It’s not clear whether Microsoft intends to fix the flaw next week.

On Thursday, Microsoft revised a security advisory it first posted April 19 about a bug in Windows XP, Vista, Server 2003 and Server 2008 that could be exploited to gain additional privileges on vulnerable machines. “Exploit code has been published on the Internet for the vulnerability addressed by this advisory,” confirmed Bill Sisk, a communications manager at Microsoft’s Security Response Center in a post to the MSRC blog.

The vulnerability has a convoluted history.

In late March, Argentinean security researcher Cesar Cerrudo announced he had found a bug that could let attackers bypass some of the security schemes in the newest versions of the operating system, including Windows Server 2008. At the time, Sick called Cerrudo’s bug a “design flaw” rather than a vulnerability, and downplayed the threat.

Source:
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9116924&source=rss_topic17

ChunkIt! instantly searches for and retrieves the valuable information hidden behind the hyperlinks contained on any Web page, saving users valuable time lost from clicking on lame and irrelevant links. ChunkIt! is available for Firefox (PC and Mac) and Internet Explorer browsers.

ChunkIt! provides users with a one click solution that quickly and easily enhances the search results from any Web site or search engine, including Google, Yahoo!, MSN Live Search, AOL and Ask. ChunkIt! searches for the relevant “chunks” of information hidden behind the links and extracts them with the keywords highlighted, so users can efficiently find the information they want without clicking through endless links and opening multiple windows.

“Despite improved search algorithms, people spend lots of time clicking on link after link, hoping to find the needle in the haystack. ChunkIt! solves this problem by analyzing and extracting the information you are looking for, eliminating the time wasted clicking on lame links,” said Carlton Baab, CEO of TigerLogic. ”ChunkIt! not only enhances search engine results, it searches and retrieves information behind any link on any Web page, whether you are shopping on Amazon for a digital camera with specific zoom features or whether you are a student conducting research on sites like LexisNexis.”

According to research by Microsoft, roughly a third of Web searches don’t get answered correctly on the first search and first click. Usually searchers find the information they want eventually, but that often requires multiple searches or clicks. A main cause for this problem is that a search result may look promising based on its short description, but instead it turns out to be irrelevant when the actual page is visited. ChunkIt! saves searchers time by exposing the contents of the search results so that they can determine which results best align with their intent.

ChunkIt! helps everyone save time, whether you are a shopper, student, teacher, parent or business professional, by making almost any search task on the Web faster and easier, including:

• Online shopping – ChunkIt! shows the keywords users are looking for in item descriptions and product specifications, saving lots of time in online comparison shopping on sites like eBay and Amazon

• Academic research – ChunkIt! seamlessly previews the valuable contents stored within the links of research sites like LexisNexis, JSTOR, ScienceDirect and Wikipedia

• Searching news sites – ChunkIt! makes it easy to find stories about the specific topics you are looking for on news sites with countless links like the Drudge Report, ESPN.com and Perez Hilton

• Apartment hunting – ChunkIt! lets users dig deep into Craigslist to find apartments with the features they want in a snap

• Analyzing stocks – ChunkIt! takes the hassle out of looking through the countless pages of SEC EDGAR financial reports

TigerLogic also recently launched their ChunkIt! blog with search tips and product updates at http://www.tigerlogic.com/ChunkIt/blog.

For a free download of ChunkIt! or to learn more, please visit ChunkIt!.

Source: ChunkIt!

Why is it that it is so hard to stick to resolutions and reach personal goals?

For one I believe many resolutions or goals aren’t realistic. Even if they are realistic, simply setting a goal isn’t enough. You must split up the path to reaching your goal into many small steps; you must identify the possible pitfalls that could lead to failure and you must prepare for them, at least roughly; finally, you must take into account that things will change with time, hence your path or your goal may change and you must be willing to adapt in time.

Now, once you are ready to pursue your goals and make a commitment, there is one more thing you can do to motivate or put some more pressure onto yourself: tell others about it!

With stickK, you can make a contract with yourself, set the stakes, choose a referee and have friends or fellow stickKers support you. The service is based on economic and behavioral research showing that people are more likely to achieve a goal if they put something at stake, which will be lost in the case of failure. In the case of stickK that would be money.

You can select a preset from a list of common goals or create your custom commitment with the details being all up to you.

Setting the stakes is the interesting part, although it’s optional. If you decide to put money at stake, you are required to pay the full amount upfront directly to stickK. You will receive back incentives as you’re reaching your goal, and the total amount will be paid back as the commitment is completed. If you fail to reach your goal or parts of it, that money will go to a charity or anti-charity of stickK’s choice.

Frankly, I cannot recommend to put money at stake under these circumstances. The company has little reputation, apart from being founded by a Yale student and two of his professors. What bothers me is that they are choosing who will receive the money from a preset list of their choice, they are not handing out tax receipts (to minimize book keeping), they will subtract transaction fees, they will donate only a portion to supported charities at the end of each quarter, while the rest will go to stickK user sponsored and voted for (charity) events.

Overall, the FAQ sounds a bit fishy to me, and it’s clear that apart from financing the project with ads, they are also going to use the money in their favor, if only to let it gain interest. Quite obviously, a Yale professor for economics would be pretty stupid, if he didn’t make sure the money worked for them. But this is not mentioned in the FAQ. Also, if the money gains interest for up to three months, why do they still need to subtract the transaction fees and how much is that going to be?

My suggestion is to put something better than money at stake, for example annoying chores that you will complete for an unknowing individual under the supervision of your referee. Unfortunately, there is no way to add something like this to the contract, even if you create a custom goal.

Other than that I do recommend this service. Especially picking a friend or a family member as referee and gaining supporters from the community will help you go through with the commitment. If you make yourself accountable, you are increasing your chances of beating your weaker self.

What are your experiences with resolutions? What has helped you to set the right goals and achieve them? Please share in the comments.

(By) Tina is a regular MUO author. In her offline life she's a PhD student interested in unraveling signaling events that determine cartilage and bone development.

New subscriber? Get your freebies at MakeUseOf Downloads. Enjoy!

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The interface of USB Syncer requires minimal user input. The user needs to choose the source folder on the hard drive and the destination folder on the USB device. The contents of the source folder will be copied to the USB device whenever the USB device is connected to the computer. Contents that are stored in the folder on the USB device will be deleted before the transfer starts.

The software program comes in an early beta version that has some limitations that are explained during installation and in the readme file. The application might not work properly if more than one removable device is connected to the computer during synchronization.

The software will ask the user if he wants to perform a synchronization if the user selects the Synchronize Now link int the Windows Start Menu. If a device gets detected that has been connected to the computer the program will ask if the user wants to synchronize the folder with that device.

USB Syncer

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"GapiDraw is the graphics platform to use when creating applications with high demands for fast graphics on Windows Mobile devices! GapiDraw comprises a framework and a set of C++ classes that together provide everything you need to create state-of-the-art applications such as games, navigational tools and advanced user interfaces for Windows Mobile devices."

If you develop applications that require graphics processing or other displays of graphical goodness, then GapiDraw may fit the bill to save you a bit of time and effort while giving your users a nice experience overall!

The Town Hall event scheduled for next Tuesday, is invitation-only, meaning that not everyone would be welcomed. But you can be rest assured that Sizlopedia would be on the case. It is expected that Apple may be unveiling a new product on this event. But which one is it going to be?

There had been a lot of rumors lately, of different Apple products coming into existence. It all started off with some mock-ups of an expected MacBook touch, a multi-touch tabled based on the Mac platform. While no such confirmation came from Steve’s Co., a new set of rumors surfaced about a product code-named ‘brick’, which was later believed to be a manufacturing process rather than a new product.

The third set of rumors were about the new Macbook Pro, with some really convincing images. While the images still look pretty much authentic, nothing can be said for sure until Apple itself gives the official word. Apple did surprise us last month with the new line of iPod Touch, so we can expect similar surprises from them this time on.

One new rumor that has popped up is that a lower priced version of the MacBooks would be unvieled with some sources even claiming it to be as low as $800. With Apple’s stock dropping 40% in the last month, they badly need a move like to get back in the game. Until the event, nothing can be said for sure, but you can rely on us to keep you updated every step of the way.

© 2008 Sizlopedia All Rights Reserved

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It was actually very easy to predict. One simply had to look at all the other companies who decided to turn off their DRM servers leaving their customers standing in the rain. All of them caved in after announcing that they would turn off their DRM servers.

Why don’t the decision makers look around first to get a feeling for what will happen if they announce the shutdown of DRM servers? It happened numerous times already in the last years and it always went off the same way. Company A announces the shutdown of their DRM servers. They usually do that by mailing their customers or posting an announcement in the online store.

The online community notices what company A is trying to do and is writing about it in protest. No one likes the decision of company A at that time. Bad press and customer complaints result in company A changing their mind and either providing their customers with a better deal or canceling the decision to turn off the servers.

Why can’t there be an instructions manual for overpaid managers who think that laying all the burden of turning off a service on the customer is a good idea that would save the company money?

Here is the original email send out by Walmart (via Engadget):

NOTE: This is a follow-up to our email titled “Important Information About Your Digital Music Purchases” from 9/26/08.

Based on feedback from our customers, we have decided to maintain our digital rights management (DRM) servers for the present time. What this means to you is that our existing service continues and there is no action required on your part. Our customer service team will continue to assist with DRM issues for protected windows media audio (WMA) files purchased from Walmart.com.

While our customer support team is available to assist you with any issues, we continue to recommend that you back up your songs by burning them to a recordable audio CD. By backing up your songs, you insure access to them from any personal computer at any time in the future.

We appreciate your support and patience as we work to provide the best service possible to you. As we move forward with our 100% MP3 store, we’ll continue to update you with key decisions regarding our service and your account via email.

Thank you for using Walmart MP3 Music Downloads.

The Walmart Digital Music Team

Who wants to bet on the next company that is making the same mistake?

Walmart Decides To Keep DRM Servers

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1. Apple iPhone 3G - The second generation iPhone is a perfect combination of form and function, incorporating the latest, speediest 3G networking technology, with Sat Nav, Geo Tagging and a choice of 8GB or 16GB of on board storage, the iPhone is the current must-have gadget
2. Samsung BlackJack II - In an arena previously ruled by the BlackBerry, Samsung has managed to steal back some of the smart phone market, with this phone powered by Windows Mobile 6 and with 3G technology, it`s the ideal phone for the business type on the move
3. AT&T Tilt - Something for the technophile teenage population, with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, a tilting touchscreen which is all the rage at the moment and a hiden keyboard for lightening texting
4. LG VU - One of the first mobile phones capable of receiving and displaying Mobile TV services, this phone is aiming to fill the niche in the video and audio streaming market
5. Pantech C610 - A small phone but bursting with impressive new features, including the all important 3G and GPS navigation, along with instant messaging and mobile video services.
6. MOTORAZR V3xx - The big boy of the previous generation of fashion phones is back with 3G networking capabilities and a range of new stylish designs and ultra thin size
7. LG Shine - Some would argue a phone for the vain, this elegant slide action phone features a mirror like display that the phone`s screen shines through as if by magic, and is packed with multimedia features, focusing on camera and music capabilities
8. Sony Ericsson W580i - From the walkman range of phones by Sony, this is obviously geared towards the music market, with rich mp3 functionality and FM radio receiver
9. Nokia 6555 - Video playback, music storage and 3G technology make this Nokia a great mid-range choice of phone
10. BlackBerry Pearl 8110 - Built in GPS helps make this phone stand out from the current crowd and has features of phones in higher price brackets. The lack of 3G is a hindrance however

Choosing a phone may be hard, but sorting through the mobile phones deals offered by the main networks is probably harder. It`s best to think about how much you use your phone and whether you really care that it can receive GPS and Mobile TV, as well as considering how long you want to commit to a contract for, and most are over a year, and you will pay more for your handset if you are unwilling to commit. Shopping around and comparing is essential.

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