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

Avast! Home Edition 4.7.986 (free version)

Free and one of the best.

avast! Home Edition is a complete anti-virus package for Windows 9x/Me, NT/2000/XP. It is FREE for registered home noncommercial users. It's certified by ICSA and obtained 100% mark from Virus Bulletin in June 2002 under Windows XP Pro.

majorgeeks.com
DOWNLOAD
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Avast_Home_Edition_d1968.html


Avast! Home Edition 4.7.986
Author: ALWIL Software
Date: 2007-04-18
Size: 14.3 Mb
License: Freeware
Requires: Win All


avast! Home Edition is a complete anti-virus package for Windows 9x/Me, NT/2000/XP. It is FREE for registered home noncommercial users. It's certified by ICSA and obtained 100% mark from Virus Bulletin in June 2002 under Windows XP Pro.

avast! contains two GUIs (simple and advanced) on demand and on access scanner. It simply integrates with user screen saver, file explorer and mail client. Updates are simple as clicking one button - updates are smaller than 100 KB.

You will be downloading a 90 day demo. You should register at: http://www.avast.com/register.htm to obtain a free activation key by email.

 

Auslogics Disk Defrag 1.1.4.215 (free)
Apr 19, 2007 - 8:27 AM
If all you use is the built-in Windows defrag utility, you might want to check this one out.

Auslogics Disk Defrag is designed for fast optimization of today's modern hard disks. Get the maximum performance out of your expensive hardware investments. And it's absolutely FREE.

auslogics.com

go here to download
http://www.auslogics.com/disk-defrag/index.php

 

Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty Fawn) - Done!
Apr 19, 2007 - 6:42 AM
Before everyone gets all giddy, the servers are slammed so be patient and get in line for the download.
ubuntu.com

download
http://releases.ubuntu.com/7.04/

 

WinTricks 5.0a (Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Program)
Apr 19, 2007 - 6:28 AM
Free so you can't complain to much about some of the spelling errors.

WinTricks is one of the largest and most up-to-date programs for Windows tips, tricks, and secrets available today. WinTricks includes tips/tricks for all versions of Windows, plus the Registry, Desktop, AOL, Laptop, Internet, and more. You will find that this program is easy to navigate and it has complete instructions on all of our Tips, Tricks, and Secrets.

majorgeeks.com
DOWNLOAD
http://www.majorgeeks.com/WinTricks_d5608.html

WinTricks 5.0a
Author: WinTips, Inc.
Date: 2007-04-17
Size: 2.78 Mb
License: Freeware

WinTricks is one of the largest and most up-to-date programs for Windows tips, tricks, and secrets available today. WinTricks includes tips/tricks for all versions
of Windows, plus the Registry, Desktop, AOL, Laptop, Internet, and more. You will find that this program is easy to navigate and it has complete instructions on
all of our Tips, Tricks, and Secrets.

The newest version includes even more new tips/tricks and a new browser interface.

 

ATI Catalyst Drivers 7.4 - Windows XP
Apr 19, 2007 - 6:24 AM - by Digital Dave
Hopefully the "blue screen of death" has been addressed.

Windows XP Download

ATI Catalyst Drivers for Windows XP 7.4
Author: ATI Technologies Inc.
Date: 2007-04-18
Size: 38.4 Mb
License: Freeware
Requires: Win XP

DOWNLOAD
http://www.majorgeeks.com/ATI_Catalyst_Drivers_for_Windows_XP_d4038.html

This unified driver has been further enhanced to provide the highest level of power, performance, and reliability. The ATI CATALYST software suite is the ultimate in performance and stability.

Display and WDM Drivers included in this bundle

Products Supported:
Radeon® X1900 series
Radeon® X1800 series
Radeon® X1600 series
Radeon® X1300 series
Radeon® X850 series
Radeon® X800 series
Radeon® X700 series
Radeon® X600 series
Radeon® X550 series
Radeon® X300 series
Radeon® 9800 series
Radeon® 9700 series
Radeon® 9600 series
Radeon® 9650 series
Radeon® 9550 series
Radeon® 9500 series

Not Supported: (To download drivers for unsupported products, please click here)

Radeon® 9250 series
Radeon® 9200 series
Radeon® 9000 series
Radeon® 8500 series
Radeon® 7500 series
Radeon® 7200 series
Radeon® 7000 series

 

101 Fantastic Freebies
Apr 18, 2007 - 10:48 PM - by Digital Dave
Free... how sweet is that!

Once upon a time you actually had to pay for great software and services -- hard to believe, but true.

Luckily, we no longer live in that world. The Internet is stuffed with great downloads and Web sites offering free software and services of every kind. Want to tune up your PC, keep it safe, create graphics, or back up your system with gobs of free storage space? You can find free software and sites to do all that, and plenty more.

pcworld.com

101 Fantastic Freebies
Want to make your PC more productive, secure, informative, and entertaining? These downloads and services will do the trick--and they don't cost a dime.
Preston Gralla, PC World

GO HERE
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,130045-page,1/article.html

 

Dell brings back XP on home systems

By Ina Fried
Staff Writer, CNET News.com

update Dell is bringing XP back.

Amid significant customer demand, the computer maker said on Thursday that it has returned to offering the older Windows version as an option on some of its consumer PCs.

Like most computer makers, Dell switched nearly entirely to Vista-based systems following Microsoft's mainstream launch of the operating system in January. However, the company said its customers have been asking for XP as part of its IdeaStorm project, which asks customers to help the company come up with product ideas.

"We heard you loud and clear on bringing the Windows XP option back to our Dell consumer PC offerings," Dell said on its Ideas in Action page. Users get to vote on various suggestions, and the notion of bringing back XP got 10,000 "points," making it among the most popular requests but well below top picks such as adding Linux or OpenOffice.org to its PCs.

Windows XP systems became scarce, but not impossible to find, after Vista arrived. For example, Hewlett-Packard said it would continue selling XP on some machines aimed at small and midsize businesses, while CompUSA still stocks a couple of business-oriented XP systems in its retail stores. Lenovo has also continued shipping XP on many of its business systems.

Starting immediately, Dell said, it is adding XP Home and Professional as options on four Inspiron laptop models and two Dimension desktops.

Earlier this month, Dell added XP back as an option for small-business customers, but at the time, it said it would not add it back for home users.

"Dell does not have plans to launch Windows XP for home users as the preference, and demand is for the 'latest and greatest' technology, which includes Windows Vista," Tom West, director of small-business marketing at Dell, said in a blog posting at the time.

Analysts say Dell's move is not a good sign for Windows Vista.

"That there is remaining demand from some segment of (the) consumer market points to the inability of Vista to resonate with consumers," IDC analyst Richard Shim said.

There was an initial bump for Vista sales right after its launch, Shim said, but some of that may have been from consumers who delayed purchasing a PC late last year. Sales in the later part of the first quarter were less strong, he said. The overall response to Vista will become clearer throughout the year, he said.

Microsoft representatives were not immediately available for comment.

The software maker has said it will stop selling Windows XP to large PC makers by January. Smaller computer sellers, known as system builders, will be able to sell XP machines for an additional year.

In a statement last week, Microsoft said such a move is normal after a new operating system comes out.

"Windows Vista is safer, easier to use, better connected and more entertaining than any operating system we've ever released, and we're encouraged by the positive customer response we've seen to date," the company said. "It's standard practice to allow OEMs, retailers and system builders to continue offering the previous version of Windows for a certain period of time after a new version is released."

http://news.com.com/Dell+brings+back+XP+on+home+systems/2100-1046_3-6177619.html?tag=nefd.lede

 

lol, yeah right microsucks, i hope dell is not the last to sick it thier gege.

 

Instead of burying everybody with huge heaps of words.. M$ aren't infallable.. Follow the link http://www.roughlydrafted.com/RD/Q4.06/2E6D9BB2-FE1B-4556-8389-67BD581FBCCC.html

 

Cracked DirectX 10 for Windows XP?

Posted on Wednesday, April 25 2007 @ 04:30:35 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck


The Inquirer reports a hacker from San Diego, California claims to have created a wrapper for DirectX 10, allowing people to run it on Windows XP. Additionally he also promises a way to run Windows games on Mac OS X and Linux operating systems.

A chap called Cody Brocious from San Diego, California, claims to have started to create an wrapper for Windows executables so that they can be ran on another operating system, with no prejudice about that operating system.

A year in, the Alky Project has gone live under the cover of a company Falling Leaf Systems. Members of its Sapling Program will be able to get the wrappers for DirectX10 applications and run them not just on DX10 hardware under Windows XP, but with some DX9 hardware as well.

Although this sounds like a fairytale, Cody claims he reverse-engineered the Geometry Shader code, and that users will be able to run Windows games intended on the Mac OS X on x86-based Macinteltoshes as well as Linux.

 

not tested by me!


Scan your Computer and network for devices
Published 20:54:37 30.04.2007

EndPointScan, is an industry-first, free online service that allows anyone to check what devices are or have been connected to computers on their network and by whom. Using this diagnostic tool, one can identify those areas where the use of portable storage devices could pose a risk to the integrity of the company’s systems and data.

ASTALAVISTA tested this service for you. Here is the conclusion:
First the service works only with Internet Explorer 6 or higher. After changing the browser you can choose to scan a single, a range or a list of computers. The lokal scanning goes very fast and the results a pretty designed. You can see all devices which have been connected to your computer once. A graph tells you how many devices was conected in relation to the usage and another tells you the thread level.
On the list you see all details about the device, if it is still connected, the thread level, device type, port and the drive letter.

It's a nice handy tools for companies to see what all have been connected to the computer and for auditing. This link should be in every security specialist bookmark.
Source
http://www.endpointscan.com

Related hyperlinks
http://www.endpointscan.com

Last update
20:54:37 30.04.2007

 

U.S. is ready to move to digital TV

By Jason Oxman
Published: May 1, 2007, 4:00 AM PDT

perspective The Consumer Electronics Association asked to respond to a column by Michael Hulfactor, the managing director of DecisionTrend Research, on the nation's transition to digital television. In this piece, Jason Oxman offers a different perspective.

The stage is set for the most exciting and dynamic change in broadcasting since the advent of color television. The nation is transitioning from analog to digital television, and this new technology holds enormous benefits for consumers.

The technical standards setting process has been completed. The government is finalizing details of a program that will subsidize low-cost converter boxes for consumers who want to continue using their analog televisions. And the Federal Communications Commission has opened a proceeding to begin reallocating the old analog television spectrum to public safety entities for use in improving emergency response. The nation is ready for digital.

February 17, 2009, marks the end of the transition, as broadcasters discontinue their analog streams. (Most stations are broadcasting both analog and digital stations today.)

The transition to digital has been under way for nearly a decade, ensuring that all technical and operational issues are addressed. Digital television sets, including the high-definition variety, have been on the market since 1998 and more than 52 million sets have been sold.

Additionally, broadcasters have already launched digital stations to prepare for the final transition date. Broadcasters are no longer limited to a single station--in the digital world, many broadcasters have launched three or four separate digital channels, each carrying programming of interest to diverse communities. Broadcasters have also added thousands of hours of high-definition programming to their lineups to satisfy consumers' demand for compelling HD content.

Consumers have truly taken to this new technology. Amazingly, digital television has been adopted even faster than color television was years ago. In the first 10 years, U.S. color TV penetration was only 5 percent versus over 50 percent household penetration of digital TV in the first decade.

At first glance, the transition offers consumers drastically improved picture and sound quality, but the underlying benefit is to America's first responders and our personal safety. This transition will free up valuable spectrum that will be reassigned to firefighters, police officers and other emergency personnel. This high-quality TV spectrum is efficient and will ensure first responders can better communicate during emergencies.

But in the end, consumers want to know: what does the digital transition mean to me?

Between now and February 17, 2009, all new television sets shipped to retailers will include a digital tuner capable of receiving over-the-air digital broadcasts. Cable and satellite households will be equipped by their service provider with everything they need for the transition, so consumers will see no change. And for those over-the-air households who haven't made the switch, there are plenty of choices and government-industry resources available to make the transition smoothly.

Free over-the-air television, broadcast with crystal-clear digital clarity, will be available to households that wish to receive it after the February 2009 analog shut-off. Consumers who already have a digital television will be able to receive these broadcasts via an antenna, cable or satellite.

Consumers who do not own a digital television, and do not subscribe to a multichannel video provider, can purchase from local retailers an inexpensive (as low as $60) and easy to install digital-to-analog converter box to connect to their analog sets. Even better, the government will have two $40 coupons per household available for these boxes beginning in January 2008 that will bring the cost down to around $20 per box.
Consumers will undoubtedly have questions as the transition date nears and the converter box program is rolled out, so consumer education will be paramount to ensure that the digital revolution reaches every American television household. A wide range of parties involved in the migration--consumer groups, broadcasters and cable companies, and the consumer electronics industry, among others--are working hard to ensure that consumers are fully informed about the exciting new world of digital television.

The education Web site DTVtransition.org has been developed by a coalition of business, trade and consumer groups with the core mission to ensure no consumer is left without broadcast television because of a lack of information about the transition.

Through these privately funded efforts and other campaigns run or funded by the federal government, the February 2009 end of analog broadcast television will find all consumers looking toward a bright digital future.
Biography
Jason Oxman is vice president of communications for the Consumer Electronics Association.
http://news.com.com/2010-1041_3-6180235.html?part=rss&tag=2547-1_3-0-20&subj=news

 

t's Official: Dell To Offer Pre-Installed Ubuntu
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 2007-05-01 13:08:03 UTC, submitted by Jack
After yesterday's unconfirmed rumour about Ubuntu being pre-installed on Dell machines, it has now become official. In a joint statement released today, Dell and Canonical announced that Dell will now offer laptops and desktop computers pre-installed with Ubuntu Linux 7.04. The computers will be sold via Dell's web site, said Canonical's director of operations Jane Silber. "We have worked with Dell to get Ubuntu fully supported and fully certified on Dell hardware," she said. "Ubuntu has the full endorsement of Dell." Update: Ubuntu Linux 7.04 Feisty Fawn review by Extremetech.

http://searchenterpriselinux.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,sid39_gci1253364,00.html

 

Ubuntu Linux 7.04 Feisty Fawn Review

It's a tough thing when you're doing a review of a distribution that you want to like but end up having to pan it. The latest version of Ubuntu Linux is called Feisty Fawn, and about all I can see it being good for is venison. We found it to be a real stinker in some ways, despite past versions of Ubuntu having been fairly good.

This version of Ubuntu has a number of new features, including

* Windows Migration tool
* Easier Multimedia
* Plug and Play Network Sharing
* The Linux 2.6.2.0 kernel and Gnome 2.18

Updating My Ubuntu Linux System
click on image for full view

Installation
As always, installing Ubuntu was easy and fast. I popped the Ubuntu Linux CD into my test computer and booted into a fully functional Ubuntu Linux desktop. From there I clicked on the Installation icon on my desktop and began the process. Since I had full network connectivity, I was able to do other things while the installation was completing.

I opted to install Ubuntu on a box that already had Windows Vista installed so that I could test the migration tool. My test computer is a relatively old machine, but I like using it because it gives me an idea of how well newer versions of Ubuntu run on older hardware. Here are the basic specs:

* AMD Athlox XP 3000+
* 1GB RAM
* Nvidia Geforce 5900 XT
* 160GB Hard Disk

I really do love being able to install Linux this way: Why should my computer be inoperable while installing an operating system? The "live" desktop thing really comes in handy while doing installations. I think all operating systems (Windows, etc.) should have that option when you pop the CD/DVD into your computer.
Partitioning My Disk in Ubuntu
click on image for full view
Playing DVDs on Ubuntu Linux.
click on image for full view

Ubuntu's installation was quite speedy, it took about 10 minutes or so to complete. There's not too much that can be said about doing an Ubuntu installation. It's pretty easy, even if you've never seen or used it before. Continued...

Ubuntu Linux 7.04 comes with a good but not overwhelming selection of software. Here's a list of some of what you'll find in this release:

Office Software
Evolution (personal information manager)
OpenOffice Org (office suite)

Sound and Video
Rhythm Box Music Player
Sound Juicer CD Extractor
Totem Movie Player

Internet
Firefox
Ekiga Softphone
Gaim Instant Messenger

Graphics
GIMP (image editor)
F-Spot Photo Manager
XSane Image Scanner

Games
Blackjack
Chess
Five or More
Gnometetris
Mines
Nibbles
Robots
Sudoku
Tetravex

To add or remove software, just click the Applications panel at the top of your screen and choose Add/Remove. There's a whole bunch of other software that's available with just a click or two of your mouse. The software in the Add/Remove tool is broken down into the following categories:

* Accessibility
* Accessories
* Education
* Games
* Graphics
* Internet
* Office
* Other
* Programming
* Sound & Video
* System Tools

You can filter the software you see by choosing from these various views:

* All Available Applications
* All Open Source Applications
* Supported Ubuntu Applications
* Third Party Applications
* Installed Applications

You can also click the Preferences button to configure your software management by adding additional sources and otherwise customizing how your system's software is handled.

Here's a sampling of some of the additional software that you can add to your Ubuntu system:

XMMS Media Player
Abiword Word Processor
Atlantik Game
Dia Diagram Editor
Devhelp
digiKam Photo Management
Educational Suite GCompris
Epiphany Web Browser
gFTP
GNU Paint
GQView Image Viewer

Gxine TV and Video Viewer
K3B CD Writing Program
Juk Music Player
K Address Book
Kaffeine Media Player
Keep Backup System
Kivio Flowchart and Diagram Editing
KMail
Kopete Instant Messenger
Quanta Plus Web Development
Thunderbird Mail

There's quite a bit available if you want it, too much for me to list here but you get the idea. You won't lack for software with Ubuntu, with all of these options, and it's all available to you with just a few clicks. Continued...

a lot more to read here
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,2124099,00.asp?kc=ETRSS02129TX1K0000532

 

Software: Intel Chipset Software 8.3.0.1013
=>Posted by: Regeneration.
=>Tuesday, May 01 @ 03:12:36 CEST
Warp2Search News Intel Corporation has released a new Intel Chipset software. The Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility installs the Windows INF files. The INF files inform the operating system how to properly configure the chipset for specific functionality, such as AGP, USB, Core PCI, and ISAPNP services.


download here
paste in ye browser to download


ftp://aiedownload.intel.com/df-support/10884/eng/INF_ALLOS_8.3.0.1013_PV.EXE