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I've used Semantec, Grisoft's AVG, and Panda AV apps. None of those have been satisfactory. They all tend to use too much system resources, or cause other problems. Currently, I'm using Panda AV, but it is causing start up problems and it seems to have a mind of its own WRT running scans. On the firewall front, I've used Zone Alarm Pro, but it slows my WinXP computer down. I've forgotten the names of the succession of other firewall apps I've used. Currently, the Panda AV app I'm using also provides a firewall. I'm not defenseless even without a firewall...

Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complains about the noise from the base and its planes, forgetting that it was there long before they were. A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back. Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrote the local paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed his/her day at the mall. When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB officer, it must have stung quite a bit. The complaint: 'Question of the day for Luke Air...

Over the years I've known a good number of people who were "accident" prone. You have probably known these kind of people as well. Several years ago I had a friend who was this type of person. One of his brother's told me that when he was much younger he caused and 18 car pileup on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Later, when I knew him, the home heating system he had installed in his basement caught on fire, not once but twice, and their home burned to the ground.

Blu-ray is in a death spiral. 12 months from now Blu-ray will be a videophile niche, not a mass market product. With only a 4% share of US movie disc sales and HD download capability arriving, the Blu-ray disc Association (BDA) is still smoking dope. Even $150 Blu-ray players won’t save it. 16 months ago I called the HD war for Blu-ray. My bad. Who dreamed they could both lose? Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory Delusional Sony exec Rick Clancy needs to put the crack pipe down and really look at the market dynamics. In a nutshell: consumers...

First lady Laura Bush said today that sexism aimed at Sarah Palin was a very real prospect and suggested Democrats watch what they say about the Alaska governor and John McCain's ticketmate. “The other side will have to be particularly careful," Bush said in an interview on Fox News from St. Paul, "because that’s something we all looked at." Questioned about whether Palin may face sexism from the media in the way Hillary Rodham Clinton supporters claim she did, Bush said: "I think that's a possibility." The first lady, who had been planning to speak to the GOP convention tonight...

I signed up on Jan 30, 1998, after having lurked for several months. I found FR through a link to "Whitewater Report" (or a similar link name) on Drudge. I've been through several purges here, and every one was emotionally draining. I remember when I thought it was vitally important to post my opinions of how the Bill of Rights should be rewritten. (Feels silly now.) I remember FR had a number of solid researchers back in the beginning who are no longer here. I can't recall their names, but I remember we had 'em here. We have some researchers...

I need help. Out of the blue, my WindowsXP (SP2) system has gone crazy. It is frequently giving me a warning message in the System Tray that says: Windows - Delayed Write Failed Windows was unable to save all the data for the file D:/$BitMap. The data has been lost. This error may be caused by a failure of your computer hardware or network connection. Please try to save this file elsewhere. That file is apparently hidden, but revealing hidden files doesn't show it. My WinXP volume is on C:/ and the D:/ drive volume is for data files. I've...

Blu-ray may have taken a commanding lead in the next-generation format war, but the group has a big problem looming: early supporters of the format will be left out in the cold when the Blu-ray Disc Association introduces BD Profile 2.0 Unlike HD DVD, which mandated features such as local storage, a second video and audio decoder for picture-in-picture, and a network connection from the very beginning, the companies behind Blu-ray took a different approach. Initial hardware players lacked these capabilities in order to keep costs down.

Proper of the President The Libby commutation was a correct move. An NRO Primary Document Editor's Note: The following is testimony David B. Rivkin Jr. delivered to the House Judiciary Committee hearings Wednesday on the the president's Scooter Libby commutation. Statement of David B. Rivkin, Jr. Partner, BakerHostetler, LLP Former Member, White House Counsel’s Office and Department of Justice Official Before the Hearing On Use and Misuse of Presidential Clemency Power For Executive Branch Officials Committee on the Judiciary United States House of Representatives July 11, 2007 I want to express my gratitude to Chairman Conyers and Ranking Member Lamar...

Here's a question for legal immigrants to the U. S.: How much does it cost in fees and such to become a citizen of the U. S.? I ask because the sleeping immigration bill charges illegal immigrants a total of $5,000, and Bush calls that a penalty that means it isn't an amnesty. So, for those who play by the rules, is the cost less than $5,000? How much? Thanks.

It's Not Over [Kathryn Jean Lopez] A Senate aide cautions: First, yes, the victory yesterday - a product of tireless efforts by a handful of conservative Senators and staff - is a nice pause in this debacle. But I am afraid that is all it may be... the White House is still 100% committed to getting this bill passed. Harry Reid is looking to actually accomplish SOMETHING for crying out loud... and there is no tiring by ... the entire "deal-making" team. The White House has a full plan of attack. They are ready to start plucking votes one-by-one. Conservatives...

I recently ordered some stuff from a mail order company. I ordered a quantity of three and they shipped me those three, which arrived one day, and two more of the same items, on a different order number, and they arrived the following day. I understand that federal law says if you receive an item you didn't order, it is considered a gift from the company, and you are not required to send it back. My question is: Which federal law? Anyone got a link to it, or a cite? No moralizing, please. I'll decide that for myself.

Pet Diary Excerpts The Dog 8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing! 9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing! 9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing! 10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing! 12:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing! 1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing! 3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing! 5:00 pm - Dinner! My favorite thing! 7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing! 8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing! 11:00...

This is a very long analysis of Vista & DRM: http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~pgut001/pubs/vista_cost.html Well worth the read, with a few funny statements thrown in along the way.

Hollywood, CA - Sony Pictures movie downloads will feature a memory erasing sequence of sounds and flashing light that will cause viewers to forget that they've just watched a movie. Sony hopes the system, called “NoMemory Stick,” will increase the number of repeat downloads for its popular movie titles from online download services like iTunes and Wal-Mart. Memory Erasing“We're masters at getting people to buy the same content over and again,” said Sony Pictures Vice president of Marketing, Kevin Fullbanks. “Look what we did with laser discs, VHS DVD, Blu-Ray and now digital. Now with the NoMemory Stick technology, we...

This is a must see video. Trust me. http://www.filecabi.net/video/spiders-drugs.html Mild profanity. (As*, bitc*)

I need help making a decision. I'm planning a weekend getaway with my wife in a couple of weeks and I want to make it special. I'd like to give her a nice bouquet of flowers, but I'm conflicted between having the local flower shop deliver to the room after we arrive and before we head to a special dinner (tricky timing) and making arrangements with the hotel to have the flowers set up in the room when we arrive. All kept secret from my wife until the moment she sees the flowers, naturally. So, women of FReepdom: Which would...

This is the latest Naitional Republican Senatorial Committee ad for Michael Steele in Maryland. High production values and a great closing line. http://www.gopsenators.com/video/?ID=5A64A751-88C8-4957-8664-A173733F0ED9

This is a touching song intended to comfort employees everywhere who are suffering mistreatment. Enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlL5iG6gmFM

I just had a great experience wuth New Balance, the sport shoe manufacturer, and I have to tell you all about it. I'll be brief. Earlier this afternoon, I was filling my Hot Rod Lincoln with overpriced fuel. The pump failed to automatically shut off when the tank was full, and gasoline spilled out all over the ground and all over my New Balance walking shoes. The station manager told me that if I needed to pay to have anything cleaned, he'd pay for it. I told him I'd check things out after I got home. At home, I called...