Blasphemy is a victimless crime.
In Outlook 2003 (not sure on older versions) Insert > Signature is not available if Word is your e-mail editor. Turn off Word as your editor by going to Tools > Options > Mail Format and un-check both check boxes.
To decompress and unpack a tar.gz file in Linux use the following:
tar -xzf file_to_unpack.tar.gz
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tar.gz
From Yahoo News
Windows XP allows you to specify a large number of set screen resolutions based on what types of images your display can accept. However, in a few rare instances, you may want to specify a non-standard resolution for a clearer or more accurate picture. This tip allows you to do just that. It’s one of those tips that doesn’t seem all that handy — until you desperately need it. Plus, it’s just plain cool. If you have a wonky projector or TV screen you want to use with a laptop or PC, you might want to give this a try.
Here’s how it works:
1. Open RegEdit and browse to HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\VIDEO\
{the address of your primary video card…it often begins with “23A77BF7″}\0000\
2. The Default Settings.XResolution data value is the horizontal resolution, and the Default Settings.YResolution data value is the vertical. Double-click the Default Settings.XResolution data entry, select the Decimal radio button, and in the Value Data field, enter your desired horizontal resolution. Then do the same with Default Settings.YResolution to change the vertical resolution.
3. Exit RegEdit and reboot your PC.
System: Windows XP (applies to any OS, but solution instructions are Windows XP specific)
Symptoms: All of your networking seems to be in working order: you have a valid IP address, you can ping DNS names and public IP addresses; but you can’t load web pages.
Most likely cause: You have your computer configured to use a proxy server.
Solution: Start > Control Panel > Internet Options > Connections (tab) > LAN Settings (button) > uncheck “Use a proxy server for you LAN”
gHack’s Beginners Guide to Securing a PC.
I will explain the basics of securing your computer, will tell you what you need to secure it and give you alternatives if there are any. But first of all, all programs that I name will be freeware or open source. We want a secure computer but don´t want to pay hundreds of $$ for it. There will also be some geeks who will comment that program XY is way better and pro than the program I named and that only people with no security understanding whatsoever will use. Don´t listen to them, there are many factors that play a role in selecting a suitable software. I tried to find the best mix between security and userfriendliness.
gHack has a good list here, with some programs that I’ve recommended here on TechTips. His first antivirus recommendation is Antivir Personal Edition; I’ve never used this program but I agree that AVG is a good alternative. I don’t like his other alternative suggestion; Avast. I’ve used it in the past and didn’t like the user interface. gHacks makes the bold suggestion of not using a software firewall, saying they only give a false sense of security. I disagree as a layered approach is benefitial. It is just important to realize that all of the other security procudures cannot be ignore because you have a firewall; you must still run Windows Update frequently and have good antivirus and antispyware programs installed (and used!).
The newest version of the popular AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition is available for download. The new version of AVG Free provides increased scanning speed as well as additional improvements which include a new event-history log and added options for filename extension definitions.
0-day IE/Javascript exploit in the wild. Another good reason to switch to FireFox. If you insist on using Internet Explorer consider turning javascript off using the following directions:
Problem: After installing McAfee VirusScan 8 you get the following error: “Invalid configuration options specified. Confirm product is correctly installed.” AutoUpdate won’t run and reinstalling doesn’t fix the problem.
Solution: You need to repair the VirusScan installation instead of reinstalling.
I was forwarded the following notice from Apple:
Some 1.8 GHz models of Power Mac G5 (Late 2004) computers may experience any of the following symptoms:
- The computer may freeze when performing certain video-intensive tasks for extended periods of time, such as a full screen slideshows, QuickTime playback, or some games.
- The optical drive may not eject when you’ve been using the computer for about two hours.
- Internet Connect may become unresponsive when you’ve been using the computer for about two hours.
(This issue can affect either internal or external modems that use PPP as well as DSL modems that connect using the PPPoE protocol.)- Attached displays may not wake up properly after the computer, running Mac OS X 10.4, has been sleeping for an extended period of time. The computer seems to wake up, but the display doesn’t.
A firmware update is available to address the symptoms described in this article. The Power Mac G5 System Firmware Update is only for the 1.8 GHz, 600MHz bus single-processor Power Mac G5 (Late 2004) computer and requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later. Additional information about the firmware update and requirements are included with the download.
More info and links for getting your G5 updated here.