The Developmental Blog

Mac vs. PC

2011-04-25T13:10:00.002-04:00

MAC or PC? This article from Popular Mechanics helps with a side-by-side comparison. I also found this article on the subject to be pretty straight forward. However, you also need to factor in having to replace and relearn PC software should you go the route of the MAC. Also, not all software is available for MAC. Many boast the lack of virus and spyware activity on a MAC. This is largely true not because of superiorty of the design, but a lack of interest by hackers. There are fewer MAC users and hackers target the largest populations of users. I've primarily escaped this by running a 64-bit system versus a 32-bit. Personally, you would have to pry my 64-bit PC out of my cold dead hands, but that's just me.

Good Reviews Coming Out For IE9

2011-03-18T15:04:00.002-04:00

So far, it seems that Internet Explorer 9 is a vast improvement on all prior releases of IE. Don't just take my word for it though, check out the review in PC Magazine...

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2369160,00.asp

Old Photo Restoration Must Have!

2009-11-28T17:07:00.002-05:00

After losing many of my favorite photoshop plug-ins due to a harddrive crash, I have begun searching for new plug-ins as needed. While restoring some old photos for Christmas presents, I quickly realized my need for a good dust and scratch remover. Photoshop has a built-in filter, but it does not distinguish between the flaw and the original photo details. Therefore, the blur effect used to get rid of the defects also causes detail loss in the photo. On doing my research I found what seemed to be a miracle product. Polaroid had developed a free dust and scratch removal program that seems to be very highly revered in the photo editing community. Problem: it is no longer being distributed by Polaroid. After over an hour of scouring the web, I finally came across a copy. Let;s not let this gem fade into the sunset with the old Polaroid Corp. Click here to download a free copy!

iPhones and several other smart phones susceptible to hacker virus. What to do? Read below.

2009-07-31T10:44:00.002-04:00

It will come in the form of 499 invisible text messages and one visible that is just a box-shaped character. You will not know you've received the 499 previous texts, your phone will just be sluggish. Once you recieve the final text, turn your phone off or put it in airplane mode. This breaks the hacker's connection and they have to restart the process to regain access to your phone. Potential side effects of the hack include a complete phone crash, disconnection of service from the network or the potential for them to use your phone as a zombie, taking over complete control of all its functions. Apple has so far declined to comment on the situation.

Edited to add this article issues today from PC World providing updated information:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/169405/iphone_virus_what_you_need_to_know.html

IE8 is Not Without It's Issues - Data Execution Prevention Crashes

2009-07-11T23:42:00.001-04:00

I will say, for those tired of searching, I have posted two of the options for correcting this issue below. Search and read no more. Grab the solution and a beverage or medication of your choice to soothe the throbbing pain in your head now known as DEP/IE8.

One of the most frustrating things about the apparent issue with the new default for the Data Execution Prevention is the current lack of response from Microsoft. If you've had your computer longer than a year, the system want's to charge you $59 just to send Microsoft an e-mail! One thing I did learn readily from my hours of searching is that the plug-in issue seems to be fairly widespread and poorly handled. Of course DEP issues are addressed in the help section on Microsoft's site. It's quite simple, you merely add the program causing the error to the exceptions list. Great! Now, if I only knew which one was causing it.

DEP is so adept at preventing the execution of those add-ons we all have grown accustomed to, that it won't even allow the Microsoft Technical Support Chat window to open. Now that one almost made me laugh when it happened. Bottom line: keep IE7 for now folks. I personally like some of the new features of IE8, but I will wait for Microsoft to properly address this issue before I go back into the IE8 waters ~counts my fingers, toes and limbs....~

Solution 1: The obvious, go back to using IE7(the default setting for DEP is OFF in IE7)

Detailed instructions for this can be found at: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/957700

Solution 2: This does not work for everyone, but in a browser window

Go to Tools>Internet Options>Advanced Tab Uncheck the option "Enable memory protection to help mitigate online attacks". Restart your computer.

I love new digital goodies as much as the next person, but I am not fond of who ever was responsible for testing this one.

7/13/2009 - Edited to add the following response to my post in a Microsoft Support Forum -

1. Uninstall your Google Toolbar and test. What happens with the DEP error?

2. If still no joy please remove IE8. See and follow: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/957700/en-us "How do I uninstall or remove Internet Explorer 8? "When you remove Internet Explorer 8, your earlier version of Internet Explorer is restored with your customizations (such as add-ins, Favorites, and your home page).

3. Reinstall IE8.Please read and follow carefully: "HOW TO solve IE8 installation problems": http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/InternetExplorer/thread/9c5f373e-7667-4d6c-aa10-84185dccf887 If still no joy...

4. No-charge support for Internet Explorer 8 installation, set-up and usage (only) is available via the phone based on your locale through 31 December 2009. Customers must be running Windows XP or Windows Vista in a non-domain environment. US & CA Residents: 866-234-6020.

Other: https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?&prid=13043
IE8 Support page:http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/support/call-us.aspx

NoteYou must approve the installation of IE8.IE8 Installation: the User is in Control: http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2009/05/01/ie8-installation-the-user-is-in-control.aspx Properly configured, Automatic Updates won't even download it. Hope this helps. Please, keep us posted!

Thanks so much for the detailed reply, but...no joy indeed...

Visit us at www.southerndevelopments.com.

So Close!

2009-07-09T13:16:00.001-04:00

About 2-3 more days worth of work and my design site will be all shiny, new and complete! I really like my new concept and can't wait to have the finished product up. In other news, I have managed to get the boys from Corduroy Buddhas a top google spot in just a few short weeks of completing their site. More exciting things in the pipeline for SouthernDevelopments, but I'll share those details a bit later. ;o) Back to work for me. Have a great day everybody!

Visit us at www.southerndevelopments.com.

...and the re-design begins

2009-06-30T11:55:00.001-04:00

Years ago, more than I care to count, I created my humble little design site. Long before I began using any fancy plug-ins, filters, or brushes. It was a pretty decent showing, given that fact, but it's time has passed. As of late, I've cringed when clients ask about my design site. Partly because it's need of a facelift but mostly because it no longer even comes close to representing my skill set. There is no flash, no pop....nothing to make it really stand out in the crowd. So, it is time for it to evolve. Within a week, we will bid farewell to my beginning and say hello to the future of SouthernDevelopments.

Visit us at www.southerndevelopments.com.