Archive for June, 2009

Microsoft’s .NET Firefox Extension

Monday, June 8th, 2009

MicrosoftLast February, Microsoft released a .NET 3.5 service pack via Windows Update. Part of the install process silently adds a Firefox extension allowing the browser to use the .NET ClickOnce feature. (The extension is named “Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant”.) There are some security concerns about this extension, and additionally, you can’t uninstall it without making a registry change. Needless to say, this irritated a good number of people. The uproar was so bad that Microsoft issued a patch allowing you to uninstall the extension normally.

Link: http://yro.slashdot.org/…

Say Hello to the Palm Pre

Saturday, June 6th, 2009

PhoneThe Palm Pre is now available at stores. It has the potential to be a serious competitor to the iPhone. One significant difference is that the Pre has a physical keyboard. Price-wise it matches the iPhone, but I’m thinking the service plans may be the place to save money.

Thanks to Donna for this link.

Link: http://online.wsj.com/…

Update: Here’s an additional link detailing some of the downsides of the Palm Pre.

I Own a GM Car Under Warranty — Now What?

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

CarIf you own a GM vehicle, especially one that’s under warranty or belongs to a soon-to-be discontinued brand, here are some answers on how the bankruptcy will affect you. On the plus side, if you’re up to taking a little risk you can probably get some good deals. All I can say is that I’ve had my Chevy truck for nearly 10 years, and I bought it used. Definitely got my money’s worth.

Link: http://consumerist.com/…

Remapping Keys in Windows

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

TipsSharpKeys is a Windows utility that lets you change the meaning of keys on your keyboard. You can map a key to be something else, or disable it entirely. I have an old M-series keyboard without a Windows key, and this is a way to create one. Also, don’t even get me started on Caps Lock. I use the Tab key quite often, and my left pinky has an annoying habit of hitting Caps Lock instead. In the past I would physically remove Caps Lock from the keyboard, but SharpKeys gives me the ability to disable it (or even make it into another Tab).

Link: http://www.howtogeek.com/…
(via Lifehacker)

Update: Parrish notes that KeyTweak does the same thing without requiring .NET.