Calling All Computer Boffins

**NickA** · 12-09-2006, 09:22 AM

McAfee instead of AVG, I have experience of the former working when the latter didn't.

^Yes, azureus is essential, I've just started using it after using many other torrent clients and it certainly is the best I've used so far.

**benbaaa** · 12-09-2006, 09:23 AM

I haven't chosen an internet package yet - I'm gonna speak to my mate who loves 100 yards away and see what he's got - he's away on holidays at the mo.

**ChiangMai noon** · 12-09-2006, 09:25 AM

Yes, azureus is essential, I've just started using it after using many other torrent clients and it certainly is the best I've used so far.

Nick, maybe you can help me.
Whenever I click to download a torrent, I'm getting a shortcut of the download on my desktop, you know, the little blue frog icon.
How can i stop that?

**NickA** · 12-09-2006, 11:24 AM

I'm not at home now so I'm not sure - but there should be some option of where you save the .torrent files, not the actual downloads, but the information about the downloads. At the moment you must have this set to your desktop - change it to some other directory "/azureus/torrents" would do.

**Marmite the Dog** · 12-09-2006, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by benbaaa

XP Professional or XP Home? Why?

Both are free, so just go with the Pro version.

**keda** · 12-09-2006, 11:35 AM

What's this about a 1 year guarantee?

**mrsquirrel** · 12-09-2006, 01:57 PM

Are you using Fireofx CMN

Check to see where it is saving your DL's too.

probably the desktop

Have you test ridden that bloody bike yet?

**ChiangMai noon** · 12-09-2006, 01:59 PM

Have you test ridden that bloody bike yet?

Nbot yet.
I'm a bit drunk you see.

**NickA** · 12-09-2006, 02:42 PM

Here's the bit in Azureus....

You probably need to change the Save Directory.

If that doesn't solve it, then squirrel is probably right, you've probably got Firefox downloading to the desktop....

Just go to Firefox options, click on the Download tab and then click the Ask me every time box...

If that doesn't work.....

**ChiangMai noon** · 12-09-2006, 02:47 PM

thanks nick

**friscofrankie** · 12-09-2006, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by benbaaa

kinda like the idea of a brand name that I've heard of, and I'm not sure I want to end up with some Heath Robinson affair knocked up by Somchai.

Your HP was knocked together by either somchai of Xing Ping out of the same components. Ever hear of Seagate?, Azus? ATI? Lite On? Logitech, Samsung? the list goes on. These are the same damn components that will be in your HP.
You will get a better warranty, one you can use in get results with in minutes with a local builder. There is no real "building" more assembly, hell BB I can show you how to assemble a PC if a few minutes. I've seen people have problems with HPs in the US that took them months to sort out. eventually culminating in a new PC and total loss of data.
I have supervised the purchase of Thousands of PC (no exaggeration), for large companies with the resources to pay for an on-site two hour response from companies like HP will do fine but guys like you will be better served with a local builder.
As far as software goes for the OS get XP Pro, just because it's gonna be free

. The other stuff is personal preference. MS office is a no brainer, but star office is getting better. As far as virus protection I agree with one of the above posters get McAfee, I've been using it since it came on a 5" floppy for 99 cents. I rarely use windows and have only the included "firewall" on it. I still prefer a decent ADSL router/modem combination with a configurable firewall in it. The local firewalls are really more of an activity monitor and can be a real pain in the ass, I would defer to one of the "Windows Gurus" on this, I will ask the person I think is best qualified to answer this.

In my previous profession Firewalls are one of the things I did, and they certainly didn't reside inside the private network. A real firewall sits "over there" while the PC sits "over here." That's just professional arrogance, though. Alot of the "routers" come with zone alarm installed on them with client software for pretty complete coverage.

When considering to "Name Brand" or not to "Name Brand" consider this. The fool that assembled your "Name Brand" PC is 100 Baht a day worker with little of not PC knowledge, he/she is just a line worker in some factory in some shit-hole TWC; Somchai, down the street, is probably a PC geek that loves tinkerin with this shit and is pretty knowledgeable in comparison. Buy from either and there will be a certain amount of tuning that could and should be done.

When I setup (Build) a PC I get it set up and use it, I don't tinker the machine is a tool. I setup the machine I'm using over a year ago and I have used it maybe 12 - 16 hours a day 5 - 6 days a week since. It cost me less than 20K including the 17 LCD monitor. I have only once opened the case to add components.

Unless you're a corporation buying 100s of desktop PCs there really is no advantage going with more expensive name brands. if you were purchasing a laptop I would encourage you to buy name brand but not for desktops. It's your money, spend it as you see fit; but really, why waste it? The extra 10 - 12K is several trips (barfine and "extras" included) down to the Foxy Lady, you know...

**man with no head** · 12-09-2006, 03:47 PM

Man, I can't wait until I get to Thailand. Sounds like there's a decent market for expats who need professionally built PCs by another native speaker of English.

If I was there I'd set you up in a heartbeat. As it is, I'd recommend a custom build from a local shop that has a good reputation per the advice of FF.

**benbaaa** · 12-09-2006, 04:08 PM

Sold, Frankie. Expect a call in the next couple of weeks...

**NickA** · 12-09-2006, 04:25 PM

^^Just a quick question FF, what security software do you have/need for linux?

I'm currently only running a firewall (firestarter) and a do a virus check with Klamav every so often, but I don't have any of the other stuff - adaware, spyware, mcafee, etc... - that I had on windows. Is there any need for it?

(PS, I thought you'd like that CMN, cos I put some pictures for you

)

**man with no head** · 12-09-2006, 04:34 PM

I have a router with a firewall enabled and that's the extent of my security (I use XP, just never cared for Linux). My personal crap is never saved on my main machine and I don't run AV/spyware software since I don't put my machine where it shouldn't belong

You know, it's funny. 50-75% of the machines I work on have some form of virus or spyware on them. Probably 25% of them I have seen it more than once despite telling the customer what to do and what not to do. It's like people don't want to take advice when they are paying for it. Beats me, I rarely see a computer that isn't infected.

Since my wife came to the U.S. I gave her a few instructions. She uses my machine here and I have yet to get a single infection.

**friscofrankie** · 12-09-2006, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by NickA

^^Just a quick question FF, what security software do you have/need for linux?

Originally Posted by surasak

a router with a firewall enabled and that's the extent of my security

This is a very good answer. Although i disagree with not having a basic virus protection on a windows machine I have absolutely nothing on my Linux machine I have thought about it and there are various viruses that will attack *nix machines but without an entry point it is difficult to become infected. If you download alot of binaries or source code from shady sources you might want a AV daemon running on your machine.

I do have ports locked down and I run a few, er somewhat intrusive, security analyzers on my building's network just to see what my neighbors are up to. I do not run SAMBA nor do I have NFS, telenet daemons running, My SQL server responds only to localhost, my webserver cannot run system commands nor can it execute anything as 'root', things like that. if you're interested I have an Ebook, or two, on Securing Linux I could get to you somehow. Think one book covers desktop and servers.
I will say that a 'router' with firewall is absoluitely the best investment when buying home network hardware. Switches, wireless and otherwise, all are neat toys but a decent HW firewall should be a priority for everyone irregardless of OS.

most AV daemons for linux are target at the mail server market to clean emails being routed through them. There just aren;t that many viruses out there targeting Linux there are viruses that will attack any machine no matter what the OS but then they need a host application to ride into the system. Boot sector viruses can be loadd from booting with a floppy in the drive though. This could possibly hose your system. Then again, you gotta introduce it into your system to get it on a floppy somehow.

Couple of linux antivirus sites
(I don't use any of these and have exoperience with only one in the past.)
ClamAV™: Project News command line scanner. you could set it up to run from your init - GPL
F-Prot Antivirus Products - Products Overview - Detailed product information on F-Prot Antvirus for Windows, Linux, BSD, Exchange, AIX, Solaris and DOS as well as F-Prot AVES anti-virus and anti-spam email filtering service I've used this (long time ago) They have a few products for SALE not sure about single user license
Free Linux Antivirus Freeware BitDefender: Download Anti-Virus Software, PC Protection Program, Scanning AV Scanner No fuckng clue about this one...
I agree with this quote:

Originally Posted by http://librenix.com

Are Linux Antivirus Products Worthwhile?
I've had multiple networked Linux boxes for over nine years and I haven't had a virus or worm on one of them yet -- all without the help of the AV industry.

Since there are so few Linux viruses in the wild, who knows if the products actually work?. At best, the Linux antivirus hawkers are jumping the gun -- trying to capture a market that isn't quite there yet. At worst, they're advancing a cynical ploy to separate Linux newbies from their cash for something they couldn't possibly need.

Are Linux Antivirus Products Worthwhile?

**Butterfly** · 12-09-2006, 05:19 PM

Surasak, it's because people don't want to learn boring computer stuff. It's more fun downloading the lastest MS or AOL gadgets that will open all kind of vulnerabilities and fuck you up in the ass.

We shouldn't let the mass use computers. I am all for some kind of driving license to use a computer. AOLers are the reasons why software companies are not offering free technical support anymore like in the old days.

**flash** · 12-09-2006, 05:42 PM

my friend just did that driving licience thing, it's very basic.

**man with no head** · 12-09-2006, 05:44 PM

Oh, I agree. But were it not for the idiots I'd have to find something else to do

Funny thing is those people who throw away a computer because it's 'broken.' I end up getting a bunch of free stuff because of this, and, it won't be long before the moron hoses their new computer with millions of viruses.

My record for viruses on a single computer was almost 50,000. The thing was miserable to use, but, I managed to clean it up without having to reinstall Windows.

**Butterfly** · 12-09-2006, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by surasak

I end up getting a bunch of free stuff because of this, and, it won't be long before the moron hoses their new computer with millions of viruses.

It's already happening. I see more and more people dumping their 50,000 THB laptop because they can't fix it or don't find anyone to fix it quickly.

Funny how people don't want to pay 5,000 THB for service but will spend 50,000 THB on a new laptop to fix their problems.

Penny wise, pound fools.

**Little Chuchok** · 12-09-2006, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by Butterfly

Surasak, it's because people don't want to learn boring computer stuff. It's more fun downloading the lastest MS or AOL gadgets that will open all kind of vulnerabilities and fuck you up in the ass.

We shouldn't let the mass use computers. I am all for some kind of driving license to use a computer. AOLers are the reasons why software companies are not offering free technical support anymore like in the old days.

That may well be true butterfly, but if you are two sandwiches short of a picnic (like I am when it comes to computers,) then it all becomes too hard....

**RDN** · 12-09-2006, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by Thetyim

Originally Posted by RDN

The last link above has it for 23,500 baht but with a CRT monitor.

It's 23,500 without a monitor

Ah, so the Monitor is an extra 4,400 baht. That makes sense! I read it that the word "Option" belonged to the "Graphics 256MB with TV-out".

HP Pavilion a1389L Intel DUO Core 2.8GHz, 1GB DDR2 RAM, HDD 160GB, DVDｱRW Supermulti Drive, ATI Radeon X1300 Pro PCI-Express Graphics 256MB with TV-out Option MX705 17 inch CRT Monitor 4,400 ｺﾒｷ

**Butterfly** · 12-09-2006, 06:28 PM

It's not a bad price for a brand name, but again why would you want to buy a brand name for a desktop and spend 30k for a worthless PC you are going to throw out in the garbage in 2 years time.

**NickA** · 12-09-2006, 06:47 PM

Cheers Frankie, I kinda guessed that when I couldn't find much about that kind of software that I didn't need it - just thought I'd check.

**Curious George** · 12-09-2006, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by benbaaa

Sold, Frankie. Expect a call in the next couple of weeks...

Excellent choice to take FF's advice. HP used to make enviable precision instruments and commercial computers with unmatched service support. When they started making consumer PCs and printers, everything went down hill with the poorest support in the industry. I no longer would consider purchasing any HP product!

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