Kyocera Battery Recall

Kyocera, a leading manufacturer of CDMA phones, has announced a
voluntary and precautionary recall of the batteries found in their
KE/KX 400 Series, 3200 Series, and Slider Series phones.

During quality control, Kyocera discovered that a battery supplier, who
they have terminated all relationships with, intentionally provided
Kyocera with batteries containing unapproved battery cells. Since the
discovery of the defective batteries, Kyocera has changed its battery
supply chain and hired a world renowned leader for its battery
engineering team. It has also doubled its internal testing program and
put together a third party testing program.

The recall only affects the batteries from this particular supplier and
the particular phones mentioned. Kyocera has put into motion a plan
with its carriers to contact customers with these phones directly and
let them know of the recall.

Official press release:
http://www.kyocera-wireless.com/news/20041028_2.htm

Source: MobileBurn.com
http://www.mobileburn.com/news.jsp?Id=931&source=SIDEBARHOME

Affected Batteries
The focus of the recall is on the phone models with batteries detailed
below:

Cell Phone Model Name Cell Phone Model Number Battery Product Numbers
and Serial Codes
Slider Series SE44
SE47 CV90-L305N-01 (Serial Code 01E0409 or lower)
CV90-L305P-01 (Serial Code 01E0409 or lower)
CV90-L305T-01 (Serial Code 01E0409 or lower)
CV90-L349T-01 (Serial Code 01E0409 or lower)
K400 Series

"Phantom"
"Blade"
"Rave" KE413
KE/KX414
KE/KX424
KE433
KE/KX434 CV90-K3040-03 (all Serial Numbers)
CV90-K3040-09 (all Serial Numbers)
CV90-K3040-10 (all Serial Numbers)
CV90-K3040-11 (Serial Number 1104057 and lower)
3200 Series 3225
3250
(Appears above or below phone display) CV90-K3040-03 (all Serial
Numbers)
CV90-K3040-09 (all Serial Numbers)
CV90-K3040-10 (all Serial Numbers)
CV90-K3040-11 (Serial Number 1104057 and lower)

PDF Utility

For all you who are looking for a PDF writer, you will find your best
free solution in Sourceforges PDF Creator.
After installation you will have in your print menu new destination
added-the PDF Creator, all you need to do is select it and print.
And there you have it, a PDF from any source you choose - Word, Excel
and others.
Enjoy.

DualDiscs coming soon!

Sony is releasing its first albums on the DualDisc. The DualDisc is a
disc that has CD on one side and DVD on the other. This allows you to
play the full album from the CD side, and on the DVD side, you will get
5.1 surround sound, including the album, videos and much more.

The DualDisc is not without problems though, as shown in this article:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=musicNews&storyID=6665152

US checking system going all-electronic

A new law permits banks forgo costly paper cheque processing this
thanks to a new law called the "Check Clearing for the 21st Century
Act" (aka "Check 21").
In the US millions of paper cheques are delivered from one place to
another and after the events of 09/11 (11/09) the federal government
decided that a change is due.
Check 21 is intended to clear a path for electronic processing, cutting
transit time and costs.
It also is aimed at ensuring that the system is not paralyzed again as
it was after the 09/11 terrorist attacks.
Some consumer and fraud experts also have been sounding an alarm about
security risks posed by new electronic databases that could be
vulnerable to hackers.
The new law does not mandate electronic check-processing, but gives it
a jump-start by allowing banks and processors to replace paper checks
they receive with electronic versions. They can then transmit the
checks electronically to processors or banks equipped to take them, or
they can create what are being called "substitute" checks. Those are
specialized paper copies of the digital image for shipment to the
paying bank. Under the law, banks and processors must accept a
substitute check as though it was the original.

Caller ID spoof masks real callers

A US company called Star38 will market a service where by law
enforcement agencies will be able to spoof the name and/or number
displayed in caller id enabled phones/boxes.
Originally the company intended to market the service to debt
collection companys but Star38 said it will not do so.
A New Jersey-based Camophone says it will perform the service on a
call-by-call basis for a fee of $5 and up. The company said it
recognizes that the service could be abused but insists its intent is
to help customers protect their privacy.

Clarification: Camophone service is available for 5 cents (US$) per
minute.

Walla! fights spam!

The Israeli portal Walla! has instituted a new mail feature
(mandatory, by the way) where every user who wishes to send an email
messege is obligated to enter what appears in the image.
Editors note:
In my personal opinion as long as they do'nt add a central
anti-spoofing technology (like Yahoo and Gmail) this appears to be
nothing more then annoying, let us hope that is their next step.

Cellphone number change: More last minute utilitys

MS Excel New Number Calculator
http://ekalman.no-ip.org/newcell.xls

MS Windows Help File
http://ekalman.no-ip.org/newcell.chm

MS Windows HTML Help File
http://ekalman.no-ip.org/newcell/

All utilitys are freeware and will be available til the end of November.

Google Desktop for Apple

Google announced it will release the Desktop search application for MAC
computers, no time table has been released.

Major Security Flaw Found in Google's Gmail

The Israeli web site Nana reported a major security flaw in Google's
Gmail service, according to Nana the flaw has been checked by them many
times and almost always works.
The flaw allows a hacker to gain access to a users mail box by
hijacking their cookie.
According to Nana, Google responded that the problem is being taken
care of and it will do everything in its power to protect its users.

Apparently, the flaw was discovered
and fixed on the same day, 29th of October. So by the time you read
this original post, it had already been fixed.

Drug-delivering contact lenses revealed

Contact lenses that release controlled doses of drugs to treat eye
diseases such as glaucoma have been created by nano-engineers in
Singapore.

Most eye medications are delivered by drops. But most of the drug
quickly flows away from the eye, often draining into the nasal cavity
and then entering the bloodstream. "Eye drops are cumbersome, and
they lead to drug wastage and side effects," says Edwin Chow at the
Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology.

The new technique involves mixing the drug with a pre-polymer liquid.
This mix is then polymerised, creating a transparent contact lens
material.

If the drug is water-soluble, it will be trapped within a network of
tiny inter-connected, water-filled channels in the material. If it's
water-insoluble, it will be trapped within nano-spaces in the polymer
matrix, and slowly leach out into the channels. In contact with fluid
on the eyeball, these channels open up and release the drug.

By varying the water content of the original mix, the team can vary the
size of the channels, and so control the rate at which the drug leaks
out onto the eye.

Not a dry eye

Previous attempts to create drug-releasing contact lenses have been
plagued with problems, including preventing sufficient oxygen through
to the eye - which can cause blood vessels to grow into the
oxygen-deprived cornea. The nanostructure of the new lenses, with the
inter-connected channels, allows gases, salts and nutrients to readily
diffuse across, says Chow.
So far, the team has tested the lenses in the lab using a water-soluble
glaucoma medication and a water-insoluble antibiotic. They found they
could precisely control the release of the drugs over a few hours or
even a few days.

Improved methods of administering medication to slow the progression of
glaucoma are badly needed, they say. The disease, which is caused by
damage to the optic nerve and leads to blindness, affects an estimated
60 million people worldwide.

The technique could also help contact lens wearers who suffer from dry
eyes, since the lens material could be modified to contain a
lubricating solution, suggests Chow.

A team at the University of Florida is also working on nano-engineered
lenses to deliver drugs. Their approach is to encapsulate drugs in
nanoparticles, and then to add these particles to their contact lens
material before polymerisation. But at high drug doses, this might
produce less lens clarity than is possible with the Singapore
technique, says Chow.

ICANN Negotiates New Domains

Internet users may soon see two new domain name suffixes in their
browser window: ".post" to identify the postal community and ".travel"
for travel industry associations and organizations.
ICANN said it has entered into commercial and technical negotiations
with the two candidate registries, while the status of eight other
applicants, including ".jobs," ".asia," and ".mobi," is still pending.
The advancement of ".post" and ".travel" in the applications process
follows positive results from an independent evaluation process, it
said.

New Israeli Telephone Prefix - Schedule

This is an update, for more information and utilitys see previous post
regarding this issue.

Yedioth Ahronot (PRINT EDITION) revealed the schedule for the
discontinuation of the current old cellphone numbers during the month
of November.

After the date indicated the old number will play a messege indicating
the new number and the call will not be connected:

(1) 01/11/2004
(2) 08/11/2004
(3) 15/11/2004
(4) 22/11/2004

Pelephone - 050
(1) 068
(2) 051
(3) 056
(4) 050

Cellcom - 052
(1) 065
(2) 064
(3) 058
(4) 053
(4) 052
Orange - 054
(1) 066
(2) 067
(3) 054
(4) 055

Mirs/Amigo - 057
(4) 057

Microsoft will give you a bone... as long as you act nice!

Microsoft will be giving away free software to any user who has a
genuine copy of Windows. This is part of Microsofts overall strategy of
fighting piracy. The program that they give you is a slideshow program
called Photo Story 3.
Good luck MS!

AMD Geode 185 US$ Computer - UPDATE

This is an update on our previous post regarding this issue, to
receive further background information visit the previous post.

AMD announced today the launch of the AMD Geode affordable computer
with an estimated retail price of 185 US$, here are its specifications
and general information as provided from AMD:

Product Overview
The Personal Internet Communicator (PIC) is an affordable consumer
device designed to provide managed Internet access for people in
global, high-growth markets to enhance communications, entertainment,
and education opportunities. The PIC is not a computer, although it is
driven by world-class AMD processor technology. The PIC is an
empowering connecting device – a simple and accessible platform
designed to work with existing service provider dial-up or broadband
infrastructure – that can deliver basic Internet functions such as
e-mail, downloads, Web browsing, and more.

The PIC is designed to be a high-quality, affordable, easy-to-use,
robust consumer device suitable for first-time technology users. It
provides a consumer-friendly user experience and is developed to be
highly reliable – with a fully integrated, low-power computing
sub-system.

A Complete Internet Solution
The PIC is a complete solution, supported through a local service
provider, that includes monitor, keyboard, mouse, and pre-installed
software. The solution features a suite of communications,
entertainment, and education applications that give users improved
communications and opportunities for furthering education.

To protect system integrity and help ensure trouble-free performance
over time, the PIC is designed to limit the installation of additional
software. Included on the platform are a special version of Microsoft®
Windows® and peripheral driver software. Software upgrades can be
performed by the Internet Service Provider.

With the PIC, users can access the Internet through existing household
communications and network infrastructure. The PIC's empowering
productivity tools allow users to send and receive e-mail, access the
Internet, create documents using a word processor and spreadsheet
tools, view pictures and video, and play games. The PIC empowers users
to enhance their communication, recreation, and education.

The Personal Internet Communicator Includes:

* System Unit – powered by an AMD Geode™ GX processor
- Easily customized to local market identity
- Packaged for enhanced durability Keyboard
* * Mouse
* Monitor – 15" CRT
* AC/DC Adapter

Real-World Functionality
With a simple "out of the box" installation and setup, the Personal
Internet Communicator is designed to provide virtually instantaneous
access to the power of the global Internet. The PIC is customized to
each service provider to support your dial-up or broadband
infrastructure and adapts to varied global power supplies. With
pre-loaded software and a comprehensive and capable internal hardware
configuration, users benefit from reliable, versatile, and functional
system operation from the very start.

Hardware Configuration

* Compact, ergonomically designed system case with optional accent colors
* Unit dimensions
- 5.5" wide x 8.5" deep x 2.5" high
- 3 lbs. AMD Geode™ GX processor
* * Integrated DDR memory
* Audio controller
* 4 USB ports – support printers, Flash memory, disk drives, and
network adapters
* 10GB 3.5" internal hard disk
* Internal 56K v.92 modem
* Stereo headphone/microphone jacks
* VGA and modem ports

Software Applications

* Optimized version of Microsoft® Windows® XC Operating System
* Web Browser – Internet Explorer 6.0
* Macromedia Flash Player 6
* .pdf document viewer
* Windows Media Player
* Presentation viewer
* Windows Messenger chat
* E-mail
* Spreadsheet – document exchange with Microsoft Excel
* Full-function word processor – document exchange with Microsoft Word
* Image viewer – .jpg, .bmp, .png, and .gif filetypes
* Zip/Unzip compression utility

Update: The cost will probably be 185 US$ without the monitor

Update from Reuters:
"
AMD said the suggested price for the PIC itself was $185 with a
keyboard, mouse and pre-installed software, or $249 including a
monitor, but local providers would ultimately set the price.
"

CWShredder tool is now available with updates

Merijn, the developer of CWShredder has sold the source code to
Intermute. CWShredder is the ONLY tool available that can get rid of
the nasty CoolWebSearch browser hijacker. Merijn had stopped working on
the tool a few months ago because of lack of time. The tool had not
been updated for a while, and was thus rendered virtually useless
against the ever updated CoolWebSearch trojan.
Intermute has now taken complete control over the tool and will update
it on a regular basis. The tool remains Freeware.

Why Use Firefox?

"Beware of spyware. If you can, use the Firefox browser." - USA
Today

"Better than Internet Explorer by leaps and bounds." - FORBES

Popup Blocking
Stop annoying popup ads in their tracks with Firefox's built in
popup blocker.

Tabbed Browsing
View more than one web page in a single window with this time
saving feature. Open links in the background so that they're ready for
viewing when you're ready to read them. Find out more...

Privacy and Security
Built with your security in mind, Firefox keeps your computer safe
from malicious spyware by not loading harmful ActiveX controls. A
comprehensive set of privacy tools keep your online activity your
business.

Smarter Search
Google Search is built right into the toolbar, and there are a
plethora of other search tools including Keywords (type "dict "
in the Location Bar), and the new find toolbar (which finds as you type
and eliminates the annoying window that always seems to be in your
way).

Live Bookmarks
RSS integration lets you read the latest news headlines and read
updates to your favorite sites that are syndicated. Find out more...

Hassle-Free Downloading
Files you download are automatically saved to your Desktop so
they're easy to find. Fewer prompts mean files download quicker.

Fits Like a Glove
Simple and intuitive, yet fully featured, Firefox has all the
functions you're used to - Bookmarks, History, Full Screen, Text
Zooming to make pages with small text easier to read, etc.

S, M, L or XL-It's Your Choice
Firefox is the most customizable browser on the planet. Customize
your toolbars to add additional buttons, install new Extensions that
add new features, add new Themes to browse with style, and use the
adaptive search system to allow you to search an infinite number of
engines. Firefox is as big or small as you want.

Setup's a Snap
At only 4.5MB (Windows), Firefox takes just a few minutes to
download over a slow connection and seconds over a fast connection. The
installer gets you set up quickly, and the new Easy Transition system
imports all of your settings - Favorites, passwords and other data from
Internet Explorer and other browsers - so you can start surfing right
away.

A Developer's Best Friend
Firefox comes with a standard set of developer tools including a
powerful JavaScript and CSS error/warning console, and an optional
Document Inspector that gives detailed insight about your pages.

Read Mail-Not Spam
Thunderbird is the perfect complement to Firefox.
http://www.getfirefox.com
http://www.mozilla.org

Google browser update!!!

The Web is filling up with rumors about an alliance between search
giant and browser maker Firefox.

The Firefox browser is looking for allies in its quest to challenge
Microsoft's dominant Internet Explorer and Web users are buzzing about
a potential link-up with search company Google.

The Mozilla Foundation's Firefox software, which officially launches on
Nov. 9, has already been downloaded by millions attracted by the
promise of innovative features like tabbed browsing -- opening multiple
Web sites within a single desktop window -- and fewer attacks by
hackers and virus writers.

Mozilla, which gives the Firefox software away for free to users and
developers, is seeking out content and technology companies to develop
their own branded versions of Firefox by adding extra features.

Speculation about a Google browser began when the company registered
the Gbrowser.com domain in April, and grew when it hired software
engineers who worked on Internet Explorer.

"We are not building a browser," Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt
told the Financial Times last week. But that statement may leave some
wriggle room for Google to take a fully built browser like Firefox and
add its own features.

A Google spokeswoman declined to comment, and as fevered as the
speculation has become, there has been no firm evidence of a
Mozilla-Google deal.

For Firefox the appeal is clear. Google's universally-recognised brand
and devoted user following could boost the browser's miniscule
marketshare, which most experts estimate is currently less than 5
percent. Mozilla is targeting 10 percent market share by the end of
2005.

For Google the benefits would be more subtle.

Google's current offerings, aside from its core Web search engine,
include email (Gmail), blogging tools (Blogger), a price comparison
site (Froogle), a news site (Google News), social networking software
(Orkut) and desktop search software.

Nearly all are accessed via the Web -- which means mostly through
Microsoft's dominant Internet Explorer software, which has more than a
90 percent market share.

Many analysts see Google and Microsoft as increasingly fierce
competitors, so it may make strategic sense for Google to control its
own destiny by launching its own Web browser.

Such a move would carry risks. Netscape, the dot-com pioneer whose
browser code eventually became the basis for Firefox, lost its dominant
position in part because it incorporated too many features into its
software, which became bloated and slow.

Source: Reuters, CNN

Apple expandes iTunes over europe

After expanding the iTunes service to the UK, Germany and France last
June it announced expanding the service even further into europe to
include Austria, Belgium, Finland, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Holland,
Spain and Portugal.
The offering retains the same features and per-song price of 99 euro
cents.
Apple also announced it will launch the iTunes service in November.

Google Anti-Phishing Update

In regards to the previous post regarding Google's Gmail anti-phishing
implementation the following is the messege that appears when a
suspected messege arrives to a user:
"
Warning: This message may not be from whom it claims to be. Beware of
following any links in it or of providing the sender with any personal
information. Learn more
"

Google Acquires Keyhole Corp.

Google announced it acquired Keyhole Corp., a Mountain View
Calif.-based digital mapping company, today.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"With Keyhole, you can fly like a superhero from your computer at
home to a street corner somewhere else in the world - or find a
local hospital, map a road trip or measure the distance between two
points," said Jonathan Rosenberg, vice president, Product
Management. "This acquisition gives Google users a powerful new
search tool, enabling users to view 3D images of any place on earth
as well as tap a rich database of roads, businesses and many other
points of interest. Keyhole is a valuable addition to Google's
efforts to organize the world's information and make it universally
accessible and useful."

With an Internet connection, users enter an address or other
location information and Keyhole's software accesses the database
and takes them to a digital image of that location on their computer
screen. The interactive software then gives users many options,
including the ability to zoom in from space-level to street-level,
tilt and rotate the view or search for other information such as
hotels, parks, ATMs or subways. Unlike traditional mapping
technologies, Keyhole creates a dynamic 3D interface for geographic
information.

Keyhole's technology combines a multi-terabyte database of mapping
information and images collected from satellites and airplanes with
easy-to-use software.

Google also announced, effective immediately, a price reduction for
Keyhole 2 LT from $69.95 to $29.95.

Keyhole was founded in 2001. Keyhole customers include consumers,
large and small businesses and public agencies. Current Keyhole
users will benefit from the expanded resources and operational scale
made possible by the integration into Google. Their service will
continue uninterrupted.

Singapore DOD switches to OpenOffice

The Singapore DOD (Department of Defence) has decided to switch its
stations, approximatly 20,000 stations, to OpenOffice.
This is a major blow to its main rival as this appears to be a global
direction, switching to open platform and/or freeware products.

Apple introduces it's new COLOR IPOD

Apple's new iPod Photo features either a 40GB or 60GB storage capacity
and promises up to 15 hours of music playback (up to 5 hours of
slideshows with music). The iPod Photo weighs in at 6.4 ounces and
measures 4.1 x 2.4 x 0.75 inches, regardless of hard drive size. In
contrast, the iPod "Classic" 20GB and 40 GB models each feature
different weights (5.6 ounces and 6.2 ounces respectively) and
dimensions (4.1 x 2.4 x 0.57 inches and 4.1 x 2.4 x 0.69 inches
respectively).

The iPod Photo supports the following audio formats: AAC (16 to 320
Kbps), MP3 (32 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Apple Lossless, WAV, AIFF,
Audible. And, because, it's a Photo iPod, it also supports
iPod-viewable photos in JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF and PNG formats. The iPod
Photo's display is a 2-inch (diagonal) transflective, 65,536-color
liquid crystal display with white LED backlight with a 0.18-mm dot
pitch 220 x 176 pixel resolution.

Of note for Windows users, Adobe Photoshop Album 1.0 and 2.0 SE are
supported by Apple's iPod Photo, but they import only photos to iPod
Photo and do not support collections for slideshow viewing. Mac users,
as usual, have it better: iPod Photo works in conjunction with iPhoto
on a Mac and iTunes 4.7 lets you transfer images from your photo
library to iPod Photo supporting collections for slideshow viewing.
Connect iPod Photo to a projector or TV and you can give slideshows
complete with your music.

iPod Photo lets you turn your television into a digital picture frame
by connecting it to iPod Photo with the included composite AV cable
that sends out Composite video and audio through your headphone jack
or line out on the iPod Photo Dock.

Unlike all other iPods, iPod Special Edition: U2, and iPod mini which
feature up to 25 minutes of skip protection, the iPod Photo specs
state up to 17 minutes of skip protection.

Apple today also debuted the companion iPod Photo Dock which is the
iPod Photo's home base for charging and synching with your computer or
for connecting to your home audio system. For US$39.00, it is
scheduled to ship in Mid November, and features the usual Dock
connector along with audio and composite video output and S-video
output.

Apple's iTunes 4.7 also released today autosyncs Album Art. The Album
Art downloaded when you purchase music from the iTunes Music Store is
transferred to iPod Photo along with the music. So while iPod Photo
plays your tunes, you can view the Album Art on the Now Playing screen
of your iPod Photo.

Not to be overlooked is that fact that everything on your iPod will
now be in color: your calendars, your notes, Solitaire, etc.

Microsoft Instant Messaging Strategies (Istanbul)

Microsoft will release the next version of its instant messaging and
presence server, Office Live Communications Server, in December. It
also is developing an application that will allow users to link their
phones to the LCS software.
The client application, code-named Istanbul, should be available by
mid-2005, according to Microsoft.
Integration of LCS into Office is designed to give applications greater
"presence," which delivers communications based on a person's
whereabouts. If an Outlook calendar item shows an employee at an
off-site meeting, calls or IMs can be routed to that location.
The release of the new LCS version is part of a larger push to
integrate corporate IM into Microsoft products.

Yahoo Search toolbar to be distributed with Adobe software

Yahoo said yesterday it struck a deal with Adobe Systems to distribute
the Yahoo Search toolbar with Adobe software.
The pact calls for Adobe Reader, the free software used to read PDF
files, to include a Yahoo search box. The companies will also release
a co-branded search toolbar that allows users to create PDF files.
Adobe will bundle the toolbar with new product downloads and updates.
Adobe users will be able to opt out from receiving the toolbar.

"This relationship is about helping users better interact and manage
their content online," said Stephanie Ichinose, a Yahoo spokeswoman.

The deal could greatly expand the reach of Yahoo Search by tapping
into the 500 million copies of Adobe Reader downloaded by Internet
users. Beginning this week, Adobe users will receive update notices
that include the Yahoo toolbar.

Yahoo and Google have added several services to their toolbars to
drive searches. Yahoo's toolbar features pop-up blocking and
anti-spyware software as well as one-click access to an array of Yahoo
services. Future versions of the Yahoo-Adobe toolbar will allow peopel
to convert Web pages into PDF documents.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

PalmOne's Treo 650 was released!

Sony launches music players with MP3 support

Sony has released the first of its digital audio players to support
the popular MP3 format, marking a significant shift in its music
strategy.
As expected, the company announced the release in Europe of two
flash-memory-based devices, the Walkman NW-E99 and NW-E95, which can
natively play songs in MP3 and Sony's own Atrac file format. The move,
discussed by the company on Monday, diverges from its previous
position of not supporting MP3 because of its lack of security
measures and susceptibility to easy file sharing.

Reminder: Israeli cellphone prefix change + update

As of 01/11/2004, gradually, the old telephone numbers (9 digits
including prefix) will be barred and a recording will play the new
number for the customer to dial.
For more information please see the attached link below.
The Israeli Ministry of Communications is now working on its next
project, number portability which will allow land line numbers to be
transfered with its prefix from one land line company to another and to
allow cellphone numbers to be transfered with its prefix between
cellular companies.

AMD will offer "computer" for $185

The Personal Internet Communicator will come with a Geode x86
processors, 128MB of Samsung RAM and a 10GB Seagate hard drive. It will
run Windows CE with XP extension. It will offer a graphical interface,
e-mail, Web browsing, instant messaging and word processing.

IBM report to warn of security threats

IBM will be releasing a monthly report of security threats, similar to
that of the Homeland Security. The Global Business Security Index is
intended to give IT professionals warning of malicious attacks, Virus,
worms etc.

Orange Israel starts marketing the Sendo M550

the oyster like folding phone was announced today at a retail price of
34 NIS X 36 months (1224 NIS).

Windows XP: Release 2

Speaking yesterday at the Gartner Symposium in Orlando, Microsoft CEO
Steve Ballmer said that a number of important security initiatives were
underway for Windows, some of which would be part of a pre-Longhorn
"Release 2" for Windows XP.

Windows XP SP2 Kills Internet Connections!

if you've installed SP2 for WinXP or intend to do so, and feel your
internet speed was downgraded, you're not the only one to think so.
please read Raven's thoughts and solution here:
http://ravenphpscripts.com/article-546--0-0.html

For the lazy ones among us, who're looking for the buttom line (i.e. a
working solution), please read the 8th step of Optimize XP here:
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/OptimizeXP.html#Internet.

If you're REALY REALY lazy, here's the fix to be DLed:
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/Files/XP_SP2_TCP_Slowdown_Fix...

NOTE: I believe you should read all the above before applying the
patch. Do NOT hold me responsible if anything happened to your system,
as an effect of this file!

If you haven't installed SP2 yet, but intend to, please read their SP2
Installtion advisory here:
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/OptimizeXP.html#WindowsUpdate
Good day,
Dave.

Forget the common zip utilitys - say hello to ZipGenius

ZipGenius is a powerful zip tool suite that offers a variety of
features. It offers support for more than 20 different compression
formats, including 7zip, ZIP64 and many others. It supports drag and
drop, 5 compression levels, full customization and integration in
Windows Explorer. The program also comes with a built in FTP client
that allows to download and upload files from within the software. The
signature features allows you to add your signature and contact
information to any zip file you create. ZipGenius also supports the
creation of self-extracting exe files, complete with custom setup
launch and icon. This very complete and unique tool package also comes
with additional features like encryption, scanner support (acquire
pictures and zip them into files), backup, statistics, download time
calculator, disk spanning, file export, support for OpenOffice and
more. ZipGenius can also interact with your Pocket PC device. Very
nice!

Editors note:
1) Credit for this topic belongs to Mike .
2) The article above is from the download site SnapFiles which rated
this program
5 stars.
3) This program does not support all of the features of WinZip 9 SR-1.
4) I still use WinZip and WinRAR.

Sandisk announces 8Gb. flash disk!!

Sandisk announced that in November a new 2Gb. flash disk will be
available for an estimated retail price of $959 or €959.
This disk, Ultra II, can write at 9MB/sec and read at 10MB/s.
Sandisk also unveiled 2GB SD cards and 4GB Memory Stick Duos today, the
latter priced the same as the 8GB CF card.

DVD+R DL Breaks the Next Record, 8X Recording in Less Than 16 Minutes!

The DVD+RW Alliance will present the world's first recording of 8X
speed on 8.5 GB double layer DVD+R DL media at the World PC EXPO in
Japan.

The technical presentation will be based on the laboratory results of
Philips, MKM and Ricoh.

At 8X recording speed, consumers will be able to create a full 8.5 GB
DVD disc in less than 16 minutes, compared to the 47 minutes (at 2.4X
recording speeds) using current DVD writers. 8X DVD+R DL media and
drives are expected to come to market in the first quarter of next
year.

"When it comes to DVD recording, faster is better," said Frank Simonis,
Chair of the DVD+RW Alliance Product Promotions Group and Strategic
Marketing Director for Philips Optical Storage. "8X DVD+R DL recording
will cut the time it takes to burn a DVD+R DL disc to about one-third
of what it is now. That's something consumers will like. And it's just
one more example of how the DVD+R/+RW format is leading the way to the
future with our ability to provide the functionality and performance
consumers want."

About DVD+R/+RW

The DVD+R/+RW format is capable of recording up to 8.5 gigabytes of
digital video, images or data. This equates to the storage capacity of
up to eleven CD discs and the potential to store thousands of digital
photographs or approximately four hours of digital video. The primary

benefit of DVD+R/+RW is its two-way compatibility, meaning that DVD+R,

DVD+R DL and DVD+RW media can be played in most DVD video players and
DVD-ROM drives.

About The DVD+RW Alliance

The DVD+RW Alliance is a voluntary group of industry-leading personal
computer, optical storage and consumer electronics manufacturers. The
companies promote the universally compatible, rewritable DVD+R/+RW
format that enables true convergence between personal computing and
consumer electronics products. Over 70 companies have formally joined
DVD+RW Alliance to support DVD+R/+RW technology. Further details about
the DVD+RW Alliance and member companies can be found at
http://www.dvdrw.com. Product or service names mentioned herein are the
trademarks of their respective owners.

Yes to provide VOD

The Israeli news paper Yedioth Aharonth published an article today in
which the main theme was that Yes, satellite TV, will soon provide VOD
(video on demand) thanks to the Israeli company Orca which was recently
issued at the NASDAQ.
This comes after Hot's, the Israeli cable TV operator, made their
intentions known last week.
Orca will be able to provide Yes with several technologys in the future
including PVR (personal video recorder).

Winzip Security Alert!!

Did you remember to update your WinZip program ?
A security fault has been discovered in the program as well as some new
security features which have been implemented such as "potentialy
unsafe file types" and AES 128/256 encryption which is not backwards
compatible.
Please update your program at the link.
WinZip issued this update on August 26th 2004.

Browser security issues

Recently I was asked why to change browsers and move to Mozilla's
Firefox after last weeks security warning, this is my response:

1)There is no such thing as a perfect code - there will always be
security holes.
2)Firefox is one of the most secure and most advanced browsing
platforms around,
thanks mostly to is being developed as open source and thus audited
frequently
by many programmers.
3)Firefox is safer to browse on the web then most competition, fact!
4)Even Internet Explorer has security patches which are still open and
unpatched
even though they have been known for quite a while.
5)I personaly use Mozilla Firefox and recommend it to anyone who
sincerely wants
to ENJOY browsing as it will give you a completely different feel.

See below for examples of security/bugs in Internet Explorer and
Mozilla Firefox, please note that these links WILL CRASH your browser
and its use is completly at the users discretion and responsibility.
The links are not supposed to perform any additional actions.

Internet Explorer Link
http://ekalman.no-ip.org/killsession/ie_die1.html

Mozilla Firefox Link 1
http://ekalman.no-ip.org/killsession/mozilla_die1.html

Mozilla Firefox Link 2
http://ekalman.no-ip.org/killsession/mozilla_die2.html

Mozilla Firefox Link 3
http://ekalman.no-ip.org/killsession/mozilla_die3.html

Bezeq will offer a new and interesting service to private customers

In this new service, which will be launched between the end of this
year and the beginning of 2005, private consumers will be able to have
up to three telephone numbers so that the children, for example, can
have their own number which will provide a distinctive ring depending
on the number dialed.
This solution will allow the house hold to know who the call is for.
Just to emphasize, while a call is in place all other numbers will act
as call waiting/busy/transfered to voice mail as before.

HP, inconsistency is the name of the game

HP terminates two strategic priorities - UDC and Itanium workstations
- leading analysts to question its credibility and ability to follow
through.

Orange Israel updated 3rd generation coverage map

Yahoo fights back at Google

Yahoo! aquired Stata Labs to gain access at their e-mail system,
Bloomba, which incorprates an internal search engine.
This email system has been previously praised as being superior to
Microsofts Outlook.

Hot UPDATE!!!!!!

Sources revealed Hot, the Israeli cable TV operator, will launch within
1-2 months VOD (Video On Demand) and a PVR (Personal Video Recorder)
cable box.

VOD - Allows a cutomer to view instantly any film/show offered by the
company without any wait as known from the NVOD (Near VOD) technology
used today where the customer has to wait, usualy at least half an
hour, for the film.

PVR - Allows the customer to pause the show/film and continue watching
from where he paused the show/film as well as watch one channel and
record another and much much more all using a hard drive in the cable
box.
This special cable unit will cost (estimated) 200 - 300 USD per unit
per customer.

Microsoft begins verifying customers. . .

It seems Microsoft has started to verify that the customer attempting
to download patches and other stuff is a genuine legal customer, this
is a messege displayed in the Calculator Plus download page located at the attached
link.

"
Validation Recommended
This download is available to customers running genuine Microsoft
Windows. Please click Continue to begin Windows validation
"

It has become known that customers with Mozilla, among others, are
requested to download a tool which provides a key to insert at the web
site for verification.

Weird!! Microsoft seems to be promoting Google!!!

It seems Microsoft is promoting Google, in this MS Partner Pack they
included the Google Desktop!!!

This is what Microsoft says about the product:

"

Google Deskbar™ lets you search using Google right from your deskto
p,
even when your browser isn’t running. Search from the Google Deskbar
search box located within your Windows taskbar. Or type the Ctrl+Alt+G
keyboard shortcut to jump to the Google Deskbar instantly. Search
results appear in a “mini-viewer” window that closes automa
tically
when you’re done. This lets you find facts, check spelling or look
up
URLs without interrupting your work on an email or a document. Google
Deskbar supports features like Google News, Images and Froogle, and you
can even add plug-ins (see http://deskbar.google.com) to access more
information sources.

[IMAGES]

How Google Deskbar Works:

Anytime you’re connected to the Internet, simply type Ctrl+Alt+G or
click in the Deskbar search box that lives in the Windows taskbar at
the bottom of your screen.
Type in your search term and press Enter.
Search results appear in a “mini-viewer” window that automa
tically
closes when you click back to your program. The mini-viewer fills less
than one-quarter of a typical computer screen. But if you’d prefer
to
view your results in all their full-scale glory, Deskbar can produce
them in a full browser window from the Options… dialog box.
Google Deskbar Features:

You can use numerous Google search features like Google News, Google
Images and Froogle.
You can add plug-ins to your Google Deskbar to get information from
virtually any web site or information source (to learn more about
Google Deskbar plug-ins, visit http://deskbar.google.com).
Keyboard shortcuts save time and let you access multiple information
sources:

>From anywhere on your desktop...

Move cursor to Google Deskbar Ctrl+Alt+G
Hide/show “mini-viewer” window Shift+F1

>From within Google Deskbar...

Search News Ctrl + N
Search Froogle Ctrl + F
Google Images Ctrl + I
Definitions Ctrl + D
Operating System Compatibility:
Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows 98 Second Edition,
Windows Server 2003

Installation Requirements:

Requires the Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1
Requires the installer to have admin rights on the computer (Windows
2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003)
For more information: http://deskbar.google.com
Google and Google Deskbar are registered trademarks of Google, Inc.

"

Security issues with ALL tabbed browsers

Very sorry kiddies security issues fond in ALL tabbed browsers, even
the venerated Firefox.

GMail Tools for all you junkies

If you did not find it by now, you my enjoy these utilities for GMail.

Intel attempting to stay competitive

Until Intel will be ready with the dual proccessors they are planning
to produce Pentium 4 cpu's with a larger cache.

NVidia will market a firewall chipset for motherboards

Better known for its graphics chips, Nvidia has become the first to
release a motherboard controller that makes it possible to build a
hardware firewall within a PC itself.

The catch is that the new PCI-based chip set will only work with AMD
Athlon 64, 64 FX, and Sempron processors. Consequently, the company
expects that NForce 4 will be aimed at higher-end applications such as
gaming in its initial roll-out. It is not clear whether the chip set
will be made to work in Intel systems at a later date.

Although software firewalls are effective on PCs, the NForce 4
"ActiveArmor" protection engine claims to carry out its security
routines without hindering the performance of the PC, acting as an
"accelerated" co-processor. This should improve system performance by
unburdening the main CPU from having to process network traffic.

ActiveArmor's firewall functions look fairly standard, and include
packet inspection, port filtering, and other anti-hacking features as
well as remote administration which is a must for IT departments.

More interesting to businesses in the light of recent history will be
the application filtering features of what Nvidia has dubbed
"Intelligent Application Manager" (IAM). This, it is claimed, will stop
Trojans hijacking the PC to use it as a server and will perform
sophisticated monitoring of outbound as well as inbound application
traffic.

The chip set has been released in three versions. The mid-level
"Ultra", which is likely to be the most popular, comes with an
integrated firewall, and support for 3GB serial RAID (including
advanced failover detection), and will add approximately $100-$150 to
the price of a motherboard, the company indicated.

The $200 high-end NForce 4 SLI is identical but includes a technology
called Scalable Link Interface (SLI), a means of running two graphics
cards in one system to boost graphics performance. The entry-level $55
NForce relies on cut-down software-based firewall features and lacked
the SLI, but will come with a lower performance version of the RAID
support.

The company says it expects the chip set's price to reduce as volumes
increased in the coming months.

Israeli cellphone operator Cellcom launches its new branding

Israeli cellphone operator Cellcom launches its new branding on Tuesday
this week.
Cellcom changed its logo by removing the shadow, placing both star
"feet" on the bottom and making the symbol look more 3D.
In addition to changing its symbol Cellcom changes its goals and
strategys including launching a new series of campign based on love;
family; being an Israeli.
One of its main slogans will be "This is how one should love".

Israeli Smart ID card - Update

The Israeli supreme court denied the hearing on this issue in an effort
to resolve the problems that delayed this project so far.
Just to remind everyone HP won the bid for this project and the two
other companys, EDS and Bari Print, launched a law suit.
The new hope comes thanks to the governments internal issues commitee
headed by Knesset member Dr. Yuri Stern which recomended to resolve
these issues so that the project will be avialable to the public eight
months from now instead of three years from now if a new bid is to be
issued.

The Smart Israeli ID card project was launched in Novmber 2001 and its
reasons and uses are:

* Reduce counterfits
* Allow citizens to perform on-line actions with digital signatures
* Used for elections
* Access all government agency's remotely and securely
* Much much more . . .

The card will be the size of a credit card and include numerous
security and safty features with many options for upgraded uses.

Let us hope that indeed in the begining of 2005 we will all start
replacing our ID cards. . .

Copying audio cd's to become legalised in Israel!

The Israeli ministry of justice is proposing a new law allowing private
individuals to make personal copys of music for private and non
commercial use only.
Under the new law the customers will pay a tax of about five percent on
digital players (MP3 etc. . .) and cd's intended for this use.
There will be a higher tax for reusble items suchs as mp3 players with
a hard drive of memory card/unit.
Not all cd's will be taxed only those intended for burning music and
the only difference between them will be that taxed cd's are legal for
burning music on them and regular non taxed cd's will still be an
offence under the law for those who choose to use them for this
purpose.
The tax will be charged directly from the Israeli CD/Equipment
Manufacturers and Importers.

Another article is available to read on this subject at:
http://computer.walla.co.il/?w=/4/613586/@@/item/printer

Flat-screen TV emits international distress signal

In the US, an Oregon man discovered that hit Toshiba flat screen tv was
emmiting a distress signal causing rescue forces to search the person
in distress.
The signal from the television unit was picked up by a satellite and
directed to a near by air force base.
The international distress frequency is 121.5 MHz.
The person said Toshiba offered to replace his unit at no extra charge.

Microsoft announces - Dual Proccessing technology will not carry an additional charge . . .

Microsoft announced today that single cpu's which incorporate a
dual-processor technology will be exempt from additional licenses for
products which are licenses on a per cpu basis.
For additional and precise information visit Microsoft's web site or
read the article in the attached link.

Jerusalem gets connected . . . to WiFi that is!

Starting on November 1st 2004, Jerusalem will offer free WiFi access to
random visitors.
The project was developed in conjunction with the city of Jerusalem,
Intel and Compumat developed the project.
Intel developed an unknown security measure to deny access to frequent
or heavy users so as to prevent local citizens to block the pipe line
and to avoid issues with Israeli ISP's.
The Internet is offered by the city of Jerusalem and the ISP 012.Net
The service will be available in major locations for about 300 meters
near the area.
For further details visit the link.

Each printer has an ID . . .

In Indiana Scientists found a way to check which printer
(brand/kind/type) printed each document by feeding it to a program
which mathematicaly checks the way the printer spread the ink/toner.
The program identifies correctly 11 out of 12 checks and identifies
deskjet and laser printers.

Intel cuts prices on processors

Intel announced it is cutting prices on mobile processors by up to 34
percent.
This will affect the prices of most laptops.

New Israeli International Phone Carrier

The Israeli ISP Netvision has launched its international VoIP service.
I have contacted them for further information because as far as I can tell
from their web site you can only call from home.
This is how it works:
* You get a special broad band adaptor
* You get a US / Canada number in the area code of your choice (for
example 212 for Manhaten, NY)
* Enjoy!

Yesterday, October 17th 2004, I recived the Netvision kit for the
service they call Globy.
In the kit (a fairly large box) came:
- One instruction pamphlet
- One network RJ-45 cable
- One Motorola V1000 VoIP adaptor
- One Edimax router

Lucky for me i'm tech savvy because installation was not a brease
especially with the less then helpfull pamphlet which was not orginised
according to the order in which installation is to be performed.
After about 20 minutes of installation I was stuck, the thing did not
work.
I called the specialised support center for the service and found out
that despite the recent television commercials the support service at
Netvision is less then satisfactory, in this persons opinion.
After trying to call repeatedly for over an hour I finally got a human
response as until then either no one answered at the extension or they
simply hanged up the call!!
When I finally reached the support representative and asked why doe'nt
any one answer the phone for over an hour his response was that I
should'nt call during these hours because they are busy.

Please take note everyone - At Netvisions request do not call during
evenings or weekends if you want to recevie decent service.

No thanks to the representative I read the original booklet in english
from Motorola and managed to run the service.

Once running I can report, so far, that I am pleased from the service.
You receive a US dialtone once you pick up the hand set (may depent on
the way you connect the VoIP adaptor).

Conclusion:
1) Great idea
2) A tech. should install the hardware or decent phone helpdesk is
required.

Gmail Drive Update

An update version has been released with various bugs and fixes and
support for proxy and HTTPS.

Hot will offer a PVR DVC

It is unknown at this time the precise launch date but one thing is
known, during the year 2005 Israeli cable users will finaly have a Tivo
like device like fellow consumers in the US and UK.

Acronym explenation:
PVC - Personal Video Recorder
DVC - Digital Video Computer (Digital MEMIR)

Intel's 925XE: Does Beating the 1 GHz FSB Barrier Matter?

We managed to secure early samples of Intel's P4 Extreme Edition 925XE
chipset, complete with a 1,066 MHz speed FSB. So while the 1 GHz FSB
speed barrier gets beaten, our benchmark course unmasks whether or not
Intel's yet-to-be launched device is really something to get excited
about.

Gmail starts to authenticate outgoing email

Sources reveal that Google is starting to use Yahoo's Domain Key's
technology to sign outgoing email in an effort to block email spoofing.
For more information about the technology visit the link.

IPod revolution, round 2

Various sources reveal the next IPod (4th generation) to be released by
Apple appearently within the next 60 days.
The new IPod will have a 60 GB hard disk, 2 inch colour lcd display,
iPhoto synchronization, audio/video-out capabilities.
The expected US sales price is estimated at 500 USD.
The new IPod will be a few milimeters thicker and a bit heavier.
The new IPod will allow users to fiddle with photos and use the video
out to connect to a tv.
The information in this article is not official news and is to be
considered as a rumor.

New cellphone numbers utility: simple excel file to check what the new number is

This new file will be available until the last day of November.
This file is freeware, enjoy!!

An atomic watch is just a wrist away . . .

American scientists discovered a way to reduce the size of an atomic
clock, which measures time using a ray of light to count vibrations,
to the size of a grain of rice.
The new clock only uses about 73 Mili-Watt's and can reach an accuracy
of being off by a second every 300 years.
The estimated, initial, retail price for such watches is 100 USD;
about the price of a quartz watch.

Google's Gmail fights email phishing attacks!!

Google is currently testing a service designed to alert Gmail users to
messages that appear to be phishing attacks. When the Gmail team
becomes aware of such an attack, the details of these messages are used
to automatically identify future suspected phishing attacks.

The result: when a Gmail user opens a suspected phishing message, Gmail
displays a warning.

Gmail's phishing alerts operate automatically, much like spam
filtering. Gmail's spam filters automatically divert messages that are
suspected of being unwanted messages into 'Spam'. Similarly, Gmail's
phishing alerts automatically display warnings with messages that are
suspected of being phishing attacks so that users know to take care
before providing any personal information.

Intel changes plans on 4 Ghz processor

According to various sources Intel has decided, for now, to cancel the
production
of the 4 Ghz processor and work on the Duel Core processor technology.

Editors commentery: Uzi Hitman passed away today 17/10/2004

I would like to express my sorrow as the great artist Uzi Hitman passed
away today, 17/10/2004, at tge age of 52 as a result of a heart attack.
I am at a loss for words as I belive that anyone who heard the songs he
wrote and the songs he sang was at awe.

Google Instant Messenger (IM) ?!

Rumors surround the recent discovery of a shortcut to an IM utility in
the google desktop.

Preview: XFone - The new Israeli international carrier is about to launch its services

using the international prefix 018.

The Israeli cable TV operator HOT will conduct a new experiment

where house holds in the Raanaana region will receive a new service -
Video on Demand (VOD).
Currently the Israeli Satelite operator and Hot only offer Near VOD
(NVOD) services and this new enchantment is liable to emphesise the
cable companys advantage having a two way communication system unlike
Yes.
The new service is most likely going to be named Hot+ .

Reminder: Israeli cellphone prefix change

From 01/11/2004 any calls made to the old cellphone prefix's will hear

an announcment to dial the new number (new number will be heared).
This will continue until 30/04/2005 when the announcments will be
discontinued.

If you wish to check what the new number is dial *0000 or 1212-0000
(numbers where published by the Israeili Ministry of Communications as
Toll Free from Israel) or see the table below:

Pelephone
OLD PREFIX NEW PREFIX
050 050-5
051 050-7
056 050-6
068 050-8

CELLCOM
OLD PREFIX NEW PREFIX
052 052-2
053 052-3
058 052-8
064 052-4
065 052-5

ORANGE
OLD PREFIX NEW PREFIX
054 054-4
055 054-5
066 054-6
067 054-7

MIRS / AMIGO
OLD PREFIX NEW PREFIX
057 057-7

Hot Telecom (Land line telephony)

The HOT group, in Israel, will lanunch its land line telephony services
for
business in late october to early november.
The new telephony service will be available to private customers during
january 2005 and is expected to offer many new services and innovations
amongst them:

* Support for regular analog phones
* Support for digital (DCT / DECT) phones
* Support for VoIP phones
* Support for computerised phones (use your computer to make and
receive calls)
* Support for new services unavailable using regular carriers

One of the first dial time packages expected to be launched to private
customers is a 70 NIS flat fee for unlimited calls.

Google Desktop

Have you tried it? Works nicely.
Google for President!

In case you where wondering, there is a new software from Google here
is whats great about it:

1) It's Free!! (freeware)
2) One of the best (if not THE BEST) pc search software around.
3) Great user interface and ease of use.

TRY IT!!!

Welcome everyone!!

Welcome to our new group!!