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Mar31
VoIP Apps for Linux
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You can run VOIP applications from Linux to cut down telco charges but how many alternatives are there ? Check this out.

Ever wonder whether VoIP is workable for Linux? This article is a good explanation on Voice over IP focusing specifically for  Linux users. It also comes up with table of comparison between the applications which is GnomeMeeting, Kphone, Skype &  X-lite. And I'm surprised the writer rates GnomeMeeting higher than others because the last time I used GnomeMeeting, it  really sucks, but that was long time ago. Surely they have improved tremendously already!

The nice thing about GnomeMeeting and KPhone is that you can use them directly from client to client, even if you do not  register on a server, be it one that you set up on your own network or an external one. Maybe I am a bit paranoid, but I  don't trust Skype. The company says that its service will remain free, but it says nothing about its software. As it uses a  proprietary, poorly documented protocol, I worry about vendor lock-in. For the time being, I'll stick with GnomeMeeting. Why?  It worked from my first attempt, it is stable, it does everything it promises to do, and it's Belgian, like me.
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Mar31
Customer Service and Online Privacy at Apple's Online Store
You would think that Apple''s Big Online Store that sells downloadable songs for iPods would be at least bug proof or idiot proof. It ain't exactly that when you read Scott Berinato's customer fiasco with them. Imagine going through all... Continue Reading
Forget the Apple and Eat a banana
Apple makes beautiful computers. The operating system is great, loads of eyecandy, good software and great performance. Apple has also started selling music online recently, a logical step after the success of the iPod. The beatles, a couple of old... Continue Reading
Windows VISTA sucks
Let's put it bluntly. Windows VISTA sucks ! Still, it is probably the best Microsoft has ever made. VISTA is the successor for XP. The company is known for their ever continuing demand for faster and more hardware. If you... Continue Reading
Overide Windows PC Restrictions
Sometimes I get to smile..... It's bad enough that in a lot of companies, as a contractor, the tools to work with is typically a Microsoft Windows PC, as that lacks all things you need/want as a Unix/Linux admin and... Continue Reading
Mar30
Set up your own VPN - Part II
This is a continuation of our 'Set up your own VPN' story. For background information on VPN, please read Part I. The concept of VPN For this project, you will need the following: A Laptop (the 'Client') running Windows... Continue Reading
10 years of Palm Power
Here's a piece on the good old days when Palm Power ruled and there were no Blackberry's around. Jeff said, 'It has to fit in your pocket, it has to be fast, and it has to be $299,'" Haitani recalled."... Continue Reading
Desktop is the final frontier for Linux
For my previous job, I dealt with Linux desktops a lot. We actually provide Linux desktops together with the software to customers, but I guess it did not turn out to be very successful in Malaysia. Maybe at that time,... Continue Reading
Epson Disney Notebooks
As most of us use Epson printers and some other of their products as well, now you can enjoy their cut-down price offer for the Epson Disney Notebook. The Epson Disney Notebook comes with few designs of Disney well-known charaters... Continue Reading
The Business of Linux
There are two types of Linux users. Those that care about adoption rates, and those that don't. If you happen to be one of those that don't care - you might want to wander away now. If, however, you... Continue Reading
Mar29
CyberLink Releases Video Editing Software PowerDirector 5
If you are cracking your head to get a new video out for your business presentation, then crack no more. Here's a good software to get you going. “Imaginative video editors want to work in a creative environment with... Continue Reading
Run for a Motorola Q Phone
Motorola will release their long awaited smartphone known as 'Q' in april. It will be the lightest smartphone featuring a qwerty keyboard, and it will run Windows mobile 5.0. Technically, that's great news. But let's look at another side. Do... Continue Reading
Set us free with Writely in Ajax
Google has recently bought a company called Writely. Writely is working on a wordprocessor that loads in your browser, and is supposed to be compatible with Microsoft office. Michael Robertson, who has made mp3.com big and developed Lindows (Linspire)... Continue Reading
Who Do I Sue?
The use of Free Software in a business environment has been the subject of debate for a long time. Free software, in the GNU Project's definition, is software that is free to use, free to examine, free to modify,... Continue Reading
Free CD for Open-source Software on Windows
There are a lot of Open-source Software on Windows out there and not just for Linux, I meant a lot! But most of the time, people having a difficult time to search for the right software and to download these... Continue Reading
Mar28
Complexities of the PC Desktop environment
Check out this view on the complexities surrounding the managing of a PC Desktop environment with issues like constant stream of critical operating system (OS) and application patches, multiple hardware platforms, inconsistent OS versions, non-stop PC replacement cycles, and evolving... Continue Reading
Google blog hosted on the Blogger Site Got Deleted
Google may have the largest Linux server farm (100,000 servers) but if some one screws up and types the remove "rm" command (Linux command for delete), it's gonna be a mistake anyway. Let's hope they have a good backup... Continue Reading
Why Anti-Virus for Linux?
There seems to be something rotten afoot in the anti-virus industry these days. At first glance it seems unlikely that there is any use for a GNU/Linux anti-virus application like AVG or ClamAV, yet there they are. And more... Continue Reading
Spoil The Children
Mr Gates is against anything he can't sell. That's nothing new. The MIT Media lab has developed a $100 laptop for poor children in developing countries. Personally I think this is a crap project, although the laptop is fun and... Continue Reading
Linux is a Business. Part 2
Maybe this article can help you understand why LINUX has become one of the important keys in Business as well as to others. Why People Like Linux: An enjoyable user experience Challenging and fun to learn A powerful operating system... Continue Reading
Mar27
Computer Help on Help.com by CNET
Here's a cool new website. Not sure when it started but its still in Beta and they've got real live people to help you in your PC problems. Surf to Help.comWhat is Help.com?Help.com is a network of people dedicated to... Continue Reading
Windows is a Slow Operating System
Back in February 2006 (a month ago), I had the chance to visit a 3D Virtual Reality centre for a very big MNC  over here in Netherlands and they did a comparison of the performance of 3D applications running on... Continue Reading
Penguins In The Workplace
While few will argue that a Linux workstation solution will save money initially, many people will argue that the long term financial impact of re-training personnel will quickly eat up those savings. There are merits to both sides of... Continue Reading
Open Source Software on the Joint Strike Fighter
All the right reasonsThe US is building the Joint Strike Fighter, a fighter jet we're all losing money on. The UK now, partner in the pan-european order of these jets, has told the US that if they don't hand over... Continue Reading
Linux is a Business. Part 1
The March Madness Guest Blogger Contest officially starts Monday, March 27 to Sunday, April 2, 2006, on the KMM network and I've managed to enlist some International Guest Bloggers to help me write some great articles. First up is my... Continue Reading
Mar26
Global Digital Currency Association and fraudulent Online Payment Systems
I'm the editor for 2 Blogging Networks - b5media.com and KnowMoreMedia.com which also happens to own  Itechtips.com . During the past 10 months as a blogger, I've been looking around for an easy way for people  around the world... Continue Reading
The birth of Google Finance at Bangalore Labs
I was talking about Google Finance on the 20th March earlier and it never occurred to me that it was cooked up in India. Those Bangalore geeks really rock. !Google's finance section, which is in its beta version, provides financial... Continue Reading
How to survice a Dot Com Death
Here's some good tips from Silicon Valley guru Jonathan Hirshon on how you can survive a DOT COM BOMBING.  That's because he's seen a lot of young entrepreneurs burying their new companies with their big egos.For nearly two decades, Jonathan... Continue Reading
Restore Show Desktop icon to your Windows Quick Launch bar
I had an accident about 2 months ago where I had deleted the Show Desktop icon on my bottom Windows Quick Launch bar. It caught me off guard and I had no idea how to recover it. I had re-enabled... Continue Reading
Fast User Switching and my Cisco 350 Wireless Card Problem
I've been unable to use Fast User Switching on my Windows XP PC ever since I've installed my old Cisco 350 Wireless Card. The error says - "A recently installed program has disabled the welcome screen and Fast user Switching.... Continue Reading
Mar25
Hide user accounts on Windows XP Welcome Screen
This VB Script at Dougknox.com will allow you to hide users on the Windows XP Welcome Screen when you don't want people to know there are other usernames on it.If you hide an account, you can access it from the... Continue Reading
Task Switcher For Windows XP
When I work, I don't usually try Alt + Tab keys to switch between the various programs and applications running on the Windows PC. I'm more of a clicking person but my colelague loves it.  Tho' I do use the... Continue Reading
Skype 2.0 for Windows 10-User Conferencing Limits
Currently, Skype 2.0 offers 10-way conference calls only on Intel's latest dual-core CPUs, while other chips, including all AMD chips, will only allow for 5-way conference calls. It is argued that only those Intel dual-core CPUs meet the requirements -... Continue Reading
Turn off Indexing to speed up Windows XP
Your Windows XP PC may slow down after awhile and you'll probably want to bash your PC up. Before you do that, here's a tip you can try out. Windows XP keeps a record of all files on the hard... Continue Reading
Opera 9.0 Beta Build 8321
The first time I ever used the Opera browser was back in 2001 when I was doing a nationwide project that involved Psion notebooks. It was a small and light browser that could be installed on that notebook and it... Continue Reading
Mar24
Installing a Cisco PIX 501 Firewall Guide
Whether its a software based Linux firewall or an appliance, firewalls are part and parcel of any IT network nowadays. I can't believe we could live without it some years back since the security of an IT network depends heavily... Continue Reading
Nabload.CC Phishing Trojan
I was reading the weekly Virus Alerts from Panda Software and came across the new Nabload.CC trojan that slips past the Windows XP firewall and could allow hackers to access to your online bank accounts. So you better head on... Continue Reading
iOpus iPig Private Internet Gateway
Using Wifi could be quite a dangerous thing and people could snoop (steal) the data flowing through it while its on the air. Here's a new software that's FREE and works by encrypting the data, example the password for your... Continue Reading
32 Top Citrix Experts to Gather at BriForum 2006
If I was going to BriForum 2006, I'd asked them Citrix geeks 2 things. Why is Citrix still only available on the Solaris  OS(slow-laris) and why can't it support 3D Support ? You would expect better features from a company... Continue Reading
Set up your own VPN
I thought I'd try writing about IT itself for a change, instead of always lambasting the Government, the Telecommunication Industry, and the negative effects of IT (poor Colbert suffers my rhetoric more than most). Today, I stumbled across a... Continue Reading
Mar23
Free Comodo Zero Touch Linux beta server with a Web-based control panel
I used to rollout out multiple types of Linux servers separately and integrating them was a big mess. Now  Comodo has made it easier by putting all of them in one easy manageable package.Identity and Trust Assurance service provider Comodo... Continue Reading
SOS Online Backup for PC Users
The recent Carbonite Online Backup Beta Program Invitation that I highlighted on this site will set you back $5 per month for unlimited capacity on its Online PC Backup service. If you are looking for an alternative, then you... Continue Reading
Apple's Security Updates Ridiculed by Microsoft
A security program manager at Microsoft Corp. has ticked off rival Apple Computer for claiming that its security updates is at par with Microsoft's. Well, for me, Microsoft has had its fair share of security incidents and that's because they... Continue Reading
DELL XPS Renegade models 600 and 400.
Check out the new ultra high performance gaming systems, the DELL XPS Renegade models 600/400. The Dell Renegade 600 (pictured) is available with up to a 4.2Ghz P4 2Mb cache extreme edition using Intel’s 965 chipset, Quad NVIDIA GeForce 7900s,... Continue Reading
Personal Firewall Reviews
Here's a good list of Personal Firewall software at this site. Its arranged in some handy categories like Top Picks Personal Firewalls; Gone or Fading Away ; Not Recommended.2 of the firewall software I've used before is ZoneAlarm Pro from... Continue Reading
Mar22
Another Internet Explorer Bug Found
There's another Internet Explorer Bug that's been found and I'm going to hit myself on the head since I still use it on certain occasions when I can't load a website using good old Firefox. I just need to make... Continue Reading
NoteTab Light
Itechtip : Here's a good Notepad replacement software When I am working, I like to copy and paste a lot of text. That happens when I am trying to fixing configuration files on Linux or Solaris servers. Instead of opening... Continue Reading
Internet Security System Internet Security Manager for internet browsing
Internet Security Manager is used to prevent users from having certain basic features on Internet Explorer and useful if you have multiple users using your PC. Internet Security Manager is an utility that customizes different features of the Internet... Continue Reading
Please pay USD 35 to submit a bug to Microsoft
Itechtip : Never submit a bug tip to Microsoft (Mickeysoft) Darn. Microsoft is crazy and basically you have to buy their software at crazy prices and you must be crazy to pay them USD35 to do their job. Sheesh. Bill.... Continue Reading
Microsoft offers unlimited technical support to non-Windows software makers
Expecting the world's largest software company to comply to legal rulings is a tough job and looking for  needles in a digital haystack is much easier. Sometimes you just have to make your non-Windows software work  with Windows software. Users... Continue Reading
Mar21
IT Security at Midsize Businesses
Being in the middle is not exactly a good thing sometimes. Ask any Midsize Business on how they handle IT related operations and things will get tough once it blows out of the budget. Here's some tips about managing security... Continue Reading
Linux Encrypted filesystems with EncFS and Loop-AES
Encryption or software code obfuscation is also used in software copy protection against reverse engineering, unauthorized application analysis, cracks and software piracy used in different encryption or obfuscating software. Encrypted filesystems may be overkill for family photos or your... Continue Reading
Free Open-source Software on Windows
  Free and open source software on Windows ? That sounds like an oxymoron and no one can deny that since Bill Gates IS the richest man in the world. So just be glad that some things are still... Continue Reading
Free WiFI at St Cloud in Orlando
I definitely need this wifi service right now in Hague, Netherlands.  I'm getting wifi service that's a bit choppy and it would be nice to get something FREE for once. Those residents at City of St. Cloud better be grateful... Continue Reading
Carbonite Online Backup Beta Program Invitation
I got this email today. I was talking about Carbonite some time ago and now I get the chance to use their online service. Looks like they are jumping over Google for this type of service. Cool. Question now... Continue Reading
Mar20
NetFlow Tracker from Crannog Software
Here are some questions when your network slows down...Do you know exactly what makes up your network traffic? Who and what are consuming the bandwidth?Are network usage policies being followed?NetFlow Tracker harnesses flow information from Cisco IOS NetFlow, and flow... Continue Reading
Bit9 Windows File Advisor
Is "malfile.exe" a virus? What does "hmtcd.dll" do? PC users sometimes come upon unfamiliar files on their garguantuan hard drives and identifying them is often a challenge. Many are fooled by hoax e-mails asking them to delete files and... Continue Reading
Monitoring Employees Use of Computers
Like it or not, network administrators these days must take on the added task of playing Big Brother, monitoring employees' use of the computers and network. Spy software for remote computer monitoring through LAN in real time or recording all... Continue Reading
Dell Doubles Outsource Operations to India
I was reading some article saying DELL was scraping plans to outsource more of its operations to India about 2 days ago but can't remember where. And now this piece below says they are doubling those numbers. Pretty weird and... Continue Reading
IT Disaster Recovery since Hurricane Katrina
Having a good disaster recover plan is crucial to keep any business on 24/7. How many companies do a trial run of it ? I know that big companies like Citibank and BP have test runs every year just to... Continue Reading
Mar19
WebTrends Launches new version of the WebTrends Analytics software
Back in the year 2000, everybody was jumping into the Dotcom frenzy and pumping billions of dollars into the new age companies. You will see kids barely 17 years old in suits and dotcom CEOs buying their own private jets.... Continue Reading
Qcheck Network Performance Utility
What's better than Ping to troubleshoot problems on your network ? Try Qcheck for free and forget about just doing normal ping tests. Qcheck is a free network performance utility by Ixia. It's free because it's a subset of Ixia's... Continue Reading
ItechTips Guest Bloggers on 27 March 2006
In the run up to the March Madness Guest Blogger Contest that starts Monday, March 27 to Sunday, April 2, 2006, on the KMM network, I've managed to enlist some International Guest Bloggers to help me write some great... Continue Reading
The Department of Homeland Security gets low marks for Cyber Security
How is the big daddy of USA security - The Department of Homeland Security protect its citizens when its not ever secure. Somebody could easily crack into their computer systems without blinking an eye. I bet they are using mostly... Continue Reading
New Denial-of-service Threat using DNS Servers
No company should feel they are 100% secured against DDOS Attacks and it should have a proactive process in order to ensure their systems are not compromised. Even bloggers get this attention nowadays, as in the case of Darren Rowse... Continue Reading
Mar18
Open Source Project Management Tools
Project Management is a very tough job and I know because I was a Project Manager around June 2004 to June 2005 for a Singapore based Systems Integration company in Malaysia. Here's some free Project Management Tools to look at... Continue Reading
Survey on Naked Home-based workers
Are Naked Home-based workers more productive ? While we're talking dirty: more than half the women don't shower on work-at-home days and men are even worse, with only about one in three washing. As for me..I get really busy into... Continue Reading
99 Percent of Companies are ignoring Identity Management Safeguards
Identity theft and phishing are on the increase, particularly in financial services and telecoms providers. Several businesses reported daily attacks of this nature. It is all the more important therefore that companies adopt an integrated approach to identity and... Continue Reading
Outsourcing is UNFAIR
   (Source: http://www.bendib.com/) I am against Outsourcing in any shape, size, and form. Did I lose my job due to Outsourcing? No! But do I feel the pinch that Outsourcing has on the Economy? Hell Yeah! Whatever that Wacko/Idiot/Terrorist/Dumbass/Redneck... Continue Reading
Download IM Lock Professional to Block P2P Software
Getting fed up of your kids downloading crap on Napster or Emule ? Now you can block out P2P software and you can get on with your Powerpoint slides. IM lock can stop your child from spending 730 combined... Continue Reading
Mar17
RFID Chips can carry Viruses
I'm not too familiar with RFID chips but they better get them secured. Imagine airport baggage systems going down because of one rogue RFID chip. Currently, most RFID systems have little in the way of encryption or other security features,... Continue Reading
Install Windows XP on a Mac
  Why on earth would someone install a buggy software (Windows XP) on a MAC ? It's simply ridiculous to install something like that on a stabil Apple Macintosh hardware with a Intel CPU. So the best reason is... Continue Reading
CXOver.A is a ActiveSync virus
  CXOver.A is a malicious code that spreads using ActiveSync connections between computers with the .NET platform installed and mobile devices, such as PDAs or cell phones. When it is run, it checks if the computer is connected to... Continue Reading
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-011 and MS06-012
PandaLabs has warned users of two vulnerabilities that have been corrected by Microsoft. The first, as reported in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-011, corrects an error that could allow an attacker to gain control of the affected system. An attacker could... Continue Reading
Jeremy Wright interviews Fabrice Grinda of Allmydata
Backup. How many times have you heard that you have to backup your data at least once a month ? I'm sure you do that most of the time. If not, you could lose your important data and your hair... Continue Reading
Mar16
Next-Gen Broadband Networks Conference
Higher usage for broadband services in the USA is driving providers of telecommunications and internet services to evaluate their existing network infrastructure capability, as well as how they charge customers. On Monday, March 20, in Las Vegas, Light Reading and... Continue Reading