2009年8月31日星期一

Basic Knowledge of Download Manager

A download manager is a computer program dedicated to the task of downloading (and sometimes uploading) possibly unrelated stand-alone files from (and sometimes to) the Internet for storage. This is unlike a World Wide Web browser, which is mainly intended to browse web pages, composed of a multitude of smaller files, where error-free moving of files for permanent storage is of secondary importance. (A failed or incomplete web page file rarely ruins the page.) The typical download manager at a minimum provides means to recover from errors without losing the work already completed, and can optionally split the file to be downloaded (or uploaded) into 2 or more segments, which are then moved in parallel, potentially making the process faster within the limits of the available bandwidth. (A few servers are known to block moving files in parallel segments, on the principle that server capacity should be shared equally by all users.) Multi-source is the name given to files that are downloaded in parallel.


Download managers commonly include one or more of the following features:


Pausing the downloading of large files.


Resuming broken or paused downloads (especially for very large files).


Downloading files on poor connections.


Downloading several files from a site automatically according to simple rules (file types, updated files, etc. - see also Offline Browser).


Automatic recursive downloads (mirroring).


Scheduled downloads (including, automatic hang-up and shutdown).


Searching for mirror sites, and the handling of different connections to download the same file more quickly (segmented downloading).


Variable bandwidth usage.


Automatic subfolder generation.


Download managers are useful for very active Internet users. For dial-up users, they can automatically dial the Internet Service Provider at night, when rates or tariffs are usually much lower, download the specified files, and hang-up. They can record which links the user clicks on during the day, and queue these files for later download. For broadband users, download managers can help download very large files by resuming broken downloads, by limiting the bandwidth used, so that other internet activities are not affected (slowed) and the server is not overloaded, or by automatically navigating a site and downloading pre-specified content (photo galleries, MP3 collections, etc.) this can also include automatically downloading whole sites and regularly updating them (see Mirroring).


Many download managers support Metalink, an XML file listing mirrors, checksums, and other information useful for downloading.




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2009年8月30日星期日

Accelerator Adds Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware

Contrary to claims we published in July (see SlipStream Data Touts Success), the dialup acceleration industry remains as competitive and cutthroat as ever.


Most reviews, such as this one in PC World, have found that the various competitors' offerings each have their own strengths and weaknesses (the PC World review found Proxyconn had the best cache and therefore the best speed on previously visited sites, Propel the best speed on new sites, and Artera's product the easiest to use but least effective).


When we spoke with Uzi Yair, CEO of Newport Beach, Calif.-based Proxyconn, he, too claimed to be number one in this space. Usually, you would look to an industry analyst for data, but despite the continued resiliency of dialup, the analysts at the major firms seem to be more interested in broadband-and in services like IPTV which have barely hit the market-so there is no publicly available data on market share. Artera, Propel, and SlipStream all have confirmed booths at ISPCON.


Proxyconn's latest improvement to its service is the addition of anti-virus from Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.-based Authentium. Yair says the company will sell the anti-virus through channel partners at a price of $1 per user per month, expecting ISPs to charge end users $2 per user per month. The product may also be offered at retail at a higher price, perhaps $29.95. "We have to be competitive with McAfee and Norton," Yair says.


He notes that ISPs seem particularly pleased with the ability to own brand the Proxyconn anti-virus offering . He adds, "ISPs can sell our anti-virus as part of the accelerator suite or as a stand alone product. They don't have to use our accelerator if they don't want to."


Partial test


Yair was so enthusiastic about the software that he offered us a test drive. Unfortunately, we have a corporate computer and we did not have a dialup connection to test it on. The cache did not speed up our Internet connection. The anti-virus did not find any viruses our corporate Symantec product had missed. And the accelerator crashed because our corporate connection doesn't allow proxy servers, which are so essential to the product that they're part of its name. The product served a single ad after it was first installed. All of the above shows why we do not test software at ISP-Planet.


The one element of the software that we were able to test is the GUI. The interface was very easy to use and to understand. When Yair says that it will reduce support calls, we believe him. We also, of course, tested uninstall, and that feature was flawless.


At ISP-Planet, we believe that any ISP offering dialup should also offer acceleration, and that every ISP should test the various available products from Artera Turbo, Propel, QuikCAT, Bytemobile, ICT, Proxyconn, and Slipstream Data. Each has strengths and weaknesses.


Yair says Proxyconn is closing deals with 3 or 4 ISPs each week. He admits competition is tough. "It's good for end users, and it puts pressure on margins. ISPs benefit from the opportunity to provide better service and increase their revenue."


The edge of the USA


We spoke with Tim McAfee (no relation to the anti-virus vendor ), general manager (as in "engineer") of Houlton, Maine-based Pioneer Wireless Network (network map here).


The company is situated on the Canadian border, with weather to match. "We've got two seasons here," says McAfee, "the season with snow and the season without."


The company has been adding services for residential customers. The standard residential package is 768 Kbps down, 128 Kbps up for $34.95.


"We had customers asking for software like EarthLink gives their customers," he explains. "We said we could not hire a developer and build software in house, but we started looking for options."


The company provides AppRiver anti-spam as part of its packages. It uses open source (GNU public licensed) software for filtering: DANS Guardian with the Squid proxy server.


Recently, it selected Proxyconn for the accelerator and anti-virus. Ease of installation-and getting three pieces of software in one package (anti-virus, anti-spyware, and accelerator)-were key considerations. The company also looked at Propel.


With all the software in place, the company expects to be able to charge $5 per month for Proxyconn, and to reduce support calls. "About 35 percent of support calls are related to spyware and viruses," says McAfee. He feels Proxyconn can help.






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2009年8月27日星期四

The state of hacking in the world today

According to the World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland, the world is loosing about one Trillion dollars a year due to credit card and wire fraud (I picked their estimate because it was the highest).


There has been an 80% jump in credit card and wire fraud in the last two years. Crime syndicates are to blame. This increase in cybercrime will continue. It seems that the business model is very attractive to them:



  1. Hire a few programmers worldwide to scan thousands of IT systems for security holes . Often, the bulk of the scanning is done by thousands of home and business computers that are remote controlled into doing this work. The computer's owners are not aware that their computer is doing this work in the background. Spyware and viruses are the primary method by which an unsuspecting person's computer is remote controlled to do this work. Specific industries are usually targeted such as third party credit card processing firms.

  2. An alternative method to collect this information is to send millions of random emails nicely asking people to hand over or "verify" their banking information. Incredibly this works.

  3. The results of these scans are then passed to the crime syndicate staff programmers for focused and advanced attacks. These programmers are typically in foreign countries where US law Enforcement has limited or no influence.

  4. Once a system is breached, identity, credit card and banking information is collected.

  5. This collected information is used to electronically steal money or goods.


This type of crime is currently very low risk, low investment and high return for the crime syndicates. What can you do?



  1. Do not connect your PC directly to your cable modem. At a minimum use any of the Cable/DSL Routers made by companies such as Netgear or Linksys or most any other brand. Their presence alone will stop over 90% of malware from reaching your computer.

  2. Make sure that your antivirus and anti-spyware software are current. I can recommend McAfee or AVG for antivirus and, Spybot and Malwarebytes for anti-spyware. Many other products are also excellent.

  3. Do not answer any requests that you receive in email to update or give or verify your banking information. Your bank will never ever ask you for this in an email

  4. Do not open any attachments that you are not expecting, regardless of who they are from.

  5. Review your credit card bill for unexpected charges, including monthly charges for small amounts such as $3.59.




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2009年8月21日星期五

Review of download managers

Christmas time - a time where many PC users will use their free time to download and test a lot of software. Time for us to review what download managers are out there and which ones are free of spyware and adware. Inspiration for this article was a download manager review in issue 1/2004 (page 144) of my favorite computer magazine c't; this review doesn't repeat all the feature and speed tests, but concentrates on looking for easy-to-use and spy- and adware-free software.


The following list is in alphabetical order by the way...


Download Accelerator Plus (7, dubious privacy policy)


A few versions back, Download Accelerator Plus came even without a privacy policy, and the one found in a hidden place online contained some bad terms. Today, during the installation a license agreement will be shown, and this license agreement contains a privacy policy. It's still quite misleading and contradicting though, speaking about co-registrations with other services on the one hand, but only anonymous publishing on the other hand. How a registration with other services can be done anonymously is beyond my understanding...


In addition, just starting it opens half a dozen connections to ad servers, including Cydoor. Couldn't deal with the downloads on the site I used for this tests, as it always tried to download the download page, blocking the load of it inside the browser. On other pages, it worked ok. Still, even if you neglect the ads and possible spying, there are other download managers that are easier to use.


Download Express (1.4 build 233 SR 1, spyware-clean, free for non-commercial use)


Download Express is freeware for personal use, and quite fast in downloading as it splits every download and downloads it with 10 connections (like nearly all download managers in this list do). Its IE integration is working nicely, its download dialog is informative (though its quite flickering - a small thing the developers should fix). The German localization I tested is not complete, but at least there are a lot of localizations.


FlashGet (1.40, spyware-infected or paid mode)


FlashGet can be installed in two modes - one ad-sponsored, one ad-free shareware mode that needs registering. I tried the ad-sponsored version, and indeed it did install Cydoor.


The interface by the way reminds me strong of one of the other tools I tested (screenshots will be added later to this article). With only 5 simultanous download connections, it was only half as fast as Download Express, but it can be set to use up to ten.


My opinion about this one is that you can get better download managers for free.


FreshDownload (6.50, spyware-clean, free for personal use)


The IE integration of FreshDownload had problems during my tests and tried to download HTML pages as files, but once downloaded identified them as such and re-opened them in the browser. It doesn't have a lot of features, but it has the necessary ones and comes along with an easy to use interface. Too bad it doesn't uninstall completely.


Update: After a user reported that newer versions of this software would phone home every few minutes, I wanted to give it another try. I'm afraid I will have to report that it now required your name and email address to get a download link. I never received that email, but bunches of "unpopular" (misleading) advertisement popups from their website.


GetIt (1.04, spyware-clean, freeware)


Not very easy to use. In fact, the browser integration and the save dialogs need a lot of work. Until that work is done, I wouldn't recommend using it.


GetRight (5.02, spyware-clean, free trial)


GetRight has been one the first download managers around; in the early days spyware infected, but clean today. GetRight is not free, and doesn't have too many features compared to some other download managers in this test, but it's reliable and its IE integration works better than that of many others. If you already use it and don't miss any features, there are not many reasons to switch.


Go!Zilla (1.44.39, spyware-infected, 30-day trial)


Only a trial, and then also infected with eZula and Radiate. Does also installs a Smart Explorer, a browser that did phone home when starting it and will keep in memory. The browser integration wasn't working either, and crashing IE instead. With so many good and clean alternatives, keep your fingers from this one.


Internet Download Manager (3.1.8, spyware-clean, 60-day trial)


IDMs advantage is an easy to use user interface and integration into many browsers.


LeechGet 2003 (1.0 RC3 build 1500, spyware-clean, free for personal use)


LeechGet has the biggest graphical overload, but it's nicely designed and very informative. LeechGet is free for personal use, but you have to pay for commercial use and/or for for removing some limits. It doesn't install any adware or spyware, and has more features than most managers I tested. It has also been recommended by c't as the best freeware solution. It works with IE as well as Opera, Netscape or Mozilla (even Firebird).




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2009年8月19日星期三

History and Features of Photohop

Adobe Photoshop, or simply Photoshop, is a graphics editing program developed and published by Adobe Systems. It is the current market leader for commercial bitmap and image manipulation software, and is the flagship product of Adobe Systems. It has been described as "an industry standard for graphics professionals" and was one of the early "killer applications" on the PC.


Adobe's 2005 "Creative Suite" rebranding led to Adobe Photoshop 8's renaming to Adobe Photoshop CS. Thus, Adobe Photoshop CS4 is the 11th major release of Adobe Photoshop. The CS rebranding also resulted in Adobe offering numerous software packages containing multiple Adobe programs for a reduced price. Adobe Photoshop is included in most of Adobe's Creative Suite offerings.


Photoshop's popularity, combined with its high retail price, makes Photoshop's piracy rate relatively high. Adobe countered by including SafeCast DRM starting with Adobe Photoshop CS .


Photoshop has strong ties with other Adobe software for media editing, animation, and authoring. The .PSD (Photoshop Document), Photoshop's native format, stores an image with support for most imaging options available in Photoshop. These include layers with masks, color spaces, ICC profiles, transparency, text, alpha channels and spot colors, clipping paths, and duotone settings. This is in contrast to many other file formats (e.g. .EPS or .GIF) that restrict content to provide streamlined, predictable functionality.


Photoshop's popularity means that the .PSD format is widely used, and it is supported to some extent by most competing software. The .PSD file format can be exported to and from Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Premiere Pro, and After Effects, to make professional standard DVDs and provide non-linear editing and special effects services, such as backgrounds, textures, and so on, for television, film, and the Web. Photoshop is a pixel-based image editor, unlike Adobe Illustrator, which is a vector-based image editor.


Photoshop can utilize the color models RGB, lab, CMYK, grayscale, binary bitmap, and duotone. Photoshop has the ability to read and write raster and vector image formats such as .EPS, .PNG, .GIF, .JPEG, and Fireworks.




CS3




Smart Layers display the filter without altering the original image (here on Mac OS X) Photoshop CS3 is marketed with three main components of improvement over previous versions: "Work more productively, edit with unrivalled power, and composite with breakthrough tools." New features propagating productivity include streamlined interface, improved Camera Raw, better control over print options, enhanced PDF support, and better management with Adobe Bridge. Editing tools new to CS3 are the Clone Source palette and nondestructive Smart Filters, and other features such as the Brightness/Contrast adjustment and Vanishing Point module were enhanced. The Black and White adjustment option improves users control over manual grayscale conversions with a dialog box similar to that of Channel Mixer. Compositing is assisted with Photoshop's new Quick Selection and Refine Edge tools and improved.. image stitching technology.


CS3 Extended contains all features of CS3 plus tools for editing and importing some 3D graphics file formats, enhancing video, and comprehensive image analysis tools, utilizing MATLAB integration and DICOM file support.




CS4


Photoshop CS4 features additions such as the ability to paint directly on 3D models, wrap 2D images around 3D shapes, convert gradient maps to 3D objects, add depth to layers and text, get print-quality output with the new ray-tracing rendering engine, and enjoy exporting to supported common 3D formats; the new Adjustment and Mask Panels; Content-aware scaling (also known as seam carving[9]); Fluid Canvas Rotation and File display options.[10] On 30 April, Adobe released Photoshop CS4 Extended, which includes all the same features of Adobe Photoshop CS4 with the addition of capabilities for scientific imaging, 3D, and high end film and video users. The successor to Photoshop CS3, Photoshop CS4 is the first 64-bit Photoshop on consumer computers (only on Windows - the OS-X version is still 32-bit only.)




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2009年8月18日星期二

How Does DVD Copy Software Work?

DVD copy software performs a variety of functions, including DVD copying (also known as ripping, cloning or duplicating), DVD converting and DVD burning. The best DVD copy software can work with a wide range of formats including those utilized by online video sharing sites and those compatible with portable devices like iPods, Zunes and PSPs. DVD burning functions are also usually PAL and NTSC compatible and can burn to a variety of disk types including single and dual layer disks, so the burned disk can play on PC DVD players and standard DVD players.


As mentioned, DVD copy software fulfills a wide range of DVD software needs, from DVD ripping to DVD burning . Here is a brief overview of DVD copy programs' major functions:


DVD Copying


DVD copy software is often also referred to as DVD ripping software. Essentially a DVD ripper copies a DVD to your hard drive for viewing, storing, converting or burning. The best DVD rippers make perfect 1:1 copies without quality loss. Most DVD rippers also support advanced functions like selective copying, compression and DVD decryption.


DVD Converting


DVDs can be converted into a number of formats that perform various functions and work with several types of technology. With the growing popularity of portable devices like video iPod, PSP and Zune, DVD converting software is in higher demand. The most common DVD conversion formats include DVD to AVI, DVD to MPEG, DVD to PSP, DVD to WMV and DVD to 3GP. The best DVD converting software can convert DVDs into numerous formats, including DVD to DVD.


DVD Burning

DVD copy software contains DVD burning tools. The DVD burning elements of DVD copy software can take multimedia files such as home movies, slide shows, data files, video files and other video entertainment and burn them to a DVD. The best DVD software can burn to a variety of disk types including DVD+/-RW, DVD+/-R DL, DVD+/-R and even CDs.


On this site, you'll find articles, recent news stories and comprehensive reviews-all designed to help you make an informed decision on which DVD Copy Software is right for you. At TopTenREVIEWS, We Do the Research So You Don't Have To.™


What to Look for in DVD Copy Software


DVD copy software should perform all major DVD software functions including DVD copying (also known as DVD ripping), DVD format conversion and DVD burning. The best DVD copy software works with popular video formats including those used by popular video cameras, online video sharing sites and portable devices. Advanced DVD copy software can also rip other types of DVDs including data DVDs, DVD games, photo disks and slide shows, home movies and professional films.


Below are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate DVD copy software:


Feature Set


The best DVD copy programs offer a wide variety of features, including:


•Compresses large video files


•Decodes CSS encryption


•Retains or omits bonus footage


•Restores defective or scratched DVDs


•Creates and/or copies photo slideshows


•Supports multiple disc formats


Ease of Use


All DVD copy software should be easy to use, even for beginners.


Ease of Installation and SetupThe best DVD copy software is easy to install and set up.


Quality of Copy


Top DVD copy programs create superb 1:1 copies without any quality loss, including full surround sound, menus and languages.


Software Stability


DVD copy software should work without error and ought to complete each copying task without glitches. The program should also work well with other programs, such as DVD players and popular DVD burners.




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2009年8月17日星期一

The Difference Between Adware & Spyware

As technology advances and more people come to rely on the Internet for information, leisure, and business it seems as if keeping your computer free of advertising is a daunting task. Not technically fitting into either the virus or spam category we have spyware and adware, which are growing concerns for Internet users. At times these programs may invade your privacy, contain malicious code, and at the very least they can be a nuisance when using a computer connected to the Internet.


Adware


Adware is considered a legitmate alternative offered to consumers who do not wish to pay for software. Programs, games or utilities can be designed and distributed as freeware. Sometimes freeware blocks features and functions of the software until you pay to register it. Today we have a growing number of software developers who offer their goods as "sponsored" freeware until you pay to register. Generally most or all features of the freeware are enabled but you will be viewing sponsored advertisements while the software is being used. The advertisements usually run in a small section of the software interface or as a pop-up ad box on your desktop. When you stop running the software, the ads should disappear. This allows consumers to try the software before they buy and you always have the option of disabling the ads by purchasing a registration key.


In many cases, adware is a legitimate revenue source for companies who offer their software free to users. A perfect example of this would be the popular e-mail program, Eudora. You can choose to purchase Eudora or run the software in sponsored mode. In sponsored mode Eudora will display an ad window in the program and up to three sponsored toolbar links. Eudora adware is not malicious; it reportedly doesn't track your habits or provide information about you to a third party. This type of adware is simply serving up random paid ads within the program. When you quit the program the ads will stop running on your system.


Spyware


Unfortunately, some freeware applications which contain adware do track your surfing habits in order to serve ads related to you. When the adware becomes intrusive like this, then we move it in the spyware category and it then becomes something you should avoid for privacy and security reasons. Due to its invasive nature, spyware has really given adware a bad name as many people do not know the differences between the two, or use the the terms interchangeably.


Spyware is considered a malicious program and is similar to a Trojan Horse in that users unwittingly install the product when they install something else. A common way to become a victim of spyware is to download certain peer-to-peer file swapping products that are available today.


Spyware works like adware but is usually a separate program that is installed unknowingly when you install another freeware type program or application. Once installed, the spyware monitors user activity on the Internet and transmits that information in the background to someone else. Spyware can also gather information about e-mail addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers.


Because spyware exists as independent executable programs, they have the capability to monitor your keystrokes, scan files on the hard drive, snoop other applications, such as chat programs or word processors, install other spyware programs, read cookies, change the default home page on the Web browser, while consistently relaying this information back to the spyware author who will either use it for advertising and marketing purposes or sell the information to another party.


Licensing agreements that accompany software downloads sometimes warn the user that a spyware program will be installed along with the requested software, but the licensing agreements are not always be read completely by users because the notice of a spyware installation is often couched in obtuse, hard-to-read legal disclaimers.




Combating Spyware


While one may not realize they have installed spyware, there are some signs that it exists on your computer. If you notice any changes to your Web browser that you did not make such as extra toolbars or different homepage settings, as well as changes to your security settings and favorites list, you could have spyware running on your system. Other signs of a spyware infection include pop-up ads which aren't related to a Web site you're viewing; usually spyware advertisements are adult content in nature and are not displayed in the same fashion as legitimate ads you would normally see on your favorite Web sites. You may also see advertisements when you're not browsing the Web. Clicking hyperlinks which do not work (or take you somewhere you didn't expect), a sluggish system, or your system taking longer to load the Windows desktop are all signs that your computer may be infected with spyware.


With the onset of spyware comes a plethora of anti-spyware software packages to rid your system of these unwanted and malicious programs. Anti-spyware software works by identifying any spyware installed on your system and removing it. Since spyware is installed like any other application on your system it will leave traces of itself in the system registry and in other places on your computer. Anti-spyware software will look for evidence of these files and delete them if found.


It is important to remember that not all companies who claim their software contains adware are really offering adware. There is always a chance that adware is spyware in disguise so to speak, and that programs with embedded spyware may not state its existence at all. Always stay on the side of caution and be sure to research privacy policies and licensing agreements that come with freeware. You should also become familiar with Internet lists of companies reported to be using spyware. Much like a firewall or anti-virus program, anti-spyware software is crucial to maintain optimal protection and security on your computer and network.




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Overview of syncing iPhone or iPod touch with your computer

Setting Up Syncing


You use iTunes on your computer to set up which items are synced. Make sure you have the most recent version of iTunes (On a PC, open iTunes and choose Help > Check for Updates. On a Mac, open iTunes and choose iTunes > Check for Updates.)


Step 1: Connect iPhone or iPod touch


Connect iPhone or iPod touch to your computer using the included cable. You can connect the cable from your computer directly to iPhone or iPod touch, or connect the cable from your computer to the Apple Universal Dock (available separately) and put iPhone or iPod touch in the dock. By default, iTunes opens automatically.


Select iPhone or iPod touch in iTunes under Devices on the left hand side and click the Info tab.


Step 2: Set Up Which Items Are Synced


Click the respective tabs in iTunes to specify which media and information you want synced from your computer to iPhone or iPod touch.


Step 3: Sync iPhone or iPod touch


Click Apply in the lower-right corner of the screen. Your computer syncs with iPhone or iPod touch according to your settings.


The first time you sync iPhone or iPod touch, you are asked if you want to merge data, replace data on the service, or replace the data on your computer. After that, anytime you connect iPhone or iPod touch to your computer, iTunes opens and syncs with iPhone or iPod touch according to your settings.


You can adjust sync settings anytime iPhone or iPod touch is connected to your computer. You can only connect and sync with one iPhone or iPod touch at the same time. If you need to sync more than one iPhone or iPod touch, disconnect one before connecting the other.


Note: Syncing won't delete any contact in Yahoo! Address Book that contains a Messenger ID, even if you've deleted the contact from your address book on iPhone or your computer. To delete a contact containing a Messenger ID, log in to your Yahoo! account online and delete the contact using Yahoo! Address Book.




* Notes syncing is over USB only and on a Mac requires Mac OS X 10.5.7 or later.


You only have to set which items are synced in iTunes on your computer once. After that, just connect iPhone or iPod touch to start a sync.


Contacts, calendars, notes, and bookmarks are synced from (or to) your computer, so if you add, change, or delete them on iPhone or iPod touch, they are changed on your computer, and vice versa. You can also sync contacts with your Yahoo! or Google Address Book.


Email account settings (on iPhone only), music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, and photos are synced one-way, from your computer to iPhone (though you can import photos taken with iPhone to your computer).


If you like, you can set iPhone or iPod touch to sync with only a portion of what's on your computer. For example, you might want to sync only a group of contacts from your address book, or you may want to sync only songs from certain playlists so you don't fill up iPhone or iPod touch with all your music.




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2009年8月13日星期四

Windows troubleshooting tool

Spotmau PowerSuite 2009 is the ultimate Windows troubleshooting tool. It is a bootable CD that you can use to solve just about any problem you may experience with a Windows computer. If Windows won't start, you can use Spotmau PowerSuite to recover the system, restore the registry, repair the partition table, reinstall Windows and many other repair and recovery tasks.


This indispensable suite of tools also allows you to carry out many other system maintenance and repair tasks such as cloning or backing up your hard drive, partitioning and formatting drives, encrypting or permanently erasing data you don't want others to find, recovering lost passwords, removing spyware popups and toolbars and optimizing your system. This is one tool no Windows PC user should be without!




Spotmau PowerSuite 2009 consists of two components. The first is a backup and recovery tool called WinCares which runs under Windows and plays a vital role in protecting your computer from disaster. You use it to back up your registry, partition table and device drivers so that they can restored in the event of a problem. It can also carry out other tasks such as restoring deleted files that can be done from within Windows itself. This makes Spotmau PowerSuite 2009 an essential utility even if your PC is working just fine at the moment.


The second component - and the most important reason for buying this product if your PC won't work - is a bootable recovery CD that runs by itself. You use this to restore the partition table and Windows registry from backups previously created by WinCares, and recover from several other common boot-up errors. As long as your computer can boot from CD - usually just a simple BIOS configuration change is all that's needed, if that - you can run this tool suite and solve the problem with a few clicks of the mouse.


If your system is so badly damaged that it can't be repaired, Spotmau PowerSuite 2009 includes tools that will let you copy your irreplaceable files to a safe location such as an external hard drive, so that you can reinstall Windows.


See these tutorials showing how easy it is to use Spotmau PowerSuite to solve common problems:


Reset a forgotten Windows password


Recover a lost BIOS password


Fix Windows boot failure


Fix "NTLDR is missing" error


Fix "Missing or corrupt hal.dll"


Spotmau PowerSuite 2009 is menu driven and easy to use. You don't need to be a technical wizard to repair Windows using these tools. As one satisfied user wrote: "l don't know anything about computers but this CD has helped me a whole lot." Buy Spotmau PowerSuite 2009 and avoid computer engineer call-out charges.


Note: Because this product is a bootable CD, a trial version is not available. Using the Buy Now button on the right, you will purchase an electronically delivered product to burn the CD yourself, plus an option to receive the product on CD for an extra $ 4.75. If you do not require the CD, simply remove it from the shopping cart.




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2009年8月12日星期三

STOPzilla Anti-Spyware Solution

ZILLAbar users are entitled to a free trial version of STOPzilla Anti-Spyware Solution.


Spyware is the 21st century computer user's nightmare. It can monitor your Web use, allow others to capture information you enter via your keyboards (passwords, logins, account numbers, etc.), disable your security settings and waste your time with unwanted advertising.


STOPzilla technology has won both the CNET Editors' Choice award and Laptop Magazine Editors' Choice award for excellence. Like some of the best innovations, STOPzilla puts a user-friendly face on complex technology. The screens, settings and instructions are all designed to be intuitive and unobtrusive. Once you install STOPzilla and set a few basic options, you can stop worrying about being vulnerable to Malware and enjoy surfing the Web with peace of mind.


STOPzilla is the only anti-stealth weapon you'll ever need, and it operates in true real-time®. Other products on the market remove malicious applications only when users run time-consuming scans. Unfortunately, they don't stop these dangerous applications before they get into your computer, or prevent them from re-installing themselves as soon as you reboot. From the time you start your computer until you close down, STOPzilla is hard at work. No down time, no complicated procedures; just let STOPzilla run, and you're safe.


As a subscriber, you will have access to unlimited free support via live chat, e-mail or toll-free call to our U.S.-based offices should you ever need help. We are always uncovering new and more sophisticated stealth software.


STOPzilla updates the product daily, automatically, ensuring our subscribers that they are (at least) one step ahead of intruders.




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2009年8月11日星期二

The Shield Deluxe 2009 Description

"Combines antivirus and spyware detection methods with proactive technologies"


Edit by Brothersoft: The Shield Deluxe 2009 combines reactive antivirus and spyware detection methods with the latest proactive technologies to provide your computer with the most effective Protection against malicious programs. The product is simple to install and set up, while offering advanced users a range of versatile settings for fine-tuning the program.


Combined antivirus technologies. The Shield Deluxe 2009, powered by BitDefender relies upon integrated methods to scan for viruses: the reactive method (using signature databases) and proactive protection (behavior blocker and heuristic analysis).


Optimized for use on laptops. Users of laptops benefit from an economy mode that conserves battery energy, while users of WiFi (wireless) Internet services can automatically update antivirus databases. The program has been optimized for use on laptops based on Intel Centrino mobile technology, and for use on computers with Intel processors that support Hyper-Threading technology.


Simplicity and convenience.The Shield Deluxe 2009 is installed and set up in a matter of minutes, while the context-sensitive help function helps users quickly understand the finer points of the program's capabilities. Moreover, the program regularly notifies users of its current protection status and gives recommendations for dealing with virus epidemics and potential threats.


PCSecurityShield provides free technical support for The Shield Deluxe 2009 customers as well as all PCSecurityShield products. The Shield Deluxe 2009 is Vista Compatible. you can free download The Shield Deluxe 2009 now.




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Cucusoft iPhone/iTouch/iPod to Computer 5.3.2 Description

"It is to use iPod/iPhone utility designed to help you back up all your file"


Brothersoft Editor: Cucusoft iPhone/iTouch/iPod to Computer Transfer is an easy to use iPod/iPhone utility designed to help you back up all your files from your iPod, iPhone, or iTouch, so that you can recover any lost or missing music. With this package, you can back up and restore all of your iPod, iPhone, or iTouch content, including your favorite songs, videos, photos, play lists and more.


Features of Cucusoft iPhone/iTouch/iPod to Computer Transfer


Easy to Use


This top-rated and powerful iPhone/iTouch/iPod transfer software is simple to install and easy to operate.


Multiple Device Compatibility


Works with all iPod, iPhone, and iTouch models.


Auto-Scanning, Indexing and Searching


Auto-scans your iPod or iPhone device, and auto-indexes all files by album, artist, genre, and type. Also auto-searches by album, artist, genre and type.


Backup to Any Folder


You can easily and quickly back up your songs, videos, photos, playlists, podcasts and more from your iTouch, iPhone, or iPod to any folder on your PC.


Import and Export Between Devices


You can manage your iPhone/iTouch/iPod content, and import and export files between devices and your computer.


Backup Folder Rule


Advanced settings support the Backup Folder Rule.


No Third-party Player Required


You can play your media file directly into our program without any third-party player.


Transfer Photos


You can now also transfer photos from your iPhone, iTouch, or iPod to your computer.


Easy Search


You can locate any music or video by album, artist, or genre easily.


Multiple Languages


Supports multiple languages, including English, Spanish, German, Japanese and Chinese.


Great Value


This package gives you very good value for money. you can free download Cucusoft iPhone/iTouch/iPod to Computer 5.3.2 now.




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2009年8月9日星期日

Enterprise-level spyware protection for your business

Protect your users and systems from spyware before it gets a foothold. Reduce the risks associated with spyware-identity theft, network corruption, loss of productivity, and slower Internet access-with industrial-strength McAfee AntiSpyware. Our award-winning on-access scanning technology stops spyware in its tracks before it can compromise confidential information and slow down your business.


Benefits:


Optimized for business


McAfee AntiSpyware meets the scalability and management requirements of businesses; it offers proactive protection against potentially unwanted programs that may affect your network, your users, and your productivity Detects and keeps spyware out before it's too late


Block and defeat spyware before it can install and multiply using McAfee AntiSpyware's unique on-access scanning technology Keep your users and systems free of spyware


Stop the latest known spyware; McAfee's AntiSpyware's signature files get daily updates from McAfee Avert® Labs Find and stop unknown spyware without having to wait for updated lists


You can't just wait for updated spyware signature files; McAfee AntiSpyware uses behavioral-based heuristic technology to detect and block as-yet-unknown spyware Features:


On-access scanning


Detects and blocks spyware before it installs and spreads; scans processes and files running in memory to neutralize them before they take root because removing one process from memory is faster than trying to remove dozens of spawned applications Stops spyware and viruses efficiently


McAfee AntiSpyware stops both spyware and viruses when it's integrated with McAfee VirusScan®; they share a single scanning engine to reduce system overhead and increase system performance Scan for spyware in the registry and files


It effectively blocks annoying spyware reinstallation because it scans for both registry entries and files; it removes damaging security threats and annoying adware popups that can disrupt productivity


Spyware and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) like adware, keyloggers, and dialers can do some serious damage if left unchecked. Don't let spyware bog down your network or compromise the safety of your employees and your confidential data. Security-minded businesses owe it to themselves and to their employees to combat these insidious threats. McAfee AntiSpyware offers enterprise-grade protection against potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) with our unique on-access scanning technology.


Unlike other software that deals with spyware after the fact, McAfee AntiSpyware catches it before it installs, so that it can't spawn other programs or files that can end up installing in your applications or registry entries. Using behavioral-based methods and daily registry-signature updates, McAfee AntiSpyware finds and blocks both known and unknown spyware.


Your AntiSpyware and PUP database is maintained by McAfee Avert® Labs, the world's top threat research center. When you integrate AntiSpyware with McAfee VirusScan®, you combine spyware and virus protection in a single scanning engine that's easier to manage and maintains high performance.


System requirements for McAfee AntiSpyware standalone and integrated versions. You will need McAfee VirusScan® for the integrated version.


Workstation requirements


Microsoft Windows NT 4, Microsoft Windows 2000/2003, or Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Vista (32-bit and 64-bit) Server requirements


Microsoft Windows NT 4 Server, Microsoft Windows NT 4 Terminal Server, Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server, Microsoft Windows 2000 DataCenter Server, Microsoft Windows Standard Server 2003 (32-bit and 64-bit), Microsoft Windows Enterprise Server 2003 (32-bit and 64-bit), or Microsoft Windows Web Server 2003 (32-bit and 64-bit)






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2009年8月6日星期四

Introducing the Nero 9 - Free Version!

Howdy Nero fans and newbies alike! A lot of you are probably checking out this post because you've heard about Nero's new "Nero 9 - Free version" of our hit software Nero 9. You've come to the right place. I'm going to briefly break down some of the features of the Nero 9 - Free version here, and I'm going to try to answer some of your most common questions before you need to ask them! If you do have any questions, though, please feel free to leave a comment and I'll get back to you asap.


What is the Nero 9 - Free version?


There are two things that characterize the Nero 9 - Free version most distinctly. The first is that it is absolutely free. Yes, you can go download it from our website by clicking this link right now. You don't have to lay out one thin dime in order to get this software. The second characteristic is that it comes with two of the most popular Nero functions: CD/DVD burning and disc copying.


Sounds great, how do I get it?


Simply go to Nero's official site and click the "Trial " button to go to your links (or you can just click this link ). You can either choose to try the full version of Nero for a limited time, or you can choose the Nero 9 - Free version forever. Sure the Nero 9 - Free version has somewhat limited functionality, but it's a great way to get yourself started with Nero software and not have to worry about expiration dates or anything like that. All you need to do is give a valid email address and you're good to go - you don't have to pay anything, ever.


How long is it going to take to download?


The Nero 9 - Free version is smaller than the full trial or program, so it's quick to download, no matter where you are. Now you can take Nero anywhere. Heck, you can surprise your friends by downloading to their computers as a gift - just don't tell them it was free!


What can I do with the Nero 9 - Free version?


The Nero 9 - Free Version is a scaled-down release of the Nero 9 Suite with only two of our most popular features: data disc burning for CDs and DVDs, as well as disc copying for audio, video, and data. For video editing, capturing, slideshow creation, backup, and other multimedia tasks, we recommend an upgrade to the Nero 9 - Full Version .




Will my language be supported?


Yep. All 23 languages supported by the full Nero 9 program are supported by the Nero 9 - Free version.




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Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended

Ideal for film, video, and multimedia professionals and graphic and web designers using 3D and motion, as well as professionals in engineering and science, Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended software delivers everything in Photoshop CS3 and more. Render and incorporate 3D images into your 2D composites. Stop time with easy editing of motion graphics on video layers. And probe your images with measurement, analysis, and visualization tools.


Nondestructive editing


Edit nondestructively with new Smart Filters, which let you visualize different image effects, and Smart Objects, which let you scale, rotate, and warp raster and vector graphics - all without altering the original pixel data.


Rich painting and drawing toolset


Create or modify images with a wide assortment of professional, fully customizable paint settings, artistic brushes, and drawing tools.


Advanced compositing


Create more accurate composites by automatically aligning multiple Adobe Photoshop layers or images based on similar content. The Auto-align Layers command quickly analyzes details and moves, rotates, or warps layers to align them perfectly, and the Auto-blend Layers command blends the color and shading to create a smooth, editable result.


3D compositing and texture editing


Easily render and incorporate rich 3D content into your 2D composites - even edit existing textures on 3D models directly within Photoshop Extended and immediately see the results. Photoshop Extended supports common 3D interchange formats, including 3DS, OBJ, U3D, KMZ, and COLLADA, so you can import, view, and interact with most 3D models.


Movie Paint


Enhance video directly within Photoshop Extended. Now you can paint, add text, and clone over multiple frames of an imported video sequence.


2D and 3D measurement tools


Extract quantitative information from images with new measurement tools. Easily calibrate or set the scale of an image, and then use any of the Photoshop Extended selection tools to define and calculate distance, perimeter, area, and other measurements. Record data points in a measurement log and export data, including histogram data, to a spreadsheet for further analysis.


Faster, more flexible asset management with Adobe Bridge CS3


Organize and manage images more efficiently with next-generation Adobe Bridge CS3 software , which now delivers improved performance, a Filter panel for easier searching, the ability to group multiple images under a single thumbnail, the Loupe tool, offline image browsing, and more.


Better raw-image processing


Process raw images with increased speed and superior conversion quality using the Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in, which now adds support for JPEG and TIFF formats; new tools including Fill Light and Dust Busting; compatibility with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom™ software; and support for over 150 camera models.


Enhanced Vanishing Point with 3D support


Edit in perspective on multiple surfaces - even those connected at angles other than 90 degrees - with the enhanced Vanishing Point, which also lets you measure in perspective; wrap graphics, images, and text around multiple planes; and output 2D planes as 3D models.


Wide range of supported formats


Import and export an even greater range of file formats, including PSD, BMP, DICOM, Cineon, JPEG, JPEG2000, OpenEXR, PNG, Targa, and TIFF.


2009年8月4日星期二

Norton Ghost 14 - Do You Need Backup or Imaging?

If you bought Norton Ghost 12 because you heard it was a great way to image a whole drive, you might be surprised to hear it's really a backup application. If you want back up you may wonder what use there is for Ghost's imaging program. This duality may be enough to make you look elsewhere.


Introduction


I'm an old-school PC guy. I remember when Norton Ghost was useful for cloning an entire hard drive. This came in handy when you needed to get your PC back into a fixed configuration, maybe for system testing or for building an office full of identical PCs. But the current version of Ghost appears to target folk who just want a backup of their hard drive documents. Users looking for a real disk-imaging solution that delivers more functionality, and an excellent user interface should check out Acronis True Image 2009, the Bright Hub review is available here.


If you are one of these people you will likely be happy with the simple copy-all-the-files-to-another-place kind of backup solution, for which there is inexpensive, or free, software available. These simpler programs allow you to find your files later, even if they don't allow for some advanced functionality.


Ghost takes a different approach of packing all of the files to be backed up into a single image, which in turn needs Ghost when it's time to read back the files. While this approach allows for smaller backups (via compression), it's a complexity that most backup scenarios don't need, especially when compression formats like .zip are more widely available and would work much the same way.


Ghost has some nice touches, though. In addition to its imaging capabilities, you can mount backup files as if they were additional discs. Ghost also understands writable optical media and other backup type devices, and you can convert your backup files into VMWare discs, which is useful if you use that particular technology. Ghost also integrates with Google desktop search to find archived files.


User Interface Rating


What's Hot: Ghost's user interface is tab- and task-driven and very well laid out. The contents of each tab are obvious and almost all of them use a wizard-type approach to find the options you need.


What's Not: The only realy issue is that some of the wizards are a bit long. Though some of the options are hidden behind 'advanced' buttons it's still fairly complex for a simple backup.


Price to Value Rating


What's Hot: At the time of this review, Norton Ghost cost $70.


If you need a backup system that allows for some of the more advanced options listed in this review then Ghost is a pretty good value.


What's Not: If you're looking for a general backup system, or a hard drive copying program, there are better and cheaper alternatives.


Installation & Setup Rating


What's Hot: Ghost's installation is a standard windows installer. It checks drivers for all your hard drives to make sure they are compatilbe with Ghost and checks for, and installs, any updates from Symantec. It does install some drivers and requires a reboot.


What's Not: I'm always nervous when a program without hardware starts to install drivers. I would like to see an explanation of what functionality I lose if I choose not to install them.


Continue onto the second page to read about the product features, performance, and quality of support.




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2009年8月3日星期一

Download Accelerator Plus 9.2.0.4

Download Accelerator Plus (DAP) 9.2 is the world's most popular download manager with over 175 million users worldwide. DAP accelerates your download speed so you can get all your favorite files, applications, and videos as fast as possible. Additionally, DAP features powerful privacy, security, and file management tools letting you download with confidence and flexibility. DAP is easy to use working automatically with your web browser to provide the fastest download speed possible. Now with the latest DAP 9.2 users can use DAP in their own language with 38 different languages available and full support for Unicode languages. These new languages are the result of users from around the world working on the DAP Translation Wiki Project. Additionally, with DAP you can download your favorite videos from YouTube and other popular video sites. Downloading is safer in DAP with innovative new download security powered by SpeedBit's Multi Antivirus (MAV) Analysis that lets you compare what the leading Antivirus programs have to say about your downloads. You can also choose your Download Style with either Internet Explorer style downloading that lets you get files with Download Windows, or Firefox style downloading that presents all your downloads in a Download list.




Editor review: Daily Reviews Team, 2006-10-07 01:10:10


Bring a drastic change in the way you download with Download Accelerator Plus that will increase the speed of your downloads by 400%.


Get this wizard of downloads and see your downloads accelerate by 400 percent. With superior performance and simple interface this tool solves the basic problems that lead to sluggish downloads. The simple interface of the tool is based on a patented technology with rich features like; number of connection that indulge faster download from most responsive servers, resuming broken, lost connections, errors downloads and management of downloaded files, scheduling, auto hang-up and much more. This tool supports all the popular browsers like Internet Explorer, Firefox, Netscape and others. The tool supports German, Dutch, French, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Russian and Italian.


The tool also includes Higher speed, Broadband Optimization, graphic Speed Panel and completed downloads tab, preview of rich media files, shredder and trace cleaner.




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