With the OS so deeply depending on the net there will be all kinds of ways to get hit on the net for sure and not even know it happend until to late...

It's not the ones your scanner and usch finds and stomps, it's the ones they miss.

One of the positive things about AMD/Intel/MS and the others who want to do the chip/os combo security, even with the chances of all the bad it could do.

Well, don't keep us in suspense Al Julez...
Name that optimizer or better yet... post a link...

This may sound trite, but I use a few simple and free pieces of software that works so great together, I couldn't imagine running without them.

1- Zone Alarm which blocks all my ports.
2- AVG anti-virus that works so silently I'm not even bothered with alerts anymore.
3- Web Washer by Siemens which stops popups, popunders and everything else.

When I download, I use Fresh Download accelerator - also free, and I set it up to use my AVG to automaticaly scan everything the moment it finishes.

Then once a week I do a complete scan with AVG and Swat It - a Trojan and Bot killer, oftener if I suspect something, then I do spot checks on those files.

So far, I have found nothing virus related and I used to surf the net like a madman.
I use AdAware, Spybot, after I have visited any web site that requires info, and always seem to find Alexa which i immediately remove.

So, in the end, it pays to be vigilant and resist the temptation to open that "iffy" Email.

JamMeister33,

I know this is a little off topic, please forgive me everyone, but I just DLed POV-Ray, and then ran across something that seems to upset you about it.
Could you if you would, kinda clue me in?

Not at all, jake....
It's a running joke between ashu modi and myself....
"This is not reality"
nothing to be concerned about... I have nothing against the program at all...

Thanks JamM...

I just looked at the instructions and had second thoughts.

I was gonna post it anyway JM. I forgot in that other post.


I've used Norton's Speed Disc for a long time and was really satisfied with it. I've found Executive Diskeeper to be a much better optimizer.


Here's the link, it's called Executive Diskeeper

http://www.executive.com/diskeeper/diskeeper.asp


Another optimizer that claims to be better than Diskeeper which I also use is Raxco Perfect Disc 2000


http://www.raxco.com/products/perfectdisk2k/


I've only started using it and can't say which one I think is better. One advanteage Diskeeper has is 'set and forget'.

I really didn't think you were Jam, it just seemed to be reading that lines where being drawn as to which sucks and what doesn't on specific products which for me actually is one of the problems with the spread of these things "worms and such".

For me Network security and virus control is kind of like a carpenter craftsman's tools box. They might have 1 - 10 different types of hammer because each one handles a specific thing that the others might be able to do, but also might mess up it up to the point of Fubar.

Same with security/virus software, bag of tools and pocket full of tricks always seems to have worked, heck that was the only way I ever got ahead of the 8 ball when using my CNE - CNE 5.x actively.

--------------

Jake, indeed

I used to love it when I would get a call from a client explaining to me that they had been given this scree saver disk from a friend or a friend and it really worked great until the rebooted after shutting down and going home for the night and by the way " what does it mean when the screen is all black when you boot up ( right after post) and say SYSTEM HALT: ROM Basic not found "

It means I was getting paid $$$$ to go fix it

I hear that IPlural.

I rebuilt a computer for my brother's stepdaughter, and WARNED her never under any circumstances run discs from "friends" who claim them free of bugs, cause thats the surest way of getting infected.

Oh on another note, I did download the Softimage XSI v3.0 EXP edition and installed it.. 179 megs, but it is fully functional, free and you also get use of the fourms online and tutorials online and support

pretty cool, it's a late night download if your not on cable or DSL but worth starting it before bed and letting it run through the night...

I wondered about that, IPlural - but I'm wondering what the limited resolution is, and how annoying the watermark is.

Can you be a bit more specific please, at 179 megs, I would be lookin' at about two days.

Okay, glad all of that is cleared up... don't want to ruffle anyone's feathers so to speak.....

nope and nope

Same thing with MAYA, I dunno, it's almost like a trap, forces you to spend all that time learning, then you either buy or forget it.

And what exactly is Softimage?
Enquiring minds want to know.....

screen capture

Thanks for the links Al...
jake, all I know is that I tryed POVRay several years ago and didn't like it...
I'm sure it's changed considerably since then, however I have moved on to other things.

ahh, I just found the link you were speaking of, mmmm, there is a lot of things on it that were *not* on the comparison to Maya learning edition for sure...

yeah, don't waste time, unless you want to learn 3d without the cost during the learning curve

okay, IP...
Not something I need....
Got more than enough already..

ick... wish I had read this dang thing before hand....

lol...

Canvas works pretty well from what I've been told, maybe that un?

Amabilis Canvas 3d

http://www.amabilis.com/products.htm

Darn, I'm running 450Mhz and I can't even keep up with one thread. One of these days and soon, I'll find that pot "o" gold. Then look out, a wind will blow through your screens.

Learning is good no matter what form it takes, but I have found some "Truly Free" 3D's to use and learn.

Anti-virus tips:

Don't visit porn, warez, hacking or cracking sites and keep your virus proggies up-to-date by checking at least every other day (this only concerns WINDOWS users mainly).

...And no spammin' people or public forums/boards...that ain't cool

AMD? if so you might be able to pick up a 700 or 750 that would pop right in for 10.00 - 15.00 at a local computer swap meet or some such.