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June 2006
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By Cliff Millward, Editor cliffm@xmission.com
The Country’s Going to Dell?
Dell will now start to offer AMD-based servers.
They will introduce AMD Opteron processor in their multi-processor servers by the end of the year.
Until now Dell used Intel processor exclusively. It is speculated that consumer pressure brought about this action because the consumers believe AMD processors offer superior performance and power efficiency. However, some believe it is related to AMD’s anti-trust case against Intel.
Whatever the reason, I believe the end consumer will be the winner because competition drives down prices. Also, it is great to have choices! I hope this gravitates to end users very soon.
Time to Stick Your Neck Out
Medistick is a 64MB USB thumb drive (which can be worn around your neck) that is configured with autorun software that will provide any PC-equipped medic (mostly for emergencies) with all your medical information.
This little gem was conceived in Switzerland and comes with all your information in English, German, French, Italian and Spanish.
The practical reality about this is if you are involved in an accident (maybe unconscious) the medic and doctors will be able to obtain information about your medical condition.
The information is reputed to be secure and cannot be transferred or copied to any computer. The drive will last for about 10 years, but they advise you to update it as much as necessary.
The downside (my opinion) is that emergency vehicles and doctors would have to have a computer equipped with a program to read it. That being said, it sounds like a good idea. What do you think?
So far as I know, Medistick is available in Europe only. By the way, it works with PC’s only -- sorry Apple!
AMD Again
There is a rumor that AMD is looking to acquire ATI. ATI is in somewhat of a bind at present and is having trouble getting their new products to market.
AMD is in better condition and could make ATI more competitive with NVIDIA. However, (as I understand it) AMD gets its graphics chips from NVIDIA! This could present some real problems (I’m sure you can see the implications.)
However, let me reiterate, at present it is just a rumor.
Just When You Think You Have
Women Figured Out . . . .
When you think of women in video games, do you think of only the voluptuous, busty females? Well, there is another angle to the story.
There are an ever increasing number of female gamers entering the fray. Additionally, these women are entering programming, designing, etc., and they are having an impact. They have formed an organization called “Pandora’s Mighty Soldiers,” or PMS for short. So far, they have a membership of about 500 but it is growing. Members range in age from 9 to 58.
They compete with each other and band together in professional tournaments. They also handle very well the online harassment doled out by male gamers. They know that males can be intimidating, but they are not afraid.
As more women enter the gaming industry, you can expect to see more positive female characters -- all the worlds’ a stage, but is life all a big game?
Finè
Index
Panda Platinum 2006 Internet Security
You Gotta Love That Cute Little Panda!
Reviewed by Don Nendell
Manufacturer:
Panda Software USA
230 N. Maryland Avenue, Suite 303
P.O. Box 10578
Glendale , CA 91206 USA
Web Site: <http://www.us.pandasecurity.com>
E-mail: Tech Support:
techsupport@pandasoftware.com
Tech support 24th - 365d by phone and e-mail
12 Month’s Free Worldwide Tech Support, but only after the Essential online registration
Phone: (800) 829-6468 and (818) 543-6909
FAX: (818) 543-6910
Systems Requirements:
Processor: Pentium 300 MHz, or higher.
RAM: 128 MB
Hard disk: At least 160 MB free space, 300 MB for installation.
Operating system: Windows XP / 2000 Pro Me / 98.
Note.In Windows 2000 Pro and Windows XP, you must have Administrator rights
Browser: Internet Explorer 5.5, or later (Necessary for a “Free” scan of your computer. It never has liked my Netscape ;)
Known incompatibilities:
With other antivirus programs installed on the same computer (As they are detected when starting installation, and the user is warned)
With 64-bit processors
With any other firewall (including the XP firewall) installed on the computer
Antivirus installation:
* The product can be purchased by downloading it from the Internet (Panda Software’s website), or sent to you on a CD-ROM. The installation process is the same in both cases, except for the first three steps, which are specific to the CD installation.
* In order to ensure that Panda Platinum 2006 Internet Security provides optimum protection at all times, it is essential to correctly configure the updates. In order to do this, you will need a user name and password. If you do not have this data, you can request it from the Panda Communication Department in your own country, or the International Communication Department, who you can contact at the following address <communication@pandasoftware.com> with any questions you may have.
* In the product user guide you can find all the information you need in order to correctly install the solution.
Prelude and Testimonial
Be forewarned , What follows is a VERY, VERY, SERIOUS SUBJECT; and those of you who have followed my reviews over the years, know one that is very dear to my heart. Heading straight for the jugular vein, FYI I’ve been reviewing, and using religiously, Panda Anti-virus products for over three (3) years now (Titanium Antivirus 2004, Platinum Internet Security, Panda Antivirus Platinum 7 (reviewed in July 2004 BCM), and Panda TruPrevent Personal 2006 (reviewed in June 2005 BCM)). Heavens, seems like only yesterday that I met up with these wonderful people at the prestigious ShowStoppers event in Las Vegas. My, how time flies when you’re confidently sitting at a “ working” computer pounding merrily away, or merely relaxing and enjoying yourself? You know, Donna and I have not had a single virus attack in all that time - my humble thanks to Panda - then again, maybe a good knock on wood now and then hasn’t hurt us either? As my by-line always says, “Happiness is definitely a working computer!” And, “A Safe One Too,” certainly doesn’t hurt either ;)
Let me say at the outset that, so far, Panda Platinum 2006 Internet Security (PK6IS) is “the best of the best,” when compared to all the rest. I downloaded the new program (platis2006), plus the two (2) very important “uninstall files,” the User’s Manual from their web site, plus a couple of other files. I placed them all very gingerly on one of my “favorite” storage devices, a USB Flash Drive, and then used it to quickly install PK6IS on four (4) different computers. Note. I’m sure that all this could have been done very easily over my seven (7) station Peer-to-Peer network (including my wireless Toshiba laptop), but then I was having fun, so what the hey?
In the installation process, I first had to remove my Panda TruPrevent Personal 2006, and to do so, the two (2) uninstall files walked me through the process easily. I’m absolutely certain that they are actually what made the job so simple. It installed flawlessly, in what seemed like a “flash.” It automatically picked up all of my previous TruPrevent settings, and “has been working equally as well ever since.” Truth be known, they were the best and easiest of any Panda installations to date. Yes!
Introduction
I am going to approach this review a little differently than anything I’ve done before on a Panda product. This is going to be written in three (3) distinct levels, i.e., segments: 1) A “Personal Touch and Plea” to use an A/V product; preferably Panda Platinum 2006 Internet Security, if you please; 2) A “Hard Fact Comparison (with chart)” to show differences in A/V products; and 3) A “Raw Hard Data” approach (because people actually buy A/V products like they’re selecting a watermellon; some actually do “thunk it more than once with the middle finger while holding the melon close to their ears– it does have a right (ripe?) sound, you know?”) Meaning, I’m going to give you a thorough “Sgt. Friday grilling (He, of the early TV show Dragnet, fame), i.e., ‘I only want the facts, mamm,’ approach!”
After reading my two (2) previous reviews, and you’re convinced already that Panda Platinum 2006 Internet Security is the right product for you, then go straight to the end of this review; all that is left is for you to read is: “To Sum It All Up, and Ending Up On a Personal Plea From Don.” That’s right. You’ve already completed the introduction to Segment #1: “Personal Touch and Plea.”
However , if you are a “Doubting Thomas” type, like me, then kindly read on. Ergo, Segment #2 starts right here.
Segment 2: Hard Fact Comparison (with chart)
Panda Software’s Purpose : As the “Recognized Specialists in Individual PC, SOHO and Corporate Protection,” Panda Software’s main objective of Panda Platinum 2006 Internet Security is to: “Provide users with the most advanced antivirus technology in a single, easy to use solution, with maximum capacity to detect and disinfect known and unknown virus and intrusions. The growing danger of computer viruses and the constant evolution of infection methods have created the need for an innovative antivirus solution of this kind.”
Panda Platinum 2006 Internet Security
This new product for individual users, businesses and professionals is a “complete” security suite that not only provides the most advanced protection against all types of known - and even unknown - virus and intrusions, but also responds to the real security needs of computers, i.e., it provides protection against all Internet-borne threats. By doing this, PK6IS changes the concept of IT security from simple virus protection, to a “proactive” holistic security against all kinds of malware, albeit any program, document, or message that can do damage to computer systems.
PK6IS includes a new powerful scan engine, capable of scanning and disinfecting the parts other antivirus programs can’t begin to reach. This makes PK6IS the definitive product for detecting and eliminating viruses. Effective and completely transparent, the product integrates into the system without consuming capacity, or resources, all without interfering with other system processes.
Panda Software also provides a complete suite of services created to solve virus-related problems at any time 24th - 365d by phone and e-mail. It goes without saying, the combination of this powerful product and their personalized services make Panda Platinum 2006 Internet Security one of the most complete and effective solutions on the market today.
Panda’s Product Against the Competitors Table 1
Concept |
Platinum 2006 |
Norton Internet |
Mcafee Internet |
PC Cillin |
Blocking of unknown threats based on behavioral analysis of the programs run |
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Blocking of network viruses based on behavioral analysis |
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Detection of buffer overflows |
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Security policies for the operating system |
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Heuristic scan |
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Protection against worms based on behavioral analysis |
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Reduced |
Reduced |
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Protection against damaging scripts |
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Scanning of inbound mail (POP3) |
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Scanning of inbound mail (IMAP) |
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Scanning of outbound mail (SMTP) |
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Scanning of newsgroups (NNTP) |
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Scanning of web mail (HTTPmail) - Hotmail under Outlook/Outlook Express |
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Repair of modifications made by worms and Trojans |
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Protection against network viruses |
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Instant messaging protection |
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Permanent scanning of compressed files |
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Jokes |
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Dialers |
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Phishing |
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Security risks (for example, virus creation kits) |
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Hoaxes |
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Adware and spyware |
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Personal firewall |
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Detection of intruders in WiFi networks |
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Anti-Spam |
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Parental Control |
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Protection against confidential information sending |
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Quarantine |
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Reports |
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Automatic updates |
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Internet protection level control |
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Self-diagnosis of the antimalware protection |
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Sending of proactive alerts about new malware |
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Protection of the integrity of the antimalware application |
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Detection of system vulnerabilities |
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Setup password protected |
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Repair of the damage caused by malware |
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Emergency disks |
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Emergency CD |
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Virus list in the program |
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That about wraps up Segment #2. What more can a person ask for, Panda even handles Linux? So, if you’re finally convinced by now that Panda Platinum 2006 Internet Security is the right product for you, then proceed straight to the end of the review, all you have left to read is, “To Sum It All Up, and Ending Up On a Personal Plea From Don.” That’s it. You’re all done with Segment #2: The“Hard Fact Comparison with a Chart” approach.
However , if you are the ultimate “Doubting Thomas” type, like me, then kindly read on. Ergo, please allow me to proudly “keep sharing with you” what Panda Software’s PK6IS is all about in Segment #3: The “Sgt. Friday Grilling,” starts right here.
Segment #3: The More Than 3 to 4 “Thumps on the Melon Stuff”
Features and Benefits of PK6IS
For Known Threats, Platinum 2006 Internet Security:
* Detects and eliminates all types of viruses when you send and receive e-mails, download files or work on the Internet.
* Has advanced anti-spyware technology, which is designed to protect your privacy by blocking programs that snoop on user activity.
* Uses an “Ultra Fast” scan engine, thereby guaranteeing maximum antivirus performance with minimal use of system resources.
* Detects and solves vulnerabilities in the software installed on the computer, those that can be exploited by viruses to get into PCs - and even run themselves automatically - without the user ever realizing it’s there.
* Integrates a “File Armoring” system that immunizes PK6IS against virus attacks that disable antivirus and security programs.
* Has a “Self-Diagnosis” system that constantly checks that PK6IS is providing optimum protection at all times.
* Automatically updates daily to ensure that the user’s computer has up-to-the minute protection against new viruses and other threats.
* Alerts users with“Pro-active Warnings” about new viruses and security threats directly to your Desktop.
* Provides a“List of Exclusions” for all types of malware by name, for users that may (for some strange, unfathomable reason?) want to leave certain malware on their computer.
For Unknown Threats, PK6IS Has Built-in:
* A “Panic ” button, which shuts down all communications in emergency situations.
* A “Stateful” mode with the capacity to inspect the status of communications, and reject packet transmissions that are not within a normal sequence.
* “TruPrevent™ Technologies .” Thanks to this technology, PK6IS can proactively intercept and stop “unknown threats” based on their behavior in the system.
Note. Please do read my June 2005 BCM review, as it alone covers this critical area in far greater detail, which I feel is, hands down, “ THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT” of PK6IS.
* “Worm Detection ” via certain behavior characteristics. By scanning the behavior of the processes executed, worms are detected.
* “Buffer Overflow Protection ,” which is designed to prevent potential attacks from hackers using buffer overflow techniques that could take control of a user’s system.
* KRE (Kernel Rules Enforcement). This is additional protection for the Operating System, which allows user’s to force certain security rules to process upon execution.
* “Anti-phishing ” for detection and control against any possible identity replacement on e-mailing.
* “Network Control Security ” requirements, which provides for evaluation(s) of particular security rules and levels before accessing the internet.
* “Instant Messenger Scanning ” for being able to analyze, detect and protect against malware coming from collaboration tools, such as Instant Messenger.
* “Deep Packet Inspection Firewall, ” which is firewall scanning packets at the Network protocol level and transport level (See below).
* “Protection Against Network Viruses, ” which allows for the detection of virus that spread throughout the network, and not solely based on files or e-mail.
* “UDNA Technology. ” UDNA technology identifies a family of executable files using a single signature. Note. This technology was born from the need to identify the different variations of a file.
* “Genetic Heuristic Engine. ” This is an innovative heuristic engine that integrates: 1) Signature correlation techniques, 2) Scanning of code, and 3) Most typical characteristics of malware.
With an Integrated firewall, PK6IS Provides:
1. The latest generation personal firewall, turning computers into a fortress against hackers or viruses that exploit vulnerable communications ports, and
2. Detection of intruders in WiFi networks. This is a system that allows users to access WiFi networks without needing to worry about unauthorized user’s getting into their computer through a wireless connection.
For Fraud Protection, PK6IS:
1. Integrates an“Anti-dialer” to prevent unauthorized connections to high-rate toll numbers, and
2. Provides for the “Detection ofTransmission of Confidential Information” from the PC (i.e., passport number, bank account details, etc.). This works along with the other types of protection against fraud, scams, and confidential data theft (anti-phishing, anti-key logger, anti-hoax, anti-dialer, etc.).
With Content Filtering, PK6IS:
1. Has integratedInternet access control into the program, which as well as saving time and money by preventing misuse of the Internet, also allows user’s to prevent their children from accessing certain web pages, and
2. Has Anti-spam capability, which automatically blocks unsolicited mail before it collapses mail servers and mailboxes.
Folks, I don’t know about you, but I’ve about had it for today. Whew, that’s the end of Segment #3. The Point here being: “Get some peace of mind, and get with the anti-virus (A/V) program.” And you’ve certainly got to admit, I’ve “ Tried” very hard to convince you that you can’t go wrong with Panda Platinum 2006 Internet Security.
So what are you waiting for, a riper melon? Psst! The 4 th of July is right around the corner, so enjoy your “Ripe Melon and Your Freedom.”
To Sum It All Up
The new Panda Platinum 2006 Internet Security is huge and offers the most effective protection offered against viruses, spyware, hackers, phishing, pharming, spam and other threats, so you can enjoy the Internet with complete peace of mind. For even greater security, and this is the killer, it provides a double layer of proactive protection against unknown viruses and intruders with the innovative TruPrevent™ Technologies.
As a partial list, PK6IS includes: 1) Anti-spyware to block programs that threaten your privacy on the Internet; 2) Personal firewall to protect all your communication and keep hackers and intruders out, even in WiFi networks; 3) Anti-spam, automatically preventing junk mail from saturating mailboxes; 4) Privacy control to ensure your most important data (i.e., account numbers, card numbers, passwords, etc.) doesn’t leave your computer without your consent; 5) Anti-phishingprotection against online fraud. Protection against a range of Internet scams including: phishing (fraudulent emails designed to redirect users to spoofed web pages where they are tricked into revealing bank details, etc.); pharming (redirecting users to spoofed Internet pages where they enter bank information into a bogus browser); and dialers, etc.; and 6) Control over access to inappropriate web pages, thus preventing potential children exploitation, and otherwise costly and time-wasting misuse of the Internet.
Note. Panda Software clients also have at their disposal Tech Support 24h-365d, 24h-SOS service to analyze suspicious files, plus daily security updates with Oxygen3 24h-365d e-mails.
Ending Up On a Personal Plea From Don
Never in the history of the Internet has it been more important to all of us, and especially to you, the individual user, to get the “Absolutely Superior” type of computer protection, as that which is provided by Panda Platinum 2006 Internet Security. It is literally a crime, if not absolutely inexcusable, to be unprotected these days. I consider this plight to being virtually a pandemic, and as bad as, or maybe even worse than, AIDS. Bad analogy, I know. But being “exposed” to the Internet - and we all are, nobody is immune.Being unprotected, is going to get you “coming and/or going;” sooner or later! “Forewarned is For-armed.”
Index
RSS Explained
By Phil Shapiro,
member of the Capital PC User Group,
Virginia Macintosh UsersGroup,
Washington Apple Pi, Young Hackers and Scholars
Libre Users Group
pshapiro@his.com
RSS - really simple syndication -- is a labor-saving tool that allows people to tune into information sources that interest them. The information source could be a blog, a podcast, a videocast or any web site that includes RSS feeds.
The value of RSS accrues when you subscribe to multiple RSS feeds. You can then monitor multiple information streams with a minimum of effort.
There are many different software tools for subscribing to RSS feeds. One of the most popular is a web site named Bloglines. Some web browsers let you subscribe to RSS feeds. Safari 2.x and Firefox are two browsers that do. Firefox lets you to subscribe to RSS feeds using something called Live Bookmarks. You can also use a Firefox extension named Sage to subscribe to RSS feeds.
RSS’s primary value is that it brings information to you without you having to visit multiple web sites. In a knowledge economy, anything that streamlines the flow of information from producer to consumer gives benefit to both producer and consumer. You tune into the information you do want, and tune out the information you don’t want.
Some Examples of How RSS Simplifies Peoples’ Lives
I asked some technology consultants to explain how RSS brings value to peoples’ lives. Curtis Brown at MissionMovers.org, in Seattle, is a strong believer in RSS. He explains, “RSS has invaded every part of our life, but we just don’t know it. RSS is an information delivery method that gives added convenience to both senders and receivers of the information.”
As an example, RSS feeds can be used by a nonprofit organization to distribute different kinds of information to different people. One RSS feed could be the organization’s calendar of events or classes. Another could be a call for volunteers. A third feed might be information for funders. The more feeds an organization offers, the more narrowly tailored the information delivered to people served by that organization or supporting that organization.
Here are some other examples of RSS feeds. A used car dealer can have an RSS feed that details newly arrived used cars. A public library could have an RSS feed of newly purchased books. A police department can have separate RSS feeds for different neighborhoods, giving up-to-date information on safety concerns in each neighborhood.
Curtis Brown explains that information received in an RSS feed can be filtered by keyword and colorized in text. So you have control over the RSS feed. You decide the ways in which that stream of information is going to serve your needs.
Curtis explains that RSS feeds become immensely useful when people work collaboratively in a wiki. (A wiki is a web page that different people can edit.) Changes to the web page can be monitored via an RSS feed. This allows anyone participating in the wiki to have a clear idea of who is adding the most value to the wiki. RSS allows for better monitoring and gives added transparency to the collaborative process.
Curtis goes on to explain that there are two kinds of RSS feeds -- static feeds and dynamic feeds. A static feed might be sports scores or the feed from a single blog. A dynamic feed is a stream of information where there is searching going on to pull out specific pieces of information to add to the stream.
It’s also possible to combine several RSS feeds into a single new feed. One web site that let’s you do that is rssmix.com. Why would want to do that? Suppose you live in a metropolitan area with several different library systems spanning several counties. Each library system provides an RSS feed of the events happening within their library system. You’d like to keep track of library events in multiple counties. rssmix.com would let you combine RSS feeds in that way.
Another RSS enthusiast, Bruce Roy, in Sydney, Australia explains - “I have found the RSS facility in The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding (TNG) very useful for the family tree site. It enables people interested in following the family tree to get information about changes to the tree without having to check the website’s “What’s New?” or wade through the data.”
One other advantage of RSS is that it lets you tune out mainstream media and tune into alternative media and personal media. If you find the CBS Evening News a touch thin in how it covers the news, with RSS you have an alternative source of news where news stories don’t need to be squeezed into 45 second slots.
Another RSS enthusiast, Winthrop Morgan, in the Washington DC-area had this to add:
“Regarding your request for examples of how RSS brings benefits into peoples’ lives, I highly recommend you consider including Join Together Online as a great Win- Win- Win model.
Join Together Online (JTO) (http://www.jointogether.org) has long been a pioneer in using the Internet to support people working on substance abuse and gun violence issues. Every month, one million JTO web pages are viewed by over 350,000 people.
JTO uses RSS feeds to not only help their web presence spread, but also to provide vital to support state, municipal, and nonprofit drug treatment and prevention program managers and their audiences. While these programs’ web masters might have a modest web presence, they lack the wherewithal to continuously produce new content, or even gather and republish it. Without new content, their audiences lack a reason to come back to their Web site. The JTO RSS service enormously increases both the return visit value of these sites and the presence of authoritative information in this highly charged information space.
To keep the RSS feeds fresh and riveting, JTO employs a small editorial staff who aggregates both online and offline news on substance abuse funding, policies, and more from authoritative sources. They edit this news down to its essential content, and then republish it via RSS, as well as to users of their site and subscribers to their e-mail news services.”
RSS Relieves Cluttered Email Inboxes
If you have traditionally received a lot of your information via email, RSS can provide some relief to your inbox. Would you like to follow a particular email list, but can’t stomach subscribing to one more email list? If that list is on Yahoogroups, you can follow the list via the list’s RSS feed. An excellent free tool for reading RSS feeds is Bloglines. (http://www.bloglines.com)
RSS feeds are almost always spam-free. The provider of the RSS feed doesn’t want you to unsubscribe from the feed -- so they treat you with respect.
Ben Sheldon, in Lowell, Massachusetts, passes along this RSS tip: “Google still only offers email news alerts, but this utility lets you use create an RSS feed out of any Google News search term. [http://www.justinpfister.com/gnewsfeed.cfm]
I aggregate my name, my projects (DigitalBicycle, ServiceSpeak), and my street and city so that if something happens I should know about, I will.”
If you’re still with me, I’ll pass along a few small tips of my own. I use RSS, Bloglines and my Digg.com account to keep track of what Digg stories my friends are digging (i.e. voting for.) I just copy the RSS feed from the bottom left of http://digg.com/users/pshapiro/friends and then paste it into Add Feed in Bloglines.
Between Katie Couric and the 50 friends I have on Digg, which do you think provides the richer quality of information to me? Right. Just for kicks I subscribe to the Associated Press RSS feed, so I’m in the loop with whatever Katie knows.
I also use the free service at Squeet.com to send me an email whenever one of my friends submits a story to Digg.com, so they don’t have to let me know about their submissions. That email alert capability might well come to Digg sometime.
I use RSS to keep me posted on new items of interest to me that are posted to Del.icio.us. For example, if anyone submits an item to Del.icio.us with the tag digitalstorytelling, I find out about that really easily in my Bloglines account.
That puts me in touch with anyone doing digital storytelling anywhere on the planet. And I don’t even have to subscribe to another email list to be in touch with them. I like that.
Phil Shapiro
The author is a former president of Virginia Macintosh Users Group and worked as the Washington DC Regional Coordinator for Community Technology Centers’ Network, an international network of more than 1000 organizations bringing technology and technology training to underserved communities.
He can be reached at http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/pshapiro and at pshapiro@his.com His blog is at http://philsrssfeed.blogspot.com
This article may be freely reprinted by any computer user group or nonprofit entity. The article has been distributed via the The MUG Center’s Newsletter Content List and via the newsletter article exchange of the Association of Personal Computer User Groups.
This article -- with associated links-- can be found on the web at http://
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.
Index
May 10, 2006 Meeting
Submitted by Stuart Gygi
The meeting was convened at 7:08pm by President Rick Gregory
Open access. Stuart Gygi asked how Windows XP kept track of any local network created by the Network Wizard. He had created a LAN at home with two computers using a specific Workgroup name. He then was able to connect to another LAN at a different location with a different Workgroup name. Sean Wolsey mentioned that you could only have one Workgroup name, but Stuart mentioned that all the shared folders for both Workgroups appeared in the Network Places list. Some confusion remained.
Rick Gregory mentioned the Internet neutrality concept. He reported that AOL has decided to implement a two tier policy for Internet access. Those customers willing to pay more would be provided priority access (faster service, etc.). Congress is debating the same issue for telecommunications companies. Those concerned about the issue should contact their representatives in Congress.
Presentation. The evening’s presentation was by Russ Fellows and Dave Hicks from Macdocs, a Utah reseller of Apple products. They presented a “Boot Camp, How to Run Windows on a Mac.
In January, Apple decided to build most Macs using the Intel X86 processor. One objection Apple had heard from some potential customers was that they had some essential application that required Windows. Since Macs are now available running the same processor, Apple decided to deal with this issue. Boot Camp is a program that responds to this problem. It is currently in Beta testing. Anyone can download the software for free. It will be officially included in OS 10.5. It allows installation of windows XP along side Macs OS on any Mac shipping with an Intel processor. This is a dual boot configuration. You can boot either OS, but only one at a time.
With Boot Camp, Windows is intalled to run natively on the Mac. It is not a software emulation, though software emulations do exist. Understand that Apple will not sell or support Windows, now or in the future. You will be required to purchase and keep Windows updated yourself. So if you are interested in moving to a Mac, you have a way of doing that without having to keep a separate Windows machine around just for one or two applications.
The first step in the Boot Camp process is to load all the drivers needed for the Mac hardware on a blank CD. This saves you the need to hunt for drivers. Boot Camp then boots into Mac OS and creates a new partition for Windows. The size of the partition can be selected. If the partition is less than 32 gigabytes it will formatted Fat 32, otherwise, it will be formatted NTFS. It will then auto restart and load Windows from your CD. Windows must be either XP Home or Professional edition with SP2 included and must be on a single CD. Upgrade and Media Center editions are not allowed. Other requirements are: Mac OS X Tiger v10.4.6, the latest firmware update for the Mac, and 10 GB of free hardware drive space. During the install, the driver CD will be requested. Boot Camp also loads a multi-boot control panel that allows you to not only boot either operating system, but you can boot from different hard drives, even a network volume.
Mac OS allows access to the Windows volume from the Mac. When running Mac OS, you will see the Windows volume appear on the screen. However the Windows volume is formatted, you can drag items from the Windows volume to the Mac volume. However, you can only drag items from the Mac volume to the Windows volume if the Windows volume is formatted FAT 32. When running Windows, you cannot see the Mac volume, so there is no dragging and dropping.
Boot Camp will be in Beta until September 30, 2007. It can be downloaded free from the Boot Camp web site, www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp. There is Website support only through forums.
Russ demonstrated Boot Camp on a Pentium D (dual core) processor, the standard processor available to everyone. Apple doesn’t require a special processor version.
The question was asked about the stability of Quick time on the Mac OS. Russ stated it is very stable. Sean Wolsey says it is a crap shoot on Windows. Russ thinks it is the drivers. Apple does the drivers for Macs, but not for Windows machines.
Don Nendell attached the security software he has invented and patented which he carries on a USB flash drive to the Mac with Windows XP running, and it worked. It is a replacement for static user id and password security we are all use to. Learn more about it at the August meeting.