New OS, same Windows Updates

Microsoft Thursday announced it will deliver seven security updates next week to patch 11 vulnerabilities, including the first that apply to Internet Explorer 10 (IE10), the company's newest browser.

As it did last month, Microsoft will also patch Windows 8, Windows RT and Windows Server 2012, its new desktop, tablet and server operating systems.

Five of the seven updates will be marked as "critical," Microsoft's highest threat ranking, while the remaining pair will be labeled "important," the Redmond, Wash. developer said in an advance warning published today.

Windows 8, a Christmas gift for somebody you hate.

Microsoft (MSFT) is no stranger to criticism these days, and the company’s new Windows 8 platform is once again the target of a scathing review from a high-profile user. Well-known Internet entrepreneur and MIT professor Philip Greenspun handed Windows 8 one of its most damning reviews yet earlier this week, calling the new operating system a “Christmas gift for someone you hate.” Greenspun panned almost every aspect of Microsoft’s new software, noting that Microsoft had four years to study Android and more than five to examine iOS, but still couldn’t build a usable tablet experience.

“The only device that I can remember being as confused by is the BlackBerry PlayBook,” Greenspun wrote on his blog after using Windows 8 on a Dell (DELL) XPS One All-in-One desktop PC. The acclaimed computer scientist noted that Microsoft omitted all of the best features from the most popular touch-focused platforms and instead created a user interface he describes as a “dog’s breakfast.”

“Suppose that you are an expert user of Windows NT/XP/Vista/7, an expert user of an iPad, and an expert user of an Android phone… you will have no idea how to use Windows 8,” Greenspun wrote.

He continued, “Some functions, such as ‘start an application’ or ‘restart the computer’ are available only from the tablet interface. Conversely, when one is comfortably ensconced in a touch/tablet application, an additional click will fire up a Web browser, thereby causing the tablet to disappear in favor of the desktop. Many of the ‘apps’ that show up on the ‘all apps’ menu at the bottom of the screen (accessible only if you swipe down from the top of the screen) dump you right into the desktop on the first click.”

The only praise Greenspun offered was that “some of the supplied apps are wonderful,” pointing to Microsoft’s Bing Finance application as an example.

Sometimes the scammers get scammed!

I've talked about the Microsoft Scam, in which some guys from India randomly call people claiming to represent Microsoft and that they are calling to help "fix" your computer.  Well, it seems that they can be as gullible as some of the victims that they hit.  Check out the article on the Feds simply called them up to try to get them to perform their scam.

If you buy the new iMac now, upgrade it at time of purchase.

The electronics website iFixit on Friday downgraded the new 21.5-in. iMac's repair score to 3 out of a possible 10, calling servicing the computer "an exercise in disappointment."

The website urged do-it-yourselfers to look for a leftover 2011 model instead. "Hackers, tinkerers, and repairers be forewarned: Get last year's model if you'd like to alter your machine in any way," said Miroslav Djuric, iFixit's chief information architect, in an email announcing the site's teardown of the newest iMac.

Apple started selling the redesigned 21.5-in. iMac on Friday at its retail and online stores. The larger, more expensive 27-in. iMac is to ship later this month.

After disassembling the iMac, iFixit assigned the all-in-one desktop a repair score of just 3 out of 10; The 2011 version of the same-sized iMac sported a more DIY-friendly score of 7 out of 10.

The iMac's new score is in the same low range as Apple's 15- and 13-in. Retina-equipped MacBook Pro laptops, which earned a 1 and 2, respectively, this summer and fall. In June, iFixit called the 15-in. MacBook Pro "the least-repairable laptop we've taken apart."

Explaining the iMac's low score, iFixit cited the copious amounts of "incredibly strong" adhesive that bonds the LCD and front glass panel to the frame. Earlier iMacs fixed the display in place with magnets rather than the hard-to-dislodge glue, which is even harder to replace.

Just as damning was an Apple design decision that makes it practically impossible for users to upgrade the iMac's RAM. The 21.5-in. iMac comes standard with 8GB of memory -- and can be upgraded to 16GB -- but because the RAM is buried beneath the logic board, owners must "take apart most of the iMac just to gain access," iFixit said.

Gmail now allowing email attachments up to ...10GB!

Gmail users can now attach files up to 10GB in size by selecting them from the Google Drive cloud storage service.

Gmail announced the new capability on its blog today, stating that feature allows for attachments that are 400 times larger that Gmail users previously could have used.

"Also, because you're sending a file stored in the cloud, all your recipients will have access to the same, most-up-to-date version," wrote Phil Sharp, a Google product manager, in the blog post.

In order to attach a file from Google Drive, a user need only click on "Insert files using Drive" icon in the Compose box and then select the file from a drop down menu.

From reports, it also appears that you may only have the option of sending it to other gmail users.  Most web mail providers cap the size of email attachments at around 10MB.  Will check and report once confirmed. 

Avoid the HDMI Cable rip-off

Seems like we are all buying televisions this season, we should, the prices are right.  Please do not give all those savings back by buying overpiced HDMI cables.  Do not listen to the salesperson who will lie to you about the importance of overpaying for a cable.  If you want one, go to Five Below and buy the $5 cable, really, it's the same as the $50-80 cable the Big Blue store will lie you into buying.

Cheap cables will produce the exact same picture and sound quality as expensive cables. Check out our HDMI cable trilogy: "Why all HDMI cables are the same," "Why all HDMI cables are the same, Part 2," and "Still more reasons why all HDMI cables are the same." These articles explain how HDMI cables work, and why by their very nature, you're either getting a perfect image, or no image at all.

Type
When it comes to TVs, there are four kinds of HDMI cables:

• High speed with Ethernet
• High speed without Ethernet
• Standard speed with Ethernet
• Standard speed without Ethernet

Standard speed cables can handle up to 1080i. High speed can handle definition far beyond 1080p. Here's the thing: the price difference is negligible, so buy only high-speed cables. Most HDMI cables you'll find in a store are high-speed cables.

Very few products have Ethernet-over-HDMI compatibility, so it's not likely you need to pay extra for the feature in the cable. If you want to "future proof" your system slightly, then that's your call. For most people, though, I don't see the point. Again, the price difference is marginal, so it's not a big deal either way. If you're sure your equipment has Ethernet-over-HDMI compatibility, then of course check out those HDMI cables. That likelihood is small, though.

The short version: Buy high speed without Ethernet and don't worry about the other types.

Keep in mind a few things: There is no such thing as an "HDMI 1.4" cable, nor do you need a special cable for 3D, 120 or 240Hz, or Audio Return Channel (ARC).

There is no loss in picture quality over long distances. However, there will be a point where you just don't get a picture anymore. So if you're not sure if 6 feet is long enough, go for 10 feet. It shouldn't cost that much more money.

One thing to consider, regardless of length, is an active cable. RedMere technology and other active cables allow for thinner cables, or really long cables. These can be more expensive, but depending on how or where you're installing them, sometimes a tiny flexible cable works better even if it costs a little more.