AJAX
AJAX stands for "Asynchronous JavaScript and XML," the technology behind what some call Web 2.0. In this new version Web pages are no longer static downloads but allow live interaction with the user. See it in action in Google Maps (maps.google.com) that allows you to drag the maps seamlessly around the screen and pop up details about locations of interest. The Internet edition of a newspaper may display a front page with headlines; moving the cursor over a headline pops up a small window with a summary of the article. Google's Gmail uses Ajax to streamline message retrievals. The BackPack Web site (www.backpackit.com) allows you to jot down notes and reminders that can call your cell phone at a time you specify.
Yahoo provides an interesting site, Widgetgallery.com, that hosts over 1000 widgets, small downloadable apps that run on your desktop and are built with JavaScript and XML, like many Web pages. You need to download and install a small program, Konfabulator, to display the Widgets. The Widgets vary from funny nonsense to useful applets such as Web-based dictionaries, local weather reports, system utilities, news feeds, multi media, and more. They are contributed by volunteers, and you are encouraged to modify them or write your own with an included editor. Of course, if you disable JavaScript for security reasons none of this will work any longer. (PC World, December 2005).
Sony in the Soup
November 3: Windows programming expert Mark Russinovich discovered that Sony is using a virus-like scheme, often called a rootkit, to enforce copy protection on some of its music CDs, according to an article by Mark Ward, Technology Correspondent on the BBC News website (snipurl.com/sonyxcp).
Rootkits allow malicious code to be inserted deep inside the Windows operating system, meaning that it will not be spotted by most anti-virus scanners. Sony uses it as part of its XCP copy protection scheme to force you to use the proprietary music player it installs on the computer. Manually removing the rootkit cripples the computer. As security guru Steve Gibson states on his Web site (grc.com): "... Sony Corporation's alarming "Rootkit" DRM (digital rights management) copy protection scheme ... unnecessarily employs rootkit technology ... to hide itself from its users after installation. It can not be uninstalled easily, it can be easily misused for malicious purposes, and it has been implicated in many repeated BSOD 'blue screen of death' PC crashes."
The CDs play normally on CD players as well as on Apple MACs and Linux-based computers. Nothing will stop you from ripping a copy on a MAC computer that will not suffer from the nastiness.
November 11: Anti-virus companies have discovered three malicious programs that use XCP's stealthy capabilities if they find it installed on a compromised PC (BBC News Online, 11/11/05)
November 14: Sony's anti-piracy software has been labeled as spyware by Microsoft. It plans to include detection and removal tools in its anti-spyware software and in its December malicious software removal tool. In response, Sony BMG has suspended use of XCP. It was only used on CDs sold in the USA (BBC News 11/14/05).
November 16: Sony BMG is recalling millions of music CDs that use XCP. Sony BMG said: "We deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause our customers and we are committed to making this situation right." One of the CDs, Neil Diamond's 12 Songs, was the top seller on Amazon.com for several days. (BBC News, 11/16/05)
Great Tech Service
F-prot is an anti-virus program that goes back to the days of DOS. It is part of the many computer security products provided by Frisk International, based in Iceland (www.f-prot.com). Its excellent antivirus and e-mail protection program is partially based on the use of virus signature data bases, as well as heuristics procedures to detect virus-like behavior before a new virus has been recognized and described. F-prot is available for use with various operating systems, including Windows ($29 for individual use) and Linux (free for individual workstations). It updates its databases as soon as new malware is found, often 2-3 times per week.
When I recently had a problem downloading virus database upgrades for my Linux computer, I sent a query to Frisk's technical support. The next day I received a response, including a patch for the latest download, and brief instructions on how to use it. I sent a message back, confessing that I did not understand the instructions. The next day I received a long email with detailed instructions that were easy to follow and solved the problem. I sent a quick thank you to the technician (clearly a native Icelander, going by the name of Gretar Hreggviosson). Even so, I received a follow-up inquiry from Frisk about my satisfaction with the support provided (for free!). How's that for service?
Go Figure
If you're planning to do some Christmas shopping online, it pays to use some price-comparison sites to get the best bargains. PCWorld (12/05) and PC Magazine (12/6/05) both checked out some of the most popular ones. PCWorld checked nine shopping sites for the best prices, including S/H, on a digital camera, an external hard drive, and a digital video recorder. In all cases PriceRunner found the lowest prices (a total of $995), as compared to the three runners-up, PriceGrabber ($1121), Yahoo Shopping ($1129), and Shopzilla (1088). Shopzilla was downrated a bit because its product background and reviews were less extensive. PC Magazine went shopping for a digital camera, the latest Harry Potter book, a music CD and an HDTV. They didn't report best prices found but rated the sites on number of sellers included, presentation of results and reviews, and ease-of-use. They gave the highest ratings to mySimon (not rated by PCW) and Shopzilla, closely followed by PriceGrabber. They did not check PriceRunner.
The bottom line, as always, is: shop around and buyer beware.
Which Price Is Right?
Shop around... My last issue of PCWorld came with an extra cover urging me to renew my subscription at the professional courtesy price of $24.95 for a year. Inside the magazine I found a tear-out card offering a subscription at $19.95 per year. I also found a loose insert offering 2 years for the one-year price of $24.95. Which one would you use?
- 30 -
There is no restriction against any non-profit group using this article as long as it is kept in context with proper credit given the author. The Editorial Committee of the Association of Personal Computer User Groups (APCUG), an international organization of which this group is a member, brings this article to you.
Date Revised: 11 January 2006
