He was part of a team that built a fibre WAN that now stores about 60% of the city’s data, including e-mails, law enforcement records and payroll documents. Childs started taking photographs on June 20 of the new IT security head after she began an audit of who had password access to the system. She was frightened by Childs’ behavior and locked herself in an office.

He set up a password that locks everyone else out of that data and refused to reveal it even when threatened with arrest (it’s unclear whether he did that before or after the audit began). He was then arrested and is currently being held in jail as he cannot raise the $5 million bail demanded for his release (murderers are released won $1 million bail - what are they afraid of)?

Officials have said they feared that Childs may have enabled a third party to gain access to the computer system by telephone or other electronic device and order the destruction of hundreds of thousands of sensitive documents. However, they have found no evidence of such a device in searches of his home and car.

[Mayor Gavin] Newsom said Tuesday that Childs’ actions prevented administrators from making changes to the city’s computer network, so if the system were to crash, workers could not undertake repairs or upgrades.

“There’s nothing to be alarmed about, save the inability to get into the system and tweak the system,” Newsom said. “Nothing dramatic has changed in terms of our ability to govern the city.”

Is there a way to fix Vista Explorer’s address box?
QUESTION:
Okay, I know it’s a “feature” but I hate it - the new format for the path/address in Vista Explorer. I want my old familiar format (c:\Data\Publications\New) instead of the new one with the little arrows. Yes, I know you can click anywhere in the path and go there, but I just want it back the way it used to be. Is there any way? Thanks! - Don L.

This ‘breadcrumb’ ‘feature’ is Number One on my list of most unusable/annoying things about Windows Vista. I was happy to see that they found a third party application created by Andreas Verhoeven, AveNoBreadCrumb.exe [mirror], that will eliminate it. Screenshots of it in action are here. They also have instructions on how to get it to run at startup so that breadcrumbs are disabled whenever you’re using your computer - but I’m not sure that they are completely accurate (I’m unable to test as I don’t have any Vista computers yet). Here’s how I’d do it:

Unzip AveNoBreadcrumb.zip.

Put the two executable files (AveNoBreadcrumb.exe and breadcrumbhook.dll) into a suitable folder and location (I suggest C:\Program Files\AveNoBreadcrumb).

Open an explorer window and type in shell:Startup into the address bar to get to your startup folder.

Create a shortcut to AveNoBreadcrumb.exe (Right click in an empty area in the folder, click New > Shortcut. The location is C:\Program Files\AveNoBreadcrumb\AveNoBreadcrumb.exe and I’d name it AveNoBreadcrumb.)

Reboot.

TAA DAAH! No more breadcrumbs!

Mr. Verhoeven has some other interesting add-ons for Vista. Shown are Glass Toasts (gives the balloon notifications the Aero Glass look), 3D User Picture (creates a 3D animated user pictur in the Start menu), Thumbnail Sizer (allows you to change the size of the thumbnails that show when you hover over the taskbar button for the window), AveDesktopSites (a limited replacement for the no longer existing Active Desktop), Desktop Effects, (adds special effects to your desktop), Extra Desktops (adds extra desktops), Vista Folder Background (makes custom folder backgrounds possible), HTML Explorer Thumbnails (allows thumbnails of HTML files), and AveExplorerButtons (changes two little used Explorer buttons to two more used buttons). AveNoBreadcrumb isn’t shown here yet - it’ll probably be here soon.

Those of you who were using Netscape, switch to Firefox or SeaMonkey. It will work almost the same as what you’ve been used to - plus look at the cool stuff you can do…

Microsoft says, “the e-book… includes content from two recent publications: Introducing Windows Server 2008, by Mitch Tulloch and the Windows Server Team at Microsoft, and Microsoft Windows PowerShellT Step by Step, by Ed Wilson… Bookmark this Web site to access your benefits anytime.

“E-book chapters and special offers will be updated periodically. Eventually, the entire text from Introducing Windows Server 2008 will be available. Please keep this URL handy, and visit the site for additional chapters.”

Progressive is trying something like this in the U.S. and finds the number one indicator for accident likelihood is simply how hard drivers apply their brakes. The ZDNet story states,

There is greater driver choice, with the potential for lower costs and greater risk awareness. There is greater safety on the roads for all. And society, as a whole, benefits from saved lives and less fuel burned.

NU is promising to release its SQL database scheduling code as freeware.

The specs are vague as most items are customizable, but the base (!) model comes with a 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo processor, NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics, a 15.4″ TFT display, and supports up to 4 GB RAM and a 250 GB hard drive. Note that 24 karat (pure) gold is very soft so it is likely to rub off the unit through normal wear and tear.

Maybe Reese Witherspoon would like the pink version of this Bendi USB keyboard?

It lights up either blue or pink, rolls up, has silent keys, and is washable. 23 U.K. pounds (about $55) from Gadget-Box.

Can’t get your toast the perfect colour? How about a transparent toaster?

This one is still in R & D - but it may be available soon.

This is the first time I’ve seen a major software publisher drop support for a version of Windows that Microsoft was still supporting. The Apple download centre for earlier software versions is here.

If Windows boots:

Boot Windows. Put the Windows CD in the drive and start Setup with the Upgrade option. Follow instructions until the computer reboots.

When it reboots, pull the plug. Replace the motherboard. Restart the computer and complete the installation.

If Windows won’t boot:

Replace the motherboard. Boot from the Windows CD and start a Repair Installation. Complete the installation.

After the installation is complete, install any needed drivers, Service Packs, or updates.

Note that if the computer is running an OEM version of Windows, you will have to buy another Windows license to be in accordance with the license agreement If you do not use the same make and model of motherboard for the replacement.

[tags]motherboard, motherboard replacement[/tags]

USB 3.0 ports and cabling will be designed to enable backward compatibility as well as future-proofing for optical capabilities.

I love USB 2.0 - I’m looking forward to version 3!

* Chose the provider you want, use any SIM card from any network provider in any country

* No more outrageous roaming charges. When traveling simply pick the local provider of your choice and change your sim card.

* Poor network coverage no longer an issue, use the network provider best suited to your region

* Save money! A favorable exchange rate makes for excellent value for money when importing

For more info on this story, you can go to the Salon.com story that tipped me off.

You should update any ZoneAlarm products on your computer to the latest version and with the latest updates. The current version of the free ZoneAlarm firewall is 7.1.100.000. Other downloads including trial versions of their other products are here.

The challenge:

Create cool software and/or hardware add-ins for Windows Home Server to simplify the digital lifestyles of families everywhere—or just to geek out.

We are looking for creative use of a server as a platform, as well as useful, cool, easy-to-use, and solidly performing value-adds to Windows Home Server.

Prizes for finalists:

* Over $50,000 in cash and prizes is up for grabs
* Six finalists (three in each contest category) will receive an invitation to travel to Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington to “wow” the judging committee with a demo of their add-in during the finals round of the contest

Finalist Prizes (one for each add-in category):
o Two (2) First Place Prizes. US$10,000 cash, mentioned on Microsoft web site, and mentioned in Windows Home Server developers blog.
o Two (2) Second Place Prizes. US$5,000 cash, mentioned on Microsoft web site, and mentioned in Windows Home Server developers blog.
o Two (2) Third Place Prizes. US$1,000 cash, mentioned on Microsoft web site, and mentioned in Windows Home Server developers blog.

AND: You’ll get bragging rights! After all, these add-ins can change the way people live (megaphone not included).

What is Windows Home Server?

Windows Home Server helps families with multiple PCs easily protect, connect and organize their digital pictures, music, documents, and videos. As a development platform, Windows Home Server offers hardware and software developers tremendous opportunities to build innovative solutions. Great for geeks, too.

Contents
What Is a Sidebar Gadget?
XML Definition File
The Main HTML File
JavaScript
Docked and Floating
Flyouts
Options Dialog
Reading and Writing Settings
Localization
What Happened to Alert and Confirm?
Debugging
Packaging Your Gadget
The MSDN Magazine Ticker

Be one of three winners in the ultimate competition to find the latest, greatest Canadian Windows Vista gadget. Can your gadget withstand the competition?

Prove your mettle and steely resolve by building the next coolest gadget. Show your fellow developers what you’ve got. Score serious bragging rights—not to mention wicked prizes (a widescreen LCD HD TV, Xbox 360 Pro and a Dell LCD Monitor). And set the standard for future gadgets to come. Competition closes August 15, 2007 5:00 pm EST.

Download details: test

Microsoft® Office 2003 Service Pack 3 (SP3) represents a major evolution in security for Microsoft Office 2003. It further hardens the Office suite against potential attacks and other security …

www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0bcda1e1-5fef-45e7-9a04-9f9e53de79d0…

However, when I clicked on the link, I got: “The download you requested is unavailable. If you continue to see this message when trying to access this download, go to the “Search for a Download” area on the Download Center home page.”

It appears that Microsoft is setting up the download servers - including the download page - for the release of Office 2003 SP3 and has put a redirect on the download page until the release is official. Would they be releasing it on Monday (July 30, 2007)?

With Windows Server 2008, Microsoft promises better control, manageability, flexibility, and security. Some of the new or changed features are:

• Server Manager (speeds setup and configuration and ongoing server management)
• Windows PowerShell (a new command line shell with more than 130 tools and an integrated scripting language)
• Server Core (a Windows server without the GUI)
• Terminal Services Gateway and Terminal Services RemoteApp (allow easy remote access and remote application use without deploying a VPN)
• Internet Information Server (IIS) 7 and .NET Framework 3.0
• Network Access Protection (allows isolation of non-security policy conforming computers [roaming laptops] and ongoing compliance checking)
• Active Directory Rights Management Services
• Read-Only Domain Controller.

You can join TechNet Beta Central here - required before you can download the Windows Server 2008 Public Beta. Windows Server 2008 will be featured at Energize IT 2007 in Toronto on June 16, 2007. If you can’t make it to Toronto, Microsoft promises “all of the content will be recorded and posted online for your viewing pleasure. Content will be posted 2-3 weeks after event.”