Listener Questions

don't understand stuff we talk about ? webopedia can help!

2006-11-14T09:28:00.000+11:00

If you hear something that we talk about on these segments and don’t quite understand the words, then help is available. Webopedia is a free online dictionary for words, phrases and abbreviations that are related to computer and Internet technology. Webopedia.com provides an easy-to-understand definitions in plain language, avoiding the use of heavy jargon when possible so that the site is accessible to users with a wide range of computer knowledge. From the beginners to the advanced user this site can assist most people make sense of the jargon.
The definitions on Webopedia evolve and change as technologies change, so the definitions are frequently updated to reflect trends in the field. New terms are added on a daily basis, and many of the new terms come from suggestions from the site's users.
This information was compiled from the webopedia website

Bank Suffers from DoS attack

2006-10-22T19:38:00.000+10:00

The National Australia Bank has confirmed that their websites suffered from a DoS attack, which was first detected at 6am. The attack saw the blocking of access to the NAB’s site and slow log-ons for the bank’s internet banking customers occured intermittently throughout the day NAB was not aware of the source or motivation of the attack and event had been referred to the Australian High Tech Crime Centre (AHTCC) - a section of the Australian Federal Police.
A DoS attack is called a denial of service attack, which is caused when an offending computer pings or floods a network node with useless information or data requests. Often a DoS attack is created when several thousand computers are infected with viruses and then send useless requests to the one machine on the internet.

Flash ram to replace hard drives say experts

2006-10-22T19:16:00.000+10:00

It appears the days of mechanically driven hard drives are numbered as flash ram is becoming more and more easily produced in large storage sizes. A company in the US claims it will soon be able to produce hard drive replacements using flash ram that can store up to 160gb on each unit. Flash ram has the distinct advantage of being faster to access data than mechanical units.

Internet explorer seven released.

2006-10-22T18:49:00.000+10:00

Microsoft has just recently released its news internet explorer and it appears that numbers users have expressed their opinions or possible distaste on the internet blogs that they write to. I have downloaded an installed the program and found it works well unless you want to look at the Telstra.com website which ends up looking like an absolute jumble of buttons. It appears that a lot of the website designers will have to create their websites for legacy browsers and the new Microsoft IE7. This type of complications and misreading of website code will force more people towards the open source firefox browser. Most of the comments of the bloggers that are writing about IE7 seem to think that the news firefox 2.0 will eat further into the internet browser market. One quote which everyone seems to indicate that “It’s Microsoft and its not firefox!”

Video IPOD Owners warned about Virus, Apple blames Microsoft for virus!

2006-10-22T17:51:00.000+10:00

Owners of Ipods are possibly quaking in their boots when it was discovered that their was an IPOD virus floating around on the internet. Some of the symptoms showed on ipods infected by this virus were loss of control of a number of functions like the play and turn off commands. However, the ipod can also be spread the virus as the user connects it to other machines to synchronize and download or exchange more files.

The virus is a major concern to apple, which has laid the blame directly at their competitor Microsoft. A claim o of industrial espionage has been made against Microsoft by Apple. The RavMonE.exe virus is rated a low risk by anti-virus companies but the virus is causing several headaches.
Apple discovered the RavMonE.exe virus on video iPods as they were being dispatched from one of its contract manufacturers. It is believed it effects units retailed purchased after Sept. 12, 2006. Apples says that iPod nanos, shuffles and Mac OS X operating system are unaffected.
The virus propagates using mass storage devices connected to Windows machines, such as external hard drives, digital cameras, removable media and USB flash drives. The good news Is that most antivirus programs will detect it easily

Girls are gamming more and more

2006-10-08T20:05:00.000+10:00

New research has claimed that over two thirds of online gamers are women, in a survey conducted by Nielsen Entertainment. Called the Active Gamer Benchmark Study reports, it says 64 per cent of US internet gamers are female.
The research also shows that, although teenagers continue to comprise the largest percentage of active gamers, more than 15 million of these gamers, almost eight per cent, are now 45 or older.
While women make up nearly two-thirds of all online gamers, men still outnumber women in the overall video game universe by more than two to one.
Although older females make up the largest percentage of casual gamers, active gamer teens and young adults also comprise a considerable portion of this market, with more than half playing casual games an hour or more a week.
Full story at http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2165826/online-gaming-girl-geeks-beat

Vista comming in November

2006-10-08T19:50:00.000+10:00

In a news article on the web it seems like Microsoft does mean business! Announcing that its upcoming Windows Vista OS will include anti-piracy controls.

Such an inclusion of anti-piracy controls in Vista does highlight a growing world-wide concern regarding software piracy.

Upcoming Windows Vista and Windows Longhorn releases will ship with a module that requires users to register their software. In the event users fail to register, the software will operate in "reduced functionality mode," and going further, if they do not register within 30 days, the software will "cease to function".

Users of unregistered/pirated Vista will be able to access critical security updates, but not other very important functions. The corporate version of Vista will ship in November this year - exactly as envisioned by Microsoft.

Wireless Woes

2006-10-08T19:30:00.000+10:00

A Listener was speaking to me about wireless networking the other day and how much trouble she was having utilizing her network. They had gone wireless to allow their kids and other members of the family to use the internet around the house but the investment of 450 dollars worth of wireless equipment was almost down the drain.

The network would work ok for about 4 to five minutes then it would fail completely. So what could be causing it? Was it faulty equipment? Well I didn’t think so, however, I have had some experience with RF (radio frequency) interference. I went looking for devices in the house that use wireless communications.

Most wireless communications works on the 2.4 gigahertz and looking for devices in the house that might also be using this spectrum might well be a worth while exercise. On investigation we locate no more than 3 devices.

• . Cheap alarm system – that uses the 2.4ghz frequency spectrum to communicate between its sensor devices. This alarm system is basically crap because it would cause interference to the wireless network, secondly all the wireless devices require their own independent power supply so batteries are going to cost you a mint.
• 5 station cordless phone – the family used this rather than having cables installed in the house with extra outlets, whilst this is a highly advanced unit and very good at what it does it tends to interfere with the wireless networking.
• Cordless Video Sender – because they had a paytv set in the house the family wanted thr abilities to share it across the house so they purchased a couple of video senders that transmit it to tv is the house. However, they recon this never worked after they got the telephones.

All of these items will interfere with the wireless networking. Whilst you can adjust the routers channel settings to use a specific channel on the 2.4ghz spectrum it often has no effect in resolving the issues.

Well this family has a decision to make, sell off the wireless gear on ebay and cut their losses or sell off the telephone system and upgrade the alarm system. Either way they have lost money. This highlights you need to do research before going wireless.

Terminology Discussed on ABC Mid NorthCoast

2006-07-17T08:19:00.000+10:00

NVU = Pronounced N View available free for download at http://www.nvu.com

Thin Client – basic computer that does not run its main applications from its own hard drive but rather runs them from a central server, usually has what is known as an embedded operating system.

What is an embedded operating system? – an operating system programmed on a chipset or EPROM. Usually used in a thin client, PDA computer or small machines.

Legacy Machine: a machine that used to run an older operating system and is of inferior standards compared to what today’s technology might be.

Limited budget

2006-05-21T20:32:00.000+10:00

Savings can be seen on all software around this time and it’s a great time to buy your software as many of the products are marked down at this time of year. Did you know that if you have kids at school, or your studying or not going to use the software for commercial purposes you are eligible for Academic prices on software. Windows XP professional upgrade can be bought for under 100 bucks. My is this? Well in all honesty its to cut down the number of machines in Australia running non legitimate copies of XP. Currently 25% of all XP installs in Australia are not complying with the end user licence agreement or are pirated copies.

But the good news is that once you have a legitimate copy of windows xp you can then utilize Open Source windows software to get you out of trouble. Open Office provides you with a free office suite capable of opening and editing PowerPoint, Word and Excel files. The Gimp is a package with the power of photoshop for free.

I know I harp on about open source a lot but really it’s the solution to someone who has a budget which is limited.
Web Browser – http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/Email Client - http://www.mozilla.com/thunderbird/Office Suite - http://www.openoffice.org/Graphics Package - http://www.gimp.org/CD Burning - http://www.geoshock.com/cdrtools/File Sharing - http://www.shareaza.com/FTP Client - http://filezilla.sourceforge.net/Instant Message Client - http://gaim.sourceforge.net/VOIP PABX http://www.asteriskwin32.com/VOIP Clients - http://www.sipfoundry.org/sipXphone/IRC Client - http://www.savirc.com/Anti spam - http://mailfilter.sourceforge.net/Media Player - ftp://ftp.mplayerhq.hu/MPlayer/releases/win32-beta/Website download copier - http://www.httrack.com/

Spyware issues.

2006-05-21T19:44:00.000+10:00

Peter -each time lately I have logged onto the net I have received a message from Microsoft Internet Explorer regarding a vuneralbility to Mytob virus and suggest I download a " free" program NOW. when I go into the area I get confused - then its trial only etc etc.
I already have Norton antivirus which I update every few weeks the last update was last week.
These message frighten me - should I be concerned???
Perina

Hi,
What you have is called spyware or Malware and its really a pain in the arse, I suggest downloading the following program it seems to kick the spyware threats for a six. http://www.download.com/Spyware-Terminator/3000-8022_4-10513224.html?tag=lst-0-1

I suggest this program in conjunction with a microsoft program called windows defender http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=435bfce7-da2b-4a6a-afa4-f7f14e605a0d&displaylang=en

What ever you do, never touch a program that is recommended to you by a windows pop up especially when it wants you download it to clear the virus.

Peter

Why use the internet to listen to something available on digital

2006-05-21T19:37:00.000+10:00

My husband listens to ABC Dig Jazz on the internet and our ISP charges for downloads and its been running our DSL account costs up what can we do? Jean.

Hi Jean,
OK firstly I suggest changing the ADSL plan your on so hubby can listen to internet radio. However, for the second option I suggest buying a standard definition set top box from your local electronics shop I bought one recently for as low as 70 dollars. The set top box gets ABC TV and ABC 2 plus SBS and other stations if they are broadcasting. But the big draw is the digital radio stations available such as ABC Dig and ABC Dig Jazz on two CD quality channels and SBS radio 1 and 2 again at CD audio quality. Also Austar and Foxtel on their radio services now broadcast all the ABC channels including the two previously mentioned DIG channels and news radio which is not available in all regional areas. To find out more have a look at www.dba.org.au which explains more about digital television

Bluetooth???

2006-05-21T13:40:00.000+10:00

Hi Peter, How does Bluetooth work?? John in Nambucca.

Hi John,
Bluetooth is a type of wireless networking that takes connecting computer devices to the next level by removing the need for user intervention and keeping transmission power extremely low.
Bluetooth is essentially a networking standard that works at two levels:
It provides agreement at the physical level -- Bluetooth is a radio frequency standard.
It provides agreement at the protocol level, where products have to agree on when bits are sent, how many will be sent at a time, and how the parties in a conversation can be sure that the message received is the same as the message sent.
The big plus of Bluetooth is that it is wireless, inexpensive and extremely automatic. However, this plus is also a downfall as many malware writers have created viruses that can be automatically transferred between phones unless the phone is has its security turned on. I work in a busy night club and last night I left my blue tooth on my phone turned on but allowed it to prompt me before allowing access a quick scan and in a room which holds 250 people and was at capacity I received 180 requests for connection to my phone.
Bluetooth has two standards, the older Bluetooth 1.0 standard has a maximum transfer speed of 1 megabit per second (Mbps), while Bluetooth 2.0 can manage up to 3 Mbps. Bluetooth 2.0 is backward compatible with 1.0 devices.
Bluetooth networking transmits data via low-power radio waves a frequency of 2.45 gigahertz) This frequency band has been set aside by international agreement for the use of industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM).
When Bluetooth-capable devices come within range of one another, electronic chatter takes place to negotiate and determine if they have data to share or whether one needs to control the other. This electronic chatter happens automatically unless the user has set that manual intervention is required.. Once the chatter has occurred, the Bluetooth devices -- whether they're part of a computer system, a camera, a mobile phone or even an audio device form a network. Bluetooth systems create a personal-area network (PAN), or piconet, that may fill a room or may encompass no more distance than that between the cell phone on a belt-clip and the headset on your head. Once a piconet is established, the members randomly hop frequencies in unison so they stay in touch with one another and avoid other piconets that may be operating in the same room.

More information can be found on http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/bluetooth1.htm

2006-04-25T19:13:00.000+10:00

Emails accumulate at an alarming rate and I file them all under theirappropriate folders in the outlook express left hand column. I need to savethem off the pc somewhere and clear the outlook express files.Because of the amount this needs to be done en-masse or by each folder i.esent items, personal, business, etcI do have an spare external 40gb hard drive (called Dimension) but needinstructions on transferring the data.I am using a fairly old Toshiba Satellite laptop which does not have aninbuilt burner but I have a Diamond burner and removable micro cruzer saverUSB plug in. I am using Windows ME.I know I am due for an pc upgrade but the system still works ok for myneeds.Saving word docs or other files is not a problem as I just save to removabledisc and my wife burns a disc on her late model laptop for me. It's justthese outlook emails I need to save.Thanks for your help and time
Robert Smith

Hello Robert,
Sorry it has taken me a little time to get back to you I have been working to broadcast the Wauchope ANZAC day dawn and 11am services. I have located a free application that will assist in the back up process. http://www.download.com/Acubix-PicoBackup-Outlook-Express-Edition/3000-2369_4-10408457.html?tag=lst-0-5 I do suggest one of two types of back up. The external hard drive is ok but remember it is a mechanical option and with mechanical options the chance of failure is there.

I suggest a DVD burner and the correct storage procedures that will allow you to keep the data safe but remember DVD media are not permanent either but will last around 10 years if stored correctly.

Microsoft have information on the back up process I hope that might also be helpful http://support.microsoft.com/kb/270670

Peter Saville

Spyware???

2006-04-24T19:16:00.000+10:00

Hello Peter,
I have just returned from holidays in Asia and upon turning on my computer, up pops a window telling me "my three days movie pass trial period has expired and if I want to stop the annoying reminders, to pay an amount by credit card"!!!!!!!
There is an annoying music in the background that you just cannot stop and you are unable to delete the window?
Any suggestions?
Regards,
Graham Hindson

Hi Graham,
I think you have some spyware or adware in your machine. I suggest we need to remove this via a two programs which are free to download http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10401314.html?tag=lst-0-1 and http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10399602.html?tag=lst-0-1 once you download these and run the updates on these files your should then scan the computer and they will remove the offending items. Once that is completed I suggest running a registry cleaner over the machine, this is a free one that is good but you do really need to buy a commercial one. These are the free ones you can use in the meantime http://www.download.com/Abexo-Free-Registry-Cleaner/3000-2094_4-10434887.html?tag=lst-0-2 and http://www.download.com/Clean-My-Registry/3000-2094_4-10492572.html?tag=lst-0-4 .

Thanks for your email and I hope this helps..

Peter

What is a hamster?

2006-04-02T20:48:00.000+10:00

The other day I heard of a computing device called a hamster? Confused I started trailing the web and discovered would you believe a hamster is the name for a wireless mouse. Its because it doesn’t have a tail.

Virtual Memory

2006-04-02T20:38:00.000+10:00

What is virtual memory>

It is a form of memory created on a hard disk which is supported by some operating systems. Virtual memory is usually a pagefile on a hard disk which can grow and shrink in size depending upon the applications running on the computer. Basically, any information not needed to be stored in the primary storage by the computer can be shunted to a page file on the secondary storage and then accessed when that information is again needed and loaded back into the primary storage. Whilst this kind of accessing slows down the operation of the computer it has several distinct advantages. Namely, that the PC using virtual memory can run programs without the need for massive amounts of random access memory, which can of course prove very expensive.
Windows and Mac OS should really be left to manage there own VM sizes but it should be pointed out that if your running out of hard disk space your also running out of room for the virtual memory page file and the computer will then tend to slow up further.

firewall???

2006-03-20T18:38:00.000+11:00

To firewall or not to firewall?

G`day Peter, I have just joined a new ISP, Q; is do I need there Fire wall? or is there a free one I could use, I run Windows XP home with XP Pack 2, which has a fire wall.

I am currently until the change over with another provider, and pay them a $1 p/m for there fire wall,,, I also run Norton Anti Virus 2003,,

Hope you can help.. ( more time on the radio too would be good,) Thanks. Lou..

Hi louis,

Firstly remember to give me your new email address when you change over, i don't really believe you need a software fire wall as windows one does suffice, keep your anti virus up to date but microsoft is launching a firewall and anti syware service shortly. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=435bfce7-da2b-4a6a-afa4-f7f14e605a0d&displaylang=en

Spyware menace

2006-03-20T18:32:00.000+11:00

I would appreciate if you could help us with a message that flashes on to our computer screen constanly with a message "Your computer is infected, windows has detected Spyware infection ...........Click here to proctrect your computer from spyware.

On clicking into the box it proceeded to download a spyware program which I did not continue with.

As I have Norton installed I checked the status which indicated that installed programs are working correctly.

Could you please advise the best way to delete this message.

Regards John & Julia (Adlington)

Hi John,

Yes you have a piece of spyware on your machine trying to sell you of all things a antispyare cleaner. don't buy their one as it isn't likely to clean much off you machine but clean some of credit card balance. I suggest you need to look at adaware and spybot to clean it off otherwise you may need to buy a professional spyware cleaner from pctools.

adaware and spyware are free from www.download.com

Need a UPS

2006-03-20T18:14:00.000+11:00

Listener question from the this mornings Mid North Coast session was on power protection. Now unfortunately not being able to go into brand names made it a little difficult to answer on air other than telling the listener he needs a UPS.

UPS is short for uninterruptible power supply, a power supply that includes a battery to maintain power in the event of a power outage. Typically, a UPS keeps a computer running for several minutes after a power outage, enabling you to save data that is in RAM and shut down the computer gracefully. Many UPSs now offer a software component that enables you to automate backup and shut down procedures in case there's a power failure while you're away from the computer.

There are two basic types of UPS systems: standby power systems (SPSs) and on-line UPS systems. An SPS monitors the power line and switches to battery power as soon as it detects a problem. The switch to battery, however, can require several milliseconds, during which time the computer is not receiving any power. Standby Power Systems are sometimes called Line-interactive UPSes.

An on-line UPS avoids these momentary power lapses by constantly providing power from its own inverter, even when the power line is functioning properly. In general, on-line UPSs are much more expensive than SPSs. However, the good news with these UPS devices is that they filter the power and make sure the power is kept at a constant level.

A UPS can also have surge production which also filters the power levels on both the mains or the telephone lines. Many users have installed internet 56k modems and these being connected directly to the mainboard expose the computer to a potentially disastrous when a power spikes hits the phone line.

I use two brands of UPS in my own network, these are Powerware and Sola I find them very easy to use and reasonably priced. Please note I am sure there are other brands out there that are just as good these are just the two I have used.

I also use a Fortron Power surge protector they are great as they offer a warranty that pays out if there product didn’t save your items plugs into it.

SOURCE: webopedia.com and petersaville.net

Graphics Package

2006-02-06T21:16:00.000+11:00

Hi Peter,

I I was looking at doing some graphics editing and I was seriously considering buying photoshop until I saw the price tag. What else is there?? - Jan

Good news is that Adobe have released Photoshop elements which is cheaper but perhaps you might like the gimp is a free open source package for both linux, mac and windows. You can download it from http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/stable.html.

Need a free antivirus

2006-02-06T21:10:00.000+11:00

My Nortons has run out and I am running Windows 98 and it appears Nortons 2006 does not support windows 98 any longer?

Well I did give advice recently to someone wanting to install 2005 on a machine recently but they had to do a full windows update via http://update.microsoft.com and install a new memory stick with 128 meg of ram. This was because the program required 96 meg of ram.
The requirements for Nortons 2006 according to Amazon.com who sell it via mail order are :

· Windows XP Home/Professional Edition

· 300MHz or higher processor

· 256 MB of RAM

· 325 MB of hard disk space

· Windows 2000 Pro with SP3 or higher:

· 300MHz or higher processor

· 128 MB of RAM

· 325 MB of available hard disk space

· Email scanning supported for standard POP and SMTP-compatible email clients

· Supported instant messaging clients for Norton AntiVirus

· AOL Instant Messenger 4.7 or higher

· Yahoo! Instant Messenger 5.0 or higher

· MSN Messenger 4.6, 4.7, 6.0, or higher (MSN 5.0 is not supported)

· Windows Messenger 4.7 or higher

· Private information blocking supports:

· Standard POP3 and SMTP compatible email clients

· Standard Web browsers

· AOL Instant Messenger 4.3 or higher

· MSN Messenger 4.6, 4.7, 6.0, or higher (MSN 5.0 is not supported)

· Windows Messenger 4.7 or higher

However, there are still a number of packages that you can download to protect your PC I recommend this antivirus package http://www.clamwin.com/ which you can download for free. ClamWin Free Antivirus is a GNU GPL Free Software release and Open Source Virus Scanner and Spyware Detector

Network Address Translaters

2006-01-31T07:48:00.000+11:00

G'd Peter

A friend of mime who has Bigpond broadband has used a number of websites, including those below, to verify his IP address

http://www.ipchicken.com/

http://WhatisMyIP.com/

However, both sites are providing him with the same INCORRECT IP address.

I've used the sites and found it works A-OK for me.

Have you come across this before? Do you have any suggestions?

Cheers, Col

Hi Col,
Yes I have seen this before often ISP’s run a Network Address Translator (NAT) where you when you dial up or connect via ADSL you are given an internal Internet Point address which is then linked to an external IP address.

Also if your friend has a router it also does the same with a NAT and gets the ip address from the ISP and then links all the computers connected to that router with 192.168.x.x addresses. This could be what he is seeing.

Peter