*CyberCoyote - March 6, 2008*

NEWS, NOTES and NOTICES

Dave Whittle was here today to introduce us to two main -- totally unrelated IMHO -- topics. The first was computer and internet services, and then he demonstrated software to create mixed-media DVDs with.

*Tempest in a teapot*
Dave began with a comparison of INVISUS identity protection with other services, in particular LifeLock (which I have previously recommended). That led to a spirited discussion. You had to be there to appreciate it. ;-) The links below lead to info that you can evaluate for yourself. (I'm currently researching identity protection again myself. Expect to read more here later.)
http://www.l.google.com/search?q=lifelock+founder
http://tinyurl.com/37c82n -- info on Invisus from Dave
http://invisusdirect.com/ -- computer and identity services

*Muvee autoProducer*
This is a polished program that lets you mix movies, photos and music to produce "Ken Burns style" DVDs (or CDs). It's aimed at users who don't want to spend a lot of time learning to use and then more time carefully creating mixed-media shows. The results are nice, if not professional. Just the thing for many people, but it's not for people who want to be in control of the creative process.
http://www.whats4me.com/picks/Muvee.aspx

TIPS, TOPICS and TWEAKS

*Microsoft Works File Converter*
Microsoft Works uses bastard file formats (not that there's anything wrong with bastards). If you (or your friends) don't have Microsoft Works but do have Microsoft Office, this converter will enable you (or them) to open, edit and even save files in the Works format.
http://tinyurl.com/287wkk -- Works converter

*Hardware Drivers from Windows Update*
As they say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," and I usually don't update hardware drivers just because an update comes along. When I do, I don't want to get the update from Microsoft. They often provide generic drivers, designed for a wide range of hardware. They're likely to be outdated, and in some cases worse than nothing. Treat Microsoft's offer as a helpful notification, but download the driver directly from the manufacturer's website. A system information utility can help you identify the specific version of your hardware.
http://tinyurl.com/2e78w8 -- system information utilities (category 43)

*Demystifying the Registry*
If you've always been curious about the Windows Registry, but reluctant to go further, this is a good place to learn more about it. (The registry has been described as "The single most stupid idea to be distributed in all of computing".) :-))
http://registryonwindows.com/

*Web-based Photo Editors*
The brand new "flauntR" is a free online photo service that offers basic editing -- resize, rotate, crop, color adjustment, red-eye removal -- and also gives you thousands of one-click effects -- textures, canvases, frames, sepia, etc. Picnik is a very similar editor that seems to be a little easier to use. There's no software to install for either of these, and did I mention, they're free to use. :-)
http://www.flauntr.com/
http://www.picnik.com/

ODDS and ENDS

*Oblivious*
http://tinyurl.com/ysyloc

*Cyber viruses in 3D*
What would they look like under an electron microscope? I don't know, but here is an artist's rendition.
http://tinyurl.com/2umfg2

*MicroHoo*
Speaking of acquiring Yahoo!, Microsoft was all set to acquire the Catholic Church back in the 20th century. The European Anti-trust Commission put the kibosh on that.
http://ifaq.wap.org/computers/microsoftcatholic.html

*That's all, folks.*

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