DygiScape

I’ve been hitting up Netscape ever since it’s inception in Beta all the way through now, and some Netscape users are really excelling at building the site. Jason accepted the feedback, and adding in more features that are for the users. And just like a garden, the seeds are growing and the buds of Netscape are starting to grow.

I want reference one of the top posters, specifically TimALoftis, since he is a posting machine. As of my last count: 1,177 articles (links with a brief story), 544 comments (comments on a story), and 4,295 votes (a vote for a story, to rank it higher). By guesstimating, I say he has a good 20% higher contributions than anyone on Netscape. Which brings me to my next point.

A while back, Calacanis offered $1000/Mo. for “Netscape Navigators“. My conflict with that and TimALoftis, is that he should be compensated higher since he is the #1 contributor to Netscape. I think Jason should offer a curved compensation for his Navigators. I suggest that with his top Navigators to get an extra monthly bonus for being “Top 5″ or something along those lines. They deserve it. This comes back to “Loving your Users”, and it’s a business world, and last time I checked, Netscape was and is a for-profit business. You pay for better content, higher quality and higher volume. I’m no business major or anything but I know how I would reward my top contributors.

My main observation is that Netscape is letting “regulars” participate in Social Bookmarking by being accessiible and easy to use. Am I saying Digg is not? No, because I love Digg too - but how many people on Digg are not computer geeks? [...] Very few. How many of Netscape are just regulars on the Internet [...] a majority. The best part is that, Netscape is just one of the many Web 2.0 blogging tools out there to empower people behind the content, the commentary, and they can order what news goes to the top.

Finally one last kudos goes to Netscape’s Editorial staff. I have not seen any articles get unfairly pinned to the top, or unfairly “handicapped” to make it to the top section. 0.There was numerous Anti-Netscape and Anti-AOL postings that garnered many votes and comments and those; much like any other story made it to the top. How many Anti-Digg articles will make it to homepage before the editors kill it? [...] None. That is how Netscape “one-ups” Digg, the editorial [lack] of control. People control Netscape. Power to the people, and people will win.

What do you think of Netscape becoming a viable player in the Web 2.0 pool with Digg, Newsvine, and Reddit?

[tags]Netscape, Internet, Social Bookmarking, Social Networking, Digg, Calacanis, Kevin Rose, AOL, Web 2.0[/tags]

Geeky, Tech News

Yeah, so just in short - blogging about work even if it’s intended to help customers is bad.

Personal, Work

I was using my Mac and realizing I have a 126℉ laptop resting on me. I thought what if, right NOW, it burst into flames just like the Dell did? Well, I wouldn’t be happy. Here I am now, compiling links about the Laptop Battery Recalls that can help you, save your laptop from a premature flaming death.

• Dell Support: Battery Recall/Return Program
• HP’s list of Recalled Products
• Apple Powerbook G4 Battery Recall
• Satire: Dell Laptop Fire Safety Tips (YouTube)
• News/Interview: CNET - Laptop Battery Safety

I’m about to check to see if I qualify for my Powerbook recall…

Update - Nope, I don’t need to return my battery.

[tags]Laptops, Battery, Batteries, Safety, Exploding Batteries, Dell, HP, Apple, Recall[/tags]

Geeky, Tech News

I just finished watching the best Samuel Jackson movie recently (possibly ever), Snakes on a Plane. So awesome, good mixes in the plot, climaxes and just damn good. Especially entering in with the notion of being a cheesy lame movie; it r0×0rz my s0×0rz.

• IMDB - Snakes on a Plane
• Snakes on a Plane trailer (Apple/QT)

[tags]Snakes On a Plane, SOAP, Samuel Jackson, Movies, LOL[/tags]

Funny, Personal

Spyware is a major pain these days and I will suggest four simple ways to prevent your computer from being controlled by spyware, and how you can gain control. Four simple tips that anyone can do today to stop the infection of spyware (and most viruses). Even though most Windows PC’s are plagued with spyware, this too can apply for Apple user’s too.

Update your Operating System (OS)
Updating your OS is critical to being current with security fixes. Many spyware companies will utilize the numerous exploits available to compromise your system. It would be a good idea to update your operating system (at least, checking for updates) on a bi-weekly basis.

• Microsoft Windows sers can get the free updates at http://update.microsoft.com
• Apple users can get their security updates from the Apple menu, then “Software Update” (More Info)

Get some Anti-Spyware software, Free
Spyware is difficult to remove, thats the point. Some will just be pain to remove from startup, some will literally damage your network and really stop you in your tracks from being productive. By downloading a few legitimate programs, running a weekly scan will keep you safe and secure from infections. If you found some pest and it won’t leave; Google it! Odds are someone has it and they got it removed. People collaborate and share their methods to fight the spyware - so don’t worry, take action!

• AdAware Personal SE 1.06 - Excellent program, Focuses on registry infections, startup, and Internet Explorer related issues.
• Spybot Search & Destroy 1.4 - Compliments Ad-Aware, focuses on BHO’s, Hijackers, and LSPs.
• CWShredder 2.19 - Specifically removes CoolWebSearch variants of spyware
• UPDATE THEM! When you open then, get the updates. They are of no help to you, if you do not update

Install Anti Virus and Firewall protection
It’s been said over and over. Here’s the deal - a lot of spyware often can be packaged with Viruses, and the Anti Virus software will help prevent that. Further, a firewall prevent unauthorized, unsolicited requests from being processed by your computer.

• Free Virus Scan software: AVG, Avast!, Active Virus Shield (Kapersky)
• Free Firewall software: ZoneAlarm, Windows XP SP2 Firewall, Outpost Firewall, Kerio Personal Firewall
• Test it! Check out Firewall ShieldsUp! Test, and the EICAR test.

Be careful with what you download

• The phrase “If its too good to be true, it probably is”, is too common. Don’t download something that promises too much.
• If a website forces you to try to download something, DO NOT DOWNLOAD IT. You are welcome to Googling the file first to see if it’s legitimate.
• Not all files are what they seem. On file sharing networks, a lot of viruses float around there and you need to be careful. I would advise all the former steps to being followed before downloading files again.
• Keep up on updates. Keep informed. Excellent websites to check out are Secunia, CNet News, Apple News (For Apple Users), and finally McAfee Threat Center. I check them every other day to keep informed.

[tags]Security, Downloading, Spyware, Safety, Security, Adware, Tips, Information, Technology, Privacy[/tags]

Geeky, Safety, Tips

After months of me using this hack, I never actually mentioned it unless I am trying to help someone fix problematic issues when trying to download music, movies, or whatever that can be found on Peer to Peer (P2P) networks. Windows XP SP2 and Windows Server 2003 are impacted by this “feature” from Microsoft and can severely impact your ability to download from multiple sources online. A group online discovered they can hack the TCPIP.SYS file, and yield near unlimited connections for programs; making it much faster and reliable to use P2P on XP SP2. I share my basic insight, and help host the patch file.First, I want to recommend good, reliable, safe filesharing software. I don’t want people to be using junk that is out there like Kazaa or Bearshare or other spyware-bundled applications like that. There is a very good P2P application known as Shareaza. It’s open source, and supports a blocklist, 3 separate filesharing networks, Torrents, and is completely legitimate with no ads/spyware in it.

What is 4226, and how will it speed me up?
The term “4226″ is in regards to Windows, event ID which can be found in the event viewer. Event 4226 is when the maximum amount of connections within the TCP/IP stack is reached. Basically, there’s a limit of 10 connections per application, and this fix raises that limit. The limited 10 connections per app can have negative effects on P2P apps. Here is what it would look like (screenshot). Anyhow, if you raise the limit on the connections per application; P2P apps function correctly, and everyone’s happy.

How do I get the 4226 Fix?
First, make sure you are running Windows XP SP2 or Windows 2003 Server. You may download the patch, unzip it into a folder, then run it. Note that it is intended for people comfortable to use a terminal style program (command prompt). Raising to 50 would help, but I raised mine to 500 and I notice the best possible filesharing performance.

• Download Here (USA, California)

Where did you learn all this?
Well I was on my forum of choice (ExtremeOverclocking) and a while back we were discussing the usage of the 4226 Fix, and that it was successful. I also credit ALL of this back to the original creators of it, LvlLord.de, which did all the hacking of the TCPIP.SYS. Feel free to read their FAQ.

[tags]Windows, Hacking, P2P, Shareaza, TCPIP, Networking, Optimization, 4226, Windows XP, Windows 2003 Server, File Sharing, Technology, Geek, Optimize[/tags]

Geeky

Due to glitch and different titles and post slugs, I have two different links. Sorry.
- CLICK HERE TO READ MY ARTICLE ON THE 4226 FIX -

Geeky

Microsoft took their next Operating System to the testing grounds for Hackers in DEFCON 14. The results would be what I can bet millions of dollars on; they made hacks for it. The benefit for Microsoft however, is not PR; it’s that they are getting taught by the best of breed - Hackers. I’d rather it break and get patched now, than in production later. Good job, maybe you aren’t so evil after all

Joanna Rutkowska, a Polish researcher at Singapore-based Coseinc, showed that it is possible to bypass security measures in Vista that should prevent unsigned code from running.
And in a second part of her talk, Rutkowska explained how it is possible to use virtualization technology to make malicious code undetectable, in the same way a rootkit does. She code-named this malicious software Blue Pill.

- CNET

[tags]Microsoft, Vista, Windows Vista, Computer Security, Vulnerabilities, Beta[/tags]

Tech News

I posted this earlier on my work blog as well, that resides on AOL Journals.  

I learned of this from Magic Smoke’s blog, that AOL Journals is on its third year in production. Happy Birthday AOL Journals!

Well I like to take this milestone to just look back and see what AOL Journals has gone through and see where it can go next.

• AOL Journals Beta/Initial Release: “You’ve Got Blogs! - A first look at AOL Journals, Part One ~ The Computer Vet”
• AOL Journals Beta/Initial Release: “Ant’s Eye View: Here They Come: AOL Journals Goes (Sort Of) Live”
• AOL Journals Beta/Initial Release: “Not A Dollarshort: AOL Journals”
• AOL Journals Beta/Initial Release: “UltraNormal > Super Secret Agent Revealed!” (Kevin Lawver, explains where he disappeared to NY when he talked about the AOLJ Product)
• AOL Journals R2 Release: “R2 Is Here” (Ads)
• AOL Journals Ads: “AOL Journals: You’ve Got Ads”
• AOL Journals Ads: “On the AOL Journals advertising mini-brouhaha - The Jason Calacanis Weblog”
• AOL Journals R3 Release: “Release 3 (R3) Successfully Installed to Production” (Buddy List rostering, Notify AOL on posts, blog about this link)
• AOL Journals R3 Rollback: “Release 3 (R3) Successfully Rolled Back From Production” (Oops! Broke buddylist rostering… )
• AOL Pictures Feature: “Permalinks???” (Helps AOL Journalers link to their Pictures
• AOL & Blogging: (Ted Leonsis, AOL VP): “Ted’s Take - Why am I doing a blog?”
• AOL Journals & Ted & Joe Loong: “Ted’s Blog, Thoughts Stemming From” (Joe Loong responds to community regarding Ted Leonsis not using AOLJ)
• AOL Journals R4 Release: “R4 Release Launched” (Private Journals, buddylist rostering fixed)
• AOL Journals R5 Release: “Journals Release R5 Is Live!” (About Me, increases to 25,000 character limit, previously 1000 character; A clean404 page for Journals not found)
• AOL Journals R6 Release: “Journals R6 Release Successfully Installed” (HTML Tag whitelisting, AOL beta tests, Technorati Tagging, AOL Journals header, Integrated Search)
• AOL Journals R7 Release: “Journals R7 Release Installed, Plus Entry Alerts Status” (Mobile Blogging, Embedded Video, AOL Pictures WooHoo!, and User-friendly [SEO] URLs)
• AOL Journals Three Year Anniversary: August 21, 2006.

Well that was my recap over the past three years based on what I can dig up in news articles. I love AOL journals and specifically the communication over its development (I wish Blogger was that straightforward). Anyhow, I am on the hunt lately to see what else AOL Journals can do to get better, so go ahead and bother Joe Loong over at Magic Smoke.

Update: Thanks Kevin, I added you in that timeline thingamajiggy.

Geeky, Tech News