UGN Info Manager UGN Info Manager
Symantec has warned the users of the Macintosh platform and Open Source browsers like Firefox that they are currently living under a false sense of security when it comes to safety from security glitches and bugs. The maker of Norton Antivirus application said that Firefox being an open source application is more susceptible to security risks than closed browsers like Internet Explorer and Opera. Symantec said that their research found that over the past six months, nearly twice as many vulnerabilities surfaced in Mozilla browsers as in Explorer. As for the Mac platform, their report claimed: "It is now clear that the Mac OS is increasingly becoming a target for the malicious activity, contrary to popular belief that the Mac OS is immune to traditional security concerns".
I have long said that eventually we would have security issues on the Mac. But it is unlikely that we will ever have the quantity of attacks that have hit the PC world and the ones that his Microsoft products such as Office and Explorer. "So be careful out there." Read more on the warning now!
Along those lines, I have been using Virus Barrier for a long time, thanks to getting version 1.0 at a MUG MacWorld breakfast several years ago. I was happy to see that it came with my new iMac G5 last spring and was also included in Tiger. I am sure that eventually, I will have to upgrade and pay a fee, but I really like this type of marketing. Read about it and its other "Barrier" companions at: www.intego.com
Apple's latest update fixes a vulnerability in which a maliciously-crafted GIF image may result in arbitrary code execution and a few bugs in Mail.app. The security hole could expose the contents of encrypted messages when using auto-reply and could disclose sensitive information when using Kerberos Version 5 for SMTP authentication.
The update delivers a number of other security enhancements as well for Safari, Mail.app, QuickTime, QuickDraw, Mac OS X security, and more. Apple also released Backup 3.0, its backup application for Mac OS X.
Security Update 2005-008
Mac OS X 10.3.9 Panther
Mac OS X 10.4.2 Tiger
Backup 3.0 docs.info.apple.com
Don't let the above stories dissuade you from using dot-Mac. We think it probably should be okay. Maybe. A significant update to .Mac provides group communication, file sharing, file storage and protecting digital photos and videos, private groups, back-up and restore and new rates for single or family plans. Read more...
Finally, there's an up-to-date, well-illustrated guide to the TCP/IP protocol suite for network professionals, internetworking educators, and students ... Read more...
According to Canadian news sources: Qualifying owners of iPods who were charged a fee under the copyright protection program are entitled to a rebate, as the fee was ruled improper by the courts earlier this year. That means there will be no levy applied to digital audio recorders such as Apple's popular IPod and IPod Shuffle as well as other MP3 players like IRiver. To request a refund, you must print out, complete, and sign a claim form (downloadable PDF) ... see the full story...
Apple has posted iPod Updater 2005-09-23, an update to its firmware for the iPod shuffle. Apple says the update offers bug fixes for iPod shuffle. The download, however, includes the latest firmware for all the iPods and is 32MB in size. www.apple.com
If you work with photos, you'll want this collection of real-world, straight-from-the-trenches advice on the practical commercial applications of retouching with Adobe Photoshop.
Technology and Culture in Silicon Valley This Stanford University site is trying to document the Mac's development. See what they have and offer suggestions. stanford.edu/mac/
Apparently there is a TV show that looks at various myths and determines whether they are true or not. I personally hadn't heard of it. But there are two web sites that summarize the results captured on the show. One is: Myth Busters The other is: en.wikipedia.org
I can no longer point to the article, because in the process of creating this column in Word, it froze on me. (Tried to paste from a web page into Word and got the spinning beach ball. And not only did I lose unsaved items, but my saved text file was also destroyed.)
But the article I read briefly discussed the benefits of using free or nearly free software that we have mentioned here in the past.
But the author pointed out that the Education edition of Office is available for only $130 for those who are students or teachers or have family members who are. The really good thing here is that you get a license for 3 machines. So that makes it really cheap for a family with 2 or 3 Macs. One of the alternatives is at: www.neooffice.org
According to an article on the News Review web site, The Apple Blossom Computer Club is offering a free 1 and a half hour class at the local county library with topics to include: "How To Plug In The Components," "How To Control The Pointing Device," "Writing and Printing Letters," and "Getting Started With The Internet." I wish that they had included a state or an area code so I would know where this was happening, but it is a terrific idea to find new members. Read more...
I have recommended TidBITS many times over the past 15 - 20 years. Last week's issue had reviews of Stuffit Deluxe 10 and FileMaker Pro 8. As a bonus, Adam Engst allows MUGs to reprint article with proper credit.
(As an aside, this is a prefect example of a text only newsletter and the AUGB mailing list has been debating that very topic. "Text or HTML".) Read the newsletter on the web site at: www.tidbits.com
... and older versions of Windows ... According to this article, this is possible, because it uses an XML- based markup language and JavaScript which are already cross- platform. This will also allow it to be used in phones and PDAs. Of course some people are speculating that this is a typical Microsoft solution of using an open standard, modifying it to suit their needs and then taking over the standard. Microsoft is saying that it is still in the formulation stage. ... see the full story...
I haven't tried this yet, but the web site claims that: "Fire is a free Instant Messaging client for Mac OS X. It supports the seven most popular Instant Messaging services: AIM , CQ , irc, Jabber (including Google Talk and Apple iChat Server), MSN , Yahoo! Messenger and Apple Bonjour (aka Rendezvous)" I downloaded, it and will give it a try. Let me know what you think. Get it at: fire.sourceforge.net
It is meant as humor, but it could happen. See this at: www.davidmccandless.com
Ambrosia's new game dances to the beat of a different drummer: el Ballo. This soon-to-be-hero jumps on the scene, naked and dirty. (Well, not exactly!) Have some fun...
Go behind the usual closed doors to learn how to become a better manager -- even a great manager - powerful tips on delegating effectively, using feedback, goal-setting, meetings, decision making and more... Read more...
Icon expert, Alexander Guerrero, talks about using icons for a better communication between user and application interface author. ... see the full story...
"Let your imagination release your imprisoned possibilities."
- Robert H. Schuller
"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate."
- Oprah Winfrey
"Self-discipline begins with the mastery of your thoughts. If you don't control what you think, you can't control what you do. Simply, self-discipline enables you to think first and act afterward."
- Napolean Hill
"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." br />
- Albert Einstein
Have a great week... (See last week)
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