** Issue #21 June 15th, 2007 **
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#1- News, News, News
In This Issue...
#2 - Julie Amero Update! - An update on the Julie Amero case!
#3 - Digital Rights Management - DRM doesn't work for anyone.
#4 - User Access Control in MS Vista - Nick Zara gives us an overview of the UAC feature in Vista.
#5 - Creating Headers and Footers - Carol's tells us how to do it in Word and OpenOffice Writer.
#6 - My Recommended Software - Need software? Check this list first!
#7 - Secretmaker is no more! - Mindblower writes in about the Secretmaker program.
#8 - The Lighter Side - Some humor to lighten your load!
#9 - Useful web sites - Websites I've visited lately that you may find useful.
In the next issue...
If you have information, links, articles, or other such info you would like to see in the newsletter don't hesitate to send them along! I can't possibly respond to every email, but I try to get through them all and include relevant information in the newsletter.
Computer Fund Update
The fund is currently at 51%. If you enjoy the site and newsletter please take a moment to donate. Your donation helps further my efforts to provide educational and humorous information to readers(like you), as well as enabling the purchase of a new computer with Vista. A new computer will allow me to present relevant Vista content in the newsletter, learn about Vista so I can answer questions, and provide a platform to test programs with Vista. Donation is easy. Click the button on the right and donate using your credit card with PayPal.
Here is where I beg!
Please tell a friend, relative, coworker, or complete stranger about my site and newsletter. Use any means necessary to spread the word about Daves Computer Tips. Remember "word of mouth" is the best advertising!
As always I appreciate your comments and suggestions about the site and newsletter. If you would like to share please contact me at dave @ davescomputertips.com.
Carol is our resident "Office Goddess". If you have Microsoft Office, OpenOffice questions, or suggestions for future Office articles shoot her an email at carol @ carolscorneroffice.com.
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#2 - Julie Amero Update
By David Hartsock
If you haven't heard of Julie Amero you should definitely read my article from the March 1st issue. In short, students in Julie's classroom were exposed to pornography through a computer infected with spyware and malware. Julie was convicted and faced up to 40 years in prison. Julie's sentencing hearing happened on June 6th. The Judge in the case, Hillary B. Strackbein, ruled the State's star witness, a detective with the Norwich Police Department, provided "erroneous" testimony, which the jury may have relied on to reach their verdict. Judge Strackbein has granted Julie a new trial!
This is the result of a major campaign in which the internet has played a great role. Bloggers and writers have been spreading the word about this injustice. The result has been that some very intelligent individuals from the computer industry have given of their time, pro bono, to help the defense in the forensic examination of the suspect computer. Obviously from a monetary standpoint a new trial will be another financial blow to Julie and her family, although I'm sure it's better than 40 years in prison.
While you keep Julie and family in your thoughts, please keep spyware in them also. This was a problem that Julie had no control over, and didn't know how to fix. Please take steps to protect your computer from spyware. Install the appropriate anti-spyware software and monitor what your children and their friends do.
What do you think? Could this happen to you?
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#3 - Digital Rights Management
By David Hartsock
What is DRM?
DRM is an acronym you may get to know very well, if you haven't already! Digital Rights Management is a broad term used to describe the ability to control media. Content providers and wonderful organizations (sarcasm intended) such as the Recording Industry Association of America(RIAA) and Motion Picture Association of America(MPAA) want the ability to control what you do with music and video content you buy. DRM is the cornerstone of their way on copyright infringement. It is meant to restrict the copying and playing of digital files based on what the provider of that files want's to limit your actions to.
DRM doesn't work and won't ever!
DRM and encryption are often referred to in the same sentence. In actuality encryption is not DRM, but a large part of it. Without encryption you can't have DRM. Encryption is similar to locking something valuable in a box. Encryption requires an algorithm and an encryption key. The strength of the box and lock determines exactly how safe your valuable is. The box is the algorithm and the lock is the encryption key. If you, or someone you trust needs access to the valuable they must have the key.
How does this relate to DRM? When digital files are produced and the provider want's to control how you use the content they employ DRM. The file is encrypted using an algorithm and a key must be provided for you to have access to the content. Because of this the provider MUST provide the key to you. So every DVD, iTunes song, HDDVD, etc you get must have a key or you wouldn't be able to play it. Think about our box example above. How safe is that box if you tape the key to the outside?
Because the key is always included in the file DRM can't work! The net affect of DRM is a negative experience for the user. Nothing more. Nothing less.
- DVD's that can't be copied
- DVD's that only play in specific areas
- Downloaded music that will only play on specific devices
- High definition content that only plays in standard definition
The above are just some of the restrictions placed on you, the end user, by DRM.
Do we have specific example of DRM that doesn't work?
- When DVD's came out the providers claimed they used an unbreakable encryption. Within a very short time it was cracked and now DVD's are copyable.
- Music stores such as iTunes who only intend the songs be played on one device. There are simple manual ways such as burning to CD and then ripping the songs to another format, and software programs to remove the protection.
- HD-DVD and Blu-Ray are touted as unbreakable. Since DVD encryption was so easily broken they've had years and years to learn from their mistakes. Shortly after the release this was broken also.
Sony even went to the trouble of installing a rootkit on customers computers, without their knowledge, to prevent copying. This led to many lawsuits and CD recalls. Since the rootkit was already installed it also opened up these computers to other infections, data loss, personal information loss, and more.
Apple recently began offering music downloads without DRM. You are allowed to play them whenever you like on any device you wish. The catch? Apple imbeds your name and email address in each song.
Obviously DRM and fear have led these companies to place the privacy of their customers at risk!
My take on this whole mess
RIAA
The RIAA always complains about the woeful state of the recording industry. They claim they are losing billions of dollars each year through copying and file sharing. Let's look back to the heyday of the recording industry, the early 80's to mid 90's. Remember the cassette and the ability to copy your music. Copy your cassette and take it in the car. Copy your cassette and put it in your walkman. Remember buying cassettes for $8, $9, or at most $10? Every song was great. Never a bad song! 7, 8, or more songs per side... Those were the days. The recording industry couldn't have made more money if they printed it!
Skip ahead to the early 90's when CD's finally had reached a point where they were common place. What? $16.99, $17.99, $18.99 for a single CD. Hmmm there's only 12 to 14 songs tops on most CD's. So let me get this right. You have a medium that is easier, faster, and cheaper to produce in large quantities and you double the price? If I remember correctly there was a class action suit regarding CD prices in the early part of this decade (they lost).
This is the time when internet file sharing took off. Why? Value. The internet was becoming common place in households across the world and the realization that CD's were way over priced for what they offered was spreading also. Result - the birth of file sharing.
Skip ahead to the year 2003. CD prices have dropped to reasonable levels. Rejoice. Run forth and buy, buy, buy. Sounds great, doesn't it? Ah, all is right with the world. So we hear a song on the radio. "Wow, that's great. I've got to get it". We head to the store and purchase a CD. We run to the car opening the package in anticipation. Unlock the door, turn on the car, and insert the CD in one fell swoop of glee. Track 1 - crap. Track 2 - crap. Lather, rinse, and repeat! Today's CD's only have one (two if your lucky) songs worth listening to. Where are we? Value. $10 for one (two if your lucky) songs and the RIAA wonders why file sharing is still so prevalent!
Truly the current state of the recording industry is their own fault, yet the consumer still deals with their foolish choices.
MPAA
I don't even know where to begin with the MPAA. They constantly complain about piracy and the billions of lost revenue. Interesting. Each week I hear about a record box office on some movie. They don't mention that the DVD has also been the single biggest money maker of all time. I just don't get it.
The Future
I hope in the very near future that both organizations wise up. Produce good content. Allow us to use the content we purchase freely without turning our computers and portable devices into a mine field of complication. If I'm paying $20 for a DVD why shouldn't I be able to protect the original and use a copy I've made on a 25 cent DVD. Why shouldn't I be able to listen to music I've purchased in my car, home stereo, and mp3 player without jumping through hoops and hassles? Maybe someday. DRM doesn't work. DRM is not a cure for poor decisions made by a company or organization and it shouldn't be used as such.
The record companies and movie studios need to ask themselves a question. Where the cassette and VHS days that bad? Were they worse than what they are currently doing to their customers? If they don't come up with the right answer soon they are only going to continue to shoot themselves in the foot.
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#4 - User Access Control in MS Vista
By Nick Zara
What is UAC?
UAC is the most visible security feature in Windows Vista. UAC chimes in whenever someone tries to execute a system administrative task and asks for the permission of an administrator. Usually UAC is triggered by installing and uninstalling applications, installing driver devices, changing settings for Windows Defender, configuring Windows Update etc.
How important is UAC?
There is a lot of controversy on how necessary User Account Control is. On one hand UAC gives you a measure of security by not allowing anybody (but the administrator of the computer) to change your computer settings. On the other hand Microsoft’s new security feature is very intrusive and annoying.
Keep UAC ON or OFF?
If you are the only one that uses the computer (and you are not a clumsy person that will uninstall software without realizing it), it would be safe to turn UAC Off. But also keep in mind that UAC prevents malicious applications from silently installing on your computer (remember that I told you UAC is triggered by installing and uninstalling applications). Unless you have good real-time antispyware software and antivirus, I strongly recommend leaving UAC On. Personally I prefer to use third party security software. Why? Read my article on “10 Reasons why you should not rely on Windows Defender”. Microsoft is good at making operating systems, not stand alone applications.
How to turn UAC off
If you decided that you don’t want UAC to ask for your approval every time you want to do something, here’s how to turn it off:
- Click the Start orb and choose Control Panel
- Open User Accounts and Family Safety, click on User Accounts and select Turn Uses Account Control on or off
- Deselect the checkbox besides Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer, click OK and restart your computer.
There is also a program called TweakUAC, a free tool that you can use to quickly turn UAC (User Account Control) on or off, or to make UAC operate in the quiet mode.
Nick Zara maintains a bi-weekly newsletter. To read more from Nick visit his Windows Vista help, tutorial and tricks website.
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#5 - Creating Headers and Footers
by Carol A. Bratt
A header is text that appears at the top of each page, or the pages that you select, in your document. A footer appears at the bottom of your pages. You may want to add pages numbers to the top or bottom of a document, and you can do so from the header or footer area. You do not have to add headers and footers to each page. Word enables you to type them just one time and it automatically adds them to each page.
Follow the steps below to add a header or footer to your document:
- Select View | Header and Footer, to display the Header and Footer toolbar and display an entry area in which you can type the header and footer text
- Type your header text. If you want to type footer text, click the toolbar's Switch Between Header and Footer button to display the footer entry area and type your footer text.
- If you want to add page numbers, the date or the time to your header or footer text, click the appropriate buttons on the Header and Footer toolbar.
- Click the Close button to anchor the header or footer in your document.
Word normally dims header and footer text so that you can easily distinguish between the header and footer and the rest of your document. You can see these items when editing your document within the Print Layout view, but they remain dimmed while in Normal view. If you want to specify that the header or footer are to appear only on certain pages such as odd or even numbered pages, select File | Page Setup | Layout and check the Different Odd and Even or Different First Page check box. You must be in Print Layout view to see headers and footers in their proper places on the page.
If you want to edit a header or footer, display your document in Print Layout view and then double-click the dimmed header or footer text. Word opens the Header and Footer toolbar and enables you to edit the header or footer text.
Now let's do the same thing in OpenOffice Writer:
You can create headers and footers for your pages. The most common use for headers and footers is to insert page numbers, but you can use them for anything your little heart desires.
To create a header or footer in OpenOffice Writer, follow the steps below:
- Choose Format | Page to open the Page Style dialog box.
- Click the Header tab or the Footer tab.
- Select the Header on check box or the Footer on Check box.
- To turn either off, deselect the check boxes.
Specify the rest of the settings for the header or footer as follows:
- Same content left/right inserts the same header or footer content on both even and odd pages.
- Left margin sets the left margin between the page and the header or footer.
- Right margin sets the right margin between the page and the header or footer.
- Spacing sets the space between the top or bottom of the page text and the header or footer.
- Use dynamic spacing allows the header or footer to expand toward the text, overriding the spacing setting.
- Height sets the height of the header or footer.
- AutoFit Height adjusts the height of the header or footer according to the amount of text that the header or footer contains.
- Click OK to return to your document.
You can now see the header or footer in your document.
Click inside the header or footer, and enter the text and enter the text that you want to appear there.
Carol writes the monthly Word Bytes Newsletter with more tips and tricks each issue. Visit Carol's website for more great Microsoft Office tips and tricks! Visit Carol's site at www.carolscorneroffice.com
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#6- My Recommended Software
Anti-spyware and Anti-malware Software
Webroot SpySweeper - Daves Computer Tips Seal of Approval Winner! See the test results HERE. Spysweeper provides the best protection of the seven anti-spyware programs tested! Great detection and removal rates with a small real-time protection memory footprint. This is the one you want! SpySweeper includes the ASK toolbar. Be sure to uncheck this option during installation. Free 14 day trial.
CounterSpy - Runner-up in my Anti-Spyware test. Not only does CounterSpy scan and remove spyware, it also uses real time protection. Real-time protection prevents spyware infection. Free 15 day trial. Winner of Computer Shopper Magazine's Best Buy Award!
Antivirus and Firewall Software
ESET Smart Security - New from the maker's of NOD32. Antivirus, Antispyware, Antispam, and Firewall all wrapped into one effective, swift, and low resource package. It is what I use to protect each of my computers!
Kaspersky Antivirus - Kaspersky is my second choice for antivirus software. A good program that is very close in performance to NOD32. Free trial.
Online Armor Firewall - You shouldn't be on the internet without a software firewall that offers inbound and outbound protection. Online Armor is the Best of the Best. Online Armor uses an interface that is easier to navigate than most other firewalls and the protection level can't be beat! Online Armor is available in both a free and reasonably priced paid version, which offers even more protection!
Audio and Video Software
Acoustica Audio Converter Pro - This program converts audio formats and bitrates. Perfect for those with portable audio players or large music collections. 30 day trial.
Adobe Premier Elements - Elements is the consumer version of Adobe Premiere. It costs 1/6th the price, but is very capable of making videos that will impress everyone.
DVDFab is my favorite DVD software. I tried over 30 different programs before settling on DVDFab. It offers every function of the other programs and more! Copy, burn, shrink, convert for mobile devices, or convert for streaming. Almost all of the other programs I've tried did not function as advertised, were extremely slow, or did not have features that worked as advertised. DVDFab works, and works as advertised! It's easy to use, has a pleasant user interface, and it updated often.
Computer Hardware
Crucial Memory - Memory (RAM) is the upgrade that gives any computer the best bang for the buck. If you want to speed things up with more memory, why not purchase it from the leading source of quality RAM memory. Great selection, good prices, excellent support, and a lifetime warranty! A real winner!
CyberGuys - The place to get those hard to find cables and accessories for your computer!
HP Computers
- My current pick for new laptops and desktops. In the current market I don't think you can beat HP's combination of price and performance. Their laptop line is very cost effective and the design is absolutely beautiful!
Newegg - Newegg.com is known for great service and awesome pricing on computers, upgrades, and electronics. If you're looking for computers, computer parts, or electronics you owe it to yourself to start here! Great Products. Great Prices. Great Customer Service!
Computer Maintenance Software
Diskeeper 2008 - My current favorite defrag program. As files are written and erased from the hard drive they begin to leave "spaces" behind. When the drive is written to again files are broken up to fill in these spaces. This causes the drive to go to several different locations to read an entire file, which slows performance greatly. Diskeeper has several advanced features such as; automatic defrag, scheduled defrag, and the ability to defrag the MFT (Master File Table) and paging file. 30 day trial.
Registry Mechanic - A very thorough and efficient registry cleaner and defragmenter. A definite must to maintain peak performance and stabile operation. 30 day trial.
Computer Utility Software
Acronis True Image 11 - Do you value the data on your computer? Do you value your time? How much time will you spend recovering data and returning your computer to its original state after a hardware failure or software glitch? True Image is my #1 choice in backup tools. Whether you choose file or image based backups (you should use both!) True Image will perform better than any other application I've used. Disk images created with True Image are generally 10-20% smaller than those from comparable programs. If your time and files are as important to you as mine are to me this is a must have.
Acronis Disk Director - My favorite tool to partition, format, and resize hard drives.
Roboform - This program is the next best thing since sliced bread in my book! This program integrates into Internet Explorer and firefox. It generates very secure passwords at the click of a button. How do I remember these complex passwords? Roboform allows you to save passwords and personal data in an encrypted format. A master password (yes only one password to remember!) allows access. Roboform in IE and FireFox works like a super powered bookmark. You click the site you want to go to and Roboform opens the site, enters your username and password for the site (if required) and as if by magic clicks the submit button. If you shop online Roboform can enter your personal information and credit card information, which is also stored in a secure encrypted file, in one click. A real time saver with great security thrown in to boot! 30 day trial.
WinRar - What is commonly called a zip utility, similar to the more widely known WinZip. WinRar is faster and works with more formats for about 1/2 the price of WinZip. 30 day trial.
Desktop Utility Software
LogonStudio - Change the screen that appears when you boot Windows (the one with the moving bar graph). Hundreds of free skins available online. It's free.
Cursor XP Plus - Change the cursors on your computer. Hundreds of cursor packs are available online for free.
Icon Packager - Change the icons on your computer. Icon Packager puts you in control to change every icon with the click of a button. Tired of the plain icons built into Windows? There are hundreds of Icon Packs available online for free, which will add a truly personal feel to your computer.
WindowBlinds 6 - This is the icing on the proverbial cake. WindowBlinds changes the look and feel of Windows. By changing the appearance of the task bar, start menu, and any other window or program you open. It adds transparency, shadows, alpha blending, and animations. Hundreds of themes are available online for free.
Internet and Email
1&1 hosting - If you want to start your own website, blog, photo gallery, or have a personalized email address then 1&1 is for you. 1&1 can not be beat for reliability, features, support, and price. 90 day guarantee.
Google Gmail - The best internet based email (webmail) available. Each mailbox has a 6.5GB limit. The interface is superb, and the spam filter is top notch. You will never need to delete an email again! It has a great search function and a feature called thread view, which makes finding emails easy. A webmail account offers several advantages including not being required to change your email address if you change service providers. Gmail requires an invitation from a current member. If you are interested shoot me an email and I'll send you an invite.
Microsoft Outlook 2007 - Outlook is the current email client of choice for corporate America. I get well over 200 emails a day. Outlook has a few features I really need such as a plug in for automatic backups, office sounds which offers me some audible feedback, and the ability to change headers. I've used Mozilla Thunderbird and liked it a lot. With the amount of mail I go through I really need the features of Outlook. If you aren't a heavy user, or don't need the features I do then Thunderbird is a great alternative.
- An amazing, free, web browser. If you aren't using it you should be! Highly customizable through addins called extensions. There are thousands of extensions which can allow FireFox to do just about anything you can imagine. More importantly, Firefox is not subject to ActiveX, which is a large part of Internet Explorer, AOL, and MSN. No ActiveX means much less chance of getting spyware! Firefox also conforms to web standards more closely than Internet Explorer, which means you will see what the authors intended, not Microsoft.
Mozilla Thunderbird - A great free email client, from the same folks that brought us FireFox. Easy to use and highly customizable through extensions.
Photo and Picture Software
Adobe Photoshop Elements - Photoshop Elements is a consumer version of Adobe Photoshop. If you are serious about digital photos you will find Photoshop Elements a great program to have at your disposal. Elements provides all the functionality most will need at 1/6th the price.
Picasa - A great (FREE) way to organize, edit, and share your digital photos.
Comment on Dave's recommended software!
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#7- Secretmaker is no more!
By David Hartsock
I've never had the opportunity to use this software. Mindblower emailed some time ago, but I had yet to have time to try it. Unfortunately it looks like I won't get the chance. Mindblower sent be the following email:
Hello Dave. I hope you can do me a favor and post this message somewhere in your newsletter.
I've been using and promoting a freeware product named Secretmaker for several years, and helping out as an Admin of the companies forum. On June 1, 2007, the product and forum were canceled and replaced by something called Securemaker. It's current version is 5.0.9, it's still a Beta, which you only find out after installing, and is not Vista ready.
For years, the team behind both products were truly on the side of the user, to help them with a product which worked, and listen to suggestions.
Apparently behind the scene changes took place, and this team is NO longer providing an excellent product and/or service. As someone who helped spread good news about Secretmaker, I find myself on the other side cautioning people to stay away from Securemaker.
Thank you for your time, Mindblower!
If you run across this program be careful. I'm not sure what's going on, but I wouldn't want to get caught up in this until I find out otherwise.
What's your opinion about Mindblower's email?
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#8- The lighter side
After spending countless hours surfing the web in search of various funny or interesting things to share with you here are a few of my finds to lighten your day! I go through a lot to please my readers!
Animator vs. Animation - This is a truly amazing video. There are some talented people out there!
Sudokular - If you haven't played Sudoku you should. It's a puzzle game. If you play, or want to check it out, this is the site for you!
How to trap a government employee - The name says it all!
Bob Barker's microphone - I don't want it THAT bad!
Incredibly funny video - 1:30 into this video and you will be on the floor laughing!
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#9- A few websites you may find useful
Networking troubleshooter - A great site to work through networking problems!
PC-Pages - Computer help, drivers, and downloads.
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