Another Day With My PC

New Year’s fast approaching. In fact, I could already see fireworks challenging the moon outside my window at this very instance. The sight is a treat. It’s not everyday that I see something new or spectacular whenever I peek out on the window.

Speaking of windows, do you expect to see something new and exciting on your desktop this coming New Year? If you’re using an operating system other than Vista, then chances are, you couldn’t or shouldn’t expect much. I still haven’t discarded XP on my old PC, and honestly I’m starting to get tired of looking at the same old desktop themes and menus.

Vista for Less

Of course, there’s a quick fix to that eyesore. I think I’ve already provided a solution to this problem on my December 26 post (Skin-Deep). There are many available Windows themes on the Web. The one that I’ve featured in the said article is a freeware by OrdinarySoft. Like most freebies on the Net, it doesn’t pack all the features of the program. You have to buy the full version. But the limited/trial version doesn’t expire. And if you’re just after the skin, then you don’t have to skin your wallet to get what you want from the program.

If you’re not a Vista fan though, or if you think that the new Microsoft OS is still aesthetically challenged, then OrdinarySoft’s mimicry of Vista would obviously just spoil your New Year. So let’s check on another alternative in cyberspace.

Willingly Deceived

Stardock provides a library of Windows themes that would surely make you look forward to opening your PC (except if you’re doing the same at the office and you’re up against a deadline). The program, called WindowBlinds, changes every perceivable detail of your desktop, be it the start menu, task bars, and even the buttons. I tried installing the trial version and it was great. My old PC suddenly seemed to have been rejuvenated. Well, not really. I mean it’s still slow, but the new theme makes the wait quite bearable.

WindowBlinds makes you feel and think that your PC is running on an entirely new OS. You may argue that the program is just a foolish superficial deception. Maybe. But the fact that many purchased Vista just for its skin makes theme programs very good alternatives. Nobody’s complaining about XP’s performance. In fact, it’s more reliable than Vista. The only complain that XP owners have about their OS is that it looks old.

Camouflaged

Installing programs like WindowsBlind may seem harmless, especially since it’s only skin deep. But be very careful when introducing any application that you’ve downloaded on the Internet, especially if the author of the same is unknown. Spyware are sometimes disguised as legitimate programs, and in most cases, they do seem to be genuine apps since they look like and perform the functions of the application that they purport to be. However, there’s more to it than meets the eye because the spyware is running simultaneously with the installed application and is camouflaged by the latter.

Make sure that you’re security suite is updated whenever you download and install programs from the Net, especially if the source is unknown or dubious. Many spyware focus on system files, including the operating system’s registry. So be sure you have a registry cleaner installed in order to protect your PC from veiled intruders. Start your New Year right by keeping your life (I mean your PC) safe and secured. Install RegCure and make 2008 a trouble-free and efficient year for you Happy New Year!

This may come as a surprise to some, but definitely not for me or for those who tinker around with PCs for a living.

Microsoft has recently announced that it would be extending the period within which PC makers could bundle their products with Windows XP (SP2). Redmond has acceded to pleas by both retailers and end users to extend its January 30, 2008 deadline.

While some analysts see the acquiescence as an admission from Microsoft that XP is far from being interred, the latter insists that the extension does not also mean that Vista sales are encountering friction from the operating system’s predecessor. It admits that many consumers are still in the process of upgrading their PC units. Until this happens, demands for XP would still persist.

Old equipment is not the only thing or factor which puts XP on the shelves of PC shops. Computer makers are still issuing units powered by Celeron processors. This Intel chip has a reputation of choking out on demanding applications. Hence, many buyers of low-end units request that it be bundled with XP instead of Vista to ensure that it would not hang on them when applications heat up.

After spending a fortune on Windows Vista, you might think that your wallet may not be able to churn out a few bucks for other applications anymore. You may brag all you like on having the latest operating system, but it would practically mean nothing if you don’t have other programs. PCs can’t live on OS alone, you know?

While it may seem unlikely to others, there are many Vista freebies on the Internet. While the quantity and quality may not be as good as those available for XP, Vista apps are fast catching up with software made for its predecessor.

While many of you might be rummaging through the Web for free Vista games or media players, bespectacled techie persons, such as yours truly, are usually scouring for system tools and other utilities that could help us go around the new OS.

One such application that almost made me shout, Eureka!, is TweakVista. This free (trial) software allows you to go through and around Vista without a sweat. This tool from Stardock allows you to do a myriad of things, such as monitor system resources, optimize memory usage and CPU performance, and conduct benchmarking tasks.

While it may not be as sophisticated as Norton’s Systemworks, it has enough features that could help you get out of the forest if you ever (and you most probably will) get lost navigating around Vista. Of course, as PCs don’t live on Vista alone, it could not function reliably and efficiently without other system maintenance tools, such as registry cleaners. Security suites are also must-haves, too.

There are other free system tools available for Vista on the Web. Finding them might be tricky, but it will get a lot easier over time as software makers are doubling their efforts in complementing the new OS with their products.

A top executive from Microsoft has revealed that the company has been more successful in squashing the bugs of its previous operating system than in the present one.

Jeff Jones, Redmond’s security strategy director, revealed in a report that out of the 27 Vista problems that appeared during its first six months, only 12 were given a solution to. In contrast, only 3 of XP’s 39 holes that were discovered during the same period weren’t patched.

Jones was quick to add that most of the vulnerabilities were not critical. He pointed out that Microsoft left only one problem unanswered that was considered as severe. On the other hand, the company failed to provide a patch for two critical problems in XP during its first 6 months.

The report didn’t spare other operating systems written by its competitors. The study showed that Vista is fairing better than the OS X and Linux as far vulnerabilities are concerned.

The comparison may be premature as it only covered the first six months of the two operating systems. It would definitely appear that XP is the more vulnerable OS. However, that conclusion or observation might change as hackers now shift their focus from XP to Vista.

Many are wondering if Microsoft’s operating system for PDAs and smart phones experience the same problems, such as virus and spyware infestation, that its PC counterpart is constantly being subjected to. Both programs technically perform similar functions. Hence, it shouldn’t be surprising if your smart phone’s OS experience crashes due to Windows registry errors.

Surprisingly though, mobile phone operating systems rarely experience most of the problems that are plaguing XP and Vista. Could it be that Windows Mobile 6, or its predecessor, was designed more carefully or meticulously than its PC versions?

Malware attacks on PDAs and smart phones are not very common. However, it usually just takes one attack in order for the malicious application to cause serious problems to your phone. The usual solution for mobile phone owners is to reinstall their unit’s OS. System utilities, such as registry cleaners or malware removers, are not usually or readily available to PDA or smart phone users.

Time will come when antiviruses or anti-spyware programs would already be available for mobile phone operating systems. PDAs and smart phones are expected to evolve into a compact but fully functional PC in just a few years time. Until then, you can expect a less complicated or troublesome time with your mobile unit.

There used to be a time when hard disk real estate was a prime but very scarce PC resource. During the mid 1990s, hard drive manufacturers were hard pressed in keeping up with the growing size of applications. The only safe solution to lack of space at that time was to buy another hard drive. But this is a very expensive remedy. Hence, many resorted to DriveSpace.

DriveSpace doubles up hard drive space by compressing files in the disk. While this program effectively frees up 30%-40% of disk space, it slows down file access and even endangers the integrity of many applications. Take note that DriveSpace increases breathing room by squeezing files and not expanding space. Hence, any error on the manner by which files are compressed and decompressed could very well mean the corruption of the file.

DriveSpace has long been extinct. It was still recognized by Windows 98, but the utility was entirely scrapped in XP. At present, hard drives is as cheap as any other media storage device. Well, not really, but it’s very affordable nonetheless.

Much has already been said on how OS X edges out XP and Vista in the OS market in terms of design and security. Windows fans dismiss such claims as mud slings from Apple’s henchmen who make their product look good by deforming Bill Gates’ banner products.

So which OS has the upper hand, at least as far as having the most durable and shiniest armor is concerned?

The CNET Duel

CNET has recently sponsored a duel between these two top operating systems. OS X easily put the lights out off Vista in the security category. This is hardly surprising since Vista’s predecessors were known to be vulnerable to all sorts of attacks. While Microsoft has claimed that Vista is the most secure OS in the world, their checkered track record hasn’t convinced even their software’s most loyal fans that their system will be fully protected against malware threats.

Pride-Swallowing Revelation

Take for example Vista’s User Account Controls (UAC) feature. This innovation was supposed to be one of the cornerstones of Vista’s impregnable wall. Its function is mainly to ferret out attacks from malicious programs and prevent them from making any changes to your system. I originally lauded Microsoft for this. I was even tempted to say that Vista’s security features could take Symantec and McAfee out of business.

Complacent folks such as yours truly were taken for a rude awakening by Joanna Rutkowska, a known Windows decapitator, when she revealed the useless nature of Vista’s UAC. She exposed the vulnerabilities of this supposedly impenetrable filter. Microsoft was stunned at the revelation. It didn’t heavily dispute the claims made by Rutkowska. What it only did was to sheepishly point out that the UAC is not exactly a part, or at least an important component, of Vista’s security repertoire.

Having More Enemies

One of the reasons why Vista seems more vulnerable to external threats than OS X is the fact that the former has more enemies than the latter. I’m not sure why many want to see Microsoft go down. Could it be because of its monopoly over the OS industry? I don’t know. Personally, I don’t have any problem with Microsoft ruling over the world. Maybe the reason why people prefer Windows over Linux or OS X is because the former is more easy or convenient to use. You could argue that OS X might have been the world’s most widely used program had it not been for Microsoft’s bully tactics. That’s definitely a good point to consider. But the fact remains that many people are simply comfortable using Windows than any other OS available in the market.

If OS X is more secured than Vista simply because the former is subjected to fewer attacks than the latter, then Apple’s triumph is a hollow one. The circumstances or conditions should be the same for both programs. Maybe OS X critics are indeed right in saying that the Apple software’s security record seems unblemished since nobody has ardently tried to climb its walls.

• Nov 21 : Microsoft Delays IE8 Release
• Nov 19 : Mac Fans are Just as Vulnerable as PC Users
• Nov 19 : Samsung Beings Mass Production of 256GB SSDs
• Nov 17 : Geneva Sound Systems Releases a Funky iPod Speaker
• Nov 14 : BlackBerry Storm Comes in Nov. 21