Dad's Days

2006-08-10T21:09:00.000-05:00

The Review PSP - iPod - Palm Tx - Belkin Pre-N. - Productivity & Pleasure

List:
Sony PSP
This is a really great device. Bigger than the iPod but able to do much more. Beautiful screen rich colours but stay indoors. -
Palm TX
Great tool if it would just work as advertised and stop rebooting. Good colour screen, excellent wifi - blue tooth and wireless.
Belkin Pre-N Wireless router
Absolutely great piece of equipment. Easy to install and use.

.............................

2006-01-10T12:11:00.000-05:00

New Toys for Christmas ... that may interest you. - Productivity & Pleasure

I got a few new toys for Christmas that I will post reviews on, just that basic user stuff and anything unusual that I think would be of interest to the everyday user.

List:
Sony PSP - not really mine, each of my kids got one.
Palm TX - wife bought me one and got one for herself from me (you know how that is if you are married :)).
Belkin Pre-N Wireless router - finally wireless, for use with the 2 Palm TXs, the 2 PSPs and anything else that I can find in the house willing to connect :).

I have been messing with some software as well. Software for the PC, PSP and the Palm. So I'll do some posts about them.

Time simply did not allow for any meaningful posts and I really didn't have anything that was shouting out at me. But dispite my long break from posting, I have been actively looking for material that I think would be of interest.

2005-10-21T02:23:00.000-05:00

Blogarithm.com! - So many blogs, so little time..can you tell me when they post something new?
As the website says "Blogarithm (http://www.blogarithm.com/index.php) lets you easily manage all the blogs (or any other pages you'd like!) that you track. Any time one or more of the blogs you read changes, you'll get BlogMailtm - a morning email listing all your blogs that have new content - including excerpts when available!"

Cool huh?

2005-10-20T22:10:00.000-05:00

Doinit online - Another online utility to make you go aaaaahhhh!
Do you have a decent internet connection? Even better you joined the those of us with a life and now have broadband. Well now that you have broadband you must have been feeling that always on itch! Well if you want to give it a scratch here is a starter. AirSet (www.airset.com) is an online utility that offers some order to your presently organized ....but fixed located life.

If you use Microsoft Outlook or similar organizer/email client then you should be aware of a number of limitations. Ok so those of you who have a laptop or haven't had it stolen are a bit better off but just slightly.

For those of you who have a really nice contact list, and schedule appointments, tasks etc. picture for one little instant that that list was to go bye bye with a computer crash. There ....did you feel that cold dull ache in the base of your stomach? That feeling of total loss. You get the same feeling when that large tightly pack list of names and numbers goes missing .... along with that well used cell phone.

I have said all this ... not to entertain you .... but to remind all of us who don't have the MOST VALUABLE information backed up just how important it really is.

So let's do something about it .... by giving that worry to people who secure information for a living and who have the tools to do it right. That's right all those online servies are a more secure media than that PC you own and operate.

AirSet offers for free: Calendars - Contacts - Lists - Blogs - WebLinks all in a easy to use format ... online. Then they don't stop there...they put some very nice spins on this wicked little worker.

AirSet is excellent for individual, groups and the small business/office, who need to share ... appointments, contacts etc..

How about a robotic assistant .... one that emails you reminders of the up coming appointments.

You can setup groups to share your the information .... you can even load calendars on your website.

Downside...... one very big one ..... if their servers go down or you lose your internet connection ...... you can't access your data. They do however provide tools that allow you to download info to your desktop.

2005-10-18T21:40:00.000-05:00

Pictures with a coffee scent - Get those pix up on the web, CD or Hard Drive.
I must have lost a few brain cells not to have listed this baby. Easily one of the best offerings for those digital pictures. Free web photo album software. JAlbum (http://jalbum.net), from JAVA + Album (that's where the coffee thing comes from).

From the JAlbum site "This gallery software makes web albums of your digital images. JAlbum aims to be the easiest to use and most powerful tool in this category - and free!
With JAlbum, no extra software is needed to view the albums, -just your web browser. Unlike "server side" album scripts, JAlbum albums can be served from a plain web server without scripting support. You can also share your albums on CD-ROM.
JAlbum runs on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and others.

With JAlbum you have full control of the look of the generated album, not just color theme and basic layout, still making an album is just a matter of drag and drop + a button click if you prefer to use one of the many existing looks. JAlbum will process your images, make index pages and slide show pages and even upload the final album to the Internet for your friends to see."

JAlbum runs on a multitude of operating systems. This is possible as JAlbum uses a "Java runtime" (also known as "Java VM") to convert its code to the language of each platform. This wonderful ability might however require you to download a "Java runtime" first. If you didn't have JAva runtime you must run out and get it. When this is done, you can enjoy a multitude of advanced Java programs. Remember, no Java is needed to view the albums.
JAlbum needs Sun's Java runtime (http://www.java.com/en/) to run. Microsofts Java is unfortunately too old. If you haven't previously installed a Java runtime (or don't know), either select the option that includes one (Windows users) or download "Java for the desktop" first. Macintosh users already have a Java runtime installed and can download and run JAlbum right away.

Super easy to configure and even easier to generate the web album. From an album with static pix to one that includes slides. Chose from a list of backgrounds or create your own.

Here is a sample of a created album:
http://www2.jalbum.net/samples/ExhibitPlus/slides/100-0032_IMG.html

An absolute MUST have if you take pictures at all, even if you got similar software with your digital camera. Remember that anyone you send the ablum to can view the photo album created, they only need a browser (MS Internet Explorer, Firefox, Maxthon, Opera, Mozilla etc).

You are sure to enjoy this one.

2005-10-18T21:20:00.000-05:00

Unzip ... take it out - Tired of the others? I was.
Almost forgot about this one... should have stuck into the UTILITY post. Well simply put 7-zip (http://www.7-zip.org/) is a unzip program (open source) that is SIMPLE to use (thank God) and covers a wide range of compression formats. Bet you didn't know that .zip wasn't the only compression format. Supported formats: Packing / unpacking: 7z, ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2 and TAR. Unpacking only: CAB, ARJ, LZH, CHM, Z, CPIO, RPM and DEB. 7-zip offers Integration with Windows Shell so you can right click throughout Windows and use 7-zip.

2005-10-18T19:55:00.000-05:00

Antivirus ...revisited - More programs to help fight the fight.
I know you never get tired of information that is about antivirus stuff. Well I just have two for you. Avast (http://www.avast.com/eng/down_home.html) and ClamWin (http://www.clamwin.com/). Both have free versions (ClamWin is actually open source), both seem to have no noticable conflicts with AVG from Grisoft (reviewed below). Avast has a really cool interface, I almost thought I accidently downloaded a MP3 player :). Both of these programs allow you to integrate them into software on your system, like Outlook and MS Office programs. This is great but be aware that the programs will open more slowly. Small price to pay for those of us who roam the internet and have our systems on broadband.

I haven't gone into the details of either programs, I have left you to do that when you visit their sites.

Please note that ClamWin Free Antivirus does not include an on-access real-time scanner, that is, you need to manually scan a file in order to detect a virus. Microsoft Outlook Addin, however will delete a virus-infected attachment automatically.

Here is a FAQ for ClamWin
http://sourceforge.net/docman/display_doc.php?docid=22588&group_id=105508

Here is a FAQ for Avast
http://www.avast.com/eng/faq-avast-4-home-professional.html

Hope you find this useful.

2005-08-15T15:09:00.000-05:00

Samurize - A Useful Utility - Desktop Enhancement
Well I found a really fun tool called Samurize (www.samurize.com). One of those bits of software which help us express our individuality and useful information about our computer. Very sweet, and as they say the limit is your imagination.

The site says "Samurize is the popular advanced system monitoring and desktop enhancement engine for Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/2003. IT professionals, overclockers, gamers and desktop modders alike use Samurize for system information, weather reports, news headlines and much much more. And best of all, Samurize is 100% free!"

A host of desktops created by others are listed, awesome and breath-taking. Take a look even if you are not interested in dressing up your desktop.

2005-08-09T23:12:00.000-05:00

Time on your hands - What time is it over there?!!!
I'm sure that from time to time everyone needs to know what time it is in some distant place. In the world of commerce it is a must. I have a little tool that I have used for a few years now, and I really don't know how I haven't mentioned it here before. Well it's more a website that is a tool, and its called Timeticker www.timeticker.com. Created by Martin Zwernemann, who by the way contacted me very late one night over an IM when he first created it to confirm the time in Jamaica and whether Jamaica used daylight saving time. In my opinion one of the best sites to check the time in another country and definitely the coolest.

2005-07-27T16:24:00.000-05:00

Microsoft Excel - Help at it's best!
Are you an Excel user, if you are like me then the answer is YES. And if you are like me you will from time to time need help. Well the forum at www.mrexcel.com has to be the best. Fast, friendly, and extensive are a few of the words I'd use to describe this forum. From straight Excel to VB and Access solutions.

Thanks to the folks on the forum for all their support.

2005-07-27T15:34:00.000-05:00

PunBB - A light and faster Bulletin Board
Some time ago I posted the name of a few forum programs that I thought would be useful for anyone looking for such a tool. Well for those of you still looking or those that looked and wanted something not too full featured but just the essential basic and fast check out PunBB (http://www.punbb.org/) I haven't actually loaded this software but have visited a number of sites that use it and it looks good. So take a look it might be what you are looking for. I am still using phpBB and have no complaints, runs smoothly and lots of add-ons.

2005-06-29T19:01:00.000-05:00

Sharper Tools for your Shed - Utilities that would make even Batman Happy.
Well it's been awhile since last posted. As usual I 've been playing with some very usefull software. Forgive me but I am always so awed at some of the programs out there. This is especially true for the open source programs. I have the greatest of admiration for those individuals/groups that provide open source work. I urge everyone to support this software. Open Source doesn't mean FREE, it means contribute to the cause, do your part by offering what you can when you can. That isn't necessarily money. Well enough on that. I am itching to introduce you to some new tools.

Here are 3 that have me with a smile all day.....I am just floored by these:

BeInSync Secure File Synchronization PC to PC- www.beinsync.com

"BeInSync™ seamlessly and securely keeps your files and emails in sync between your PCs, making them available where and when you need them. The end to sending yourself emails or using complicated remote access products!" Works as they say, and fast. Just linked my offce PC and my home office PC....I am a happy man right now. The program has a free version with limitations (number of files and no web access) but hey, I was emailing and burning files and ....lots of other stuff I won't get into just to get files home to continue working on them. Problem solved. Highly recommended for the folks like me out there.

Sugar CRM (Customer Relations Manager) www.sugarcrm.com

"SugarCRM is the premier commercial open source customer relationship management application provider, breaking the rules set by conventional CRM solutions. The limitations of traditional CRM software can be summarized by the lack of flexibility, high costs, and closed-source structure which is embedded into the traditional product offerings. This has led to a failure rate of over 70% with traditional CRM implementations.

SugarCRM is a suite of business automation tools for managing your marketing, sales and customer service operations. From leads to contacts, opportunities to cases, the Sugar Suite helps you track and gain insight into your customers."

I love the demo of this too and the potential for my family business. I am trying to load it on a web hosting companies servers but it's a bit more difficult than I had hoped. Depending on your web host's configuration this will determine whether it installs without a hook. This is not for the non techie. You can load on a local server too, I loaded it on a web server so that my sales people would be able to access it from their homes or hotel rooms, and I would be able to access it from anywhere in the world that I travel to...with internet connection.

Update Wednesday 27 July 2005. I now have Sugar CRM installed, with some major help from my web host Entry Host, and I am doing some testing. The Open Source version comes with little instructions and essentially no support other than a forum which due to the relative size of the user base can be slower moving than you may want.

Everydaily Diary - www.everydaily.net

Everydaily is a tiny diary which is amazingly easy to maintain. Just sign up (free) and you're ready to share your experiences. It's a small pop up window that has a calendar, text and graphics window. You are provided with a URL for the diary allowing you to display it on the WWW. You have a login name and password to allow for adding and editing. All free no spyware no adware just FREE.

2005-02-21T10:23:00.000-05:00

Website the Open Source Way - Building a website with the best of the best.
More on website building and open source software. Every bit as good as paid software (if not better) I recommend open source software to everyone.

I installed a new weblog for the company's website. Got tired of using a text editor (MS Notepad) and tables :(.

Now I have Serendipity ( www.serendipity.org ) doing all the work, and its great. Easily one of the best blog software available. Its uses PHP but you don't really need to know PHP to install it, just if you want to modify it. It had great plug-ins which are easy to install, configure and use. The person responsible for this great program is very active and supportive in the users forum. The forum had lots to people willing to help.

My web host EntryHost ( www.entryhost.com) configured their system and installed the program for me, when I inquired if my hosting plan supported Serendipity.....great service.

I did search quite a bit for weblogs (opensource/ad free etc). There are quite a few very good ones. I have listed a few below. I however am extremely happy with Serendipity. Installation was easy to follow. Configuration was easy. User interface could be a tad more intuitive, but easy enough once you clicked on the buttons to see what was what (I hate reading instructions (and I didn't here either) so for the person that does read the instructions it would be super easy).

Serendipity has no ads and no spyware. I can't say enough about it, really very impressive. This type of work is what keeps me in awe ...... and fully supporting the open source community.

Why didn't I use Blogger ... actually in the eary stages I did, and back then blogger just had a generic banner offering their service. Then after a few weeks the banner changed to one offering competing products to those being offered or spoken about in the blog. So I scrapped Blogger. Blogger is easy and convenient for someone who doesn't want to pay for hosting services and registering a domain and avoiding setting up.

LiveJournal seems to offer a similar service to Blogger, and though I have registered with LiveJournal I have never used it, so I don't know if it has a banner or not. I downloaded a few more and I hope one day to try them out, but Serendipity is running so smoothly and offering most all of what I want that I have no real reason. The folks in the forum are so enthusiastic that if you suggest something really useful to all someone will probably codea plug-in for it.

A few of the better ones are listed below. As a general rule if your don't see the software being recently updated (9 months max) then don't bother downloading it, as it usually means that its no longer being worked on (there are exceptions), avoid blog software that include ads if you are setting up a business site or if you the unpredictability of the revenue earner.

Serendipity (www.serendipity.org )
Simple PHP Blog (http://www.bigevilbrain.com/sphpblog/index.php)
bblog (www.bblog.com)
BLOG:CMS (http://blogcms.com/)
PHP Blogger (http://www.phpblogger.com/index.php)
Polar Lava (http://www.polarlava.com/)
b2evolution (http://www.b2evolution.net/)
Live Journal (http://www.livejournal.com/)
BlogDrive (http://www.blogdrive.com/)
BoastMachine (http://boastology.com/)

2004-10-09T18:57:00.000-05:00

Keeping it in the Family - Website Building Tools on the Family Shoe String.
I built a website for my family's company (still building) using all open source software and freeware. Essential when you are provided with a budget of almost zero dollars :). The only thing has to be paid for (so far) is the actual web and e-mail hosting service. Well the domain name registration too. I enjoy building the site and incorporating various software into the site. At the moment the site has a Forum, WebLog, Live Help Chat, Event Calendar, Site Visitor Monitor, Visitor Counter and eCommerce (not yet online).

Most of these applications use php as the code. I don't know php but if you do it does help with modifications to the applications. Knowing a little HTML is useful and probably essential.

The following is a list of the open source and freeware applications I use on sites I build. Some of the applications, mainly the freeware have paid versions which extend the capability of the free versions. In most if not all cases there is a open source application which does as good if not better job than the paid version. :

Special Note - Visit http://www.demodemo.com/ for help with the installation of phpBB, osCommerce and others. They have free Flash tutorials on installation and basic setup of these applications.

Crafty Syntax Live Help - www.cslh.com - (open source) A multi-user, multi-operator, multi-department Live Help support chat system that allows the operators of the websites to monitor their visitors as they are browsing the site and proactively open a chat session with that visitor. The modular structure and open source code allows for the highest level of freedom in customization to fit your needs.

phpBB2 Forum - www.phpbb.com - (open source) phpBB is a high powered, fully scalable, and highly customizable Open Source bulletin board package. phpBB has a user-friendly interface, simple and straightforward administration panel, and helpful FAQ. Based on the powerful PHP server language and your choice of MySQL, MS-SQL, PostgreSQL or Access/ODBC database servers, phpBB is the ideal free community solution for all web sites.

Special Note: If you want to add an event calendar to your site/forum and are using phpBB2 then take a look at this mod for phpBB2 LINK and download the mod (mod-topic_calendar-101.zip)

BoldChat - www.boldchat.com - (freeware - paid version available) - Boldchat is a FREE live chat service for web sites to do live help and live support chats with visitors.

0Stats.com - www.0stats.com - (freeware) - Real time reporting, visitors-pageviews-new visitors day/month/years, online visitors, max online visitors (day,month) , Statistics archived forEVER! , password protection, invisible button, flash graph, referrer sites-engine, Keyword positioning, Advanced users info, users frequency.

phpiCalendar - www.phpicalendar.net - (Open Source) - PHP iCalendar is a PHP-based iCal file viewer/parser to display iCals in a Web browser.

Its based on v2.0 of the IETF spec. It displays iCal files in a nice logical,
clean manner with day, week, month, and year navigation. It is available in 13
languages and includes support for printing, searching and RSS news feeds.

PHP iCalendar DOES NOT create or edit calendars (or events). Instead it
provides a way to view calendars from applications that generate valid
IETF 2445 files (.ics). Some of the supported applications are:

- Apple iCal
- http://www.apple.com/ical/
- Mozilla Calendar
- http://www.mozilla.org/projects/calendar/
- Ximian Evolution
- http://www.novell.com/products/evolution/
- KOrganizer
- http://korganizer.kde.org/
- WinDates 5.0
- http://www.rockinsoftware.com/windates.htm

osCommerce - http://www.oscommerce.com/ - (Open Source) osCommerce is an online shop e-commerce solution under on going development by the open source community. Its feature packed out-of-the-box installation allows store owners to setup, run, and maintain their online stores with minimum effort and with absolutely no costs or license fees involved.

osCommerce combines open source solutions to provide a free and open e-commerce platform, which includes the powerful PHP web scripting language, the stable Apache web server, and the fast MySQL database server.

With no restrictions or special requirements, osCommerce is able to run on any PHP enabled web server, on any environment that PHP and MySQL supports, which includes Linux, Solaris, BSD, Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows environments.

EasyStoreCreator - http://www.easystorecreator.com - With their FREE Website Builder, you make your own eCommerce store. It's fast and easy... even for non-techies.

So you want to take your business online and make money, but you don't have a lot of technical expertise or a big budget. No problem. With their free website builder you get a professional website capable of selling any product or service... and you don't spend a dime.

This free online store builder incorporates with almost any ecommerce merchant account that automatically processes credit cards online, making the payment procedure easy for your customers... and for you. Even when you're not online, your store continues to take orders and accept payments!

Here's what the Free Online Store Builder Lets You Do.

EasyStoreCreator works a bit like paint-by-number art -- only easier. With the free website builder, you can...

Build an ecommerce site that sells a handful of products or thousands (free version limited to 10 items).
Control all your inventory.
Use our pre-designed templates.
Edit one item or all of them.
Securely accept and process credit cards with your ecommerce merchant account.
Protect yourself against credit card fraud.
Get instant online help or toll-free phone support.

Get full support for some of the most popular payment gateways
You can start making money online today! In as little as 10 minutes, the free website builder makes it possible for you to have your very own, fully functional website and ecommerce merchant account. No technical training required. No software either. EasyStoreCreator is a completely web-based, free online store builder.

Best of all...EasyStoreCreator BASIC is FREE!!

Here is a feature by feature chart outlining the various features of the available packages versus the FREE version. LINK - (http://www.easystorecreator.com/features.asp)

2004-10-02T20:29:00.000-05:00

Computer Safety - No I don't put a condom on my computer!!

Well I finally got around to it. Seems I can't sit still and must do something. On the computer that is. :)

thought it would be a good idea to pass on what experience and basic knowledge I have on a few things computer related. That way someone can get up to speed faster than I did and avoid having to read tons of magazines, search the internet, tune in to TechTV and quiz every techie they come in contact with.

A really major concern is computer security! I wish they would write in a law that applied across borders that would throw in jail the spammers and virus writes. The cost to us all simply cannot be calculated. It's one thing when it affects a computer with meaningless personal information, it's another when it takes out life saving information from a medical facilities system, or affects the operation of any business be it a mom and pop shop or a large corporation. The fact is that it affects peoples jobs and livelihood.

The following programs I have found very useful easy to install, configure and understand. The companies that offer then have useful support and the programs do not seem to have any reported spyware. All the programs listed are FREEWARE except where noted. Please remember that the people, in particular those who offer open source DO NOT have to offer their work. So please show appreciation where possible and if you partake in their forums do NOT be abusive, NO MATTER WHAT. If you can pass on something you have learnt to others then please do so. Every little helps, and there is always someone who just needed to know what you just solved.

Security
AntiVirus
1. Grisoft AVG Free Edition. Free doesn't mean lacking. AVG Free Edition offers what you need in an antivirus and doesn't burden your system. Click Here to go right to the download page.
Home page: http://www.grisoft.com/

2. (Others to be announced) :)

For those of you who can afford to purchase the full version, an AntiVirus program is money well spent. I know, I know ...never heard of it. Well you should have by now. They are a European concern if I'm not mistaken. I read a review about it from one of the popular magazine's website that was blatantly trying to promote another brand by CREATING faults that didn't exist with AVG. The posts by users that followed that article were amazing as it clearly indicated that the review's author was "getting a little something under the table from another company" or just plain stupid.

Once you install AVG you will see its icon in your system tray (bottom right beside the Windows time). Double click on the icon to open AVG Control Centre click on the Update Manager tab select what time you want the program to check for updates in "Update will start at". I suggest using 1 day for the "Update if database..." and "If not successful..." settings. Dial-up users who do not access the internet regularly or stay online for long periods should be vigilant in updating AVG by clicking the "Update Now!" If you sue Outlook or Outlook Express then you will see AVG icons installed there. When a virus is found AVG advises you and stores it in the AVG Vault. You should empty this periodically by going to AVG Windows clicking Programs and selecting AVG Virs Vault. There you can dump the viruses that AVG found from the system and see a log of when they were found.

Firewalls - (First before you get on the internet with XP installed - turn on the Microsoft Firewall that comes with it. To do this in XP click the START button then scroll up to and click on Network Connections. You should see the connections you use for the internet (dial up or network) right click on the connections shown and from the list select Properties. From the window that pops up select the tab that says Advanced. There you should see Internet Connection Firewall - put a check mark in the box, then click OK.)

1. ZoneAlarm (Warning do NOT install if you have Sygate Personal Firewall or other similar firewall installed -Microsoft Firewall can be install no problem there - As recommended by Microsoft, ZoneAlarm disables Windows Firewall on installation and re-enables it if ZoneAlarm is uninstalled.) - Click here to go right to the download page.
Home page: http://www.zonelabs.com/

2. SyGate Personal Firewall (Warning do NOT install if you have ZoneAlarm or other similar firewall installed -Microsoft Firewall can be install no problem there - As recommended by Microsoft, ZoneAlarm disables Windows Firewall on installation and re-enables it if ZoneAlarm is uninstalled.) - Click Here to go right to the download page.
Home page: http://www.sygate.com/

Both these programs are free downloads and very easy to install and setup. Please, please, please take the time to READ the instructions that are provided. Take the time and visit the websites of these programs and read additional information they might have and look through their support forums. I cannot think of any good reason why the average user would not have or need a firewall like those above, once they are connected to the internet. If your computer is not connected to the internet but plan on doing so soon, please ensure that you turn on the included Microsoft Firewall before connecting and then make one of the above software the second website you visit, and an AntiVirus the first.

Many users are turned off by the pop messages these programs use to advise you of what it is blocking, whether it is a program on your system trying to access the internet or someone trying to get in. THIS FEATURE CAN BE TURNED OFF in both programs. So please don't do something as stupid and uninstalling it for that reason. The people who uninstall it for that reason have absolutely no idea what they are in for by not having a firewall.

Configuring either of these programs is very easy. Essentially it asks that you tell it what programs you want to always allow to access the internet without asking your permission each time (Like your browser or instant messenger), those programs that you want to access the internet, but with your permission by clicking on a confirmation button (Your e-mail client like Outlook Express, Outlook, Eudora etc), and those that you never want to access the internet and never want a pop asking you to allow it access. All these settings are not final but can be changed by the user at anytime.

Spyware Removal - (are you finding that every time you open your browser that a number of webpages open without you typing that address in? Or do you keep getting pop-ups offering everything you don't want or will ever need, from websites that you know didn't generate them? This is more than likely due to spyware that has been loaded on your computer by software that either downloaded itself on your system or when you clicked on a link or pop-up thinking you were closing it. The people who do spyware are very crafty. They have to be to avoid you knowing what they are doing to your system. Another form of spyware sits on your system making notes of what you do with your computer, what website you visit and any other type of activity they might be designed to monitor. The software sends this information ack to its source where the data on you is then analyzed and often sold for marketing purposes.

1. Spybot Search & Destroy - Great program. Here is a little outline of what it's all about.
Click here to go right to the download page.
Home page: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

2. Ad-Aware - Why have one when you can install both and have additional safety? Get both. Click here to go right to the download page.
Home page: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

You can install both of these programs on your system and use them. Spybot - Search & Destroy and Adaware can detect and remove spyware of different kinds from your computer. Spyware is a relatively new kind of threat that common anti-virus applications do not yet cover. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you didn't intentionally install, if your browser crashes, if web pages just start opening for sites you know nothing about or if your browser start page has changed without your knowing, you most probably have spyware. But even if you don't see anything, you may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging that is silently tracking your surfing behavior to create a marketing profile of you that will be sold to advertisement companies. Spybot-S&D and Adaware are free, so there's no harm in trying to see if something snooped into your computer, too :)

Spybot-S&D can also clean usage tracks, an interesting function if you share your computer with other users and don't want them to see what you worked on. And for professional users, it allows to fix some registry inconsistencies and extended reports.

E-mail Anti-Spam

1. SpamBayes - the best thing to have with your spam :)
Click here to go right to the download page.
Home page: http://spambayes.sourceforge.net/windows.html

SpamBayes is a tool used to segregate unwanted mail (spam) from the mail you want (ham). Before SpamBayes can be your spam filter of choice you need to train it on representative samples of email you receive (actually you can train it while you are using it). After it's been trained, you use SpamBayes to classify new mail according to its spamminess and hamminess qualities. Look carefully at the downloads available. There is one for users of OUTLOOK and another for OUTLOOK EXPRESS, EUDORA and other POP Clients. The first version integrates with Outlook nicely and provides buttons on its menu. I haven't had any cash problems and I've been using it forever. The second version does NOT integrate with the e-mail client but sits between the e-mail client and the web.

I haven't come across another spam filter the works as well as SpamBayes in removing spam. I like the fact that SpamBayes does not delete the spam from your system but instead sorts into two folders - Junk E-mail and Junk Suspects. To date I have not seen anything but Spam in the Junk E-mail folder. SpamBayes allows you at anytime to go into any of the folders where your received e-mail is (Inbox/Junk Mail/Junk Suspects) and reclassify the mail with the click of a button on the toolbar (Delete Spam/Recover from Spam) . This is what trains the program.

Check the FAQ if you are using an e-mail client other than Outlook. Click Here for FAQ.

Browsers
- meaningful alternates (not change for change sake) to Microsoft's Internet Explorer which is very old in the tooth (rotten might be a better discription). MS Internet Explorer is now being revamped by Microsoft.

Great features like mouse gestures, pop up blocker, ad blocker, auto scroll, tab windows, enhanced security and much much more make all the browsers below a better choice than Microsoft's Internet Explorer.

1. Opera
2. FireFox
3. Mozilla
4. Maxthon

(Will provide more information soon)

E-mail Client
- meaningful alternates (not change for change sake) to Microsoft's Outlook and Outlook Express.

1. Mozilla Mail
2. Opera Mail
3. FastMail
4. YourName@YourChoice.com/net/org/yours to choose.

(Will provide information soon)

Contacts
Contacts under security? Actually yes, as I feel it is important to SECURE your contacts, and if not, then at least have a backup source. Ever lose your Contacts? Ever seen an adult run stark naked down the highway, crying like a baby and tearing their hair out? That's would be someone who lost their List of Contacts. I highly recommend Plaxo for all Outlook and Outlook Express users (for those who use other e-mail clients you can use the Plaxo online version). Make sure that you also sign up for the online version, that's where the the SECURE part comes in. The online version allows you to access your address book/things to do etc. with and internet connection on any computer, by accessing the Plaxo website and logging in. Plaxo

Plaxo keeps people connected by solving the common and frustrating problem of out-of-date contact information. Plaxo is a service that securely updates and maintains the information in your address book.

Plaxo 2.0 also connects you with your most vital information. Not only are you connected to your contacts, but also your calendar, your tasks, and your notes. Synchronize your home and work computers, and securely access that information anywhere through the Web. This online access is also a reliable backup, ensuring that you will never lose your data by accidentally deleting it or in a computer crash. Just one click and you're in sync. It's safe, and it's FREE.

**SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEMS**Windows 98/ME - (Service Pack 2 is recommended) - US onlyWindows NT - 4.0 Service Pack 4 and higher (Current is 6a) - US & InternationalWindows 2000 / XP - (Windows Update recommended) - US & InternationalWindows 2003 - (Windows Update recommended) - US & International

**SUPPORTED MAIL CLIENTS**Outlook Express 5, 5.5, 6 - IE. 6.0 Service Pack is recommended) Outlook 2000, 2002/XP, 2003 - (ALL Service Packs are recommended).

They plan to support more platforms and address book tools in the future. Visit their Web site at http://www.plaxo.com/ . Plaxo 2.0 currently does not support the following operating systems or address book tools.

Unsupported operating systems: MacOS (Apple Macintosh), Linux, Solaris.

Unsupported mail clients: ACT, Lotus Notes, AOL, Incredimail, Yahoo! Mail, Hotmail, Eudora.

If your system is unsupported, please consider signing up for Plaxo Online -- it combines the benefits of Plaxo 2.0 for Outlook and Outlook Express with the convenience of the Web. You can import and build your address book from Outlook, Outlook Express, Netscape, Palm, Yahoo! Mail, and Hotmail.To sign up for Plaxo Online, visit: https://www.plaxo.com/register.

OpenOffice

Alternatives to Microsoft's Office Suite.

Sun's Open Office Suite and others.

(Will provide information soon)

Connectivity (for those of you who just want access to your files look at BeInSync, I have some information above)
Have you ever wanted to stay at home and use your computer to connect to say...the computer at work to access some information, or to access your grandmothers computer to help her out with a PC problem or show here how to use a program?

Though XP has a built-in feature not everyone has XP and someone might be at the remote PC to initiate access.

There are many ways to get this type of access going. VNC and VPN are two common ways. VPN (Virtual Private Network) tends to require a lot more than to setup, in expertise, cost, hardware/software and time. VNC (Virtual Network Computing) on the other hand is quite easy. The cost is FREE, no hardware other than the remote and your PC and just a few minutes.

The most popular VNC programs are Real VNC (http://www.realvnc.com/), Tight VNC (http://www.tightvnc.com/), Ultra VNC (http://ultravnc.sourceforge.net/) and Tridia VNC (http://www.tridiavnc.com/). One of the concerns with VNC is security. Once you connect over the internet and start sending data back and forth there is always a possibility that your information can be intercepted. There are methods of encrypting the data and I will post information on that later, but before using VNC make sure that you read the information on security offered on the software's site and do some reading using searches from Google. VPN tends to be much more secure, hence the expensive and additional requirements.

There maybe some open source VPN utilities and if I find any that are user friendly and don't require $$$ or other needs I will be posting information on it here. Until then I have to use VNC and use what encryption is available to me.

There is another method of remote connection, but this is not done using the internet just telephone lines dialing in to the remote PC's modem. This is much more secure as it is not using the internet and snooping is virtually eliminated. If the remote PC is a local call then this maybe your best bet, but if it is a long distance call or overseas call for those of us who travel and need to access, then it maybe too expensive.

I will provide details on this later.

2003-11-15T12:16:00.000-05:00

Well I finally decided to start a Weblog for myself, after starting several for others. I really don't know how many times I will post here but I will try to be frequent. Day to day stuff.