BTE rocks!

Please crank up your Internet Explorer. Yep, the day after Firefox 1.5 comes out I am asking everyone to open Internet Explorer. You know the big blue "E" thangy. Now that you are using Microsoft's browser please click on this link:

Better Than Ezra

My wonderful, pretty, neat, wayyyyy kewl, geeky daughter and a friend put this together. Hey, it's a nice piece of work!!! She also plays a mean cowbell!

"If I ever die of a heart attack, I hope it will be from playing my stereo too loud."
-Wobblynife

You Gotta Love It

Firefox was one year old on November 9, 2005. They recently celebrated their 100 millionth download. This is awesome. The whole concept of Mozilla.org is fantastic. Opensource technology with customer input and they actually listen? Wow! If you are clicking the big blue "E" and tired of popups, spyware infestation, etc., here's a super alternative with super support.

Don't like Outlook or Outlook Express or want to try a great alternative email client? Try Mozilla's Thunderbird. As they say, "reclaim your inbox." Simple to download, simple to install and very user friendly. Great tutorials on the website. This is a really good looking email client and it will interface with GMail (best damned email service on the planet!). Spam no more!

One last note: Don't get too zealous and delete Internet Explorer! This is a big NO NO. BTW, the newest, greatest, shiniest, spiffiest, fantabulous version (1.5) of Firefox will be out this afternoon. Just click on the button below.

"There is no strong performance without a little fanaticism in the performer."
-Emerson

Duh!

If you don't want spyware, adware, thiefware, malware, garbageware, or whateverware you choose to call it, don't use Yahoo. They freely admit that they use Claria and 180. The messenger program can be installed without the rest of their junk. You can also go into Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel and remove everything Yahoo, leaving JUST the messenger thangy. Google search the words spyware and Yahoo together then read a few million articles like this one at AdwareReport.

If you are an AOL user, may the Good Lord help you. After removing several AOHell things from a computer yesterday the memory usage dropped over 200megs on start up!!!! This is absurd. Can someone tell me what AOL Hosting is about? Wait...nevermind - I really don't want to know. Please remember, if you exceed the amount of memory in your computer the hard drive is called on to step in and help. That means constant spinning of the platters. Friction and heat are NOT our friends when it comes to the internal workings of yo' hard drive.

There , I am through banging my head against the wall.

"There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life."
-Frank Zappa

Under the Tree and Dreaming

Last week ArsTechnica posted an in depth article about Christmas gifts for geeks. There are links, pictures, staff choices, and the prices range from a few dollars into the thousands. Of course the AIBO was listed and a remote control INDOOR model airplane. Boy howdy, there's two gifts on my list for Santa. BTW, if anyone sees that dude in the red suit with the big white beard, please tell him I am still lookin' fer 'em. Check it out -> ArsTechnica 2005 holiday shopping guide.

Ahhhh, the smell of commercial Christmas is in the air. Why can we not do away with all this gift giving and learn to celebrate the Spirit of the season? We could enjoy fellowship and harmony instead of over-extending budgets to please everyone with the appropriate gift. Sorry, scroogeitis has hit early this year. If shopping was a pleasant experience things might be better. When did all these rude people invade our gentle, polite South?

Everyone knows I am mad at Sony about the rootkit/spyware thangy. Still, one of those Aibo robot dogs will be accepted at the Beach House - if you have two large ($2000.00) to burn, LOL. Enjoy Sunday.

"...people in every direction... no words exchanged, no time to exchange them, and all the little ants are marching..."
-Dave Mathews

There's More Turkeys Around this Weekend

"It's being called the worst computer worm of the year -- a fast-spreading Internet threat that looks like an official e-mail from the CIA or FBI but can leave your computer wide open to intruders."

You can read the rest of the article at the Washington Post. If you own a computer you need to pay attention to what is said in this informative post. The Sober X virus is another slap in our faces by the ne'er do wells that write this garbage. If you are infected your personal information will be gleaned. Don't treat this lightly.

Everyone have a casual weekend and put some gravy on that turkey; it's most likely drying out by now.

"One of the most striking differences between a cat and a lie is that a cat has only nine lives."
-Mark Twain

Emailers beware

Have you seen this?

Dear Sir/Madam,

We have logged your IP-address on more than 30 illegal Web sites.

Important: Please answer our questions! The list of questions are attached.

Yours faithfully,
Steven Allison
Federal Bureau of Investigation-FBI-
935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW , Room 3220
Washington , DC 20535
Phone: (202) 324-30000

Do yourself a favor and DON'T open it. This is one of the guises used by the latest rendition of the Sober virus. You can read about this at IT Vibe. When they find the person that wrote the virus I hope he's gut shot and left to die, slowly. What a ridiculous, demonic, useless way to spend time.

"I think the enemy is here before us.... I think the enemy is simple selfishness and compulsive greed.... I think he stole our earth from us, destroyed our wealth, and ravaged and despoiled our land."
-Thomas Wolfe, You Can't Go Home Again

Fat Croc Chardonnay Compliments Turkey

Thanksgiving was held at the Beach House last night. Determination overrode scheduling conflicts and the food was prepared on time, very tasty and everyone left in good spirits. Nice to have both my daughters together for the first time in a year. I think my Mother had more fun than anyone. It's what celebrating is all about. Amid the laughter, constant conversation, food preparation I stopped several times and thanked God for my family and a wonderful gathering. Yep, all the hard work is worth it. No doubt.

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."
-Howard

Shopaholic? NOT!!

Okay, late yesterday was spent prowling the mall area shopping. I'd hire this done if possible. In a local store noted for kitchen, bath and bedroom stuff I was literally blocked. There they stood with their big lard butts blocking the way talking with a suspicious accent...well, okay, maybe they were just yankees. I politely asked if I could pass and thought that I had lapsed into hell or at least a game of Dungeons and Dragons gone bad. Cringing I retreated and hid behind Mother who is visiting for a few days.

Immediately my rant started about leaving and I was told to stop whining. I stopped whining. The rest of this trip was spent avoiding these evil strange speaking women. After they prowled the front counter for several weeks they finally left. While checking out the young lady asked if I was okay and handed me a tissue. Through the sobs, I told her she wouldn't understand. She sighed and said something about 'what a sad man' while watching me stumble to the door.

Shopping sucks. I don't like it. Thank you Lord for the internet, my soft chair and good coffee maker. I will try to never go mall hopping again. Now it's time to see if I can find a cave.


"If you come to a fork in the road, take it."
-Yogi Berra

When Black Friday Comes...

Shoppers, start your engines. After an early morning visit to Wal-Mart yesterday my need for Xanax has increased tenfold. Where do they get those evil children and why the hell are they NOT in school? Anyway, check out BlackFridayDeals.net. The page you really want is The Deals. Hope everyone enjoys the traffic. Thanks Red Dragon for a great link!

"Turkey: A large bird whose flesh, when eaten on certain religious anniversaries has the peculiar property of attesting piety and gratitude."
-Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary

There is No Snooze Button on a Possum

Yesterday was spent working on PCs. All day. By the time Saturday night rolled around I was in bed and looking forward to some much needed sleep. The knowledge that many things have to be accomplished today made for early retirement. Sure enough I went out like a light while watching the Saturday night PBS British sitcoms. Sometime around the witching hour I was slowly awakened due to a strange sound; bump, bump, blam, bump. Then the mind flash hit me - why would anyone steal the lead sled? It sits right outside the window! After arming myself I peeked through the blinds and just outside the window was Arnold, opossumus germanicus austriabodicus, pulling at a sack of garbage against the fence.

Okay, possums will eat most anything. They are scavengers and not very clean animals. But what Arnold was doing with this sack of refuse is beyond me. It was from cleaning out the garage and nothing even close to edible was around. I mean, it's understandable when he tried to turn over the green dumpster thangy, but why mess with a bunch of old car parts, dryer lint, out of date manuals, et cetera? Believe it or not the rake had been in use a few days ago and was propped against the house. It took 5 minutes of rake prodding to run him off. As he waddled towards the oak tree I think he stopped , pointed at the 'Mom' tattoo on his arm, flipped me the bird and hissed while pointing at the El Camino.

Today I will take off the garbage before starting work. Then I'll buy one of those Club security bars for the Camino. Whew! Think it may be time to talk to herr doktor about that Ambien stuff they advertise on TV?

"The worst thing in the world is to try to sleep and not to."
-F. Scott Fitzgerald

Growth of the Holiday Season

The Christmas shopping season starts earlier every year. It seems to be backing up one week per annum. Soon, Thanksgiving will be gone and just another part of the commercial Christmas season. Traffic is horrible. Actually started out in it and turned around. Wrecks everywhere. Besides, I was headed to Walmart. The evil children that live there are waiting in stealth mode. Best keep my butt at home.

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."
-Charles Dickens

Singing a Different Song

An Oklahoma City reader wants to know, "What can be done to stop companies from invading our privacy when we purchase CDs?" The answer is simple - stop buying them; especially anything with Sony BMG on it. Become a fan of artists that promote downloading from their sites.

Watched Brad Paisley on TV a few nights ago and this dude is awesome. He can PLAY a guitar. I like his song, "I'm Gonna' Miss Her." Anyway, when he finished his tune it was announced his latest CD could be purchased at a local retail outlet or DOWNLOADED from his web site -> BradPaisley.com. Think I should send ole Brad a copy of She Won't Yahoo Anymore?
See SouthernPhried, October 7, 2005, for a copy of the lyrics. You'll find this post listed under Archives.

Since the music costs less on the website it is a better bargain. Plus you don't have to leave the comfort of your home. Also, Brad will make a larger percent of the profit. And the damned RIAA can go straight back to hell. The MAJOR problem with the music industry is that the RIAA mafiosos exist. They are leeches. Their graft is on most CDs that are pressed. So stop buying them. Download from your favorite artists' websites.

Folks, no rocket science here. Use the old noggin. This is not piracy. It's a legal purchase that cuts out a completely unnecessary middle-man that is there only to rape the artist and the customer. Want to know more? Visit EFF.org.

"He who hears music, feels his solitude peopled at once."
-Robert Browning

More on the Sony Theater of the Absurd

Sony BMG’s boneheaded misuse of hacker technology has potentially compromised the security of millions of PCs, inspired a bunch of computer viruses, provoked class-action lawsuits, caused a firestorm of protest in online forums, and even attracted veiled criticism from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Read the rest of the article at Home Theater Magazine online.

This fiasco has spawned another site for those that are really pissed off. The site is The Sony Boycott Blog. The description reads - All about egregiously anti-customer behavior by everyone’s favorite BigCo. This is an informative, clean, interesting blog that helps conscientious consumers stay abreast of this ridiculous slap in the face.

Yes, I have recommended and installed many pieces of Sony equipment. They build very solid products. Should you continue to use them? By all means. Alternatives should be considered when making future purchases. My feeling is one of disappointment moreso than anger. I want them to come out and apologize for their misdeed. It's an affront to every consumer for Sony to act almost mad because they were caught. Yes, I did sign the Boycott Sony Petition. It's your decision.

"A stiff apology is a second insult.... The injured party does not want to be compensated because he has been wronged; he wants to be healed because he has been hurt."
-G.K. Chesterton

Sad Sony

With all the hoopla and concern about Sony intentionally gleaning information from our personal PCs without permission, it might be a good idea if you have purchased a Sony CD to remove this garbageware. Afterall, would you like it if a burglar ransacked your personal belongings and information? It's the same thing. WikiHow has a super post concerning this -> How to Protect Yourself from Sony DRM Rootkit Malware. It's so sad to see a company that builds quality electronics let greed do its thing. They haven't come close to an apology and act like what they have done is nothing. Sounds sorta' criminal, huh?

"Obviously crime pays, or there'd be no crime."
-G. Gordon Liddy

Make Mine Chocolate Chip

Yes, Cybersouth - from the Saltillo Beach House, does use a cookie. It originates from an analysis program and you can read all about at Google Analytics. No personal information is being taken from your computer. This is a Google property and is being tested here. Most sites you visit use cookies so please don't phreak out.

It's always good to eat a great lunch on Monday. The burger is calling me....


"Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence."
-Erma Bombeck

Does Anyone Have PSGuard's Physical Address?

Have you had enough of spyware and it's malicious rape of your PC? Want to do something about it? Well the FTC has an online form that can be used to report this garbage. Go to the FTC and use their Complaint Form.

Still looking for a physical address of the parent company of PSGuard which is Global Shudder Ltd. Help! Wouldn't you like to open the front door and toss a rabid mongoose into this pit of snakes?

Two sites that are finding favor here at the Beach House are SysInternals Freeware and CleanUp. SysInternals has many different programs for download and CleanUp is a disk cleaner that has tremendous power. Nice sites that are easily navigated. Take a look.

Be careful. Many utilities are NOT for the casual user and can damage your PC if not used properly. Always consider contributing a donation if you find something useful.

The links section of this page are under construction and more about PSGuard (and other malware) will be added. Several posts have been made in the past few months concerning the removal of this trash. Please check the archives.

"Perseverance... keeps honor bright: to have done, is to hang quite out of fashion, like a rusty nail in monumental mockery."
-William Shakespeare

A fun thangy

After taking this 35 question quiz it amazed me that I found it to be somewhat accurate. Hey, its fun and afterall, it is Saturday. Click on the line What's Your Political Philosophy? at the very bottom. Comment and let everyone know your results (if you dare, lol). Thanks Beagle for a very kewl link

You scored as Socially Conservative Republican. Social conservatives share a belief in traditional morality and social mores and the desire to preserve these in present day society, often through civil law or regulation. The government should use its influence in the public square to support traditional family values. Socially Conservative Republican 90% Foreign Policy Hawk 80% Pro Business Republican 75% Old School Democrat 70% New Democrat 55% Libertarian 45% Green 40% What's Your Political Philosophy? created with QuizFarm.com

"The man who views the world at fifty the same as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life."
-Muhammad Ali

Further Adventures in PSGuard Removal

The Beach House is constantly watching for new ways to rid our PCs of the horrible PSGuard. Has anybody found the address of their physical location yet? I'd sure love to publish it. Here's another page concerning PSGuard removal. It's basic and to the point, which is desirable around here. Wilders Security also has good info on killing this horrible trashware. If you scroll down a bit there's even a screenshot of what the desktop looks like after they invade your privacy. Thanks to Barbwire for finding this great site.

If you know of anything that will help with this problem, please comment or email. Spammers and script-kiddys writing trojans and virus infections are bad enough, but there's just something real evil about the spyware slimeballs.

"We must protect our citizens' privacy -- the bulwark of personal liberty, the safeguard of individual creativity."
-Bill Clinton (certainly he had his pants on when he said this...)

Off with 'em I say!

Last time I looked around my computers have been purchased, are not subject to any lien and legally my possessions. Therefore, I do not want anyone putting ANYTHING on my computer or gleaning any information from it without my express permission. If you come in my house to do violence or steal there is a very good chance you will suffer grave damage. I have security measures and am ready to defend the Beach House. Hopefully, everyone reading this shares the same attitude about their abode or place of work.

I feel the same way about spyware, adware, etc. Permission has not been given nor will it ever exist. My desire is that they all go out of business. These jerks are the thugs of the internet world and need to be stopped. Please read Spyware spat makes small print a big issue. This is beyond absurd. Round up all the spyware, adware, malware, creepware punks and send them to the guillotine. They destroy PCs everyday and are laughing about it. A good starting place? PSGuard home office.

"Better a thousand times careful than once dead."
-Proverb

You Can Thank Sony for the Latest Trojan

Own a computer? Please read this -> First Trojan using Sony DRM spotted. Don't you think we should all stop what we are doing and email Sony about this garbage? My DVD player needs upgrading and my first choice was another Sony. Not now. Onkyo will get my money. It seems that Sony thinks this is all a joke and that the great unwashed masses will just let it slide. Hope not.

"Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom."
~Thomas Jefferson

Books Will Make a Comeback

Yes, tomes and volumes will once again become popular amongst all but the elite if COMCAST and DirecTV have their way. Prime Time TV as pay per view? Nothing, and I mean nothing can be good about this garbage. COMCAST is a company that is run by baboons and bananas bounce off their boardroom wall whenever the directors gather. Really expected better of DirecTV. Persecuting fans directly (get the jibe there?) has not been their style. COMCAST, as we all know, ruined the best damned Tech TV show (and channel) ever, The Screensavers replacing it with some silly Attack o de Odor Show. C'mon Sarah and Kevin Rose, y'all can do better!! Anyway read about this latest attempt to stealth money out of your wallet and purse over at MercuryNews.

Going to sit on your dead butt and let these jerks take all reasonably priced TV viewing pleasure away? Or will you protest to your Congresspersons and tell them to stop all this corporate madness and rape? Before getting off the soapbox let me say a very sincere thank you to VistaIIIMedia for being decent folks and not at all COMCAST-like!

"Literature is news that stays news."
-Ezra Pound

Movies?

Yes, I was in the theater for every Star Wars film and was there the first day of the local premiers with the exception of Episode 5 The Empire Strikes Back. Two days late on that one. I've seen all of them more than once in the theater with the exception of the last one that came out this year, Revenge of the Sith. Saw it only the first night it played. Awesome. Every viewing has been enjoyable, especially the first one back in '77. Several people stealthed out of work and most of us sat through the second showing. You could do that back then and the ushers got a kick out of it. How did I hear about it? Gene Shallit on the Today show raved about it. Then several people talked at work about Shallit's review and our slackness towards work is now history. No regrets.

The past few years have made for enjoyable movie going due to the fact that several have been attended with my daughters and their husbands. Our newish, clean, spacious Malco 10 has ample parking, and is in a great location. My need for Xanax before entering the theater has disappeared. My favorite place to view movies is still the Beach House, but an occasional outing is fun too. Fanatical? Yes. In the truest sense of the word. After all, there are posters from Gone With the Wind, Casablanca, pictures of Bogart, W.C. Fields, the Stooges, even a Stooges Clock adorning the walls. There's even a light switch plate that features Marilyn Monroe. And that's just in the bathroom.

"Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open."
-John Barrymore

Long Time Ago in a Tishomingo Far Away...

It tires me to hear all the George Lucas wannabes trash his efforts, especially when most of them were first in line to see each episode of Star Wars. Thank you Mr. Lucas for giving us hours of fun, zoomy, mind boggling space adventure that will be watched again and again. Your efforts to tie everything together led to tremendous results. Magnificent. The Academy should acknowledge your genius. Now quit 'funning' us and tell us who will direct the next three episodes (7-9) that were on the ORIGINAL story boards!

The Beach House opted for the 3 CD version at Wally World and just had an absolute blast watching Anakin turn into Darth Vader. I don't think it is a spoiler to say that the climax of the movie was when Obi kicked his evil ass in the light saber battle. Wow! Reminded me of the excitement experienced when watching Flash Gordon battle Ming the Merciless between the two features every Saturday morning at the Tishomingo Theater. Then the dinosaur ride home to Paden was always fun.

May the force be with you.

"Great art picks up where nature ends."
-Marc Chagall

Definitions

Presently, the Urban Dictionary lists 13 definitions of the word 'spyware.' These may promote understanding as to why this garbage is so evil. When a company can secretly hide a program on your computer that tracks EVERY keystroke, don't you think it's time to take action and stop these creeps?

"We're all in this together."
-Red Green

The One and Only?

I've always liked the Sony Corporation. That may be changing. Down through the years their products have been reliable and better than average quality. Now they have decided to embrace the music mafia and further persecute fans of music. You can read Mark Ward's informative article over at BBCNews and learn about their invasive tactics.

Piracy is not being endorsed by any means. For Sony to use such deviant viruslike programs as XCP is suicide. Fans will finally get tired of all the corporate barnyard material and the demise of the RIAA and companies that endorse their strong arm tactics will happen. Wait and see. Musicians will make their libraries and new material available for direct download at a reduced price thus eliminating the need of corporate voodoo.

In the meantime, I am not so mad at Sony that an AIBO would be refused as a gift, LOL. There is hope they will come to their senses and get their heads outta that place where the moon doesn't shine.

"Are we not formed, as notes of music are,
For one another, though dissimilar?"
-Percy Bysshe Shelley

Light Saber Needed

There is no longer an ugly, sticky Hawthorne bush in the front yard. It went to the curb. Of course the chain saw had to be rebuilt before this was accomplished. It was a struggle that took wayyyy too long. My window view is better.

Have you considered where to buy a copy of Star Wars III, Revenge of the Sith? Check out a list of various places selling the DVD, etc., here. Will have to make a trip to Walmart late tonight and make a purchase. Maybe the evil children that live there will be in bed and not harassing people.

It's late and time to sleep. Stay casual.

"Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing up is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing."
-Phyllis Diller