Terry's Computer Tips - Newsletter
June 27, 2005
Volume 1, Number 2 -- Monday, June 27, 2005
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
5. Shareware/Freeware Pick of the Week
My "Shareware/Freeware Pick of the Week" is FileZilla. This is an open-source, free (GNU General Public License -- a.k.a., "the GPL") software that allows you to transfer files from one computer to another computer using the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or the Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP). The other computer must to be running an FTP or SFTP server for this to work. FileZilla is designed for Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, and XP and can be downloaded from the project's SourceForge.net project page http://sourceforge.net/projects/filezilla/.
Where might you use FileZilla? You could use it to download files from an FTP site. Similarly, you could use it to upload files to your web server account at your ISP or web-hosting company.
Filezilla can handle multiple transfer threads at the same time. This is especially helpful if you are tranferring a lot of little files. It also has a nice keep-alive function that will keep your FTP connection open and available. Since most web hosts will close the connection after a couple of minutes of no activity, this will solve no end of frustration if you are making a bunch of little tweaks and changes on your site.
As usual for most FTP programs these days, FileZilla has a setting called "passive." This setting is required if your computer is behind a router or firewall, which I hope yours is. FTP was originally designed to require two separate connections, one from the client (your machine) and the other originating from the Server. One connection was to be used for data and the other for control communications between the two computers. Of course, routers and firewalls will block the connection attempt that originates at the server from getting your computer. The "Passive" setting tells both computers to put all communications through the communications "port" opened by the client computer.
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6. New Microsoft Antispyware beta version
If you're not running the beta Microsoft Antispyware, now is the time to start. Whether you normally run beta versions of programs or not, this is one to run. This is also one of the anti-malware tools that I use and that I recommend. Unlike some other tools, it is very user-friendly and easy to use.
Be sure to update the signatures immediately (File, Check for Updates). Even through the package was released on the 24th, there were two updates as of the 25th.
The Microsoft Antispyware program supports Windows 2000, Windows 2000 Advanced Server, Windows 2000 Professional Edition, Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2000 Service Pack 2, Windows 2000 Service Pack 3, Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, Windows XP Home Edition , Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows XP Professional Edition , Windows XP Service Pack 1, Windows XP Service Pack 2, and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. Notice that Windows 98 and Windows Me are not in the list.
7. JUST FOR FUN
This week, after one of its updates, my NOD32 antivirus (http://www.eset.com) now calls it "Win32/Adware PopCap application." Some Google searching turned up that another antivirus program(Kaspersky) is also reported to do something this. However, Microsoft's lastest Antispyware beta (see section 6 above), does not complain, nor do the latest Ad-Aware SE Personal (v1.06) or Spybot Search and Destroy (v1.4) antispyware tools complain about the file. Looks like this is just a difference in classification rules -- "is it capable of being bad or is it bad?"
At this point, PopCap.com is still on the acceptable list at my house and Zuma still gets its daily workout.
7. AND A GRIN
The days are past, if they were ever here in the eyes of anyone other than Microsoft and Microsoft-centric web designers, when there was only one web browser and it was called Internet Explorer.
My favorite computer user group's website still has a warning on its workshop registration page that shows up if you aren't using Internet Explorer. (Yes, we usually have between 30 and 50 classes, workshops, special interest group meetings and workshops each month, we register online for them, and they are free to members and their families -- it's an all-volunteer user group.)
While I have grumped about the warning for years, the webmaster didn't want to be bothered by Netscape, Opera, etc users. Now, other members are beginning to suggest that the warning needs to go.
Which brought up the thought, let's leave the browser test, but change the words. How about: "Warning -- You are not using Internet Explorer. Your computer may be more stable and be less susceptible to adware and spyware infections."
Back to Part 1 Part 2
Volume 1, Number 2 -- Monday, June 27, 2005
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
Copyright © 2005 Terry A. Stockdale. All rights reserved.
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