*HOT* Tech News And Downloads, I Would Read This Thread And Post Any Good Info

AvancePaint 2.0
Author: RGS-Avance Software
Date: 2007-06-18
Size: 1.97 Mb
License: Freeware

A complete paint program designed with a intuitive user interface that makes AvancePaint easy to learn and use.
It’s powerful enough to suit the advanced user and yet simple enough to please the beginner.

Open unlimited number photo's or pictures and unleash your artistic talents as you will discover the advanced and powerful but easy to use graphical options!
A complete set of 20 photo-realistic filters and more then 40 textures are included.

Some of the features:

Easy to use yet powerful
All functions of MS-Paint
Zoom
Powerful color settings
Size
Masks
Draw arrows in one click
Open JPG, JPEG, GIF, BMP, WMF, EMF, DIB, ICO files
Open as many photo's as your memory allows!
Cut/copy/paste between photo's
Darken, lighten, sharpen, soften, blur, replace colors, blend, transparent gif etc...
WYSWYG fonts
Multiple undo's
Borders
Print preview
User definable rounded square corners
Rotate
Many symbols included
Uses only 2Mb diskspace

download here
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download5604.html

 

FOR DDP AND OTHER 95 AND 98 USERS


SySnap for Windows 95 or 98
A handy tool to backup your system in a Windows 95/98 environment which allows you to go back to a previous good working OS. Could be compared to the XP system recovery.
Een tool om Uw Windows systeem terug te herstellen en bevat handige extra herstelfuncties, systeem info enz.. Enkel voor Windows 95/98.
http://users.belgacom.net/rgs/
RGS-SySnap creates a copy of your current working Windows 95/98 system and makes it possible to restore your system when problems comes up. By using this program you can restore your system so it can restart again with your last working configuration!
When Windows doesn't start, then you can restore your system from DOS by typing the command: RGSYSNAP
It copies the files: SYSTEM.DAT, USER.DAT, WIN.INI and SYSTEM.INI to a folder when a snapshot of your system is taken. These files can be restored to the Windows folder at any time.
The files are copied in folder: c:\windows\sysbckup\mybackup.Copies are made of your CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT. The Windows system files win.ini, system.ini, user.dat en system.dat are copied during a restore all automatically!

Options

* easy backup of your critical system files
* it makes a snapshot of your current Windows 95/98 system.
* it makes it possible to restore your system from DOS or directly from Windows
* it shows you the last backup date and time
* makes a (bootable) rescuedisk
* format a disk
* system info

The program is free, but you register online. Write to RGS-Avance Software or order on-line!

download here

http://users.skynet.be/on1dht/download/sysnap15.exe

 

Is freedom of speech dying online?

p2pnet.net news:- "In only a few months the Net has stopped being a place of freedom where anybody, anywhere regardless of race or creed, colour, sexual persuasion, physical ability or disability, or anything else, had a home," I posted on Saturday, going on, "It didn't matter who you were or what you thought, you could express your feelings and sentiments without fear. But that's changing with horrifying speed."

In 2007, anybody with more dollars than sense now feels free to sue web sites for the slightest slight. That's bad enough, but things have now reached ridiculous extremes.

If the Net is about anything, it's about freedom of speech and hyper-linking - directly connecting stories, data and information - is absolutely integral to it. Now, however, it's being claimed that merely linking to something someone somewhere doesn't like is sufficient grounds for a civil complaint.

Canada is preeminent as the defamation lawsuit marketplace. It's the place to go for forum shopping, but that doesn't mean to say it's not happening elsewhere as well.

Attempts to stifle, if not completely gag, people and sites whose views run contrary to those of the (usually) corporate mainstream are becoming commonplace.

"Some might accuse me of exaggeration when I say that Canada's libel laws are currently the most outdated and repressive in the English speaking world," said well known Canadian media lawyer Dan Burnett last year.

"I say it is no exaggeration."

Testing the anonymity of the Internet

The quote in the intro refers to a story which broke in the UK when university lecturer Andrew Dubber linked to a story highlighting Warner Music, EMI, Vivendi Universal and Sony BMG victim Suzy Del Cid's claims of trespass, computer fraud and abuse, deceptive and unfair trade practices, civil extortion, and civil conspiracy against the Big 4's RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America).

Over in the US of A, "the AudoAdmit site, widely used by law students for information on schools and firms, is also known as a venue for racist and sexist remarks and career-damaging rumors," says Reuters. "Now it's at the heart of a defamation lawsuit that legal experts say could test the anonymity of the Internet."

Net anonymity is already being tested, but that's nothing new. In fact, it's being going on for a couple of years, at the least. What is new is the fact the issue is at last receiving more than cursory attention from the mainstream media.

In the American case, "After facing lewd comments and threats by posters, two women at Yale Law School filed a suit on June 8 in U.S. District Court in New Haven, Conn., that includes subpoenas for 28 anonymous users of the site, which has generated more than 7 million posts since 2004," says Reuters.

In Canada, "Many bloggers dream of getting mainstream recognition for their work, but unfortunately for some, the attention they're getting comes in the form of a lawsuit instead of media-star status," says the Globe & Mail, continuing:

Earlier this week, Steelback Brewery president Frank D'Angelo filed a $2-million libel suit against Ottawa-based blogger Neate Sager for making what he says are disparaging comments about him.

In another recent case, Montreal art-gallery owner Chris (Zeke) Hand has found himself on the receiving end of a lawsuit as a result of something he wrote on the blog he maintains for Zeke's Gallery.

Warren Kinsella, a prominent blogger and newspaper columnist, sued another blogger for libel last year, but settled the case after the blogger apologized for his remarks and paid Kinsella's legal costs.

Zeke, also known as Chris Hand, is being sued for libel for comments he posted on his blog in Montreal. "Once you start dragging things into court, I do tend to dig my heels in," he says.

And p2pnet, a British Columbia-based news site that writes about file-sharing, is still fighting a libel lawsuit launched by Kazaa tycoon Nikki Hemming.

The most valuable of all human rights

A case currently winding its way through the Candian civil courts was started by Wayne Crookes, the owner of West Coast Title Search, a business in New Westminster, Vancouver, Canada, and an ex-Federal Green Party organizer.

He's suing everybody and his brother for linking to sites carrying stories which, he says, defame him. Among those named are Google, Yahoo, MySpace, PBWiki and a number of others, as well as more than a dozen online activists.

p2pnet is also on the list of victims, lined up in the same claim as Wikimedia which, I'm grateful to say, has folded me in with its own case, with Burnett, who's also representing p2pnet in the Kazaa case, acting for us both, as well as for other defendants in the Crookes lawsuits.

"If lawsuits are the price of admission to the mainstream media business, some bloggers might start wishing for a little less recognition," adds the Globe & Mail.

Actually, IMHO, freedom of expression is the most valuable of all human rights and what bloggers (and anyone else who wants to be able to speak freely on or offline) wish for isn't less recognition, it's more.

They're demanding legal protection from self-serving individuals and companies who use current laws, some of them dating back to the 1600s, to slapp down Net stories, comment posts, links, blogs and vlogs they don't like.

"If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter," said George Washington in the 18th century.

Said Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Bill Schackner in 2005, "... there has been exponential growth in the number of blogs, where people post everything from vacation photos to amateurish poetry to scathing political commentary, often with frequent updates and room for others to post responses."

He added, "Maybe it's no surprise, given how empowering it can be to have one's own thoughts transported instantly across the globe. But once there, they become fodder for anyone who is inclined to turn an author's words against him."

Jon Newton - p2pnet
http://p2pnet.net/story/12531

 

How to lose the p2p race

p2pnet.net news:- "P2P (peer-to-peer) video only accounts for about 10% of file swapping right now, but it's growing at triple-digit rates," says Eric Garland.

Quoted in by Investors.com, he's the ceo web tracking research firm Big Champagne and, "more than 9 million people log on to a P2P network worldwide each day, and that grows each year despite intense efforts by the entertainment industry to shut down the ones that operate illegally," the story has him saying.

It goes on, "it's going to get even tougher to stop the flow. In addition to P2P networks, numerous Web sites have surfaced that offer enough video content to fill a movie rental store.

"These Web sites essentially are search engines like Google, but focused on video. They don't host the content but provide an Internet link that connects users to wherever the content is located, on a central server or someone's personal computer."

Investors.com also says according to "analysts," the corpulent entertainment industry, "will never be able to stop to flow of unauthorized copyrighted content across the Web" and, "Rather than trying to stanch the flow, the entertainment industry should do a better job at cashing in on the trend, they say.

"You can throw a police force at it, but it will still exist," says Stan Rogow, "a producer and writer with a string of Hollywood shows and movies to his credit," adding:

"It's just a new method of distribution."

Hoisting their non-Broadcast Flags

The entertainment cartels claim they have hundreds of sites distributing 'legal' music and movies. In fact, there's only a handful, and not one of them is successful.

iTunes is going great guns! - you say. But in truth, compared to what's happening in the real, independent online world , iTunes doesn't even register.

There is, however, an ever-increasing number of brand new sites going online, thanks to the efforts of independent innovators and creators hoisting non-Broadcast Flags.

MyBloop is one.

"Users can upload, and share, an unlimited number of files, listen to music, create playlists, back up files ---- and there's nothing to download or install," p2pnet posted in a Q&A with one of the founders. "They have total control of personal data and can keep private information from prying eyes, promises the group."

Britain's TV Links is another.

"Who are you?" - its FAQ asks, answering, "Commoners."

"Is this site legal?" - it goes on. "Don't make me call my lawyer."

But, emphasising the point made in Investors.com, "We provide links, nothing is wrong with that," it says, continuing:

Money? Register? Nope.

We do NOT support downloading - do NOT ask us for it, do NOT mention it.

In Toronto, Canada, Wassim has just opened TV Kalendar to organize tv show torrents and episode information.

"What's behind it?" - p2pnet asked him

"There are calendars available online that display show info and air dates, explained, going on:

After a long day at school, the last hassle one needs is having to track down what episode was actually missed (sometimes those number "sXXeYY" screw

you over so you need to use episode info), and then having another couple of windows open with different torrent sites, AND having to chose a torrent

based on seeder/leecher ratio, right language, and making sure it wasn't submitted by one of the "associations".

Enter html://www.tvkalendar.com.

Wassim, who's at the University of Toronto reading neuroscience and French, is also working on a sister site dedicated solely to anime, which'll organize both raw and fansub torrents, as well as animes uploaded to YouTube.

It'd pay the cartels to throw in the towel when it comes to trying to sue the P2P communities into toeing the corporate line. They'd be much better off working with them: that way everyone would benefit and the entertainment industry would start winning, instead of losing, customers.

Slashdot Slashdot it!

Also See:
Investors.com - Hollywood Reeling From Illegal Movie, TV Downloads, April 2, 2007
doesn't even register - 1 billion songs a DAY shared online, March 8, 2007
http://p2pnet.net/story/12532

 

USB monitor tested

HW Roundup Battle of ultimate cases

By Theo Valich: Monday 18 June 2007, 14:52
X-BIT LABS CAME up with something nothing short of spectacular - most of reviews we get informed about are regular components, with a twist or two, but this review is something of a must read. The guys tested the world's first USB monitor, Samsung SyncMaster 940UX.

BCCHardware posted a review of micro-ATX motherboard sporting a G33 Express chipset - DG33BU. Interesting to see if the G33 Express chipset with its graphics subsystem lives up to expectations.

For those that want badass products, Bjorn3D took a look at XFX 680i SLI, a motherboard that packs the punch. This one is based on a newer revision of the chipset and the motherboard revision itself, so some answers about ideal Socket 775 motherboard might be found.

Computershopper posted a review of Cyberpower Gamer Infinity 9000 system. If you live in Blighty, take a look over this one and think of one thing that is missing…

HardwareLogic posted a review of Enermax Chakra case, a box built for those that are planning to assemble a ninja-PC. If you want to see if Enermax fits the bill, click over here. Thermaltake might have a saying in this dispute, though. OverclockersClub posted a review of Thermaltake's Soprano Dx case, case that sports massive 140mm front and 120mm rear fans and brings all those things that enthusiasts tend to slobber over.

Regardless of the system used, you need to cool it. An Austrian company has recently been getting some good press about its fans, and XSReviews joins the club with its take on NH-S12, a 120mm fan with an interesting twist.

For a blast from the past, Techgage posted a review of 7900GS graphics card. This is much of a shock for Nvidia's PR team, their bosses might kill them if they see good words for a past-gen product, but truth of the matter is that 7900GS is around, and this eVGA e-GeForce 7900GS KO proves to be quite a headache for under-powered DX10 parts such as the 8600 series.

Send your news'n'reviews directly to this address. µ
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=40403

 

mininova's 2 billionth torrent!

p2pnet.net news:- mininova has clocked up its 2 billion torrent download!

Wow!

And this impressive milestone has come less than five months after it announced it'd achieved its first billion.

"This is very good news," mininova says on its blog.

"It means our site is growing exponential: the amount of total torrent downloads roughly doubles every half year. And more downloads means more exposure, so more content available on our website."

The post also includes an extremely interesting breakdown of download numbers per category, which shows TV content as Number One, with music and movies significantly behind in second and third positions.

"Of course this is not the end," adds mininova. "If the growth keeps continuing we might be able to reach the 4 billion mark by the end of this year! Watch out, Apple iTunes ..."

* TV Shows - 40.11%
* Music - 21.21%
* Movies - 17.89%
* Games - 6.59%
* Software - 5.61%
* Anime - 3.61%
* Books - 3.04%
* Pictures - 0.53%
http://p2pnet.net/story/12536

 

Adobe Flash Player (IE, AOL) 9.0.60.120
Author: Macromedia Inc
Date: 2007-06-18
Size: 1.21 Mb
License: Freeware

Adobe Flash Player (formerly Macromedia Flash Player) lets you view the best animation and entertainment on the Web. It displays Web application front-ends, high-impact Web site user interfaces, interactive online advertising, and short-form to long-form animation. Since it is free of the design restrictions of more traditional Web display options, you can use it to clearly and exactly express your brand and company identity.


download here
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download5163.html

 

awesome program to use instead of add/remove programs

Add Remove Manager description
Add/Remove Manager allows you to easily remove any program name from the Add or Remove Programs section.
Add/Remove Manager allows you to easily remove any program name from the Add or Remove Programs
section of the Windows Control Panel.

Add/Remove Manager will only remove the program name - it will not actually uninstall the program files.

This is a handy utility to use when you uninstall a program that does not remove its entry from the Add or Remove Programs list.


http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/Uninstallers/Add-Remove-Manager.shtml

 

Top 10 Freeware Software Nobody Knows About - But Should - Yesterday, 03:13 PM
Wow... two of them I had never even heard of.

It's always a shame when a great program is not heard about by most people - especially when it's free. Here are the top 10 freeware software that many people still haven't tried, but definitely should.

liveslick.com
http://www.liveslick.com/2007/09/top-10-freeware-software-nobody-knows.html

10. Sharepod
9. ConTEXT
8. IrfanView
7. Windows Live Writer
6. Foxit Reader
5. Snipping Tool
4. Blender
3. ImgBurn
2. MusikCube
1. AutoHotkey

http://www.liveslick.com/2007/09/top-10-freeware-software-nobody-knows.html

 

OpenOffice.org For Windows 2.3.0 RC3 Beta
Author: OpenOffice.org
Date: 2007-09-11
Size: 105 Mb
License: Freeware
Requires: Win All

OpenOffice is a free, Open Source alternative to MS Office with a Word compatible word processor, a complete Excel compatible spread sheet program and a Power Point like presentation software and drawing program and also allows to save to PDF file.

In addition, OpenOffice offers enhanced printing capabilities and options for direct connection with external email programs as well as form-letter management to send letters to addresses from a database.

OpenOffice.org writer - The powerful word processor
· The powerful word processor
· Wizards to produce standard documents such as letters, faxes, agendas, minutes.
· Styles and Formatting to put the power of style sheets into the hands of every user.
· AutoCorrect dictionary, which can check your spelling as you type.
· AutoComplete to make typing easy
· Text frames and linking for newsletters, flyers, etc..
· Table of contents, index for complex documents
· OpenDocument and MS-Word .doc format compatible


OpenOffice.org impress - Impress your audience
· Master Pages and Layouts simplify the task of preparing your materials.
· Complete range of Views are supported: Normall / Outlline / Slide Sorter / Notes / Handouts to meet all the needs of presenters and audiences.
· Easy-to-use drawing and diagramming tools to spice up your presentation.
· Slide show Animation and Effects to bring a presentation to life.
· Fontworks provides stunning 2D and 3D images from text.
· OpenDocument and MS-Powerpoint .ppt file format compatibility

OpenOffice.org calc - The full-featured spreadsheet
· Natural language formulas let you create formulas using words (e.g. "sales - costs").
· Hundreds of spreadsheet functions with built-in expert help
· Scenario Manager allows "what if ..." analysis at the touch of a button.
· Powerful graphics to extract the meaning from your numbers
· Pull in data from external databases with DataPilot technology
· OpenDocument and MS-Excel .xls file format compatibility


go here
http://www.majorgeeks.com/OpenOffice.org_For_Windows_d3461.html

 

Belarc Advisor 7.2.20.5
Aug 30, 2007 - 6:35 AM - by Digital Dave
Updated for the masses.

The Belarc Advisor builds a detailed profile of your installed software and hardware and displays the results in your Web browser. All of your PC profile information is kept private on your PC and is not sent to any web server.

majorgeeks.com

Belarc Advisor 7.2.20.5
Author: Belarc, Inc.
Date: 2007-08-29
Size: 1.42 Mb
License: Freeware
Requires: Win All
Downloaded: 239309 Times

Scan Computer for Driver Updates

The Belarc Advisor builds a detailed profile of your installed software and hardware and displays the results in your Web browser. All of your PC profile information is kept private on your PC and is not sent to any web server.

Limitations: Free for personal use.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Belarc_Advisor_d1385.html

 

WildFire CD Ripper v1.3.0

Size: 4.41MB

Publisher: Visit Website
http://www.wildfirecdripper.com/
Release Date: 2007-08-28

Submit Date: 2007-08-29

OS: Win 9x/ME/NT/2K/XP/2K3

Publisher's Description
WildFire CD Ripper is pulling out the data (music) directly in digital format from an Audio CD; this kind of software is in general known as a CD Ripper or a CDDA utility. The resultant audio file can be a pure WAV file (useful for making compilation audio CDs) or the ripped audio data can be compressed using an audio encoder. Here are few supported encoders:

* Lame MP3 encoder
* Internal MP2 encoder
* APE lossles audio format
* Ogg Vorbis encoder
* The Windows MP3 encoder (Fraunhofer MP3 encoder)
* NTT VQF encoder
* FAAC encoder
* Windows WMA8 encoder

Additionally, WAV files on the hard drive can be converted to a Compressed Audio File (and vice versa). WildFire CD Ripper also supports numerous audio file tag formats like the ID3V1 and ID3V2 tags, which can be automatically inserted as part of the ripping procedure.

Note: The setup program includes the Dealio Shopping Toolbar which does not have to be installed to use WildFire CD Ripper.

http://www.wildfirecdripper.com/WildFire-CD-Ripper-free.exe

http://www.freewarefiles.com/program_6_73_35356.html

 

7-Zip 4.53 Beta

7-Zip works in Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP. There is a port of the command line version to Linux/Unix.

Posted by Mihai Asmanow on 27 August 2007 - 16:20 · 10 comments & 875 views
7-Zip is a file archiver with the high compression ratio. The program supports 7z, ZIP, CAB, RAR, ARJ, LZH, CHM, GZIP, BZIP2, Z, TAR, CPIO, RPM and DEB formats. Compression ratio in the new 7z format is 30-50% better than ratio in ZIP format.

The main features of 7-Zip

* High compression ratio in new 7z format with LZMA compression
* Supported formats:
- Packing / unpacking: 7z, ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2 and TAR
- Unpacking only: RAR, CAB, ISO, ARJ, LZH, CHM, Z, CPIO, RPM, DEB and NSIS
* For ZIP and GZIP formats 7-Zip provides compression ratio that is 2-10 % better than ratio provided by PKZip and WinZip
* Self-extracting capability for 7z format
* Integration with Windows Shell
* Powerful File Manager
* Powerful command line version
* Plugin for FAR Manager
* Localizations for 63 languages

Changes:

- "Test" and "Info" buttons now work for open archives.
- The bug in 7-Zip 4.48 - 4.52 beta was fixed: 7-Zip could create .ZIP archives with broken files.
- Some bugs were fixed.

Download: 7-Zip 4.53 Beta freeware
http://downloads.sourceforge.net/sevenzip/7z453.exe

Link: Home Page
http://www.7-zip.org/

License

7-Zip is open source software. Most of the source code is under the GNU LGPL license. The AES code is under a BSD LICENSE. The unRAR code is under a mixed license: GNU LGPL + unRAR restrictions. Check license information here: 7-Zip license.

You can use 7-Zip on any computer, including a computer in a commercial organization. You don't need to register or pay for 7-Zip. But you can make a donation to support further development of 7-Zip.
The main features of 7-Zip

* High compression ratio in new 7z format with LZMA compression
* Supported formats:
o Packing / unpacking: 7z, ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2 and TAR
o Unpacking only: RAR, CAB, ISO, ARJ, LZH, CHM, Z, CPIO, RPM, DEB and NSIS
* For ZIP and GZIP formats, 7-Zip provides a compression ratio that is 2-10 % better than the ratio provided by PKZip and WinZip
* Self-extracting capability for 7z format
* Integration with Windows Shell
* Powerful File Manager
* Powerful command line version
* Plugin for FAR Manager
* Localizations for 63 languages
7-Zip works in Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP. There is a port of the command line version to Linux/Unix.

On 7-Zip's Source Forge Page you can find a forum, bug reports, and feature request systems.
Compression ratio

We compared 7-Zip with some of the leading archivers.

FILE SETS: Mozilla Firefox 1.0.7 for Windows and Google Earth 3.0.0616 for Windows after full installation.
Archiver Mozilla Firefox Google Earth
161 files
15,684,168 bytes 115 files
23,530,652 bytes
Compressed size Ratio Compressed size Ratio
7-Zip 4.23 (7z format) 4621135 100% 6109183 100%
WinRAR 3.50 5021556 109% 6824892 112%
CABARC 5.1 5131393 111% 7434325 122%
WinZip 10.0 beta (maximum-PPMd) 5277118 114% 8200708 134%
7-Zip 4.23 (zip format) 6222627 135% 8909446 146%
WinZip 10.0 beta (maximum-portable) 6448666 140% 9153898 150%

Compression ratio results are very dependent upon the data used for the tests. Usually, 7-Zip compresses to 7z format 30-70% better than to zip format. And 7-Zip compresses to zip format 2-10% better than most of other zip compatible programs.

 

FREE,PC Tools Firewall Plus 3.0.0.29 beta

http://www.pctools.com/firewall/
PC Tools Firewall Plus 3.0.0.29 beta
Posted by Mihai Asmanow on 28 August 2007 - 07:05 · 6 comments & 735 views
PC Tools Firewall Plus is a powerful personal firewall for Windows that protects your computer from intruders and controls the network traffic in and out of your PC. By monitoring applications that connect to the network Firewall Plus can stop Trojans, backdoors, keyloggers and other malware from damaging your computer and stealing your private information. PC Tools Firewall Plus is advanced technology designed specially for people, not experts. Powerful prevention against attacks and known exploits is activated by default and advanced users can also easily create their own packet filtering rules to customize the network defenses. All you need to do is install it for immediate and automatic ongoing protection. That’s why PC Tools Firewall Plus provides world-leading protection, backed by regular Smart Updates, OnGuard™ real-time protection and comprehensive network shielding to ensure your system remains safe and hacker free. PC Tools products are trusted and used by millions of people everyday to protect their home and business computers against online threats.

PC Tools Firewall Plus feature highlights

* Protects your PC as you are working, surfing and playing.
* Intelligent automatic protection without all the questions.
* Easy to use. Designed for both, novice and expert users.
* Advanced rules to protect your PC against common attacks.
* Best of all it’s FREE. No catches, limitations or time-limits.
* Platforms: Windows Vista™, XP and 2000

What’s new in PC Tools Firewall v3.0.0.29 beta:

* Stealth Mode - it is a feature that allows the computer to be totally "invisible". This can be enabled and disabled in the Settings, under Filtering Tab.
* Complete application analysis for TCP/UDP - A user only needs to allow an application (or specific connection for application) in order for the application to work without creating specific NDIS (Advanced) rules (like 2.0.0.x version).
* Introducing Expert User Mode - allows much more flexibility to fine tune application behavior:

This includes:

a. Creating specific rules for applications.
b. Analysis of DNS queries to allow users to specify FQDN in rules.

* Support for Anti Injection protection - will pass additional leak-tests.
* Provide more information about specific application connectivity in the Activity view:

a. All connection are specified.
b. For each application we show the traffic data that is sent/received.

* Complete stateful packet inspection (SPI) functionality.

Download: PC Tools Firewall Plus 3.0.0.29 beta freeware
http://www.pctools.com/mirror/fwbeta.exe

 

FREE,ULTRA DEFRAG..........UltraDefrag is powerful Open Source defragmentation tool for Windows NT. It's engine is very fast, because it is created as kernel-mode driver. They are three interfaces to them: graphical, console and native. First is very useful, because it use cluster map visualization. Console is good for task scheduler, and native tool - for advanced users and programmers. Design of the UltraDefrag is very ergonomic: no skins, no localization, no animation and so on. It's true small and powerful program! It can be used on Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003,Windows Vista and all of the 64-bit editions of Windows

.....(free).....GO THERE!
http://ultradefrag.sourceforge.net/

 

Any Video Converter is an All-in-One video converting tool with easy-to-use graphical interface, fast converting speed and excellent video quality.
http://www.any-video-converter.com/
It allows you to effortlessly convert video files between every format! It can convert almost all video formats including DivX, XviD, MOV, rm, rmvb, MPEG, VOB, DVD, WMV, AVI to MPEG-4 movie format for iPod/PSP or other portable video device, MP4 player or smart phone. It also supports any user defined video file formats as the output. Any Video Converter makes it easy for anyone to enjoy any format video with your iPod, PSP, mobile phone or MP4 player.

Any Video Converter features include:

* User-friendly interface that is easy to use.
* Converts all video formats to Apple iPod Video, Sony PSP and more
* Batch convert any video formats including avi, wmv, asf, mpg, mp4, etc.
* Support DivX and Xvid avi format as importing and exporting video
* Support default video/audio settings or user customized parameters for video and audio.
* Has the option to preview the video in real-time before conversion .
* World's fastest video conversion speed with stunning video and audio quality.
* Supports adjust many video/audio options for MP4 files. For example, video/audio sample rate, bit rate, video size...

Suppotable Input Formats: WMV, ASF, VOB, MPG, DV, M1V, M2V, MOV, MPEG-4, 3GP, RM, RMVB and FLV.
Supportable Output Formats: MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4.

Upgrading to the Professional Version

If you wouldlike to convert videos playable on your iPod and Zune, you may upgrade tothe professional version of Any Video Converter.

Download: Any Video Converter Free 2.0.8 freeware
http://www.any-video-converter.com/any-video-converter-free.exe

 

Universal Viewer 2.4.0
Posted by Mihai Asmanow on 23 August 2007 - 09:26 · no comments & 611 views
Universal Viewer is a lightweight and versatile file viewer that can open virtually any file format including PDFs, Fonts, Flash Video, SWF animations, Microsoft Office formats, Images, Music and Video Files. Supported view modes and corresponding file formats are:

* Text/Binary/Hex/Unicode: all files (unlimited size)
* RTF: RTF/ UTF-8 encoded files
* Images: BMP/ JPG/ ICO/ GIF/ PNG/ WMF/ TGA/ TIFF/ PCX/ PSD/ etc
* Multimedia: all file types supported by MS Windows Media Player (AVI/ MPG/ WMV/ MP3/ etc)
* Internet/Office: all file types supported by MS Internet Explorer (HTML/ XML/ DOC/ XLS/ etc)
* Plugins: all formats supported by Total Commander Lister plugins.

The Viewer is fully Unicode compatible and can be integrated into Windows Explorer's context menu,so there is no problem to call it from anywhere in Explorer: right-click on a file and select "Universal Viewer" item. It can also be integrated into file managers that can pass to Viewer filenames via the command-line: in this case filename should be passed as first optional command parameter (don't forget to double-quote name containing spaces).

What's new in version 2.4.0:

* Added: IrfanView/XnView integration option ("General" tab). You can switch between internal library and IrfanView/XnView using '4' key.
* Added: New printing procedure for text modes, it works differently in Text/Binary/Hex/Unicode modes. Printing in Unicode mode is finally done.
* Changed: Pro version trial period is now 15 days.
* Added: Command "File -- Print preview" now works in Text/Binary/Hex/Unicode modes.
* Added: Command "File -- Properties".
* Added: Option "Advanced -- Resample image on scaling" (not for Win9.
* Added: Option "Advanced -- Auto-save window position" and command "Options -- Save window position" like in TC Lister.
* Added: When Lister plugins are added from TC config file, the "RedirectSection" feature is allowed.
* Added: Large images are shown during loading.
* Added: Navigation panel remembers its column widths and positions.
* Added: '?' character can be specified at the beginning of user tools parameters string to confirm parameters.
* Added: Help topic "Additional information -- Configuration files".
* Fixed: Command "Fit window to image".
* Fixed: Internet mode: Acrobat plugin could cause crash on exit.
* Fixed: Image mode: Wrong copies number on printing.

Download: Universal Viewer 2.4.0 freeware
Download: Universal Viewer 2.4.0 (portable)

System requirements: Windows 9x/ME/NT/2000/XP/Vista/[color]

http://atorg.net.ru/universal_viewer/index.htm

http://neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=42157

DOWNLOAD
http://atorg.net.ru/files/UniversalViewerFreeSetup.exe

http://atorg.net.ru/files/UniversalViewerFreePortable.zip

 

Defendant: RIAA abusing courts to shore up "failing business model"

By Eric Bangeman | Published: September 13, 2007 - 11:04AM CT

Another file-sharing defendant who says she has never installed or used file-sharing software is fighting back against the RIAA, accusing the music industry of waging war in the US court system to "shore up the American recording industry's failing business model."
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* RIAA spends thousands to obtain $300 judgment
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* RIAA's final tab for Capitol v. Foster: $68,685.23

The action this time is in the US District Court for South Carolina, which is where Catherine Njuguna was sued by the RIAA for allegedly sharing tracks such as "Teenage Dirt Bag," "She F***** Hates Me," "That N*****'s Crazy," and "F*** You Softly" via KaZaA. According to a motion she recently filed, her explanations that she was in Oklahoma City on the day the RIAA's investigators reportedly discovered the shared music on KaZaA and that she only listened to contemporary Christian music fell on deaf ears at the industry's Settlement Support Center. In addition, the SSC turned down her requests to have her PC inspected for evidence of infringement, and the RIAA ultimately sued her after she refused to give into its settlement demands.

After the lawsuit was filed, Njuguna said she boxed up the PC reportedly used for infringement and purchased a new one. She then filed a series of counterclaims to the RIAA's lawsuit in an attempt to have the lawsuit dismissed and her name cleared. One of those accuses the record labels of failing to negotiate in good faith.

"The Plaintiffs/SSC have not honored their obligation and duty to negotiate in good faith and in a fair manner," argues Njugana. "They have advised an unrepresented client regarding her legal rights, sometimes incorrectly, and misled the Defendant in order to force her into a settlement that is a pure contract of adhesion, with unconscionable terms, at a cost that is extraordinarily excessive considering alleged loss of the Plaintiffs."

In its motion to dismiss Njugana's counterclaims, the RIAA argues that it owes no duty to negotiate in good faith to the defendant.

Njugana also accuses the RIAA of engaging in deceptive and unfair trade practices, arguing that the record labels have demonstrated repeated behavior that has an "adverse effect on the public interest." She also cites former RIAA defendant Tanya Andersen's lawsuit (which seeks class-action status) as evidence that, unless the courts step in at some point, the RIAA will continue its campaign.

If, like a handful of other former defendants, Njugana is exonerated by the courts, the RIAA could be looking at another malicious prosecution lawsuit like the one filed by Andersen. Yesterday, the RIAA asked an Oregon judge to dismiss Andersen's lawsuit, arguing that her accusations that the industry group violated state racketeering laws depend on "sweeping, conclusory statements about alleged attempts to coerce or extort money from her."
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/pos...ourts-to-shore-up-failing-business-model.html

 

Microsoft fiddles with your Windows without permission

Even if you have auto-updates switched off

By Nick Farrell: Thursday 13 September 2007, 15:48
SOFTWARE GIANT, Microsoft has been caught updating punters' Windows machines without asking them.

Scott Dunn of Windows Secrets has noticed that Windows Update (WU) has recently started altering files on users' systems without displaying any dialogue box to request permission.

Nine small executable files on XP and Vista have been altered so far in what Dunn dubs a stealth move by the Vole. What is strange is that the updates were carried out while the automatic Updates dialogue box in the Control Panel was set to prevent updates from being installed automatically.

The Vole has previously pushed updates out to users who prefer to test and install their updates manually, but at that time Vole notified them first. This time the update was a complete surprise. The Vole's website does not mention the update at all.

So far, there is no indication what the changes actually do either. There are no software conflicts caused by the patches and no reason to kill them off.

However as Dunn said it is more of a concern that Microtus Sneakicus thinks it is allowed into your computer to tinker with files without asking. You never know what they could get up to.



http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=42337

 

http://www.p2pnet.net/story/13309
Pay us $8M, Santangelos tell AOL, Kazaa

p2pnet news | RIAA News:- Michelle Santangelo and her brother Robert, victims of Warner Music, EMI, Vivendi Universal and Sony BMG’s RIAA, sue ‘em all campaign, say Sharman Networks, based in Australia, and Time Warner’s AOL together owe them almost $8 million, plus legal fees and expenses.

The Santangelos and their lawyer, Jordan Glass, recently initiated a third party action against: Sharman Networks, owners of Kazaa, the seriously discredited P2P file sharing software implicated in most RIAA cases; former family friend Matthew Seckler; and, AOL.

An attack like this, believed to be the first of its kind in these anti-P2P cases, is last thing the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), fronting the lawsuits, wants or needs.

It’s just been presented with its most dangerous threat to date which may force it to abandon its Making Available weapon under which it claims merely having a copyrighted file in a document is enough to warrant an infringement action.

The Big 4 and their RIAA prefer targets to simply cave and pay extortion amounts in the hope they’ll thus avoid been named in court cases.

The tactic has to an extent been successful with university students across America who are being intimidated into paying upwards of $3,000 in so-called ‘pre-settlement’ fees, with many of the universities themselves acting as corporate copyright cops.

Michelle and Robert, meanwhile, recently submitted an application to include Sharman Networks, owners of the Kazaa P2P application, and AOL as third party defendants.

The RIAA tried to have the application quashed and now, in a revised third party complaint, the brother and sister are seeking leave to sue Sharman and AOL for $3,966,000 each, and Matthew Seckler who, says the complaint, loaded Kazaa onto the Santangelo’s computer, $1.

Stay tuned.



Also See:
most dangerous threat - How to thwart the RIAA, September 12, 2007
upwards of $3,000 - RIAA singles out Massachusetts students, September 12, 2007