Tuesday, December 16, 2008

The Tales of Beedle the Bard - rocks the charts




Here is a list of top-ten selling fiction books in Canada (for the week ending Dec. 9 from Amazon.ca)

FICTION
1 (1) The Tales of Beedle the Bard - J.K. Rowling (hardcover)
2 (4) Twilight - Stephenie Meyer (paperback)
3 (8) Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer (hardcover)
4 (5) New Moon - Stephenie Meyer (paperback)
5 (3) Through Black Spruce - Joseph Boyden (hardcover)
6 (10) Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer (hardcover)
7 (7) Book of Negroes - Lawrence Hill (paperback)
8 (9) The Shack - William Paul Young (paperback)
9 (-) The Tales of Beedle the Bard (Collector's Edition) - J.K. Rowling (hardcover)
10 (-) The White Tiger - Aravind Adiga (paperback)


And we see that The Tales of Beedle the Bard is at both the first and the ninth places in the charts. Even split over two different editions (the normal hardcover and the Collectors' editions) it is truly rocking the charts.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Get free comics about money - and also some free shredded money

Wanted to get some money absolutely free ?

If you want to teach school kids about money, the story of how it evolved and the current banking systems of the USA, here is your chance.

Free comic books about money snail mailed to your address absolutely free. And then, maybe one day you'll get an email offering you free money for filling out a small survey on how you used the comic books.

Get free comics about money - and also some free shredded money.

This offer is from the Federal Reserve System - New York.

Here is the link

http://www.newyorkfed.org/publications/result.cfm?comics=1


Don't forget to read the online comics too.

Wednesday, August 06, 2008



Wanted to browse for pictures or photos on the internet in a more beautiful way ? If you have Firefox on Windows, there is the PicLens CoolIris addon. Which I uber cool. A 3d wall of pictures which you can scroll across.

Here is a website which gives another cool way to browse pictures.

Also visit fundazone.com Tag Galaxy (http://www.taggalaxy.de/)

Search for pictures online with tags and see everything like a galaxy of planets.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Batpod - 2 wheeler batmoto for the Dark Knight is not an iPod


Batman had a really cool car tank in Batman Begins. The cops couldn't even begin to describe it as they tried to alert that a black ... tank thingie was speeding.
It's called the Tumbler, by the way. Built for making temporary bridges during war.

Now that the new Batman movie "The Dark Knight" has been released, wouldn't you want to see what's new.

Here it is - the BatPod.

Its not anything like the iPod - the BatPod doesn't play mp3 or shuffle. But it also doesn't require iTunes.

Its an awesome bike that comes out as an escape(? does the batman need to escape) pod from theTumbler (the tank thingie)

Susan Carpenter of the Times described the bike with "engines [in] the hubs of each wheel... there are shields that fit each arm like sleeves and have the ability to rotate around the bike's frame. The two foot pegs are set 3 1/2 feet apart on either side of the tank, which the rider lies on, belly down."

If you have noticed, whenever batman needs more control or to shoot from his Tank thingie (Tumbler), he slides into the front part, belly down. This is exactly how he rides the BatPod.
Not the iPod !
Besides his extreme wealth and dedication to wiping out mob crime in Gotham, there's nothing super about Bruce Wayne—and that might make him the most gear-loaded superhero of all time. Although it's not Caped Crusader style to resort to guns (modded goggles and body armor get more screen time in The Dark Knight), you have to fight fire with fire when The Joker's packing heat. So the Bat-Pod joins the legion of gun-toting movie motorcycles with .50-cal. machine guns and 40 mm cannons built directly into its framework. Then the bike one-ups them with its pneumatically launched grappling hooks, which flip an 18-wheeler over in one key shootout.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Sachin the Great - predicts cricket with logic - Aamir won't tell us the secret !

Who said this ?

"Shahrukh is licking my feet and I am feeding him biscuits every now and then"



It was none other than our favourite actor - Aamir Khan. Where ? When ? Why ? WTF ? What does he mean that Shahrukh is licking his feet ?

He means his dog Shahrukh ! (nothing about the King Khan here guys and gals)
Aamir Khan has started a blog on a proper domain name.

http://www.aamirkhan.com/blog.htm

Amitabh Bachchan has also started a blog but it is on a subdomain of bigadda.com bigb.bigadda.com. (Reminds me of BigBy Wolf in the Fables comics)

Now about Aamir and Sachin. Sachin and Aaamir were watching the IPL final on June 2nd. We all were watching it , weren't we.

www.fundazone.com

Aaamir says "was certainly exciting but what made it a unique experience for me was that I had Sachin next to me" Lucky Aamir, he got to watch the match with Sachin.

But that's not all. was able to predict every ball before it was bowled. Bouncer, Yorker, Full tilt, slow - Sachin predicted all of them right apparently.

So, what's the secret ? Sachin told Aamir but he won't tell us.

And other news about Aamir - it was his son's birthday, so head over and wish him a belated Happy Birthday. And the shooting of Ghajini (remake of the Tamil which was a remake of the English "Memento") will continue soon. Aamir had injured his hamstrings (the back of his thigh in scientific terms) and looks like he has recovered.


Wish him well.
www.fundazone.com

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Download Netstripe: Netscape 9's Theme for Mozilla Firefox



Download and use Netstripe: Netscape 9's Theme for Mozilla Firefox

You just can't let go of netscape, even after they (AOL) officially ended support on March 1st, 2008. Here is the cure - a netscape cousin which is even based on the same Gecko core and is one of the best browsers available.

With Internet Explorer causing more problems than anyone could possibly live with, and Netscape finally closing down its doors, the only way out is to use Mozilla Firefox and modify ot with the proper themes to get the Netscape look and feel. Here is everything you will need :

  1. Download Mozilla Firefox browser
  2. Install Firefox (http://www.fundazone.com/software/firefox)
  3. Open Firefox and install the Netscape addon from here(for windows)
              1. Windows version
              2. Mac version
  4. And ... you are done ! Enjoy

Even more addons and plugins are available for FIREfox to make it look like older versions netscape.
Just click and install.
  • Foxscape: One of the better one that resemble old Netscape 4.8 . Has nice loading (throbber) buttons from the past.
  • Modern Aluminum: Just like Netscape 7.x. Metallic aluminum with the silver finish.
  • Netstripe: This is the one I was descrining above - it is from the Official Netscape Add ons team and works like new new Netscape 9.



http://johndasfundas.blogspot.com/2008/03/goodbye-netscape-you-will-be-in-our.html


Also read :

Goodbye Netscape - you will be in our hearts forever (and our computers)

Goodbye Netscape - you will be in our hearts forever (and our computers)

AOL netscape dead,gone and destoyed - mozilla firefox theme
AOL Netscape recently announced that they will stop support for Netscape on March 1st 2008, and guess what ? March 1st is over. If you know anyone who is still using Netscape, let them know that America Online no longer supports the browser that they adored so much.

But will they shift to a new browser. Well, maybe if you can get them a browser which works exactly like Netscape.

"Huh ? Is that even possible ?", they might ask (with tears in their eyes at the demise of their beloved Internet companion(not explorer or just a browser))

It is possible with Firefox and the amazing set of Netscape addons. Read on to reunite them with their true love.


FIRSTLY you need Mozilla Firefox. Get it from here :



Or Get Firefox from the sidebar on the right. (the picture of the fox on fire around the world)

DOWNLOAD MOZiLlA FiRefOx from the link above.

Then Add the following addons :

Building Navigator from Firefox

Needed Add-ons

You can customize Firefox or Flock to look and behave more like Netscape Navigator 9 with the below add-ons.

Netscape Link Pad

Link Pad is a sidebar that you can drop links onto to save for later without cluttering your bookmarks. Find a link to a YouTube video you want to watch, but do not have time now? Drop it into Link Pad, and save it for later.

OPML Support

OPML Support adds OPML import/export functionality to the Firefox Bookmarks manager. OPML is a file type that is widely used to distribute lists of RSS/newsfeeds.

Resizeable Textarea

A lot of forums and boards provide very small textareas for new postings. If you type a longer posting, you have to scroll up and down, to read what you have written and to proceed. This situation is annoying.

Restarter

Add 'restart' to file menu. In Firefox 2.0 there are situations where you want to restart (eg changing theme) but there is no restart button, so you don't get a saved session. This makes restart visible always.

Simple Green

This theme is a refreshingly clean, compact theme based off the Navigator theme. It is a combination theme for both Mozilla Firefox and its companion mailnews client, Thunderbird.

The original author is Andy Fraley.

Splash!

Adds a splash screen to most Mozilla and Mozilla Based products. Supports sound, opacity, CSS customization, custom images, and much more.

Split Browser

This splits the content area of the browser window as you like. It will help you in various cases. For example, to compare multiple webpages, to show a calendar always, and so on.

Stop-or-Reload Button

Changes the stop and reload buttons into a single combined button.

Tab History

New tabs retain the session history of the originating tab. Links opened in a new tab won't have a blank history, but one that is populated from the "parent"...

Tab Mix Plus

Tab Mix Plus enhances Firefox's tab browsing capabilities. It includes such features as duplicating tabs, controlling tab focus, tab clicking options, undo closed tabs and windows, plus much more.

URL Fixer

URL Fixer corrects typos in URLs that you enter in the address bar. For example, if you type google.con, it will correct it to google.com (asking first, if you enable confirmation)...

Add-ons Sandbox

Some of these add-ons are still available only in the Mozilla Add-ons sandbox; read this for more information about the sandbox.

Propeller Add-ons

The following social news features were standard components of early betas of Netscape Navigator 9.

Hope the information above helps you reunite someone with their Dearest Netscape browser.

Funda
www.fundazone.com

Sunday, March 02, 2008

VirusHeat antispyware is a virus. How to remove Virus Heat

Virus Heat is a rogue spyware which masquerades as an anti-spyware program.

Many similar Viruses/Spyware exist which act like they are some antivirus and force you to download.



VirusHeat Manual Removal Instructions

To learn the VirusHeat manual removal process, read the step-by-step instructions provided on this section.

Use Caution! Please read the instructions below carefully. Manual removal of VirusHeat is a delicate procedure. Proceed at your own risk.

Make sure you backup your system and close all open Internet Explorer windows before you manually remove VirusHeat.

To manually remove VirusHeat, follow these removal steps:

Step #1: How to Kill VirusHeat files using Process Explorer.

  • 1a. How to Kill VirusHeat processes.

    1. Download and install Process Explorer.

    2. Open Process Explorer.

    3. Locate the VirusHeat processes listed below.

    4. To kill an VirusHeat process, right-click the VirusHeat process and choose the option “Kill Process Tree”.

    5. Kill the following VirusHeat processes:
      VirusHeat 3.9.exe
  • 1b. How to Kill VirusHeat DLL files.

    1. Right-click the Explorer.exe process and choose the option “Properties”.

    2. Click on the “Threads” Tab, locate and highlight the VirusHeat DLL files listed below.

    3. To kill VirusHeat DLL files, click the “Kill” button.

    4. Kill the following VirusHeat DLL files:
      wuuawkz.dll
      iinqyl.dll
  • Step #3: How to Delete VirusHeat Directories.

    1. To locate VirusHeat directories, go to “Start” > “My Computer” > “Local Disk (C:)” > “Program Files” > “Show the contents of this folder”.

    2. Search and delete the VirusHeat directories listed below.

    3. Right-click on the VirusHeat folder and select “Delete”. option.

    4. When the message box appears saying “Are you sure you want to remove the folder [FOLDERNAME] and move all its contents to the Recycle Bin?”, click the “Yes” button.

    5. When the message box appears saying “Renaming, moving or deleting [FOLDERNAME] could make some programs not work. Are you sure you want to do this?”, click the “Yes” button.

    6. Search and delete the following VirusHeat directories:

      VirusHeat

  • Step #4: How to Search and Delete C:\WINDOWS\System32\iinqyl.dll.

    1. Go back to “Local Disk (C:)” > “Windows” > “System32″ > “Show the contents of this folder”.

    2. Search for iinqyl.dll.

    3. Right-click on the iinqyl.dll file and select the “Delete” option.

  • Step #5: How to Restore Original Default Home Page.

    1. Go to “Start” > “Control Panel” > “Internet Options”.

    2. Click on the General Tab > click the Use Default button under Home Page.

    3. Click “Apply” and then click the “OK” button.

    4. Open a Web browser to verify that your default homepage has been restored.

Step #6: How to Remove the VirusHeat Icons.

  1. If the VirusHeat icons still remain on your Desktop, you can drag and drop them to the “Recycle Bin”.

  2. Reboot your computer to make sure all changes made for the removal of VirusHeat are complete. If your computer still has issues, you should scan your computer for VirusHeat with a spyware scanner.






Do not believe any of the fake information posted on their website :

Don't compromise your security! Protect yourself with VirusHeat!(In fact, you completely destroy your computer's security by installing this)

VirusHeat is the latest and the most technologically advanced application on the Internet for detection and removal of potentially undesired items. VirusHeat simply guarantees removal of all spyware and related harmful infections from your PC with supported live service.
  • Recommended by experts and editors around the world as one of the best Anti-Spyware.
  • Frequent advanced updates ensure that you are always protected.
  • Detects, removes and blocks all types of Spyware and Adware threats.
  • Easiest to use with intelligent protection system.
  • FREE customer support for all users.
  • 100% Money Back Guarantee.

Detects, removes and blocks all types of Spyware.

Did you know that numerous programs tested against VirusHeat detected only small fraction of Spyware and completely removed an even smaller amount? Also most of them were unable to effectively block Spyware in real time from being installed on users PC in the first place.

VirusHeat has the most advanced update feature that continually improves its Spyware fighting capabilities on daily basis. As Spyware gets more complex to avoid detection by AntiSpyware programs VirusHeat responds with new technology to stay one step ahead.

Easiest to Use

VirusHeat is advanced technology designed specially for people, not experts. It is automatically configured out of the box to give you optimal protection with limited interaction so all you need to do is install it for immediate and ongoing protection.

VirusHeat's advanced ActiveGuard technology only alerts users on a true Spyware detection. This is significant because you should not be interrupted by cryptic questions every time you install software, add a site to your favorites or change your PC settings. Such messages can be confusing and lead to undesirable outcomes such as inoperable programs, lost favorites or even Spyware being allowed to install on the system. We've done the research so you don't have to.

The Danger

  • Authorities State That Over 95% Of PC Systems Worldwide Are Infected With All Forms Of Virus activity.
  • Malware On Your PC are Undetectable For Regular Firewalls And Antiviruses.
  • These malicious programs are downloaded to an unsuspecting user's computer and are used to retrieve sensitive data.
  • Spyware, Adware and other Viruses are the world's leading threats to your computer's security today.

VirusHeat was designed for one purpose, to remove viruses and potentially unwanted computer applications from your system.

That was the end of the fake absolutely preposterous information provided on their utterly fake website. Don't fall for their tricks. Many advanced manual techniques have to be used to remove such Just in case you are infected with this virus, see the removal instructions at the top.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Adsense for video released - YuMe is using it, how about you and me ?

Continuing with the series of interesting events in Google Adsense, here is another one


YuMe networks is using it, how about you and me ?

Online video ad network YuMe managed to get a beta (test) of Google Video Adsense.

Online videos is/was the bandwidth hogging cholesterol the internet. Slowing down the blood( data traffic) flow just for some video which nobody who has work to do would be wasting time on anyway ..



And now, here is a way to monetize it. Good or bad ? Depends on who you are.

YuMe gets their shot as part of Google's AdSense for video beta program. The company announced its InVideo ad technology will place display overlays for its publishers who are currently AdSense participants as well.



AdSense for video program policies

AdSense for video allows publishers with video content to earn revenue using relevant, non-intrusive ad placements from Google's extensive advertiser network. If you'd like to insert Google ads into your video streams, you must comply with the AdSense for video Terms and Conditions, the policies below, and the standard AdSense program policies.

At this time, AdSense for video may only be implemented for pages and videos that are in English and that receive primarily U.S. traffic.

Player Requirements

To request and display Google ads, video players must fulfill the following basic requirements:

  • Players must be Flash version 7 or above.
  • Players must always maintain an aspect ration of 4:3.
  • Players must be a minimum of 320 x 240 pixels in size.

Video Requirements

  • Video Length: Video content clips must be at least 30 seconds in length to be monetized through AdSense for video.
  • Video Content: Publishers using AdSense for video may only place Google ads in videos that adhere to our content guidelines. Some of these guidelines are highlighted below. Please see the AdSense program policies for the complete list of content guidelines. Please note that all pages with video players using AdSense for video must also comply with these content guidelines. If your video player is embeddable, you must make every effort possible to ensure that pages where the video will display are also in compliance with the program policies. Videos displaying Google ads may not include:
    • Pornography, adult, or mature content
    • Any other content that is illegal, promotes illegal activity, or infringes on the legal rights of others
    • Violent content, racial intolerance, or advocacy against any individual, group, or organization
    • Content protected by copyright law, unless the content provider has the necessary legal rights to display that content. Please see our DMCA policy for more information.
  • Video Descriptions and Metadata:
    • High quality and accurate metadata, via aRSS feed, or a video description URL must be provided and maintained for all videos monetized through AdSense for video.
    • Each video file (FLV) must have its own unique and static URL.
    • All parameters passed to Google at the time of the ad request must be accurate. If your video player can be embedded on other websites, clearly indicate that the player is embeddable in the video metadata or at time of ad request.

Ad and Video Player Behavior

Code provided to you through the AdSense program may not be altered, nor may the standard ad behavior, targeting, or delivery of ads be manipulated, in any way that is not explicitly permitted by Google.

  • If an ad request is made and returned, the ad must always be displayed, unless a user abandons the video before the ad is displayed.
  • Ads may not be hard-coded into your video player or video stream.
  • Ad banners and images may not be used as the template background for your video player.
  • Your video player must accommodate all appropriate types of user interaction with Google ads. For instance, all clickable links within an ad must remain clickable.
  • Elements of your video player, such as the player controls or the player frame, may not obscure any portion of the ads. Conversely, ads must not be placed in close proximity to or obstruct in any way your video player controls (play, pause, volume, etc.).
  • If your video player automatically plays when the page is loaded, the player needsto be placed above the fold of the page (800x600 pixels from the top left corner of the page).

Ads Served

AdSense for video offers several ad formats and we encourage publishers to experiment with a variety of placements in your video player, provided that you respect the policies listed below. Please note that these policies also apply to any third party ads you choose to display in players with Google ads.

General Guidelines:

  • Only one ad unit may be displayed within your video player at any single time.
  • Publishers may display one ad unit per every 10 minutes of a video content clip. Publishers may make multiple ad requests within, this time frame, provided that only one ad is displayed (i.e. a publisher may request an InVideo ad, which is not returned, and then publisher may request a text overlay ad).
  • Unless stated otherwise, publishers may not mix ads from multiple providers on the same video stream.
  • Publishers may not remove or obscure in any way the ad "pill" associated with all AdSense for video ad formats.

Format-Specific Policies:

InVideo Ads (Graphical overlays):

  • InVideo ads may start at any time in the video stream, though beginning at ten seconds is recommended.
  • Once an ad has been requested and displayed, it must remain visible in the player until a new ad request is made or the end of the video clip. InVideo overlay ads will automatically minimize to the bottom of your video player after 15 seconds; minimizing the ad before that time is not permitted unless initiated by the user.

Text Overlays:

  • Text overlay ads may start at any time in the video stream, though beginning at ten seconds is recommended.
  • Once an ad has been requested and displayed, it must remain visible in the player until a new ad request is made or the end of the video clip.

Text Ad End Caps:

  • If a video is displayed as part of a play list, then end cap ads can only be used after the last video in the playlist.
  • End cap ads must continue to be displayed until the user closes the video player or navigates off the page.
  • End caps may be used in combination with other ad units in certain circumstances, specifically when:
    • Google text overlay or InVideo ads are also used
    • Third party pre-roll or mid-roll video ads are used
  • End caps may not be used in combination with certain ad units, specfically third party overlays (InVideo, text, or otherwise).

Make good sense of the policies before the Video adsense comes to you and me , not just Yume networks. com

New changes to Google Adsense Terms and Conditions - Accept by 25th May

Google Adsense makes changes to Terms and conditions

Guess what ?


Google is making more and more changes to the Adsense program.

First, it made adsense part of a regular google account, which until recently was completely separate from whatever email address you use as an Adsense login. It was made compulsory to associate the account to a regular Google Account.


Of course, they stress the ease of use and other "benefits" of having a single Google account, but they also miss the fact that a single account can be more easily compromised than multiple accounts with individual passwords. (he he ... I am a wee bit paranoid). But like they say, "whatever"


And now, I login to my adsense and POOF, a page full of Terms and Conditions is thrown at me with 3 options

  1. Yes, I have read and accept the above Terms and Conditions.
    (You represent that you are authorized to act on behalf of, and bind to this Agreement, the owner of this account.)
  2. Remind me the next time I log in.
    (You must accept the above Terms and Conditions by May 25, 2008, or you will no longer be able to login to AdSense and make changes to your Account.)
  3. No, I do not accept the above Terms and Conditions.
    (Note: If you choose not to accept these Terms and Conditions, you will not be able to continue using AdSense. You can resume access by logging in and accepting these Terms and Conditions by May 25, 2008.)

What do I do ? I have to read through the whole legalese (this one is admittedly easier to read than some other Terms and Conditions in other places(including one where they claim your soul in the terms and conditions)) and understand it, and then accept it.

Hope they didn't ask for my soul (Click)

Just in case anyone wants to help me decode the adsense codes, here are the terms and conditons :

Google AdSense TM Online Standard Terms and Conditions

PLEASE READ VERY CAREFULLY THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND THE FAQ BEFORE REGISTERING FOR THE GOOGLE ADSENSE ONLINE PROGRAM. PARTICIPATION IN THE GOOGLE ADSENSE ONLINE PROGRAM INDICATES THAT YOU ACCEPT THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, PLEASE DO NOT REGISTER FOR OR PARTICIPATE IN THE GOOGLE ADSENSE ONLINE PROGRAM.

Introduction. This agreement ("Agreement") between You and Google Inc. ("Google") consists of these Google AdSense Online Program (the "Program") Standard Terms and Conditions ("Terms and Conditions"). A description of the Program, as generally offered by Google, is available at the Program Frequently Asked Questions ("FAQ") URL, located at https://www.google.com/adsense/faq, or such other URL as Google may provide from time to time. "You" or "Publisher" means any entity identified in an enrollment form submitted by the same or affiliated persons, and/or any agency or network acting on its (or their) behalf, which shall also be bound by the terms of this Agreement.

  1. Program Participation. Participation in the Program is subject to Google’s prior approval and Your continued compliance with the Program Policies ("Program Policies"), located at https://www.google.com/adsense/policies, and/or such other URL as Google may provide from time to time. Google reserves the right to refuse participation to any applicant or participant at any time in its sole discretion. By enrolling in the Program, You represent that You are at least 18 years of age and agree that Google may serve (a) third party and/or Google provided advertisements and/or other content (such third party provided advertisements, Google provided advertisements and other content, collectively, "Ads"), provided, however, that if Google serves non-compensated content, You will have the ability to opt out of receiving such content as part of the Program, (b) related Google queries and/or Ad search box(es) (collectively, "Links"), (c) Google Web and/or Site search results (collectively, "Search Results"), and/or (d) Google referral Ads ("Referral Buttons"), each in connection with the Web site(s), media player(s), video content and/or mobile content that You designate, or such other properties expressly authorized in writing by Google (including by electronic mail) (such other properties, "Other Properties"), and the Atom, RSS, or other feeds distributed through such Web site(s) , media player(s), video content, mobile content and/or Other Properties (each such Web site, media player, video content, mobile content, Other Property or feed, a "Property"). For the avoidance of doubt, any reference in this Agreement or the Program Policies to an individual "Web page", "Web site", "Web site page" or the like that is part of the Property will also mean feeds and media players distributed through such Web site. Multiple accounts held by the same individual or entity are subject to immediate termination unless expressly authorized in writing by Google (including by electronic mail). In some circumstances expressly authorized in writing by Google (including by electronic mail), You may enroll in the Program and create an account for the sole purpose of receiving payment from Google, and not, for purposes of clarification, for the purpose of displaying Ads, Links, Search Results and/or Referral Buttons on a Property. If, however, You subsequently use your Account to participate in the Program (i.e. for the purpose of displaying Ads, Links, Search Results and/or Referral Buttons on a Property), then such use of the Program will be governed by the terms of this Agreement. You must have and abide by an appropriate privacy policy that clearly discloses that third parties may be placing and reading cookies on your users’ browser, or using web beacons to collect information, in the course of ads being served on your website. Your privacy policy should also include information about user options for cookie management.

  2. Implementation and Operation of Ads, Search Results, and Referrals. You agree to comply with the specifications provided by Google from time to time to enable proper delivery, display, tracking, and reporting of Ads, Links, Search Results, Referral Buttons, and Google Brand Features (as defined in Section 12 below) in connection with Your Property(ies), including without limitation by not modifying the JavaScript or other programming provided to You by Google in any way, unless expressly authorized in writing by Google (including by electronic mail).
    • AdSense for Search. If You have elected to receive Search Results, You will display on Your Property(ies) a Google search box (a "Search Box") in accordance with the specifications provided by Google. Except for related Google queries, all search queries (including queries entered into an Ad search box) must originate from individual human end users inputting data directly into a Search Box (or Ad search box, as applicable) on Your Property(ies). You will send any and all queries (without editing, filtering, truncating, appending terms to or otherwise modifying such queries individually or in the aggregate) to Google and Google will use commercially reasonable efforts to provide You with corresponding Search Results and/or Ads, as applicable and as available. Search Results and any accompanying Ads will be displayed on Web pages that may be hosted by Google (each, a "Search Results Page"), and the format, look and feel of those Web pages hosted by Google may be modified by Google from time to time.
    • AdSense for Content. All content and Property-based Ads (and Ads served in response to end user clicks on and queries entered into Links, if any) shall be grouped by Google and displayed with Links (where applicable) to end users of the Property(ies) as ad units (such groups of Ads and/or Links collectively referred to as "Ad Units") in standard formats as offered generally by Google from time to time, as may be described in the FAQ. You may select a format approved by Google for the display of Ad Units in connection with the Property(ies), but You acknowledge and agree that Ads and/or Links: (i) shall only be displayed in connection with the Property(ies), each of which is subject to review and approval by Google in its discretion at any time; and (ii) shall be subject to the placement guidelines set forth herein.
    • Referrals. If You have elected to use the Google AdSense Referrals feature, You will implement any Referral Buttons on Your Property(ies) in accordance with the specifications provided by Google. End users who click on a Referral Button will be directed to a Web page that may be hosted by Google ("Referral Page"), and the format, look and feel of those Web pages hosted by Google may be modified by Google from time to time. A "Referral Event" will be initiated when an end user clicks on a Referral Button from the Property and will be completed when the referral requirements for the relevant product are satisfied in accordance with this Agreement. Such referral requirements, along with the payment amount applicable to the Referral Event, are located at https://www.google.com/adsense/referrals, or such other URL as Google may provide from time to time. You agree to comply with the specifications provided by Google from time to time to enable proper tracking and reporting of Referral Events in connection with Your Property. You shall not promote or facilitate a Referral Event by any means other than displaying a Referral Button on the Property, unless expressly authorized in writing by Google (including by electronic mail).
    • AdSense for Video. If you have elected to use AdSense for Video, Your participation is subject to your continued compliance with the AdSense for Video Program policies located at http://adsense.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=73987 or the URL as Google may provide from time to time. All Ads (including Ads served in response to end user clicks on and queries entered into Links, if any) shall be (1) grouped by Google and displayed with Links (where applicable) to end users of the Property(ies) as Ad Unit(s) or (2) pre-, post- or interstitial roll in connection with third party video content, in each case in standard formats as offered generally by Google from time to time, as may be further described in the applicable policies. You acknowledge and agree that the Ads will be displayed on the Property in a video format approved by Google, and that such Ads: (i) shall only be displayed in connection with the Property(ies) and non-advertisement video content (collectively "Video Media"), all of which is subject to review and approval by Google in its discretion at any time; and (ii) shall only be requested in connection with end user initiated Video Media. In addition, You agree that You may only display one (1) Ad Unit within Your media player at any single time, unless otherwise approved by Google in writing.
    • General; Serviced Pages; Filtering; Beta Features. You agree not to display on the same Web page in connection with which any Ad Unit, Ad, Link, Search Box, or Referral Button is displayed (a "Serviced Page") any advertisement(s) or content that an end user of Your Property(ies) would reasonably confuse with a Google advertisement or otherwise associate with Google. Certain Google services available as part of the Program may contain filtering capability, such as SafeSearch or AdSafe, that You may access through Your account. However, if You elect to enable any such filters, You acknowledge and agree that: (i) it is Your responsibility to enable such features in accordance with the specifications provided by Google, and (ii) Google does not and cannot commit that all results (including Ads, Links and Search Results) will be limited to results elected by enabling such filter(s). Some Program features are identified as "Beta" or otherwise unsupported ("Beta Features"). To the fullest extent permitted by law, Beta Features are provided "as is" and at Your option and risk. You shall not disclose to any third party any information from Beta Features, existence of non-public Beta Features or access to Beta Features.

  3. Communications Solely With Google. You agree to direct to Google, and not to any advertiser, any communication regarding any Ad(s) or Link(s) displayed in connection with Your Property(ies).

  4. Parties' Responsibilities. You are solely responsible for the Property(ies), including all content and materials, maintenance and operation thereof, the proper implementation of Google's specifications, and adherence to the terms of this Agreement, including compliance with the Program Policies. Google reserves the right to investigate, at its own discretion, any activity that may violate this Agreement, including but not limited to any use of a software application to access Ads, Links, Search Results, or Referral Buttons or to complete any Referral Event, or any engagement in any activity prohibited by this Agreement. Google is not responsible for anything related to Your Property(ies), including without limitation the receipt of queries from end users of Your Property(ies) or the transmission of data between Your Property(ies) and Google. In addition, Google shall not be obligated to provide notice to You in the event that any Ad, Link, Search Result, or Referral Button is not being displayed properly to, or Referral Event is not being completed properly by, end users of the Property(ies).

  5. Prohibited Uses. You shall not, and shall not authorize or encourage any third party to: (i) directly or indirectly generate queries, Referral Events, or impressions of or clicks on any Ad, Link, Search Result, or Referral Button (including without limitation by clicking on "play" for any video Ad) through any automated, deceptive, fraudulent or other invalid means, including but not limited to through repeated manual clicks, the use of robots or other automated query tools and/or computer generated search requests, and/or the unauthorized use of other search engine optimization services and/or software; (ii) edit, modify, filter, truncate or change the order of the information contained in any Ad, Link, Ad Unit, Search Result, or Referral Button, or remove, obscure or minimize any Ad, Link, Ad Unit, Search Result, or Referral Button in any way without authorization from Google; (iii) frame, minimize, remove or otherwise inhibit the full and complete display of any Web page accessed by an end user after clicking on any part of an Ad ("Advertiser Page"), any Search Results Page, or any Referral Page; (iv) redirect an end user away from any Advertiser Page, Search Results Page, or Referral Page; provide a version of the Advertiser Page, Search Results Page, or Referral Page that is different from the page an end user would access by going directly to the Advertiser Page, Search Results Page, or Referral Page; intersperse any content between the Ad and the Advertiser Page, between the page containing the Search Box and the Search Results Page, or between the Referral Button and the Referral Page; or otherwise provide anything other than a direct link from an Ad to an Advertiser Page, from the page containing the Search Box to the Search Results Page, or from the Referral Button to the Referral Page; (v) display any Ad(s), Link(s), or Referral Button(s) on any Web page or any Web site that contains any pornographic, hate-related, violent, or illegal content; (vi) directly or indirectly access, launch, and/or activate Ads, Links, Search Results, or Referral Buttons through or from, or otherwise incorporate the Ads, Links, Search Results, or Referral Buttons in, any software application, Web site, or other means other than Your Property(ies), and then only to the extent expressly permitted by this Agreement; (vii) "crawl", "spider", index or in any non-transitory manner store or cache information obtained from any Ads, Links, Search Results, or Referral Events, or any part, copy, or derivative thereto; (viii) act in any way that violates any Program Policies posted on the Google Web Site, as may be revised from time to time, or any other agreement between You and Google (including without limitation the Google AdWords program terms); (ix) disseminate malware; (x) create a new account to use the Program after Google has terminated this Agreement with You as a result of your breach of this Agreement; or (xi) engage in any action or practice that reflects poorly on Google or otherwise disparages or devalues Google’s reputation or goodwill. You acknowledge that any attempted participation or violation of any of the foregoing is a material breach of this Agreement and that we may pursue any and all applicable legal and equitable remedies against You, including an immediate suspension of Your account or termination of this Agreement, and the pursuit of all available civil or criminal remedies.

  6. Termination; Cancellation. Subject to any third party agreements You may have with other Google customers (e.g., Your Web hosting company), You may stop displaying Ads, Links, Search Boxes, or Referral Buttons on any Property in the Program with or without cause at any time by removing the Google JavaScript or similar programming from Your Properties. You may terminate this Agreement with or without cause at any time by sending written notice of your desire to cancel Your participation in the Program to adsense-support@google.com. This Agreement will be deemed terminated within ten (10) business days of Google's receipt of Your notice. Google may investigate any activity that may violate this Agreement. Google may at any time, in its sole discretion, terminate all or part of the Program, terminate this Agreement, or suspend or terminate the participation of any Property in all or part of the Program for any reason. In addition, Google reserves the right to terminate without notice any account that has not generated a sufficient number of valid clicks on Ads or Referral Buttons or valid impressions of Ads (in each case as measured by Google) for a period of two (2) months or more. Upon termination of participation of any Property in the Program or termination of this Agreement for any reason, Sections 3, 6 through 10, and 14 through 17 shall survive termination.

  7. Confidentiality. You agree not to disclose Google Confidential Information without Google's prior written consent. "Google Confidential Information" includes without limitation: (a) all Google software, technology, programming, specifications, materials, guidelines and documentation relating to the Program; (b) click-through rates or other statistics relating to Property performance in the Program provided to You by Google; and (c) any other information designated in writing by Google as "Confidential" or an equivalent designation. However, You may accurately disclose the amount of Google’s gross payments to You pursuant to the Program. Google Confidential Information does not include information that has become publicly known through no breach by You or Google, or information that has been (i) independently developed without access to Google Confidential Information, as evidenced in writing; (ii) rightfully received by You from a third party; or (iii) required to be disclosed by law or by a governmental authority.

  8. No Guarantee. Google makes no guarantee regarding the level of impressions of Ads or clicks on any Ad or Referral Button, the timing of delivery of such impressions and/or clicks, the completion of Referral Events, or the amount of any payment to be made to You under this Agreement. In addition, for the avoidance of doubt, Google does not guarantee the Program will be operable at all times or during any down time (i) caused by outages to any public Internet backbones, networks or servers, (ii) caused by any failures of Your equipment, systems or local access services, (iii) for previously scheduled maintenance or (iv) relating to events beyond Google’s (or its wholly owned subsidiaries’) control such as strikes, riots, insurrection, fires, floods, explosions, war, governmental action, labor conditions, earthquakes, natural disasters, or interruptions in Internet services to an area where Google (or its wholly owned subsidiaries) or Your servers are located or co-located.

  9. No Warranty. GOOGLE MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WITH RESPECT TO ADVERTISING, LINKS, SEARCH, REFERRALS, AND OTHER SERVICES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS THE WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF NONINFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, AND FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. TO THE EXTENT ADS, LINKS, AND SEARCH RESULTS ARE BASED ON OR DISPLAYED IN CONNECTION WITH NON-GOOGLE CONTENT, GOOGLE SHALL NOT HAVE ANY LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE DISPLAY OF SUCH ADS, LINKS, AND SEARCH RESULTS.

  10. Limitations of Liability; Force Majeure. EXCEPT FOR ANY INDEMNIFICATION AND CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR YOUR BREACH OF ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND/OR PROPRIETARY INTERESTS RELATING TO THE PROGRAM, (i) IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, EVEN IF SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES AND NOTWITHSTANDING ANY FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF ANY LIMITED REMEDY AND (ii) GOOGLE'S AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO PUBLISHER UNDER THIS AGREEMENT FOR ANY CLAIM IS LIMITED TO THE NET AMOUNT PAID BY GOOGLE TO PUBLISHER DURING THE THREE MONTH PERIOD IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE CLAIM. Each party acknowledges that the other party has entered into this Agreement relying on the limitations of liability stated herein and that those limitations are an essential basis of the bargain between the parties. Without limiting the foregoing and except for payment obligations, neither party shall have any liability for any failure or delay resulting from any condition beyond the reasonable control of such party, including but not limited to governmental action or acts of terrorism, earthquake or other acts of God, labor conditions, and power failures.

  11. Payment. You shall receive a payment related to the number of valid clicks on Ads, the number of valid impressions of Ads, the number of valid completions of Referral Events initiated through Referral Buttons displayed in connection with Your Property(ies), and/or other events performed in connection with the display of Ads on Your Property(ies), in each case as determined by Google for its participants in the Program. If You have elected to receive Search Results, this payment will be offset by fees applicable to Search Results. Unless otherwise agreed to by the parties in writing (including by electronic mail), payments to You shall be sent by Google within approximately thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar month that Ads or Referral Buttons are running on Your Property or that Ads are running on Search Results Pages if Your earned balance is US $100 or more. In the event the Agreement is terminated, Google shall pay Your earned balance to You within approximately ninety (90) days after the end of the calendar month in which the Agreement is terminated by You (following Google's receipt of Your written request, including by email, to terminate the Agreement) or by Google. In no event, however, shall Google make payments for any earned balance less than US $10. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Google shall not be liable for any payment based on: (a) any amounts which result from invalid queries, invalid Referral Events, or invalid clicks or impressions on Ads generated by any person, bot, automated program or similar device, as reasonably determined by Google, including without limitation through any clicks or impressions (i) originating from Your IP addresses or computers under Your control, (ii) solicited by payment of money, false representation, or request for end users to click on Ads, or (iii) solicited by payment of money, false representation, or any illegal or otherwise invalid request for end users to complete Referral Events; (b) Ads or Referral Buttons delivered to end users whose browsers have JavaScript disabled; (c) Ads benefiting charitable organizations and other placeholder or transparent Ads that Google may deliver; or (d) clicks co-mingled with a significant number of invalid clicks described in (a) above, or as a result of any breach of this Agreement by You for any applicable pay period. Google reserves the right to withhold payment or charge back Your account due to any of the foregoing or any breach of this Agreement by You, pending Google's reasonable investigation of any of the foregoing or any breach of this Agreement by You, or in the event that an advertiser whose Ads are displayed in connection with Your Property(ies) defaults on payment for such Ads to Google. In addition, if You are past due on any payment to Google in connection with any Google program (including without limitation the Google AdWords program), Google reserves the right to withhold payment until all outstanding payments have been made or to offset amounts owed to You in connection with the Program by amounts owed by You to Google. To ensure proper payment, You are solely responsible for providing and maintaining accurate address and other contact information as well as payment information associated with Your account. For U.S. taxpayers, this information includes without limitation a valid U.S. tax identification number and a fully-completed Form W-9. For non-U.S. taxpayers, this information includes without limitation either a signed certification that the taxpayer does not have U.S. Activities (as described on the Google AdSense: Tax Information Page located at https://www.google.com/adsense/taxinfo, or such other URL as Google may provide from time to time) or a fully-completed Form W-8 or other form, which may require a valid U.S. tax identification number, as required by the U.S. tax authorities. Any bank fees related to returned or cancelled checks due to a contact or payment information error or omission may be deducted from the newly issued payment. You agree to pay all applicable taxes or charges imposed by any government entity in connection with Your participation in the Program. Google may change its pricing and/or payment structure at any time. If You dispute any payment made under the Program, You must notify Google in writing within thirty (30) days of any such payment; failure to so notify Google shall result in the waiver by You of any claim relating to any such disputed payment. Payment shall be calculated solely based on records maintained by Google. No other measurements or statistics of any kind shall be accepted by Google or have any effect under this Agreement. The payments made under this Agreement are for use by You only and may not be transferred or in any manner passed on to any third party (i.e., distributed to Properties managed by You that require separate payments) unless expressly authorized in writing by Google (including by electronic mail). From time to time Google may be holding funds, payments and other amounts due to You in connection with the AdSense Program. You acknowledge and agree that Google may, without further notice to You, contribute to a charitable organization selected by Google all funds, payments and other amounts related to the AdSense Program that are held by Google and that are due to you (if any), but which Google is unable to pay or deliver to You because Your account is Inactive (as defined below). "Inactive" means that, based on Google’s records: (a) for a period of two (2) years or more You have not logged into your account or accepted funds, payments or other amounts that Google has attempted to pay or deliver to You, and (b) Google has been unable to reach You, or has not received adequate payment instructions from You, after contacting You at the address shown in Google’s records.

  12. Publicity. You agree that Google may use Your name and logo in presentations, marketing materials, customer lists, financial reports, Web site listings of customers, Search Results Pages, and Referral Pages. If You wish to use Google's trade names, trademarks, service marks, logos, domain names, and other distinctive brand features ("Brand Features"), You may do so, so long as such use is in compliance with this Agreement and in compliance with Google's then current Brand Feature use guidelines, and any content contained or referenced therein, which guidelines may be found at the following URL: http://www.google.com/permissions/guidelines.html (or such other URL Google may provide from time to time).

  13. Representations and Warranties. You represent and warrant that (a) all of the information provided by You to Google to enroll in the Program is correct and current; (b) You are the owner of each Property or You are legally authorized to act on behalf of the owner of such Property(ies) for the purposes of this Agreement and the Program; (c) You have all necessary right, power, and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform the acts required of You hereunder; and (d) You have complied and will continue to comply with all applicable laws, statutes, ordinances, and regulations (including without limitation the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 and any relevant data protection or privacy laws) in Your performance of any acts hereunder. In addition, to the extent that Your Site is a media player (1) You represent and warrant that You have a valid license to use and distribute such media player (including all content therein, including without limitation any Ads or Ad Units) for the purposes of this Agreement and the Program; and (2) You shall ensure that any media player(s) that constitute the Site shall comply with the terms and conditions set forth herein. You further represent and warrant that each Property and any material displayed therein: (i) comply with all applicable laws, statutes, ordinances, and regulations; (ii) do not breach and have not breached any duty toward or rights of any person or entity including, without limitation, rights of intellectual property, publicity or privacy, or rights or duties under consumer protection, product liability, tort, or contract theories; and (iii) are not pornographic, hate-related or otherwise violent in content.

  14. Your Obligation to Indemnify. You agree to indemnify, defend and hold Google, its agents, affiliates, subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees, and applicable third parties (e.g. relevant advertisers, syndication partners, licensors, licensees, consultants and contractors) (collectively "Indemnified Person(s)") harmless from and against any and all third party claims, liability, loss, and expense (including damage awards, settlement amounts, and reasonable legal fees), brought against any Indemnified Person(s), arising out of, related to or which may arise from Your use of the Program, the Property(ies), and/or Your breach of any term of this Agreement.

  15. Google Rights. You acknowledge that Google owns all right, title and interest, including without limitation all Intellectual Property Rights (as defined below), in and to the Program (including Google's ad serving technology, search technology, referral technology, and Brand Features, including implied licenses, and excluding items licensed by Google from third parties and excluding any third party media player that may comprise the Property), and that You will not acquire any right, title, or interest in or to the Program except as expressly set forth in this Agreement. You will not modify, adapt, translate, prepare derivative works from, decompile, reverse engineer, disassemble or otherwise attempt to derive source code from any Google services, software, or documentation, or create or attempt to create a substitute or similar service or product through use of or access to the Program or proprietary information related thereto. You will not remove, obscure, or alter Google's copyright notice, Brand Features, or other proprietary rights notices affixed to or contained within any Google services, software, or documentation (including without limitation the display of Google’s Brand Features with Ads, Links, Search Boxes, Search Results, and/or Referral Buttons, as applicable). "Intellectual Property Rights" means any and all rights existing from time to time under patent law, copyright law, semiconductor chip protection law, moral rights law, trade secret law, trademark law, unfair competition law, publicity rights law, privacy rights law, and any and all other proprietary rights, as well as, any and all applications, renewals, extensions, restorations and re-instatements thereof, now or hereafter in force and effect worldwide.

  16. Information Rights. Google may retain and use, subject to the terms of the Google Privacy Policy (located at http://www.google.com/privacy.html, or such other URL as Google may provide from time to time), all information You provide, including but not limited to Property demographics and contact and billing information. You agree that Google may transfer and disclose to third parties personally identifiable information about You for the purpose of approving and enabling Your participation in the Program, including to third parties that reside in jurisdictions with less restrictive data laws than Your own. Google may also provide information in response to valid legal process, such as subpoenas, search warrants and court orders, or to establish or exercise its legal rights or defend against legal claims. Google disclaims all responsibility, and will not be liable to You, however, for any disclosure of that information by any such third party. Google may share non-personally-identifiable information about You, including Property URLs, Property-specific statistics and similar information collected by Google, with advertisers, business partners, sponsors, and other third parties. In addition, You grant Google the right to access, index and cache the Property(ies), or any portion thereof, including by automated means including Web spiders or crawlers.

  17. Miscellaneous. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of California, except for its conflicts of laws principles. The parties specifically exclude from application to the Agreement the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods and the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act. The parties agree that they will try in good faith to settle within thirty (30) days any dispute relating to this Agreement ("Dispute"). If the Dispute is not resolved within thirty (30) days after such Dispute arose, the Dispute must be resolved by arbitration. The arbitration will be submitted to the International Centre for Dispute Resolution of the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") and conducted in accordance with the Expedited Commercial Rules of the AAA in force as of the date of this Agreement ("Rules"). There will be one arbitrator selected by mutual agreement of the parties. The arbitration will be conducted in English and the place of arbitration will be in Santa Clara County, California, USA. Either party may, without waiving any remedy under this Agreement, apply to any court having jurisdiction for any interim, provisional or injunctive relief necessary to protect the rights or property of that party until the arbitration award is rendered or the Dispute is otherwise resolved. Any decision rendered by the arbitral tribunal will be final and binding on the parties, and judgment thereon may be entered by any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitral tribunal will be empowered to order equitable or injunctive relief consistent with the remedies and limitations set forth in this Agreement. The parties agree that all arbitral proceedings conducted pursuant to this Section, including the existence of any arbitral proceedings and information disclosed in the course of such arbitral proceedings, will be considered confidential information not to be disclosed to third paries. The parties may, however, disclose such information to an appropriate court under confidentiality restrictions, as is necessary to seek enforcement of any award rendered by the arbitral tribunal or to seek any relief permitted under the terms hereof. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. Any modifications to this Agreement must be made in a writing executed by both parties, by Your online acceptance of updated terms, or after Your continued participation in the Program after such terms have been updated by Google. The failure to require performance of any provision shall not affect a party's right to require performance at any time thereafter, nor shall a waiver of any breach or default of this Agreement constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach or default or a waiver of the provision itself. If any provision herein is held unenforceable, then such provision will be modified to reflect the parties' intention, and the remaining provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect. You may not resell, assign, or transfer any of Your rights hereunder. Any such attempt may result in termination of this Agreement, without liability to Google. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Google may assign this Agreement to any affiliate at any time without notice. The relationship between Google and You is not one of a legal partnership relationship, but is one of independent contractors.

2008-02-25

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Legitimate websites spreading viruses after being secretly hacked

(CNN) -- Internet researchers were scratching their heads over an attack that targeted some of the most popular sites on the Web with a trojan virus that exploits flaws in Microsoft's Internet Explorer Web browser.
The malware or virus doesn't affect Firefox, though it's probably because only Internet Explorer has all those security problems.

Several websites on the internet ( Web security company ScanSafe has reported a new mass infection of websites, which it claims accounts for 15% of the web traffic the company blocks.) are being targeted by unknown hackers.

They secretly hide a javascript code in the main pages of the website which detects which browser you are using and if it is Internet Explorer, it sends you a virus.

The script looks for various vulnerabilities specific to the visiting OS, and when it finds one pulls a .Mov file from the domain dedicated.abac.net. That in turn invokes a file from bds.invitations.fr, which installs a backdoor on end users' machines. Victims are unlikely to know they've been infected because the installation is clear and seamless, and the malware uses few PC resources. At last check, only three of 33 antivirus programs detected the malware, which appears to be a derivitive of the Rbot Trojan.

The outbreak coincides with another mass infection in progress that's infected tens of thousands of pages, including those of Boston University, security provider Computer Associates, and agencies from the state of Virginia and the city of Cleveland. It infects websites running Microsoft's Internet Information Server web program and the company's SQL database with links the redirect users to servers in China. The malicious sites then try to install keylogging software and other nasties.

Thanks to Mary Landesman of ScanSafe for the initial report on the topic

Crazy trick to autmatic lawn mowing

Is it time to mow the lawn again ? Here is a crazy trick to mow your lawn automatically.
First find a pole in the center of your lawn. Oh, you don't have one ? Then stick a pole in the center.

Wait, forget about it. This is not to be tried at home. It's too dangerous.

Just see what this genius did.

On second thoughts, maybe its not a genius who did it.

And its just plain crazy.

Well, don't do it.

DONT TRY THIS AT HOME !

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Who is Funda Arar ?

Well do you want to know who is Funda Arar ? Well, here she is - A Turskish singer from Istanbul, Turkey.

She was born in Ankara and spent the early part of her childhood there,and the later part of it in Muğla and Adapazarı. She studied at Istanbul Technical University's music conservatory, specializing in the mandolin.

She is not related to the word funda - meaning a fundamental truth which hits you with a brainwave and you think that it is the most wonderful idea ever seen. But more about her, if you please.

Being a singer, she obviously had lots of famous albums,and her first album Sevgilerde, came out in 2000 and became a big hit, especially the song "Aysel".

Sevgiliye
was released a year later and included hits like "Seni Düşünürüm" and "Cesminaz" in collaboration with Kıraç.

Alagül and Sevda Yanığı, her third and fourth albums came out in 2002 and 2003 which had the songs "Haberin Var mı?", "Aşksız Kal".

Arar's newest album Son Dans, was released in March 2006 following a long break.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Hardware : USB antivirus

Do you get some virus anywhere you take your USB drive ?

Did my critical data in flash drive get erased by a virus ?

How do you prevent viruses and trojans from a computer and from USB drives ?

Here is the USB solution - USB antivirus.

It is not very useful for me - I don't need hardware to remove viruses. I use software - I'll tell you how in a future article on www.fundazone.com or johndasfundas.blogspot.com

But for those who can afford it and need to keep their data safe from viruses, trojans and spyware, this may be useful.

If you use your pen drive in many different computers it is safe to have the latest antivirus updated definitions. Still some new viruses may escape.

This USB pen drive antivirus removes viruses from your computer

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Today's fortune: My orkut text is reversed

Did any of you have this particular problem ? A webpage showing text in the reverse direction.

In your orkut home page, the Today's Fortune and a few recent visitors are displayed in the reverse direction. Mirrored.

I had this problem too but solved it - for the time being. In my orkut home page

This profile has this problem too !

How to fix the reversed text in orkut home.aspx page ?

In your browser (Internet Explorer or Firefox ),


Internet Explorer
      • Click View > Encoding > Western European (Windows)
Mozilla Firefox

      • Click View > Character Encoding > Western (ISO-8859-1)



Here is the trick to link to your profile page in orkut.

Orkut-script javascript: Best and worst profile , album or scrapbook

Saturday, January 19, 2008

How to block Navigation bar on top on blogspot (next blog link)

The "Next Blog" link on the Navbar makes your blog part of the blogosphere. Someone clicking on "Next Blog" from their blog (or a third party's) randomly lands on your blog. The random nature - never the same blogs twice - makes the "Next Blog" appealing, and provides readers to new blogs.

But the random nature is a double edged sword. You never know where you're going, when you click there. Sometimes, you end up where you don't want to go. If you have a blog targeted to those of impressionable minds (children for instance), you may not want the readers of your blog next blogging from yours.

So you block the Navbar on your blog. Find the 3 lines of code shown below, that are in the template now, and add the first line of code to immediately precede them. This will be at the end of the blog header, just before the blog body. In a normal template, and without "Expand Widget Templates" selected, this will be 4/5 towards the bottom of the template. Backup the template, before, and after, you make this modification!


#navbar-iframe {height:0px;visibility:hidden;display:none} <== Add this line,
]]> <== immediately above
<== these 3 lines,
<== that are already there.


Now, no next blog surfing from your blog (though still possible from others). And now, your blog becomes less of a member of the Blogosphere. You're getting readers (from other Bloggers using "Next Blog" to click to yours), but you're not providing readers to other blogs (from other Bloggers potentially using "Next Blog" to click from yours).

Blogger Support says :
While it's not officially against our TOS, we discourage folks from removing it because we think it's a great feature with more improvements to come.
Follow the above instructions at your own peril, as Blogger controls the TOS and has been known to change it. Their ball, their ball game.

Thinnovation - Why is the MacBook Air so thin ?


Why , or rather how is the MacBook Air so thin ? How can a computer fit into that space ?

Here's the real deal :

This is how it's done.
  • No CD drive
  • Thinnovation
  • A smaller Intel Core 2 duo micro processor

Amazingly thin. Amazingly full-size.

The thinness of MacBook Air is stirring. But perhaps more impressive, there’s a full-size notebook encased in the 0.16 to 0.76 inch of sleek, sturdy anodized aluminum. And at just 3.0 pounds,1 MacBook Air is more than portable — it’s with you everywhere you go.


A no-compromise display.

The glossy 13.3-inch, widescreen LED backlit MacBook Air display is the same viewable size as the screen on MacBook. The 1280-by-800 resolution gives you vibrant images and rich colors at full brightness the moment you open MacBook Air. So you get full-screen performance with all the benefits of a slim design.


Enjoy !!!

  • Keyboard 1
  • Keyboard 2
  • Keyboard 3
  • Keyboard 4
Video !!!
  • Keyboard Illumination QTVR

MacBook Air - see the advertisement

MacBook Air - see the advertisement

It's razor-thin and looks great and of course we all know that Apple is going to sell a gazillion of them. Yet another gadget from Apple - the company that brought us the iPod, iPhone, iMac and such stylish stuff.





Want to buy a Macbook ???

MacBook Air - see the advertisement

MacBook Air - see the advertisement

It's razor-thin and looks great and of course we all know that Apple is going to sell a gazillion of them.

See through, transparent desktop wallpaper - laptop actually


Now this is a wallpaper. Transparent so that you ca see behind your computer - hey that's not possible.

Now, how is this done ???

Firstly, is it possible to just take a photo of what is behind the computer and use it as a wallpaper ?

It is possible, but very difficult to get it right .


How is this picture done ???

very simple. Just take a photo of the place and take a separate picture of the laptop. Then using a photo editing software, cut out the laptop without the actual background and put it over the other image . Confusing ?


Just cut and paste buddy, CUT and PASTE.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Scam Spam - You won a lottery - oh no , not again !!

Here is some scam spam I received !!!!


#15 Oxford Street Liverpool L2 5QQ
United Kingdom





This is to inform you that you have won a prize money of Two Hundred and Fifty Five Thousand Great Britain Pounds (GBP255,000) for the Month of January, 2008 Prize Promotion which is Organized by YAHOO,and MSN/HOTMAIL

YAHOO! MSN/HOTMAIL! collects all the email addresses of the people that are active online, among the millions that subscribed to Yahoo and Msn/Hotmail. Six people are selected monthly to benefit from this promotion and you are one of the Selected Winners.

PAYMENT OF PRIZE AND CLAIM

Winners shall be paid in accordance with his/her Settlement Center. Yahoo Award must be claimed no later than 15 days from date of Draw Notification. Any prize not claimed within this period will be forfeited.

Stated below are your identification numbers:

BATCH NUMBER: YM 09102XN
REFERENCE NUMBER: YM35447XN
PIN: YM09788

These numbers fall within the England Location file, you are requested to contact our fiduciary agent in Liverpool and send your winning identification numbers to him;

Agent Name: Rev. James Frank White
E-Mail: rev.jameswhite011@yahoo.co.uk
Tel: +44 702 4028186

You are advised to send your winning numbers to your claims agent immediately for the neccessary guidelines on how to get your prize.


Congratulations!! once again.
Yours in service,


Prof. (Mrs) Rosemary Clark
...................................................................................................................................................


WARNING!

Do not tell people about your Prize Award until your money is successfully handed over to you to avoid disqualification that may arise from double claim.

You may also receive similar e-mails from people portraying to be other Organizations or Yahoo Inc. This is solely to collect your personal information from you and lay claim over your winning. In event that you receive any e-mail similar to the notification letter that was sent to you, Kindly forward a copy to us and delete it from your mail box and give no further correspondence to such person or body.
Yahoo shall not be held responsible for any loss of fund arising from the above mentioned