Technology and Beer

This is huge. Having this running inside your Windows 7 installation will ensure compatibility with older programs while still being able to benefit from the performance, stability and security advances of Windows 7. This is a glimpse into the future of Windows installations.

Secret No More: Revealing Windows XP Mode for Windows 7 - SuperSite Blog

This is good news to be sure. The Beta was stunningly good, but the lack of drivers really hampered my daily usage of it. I am looking forward to this nearly-complete version solving most of those issues and smoothing out some of the rough edges. There still are those pesky rumors of a separate version of Windows 7 being developed simultaneous to this one that has a modified UI. Not sure I am real thrilled with that prospect, but we shall see.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=2547

Security is very important and should be treated as such, but this is not a new trojan and has been patched for over six months. If you are a Windows user and haven’t been in a coma since last October, this is probably patched on your machine. Plus, all major (and minor ones probably) anti-virus packages have been able to detect and delete this worm for quite awhile. I agree with Ed’s take that this hysteria is manufactured by the security companies themselves to create panic and drive users to their sites in hopes of driving up sales.

We should, however, take this as an opportunity to perform a review of proper security policy. Here are the big three;

- If you are running Windows, you should be running the Windows Update feature. Automatically. All the time. Period. No excuses. Do it. If you don’t know how or are not sure, ask someone or better yet, Google it.

- Install anti-virus software and make sure it updates automatically. Just because your new PC came with an anti-virus package on it DOES NOT NECESSARILY mean that it is updating regularly. Updates are a paid subscription and most new PC purchases only come with 6 to 12 months of protection included. I personally detest most of the big commercial anti-virus packages because they are needless bloated and take up too many system resources, but they are CERTAINLY better than nothing at all. Don’t want to drop the coin for updates? No problem. Go here.

- STOP GOING TO FREAKY WEBSITES! This is probably the easiest defense against trojans, malware and viri. With some of the modern forms of malware, just the act of going to an infected website is enough to pass it along to you. Though there is no hard and fast rule as to what sites are safe, a couple of guidelines would be to stick to major names (Amazon, E-Bay, Yahoo, Google, etc) and to avoid sites that have popups. If a website automatically launches popups when you visit, it’s probably shady. Even if it’s not, it is bad form and you may not want to patronize them on principle. ;)

So take responsibility for your internet security and get updated!

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=778

More info on the Adamo. I’m really looking forward to getting my hands on one of these.

Dell Adamo to also come in $2,699 1.4GHz model with 3G