October 2006

Microsoft Outlook 2003 and ZoneAlarm anti-spam plugin issues

by Michael Sheehan on October 30, 2006

in General, Microsoft, Software

I recently had some issues with my ZoneAlarm install and MS Outlook 2003 and the Anti-Spam plug-in. Whenever I launched Outlook, the ZoneAlarm plugin was not initializing despite efforts to enable (through ZA and through the COM add-in within Outlook). I found a solution that seems to have worked. Basically, you need to fully delete the COM add-in and then recreate from scratch. To do this, just follow the following steps:

1) Open “Tools->Options…”
2) Click on the “Other” tab.
3) Click on “Advanced Options’.
4) Click on “COM Add-Ins”
5) Remove “MailBuddy Outlook Addin”
6) Add “MailBuddy Outlook Addin” it back in by choosing “C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\MailFrontier\mlfoshim.dll”

Then you should be good to go!

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Installed the keyboard myself!

by Michael Sheehan on October 24, 2006

in Apple, General, Hardware

Well, I figured that I would try to save a little bit of $$$ and get some more notches in the tech belt and install the new keyboard on my Powerbook myself. I used the great guides (as previously mentioned) at iFixIt.com. I definitely recommend them. Anyway, the installation went relatively well, but I had to do it twice (the second time was a lot easier).

One thing that was left out of a few of the install guides that I looked at was the fact that on the replacement keyboard, there is some nondescript black tape that should be removed. If it isn’t removed, the backlit keyboard isn’t fully lit. I found that out the hard way.
Anyway, keyboard is installed and I’m breaking it in. Here are some pictures of it fully cracked open on the operating table…I feel pretty good about this one!

Powerbook on the table #1 Powerbook on the table #2

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How to combat Phishing Scams

by Michael Sheehan on October 24, 2006

in General, Open Source, Security

So, I previously posted about Phishing scams and what they look like (with screen shots). I figured that I would continue my Public Service Announcement with some tools that you can use to be sure that you don’t get “caught.”

Option #1 – There is a new site that you can go and report Phishing scams on called PhishTank. On this site, you can submit suspected “phishes”, track the status of your submission and collaborate with an “opensource” type of community on these types of issues. Since the one that I found was seemingly shut down, I couldn’t submit it. However, I will do so in the future.

Option #2 – Upgrade to Firefox 2. Firefox 2 which was just released, now contains a tool to help prevent you from going to a Phishing site. When you go to a site that has been reported as a Phishing site, you get a warning. This works cross-platform (e.g., Macs and PCs). There is a link to Firefox download at the bottom of the page so use it! (See the Firefox Phishing warning below)

Firefox 2 Phishing Warning

Option #3 – Upgrade to Internet Explorer 7. While the jury is still out on how good IE7 is, it does have an anti-phishing warning as well. (See the IE7 Phishing warning below)

[click to continue…]

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Powerbook unboxing – Part 3

by Michael Sheehan on October 24, 2006

in Apple, General, Hardware

So, I got my wonderful Powerbook back from Apple Care yesterday. Yes, they fixed the issue of the ALS (Ambient light sensor). Now I’m shopping around for a good local vendor to help install the keyboard that I purchased on eBay. I have found a couple of local candidates and I’m just checking prices now.

I would have tried to do this myself, but after reading through the Apple Tech Manual as well as the wonderful guides at www.ifixit.com, I felt that it might be better to have someone who has the tools and knows what they are doing, to do the work. I have, in the past, installed new hard drives in the following: Powerbook 15″, Powerbook 12″ and iMac DVSE (as well as built my own PC and upgraded countless others). This time, I’m going to leave it in the hands of the experts!

I almost have a “new” Powerbook…obviously it pales in comparison to the just announced MacBook Pro’s (Intel Core 2 Duo’s)…dang. I guess a TechDad can dream! (Anyone care to give me one?)

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This is NOT me…

October 19, 2006

At work, we were playing around with the “I’m Feeling Lucky” button on Google Search…there were some funny things that come up. I thought that with a name as common as mine, I would help to clear up all of the confusion in the world about who I am and who I am NOT…so… This [...]

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Apple Care – Part 4 – back for more repairs (ALS broken)

October 17, 2006

Well, I must say that I have been getting to know Apple Care a bit more that I really would have wanted to. Where I last left off, Apple had totally “styled me out” by fixing my case with new parts…however, it looks like they forgot to connect the Ambient Light Sensor (ALS) when they [...]

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Windows Update Error 80245003 – Windows Update won’t run on Vista RC2

October 17, 2006

Updated on 06.25.07: I have added some more detailed steps based on feedback I received. See end of post for further details. I’m playing around with Windows Vista on a test box that I have. So far, it’s looking like a fairly nice upgrade to XP. It doesn’t feel like a complete overhaul (which, from [...]

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Helper apps for the Mac (specifically Remote Desktop Connection)

October 13, 2006

I’m sure that if you are a mac user and you use Microsoft’s Remote Desktop (RDC) to connect to other PCs, that you have become frustrated on how limited the capabilities are. I found a couple of tools that may help with that lack-luster experience. First, there is RDC Menu. ” RDC Menu adds an [...]

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