Alexander’s Blog

For those of us who use Mozilla’s Firefox as their default browser but are forced to use Internet Explorer (IE) occasionally, the IE Extension Tab is a pretty useful add-on.

Although this is a great tool for anyone who prefers Firefox as his/her default browser, it is especially great for Web developers because it allows them to see how their Web page is displayed in IE while they are in Firefox. Among other things, it will also allow you to manage Virtual Server 2005 in Firefox, which isn’t normally possible and you will be able to run Windows Update in Firefox.

This extension is derived from the famous extension IE View, but is not the same. While IE View always open IE-only pages in a separate Internet Explorer window, IE Tab can view them in a Mozilla/Firefox tab. Here are some of the features in the new version 1.0.9.

1. Support XP theme for form controls under Windows XP.
2. Supress annoying script errors.
3. Support saved passwords of IE.
4. Fix Shift+Delete (hotkey for cut)
5. Support IE windows with fixed size.
6. Support built-in popup blocker of Windows xp SP2
7. Support RegExp on Filterlist (use /YourRegExp/, prefix and postfix use “/”)
8. Build-in Stop-or-Reload (hidden pref, set “ietab.stop-or-reload” = true)
9. When right-click on icon to add a new URL, only picked up its domain.
10. Some minor bugs fixed.

Known Issues:

1. IE’s ActiveX enable/disable settings do NOT work
2. All popup windows open in a new IE Tab
3. Navigation history list does NOT work
4. SSL icon does NOT work
5. Site’s favicon does NOT work

More info…

You can now use Group Policy to centrally manage a greater number of features and component behaviors. The number of Group Policy settings has increased from approximately 1,700 in Windows Server 2003 with SP1 to approximately 2,500 in Windows Vista and Windows Server “Longhorn”.

Microsoft has posted a table that summarizes new or expanded categories of Group Policy settings. Click here to access the table.

To encrypt a file in Windows XP, most people right-click the file, go to the Properties, click on Advanced, then click Encrypt contents to secure data. However, there’s an easier method. You can add the Encrypt or Decrypt option to the shortcut menu so all you have to do is right-click on a file or folder and select Encrypt. If the file is already encrypted, the available option will change to Decrypt. You must be logged on with an account with administrator privileges and the volume must be formatted with NTFS in order for you to configure your computer for this feature.

1. Start the registry editor by typing regedit.exe in Start, Run.
2. Locate the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \Explorer\Advanced
3. On the Edit menu, click New, DWORD VALUE.
4. Type EncryptionContextMenu as a name for the value.
5. Type 1 for the value date.
6. Close the registry editor. You do not need to reboot for the changes to be in affect.
7 Go to Windows Explorer and right-click a file or folder on the NTFS partition. You should see the Encrypt option on the shortcut menu.

A new partnership has been formed by Pointsec Mobile Technologies, a provider of enterprise security software for laptop and desktop PCs, PDAs and smartphones, and software company Hitachi Software Engineering Co Ltd (HitachiSoft).

HitachiSoft has obtained OEM rights from Pointsec Mobile Technologies for its Pointsec for PC product, which offers protection from information leakage caused by lost, stolen or discarded notebooks and PCs. The solution provides protection through full-disk encryption and will be distributed by HitachiSoft under the ‘Hibun AE Full Disk Encryption’ name as part of the company’s Hibun product series.

Pointsec Mobile Technologies said the partnership and OEM agreement gives the company a stronger presence in the Japanese market where data protection is vital for conducting business. It plans, with HitachiSoft, to consider mutual OEM opportunities and a possible co-development of new products in order to strengthen the partnership further. More info…

Parallels has launched a new beta program, the first virtualization solution specifically designed to work with Intel-powered Apple computers. Parallels Workstation 2.1 Beta2 for Mac OS X is NOT simply a “dual-boot” solution; rather, it empowers users the ability to use Windows, Linux and any other operating system at the same time as Mac OS X, enabling users to enjoy the comfort of their Mac OS X desktop while still being able to use critical applications from other OSes.

Here are some of the main features of the product, as listed by the vendor.

1. Use any version of Windows (3.1, 3.11, 95, 98, Me, 2000, NT, XP, 2003), any Linux distribution, FreeBSD, Solaris, OS/2, eComStation, or MS-DOS in secure virtual machines running alongside Mac OS X.
2. Driven by full support for dual-core processors and Intel Virtualization Technology (included in almost every new Intel-powered Mac), virtual machines created using Parallels Workstation 2.1 Beta2 offer near-native performance and rock-solid stability.
3. Download the program and install it with a single click. Build a virtual machine in seconds using helpful wizards. Configure virtual machines using a simple web-inspired interface.
4. Any Intel Powered Macintosh running OS X 10.4.4 or higher is compatible with Parallels Workstation 2.1.

You can download a free, fully functional copy of Parallels Workstation 2.1 Beta2 for Mac OS X here. The company also gives you a choice to pre-order Parallels Workstation 2.1 for Mac OS X now for a discounted price of $39.99 and save $10 off the regular retail price. More info…