MalekTips: 12-21-2004
 
Just in time for the holidays!
 
Welcome to the latest issue of the MalekTips newsletter, providing computer and technology help and tips. We appreciate your subscription!
 
* It's the holidays, and some people like putting up lights... and some people REALLY like putting up lights! Read below for links to photos of Christmas lights that may be a little overboard, more information about the coffee-making process than you were afraid to ask, a screensaver that looks like the Commodore 64 startup screen (isn't that what everybody wanted for the holidays?), and more.
 
* Planning on taking some photos with your digital camera? Read our new tips on digital aerial and digital portrait photography, including the importance of checking your equipment twice before going on a plane, how to get shy people to lighten up when you take their photos, and how you can use blur creatively for pictures in urban environments.
 
* Plus, this newsletter contains help for those purchasing a router including the importance of setting up security, Excel 2003 tips, and Windows XP help such as how to remove unwanted links from the Start Menu.
 
These tips and more, 30 in total, can be found below in the latest issue of MalekTips. Enjoy! And remember - if you have a computer question, be sure to visit the MalekTips forums at http://www.malektips.com/forums
 
Hoping you and yours have a joyous holiday season,
 
Andrew Malek MalekTips.Com
 
* Tell a Friend! *
 
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Point them to the following web address to sign up and read past newsletters online: http://malektips.com/maillist
 
* Recent MalekTips Front Page Stories *
 
12-20-2004: Night Photography Article
 
Planning on taking digital camera photos at night, such as photos of holiday lights? If so, be sure to read new MalekTips article Take Spectacular Nighttime Photos with your Digital Camera - Part I for free advice.
 
Link: http://malektips.com/night_photo_1/
 
12-16-2004: Microsoft Acquires GIANT Company Software Inc.
 
I was just about ready to add some tips to the next newsletter about GIANT AntiSpyware, but that will now have to wait. According to a press release, Microsoft has acquired GIANT Company Software Inc. Microsoft is planning "within one month" to make a beta version of a spyware detection and removal tool available to Windows 2000 and later users based on GIANT's technology.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2004/dec0
4/12-16GIANTPR.asp
 
12-16-2004: Symantec Purchases Veritas
 
According to a Symantec press release, Symantec (security software maker) and Veritas (storage software maker) have entered into an agreement whereby Symantec will purchase Veritas in an all-stock transaction. The combined company will use the Symantec name. Plans are for the transaction to close in 2Q 2005.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.symantec.com/press/2004/n041216.html
 
12-16-2004: Grumpy Santa Video
 
JibJab, makers of "This Land" and "Good to Be in DC", is at it again. In conjunction with Yahoo! Movies, they have developed a new video, Grumpy Santa. View it now before it gets real popular and the servers start to slow. And remember that Santa could use some cash...
 
Link (External Site): http://www.jibjab.com/
 
Link (External Site): http://movies.yahoo.com/movies/feature/jibjabsanta
.html
 
12-16-2004: Internet Explorer Vulnerability
 
Security firm Secunia is reporting a "moderately critical" vulnerability in Internet Explorer. According to the advisory, the DHTML Edit ActiveX controller contains a bug that can result in the execution of arbitrary code. No patch is currently available; the only workaround is to disable ActiveX support.
 
Link (External Site): http://secunia.com/advisories/13482/
 
12-15-2004: Adobe Acrobat and Reader Vulnerabilities
 
Security firm iDEFENSE is reporting a vulnerability in Adobe Reader 6.0 - 6.02, as well as Adobe Acrobat. Transactions involving eBooks involve files with the .etd extension. A vulnerabiliy in parsing these files can result in the execution of arbitrary code. Patches are available on the Adobe website.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id
=163&type=vulnerabilities
 
Link (External Site): http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/
 
12-15-2004: Worm W32.Erkez.D@mm
 
Symantec (Symantec and Norton AntiVirus) has released information about a new mass-mailing worm, W32.Erkez.D@mm. Besides searching hard drives for e-mail addresses to infect and sending itself out as file attachments, it can also lower computer security settings, stop running processes, and open up back doors for remote computer access. Be sure to download updated virus definitions from your antivirus software, and ALWAYS be wary of opening file attachments, even if you know the sender! E-mail addresses and senders CAN BE FORGED BY VIRUSES AND WORMS!
 
Link (External Site): http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.erkez.d
@mm.html
 
12-14-2004: Google to Make Library Books Available Online
 
According to a press release, Google is working with Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, the University of Michigan, and the New York Public Library to digitize library books so they are available online. This will allow users to search through this information through the Google Print (tm) program as well as the main Google search engine itself.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.google.com/press/pressrel/print_library
.html
 
12-14-2004: Microsoft Patches Multiple Vulnerabilities
 
Microsoft has released a set of updates for various versions of Windows, from Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6a up to and including Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP SP2. Be sure to access Windows Update to download and install the patches needed for your system.
 
* Security bulletin MSO-041 fixes two vulnerabilities in Wordpad that could result in remote code execution. * Security bulletin MSO-042 fixes a DHCP vulnerability that could result in a Denial of Service attack, or remote code execution. * Security bulletin MSO-043 fixes a HyperTerminal buffer-overrun vulnerability that could result in remote code execution. * Security bulletin MSO-044 fixes two vulnerabilities in the Windows Kernel and LSASS that could allow users to elevate their privileges on a machine. * Security bulletin MSO-045 fixes two WINS vulnerabilities that could allow remote code execution.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin
/MS04-041.mspx
 
Link (External Site): http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin
/MS04-042.mspx
 
Link (External Site): http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin
/MS04-043.mspx
 
Link (External Site): http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin
/MS04-044.mspx
 
Link (External Site): http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin
/MS04-045.mspx
 
* Tips! *
 
These tips are NOT available to the general public yet! You can find them here first in the MalekTips newsletter! Thanks for subscribing.
 
Digital Aerial Photography - Talk to the Pilot Beforehand
Your pilot may be able to offer suggestions for your digital aerial photography.
 
Digital Aerial Photography - Ensure Your Equipment is Ready
Perform a pre-flight checkup on your digital photography equipment.
 
Digital Aerial Photography - Flying Low
The pros and cons of flying low to the ground when performing digital aerial photography.
 
Digital Aerial Photography - Avoid Flash With Windows
Don't let unwanted reflections ruin your digital aerial photography.
 
Digital Aerial Photography - The Problems with Air Pollution
Air pollution can cause smog or haze, ruining your digital photos.
 
Digital Portrait Photography - Don't Neglect the Hands
Consider photographing a person's hands to make their photo more expressive of who they are.
 
Digital Portrait Photography - Keep People from 'Clamming Up'
A simple technique to add more life to your digital portrait photographs.
 
Digital Portrait Photography - Place Office Worker in Front of Their Desk
An unconventional portrait photograph of an office worker may express openness and friendliness.
 
Digital Portrait Photography - Fast Shutter Speed is Vital
A fast shutter speed is essential to capturing peoples' quick-changing facial expressions.
 
Digital Portrait Photography - Use Blur Creatively
Consider blurring your digital photographs to express movement in a busy scene.
 
Microsoft Excel 2003 - Stop Hyperlinking Web Address URLs
Prevent Excel 2003 from automatically placing live hyperlinks in a spreadsheet.
 
Microsoft Excel 2003 - Disable Cell Value AutoComplete
Prevent Excel 2003 from guessing the values you wish to enter in cells.
 
Microsoft Excel 2003 - Hide Gridlines
Prevent gridlines from appearing on selected Excel 2003 spreadsheets.
 
Microsoft Excel 2003 - Rename a Worksheet Tab
Make your Excel 2003 worksheet tabs more descriptive.
 
Microsoft Excel 2003 - Shade a Cell with a Pattern
Add visual variety to your Excel 2003 spreadsheets.
 
Router - Read Your Manual
Don't just plug in a router and expect it to work!
 
Router - Lock Down Your Wireless Access
Prevent unauthorized wireless access to your Internet connection via your router.
 
Router - Configuration Page Not Displaying Properly
If you can't configure your router, follow this tip.
 
Router - Block Kids From Accessing Certain Sites
Protect your kids even when you are not around.
 
Router - Need a Better Manual?
If your router's manual is lacking in detail, check online for possible updates.
 
Sites to Browse - Holiday Lights Gone Overboard
Enjoy celebrating the holidays with festive lights, but don't go too far...
 
Sites to Browse - Learn an Incredible Amount about Coffee
Coffee-making secrets are finally revealed.
 
Sites to Browse - Commodore 64 Screensaver for Windows
Nostalgia buffs - display the Commodore 64 startup screen as your Windows screensaver.
 
Sites to Browse - Newspaper and Television Station List
Read news stories from all over the United States and the world.
 
Sites to Browse - Time and Day Calculations
Quickly perform calculations involving dates and times with this useful website.
 
Windows XP Taskbar - Toolbar - Start Menu - Remove 'My Network Places' from the Start Menu
Clean up your Windows XP Start Menu if you rarely, if ever, use 'My Network Places'.
 
Windows XP Taskbar - Toolbar - Start Menu - Do Not Show Recently Opened Documents
Increase your privacy by hiding previously accessed documents from the Windows XP Start Menu.
 
Windows XP Taskbar - Toolbar - Start Menu - Lock or Unlock the Taskbar
Enable or disable Windows XP Taskbar modifications.
 
Windows XP Taskbar - Toolbar - Start Menu - Open the Folder Containing Quick Launch Shortcuts
Modify Windows XP's Quick Launch area easily through Explorer.
 
Windows XP Taskbar - Toolbar - Start Menu - Remove Manufacturer Link from the Start Menu
Clear your computer manufacturer's icon from the Windows XP Start Menu.
 
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* Copyright Notice *
 
This newsletter can be redistributed, in electronic or print, provided that no changes are made to this document and this notice is left intact. If you wish to redistribute just pieces of this newsletter, such as certain articles, contact Andrew Malek for information.
 
MalekTips is published by Envision Programming:
 
Envision Programming attn: MalekTips PO Box 11592 Knoxville, TN 37939-1592
 
This issue of MalekTips is Copyright 2004 Andrew Malek of Envision Programming. All other copyrights and trademarks are properties of their respective companies.

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