How do I create and configure a network with Windows 7 HomeGroup? – The HomeGroup feature in Windows 7 is essentially a peer-to-peer workgroup/network that has been redesigned to make it simpler for home users to set up a home network. While this is essentially true, there is more to a Windows 7’s HomeGroup feature than meets the eye.
Massive Mac OS X Update Shatters Illusion of Security – Perhaps you’ve heard that the Apple Mac OS X operating system is simply more secure by design and not prone to the security flaws and vulnerabilities that plague the dominant Microsoft Windows operating system? Well, don’t believe the hype. Apple unleashed an update for Mac OS X this week which fixes a massive 134 vulnerabilities.
The Linux desktop is about to get a LOT faster – Linux is already fast, but it’s about to get a whole lot faster thanks to a new patch that’s been developed. The patch, created by Linux kernel developer Mike Galbraith, is 233 lines long and tweaks the kernel scheduler and cutting down latency by a whopping factor of ten. Phoronix has some demo videos showing the improvements the patch offers.
Cloud Computing: RockMelt Shows How Facebook, Social Networks Could Replace E-Mail – Gartner on Nov. 11 said social network services could replace e-mail for 20 percent of business users by 2014, spurred by the popularity of consumer social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. Together, those two social networks have more than 700 million users, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility that a good majority of social networks users will eschew e-mail for those Web services in some cases.
Adobe patches Reader and Acrobat – Adobe recommends users of Adobe Reader 9.4 and earlier versions for Windows and Macintosh update to Adobe Reader 9.4.1, available now. Adobe recommends users of Adobe Reader 9.4 and earlier versions for UNIX update to Adobe Reader 9.4.1, expected to be available on November 30, 2010.
Open Source Software: 55 Multimedia Apps - Looking for free open source software to handle your multimedia files? We’ve got 55 titles that replace pricier traditional apps to help you get the job done.
TDL4 Rootkit Bypasses Windows Code-Signing Protection – In recent versions of Windows, specifically Vista and Windows 7, Microsoft has introduced a number of new security features designed to prevent malicious code from running. But attackers are continually finding new ways around those protections, and the latest example is a rootkit that can bypass the Windows driver-signing protection.
E-commerce and online gaming phishing attacks surge - Instances when cyber criminals used likenesses of e-commerce companies, excluding eBay, to steal critical data from unsuspecting victims, were up 317 percent from July to September 2010 compared to the same time period in 2009. Likewise, phishing attacks impersonating gaming companies were up 347 percent in Q3 2010 compared to Q3 2009.
Company News:
Nvidia Settles Faulty Processor Suit – Nvidia, a major manufacturer of graphics processing units (GPUs), has settled a class action lawsuit involving faulty GPUs installed in over 50 laptop models. (submitted by Dar)
Dell releases endpoint encryption solution – Dell today announced Data Protection | Encryption, a flexible, manageable and auditable endpoint encryption solution. The solution is designed to help companies protect endpoint devices, which serve as the “front door” to sensitive information.
Walmart to Sell Sub-$200 Laptop – Walmart plans to sell a fully equipped laptop with a 15.6-inch screen for US$198 on Black Friday as part of a promotional offering, one of the few times the $200 price barrier has been cracked.
Hulu Drops Price on Hulu Plus to $7.99, Adds Roku – Hulu on Wednesday dropped the price of its subscription-based Hulu Plus service from $9.99 per month to $7.99 per month.
Off Topic (Sort of):
Man Shoots TV Over Bristol Palin Dancing – Like most Americans, Steven Cowan has been perplexed by Bristol Palin’s curious ability to keep advancing in TV’s “Dancing with the Stars” competition. However, unlike other viewers, Cowan, 67, allegedly became so enraged by Palin’s success that he actually fired a shotgun round into his television, triggering a 15-hour standoff with Wisconsin cops.
Headphones Built Into Your Hoodie and Other Tech Clothing Wonders – A phone built into the sleeve of a dress. Gloves that enable you to swipe a touchscreen on the ski slope. Solar-powered backpacks. Here are nine examples of apparel that blurs the line between clothing and tech gear.
Minister: Married couples should get off Facebook – A pastor in New Jersey declares that 20 couples in his parish have experienced marital difficulties because of Facebook behavior. He is preaching that all married couples should leave the iniquitous site.
Body scanner saved 35,000 ‘naked’ images – This is very shocking stuff. At the heart of the controversy over “body scanners” is a promise: The images of our naked bodies will never be public. U.S. Marshals in a Florida Federal courthouse saved 35,000 images on their scanner. These are those images.
Today’s Quote:
“Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.”
- Mark Twain
Today’s Free Downloads:
Gnag – Gnag gets rid of splash screens and daily nag pop-ups The application focuses on eliminating the vanity videos that play when you launch many video games, but it also suppresses annoying pop-up that you get with free software.
Xmind – You can spend upwards of $350 for mindmapping apps like Mindjet’s MindManager. But if all you need is basic mindmapping capability, or you want to check out the idea to see if it’ll work for you, XMind’s free version is a great alternative.
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