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Editorial

Recent self review of Spam Act 2003 by Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA) claimed success with a recent ranking of spam-producing countries showing that Australia had dropped from 10th place when the legislation was introduced, to 23rd place currently.

As of March 31, enforcement body the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) had received 4274 formal complaints about spam, issued 10 formal warning letters and imposed 13 fines and infringement notices "of more than AU$20,000" to businesses found to be using e-mail and SMS against the terms of the Act. Furthermore, ACMA has forced over 600 businesses to change their e-mail and SMS marketing strategies to come back into compliance.

Estimates that up to 80 percent of all e-mails are now spam show the problem hasn't gone away but maybe it has improved a little...

Bruce Beresford, Manager & Editor

In this Issue:

• Featured Site - Aussie offRoad Experience
• Virus Watch
• Google Earth Revamped
• XP pirate checks dropped
• End to Win98 support may boost desktop Linux
• Find, Access, Share your files anywhere - FolderShare™
• Quotes of the day

Featured Site  

Aussie offRoad Experience

Australia is a continent of diverse scenery and beautiful landscapes, many of which can only be reached by four wheel drive vehicles. Travelling in the bush and the outback can be exciting and at times dangerous, however with the right training and professional guidance every trip will be safe and enjoyable We design our tours with individuality and we visit many pristine places away from busy tourist routes.

Aussie offRoad Experience Tag Along Tours (travel in convoy) are the ultimate in adventure tours with many inclusions – they are guided and assisted self-drive and self-catered which gives you the thrill and experience of driving and bush/outback camping in the safety of a group.

Your fully qualified and experienced personal tour guides are at your side throughout your entire journey, they will assist you wherever needed. At Aussie Offroad we pay attention to detail and strive to provide personalised service.

Our tag along tours vary in duration from ½ day to 3 day tours out of Sydney, or for people with a little more time on their hands, we have extended tours running from 5 day through to 22 day treks.

You will be thrilled with the adventure, views and the scenery this great country has to offer and our tours will delight even the most discerning adventure tourist.

We also offer Accredited Basic and Advanced Four Wheel Drive Training courses, which are a great weekend away and a unique learning experience.

To make your dreams come true and have a safe, enjoyable & adventurous journey – Please join us on one of our fabulous tours or great training weekends.

We are looking forward to your company. Cheers for now from Gaby & Dave

Visit the Aussie offRoad website...

Virus Watch  

Latest Threats - from Symantec

19-07-06 Trojan.Gobrena.B

19-07-06 Trojan.Clagger.B

Google Earth Revamped  

GOOGLE has unveiled an enhanced version of its popular online mapping program.

Google touted the changes as the first major update to Google Earth since it was launched a year earlier. "We are excited to celebrate the one year anniversary of Google Earth and the Google Maps API with new technologies for these products," John Hanke, director of Google Earth and Maps, said in a statement.

"In the past year, we have had more than 100 million unique Google Earth downloads and have enabled over 30,000 websites to create mash-ups combining their own geographic data with the Google Maps API."

Google Earth was streamlined for users and tools were added to enable people to customise maps with creations such as textured three-dimensional buildings, the company said. Google Earth was made available for the Linux operating system as well as for Windows and Macintosh systems, and the mapping service was localised in French, Italian, German and Spanish, the company said.

High-resolution mapping imagery was improved fourfold, Mr Hanke said. AustraliaIT >>> more

XP pirate checks dropped  

MICROSOFT has dropped Big Brother-style plans to track down pirated copies of Windows XP, dumping elements of its Windows Genuine Advantage Notification after they ignited a firestorm of controversy.

The stealth application, introduced with auto updates in Australia in April as part of a pilot scheme, "phoned home" every time the computer was booted to confirm that the operating system was genuine.

If the software was pirated it triggered a series of irritating warnings. Now Microsoft has reacted to user anger by switching off the boot-up check.

The company has retained another tool, WGA Validation, which checks back periodically with Microsoft headquarters. AustraliaIT >>> more

End to Win98 support may boost desktop Linux  

From today (11 July 2006), Microsoft will no longer issue security updates or provide support for Windows 98 and Windows ME, which could lead users to trying alternative operating systems such as Linux.

Eight years after launching Windows 98, Microsoft will finally wash its hands of updating and plugging security gaps in its ageing operating system. The software giant originally planned to pull the plug in January 2004 but decided to extend support because of the increasing threat from Linux.

This time round, Microsoft is hoping that the remaining users of Windows 98 and Windows ME will upgrade to Windows XP, according to Peter Watson, chief security advisor, Microsoft Australia.

"Microsoft works closely with leading retailers to undertake promotions such as upgrade discounts to encourage users to upgrade to Windows XP," Watson told ZDNet Australia. "Just last month, you may have seen the price promotion activity Microsoft conducted with Harvey Norman, one of the largest computer software retailers in the country, to encourage Windows XP upgrades."

Analyst firms estimate that there are still between 50 million and 70 million computers running either Windows 95, 98 or ME.

Hardest hit by the cancellation of support will be home users and schools, according to Michael Silver, research vice president of client platforms at research group Gartner, who agrees that support has been extended to fight off the threat from Linux. ZDNet Australia >>> more

Find, Access, Share your files anywhere - FolderShare™  

I recently found this interesting and FREE software application while travelling the internet super highway. Called FolderShare™ it allows you to keep important files at your fingertips - anywhere. All file changes are automatically synchronized between linked computers, so you are always accessing the latest documents, photos, and files.

You can get more information at FolderShare™ including a download link to access this free application.

If you try it and find it useful send us a report and we will pass the information on in a future newsletter.

Quotes of the Day  

I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy - but that could change. Dan Quayle (1947 - ), 5/22/89

The things we know best are the things we haven't been taught. Marquis de Vauvenargues

The most perfidious way of harming a cause consists of defending it deliberately with faulty arguments. Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 - 1900), The Gay Science, section 191

My education was dismal. I went to a series of schools for mentally disturbed teachers. Woody Allen (1935 - )

Brought to you by The Quotations Page

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