Man bites dog? Google sues the government

Google and the U.S. government are headed for a legal showdown, but on different sides of the courtroom than one might expect.

Eric Goldman, a law professor with Santa Clara University who closely follows the tech industry, spotted a lawsuit filed by Google against the federal government claiming that the U.S. Department of the Interior did not properly evaluate Google Apps when choosing a new Web-based document system. Google alleges that because the Interior Department specified that the system needed to be part of Microsoft’s Business Productivity Online Suite, Google Apps never had a chance despite repeated attempts by Google to explain the product.

“Significantly, the SOW (statement of work) and even certain terminology were closely aligned with Microsoft’s product literature for its Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and Office Communications Online applications. This was because the DOI had defined its needs and requirements around the Microsoft products,” Google wrote in its complaint.

Government agencies generally have to follow a complicated process to purchase products or services from technology companies, and Google has increasingly sought to position itself as an alternative to Microsoft’s office software in companies and governments.

And, of course, the federal government and Google are no strangers when it comes to legal maneuverings. The most current dispute involves Google’s proposed acquisition of ITA Software, but the list stretches back several years.

Updated 4:25 p.m. PDT: Google issued the following statement on its lawsuit:

“Google is a proponent of open competition on the Internet and in the technology sector in general. Here, a fair and open process could save US taxpayers tens of millions of dollars and result in better services. We’re asking the Department of Interior to allow for a true competition when selecting its technology providers.”

 

Source:

CNet by Tom Krazit

MozBackup

What’s MozBackup?

MozBackup is a simple utility for creating backups of

Mozilla Firefox,
Mozilla Thunderbird,
Mozilla Sunbird,
Flock,
SeaMonkey,
Mozilla Suite,
Spicebird and
Netscape

profiles.

It allows you to backup and restore bookmarks, mail, contacts, history, extensions, cache etc.
It’s an easy way to do Firefox backup, Thunderbird backup …

MozBackup is compatible with:

• Firefox 1.0 – 3.0
• Thunderbird 1.0 – 3.0 Alpha 1
• Sunbird 0.3 – 0.8
• Flock 1.0 – 1.1
• SeaMonkey 1.0a – 1.1
• Mozilla Suite 1.7 – 1.7.x
• Spicebird 0.4
• Netscape 7.x, 9.x

This program is freeware and works on Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista.
It’s developed in Czech republic.

News

June 8th, 2008

Donate MozBackup Development! MozBackup is distributed as freeware
and I work on this software in my free time. If you like this software
and want to support next development you can make a donation. Click on
button Make A Donation on the left side and donate via PayPal. Thanks to all supporters.

May 24th, 2008

MozBackup has new logo! I was looking for new logo for a long time. Now I can introduce new logo which will come
with next version of MozBackup. Author is Miro Pavelka from gLabs.

May 17th, 2008

MozBackup 1.4.8 released! This version newly supports Mozilla Sunbird, Flock and Spicebird. You can create automatic backups via command line
and create backups of applications like Firefox/Thunderbird Portable.
If you use Firefox 3.0, please upgrade to this version. See Changelog, Download.

April 27th, 2008

MozBackup 1.4.8 Beta released! This release doesn’t contain any new features, just bugfixes. See Changelog,
Download.

March 16th, 2008

MozBackup 1.4.8 Alpha released! It’s a long time
since last release, isn’t it? I have one good information for you, I’m
working on MozBackup 1.4.8 which I want to release before Firefox 3.0
Final. Today I have released alpha version which comes with
some new features. Here are some of them:

• Support for Mozilla Sunbird, Flock, Spicebird, Netscape Navigator 9.0 and Netscape Messenger 9.0 (yes, I know, they are unsupported from Netscape side)
• Support for Firefox/Thunderbird Portable
• Automatic backup via command line. (documentation will be soon)
• Support for backup unknow files from user profile.
• New installer based on Nullsoft Installer.
• Support for SeaMonkey 2.0 profiles location.
• … and many more. See changelog.

As you can see this is a alpha version. So please use only for test and report me any bugs which you find.
I’m trying to have MozBackup 1.4.8 best release since version 1.0. Thanks! Download MozBackup 1.4.8 Alpha.

source: http://mozbackup.jasnapaka.com/

Display Windows XP’s System Date and Time in the System Tray

Windows XP’s system tray is defaulted to display only the time. If you want to display the system time as well as the date, there would be minor adjustments in the taskbar. First is to right click on any blank area in the taskbar to see if there is a check mark next to the “Lock the Taskbar” menu item. If so, click to uncheck the “Lock the Taskbar” menu item. This way you can then adjust to double the height of the taskbar by dragging it on its top edge. By doubling the height of the taskbar, the system date will appear together with the time but the taskbar occupies more screen space than before. If you want to keep a normal height of the taskbar, you will have to resort to a third-party utility software. You can download and use Dale Nurden’s TClockEx. It’s a freeware utility program.

Reference:

PCMag.COM

Massive Web attack gains momentum

Over the weekend, thousands of legitimate English-language Italian Web sites fell victim to one line of code. Taking advantage of the trust the users have in the sites they visit, the malicious code silently redirects browsers via JavaScript to servers containing a variety of drive-by exploits. If the visiting computer is unpatched for a variety of operating system, browser, and specific application flaws, malicious code is downloaded. Once installed, the new software can then be used to steal personal information or enlist a compromised machine in attacks on other machines. According to security vendor Websense, the attack now affects over 10,000 Web sites worldwide, and that list continues to grow. According to Trend Micro, servers hosting some of the malicious code have been traced to Chicago, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Hong Kong.

The attack, dubbed Mpack, uses cross-site scripting to place malicious IFrames on legitimate Web sites. IFrames are used by Web designers to open additional windows (often hosted on other sites) within a main Web page; IFrames can also be used by criminal hackers to redirect browsers to malicious-code sites. Trend Micro believes this latest attack was automated. Websense reports that the server where users are redirected includes a counter that shows large numbers of visitors from Italy, Spain, and the United States.

Fortunately, there are a number of variables here. First, you must accidentally happen upon a vulnerable site, then your computer must have one of several browser vulnerabilities present for the attack to take root. According to Trend Micro, the component that serves up the browser vulnerabilities is browser aware, able to infect your specific browser of choice. Assuming it can, the attack then downloads various Trojans designed to steal personal information.

To prevent such an attack, Trend Micro urges everyone to be aware of sites requiring software installation; do not allow software installation unless you trust the site and the provider of the software. Keep your PC software fully patched and be sure your antivirus protection is updating properly. And, of course, be wary of any unexpected e-mail and e-mail attachments.

For more on this specific attack, antivirus vendor Panda has prepared a 28-page PDF that provides granular detail.

Source: http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-9731018-7.html

Make Firefox Faster

Here’s something for broadband people that will really speed Firefox up:

1.Type “about:config” into the address bar and hit return. Scroll down and look for the following entries:

network.http.pipelining network.http.proxy.pipelining network.http.pipelining.maxrequests

Normally the browser will make one request to a web page at a time. When you enable pipelining it will make several at once, which really speeds up page loading.

2. Alter the entries as follows:

Set “network.http.pipelining” to “true”

Set “network.http.proxy.pipelining” to “true”

Set “network.http.pipelining.maxrequests” to some number like 30. This means it will make 30 requests at once.

3. Lastly right-click anywhere and select New-> Integer. Name it “nglayout.initialpaint.delay” and set its value to “0″. This value is the amount of time the browser waits before it acts on information it receives.

If you’re using a broadband connection you’ll load pages MUCH faster now!

Reference:

http://forevergeek.com/open_source/make_firefox_faster.php 

Intel beefs up portable PC push

BEIJING–Despite tepid sales of early units, Intel is doubling down on its investment in technology for handheld PCs with new chips and Linux support.

Intel executives Dadi Perlmutter and Anand Chandrasekher are expected to unveil the Ultra Mobile platform 2007 later on Wednesday at the Intel Developer Forum here. Formerly know as McCaslin, the platform comes with one of two Intel processors designed specifically for UMPCs, introduced last year as hybrid notebook PC/BlackBerry devices.

While systems based on the Ultra Mobile 2007 product will fall into Microsoft’s Origami fold–and run Windows Vista–in 2008 Intel plans to bring out UMPCs and so-called mobile Internet devices (MIDs) that run Linux. Red Flag Linux and Canonical (Ubuntu) are the first vendors that have signed onto the program. That generation of devices will also come with a special low-power chip called “Silverthorne” that is based on Intel’s 45-nanometer manufacturing technology.

Intel says it thinks these devices, once they have been refined, have lots of potential for mobile workers and consumers who want more processing power than found in a smart phone or PDA. But early reactions to UMPCs have been mixed. The devices are very capable, but very expensive, and haven’t made a dent in the PC market.

But while Intel waits for the UMPC or MID to take off, it’s continuing to improve its products for traditional notebook PCs.

Intel is expected next month to launch Santa Rosa, the latest refresh to its Centrino marketing strategy. Santa Rosa comes with an improved chipset and Intel Turbo Memory, formerly known as Robson. Intel Turbo Memory is simply flash memory built into a notebook that can help the system save power by accommodating a new hibernation mode.

And in 2008, Intel is expected to launch the “Montevina” notebook technology, which will come with built-in support for WiMax, the long-range wireless networking technology.

source:

news.com

Invalid boot.ini file

Description:

When you start your computer after you upgrade to Microsoft Windows XP, you may receive one or both of the following error messages:

Invalid Boot.ini

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

or

Windows\System32\Hal.dll

Cause:

This issue may occur if the boot.ini file is missing, damaged, or contains incorrect entries.

Resolution:

To resolve this issue, start the computer from the Windows XP CD, start the Recovery Console, and then use the Bootcfg.exe tool to rebuild the Boot.ini file. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Configure the computer to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. For information about how to do this, see your computer documentation, or contact your computer manufacturer.
2. Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer.
3. When you receive the “Press any key to boot from CD” message, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM.
4. When you receive the “Welcome to Setup” message, press R to start the Recovery Console.
5. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select the installation that you have to use from the Recovery Console.
6. When you are prompted, type the administrator password, and then press ENTER.
7. At the command prompt, type bootcfg /list, and then press ENTER. The entries in your current Boot.ini file appear on the screen.
8. At the command prompt, type bootcfg /rebuild, and then press ENTER. This command scans the hard disks of the computer for Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, or Microsoft Windows NT installations, and then displays the results. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to add the Windows installations to the Boot.ini file. For example, follow these steps to add a Windows XP installation to the Boot.ini file:
a. When you receive a message that is similar to the following message, press Y:

Total Identified Windows Installs: 1

[1] C:\Windows
Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All)

b. You receive a message that is similar to the following message:

Enter Load Identifier

This is the name of the operating system. When you receive this message, type the name of your operating system, and then press ENTER. This is either Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition.
c. You receive a message that is similar to the following:

Enter OS Load options

When you receive this message, type /fastdetect, and then press ENTER.

Note The instructions that appear on your screen may be different, depending on the configuration of your computer.
9. Type exit, and then press ENTER to quit Recovery Console. Your computer restarts, and the updated boot list appears when you receive the “Please select the operating system to start” message.

OS Affected:

Windows XP Professional
Windows XP Home

Reference:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/330184/en-us

Outlook Express may not start or cannot view messages in Outlook Express’ folders preview pane.

Description:

1. Oultook Express may fail to start.
2. When viewing the preview pane, either of the following error messages may be displayed:
Folder could not be displayed.Outlook express could not open this folder.
Possible causes are: Low disk space. Low memory.

Possible Cause:

This behavior can occur if the attributes of any or all of the Outlook Express *.dbx mail files are set to read only.

Resolution:

1. Click Start > Search
2. Type *.dbx in the search box and click enter.
3. For each *.dbx file that is found, right-click the file, click Properties, and then clear the Read-only check box, and click ok
Reference:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=238656

CD-R drive or CD-RW drive is not recognized as a recordable device

Description:
When you attempt to burn data to a compact disc recordable (CD-R) drive or compact disc rewritable (CD-RW) drive, you may not have the option to send data to the CD-ROM drive. When you view the properties of the CD-R drive or CD-RW drive, you may notice that the Recording tab is not displayed in the CD Drive (drive_letter:) Properties dialog box, where drive_letter is the letter of the CD-R drive or CD-RW drive.

Possible Cause:
This issue can occur when the drive is misdetected as a non-recordable device.

Resolution:
1. Run Registry Editor (regedit.exe)  and expand the following registry subkey:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CD Burning\Drives
2. In the right pane of the Registry Editor windows, double click ‘Drive Type’
3. In the ‘Value Data’ box, change the value to either 1 (if it is a CD-R) or 2 (if it is a CD-RW) and click ‘OK’.
4. Changes will take effect immediately.

Reference:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q316529

Windows Update Error code 0x8024402c

Windows Update Error code 0x8024402c

Error Description:
The 0x8024402C error code typically occurs because an incorrect character exists in the proxy override settings.

Possible Cause/s:

1. Incorrect character exists in the proxy override settings.
2. A misconfigured Proxy/Firewall can cause this problem.
3. You are trying to access Windows Update using VPN. The website and Automatic Update may not function properly.
4. The corporate environment does not have autoproxy implemented.
5. Your workstations sit behind a Microsoft ISA server.
Resolution 1:

Remove invalid characters from the proxy exception list and then clear the proxy cache:

1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. On the Tools, select Internet Options.
3. Click on the Connections tab.
4. Click on the LAN Settings.
5. Click on the Advanced button.
6. Please delete any entry in the Exceptions section.

Next, clear your proxy cache:

1. Click on Start, and then click Run.
2. Type cmd in the Open box to get a DOS prompt.
3. Type proxycfg -d at the command prompt, and press Enter.
4. Type net stop wuauserv at the command prompt, and press Enter.
5. Type net start wuauserv at the command prompt, and press Enter.
6. Now try the site again.

Resolution 2:

Reconfigure or update your firewall program:

1. Double-check the Proxy/Firewall settings. Add the following urls to the exception list within your Firewall/Proxy:

http://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com

https://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com

http://download.windowsupdate.com

Resolution 3:
VPN and Proxy.
You are trying to access Windows Update using VPN. The website and Automatic Update may not function properly.

Autoproxy is not picking up the wpad.dat proxy configuration file to determine the proxy to be used for the target URL. Thus we are going with no proxy!

1. Try to access Windows Update while not using VPN connection.
2. Use the proxycfg tool to specify a proxy server to use (proxycfg.exe -p <proxy server>). (contact your network administrator to find out the name and port of this proxy.)

Reference:

http://www.updatexp.com/0x8024402c.html