Sarah’s written a great and very, very, comprehensive article for On10.net about all the different options for watching TV in Windows Media Center without a TV tuner, she covers:
Wow, it’s impressive there are so many options…
Simon May
Microsoft are going to be issuing an “out of band” patch update for the IE vulnerability that has been hitting the news. Out of band means before Feb 2nd, which is the traditional patch day for Microsoft. More updates when it hits, but you can read Microsoft’s words on it here
Why? Let me start over for those who might not be with me yet. Mobile devices like iPhone, iPod Touch, Android based handsets, Nokia devices and Windows Phones have these things called “App Stores” where you can get the latest applications to enhance your device. They’re a one stop shop for things that work.
Most of the time the vendor, Apple in the case of iPhone and iPod, run those stores but on some platforms like Windows Mobile you don’t have to go through the app store to install apps. The same goes for “jail broken” iPhones. There are also independent app stores, often more websites really that offer a wide range of free and paid for apps. There are also open libraries that allow developers to just add their stuff. Google’s Android platform, which powers the Nexus one, is a kind of cross between open library and App store.
Are any of these a better or worse model than any other. I don’t think so, not until you bring trust into the scenario.
So who do you trust to give you great apps and what are you trusting them to do?
I guess most people want explicitly:
There’s probably something implicit though in the offering of any application by the devices manufacturer. That it’ll be safe. That the application you just installed won’t try to steal your data, your identity.
There’s long since been a battle with Apple and developers for not allowing in some applications for some very out there reasons. I wonder how many times it was because the App was trying to steal your identity? I wonder if any got through? One did into the Android marketplace and that was a problem, it was an application that purported to be a banking app but it stole your bank details. Bad. Very bad.
Did people install it because it was in the app store and so they believed there was “implicit trust”. I suspect so.
What can you do about it
At the moment the best thing to do is to crowd source that trust. Reviews on sites build trust, use that to your advantage and only install applications with lots of positive reviews.
Alternatively do your homework. Get educated. Learn about the developer and determine for yourself if they seem like they are worthy of your trust.
Will this be sorted out?
Sure if you start telling people that trust is important. Finally, it feels like there’s a business opportunity in there to me…
I seem to be getting hooked on the tablets. No not little pills but the new wave of gadgets we saw at CES and even more by some of the ones that missed CES. I’ve just spotted this at liliputing.com the HOTT M700 a small tablet (7”) that can output at 1080p and the price point is set for well under $300.
There are downsides, the OS isn’t something Media Center capable, it’s running Windows CE 6.0. It’s hit me again though. Custom installers. This is a very viable home controller with the right app and the price for this could be right.
Head over to Liliputing.com for the video and more specs.
By Simon May
SkyDrive from Microsoft offers everyone 25gb of cloud storage for free, it’s the same space that’s used by Live Photo Gallery to create online photos and it’s exceptionally useful.
If you’re using the Office 2010 beta you’ll find that it’s super simple to publish directly to your SkyDrive and from there you can share with other people or just use it for your own storage.
Those without Office 2010 can also make use of the storage by “mapping a drive” to it, basically assigning a drive letter, just like a USB drive in cloud to it. First off you’ll need to register if you’ve not then you can download software like Gladinet or SkyDrive explorer.
There’s a new kid on the block today though, Mike Plate has discovered how to connect to SkyDrive directly from Windows 7, no extra software required. I’ve just tried it and it works a treat!
How to connect to SkyDrive with WebDAV – and my Office 2010 awakening – Mike Plate.
The New York times has an interesting article on how Microsoft are positioning Xbox360 with major content providers, like Disney an ESPN to be a TV device in your living room. Nothing new there. Interesting that it’s popped up in the Business section though and interesting that Disney is implicated – a Mr Jobs is on the board over there…
Also interesting is the positioning of interactive TV shows:
In November, Nielsen started to track “1 vs. 100” play and ad views. The pilot program “is the tip of the iceberg,” said Gerardo Guzman, a director for Nielsen Games; eventually, he hopes to generate TV-style ratings.
All in all, interesting stuff.
IE is really good at it’s job. There I said it. It’s a really easy browser to use, it’s laid out well, it’s familiar and you know how to use it. It’s fine to do so. You should try other browsers out though and see if you like them, personally I’m currently loving Chrome and I’m playing with it and Chrome OS quite a bit. Don’t however think that because you use a different browser you’ll be more secure. You won’t.
Just like IE there are security flaws in other browsers, spending less than 2 minutes Googleing (actually I Binged it) I found the graph from a 2006 article by Ars Technica, proving this is no new thing, to the left that shows a comparison of vulnerabilities, interesting hey?
What matters here is that you have a security infrastructure on your PC that works for you to protect you. You want it to:
Great software exists, some of it free from the likes of AVG, Microsoft, Norton and tons of others. So go find some right now.
Here’s the big one though, the thing you need to do, especially if you’re a parent (actually even if your the child you can do this) get educated. Let me say it again if you missed it.
GET EDUCATED ABOUT ONLINE THREATS
It’s the most adaptive technology out their, your brain. By learning about online threats you’ll develop a “spider sense” for scams and won’t fall foul of them. The software will help you too, so much so that it’s the one thing you need to have on every PC.
But get Educated.
Parents, you need to be talking with your kids about what they should and shouldn’t share online, where they should go and who with.
Kid’s, you can do the same with your parents. You’ll love doing it. Sit them down and tell them why they shouldn’t store their online banking password in their favourites.
So you’ve got your fantastic new Windows 7 PC and it is – fantastic – but you’ve not got all the PCs in your house running on Windows 7 yet, in fact chances are you’ve still got some XP PCs. Just how do you share with those PCs? Well the How to geek has a handy guide, it’s in my book too (along with everything else you need to know to get the most out of Windows 7) in chapter 22.
This theme’s available in some parts of the world but if you’re addicted to Fido Dido’s (80’s much?) favorite drink then you might be up for this one. It’s actually a really nice theme presented in lime green. I have to say the desktop to the left is my fave with the icy 7.
Get it here: Nothing but 7up Theme for Windows 7 | Windows 7 hacker
Ed is right It’s time to stop using IE6. If you are still using it, and millions are, then it’s time to upgrade to IE8 or Chrome (my current fave) or Firefox. Please, please, please.
If you know of an organisation still using it, then make sure they get upgraded.
Even if you aren’t using IE6 as your default browser but it’s still there you need to upgrade it to stay secure.
The Rough Guide to Windows 7
is my book that helps you get the most out of Microsoft's latest operating system, setup your home network and much more besides.© 2010 simon-may.com · Proudly powered by WordPress & Green Park 2 by Cordobo.
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