Just tried the “new” Photo Gallery in the Windows Live series that comes bundled with Vista. I’m still running XP as I don’t see the need to slow down my PC while paying money to do so… Anyway, the photo application is actually very promising. It’s not a photo editing tool, but a nice previewer that can organize your photos in many different ways (also supports tagging) and enables even the novice to share his/hers photos in the most convenient way.

Note! During the installation process you will be asked if you would like to add a bunch of other crap from MS that you didn’t ask for. Simply uncheck all boxes not named “Photo Gallery” and you will get only what you asked for…

Visit the Windows Live Photo Gallery page for more information and to start download.

Akismet recently announced they now have a new competitor in the war against SPAM. Defensio have a similar approach, with a centralized API that gives a thumbs up or down for a comment, and some added information indicating “spamminess.”

In short (and in their own words) Defensio gives you:

• Stellar Accuracy

  You’ll deal with less spam on your blog, period.

• Easier Spam Management

  Managing your spambox will become dead simple.

• Personalized Filtering

  Your own habits will help make the filter better over time.

• Transparency Through Statistics

  Meaningful stats so that you’ll really know what’s going on.

I will be trying their service on my DEV blog, in the meanwhile - Best of luck, guys!

Find it boring to watch gymnasts on TV, well not any more! Watch this small clip showing how a simple springboard can make the difference…

Good weekend

This Japanese Magician preforms a really nice trick. Watch it!

VirusTotal is a service that analyses suspicious files and facilitates the quick detection of viruses, worms, Trojans, and all kinds of malware detected by antivirus engines.

VirusTotal has been awarded by American edition of PC World Magazine, one of the 100 best products of year 2007 in the Security Web Site category.

VirusTotal is a service developed by Hispasec Sistemas, an independent IT Security laboratory, that uses several command line versions of antivirus engines, updated regulary with official signature files published by their respective developers.

This is a list of the companies that participate in VirusTotal with their antivirus engines.

• AhnLab (V3)
• Aladdin (eSafe)
• ALWIL (Avast! Antivirus)
• Authentium (Command Antivirus)
• Avira (AntiVir)
• Bit9 (FileAdvisor)
• Cat Computer Services (Quick Heal)
• ClamAV (ClamAV)
• CA Inc. (Vet)
• Doctor Web, Ltd. (DrWeb)
• Eset Software (ESET NOD32)
• ewido networks (ewido anti-malware)
• Fortinet (Fortinet)
• FRISK Software (F-Prot)
• F-Secure (F-Secure)
• Grisoft (AVG)
• Hacksoft (The Hacker)
• Ikarus Software (Ikarus)
• Kaspersky Lab (AVP)
• McAfee (VirusScan)
• Microsoft (Malware Protection)
• Norman (Norman Antivirus)
• Panda Software (Panda Platinum)
• Prevx (Prevx1)
• Rising Antivirus (Rising)
• Secure Computing (Webwasher)
• Softwin (BitDefender)
• Sophos (SAV)
• Sunbelt Software (Antivirus)
• Symantec (Norton Antivirus)
• VirusBlokAda (VBA32)
• VirusBuster (VirusBuster)

So whenever you receive an email or download a file you’re not 100% sure is safe (even after your local AV software says it is), then this on-line antivirus service from VirusTotal might be just what you are looking for.