Andrés ValenciaPC UpdatingThis page offers information on how to keep your PC updated and increase your productivity.
Will you perish or profit in today's Digital Economy?
Are you geared up to compete in the new "Digital Economy", the computerized
business world? Brave New World (Local) This interview was published in the WWW by the magazine "Entrepreneur". Windows Operating System: Windows 98:
On June 30, 1998 Microsoft released 'Windows 98', the successor to Windows 95.
On June 30, 1999 Windows 98 reached it's Second Edition (Windows 98 SE), requiring 24MB RAM,
in a step towards unification under a future version of Windows.
On December 31, 2000 Microsoft released Windows Millennium Edition (Me),
mainly a multimedia upgrade to Windows 98. See Windows Life-Cycle Policy.
Windows XP and Windows Vista:
On December 31, 2001 Microsoft released
Windows XP,
mainly an advanced multimedia upgrade to Windows Me on new 32 bit code (DOS is now an emulation),
with important new firewall-like security features in its version SP2.
Upgrade your Windows XP to the SP3 version (Service Pack 3) that is available from May 7, 2008.
Determine what versions of Windows Vista your PC can run using the program Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor. Windows Vista requieres modern processors (at least 800 MHz) and SVGA graphics processors. And between 512 MB (core experience) and 1 GB (full experience) of RAM. Also a DVD-ROM drive is required for installation.
Determine what versions of Windows 7 your PC can run using the program Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. Windows 7 requieres modern processors (at least 1 GHz) and SVGA graphics processors, and 1 GB of RAM. Also a DVD-ROM drive is required for installation.
On Windows XP new security updates are only available for versions SP2 and SP3.
Service Packs 2 and 3 are free, but are only available automatically to legitimate Windows XP users.
If you can not install and keep updated a legal copy of Windows,
it is a matter of time before your vulnerabilities will be exploited, even if you expertly use a complete firewall program. From September 28 to November 15, 2006, 90% of oarval.org visitors were using Windows, but 13% of them had unsupported versions.
Linux Operating System: Ubuntu: Ubuntu is a complete Linux-based operating system, freely available with both community and professional support.
Ubuntu is suitable for both desktop and server use. The current Ubuntu release supports PCs (Intel x86), 64-bit PCs (AMD64),
Sun UltraSPARC and T1 (Sun Fire T1000 and T2000), PowerPC (Apple iBook, Powerbook, G4 and G5) and OpenPower (Power5) architectures.
Ubuntu is available in many languages and with different interfaces (Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu and Edubuntu), with different pre-installed applications.
Ubuntu includes more than 16,000 pieces of software, but the core desktop installation (.iso) fits on a single 700 MB CD.
Ubuntu covers every standard desktop application from word processing and spreadsheet applications
to web server software and programming tools. Warning: Creating partitions is a delicate operation, that could result in the loss of the data on your hard drive.
Communications:
Networks:
Modems:
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL or DSL):
SoftwareJava is a free computer programming tool and software platform used by every browser in the Internet, and many Web sites. It has been developed by Sun Microsystems since 1991, and in 1995 it appeared the Web with the Netscape Navigator browser. Java brings animated interactivity to Web pages.
There's one place Java enthusiasts and developers should go: java.com
Adobe Flash Player is the standard for delivering high-impact, rich Web content. Designs, animation, and application user interfaces are deployed immediately across all browsers and platforms, attracting and engaging users with a rich Web experience.
Adobe recommends that all Adobe Flash Player users upgrade to the most recent version of the Player through the
Adobe Flash Player Download Center
to take advantage of security updates. Users of Adobe Flash Player on all supported platforms can manually check whether their installed Flash Player is the latest, most secure version at Adobe Flash Player - Version Information.
Adobe Reader is the standard for delivering trusted Web content. Verified documents can be deployed immediately across all browsers and platforms, ensuring users with trustable Web experience.
Adobe recommends that all Adobe Reader users upgrade to the most recent version of the Reader through the
Adobe Reader Download Center
to take advantage of security updates.
The Microsoft Media Player is available in various languages for Windows XP, Vista, and Mac. If you have MS Internet Explorer, use it to access the links above, for a much smaller download. Skype:
Free Internet telephony that just works. High audio/video quality and good security. File transfers, audio/video-conferences and instant messaging. Keep your Skype updated to avoid known vulnerabilities. MSN Web Messenger:
See. Hear. Share. Instantly. This free chat (keyboard conversation) program includes graphics for expressions and much more. ICQ:
Something new in Internet communications.
The program runs in the background, taking up minimal memory and Net resources. It's simple. When you install ICQ, the program asks you to register at a server, which is connected to a broad network of servers spanning the Internet. At the time of registration, you receive a unique UIN (Universal Internet Number). In addition, ICQ gives you the option of entering personal information along with your UIN. This allows other ICQ users to recognize you when you log on. Once you've registered, you can compile a selected list of friends and associates. ICQ uses this list to find your friends for you. Meanwhile, ICQ waits quietly in the background without interrupting any other applications in use. As soon as you log onto the Internet, ICQ automatically detects the Internet connection, announces your presence to the Internet community and alerts you when friends sign on or off. Eudora 7.1:
A new version of the popular free e-mail software is out!
There are versions for Windows and Mac. Get the latest version at Eudora.
Microsoft Internet Explorer:
It is available since May 26 2009 for Windows Vista and XP-SP2 in various languages through the "Microsoft Update" service.
To download the program manually, select the graphical
"Windows Internet Explorer 8" link.
Keep your Internet Explorer browser updated to avoid known vulnerabilities.
The Internet Explorer 8 is free, but is only available to legitimate Windows users.
As of June 30, 2008,
Microsoft was to disable the DAV protocol and you would no longer be able to access your Hotmail Inbox via Outlook Express.
Microsoft has developed a new,
much more efficient protocol called DeltaSynch that is far superior to DAV especially for large e-mail inboxes.
Windows Live Mail is Microsoft's next-generation e-mail program.
It includes the familiar features of Outlook Express and more.
Use it to get multiple e-mail accounts in one place,
including Windows Live Hotmail, plus other e-mail accounts that support POP3/IMAP,
and seamlessly access other Windows Live services like Spaces and Messenger. You can download the new Windows Live Mail client at http://get.live.com/wlmail/overview.
The working language for Windows Live Mail can be determined with the Windows Language Bar and the keyboard
(left Alt-Shift, by default).
See. Hear. Share. Instantly. This free chat (keyboard conversation) program includes graphics for expressions and much more.
Share Files Anywhere You're Online, 24/7. Store, access, and share your files with friends or co-workers, from anywhere online. Free 25 GB online storage means you can easily get to your stuff with just a few quick clicks. With 25 GB of free, password-protected online storage, you've got the freedom to share large photos, files, and documents. SkyDrive now does a great job with your photos, including large previews, thumbnail views of your photos, captions, and comments. With personal folders, you can keep your files online and access them with virtually any Web-enabled computer or mobile device - whether it's yours, a friend's, or a public computer. Password protection: You set the passwords and you decide who sees what, so you have confidence that your data is in your control. Drag and drop: Uploading content is as easy as dragging and dropping the files from your computer onto the Web. Shared folders: Working on a project with classmates, co-workers, or family? With shared folders, the whole crew can upload, download, and collaborate with you on documents and other files. SkyDrive folders can be shared with Everyone (public), My Network, Just me, or you can Select the people you share them with, to just view the files, or to add, edit and delete them. Direct links: Each folder on SkyDrive has a unique Web address, so you can save the link as a favorite or copy-and-paste it into e-mail or other documents for direct access, substituting the dangerous and heavy "file attachments". You can start using the new Windows Live SkyDrive at http://windowslive.com/Online/SkyDrive/
Mozilla is the generic term referring to Internet client software developed through an open source project. Mozilla Firefox does not handle ActiveX controls.
The new and improved Mozilla Firefox 3 is available.
Keep Mozilla Firefox updated to avoid known vulnerabilities.
Mozilla Firefox is the recommended browser to use with Tor (Anonymity Online), and Torbutton (Tor Button for Firefox).
The new and improved e-mail client Mozilla Thunderbird 2 is available.
Thunderbird 2 includes several new features to help you manage your inbox.
As you receive e-mail, Thunderbird 2 will help you organize the most important messages to get you through your day.
Opera is a fast and secure browser, with multiple functions. Opera does not handle ActiveX controls.
The new and improved Opera 10 is available with interfaces in various languages.
Keep the Opera Browser updated to avoid known vulnerabilities.
Google Chrome is available, a new web browser for Windows.
Google Chrome
is a browser that combines a minimal design with sophisticated "sandbox" model technology
isolating the Tabs, to make the web faster, safer, and easier. Private browsing: Open an incognito window when you don't want to save your browsing history.
There are reports on browser privacy problems. Read about them in the Security Section.
On June 10 2009 IBM released the much improved version 1.3 of Lotus Symphony for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X.
A Free productivity suite, Symphony consists of word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation applications.
Based on the Open Document Format standard (ODF), Symphony can also open, edit and save Microsoft Office 2007 documents.
IBM Lotus Symphony runs in a single window with a tabbed interface for editing documents, regardless of whether the file in question is a word processing document, spreadsheet, or presentation. Each file is in its own tab. Lotus Symphony is built on IBM's Eclipse software platform, so it's efficient and tightly integrated. Eclipse's architecture supports plug-ins to extend functionality, such as the Database Connection, which connects an external database to the spreadsheet document, or Exporting Presentation to Flash, which converts presentations into .swf Flash files. Setup is simple in various languages, for Windows, Linux and Mac. Dictionaries for many additional languages can be downloaded and installed afterwards.
Lotus Symphony Documents lets you create, edit, share, and save word processing documents.
Remote Access and Desktop Control Software for your PC.
LogMeIn has a free version that shows the controlling user the screen and mouse of the controlled PC,
and transfers keyboard and mouse actions.
To control a PC that is online and running LogMeIn,
a controlling user needs to receive by e-mail a LogMeIn invitation from that PC. See LogMeIn FAQ (Web pages in various languages).
To facilitate writing correct Spanish (and other European languages) on your U.S. Standard keyboard, you can declare it under Windows, as "U.S. International"(See "Control Panel" - Keyboard). This will cause the shifted keys for ', `, ~, " and ^, to behave as "dead" keys:
You press any of these keys, and nothing appears immediately on the screen; For example:
With ': á, é, í, ó, ú, ç, Á, É, Í, Ó, Ú, Ç
Powerful shortcuts with your Windows keyboard:
Links to the WWW sites of some important organizations in the PC market:
3Com Network hardware and drivers
Comodo Free Firewall, Anti-Malware, AntiVirus, Email Security Certificate, and more - Test My PC Security (Firewall leak and host intrusion prevention tests, and test results) Compaq Computers Computer Associates (CA) Software Computerworld Core FTP Free FTP client, secure file transfer software Corel (CorelDRAW, Paint Shop Pro Photo, graphics and productivity software) Creative Personal computer audio CSE HTML Validator Free HTML Syntax Checker and HTML Editor Cyber Secure Institute (CSI) Dark Reading (Security | Protect The Business - Enable Access) Dell Computers DiffMerge SourceGear; Compare and merge files and folders Dillobits Software Mirroring, backup, time synchronization, password management (Windows) Diskeeper Defrag Automatically to Maximize Computer Performance and Reliability (Windows) DLL Files for Free download DNSstuff.com DNS tools and hosting tests, WHOIS, tracert, ping, and other tools Dot TK Free domain redirection/registry to .tk DriverAgent Fix your driver problems instantly Drivers Download for Free PC hardware device drivers for Free download Eastman Kodak Digital Photography econsumer.gov File complaints about online transactions with a foreign company Epson Printers and Computers Epson Printers and Computers ESET NOD32 Antivirus and Smart Security, Free Online Antivirus Scanner Exploit Prevention Labs (xpl) Keep Your Surfing Safe (Free) - LinkScanner Online (type the website address you want to check) Fix PC Errors RegCure Registry Cleaner: Fix missing, corrupt, & obsolete Windows Registry entries Flight Stats Track Flight Status, Airport Delays and other Flight and Airport Information Free Windows Registry Cleaner F-Secure Security software (Free Blacklight Rootkit Elimination Technology) Franz Inc: Allegro Common Lisp and Common Lisp Products Programming systems Gateway 2000 Computers Genius Computer Accesories Georgia Tech Information Security Center (GTISC) Gibson Research Corporation Internet Connection Security for Windows Users Gizmo's Tech Support Alert (Freeware Utilities List) Glarysoft Glary System Utilities (Free for private use) GMER Anti-Rootkit (Free) GoToMyPC Remotely access your computer from any other Internet-connected computer in the world GreenDisk Technotrash disposal GSiteCrawler Free Google Sitemap Generator for Windows Haute Secure MS Internet Explorer malware protection Hewlett-Packard Printers, scanners and computers Hitslink Market share (Market share for browsers, operating systems and search engines) Hotspot Shield Keeps your Internet connection secure and anonymous on public networks IBM Computers and software - Lotus Symphony Free Office Productivity Software (documents, presentations, spreadsheets) iDefense Labs Managed security services and information security ImgBurn Writes most types of CD / DVD images InBloom Products IBPTime - accurate PC time, LinkAlertPC - links monitoring system for Windows Intel Computer hardware and software Internet Archive (Web Contents Archive System: Wayback Machine) Internet Content Rating Association (ICRA) Web Contents Rating System Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Internet Fax Fax distribution services trough the Internet Internet Traffic Report - South America Internet Security Systems BlackICE PC Firewall Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) Combating child abuse images and criminal material online IObit (Free Security 360°, Advanced SytemCare, Game Booster, Smart Defrag) Iomatic Software Software utilities (Free RAM Medic) Iomega Zip drives Ipswitch Inc. Software (WS_FTP) IT Samples Freeware Windows utilities, Igor Tolmachev iWebTool Free Webmaster tools JAP -- Anonymity & Privacy Protection of privacy on the Internet Jarte Free Word Processor based on the Microsoft WordPad Engine Java Software (Free, Sun Microsystems) Javacool Software (SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard Free anti-spyware protection) JavaScript Source (Free JavaScripts, tutorials, example code, reference, resources, and help) John Wiley & Sons Computer books JonDonym Anonymity Online | JonDos - Jondonym KarenWare Free Karen's Power Tools Kaspersky Lab Antivirus Software - Protection Against Malware and Cybercrime (Free Online Scanner) - Threatpost (Kaspersky Lab Security News Service, Ryan Narrine) Lavasoft Ad-Aware Free; blocking, detection/removal of "Spyware" Lenovo Personal computers Linksys Networking hardware Linux.com The enterprise Linux resource Logitech PC peripherals LogMeIn Remote access and desktop control software for your PC (with Free version) Malware City Stay informed in your every day battle against malware Malware Research Group (MRG) Independent internet security research team Matousec Transparent security: security software analyses, research and reviews McAfee Antivirus software and intrusion prevention solutions - McAfee SiteAdvisor Protection from adware, spam, viruses, online scams (with Free version) Microsoft Software - Microsoft Download Center: Windows Time Zone Editor (tzedit.exe) (Free) - Microsoft Live Search Maps (Microsoft Virtual Earth) (Free) - Microsoft TechNet: Windows Sysinternals Advanced System Utilities (Free) - Microsoft Office Live Workspace Store and share documents online (Free) - Windows Live SkyDrive Store and share files online (Free) - Windows SteadyState Easy XP and Vista Shared Access Computing (Free) ICQ Communications software Mozilla Firefox Web browser, Thunderbird e-mail client (Free) MSN Online resources (Microsoft) MSN Computing Central Software, hardware, systems, etc. (Microsoft) MSN Web Messenger (Microsoft) MyDefrag Free JkDefrag disk defragmenter and optimizer for Windows (Jeroen Kessels) National Vulnerability Database (NVD) A comprehensive cyber vulnerability resource Netcraft Ltd. Internet Research, Anti-Phishing and Security Services Network Magic Free software for network setup, wireless networking/security, printer sharing, and more Network World Network information, intelligence and insight Nitro PDF Free Software Family Create, browse, download and edit PDF files NoScript JavaScript-Java-Flash blocker for a safer Firefox experience (Free) NoteTab Award-winning text and HTML editors NVIDIA 3D graphics display processors One Laptop per Child (OLPC) A $100 laptop for the world's children's education. Nicholas Negroponte. Online Armor Security Suite Firewall Protection, Anti Virus, Anti-Keylogger (with Free version) Ontrack Data Recovery Data recovery services, data recovery software, data loss solutions OpenDNS A Free, safer, faster, smarter and more reliable way to navigate the Internet OpenNet Initiative Identify and document Internet filtering and surveillance OpenOffice.org Free Office Suite: Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, and Math (version 2.3.1) Open Source Technology Group (OSTG) Linux and Open Source software Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) Opera Software (Opera Web Browser) Optimize Guides Free, easy to read, comprehensive guides for Windows 2000, XP and Vista Outpost Firewall FREE Protect your digital valuables against hackers and identity theft for free Palm Boulevard Palm Pilot applications PalmOne Computing (Palm Pilot) Panda Security (Antivirus, antispyware, antispam, firewall) - Panda Cloud Antivirus FREE (free cloud antivirus against viruses, spyware, rootkits and adware) PC Decrapifier (Uninstall common trialware and annoyances found on many new PCs) PC Flank (Tests for vulnerabilities to Internet threats) PC Pitstop Free PC Diagnostics, computer help and tuneups PC Tools Software (Privacy and security software) - Spyware Doctor Starter Edition for Google Pack (Free) - Anti-Virus (Free) - Firewall Plus (Free) - ThreatFire - Behavioral Virus and Spyware Protection (Free) - iAntiVirus - AntiVirus for Mac (Free) PC World Magazine Pegasus Mail (Free e-mail client by David Harris) PGP International Home Page (Pretty Good Privacy encryption software) Piriform (The best software is free!): - CCleaner (system optimization and privacy tool) - Recuva (file recovery tool) PKWare Data Protection, Data Compression - Trusted ZIP Solutions Public Interest Registry When people need to know, they go to .ORG Ramesh Srinivasan (Windows Fixes, Tips and Tweaks) RAXCO Software (Perfect Disk defragmenting software) RealPlayer Web audio and video software Registry Clean Expert (iExpert Software Windows Registry Clean Utility, Free Registry Defrag) RegSofts.com Registry Cleaner software downloads (Free Window Registry Repair) RKS Software FAX, calendar, label, business card, and other software for Windows RSA Security Security software - Speaking of Security... RSA FraudAction Research Lab Blog Entries RunScanner Freeware startup, hijack and malware analyzer Ryan Naraine's Security Watch eWeek Samsung Electronics PC hardware Sandboxie Sandbox software for application isolation and secure Web browsing (with Free basic program) SANS Institute System Administration, Networking, and Security Secunia Vulnerability and virus information - Secunia Online Software Inspector (OSI) (Free) - Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI) (Free) SecurityFocus Security news, articles and advisories Sender Policy Framework (SPF) DNS anti-spam solution Shadowserver Foundation Stopping cybercrime SimpleCount Website visitor counters and statistics Skype Free Internet telephony that just works Softi Scan Free Tesseract OCR Software - tesseract-ocr downloads - Google Code (Free) Softpedia Free Downloads Encyclopedia Sophos Anti-virus, anti-spam and e-mail policy for business, Free Anti-Rootkit - Windows Shortcut Exploit Protection Tool (Free) Sound Blaster Audio cards SourceForge.net Open Source software: Create, Participate, Evaluate Speakeasy Speed Test Measure your Internet download and upload rates (Free) Spybot - Search&Destroy Block, detect and remove spyware (Patrick M. Kolla, Free) SpyBye: Finding Malware Determine if Web pages install malware (Free) Spyware & Adware Information Knowing the basics Spyware Warrior Waging the war against spyware (Eric L. Howes) SRI Malware Threat Center Threat Intelligence - An Analysis of Conficker (SRI Malware Threat Center, February 4, 2009) Stardock Your Edge In Software StopBadware.org Regaining Control of Our Computers Successful Lisp: How to Understand and Use Common Lisp Programming Tutorial Sun Microsystems Workstations and PC software Symantec Norton AntiVirus, Firewall and PC Utilities Software Techno-world.com (Ultimate Drivers Database, Driver Download) TerraServer (Online Imagery - Aerial Photos & Satellite Images) the Month of Apple Bugs (MoAB) (Mac OS X and Apple software Security Flaws, LMH and Kevin Finisterre) - Technical log of patches for the Month of Apple Bugs (MoAB) (Landon Fuller) The Freenet Project The Free Network Project The Future Office (LiveView - Web Office, Customer Relationship Management package) The Register/Security (Security News and Views for the world) The Software Patch (Download site for patches, upgrades, service packs and hardware drivers) The Web Standards Project (Acid2 Browser Test) Tor Anonymity Online Torbutton Free Tor Button for Firefox Toshiba Computers Trend Micro Internet Security (PC-cillin). Free HijackThis registry inspector, RootkitBuster, SysClean, CWShredder (removes CoolWebSearch) Trident Microsystems Video and audio cards and software TrueCrypt Free Open-Source On-The-Fly Disk Encryption for Windows Vista-XP, Mac OS X and Linux Trumpet Winsock software TUCOWS The Ultimate Collection Of Winsock compliant Software - TUCOWS - Venezuela The Ultimate Collection Of Winsock compliant Software (at TelCel) Ubuntu Free Linux-based operating system and applications UbuntuClips.com (Video howtos for human beings) Uniblue Windows Software Utilities Download & Free PC Scans U.S. Robotics Modems VeriSign Digital ID certificates Virus Bulletin Independent Malware Advice VirusTotal Free Online Virus and Malware Scan Vmyths.com Truth about computer virus myths & hoaxes, by Rob Rosenberger Voyetra - Turtle Beach Music software and audio hardware Websense Security Labs Discovers, investigates, and reports on advanced Internet threats Webroot Software Antivirus and antispyware security Webstats4u.com Website visitor counters and statistics Wikipedia The free encyclopedia Wikilengua del Español Recurso abierto sobre el uso del Castellano Windows Secrets Everything Microsoft forgot to mention WinFiles.com The new version of Windows95.com, the Windows 95 Internet Headquarters WinMerge Free Windows folders and files differencing and merging tool WinZip Windows Zip file manager Wireshark Network protocol analyzer WiseCleaner Free Disk and Registry Cleaners Wolfram Research, Inc. (Mathematica: Numeric and symbolic computational engine, graphics system, programming language, documentation system, and advanced connectivity to other applications) - Wolfram|Alpha (Computational Knowledge Engine, launched May 18, 2009) WordWeb Pro (Free English Dictionary, thesaurus, and word finder) World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Specifications, guidelines, software, and tools - The W3C Markup Validation Service xplorer2 lite Windows File Manager (Explorer replacement) Free for private or academic use only Yahoo! Widgets YouTube Broadcast yourself ZDNet Free advice, technical tips, tricks, software, and more. Zone Labs Free ZoneAlarm Personal Firewall Links to some of the best WWW search engines:
AlltheWeb
Search Engine Watch Tips and information about searching the Web Links to some of the best WWW directories (White Pages):
Bigfoot
My specialty is Personal Computing and I work as an independent consultant.
Updated: September 3 '10 Castellano: Sección sobre Actualización de PCs Back: Home Page (PC Security and Updating Service) Messages: Andrés Valencia: Communications
|