The Sony PSP

I have been playing with the Sony PSP for the last few weeks. I must say this is certainly a large leap forward in the mobile gamming industry. I even loved the South Park episode #904 that involved Kenny getting a PSP. Great Show there guys. Liked how you fit the current events in there too.

Anyway back to the Sony PSP. It has great features, I even love that you can put shows, games MP3's etc. on the Sony memory stick. The screen is crystal clear, better than the large TV I have. It has every feature you could want in a portable game playing device.

The only improvements I can see for this is the ability to some how tap into the new WIFI TV access that we are promised soon. Who knows, it could happen but since that is Bleeding Edge it may be a while in comming. It would also be great it you could serf the net or something but I suppsoe it would use up battery life to quickly.

In any event, Sony is deinately on to something with this device. It can only get better as time goes on with additonal features that may come out in additional generations.

Even if Sony loses market share with the PS2, PS3 against the new Xbox 360, Which I think it might. It has created a new market for itself in this new awsome device.

So, Sony will be around in the gamming market for sometime to come. Could the all powerful Bill Gates be scratching his head over this one? Perhaps, but I bet within the next 2-3 years we will see something of a response from Microsoft on this mobile gamming technology as well.

Folks, we can only see improvements all around the gamming industry with these two titans going at it. Lets sit back and enjoy the ride no matter what your platform of choice is.

Here is one of my better articles, enjoy

Spyware, What It Is, What It Does, and How To Stop IT.
By Keith Erwood

Spyware is software that runs on a personal computer without the knowledge or consent of the owner of that computer. The Spyware then collects personal information about the user or users of the infected computer. The personal information collected is usually the name of the user; the users email address, Websites visited, online shopping habits, as well as various other information about the user.

Spyware is also sometimes known as Scumware, and Adware. Although Adware is slightly different in that the makers claim that the users are aware that they are collecting information about the user. Sometimes this is true, other times it is not. Many times these terms are used interchangeably because many feel that they present the same problems. This however goes to the definition of what Spyware is, making it sometimes difficult to combat from a legal standpoint. This is generally due to how Adware works in that the user downloads a program that they feel is useful for some reason and that program also collects user information as described above. Although the government is currently taking steps to protect users from these programs it is a slow process because of the current definitions.

Once this information is collected, the Spyware then can send your personal information to advertisers that will then send you targeted advertisements through annoying popups, and spam in your email. They can also hijack your web browser and redirect you to a page that they want you to see with their advertising targeted to you through your personal information. This redirecting is sophisticated enough to notice what you are attempting to purchase on one site and can redirect you to another site with the same or similar products so that you make the purchase through them.

In addition to the problems of stealing your personal information, Spyware runs in the background on your computer using up valuable system resources. This is a major cause of your PC “running slow.”

The statistics are 9 of 10 computers connected to the internet are infected with some type of Spyware. This could probably be taken a step further to say all PC’s connected to the internet are infected with some type of Spyware. The reason for this is because all of the best Anti-Spyware software on the market today can only stop software that it knows or recognizes as Spyware. These Spyware killers work in a way similar to Anti-Virus software and need to be updated on a regular basis to be effective.

Spyware is also a large cause of popups occurring on your computer as well. Popups are messages that “pop up” onto your computer screen generally through your internet browser. These popups can be reduced and at times stopped completely by using a web browser other than IE (Internet Explorer) such as Firefox by Mozilla.org and Opera located at:

http://www.mozilla.org/
http://opera.com/

Both are adept at stopping popups from occurring. If you choose to use one of these browsers be sure to periodically check for updates to get the best protection available.

One of the ways to defend against Spyware is to use a third party firewall. Although the current version of Windows XP comes with a firewall it is not effective at stopping Spyware as of this writing. Third party firewalls can block unwanted traffic from passing to and from the internet to your computer. Some of the better third party firewalls listed below are:

• Kerio Personal Firewall
• ZoneAlarm Firewall
• Sygate Firewall

Kerio Personal Firewall can be downloaded from its Website at the following URL:

Kerio.com

Although they have a limited free version it does not provide the same level of protection as the paid version does. I would recommend the paid version of their firewall at $45.00. Next there is ZoneAlarm which is perhaps one of the more recognized firewall around. You can get the free version for non business users at the following URL:

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp

business users can get the paid version here http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp

Sygate also has a good firewall that is available for $39.95 available at the URL:

http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf_pro.htm

Firewalls are effective at stopping many Spyware programs as well as other potential problems but they are not a cure all. To be more effective you will want to use Anti-Spyware software along with your firewall.

Some of the top Anti-Spyware programs are Webroot Spy Sweeper which you can buy for $29.95 and Spyware Doctor also $29.95, Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition which is free. Also free is Spybot Search and Destroy. All are good and considered some of the best at Spyware detection and removal. All four of these programs can be downloaded at download.com at URL:

http://www.download.com/spyware-center/2001-2023_4-0.html
You can also use the above URL for additional information about Spyware.

Also available now is the Microsoft beta version of its Spyware blocker.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=321cd7a2-6a57-4c57-a8bd-dbf62eda9671&displaylang=en

Unfortunately there are also some very unscrupulous people out there who will purposefully cause your computer problems if you use their software. This software will often “miss” or “overlook” some Spyware leaving it unsuspectingly on your computer. Worse yet, some of these supposed Anti-Spyware programs will actually place Spyware onto your computer as well. Some of these programs are Spyblaster, Spyware Assasin, as well as many others. The best way to check to see if you are using an Anti-Spyware program that fits into this category is to visit The following URL:

Spywarewarrior.com

If you are using any of the programs in this listing you should remove it immediately and use one of the known good programs such as the ones I listed above to check your computer.

You can also keep up to date and learn more about the ongoing threat of Spyware by visiting the following websites.

FTC information security
FTC Spyware
Spywareinfo.com
Spywarewarrior.com

Copyright © 2005, Keith Erwood, All Right Reserved Worldwide

Keith Erwood is an author and, head consultant and owner of Dynamic Network Technologies. A computer consulting and services business located in NYC.

Is It Warm In Here?

It is certainly hot here in New York City today. Its about 90 degrees and of course high humidity.

Well first off the FDNY has just created a new Engine Company, Engine 168 in Staten Island. I've been at the facility for a little over a year now working as an EMT. Welcome to your new home guys. I included the link to the Fire dept home page, although I did not see anything there posted about it at this time.

I have been listening to the John Batchelor Show for the last few years now. I am a huge news junkie and this guy is the best, with great contacts worldwide.Glade to see he has a new Website up and running (its actually been up for a little while). Hoping to see it have streaming audio soon as well to catch the shows I miss. I am told this is coming soon, Thanks John for the work you do, radio at its finest.

I just started writing articles to get my name out there and to support my business. I am thinking of posting some of the better ones in this blog as well. I put one here today, well see how it works out.

Since I plan on Blogging from here on in I might as well dedicate some space here to the guy that got me started. I got my start blogging after reading a book by Biz Stone of the same title. So I feel like I owe him for getting me started. I believe he has another book out I'll have to check it out.

I'll post one of my articles in the next post in a bit, have to get a drink it is really hot here.

WOW

I can not beleive it has been almost a year since I last posted anything here. Should really be no surprise though, since I am always so busy I don't even have time to sleep. Well... Do not feel bad though as things are going well.

Still busy as anything working on my business Dynamic Network Technologies
Have written a few articles as well, perhaps I should post them here as well.

I really will be posting here a lot more frequently now. Kind of look at this as my little playground.

See you again soon.
bye

Just A Blog, Blog, Blog

Just got back from my sisters house, had dinner there. I guess I go there quite a bit for dinner, but it is nice. Considering she is never the one that does the cooking but, we have fun.



We usually have a few drinks although today we didn't have any. Just as well though. However, I must say everyone thinks I make a mean margarita. I think I have to agree, they are quite good. Now that I am writing this I wish I had one, LOL... But all the mixes and stuff I left at my sisters.



So the ground breaking on the new WTC building, The Freedom Tower was on July 4th. I think it is nice that they are doing it as quick as they are but I do have some things I don't like about it. I am hesitant to write about it here but I guess here goes....



First of all I know that not everyone agrees with this, so no need to bash me. I will say though that I can understand why so many people are unhappy with what is taking place with the site. Too many people have lost loved ones and everyone wants to have their say with what goes on. It is however to make everyone happy and something must be done.



Well, for starters, the reason I am unhappy with it is all of the empty space at the top. I love the idea of it being 1,776 feet tall to commemorate the birth of our nation and the ideas on which it is founded. But all that empty space gets to me. It makes my stomach queasy. It is highly understandable that the building might have empty office space at the top. I do not think many New Yorkers are ready to go back into a building like that yet to be honest.



At least the "victims" family members probably feel that way. See the thing is many people also worked at that site afterwards as well. People put a lot of time, blood, sweat, tears, and all kinds of emotions into their efforts while working at the WTC site and at the landfill. Many of these people have no voice at all and a good deal of them would have liked to have seen it rebuilt. Also some that want nothing there as well.



Not the same exact building mind you, but a much better, stronger, and safer copy. I have seen the design and thought it was great but, too much opposition to it exists.

In a way it kind of makes me feel "they" the terrorists have won in some respects. I know I am not alone in think this way because, many other people I have spoken with that "survived" and worked through it feel that way.



See, a few generations ago times were different. Many veterans of WWII have even expressed this to me as well. It used to be the "American way" to rebuild, bigger, better, stronger. Those seem to be times of a by gone era.



Another thing about the site I think is a shame is that they are making an area for family of the victims that no one else can go. While this sounds like a good idea on the surface I think it is a poor idea. The fact that other people who were there cannot go and pay their "respects" to friends or even to just sit and remember in any area of a memorial is not such a good idea. Many people worked at the two sites for a long time not to be able to go back and see what beauty has returned. The biggest voices of opposition are always from the "widows of fire fighters". Not that I do not think that they should not have a voice. But, I think everyone should have a voice. What about the construction workers, steel workers, sanitation workers, and the untold number of volunteers that showed up from across the country and world to help. Those people deserved a voice too.



Anyway, I know and came to the realization long before the rebuilding plans ever started that many people would be unhappy with the site. I just hope that whatever is their people will always remember September 11th 2001 and not just be sad for what happened. But to also be proud of the way we came together to help one another.



If you have taken the time to read this I thank you.