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TECHREPUBLIC BLOG ROUNDUP NEWSLETTER for August 31, 2005

WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM WITH RSS?

According to our data for the past month, "RSS" was the second most
searched term on TechRepublic. Does that mean that you're looking for
information about RSS and how it works? Does it mean that you're
searching our site to find RSS feeds to add to your reader?

I aim to please, so if you're looking for an explanation of RSS and how
it works, check out our collection of links on RSS. I've recently added
a link to Sage, an RSS reader that I've grown to love. If you use
Firefox, I highly recommend Sage because it's so easy to use.
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5264-1-0.html?query=rss

If you're wondering where you can find RSS feeds on TechRepublic, let
me fill you in: You can find them on the Home, Downloads, Discussions,
Blogs, and White Papers main pages, just to name a few.

* TR Home Page
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/

* TR Downloads Page
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/2001-6240-0.html

* TR Discussions Page
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5221-6230-0.html

* TR Blogs Page
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5258-6257-0.html

* TR White Papers Page
http://whitepapers.techrepublic.com/

Perhaps, though, you just don't like to use RSS feeds. If that's the
case, then you've got some explaining to do... at least to me. I've only
been using RSS for about a year now, but I find it so convenient that I
can't imagine life without it. Why in the world wouldn't you use RSS
feeds? Here at TechRepublic, we're dying to know: What's your reason
for NOT using RSS? Please post your opinions in this discussion.

Miss an issue? You can view the Blog Roundup archive here.
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5260-1-0.html?query=blog%20roundup%20newsletter

Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Use this link to
automatically subscribe to the Blog Roundup Newsletter and have it
delivered directly to your Inbox every Wednesday.
http://nl.com.com/MiniFormHandler?brand=techrepublic&list_id=e131

------------------------------------------------

THIS WEEK'S BLOG ROUNDUP HIGHLIGHTS

TR staffer JASON HINER recently posted about the potential impact of
Microsoft's Live Communications Server 2005. He's also mentioned WSUS
and how BGInfo can help you quickly identify a server.

* Microsoft's Live Communications Server 2005
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=174062&messageID=1838052&id=3053951

* WSUS
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=174062&messageID=1838476&id=3053951

* BGInfo
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=174062&messageID=1838440&id=3053951

ROB BOGUE has posted about how IRuntimeFilter could be used to
replicate SharePoint Portal Server's audience/targeting feature. He's
interested, but the "actual implementation of the interface appears to
have a few challenges." Find out the specifics of his test case in his
post, "The SharePoint IRunTimeFilter is a good idea but the
implementation?"
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=176721&messageID=1838835&id=2720786

TECH GEEK thinks you might have a few misconceptions about Extreme
Programming. Find out what those might be in his two part series:
Misconceptions of XP Part 1 and Part 2.

* Misconceptions of XP Part 1
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=179421&messageID=1827499&id=4199726

* Misconceptions of XP Part 2
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=179421&messageID=1838408&id=4199726

TSHINDER has found a solution. Read all about in "Solving the
ReturnDeniedIfAuthenticated Problem in ISA 2004 Firewalls."
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=176778&messageID=1838405&id=1494217

TR contributor RAMON PADILLA asks, "Why have a Desktop PC at all?" His
latest post details his plans to provide a "desktop" to the end users
via a browser running all applications from a Web or Citrix server.
Find out if he was a success.
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=178820&messageID=1838344&id=2235984

New blogger SEAN WYATT wants to tell you "Why IBM Sucks and Dell
Rocks."
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=174375&messageID=1839002&id=1786204

TR staffer PETER SPANDE wonders if customers really care about market
share reports. More specifically, do customers care that IBM is now top
of the heap in Unix Server Market Share according to Gartner and IDC.
Can you provide any insight?
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=174663&messageID=1838424&id=1583166

------------------------------------------------

NEW BLOGS OF INTEREST

* REED PORTER has begun blogging about Microsoft SMS
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5247-6257-0.html?id=2490211

* VEDANTA BAROOAH'S WEBLOG - On Internet, Programming and Life
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5247-6257-0.html?id=4211866

* CHRIS MOSBY has started blogging about security, anti-virus, and
configuration management
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5247-6257-0.html?id=4210925

------------------------------------------------

BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT: JMGARVIN

One of our most prolific native bloggers (read: not importing from
another blog site using an RSS feed), JMGARVIN is an example for us
all. His blog is delightfully tech centric, but provides enough
personality to make it relatable and fun. For example, his latest post
is "Setting up Wireless in Linux with ndiswrapper," but he's also
blogged about his addiction to World of Warcraft.

* "Setting up Wireless in Linux with ndiswrapper"
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=173917&messageID=1835597&id=4093177

* World of Warcraft
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=173917&messageID=1827508&id=4093177

His profile provides a plethora of information about his work and
interests, as well as his dedication to the TechRepublic community
(over 1,000 discussion posts!). Jmgarvin, we salute you.
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5213-6257-0.html?id=4093177

------------------------------------------------

SOMETHING TO BLOG ABOUT: PDC05

If you haven't already registered for the Microsoft Professional
Developers Conference (PDC05), your only hope is to get on the waiting
list. The conference will take place in Los Angeles from September
13-16. If you're going or have some opinions about this year's agenda,
post to your TR blog using the tag "PDC05."

* Microsoft Professional Developers Conference
http://msdn.microsoft.com/events/pdc/

* PDC05 tag results
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5261-1-0.html?query=PDC05

------------------------------------------------

JUST FOR FUN

THE TRIVIA GEEK has found a gorgeous video of the Earth in retreat.
Check it out if you want to feel really, really small.
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=173893&messageID=1838434&id=1383826

Find out what an "impatient" HUTCHTECH calls "mobile nirvana."
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=176583&messageID=1837650&id=2899447

TR's community is always quick to point out when companies choose
product names that aren't quite right (*cough* Vista *cough*). New
blogger BARRY.CAMPBELL has found a new target for ridicule. Find out
what he thinks is a "Bad name for a frequent flyer program."

* Vista tag results
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5261-1-0.html?query=vista

* "Bad name for a frequent flyer program"
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=180423&messageID=1838903&id=4212675

------------------------------------------------

FEEDBACK: WHY IN THE WORLD AREN'T YOU USING RSS?

Do you just not get it? Do you prefer e-mail, or are you just over RSS
for some other reason. We're dying to know, what's your main reason for
NOT using RSS? Please post your opinions in this discussion.

If you've got suggestions or comments about the Blog Roundup, send me
an e-mail. If you're recommending a blog for the next newsletter,
please include a link to the member's blog and a sentence or two about
why you found it helpful.
mailto:beth.blakely@techrepublic.com (Please use "Blog Roundup" as the subject)

22 replies

by shiny_topadm

Well, it strikes me as interesting technology in search of an application. I don't get what it should do for me! If I need to run some additional application, how is it different from reading things sent to me via email or reading pages in a browser. I'm looking for some explanation of what it can accomplish...

by charliespencer

I don't really know what it's for. Right now I perceive it as just the latest buzzword. What can it do for me?

For some reason I associate RSS with blogs, and I don't really have much use for blogs. (I never found a blog that was more than self-contemplation and quit looking over a year ago, but maybe I don't know where to find the better ones or how to filter the good from the bad.) RSS may have nothing to do with blogs, but I've already admitted I don't know what it's for.

Does it have something to do with the XML errors I get when I click "Subscribe to New Discussions / Hot Discussions"? I assumed they work the same way the subscription to an individual discussion works, notifying me by e-mail, but apparently that isn't the case.

Maybe my real problem is with a three letter abbreviation that no one can agree what it represents!

by Jay Garmon

People keep asking "What's RSS for?"

My answer: Convenience.

I get news and info from (no lie) about 50 different Web sites a day (I'm not The Trivia Geek for nothin'). Using the Firefox Sage reader, I can subscribe to all these feeds, and the applet will alert me any time these sites have updated with new content that I HAVEN'T READ (I can also mark any content I'm not interested in as read, so I don't get re-alerted to its presence).

Best of all, I don't have to leave my browser to do it. RSS streamlines the process, literally saving me hours of bookmark-hopping. Plus, the Sage reader formats the feed for me into a clean, simple interface, so I can view content blurbs with all the crazy ads and graphics stripped out. It's a cleaner Web.

Granted, RSS is only about halfway to where I want it to be. In a perfect world, I wouldn't even have to peruse the feeds. An application that I've tuned to my interests would sort through the various feeds I read, analyze and organize all the content, then only surface those things I'm really interested in. While I may love WIRED magazine, I don't love *everything* from WIRED. It would be nice if there were an extra filter layer at the individual content item level, rather than at the feed level. Del.icio.us is almost there, but not quite. I want an RSS feedreader/del.icio.us tag-sort hybrid. It doesn't exist yet, but I'm sure that's coming.

by jaqui

from wikipedia:
RSS is a family of XML file formats for web syndication used by (amongst other things) news websites and weblogs. The abbreviation is used to refer to the following standards:

* Rich Site Summary (RSS 0.91)
* RDF Site Summary (RSS 0.9 and 1.0)
* Really Simple Syndication (RSS 2.0)

The technology behind RSS allows you to subscribe to websites that have provided RSS feeds, these are typically sites that change or add content regularly. To use this technology you need to set up some type of aggregation service. Think of this aggregation service as your personal mailbox. You then have to subscribe to the sites that you want to get updates on. Unlike typical subscriptions to pulp-based newspapers and magazines, your RSS subscriptions are free, but they typically only give you a line or two of each article or post along with a link to the full article or post.

The RSS formats provide web content or summaries of web content together with links to the full versions of the content, and other meta-data. This information is delivered as an XML file called RSS feed, webfeed, RSS stream, or RSS channel. In addition to facilitating syndication, RSS allows a website's frequent readers to track updates on the site using a news aggregator.

why don't I use it?
cause most tech news is ms centric.
and there is a zero interest in ms in my world.
I don't game, don't have any interest in buying into ms' forced upgrade cycle for way to much money, since new version of thier os means you also have to upgrade your hardware.
cause most rss feeds I see are nothing but targeted advertising. Don't we get enough badly targeted advertising everywhere online already, do we really need it to be sent to us through a feed?
[ and yes, techrepublic is an excellent example of badly targeted ads. just hit linuc discussion listing from the discussion center.. 95% of the ads that rotate through even there, are for ms products. ]
in unix / linux / macos the ads should be filtered to be for those os options, not pushing ms products.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Being pro-Linux and anti-MicroSoft is fine, but there may be a better time and place to wear your "I'd rather die than deal with MS" t-shirt than at a support group for people with multiple sclerosis.

by stress junkie

The reason that I don't use RSS is precisely the reason that RSS advocates would say that I should use it. I have an interest in many web sites that provide a lot of computer related information. The web sites that most interest me add content at an enormous pace. I have found that the RSS software that I've tried has a tendency to get overloaded. I only see the most recent additions to each web site. I can get the same effect by using a browser and visiting each site. Therefore RSS provides no advantage to me.

Plus, when I'm using a browser and click on the RSS feed button on ANY web site I get that stupid XML page. I guess that I'm supposed to copy the URL from that page and paste it into an RSS application. Too much trouble for me.

:-(

by charliespencer

SJ, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who gets the XML error page.

The only place I've attempted to subscribe to anything is here at TR. Since I was clicking the text link "Subscribe to Hot Discussions" and not the XML button, I didn't understand why I got an XML error. Until this discussion I wasn't even aware XML and RSS were connected.

Beth.Blakely (or anyone else), is this link / button an RSS feed? How do I make it work? Is a plug-in required before the link will do anything? What's the connection between RSS and XML?

I'm asking out of academic interest. From what I've read, I agree with stress junkie. I don't want to be pestered with incoming messages. I'd rather check the few sites I'm interested in at my leisure or at lunch. I don't think there's anything posted on the web I really need to be notified about on a real-time basis. This just sounds like another symptom of our information-obsessed society. But what do I know, I don't carry a phone or beeper either.

by jaqui

this page?

This XML file does not appear to have any style information associated with it. The document tree is shown below.

-
[rss version="2.0"]
-
[channel]
[title]TechRepublic Hot Discussions[/title]
[link]https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5203-6230-0.html[/link]
[description]TechRepublic Hot Discussions[/description]
-
[item]
[title]Microsoft investigates another IE flaw report[/title]
-
[link]
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-11193-0.html?forumID=4&threadID=180425&start=0
[/link]
[description]article root[/description]
[pubDate]Tue, 30 Aug 2005 14:01:25 GMT[/pubDate]
-
[guid]
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-11193-0.html?forumID=4&threadID=180425&start=0
[/guid]
[dc:date]2005-08-30T14:01:25Z[/dc:date]
[/item]
-
[item]
[title]The Internet again in the political crosshairs[/title]
-
[link]
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-11179-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=180449&start=0
[/link]
[description]article root[/description]
[pubDate]Tue, 30 Aug 2005 15:13:53 GMT[/pubDate]
-
[guid]
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-11179-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=180449&start=0
[/guid]
[dc:date]2005-08-30T15:13:53Z[/dc:date]
[/item]
-
[item]
-
[title]
From my Blog: Poor Customer Service is the new black.
[/title]
-
[link]
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-11183-0.html?forumID=9&threadID=180117&start=0
[/link]
-
[description]
In the world of fast communications & information technology, customer service is out the window. Whether you are an internal employee or a customer who is asking for service on a product line, you have probably hit the brick wall of customer service hard. One of any company’s largest costs is customer services activities, which now is the definition of a company. Many of the cable companies now have a hard time with customer service because of lost work orders, contractors, and other professionals that point the finger at the other person rather than getting the task done.

In fact, some companies have learned a term that in customer’s eyes is a poor excuse for customer service. That term is “Out of Scope.” A developer who has a system as their primary system and a secondary system for development, for example, finds out that he can call in his primary desktop for service, but the secondary desktop, even if it has the same operating system is considered out of scope. And the customer service representatives make it abundantly and abruptly clear that they are out of scope.

At the Cable and Telephone company level, it is generally a matter of years of miscommunication that continues to this day. Systems that are supposed to be in use to schedule service as well as ensure customer satisfaction has become part of the cost cutting measures, with that, many of the customers internal and/or external are alienated. A disconnect that measures the size of the continental rift has occurred where a customer calls in and the overpaid script readers are giving general non-descriptive and non-helpful assistance.

SunCom, one of the nations more aggressively marketed cellular phone companies has a saying for no-nonsense. “Why is it that a $39.95 plan for wireless companies cost you $46?” Harry Connick Jr. asks of the audience. However, with their plans, they have been sued over and over again about hidden charges. So now you see the disconnect. What the companies market the item for in its capabilities, and what actually is done.

Customer complaints have grown over the last several years, so much that it has become apparent that the focus on companies is to gather new customers rather than to ensure the satisfaction of the old. The fact of the matter is that angry customers can be a death sentence to new products and services. When a customer is rubbed the wrong way, the tend to tell their friends and family and nearly everyone around them about how bad the service actually was. In fact, since most if not all companies tie their customer satisfaction rates to their financial bottom line, it continually has been cut.

According to the Washington Post article by Yuki Noguchi, Claes Fornell, a University of Michigan Professor states: “They just don’t have much sense of how to keep customers satisfied… When consumers have no choice, (and) when they can’t penalize companies for bad service, there’s no incentive for the supplier to improve service.”

Has the Information Technology sector fallen victim to stupidity such as ignoring customers because we lock them into contracts? If so, we wonder why there is so much change in the industry when a multi-million dollar contract is lost.
[/description]
[pubDate]Wed, 24 Aug 2005 12:26:49 GMT[/pubDate]
-
[guid]
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-11183-0.html?forumID=9&threadID=180117&start=0
[/guid]
[dc:date]2005-08-24T12:26:49Z[/dc:date]
[/item]
-
[item]
[title]A couple of items for your consideration[/title]
-
[link]
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=8&threadID=180441&start=0
[/link]
-
[description]
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-11184-0.html?forumID=47&threadID=180199&start=0

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-11184-0.html?forumID=49&threadID=180411&start=0

A couple of observations, apart from the obvious - the poster hasn't found his caps lock key....

Some people insist on taking the long way around. The poster probably spent alot of ergs just trying to outwit the problem, when the answer was pretty straightforward.

Now of course, one could spend some time looking for tools to crack passwords, and more time learning how ot use them. Or one could just bite the bullet and reformat the machine. In the end, if all the software is legal and on the shelf, it might be faster than messing around for ages.

I've done the same when it came to virus issues. When I've had bad infections that my antivirus could not resolve, I just format the system and re-install. I keep all my data in directories I back up regularly. I also keep patches and updates in a folder that I will burn to CD before a re-format. In the end, its worth to get a cleaned up system.

James
[/description]
[pubDate]Tue, 30 Aug 2005 13:14:55 GMT[/pubDate]
-
[guid]
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=8&threadID=180441&start=0
[/guid]
[dc:date]2005-08-30T13:14:55Z[/dc:date]
[/item]
-
[item]
[title]What's your problem with RSS?[/title]
-
[link]
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=96&threadID=180448&start=0
[/link]
-
[description]
TECHREPUBLIC BLOG ROUNDUP NEWSLETTER for August 31, 2005

WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM WITH RSS?

According to our data for the past month, "RSS" was the second most

searched term on TechRepublic. Does that mean that you're looking for

information about RSS and how it works? Does it mean that you're

searching our site to find RSS feeds to add to your reader?

I aim to please, so if you're looking for an explanation of RSS and how

it works, check out our collection of links on RSS. I've recently added

a link to Sage, an RSS reader that I've grown to love. If you use

Firefox, I highly recommend Sage because it's so easy to use.

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5264-1-0.html?query=rss

If you're wondering where you can find RSS feeds on TechRepublic, let

me fill you in: You can find them on the Home, Downloads, Discussions,

Blogs, and White Papers main pages, just to name a few.

* TR Home Page

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/

* TR Downloads Page

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/2001-6240-0.html

* TR Discussions Page

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5221-6230-0.html

* TR Blogs Page

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5258-6257-0.html

* TR White Papers Page

http://whitepapers.techrepublic.com/

Perhaps, though, you just don't like to use RSS feeds. If that's the

case, then you've got some explaining to do... at least to me. I've only

been using RSS for about a year now, but I find it so convenient that I

can't imagine life without it. Why in the world wouldn't you use RSS

feeds? Here at TechRepublic, we're dying to know: What's your reason

for NOT using RSS? Please post your opinions in this discussion.

Miss an issue? You can view the Blog Roundup archive here.

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5260-1-0.html?query=blog%20roundup%20newsletter

Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Use this link to

automatically subscribe to the Blog Roundup Newsletter and have it

delivered directly to your Inbox every Wednesday.

http://nl.com.com/MiniFormHandler?brand=techrepublic&list_id=e131

------------------------------------------------

THIS WEEK'S BLOG ROUNDUP HIGHLIGHTS

TR staffer JASON HINER recently posted about the potential impact of

Microsoft's Live Communications Server 2005. He's also mentioned WSUS

and how BGInfo can help you quickly identify a server.

* Microsoft's Live Communications Server 2005

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=174062&messageID=1838052&id=3053951

* WSUS

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=174062&messageID=1838476&id=3053951

* BGInfo

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=174062&messageID=1838440&id=3053951

ROB BOGUE has posted about how IRuntimeFilter could be used to

replicate SharePoint Portal Server's audience/targeting feature. He's

interested, but the "actual implementation of the interface appears to

have a few challenges." Find out the specifics of his test case in his

post, "The SharePoint IRunTimeFilter is a good idea but the

implementation?"

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=176721&messageID=1838835&id=2720786

TECH GEEK thinks you might have a few misconceptions about Extreme

Programming. Find out what those might be in his two part series:

Misconceptions of XP Part 1 and Part 2.

* Misconceptions of XP Part 1

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=179421&messageID=1827499&id=4199726

* Misconceptions of XP Part 2

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=179421&messageID=1838408&id=4199726

TSHINDER has found a solution. Read all about in "Solving the

ReturnDeniedIfAuthenticated Problem in ISA 2004 Firewalls."

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=176778&messageID=1838405&id=1494217

TR contributor RAMON PADILLA asks, "Why have a Desktop PC at all?" His

latest post details his plans to provide a "desktop" to the end users

via a browser running all applications from a Web or Cit
rix server.

Find out if he was a success.

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=178820&messageID=1838344&id=2235984

New blogger SEAN WYATT wants to tell you "Why IBM Sucks and Dell

Rocks."

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=174375&messageID=1839002&id=1786204

TR staffer PETER SPANDE wonders if customers really care about market

share reports. More specifically, do customers care that IBM is now top

of the heap in Unix Server Market Share according to Gartner and IDC.

Can you provide any insight?

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=174663&messageID=1838424&id=1583166

------------------------------------------------

NEW BLOGS OF INTEREST

* REED PORTER has begun blogging about Microsoft SMS

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5247-6257-0.html?id=2490211

* VEDANTA BAROOAH'S WEBLOG - On Internet, Programming and Life

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5247-6257-0.html?id=4211866

* CHRIS MOSBY has started blogging about security, anti-virus, and

configuration management

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5247-6257-0.html?id=4210925

------------------------------------------------

BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT: JMGARVIN

One of our most prolific native bloggers (read: not importing from

another blog site using an RSS feed), JMGARVIN is an example for us

all. His blog is delightfully tech centric, but provides enough

personality to make it relatable and fun. For example, his latest post

is "Setting up Wireless in Linux with ndiswrapper," but he's also

blogged about his addiction to World of Warcraft.

* "Setting up Wireless in Linux with ndiswrapper"

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=173917&messageID=1835597&id=4093177

* World of Warcraft

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=173917&messageID=1827508&id=4093177

His profile provides a plethora of information about his work and

interests, as well as his dedication to the TechRepublic community

(over 1,000 discussion posts!). Jmgarvin, we salute you.

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5213-6257-0.html?id=4093177

------------------------------------------------

SOMETHING TO BLOG ABOUT: PDC05

If you haven't already registered for the Microsoft Professional

Developers Conference (PDC05), your only hope is to get on the waiting

list. The conference will take place in Los Angeles from September

13-16. If you're going or have some opinions about this year's agenda,

post to your TR blog using the tag "PDC05."

* Microsoft Professional Developers Conference

http://msdn.microsoft.com/events/pdc/

* PDC05 tag results

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5261-1-0.html?query=PDC05

------------------------------------------------

JUST FOR FUN

THE TRIVIA GEEK has found a gorgeous video of the Earth in retreat.

Check it out if you want to feel really, really small.

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=173893&messageID=1838434&id=1383826

Find out what an "impatient" HUTCHTECH calls "mobile nirvana."

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=176583&messageID=1837650&id=2899447

TR's community is always quick to point out when companies choose

product names that aren't quite right (*cough* Vista *cough*). New

blogger BARRY.CAMPBELL has found a new target for ridicule. Find out

what he thinks is a "Bad name for a frequent flyer program."

* Vista tag results

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5261-1-0.html?query=vista

* "Bad name for a frequent flyer program"

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=180423&messageID=1838903&id=4212675

------------------------------------------------

FEEDBACK: WHY IN THE WORLD AREN'T YOU USING RSS?

Do you just not get it? Do you prefer e-mail, or are you just over RSS

for some other reason. We're dying to know, what's your main reason for

NOT using RSS? Please post your opinions in this discussion.

If you've got sugg
estions or comments about the Blog Roundup, send me

an e-mail. If you're recommending a blog for the next newsletter,

please include a link to the member's blog and a sentence or two about

why you found it helpful.

mailto:beth.blakely@techrepublic.com (Please use "Blog Roundup" as the subject)
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[pubDate]Tue, 30 Aug 2005 17:17:45 GMT[/pubDate]
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[title]Tracking down uptime in Windows XP[/title]
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[pubDate]Wed, 10 Aug 2005 16:26:39 GMT[/pubDate]
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[title]Why are heads NOT rolling?[/title]
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Am I the only one here that thinks this, but why are heads not rolling?

Many large virus / worm outbreaks in the last several years that have afflicted many large companies have almost ALL been preventable.

The infections have been avoidable either with proper Firewall Protection alone, or proper Anti-Virus Protection alone, or Proper OS Patches and Updates alone. With all three protection systems in place (ALL PROPERLY CONFIGURED AND UPDATED!) these viruses would not have infected most systems.

So, if these infections were all completely preventable, why are IS and IT heads not rolling. Why are these people NOT being fired for incompetence??

If they requested that technologies be in place or implemented but approval from above was refused, then why are the VP or CEO heads not rolling??

Some staff members can make a simple mistake that costs a company a bit of money (like a user not following a policy, infecting their own system with a virus, and they get fired for it). Yet, these preventable virus / worm outbreaks cost some corporations millions of dollars in down time and lost business, yet no one gets fired?

What’s up with that??
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[pubDate]Mon, 22 Aug 2005 16:55:32 GMT[/pubDate]
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Whatever happened to entry-level as I remembered it?
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I graduated November 2004 from a well-known and established private university. I worked four long years in order to obtain my Bachelor of Science degree in (IT) Information Technology. I was exposed to theory, concept, and procedure in a myriad of fields in the IT sector. Not to "hip" on programming, but I realize I should know at least two languages. The difficulty I am having is landing that "entry-level" position. Sure! The ads in the newspaper state entry-level, but when you read them, they ask for 3-5 years experience. Are there no entry-level IT jobs out there that are actually entry-level as I remembered what entry-level used to be? You know, a "green horn," "Wet behind the ears," and a "newbee."

For example: I went to an interview the other day for IT Help Desk. Some questions they asked me consisted of VPN's, Active Directory, DNS, and even if a node was down on a WAN from Texas to my location, how could I tell what was wrong? I knew what these things where, but to answer them with fixes, I was baffled. I have never been in an IT position before, so I how do I make that transition in order to obtain the hands-on experience? I would like to build Websites, but I only have a basic understanding from school. I have no peers in my circle of friends involved with IT, so it is difficult for me to turn to someone who is knowledgeable. None of my friends understand the things I talk about. All I have are my books, but sometimes even when you read, you reach sticky points in all the techno-babble.

Another thing, my wife says I am too old, they want younger men. I am 42 and interested in making my families life better. I am not afraid of hard work. I am a people person, I have integrity, and I am an amiable guy willing to learn.
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[pubDate]Mon, 29 Aug 2005 16:32:10 GMT[/pubDate]
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[title]Are unions the answer for government IT workers?[/title]
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[title]Linux in the real world[/title]
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Ok everyone. We talk about getting Linux into the mainstream. However,there are so many distributions and so many options the shear weight of all the decisions swamps all but the most dedicated techie. Most of the "average" users want to write a letter, use email, surf the web, do a spreadsheet, or handle their financial management.

Which Linux distributons would be best?

What are the hardware requirements?

What applications are available?

What are the compatabilty issues? (Will those MS doc and files sent from nonenlighted users be readable and usable?)

What are the costs? Initial / Ongoing (No one wants to have to add a tech to their family just to keep the systems working.)

With these questions answered then Linux becomes a solution for the "average" user, and not a techie/geek thing.

We need develop solutions to users needs.
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[pubDate]Mon, 08 Aug 2005 17:24:23 GMT[/pubDate]
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[title]Exploring the various uses of SQL's CASE keyword[/title]
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[pubDate]Tue, 30 Aug 2005 11:00:05 GMT[/pubDate]
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DOWNLOAD: Which e-mail attachments are on your hit list?
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https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5138-1035-5843573.html

After you take a look at this download, please post your feedback, ideas for improvements, or further thoughts on this topic.

Thanks,

--The TechRepublic Downloads Team
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[title]IT Generalist[/title]
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[description]
Is it me or does Generalist seem to be the buzzword nowadays. Isn't that a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none?

In the ads and few interviews I've had, I hear more and more about these 'generalists'. Is being really good at your game a past value? Now you have to run the data center, helpdesk, and be the programmer analyst.
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[pubDate]Thu, 28 Jul 2005 19:46:15 GMT[/pubDate]
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[title]Oracle looking to Linux[/title]
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[title]Threat surfaces in Adobe's Acrobat and Reader[/title]
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[pubDate]Tue, 30 Aug 2005 17:43:52 GMT[/pubDate]
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[title]Locking down the PC clock: How?[/title]
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Hi, in our company we have a couple of time-sensitive applications, which read the hour of the day from the PC Clock.

We want to prevent the employees from modifying the Windows clock, but still have the PC automatically sinchronize it with the server's.

Do you know how to do that?
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[pubDate]Tue, 30 Aug 2005 20:27:52 GMT[/pubDate]
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[title]convince me[/title]
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https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-11183-0.html?forumID=89&threadID=179559&start=0
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[description]
tell me why I would want to switch to using windows.

why would I want to become vulnerable to 100% of viruses, 100% of exploits?

why would I want to become at the mercy of one company, that has no vested interest in keeping my business a going concern?

( I know linux and apple don't either, but linux at least wants compatability, and tries to address issues [ apple is as bad with macs as ms is with windows for proprietary ] )

what does windows offer that cannot be met with linux?

this is an opportunity for you to sell windows, go for it.
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[pubDate]Sat, 13 Aug 2005 12:09:21 GMT[/pubDate]
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[title]Effectively filter Cisco router command output[/title]
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[pubDate]Fri, 26 Aug 2005 15:52:30 GMT[/pubDate]
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[dc:date]2005-08-26T15:52:30Z[/dc:date]
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[title]LAPTOP[/title]
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https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=8&threadID=180474&start=0
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Does anyone know when the 1st laptop hit the us market?

I own a Zenith laptop and was wandering it's age?

Thank You
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[title]How about a SEO Topic?[/title]
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https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=96&threadID=180475&start=0
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I know there are a lot of SEO places out there. And that most of them want to sell you something. (Ususally the "Submit Your Site to 999,999 Search Engines" malarkey)

How about some non commercial discussion about "ethical" SEO. Real info for real people.
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[pubDate]Tue, 30 Aug 2005 21:36:28 GMT[/pubDate]
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[/rss]

that just means you don't have the tool installed to use the xml feed that is rss

by beth blakely

The XML button/Subscribe links are the RSS feeds. Yes. You must have a reader to make them work. With some RSS readers, you have to copy and paste that link into the reader in order to start getting the feed of articles/etc. With Sage, the one I referenced in the Blog Update newsletter, there's a "Discover Feeds," button that will show you all the feeds available on any page. Very nice, very easy.

As for "being pestered"... I have never been pestered by RSS. I control when I look at my feeds. It doesn't bleep or blip or pop up or anything. I can see at a glance which of my favorite sites have been updated since I last checked.

As for the connection between XML and RSS, I won't even pretend to know, but this link might help: http://www.xml.com/pub/a/2002/12/18/dive-into-xml.html

by charliespencer

I installed Sage, then restarted Firefox. When I click on the subscription link, I still get "This XML file does not appear to have any style information associated with it. The document tree is shown below.", followed by a page of marked-up text.

Also, I didn't see a "How To" among your links or on the Sage / MozDev web site. Did I miss it, or am I just too ignorant to use this application? Sage looks like a Bookmarks sidebar with three defaults I didn't care about. I'm completely new to this so I'm not really sure what I'm looking at or what it can do for me.

by aaron a baker

I'm trying again Beth;

Friends;
I've tried to get into this RSS Reader thing and XML. I've downloaded and installed all the appropriate paraphernalia and was all set to go.
I was excited. Then I started receiving the news casts.
What got me was that the thing looked like a Bad Win95 version of Outlook Express and then the clincher, at the bottom, it asks do you want to read this in the Browser.Say What??
I laughed. I thought, what the heck am I doing this for? What's the point? Did I miss something? For all of the touting of these new RSS Readers and XML I either get a garbled display of a badly written webpage or worse yet, after going to all the trouble, I then read it in my own browser no less.I bypass the reader.
If I try to read it with the Reader, I get very old looking Outlook Express. I don't mean to be facetious nor am I running the program down but I can't help but wonder,"What's the Point"? With half the work I get a cleaner sleeker and far more versatile version reading it in my own Outlook Express.Unless I missed something, I just don't get it.Please remember, I'm not putting it down, I'm just trying to understand the point and the allure. I really would like to use it and get direct news, but this seems pointless to me.
Maybe someone could help?
What am I looking for? What is to be gained?
Thanks Regards
Aaron A Baker

by smorty71

While there are a ton of readers out there, I have to agree with Beth that Sage is my favorite. I like it for a couple of reasons:

1. It is an add-on to my browser, not a separate app. I'm in a browser all day long. I want my RSS feeds close by, too.

2. Its features are straightforward. There aren't a lot of extra features that aren't necessary. It lets you grab feeds easily and view them easily. That's all I want from an RSS app.

I've attached a screenshot of my Sage reader. I've added some notes to the screenshot to explain what is going on.

As you'll see from the image, I have access to the latest info from over 25 sites that I care about bolted right on to the side of my browser. I can even preview the title of the items in each feed without having to jump over to the website.

I find this extremely useful and much more efficient than visiting all 25 sites directly or waiting for the sites with e-mail newsletters to send me their latest one.

Screenshot:
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/i/tr/community_demo/sage_explained.gif

by beth blakely

To answer your question: An RSS feed is "an XML-based format for content distribution."

You said above that you'd installed Sage. Open a Firefox browser window, open Sage (Tools|Sage). Go to our home page. Click the Discover Feeds button on the Sage bar (it looks like a magnifying glass). It will show you the TechRepublic.com main feed. Click on it and then click Add feed.

It will then show up in your Sage Reader. You can click on it and see what goodies we have for you that day. (The actual feed on the home page is in the lower right hand corner, but Sage automatically detects it for you. You never have to actually click on the RSS feed with the little icon if you have Sage.)

by charliespencer

Jaqui, I can answer your question. I was referring to the Discussions Center home, aka the Dark blue "Discussions" button at the top of the page between "Downloads" and "Tech Q&A", aka https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5221-6230-0.html?tag=header

What I can't do is understand why you copied all the text from the original article into your post. Did you just want me to get CT when I had to scroll down to the "Post a Reply" button? Fooled you; I connected a hamster to the scroll wheel.

by jaqui

the page tossed up when clicking onto the rss/xml feed link.
( I don't have a reader installed so the link won't work )

by aaron a baker

I use IE Explorer. I like my Explorer and don't really want to switch to anything else. I have been using it for years,understand it completely and have had nowhere near the Explorer reported problems.I've always felt the "Lack of knowledge was the real culprit in most cases."
Having said that,I find myself interested in the "Sage RSS Reader" that Beth recommends, I went over to the site and wasn't able to get any info on compatibility with MS Explorer. Oh they have good programs and it looks very good. However I am looking for something to either amalgamate into the Explorer or work as a separate entity. Either doesn't matter, just as long as it doesn't foul up my IE Explorer.
This then is my quandary. "Is it or is it not" compatible with Explorer?
And no thank you, I don't want to go to Firebox or Thunderbird. I just want it to work with or in conjunction with my Explorer.
Any thoughts?? Be nice now :)
I understand the temptation.
Thank You
Aaron Baker

by smorty71

Sage is an extension for Firefox and I don't think there is any support for IE.

I did use Pluck, which Florinel suggested, several months ago and it worked well. I ultimately went with Sage for the browser integration.

And IE7 is supposed to have a bunch of RSS options, too, so it might be the best bet for you.

sm

by charliespencer

I've got it working. Now I can answer "What's your problem with RSS?"

Excluding TR, none of the sites I visit daily offer RSS feeds. Unlike TriviaGeek, I visit only half-dozen sites more than once a day, and only have about twenty bookmarks I use on a weekly basis. Until more sites I visit offer RSS, it won't benefit me.

It appears that everytime I want to see what's new on the TR site, I have to click an icon to load Sage, then the site's link in Sage. I find it easier to just click my bookmark to the Discussions page since the bookmark sidebar is already open. While Sage does provide me with snapshot views of each discussion, I can usually tell just from the subjects if I'm interested in the topic.

I'll leave Sage installed for a few days and see if my opinion changes.

by charliespencer

Since none of the sites I regularly visit offer RSS feeds (except TR), I don't have a use for Sage and have removed it. Maybe I'd have more use for it if I looked at blogs on a regular basis. I've got a post on another discussion looking for recommendations on blogs to read.

by aaron a baker

I think I may have to find another. Too Bad as I really liked the way it looked. However if it's designed to work only with Firefox of Thunderbird, then I'll have to look elsewhere.
Too bad too, I really liked it.
Thanks for the comeback and the info.

Regards
Aaron

This discussion is closed to new replies.