Microsoft Preps Next Windows Update (Article)

BetaNews reports: "Microsoft is preparing to beta test the next revision of Windows Update dubbed v6, or version 6 of the technology. Testing of Windows Update v5 ended late last year and is now operational for all Windows users. Newsgroups for v6 are expected to open within the coming weeks."

Easy Electronic Projects

Have you always wanted to create your own little electronic projects. This site might be a great place to start. The site has several projects that you can create yourself, without requiring you to have an electrical engineering degree.

These projects seem pretty self explanatory, and fun to do. Check out the site for yourself.

Warning: Some of these projects if implemented wrong can hurt you, so use caution. Also, create these project at your own risk.

Aggressive Punctuation (Humor)

Learn new communication skills with 'aggressive punctuation'. You will have to see the video understand what I am talking about.

This video is funny, but contains inappropriate language.

Spray-On Solar-Power Cells Are True Breakthrough (Article)

National Geographic News reports: "Like paint, the composite can be sprayed onto other materials and used as portable electricity. A sweater coated in the material could power a cell phone or other wireless devices. A hydrogen-powered car painted with the film could potentially convert enough energy into electricity to continually recharge the car's battery."

SBC in Merger Talks with AT&T? (Article)

eWeek reports: "Rumors have surfaced that SBC Communications Inc. has begun serious, preliminary negotiations to buy AT&T Corp., a move that would further consolidate the rapidly constricting telecommunications sector."

It is kind of ironic, that SBC is trying to buy AT&T. SBC was one of the baby-bell companies that was created when the government split up AT&T because of anti-trust issues. SBC has been on a buying spree for years, they seem to be buying every telcom company in site.

Leo Laporte Where Are You

If you were ever a fan of TechTV's ScreenSavers, then you know who's Leo Laporte. If you want hear his broadcasts as The Tech Guy on KFI, these shows available for download here. Leo also has a 'Call for Help 2.0' (CFH) show in Canada on G4TechTV.

If you want to download CFH episodes, they're available for download here (via BitTorrent).

For information on:
- Kevin Rose
- Shara Lane
- Yoshi

Computer And Video Games

All the next-generation consoles, Sony's Playstation 3, Microsoft's XBox 2, and Nintendo's Revolution are all rumored to be making an appearance at this year's E3.

More information on Nintendo's Revolution game console, see the following article.

Samsung Miniket Camcorder

Now this is a 21st centrury camcorder, and is about the size of a deck of cards. Besides being able to record video, it is also still digital camera (about 1.2 megapixel), MP3 player, voice recorder, storage device (1GB), and PC webcam.

For more information, see the following review.

I want one of these things...

Get a HP Deskjet 3650 Inkjet Printer for FREE!

Tigerdirect is offering a HP Deskjet 3650 Inkjet Printer for FREE (after $80 mail in rebate). The deal ends on January 31.

Microsoft to Make Windows Anti-Piracy Program Mandatory

eWeek reports: "Microsoft Corp. is planning to make its currently voluntary Windows anti-piracy program mandatory some time in the second half of 2005, company officials said on Wednesday."

If you don't have a legitimate copy of Windows XP, you're going to have kiss you're Windows updates bye, bye. Then say hello to new vulnerabilities, exploits, virus, worms, and spyware. Not that you don't have them already, you just won't have the cure.

Its kind of interesting to think that Microsoft is going to use new security exploits which will be found, to force people to upgrade. We will have to see what happens.

The Microsoft Memo 2008 (Humor [I think...])

Wired news provides us with 'The Microsoft Memo', an interesting memo Linus Torvald (now a Microsoft employee) to Bill Gates about Steve Jobs and WinX.

Read the article, for all the details.

Google rolls out TV search prototype (Article)

Google does it again, now you can not only search the Internet, UseNet, books, and new; now you search video. If you want to try out the new service for yourself, go to "http://video.google.com/".

CNET News.com reports: "the Mountain View, Calif.-based company has been quietly developing Google Video, an engine that lets people search the text of TV shows. Immediately, the service will scour programming from PBS, Fox News, C-SPAN, ABC, and the NBA, among others, making broadcasts searchable the same day."

What's Wrong With This Picture.

Look at the picture and find out what's wrong with it.

Sega takes leash off robot dog (Article)

Those wild and crazy robot building Japanese are up to it again, now they're bringing us iDog. It is a robotic dog, that can make or play music.

YouSendIt.com

Do you ever have the need to send a large file (such as: audio or video) to a friend or relative, but you can't send it via email because of attachment size limitation imposed by your or reciever's the mail provider.

There is an anwser to this problem, YouSendIt.com allows you to send large files (up to 1GB) to someone else. The great thing about this service is there: are no passwords to share, no software to install, no accounts to create, and no full mailboxes.

How it work:
- Enter the Recipient's email address, to whom you want to sent the file to. You can specify multiple email addresses by separating them with commas.
- Select a file to send. Your file will be stored by YouSendIt without ever filling up your recipient's mailbox.
- Click on Send. YouSendIt will automatically email your recipient a link to your file stored on our server.

Note: The file you send will be deleted off their servers after seven days.

Firefox Reaches 20,000,000 Downloads

SpreadFirefox.com reports: "The Firefox the popular open source browser has reached 20,000,000 estimated downloads. What's even more amazing is the fact that it was done in about 11 weeks."

Solving the Enigma of Kryptos (Article)

What does Cryptography, The Da Vinci Code, and a 12-foot-high, verdigrised copper, granite and wood sculpture inscribed with four encrypted messages at the CIA's Langley, Virginia, headquarters in 1990 all have in common. Well you will have to read the article to find out.

USB Eye Massager (You Have to be Joking...)

I can't believe someone would design such a thing, but it exists. Here is a web site and pictures to prove it.

Below is a brief description of the product from the site: "USB Eye Massager is the latest-designed health care Product specially for the Person which long time use their eyes, Such as the Computer operator. The product could relax the stress of the Eyes. and make your whole body in the situation of the unstressing by the product vibration."

OS Alternatives - BSD Unix (Article)

PC Magazine did a great job of providing an introduction to the different variants of the BSD Unix. If you're BSD power user, this article would be basic to be of any interest, but if you know nothing about: FreeBSD, OpenBSD, or NetBSD then this is good place to start.

Mac Mini Car Installation

Classic Restorations of Sloatsburg, N.Y. has created plans to install the Mac Mini in car dashboards. The dimensions of the Mac Mini are similar to that of a car stereo.

JibJab Does It Again

JibJab has releases a new animated short film called 'Second Term,' which pokes fun at President Bush, his friends and his rivals.

File Your Taxes for Free (or for a small fee)

Under the IRS's 'Free File program', consumers have the opportunity file their taxes directly with the IRS using online services created by 3rd party software developers for little or no charge.

For example, FreeTaxUSA.com is free tax file services for qualified individuals. Their tax preparation and e-filing of your federal return are free if you live in one of the following states: AZ, CA, CO, GA, IL, IN, LA, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, UT, or VA.

Intel accelerates virtual-desktop plans (Article)

CNET News.com reports : "Intel will begin to implement technology that will let a user run two operating systems on the same PC this year ... Vanderpool essentially divides the resources inside a single PC or server so that it can function like two or more independent machines."

This is not a new technology, but it will be interesting to see if Intel releases it for free or fee.

Airbus A380 the Double-Decker SuperJumbo Jet

There's amazing new jet, its called the Airbus A380, it is a what they call a 'double-decker superjumbo jet'. Below are some stats on the new A380:

- It has room for 70 cars to park on its wings.
- It can seat 555 passengers in a normal configuration, 800 passengers in an all-economy layout on both decks for cheap charter flights.
- Each plane will costs about $260 million.
- Due to enter service in 2006

Virgin Airlines is considering buying some of these planes, and is considering plans to put a beauty therapist area, a gym, a casino, and double beds into the models it buys.

For more information see CNet's article.

Personal Note: I wonder if this plane is doomed to same fate as the Concorde, it is an amazing plane but it might be too much. I am not expert in the field of the airline industry, but unless you can keep one of these things full it might be a losing proposition for any company to run them.

What is a CableCard?

If you have not heard the FCC wants to get rid of your cable set-top box, and replace it with a new technology called 'CableCard'. The new CableCard standard is designed to help speed the arrival of digital HDTV.

For more information read CNet article on the technology. Ready or not, here it comes.

Learn to solve the Rubik's cube in 17 seconds

If you like to play with the Rubik's cube back in the 80's, and were pretty good with it then check out this site. It can help you solve the cube in 17 seconds.

Below is a quote from the site: "This system for advanced cubers and is not appropriate for a beginner. It is intended for those of you who can already solve the cube in a few minutes and want to get really fast. If you are a complete beginner, please, visit Jasmine's Beginner Solution."

Latest Longhorn News

PC World Magazine reports: "Microsoft plans to drop the 'Home' and 'Pro' tags with the next release of Windows, code-named Longhorn, and is looking at shipping a single product that includes the features found in today's Windows XP Media Center and Tablet PC editions."

Everything USB (Web Site)

Check out 'Everything USB' is a cool web site that has news latest on all the cool USB devices.

Media Hubs: Is this the Year? (Article)

PC Magazine reports: "Last year, digital media hubs - essentially wired or (preferably) wireless routers that pull music, photos, and videos off your PC and play them on your TV and stereo - were solidly the province of early adopters. They often had somewhat limited features and were pricey and hard to set up. But 2005 might be the year media hubs go mainstream."

This is a technology that I am watching for myself, so I thought I would share a review of some hardware that I found.

Free Game: BZFlag

Check out BZFlag on SourceForge, a free multiplayer multiplatform 3D tank battle game. The name of the game stands for Battle Zone capture Flag. It runs on Irix, Linux, *BSD, Windows, Mac OS X and other platforms. It's one of the most popular games ever on Silicon Graphics machines.

Check out the web site for screenshots of the game.

Latest News:
BZFlag 2.0 'Falcor's Despair' is Released! (12/17/05@9:08PM)
The BZFlag developers are proud to announce that after much waiting and anticipation, BZFlag 2.0.0 is now available. BZFlag 2 introduces a slew of major new features making this probably the 'biggest' release in BZFlag's history in terms of development time put into it and features being added since the last publicly released version. Major new features include support for vastly more complex worlds, physics drivers, graphics improvements, weather (rain, snow, frogs), tank treads and tracks, animations, record and playback, new flags, new commands, optimizations and much more. There is a new central registration system, global ban list support, network, new cheat preventions, and network optimizations in place as well.

FBI retires Carnivore

The Register reports: "FBI surveillance experts have put their once-controversial Carnivore Internet surveillance tool out to pasture, preferring instead to use commercial products to eavesdrop on network traffic, according to documents released Friday."

The FBI first start using Carnivore 1999 to eavesdrop on people whom why wanted to monitor. It was really nothing but a packet sniffer, with an ominous name.

Cooking For Engineers

Have an analytical mind? Like to cook? The recipes are in timeline based diagrams for easy preparation.

Google is Offering Free Photo Management Software (v2.0)

Google is giving away its Picasa software for free. Picasa is a photo editing, management and sharing application that allows you to edit, find, share your pictures.

The new released includes Gmail/Blogger integration, CD burning, a new collage-generating tool, and some more photographic editing features.

Free Encrypted Email for the Masses

Do you want to easily communicate securely and privately over email. Ciphire Labs in Germany is offering software that makes it easy to encrypted e-mail communications. New Scientist wrote an article about the product.

Once the software is installed it performs all the complex tasks of encrypting your e-mails. The software works with most email clients, and is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.

Note: This service will only work if you and the recipient are running this software.

Poor Man's Surveillance System (Linux)

Do you have a web cam for your Linux computer, and have you always want your own video surveillance system. Then all you need is Motion package to setup your new system.

The Motion package simply compares two images. If it detects a change between the two images, it can make the system beep and start storing images, show you what happened.

Resources:
- Motion Guide
- The Motion FAQ

Cool Clock from Japan

This is one of those sites I like to classify as a 'one-hit wonder'. Meaning that you go to the once site and say 'interesting', and never have a reason to visit it again.

With that said, check out the Japanese Block Clock.

Too Much of a Good (Windows) Thing?

Read the latest news on Microsoft Longhorn (the codename for the next generation of Windows). The information is kinda iffy about features, but it is still a good article.

Investors Supporting Spyware

According to Ben Edelman (an attorney that specialized in spyware lawsuits) web site "Major investment firms help support the operations of large US-based spyware companies. This page gives a summary of such companies and the investment firms supporting them."

The Ultimate Flashlight (3 million candle power)

Now you can own the ultimate flashlight with 3 million candle power of light. What you're going to do with this thing is your business. I personally can't think of anything useful for it, except for saying that have a 3 million candle power flashlight.

I have no idea what this would do if someone looked into it, I am pretty sure it could cause temporary or permanent blindness. It ridiculous to have a flashlight that is this powerful. Its also so heavy it may require you to use a shoulder strap to hold it for prolonged periods of time.

Spammers Breaking DNS

eWeek came out with an article about a new trick that spammers are using to make it more difficult to find and prosecute them. What spammers are doing is sending out millions of SPAM early in the morning point to non-existing domain name. Then they register the domain name, hoping to escape the CAN-SPAM fines via
this technical loophole.

The problem arises when millions of SMTP servers are attempting to perform DNS lookups for domains that don't exist, which causes all kinds of timeout problems.

Tron 2.0 (The Movie)

When I was a kid and saw Tron for the first time it sparked my imagination of what can happen with computers. The movie seems primative by today's standards, but it is still a great movies to watch. Well, there is rumor floating around the Net about a Tron 2.0 movie.

All I can say is, hopefully it will be good. I am always afraid that they will take too many creative liberties, and massacre the orginal story.

End of Line.

Fun With Microwave Ovens

This site includes several interesting experiments involving your a microwave oven. These experiments can be dangerous, so use extreme caution, be very careful.

Warning: Perform these experiments at your own risk.

Darth Tater (Picture)

This is kinda lame and funny at the same time, it is 'Darth Tater' from Hasbro, Inc. in New York. Available at stores nationwide in February.

Build These Noise-Canceling Headphones

Want to build your own noise-canceling headphone, if you have technical ability this article will show you how. Here is brief excerpt from the article, "In today’s hectic and noisy world, we are all searching for a little peace and quiet. Well, you might not be able to slip off to a tranquil forest for an hour or two, but you can block out background noise with the Noise-Canceling Headphones. The theory behind this project is that by picking up ambient sound with a microphone and reproducing it out of phase, we can actively cancel or "null" out background noise. In fact, several commercially available devices perform the same function. However, by building your own headset, you can add features not otherwise available and have fun while doing it!"

Firefox: The Road Ahead (Article)

Neowin.net reports "Now that Firefox is firmly establishing itself in the browser market (download graph), we can look forward to subsequent milestone releases by the Mozilla Foundation. Firefox 1.1 (Dubbed 'Deer Park') is slated for release in March of this year, and will be the end result of the post 1.0 'Aviary Branch - Trunk' merge. Mozilla also plans to release 2 additional milestone builds of Firefox before 2006. (With Fx 1.5 'The Ocho', and 'Firefox 2' being released near year end) "

If you want to see the technology roadmap for Firefox, check out this article.

1.6 Terabyte NAS Server for the Home or Office

Want a fault tolerant Network Attached Storage (NAS) device. Anthology Solutions introduced the Linux-based Yellow Machine P400T. It is about the size of a toaster, and can store 1.6 Terabytes of data.

The device was recently unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It offers fault-tolerant RAID support (Levels 0, 1, or 5) and several other networking functions. It can be setup in two, three or four hard disk drive configurations (using an IDE/PATA interface), in addition to a non-RAID single-disk mode.

The device includes an 8-port LAN switch, router, DHCP service, a packet inspection firewall, with web control. The software housed on the device allows for automated backup of PCs, file services, as well as video and audio storage.

For more information, see the product page.

Office Olympics

Office Olympics is an entertainment website offering office humor video tapes and put on the Internet to be watched while bored at work and hopefully inspire you to submit your own office olympics videos to our archives. Download our Office Olympics videos, join the forums and get involved, theres no time to be sitting around.

Make sure to also check out their download section, to see the videos.

New DRM Scheme Could Make DVD Players Obsolete

eWeek reports: "A content-protection system for DVDs, designed to protect users from burning 'protected' DTV broadcasts. The encryption system will be built into next-generation DVD players as well as media."

Start Your Own Telecommunications Company

Would you like to start your own Telecommunications company offering VOIP services. With some advice from George Ou at ZDNet, open-source VOIP software, and about $6000 you can.

Biggest Blue Screen I Have Ever Seen

This is a great picture of a Windows BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) on the corner of 42nd Street and 8th Ave in New York City. There are also some interesting links to other computers that have had other types of Windows errors.

Hacker penetrates T-Mobile systems

SecurityFocus has an interesting story about a hacker who broke into T-Mobile computer systems. The hacker used his access to monitor U.S. Secret Service e-mail, obtain customers' passwords and Social Security numbers, and download candid photos taken by Sidekick users, including Hollywood celebrities.

How About 1.6 Terabytes per Disc

InPhase Technologies Inc. is planing on bringing holographic storage drives to market by 2006. The company plans to demonstrate its first fully functioning prototype Tapestry holographic drive at the 2005 Storage Visions conference, being held in Las Vegas

InPhase's holographic storage media stores data in three-dimensional holograms cut into a polymer material 1.5 mm (0.06 inch) thick that is placed between two 130 mm (5.1-inch) plastic discs. Because holographic devices are able to store data in three-dimensional "pages," they are expected to have a much larger capacity than CDs or DVDs, which store data only on the disc's surface.

Microsoft Virus Detection/Removal Utility

Microsoft released the first version of its new malicious software removal tool (code named 'Titan'). It able to remove the 10 most virulent worms and viruses. The tool will be updated once a month as part of Microsoft's scheduled software patch cycle.

The initial version of the tool is able to detect and remove Blaster, Sasser, MyDoom, DoomJuice, Zindos, Berweb/Download.Ject, Gailbot and Nachi viruses.

The tool will also be as a download through the Microsoft Download Center. People who have Automatic Updates enabled, will automatically receive it. It is made available as an ActiveX control in the malware removal section of Microsoft's home page.

For more information, see:
- The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool helps remove specific, prevalent malicious software from computers that are running Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, or Windows 2000 (MSKB 890830)

Hackers Tune In to Windows Media Player

This is a scary report spyware/adware programmers are leverageing DRM to install their software.

eWeek reports: "Hackers are using the newest DRM technology in Microsoft's Windows Media Player to install spyware, adware, dialers and computer viruses on unsuspecting PC users."

I want a Mac mini

I am really impressed with Apple new Mac mini, I also like their new flashed based iPod. eWeek reports: "The desktop computer features a CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo drive, USB 2.0, FireWire 400 and up to an 80 GB hard drive. The Mac mini also offers a DVI interface that also supports VGA and built-in 10/100BASE-T Ethernet and a 56K V.92 modem for Internet access."

Check out the article for more information. Make sure to also view the Mac mini slide show.

Modders Now Have The Coolest Memory Upgrade Ever (Cool Stuff)

ExtremeTech reports on Corsair Memory's new XMS XPERT Memory: "XPERT has one seriously distinguishing feature: It has a 10 character alphabetical LED display that snaps in place over your DIMMS, a pair of 12 element LEDs on the same display track memory activity. Install the RAM in your system and it automatically offers up your your memory speed, voltage, and DIMM temperature in bright red characters. Remember calculators in the Seventies? It's that kind of LED display, and it really stands out through a case window. "

SnapTax - Free Online Tax Filing

Now that tax session is apon us once again, it now time to get ready for pay Uncle Sam what we owe him or prepare to get back taxes that we over paid. To help you out, below are some services that may help you take some of the pain out of filing your taxes.

Intuit Inc. is going to offer a free online service called 'SnapTax' that is designed to help you compete simple federal returns. You also have the option to pay $5.95 for electronic filing. (This service will be available mid-January).

You can also download the latest tax forms, check out the IRS web site.

Sending Large Email Attachments

Do you need to send someone a large file, and you're email provider won't allow you to send them. The only catch is that the file must be retrieved within seven days, or the will deleted.

Here are two web sites that can help you:

- Dropload
Temporarily place a file up to a 100MB.
- YouSendIt
Temporarily place a file up to a 1GB.

Buffalo announces the TeraStation (Cool Products)

CNET.com reports: "Buffalo's new TeraStation takes storage and backup to a new level. Digital music, photos, and especially video can take up gobs of storage space, and Buffalo's new TeraStation meets the growing need with a full terabyte of disk space."

Bloopers bedevil Gates at CES (Video)

CNet has a great video of Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates during his keynote address at CES 2005, where he had hilarious bloopers/problems.

Tin Whiskers: The Next Y2K Problem?

Fortune did a great article on 'Tin Whiskers' which are thin metal wiskers which grow out of tin, and cause short circuits in electronic devices. . It might sound hard to believe but its true (according to the article).

There is also an interesting web page from NASA that covers the subject as well. There are some great pictures so you can see what happens.

Mu-Card Alliance’s new 2-terabyte ‘μcard’

Digitimes reports: "The new 2TB (2048GB) “μcard,” developed by Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and seven local-industry players, is now waiting for marketable solutions to be developed, based on the initial specifications established in early October. The developers have formed the Mu-Card Alliance to promote the new standard."

The Packet Sniffers (Review)

If you miss the good of days of the Screen Savers pre-G4. Well, lets face it, their gone. But there is hope on the horizon, the 'Packet Sniffers' to the rescue.

The production value of the show primitive, but it makes up for it in heart. The guys on the show nerds and geek in their truest form. I mean that with the utmost respect.

The content of the show ranges from interesting to lame, but I still like what I have seen so far. I hope as the crew gets more experience under their belt that the show will get better. Only time will tell.

Check it out for yourself.

MS AntiSpyware vs Ad-Aware vs SpyBot

Flexbeta.net compares Microsoft's AntiSpyware vs. Ad-Aware and SpyBot S&D. Guess which one wins?

Note: Microsoft's AntiSpyware is based on technology they bought from another company a few months ago.

Before and After Pictures of theTsunami

Check out these amazing before and after pictures of the Tsunami. Its incrediable to see the damage that was caused. There is a total of 14 images.

New military-inspired Batmobile

Check out the new Batmobile, scheduled for release June 2005 (maybe). The new batmobile is described as a cross between a Lamborghini and a Hummer.

For some video footage of the new batmobile in action, check this out.

Wired News Vaporware Awards

Check out Wired News Vaporware Awards. If you don't know what vaporware is, it is a product announced with great fanfare by a company that is never delivered.

PDA Wrist Watch

Are you a true geek? Want to where your Palm PDA on wrist? Then Fossil has the watch for you. 8MB or RAM and a 66MHz CPU, what can be better then that.

Microsoft launches anti-spyware (beta)

I reported a few days ago that Microsoft was going to release a beta version of their newly rebranded anti-spyware software on 1/6/05. Well here is an article from CNet that talks about Beta and provides link to the download.

If you just want to download the software, it is available about the following location.

Marvel Unveils Movie Production Schedule

Marvel has posted a schedule for upcoming comic book movies that are going to be made, such as: Fantastic Four, X-men 3, Iron Man, Spiderman 3, etc.

Supersize Your TV for $300: Build Your Own XGA Projector

Have you always wanted your own XGA Projector, but could not afford it. Then you want to read this article at Tom's Hardware, it explain how to build a a high-resolution XGA projector with 3,500 ANSI lumens for $300 dollars. Article says that it is not very difficult build, plus it includes an accompanying step-by-step video."

Wired News: Did Quake Speed Earth's Spin?

Wired News reports: "LOS ANGELES -- The deadly Asian earthquake may have permanently accelerated the Earth's rotation -- shortening days by a fraction of a second -- and caused the planet to wobble on its axis, U.S. scientists said on Tuesday. "

You know thought the days were getting shorter...

Wireless Security Paint

A small Silicon Valley startup company is a marketing a new wireless security paint that is suppose to blocks signals in frequencies from 100 MHz to 5 GHz. The paint cost about $69 a gallon.

By painting all four walls, a floor, and a ceiling, and you effectively have a Faraday cage. A Faraday cage is a specially constructed metal room that blocks all radio signals from going in or going out.

For more information read the article.

Carbon TVs to edge out liquid crystal, plasma?

If you think that Plasma TV are cool, wait until you read about the new Field Effect Displays (FEDs). FED useless energy than Plasma or Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) TVs, deliver a better picture and cost less.

CNET News.com: "Various companies are currently trying to perfect the technology behind a new type of flat-panel display that will rely on diamonds or carbon nanotubes--two forms of pure carbon--to produce images. "

2004: Year of the Cyber-Crime Pandemic

This is a real interesting article about the all the different types of attacks against computer and users on the Internet. It seems like every wanta be cyber criminal is trying steal something.

eWeek reports: "Internet crime and security have gotten a lot more complicated in the past year, with phishing and spyware constantly taking on new forms."

Microsoft Anti-Spyware Beta Due 6th January

Neowin.net reports: Microsoft have just finished distributing an internal Beta 1 escrow build to internal beta testers. 'Atlanta' is the code-name for Microsoft's rehashed GIANT Software Anti-Spyware. In a memo internally, the company looks clear to distribute the software this coming Thursday calling it 'new, it's fresh, and it's all good'."

Free Wireless Cable DSL 802.11b Gateway Router (FREE after Mail-in rebates)

PC Connection is offering an 802.11b wireless access point that is free after rebate, in fact you will get an extra nickel back. Don't believe me, check it out for yourself.

Emprex 2.2GB USB 2.0 Drive for $80 Dollars

I wish I saw this a few weeks ago when I bought by 1GB San Disk Cruzier. I paid a lot more then what Fry's is charging for this device. Below are some of the specs:

ZEUS Mobile Storage Drive
- Micro 1" HDD with 2.2GB
- USB 2.0 Interface

I am not endorsing this site, so buyer beware.

Knowing Knoppix

Do you use Knoppix, or want to learn? Then there is a free a free 130+ page book that you can download on how to use it. The book is designed be 'beginner-friendly', so you don't need to worry about it being too technical.

Below is an excerpt from the site: "Knowing Knoppix is a beginner-friendly book designed to help with these situations:
- You can't start Windows! Disaster? Possibly not. It is often possible to rescue files using Knoppix from crashed Windows computers, even when Windows cannot be started. This guide takes you step by step through the process.
- You are curious about Linux, and you want to discover what all the fuss is about.
- You want a useful guide to help you get started with Knoppix. "

Studentfilms.com

An interesting web site full of, you guessed it student films. The production quality and the acting varies from cheesy to pretty good.

You can enjoy classics like:
- The Old Man Who Cried Shark!
- Football in the Groin: A Documentary

The Shadow Internet

Wired reports: "The Shadow Internet: They start with a single stolen file and pump out bootleg games and movies by the millions. Inside the pirate networks that are terrorizing the entertainment business."

The article talks about secret pirate networks, where the latest movies, software, and other types of data is traded. It is definitly an interesting read.

Browser Security Test

This is an awsome browser security test, it test if your browser vulnerable to known security holes. Firewalls, and anti-virus software is not enough to protect you on the Internet today.

When the test finishes, it will report all the vulnerabilities it found and how to fix them.

Sony Points to 2006 PS3 Ship Date

PS3Portal reports: "Sony's PlayStation 3 will not appear until 2006 at the earliest, the company tacitly confirmed today."

Good-Tutorials.com

Good-Tutorials.com claims to be "the largest Photoshop tutorial resource on the web today." If you're a photo fanantic, you might want to check this out.

This have links to about 5,800+ tutorials, all categorized for your searching convience.

Microsoft revokes Passport service | The Register

The Register reports: "Microsoft has given up on trying to hawk its controversial Passport sign-on service to other companies, according to a report in the LA Times"

This is great news for the Liberty Alliance, maybe now we can have a single universal federated network identification standard. Personal, I am tired of remember, and changing all my account user names and passwords.

I am not sad to hear that Microsoft is going to stop pushing its Passport technology. It was a good idea, but was never universally excepted or trusted by the Internet community.