What is QR Code?

The QR Code is a two-dimensional barcode. It contains a considerably greater volume of information in both vertical and horizontal directions than typical barcode in one dimension.

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In my next two 10 Things articles, I am going to take pieces of each operating system and place them in the other. In this first article, I am going to share 10 features from the Linux operating system that should be in the Windows operating system. In the next article, I will go the other way.

Now you should know, features will encompass literal features as well as systems and even philosophies. I don’t want to leave anything out of the picture. In the end, my hope is that theoretically, at least, we’ll have a much more ideal operating system. Of course, you can (and will) be the judge of that. Let’s get going and start adding Linux features to Windows.

1: Compiz

No matter how clean Aero gets, I am not a fan of the flat, single-workspace desktop of Windows 7. Yes, it has come a long way, but it’s not nearly the modern desktop that Compiz offers. Of course, many would argue that Compiz is nothing more than eye candy. I, on the other hand, would argue that many of the features Compiz offers are just as much about usability as they are eye candy. Having a 3D desktop that offers you quick access (via key combinations) to multiple workspaces is handy. Window switchers can’t be beaten for ease of use. And the eye candy is just a bonus. Having Compiz on top of Windows would certainly take the experience to a level few Windows users have experienced.

2: Multi-user

Yes I know you can have multiple accounts on a Windows 7 box, but that doesn’t make it truly multi-user. Can you log on more than one user at a time in Windows 7? Not by default. To have concurrent user sessions for Windows 7, you have to download a third-party tool. In Linux, you can do this by default. This is a feature that should be enabled by default in Windows 7, too.

3: Log files

Windows operating systems have plenty of tools that enable the administrator to read log files. But for system, administration, and security issues, the administrator must fire up the tools to see those log files. But Linux places all system log files in /var/log and allows the user (with the right permissions) to read these log files from a simple text editor. And the Linux log files are flexible in many ways. For instance, if I want to follow a system log, I can open that log in a terminal window with the tail -f command and watch as events occur.

4: Centralized application installation

The new paradigm for Linux is a centralized location for installation. The Ubuntu Software Center is turning out to be the culmination of much of this work. From one source, you can search from hundreds of thousands of applications and install any one you need. And with upcoming releases of the Ubuntu Software Center (version 3 to be exact), commercial software will be available.

5: Cron

I am a big fan of Cron. Cron jobs enable you to easily automate tasks. Yes, you can add third-party software on a Windows operating system to help automate tasks, but none will have the flexibility of the cron job. Cron allows you to schedule as many tasks as you like, at any time you like, from a simple command-line tool (or a GUI tool, if you so desire). And cron is available system wide — for both administrative tasks and standard user tasks. Having an automated system built in would certainly be handy.

6: Regular release cycle

This is one of those areas where Microsoft could learn a serious lesson from the Linux camp. Most Linux distributions release their updated distributions on a regular basis. And even better, they stick to these schedules to the best of their ability. Take Ubuntu, for example. For each release there is a .04 and a .10 version. The .04 version is released on the fourth month of the year. The .10 version is released on the 10th month of the year. This happens like clockwork. So Ubuntu 10.04 will release April 2010 and Ubuntu 10.10 will release October 2010. Granted sometimes those releases don’t start populating the mirrors until the last second of that month, but they are as regular as they can be.

7: Root user

Let’s face it — by default, the average user can do too much in Windows. So much so, it becomes simple for someone to write a nasty little virus that can be spread simply by opening up an attachment in an email. With the way Linux is set up, this doesn’t occur. For damage to be done to a system, generally speaking the root password must be known. For example, if a user clicked on an attachment from an email, and that attachment demanded the root (or sudoers) password, that would be a quick indication that the attachment was malicious. Windows should separate the administrative user and the standard user by default. The first thing Windows users should have to do, upon starting up their new computer for the first time, is create an administrative password and a user password.

8: Pricing

Okay, I’m not going to say Windows should be free. What I am going to say is that it should have one version and one price (with a nod to bulk pricing). Why do I say this? Simple. Which version should you buy? Do you need Premium or Ultimate? Which sounds better? Is “premium” better than “ultimate”? Here’s an idea — just have one version for the desktop and one for the server. It works for Linux. Less confusion and frustration for the consumer, less advertising waste for Microsoft. And all those features that cause the most expensive version of Windows 7 to be thus — the average user wouldn’t know how to use them anyway.

9: Installed applications

I know that Microsoft doesn’t include any useful applications (minus a browser) by default for a reason — to make money. But when I install Linux for the average user, I’m done. I don’t have to install an office suite, an email client, or audio/visual tools. Outside of installing financial applications and the odd power-user tool (which is all handled in a single, centralized location — see #4), there’s nothing more to do once the OS installation is done. Microsoft could at least include Word.

10: Hardware detection

Before anyone gets bent out of shape, this is not what you’re thinking. Let me set this up for you. What happens when you install a Windows operating system and something doesn’t work? Say, for example, video. You thought for sure the OS would support your video card, but when the installation is complete you’re stuck with good old 800×600 resolution. So you go to the device manager to see if you can find out what the card is, and you get nothing. How are you supposed to find out what drivers to download when Windows gives you no information? Oh sure, you can open up the case and check out the chipset. Or you might get lucky and find that device driver CD lying around. But what if you can’t? Or what if that video is on board?

If you were using Linux you could at least issue the dmesg command and get some information right away. And if dmesg didn’t help out, you could always fire up the Hardware Drivers tool, which will might discover a proprietary driver you could use. In Windows, if you don’t know the card, you’re going to have fun finding the drivers. Although Windows hardware support is better, Linux hardware detection is better.

Your take

Those are 10 features I would like to see make the jump from Linux to Windows. Do you agree? Is there a feature listed you think might hinder the Windows operating system? Is there a Linux feature not listed that you would like to see jump the fence? If so, let us know. Next time: 10 Windows features I’d like to see in Linux. No, really.

Blog Source: http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=28005&tag=col1;post-28258

If you are experiencing any unusual changes in your computer’s performance or have any unusual new pop-ups, changes to your toolbars or new icons on your desktop, you should run a system scan to find out if you have Spyware. Products exist on the market to help you combat this problem. Be sure to install software that you know is credible. Downloading freeware can often result in further Spyware existing on your computer. Spyware, Adware and Malware companies frequently fool users into sending pop-ups telling them that there’s a problem with their computer and this in fact is further spyware. These errors can open your system up to future further problems by fooling people into thinking they’re downloading fixes when really further spyware is being downloaded.

Many people that are new to the Internet world are nervous about the potential of viruses, Spyware or Adware that can harm their computer, affect performance or make their very private information public to others.

Spyware programs can do a number of damaging things to your personal computer. Spyware infects your pc and hides in the background and can do many nasty things to the performance of your system. It can also do harmful things to you such as send out your personal information, your every keystroke and photo that resides on your hard drive, watch your surfing habits and shopping habits and annoy you with annoying pop-ups filled with advertisements and even pornography.

Watch your system’s performance and at the sign of any unusual activity, realize that you are probably infected. Do something as soon as possible to protect your privacy. These programs don’t discriminate and can launch themselves when you or your family members sit in front of the computer. Pornographic pop-ups can turn up whether it’s an adult or a child using the computer. Protect your pc.

Antivirus alone isn’t enough to combat this problem. Spyware sneaks into your system via executable files that you don’t need to do anything to launch. They can sneak in as attachments that you download or by many other means. They’re harmful and annoying but you can protect your computer and your privacy with the right software. This software needs to have an auto update for spyware definitions as new spyware definitions are being added daily. So a spyware removal program is a great compliment to your existing anti-virus software.

Total Innovations, Inc. specializes in developing award winning software programs designed to solve computer users needs. The spyware removal software, http://www.emailspy.com & http://www.folderhider.com are a few of the most recent. See full details at: http://www.spyblaster.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Buzz_Scott

Most broadband Internet connections stay “always-on,” keeping you online at all times. For convenience, residential network owners often leave their router, broadband modem and other network equipment powered up and operating, even when not utilizing it for long periods of time. But should home network gear really stay always connected? What are the pros and cons of switching it off?

Answer:  Home network gear need not be powered on and connected to the Internet at all times. Several clear advantages apply if you turn off your equipment when not using it, although some disadvantages exist also.

Consider these pros and cons:

Security - Powering off your gear when not using it improves your network security. When network devices are offline, hackers and Wi-Fi wardrivers cannot target them. Other security measures like firewalls help and are necessary but not bulletproof.

Electricity cost savings - Powering down computers, routers and broadband modems saves money. In some countries, the savings is low, but in other parts of the world, costs are significant. Surge protection – Unplugging network devices prevents potential damage from power surges. As with other types of consumer electronics, surge protectors may also prevent this damage. However, surge units, particularly the inexpensive ones, generally cannot protect against severe power spikes like those from lightning strikes.

Noise reduction - Networking gear has grown quieter in recent years, as noisy built-in fans get replaced with solid state cooling systems. Your senses might be adjusted to the relatively low levels of home network noise, but you might also be pleasantly surprised at the added tranquility of a residence without it.

Hardware reliability - Frequently power cycling a computer network device can shorten its working life due to the extra stress involved. Disk drives are particularly susceptible to damage. On the other hand, high temperature also greatly reduces the lifetime of network equipment. Leaving equipment always-on very possibly causes more damage from heat than will powering it down occasionally.

Communication reliability – After power cycling, network communiations may fail to reestablish. You must take care to follow proper start-up procedure. For example, broadband modems generally should be powered on first, then other devices only later, after the modem is ready. You may also experience start-up failures due to “flaky” or unstable installations. Troubleshoot these problems when they arise, or you’ll be faced with bigger networking problems down the road.

Convenience – Network devices like routers and modems may be installed on ceilings, in basemenets or other hard-to-reach places. You should shut down these devices gracefully, using the manufacturer-recommend procedure, rather than merely “pulling the plug.” Powering down a network takes time to do properly and may seem an inconvenience at first.

In summary, most of these considerations suggest turning off your network during extended periods of non-use is a good idea. The security benefit alone makes this a worthwhile endeavor. Because computer networks can be difficult to set up initially, some people naturally fear disrupting it once working. In the long run, though, this practice will increase your confidence and peace of mind as a home network administrator.