POI: Show #28 - 05.06.2007

[Download Show #28 as MP3]

News

Stories linked to an HD-DVD decryption code were posted to Digg
Digg removed them upon receiving a "cease & desist" order
The Digg community claimed censorship and revolted, linking to multiple sites with the code and then ensuring they all got to the front page (image )
Kevin Rose (creator of Digg) eventually made a blog post, claiming "we hear you" and that they will not remove anymore stories related to the code, even if it means Digg getting shut down.

Begins at the end of May
Will have option to purchase support
The fact that Dell is going to offer a non-server linux solution, is a big deal. Dell is the number 2 computer maker.
Should drop the cost of new computer down a couple hundred dollars since there is no Windows license to pay for

Software / Hardware / Power Web Picks

Ever gone to play a game, had your fun, then got back to your desktop only to realize that your game resized your desktop and moved all your icons around? You probably spent a lot of time getting those icons where you like them. Enter DIManager X.
Allows different icon profiles for multiple resolutions/users
Optional Automatic Icon restoration on resolution change
Self install, no entries to your Windows registry or hard disk (aside from you unzipping it)

How would you like to be able to track your money without having pay for Quicken or Microsoft Money?
GnuCash allows you to do this
Uses a double entry method of one account debits into another account, keeping books balanced
Has graphs, ledger, small business invoice/billing tracking, and even imports QIF, OFC, or HBCI files
While the graphs are not as pretty as Microsoft Money's, you can see where your money is going just as easily.
The downside is there is currently no automatic account update support so you have to go to each of your institutions and download files to import

Security & Privacy

People often laugh and Derek and I for being so security cautious, but being secure in your online activities is important
The good folks over at eWeek have a nice slide show that goes over 12 common things people do that are un-secure.
Let's go over some of these and we will also give you some quick tips on how to fix them.

"Equal Access" = Not logging out of a public computer properly allowing others to come along later and read your email, check your back account, or some other website you looked at

Fix this by making sure that you log out of websites throughly when accessing them from a public computer (internet kiosk or library computer)

"Don't Leave Home Without it" = Not encrypting the hard drive on your laptop that you carry around with you and contains all your personal data.

Download a hard drive encryption program like TrueCrypt or if your OS has it built in (Windows Vista Ultimate has BitLocker) use the built in option.

"Keep Close Attachments" = Clicking on attachments sent to you in emails from people you do NOT know

If you do not know the person who the email is from, you are better off not even opening it. If you think you might know the person then you might want to call them or email them back and verify their identity.

"My Password is 'Password'" = Having nonsecure passwords or having a secure password and leaving it written down somewhere by the computer.

Use a password locker like KeePass to create and store secure passwords for the different websites and accounts you log into.

Gamer's Corner

Editorial ("Power Up")

In reference to our story about Digg censoring stories we had at the beginning of the show we though we would discuss these issues

DMCA makes it illegal to rip a DVD to your computer (even for back up purposes)
Also pulls into question the right to fair use (ripping your CD to an Mp3 player)
Makes reverse engineering of encryption technologies illegal

Should websites take down stuff that allows fair use?
What about if they are served with court documents saying they should?
Do you feel that if a site takes down stories or information like a code that allows you to decrypt your HD-DVDs effects the integrity of that site? Call us and let us know what you think. Do you have questions about this kind of stuff? Give us a call and we'll try to answer them.

POI