This week we learned how to tell what type of memory Linux PCs have installed, manage iPods with MediaMonkey, clean up a messy Internet Explorer context menu, convert a PowerPoint 2010 presentation to video, switch Windows 7 to the XP Style Alt-Tab switcher, and more.

Photo by Dunechaser.

Weekly Feature

If you are wanting a splash screen that adds a touch of style your Ubuntu systems, then here is one worth taking a look at. Ubuntu sunrise plymouth comes with the necessary files and installation/setup instructions.

Photo by dinin.

Ubuntu sunrise plymouth GNOME Splash Screen

Random Geek Links

Photo by Microsoft (courtesy of Softpedia).

• Microsoft Drives the Last Nail into Waledac’s Coffin
  Microsoft is close to gaining permanent ownership of the 276 domains used by the Waledac botnet (making sure that they will never be used for cybercrime again).
• DLL hole now affects EXE files
  DLL libraries are not alone in being vulnerable; EXE files also appear to be affected and the DLL workarounds proposed by Microsoft do not help.
• Microsoft investigates public IE CSS XSS flaw; Twitter, Hotmail vulnerable
  A security flaw in Internet Explorer 8 can allow attackers to steal private information from online services such as web mail and Twitter by compromising the same-origin policy.
• Adobe warns of zero day vulnerability in Reader and Acrobat
  Adobe is warning  of a new vulnerability in Adobe Reader and Acrobat (9.3.4 and earlier) which is already being exploited by attackers to infect Windows PCs using specially crafted PDF files.
• New email worm on the move
  A new fast-moving virus known as the “Here you have” virus reportedly has multiple variants and includes links to supposed sex movies and an online document.
• Office for the iPad? Or are Office Web Apps good enough?
  Read through Mary-Jo Foley’s thoughts about Office & Office Web Apps on non-PC/Mac devices.
• No, you don’t own it: Court upholds EULAs, threatens digital resale
  Getting ready to sell that older software you have on eBay? You might want to rethink things before doing so.
• Broadcom swims upstream, tackles Linux WiFi woes with new open drivers
  Broadcom has announced the initial release of its new open source wireless drivers for Linux.
• Why a school beats Facebook: how behaviors spread through networks
  A new study in Science set out to determine how behaviors travel through these social networks, and how the topology of the networks affects the diffusion of the behaviors.

Geek Video of the Week

Our hero has just managed to save the princess but is unable to move onto the next level. Watch as he finds the solution to his dilemma!

Photo by studioJOHO.

DAN the MAN

Sysadmin Geek Tips

• Convert a Batch (BAT) Script to an Executable (EXE) File
  With this script you can easily build your own executable file from a batch file, complete with required embedded tools.
• Upload Files to an FTP Site via a Batch Script
  This script can be used from the command line as a ‘no questions asked’ method of uploading one or many files with a single command. Additionally, you can call this script from batch files to perform automated file uploads.
• Automating the Process of Deleting Old Log Files
  See how to easily remove old log files to keep your system nice and tidy.
• Automated Strategies for Managing Outdated Backup Files
  There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution for automating the process of deleting expired backup files. Depending on the backup procedure and file naming convention of your resulting backup files, the applicable method differs. See several simple solutions which fit the most common backup scenarios.

The Geek on Lifehacker

The command line isn’t just for wise Linux beards. It’s actually an awesome tool with almost limitless functionality. Here’s a primer on how it works, and how you can do almost anything with it.

A Command Line Primer for Beginners

Random TinyHacker Links

• Top Notepad Alternatives
  A list of alternative tools to Windows Notepad.
• Make Firefox Run Faster On Netbooks
  A super-comprehensive guide on making Firefox run smoothly on Netbooks.
• SimpleNote is a Cool Note Taking App
  A nifty app to take notes on your computer as well your phone, and keep them in sync.
• Use BlipSnips to Bookmark Parts of a Video
  Learn how to bookmark and share certain parts of a video using BlipSnips.
• Changing Default Search Provider in IE
  A tutorial on how to change the default search provider in Internet Explorer.

Super User Questions

New popular questions and answers for you from Super User’s top questions of the week.

• Can we use Windows 7 Home Premium for work?
• Choosing version of Windows 7
• Quickest way to see hidden files on Windows?
• Stopping kids from using a machine for illegal activities?
• How can I create two identical aliases in bash?

Latest Reviews at How-To Geek

Enjoy reading through this week’s software review.

• SlimDrivers Beta Provides Automatic Updates for Your Windows PC
  SlimDrivers is a utility currently in Public Beta that allows you to easily update your computer hardware drivers. It provides an easy way to update PC drivers, back them up, roll them back if they don’t work, and allows you to schedule updates as well.

How-To Geek Weekly Article Recap

Here are the hottest articles for the week at How-To Geek.

• How to Change the Priority of Wired/Wireless Network Cards in Windows
• Take Control of a Netbook or Laptop Touchpad while Typing
• How to Organize Your Programs in the Windows 7 Taskbar
• How to Save Time by Automating Tedious Tasks with AutoHotkey
• Make Windows 7 Start Menu Search Find Your Applications Faster

One Year Ago on How-To Geek

Another great batch of articles from last year for you to enjoy.

• ChromePlus – Enhanced Version of Chromium Browser
• Easily Backup & Import Your Wireless Network Settings in Windows 7
• Resize Your Photos with Easy Thumbnails
• Create Charts in Excel 2007 the Easy Way with Chart Advisor
• Import an Access Database into Excel

The Geek Note

That wraps things up for this week. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and if you have not done so yet, then stop by our new ETC Section to see our growing collection of random geeky links and news.

Got a great tip? Make sure to send it in to us at tips@howtogeek.com.

Photo by Lizette Greco.