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Misc IT & PC Stuff
(I add to this from time to time...)
Play MP3s & Other Music
Files/formats in Ubuntu 10.04 (Other versions have small differences):
Download Note: this is a PDF file. If you don't have a PDF reader
for Ubuntu visit
Gnostice, read the instructions and download the reader.
Check your processes! PC Pitstop offer a brilliant service on
their site -do yourself and your machine a favour. Check yours out
ASAP. Click here to find out what we're talking about and then take a
look at yours: Processes
Are you on Facebook? Ponder these
issues raised by
Robert Siciliano an Identity Theft Expert:
The Dangers of Facebook...
Windows 7 is here -enjoy!
Microsoft's Windows 7
Microsoft Security Patches
If you run a Windows produce, Operating System or Productivity Apps
(Office etc), you will need to regularly download and install the security
patches from Microsoft. The boys at Redmond keep churning out their
Security Patches so, if your machine is not already set up to download and
install them routinely, it should be. Find out how now...
You can read all about it here:
MS Update. It's actually a good idea to visit the MS update site
and let their automated software check your system for you and then follow
the step it will suggest.
Best kept secret: Once in a while a patch will mess up and your machine may
need to have the last one uninstalled until Redmond graciously fix it in the
next one! If this happens the easiest fix is to do a System Restore to
the last one available. Alternatively, if you know the number of the
patch you can uninstall it from Windows Add/Remove utility.
For those Buying computers with VISTA
Make sure you buy at least the following specs
* 1.6 GHz Dual core or 3.3 GHz Single core Processor (Dual core is best)
* 2GB of DDR2 Memory (1GB is really not enough!)
* 80 GB of hard drive capacity and a DVD-Writer Drive.
Anything less that this will become very slow, freeze and not run properly
-but, again, it's better to have more than the basic specs if you can afford
it.
AMD
64 X2 (Dual Core) TL-50 processors are designed for Vista and are an
excellent processor.
Vista: Some benefits are
(At least this is what I'm told!):
* The Search Bar above the start button lets you find anything in your
computer in seconds.
* Back up is now very easy anyone can back up emails, documents, pictures
etc.
* Installing most new hardware is plug 'n' play.
* The side bar is useful and always there.
Should you upgrade to Vista?
If you're running Windows XP SP2 or 3, the short answer is probably no.
If your machine is running well the best bet would be to upgrade your ram
and maybe install a larger hard drive with faster caching, if your mother
board will allow it.
If you're upgrading, then the choice may well be made for you. It is
possible to get a new machine with XP installed, but not easy. You
can, if you like, have
Vista removed and XP installed in its place. This is a perfectly
reasonable choice. That way you get your new machine plus the
familiarity of XP and reasonable assurance you will be able to run all those
programmes you had before. In another twelve to eighteen months Vista
will have added much more support and the chances of a seamless upgrade will
be much higher. If your consideration is cost, then you should stay
with what you've got and look at upgrading memory etc.
Tech Stuff:
John's PC Care
Blog
Windows XP SP2 or SP3
Is now a tried and true OS. It has been patched and improved to
the point where it runs very well. If you have kept it up to date with
Microsoft's Service Patches then it has a huge the security you need.
It's driver support is excellent so upgrading to Vista won't really
advantage you there. Microsoft has
announced it will no longer be supplying it for retail so, apart from a few
rare suppliers who are still installing it on new machines (OEM*), it has
pretty much finished its run as a pre-purchase install option on a new
machine. So, apart from used machines with OEM or
full retail versions installed, you pretty much have to accept that Vista is
the OS for new Windows based machines.
XPSP3
This patch received a lot of adverse publicity. It is a humungous
patch. But, I have installed it on several machines with absolutely no
problems. If you are serious about maintaining the security of your XP
OS then you have to think about this. It generally installs well on AMD 64 chip based machines,
although I have now installed it on a number of different chip based
machines without difficulty.
Before downloading visit Microsoft's SP3 page and read all the material:
Info etc
PC World's Download Mirror:
SP3 Download
* For the meaning of OEM, which can mean different things to different
people, check:
The
Mysteries of OEM.
Tech Stuff:
John's PC Care
Blog
The Issue of
Security
You don't have to be famous, successful
or some sort of "known target". Cybercrims use automated software that
constantly scans huge chunks of the Internet looking for ANY unprotected
computer that happens to be on-line.
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"There is now a 50% chance of being infected by an Internet worm
within just 12 minutes of being online using an unprotected, unpatched
Windows PC."
- Sophos Inc. - Threat Management Solutions
"Average time-to-exploitation ... for an unprotected computer is
measured in minutes."
- United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) |
IMPORTANT: What YOU need to know about the
security of YOUR PC
Spyware and Adware have rapidly become the number one
threat to your computer with over 90% of computers already
infected. Be prepared to meet these malware threats in a
professional manner with a professional partner -Hamilton Office & Home
PC Care.
Spyware and Adware include malware like "Trojans",
Web Bugs, Advertiser Software, Dialers, Parasites,
Scumware, Browser hijackers, Keyboard sniffers,
Monitoring Software and more. These types of malware are often made by
publishers that allow them to snoop on your browsing activity, see
what you purchase and send you "pop-up" ads. They can slow
down your PC, cause it to crash, and record your credit card
numbers and passwords. If you're like most Internet users, chances are
you're probably infected with these files. Simply surfing the Internet,
reading email, downloading music or other files can infect your PC
without you knowing it.
Tech Stuff:
John's PC Care
Blog
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JC's PC Care Site