More Odds and Ends

In my searches for interesting bits to write about in this blog, I always seem to come across some interesting items that deserve mentioning, but are too short for me to write about...or someone else has already written a great article about it and there is no need for me to reinvent the wheel. Hence, these "Odds and Ends" columns that I occasionally write. Here are today's offerings:

More on Free Software

In the last edition, I wrote about some of the places on the Web where you can get free software. In September, PC Magazine wrote an in-depth review of some of the best free software available to you. It is written by categories and is definitely worth a look.

Congress About to Pass a Very Weak ID Theft Bill

As they usually do, our Congress has taken a good idea to protect consumers and let it be weakened by special interests. It has happened again, this time in their attempt to combat identity theft in the United States. Congress is preparing to pass a sweeping, but very weak ID theft law that's a boon for identity thieves, beloved by big business, and an additional burden for you and me. At the same time, a bipartisan bill in the Senate that is modeled on California's tough and successful legislation, seems all but stalled. You need to read Jason Vamosi's hard hitting article on how Congress is about to screw us again.

Microsoft Will Issue Fix for Sony Rootkit

Microsoft will shortly update its security tools to detect and remove part of the copy protection tools installed on PCs when some music CDs are played. The software maker has determined that the "rootkit" piece of the XCP software on some Sony BMG Music Entertainment CDs can pose a security risk to Windows PCs.

To protect Windows users, Microsoft plans to update Windows AntiSpyware and the Malicious Software Removal Tool as well as the online scanner on Windows Live Safety Center to detect and remove the Sony BMG software. Microsoft provides weekly updates for Windows AntiSpyware (soon to be renamed Windows Defender). The Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool is updated monthly and is part of Microsoft's monthly patch releases.

New CNET Service for Your Products

Did you loose a manual for a tech product that you own and need to find it? Or do you want to create a wish list for products you wish to own in the future and learn more about them? CNET has started a new feature called "My Products, " where you can enter a list of products that you now own...or a list of products you may want to buy. The most intriguing part of this concept is that they have manuals on-line for the products you now own, just in case you might have lost them and need to access it.

Weird eBay Auction Items

Hard to believe, but there is a website dedicated to searching out and posting the strangest items up for sale on eBay. And it is updated every day. Go to http://www.bizarrebids.com/

Cheatsheet for Word

If you use Microsoft's Word for your word processing, you might find this little cheatsheet handy. It is available from OfficeLetter.com and is available as (what else), a word document that you can print out. Go to: http://www.officeletter.com/samples/v04/n52wordshortcuts.doc