#6 Portable Software, Anyone?
...in which links are given, and passion revealed
This portable software stuff is great and I'll explain why:
Portable software is software that you can put on a thumb drive/memory stick/flash drive and requires pretty much no installation whatsoever. The benefit of the is that you don't need to be the administrator of the PC you're working on to run the software in question. For instance, you work for a company that still hasn't figured that not only is Internet Explorer (yes I am including version 7) fairly unsafe when it comes to pop-ups and adverts etc... but that its also not as user friendly as oh, I don't know, Firefox let's say. Now, given that it's your lunch break and you have some time to browse the net but you want a bit more of enjoyable 'surfing' experience what do you do? Well you can't install Firefox because the tech guys downstairs or wherever have locked you out of pretty much everything including the clock in the system tray!
But there is a solution... Among many other popular, safe, and well designed software applications, Firefox has been developed into a portable program. This means as long as you have a virus free copy of the portable Firefox you can run it from the flash drive and surf to your hearts' content!
So allow me to link some valuable sources of these fantastic programs:
- Portable Freeware (my favourite)
- Portable Apps
- Make Use Of
- Quate.net
- Nedwolf Portables
Please note: If your superiors have made it clear to you that using software that bypasses their backward and unproductive policies well, then, you should probably not use it at work. Portable is great and better off for personal use. There, hopefully that'll keep the lawyers happy.
Posted: 18/08/2008
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#5 Loddy 1, Virus 0!
...in which Loddy restores order
So we had a virus mysteriously appear (for mysteriously read 'someone downloaded a very silly program which may or may not have caused the problem) and I'm not sure how as I was out of the country at the time. Anyway, this virus stops Firefox from loading and blocks youtube.com, and pops up a message saying:
"I DNT HATE MOZILLA BUT USE EXPLORER YOU DOPE!"
...so upon googling this totally illogical virus, I found the solution which I'll post here for prosperity:
- First press Control-Alt-Delete
- Click the 'Processes' tab, and click the first column to sort the processes by name
- Now, look for svchost.exe run by 'user' or 'admin' or 'your computer name' There will be probably two of them. Right click and end both the svchost.exe processes where the User Name is NOT 'SYSTEM” or 'NETWORK SERVICE' or 'LOCAL SERVICE' these are ok, we're killing the ones with your username listed against them, because they're fake
- Next Click Start and click 'Run'
- Type cmd in the box and press enter
- There in the black Command Line, type cd\ and press Enter
- It should change to C:\>
- Next, type: attrib -s -r -h heap41a /s /d and then press Enter
- Next step is to get rid of the virus folder itself so open My Computer and delete the folder 'heap41a' which should be sitting in the C: Drive
- Then remove the C:\heap41a\svchost.exe shortcut from C:\Documents and Settings\USER\Start Menu\Programs\Startup (Or Start > All Programs >Startup)
It's also been suggested to virus scan your removable disks/memory cards as well, so if you want to make, read the other info to be sure.
I've yet to figure out why people waste their time writing viruses, surely they're going to want that time back on their deathbeds?
Posted: 18/08/2008
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#4 To Do List #1
...in which nothing, ok, it's just a 'to do' list
These will probably crop up from time to time otherwise I'll forget what I was going to do.
- Links Page: Actually put some good links on there
- Bio page: It's not quite right, spruce it up somehow - (Made some changes, reads better)
Suggestions on a postcard please... (or better yet, the comments)
Posted: 17/08/2008
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#3 Be Kind, Rewind...
...in which Jack Black, makes with the funnies
So I was entrusted with the responsibility of finding the community a film to watch this evening and after the requested film (the latest one with Audrey Tatou - though I don't even know if she's got a new movie out) wasn't found by the non-compliant, shoulder shrugging Blockbuster movie store assistant (who actually didn't look for it) I found the only film I could find that wasn't going to offend my audience with gratuitous flip-me-doodah's or disturbing plot 'twists' that otherwise leave us feeling violated somehow.
The film was 'Be Kind, Rewind' and I have to say, my reputation as a good film chooser is still well defended and intact. Go me. They loved it, or at least eveyone who stayed to watch it loved it. It was really funny to see Ghostbusters in an even lower budget light (don't get me wrong, I LOVE the original and totally know the script or at least the funniest parts of by heart) and all in all it was a greatly enjoyable, funny film. Next film on the list, 'The Bank Job', see you on the flipside.
...Did I really just say 'see you on the flipside'? O.o
Posted: 17/08/2008
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#2 Aural Delights...
...in which it gives me great pleasure to be able to start this post with the following 7 words;
So I was on holiday in Frankfurt a few days ago, and while hunting online for a particular track I'd heard over a shoutcast on winamp, I stumbled upon the superb blog of Paul Irish. The aptly named 'Aurgasm' (which is not a rude word mum, it's a play on words), showcases relatively unheard musicians and ensembles and as a result I found a plethora of samples of some finely chilled out and funky music. Some of the musicians featured are Bitter:Sweet, Yael Naim, Kira Neris and of course my personal favourite, (I've been a fan for nearly 10 years now) the wonderfully talented, Imogen Heap. In the words of the site authors, "Aurgasm specializes in everything not under the American rock umbrella—music such as: downtempo, folk, nu jazz, chanson, scandinavian, jazz, cuban, brazilian, electro, soul, jump blues, bluegrass, film score, and electronica.".
"Launched in 2004, Aurgasm has developed into a destination of passionate music lovers around the globe...It has been named as one of PC Magazine’s Top 100 Blogs..." - About Aurgasm
Now, just a little request. Whilst the streaming music is also available for download, please follow Paul's advice and buy the revelant album(s) in order to support the artists.
Posted: 17/08/2008
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#1 Welcome to loddy.org Blog...
...in which we find Loddy attempting to train himself to keep a journal.
This time, it's for real. I can say that about various elements of my life right now, my love life, my faith, and this website for instance. This time I plan to keep the site up and use it to improve my web design ability and make note of things that happen to me, thoughts that cross my mind and also links to other great sites on the net.
I've got a bit of a Brazilian colour scheme going on this time and let's face it, anyone who saw my previous sites will agree it was time to say goodbye to burgundy and brown. Although some of you won't be surprised by my choice of green but hey, it matches my wardrobe and if that weird, well, I guess I'm as weird as everyone else. So this is post #1 and hopefully the first of many, I guess time will tell and we'll see how it goes.
P.S. I've renabled my haloscan comments, whether this is a wise move or not will be revealed in the fullness of time. Feel free to comment but please be respectful, pretend your parents are watching or something.
Posted: 17/08/2008