VIRUS AND OTHER STINKY STUFF TECHNICALLY SPEAKING INTERESTING SITES
VIRUS AND OTHER STINKY STUFF SOPHOS WARNS USERS TO BEWARE THE LATEST BAGLE WORM Bagle-AQ spreads as an email with a blank subject line and the message text 'new price'. Attached is one of a number of ZIP files all of which also refer to 'price'. If run, the worm attempts to download a copy of Bagle-AQ from a number of websites, and the download is repeated every ten hours. Find out more now and ensure you are protected. http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/articles/virusprice.html
BLASTER WORM SUSPECT EXPECTED TO PLEAD GUILTY IN USA Jeffrey Lee Parson, the Minnesota teenager accused of writing the Blaster-B worm appeared before a federal judge in Seattle August 11. http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/articles/parsonscourt.html
Thursday, August 05 -- Thursday, August 12 According to Sophos, a leader in Anti Virus Software development, 18 new/improved viruses which required Anti Virus upgrades were released into cyberspace via email. This is one less than last week. & KCnet's antivirus program caught and "defanged" 17,549 email viruses in addition to refusing 180,187 spam messages. The spam and viruses are still coming in by the big buckets.
IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU HAVE A VIRUS OR IF YOU HAVE NOT SUCCESSFULLY SCANNED YOUR DRIVES FOR VIRUSES LATELY... THIS NEXT SITE IS FOR YOU. Free Virus scans. Trend Micro, more commonly referred to as Housecall, offers free virus scans and in most cases can fix damage down by a virus or worm that your computer may have contacted. The program works well. The first time one uses the free program it is necessary to download a small program. Trend Micro walks you through the process. Then the virus scans are quite simple for each return. You should disable any anti virus program that you have running. If you do not have a virus program I recommend that you use this program first and then download one of the free programs listed above of install any anti virus program you have purchased. Go to http://housecall.antivirus.com/ then choose the link "Scan without registering". Follow the directions.
Computer Associates, another reputable and reliable anti virus developer introduced a new free program which allows anyone to do a virus scan without downloading any software or registering for an anti virus program. You must use Internet Explorer for access to Computer Associates and to perform the scan. This is a good one and very simple to operate The address is http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
Free Virus programs to download Quite a few KCnet members use these programs and like them. Be careful if you download a virus program and you already have one installed on your computer. You need to at least disable the program already installed. http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php Another good free program to take a look at is: http://www.free-av.com/
Top 5 Viruses for August 02 to 08 from Computer Associates. 1 Win32.Netsky.P 2 Win32.Netsky.C 3 Win32.Mydoom.O 4 Win32.Netsky.D 5 Win32.Netsky.Z
True Viruses and Warning Letters of Impending Doom. Believe it or not, the amount of harm done by sending false computer virus alarms and letters of impending doom to your thousand closest friends can be just as damaging as the alleged virus (if it even exists!); if you remember the story of the boy who cried wolf, you understand why. If you think you've got the scoop on the latest new devastating virus or latest doom warning, check it out at the Web sites below before taking it on yourself to alert the world. If the virus is as terrible as you think it is, odds are the virus fighters already know about it and -- good news here! -- your antivirus software provider probably knows about it too and already has an update for it. Sophos supplies this current information about actual hoaxes. Look at them. Read about them. If you are sent one of them, delete it.
Here are a few sites of many that can help you determine if an email is a hoax or real. http://www.quatloos.com/ http://www.snopes.com/ http://www.urbanlegends.com/ulz/ http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/HBHoaxIndex.html http://vil.nai.com/VIL/hoaxes.asp http://kumite.com/myths/ http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html http://www.scambusters.org/VirusHoaxes.html http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/hoaxes/ http://www.truthorfiction.com/
TECHNICALLY SPEAKING:
Scots Newsletter: Download It Now -- Please keep in mind that my recommendation has been -- and continues to be -- that you should wait 30 days before installing this major upgrade to Windows XP, assuming you already have a firewall and up-to-date antivirus program in place. That's because there are always problems for a small percentage of users with service packs. Let's find out what those problems are first. But if you have a good reason to install it immediately, it is available to anyone with a fast Internet connection from a hard-to-find Microsoft Downloads page.
The following articles suggest caution with the XP SP2 download: IBM goes slow on XP updatehttp://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104_2-5302346.html ZDNets XP update: Now, later or never? http://zdnet.com.com/2251-1110-5302605.html
Tourbus Newsletter excerpt: In a few days Microsoft will release a MASSIVE patch called "Windows XP Service Pack 2" [or "XP SP2"]. My recommendation? Wait until early September before you get it. That way if there are any unforeseen problems with XP SP2 [and there will be], Microsoft will have time to patch those problems before they affect your computer. How massive is XP SP2? Oh, try 270 megabytes. That should take you just slightly under cTWENTY-TWO HOURS to download over your 28.8 modem. The download times for broadband connections aren't much better: about 80 minutes over a 512 Kb DSL connection or about 30 minutes over a 1.5 Mb cable modem. Fortunately, Microsoft realizes most of us do not possess either the bandwidth of Bill Gates or the patience of Job, so XP SP2 will also be available on CD. You can't order the CD yet--because SP2 hasn't *officially* been released--but eventually you'll be able to order the CD or hopefully KCnet will be allowed to issue a CD.
PC Magazine put a slide show together hilighting some of the important features and interfaces in the XP SP2 release. http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/0,2394,l=&s=1841&a=132753,00.asp
CNET editor's take SP2 brings much-needed security fixes to Windows XP. (Updated 8/12/04) The good: New firewall; pop-up ad blocker for Internet Explorer; new Security Center makes managing security apps easier. The bad: Created conflicts with our notebook's wireless connection; some security enhancements won't work with current Intel hardware; firewall lacks important features; download too large for dial-up users, and CDs will take weeks to arrive once they're available. What's it for: Making Windows XP systems more secure and updating Tablet and Media Center PC operating systems. Who's it for: Anyone running a PC with Window XP Home/Pro or Windows Tablet or Media Center OSs. Business Use: SP2 makes the PCs on your work network more secure. It also makes the IT manager's job easier by automating the update process. The bottom line: We recommend installing Windows XP SP2 but only after Microsoft has had a few weeks to work out the kinks. Read full review: http://reviews.cnet.com/Microsoft_Windows_XP_SP2/4505-3672_7-30992199-2.html?tag=glance
This happens: Read the directions before acting. After buying a PC from a dealer of shady shady repute, the luckless customer unpacked his new toy and plugged it in to find it dead on arrival. Naturally, after checking the usual things, he called the dealer and explained his problem. First question from Dealer: "Did you check to see whether the power was on?" "Of course." "Did you open the cover and check whether any of the boards had shaken loose in shipping?" "Of course." "Then why are you calling me?" "Well, you sold it to me and there has to be some kind of warranty," pleaded the frustrated purchaser. "Of course there is," replied the Dealer, "But you voided the warranty when you opened the cover."
Bill Myers sent this excellent URL. It features "Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About XP". It looks like it can live up to the brag. Thanks Bill. http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm
While we are into pages here is a good one suggested by Tom Livingston. It is available from HP. http://h71036.www7.hp.com/hho/cache/717-0-0-225-121.aspx
Bad Spelling Can Spoil Your Auction This one is an ETip from Dummies.com. It is true for just about anything we do. Imagine going to a supermarket and asking someone to show you where the stringy stuff that you boil is instead of asking where the spaghetti is. You might end up with mung bean sprouts — delicious to some but hardly what you had in mind. That's why you should check and recheck your spelling. Savvy buyers use the eBay search engine to find merchandise; if the name of your item is spelled wrong, the search engine can't find it. Poor spelling and incomprehensible grammar also reflect badly on you. If you're in competition with another seller, the buyer is likelier to trust the seller hoo nose gud speling.
This one from Worldstart. Elementary, maybe. Help! I have a program that starts out full screen. When I hit the little button to make it go back to normal size, it refuses to shrink. Sure, the button changes from the double-squares to a single square, but it doesn't make my window any smaller. Is there something wrong with my software? The little button you're referring to is the Maximize button. One click will make the window full screen, click it again and it goes back to it's "normal" size. The problem is some programs use full screen for their normal size, or they use the last size the window was when it was closed (in this case, maximized). Either way, when you click the little button, nothing seems happen on the screen. As for a solution, there is none. ;-) Kidding. When the window is in a "normal" state (the Max button shows one box), just grab the lower right hand corner with your mouse and drag it inward. Your window will resize, your bills will be paid, world peace will become a reality, and you'll win the lottery. OK, maybe not, but your window will be the size you want.
Yahoo's Anti-Spy toolbar feature buggy By Stefanie Olsen Staff Writer, CNET News August 6, 2004 Yahoo on Friday confirmed that its recently released toolbar has mistakenly linked an alleged spyware program with a product that has nothing to do with the application in question. A company representative said late Friday that its toolbar's Anti-Spy feature incorrectly identified alleged "hijacker" software known as SearchCentrix as being bundled with Claria's Gator eWallet product, which is designed to manage usernames and passwords. Hijacking programs redirect search results or tamper with browser settings, according to Yahoo. "The SearchCentrix hijacker was incorrectly identified by our application" as a component of Claria's eWallet software, a Yahoo representative said. "We have no evidence to believe that Claria's eWallet installs that software. We believe that the misidentification was due to a bug in code from our partner, PestPatrol, and are currently working with them to fix it." A Claria representative said the company has no relationship with SearchCentrix and that the listing was a mistake. PestPatrol could not immediately be reached for comment. There's more: http://news.com.com/Yahoo%27s+Anti-Spy+toolbar+feature+buggy/2100-1024-5300761.html?part=dht&tag=ntop
Two more Worldstart tips. When I drag and drop files, how do I know what is happening to them? Are they being moved, copied, or is Windows just creating a short cut? One day while dragging and dropping I actually paid attention and realized that Windows does tell you what it's doing as you move the file. If you see a "+" sign in a little white box, the file is being copied. If you see an arrow, Windows is creating a shortcut. Finally, if you see nothing at all, the file is being moved. OK here's a new problem. What happens if you're trying to move say, a program file (a file ending in ".exe"), and Windows wants to do a shortcut instead of a move? Or maybe you want to make a copy of a file and Windows wants to move it? Well, there's an easy solution for that as well. Just drag and drop with your RIGHT mouse button. When you release the button, you'll be given a little menu that allows you to pick Move, Copy, Create Shortcut, or Cancel.
File Sizes & Counts Have you ever wondered how much space a set of files takes up? Or how many files were in a folder? Well, here's how to figure it out. If you're interested in the number of files in a folder and / or the total size of the folder, just right-click it and select "Properties" from the resulting menu (you could also use Alt+double click). OK, that was a fairly well known trick. But what if you have a bunch of files in a folder and need to know the combined size of seven of them? You could right-click each one, select "Properties", and then add up all the sizes. However, a better way would be to highlight all seven files in question, right-click them, and select Properties.
That will give you a combined file size of just those seven files. If they're not in order, use your CTRL key to select them.
Here is a Kim Komando Tip for installing Video Cards. I have an eMachines 466id eTower computer with graphics on the motherboard. I would like to install a 32 or 64 MB graphics card. Do I have to disable the original chip or is it an automatic takeover? How would I go about disabling it and doing the installation? Your suspicions are confirmed. You must disable the video system on the motherboard. Otherwise, you'll get no video at all. Your computer manual probably would be helpful. But you may be able to get by without it. Basically, you have to place a jumper over two pins on the motherboard. Before touching a thing inside your computer, ask yourself if you are comfortable doing this sort of thing. If you have any hesitation, take it to a computer repair shop. Assuming you want to dig in, make sure that you follow all safety rules of working inside a computer. It should be unplugged from the wall. Beware of static electricity; it can kill the circuitry inside a computer. So ground yourself by touching the metal frame first. Track down the jumper marked J1. (A jumper is a little block that fits over two pins.) The jumper should be over pins 2 and 3. Change it so it is over 1 and 2. That will disable the onboard video. The jumper and pins are probably marked on the motherboard in minuscule type. If you have your manual, it might say where they're located. If necessary, use tweezers to handle the jumper. Once the jumper is moved, you can insert the video card. Start the computer and load the software for the card.
INTERESTING SITES: Games of the XXVIII Olympiad Official Page http://www.athens2004.com/en/Home/home Daily Results http://www.athens2004.com/en/results/results/pastday?day=0 Olympic Sports Within the 28 sports included in the Olympic Games, there are 27 disciplines, some of which, for instance the Track events in Athletics, are intrinsically connected to the Olympic history, while others have been added to the programme of the Olympic Games recently. One of these is the Women’s Sabre discipline, included for the first time in Olympic Fencing in the Olympic Games in Athens. Learn about the rules of all the Olympic sports and their disciplines, their history, techniques and records and find out about legendary athletes. http://www.athens2004.com/en/Sports/indexpage
Unusual Elvis Sites: http://users.pandora.be/davidneale/elvis/originals/ http://www.fiftiesweb.com/elvis.htm http://members.tripod.com/~gloco/GloriaElvisPresleyHomePageindex.html http://www.photo.net/summer94/graceland.html http://home.att.net/~fifties.idols/elvis_presley_songs.html http://home.att.net/~fifties.idols/elvis_pics.html http://members.aol.com/sombra30/MIDI/
Sue found this one. It features some of the best photography I've seen. These photos are similar to the excellent photos by KCnet Board Vice President, Bill Raco. Many of Bill's original creations adorn the walls of KCnet. Come in and take a peak at his art. In the meantime access the following site. There are many excellent photos. I suggest accessing the page and then scroll to the bottom and click on "Starting Point" to get you into the mood. Then Oh and Ah and click and save. Some will make excellent wallpaper. http://www.canalphotos.net/
Eye Witness to History Thanks to Amanda for this one. This site's slogan is "History through the eyes of those who lived it." Fairly straight forward, but that doesn't even begin to describe the gems of historical information that you'll find here. From ancient times to modern times you'll find eye witness accounts of information about what happened in history. Think about it—now there will be people who witnessed what happened on September 11th and we'll recount their memories as history in the near future. Things are happening in our lifetime that is history. We may not have been there when Rome burned, but we were there when the Berlin wall fell. We all know that you will find history here. So I'm not going to talk about that, let you discover that for yourself. Instead, I want to tell you about some of the aspects of the site that aren't just historical. You'll love the "Picture of the Week" section—you get a picture every week of a different historical event. You'll be thrilled by "Snapshots"—images from throughout history (well since we had cameras). "Voices"—a fabulous section with radio clippings all the way back to 1899. This site is a real treasure, enjoy it! http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/
College Football fans! You will love this one. Football is one of the most popular college sports in the United States. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), located in Indianapolis, is the most important organization governing major college competition. This one has a history for each major NCAA College Football Program. http://www.ncaahistoryguide.com/ Click here for Penn State history
Pete Griffin found this one. He was pretty excited about the find and wrote: Hi There, Yes, Enjoy -- I came across this site while browsing the --- gophila.com --- site, ( which deserves a detailed browse by anyone interested in that area of the state or American History -- its e-letter is interesting also) http://www.gophila.com/index.htm So... gophila.com --to-- TITANIC The Artifact Exhibition, then browse & browse & browse. Or go to ...fi.edu ... The Franklin Institute Homepage. http://www.fi.edu/ This might qualify for an interesting site for the oldie folks. He's right you know. (Mike)
Fads From the 20s through the 90s This one is interesting. We sure did some dumb stuff didn't we? Welcome to CrazyFads.com! We list all of the craziest fads that have come and gone. Go back a few decades and read about the silly to serious fads that helped change our society and create a pop-culture. Want to know which fads your parents experienced? What about the ones you experienced yourself? Maybe you will start a new fad yourself after reading some of the following crazy fads http://www.crazyfads.com/
Herbal Gardens Another one from Amanda. Do you love flowers, herbs, and plants? Do you just plain love gardening? Well then, this is definitely a cool site for you to check out. From the Herb of the Month section to the Crafts, and even the Kitchen section this site is chocked full of good stuff for gardeners, and those who might just want to try their hands at some herbal ideas. Herb of the Month: This where you will find the featured herb for the month. You'll learn its latin name, how to grow it, what it is commonly used for, and even get a neat recipe or craft to try with the lucky herb that was chosen. This month's herb is sage. And there is a lot that you can learn all about this delicious herb and how delightfully it can be used in your home. In the Kitchen: This is where you will meet the great recipes that await you and your favorite herbs. From tasty Holiday Recipes to the most simplistic herbal dressing you will find tons of great recipes to try and make a part of your dining experience. Good Eating! The Craft Room: In the craft room you will learn how to make natural easter egg dyes from ingredients you probably just have sitting around the kitchen. I look forward to updates to this part of the site. Now while you are exploring don't forget to check out the Archives, and the Humor section for some more Herbal goodness. http://www.herbalgardens.com/