Wireshark: Go deep.

A great tool for examining the traffic on your network: Wireshark: Go deep.

Confusing Words

If you have ever been confused about the difference between effect and affect, you may want to check this site out.

Confusing Words

Free Business Forms

Free Business Forms: Pre-made forms and spreadsheet templates for business.

Entrepreneur
General business forms

Office Depot
General business forms, government contracting forms, IRS & State tax forms

Microsoft Office Online
Wealth of templates including an "Elevator Pitch" form.

PC World - Danger Lurks on Government Web Sites

PC World reports that California government sites have been compromised and will redirect users to Porn and Spam. Sort of makes you feel all warm and fuzzy, doesn't it? Perhaps it is Arnie's attempt to reduce teen pregnancy in the state.

PC World - Danger Lurks on Government Web Sites

Windows SteadyState

"Keep your shared access computers running smoothly with Windows SteadyState." If you have ever had to take care of shared computers, you may want to take a look at this product from Microsoft.

Windows SteadyState

Microsoft Extends Sales Availability of Windows XP: Responding to feedback from its customers, the company decides to give small businesses and custom

Microsoft Extends Sales Availability of Windows XP: June 30, 2008. I guess our pals at M$ realized that they have a winner on their hands...heh.

US-CERT - Home Network Security Primer

US-CERT - Home Network Security Primer

The US-CERT offers this simple, easy to understand primer for home users in the hope of helping them secure their networks.

For Bryce - Who probably has big problems with his end-users.

How to Write a Resume - Mahalo

For those of you looking for a new job...you know who you are!

How to Write a Resume - Mahalo

How NOT to Multitask - Work Simpler and Saner | zen habits

How not to go insane at work: How NOT to Multitask - Work Simpler and Saner | zen habits, or manage the insanity: How To MultiTask.

I have found that interruptions are a way of life in sales. However, if I want to accomplish anything in the day I need go old school and turn off the distractions, e.g., email, phone, cell phone, etc. So if you call or send an email and don't receive an immediate response, don't take offense...I'm just busy.

Science Fiction (Bookshelf) - Gutenberg

I was turned on to SciFi around age 13 by a buddy at school who worked part time at the local public library. It was the very first time that I had encountered the genre and I was hooked. Since then, SciFi has always been my first choice of literature, but I have grown to love other authors too. [Tom Clancy, Clive Cussler, Stephen King]

One of my favorite series out there is the Sten series by my best friend Allan Cole and his partner and brother-in-law Chris Bunch.

But enough about me.

I have been aware of the Project Gutenberg effort for quite some time [~10-yrs]. Up to this point, I haven't paid much attention to it...primarily because there hasn't been an easy way to deal with print in a non-book form factor. However, with the advent of various file formats that allow easy portability via a handheld or a notebook, it has become much easier to deal with and read the available library of expired copyrighted works.

Project Gutenberg's library now includes many of the books that I read and loved more than 30-years ago available for a quick read on my notebook or iPod. If you love Science Fiction, you owe it to yourself to check out the bookshelf.

Science Fiction (Bookshelf) - Gutenberg

Jott.com - Mobile Note Taking and Hands-Free Messaging

This site is great for helping you remember things. Call the phone number, enter your message to yourself or other contacts and it will transcribe your message and email it.

Jott.com - Mobile Note Taking and Hands-Free Messaging

Will security firms detect police spyware? | CNET News.com

How can we be sure??

Will security firms detect police spyware? | CNET News.com

TG Daily - Point and click Gmail hacking at Black Hat

"Why you shouldn't check web mail at the airport", or "I am a clueless idiot and should be hacked"...

TG Daily - Point and click Gmail hacking at Black Hat

NOTES:
* Use SSL - Gmail - Just change the url from http://www.gmail.com to https://www.gmail.com and the entire session will be encrypted.
* Use the Firefox extension Customize Google.
* Use a VPN tunnel.
* Use anonymizing software.

FOSS for Security | Daily Cup of Tech

This is a nice list of FOSS security software. Check it out...

FOSS for Security | Daily Cup of Tech

Howstuffworks "How Credit Scores Work"

Having just gone through the new car dance, this site explains how your credit score affects the intrest rate you will pay. Pay it off on time...

Howstuffworks "How Credit Scores Work"

Google Cheat Sheet (Version 1.06)

A nice, two-page Google cheat sheet...check it out.

Google Cheat Sheet (Version 1.06)

PC World - Desktop on a USB Drive Ready For Enterprises

PC World - Desktop on a USB Drive Ready For Enterprises - MojoPac

What is MojoPac?

Are you ready to run your desktop off your USB Flash Drive?

Security firms on police spyware, in their own words | CNET News.com

C|Net interviews several security software vendors and asks what their policies are concerning requests from the government.

Security firms on police spyware, in their own words | CNET News.com

E-Discovery: New Federal Rules Require A Proactive Strategy -- E-Discovery -- InformationWeek

Another Op/Ed piece on the new e-Discovery rules that went into effect last December. (Can you tell I am concerned about this??)

E-Discovery: New Federal Rules Require A Proactive Strategy -- E-Discovery -- InformationWeek

Uncle Sam's Security Vision: One Windows Configuration For All PCs -- Desktop Security

Interesting piece on the new desktop security strategy being pushed down by a directive from the White House's Office of Management and Budget. Theoretically goes into effect next February.

Should corporate America follow suit?? Heck yes...

Uncle Sam's Security Vision: One Windows Configuration For All PCs -- Desktop Security

numbr - Auto expiring, FREE anonymous phone numbers for online safety

Have you ever tried to sell an item, such as your car, and felt nervous publishing your phone number? If so, then you should use numbr, a free forwarding service to your home or cell phone.

numbr - Auto expiring, FREE anonymous phone numbers for online safety

Welcome to the 419 Eater

Absolutely hilarious...

Welcome to the 419 Eater

The risk of ignoring e-discovery obligations | Perspectives | CNET News.com

More eDiscovery opinion. Do you CYA?

The risk of ignoring e-discovery obligations | Perspectives | CNET News.com

Meals : RealSimple.com

An interesting site if you like to cook: Meals : RealSimple.com

Web 2.0 Backpack: Web Apps for Students

A nice site that links to quite a few useful Web 2.0 utilities, categorized for a student.

Web 2.0 Backpack: Web Apps for Students

Google Docs & Spreadsheets - How to add Google search queries to your spreadsheet.

Cool tip to add Google Search queries to your Google Spreadsheets.

Google Docs & Spreadsheets Help Center - How can I use spreadsheets to answer some of my many questions about the world?

20 Tips for More Efficient Google Searches

20 Tips for More Efficient Google Searches - Dumb Little Man

Some good tips to narrow the search results returned by Google.

meebo.com

meebo.com

PC World reviewed this web based IM client in their July 2007 issue. For the times when you don't have access to your computer, this site will allow you to access multiple IM accounts through a web browser.

PhraseExpress Autotext - Clipboard Utility

PhraseExpress Autotext - Clipboard Utility

This utility allows me to paste boilerplate text into any of my applications...very handy! Free for personal use.

WinAudit v2.21 - Free Computer Audit Software

WinAudit v2.21 - Free Computer Audit Software

This is a great little program (may run on a USB Flash drive) that will audit a PC and provide extensive reports on the hardware and software.

See the screenshots for an example of a report and the available options dialog.

Sloppy e-discovery can cost you millions - Network World

Sloppy e-discovery can cost you millions - Network World

New amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure went into effect Dec. 1, 2006. These rules concern electronically stored information, e.g., email, paperless documents, etc.

In essence, if you are involved in litigation, you may have to produce electronic documents that relate to the case. If this information is stored digitally, such as on backup tapes, CDs, etc., it could be very difficult and expensive to comply with the order to produce.

To the best of my knowledge these rules apply to Federal court cases, but it is my belief that these concepts will filter down and affect all business, private or publicly held, financial or non-financial.

Please comment if you have had any experiences with the new rules.

The Road to Know Where: Ultimate List of Free Windows Software from Microsoft

The Road to Know Where: Ultimate List of Free Windows Software from Microsoft

List of free Windows Vista Software

The Road to Know Where

Welcome | The PC Decrapifier

Welcome | The PC Decrapifier

Leo Laporte mentioned this product on his "The Tech Guy" radio broadcast #349.

The product theoretically cleans all of the demonstration software (aka junk) that most manufacturers load on their PCs when sold. I can't think of a single time when I used any of this stuff and have spent a lot of time uninstalling it.

NOTE: Use at your own risk!

InternetFrog.com: Network Tools, Internet Speed Test and Website Tools

InternetFrog.com: Network Tools, Internet Speed Test and Website Tools

Another site to test your broadband account's download/upload speed.

Gmail Users are Younger, Richer, Good in Bed

Gmail Users are Younger, Richer, Good in Bed

Well, I guess 1 out of three isn't bad.

Save and Restore Your Microsoft Office Settings :: the How-To Geek

Save and Restore Your Microsoft Office Settings :: the How-To Geek

This is a tool I wish I had known about earlier this year...would have saved me some time.

Microsoft Security Guidance Home Page

Microsoft Security Guidance Home Page: "Download the Microsoft Security Assessment Tool (MSAT) and install it on your computer to obtain information and recommendations about best practices to help enhance security within your information technology (IT) infrastructure."

The Assessment asks several questions in the areas of infrastructure, applications, operations, and people. It then generates a finding and recommendations report. In addition, you can compare your standings to other businesses of your size and type.

This tool will help you to start assessing your security posture and provides a starting point for remediation. You should consult with your local security consultant to determine your other security needs, i.e., Business Continuity, Disaster Recover, Data Security, etc.

Business managers: 5 ways to improve your data security

Business managers: 5 ways to improve your data security

Microsoft list five basic, commonsense ways to improve your data security from a business perspective. In my humble opinion, implementing controls are a huge step forward, but any effort will not be successful unless your employees receive plenty of training and education.

I have observed that many vulnerabilities arise from the interface between the chair and the keyboard.

The Tech Guy Labs - Leo Laporte, "The Tech Guy" on the Premiere Radio Networks

The Tech Guy Labs - Leo Laporte, "The Tech Guy" on the Premiere Radio Networks

Leo Laporte has his own weekend radio show, which is very entertaining to listen to. He answers 'lots of questions concerning computers, but also addresses software and other "tech" gadgets.

Other of his shows include TWIT, The Daily Giz Wiz, and Security Now.

HP Product Bulletin - North America / U.S. QuickSpecs

HP Product Bulletin - North America / U.S. QuickSpecs

Everything you could want to know about HP gear.

Gaim Portable | PortableApps.com - Portable software for USB drives

Gaim Portable | PortableApps.com - Portable software for USB drives

Gaim is an open source instant messaging client. It has been renamed to Pidgin due to trademark issues with AOL.

I choose to use the portable version on my USB flash drive so that I can plug into IM anywhere.

StopBadware.org

StopBadware.org

Mission Statement:

"StopBadware.org is a "Neighborhood Watch" campaign aimed at fighting badware. We will seek to provide reliable, objective information about downloadable applications in order to help consumers make better choices about what they download onto their computers. We aim to become a central clearinghouse for research on badware and the bad actors who spread it, and become a focal point for developing collaborative, community-minded approaches to stopping badware."

Companies Combine URL Filter, Proxy Blocking for CIPA Compliance

Companies Combine URL Filter, Proxy Blocking for CIPA Compliance

One of the issues I hear over and over again concerns kids [and adults] using proxy servers to bypass web content filters to view any site they desire. (See this article concerning search engines.)

This company claims the ability to block 8 to 10 types of Web proxies.

Simple todo list and task manager: Todoist

Simple todo list and task manager: Todoist

I'm going to give this site a shot and see if will help me manage my crazy personal life. I originally heard about this from the LifeHacker site.

Star Frontiers Digitally Remastered!

Star Frontiers Digitally Remastered!

An oldie, but goodie.

GRC | Security Now!

GRC | Security Now!

Check out Steve Gibson's "Security Now" site for coverage of computer security topics with host Leo Laporte. These topics are not only interesting, but Steve and Leo explain them (and the ramifications) in an entertaining and understandable manner.

Free Antivirus Software, Antispyware Software | Internet Security | Identity Theft Protection

Free Antivirus Software, Antispyware Software | Internet Security | Identity Theft Protection

Blink Personal Edition includes a firewall, intrusion prevention, blocks and removes malware, protects against 'zero-day' attacks, protects against identity theft & Phishing attempts, detects missing O/S and application patches and detects weak configurations that leave personal information at risk of being compromised.

[Paraphrased from the website.]

Hard Drive Backup - Tape Backup Alternative

Hard Drive Backup - Tape Backup Alternative

This is a great device for your daily backups. Tape will be relegated to an archival solution.

Make your own gadget

Make your own gadget