Awesome Techs

The first reason for any normal computer user to use Windows 7 is its cooler look and faster performance. Extended support for themes, desktop gadgets, sidebar etc are helping windows 7 to look nice. The people who uses linux for every day use is increasing day by day, but still its not even close to the numbers of windows users. The main reason is being the ugly user interface, which is not the truth but what most people think.

Now in a KDE desktop, for example Kubuntu, all these effects which windows 7 boasts to have, are there. But what about the Gnome Lovers, so thats why I am writing this blog post today. Gnome can be made lot more cooler than even windows 7 with the use of some tools. Cairo-Dock/Glx-Dock is on of this kind application.

With Cairo Dock we can make the Gnome desktop look like anything we want. The best feature of this cairo-dock is, it is customizable to very high extend. Cairo-Dock is a bar to launch applications hosted (or dock, to the way Mac OS X) incorporating in its latest versions, management of plugins as desklets (or widgets) directly displayed on the desktop of user icons such “interactive”. Incorporated by Fabrice Rey (aka Fabounet) and developed on Ubuntu (also works on other distributions and desktop environments Linux in 32 or 64 bit) it allows quick launching favorite applications directly from the user’s desktop.  A manager of transparency as Compiz Fusion, Beryl, Compiz or Metacity associated with xcompmgr is necessary.  The dock also works under XFCE (with the composite manager xfwm4 or Compiz), and normally with KDE since Kwin manages the composition display.

You can find the installation instruction HERE. Information for Ubuntu Users are available HERE.

PS: If you are experiencing any issues after the install, just right click and quit the application and then launch it by using the -c switch. like cairo-dock -c.

Also if you are using Radeon cards, you may want to add the boot parameter radeon.modeset=1.

If you got any doubts ask me, through he comments. Here are some desktops which uses Cairo-Dock.

The latest version of Opera Browser comes with a bundle of nice features. Well private browsing is nothing new as almost all well known browsers are having this feature. But windows7 Integration, i have to tell you, its awesome. Its like this version of opera have integrated to windows7 better than Internet explorer 8.

The interface has been completely re-done with Aero Glass for Windows 7 or Vista users. The menu bar has been rolled up into a single button similar to the way Office 2007 works, with easy access to all common functions all from one place.

Windows 7 users can hover their mouse over the taskbar Opera button to see previews of each of the open tabs, and moving your mouse over a specific tab will enable the Aero Peek effect and show the Opera window with the contents of that particular tab. Well this is how Internet Explorer 8 works right? And thats not all. You can even middle-click on the thumbnail preview to close a tab.

If you have created a shortcut of opera on your taksbar, then you can simply right click it and it gives you options for selecting items from your Speed Dial, opening a new tab, or starting a new private browsing session in a separate tab.

Download

This build still represents early work in progress; as before many things are known not to work. It can still crash, cause you to swear and speak badly of you behind your back. You have been warned!

• Windows MSI/ Windows Classic
• Unix/Mac builds will be provided later this week

Known issues (will be fixed in the next snapshot)

• 99% score on Acid3
• Regression in DOM performance

Opera 10.5 Beta [Opera Desktop Team] via – LifeHacker

BitDefender Internet Security 2010 is comprehensive Internet security software that offerr protection against malware, spyware, virus, Trojan, spam, hackers without slowing down the PCs. BitDefender Internet Security 2010 comes with user-friendly interface with designed for expert or novices that interface adapt to the chosen profile and provide quick access to the main security functionality.

Now Bitdefender offers free license for 3 months.

• Protects against viruses and other malware using industry-leading technology
• Scans all Web, e-mail and instant messaging traffic in real-time
• Provides an unmatched detection rate of new threats
• Guard the files and conversations with top-of-the line encryption
• Prevents personal information from leaking via e-mail, Web or instant messaging
• Blocks spyware programs that track your online activities
• Connect securely to any network at home, at the office, or away
• Parental Control blocks access to inappropriate websites and e-mail
• Antispam stops unwanted e-mail from reaching Inbox
• Free technical support for the entire duration of the product license.

To get the free license follow the steps:

1. Visit the promotional page at the following URL:http://www.bitdefender.ro/media/html/ro/romanialibera/
2. Then click on “Descarca acum” (top of the page) to download bitdefender_isecurity.exe file.
3. Once downloading the file, run it to install BitDefender Internet Security 2010.

Alternatively, use direct download links below to download and install the BitDefender Internet Security 2010:

BitDefender_isecurity.exe

Grab fast as offer expires December 15, 2009.

PS:If you see the installation in Romanian language, then copy the downloaded “bdis.msi” file from C:\Windows\Temp to another folder and again run that installation file (bdis.msi).

Also this version is windows7 ready.

Windows 7 can be activated using an activation crack based on royalty-OEM mechanism. But that is not all. Now hackers have found a way to activate windows 7 even without a key. This hack will removing and disable the Windows Activation Technologies (WAT).

In windows 7 & windows 2008, the activation mechanism is comprised of SPP (Software Protection Platform) and SLC (Software Licensing Client), which manages and handles licensing and activation matters on the operating system to the core components or files which are required for its operation. So now what hacker do is, block the access to these Mechanisms. This will disable the start ups of any activation mechanisms and by thus windows 7 will never ask for the validation of activation.

Currently, two leading Windows 7 non-loader crack is RemoveWAT and Chew-WGA.

So  the first Zero day a.k.a. 0day vulnerability for windows 7. The details of this exploit were posted on the Full Disclosure mailing list.

The newly found bug was discovered by Laurent Gaffie. You can view the Details and POC here.

It is caused by a flaw in the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol that forms the backbone of Windows file sharing. When triggered, the flaw results in an infinite loop that renders the computer useless, or at least more useless than it was before when Windows was still running.

And till now Microsoft don’t have any patches for this. The author recommends Closing the SMB feature and ports, until a real audit is provided. The vulnerability hits Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

Since this exploit is just for crashing the system, you don’t have to panic about losing sensitive data. And for the same reasons black-hat hackers won’t be much interested in this exploit.

The odd thing is, this exploit has been spotted just a day after the operating system was declared risk free in Microsoft’s monthly security bulletin.

Update:Microsoft Issues SMB Vulnerability Advisory‎ for Windows 7 – Read it Here.

So the global excitement for the Windows 7 is getting increased more and more day by day.

And now according to the NPD groups’ weekly tracking service, Windows 7 software unit sales in the U.S. increased 234% over Windows Vista’s first few days of sales.  “A combination of factors impacted Windows 7 PC sales at the outset, but the trajectory of overall PC sales is very strong leading into the holiday season,” said Stephen Baker at NPD.

234%, well I can say this is HUGE.