Favorite Files

No favorite files added yet

Recent Posts

1. 
   Review - Norton AntiVirus

   2005 (Sep 19, 2004)

   I find that when Norton 200x products work on a pc they do a decent job. When a virus or system configuration breaks them it is a real pain to get it working again.
   
   A new feature in the newest versions is the Spyware detection. At first I thought it was going to be great that a popular virus scanner like NAV would be scanning for spyware. When I saw how poorly it actually does at detecting spyware I was very dissapointed. It seems like it only detects old variants of spyware that are no longer commonly distributed and when it does detect something is is worse than useless at removing the problem.
   
   Take the current distribution of the CoolWebSearch adware. It is nearly impossible to remove, even Adaware and spybot is not currently able to remove the latest variants but at least adaware and spybot are detecting some of the components of this nasty software. This latest version of NAV is now running on the machine infected with this junk and it doesn't detect anything is wrong except for the search page being changed. It doesn't identify the name of the adware at all, it just gives some generic trojan activity warning with no help at all to the possible resolution of the problem.
   
   As a virus scanner it does ok. Works just like any other virus scanner on the planet. I am constantly surprised every year when there is another update and every year they fail to add the one feature that users would actually need. What is that feature? The ability to REMOVE a virus automatically. Sure they occasionally post a removal tool on their website for a popular bug but why hasn't any antivirus program come up with the ability to actually properly remove a virus yet? Why do they force the user to visit a website full of technical crap about how the virus does it's business when all anyone cares about is getting rid of the thing?

2. Comment - PayPal takes another crack at tightening security

   2005 (Nov 30, 2008 - 6:52 AM)

   I tried it. The initial sign up / Authorization message never came through to me. I am on Telus in Canada with unlimited free SMS (for being such a good customer)
   
   Too bad they could not send it via Blackberry PIN message. Those are always instant.

3. Comment - Microsoft Releases 'Greenwich' Beta

   2005 (Mar 15, 2003 - 4:57 AM)

   Good idea. From the descriptions here and other websites they tended to describe this as a "public beta" which to me means anyone willing to put up with unfinished quality code can try it.
   
   Actually here is a quote from the MS press release:
   "Microsoft Corp. today released the first widely available beta version of its anticipated corporate server software technology for instant messaging and real-time collaboration, code-named "Greenwich.""
   
   Widely available beta. What does that make you think of?
   
   If it's only invited participants then it's more of a closed beta.
   
   It's all lies and marketing bravado, should have realized it.

4. Comment - Microsoft Releases 'Greenwich' Beta

   2005 (Mar 6, 2003 - 3:24 PM)

   So if it's released as a beta where can we get it from?
   
   Is it a private or open beta?

5. Comment - TiVo Begins 3.0 Software Rollout

   2005 (Apr 17, 2002 - 2:26 AM)

   I'm really dissapointed that they are up to version 3 of the software and a new generation of hardware but they still have not expanded the availability of these PVR's to Canada yet. I just cannot imagine it's that tough for them to expand their markets. If I read this correctly they will be able to get programming updates from the Internet which is great! Canada has the highest levels of broadband internet adoption, everyone has ADSL or Cable modems here. They wouldn't even need to operate dial in facilities.
   
   You would think that they would have sold them here, after all for 6 months of the year it's cold outside and all we do is sit inside and watch TV anyways.

6. Comment - Pre-Order Windows XP

   2005 (Sep 8, 2001 - 1:37 AM)

   Anyone know if there will be some kind of discount or rebate for people with Windows 2000?
   
   The upgrade price seems much too high for anyone going from Win2000 pro to XP pro. I would expect a mail in rebate similar to the rebate of $70 for users upgrading from windows NT when windows 2000 came out.