Introducing GeekPack 1.0

Recently, Google decided to get into software distribution by introducing the Google Pack. Google Pack is package of software that Google and its’ many partners believe you should download and install on your computer. Most of the software in Google Pack are readily available for free over the Internet, but Google has decided to bundle them together for your downloading convenience. I do not necessarily agree with all of Google’s choices on this one, so I went out and created my own – the GeekPack.Office Productivity
OpenOffice 2.01 – is a great alternative to Microsoft Office. The office suite is fully compatible with Microsoft Office file formats. You can create type documents, presentations, and spreadsheets and open them up, formatting intact, in Microsoft Office and vice versa. The great thing about this “office suite” is that it is absolutely free.

Google Earth – is a wonderful resource to have if you need a “birds eye view” of the world. You can get a satellite view of just about any address on Earth with the exception of Military facilities, etc. Use with caution: this product can be so fun to use that you will lose all productivity!

GIMP – is an free opensource photo-editing alternative to Adobe Photoshop. For individuals looking for photoshop level image editing tools, this is a great one to get!

Communications
Mozilla FireFox 1.501 – is the best IE alternative browser on the planet. The elegance and simplicity of this browser makes it a must have on your computer. You can download additional extensions and plugins to expand the capabilities of FireFox. For those looking for a feature rich FireFox clone, you can try Flock.

Mozilla Thunderbird 1.50 – is one of the best e-mail clients. If you are an Microsoft Outlook Express user, you should replace it by downloading the freebie.

Trillian 3.01 – is an instant messenging client for users who IM users on multiple IM networks such as: MSN, AOL, and Yahoo. Instead of downloading multiple IM clients to chat with all of your friends, family members, and colleagues, download this one. Trillian Basic is free. Trillian Pro is $25.00. For our more adventurous users and techies, you can download and try opensource – Gaim.

Skype 2.0 – virtually free VOIP phone calls to anyone on earth. You can now call anyone you want on a computer; plus for a small fee, any USB phone, landline, and cellphone using Skype service. In the lastest edition, you can do teleconferences with up to five individuals (ten indivuals if you are using Intel’s Duo Core processors).

File Organization
Apple iTunes 6.0.2 – is the best software around for organizing your digital music collection on your computer and you do not have to be an iPod owner to use it. Apple iTunes is a freebie. But, if you do not want to support big technology companies such as: Apple, there is a nice open source solution out there for the more adventurous computer users – Songbird.

Picasa 2 – is a very simple to use photo editor/organizer for all your digital photos. Picasa will automatically categorize all your photos on your computer. Simple edits performed with relative ease for all your photos. Users can even share photos with family and friends through Google’s Blogger service. If Picasa is not your “cup of tea”, you can also try FastStone Image Viewer.

Google Desktop Search 3 – is a free utility that allows you search and organize all of your files, such as: word documents, e-mails, photos, etc. on your computer. You can, now, share your files across all your computers. From your desktop, without opening your browser, you can have access: new webclips, GMAIL, and Google Search.

Utilities
7 Zip – software for compressing and uncompressing documents. You can uncompress any documents such as: .zip, .rar, .tar, .cab, etc. with this one tool. Instead of Winzip, download this little freebie for all your zipping and unzipping needs!

FoxIT PDF Reader – if you read a lot PDF documents, you may appreciate using this reader instead of the Adobe Acrobat 7.0 reader. FoxIT loads up a lot quicker and utilizes less computer resources than Adobe’s reader. To create PDF documents, you can download PDF Creator.

SyncBack – is a backup tool that allows users backup/restore files and information with “one click” simplicity or automated scheduler. Ensure two or more computers you are working on have the exact same files. All backups are encrypted using military level encryption and are compressed using the latest compression formats to ensure secure and small backup files. Bonus: you can even backup live files, meaning you do not even have to close the files you are working on, just run the program and keep on working. Freebie is available for download, but you can get a newer version of the program for $25.00 USD.VLC (Video LAN Client) – if you watch a lot video from the Internet, you will soon run into a variety of different video formats. There are a couple of formats not supported by VLC, but it supports most popular formats. You may still need other players to play certain types of video such as: Real file formats (.rm, .rmvb).

Security/PC Safety
Clam Antivirus (Clam AV) – both Norton and McAfee are good products but are costly solutions in the long run. If you are on a budget or just tired of paying those “yearly subscription fees” for new antivirus definitions, download and give this guy a shot! If you are not comfortable using open-source software on your computer such as: Clam AV, feel free to download other free commerical alternatives, such as: Grisoft’s AVG Antivirus and Avast! 4 Home Edition.Spybot Search and Destroy & Microsoft Antispyware are really good free pickups for your computer that will, if used properly, prevent those nasty spyware from invading your computer and ruining your experience. You may also want to try: Ad-Aware SE Personal, Spyware Guard, Spyware Blaster, Hijack This!ZoneAlarm – only free software firewall on the Internet. ZoneAlarm provides excellent protection for your computer from all those nasty trojans, spywares and viruses from the web. ZoneAlarm is a better solution than the built-in firewall protection found in XP.If you have come across any freebies that you think I should add to my list, I welcome your comments and suggestions!~Geekboy.

2005 YEAR IN REVIEW & A LOOK INTO 2006

Everywhere you look at this time of year, you will see them – the list. There is a list for the top ten news and sports events of the year or the top ten baby names of the year, etc. Lists are everywhere! So without further adieu, here are some of the highlights in the world of technology for 2005 and what to look for in 2006.

In 2005, the world of technology witnessed the opening of the world’s first (online) Gamers Anonymous – electric shock therapy for Internet addicted youths. However, some of the more notable things of the year included:

1. Voice over IP (VOIP) gaining a stronger foothold in the household. VOIP as you remember (see SKYPE article – December 2004) is a way to route phone calls over the Internet. Instead of connecting via telephone wires, individuals can voice and video chat through their Internet connection. This technology shift has enabled us to make better quality long distance phone calls at cheaper rates and has provided another alternative for people looking to connect with family, friends, and colleagues around the world.
2. Recording what you want to watch when you want. In the era of 200 plus TV channels, finding the time to spend in front of the “tube” is a bit of a challenge. The solution is the DVR (Digital Video Recorder). Both Shaw and Bell have begun offering and promoting DVR solutions to their customers. The services allow users to digitally record their favourite TV shows and play them back whenever they wish. Canadian customers may also want to get a TIVO. TIVO set top box is only offered for sale in the US, but the service can be configured to work in Canada. For a small monthly subscription fee, this service allows you to digitally record TV programming sans commercials. The service can automatically skip all the commercials that interrupt your favourite programming.
3. Googlemania. After a very successful and rich IPO in 2004, Google begins its ambitious project of indexing the world’s information and making it available to everyone. Google also offers a plethora of other non-search related services such as: e-mail (GMail), instant messaging (Google Talk), blogging (Blogger), and photo editing and sharing applications (Picasa). In 2005, Google became the fastest public company in history to surpass the $400 per share mark, making it the second richest technology company after Intel.
4. Satellite Radio for Canadians. In December 2005, both XM Radio and Sirius Radio began offering their digital satellite services to Canadians. All digital radio aficionados can now rejoice!
5. Xbox 360 Launches. In November 2005, Microsoft’s latest game console – Xbox 360 is launched to tremendous anticipation and marketing frenzy. Within hours of the launch, the Xbox 360 was sold out to the dismay of the still awaiting gamers. Xbox 360 proved to be one of the most anticipated gifts of the 2005 Christmas season. But across the pond in Japan, the story was the exact opposite; Xboxes just piled up and did not sell. Perhaps our Japanese friends are awaiting next year’s most anticipated gift the Playstation 3, which incidentally is scheduled to launch in Japan in March 2006.
6. iPods reinvented. Apple Computers unveiled, yet another, edition of the iPod called the iPod Nano. iPod Nano, not only was smaller than it’s predecessor – iPod Mini, but it also offered a colour screen for viewing and sharing pictures with family and friends. Apple, also, introduced an iPod capable of playing videos.
7. á la carté TV. Apple introduced downloadable TV programming (US residents only). For just $1.99 US per episode, iPod Video, iMac, and iTunes users can download their favourite TV episodes from an ever increasing library and watch them whenever they feel like it.
8. Web 2.0: Web Services Redux. The notion that services like: e-mailing, calendaring, project management, word processing, etc. can be done through one’s browser without installing a large program or application on your computer is called Web 2.0. The idea of web services has been around since the late 1990’s and have been sort of making a comeback of sorts in the past year.
9. Sony PSP launches. After making a big splash in Japan, portable media/games player – the Sony PSP, makes it’s much anticipated North American debut.
10. Thinning Mobile Phones. Introduced during the Oscars, Motorola RAZR captivated users and inspires other handset makers to create aesthetically thinner cell phones.

A couple of things to watch out for in the coming year:

1. IPTV: Competition for Shaw. IPTV is essentially the delivery of television signals over the Internet instead of through the more traditional coaxial cable. Telus is expected to launch the service sometime in the Fall 2006, so stay tuned!
2. Introducing MacTels. Apple Computers is set to launch a new consumer line of computers based around Intel processors (the same guys that run inside your Windows PC). The new processors will enable Apple computers to run more than one operating system simultaneously. Yes, you will be able to run both Mac OSX and Windows all on one machine.
3. New Yahoo Mail and Hotmail. Yahoo and Microsoft will both launch revamped web-based e-mail services that will offer radically improved interface and e-mail handling abilities.
4. Office 12 launch. In the summer, Microsoft will launch the latest versions of Microsoft Office. This version will feature among other things, a radically different menu structure that will undoubtedly throw more than a few office workers off!
5. Microsoft Vista (formerly Windows) finally launches. After four plus years of development and hype, Microsoft finally pushes this baby out the door. Hurrah, more cash for Bill Gates! As always, get ready to upgrade your computers!
6. Gamers Galore. Last year it was Microsoft’s turn, this year it will be Sony and Nintendo’s coming out party. What promises to be two of the most sought after Christmas gifts for 2006 – Playstation 3 and Revolution game consoles. So, if you have not already bought the Xbox 360 last year or are looking for the perfect gift for this Christmas, look no further…
7. Hail Master Chief. In 2004, the most heavily anticipated electronic game was Halo 2. In one day, Halo 2 surpassed $125 million US in sales, an unheard of number for a video game. In 2006, Halo 3 for the Xbox 360 will probably follow the footsteps of its predecessor in becoming the must have game of 2006.
8. Blu-Ray vs. HD-DVD: VHS vs. Beta part deux. The world of tech and gizmos are synonymous with format wars. The most famous is VHS vs. Beta. A new era is quickly approaching for the lowly DVD. The next generation players are capable of high definition playback (i.e. richer sound and better picture) will begin to emerge on the market. The only problem for manufacturers, users, and content providers is which format to adopt. Buyers will, initially, see players and disks for both formats. So, if you are in the market for “High Def” DVD players for your computer or home theatre this Christmas, consider yourself forewarned.
9. Craving for HDTV. As North American broadcasters begin the move to “high def” and the cost of LCD/Plasma TVs drop, Canadians continue buying them up right through Christmas.
10. Unification of all Home Media. Home electronics and personal computer technology will move closer together. Devices will, hopefully, work seamlessly together – allowing one to play digital music and video on various devices, from your computer (laptop or desktop) to your home stereo/theatre system.

Until next time,
Geekboy

Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
E-mail them to Geekboy at: gb.technobytes@gmail.com

DIGITAL RADIO!

Over the years, many of our major household gizmos including: refrigerator, washer/dryers, and television have received some sort of technological makeover. Technology has transformed and dramatically improved the usability of these devices. But technology has seemingly left one household device relatively untouched – the radio.

Since the advent of the radio some 60 years ago, the only big advances in radio land were AM and FM. AM radio stations can broadcast their signals a good distant, especially on clear nights. The problem with AM radio signals is that they are not of really good quality. To solve this little problem, engineers invented FM radio. FM radio offered high quality stereo sound. But the only problem with FM signals is that it cannot be broadcast very far. Satellite radio, on the other hand, aims to solve both problems.

Starting this Christmas, the lowly radio will undergo a digital revolution. Billed as one of the “hottest” holiday gifts this Christmas season, Canadians will finally get their very own satellite radio service. According to statistics, some estimated 100,000 Canadians are currently subscribers to digital satellite radio services through the “grey market”. These are citizens that have subscribed to satellite radio services and purchased satellite receivers from the United States.

How it works
Instead of receiving signals from large antennas on the ground, digital radio signals are transmitted via satellite to your receiver (radio) wherever it may be. You would not miss any of your favourite programming even if you found yourself on a deserted island 300 kilometres away!

Advantages over traditional radio
Most Satellite Radio Services or Digital – Pay Radio services, for a nominal monthly subscription fee, offers:

• 24/7 CD quality digital broadcasts
• Live radio feeds and access to exclusive programming like: Martha Stewart or Major League Baseball
• Artist and song information, including lyrics, can be displayed
• Alerts – helps keep track of your favourite songs, artists, sports teams, and stocks
• Reliable and high quality coast to coast coverage
• A majority of Commercial free airtime

Disadvantages
There are a couple of disadvantages with Satellite Radio. Firstly, the cost of a digital receiver ranges from $80 – $400 to purchase. This does not include: any installation costs, initial activation fees, additional equipment (antenna), or accessories, etc. Secondly, the digital receivers you buy for one service does not necessarily work with the other one, thus making the switch to another service provider very difficult.

Digital Radio Receivers
There are two different varieties of digital receivers – vehicle and portable. The vehicle type can be installed like a regular cassette deck in your car, boat, or truck. A number of major car manufacturers, such as: GM, Honda, BMW, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota and others will preinstall receivers for you at the factory. So, if you are planning on buying a new vehicle soon, you can definitely choose that option. The portable versions are designed to go where you go. You can use it in the car, workplace, home, or on a quick workout. All digital radio receivers will be available at all major electronic retailers and department stores.

Canadian Service Providers
Three service providers have been approved by the CRTC to begin service in Canada beginning as early as December 2005 or early 2006.

• Sirius Radio Canada, offers about 100 channels including ten channels dedicated to Canadian content. Canada Radio One, CBC Radio 3, Iceberg Radio, Hardcore Sports Radio, Première Plus, Infoplus, Radio-Canada Bandeapart, Rock Velours, Energie(2), and RCI Plus. Subscription cost: $14.99/month.
• XM Radio Canada, offers about 80 channels including eight channels of Canadian content (English Music, French Music, Comedy, and Information/Talk). NHL will begin to broadcast all of its games exclusively beginning in 2007/2008 season. Subscription cost: $12.99/month (No Contract).
• CHUM Subscription Radio Canada, offers about 50 channels all produced in Canada including 40 English language/music channels, five French language/music channels, and five multicultural language channels. You can check out the complete channel offerings by clicking here. Subscription cost: $9.95/month. The service will only be available in larger cities at launch.

Prepaid subscription cards will also be available for some service providers from major retailers. This is a great option for individuals that plan on using the service sparingly.

Digital satellite radio services or pay-radio will probably not replace your favourite radio stations anytime soon. The digital satellite radio service offerings will definitely appease individuals who are (1) living in rural communities where channel choices are limited; or, (2) travelling and spending a lot of time in their automobiles. In the next couple of years, traditional radio stations will slowly make the transition from analog to digital broadcasts which will result in higher quality and distortion free radio programs. Now, that is definitely worth listening to!

Until next time,
Geekboy

Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
E-mail them to Geekboy at: gb.technobytes@gmail.com
Past Technobytes Articles are archived at: http://www.technobytes.blogspot.com

GONE PHISHING

A few months ago, my sister noticed that her eBay and PayPal accounts were mysteriously suspended. Authentic looking e-mails from eBay and PayPal began arriving in her inbox requesting for “confirmation of billing and credit card information” so that her account could be reactivated. Unaware, my sister proceeded to follow the instructions indicated on the e-mail and submitted the requested information. Not long afterwards, fraudulent charges began to appear on subsequent credit card bills totalling a whopping $4566.97. My sister became the latest victim of phishing…

Phishing (also known as carding and spoofing) is a form of a social engineering, characterized by attempts to fraudulently acquire sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy person or business in an apparently official electronic communication, such as an email or an instant message. – Wikipedia

Over the last couple of years, Internet users, businesses and law enforcement agencies all around the world have noticed a dramatic increase in phishing activity. According to Anti-Phishing Working Group, the number of reported phishing incidents in the US went from just under 7,000 to over 14,000 within the last ten months. More and more individuals are getting caught because of the increasing sophistication of these schemes. The good old heydays of crooks rummaging through the garbage for your personal information are definitely gone.

A typical phishing scheme often begins when a recipient receives an e-mail from a supposedly real financial institution or business (i.e. eBay). The fellows behind the scheme of course do not know whether or not the person has any dealings with the company. Like all good fisherpersons, they are just hoping for a few “good bites”. As long as a small percentage of the millions of Internet users respond, they can make an enormous amount of money.

The suspicious e-mail usually contains the following elements:

1. The Company logo.
2. A very generic salutation such as: “Our Valued Customer” or “Dear eBay member”.
3. A reason why they are sending you this e-mail such as: “your account has been suspended” or they need to “update and verify account information”
4. A link or button that one can click on to submit their personal information.

After clicking on the link or button, an authentic looking website will often appear prompting the unsuspecting victim to input their passwords, login identification, billing and credit card information, etc. Once the information has been entered and sent, the information can readily be sold and acquired on the Internet and used to create fake credit and identification cards that potential thieves can use and exploit. For examples of various types of Phishing e-mails, go to the Anti-Phishing Work Group Archives by clicking here.

HOW TO AVOID BEING BAIT

• Installing Antivirus and Firewall software is a must on your computer. Remember to update your Antivirus software.
• Internet Explorer could have a lot of security holes that hackers can potentially exploit, so make sure you update the software by checking Microsoft’s Security Homepage.
• Install Anti-Phishing toolbar to your browser such as: NetCraft’s Anti-Phishing Toolbar or Cloudmark’s Anti-Fraud Toolbar.
• Keep all records of credit card purchases online and offline to verify your purchases when you receive your monthly credit card statements.
• Avoid sending personal and financial information via the Internet unless you know that it is reputable site like Amazon.ca. You can also check the web address up at the top of your browser to make sure that it says “https://” and not just “http://”, the “s” indicates that it is a secure site. You can also check the bottom of the browser for a “lock” icon to indicate that the site is secure.
• Don’t reply or click on any e-mails that are asking you to send personal or financial information.
• If you are not sure, just pick up the phone and call the financial institution or company. Remember to use a phone number you trust and know it is genuine.

CAUGHT? NOW WHAT?
If you have inadvertently been caught or have supplied personal or financial information you should do the following:

1. Call your Credit Card Company or financial institution.
2. File a police report.
3. Place fraud alerts on your credit reports by calling the credit bureaus that operate in Canada:

Equifax Canada 1-800-465-7166
TransUnion Canada 1-877-525-3823

1. You may also want to notify other government and private sector organizations such as: RECOL (Reporting Economic Crime Online), PhoneBusters (Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Centre), and Anti-Phishing Workgroup.

Despite some potentially negative aspects of doing commerce on the Internet, one should not be afraid to use it to pay their bills, and purchase goods and services as long as one is aware of the pitfalls.

Until next time,
~Geekboy

MUSIC TO YOUR EARS…

In the past several years, music formats have evolved from eight-tracks to records and audio tapes to CDs. With the popularity of the World Wide Web, music formats are again evolving. For the past couple of years, music formats have transitioned from CDs over to MP3 (digital music) files.

Since the late 1990’s, portable digital music players called MP3 players have been flying off retail shelves. Several million are sold around the world each year. Many have dubbed the MP3 player “the walkman of the 21st century”. If you do not already have one or a device that plays MP3 music files, such as: a phone or a PDA, you may be a little out of the techno loop.The advantages of MP3 players are:

• Size. Most players are relatively small compared to the portable CD or audio player. Some players are smaller than your average postage stamp and can be worn like a piece of jewellery, while others are no bigger than the size of a deck of cards.
• Storage Capacity. Typical MP3 players can hold anywhere between 50 to several thousand musical tracks. This translates to hours and hours of continuous play.
• Personalized Music Lists. MP3 players allow users to create customizable music lists. You can create a list of musical track for your daily commute, gym time, etc.
• Extended Playtime. Most MP3 players can give users eight to twelve hours of continuous play before it needs to be recharged.
• Near CD quality sound.

The only disadvantage of MP3 music players is that most of the players need to be hooked up to a computer. Unlike the CD player or Walkman, users have to use the computer to manage the songs on their portable devices. So, for individuals who do not have access to a computer, this may be problematic.

CLASS OF PLAYERS
There are two distinctive types of MP3 players – flash and hard drive. The main difference lies in how the music files are stored on the device.

Flash Players:

• Small and tiny. Some players are just a tiny bit bigger than your typical postage stamp and can be worn like a piece of jewellery.
• Have no moving parts, therefore making them very durable. Users, particularly gym rats, do not have to worry about track skipping or damaging the player.
• Have a capacity of less than 1 Terabyte (TB) which translates to about 75 to 150 songs.
• Typically costs less than $200.

Hard Drive Players:

• No bigger than your average deck of playing cards.
• Are not ideal for guys and gals that are doing a lot of running around (i.e. athletic types) because the music is stored on a moveable disk.
• Have a capacity of 4 Gigabytes or more and holds anywhere between 200 to several thousand songs.
• Generally costs between $250 to $600.

Before you head down to your local electronic superstore to purchase an MP3 player, you may want to consider some of the following pointers:

1. The number of songs you have and would like to carry on each outing. Most individuals have only a number of tunes in their personal music library; others have thousands of music albums that they want access to on the go.
2. Users can also store computer files (i.e. word documents, videos, etc.), audio books, and radio broadcasts on their MP3 players. You may need to buy a player with a larger storage capacity if you plan on using your MP3 player to store files other than music.
3. Personal lifestyle. Are you a gym rat, or athlete? Basically, how are you going to be using the device?
4. Add-on accessories. Most of the portable music players out there on the market with the exception of the Apple iPods, allow users to change only the style of headphones. Apple iPods have an entire economy of accessories that are created to enhance the capabilities of the iPods. You can add FM tuners, microphones, external speakers, etc. to enhance your iPod experience.
5. File formats. Look for a player that plays a number of different file formats. In addition to playing MP3 files, some players may also play WMA or AAC formats.
6. Battery Types. There are generally two types – user replaceable or built-in rechargeable – found in your typical MP3 player. Some MP3 players utilize standard AA/AAA batteries or some type of proprietary rechargeable that the user can easily replace, whereas some players such as the Apple iPod uses a built-in rechargeable battery which cannot be readily replaced. For the latter, if you find that the device is losing charge, you will probably have to throw out a perfectly workable device.
7. Test drive. You should test drive the player, preferably in the store before you buy it. Many of the big electronic stores like Future Shop or Best Buy allows consumers to test out the device before they buy it. Take advantage of this! Check out the mini display on the device under various lighting conditions, the intuitiveness of the menus, and the overall design and usability of the device. For stores that do not have display units set up, make sure they have an adequate return policy. Take it home and give it a whirl then take it back if you do not like it.

So this summer, treat yourself to some sweet tunes by getting yourself an MP3 player! For more information on various types of players, you can go to any of the manufacturers listed below:

• Apple Computers Canada
• Creative
• iRiver
• mpio
• Rio Audio
• Samsung Canada
• Sony Canada

Until next time,
~Geekboy

Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
E-mail them to Geekboy at: gb.technobytes@gmail.com

JAZZING UP YOUR DIGITAL PHOTO COLLECTION WITH PICASA

In the past few years, we witnessed the dawning of a new era in digital photography. With a computer and a digital camera, many were able to create spectacular pictures that until recently would have been very difficult to do. This digital revolution in imagery had a profound impact on computer users. In recent years, both computer hard drive and digital memory card capacities have increased exponentially. At the same time, prices for these critical storage devices have dramatically decreased. As a result, digital camera buffs have been snapping up a tonne of pictures and filling their computers with an enormous amount of pictures which often makes it very difficult to find the pictures you want when you want them.

Most of high end digital cameras sold in the past couple of years come with some sort of software for organizing your digital photos and collections such as: ACD Systems’ acdsee 7.0 or Adobe Photoshop Album 2.0. Unfortunately, a lot of consumer digital cameras do not come with photo organizing software. So, if you recently purchased a camera that did not come with any bonus software or you are just not satisfied with the built-in photo organizer in Windows XP, you will, definitely, need to buy or download something better.Recently, Google (yes, the search engine guys) released a very easy to use and intuitive program that attempts to help organize all our digital memories called Picasa. While Picasa, is not as sophisticated as the aforementioned software packages in terms of their built-in photo editing tools, Picasa is quite adequate for your average digital photographer. You can download Picasa 2.0, free of charge, by clicking here.

After you have successfully downloaded and installed the program, Picasa will automatically go through and locate all the pictures on your computer. Picasa will sort and arrange all your photos into folders or albums according to date.

Professional Editing For Dummies
We all remember those photos that did not turn out so good. You know the ones with red eyes or the ones that came out a little on the dark side. The photo editing tools in Picasa are not going to blow any professional away, but will really make life simpler for your average digital photographers. Most of the photo editing tools found in Picasa can be accessed by the user through buttons or slider controls. Cropping photos, removing red eyes, fixing contrast and color can be done by clicking a single button. Straightening out a crooked picture or removing red eyes in a picture is as simple as clicking on a button. Users can also jazz up their photos with up to 12 different visual effects such as: sepia, b & w, tints, and sharpen.

Hassle Free Printing
Anyone who has tried printing pictures can attest to the fact that it is a pain in the rear end. You try to print a 4” x 6” photo and the printer prints the picture right in the middle of the sheet of photographic paper – wasting 50% of the sheet. Picasa optimizes and automatically prints to one sheet of photographic paper on your home printer. You simply choose the picture(s) you want to print, specify the size and Picasa will auto fit it to print on one sheet of paper. If printing on your home printer is not your thing, the software also allows you to order photo quality prints directly from a number of online providers that have partnered up with Picasa.

Photo Sharing
The sharing of your digital memories cannot be any easier. Users of Picasa can:

• Create and burn slideshows of their digital photos to DVDs, CDs or USB thumb drives to share with family and friends.
• Send their photos via e-mail directly from within Picasa. Picasa will even optimize the size of each photo to ensure that your photos are sent efficiently as file attachments and viewable by your intended recipients.
• Publish their photos directly to Blogger – Google’s web logging service.
• Send photos instantaneously, and securely to family and friends via a free Instant Messaging service for sharing photos called Hello.

Arts & Crafts
If editing and sharing your photos is not enough for you and you wish to get in touch with your Martha Stewart inner child. You can, also, create from within Picasa:

• Picture collages
• Desktop wallpapers
• Gift CDs
• Posters
• Screensavers
• Movies
• Mugs, T-Shirts, Mouse pads, calendars, etc. through many of the online providers that have partnered up with Picasa

So, if you are a little peeved about using Windows XP to manage your photos or you find that the software you are currently using to manage your digital memories a little daunting, go ahead and give this freebie a try. Picasa 2.0 is, currently, available for Windows users only. Guys and gals who own a MacIntosh computer are already running the best photo organizing program in the world – iPhoto 5.0. If you do not have this version of iPhoto, you can get it by purchasing a new MacIntosh PC or by ponying up $99 for iLife ’05.

Got any questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to contact me via e-mail at: gb.technobytes@gmail.com.

See you soon,

~Geekboy.

I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE

Recently, I was approached by a number of residents inquiring about: the mysterious appearances of uninstallable icons, offline popup ads, and sudden drops in computer performance. If you or someone you know is experiencing some variations of these problems, there is a good chance that they probably have some sort of spyware on their computers.

Spyware by definition is a program that is installed onto a computer via the Internet unbeknownst to the user. Some spyware are bundled with certain applications and can be inadvertently installed as part of any normal software installation process, so make sure you read the End User Licensing Agreement (EULA) before you install anything! Unlike viruses, the majority of spyware out there are relatively harmless and do not pose any significant threats to users.

There are many kinds of spyware that can exist on your system:

• Adware – can send you a barrage of targeted popup advertisements
• Malware – can change computer system configurations and files which may cause your machine to fail
• Keyloggers – can record every keystroke you make on the keyboard
• Browser Hijackers – can change browser settings (i.e. change your start page), and even make the Internet inaccessible
• Dialers – can secretly disconnect users on a dial-up Internet connection and reconnect them to the phone line to make long distance or 1-900 phone calls, resulting in an enormous phone bill for the user
• Collectors – collect information on surfing habits, personal information and send the information to advertisers and criminals

DETECT & REMOVE

If spyware is present in your computer, you will notice some or all of the following symptoms when you use your computer:

1. High-speed Internet connection has become unbearably slow.
2. Frequent pop-up ads appearing when you are not on the Internet and Internet Explorer has not been started.
3. Homepage has been changed automatically since you last used it.
4. Computer performance has decreased.
5. New icons appearing on the desktop and in menu toolbars.
6. Internet settings may have been altered.

To remove spyware from your computer, there are software packages available for download. You should install and use more than one. The cost of the software ranges between free to $50. Here are some of the ones that I recommend you consider installing onto your machine:

Microsoft Anti-spyware (BETA)

• Detects and rates spyware by risk factor and recommends: quarantine, removal, or ignore
• Provides a detailed definition of spyware detected
• Resets any Internet settings that have been altered
• Automatically updates spyware definitions over the Internet
• Free of charge from Microsoft

This version works quite well, but it is a beta version, meaning that the program may still be “buggy”, so use with caution. The official release version will come out sometime around the middle of the year and will be offered to all authentic Windows users, free of charge.

Spybot Search & Destroy 1.3

• Free of charge to use, donations are welcomed
• Detects and removes adware and collectors
• Supports over 30 different languages
• Updates over the web to ensure that it catches everything

Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition 1.05

• Effective at detecting and removing: hijackers, cookies, collectors, adware, and Malware
• Software updates accessible over the web
• Free for Non-commercial use
• For additional protection and features: Ad-Aware SE Plus ($40) or Ad-Aware SE Professional Edition ($50)
• Free access to support forums and e-mail tech support

Spy Sweeper 3.5

• Scans, detects and removes or quarantines various types of spyware
• Actively monitors and shields the computer from spyware
• Free to try for 30 days, afterwards, costs $35.00 for one year subscription
• Software updates available over the web

PREVENTION

If you have recently purchased a new computer or have already ran a scanner to detect and rid yourself of any spyware, you should, if you run Windows XP (Professional or Home Edition), turn on your built-in firewall. You can get the instructions on how-to do this by clicking here. Guys and gals who have already been using Windows XP should, if they have not already done so, install Service Pack 2 by clicking on Windows Update. This critical update replaces the old Firewall program with a tougher version. Otherwise, you should install one of the following free firewall applications:

• Zone Alarm
  Free of charge for non-commercial uses.
• Tiny Firewall 6
  Free 30 Day Trial, $49.00 USD afterwards.

• Sygate Personal Firewall 5.6
  Free of charge for personal use.

• Agnitum Outpost Firewall (Free) 1.0
  Free of charge for personal use. No e-mail support or personal support service.

• Kerio Personal Firewall 4
  Free 30 trial for full version, afterwards reverts to limited free edition. Free of charge for personal and non-commercial use. Limited Free Edition does not provide content filtering (i.e. pop-up ad filtering, etc.). For more comparative information between each product edition, you can click here.

Remember, there is no 100% guarantee that these solutions will catch and solve all of your Internet pests, but at the very least they will definitely help mitigate any problems that you could get. For additional software downloads, check out the Spychecker website by clicking here. To stay abreast on all the lastest spyware news and threats, you can point your browser to: Topix or the aptly named spyware guide.

Got any questions, comments, complaints, suggestions etc. e-mail me by clicking here or at: gb.technobytes@gmail.com, anytime.

See you soon,

~ GeekBoy

REVOLUTIONIZING THE WAY YOU E-MAIL

Reprinted from Renfrew-Collingwood News,
January/February 2005 Edition

In my last column, I introduced many of you to a new browser called Mozilla Firefox. Since then, the Mozilla Organization has released yet another freebie to all computer users whom are tired of the myriad of problems that plague Microsoft Outlook Express called Mozilla Thunderbird. In fact, Microsoft has, albeit very quietly, stopped supporting Outlook Express all together, so if you run into any problems or need software patches from Microsoft, you maybe in for a very long wait. If you have been a long time frustrated user of Outlook Express, this may definitely be the product for you.Mozilla Thunderbird 1.5, like Microsoft Outlook Express, is an e-mail client. An e-mail client is a piece of software that allows users to send, read, and receive e-mail. Both Thunderbird and Outlook Express work in exactly the same fashion; but, I believe Thunderbird does a heck of a lot better job than Outlook Express. Here are the reasons why…10 REASONS TO LOVE THUNDERBIRD

1. Built-in adaptive SPAM filters to help manage all the junk and spam e-mails you get in your inbox. The program is capable of analyzing and learning what is deemed as junk and what is not. The filters will then either automatically delete the spam e-mail or put them in a folder called Junk.
2. Customize the way you view your e-mails. You can view your e-mail, your inbox, and contacts information in three panes on screen at the same time if you wish.
3. Personalize the look of your e-mail program by using the free and readily downloadable themes. The themes can really jazz up your e-mail client by changing the fonts and icons of the program.
4. Extend the functionality of the program by adding extensions that are again free and readily available for download. These extensions simply add functions to the existing program like a stock ticker of your favourite stocks running across the screen every time you read your e-mail.
5. Built-in Spell checker that actually has a regularly updated dictionary. Just press the spell check button, sit back, and relax.
6. Built-in Newsgroup and RSS readers. Users can subscribe to the various newsgroups or RSS feeds on the Internet. Thunderbird will download messages and headers, as well as watch and ignore news threads. For those of you that are still getting your Internet connection through dial up. The readers also allows you to download and read your threads offline.
7. Supports enterprise and government level security features like: message encryption, digital signature support, MIME, authentication certificates which should make e-mailing safer and more secure.
8. Works on just about any computer platform you may have, so there is absolutely no reason why it will not run on your machine if you have a Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP Professional Edition/XP Home edition, Mac OS X, Linux, and Sun Solaris operating systems.
9. The program is small and nimble and weighs in at about 5.6 megabytes. The program can easily be downloaded from the Web though a dial up Internet connection. Click here to download.
10. It is free of charge. No strings attached.

Once you have downloaded and installed the application, Thunderbird will automatically import all your favourite settings, e-mails (new and old), account information/passwords, and address book from Outlook Express or any other e-mail clients you are currently using to Thunderbird through a series of interactive screens called wizards. To begin to use Thunderbird, just start the program and begin e-mailing. It is that easy, no fuss and no muss! If you decide that you do not like the program, which is unlikely but possible, you can simply uninstall the program and go back to using Outlook Express like before. However, anything that you have done after using Thunderbird maybe lost because Outlook Express cannot directly import messages from Thunderbird.

So, if you are tired of all those Outlook Express problems or just want to start your New Year off with an e-mail facelift, give Mozilla Thunderbird a try. What do you have to lose?

Got any questions, comments, complaints or suggestions, you can e-mail me by clicking here or at: gb.technobtyes@gmail.com.See you soon,

~ GeekBoy

BROWSER WARS 2: DAVID VERSUS GOLIATH AGAIN

Reprinted from Renfrew-Collingwood News,
September/October 2004 Edition

Once upon a time, in an Internet era not long ago, there were two competing browser programs – Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator that allows mere mortals like us to view and experience the pictures, sound, and video of the Internet. Since that time, Microsoft Internet Explorer has become the defacto standard for viewing content on the Internet. No other program has come close to displacing it, until today…

Recently, with all the security issues surrounding Internet Explorer and the seemingly endless software patches that users have to download, many Internet users have begun to look for alternatives. Many alternatives already exist and can, readily, be downloaded free of charge from the Internet – Opera Browser and even Netscape Navigator 7.2.

Last month, Mozilla Foundation released a new browser called Firefox to challenge the incumbent – Internet Explorer – for Internet supremacy. Not only is this browser more secure than Internet Explorer but is small and nimble in size to download. Firefox, also, loads Internet web pages faster, which should make it ideal for users with slower setups.

Aside from the usual browser functionalities, like: Bookmarks (Favourites), History, Full Screen web page viewing, text zooming, automatic software updates and keyboard/mouse shortcuts. Firefox is packed with very unique features:

• Built-in Pop-up Blocker – to stop all those annoying pop up or in your face marketing that interrupts your Internet surfing pleasure.
• Google Search built into the browser toolbar.
• Tabbed Browsing – allows you to open more than one web page in one single window eliminating the need to open multiple windows to view more than one web page.
• Downloadable skins and themes – for those who like to customize and personalize the look of their browser.
• Built in support for RSS (Real Simple Syndication) – allows the browser to receive website updates. The updates are shown as headlines in the browser. If the user is interested, clicking on the “headline” link will quickly display the updated information. For more on this feature click here.
• Automatic importing of all favourites, passwords, cookies from Internet Explorer so that you can begin surfing right after you have finished installing the program.
• Works on computers running the Windows® operating system, Mac OS, and Linux.

So, if you are a bit weary of the problems of Internet Explorer and in the mood of trying something different, give Firefox a test drive. Your Internet experience will never be the same, guaranteed. Firefox 1.0.1 is available for download by clicking here.

Got any questions, comments, complaints, or suggestions, you can e-mail me by clicking here or at: gb.technobytes@gmail.com anytime.

See you soon,

~ GeekBoy

P.S. After this article went public, an alert reader wanted to know if Firefox will run on Windows 95, apparently the systems requirement page neglected to say whether or not Windows supports it. Firefox will, indeed, run on Windows 95. For more information on how-to do this, click here.

GEEKBOY’S GUIDE TO GOING PORTABLE

Reprinted from Renfrew-Collingwood News,
July/August 2004 Edition

In recent weeks, I have received several e-mails regarding “what to look for” when buying a notebook computer. With school just right around the corner and the price of “portable” computers coming down so dramatically these days, many of you are probably comtemplating on purchasing a new notebook computer instead of a desktop for you home, office, or school use. So if you are one of those who are in the market for a laptop computer this fall, read on…

NOTEBOOK TYPES
The laptop or notebook computers on the market today, generally, fall in three distinct categories. Before you consider the features of the notebook, you have to consider what you will be using the notebook for and choosing the appropriate type of machine.

Ultraportables – This class of notebooks are designed specifically for individuals that are always on the go and need sufficient computer power to complete their day to day tasks, like: checking e-mails, word processing, or presenting a presentation to a client.

Thin and Light – These notebooks are ideal for everyone. They are powerful enough to allow individuals to send e-mails, view/edit pictures, compose a novel, and play a few odd games. The notebook is also light enough to be carried, if needed, between work and home.

Desktop Replacement – These notebooks are for individuals who would like to replace their current desktop machine with a portable. These machines are just as powerful as their desktop brethren and are not meant to lugged around by the user, most weigh around 9 lbs, but can be moved from room to room quite easily if need be.

Besides trying to max out your budget, you should also consider some of the following factors when buying a new notebook computer:

Processors – The “brain” of the computer is harder to upgrade in laptops than a traditional desktop computer, it maybe more prudent to choose a faster processor in your class of machines and sacrifice other minor features. Despite what the salesperson will tell you, processors from AMD and Intel work and perform exactly the same. The equivalent (Mobile) AMD Athlon 64 machines are both slightly cheaper and better designed than their Intel (Centrino) counterparts.

Memory – Notebook computers, with the exception of the desktop replacement kind, typically have slower processors. Users have to make sure that they purchase a notebook with a least 512 Megabytes of memory to ensure that their machine is up to snuff. If you are planning on getting a machine with less than 512 Megabytes of memory, make sure the machine has an extra DIMM (memory) slot for future expansion, else it may cost you a little more to upgrade down the line.

Battery life – If you are looking to replace your desktop computer with a mobile computer, this is not a very important; for the most part you will have the laptop plug into the wall. For thin and light notebook users, typical laptops will give you 2 – 4.5 hours per battery depending on use. For the “always on the go” crowd, ultra-portables will give you 5 to 6 hours per charge.Screen size – Mobile computer screens range between 10 to 17 inches. Most ultra-portables come in 12 inches or less. The desktop replacement variety usually come at 15 inches or greater. The average laptop will have at least a 14.1 inch screen. Unless you are doing a lot a desktop publishing work or watch a lot of movies, most users probably would not need anything larger than 14.1 inches. Big is not necessarily a good thing in the laptop world, it often means that you will sacrifice battery life and increase the weight of your machine making it less portable. To ensure that images and text are displayed clearly regardless of screen size, make sure that the screen supports high resolution rates. Have the salesperson demo the machine and judge with your eyes.

Keyboard – Mobile computer keyboards are not full size on some models especially the ultraportables. For those of you, who have slightly large hands, this could be quite uncomfortable. Finally, for all the touch typists out there, you may want to give the IBM ThinkPad line of notebooks a try. IBM notebooks have some of the industry’s best tactile keyboards. Make sure you give the keyboard a test drive before you decide to buy.

Mouse – To any computer user, next to the keyboard, the mouse is the most important device. Most notebook computers use a glide pad where individuals move the mouse pointer by moving their finger on a touch sensitive pad other notebooks from Toshiba and IBM use a tiny joystick embedded into the keyboard that the user can control the pointer on the screen. Individuals with slightly larger fingers may find the joystick a little harder to use. Try out the pointing device before you purchase.

Wireless Networking – Many university campuses, coffee hotspots, hotels and homes have WIFI wireless networking setup. If you are planning on using your portable in any of these environments, make doubly sure that your machine as built-in WIFI wireless networking and that it supports 802.11b or the better and faster 802.11g standards. A wireless network will give you access to all of your documents, e-mail family and friends, and surf the net wirelessly. Most laptops today come standard with an Ethernet port for Internet and network access. A majority come with both WIFI and the port. Finally, if you are planning on getting a portable with WIFI, make sure it comes with a switch to turn WIFI on or off. This gives individuals the option of conserving valuable battery power when there is no WIFI access.

Ports – Make sure you have enough USB ports for your digital cameras, printers, MP3 music players, and thumb drives. If you plan on editing your personal videos on the laptop, make sure you also have a firewire connection. Some laptops like the Sony VAIO Notebooks come with a built-in Memory Stick slot for those who use them to store photos and data. Finally, if you need to connect your cell phone or PDA to your laptop, make sure the laptop and your gadgets have Bluetooth or Infrared support.Storage/Floppy Disks – Many of the newer laptops, today, no longer come with any floppy disk drives. So, if you have a lot of information stored on “floppies” make sure your laptop either comes with a floppy drive (internal or external) or you have enough USB 2.0 ports (i.e. 2 or more) to accomodate a USB thumbdrive. USB thumbdrives can be purchased at your local computer store for around $30 – $100, depending on storage capacity. The main advantages to carrying a USB thumbdrive versus floppy diskettes are: (a) smaller size (i.e. same size as your housekey); (b) no moving parts (i.e. less prone to mechanical failures); and, (c) increase storage capacity (i.e. 128 Megabytes and up).

Well, I hope this helps guide you on your shopping trip. For those of you, who really need specific recommendations, feel free to drop me an e-mail by clicking here or at: gb.technobytes@gmail.com.

See you soon,

~ GeekBoy