BRUCEB NEWS
How To Make Windows Less Annoying
This is a collection of default settings in Windows that I change to make computers less annoying. It reduces the number of ads for Microsoft disguised as "tips" and "suggestions," and it softens some of Windows' rough edges. There are tips below in these categories:...
NEW MICROSOFT HARDWARE
Microsoft is rolling out a completely new lineup of mice and keyboards. Here’s the Microsoft press release. The lineup includes new wireless equipment, plus a smaller mouse sized...
SAM & MAX HIT THE ROAD AGAIN
LucasArts announced that another game is in the works featuring Sam & Max, “popular madcap dog and rabbity thing.” Here’s the press release. The original game, Sam & Max...
WINDOWS XP SERVICE PACK 1
Service Pack 1 for Windows XP will be available at some point during the next ten days. It’s a big update, full of security fixes and a few new features (including built-in...
WORDPERFECT: THE DEATH WATCH CONTINUES
Corel has announced a couple of bundling deals for slimmed down versions of the WordPerfect suite. Hewlett Packard is installing WordPerfect on all of its Pavilion computers, and...
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PALLADIUM AND “TRUSTED COMPUTING”
Here’s an extensive discussion of the “Palladium” software that Microsoft is developing for future versions of Windows, to work with hardware designed by the “Trusted Computing...
FREE AMAZON SHIPPING
Amazon has improved its free shipping offer – starting today, you can get free shipping for any purchase over $25.
THE TEN IMMUTABLE LAWS OF SECURITY
This is important reading for everyone that owns a computer: The Ten Immutable Laws Of Security. The article has a short, non-technical discussion of each one. Highly...
USB 2.0 vs FIREWIRE
There’s two new ways to connect devices to your computer, USB 2.0 and Firewire (aka IEEE 1394). Each requires new hardware to support it – either a new card added into your...
GATEWAY COMPETES WITH IMAC
Gateway is taking aim at Apple Computer and the flat-panel iMac. Gateway has had an all-in-one, flat-panel-based Profile PC series for far longer than Apple’s new iMac. The new...
NEW PATCH FOR INTERNET EXPLORER
There’s another update for Internet Explorer versions 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0, to fix a slew of vulnerabilities that have come to light recently. Here’s an article with details....
ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY DEMANDS CENSORSHIP RIGHTS ON WEB SURFING
The recording industry heavyweights - the usual gang, including Vivendi, Sony, Bertelsmann and Warner Bros - have now filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against a number of...
LEGISLATORS ASK ASHCROFT TO JAIL FILE SWAPPERS
Another strong indication that executives and legislators are actually becoming insane whenever copyright issues are discussed. Nineteen of the most senior members of Congress...
BIGGER HARD DRIVES AHEAD
Hard drive manufacturers see demand for bigger drives ahead when we start storing digital video on devices integrated into our entertainment centers. You can already buy 120Gb...
BLUBSTER
AudioGalaxy is gone, Kazaa is loaded with spyware, Morpheus is having legal problems. The new peer-to-peer file sharing network getting the most buzz is Blubster. I don't have...
TELEVISION LOCKDOWN IN PROGRESS
The FCC has proposed draft regulations on two issues: (1) Beginning July 1, 2004, all new televisions with 36” screens or larger must include digital receivers; in 2007, all new...