Many websites have the option of using an SSL-encrypted version of their site. Google applications have this option, but HTTPS is not used by default. To use it you would normally have to manually correct the URL, which is very tedious.
To ensure that you are always using the HTTPS version of a site, install the Greasemonkey extension for Firefox and then install the HTTP-to-HTTPS redirector script. The script supports many common sites by default, and allows you to add sites if you like.
Wifi has historically been one of the more troublesome hurdles to Linux adoption. Using a 64 bit operating system makes it even more difficult. I knew that choosing to install the 64 bit version of Ubuntu Linux on my laptop would give me some problems, but I went for it anyway. Because I have an AMD64 processor, I felt obligated to install a 64 bit OS. I just couldn’t bring myself to orphan those extra 32 bits:)
After trying for some time to get ndiswrapper to work, I finally stumbled upon Linuxant. Linuxant offers a product called Driverloader that allows you to use Windows drivers in Linux, just like ndiswrapper. A permanent license is $20, but it was well worth it for me. Afterall, I’m typing this on the 64 bit version of Ubuntu Linux over a wireless connection…
Go to Linuxant – then click on products.
Andrew Grygus has written the article that I’ve been wanting to write about Microsoft’s new OS: Vista – Arrogance & Stupidity. The article sums up nicely what is bad about Vista. I have no plans to install Vista on any of my home PCs and I don’t recommend it to anyone.
One thing that the article does not mention is the environmental impact of Vista. Vista requires very powerful computer hardware to run the flashy features you see in the ads. Because of this, decent hardware is finding its way into the trash because it won’t run Vista.
My advice is to stay with Windows XP or try Ubuntu Linux. Ubuntu is free and will do all of the basic funtions that most people require.
Via Reddit
Recent rate changes by the US Copyright Office threaten to put Radio Paradise and other Internet radio stations out of business. I cannot express how upsetting this is to myself and countless others. With all of the garbage on mainstream radio, Radio Paradise is a beacon of hope. It is the best radio I have ever heard, and is easily one of my favorite sites on the Internet. But don’t take my word for it. Head to RP and give it a listen.
The vast majority of music that I purchase comes as a result of hearing it first on Radio Paradise. It is the only site that I use to discover good music. It is not uncommon for me to buy several CDs after a long listen to RP. Isn’t this good for the music industry and copyright holders? Without RP I will buy less music!
Please help save Radio Paradise. You can find out how to help at RPs home page.
I use VLC almost exclusively for media playback on my Ubuntu Linux machines. It plays damn near everything, including commercial DVDs. VLC also runs on Windows and Mac OS X, and will often play media files that Windows Media Player will not.
For a list of media players available in Ubuntu Linux, read the post titled “Media Players Available for Ubuntu Linux” at the Only Ubuntu Linux blog.
Via Linux Today
This is a fantastic collection of cat photos on Flickr. Click the thumbnail to go to the gallery.
Airborne cats
One of Junku’s cats died on March 10th 2007. He took some moving photographs that will tug at your heart strings. The photos are here.
Here’s a great post by Business Intelligence Lowdown that lists the worst 10 consumer privacy infringers. I’m very disappointed to see many of the names on the list, although I’m not at all surprised. The lack of ethics and respect for privacy is very disheartening.
Top 10 Big Brother Companies: Ranking the Worst Consumer Privacy Infringers
Via EFFector 20.07
This site is a hilarious parody of the Homeland Security’s website Ready.gov. Here’s a sample:
Ready.gov parody
Via Reddit
A table saw will slice your fingers off in a second if you’re not paying attention. SawStop’s ingenious system prevents the loss of fingers. Go to SawStop.com for more info.
A rare comedic gem on the Web…
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