Microsoft protection

For the last week I went on with no up-to-date "Microsoft protection". MS Antispyware expired end of last month. Now although I can still do scans with it by changing my system clock to some time last month, I should really be updating to Windows Defender.

So off I went to the MS site, downloaded GenuineCheck.exe because I don't want to install another ActiveX and downloaded the msi. The msi won't install saying I'm missing an update. There was no message except for a link to the requirements page. I checked the systems requirement and sure enough I have what it claims on the page. I did a search in google (as usual when I get any problems) and found hacks all over the place on how to bypass genuine advantage. I must make clear that I do have a legitimate version of XP so I don't need those. Someone suggested that I go to Windows Update and bingo it made me install

• Update for Windows XP (KB898461)
• Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool (KB892130)

According to the KB article, the XP update should only be required for downloads from Windows update or if I use automatic update. I do neither. I apply my patches manually because I like to know what get installed on my computer and only choose the ones I need - the more that gets installed, the greater the chances that something else goes wrong. GenuineCheck should have taken care of WGA and the fact that I can download the msi proves that. Having ran out of options I sheepishly clicked the next button and followed the bouncing ball. Voila Windows Defender was installed in flash.

This proves to me that once again, anything other than the "default" way of doing things would not work smoothly. Ok I can accept more overhead on my part because I choose to have more control over my system. But with no error messages or indications of what is really wrong, I am forced to conform to the default, even though the extra steps required aren't documented requirements.

Need secure storage anyone?

If you have some important data that you need to stow away where confidentiality is your first priority, and you have some deep pockets, than check this out.
ULTRA* Secure Hosting hosts its data centre at an ex nuclear bunker that is under 30 metres of earth and concrete. This is some serious physical security! Hmmmm I wonder if only some of the companies at the WTT had their data hosted there...

Back to work

After a nice 10-day break it's back to work tomorrow. The first few days of the break was like forever, then the rest of the week just flew past. I can't believe I used to have 3 whole months off while I was at uni. What did I do with my time then!! I guess like many things, I don't appreciate it until I don't have it anymore :(

My wireless router has been acting up, just when I decide to use its wireless feature after having that turned off for a few months. I have tried everything - rebooting, changing the channels, changing the security settings (including disabling wireless security. That's naughty I know but I have to prove that the router is stuffed) and turning off the zero wireless config service in SP2. DHCP just won't work and the network disappears after a random period of time. The wired network is fine and I've had no problems for the last 10 months. The only thing that has been changed was that the laptop was upgraded to SP2. Now wasn't that supposed to provide better wireless functionality? Good thing though is that I am not the only one experiencing these problems. There are stacks of ppl having the same problem with that router. I should send it back to the vendor to get it fixed (when I get around to it). Errr I should've read the forums before buying the router...

Irish Technology

After digging to a depth of 100 metres last year, Russian scientists found
traces of copper wire dating back 1000 years and came to the conclusion
that their ancestors already had a telephone network one thousand years
ago.

So, not to be outdone, in the weeks that followed, American scientists dug
200 metres and headlines in the US papers read: "US scientists have found
traces of 2000 year old optical fibres and have concluded that their
ancestors already had advanced high-tech digital telephone 1000 years
earlier than the Russians".

One week later, an Irish newspaper reported the following: "After digging
as deep as 500 metres, Irish scientists have found absolutely nothing. They
have concluded that 5000 years ago, their ancestors were already using
wireless technology".

Google Maps

Google now has a mapping service where you can find locations of businesses, directions on how to get there, as well as satellite views of the location. Try doing the search "Statue of Liberty in New York" and google will take you to the map near the building. It won't point to the building because it's not a business. Zoom in a little and you should see Liberty State Park in the middle. Keep zooming in on Liberty Island and then switch to satellite view. The link is at the top right corner. And you have the Statue of Liberty. How cool is that!


Unfortunately the search is only limited to the States and Canada. I can't wait till maps are out on the rest of the world. I know I'll be doing a search on where I live when the Brisbane map comes out.