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3401

General Software Discussion / Re: Another reason to drop Kaspersky?

« Last post by superboyac on September 27, 2010, 11:45 AM »

Cool.  I'm glad we're trying different things here.  I hope we find a solution that is fast, yet effective.  I think that will be a big help to a lot of people.
I have a feeling the best solution is going to be using multiple software.  This seems to always be the case.  Whenever a software tries to do multiple things, eventually it becomes bloated, slow, and frustrating.  When I first started using Kaspersky, I only used the AV.  Then, I started using it for everything security related.  Now, I'm thinking of going back.  The special problem with security software is that there's always that warning, "Don't use multiple AV programs at once."  Now, I don't know if that's entirely applicable anymore.  Back in the day, that used to be a problem all the time.  But I think it's not so uncommon these days to use multiple programs for security, so that kind of thinking may be outdated.  Let's look into that.

But here's how I'm looking at it:

1) My opinion is that Kaspersky is still my favorite for signature based AV stuff.  I wouldn't mind keeping it for that part.

2) I use Ad Muncher for ad/banner blocking.  Nothing beats it at all.  It's super fast, super lightweight, and super effective.  I will always keep this.  So that means I don't need any other banner-blocking program, including the one in kaspersky.

3) For spam, I use AntiSpamSniper for the Bat.  Again, nothing beats it for me.  So I don't need Kasperky's anti-spam module.

4)  Malware.  I'm pretty sure there are better anti-malware alternatives than Kasperksy's.  Maybe Mamutu is one of them.  The only thing I'm confused about is what is malware and what is a virus?  I don't get that.  So without understanding that, it's hard for me to judge whether I need kaspersky, malwarebytes, mamutu, etc.

5) Firewall.  I used to use Outpost before I got the IS suite for Kaspersky.  I'd be interested in using a standalone firewall once again if it proved to play well with other security software and was fast/lightweight.  Is Outpost still good for that?  What are other options?

6) Is there anything left to cover?  Please advise.

3402

General Software Discussion / Re: Another reason to drop Kaspersky?

« Last post by superboyac on September 27, 2010, 10:57 AM »

Well, I suspect that this may be related to you AV checking files as they are opened or copied. Does Kapersky have an option in its real-time protection settings to turn OFF checking files? I've noticed that this problem exacerbates itself when running a tabbed internet browser...

-Darwin (September 27, 2010, 10:52 AM)

I think you are right.  I'm going to look into that.  It's always either the memory leak in Firefox slowing my computer down, or it's Kaspersky.  But, man, after I killed the Kaspersky exe, my computer was SOOOOO fast.

3403

General Software Discussion / Re: Another reason to drop Kaspersky?

« Last post by superboyac on September 27, 2010, 10:02 AM »

Well, just last night, my computer was hanging.  I had like 20 windows open of different stuff, and then things just started hanging.  I opened task manager to see that Kaspersky (avp.exe) was using like 280MB of memory!  Now, i don't really know what that means, but the next largest item was using only 50MB memory.  I killed the avp.exe, and everything got unfrozen and was working top-speed!  Man, I f-ing hate AV programs if not for the protection.

I wonder if it would be better to try something like Mamutu for the real-time monitoring, and using Kaspersky to run weekly or daily scans.  Is that good?

Bamse, I'll have to check out those links later.

3404

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: VueMinder Calendar Pro 75% Discount

« Last post by superboyac on September 27, 2010, 09:36 AM »

I've tried Vueminder a while back, and it is a very solid calendar program.  No other program probably has as nice a feature-set.  To me, a great sign of a good calendar program: when you create an event and have it a certain color in the calendar, that color will also show in the little thumbnail calendar on the side.  Most calendar programs don't match it like that.  On the little one, they just bold the date or have a uniform color indicating there is an event on that day.  I love when the colors are reflected.  Only Vueminder and Calendarscope do that that I know of.  And $10 is a great deal...Calendarscope will never have such sales.

3405

General Software Discussion / Re: a honest review from someone who went full-time mac and came back to windows

« Last post by superboyac on September 27, 2010, 08:57 AM »

I can't help but chuckle at the constant attempts to claim one is objectively better than the other.  The bottom line is simply that they are both imperfect operating systems bosting overlapping but not identical featuresets and application availability.  At the end of the day, you use what you prefer and/or can afford.

Naturally the suits behind their respective operating systems want for everyone to believe their operating system is wholly and objectively better than their competitors (whether or not they are willing to invest what it would take to create something truly wholly and objectively greater) -- but that end users, too, jump on this is amusing.  I don't think it's even so much a matter of brand loyalty, but rather a fight to not be pegged as incorrect or foolish in your decisions.

This isn't directed at anyone in the thread, simply a blanket statement targeted toward the "My OS is better!" pissing/moaning contest that has been at the cornerstone of computing from the beginning. (and, of course, will persist well beyond our own life times!).

My favorite operating system was BeOS. It was novel, fun, short lived . . .  I won't say it was the best, but I liked it.  I love fiddling with/tweaking/customizing linux--but in the long run, -that- love leads to decreased producivity for me.  Mac never did much for me, its emphasis was in the wrong places to tickle my fancy.  Windows is my primary OS--if for no other reasons than familiarity and native support of all of my favorite applications.  But I don't have [whatever it takes] to claim I've chosen the best -- simply what I'm most comfortable with--for reasons of familiarity, convenience, and affordability.

Bottom line: pissing contests are silly. Should one wish to jump into one though, be mindful of wind direction and velocity!

-allen (July 23, 2007, 11:03 AM)

I just have to +1 this.  More and more, I'm leaning in this direction.  I don't even have a bias anymore.  The only reason why I still use Windows is because of familiarity.  Well, that and 90% of all the computers around me are Windows.  Once apple usage gains more ground, I'll start to consider them seriously also.  And they are gaining quick.  Just in the last 2 years, just about all of my 30-and-under friends got apple computers or laptops.  That's a big deal.  Beware, Microsoft, if Apple ever gets its foot in the business door.

3406

Living Room / Re: Looking for Refrigerator Magnets that work

« Last post by superboyac on September 27, 2010, 08:50 AM »

Best I have found here:  http://www.supermagnetman.net/index.php?cPath=25

Super strong (the ones that look like push-pins). Also, the ones that have little hooks on them. Really excellent and not expensive. I have been dealing with this site for a while now and they are reliable.

Jim

-J-Mac (September 26, 2010, 09:50 PM)

Wow...that is a kick ass magnet store.  I love magnets, always have.  I have a box of magnets I've collected since I was a kid.  I even wrote a short story about magnets...eesh

3407

General Software Discussion / Re: MeediOS: A promising HTPC frontend.

« Last post by superboyac on September 25, 2010, 11:34 PM »

Holy crap!  I love XMBC!!  I just love it.  you know what...I think I'm going to let go of the whole external player thing.  That interface is just too slick.  If it's as popular and developed as you say it is, I'm sure I'll be able to tweak it just the way i like.  The only things I'm really picky about is being able to customize what happens on single-click, double-click...and what the mouse wheel is assigned to do.  Then I may get picky about certain OSD issues, and I may get picky about how I want controls to slide in and out when the pointer goes to the edges and stuff.  But XMBC is probably going to be the thing for me.  That is good stuff.  Man, I can't wait until I have a nice projector setup with that running.  i wonder how fast it can run on my old 2002 computer that I have hooked up right now?

3408

Living Room / Re: Would someone mind recommending a good laser printer?

« Last post by superboyac on September 25, 2010, 11:30 PM »

that's basically the upgraded version of the printer i have; like i said i couldn't be happier with it and i duplex all the time.  for that price it's hard to go wrong.

-mouser (September 25, 2010, 11:04 PM)

Well, I'm sold then.  I'm going to go to the local fry's and best buy tomorrow.  if they have it for around the same price, i'll buy it.  If not, I'll get it online.  Thanks man.

3409

General Software Discussion / Re: Another reason to drop Kaspersky?

« Last post by superboyac on September 25, 2010, 11:23 PM »

superboyac, you should read closely what CWuestefeld wrote. Norton Internet Security has something similar but are those core features of Kaspersky monster really unknown to you? They are not stupid bloat at all but made to improve less than perfect scanners, including MSE. Risky tactic but in theory you can click and install anything you want, nothing can go wrong as long as you do not interfer, like white listing quarantined files. Dumping real time protection would be stupid when you deliberately seek problems. With such demands you have probably made a good choice in Kaspersky if you decide to use it at full force. KIS is not overkill and MSE is not made to be tested the way you seem to compute. Will go wrong sooner than later. Visit any hacker forum to see how easy it is to avoid simple scanners. At least search "virus FUD", may be more hits with "fully undetectable". Test in a Virtualbox. Not being holy, just stating facts which might include some risk of FPs but not much to do about that.

May be you should consider the 100% foolproof method as was mentioned in another thread. Stop learning and worrying, just re-image computer. Returnil and others can do that. Windows SteadyState was mentioned as well, supported until 30. juni 2011.

-Bamse (September 25, 2010, 11:34 AM)

This is exactly the kind of thing I need to consider.  You guys really don't have to tell me about the software I use.  I'm very familiar with Kaspersky.  I've used those sandboxing features, they are largely useless to me.  Sandboxing doesn't do anything for me.  Unless I start trying everything I install in a sandbox first, it is no good to me.  It's not like I intentionally download bad stuff and realize that I should probably run it in a sandbox first.  The only stuff I sandbox are large installations that get their fingers everywhere (MS Office new versions, Adobe stuff, Nero, etc.)  And I don't do it because I think they are unsafe, I do it because they are huge installs and i first want to see if it's worth it before committing to them.  For the sake of protection, i'd have to know i have a bad thing before i sandbox it.  That's why the whole sandboxing thing is nonsense to me.  if I knew it was bad, i wouldn't even bother testing it in the first place!  it's not like I'm thinking, "I'm pretty sure this is bad...I'll just sandbox it to be sure."  If I have any doubt, I don't do anything other than Shift-Delete.

I don't want to think.  I just want to be protected AND fast.

bamse, i know turning stuff off is risky.  That's why i don't do it.  I'm just curious if i can actually speed up my computer and still be idiot-safe.  The answer may be no, but I'd like to explore the possibilities.  So i agree with everything you are saying, and I may not find an answer.

I also don't like the image solution.  Imaging is a tough thing to do regularly.  Each image is so huge.  I've never found a way around that.  I'm really bad with imaging.  I intended to image regularly (monthly) but I never actually did it.  I did an initial image when Windows was first installed, but not much since then.  Like I said yesterday, I'll eventually have a home server with dozens of hard drives, and I'll be backing up and imaging and RAID-ing like a muthafu--a!

3410

General Software Discussion / Re: MeediOS: A promising HTPC frontend.

« Last post by superboyac on September 25, 2010, 11:09 PM »

MrCrispy, thanks so much for the helpful comments.  I was under the impression that XBMC was a linux only thing, but it's not.  That puts it into the mix.  To answer your question: NO, I do NOT need DVR.  So that means I don't need to look at MediaBrowser right now.  Thanks for saying it so clearly, I'm looking for strong opinions like that when I come here.

I haven't played around with anything so far, so I don't quite know what my exact needs are right now.  It sounds like XBMC is going to be the one.  One thing I am adamant about: I will NOT be using Windows Media Player.  I will not use anything that I can't use my preferred players with (KMPlayer, Light Alloy).  And I need to be able to choose different players for different type of media.  KMPlayer for video.  Foobar for audio.  Zoomplayer for non-converted DVD images.  I am very particular about my media player software.  I don't want any kind of browsing interface locking me into a specific player.  I frown on that.

OK, I'm going to check out XMBC.

3411

Living Room / Re: Would someone mind recommending a good laser printer?

« Last post by superboyac on September 25, 2010, 11:01 PM »

OK, for some reason, I've settled around this printer:
Brother HL-5370DW

It seems to be pretty popular (usually a good sign).  I've read good comments about the automatic duplex printing, which I like.  It seems to have slightly better specs than comparable HP printers (CE749A#BGJ) although I can't be exactly sure on that point.  Good reviews on both Amazon and Newegg.

Can anyone offer any alternatives, or if you know about this printer, any thoughts?  So far, i'm ok with this one.

3412

Living Room / Re: Would someone mind recommending a good laser printer?

« Last post by superboyac on September 25, 2010, 10:40 PM »

Carol, you gave some helpful information.  Mostly, you show why certain brands suck (for you), but you didn't actually recommend a brand!  It seems as though you prefer the Canon.  Is that correct?  Is there a particular model you like?  I think you were the one who recommended the BenQ monitors to me last year, and i got them and have been very happy with them.  So I kind of trust your judgment in a proven way!

As usual, I'm not afraid to spend a little extra.  Most people usually assume an extra $100 is a deal breaker for me, but it's not.

People:
I need specific model recommendations here.  More importantly, if you've purchased a laser printer recently (as in, it's still on the market and not too old) and you've been happy with, PLEASE let me know.  Mouser is the only one who has recommend a specific printer so far, and it's discontinued.  General brand recommendations do nothing for me, because A) I already know all the main brands B) each model is different from each other, we all know that, right?  Also, remember, I'm not just asking for fun.  I actually buy things based on the recommendations here.  I actually spent $3000 last year based on everyone's help here.  And I've been very happy with that setup, my best one yet.  So don't be afraid to state strong opinions and specific models, please.  If you don't have any hands-on experience with current laser printers, you probably are not going to help much with your responses.  This is why the Amazon and Newegg reviews are so helpful, because they are real users nitpicking the things that they have touched and care about.  Way more helpful than all those online reviews where they open a box, write a review, and never use the thing again.  This is largely why I find the internet so useless nowadays.

So...in summary, please tell me about specific laser printers that you have touched.  Thank you!

(when did I become such a curmudgeon??)

3413

General Software Discussion / Re: SuperboyAC's DC blog #2 (Live Search feature in software)

« Last post by superboyac on September 25, 2010, 09:45 PM »

PersonalBrain 5  8/10

• (6 is in beta)
• Almost true FAYT, except it can only find strings at the start of words.  It won't find "in" in the middle or end of words like "finding."
• Requires use of tabbing arrow keys down to result (if more than one) >> ENTER to locate search item, even if the only item on results list.
  

.
Side Note: This is not a small investment at $249, but the old adage "you get what you pay for" applies.  Phone tech support, numerous Camtasia"-style tutorials, live webinars with ability to submit questions and real improvement in development.  The 6 beta adds some real improvements over 5.  My primary beef is it's very Microsoft-centric, at least in Windows, but boasts Mac/Linux/Windows cross-platform.

-CodeTRUCKER (September 25, 2010, 02:31 PM)

Nice!  I'm actually really curious about how you use the Brain for practical applications.  I tried it a long time ago, and I thought it was really cool.  But I didn't have a practical application for it.  I didn't have any really hairy outlines or brainstorms to use it with.  When I do mindmaps or stuff like that, they are relatively small, like 10-20 boxes.  No big deal, so I don't need something like the Brain for that.  Same goes for flowcharts i do, they are pretty small and basic.  I know this is off topic for this thread, but this thread is so old anyway, I don't think it matters.

3414

General Software Discussion / Re: MeediOS: A promising HTPC frontend.

« Last post by superboyac on September 25, 2010, 12:32 PM »

with a (huge ugly) headless storage server in a back room.

-Stoic Joker (September 25, 2010, 12:16 PM)

I'm going to have to do that one day.  You'll see me ask about it here.  I'm going to eventually set up a server at home with several hard drives, RAID?, and whatever else it takes.

3415

General Software Discussion / Re: MeediOS: A promising HTPC frontend.

« Last post by superboyac on September 25, 2010, 12:05 PM »

another viable option is XBMC as highlighted by this lifehacker article.

-lanux128 (September 25, 2010, 09:34 AM)

Interesting, that actually is a bootable (Linux based) OS. But the MeediOS (despite ending in OS) is just a media handling GUI that runs on a Windows box.

Or am I missing something?

-Stoic Joker (September 25, 2010, 11:37 AM)

I believe the bolded part is correct.  I haven't used it with actual media yet...I'll find out.  But that is my favorite part, that it runs on Windows and it's just a frontend for navigating your media.

3416

General Software Discussion / Re: My Windows Desktop is a shambles...

« Last post by superboyac on September 24, 2010, 10:55 PM »

superboyac
Most grateful if you can detail your setups for LBC and FARR - thanks

SKA

-SKA (September 24, 2010, 10:48 PM)

No problem.  You can see a picture of my LBC setup in the link mouser gave above, but I'll post it again:
https://www.donation....msg172248#msg172248


As for FARR, I really just use whatever default setup comes with it.  I think the only thing I may change is the skin.  You can find my review for it here:
http://aram.dcmember...tware/findrun-robot/

It's all about the fastest and easiest way to launch programs.  If it's on the desktop, you have to minimize everything (or use the show desktop button) to find the icons.  If you go in your start menu, and if it's anything like mine, there's just too many things there and you'll have to find it.  With LBC, I either use the system tray or the pop-up under the mouse, and from there i can choose from my well-organized categories.  Doesn't take more than a couple of seconds.  But my LBC isn't always updated with the latest stuff I've installed, because that has to manually done.  In those cases, i use FARR.  I just type the first few letters and BAM, launch.  Doesn't take more than 5 seconds.
i don't know of any configuration better than that.

3417

Living Room / Re: Would someone mind recommending a good laser printer?

« Last post by superboyac on September 24, 2010, 10:30 PM »

I don't understand the deal with resolutions.  I mean, I know what AxB means, but how does it affect print quality in simple language?  For example, I see 1200x1200, and 2400x600.  What is the difference?  They both total 1440000 dpi.  And then there are more expensive printers that only have 600x600.  That doesn't really make sense.  Man, I am really getting tired of the whole PC world.  Too much nonsense jargon, too many useless and confusing specs.  Apple is going to take over.  So simple, so nice.  But don't respond to that last bit, I have enough threads about that.

3418

Living Room / Re: Would someone mind recommending a good laser printer?

« Last post by superboyac on September 24, 2010, 10:20 PM »

11x17 is the one requirement that will drive the price up (way up). But if you can find a HP LaserJet 5000 (eBay) that would be a good printer with a solid reputation.

Note: most of the duplex jamming issues are caused by sub-standard media and/or moisture (I see this constantly) ... So read any reviews with a bit of skepticism.

-Stoic Joker (September 24, 2010, 10:14 PM)

Yeah, I am always skeptic.  Especially lately since the internet is just pretty much garbage.  I'm sure a lot of you have noticed that I'm asking a lot more questions here in recent months.  The internet has become pretty unreliable for me as far as answering questions.  I go here because I trust you guys and the forum design is excellent.  Thanks for the duplex tip, I'll remember that.

3419

Living Room / Re: Would someone mind recommending a good laser printer?

« Last post by superboyac on September 24, 2010, 10:18 PM »

The 11x17 think is likely to be the major feature that excludes most common printers.

For standard sized printing, i love my years-old dirt cheap Brother HL-5250DN (discontinued);  more brother lasers here: http://www.brother-u...rome_Laser_Printers/

As always, look for reviews, and ratings on amazon and newegg.

-mouser (September 24, 2010, 08:58 PM)

Maybe I'll just let go of the 11x17 thing.  I don't really need it.  Maybe I'll go down to Costco and browse what they have.  They usually have good stuff and I love that I can just return it, no problems.

3420

General Software Discussion / Re: My Windows Desktop is a shambles...

« Last post by superboyac on September 24, 2010, 08:53 PM »

there are lots of different "launch bar" / dock programs you can use for this -- mine is just one.

-mouser (September 22, 2010, 05:26 PM)

I'm a software-aholic.  I've tried a lot of launchers.  Mouser's LBC is the best.  Between that and FARR, I have no need for desktop icons.  I have zero icons on my desktop.  I can launch any program faster than you can even finish minimizing a window.

3421

Living Room / Would someone mind recommending a good laser printer?

« Last post by superboyac on September 24, 2010, 08:50 PM »

I'm going to google and newegg, and as usual, it's hard to judge based on that.  So once again, I'm turning to my favorite forum.  OK, here are my requirements:

Price:  I don't know.  Not too expensive.  Let's keep it under $400.  I know that's a lot for a black/white laser printer.  I'm just trying to emphasize that I don't mind paying for a truly better machine.

Duplex: I NEED automatic duplex.  I don't want any manual feeding or anything.  I read some reviews, and even the ones that could do auto-duplex seemed to have some issues, like paper getting jammed a lot, etc.  So if any of you have had a really positive experience with an auto-duplex printer, please let me know.

11x17 support:  It doesn't have to have an inner tray for it, but I'd like to be able to print to 11x17 once in a while.  Even if it is a manual feed.

Toner:  I'd like as much toner life as possible.  I don't want something that only lasts 200 pages or so.

I can't think of anything else right now.  Please advise.  Thank you.  (I said "Thanks you" the other day on the phone at work.  So embarrasing.  I was caught between "Thanks" and "Thank you"...ugh)

3422

General Software Discussion / Re: Another reason to drop Kaspersky?

« Last post by superboyac on September 24, 2010, 05:42 PM »

Thanks, tranglos.  Let us know how that goes.  I'm still toying with the idea of turning everything off and just running daily scans while I'm sleeping or at work.

3423

General Software Discussion / Re: MeediOS: A promising HTPC frontend.

« Last post by superboyac on September 24, 2010, 02:45 PM »

Wow!  MeediOS is really really great!  I just tried it out, and my initial feeling is that this will be the solution for me.  Visually, it's stunning.  It's very flexible, all sorts of plugins can be added.  Even the default plugins that come with it are just fine.  They take care of audio, video, tv shows, movies, anything!  My favorite part is that it seems to be able to use any of your preferred media players to actually launch the files.  So it really is just a frontend.  i think.  I'm not completely sure of that right now.

My gut feeling is that if I make an HTPC using Windows & plus this MeediOS, it will probably be the most kick-ass thing out there.  I'll have a projector as my new TV, so it will be displayed HUGE on the wall.  And this Meedios interface is just beautiful.  It basically looks like something Apple would do, but I still get to configure it pretty intensely behind the scenes.  Wow.  i highly recommend all you guys to play with it.  If anyone is interested, I'll post in detail later how I have set mine up to work in a very beautiful and practical manner.  Probably not until 2011, however.

3424

General Software Discussion / Re: Another reason to drop Kaspersky?

« Last post by superboyac on September 24, 2010, 02:06 PM »

My annual KAV license expires today, I won't be renewing.

-tranglos (September 24, 2010, 11:56 AM)

So what will you be doing?  I'm very interested in practical solutions.  I'm not that interested in this KISS stuff, which comes off as sounding a little holier than thou, and really doesn't help me find a solution to this problem.

Look, I keep having to say this:  I use my computer as safely as i can stomach.  But I do bad things also, whether knowingly or unknowingly.  The point is this:  I DON'T WANT TO WORRY ABOUT IT.  Other people use my computers.  I don't like telling them to be careful with this and be careful with that.  I want them free to do whatever they need to do.  So I want my computer protected from our badness.  I'm operating under the assumption that bad things will happen.  So i want solutions that can either prevent the bad things, or even if bad things happen, it can be cleaned up relatively painlessly.

It doesn't seem like I'm hearing about any practical solutions here.  I may just start experimenting with stuff and see what happens.  Maybe I'll turn off ALL of my kaspersky components, and then try each one out one by one and see what affects performance the most, and what is effective in protection or not.  My licenses still have almost 3 years on them.  However, I would drop it real quick if something better came up.

Tranglos, please keep us informed on how you are going to replace kaspersky.

3425

General Software Discussion / Is there any shortcut way to "reset" the Websense Authentication?

« Last post by superboyac on September 23, 2010, 04:04 PM »

At my job, the have Websense installed to block the users from accessing "bad" websites.  There's a problem sometimes where it seems like Websense "forgets" who is logged onto the computer, and it starts repeatedly asking for authentication for all internet browsing activities.  Normally, all the websites work fine except for the blocked or suspicious ones, which then ask you to confirm before you continue.  However, when Websense "forgets", you can't aceess any sites and an authentication dialog pops up, where the user is supposed to enter our regular Windows network user id and password (the same one used to log into Windows).  But it doesn't do anything, it keeps asking for it repeatedly.  The only solution I know of is to restart the computer and it works fine.

Is there a way to accomplish whatever the computer is doing while restarting without actually restarting?  Is there some kind of ip resetting that needs to happen?  I don't understand it.  The same thing happens to my work laptop.  When i first log in, everything works fine.  Then, after closing the lid (sending the laptop into standby) and opening it again, now the authentication pops up.  I don't get it.  The connection is still good if I check the wifi settings, so it's not like I'm disconnected or anything.

So is there any way around this?