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Spyware Sucks... |
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Jun 28, 2008 - 7:39 AM - by Digital Dave
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So... last weekend m wife walked into my office holding her laptop by the screen (which always makes me cringe) and gave me a quick "wife cry" stating "my PC is broken."
Now the "pc is broken" statement really does me no good so I took her PC (laptop) and asked what was wrong.
She kept telling me it was blue-screening and she kept having to reboot.
So I took the laptop, dropped all that I was doing, and started to look around the OS on the laptop. I didn't see much wrong at the time so I set the laptop down and started to use some of the cleaners I had on the laptop (CCLeaner, Disk Defrag, etc...) and set the laptop to the side to complete the work. About 5 minutes later, out of the corner of my eye I noticed a blue-screen popup. Normally I like to read the blue-screen errors as it sometimes helps me figure out what's wrong with the OS but this one looked weird. So I hit the ESC key and low and behold it went away and back to the desktop. Hmmmm...
Now I had seen this before and it was the old SysInternals "blue screen" screen saver. I asked my wife if she had put it on and she was like "what the hell are you talking about?" so I know it wasn't her. Now I knew something was wrong so I fired-up Task Manager which was little to no help so I asked her what anti-spyware her company had installed and she said "I have no idea" so I started to dig around and found nothing... nada... zippo!
Crap...
So I had to figure out what was wrong with the laptop and what kind of bugs were lurking on her hard drive so I loaded up Spyware Sweeper and was informed about a few trojans (one of them was winfixer.exe which came down in some program) and getting that baby off was going to be a problem.
So, I let spyware sweeper do its thing, rebooted and... nothing. The damn thing was still there! So I loaded up the System Internals Process Explorer and sure enough all kinds of nasty things were still running. Now what? Spyware sweeper was a bust and according to the directions I had found over on Symantec's website on how to remove winfixer.exe by hand I was a little leery about trying to remove this bad boy by hand.
So, I went and found "old faithful" which is an anti-spyware program I have mentioned on the site from time to time called Spyware Detector.
Now Spyware Detector can and will destroy just about ANY spyware you have installed at the time including Rootkit, Keylogger and Heuristic "bugs".
The new 2.0 version now contains a whopping 1+ MILLION definitions and as soon as I put it on it found 135 "spyware" the registered version of Spyware Sweeper had missed.
I completed the scan, set the "shields", quarantined the "bugs", rebooted and manually removed the old Sysinternals "blue-screen" screen saver, rebooted one more... [Read More]
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4 Replies | 1,084 Views
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Dave Survives Last Month... VmNext Goes Live... |
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Jun 26, 2008 - 2:43 PM - by Digital Dave
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Hello all...
The last 30 days has been an absolute blur and unfortunately I cannot comment on what has taken up a majority of my time until next week sometime, not because I don't want to it's simply because I can't. However, next Tuesday it looks like I will be able to tell you all about it.
I was also only able to get to the site here and there not because I didn't want to but the second surgery I had really took a lot out of me and I simply had to try and get some rest (which didn't happen due to stuff I cannot talk about at this time) and that did set me back, recovery wise a bit but at the time it was worth it.
Now the other area I wanted to talk about was the product I have been personally involved in quite heavily and that's VmNext.
Now, VmNext is not your normal virtualization product. This is a high performance server virtualization product which my company has been working on for some time now.
The main product is based on the Xen kernel which is an open source area we are heavily involved in. As a matter of fact one of the engineers who works for me just got back from the Xen Conference with a load of new data points we will be executing on very quickly.
As I said VmNext is based on the Xen kernel however, as our main platform we are using CentOS 5.2 (as of today) and a simple installer we developed with some custom code added to allow the world access to a simple, powerful, high-performance virtualization platform at a very attractive price.
So, what's the big deal here? I was involved with this project from the get-go. When we were asked to help in the design of the product we didn't implement what the engineers gave us to work with, we told them what we wanted and needed in a product of this type and they went to work. Months and months of "are you kidding me! No IT folk in the world would use it that way!" FINALLY has come to fruition.
I am very proud of what we have accomplished in such a short period of time and now that we have Beta 1.x launched into a closed beta (for now) all the work and very long hours of design, development, and arguing has finally been signed off as an actual product with version 2.0 (scheduled for release this year) and 3.0 (scheduled for release early next year) already in the works.
Of course we will also be offering a free version of the product and will be hosting an open-source community VBulletin community which is scheduled to be launch in about 2-3 weeks when the GA product is released. I personally am very excited about this whole project and really look forward to letting the world see what a lightweight hypervisor can do at a price everyone can actually afford.
I also just got word the "official" beta site is now up so if you want to read more about what I and a lot of others here have been up to [Read More]
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0 Replies | 309 Views
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Ubuntu 8.04.1 LTS released |
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Jul 04, 2008 - 11:55 AM - by Digital Dave
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For the Linux fans in us all.
The Ubuntu team is proud to announce the release of Ubuntu 8.04.1 LTS, the first maintenance update to Ubuntu's 8.04 LTS release.
In all, over 200 updates have been integrated, and updated installation media has been provided so that fewer updates will need to be downloaded after installation. These include security updates and corrections for other high-impact bugs, with a focus on maintaining stability and compatibility with Ubuntu 8.04 LTS.
Full Article Over On linuxcompatible.org
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0 Replies | 36 Views
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Vista Media Center SideShow Beta |
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Jul 04, 2008 - 9:43 AM - by Digital Dave
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Might be worth a look.
Microsoft recently released a beta of the Vista Media Center SideShow control gadget, but don't expect too much from it since the functions available are pretty basic at this point in time. A glaring omission is the Media Center Extender control, although Microsoft did mention it will be able to do that - probably sometime in the near future.
More over on ubergizmo.com
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0 Replies | 32 Views
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Hologram Google Earth |
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Jul 03, 2008 - 8:09 PM - by Digital Dave
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Pretty cool.
Thanks to the Tod for the FYI on this.
The technology comes from UbiqWindow and lets a computer screen be projected in mid-air. They have devised a touchless way to interact with the "hologram", and Google Earth is a great way to show off its capabilities. it's not a 3D projection, just 2D. But, it sure looks cool. via Google Earth Design
See it in action over on gearthblog.com
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0 Replies | 73 Views
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ISA 2006 Sp1 |
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Jul 03, 2008 - 7:58 PM - by Digital Dave
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Sweet....
Microsoft® Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006 Service Pack 1 introduces new features and functionality to ISA Server 2006 Standard and Enterprise Editions.
Download from Microsoft.com
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0 Replies | 44 Views
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Microsoft Readies Most Secure IE To Date |
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Jul 03, 2008 - 7:37 PM - by Digital Dave
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I hope it's as good as FF3 is.
Next month, should Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) make good on its promises, Internet Explorer 8 will pack some considerable security enhancements. Could Microsoft deliver not only the most widely used Web browser, but also the most secure?
In the fourth quarter of 2006, Microsoft released what was then a long-overdue update to IE6. It was IE7 that finally brought tabbed browsing to IE, which previously had only been available for Firefox users, as well as native RSS feeds. While I welcomed those usability enhancements, as a security guy, it was the security improvements that caught my attention. When it comes to sheer performance, Firefox 3 (at least on my Mac Pro) screams.
Full Story Over on informationweek.com
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0 Replies | 50 Views
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Microsoft Ceases Sales Of Windows XP |
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Jul 02, 2008 - 7:25 AM - by Digital Dave
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So long... fair well...
Today, we bid adieu to Windows XP. Despite an outpouring of demand -- including more than 210,000 people who signed InfoWorld's "Save XP" petition, Microsoft held firm and yesterday discontinued sales of XP in most cases.
infoworld.com
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0 Replies | 77 Views
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Xandros buys Linspire |
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Jul 01, 2008 - 4:16 PM - by Digital Dave
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Wow... this was a bit of a shock to read.
Desktop Linux maker Xandros is understood to be in the process of buying Linux distributor Linspire.
According to several reports, and former Linspire CEO Kevin Carmony, Xandros has bought the privately-held company, which is based in San Diego, California, after stockholders agreed to sell all of Linspire’s assets.
The deal is believed to include Linspire, Freespire, and the firm’s distribution agnostic Click ‘N Run desktop installation platform.
Carmony, who as a shareholder in the company said he received a memo confirming the deal yesterday, laid into the buy-out.
The Register.com
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0 Replies | 78 Views
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Sales Guy vs. Web Dude |
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Jul 01, 2008 - 7:06 AM - by Digital Dave
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This is hilarious. If you work in IT you have been or will be in this situation.
Just a word of warning... their are a couple of situations younger folks will not want to see. That said, again if you work in IT you've seen the situations mentioned.
Sales Guy vs. web Guy
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0 Replies | 140 Views
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It's Done... |
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Jul 01, 2008 - 7:00 AM - by Digital Dave
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I promised I would tell you all the story of what the hell kept me away from the site for over a month today.
However, last night I was informed via a communication from my boss that we were not to speak about it until an official announcement has been made.
What I can say is I have never, in my professional carrier been through anything like what I just experienced. It was one of the most stressful, crazy, downright ulcer producing situations I have ever been in, but in the end it was completed (at the last hour) and to be honest we are all very happy it.
As soon as the official announcement goes out (today or tomorrow from what I understand) boy... do I have a story for you.
Later - Digital
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1 Reply | 160 Views
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nLite 1.4.7 |
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Jul 01, 2008 - 6:52 AM - by Digital Dave
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Updated...
"nLite is a GUI for permanent Windows component removal by your choice. After removal there is an option to make bootable image ready for burning on cd or testing in virtual machines. So that means that with nLite you will be able to have Windows installation cd which on installation doesn't install, or even contain on cd, unwanted components.
Download from Majorgeeks.com
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0 Replies | 93 Views
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Wireshark 1.01 |
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Jul 01, 2008 - 6:51 AM - by Digital Dave
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If you would like to know what's really running on your network this utility will show you at a packet level what's exactly going on.
Same developers, same code, different name. The Ethereal network protocol analyzer has changed its name to Wireshark. Wireshark's powerful features make it the tool of choice for network troubleshooting, protocol development, and education worldwide.
Wireshark was written by an international group of networking experts, and is an example of the power of open source. It runs on Windows, Linux, UNIX, and other platforms.
Download from Majorgeeks.com
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0 Replies | 92 Views
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Diablo 3 is far from a done deal |
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Jul 01, 2008 - 6:44 AM - by Digital Dave
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Damn... this game will rule when it's released.
Twenty four little hours in which we learned that, contrary to what we previously thought, Blizzard isn't out to rain on Nvidia's graphical parade. Far from it, in fact.
Yesterday, we suggested that Diablo 3, Blizzard's upcoming blockbuster, would not only run DX10.1 - favouring ATI hardware over the green team - but that it would also use Havok physics, owned by Intel, rather than the Physx owned by Nvidia.
Now it's safe to say that the green team is in a small tizzy at the moment, thanks to the fact that ATI has a competitive part for the first time in what seems like an epoch. But, we can tell you that Diablo 3 isn't one of the things they're worried about.
Full Article Over On theinquirer.net
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0 Replies | 106 Views
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Vista Start Menu 2.91 |
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Jun 29, 2008 - 9:13 AM - by Digital Dave
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Interesting take on the Vista Start Menu.
Start working with pleasure using the new version of Vista Start Menu. It's interface takes into account how the brain processes visual information and turns the start menu into a simple and effective tool.
Download from Majorgeeks.com
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0 Replies | 155 Views
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Adobe Throws Down A Critical Patch to All. |
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Jun 28, 2008 - 9:00 AM - by Digital Dave
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I was prompted to install this when I opened up Adobe Reader.
Adobe has issued patches for a critical vulnerability in Acrobat and the Acrobat Reader. According to the security bulletin issued by Adobe, there are reports that the issue is being exploited in the wild.
The vulnerability is an input validation error in Javascript, which Acrobat can contain, and can lead to the program crashing or remote code execution.
blogs.pcmag.com
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0 Replies | 157 Views
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New OS X Trojans |
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Jun 28, 2008 - 8:57 AM - by Digital Dave
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Apple folks are the focus of these two nasty bugs.
Two Trojan horse samples targeting the Mac have caught the attention of F-Secure.
The first, which F-Secure detects as Backdoor.Mac.Hovdy.a, is an exploit for the recently revealed and unpatched privilege escalation bug in Apple Remote Desktop. The Trojan does not appear to be in the wild at present.
The second Trojan was originally found by Intego and is detected by F-Secure as Trojan-PSW:OSX/PokerStealer.A. Like the large majority of Windows malware, it relies on social engineering. It comes with the filename PokerGame.app (180Kb). Once executed it puts up an error message claiming that the preference file is corrupted and asking for the user's password. Once it gets this password, it uses it to create an SSH back door on the system, through which an attacker can issue commands. It's a Mac bot.
Full Article Over On PCMag.com
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0 Replies | 116 Views
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Windows XP SP3 ISO available |
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Jun 28, 2008 - 8:46 AM - by Digital Dave
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Sweet...
If you're installing Windows XP SP3 on multiple machines, or you still haven't got around to downloading it at all - you'll be pleased to learn Microsoft has released SP3 as an ISO image you can burn to CD, and then install from disc.
The pack contains all the fixes, updates and security hotfixes released previously, and we have it available for download via our download section here. It's a hefty 540MB, but once you've got it on disc, you won't need to download again.
Article and Download Location pcauthority.com.au
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0 Replies | 201 Views
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Firefox 3.0 wins memory battle, says tester |
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Jun 28, 2008 - 7:32 AM - by Digital Dave
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I love FF 3.0.
Mozilla Corp.'s Firefox 3.0 browser uses memory much more efficiently than its rivals, according to an independent tester who wrote a memory-monitoring utility to track usage by Firefox, Internet Explorer (IE), Flock, Opera and Safari.
In a lengthy post to his Web site, .Net developer Sam Allen spelled out the data he collected from the "Memory Watcher" application he wrote specifically to track Web browser memory use.
Read the full article over on Computerworld.com
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0 Replies | 142 Views
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Wine 1.1.0 Released |
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Jun 28, 2008 - 7:23 AM - by Digital Dave
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Here we go...
Version 1.1.0 of Wine, the Open Source implementation of the Windows API on top of X, OpenGL, and Unix has been released.
New items in this release includes the following:
* Many more gdiplus functions implemented.
* Improved graphics tablet support.
* Many Richedit fixes and improvements.
* Support for HWND_MESSAGE windows.
* A lot of new MSHTML functions.
* Many fixes in MSI registry handling.
* Initial implementation of the inetmib1 DLL.
* Improvements to the quartz renderers.
* Various bug fixes.
linuxgames.com
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0 Replies | 116 Views
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Microsoft repairs PCs crippled by XP SP3 update |
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Jun 27, 2008 - 10:54 PM - by Digital Dave
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Patch time folks.
Nearly three weeks after security vendor Symantec Corp. released a free tool to clean up PCs crippled by the Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) update, Microsoft Corp. issued a fix that should reestablish lost Internet and wireless connections.
Earlier this week, Microsoft posted a hot fix for a problem users first reported in mid-May. Users of Symantec's consumer security software said that after updating their PCs to XP SP3, a bug emptied Windows' Device Driver and deleted network connections.
Read the full article over on Computerworld.com
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0 Replies | 141 Views
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Intel - No Vista Inside |
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Jun 27, 2008 - 6:54 AM - by Digital Dave
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So it seems even Intel is waiting for Windows 7 to emerge.
Intel, the giant chip maker and longtime partner of Microsoft, has decided against upgrading the computers of its own 80,000 employees to Microsoft’s Vista operating system, a person with direct knowledge of the company’s plans said.
The person, who has been briefed on the situation but requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of Intel’s relationship with Microsoft, said the company made its decision after a lengthy analysis by its internal technology staff of the costs and potential benefits of moving to Windows Vista, which has drawn fire from many customers as a buggy, bloated program that requires costly hardware upgrades to run smoothly.
Read the full article over on blogs.nytimes.com
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0 Replies | 147 Views
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Thank You, Bill Gates |
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Jun 26, 2008 - 5:44 PM - by Digital Dave
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Yes Mr. Gates, thank you!
Bill Gates ' last day at Microsoft is just days away, so it's a good time to take stock of what the man has and hasn't done for us (and in some cases, to us). By and large, I think we owe Bill Gates a world of thanks.
Say what you will about the intense, sometimes mean-spirited and quietly driven man, but without Bill Gates, there's likely no Microsoft, no Windows, no Office suite, and, perhaps, even a delay in the technology and Internet revolution.
People keep asking me about Bill Gates' legacy. My answer has typically been that he leaves behind a world of technology and a reputation that will likely grow in stature over time. The company he and Paul Allen founded and that Gates really relentlessly drove for over three decades created an unrivaled universe of extraordinarily popular and successful products, not the least of which is Windows.
Pay Praise Over On PCmag.com
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0 Replies | 145 Views
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Spyware Detector 64-bit |
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Jun 26, 2008 - 3:24 PM - by Digital Dave
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One of the best anti-spyware detectors/removers comes to the 64 bit platform.
Max Secure Spyware Detector is a complete solution for individuals, professionals and home users. The software is specially designed to scan, detect, delete and recover spyware with an option of quick and full scan.
This software is also powered by some advanced features that are similar to our corporate edition like, Block Active X, Block Cookies, Block BHOs, Registry back up, Live Monitoring for IE home page hijacking, system and win ini file change monitor, monitor registry changes, tracking cookies monitoring and Process monitoring. The software has a complete database of the most commonly and largely found spyware, which are detected and can be deleted immediately. Our live update module will enable our users to update their spyware database frequently.
Visit Spywaredetector.net
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0 Replies | 135 Views
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Sysinternals Suite 6/26/2008 |
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Jun 26, 2008 - 2:54 PM - by Digital Dave
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Love me some Sysinternals.
The Sysinternals Troubleshooting Utilities have been rolled up into a single Suite of tools. This file contains the individual troubleshooting tools and help files. It does not contain non-troubleshooting tools like the BSOD Screen Saver or NotMyFault.
Download from majorgeeks.com
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0 Replies | 116 Views
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O&O DiskImage 3 Professional Edition - Released |
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Jun 26, 2008 - 2:53 PM - by Digital Dave
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Just and FYI and coming in at only $29.00 bucks, some of you might be interested in this.
Create images and restore entire systems quickly and easily. All the standard and professional features are combined into one single product. You can adjust all the functions to suit your requirements, with options that range from fully automatic to individually customized. Thanks to an improved user interface, it’s now possible to create and manage images even faster. Creating images on a regular basis is really the best way to protect your data from being lost unexpectedly – with O&O DiskImage 3 Professional Edition, you are fully equipped to face any emergency!
See it at oo-software.com
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0 Replies | 123 Views
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