5 best FREE DDNS service

Using a Smart DNS service is a great way of browsing geo-location locked content and accessing streaming channels that would otherwise be inaccessible to you. Unfortunately, the big problem with Smart DNS is that it requires your IP address to work correctly, and with most Internet Service Providers (ISP) this can change on a regular basis. To overcome this, all Smart DNS providers have a section on their website user area that can be used to easily update your IP address. While this is relatively easy to do and should cause no issues to anyone, it can become a hassle if you have to do it regularly. This is where a Dynamic DNS or DDNS for short, comes in. You can register a free domain name and install a piece of software on your computer that will then keep your IP address updated as required. At the end of this article, we examine how to set-up a DDNS service from scratch. Our list here contains, what we believe, are the best free DDNS services, but we also have a list covering the best paid DDNS services (coming soon). A paid Dynamic DNS service, doesn’t pose an advantage to the average person, but it does allow you to register top-level domains, have better support, do not contain advertisements, have unlimited hostnames and domains registered amongst many options. Most providers include different services/limitations in their services so if you have extensive needs, you choose one that suits all of them.

FREE DDNS services summary

No-IP

PROS

• Great application
• Software for all major platforms
• Intuitive CONS
• Requires activation every 30 days
• Only one domain choice (.ddns.net)

No-IP is one of the best and most used DDNS services and for good reason. Their free sub-domain based Dynamic DNS service includes features not found elsewhere such as URL and port forwarding that makes it ideal for home networks. With their paid options even more such as email and SSl upgrades are supported. Their service is easy to use, and the client is very easy to set-up meaning the average person will have no problems with settings it up. The only downside we could find with No-IP was the fact that you have “reactivate it” every 30 days to keep it alive and running.

ChangeIP

PROS

• Very flexible
• Quick and easy
• Large choice of domains CONS
• Hard to navigate

ChangeIP is a service very similar to No-IP, with the major differences being that it doesn’t support forwarding, and we found the website to be a little harder to navigate. Overall though ChangeIP has a very flexible Dynamic DNS infrastructure and can provide most people with what they need. Their sub-domain names that you can use is probably one of the largest we have seen and allows everything from vanity to utility. You can also use your own domain with the low cost of $6/year.

DNSExit

PROS

• Business and personal accounts
• Free DNS for own domains or chose your own sub-domain CONS
• No port forwarding
• Signing up and navigating can be confusing

We enjoyed using DNS Exit, but we found the process of signing up unnecessarily complicated. If you’re more technically inclined, you will be able to see that they also support every type of DNS entry options. Like the above options, they also allow you to use your own domain and can provide other hosting and DNS services (of course these will cost money). Their subdomain names aren’t as attractive as elsewhere (.linkpc.net, .publicvm.com) but they do the job required and are easy to memorize. Their other big downside is the fact they do not support port forwarding. Overall the general consensus is that they are very good, and most people report having a fantastic uptime with them.

Dynu

PROS

• Port forwarding
• Lots of domain options CONS
• Old school design gives negative impression

Overall we found that Dyno gives a great service with plenty of ticks for domain options and URL and port forwarding. Like DNS Exit, you can also register your own domain for their DDNS service at absolutely no cost. Unfortunately, we felt that their website, navigation and client flow has been stuck in 1997 which is never a good indication of a service.

FreeDNS .Afraid

PROS

• Community run
• Extremely large number of domains available CONS
• Community run
• Everyone shares their personal domains

The best and worse feature of FreeDNS.Afraid is the same thing: it is community run. While this is great as it means that everything is free (though donations are highly encouraged), the systems have been designed with the users in mind, and there is plenty of support available. On the downside, it means that your personal domain (if you own one) is shared and open to everyone else to use and users are more technically knowledgeable.

Conclusion

While Smart DNS services are great, they can be very annoying to use if your IP keeps changing thanks to your ISP. A free DDNS service can make light of this problem in mere seconds not to mention a number of other great uses it can have. If you’re still stuck on which one to use have a look at the summary below or feel free to leave us a comment.

5 best FREE DDNS service

How to Improve Your Broadband Speed

Your Internet (broadband) speed depends on many factors: your computer, browser, software, ISP, Wi-Fi and hardware. This article will discuss how you can get the most from your Internet connection.

I recommend that you try the changes in this article before considering switching to a faster, more expensive broadband package.

Computer Settings

Download speeds may be reduced because of incorrect computer settings of the computer. Microsoft Windows default settings are not optimized for the fastest Internet connections. We recommend the free tool TCP Optimizer. It is a small program that takes just a couple of minutes to install and run and changes all the settings needed to maximise your speed. When you run the tool just accept the defaults and it will do the rest. Even Windows 8 comes with default settings that are slowing you down.

Browsers

You access the Internet by using a browser (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Internet Explorer, etc.). Whichever one you prefer, it is important that you keep it up to date. This will ensure that you have the latest (and fastest) version.

Your browser can also be configured to maximise the speed of your Internet browsing. For example, Chrome automatically pre-fetches (downloads pages in the background) pages it thinks you may want to visit next. Opera has an "off-road mode" that compresses pages before being downloaded (smaller files take less time and pages will load quicker). You can also install extensions or 'add-ons' to your browser to increase your speed such as Firefox's Image Block.

Speed up by talking to the ISP

If you have tried all the advice on this page and you still need a faster connection then you should look at changing the broadband package. Not all packages will be available at your property and the speed you get will vary with distance from the exchange.

To help you choose the best package from all available ISPs:

1. Enter your postcode in our "speed in my area" page. This will display a map showing the actual speeds recorded in your area including the name of the provider and the package.
2. When you know that faster Internet IS available then you need to get the best deal. Enter your postcode in our "compare broadband" page and you will see the best deals available at your address.
3. When you have decided on your new package visit maccode.org.uk for a guide to switching.

Wireless Connection

If you are using Wi-Fi then please see our web page on How to Improve Wireless Speed.

Software Running In the Background

There are many programs that start running in the background as soon as you log in to the PC. Many of these will need to access the Internet even if they appear to be switched off. These programs may continually upload and download data and not only slow you down but also use up your download allowance. Some applications like Windows updates and security suite updates are essential and should be running all the time but others can be stopped. Go to your task manager by right clicking on the Task bar and look in the Applications Tab to see which applications are running. You can prevent most of these from starting automatically by changing the settings in the program.

To have better and easier control over what programs are running on your computer then use a tool such as PC Speed Up. The free version of PC Speed Up allows you to easily control which programs start when Windows starts PC SpeedUp also optimizes your computer including everything that TCP Optimizer does.

Router

The router or modem that you use also plays an important role in the performance. A better modem or router may give better features such as being able to select ports for gaming etc., and may also have a better firewall. For wireless connections you should position the router to minimize obstructions from walls etc. To see if you are losing speed because of obstructions you should test the wireless speed and check it against the speed you get when using a network cable.

Today many people use wireless routers at home for convenient access to the internet without running cables all over the house. Most are unaware that wireless connections are much less reliable than wired connections and slow broadband may be caused by a problem at home rather than with the ISP service.

If you are using wireless broadband then it's worth trying to connect your PC to the router by network cable and run the speed test. If you find that your connection is faster on wire than on wireless then you have a problem that you should be able to fix without switching broadband.

Problem with Interference from Other Users

Wireless connections work on frequency bands called channels. One of the reasons that Wi-Fi is slow could be that the channel you are using is also being used by your neighbour's wireless router and causing interference. To find out what channel you and your neighbours are using download Netstumbler. {link to open in new tab}Use this simple free utility to see whether you are sharing the channel with other people. One thing to note is that channels are overlapping so it isn't good enough to simply use another channel. You should try to use a channel that has no overlap with your neighbours.

The graphic below shows that a channel can interfere with up to 8 other channels. For example, channel 6 interferes with channels 2 to 10. If your neighbour is using channel 6 you should choose 1 or 11.

Problems with Windows Configuration

Other problem with your wireless broadband might be that your wireless card on your PC may not be optimized for high speeds. The default settings in Microsoft Windows are not configured for higher network speeds (even Windows 8 default settings are not optimized for speed). To test and fix this use TCPOptimizer. Move the speed slider to your desired speed (the speed you expect to get from your ISP), change the radio button to optimal speed and press Apply. After the computer restarts you will notice the speed improvement.

Check that Your Wi-Fi is Not Being Used by Other People

It is very easy for people to use an insecure wireless Internet service without the knowledge of the owner. Apart from the obvious security risk (these users are now trusted members of your network) this usage will slow down the connection speed. An unprotected connection may lead to hacking that allows other users to find out your personal information, such as bank details.

Check your Wi-Fi network by visiting 'My Network Places'. There should be a picture of a padlock next to the name of your network. If this is absent then you need security. We recommend that you install Wi-Fi Protector. This is a free program that has many features that we recommend to keep you secure. The significant feature here is the easy to use analysis of your Wi-Fi security and also any other Wi-Fi connections that you use (coffee shops, airports etc.).

If you discover that your Wi-Fi is insecure then you should configure your router to use a secure password. A wireless encryption key is normally used to make hacking (the term used for someone gaining illegal access to a network) more difficult. Use WPA2-AES because this offers the best security.

Speedup Wireless Connection by Using a Better Aerial

If you are using Wi-Fi at home and experience speed problems then you should consider getting a better aerial. This is normally a few inches tall and is connected to your router. A longer aerial will improve the signal and increase the range of your Wi-Fi. Buying a longer aerial can increase the signal strength by 30-50%.

You can also think of using a wireless access point. This is an additional router that acts as a repeater to extend the reach of your wireless signal.

How to Improve Your Broadband Speed

Aplicaţiile Android se restartează datorită reclamelor

De ce ni se restartează jocurile sau alte aplicaţii Android după ce închidem ferestrele de reclame

Mi s-a întâmplat ca atunci când mă jucam Drag Racing sau Angry Birds, să mi se restarteze jocurile după ce închideam reclamele, ca şi când le-aş fi pornit eu din nou (mă duceau în meniul lor principal).
Rezolvarea nu stă nici măcar în faptul că am instala AdBlockPlus for Android. Tot ce trebuie să facem este să dezactivăm opţiunea: "Don't keep activities" din Settings -> Developer Options. Pentru cei ce au Android tradus în română calea este: "Setări->Opţiuni dezvoltator->Nu se păstrează activ." Sub "Nu se păstrează activ." avem explicaţia "Oprire orice activitate imediat ce utilizatorul o părăseşte"
DEBIFĂM OPŢIUNEA ŞI S-A REZOLVAT!

Explicaţia constă în faptul că dacă acea opţiune este bifată (activă), când o aplicaţie Android apelează ferestre de reclame, sistemul închide aplicaţia respectivă, deci în acel moment sistemul o restartează şi de aici rezultă o buclă infinită.

Aplicaţiile Android se restartează datorită reclamelor

'Disk check has been cancelled' automatically in Windows 7

When I schedule a disk check for my my C: partition (where the OS is installed) and restart my laptop, I get the message:

'A disk check has been scheduled.

To skip disk checking, press any key within 10 seconds'

Which immediately (without any user interaction whatsoever) turn into:

'A disk check has been scheduled.

Disk checking has been cancelled'

I have tried both restarting, and shutting down and powering back up my computer.

I have tried scheduling it through the Right Click --> Properties menu on the C: drive icon, as well as through cmd.

I have tried checking only 'Automatically fix file system errors', as well as both that and 'Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors'

Same result.

How to fix it:

I. Start > Search > cmd (right click run as admin)

Type the following and press Enter: 

fsutil dirty query c:

This tells you if the disk is dirty or not. If it is dirty, type the following:

chkntfs /x c:

hit Enter

chkdsk c: /r

hit Enter

Then 'Y' when it asks to reboot.

II. Make sure you're going to reboot in Normal Mode. Reboot.

1. Hit F8 over and over as soon as your boot up screen appears. (The computer one, which appears before the Windows one.)
2. This will take you to a DOS-like screen. Select Repair Recovery Manager. (You may be prompted to log in as an administrator user so that you can access the Command Prompt.)
3. Form the Repair Recover Manager, select Command Prompt. This will start a command prompt window in the X: drive.
4. Enter C: to switch to the C drive.
5. Enter chkdsk /f (or chkdsk /r)
6. When asked to force a dismount, enter Y
7. The disk will now be checked.
8. Note the results and close the command prompt. (Mine couldn't save the results to the logfile, because it was on the C drive.)
9. Reboot.

III. Ultimate way of solution:

Going into the command prompt as administrator type in:
chkntfs /t:0

if nothing is happened reboot

The result is showing like that:

'Disk check has been cancelled' automatically in Windows 7

Common Linux misconfigurations

    Over the numerous configuration reviews and pentest engagements that have been performed, has been observed a common pattern in the configuration weaknesses in Linux systems. I believe reviewing these common weaknesses and taking them into consideration may save a lot of time and resources, and more importantly help system administrators with creating more secure environments.

The 5 Common Linux misconfiguration are:
* user home directory permissions
* getgid and setuid binaries
* world-readable and writable files/folders
* weak services in use
* default NFS mount options or insecure export options

1. user home permissions
    On most Linux distributions the default permissions for home folders is 755 which means that any user who had access to the server can see what is in other user’s home folders. Some users such as administrators or developers may have scripts or backups of files in their home folders which contain sensitive information such as user passwords and keys to services to the same or other servers on the network.

2. setgid and setuid binaries
    The set uid bit on a file is dangerous because it allows that file to run as a potentially privileged user such as root. If a file is owned by root and had the set uid bit set the file will run with the privileges of root. This means that if an attacker can find a vulnerability or unexpected uses of that file he can then perform commands on the system as the root user which means a full compromise of the server.

3. world readable and writable files/folders
    World-readable and writable files and folders introduce similar issues as loose user home permissions but throughout the system. The main cause of world readable files is the default umask used for file creation of either 0022 or 0002. As a result of this configuration weakness, files that may contain sensitive information will be readable by anyone that has access to the system. Files may also be modified by anyone on the system if they are world-writable. This can lead to an attacker modifying files or scripts to hide forensic evidence or to execute commands by modifying a script used by Administrators.

4. weak services or configurations
    Services are configured with the minimum configuration changes needed to get them up and running. It is not uncommon to find services Also, Weak and possibly default credentials and configurations when using less secure communication channels are also typical, increasing the risk and attack surface of the server. When using services the options and configuration should be reviewed to ensure that what is being deployed is secure or properly configured. It’s also not uncommon to find these services bound to multiple interfaces on the server instead of just listening locally or just on the specified interface.

5. default mount options or insecure export options
    The defaults keyword for all mounts have the following options "rw, suid, dev, exec, auto, nouser, and async". These options are weak since they allow for the honoring of the suid and guid bits that are set on externally mounted file systems via protocols such as NFS. When exporting NFS shares it is recommended that the no_root_squash option not be set. The root-squash option is the default behavior but it is commonly seen to be changed. If root-squashing in not done it allows users to create files on the exported NFS share as the root user. These weaknesses if left as defaults, can allow for root access on servers where such access is not provided for users.

    The settings identified here are areas that are commonly overlooked when configuring a Linux server. These weaknesses can be used by attackers or malicious users to gain a wealth of information or elevated privileges on a server. Hardening your system makes it more difficult for a user to compromise it, and also more difficult to use the system as means to access other systems within the environment.

Common Linux misconfigurations

Online picture editor

An simple online picture editor for minimal remaking of pictures is available online at http://pixlr.com/editor/

Express version is available at: http://pixlr.com/express/

Try also http://pixlr.com/o-matic/ which is version for webcam acquiring and online processing.

Thank you for visiting my website and I hope to become one of my usual reader.

Online picture editor

Fix for microSD Card Not Detecting Error in Samsung Galaxy Y S5360

It is very unfortunate that some of the users are having issue with the last firmware release of Gingerbread 2.3.6. So, now to fix the SD Card issues, you need not install any new firmware for the same but you need to follow a simple tip so as to fix it.

Tip: Backup all the data of your SD card in your computer.

Procedure to Fix SD Card Issue on Samsung Galaxy Y Android Phone:

• First up, you need to backup all you data which is there in the SD Card as the data stored in the SD Card will be lost.
• So, once the backup is done, you need to format all the data in the “FAT 32” file system and then you need to insert the same in your phone.

In this way, the issues are successfully fixed the issue of the SD Card not detecting after applying this update. Please note that just in case if you have proceeded to format the card without taking the backup then, the data will be erased which cannot be recovered back.

Fix for microSD Card Not Detecting Error in Samsung Galaxy Y S5360

Setting Up Sony VAIO Event Service on Windows 7 x86 / Windows 7 x64 for Brightness (Fn+F5/Fn+F6), Mute/Volume (Fn+F2/Fn+F3/Fn+F4), and Monitor Switching (Fn+F7) Control

 This article is a guide on how to enable Sony VAIO notebooks’ function keys to control audio volume level and muting, internal LCD monitor brightness, and monitor/projector switching.

Sony VAIO laptops—mostly powered by Phoenix BIOS—suffer from a design flaw: Display panel brightness, monitor switching, audio volume controls, and muting do not work in the event of a specific Sony software misconfiguration. Once Windows 7 is installed, volume controls and muting function keys will start to function, because Sony designers have used “PS/2 Scan Codes for Enhanced Keyboard Features” and Windows multimedia interface recognizes the following multimedia keyboard (hexadecimal) scan codes:

• E0 20: Audio Muting Toggle—On/Off Control (OOC)
• E0 2E: Audio Volume Decrement—Re-Trigger Control (RTC)
• E0 30: Audio Volume Increment—Re-Trigger Control (RTC)

It’s reported by Sony VAIO users suffering from the function keys problem that you can benefit from Windows 7’s own Win+P keyboard strokes combination to toggle your screen output between Computer Only, Duplicate, Extend, or Projector Only modes—P is short for projector. Getting rid of them, brightness still remains uncontrollable, unless the graphics accelerator driver software (e.g., Nvidia Control Panel) can handle such feature.
Electronically speaking, volume, brightness, and projector-switching controls should interact with the built-in internal amp, the LCD’s LED-backlight/fluorescent tube, and the GPU respectively, but they don’t; they’re just a bunch of crude keys…
Dell laughs at the Japanese because such vital functions should be implemented at the BIOS-level, and with the elimination of high-level software dependency, the LCD screen brightness of a Dell laptop (e.g., my Dell XPS M1330) can be changed using Fn+Up/Fn+Down arrow keys in its BIOS, during POST, while starting Windows, once Windows has completed its cumbersome startup, or in whatever OS you’re operating, regardless of driver-dependency. Not acting as a driver and not necessitated to install, Dell QuickSet software only enables users to see an OSD of what they’re changing.

Solution

“It’s a Sony” though, so what should a typical VAIO owner do if they’ve upgraded to Windows 7? You need to download the following drivers and utilities for your VAIO’s specific model from Sony VAIO Support website, and using run as administrator install them exactly in the order specified:

1. Sony Firmware Extension Parser Device Driver (SODOTH)
2. Sony Shared Library (SOASSL)
3. Setting Utility Series (SOASUS)
4. VAIO Event Service (SOAVES)

Once every package’s installation is finished, there’s a chance for the Program Compatibility Assistant to pop up indicating the following message:

Program Compatibility Assistant

This program might not have installed correctly

If this program didn't install correctly, try reinstalling using settings that are compatible with this version of Windows.

Program: SOAVES-70192615-US
Publisher: Sony Corporation of America
Location: D:\Install\Drivers\Sony ...\SOAVES-70192615-US.exe

Reinstall using recommended settings

This program installed correctly

Carefully select This program installed correctly.
VAIO gurus suggest a restart once each one of the drivers and utilities finished installing, just to keep the VAIO software team happy.
Please note the four-tier installation order is crucial, and refusal to adhere to the installation order results in partial response of your Fn combinative keys:

• A friend’s Sony VAIO VGN-SZ650N had only Fn+F2 (mute), Fn+F3 (volume down), and Fn+F4 (volume up) functioning—leaving Fn+F5 (brightness decrement), Fn+F6 (brightness increment), and Fn+F7 (monitor switching) not working at all. With no brightness control and sticking to maximum screen brightness, his precious Sony VAIO SZ Series has become an eyestraining piece of gadget.
• Another friend wasn’t just able to increase or decrease the screen brightness of her Sony VAIO VGN-FZ290N using Fn+F5 / Fn+F6 ever since she has installed Windows 7, even though she’s been proud of installing everything Sony had to offer to download at its esupport website! Told her most of the packages she’s been installing were dispensable bloatware.

Also please note if all or some portion of these 4 packages have previously existed on your current Windows 7 installation, or even you’re suspicious about it, take no chances, and directly jump to the removal procedure described below.

Fixing a Hasty Disorganized Installation

You need to remove any instances of the aforementioned software installed previously, before methodically installing them fresh:

1. Leave Sony Firmware Extension Parser (SFEP) Device Driver alone. There’s no need to trace its footprints, and no uninstallation is required.
2. Utilizing Control Panel\Programs\Programs and Features\Uninstall a program, locate and uninstall VAIO Event Service and restart your VAIO’s Windows.
3. Utilizing Control Panel\Programs\Programs and Features\Uninstall a program, locate and uninstall Setting Utility Series and restart your VAIO’s Windows.
4. Sony Shared Library doesn’t leave any uninstall traces in Program and Features\Uninstall a program. Using the file listing appendix, locate and delete its files (i.e., %ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Sony Shared\Sony Utilities, etc.)

Appendix: Sony Software Folders File Listing

Sony Shared Library

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\Version.txt
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\Sony Utilities\Data.prof
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\Sony Utilities\Match.prof
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\Sony Utilities\SnyUtils.dll

Setting Utility Series

C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\AppMonitorSetting.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\AutoDimmerSetting.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\BatteryCare.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\DisplaySetting.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\HDDProtectionSetting.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\InputSetting.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\LEDSetting.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\PowerViewSetting.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\SBMsg.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\SBRes.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\SpecialButtonSetting.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\SUSCommonSetting.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\SUSLaunchStartDes.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\SystemSetting.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\VCCChecker.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\VCCMouseButton.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\Version.txt
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\AppMonitorSetting.dll.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\AutoDimmerSetting.dll.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\BatteryCare.exe.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\colormode.chm
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\Display.chm
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\DisplaySetting.dll.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\HDDProtection.chm
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\HDDProtectionSetting.dll.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\InputSetting.dll.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\LEDSetting.dll.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\Perform.chm
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\PointingDevice.chm
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\PowerViewSetting.dll.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\SBRes.dll.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\Sbutton.chm
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\SpecialButtonSetting.dll.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\SystemSetting.dll.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\VCCMouseButton.exe.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\zoombutton.chm

VAIO Event Service

C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\Activation.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\Interop.NETWORKLIST.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\mfc80u.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\msvcp70.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\msvcp71.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\msvcp80.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\msvcr70.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\msvcr71.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\msvcr80.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\NWMultiTouch.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\pi.wav
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\RKConfig.ini
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\Version.txt
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESAppMon.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESAutoDimmer.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESBasePS.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESColorMgr.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESCommonUI.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESConfig.ini
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESGfxMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESHidDevice.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESHybridGfx.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESKBStatus.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESMgrSub.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESMgrSubPS.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESPerform.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESRemoteKey.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESRes.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESSetGamma.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESShellExeProxy.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESStorageProtect.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESSuEvent.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESTransform.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESUSBKeyboard.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESWndMsg.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESWndMsgHook.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VideoColorControl.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\APPMONITOR\AppMonitor.xml
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\APPMONITOR\AppMonitorSchema.xsd
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\SSOSrv\SSOSrv.dll

Drivers and Utilities The file listing revised for the new files Sony’s been providing for download at its Windows 7 selection of VAIO Support pages:

Sony Firmware Extension Parser Device Driver v8.0.1.1, 10/7/2009

• SODOTH-70187337-32.exe (FZ Series)
• SODOTH-70187339-32.exe (SZ Series)

Sony Shared Library v5.4.0.05200, 10/5/2009

• SOASSL-70189398-US.exe

Setting Utility Series v5.0.0.07280, 11/18/2009

• SOASUS-70201315-US.exe

VAIO Event Service v5.0.0.07130, 10/6/2009

• SOAVES-70192615-US.exe

Tested the new files on an SZ, and the solution still works.

Setting Up Sony VAIO Event Service on Windows 7 x86 / Windows 7 x64 for Brightness (Fn+F5/Fn+F6), Mute/Volume (Fn+F2/Fn+F3/Fn+F4), and Monitor Switching (Fn+F7) Control

Locuri neobisnuite pentru offline advertising

Știm cu toții că există deja un număr impresionant de idei inteligente pentru a mări traficul unui site web și pentru a crește rank-ul acestuia.
Până să mă apuc să scriu acest post, mi-am adus aminte că citeam odată undeva pe net de metode mai puțin obișnuite de a face cunoscut un website, DAR..., ATENȚIE!!!... OFFLINE!!!
Înainte de a descrie locurile offline unde să vă promovați site-ul, am să vă atenționez că în timp ce o veți face, puteți primi de la admonestări și înjurături până la bătăi sau amendă. Așa că: "Atenție la neatenție!" Puteți plăti pe cineva să facă aceste lucruri dacă vă e frică de eventualele consecințe sau dacă sunteți comozi! =))
Ca instrumente pentru advertising vă recomand fluturași tipariți, marker permanent sau chiar spray cu vopsea pentru grafitti.
Să încep cu sugerarea locurilor unde puteți face acest lucru:
1. Prima metodă ar scrierea link-ului site-ului tău pe timpul verii, pe geamurile și caroseriile prăfuite masinilor. Nu cred că ar avea nimeni ceva de comentat prea tare pentru acest lucru, dar..., niciodată nu se știe!
2. Scrierea link-ului site-ului tău pe timpul iernii, pe zăpada de pe geamurile mașinilor sau clădirilor.
3. Dacă nu ați terminat încă școala ori sunteți un iubitor al plimbărilor prin parcuri publice, băncile de la școală și cele din parcuri sunt locuri publice foarte vizitate, mai ales în anotimpul călduros, cu ceva trafic constant (LOOL), din care puteți direcționa și către site-ul vostru! Dacă aveți și mai mult tupeu puteți încerca geamurile avizierelor, unde lumea își arunca privirea în mod reflex! (;
4. A patra metodă ar fi scrierea link-ului în toaletele publice (în gări, parcuri, trenuri, instituții).
Dacă mai aveți voi alte idei de asemenea locuri, comentați articolul meu descriind acele locuri sau scriind un articol pe propriul blog și dați-mi și mie de stire!
O zi frumoasă!

Locuri neobisnuite pentru offline advertising

Proxy Tools

Proxy Software

Here are some popular proxy programs which can check proxy list or provide proxy service. We list the homepage, download link and tutorial of the proxy software. You can use our free proxy list to test these proxy programs.

My IP Hide: Download HomepageTutorial

My IP Hide is the client-end software of our encrypted private proxy service. It can help you to visit the blocked sites (such as facebook, twitter and youtube) and protect your Internet privacy.

Elite Proxy Switcher: Download Homepage Tutorial

Elite Proxy Switcher is a professional http proxy tester and proxy switcher. It can check the details of the proxies and automatically change the proxy of your browsers (Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox).

Socks Proxy Checker: Download Homepage Tutorial

Socks Proxy Checker is a professional socks proxy checker and proxy switcher. It can check the details of the proxies and automatically change the proxy of your browsers (Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox).

Forum Proxy Leecher: Download Homepage Tutorial

Forum Proxy Leecher can scan topics in different types of proxy forums and extract the proxies from them and even from the accessories.

SocksCap: Download Tutorial

Sockscap can makes programs support socks proxy. SocksCap enables the Internet applications to run through a socks server so that the server end of the application can't know your real IP address.

Multiproxy: Download Homepage Tutorial

It can completely hide your IP by simultaneously using several anonymous proxy servers to fetch the web pages and pictures for you.

Proxy Hunter: Download Tutorial

Proxy Hunter is a classical and powerful tool for scanning proxies by IP ranges. It's a good tool for those who prefer creating their own proxy lists rather sharing others.

Charon: Download Homepage

Charon is a free tool to check proxy servers. It can also get proxies from Google and filter dangerous proxies.

JAP (JavaAnonProxy): Download Homepage

JAP uses a single static address which is shared by many JAP users. That way neither the visited website, nor an eavesdropper can determine which user visited which website. Java Runtime Environment is required.

SocksChain: Download Homepage

A program that allows to work with any Internet service through a chain of SOCKS or HTTP proxies to hide the real IP-address.

Proxy Tools

Best online antivirus malware scanners list

Want to know where can you get free online antivirus scan and removal? Here is a list of the best free online antivirus scanners that can help you get rid of virus in your PC via Internet. In every computer, antivirus is essential, as you never know when and where a virus, malware, worm, or trojan will infect your machine.
Computer virus is a code or program that runs without your consent. Typically, virus are dangerous as it can halt your computer system as well as affecting your memory, important files, and data stored in your machine. In order to combat viruses, malwares, worms, and trojans in your computer, you need to keep you operating system updated, and well as have some firewalls, and install some anti-virus softwares. But sometimes, anti-virus softwares installed in your computer might not be enough, and with this we need to use some “Online Antivirus Scan” and “Online Antivirus Removal“.
There are a lot of free online antivirus scanner available in the Internet, so to help you minimize your effort in searching, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best free online antivirus scan and removal available for you to use. These free online antivirus scanners will help you ease your doubt whether a specific file is infected by virus or not.
Advantage of using free online antivirus scan and removal

Here are some of the advantage in using free online antivirus scan and removal.

1. They’re FREE to use
2. You don’t have to install them in your computer. You just need to run these free online antivirus scanners via Internet.
3. Let’s you check whether a specific file that you have downloaded or copied from another computer is not infected by virus.

I’ve compiled some of the best free online antivirus scan and removal, that you can use to check if your file is infected.

File scanning with several scanners:
Virustotal (Uploader ) VirusTotal Scanner
Novirusthanks (Uploader )
Jotti (JottiQ )
Virscan
Metascan Online
Viruschief
Online Virus Scanner

File scanning:
Avira
DrWeb more
FortiGuard
Avast
Clamwin
ThreatExpert
NANO

Online scanners:
F-Secure
ESET 
Emsisoft
Windowssecurity (Emsisoft)
Quick Heal
Superantispyware
Bluepoint
Symantec 
Panda
BullGuard
Bitdefender QuickScan
Total Defense
Comodo 
Rising 
Zoner
Mcafee
FileLab Windows Cleaner

Other:
Comodo Valkyrie (Uploader )
NetQin Online Virus Scan
ThreatExpert Online Side-Effect Scanner
Hyperball
Crystal X 

Best online antivirus malware scanners list

How to install Microsoft HD Audio UAA on Windows XP SP3

How to install Microsoft HD Audio UAA on Windows XP SP3

This is the solution that I found... it was strange, but it worked... follow the steps:

The Steps:
Download this software kb888111xp2.exe

from here: http://drivers.softpedia.com/get/SOUND-CARD/OTHER-SOUNDCARDS/Microsoft-UAA-Bus-Driver-for-High-Definition-Audio.shtml

Open Regedit and go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Windows

Find "CSDVersion" Key
Legend:
100 (hex) means its SP1
200 (hex) means its SP2
300 (hex) means its SP3

1. Change CSDVersion from 300 to 200 and then Logoff->Logon immediately (or Restart)
2. Install kb888111xp2.exe (Microsoft UAA Patch)
3. Change CSDVersion back to 300.
(4. Restart)

4. (5.) Install device drivers
 

Enjoy :)

Tested and Worked for: Realtek HD, Audio Devices HD, Onboard AMD(ATI) x1250 video and modem Windows XP drivers.

How to install Microsoft HD Audio UAA on Windows XP SP3

People & Power - Romania: Lifting the Lid

It has been quite a year in Romania with the resignation of two prime ministers and near-impeachment of a president. This coupled with nationwide riots and a growing sense of injustice means that next month's parliamentary elections will be the most bitterly contested for decades. The power struggle between Traian Basescu, the right-wing president, and Victor Ponta, the left-wing prime minister, has grabbed all the headlines, but the story behind this struggle stretches back to Romania's communist past -- and to the very moment when a firing squad put an end to Nicolae Ceausescu, Europe's last Stalinist dictator.

Source text and copyrights ALJAZEERA  TV.

People & Power - Romania: Lifting the Lid

How the DNS works

Short animated video explaining how the Domain Name System, or DNS, works.

Un sistem de nume de domeniu (abreviat DNS, în engleză Domain Name System) este un sistem distribuit de păstrare și interogare a unor date arbitrare într-o structură ierarhică. Cea mai cunoscută aplicație a DNS este gestionarea domeniilor în Internet.
Caracteristicile sistemului de nume (DNS) sunt:

• folosește o structură ierarhizată;
• deleagă autoritatea pentru nume;
• baza de date cu numele și adresele IP este distribuită.

Fiecare implementare TCP/IP conține o rutină software (name resolver) specializată în interogarea serverului de nume (DNS) în vederea obținerii translatării nume/adresă IP sau invers.
Există 2 tipuri de rezoluție de nume:

• rezoluție recursivă (name resolverul cere serverului de nume să facă translatarea);
• rezoluție iterativă (name resolverul cere serverului de nume să îi furnizeze adresa IP a unui server care poate face translatarea).

Tipic, procesul de rezoluție a numelor se desfășoară astfel:

1. Name resolverul primește de la o aplicație client TCP/IP un nume; acesta formulează o interogare primului server de nume din lista serverelor;
2. Serverul de nume (DNS) determină daca este mandatat (autorizat) pentru domeniul respectiv (dacă există configurată o zonă DNS care conține numele respectiv);
3. Dacă este autorizat, transmite răspunsul clientului;
4. Dacă nu, transmite o interogare altui server de nume pentru un răspuns autorizat; obține răspunsul autorizat și transmite clientului un răspuns neautorizat; totodată stochează răspunsul local pentru a răspunde la alte cereri pentru același nume.
5. Resolverul de nume transmite răspunsul aplicației utilizator și îl păstrează într-un cache pentru o anumită perioadă;
6. Dacă name resolverul nu primește un răspuns într-un anumit timp, transmite cererea următorului server de nume din listă. Când lista este epuizată, va genera o eroare.

The Domain Name System (DNS) is a hierarchical distributed naming system for computers, services, or any resource connected to the Internet or a private network. It associates various information with domain names assigned to each of the participating entities. A Domain Name Service resolves queries for these names into IP addresses for the purpose of locating computer services and devices worldwide. By providing a worldwide, distributed keyword-based redirection service, the Domain Name System is an essential component of the functionality of the Internet.
An often-used analogy to explain the Domain Name System is that it serves as the phone book for the Internet by translating human-friendly computer hostnames into IP addresses. For example, the domain name www.example.com translates to the addresses 192.0.43.10 (IPv4) and 2620:0:2d0:200::10 (IPv6). Unlike a phone book, however, DNS can be quickly updated and these updates distributed, allowing a service's location on the network to change without affecting the end users, who continue to use the same hostname. Users take advantage of this when they recite meaningful Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) and e-mail addresses without having to know how the computer actually locates the services.
The Domain Name System distributes the responsibility of assigning domain names and mapping those names to IP addresses by designating authoritative name servers for each domain. Authoritative name servers are assigned to be responsible for their particular domains, and in turn can assign other authoritative name servers for their sub-domains. This mechanism has made the DNS distributed and fault tolerant and has helped avoid the need for a single central register to be continually consulted and updated. Additionally, the responsibility for maintaining and updating the master record for the domains is spread among many domain name registrars, who compete for the end-user's, domain-owner's, business. Domains can be moved from registrar to registrar at any time.
The Domain Name System also specifies the technical functionality of this database service. It defines the DNS protocol, a detailed specification of the data structures and communication exchanges used in DNS, as part of the Internet Protocol Suite.

How the DNS works

Video Quality: Optimizing your video experience Bandwidth

While you probably already know that you need a broadband connection to use ooVoo, did you know that not all broadband is created equal? Even on the same connection, your bandwidth (the amount of data that can be transmitted in a fixed amount of time) may vary based on factors such as the amount of traffic on the network, the number of people using your Internet connection, and whether you are downloading or streaming something else. Below are three measurements of your connection speed that will influence your video quality.

• Downstream - This is the amount of bandwidth you have coming to your computer from the Internet. Think of this as how wide the road is coming to your house. The more downstream bandwidth you have, the wider the road and the more traffic that you can accept. You should have a minimum of 180kbps downstream bandwidth for the a one-on-one video call. For each additional call participant you need an additional 130Kbs (i.e. for a 6 way call you need 700Kbs). For viewing High Resolution video that you need a minimum of 310 Kbps download speed and to view HD video, you need a minimum of 435Kbs. If you have more available bandwidth, ooVoo will automatically use additional bandwidth up to a certain amount to increase the video quality for the best possible user experience.
• Upstream - This is the amount of bandwidth you have going from your computer to the Internet. Think of this as how wide the road is going from your house. The more upstream bandwidth you have, the wider the road and the more traffic that you can send. You should have a minimum of 180kbps upstream bandwidth. In order to send your video in High Resolution you need a 310 Kbps upload speed and to send HD video, you need 435Kbs. The upstream requirements remain the same regardless of the amount of call participants. If you have more available bandwidth, ooVoo will automatically use additional bandwidth up to a certain amount to increase the video quality for the best possible user experience.
• Latency (delay) - This is the amount of time it takes for the traffic you send to reach its destination. To use the previous analogy, even if you have a wide road going to and from your house, if your car is moving slowly on the road, it will take a lot longer to get where you are going. If you notice it is taking a long time for your friend to respond, or that you are talking over each other, this is probably being caused by high latency. Your latency should be below 250ms. Latency problems are often caused by network congestion, if you experience problems, try ending the video conversation and starting it again.

To test your bandwidth, you can visit one of the sites below: 

1. DSL Reports
2. Speakeasy - Speed Test

Equipment

• Webcam - While a webcam is not necessary to run ooVoo, your friends will not be able to see you during your conversation if you don't have a webcam. If you want to send high resolution video, you need a webcam which supports 640x480 resolution and if you want to send in HD, you need an HD webcam. Click here to view webcams which are available in the ooVoo store.
• Headset - Although ooVoo uses echo cancellation software to improve the sound quality of your conversation, the built-in speakers and microphone on your computer may still cause some echo. We therefore recommend using a headset (headphones with a microphone) for the best audio quality. Tip: If you have a microphone built into your computer or laptop, just plug in a set of regular headphones to get rid of any echo.
• Computer - Even if your computer meets the system requirements for using ooVoo, you may notice problems with the video if you are on an older computer, or have a lot of programs running at one time. Tip: Close all unnecessary applications you may be running and if you are using a laptop, make sure it is plugged into a power outlet. A computer with a dual core processor is required to send high resolution and HD video.

Lighting

	Because cameras are less sensitive to light than the human eye, it is important to have good lighting when you are using ooVoo. If your video looks dim, grainy or washed out, try adjusting the location and brightness of your lighting. Below are some common problems caused by lighting and some suggestions to fix them:
	Dim video - There isn't enough light in your room. Try turning on more lights, or move to an area where there is more light.
	The room is bright but your image is dim - This could be caused by having a bright light source behind you. The camera adjusts it's sensitivity to the background instead of you. Try positioning yourself so the light source is in front of you.
	Grainy video - While this could be caused by a low quality camera, it can also be caused (or made worse) by not having enough light. To compensate for the lack of light, camera's often adjust their sensitivity which creates more grain or "noise" in the image. Try turning another light on, or sitting closer to and facing the light source.
	Video looks choppy - This can be caused by not having enough light in your room, but can also be caused by not having enough bandwidth. Try turning on more lights and if you still have the problem, read the section above called "Bandwidth".
	Your image looks washed out - This is usually caused by a light that is too intense (example: having a light shine directly at your face). Try dimming the light, or reflecting the light off a light colored surface, like a white piece of paper on your desk.

Video Quality: Optimizing your video experience Bandwidth