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Sunday the 21st of September 2008

Welcome to the Helpforce Daily Briefing, on Sunday the 21st of September 2008

1. Virus Warnings
2. Daily Technology News
3. Latest Shareware and Freeware
4. FAQ for the day
5. Advice of the day
6. Internet Advice

This is a free service provided by Helpforce.com, to unsubscribe please visit http://www.helpforce.com
For free technical support, visit us at http://www.helpforce.com

1. Latest Virus Alerts From Sophos
---------------------------------------
Troj/Agent-HRT on 21 September 2008 06:07:44 Z
http://www.sophos.com/security/analyses/viruses-and-spyware/trojagenthrt.html?_log_from=rss
Troj/DwnLdr-HIA on 21 September 2008 06:07:44 Z
http://www.sophos.com/security/analyses/viruses-and-spyware/trojdwnldrhia.html?_log_from=rss
Troj/DwnLdr-HIB on 21 September 2008 06:07:44 Z
http://www.sophos.com/security/analyses/viruses-and-spyware/trojdwnldrhib.html?_log_from=rss
Troj/FakeVir-FY on 21 September 2008 06:07:44 Z
http://www.sophos.com/security/analyses/viruses-and-spyware/trojfakevirfy.html?_log_from=rss
Troj/IFrame-AX on 21 September 2008 06:07:44 Z
http://www.sophos.com/security/analyses/viruses-and-spyware/trojiframeax.html?_log_from=rss
Troj/Agent-HRS on 20 September 2008 21:17:36 Z
http://www.sophos.com/security/analyses/viruses-and-spyware/trojagenthrs.html?_log_from=rss
Troj/Agent-HRQ on 20 September 2008 19:06:23 Z
http://www.sophos.com/security/analyses/viruses-and-spyware/trojagenthrq.html?_log_from=rss
Troj/Agent-HRR on 20 September 2008 19:06:23 Z
http://www.sophos.com/security/analyses/viruses-and-spyware/trojagenthrr.html?_log_from=rss
Troj/He4Hook-G on 20 September 2008 19:06:23 Z
http://www.sophos.com/security/analyses/viruses-and-spyware/trojhe4hookg.html?_log_from=rss
Troj/Mfind-A on 20 September 2008 19:06:23 Z
http://www.sophos.com/security/analyses/viruses-and-spyware/trojmfinda.html?_log_from=rss

2. Latest Technology News From Slashdot
-----------------------------------------------

-- Apple Bans iPhone App For Competing With Mail.app
(http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/mTMnEK87IqY/article.pl)
recoiledsnake writes "Another submission has been rejected from the iPhone App Store, this time for 'duplicating the functionality of the iPhone Mail application.' The author claims that his application allows the user to log into their multiple web email accounts and that Apple seems to be confusing Gmail and Mail.app. This comes on the heels of Apple rejecting an application for competing with iTunes and rejecting other silly but harmless apps as being of 'limited utility.'" ComputerWorld has an update to the rejected Podcaster app mentioned above. It seems the developer has used Apple's "Ad Hoc" service to begin distributing the software despite the fact that they blocked it from the App Store.Read more of this story at Slashdot.

-- Mandriva Joins Ubuntu With a Linux For Netbooks
(http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/rt6jE8gqeXw/article.pl)
Slatterz writes "Linux publisher Mandriva has unveiled a version of its platform designed specifically for the new breed of mini laptops. Mandriva Mini features a fast boot-up, comprehensive connectivity support and multimedia codecs, and is adapted to work on key netbook platforms such as Intel's Atom. Mandriva previously offered a customised version of its 2008 Spring release for the Asus Eee PC, and was a distributor of Linux for Intel's Classmate PC initiative."Read more of this story at Slashdot.

-- T-Mobile Launches £2 Per Day Mobile Broadband
(http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/tbbmHDUzmRk/article.pl)
Mark.J writes "ISPreview reports that T-Mobile UK has launched an interesting range of new off-the-shelf Mobile Broadband products that do not require customers to sign-up under a long-term contract. The pay-as-you-go (PAYG) style products cost from only £2 per day for 'unlimited' access (3GB Fair Usage Policy applies). To access T-Mobile pre-pay Mobile Broadband, customers simply need to purchase a USB (Modem) Stick 110, which includes a memory card, for just £49.99 and plug it into a laptop to access their favourite websites. Credit can be topped up direct from the laptop and customers are able to select whichever package suits them at the time." For American readers, that's about $3.66 right now -- plus shipping yourself to the UK.Read more of this story at Slashdot.

-- YouTube Bans Gun and Knife Videos In the UK
(http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/Jid7XbFpQxI/article.pl)
PatPending writes with a depressing excerpt from the UK's Metro: "The Google-owned video-sharing site YouTube has decided to introduce the ban [on weapons-related videos] for the UK only amid widespread unease about the increase in knife crime in the country. 'We recognise that there has been particular concern over videos in the UK that involve showing weapons with the aim of intimidation, and this is one of the areas we are addressing,' a YouTube spokesperson said. 'I would like to see other internet service providers follow suit to reinforce our message that violence will not be tolerated either on the internet or in the real world,' she said."Read more of this story at Slashdot.

-- Naphthalene Found In Outer Space
(http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/H8lrRHGMXlY/article.pl)
Adam Korbitz writes with an excerpt from his blog on an exciting discovery in space: "A team of researchers led by Spanish scientists has published their discovery of the complex molecule naphthalene in an interstellar star-forming cloud, indicating many prebiotic organic molecules necessary for life as we know it could have been present when our own solar system formed. According to the new research — published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters — the naphthalene molecules were discovered 700 light-years from Earth in a star-forming region of the constellation Perseus, in the direction of the star Cernis 52."Read more of this story at Slashdot.

-- Nielsen Sends Wikipedia DMCA Takedown For Station Descriptions
(http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/j70PhLSPTdU/article.pl)
RockMFR writes "A DMCA takedown notice sent by Nielsen Media Research to the Wikimedia Foundation has resulted in the deletion of over 300 pages on the English Wikipedia. The pages were 'templates' and categories that listed television stations within various geographical markets in the United States. Discussion of the deletions has focused on whether this type of information can actually be copyrighted, though the content of the takedown notice have not been made public."Read more of this story at Slashdot.

-- Keeping Older Drivers Behind the Wheel
(http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/IsdVgpM83Qo/article.pl)
Hugh Pickens writes "A new study shows the key role technology can play in extending the age at which people can drive safely and highlights the important psychological role that driving plays in older people's lives in contributing to feelings of independence and freedom and maintaining their quality of life. The study identified ideas for in-car information systems to help compensate for the reduction in reaction time that affects many older drivers. Specific recommendations included a head-up display on the windshield that displays road sign information based on GPS position so the driver doesn't have to keep watching the road side for information and a system to provide the driver with audible feedback on their current speed so the driver doesn't have to look at the dashboard so often. 'Our research highlights issues that have been overlooked by car designers and those advising older people on lifestyles,' says Dr Charles Musselwhite, who led the study. 'The current emphasis on developing technologies which take over part of the driving task may actually end up deterring older drivers. By contrast, better in-car information systems could help them drive safely and ensure they want to keep driving.'"Read more of this story at Slashdot.

-- Steven Hawking Unveils "Time Eater" Clock
(http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/P4W3UtkfrRg/article.pl)
gyrogeerloose writes "Steven Hawking unveiled an unsettling clock in Cambridge on Friday. Designed by John Tayor — a British horologist and inventor whose thermostatic switch is incorporated in millions of electric appliance worldwide--the clock was conceived as a tribute to another British inventor, John Harrison. Harrison invented the grasshopper escapement in the early 18th Century, which resulted in extremely accurate mechanical time keeping and was instrumental in solving the 'Longitude Problem.' Tayor's clock, which in entirely mechanical in operation but has no hands, uses a fearsome-looking 'demon grasshopper' as its escapement. 'I [...] wanted to depict that time is a destroyer — once a minute is gone you can't get it back' Taylor said. 'That's why my grasshopper is not a Disney character. He is a ferocious beast that over the seconds has his tongue lolling out, his jaws opening, then on the 59th second he gulps down time.' It also (purposely) only tells correct time once every five minutes. An excellent video of the clock in action, with an explanation of its workings by its inventor, is available on YouTube."Read more of this story at Slashdot.

-- Fast-Booting Text-Editor Operating System?
(http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/dT7Kktaszt8/article.pl)
cgenman writes "What is the fastest booting operating system out there that is still sufficient for editing text? Quite frequently, I'll need to boot my laptop and edit a few lines of text, or jot down an idea or two. XP loads in roughly 4 minutes to usable, and Ubuntu loads in about 60 seconds. Both feel like an eternity if there isn't a pen and paper around. What is the best operating system that people have found which would load to useable in under 20 seconds, can edit text files in something a little more friendly than VI or EMACS, yet can still access fat32 formatted USB drives? GUIs aren't required, but commands which require arcane foreknowledge or a cheat sheet are out."Read more of this story at Slashdot.

-- The Tell-All Campus Tour
(http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/D9A5wdx2ChQ/article.pl)
theodp writes "Want to check out colleges without the bother of having to read about them? Well, my YouTube-loving friend, the NY Times reports that old-school elephantine dead-tree college guidebooks may be a thing of the past thanks to startup unigo.com, which has launched a free, gigantic, student-generated web-based guide to North American colleges that's laden with photos, Flip-shot videos and reviews (OK, you may have to do some reading)."Read more of this story at Slashdot.

-- Dirac 1.0.0 Released
(http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/U2b7CupDiT8/article.pl)
dylan_- writes "According to their website, 'Dirac is an advanced royalty-free video compression format designed for a wide range of uses, from delivering low-resolution web content to broadcasting HD and beyond, to near-lossless studio editing.' Now a stable version of the dirac-research codebase, Dirac 1.0.0, has been released. The BBC have already successfully used the new codec during the Beijing Olympics and are looking to push it to more general use throughout the organisation. The latest version of VLC (the recently released 0.9.2) has support for Dirac using the Schroedinger library."Read more of this story at Slashdot.

-- How Telcos and ISPs Are Preparing For a Pandemic
(http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/kvG8qqx_Mjk/article.pl)
alphadogg writes "Network operators and IT professionals already worried about how hurricanes and financial meltdowns will impact their work lives can add another potential catastrophe to their list of concerns: a global pandemic. During a panel sponsored by the FCC in Washington, D.C. this week, representatives from telecom carriers and ISPs discussed what steps they've been taking to prepare for the mass outbreak of a disease such as influenza, and also described the needs and challenges they would have to meet to keep communications up and running during a major global crisis. The most important tool at ISPs' disposal during a serious pandemic, panelists agreed, was that of network and bandwidth management controls."Read more of this story at Slashdot.

-- Activision Goes After Individual Game Pirates
(http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/yoyZANKXkGs/article.pl)
brunascle writes "Activision has begun suing individual pirates of console games. Edge Online is reporting that they are going after a New York resident for allegedly copying Call of Duty 3 for the Xbox 360 and other games, seeking $30,000 to $150,000 in damages for each infringement. GamePolitics has also uncovered six other lawsuits with settlements between $1,000 and $100,000, in five of which the defendant was unrepresented." Activision's lawyers specifically told GamePolitics that the lawsuit wasn't targeting file-sharers, so they probably mean that the alleged pirate was reproducing and distributing physical copies of the game. The court complaint is available here (PDF).Read more of this story at Slashdot.

-- Open Source Licenses For Academic Work?
(http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/7iZU1dzplek/article.pl)
An anonymous reader writes "We're in the process of submitting a scientific paper describing some techniques for data analysis. We'll be releasing the associated code, so we're faced with choosing an appropriate license. My supervisor insists there should be a citation clause, requiring any published article that uses results of the software to cite our paper. Of course, ideally, free software shouldn't have such encumbrances, and I initially tried to talk him out of it. However, in academia, the issue of attribution and citation is very important. Also, it is not a restriction on use of the software per se, only on publication of results. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any such license. So I wondered: what do other academic Slashdotters do?"Read more of this story at Slashdot.

-- Inside VMware's 'Virtual Datacenter OS'
(http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/K426r5YtHZ0/article.pl)
snydeq writes "Neil McAllister cuts through VMware's marketing hype to examine the potential impact of VMware's newly pronounced 'virtual datacenter OS' — which the company has touted as the death knell for the traditional OS. Literally an operating system for the virtual datacenter, VDC OS is an umbrella concept to build services and APIs that make it easier to provision and allocate resources for apps in an abstract way. Under the system, McAllister writes, apps are reduced to 'application workloads' tailored through vApp, a tool that will allow developers to 'encapsulate the entire app infrastructure in a single bundle — servers and all.' The concept could help solve the current bugbear of programming, parallel processing, McAllister concludes, assuming VMware succeeds."Read more of this story at Slashdot.

3. Latest Shareware from Planet-Shareware
-----------------------------------------------

-- SpiceLogic Document 2 Text Converter
(http://www.planet-shareware.com/SpiceLogic_Document_2_Text_Converter.htm)
SpiceLogic Document 2 Text Converter is a Windows software that provides you an efficient way of converting your document files from various types to plain text The supported conversion types are MS Word doc MS Excel xls PDF HTML and RTF It allows you to convert a lots of files as BATCH PROCESSING by a single mouse click You dont need

-- Hide My Files
(http://www.planet-shareware.com/Hide_My_Files.htm)
Hide My Files is an easy to use folder lock used to hide files and folders from unauthorized use This file and folder security software provides an easy to use interface that allows you to choose the files by selecting the directories in which you choose to block users from viewing

-- NET Document 2 Text Converter DLL
(http://www.planet-shareware.com/.NET_Document_2_Text_Converter_DLL.htm)
NET Document 2 Text Converter DLL is a NET class library that provides you an efficient way of converting your document files from various types to plain text Recommended for Windows application only Not for ASPNET The supported conversion types are MS Word doc MS Excel xls PDF HTML and RTF You dont need MS Office installed to r

-- SPYWIPE
(http://www.planet-shareware.com/SPYWIPE.htm)
SPYWIPE is the fastest scanning techniques in the market It will protect your PC from the thousands of SpyWare and AdWare internet surfers come across In addition SPYWIPE have the ability to manage the infected lists so the user can take an action later without performing a new scan A set of scan options is proviided so the user can highly custo

-- SPYWAREWIPE
(http://www.planet-shareware.com/SPYWAREWIPE.htm)
SPYWAREWIPE is the fastest scanning techniques in the market It will protect your PC from the thousands of SpyWare and AdWare internet surfers come across In addition SPYWAREWIPE have the ability to manage the infected lists so the user can take an action later without performing a new scan A set of scan options is proviided so the user can high

-- Flowers Screensaver
(http://www.planet-shareware.com/Flowers_Screensaver.htm)
A Screen Saver with pictures of different flowers in nice colors It has a black background and the pictures of the flowers change every five seconds This Screensaver can be installed with one click A nice Screen Saver for spring dreams at the computer

-- ReplaceMagic ExcelOnly Standard
(http://www.planet-shareware.com/ReplaceMagic_ExcelOnly_Standard.htm)
Have you ever been in situation that you need to change text header footer comments OLE object links hyperlinks or even more in thousands of files and you had to open each file manually to make changes? With ReplaceMagic you can scan folders for files and by entering search and replace strings let application to do all changes automatically fo

-- Easter Bonus
(http://www.planet-shareware.com/Easter_Bonus.htm)
Love match-three games? Spring into action and play Easter Bonus Slick and addictive and really really cute; this is the latest game from the Xmas Bonus team Fluffy chicks chocolate eggs and the Easter bunnywe know you cant resist A calorie-free treat for players of all ages

4. FAQ of the day from Helpforce
-----------------------------------------------

-- Error message when trying to apply Microsoft updates with wininit.ini
(http://www.helpforce.com)

Question: When I attempt to use Windows Update or to install Directx updates, I recieve the message, "Error Message: Windows Could Not Upgrade the File %1 from %2 %1: %2", following restart. I attempted to resolve this problem by using the procedure described at Microsoft Support, however, I cannot locate my wininit.ini file using file search (I made sure that hidden files box was checked and they were being searched). Wininit files are found with extensions of .err, .bak, and .exe. Next, I attempted to create a new blank wininit.ini file, which (if even sucessful) did not stop the error message. see {http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;283069}

Answer: Dear Josh,It is likely that the file wininit.ini does still exist but Windows Search does not show it.Windows ME onwards use a system called Indexing to make sure all files on your hard drives are in a database. The database is searched, not your actual hard drive so sometimes if the database is incomplete or not updated, files can be missed out.Hopefully, the following procedure will solve your problem:Open up the Command Prompt (Start > Run > 'command')Type the following commands:cd\dir /s wininit.iniAfter a time, you should see a list of wininit.ini's on your hard drive with their locations. Using Windows Explorer, navigate to these locations and manually delete (or rename) the files shown.Reboot your computer once more and then try the DirectX or Windows Update.Hope this helps.Please feel free to reply to this message if you require further assistance.Regards,-Lawrence Stromski, Helpforce.

5. Advice of the Day from ask-leo
-----------------------------------------------

-- Why am I getting spam on this email address I use only for one newsletter?

I'm confident you won't spam me Leo, however the fact is that I
still get spam addressed to this disposable email address that I set up
solely for your newsletter. What I don't understand is, since you are
the only one I've told the address, and you don't pass it on, how come
I'm getting spam?

In all honesty, this is a legitimate newsletter publisher's worst
nightmare. You go through all the effort of playing by all the rules,
not selling or sharing your subscribers email addresses with anyone,
anywhere, any time, and by making sure to use only industry leading and
trusted service providers ...
Only to find out a subscriber of yours is getting spam on an email
address they use only to subscribe to your newsletter, and nowhere
else.
I know, because as you can see it's happened to me.

6. Internet Advice
-----------------------------------------------

-- Shallow Friendships: the Modern Internet Experience?(http://netforbeginners.about.com/b/a/257695.htm)

If you are a participant in Facebook or MySpace, you may have 200+ friends in your database, but you will still only have 4 or 5 close friends in the...

Thank you for your continued support, please do not reply to this email address as emails will not be answered.

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