Downadup virus exposes millions of PCs to hijack

Read this news from CNN. Make sure your computer has the latest Windows update and virus scan program.

Cloud Computing

One of the thing I will pay more attention this year is cloud computing:
Amazon web services
Microsoft Windows® Azure

Blue Screen of Death

For a long time, I did not get Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) on my computer. I got one last week. As I recounted, I did not install any thing on my laptop. The last software installed on my laptop was Google Chrome about two weeks ago. Now, BSOD appeared twice yesterday and one this morning.

stop 0x0000008e (0xc0000005, 0xBF952937, 0xa854cc00, 0x00000000)

win32k.sys - address BF952937 base at BF800000 DateStamp 48ce513a

Hit F12 on restart to diagnostic. Nothing wrong. I guessed it could be the memory card. Time to shopping for a new memory DRAM.

Update 01/04/2009: After I uninstalled Google Chrome, BSOD went away.

Free Rice

FreeRice has two goals:

1. Provide education to everyone for free.
2. Help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free.

Click here to learn and to help the hungry people.

Netbook vs. laptop vs. smart phone

From BusinessWeek "Netbook Sales May Be Cutting Demand For Laptop PCs"

Netbooks typically cost $300 to $500, but prices may slide. Wireless companies such as AT&T (T) and Verizon Wireless may subsidize netbooks if customers sign up for service contracts, just as they do with mobile phones. That could drop netbook prices to as little as $100. AT&T says it's "looking at" making such offers; Verizon Wireless declined to comment.

Yes, the netbooks may cut the demand for laptop for small screen size 14 inches or a desktop but not with the large screen size laptop. If I have a smart phone like iphone with me, why bother to carry with additional devices such as netbook, ipod and digital camera?

Playing with Microsoft SQL Server 2008

First, try to download SQL Express 2008 from Microsoft web site. Tired of waiting, click cancel. Back again to the Microsoft SQL Server homepage to looking the DVD. After logged in, filedl out some information, abort when the USD$ 5.00 shipping charge appeared.

Let fool around the other place!

From Microsoft web site:

Which edition of SQL Server 2008 Express is right for you?

SQL Server 2008 Express is available in the following 3 editions (each is available from the Install Wizard):

SQL Server 2008 Express 

SQL Server database engine - create, store, update and retrieve your data 

SQL Server 2008 Express with Tools 

SQL Server database engine - create, store, update and retrieve your data 

SQL Server Management Studio Basic - visual database management tool for creating, editing and managing databases

Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 Express with Advanced Services 

SQL Server database engine - create, store, update and retrieve your data 

SQL Server Management Studio Basic - visual database management tool for creating, editing and managing databases 

Full-text Search - powerful, high-speed engine for searching text-intensive data 

Reporting Services - integrated report creation and design environment to create reports

TechNet Evaluation Center 

Microsoft TechDays 08

Huh. It took me about 15 minutes to drive around for a parking space. I learn something new and useful such as NET 4.0, SQL2008, VS2010, ... from TechDays. I love it.