Linked by snydeq on Sun 5th Dec 2010 20:31 UTC
If you haven't looked at the Windows utilities landscape lately, you're in for a big surprise. Many of the old favorites have changed, bringing new features to Windows 7, as well as XP. Others have fallen by the wayside, replaced by upstarts that deliver meaningful functionality that once cost big bucks. With that reality in mind, Woody Leonhard has picked the 15 free Windows utilities everyone should have.
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Member since:2010-05-16
Features
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/24/13 17:26 UTC
So, the Xbox One disaster continues. Microsoft's policy for dealing with the used games market has reportedly leaked - and it's a clear and direct attack to destroy the used games market. Prices for used games will be set at the retail value of a new game, and retailers have to hook into Microsoft's computer systems and comply with Microsoft's terms and conditions.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/21/13 21:38 UTC
At an event earlier today, Microsoft unveiled the next Xbox - the third model, but confusingly named Xbox One. The big focus was TV, integrated Kinect, and all the other stuff we all expected to be forced down our throats. I think it took them 25 minutes to actually come to what should be the core of the story: gaming. Nothing groundbreaking in the gaming department, except for how Microsoft intends to handle the used games market and borrowing games from friends: pay up, buddy!
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/20/13 11:29 UTC
The day has finally come! Jolla has finally announced the launch device for its Sailfish operating system - and by god this is a looker. It's decidedly different from other phones out there, but it has good specifications and carries a relatively reasonably price tag - EUR 399, and it's up for pre-order today, shipping in the fourth quarter of this year.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/18/13 21:33 UTC
Why does Google get so much credit in the technology industry? Why, despite the company's many obvious failings, do many geeks and enthusiasts still hold a somewhat positive view on the all-knowing technology giant? A specific talk at Google I/O this week provides the answer.
Linked by David Adams on 05/16/13 4:23 UTC
OSNews is a sponsor of this year's O'Reilly OSCON in Portland, Oregon, USA. A lucky OSNews reader will win a free three-day pass, including two tutorials days. To win the pass, post a comment on this story saying something about Open Source Software or OSCON. We'll pick a winner at random next week. If you don't have an OSNews account, you may email us your entry. Part of the conference is the 9th annual Open Source Awards, and today the 16th is the deadline for nominations. If you'd like to nominate an outstanding open source contributor, do it here. Read on for more information about OSCON. Update: The 20% discount code for OSNews readers is "OSN."
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/11/13 21:41 UTC
"Windows is indeed slower than other operating systems in many scenarios, and the gap is worsening." That's one way to start an insider explanation of why Windows' performance isn't up to snuff. Written by someone who actually contributes code to the Windows NT kernel, the comment on Hacker News, later deleted but reposted with permission on Marc Bevand's blog, paints a very dreary picture of the state of Windows development. The root issue? Think of how Linux is developed, and you'll know the answer.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/08/13 14:22 UTC
This is one of those news items that's fun to write, fun to read, fun to comment on, and where no one will be able to say anything unkind. It's all just one big ball of awesome fluffiness. TuneTracker, the BeOS radio automation software, has just released something very special: TuneTracker System 5, the first version designed entirely and specifically for Haiku. In fact, it actually includes Haiku in the software package. Better yet, TuneTracker also unveiled several system-in-a-box products - which have Haiku and TuneTracker pre-installed.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/02/13 15:28 UTC
Exactly twenty years ago, a document was published that played a huge role in establishing the web as we know it today. Twenty years later, and this simple and straightforward document is proof of an irrefutable fact: while closed technologies can change markets, open technologies can change the world.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 04/29/13 21:06 UTC
Oh multitasking. That staple of computing that got thrown out the window with many modern smartphones. We got some rudimentary thing in its place - but even as multitasking on phone and tablets improves, its user-visible side remains cumbersome. Windows 8 has a neat implementation, and now it's time Android follows in it footsteps.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 04/24/13 22:24 UTC
They're here! Whether that excites you or not remains to be seen, but the Galaxy S4, which will most likely become the best selling Android smartphone of the year by a huge margin, has been reviewed by all the major sites, and there's lots of interesting conclusions in there - although I think most of you will get the gist.More Features »
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2010-08-06
Just love these articles on applications. I wish we could have more.
There is also a lot of scaremongering going on the net about freeware.
I always Google an application before installing and I did so not long ago regarding one application on the short list (not going to name) there were specifically one flyby flame review to make you feel as though the other paid one is safer. It turned out to be utter crap because I installed it and thoroughly monitored it.
Reading things such as those you can’t help not feeling insecure when installing this stuff.
What can you do to feel more secure? (Other comments can help on this)
(This advice is for noobs like we all were at some stage and mostly relates to Windows)
1. APPLOCKER
Expensive option: Get windows ultimate for its Applocker feature.
(This should really be a default feature in all windows versions I think)
But as we all know ultimate isn’t exactly cheap.
2. SANDBOXING, NETWORK ACCESS CONTROL, NETWORK MONITORING
At this stage Microsoft security essentials don’t have sandboxing.
It should have. (I'm not saying MSE is not good)
Some security software comes with more bells and whistles for this.
Specifically:
Sandboxing (Program has no network access)
Networking access rights control (limit a programs right to access the internet. Some have a sliding scale across trusted and untrusted)
Network monitoring (where you can see what/if applications is actually using network bandwidth when they aren’t suppose to be.)
Windows have such a network monitoring feature but lacks in comparison to others.
(This naturally has it negatives to. It won’t update those maybe useful patches and some require network access to work properly)
3. PROCESS MONITORING
When a program is not in use look in your active processes if (Press CTL/ALT/DEL to access your task manager) if it still runs. (Although this might be necessary for a program to function correctly most of times it's not needed.
There are also programs you can use to control what programs boot on start-up.
4. UPDATE/PATCH YOUR SOFTWARE
Software mostly is not insecure by design. It's an ongoing effort to patch up vulnerabilities that can lie across thousands of lines of code.
(Sometimes software can fall into neglect with known vulnerabilities left unpatched.)
There is programs that can help you with this.
A program like Secunia free edition looks if any of your applications is unpatched.
Some antivirus/firewall suites also have this feature. Although it mostly require a special scan.
Alternatively if the program is not set to check for automatically routinely check if your sofware is updated. Usual way of doing this. Open program-Help-About...-Check for updates or Help-check for updates.
5. RESEARCH
Do a bit of research before installing.
Google the application, but also don't believe everything you read. Read an at least a few reviews before making up your mind.
6. DOWLOAD SITES
Don’t download your freeware from just any site. Some sites such as Cnet test their programs for Spyware act. Although we can't expect Cent or others inspect every line of code. The effort at least help towards the effort.
This is by far not an exhaustive list and quickly written.
Others might want to contribute.