I mean multiple, up to 9 I believe) systems, each with their own independent monitor, yet share one keyboard and mouse directly over the network. That’s right, friends, no fuss, no muss, nothing further to buy. You simply setup one of the machines to act as the synergy server and let it know where the other machines’ monitors live in relation to itself (e.g. my Windows laptop is on the left, my Mac laptop is on the right). Once you’ve got everyone else running the client software (which is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux), you’re home free. Now you can use that single keyboard and mouse to dash around to which ever screen you want. It even copies clipboard text from machine to machine, yes, even cross platform. The latest stable build made a huge difference for me–I was experiencing a lot of dropped connections previously. Oh, and yes, the Mac keys maintain their position on my keyboard (the key directly to the left of the space bar is the command key, etc.)

Check it out, because free beats KVM any day, in my book.

– Hutch

Synergy

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ONLINE MAPS: Is A9 a Contender in the Cartography Wars? Maybe

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Amazon search engine variant A9 has now dipped it’s toe into the cold water of the mapping pool (see link below). You may remember that A9 was sending out vans (a paid position with Amazon, I might add) to take pictures of every square block of the universe. This way, when you clicked on a business address you could not only see what the physical storefront looked like, but you could take a virtual walk around the block and look for other nearby shops, parking, etc. The new A9 maps site combines these street-level photos with mapquest. While I still don’t like the overall layout compared to Google’s version, and there are a lot of cities A9 has yet to photograph, this site could definitely be a contender in the future.

 

HINT FOR A9: Let this one stew in the beta broth for a while, otherwise it could die on the vine. Given enough time, fertilizer, and tender nurturing, it just might survive to actually win the day. Sorry for the mixed metaphors, but I think you get the point.

 

– Hutch

 

A9.com Maps

This post originally appeared on an external website

SECURITY: Everything Old is New Again – Sneakernet 2.0 Vulnerabilities Evident

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Do you remember scanning floppies on your PC for viruses before you actually opened and ran anything off of them? Of course you don’t, because nobody did it. No one we knew would have a virus on a floppy disk…[insert tune of wistful yearnings for yesteryear here]…such blissful naivet?.

Ever guilty of chronological snobbery (i.e. “We’re smarter now than they were back then”), the ubiquitously popular USB drive threatens to jump right up and bite us in our prideful posteriors. Snearkernet is back and it just might cause you and your PC some problems. Take a look at the CNet Anchordesk article linked below for more details.

– Hutch

Security Watch: USB devices offer an old-school way to steal data – CNET reviews

This post originally appeared on an external website

SECURITY: Everything Old is New Again – Sneakernet 2.0 Vulnerabilities Evident

In reply to SECURITY: Everything Old is New Again – Sneakernet 2.0 Vulnerabilities Evident

The more things change the more they stay the same.  Attack
vectors will always be basically the same with removable media, just
the media will change.

EDUCATION: All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Battlefield 2

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Fish and chips, bad teeth, playing video games
in school
. Great Britain’s rep is about to improve dramatically. According
to a recent CNet article (see link below), British schools are
experimenting with using video games as part of the curriculum. I’m not
sure if they’ll include Grand Theft Auto, or even Super Mario Cart. One
thing I am certain of: Regardless of the results of the of the study,
there are going to be a bunch of very happy children singing the
praises of school–all in proper Queen’s English, of course. Who says
we don’t need no education?

– Hutch

Computer games enroll in school | CNET News.com

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FUTURE: I’m Ready for the Cryo Chamber– Why I Can’t Wait for 2006

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Mark Miller’s recent PC Mag article makes the case that 2006 could be
another watershed year for technology. Dual-core, 64-bit CPUs,
Intel-based Macs, new OS releases all make it hard to argue against
him. So break out the cryo-chamber, I’m ready for 2006 now!

I’m
postponing all my personal technology purchases until 2006. My chief
longing is for the Intel-based Macs in the hope of getting a dual boot
system to replace my current PC and Mac laptops. My 1.5 GHz Pentium M
is still plugging along mightly, and I’ve seen no reason to upgrade,
especially prior to Vista’s release. If I make it until then, that’ll
be three years between Intel-based laptops–a personal record.

Though
I don’t yet hear the faint chords of auld lange syne, I’m ready to
sing. So what technology promise are you waiting for? What’s got you
excited about 2006? Send me an e-mail, post a comment, or leave a voice
mail at Gizmo mailbox HutchTech.

– Hutch

PC Magazine: The Big Shake Up

APPLE: Steve Jobs Seeks Bill Gates Position as “Most Hated Man”

In reply to HutchTech Blog

I just hate it when I have to agree with John C. Dvorak,
but the ol’ curmudgeon of computing has it right when he points out
that Apple (and more importantly, Steve Jobs) may be poised to mount an
operating system coup–and soon. Maybe he finally watched Pirates of Silicon Valley, who knows?

Read Mr. Dvorak’s musings on the subject of all things Apple with
the link below. Oh, and if you haven’t checked out his blog take a peek
at http://www.dvorak.org/blog. I may not always agree with his politics, but he does have some valuable insight into technology.

– Hutch

Opinion Column by PC Magazine: Apple on the Brink

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ITUNES: If a Rented Song Falls Off a Playlist, and There’s No One to Hear It, Does It Make Any Sound?

In reply to HutchTech Blog

I’ve heard all kinds of
chatter lately (maybe it was more of a clamboring) for Apple to
introduce subscription based options in iTunes. Recently Walt Mossberg
sounded off on why this isn’t a great idea (see link below). Agree or
disagree, the fact that Apple posted this on their Hot News page tells me it ain’t gonna happen…at least anytime soon.

– Hutch

Smartmoney.com: Mossberg Report: Rent vs. Own

This post originally appeared on an external website

HARD DRIVES: Greedily Guard Those Gorgeous Gigs

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Like most of you, I guard
my hard drive space zealously. Who knows when I might need all that
space for that video documentary I’m going to produce someday? Recently
TechRepublic gave some hints (link below) on how you can get some of
that space back: compress the system files packed in the Service Pack
folder. I’m not sure if I saved any real space, but if you’re looking for anything you can get, give it a try.

– Hutch

Compress the ServicePackFiles\i386 folder in Windows XP

This post originally appeared on an external website

SECURITY: Home Users that Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Larry Seltzer’s
just plain right: Home users need a disaster plan. If you don’t plan
for security at home, you will get hit–and it could cost you all those
digital photos and years worth of files. Unfortunately, the people who
need to hear this probably don’t read eWeek (or this blog, for that
matter). So we’re left with only three alternatives:

1. Home users will continue to get hacked, lose their precious
   files, and be used to create a cyberspace back-bone for the criminal
   underworld to exploit.
2. Microsoft, Apple, et al. will have to
   take on an increasingly intrusive security function. At first blush
   this might appear to be a dream come true for home users, but just the
   thought of it causes nightmares for privacy and security interest
   groups.
3. You and I, the tech (whether the “advanced” user or
   technology professional) can spend our free evenings and weekends
   tweaking and tuning grandma’s, Mom’s, and Uncle Fred’s increasingly
   outdated boxes.

I don’t know about you, but I really don’t like any of these
options. Now, Larry’s article (link below) is more narrowly focused on
disaster recovery, and he nobly discusses some of the backup
disaster scenarios that home users may encounter. I’d like to take an
even more pro-active approach and try to preclude the disaster in the first place.

– Hutch

Home Users Need To Plan For The Worst

This post originally appeared on an external website

SECURITY: Home Users that Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail

In reply to SECURITY: Home Users that Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail

Garg!  How about a secure OS out of the box.  How about an OS
with a working firewall (not the crap XP SP2 has), a decent way to STOP
spyware, and a way NOT to be admin/root to run apps.

SECURITY: Home Users that Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail

In reply to SECURITY: Home Users that Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail

Supposedly that’s coming in Vista. 
Though it may seem a bit over-zealous at first, I like the fact that my
Mac works on just this principle.  I definitely think the security
issues of recent years are pushing MS this direction too.  We’ll
see.

SECURITY: Privacy vs. Honesty – Poison Those Pesky “Login” Databases?

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Let me share a secret: I
use a “dummy” e-mail account to sign up for access to some web sites.
Shhhhhhhh… Now, obviously it’s a real address (I’m going to
have to click on those verification links somehow), but it’s not one
I’m going to use to actually get anything I want to read. [NOTE TO TR
EDITORS: My TR account is a usable e-mail address that I actually read.]

While I’m in a confessing mood, I need to come clean and admit my frequent (and ever-increasing) use of bug-me-not.
For the uninitiated, bug-me-not is a repository of usernames and
passwords to assist you in maintaining your privacy while allowing you
access to registered-members-only web sites.

There are evident trade-offs to this: You have access to the
information, but no way to expect feedback, or have your demographic
information measured. Most of the time this is what we want anyway. And
while I don’t believe this is much of a moral quandary, it isn’t what
the information provider wants (and certainly not what they believe
they need).

Some, however, are pledging to take this a step further in the Fall
and are asking others to do the same by poisoning online login
databases (see link below). This is where my morality compass begins to
move–a bit. It’s one thing for me to avoid (for convenience and
privacy’s sake) signing up for a free account, it’s another to pledge
online database devastation. Or is it? Maybe my lack of honesty here
makes me a less than able spokesman on this subject. Don’t worry, it
doesn’t keep me up at night.

I know people want demographic information, and they have the right
to ask for that info if I want access, but isn’t this trend toward
dishonesty exactly what they should expect to happen? In the age of
spam, identity theft, and increased privacy concerns perhaps it’s time
to avoid exposure at all cost. I won’t be signing any pledges to
purposely poison online membership rolls. Guess I don’t have to–I’m
doing it already.

– Hutch

Boing Boing: Pledge to poison a registration database this November 13!

This post originally appeared on an external website

SECURITY: Privacy vs. Honesty – Poison Those Pesky

In reply to SECURITY: Privacy vs. Honesty – Poison Those Pesky “Login” Databases?

Check out http://www.mailinator.com – define an email accound simply by having email sent to it.  Perfect for those registration purposes.  You can even read the messages sent there.

WINDOWS XP: Secret Tips and Tricks – PC Mag

In reply to HutchTech Blog

I appreciate PC Magazine
(yes, including the ol’ curmudgeon John C. Dvorak–off topic question:
Don’t only assassins and serial killers use their middle initial?
Sorry, John, I had to ask). Since we’ll all be using Windows XP for a
while longer, why not have it running as smoothly as possible? The link
below will take you to the PC Mag article with their list of tips and
tricks. Feel free to add your own in the comments.

– Hutch

Feature from PC Magazine: Top Tips & Tricks For Windows

This post originally appeared on an external website

WINDOWS XP: Secret Tips and Tricks – PC Mag

In reply to WINDOWS XP: Secret Tips and Tricks – PC Mag

PC Magazine is a thing of the past.  The best magazine I know of
is PC Pro.  You can buy it at bamm.com.  Don’t buy a
subscription, it’s too expensive.  The do in depth reviews of just
about anything you can think of and most of it is RELEVANT!

BACK TO THE FUTURE: Engadget BBS ca.1985

In reply to HutchTech Blog

When I first heard that
Engadget had a 1980’s BBS-ish version of their site up, I thought
someone had simply created a newly themed version of their current
content. However, was I in for a nostalgic surprise–not only was the
overall look of the site two decades out-of-date, but the content was
perfect for the time in question. If you’re old enough (or curious
enough) to want to reminisce about bygone tech-days, take a gander at
the link below. For full effect, I suggest turning off your broadband
and dialing-up for access.

– Hutch

Engadget 1985 – Engadget – http://www.engadget.com

This post originally appeared on an external website

MOBILE POWER: Behold, the 24-Hour Laptop

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Perhaps I’m getting ahead
of myself, but Intel’s upcoming CPUs bode well for my mobility dream
coming true: Untethered for a full day; unworried about where I’ll have
to plug in my laptop after 4-6 hours, ahhhhh….mobile nirvana. Okay,
maybe I exaggerate a bit here, you can check out eWeek’s take with the
link below.

Uncle Bill has been pushing HW vendors this direction, focusing
particularly on his TabletPCs, but we all know that the key is in the
processor (just remember what the Pentium M class achieved). I’m tired
of jockeying for position at the coffee shop, just to score that
coveted AC outlet, maybe Bill is too. Now, whether your a fan of
TabletPCs, or laptops, imagine how workflow might change if you knew
you didn’t have to find a plug in until you were ready to
sleep? I have my AC adapter for my cell phone next to the bed, maybe
I’ll have to make room for my laptop on the nightstand soon.

Be still, my beating heart, 2006 is on the way.

– An impatient Hutch

Intel Switches Circuits to Save on Electricity

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MOBILE POWER: Behold, the 24-Hour Laptop

In reply to MOBILE POWER: Behold, the 24-Hour Laptop

Seriously.  I appreciate the drama.  Perhaps you should get
out and live a bit more and do less surfing.  There really IS a
whole big world out there.

MOBILE POWER: Behold, the 24-Hour Laptop

In reply to MOBILE POWER: Behold, the 24-Hour Laptop

Gosh.  I was really hoping that last post would be anonamous!  :o)

PUBLISHING: Would You Buy a Book That Doesn’t Exist?

In reply to HutchTech Blog

No, I’m not talking about pre-publication…or am I? Let me back up a bit…Let’s say you’ve written the great American novel, or perhaps a treatise on the improbability of geeks finding non-digital companionship, and now you want others to read it–maybe even pay for it.

Now you have a chance to not only publish and sell your book, but to do it for free. That’s right, friends, there is such a thing as a free lunch at Lulu.com. Lulu (I know, try to get past the name–their explanation of it is a bit weak in my book–no pun intended) allows anyone to take their tome and make it available to the world. Once someone purchases the book online, it’s printed, bound, and shipped to them. You set the price (and profit margin), binding (everything but hard-bound options are currently available), etc. Lulu makes it clear that they’re not the publisher, you are. They simply do the printing, process the charges, and ship your material.

I haven’t purchased or published anything on Lulu yet, but who knows maybe it’s time for me try my hand at publishing my thoughts–wait a minute, I’m already doing that here.

– Hutch

Lulu.com – Self Publishing – Free

This post originally appeared on an external website

PUBLISHING: Would You Buy a Book That Doesn’t Exist?

In reply to PUBLISHING: Would You Buy a Book That Doesn’t Exist?

Wow, great minds and all that. I scoped out Lulu almost a month ago.

WIDGETS: A Dash of Speed is konFABulous

In reply to HutchTech Blog

You know me, ever greedy
for more speed, I’m always looking for ways to easily and freely
release those precious bits of RAM, CPU cycles, and hard drive space. But I don’t want to live in the world of GRC’s Steve Gibson and run absolutely nothing on my desktop. Balance is never easy, young padawan.

I love widgets, and if you’re a PC user, there’s really no other choice but konfabulator.
This isn’t a bad thing, especially since konfabulator is now FREE
(thank you, Yahoo!). Don’t even bother with the imitators (avedesk,
kapsules, etc.) unless you’re really ready to geek and tweak, and
crash. However, things are very different in the Mac world.
Konfabulator’s been available on the Mac platform forever (and is now
free for Mac-heads as well), but with the entry of OS X Tiger and
dashboard, there’s been some viable competition. Both dashboard and
konfabulator offer beautiful, mostly free widgets that are almost
always user-created; both allow you to customize your desktop with
whatever additional info/tools you find handy: weather, media, lists,
contacts, system info, etc., etc. The only real difference I found was
that dashboard widgets seem to have more internal
functionality. For example, if I use a dictionary or wikipedia widget
in dashboard it comes with its own viewer that functions within the
dashboard widget itself. The same type of widget in konfabulator looks
beautiful, but when I enter a query item, it opens an internet browser
window in my default browser–not so pretty.

So, I gave up on konfabulator for my Mac, that is until I went
a-speed-tweaking. As I searched for ways to reduce my CPU load (I am,
after all, trying to live on a 1.33 GHz PPC chip in my iBook until
2006…don’t get me started), I decided to turn dashboard off. No other
change I’ve been able to make to my system has made such a singular
difference. Even after I had reduced the total number of widgets I was
using, dashboard was hogging upwards of 40-50% of my CPU cycles. How
rude! So, it’s been back to konfabulator and free-CPU-cycle heaven.

Remember, friends don’t let friends dashboard and compute.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

WINDOWS/OFFICE: Take ‘Em to the Woodshed – Why Uncle Bill is About to Get Spanked

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Ladies and gentlemen, it
was with much disbelief, but little surprise that I watched the recent
demos of Windows Vista (post-Beta 1) and MS Office 12 today. When I
first saw some of the live demos over a year ago, I expected boorish
color schemes and unpolished icons. As late as this summer I was still
unfazed as I gazed upon the hideous behemoth that was Longhorn (now
Vista). But today, I have little hope of Windows Vista being the next
major leap in OS technology (ala Windows 95).

My eyes transfixed upon the unseemly colors and icons in Vista (click here for video),
and my heart sank. I couldn’t believe the audience was cheering the
updated alt-Tab and 3D Window cascade–it actually looked more like a
police line-up than anything near Mac Expose.

I had hoped that the MS Office 12 demo would lift my spirits, but
instead it nearly caused me to faint–gone are my menus, replaced by
happy, animated icons of productivity. Graphical choice usually equals less choice. See the video for yourself here.

It seems to me that where the Apple folks have captured stylish
simplicity, my Microsoft friends have delved deeper into the
Fischer-Price toy box. Simplicity should not mean ugly. There’s still
time, in fact quite a bit of time, to fix these things. I’ll be
watching for better behavior on Uncle Bill’s part. If there’s no
improvement, he can expect a BIG whoopin’ next year. Ouch!

– A Disappointed Hutch

You can read more and watch Billy’s keynote here–but why?

This post originally appeared on an external website

WINDOWS/OFFICE: Take ‘Em to the Woodshed – Why Uncle Bill is About to Get Spanked

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Ladies and gentlemen, it was with much disbelief, but little surprise
that I watched the recent demos of Windows Vista (post-Beta 1) and MS
Office 12 today. When I first saw some of the live demos over a year
ago, I expected boorish color schemes and unpolished icons. As late as
this summer I was still unfazed as I gazed upon the hideous behemoth
that was Longhorn (now Vista). But today, I have little hope of Windows
Vista being the next major leap in OS technology (ala Windows 95).

My eyes transfixed upon the unseemly colors and icons in Vista (click here for video),
and my heart sank. I couldn’t believe the audience was cheering the
updated alt-Tab and 3D Window cascade–it actually looked more like a
police line-up than anything near Mac Expose.

I had hoped that
the MS Office 12 demo would lift my spirits, but instead it nearly
caused me to faint–gone are my menus, replaced by happy, animated
icons of productivity. Graphical choice usually equals less choice. See the video for yourself here.

It
seems to me that where the Apple folks have captured stylish
simplicity, my Microsoft friends have delved deeper into the
Fisher-Price toy box. Simplicity should not mean ugly. There’s still
time, in fact quite a bit of time, to fix these things. I’ll be
watching for better behavior on Uncle Bill’s part. If there’s no
improvement, he can expect a BIG whoopin’ next year. Ouch!

– A Disappointed Hutch

You can read more and watch Billy’s keynote here–but why?

WINDOWS/OFFICE: Take ‘Em to the Woodshed – Why Uncle Bill is About to Get Spanked

In reply to WINDOWS/OFFICE: Take ‘Em to the Woodshed – Why Uncle Bill is About to Get Spanked

I to am disappointed. Sure the new items that are shown off in the videos are cute for the dog and pony show but I am interested in more power features that will allow users to be more productive in the work environment. I am also interested in features for support of users. Something as simple as allowing remote users to install their own printers without being an administrator or altering the Power Users group.

WINDOWS/OFFICE: Take ‘Em to the Woodshed – Why Uncle Bill is About to Get Spanked

In reply to WINDOWS/OFFICE: Take ‘Em to the Woodshed – Why Uncle Bill is About to Get Spanked

From what I’ve heard, although it’s only hearsay, some of the new Vista features being touted (color matching, transparent windows, etc.) have all been available in Mac OS X for awhile now. There doesn’t seem to be much new there. My understanding is WinFS is arriving much later (I’ve read the RTM is slated for Q3 2007).

I just purchased a Mac a month ago, and I found myself struggling with whether I should purchase yet another copy of Microsoft Office. Even the Student license, for which my family qualifies, seemed steep at $99 (after rebate). NeoOffice is working just fine for me on the Mac (and Open Office on my Windows systems), so there would need to be some strong new features in Office 12. However, I’m yet to hear of a feature that would justify my purchasing a copy.

Is anyone having a different experience?

WINDOWS/OFFICE: Take

In reply to WINDOWS/OFFICE: Take ‘Em to the Woodshed – Why Uncle Bill is About to Get Spanked

As a nearly-switched switcher myself (I’m using my Mac about 90% of the
time now), I’d tend to agree that Vista is turning out to be more of a
Mac rip-off than I had orginally been lead to believe. I’ll get
Vista and the new MS Office as part of my MAPS (MS Action Pack
Subscription), and I plan on dual-booting my Intel-based Mac as soon as
I can get my hands on one.

While I’m always a sucker for a cool GUI, if that’s all they’ve got, then they’re toast.

UPDATE: Oh, and if you didn’t watch the video, note that the sidebar is
no longer a static, hide-able bar, but a widget, I mean, GADGET
repository. Who needs this now that Konfabulator is free?

– Hutch

WINDOWS/OFFICE: Take ‘Em to the Woodshed – Why Uncle Bill is About to Get Spanked

In reply to WINDOWS/OFFICE: Take ‘Em to the Woodshed – Why Uncle Bill is About to Get Spanked

It’s very interesting that a lot of the new visual features for Windows Vistia look a lot like features from a project OS from Sun called project Looking Glass.  If you want to check out what I’m talking about go to http://www.sun.com/software/looking_glass/.

GOOGLE: The “Do No Harm” Stranglehold Meets the Blogosphere

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Google owns everything.
Let’s just admit it. This blog is even posted (originally) to servers
owned by Google. We all want to find stuff through Google, and we want
all our stuff to be found there as well. Now you can search
for blog-based content without the interference of those pesky (and
let’s face it, somewhat arcane) static web pages.

While the thing’s being called “Bloogle”, don’t try bloogle.com–it
won’t work. Oh, and to the owner of bloggle.com, get ready for some
heavy typo-based traffic. I bet your Google Ad Sense account makes some
money this month–ah, the irony.

– Hutch

http://blogsearch.google.com

This post originally appeared on an external website

INTERNET/FIREFOX: Speedy Like A Fox

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Speed. Performance. The
rush of wind blowing through your hair… Well, my browser’s not
exactly a convertible, but since I live so much of my life looking at
it, I need it to perform with all the horse power it can muster. I
remember tweaking IE back in the day, but most of those older hacks no
longer provide that fine-tuned feel as I cruise the info super highway.
Besides, supposedly we’re all switching to Firefox, so we might as well
have the fuel injectors…okay, enough with the automotive metaphors.

I really do prefer Firefox, but I’ve always found it to be a bit
sluggish. Well, once I got rid of the glut of unused extensions (do I
really need weather on my status bar?) that seemed to help,
but in comparing it to IE (on my PC) or Safari (on my Mac) it still
didn’t measure up. Then I found the Extreme Tech article Hacking Firefox: Speed Up Your Browser.
Just as I was about to give up jumping on the open-source browser
bandwagon, here it was, my answer. Kinda. Some of the hints are
retreads of my old IE hacks (oops, there go those auto references
again) which makes me wonder why they’re not simply part of the
original Firefox code. Others will only apply to Windows users (though
there is some reference to Unix/Linux/Mac options). I simply downloaded
the Tweak Network Settings extension and let it do most of the heavy lifting for me.

It’s my understanding that part of the reason Firefox is so
untweaked out-of-the-box is so that each one of us can personalize the
experience. Keep it smooth and simple, or overload it with
extensions–you make the call. Just don’t do it in the slow lane.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

SECURITY: PC Users at Work are Risky Business

In reply to HutchTech Blog

I recently came across this Trend Micro report in a SANS newsletter which claims that employees take more risk on the net at work because they believe their IT department will protect them. While this might be what they said in the survey, the real answer is far more sinister: employees don’t care if the business fails.

Let’s face it, if you knew you wouldn’t have been caught pulling the fire alarm at school so that you could postpone that math test would you have done it? The same moral dilemma faces those who use their PCs at work. Employees (particularly in larger corporations) don’t see the real harm of network downtime–it’s just a paid break. And if they don’t see people getting fired for abuse (I’m not talking about porn here, but shopping, blogging, gambling, etc., etc.) what risk do they really take in abusing their Internet access? Besides, if you do happen to infect the network with the latest worm you’re just a poor, little end-user and you’re really, really sorry. And how many IT departments are actually going to track the thing down once the fire’s been put out? Not many–the standard e-mail reminder to be more careful will have to suffice (oh, and remember to attach a copy of the corporate e-mail/Internet policy).

While I am not excited about Apple, Microsoft, et al taking a stronger oversight role when it comes to workstation and network security, businesses (particularly smaller ones) really do need help against their own worst enemy–themselves. Remember: Ignorance, my friends, is not innocence.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

SECURITY: PC Users at Work are Risky Business

In reply to SECURITY: PC Users at Work are Risky Business

This certainly seems to be the case at my place of employment. Mind you, I’m very careful but then I’m the only one who has to worry about fixing it if its broken.

I’m currently trying to get a handle on all the garbage that’s done on the pc’s.

SECURITY: PC Users at Work are Risky Business

In reply to SECURITY: PC Users at Work are Risky Business

Excellent post, Hutch. So excellent, in fact, that I quoted you in a discussion thread
(for wider response) and have arranged for that discussion to appear in
the TechRepublic NetNote on Monday. Be prepared for a few responses.

SECURITY: PC Users at Work are Risky Business

In reply to SECURITY: PC Users at Work are Risky Business

I don’t see that being the case at my company. We have no accountability and no penalties for abusers, whether it’s web abuse, installing unapproved/any software, etc. Whenever the network goes down, I have to explain to each irate user that we will simply have to wait until connectivity is restored. This may be due to the way we work too- our projects are housed in the office most directly responsible for supporting them, and our databases are all located at our corporate HQ. In order for our office to work, network connectivity between Atlanta and Princeton must work. This is probably different at corporate HQ, but people start to get extremely anxious when the slightest hint that something on the network is going to fail occurs.

SECURITY: PC Users at Work are Risky Business

In reply to SECURITY: PC Users at Work are Risky Business

I agree 100%.  Remember the “I Love You” virus?  I had two users that must have opened at least 3 e-mails.  After telling them each multiple times that “no one loves you (and particularly not me at this point)” I finally threatened to have Central I.T. cut off their e-mail accounts.  That got the message across.  We don’t have too much trouble with gambling and porn sites, but game and music sites are a big hit here. 

FREEWARE: Another Seeming Oxymoron Bites the Dust–Mac Freeware DOES Exist

In reply to HutchTech Blog

One of the few
disappointments I ran into with my Mac was the seeming lack of freeware
for it. Coming from the PC community, I was used to having lots of free
stuff thrown my way. While you could spend time searching Version Tracker or MacUpdate, I’ve come upon the motherlode of Mac Freeware: FreeMacWare.com. Sure, you might
find this stuff on the other services, and the overall organization is
not what I prefer, but the content and descriptions are excellent. I’ve
already overloaded my iBook with more stuff than I need, but at least
I’ve got the opportunity to do a few things more cheaply than I
previously thought possible in the Apple Zone.

If you’re a PC user, you should still check this out–you might be
surprised at what you find, perhaps you’ll even be tempted to join the
switcher/joiner ranks.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

SEARCH: Tag–You’re Found

In reply to HutchTech Blog

In some recent
discussions with colleagues…let me start over. While surfing and
chatting over lattes last night with some friends, we discussed how it
seems the Internet search engine has come full circle. First we had
Yahoo!. Now, I remember the days when Yahoo! was my friend. If I wanted
to look for “free games”, just click on Computers >> Software >> Games >> Free/Freeware
and I’d see a list of 50 to 500 sites indexed for my perusal. I even
imagine that, at the time, actual people read the requests for adding
sites to the Yahoo! listings.

Then came Google. Don’t get me wrong, I still love Google and use
it daily for certain types of searching, but believe me, you don’t want
to waste your time typing in “free games”–that’ll lead you to endless
links, many inactive, other’s useless, some profane, a few simply
spyware spider holes.

So, now what are we investigative netizens to do? We still want
Google to have a list of anything and everything available to us, so it
has it’s place, but now it’s time to get a more trustworthy and
specific search when we’re looking at a topic. Wikis have proven to use
the democratic process and allow for community information building,
but with a web search, we need something slightly different. This is
were tagging comes into play. Sites like http://www.shadows.com
are basically search engine communities built by surfers themselves.
You find a site you like and tag it for the team. For example, my
search for “free games” came up with about 100 sites and most of them
seemed to be tagged appropriately. While I know this system lends
itself to abuse by the self-promotional, it still seems the best middle
ground we have between the old Yahoo! lists and the complete Google
compendium.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

APPLE: Security is Job 2…Or Maybe 3

In reply to HutchTech Blog

I hate double-standards.
I also hate adolescent games. So, since we’re talking about technology
and geekdom here, I guess I’d better just get over it and deal with
reality, huh?

Here’s an example of what irks me: Take a look at a recent eWeek headline:
Apple Swats Mac OS X Security
. Seems harmless enough–unless you actually read the article. Here’s a snippet about those seemingly pesky problems with OS X:

Apple shipped a Java security update to plug five flaws
that could cause system hijack, security bypass, data manipulation and
privilege escalation attacks.

These are NOT minor issues, they are not gnats to be
brushed away as a mere nuisance. Why is it that Apple gets such mild
headlines for its security woes while MS gets whipped? Oh, that’s right
Apple is only 2% of the total computer market. Remember, you’re talking
to a switcher here (I’m now at the 90% Mac-use stage), but that doesn’t
mean my new found technology loyalty trumps reality. Perhaps that’s the
problem: Geeks don’t get enough love/friendship so they somehow
transfer such feelings toward their technology (Lord knows they don’t
have enough time to become enamored with sports teams). So, nerdlings,
it’s time to quit being loyal to the tech, and begin being loyal to
yourself. I use tech that works for me–I really don’t care if it works
for anyone else. Besides, as we so often forget, if you get too wrapped
up in the tech it’s liable to steal your pants.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

APPLE: Security is Job 2…Or Maybe 3

In reply to APPLE: Security is Job 2…Or Maybe 3

Eweek bastards. I can’t get past their initial ad page unless I allow
them to set cookies. I’m not in the mood to allow that today so I’m
SOL.

Anyway, you make a good point on security. I’ve always hated the idea
of web browsers executing Java applications. Finding security problems
with Java-over-the-network simply fulfills the predictable situation
with that approach. Some problems cannot be solved. Access to data that
is available to the user account running the Java application is an
embedded problem. The only resolution is to use separate user accounts
that cannot see each others’ files. One user account for network
access; the other for local access only. Then you have to move all of
the files downloaded over the network, including email, from the
Internet accessible account to the local only account. Few people will
do that. At least with two user accounts you can keep your Quicken
files in the local access only account, though.

Privilege escalation is inexcusable. Aren’t the Apple people using
FreeBSD as the foundation of OS X? Have they messed it up in their OS X
implementation or is this a problem with Java on FreeBSD as well?
Anyway it’s very troubling. It’s even more troubling if FreeBSD is, or
has been, found to share this vulnerability.

As far as professional sports is concerned I never understood the
enthusiasm displayed by many adults for watching other adults play a
stupid game. On the other hand I enjoy watching professional auto
racing, but I can take it or leave it. I don’t HAVE to watch the races
the way some people HAVE to watch a football game or whatever.

In the area of getting wrapped up in tech being expensive I agree with
that. Before I became interested in computers I was quite the
audiophile. I spent a lot of money getting the latest stereo technology
that I could afford. I was definitely the first on my block with audio
compact disks. Before they came along it was the mega-super-stable
turntable and cartridge and extra perfect blue ribbon vinyl records.
Hah! Lots of money spent on things that I no longer use or even own.
Thirty years later it all looks a bit foolish.

APPLE: Security is Job 2…Or Maybe 3

In reply to APPLE: Security is Job 2…Or Maybe 3

Actually, MacOS X only uses a FreeBSD/Mach pseudo-microkernel and
some unixy environment utilities. Everything built on top of that is
pure Apple and NEXT technology (emphasis on the Apple). As a result,
while the foundational kernel architecture is third to none (and
probably tied with a few others somewhere between first and second),
the actual OS architecture in userland is free to get compromised by
customer-driven feature creep and accessibility/user-friendly marketing
concerns that have the capacity to do serious damage to the security
characteristics of the system. It will likely never be as bad as
Windows in terms of its vulnerability to problems like remote code
execution and privilege escalation, but it can get darned close.

Worse yet, I could be wrong about it not getting as bad as Windows
security-wise: it looks like Windows security is moving (unbelievably
slowly) in the right direction just a little bit, and MacOS X security
may find itself sliding in the other direction. Automatic execution and
downloading files without stripping execution permissions metadata from
them are two problems Apple seems intent on adding to the otherwise
default security benefits of unixy OSes, for example.

EDIT: Oh yeah, and I ran into that problem with eWeek some time ago myself. My response is simply to spend my time reading industry news elsewhere. Any website that doesn’t respect my privacy doesn’t need my business.

APPLE: Security is Job 2…Or Maybe 3

In reply to APPLE: Security is Job 2…Or Maybe 3

Haven’t you guys heard of BugMeNot–come on!

APPLE: Dance of the Switching Switchers

In reply to HutchTech Blog

If you’d like a
refreshingly honest look at the fiascos and foibles of iLife in the
Mac-world from a real Mac user read on…if you’re a Mac
zealot/MS-ophobe/FOS (Friend of Steve) please step back from the line
in front of you which reads “Real World Beyond This Point.”

I really appreciated Russell Beattie’s comments
about his Mac life and the possibility that he’ll become one of the few
switched-switchers by going back to a Windows PC. While I’m very
anxious to dual boot an Intel PowerBook with OS X and Vista, I share
some of the experiences Russell outlines. I’m still hanging in there
with my Mac (even though I’m ticked about exchange support–don’t even
bring up Entourage or Snerdware), and I don’t plan on re-switching
anytime soon, but it’s important that those of you considering a move
to the Mac know all the pros and cons–the latter of which are often cleverly glossed over.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

APPLE: Dance of the Switching Switchers

In reply to APPLE: Dance of the Switching Switchers

Even if there were no alternative, even if Apple didn’t exist, I would use two tin cans and a piece of string before I would ever bring Windows architecture into my home again. I forgot what life was like before I had to spend so much of it screaming at and pounding on my computer. I’m forced to use a Windows machine at my office so I can never forget how horrible they are.

I don’t use a Mac because I love Macs. I use one because I HATE DESPISE LOATHE DETEST REVILE PCs. Computing back in the mainframe era was sort of fun. PCs have taken all the fun out of it.

APPLE: Dance of the Switching Switchers

In reply to APPLE: Dance of the Switching Switchers

DC Guy,

Take a breath, man.  No one is asking YOU to switch back. 
However, oft-times those who have never used an apple are sold a bill
of goods about how it never crashes, has no problems, etc., etc. 
Believe me, I’ve switched, and I love my Mac.  However, I would
NEVER tell anyone that it’s always the better choice for them. 
Nor would I attempt to LIE to them about its problems or security holes.

You don’t have to like PCs, that’s fine with me–as long as you’re willing to be honest about the imperfections of the Mac.

– HutchTech

MEDIA TECH: Fake Enough to Fool Ya–Real Enough to Scare

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Back in the pre-digital-visual-media days audio replication was the goal. Anyone remember Is it live or is it Memorex?
While I still believe full motion video CG isn’t completely able to
fool the eye (did anyone really believe Jar Jar Binks was real?), still
images are another story. Alias (no, not the Jennifer Garner TV show,
but the makers of Maya software) has a site that allows you to test
your image discernment capabilities called Is it Fake or Foto? Your humble Hutchster scored an 8 out of 10 on the test. See if you can do any better.

– Hutch

UPDATE:  Here’s some additional thoughts from my very artistic, left-brained friend Dean K.:

Hi Dave,

I’ve been there before, and yes, it’s amazing to see how critical
the eye is, even with people that are not “experts.” The thing is, had
you taken the same test 30 years ago you would have gotten 0 out of 10
because you would have assumed it to be reality. Even after being told
they were composed images you would not believe it, no matter how close
you looked.

The problem it seems with artificial imaging, is that the more it
advances toward fooling you, the harder it must work to fool a
spectator whose perception advances at the same rate as our technology.
How beautiful is humanity!

– Dean

This post originally appeared on an external website

MEDIA TECH: Fake Enough to Fool Ya–Real Enough to Scare

In reply to MEDIA TECH: Fake Enough to Fool Ya–Real Enough to Scare

Nice advertizing of Alias. After it the number of visitors was so big so (110) Connection timed out

MEDIA TECH: Fake Enough to Fool Ya–Real Enough to Scare

In reply to MEDIA TECH: Fake Enough to Fool Ya–Real Enough to Scare

I got 8 out of 10 too. The bent nails and the scattered nails got me. I said the first was CG and the second real.

MEDIA TECH: Fake Enough to Fool Ya–Real Enough to Scare

In reply to MEDIA TECH: Fake Enough to Fool Ya–Real Enough to Scare

There was a time when people simply believed their senses. Anything they saw or heard had to be real because there was no known alternative. When something that was observed was inconsistent with reality, people invented alternate realities to explain them–spiritual worlds. It was inconceivable that their senses could be deceiving them.

Entertainers took advantage of this by developing stage magic tricks, ventriloquism, etc. Unfortunately con artists did the same.

Eventually people learned that their senses CAN deceive them, because people are capable of creating deceitful sensory images.

People stopped falling for fake noises when electronic sound reproduction became common, but unfortunately ventriloquists were put out of work at the same time. Nobody believes unbelievable photographs any more. People still fall for videos, but that will end soon. It’s getting harder for nefarious users of stage magic–faith healers, mediums, spiritualists, etc.–to find gullible marks.

They’ve even learned to be wary of Nigerian government agents who need a few hundred bucks to access a fortune. Whoever thought up that one did humanity a real service, because soon everyone will have heard of it and they’ll all be wiser when dealing with potential con artists.

They’ll also become more discriminating consumers of entertainment. You younger folks will live to see special effects draw nothing but yawns. Movies like “The Matrix” will simply not be made in twenty years because the effects will no longer be special. Commercials already have more eye-popping visuals than many of the shows they sponsor.

Imagine, the entertainment industry will have to fall back on plotting, characterization, dialog, humor… all the traditional elements of storytelling.

Lordy, I hope I live to see that day!

MEDIA TECH: Fake Enough to Fool Ya’; Real Enough to Scare

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Back in the pre-digital-visual-media days audio replication was the goal. Anyone remember Is it live or is it Memorex? While I still believe full motion video CG isn’t completely able to fool the eye (did anyone really believe Jar Jar Binks was real?), still images are another story. Alias (no, not the Jennifer Garner TV show, but the makers of Maya software) has a site that allows you to test your image discernment capabilities called Is it Fake or Foto? Your humble Hutchster scored an 8 out of 10 on the test. See if you can do any better.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

MEDIA TECH: Fake Enough to Fool Ya

In reply to MEDIA TECH: Fake Enough to Fool Ya’; Real Enough to Scare

If someone define where is cg or real it will wonder me more then if you give answer who will winner in final of wta tennis tour. Because all of these photos are digital copy in this moment. Sincerely, LukCAD.

TECH CULTURE: The Technoratus Stupidius Cometh–A Rant

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Technology makes us stupid. I am, in part, talking about the kid with
the iPod, PDA, Razr, and laptop who doesn’t know how to comb his hair
or even flip burgers; who can forget about ever making “Barista of the
Month”–that would require far too much complex thought, and quite
possibly both mental and physical dexterity from his atrophied brain
and bones. He’ll never communicate in proper American English (forget
about the Queen), let alone speak without reference to whatever the
latest iteration of “dude” might be. Perhaps I shouldn’t expect any
more out of him, and I’m probably just getting too old and crotchety (I
just turned 37, that’s 111 in tech-years)–maybe he will grow out of it.

There is however, another tech user whose stupidity bothers me even
further–those who manage (and sometimes even develop) the various
pieces of technical infrastructure we use, but somehow cannot manage to live
with technology themselves. There are some, even a few who dwell
amongst our TechRepublic members, who so diligently want to maintain
their privacy online that they have lost sight of how to fool the very
system they’ve created. For example, some sites (including our beloved
TechRepublic) require a free “membership” in order to access certain
content. We all know and understand the business model–some of us have
even helped design and deploy such marketing schemes–and yet there are
times we don’t want to have our every movement tracked and monitored.
Fair enough. But don’t we have the technology to get around such
everyday mundanities? Didn?t we leave a backdoor? Have we not developed
the junk-only e-mail drop-box? Don’t services like BugMeNot and
one-time “fake” e-mail addresses take care of this nuisance? I say,
yes, and then some. I’m writing this very article well ensconced behind
two firewalls and a random array of anonymous proxy servers–no one but
me even knows if I really wrote this and I’m not quite sure myself
(delve into that philosophical and epistemological conundrum, if you
dare). I understand anonymity and technology, but I refuse to become a
slave to either.

Let me move beyond the rant and make this observation: If the
technology exists only for technology’s sake and not the benefit of
those who use it, then the technology has already defeated us. Use the
technology, don’t let it use you. And by all means, don’t let the tech
steal your pants–it’ll only make you stupid, Dude.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

TECH CULTURE: The Technoratus Stupidius Cometh–A Rant

In reply to TECH CULTURE: The Technoratus Stupidius Cometh–A Rant

Yes, I agree with you. Do you feel you easy after it?

Sincerely, LukCAD

SECURITY: Beware Nematodes Bearing Gifts

In reply to HutchTech Blog

That worm knocking on your firewall door could soon be looking to do
you a favor…or so the researchers at Immunity Inc. would have you
believe. I’m old enough to have participated in pro-active, positive
“virus” code-writing back in the 80’s, so I’m familiar with the
arguments. And we all remember the friendly version of the Blaster
worm–sealing holes right after abusing them. Thanks.

The idea is commendable on many fronts, however my simplistic mind
comes back to one simple question: Won’t any hole you leave for a
so-called friendly worm leave an open path for an “unfriendly” one? I
don’t see how it can be argued otherwise.

Read the full article from eWeek here (sorry, apotheon, you’ll just have to wait for the movie).

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

APPLE/PVR: iPod, schmiPod–You’ve Missed the Real Story

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Yeah, I want one of the
new video-capable iPods–I’m only human. But that seems to be all we’re
hearing about these days. The real story was Steve’s “Act I” from
yesterday’s presentation: the new iMac. Okay, not really the iMac
itself, but a new feature called Front Row. Front Row lets
you use your iMac as a full-screen media center. His simple comparison
of the iMac’s new remote with those that come with Windows Media Center
PCs said it all. I might be able to navigate the complicated options on
WinMC, but my wife, my parents, and even my kids, don’t want to. And let
me just get it out now because you won’t hear me say this often: Steve
Jobs was right, this is the way to deal with media at home. Because the
iMac allows for an external monitor to be plugged in, that means it can
connect to more recent video displays (READ: Digital TVs). Why would I not want to use an iMac as my media center–the cost is about the same.

I won’t be rushing out tomorrow to make the move, but it won’t be
long–my ReplayTV is dying and it has a monthly fee which my new media
center won’t. Now if I could only get Steve to release Front Row for
download to my iBook.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

APPLE/PVR: iPod, schmiPod–You’ve Missed the Real Story

In reply to APPLE/PVR: iPod, schmiPod–You’ve Missed the Real Story

ure an idiot…remote control difference: media center allows u to do 100 more things than Front row…hence the remote buttons…a good example is: try to use the ipod shuffle like remote to switch channels on your tv…go look up media center first and then comment on these type of things…plus if you want simplicity for your grandmother…then use the media center gyration control…with that all she has to do is point and click at the tv…

iTUNES: Sic et Non – A Latin Lesson For Steve Jobs

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Very often we can’t have
it both ways. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. You can’t be two
places at once. You can’t bite the hand that feeds you and expect to
eat well. Such are the dilemmas that face Apple and iTunes.

If
you go back several Apple Events, you’ll note that each time Steve J.
brings up the very idea of subscription based music downloads (ala
Napster, et. al.), he mentions that this just doesn’t work because
people want to own their music. He’s right (I know, I know–this is the
second time in less than a week I’ve had to say that). Now we have a
video iPod. But if I hear Steve-o say that subscription-based video
content won’t work because people want to own their video, I’ll have to
heartily disagree. Here’s why: Most of the time we don’t want to own
video content, we simply want to time shift it (SEE Blockbuster,
NetFlix, Tivo). Every once-in-a-while I take something from my PVR and
burn it to DVD, but typically I just want to watch a show on my
schedule and not the network’s. This is why Apple must change it’s
video model immediately.

Forget
about music videos. Anyone who wants a music video will pay $1.99 to
have it. It should be $0.99 (or less), but that’s not the model. It’s
not my cup of tea, but I could understand someone wanting to own a
music video.

The same could be said of movies. However, note
that movies aren’t for sale (yet) on iTunes, and the quality of the
video you can get might look good on an iPod, but I’ve heard that if
you full-screen it on an actual computer, you’re going to be
disappointed.

Steve needs to re-think his model when it comes to
video–lower your price, perhaps even make it subscription-based, and
even impose viewing limitations (just like Comcast’s On-Demand). This
is what time-shifting consumers of visual media are looking for.

Sell us our music permanently, Mr. J; let us subscribe to video content. We can have the best of both worlds.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

SECURITY: And So It Begins…Will Security Be the Loophole that Allows Steve and Bill to Take Over the World?

In reply to HutchTech Blog

A recent article in the International Herald Tribune (Microsoft polishes image with security suite – Technology – International Herald Tribune)
touts the joy and sorrow that will be the Microsoft Security Suite.
Regardless of how you feel about the imperfections in MS source code,
you can’t say Uncle Bill didn’t wait a long, long time for someone else
to clean up his mess. I find it interesting that AV companies didn’t
jump on the spyware bandwagon sooner, and even more interesting that it
took Bill’s purchase of Giant AntiSpyware and free distribution of
their real-time protection to get the AV industry’s attention. From all
the hubbub, you’d think that MS was about to monopolize the protection
of their own inherent weaknesses–hmmmm. The very thing everyone whines
about them not doing (cleaning up their security holes) is the very
thing everyone is now complaining about them doing. I’m not just
talking about Symantec, et. al., I’m talking about the tech-whiners out
there who are never happy with anything anyone successful does–envy
hath no restraint.

But what about our growing 2%-ers over at Apple? While the Mac OS
does tend to be more secure by default (yes, the advantage of all that
well-oiled BSD/UNIX code does come in handy), I get the sense that it’s
day is soon coming. [Queue Phil Collins In the Air Tonight
here.] I also believe that most of the current and upcoming security
issues we’ll all face, irregardless of OS, have more to do with holes
we open ourselves (whether on the network, or within the software we
choose to install). It was interesting that Apple recently dumped
Virex. I don’t believe this was an arrogant attempt to say they’re 100%
secure (we’ve all seen the massive security updates this last year),
but rather that they’re preparing to introduce their own specific,
system-wide security package, hopefully ahead of a massive attack. I
know, I know, who ever heard of a company be pro-active. Just remember
you read it here first.

All this begs the question: Is security the loophole that allows
Bill and Steve to reign in more power, or is it a belief that in-house
security leadership builds a better worm-trap? I don’t know their
motivations beyond the bottom line, but I would venture to guess that
they don’t make such moves lightly.

Let me close with a note to the open source community: I use your products on my machines regularly (both PC and Mac–in fact, ClamXav
watches over my Mac at this very moment). I’m no developer, and I try
to support (yes, monetarily) those projects that I’ve found most
helpful. Now may be your time to shine in the realm of security. I have
no doubt it’s a difficult and thankless task, but it could be your
chance to do something the big boys at MS, Apple, Symantec, McAfee,
etc., never dreamed of–serving the common good.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

SECURITY: And So It Begins…Will Security Be the Loophole that Allows Steve and Bill to Take Over the World?

In reply to SECURITY: And So It Begins…Will Security Be the Loophole that Allows Steve and Bill to Take Over the World?

I’m sorry – I didn’t understand this article.  What is the meaning of the phrase “2%-ers over at Apple?”

I am curious about something: by what definition of serving the common
good does open source software not serve the common good – ever?

Security isn’t the loophole that will allow Microsoft to gain control
of the word – Microsoft security is a laughingstock, an oxymoron. 
Microsoft will take over the world using Digital Rights Management –
it’s already begun.

Furthermore, there are some intrinsic design features of Windows that
will never allow it to be as secure and as reliable as UNIX and Linux
machines are.  Hooks for example.  The fact that IE and IIS
are integrated into the kernel is an example.

Where I work, I have some linux machines that have been up and running
– continuously – for over 450 days.  I have a couple of machines
that are lost – they work just fine, one of them had 24 people on it
yesterday – but I don’t where they are physically located. 
They’ve been missing for over a year, but nobody cares since everybody
is getting their work done on them.  This is from an operating
system made by rank amatures!

Windows is going to have to become demonstrably better in terms of
efficiency, in reliability, in ease of remote management (over low
speed connections), and in security before it will be widely accepted
in the server market.  Even if Vista debuted tomorrow and it were
perfectly reliable, it will take 2 years before it can demonstrate an
average uptime of 200 days.  By then, some of my linux machines
will have been up, continuously, for 1100 days.

SECURITY: And So It Begins…Will Security Be the Loophole that Allows Steve and Bill to Take Over the World?

In reply to SECURITY: And So It Begins…Will Security Be the Loophole that Allows Steve and Bill to Take Over the World?

Jeff, did you even read the article?  One thing I’ll say about you zealots, you’re consistent.  I never said open source software didn’t serve the common good, I said now was a great opportunity for open source to come out of the shadows and do something amazing.

Next time do us all a favor and leave your “religious” literature at home and READ the post.

 

– Hutch

SECURITY: And So It Begins…Will Security Be the Loophole that Allows Steve and Bill to Take Over the World?

In reply to SECURITY: And So It Begins…Will Security Be the Loophole that Allows Steve and Bill to Take Over the World?

Hutch,

I enjoyed your article, and I find it amazing to actually hear you use the phrase “tech-whiners”.

Why do so many IT centric individuals tout the banner for the anti-Microsoft campaign? Microsoft did wait a long time before they began their security initiative, relying solely on third party vendors for security. For example, before XP service pack 2, end users had to rely solely on third party utilities like Symantecs Internet Security suite for some degree of firewall protection. Microsoft allowed this dependency by not releasing their own AV software (I can see another Netscape type lawsuit there by cornering the market on AV). Since I have been using Microsofts AntiSpyware utility, I havent had any spyware issues. So I guess that since the utility works (remember it wasnt a function of the OS before it was released), and I dont have spyware issues anymore, someone needs to take Microsoft to court for correcting a deficiency in one of their products (Yeah, thats right lets sue them! Microsoft MUST be the ones creating all this spyware and adware in the first place. Its their secret plot to take over the world. One “Free Porn” popup at a time …).

Microsoft is in a no win situation. Damned if they do, damned if they dont.

Why is there a mentality that just because Microsoft has the most popular and widely used OS, its also supposed to be perfect and flawless? When a new vulnerability comes out, why is it that the media and the Linux community jump all over it? Security depends on how you implement a product. If I didnt have Internet access, I wouldnt need to secure my broadband connected computer with a hardware firewall, antivirus software and tightened security policies.

So whats my point … Security loopholes will not give Steve and Bill anymore power. Its the average users lack of understanding about security that gives them more power. Its the average users lack of understanding about security that put Microsoft in the security spotlight in the first place.

Look at the numbers that are spat out when a new vulnerability comes out. For every issue that arises, we hear that X number of computers have been hit. To me, X is a useless statistic. How many of these affected computers had:

a: a default security configuration (to include passwords, logging, services/registry and file system security)

b: antivirus software (installed, configured, and current av signatures)

c: a basic firewall (software or hardware. Of course one is better than the other, but still to have some degree of control over the connections going into and out of your connection is vital)

But thats just me. And my opinion …

SECURITY: And So It Begins…Will Security Be the Loophole that Allows Steve and Bill to Take Over the World?

In reply to SECURITY: And So It Begins…Will Security Be the Loophole that Allows Steve and Bill to Take Over the World?

MS has built in flaws in the OS.  APIs are a problem due to the
wonky nature with which MS has implemented them.  It is also a
VERY bad juju to integrate a browser as PART of the OS. 

While I HOPE the open source community does make soemthing great out of
this, I don’t know if there is the leadership on the front end of
either Apple or MS to realize they are sitting on a potential goldmine.

MS, free doesn’t always mean free beer.

SECURITY: And So It Begins…Will Security Be the Loophole that Allows Steve and Bill to Take Over the World?

In reply to SECURITY: And So It Begins…Will Security Be the Loophole that Allows Steve and Bill to Take Over the World?

It’s pretty clear that you’re already aware of some open source security products. I’ve got to wonder why you ignore that knowledge and exhort the open source development community to start doing something it is already doing. ClamAV in all its forms (including ClamWin for Windows), Winpooch for antispyware, and Winsock Firewall are all open source projects, as examples, and there are many more where they came from. The fact that the general run of Windows users simply don’t open their sphere of recognition enough to notice software that doesn’t appear in advertisements doesn’t in any way indicate that the software doesn’t exist.

In any case, I find it amusing every time someone uses the word “secure” and the name of an operating system that, twenty years after inception, still doesn’t implement strict privilege separation between user accounts.

SECURITY: And So It Begins…Will Security Be the Loophole that Allows Steve and Bill to Take Over the World?

In reply to SECURITY: And So It Begins…Will Security Be the Loophole that Allows Steve and Bill to Take Over the World?

Apotheon, I guess what I’m trying to say is that the zealotry of the open-source community (how’s that for an over-generalization) doesn’t allow for a lot of pro-active marketing.  Most people believe (rightly or wrongly) that anything that doesn’t come from Redmond (or Cupertino) isn’t worth looking at.  You and I agree that they’re wrong; I guess we disagree on how to make that point.  I don’t believe continually attacking Steve and Bill sends a message; success sends a message–just look at Google.

– Hutch

OPEN SOURCE: Open Source Stifles Innovation

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Okay, so I don’t truly believe that open source stifles innovation, but
as Microsoft begins to take baby steps toward using open standards, I
begin to wonder…what if? What if Microsoft opens its office standards
completely and industry begins to embrace them–will the anti-Bill
forces continue to rally against MS Office? And what if Microsoft
actually updates its office standards, you know “innovates”, will it
require an act of congress to move these standards forward? What if
zealotry lends itself to stifling innovation because of industry
politics instead of end-user value?

While I’m happy that
Microsoft is beginning to show some understanding of how open standards
can help them, I’m uncertain if those calling for such openness are
ready to embrace their arch enemy at all. Will openness and innovation
work for Microsoft? I don’t know, but I’m sure hoping it works for all
of us.

– Hutch

CNet: Microsoft Opens Up Office

This post originally appeared on an external website

OPEN SOURCE: Open Source Stifles Innovation

In reply to OPEN SOURCE: Open Source Stifles Innovation

What are you smoking?

If Microsoft opened its data formats and protocols up for everyone, open source software developers would just incorporate support for these things into open source software for as long as anyone cared to use them. That’s it.

Open source software isn’t in competition for its survival: it’s an answer to a need. When something is needed, someone creates it. The only one competing with a “kill the enemy” ethic is Microsoft.

The only reason I’d really like to see Microsoft fall on its face has nothing to do with spite: it’s because Microsoft is doing everything in its power to be a threat to the survival of things I like.

OPEN SOURCE: Open Source Stifles Innovation

In reply to OPEN SOURCE: Open Source Stifles Innovation

Apotheon,

In your zealotry you’ve already made my point–you just don’t like
Bill.  No matter what Microsoft does, you’ll keep on fighting “the
man”.  You might want to check what it is you’ve been inhaling
lately yourself.

I think it must be a very sad and cloistered life you lead if you allow
Microsoft to stifle “the survival of things [you] like.”  Maybe
you need to get out more.

– Hutch

OPEN SOURCE: Open Source Stifles Innovation

In reply to OPEN SOURCE: Open Source Stifles Innovation

Microsoft leverages a monopoly on operating systems to foist closed standards on your data and you want to what?  Kiss their ass?  Please take a little time to understand the issues before posting nonsense.  If Microsoft supports a data format with an open specification, Microsoft can innovate as can others.  More importantly they can interoperate.  This leads to competition which is supposed to be the holy grail for all of you big business apoligists. 

It is unbelievable to me that people with any understanding of the situation will advocate for Microsoft continuing to lock you into their programs in order to manipulate your data.  Wouldn’t you rather have a choice?

OPEN SOURCE: Open Source Stifles Innovation

In reply to OPEN SOURCE: Open Source Stifles Innovation

Did you even read the post?  What I said was will the anti-Microsoft zealots actually use ANY standard (open or not) that comes from Microsoft?  You guys just keeping making my argument for me–wow.

– Hutch

P.S. I’m a Mac user, so I’m not looking to kiss anyone’s arse, my friend.  Who are you puckering up for?

OPEN SOURCE: Open Source Stifles Innovation

In reply to OPEN SOURCE: Open Source Stifles Innovation

My first comment was directed at the class of technical commentary that tends to excuse Microsoft for its power mongering.  Your post does not really fit that description, but you do offer a bit of nonsense at the core of your logic that claims an act of congress will be necessary in order for Microsoft to innovate.  Cooperation on standards may take more effort than simply using their own standards, but it hardly stiffles innovation.  Any reasonable data standard will allow sufficient abstraction between presentation and data so that all players can innovate.  If you need to change the data format to add a new widget button, you’ve already missed the boat.

I’m sorry my first post was not on topic and was too strongly stated.  You didn’t deserve my vitriol.

OPEN SOURCE: Open Source Stifles Innovation

In reply to OPEN SOURCE: Open Source Stifles Innovation

What?  Open Office has been TRYING to make MS Office and various
other suits functional.  Don’t forget just WHO is pushing Open
Document format either (it isn’t MS).

MS will not open up to the point to make what they are doing useful to
the open source community.  As usually, the open source community
will continue to reverse engineer and provide work-arounds that can be
quite usable (Samba comes to mind). 

While you say the Linux community is full of zealots, you are
wrong.  The Linux community is tired of of having to fight every
step of the way to make *nix and Windows work together…and it is ALL
on the *nix side.  It seems Windows is just trying to make it
impossible for any other OS to play nice with theirs.

Further, MS will have to stick to their standards and EXPLAIN each
piece (which they don’t do now with their APIs, what makes you think
anything will change?) 

If MS takes the high road it will open innovation and a surge in the
open source community creating new tools based off MSs new found
standards.

OPEN SOURCE: Open Source Stifles Innovation

In reply to OPEN SOURCE: Open Source Stifles Innovation

So, for the record, your willing to say that if MS actually does open
office standards that everyone will be happy and walk hand-in-hand into
the sunset?  I don’t buy it.  I’m just waiting to hear the
long litany of complaints because I truly believe that too many zealots
so hate anything Microsoft that they will ignore it, despise it, find
fault with it, etc., regardless of its usefulness.  It amazes me
how envy can so harden the heart.

Believe me, I hope I’m wrong.  But from what I’ve seen
(particularly within the confines of our TechRepublic community), it’s
very obvious that some zealots are more interested in some kind of
revenge-on-Bill (whatever that might entail) than they are in actually
helping the end user.  I just want stuff to work for my users, and
I would rather promote open source, and open standards, so I’m hoping
this is just a first step that helps move usuability and compatibility
further that direction.  But with the anger and vitriol I hear
these days, I don’t hold out much hope.

– Hutch

OPEN SOURCE: Open Source Stifles Innovation

In reply to OPEN SOURCE: Open Source Stifles Innovation

“In your zealotry you’ve already made my point–you just don’t like Bill.“

Huh? Where did I say that, or anything like it, in my previous post? I don’t even know Bill. At least this answers the question of what you’re smoking: it’s pretty clear to me that anything anyone says that criticizes Windows and/or Microsoft in favor of Linux, in any way, is going to make you immediate fall back on your default prejudgment that all Linux users are “zealots”.

“I think it must be a very sad and cloistered life you lead if you allow Microsoft to stifle ‘the survival of things [you] like.’ Maybe you need to get out more.“

I’m not letting Microsoft stifle anything. I am, however, very concerned about attempts by Microsoft to dissuade hardware and software vendors from supporting non-Windows systems, to pursue asinine “look and feel” software patents for the sole purpose of eliminating competition, and to find ways to outlaw and slander open source software. I would have thought that would be obvious, but perhaps you haven’t been paying attention.

OPEN SOURCE: Open Source Stifles Innovation

In reply to OPEN SOURCE: Open Source Stifles Innovation

Okay, you win.  I guess you’ve made your case perfectly.  Oh, wait a minute–no you haven’t.  I’m not here to defend anyone, however I do find it entertaining that you guys just keep on plowing away at Microsoft.  I just think your agenda is less than clear.

What I’m seeing from your arguments is simply that you don’t like what Microsoft does–fair enough.  No one is asking you too (or at least I’m not asking you to).  But when all I hear is the whining (e.g. “Microsoft is doing everything in its power to be a threat to the survival of things I like.”–someone said that above…)  I begin to believe you’re very close to wearing a tinfoil hat.  If you don’t like MS, if you don’t want to use their products, then please, by all means don’t.  Feel free to get others to join you.  But for crying out loud, get over the fact that most of the world doesn’t hear your argument.  Believe it or not, I’m not fond of MANY things in the Windows world.

Keep making my points, zealots.  I don’t care if it’s *nix, Mac, or even Windows. If you drink the cool aid, I’m going to have great difficulty listening to your “unbiased” opinion.

– Hutch

OPEN SOURCE: Open Source Stifles Innovation

In reply to OPEN SOURCE: Open Source Stifles Innovation

You said:
“So, for the record, your willing to say that if MS actually does open
office standards that everyone will be happy and walk hand-in-hand into
the sunset?  I don’t buy it.  I’m just waiting to hear the
long litany of complaints because I truly believe that too many zealots
so hate anything Microsoft that they will ignore it, despise it, find
fault with it, etc., regardless of its usefulness.  It amazes me
how envy can so harden the heart.”

Well, for the record, MS has been playing more
or less fairly with .NET and, guess what? The libre software/open
source community has embraced it!!! The Mono project (libre version of
.NET) is an integral part of Gnome, which in turn is a *critical* part
of a whole lot of Linux’ and other Unices’ complete system... So it’s not a matter of you buying or not something, it’s a *fact* 😉

Perhaps you’re right, there’s an awful bunch of fanatics in the Linux
world (at least not as much as in openBSD’s or Mac’s but NOT EVERYONE
is like that!!! Mono’s project leader, Miguel de Icaza, is a very
pragmatic guy who likes to point out “not everything that comes out
from Redmond is bad”

Yes, there is still A LOT of suspicious behaviour on the part of
Microsoft, many people fear MS will try to use .NET patents as
“submarin patents” to do great harm to the community… Nonetheless,
their “a better java than Java” stuff is great, and right now it serves
a great good deal to all of us.

In the case MS made all of their internal formats open it wouldn’t
inhibit innovation. They will always can invent a new format whenever
they wish (the same goes for Open Office, KOffice, etc.). It’s just
when they develop a “Whole New Big Format” (TM) they’ll have to either:
a) convince all the other office suit developers to use it, or
b) convince the user their product is so superior it’s worth not being
able to share information with nothing else (which could include old
versions of their product). They’ll have to COMPETE both with
themselves and the others’ products, which will enable putative “market
forces” to work.

OPEN SOURCE: Open Source Stifles Innovation

In reply to OPEN SOURCE: Open Source Stifles Innovation

The original post by “Hutch” reads “Open Source Stifles Innovation”. The discussion has veered to Microsoft only. It’s as if only the big boys are impacted by open source. Alhough Hutch starts by saying ‘Okay, so I don’t truly believe that open source stifles innovation’… I believe that it does.

I am around from the days before Linux started, and I see that the general desire to develop applications on a commercial scale has changed substantially. What is the likelyhood that any company will try to innovatively develop a new product for say a spreadsheet? At one end he would have to contend with commercial & long running MS-Office, at the other end (and this is where it hits hardest) is Open Office.

I believe that with commoditization, the basic issue of fresh innovation is always a challenge, irrespective of ‘free’ players in that commodity market, yet even for software solutions that are not commoditized, as in ERP, players like Compiere, can & do impact commercial activities to come up with innovative products.

Open source is truly a disruptive force and has it’s negative side as well. I do believe it stifles innovation as factoring in a ‘free’ world is not easy.

MEDIA CENTERS: Cool Kids Sit in the Front Row–Finally

In reply to HutchTech Blog

I always wanted to be one of the cool kids. Now I can pretend to be one–at least for the next few minutes. I begged Stevie J. to make his ultra-hip Front Row software available to all Mac users and not just purchasers of the new iMacs. Well, someone heard my cry even as Mr. Jobs ignored me. I found the Front Row Enabler on MacUpdate.com. If you have a Mac (I’m using a G4 iBook), simply download Front Row from the apple site, get Front Row Enabler and download Pacifist as well (you’ll need it to force Front Row to install on a non-iMac). Follow the instructions and viola, you’re sitting in the Front Row. You could go out a buy one of the hip 6-button remotes from the apple web site, but I find that Romeo, the Front Row plug-in (from WildWeasel) and my bluetooth phone work just as well.

Now, for you Win-o-philes out there, you’ve not been forgotten. No, I’m not talking about the WPF Back Row experiment (don’t even waste your time on it), but I am talking about Media Portal. It takes over for myHTPC/Meedio as the freeware version of Windows Media Center. Give it a spin.

If you haven’t played with a media center yet (on your PC or Mac), you really should. Most of us want a nice clean way to view our media, and even if you never hook your computer up to a TV or external display, having a media center to show off photos, share music, or list your movies is just plain cool. Get your sunglasses and temporary tattoo now.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

SARCASM AND HYPERBOLE: A Primer

In reply to HutchTech Blog

It has come to my attention that readers of a certain stripe
who peruse these prosaic paragraphs (particularly on the
TechRepublic.com iteration of these postings) are having a bit of
difficulty with apprehending the tone with which these words are
written. For that I apologize, and offer now some basic instruction in
how to better decipher the (hopefully) apparent wit within these pages.

Let’s begin with some definitions:

Sarcasm: noun; the use of irony to mock or convey contempt : his voice, hardened by sarcasm, could not hide his resentment.

Hyperbole: noun; exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

For example, when I recently proffered the headline “Outsourcing Stifles Innovation”
I did so with the intent of using both hyperbole and sarcasm to make a
point about Microsoft’s recent foray into open standards. I never
intended to offer it as a statement of empirical truth. While I am
certainly no journalist, it is my understanding that a headline is
supposed to draw a reader in, and not simply convey information. I
believe this would be particularly true of a blog post; even more so if it tends toward imparting opinion.

So, to all my zealot readers
out there, please keep reading, please keep commenting, but by all
means, please recognize that a little good humor can help the medicine
go down.

Sincerely Yours,
Hutch

SARCASM AND HYPERBOLE: A Primer

In reply to SARCASM AND HYPERBOLE: A Primer

Add to your lexicon.

Communication:   The art of being misunderstood by people with other agendas who are determined to be offended.

Satire:

 

 

SARCASM AND HYPERBOLE: A Primer

In reply to SARCASM AND HYPERBOLE: A Primer

You need to add a couple of more words to you lexicon:

Communication:   Being misunderstood by people with another agenda, who are determined to be offended.

Satire:   Saying the truth in a way calculated to annoy folks who do not have a sense of humor.

Wit:    Clever use of language, many folks seem to display less than half of their god given gift in this arena.

 

 

SARCASM AND HYPERBOLE: A Primer

In reply to SARCASM AND HYPERBOLE: A Primer

Heres another word you may want to define, just for the record:

Shill:  Someone who stretches logic then hides behind humor in an effort to defend abusive monopolists

Oh, and before you flame back, please review the original post for relevent definitions of sarcasm and hyperbole.  Wait, let me take a shot at the next flame:

zealots:  jerks who post comments defending Outsourcing oh wait I mean Open Source despite the blindingly obvious moral weight of ad hominem arguments used to deflect their criticisms of proprietary systems

SARCASM AND HYPERBOLE: A Primer

In reply to SARCASM AND HYPERBOLE: A Primer

How cute! You’re so adorable when you backpedal.

I’m pretty sure that anyone reading the aforementioned blog discussion with eyes open will realize what actually happened there, including the empirical evidence provided for where your suggestion about open source reactions to open standards from MS is completely incorrect.

SECURITY:Security Begins at Home

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Whether you’ve cut up your credit cards, clipped your cable, or even joined a cloister at the local Luddite monastary, I.D. theft and cyber-security are still going to impact your life. Take a look at the latest help from cNET: The Personal Security Dashboard. Even a casual glance at this on a regular basis will give you a leg-up on the bad guys. So dust off that password and head down to the local library for a gander.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

MAC/SECURITY: The End Is Near? A LEAP of Faith…

In reply to HutchTech Blog

So maybe it’s not really a virus, and maybe you’d have to be daft to open an unsolicited iChat attachment, and maybe OS X forces you to enter your admin password every time you install something, and maybe this is an issue for all ‘NIX based systems (UNIX, BSD, LINUX, etc.), and maybe it’s been all over the tech news. But all these maybes add up to one thing in the mind of non-techie user community: Macs get viruses too.

This isn’t the digital Pearl Harbor I’ve been anticipating, but it’s making me think hard about putting ClamXAV back on my precious iBook. You can read the sordid tale at
The Register by clicking here.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

MICROSOFT: Uncle Bill Makes Yet Another Power Grab

In reply to HutchTech Blog

I’d heard about this issue several months back, but dismissed it as an Intel chipset problem, but lo’ and behold Uncle Bill’s legion of driver-smiths have struck again (did anyone else suffer those intolerable USB-reboot issues back in the Win98/2K days?). Evidently an MS driver component keeps your laptop system (particularly Intel Core-Duo models) from properly sleeping if certain USB devices are attached at the time. This, naturally, leads to your battery draining more quickly than it should–and you thought memory leaks were bad.

Anyway, read the deftly crafted tome at cNET by clicking here.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

MICROSOFT: Uncle Bill Makes Yet Another Power Grab

In reply to MICROSOFT: Uncle Bill Makes Yet Another Power Grab

Perhaps they are planning to take full advantage of those wind-up laptops that MIT is developing?

SEARCH: Will Windows Live Search Kill Google?

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Probably not. However, you do owe yourself a look-see at search.live.com, the latest attempt by Microsoft to wrest control of the universe from Google.

The first thing you’ll notice is the sparseness of the interface and the lack of Microsoft blue. Once you complete a search, google-ad-sense-esque ads appear on the right hand side of your screen. I noticed that they even change as you scroll through your results. At the same time, you’ll note that you can use a slider to increase or decrease the amount of detail each result displays (ala most RSS readers). I especially liked the more fluid scroll bar–the further down I pushed the slider, the faster my results zipped by.

All cosmetic niceties aside, what remains to be seen is the validity and usefulness of the results. It’ll take a lot to get most of us to abandon our Google lifestyle, but this live.com thing is starting to make some headway.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

PERSONAL: For Those Who Worried about the Hutchster

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Fear not loyal HutchTech readers, I have not disappeared into blogosphere oblivion.  While I know all of us have the same 24 hours a day, I will lay out my excuses (briefly) for not keeping up-to-date, and my plans for the future here.

 

First, the excuses: I started a new job with a local Sheriff’s department as a crime analyst.  CSI it’s not, though I do have two 23″ monitors.  While my official duties are not support related, the job is indeed tech-heavy and there are ample opportunities to provide tech support to the detectives and patrol officers around me.  The job is challenging, rewarding, and I have an amazing boss and fellow analyst to work with.  Needless to say, learning my new role has kept me more than busy.

 

Now for the future: I have been promising a podcast forever. I still plan on delivering on this promise–just not in the near future.  I’ll be updating the blog 3-4 times a week, and I do plan on giving it a general facelift (for those who read this at hutchtech.blogspot.com)–not much I can do with the TechRepublic version, though it’s not bad to begin with.

 

Anyway, thanks for your patience.  I hope to reward it soon.

 

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

FREE STUFF: PC World Delivers the Latest Free Lunch

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Because of my recent job change, I’m back to splitting time between my PC and Mac (something that Apple’s new Boot Camp will soon let me do on just one machine).  So I’ve been slowly re-acclimating myself to the PC and was elated to get the latest edition of PC World’s 101 Fabulous Freebies.  I’ve already been able to ditch the over-bloated Adobe Reader and begin using FoxIt Reader for PDFs.  As I spot other gems in the list, I’ll be sure to let you know.  You can do the same in the comments section.

 

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

VOIP: The Best Reason Yet to Call a Canadian

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Canadians…they dwell among us,?camouflaged by nature’s gift of a similar language and culture.? Okay, so maybe William Shatner isn’t exactly a threat to national security, but with all the talk of illegal immigration these days it only makes sense to keep those Canuks safely ensconced north of the border.? And now, thanks to Skype, you can keep those mayonnaise loving mounties where they belong AND talk to them without all those outrageous phone bills.

From now until the end of 2006, you can call any U.S. or Canadian land-line telephone via Skype (using Skype OUT) for FREE.? I’ve played with Skype (and Gizmo, GTalk, Yahoo! Messenger, and MSN Messenger) before, and while voice chat is nice if you have geeky friends who also have the know-how to set up PC-based VOIP it actually works pretty well.? But chances are that Grandma and Grandpa (or even Mom and Dad) aren’t going to mess with it–they already have a phone.? Well, feel free to release your inner-geek and call them from your laptop at the coffee shop this year.

Granted, you’re not going to be getting any incoming calls from them without laying out some cash, but free is still free, whether you’re using dollars or…whatever that funny-money up there is called.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

MEDIA: The End is Nearer than You Think…

In reply to HutchTech Blog

Just in case you haven’t heard, Media (whatever that might mean) is dead.? Well, okay, it’s barely breathing.? Well, perhaps its actually just morphing.? Either way, you need to watch the three (free) episodes of “The End of…” which recently aired on CBC (yes, from our friends north of the border), and which are now available for download at http://www.cbc.ca/theend.? The three episodes cover the end of TV, Radio, and Print Media.? While your TV is probably the least likely to “die”, the fact that you’ll have to watch these on your computer (and that they’re even available outside of YouTube) should tell you something.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

GOOGLE: Release Your Inner Draftsman

In reply to HutchTech Blog

I loved architecture and engineering in High School. I wasn’t great at it, but I enjoyed it. It probably didn’t hurt that our teacher, Mr. Woods, was a fantastic and passionate educator. It just so happens that I was learning about drafting right as the transition from pen-and-paper to CAD was taking place, so I saw the best of both worlds. Now Google is allowing me to re-live those salad days and design things that actually look nice with yet another free tool: Sketch-up (http://sketchup.google.com). You’ve really got to watch some of the demo videos to appreciate how awesome this tool is. Not only can you create three-dimensional objects, you can place them in other spaces, say, Google Earth.

While some of Google’s recent beta launches have been met with skepticism, perhaps deservedly so, sketch-up may just help Google regain its reputation for giving away really cool tools.

– Hutch

This post originally appeared on an external website

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