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ClifNotesNewsletter060813

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Welcome to Clif Notes Newsletter

August 13, 2006

 

 

  

Hi Everyone.

Thanks for reading my newsletter. Each week, I will have freeware reviews, tips, tricks, news, and lots of cool websites for you to check out.

I hope you enjoy this week's letter. Be sure to write me for advice or yell at me for messing up.

Click here to chat while

visiting this newsletter!


 

REVIEWS

 

 

ZuluPad

IntelDesktopUtilities

TextExplosion

VirtualNetworkComputing

SecondLife

TuxTyping

TotalUninstall

 

ZuluPad - notepad on crack

review by ClifNotes, Aug 2006, Permalink

 

I recently found another cool desktop wiki editor that's very nice and is so easy to use. ZuluPad is great for taking notes and keeping all kinds of information organized. The program is very small and can easily be run from a floppy disk or USB flash drive. This is one I'll be adding to my portable apps collection.

 

Zulu now has a couple of great features that set it apart from some other desktop wikis.

1. Local and network files can be linked in your documents.

2. You can upload your ZuluPad wiki docs and have access to them anywhere with internet access.

 

ZuluPad is missing one feature I'd like to have. Right now you can't display pictures in it, but it's a feature on the author's to-do list.

 

I had some questions for Tom, the ZuluPad author, that I asked him at his forum.

 

Clif:

Are you a professional programmer? If so, what types of programming have you done in the past.

 

Tom:

Yes, I'm a professional programmer / composer / sound designer. I know that's a bit of an odd assortment, but my job actually does involve all of those fields. I have a Bachelor's degree with a double-major in Computer Science and Music Technology, and a Master's degree in Music Tech. ZuluPad is a bit of a nights-and-weekends project for me, which is why development tends to happen a bit slowly and in spurts. Most of the programming that I do professionally is for web-based applications, often game-inspired, and generally using Flash and/or PHP, depending on the project. I'm also starting to do some mobile-phone programming recently. Most of the music and sound design that I do is either for games or interactive, game-based learning scenarios.

 

Clif:

What made you decide to try your hand at bringing the wiki concept to the desktop?

 

Tom:

Well, to be honest, I used a similar product that's only available on the Mac throughout grad school. I do most of my work on Windows, but I was running some OSX-only music software for school, and doing some live electronica that necessitated my purchase of an iBook. I found the desktop wiki to be so incredibly useful for long nights of note-taking, and for organizing my Master's thesis, that I really wanted one for Windows. I wasn't happy with the Windows options that were available, so I decided to write my own. I still use my iBook fairly frequently, which is why I wanted it to be cross-platform. I really should get around to porting it to Linux, as well, but I really don't use Linux as a desktop OS very often (I do use it frequently as a server, though), so it just hasn't been a high priority.

 

Clif:

How did you come up with the name?

 

Tom:

Oh, I don't know. I suppose it's somewhat inspired by the Mac-only program that I mentioned (it rhymes a bit), and I've always kind of liked the word "Zulu"--it's use in the phonetic alphabet used by radio operators, or as the other name for the GMT time zone. It's a word that you hear every so often, and it's sort of a mysterious kind of word. I don't really know too much about the Zulu people, or anything like that, but I like the name. Also, it seemed to fit with the icon that I'd designed somewhat separately from the program.

 

 

 

 

Quote from the website

ZuluPad is a notepad on crack. It's a place to jot down class notes, appointments, to-do lists, favorite websites, pretty much anything you can think of. The great thing about ZuluPad is that it combines the best parts of a notepad with the best parts of a wiki, a concept made popular by Wikipedia. The basic idea has been called a personal wiki or a desktop wiki.

 

 

ZuluPad website: http://www.gersic.com/zulupad/

 

Comments?


 

Intel Desktop Utilities and Diskeeper 9 - two more free defraggers

reader feedback from Rich SF, Aug 2006, Permalink

 

I've reviewed two defragging solutions recently, and Rich wrote in with two more free solutions I hadn't seen before.

 

From Rich SF,

I tried out the Auslogics app based on a user review at another site. I think it has a nicer GUI than the MS app but isn't any more effective.

 

I like PowerDefragmenter from Excessive Software. It provides a GUI for using the effective and fast Contig defrag utility from Sysinternals.

 

Quote from Excessive Software

Power Defragmenter is a GUI (Graphic User Interface) application for program Contig by Sysinternals. Contig is a very powerful defragmentation application designed for Windows NT/2000/XP operating systems. Please take a few minutes and check Sysinternals webpage for other cool programs.

Contig created by Mark Russinovich and Bryce Cogswell.

 

Rich continues

But, I think the best free defragger is a lite version of Diskeeper 9.0 (free only for non-biz use). The only way to get it, as far as I know, is to download the full (89MB) version of Intel Desktop Utilities. Unzip the download file, go to the folder 3rdparty, the folder Diskeeper and install. Everything else in the download file can then be deleted.

 

Quote from Executive Software

Diskeeper 9.0 represents another step forward in defragmentation technology, with refinements to existing features and the addition of new options that are the result of Executive Software’s ongoing technical and market research. As in earlier versions, Diskeeper 9.0 is designed to solve fragmentation problems for everyone, from home users to huge enterprise IT departments.

 

Thank you Rick! Excellent tips!

 

Any comments?


 

Text Explosion and AutoHotKey - fill in your abbreviations fast

review by ClifNotes, Aug 2006, Permalink

 

I don't know if I'd ever mentioned this here, but I have a job online. Yes, I actually make a little money by answering emailed support questions for some friends of mine. I and my cohorts in email support have a set of standard answers for the most commonly asked questions. We have a web page where we keep a copy of these so that we can paste them into emails while we answer users questions. I had been thinking that there must be an easier way to quickly paste in answers rather than going to the support page constantly and browsing through it for the right answer to place in the emails.

 

Was there an easy answer? Yes, of course. By now you should all know that when it comes to doing things on a Windows PC, there is often a very good free solution. I tried out two solutions below.

 

The answer is a program which actually reads your key strokes as you type them. When it recognizes special words or commands, it will automatically replace the word with a new word or phrase you have programmed it to use.

 

For example, if I type in the letters "=btw", the program will replace it immediately with "by the way".

 

Text Explosion

The first program I tried was called Text Explosion. It was a very simple program to use but for some reason another program on my PC was interfering with it and caused it to suddenly stop working without warning. If it weren't for this problem, I'd still be using it. It's just perfect for the job and I'm sure you will find it does just what you need. You could use it for common addresses, website passwords, email addresses, or just common phrases that you want to shorten up to save you from typing so much.

 

 

Quote from the Text Explosion website

Features:

  • Works in any and all programs.
  • Speed your typing by automatically inserting your commonly used text.
  • Replace your abbreviation with any amount of text, from a few words to a page or more.
  • Use to fill out forms on the Internet.
  • You can use Text Explosion to correct your common spelling errors.
  • Use Text Explosion to respond to common email questions.

 

See the Text Explosion Website

 

 

 

 

AutoHotKey

The next one I tried is a true super-geeks tool and it may not be what you need if you don't want to spend a good deal of time learning how to use it. AutoHotKey is an open source program that will replace text as I described above, but it's also a nearly complete Windows automation tool that does more than I have time to learn. Despite the complex features, I was quickly able to figure out how to use AutoHotKey to take on my task of quickly filling out email questions. With a little help from the very complete documentation, I think most of you out there could do the same.

 

 

Quote from the AutoHotKey website

AutoHotkey is a free, open-source utility for Windows. With it, you can:

  • Automate almost anything by sending keystrokes and mouse clicks. You can write a mouse or keyboard macro by hand or use the macro recorder.
  • Create hotkeys for keyboard, joystick, and mouse. Virtually any key, button, or combination can become a hotkey.
  • Expand abbreviations as you type them. For example, typing "btw" can automatically produce "by the way".
  • Create custom data entry forms, user interfaces, and menu bars. See GUI for details.
  • Remap keys and buttons on your keyboard, joystick, and mouse.
  • Respond to signals from hand-held remote controls via the WinLIRC client script.
  • Run existing AutoIt v2 scripts and enhance them with new capabilities.
  • Convert any script into an EXE file that can be run on computers that don't have AutoHotkey installed.

See the AutoHotKey website

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

Both of these programs will work well on most PC's. Your choice for help with automating your PC will depend on what you need it to do. If all you need is text replacements, Text Explosion is a great choice. If you want to immerse yourself into the possibilities of automating all kinds of PC functions then AutoHotKey is for you.

 

Comments?


 

Virtual Network Computing

review from ClifNotes, feedback from Juan in Costa Rica, Aug 2006, Permalink

 

Juan wrote me with the following question ...

 

Hi, Clif!

 

Thanks a lot for your GREAT newletter! Some years ago I used a utility or program that let me share my desktop screen, in real time, with all other users in my network. I am having trouble to find a free utility like this and I forgot the one I used before. Can you help with some advice?

 

Thanks a lot anyway,

 

Juan

Costa Rica

 

I wrote back to Juan with a recommendation for either of the two freeware VNC (Virtual Network Computing) applications on this page at Snapfiles. He was very happy to be reunited with the software he'd forgotten the name of.

 

So, what is VNC, and how does it let you share your computer over a network? Here's what WikiPedia says about it ...

 

Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is a desktop sharing system which uses the RFB (Remote FrameBuffer) protocol to remotely control another computer. It transmits the keyboard presses and mouse clicks from one computer to another relaying the screen updates back in the other direction, over a network.

 

VNC is platform-independent: a VNC viewer on any operating system can connect to a VNC server on any other operating system. There are clients and servers for almost all operating systems and for Java. Multiple clients may connect to a VNC server at the same time. Popular uses of the technology include remote technical support, and accessing files on your work computer from your home computer.

 

VNC was originally developed at AT&T. The original VNC source code is open source under the GNU General Public License, as are many of the variants of VNC available today.

 

I've used VNC for years on and off. I used to play games on my PC and share my desktop with my brother-in-law when he lived in Texas. I live in Ohio and he could see my Computer screen just like he was looking over my shoulder and he could also move the mouse around and make his moves during the game. Pretty cool, eh?

 

 

 

You can use VNC for lots of other stuff, but I think the best use is to help out people on PCs when they have a problem.

 

I have a friend, Gary, who runs a web service for helping people with their PC problems and he uses VNC when he has no other way to help them. It sure saves travel time and expense. So, if you ever have a really tough problem, check out Gary's site at InternetFixes. The first question you ask him is free, and he has an awesome free database of past fixes for PC problems.

 

Here is a link to VNC programs and tutorials on how to use them.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/VNCGuide.html

 

Comments?


 

Second Life - a second life in a virtual world

review by ClifNotes, Aug 2006, Permalink

 

Second Life is a 3D virtual world that has about 400,000 residents. I happened across it one day while reading a newsletter at KurzweilAI.net. I have tried other virtual world services before, but this one seems to be one of the most polished. It reminds me very much of There.com or Active Worlds.

 

The service is free, but you will find that you are urged to pay for premium services and other virtual world objects and services. You can own land but it's not free, but that's just as true in real life.

 

I found the service to be fairly easy to use. You can create your own customised avatar (your virtual body). You can also create virtual objects that you own and can sell for virtual money. The chat interface for talking with other people at Second Life, seemed a little difficult to use, but I may not have been using it's full set of features. You can save a buddy list and also bookmark locations for visiting again later.

 

I liked the service very much, but I'm not a big fan of social gatherings, so I'll only be back for special events. If you like online social services, this is one you might find yourself getting into. It can be like a pool of quicksand, easy to get into, but hard to leave.

 

http://secondlife.com/

 

larger

 

Quote from the website:

Second Life is a 3-D virtual world entirely built and owned by its residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, it has grown explosively and today is inhabited by 399,441 people from around the globe.

 

  • From the moment you enter the World you'll discover a vast digital continent, teeming with people, entertainment, experiences and opportunity. Once you've explored a bit, perhaps you'll find a perfect parcel of land to build your house or business.

 

  • You'll also be surrounded by the Creations of your fellow residents. Because residents retain the rights to their digital creations, they can buy, sell and trade with other residents.

 

  • The Marketplace currently supports millions of US dollars in monthly transactions. This commerce is handled with the in-world currency, the Linden dollar, which can be converted to US dollars at several thriving online currency exchanges.

 

Comments?


 

Tux Typing - learning to type is fun

comments from ClifNotes, review from PaulHamilton, Jun 2006, Permalink

 

I recently wrote about the very nice paint tool for kids called TuxPaint. Paul mentioned that it has a sister program called Tux Typing. It sounds just great. Paul has a fantastic blog that he uses to spread the word about free educational tools and services.

 

TuxTyping 2 This free open source program offers several engaging activities to help learn and practice computer keyboarding. This is not a typical typing tutor. Most activities involve hitting a designated key, or typing a word before the letter or word reaches the bottom of the screen. There are two distinct modes, “Fish Cascade” or “Comet Zap” ... read more

 

larger

 

Learn more about educational tools at Paul Hamilton's blog.


 

Total Uninstall - keep your system clean

Website - Freeware (thanks to Freeware4u for hosting this)

reviewed by ClifNotes on 07/24/05

 

Review

This utility is simply a "must have" for anyone who likes to download and install new applications. If you are using the Add/Remove function in Windows, the uninstaller is only as good as the guy who writes it. Sometimes they don't work very well and sometimes they don't work at all. Total Uninstall (TUN) will allow you to monitor the installation of an application and then later uninstall it with confidence that everything it installed is now gone. The author has started selling it now and the last freeware version is still available. It might be a good idea to get it now before it starts getting hard to find. (updated review, 1st review on 7/26/04)

 

Tips

  • You cannot uninstall something with TUN that you didn't install with TUN. Anything you installed before you started using TUN is going to have to be uninstalled the old fashioned way. TUN works by getting a "before" snapshot of your system before you installed the application. After the application is installed TUN will prompt you to get the "after" snapshot so it can compare them.
  • Close all your running applications so nothing is showing on your task bar before launching TUN.
  • Drag the install file into the application name entry window and it will automatically keep the path to your new application. You can change the name once you've dragged it in.
  • When you decide to uninstall something, it's best to run the uninstall in Add/Remove from the Windows Control Panel and then follow up by uninstalling it with TUN.
  • If you ever need to surf to an untrustworthy website you can launch TUN before you go there and get a "before" snapshot. Once you are done at the website just use TUN to get the "after" snapshot and reverse any changes you don't want.
  • You can use TUN to monitor your kids PC time. Just fire it up before the kids play and minimize it after it get's the "before" snapshot. When the kids are done playing on your PC, you can double click TUN in the system tray and finish the monitoring by getting the "after" snapshot. If you see anything you don't like, you can uninstall it or manually remove it.
  • Just before you exit TUN after monitoring an install, export the installation record to a text file by clicking the Export button. This will leave you a permanent and easily readable copy of the install. If you ever have problems with an install, you can always consult the exported text file or send it to an expert for advice.
  • If there are left over registry entries that TUN couldn't get rid of during an uninstall, use a good registry editing tool like RegistrarLite or RegMagik so you can copy and paste the registry location to save time and be certain you are getting the correct entries.
  • If TUN asks whether you want to remove shared DLL files, it's always safe to say "No to all". If you ever need to clean up your unused DLL files, you can use the AnalogX DLL Archive tool.
  • TUN can be very useful for analysis of adware and spyware websites and programs.
  • A word of caution. TUN cannot monitor changes to your system while it's not being used. If you used TUN to install a program a year ago, TUN cannot undo all the changes the program made to your system during that year. It's still better than most Windows uninstallers.

 

Screenshot

Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us

click to expand

 

Quote

To use it, you simply launch the installation program from Total Uninstall interface and select the system areas to be monitored. The program will then create a snapshot of your system before it installs the new software and an additional snapshot after install completes. It then compares the two snapshots and displays all changes in a graphical tree view, marking all registry values and/or files that have been added or changed.

 

Total Uninstall freeware version

 

Comments?


 

Workrave - Free Software And Your Health

review by BluesMusings, Aug 2006, Permalink

 

Any ardent computer user knows that eventually you may contract repetitive strain injury, or RSI. It affects many computer users at both work and at home. I came across this little freebie that hangs in the dock and reminds you when to take a break. It even runs you through some helpful exercises that will stretch your muscles and tendons in a recommended fashion.

 

From the website :

 

Workrave is a program that assists in the recovery and prevention of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). The program frequently alerts you to take micro-pauses, rest breaks and restricts you to your daily limit.

Free software restricting the limits of its users. What will they think of next ? Oh well, this one is good for your health.

 

Homepage / Download Workrave

 

Drop by Blues Musings to see more freeware reviews and other cool stuff


 

 

 

 

 

TIPS AND FEEDBACK

 

Dealing with DRM and music files

questions from Ken, Aug 2006, Permalink

 

On 8/6/06, ken m wrote:

Hi Clif

 

Have just started to read your newsletters as I found your site by accident ... tho I must say I am very impressed. I do like the way it is so informal. I have a question and I hope you can help.

 

My daughter has some music on the pc that she downloaded before DRM came in. I would like her to now download music legally. To do this we have to upgrade Media Player so that it accepts DRM when we download. The question is, will her old music still play on the Media Player 10 with DRM ... Its the holidays and she is driving me to distraction, so I have to get this sorted out before I commit a crime. Please help ...

 

Thanks

 

Ken

 

 

 

Hi Ken,

 

I'd like you to try an alternative to DRM controlled music. Using this software is just as legal as putting a cassette into your stereo and recording the radio station. Have you every done that? Have you ever recorded a TV show on your VCR?

 

Try ScreamerRadio

 

If you don't like the preset radio stations there, try http://shoutcast.com and copy the "listen to" links there and paste them into Screamer.

 

If you don't like Screamer, I have other methods that work as well.

 

Have fun!

 

Clif


 

If you hate DRM software and encrytion, you might want to consider joining up with Defective by Design.

 

Comments?


 

 

Gmail Zapped by G-Zapper

feedback from Mike D, Aug 2006, Permalink

 

I have filled hundreds of requests for Gmail invitations over the last couple years. Most often, I never hear from the requester again. Sometimes people do write back a quick thank you note, but once in awhile, I get a letter telling me about a problem.

 

On 8/6/06, Mike D wrote:

Hi again Clif,

 

When I try to Login using my Login Name and Password, the site keeps saying my Cookies are turned off. I have checked everywhere and they are turned on and I am receiving Cookies from other sites. What gives with the GMail. com site for logging on. They sure make it difficult.

 

Mike D.

 

Hi Mike,

 

Gee, a cookie problem? I don't know. I've never heard of that happening. What web browser are you using?

 

Clif

 

 

On 8/6/06, Mike D wrote:

Clif, You provide excellent service and I do appreciate it. While waiting for your response, I found that I had previously used a program called "G-Zapper", you can Google it, had blocked the ability of Google Search to install a Cookie for tracking or whatever feedback it does. Anyway, "G-Zapper" allowed me to reverse the Block it places on Google. Things finally kicked in, after some ambiguous messages. I am in "at GMail". I have loaded some storage files and (GmailDrive) MyComputer shows the near 3GB storage. The files also show up at the GMail site. I am taking the Tutorials now. I will give it all a try. Wish me luck. Perhaps the "G-Zapper" solution will help, should another frustrated guy show up, with the same or similar problems. Thanks again for your excellent follow-up and assistance. Have a great finish to the weekend. Talk again in the future and you do have a great site yourself at Clifnotes.

 

Mike D

 

Thanks for writing in Mike, we all learned something new today!

I'd never heard of G-Zapper. Let's take a look at what it does ...

 

http://www.dummysoftware.com/gzapper.html

 

 

G-Zapper looks like a good program to allow you to protect your privacy during Google searches. I can show you a better way to search in privacy without installing any software. Try going to ScroogleSearch for your searching. No ads and no cookie tracking but you'll get the same search results.

 

 

Freewarewiki     web

               

 

I also located another website with complete instructions for another approach to privacy while using Google search. "Protect Your Privacy from Google"

 

Since this whole idea of cookies and privacy came up, I contacted my good friend BillWebb, who has often expressed his opinions on privacy and Google quite well. He and I agree on this subject, and here's what he had to say about it.

 

From Bill Webb,

Google's privacy FAQ is a good reference for issues that might be related to the privacy of individuals using the service. (Google privacy FAQ)

 

Generally speaking, Google does nothing that every other site doesn't do. In fact, they're generally more forthcoming about it. Internet Accelerator and Personalized Browsing collect the most information, and Google even supplies information and allows folks to opt out of cookie collection -- although Accelerator won't work without it.

 

Most of the personal information logged by Google is received in the URLs it logs from web searches. That info is coded into the URLs by the sites visited, and Google records those URLs with no control over what was put in by third parties. All the other search engines do the same thing. That's how they direct their advertising and collect from their customers. Anyone with issues about that needs to visit their public library and use a public computer. Just don't enter any private information, because there it is likely to be compromised.

 

Bottom line, if you want anonymity while surfing, use one of the anonymizing services. Otherwise, just accept that you really have no privacy on the Web anyway, and get on with your life.

 

Personally, I ignore the whole issue. Of course, I have nothing to hide.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

 

 

I feel that my use of the free Google services does come at some cost for my privacy, but as Bill pointed out, "Of course, I have nothing to hide".

 

Most of us have nothing to fear from Google.

 

I still have lots of Gmail invitations to give out, so don't be shy, just say I WANT GMAIL.

 

Any comments?


 

 

Problems with .NET update for Win2K

tip from BillAllin, Aug 2006

 

Bill writes in about how to solve a Windows Update problem that recently occurred in Windows 2000 machines.

 

Microsoft has not addressed the problem that some computers running Windows 2000 faced when a Security Update for its .NET framework version 2.0 was issued a month or so ago. However, others have addressed the issue. Following their advice, I have solved the problem on my Win2K machine.

 

The problem itself is merely a nuisance for those who could not get the patch installed. The update icon kept appearing in the system tray advising people to install the already downloaded patch. However, each time the patch could not be installed, nor could it be installed by using the Microsoft Update site.

 

The need to install this patch is obvious, since it involves security for those computers that use .NET framework, notably those with version 2.0 A security issue awaits those who do not have this patch.

 

Microsoft describes the patch called KB917283 (filename NDP20-KB917283, with the rest of the name being -IA64.exe or -X64.exe or X32.exe depending on the system being used) at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=56A1777B-9758-489F-8BE8-5177AAF488D1&displaylang=en

 

Users have found various ways of fixing the problem. In my case, for example, I had to download .NET 2.0 again, uninstall the previous version of 2.0, install the new (clean) version of 2.0 (saved in a folder where I could find it later), then use the Microsoft Update site to install the Security Patch. For a few Win2K users, even this may not be enough, so a further modification is available.

 

Win2K users who have the problem of installing the Security Update known as KB917283 (and ONLY those with the problem) should see three methods for correcting the problem--from the simplest to the most laborious--at this site: http://www.webuser.co.uk/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/294981/an/0/page/0

 

Thanks for the update Bill.

Comments?


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COOL WEBSITES

 

TopFreeware - making the top freeware easy to find

Website - Cool Website

notes by ClifNotes on 9/18/05

 

Notes

The TopFreeware website is exactly what the author says it is. He has 16 categories of freeware, and he only lists the freeware that he personally considers the top or best. There isn't a vast array of choices under each category. This can be good. Sometimes you only have to try the first one or two you see to find out that it's probably the best choice for yourself.

 

Quote

There are a lot of good programs available for free, that are legal to download and use for any amount of time, with no restrictions. Personally myself, I will not go out and pay for a program unless I can't get it off the net for free. By that I mean "LEGALLY", 95% of the stuff you need, you can get from the net without forking out loads of money.

read more

 

TOP FREEWARE


 

Planetarium Software

Latest Updates from CyberGuide, July 2006, Permalink

 

ASTRONOMY: PLANETARIUM SOFTWARE

 

Say, here is an amazing selection of (some free) Astronomy programs available on the internet. Simply love the dedication of this guy to list everything under the sun (!). Even Java applets and web-based planetariums are included! O distant childhood, I so wish I had the net when I was at High School...

 

 

Be sure to visit Zia's Cyberguide blog for more tips

Any Comments?


 

 

LinkScanner by Exploit Prevention Labs

article from BluesMusings, Jul 2006, Permalink

 

This is a free tool that scans Web sites for malicious code and other exploits, giving users a chance to steer clear of dangerous URLs before they click on links. Go to LinkScanner to try it out.

 

The tool, dubbed LinkScanner by Exploit Prevention Labs, is the fruit of an earlier effort - the company's "SocketShield" - and in later versions, will compete with better-known site raters such as McAfee's / SiteAdvisor.

 

When a user enters a URL in LinkScanner, the tool scans the requested page for threats and exploits, then reports back on what it found.

 

Quoted from source:

 

Use LinkScanner to inspect

 

  • Links forwarded by friends
  • Web sites displayed on search results
  • Any link with suspicious characters or web site you have never visited

 

 

Why use LinkScanner?

 

Cybercriminals use "lure" sites to attract web users to sites they have invisibly infected with exploit code. This exploit code is then used to infect users' PCs with drive-by downloads of spyware, rootkits, and other malware.

 

  • Just because you click a link doesn't mean you'll land on the site you thought you would
  • Just because a site looks innocent doesn't mean the underlying code is harmless
  • Just because a search engine serves up a listing doesn't mean you can trust it

 

Note : The tool doesn't warn users of all potentially risky sites.

 

 

LinkScanner is free to use or upgrade to the software package for $19.95-per-year.

 

Drop by Blues Musings to see more freeware reviews and other cool stuff


 

 

 

 

Websites I've visited recently


 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW NEWS

 

 

The Zango Tango

news from BluesMusings, Aug 2006, Permalink

 

Read this rant from Cloudeight - find out what 180solutions and Hotbar are up to. Learn why this combination has serious ramifications. You will be appalled and angry when you see what's going on at Zango.

 

Read the article here : ZangoTango

Drop by Blues Musings to see more freeware reviews and other cool stuff


 

Ktoon 2D Animation Tools - do you want to make cartoons?

news from ClifNotes, Aug 2006, Permalink

 

I just found out that some animators (cartoonists) are offering a free Live CD with all their animation tools included. To try it out, you'll have to download an ISO image file and burn the image to a CD. Once you have the CD, just slap it into your PC and reboot. The CD will boot you into a Linux OS and load up the animation tools.

 

 

Quote from the website

KToon is a 2D Animation Toolkit designed by animators (Toonka Films ) for animators, focused to the Cartoon Industry. This project is covered by the GPL License using G++, OpenGL and QT as programming resources from KDevelop as the development platform. By now, KToon is only available for Unix systems but we expect to make it works on Windows systems too someday.

 

The main goals of this site are to provide resources (Screenshots, Mail lists, BugTracker, Wiki, etc) for the KToon's community and to help for the development of this application with the aid of users and programmers around the world.

 

Try out KToon

 

Comments?


 

 

 

News from Sarah in Tampa


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER STUFF

 

Get Gmail! and Get Firefox!

 

You need a free 2.7 GB Gmail account to access many of the cool features at Google. I'll send you an invitation right away if you write me and say I WANT GMAIL.

 

 

I think Gmail works best in the awesome Firefox browser. It's free, easy to use, and it's way more secure than Internet Explorer. My favorite thing to do is to customize Firefox so that it does much more than IE ever could. You can select new button controls for your toolbars, install extensions to add new features, or change the look of your browser with themes - the way Firefox looks and works is under your control.

 

Get Firefox!


 

Chatting at FreewareWiki

permalink

 

Now you can chat with anyone visiting a website by using Gabbly. To see who's gabbing at this website, click here.

 

Find out more about it at Gabbly.com

 

click here.


 

 

 

 

Frapper - you people live all over the world!

Wow! Over 300 people and still growing! I invite all of you to record your locations on this map. You can include as little or as much information as you wish. I think you'll enjoy seeing yourself there.

 

Here's a small look at my frapper map.

 


 

Write your own review

 

I get many of the reviews in the newsletter from the readers. You don't have to be a genius or computer guru. Just answer a few questions and send me a review. I'll probably put you in the newsletter.


 

What do you have to say?

 

Just tell me what article you are talking about and leave me your comment.


 

 

Have fun and surf safely.

 

Clif

http://clifnotes.net & http://freewarewiki.pbwiki.com

Devoted to promoting Freeware and Free Information

Want a free 2.7Gb Gmail account?

Email me here.

 

 

 

 


 

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