October 2004 Archives

I accidentally said "Yes" a few days ago when Firefox asked me if it could be my default browser. And I only noticed it today. I really reccomend you get over to Mozilla and get yourself a copy.

http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

Reasons for today:

Tabbed browsing. Instead of a new window (and icon on the Windows task bar) you can open additional pages in "tabs". This makes it very easy to switch back and forth between lots of different web pages, and also leaves space for other applications to run.

Shrink-to-fit source code printing. I know it may be old school, but lots of times I need to print code, and I hate how IE used to break long lines when you printed the source code of a page. Firefox defaulted to shrinking the type so the code fits across one printed page.

When I found the mini-itx.com web site selling miniature computers, I knew I had to comment, even if they do sell hardware. Generally speaking, I stay aways from hardware because I am a networking and software guy - but how to build a touch screen PC for my car was an article that just drew me in.

This is all she was doing for the past year, and now that is done. When I started my business I named all my hosts after dogs I have known. When I first started raising dogs, I named them all after authors I liked. Willa was my second dog, and my first Rottwieler. She's long since gone on too.

Minty MP3: Build your own MP3 player with an Altoids tin and and $25 worth of parts. This is no joke, but as the site says if this is your first hack, maybe you should consider something more simple.

For instance, try some of these: Hack A Day. I especially liked the idea of RSS feeds on a tivo.

Firefox is the newest browser from Netscape's Mozilla project; get yours here. I am posting from this new browser today because all of my links and bookmarks imported fine from IE. In fact, I barely notice the difference in the way this new free browser renders my MT interface.

Mozilla is an Open Source project, so support of it at AdvisorBits should come as not suprise. Another thing I like is that Firefox claims to be more secure because it doesn't run ActiveX controls. Instinctively this appeals to me as a user, although I am also a fan of some applications where I think I will need ActiveX controls.

If Firefox is the default broswer it forces the user to choose to use IE in those instances where the ActiveX controls are trusted, and so it makes the user think about security.

Users who are conscious of security are good things in my book.

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. The FTC has brought together some good beginner references for secure safe Internet use. There is a section for home users in addition to a good section on safe basic business information technology practices.

Even organizations who have an existing security plan may want to take a brief look at this site to see if they have missed anything.

Stay Safe Online : http://www.ftc.gov/infosecurity

The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) has a related site with decent information and a self assesment test you can take to evaluate your security stance. http://www.staysafeonline.info/