To the Yahoo! Messenger n00bs.

I think people are already smart enough to know how to differentiate real notices and chain mail. Cellphones also saw this coming with fake "Send this to 5 people for free load." scams and such, and now the Internet- or rather Yahoo! Messenger- has the same thing.

Although it has been having these messages ever since the dinosaur age, it has been increasing at an annoying rate lately, with the same modified message that's been sent to people over and over and over again. I should know, I translated it to Pig Latin and sent them back for revenge.

And that message is one that has been existent for years now and it's the "Yahoo! is shutting down" message.

But still, I understand that our section has so-called n00bs (or in plain language, newbies) and I should be right to think that most of them also have cellphones. So I am very much dumbfounded to find out that the people I've regarded as smart enough to differentiate chain mail from real mail is not working their brain enough. And that case is so severe, that they even went to Google to research on that! Wow!

So noobs, PLEASE turn on the mail filter God gave you: your brain- and stop annoying the hell out of everybody else.

UPDATE: Besides, would YOU like it if I sent it this way:

Yahooay isyay uttingshay ownday onyay Augustyay 17thay. Eythay antway otay etgay idray ofyay eefray essengermay. Ifyay youay eleteday isthay andyay on'tday asspay ityay onyay, youray amenay illway ebay eletedday. Ayay otlay ofyay eoplepay avehay alreadyyay eenbay eletedday. Ightray ickclay onyay ethay oupgray amenay ofyay youray uddylistbay andyay ickclay, Endsay Instantyay Essagemay otay Allyay inyay Oupgray

Well?

Another Tech-centric Post

Save your files!
As I flipped upon the pages of November's PC World magazine, there was this little tip about USB flash drives and recovery that I think would be ultimately convenient for all of us. (That means you, Cath!)

Virus-Infected
Well anyway, let's say that your USB drive has been downed by a virus, your whole life is on the line and you are without a backup copy for salvation (That is sooo not recommended, people.), what would you do? Well, firstly, as I have discovered, viruses tend to work only in the Operating Systems they are designed to attack. So let's say that the attack happened on your flashy new Windows Vista PC and you only have one anti-virus that curiously missed scanning your flash drive after getting the virus out of your own PC. Well, if you insert the virus-infected drive into another Windows PC, chances are that it'll get infected, too. But if you insert the drive in a Mac or Linux computer, you can get the drive's contents without frills and risk.

How exactly?
OK, maybe a Mac's expensive, but a Linux distro (short for distribution) is free, and there are lots like Ubuntu or Damn Small Linux. You have to install them in another computer (your old one will probably do) as is the case for Ubuntu, which requires 4GB of free storage, or ironically, in another USB drive (64MB will do) which is the case for Damn Small Linux.

But then again, you'll still probably need a brand new thumb drive anyway, since a virus-infected flash drive is something you should throw away! (though booting from a USB drive is harder than you think).

If you don't ever want to buy a USB drive again and you'll probably still want to take those files off, burn the image file (.iso) in a blank CD. Depending on your connection, the 50MB file will probably take 10-20 minutes to download on DSL, so you better get a download manager ready for those disconnection incidents.
Once downloaded, double-click the file to let your burner burn it to a CD. After that, restart your computer and you'll be led to an installation screen. Just click Live CD lest you want to obliterate Windows, and wait. Insert infected drive, and copy them off to a floppy disk or something!

Oh and before I forget, here's the download link for Damn Small Linux, I won't be providing Ubuntu's because it's gonna take veeeeery long to download.

That's too much of a hassle!
OK, there are alternatives. If you want to stay in your Windows computer, fine. But you gotta download those free anti-virus and firewall applications, then update them along with Windows itself. But wait! Don't put that drive just yet! There is something you gotta do before that...

For Windows XP users
You should download TweakUI, a Microsoft thingamajig, and open it after installation. Then, navigate to the program's left pane to My Computer, then Autoplay, then Types. There will be a checkbox that says Enable Autoplay for removable drives, uncheck that then click OK or Apply.

For Windows Vista users
Click the Start button and type autoplay on the search field and press Enter on your keyboard (maybe after a few seconds).

Once you see this window, you should go to the "Software and Games" drop down box and select Take no Action. Click Save.

After that, you can now disable all Internet and local connections to prevent the virus form communicating and plug the drive in with all those blocking virus disablers turned on. The files may be infected, so drag-and-drop with caution to yet another removable media, most preferably another USB drive. Scan the files put in the other drive with all the security programs you have and shut down the computer and throw the infected drive away!

How about my corrupted USB drive?
Now here's a cool utility that can get all those files for you, PC Inspector File Recovery. It can see all the stuff you have deleted on your computer, on your SD card, or of course, your flash drive. It's notorious for being prone to crashes, though. But that's the price you gotta pay for something that actually works (as stated in the User Reviews).

There's always a lesson to be learned from these types of incidents: NEVER GO COPYING FILES WITHOUT MAKING A BACK-UP COPY!

(Thanks to PC World Magazine)

Tech Reviews
Yahoo! Messenger for Vista (Preview)
One of the most highly awaited software for Vista owners is the sleek, new Yahoo! Messenger for Vista. It's only exclusive for that platform only, hence the name, and it offers a few features that have become a bit overdue for some time. But the question is, should you download it now?

Being an apparently rushed, unstable version, it will definitely have a lot of quirks. The interface definitely looks both like a downgrade and an upgrade to the current interface used by Yahoo! Messenger 9 Beta, because for one thing, it is sluggish (though my computer is partly to blame) and it is not what you see in the screenshots, but it also looks kinda good, though you won't get used to it initially. Plus, when you start it up (and hopefully only in the first time), you will be seeing... staring at its new splash screen. Hmm.., it's kind of a wonderful way to waste time, at least.

One big pro is the fact that tabbed browsing is present for organized chatter. But features are still missing though, and the Buzz! button is not visible unless you right-click. You won't get Webcam, Audibles, Photos, IMVironments, Conferencing and a lot more!

So, should you make the move now? No. But if you want to really test it, you can because the older version you'll have on your computer won't be erased anyway.

Rating: 3/10 (Bad)

Flock
I have told you about this already. It might be a Firefox-based browser, but it's better than Firefox.

Everything is conveniently laid out in its interface, which has a slight learning curve what with all the new buttons and stuff. But once you get immersed in the Flock experience, it's hard to go to another browser.

You can view friend lists, video/photo streams and set a blog account as well as subscribe and read RSS far easier than Firefox. Too bad it doesn't support common social networking sites like Friendster and Multiply, but hey, that doesn't mean you can't try new stuff, right?

Another thing I like is the ability to make blog posts offline as it saves the time for you to go through the web interface, only finding out that you have lost your motivation. Plus, the photo uploader is fast and easy (that is when you log into one, of course) and built-in the browser as well.

The browsing experience is still the same as Firefox (as well as the timing of new security patches released), but hopefully Flock will grow even further as it is a most promising browser that you won't leave in the dust just like that.


Rating: 8/10 (Excellent)



Long Term Review of Apple MacBook (10 months)
This is the type of review where you can see how long a product can last, and how much lasting satisfaction and usability it can give to a person. This time, we determine if a MacBook can last without the urge of upgrading...
Wow, I can't believe how long my family and I have been together with a blessed Macintosh! We may have occupied more than half of its 80GB capacity, but it's still the lean, mean fun machine we all know and love since day one!

OK, maybe there has been a bit of chipping on the latch (because it is magnetic) because of forceful closing, but aesthetically, it's still eye-catching though it is prone to dirt and... ANTS?!

Moving on from the aesthetic aspects, the hardware has only failed me once when the battery went haywire and the only way you can use the laptop is by plugging it in (it's not so mobile that way now, is it?) but it was quickly resolved (warranty :-D).

As for the performance, it has un-noticeably slowed down a bit, and is a great battery saver at the same time as it can still last for 3 (or more) hours in casual use, and that's under Wi-Fi. It rarely hangs (the first and only time as of now happened just last week) and all the utilities are useful. Plus, in the future, I can still use the same MacBook in a new OS release*.

Still, I just wish I could play games in that thing, but I can't because of Intel's Integrated Graphics Card, which in layman's terms is, stupid piece of crap! I always urge my dad to buy a desktop (the iMac) as it is less expensive and more powerful than a MacBook Pro, but all in all, I still love the MacBook. If you're looking for fast, reliable, secure, mobile and upgradeable, look no further than a MacBook. It even helped me ace a few projects to boot!

Stripping stars and new shows...

Shudder. Now I know what Fleur's talking about.

Vanessa Hudgens takes nude photos of her for her boyfriend. It circulates the web. Everything goes awry.

So much for HSM innocence. The actress whose on-screen partner Zac Efron is also her real life squeeze, has confirmed that supposedly self-taken shots of her undressing bit by bit (until totally nude) was really her. It was supposed to be sent only to Efron but the Internet just gave her her new big break as a breakout porn star. Will this be the end of her HSM movie career? "Not really.", her manager says. It seems that Disney is still intent in keeping their leading lady despite the controversy. Ironically, in an interview with Teen magazine, she says that "I'm a good girl.".

CAPTION: The cat's out of the bag, 'Baby V'! Muhahahahahhahaha!

The blogosphere is definitely crying all-out in outrage with one saying that they'll never watch HSM ever again and another warning her that she must not turn into a Britney. Personally, I think she has to regain lost face as well as her turned-off fans if she wants to survive in the biz... especially since her fans are made up of two-year olds to tweens. Presently though, she shouldn't be a role model for tweens to follow. And now she has descended into the ranks of 'the skanks' like Hilton, Spears and Lohan.

The pictures of her (though watermarked) is here and here.Click if you dare. (P.S. I just copied the link from "The Post Chronicle" and looking at it feels very disgusting. Just awful.)

Radcliffe strips for the horses... again and again and again
Yes, Radcliffe is heading to the international theater scene with his acclaimed performance in Equus. Yes, it's the horsey-hump play if you forgot. He'll start with the cast on Broadway then heads back to Europe, specifically Britain, and finally ends with Australia. His nude scene has generated 4 million dollars in advance ticket sales in London.

CAPTION: Did you know that his Wikipedia article's protected due to vandalism?

"I would be very nervous because I think that (the audiences are) even more discerning than in London," he said. "But I know we have a good show, it was a good show when we did it in London and hopefully if we do it again it will still be that good. It has to be better."

Though he's trying to shed his innocent image conjured by the famed Harry Potter franchise, there's no denying that he'll be shooting Harry Potter 6 (Half-Blood Prince) this month.

Paris vs. Hallmark

On the card, it says: Paris Hilton's First Day As A Waitress then starts with a bit of dialogue accompanied with her headshot and a picture of a cartoon man. The pop culture reference here is her trademark "That's hot.". But the real reason why she is filing charges against the card company is that her face was printed without permission.CAPTION: Click the image to go to TMZ's documents of the case.
Photo Credit: TMZ.com

The Hallmark representative's response: "Some of Hallmark's new humor greeting cards are parodies of today's most popular celebrities and politicians. These cards take a satirical look at news and gossip surrounding these public figures, including Paris Hilton, and we do not believe Hallmark has violated any of Ms. Hilton's rights."

Yahoo! Search unveils prosperous/hyped-about new shows
Variety is the spice of life. TV stations know that. That's why they put out new shows every season. In America, the fall season is the unveiling of new seasons as well as new shows and at Yahoo!, they have found some shows that have been most searched about. If the prosperous saving grace of NBC, Heroes, was searched upon even before its airing, why wouldn't these other shows be any different?

Top 10 New Shows
#1 - Kid Nation (CBS)
The pitch: Kids get to govern their own town.
My opinion: It's gonna be a bad sit through this show. It seems agonizing. Plus, there are hazards of safety for these kids. What were the parents thinking when they consented the station for this?
Why it's #1: People have searched about how CBS will manage to keep these kids from harm. Plus, the challenge of governing a town is a mighty task they were courageous enough to take.

#2 - Bionic Woman (NBC)
The pitch: A remake of a classic series that is about a woman who nearly gets killed in a car accident and gets powers after surgery done by her boyfriend.
My opinion: Looks like a Buffy type of show sans the afterlife. If this concept is executed well, NBC may just have another hit in the tradition of hot girls kicking butt. Oh, and its pilot episode is currently scoundering the Internet right now. Maybe you'll be able to see if it's cool or not (I won't bother).
Why it's #2: Its lead character is hot.

#3 - Gossip Girl (The CW)
The pitch: Based on the best-selling chick-lit series of the same name, this show revolves around the lives of socialites who grow up on New York's Upper East Side and attends a school and deals with different teenage issues (i.e., drugs, sex, etc.). Created by Josh Schwartz (The O.C.).
My opinion: I'm not a fan of chick lit ('di ba halata?!) nor do I watch shows like The O.C. or One Tree Hill. Best give your own opinions about this.
Why it's #3: It has a hot young cast as Yahoo! states it. It would've generated more buzz if Kristen Bell was there (but she's in Heroes! Take that for axing her show, CW!).

#4 - The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
The pitch: 2 stereotypical nerds. 1 hot lady.
My opinion: It seems like a Three's Company without the gender-bending aspects and John Ritter. Will this show make nerds hot or will the hype just rot?
Why it's #4: People seem to be fascinated by this... I don't know why.

#5 - Reaper (The CW)
The pitch: Sam has always wondered why Mom and Dad has been so nice to him but not to his brother. Their negligence seems to lead him to live the slacker life- playing video games, eating, watching TV, the works. But when he turns 21, he finds out that his parents sold their soul to the devil. Now, he's Satan's new bounty hunter. He searches and returns (to hell) the souls that have escaped his realm with the help of his friends.
My opinion: It's a comedy. And it sounds kinda good and fresh to me. I think it would've also done good in a serious drama format... though we do need a change from drama.
Why it's #5: The unique, supernatural plot fascinates people.

#6 - Moonlight (CBS)
The pitch: Follows a detective who was converted into a vampire by his wife 60 years ago.
My opinion: By the sound and the looks of it, you'll readily know that it's a vampire drama. If executed well, it'll be a hit.
Why it's #6: There has actually been a shortage of vampire shows lately. Fall season brings it all back.

#7 - Cane (CBS)
The pitch: Chronicles the lives of a rich Cuban-American clan that runs a successful sugar mill in Florida.
My opinion: It's not an Ugly Betty. But it seems unable to catch my interest.
Why it's #7: Americans must know Jimmy Smits 'coz I don't know 'im. Yahoo! states that he's probably the reason.

#8 - Chuck (NBC)
The pitch: A self-proclaimed nerd suddenly implants top-secret information into his subconscious after viewing a friend's e-mail.
My opinion: The plot seems corny at best.
Why it's #8: Zach Levi (whoever he may be)?


#9 - Private Practice (ABC)
The pitch: Addison Montgomery moves back to her hometown of sunny California to work at its hospital probably.
My opinion: Being a Grey's Anatomy spinoff, chances are that it will be a sleeper hit at least because maybe only some Grey's fans will give it a try.
Why it's #9: It's merely a spinoff of the hit Grey's Anatomy and the cast is not that known.

#10 - Cavemen (ABC)
The pitch: Cavemen live in the 21st century.
My opinion: Inspired by insurance commercials, the photo by Yahoo! looks kinda like Jump In from afar or something. But the focus here is that these cavemen live in the modern times and it's probably not gonna be a series that's gonna tease your noggin.
Why it's #10: The well-received commercials built a fanbase of sorts.

The Next-Gen Console Buying Guide: Another Point of View
I've done this many times before and I'm doing it again only with a more pro-consumer-based point of view.

In the Philippines, Sony and the PlayStation brand have gained reputation which makes it a no-brainer that the PS3 will surely prosper. This may not be the case.

Though Nintendo's brand is printed alongside the three lettered Wii system, people may misconceive it as an Apple product in a glance because it's "Apple white" and looks like something Apple would've made. But when they find out that it's a Nintendo creation, they could take it because of its lofty reputation as the father of the modern game industry, or leave it because of its predecessor, the GameCube in which, though with all the great-quality games, looked like a crappy lunch box. Plus, when looking at its games (esp. the pirated ones), you'll see that it actually costs a bit less than that of its handheld brothers. It will have to pit against the X-Box 360 though because these 2 alternatives to the PS3 may seem a bit too weird for people's taste. There'll be no competition if people are looking for another type of gaming experience though... but sadly, this isn't really the case with Filipinos. They typically like it flashy and realistic and this is what X-Box offers.

Sony, as I have said earlier, also has a lofty reputation with its PlayStation brand. This may not be their weapon with their latest console offering, the heavily-priced PS3. Heck, their reputation may even get lower unless they lower the price first! Plus, the application of Sony's next-generation DVD format, Blu-ray, may lose the format wars because there has been no reported pirated Blu-ray discs as of late. (One blu-ray movie costs 1.6K) People who want to buy will just have to dream on... unless they're rich.

Lastly, Microsoft, though famous because of Windows, isn't very popular with its X-Box 360. Not even its original X-Box made waves in the Philippine gaming scene with stocks left to rot in stores most of the time. Microsoft has to make a marketing move (like Vista) if they want someone to notice their gaming line. There is the presence of pirated games for this system though so it may come as no surprise that the 360 may replace the throne Sony once occupied since its Playstation 1... which was more than 10 years ago... that is if people only look at graphical power!