I'm not going to be posting as much now that I'm back in school.I will try and do my best to post as much as I can but I can tell you it's
not going to be alot. If you have any questions email or Im me to the right.
I added spam and bot protection to my email address so you will have touse a
captcha to get my email address. If you have any stories to submit to me please use the link to the right to do so. Thanks.
This is a great list compiled together lots of software I didn't even now existed.
Link
So here are 5 things you need to do to make your computer safe. There is no way to make your computer absolutely safe but this how-to will make your computer as safe as it can be for free, no shareware, bloatware or any of that stuff.
First off What You'll Need :
1. A Firewall (Very Important)
Any one of the Firewall's I list here are fine no one is superior than the other just maybe a few different features but basically the same
A firewall is an essential to make sure your allowing only traffic to and from your computer that is safe. Some say that you don't need a Software Firewall if you have a Hardware Firewall(Linksys Basestation or something similar) but I suggest for extra security you get one. To see what a hardware firewall see here. Don't Use More Than One Software Firewall.
This is a great Firewall I suggest this and all of the other one's I list but it does seem to be a memory hog sometimes. Great Choice though.
A great unobtrusive firewall I use this one and I suggest It
2. Antivirus Program (Very Important)
An Anti-Virus program is one of the most important pieces of software your computer has or needs. There is no doubt that you need a Anti-Virus Program. Anyone of these I list are just fine to use don't use more than one though.
This one of the best Free Anti-Virus Program I use this program and it works great one thing you will not get is Priority Updates.
This is also a good antivirus program great detection rate the layout is a little less to be desired but is a solid Anti-Virus Program.
3. Updates & Patches (Very Important)
This is the most important thing and the most secure thing to do to a computer is to patch holes and update it. This is not just one single program you run and it updates all of the software, but you need to do this yourself. Usually in any Anti-Virus or Firewall and even in Windows There Will Be a way to update.
Very easy to do just look around on the program that you have and you should either find update in some menu or preferences. Zonealarm, AVG, Avast! and Kerio all have this.
You also need to update your computer using Microsoft Update just go to the link above and Update your computer. If you have Microsoft Office installed it will update that also. But you need to do this with all programs like Java and so on. I won't get into that but just look on the programs website for help on doing updates.
4. Anti-Spyware (Very Important)
This is a program that you need also. Spyware is so easy to get on your machine, just visiting a website can give you spyware and your Anti-Virus program won't pick it up. I suggest more than one.
Ad-Aware Personal provides advanced protection from known data-mining, aggressive advertising, Trojans, dialer's, malware, browser hijackers, and tracking components. This is a program I use also.
Another program just like Ad-Aware but looks for different things. Great program I use it.
5. What You Do Yourself
1. Remove these programs listed below plain and simple.
Limewire
AudioGalaxy
Bearshare
Blubster
edonkey 2000
Grokster
Kazaa
Morpheus
WinMX
iMesh
ANY P2P PROGRAM OR BITORRENT PROGRAM
Meaning any program that you share files and download illegal songs, porn, movies and software git rid of it- not kidding. Read this for more Info.
2. Be Smart
Be smart in the way you surf. Don't download files from unknown sources. Don't click on banner or any type of ads. Don't visit porn sites. Basically don't do stupid things while on the Internet.
3. Optional(Use Host Files)
This is not very important but can block ads and click tracking. A host file is a file that blocks ads from appearing while visiting a site for more on Host Files visit here
4. Clean
Clean out Temp files, cookies, Temporary Internet Files and any other trace your surfing leaves. This will prevent spyware. One Program to use is CCleaner( Crap Cleaner) it cleans the things listed above and other things to make your computer free of clutter.
That's It!
-Matthew Campbell
Web 2.0 Logo Creator by Alex P
A nifty site of where you can make your own customized very popular web 2.0 logo. And even add the Beta sign.Matt+CampbellBETA.png)
Techdirt: Recording Industry Bans Musician From Charts For Supporting Free Music
What in the Hell is the RIAA thinking and Doing? Listen to this link on what I think and what the podcaster thinks Link Top Of Page
Windows XP Bootscreen
As the title says a Windows XP Bootscreen
Scrape Torrent
A clean and intuitive torrent search engine site that combines all the major torrent search sites into a single page of search results.
Labels:
Daily Links,
News Links,
Tech Links
Sorry for the lack of post's today I've been messing around with my Macbook. It's seems to work pretty fast, been transporting all my files over. The UI does look alot like Vista from what I've seen and previewed. Will see if they change some things, but I'm really not a fan of the UI in Vista it seems to be just all eye candy(and that only a few graphics cards could handle the Aero).I hate that in Vista they stuck the search in the Start menu, I never use the start menu. We'll see what happens when they ship It. I'm sure going to wait and Buy Vista when at least SP1 comes out. I would reccommend that every one wait till SP1 based on other OS they released. Speaking of Windows; Windows Live Mail was great there weren't many annoying ads it reminded me of Outlook just drag and drop. I'm thinking about switching but I hate the @hotmail.com alot because forums ban that e-mail address sometimes. There new @live.com will be better.
RocetDock is a toolbar similar to ObjectDock but us totally free. What I like it's not a
memory hog and
it's very quick.
Description:
RocketDock is a smoothly animated, alpha-blended application launcher that is similar to ObjectDock. RocketDock renders quickly like MobyDock, has the visual sharpness of Y'z Dock, and the stability that neither seem to possess. It is compatible with every dock skin format.
Here's Mine:
*Click For Bigger Image
Myspace is a ok place to create an account and to see friends pages. But the layout is just awful, there are to many banner ads in your face, Some profiles are unreadable because of huge gaudy background templates, the add music to your profile sucks I don't know about you but I don't want a rock song to start playing automatically. Really what draws people to this? I don't get it. I'm not for the Walmart alternative witch is just lame. But why are people into Myspace? I don't see one thing that Myspace has over any other competitors. You also got 69 million members with 500,ooo a week, what attracts people?
The Geekcast Podcast
made my week. What he had to say about the RIAA was the Best yet. You can hear the podcast at the link above it's a really short clip but it's great.
You've seen the average ad on Google and Banner ads on different websites and various pop-ups but the picture below is just so annoying because I know that a Novice computer user or someone really concerned about their data would freak and click on the ad, and probably get a worm or some sort of Spyware or backdoor. It's not much of the ad that's annoying becasue I was using IE :) But that I know that someone will freak and click on it.
Find Five Errors
A game where your trying to find five differences between two images with a time-limit. This is very addicting
Link
Light Side Up
Unbelievable video of a very amusing and confusing College prank. One of the coolest videos on the web by far.
Link
Kiko Online Calender
An online Ajax Calender that syncs and converts with various Applications and Platforms. The Source code is up for sale on ebay here
Link
Spamihilator
A great spam filter for various mail mail applications very customizable, and works wonderful, plugins available.
Link
Not very many tech links today
Labels:
Daily Links,
News Links,
Tech Links
Heard about the ZDNET Between the Lines Article about the Pros and Cons of Linux it's a long in-depth article but makes some good points.
Article
A few months back I was working on developing a website, I of course had IE, FF and Opera, But I didn't know how the page rendered In Safari. I was searching around trying to find something and I found Swift.
Swift is a browser for Windows based on the Apple Webkit rendering engine. The layout of the browser is a little lacking considering it's in the alpha stage. But it got the job done. It crashed about twice on me visiting webpages with Flash, but overall it worked. So if your developing or creating a site and don't have Safari I would recommend this.
Link
20 Tips on Securing Outlook In 20 Minutes
A .pdf file explaining ways to secure Microsoft Outlook
Article Page Link
Official Home Of The RSS Icon
You can find the official downloads of the RSS icon it different colors
Article Page Link
Inclue FeedReader For Microsoft Outlook
A feed reader that integrates with Microsoft Outlook
Article Page Link
digg Tools
Helps you get the most out of the digg experience
Article Page Link
Wufoo iFrame Form Builder
Build a customized form for your webpage or Blog for free
Used it and it works great
Article Page Link
Awesome Blog Widgets
A site that lists a bunch of free blog and Myspace Widgets
Article Page Link
Labels:
Daily Links,
News,
News Links,
Tech Links
I'm sure you've wanted to know the difference between a Hacker and a Cracker. I've heard alot of things in the Media saying that Hackers are bad people. That is totally BS. Hackers are good, it's the crackers or "Script kiddies" that are bad. Hackers believe it or not, help protect you even more, and your computer. Why? Hackers can learn and find holes and then fix them. Hackers usually help you NOT hurt you. The media looks at hackers as bad people, but it's the Crackers that are. The Crackers are the people that want to break into your computer not the Hackers. See, Crackers or "Script Kiddies" are people that try to crack there way into your computer and to find exploits and then do damage. Hackers do the opposite in lots of cases. So next time you hear the media bring up that Hackers are bad, there not it's the Crackers. In fact some hackers what they call "White Hat" hackers actually do try to get into your computer but you give them permission and then they tell you what you need to do or fix, if they can get through. Usually you don't do that because well, it's too expensive. I just thought I'd bring this up since I heard this recently in the News. For More Information check out this Article
I've really been wanting a MacBook for a longtime now and I think the time has come. I found a seller on Craiglist with a slightly used one. 1.83 GHz, 512mb, 60 Gig HD. It will be a good Notebook for everyday use not video editing or anything processor heavy. The reason I hadn't had one before is the Price. I admit the MacBook is in the same price range as some Dell's and Lenovo's but I didn't have the money to spend on a Brand new one. I'm hoping it works out. What are your experiences with a MacBook? I'd like to know.
Remove Your Name From XP Start Menu
How to use Group Policy to remove your name when you're a group of one.
Article
My Feedback:
This applies only for the default start menu not the classic.
Mac Book Pro vs. Powerbook
http://www.barefeats.com/pbcd.html
Name Boy
Trying to find a domain but it's not avaliable? Try this site and enter two keywords to generate domain ideas for free. This site is great.
http://www.nameboy.com/
News Links for Today:
From MacRumor.com
Lion Gate Films to offer Full Films on iTunes? Maybe sometime later this year?
Article
My Feedback:
I think some people will like this idea. But this begs the question will the Movies have ads? Some iTunes Video content had ad's placed in. That got quite a few people mad. Will see what happens. I personally don't use iTunes but we will see the outcome of this.
Labels:
Daily Links,
News Links,
Tech Links
Look no farther than FlyaKite OSX
FlyaKite OSX is a full featured customizable OSX Theme for windows. Be sure and check out the main site for the super sweet layout.
FlyaKite OSX Offical Page
Labels:
Eye Candy,
Themes,
Windows Visual Styles
Do you like the Gnome and KDE themes in Linux? But don't want to sacrifice Windows to use it? Well, then check out these links below to some very Ubuntu'ish Looking themes for Windows.
Clearlooks Screenshot:
deviantART Link 1
deviantART Link 2
deviantART Link 3
deviantART Link 4
I've had the hardest time navigating around deviantART since there update so I thought Direct links would help.
Update: If you use Firefox you can use a great Ubuntu Human theme you can find the theme here
Labels:
Eye Candy,
Themes,
Windows Visual Styles
Google Analytics is now Open no longer Invite only, I used this service on my old site and It was wonderful it's something you expect to pay at least a monthly fee for. The setup was rather easy and quick and It was very in-depth where traffic was coming from. If you're using a paid service I would recommend trying this out to see how you like it, then decide. Besides, the best things in life are Free. Aren't They?
Article
I received an email from Patrick asking me if I'm ever going to do a podcast or video blog. The answer is no. I enjoy just blogging. I do enjoy podcasts and video blogging but it's just not for me. If your interested in Tech podcasts I recommend you listening to ones I suggest on this blog there all really good. I might consider Video Blogging and Podcasting later, but it's out of the question now.
And thanks for the question Patrick, I enjoy answering questions like that. Keep em' coming
Labels:
News,
Podcast,
Podcasting,
Video Blog
Labels:
August 17 2006,
Daily Links,
Furl
Just recently I added Daily tech links to the Main RSS Feed, so every time you read the feed you will be available to find some cool tech sites with interesting topics. So If your bored check those out. I've been trying to catch up on posting today got a lot of stuff done so I will be posting a few times a day in the next couple of days. I will now have daily news Items up in the RSS Feed and also included in the Blog. As, you can see I've added alot more ways for you to get the content from this blog. I was slacking a little bit on that over at Wordpress, but now you've got tons of options. If your unsure of what to use to subsrcibe to the RSS Feed I recommend FeedDemon
I believe there is a free trial up on the site, It's one of the best I've found. If you like it Buy it because there are a lot of great features as well as sncyhronizing your NewsGator account with FeedDemon. If you don't want to spend the money there are lots of other free alternatives just do a Google search on it our use the searchbox below if you need help with the RSS Feed, just email me or post your comment below and I will be glad to help.
Labels:
FeedDemon,
Main RSS Feed,
News,
RSS,
Update
I've been having some problems with spammers lately not as bad as Wordpress, but a little bit of a problem so I turned on Word Verification. If It continues I will turn on moderation don't want to but I might. Sorry!
Ever heard of the Channel Current? Well Current_ is a TV Channel that airs what they call "Pods" these "Pods" are submitted from people like you and I. Basically what you do is Film something and submit it to there website and then people vote for the "pod" to air. I believe Current_ is only available on DirecTV but check out there website, I'm not positive. It's sort of like a Podcast that you submit and viewers vote for it kind of like digg. Current_ does air some interesting stuff but some of the "Pods" I could care less for. But if you have DirecTV check it out the website is www.current.tv.
Btw, This is not an advertisement :)
Labels:
TV Current DirecTV Pods Current_
Bits of Silicon Hell
Really Enjoyed this podcast lots of articles from the Tech world
Site Description:
Bits of Silicon Hell is a technology podcast. It doesn’t really matter what kind of technology: networking, PCs, servers, PDAs, gaming, the Internet. Technology puts us all in quite a unique position. It tends to change us as much as we think it’s improving our way of life. It’s supposed to make our lives easier, and it does, but it also changes how we do things. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not.
http://bitsofsiliconhell.com/
Mike Tech Show
In depth look at some Tech news and Cool Software
Site Description:
Mike's podcast is about all things technology and computer related. He discusses cool sites, software, and tips and tricks that will make you more productive at home and work. He reviews problems and solutions that he has encountered at home, work and business consulting he does in his off-hours.
http://miketechshow.com/
Geek News Central
News From the Tech world, great show.
Site Descirption: Geek News Central is edited primarily by Todd Cochrane, who is the award winning Author of "Podcasting The Do It Yourself Guide". Geek News Central is a subsidiary of his company Podcast Connect, with this website launching in May 2002 with the goal of creating a high quality tech and informational site for people of all ages and backgrounds. In addition to Todd a small number of volunteer editors contribute content to the site. The idea of launching this site has it origins from what was in wanting to share information and opinions in a community fashion.The goal continues to be posting quality links and information along with personal commentary on sites that interest us and hopefully those visiting the site. As you can see from our content we want you to be exposed to new ideas and technologies by publicizing new and innovative software or pieces of information that effect your daily connected lives.http://www.geeknewscentral.com/
The Steve and Johnnie Show
A weekly Live Radio show with the CyberSquad featuring Patrick Crispen
Patrick Crispen (Steve and Johnnie's Internet Mythologist) www.netsquirrel.com or www.tourbus.com or E-Mail anyname@netsquirrel.com
For information on MSConfig, send a blank e-mail to wgn@netsquirrel.com (it's an automatic response)
Mike DiMichele, Alliance Information Technology Solutions -- computer expert miked@wgnradio.com, www.savemybutt.com
Gray Rothkopf, Founder & Manager of On Deck Tech www.ondecktech.com
For additional information from Web Site Wednesday Shows: www.is.org
www.wgnradio.com
To be honest with you I wasn't expecting an Reply from the post below from the lawyer out of Michigan. I'm sure his Inbox was bombarded with Emails regarding the Suite. I'm sure they set up there spam filters to block any words such as F%*& S$#& RIAA and so on. That is one of the most sickest things I've ever heard of how greedy can you be? I really hate buying Cd's anymore due to this Crap and the Sony DRM. I really am reluctant to buy any Cd's anymore unless there used at a sale somewhere. If you missed the article you can read it here and here and here is my blog post. Think before you buy a CD from Best Buy or wherever you buy Cd's and remember where you money is going too, the Greedy Scum RIAA. How do they sleep at night?
Ok, as you may have know I’m a complete noob when it comes to Linux *hint-hint* title well this week was the week for me to try to deal with Linux. I’ve had a copy of XP Professional installed on my PC for a few months haven’t had a problem things were working great, programs running smoothly, booting fast- everything great. Till, the day I decided to try out Bitdefender the Anti-Virus software you may have heard of “Secure Your Every Bit” well I heard wonderful things about Bitdefender Anti-Virus software and thought I would give it a shot. Installed it, Rebooted and waited I could of sworn 15 min for my desktop to load and my other apps at startup which includes like FeedDemon, and ZoneAlarm and a few non CPU hungry apps. After my desktop loaded I could bareley do anything yet alone open a thing I managed to get the Task Manager open and in the process menu I found bsdanget.exe bdagent.exe bsagent.exe or some close to that at least 4 process used by BitDefender one of those four was hogging 80% of my CPU. After that point I couldn’t open or close a thing, manually rebooted same thing. I tried Safe-Mode couldn’t uninstall it from there either. Disabled it from starting up in MSCONFIG didn’t work either at that point I was cursing BitDefender. Well to make a long story short I really didn’t want to install XP again, I thought it would be a good time to try Fedora Core 5. So popped in the DVD loaded, had a few problems with my Graphics Cards so I ended up booting Linux in “Linux Text” worked fine followed all the prompts, it finished, ejected the CD started the Normal Linux boot then stopped me at the Login Screen that’s when my Jaw Dropped. I remember giving Fedora my password but not a Login name. So I tried a few combinations the typical admin, administrator, User, default. Didn’t work Googled for the Default name came up with nothing. So I tried the login name “root” and my password and that worked then It came up with a funky name symbol line like rootadmin~*#0) Hell, What am I supposed to do now? Tried a bunch of things no luck and Guess what I Shutteddown popped in the XP Disc and Walla XP. Working fine. BTW, it was a free night. So maybe next time Windows Fails on me I’ll try Ubuntu. I would also like to know what to do after I login as root in Fedora. If anyone knows email me I would be glad to know.
As In the earlier post I stated how awful Bitdefender was so I thought hey mine as well do a little review so here goes:
Clamwin:
Free open-Source virus scanner I ditched it the first day didn’t seem to pick up anything compared to NOD32 and Mcafee also just sat in the System Tray taking up precious space 
NOD32 Pro:
Ah, NOD32 the best one yet. This is one of the best Anti-Virus programs I’ve used scans ever file you open, worked on every test I gave It and took up no resources at all. Get this one..No Kidding
Avast Home Ed.:
Erghh this one was awful the scans took forever and the menu was unnavigable seem to not take up much resources though.
AVG Free Edition:
Great Anti-Virus product works great with Outlook but the scans are pretty lengthy and It lets you know over and over again if you have Residential protection disabled
Mcafee Anti-Virus 2006:
Alright virus scanner the On-Access scanner found some things that NOD32 didn’t one thing bad about this product it comes with a Security Center like the Windows Security Center but pops up every time with opaque pop-ups every-time it finds something or updates itself. Very annoying at least you know it’s working though.Wow, I was so surprised on how easy and simple is was to install Xandros. The setup was so easy and so easy to customize faster and easier setup than Windows I believe. The first run wizard was handy had the option of using the Windows layout I said no because what’s the point of changing Linux to Windows? My ATI card still dosen’t work the Display settings menu was very handy and easy to access and change. I love under the theme settings that they call the Windows Layout “Redmond” struck me as funny. By the way how the hell do you install anything in Linux I’m getting .RPM files .Bin files I know how to use a .Bin file in Windows but In Linux I got one app that was a video player installed..I think but where did it go? This is one of the easiest and practical Linux Distro’s I’ve used I suggest it if your coming from a Windows Background.
Microsoft Corp. says a Norwegian journalist fabricated an interview with
Bill Gates.
Then reading in the comments of the digg story…
“Someone should give this guy a job at the New York Times”
so true..so true.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060802/ap_on_hi_te/microsoft_gates_interview_2
The daily surf around the net revealed some cool things first over at grc.com the website of the Gibson Research Company and home of Security Expert Steve Gibson this might be old but there was a .pdf file of how grc.com was hit my a DoS Attack the story is quite interesting goes into full detail about a 29 page PDF I acutally read the whole thing it was that internsting. Also a cool little site found on digg
the site is where you can make a custimozied feed of the stories listed on digg there aren’t many options so far maybe soon, might as well use the Main digg RSS Feed until that happens.I’m sure you’ve seen just a blog that has people’s digg’s on it and nothing else right? Well, if you haven’t check out digg and see who “blogged this”, but those are some of the supidest blogs or can you even call them Blogs? The whole purpose of the “digg” blog is to show people’s digg’s nothing else, no about me, or anything thing just digg’s. Who want’s that as a blog? Not me. Sure I show a little of my digg’s, but I put up more things than just what I “digged”. For instance this one http://tjr.homelinux.com/blog/ - Yeah, ya sure are a power blogger
It sure has been a busy week in the Tech world and in my life. I have still a tons of emails to be answered. Sorry for the lack of posts been pretty busy with school starting but I will try to post more If you have any Q's or Comments post below or email me to the right. Thanks!
The comment box below is for Open Source Freeware software submission if you have any software that you would like me to cover on this blog use the Form Below. The permalink is http://mattcampbellblog.blogspot.com/2006/08/your-submissions.html
Welcome to my new blog *again* I'm going to make this blog the best yet didn't like wordpress at all so I'm starting over again. I'm going to try to be more organized than I was over at wordpress I will have categorizes this time. As I review software I will stick them in Categorizes such as Anti-Virus, Utilities and so on. Tell me what you think I also added a whole lot of ways for you to get this content.
Labels:
First Post
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