Taking a long break....
My very first post for this blog was back in March 2005, this is going to be my last for some time. I don't really plan to give up writing here but other projects are taking more of my time, so the for the moment the future is unknown.
One of the things that seem to be occupying me more and more is Tint-Network, a blog for expat business in France. Family life is also changing and I need to devote more time to that.
Thanks to everyone who has commented, sent an email or contacted me via Twitter or Facebook. Your opinions, views and information has been invaluable and welcomed.
To the friends I have met via this site, please stay in touch. You can still email me, talk to me on Twitter or send messages via Facebook.
If you still need help then you can find me on the Survive in France social network, still happy to answer your questions.
Thanks to everyone, see you later...
12 May 2010 | General | Comments 2
Floppy disk drive to fade away?
Sony recently announced they are stopping the manufacture of floppy drives. It seems there is not enough demand for them. I must admit I have not used a floppy disk in years, CD's and now USB memory sticks have taken over daily storage requirements.
When I was working in Cambridge for a small computer shop back in the late eighties, I remember using a Northstar Horizon that took 8 inch floppy disks. They seem enormous in size but how little they could actually store.
The BBC has an article, 40 ways we still use floppy disks, that has many surprising uses for the humble floppy.
When was the last time you used a floppy disk?
29 April 2010 | Computers | Comments 0
Fix-it program coming to Vista and Windows XP
At the beginning of last year I mentioned that Microsoft introduced a fix-it button to try and diagnose common Windows problems. It has now been made available as an installable problem. It's core is the diagnostic system in Windows 7 and the trial or beta version, is intended for users of Windows XP and Vista.
The software also maintains a list of the hardware and software on a machine so if the automatic fix does not solve a problem, it will be able to help users supply detailed information to Microsoft's support staff about what has gone wrong.
Those signing up and downloading the Fix It software can use it on several different machines.
The free software can be downloaded from Microsoft's support pages. Windows XP users wanting to use it must have Service Pack 3 for the operating system installed.
Read more from the BBC website, Microsoft debuts 'fix it' program
19 April 2010 | News | Comments 0
Windows XP update installs if you are virus free
The BBC is reporting that the latest updates for Windows XP won't be working for those who have a virus infection. The Alureon rootkit virus caused lots of the problems for the last update, machines were locking up or generally crashing.
The virus first appeared in 2008 and has been spread via discussion forums, hacked websites and bogus pay-per-click affiliate schemes.
Notes for the security patch explained which "abnormal conditions" would prevent XP users applying the updates.
"These abnormal conditions on a system could be the result of an infection with a computer virus that modifies some operating system files, which renders the infected computer incompatible with the kernel update," read the statement.
The update will check on how clean your PC is before installing any patches. So as ever, make sure your PC is virus free, make sure your anti virus software is up to date and perform regular checks.
16 April 2010 | Windows | Comments 0
View Paris with your browser
How do you fancy seeing Paris from the Eiffel Tower with out leaving your home? This site, Paris Panorama by Gilles Photographe allows you to do just that.
You can zoom in and out, pan up,down, left and right. You can also go full screen which should look good on really large monitors.
Thanks to @davepenny for the tip.
25 March 2010 | Websites | Comments 0
The pain of finding a train
Using the Internet to find train times has proved to be not that easy. I have gone through several sites to try and find costs and times of trips. Luckily with the help of some friends on Twitter I have had several suggestions. One of them worked better than the rest, mainly because it was related directly to the operator in my area. Here is the list of sites that I tried...
- TER-Aquitaine/SNCF (best for my location)
- Voyages SNCF
- RailEurope (Not good for small villages/towns)
On the problems that I have is that there are only 4 trains a day the stop at my village. So I was hoping that alternatives or possible connections would be shown. The TER-Aquitaine site did better than the rest because it did attempt to show a journey with connections.
The Voyages SNCF site is difficult to get around, can be confusing even if you do select to read in English.
Of course the alternative is to visit a train station and get a human to help, which in my opinion is better anyway with the current state of websites from SNCF etc.
22 March 2010 | Websites | Comments 1
Internet Explorer 9 is coming
Microsoft has revealed details of the next incarnation of Internet Explorer, IE 9 will support new and existing standards better and work with graphic cards in an enhanced way to display things quicker. It also has an improved JavaScript engine that should run web based applications faster, like Facebook etc.
However rumor has it that it won't work on Windows XP.
Engadget has some details on the new browser, Internet Explorer 9: A Fresh Start, With HTML5
17 March 2010 | Browsers | Comments 1
Add new fonts with free downloads
If you have letters to write, posters to create or need make invite for parties etc, you can make them look more exciting by using fonts to change the way they look. Most operating systems come with a variety to choose from but they don't always suit the occasion you need them for.
Fonts2U website lets you download new fonts to update your system. There are lots to choose from, if you want them for free then look for 'freeware'.
Of the fonts I have looked at and downloaded (there are at least 25213 to choose from), have been marked for PC and Mac. The format I choose was TTF – True Type Font – suitable for most operating system. My own system, Linux, was able to deal with TTF but if you need them in a different format there is an online converter.
For help...
Linux users can also install fonts via their distributions package manager.
13 March 2010 | Websites | Comments 0
Windows XP users told not to push F1 while using Internet Explorer
Another blow for Internet Explorer and Windows XP, pressing the F1 key could give you a nasty infection. This current vulnerability is caught from sites that carry the code which will effectively reprograms the F1 key on your keyboard.
From the Microsoft advisory...
The vulnerability exists in the way that VBScript interacts with Windows Help files when using Internet Explorer. If a malicious Web site displayed a specially crafted dialog box and a user pressed the F1 key, arbitrary code could be executed in the security context of the currently logged-on user. On systems running Windows Server 2003, Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration is enabled by default, which helps to mitigate against this issue.
This problem currently effects Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 while using Internet Explorer. Windows 7 users should be safe.
More from Engadget, Gizmodo and Computer World Security
03 March 2010 | Browsers | Comments 2
Rest in Peace Internet Explorer 6
The Aten design group (Denver USA) has a great web page up at the moment, rest in peace – Internet Explorer 6...
Internet Explorer Six, resident of the interwebs for over 8 years, died the morning of March 1, 2010 in Mountain View, California, as a result of a workplace injury sustained at the headquarters of Google, Inc. Internet Explorer Six, known to friends and family as "IE6," is survived by son Internet Explorer Seven, and grand-daughter Internet Explorer Eight.
It seems they are having a wake on March 4th.
The incident they refer to is the decision by Google to stop supporting the venerable browser.
24 February 2010 | Browsers | Comments 0
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My name is Bob Toovey, a UK expat living in south west France. I have worked in IT for over 20 years. I hope to give you helpful advice about using your computer and more whether you run a business or just enjoying expat life.
