Web Hosting + .Com Domain = Free Of Cost

Its been my honor to announce that we are going to start the monthly contest. The winner of this contest will win a .Com domain + Free 100MB web space on a dedicated server i.e. Hostcurry worth 20$, for full 1 year and that too free of cost.

Eligibility :

1) You must be having your own website or blog.

Criteria :

To enter into the contest, you must fulfill the following minimum criteria :

1) Digg atleast 5 of my posts you like using "Share" button on the main page including this post. Remember, we will come to know whether you liked the article or not.

2) Subscribe to email service of my blog. Unverified email will not be considered valid entry.

3) Write an entry on your blog or website describing about this blog and the contest.

Rules :

Following rules will keep you safe :

1) Only one entry per person is allowed.

2) The post on the your blog must be atleast 100 words long.

3) In case you unsubscribe from our blog or delete posts from your blog, you will disqualified.

4) Comment in this post mentioning about the url of your blog after you have followed minimum criteria.

5) Last date to submit entries is 27th August.

Judging Criteria :

The winner will be chosen on 30th August through www.Random.Org . I will contact the winner through his/her blog/website.

Queries are most welcome.

Note : Famous blog running on HostCurry - HonteyTechBlog

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Why Rapidshare when alternatives are there ?

Everyone knows that Rapidshare is the king of file-hosting service. Still there are alternatives which you can use for the purpose of file sharing. Here is a quick review to all such services.

LaunchFile.Com

CAPTCHA: Yes
Wait Time: 10 Seconds
File Delete Policy: 45 days after no download
Max Filesize : 250MB
Download Limits : None
Comments: No picture ads or pop-ups Just text ads. Download speeds sluggish at times.
Rating: 3.5/5

FileQube.Com

CAPTCHA: No
Wait Time: None
File Delete Policy: Not Specified
Max Filesize : 500Mb if you register (free), 150MB if not registered
Download Limits : None
Comments: Super Fast download speeds, Eye catching web interface, Text ads.
Rating: 4.5/5

MediaFire.Com

CAPTCHA: No
Wait Time: None
File Delete Policy: There is currently no time limit on how long uploaded files will be stored as long as you access your account (i.e. login to your account) at least once every 60 days OR at least one of your files is accessed (i.e. downloaded) every 30 days.
Max Filesize: 100MB
Download Limits : None
Comments: Fast Download speeds, some small picture ads but no pop-ups.
Rating: 4/5

MiHD.net

CAPTCHA: None
Wait Time: None
File Delete Policy: Not Specified
Max Filesize: 100MB
Download Limits : None
Comments: Fast Download speeds, Small Text ads thats all
Rating: 4/5

EuShare.com

CAPTCHA: None
Wait Time: None
File Delete Policy: Not Specified
Max File Size: 505MB
Download Limits : None
Comments: Fast Download speeds, Zero Ads
Rating: 4.5/5

Dump.ro

CAPTCHA: None
Wait Time: None
File Delete Policy: Not Specified
Max File Size: 1000MB (1GB)
Download Limits :None
Comments: Accurate upload progress bar, Fast Upload speed. Downloads sometimes sluggish. 105KB Download speed when tested
Rating: 3.5/4

FileFlyer.com

CAPTCHA: None
Wait Time: None
File Delete Policy: Not Specified
Max File Size: 1GB
Download Limits : None
Comments: Accurate upload progress bar, Some picture and text ads
Rating: 4/5

SpeedShare.org

CAPTCHA: None
Wait Time: 7 Seconds
File Delete Policy: Not Specified
Max File Size: 200MB
Download Limits : None
Comments: Accurate upload progress, Some picture and text ads, 1 "under pop-up ad"
Rating: 3/5

files.x7web.com

CAPTCHA: Yes
Wait Time: None
File Delete Policy: None at the moment
Max File Size: 5120 MB (5GB)
Download Limit : None
Comments: Does not display upload information when uploading . Downloads speeds super fast. Zero ads
Rating: 4.5/5

UploadMachine.com

CAPTCHA: No
Wait Time: 29 Seconds
File Delete Policy: 90 days after 0 downloading
Max File Size: 750.00 MB
Download Limits : None
Comments: Great for DVD-Rips and other large files. Speedy upload speeds, Displays upload speed and time remaining when uploading a file. 1 pic ad.
Rating 4.5/5

xtremevault.com

CAPTCHA: Yes
Wait Time: 8 Seconds
File Delete Policy: Your files will be kept on our servers as long as it is downloaded at least once every 30000 Days
Max File Size: 250MB
Download Limits : None
Comments: Displays upload speed and time remaining when uploading a file. Minimal ads
Rating 3.5/5

Ezyfile.net

CAPTCHA: Yes
Wait Time: 59 Seconds
File Delete Policy: No limit. Nevertheless even we have to clean up our drives from time to time, so we will delete files that have not been accessed for 90 days or longer.
Max File Size: 1000MB (1GB)
Download Limits : None
Comments:Great for DVD Rips and large files, displays upload speed and time remaining when uploading a file. Minimal ads.
Rating: 4/5

Any more to add ?

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Use RAM Wisely Part 2

Continuing from previous post, in this post will provide you some general advices for making better use of RAM. Now you've might have learned how to use Task Manager efficiently. Here are some additional tweaks for you :

Reduce the number of colors :

The 32-bit color scheme in takes up a great deal of memory than 24-bit color scheme or 16-bit color scheme. People using computers for only primary business purpose and applications such as word processors and spreadsheets, you most likely won't notice a different between 16-bit and 32-bit color, so going with 16-bit color is a good idea. To change color depth , just right click anywhere on the desktop, click Options. And in the Settings tab , modify the value of Quality drop down box to 16 or 24-bit color value.

Reduce the number of desktop icons :

Remember every icon on your desktop uses up memory. So deleting unused icons on the desktop is a good idea. Run the Clean Desktop Wizard, which will automatically delete icons that you don't regularly use. Right-click on the Desktop and choose Properties, click Desktop, then click Customize Desktop and finally click Clean Desktop Now.

Adjust For Best Performance :

A quick setting that can dramatically increase your desktop's speed is to go for best performance option. You can set this option by right clicking your My Computer then Properties. Then click advanced tab and then Performance Settings. Select "Adjust For Best Performance" under Visual Settings.

Turn Off Unnecessary Services in Windows :

Turning off unnecessary services in Windows XP can greatly reduce your exploit risk, while improving system performance. Unnecessary services just take up a great deal of RAM and decrease system performance. Here is a quick way how to turn off any service in Windows XP. Goto Start and then Run . Type services.msc . You will see a window consisting of various services running in your system. To disable any service, just right click the service name, select Properties and Click Disabled under Startup Type option. Various services which are disabled on my system are :

Alerter
Application Layer Gateway Service
Error Reporting Service
Help and Support
IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service
NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing

Note: Consult this list for more details.

Conclusion :

Therefore we see that instead of buying more RAM, we can efficiently use the RAM we have. We just need to optimize our system for that. Follow some tips and tricks, we can get the system back on track.

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Automate Your Daily Tasks - Use Autoit

For the persons like me which are very much attached to technology, it is very difficult to remain away from technology for many petty tasks also. I remember when I was preparing laboratory for different events to be organized in our college fest, I had to reinstall same set softwares in 25 different computers each in 4 different labs. Following same routine for all the computers, it was just a boredom. I just swore to myself that from next time onwards, I will use such a method that will automate my work for such tasks.

Searching for so many days, I finally came across a good software which nearly solved my problem. AutoIt v3 is the software which can automate your work in no time.

AutoIt v3 is basically a freeware BASIC-like scripting language designed for automating the Windows graphical user interface and general scripting. It uses a combination of simulated keystrokes, mouse movement and window/control manipulation in order to automate tasks in a way not possible or reliable with other languages.

All the scripts can also be converted to executable format so that they can be executed on different set of pcs in no time. Over time, AutoIt has become a powerful language that supports complex expressions, user functions, loops and everything else that veteran scripters would expect.

Some noticeable features of this software:

* Easy to learn BASIC-like syntax
* Simulate keystrokes and mouse movements
* Manipulate windows and processes
* Interact with all standard windows controls
* Scripts can be compiled into standalone executables
* Create Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs)
* COM support
* Regular expressions
* Directly call external DLL and Windows API functions
* Scriptable RunAs functions
* Detailed helpfile and large community-based support forums
* Compatible with Windows 95 / 98 / ME / NT4 / 2000 / XP / 2003 / Vista / 2008
* Unicode and x64 support
* Digitally signed for peace of mind
* Works with Windows Vista's User Account Control (UAC)

Some Useful Websites for AutoIt:

Apart from the fact that the language is dead simple to learn, still there are bunch of scripts available on internet for various purpose. Ofcourse you can write your own script for a custom task which is not already designed. Some useful resources are:

AutoIt Forums
AutoIt Scripts

So what's next:

So what can you use this for? You can use this software to automate an installation program, for example, of Winzip. The script in turn can be compiled into an executable and distributed to a bunch of PCs that do not have AutoIT installed, and then the installation can go through automatically. Another example of use would be automation of a common task, for example entering your stocks into Yahoo! Finance and getting there results. AutoIT also has file functions, can use the clipboard, and the environment variables so the option of automating data-entry from one application to another is possible. I have designed various Bots and Forum Posters in different forums using this same software only. The possibilities are endless.

Shoot any queries you have ...........

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Use RAM Wisely Part 1

Better use of RAM is the only way to improve system performance. You should try these set of tips before you buy more RAM.

Except money, RAM is the only thing which you always want more. No matter how much memory you have, you could always use more. The quickest way to better XP performance is to install more RAM.

But you can speed up XP by making better use of the RAM you already have in your desktop. Let's look at some of the possible hacks we could use for our purpose.

Make Better Use of Your Memory with the Task Manager

One of the major area for which memory is used is paging. A certain amount of this is normal, but if you use a paging file too much, or if even your paging file can't handle the memory load, you'll run into system slowdowns and problems.

The best way to monitor your memory performance is by the Task Manager's Performance tab. To run the Task Manager, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, then click on the Performance tab.

Charts that report on paging file use and the tabular material below it are the most important parts. They give you the detailed view of the current usage of your memory.

Here's how to use the information on the tab to make better use of RAM:

If the Total Commit Charge exceeds the Total Physical Memory, you probably need more RAM. When the Commit Charge is regularly higher than the Physical Memory available, it means that you have to regularly use a Page File, which slows your system down. Buy more RAM; it will boost system performance. The best option for you.

Before running a memory-intensive application, use the Processes Tab to identify memory-hogging applications, and close them down. The Processes tab of the Task Manager lists every process and program in use and shows the total amount of memory each uses. Click twice on the Memory Usage heading on the tab to reorder the list of programs and processes so that those that require most memory show up at the top. Close down programs that you don't really need before running a memory-intensive application.

If the Peak Commit Charge is frequently at or near the Limit Commit Charge, you need to increase your memory. When this occurs, it means that your PC is frequently out of memory or close to being out of memory. Either add RAM or increase your Page File size.

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HOWTO : Rapidshare to Rapidshare Remote Upload

Some days ago, I posted notification about the changes Rapidshare had implemented in its point system. Those who are unaware of it might read it here.

On the morning of 16th July, I got information from my friend Siddharth that he had phished some Rapidshare accounts. He gave me one account to try with. I just logged on to Rapidshare.com using premium account and saw the site from the premium accounts' eyes for the first time. I checked if there were any points left in the account so that I can extend it. There were already 8000 points in it. The account was about to expire, so I decided to see if I can find any exploit in the premium service of Rapidshare.

I saw that they give you points if a premium user download your files which is greater than 3 mb.

Subject to the condition is that the file is at least 3 Megabyte in size and the downloader has generated not more than 3 RapidPoints in the last hours. Premium users can generate for you up to 255 points per day.

Now the funny point is they didn't mentioned which premium user. That premium user can be me itself downloading my own files and then extending my account when I reach 10K mark. But for that I have to download a 3mb file 255 times a day !!!!

Now that would really create a mess of my internet connection.

Then I decided to trick Rapidshare server. I checked other features of Rapidshare account and came across a wonderful (and seriously exploitable) service called "Remote Upload".

Why not use Rapidshare's this feature to download my own files? Rapidshare does not log from where the file is being downloaded. I just checked to see if this was really working.

I copied a url from my own account, put my premium account user id and password in the form :

http://userid:password@rapidshare.com/files/xxxxxxxx

I feeded into the remote upload box the above url. Just as I pushed "Add", an alert told me that I cannot add a Rapidshare url.

Please do not add RapidShare URLs. Remote Upload cannot be used for RapidShare links.

So Rapidshare didn't allow remote uploads if the file belongs to their own server. But I was not at ease at any moment. I just fired http://tinyurl.com and wrapped my rapidshare url using the tinyurl service. I again feeded the url to Rapidshare remote upload service and bingo!!!!!!!. It worked this time. Rapidshare downloading my own files and also giving me points for. Yeah !!!!

So you can see that Rapidshare programmers are dumb enough that they made such silly mistakes that even a n00b can exploit.

You must try this tweak before Rapidshare catches it.!!!!!!!

Update : Rapidshare has banned all such methods of Remote Upload.

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Hit From Spywares - Solution Is Here

Spyware is a program that sits on a personal computer without invitation and takes partial control over the user's interaction with the computer, without the user's consent.

Some of you might be thinking that Spyware is just another name of virus, but its not the same story. "Virus" is a crafted program that destroys data on your computer, whereas "spyware" is a program that steals information and reports back to the writer or a designated third party.

Cure your PC from spyware by just following a short journey :

1) Download SuperAntiSpyware Free for Home Users from here.

2) Double-click SuperAntiSpyware.exe and use the default settings for installation. An icon will be created on your desktop.

3) Double click that icon to launch it.You will be asked for updating the program definitions,click "Yes". Close SuperAntiSpyware. Now restart your computer in Safemode.

4) To enter into Safe Mode, restart computer and keep tapping F8 key. A menu will appear, select Safe Mode, now desktop will be shown in Safemode.

5) Open SuperAntiSpyware. Under "Configuration and Preferences", click the Preferences button.

6) Select the Scanning Control tab. Under Scanner Options check the following items (leave all others unchecked)

• Close browsers before scanning.
• Scan for tracking cookies.
• Terminate memory threats before quarantining.
  

7) Click "Close" to return to main screen.

8) Under "Scan for Harmful Software" click Scan your computer.

• On the left, check C:\Fixed Drive.
• On the right, under "Complete Scan", choose Perform Complete Scan.
• Click "Next" to start the scan.
  

9) After the scan is complete, a scan Summary box will appear showing detected harmful items. Click "OK".

10) Make sure everything has a check mark next to it and click "Next".

11) A notification will appear that "Quarantine and Removal is Complete".

12) Click "OK" and then click the "Finish" button to return to the main menu. You will be asked to reboot system , click "Yes".

Note : You can retrieve the removed information after reboot :

• Launch SuperAntispyware.
• Click Preferences, then click the Statistics/Logs tab.
• Under Scanner Logs, double-click SuperAntiSpyware Scan Log.
• Click current dated log from a list of logs.
• Press View Log.
• A text file will open in your default text editor.

This is not any kind of review of the software. It just a procedure how to remove a Spyware if it has affected your system.

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