Mozilla has released Firefox 2.0 Beta 2

Mozilla releases Firefox 2.0 Beta 2

Mozilla has released Firefox 2.0 beta 2. However, the final version will not be available until October 2006. Firefox 2.0 has a lot to offer. There are changes to the user interface which makes it more attractive and increases usability. However, Firefox 2.0 new features are already available as extension. For example, restoring a session after a crash is available via the Tab Mix Plus extension. The anti-phishing feature is already available via the Google Toolbar for Firefox. I don't see any earth scattering additions in this newest version but Firefox users will still be pleased with version 2.0.

The Definitive Spyware, Adware, Pop-Ups, and Malware Removal Guide

From the authors of "Windows XP 15 Minute Tuneup" comes their comprehensive guide to Internet security and safety. There is something for both advance users and novices.

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Windows XP: Remove Saved Passwords and User Names

Windows XP automatically saves your user names and their corresponding passwords. Though this is convenient, it poses a security risk. Anyone who has access to your computer also has access to your personal information. Here is a simple hack to have Windows XP purge the saved information.

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Internet addicts halfway house opens in Shanghai

The number of new Internet users in China is soaring. China is second only to the United States in the percentage of their national population who access the Internet. Availability of broadband connections is also soaring. Unfortunately, this advancement has caused a new problem in China. There is a growing number of Internet addicts.

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Internet Explorer 7 Hits RC1 Milestone

Internet Explorer 7 Hits RC1 Milestone

Today, Microsoft released its Internet Explorer 7 RC 1. The release candidate is does not add any new features to IE 7 beta 3. IE 7 RC 1 is stable more polish product. If all goes well, Microsoft plans to release the final version of IE 7 before the end of this year. Mozilla Firefox 2.0 is scheduled to be released before the end of October this year. It is very likely the two rival web browsers will be released at the same time. The battle of the Titans.

Search Engine Tool Gets You Lost In The Crowd - Technology News by TechWeb

Search Engine Tool Gets You Lost In The Crowd - Technology News by TechWeb


Don't bother making your search queries invisible; instead, bury them in a heap of false search queries. Thus, your queries are hidden. All you need to do is add a bookmarklet to your toolbar. When you are ready to run a search, just click the bookmarklet.

BetaNews | Microsoft Invites Mozilla Devs Over

BetaNews | Microsoft Invites Mozilla Devs Over

In preparation for the official release of Windows Vista, Microsoft's newest Windows operating system, Microsoft has invited Mozilla developers to come to Redmond. Why? Microsoft wants to ensure that other third party applications will be compatible with Windows Vista, which includes Mozilla's Firefox and Thunderbird applications. As of today, Mozilla has not responded to the invitation. But, more than likely, Mozilla will accept this invitation.

MercuryNews.com | 08/19/2006 | What do Google, Yahoo, AOL and Microsoft's MSN know about you?

MercuryNews.com | 08/19/2006 | What do Google, Yahoo, AOL and Microsoft's MSN know about you?

After AOL's debacle of releasing more than 650,000 users' search information, Mercury News investigates what information each of the 4 largest search engines giants (AOL, Google, MSN and Yahoo!) stores and how they use that informaton.

Popups Begone!

It goes without saying that popups are a plight for net users. Usually, they are ads on a website which generate money to support the website. Internet Explorer (IE), Firefox and Opera all offer a popup blocking feature. In the case of IE, you need Windows XP with SP2, which includes the popup blocker. All three web browser have extensions, add-ons and plug-ins to enhance the individual popup blocker. In the case of IE, you can install the Google toolbar or Yahoo! Toolbar. As for Firefox, you can use extensions, such as Adblocker or NoScript. Opera has a great popup blocker and users can select the level of popup blocking.

Well, it is nice to know that there are excellent popup blockers but how do you go about putting them to the test. Well, this is where PopupTest comes in to the picture. The website test popup blockers against commonly used popup techniques. In addition, the website also has a list of free and commercially available popup blockers.

AOL's Free Active Virus Shield Not So Free!

Last week, AOL released their free antivirus software program to the public. The application is based on venerable Kaspersky antivirus search engine. At first glance, the software is very attractive, offering top-notched antivirus security. However, in the EULA, AOL reserves the right to monitor the use of their software and send market e-mails.

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BetaNews | Judge Orders Halt to NSA Wiretapping

BetaNews | Judge Orders Halt to NSA Wiretapping

Privacy advocates won a small victory. A federal judge in Detroit, MI ruled that President did not have the authority to order the NSA to conduct wiretapping on Americans. The federal government is expected to appeal the decision.

Writely Blog

Writely Blog

Writely is one of the most popular online word processor. Earlier this year, Goolge acquired Writely. After being acquired, Writely stop accepting any new users and remained that way until today. Writely has a lot to offer. Writely sports many features found in Microsoft Word - it's almost a Microsoft Word clone. In addition, it allows collaboration and instant posting to a blog.

del.icio.us improvements - homepage thumbnails, tag UI, hints at more - Download Squad

del.icio.us improvements - homepage thumbnails, tag UI, hints at more - Download Squad

The popular social bookmarking website Del.icio.us has added some new features. Now, there are thumbnails of bookmarks found on the popular page.

Windows Live OneCare safety scanner

Windows Live OneCare safety scanner


"Microsoft on Monday rebranded the Windows Live Safety Center under its recently launched "OneCare" product. The free online tool checks a computer for viruses and makes tune-ups to improve performance. Windows Live OneCare safety scanner can be used an unlimited number of times, Microsoft said." -- courtesy of betanews.com

Prevent Google Persistent Search Logging

http://www.freenet.org.nz/misc/google-privacy.html

Google can track your movements on the Internet via their cookie on your web browser. While the latter has some benefits, net users are concern over their privacy on the Internet. Now too long ago, the US federal government ordered several search engine giants to turn over search queries and results. And, more recently, AOL "accidently release personal information on over 600,000 customers. If you are using Firefox, there is a simple way to configure Firefox from storing Google's cookies on your computer, thereby preventing Google from developing a profile of you.

Congress has been trying for ages to make the Internet safer for kids.

For sometime now, there has been a lot of talk about legislation to protect kid on the Internet. It is easy to get confuse since there a great deal of bills being purpose and constant revisions to these bills. PC World takes a stab at condensing all the information to give you a comprehensive understanding on the issues at hand.

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Worry - Five Ways To Eliminate It

Worry - Five Ways To Eliminate It

I doubt that their is anyone in this world who is worry-free. Worry can affect us psychologically and physically. Sometimes, worry is appropriate but too much can lead to depression and other mood disorder. Here are some tips when it comes to dealing with worry.

How much information are saved by the search engine giants?

Ever since the fallout of AOL releasing search information from more than 650,000 users, one might ask what are the search engine giants' policies on what information is saved, how long they are saved, how they are used and who has access to them. CNET's News sits down with the 4 biggest search engines and finds out.

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AOL Gate: Search Query Data Scandal

Eliott Back searched the data for credit card numbers, social security numbers and email addresses and found disturbing numbers. He found an undisclosed amount of credit card numbers, about 200 social security numbers and nearly 60 email addresses. He shows how easily it was to acquire the data using simple search queries.

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TorPark Anonymity on the Internet

TorPark is a special version of Portable Firefox. TorPark allows you to surf the Internet anonymously. It accomplishes the latter by utilizing Tor’s Onion Routers. TorPark 1.5.0.6 is the latest stable version. It has all the features found in Portable Firefox. You can install TorPark on to a jump drive and use it on any PC with an Internet connection. One of the greatest drawbacks of TorPark is its speed. Even on broadband, TorPark runs like it using dial-up. There are two bottlenecks. First, using any proxy server will slow both downloading and uploading speed. Second, a jump drive connects to a PC via USB 2.0 port. At best, transfer rates between jump drive and PC is 9.0 Mbps. But, there is no easier way to surf the Web invisibly.

Spycar, test to see if your security software is doing its job

Spycar is a suite of tools designed to mimic spyware-like behavior, but in a benign form. Intelguardians created Spycar so anyone could test the behavior-based defenses of an anti-spyware tool. Spycar runs only on Windows, the same platform most targeted by spyware developers.

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Mozilla postpones release of Firefox 2.0 beta 2

Mozilla had orginially planned to release the second beta of Firefox 2.0 this Tuesday, August 8th.. However, there were concerns about bugs which have not been resolved. As a result, the second beta will be released next week, August 15th.. Despite this change, Mozilla has not changed the release date for the final versions, Sept. 26th.

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The latest version of TorPark 1.5.0.6 is now available for download.

TorPark is a special version of portable Firefox. In addition to all of the features found in Firefox 1.5.0.6, the latest stable version, TorPark allows you to surf the Internet anonymously. TorPark uses Tor Onion routers to hide your presence on the Internet. Now, you can use any computer to connect to the Internet and surf it invisibly.

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BetaNews | 10 Windows, 2 Office Patches Issued

BetaNews | 10 Windows, 2 Office Patches Issued

Today, Microsoft has releashed a total of 12 patches for the month of August 8th, 2006. Of the 12 patches, 7 critical were to patch security exploits in Windows and another 2 for Microsoft Office. The 2 patches for Microsoft Office address the exploits found in Power Point. As always, Microsoft urges Windows users to download and install the patches immediately.

Lifehacker - The 15 Minute Window XP Tuneup

Hard to believe but you can revive your Windows XP system by cleaning out the trash and adding some tweaks, all in 15 minutes.

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Lifehacker - The 15 Minute Window XP Tuneup

Hard to believe but you can revive your Windows XP system by cleaning out the trash and adding some tweaks, all in 15 minutes.

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Omniformat a program to convert a document from one file type to another

OmniFormat is a free document conversion utility which allows dynamic conversion and image manipulation of over 75 file formats including HTML, DOC, XLS, WPD, PDF, JPG, GIF, TIF, PNG, PCX, PPT, PS, TXT, Photo CD, FAX and MPEG. It is helpful when you receive a document but are unable to open it because you don't have the necessay program.

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AOL releases search data on 500,000 users

AOL releases search data on 500,000 users

In a surprising move, AOL posted personal information from over 500,000 AOL users for the months of March to May of this year. It is unclear as to why AOL felt the need to post the information on to the Internet for anyone and everyone to see.

Optimize Windows XP

Extremetech presents a step-by-step guide to optimizing Windows XP performance. Extremetech explains how decreasing startup programs, disabling never used Window services and cutting back on visual effects can speed up your PC. There are several other tweaks to make your PC work faster and more efficiently.

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Optimize Firefox web browser with Totalidea's Firetune

There are a number of Firefox extensions which try to optimize Firefox performance, such as Fasterfox and Tweak Network. However, these extensions use a one size fits all approach without regard to what type of Internet connection or computer is being used. Firetune tweaks Firefox according to these parameters. The latest version is 1.1.2

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For those who backup their DVD movies, DVDFab Decrypter is a boon. DVDFab Decrypter removes almost any encryption from copy protected DVD movies. The software program is incredible simple. There is only one settings menu, you can set DVDFab Decrypter to automatically search for new updates. The menu also allows you to set your country code. When you are ready to decrypt, all you need to do is press the very conspicuous [Start] button. By default, the decrypted audio and video files will be saved to My Documents, while a temporary folder will be created in the root hardware (e.g. Local C: ). If you plan on burning the video files to a single layered DVD blank then you will need to shrink the files before burning. Since the files are already decrypted, DVD Shrink can easily shrink the files to fit. There you have it, a way to copy a DVD-9 to a DVD-5. The latest version is DVDFab Decrypter 2.9.8.3

Important: Backing up DVD movies is illegal in many countries, including the United States. Please find out your country's law pertaining to the backup of DVD movies.

How to copy DVDs with DVD Shrink

DVD Shrink is a software program to decrypt and shrink a DVD movie to fit on to a single layered DVD blank. Read Afterdawn step-by-step guide on how to use DVD Shrink.

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Top 10 Windows Live Applications

CNET has reviewed all Windows Live Applications and lists their top 10 applications. The list includes Windows Live Search, Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Local...etc.. Read about the other Windows Live applications and their features.

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BetaNews | 12 Patches Coming for Patch Tuesday

BetaNews | 12 Patches Coming for Patch Tuesday

Microsoft has announced that their will be a total of 12 patches to be released next Tuesday. Ten of the patches are for Windows and two for Microsoft's PowerPoint. The PowerPoint patches are most likely for several zero day exploits which were discovered recently.

AOL to provide 5GB of online storage for free - Download Squad

AOL to provide 5GB of online storage for free - Download Squad

Recently, AOL is changing it business model from online subscription services to ad supported online services. Today, AOL announced that, starting in September, all AOL users and those with AIM screen names can sign up for an Xdrive account offering 5 GB online storage for free. Here are some highlights:

The service will allow users to store digital photos, videos, and important documents in Xdrive's secure data facility, and will include:

• 5 Gigabytes (GB) secure online storage at no cost
• No charges for uploads or downloads
• Ability to store any type of file, including photos, music, video, and documents
• Drag and drop interface between online storage and hard drive
• Access to files through any Web-connected PC or mobile device
• Permission-based file and folder sharing
• Online collaboration via shared files
• Scheduled automatic backups
• Automatic upload of e-mail attachments from providers including AOL Mail, AIM Mail, or any non-AOL POP3 or IMAP-compatible mail providers
• Full-resolution photo storage
• Easy access to AOL Pictures for professional prints and photo gifts

The free Xdrive service will begin in early September and will be available to anyone with an AOL account or AIM screenname.

Firefox 1.5.0.6 released - TechSpot News

Firefox 1.5.0.6 released - TechSpot News

Mozilla has released Firefox 1.5.0.6 shortly after having released version 1.5.0.5. This latest version addressed a bug which prevented Windows Media Player from working properly.

Zango Affiliate Admits To Targeting Kids; What Will Zango Do?

When it was first discovered that Zango was involved in placing adware on MySpace, there was a public outcry over this blatant act of spreading ads targeted at minors. Zango quickly denied the allegation only to later retracted them and admit they made an error. Zango needs to learn to stop their sleazy advertisement practices.

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Create your own false identity

The False Identity Generator is a simple, web-based tool that generates a random first and last name, a valid city, state, and zip code with matching telephone number, and a few other identity details often required for online registrations.

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Are you a Firefox fan? I am. However, these past few months, I sense a slow down in Firefox popularity and for good reasons. In the beginning, when Mozilla first came out with Firefox, there was so much hype. Internet Explorer (IE) reigned as web browser king with close to 98% of net users using IE. Netscape made a half hearted attempt to steal IE users over to their web browser but with little success.

After Netscape, it seemed as though there was no contender for IE’s title as the most popular web browser. That was the atmosphere Firefox entered in to. Firefox was a no nonsense web browser. The developers over at Mozilla, stripped down Firefox to the bare essentials, no bloatware. In addition to that, Firefox had some novel features which really helped net users to browse the web a whole lot easier. Some features included: tab browsing, a search box built in to the menu bar, a built in download manager, a password manager and the addition of plugins. What did I miss? Oh yeah, I almost forgot extensions! I think few would disagree with me Firefox’s extensions are the number one selling point for the browser.

Mozilla is furiously working on the next Firefox version 2.0. They have already released the first beta of Firefox 2.0 for public testing. The beta adds some new features, such as: integrated anti-phish protection, an in line spellchecker, search suggestions, closed tab icon on every opened tab and other minor add-ons. Despite all these additions, there is nothing spectacular about Firefox version 2.0. It feels as if there is no more innovation, so anticlimactic. I hope I am wrong but only time will tell.

Google Writely/Spreadsheet invites! - Download Squad

Google Writely/Spreadsheet invites! - Download Squad

Ever since Google acquired Writely, only those who already had an account could use it. Now, it appears that Writely is offering a small number of invitations to anyone who wants to open an account. Find how to obtain one of these coveted invitations.

Media Info helps you find the right media player and codec

Every so often you come across a video or audio file you want to play but, when you use your media player, either it won't play or plays incorrectly. The solution is to find the right media player and codec to play the file. But, which one? It can take a very long time to hunt down the right software. Well, let Media Info do that job for you.

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