Freeware Roundup

As an avid fan of "Open Source" software, I'm always on the hunt for new apps to try out. Especially when said apps are FREE! And at the rate the web is evolving, you never know when you'll stumble across the next beta that has everyone talking about it.

Take Google for example. First they revitalized search engines, then email, and most recently, web browsers. So what's the big deal? Well, unlike the traditional model that companies such as Microsoft used for so many years, Google wasn't out to gouge the end user's wallet out. Sure they make money, just not by having us pay $100 every few years for a new, inherently flawed operating system.

Nothing against Windows mind you. In fact, Windows 7 is shaping up to be the best version yet.

With that said, here's my latest recommendations for your freeware appetite.

1. Any Video Converter
   allows you to effortlessly convert video files between every format
2. Chrome
   Lightweight, secure, and fast. Period.
3. KeePass Password Safe
   a great tool to manage all of your passwords in a secure database
4. Update Notifier
   a small utility that scans your computer for installed software and displays a list of updates

Note: Both Chrome and KeePass offer BETA versions which may still have bugs, stability issues

Red State Update - May be NSFW

This site should liven up your day. Or completely piss you off. Just be warned: It could cause your head to fall off from laughing so hard.

Wow! No words come to mind with this one really. WYSIWYG for the most part. At first I thought it was a myspace page. But it's actually another social network called "Ning"??

Yeah, me neither.

Found it over at Crooks & Liars and I just had to link to it.

RedStateUpdate

PC Security - Part Deux

I figured I might as well bring this up since the "Swine Flu" story has been all over the news lately.

And since I literally spent 2 days trying to avoid a OS reinstall earlier this month, only to finally figure out our Seagate FreeAgent hard drive contained 4 Trojan worms on it.......I thought yeah, now's a good time.     (the virus' were copying themselves over to the C drive after each of the last 2 OSRI's.     (operating system reinstalls)

Anyway, I usually get asked one of two questions whenever someone I know has the same issue on their rig. mes up. Either, "What's the best FREE anti-virus program?", or something along the lines of, "How'd that thing-ah-mah-jig get in there to begin with?"

And it's almost always the same reasons. They either got careless with a p2p app such as Limewire, Utorrent, etc. OR Their "trial" version of Norton/McAfee expired, but since they still see the icon in the task bar, they think they're still being protected. Sound familiar?

So, after much research, review reading, and trial and error, I thought I'd share my thoughts of what works, what doesn't and most importantly......what I'm using now.

Basically it comes down to 4 main things. (depending on your level of paranoia)

• Anti-Virus Software that doesn't bog down your system, auto updates DAILY, and has a 93% or higher success rate.
• Anti-Spyware software that offers "real time" protection.
• An almost inpenatrable software firewall running at all times alongside a router/NAT/hub.
• Keep Windows Update ENABLED.   (change setting to "notify me/don't download")  *must be performed in Internet Explorer only*

I've mentioned File Hippo before and I still swear by it. Think CNet's Download.com, but without all the "shareware/trial" apps. 97% of the apps on file hippo are OPEN SOURCE or free for non-commercial use.

Here's a good trio of tools that should offer you all the points mentioned above.

• For your Anti-Virus protection: Avira's AntiVir or ClamWin
• For Anti-Spyware: PC Tool's Threatfire
• For your Firewall: Comodo Personal Firewall

(Threatfire is the only one not on Filehippo, you'll have to go directly to the company's site to download)

You can also install and run other Anti-Spyware tools such as SpywareBlaster, Windows Defender, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (Highly recommended), Spybot, etc.

*UPDATE*

I forgot to cover a few last areas of importance.     Often times when XP/Vista is really infected,  it's highly recommended that you just REINSTALL WINDOWS completely.     You'll most likely have to call up your PC vendor and order a "Restore disc".         Most of the bigger vendors now charge for this disc, which is absurd.       But we ordered ours from Gateway last year free of charge.     Remember to always FORMAT the drive completely as opposed to installing over the still existing issues.     You'll need some form of backup of course.      I'd suggest buying an EXTERNAL hard drive solely for this purpose.    But you could always choose to burn to CD,  or use a 3rd party backup system.        But trust me....Seagate or Western Digital both have awesome price point ratio's at the moment.       Say $80-90 for approx 250-320GB of space.    Depending on the amount of files you have,  even a decent size flash/thumb drive would work.

Which browser do you use?

As a long time Firefox proponent, I've sworn by it's security and customization to anyone who will listen. And as I mentioned before, when Chrome was released. I still thought FF was more secure. But info like this article/study has me starting to use Chrome more often while surfing.

Yeah, it's mainly a comfort thing when trying new software for me. But I really believe it's beginning to match up to FF when it comes to total usability/security.

From a web browser competition in California this week:
A recent contest at CanSecWest, an event that brings together some of the most skilled experts in the security community, has demonstrated that the three most popular browser are susceptible to security bugs despite the vigilance and engineering prowess of their creators. Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer were all exploited during the Pwn2Own competition that took place at the conference. Google's Chrome browser, however, was the only one left standing—a victory that security researchers attribute to its innovative sandbox feature.

From Ares Technia

Gmail Rulez!

I dunno about you. But Gmail is da bomb. They've been slowly, but surely cranking out updates and features each and every year. And I think last year was one of the best. I'm especially fond of "Google Labs". And if you've not yet tried any of the "projects", then you're missing out.

So far, I've enabled the "offline", and "tasks" features.

But today, I just discovered the "Forgotten Attachment Detector." WTF is that you ask? Well....it "prevents you from accidentally sending messages without the relevant attachments. Prompts you if you mention attaching a file, but forgot to do so."

Holy shit! I've been needing something like this since like, forever. (95? 97?)

I mean honestly....how many times have you said, "SHIT!!", after realizing you forgot to attach that resume before hitting the SEND button?

Yeah, me too.

Meet Google's Android

Ok all you Google-addicts.....if you're in the market for a new phone, and are fond of the Side-Kick, then you should dig Google's new "smartphone" that runs Android, Google's new mobile OS. (phone by HTC) The integrated gmail features are really slick and get this......it's the FIRST OS that actually lets you COPY THE URL in a browsers address bar. I know that doesn't sound like that big a deal, but i've been bitching about not being able to do it on my Tilt since i got it.

Check out the vid

Google's Chrome

If you haven't given it a try yet, you should. It's amazingly fast, but still not fully completed and finalized. But it's very minimalistic in almost every way. You can find it anywhere on the webz, but i usually go to Filehippo to download most apps.

Like i said, since it's not yet finished......it doesn't have a few features you may rely on . Such as Extensions, themes, and even a main toolbar. But these things will most likely be added down the road per most blogs.

Anyway, check it out and enjoy the new speedier version of the web. (yes, it's that fast that u may even think your bandwidth has increased)

Too many logins suck

Dammit man!! Have you ever gone through Yahoo's system for a lost pw? Well....do your very best'est NOT to...umkay? Why can't they be like everyone else and allow a quick, "Click here if you've lost your password" instead of giving out all this personal info? I thought by falsifying some of my personal info @ the beginning was a GOOD idea. Turns out the opposite is true.

Ha...yeah....let's just say it's been that kinida day. Either way, i know one thing. I need a better system of keeping track of em all. Let's see...between work and home, i think i'm right around 12 different ones. Shit, maybe even 15.

Oh well....big time worries there eh? Of ocurse not....i just didn't have anything else to blizzog about.

(And YES........I'm SORRY to ANYONE i offended on my 4th of July RANT last week)

Peace!

Back to work time....

Hope your holiday spectecles were cool. We just chilled @ the crib due to financial considerations. But that Macy's show in DC was waay cool.

Anywho...i just thought i'd say hi and by real quick like.

Oh, I found this link to a "former" Iraqi war reporter that you MUST READ. But be warned...it's NOT for the faint of heart.

It's just a REALITY CHECK. A very groteqsue one to say the least. The story of the battle and his subsequent embedding removal orders is also on his blog and is good reading. I highly recommend it.

Peace fuckers

Pet Vet Condition Finder

Has your pet been acting funny? Think he/she might be sick in some way? Head over to Petside's, Pet Vet - Condition Finder, choose which type of pet you have, (Dog/Cat only), and follow the wizard to attempt at diagnosing Fido's recent vomiting. *or your's RILEY*

TLBox

If you use a pc on a regular basis. especially for troubleshooting and web shit, then you HAVE to check out this site. It has links to what most would regard as "extremely helpful" in their workday....all in one site. I recommend signing up to take full advantage of it. And once you do, it'll save ur "most used" choices in your "box". I hope they keep adding to it, and think i'll even send the admin a few links that i find helpful.

Anyway....here's the link for Tlbox

Enjoy!

Oh and btw...you have to pick a category from the drop down menu in the top left corner

(just in case)