Date: 04/19/05 (Computer Help)    Keywords: software

I have a 1.2 gb Rio Nitrus MP3 player - have had it for about 2 years now, I think. Anyhow, out of nowhere my computer has stopped recognizing it when I plug it in.

Any ideas? I'm running XP and haven't done anything weird - no new software that would mess with things, etc.

Of course I've tried resetting the player, and have also reinstalled its drivers and software, but to no avail.

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computer_help/379305.html

Date: 04/19/05 (Mozilla)    Keywords: software, linux, microsoft

A couple articles I've come across today that I thought I might share in case people missed them.

I found both on Slashdot, not surprisingly.

The first is The Pros And Cons Of Firefox, by Fred Langa on InformationWeek. Although he makes some good points for either side of the debate, he does miss on key area. There may be as many bugs in Mozilla software as in Microsoft, the major difference is what is likely to happen when someone finds this vulnerability. I think Open Source/Linux supporters are more likely to create a patch and pass it on quickly.

The difference is that the people who know how to read and write the code for Linux operating systems are part of the open source community and there are likely far more of them than the ones who would take advantage of the bug for profit or whatever.

Not the same with Microsoft. Some people might alert them, but I think the ones looking for the vulnerabilities are the ones wanting to exploit them. Microsoft's code is not open source as everyone knows, so there is no intelligent user base checking the code to ferrett out these bugs and fix them quickly.

The second article was all about users. The full article is in the Boston Globe, but I only read the summary on Slashdot.

Users as Innovators - Why Open Source Works

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/mozilla/273953.html

Date: 04/19/05 (Open Source)    Keywords: software, linux

Linux is a robust, scalable, modular operating system, which is extensible by anyone, and can interoperate with nearly anything. This is the power of open source. But there are other equally powerful, equally open technologies out there.The Internet is a robust, scaled transport protocol. WiFi offers inexpensive local networking. Link sensors with software under these standards [...]

Source: http://blogs.zdnet.com/open-source/?p=242

Date: 04/19/05 (Java Web)    Keywords: blogging, software, sql, web

We often talk about understanding an application from code and unit tests with catch phrases like - "code is the documentation". In my experience I haven't found a better and more concise documentation then reading the SQL schema for any application, assuming it has one. Today I was looking at Fatima - a weblogging software. [...]

Source: http://blog.taragana.com/index.php/archive/relational-schema-still-speaks-volumes-about-any-application-a-look-at-fatima/

Date: 04/20/05 (Computer Geeks)    Keywords: software, web

"BitPim is a program that allows you to view and manipulate data on cell phones".
"BitPim is distributed as open source and free software under the GNU General Public License".
Quote is from bitpim web page….

http://bitpim.sourceforge.net/

Got a cell phone cable and viewed the data in the phone.
Uploaded a number to test.
You also can see the file system.
Now I need more USB cables.
-

"

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computergeeks/663797.html

Date: 04/20/05 (Security)    Keywords: software, virus, tracker

Virus tracker discovers 52 malicious programs hidden inside cell phones games, other phone software.

Source: http://news.zdnet.com/Trojan+horses+take+aim+at+Symbian+cell+phones/2100-1009_22-5678211.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=zdnn

Date: 04/20/05 (Opera Browser)    Keywords: software

Opera currently has an affiliate program whereby 250 unique site referals earns a free Opera 8 registration code.

I've stuck a link to one of these on the info page.

I have already paid for the software, so on the off chance that it does actually get 250 unique referals (clicking over and over again will do nothing) I'll give the code away as a competition prize in the community.

Happy clicking. :)

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/opera_browser/32241.html

Date: 04/21/05 (Web Technology)    Keywords: software

Proprietary encryption format used in some high-end cameras appears to be toast, clearing the way for third-party image software.

Source: http://news.zdnet.com/Nikon%27s+photo+encryption+reported+broken/2100-9588_22-5679848.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=zdnn

Date: 04/21/05 (Computer Geeks)    Keywords: software, microsoft

Guys, I would like some help and suggestions on a computer I'm building. I already have monitor, speakers, mouse, and extra software, I just need recommendations on a video card (mid-range cards and high range cards and prices) and anything else I might have left out of this list. Also, if you know of a similar quality and type of product thats on the list and for a lesser cost, please let me know. These are prices and items from http://www.newegg.com
thanks

___Case


CODEGEN Black/Red ATX Mid Tower Case With 350W Power Supply, Model "C-6087-Red" -RETAIL 41.25

Model# C-6087-RED
Item # N82E16811182553

Specifications:
Case Type: Mid Tower
Color: Black/Red
Material: Steel
Drive Bays: 5.25" x 4/0, 3.5" x 1/5 (external/internal)
Expansion Slots: 7
Front Ports: 2 x USB, 2 x audio
Power Supply: CODEGEN 350W
Cooling System: 2 x 80mm side fans, 1 x 80mm rear fan, air-duct
Motherboard Compatibility: ATX, MicroATX
Dimensions: 17.25" x 7.65" x 18.5"(HxWxD)
note: get 500w psu

newegg.com
__cd drive
LG Electronics DVD+/-RW 16X Multiformat Drive, Model GSA-4163BI - Retail

Model# GSA-4163BI
Item # N82E16827136047
68.00
__Motherboard
GIGABYTE "GA-K8NF-9" NVIDIA nForce4 4X Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU -RETAIL

Model# GA-K8NF-9
Item # N82E16813128268
118.00
__Processor
AMD Athlon 64 3200+, 512KB L2 Cache, Socket 939 64-bit Processor - Retail

Model# ADA3200BIBOX
Item # N82E16819103502
190.00
__Hard Drives
Seagate 7200.8 250GB 7200RPM SATA NCQ Hard Drive, Model ST3250823AS, OEM

Model# ST3250823AS
Item # N82E16822148065
146.00

Seagate 40GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model ST340014A, OEM Drive Only

Model# ST340014A
Item # N82E16822148013
55.00

__Memory
PQI POWER Series 184-Pin 1GB DDR PC-3200, Model MD441GUOE - Retail

Model# MD441GUOE
Item # N82E16820141198

Specifications:
Manufacturer: PQI
Speed: DDR400(PC3200)
Type: 184-Pin DDR SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 3
Support Voltage: 2.5V
Bandwidth: 3.2GB/s
Organization: 128M x 64-Bit
103.00 newegg.com

__Sound Card
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live! 7.1 24-PCI sound card
Model#: 70SB041000000
Item#: N82E16829102176
$33.99

__OS
Microsoft Windows XP Professional With Service Pack 2 -OEM

Model# E85-03013
Item # N82E16837102153
145.95

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computergeeks/666151.html

Date: 04/21/05 (Open Source)    Keywords: software

Thin clients have a long and somewhat tortured history. Every once in a while, they make sense. Then some new demand comes from the shop floor, for usability or software that runs only on the clients, and the trend wanes.Right now the trend is waxing. Hardware has raced ahead of software. The big costs now [...]

Source: http://blogs.zdnet.com/open-source/?p=246

Date: 04/22/05 (Web Technology)    Keywords: software, technology

Forgent claims software behemoth infringed on patent for technology behind JPEG, one week after Redmond filed its own suit.

Source: http://news.zdnet.com/Graphics+patent+suit+fires+back+at+Microsoft/2100-9588_22-5681112.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=zdnn

Date: 04/22/05 (Application Development)    Keywords: software

A software expert says first-to-market pressure is leading to a decline in software quality but open source standards remain higher.

Source: http://news.zdnet.com/Developer%3A+Open+source+provides+glimmer+of+hope/2100-9593_22-5680808.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=zdnn

Date: 04/23/05 (Computer Help)    Keywords: php, software, browser, web, google

I have a few computer problems. If you can’t help me with all of them, that’s understandable. If you could just answer any of the questions, I’d really appreciate it.

1) Tweak will let me set special folders but warns me about moving them. I'm assuming that this is really just a standard warning as I've moved the folders a few days ago and they all seem pretty harmless. (Including the Start Menu which I previously asked here and had a round robin suggestion. Anyways) Is it mostly harmless re-setting folder locations using programs like Tweak and/or TuneUP Utilities?

2) I need to remove something off of "File" menu when you open a folder. It's driving me nuts. Well, I wouldn't mind if I could re-set the hot alt key. Does anyone know a program that controls what items appear on a folder’s File menu? Does anyone know a program that allows you to set “alt” letters?

3) On Tuesday I downloaded Itunes. Ever since, the mp3s on my winamp playlist have gotten quieter and I don't know why that is. The wma’s play at normal volume on winamp but I have to turn up the volume way up to listen to any mp3. (almost like a throwback to my 2003 speaker problem.) As my playlist is a mix of both, I find myself constantly adjusing the songs. Does anyone know of software that checks what went wrong? I’ve already been in control panel sound and even system; all the drivers check out.

4)
a - I guess it goes without asking that if I have an old win 95 deluxe edition of Norton, there's no way I could successfully install it and get live update to work, right? I'll just have to purchase a new version, right?

b - so, in saying that, what version of Norton includes crash guard and first aid. I love first aid. I've never had to do it but I love the idea checking everyday system functions.

5) Start menu is driving me nucking futs. It keeps hiding programs i haven't used. i hate hate hate this. so i believe i turned this function off yesterday. I thought it was TuneUp but I guess not. How can I turn this function off.

6) Tweak doesn't work when trying to prevent IE from stealing focus. I asked this question last month when i was still using win 98. I knew I'd be upgrading soon so I didn't fuss when the advice didn't do anything to help. Now I'm using win mx, i've installed tweak and yet again, it does nothing to prevent IE from stealing focus. Can anyone recommend another program that can help?

7)
a - Internet Explorer has gone weird. I can't load lj userinfo pages correctly on the 3rd or 4th attempt. example, i open ie on my userinfo page and it loads properly. So whenever I say "new window" by doing ctrl n, instead of getting the "journal" menus at the top, i get < ************ > with the menus at the bottom. If i'm at download.com and i'm looking at my search results, i'll click on "by user rating". if at any point during this specific action i hit alt + tab to switch screens, ie crashes. no joke. so i have to sit and wait patiently while my slow 28kb connection loads that page. Has anyone else using XP experienced a similar problem? Is there an older version of IE that you think is better?

b - In addition, IE will sometimes automatically open a new window directing to a non-existing website: http://www.turbotones.net/uk/index.php . I will have hit ctrl + n ONCE (i don't do things twice) and my google search will have opened in a new window (whatever I was previously searching). After a few seconds, that page will open. I've searched all text in all files "word or phrase in the file" for "turbotones" to see who on my pc is asking to pop up to this page and this yielded no results. Can anyone help?

NOTE Please don't give me advice like "don't use IE" because that's not advice; that's just annoying. It's like saying "you shouldn't use automatic, you should use a stick shift" (or vice versa). Each browser has its own quirks and I've already gotten used to IE. In addition, I use IE at work, therefore I can mirror whatever I'm doing at work with what I'm doing at home.

8) I want to remove "Local Area Network" from the system tray. There used to be a great program. I think it was simply sys_tray manager from a few years back. Does anyone have a copy? I also want to get rid of quicktime. I've uninstalled it but it's still lurking about. It's also in my system tray and it's annoying! Can anyone recommend a good, fast, free system tray manager program?

9) Speaking of annoying, XP has reset the Page down/page up function to skip down/up "x" lines when using a drop down menu. I want to reset this figure. Does anyone know how?

10) I have an old excel spreadsheet that i've opened. I've already said that the columns should be mm.dd.yy. for whatever reason (well, i'm based in the uk now not the us) excel has decided that despite my previously setting the column properties, it should be dd.mm.yy (the uk format) What other automatic changes should I look forward to (gulp) ? btw, language changes (example, us to uk) are easy to find in word. does anyone know where I can find it in excel?

11) The last problem is quite generic. I have a few USB ports in the back that are working fine, but the ones in the front are fucked. I found under system, there's "code 28" error. I've searched for the drivers online but they are all no good. Initially when putting this PC together last Sat, it said something like "service pack #" with a link. Fair enough, I though. I didn't have a modem on me then so I couldn't connect my pc to the link. I just assumed that I'd get the link again. Well, I just made an ass out of me and me because lo and behold, I'm here trying to install the driver for the umpteeth time. Doesn't make a difference to me personally cause I have four in the back in working condition. The ports came with the tower and I don’t have a disk for the tower. Now I'm hoping someone out there has a link to driver installation file.
I was hoping this would help. But I guess not.

12) I have to keep an eye on my hard drive temperature. I have 3 fans so hopefully it'll always be all good, but if not, what's a bad temp? currently, it's at 33.

Thanking you all in advance. Please let me know if you need further information!!!

cross posted to ladiorange, computer_help and livejournal_uk.

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computer_help/381463.html

Date: 04/23/05 (Computer Help)    Keywords: software, virus

I need your help. I have a Sony Vaio desktop with a P4 3.2 ghz, 512 mb RAM, XP home with SP2. I recently had a virus that has since been quarantined but it seems to have some lasting repercussions. When I try to burn a movie onto a DVD, it will stop at 54% and it will say that it is "initializing DVD" then it will go to "formatting DVD" and it will continue on a loop that quits after about 15 minutes and it just says "error creating DVD" The software I am using for it is Copy DVD 1-2-3 which has worked before. The optical drive is functional though because I can still drag-n-drop files onto a CD. After the DVD burner quits though, I reinserted the disk to see if anything was on it and it was completely blank. I have tried various movies. Thank you.

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computer_help/382202.html

Date: 04/24/05 (Computer Geeks)    Keywords: software, web

I'm planning to build a wearable computer, using a Maci Mini, a Twiddler, and a pair of HUD glasses. Everything's covered, except a portable power supply.

I have two batteries from my dead C610 (DP/N 3149C), which put out enough voltage (14.4V) to satisfy the Mac Mini (needs 12+V, or 20+V to run Firewire). I could just wire them directly and be done with it, but it would be nice to have a battery life indication on-screen.

Does anybody know where I could get schematics or technical manuals for the batteries or the C610 itself? I tried Dell's website, but didn't find anything useful. I want to use the existing control circuits, but I'm not sure if that's more trouble than it's worth.

And since I'm wandering blind: anybody ever try something like this? Am I overlooking an easier solution of some sort? I known some UPSes have feedback software using a USB port; is there any similar solution for portable batteries?

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computergeeks/667638.html

Date: 04/24/05 (Computer Help)    Keywords: software

i posted before about having problems with a joystick. i have uninstalled and reinstalled the software several times. one minute it says it's ok the next minute it says connection lost. it's not just the one joystick, i have tried other joysticks and still the same thing. is it a port issue or IRQ issue? thanks...

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computer_help/382797.html

Date: 04/25/05 (Security)    Keywords: software, security

Unpatched PCs represent biggest security problem, keeping threats that target software vulnerabilities at top of McAfee's list.

Source: http://news.zdnet.com/McAfee%3A+Vulnerabilities+still+worst+threat/2100-1009_22-5683272.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=zdnn

Date: 04/26/05 (Web Technology)    Keywords: software, css, web

Software giant yields to longstanding demands by Web developers, promising support for PNG, CSS graphics and layout standards.

Source: http://news.zdnet.com/Microsoft+discloses+some+IE+7+plans/2100-9588_22-5683842.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=zdnn

Date: 04/26/05 (Open Source)    Keywords: software, asp

Just because a piece of software is open source does not mean we are no longer subject to corporate intrigue.David Berlind and this blog's own Joe Brockmeier combine to teach that lesson today. David explains how JasperReports is being turned back into a commercial product. Joe explains a game of chicken between Sun and IBM [...]

Source: http://blogs.zdnet.com/open-source/?p=254

Date: 04/27/05 (Java Web)    Keywords: software, java

I remember the early days of Java Open Source Software. We all used to keep track of any new OSS release and literally salivate at being able to use something for free. When Tomcat came out I was one of the early adopters, same with Ant, JUnit, HttpUnit, Gcj, even tcl-tk based Java IDE's and [...]

Source: http://blog.taragana.com/index.php/archive/salivating-about-open-source-software-pavlovs-conditioning/