iPhone 3G S Review
I purchased the iPhone 3G S on launch day, and have been playing with every feature on it over the weekend- here is my long overdue review.
Add comment June 23rd, 2009
[Windows] Top 101 Useful Freeware Apps
Sick of over-priced, and mediocre applications– I present to you a list of free and useful Windows applications.
Add comment June 22nd, 2009
[Windows] Is your Computer Secretly Connecting to the Web?
It’s pretty scary when you think your computer may be connecting to web servers without your knowledge. A compromised computer can be used to send Spam emails, report your personal information and keystrokes, infect other computers on your network, and more.
These threats can go completely undetected to an unsuspecting user- luckily there is a command you can use to check every ping your computer has made in a given time.
Here’s how to check what your network connection has been up to:
- Go to the Start Menu >Type cmd in your Windows Run box (Search box for Vista).
- Type “netstat -b 5 > activity.txt” (without quotes) and press enter.
- After about 2 minutes, press Ctrl+C.
- Type “activity.txt” on the command line to open the log file in notepad (or your default text editor)
This .txt file will have a record of everything that has made an Internet connection in the last couple of minutes; you can then check your task manager to find out where it is and take care of it.
Add comment June 18th, 2009
[Windows] Do You Know Where Your Storage is Going?
Do you ever wonder where your storage is going? You would’ve of sworn you had 20 more gigs yesterday- but can’t figure out where it went? There is a free solution to that problem- WinDirStat.
WinDirStat scans your entire drive, and displays a virtual image map of the location and size of each file. It’s a quick overview, which makes file management quick and very easy (see image below).
Bigger files are represented by bigger boxes- hover over it with your cursor, and it will show you the directoy the file is located in. You can just right click on the box, and delete if need be.
This is a very useful utility which no computer geek should be without. Download here.
Add comment June 18th, 2009
[Mac] Why Mac OS X “does not get” Viruses
A lot of people ask me why Macs don’t get viruses. Some people I come across also think that it’s not possible for a Mac to catch a virus (oh brother).
That couldn’t be farther from the truth- it is possible for any OS to get a virus, including OS X- but there are a lot of reasons why OS X hasn’t had a big threat for a while now- while Windows machines have become toolbar infested, pop-up happy, identity stealing lag-boxes over night.
Here’s what you should know:
1. OS X is built on UNIX. UNIX is on a multi user system and its security architecture was built into it from the beginning. WINDOWS came from single user architecture with security and multi user capability implemented later.
2. UNIX had networking built into it since its start, for Windows this was included later.
3. Windows developed Internet Explorer deep into the OS, and allowed code execution within the browser. In OS X the browser is a completely separate program, it’s not a major part of the OS. This is a HUGE screw-up Microsoft made, as they opened up so many doors into the OS.
4. In earlier Windows, everything ran as the system user, so the capability to compromise an entire system was easier (see reason 1)- UNIX requires you to sign in as Root to make changes (which Mac uses).
5. OS X has no registry. Another HUGE flaw Microsoft made.
6. OS X asks for your password before allowing you to run new software or install something. Not fool proof, but it helps.
I want to pull my hair out when I hear people saying “Macs don’t have viruses because their market share is so low, so programmers don’t want to waste time developing the threats”. Are you serious?!? Don’t you think that a virus writer would love to be one of the first to write a virus on OS X!? It would’ve been done.
Viruses are possible on any computer system, it CAN be done. But, Mac’s architecture works in its favor.
Add comment June 17th, 2009
[iPhone] iPhone Update 3.0 is Officially Out!
Update 3.0 is officially available on iTunes. It is the exact same build as the pirated GM version from last week, so early updaters need not update again. Can’t wait for the background notification apps!
Add comment June 17th, 2009
[Video] The Beginning of the Internet [1987]
Here is a video straight from my YouTube channel. It’s a special on the beginning of what would later be known to us as, the internet. It was a tool used as a means of communication between nations- enjoy.
Add comment June 17th, 2009
[News] The Computer Boss Video Channel
I am pleased to announce that I’ve set up a YouTube channel for TCB. I will be shooting my own videos, as well as sharing others I like. The URL is http://www.youtube.com/thecomputerboss.
Add comment June 16th, 2009
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