HOWTO: Upgrade your RAM
by rob on Oct.25, 2011, under Fun Stuff
A great video demonstrating how to perform one of the easiest, cheapest, and most effective computer upgrades possible: Upgrading your memory.
Chrome falsely identified as malware by MSE
by rob on Sep.30, 2011, under RED ALERT!
Several users across the Internet are finding that the current version of Google Chrome (for me, 14.0.835.186, from September 16, 2011) is identified as malware by some security applications, notably Microsoft Security Essentials.
Apparently, this is a false positive by MSE. From the Microsoft Encyclopedia entry for the cited threat:
On September 30th, 2011, an incorrect detection for PWS:Win32/Zbot was identified. On September 30th, 2011, Microsoft released an update that addresses the issue. Signature versions 1.113.672.0 and higher include this update.
As of this writing, an automatic update for MSE definitions still claims that version 1.113.656.0 (from early this morning) is the latest version. It should be updated by end-of-business today.
For now, go ahead and “Allow” Chrome to run. It will not cause issues.
However, if you “removed” the “threat”, then you will probably need to reinstall Chrome. Go back to Google’s website, click that you accept that you should have never doubted the honor and goodwill of our benevolent and glorious overlords, and reinstall Chrome. Your bookmarks and settings should be exactly where you left them.
UPDATE: The updated definitions for MSE are live and accessible through the built-in update process as of 11:00h Pacific Time today. It now installs version 1.113.672.0.
Comcast launching $10 Internet for low-income families
by rob on Aug.08, 2011, under News
Comcast is launching “Internet Essentials”, which is, essentially, $9.95/mo cable Internet service for low income families.
The service offers throughput speeds of 1.5mbps down, 384kbps up, which is comparable to Comcast’s $40.95/mo “Economy” level service ($28.95/mo when bundled with TV or phone service). It is available anywhere Comcast provides Internet service.
The plan is being offered as a concession to allow Comcast’s merger with NBC Universal. As such, you need to qualify for the service to get it. From the Comcast Internet Essentials website:
A household is eligible to participate in Internet Essentials if it meets all of the following criteria:
- Is located where Comcast offers Internet service
- Has at least one child receiving free school lunches through the National School Lunch Program
- Has not subscribed to Comcast Internet service within the last 90 days
- Does not have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment
In addition to the cheap Internet service, Comcast is also offering qualifying families the opportunity to get a “netbook-style laptop computer” with Windows 7 Starter for $149.99 + tax, as well as free Internet training through their website, online videos, and personal training.
The last time a broadband Internet service was this cheap was in 2007, when AT&T was required to offer DSL service for $10/mo to allow them to merge with BellSouth. They made sure as few people signed up for it as possible by making the links to sign up for the service almost impossible to find. Now that they have fulfilled the agreement with the FTC, they have removed those links, and now AT&T only offers Internet service at $14.95/mo at between 0.75-1.5mbps down. For what it’s worth, Comcast claims they will offer Internet Essentials service through the 2013-2014 school year.
Weird Al does his part to stop spam
by rob on Jul.11, 2011, under Fun Stuff, How To...
Weird Al Yankovic has created a few songs of interest to the geek community (although one might argue that everything he has done is pretty geeky). Of note is the final track to his latest album Alpocalypse, called, bluntly, “Stop Forwarding That Crap To Me.”
The subject of the song is pretty obvious: While about 90% of all e-mail is spam, estimates as low as 100% of the rest is messages from your grandmother to alert you to the latest crisis in her cat’s life.
If you are seeing this page, chances are that someone sent you here because you need to see this video. Don’t worry; since you are probably still on a dialup Internet connection, we have made the video nice and small for you to see without having to wait for too long.
Yahoo accounts compromised, sending fake IMs
by rob on Feb.04, 2011, under RED ALERT!, Tech News
Several users have reported that their Yahoo accounts have been compromised, and messages are being sent to their friends asking them to participate in an online IQ test.
This is the latest in a trend toward more creative, more complex scripts that simulate actual conversation. It makes it difficult to identify whether you are actually speaking with your friend or not, which makes these scams that much easier to fall for.
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PS3 Update 3.56 + download link
by rob on Jan.26, 2011, under How To..., RED ALERT!, Tech News
Sony has released a new firmware for the PS3, version 3.56. The official Playstation Blog claims that it is “a minor update that adds a security patch.” You can read that as “We’re still trying to stay ahead of hackers trying to use their hardware to do stuff we don’t like.”
Effective immediately, you cannot sign into the PSN without the software update, but some are reporting that the download is slow. If you have an external storage device (a USB flash drive, an iPod, etc), you can download the system update directly from Sony and install it that way.
If you are having trouble with the direct link we are mirroring it here at FNGeek. Links below.
Download PS3 System Update v.3.56 from Sony
Download PS3 System Update v.3.56 from FNGeek.com
MD5 = 6e070c96e0464e993aaf9deac3660863
Instructions on how to do an offline system update from Sony
What is VoIP?
by rob on Aug.27, 2010, under How To...
There is a trend towards what is known as Voice Over Internet Protocol, or VoIP. It allows users to make phone calls that are transmitted over an Internet connection rather than through the cellular or landline phone system. Typically, it makes voice communication cheaper and, in most cases, more high quality. Most of these services also offer the common features that Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) providers usually charge extra for, like Call Waiting, Voicemail, or Caller ID.
There are several vendors providing different services that have advantages and disadvantages over the others. Here are some things to consider when reviewing your existing telephone service.
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Consumer Reports: Don’t get the iPhone 4
by rob on Jul.12, 2010, under RED ALERT!, Tech News
There has been a lot of flack against Apple for the recently released iPhone 4 having reception problems. It was originally identified as bad software, but now testing at Consumer Reports has verified that the problem is actually hardware-based. In response, they have withheld their recommendation of the iPhone 4 as a good smartphone.
The problem is caused by skin contact with a part of the case which is actually the antenna of the phone. They recommend fixing the issue in one of two ways: 1) Cover the section with a piece of duct tape or other thick, non-conductive material (they acknowledge that it’s not pretty, but it’s cheap and effective), or 2) get a case for the phone that covers that section.
You can read more about this issue at the Consumer Reports Blog.
UPDATE: Tech journalist Andy Ihnatko has a prediction about how the upcoming Apple news conference will be. We’ll see how close he is.
Geek Question #3: How do you get psyched?
by rob on Jul.09, 2010, under Fun Stuff
I am working on a web video demonstrating how to burn an audio CD, and I am making a special mix for the event. It is inspired by Bro Code Article #122:
“A Bro is always psyched. Always.”
That end, I will be creating a special “Get Psyched” mix, and will publish the video of me making the disc.
So, Bros, what music do you use to get psyched?
I DON’T… LIKE… “LIKEJACKING!” (or spam)
by rob on Jun.21, 2010, under RED ALERT!
Facebook’s popularity has made it the target of any fly-by-night operation trying to spread their content and online influence across the Internet. The latest trend is when groups take advantage of security breaches in Facebook’s system, as well as loopholes in their privacy policy, to post items on your profile without your authorization.
