Update posts

Filed under: Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Freeware, Browsers, Windows x64

Opera 10.10 with Unite and Turbo now available

by Paul O'Brien Nov 23rd 2009

Opera have released version 10 of their browser, now with Opera Unite and Opera Turbo included.

Opera Unite gives your web browser the ability to deliver content as well as consume it. The standard download includes a number of Unite applications, with more available for download from the application directory. The bundled applications include a file sharing server that allows you to make files available to the world (as well as allowing the world to upload content to your machine), a virtual fridge door for you to share notes with friends and family (pictured), a media player that allows you to play content from your Unite equipped machine remotely, an instant messaging server, a photo sharing application and a web server for serving your own web content.

The inclusion of Opera Turbo in the new browser marks the migration to the desktop of a technology that has long been a key feature of Opera's Mini product. Opera Turbo speeds up your browsing session by compressing content at Opera proxy servers before delivering it to your machine - particularly useful for those on low bandwidth connections.

Opera 10.10 is available free from www.opera.com for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.

We're intrigued to hear what you, our lovely readers, think about Opera's advancements. They have an excellent, solid browser base and some truly unique additional features... are you tempted to make the switch?

Tags: 10, linux, mac, Opera, Turbo, Unite, update, windows

Filed under: Games, OS Updates, Microsoft

Gamers: Save $100 and get DirectX 11 for Vista!

by Sebastian Anthony Oct 30th 2009

At long last -- and some would wonder why now, after the release of Windows 7 -- DirectX 11 is finally available for Windows Vista.

This means, while still taking a performance hit for running Vista, you could in theory divert that $100 you would spend on Windows 7 into a new, DirectX 11-enabled graphics card!

To obtain it, you need to download the 'Platform Update' which includes a lot of other updates for the Windows Vista and Server 2008 operating systems -- but other than the addition of DirectCompute (which I discussed in my previous feature on DirectX 11), there isn't a whole lot to report. Currently there is also no redistributable package -- something they have always done for previous versions of DirectX. I'm sure it will follow soon.

[via DailyTech but by God, be warned: their site takes about 5 minutes to render...]

Tags: directx, directx 11, Directx11, update, windows vista, WindowsVista

Filed under: Security, Windows, Microsoft, Freeware, Windows x64

Update Microsoft Security Essentials definitions manually - no Windows Update required

by Lee Mathews Oct 20th 2009

While Microsoft Security Essentials has gotten mostly glowing reviews so far, some users are still hesitant to install it. One thing holding up some users is Windows Update.

You can't update your Security Essentials definitions automatically if the Windows Update service is disabled. And while keeping your system fully patched is a necessity, not everyone wants to allow Windows to do it for them - they prefer the going manual route.

Fortunately, Microsoft knows this. After all, Security Essentials is based on Forefront - their enterprise antivirus product. And in the enterprise it's common practice to install updates manually.

To that end, Security Essentials definitions can be downloaded as a standalone executable from Microsoft. They're available from the Malware Protection Center where you'll also find the current defs for Forefront and Defender.

Download the .exe yourself, run it, and your Security Essentials is up-to-date! Better yet, set up an app like Ketarin to handle scheduled downloads for you and save yourself a step.

Tags: antivirus, definitions, morro, security-essentials, update, windows-update

Filed under: Palm, Mobile Minute

Mobile Minute: Palm Pre syncs with iTunes again... for now

by Victor Agreda, Jr. Jul 23rd 2009

In what will no doubt become another game of device authentication tennis, Palm webOS 1.1 fixes what iTunes 8.2.1 tore asunder: sync with the Pre. Yep, 1.1 is hot off the networks and ready for a hefty 87MB download. I like how Palm's notification states "We'll download it over the next couple of days when your device is idle and a high speed network is available." There's that background magic at work! Your move, Apple.

Oh, apparently there are bugfixes and fancy things like remote wipe and auto-lock added in this update. Like you care while syncing all those torrented episodes of The Office, right?

[via PreCentral and Engadget]

Tags: itunes, mobile, palm, pre, sync, update, webos

Filed under: Security, Mozilla, Browsers

Mozilla plugs first hole in Firefox 3.5

by Lee Mathews Jul 17th 2009

Yes, the JIT security flaw that was being buzzed about two days ago has already been corrected.

The bug was originally identified on July 9th. As I mentioned in the last post, the patch was going to be released at the end of the month - but Mozilla wasn't foolish enough to let the bug go unaddressed for that long. Sometimes a flood of criticism will alter timetables ever so slightly.

Apart from the one big exploit that was plastered all over the internet, the 3.5.1 update takes care of about 20 other issues, including slow startup and (thank god) a new icon for OS/2.

The new build has already been pushed to getfirefox.com and is also available via the check for updates option on the Firefox help menu.

Tags: bugfix, fix, mozilla-firefox, patch, security, update

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft, Beta, Windows x64

Microsoft to pirates: you're bad, but you'll still get Windows 7 updates

by Lee Mathews May 1st 2009

If someone were to ask you what Microsoft's biggest competition is on the operating system front is, what would your guess be?

OSX? No. Linux? Sorry, but no. Truth is, it's unlicensed Windows.

So when you're developing a new operating system with a wide array of modern features, it's probably best to take a hard line against piracy, right? Maybe not.

Paul Cooke, Microsoft's director of Windows Client Enterprise Security, has told Maximum PC that all Windows 7 users - even those running pirate copies - will receive security updates. Why would Microsoft want to do that?

Regardless of the financial losses associated with Windows piracy, Microsoft wants to protect their reputation. That can be tough, especially when things like the Conficker outbreak get blamed on them. Don't forget, there was a Windows Update patch for that as far back as October 2008 - but millions of pirate XP installs may not have had the patch installed.

And even though it may be the end user's fault for not keeping their OS up to date, running quality antivirus software, or just paying attention to what's going on, the blame often winds up being shipped directly to Redmond. A more secure global Windows install base would also be good news for the computing world as a whole, and maybe Microsoft will get a little credit (and publicity) for that.

Of course, this doesn't mean Microsoft is going to ignore rogue Windows 7 installs.

Just because they want your system fully patched doesn't mean they won't flip the Starter switch and limit your unlicensed system to three programs at once...

[ via Maximum PC]

Tags: illegal, patch, piracy, pirate, security, update, windows, windows-7, windows-update

Filed under: Microsoft, Browsers

Internet Explorer 8 slips early on Windows Update

by Lee Mathews Mar 19th 2009

Despite what CNET announced ealier this week and what Microsoft has announced as the official release time for Internet Explorer 8's RTM (4pm GMT), I've just finished watching the installation wrap up on a system on my workbench via Windows Update. Due to the heavy server load Microsoft is anticipating, that wasn't supposed to happen right away.

In case you're not excited about the prospect of IE8 sneaking on to the systems you support (including your home computer), you can grab the blocker toolkit from Microsoft's web site.

We've looked at the new browser before (just this morning, as a matter of fact). Warnings aside, IE8 is a step in the right direction from Microsoft.

Tags: browser, ie8, internet-explorer-8, microsoft, update

Filed under: Internet, OS Updates, Troubleshooting

What are your updating habits?

by Victor Agreda, Jr. Feb 4th 2009

I use Firefox for work. I interface with Blogsmith, our CMS, using Firefox. I use my primary email in Firefox. I eschew multiple plugins and add-ons because I want to squeeze as much performance as possible out of the "main window" to my work world. Today I see that there's a 3.0.6 update -- but I'm not updating yet.

Why? Because I don't trust it. Until I poke around and see that my (few) additions to the browser work, and that something serious didn't crop up, I'm not sold. And why is that? Let's just paraphrase: "burned a thousand times, now shy." This is true of OS updates, sadly. My primary work machine is a Mac, and there have been times when Apple has pushed updates that make things worse. Just recently I updated Safari, and now rendering is much slower than before. I have no idea why, nor will I ever, because by the next time I update, it might be fixed. Or it might get worse.

The question of web apps updating themselves automatically is another debate (which we'll get to soon enough). But my question is: how often do YOU update? Every point update? Do you investigate the update first, or do you just click and do it? Plus, are you less skeptical of paid updates to software? And is there an app that you've let sit, un-updated, for years because you happen to dislike the current features or interface? Sound off in the comments.

Tags: firefox, question, software, update, upgrade

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Troubleshooting

AVG Anti-Virus 8.0 coming tomorrow

by Simon Kerbel Feb 27th 2008

AVG is ready to pull the trigger on their new Anti-Virus suite, AVG Anti-Virus 8.0. From first looks, it's going to be a pretty major update.
For starters, AVG Anti-Virus 8.0 will offer more than its standard Anti-Virus protection. Popular tools AVG Anti-Spyware, AVG Anti-Rootkit, and LinkScanner, previously stand-alone applications, are now integrated into AVG Anti-Virus 8.0. The code base has seen a significant overhaul as well, in the hopes that inevitable system slowdowns caused by AVG's real-time protection will be lessened.

AVG Anti-Virus remains one of the most popular free Anti-Virus solutions on the market, and this update will no doubt solidify their dominance. At the time of this writing, however, it's not exactly clear if the free edition will be updated at the same time as the paid edition, so if you aren't one for waiting, you might have to pay to see 8.0.

The full version of AVG will continue to offer an enhanced feature set, including tech support, greater scheduling capabilities, and support for newer multi-processor core chips.

Look for the update Thursday.

[via CNETnews]

Tags: antivirus, AVG, update

Filed under: Internet, Security, Windows, Web services

Skype hotfix addresses security issues

by Romeo Wahed Feb 5th 2008

Skype has released a new hotfix for the Windows version of Skype that deals with some security issues and polishes out some kinks, including better connection speed to the Skype network if you're on a restricted connection.

The primary issues addressed in the Skype 3.6 hotfix are cross-zone vulnerabilities and the implementation of a new white/blacklist feature for programs that utilize the Skype API - keeping out those that exploit it for malicious purposes.

It also fixes some other bugs such as Skype crashing when taking a second incoming call, contacts being lost when synchronization failed, and the ability to use a webcam that is plugged in during a call. For a full list of fixes included, check out the official list.

If your Skype is set to auto-update, you should get the fix automatically - otherwise, you can check for new updates from the Skype client or download Skype 3.6.

[via Skype Journal]

Tags: hotfix, security, skype, update

Filed under: Design, Fun, Macintosh

Comic Life 1.4 available for Mac

by Todd Ritter Jan 2nd 2008

The talented developers at Plasq have released an update to their award-winning design program, Comic Life, which we've recommended. Comic Life is a comic strip creation program that allows you to choose from various background frames, dialog bubbles, and fonts to create fun, eye-catching documents. It comes in "Standard" ($24.95 US; 30-day trial is available) and "Deluxe" ($29.95 US) flavors with the "Deluxe" version offering more fonts, templates, and styles. Comic Life is available for Mac and Windows.

The version 1.4 update for Mac is free if you've previously purchased Comic Life (or had it preinstalled on Mac OS 10.4), and it is a slim 11MB download. In addition to a bunch of bug fixes, new features in the update include support for iPhoto '08 events, additional customizable image attributes (sharpness, contrast, brightness, etc.), and the ability to set imported images to their actual size. The 1.4 update for the Windows version is currently in development.

Tags: comic life, ComicLife, update

Filed under: Linux, Open Source

Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 updated

by Ian Dumych Dec 28th 2007

The ever-creeping Debian project has released a major update to their production-ready operating system, Debian GNU/Linux 4.0. Although it's not considered a "new version" by the team -- few things are -- it is more or less equivalent to a Windows service pack.

The update includes an update to the Debian Installer, and many bugfixes and security patches. For more information, check out the release notes here.

Debian provides the framework upon which several other Linux distributions have been built, most notably, widely-loved and rarely critiqued Ubuntu.

Tags: Debian, Linux, Update

Filed under: OS Updates, Apple

Leopard is updated to 10.5.1

by Christina Warren Nov 15th 2007

Less than three weeks after making its debut, Leopard, also known as OS X 10.5, has received it's first incremental update. 10.5.1, available via Apple's Software Update or via Apple's web site. The update addresses a number of issues, most notably in the areas of networking and Internet security.

Here's a quick run-down of some of our own problems in Leopard, that have been addressed in this update:

Password management issues with Airport
NAT problems with D-Link routers or gateways
Read-only issues with SMB folder shares on Windows machines (this was a huge headache for us, and we are ecstatic that it has been addressed)
Those file upload via Flash problems

Additionally, Apple has changed the language in the system firewall to actually indicate what the options do. In 10.5, Leopard's firewall's "Block All" option really didn't block all, and it has now been changed to "Allow Only Essential Services" to reflect that change. Problems with application signatures that change while in use (which if the firewall was set to "Block All" meant that the program would stop working after exiting, and would require a re-installation to work again) have also been corrected.

If you use Leopard, make sure you update to 10.5.1 as soon as possible!

Tags: 10.5.1, leopard, leopard update, LeopardUpdate, SMB shares, SmbShares, update

Filed under: Audio, Video, Windows, Macintosh, Apple

iTunes 7.5 released

by Christina Warren Nov 5th 2007

Apple has just released iTunes 7.5, available for both Windows and Mac users.

Per the Apple's Software Update utility:

"iTunes 7.5 features the ability to activate iPhone wherever service is offered and support for Phase, a new interactive music game designed exclusively for iPod nano (third generation), iPod classic, and iPod (fifth generation). This release also includes bug fixes to improve stability and performance."

Additionally, a 7.3 update to QuickTime is available as well. 7.3 is bundled with the iTunes download, but is also available individually.

Again, per Apple's Software Update utility:

QuickTime 7.3 addresses critical security issues and delivers:
- Support for iTunes 7.5
- Updated support for creating iPhone-compatible web content
- Updated JavaScript support in the QuickTime Web Plug-in
- Numerous bug fixes

This release is recommended for all QuickTime 7 users.

QuickTime 7.2 was causing lots of problems with Windows Vista, which we hope the newest update will resolve.

Tags: itunes, quicktime, update

Filed under: Internet, Utilities, Windows, Freeware

Batch upgrade your software with AppSnap

by Brad Linder Oct 8th 2007

We did an informal survey recently and discovered that the average Download Squad reader has 3981 programs installed in their computer. OK, we didn't do a survey, but we're betting you have an awful lot of handy little applications on your computer. So many that you probably forget about some of them until you really need them.

So making sure all of your software is up to date could be a full time job. That's where AppSnap comes in. Like File Hippo's Update Checker, AppSnap scans your PC to figure out what software you've already installed. It then compares your software against a master list and decides if your software is out of date. Here's where it gets really cool. While File Hippo Update Checker just gives you a list of links to download updates, AppSnap lets you check a few boxes and it will go to work downloading and installing software for you.

AppSnap's list is far from comprehensive. It found 4 out of date applications on our test PC. But when we ran the File Hippo utility afterward it found another 6 out of date programs. AppSnap also has a list of programs in its database. So if you want to install some applications that you don't already have, just check out the list of uninstalled programs or browser by category.

[via Lifehacker]

Tags: appsnap, file-hippo, update, update-checker

The World's Hardest Game 2.0 - Time Waster

So, just how good at time waster games are you? Think you've got the stuff? Well, The World's Hardest Game 2.0 doesn't think you do. Yes, amazingly, it's possible to have a sequel to a game called "The World's Hardest Game". It doesn't seem logically possible, since if the first one was actually the world's hardest, how could another one come along and share the moniker? It made me doubt the name in the first place. That is, until I tried the game. The mechanics of the game are very simple. You are a small red square, ...

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