Yahoo! Axis – A new way to search and browse.

Give it a try and let us know what you think. Oh, and why are demo guys on these videos always called Scott?

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Yahoo plays catch up with Axis web browser

The answer will inevitably be p = 1 according to Sod’s Law.

This is, admittedly, a truly first-world problem, the frustration of awaiting a delivery where they tell you “any time between 8am and 7pm” or something similar. However, it also has a first-world solution: GPS combined with SMS text messaging (or an email). It would be a relatively simple matter to link the delivery vehicle’s GPS position to their tracking database and offer those awaiting a delivery a tracking code that revealed the position of the vehicle (or displayed it on a Google Map). Or, if not the precise position to reveal a real-time estimate of the distance and direction of the vehicle. They can do this with buses and the London Underground, so why not all those UPS, Parcelforce, DHL, FedEx, CityLink and other courier companies. Moreover, this “first-world solution” would work just as well for a whole range of other applications such as the arrival of doctors or supplies in the developing world, or during disasters anywhere. Psychologically, we feel much better if we have a count down to an event rather than just an “any time” anticipation or expectation.

If I know the truck with my parcel is in Trumpington south of Cambridge, I know I have at least half an hour to wait before it reaches my home at point A north of Cambridge. This information would negate the frustration “F” and avoid my urge to offer advice on the reinvigoration of the delivery agent’s sex life”F₀“

Post from: David Bradley's Sciencetext Tech Talk

Delivering frustration on time

There are dozens of companies looking to be your web host. Here are five of the best based on Lifehacker’s reader poll: Five Best Web Hosting Companies.

Post from: David Bradley's Sciencetext Tech Talk

Five of the best web hosting companies

You can download it here: Stand-alone malware removal tools.

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Did you install a rogue antivirus program? Check now

Straightforward installation with one wire from the sound source into the sub-woofer (connected to the mains power supply) and a second wire out to the compact stereo speakers. I tested the kit while listening to a remix of one of my own recordings and while I don’t think that other DB has anything to worry about my wee rendition of Space Oddity didn’t sound half bad.

Post from: David Bradley's Sciencetext Tech Talk

Compact sound solution for mp3, laptop, TV

An additional feature that somewhat limits the apparent randomness, the entropy of the password, is to make the password “pronounceable”. Now, I don’t know what language the creators of LastPass speak, but here are a few short passwords generated with this criterion checked: ncediononq, nddebeti, mmentectol. Now, I don’t know about you, but I cannot think of a straightforward way to pronounce a word that begins with a double m, let alone nc or ndd. Although I might be able to have a stab at some of the shorter pronounceable passwords like wangth, levado, and terred…but they’re not strong passwords. You need at least 16 characters really, so something like agenjuncerwookee, which is fairly pronounceable, has a lovely ring to it, but is most certainly never going to be one of my passwords regardless.

Incidentally, you don’t have to use Lastpass as a password locker to utilize its password generator.

Post from: David Bradley's Sciencetext Tech Talk

Lastpass pronounceable passwords

• We’ve provided more details about the information we collect and how we use it to deliver our services and to improve Twitter. One example: our new tailored suggestions feature, which is based on your recent visits to websites that integrate Twitter buttons or widgets, is an experiment that we’re beginning to roll out to some users in a number of countries.
• We’ve noted the many ways you can set your preferences to limit, modify or remove the information we collect. For example, we now support the Do Not Track (DNT) browser setting, which stops the collection of information used for tailored suggestions.
• We’ve clarified the limited circumstances in which your information may be shared with others (for example, when you’ve given us permission to do so, or when the data itself is not private or personal). Importantly, our privacy policy is not intended to limit your rights to object to a third party’s request for your information.

Will those changes make anyone using the service feel more secure or increasingly violated by the web? What do you think?

Twitter / Twitter Privacy Policy.

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Is Twitter’s new privacy policy a good thing?

The free portable program Windows File Analyzer lets you analyze a variety of those special files that Windows and some other applications create automatically.

Find out more: Windows File Analyzer, Check Out What They Reveal About You.

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What your Windows files reveal about you

The less obvious, but far, far cheaper answer, was to fix the Windows Firewall. Disabled everything worked fine, but the computer is left vulnerable to script kiddies and scanners. I suspected there’d be a simple way to reset the Firewall and start from scratch, but of course, there isn’t. Resetting to defaults didn’t have the desired effect. A quick Google found a page explaining how to use the DOS command netsh under Windows XP to get the Firewall back into a virginal state

There are other occasions, endless misguided tweaking of settings and running of registry cleaners aside, such as after malware removal that the Firewall might need a full reset. Needless to say, the XP command (NETSH FIREWALL RESET) doesn’t work under Windows 7, because it has been deprecated in that operating system. Thankfully, and rarely, however, the command prompt error explains that you have to instead use the following:

NETSH ADVFIREWALL RESET

So, if you’re under Windows 7 and need to clear out all the carp from your Firewall, run a command prompt with admin privileges and type that command. It worked perfectly, DropBox is now syncing, files are getting scanned and I can now print off this page and pin in to my noticeboard for the next time I break the Firewall.

Post from: David Bradley's Sciencetext Tech Talk

How to reset the Windows Firewall

via The Kindle Best Sellers that are currently Free.

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Free Kindle bestsellers