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Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

Testing Linux Mint 18

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I’ve been testing various versions of Linux Mint 18 (Cinnamon, KDE, XFCE) with an eye on possibly making it my main distro.
A few thoughts…
– It is wicked fast in a VM.
– I love everything about Cinnamon except the start menu. I don’t like that at all.
– The XFCE version is sluggish?
– The KDE version is good but openSUSE 42.2 comes out in 2 months. That has been my distro of choice for years.
– As of this writing the newest Firefox version Mint offers is 48. That is THREE versions and 1 month behind (48.0.1/48.0.2/49.0). Why?
– I love the fact they aren’t trying to ram BTRFS down my throat.

Any thoughts or tips?

Wednesday Random Stuff…

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They Just Keep Getting Faster And More Affordable
Anandtech – Samsung Announces 960 PRO And 960 EVO M.2 PCIe SSDs
Ars Technica – Samsung unveils crazy-fast 960 Pro and 960 Evo M.2 NVMe SSDs
Out in October. The only M2 slot I have is on my laptop. For me, I don’t know if is worth the upgrade from my 850 EVO as far as real world use. But it is tempting…

Wise Disk Cleaner Updated
Version 9.29 is out:
– Fixed the issue of unable to run properly in limited account.
– Updated various translations. Minor GUI improvements.
Download

EMDB 2.57
Eric’s Movie Database has been updated (not this Eric). Several fixes.
“EMDB is an application to keep track of your movie and TV Series collection.”
Download & Info

Tails 2.6
“Tails is a live operating system, that you can start on almost any computer from a DVD, USB stick, or SD card. It aims at preserving your privacy and anonymity”
Download & Info

Remove software related to the Windows 10 free upgrade offer

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Microsoft has a new Windows update that removes most GWX stuff from Windows 7 and 8.1.
“This update removes the Get Windows 10 app and other software related to the Windows 10 free upgrade offer that expired on July 29, 2016. ”
KB3184143 – Remove software related to the Windows 10 free upgrade offer

This update replaces the following previously-released software:
KB 3035583 — Update installs Get Windows 10 app in Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 SP1
KB 3064683 — Windows 8.1 OOBE modifications to reserve Windows 10
KB 3072318 — Update for Windows 8.1 OOBE to upgrade to Windows 10
KB 3090045 — Windows Update for reserved devices in Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 SP1
KB 3123862 — Updated capabilities to upgrade Windows 8.1 and Windows 7
KB 3173040 — Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 SP1 end of free upgrade offer notification
KB 3146449 — Updated Internet Explorer 11 capabilities to upgrade Windows 8.1 and Windows 7

Like everything else Microsoft does these days this is incomplete. Geeks have done their own research and come up with there own list to uninstall.
I did this via a Batch file, Remove And Block GWX In Windows 7. I included the updates I thought were important to remove. I’m going to revise it one more time this evening.
See this MDL forum thread for a bigger list: MDL – Remove Telemetry and Windows 10 Related Updates from Windows 7

Monday Random Stuff…

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“I think you have to be 8 different kinds of stupid to put your house or car on a network.” – TweakHound
Ransomware’s next target: Your car and your home
“The concept of today’s ransomware is to lock your data to ransom. But what we’re showing here is that the data is almost irrelevant — it’s the device we’re locking up: connected medical devices, home routers, cars; it’s the device,”
*edit 1728hrs – Rich G. provided a link to this article: Don’t Connect Your Phone To Rental Cars
“The researchers bought an infotainment system on eBay and hacked it to discover that MirrorLink’s two security methods could be overcome since (a) bypassing information was already published online and (b) passwords were stored in unencrypted plaintext. The result was that hackers could “eavesdrop on and inject” malware into the vehicle’s brain, the Controller Area Network, which could pose both a privacy risk as well as a personal safety risk.”

Ultimate Windows Tweaker 4.2.1 for Windows 10
“We’ve released version 4.2.1 to fix this bug related to privacy settings.”
Download
I use this for minor tweaks. Stay away from the Performance tab. Most of you TweakHound regulars already know this.
Speaking of which…

OMG
In the last week or so few Geek type sites have reviewed and approved of some tweaking software that claims to speed up or optimize your PC (different sites, different software).
No…
Just…
No.

Tor Browser Critical Update
A critical vulnerability was patched. This vulnerability still exists in Firefox proper and will be patched tomorrow.
Download Tor Browser
Firefox 49 is actually up on the mirrors but has not been officially released.
Download 32-bit(en-US)
Download 64-bit(en-US)
Download other systems and languages (copy/paste the appropriate link, substitute “49.0” for “48.0.2”)
Release Notes
ff49_hdttednci

Random Thursday Stuff…

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Chrome Updated…Again
“The stable channel has been updated to 53.0.2785.116 for Windows, Mac, and Linux. This will roll out over the coming days/weeks.”
I dig the first comment!
Download

One More Reason To Switch uBlock
iVerge – Adblock Plus now sells ads.
Yeah, I know sites need ads to make money. I have ads on this site to try and break even. Last I checked 40% of you were blocking ads. Many of you have contributed through buying a Tweak Guide or donating. I use an ad blocker. uBlock Origin in Firefox (both phone and desktop) and the Samsung Browser on my phone. Ironically enough the Samsung Browser uses Adblock. And yes, I whitelist sites.
Download and info for uBlock Origin.
[Read more…] about Random Thursday Stuff…

Random Weekend Stuff…

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The NFL is back baby!
#HTTR

FYI, BBC America has a Star Trek marathon going this weekend. I’m watching “The Changeling” as I type this. http://www.bbcamerica.com/schedule

USB Killer
“a seemingly innocuous USB stick that fries nearly any device it’s inserted into with a bolt of electricity.”
https://www.usbkill.com/usb-killer/8-usb-killer.html
Backordered. I did the combo deal. It is $64 U.S. shipped.
[Read more…] about Random Weekend Stuff…

Sour Apple

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This is why I don’t like Apple, never have liked Apple, never will like Apple:
iVerge: Apple says it took ‘courage’ to remove the headphone jack on the iPhone 7. Yes, really
Apple is removing the headphone jack from the iPhone. When rationalizing it Phil Schiller, Apple’s marketing chief said,
“The reason to move on: courage. The courage to move on and do something new that betters all of us,”
Bro, even iVerge is calling you out.
[Read more…] about Sour Apple

Acronis True Image And Win10

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A few people asked me about using Acronis True Image and Win10.
First as I have stated repeatedly, I DO NOT install it. I only use the boot disk.
So, I have been using Acronis True Image 2015 since it came out. It has worked fine with Win10 UEFI and not, dual boot and not.
I just purchased TI 2017 and ditto there.
I don’t what else to say but if you have questions just ask.
And please, if you are gonna buy it use the link here so I get a commission.