File Verifier++ is a portable software program for Windows that can check the file integrity of selected files. This is done by calculating the hash of every selected file in the first run of the application and comparing that initial hash value with the hash that was calculated at a later time. The file has been modified if the hash values do not match.

The software program does not act automatically. The user has to select files or folders that he wants to calculate hash values for. Once they are stored in the database it is possible to check the files at anytime to see if the file has been changed in the meantime.

A set of 21 different hash algorithms including popular algorithms like MD5, SHA-512 or CRC-32 is available and at the user’s disposal. Results can be saved or loaded so that they are available whenever they are needed.

continue reading "File Integrity Check"

Microsoft released only two patches for their products on this November’s Patch Tuesday. The Microsoft Security Bulletins MS08-069 and MS08-068 patched two vulnerability with the status critical and important.

The vulnerability rated as critical could allow remote code execution in the in Microsoft XML Core Services while the vulnerability rated important could allow remote code execution in Microsoft Server Message Block (SMB) Protocol.

Both security vulnerabilities can be fixed by using Windows Update or by downloading the security updates directly from the Microsoft Download website by following the two links given above in this article.

continue reading "Microsoft Patch Tuesday November 08"

We missed last week’s software update thread. The updates of the last seven days trickled in and there was not really a lot of action regarding new releases.

A short explanation for new users: We collect the software updates of the last seven days and list them in an article each Wednesday.

Most notable updates have been released for VLC Player, the Software Update Monitor SUMo or the new version of Soundbase.

continue reading "Software Updates 46 2008"

DeskAngel is a lightweight portable software application for Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Vista that provides additional windows desktop management functionality. Many of the features can be set in the system tray but some are only available in the ini file directly that comes with the software program.

The software developer lists a total of 18 features that the application is providing of which 16 are working on all supported operating systems and 2 exclusively on Windows 2000. Here is a short overview of some of the interesting features of the software program:

• Scrolling in inactive windows
• Changing window transparency
• Roll up windows
• Set top most status of windows with right-click
• Alt Right-Click mouse only alternative

continue reading "DeskAngel - Windows Desktop Management"

I realize that I may not know enough, but does Windows 7 offer any radically different stuff? I mean I am one of the few people who likes Vista, but how exactly is Windows 7 more than a sort of addon? I always feel that instead of a new OS, Windows 7 is what Vista wanted to be. We were promised a completely redesigned and different OS by Microsoft a while ago and I don’t really thing they’re delivering again.

Sure, it looks better, it’s possibly faster, it might even have some cool new tech under the hood, but in the end I don’t really care, and I doubt 98% of the end users care. Aeroshake is a nice innovation and the other special actions, taskbar stuff, it shows the company is thinking about users finally, but is it doing enough? I can’t really see the awesome breakthroughs, the innovations, radical new ways of OS design. I’m starting to think Microsoft would rather stay with the old and at least keep most of their market, then go for something new and risk it.

With even free OS-s like Ubuntu starting not only to catch up, but surpass Microsoft Windows in many ways, perhaps it’s time to start thinking differently, since in the long run Windows won’t stand a chance. 3 years ago I couldn’t get my internet connection to work with Ubuntu, I couldn’t read Windows partitions, the software available was limited or for tech savvy people. Now ubuntu is more plug and play than Windows! Microsoft better starp on a pair or they will be in real trouble.That being said I like Windows 7, but I don’t see the radicaly changes I thought would come.

continue reading "Is Windows 7 any different?"