Your New Laptop Can Be Hijacked Right Out of the Box

Researchers find insecure BIOS 'rootkit' pre-loaded in laptops

A popular laptop theft-recovery service that ships on notebooks made by HP, Dell, Lenovo, Toshiba, Gateway, Asus and Panasonic is actually a dangerous BIOS rootkit that can be hijacked and controlled by malicious hackers.

More Detail on Tuesday's Emergency Microsoft Updates

A day after the release of off-schedule updates for Internet Explorer and Visual Studio, the importance of those updates and the details of the vulnerabilities that necessitated them are becoming clearer. Security vendors across the market acknowledged the importance of users and developers taking the updates seriously.

Microsoft sticker shock: Anytime Upgrade, Family Pack details

Microsoft announced pricing and delivery details for a pair of eagerly awaited products in the Windows 7 family. If you were hoping for upgrade bargains or a long-term commitment to multi-PC upgrade pricing, prepare to be disappointed.

A Google Wave reality check

Google Wave was unveiled in May at the Google I/O Developer conference, and dazzled attendees with its goal: a combination of real-time communication with social-networking and search capabilities built into a familiar interface. Wave is more than just an in-box on steroids, however. It's also a communications platform that developers can use to build their own applications, something that many were excited about in the early hours of Wave's life on the public stage.

MarketBrowser 2.30 (Windows)

Get world class charting on your computer in seconds with MarketBrowser. The 12-window investing software makes charting funds and stock quotes easy.

Sandboxie…the Key to Safe Surfing

Besides the obvious solution of not using the Internet, the greatest protection you can have today again malware in your computer is “Sandboxie,” an amazing software product that protects you from almost all the nasty things the bad guys can throw at you.

To put it as simply as possible, you run your browser or any other program for that matter, inside a “sandbox”, created by Sandboxie.  You work as normal and if you come across a site that loads your computer with viruses or spyware, they cannot get out of the sandbox to attack your system.  Sandboxie actually creates a false computer system inside the sandbox that lets the malware think it is changing your system. But in reality, it has done nothing to affect you. 

It is forever trapped inside the sandbox and periodically you can dump the contents of the sandbox and it is gone forever.  Your system is safe.  If you don’t believe me, watch some of the videos on YouTube that demonstrate how the sandbox works. They loaded up some of the worse viruses they could find and they never got out of the sandbox.

A couple of things you should know…Sandboxie takes a bit of effort on your part to learn how to use it properly. There are a great many features to it that are not self evident.  Besides the YouTube videos, there are tutorials on the Sandboxie Web site to help you out. 

The other important thing to remember is if you download a program to install on your computer, it is downloaded inside the sandbox.  You must tell the program to take it out of the box so you can install it properly.  The easiest way to do that is to make sure you download software to your desktop.  Then, Sandboxie will automatically ask you if you want to move it out of the box. If you say yes, the downloaded program’s icon will appear on the desktop.

Another cool feature is that you can right click on any software you want to run inside its own sandbox.  On the menu will be an item that lets you chose to run it sandboxed.  I find I am doing that more and more.

Right now I have my Firefox browser and my instant messenger running in permanent sandboxes.  My AVG daily scans show that all the spyware I get on a daily basis stuck inside the Sandbox (and is removed by AVG).  I have the instant messenger set to empty the sandbox completely every time I close it down.          

Sandboxie is not free…it costs $29.95.  But for your dollars you get a lifetime of free upgrades and can load it up on as many computers as you want.  You can also use it free for life, but paying for it gives you some extra bonuses…the most important being able to run any software you chose in a permanent sandbox.  Believe me when I say that is worth it.

You can read more about it and download the trial version at the Sandboxie Website.  As I said, I also recommend going to YouTube to watch some demo videos. Just do a search on Sandboxie.

Also, my favorite security geek, Steve Gibson (the man who first discovered spyware), did an entire podcast on it with Leo LaPorte. Steve is the most skeptical of all security gurus, but he loves it. Part of the show includes and interview with the creator of Sandboxie, Ronen Tzur. 

Bottom line is that Sandboxie offers the safest way to surf the Internet free of worry.  PS – It works in Windows 7 also.

Microsoft and Yahoo Finally Do Their Deal

Microsoft and Yahoo sign search deal, take on Google

Microsoft and Yahoo struck a long-anticipated search deal Wednesday under which Microsoft's Bing search engine will power Yahoo's search site, and Yahoo will sell premium search advertising services for both companies. The deal, which took nearly a year and a half to work out and started with an unsolicited bid by Microsoft to buy Yahoo in February 2008, is aimed at giving the two companies leverage against search giant Google, which leads the market in search-driven online advertising revenues.

Microsoft will open stores in Arizona, California

Microsoft plans to open two of its first retail locations in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Mission Viejo, Calif., CNET News has learned. The software maker confirmed on Tuesday that it has signed leases in both spots as part of an effort to launch its first retail outlets this fall.

Twitter's new home page: Information, not status updates

the microblogging service unveiled Tuesday its revamped home page, which doesn't change anything for people who are already using Twitter--it's just a different look and feel for twitter.com if you haven't logged in.

Is it time to dump Adobe's Flash player?

With news that 92% of Windows PCs are vulnerable to a zero-day attack that Adobe won’t patch until Thursday, is it time to dump Adobe’s Flash player? The most current versions of Flash player, 9.0.159.0 and 10.0.22.87, are both vulnerable to hackers. According to security companies, hackers are launching wave after wave of attacks, using both malicious websites, and websites that have been compromised.

Top antispyware software

If you are using a Windows machine or even a Mac running Windows in a virtual environment, you need to pay attention to security. At the very least, you should always have at least one program for each of the major security threats: antispyware, antivirus, and a software firewall (if you don't already have a router-based firewall)

Critical Fixes Coming from Microsoft and Adobe

Microsoft to fix critical hole in IE

In a rare move, Microsoft on Friday said it would be releasing security updates on Tuesday--outside of its monthly patch cycle--for a critical vulnerability in Internet Explorer and a moderate vulnerability in Visual Studio. The vulnerabilities affect Windows 2000, Windows XP, Vista, Windows Server 2003 and 2008, Internet Explorer 6, 7 and 8, Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003, Visual Studio 2005 and 2008 and Visual C++ 2005 and 2008.

Adobe promises patch for seven-month-old Flash and Reader flaw

Vendor knew about critical vulnerability in December 2008, never fixed it, slates updates for late next week. Too late sucka...I switched to Foxit.

IT professionals will not drop Windows XP quietly (if ever)

In a series of poll questions, IT professionals made it quite clear that they were not interested in migrating away from Windows XP. An interesting poll.

Firefox 3.7 GUI Redesign for Windows 7, Vista and XP

Mozilla is in the process of redesigning the graphical user interface (GUI) of its Firefox browser for Windows XP, Vista and 7. The new version will be 3.7, and are made to better take advantage of the Aero Glass theme in Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Digital Editing: Where Do You Draw The Line?

From time to time the question comes up of whether or not the use of Photoshop and similar image editing programs means that digital photography isn't "real" photography anymore. While Photoshop is a great tool to help overcome the limitations of the photographic process, it can also be used to change just about anything if you want to. So in order to answer the question, I guess it all depends on where you draw the line.

Legit Web Sites May be Screwing Their Customers

Buy.com, Orbitz linked to controversial marketers

Thousands of Web shoppers have complained that "mystery charges" are showing up on their credit card statements and have accused those who operate so-called Web loyalty programs of duping them into signing up. As a result, the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee is investigating Vertrue, WebLoyalty, and Affinion--companies who make "cash-back" and coupon offers to consumers and charge those who enroll in their loyalty programs.

Report: Americans dumber than a box of rocks about spam

When it comes to spam, we Americans are quick to point our fingers at Russia, China and eastern Europe as the regions responsible for the bulk of it. But a new report issued today found that Americans are largely to blame - not because we create it, but because we’re too stupid to recognize that we’re spreading it.

Google promises the end of viruses

Google's Engineering Director has promised that its forthcoming Chrome OS will see the end of malware.

MS adds sandboxing to Office 2010

Office 2010 will incorporate sandboxing technology so that when users want to simply read Office documents, these files will have no access to other files or information. Even if the file is malicious, it can’t get out of the sandbox and do harm to your computer or data.

FavBackup 1.1.2 (Windows - Free Downloads)

Here is a simple solution for you to backup and restore web browser settings and other data on Windows systems.

Windows 7 Now Set in Concrete

Microsoft finalizes Windows 7

Microsoft on Wednesday said it has finalized the code for Windows 7, paving the way for the new operating system to make its way onto retail shelves and new PCs in time for its October 22 launch. According to experts, very little has changed from the RC version that Microsoft still has available for download.

Will Apple kill off the iPod Classic?

They just might...but I hope not. I own one and it is such a great bargain when compared to the other iPod models.

Does Yahoo still matter?

The No. 2 search portal has a new(ish) CEO and a brand-new look. But is that enough to keep Yahoo from being garroted by Google or manhandled by Microsoft?

Startup Company crafts DVD-Rs for the 31st century

A US startup has developed a new DVD-R technology that it claims will be readable for 1,000 years. Millenniata's tag line is "Write Once, Read Forever" - and if forever can be defined as 40 generations, that's exactly what its Millennial Disc Series promises.

DLS 101 - How to spot a fake Windows antivirus program

One of the most common problems I tackle on Windows computers is the removal of rogue antivirus programs. Just what is a rogue antivirus? It's malware that disguises itself as a legitimate antivirus program.

All the Windows 7 Stories You Need in One Place

Windows 7 nears the finish line

Rather than publish one story at a time about Windows 7, here is a collection of stories...so you can choose the ones that interest you most. I am still using Windows 7 and still loving it. Microsoft has hit a home run here...my humble opinion.

Update: Analysts see alarming development in mobile malware

For the first time, a piece of mobile malware can send and receive information from a remote server, signaling the arrival of mobile botnets

Amazon Stealing e-Books Back from Kindles

The New York Times'David Pogue reports that Amazon has decided to pull certain copies of electronic books from its shelves. In doing so, however, Amazon has also pulled them off of Kindles its customers own, and who had already purchased the books in question.

Fix Our Industry, Please! - Column by John C Dvorak

Here are the things we need to do and/or develop (read: new killer apps) in order to turn tech around.

Photo Cutter - Free software

Photo Cutter provides users with one of the fastest cropping tools we have ever tested. Simple commands and lightning-fast results make this a program that users of all levels can appreciate.

A Review of Google Voice

Note: Just before I put together this edition, I received my own invitation to receive Google Voice.  I, of course, installed it and am just beginning to play. I will have my own review in the future, but this free program could revolutionize the way you use telephones…like one phone number for life that controls all your phones.  JRC

A look at Google Voice

Invitations to Google Voice are suddenly appearing, and I finally got one and put the app to work. So what does Google Voice do that I can't or haven't? Quite a bit, actually.

Major antivirus engines failing to detect malware

The Commtouch Q2 2009 Internet Threats Trend Report noted a spike in the number of e-mail viruses that slipped past major antivirus engines between late May and June.

Is Google optimizing Chrome 3 for Windows XP netbooks?

Over the last few weeks, Google has been releasing development builds of its Chrome 3 Web browser in a fast and furious pace. And with each release, the browser has been leaping forward in performance, particularly in Windows XP. With yesterday's release of beta build 3.0.193.1, Chrome 3 has given Betanews reason to suspect that these performance gains are no accident.

Barnes & Noble unveils online bookstore

Top U.S. bookseller Barnes & Noble Inc announced on Monday the launch of the world's largest online bookstore, with over 700,000 titles that can be read on a range of platforms from Apple's iPhone to personal computers.

Hulu Desktop - At A Glance

Web video titan Hulu comes even closer to mimicking the TV experience with Hulu Desktop, a free application that lets you watch Hulu content using your PC or Mac remote. Hulu Desktop has all the high-quality content and organized navigation of the online service, but doesn't tether you to a keyboard or mouse.

Firefox Fixed…and Choosing Your Browser

Mozilla closes security hole with Firefox 3.5.1

Mozilla updated Firefox to version 3.5.1 for Windows, Mac, and Linux on Thursday, fixing a security problem, improving stability, and speeding launch time on some Windows systems, according to the release notes. We told you about the flaw yesterday...and now its fixed.

Microsoft gets its edge back

Is it just me or is Microsoft a little more competitive than it has been in recent years? Microsoft has gotten under Apple’s skin—at least its lawyers—got Google’s attention with Bing and is even doing the Web app thing. Microsoft almost seems to be enjoying itself

How to Choose the Best Web Browser

Today's Web browsers are faster and more feature-rich than ever before. If you're not sure which one you should use, our look at the most popular options will help prep you for prime surfing.

Movie studios try to harness "Twitter effect"

Audiences are voicing snap judgments on movies faster and to more people than ever before on Twitter, and their ability to create a box office hit or a flop is forcing major studios to revamp marketing campaigns.

Hands On with BingTweets

Okay, Microsoft, I'm impressed. First you deliver a search engine update that's actually better than Google. Then you flood the world with the most aggressive ad campaign I've seen in years for a digital product. Now you're rapidly rolling out new features. Take BingTweets. It lets you search the Web and the Twitter stream at the same time. The results page is fascinating. Follow the link for a hands-on-report.

Follow-up Info for your Windows 7 Decision

Note: I received an email from Microsoft today reminding me that you can still download Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) for free until August 20.  Just go to the Windows 7 download page on the Microsoft site.  That way you can see for yourself in this new Windows will work for you. You can also learn more about Windows 7 and watch informative videos on another special Microsoft Web page

Some versions of Windows 7 worth it, others not

With the arrival of Windows 7's release to manufacturing (RTM) imminent, my inbox is teeming with questions about the next version of every PC user's favorite whipping boy. You need to make a few key decisions to ensure that you pick the Windows 7 version that best meets your needs.

Seven steps to securing Windows 7

Windows 7 comes with important safeguards out of the box, but it isn't hard to make it even more secure.

Microsoft to open retail stores near Apple's this fall

Microsoft is planning to open the first of its planned retail stores next to existing Apple stores this fall.

Zero-day flaw found in Firefox 3.5

The zero-day flaw lies in Firefox 3.5's Just-in-time (JIT) JavaScript compiler. Proof-of-concept code to exploit the vulnerability has been posted online by a security research group, Mozilla said in a post on its security blog on Wednesday. Security company Secunia rated the vulnerability as "highly critical" on Wednesday.

Dogfight 2 - On-Line Game

Dogfight 2 is a very simple, but fun and remarkably pretty side-scrolling air combat game. The control system is dead simple - you can rotate the plane left or right on the screen using your arrow keys to pitch it up to climb, or down to dive.

Battery Life Claims Under the Microscope

Class Action Suit Seeks Truth about Laptop Battery Life

Does laptop battery life (or the lack thereof) tick you off? You're hardly alone. Last month a Silicon Valley law firm filed a class-action suit against Intel, claiming that the tests it uses to support claims of battery life have almost no connection to how people actually use their computers.

Windows 7 RTM: The revenge of Windows Vista

Windows Vista lacked the right stuff to unseat Windows XP. Does Windows 7 really have what it takes?

Microsoft vs. Google: Let the Web App War Begin

Like two gargantuan monsters, waging a pitched battle over a fake Tokyo cityscape, Microsoft and Google are now officially trying to beat the living daylights out of each other.

Google Voice coming to Android, BlackBerry

Google is ready to bring Google Voice to a place where it really makes the most sense: the smartphone.

Does free antivirus offer a false feeling of security?

Earlier this month, Symantec’s product manager David Hall dismissed free security software as equal alternative to the paid versions. Needless to say that such statements from a competing vendor often come as a direct frontal attack against the alternative solution, however, they also fuel the debate on whether or not free antivirus offers a false feeling of security.

Apollo 11 Anniversary Sites

Windows 7 RC users will be able to install Windows 7 Upgrade discs

Microsoft has already stated that Windows Vista and Windows XP users would be able to use the upgrade discs. But this week the company also confirmed that those of you who have been using Windows 7 RC will also be able to upgrade to Windows 7 final using the upgrade discs.

Microsoft Gazelle Could Take On Google Chrome OS

Microsoft's ace in the hole in its upcoming battle against Google Chrome OS, the search giant’s new browser-based operating system, could be a browser-OS hybrid project code-named Gazelle. As more and more applications move into the cloud, the need for a browser-based OS, one that can intelligently interface with a PC while managing Web resources, may become more intensive than ever for both Microsoft and Google as they compete for market share.

Google updates Gears for new Firefox 3.5

Gears endows browsers with some new abilities, including accessing some Web applications even while a computer is offline and juggling multiple simultaneous tasks more effectively.

Resources to help you commemorate Apollo 11

Forty years ago this Thursday, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins lifted off on their historic mission to the moon. Today, the Web is home to a variety of sites that remember the historic mission to the moon. If you're looking to remember Apollo 11, take a look at these resources.

How to Buy PC Speakers

Don't settle for anemic audio from your computer—pump it up with new speakers. Here's how to find the right set.

Windows 7: My Quick Review

Over the years, I (and several other experts) advised computer users not to upgrade to a new Windows operating system until you buy a new computer. Upgrades can cause problems and may not even work in your old computer. Well, I have just ignored my own advice and ordered the Windows 7 upgrade for this computer.

Why, you may ask? Simple…it works…and it works extremely well…better than XP, in fact.  Microsoft did something very smart with Windows 7.  They invited the world to download it for free before they released the final version.  First, was the Beta version…and now the Release Candidate version. 

By doing this, they wowed the computer world by giving us an operating system that may turn out to be the best Windows ever.  Even the Beta version was nearly flawless in its operation. To run Windows 7 correctly without destroying your current operating system, one needs repartition the hard drive then install Win 7 on the new partition.  The new operating system is smart enough to figure out what you are doing and creates a dual boot system. When I turn on the computer or reboot, the computer asks which version of Windows I wish to start.

But, I had a big problem when I first installed Windows 7 Beta. My hard drive, as it turns out, was beginning to fail, and when I repartitioned it, it crashed my Windows XP, but Windows 7 installed fine.  After nearly three weeks in the shop, my XP was restored on a new hard drive and all worked fine…well almost anyway.

Windows 7 Beta, and later the RC version, caused my video fits.  I was getting screen flashing, meaning the current page on the screen was being flashed at me again many, many times.  Obviously that is not good and extremely annoying.  I worked for hours trying all kinds of different things to solve the problem.  Nothing worked.

I began to suspect my on-board video was causing the problem, as there were also small, nagging intermittent problems in XP.  So, I ordered a new video card…and, after installation, all my problems were solved, in both XP and Windows 7.

That happened just last week, so I can only give you a real quick evaluation of Win 7.  As I said, it is much faster in all things, from loading to running software. My observation has been verified by many testing labs.  It is different in operation than previous Windows versions, and I have not yet learned all of its nuances…for instance the taskbar is radically different.  But I am working on it.  Nothing that can’t be overcome with a little education.

I am slowly loading my most important programs into Windows 7 to see if I can slow it down.  So far, no luck.  It is flying along.  So much faster than XP. 

Of course, my XP is a few years old…and there is such a thing as “Windows Arthritis”… systems slow down over time.  And that is one good reason why I ordered Windows 7…to have a brand new clean operating system for my computer.  Of course, I also ordered it because it works so darn well.

It is also easier and cleaner to look at…meaning the video rendering is higher quality.  I’ve watched movies on it and they do look better.  Most programs also look better, but only just enough so you can tell the difference.

Interestingly, I tried to install the software for my new video camera and Windows 7 stopped me, saying this program might hurt my computer.  It automatically went on line, found a newer version and installed it for me.  That was impressive.  But all the other software that I have loaded into it work just fine, even better than in XP.  I am sure I will find  some compatibility issues someplace, but so far, nothing yet, except the video camera driver.

If you read my blogs on a regular basis, you know that the final version Windows 7 won’t be released until late October.  No big deal, for me.  The RC version is running perfectly and is good for nearly another year.  The only downside is that when the final version is released, I will have to wipe out this version and reinstall everything from scratch.  But my XP will stay in place, so I won’t lose anything but time.  And when the final version is installed, I will take a “drive snapshot” so I will always have a clean version of Windows 7 to reinstall in the future should “Windows Arthritis” set in

Will your computer work with Windows 7.  Unless it is really old, it probably will. But you can download a program from Microsoft that will tell you if it is compatible.  Windows 7 has been structured to work with older computers, much more so than previous versions.

Of course, it is up to you whether or not to upgrade. And after October, all new computers will come with it. But, if your computer can handle it, I can recommend the upgrade.  Your call.  If you downloaded the RC version, try installing it and using the dual boot system.  Then you will know.

PS: This is my first blog written in Windows 7 on Windows Live Writer. 

Only One Day Left to Get Windows 7 at Half Price

Only one more day to pre-order Windows 7 upgrades for half off

That means you've got a little more than 24 hours to decide whether to pick up Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade for $49.99 or Professional Upgrade for $99.99.  PS – I am going to do it. I like Windows 7 and it works very well on my computer.

Windows 7 'family pack' pricing revealed

Reseller posts Windows 7 three-license pack for $150 -- a savings of $210 for buyers

Microsoft's Next Patch Tuesday Could Be Big

Next Tuesday, July 13, Microsoft will issue 6 security bulletins and updates to fix the vulnerabilities described in them. Among these will be a DirectShow vulnerability disclosed in May and, possibly, the zero-day vulnerability that hit the Internet this week.

35 Beautiful Photography Websites

Photographers are finding new and exciting ways to showcase their best work online. We took a look at some of the beautiful photography websites that we could find, analyzing the design trends and the reasons why these websites work.

TwInbox Adds Twitter to Microsoft Outlook

Windows only: Microsoft Outlook add-on TwInbox lets you update, reply, search, and archive your Twitter messages right from your Outlook inbox.

North Korea on the Attack Again

More Web attacks, North Korea suspected

A fresh wave of cyber attacks that slowed U.S. and South Korean websites this week hit more targets on Thursday, a Web security firm said, while the South's spy agency has said the hacking may be linked to North Korea.

Will Google's Chrome OS look rusty by late 2010?

I think it’s good for customers, PC makers, software makers and even for Microsoft that Google is getting into the operating-system game. After more than two decades, Microsoft has only one real competitor in the desktop OS space: Apple. That’s not enough. Competition is good. It keeps prices down and true innovation up.

FAQ: How to vanquish mobile spam

I got my first SMS spam message last week and it infuriated me. The mortgage-related text message was more than just a nuisance, like e-mail spam is. It also was a strong indication of how marketers have managed to invade every private communication space consumers have.

Use OpenDNS to surf safely with these tricks

Windows Secrets editors frequently recommend OpenDNS, a free service that blocks dangerous sites so you can browse the Web securely. Unfortunately, OpenDNS has a few tricky gotchas for the unwary, but most of the problems can be solved if you set up an account and take advantage of a few tweaks.

40+ awesome free Windows apps you can download in 2 seconds

Depending on your internet connection you might be able to download a lot more (or a lot less) than 1Mb in two seconds - but calling this a post about apps under a meg just isn't quite as much fun!

Serious Cyber Attack and Google’s New Operating System

White House among targets of sweeping cyber attack

The powerful attack that overwhelmed computers at U.S. and South Korean government agencies for days was even broader than initially realized, also targeting the White House, the Pentagon and the New York Stock Exchange.

Tech 101: How a denial-of-service attack works

Investigators are piecing together details about one of the most aggressive computer attacks in recent memory — a powerful "denial-of-service" assault that overwhelmed computers at U.S. and South Korean government agencies, companies and institutions, in some cases for days. How does this type of cyber attack work? And how can people make sure their computers are safe?

Google goes after Windows with launch of Chrome OS

Google said late Tuesday that it will launch the Google Chrome operating system, a computer operating system that initially will target netbook computers by offering a faster, better and more secure way for users to access Web-based applications.

Tech 101: How a denial-of-service attack works

Investigators are piecing together details about one of the most aggressive computer attacks in recent memory — a powerful "denial-of-service" assault that overwhelmed computers at U.S. and South Korean government agencies, companies and institutions, in some cases for days. How does this type of cyber attack work? And how can people make sure their computers are safe?

7 free Windows 7 tweaking utilities

If you're running the Windows 7 RC, chances are good that you're the kind of user that likes to monkey around with settings and tweak your OS. While you can go the DIY route and hack your registry and run your mouse ragged clicking through various control panel screens, there are a number of good, free apps available designed to simplify tweaking.

Yahoo’s Intriguing New Search Engine

Can Yahoo steal the search throne from Google with Search Pad?

Search Pad, is a cloud-based smart tool that recognizes when a user may be doing research through search queries. In a demo the company gave me today, the user was looking up some information about digital cameras. After the third Yahoo search for information about cameras, a small pop-up appeared and asked if it should be taking notes. Reply with a yes and the sites you’ve been searching are there, with headline, excerpt and link. From there, you can add anything you want - maybe a user review from the Amazon page for a specific model - and Search Pad will grab the page title and a link, too.

Gmail, Google Docs, More Finally Lose 'beta' Tag

The kids are all growed up! Google has finally decided to ditch that pesky beta tag on several of its major projects. After five years of use, Gmail is apparently finally ready for prime time, along with Google Calendar, Google Talk, and Google Docs.

Internet plays key role in China's latest unrest by AP

The brawl between Han Chinese and Uighurs in southern China was scarcely covered by state media, but accounts and photos spread quickly via the Internet and became a spark that helped ignite deadly riots thousands of miles away in the Uighur homeland.

The $0.99 Netbook has arrived, on Sprint

Best Buy and Sprint have teamed up to offer a Compaq-branded HP Mini 110c netbook for only 99 cents when you sign a two-year data contract.

GOG.com - Good Old Games

Feeling nostalgic about the good old days where gameplay reigned supreme? Longing to spend some long, passionate nights with your favorite games of yesteryear? We’re proud to present GOG.com, the site where it's all about Good Old Games and the people that play them. Games range from free to $10.00...and even though were DOS games, the all work well now in Windows.

Fire in Seattle Causes Internet Problems

Seattle Data Center Fire Hobbles Web Sites

Electrical fire at a data center Thursday night knocked out Verizon's DSL service; Authorize.net and Microsoft's Bing Travel site for as long as 36 hours.

"Windows 7 is the same as Ubuntu"

Obviously, this isn’t true. Their underlying architectures are quite a bit different, Gnome looks different than the 7 UI, etc., but to an average 17-year-old, there just wasn’t any meaningful difference between the two operating systems.

Deathmatch: Palm Pre versus iPhone

There’s been one promised iPhone killer after another -- the Google Android-based G1, the RIM BlackBerry Storm, the yet-to-ship, years-delayed Windows Mobile 7 -- but none has given it worthwhile competition to date. Now Palm has its Pre, a device that looks to be a serious contender for the best next-gen mobile device crown.

Sites that help you lodge complaints

Whether you want to target politicians, your employers, or companies that have done you wrong, there are a variety of sites across the Web that will help you voice your complaints.

Taskbar Shuffle 2.5

Free program that lets you drag and drop your taskbar buttons and system tray icons to instantly reorder them. I use it and like it a lot.

Put some Fireworks on Your Desktop

It’s a very light news day as tech reporters and writers have taken the day off….but not me.  So, today’s news is a bit of light fluf, but there are a couple of nice downloads for you.  Happy 4th!!!

Study: 13 Percent of Cell-Phone Users Don't Use Them

Lightspeed Research has released the results of a multi-nation study about cell phone use--and some of them are strange.

Star Trek-like Universal Translator a Step Closer

The first iterations of something akin to the universal translators used on Star Trek may soon be arriving via your smartphone.

Celebrate the Fourth of July with a New Desktop Wallpaper

If ever there were a holiday that yields colorful and flashy desktop wallpaper, it's definitely the Fourth of July. Celebrate the Fourth on your desktop with these swanky fireworks wallpapers. And speaking of wallpaper…..

WallPapa 1.0.4.2 (Windows)

WallPapa is a free lightweight automatic wallpaper changer that changes the wallpaper on windows start up or at time interval of your choice.

Keep Firefox Open When Closing the Last Tab - Firefox 3.5

The new Firefox 3.5 release brought a lot of great features, but one annoyance sent reader Mark looking for a solution: When you close the last tab, the browser closes instead of opening a blank tab.

Windows Woes

Forced updates plague Windows users worldwide

The response to Scott Spanbauer's June 25 Top Story on forced updates makes it clear that a bug in Microsoft's Automatic Updates service is causing serious problems for Windows users.

Some Vista users say they're getting the Ultimate shaft

Microsoft promised that by purchasing the pricey Ultimate edition of Vista users would get all kinds of extras. However, for many, those extras turned out to be little more than a few screensavers and a poker game, prompting some significant grousing.

Gag Me with a Browser! What Was Redmond Thinking?

Analysis: With its "porn-and-puke" ad, Microsoft has crossed the line of bad taste --- by about three miles.

Family Pack license for Windows 7 could cover 3 machines on the cheap

Got three computers at home? There is reason to believe that Microsoft will let you license Windows 7 on all of them for a very competitive price.

Fake e-mails to patch Outlook lead to malware

If you receive an e-mail containing a link promising to upgrade Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express, you should simply delete the message to avoid being nailed by a Trojan horse.

China Delays Censorship Program for Computers

A year after Windows XP's death, users keep it alive and kicking

Despite Microsoft's insinuations, the numbers show that Vista's adoption has been poor. But is it time to look forward to Windows 7?

China delays rule for Net-screening software

China has indefinitely delayed enforcement of a requirement that PC makers preinstall Green Dam-Youth Escort software that experts believe would have screened not just Internet pornography but also some online political content.

The Michael Jackson Malware

It's inevitable now, with any high-profile news event that there will be spam and malware campaigns to take advantage of them. Thus it has been with the death of Michael Jackson.

How to improve your email etiquette

Here are a few ways to ensure that your email style makes you look as smart as possible and doesn’t annoy those on the receiving end of your messages.

Skype updates for Windows and iPhone

Skype is certainly on a roll this week. Just yesterday it converted the latest beta of its Windows Mobile phone software into a full-fledged release. On Tuesday, the VoIP company did it again for Skype 4.1 for Windows. In addition, Apple greenlighted Skype 1.1 for the iPhone and iPod Touch, which you can download now.