To start using Photosynth yourself, just head on over to the new Photosynth website and login with your Windows Live ID and create a Photosynth ID. This Photosynth ID will be tied to whatever Synths you create.  Depending on the number of photos in your Synth, it could take anywhere between 2 to 30 or more minutes to create and upload. When you create a Synth, you can give your Synth a name, description and even assign it some tags. Everyone is given a quote of 20GB for their Synths.

To view and create Synths, a 7MB plug-in must be installed first from either Internet Explorer (6 or 7) or Mozilla Firefox (2 or 3).

The Photosynth plug-in does all of the processing - or "synthing" - of your photos prior to uploading the results to the Photosynth website.  

The installation of this plug-in also puts a

From Living in Athens via All About Microsoft 

Just saw this interesting screenshot of Windows 7 support in the WSUS list on Living in Athens. Is this a sign that the first Developer Previews or BETA's of Windows 7 are imminent?

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"Windows 7" appears in WSUS

Here is a screenshot from my WSUS server today morning.

Notice the "Windows 7 Client" category in the Windows family of products.

Mary Jo notes, 'The actual Windows 7 client code was not distributed via WSUS. But the appearance of Windows 7 on the list of products that will be serviced over WSUS paves the way for Microsoft to start pushing something Windows-7-related to customers in the coming months.'

Flash ads are suspected to have spread malicious URLs into clipboards on Mac and Windows systems.

Several sources are speculating that web ads are infecting Mac and Windows system’s clipboards with malicious URLs or website addresses. This hijacking attack is a different path taken by hackers to spread bogus security software onto computer users so that they may end up purchasing the malicious programs.

We are well aware of the recent Flash based attacks through malspam messages lately. Now it seems clipboards are being hijacked by flash ads used to port several malicious URLs into your clipboard in hopes that computer users visit those sites.

More Infected Flash Files?

Flash files are a new easy target for spammers and hackers to use because certain instructions can be imbedded within a flash file for good or even evil intent. Obviously in this new clipboard attack, flash ads may have been used for evil intent by utilizing the “setClipboard” Flash command. You should beware that flash files or flash ads can contain many embedded functions that hackers can use against you with very little effort. This may be why we are seeing a new wave of malicious infections being ported by hacked flash files

If you’ve ever fantasized about the day when you receive your delivery of the Microsoft Surface and the subsequent unboxing ceremony, then it’ll probably look something like this. Amnesia Group is a digital creative agency based in Australia, a subsidiary of Avenue A Razorfish who is a subsidiary of aQuantive now owned by Microsoft. Basically it’s like one big happy family with Surface hand-me-downs.

Up until now the Surface has only been deployed in a couple places outside of Microsoft - AT&T and Sheraton. These two are the first to come to down under and are probably also the first to be sold to non-retail customers. The guys at Amnesia spared no time to strip them from their packaging.

If you thought plastic clamshell packaging was tough, you’ll need a crowbar for this.

It’s interesting to see how there is even an instruction manual and neatly packaged as if this was a mass-production product, somewhat evidence the Surface team is really pushing this mainstream. However, they’ll probably have to work on the boxart before you’ll see the Surface for sale at your local Best Buys.

Do you know what the “Warning! spyware detected on your computer” popup message is?

DESCRIPTION

Warning! spyware detected on your computer is a malicious message that may force computer users into downloading and purchasing a rogue anti-spyware program. Lately hackers have used similar messages to that of the Warning! spyware detected on your computer message as a scare tactic that makes computer users believe that they have a serious spyware infection and must utilize the hackers “choice” of a spyware removal tool to remove the parasite. If you get this message you must not fall for the trick.

Do you ever get this popup message on your computer?

Warning! Spyware detected on your computer! Install an antivirus or spyware remover to clean your computer

In non-techie terms: Usually the above message comes as a popup and continues to bug you until you give-in and purchase rogue software. We will tell you once again, do not give in, never download, install or purchase any program associated with the Warning! spyware detected on your computer message. You will only waste your time and money if you do.

Warning! spyware detected on your computer Automatic Removal Instructions

This automatic removal method is for non-techie computer users. If you’re too