Andrés Valencia

PC Updating

This page offers information on how to keep your PC updated and increase your productivity.

Business and the Internet:

Will you perish or profit in today's Digital Economy?
By Robert McGarvey

Are you geared up to compete in the new "Digital Economy", the computerized business world?
"Businesses that aren't will be toast", warns Don Tapscott, author of "The Digital Economy" (McGraw Hill), a book that's long held a place on bestseller lists.

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.
Windows 98 uses the new 'FAT 32' system for allocating the space in your hard disks. This system reduces wasted space and might be somewhat faster.
New hardware and software managing capabilities are introduced, and more integration with the Internet.
Windows 98 was supported until November 30, 2003.

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.
Windows 98 SE was supported until March 31, 2004.

On December 31, 2000 Microsoft released Windows Millennium Edition (Me), mainly a multimedia upgrade to Windows 98.
Windows Me was supported until June 30, 2004.

See Windows Life-Cycle Policy.

Do not use an unsupported version of Windows 98;
its vulnerabilities represent a grave security risk.

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.
The original Windows XP was supported until August 30, 2004.
Windows XP Service Pack 1 was released on August 30, 2002 and supported until October 10, 2006.

Upgrade your Windows XP to the SP2 version (Service Pack 2), available since September 17, 2004.
Windows XP Service Pack 3 would be available in April 29, 2008, but was delayed till May 7.
Windows XP Service Pack 3 will be supported until 6 years after the launching of Windows Vista.
Windows XP will be available pre-installed in new PCs until June 30, 2008.

The successor to Windows 98 and Me is Windows XP.
The successor to Windows XP is Windows Vista (Released on January 29, 2007)
The successor to Windows Vista, Windows 7, will be released on 2010.

Determine what versions of Windows Vista your PC can run using the program Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor RC. 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.

Keep your operating system and networking software (web browser, mail program, etc.) updated. In the MS Internet Explorer menu: Tools, Windows Update. Or visit Microsoft Update.
Install all Critical and Security Updates as soon as possible. Microsoft releases them on the second Tuesday of every month.

On Windows XP new security updates will only be available for versions SP2 and SP3. Service Packs 2 and 3 are free, but only available to legitimate Windows XP users.
If your PC clone came with an illegal copy of Windows XP, you can buy and install an original without loosing your installed programs or your documents.

If you can not install and update a legal copy of MS Windows XP, it is a matter of time before your vulnerabilities will be exploited if you don't expertly use a complete firewall program.
Do not use an unsupported version of Windows XP; its vulnerabilities represent a grave security risk.

From September 28 to November 15, 2006, 90% of oarval.org visitors were using Windows, but 13% of them had unsupported versions.

Regularly update your Microsoft Office programs: visit Microsoft Office Online, and select "Office Update". Or visit Microsoft Update. Have your original MS Office installation disks on hand.

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.
Get it from Ubuntu Download. But first see BurningIsoHowto (Community Ubuntu Documentation).
The resulting CD can be used to start your PC and try Ubuntu without modifying it, or to install Ubuntu in one or more partitions on its hard drive, to serve as the primary or alternative operating system.

Warning: Creating partitions is a delicate operation, that could result in the loss of the data on your hard drive.

On April 24, 2008, Canonical Ltd. released Ubuntu 8.04 LTS for Long Term Support.
Ubuntu 8.04 LTS will be supported until April 2011.
Between these dates updated versions with short term support will be released.

Communications:

Networks:
Profit from the easy communication and resource sharing facilities offered by simple personal computers networks under Windows. These networks between equals ("Peer to Peer") do not require servers nor other specialized operating systems.

Modems:
Update your modem to a 33.6 Kbps (or more) unit; almost all telephone Internet Service Providers are offering this connection speeds. Your per-minute cost will be much reduced, and your Web waiting and FTP downloading times will also be decreased. You will also be able to take advantage of the new communication modes now available in the Internet (see below).

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL or DSL):
Update to a wide bandwidth modem offered by some telephone services. It releases your telephone line for normal calling while giving you a permanent Internet connection, at high-speed (hundreds of Kbps).
[1 Kbps = 1,000 bits per second. 1 byte = 8 bits]

Speakeasy Speed Test
Measure your Internet download and upload rates (Free)
[Transfer rates in Kbps = Kilobits per second]
(Choose the server nearest to your Internet destination)

Software

Java:

Java 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 can go: java.com

Free RealNetworks RealPlayer:

RealNetworks, Inc. RealPlayer:

• Plays all Real content.
• Searches for audio and video content.
• The most striking new feature of RealPlayer is its dramatically improved audio and video quality.
• ZDNet's Hotfiles.com awarded RealPlayer a 5-star rating, saying RealPlayer is: "definitely worth the download if you want higher-fidelity audio and better-quality video".

Some vulnerabilities have been reported in various RealNetworks products, which can be exploited by malicious people to compromise a user's system.
The vulnerabilities are reported in RealPlayer versions from 10.5.
See RealPlayer Playlist Handling Buffer Overflow Vulnerability (Secunia Advisories, October 22, 2007)

Microsoft Windows Media Player:

With the new Microsoft Windows Media Player (Free), you can play most multimedia content formats, including Windows Media (formerly NetShow), RealAudio and RealVideo 4.0 and below, QuickTime, AVI, WAV, and much more, from one, easy-to-use application.

• The most open and flexible player for accessing multimedia content
  The Windows Media Player provides the most extensible, flexible, and convenient player for accessing multimedia content.

• Highest quality multimedia experience
  Users can select video image sizes of 50%, 100%, 200%, and full screen, or resize the video to any size they want, depending on their preference and image quality.

• Easily tailored to user preferences
  Users can easily build a playlist with the Windows Media Player for quick access to their favorite content.

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.
Skype is for calling other people on their computers or phones.
Download Skype and start calling for free all over the world.

High audio/video quality and good security. File transfers, audio/video-conferences and instant messaging.

MSN Messenger:

See. Hear. Share. Instantly.
MSN Messenger allows private video and audio conversations, and file sharing.

This free chat (keyboard conversation) program includes graphics for expressions and much more.

Mirabilis ICQ:

Something new in Internet communications.
Mirabilis ICQ is a free, innovative, user-friendly Internet tool that informs you who's on-line at any time and enables you to contact them at will. No longer will you search in vain for friends or associates on the Net. ICQ does the searching for you, alerting you in real time when they log on.

The program runs in the background, taking up minimal memory and Net resources.
Among the functions available are: chat, message, e-mail, and URL and file transfer. All these functions are consolidated into one easy-to-use program that integrates smoothly into desktop systems.
But do not use ICQ to read e-mail, this function is not secure.

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:

Microsoft has released a new, improved version of their Internet Browser, the Internet Explorer 7.
It is available for Windows XP-SP2 in various languages from many sites around the world. It is updated through the "Microsoft Update" service and the security and RSS contents features are much enhanced.

The installation for Windows XP-SP2 is just the Internet Explorer program,
but you can later add any other component.
It is available through the "Microsoft Update" service since November 2 '06.

To download the program, select the graphical "Windows Internet Explorer 7" link (~14,8 MB).
There are many language versions available for Windows XP-SP2.

Keep your Internet Explorer browser updated to avoid known vulnerabilities.
[Tools - Windows Updates]

The Internet Explorer 7 is free, but is only available to legitimate Windows XP users.
The Internet Explorer 7 can be uninstalled to revert to Internet Explorer 6.

The Microsoft Outlook Express e-mail and News client program is an excellent application that should be configured for maximum security. Also Windows Media Player and other multimedia enhancements, are separate products. They will be updated with the Windows operating system.

Windows Live Mail:

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.
As an alternative, Microsoft recommends that you download Windows Live Mail, a free desktop e-mail client that has the familiarity of Outlook Express and much more.
But the DAV protocol will NOT be discontinued at this time, and you can continue to use Outlook Express beyond the June 30 transition deadline previously announced. The Hotmail team will provide an update in the coming months.

Microsoft has developed a new, much more efficient protocol called DeltaSynch that is far superior to DAV especially for large e-mail inboxes.
The new protocol unfortunately is NOT supported by Outlook Express.

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.
Get spam and virus filters across multiple e-mail accounts, and warnings when it looks like an e-mail message could be a scam.

You can download the new Windows Live Mail client at http://get.live.com/wlmail/overview.

To insure a correct transition from Outlook Express to Windows Live Mail, before instaling Windows Live Mail, clean, and then compact all of your e-mail folders in Outlook Express:
Menu: File, Folder, Compact all folders.
After installing Windows Live Mail and verifying that it handles all of your e-mail folders and messages, you may uninstall Outlook Express:
Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs, Add or Remove Windows Components:
deselect Outlook Express and continue to Next.

The working language for Windows Live Mail can be determined with the Windows Language Bar and the keyboard (left Alt-Shift, by default).
If your installation of Windows Live Mail does not recognize all of the Microsoft languages installed in your PC, see the article "Dutch Spellcheck", by "Ildhund", on 3/16/2008 1:32 PM PST (Discussions in Windows Live Mail Desktop).
You can check the Microsoft languages and keyboards installed in your PC, and activate the Windows Language Bar, in the Control Panel; Regional and Language Options, Languages, Details.

Mozilla Firefox:

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.
Mozilla Firefox 3 is a fast and secure browser, with multiple functions.

To download Mozilla Firefox (for Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux i686),
select the "Get Firefox" link (for Windows ~7.1 MB).
Uninstall Firefox 2 and then install Firefox 3.

Keep Mozilla Firefox updated to avoid known vulnerabilities.
[Help - Check for Updates]
(see Known Vulnerabilities in Mozilla)

The NoScript Firefox extension provides extra protection for Firefox, and other Mozilla-based browsers: This free, open source add-on allows potentially dangerous JavaScript, Java, Flash and other plugins to be executed only from trusted Web sites of your choice (e.g. your online bank).
See PC Security - Malicious JavaScript.

Mozilla Firefox is the recommended browser to use with Tor (Anonymity Online), and Torbutton (Tor Button for Firefox).

Opera:

Opera is a fast and secure browser, with multiple functions. Opera does not handle ActiveX controls.

The new and improved Opera 9 is available with interfaces in various languages.
Opera passes the "Acid2 Browser Test" from The Web Standards Project, and is very compact.

To download the Opera Browser (for Windows, Mac, Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, OS/2 and QNX), select the "Opera Software" link (for Windows ~4.6 MB).

Keep the Opera Browser updated to avoid known vulnerabilities.
[Help - Check for Updates]
(see Security, Privacy and Cookies in Opera)

Netscape Navigator:

The new and improved Netscape Navigator 9 is available.
Netscape Navigator 9 is a fast and secure browser, with multiple functions.

Netscape Navigator 9 - built with Mozilla - is faster than previous versions and has new visual, security and flexibility features. Netscape Navigator does not handle ActiveX controls.

Mozilla is the generic term referring to Internet client software developed through an open source project.

End of Support for Netscape web browsers:
Official support for all Netscape client products ended on March 1st, 2008.
Netscape continued to release security patches for the current version of the browser, Netscape Navigator 9, until February 1, 2008.
See The Netscape Blog (December 28th 2007).

I recommended uninstalling Netscape Navigator by February 1, 2008.

There are reports on browser privacy problems. Read about them in the Security Section.

LogMeIn:

Remote Access and Desktop Control Software for your PC.

To be controlled through LogMeIn, a PC needs to have the LogMeIn application installed and its owner has to have a free LogMeIn account.
To be controlled, a PC needs to be running under Windows, and have MS Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox installed.

LogMeIn has a free version that shows the controlling user the screen and mouse of the controlled PC, and transfers keyboard and mouse actions.
The Pro version additionally permits file transfers and remote printing. There are specialized network management and service versions.

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.
The controlling user needs to know a user name and password to log-in to the controlled PC.
Invitations are issued for a limited time span.
Connections must be of wide bandwidth; DSL or better.

See LogMeIn FAQ (Web pages in various languages).

Correct Spanish (easily) with your U.S. Standard keyboard:

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;
The PC waits for the following key press before responding.
If the following key is a vowel, n or c, this will show as modified by the dead key.
If the following key is a consonant (except for n or c), the dead key's symbol will show, followed by the consonant, as normally.

For example:

With ': á, é, í, ó, ú, ç, Á, É, Í, Ó, Ú, Ç
With `: à, è, ì, ò, ù, À, È, Ì, Ò, Ù
With ~: ñ, Ñ, ã, õ
With ": ä, ë, ï, ö, ü, Ä, Ë, Ï, Ö, Ü
With ^: â, ê, î, ô, û, Â, Ê, Î, Ô, Û

In the Windows XP Control Panel open Regional and Language Options, Language Tab, select Details, choose US-International.

Powerful shortcuts with your Windows keyboard:

Links to the WWW sites of some important organizations in the PC market:

3Com Network hardware and drivers
3WK Internet Radio Indie Rock and Classic Rock online radio
Adobe (Acrobat Document Reader, Flash Player)
Amazon Online shopping for electronics, apparel, computers, books, DVDs & more
American Power Conversion Uninterruptable Power Supplies
Annoyances.org A collection of information assembled for and by actual users of Windows
Anonymizer Anonymous Web surfing, anti spyware, anonymous proxy, & identity protection
AnswersThatWork Database of processes, startups & services - The Ultimate Troubleshooter (TUT)
Anti-Spyware Coalition
AntiVir Personal Edition Free Antivirus and AntiRootkit software for Windows from Avira
Apple Computers and software
Ars Technica - Security Section
Ashampoo Free Ashampoo FireWall for Windows (incompatible with a-squared)
a-squared (a2) EMSI Software Anti-Malware - Free malware scanner and remover software
Audit My PC Firewall Test, Web Tools and Free Internet Security Audit
Autodesk Auto CAD (Computer Aided Design) software
Avant Browser Free Windows web browser, Anderson Che
Avast! Antivirus software - computer virus, worm and Trojan protection by ALWIL Software
 - Avast! 4 Home Edition Free [In many languages]
Broadgun Software pdfMachine & pdfMachine White (Free .pdf files creation)
Broderbund Print Creativity, Educational, utility software and ExpressIt greetings
Canon U.S.A. Hardware and software
CDW.com Hardware and software mail-order
CERT Coordination Center (Computer Emergency Response Team, Carnegie Mellon University)
Cirrus Logic Display adapters and drivers
Cisco Systems Networking hardware
ClamWin Free Open Source Antivirus Scanner for Windows
ClustrMaps Hit counter map widget shows locations of all visitors to your site - Free

C|net - The Computer Network:

• C|net Home Page
• Builder.com
• Download.com
• GameSpot
• Tech News
• Search.com
• Shareware.com
• mySimon
• TechRepublic
• ZDNet

Links to some of the best WWW search engines:

All 4 One MetaSearch
AlltheWeb
Altavista (Digital Electronics Corp.)
Ask Jeeves (Natural Language Search Interface)
Excite
Google (many interface languages, possibly the best search engine in the Web)
HotBot
Ixquick Metasearch
Lycos
MSN.com - Windows Live Search
Query Server
Search.com
WebCrawler
Windows Live Search (with Free installation of Windows Live Messenger, Mail, and more)
WiseNut
Yahoo! A Topical Web Index and Search Engine

Search Engine Watch Tips and information about searching the Web

Links to some of the best WWW directories (White Pages):

Bigfoot
InfoSpace
Internet Address Finder
Switchboard
WhoWhere Home Page (Lycos)
Yahoo! People Search

My specialty is Personal Computing and I work as an independent consultant.

Updated: November 14 '08

Antivirus Information Section

Symantec Security Alerts Box

PC Security Section

Castellano: Sección sobre Actualización de PCs

Back: Home Page (PC Security and Updating Service)

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