8/31/07

Five Tips For A Great Software Demo

Code NOD32 Update 3/9/2007

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Five Tips For A Great Software Demo


Whether you need to close a sale, gather end-user feedback, show progress to your customer, or simply explain how your product works, sooner or later, you will need to demo your software product.

Over the years, I've had the opportunity to perform hundreds of demos to audiences of various sizes. I've also had the chance to attend demos hosted by others. The following represent the top 5 tips I've learned over the last decade regarding demos.

Manage Your Audience's Expectations

Have you ever gone to see a movie everyone raved about and walk out totally disappointed? More often than not, moviegoers feel let down not because the picture was bad, but rather because it was worse than they anticipated. It didn't meet their expectations.

Similarly, if people show up to a demo thinking they're about to see a finished product, they expect it to be virtually defect-free, aesthetically pleasing, and user-friendly. They wouldn't be impressed for example with a Web-based application that contains typos or JavaScript errors if they're under the impression it's going live in a week. However, if they know beforehand that you're presenting a throwaway prototype, this same audience will be much more lenient. And they will gladly provide much-needed feedback to help you with your work in progress.

Managing your audience's expectation is critical to a successful demo. If you want them to walk away from your presentation pleased, make sure you set the right expectations beforehand. Be honest with them. Don't try to oversell your demo. Just sell it, and try to over deliver.

One Bad Apple Spoils The Whole Bunch

All it takes to screw up a demo is one person. If someone starts negatively critiquing every single widget in your application or constantly interrupts you simply because he/she likes to hear the sound of his/her own voice, your demo will be a disaster. It is your job to ensure that these bad apples don't show up to your presentation.

Unless you're hosting a closed-door demo, it's very hard to control who will attend it. Omitting someone from your invitation list doesn't guarantee they won't hear about your demo through word-of-mouth and simply show up.

Here are a couple of ways to trick bad apples into not attending your demo:

* Create a scheduling conflict for those bad apples. Make sure they are busy, or better yet, out of the office when your demo takes place.

* Book two separate demos. Invite the people whose feedback you truly value to the first demo and the bad apples to the second. More often than not, each group will show up to the demo they're respectively invited to. When it's time for the second demo, go ahead and give it your best shot, or if you don't have time, simply cancel it.

I'm well aware that these two tips sound like an excerpt from Scott Adams's Dilbert And The Way Of The Weasel, but unless you feel comfortable telling your peers, superiors or customers not to show up to your demo, these two options are pretty much all you're left with.

Do A Practice Run

I attended a demo last week hosted by the CEO of a local start-up. After meeting with him at a trade show, he managed to convince me that his company had developed a technology that could solve one of my client's needs. I therefore agreed to give him 30 minutes of my time so he could demonstrate his product's capabilities.

I didn't need 30 minutes to realize I didn't want to do business with him. All I needed was 30 seconds.

This guy couldn't even log in his own Web-based application! He spent the first 10 minutes of the demo looking for a password.

Always do a practice run on the system that you're going to use during the actual demo. You might know the application like the palm of your hand, but if someone else has access to your demo system, who knows what shape it's in. They might have removed services, upgraded components or, as was the case with this CEO, changed the user credentials without informing you.

Unless you don't mind looking like a fool, always do a practice run on your demo system before presenting to your audience.

Pay Attention To Details

The hundreds of demos I've performed over the years have taught me that people pay more attention to how the application looks than what it does. You software might be the solution to world-hunger but if a member of your audience notices a typo in your GUI, he/she will point it out!

Readers are especially distracted by readable content ? and that's a fact. Deal with it by carefully reviewing the text on your interface and in your graphics. If you don't have the time to review and finalize the text, use Lorem Ipsum.

Lorem Ipsum has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, thereby making it look like readable English yet not distracting your readers. I now develop new prototypes strictly with Lorem Ipsum and add actual text when and only when I have time to write content that I know won't become a subject of discussion at my next demo. I strongly advise you to do the same.

Point Out The (Obvious) Bugs

Software contains bugs. It's that simple. Anyone who doesn't agree with that statement clearly hasn't worked in the software industry for long. Although we sometimes strive for defect-free products, reality is complex systems always contain defects ? even when they're generally available.

Doing a practice run before your demo will allow you to identify and resolve the showstoppers, and using Lorem Ipsum will deal with the nitty-gritty details that would otherwise distract your audience. But what about the other defects attributed to Murphy's Law?

In the event that an obvious bug does display itself during your demo, point it out!

In all likelihood, your audience will have already noticed the bug. Any attempt to hide it will give them the impression that you're not being honest. Consequently, they'll start to wonder what else you're trying to cover up.

Point out the bug, explain that you have a solution, confidently state that the fix will be implemented by a specific date, and move on. This sincere behavior will reassure your audience that (a) you're not trying to sweep one under the rug and (b) the defect will be resolved by the time they deploy your system.

I'm not advocating that you go hunting for bugs during your demo. If you can circumvent them by any means, please do so. But if a defect does surface during your presentation, don't pretend it doesn't exist. The only person you'll be kidding is yourself.

Conclusion

There you have it. Five tips for a great software demo.
# Manage your audience's expectations
# Ensure that bad apples don't ruin the bunch
# Do a practice run
# Pay attention to details and use Lorem Ipsum
# Point out the obvious bugs

Do these 5 tips represent all I've learned over the hundreds of demos I've hosted? Absolutely not! The hardest part about writing this article was probably limiting it to 5 tips. I could have easily thrown in 5 more tips such as (a) control the situation, and (b) always have a plan B. But the goal wasn't to point out all the tips that can help you out. Only the very top five!

Luc Richard holds an MBA with a major in high technology. For the past 10 years, he's been managing the development of software applications. He is the founder of The Project Mangler (http://www.projectmangler.com), an online resource that publishes free articles, stories, and other ready-to-use tools to help developers, team leaders and managers deliver software projects on time, according to specs, and within budget.

8/29/07

Coping with a Serious Data Loss from your Computer Hard Drive

Code NOD32 Update 29/8/2007

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Coping with a Serious Data Loss from your Computer Hard Drive


Data loss is an expensive reality. It's a hard fact that it happens more often then users like to admit. A recent study by the accounting firm McGladrey and Pullen estimates that one out of every 500 data centers will experience a severe computer disaster this year. As a result, almost half of those companies will go out of business. At the very least, a data loss disaster can mean lost income and missed business opportunities.

The other side of data loss is the psychological and emotional turmoil it can cause to IT managers and business owners. Despair, panic, and the knowledge that the whole organization might be at risk are involved. In a sense, that's only fair, since human error is one of the two largest contributing factors in data loss. Together with mechanical failure, it accounts for almost 75 per cent of all incidents. (Software corruption, computer viruses and physical disasters such as fire and water damage make up the rest.)

Disk drives today are typically reliable. Human beings, it turns out, are not. A Strategic Research Corp. study done in 2000 found that approximately 15 per cent of all unplanned downtime occurred due to human error. A significant proportion of that happened because users failed to implement adequate backup procedures, either having trouble with their backups, or having no backup at all.

How does it happen that skilled, high-level users put their systems - and their businesses - at such risk?

In many cases, the problem starts long before the precipitating system error is made, that is, when users place their faith in out-of-box solutions that may not, in fact, fit their organization's needs. Instead of assessing their business and technology requirements, then going to an appropriate engineered solution, even experienced IT professionals at large corporations will often simply buy what they're sold. In this case, faith in technology can be an vice instead of a virtue.

But human intervention itself can sometimes be the straw that breaks the technology's back. When the office of a Venezuelan civil engineering firm was devastated by floods, its owners sent 17 soaked, mud-coated disks from three RAID arrays to us in plastic bags. A tough enough salvage job was made even more complex by the fact that someone had frozen the drives before shipping them. As the disks thawed, yet more damage was done. (After eight weeks of painstaking directory-by-directory recovery, all the data from the remaining fifteen disks was retrieved.)

Sometimes, the underlying cause of a data loss event is simply shoddy housekeeping. The more arduous the required backup routine, the less likely it will be done on a regular basis. A state ambulance monitoring system suffered a serious disk failure, only to discover that its automated backup hadn't run for fourteen months. A tape had jammed in the drive, but no-one had noticed.

When disaster strikes, the normal human reaction is panic. Because the loss of data signifies critical consequences, even the most competent IT staff can jump to conclusions, and take inappropriate action. A blank screen at a critical time can lead to a series of naive decisions, each one compounding the preceding error. Wrong buttons get pushed, and the disaster only gets worse. Sometimes the pressure to correct the system failure speedily can result in an attempt to reconfigure an entire RAID array. IT specialists are typically not equipped to deal with crisis modes or data recovery techniques. Just as a good physician is trained to prolong life, the skilled IT specialist is trained to keep the system running. When a patient dies, the physician turns to others, such as nurses or counselors to manage the situation. When significant data loss occurs, the IT specialist turns to the data recovery professional.

Data recovery specialists are innovative problem solvers. Often, the application of basic common sense, when no-one else is in any condition to apply it, is the beginning of the journey towards data recovery. The data recovery specialist draws on a wealth of experience, married to a "never say die" attitude, and a comprehensive tool kit of problem-solving procedures. Successful recovery outcomes hinge on a combination of innovative logistics, applied problem-solving, and "technology triage," the process of stabilizing an affected system quickly, analyzing and treating its wounds, and preparing it for surgery. The triage process sets priorities, such as targeting which files are needed first or which are absolutely vital to the functioning of the business, and establishes whether files might be recovered in less structured formats (such as text-only), which may be desirable when time is crucial.

The art and science of professional data recovery can spell the difference between a business' success or its failure. Before that level of intervention is required, though, users can take steps to ensure that the probability of a data loss disaster is minimized.

Basic to any business technology plan is a regular fire-drill procedure. Back-up routines may be in place, staff may assigned to specific roles, hardware and software may be configured - but, if the user isn't completely sure that everything works the way it should, a data loss event is inevitable. Having adequate, tested, and current backups in place is critical. A hardware breakdown should not be compounded by human error - if the malfunctioning drive is critical, the task of dealing with it should go to a data recovery professional.

Just as data loss disasters are rooted in a combination of mechanical failure and human error, so, too, the data recovery solution lies in a creative marriage of the technological and the human. The underlying philosophy of successful data recovery is that technology is something to be used by human beings, not something that uses us.

Name: Darryl Peddle
Company: CBL Technologies, Canada
Author description: Darryl Peddle is an Internet Marketing Specialist with CBL Technologies, one of the largest data recovery specialists in the world.
Website: http://www.cbltech.com

8/28/07

Finding Good Loans for Bad Credit

Code NOD32 Update 28/8/2007

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Finding Good Loans for Bad Credit


When looking for loans for bad credit, many people find that the loan offers that they receive are riddled with complex loan terms and excessive interest rates.

If you're like most people, you don't want to pay more for loans for bad credit than you absolutely have to? and while the interest rates are likely going to be higher when it comes to loans for bad credit than they might be otherwise, there's no reason that lenders should charge an overly bloated rate simply because of a person's credit rating.

Luckily, with sufficient home equity it's possible to get loans for bad credit that not only have more reasonable interest rates but that offer easier loan terms as well.

Where to find your lender

The biggest problem when looking for loans for bad credit usually comes from trying to find a lender that won't charge an arm and a leg for their services.

There are several options available for finding a decent lender that offers loans for bad credit? you can check with traditional banks, look at various finance companies and other lenders, or even use online lending services.

Each of these lenders have their own benefits and drawbacks, and can be approached in different ways.

Traditional banks

Traditional banks are the first stop of most people who are looking for loans for bad credit? these institutions offer a variety of financial services to the public, and this history of services helps to draw customers to them for loans.

Unfortunately, some banks are more restrictive when it comes to issuing loans to those individuals who have poor credit ratings? especially if the particular individual doesn't hold other accounts with the particular bank.

Finance companies and other lenders

Finance companies and other lending companies offer an alternative to banks for those people who seek loans for bad credit.

These businesses serve only to issue loans on equity and other collateral, and therefore tend to have a higher acceptance rate than banks which have a variety of services to offer.

Since finance companies specialize, though, their interest rates are usually a bit higher than many banks? after all, they don't have other business to supplement their income.

Online lenders

Online lending has been steadily growing in popularity over the past several years, presenting itself as a convenient alternative to traditional banks and finance companies.

Even for individuals with bad credit, online lenders can usually offer loans with respectable interest rates based upon home equity due to a decreased overhead from not having a physical location to maintain.

Online lending also offers 24 hour accessibility and a fast turnaround on loan applications, though it does lack the face-to-face contact that some borrowers prefer.

You may freely reprint this article provided the following author's biography (including the live URL link) remains intact:

About The Author

John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.

8/24/07

Free Program Removes Spyware not Detected by Premium Security Scan

Code Nod32 Update 24/8/2007


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Free Program Removes Spyware not Detected by Premium Security Scan


What is Spyware?

Spyware monitors your surfing habits and sends the data off to some remote server in cyberland. Your computer can get infected with spyware easily by visiting a web page or installing a software program. Kazza is a classic example of a free software download riddled with spyware. More info here: http://compactURL.com/sdft

Spyware Detection Alert

Every week I do a full system scan with Norton Internet Security Professional.

This version of Norton is the top of the range when it comes to detecting all manner of viruses including Trojan horses, spyware, scumware, joke programs and other programs which can cause harm or pose a security risk.

It is an excellent program and I believe my computer would be dead and buried if it was not for Norton.

My most recent scan detected a Trojan Horse called Download.Trojan. This little meanie will attempt to go to the originators site and download more Trojans, worms, viruses and execute them. Scary stuff but Norton nipped it in the bud before any problems were created.

Also, every day Norton detects threats contained within my incoming emails. It immediately removes the threats by either fixing the infected files or deleting infected emails. This can be a reason I can be accused of not answering emails. Bad luck I say to that.

Ever since I have been running Norton, I have not been scanning with Ad-Aware. I recently discovered that Anti-Virus programs, as good as they are, sometimes fail to detect all threats from a computer. So I did a full scan with Ad-Aware and was surprised to discover even more spyware on my system. So now I will also be scanning once a week with Ad-Aware.

Free Spyware Removal Software

Ad-Aware is so good and yet it is free. It is available from http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/

There is more good free spyware detection programs available here: http://www.spybot.info/en/index.

Find out what Scumware is here: http://www.scumware.com

Symantec has an Online Virus Encyclopedia which after a little browse, should be enough motivation for anyone to get some kind of anti-virus and security program installed on their computer. Find the entire A-Z known viruses encyclopedia here: http://compactURL.com/qhdf

Conclusion

Do a full system scan at least every week. Download the latest Anti-Virus definitions as soon as they become available. Use more than one program to ensure all threats are detected and removed immediately. Always enable your anti-virus and security program to scan all incoming and outgoing emails.

If you do not have the very best anti-virus protection, do not complain if your emails get no response. I allow my anti-virus program to delete all infected emails along with any attachments.

Copyright 2004 Ed Zivkovic

About The Author

The author, Ed Zivkovic owns his own website which contains articles with all sorts of tips for work at home webmasters. Here is the site: http://www.ezau.com

8/22/07

WhyYouNeedThatPerfectName.com!

Code NOD32 Update 22/8/2007

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WhyYouNeedThatPerfectName.com!


"What's in a name? That which we call a rose,
By any other name would smell as sweet"
-Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet)

A rose perhaps but not your domain name!

Welcome to the dotcom bubble! Here, any successful e-tailer should tell you that there's more to a name than just the name itself. This article serves precisely that purpose ?against the backdrop of quality domain naming strategies and styles, auctions, speculators and court conflicts, to convince you why your online endeavor needs that perfect domain name.

There's no point in coming up with that absolutely fabulous idea for online selling plus a perfect site to launch from, as long as you don't have 'the' name you need. Choosing a name that will eventually contribute to your brand equity, profits, internet marketing and above all -your online credibility, shouldn't be done haphazardly. Especially, since it's so easily purchased (for a low startup capital), easily maintained and one that, if you choose, may be disposed off at a substantial amount. Intentionally or otherwise, your domain name becomes your de facto brand name, a location or an experience your visitors relate to in the long run. Even if you plan to sell it later on to prospective buyers, it is only an asset! Your challenge is to come up with that one name to funnel visitors through.

Brandmeisters today seem to understand the significance of site names, especially since the emergence of a number of me-too sites. Like a Washington Post reporter put it ? "feature for feature, service for service, discount for discount, even annoyance for annoyance", a number of sites may turn out to be a close match to yours. Quoting Rebecca Saunders, author of the Big Shot series, "Names have to sound fresh and new even if the site duplicates one already on the net. Names should stir the imagination or otherwise gain the surfer's attention. Further site name should be as simple as possible, they should be believable, and they should be easy to pronounce, pleasing to the ear, easy to spell and therefore easy to look up on a search engine." Here's more on building your handle.

The 'aha' name

Domain name consultants will serve you innumerable dos and don'ts on internet domain naming ? a feat that could leave you grumbling with limited choices. Personally, your domain naming methodology need not be absolutely conventional, as long as your imagination is not slave to impractical logic and common sense.

Begin with a paper, pencil and loads of patience. Consider seeking the advice of kith and kin, while you scramble ideas in your brain. Follow closely on what you ought to and ought not to consider. For example, consider characteristics, features, advantages and possibly anything that relates to your products and services. Now try to come up with a domain name that either addresses that one fundamental concept of the site, or that weds two or more key concepts in a single name. All the while, keep in mind, your site's goals, the image you wish to portray and your target audience. Don't compromise on your image-how you want your company to be perceived and it's relation to your core business memorability. Jot down your list of ideas. Then narrow it down to those names you think are most reflective of your products/services. Most importantly, determine if the domain name you like is available and that it doesn't violate any existing trademarks or copyrights. The last thing you'd want is your hard thought idea of that domain name accidentally offending a fellow netizen. Make sure that it doesn't mean something entirely different in another language and that you don't spare chance for the public to associate anything negative with it (easier said than done!). Care for the ins and outs of classic and non classic approaches in domain naming? Read on.

Unless you are a domain name squatter or a start-up capitalizing on domain names - save those tongue-twisters, masqueraded phrases and unpronounceable names.

Your creativity levels, thought and effort should be directed towards one that's short and sweet. Though, a long name, embedded with your major keywords, can get your site a high search engine ranking, there is no reason you should take advantage of the 67 character limit provided for domain names. Besides, you are too late now. The record of the longest domain name has been set by a Welsh village, with its registration of llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.com.

Concentrate on your visitors comfort levels. Leave them no scope for confusion and no loophole to err. Give them a name they can easily guess (without having to quip over the spelling and the location of hyphens) and hopefully, they'll reciprocate with more clicks.

You could always rely on those prefixes (e, i, net, web, the, my) and suffixes (world, business, company, store). The power of vowels unleashed, you'd generate a potential brand name. E.g. ebay.com, ivillage.com, pcworld.com, smallbusiness.com

Lucky the business if it's creator has that perfect proper noun to lend his site a name. Atkins.com named after Dr. Atkins and Dell.com after its founder and CEO Michael Dell. A traditional business moving online could capitalize on it's established brand name. Even acronyms could yield quick domain names. Microsoft is an acronym for MICROcomputer SOFTware and so is Yahoo for Yet Another Hierarchical Officious Oracle.

Targeting search engine rankings ? e.g. Yahoo that follows alphabetic classification of websites ? consider site names beginning with the digit 1 or the letter 'a'. Jeff Bezos, the creator of Amazon.com, cites this as one of his reasons for the name's choice.

But for those of you driven by the age old myth ? that search engines have a liking for words that are separated by dashes- wake up! Today, when search engines focus on the site content, hyphenated names have no influence. Domain names with or without hyphens is in itself a topic for a forum. A good idea is to register both options if possible and redirect visitors to one site. Walmart.com never let go off it's original registration (wal-mart.com), even after it changed name. Now both names take you to the same site.

Think of it on a broader angle. A few dollars spend to secure all possible variants of your name (with alternate extensions) will secure your visitors, otherwise likely to contribute to competitor site traffic. More - register possible names your visitors are likely to associate to your domain. The retailer Buy.com registered the domains: "10percentoffamazon.com," "10percentoffreel.com," and "10percentoffegghead.com". Proctor & Gamble is an extreme case of this blanket approach. It registered hundreds of generic domain names relating to all aspects of personal hygiene and healthcare: pimples.com, badbreath.com, underarm.com, diarrhea.com etc. They advertise only one, but use the others to bring traffic, and point all the domain names to one site.

Though generic names can't be trademarked, are sources of controversy and usually unavailable (if not, costly), your prospective domain name could sound of the genre of women.com, Hotels.com, Furniture.com, Art.com and shoes.com. Nonetheless, the loss of uniqueness in generic names is a serious reason for their unpopularity among namers. Now guess why Amazon was'nt named book.com and ebay not auction.com.

So, if the dictionary lets you down, do not fret to think of words that are arbitrary, previously unheard of and totally unrelated. Yahoo, Google and BlueTooth.com don't owe their origins to the thesaurus. Sometimes it pays to be whimsy!

allthegoodnamesaretaken.com

In just around 2 years, the number of website names registered has grown from 200 to a voluminous 125,000 per month. And as yet, already over 1.6 million domains have been registered, including the subtitle above! Chances of you finding a 3 character .com domain name unregistered (not on sale!), are thin? very thin.

Here's the good news. Everyday, around 20,000 domain names expire and get deleted. In addition to the generic domain extensions such as .com, .net, etc. there are approximately 250 different international domains each with their own two-letter country code extension. Speculations of new TLD (Top Level Domain) names include .firm, .store, .arts, .info, .nom, .biz, .pro, .aero, .coop, .museum and .name.

So, don't settle for the first domain name you think of! Although the supply of domain names is diminishing daily, it's better to expend more thought at the beginning and save money later. Don't let the gold rush skate your decision (and later leave you to regret over an unmarketable name). Then again, don't sit just hatching ideas. Even as you read this, someone halfway across the globe might be beating you to your choice!

Some are just registered by entrepreneurial opportunists hoping to make a fast buck by selling it on. If your choice is taken, the easiest, cheapest and most reliable solution would be to register another name. Did you know that the auction site eBay.com was the second choice of it's creator after his initial pick EchoBay.com was taken? A good name is a legal name!

Nonetheless, if you own a successful site, that just can't do without that colonized ideal name, you better ensure your pockets are deep because the owner at the other end knows that there's nothing quite like the commercial value of a domain name. The highest publicly known sale of domain name was the sale of Business.com for $7,500,000 to eCompanies, a business incubator.

Domain names have been turned into a marketing bargain with its parking capability. A business can register or buy a name for later use. And there are sites that do nothing but park potential names mostly sold for fire-sale prices later on! A Belgian doctor, Dr. Lieven P. Van Neste owns well over 200,000 domain names. It's a fine pursuit, if you care to keep your distance from brand infringement. In the past, speculators have faced legal charges on trademark violations from the bigwigs (including Microsoft) for having registered microsoftwindows.com, microsoftoffice.com, AirborneExpress.com, CitibankMasterCard.com, HewlettPackardss.com, and Wall-Mart.com. Domain name conflicts that grabbed headlines - Yahoo vs. "yahooka.com" (a marijuana site), Nissan Motors vs. Nissan Computer Corporation. One that caught my personal appeal - Archie Comics company's trademark driven domain dispute with Veronica.org, a website set up by a loving dad in honor of his 2-year-old daughter Veronica!

From McDonalds to MTV, a lot of press on online brand infringement ( the hijack of popular brand names) has filled the air. Even as I write this, Google Inc. is being challenged the right to use the name "Froogle" for its online shopping service (a New York based carpenter owns Froogles.com - web shopping site).

Each year, about 250,000 cases are decided by the US federal courts. If you have no time to sort it out the good old fashion, you should consider devising a strategic approach for domain naming, reflected in sound corporate policy and executed with effective management. Toady it's a topic of senior boardroom meetings where competent professionals are assigned to conduct name searches (a less costly venture compared to the possible consequences of dealing with a complaint of infringement.) Take lessons from corporate folklore on the long term effects of a carelessly chosen domain name. People who learnt things the hard way include Art-U-Frame.com that paid $450,000 to acquire the name art.com.

The crux

Your domain name is more than a ubiquity. You have no other billboard or bypass to your site. Statistics prove that direct navigation or guessed URLs account for majority of the traffic to a site (64.43%), much more than the search engines can bring (35.55%). Eat, drink and sleep on your idea before you move to register that killer name. Don't hassle, thinking there are nodomainnamesleft.com (that's taken too!). Your share of homework should save you a lot of misery down the road.

Besides, if you can't trademark your design scheme, product idea and marketing strategy, here's something you can. Your domain name is perhaps the only thing that you can own on the Internet. Remember, there's always more to a name than just the name itself! Happy naming!

Liji is a PostGraduate in Software Science, with a flair for writing on anything under the sun. She puts her dexterity to work, writing technical articles in her areas of interest which include Internet programming, web design and development, ecommerce and other related issues.

8/20/07

10 Things You Can Do With Photoshop CS2 That You Couldnt Do Before Now

Code Nod32 Update 20/8/2007


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Password: ayk86myap8

10 Things You Can Do With Photoshop CS2 That You Couldnt Do Before Now


Is Photoshop CS2 worth the upgrade? You bet it is! Here are just 10 things you can do with this fantastic new version of Photoshop that were impossible (or difficult) to do with previous versions:

1. Manipulate objects in the Adobe Bridge

This new generation of file browser enables you to look at photographs and artwork in detail before you open the file, process multiple Camera Raw images, flip through pages in PDF documents, size, rate and organise your work in a convenient and highly user-friendly way. Goes way beyond the capabilities of the File Browser introduced in Photoshop 7.

2. Get rid of imperfections with the Spot Healing Bush

The Spot Healing brush enables you to get rid of slight imperfections - like dust or scratches at the click of a mouse. Unlike the Healing Brush or Patch tools, you don't have to find a source point first.

3. Remove "red-eye" in an instant.

With older versions of Photoshop, removing red-eye and pet-eye was possible, but it wasn't easy. Now, one click of the Red Eye removal tool can remove pet-eye and red-eye from your photographs, in less time than it takes your subject to say "cheese!".

4. Perform non-destructive scaling with Smart Objects.

You know how it is: You try to make an imported object larger, and it goes all blurry and pixelated. With Smart Objects, that's a thing of the past, because you can scale, warp and rotate vector graphics in a non-destructive way.

5. Do neat things in perspective with the new Vanishing Point feature.

With Vanishing point you can cut and paste in perspective. Now you're able to turn a photograph of a wall into a "virtual art gallery" with all the pictures correctly skewed, or move a window from one side of a building to another and, because the perspective is correct, have it look like it's always been there. You can also draw lines that taper off into the distance - wide nearest the camera, narrow further away - just like in "real life".

6. Get more accurate printing.

With Photoshop CS2, the people at Adobe have improved the printing workflow. Now it's even easier to configure your inkjet printer to get more accurate colour printing.

7. Customise menus and workspaces.

Photoshop CS2 lets you highlight commonly used menu items, and set up custom menus and workspaces. Now all the power of Photoshop is (literally) at your command, and can be tailored to your requirements.

8. See what each font looks like before you use it.

Finally! Photoshop gets a WYSIWYG font drop-down menu. Now you don't have to keep text highlighted while you cycle through all the fonts until you get to the right one!

9. Manipulate images with Image Warp.

Image Warp allows you to bend, peel, and stretch images the same way as type. Now you can put an image on a mug or soda can with ease.

10. See what video graphics will look like, while you're doing them.

If you're a video professional like me, you'll know how frustrating it can be: You make a graphic that looks fantastic on a flat computer monitor, but when you import the .psd file into your Avid timeline, and look at it on the TV screen, it's not quite what you had in mind. You then have to go back into Photoshop and make your artwork look "wrong", so it will look right on a video monitor. With Photoshop CS2 you can preview your images on a video monitor directly from the software, and see exactly how they're going to look in your video, even if your editing software is on a different computer. Neat eh?

Shaun Pearce is a writer and video maker. His latest production, "Photoshop Master", is an interactive video tutorial. It shows you how to get the most from Photoshop, and can be downloaded from http://www.learnphotoshopfast.com?=art05

8/18/07

Anti Spyware Software Keeps Our Daily Lives Hassle Free

Code NOD32 Update 18/8/2007

Username: AV-6250718
Password: 70qaeokn8t

Username: AV-6368793
Password: x2w3079p3u

Username: AV-6335751
Password: 8r9pv7ibif

Username: AV-6336079
Password: 125nh1j3ri

UserName: AV-6186922
Password: gsix5kuauj

UserName: AV-6268816
Password: abbeohm0qy

UserName: AV-6186917
Password: 8icog8omp5

Username: AV-6331273
Password: 9ueska4mbe

Username: AV-6410328
Password: ifq3joksoh

Username: AV-6410329
Password: vv129bqkhe

Username: AV-6419043
Password: a7eq7waj34

Username: AV-6159696
Password: nh94tqfhk2

Anti Spyware Software Keeps Our Daily Lives Hassle Free

Spyware programs have been designed to affect PCs across the world. A recent review states that almost nine out of every ten computers are affected with spyware. This is because most home users are unsuspecting and also freely use the internet for all purposes. Anti spyware software comes in various packages and formats, you can get them on trail basis and if you like the software than you can buy it without having a second thought. Free spyware removal programs are easily available on the internet for download free of cost.

Spyware includes web bugs, monitoring software and pop-up ads. There are several anti spyware software available today, and sorting and picking out from one of them will be a tedious task. To avoid this you can avail some information in your computer store about the highest selling spyware remover programs before you install one on your computer. Spywarebot is extremely popular among most users.

Spyware can very easily get into your computer without your knowledge. They silently follow you each and every activity on the internet and steal your private data, which may include your e-mails ids, credit card or bank account no or passwords. They are capable of doing all the criminal activities on the internet. Some spyware programs make advertisements luring the user to click on it, and once user click on that attractive program, they instantly get in your pc without your knowledge. Free spyware blockers and a variation of other programs are available on the internet.

As long as you do your research about these anti spyware programs, you will be safe. Sometimes spyware can even pretend to be a good program and sneakily enter your system, and if you are in doubt that your computer is safe as it have antivirus programs, than you might be wrong, as antivirus software have no effect on these malicious programs. So the best to get out of this situation is to constantly regulate the blocking of spyware using anti spyware software.

Since your personal information is most important to you, do not hesitate to install and run anti spyware software. This will keep your computer clean and you can also run your daily programs smoothly. Without your knowing it, there will be several infections that will be in your computer. You need to use a good program that has already been used by other users and recommended by them about its performance.

While using the internet you should be smart enough not to click on any ads that look suspicious or any sites that offer free gifts. These kinds of spyware programs are the easiest way to monitor innocent people.

About the Author: Free Spyware Removal Resource is an online resource, providing in-depth information about Anti Spyware software, which is an essential tool to keep your system free of dangerous spywares, protecting your privacy and your PC. Here you will get vast technical information to get free spyware protection.

Free Spyware Blockers Can Protect Your Privacy Always

Spyware is a term you commonly hear when you use the computer and the internet often. Spyware can harm the computer in several ways. Due to advanced technology we face negative as well as positive challenges. Free Spyware blockers use an advanced technology to prevent Spyware from installing itself on the computer. Spyware adware removal has become common these days due to the common use of the internet for everything in our daily lives.

Spyware means someone is spying on what we do and what sites we visit. They can easily break into our e-mail passwords as well as other passwords like banking accounts. With heavy work schedules, most people now prefer to pay bills online or do bank transactions from the comfort of their home. If you do not use free Spyware removal to protect your computer, chances are that most likely your computer is affected with Spyware. Free Spyware blockers will come to your aid, and these can be downloaded from the internet.

Free Spyware blockers detect Trojan horses, key loggers, adware and Spyware and other sources of infection, that most anti-virus software do not. Some blockers specifically are designed to block advertisements. One famous program for this is called KH blocker. Many a times when you are seriously trying to work something out, several advertisements keep popping up much to your annoyance. Now with the help of these blockers you can stop them. Free Spyware killers and several other anti-Spyware programs are available for free on the internet.

Free Spyware blockers will keep your personal information safe from hackers and other Spyware writers, and help remove Spyware from the computer permanently. It also informs you every time some kind of Spyware tries to get into your system and will give you daily or weekly updates. Most free Spyware blockers are very innovative and effective in nature.

Do not confuse anti-virus software with free Spyware blockers. The way they function is entirely different and of course Spyware is different from viruses. Even while using anti-Spyware software, make sure you keep your personal information to the most minimum exposure while using the internet. Do not try to access any sites unnecessarily with your credit card, as Spyware programs can easily steal your credit card numbers and misuse them. There are several websites that offer free downloads for anti-Spyware programs, however it is advisable to discuss with someone who knows about this technology.

About the Author: Free Spyware Removal Resource is an online resource, providing in-depth information about Anti Spyware software, which is an essential tool to keep your system free of dangerous spywares, protecting your privacy and your PC. Here you will get vast technical information to get free spyware protection.

8/16/07

Windows x: Basic Windows ?Security? Issues

Code NOD32 Update 16/8/2007

Username: AV-6105142
Password: 9m5d8ntb61

Username: AV-6105432
Password: xuoensiqtr

Username: AV-5913536
Password: bwvnrtwxte

Username: AV-5865444
Password: uk7g2bvwrr

Username: AV-5891226
Password: 0mrxaydcid

Username: AV-6375944
Password: xyqa7x3xmj

Username: AV-5893596
Password: 25qd59n1tt

Username: AV-5897933
Password: 0h0e340ake

Windows x: Basic Windows ?Security? Issues


Language development computer:
Computer-based method for aiding language development seems like an interesting idea, the trick with this would be in getting the computer to take on part of the role of the human in the checking process.

In all computer aided learning applications aimed at the very young, there is a danger that the computer may be seen as a replacement for a human instructor, however computer are notorious for not volunteering information or inability to deal with erratic behaviour. Getting this right would be a real challenge. As it seems now certain that inappropriate language teaching (forms of language teaching which are not in tune with the real as opposed to chronological development age of the child) leads to 'induced' (as opposed to real) dyslexia, finding the right targets for such systems will be a challenge in its own right.

With two such competing challenges, this project is really interesting.

Spell checking:
The first problem here is the fact that language is an abstract concept mainly built on rules that can be incorporated into logical software, but with some rules which are subjective and cannot be automated so easily.

The problems stem from what language actually means, what we are doing is producing a series of stylized sounds, which can be interpreted as language. You don't actually see language, it is an abstract concept built on rules. The only way you can know that it exists is through interpreting the results of its interactions with you. In the same way you can't smell intelligence!

Standard spell checking functionality tends to use a binary tree data structure to process a dictionary and a boolean operation to check the spelling of a word and returns true if the spelling matches an entry, false if not. The problems with this approach are compounded, especially with dyslexics, in an assumption that the initial letter, at least, is correct.

This project, on the other hand, starts from an identification of the meaning of the chosen word, and will return a series of correctly spelled results, none of which may match the target word. It is likely that the user will be requested to select one from a range of possible meanings, before being provided with the results.

The first problem here is related to how we get into the unconscious mind? The only way is to see what happens when people use words and see the effects of these things on that part of the world that you can perceive. However this is in effect arguing by analogy

Also there are some rules that are subjective and cannot be automated, the other half of them are not, where the program would consist of a database using some sort of parsing routine that detects the misuse of a word with respect to its contextual position.

Word Find:
Assuming it is possible to disregard syntactic information and ignore all syntax that functions as syntactic and yet still objective definition of the scaling constants.

This project could be very useful, a reverse thesaurus has many applications where it is helpful to find smaller words. For example situation where the uneducated are incapable of comprehension of polysyllabic words. The task here is to first create a way of breaking down works in a way that does not.

Stage one of this process is complementary to the Spell Checker discussed above.

The exciting part, from my perspective, is this. A slow/late learner, aged 18, is currently required to use books designed for primary school children, lacking the emotional maturity and depth of story to attract the older person.

A truly programmable word find could automate the 'translation' of the great (or exciting) works of literature into language accessible by persons with different levels of language development. Such persons could then develop the excitement in reading which drives reading development.

I am the website administrator of the Wandle industrial museum (http://www.wandle.org). Established in 1983 by local people determined to ensure that the history of the valley was no longer neglected but enhanced awareness its heritage for the use and benefits of the community.

8/14/07

What is Spyware? Are You Being Watched?

Code NOD32 Update 14/8/2007

Username: AV-6387755
Password: huvusipagr

Username: AV-6387734
Password: caf6aidoke

Username: AV-6386647
Password: wdi0jjfyue

Username: AV-6386853
Password: 8je6oox196

Username: AV-5707032
Password: gs3pfadnh9

Username: AV-5706841
Password: u1ysnjjp1r

Username: AV-6361574
Password: 39vfdyigqj

Username: AV-5919343
Password: ao32xvb7au

Username: AV-5706841
Password: u1ysnjjp1r

Username: AV-6299505
Password: ayk86myap8

What is Spyware? Are You Being Watched?


Find out why Spyware Removal from computers is important and how adware infestations affect your computer, your privacy and your family.

Internet users worldwide spend several hours to several days each week browsing or searching the net. This activity has encouraged advertisers and promotional companies to take advantage of computer users to find out the individual needs, surfing habits and identify personality traits.

These advertisers have devised clever and subtle ways to infiltrate innocent web surfers to meet their advertising objectives. They accomplish this by the use of internet worms that work their way to computer systems and make the systems prone to giving away the computer user's identity. The searches conducted or sites visited by the user are relayed back to the advertiser. This form of ad company infiltration is better known as spyware.

Spyware literally spies on a computer user and endangers privacy.

Computer infiltration can cause major damage and loss such as identity theft, stealing vital credit card info, personal information and more.

The terminology used for internet spying goes by other descriptions such as spybots, adware, spyware or trojans. It is therefore important to scan and remove spyware. Yes, you must remove spyware to enjoy online privacy and security.

The greatest risk is faced by persons that download various files off the internet. These could be shared files, Music files, Movie Files, Shareware and Freeware.

The various anti-virus and firewall programs do not work with these nasty internet worms as these worms crawl into a system in a very stealth manner and often times piggyback on very legitimate looking files.

It is for this reason that we strongly recommend a software program designed to protect computer users from such deadly spybots, adware and spyware. You can get a free spyware scanner at http://www.deletespyware.net

Find out if you are being watched now. Stay safe.

Julian Pereira has researched Spyware and its many implications over the years. He brings to light the many problems that spyware can cause to unsuspecting computer users besides the loss of privacy and the risk of identity theft. Julian recommends a Spyware Scanner that detects all known spyware. Get your Free Spyware Scanner at http://www.DeleteSpyware.net

Spyware - The Internet Devil Of Our Times!


Spyware and Adware infest over 90 percent of computers in use today. Internet linked computers has made it easy for spybots, adware, and trojans to infiltrate and compromise online privacy. Installed toolbars can also contribute to browser hijacking and spyware related problems.

Spyware, malware, scumware, and trojans gather information about people and online activities. It is important to deny these "Internet Pests" the opportunity to infiltrate computers, so that computer privacy is intact. Everybody is entitled to enjoy online privacy and security.

There are serious consequences pertaining to unidentified spyware, which include identity theft, computer corruption, slow down of pc system, privacy issues, and annoying pop-up ads. Neglecting to stop spyware is a surefire way to invite computer infestations. Spyware removal software is a "must" for Internet privacy and security.

Spyware slips by anti-virus and firewall protection by piggybacking on seemingly legitimate downloads. These spyware files are stealthily installed on computer systems without anyone ever knowing it. Infestations often occur when people download freeware, shareware, file sharing or through email and instant messaging.

Spyware and adware are applications that intertwine with core computer functions and make manual removal, without system disruption, very difficult for most computer users. That is why it is important to have anti-spyware software installed.

A spyware scanner is a useful tool that protects computers at all times, so that people can enjoy surfing the net, without compromising privacy. Personal surfing habits, online chats and Internet activities are protected from those prying Internet eyes. Online identity theft is of great concern these days. Hence, it is a good idea to install spyware removal software, for online privacy. Protect yourself, from Internet snooping and stealing of personal information, for peace of mind.

Julian Pereira has researched Spyware and its many implications over the years. He brings to light the many problems that spyware can cause to unsuspecting computer users besides the loss of privacy and the risk of identity theft. Julian also has a website that offers a Free Spyware Scanner that can be found at http://www.DeleteSpyware.net

8/13/07

Screenshots Vista Windows

Code NOD32 Update 13/8/2007


Username: AV-6386647
Password: wdi0jjfyue

Username: AV-6269840
Password: d0vud3a3pc

Username: AV-6301913
Password: 2k6ham2xyy

Username: AV-5849011
Password: 3c99644ok8

Username: AV-6390609
Password: dwqwu7h1n6

Username: AV-6392084
Password: wdkiya7q5r

Username: AV-5885955
Password: rxgpa3fbuo

Username: AV-5975301
Password: 0aanta9k2m

Screenshots Vista Windows


Features
Additionally, Vista will include many other new features.

Aero
Vista will include a completely re-designed user interface, code-named Aero. The new interface is intended to be cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing than previous Windows interfaces. The most visible addition to the interface is the sidebar (however this feature has been removed in the last alpha release), an area at the side of the screen consisting of tiles which display dynamic information about whatever window is currently in the foreground, which is essentially an extension of the "system tray" on the Windows task bar.

Search
Vista will feature a new search engine that will allow for instant display of results for a given search. This is in contrast to the search engine of Windows XP, which can take several minutes to display results. The Vista search will allow you to add multiple filters to continually refine your search (Such as "File contains the word 'example'"). There will also be saved searches that will act as Virtual Folders, where opening a folder will execute a specific search automatically and display the results as a normal folder. The search will also feature other usability improvements. The Vista search is actually built on an expanded and improved version of the indexing service for the search in Windows XP. This feature is similar to Apple Spotlight.

Metro
Metro is the codename for Microsoft's next generation document format, which is based on XML. It is similar in many ways to Adobe Systems' PDF. Metro is intended to allow users to view, print, and archive files without the original program that created it. The name Metro also refers to the print path in Vista. With Metro, documents can remain in the same format from the time they are created to the time they are printed. Microsoft states that Metro will provide better fidelity to the original document by using a consistent format for both screen and print output.

While many analysts suspect Metro is intended to be a "PDF-killer", Microsoft insists that they are not attempting to duplicate all the functionality of the PDF. For example, at the time of this writing, Metro is not planned to have the capabilities for dynamic documents.

Shell
The new shell is a significant change from previous versions of Windows. Combined with the new desktop searching feature, the shell gives users the ability to find and organize their files in new ways. Apart from the typical file organization practice of using folders to contain files, a new collection known as Lists let you organize files from multiple locations in a single place.

A new type of folder known as a Shadow Folder enables the ability to revert its entire contents to any arbitrary point in the past.

Additionally, the shell contains significant advancements in the visualization of files on a computer. Previous versions of the Windows Shell would display thumbnails to represent different files on your computer. In Windows Vista the thumbnail concept is taken further by overlaying different imagery to communicate more information about the particular file such as a picture frame around the thumbnail of an image file, or a filmstrip on a video file. Windows Vista helps the user identify the file easily by more intelligently generating the thumbnails. Using algorithmic analysis, images are cropped around their likely subject, and interesting key frames are automatically chosen from a video file. Also, the ability to zoom the thumbnails in the shell greatly increases their usefulness.

Networking
Windows Vista is expected to have a brand new networking stack. A significant change is a more complete implementation of IPv6 which is now supported by all networking components, services, and the user interface. Vista also takes advantage of P2P technology to provide a new type of domain-like networking setup known as a Castle. Castles make it possible for user credentials to propagate across networked computers without a centralized server making them more suitable for a home network.

The ability to assist the user in diagnosing a network problem is expected to be a major new networking feature. Using technologies such as UPnP, Windows Vista has a greater awareness of the network topology the host computer is in. With this new network awareness technology it can provide help to the user in fixing network issues or simply provide a graphical view of the perceived network configuration.

Other features
Full support for the "NX" (No-Execute) feature of processors. This feature, present in AMD's AMD64 architecture, as well as Intel's EM64T Architecture, can flag certain parts of memory as containing data instead of executable code, which prevents overflow errors from resulting in arbitrary code execution. This should not be confused with trusted computing facilities provided by a so-called Fritz-chip.

Built-in DVD recording capabilities, including Mt. Rainier support. A new installation program that will install Vista in about 15 minutes (which is present in alpha build 4074 of Windows Vista). Native Raw Image support (a format used by most professional digital cameras).

Native, embedded RSS support, with developer API. A new level of file encryption support from that available in Windows XP, which will make it easier and more automatic to prevent unauthorized viewing of files on stolen laptops/hard drives.

Monad. A new command-line interface called MSH, and codenamed Monad will not be fully implemented in Vista, but will exist in it to some extent. It plans to combine the Unix pipes and filters philosophy with that of object-oriented programming.

The "My" prefixes will be dropped, so "My Documents" will just be "Documents", "My Computer" will just be "Computer", etc. Windows System Assessment Tool (WinSat), a built in benchmarking tool which analyzes the different subsystems (graphics, memory, etc), and uses the results to allow for comparison to other Vista systems, and for software optimizations. The optimizations can be made by both windows and third-party software. Tom's Hardware Overview

File Virtualization, when an individual program's permissions are restricted, allows that program to use its own 'fake' set of certain files so modifications to those files from said program does not alter the original files. Transactional File Transfers, prevents a half updated set of files from being created during updates for example, which can cause stability problems. InfoCard, a user interface to the Identity Metasystem.

Features and technologies delayed until future releases WinFS (short for either Windows Future Storage or Windows File System): a combined relational database and filesystem, based on the next version of SQL Server (codenamed Yukon). Working on top of NTFS, it will provide abilities to represent objects and their relationships, rather than just a hierarchy of files and folders. The removal of WinFS from Windows Vista was announced in August 2004, and is expected to be released as an update to Vista, entering beta stages at about the same time as Vista is released. Microsoft's promotion of this technology has spurred the recent trend towards desktop search tools. Full implementation of Monad.

Graphics hardware requirements
Vista's graphics requirements are defined in relation to the different desktop experiences.

Aero Glass
This graphics mode adds support for 3D graphics, animation and visual special effects in addition to the features offered by Aero Express.

Intended for mainstream and high-end graphics cards.

At least 64 MB of graphics memory, 128 MB recommended, or 256 MB for 1600x1200+.

At least 32 bits per pixel.

3D hardware acceleration with capabilities equal to DirectX 9.

A memory bandwidth of 2 GB / second.

Capable of drawing ~1.5M triangles / second, one window being ~150 triangles.

A graphics card that uses AGP 4X or PCI Express 8-lane bus.

It is likely that such a configuration will be entry-level or lower by Vista's release in 2006.

Aero Diamond A graphics mode customized for the Vista Media Center Edition, and will not be made available in the other editions. Not much information is currently available, but it appears that it will be the most advanced level of graphics in Vista, requiring hardware at the same level or greater than the Aero Glass visual style.

Aero Express
The lesser Aero visual experience offering only the basic visual improvements introduced by Vista, such as composition based DPI scaling.

Intended for mainstream or lower-end graphics cards.

Uses the Avalon Desktop Composition window manager.

A Vista Driver Display Model (LDDM) driver is a requirement.

Some graphics cards already support LDDM. In some Vista builds (4074, 5048), LDDM is already supported to run Aero Glass.

To Go
The new Vista look & feel without any visual special effects, similar to the visual style Luna of Windows XP in that it resembles merely an application skin. As with Luna, no additional hardware requirements compared to the classic Windows interface.

A simple option for consumer upgrades, and mobile / low-cost devices. No additional requirements compared to the lesser Classic mode. Fallback mode in case the hardware requirements for Aero aren't met.

Classic
The most basic user interface offered by Vista, which is also seen in Windows 2000, or Windows XP with its visual style Luna deactivated.

An option for corporate deployments and upgrades.
Requires Windows XP Display Driver Model (XPDM) or LDDM drivers. No graphics card hardware requirements exceeding those of Windows XP.

Naming considerations
Vista means "the visual percept of a region", with these synonyms: aspect, panorama, prospect, scene and view. Translated from Spanish and Italian, vista means: sight, vision, ability to see; look, glimpse; spectacle; viewfinder; range of view; point of view.

In Latvian, however, vista means 'hen' (grown-up female of a bird, [2]) and 'chicken' (as in food), and may also connote something or someone not particularly agile or clever.

Windows Vista has been unofficially abbreviated to Windows VI, staying with the traditional 2 character motif, as in 95, 98, Me, NT, XP. VI is also the number 6 in Roman numerals, and Windows Vista will carry the version number 6.0 (Windows 2000 and Windows XP being Windows NT versions 5.0 and 5.1, respectively).

Windows Vista sound like "bosta" in Argentinian culture.

In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, Vista is a part of the atmosphere that surrounds the world of Arda before the cataclysm at the end of the Second Age. Vista forms the inner layer of normal air: above it is Ilmen, and above that Vaiya.

Get Windows Vista: http://www.vistaarticles.com/articles/14/1/Where-to-get-Windows-Vista?
Windows Vista Wallpaper: http://www.vistaarticles.com/articles/16/1/Windows-Vista-Wallpaper
Windows Vista Theme: http://www.vistaarticles.com/articles/16/1/Windows-Vista-Wallpaper

8/9/07

Most Dangerous Types of Spyware are on the Rise: How to Choose the Weapon

Code NOD32 Update 09/8/2007

Username: AV-6227344
Password: cmmxax8nte

Username: AV-6227395
Password: cut03m6ckw

Username: AV-6359622
Password: 2hmckw9bts

Username:: AV-6274362
Password:: 5sap3wrgj5

Username: AV-6361120
Password: 4jjt63te6s

Username: AV-6232568
Password: e144re7syk

Username: AV-6239747
Password: r666ng1jxp

Username: AV-5828305
Password: mwpfqk8itr

Username: AV-6359587
Password: y8mirut592

Most Dangerous Types of Spyware are on the Rise: How to Choose the Weapon


Bad News - the Threat is Bigger than it Seemed

How recently it was ? when even many journalists thought that spyware gathers mostly information to be used for targeted advertising. Definitions like "spyware, a.k.a. adware, is?" were pretty common in articles. Keyloggers and system monitors were mentioned as dangerous, but relatively rare. Until the Spy Audit survey made by ISP Earthlink and Webroot Software clearly showed - they are not rare at all.

The results of the survey are here:

http://www.earthlink.net/spyaudit/press/ and http://www.earthlink.net/about/press/pr_spyauditsurvey/

Reading them will be time well-spent for everybody who uses Internet and at least sometimes deals with information valuable enough to be stolen; in fact, it means just everybody.

"Industry experts suggest that these types of programs [i.e. spyware in general] may reside on up to 90 percent of all Internet-connected computers" ? that's the exact quote. Considering the number of computers scanned during this survey (which lasted for a whole year 2004), there is nothing left but to come to the conclusion ? it must be true to fact.

Despite the fact that one of the Spy Audit authors is an anti-spyware vendor, there is no doubt that the results are trustworthy ? there has been more than 4.6 million system scans made in 2004. It seems that the results of the survey might be like the bolt from the blue even for the specialists, not to mention general public.

16.48% of all scanned consumer PCs in 2004 had a system monitor installed. It means that 16.48% of these users were definitely under monitoring (who monitors them ? that's another question). 16.69% had a Trojan horse program, and this is a troubling sign, too ? it is a keylogging module that Trojans often have inside. "Information-stealing Trojan" in descriptions most often means "keylogger-containing Trojan". Both figures give us an overwhelming 33.17% PCs contaminated with some program with information stealing capability. Even if not all these Trojans were information-stealing ones, the situation is distressing anyway.

Schools of Phish and Herds of Trojan Horses

"Traditional" phishing and spoofing (sending emails linked to a bogus bank Web site and waiting for unwitting customers) are, unfortunately, not new phenomena. It is a modernized two-stage scam which includes contaminating the victim's machine with a keylogger-containing Trojan horse program that is spreading like a wildfire now.

This scheme is without doubt much more dangerous; in this case the victim needn't follow the link in the email. Trojan horse lurks in the background until the victim types particular titles or URLs into his browser. Once the user visits one of a number of banking Web sites the malicious code is triggered into action, capturing passwords and taking screenshots. Then the information is sent to remote hackers who can use it to break into the bank account and steal money.

There were several outbreaks in activity of such information-stealing Trojans which targeted bank customers in 2004. Actually, such a scam was first used in Brazil ? when the notorious Trojan named Troj/Banker-AJ appeared, experts recalled that the security firm Sophos had warned earlier in 2004 about criminals who used similar techniques to break into Brazilian online bank accounts.

Crooks may use pretty ingenious and "efficient"(if such a word could be appropriate for this activity) techniques to place the Trojan into users' PCs ? letters can be mimicking CNN news alerts, or offering to reserve the very latest book about Harry Potter in the series before it is published in July. Who knows what will they invent next?

Looking for Solutions to the Problem

In 2004 it become as clear as day to anyone - from being not much more than a nuisance for PC users, spyware turned into one of the major threats to information security. Since the Internet has become a part of daily life and business, rapid growth of such kinds of cybercrime as identity theft and phishing endanger the whole society. Some types of spyware, namely software capable of stealing valuable information (like passwords, SSNs), certainly facilitate these crimes.

Software vendors by all means are responding to the threat to meet the enormous demand for anti-spyware protection.

Several big anti-virus vendors, such as Norton and McAfee, have already begun providing anti-spyware protection as well. Microsoft also joined the anti-spyware market this year (and has already become a target for the malicious Trojan called Bankash-A; fortunately, no serious damages reported so far). Symantec plans to announce new features to fight spyware in some of its enterprise antivirus and intrusion prevention products.

Besides, there also are ? literally - hundreds of stand-alone anti-spyware developers and vendors. The number of anti-spyware software they all develop, promote and sell is constantly growing - and will grow in future. So will the profits. According to predictions from the market advisory firm IDC, the market for anti-spyware solutions is expected to boom in the next few years. Anti-spyware software revenues will soar from US$12 million in 2003 to $305 million in 2008.

But what about end users ? are they going to benefit from such a variety of anti-spyware solutions available at the market? Or will they just feel bewildered and lost in all this mass of ads offering instant relief from nasty and dangerous spyware? It looks like most people are already confused because advertising is pretty much alike ? how to distinguish a high-quality product from some hit-or-miss software developers fabricated in haste just to get quick profit?

What a user can (actually must) do is to know what exactly he or she is buying or installing for free. Here are several simple common-sense tips:

The first step is to visit the site of the company that produces this product. Look it through. Read "about us" section. How long does this company exist? Ignore "testimonials" ? there is no guarantee that it wasn't the company's PR manager who wrote them. It would be better to search, say, Google groups for opinions.

A good old background check will also do a lot of good. It takes some time, though ? but peace of mind later is worth half an hour's browsing the Web now. The simplest way is to search for the product's name along with such words like "installs", "spyware", "adware", "popups", etc.

There are even lists of suspicious, low-performing, or adware-installing products. See, for example, http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm - an ample list of anti-spyware you'd better not buy. By the way, the whole this site is worth studying thoroughly.

The fact that you are not a tech person doesn't mean you can afford not knowing the basic principles these products are based on. What a user can expect from an anti-spy product and what is simply impossible?

Most anti-spyware products apply signature databases, i.e. rely on simple pattern-matching technique. Detecting spy software is the crucial step of the whole process ? all the protection depends on whether the anti-spy software is able to detect as many malicious programs as possible. The bigger the database is and the more often it is updated, the more reliable protection the product will provide.

Signature base, which most anti-spy products depend on, is actually the "list" of signatures ? small pieces of spy programs' codes. Anti-virus or anti-spy program actually scans the system and compares its codes with those in signature bases. So, in this case only the spies whose signatures already are in the base will be detected and eventually "caught". As long as anti-spy software is regularly updated and the system doesn't come across some unknown spy product, everything is all right.

The problem is that there is good deal of people capable of creating something brand-new, unknown to anti-spyware developers. The period of time when a new spy already exists, but the updates have not been released yet, is the very time when cybercriminals make their biggest profits.

The advantage of signature base analysis is that programs based on this method of detection can be of wider range ? it is possible to include signatures from different types of spyware and adware into a single database. However, regular release of updates for these bases becomes crucial. If the developer fails to do it properly and on time, there is a considerable risk for such a program to become "Jack of all trades and a master of none."

The conclusion is simple ? if a product applies signature database, it's better to choose anti-spyware with the biggest and most frequently updated base. Don't expect absolute protection ? with this technique it is simply unattainable.

But in case of information-stealing programs, like keyloggers or keylogging-containing Trojans, a single "overlooked" program may mean lost valuable data. Since signature analysis can't ensure protection against constantly appearing brand-new keyloggers, blocking the very process of keylogging would be better. Such a technology already exists, and it may be the next step towards more reliable protection against the most malicious types of spy programs.

Alexandra Gamanenko currently works at Raytown Corporation, LLC - the independent software developing company, which created the technology capable of blocking the very process of keylogging. Visit its website: http://www.anti-keyloggers.com

8/7/07

The Great Spam Scam: Five Strategies To Stop Brand and Revenue Robbery.

Code NOD32 Update 7/8/2007

Username: AV-6355929
Password: x0o1er7qfu

UserName: AV-6359759
Password: r3a2nju82h

Username: AV-6352152
Password: wbi6hvpjr6

UserName: AV-6359762
Password: 73cddyg4kc

UserName: AV-6342356
Password: 1n60s7ckrd

UserName: AV-6359766
Password: 5iir32q6w1

UserName: AV-6359769
Password: nik1uhc2ew

Username: AV-6351885
Password: hhio0qmf03

Username: AV-6351886
Password: yynqe9ktx1

Username: AV-6357171
Password: t94unpecce

Username: AV-6352279
Password: nokvyxwfnv

The Great Spam Scam: Five Strategies To Stop Brand and Revenue Robbery


Marketers usually think of anti-spam tactics as 'how to prevent' readers from perceiving their e-communications as spam. There is another, more sinister, consequence that may affect you. Spam is not just an inconvenience. For legitimate businesses, it steals productivity, erode your brand, and rob you of revenue.

Many companies have no idea their products are being sold on the black market or their customers are tangled in credit card frauds thinking they ordered something from your organization and are about to receive zip. These shifty sales schemes cost companies billions of dollars each year in lost customers and sales of products and services.

While Aunt Margaret may have served Hormel canned pork (SPiced hAM referred to as Spam), like it or not, you knew what was in it. With Internet spam (unsolicited bulk email or unsolicited multiple postings to one or more Usenet newsgroups), you don't always know what you're getting. Some spam messages are convincing. Some are plain annoying. Whether spicy or not, many of them result in criminal offenses on a worldwide level.

Producers of a popular product, a drug like Retin-A, a best-selling software program, or a service such as a vacation package, are all economically affected by spammers. When people buy these knock-offs, legitimate companies lose money. When people order something and don't receive it, your company gets a bad name.

Five strategies for protecting assets

Whether your company sells pharmaceuticals, software, or other products, these five plans of action will help stop brand and revenue robbery:

1. Protect your intellectual property.
Follow these guidelines for managing the digital rights to your property and for protecting it.

- Verify everything is copyrighted and trademarks are registered. That includes registering with the U.S. Customs Service, because much of this criminal action happens overseas.

- Make formal contracts with your distributors or authorized resellers. Get it in writing that they agree not to send spam about your products.

Unfortunately, in most cases, your audience assumes you or one of your distributors is sending these spam messages about your product. Most of your customers or prospects have no idea someone completely unrelated to your sales organization would take the liberty to send a missive about your intellectual property.

2. Join industry associations.
Every member of the Internet community will be more effective working together than as individual organizations. One way to connect with other companies facing the same problem is by participating in lobbying efforts with them. If you work together, you can trade war stories and tap into additional valuable resources. Try to connect with people that share the same values your organization does. Communicate regularly about issues surrounding spam and the progress of your task force.

3. Be prepared to react.
Once you catch someone, be prepared to prosecute immediately. Spam prevention can only happen at the expense of current spammers, by taking legal steps to enforce the minimal standard out there, and prosecute those guilty of major crimes.

- Set up investigators to sleuth the problem.

- Set up an abuse email address (abuse@yourcompany.com) so buyers and customers can forward spam to you.

- Report anything that affects your brand to the authorities.

- Track the spammer down. Instead of starting at the sender of the spam, direct your search to the end result of the spam. You can do this by making a purchase. That way you will know immediately if the spam is criminal in nature. You will also know where the spammer collects his or her payment, and if the spammer is a pirate or credit card scam artist.

- If the party is guilty of pirating your product, work with that third party payment collection company such as Visa, PayPal, or BillPay and inform them of the problem. They will then get a court injunction to cease and desist, meaning they can shut the guilty spammer down. If the party is guilty of credit card fraud, inform the third party payment company, and also inform the internet service provider (ISP). In the U.S., the ISP will immediately shut down the spammer. Other countries have different laws, however, which is one of the reasons you want to register your product with the U.S. Customs Service.

Know that if you prosecute legally, once you get a court injunction and win your case, you are eligible for disgorgement. This legal term means you are entitled to all of the revenue that the spammer collects. While you may not get rich, at least you'll help stop the problem at its source.

4. Establish great business relationships with distributors and customers.
This strategy relies heavily on public relations including enewsletters. Part of image building, your branding falls under ensuring good business relations. Plante recommends the following ways to build these relationships:

- Let your customers know that spam exists.

- Send out customer surveys about your products and their attitude about spam, piracy, and credit card fraud.

- Create publicity around your steps as a Spam Fighter. Position yourself as a leader in the fight. Perhaps, add an occasional article in your newsletter about your fight against spam or put a note that spam is not tolerated by the "unsubscribe to newsletter" information.

5. Don't continue to spread spam to other users.
While legislation is one way to prevent spam from spreading, Robert Alberti of Sanction, Inc., recommends using technology such as firewalls, spam filters, and virus protection to help prevent and detect fraud. He also recommends using the task force to help end users become more knowledgeable about spam.

Position yourself in the eyes of customers and prospects as one of the "good guys." Regularly inform customers about the steps you're taking and alert them about possible fraud. As long as you continue to communicate with your customers, they'll realize the people at your company and throughout the Internet community don't like the taste of e-mail spam.

Meryl K. Evans is the Content Maven behind meryl.net who increases conversion rates by writing and editing content so organization can focus on their core business. She is the editor-in-chief of the eNewsletter Journal and Shavlik's The Remediator Security Digest. Visit her Web site at http://www.meryl.net/blog

8/6/07

Windows x: Basic Windows ? Security ? Issues

Code NOD32 Update 06/8/2007

Username: AV-6335034
Password: r9ew1kue7f

Username: AV-6355923
Password: 0jehkheprx

Username: AV-6218853
Password: tfj2jckqjo

Username: AV-6341939
Password: jhron4ocjp

Username: AV-6335938
Password: fbpcc7kmir

Username: AV-6335613
Password: 2qgxuub8gv

Username: AV-6355929
Password: x0o1er7qfu

Windows x: Basic Windows ?Security? Issues


Language development computer:
Computer-based method for aiding language development seems like an interesting idea, the trick with this would be in getting the computer to take on part of the role of the human in the checking process.

In all computer aided learning applications aimed at the very young, there is a danger that the computer may be seen as a replacement for a human instructor, however computer are notorious for not volunteering information or inability to deal with erratic behaviour. Getting this right would be a real challenge. As it seems now certain that inappropriate language teaching (forms of language teaching which are not in tune with the real as opposed to chronological development age of the child) leads to 'induced' (as opposed to real) dyslexia, finding the right targets for such systems will be a challenge in its own right.

With two such competing challenges, this project is really interesting.

Spell checking:
The first problem here is the fact that language is an abstract concept mainly built on rules that can be incorporated into logical software, but with some rules which are subjective and cannot be automated so easily.

The problems stem from what language actually means, what we are doing is producing a series of stylized sounds, which can be interpreted as language. You don't actually see language, it is an abstract concept built on rules. The only way you can know that it exists is through interpreting the results of its interactions with you. In the same way you can't smell intelligence!

Standard spell checking functionality tends to use a binary tree data structure to process a dictionary and a boolean operation to check the spelling of a word and returns true if the spelling matches an entry, false if not. The problems with this approach are compounded, especially with dyslexics, in an assumption that the initial letter, at least, is correct.

This project, on the other hand, starts from an identification of the meaning of the chosen word, and will return a series of correctly spelled results, none of which may match the target word. It is likely that the user will be requested to select one from a range of possible meanings, before being provided with the results.

The first problem here is related to how we get into the unconscious mind? The only way is to see what happens when people use words and see the effects of these things on that part of the world that you can perceive. However this is in effect arguing by analogy

Also there are some rules that are subjective and cannot be automated, the other half of them are not, where the program would consist of a database using some sort of parsing routine that detects the misuse of a word with respect to its contextual position.

Word Find:
Assuming it is possible to disregard syntactic information and ignore all syntax that functions as syntactic and yet still objective definition of the scaling constants.

This project could be very useful, a reverse thesaurus has many applications where it is helpful to find smaller words. For example situation where the uneducated are incapable of comprehension of polysyllabic words. The task here is to first create a way of breaking down works in a way that does not.

Stage one of this process is complementary to the Spell Checker discussed above.

The exciting part, from my perspective, is this. A slow/late learner, aged 18, is currently required to use books designed for primary school children, lacking the emotional maturity and depth of story to attract the older person.

A truly programmable word find could automate the 'translation' of the great (or exciting) works of literature into language accessible by persons with different levels of language development. Such persons could then develop the excitement in reading which drives reading development.

I am the website administrator of the Wandle industrial museum (http://www.wandle.org). Established in 1983 by local people determined to ensure that the history of the valley was no longer neglected but enhanced awareness its heritage for the use and benefits of the community.

8/3/07

Antivirus Software ? Get The Bugs Before They Get You!

Code NOD32 Update 03/8/2007

Username: AV-6335001
Password: mioocn1pfe

Username: AV-6335015
Password: fvymefxbh1

Username: AV-6335023
Password: cjosfau70j

Username: AV-6299946
Password: j63yucsgx2

Username: AV-6299952
Password: gcuhxi61w4

Username: AV-6299981
Password: o6jcjn4c3f

Username: AV-6299983
Password: pqhmbb33tf

Username: AV-6256956
Password: 298ax9t403

Username: AV-6335030
Password: tu8iagkdwr

Username: AV-6335043
Password: 68jt8tq3q2

Username: AV-6335054
Password: kyawu3raxv

Antivirus Software ? Get The Bugs Before They Get You!


You turn on your computer, and it doesn't look quite right. Maybe your icons have changed, or the background picture is wrong. Some options are disabled. Even worse, you may not be able to boot your computer up at all. Guess what ? it's probably got a virus.

In today's online world, protecting your computer from all the nasty things online is vital. Viruses can cause obvious issues, as described above, but they can also run silently in the background, propagating themselves across your computer and transferring on to the computers of people you know. Mostly, you only know you have a virus when substantial damage has already been done.

Some common signs of a virus include:

* Programs working erratically
* Computer locks up
* Greyed out options
* The browser home page has changed
* Icons have changed
* Difficulties starting up the computer

There is a solution! Antivirus software is readily available, and the good ones are very efficient at dealing with viruses in all their many and varied mutations. Basically, if you're online, you need this type of software.

So which one do you choose? For starters, be careful of using something free off the internet, particularly if it's one you've never heard of. Sometimes these programs are a way of implanting more viruses on your computer. Some of the better known brands give you the option of doing a free scan online, which is useful, but not a long term solution.

It's really important to choose well-known antivirus software. Ask friends, or someone computer savvy, for their recommendations. It may be worth visiting a computer store and buying it there, rather than online ? after all, if they've gone to the trouble of stocking it, it's most likely an established and trusted product.

There are plenty of good brands available, far too numerous to list here, but some of the best known are from McAfee, Norton and Trend. Check out the support available to you ? can you contact someone if you have trouble installing the software?

Most importantly, make sure there's an easy way to update the software on a regular basis (preferably as part of the purchase cost!). For example, my antivirus software pops up a little box every time an upgrade is available. I click okay, and it's automatically downloaded to my computer. Viruses change and develop at an alarming rate, so it's vital to keep your antivirus software up to date.

Finally, the all-important backup! The word "backup" tends to produce the same glassy eyed response as the word "budget", but it really is an essential part of being online. Regularly backup your important files to CD or DVD. If you're a business user, an automated and frequent backup process is vital. Once a virus has destroyed your computer, it's too late.

Being online is wonderful, but don't let it become a nightmare. Antivirus software will play a vital role in keeping your online experience a positive one.

Copyright Felicity Walker 2005

Keeping her computer running smoothly is a priority for the author! To find out more, check out http://www.antiviruszoneonline.com for more information.

8/2/07

Screenshots Vista Windows

Code NOD32 Update 2/8/2007


UserName: AV-5893275
Password: 8d5ougdjfj

UserName: AV-5897864
Password: 63uk9m35o1

Username: AV-6290363
Password: 5m1hsy4ayb

Username: AV-6290358
Password: o22x9uioqh

Username: AV-6329553
Password: vsj720rdxm


Screenshots Vista Windows


Features
Additionally, Vista will include many other new features.

Aero
Vista will include a completely re-designed user interface, code-named Aero. The new interface is intended to be cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing than previous Windows interfaces. The most visible addition to the interface is the sidebar (however this feature has been removed in the last alpha release), an area at the side of the screen consisting of tiles which display dynamic information about whatever window is currently in the foreground, which is essentially an extension of the "system tray" on the Windows task bar.

Search
Vista will feature a new search engine that will allow for instant display of results for a given search. This is in contrast to the search engine of Windows XP, which can take several minutes to display results. The Vista search will allow you to add multiple filters to continually refine your search (Such as "File contains the word 'example'"). There will also be saved searches that will act as Virtual Folders, where opening a folder will execute a specific search automatically and display the results as a normal folder. The search will also feature other usability improvements. The Vista search is actually built on an expanded and improved version of the indexing service for the search in Windows XP. This feature is similar to Apple Spotlight.

Metro
Metro is the codename for Microsoft's next generation document format, which is based on XML. It is similar in many ways to Adobe Systems' PDF. Metro is intended to allow users to view, print, and archive files without the original program that created it. The name Metro also refers to the print path in Vista. With Metro, documents can remain in the same format from the time they are created to the time they are printed. Microsoft states that Metro will provide better fidelity to the original document by using a consistent format for both screen and print output.

While many analysts suspect Metro is intended to be a "PDF-killer", Microsoft insists that they are not attempting to duplicate all the functionality of the PDF. For example, at the time of this writing, Metro is not planned to have the capabilities for dynamic documents.

Shell
The new shell is a significant change from previous versions of Windows. Combined with the new desktop searching feature, the shell gives users the ability to find and organize their files in new ways. Apart from the typical file organization practice of using folders to contain files, a new collection known as Lists let you organize files from multiple locations in a single place.

A new type of folder known as a Shadow Folder enables the ability to revert its entire contents to any arbitrary point in the past.

Additionally, the shell contains significant advancements in the visualization of files on a computer. Previous versions of the Windows Shell would display thumbnails to represent different files on your computer. In Windows Vista the thumbnail concept is taken further by overlaying different imagery to communicate more information about the particular file such as a picture frame around the thumbnail of an image file, or a filmstrip on a video file. Windows Vista helps the user identify the file easily by more intelligently generating the thumbnails. Using algorithmic analysis, images are cropped around their likely subject, and interesting key frames are automatically chosen from a video file. Also, the ability to zoom the thumbnails in the shell greatly increases their usefulness.

Networking
Windows Vista is expected to have a brand new networking stack. A significant change is a more complete implementation of IPv6 which is now supported by all networking components, services, and the user interface. Vista also takes advantage of P2P technology to provide a new type of domain-like networking setup known as a Castle. Castles make it possible for user credentials to propagate across networked computers without a centralized server making them more suitable for a home network.

The ability to assist the user in diagnosing a network problem is expected to be a major new networking feature. Using technologies such as UPnP, Windows Vista has a greater awareness of the network topology the host computer is in. With this new network awareness technology it can provide help to the user in fixing network issues or simply provide a graphical view of the perceived network configuration.

Other features
Full support for the "NX" (No-Execute) feature of processors. This feature, present in AMD's AMD64 architecture, as well as Intel's EM64T Architecture, can flag certain parts of memory as containing data instead of executable code, which prevents overflow errors from resulting in arbitrary code execution. This should not be confused with trusted computing facilities provided by a so-called Fritz-chip.

Built-in DVD recording capabilities, including Mt. Rainier support. A new installation program that will install Vista in about 15 minutes (which is present in alpha build 4074 of Windows Vista). Native Raw Image support (a format used by most professional digital cameras).

Native, embedded RSS support, with developer API. A new level of file encryption support from that available in Windows XP, which will make it easier and more automatic to prevent unauthorized viewing of files on stolen laptops/hard drives.

Monad. A new command-line interface called MSH, and codenamed Monad will not be fully implemented in Vista, but will exist in it to some extent. It plans to combine the Unix pipes and filters philosophy with that of object-oriented programming.

The "My" prefixes will be dropped, so "My Documents" will just be "Documents", "My Computer" will just be "Computer", etc. Windows System Assessment Tool (WinSat), a built in benchmarking tool which analyzes the different subsystems (graphics, memory, etc), and uses the results to allow for comparison to other Vista systems, and for software optimizations. The optimizations can be made by both windows and third-party software. Tom's Hardware Overview

File Virtualization, when an individual program's permissions are restricted, allows that program to use its own 'fake' set of certain files so modifications to those files from said program does not alter the original files. Transactional File Transfers, prevents a half updated set of files from being created during updates for example, which can cause stability problems. InfoCard, a user interface to the Identity Metasystem.

Features and technologies delayed until future releases WinFS (short for either Windows Future Storage or Windows File System): a combined relational database and filesystem, based on the next version of SQL Server (codenamed Yukon). Working on top of NTFS, it will provide abilities to represent objects and their relationships, rather than just a hierarchy of files and folders. The removal of WinFS from Windows Vista was announced in August 2004, and is expected to be released as an update to Vista, entering beta stages at about the same time as Vista is released. Microsoft's promotion of this technology has spurred the recent trend towards desktop search tools. Full implementation of Monad.

Graphics hardware requirements
Vista's graphics requirements are defined in relation to the different desktop experiences.

Aero Glass
This graphics mode adds support for 3D graphics, animation and visual special effects in addition to the features offered by Aero Express.

Intended for mainstream and high-end graphics cards.

At least 64 MB of graphics memory, 128 MB recommended, or 256 MB for 1600x1200+.

At least 32 bits per pixel.

3D hardware acceleration with capabilities equal to DirectX 9.

A memory bandwidth of 2 GB / second.

Capable of drawing ~1.5M triangles / second, one window being ~150 triangles.

A graphics card that uses AGP 4X or PCI Express 8-lane bus.

It is likely that such a configuration will be entry-level or lower by Vista's release in 2006.

Aero Diamond A graphics mode customized for the Vista Media Center Edition, and will not be made available in the other editions. Not much information is currently available, but it appears that it will be the most advanced level of graphics in Vista, requiring hardware at the same level or greater than the Aero Glass visual style.

Aero Express
The lesser Aero visual experience offering only the basic visual improvements introduced by Vista, such as composition based DPI scaling.

Intended for mainstream or lower-end graphics cards.

Uses the Avalon Desktop Composition window manager.

A Vista Driver Display Model (LDDM) driver is a requirement.

Some graphics cards already support LDDM. In some Vista builds (4074, 5048), LDDM is already supported to run Aero Glass.

To Go
The new Vista look & feel without any visual special effects, similar to the visual style Luna of Windows XP in that it resembles merely an application skin. As with Luna, no additional hardware requirements compared to the classic Windows interface.

A simple option for consumer upgrades, and mobile / low-cost devices. No additional requirements compared to the lesser Classic mode. Fallback mode in case the hardware requirements for Aero aren't met.

Classic
The most basic user interface offered by Vista, which is also seen in Windows 2000, or Windows XP with its visual style Luna deactivated.

An option for corporate deployments and upgrades.
Requires Windows XP Display Driver Model (XPDM) or LDDM drivers. No graphics card hardware requirements exceeding those of Windows XP.

Naming considerations
Vista means "the visual percept of a region", with these synonyms: aspect, panorama, prospect, scene and view. Translated from Spanish and Italian, vista means: sight, vision, ability to see; look, glimpse; spectacle; viewfinder; range of view; point of view.

In Latvian, however, vista means 'hen' (grown-up female of a bird, [2]) and 'chicken' (as in food), and may also connote something or someone not particularly agile or clever.

Windows Vista has been unofficially abbreviated to Windows VI, staying with the traditional 2 character motif, as in 95, 98, Me, NT, XP. VI is also the number 6 in Roman numerals, and Windows Vista will carry the version number 6.0 (Windows 2000 and Windows XP being Windows NT versions 5.0 and 5.1, respectively).

Windows Vista sound like "bosta" in Argentinian culture.

In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, Vista is a part of the atmosphere that surrounds the world of Arda before the cataclysm at the end of the Second Age. Vista forms the inner layer of normal air: above it is Ilmen, and above that Vaiya.

Get Windows Vista: http://www.vistaarticles.com/articles/14/1/Where-to-get-Windows-Vista?
Windows Vista Wallpaper: http://www.vistaarticles.com/articles/16/1/Windows-Vista-Wallpaper
Windows Vista Theme: http://www.vistaarticles.com/articles/16/1/Windows-Vista-Wallpaper