I wasn’t aware that Microsoft didn’t include the Telnet client by default on all Vista installations until i needed to test some things with my new router and the open source firmware i choose to install on it.

So, to enable the client you just need to follow this easy steps:

1. Go to Control Panel - Programs
2. Under Program and Features click Turn Windows features on or off
3. Thick the checkbox Telnet Client
4. Click OK and wait for the installation to finish

Today Windows XP Service Pack 3 has been released to manufacturing (RTM).

The news are already spreading all over, but we have to wait a little longer. As of now, even subscribers of TechNet/Connect can’t get it because is not posted yet.

Quote from Microsoft TechNet Forums:

Today we are happy to announce that Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) has released to manufacturing (RTM). Windows XP SP3 bits are now working their way through our manufacturing channels to be available to OEM and Enterprise customers.

We are also in the final stages of preparing for release to the web (i.e. you!) on April 29th, via Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center. Online documentation for Windows XP SP3, such as Microsoft Knowledge Base articles and the Microsoft TechNet Windows XP TechCenter, will be updated then. For customers who use Windows XP at home, Windows XP SP3 Automatic Update distribution for users at home will begin in early summer.

Thanks to everyone here who installed the public betas – you not only gave us detailed feedback but also helped each other out with timely troubleshooting. Through the beta program we found several important issues and were able to confirm some essential fixes. We couldn’t have done this without you.

We will still be monitoring this forum during the next few weeks in case you have more feedback about the release of Windows XP SP3.

On behalf of myself, Shashank Bansal and Windows Serviceability, many thanks.

Chris Keroack
Release Manager, Windows XP Service Pack 3
Windows Serviceability

foobar2000 is among the best audio players, paid or free. Has an impressive array of options to customize the whole interface. Supports ReplayGain, visualizations and has freedb tagging capabilities as well.

Its library management is very good. I use it for opening audio flies when i double-click them.

You can choose to store its settings in the installation folder in order to make portable.

If you want to try it out, read this guide to learn how to take advantage of its features.

Website Download

Recuva is a free program for recovering deleted files. It has few options but does its work very well. This program can recover files deleted files from memory cards and removable drives.

You can download an installer or a zip file.

Website Download

As i posted yesterday, i had to buy a new wireless router because my two years old Belkin F5D9230-4 started to give me problems 15-20 days ago. My HTTP traffic (mostly when browsing) was very intermittent and sometimes i had to hit F5 or Refresh many times in order to display a web page.

I began researching the new models from the most popular brands and i was pondering to buy a new pre-N router or an old one which costed much less. I have planned to build a HTPC (Home Theater PC) in the near future so i will eventually need a draft-N or pre-N router in order to stream content from my main PC to the HTPC i will have in the leaving room.

But as the N standard isn’t approved yet, i resolved to buy a cheaper one and when i need a new one, then i will buy it. This way i save save money now and i hope than when i need N speeds the standard will be certified already (or at least the price of routers will drop considerably).

It comes to Linksys (Cisco) faced some problems back in 2003 when they used open-source code in their routers and they didn’t make the code public, which was against the GNU General Public License.

I ended buying a Linksys WRT54GL because it allows me to install a variety of open-source firmware if i want to.

I stumbled upon a site where the author develops a firmware called Tomato for mainly a few Linksys and Buffalo routers. In that website were links to other open-source firmware projects. I learn about them all and choose to install Tomato in my new router.

Read the rest of this entry »

Comodo Firewall Pro is a freeware full-fledge firewall for Windows. It has the options you expect from a decent firewall as well as some advanced rules or configurations only found in paid software.

The tests i have read ensure you get a great firewall that can protect you from the latest trend in atacks as well as any other type of spyware.

Website Download

My Belkin wireless router started to give me problems about 15-20 days ago.

After some research i ended buying an old Linksys model, but with many advantages. I will make a post later today to talk about it and the open-source 3rd party firmaware that are out there for a variety of models and makers of wireless routers.

Sev7en, a guy from Micropctalk.com managed to install Apple OS X into a Sony VAIO UX and posted the instructions about how he did it.

This is something more people are trying to achieve, get Mac OS X to run on generic Intel/AMD hardware.

There is another guy from jkOnTheRun.com that installed it on a Samsung Q1 Ultra Premium and posted about this experience.

Despite all the claims and statements made by Apple, that their Mac OS X will only run on Apple hardware, people are trying to circumvent TPM (Trusted Platform Module) in order to isntall it on generic hardware.

If you are interested in this topic, please visit the OSx86 Project wiki to learn more about it.