Leap Year, What's a Leap Year?

If there's anyone left who thinks that Microsoft software is well written, consider this latest embarrassment affecting their Zune 30GB portable media player and it's inability to handle leap years: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,474690,00.html. Zune 30GB players all become unusable on the 366th day of 2008 (a leap year), then need to be reset and synced on January 1st in order to work. Microsoft says this 'undocumented enhancement' is by design, and they recommend upgrading all Zune 30GB players to the new version of the Zune, dubbed 'ZuneVista.' While slower, more 'clicky,' and with a completely different user interface grafted onto the top of the same old Zune, 'ZuneVista' is guaranteed by Microsoft not to suffer from any similar leap year issue through Dec 30th 2012.

Internet Explorer - Unsafe At Any Speed.

Its that little blue 'e' on your desktop, and its the source of almost all Windows PC Virus and Spyware infections. Internet Explorer is simply not safe to use to browse the web: It Leaves You Wide Open for Virus Attack. Here's a BBC story on the latest IE vulberability to be actively exploited in the wild:
Serious security flaw found in IE. Of course Microsoft gives us the usual 'nothing to be concerned about', but its not their passwords that are being stolen, and its not their PC that needs to be dropped off for virus and spyware removal. Stop clicking on the blue 'e' -- Switch to Mozilla Firefox, a free, fast, safe, secure, standards-based browser that simply does not have the security vulnerabilities Microsoft so skillfully crafts into all their software. And, if you're a victim of Virus or Spyware, let Indigo Computer expertly clean your PC for a flat fee of $99. Call us for more information 614-975-0680.

How Does Spam Work?

The BBC has a story about Spam eMails, and the inner workings of a spammer's operation, along with other facts and figures. Its an interesting read if you'd like to learn more about how Spam eMails are sent, who's sending them, how Spam relates to viruses and Internet Security, and how these people make money from Spam. Here's the link:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7719281.stm

Remember, Indigo Computer is available for your company or personal Internet Security review.

New Free Software Alert: CrossLoop

CrossLoop is a free service that allows remote desktop sharing for Windows. It easily gets around firewalls and routers, allowing a technician to remote control a client's PC. Using this tool, we can help users remotely without physically making the trip to their location, getting them back to working quicker and minimizing downtime. Based on TightVNC, CrossLoop adds a secure server to TightVNC's connection, bypassing most firewalls and routers, and making sure noone can eavesdrop on the datastream. CrossLoop client and server installs are free for download at CrossLoop.com. Crossloop.com also has a directory of people willing to help you with your PC issues for a fee.

Web Hosting Services

Switched webhosts last week, and I thought I'd let you in on a secret: GoDaddy.com offers a great deal in webhosting for the little guy. The only thing to watch out for is that you're totally and completely on your own if you run into trouble. I moved all 10 of my domains to a single GoDaddy hosting account, will save $200/yr in hosting fees, gained a whole lot of functionality but lost control of custom scripting, and it was fairly painless and easy to do. As an example, some of their simple hosting plans are only $70/yr or less, with the domain registration almost free with the hosting plan. If you're in the market for a webhost, GoDaddy is definitely one place I'd check into.

Firefox 3.0 Released

Get it if you haven't -- its well worth the download!

Didn't think much of the new release of Firefox -- Mozilla has been my browser of choice for more than 10 years now. Unlike IE, with Firefox I can enjoy the web rather than hold my breath every time I click a link. Updates to Firefox in the past have been nice, but I generally don't get all googly-eyed at new releases when the current product works so well.

Then, I downloaded Firefox 3.0, and I must say there are several features that will have Microsoft again playing catch-up to the Mighty.
Firefox 3.0 continues its safer, faster than IE heritage and adds prettier with the 3.0 release. The 8M download is amazingly small for such a feature packed release.

Get it now: Mozilla.com

Information Technology Asset Disposal

Most people don't realize that electronics have all kinds of nasty heavy metals and poisons in them that, if disposed of in landfills, will leach into the surrounding soil. By law they are forbidden in landfills, but we still need a way to get rid of them ...

Enter Intechra LLC. In celebration of Earth Day 2008, Intechra has set aside April 12th as a day for folks to drop off their 'desktops, laptops, printers, monitors, routers and servers' for free. They will be responsibly recycled.

If its free, its for me!

The date is Saturday April 12th and the Columbus OH location is 1120 Morrison Road in Gahanna. For more information, guidelines and directions see Intechra LLC's Earthday Page.