Sunday, December 20, 2009

Want privacy on Facebook? Here is how to get some

Here are a few pointers on how to maximize Facebook privacy

Over the past week, Facebook has been nudging its users — first gently, then firmly — to review and update their privacy settings.

You may have procrastinated by hitting "skip for now," but Facebook eventually took away that button and forced you to update your settings before continuing to use the site.

After finally accepting Facebook's recommendations or tweaking the privacy settings yourself, though, you might have made more information about you public than what you had intended.

At the same time, Facebook has given users many granular controls over their privacy, more than what's available on other major social networks.

So if you want to stay out of people's view, but still want to be on Facebook, here are some things to look out for as you take another look at your settings.

1. Some of your information is viewable by everyone.

Everyone can see your name, your profile photo and the names of work and school networks you're part of. Ditto for pages you are a fan of. If you are worried about a potential employer finding out about a quirky fetish or unorthodox political leaning, avoid becoming a Facebook fan of such groups. You can't tell Facebook you don't want those publicly listed. Your gender and current city are also available, if you choose to specify them. You can uncheck "Show my sex in my profile" when you edit your profile if you don't want it listed, and you can leave "Current City" blank.

2. Your list of friends may also be public.

Facebook also considers your friends list publicly available information. Privacy advocates worry that much can be gleaned from a person's list of friends — even sexual orientation, according to one MIT study. But there is a way to hide the list. Go to your profile page and click on the little blue pencil icon on the top right of your box of friends. Uncheck "Show Friend List to everyone." Either way, those you are already friends with can always see your full list.

3. You can hide yourself from Web searches.

There is a section for "Search" under Facebook's privacy settings page, which is accessible from the top right corner of the Web site under "Settings." If you click the "Allow" box next to "Public Search Results," the information that Facebook deems publicly available (such as photo, fan pages and list of friends), along with anything else you have made available to everyone, will show up when someone looks up your name on a search engine such as Google. The stuff you've limited access to in your profile will not show up.

This is useful if you want people you've lost touch with, or potential work contacts, to be able to find your Facebook page. If you'd rather not be found, uncheck this box.

A second setting, controlling searches within Facebook, lets you refine who can find you once that person has logged on. Limit searches to friends only if you think you have all the friends you need and don't want anyone to find you when they type in your name to Facebook.

4. Beware of third-party applications.

Quizzes and games are fun, but each time you take one, you first authorize it to access your profile information, even if you have made that available only to your friends. You're also letting the app access some information on your friends.

Under "Application Settings," Facebook lists all the apps you have opened your profile up to. If you no longer want to authorize access to "Which Golden Girl Are You?" you can always remove it by clicking on the "X" next to its name. Apps you use regularly, such as Facebook for Android if you update your status from your mobile phone, should stay.

Next, by clicking on "Applications and Websites" on the privacy settings page, you can edit whether your friends can share your birthday, photos and other specific information. Remember that applications can access your "publicly available information" no matter what.

The security firm Sophos recommends users set their privacy settings for two of Facebook's own popular applications, notes and photos, to friends only.

5. Go over your list of friends.

The average Facebook user has 130 friends. But many people interact with a much smaller group when commenting on status updates, photos and links. So it doesn't hurt to occasionally review your list of your friends to get an idea of just who can view your status posts, vacation photos and funny links you've shared over the years. Don't feel obligated to add anyone as a friend, even if that person adds you first. For professional acquaintance you don't want to snub, send them to a LinkedIn profile you can set up. Some workplaces and schools have rules about Facebook interactions between bosses and employees or students and teachers.

6. Create custom friends groups.

If you have befriended a lot of people, sort them. Think of the groups you interact with in real life — co-workers, college buddies, girlfriends, grandma and grandpa — and organize your Facebook friends in these groups, too. Go to "All Friends" under the "Friends" button up top, click on "Create New List" and fire away. Then decide what aspects of your profile, and which status posts and photos, these people will have access to. Or, simply create a "limited" list for acquaintances or distant relatives and limit their access.

7. Customize your status posts.

Type "I'm hungry" into your status update box. Click on the little lock icon. You'll see a range of privacy controls pop up, letting you either allow or limit access to the post. If you want, you can even hide it from everyone by clicking "Only Me" under the custom settings. Click on "Save Setting." Repeat with each post, or create a default setting for most updates and increase or decrease privacy as you see fit.

8. Let your friends know you have boundaries — in person.

Many of us have woken up on a Sunday morning to find that an overzealous friend has posted dozens of photos from that wild party we barely remembered — the good, the bad and the hideous. Chances are, they didn't do this to embarrass you, though if they did you have bigger problems. Rather, they probably don't know that you don't want these photos posted. Sure, tweak your photo privacy settings on Facebook. But if someone starts snapping pictures of you at a party, ask them to check with you before posting it anywhere.

9. Never assume complete privacy.

Even for the most tech-savvy person, unflattering photos, incriminating text messages or angry status posts about work have a way of worming their way out in the open. Just saying.

courtesy: Yahoo News

Thursday, December 17, 2009

How to Hack a Facebook Account? or How Your Facebook Account Can Be Hacked – Part 1

A thought just came to me right now, sitting behind my desk with nothing to do. Guess the old saying is really true, the one about the devil and how he finds job for . . . “would it be possible to just HACK into her private Facebook account?” Looking at the messages in my google search results, I see a growing trend of people who desired to get into other people’s business. Perhaps they’re acquaintance that aren’t close enough to be friends, or they’re looking for their potential dates’ secret profile, or worse they’re after your identity for identity theft. In the coming few articles, we’ll look at the implication of Social Networking as it relates to your privacy, what to look for and how to be careful. We’ll look into real scenarios of how your security maybe compromised, unless you’re careful.

The 64,000 dollar question: what does it take to gain access to someone’s profile?

Facebook Profile

For most of us who aren’t geniuses or super-technical, you may thought this is impossible. But when you think about it, it really isn’t rocket science. All you need is some creativity and not afraid to break the law. But because I am, the following describes hypothetical possible scenarios only. None has been attempted by me or anyone related to me, and all the screens related are mocked up for the purpose of illustrations only. The whole objective is to make you aware of the importance of security when using social networks such as Facebook. And at the end we’ll tell you how to protect yourself. But if you don’t see how easy it is for someone to view your profile, you’ll less likely to take precautions.

First thing to remember is when you get a friend request from someone, how do you know that person is a real request or a fake request? This is the key!!!!

Think about this, imagine if a stalker searched for ‘Paris Hilton’, someone that he/she is interested to find out more about. And this is our hypothetical target for discussion.

Search Profile

Next you can click on ‘View Friends’ and you’ll see a list of friends that’s connected to Paris. A potential stalker could then use this publicly available information by taking down the names, network and save the profile picture to their hard disk for later use.

facebookhack103.jpg

With the friends of Paris information collected, the next part involves setting up a new Facebook account by using one of Paris’ friends identity. Thanks to the user-friendliness of Facebook, you can do this in less than 60 seconds.

Sign Up

Profile Editing

Once the account is ready, the stalker would now be creating a fictional profile by uploading the friend’s picture that he downloaded as well as any info related such as Name or school information. Using this new identity, the stalker then invites Paris to ‘Add as friend’.

facebookhack106.jpg

And soon,Paris receives a friends request, thought that she knew the friend and accept the invitation. And that’s it!!! Paris loses her privacy when she clicked the confirm button if she’s not careful. The fact is, it’s quite hard to verify a friend’s request when the name and photo appear as who they are. And this is all part of social engineering…without much hacking involved, and you could be losing your personal information in no one if you’re no careful. Of course one purpose of this article is to shock you into knowing the truth, but the other is for you to know how to protect yourself.

So how do you deal with this?

First way to deal with this is to setup a limited profile list so that only a list of people can see your profile, you’ll have to explicitly to add new friends to that list to allow them to see your profile. Secondly, be sure to add people to the list that you don’t want to share your entire profile with. Well in our case, it’s someone we know, so how do we know if its real?

facebookhack107.jpg

  1. Set yourself a rule to add friends only, don’t add strangers.
  2. Look at the name and picture carefully. Also click on the “Name” to see the complete profile. If the profile has little details, then chances are it could be a made-up account.
  3. Look for the “You have no friends in common” line. If this person is a friend of yours, there should be some connections.
  4. If this person who’s inviting you is a brand new Facebook user with no friends, then pick up a phone. If he/she is a real friend, you’d probably have something in common to chat about. Call him/her up and find out if there’s a genuine request from them. Always be careful rather than be sorry.

You know, alot of people tend to have alot of friend requests to deal with that they simply look at the name and picture only, and then click the “Confirm” button. Don’t be one of these people. Always be careful.

In the next article,we’ll talk about something more serious, on why you should be super-careful, especially when by now, you think someone seeing your profile is not really such a big deal.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Gifts That Guys Say They Love

This year's crop of Cosmo Bachelors reveals what's on their wish lists...and their answers will surprise you! Here, some ideas of what to get your guy, from some manly men.

 

Photo: Nike

Nike Air Pegasus +26 ID Running Shoes
Michael Neilson, Oregon

With Nike ID, you can personalize the shoe with his name, initials, nickname (whatever!), and favorite colors. And not only is the exclusive design cool, but the Nike Air Pegasus provides a supportive fit that allows his toes to spread and move as he runs.

 

image

Photo: Amazon

Xbox 360
Michael Lonardo, Rhode Island

The Xbox 360 is more than just a game system; it also includes high-definition video, DVD movie playback, digital music, photos, and online connectivity. It even comes with a wireless controller so he never has to get off the couch.

 

Photo: Oakley

Oakley Battalion Ski Jacket
Keaton Matlock, Idaho

The Oakley Battalion Jacket is the perfect gift for the outdoorsy dude. With fully tape-welded seams and a removable component jacket, the Battalion is the ultimate defense against nature's elements, without sacrificing killer style.

 

Photo: Apple

iPod Touch
Chris Giannini, New Jersey

Your man will love this all-in-one gadget. Getting a little attention for yourself might prove difficult when he has games, apps, music, and the new personal DJ all at his fingertips, but if you're the giver of all this greatness, you're sure to get a little lovin' in return.

 

Photo: valentineperfume.com

Gucci by Gucci Cologne
Brandon Boyd, Texas

This masculine fragrance includes the essence of cypress, violet, bergamot, amber, black pepper, patchouli, and jasmine. We don't know who'll love it more: him or you.

 

Photo: Amazon

Kindle Wireless Reading Device
Daniel Cohen, Indiana

This "It" gadget of 2009 tops many guys' wish lists. With the Kindle, he can bring 1,500 books with him anywhere he goes...and the new 6" size is more convenient and less expensive than ever before.

 

Photo: Gap

GAP Loose-Fit Jeans in Vintage Wash
TJ Williams, New Mexico

These just might be the perfect guy jeans. Made with premium denim in a cool vintage wash, they sit just below the waist and are loose through the leg so he'll be comfy without looking shabby.

 

Photo: Stub Hub

Stub Hub Gift Card
Several guys

Whether he's dying to see an All-Star basketball game or he's anxiously awaiting the Pavement reunion tour, he'll be ready for the next big event with a Stub Hub gift card. The gift cards range from $25 to $500, so he can use his card on one event or a few.

 

Photo: Apple

iPhone 3GS
Adam Toren, Illinois

Want to make your guy gleefully happy this season? There's a snap for that ... and it's called the iPhone 3GS. This new and improved version is faster, smarter, and has more memory than its parents. And video too!

 

Photo: Best Buy

Best Buy Gift Card
Henry Supinski, Delaware

With everything from video games and DVDs to Xboxes and Wiis, Best Buy is like a candy store for the grown men in our lives.

 

Photo: Gobal Golf

Mizuno MX-700
Brett Van Horn, Virginia

Give him the oppty to say "Fore!" and you may just score points for yourself. The Mizuno MX-700 features a plasma-welded titanium face to achieve faster ball speeds. What is it about golf that makes everything sound so dirty?

 

Photo: Amazon

Aqua di Gio
Madison Gouzie, Maine

You won't be able to keep your hands off your guy after a spritz of this alluring classic cologne. And that's exactly why he'll love it! Madison, we're on to you...

More from Cosmopolitan.com:

Friday, December 11, 2009

10 Tips to Avoid the Flu at Work

image Almost everyone has had the flu before. Incessant coughing, a sore throat and body aches are the pits, especially when you have obligations and deadlines to meet. But now, as the H1N1 virus threatens to infect people everywhere, it's even more important to try to stay healthy.

It's hard to do so, however, especially at work. Commuting via  public transportation, pressing dirty elevator buttons, opening infected doors, reaching your hand into a co-worker's candy bowl and even using someone else's telephone or computer could expose you to germs.

A recent study by the authors of "Influencer," a book on behavior change, found that most people don't even know how to encourage themselves or others to do something as simple as wash their hands. According to the study:

· One in five adults don't wash their hands after using the restroom

· Only 15 percent of adults wash their hands after coughing or sneezing

· Three out of four adults don't wash their hands before eating

These statistics support the fact that spreading germs is easy -- especially at work.

"Influenza virus particles are carried up to six feet in the mucous drops produced by sneezing and coughing," says Dr. Margaret Lewin, medical director of Cinergy Health. "If the ill person coughs into his hand, that hand will transfer infectious viral particles to any object touched such as  doorknobs, banisters and elevator buttons. Another person touching that surface and then touching his face will transfer viral particles to his respiratory tract. If the ill person coughs into his sleeve or a tissue, which is immediately thrown away, few of these particles reach other people."

Although workers are undoubtedly aware of how germs spread, it seems that they aren't doing their best to stop it. Donna  Haugland, chief nursing officer for CVS MinuteClinic, says that the economy is not only causing some workers to not call in sick for fear of  repercussions, but it is also contributing to the actual sickness.

"Workers are feeling much more pressure at work with longer hours, taking more work home and giving up much-needed vacation time. The added stress leads to bad lifestyle habits such as poor sleep and nutrition. This weakens workers' immune systems and puts them at higher risk for getting the flu," Haugland says.

"If you're in a supervisory position, make sure your employees know they will not be penalized if they are infected with the flu and choose to stay home. A sick or infected employee leads to mistakes and poor work performance. And if he or she spreads the flu within the office and others are infected, it can have severe impact on total office productivity."

Stopping the spread
Of course, the best way to halt the spread of germs and keep the office running smoothly is to stay at home when you're sick. But sometimes, deadlines must be met and meetings must be held, no matter what's going on in your immune system.

If you're sick but think you just can't miss a day at work, Haugland suggests considering whether you can do your job at home. If not, find a way to do your job in the office while avoiding contact with others as much as possible. Work in a closed room, or consider wearing a mask to prevent respiratory droplets from spreading to others.

Lewin also suggests avoiding "high risk" areas or situations where you have close physical contact with others, such as meetings, elevators, bathrooms and lunchrooms. You should also be careful in areas where you share equipment with others, such as microwave ovens, refrigerator handles, vending machine buttons, telephones and computer keyboards.

Practice prevention
As with any illness, prevention is crucial. Experts advise workers to get flu vaccines, when possible. In the meantime, however, Lewin and Haugland offer workers these 10 tips to stay healthy and lessen the spread of germs in your office:

1. If you know you're sick with the flu or another contagious illness, stay home whenever possible.

2. Get plenty of rest and eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. Proper nutrition helps to keep your immune system strong.

3. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and discard the tissue in the trash.

4. Cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands, when a tissue is not available.

5. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers and chlorine wipes and learn how and when to use them properly.

6. Minimize the need to interact face-to-face with your co-workers by using interoffice e-mail or hosting telephone conferences. Have meetings with boxed lunches, for example, rather than a buffet. 

7. Refrain from touching your eyes, nose or mouth to minimize your exposure to viruses.

8. Health professionals advise getting vaccinated to defend yourself against various flu strains.

9. Try to keep yourself and your co-workers at least three feet from each other, but preferably more than six feet. If possible, split shifts to decrease the number of workers in close proximity at any given time.

10. Review your office sick policies and make adjustments as needed. Talk with your boss to ensure that you will not be penalized for staying home until you recover from the flu, or whatever illness you've contracted.

Copyright 2009 CareerBuilder.com. All rights reserved. The information contained in this article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without prior written authority.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Your Addicted to Your Cell Phone if...

image

You Might Be A Cell Phone Addict If…
Blackberries, Crackberries. Cell phones, Hell phones. It all depends on how you look at them. In one sense, cell phones are unbelievable mobile devices that can do it all. They allow you to take pictures and video, send emails, view maps and get directions, organize your day, and even listen to music. And sometimes you can even make calls when you have good reception. On the other hand, cell phone addiction can be consuming for many people, a high tech dependency. Are you addicted to your cell phone. You might be if…


Your Cell Phone Beckons You From Across The Room
For many people, missing a text message, a phone call, or an email is not acceptable. A flashing indicator light just cannot be ignored. In professional situations, it’s understandable if you have to answer your cell phone during the day. But for many jobs, this is not the case. You don’t have to be available 24 hours a day just because you own a cell phone.


You Don’t Know The Last Time You Turned It Off
Is your phone on when you go to the movies, to church, to dinner with friends? Most of us don’t ever actually turn the phone off and there doesn’t seem to be any reason not to leave it on. But you might be a cell phone addict if the thought of turning it off for an hour or two makes you anxious.


You Feel Lost During The Day If You Leave It At Home
If you leave your cell phone at home in your Los Angeles apartment, do you have to go back and get it? Can you make it through an entire day without it?


You Have Landline Service At Your Apartment Just For The Internet
Or maybe you don’t even have a landline, after all you can access the internet from your mobile phone.


You Drive While Texting, Shower While Texting, or [insert something ridiculous here] While Texting
Obviously, some of these scenarios are extremely dangerous. Driving while texting can impair drivers as much as, if not more than, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
You Don’t Know Anyone’s Phone Number
Some of us depend on our cell phonebooks because they contain contact information for the most important people in our lives. Do you know the phone number for your child’s daycare provider, your best friend’s work phone number, or your mom’s home phone number?
There are definitely many reasons why the cellular phone is a great little piece of technology. Among other things, they’re portable computers and cameras. My favorite feature is the cell phone GPS capability. I’ll never get lost as long as I have my sidekick. But, being addicted to this mobile device can be a double-edged sword, negatively affecting other areas of your life. Are you a cell phone addict? Why not try turning it off for a couple hours today?

courtesy DROIDBerry

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Male-Female Translations

WHEN A MAN SAYS TO A WOMAN, "Take a break, honey, you're working too hard." THE TRANSLATION IS, "I can't hear the game over the vacuum cleaner."

WHEN HE SAYS, "I was just thinking about you, and got you these roses." IT MEANS, "The girl selling them on the corner was a real babe."

WHEN A MAN SAYS, "Have you lost weight?" IT MEANS, "I just spent our last hundred bucks on a cordless drill."

WHEN HE SAYS, "I can't find it." IT MEANS, "It didn't fall into my outstretched hands yet."

WHEN HE SAYS, "What did I do this time?" HE MEANS, "Which thing did you catch me at?"

"You look terrific," MEANS: "Oh, God, please don't try on one more outfit. I'm starving."

WHEN HE SAYS, "You cook just like my mother used to." HE MEANS, "She used the smoke detector as a meal timer, too."

 

From: Mark Seidenberg

courtesy of CarTalk

Update Nod 32 antivirus OFFLINE (without an Internet connection) / Install Nod32 Updates from your Hard disk

There are still many users who don't update their security software's regularly due to the reason that they don't have an internet connection. To protect your PC regularly you must update the antivirus regularly. But Symantec Norton Antivirus over rule nod32 for those who don't have an Internet connection only because it provides virus definition files to update Norton Antivirus Offline i.e. without an internet connection. Here is a nice trick to Update nod32 antivirus if you don't have an internet connection i.e. you can now install the updates from your hard disk or USB drive.

This application allows installing the latest virus signature database updates into any location. The location could be a local directory or a directory on some removable media (definitions are portable).

Please note that this application does not make any change to the registry.

When running the application, users will be install definitions for any ESET product version 3.0x/4.0x (all editions)

Once they were extracted, the definitions can be used to update an ESET product locally, or ported to another computer. Username or password are not required on the target computer to update the product.
This application works on all Windows platforms (32bit).

When installation has completed, the update source - referred to by ESET as 'update server' - should be properly set within the ESET configuration panel prior to updating the software (please refer to ESET Help file or watch the video tutorial below). The product can then be updated offline from that location.

How to configure your ESET product (assuming you installed the definitions into C:\Update)

* For ESET NOD 32 3.x/4.x
- Go to Control Center, Update modules, NOD 32 Update
- Click Servers, add C:\Update as new server and click accept/ok
- Close all opened windows and Update ESET NOD 32 from tray icon

* For ESET Smart Security 3.x/4.x
- Toggle to display Advanced mode
- Go to Setup, choose Advanced setup
- Go to Update, right to the field 'Update server', click Edit
- Under Update servers, add C:\Update as new server, click Add and OK
- Close all opened windows and Update ESET Smart Security from tray icon

 

DOWNLOAD

PCMag's Top 20 Free BlackBerry Apps

    image image 

         1. AP Mobile News                      10. Opera Mini 5 

As the end of the year approaches, you're bound to see lots of Best of 2009 type posts pop up aroud the web for all sorts of things. I know we'll be running our Cracky awards in the weeks ahead. Over at PC Mag today, Sascha Segan put up his holiday list of smartphone app freebies, covering 100 free apps on different platforms. For BlackBerry smartphones, Sascha went through 20 awesome and free BlackBerry apps:

  1. AP Mobile News 2.5.5
  2. BBNotePad 1.1.2
  3. Bloomberg Mobile 1.9.11.5
  4. Bolt Browser 1.5
  5. Facebook 1.7.0.18
  6. FlashLight 1.0.2
  7. Gmail 2.0.6
  8. GoogleMaps 3.2
  9. Ka-Glom 1.4
  10. Opera Mini 5.0 beta
  11. Poynt 1.4.2.72
  12. Qik Livestreaming 1.0.15
  13. Slacker Radio for BlackBerry 2.0.91
  14. ScoreMobile 1.2
  15. Stitcher Podcast Radio 1.2.14
  16. UberTwitter
  17. Viigo for BlackBerry 3.1.486
  18. Vlingo 3.2
  19. WeatherBug 1.0.0.874
  20. WorldMate Live 3.0.33.54

There you have it! Be sure to click over to PC Mag's full listing so you can get the blurb on each one. Are your favorite free BlackBerry apps on the list above? Did they miss any? If so, be sure to drop them in the comments to this post!

courtesy crackberry.com

5 Friends You Should Have at Work

image

By Tania Khadder for Excelle

You spend most of your day at work. Why not make some friends while you're there?

You won't just have more fun — you'll be happier and work better. Gallup research shows that developing close friendships at work boosts employee satisfaction by almost 50%.

And while we don't always choose our friends with career success in mind (company happy hour, ahem), there are some people in the workplace whose friendship can actually help us perform better on the job.

Whether or not you want to spend time with them after work, it would behoove you to develop at least a pleasant rapport with them.
Here's our top five:

1. The IT Manager
When your computer freezes, your emails disappear, or you can't for the life of you remember your password, there's only one person to turn to: the IT manager.

They may or may not be someone you'd actually hang out with outside of work, but make sure they're your buddy on the job.

Between making sure your computer won’t crash just before a big deadline and having the power to see everything you've ever done on the Internet, this is someone whose good side you definitely want to stay on.

And this means more than just smiling when you ask them for help. Be friendly even when you're not having a Windows crisis! Strike up conversations in the kitchen, find out where they're from, ask them what they're doing over the weekend. Be their friend and when the company orders a new MacBook Pro — and they get to choose who gets it — you'll be at the top of the list.

2. The Veteran
Chances are there's someone at your company who's been there longer than you. She knows the processes inside out. She's connected to all the right people. She was there when the company still offered free snacks, for goodness sake. She's your go-to gal for any question you have that you'd rather not ask your own manager.

But beware — all veterans were not created equal. Some are more willing to help than others, and it'll take some time and research to pinpoint your match. The veteran you want to make friends with is the one who has been most welcoming since you first started, the one who is patient and has always been comfortable answering your questions. Ideally, she's someone whose company you actually kind of enjoy, and who you have other things in common with. You don't want her to feel like your friendship is a one-way street.

3. The Cross-Department Crony
No matter how much you love your job, there are always things you need to vent about. And while it's helpful to talk to others who share your job function — and therefore your specific grievances — sometimes this kind of relationship can be dangerous territory. You might end up feeding off of one another's negativity or reinforcing their biased opinion. And what happens when one of you gets promoted? Talk about awkward!

A safer shoulder to cry on is one that belongs to someone who works in an entirely different department. He may be able to give you a more objective perspective on your situation than someone who’s deep in it with you. He's far enough removed from the situation and most importantly, your own boss. And finally, he may confess to you his frustrations with his own crazy department, which will make you feel better about yours!

4. The Office Manager/Receptionist
She keeps the stock room ... well ... stocked. She plans company outings and makes reservations for your business trips. Above all else, she makes sure the whole organization stays afloat. Don't you want to stay afloat with it? Get your office manager’s good side and, hopefully, she'll look out for you where she can. The secret is most office managers get a little tired of being ignored. Often, people only talk to her when they need something. Be a better friend than that! Go to lunch with her. Make her job easier by cleaning up after yourself. Refill the coffee maker when you've taken the last cup (you know you should be doing this anyway, right?).

Get to know your office manager above and beyond what she can do for you, and who knows where you’ll end up.

5. Your Work Best Friend
Need someone to cover for you when you have to leave the office a little early? Looking for a colleague to bounce crazy ideas off of? Someone you trust to share gossip with (when you just can't hold it in anymore)? Your work best friend's got you covered. According to Vital Friends author Tom Rath, people who have a “best friend” at the office are seven times more likely to be engaged in their work.

Your best friend is the person who you are absolutely closest to and, unlike the other friends on this list, you will probably spend a significant amount of time with him after work.

This type of closeness can be great for your productivity, your stress level, and your overall happiness — but it can also be dangerous if you have a falling out. Work hard to nurture this friendship but be prepared for the consequences if for some reason it goes awry.

10 Ways to Get ahead at The Office

Vince Thompson was willing to do whatever it took to make his company successful. He shifted from sales management to leading sales training when the need was there, and when the company asked him to run its Southwest territory, he relocated for the position.
"The knowledge I needed to change positions did not come from my predecessors or even bosses," Thompson says. "It came from mentors and colleagues within the company that were vested in my success and willing to teach more and provide honest feedback."
It's no good to sit still in any area of your life -- work is no exception. Thompson, author of "Ignited: Managers! Light Up Your Company and Career for More Power, More Purpose and More Success," says we should all try to live up to our potential as contributors and to do that, we have to aim to get ahead at some point.
"What's important to recognize is where your passions and strength lie and then to spend your time advancing them. Blindly following the upward path has lead some to find great dissatisfaction," Thompson says.
Even though you know you want to get ahead, situations arise that can sometimes prevent you from getting there. People get comfortable and stop trying, or they think that trying won't make a difference, says Deborah Brown-Volkman, president of Surpass Your Dreams, Inc., a New-York based career and mentor coaching company.
Individuals may also assume their employer would rather hire someone externally with prior experience, says Kim Hahn, founder and chief executive officer of Florida-based multimedia company Intellectual Capital Productions, Inc.
"There are lots of reasons why it's preferable to train a current employee in a new role rather than take a chance on a stranger," Hahn says. "It takes time and money to recruit and train a new employee, and even once that's accomplished, there's no guarantee that the new employee will be able to fit in with the style and culture of the corporation."
You're dying for more respect and recognition for your work, and you'd love to tackle bigger challenges, learn new skills and contribute more to your company. Don't sit back and wait for an opportunity to present itself. Your chance for change may be under your nose.
So, think you're ready to move up in the ranks? Here are 10 ways to get ahead with ease.


1. Identify your area of interest. Hahn suggests making a list of your talents and interests and applying the list to the kinds of work you want to perform in your new job. If you're not sure, contact your human resource department -- most have tests that can help you identify what's most satisfying to you.


2. Communicate your desires. Managers aren't mind-readers, so be explicit with your aspirations to move up, says Lisa Kojis, managing partner for staffing firm Princeton One. "Share your aspirations with your manager or superiors in the company, especially during review times so that management can help establish goals and benchmark for determining when is the right time to promote you." But...


3. Don't ask too soon. "You need to be a proven commodity at the job you were hired to do first," Kojis says. "Take on additional responsibilities if you can, without being asked and without receiving additional compensation for it."


4. Be a team player. Thompson suggests understanding the roles of the others on your team as much as possible. Kojis agrees, saying that you should explore other divisions in your parent company. "Be open to relocation for the next opportunity," she explains, "If your company is too bulky, go elsewhere or figure out what you will need to stand out."


5. Network. Make a list of all the people you count on for success and make sure they believe in your ability to contribute, Thompson says. "If your teammates are rooting for you, that'll mean a lot," he says. "Start by building or restoring trust and then focus on ways that you can deliver them value."


6. Seek out a mentor. You can learn a lot from people who have mastered the career you aspire to, Hahn says. "Most successful people love to share their secrets for success and are willing to give advice, make introductions and assist an up-and-comer in the organization."


7. Develop additional skills. Take inventory of what you can bring to the table and what new tools you'll need to acquire, Hahn says. You may need to take some in-house classes or get your master's degree.


8. Don't let money motivate you. Too often we judge things based solely on money and responsibility, Thompson says. "Think about how moving up enhances your skill set, makes you more valuable and affects your family and personal life," he says.


9. Ask for feedback. Know how your work is being evaluated and get your goals and evaluations in writing, Kojis says.


10. Do it again! Remember that this career change need not be your last, Hahn says. "Life is like a menu and you should sample many choices."


Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

Copyright 2007 Robert Half International. All rights reserved. The information contained in this article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without prior written authority.

Story Filed Monday, September 24, 2007 - 3:50 PM

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Responses to Lousy Pick Up Lines

When a man says: "Haven't I've seen you someplace before?" The appropriate response is: "Yes, that's why I don't go there anymore."

 

When man says : "Is this seat empty?" The appropriate response is: "Yes, and if you sit there, this one will be empty, too."

 

When a man says: "Your place or mine?" The appropriate response is: "Both. You go to yours, and I'll go to mine."

 

When a man says: "So, what do you do for a living?" The best response is: "I'm a female impersonator."

 

When a man says: "I would go to the end of the world for you." The appropriate response is: "But would you stay there?"

courtesy CAR TALK SHOW

10 Bizarre Home Cures That Really Work

Ease pesky health issues with vodka, pencils and more.

Of course there are some health staples you should never be without—bandages or OTC pain relievers come to mind. But you can treat or cure a surprising number of minor ailments with these unexpected household objects and foods.
Next time you burn your tongue on piping hot pizza or come down with an unshakeable case of hiccups, keep these tips from The Big Doctors Book of Home Remedies in mind:

1 of 10

image

Home cure: Vodka
Use it for: Foot odor
If your feet smell less than swell, wipe them down with a vodka-soaked washcloth to get rid of the stench. It’s the same principle as rubbing alcohol (which works equally well if you’d rather drink your Grey Goose). Vodka contains alcohol, which is antiseptic and drying, so it destroys odor-causing fungus and bacteria and dries out the moisture that lets these organisms grow.

2 of 10

image

Home cure: Pencil
Use it for: Headaches
When you’re stressed or anxious, you subconsciously clench your jaw and teeth; this strains the muscle that connects your jaw to your temples and can trigger a tension headache. A solution: “Put a pencil between your teeth but don’t bite,” says Fred Sheftell, M.D., director of the New England Center for Headache in Stamford, Conn. You automatically relax your jaw muscle to do this, which can prevent the pain.

3 of 10

image

Home cure: Yogurt
Use it for: Bad breath
Preliminary research shows that the live bacteria in yogurt can suppress levels of bad breath–causing bacteria. “Good” bugs in yogurt may crowd out the “bad” stink-causing bacteria or create an unhealthy environment for it, says John C. Moon, DDS, a cosmetic and general dentist in Half Moon Bay, Calif.

4 of 10

image

Home cure: Listerine
Use it for: Blisters
The classic breath freshener—and powerful antiseptic—can also do a number on blisters. Moisten a cotton ball with Listerine and dab it on your blister three times a day until the area dries out and no longer hurts, says Janet Maccaro, Ph.D., CNC, a holistic nutritionist and certified nutrition consultant in Scottsdale, Ariz.

5 of 10

image

Home cure: Tennis ball
Use it for: Achy feet
For an easy, free mini massage that stretches and soothes your arches, slip off your shoes and roll each foot over a tennis ball, golf ball or soup can for a minute or two. To cool throbbing feet, roll them over a bottle of frozen water.

6 of 10

image

Home cure: Sugar
Use it for: Hiccups
A teaspoon of sugar swallowed dry can stop hiccups in minutes, says Andre Dubois, M.D., Ph.D., a professor of medicine in the emerging infectious diseases graduate program at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md. The sugar is believed to modify the nerve muscles that would otherwise tell the muscles in the diaphragm to contract spasmodically and contribute to hiccups.

7 of 10

image

Home cure: Olives or lemons
Use it for: Motion sickness
Motion sickness causes you to produce excess saliva, which can make you nauseated, some doctors say. Compounds in olives called tannins dry out your mouth and can help soothe the queasies. Pop a couple at the first hint of nausea; sucking on a lemon can also do the trick.

8 of 10

image

Home cure: Vegetable oil
Use it for: Brittle nails
In order to really fix dry nails, you have to address the problem of too little moisture. In addition to using hand lotion regularly, try this nighttime treatment from dermatologist Dee Anna Glaser, M.D.: Before you go to bed, apply vegetable oil to your hands, then put on vinyl gloves or wrap your hands in plastic wrap to keep the oil off your bedding. The hand coverings force the oil to penetrate your skin, preventing your hands and nails from getting too dry.

9 of 10

image

Home cure: Peppermint or cinnamon gum
Use it for: The stress of a traffic-packed commute
In a NASA-funded study, scientists from Wheeling Jesuit University monitored the responses of 25 college students during simulated driving scenarios. The volunteers reported that peppermint lowered their feelings of fatigue or anxiety by 20 percent. Peppermint and cinnamon each decreased frustration by 25 percent, increased alertness by 30 percent and made the ride seem 30 percent shorter. Not a gum or candy person? Buy peppermint or cinnamon aromatherapy diffusers for the car.

10 of 10

image

Home cure: Apple
Use it for: Whiter teeth
Crunchy fruits and vegetables act as little toothbrushes when you chew them; they have a natural cleansing action that works on tooth enamel to remove stains. In particular, “apples have a gentle malic acid that also helps dissolve stains,” says Jennifer Jabow, DDS, of Park 56 Dental in New York City.

Compiled by Lauren Gelman, Prevention from MSN Health & Fitness

Thursday, November 26, 2009

You Know It's Time to Diet When...

Still from “Car Talk Show” . . .

You Know It's Time to Diet When...

  • You dance and it makes the band skip.
  • You are diagnosed with the flesh eating virus, and the doctor gives you 22 more years to live.
  • You go to the zoo and the elephants throw you peanuts.
  • Your driver's license says, "Picture continued on other side."
  • You ran away and they had to use all four sides of the milk carton for your picture.
  • You ask your partner if an outfit makes your butt look big, and he says, "You mean your haunches?"
  • School kids ask you to stand in front of the sun, so they can experience a full eclipse.
  • Seismologists monitor your movements from their labs.
  • You see the toilet quake in fear when you get near.
  • You go for a dip in the ocean, and Miami goes under water.
  • The UN Secretary General offers you honorary statehood.
  • On a Caribbean cruise, the captain orders you to stay in the center of the ship.
  • The left side of your car seems to bottom out a lot.
  • Your street always seem to have more potholes than other streets.

check out more from cartalk.com

Great Comebacks to Pickup Lines

From: Various Car Talk Listeners

listen to these funny/hilarious comebacks to pick-up lines I couldn't help myself laughing to from one of my favorite podcasts called “Car Talk Show”

If he says: can I buy you a drink?
You say: actually, I'd rather have the money.

If he says: I'm a photographer. I've been looking for a face like yours.
You say: I'm a plastic surgeon. I’ve been looking for a face like yours.

If he says: didn't we go on a date once? Or was it twice?
You say: must've been once. I never make the same mistake twice.

If he says: go on, don't be shy. Ask me out.
You say: okay, get out.

If he says: I think I could make you very happy.
You say: why? Are you leaving?

If he says: will you go out with me this Saturday?
You say: sorry. I'm having a headache this weekend.

 

come check out more HERE!!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

How to Clean your Worm Infected iPhone

Recently we covered an article about the new iPhone worm that has been going around which affects users with OpenSSH installed and have not changed the default password. It started off innocent and escalated to something more threatening.

While there is of course the ability to change your password, some of you might not be so lucky and worms could be crawling your iPhone. Do not fret, as today I bring you some options for cleaning your iPhone. While not all of these options will bring you success, at least you'll know what your options are.

You'll need to download a copy of MobileTerminal from Cydia before hand, so if you don't already have that, go grab it now.
There are three worms currently going around, and of course lucky for us, each one requires a different fix.

Open MobileTerminal and use these commands to delete the unwanted files. These commands are case-sensitive.


1. The ikee/Rick Astley worm
This crude worm is non-threatening but unfortunately very ugly to look at.

In order to fix this ridiculous worm, we'll need to start up MobileTerminal and get into the root account directory. You will be required to enter a password. If you haven't changed it yet, the password is "alpine." Enter the following into MobileTerminal pressing enter after each command.

Quote:

su root
rm /bin/poc-bbot
rm /bin/sshpass
rm /var/log/youcanbeclosertogod.jpg
rm /var/mobile/LockBackground.jpg
rm /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.ikey.bbot.plist
rm /var/lock/bbot.lock

If your phone stll has the picture of Rick Astley, unfortunately it can get tricky and messy, but you will need to remove these files as well to get rid of Rick.

Quote:

rm /usr/libexec/cydia/startup
rm /usr/libexec/cydia/startup.so
rm /usr/libexec/cydia/startup-helper
rm /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.saurik.Cydia.Startup.plist

The downfall to removing these last few files will require you to reinstall Cydia unfortunately.


2. iPhone/Privacy A:
This bad boy likes to grab your personal information and send it to whomever it wishes
Slimy one this one is. In order to remove this stinky worm, you'll need to use an AntiVirus program. Intego's VirusBarrier X5 works great on the Mac and will catch it no problem. Unfortunately those on a PC don't get any useful tips on what virus program will detect this, but if you know, feel free to share your tip!
Of course you could also do a restore and that would solve your problem, but doing so you may lose personal information. Of course if you go this route, and install OpenSSH again, please for the love of god change your password.


3. The Third Worm (Insert Snappy Virus Name):
This one is a bit more rare and pertains more to your location.
It copies personal data from your iPhone and also redirects online banking customers of a Dutch bank to a phishing web site.
Unfortunately I have no good news for you if your looking for a quick fix on this one. You'll need to do a full restore to remove this pesky bugger. And of course the same applies, if you Jailbreak again, please for the love of god change your password!
If you have any other tips for removing these worms, please share your experiences. I have yet to even talk to someone who has been affected by one of these, so no true experiences to share.

Thanks to iSmashiPhone for the de-worming tips.


This article was written at ModMyi.com

Monday, November 16, 2009

Ways to Control and Conquer Stress

It's hard to say, exactly, what the worst part about stress is. Is it the tightness that starts somewhere around your solar plexus, then extends out to your toenails, earlobes, and cerebellum? Is it randomly snapping at innocent—and, occasionally, quite guilty—coworkers and loved ones? Is it sobbing quietly behind the closed door of a men's-room stall?
Uh, sorry, did we say that last one out loud?
The point is, stress attacks in all sorts of ways—which means that if you want to control it, contain it, conquer it, you need to fire back in kind. That's why we've spent the past several months devouring studies and cross-examining experts to find the 31 best stress-busting tips of all time. We won't lie—it was a bear of a job, and there were desperate moments when we thought we actually smelled smoke coming from the old cerebellum (see quiet sobbing in men's room, above). But when we sat down and read the advice we'd compiled—and then started following it—we suddenly felt much, much better.
Soon you will, too.

Drink More OJ

Researchers at the University of Alabama fed rats 200 milligrams of vitamin C twice a day and found that it nearly stopped the secretion of stress hormones. If it relaxes a rat, why not you? Two 8-ounce glasses of orange juice daily gives you the vitamin C you need.

Put a Green Dot on Your Phone

This is your secret reminder to take one deep breath before you answer a call, says Susan Siegel, of the Program on Integrative Medicine at the University of North Carolina school of medicine. Not only will you feel better, but you'll sound more confident.

Spend Quality Time with a Canine

Yours or someone else's. According to research at the State University of New York at Buffalo, being around a pet provides more stress relief than being around a two-legged companion. As if we needed a study to determine that.

Listen to Music at Work

And make it the blandest playlist you can create. According to a study at Pennsylvania's Wilkes University, Muzak lowers your stress levels at work, while also reducing the risk of the common cold. We knew Celine Dion had a purpose.

Run Fast

Bike hard. Punch the heavy bag. And we don't mean your mother-in-law. A University of Missouri at Columbia study found that 33 minutes of high-intensity exercise helps lower stress levels more than working out at a moderate pace. What's more, the benefits last as long as 90 minutes afterward.

Say You're Sorry

What, now the kid is screaming on a crowded airplane? Immediately apologize to everyone around you. By acknowledging that you may have made a mistake or hurt someone else, you can help clear the air, and that will reduce your stress level, says Charles Emery, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology at Ohio State University.

 

Have Sex

Either with or without a partner. An orgasm releases beta-endorphins, the body's natural, less punk-rock version of heroin, so you'll definitely be feeling no pain, says Nuccitelli.

Go for a Swim

During the day, your legs collect pools of lymphatic fluid, an excess of which can make you uncomfortable and irritable—until you take a dip, says Dr. Liponis. "It squeezes all the lymphatic fluid back into your heart and out through your kidneys," he says. Think of the postswim pee as liquid stress leaving your body.

4 Secret Sources of Aging

Sunlight, cigarettes and botched plastic surgeries will turn your mug into a catcher's mitt, but they're not the only offenders.

Sunlight, cigarettes and botched plastic surgeries will turn your mug into a catcher's mitt, but they're not the only offenders. The sneakier culprits are the threats you expose yourself to every day without even thinking about—everything from what you eat and drink to how you manage your emotions. Here are four habits that can add wrinkles to your face, wear down your heart and even undermine your manhood—and how to avoid them. You can learn more ways to stay young, fit, and vital, for life in Age Erasers for Men.

Eating processed foods

The deep grooves running from nose to mouth—also known as "smile lines"—are called nasolabial folds. These result from thinning underlying tissue. Dermatologists can prescribe high-end volumizers such as Restylane and Sculptra, but you can take action in the kitchen by avoiding excess sugar, which can make collagen more fragile, putting you at greater risk for wrinkles. Similarly, a diet high in white flour can also create what are called glycation reactions between molecules in the skin. This reaction binds collagen and decreases elasticity, so the skin becomes more susceptible to fracture. Base your diet around the 125 best foods for men, and you'll avoid added sugar, fat, and salt, and consume more of the nutrients you need.

Guzzling alcohol

A six-pack is not a sleep aid. Alcohol messes with the normal sleep cycle, especially the back end of the cycle. "Four hours into sleep, alcohol wears off and leaves you in an excitable state," says Alex Chediak, M.D., medical director of the Miami Sleep Disorders Center. And you need that deep, slow-wave, restorative sleep to keep your body looking—and feeling—young. Moderating your booze intake is key. You're 97 percent more likely to reach age 85 if you keep your daily alcohol consumption to fewer than three drinks a day, according to a study of 6,000 patients in the Journal of the American Medical Association. And remember to make one of those drinks a pinot noir. A recent review in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research suggests that resveratrol, a compound commonly found in red wine, may prevent or delay the onset of chronic disease.

Losing your temper

Emotional stress causes the release of immune compounds called histamines, which can cause inflammation. "If you reduce inflammation, you reduce the risk of death from a heart attack," says Steven Nissen, M.D., chairman of cardiovascular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. A Duke University study found that when angry men took a multivitamin for six months, their levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6)—an inflammation marker that may increase the risk of heart disease—went from being elevated to as low as those measured in calm guys. The next time you're seeing red, take a deep breath and try some of these 52 ways to conquer stress. Chronic inflammation is also a serious, but easily overlooked, source of fine lines and wrinkles, says Carl Thornfeldt, M.D., in Fruitland, Idaho. When the skin puffs up, the lattice of protein, fats and oils tends to rupture, creating damage that is difficult to reverse.

Using Harmful Lotions and Potions

Read the list of ingredients in your moisturizers, shampoos and hair dyes closely. Many of the chemicals they contain are benign; others warrant a better-safe-than-sorry approach. Gary Ginsberg, Ph.D., a toxicologist at the Connecticut Department of Public Health in Hartford, says to steer clear of ubiquitous toxins such as 1,4-dioxane, phthalates, formaldehyde, hydroquinone and parabens, which researchers have linked to a host of health concerns, including obesity, male fertility problems and cancer. Instead, opt for products with labels that read "sulfate free," "paraben free," "fragrance free," and "PPD free." Check out the 36 best new grooming products for men to find everything you need to look great—without putting your health on the line.

 

Provided by Men's Health

Friday, November 13, 2009

How to Heal a Soaked wet Blackberry 8900

I recently dropped my blackberry into water. I thought I had lost my baby forever. Then I said to myself, if my Samsung could survive this then my BB will surely past the test. I took the phone out of the water dripping H20. These are the few steps I followed to get my BB back to life:

1. took the battery, sim and memory card out ASAP

2. Tried to get it dried the best way how (wiping it clean, shaking it to get the water out, etc.)

3. I also tried drying it by holding it to a fast blowing fan, but it still wouldn’t come on when I put the battery back in

4. Then I remembered a blackberry forum post a friend sent me which talked about leaving the BB in a bag of dry uncooked rice. What I didn’t know was how long to leave it in there. I did it first for about 30mins, took it out and tried it. Still didn’t work. I then put it back and left it in the bag over night. The purpose of the rice is to soak the moisture out.

5. An alternative to the rice is leave the device with the battery removed, sitting at 3 days on top of a heat emitting electronic device, like a cable converter box, stereo amp, something with the dry heat.

6. The key to recovery is several days without putting the battery in to check it. This has been noted to work for BB Storms too. Might take a little longer with the storm. You might even have to sun dry it after leavin it a day in the rice bag.

* Remember, electricity + water = not good.

Monday, November 9, 2009

What is the Difference Between http and https?

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (http) is a system for transmitting and receiving information across the Internet. Http serves as a request and response procedure that all agents on the Internet follow so that information can be rapidly, easily, and accurately disseminated between servers, which hold information, and clients, who are trying to access it. Http is commonly used to access html pages, but other resources can be utilized as well through http. In many cases, clients may be exchanging confidential information with a server, which needs to be secured in order to prevent unauthorized access. For this reason, https, or secure http, was developed by Netscape corporation to allow authorization and secured transactions.

 

In many ways, https is identical to http, because it follows the same basic protocols. The http or https client, such as a Web browser, establishes a connection to a server on a standard port. When a server receives a request, it returns a status and a message, which may contain the requested information or indicate an error if part of the process malfunctioned. Both systems use the same Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) scheme, so that resources can be universally identified. Use of https in a URI scheme rather than http indicates that an encrypted connection is desired.

There are some primary differences between http and https, however, beginning with the default port, which is 80 for http and 443 for https. Https works by transmitting normal http interactions through an encrypted system, so that in theory, the information cannot be accessed by any party other than the client and end server. There are two common types of encryption layers: Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), both of which encode the data records being exchanged.

When using an https connection, the server responds to the initial connection by offering a list of encryption methods it supports. In response, the client selects a connection method, and the client and server exchange certificates to authenticate their identities. After this is done, both parties exchange the encrypted information after ensuring that both are using the same key, and the connection is closed. In order to host https connections, a server must have a public key certificate, which embeds key information with a verification of the key owner's identity. Most certificates are verified by a third party so that clients are assured that the key is secure.

Https is used in many situations, such as log-in pages for banking, forms, corporate log ons, and other applications in which data needs to be secure. However, if not implemented properly, https is not infallible, and therefore it is extremely important for end users to be wary about accepting questionable certificates and cautious with their personal information while using the Internet.

 

FOR THE FAINT OF HEART!!

The "S" in HTTPS indicates a secure site. If you visit a web site or web page, and look at the address in the web browser, it will likely begin with the following: http://. This means that the web site is talking to your browser using the regular 'unsecured' language. In other If you fill out a form on the web site, someone might see the information you send to that site. This is why you never ever enter your credit card number in an http web site! But if the web address begins with https://, your computer is talking to the web site in a secure code that no one can eavesdrop on.

If a web site ever asks you to enter your credit card information, you should look to see if the web address begins with https://. If it doesn't, there's no way you're going to enter sensitive information like a credit card number!

Beware

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

40 Unwritten Rules to Live By

1. Never ask a woman if she wants to have sex by asking her if she wants to have sex.

2. It is more important to have good health insurance than good health.

3. Don't bluff more than once in a poker game with friends.

4. When one of the big bosses at work unexpectedly says something really cheery and friendly to you, he means absolutely nothing by it. Not even if he's your father.

5. Wear as much black as you can. It makes you look slimmer and cooler. But avoid black jeans.

6. When someone in your family is going through a divorce, always side with the blood relative.

7. Pointedly praising something unusual a person owns or has done will make you appear far smarter in his eyes than a 10-minute discourse on world events.

8. Yes, speak softly and carry a big stick. But don't mumble. And don't swing the stick.

9. The man who can't dance, can't converse, and can't provide psychological support to a woman is only half a man; the other half can't cook, can't clean, and badly wants a drink.

10. Do not get a visible tattoo larger than your penis.

11. Be aware that most people are operating on a very condensed version of the 10 Commandments: the part about murder.

12. There will be times when good neighbors are more important than a good neighborhood.

13. Telling a woman, "You're a great person," is taken as the lead-in to a confession that you don't love her.

14. Trying to "teach someone a lesson"never works.

15. Easy on the mayo!

16. Be careful about publicly discussing your hobbies, as most hobbies strike people as somewhat pathetic: most notably, collecting stamps, coins, or anything else, bird-watching, bowling, rockhounding, spelunking, table tennis, poetry, dog shows, chat rooms, polka music, yoga, herpetology, marathon running, and religion. The only hobbies you can safely own up to when among people you need to impress are fly-fishing and golf.

17. Never buy anyone a gift at a kiosk.

18. Never wear clothing that your coworkers avoid—the bow tie, the suspenders, the green suit. While you might think you're expressing your individuality, your colleagues will perceive it as a rejection of their group culture; you'll become a person who probably can't be trusted.

19. Do not bring lunch to work.

20. Rainbows are God's way of reminding us that beauty is an optical illusion, except in sports cars.

21. You will never become a rock star.

22. As you go through life, you will discover that more and more of the subjects you studied in college are useless, with the exception of abnormal psychology.

23. Never make any sort of generalization concerning gender, even if it's so true God himself would back you up.

24. Telling a person in management, "I'm a bit of a philosopher," means you're a total loser.

25. When running in the park on a hot day, do not take off your shirt if you are a really hairy sonofabitch.

26. Never hesitate to admit the error of your ways, when under oath in federal court.

27. Always wear freshly laundered or pressed clothing to work. Even one wrinkle will have certain coworkers creating—and perhaps sharing—scenarios of debauchery or financial distress.

28. Do not say hi to a perfect stranger in any town with a population over 2,000. The friendly gesture in Beaver Dam Falls is a scary act of aggression in Boston.

29. Always imply, in every possible way, that the person you're talking to is smarter, better-looking, slimmer, and more successful than they really are.

30. When choosing a bottle of wine to bring to a dinner party, spend between 10 and 15 dollars. That's for a bottle, not a gallon.

31. Do not come on to the new female pastor, unless she winks at you during the sermon.

32. An ounce of appearance is worth a pound of substance.

33. The way a woman looks, acts, and talks says nothing about how good she is in bed.

34. It is okay to admit in conversation that your accountant used his imagination to save you $500 in taxes, but never admit you saved 5 bucks by refilling the vodka bottle in the minibar with water.

35. Never get into a pissing match via e-mail. If he forwards, you lose.

36. Never suggest to another person at the gym that he's not working hard enough to accomplish anything.

37. People who live in glass houses are idiots.

38. Going insane while watching a great football game is a sign of mental health.

39. When a man meets another man, bonding begins when they both say things they hope no one else hears.

40. The person who sincerely says to you, "I want to get to know you better," is a person you don't want to know at all.

Sync Facebook Contacts, Events, And Birthdays With Outlook

Here I am going to review the step by step guide which will allow facebook users to sync contacts, events, and birthdays. For the latter two, we will be using fbCal, since there doesn’t appear to be any better solution out there at the moment.

First lets begin with Contacts. There are two apps which can help to sync contacts from Facebook to Outlook, they are OutSync & Fonebook. Both have almost similar usage and restrictions. These apps can only import the names, photos, and birthdays, but cannot import the contact numbers or website URLs, this is because Facebook does not allow it’s collection.

OutSync

Get OutSync

Get Fonebook

Now for importing events and calendars, follow the review here for fbCal. Hit the Microsoft Outlook buttons under both Events and Birthdays to add them respectively.

fccalapp outlook

That’s it. If you know about any other tool which can help sync Facebook with other services or apps, feel free to share it with us. Enjoy!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Gmail account security tips

As part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, we recently posted about how to pick a smart password. Having a strong password goes a long way in helping to protect your data, but there are a number of additional steps you can take to help you keep your Gmail account secure:
1. Remember to sign out. Especially when using a public computer, be careful to sign out of your Google account when you're finished. Just click the "Sign out" link at the top right corner of your inbox. If you're using a public or shared computer and want to be extra thorough, you can also clear the browser's cache, cookies and history. Then, completely close the browser. On your personal computer, you can also lock your computer with a password-protected screensaver if you need to step away momentarily. Learn the best ways to lock your screen in Windows or in Mac OS X. Forgot to sign out? Open up a new Gmail session on another computer and use Gmail's remote sign out feature to close any sessions that might still be open elsewhere.
2. Be careful about sending certain sensitive information via email. Once you send an email, you're no longer in control of the information it contains. The recipients, if they so choose, could forward the email or post its contents in a public place. Even if you know and trust the people you're emailing, that information may become exposed if their accounts become compromised or they get a virus on their machines. As a rule of thumb, should you need to provide a credit card number or financial account number to respond to a message, provide it over the phone or in person — not over email. And never share your password with anyone. Google does not email you to ask you for your password, your social security number, or other personal information — so don't send it!
3. Enable "Always use HTTPS." Any time you visit a webpage, your computer needs to send and receive information across the Internet. HTTPS is used to encrypt data as it is transmitted between computers on the Internet, so look for the "https" in the URL bar of your browser to indicate that the connection between your computer and Gmail's servers is encrypted. We use HTTPS on the Gmail login page, and you can choose to protect your entire Gmail session with HTTPS as well. HTTPS can make your mail slower, so we let you make the choice for yourself. Open Settings and choose "Always use HTTPS" on the General tab if you want to turn it on.
4. Be wary of unexpected attachments.To help protect you from viruses and malware, Gmail automatically scans every attachment when it's delivered to you, and again each time you open a message. Attachments you send are also scanned. That said, no system is foolproof, so if you happen to get an email from a friend with an attachment you didn't expect, don't be afraid to ask the sender what it is before you decide whether to open it.
5. Make sure your account recovery information is up-to-date. Your account recovery information helps you regain access to your account if you ever forget your password, or if someone gains access to your account without your permission. We currently offer several paths to account recovery. Every Gmail user must select a security question and answer — be sure to choose a combination that is easy for you to remember, but hard for others to guess or come across by investigating. Don't choose a question like "What is my favorite color?" as others may easily guess the answer. We also encourage you to provide a secondary email address and/or a mobile phone number, so we can send you a link to reset your password if you lose access to your account.
You can find additional security tips for Gmail in our Help Center. Learn more about protecting your computer, website, and personal information by checking out our security series on the Google blog or visiting http://www.staysafeonline.org.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Windows 7 and an empty All Programs (and how I fixed it)

I ran into this issue a few days ago and after a good bit of research, and trial and error, found a viable, and actually pretty simple, fix. Wanting to pay it forward, here’s a quick write up. Hope this helps…

Problem:

An upgraded from Vista SP1 to Win7 RC (7100), my All Programs was blank (see below).

image image

Data Points:
  • All the programs, shortcuts & folders in the All Users and current user Start Menu/Programs folders were there
  • The Shell Folders and User Shell Folders in the registry (both current user and local machine) were pointing to the right folders
  • Permissions on said folders were all set as expected
  • Able to reproduce on BOTH a Clean Windows 7 RC install and upgrade (but it’s much more likely to been seen in a upgrade).
  • To reproduce on a clean install, open either All Users or current user’s Start Menu and create a ton of shortcuts. I took the IE shortcut, copied and pasted it until I had 80+ copies. At that point, even the lean install’s All Programs broke. After deleting those copies (and end-tasking and running Explorer) the Clean’s All Programs came back.
Research:

This link lead me to a true fix for the issue, Windows 7 Forums - Program Icons Missing in All Programs Menu

Root Cause:

It seems that Windows 7 doesn’t currently like having too many shortcuts/folders in the Start Menu/Programs folder. With something close to 70+’ish shortcuts/folders in the combined All Users & User Start Menu/Program folders (common in an upgrade scenario) the All Programs list will end up being blank/empty

Resolution:

Move a number of shortcuts/folders from Start Menu/Programs into a new subfolder, like Start Menu/Programs/Stuff, and then restart Windows Explorer. Wash, rinse, repeat until your All Programs works.

Quick Resolution Walk Through:

Disclaimer: This is what worked for me, on two systems. Your mileage may vary. You do this at your own risk and while this should not break your system (nor is it really even dangerous), take care and do it slow. You assume all the risk and liabilities in this process and I assume none (i.e. don’t blame me if you jack up your system). This resolution is provided as a good faith effort to help, yada, yada, yada..

a) Left click on the Windows orb to open the Start Menu

b) Right click on the All Programs. You should see a menu like the one pictured below

image

c) Left click on the Open menu item (aka the current user’s, yours, Start Menu). You should see something like what is pictured below, though the actual contents may be a little different

image

d) Double left click on the Programs folder. You should see something what is pictured below, though the actual contents will be different, you should see a “bunch” of folders

image

e) Create a new subfolder called “Stuff” (no quotes, and you can name it what ever you really want too)

image

f) Select a bunch of the folders/shortcuts and drag (i.e. move) them into “Stuff”

image

image

g) Start Task Manager, go to the Processes tab, select “explorer” and then click on the “End Process” button. This will kill the explorer process, taskbar, start menu, etc.

This step is very important. Unless you restart Windows Explorer your results (i.e. what you see in All Programs) will not be reliable. Believe me, I’ve found this out after many false starts. Make a change, kill and restart Explorer. Wash, rinse, repeat…

image

h) Now in Task Manager, select the File menu, Run submenu.

image

i) Enter “explorer” (no quotes) and click OK. This will restart Explorer, and the taskbar, Windows orb, etc should all re-appear

image

j) Try your All Programs now… If enough things have been moved, you should be good!  :)

image

k) If you’re All Programs is still empty, then repeat the above steps in the All Users Start Menu folder (i.e. the “Open All Users” menu choice when you right click on “All Programs”)

**note** my suggestion is to move some more shortcuts/folders into a subfolder and see if that helps.