May/070
Things i like about vista
I’ll try to keep adding to this as i find things, equally i’ll add things i dont like too.
Pros:
- Shift right click gives ‘command window here’ functionality, even on the white space of a folder. This is vastly improved by adding a new String value named AutoRun in HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor, then setting the contents to a batch file that elevates privileges to administrator level (like ctrl+shift+enter does from the search bar of the start menu)
- Gadgets – i can have all my servers current ping status on the right hand side of my screen like a poor man’s NMS. (i know *nix has been doing this for years)
- App preview when you hover over the app in the start bar.(*nix for years also)
Cons:
- 10 clicks to get to change ip, and that’s just to getting to the box to type it in. with classic control pannel.
- Setpoint (logitech) just doesn’t work – mouse freezes etc. I’ve had to give up on 50% of my mx1000’s features
- Aero X to close app is too close to the corner, i am inadvertantly clicking the app behind at the moment
- cant seem to enable tab completion in the cmd.exe shell
May/070
NCPA.cpl Network Connections missing in Vista Control Panel
Ok, so there i am happily (all but slowly) vistaing along when i disable a network card form the ‘Network and sharing center’ and it disappears! No trace! to make matters worse it was my internet connection. No consulting bigger brain on this one.. Needless to say, a full 20 mins later and some poking around the windows folder and:
click start and type the follwing into the search box (or press win+r and type it in there)
ncpa.cpl
and you get the good old ‘network connections’ box that is missing from vistas control panel.
Windows dev team, rank:amature.
p.s.
Ten more useful .CPL files. N.B. These are from Vista, not all are available for XP.
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Appwiz.cpl (Programs and Features replaces Add or Remove Programs)
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Collab.cpl (People Near Me)
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Firewall.cpl
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Hdwwiz.cpl (Add Hardware Wizard)
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Intl.cpl (Regional Settings)
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Mmsys.cpl (Sound) Also Setasio.cpl.
[NCPA.cpl] (Network Connections – see above)
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Powercfg.cpl (Power Settings)
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Sysdm.cpl (System Properties)
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Telephon.cpl
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Wscui.cpl (Windows Security Console)
May/070
VBootkit – the beginning of the end for vista DRM.
0wning Vista from the boot
VBootkit, a rootkit that is able to load from Windows Vista boot-sectors. They discuss the “features” of their code, the support of the various versions of Vista, the possibility to place it inside the BIOS (it needs around 1500 bytes), and the chance to use it to bypass Vista’s product activation or avoid DRM.
Schneier on Security says
VBootkit Bypasses Vista’s Code Signing Mechanisms
Interesting work:
Experts say that the fundamental problem that this highlights is that every stage in Vista’s booting process works on blind faith that everything prior to it ran cleanly. The boot kit is therefore able to copy itself into the memory image even before Vista has booted and capture interrupt 13, which operating systems use for read access to sectors of hard drives, among other things.
along with a lovely quote in the comments:
“you are coming to a sad realisation, cancel or allow” …
Posted by: pointfree at April 3, 2007 04:41 PM