AVG Link Scanner checks links on webpages before you click them. Now just think about that for a second. The worst hole in any security system is always the user. Stupidness can be worked out mostly from any system, but there will always be the unknown action, or the random click. Using the internet is no different – and really if you want to be completely safe from malware, you need to change your surfing habits. Now however, AVG, the creator of the free virus checking software, has released a free link scanner, to hopefully help people redefine their habits, and intervene if it thinks you’re about to make a big mistake.

Safari, Chrome & Opera users have been missed out a bit here – Link Scanner is only for Firefox & Internet Explorer. The program installs and runs in the background with a minimal hit on computer resources, and vets all links before you click on them. As an added bonus, all results in Google, Bing & Yahoo! search will also display threat indicators next to the link header.

I don’t think this should be thought of a reason for you to start clicking on anything without thinking, but it adds another layer to your security that could prove very useful. Just remember that the first line of defence is YOU!

Go here to download the latest version of AVG Link Scanner.

Urban Dictionary: Deepz0ne.

Well since FriendFeed had announced that it had been acquired by Facebook, and after listening to various podcasts on the subject, I’ve decided to take my content back! Rather than using a social media system to post to, instead this blog will be a place to post interesting links, new photographs I’ve taken, or my various dull ramblings from time to time.

Subscribe if you want, or don’t. I would also like to gently remind you that all on this site is my opinion, and I make no apologies for expressing it. If it’s wrong, or just plain stupid, I don’t care. Unsubscribe, or never visit the site again if you have a problem with what I say.

Initially, the site will just be a site by itself, with no external links to anything. But, over time, I will add twitter functionality – to regurgitate what has been digested on this site to the huge numbers of people (28) currently following me – I just can’t seem to make that jump to 30 damnit!

i4i, a Canadian company, has been granted damages of $290 million from Microsoft after it was decided Microsoft wilfully violated a patent regarding the reading and processing of XML data. Microsoft have also been ordered by the court to stop selling the software, which they have 60 days to comply. Microsoft are of course going to appeal against the decision.

The XML, “docx” & “docm” formats are the ones singled out by the court, which are an integral part of Microsoft’s new format in Word 2007 – and subsequently newer versions of the software. It’s not clear where users will be left after this – but it could mean a patch to the software to prevent people saving or loading this format in the future.

Born in 2001, and widely regarded as a terrible browser, both in usefulness and it’s apparent finger flipping attitude towards web standards, Internet Explorer 6 is long overdue to be finally put to rest. Web developers have been banging their heads on desks across the world for over a decade now, trying to get a web page that renders perfectly in 99% of other browsers, to render in as it should in IE. In fact, I’m sure the main reason for the creation of browsershots.org was a direct result of IE being so rubbish.

Well hopefully that’s all going to change with IE6 No More! The campaign is urging website developers to insert some code into their pages which will urge the users of the older IE browsers to upgrade. And ask them nicely. Lots of big websites have already signed up and implemented the code, such as Disqus, Reddit & Justin.tv – and more are soon to follow I’m sure. Of course, techsnake.com have joined the campaign – with 23% of it’s Internet Explorer users still using IE6, I feel it’s my duty to help you people out, and get you to upgrade!

New copies of the OEM version of the Operating System have been sent to the major PC builders for installing on new computers. This being the first in 3 final stages, where General Availability (GA) follows shortly, before the Operating System goes “Gold” – or is deemed a Live Release – which is due to happen on October 22nd.

I’ve been running the Release Candidate of the software for a while now on my laptop – and I’m really impressed. It’s stability is very good, speed excellent (dropping somewhere between Vista & XP in my opinion) and everything else just feels really nicely polished off. There a few changes to the menus and things if you’re used to Vista, but it’s all things to make your life easier thankfully, which was one of my biggest gripes with Vista over XP.

I’m looking forward to the new release, although I don’t see the step up from Vista big enough in my opinion, so not sure yet if I’ll upgrade. If I can be convinced everything I need will work on Windows 7 at home, then I may change my mind. Of course my release candidate will run out next year, where I’ll either have to upgrade on my laptop or revert back to Vista – which will be difficult. I can’t imagine using Vista during my working day…