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Stop Unbuntu Beeping
2008-06-05 08:29:00
Ubuntu is a great desktop OS. But, in it’s default configuration, it is really annoying. It beeps constantly. You can turn off the system beep by removing the kernel module for the PC speaker. will@voyager:~$ sudo modprobe -r pcspkr To make this change permanent, add this line to /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist: blacklist pcspkr Enjoy your new peaceful Ubuntu experience. ...
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Where can I buy a Wii fit?
2008-06-03 18:27:00
Online stores have become favorite places for online shoppers looking for the best deal for their money. The sheer number of these stores, with more than a few of them having dubious practices, the need to be sure of the store?s reliability cannot be ignored. If you are looking for Nintendo?s latest ?miracle? machine, the ...
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ISP’s Caught Blocking BitTorrent
2008-06-02 20:05:00
Recent reports have shown that some BitTorrent users were being blocked by their own Internet Service Providers. It was found that the blocking in the US was primarily being done by two cable service companies, Comcast and Cox. Blocked users in Singapore were on the StarHub network. Recent studies by students at the Mac Planck Institute of Software Systems have reached conclusive results. The students of the Institute conducted a test called Glasnost. The test results show that most of the people in the US are being blocked by the two companies. The test results also showed minimal blocking from 10 other service providers. The study shows that 491 out of 788 Comcast users and 82 out of 151 Cox users cannot use BitTorrent. 26 out of 45 people on Singapore’s StarHub cannot access BitTorrent. The companies have released statements saying that they only restricted BitTorrent access in cases where the bandwidth was being congested. However, the test shown that the blocking was being en...
More About: Caught , Bittorrent

Apple Poster Boy John Mayer Switches Sides Again
2008-06-02 19:50:00
Grammy award-winning artist John Mayer gets first dibs on Macintosh products. He received his MacBook Pro ahead of everyone else. He plays at keynote talks held by Apple . But his latest blog post reveals that he is using a Blackberry phone instead of his old iPhone. John Mayer is a self-proclaimed techie geek. He has a professed addiction to the latest gadgets. His penchant for technology extends to his professional life, particularly when his recent tour was sponsored by Research in Motion (RIM). Research in Motion is the company behind the original smart phone Blackberry. Rumors flew in cyberspace after reports came in that the singer was not using a Blackberry phone during the RIM sponsored tour. Sightings showed John Mayer using an iPhone instead of a Blackberry model. It seemed that Mayer’s loyalties lay with Steve Jobs Apple, Inc. He received a MacBook Air ahead of its release date. Pictures of his own unit were put up on his website as soon as he got it. Now, more new pictu...
More About: Sides , Poster

New MacBook Soon to Be Released
2008-06-02 19:47:00
Apple’s premiere laptop MacBook will soon be updated and re-released. Taiwan’s two largest flat panel manufacturers are developing new screens for the new version. AU Optronics Corp. and Chi Mei Optoelectronics will be responsible for crafting flat-panel screens that will be added to the model. The updated model is targeted to be released from October to December 2008. Apple has high sales targets for the new MacBook given the continued rise in sales of the laptop line. Reports show that the company is aiming for the sale of three million MacBooks with the new model. The most recent update of the MacBook was released in May 14, 2008. The update included the use of an Intel GMA X3100 graphics card with a T8100 chipset. The very first version of the MacBook came out in the market in May 16, 2006. It uses an Intel Core Duo processor with a 667 MHz front-side bus, a 945GM chipset and a GMA950 graphics card. The original model of the MacBook uses an LCD display monitor. The MacBook ...
More About: Released , Macbook

Apple Massively Increases iPhone Distribution
2008-06-02 11:14:00
The Apple iPhone will soon be available in more countries. France Telecom’s mobile provider Orange has recently struck a deal with Apple. The company will make the phone available at various Middle Eastern, African, and European countries. The targeted countries for this iPhone release are: Dominican Republic Jordan Slovakia Austria Switzerland Belgium Romania Poland Egypt Portugal Prior to this announcement, the popular Apple product has been available in selected countries outside of the US. The list has been expanding steadily since April. It is currently available in: France The United Kingdom Germany Canada Mexico Australia Ireland Singapore India New Zealand South Africa Turkey The Czech Republic Italy Greece El Salvador Chile Argentina Portugal Brazil Colombia Ecuador Honduras Puerto Rico The Philippines Guatemala Uruguay Peru Nicaragua Paraguay Jamaica In other countries where the iPhone is not being officially distributed, unlock...
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Windows Soon to be Available on the XO Laptop
2008-06-02 11:08:00
The non-profit organization One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) has announced that their XO laptop will soon be available with the Windows XP operating system. The One Laptop per Child is a movement which aims to provide low-cost laptops to children from impoverished countries. The XO laptop was previously Linux-based. The group used Linux because of its open source content. This meant that other programmers could develop applications for the laptops without violating copyright laws. OLPC decided to develop a Windows XP-operated laptop because of requests from target countries. The move was also to accommodate access from a greater number of programs. To develop a Windows-powered laptop, the operating system needs to be developed so it can be installed via an SD card memory device. Windows XP also needs to be modified in order to work with the built-in equipment of the OLPC XO laptop. Microsoft is currently figuring out how to merge the Windows XP system with XO’s e-book reader mode and...

Real Life Iron Man Suit Soon to Come
2008-06-02 10:56:00
The robotics firm Sarcos is developing an automated exoskeleton made of aluminum and electronic parts. The exoskeleton can significantly increase the strength and endurance of an ordinary man. The equipment is currently being tested and developed. Recent studies show that the exoskeleton can increase human strength by 20 times. The suit is able to anticipate the bearer’s movement, and it can also magnify the physical activities done by the individual. The Army is developing the 150-pound suit. The most viable use of the suit is for repairing equipment or lifting heavy cargo. Sarcos is currently under a US$10 million 2-year contract with the US Army to develop the suit. The company is currently developing the suits’ battery power. The suit can only last about 30 minutes on a battery pack. During demonstrations, the suit has to be connected to a power source. Usually, the suit has to be connected to a tank, a helicopter, or a generator. The developers intend to address this by de...
More About: Life , Iron Man , Real , Real Life , Iron

Computer Game Helps Scientists Cure Diseases
2008-06-02 10:44:00
A newly released game called FoldIt can possibly cure all the world’s deadly diseases. The computer game uses strands of protein and their folds and structure as a puzzle. Players of the game solve these puzzles. The resulting information is used by scientist to learn more about the architecture and shape of proteins. Medical research has proven that several deadly diseases operate on a purely protein level. Scientists believe that the structure of proteins hold the secret to understanding and curing them. Computer s have been used for quite a long time to help gain insight on the architecture of proteins. However, the developers of FoldIt believe that using the natural ability of people to understand 3-D shapes may work faster. FoldIt is a free game. Its structure is similar to the classic video game Tetris. An in-game feature teaches players the rules of the game. The rules are based on the basic physical laws that govern how protein strands cooperate to form 3-D shapes. Players...
More About: Diseases , Game , Computer Game

Search Commands Utility Makes MS Office 2007 More User Friendly
2008-06-02 10:28:00
Microsoft has released a new add-on utility for the 2007 Microsoft Office Suite. The Search Commands utility is used to help users find commands in the new interface of the Office 2007 Suite. The Search Commands add-on helps users locate commands in the new ribbon interface of the program suite. All a user needs to do is type in a phrase or set of words in the search field. The utility will give a set of results. All the user needs to do is choose the option that best fits the command they need to find. The utility will also show where the command is located in the ribbon interface. Microsoft Office 2007 was developed without the traditional menu and tool bars of its predecessors. Instead, the program uses a ribbon interface which shows icons representing the most often used commands. The new interface places commands in new locations. This change has confused users who have gotten used to the original layout of previous versions. Microsoft tried to address the problem with the Sear...
More About: User , Friendly , Utility

New XBox 360 Games for 2008
2008-06-02 10:23:00
Microsoft Games Studio Spring Showcase on May 13, 2008 reveals the lineup of games that will be released for the XBox 360 gaming console. The lineup is headed by the game Gears of War 2. The Gears of War 2 game is expected to be released by November this year. Gears of War 2 is a third-person shooting game. The game lets players duck behind objects and shoot enemies. The game is a follow up to Gears of War by Epic Games, which sold over 5 million units. No small feat for a relatively expensive game that costs $60. This hype surrounding the original Gears of War game has resulted in the anticipation over the release of the sequel. Another factor that could spell success for Gears of War 2 is the prevalence of the XBox 360 console. When the original game came out, there were few gamers who had an XBox. Now there are more XBox players who are prospect buyers of the soon to be released game. Other games that are included in the line-up are: • Fable 2 by Lionhead Studios • Viva Pina...
More About: Xbox , Xbox 360

Vulnerability Management for Dummies
2008-05-22 21:20:00
Our friends at Qualys are offering free copies of the electronic version of Vulnerability Management for Dummies . Vulnerability Management for Dummies: Explains the critical need for vulnerability management Details the essential best-practice steps of a successful vulnerability management program Outlines the various vulnerability management solutions - including the advantages and disadvantages of each Highlights the award-winning QualysGuard vulnerability management solution Provides ...
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Facebook ?Stalker List? Removed
2008-05-19 16:50:00
Online buzz was generated recently with the discovery of a feature on Facebook dubbed the ?stalker list?. The list can be found on the search box in Facebook. The feature involves clicking on the search field and pressing the down arrow. Once this is done, a list of five other Facebook users appears. Facebook users ...
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Fathers Day Gift Idea
2008-05-16 21:58:00
If your father is tough to buy for what do you do?  I usually try and get my father something that he never knew existed or something that will blow his mind.  Well, we can do both with this cool gift idea from ThinkGeek.com.  Little gadgets and things that are based on technology have made ...
More About: Gift Ideas , Gift , Idea , Fathers , Fathers Day

Do you Smile at Work? You will Now!
2008-05-15 21:51:00
A lot of people work in a cubicle.  A small, stinky 8 foot by 8 foot with tall walls and boring colors.  I am not sure about how these people get through the day, but I know that if I can smile one or two times, my day is much easier. If you are at work ...
More About: Toys , Work , Smile

Craigslist Fights Back Against eBay
2008-05-15 19:59:00
The owners of the classified ads? site Craigslist have filed a countersuit against auction site eBay.com. This action is the latest in an unfolding legal battle between the two companies. The first move was made by eBay.com when it filed a lawsuit against Craigslist in April. In its lawsuit, Craigslist claims eBay had malicious intent when ...
More About: Internet , Fights , Ebay , Back

Google to Use YouTube Videos for Buzz Targeting
2008-05-15 19:51:00
Google recently announced the launch of a new advertising tool called Buzz Targeting. The method revolves around the popularity of videos on YouTube. The tool uses an algorithm to predict videos that are about to go ?viral?. Viral videos are those that suddenly gain an immense amount of popularity. Buzz targeting can detect when a certain ...
More About: Videos , Google , Youtube , Internet

Alienware and XPS Will Remain Active Dell Brands
2008-05-15 19:46:00
A press release was issued by Dell in May 13, 2008 stating that it will continue to support both the XPS and Alienware brands. This press release was issued after a report by Wall Street Journal claimed Dell was discontinuing XPS. Dell will continue to support and manufacture XPS computers while placing more funding into ...
More About: Hardware , Brands , Active

Nintendo Wii is just Insane! Right?
2008-05-14 21:43:00
After owning a Nintendo Wii now for about 2 months, I must say that it is quite a lot of fun.  All the games are excellent and with the soon to be released Wii Fit, I can’t see falling in love with any other system at this point. I really like the way that you can ...
More About: Gaming , Nintendo Wii , Insane

LED Faucet Lights Add a Nice Conversation Piece to Your Office
2008-05-13 21:36:00
Ever stand around the water cooler at work and have NOTHING to say? Ouch! Don’t look like an idiot, think of something, quick! “How about those cool LED lights the boss put on the bathroom faucets?” Perfect conversation starter. People love little gadgets and talking about cool electronics has become the normal thing these ...
More About: Office , Lights , Nice , Piece , Conversation

Problems Getting Up in the Morning? What About That Earthquake?
2008-05-12 21:36:00
As I am one of the newer authors here I would like to introduce myself as John.  I run many blogs and became a writer here at www.tech-faq.com to post about gadgets that can make your life more amusing and easier. Bear with me while I post up 5 gadgets that I feel will add ...
More About: Gadgets , Earthquake , Problems , Morning , In The Morning

Security Vulnerabilities
2008-04-13 09:25:00
One of the difficulties faced by IT security professionals is keeping up with the latest security vulnerabilities in operating systems, databases, and applications. If an attacker knows a vulnerability and you don’t, your may not be able to effectively defend against the new vulnerability. This is especially true of applications which are accessible from the ...
More About: Security , Vulnerabilities

Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0 - a poweruser’s dream come true
2008-03-02 14:09:00
Comodo Inc., a security company which makes its income by releasing SSL certificates, and which has also taken up security software development, has released version 3 of its free firewall - Comodo Firewall Pro. Comodo Firewall Pro(CFP) is a firewall distributed at no charge for both home and corporate use, which has capabilities that match and even surpass those of many famous shareware and freeware firewalls out there. I’m an ex-ZoneAlarm user who was forced to move back to Windows Firewall when I adopted Windows Vista Beta 2 as my main Operating system(yes I know I’m crazy) and then when in late september I adopted the Vista-compatible Free firewall, I ran across some serious issues and decided it’s best to not keep it. ZA Pro for Vista was not released to this day, and I was stuck with Windows Firewall for over a year. That was, until Comodo Firewall Pro 3… (more…)
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Converting a NTFS Dynamic Disk back into a Basic Disk without having to era
2008-03-02 14:09:00
Ever had the need to turn a dynamic disk into a basic disk, perhaps to install an OS on it, and did not want to have the entire data on it erased? It’s actually kind of dumb that you can convert basic drives to dynamic drives without data alteration, but not the other way around. Sadly, as of currently there are still no programs capable of converting a dynamic disk back to basic without it implying destruction of all data. However, there is one rather unorthodox way to do it, albeit it is a bit dodgey… (more…)
More About: Disk , Back , Basic , Dynamic

Opening a port in Comodo Firewall Pro 3
2008-03-02 14:08:00
To open a port in Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0, bring up the interface, go to the Firewall tab, under Advanced select Network Security Policy, and click the Global Rules tab. Select “Add…” and complete the window as follows. (more…)
More About: Port , Opening , Comodo Firewall

The lowdown on Windows Vista and SP1
2008-03-02 14:07:00
Windows Vista was approaching the market with a promise to improve security more than anything. Wether it did or didn’t succeed in that, it sure made a lot of users angry. Many complained about performance issues, hardware requirements, and overall slower response than that of XP. Now users are caught in a tug-o-war between XP and Vista between an older but faster and less plagued by problems XP and a Vista which paves the way for the future but comes with little to no new functionality that can’t be achieved by its predecessor. Microsoft is pushing the deadline on us, trying to demonstrate XP’s age with this last Service Pack, SP3 being a milestone which marks the end updates for XP and therefor its age. But instead it’s achieving the exact opposite as tests so far show that XP SP3 might gain a 10% speed boost to its already Vista-outperforming speed while the latter will get less than 2%. Vista has largely overcome its compatibility issues and fixed most of...
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Mozilla Firefox releases giving a glimpse into the true nature of IT securi
2008-03-02 14:07:00
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.10 was released just a few days ago. The updated version of the popular browser addresses several highly-critical vulnerabilities, not all of them new. Looking down on the history of the past 10 2.0.0.x releases one can see just how many holes were patched out of a browser whose name was, and still is, synonymous with surfing security. These security releases have been getting more and more frequent, proportional to Firefox’s growth in market share. Internet Explorer, the most popular web browser to date, and the most infamous when it comes to security, has been kept under a very watchful eye, and strongly criticized when it was discovered to still contain a number of exploitable vulnerabilities, and everytime a new vulnerability surfaced, be it serious or low, everyone would assault it with drama. Since its first release, Mozilla Firefox has only gained roughly 15% of the world’s browser market share, and already we are seeing security fixes releas...
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Comodo Firewall 3.0.14.276 fixes many bugs
2008-03-02 14:06:00
Despite my objections on the forum at the time even though I had no issues with Comodo Firewall Pro 3, the program was released containing a number of compatibility/stability issues and bugs for many configurations, ranging from network access issues to behaveior and UI. Comodo Inc. has released an updated version for their product on their downloads page, accompanied by a substantial list of changes, all of which are fixes. Additionally, options were added for people using Internet Connection Sharing and loopback networking. And sure enough, people seem very satisfied on the forums. All in all, it is now safe for everyone to try out CFP3. The button color interface bug which I reported STILL hasn’t been fixed.
More About: Bugs , Comodo Firewall

Windows Vista SP1 Public Release Candidate: it fails me.
2008-03-02 14:06:00
Windows Vista SP1 was released to the public yesterday. Microsoft is offering the most discussed Service Pack of the year in near-final stage to the public. Anyone who wants to give it a go can visit this page and follow the instructions on there. The download is a small batch file which adds keys to the registry, similar to how SP1 enthusiasts were able to download it in the past with or without Microsoft’s disclosure. This is because the Service Pack is not available to download on a web page, but via Windows Update by anyone whose registry contains said keys. Before the Service Pack itself a 4MB update, called KB938371, needs to be installed. The update itself was very slow to download, making me wonder how the update servers’ bandwidth was coping with the huge number eager testers. Slowly but surely, it downloaded and installed. A restart was required. That’s when the trouble started… (more…)
More About: Windows , Windows Vista , Public , Release

Last Patch Tuesday of the year: we have a Service Pack!
2008-03-02 14:06:00
Everyone’s buzzing around snooping for any bit of information on the upcoming Vista SP1 and SP3, well on a more immediate basis, Microsoft released their monthly patch bulletin today for Windows OSs. Aside from the usual Malicious Software Removal Tool, this December’s Patch Tuesday , last of the year, most notably brings security fixes for both Internet Explorer and Windows Vista, particularly dealing with video format vulnerabilities so that users this Christmas can do their online shopping and relax with a few videos with less security worries on their minds. However, if you’ve upgraded to Microsoft Update and installed Microsoft Office 2007, you’re in for a hefty surprise… (more…)
More About: Service , Pack , Service Pack