S!ick

September 15, 2009 S!ick1 CommentUncategorized

TCP/IP not secure in Windows 2000 and XP

As usual, when it comes to computing, we go forward and not backward…

Over the past week I have disposed of many electronic devices because…they are old. They worked, but no longer in “supported” scenarios: with current operating systems, with current connections (parallel printer/serial ports), etcetera.

And now, I read that “Vulnerabilities in Windows TCP/IP Could Allow Remote Code Execution”. Per Microsoft: “An update for Windows XP will not be made available…Microsoft has decided not to patch Windows 2000 for the TCP/IP vulnerability…”

I am not surprised, and expect this attitude…until I remember that netbooks are being released with Windows XP as the operating system! And I had been seriously considering getting one…

For other computers, in regards to their hardware and software, it’s time to evaluate whether Windows Vista (or 7) will be compatible. (As well as some version of Linux…)

September 6, 2009 S!ickLeave a commentUncategorized

ARRL conducts emergency communications exercises

Before there was Prodigy, CompuServe, America Online…and the internet…there has been amateur radio.

(I ask that you indulge me as I reminisce.) To paraphrase the Henry Hill character from the movie Goodfellas, “As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a ham…” I never was able to have the money, time, and help. There was a time where I owned and operated at least eight Citizen Band (CB) radios, though. I remember my call sign that was issued by the Federal Communications Commission, and I might still be able to “tweak” a system. I miss my D-104…

This year, the main American Radio Relay League Simulated Emergency Test weekend is October 3-4. It is a nationwide exercise in emergency communications. I encourage all to consider amateur radio as a hobby (if not for yourself, for a younger person): computer equipment reliability, internet service, commercial power service, and telephone service are beyond your control.

September 5, 2009 S!ickLeave a commentMac, software

software incompatible with Snow Leopard

Apple has posted information about software that is incompatible with Mac OS X version 10.6 Snow Lepopard.

Snow Leopard will prevent some software from opening. And during the installation of Snow Leopard, software could be disabled and moved to a folder for storage (it will be located at the root level of the hard drive, named Incompatible Software).

Software that may not work with Snow Leopard include:
Parallels Desktop, version 2.5 and earlier
McAfee VirusScan (version 8.6)
Norton Antivirus (version 11.0)
AT&T Laptop Connect Card

As we have previously suggested, before you make a major change to the configuration of a computer system…be sure you are prepared for the “worst case scenario”.

September 4, 2009 S!ick3 CommentsUncategorized

review: iPod Touch

For a week, I was able to use an iPod Touch…

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(As of 2009 September 4) There are three versions: 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB flash drive models. I used an 8 GB unit.

The displays are 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreens. There is a built-in speaker, and the supported audio formats are:
AAC
MP3
Apple Lossless
AIFF
and WAV.

To set the tone of my review, and to give a quick summary of my experience: first and foremost, even though it has other functionality, it is an iPod.

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I appreciated Contacts, Calendars, Notes, and the Calculator applications that were included.

{Per page 11 of the User Guide} Contacts will synchronize with the Address Book, and Google Contacts on a Mac. With Windows, it will synch with: Yahoo! Address Book, Google Contacts, Windows Address Book (Outlook Express), Windows Vista Contacts, or Microsoft Outlook 2003 or 2007. I was using Windows and found, via iTunes, I could configure: Yahoo Address Book, Windows Address Book, Google Contacts, and Outlook.The Calendars application works with iCal on a Mac, and Microsoft Outlook 2003 or 2007 when using Windows.

{Per page 103 of the User Guide} Notes with sync with Mac OS X Mail, and Microsoft Outlook.

I wish iTunes had the functionality to edit Notes, Calendar, and Contacts…like Palm Desktop.

There is a Voice Memos application…but no microphone on the iPod Touch to take advantage of it. On Apple’s website I found “Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic” for $29. (If you have an external microphone, consider using Skype for iPhone: Skype-to-Skype calls are free.)

There is a standard 3.5mm TRS connector (tip, ring, sleeve) for earphones. And the iPod Touch can connect to Bluetooth headphones (Andy has used that feature).

I’m disappointed that I cannot send and receive files, pictures, and more via Bluetooth.

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I was able to watch SOME streaming YouTube content (from CBS News, Current, and others).

And, I learned that the multitasking capability of the iPod Touch…in my opinion…sucks! I was watching a video that was being streamed, and when I changed to a different application (like Notes) the video was terminated. I was able to use only one function at a time.

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I had hoped to be able to connect the iPod Touch to a Windows computer, that did not have iTunes installed, and be able to access the iPod as a drive for storage: if using a Windows operating system with the iPod Touch, to access the iPod Touch, iTunes must be installed.

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Some (free) applications I installed and used were:
Evernote
Twitterrrific
MySpace
and Facebook.

Y! Music has content supplied by CBS RADIO. The Yahoo! Messenger application will allow you to sign-on “invisible”…but the only other two options (for all contacts) are “busy” and “available”. And, there is a Yahoo! application for accessing some of their other services…

You can participate in a discussion in our forum about applications for the iPod Touch and iPhone.

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Before I returned the unit, I was able to erase all of its content and settings. It must be connected to a power source because it could take more than four hours to complete the procedure (which probably pertains to the 32 GB models: the 8 GB model I used only needed about an hour).

There is an option to reset your preferences and settings where contacts, calendars, and media (audio and videos) aren’t deleted.

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Overall…I LOVE THIS FREAKIN’ THING! I think it’s one of the greatest devices ever invented. (“Huh…look at that…my birthday is a few days away…”)

I DO need/want an external keyboard: my fingers are large, and I make a lot of mistakes when using the touchscreen. And, I want a stylus.

August 30, 2009 S!ickLeave a commentUncategorized

some robocalls will stop

The Federal Trade Commission has new rules about how marketers can place calls. There’s good news, and…if you read carefully…some exceptions that will permit some calls to continue.

Per their press release:

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New Rule Prohibiting Unwanted “Robocalls” to Take Effect on September 1

Telemarketers Must Obtain Prior Written Approval from Consumers Who Want to Receive Such Calls

…prerecorded commercial telemarketing calls to consumers – commonly known as robocalls – will be prohibited, unless the telemarketer has obtained permission in writing from consumers who want to receive such calls…

The rule amendments going into effect on September 1 do not prohibit calls that deliver purely “informational” recorded messages – those that notify recipients, for example, that their flight has been cancelled, an appliance they ordered will be delivered at a certain time, or that their child’s school opening is delayed…as long as they do not attempt to interest consumers in the sale of any goods or services…the rule amendments also do not apply to calls concerning collection of debts where the calls do not seek to promote the sale of any goods or services.

In addition, calls not covered…including those from politicians, banks, telephone carriers, and most charitable organizations…The new prohibition on prerecorded messages does not apply to certain healthcare messages…

After September 1, consumers who receive prerecorded telemarketing calls but have not agreed to get them should file a complaint with the Commission, either on the donotcall.gov Web site or by calling 1-888-382-1222. (To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP/1-877-382-4357.)

The Commission’s 2008 press release announcing the changes to the TSR’s prerecorded telemarketing provisions and a link to the related Federal Register notice can be found on the FTC’s Web site at: http://www2.ftc.gov/opa/2008/08/tsr.shtm.

Author: S!ick