Opera widgets are web applications that run directly on your desktop without displaying the browser controls because Opera web browser can install and show them automatically.
They can be constructed using regular client side programming languages such as JavaScript and Flash. As a consequence, minimal knowledge regarding common used web-related programming languages are necessary if you want to create a new widget or to modify an existing one.

The main parts of an Opera widget are a file named index.html and a config.xml file. The index.html file can control external files, such as Flash animations or external Javascripts or could contain a Javascript in it, for example. Practically a widget could be assimilated to a regular client side web application which performs certain actions on a Windows or Linux desktop, as if it was called from a web browser. (more…)

DirectX 10 is the latest version of the DirectX suite of multimedia application programming interfaces that Microsoft has built exclusively into its latest operating system, Windows Vista. Gaming enthusiasts will only be able to access DirectX 10 via a combination of one of the latest video cards and one of the editions of Windows Vista. These libraries allow the use of DirectX 10 games on platforms other than Microsoft Vista, and increase hardware compatibility even on Vista, by compiling Geometry Shaders down to native machine code for execution where hardware isnt capable of running it. No longer will you have to upgrade your OS and video card(s) to play the latest games, revealed Cody Brocious, Lead Engineer on the Alky Project. (more…)

Homepagecell Descriptions:

Download SpyHunter* Spyware Detection Utility.

You can also download the free version of Avira Antivir to remove the spyware (update)

Homepagecell, or Homepagecell.com, is a hijacker that takes over Internet Explorer’s homepage. If your Internet homepage has been hijacked to “Homepagecell”, it is also very likely that your computer has been infected with Zlob.Trojan. System Alert messages might appears on the bottom right of the screen. The “Homepagecell” website displays a warning message stating that you have Virus or Trojan or slow computer performance. If you click OK, it will redirect you a website, and trick you to purchase one of the products below:

(more…)

Ikanos Consulting is developing a framework which is in beta testing which will, when completed, allow you to run Windows SideShow Gadgets on a Windows Mobile device, finally bringing SideShow to the masses.

SideShow is a wonderful technology in Vista, allowing the display and access of data from a Vista PC on external mini-devices (usually little screens with a few buttons on the outside of a PC case), but the hardware is very specific and very rarely implemented. With support for running SideShow programs (Gadgets, just like the Sidebar kind) on mobile phones, SideShow can be used by any of the millions of Windows Mobile phones.

With SideShow, you can check email on your host PC, select music for the PC to play, see the weather or your Messenger buddy list, or load up any Gadget that’s been created by anyone for the purpose. There aren’t a ton of Gadgets now, but once the hardware gets out there (and by enabling existing devices, it gets out there a lot faster), developers will start creating even more cool functionality.

http://microsoft.blognewschannel.com/archives/2007/12/31/sideshow-coming-to-windows-mobile-iphone/

Unfortunately you must be proactive to protect yourself from today’s bad guys. Here is my down and dirty list for PC users.

1. Install a good anti-virus program and make sure that it is updated regularly. While most of today’s programs update automatically, you should check occasionally to make sure they are working properly.

2. Don’t open email attachments even if they are from someone you know. Open only if you are expecting them, you know the person sending them, and you know what the attachments contain. (more…)

SecretCrush Descriptions:

Download SpyHunter* Spyware Detection Utility.

You can also download the free version of Avira Antivir to remove the spyware (update)

SecretCrush is a social-netowrking hijacker that takes over social-networking websites’ links and promotes their products. If your Internet homepage has been hijacked to “Secret-Crush.com”, it is also very likely that your computer has been infected with this hijacker. System Alert messages might appears on the bottom right of the screen. The “SecretCrush” website displays popups or advertisements without your permission. If you click OK, it will redirect you a website, and trick you to purchase one of the products.

Please keep in mind that the products above are fake anti-spywares. It is extremely important to remove them from your computer if it’s infected. You can try our recommended SpyHunter* Spyware Detection Utility, which is very intuitive and highly efficient. Spywares can be removed automatically. However, if you are familiar with registry edit and dll files in Windows, we strongly recommend you to try the manual removal instructions. It might take time and patience, but it is equally effective if you get it right.

To restore the browser’s homepage:

1. Open Internet Explorer -> go to Tools -> Internet Option
2. Enter the intended URL. (Example: http://www.yahoo.com/ or http://www.google.com/
3. Then click OK

To completely reomve SecretCrush and related system popup alerts, please follow the manual removal instructions here, or you can try our recommended removal tool, if you are nervous and uncertain about manual removal instructions.

Download SpyHunter* Spyware Detection Utility.

You can also download the free version of Avira Antivir to remove the spyware (update)