Square Zebra

IE 7

I finally downloaded and installed Explorer 7 beta2.  The tab thing is still hard for me to get used to.  Never did like the grouping feature XP has offered up till now, and even though firefox is sexy on the geek side, again the tabs just couldn't get overjoyed about.  Just getting used to Ctrl+Tab instead of Alt+Tab. 

One tip, if you have downloaded the new IE 7 is: How to get rid of the annoying blury text.  Ready?

1 - Tools

2 - Internet Options

3 - Advance

4 - Scroll down to Multimedia

5 - Uncheck " Use Clear Type "

 

Wireless Disconnects: The WiFi problem

A common problem I am finding with small wireless networks is the continual drop off of connections. "My wireless internet keeps kicking me off line." "How come every time I start downloading I get kicked off the Internet?' "I have a repeater and I'm still getting kicked of my wireless connection."

Everyone always thinks it's their hardware, fact is... might be your wireless configuration. More specific:

Windows Zero Configuration Service

Windows Zero Configuration Service (WZC) is a program that is supposed to make wireless networking a breeze and over all, it's a good idea. Problem: It's infuriating notion that the strongest signal it finds is your wireless connection.

So if your wireless connects/disconnects this is one way to fix it:

• Go to Control Panel.
• Choose Administrative Tools.
• Select Services. A two-pane window comes up.
• In the right-hand pane, scroll down and click Wireless Zero Configuration.
• Click Stop the Service. A progress bar may come up briefly.
• Click Start the Service. Again, a progress bar may come up.
• Close the Services window. At this point ... the connection should come back.

You can also turn it completely off and use your router (wireless card) network configurations instead of having windows auto configure.

If you have you haven't updated to SP2 I would suggest doing that. It will allow you more control over your wireless network,

More Tips For Stable Wireless Network

VoIP the movie!

I can't help it - I LOVE this! :) Even though I'm a Vonage fanatic I think this is the most entertaining commercial CoVad or any VoIP company has come up with yet...

Be sure to watch the movie. out takes while the credits are rolling.

Gmail Invites pt. 2

I have a couple new invites sitting around. Comment or email if you want one. :)

AMD vs XPSP2

As most of us has moved over with a SP2 updated for those of you running non-Intel machines. But there have been a few problems for some. More specificly those with an "AMD64-based processor in a hardware configuration that requires the mpegport.sys (driver) to be loaded."

The problem doesn't’ affect all AMD64-based users (only those with that specific driver running). The fix will most definitely be a software issue (as will the fixes to other, so far unreported DEP-incompatibilities) and my guess is that it won’t be long until we see it. - Article

More information from Microsoft Knowledge Base.

How to fix:
You may be able to resolve this issue if you configure a DEP exception. To do this, follow these steps:
1 - Click Start, click Run, type Sysdm.cpl, and then click OK.
2 - On the Advanced tab under Performance, click Settings.
3 - On the Data Execution Prevention tab, click Hardware and software DEP enabled for all programs except.
4 - Click Add, type the path of the Mpegport.sys file on your hard disk, and then click OK two times

Microsoft Pifias Sociales...

Love em (me) or hate em (all my x's) - This is just to funny to pass up....

"Microsoft has also managed to upset women and entire countries. A Spanish-language version of Windows XP, destined for Latin American markets, asked users to select their gender between "not specified," "male" or "bitch," because of an unfortunate error in translation." - Article

One would think, that with all the work visas MS passes out, 1 of the 20,000 could translate English into Spanish.

XP SP2 Program Errors:

Just an FYI - The latest list of programs that are still not compatible with SP2. - List

Most can be fixed by manually opening the ports: Directions on how to do this on same link.

XP SP2 Delivery:

Updated Schedule for XP Service Pack 2 (SP2):

8/16 - Release to Software Update Services.
8/18 - Release to Automatic Update for users running Windows XP Home Edition only.
8/25 - Release to Automatic Update for all Windows XP users including those running Windows XP Professional Edition; release to Windows Update for interactive user installations.

- Thanks Frog Blog

Lego my Logo...

Google logos are a fun part of any geeks life. Every holiday or fun-day a sporadic of people wander over to Google to get their daily fix of the Google-Doodle. But who designs these little bits of happiness?

Dennis Hwang former Google intern current International Webmaster...

"...I've produced almost 150 by now. The doodles are only a small part of my actual job (as Google's international webmaster, I'm responsible for managing all our international site content, which keeps me plenty busy), but it's definitely my favorite. Holding up my mockups and then holding my breath while Larry and Sergey do their "thumbs-up, thumbs-down" emperor thing is never boring, and I love the fact that my little niche within this company turned out to be something so cool and creative and, well, Google-y." - blog

How much does IT really cost?

I was flipping through an old Fortune Magazine today while sitting in a waiting room when I ran across an ad from IBM. The first line stated "IT maintenance counts for 80% of your total costs."

Now even if it is only ... say, 60% it gives way to really think how much your network is really costing you. Most small businesses think that getting a computer and all is fixed for the next 10 years. Not so. Actually your hardware might be the cheapest part of your IT budget. Maintaining your networks is important. Especially as threats become more and more popular. **I have a theory that as Linux becomes more popular the need for secure networks/firewalls will grow for the home/small office user.**

Just my little reality check towards your IT costs via an IBM ad. :)