5 Simple Ways To Keep Using XP

Tucked in an epsiode of podcast “Security Now” on iOS security, Steve Gibson gave a level headed discussion and practical advice for folks continuing to use XP into 2014, “”Five Steps for XP Usage Past April 8th”. I’ve extracted his advice from the podcast and added my comments here, the full audio and a pdf transcript are linked and in the references below. This guidiance is valuable for all versions of Windows, but especially important to those who continue to use Windows XP.

1. Make Yourself a Limited User
   
   Now it is called “standard” user, but both are users without administrator rights. If you do nothing else, lower your privileges (and that of malware that attack your machine) by switching from and Administrator user account to a Limited user account. (A better name would be “Protected” user.)
   See Paul Kenyon’s article on the Avecto blog for more about the protection offerred by NOT being an administrator.
   
   First go to Control Panel | Users and create a new user with Administrative rights so you can log on to this user the rare times you need full privileges, (like installing a new program). I called my user TECH. After setting up the new user, log in by logging off your using account via the shutdown process switching to TECH. This first time some housekeeping will be done. After you get a desktop, go to Control Panel and modify your user account to Limited. Shut down and log in as usual and you’re protected.
   
   When you need to install a program, (such as the browsers below) or make changes (such as removing Flash and Java, see below) you can try to right click the icon and “Run as Administrator” but with XP, you probably should plan on logging out for your account and logging into the Administrator account when you need to install a program. Then restart the computer and log into your main (limited) account to use the program and the computer.
   
    
2. Remove Flash and Java
   
   While Flash and Java will continued to be updated even on XP systems, they are avenues for malware to enter your system. Control panel’s add/remove programs (from an account with administrator access!) will allow you to remove these helper programs that are can be hijacked by malware authors. A variation is to offer an officila looking update to Flash or Java that is not an update but malware.
   
   This article by Sue Marquette Poremba discusses the concerns with Java and offers a middle ground.
   
    
3. Use Chrome or Firefox instead of Internet Explorer
   
   Chrome and Firefox will continue to be updated and supported on Windows XP. Internet Explorer is stuck at version 8 (first released in 2009)
   
   A discussion of browsers for XP users is in this article by Chris Hoffman..
   
   
4. Use an Office Alternative
   
   Since Office 2003 updates end as well, moving from Microsoft Office to an alternative program is recommended. Steve Gibson likes LibreOffice which is a “fork” or descendent of OpenOffice. Other folk, such as the good folks on PC RadioShow on WBAI recommend KingSoft Office Suite.
   
   I use LibreOffice but others are fine and supported on XP.
   
   
5. Practice Safe Surf
   
   No matter how secure a building is, if someone (you!) let mischief makers inside-bad things will happen. So be safe no matter what your operating system is.
   
   - Do NOT open unexpected email attachments, confirm by phone/email before opening
   - Do NOT click on “you must see this!” links or links you are not expecting or confirmed
   - Do NOT click on Urgent Update notices or Download this viewer links 
   - Hang up on any “Microsoft rep”, or others who CALL YOU and want access to your computer
   
    

NOAH Movie

Noah is a great movie, especially on the big screen. But it isn’t a Bible translation. This explanation has been added to the website: noahmovie.com 

The film is inspired by the story of Noah. While artistic license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for millions of people worldwide. The biblical story of Noah can be found in the book of Genesis.

Release

I like to think of it as fan fiction, not a part of the sanctioned canon, but one with characters, locaitions and themes from the official story by the original creator combined in a interesting and challenging way.

The movie struggles with great questions of life. Nationalism, capitalism, ecology, violence, survival, loyalty, family are woven into seeking God’s will for creation and humanity. If you go with a checklist of Bible facts, you’ll miss the beauty and challenge of the flim. (I do admit I was counting the clean animals.) 

A good filim for our time. How do you follow God when the world is ending? How does one survive and provide for family? Does God and Good ever conflict? 

Definately see the movie. Warning! This is not a Sunday School tale of cute stuffed animals in a basket boat of a smiling happy family covered with rainbows. It is harsh, violent and depressing. Wiping out humanity for evil is not a good start for feel good movie.

After the flim, you will read and hear the Bible account with a different understanding. I know I will appreciate the rainbow even more now that I have seen the flood.

A Top Ten for Transfiguration Sunday

A few years back, (okay over a decade!) I posted a version of this list in ECULAUGH on EcuNet conference system.

Top Ten Ways Peter Knew It Was Moses And Elijah

Talking With Jesus At The Transfiguration 

10. Elijah keeps asking if someone can make him a little cake. 1 Kings 17:13

  9. Moses kept parting Peter’s hair. Exodus 14:21

  8. That bright cloud of smoke? Elijah’s fiery chariot! 2 Kings 2:11

  7. Moses’ recommendation of smiting the Romans with a plague gives him away. Exodus 8:1-2

  6. Elijah makes sarcastic remarks about the quality of the disciples’ camp fire. 1 Kings 18:25-27

  5. Moses keeps wandering off. Numbers 32:6-13

  4. Elijah has a “Here Comes TROUBLE” t-shirt on. 1 Kings 18:17

  3. Elijah keeps shushing everyone so he can hear the silence. 1 Kings 19:11-13

  2. Moses complains Letterman never paid him a dime for his Top Ten idea. Exodus 34:27-28

  1. Heaven is the only place people really use those stick on name tags. 

Is It Wise to Give to the Poor?

from flickr.com Micah68. Some rights reserved. Used by permission

Here is a recording of the message given at Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian church on January 12, 2014. We examine just how wise those wise men were.

Download a recording of the message (right click and save for later listening.)

Based on Matthew 2:1-12.

Looking Behind

A proud mother showed me her phone with a New Year’s Eve video of her daughter skating. It was cute watching the child’s face and form as she worked on her skating rhythm and balance. As I admired her daughter’s skating, the Mom commented: “I’m not a good skater but I skated backwards to take the video. My daughter worried that I would fall, but I told her it would hurt if I fell, but she was worth it.”

A skating child video is cute, but when you look at what you cannot see: a unsteady, backward skating, adoring mother, it is beautiful as well.

I hope when you enjoy what is in front of you, you are also aware and thankful for those behind the scenes.

O Lord, you have searched me and known me.

You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.

You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely.

You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.

Psalm 139:1-5 NRSV