Windows Vista SP1 (release candidate) publicly available

Paul

You’ve heard about it, you know what it’s got, you want it like crazy — and about 11 months after launch Microsoft delivers on Vista’s first service pack (in release candidate form, anyway). Go crazy!

P.S. -How big is this download really? The installer’s under 400k, but we’re still trying to find the big kahuna offline update package. Hit us up in comments.

[Thanks, Michael]
[Via Engadget]

I’ve tried finding it but can’t!! If anyone can give me the direct to this download I’ll look at it myself. All I’ve found is either updates to RC1 or the release notes to SP1. Enjoy!

NBC continues anything-but-Apple strategy with SanDisk deal

Paul

It’s a day of the week that ends in “day,” so that means NBC is furiously working on yet another online TV venture that has nothing to do with Apple. Today’s announcement involves a partnership with SanDisk that will allow the users of SanDisk’s Fanfare service to watch current shows from several of NBC’s channels. In addition to several “vintage” shows, content from NBC, USA Network, the SCI FI Channel, and Bravo will be available through Fanfare beginning in January.

By “protecting content,” Perrette means that SanDisk will be utilizing its security expertise to implement some serious DRM on the video files. The companies plan to “explore the implementation” of watermarking and filtering technology, but neither elaborated further on what either of those things would entail. We assume, however, that NBC’s content will be strictly tied to the PC it was downloaded through, the TakeTV player it has been placed on, and its corresponding TV dock.

[Via Arstechnica]

Well they are still trying to prove DRM is a good thing, I don’t think. I think it is a waste of time!! Oh well, Only time will tell!!

Vendors worried Vista IPv6 too slippery for managed networks

Paul

Researchers have raised new questions about the security of Vista’s IPv6 implementation. James Hoagland from Symantec and Suresh Krishnan from Ericsson wrote an Internet-Draft that calls attention to the Teredo protocol and the fact that many firewalls don’t understand this protocol, and therefore can’t inspect the packets embedded within it.

Teredo is Vista’s last resort to connect to the IPv6 Internet. First, Vista looks for an IPv6 router on the local LAN. If so, the router will provide the Vista machine with IPv6 addresses and “native” (not tunneled) connectivity. If there is no IPv6 router, but the Vista machine has a public IPv4 address (i.e., not one from the 10-net or any of the other private address ranges from RFC 1918), it uses the 6to4 tunneling mechanism that embeds IPv6 packets in IPv4 packets. However, 6to4 can’t create IPv6 addresses from a private IPv4 address. Teredo, the third mechanism, is able to do this, so if you’re behind a network address translator (NAT) then Vista uses Teredo.

[Via Arstechnica]

Go read the full article on this little development with the IPv6 and Vista Machines. I know it worries me!!

MapQuest Adds Gas Cost Calculator

Paul

mapquestgas_cropped.jpg
Mapquest has added a new feature on its Gas Prices page that pops up a small, simple calculator that can help you figure out how much it will cost to, say, visit your in-laws. Gas cost calculators are, of course, nothing all that new, but Mapquest’s tool sits on the same page as its local gas price finder, eliminating at least one step in the process. Mapquest also added alternative fuel stations to its local gas listings for those rocking a diesel, bio-diesel, or other eco-conscious wheels.

MapQuest Gas Prices … [via Download Squad]
[Via Lifehacker]

Well if your like me you want to know how much it is going to cost to get to your destination and back!!