*CyberCoyote - July, 2008*

NEWS, NOTES and NOTICES

*Windows XP SP3*
I haven't read about any new problems with SP3 for three weeks. Last week I decided to install SP3 on this computer. Now it's at least twice as fast. Just kidding. I haven't seen any adverse effects though. I wrote a few notes in Episodic about my experience. If you haven't installed SP3 yet, you might want to read about it before you start.
http://cybercoyote.org/links/175.html

TIPS, TOPICS and TWEAKS

*Where's my hard disk space gone?*
WinDirStat is a handy little program that will make it easy to see where it's gone. One nice thing is that you can right-click and delete files or folders right from the program. Note: It takes a while for WinDirStat to scan your hard drive to size everything up, so be patient eh?
http://cybercoyote.org/links/176.html -- comments
http://cybercoyote.org/links/177.html -- source

*How File Compression Works*
No doubt you know that a *.zip file is a compressed version of an original file. You probably also know that a *.zip file can be rehydrated, so to speak, to restore the original file. "Zipping" is called "lossless" compression because unzipping puts everything back just the way it was.

You may also know that *.mp3 and *.jpg files are created by "lossy" processes that squeeze out more of the originals. These files are like powdered eggs. They're still useable, but you lose something in the process -- audio fidelity in the case of *.mp3, -- visual fidelity in the case of *.jpg. HowStuffWorks shows you more about how compression is done.
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/file-compression.htm

Update: There's an insane number of audio and video compression formats. You need the proper "codec" to play each one. Here's a nice rundown on codecs: http://www.techsupportalert.com/understanding-codecs.htm

DOWNLOADS

*Extend Windows Explorer*
This article describes some small programs that extend the features of Windows Explorer. For those of you who don't use Explorer as heavily as I do, they may not be very exciting, but if you do the first one, "FileBox eXtender", is simply not to be missed. I've tried many similar programs in the last 10 years. FileBox eXtender is the simplest and best of them all.
http://windowssecrets.com/comp/080612#story1

*Freeware Galore*
I've noted before that I'm one of many volunteer editors for Gizmo's "Best-ever Freeware Utilities List". The website is already serving over 3 million pages to visitors per month. If you're looking for a recommendation for a specific program, you'd do well to look there, or just browse to see what's available.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/

SECURITY

*Booby Trapped*
You can no longer assume that well-known websites are safe websites. Cyber-criminals have largely moved to indirect attacks through compromised websites in preference to direct attacks, for example, social engineering.
http://www.technibble.com/malware-on-legit-sites/
http://cybercoyote.org/links/180.html

*The Pros and Cons of LifeLock*
There's been considerable negative "news" about Lifelock recently. Think "swift-boated". Credit bureaus and class-action lawyers are behind most of it. Bruce Schneier, a venerable security expert, puts things in objectively -- something the main stream media no longer does (about this or anything else).
http://cybercoyote.org/links/178.html

ODDS and ENDS

*Vendors Day*
http://cybercoyote.org/links/179.html

*Walking the dog*
http://mrtoledano.com/images/photos/people/07.jpg

*Pucker factor*
This hike looks more exciting than the rim of the Grand Canyon. :>)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caminito_del_Rey -- the story
http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1438490562 -- video
http://gary.stanley.net/cyber_news.htm -- source

*That's all, folks.*