Archive for May 31, 2010

| May 31, 2010
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Java Help

-Updated 11-12-13- JavaRa 2.3 is now available to remove Java. The new version fixed several bugs and further improved localizations.

-Updated 08-28-10- Earlier this month Lunarsoft, the publishers of JavaRa, released version 1.16beta of JavaRa. According to the FAQ’s some of the added features include:

  • A new system of reading registry keys into the program,
  • A new system of reading languages,
  • x64 support,  and
  • Bug fixes.

More info and download here. The beta tag should not scare you off, because according to the FAQ’s the program itself isn’t in beta anymore because it is quite stable. Beta is still used because some fixes and x64 support haven’t been tested extensively yet.

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Java HelpA recently unearthed feature that has been built into Java since Java 6 Update 10 allows developers to easily distribute their applications to end-users. Sun introduced a feature called Java Web Start designed for developers to install software and execute a program from a website. KrebsOnSecurity reports the feature allows criminals to remotely execute malicious code on the user’s computer.

AVG has discovered this exploit in-the-wild attack that takes advantage of this feature to redirect the unsuspecting web users to a Russian website that serves a crime-ware kit that bombards visiting browsers with exploits. After a delay,  Sun issued the patch. According to ZDNet, Sun does not mention the disclosure or the attacks in the release notes accompanying the patch, but they have been able to confirm it does cover the flaw in question. Even after applying the update, users may still be vulnerable. After installing updates to the Java Runtime Environment (JRE),  the update installs a whole new version of itself without removing the old installations.

Lifehacker points out JavaRa, a utility that removes the old and obsolete versions of JRE while leaving files that are necessary for the current version to run. The utility also removes other bloat and registry entries to ensure that Java still works on your computer without all the extra files cluttering up your hard drive. JavaRa is free but does require administrative rights to run because it makes changes to the registry. JavaRa works on just about every version of MSFT’s Windows. Once you have the app downloaded, just run the app and tell it to remove old versions of the Java Runtime Environment. The app will spin for a while and then let you know the old versions are gone. The app will also:

  • Remove the startup entry that makes Java run when Windows starts,
  • Remove the Sun Download Manager.
  • Check to see if there are updates available for the installed version of Java.

rb-

So far JavaRa is a free, simple, portable download for Windows that just works and will make a great addition to your flash drive toolkit.

Related articles

 

Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

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| May 28, 2010
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USB Tape Dispenser

x-tremegeek.com has a solution to your cluttered desk top. They have a combination USB hub/tape dispenser. It combines two essential functions to help you reclaim your workstation. Connect up to 4 USB 2.0 devices and install any 1″ roll of tape. Includes one roll of tape.

USB Tape Dispenser

  • USB 2.0
  • 3 swiveling ports in the rear
  • Fixed port in front
  • Green status LED
  • Non-slip weighted base

 

Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

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| May 21, 2010
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eWaste Takeback Results

eWaste Takeback ResultsLawrence Tech University held its first electronic recycling drive last month. The University took in over one ton of eWaste according to TechNews. The event helped raise awareness about the dangers of electronic waste. There are real environmental dangers associated with discarded electrical and electronic equipment.

Lawrence Technological UniversityComputers contain:

  • Beryllium,
  • Chromium,
  • Lead,
  • Mercury,
  • PVC.

CRT’s contain:

  • Barium compounds,
  • Bromine-based flame retardants (BFRs),
  • Up to 8 pounds of lead,
  • Mercury,
  • Phosphors compounds,
  • PVC.

LCD monitors contain:

  • All the above,
  • Mercury in backlights.

Batteries

Inkjet inks and laser tone  cartridges:

  • Bromine-based flame retardants (BFRs).
  • PVC.

Copper Ethernet cables are often jacketed in PVC.

 

Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

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| May 18, 2010
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Fallingwater

Fallingwater is a house designed by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935. Construction began in 1936 and was completed in 1939. This is a spectacular 3-d animation from Etérea featuring the Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece.

Fallingwater from Cristóbal Vila on Vimeo.

 

Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

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| May 16, 2010
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Who’s in Charge Here?

Who's in Charge Here?Apparently, the justices in the U.S. Supreme court don’t use much technology. LawyersUSA reports that during oral arguments in the case City of Ontario v. Quon, which considers whether police officers had an expectation of privacy in personal (and sexually explicit) text messages sent on pagers issued to them by the city, the justices of the Supreme Court at times seemed to struggle with the technology involved.

Among the technical difficulties reported included Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. – who is known to write out his opinions in longhand with pen and paper instead of a computer – asked what the difference was “between email and a pager?”

Justice Anthony Kennedy asked what would happen if a text message was sent to an officer at the same time he was sending one to someone else. “Does it say: ‘Your call is important to us, and we will get back to you?’” Kennedy asked.

Justice Antonin Scalia wrangled a bit with the idea of a service provider. “You mean (the text) doesn’t go right to me?” he asked. Then he asked whether they can be printed out in hard copy. “Could Quon print these spicy little conversations and send them to his buddies?” Scalia asked.

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While I’m no lawyer, I have a passing knowledge of how courts work (and don’t work) to frame decisions I make. It would seem reasonable that the Supremes would have a passing knowledge of how technology works when they are making laws that will impact the rest of us.

 

Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

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