Happy Birthday, Ubuntu!

With only nine days left until Karmic Koala's official release, it's time to take a look into the past. Five years ago, on the 20th of October, 2004, Mark Shuttleworth and the "warm-hearted Warthogs" from the developer team announced the first official Ubuntu release. Version 4.10, code name "Warty Warthog," was only the first representative in a line of operating systems that were made by human beings for human beings, aiming to let normal people use Linux.

Let's take a quick look at when each of the Ubuntu versions was released, and what it brought new:
· Ubuntu 4.10 (Warty Warthog) - Released on the 20th of October, 2004
· Ubuntu 5.04 (Hoary Hedgehog) - Released on 8th of April, 2005
· Ubuntu 5.10 (Breezy Badger) - Released on 13th of October, 2005
· Ubuntu 6.06 LTS (Dapper Drake) - Released on the 1st of June, 2006
· Ubuntu 6.10 (Edgy Eft) - Released on the 26th of October, 2006
· Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty Fawn) - Released on the 19th of April, 2007
· Ubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon) - Released on the 18th of October, 2007
· Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (Hardy Heron) - Released on the 24th of April, 2008
· Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) - Released on the 30th of October, 2008
· Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope) - Released on the 23rd of April, 2009
· Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) - Planned for release on the 29th of October, 2009

Ubuntu 4.10 (Warty Warthog) was something weird for its time. It was common back then for Linux operating systems to ship on anywhere from two to even nine CDs, but Warty only had two: a Live and an Installation CD. Another thing that separated Ubuntu from the other Linux distributions of the time was the ShipIt service that sent Ubuntu CDs to anyone who requested them, free of charge.

The Warty Warthog was followed by Ubuntu 5.04 (Hoary Hedgehog), which brought another series of improvements that catered to non-technical users. The update manager and the notifier changed the task of updating the system from a deeply administrative one to something anyone could do. Under the hood, dynamic frequency scaling kept laptops running for a longer while, and the hardware database kept a tight watch on what components worked well out of the box.

The Ubuntu 5.10 (Breezy Badger) release hid the kernel start-up messages that looked like an alien language to most users under a graphical bootloader for the first time. At that time another defining feature of Ubuntu was created: integration with the Launchpad developer portal.

Fast forward to Ubuntu 6.04 and you will see that there is no such thing. Because the development was not complete, Mark Shuttleworth moved the release date to June that year, but made up to the users by giving them the first long-term support release: Ubuntu 6.06 LTS (Dapper Drake). This version changed the installation process in two ways: the two CDs that were typical for a release were merged into one, which served the double purpose of being a live and an install disk and, related to that, the setup process stopped using Debian's installer and switched to a graphical setup tool named Ubiquity.

You probably still remember Ubuntu 6.10 (Edgy Eft), because it was the first release that featured the finished Human graphical theme. Also, this version featured Tomboy, the note-taking application, and F-Spot, the photo manager. The Beryl desktop effects were also one of the attractions.

Those uber-cool desktop effects that were impressive for seasoned users and novices alike were made possible for the first time with the inclusion of Compiz in Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty Fawn). Switching from Windows to Ubuntu was made much easier by the migration assistant that was created for this release, and virtualization was given a helping hand by including the Kernel Virtual Machine. Along with the packages was improved multimedia support with the restricted driver and codec installation tools.

I can actually remember Ubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon), because it allowed me to save files on an NTFS partition. NTFS-3G's inclusion opened the way for tighter interoperability with Windows systems, while AppArmor watched the system's security and Compiz Fusion took the graphical aspect of the desktop one step further.

Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (Hardy Heron) will continue to be on desktops for a while, because its official support will end in April 2011. It featured a new desktop search tool, Tracker, the Brasero disk burner, the Transmission bit-torrent application and many other new programs. Most of us remember it because of PulseAudio, that was a new thing back then and it caused a lot of problems with audio. Also, Hardy was another big step towards an easy installation, because Wubi allowed you to skip partitioning and stuff Ubuntu in a file on one of your Windows disks.

Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) was released into a world where netbooks were starting to conquer the market. Since most of those portable computers had no optical drive, Ubuntu came up with the Live USB Creator that allowed you to transfer the bootable image to a USB drive. Also, 8.10 had a lot of security improvements, like home folder encryption support and a ready-made guest account. Rebuilding kernel modules by hand was made obsolete by the inclusion of Dynamic Kernel Module Support.

You must be familiar with Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope), because you're probably running it right now. It brought us the new Notify OSD and fresh graphics, along with faster boot times and web service integration. The hardware in netbooks was supported, and Wacom tablets were now hot-pluggable. On the development side, everything was moved to the Bazaar revision control system.

Now we're leaving the past and moving on towards the future. Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) will be here in nine days, should everything go according to plan. The anniversary presents will be a new graphical theme, ultra-fast boots and a Netbook Remix that truly deserves the Ubuntu name.

Since such a trip down the memory lane would not be complete without a mental image of each release, we prepared this screenshot tour. It represents the journey of a free operating system that truly changed the way people use their computer. Enjoy the Ubuntu timeline, 11 releases in 5 years!

Ubuntu 4.10 (Warty Warthog)

Ubuntu 5.04 (Hoary Hedgehog)

Ubuntu 5.10 (Breezy Badger)

Ubuntu 6.06 LTS (Dapper Drake)

Ubuntu 6.10 (Edgy Eft)

Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty Fawn)

Ubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon)

Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (Hardy Heron)

Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex)

Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope)

Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala)

Happy Birthday Ubuntu!

Source: sikalong.blogspot.com

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Download Threat Analysis and Modeling 3.0 Beta

Download Threat Analysis and Modeling 3.0 Beta - With support for Windows 7, Vista, and XP.

The Beta milestone of Threat Analysis and Modeling 3.0 is live on the Microsoft Download Center and available for download. The tool is designed to allow business users to perform threat modeling and essentially to streamline application risk management. According to Microsoft, the work poured into version 3.0 is designed, on top of expanding the solution with new features, to enhance performance while reducing costs associated with threat modeling. Threat Analysis and Modeling 3.0 Beta is capable of putting together a threat model after being served with information including business requirements and application architecture, but also to deliver security artifacts on top of pointing out threats.

“TAM v3.0 release is focused on 3 main areas of the tool including: threat modeling methodology; gathering application architecture; and security guidance,” revealed Anil Kumar Venkata Revuru, senior software development engineer for Connected Information Security Group.

Customers running Threat Analysis and Modeling 3.0 Beta will be able to enjoy backward compatibility. Revuru noted that “V3.0 is completely backward compatible with v2.1 threat models. A new plug-in has been added in the import section for users to import v2.1 threat models.” At the same time, the Redmond company has taken the necessary steps to ensure that users are always running the latest version of TAM. In this respect, version 3.0 comes with an Auto Updated Client, designed to inform customers of the latest refreshes available for the threat analysis and modeling tool and to point to the downloads.

Microsoft enumerated the new features specific to version 3: “Azure based CTL store; Visio drawing surface for use cases; Intelligent TFS Sync; automated tool update detection; modified methodology to make threat modeling simpler; Composite Threats and single threat for a call; improved Automatic Threat Generation; v2.1 Import with automated countermeasure mapping; updated countermeasure structure; other minor UI and functionality tweaks.”

Threat Analysis and Modeling 3.0 Beta is available for download here.

By: Marius Oiaga

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ArtistX 0.6, Now Based on Ubuntu 8.10

Marco Ghirlanda, team leader of ArtistX, announced the immediate availability of version 0.6, now created with the help of Remastersys Live CD creation software. Using the 2.6.27 Linux kernel, ArtistX 0.6 lets you choose between GNOME 2.24 and the recent KDE 4.2 desktop environments and has Compiz Fusion included for a full 3D-effects experience.

Having plenty of space on a DVD, ArtistX 0.6 comes with almost 2500 free multimedia applications designed for all Linux users. This version is based on the latest stable Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) release and features the Ubiquity installer.

The software packages that are included in ArtistX 0.6 are, among many others:
· The GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP), Inkscape, Nip2, Krita, Cinepaint, Synfig, Rawstudio, Skencil and Hugin for the 2D Graphic suite;
· Blender, Wings3D, K3D, Kpovmodeler and Povray 3.6 for 3D Graphics;
· Cinelerra, Kino, Openmovieeditor, Kdenlive, Pitivi, Avidemux, Devede are some of the video editing tools;
· MPlayer, Helix Player, VideoLAN (VLC media player), Xine, Kaffeine, Kmplayer, LastFM for playing audio and video files;
· PD, Rosegarden, Ardour, TerminatorX, Cecillia/Csound, Gnusound and Mixxx for creating and editing audio files.

About ArtistX
ArtistX Linux Live DVD, an Ubuntu based distribution, transforms a normal computer into a full-featured multimedia production machine. Containing almost all available free audio, video and 2D/3D graphics tools, ArtistX is a good choice for multimedia enthusiasts, professionals and amateurs alike. Being a Live DVD, there is no need to install ArtistX on the hard disk, thus leaving your partitions untouched. All the created files can easily be saved on USB drives and even burned on CDs or DVDs.

Download ArtistX 0.6 right now from here, here.

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Kubuntu 8.04.2 Released - Now with KDE 3.5.10

The Kubuntu team announced on Saturday (February 21) the second maintenance release of Kubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron), which is supported with security fixes and maintenance updates until October 2009. Kubuntu 8.04.2 brings to its dedicated users a lot of security updates and corrections (over 200), all with a single goal: to keep Kubuntu 8.04 a stable and reliable Linux distribution!

"In all, over 200 updates have been integrated, and updated installation media has been provided so that fewer updates will need to be downloaded after installation. These include security updates, and corrections for other high-impact bugs, with a focus on maintaining stability and compatibility with Kubuntu 8.04." - said the Kubuntu team in the official release announcement.

Highlights of Kubuntu 8.04.2:
· The K Desktop Environment was updated to version 3.5.10;
· Kaffeine's codec installation loop bug was fixed;
· KHelpCenter's indexer now works with dash;
· Kopete's latexconvert now works with dash;
· Repaired a dash latexconvert incompatibility;
· Fixed some Kontact crashes, when using GCal;
· The hdparm power management was set to 128 for all hard disks while on battery, and 254 while on AC (please note that the suspend/resume functions still crash this and a complete fix will arrive in the third maintenance release of Hardy Heron);
· Added support CDs with compressed packages, which will allow everyone to upgrade to future release using CDs;
· Updated the MySQL 4.1 packages, which will allow a smooth upgrade from Ubuntu 6.06 LTS (Dapper Drake);
· Repaired the checksum recheck, after reset, for Asus Eee PC 1000.

For the complete list of the changes, please check the official release notes.

About Kubuntu
Kubuntu is a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu, and built on top of KDE (K Desktop Environment). Kubuntu can be used on your desktop or server. Among its features we can notice a fast and easy install, regular releases, a tight selection of excellent packages installed by default, every other package you can imagine available from the network, and professional technical support from Canonical Ltd. and hundreds of other companies around the world.

Download Kubuntu 8.04.2 (Hardy Heron) right now from here.

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Windows 7 Pre-Beta Build 6801 Leaked and Available for Download

Windows 7 Pre-Beta Build 6801 Leaked and Available for Download - Via torrent websites. The past week, Microsoft delivered the first consistent taste of Windows 7, offering the pre-beta bits of the operating system at the Professional Developers Conference. On October 28, developers attending the event got their hands on a 160 GB drive pre-loaded with various goodies including Windows 7 Build 6801 in both 32-bit and 64-bit flavors. Subsequently, as it was the case with previous beta or final releases of Windows, the pre-beta bits for Windows 7 Build 6801 were leaked and made available for download via torrent websites.

Steven Sinofsky, Senior Vice President, Windows and Windows Live Engineering Group, managed to keep Windows 7 under a translucent veil throughout the development process ahead of PDC2008. However, the conference focused on Windows 7 made the successor of Windows Vista as transparent as possible, as well as “free for all” users with a BitTorrent client. All major torrent hotspots are currently offering downloads of Windows 7 pre-beta build 6801, advertised as untouched.

The pair of Windows 7 pre-beta releases on the original 160 GB drive are: Windows 7 32-bit - 6801.0.080913-2030_Client_en-us_ULTIMATE-ULTIMATE_GB1CFRE_EN_DVD.iso and Windows 7 64-bit - 6801.0.080913-2030_Client_en-us_ULTIMATE-ULTIMATE_GB1CXFRE_EN_DVD.iso. With the pre-beta bits of the next iteration of Windows available outside of Redmond, the software giant promised that the fully fledged Beta of Windows 7 would be delivered early in 2009.

“Windows 7 will offer improved navigation, a new taskbar and a streamlined UI so that common tasks done in Windows are done easier and more quickly. You will be able to share data to all your PCs and devices in your home network or at work. With Windows 7 + Windows Live, you will be able to stay connected to the people that matter to you, and with Internet Explorer 8 you will get a faster, safer, more productive Web experience,” revealed Mike Nash, Corporate Vice President, Windows Product Management.
Source: softpedia.com


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Newly Discovered Kernel Vulnerabilities Affect All Ubuntu Users - Update now

Yesterday, November 27th, the Ubuntu developers discovered yet another security issue (actually, more than one) in the Linux kernel packages. These vulnerabilities affect the following Ubuntu distributions: 6.06 LTS, 7.10, 8.04 LTS and 8.10 (also applies to Kubuntu, Edubuntu and Xubuntu). The truth is that there are exactly nine (yes, 9) security issues (see below for details), therefore, it is strongly recommended to update your system as soon as possible!

The Ubuntu developers discovered that:
1. The Xen hypervisor block driver couldn't accurately validate incoming requests. Therefore, a user with root privileges could crash a system and cause a DoS (Denial of Service) attack by executing malicious I/O requests. This issue affects only Ubuntu 7.10.

2. The i915 video driver couldn't accurately validate memory addresses. Therefore, an attacker could remap memory and cause a system crash, leading to a DoS (Denial of Service) attack. Ubuntu 6.06 LTS, 7.10 and 8.04 LTS users are not affected by this issue. Ubuntu 8.10 users should update their systems to correct this vulnerability!

3. When files were created in the setgid directories, the Linux kernel package couldn't accurately strip permissions. Because of this, a local user could gain extra group privileges. This issue was discovered by David Watson and it affects only Ubuntu 6.06 LTS users!

4. When file splice requests were handled, the Linux kernel package couldn't accurately reject the "append" flag. Therefore, a local attacker could create changes to random locations in a file by bypassing the append mode. This issue was discovered by Olaf Kirch and Miklos Szeredi, and affects only Ubuntu 7.10 and 8.04 LTS users!

5. The SCTP stack couldn't accurately handle INIT-ACK. Because of this, a remote user could send specially crafted SCTP traffic and crash the system, leading to a DoS (Denial of Service) attack. This issue affects only Ubuntu 8.10 users!

6. The SCTP stack couldn't accurately handle the length of bad packets. Because of this, a remote user could send specially crafted SCTP traffic and crash the system, leading to a DoS (Denial of Service) attack. This issue affects only Ubuntu 8.10 users!

7. The HFS+ filesystem had several flaws. Because of this, a user could be tricked to mount a malicious HFS+ filesystem, which could lead to a DoS (Denial of Service) attack and crash the system. This issue was discovered by Eric Sesterhenn, and affects all Ubuntu users!

8. The Unix Socket handler couldn't accurately process the SCM_RIGHTS message. Therefore, a local attacker could create a malicious socket request and crash the system, leading to a DoS (Denial of Service) attack. This issue affects all Ubuntu users!

9. The i2c audio driver couldn't accurately validate several function pointers. Therefore, a local users could obtain root privileges and crash the system, leading to a DoS (Denial of Service) attack. This issue affects all Ubuntu users!

The above Linux kernel vulnerabilities can be fixed if you update your system today to the following specific packages:
• For Ubuntu 6.06 LTS, users should update their kernel packages to linux-image-2.6.15-53.74
• For Ubuntu 7.10, users should update their kernel packages to linux-image-2.6.22-16.60
• For Ubuntu 8.04 LTS, users should update their kernel packages to linux-image-2.6.24-22.45
• For Ubuntu 8.10, users should update their kernel packages to linux-image-2.6.27-9.19

Don't forget to reboot your computer after this update, and you can verify the kernel version by typing the sudo dpkg -l linux-image-2.6.27-9-generic (for Ubuntu 8.10 users) in a terminal.

ATTENTION Ubuntu 6.06 LTS, 7.10 and 8.04 users: Due to an unavoidable ABI change, the kernel packages have a new version number, which will force you to reinstall or recompile all third-party kernel modules you might have installed. For example, after the upgrade to the above version of your kernel package, a software such as VirtualBox will NOT work anymore, therefore you must recompile its kernel module by issuing a specific command in the terminal. Moreover, if you use the linux-restricted-modules package, you have to update it as well to get modules that work with the new Linux kernel version. This does not apply to Ubuntu 8.10 users because of DKMS (Dynamic Kernel Module Support).

Get the latest version of Ubuntu right now from Here. Don't forget to share it with your friends and family.
Source: http://linuxarticle.blogspot.com/

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Windows 7 Direct3D 11 Features

Windows 7 Direct3D 11 Features - A taste of DirectX 11 is already available for download. As of November 2008, Microsoft is delivering the first taste of DirectX 11 for Windows 7 for download. A release aimed at developers, The November 2008 DirectX Software Development Kit, brings to the table the successor of Direct3D 10.1, namely Direct3D 11. In the SDK package, the Redmond company is offering a technical preview of Direct3D 11, but also the adjacent components and tools. Backwards compatible, content developed for Direct3D 11 hardware will also be compatible with earlier products supporting Direct3D 10 and 10.1 (in Vista SP1). Via the Windows 7 Developer Guide, Microsoft provides an insight into the new features made available by Direct3D 11.

“Geometry and high-order surfaces can now be tessellated to support scalable, dynamic content in patch and subdivision surface representations. To make good use of the parallel processing power available from multiple CPU cores, multithreading increases the number of potential rendering calls per frame by distributing the application, runtime, and driver calls across multiple cores. In addition, resource creation and management has been optimized for multithreaded use, enabling more efficient dynamic texture management for streaming,” Microsoft revealed.

According to the Redmond company, version 11 is designed to deliver an evolution of the functionality of the Direct3D 10 pipeline for Windows 7. In this regard, Microsoft has positioned Windows 7 to take advantage of the next generation of GPUs and multi-core processors when it comes down to the way the operating system will handle games and 3D applications. The software giant has indicated that Direct3D 11 in Windows 7 will support: Tessellation; Compute Shaders; Multithreaded Rendering; Dynamic Shader Linkage; Windows Advanced Rasterizer (WARP); Direct3D 10 and Direct3D 11 on Direct3D 9 Hardware (D3D10 Level 9); Runtime Binaries; D3DX11; Completely Updated HLSL and Direct3D Compiler; D3D11 Reference Rasterizer and D3D11 SDK Layers.

“New general-purpose compute shaders have been created for Direct3D 11. Unlike existing shaders, these are extensions to the programmable pipeline that enable your application to do more work completely on the GPU, independent of the CPU. DrawAuto, which was introduced in Direct3D 10, has been extended to interact with a compute shader. Several improvements have been made to the high-level shading language (HLSL), such as a limited form of dynamic linkage in shaders to improve specialization complexity, and object-oriented programming constructs like classes and interfaces,” the company added.

The November 2008 DirectX Software Development Kit is available for download here.
The November 2008 DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer can be downloaded via this link.
DirectX End-User Runtimes (November 2008) is up for grabs here.
Source: softpedia.com

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Quicksys RegDefrag 2.0

It's a freeware utility to defrag registry. Quicksys RegDefrag is small, clear and easy. Registry data is constantly being written to and removed during a normal Windows operation. Over time this data becomes fragmented.

What does this software do?
Quicksys RegDefrag optimizes your registry by removing gaps, fragments and wasted space in Windows registry files. The program does not modify any registry entries.

Benefits?
Of course! The defragmentation improves performance and boosts access to the registry.

System Requeriments
* - Pentium 233 MHz
* - 128 MB RAM
* - 1,6 MB of available space
* - Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/2008

What's new in this version?
Version 2.0
* - Improved new algorithm to defrag registry.
* - Improved HTML report with defrag information.
* - Improved alert about necessary free space to defrag registry.
* - Improved ascending sorting of column at Registry Information.
* - Improved new multi-language system with separate language files.
* - Improved perfomance in Windows x64.
* - Fixed text in Defrag Analysis. Example: changed "/REGISTRY/MACHINE" to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE".
* - Fixed bug in backups. The backups files are stored at default registry folder.
* - Added new option to remove backups at Uninstall.
* - Memory usage optimizations.
* - Added new languages: Italian and Spanish.
* - GUI improvements.
* - Minor bug fixed.

Download : Regdefrag 2.0

Technorati Tags: Download,Komputer,Laptop

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The Windows 7 Operating Systems – Better Together

Ever since Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2008 RTM/SP1, Microsoft's Windows client and server operating systems have been virtually joined at the hip. As a future product development strategy, the two platforms will evolve together, an aspect valid not only for Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2, but also for the forthcoming Windows 7 operating systems. Microsoft confirmed at the Windows hardware Engineering Conference in Los Angeles this week that Windows 7 and Windows Server 7 (Windows Server 2008 R2) would advance in lockstep. During his keynote address, Bill Laing, Corporate Vice President, Windows Server and Solutions Division, exemplified several instances in which Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 would work better together.

Not only is Microsoft developing Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 in tandem, but the company is also attempting to convince customers that the two operating systems must be used as a pair. “Because Windows Server 2008 R2 is being developed in tandem with the Windows 7 code, Windows Server 2008 R2 has several features that are designed to work better with computers running Windows 7,” Laing explained.

Just as Windows 7 hit M3 stage, Windows Server 2008 is also at Milestone 3, with Microsoft providing a taste of both platforms to testers. Windows 7 pre-Beta Build 6801 was delivered to both WinHEC 2008 and PDC 2008 participants, with the pre-Beta bits of Windows Server 2008 R2 M3 having been made available at the WinHEC event. Microsoft has already offered Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 to Technology Adoption Program (TAP) customers for evaluation.

Laing indicated a few examples of technologies which make Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 play nice together, including Branch Cache. “Any time a document is retrieved by a client in a company’s branch office, Branch Cache keeps a copy in the branch, so if another client in the same office wants to retrieve that document, it can be served up locally instead of across the WAN. The result is a significant reduction in bandwidth use between corporate offices and branch sites, and a huge potential cost saving because most organizations pay for bandwidth by the byte. It also gives branch offices a degree of autonomy in case the link to headquarters is severed for any reason,” Laing said.

In addition to Branch Cache, Laing also praised the impact that the future iteration Hyper-v is bound to deliver. In this context, Microsoft plans to offer Live Migration support with Hyper-V, as a continuation of its efforts to democratize virtualization. But there are additional features that have made Microsoft present Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 as an item.

“Remote Desktop Services (RDS), the new name for Terminal Services, is another example. We expanded RDS in Windows Server 2008 R2 so that you can run the desktop or applications in the datacenter while your users can be anywhere,” Laing stated. “Another feature, DirectAccess, allows remote Windows users to securely connect to their work environment as if they were on the corporate LAN, and also lets IT administrators fully manage remote PCs securely, as if they were on-premises, but without using a VPN.”
Source: http://microsoftarticles.blogspot.com/

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Installing Ubuntu 8.10 - Step by step installation guide with screenshots

Ubuntu 8.10, also known as the Intrepid Ibex, arrived exactly one week ago (on October 30th, 2008), and is the ninth release of Ubuntu OS. The following tutorial will teach you how to install the Ubuntu 8.10 operating system on your PC, and is addressed to people that have just heard about Ubuntu, people that have never installed Ubuntu before and want to test it, but don't know how.

This guide will make things very simple for you, but if you get stuck somewhere in the middle of the installation and you need help, do not hesitate to use our commenting system at the end of the article.

What do I need to get started?
· You will need the Ubuntu 8.10 Desktop ISO image that corresponds to your hardware architecture (i386 or amd64), and which can be downloaded from here. When the download is over, burn the ISO image with your favorite CD/DVD burning application (Brasero on Ubuntu or Nero, CDBurnerXP, Roxio on Windows) on a blank CD at 8x speed. Insert or leave the CD in your CD/DVD-ROM device, and reboot the computer in order to boot from the CD. Hit the F8 or F12 key (depending on your BIOS) to select the CD/DVD-ROM as the boot device.

Select your language when asked...

Select the second option "Install Ubuntu," and hit the “Enter” key...

Wait for the CD to load into RAM...

When the installer appears, you are able to select your native language for the installation process. Click the “Forward” button to continue...

Where are you?
· The second screen will feature a map of the Earth with little red dots, so you can select your city/country. Upon the selection of your current location, the time for the final system will adjust accordingly. You can also select your current location from the drop down list situated at the bottom of the window.

Click the “Forward” button after you have selected your desired location...

Test your keyboard
· On the third screen, you will be asked to select the keyboard layout that suits you best (default is U.S. English). You can also test your keyboard on the small text input field situated at the bottom of the window.

Click the “Forward” button when you have finished with the keyboard configuration...

Hard disk partitioning
Hold on, don't leave just yet! The hard disk partitioning is an easy task, so I am quite sure you will handle it too. You have three options here:

1. If you want to keep your existing operating system (e.g. Dual boot with Windows XP), select the first option: "Guided - resize the partition and use the freed space." This option will appear if you have another operating system installed, such as Microsoft Windows. Remember that, after the installation, the Windows boot loader will be overwritten by the Ubuntu boot loader!

2. If you want to delete your existing operating system, or the hard drive is already empty and you want to let the installer automatically partition the hard drive for you, select the second option, "Guided - use entire disk."

3. Manual is the third choice and it is recommended for advanced users.

WARNING: Be aware that all the data on the selected hard drive or partition will be ERASED and IRRECOVERABLE.

Click the “Forward” button to continue with the installation...

Who are you?
· On this screen, you must do exactly what the title says. Fill in the fields with your real name, the name you want to use to log in on your Ubuntu OS (also known as the “username”), the password and the name of the computer (automatically generated, but can be overwritten). Also at this step, there's an option called “Log in automatically.” If you check the box on this option, you will be automatically logged in to the Ubuntu desktop.

Click the “Forward” button...

Are you really ready for Ubuntu?
· This is the final step of the installation. Here, you can select to install the boot loader on another partition or hard drive than the default one...

Click the “Install” button to install Ubuntu...

The Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) operating system will be installed...

After approximately 8 to 15 minutes (depending on your computer's specs), a pop-up window will appear, notifying you that the installation is complete, and you need to restart the computer in order to use the newly installed Ubuntu operating system.

Click the “Restart Now” button...


The CD will be ejected, remove it and press the “Enter” key to reboot...

The computer will be restarted and, in a few seconds, you will see the Ubuntu login screen. Input your username and password...

Have fun using Ubuntu!


Source: news.softpedia.com

Technorati Tags: Komputer,Laptop,Linux,Tips

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Registry Tweaks to Enhance Your Windows XPerience

Registry Tweaks to Enhance Your Windows XPerience Registry workarounds for tedious, but useful XP optimizations. You may ask yourselves, why should this article be any different from all those tweaking tutorials around the Internet or, better yet, why should you read this when you can install a program that does it all for you? Here's why: this article will help you make important changes to your system with just two windows opened: this one and a notepad. That's all! No need to click your way through dozens of windows, no need to go through the risk of pushing the wrong button and crashing your operating system.

Furthermore, you don't have to pay a single cent! Why pay for a program to do what you yourselves can do in just a few seconds? And last but not least, you will be able to choose from a list only the tweaks that you're interested in and then apply them on any computer, at any time with just a double-click. Tweaking can hardly get any easier than that! Think how cool that would be, especially after reinstalling Windows.

Let's start by creating the file that will do all the magic. Right-click on your desktop, create a new text document and name it tweaks.reg. Windows will ask if you're sure that you want to change the file extension – click Yes. Right-click the file and choose Edit: a blank notepad window will appear. There are two things you must keep in mind: first of all, for the magic to work your text document must start with 'Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00'. Secondly, later on, be very patient when copying something to paste it in your document. If you copy an incomplete text, the tweak will not work and you might alter other system settings.

As for the pieces of advice that will make your work easier when creating the tweaking file, just keep in mind two things: remember the purpose of each line (you can use comment lines in which you can write whatever you like as long as they start with a semicolon) and, of course, know that there's no problem in leaving a few lines empty between each tweak, to help you differentiate them.

Now here's a list of system tweaks for you to choose from. The idea is quite simple: I'll provide a few lines (the tweak) and a short explanation for what they do. If you're interested in seeing the tweak applied to your computer, all you have to do is paste the lines at the bottom (no, you can't paste them anywhere you like) of your tweaks.reg file.

To make sure I've got your attention, in this article I’ll post optimizations that are either impossible to apply in a conventional way (from Windows Explorer or Control Panel, for example) or possible, but pretty tedious, so getting your hands dirty in less known parts of Windows would normally be necessary in order to apply them.

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/Explorer]
"NoLowDiskSpaceChecks"=dword:00000001

It will deactivate the annoying "Low Disk Space" message that appears in your system tray each time one of your drives is almost full.

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/policies/system]
"NoInternetOpenWith"=dword:00000001

This baby will remove the window that always pops up when you try opening a file that is not assigned to a program, asking you if you wish to go online and find out which program you should use to open that type of file. After applying this patch, you’ll see just the Open With window.

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/CabinetState]
"Use Search Asst"="no"

I don't know about you, but I'm a big fan of the old, classic search, without any "assistants." So if you don't like the Windows XP default search interface and prefer the classic from its predecessors, just add these lines to your tweaks.reg file.

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Sound]
"Beep"="no"
"ExtendedSounds"="no"

If you haven't got the chance to install a sound driver, you've surely noticed the annoying beeps made by your motherboard each time an alert window pops up. After applying this tweak, you won't need to worry about these beeps anymore.

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/lnkfile]
"IsShortcut"=-
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/piffile]
"IsShortCut"=-

Add this tweak to your list if you don't want your Windows XP to constantly add the shortcut arrow each time you create a shortcut.

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Current/Version/Explorer/Advanced]
"ShowInfoTip"=dword:00000000

If you find the tool tips containing information displayed by Windows when hovering a file with your mouse rather bothersome, adding this optimization to your tweaks.reg file will help you get rid of them.

I'll stop here and be back soon to continue my list with a lot more interesting tweaks in a future article. So all you have to do now is save the contents of the tweaks.reg window, close it and then double-click it. Windows will ask if you wish to add the information stored in tweaks.reg to your registry. If you're sure you've followed each step correctly, go right ahead and press Yes.

In the meantime, if you know any other cool tweaks or had problems creating the tweaks file, just post a comment to this article and have your say.

Source: http://microsoftarticles.blogspot.com/

Technorati Tags: Komputer,Laptop,Microsoft,Tips

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Insight on Network Monitor 3.2 RTM

Version 3.2 of Network Monitor is being offered as an update to v3.1, but in this regard, the utility is also nothing like the 2.x releases. Tawanda Sibanda, the lead program manager for Network Monitor indicated that Network Monitor 3.2 was produced through a consistent effort of the Netmon team that worked to integrate into the product all the feedback it had received from customers. At the same time, Netmon 3.2 delivers the inherent bug fixes as well as a necessary boost in stability. Network Monitor 3.2 is designed to support Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008.

“So What’s New in Network Monitor 3.2? Process Tracking: Now you can identify rogue applications sending network data! View all the processes on your machine generating network traffic (process name and PID). Use the conversation tree to view frames associated with each process. Capture engine re-architecture to improve capture rate in high-speed networks. Network Monitor 3.2 drops significantly fewer frames that Network Monitor 3.1,” revealed Sibanda.

At the explicit request of its users, Microsoft implemented the “Find conversations” capabilities. With version 3.2, frames can be easily isolated in the same network conversation, Sibanda explained. The new iteration of Netmon is capable of parsing over 300 protocols, with Microsoft ensuring a high degree of customization when it comes down to the parsers. In this context, Networtk Monitor 3.2 also offers improved parser management, as users are permitted to expand the default parsers to the full set.

In addition, “in the upcoming months, we plan to place all our Windows parsers on the Microsoft open-source CodePlex site and allow the community to modify and contribute parsers. This version of Network Monitor seamlessly integrates new parser packages. [Network Monitor 3.2 also delivers] Network Monitor API: Create your own applications that capture, parse and analyze network traffic! More extensive documentation of the API and NPL. Access the documentation from Help > NPL and API Documentation. IA64 builds. PCAP capture file support. ContainsBin Plug-in: Search frames for arbitrary byte sequences or strings,” Sibanda added.

Microsoft Network Monitor 3.2 RTM is available for download here.
By: Marius Oiaga

Technorati Tags: Komputer,Laptop,Microsoft

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Error Recipe: Vista SP1, USB Optical Disc Drive and Resume from Standby - A hotfix is available

Windows Vista Service Pack 1, a USB optical disc drive and the process of resuming a computer from standby are the perfect recipe for a Stop error message, according to Microsoft. Essentially, a computer running Vista SP1, or even the plain vanilla version of the operating system that is resuming from Standby while connected to a USB optical disc drive will produce either the STOP: 0x000000E4 (parameter1, parameter2, parameter3, parameter4) or the STOP: 0x0000000A (parameter1, parameter2, parameter3, parameter4) error messages.

"The parameters in the error message vary, depending on the configuration of the computer. This issue may occur on a computer that is running Windows Vista, Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), or Windows Server 2008. Not all '0x000000E4' or '0x0000000A' Stop errors are caused by this problem," Microsoft explained.

Windows Vista SP1 and RTM versions, as well as all the flavors of Windows Server 2008 are affected by the issue. However, Windows XP SP3 or earlier releases, as well as Windows Server 2003 on the server-side, are apparently not impacted in the least. Microsoft has a resolve in place, but it requires Vista and Windows Server 2008 users to contact Microsoft directly in order to access the hotfix.

"A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem described [above]. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix," Microsoft added. Traditionally, if the issue is not widespread, and does not affect the vast majority of Windows users, the Redmond company will not produce a fix designed for delivery through Windows Update. All Windows hotfixes are in the end introduced into upcoming service packs for the operating system if they fail to evolve into updates, which, apparently, is not the case here.
By: Marius Oiaga, Technology News Editor

Technorati Tags: Komputer,Laptop,tips,Microsoft

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XP meets XO: What about Linux?

The One Laptop Per Child program will put XP on its XO laptop and children in the developing world will have a choice between Windows and Linux.

On the surface, a little choice isn’t going to kill anybody. In fact, choice is good. And if some poor kids can get a laptop, learn a bit and be exposed to the world I don’t care about the operating system.

But here’s what gives me pause about XP coming to the XO (statement, Techmeme): There’s no way Linux will get an equal shake on OLPC’s XO. In fact, I reckon that more XO units will ship with XP than Linux in the not too distant future. Why? Governments are making the buying decisions. Not kids.

As Mary Jo Foley reports XOs will go with either Linux or Windows based on the preference of governments. Quoting an OLPC spokeswoman, Mary Jo reports:
“Laptops will be installed with one of two operating systems - Microsoft Windows OR Linux-based Sugar OS at the factory, based on the preference of governments and NGOs. In the case of these trials, the XOs will ship with Windows. In addition to these choices, in the future OLPC intends to develop … the ability to have both on the same machine.”

How quickly will the OLPC (all resources) have both on one machine? Probably not quickly.

The big question: What OS would the kids choose? I’d argue that the Linux interface would win. I’ve seen my own daughter navigate the XO Linux operating system even though I couldn’t. Kids just get it. Let’s compare and contrast..

Source: blogs.zdnet.com

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Kiat Merawat Mata Pengguna Komputer

Tahukah Anda, pengguna komputer tidak mengedipkan mata sesering mata normal. Akibatnya, mereka mengalami iritasi: mata menjadi kering, berair, pandangan kabur dan sebagainya. Ikuti cara berikut untuk mengatasi gejala-gejala tersebut:

1. Gunakan obat tetes mata. Namun, sebelumnya ikuti petunjuk yang tertera pada obat tersebut atau konsultasikan dengan dokter mata.
2. Bila Anda duduk di dekat AC atau kipas angin, coba kurangi aliran udara yang melewati mata.
3. Bila memungkinkan, hindari tempat yang mempunyai kelembaban rendah atau banyak asap.
4. Konsentrasikan mata untuk mengedip kapan saja Anda mengalami gejala-gejala yang telah disebutkan tadi.
5. Ketika mengalami gejala-gejala di atas, putar-putarkan mata di balik mata yang tertutup.
6. Pejamkan mata erat-erat dan pegang dengan telapak tangan. Hitung sampai 10 detik.

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Radiasi Optical Mouse

“Kenyamanan optical mouse ternyata mempunyai efek samping yang berbahaya. Tiga tahun semenjak peluncuran pertama optical mouse oleh microsoft, telah ditemukan ribuan kasus kelainan pada jaringan tangan akibat radiasi yang dipancarkan mouse. Optical mouse bekerja dengan memancarkan gelombang elektromagnetik frekuensi tinggi ke permukaan di bawahnya. Frekuensi yang digunakan jauh lebih tinggi dari pada pada handphone.

Telah diketahui secara luas bahwa telapak tangan dan kaki merupakan pusat ujung-ujung syaraf tubuh. Radiasi yang dirasakan oleh telapak tangan bisa berpengaruh fatal pada kesehatan, karena menurut laporan WHO radiasi dari mouse setara 5 kali radiasi handphone. Akan tetapi radiasi mouse menjadi berbahaya karena dipegang terus menerus oleh pemakai komputer.

Pengaruh radiasi dari mouse lebih terasa pada produk-produk berkualitas rendah, karena produk-produk yang bagus memiliki shield (pelindung) untuk melindungi pergelangan tangan.”

“WHO, GreenPeace, dan CNN sudah menghentikan penggunaan optical mouse untuk seluruh kegiatan di kantornya, sementara Microsoft dan IBM mengucurkan dana sekitar 2milyar dolar untuk kerjasama pembuatan pointing device yang lebih aman. Industri-industri hardware terbesar di cina dan Taiwan berusaha menutup-nutupi hal ini. Jika diperhatikan, mouse-mouse optical yang beredar di pasaran saat ini diproduksi oleh merk-merk yang tidak terkenal, padahal itu hanyalah sisa produksi industri besar yang sudah menghentikan penjualan.”

“Untuk itu, cobalah memegang mouse hanya di saat diperlukan saja. Berlatihlah menggunakan Hotkey (Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V untuk kopi paste). Kembali menggunakan mouse model lama (bola) adalah salah satu alternative”.

“Sekedar untuk berjaga-jaga, tolong teruskan ke orang-orang yang anda sayangi.”

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Mencegah Agar Tidak Terjangkit Malware

Bijaksana pada Saat Menjelajah Internet
Hobi, dan kebiasaan menjelajah “dunia hitam”, seperti situs-situs yang mempunyai content pornografi, video-video porno, kasino, situs penyedia cracker, harus Anda tinggalkan, karena di sinilah malware-malware disisipkan. Apabila Anda kurang yakin dengan situs yang Anda kunjungi installah software yang disediakan McAfee, yaitu McAfee Site Advisor. Software ini akan memberikan peringatan dini apabila situs yang kita kunjungi banyak berisi malware.

Instal Antivirus
Instal Antivirus profesional seperti, Norton Antivirus atau McAfee Antivirus, selalu gunakan versi yang terbaru dan selalu Update virus definition-nya setiap dua minggu sekali (lebih baik setiap hari). Virus definition dapat didownload pada website resmi mereka, yaitu, Norton Antivirus disini , McAfee Antivirus di sini

Scan Sebelum Digunakan atau Dibuka
Setelah menginstal Antivirus scanlah removeble device (disket, flash disk, external hardisk ,dll) setiap kali akan dipakai di komputer. Scan juga software yang akan Anda instal atau buka di komputer

Instal Anti Spyware dan Anti Adware
Beberapa software tertentu biasanya sudah menyertakan pendeteksi Spyware, meskipun demikian tak ada salahnya Anda menginstal program tambahan untuk meningkatkan keamanan. Selain Virus ada yang harus anda waspadai yaitu Spyware dan Adware,
Untuk mengatasinya anda bisa mendownload: Sybot Search & Destroy
Ad-aware - Software yang dapat mencegah Spyware dan Adware masuk ke komputer dan juga dapat menghilangkan yang sudah terlanjur masuk ke komputer anda.
http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/

Instal Firewall
Untuk lebih mengoptimalkan pertahanan komputer anda maka gunakanlah firewall, jika anda pemakai Windows XP anda bisa menggunakan firewall standard yang ada, jika anda mau yang lebih kuat lagi gunakan software berikut: Zone-Alarm - Software firewall yang terkenal keampuhannya menutup lubang-lubang keamanan yang ada di Windows dan Browser anda, dan mencegah penyusup masuk ke komputer anda.

Gunakan Internet Browser Firefox
Gunakan Browser alternatif yang lebih aman dan mempunyai proteksi terhadap hacker yang lebih canggih, yaitu Firefox .Untuk mengetahui ketangguhan Firefox dan mendownload gratis bisa Anda lihat di sini

Manfaatkan Bookmarks
Simpanlah alamat URL website yang sering Anda kunjungi di Bookmarks dan pastikan untuk selalu mengakses website tersebut melalui menu Bookmarks, ini dimaksudkan untuk menjamin website yang anda masuki adalah benar-benar website asli, sebab banyak upaya pencurian username dan password dengan cara membuat website palsu yang sama persis dengan aslinya, dengan URL yang mirip dengan aslinya.
Cara memasukkan URL website dalam Bookmarks: Pertama-tama anda ketik dulu alamat URL yang dimaksud pada kolom address di browser Internet anda, pastikan anda benar mengetikkannya, lalu tekan Enter atau klik tombol GO. Setelah masuk ke website autosurf yang anda maksud, kemudian Klik pada menu Bookmarks, kemudian klik "Bookmark this page," lalu berikan nama pada isian "Name," kemudian klik pada folder yang anda inginkan pada kotak "Create in:," jika belum ada foldernya anda bisa membuat folder baru dengan klik pada kotak kecil bertanda segitiga di sebelah kanan untuk memperbesar jendela, kemudian klik "New Folder," setelah sesuai lalu klik OK.

Menghilangkan Jejak ber-Internet
Windows dan browser anda biasanya akan menyimpan file-file cookies, history atau catatan aktivitas anda ketika berinternet, ini merupakan sumber informasi bagi para hacker untuk mengetahui kegiatan anda dan juga mencuri username dan password yang anda gunakan dalam berinternet, selain itu hacker juga biasa mengikut sertakan file-file pencuri data mereka di folder-folder yang menyimpan cookies dan history ini di komputer anda.(Cookies = file yang masuk ke komputer ketika kita mengunjungi sebuah website; History = Daftar kegiatan kita ketika berinternet yang disimpan oleh browser yang kita gunakan).

Gunakan Password yang Sulit Ditebak kalau perlu Ubah Sesering Mungkin
Buatlah password sepanjang mungkin semaksimal mungkin yang diperbolehkan, buat kombinasi antara huruf besar dan huruf kecil dan gunakan karakter spesial Jangat buat password yang berisikan tanggal lahir anda, nama keluarga anda, nama biatang peliharaan anda, atau menggunakan kalimat pendek dan umum digunakan sehari-hari. dan paling penting jangan simpan catatan password anda di komputer dalam bentuk file. Agar lebih aman adalah mengganti password yang anda gunakan sesering mungkin.

Tidak Terkecoh Lampiran Email Yang Menarik
Jika anda medapatkankan email yang seakan-akan dari pengelola website autosurf, EMO atau e-gold yang anda ikuti dan meminta anda untuk mengirimkan username dan password anda, jangan hiraukan dan segera hapus email tersebut, jangan klik link apapun yang ada dan jangan buka attachment yang disertakan, pihak pengelola autosurf, EMO dan e-gold tidak pernah mengirim email semacam itu.

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Merawat Laptop

Sesuai dengan fungsinya yang bersifat mobile, laptop mau tidak mau sering dibawa ke mana-mana dan dipergunakan di tempat yang berbeda-beda. “Si komputer jinjing” ini pun menjadi sangat berisiko terkena debu, air, dan kotoran lain. Oleh karena itu, dibutuhkan perhatian khusus pada bagian-bagian tertentu dari laptop, sebab jika tidak, sangat mungkin akan mendatangkan kerusakan fatal. Jika sudah rusak, harga yang harus dibayar pun teramat mahal, bisa berupa perbaikan atau malah harus diganti sama sekali. Ada beberapa bagian laptop yang riskan terkena gangguan dari luar sehingga perlu perawatan yang baik.

”Casing”
Casing adalah tempat atau wadah menyimpan rangkaian komponen komputer, merupakan bagian laptop yang berhubungan langsung dengan dunia luar (debu, uap air, dan suhu). Oleh karena itu, secara teratur, bersihkan casing laptop dengan menggunakan kain lembut yang dibasahi sedikit deterjen. Sebaiknya gunakan deterjen yang tidak mengandung zat alkalin. Akan lebih baik lagi jika menggunakan cairan pembersih khusus dan lap khusus yang bisa didapat di toko-toko komputer.

“Keyboard”
Letak tombol keyboard yang saling berhimpitan dengan sela yang sempit sering menyebabkan debu, kotoran, dan remah-remah bersembunyi di sela-sela tombol. Gunakan vacuum cleaner mini untuk membersihkan kotoran dan remah remah yang tersembunyi di celah-celah keyboard. Alternatif lain adalah dengan menyemprotkan udara di antara tombol-tombol keyboard. Atau bisa juga menggunakan kuas halus.

Hampir 80 persen kerusakan keyboard disebabkan adanya benda cair yang masuk ke sela-sela keyboard. Oleh karena itu, jauhkan keboard dari bahan yang berbentuk cairan, walaupun beberapa merk laptop mempunyai kelebihan antiair terhadap keyboard-nya. Jika tanpa sengaja tersiram air, segera matikan laptop kemudian balikan posisi keyboard untuk membuang tumpahan air, biarkan laptop sampai benar-benar kering sebelum kembali dinyalakan.

"Layar"
Kebanyakan laptop menggunakan layar LCD (liquid crystal display) atau layar kristal cair. Seperti tercermin dalam namanya, LCD dibentuk oleh cairan kristal untuk menghasilkan gambar. Karena tipis atau rapuh, layar ini sangat sensitif dan mudah terkena goresan. Jika harus menunjuk sesuatu pada layar dengan jari atau pulpen, jagalah agar pulpen atau jari kita tidak mengenai layar atau menekannya terlalu keras. Untuk membersihkan layar, gunakan kain lembut yang kering. Ingatlah untuk tidak menekan layar terlalu keras saat membersihkan layar.

Jika memakai pembersih, jangan menyemprotkan langsung pada layar, karena bisa menyebabkan pemukaan LCD menjadi belang. Jangan gunakan cairan pembersih plastik atau glass cleaner sembarangan karena bisa merusak lapisan pelindung yang berfungsi mencegah sinar memantul. Kalau tidak ada cairan pembersih khusus tersebut, sebaiknya menggunakan air yang dicampur sedikit sabun mandi. Bersihkan layar dari satu arah, misalnya dari atas ke bawah atau dari kiri ke kanan.

"Baterai"
Ada baiknya saat mulai mengisi baterai jangan gunakan baterai sebelum terisi penuh. Jika menggunakan baterai baru yang akan diisi pertama kali, baterai itu mungkin tidak terisi sepenuhnya karena karakteristik bahan kimia di dalamnya. Untuk mendapatkan kinerja yang optimum, seluruh sel baterai tersebut harus diaktifkan. Caranya dengan mengisi dan mengosongkan sepenuhnya baterai laptop sebanyak tiga kali berturut-turut. Hal ini juga berlaku untuk baterai yang lama tersimpan atau tidak terpakai selama beberapa bulan.

Jika menggunakan baterai nikel metal hidrida (Ni-MH), cobalah untuk mengosongkan baterai sepenuhnya setiap beberapa waktu (minggu/bulan) sekali. Pengosongan total ini ditandai modus hibernasi atau indikator baterai menunjukkan tingkat 0 persen. Pada situasi ini, kita bisa mencolokkan adapter laptop dan mengisi baterai sampai indikator menunjukkan tingkat 100 persen.

Jika berencana menyimpan laptop dalam jangka waktu lama, lepaskan baterai dari laptop dan simpan dalam tempat yang sejuk dan kering. Tempat yang bisa dipakai untuk menyimpan baterai ini misalnya ruang berpendingin udara atau ruang dengan sirkulasi udara yang cukup baik.

Jangan membiarkan baterai di laptop lebih dari satu bulan tanpa menghubungkannya dengan adaptor AC (mengisi ulang). Hal ini untuk mencegah over discharger karena akan merusak baterai tersebut.

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Tips Merawat Laptop

Laptop lebih rentan rusak (dalam bahasa Jawa “ringkih”) daripada PC. Oleh karena itu, kita harus memperlakukan atau merawatnya dengan benar agar dapat berumur lebih lama. Jangan sampai laptop yang baru beberapa bulan kita beli menjadi rusak hanya karena kita salah memperlakukannya maupun merawatnya. Perlu kiranya kita simak Tips-tips berikut agar laptop bekerja pada perfoma yang maksimal.

* Jangan dekatkan dengan minuman maupun cairan dengan laptop, jika sampai tumpah ke laptop maka dapat menyebabkan komponen di dalamnya konsleting.
* Jangan meletakkan laptop dengan sumber medan magnet,
misalnya TV, Speacker Active, Radio Tape atau ponsel. Medan magnet akan mempengaruhi komponen laptop terutama harddisknya.
* Jika membawa laptop agar dimasukkan ke tas khusus.
Tas laptop dibuat sedemikian rupa sehingga casing laptop tidak mudah tergores dengan benda di sekitarnya atau bahkan dapat meredam guncangan-guncangan kecil. Kalau perlu secara berkala bersihkan casingnya dengan kain/lap yang dapat dibeli di toko-toko komputer.
* Jangan pindah-pindahkan laptop pada saat masih hidup.
Laptop yang sedang hidup berarti harddisknya juga sedang bekerja sehingga apabila digerakkan dapat menyebabkan head harddisk menggores cylinder sehingga akan berakibat fatal.
* Gunakan stavolt atau stabilizer.
Apabila menggunakan listrik langsung, pastikan menggunakan stavolt/stabilizer atau UPS untuk mengantisipasi naik turunnya tegangan listrik.
* Jangan meminjamkan laptop ke sembarang orang.
Hal ini semata-mata untuk mencegah kemungkinan perlakuan kasar apabila kita meminjami orang yang kebetulan sembrono.
* Install anti virus dan updatelah secara berkala.
Jangan sembarangan mendownload software gratis dari internet. Mungkin saja yang kita download malware/spyware yang menyamar sebagai freeware tertentu.
* Letakkan laptop pada posisi mendatar jangan miring.
Selain kurang ergonomis juga menyebabkan posisi harddisk tidak pada posisi yang benar..
* Shutdown dengan benar.
Jangan sekali-kali mematikan laptop dengan melepaskan power/baterainya. Power listrik yang mendadak mati dapat menyebabkan harddisk bermasalah.
* Simpan di tempat dengan suhu yang tidak terlalu ekstrim.
Jangan sekali-kali meninggalkan laptop di mobil yang sedang parkir di tempat yang panas atau mesin mobil masih hidup. Panas yang berlebihan dapat merusak komponen laptop.
* Jangan meletakkan laptop di permukaan yang empuk
Permukaan yang empuk akan membuat laptop kelihatan tenggelam yang dapat menghambat panas untuk keluar sehingga laptop lebih cepat panas.
* Jangan pernah membongkar laptop sendiri.
terutama yang masih awam. Jika masih dalam masa garansi lebih bijaksana kalau Anda membawanya ke tempat servis resminya.
* Melap layar LCD dengan kain lembut dan kering.
Lap dengan pelan, jangan menekan terlalu keras dan satu arah saja, misalnya dari kiri ke kanan. LCD dibentuk oleh cairan kristal (untuk menampilkan gambar) sehingga permukaannya tipis dan rapuh. Oleh karena itu, kalaupun harus menunjuk monitor dengan jari atau pulpen (atau benda lainnya) jangan sampai menyentuhnya apalagi menekan dengan keras.
* Membersihkan keyboard dengan vacuum cleaner atau menyemprotkan udara di sela-sela tombol.
Jangan mengetuk atau mengguncangkan keyboard dengan keras.
* Hati-hati pada saat membuka dan menutup layar laptop.
Antara LCD dengan CPU terdapat engsel yang berfungsi agar LCD dapat bergerak bebas sesuai kemiringan yang kita inginkan. Pada saat membuka atau menutup LCD, jangan menghentak terlalu keras yang dapat menyebabkan engsel patah.
* Perlakukan baterai dengan benar.
Khusus untuk pemakaian baterai pertama kali sebaiknya Anda mengisi dan mengosongkan sepenuhnya sebanyak tiga kali berturut-turut, dan berlaku juga untuk baterai yang lama disimpan atau tidak dipakai berminggu-minggu. Jika menggunakan baterai jenis Ni-MH, Anda harus mengosongkan setiap minggu/bulan sekali. Jika berencana menyimpan laptop dalam jangka waktu lama sebaiknya lepaskan baterai dari laptop.


Berbagai Sumber

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