PC Tekniks

Gizdom Reloaded Theme for Windows 7

2012-03-31T09:38:00.000+08:00

This dark Windows 7 theme really rocks and is definitely one of the best. Very tiny buttons, rectangle window frame with thin borders. Small scrollbars. Great work:

Somebody asked me : What is Gizdom ? Gizdom doesn't mean anything,it's just my friend's old project for Vista.It looks similar to elan by webtrance,but with stripes and some difference details.First time saw it,i found it very interesting,so I decided to re-public it again.And now,here it is :

Gizdom Reloaded for Windows 7
Get full preview here : [link]

New Features :
New Window Frames
New taskbar & taskitem buttons
New Preview Pane & command bar
New Start Button
and more....

Included in the pack :
Visual styles
System files ((explorer.exe,shell32.dll and explorerframe.dll) with TakeOwnership Tool
Uxtheme patcher

Download Gizdom Reloaded Theme Here!

credits to katz93 of deviantart

How to Decode iPhone Serial Number

2012-03-29T14:14:00.000+08:00

In case you are not aware, the serial number provides some interesting information about your iPhone, including the week it was manufactured and the factory id.

Folks at OS X Daily tell us that the serial number on the iPhone tells you the week it was manufactured, the factory where it was made and somethings which you already know such as the color and the size of the storage.

The first step is to locate the Serial Number. The easiest way to find it is to open your Settings app and navigate to General -> About -> Serial Number. You should also see the Serial Number in the Summary tab in iTunes when your iPhone is connected to the computer.

Serial numbers come in the form AABCCDDDEEF which can be read as follows:

AA = Factory and machine ID
B = Year manufactured (simplified to final digit, 2010 is 0, 2011 is 1, etc)
CC = Week of production
DDD = Unique identifier
EEF = iPhone model, color of device and size of storage

VR0 (iPhone 2G Silver 4GB) WH8 (iPhone 2G Silver 8GB) 0KH (iPhone 2G Silver 16GB) Y7H (iPhone 3G Black 8GB) Y7K (iPhone 3G Black 16GB) 3NP (iPhone 3GS Black 16GB) 3NR (iPhone 3GS Black 32GB) 3NQ (iPhone 3Gs White 16GB) 3NS (iPhone 3Gs White 32GB) A4S (iPhone 4 Black 16GB) A4T (iPhone 4 Black 32GB)

E00 (iPhone 4 White 32GB) - Courtesy IyonUK

For example, the serial 79049XXXA4S is from factory 79 (presumably Foxconn), was manufactured in 2010 in the 49th week, and is a black 16GB iPhone 4.

Note: It's not clear what's the last three characters for all the white iPhone 4 models. So if you have one do let us know.

Unfortunately, Apple has changed the serial number generation with the CDMA iPhone 4, so this is not applicable for the CDMA iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S.

But no worries, OS X Daily reader Michael points out that this website decodes the serial number of not only previous generation iPhones but also iPhone 4S (except it is wrongly reporting that our iPhone 4S is the sixth generation iPhone).

Let us know if you were able to decode your iPhone's serial number

FreemyNet latest version (Mar.24, 2012)

2012-03-26T10:44:00.003+08:00

Summary:
Customize GUI
Built-in portable
Lite weight
IPlist ,Portlist,Lportlist updated
Naka Auto remember lahat ng mga settings na ginagawa sa GUI
One click linking to this thread(makikita sa baba ng GUI>>> visit main thread

Use Lport:

GLOBE
PORT 9201
LPORT 52
SMART
PORT 80
LPORT 53

Operating System Installation:
Windows XP double click/Windows Vista-Windows7 run as administrator.

Download Links

Mediafire

4shared

credits to mr.phonatech

Dell XPS 13: One of the Best Ultrabooks Yet

2012-03-16T09:28:00.001+08:00

Dell has a lot of faith in the XPS 13, its first entry into the emerging Ultrabook class of superthin laptops. Compared to what we're used to seeing from Dell, it's a design marvel: thin, light, sleek, and well built with high-quality materials. It looks good, feels good, and performs well. If not for its disappointing display quality and a few minor trackpad issues, the XPS 13 would qualify as the best Ultrabook yet. Even with those drawbacks, it's one of the best Ultraportables around, but I can't recommend it unreservedly.

The version of the XPS 13 that I tested is the entry-level model. For $999, you get a Core i5-2467M with Intel integrated graphics, 4GB of RAM, and a 128GB solid-state drive. For $300 more, you can upgrade to a 256GB SSD; and another $200 will boost the CPU to a dual-core Core i7. Our baseline configuration proved to be pretty zippy on its own, delivering a strong WorldBench 7 score of 136 (see "How We Test PCs"). Chalk that performance up to the SSD, which helps the system boot up in about 17 seconds and performs basic file operations very speedily. In our battery tests, the system lasted just a hair under 6.5 hours. However, that number drops precipitously if you crank up the screen brightness, which can get quite bright.

The design and build quality are a cut above anything we've seen from Dell in a long time, and among the best we've seen in any thin-and-light laptop on the market. The base, composed of carbon fiber, has a pleasant soft-touch feel, and it hides the obnoxious service tag info under a flip-up metal plate for a cleaner look. The matte-black magnesium-alloy keyboard deck and the aluminum lid add rigidity where it's needed. The whole machine weighs 3 pounds--nearly the same as Apple's 13-inch Macbook Air. Dell's system, despite having a 13.3-inch screen, is actually shorter and narrower than Apple's, thanks to the extremely narrow bezel around the edge. Dell likes to say that it put a 13-inch screen into an 11-inch chassis, which is a bit of a stretch, but the laptop's compactness is impressive. The XPS 13 felt solid and dense in my hands, and it didn't flex at all.

If you're into games, you had best look elsewhere. Lacking a discrete graphics chip, the XPS 13 delivered unsatisfactory performance in modern 3D games. To achieve playable framer rates in games at the display's native resolution of 1366 by 768, you have to dial the details down to their lowest setting. Even then, with some strenuous games, you can't get a good experience. Thus far, ultrabooks simply aren't for gamers.

I was quite impressed by the keyboard. Most ultrathin laptops' keyboards don't support fast, accurate typing, but the one on the XPS 13 permitted me to click away at full speed. It's even backlit. The trackpad was another story. With the initial release driver, it seemed quite finicky. Set the sensitivity so that the cursor responds well, and it will jump around the screen as you type, due to poor palm detection. Lower the sensitivity to remove that problem, and the cursor stops responding to your touch. I got my hands on a new driver and calibration program (which Dell says will be on its site soon), which greatly improved the situation. The trackpad still isn't among the best I've used, but it's no longer a major weakness.

The display, on the other hand, remains a serious shortcoming. How Dell could make such a solid, attractive, well-performing laptop and then hamstring it with a crummy display is beyond me. The resolution is a bit on the low side--we're used to seeing 1440 by 900 or 1600 by 900 on premium 13-inch laptops. Though 1366 by 768 isn't uncommon, it's not the luxurious high-end spec that Dell ought to have aimed for on a laptop like this one. The average resolution is acceptable, but the visual quality is harder to tolerate. When I moved off-axis to the left or right, colors shifted dramatically. When I opened the lid to the wrong angle, the contrast and brightness went haywire. When I looked closely at certain gradients, I could see the spaces in the grid of pixels. Ultimately this is a mediocre LCD panel covered with pretty edge-to-edge glass. It's not a dealbreaker, just a disappointment.

The audio deserves special mention, if only because it may be the best sound I've heard from a 3-pound Ultrabook. It gets quite loud, and sounds fairly good, considering the design constraints on speaker size and placement. You'll never get big bass or room-filling music from a laptop this small, but the loudness and clarity of the XPS 13's speakers belies the tiny package they come in.

From a design perspective, the XPS 13 is a fantastic addition to Dell's lineup, establishing a new bar that Dell should aim to clear with its future products. The laptop is attractive, solid, and fast. Battery life is good if you don't go crazy with the screen brightness. Audio is better than you'd expect, and the keyboard and trackpad (after the driver update) don't disappoint. With better display quality, it would be a slam-dunk. Unfortunately, the middling resolution, iffy color reproduction, and poor off-axis viewing leave a considerable stain on what would otherwise be a five-star product. Let's hope that Dell releases a revised version this summer that carries Intel's Ivy Bridge chips and a better display.

source: pcworld.com

GPU Observer Gadget

2012-03-12T09:09:00.000+08:00

The GPU Observer Gadget, released by Orbmu2k, is an all-in-one desktop gadget for both Nvidia and ATI graphics cards. Select your card from a list, unless it’s already been selected for you, as well as some display options and you’re ready to go.

GPU Observer Gadget

It can show temperatures, fan speeds, loads, memory usage and clock speed to help you keep an eye out for overheating or faulty graphic cards. You can even run several instances of the gadget if you have got more than one graphic card.

This is my personal favorite of all the windows 7 gadgets I’ve tested, so try it out yourself!

The back-end of this win7 gadget uses technology like nTune, NVAPI and ATIADL to determine GPU information.

Configure Screen

Download GPU observer Here

source: windows7gadgets.net

Iohanna Edited Windows 7 theme

2012-02-22T09:36:00.000+08:00

Lumen ExplorerFrame for W7 (32 bit) by ~Genedon [link]

LumenVS ExplorerFrame Win7 x64 by ~FezVrasta [link]
---------------------

Others on shot:

---------------------
start orb by ~Xyrfo [link]

icons by ~brsev [link]

Gadgets by ~gersma [link] and [link]

Chrome skin by ~hsn [link]

Wallpaper : Default Leopard Grass Blade (included)

Download Iohanna w7 theme here!

credits: shafck of deviantart

source: windows7themes.net

Autorun Eater v.2.6

2012-02-20T08:35:00.002+08:00

Autorun Eater was born due to the increase of malwares using the ‘autorun.inf’ method to infect users unknowingly be it from flash drives, removable hard disks or any other removable storage device.

When a device is infected with a malware and an ‘autorun.inf’ file is dropped, the shell menu is normally modified to execute the malware whenever the unsuspecting user accesses the infected drive.

Autorun Eater will warn you and remove any suspicious ‘autorun.inf’ files(based on user decision/settings) so that the malware is not executed while accessing the infected drive. There are also certain cases whereby the malware has been removed by an antivirus but the ‘autorun.inf’ file remains. This will cause the drive to be inaccessible through the conventional method(double-click). Autorun Eater will also remove it if necessary so that you can access the drive as usual.

Features:

Prevent malware infection through removable storage devices(pendrives, portable hard disk, etc)
Install and forget, Autorun Eater monitors all drives(except A:, B:, and CD/DVD drives) in real time!
Manually scan drives A: and B: if you have access to either one or both(eg. Floppy)
Scan the infected storage device automatically with Microsoft Security Essentials
Pause at any time
Deleted suspicious ‘autorun.inf’ file(s) are auto-backup’ed
Events are logged for future reference
Fix 3 common critical registry changes made by malwares

You can install the new version over the old version (exit v2.5 first).

If you enjoy using Autorun Eater, please feel free to donate.

MD5 Checksum: 2ec2b86df38cdca49ce6071fcd64c70c

What´s New in version 2.6:

Added: ‘Malware Scan’ option to scan the infected storage device using Microsoft Security Essentials’ command line scanner (only works with version 2.1.1116.0 and above) after removing the suspicious ‘autorun.inf’ file.
Added: ‘MSE Scan Log’ option to view the Microsoft Security Essentials scan log.
Removed: ‘Priority’ option in the tray menu.
Removed: Removed some redundant code to improve startup time and performance.
Changed: Tweaks to program behaviour.

source: freewarefiles.com

Lenovo IdeaPad U300s

2012-02-20T07:49:00.001+08:00

Lenovo IdeaPad U300s Review, by Jon L. Jacobi November 15, 2011

If there's a laptop that deserves the moniker "Ultrabook"--a term that Intel introduced (and trademarked) earlier this year for a class of very slim and light laptops--it's the Lenovo IdeaPad U300s. Not because it's faster or beefier than the competition (it's not), but because it actually looks like a thin coffee-table book when closed. It's also the Ultrabook that many in our labs gravitated toward due to its luxuriously minimalist styling and superior input ergonomics. At least they did until they heard it cost $1595, a price tag that reflects the expense of the U300s's large (256GB) solid-state drive, or SSD.

Despite an Intel Core i7-2677M CPU, 4GB of DDR3 system memory, and that aforementioned 256GB SSD on board, the U300s performance lagged behind the Asus Zenbook UX31e. Still, a WorldBench score of 114 indicates plenty of power for everyday chores. Gaming frame rates delivered by the integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 max out at 31 frames per second at 800 by 600 resolution--with the details turned way down low, which doesn’t cut the mustard for modern games.

On the other hand, battery life is 6 hours and 34 minutes, which compares nicely with the rest of theUltrabook crowd. At 2.9 pounds it’s one of the lighter Ultrabooks, though you won’t notice much difference between the heft of the U300s and the Zenbook or the Acer Aspire S3, all of which weigh close to 3 pounds.

Video playback at any resolution is smooth as can be, though you get the usual down-converting issues with 1080p playback on the 13.3-inch, 1366 by 768 display. The colors rendered by the display are rich, but the shiny surface is prone to glare--one of the few questionable design decisions on the U300s. Audio is stellar through headphones, but sounds slightly muffled through the speakers. Tweaking the included SRS sound enhancement software helps tremendously.

The U300S's keyboard is "breathable" (to use Lenovo’s term), which is a friendly replacement word for "ventilated." This trick is now used on a number of laptops (notably Apple's) so that no ventilation holes are required on the bottom of the unit where they can be blocked while sitting on your lap. It also means that the unit feels quite cool on your thighs. A ventilation port is on the left edge of the laptop, though.

The keyboard itself has a very nice feel for having such a short stroke (a common problem with ultrathin laptops). That's partially a textural impression--the entire unit has a luxurious feel due to the fine grain on the aluminum case’s paint job (available in Clementine Orange and Graphite Gray). The glass, buttonless touchpad is equally satisfying--in lieu of scroll areas, it uses two-finger swiping. So there’s no inadvertent straying into the scroll area--nice.

Depending on your needs, you might find the port selection on the U300s lacking. It has a USB 3.0 port for quick data transfers and backup, an HDMI one for video output, plus an additional USB 2.0 port, but that's about it. There's no VGA for older displays, no SD/MMC card slot, no eSATA, and--probably most surprising--no ethernet. The lack of eSATA isn't remediable, but is ameliorated by the presence of USB 3.0. For VGA, SD, and ethernet you'll need USB adapters. Connectivity consists of 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth 3.0, as well as WiDi for wireless display.

The U300s is the first laptop I've handled that ships with Microsoft's free Security Essentials in lieu of a trial of pay security software. MSE is just as effective for most users, but stays out of your way unless there's an issue, unlike most pay options. There's no array of junk software either; just Cyberlink's YouCam utility for the 1280 by 720 webcam, a free subscription to Absolute Data Protect for encrypting data and remote disabling of the laptop, Google Chrome, and Cyberlink's OneKey recovery for backing up your system. The latter works in conjunction with a button on the left rear of the U300s that initiates recovery if the bundled Windows 7 Professional operating system stops booting correctly.

No matter which way you cut it, the U300s is a pricey laptop, though only moderately more so than the similarly configured competition. It's available in a slower, less capacious configuration with a Core i5-2457M CPU and a 128GB SSD for $1195, and Lenovo's U260 and its recently releasedU400 are only slightly thicker and heavier, with cheaper configurations. The missing ports are a bit of puzzler, but otherwise the U300s delivers a very satisfying Ultrabook experience.

source: pcworld.com

Windows Gets a New Logo

2012-02-18T22:23:00.000+08:00

A new logo for Windows 8 was doing the rounds last week, and many people considered it to be a fake. It transpires however that this new logo is in fact the real deal, as Microsoft have officially unveiled it today on their Windows blog.

The new logo, which is reminiscent of Microsoft’s new Metro interface, is apparently a window, not a flag (as per previous versions of the Windows logo). In their blog post the company said…

With Windows 8, we approached the logo redesign with a few key goals on mind.
1. We wanted the new logo to be both modern and classic by echoing the International Typographic Style (or Swiss design) that has been a great influence on our Metro style design philosophy. Using bold flat colors and clean lines and shapes, the new logo has the characteristics of way-finding design systems seen in airports and subways.
2. It was important that the new logo carries our Metro principle of being “Authentically Digital”. By that, we mean it does not try to emulate faux-industrial design characteristics such as materiality (glass, wood, plastic, etc.). It has motion – aligning with the fast and fluid style you’ll find throughout Windows 8.
3. Our final goal was for the new logo to be humble, yet confident. Welcoming you in with a slight tilt in perspective and when you change your color, the logo changes to reflect you. It is a “Personal” Computer after all.

The blog provides a commentary on the evolution of the Windows logo. The new logo, similar to the logo for the company’s Windows Phone operating system, will be available in any colour and is much simpler than the logo that has come before and that we’ve been using in one for or another for decades.

This is the most significant change to the Windows logo in all that time, but it could be argued that Windows 8 is also the most significant change to the operating system in just as long. The Windows logo however is one of the most recognised logos on the planet, and it remains to be seen how easily people will recognise the new one. The full logo is below. So what do you think of the new logo? Why not tell us in the comments below.

source: windows8news.com

IPRIVO VPN server is working as of Feb.13,2012

2012-02-16T10:05:00.003+08:00

Another 100% free tunneling software na naman for all of us..pandagdag sa collection natin..this vpn had been presented to other forums but unfortunately di nila mapagana ito ng maayos dahil hanggang sa ngayon ang alam nila ay tcp lang ang gumagana dito.. hindi nila na visit ang site at di nila alam na nagupgrade na pala ito into upd actually kahapon ko lang ito napagana di po sa masyadong mabilis katulad ng ibang vpn na binahagi ko sa inyo pero free din po ito at unlimited din..(NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED)

Benefits of using IPRIVO vpn
Keeps your identity private, lets you surf anonymously – no one can get knowledge of your IP, and consecutively of your real identity, name, address and other private information. This happens because you are represented by IPRIVO’s IP online, and your own IP is kept private.

Keeps your internet usage private – no one, not even your ISP, knows which websites you visit and which online services you use. This happens because all communication passes through IPRIVO servers.

Keeps data on your computer safe – since your IP is private, hackers cannot get direct access to your computer. All data that is stored locally is kept safe, including your documents, programs, stored passwords etc.

Allows secure access to the Internet via public networks: WiFi in cafes, airports, hotels, libraries, offices. Since the connection between your computer and IPRIVO is encrypted, no one can intercept your emails, passwords, credit card numbers entered during shopping etc.

Allows unrestricted access to sites and services that are closed to users in your country.

Lets you bypass censorship. Access sites otherwise blocked by your ISP or government.

Protects you from identity theft online. No one can get access to your identity and use it online, shop using your credit card, or send emails in your name.

Provides “faster internet”, when used locally in UK. This is due to server-side caching and data compression.

Provides commercial-like service, totally FREE.

FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING STEPS:
1. Please go here to download the software http://iprivo.com/
2. Download the software and install
3. Goto to C \ Program Files\Iprivo\data\config and copy all items na nasa loob ng config files nyo
4. Paste it to any Portablevpn>data>config
5. Replace the ovpn file with this..

Quote:

client
dev tun
proto udp
remote 81.94.201.163 22
bind
keepalive 10 120
resolv-retry 30
cipher DES-EDE3-CBC # Triple-DES
resolv-retry infinite
persist-key
persist-tun
ca ca.crt
cert client.crt
key client.key
comp-lzo
verb 2
dhcp-option DISABLE-NBT
remote-cert-tls server
tun-mtu 1300
tun-mtu-extra 32
fragment 1200
mssfix 1500
redirect-gateway def1 bypass-dhcp
float
lport 137 or 52 yung iba lport 50

USE THIS CONFIG FOR SMART

client

dev tun
proto udp
remote 81.94.201.163 22
bind
keepalive 10 120
resolv-retry 30
cipher DES-EDE3-CBC # Triple-DES
resolv-retry infinite
persist-key
persist-tun
ca ca.crt
cert client.crt
key client.key
comp-lzo
verb 2
dhcp-option DISABLE-NBT
remote-cert-tls server
tun-mtu 1300
tun-mtu-extra 32
fragment 1200
mssfix 1500
redirect-gateway def1 bypass-dhcp
float
lport 53

kung wala po kayong Portable vpn download nyo po eto..

http://www.mediafire.com/?6cw38w5n2kt64hj

source: pinoy8.tk

Geek 101: What Is Jailbreaking?

2012-02-14T22:57:00.004+08:00

Have you ever looked at someone's iPhone home screen, and noticed that it has five icons in the dock? Or maybe you've seen a classic console emulator running on an iPad? Don't go looking for these apps on the App Store--these features and more are only possible with a hack called jailbreaking.

So how does jailbreaking work, and what does it actually do to your coveted iDevice? Can you jailbreak on other platforms or hardware besides Apple's? What are the risks involved, and is it even legal? Read on as we try to answer all of your jailbreaking questions. And if we don't, feel free to ask more questions the comments!

Here to help out is none other than notorious iOS hacker Jay Freeman (aka saurik), technology consultant and creator of the alternative App Store, Cydia.

What Is Jailbreaking?
Many smartphone, tablet, and game console makers include a layer of Digital Rights Management (DRM) software on their products. This DRM exists either to limit the software you can run on it, or is there for security reasons. Jailbreaking is the process of hacking these devices to bypass DRM restrictions, allowing you to run "unauthorized" software and to make other tweaks to your operating system.

More technically, jailbreaking can be thought of as the process of installing "a modified set of kernel patches (the kernel being the supervisor of the operating system) that allow you to run unsigned code," as saurik explains. It also gives you root-level access, which is otherwise unavailable. The term "root" comes from UNIX, where it is the superuser account that has unrestricted rights and permissions to all files. This provides you with added flexibility, but it also has some inherent dangers (more on that later).

You can alter or install anything onto your phone or tablet such as UI hacks (like the 5-icon dock) or unofficial apps (like classic console emulators) that would not otherwise be accepted into the App Store. Saurik's alternative app store, called Cydia, is arguably the definitive repository of such apps or tweaks. Cydia is so ubiquitous in iOS jailbreaking circles that most jailbreak tools install it automatically.

iPhone hackers first coined the term "jailbreaking" in reference to breaking the iPhone out of Apple’s iTunes “jail.” The term has since been (somewhat erroneously) used in a more general sense to refer to similar hacks made to other platforms like Android, where it's also known as “rooting”. In any case, the basic concept is the same, regardless of what you call it.

Why Jailbreak?

A heavily customized jailbroken iPhone.

For better or for worse, iOS is a closed environment: Apps need to adhere to Apple's stringent guidelines to make it onto the App Store. To a certain extent, this restriction exists for your own protection and to maintain the overall quality of apps. There are some apps, however, that don't make the cut but arguably ought to--the WikiLeaks app for iOS comes to mind.

"When you go to the App Store and install an app, you click [the icon], it opens, you do stuff with it, you hit the home button to close it, it goes away," saurik says. "An app is a self-controlled universe hidden behind a single icon." Anything outside this simple design--like saurik's UI theming mod called Winterboard, or any other alterations to built-in apps--is strictly forbidden.

To Apple, an app is like a sandbox. Your app can only play within the sandbox, but if you want to roam outside of it, jailbreaking is your only option.

Why Not Jailbreak?
Jailbreaking has some inherent risks. Root access is necessary for modding, but it can also open the floodgates for malicious attacks. Although there haven't been many documented cases of this, one hacker did create a harmless Rick-roll worm known as iKee to emphasize the vulnerability of jailbroken devices that haven't been properly secured by users.

Additionally, because jailbreak apps don't have to adhere to Apple's guidelines, some users complain about general instability, increased data usage, or decreased battery life.

At this point, some users argue the value in jailbreaking has diminished as iOS matures and incorporates features that were once only available to modders, such as multitasking, home screen backgrounds, and improved notifications. One might argue, however, that without jailbreaking, Apple may not have adopted some of these features in the first place.

In the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between Apple and iOS hackers, some might say that Apple has been gaining the upper–hand as jailbreak tools have begun to slow in release. New jailbreak methods used to be released within days of an iOS version release (if not before), but as Apple vigilantly seals security holes with every new firmware and hardware update, hackers may be struggling more to keep up. For example, a jailbreak for the iPhone 4S and iPad 2 only recently came out--months after Apple released them. Still, when it comes to hackers, if there's a will, there's almost certainly a way.

How to Jailbreak?

Absinthe A5 lets you jailbreak the iPhone 4S and iPad 2.

Generally, jailbreaking tools come in the form of OS X or Windows desktop applications. Currently, the only tool to jailbreak the A5 processor-based iPhone 4S and iPad 2 with iOS 5.0.1 is called Absinthe. Other tools, such as PwnageTool and redsn0w, are only able to jailbreak older devices running iOS 5.0.1. The renowned iPhone Dev-Teamreleased the very first jailbreak tool, and the group is still central to the iOS hacker community; its blog is a good place to go to see what's new in jailbreaking tools.

Is Jailbreaking Legal?

It depends a little bit on who you ask, but as far as the US government is concerned, it is legal to jailbreak your smartphone. In 2010, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) recognized the arguments of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF, the international non-profit digital rights advocacy organization) to add phone jailbreaking to a list of exemptions to anti-circumvention provisions. This DMCA exemption is up for review again this year, and the EFF and other groups like the Software Freedom Law Center hope to get the exemption expanded to cover hacking other personal computing devices--like tablets and game consoles--as well.

Some folks, particularly hackers and modders, insist that jailbreaking is a right and do it as something of a statement. They'll often compare it it souping up a car: Imagine buying a car with the hood welding shut so you can't modify it. Some say that's just not right.

Apple and some other companies, on the other hand, continue to plead with regulators to outlaw the practice. The best they can do at this point is tell users that jailbreaking defies their terms of use and voids the warranty. In other words, while you don't risk being arrested just for jailbreaking, don't expect any help from the Apple Store genius when your hacked iPhone has a problem.

source: pcworld.com

HEX VPN GUI for HSS and EXPAT [Released]

2012-02-14T08:13:00.008+08:00

Features:
[+]Free.
[+]Auto Ping.
[+]Auto Flush DNS.
[+]Real-time Statistics via Management Interface.
[+]Supports more than 2,000,000,000 config (yes, you read it right, 2 billion)
[+]Automatically Detects *.ovpn Config Files and Folders.
[+]Install/Uninstall TAP0901/TAPHSS drivers (Auto-detect OS Architecture)
[+]Uses Multithreading Technology for Optimum Performance.
[+]Portable. No dependencies. No need to install .NET Framework. No need to install 3rd party softwares.
[+]Saves all settings to .ini file.
[+]Config Maker.
[+]Config Editor.
[+]50 skins available.
[+]200+ Config included.

Software Info:
[+]Application Name: Hex VPN
[+]Version: 1.0
[+]Author: alphastatusv01
[+]License: Freeware
[+]Written in: Delphi XE (Delphi 2011)
[+]Tested On: Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64bit, Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit, Windows XP Professional SP2 32bit

Credits:
[+]89dufpoqidjv
[+]drwang12
[+]wellcute
[+]Huwandelacruz
[+]spike_086malkia

Used Icons:Designer: Yusuke Kamiyamane

Website: http://p.yusukekamiyamane.com
Designer: Mark James
Website: http://www.famfamfam.com

Screenshots:

Important Notes (Pakibasa muna):
1. For Gl0be: Gagana lang ito kapag "butas" na ang sim nyo. Click here for silentkunai's tips.

2. For Sm@rt: Hindi ko pa ito nasusubukan sa Sm@rt (dahil wala akong Sm@rt sim/modem). Pero theoretically speaking, dapat gagana ito sa Sm@rt, basta working yung config. Paki-try na lang, at magfeedback na rin.

3. Kung meron kayong firewall, siguraduhin nyo lang na i-always allow nyo si "hexvpn.exe" at "openvpn.exe" (o kaya ay ilagay nyo sa exception list). Kapag firewalled si "hexvpn.exe" at "openvpn.exe" ay hindi nyo makikita ng tama yung statistics, or worse, di kayo makaka-connect. Gumagamit kasi ng Management Interface si "hexvpn.exe" para "makipag-usap" kay "openvpn.exe". Sa ganyang paraan ay makukuha ni "hexvpn.exe" yung real time statistics na galing kay "openvpn.exe". Kung mapapansin nyo, merong "management localhost 7234" na nakalagay config, iyan ang configuration para makapag-usap si "hexvpn.exe" at "openvpn.exe" via telnet. Port 7234 ang ginagamit nilang port for the connection. Wag na wag nyong tatanggalin yang sa config, dahil pag tinanggal nyo... ibabalik ulit ni "hexvpn.exe" yan sa config, sayang lang ang pagod nyo. Hehe. At saka, kada given interval ay nag-aattempt na mag-ping/mag-connect si "hexvpn.exe" sa random IPs para masukat yung round trip time (o latency) ng kada ping. Sinadya kong sa random IP sya magpi-ping para hindi naman magkaroon ng heavy traffic yung IP na iyon sa sobrang dami nating users.

4. Meron akong isinamang 200+ configs, hindi lahat ng config ay nasubukan ko, kayo na ang bahalang mamili ng working config para sa inyo. Pwede nyo rin gamitin yung mga existing configs ninyo, kung meron kayong mga itinatagong server ay pwede nyo ring subukan, ilagay nyo lang sa "config" folder yung *.ovpn config file at made-detect na ni "hexvpn.exe" yan. Make sure lang na tanggalin nyo sa config yung mga scripting command na tulad ng "up finger-ON.exe", "up finger-OFFexe", etc, dahil magkakaroon kayo ng "script error".

5. Meron akong ginawang short video tutorial para sa mga may gustong manood.

6. Sa mga gustong gumawa o mag-edit ng config ng maramihan, panoorin nyo yung "How to Use Config Maker" na video.

7. Kung Windows 7/Windows Vista ang OS nyo, make sure na "run it as administrator" kung naka-enable yung UAC nyo.

8. Lahat ng settings nyo ay mase-save sa "hexvpn.ini" file upon exit, para sa susunod nyo syang i-open ay maaalala nya yung previous settings nyo. Kung sakali mang napagpasyahan nyong ilipat ng location yung "Hex VPN" folder, make sure na i-delete nyo yung "hexvpn.ini" file. Ang mababasa kasi ni hexvpn.exe ay yung dating location, hindi yung bago, dahil ayun ang naka-save sa "hexvpn.ini", at ang resulta... "File: libeay32.dll is missing or corrupt", "Config directory not found.", at iba pang error messages. Hinahanap nya kasi yung file sa dating location, at hindi nya makita, dahil nilipat nyo na nga. Hehe. Pwede ring i-reset nyo yung settings sa default sa Options instead of deleting "hexvpn.ini".

Download:

Hex VPN.7z (4.60 MB)

http://www.mediafire.com/?vstnykxvgnxxrgb

Video Tutorials:

How to Connect.7z (2.81 MB)

http://www.mediafire.com/?q9f55nr9r5x0jkg

How to Use Config Maker.7z (9.63 MB)

http://www.mediafire.com/?tl5ngv2skd2dmh9

7zip Password: alphastatusv01@2K12

**Para doon sa mga nagkaka-eerror sa pag-extract, magdownload lang kayo ng 7-zip. Yan kasi ang best compression utility ngayon, way better than WinRar.**

***THE CREDITS FOR THIS SOFTWARE CREATION BELONGS TO alphastatusv01 of symbianize.com***

LATEST Virtual WiFi Router 2.0.1.5-Turn your PC into a WiFi access

2012-02-13T21:12:00.000+08:00

"Turn your PC into a WiFi access point"

If you connect to the Internet via a modem and need to share the signal with other nearby equipment, use Virtual WiFi Router and your wireless network card will work or repetitive hot-spot for distribution .

Configuring Virtual WiFi Router is very easy, but first of all you have to go to the properties of your Local Area Connection and Sharing tab, check the box that allows connection to other users.
Once prepared your connection, Just open Virtual WiFi Router, choose the modem via the Internet which you share and specify a name and password for access from other computers or mobile phones.

Virtual WiFi Router is an essential utility if you use the Internet through a 3G modem computers and want others to enjoy the same wireless network. Very easy to configure Lightweight and without wasting resources of the transmitted data encryption
Compatible with 3G modems enough.

For now we are releasing for only windows 7.
If you dont have .Net framework installed on your machine , enable Microsoft.net from "Turn on Windows Feature On or Off" option, To do that Open Control Panel and follw the following steps to enable it.
Press "Programs" or "Programs and Features"

source: downloadplex.com

The Windows 8 Tablet

2012-02-13T21:02:00.001+08:00

The Windows 8 brand may be the ticket to success for the next Microsoft tablet. Going after the iPad is not easy, especially since others are doing it, like Android, and Amazon.

But disappointments run on the Android version because there is nothing to differentiate them for iPad. It’s a “me-too” approach. That’s what is supposed to be different with the Windows 8 tablet, it’s not “me-too.”

What will the Windows 8 tablet look like?

That hasn’t been released but here are some things that people don’t like about some of the current tablets. It’s been reported that “The default Android browser on the tablet fails at doing some really basic things like rendering Web pages quickly and opening mobile Web pages on some sites. Other browsers like Opera Mobile are fast but have other shortcomings.” Speed is one thing that has to improve.

Customer support

Although this would seem to be a basic ingredient in any software/hardware company, apparently there has been a lack of a reliable customer support environment over at Android. Google also has a fragmented approach to upgrading Android, which causes some panic among users when they hear that an upgrade can be coming soon.

That’s where Microsoft has an advantage. They are about customer support. And upgrades, well they come around on Tuesday every week. Some are security, some OS, some Apps.

Office Applications

Another thing that can make a difference is that a Windows 8 tablet can have Office installed. That can make a big difference for users who want both the tablet and Office experience on hand. Favorite apps from Microsoft could be installed, making the transition from PC to Laptop to Tablet. This could be a real transitory step. For Microsoft and the consumer community, a Windows 8 Tablet could be the hardware device that Microsoft needs to get back in that market.

source: windows8news.com

How To Fix DLL Errors

2012-02-11T07:38:00.000+08:00

Tips To Repair PC Errors Related To Missing DLL Files

A Windows computer consists of several DLL files that allow your software and operating system to perform its functions efficiently. As DLL files are present in huge numbers, it is likely that every now and then a DLL error may crop up on your screen. However, there is no need to press the panic button when you see a DLL error message. With a little knowledge and effort you can easily resolve DLL errors on your own.

A DLL error may occur due to a variety of reasons ranging from a missing or corrupt DLL, malware infection, registry issues, outdated device drivers, overwriting of a current version of a DLL with an older version and so on. The majority of DLL errors occur because of missing DLL files and this will be the focal point of our discussion. In this article, we will discuss the following topics:

Reasons why a DLL file may go missing.
Examples of common missing DLL file error messages.
How to repair missing DLL errors.

Reasons Behind Missing DLLs

To begin with, let’s look at some of the most common reasons that may cause a DLL file to go missing:

Removal of the DLL files by mistake.
Removal of a shared DLL file during uninstallation of a program.
Malware infection.

Examples of Missing DLL Error Messages

Now, let’s get familiar with some of the common error messages that may appear on your screen when a DLL file goes missing:
“msvbvm60.dll” not found
The file “msvcr80.dll” is missing

Steps to Resolve Missing DLL Errors:

To fix DLL errors that occur due to a missing DLL file, you need to get a new copy of that DLL file and save it to its default location.

However, you must first ensure that a malware infection is not the cause behind the missing DLL error. Malware programs often modify, misplace, or delete important files and cause recurring DLL errors, such as msvbm60.dll and msvcr80.dll errors. To identify and remove malware, run a malware scan using advanced antivirus, and antispyware tools. In case your PC is reported to be clean and free from infection, move to the next step of procuring the missing DLL file.

Depending upon the reason for the missing DLL file, you may use any of the following methods to procure the missing DLL file and resolve DLL errors:

Use a reliable file recovery tool – If you accidentally deleted the DLL file and also removed it from your Recycle Bin, you may use an efficient file recovery tool to recover the lost DLL file.
Download the missing DLL file from the Internet – This is the most convenient way of replacing the DLL file. However, words of caution before you download the missing DLL file from a web site, always check the authenticity of the site.
Reinstall the application – Uninstall and then reinstall the application with which you are getting the missing DLL error. When you install an application again, all the files that the application requires are also installed.
Extract the missing DLL file from the Windows installation CD – If the DLL file in question is a Windows file, you may extract a copy of the missing DLL file from your Windows installation disc.

New Windows 8 Wallpapers and Charms Bar Shown in Leaked Screenshots

2012-02-08T22:41:00.001+08:00

Chinese website PC Beta has released new screenshots from the Windows 8 Consumer Preview (beta) showing that the Start Screen wallpaper we’ve seen in the Developer Preview probably won’t be the only one available when we see the full beta later this month. While full details of exactly what and how many wallpapers will be available, until Stardock get their way, the image of the new rings wallpaper isn’t an unpleasant one.

The screenshots also show a modified Charms bar with new icons and a slightly modified Control Panel, now called PC Settings, where the descriptive text from items has been removed. Finally these is a screenshot reinforcing the news that the Windows Start Orb has now been removed from the desktop. Rumour has it however that it reappears if you mouse over to the bottom left of the Windows desktop taskbar.

Much still isn’t known about the Windows 8 beta, probably too much frankly and there are a great many quite legitimate questions that people are asking. It is clear though that Microsoft have done a great deal of work since last August when they would have signed-off on the Developer Preview build, and that they’ve taken on board much of the feedback they received from that build.

One piece of feedback concerned the blanket alphabetical way in which apps were treated in the search screen. One of the new screenshots shows apps now arranged into categories, as per the current Start Menu. It’s probably not a perfect implementation, but it is at least a significant improvement over what we’ve seen before.

What do you think of these screenshots and the new look? Do you like it? Why not tell us in the comments below.

source: windows8news.com

HarmonyHackerX v.2.3.9 (Hotspot/Expat Alternative)

2012-02-07T23:27:00.001+08:00

HarmonyHackerX is a best alternative to Hotspot and Expat for Globe, easy to use and configure.

How to Use:

1. Palitan nyo muna yung PROXY SETTINGS nyo sa browser application nyo.

ito po ang ilagay nyo:

PROXY CONFIGURATION:
127.0.0.1 PORT: 8000
then CLOSE your browser

2. CONNECT nyo po ang DASHBOARD nyo, then OPEN nyo na po ang HXX1 natin.

3. CHECK nyo po yung RESEND TIMED OUT REQUESTS.

4. CLICK po nyo ang START, then CHECK nyo po yung BROWSING BOOST (GLOBE ONLY)...hintayin nyo po mawawala yung CHECK ng BROWSING BOOST (GLOBE ONLY)

5.THEN Open nyo na po yung BROWSER APPLICATION nyo..pwde
na po kayo mag BROWSE...

source: pinoy8.tk

How To Send Free SMS From GMAIL

2012-02-05T10:48:00.000+08:00

There are lots of websites available on the internet like way2sms, 160by2, anonymous sms sites and many more through which you can send free SMS. Now Google has also launched a new service to Send SMS from Gmail account. This service is currently not available in India as well as some other countries.

SMS will be sent from your Gmail Chat itself. You just have to enter the mobile number of your friend to send free SMS. If your friend replies back to your message then he has to pay normal SMS charges and the message will be received in your chat . This service limits your SMS length to maximum of 50 characters and you can send only 50 SMS from your account in a day. But the amazing thing of this service is, if your friend reply back to your message then you will get 5 extra SMS but this cannot exceed 50.

How to Enable Free SMS in Gmail

In your Gmail account, click on the Settings button and go to Labs tab.
Scroll down until you find Text Messaging (SMS) in chat and click on Enable.

Also Enable the SMS in Chat Gadget and click on Save Changes button.
Now you will see Send SMS box in the left sidebar.

How to Send Free SMS from GMAIL

In the Send SMS box enter the mobile number at which you want to send SMS.

Now a dialog box will be open, in this box give the Name and Country of the SMS recipient and click on Save button.

Type your Message in the chat window and hit Enter. Your message will be delivered in few seconds.

Click Hereto check the list of supported countries.

All your sent and received messages will be stored in chat history just like normal chats. You can delete all your conversations anytime.

source:www.pctipstricks.net

Restoration Version: 3.2.13

2012-02-03T23:20:00.000+08:00

We've all done it: accidentally deleted a vital file a few minutes before an urgent deadline--and then couldn't find it in the Recycle Bin. Fortunately, there's no need to panic, yet.

Restoration is a free program that can scan your hard drive, floppy diskette or USB thumb drive and find files that have been deleted (Windows doesn't actually destroy files that you delete: it just marks the space they occupy as being available). It can then recover any recently deleted files it finds with a single mouse click.

You can filter the results if you know the name of the file you are looking for, which is much easier than wading through the list of the hundreds of deleted files it usually finds (including temporary files, cached Web files, etc).

Restoration doesn't need to be installed to work. Just keep the program on a floppy or an optical disc and pop it into the drive and run it when you need it (This approach also prevents your accidentally overwriting the deleted file). Although the program has not been updated since 2004, it still worked well in my informal tests and it recovered several files that I had deleted without problems.

--Richard Baguley

Download Restoration Here

source: pcworld.com

Love Windows 7 Theme

2012-02-03T23:09:00.001+08:00

Love Windows 7 Theme is a theme with love quotes and images. This Windows 7 Theme has been created on the request of several users including Aaditya Raj. A lot of people use love backgrounds on their computer and so, probably most of you would like it. This Windows 7 Theme contains 10 backgrounds of love quotes and other images with the word “love”. All of the backgrounds are of 1920 x 1200 pixels resolution like the rest of our Windows 7 Theme. Hope you would like this theme too and please keep sending us your feedback and comments.

Theme Name: Love
Number of backgrounds: 10
Best Fit Upto: 1920 x 1200 pixels

Download Love Windows 7 Theme Here

NOTE: If you need to download the non-branded version of this Windows 7 Theme then please click here.

Microsoft Highlights Windows 8 File Management Improvements

2012-02-01T07:30:00.003+08:00

File management is and always will be an essential task for all computer users. It includes file storage, accessibility and visibility among other things. Microsoft in a new blog post on the official Building Windows 8 blog has highlighted file management changes of the upcoming operating system. You probably know already that Microsoft intents to improve file management processes in Windows 8. This includes a better way to resolve conflicts. Conflicts occur for instance when you try to copy a file into a directory where the file name is already occupied by another file. Windows 8 adds visual information, e.g. thumbnails if you are moving photos to a new file conflict screen to give users more control over the process.

Windows 8 systems benefit from faster network throughput, for instance when you start a copying job over Wi-Fi and later on plug in a network cable. Jobs furthermore will automatically pause if the computer enters sleep or hibernation modes. The job can be resumed once the machine wakes again.

One of the many changes to Windows Explorer is the file manager’s ability to respect EXIF orientation, which means that you will always see your photos in the right orientation on the screen.

The padlock icon has been removed from Windows Explorer as it was causing delays in the file manager. They have been replaced by a sharing status column that is now displayed in the file browser.

Another new addition is the ability to pin folders to Start. This feature is accessible under the Easy Access menu in Windows Explorer’s new ribbon interface. It is furthermore possible to pin executables to the Start menu as well.

Please note that when I say Start, it means the Metro UI interface and not the original Windows Start Menu.

The announcement that Windows Explorer would ship with a ribbon interface has caused quite the controversy among users of the Windows operating system. Microsoft as a response has decided to minimize the ribbon interface in the Windows 8 beta release by default.

"Ribbon minimized by default: With the ribbon maximized in the Developer Preview, we’ve been able to learn a lot about how people interact with it, which has enabled us to tweak and fine-tune it. With the beta, we will be making a major change that brings Explorer in line with our design principles for Windows 8. As in our copy dialogs, Task Manager, and Metro style experiences, we will be reducing distractions and trusting users to discover functionality on their own, by minimizing the ribbon by default."

According to an internal non representative study “heavier” Windows Explorer users make use of the Ribbon more often than lighter users. Users who prefer to work with a minimized ribbon interface on the other hand had a strong preference for hotkeys. To further encourage the use of hotkeys, Microsoft has added tooltips to many functions in Windows Explorer that highlight their hotkey.

Personalized Windows Explorer settings, like a maximized ribbon bar or actions in the Quick Access Toolbar, are now synchronized via Windows 8′s roaming feature.

The majority of changes make sense from a user perspective. Especially the ability to synchronize Windows Explorer customizations with other PCs running the operating system is an excellent option. What’s your take on the changes?

source: windows8news.com

Risingware Exp+ Free Edition 3.1.0

2012-01-30T22:42:00.002+08:00

With dual panels and multiple tabs, Risingware Exp+ seamlessly integrates most indispensable software into one, a dual-panel file manager, a multi-process browser based on Trident (IE) layout engine, and utilities.
That is, you own Screen Capture Genie, Fast Start Genie, Consecutive File Renamer, File Compression Tool, Image Previewer, File Content Fast Previewer, Multiple Web Search Tool, HTML Component Downloader, Web Page e-Mailer, Web Filter, Internet Download Manager, Boss key, and Windows Shutdown Tool, etc in no time. In addition, this edition includes free 60-day evaluation period of Professional Edition which further integrates a File Backup Tool, a Synchronizer, and a Batch Renamer.
This version includes some improvements and bug fixes.

Features:
Dual Panels:

With dual panels, multi-tasking and file management are made easy.
Double-click on a tab or use hotkey to switch single/dual-panel mode.

Tabs:

A multi-tabbed browsing design.
Any tabs, a folder or a web page, can be moved between panels.

Group:

You can set related folders, files, programs, and web pages as a group.

Smart Use of Mouse:

Scroll up or down to switch tabs.
Drag and drop files to a folder tab or zip tab in the opposite panel; drag and drop subfolders to a tab bar.
Right-click or left-click to open a folder, favorites, or a group to the left or right panel.

Floating Navigation Panel:

Multi-tabbed design, among these tabs, Tab ’Preview Backup File’ allows you to preview the content of files and restore them.

Customize Toolbars:

Toolbars, including Fast Start Bar, Function Key Bar, and Search Toolbars, are configurable.

Powerful File Compressor:

Support Unicode
Exp+ can handle non-English file names, thus, file exchange won’t be troublesome at all.
Compress/Extract files as/from ZIP and JAR archives.
Extract RAR archives.
Support the compression/Extraction of files as/from compression methods supported by 7-zip format.

Move and Copy Files:

With dual panels, file copy and move can be done in a blink by using F6 and F7.

Consecutive File Renamer:

By pressing Up or Down key in a row, you can rename files consecutively.

View a large number of images:

You can view images in thumbs, graphics, or details, etc. in a cycle by using hotkey or button.

File Content Previewer :

With this tool, contents of certain types of files, for example, image files, .txt files, and those that supports ActiveX format, such as MS Office files and PDF files, can be previewed.

Image Previewer:

Whenever the cursor is moved onto an icon of an image file, its content will be instantly shown in a floating auto-size window.

Multi-Process & Multi-Thread:

Based on a unique multi-process and multi-thread design, Exp+ Web Browser is faster and more stable. Granted that it is based on IE, it is faster than IE.

Web Filter:

Besides general web filtering rules, you can also set up exceptions. Filtering items contain pop-ups, images, Script, ActiveX, and Java Applet, and so forth.

Create Search Engines:

You can create search engine of your own, and manage your "Multiple Search List". Alias search is also allowed.

Web Page e-Mailer:

Instantly e-mail any web page to a friend along with your message.
One-time setting of SMTP

Simply set up server address, port number and your account info. e.g. smtp.gmail.com, port no.465.

Drag & Drop Text Search:

Words in a web page can be used as search keyword. Upon dragging and dropping them, you activate search engines in Multiple Search List simultaneously.

RSS Reader:

With this built-in functionality, reading any RSS feeds is just as easy as browsing a web page in Risingware Exp+.

Plug-in:HTML Component Downloader:

While current tab is a web page, you can activate this tool to download images files, ActiveX objects and Scripts.

Plug-in:Snap Maps:

View satellite images, get directions, and capture maps in preferable sizes.

Plug-in:Webpage Translator:

One click to translate a webpage from a foreign language to yours, and vice versa.

Screen Capture Genie:
Grab images from your screen, such as window, pop-up menu, web pages, rectangular/ polygonal region, and full screen, etc.Download Manager:
This tool is able to start automatically or manually, stop, pause, or continue a download due to an unexpected interruption.Fast Start Genie:
With this universal shortcut manager, starting any Windows apps is made very easy. Also, a list of fast starts for Windows system tools is built-in.Quick Shutdown Tool:

This tool is the greatest alternative of Windows commands, include Shutdown, Hibernate, Log off, Restart, and Standby.

Boss Key:

Wherever you are, you are as free as at home. When someone approaches you, keystrokes help you to disguise.

Requires Java Runtime Environment. Get It Here.

Download RisingWare Here

source: freewarefiles.com

Microsoft: No Custom Metro UI Backgrounds In Windows 8

2012-01-30T03:44:00.001+08:00

If you thought that Windows 8 would improve the personalization features of Windows 7, then you are only half-right. While the operating system certainly offers its fair share of customizations, it has now been confirmed that Windows 8′s new Metro start screen will not offer as many customization options as users may have hoped for.

Instead of allowing users to pick the color scheme or background image they want, selection is limited to eight different styles currently. While it is fairly certain that we will see custom hacks to overcome the limitation, it is likely that many users will be disappointed by the lack of options.

Windows 8 director of communications Chris Flores mentioned in a Tech Radar interview that users would not want photographs as the background, as the photo would not stretch or scale with the start screen, and that it would be covered up mostly as well so that it would be barely visible.

He is basically saying that Windows 8 users lack the intelligence to make this personalization decision on their own, and that Microsoft has to step in to protect their Metro interface from ugliness.

We here at Windows 8 News do not like this restriction at all for a number of reasons. There is certainly nothing wrong with offering official styles that users can switch to. But offering eight styles, and maybe more when the final version comes out, is not enough from a personalization perspective. What if I want to have a photo as the background and do not care if it is repeated or stretched out? What if I have configured Metro for a set amount of apps that won’t change in the near future? Why would Microsoft block the use of a fitting wallpaper image or photo?

What Microsoft should do to resolve the issue? Add a switch to the Control Panel so that users can remove the restrictions, or even better, remove the restriction completely and let users personalize their desktop the way they want to.

What’s your take on the issue? Lets discuss in the comments.

source: windows8news.com

Facebook and Twitter Explorer

2012-01-29T22:27:00.000+08:00

Facebook and Twitter Explorer are, like the monitors above, two related gadgets created by the same developer. In this case, however, the gadgets deal with the most popular social networking websites.

The purpose of these two gadgets is the same. Both Facebook and Twitter are frequently updated by users, and you may also add messages to both. Facebook and Twitter explorer act as simple desktop interfaces for this functionality. This means that you don’t have to have a browser window open in order to keep up to date on Facebook and Twitter updates.

The Twitter Explorer is functional enough that you may no longer have much need to visit the Twitter website. The Facebook Explorer gadget is also functional enough when it comes to status updates, but it doesn’t let you browse or add friends, play Facebook games, or access any of Facebook’s other pages.

source: makeuseof.com

Data Privacy Day: Top 10 Ways to Secure your Data

2012-01-29T13:26:00.000+08:00

There’s no denying it, 2011 was the biggest year for security breaches. If you haven’t taken steps to secure your personal and professional data, consider Data Privacy Day (Jan 28th) as a belated New Year’s resolution. Even if you think of yourself as completely secure already, chances are that you’ll find yourself lacking on at least one or two of the following 10 ways to safeguard your information.

Password Protection. Everything that you use has a password, right? And it’s been changed in the past 3-4 months? Your PC, your smartphone, your router, your accounts, your screensaver? You say yes, but you’re secretly saying “well, except for x which doesn’t need one”. No, x needs one too. If it exists, someone is going to pick up/ sit down at/ try to hack into it. And even if it does have a password, now’s the time to change it, because six months/ one year/ five years is too long.

Password Optimization. So you know enough to change your default passwords. You know that {password” or “123456” isn’t going to cut it. But you may not be out of the water if you’re using an actual word or phrase for your password — try a random collection of upper-case letter, lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters.Several online tools such asstrongpasswordgenerator.com will do the hard work for you.

Password Differentiation. I hope you had fun generating your random password, because you’re going to want to do it again for each and every device and account that you have. There’s no excuse for using the same password to log into your bank account as you use to log into Facebook. If anybody gets the one, they’ll automatically have all of them — it’s called damage control.

Insecurity Question. Of course, those backup security questions will be there to give you a little help if that randomly-generated password eludes you. They’ll also help someone else steal it from you. So how about making it harder for them, by choosing a question and answer that nobody in their right mind would choose? Microsoft Researcher Danah Boyd offers some tips to get you started.

Email Bombs. Many of the worst data breaches of the past year started with a simple phishing strategy. You’ve heard this all before, but many of you didn’t listen, so here we go again: don’t open attachments from strangers, don’t click links in emails from strangers. And because contact lists are the first things to get exploited, “strangers” means pretty much anybody, unless you’ve got a very good reason to expect and trust attachments and links from them. Don’t forward emails to and from your different accounts (especially between Gmail/ Hotmail/ Yahoo Mail and enterprise email servers). Crank up the spam/ junk mail controls and encrypt as much as possible.

The Uncarved Block. You’re leaving your data in more places than ever these days, please try to wipe before you flush. Whether it’s that amusing Lego zip drive that you let your friend borrow, or last year’s iPhone that you trade in to your mobile provider, take the time to erase, overwrite, or otherwise remove any trace of your previous ownership — it can come back to haunt you. Re-format anything that has a drive before you let go of it.

The Soft Touch. Personally, I hate security software. Anti-virus applications tend to hog resources, launch on startup, run in the background, update themselves automatically, and generally do all of the things that I specifically try to prevent my applications from doing. But since they also protect me from becoming infested with malware, I learn to live with it. Without playing favorites, allow me to direct you to a good round-up of the best anti-malware tools.

Keep the Home Fires Burning. Speaking of smart things that I hate to install and keep running, a good firewall is one of your best friends. Undoubtedly you have one — in your router, server, and/ or operating system. Have you closed all open ports? Have you thought to check the firewall’s logs? The firewall can tell you if you’re getting poked and prodded by would-be intruders, giving you notice to tighten your security measures even more.

Remote Control. Your operating system, router, and even your smartphone may actually have some sort of remote access turned on by default. You may not know this fact, but I’ll guarantee that would-be infiltrators do. Make it your business to hunt down every possible remote administration setting and process, and turn them off — otherwise, you’re potentially at the mercy of anyone with an Internet connection.

Managing Risk. Are you running a company, or in charge of the company network? You not only have to close your own holes, but also keep company workers from creating new ones. Establish best practices, develop an Acceptable Use Policy, and ensure that everyone is fully trained. Deactivate accounts as soon as employees become ex-employees, and optimize access credentials to ride that fine line between security and creating more work for yourself — such as constantly responding to user confusion and complaints.

source: Greg Buckskin of www.pctipstricks.net