For the past 9 months or so, I’ve been using an alternative browser to Internet Explorer called MyIE2. While it’s based on IE, it offers some very cool features that have become indispensible now – things like being able to open web pages in tabs rather than new windows, and a good ad popup blocker. […]
Category: Software
Stardock for a cool-looking PC
I love tweaking the look-and-feel of Windows on my PC. Why stick with the the standard XP look when you can create your own custom look using skins and great tools like WindowBlinds, which I’ve been using for some years. Not that I’ve got anything against Microsoft – I don’t, I think they make great […]
Windows XP SP2 – get it when it’s out
I’ve been beta testing Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) for the past six months. With over 600,000 people involved in this beta programme, SP2 will probably be the most widely tested software program ever. A few days ago, Microsoft released another build (2162) of SP2 beta to testers. This will probably be the final […]
Picasa and Hello: a good combination
One week after announcing that it had snapped up Picasa, Google is promoting the acquired company on its home page, encouraging users to “download Picasa from Google” for free. Before the acquisition, Picasa had been selling version 1.6 of its software for $29. See PC World story: PCWorld.com – Google Gives Away Digital Photo App […]
2162 – Very close to perfect
Today I finally installed Windows XP Service Pack 2 Release Candidate 2 Build 2162. Whew! That description’s a mouthful. A simpler one might be: the last public beta version before Microsoft sends off the final code to manufacturing prior to commercial release next month. I installed it on a test laptop – Toshiba 5105-S701, P4-M […]
Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 1 released
The first service pack (SP1) for Microsoft Office 2003 was released today. Microsoft said the update contains significant security enhancements, in addition to stability and performance improvements. Some of the fixes included with SP1 have been previously released as separate updates. This service pack combines them into one update. Best installation option: visit Office Update […]
SpamNet: best protection against spam
For the past year, I’ve been using Cloudmark SpamNet to filter my email against spam. It works as a plug-in with Outlook and Outlook Express. In my experience with it installed with Outlook 2003, nothing beats it in its capability to not only kill spam email before it gets to your inbox but also its […]
Skype is a winner
I’ve been trying out Skype, the internet-based phone system I commented on last week (read post). It is very good! The best thing is that if you call another Skype user, that call is 100% free, wherever in the world the other party is located. If you call someone on a normal landline or mobile […]
Firefox gets better, but…
With the latest version 0.9.3 of Firefox, released today, it looks like Mozilla is on the way to winning the contest of best browser. I’ve been using Firefox exclusively during today, and I’m really impressed with the improvements since the previous version I had, 0.9.1. Things like better bookmark management; much easier to import favorites, […]
Skype meets its promise
If you haven’t yet tried Skype, you really ought to, wherever in the world you are. I’ve written a couple of posts this past week about it. I’ve now been using it, and in my experience it is as good as the makers say. So far, I’ve made calls with Skype to landlines and mobile […]
Windows XP SP2 ready to go
A report on Bink.nu this afternoon – Windows XP Service Pack 2 build 2180 was declared ready for release to manufacturing (RTM) on Wednesday and sent for manufacturing (CD production) on Thursday. Bink.nu / Windows XP Service Pack 2 build 2180 Released To Manufacturing Also this afternoon, a forum posting on Neowin includes comment with […]
Windows XP SP2 – get it, even if you use NAV
As widely reported over the past few days, Microsoft has released Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows XP. I commented on this last week, and today I installed the release-to-manufacturing (RTM) version that’s available now to beta testers. The RTM version is what will be available via Windows Update from 10 August and on a […]
New Ad-Aware SE
Lavasoft, the Sweden-based publisher of the award-winning Ad-Aware spyware detection and removal application, announced yesterday a major upgrade to the program with the launch of Ad-Aware Standard Edition (SE). Ad-Aware comprehensively scans your memory, registry, hard, removable and optical drives for known datamining, aggressive advertising, and tracking components which it can remove to protect your […]
Firefox is the one
Ok, I’ve bitten the bullet and made the switch to Firefox as my default browser. Version 0.9.3 (it’s still in beta) is good enough to convince me to move away from Maxthon, the successor to MyIE2. Both of these browsers are based on Internet Explorer (but that’s got nothing to do with why I’ve switched). […]
Microsoft localization traps
You think selling software in multiple countries is easy? You have localized your product, your distribution infrastructure is set, support systems ready, all the elements in place, and off you go, right? Take a look at some of Microsoft’s experiences over the past 10 years, presented at a conference to address why multi-national corporations must […]
Making Windows XP more secure
Lots of media comment in the past week about how Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows XP still has holes in it from a security point of view. Most such reports I’ve seen comment on network security issues and further flaws in Internet Explorer security. Microsoft don’t agree with much of the negative comment. I’ve […]
Windows XP – SP3?
Neowin reports that a Service Pack 3 (SP3) for Windows XP is in the works: “Microsoft also confirmed that its will still be providing updates for XP after SP2, and that there is a SP3 scheduled, tho no further information is available.” However, there seems to be some lack of agreement in the Neowin discussion […]
Newsgator: Great RSS add-in for Outlook
I’ve just started trying out Newsgator, an RSS news aggregator that runs within Microsoft Outlook. Summing up my experience so far in one word – excellent. If you want to get a view on all your incoming information – email as well as RSS webfeeds – from within a single program, Newsgator is definitely worth […]
RSS on the mainstream verge
Another good example of how RSS is being used more and more as the information center of choice. Greg Hughes says he saves about 300 hours of time per week because he gets much of his information through RSS webfeeds: I use RSS feeds for practically everything now. Rarely do I browse to a web […]
Browser irritations
Since switching to Firefox some weeks ago, I’ve noticed some things that are beginning to become irritating with it, if not actually downright annoying: #1: Clicking a link or typing the URL for some specific websites results in a total freeze/hang. I get the page loading text on the tab, the little spinning thingy spins, […]