Today on Tuesday July 1, 2008 Passpack has released the desktop version of it’s online password manager software. Passpack Desktop is based on Adobe AIR. Desktop version of Passpack is best suited to use as a backup of all your online passwords. This new release automatically synchronize to Passpack online.

Best thing about the Passpack for desktop is there is no need to setup an online Passpack account. Users can manager their passwords using Passpack’s desktop software and it’s free to. When ever users signup with Passpack online this software automatically synchronize to Passpack online.

Passpack desktop is free: for everyone and forever. The code is released
under a Creative Commons license, so programmers can have a look under
the hood to verify the security.

Passpack Desktop Features

• Same top security and easy interface as the online password Manager, and easy to install.

• Access your passwords even if you can’t reach Passpack.com.

• Automatically backup your Passpack.com account during Passpack Desktop setup.

• Push-button sync integrates Passpack Desktop with new/changed passwords from Passpack.com.

• Better flow of communication from the online version to the desktop version

• Endless number of password storage.

• Ability to use the desktop version exclusively, online becoming then an option.

Passpack Desktop Screenshot

Technorati Tags: Passpack,Password Manager

People often think that free software means open source software. Most people think that Linux is free software. Software’s that run on Linux operating system is absolutely free but this is not the case. There is a lot of difference in all these terms. After studying a lot of websites I found some real good facts that I am sharing with you.

Freeware: Freeware software’s are available to use with no cost. Proprietary software’s can also be freeware software. Freeware software’s are generally used by companies to help developers, students and communities to develop software skills while using this freeware software, but not to loose their business potential software companies don’t give the source code of the software’s. Freeware software is different from shareware software. Shareware software’s are used for marketing purpose. Computer users can download and use a limited version of software or full version of software for a limited period of time. We can say that Shareware software is just like “Try before you buy”.
Freeware generally refers to software that is copyrighted and the term shareware refers to commercial software that is copyrighted, but which may be copied for others for the purpose of their trying it out with the understanding that they will pay for it if they continue to use it

Free Software: Free software can be used, modified and studied without any restriction. Free software can be copied and distributed with or without any modifications. A software is free when the end user get’s full software with the human readable form of the program called as source code with above permissions. Free Software Foundation maintains the definition of free software
The definition published by FSF

1. Run the program, for any purpose.

2. Study how the program works and adapt it to your needs.

3. Redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor.

4. Improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits.

Open Source: Open source software can be defined as computer software for which the source code of the software is available under a copyright that must meet the open source definition.
Open Source Definition

1. Free Redistribution: the software can be freely given away or sold. (This was intended to expand sharing and use of the software on a legal basis).

2. Source Code: the source code must either be included or freely obtainable. (Without source code, making changes or modifications can be impossible.)

3. Derived Works: redistribution of modifications must be allowed. (To allow legal sharing and to permit new features or repairs.)

4. Integrity of The Author’s Source Code: licenses may require that modifications are redistributed only as patches.

5. No Discrimination against Persons or Groups: no one can be locked out.

6. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor: commercial users cannot be excluded.

7. Distribution of License: The rights attached to the program must apply to all to whom the program is redistributed without the need for execution of an additional license by those parties.

8. License Must Not Be Specific to a Product: the program cannot be licensed only as part of a larger distribution.

9. License Must Not Restrict Other Software: the license cannot insist that any other software it is distributed with must also be open source.

10. License Must Be Technology-Neutral: No click-wrap licenses or other medium-specific ways of accepting the license must be required.

There can be different open source copyright laws enforced by different software vendors.

Technorati Tags: Freeware Software,Free Software,Open Source Software

I think, Spammers and Phishers are always come with some new idea and targets to spread spam messages. This time they are targeting Google Calendar.  Phishers sending message to Google calendar users to their Gmail Account, With a reference to a legitimate and sender name is Google Customer Care. These messages ask users to verify their account.

A Sample message and Screen shot taken from CNET Website a

We are having congestions (sic) due to the anonymous registration of Gmail accounts so we are shutting down some Gmail accounts and your account was among those to be deleted. We are sending you this email to so that you can verify and let us know if you still want to use this account

Google Calendar Spam Attack

According to SANS Internet Storm Center (ISC) spammers are now targeting Google calendar to spread spam messages. Spammers sending spam messages asking for meeting invites.

Actual content viewable via outlook calendar.

Google Agenda
donald smith, vous êtes invité(e) à participer à
Your pending transfers respond prompt.
sam. 5 avr. 20:30 – 21:30
(Fuseau horaire : Hawaï)
Agenda : donald smith
Compliments and Greetings,
This is an official notification of the availability of your full
entitlement valid 1.2 million which has not been affected due to official negligence. This transfer has been held pending and its original account suspended pending when the benefactor provided the TAX clearance document .but the impostors who are operating in syndicates all over the world today are misled and misguided you about the position of your fund with the sole aim of exporting money from you that explain why you have
not receive the payment up-to-date.

However, you are advised to immediately reconfirm your telephone and currant contact/ payment receiving details to this e-mail address (richtransferoffice@yahoo.co.in) .You will receive your payment by:

(1) By wire transfer direct to your nominated bank account.
(2)Issuing you ATM CARD
(3) or by drawing a cashiers cheque payable in your name,
with strict procedures of the International funds transfer rules and regulations in avoidance of unhealthy intents and unnecessary delay.

So, let us know which of option you like to receive your monies .But before we proceed, you are required to make a payment of the Non-resident tax of $150 only as the authorities demand which is described as selective payment to enable us effect maximum clearance on your file and automate your full information on the transfer script text to ensure that the payment reach your hand on time through a legal secure way from the exact time frame we initiate our service if you accurately furnished us with our requirement as instructed.

Note that we have no legal right to deduct or add to the value of your funds because your payment has already been keyed into the system for final transfer, thus the compliance with this condition this payment will reach you within 48 banking hour or less.

Yours faithfully,
Johnson Mark
International Clearing House West Africa- BENIN
Affiliate to the World Association of Debt Management.

Google Calendar users please be careful before accepting any meeting requests from unknown sender.

According to Microsoft Office Live Small Business has been subscribed by 1 Million subscribers. Microsoft has designed the service particularly those with fewer than 10 employees. The Redmond company explains that the number of Office Live Small Business has doubled in the past year. This indicates that entrepreneurs are steadily adopting the service and that more and more small businesses become convinced on the need to establish a foothold in the digital world.

Baris Cetinok, director of product management, marketing and planning for Microsoft Office Live Small Business said

From the outset we knew we wanted to tailor Office Live Small Business to the smallest of small businesses because they have unique needs that were not being addressed by any other service at the time. We focused on three key things:

• Make the service easy to use
• Make it affordable
• Make it all work together

We are able to entice small businesses to come to the Web by making the barriers so low, you can do it yourself and get started for free. Some of our most successful customers have told us that their Web site is their business. It’s not about a static online brochure. When you have back-office tools that talk to your front-office Web presence, your online activities go to a whole new level and help you grow your business.

Microsoft Office Live Small Business is the award-winning service that offers a complete, affordable set of easy-to-use Internet-based tools that help small-business owners get online, attract customers and manage their business. Office Live Small Business has more than 1 million customers in five countries: U.S., U.K., France, Germany and Japan. More information is available at Office Live Small Business.

Read the Press Release

Microsoft Mac Business unit releases the latest version of MSN Messenger for Mac. This new updated version of MSN Messenger is released after the two month of MSN Messenger release. MSN Messenger for Mac 7.0.1 improves support for users of the Voice Over feature in Mac OS X, enhanced compatibility with the Office Communications Server 2007 and it fixes user interface issues that appear when Messenger is used with some European languages.

This new updated version lacks two important features

• Audio Call

• Video Conferencing

Microsoft gives indications that it will provide support for VoIP and video calls between Windows and Mac users, but there is no timetable has been decided.

Important: Messenger for Mac 7.0.1 does not work with Live Communications Server 2005. If your organization uses Live Communications Server 2005, you should use Messenger for Mac Version 6.0.

Download MSN Messenger For Mac 7.0.1

Technorati Tags: MSN Messenger

Is Windows7 will be a complete new operating system or just a modified version of Windows Vista? Microsoft has already confirmed that Windows7 is will be develop on top of the Windows Vista. Windows7 use the same architecture of Windows Vista. Microsoft is trying to build Windiws7 in such way that it won’t require any hardware to run and Windows7 is also enable applications and devices work properly with this new release of Windows that are working with previous version of Windows.

Microsoft is not creating any new Kernel for Windows7. The idea behind is that Microsoft has inverted a huge amount of money to develop a new Kernel architecture for Windows Vista. Windows has a very solid foundation as compare to previous versions of Windows operating system. Windows Vista Kernel has different subsystems like Graphics, Audio and Storage. Windows Server2008 and Windows Vista SP1 developed on top of same kernel and subsystem. As we can expect Microsoft will refine or modify some kernel modules for Windows7.

Windows7 may not have same compatibility issues that windows Vista has over the period of time.  Windows will be a transition operating system from Windows Vista. Microsoft is trying to develop Windows7 in such way that, transition process from Windows Vista to Windows7 is smooth and less painful for Windows users.

Windows Vista SP1 RTM will stop working from today. Microsoft allow beta participants to free copy of beta software’s and all these free software’s are time bound means they expire after some time, so vista SP1 RTM makes no exception from other beat software’s. Users running Vista SP1 RTM copies will continue to boot but after one hour, Windows Vista kernel giving following error message:

END_OF_NT_EVALUATION_PERIOD.
Users permitted to reboot the system and uninstall Vista SP1 RTM

Windows Vista SP1 RTM can be uninstalled from Control Panel. Service pack installation can found in Windows updates. This will be applicable to only those users who have installed Vista SP1 RC on top of the RTM.

The next milestone in the product lifecycle of Windows Vista will come on April 13.

Spammers are now targeting Smartphone’s like Blackberry and iPhone. Spammers are seeing these new Smartphone as a new market to spread spam messages. By the end of 2010 there will be around 1.3 Billion computers and 4 Billion Smartphone’s so it makes real sense to target these hand handled devices.  Spammers mostly use text messages to spread spam using Smartphone’s. Using Smartphone’s to spread spam messages is much costlier then sending E-Mails.

Neil Cook, vice-president of technology services for Cloudmark, a messaging security company, estimates that penetration of Smartphone needs to reach 20 per cent to 30 per cent before it becomes worthwhile for hackers to spread viruses. Spam is a problem in India and China, and North America and Europe are expected to follow.

Mr Cook said

The rise in spamming and scams boils down to economics. Spammers are really very good businessmen. They see new opportunities and new markets. As new media becomes attractive to spammers, they move in there. They will move anywhere if they can make a return on investment.

Smartphone Facts

• 32.2 Million Smartphone’s were sold in first three month of this year.
• 275 Million Smartphone’s will be sold in next year.
• 4 Billion Will be there by year 2010

Microsoft Most Reputed Company in India According to Global Market information and insight group TNS, Microsoft is the most reputed company in India followed by Infosys, State Bank of India (SBI). Intel, Maruti Suzuki and TCS. List is as follows

1. Microsoft (Technology)
2. SBI (Financial Services Sector )
3. Maruti Suzuki (Automobile sector)
4. Reliance (Engineering and Infrastructure)
5. Nestle (FMCG).
6. Reliance Communications (Telecom)
7. Hindustan Petroleum (Petroleum Sector)
8. Ranbaxy (Pharmaceutical )
9. LG Electronics ( Consumer Durables)

According to Muder Chiba, ED, TNS India

As companies become valued beyond last quarter’s financial results and as corporate valuation shifts from a focus on physical assets alone, building and retaining corporate confidence becomes key.

A computer is a machine that manipulates data according to a list of instructions.

There are a lot of terms can be found over the internet related to computer. All type of computer have processor, Memory, keyboard, mouse and screen to display output. But their is a significant difference how people or organizations use computes for their usage. We can divide all type of computers to 10 categories.

Personal Computer (PC) : A personal computer (PC) is a computer whose original sales price, size, and capabilities make it useful for individuals, and intended to be operated directly by an end user, with no intervening computer operator. People generally relate this term with Microsoft’s  Windows Operating system. Personal computers generally run on Windows, Mac or some version of Linux operating system.

Desktop: Desktop computer is just another version of Personal Computer intended for regular use from a single use. A computer that can be fit on a desk can also be called as desktop.  Desktop computers comes in different form vertical tower cases to small form factor.

Laptop: Laptop computer , Laptop or Notebook all are same. Laptop’s are generally small mobile computers run on a single main battery or from an external power supply that will served as to run the laptop as well as charge the battery. Laptop contains all the components of computer but all these are optimized for mobile users.

Personal Digital Assistants(PDAs): A personal digital assistant (PDA) is a handheld computer, also known as small or palmtop computers. Newer PDAs also have both color screens and audio capabilities, enabling them to be used as mobile phones (smartphones), web browsers, or portable media players. Many PDAs can access the Internet, intranets or extranets via Wi-Fi, or Wireless Wide-Area Networks (WWANs). Many PDAs employ touch screen technology.

Workstation: A computer that has a more power resources like Processing Power, Memory and additional capabilities to perform special task refers to as workstation. Workstations are often optimized for displaying and manipulating complex data such as 3D mechanical design, engineering simulation results such as for computational fluid dynamics, animation and rendering of images, and mathematical plots.

Server: A server computer is a computer dedicated to running a server application. A server application is a computer program that accepts connections in order to service requests by sending back responses. Examples of server applications include web servers, e-mail servers, database servers, and file servers.

Mainframe: In early days of computing Mainframes are big computers that can fill the entire room or entire floor. Mainframes are mainly used by large organizations for critical applications, such as consumer statistics, ERP, and financial transaction processing.

Minicomputer: Minicomputers are lie between the Mainframe computer and small Personal Computers. Minicomputers also refereed to Mid-Range Servers.  Minicomputers are more powerful but still compatible version of a personal computer.

Supercomputer: A computer which, among existing general-purpose computers at any given time, is superlative, often in several senses: highest computation rate, largest memory, or highest cost. Predominantly, the term refers to the fastest “number crunchers,” that is, machines designed to perform numerical calculations at the highest speed that the latest electronic device technology and the state of the art of computer architecture allow.

Wearable : Wearable computers are computers that are worn on the body. They have been applied to areas such as behavioral modeling, health monitoring systems, information technologies and media development. Government organizations, military, and health professionals have all incorporated wearable computers into their daily operations. Wearable computers are especially useful for applications that require computational support while the user’s hands, voice, eyes or attention are actively engaged with the physical environment.

Thanks to wikipedia and Answers.com