Free Computer Advice

Need an iPad accessory? Bring $$$

2010-06-03T01:15:20Z

I'm sure you already guessed it but take a look. Warning you may be shocked by the sheer amount of over-priced junk on the next page!

Seriously though, what a rip off! $50 for a leather case, $30 for a cable? Consumers everywhere enjoy your iPads. I have one too but don't buy this stuff. Well I guess we really don't have a choice now. Steve Jobs I hope you are enjoying this. Soon Android will take over with their open source awesomeness and tablets will be must more common and cheaper!

Google TV Coming This Fall

2010-05-20T20:02:14Z

Wow, I can't believe its actually real. A while back there was a bunch of rumors, they were silly it was fake. Now it was announced at Google's I/O 2010 that Google TV is in fact coming in Fall 2010.]]> So what is this about? Well you already know that Google's Android is an amazing operating system for your phone. But why stop there? Google is moving Android to run on your TV, Google TV. The catch phrase is "TV meets web. Web meets TV." They also announced that Android applications that work on your phone will also work on your TV. Now that's what I'm talking about.

Just for fun here is the orginal hoax from a few years back

Google I/O 2010 Review of Day 1

2010-05-19T18:26:58Z

Unfortunately for me I'm unable to watch the I/O live but I am keeping up to date with their latest updates. Let's take a look at what has been announced so far.

]]> Google App Engine for Business

Google's App Engine is now up for grabs for businesses. Want to build an app without using your own server? Use this. They have also joined up with VMware, using the Google Web Toolkit you can deploy your application to Google App Engine for Business or a VMware environment or even Amazon's EC2 service.

WebM

WebM is an open web media format project. Soon to be a part of HTML WebM is a high-quality, web-optimized video codec, that Google is contributing under a royalty-free license.

Google Maps API v3

More about Maps API v3 noted here.

Web Font Loader!

Also Google is teaming up with Typekit to once again help the web community overall. With HTML5 we'll all have a much easier time loading fonts with different browsers. Think what jQuery did for JavaScript.

Google Wave is now no longer invite only!

Google Code University

2010-05-16T14:43:43Z

If you are interesting in further your learning in web technologies there is a great website you can't miss - Google Code Univeristy. The site is designed for anyone (especially computer science people) that wants to learn more.

]]> Technologies covered

AJAX
Algorithms
Android Programming
Distributed Systems
Web Security
Java
Python
Go Programming Language

Check it out. This is a great resource to learn these vital technologies. Of course its free. Thank you Google!

Fighting against cross-site scripting

2010-05-15T14:32:22Z

Cross-site scripting is a huge security concern nowadays. The hardest thing about XSS is that people don't really know that they're vunerable. Or they don't full understand what exactly XSS is all about. Enter Google to save the day with Jarlsberg. Jarlsberg is a part of Google's Code Univeristy.

]]> What is Jarlsberg?

Jarlsberg is a ficticious web site that is full of security holes. Google hints at a few vunerabilities and gives you a chance to exploit the site to learn how these attacks work. Actually exploiting the site gives you great hands-on experience on how to protect your own sites. You may be amazed how easy it actually is to exploit a vunerable site.

Types of vunerabilities covered

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Client-State Manipulation
Cross-Site Request Forgery (XSRF)
Cross Site Script Inclusion (XSSI)
Path Traversal
Denial of Service
Code Execution
Configuration Vulnerabilities
AJAX Vunerabilities

Google is also nice enough to give you the source code for the site (written in Python). Anyone interested in security or web programming should give this a try. The learning expierence is great. Most people learn hands-on so if that describs you, give it a try!

Ubuntu 10.04 Released!

2010-05-14T15:00:49Z

A new Ubuntu has been released! Version 10.04 is out and its fantastic. I was previously running Linux Mint on my desktop. I downloaded and installed Ubuntu today and I gotta say its pretty great.

]]> Some features of Ubuntu 10.04

Speed
It's fast, very fast. Coming from Linux Mint, I'd say the difference is small but its there. Most definitely faster than my Windows 7 laptop altough that laptop has a ton of software loaded up and is a few years old.
Bundled with great software
I don't use it but the OpenOffice suite of programs is built in. This is great because I feel like I can quickly recommend Ubuntu to family members that still need to open Word Docs and other office programs. The software center is also great to download other software, really easily.
Download Music
Ubuntu One has a iTunes competitor thats actually pretty amazing. Buying on a Linux machine is kinda a new one but its a step in the right direction. Now I can easily recommend Ubuntu to someone that wants to expand their music collection. The songs you download are DRM-free MP3's too.
Photos
Photos are a breeze now with the software already built in. Also video editting software is included.
Games
They run great and many are included.

The key features we covered already are Office needs, Music & Photos. This covers a lot of what the average user needs. Also this is something that wasn't really amazingly covered previously. It was hard to recommend Linux to my grand ma before, now its something I would definitely do.

Ubuntu One is a way to keep documents on the cloud. Think Apple's Mobile.Me.

So what are you waiting for? Get it now.

Facebook Privacy Scanner

2010-05-11T14:51:30Z

Ok we all use Facebook to keep in touch with friends and family. It's a great site that binds the universe together like the force. However there is a dark side. Facebook's privacy policy has changed dramatically over the years for the worse. Make no mistake about it, your personal info is out there. Aside from deleting your Facebook account, there is a way to restrict the data that Facebook shares with the world.

]]> Scan your Facebook privacy settings

Facebook Privacy Scanner

ReclaimPrivacy.org has created a scanner that will scan your Facebook settings to tell you how much of your data is open. The source code for this scanner is open and publicly available. I highly recommend everyone run the scanner and adjust their Facebook privacy settings accordingly.

Facebook Applications

Another warning I really want to stress, please don't install Facebook Applications! When you install a Facebook Application you are literally giving them free reign access into your personal data. You have no idea who these companies really are, who they work for and what their intentions are with your data. Even if they are a perfect company with great intentions, what if their servers are hacked? FarmVille doesn't need your data, don't give it to them. What if a bad guy owned FarmVille? Or bought it? Or what if bad company created a new game with the sole intention of harvesting user data? Let's keep our information private. Please don't install Facebook Applications.

Google Voice - VoIP calls soon?

2010-04-08T04:22:09Z

Cool article here about how Google is testing Google Voice desktop application to ... wait for ... make VoIP phone calls! Finally! Google Voice is always so hard to explain to people about what it does and how it works. Everyone thinks its about making phone calls, which is kinda is? Oh well, soon we won't have to worry about explaining it because it'll be really easy.]]>

I imagine this will be similar to Skype. I thought mobile phone carriers would freak out over free VoIP calls but Verizon Wireless (my carrier) is teaming up with Skype to allow this to happen. It'll be interesting to see in the future what if Google Voice matures to the point when you can make voice calls using your data enabled phone?

What if you no longer pay for your voice service at all? What if all phones become smart phones that just allow data / Internet usage and thats what places our calls?

Windows Command Prompt For Loop

2010-04-06T18:52:27Z

Have you ever needed to do some sort of repetitive task using the Windows command prompt? This is a cool program I really wasn't aware existed. Lets first create a text file name it myfile.txt and put in the following.

a,b,c
3,2,1

Now lets use our for loop.

for /F "eol=; tokens=2,3* delims=," %i in (myfile.txt) do @echo %i %j %k

What this does is pull the 2nd and 3rd value separated by commas from the file. Then echo's them to the screen.

This example isn't all that helpful but imagine putting user name and passwords in the file and doing a loop to try and brute for the NET USE password?

Windows NET USE / NetBIOS commands

2010-04-04T18:58:14Z

net view /domain
Lists all domain groups
net view /domain:name
Shows list of all computers within the domain
net session
All systems connected to system

nbtstat - Shows a ton of information about its host, for example. nbstat -a backdesk

Will show:

Node IpAddress: [192.168.1.43] Scope Id: []

NetBIOS Remote Machine Name Table

       Name               Type         Status
    ---------------------------------------------
    BACKDESK       <00> UNIQUE      Registered
    WORKGROUP      <00> GROUP       Registered
    BACKDESK       <20> UNIQUE      Registered
    WORKGROUP      <1E> GROUP       Registered

MAC Address = 00-13-72-CB-1E-86

Looking at the codes provided here, shows that the computer is a workstation server registered, running file service and browser service elections.

Google launches visual data tool

2010-03-09T04:42:58Z

Google has all the worlds information, now they offer a new way to view it. Google's launches visual data tool with data from Census, World Bank, Eurostat, etc. Basically they have all this data from many different sources. They then use creative visual graphics (some are animated) to display this data.

Bottom line, the population of the US over the last 10 years is more interesting when its in a graph. Here are some example graphs.

Mortality rate
Population
Gross capital formation
Energy use
Net migration

Take a look and read the frequently asked questions and give it a try.

Apple decides to sue HTC

2010-03-03T03:44:10Z

Well earlier last month Steve Jobs had a huge problem with Adobe's Flash, now Apple is suing HTC for copyright infringement against patents they own for the iPhone. Did HTC reverse engine then clone the iPhone? No, Apple is saying patents they hold are too similar on the HTC Android phones.

Totally ridiculous, Steve is suing them for things they have patented like 'Unlocking a device with a hand gesture'. That's like them copyrighting 'Unlocking a door'. This is expensive for both sides and the consumer will loose if Apple wins. Then Apple will be the only phone manufacturer with a software unlock method? Please.

So they probably won't win this but then what's the point? Attorney fees on both sides. Anyone notice how Apple decided to go over HTC instead of Google. I guess they wanted to start with the smaller company. Back in my day all I ever heard was people bash Microsoft and Bill Gates for being greedy and evil. Steve Jobs is worse, much worse.

Why Steve Jobs REALLY hates Android Phones

They are better than his iPhone. They are open source and allow the control to goto the people. Can you imagine Steveo allowing the people to decide what to be on their phones? Crazy right?

Why Steve Jobs REALLY hates Adobe Flash

Why would he allow free Flash games on his iPhone, iTouch & iPad when he makes millions off the app store?

Either way HTML5 is coming and it will kill the app store. Its ridiculous to have an Yahoo app when it all does is a special video player. Screw the apps, just make the web page better, oh wait no Flash. Ok fine but when HTML5 comes theres no stopping that.

Displaying Maps Without The API

2010-02-23T16:28:51Z

Google's Map API is great for displaying a map on your web site. However sometimes there is an even easier way. I recently helped PageTronics Wireless with a new blog. They wanted a map on the blog that showed their 4 store locations. Normally I would do this using the Google Map API but today I wanted to show another way that is a little easier.

]]> Go to Google Maps - maps.google.com

Click on My Maps, then Create New Map. You'll have the chance to give it a title and a description.

Then using the blue map marker you can select points on the map. Once you click on the map you can select text to be placed into each bubble.

Once you have your places in the map, click on the Link text in the upper right hand corner then Customize and preview embedded map. You will be given many options to customize the map further. Then by copying and pasting the code you can add to your web site or blog.

To see the final result check a look at PageTronics Wireless's Blog.

Early design concepts for Google Tablet

2010-02-03T15:00:32Z

Google's Chromium department has some very interesting design concepts for their upcoming Google Tablet. Its exciting and interesting to see such design images so early in development. I think thats a really cool move by Google. Microsoft & Apple are money driven, its painfully clear that is their main drive. Google is a business, obviously a huge one but they aren't driven only by money. My reason being them devoting tons of time and money into things that don't directly bring in cash flow. My short list would be their proposed HTTP protocol replacement SPDY, their public DNS server and Google Wave. I could list more but you get the idea. Their entire open source mantra is healthy for the soul and is awesome.

Apple on the other hand charged me $4.95 for a f***ing update on my iTouch. I'm still mad about that. Anyway my main point being the Google tablet looks awesome as an early draft and it'll be exciting to see where it goes.

The Google tablet much like their Android powered devices I feel will one day be stronger than Apple's iPad and iPhone counterpart. Main reason being their open source infrastructure. I believe open source will win in the long run by attracting more developers and users that simply want a better product without paying Ballmer or Jobs major cash.

Guess we'll have to wait and see.

My thoughts on the iPad

2010-02-01T08:58:34Z

Ok I know everyone and their grandmother and her sister and their friends all have an opinion about the iPad. I just wanted to throw my 2 cents out there. I also have a quick thing or two to say about Apple and Steve Jobs himself.

]]> It looks cool

I was kinda amazed by a lot of the negativity after the iPad was announced. Yes its a dumb name but who cares about the name? Holy hell evidently a lot of people do. I'm going to skip over all the jokes about the name and just say its just a name. You still have to admit it looks cool. I think some or a lot of people are kinda missing the point. I've had people say to me, well couldn't I use a laptop to do those functions? Well yes you could but I still want a iPad and I think it has its place. If you are sitting on the couch and want to browse the web or write a quick email I think the iPad would be much better than using my Mac Book. My Mac Book has great battery life but its always either off or on standby unless I'm actively using it. Which means it also has a good chance to be plugged in. The iPad's long battery life is perfect to leave it on the couch and not need to worry about the power needs too much.

I believe there is a market for such a device. I don't own a kindle because they look too gray and boring. When the iPad hits I'm sure I'll buy books on it, the screen looks awesome. I'm sure I'll also buy some games on it.

I'm kinda shocked out people want to hate it but thats kinda the cool thing to do. Hate is normally the first thing people do as a way to act cool. The same people probably hated the iPod when it came out and now have one.

Steve is kinda a dick

Quick mini rant slightly off topic. Why in the name of holy hell do I have to PAY for a iTouch update? $4.95? What a rip off. Anti-Microsoft people & Mac fan boys should thank god Steve is going up against Bill Gates. Why? Because that competition drives a lot of prices. We should also be greatfull Google exists and is fighting against the two companies. Some people say Bill Gates is greedy, well what about Steve-o charging for updates? Thats low. I'll stop ranting about Apple's $$$ for now but you get my point. Oh and what the hell is Steve Job's problem with Adobe Flash? No Flash? Stop being stupid. In a recent interview he said that the world is 'moving to HTML5'. Yes I agree but not fast enough. Its stupid not to have Flash, he even said when a Mac crashes more often than not its due to Flash. That's a bold statement. Kind of a dick move to not include Flash but whatever.

Bottom line - I'll buy one. Just for the record I'm not a Mac fan boy. I do use a Mac book along with a Windows 7 laptop and a Linux Mint desktop.

Free Computer Advice

Need an iPad accessory? Bring $$$

Google TV Coming This Fall

Google I/O 2010 Review of Day 1

WebM

Google Maps API v3

Web Font Loader!

Google Code University

Fighting against cross-site scripting

Ubuntu 10.04 Released!

Speed

Bundled with great software

Download Music

Photos

Games

Facebook Privacy Scanner

Facebook Privacy Scanner

Facebook Applications

Google Voice - VoIP calls soon?

Windows Command Prompt For Loop

Windows NET USE / NetBIOS commands

Google launches visual data tool

Apple decides to sue HTC

Displaying Maps Without The API

Early design concepts for Google Tablet

My thoughts on the iPad