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For more Leo and friends all week long, listen to the
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Sunday May 3, 2009
Show Audio
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Edited Audio | |
Tech News
Adobe Reader has a bug in it
Adobe has announced that EVERY version of their Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat have at least two security vulnerabilities which can allow someone to install worms onto someone’s system. The problem is in JavaScripting. Adobe is working on “scheduling the fix for development” and suggests in the meantime, Adobe users disable javascript. Leo says just use FoxIt.
2/3 of New Twitter users are Qwitters
According to AC Neilsen, over 60% of new Twitter users quit the service within a month. Leo understands. It’s easy to not “get” what Twitter is all about and even after using it for 3 years, he stopped using it for about 6 months.
Leo welcomes WPRO
As a kid growing up in Providence, RI, Leo listened to WPRO AM630. Now, he’s on the station as today, the Tech Guy Show begins it’s run on “Rhode Island’s Station of Record.” Welcome, WPRO!
Microsoft sells its “most secure version of XP” to the Air Force
Only the Air Force has it and it has locked down over 600 features. The Air Force says it will save them $100,000,000 not to mention it’s security online.
Follow Leo on Twitter
If you’re still using Twitter and you can’t get through to the show on the phone, you can pose a question to Leo on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/leolaporte. Just type @leolaporte and then your question. And if you use #techguy Leo will be able to filter it much easier and see your question.
Guests
Chris Marquardt - Tips from the Top Floor
Today begins a new 3 part series called “Subjects.” The question that always comes up about being creative in the digital world. What makes a special picture? The subject is very important. What’s important in a picture is what it’s all about and that’s what your subject does. What makes a good subject? Bright shiney. Large vs. small. Things that catch your eye. Human forms make more interesting shots than “things.” Even if the human subject isn’t the focus of the image, it brings a humanity to the photograph that everyone appreciates.
Hour 1
Q Ben, Irvine, CA - Desktop update problems
Ben is having trouble with Windows update. He’s forced to use Internet Explorer 8 as it’s default browser and he hates it. He’d rather use Firefox. He’s checked Firefox as it’s default browser. Leo suggests removing IE8 and Microsoft tells you how in Knowledge Base article #957700. Click on the button on that page that says “fix this problem” and it’ll be removed with I.E. 7 restored with all customizations.
Ben also doesn’t like it that he has to use Active X to update from here on out. Leo agrees since Active X has HUGE vulnerabilities.
Q J.R., Topeka, KS - Cellphone issues
J.R. is having trouble after his motorola cellphone died. He changed the battery and it’s still not turning on. Leo says that the firmware was probably corrupted and as such, it isn’t bootable.
Leo says your best bet is to find a good independent cellphone provider. The independents use customer service to build their business and as such, they’ll do what they can to keep you as a customer long term.
Hour 2
Q Mark, on Twitter - disable java in browser?
Leo doesn’t think that’s necessary. Java has a few minor exploits, but it’s pretty stable. If you’re not thrilled, you can always download and install No Script for Firefox which will enable you to disable java except on pages you really need it.
Q Spencer, Wildmore, CA - Nintendo DS problems
Spencer has a DS LiteNintendo DS and his “L” button is failing. And it’s not the first time! Leo says that if it’s still under warranty, send it back to Nintendo and have them fix it while it’s still covered. Thing is, these portable game platforms take a beating and simply break. But odds are, this time, it’s just defective.
Q RandyTech, Twitter - Using DS on WiFi
RandyTech wants to use his DS on his WiFi connection, but it doesn’t support WPA. What does he do? Leo says you could use WEP and just hope nobody drives by and cracks into you. It’ll just keep your neighbor’s honest. Or, you can triangulate - buy two more routers and make that WEP while the others are WPA and you’d still be secure. Also, change your password.
But Nintendo seriously needs to address it.
Q Gina (@nextday), Los Angeles, CA - What to do with an old computer?
Gina has an old computer, what to do with them? Leo says they aren’t that valuable and except for making into a file server, they aren’t really worth much after awhile.
She also just installed a Firefox extension called “Better Privacy,” and some of the cookies being blocked include Document Object Models (DOM). Leo says that most cookies are just storing information about what your surfing preferences are, which can be of an advantage when you revisit the site. But when a third party cookie causes private information to leak through, your privacy can be violated. Fortunately, you can block those. It also blocks flash cookies - which some sites use because they aren’t as obvious as regular cookies.
Q Joseph, Santa Clarita, CA - Windows update recycling
Joseph got a Windows update that failed and now he can’t do anything. He has no CD. Leo says to try safe mode (F8). If that doesn’t work, what probably happens that a failed install and corrupt key system file can cause it to cycle reboot. Leo says one way is to use BOOT LOG mode. This will create a text file as the system is starting up. Then, the last item in the boot log is what’s crashing the computer. Read the bootlog.txt from the command line and then you’ll know what to get rid of and fix.
If you don’t have a restoration disc, contact your computer manufacturer for a copy. It may cost you $10 or so. But yes, you can get another copy of the restoration disc.
Running recovery from an install disc will also work.
Hour 3
Q Sherry, Tampa, FL - Keyboard inoperative on Sony laptop
Sherry’s cat sat on her keyboard and now her Enter, Backspace, and Delete keys won’t work. She can reboot and they’ll work for a short while, but then they stop working again. Leo says you may want to try blowing out the keyboard, some you may need to pry out the keys (front to back) to blow them, but that could be difficult and you certainly don’t want to force it.
“TakeitTo,” in our Chatroom, says to plug in an external keyboard and see if they work. If so, you know it’s a physical issue. Leo says the keyboard can be replaced for a decent rate - it’s not like the LCD which will cost too much.
Q George, Houston, TX - Recording audio off the Internet
George wants to know if there’s any free programs that can capture audio. Leo says that ReplayAV is worth the money you pay. It is “try before you buy,” but recordings only 5 minutes long.
He also wants a VOIP option. Leo likes Skype.
Q Ken, Los Angeles, CA - Firefox browser privacy
Ken would like to have all history automatically wiped clean. Leo says that the upcoming new version of Firefox 3.5 will have that capability. It’s in Beta now but the final version will be out any time now.
Q Justin, MASS - Wireless printing
Justin says his mom can’t print wirelessly, nor even connecting via USB. She has a MAC. Leo says it sounds like a driver issue. It’s always a good idea to get he latest drivers for the printer you’re using and not rely on the drivers that come with the CD. Network printing is always a little tricky. Also, enable Zero Config through Bonjour. Macs like that.
Q Risa, Northridge, CA - Marketing her website
Risa has a social craigslist style of site called Corkin. Think Craigslist meets Facebook. But how does she market it? Leo says don’t buy ads. Word of mouth, or Guerilla marketing is what you want here. Make listings embeddable so they can be cross linked and raises Google results. Read Guerilla Marketing on the Internet. Create a “weird product listing of the day” site from your sites. Create an affiliate program for incentive. Be patient.
Q Murray, St. Petersburgh, FL - update won’t install
Murray can’t install his latest XP SP3 update because the computer says he’s not an administrator. But he is. Leo says to r/c Windows update and select “run as administrator.” You’ll be prompted for login/password. See if that does it for you.
Have a great geek week!
