GT500.org blog

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.19

GT500 — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 04:20:19 GMT

Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware 1.19 has been released, and with it are a few changes to GT500.org.

Firstly, Marcin (the lead developer) now has direct FTP access to upload new releases and database updates to my site.

Secondly, Marcin has edited my Malwarebytes page to make it easier to read, and have a download button. He has also added a new page dedicated to downloading the latest database.

Lastly, GT500.org is now the official download location for the latest database installer, which Marcin will be uploading each time it is updated.

You can download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware here

Malwarebytes' Anti-Mailware 1.16 Released

GT500 — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:27:51 GMT

It's been a while since I've posted anything, but don't worry, I'm still here.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware just released version 1.16 last night. You can download it from the GT500.org mirror. Current Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware users just need to run the update, and it will download and install on it's own.

If you are a user for Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Vista then I highly recomend Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. It's great at detecting some of the latest threats, and it's detection capability supplement any of the other major anti-malware utilities.

I don't drink beer...

GT500 — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 03:53:48 GMT

Readers of my RSS feed will have to visit my blog to watch the video...

Video - Opera passing Acid3, Opera passing Acid2, and Opera loading Google Maps with ease.

GT500 — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 21:14:03 GMT

This is the video I promised showcasing the publicly released preview of Opera's internal build that passes Acid3. I decided to not only show it passing Acid3, but Acid2 as well, and I wanted to show how much more efficient it is on Google Maps (at least until Google breaks it, like they so love to do to Opera users).

For more info on what the Acid tests are, you may visit AcidTests.org.

If you want a direct download of this video, you can get it here (~10MB). To view a Flash-based version, simply read on. RSS feed readers will have to visit the blog to view the embedded video.

A New Addition...

GT500 — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 04:24:00 GMT

I've made an interesting addition to the site. Visitors using Internet Explorer will now see the following pop-down in the upper-right corner of their screen for a few seconds after each page loads:

I used the script available at SaveTheDevelopers.org, and merged it with the browser detection function from Quirks Mode so that it would display the pop-down graphic for any version of Internet Explorer.

Note that the browser detect script from Quirks Mode will detect Opera as Opera even if you are masking as Internet Explorer, so you will have to use Internet Explorer to test this. The script is capable of doing this because it looks for window.opera which only exists in Opera. There are User JavaScripts that will block this type of detection when using the mask-as or identify-as options in Opera, so you can still get around it if you really want to.

Opera Preview Officially Passes Acid3 Test...

GT500 — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:55:50 GMT

Not only does it get a 100/100 score on the DOM tests, but it renders the test pixel-per-pixel just like the reference rendering. The animation was even smooth on my computer. One of the tests did take a while to run, and another one had to run more than once, but they did all complete successfully.

The best part is that this build of Opera that passes Acid3 has been publicly released at Opera Labs, so you can try it out for yourself. Note that the animation performance does vary a bit depending on the computer (my desktop computer is rather fast), so on older and slower machines you will most likely experience different results as they are still trying to get a couple of the tests to run faster (I know it's not a perfect pass if the animation isn't smooth, but like I said, it was smooth on my machine). For those of you who do not experience smooth animation on the test, I will make a video later today of how it runs on my machine (no free time right now).

Internet Explorer 8 - Beta 1

GT500 — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:54:13 GMT

I'm not sure how I missed this one. Apparently the first beta of IE8 has been released. It works on Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), Windows Vista, Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2).

You can download it here.

Malwarebytes' Anti Malware v1.07 released...

GT500 — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 06:32:54 GMT

Current Malwarebytes' Anti Malware users please run the update, and run a quick scan. Report any problems on their forums.

Anyone who has a Microsoft Windows based computer, and does not use Malwarebytes' Anti Malware, should download it and install it. Run a quick scan and report any problems.

You may also want to try StartUpLite. It's great for a quick system optimization. ;)

CTF - My Anti Drug

GT500 — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 21:27:39 GMT

This is a Halo 2 spoof of the anti-drug comercials aired in the United States. It's high quality, so I can't embed it in the blog. Click here to view it, but make sure to pause it until about two-thirds of the video has loaded (yea, it's that large).

Not the best place to propose...

GT500 — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 20:05:48 GMT

This video is halarious. It's a marriage proposal at a basketball game durring half-time. It doesn't go as planned...

Malwarebytes' Anti Malware 1.05 released...

GT500 — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 18:34:32 GMT

Those who already have Malwarebytes' Anti Malware can simply use the built-in update function to get the latest version. Those who do not yet have Malwarebytes' Anti Malware can get the free version here.

If you would like to purchase a licence to unlock realtime protection, you can get it from here.

This anti-spyware scanner is highly recomended, and if you do not have it, then get it immediately. It is an excellent tool, and even the free version is essential for keeping removing malware.

{XF} Mod Pack 1.1

GT500 — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:11:56 GMT

I've updated the {XF} Mod Pack to include an uninstaller, as well as an entry in "Add/Remove Programs" (called "Programs and Features" in Vista).

Download: {XF} Mod Pack 1.1 (155.9MB)

{XF} Mod Pack

GT500 — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:41:52 GMT

For those Call of Duty 4 (CoD4) players who have been wanting to play in the aaaaar{XF}Modded server, I made a Mod Pack (156.5MB) that contains the Ace 1.5 MOD files, as well as all of the custom maps required to join the server. The installer is just like your average application installer, made with the Nullsoft Scriptable Install System. It should automatically try to put all of the MOD and map files in the right place, but if you installed CoD4 into a different directory, then you will have to change what directory the installer tries to put the files in.

I have tested the installer, and I was able to get into the server without any trouble. Obviously I can't guarantee it will work for everyone, but I can safely say that it won't eat all of the cheese in your house, so you don't have to worry about that. ;)

For any CoD4 players who would like to check out the {XF} Modded server, here's the server IP so that you can add it to your favorites list:

72.52.136.167:28966

Once again Opera shows us why they are the best for mobile browsing...

GT500 — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 02:25:21 GMT

Here's a video about the upcoming Opera 9.5. If you've ever thought about what a pain it would be to browse the Internet on your smartphone or PDA, then watch the video. It shows us how browsing on your smartphone or PDA can be more convenient, and even easier, than browsing on your computer.

New Banners...

GT500 — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 06:02:49 GMT

Just to help spread the word, I've put up banners a graphics on my site promoting Malwarebytes. The one on the blog is a bit large, but I don't think they have another one that will fit as well as that one does.

Let me know what you guys think. I can always ask the guys at Malwarebytes for something else if you don't like the ones I'm using.

Computer Security for the Home User...

GT500 — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 22:10:56 GMT

As per Arpan's request, I have made a list of security applications that are good for home users. Now I did go a bit beyond security, and included a couple of system optimizers in the list as well.

Here's the list for those who are interested. It's the first revision of my Security Wiki in over a year. Hopefully it will help some people who need to find better security software.

Google knows where you are...

GT500 — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 23:20:08 GMT

Google Maps for mobile has a great beta feature that will tell you where you are if you press '0' on your phone.

Command Anti-Virus...

GT500 — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:29:04 GMT

I was recently asked about Command Anti-Virus, but the person who used the "Contact Me" form did not fill their entire e-mail address in, so I cannot reply to them via e-mail. So, I will post my reply here so that more than just one person may benefit from it.

I have no personal knowledge of Command Anti-Virus, but here's the links to a couple of informative reviews.

http://www.software-antivirus.com/progr ... eview.html

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,11208,00.asp

I'm not sure how outdated these reviews are, but it sounds like the freezing issue you are experiencing is normal. Also, Command Anti-Virus apparently uses the F-Prot Anti-Virus engine (although they do add their own definitions to the database that they get from F-Prot), and F-Prot doesn't currently have a very high detection rate. Of course, from what I read, F-Secure also uses the F-Prot engine, and it has very high detection rates, so Command may not be that bad. Regardless, it sounds like NOD32 is a superior anti-virus software, as it doesn't have many of the limitations that Command does.

12 years of Opera Software...

GT500 — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 06:02:41 GMT

RSS feed readers will have to navigate to my blog to view the following video.

Why Opera?

GT500 — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:27:21 GMT

Digital Web Magazine has a nice article on why to choose Opera. The article is basically an interview with Opera Software's Chris Mills and Jan Standal, where they discuss everything from why Opera is different, to the upcomming developers tools for Opera that will help web designers make better websites. Here's a quote from the article:

"When we look at the web browsers available today, we are seeing an increasingly high level of web standards support (including some support for new and future standards such as CSS3 and HTML5), performance and available developer tools, and Opera are certainly no slouches in this regard. Their standards support is second to none, they produce some of the most compact and fastest browsers in the world, and their mobile and alternative device browsers (including the built-in Wii browser) provide for a great web experience, regardless of device, platform or taste."

In need of a new laptop...

GT500 — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 19:26:36 GMT

My current laptop is on it's death bed. The motherboard is about to die, and I really don't feel like spending hundreds of dollars replacing such an important part in a 2 year old laptop...

So, just like last time, I've gone in search of a place online where I can customize an ASUS laptop. I found a few good places, but the one I like the best is RK Computers. They don't just let you customize your own laptop, they let you buy the barebone laptop from them, and then buy your processor, memory, hard drive, wireless card, etc. from other sources, and install it all yourself.

Obviously the average person doesn't want to do that, so anything you purchase from them with the laptop they go ahead and install for you, so if you price up an entire laptop with them, then you'll get a completely assembled and tested laptop shipped to you. They even sell their own mirror-polished heat sink with ArticSilver 5 so that you get better than average cooling in your laptop (although they do cost extra).

Here's a screenshot of what I priced up (note that I selected no memory and operating system, as I already have those):

Back Up and Running...

GT500 — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 21:38:33 GMT

The GT500.org Forums are back up and running. I don't imagine that they will get much usage, but they are there for those that need them.

Note that my forums are organized a bit differently now, with the Opera related stuff being in it's own category. This doesn't really increase functionality, but it makes more sense to me. ;)

A new Anti-Spyware...

GT500 — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 17:28:34 GMT

A new anti-spyware utility was just released to the public today. As of this morning, the makers of RogueRemover have decided that the beta versions of their new anti-spyware utility, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, are suitable for public release.

This application, before it was ready for a public release, has already shown itself to be an excellent anti-spyware application. I've found that it complements Spybot Search & Destroy nicely, and that it should be among every technician's utilities.

For those who, like me, enjoy finding new viruses, please remember that Malwarebytes needs your help. If you do not report it, then harder for them to know about it. lets help the guys at Malwarebytes to make a better anti-spyware application than we are used to. Trust me, they are already on their way to doing so.

NOD32 v3.0...

GT500 — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 23:10:45 GMT

I'm not sure when this happened, but good old ESET has released NOD32 v3.0 (if you already purchased NOD32 v2.7 then don't worry, you don't need to pay anything for the upgrade). This release is supposed to have an even better detection engine, and faster scanning times. It also sports a re-designed interface, which looks much nicer, and makes a little more sense than the old design.

In addition to the new NOD32, ESET also has a new product called Smart Security. This protects against more than just viruses and spyware, but includes a firewall, and some other interesting features. It's only $20 (USD) more, so that's not a bad deal for a full-blown security suite (especially from the security company that many professionals consider the absolute best).

If you aren't convinced by my ramblings, the product pages, or the fact that I personally pay for NOD32, then you can try out NOD32 or ESET Smart Security free for 30 days. Just make sure to remove whatever you are currently using for virus and spyware protection, as they will cause serious problems when trying to run alongside NOD32. Norton users can get an easy unstall utility from Symantec (trust me, Norton isn't doing you any good, so download and run the uninstall tool, and try out NOD32). ;)

Islam?

GT500 — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 08:03:04 GMT

Internet Explorer Passes Acid2?

GT500 — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 05:37:30 GMT

For those who don't know, Acid2 is a test to see if a web browser properly supports the current web standards that are considered the most important by the Web Standards Project (or something like that). I'm a little flaky on the details, but passing the test essentially means that your browser is somewhat up to handling modern websites.

For most of the time that the Acid2 test has been around, Opera has been the only browser for Windows that passed the test. Konqueror for Linux has also been passing the test for some time (they may have even beaten Opera as the first to pass it). As far as Internet Explorer, almost no other browser will do as pitiful a job of displaying the Acid2 test, until now...

Internet Explorer 8 (an internal testing build, as there are currently no testing builds available to anyone outside of Microsoft) now passes the Acid2 test. This is an incredible turn of events, and to someone like me who supports web standards, it is a great victory in the battle for an open web. Granted it's not the final victory (not by far), but at least Microsoft is no longer trying to force website compatibility issues, which causes thousands of websites to be incompatible with any non-Microsoft browser. Basically, this isn't just a victory for Opera Software and their users, it's a victory for Mozilla, Konqueror, Apple, and all of their users.

Trust me, when Internet Explorer 8 is finally released, I will be beta testing it. I will also be checking website compatibility, just to make sure my site works properly in it. ;)

RunAlyzer 0.7.3...

GT500 — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 05:00:33 GMT

The Safer Networking sites have not been updated to reflect this, but RunAlyzer 0.7.3 is available for download now. For a download link, and a very brief description of what's been changed, see this forum post.

As for what RunAlyzer is, it is an advanced system startup and configuration editor. It allows you to change you startup items, services configuration, and even remove BHOs without even booting your Operating System. It is designed to run from a BartPE disk, and makes it easy to edit the startup config from multiple copies of Windows at the same time. It will even highlight the entries that are listed in it's database (green for known good, yellow for not needed, and red for known bad).

Personally, I will be updating my BartPE disk as soon as I get a chance. This is one utility that I love almost as much as Spybot Search & Destroy itself (note that both are from Safer Networking). ;)

An Anti-Trust action against Microsoft? Is Opera Software crazy?

GT500 — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 04:12:56 GMT

Not really. As Haavard (a long-time Opera Software employee) explains, it's not really a lawsuit. It's more like a complaint filed with the EU authorities that are already investigating Microsoft, with the hopes of forcing Microsoft to stop using it's market share to hurt other browser vendors, and give us more of a choice.

Personally, it's something that I think needs done world-wide, and not just in Europe. If Microsoft would either give people more of a choice, or provide much better support for established web standards, then other browsers would actually have a chance to grow. As it is, they get squashed almost every time by Microsoft's 80% market share. The only one that occasionally escapes that is Firefox, but it's not perfect either, so the other browser vendors are still struggling to try and make broken webpages work properly in their browsers.

For more info, you can also watch this video (download here) which features Opera Software's Chief Technology Officer (and the man who co-authored CSS, and proposed it to the W3C as a web standard).

Jumpcut and the Opera Web Browser...

GT500 — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 20:55:46 GMT

Does anyone else want to see the Jumpcut Video Sharing Network provide better support for Opera? I certainly do. I even went as far as to post a suggestion that they make their site work the same in Opera as it does in Firefox and Internet Explorer.

My hope is that everyone who reads this follows the link to my suggestion, and clicks the "I Love It" button next to it. Seriously, they aren't going to do it unless we back it with votes, so follow the blasted link and click the button. It doesn't take much effort.

An electrifying show...

GT500 — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 03:36:05 GMT

For those who have never seen a Tesla generator synchronized to music, click here.

Oh, and for those of you who want to laugh at something, watch this.