Peter Vatistas

Although its nice not having to rely on anything Microsoft anymore there are some things I need to properly do my job, one of which is testing our websites on all web browsers through dev. I recently came across this neat application that allows me to run Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 (IE4, IE5, & IE6) on Ubuntu (as well as most distro’s of Linux).

IEs4Linux also is working hard on their next release which allows “us” Linux users to run Microsoft IE7!! I’ve been playing with the beta release of Internet Explorer 7 on Ubuntu and you can download the beta here.

IEs4Linux is probably the easiest app I have installed and works wonderfully in Ubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon). It’s there when I need it and it’s fast, all three versions.

To install IEs4Linux you have to enable universe packages first. It is also recommended that you use the official winehq ubuntu package:

1) Open a terminal

2) Open /etc/apt/sources.list

sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

3) Uncomment (or add) following lines:

deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu edgy universe

4) Add this line:

deb http://wine.budgetdedicated.com/apt edgy main

5) Close gedit. Update and install wine and cabextract:

wget -q http://wine.budgetdedicated.com/apt/387EE263.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add -
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install wine cabextract

6) Download IEs 4 Linux and install

wget http://www.tatanka.com.br/ies4linux/downloads/ies4linux-latest.tar.gz
tar zxvf ies4linux-latest.tar.gz
cd ies4linux-*
./ies4linux

Note for Dapper users: if you use ubuntu dapper, replace edgy with dapper on lines above. Note for Feisty users (7.04): if you use ubuntu Feisty, replace edgy with feisty in the lines above. Also replace gedit with kedit if running Kubuntu instead of Ubuntu.

For more information or steps to install on other distro’s please visit IEs4Linux.

If you find this application useful please donate here - this open source app was developed by Sérgio Luís Lopes Júnior, a 21 year old college student in Brazil. I always donate - it is really important to keep these guys (and kids) going.

I get a lot of emails from people whom want to know which applications I prefer in Windows. Although this is both a loaded question and a very broad one, I will try to answer this the best I can and will definitely update it from time to time.

Favorite FTP Application: WinSCP

Favorite Telnet & SSH Application: PuTTY

Favorite Internet Browser: Firefox 2 & Safari

Favorite Imaging Software: Adobe Photoshop CS3 - Open Source: Gimp

Favorite Instant Messanger: Application: Trillian - Web Based: Meebo

Favorite Text Editor (HTML, CSS, etc): Edit Plus 2

Favorite CD/DVD & ISO Software: MagicISO

Favorite Office Suite: Microsoft Office 2007 - Open Source: Open Office & Star Office

Favorite Compression & Encryption Software: WinRAR

Favorite Blogging Software: Windows Live Writer

Favorite AntiVirus/Malware Software: Eset NOD32

Favorite Email Client: Microsoft Outlook 2007 (for exchange) - Open Source: Mozilla Thunderbird 2

Favorite BitTorrent Application: Azureus

This list is way from a complete one and to be honest I have been moving away from Windows all together and replacing them with Mac’s. Sorry Microsoft guys - I have been bit by the Apple bug. I also have a laptop running Fedora 8 and I’ll make sure I write a favorite’s list for both Apple and Linux soon.

I just got turned on to this neat little application and I am hooked!

Music Rescue is an application that allows you to copy your (or anyone else’s) tracks to any computer you choose. If you’re not allowed to install iTunes (like at school or work), simply install Music Rescue onto your iPod at home and it’ll be available wherever you go - Mac or PC.

I installed Music Rescue on my Mac and all I had to do was plug in my iPhone and it transfered everything over, in MP3 format!! I grabbed my buddies video iPod and downloaded his entire library - all 22,000 MP3’s (which I quickly deleted because that is considered illegal… LOL). I now have a little over 44,000 MP3’s and growing! I totally recommend this application for any of you who have been burned by iTunes (I have lost hundreds of songs in the past and I can’t re-download them) or for the guys who just want to build their library like mad!!

KennettNet’s Music Rescue

I am going to attempt to install the patched Leopard OS X onto my Dell XPS Desktop and I will let you know how it goes. I am following the direction from a few sources which are listed below.

If you have already done this or have some good advice please feel free to post, otherwise check back soon and wish me luck!! 

LifeHacker

OSx86

I received a copy of Microsoft’s Office 2008:Mac Beta which I quickly installed on my fresh new Leopard OS X Mac a few weeks back. I really wish I would have known to look for Microsoft’s expiration date on this beta release, now I am stuck having to downgrade and re-sync my exchange email accounts with the crap-ass Outlook 2004!!

The worst part about it is Microsoft hasn’t mentioned anything about releasing an updated beta license or download! Does anyone know what is going on? Any news on the next 2008 release? Got a work around?? 

I really wish there was a good alternative to Microsoft’s Outlook for Mac using exchange and not using IMAP or POP either!! I think it would be sick if Apple Mail had true exchange support with tie in to their calendar and etc… If you are aware of a solution out there that would allow me to cut the cord from Microsoft all together than let me know, I would love to see what I am missing!! 

It’s official, I have made the decision to migrate all my desktops and laptops to Apple after 15 years with Windows. The really funny thing about my situation is there are tons of people doing the same and I found that by going to Craigslist. Try this, go to your local Craigslist page and search computers for sale, you’ll notice a lot of people willing to trade for Mac’s and Macbooks.I have an extremely powerful and fast desktop computer by Dell, and a couple laptops by Compaq. I am replacing all of them with the following:1. Mac Pro (Desktop) - Dual Quad Core Intel Processors, 4GB Ram, 2TB Sata’s, 4 nVidia Graphics Cards, and 2 30″ LCD’s.2. Macbook Pro (Laptop) - 15″ 2.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB Ram, 200GB.3. Macbook (Laptop) - 13″ - Black, 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB Ram, 250GB.I’ve already made the switch at my office and have been using my Mac Pro for months on a Windows 2003 Domain. I recently upgraded to Leopard OS X and am in heaven, goodbye Windows!!In addition to the computers I have already replaced my phone and my wife’s phone with Apple’s iPhone. We’re adding the Apple TV to the family room as well. We’re hooked!!Have you made the switch? Are you thinking about making the leap into the world of Apple computers and electronics? I am really interested to here your story.

Much like the root “super user” of Unix, Microsoft’s Windows Vista has a secret “master” administrator account which is disabled by default. The “master” administrator account in Vista gives all rights/permissions or total control over your OS; this is great for a Systems Administrator but not for the normal user or power user.

Just like in Unix, it is highly recommended that you run applications, services, and general interactions with Unix as a regular user. When your interactions within Unix require a raised level of authority you can run the command: #sudo su followed by your password. Vista has followed this almost exactly and I am sure you’ve seen this several times like when you install an application, run certain programs, or change system settings windows will display a UAC popup requiring you to accept your actions before you can continue. This “master” administrator account is the equivilant root or super user of Unix.

To unlock the secret administrator account in Windows Vista, follow these steps:

Start> type cmd in the search box> right-click on cmd.exe> select Run as Administrator> type: Net user administrator /active:yes then press enter. Now the next time you log in you will see the ”master” administrator account, which BTW is unprotected so I strongly suggest you set a password (click here for a great password generator). Now if you want to disable the administrator account just follow the same steps above but change the active:yes to active:no (Net user administrator /active:no).

I was very excited to get my copy of the Cerulean Studios Trillian Astra (Alpha release) today and so far I am impressed! Trillian Astra is graphic intense and so far has played very well with Microsoft’s Windows Vista Ultimate operating system. The loading time for Astra is notecibally faster using the Vista Aero theme filled with all my network connections (AIM, ICQ, Google Talk, Myspace, Windows Live, and Yahoo) and windows load on the fly, without a hitch (or glitch).

 A very nice feature of Astra is that you now have one username for all your network connections and accounts. No matter what computer you’re on, when you install Astra all you need to do is login with your Astra credentials and your all set! All your contacts and groups populate and you’re ready to go, just like you were on you other computers!! Another thing I really like is how I can have all of this, exactly how I have it on all my computers, on my iPhone - BIG PLUS!! The mobile edition is something I have yet to be able to test but if it is anything like this Alpha test release I will be a happy customer.

So far I am 100% impressed and I will continue to rip into this Alpha test and let you know what I find. Get excited for Astra’s widgets BTW, looks very slick - let’s hope they add RSS feed support!!

Here is a great tool I use a lot to find passwords on my computer and passwords across the network on all computers. SpotAuditor can scan your network’s IP Range using any credentials you give it (Admin rights preferably) and it will spit out passwords typed in or stored from every computer it see’s. Spot Auditor can also reveal visited URL’s, installed programs, and passwords under asteriks (i.e. ******).

Download it for free with the link I provide below and see how helpful SpotAuditor really is! If you’re a network Administrator I would make sure these aren’t sitting on employee computers, big problem!

SpotAuditor Password Recovery Software - Compatible with Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista

90% of my day is spent remoting into my server farm to make changes, monitor, and etc… Normally when I need the task manager I do the normal Start>Run>taskmgr command to get me there but I never realized I could have a CTRL+ALT+DELETE like command. Normally when you remote desktop and hit ctrl+alt+delete it invokes YOUR computers options, not the computer you are remoting into. The solution for this (and I am sure I am years behind on this) is CTRL+ALT+END!

It is funny how knowledgable I think I am when it comes to Microsoft products but when I learn something like this I feel dumb! What cool tricks have you found out by accident or totally made you feel like a newb? I would love to hear them.