India backs off on Blackberry ban threat

By ERIKA KINETZ, AP Business Writer Erika Kinetz, Ap Business Writer – Sat Oct 30, 9:23 am ET
 
MUMBAI, India – India has followed the United Arab Emirates in backing off from a threat to ban popular services on Blackberry devices, amid growing global concern over access to encrypted information.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said Friday that Research in Motion Ltd., the Canadian maker of the smart phones, has agreed to an interim arrangement for lawful interception of Blackberry messenger services — an instant messaging application — and pledged to provide a final solution by January.

"Accordingly, the ... services will continue to be available," the ministry said in a statement.
Citing national security concerns, India had threatened to ban corporate e-mail and messenger services by August if Research in Motion didn't come up with a way for the government to monitor them. It then extended the deadline to October. It remains unclear what solution the parties may have reached over encrypted corporate e-mails.
RIM, whose competitive edge rests on ensuring security to its global users, has given no details of the possible concessions that led the UAE and India to back off from their October deadlines for access.
The company said in a statement that it is optimistic about reaching a final solution with Indian regulators. RIM said it had not changed the security architecture for corporate e-mail and that it does not make special deals on access with individual countries.
India is now asking all companies that provide encrypted communications — not just RIM — to install servers in the country to make it easier for the government to obtain users' data. That would likely affect Gmail provider Google Inc. and Internet phone company Skype SA.

Known Crisis And Ways To Handle Them.

Many of us aren’t aware of the literacy rate in Pakistan. Nor we care about the reports that we receive about the transparency.  People from the outside, talking and discussing about the crisis in Pakistan mean nothing to us. Why??? It’s because we are already aware of such issues. We know that there are number of people who aren’t able to read a daily or write their name.  Each one of us, daily, has to go through the civil mismanagements. So, I don’t get, why others need to point the thing that we already know? Perhaps, it’s because that the situation here doesn’t get any better.

I saw a documentary based on the crisis that took place in China few years ago. What country doesn’t have one? But it’s a nation’s responsibility to take care of them. Leaders do make mistakes and it’s us that are supposed to point it out. As I was saying about the documentary… People of China managed beautifully to make a change, without any harm. They were even riot by the army. But they handled it peacefully and not a single soldier was given a chance to raise a weapon upon his own people.

We hear now and then, in various commercials, programs, movies, etc. that we can start it by doing our bit. It may not seem a lot but it’s worth doing it.  For example;

• Each of us can try to educate 1 person at a time or make an opportunity for him/her.
• Next time whenever we get to have an interaction with a person who is forcing us to bribe, we can say no to him.
• Each person, no matter what business/job/profession he belongs to, can start doing his work with honesty. Being immune to the comments and gestures that people will give him.
• If I am a student. I can try to make my time worthy. Consult my teachers, for my future. Try to maintain my company. Not every one can have straight “A”, but everyone can study wholeheartedly. Avoid cheating in the exams, as this is may occur the first step towards become corrupt and making our move on someone else's achievement.
•  Why desire more, when we are doing well in the lifestyle that we already have? Try spending our money on something worth. We all know what a necessity is and what's not. 
• The more we think, the better we do. Try making observations. It’ll provoke your thoughts and lighten your mind with innovations. Aka, think outside the box. (This time I mean it for real). 
• Stop criticizing others and start realizing our own mistakes. Even though we are pointed out by outsiders, but there is no harm in admitting ones mistakes and avoiding it in future.
• Get organized. Become part of a group, a welfare you can trust. If not, make your own. 
• Respect the ideology. We live in a global village. People are from different places and represent their cultures and religions. If it doesn’t meet your standard, simply avoid them. Try persuading them with healthy debates. Brawling won’t take you any where.   
• Try to fill in the generation gap. Seniors are a blessing to a civilization. Try learning from their experiences. It’ll bring them close to the youth. This way the youth can get some sound advices.   
• Last but not the least. Be patient about it. Changes don’t occur in a day. It might take us a long time. One thing is for sure. If we won’t, our next generation will witness it.

So the next time we meet, I hope we have started doing our bit by then. Keep your hopes high and be blessed. 

by Khalid Saeed Butt

Beauty Spots: Halloween-Costume Tutorials

By HILARY HOWARD

Published: October 27, 2010 (New York Times)

BOO TUBE Need some last-minute Halloween inspiration? Visit YouTube, where several enterprising makeup artists are offering free tutorials on everything from ghouls to Gaga.

Consider Goldiestarling (Angie Davis of Advance, N.C.), a rising YouTube star who has amassed more than 2 million followers with how-to videos on past creepy looks like the black widow, the she-devil and the zombie/dead girl. This year her offerings include an “Exorcist” character, a bloody skull (top) and a sparkling gothic “mask of mystery.”

Petrilude (Joshua Plock of Chicago) is offering Mother Earth (bottom) and Reptilizard tutorials. Just this week, he introduced three new zombie looks for Halloween 2010. 

For something tamer, try the sexy cat or dead doll (middle) by MissChievous (Julia Graf of Bern, Switzerland), who has also collaborated with Petrilude on angel and devil looks.

A Classic Shoe, Restyled

 

By MARY BILLARD

Published: October 27, 2010 (New York Times)

THE first offering from New Balance for the J. Crew collection, the 1400, is named for a style number originally released in 1994. The unisex suede shoe comes in two colors, navy and what is called “classic pine,” a dark moss green (left, $130), and was manufactured in New Balance’s factory in Skowhegen, Me. Available via the J. Crew catalog, online at jcrew.com and at select stores, including J. Crew’s Men Shop at 1040 Madison Avenue (79th Street); (212) 453-2677.

Sony Ericsson Zylo By Alun Taylor

Review The world + dog may be knocking out smartphones like there's no tomorrow but that's not to say the feature phones is dead and buried. The Zylo handset from Sony Ericsson would, once upon a time, have had a W code to show it sat in the Walkman range, but the days of simple delineation between music (Walkman) and camera (Cybershot) phones are long gone, to be replaced by a new era of slightly silly names – hence, the Zylo.

The Zylo is all about music and social networking and consequently takes on a curious marketing duality where it's targeted both at kids who can't afford a smartphone and at those who kneel before the alter of sound quality.
The first thing that struck me about the Zylo was how well made it feels. It's light, solid and very well bolted together, despite being made entirely of plastic, and the slide action is firm and well weighted. Measuring up at 103 x 52 x 11.5mm when closed it's quite petite too, but still has room for a 2.6in 240 x 320 colour display.
The main controls are laid out in the traditional SE way with a central navigation pad that doubles as a play/pause control flanked by the call keys, two context dependent soft keys – which sit rather too far away from the screen corners for my liking – and small menu and clear buttons.
On the right side of the handset you will find a volume rocker and a Walkman button. The latter fires up the music player and acts as the camera shutter button once you have launched the camera from the main menu. Slide the handset open and you will find a keypad that is a pleasure to use. The keys are curvaceous, nicely sized and have a very clean action.

The user interface will be instantly familiar to anyone who has used a Sony Ericsson phone in the last few years. In fact it is very similar to that of the K850i I tested back in October 2007. The Media center interface looked fresh three years ago but things have moved on, not least on Sony's Walkman players, making it look just a little stale now.

read more...

Batman 3 Has A Title

Big news from the Batman camp in today’s L.A. Times: Christopher Nolan has revealed the name of the third film in his Gotham City trilogy. In July 2012, we’ll be queuing for The Dark Knight Rises.

Not only that, but in something of a bombshell, Nolan went on to dispell what many had begun to assume to be a given – “It won’t be the Riddler,” reports L.A.T.’s blog Hero Complex. So easy to get ahead of yourself, isn't it? Of course, true to form, the director wouldn’t reveal who it would be.
What Nolan seemed most interested in imparting was that he’s convinced Warner Bros. to keep telling his story in 2D, and to continue down the path of hi-def IMAX sequences. And he’ll get no argument from us on the subject – if it ain't broke, etc.
The post contains one other potentially juicy, enigmatic Nolan quote: “We’ll use many of the same characters as we have all along, and we’ll be introducing some new ones.” From here, you can go down two schools of thought – 1) This is a straightforward, non-commital comment. 2) You can subscribe to the oft-chanted mantra that "In comic books, no-one is ever really dead" – and we lost two big characters in The Dark Knight. But then again, of course, that doesn’t – to date – really wash with the realistic leanings of the first two films. What was that about getting ahead of ourselves? Pah! Tish! Etc.!
Sam Toy

Source: Hero Complex 

Toshiba Satellite A665-3D Laptops Give New Life to DVD and PC Game Libraries

Toshiba today announced that it has added powerful new features to enhance the 3D playback capabilities of its Satellite A665-3D Series laptops. Equipped with NVIDIA 3D Vision technology, the updated laptop models are ready to deliver a stereoscopic 3D experience to games, movies, photos and more. New features further enhance the experience, giving consumers the ability to convert their favorite 2D DVDs to 3D as well as extend the experience to 3D-ready HDTVs. (Photo: Business Wire)

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Toshiba’s Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced that it has added powerful new features to enhance the 3D playback capabilities of its Satellite^® A665-3D Series laptops. Equipped with NVIDIA^® 3D Vision™ technology¹, the updated laptop models are ready to deliver a stereoscopic 3D experience to games, movies, photos and more. New features further enhance the experience, giving consumers the ability to convert their favorite 2D DVDs to 3D as well as extend the experience to 3D-ready HDTVs.
Bundled with a pair of wireless active shutter glasses, Satellite A665-3D series laptops provide immediate out-of-the-box compatibility with hundreds of PC games, plus the ability to enjoy 3D Blu-ray movies, photos, videos, 3D websites and more. The included Toshiba Video Player 3D software player further enhances the experience giving consumers the ability to convert their favorite 2D DVD movies into 3D.
“The latest versions of our Satellite A665-3D Series laptops make 3D technology even more accessible,” said Carl Pinto, vice president of product development, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division. “Our 2D to 3D conversion software allows people to go back into their DVD libraries and experience their favorite content all over again in stunning 3D without having to repurchase anything.”
A Growing 3D Content Ecosystem
The availability of 3D content continues to grow. Dozens of films are slated to release on 3D Blu-ray Disc™ in time for the holidays, as well as several new NVIDIA 3D Vision-ready PC games and 3D streaming video events.
“Personal 3D content is hitting the mainstream with more games, movies, cameras and Web content being released daily,” said Phil Eisler, general manager of 3D Vision technology at NVIDIA. “Laptops like the Toshiba Satellite A665 3D Edition with NVIDIA 3D Vision deliver the best-in-class 3D experience to the consumer.”
Encased in Toshiba’s stylish Fusion^® X2 finish, the Satellite A665 laptop delivers enthusiast-class performance and features with the processing power of the latest Intel^® Core™ processors, plus the NVIDIA GeForce^® GTS 350M² graphics processing unit (GPU) with 1GB of GDDR3 video memory³. The laptop now features a built-in emitter, eliminating the need for extra cumbersome cables and making set-up even easier.
The Satellite A665 3D Edition features a 15.6-inch diagonal TruBrite^® widescreen LCD display⁴ with LED backlighting and a 120Hz refresh rate and is packed with premium multimedia features.

• Built-in harman/kardon^® speakers deliver impressive sound while Dolby Advanced Audio™ further optimizes audio quality so games, movies and music sound more vivid and true to life.
• Toshiba’s unique Sleep-and-Music technology is also included, enabling users to play music from their MP3 players through the laptop’s speakers – even while the laptop is powered down.
• Toshiba’s Resolution+™ DVD upconversion technology⁵ improves the quality of standard definition DVD content by boosting contrast, sharpness and saturation to near high-definition quality.

Rounding out the list of premium features is an optional LED backlit keyboard that provides convenience in low-light conditions, while raised-tile style keys deliver a comfortable typing experience. A wide TouchPad™ also offers multi-touch control for easier navigation, allowing users to pinch, swipe or zoom through files, applications and webpages.
The Satellite A665 3D Edition will also support NVIDIA 3DTV Play™ software⁶, available later this fall, which allows consumers to attach the laptop to a 3D-ready TV and enjoy all the latest 3D content, including the latest PC games, photos and streaming video on the big screen.
Features available on the Toshiba Satellite A665 3D Edition include:

• 15.6-inch diagonal HD TruBrite^® LED Backlit widescreen display⁴ with 120Hz scan rate
• Intel^® Core™ i5-460M or Core i7-740QM processor⁷ with TurboBoost technology
• NVIDIA^® GeForce^® GTS 350M² with 1GB DDR3 discrete graphics memory³
• NVIDIA 3D Vision™ kit with active shutter 3D glasses¹
• Blu-ray Disc™⁸ and DVD SuperMulti drive with LabelFlash
• harman/kardon^® stereo speakers and Dolby Advanced Audio™
• Windows^® 7 Home Premium operating system
• Up to 6GB DDR3 RAM³
• 640GB hard drive⁹
• HDMI 1.4 port
• 802.11b/g/n wireless¹⁰ and 10/100/1000 Ethernet (WiMAX optional)
• 6-cell battery (12-cell battery optional)
• One eSATA/USB combo port with Toshiba USB Sleep-and-Charge¹¹ and three USB 2.0 ports
• Optional Bluetooth^® V2.1 + EDR
• Microphone input port with Toshiba Sleep-and-Music
• Built-in Webcam with Toshiba Face Recognition¹²
• 5-in-1 Memory Card Reader and ExpressCard slots

Pricing and Availability
The Toshiba Satellite A665 3D Edition laptop are available starting in October 2010 at Best Buy and other select retailers, e-tailers and directly from Toshiba (www.toshibadirect.com) with a starting price of $1,299.99 MSRP¹³.
Image Gallery: http://bit.ly/toshiba3D-Q42010
Connect with Toshiba on Twitter at twitter.com/ToshibaLaptops and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ToshibaLaptopsUS.
About Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. (TAIS)
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., TAIS is comprised of four business units: Digital Products Division, Imaging Systems Division, Storage Device Division, and Telecommunication Systems Division. Together, these divisions provide mobile products and solutions, including industry-leading portable computers; televisions, TV/DVD Combination products, Blu-ray Disc and DVD products, and portable devices; imaging products for the security, medical and manufacturing markets; storage products for automotive, computer and consumer electronics applications; and IP business telephone systems with unified communications, collaboration and mobility applications. TAIS provides sales, marketing and services for its wide range of products in the United States and Latin America.
TAIS is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation. Toshiba Corporation is a world leader and innovator in high technology, a diversified manufacturer and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products. These products span from information & communications systems; digital consumer products; electronic devices and components; as well as power systems including nuclear energy; industrial and social infrastructure systems; and home appliances. Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 740 companies, with 204,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing $68 billion (6.3 Trillion Yen). For more information on Toshiba visit www.toshiba.com.
© 2010 Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. All product, service and company names are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. Information including without limitation product prices, specifications, availability, content of services, and contact information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved.
¹ NVIDIA® 3D Vision™. Some individuals may experience health-related complications when exposed to certain 3D images. Parents should monitor and/or supervise their children's use of 3D Vision. If you or your child should experience any problem, immediately stop using 3D Vision and consult a physician. Carefully read safety instructions included with the NVIDIA 3D Vision kit and take the “User Vision Test” in the setup wizard before you or your child use 3D Vision. If you see excessive flicker in your peripheral vision, change the refresh rate of your display.
² Graphics. GPU performance may vary. See Graphics Legal Footnote at www.info.toshiba.com
³ Memory. Memory size may vary. See Memory Legal Footnote at www.info.toshiba.com
⁴ Display. Any small bright dots that may appear on your display are an intrinsic characteristic of the thin film transistors manufacturing technology. See Display Legal Footnote at www.info.toshiba.com
⁵ Resolution+™ Technology (Upconverter/UpconversionTechnology). Viewing enhancements may vary depending upon content quality and display device capability/functionality/settings. Depending on the quality of the content, some video noise may be visible.
⁶ NVIDIA 3DTV Play requires separate purchase of software upgrade from NVIDIA and driver download from Toshiba’s website at http://support.toshiba.com
⁷ Processor. CPU performance may vary. See Processor Legal Footnote at www.info.toshiba.com
⁸ Blu-ray Disc™ Player Technology. Compatibility and/or performance issues are possible. See Blu-Ray Disc Player Technology Legal Footnote at www.info.toshiba.com
⁹ Hard Disk Drive Capacity. Hard drive capacity may vary. 1 Gigabyte (GB) means 10⁹ = 1,000,000,000 bytes using powers of 10. See Hard Disk Drive Capacity Legal Footnote at www.info.toshiba.com
¹⁰ Wireless-N. The wireless adapter is based on a draft release version of the IEEE 802.11n specification and may not be compatible with, or support all features (e.g., security) of, certain Wi-Fi® equipment.
¹¹ The “USB Sleep & Charge function” may not work with certain external devices even if they are compliant with the USB specification. In those cases, turn the power of the computer ON to charge the device.
¹² Toshiba Face Recognition. For high security purposes, Toshiba Face Recognition is not a suitable substitute for Windows® passwords. To ensure the security of your system use your established Windows® passwords to logon.
¹³ Price. Reseller prices may vary. MSRP means “Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price.”
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6446895〈=en

Online TV spats mean fewer free shows on Web

By RYAN NAKASHIMA, AP Business Writer Ryan Nakashima, Ap Business Writer – Mon Oct 25, 5:46 am ET

LOS ANGELES – Broadcasters took a big step toward eliminating free TV shows on the Web after they blocked access to their programming online this month to enforce their demands to be paid.
Recent actions by Fox, ABC, NBC and CBS in two separate fee disputes suggest that after a few years of experimenting with free, ad-supported viewing, broadcasters believe they can make more money from cable TV providers if they hold back some programming online.
That could mean new limits on online viewing are coming: Broadcasters might make fewer of their shows available to begin with, or delay when they become available — say, a month after an episode is broadcast, rather than the few hours it typically takes now.
It would make it tougher for viewers to drop their cable TV subscriptions and watch shows online instead. If cable and satellite TV providers can hang on to more subscribers, broadcasters can then demand more money from them to carry their stations on the lineups.
Last weekend, News Corp.'s Fox made TV programming history by blocking online access to its shows, including "Glee" to 2.6 million Cablevision Systems Corp. broadband Internet subscribers. It was part of a fee dispute over how much Cablevision pays to carry the signals of Fox-owned TV stations.
At around the same time, ABC, NBC and CBS turned off access to full episodes when accessed from the new Google TV Web browser, which became available this month.

read full article

Accessorise, Berlin style

BERLIN: Winter is just around the corner for Pakistan, but in other parts of Europe, such as Germany, the chill has already set in. While Berliners may have pulled out their winter coats, they opt to stand out by using bright accessories.
Germany celebrated the 21st anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall this year. Over the years, the city has undergone a huge change and is aiming to develop into an international cultural, art and fashion hub. Berlin Fashion Week has become a must-watch event for fans of avante-garde fashion.
In autumn and winter, an average Berliner will wear basic jeans, walking shoes and a thick sweater or a jacket in basic colours. But they are able to stand out in the crowd by adding colour to the standard black or brown coats and blue or black jeans. Be it a hat, scarf, leggings, gloves or accessories, they are all brightly coloured and aim to add some spark to an otherwise bland look.

Pakistanis can take note of this trend no matter where they live in the country or if they choose to wear eastern or western clothes. Autumn in Berlin is very similar to winter in Lahore and Islamabad and a chic knee-length coat with tights looks great, especially when paired with a brightly coloured scarf or bag. For those who don’t have to face such weather can follow the same look but swap the coat for a sweater and put on bright, chunky earrings for that additional splash of colour.
Designers who have made great use of funky, bright tights include Nomi Ansari and Maheen Khan at Gulabo. Stylist Asmaa Mumtaz put singer Sarah Waqar in bright yellow tights with a black-and-white top for the launch of The Dresser. Deepika Padukone pulled off the trend as well in Love Aaj Kal with her funky tunics and contrasting tights.
Essentials for wintry weather

• Tights
• Coats
• Ugg boots
• Scarves
• Ballet flats or lace-up walking shoes

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2010.

AVG Anti-Virus Free 2011 (PC Magazine. by Neil J. Rubenking)

In 1992 a couple of young Czech entrepreneurs introduced their "Anti Virus Guard" security utility. Today, almost 20 years later, AVG is an international success, offering a free antivirus utility used by millions and a full line of commercial security products. The current free release, AVG Anti-Virus Free 2011 (free, direct), now includes all of the virus-fighting features found in the company's full suite. In fact, it includes features not commonly found in commercial standalone antivirus tools, let alone free ones.
AVG Anti-Virus Free's user interface, which started off blocky and overly colorful, has evolved through the years. Big buttons let the user launch a scan, check for updates, or peruse the security overview. The overview displays status of all the security modules—ten of them—but their grayscale icons are easy on the eye.

More

To fit all the component icons, the program's main window has to be quite large. A banner across the bottom promoting the upgrade to AVG's full security suite makes it even larger. I'd like to see related components combined to make the main window less busy.

Specifications

Type

Personal

Free

Yes

OS Compatibility

Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 7

Tech Support

Forum

More

Very Good Lab Results
In the past it's been hard to relate independent lab results to AVG's free antivirus because the labs invariably test the full commercial product. Now that there's no difference in protection AVG shines. It received Platinum anti-malware certification from West Coast Labs, an honor also achieved by Kaspersky and Webroot but not by any other free product. ICSA Labs certifies AVG for virus detection, and it received the VB100% award in all ten of the last ten tests by Virus Bulletin.

AV-Comparatives regularly tests products for on-demand malware removal and proactive (non-signature) malware blocking. AVG rated ADVANCED, the second-highest rating, in the most recent on-demand and proactive tests. It's doing quite well in their ongoing dynamic protection test, too. August's test results are in, and AVG's suite blocked 99 percent of threats, as did those Avira, Panda and Trend Micro.
AV-Test.org ran a months-long whole-product test last year in which Norton, Kaspersky, and PC Tools took the top three positions for virus detection and for successful virus blocking. AVG's detection score was right behind the top three, but its score for successful blocking was notably lower, a result that jibes with my own tests.
A more recent report from AV-Test rated products on virus repair, usability, and overall protection. AVG scored 4 of 6 possible points for repair, 5 for usability, and 5.5 overall. F-Secure, Kaspersky, Norton and Panda managed even higher scores, but here again no free products did.
Fast Virus Scanning
As often happens, AVG's installer gagged on problems deliberately created by one test system's malware. I tried the free AVG Rescue CD, but it didn't remove the obstacle. Next I went for live-chat remote access support (after confirming that indeed this would be available to a normal user). It took a couple hours, but the technician managed to break the logjam and get AVG installed. That's darn good considering that the same problem required several days of back-and-forth with PC Tools.
Current antivirus products average about 27 minutes for a full scan of my standard clean test system. AVG managed that first scan in less than 18 minutes, over half of which was devoted to "first time optimization." The optimization certainly worked; a repeat scan finished in under a minute.

 Before I could launch full scans on the infested systems, I had to wade through quite a few real-time warnings about active malware. That's good; a security product should wipe out active threats immediately. In some cases AVG warned to close all other programs and went into a mini-scan cleanup mode like F-Secure Internet Security 2011 ($59.99 direct for three licenses, 3 stars), but it took less than a minute. Other times multiple security components worked to wipe out the same threat, leaving the latecomer erroneously saying it failed. That's better than claiming success and being wrong, but the company would do well to have the components communicate better.
After running all my tests, I noticed that the product's rootkit scan runs as a separate component. My AVG contacts verified the need to scan separately for rootkits. It didn't find anything that the regular full scan missed. At least it was quick!
AVG detected 85 percent of the malware threats, better than the average but behind Norton AntiVirus 2011 ($39.99 direct, 4.5 stars), Panda Antivirus Pro 2011 ($50.95 direct for three licenses, 3.5 stars) and PC Tools Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 2011 ($39.95 direct for three licenses, 4 stars) all of which detected 89 percent. AVG's overall score of 6.5 points is also a bit above average but well below 7.8 reached by Spyware Doctor and 7.9 from Norton.
On the other hand, AVG compares well with other free products. Panda Cloud Anti-Virus 1.1 (Free, 4 stars) detected 86 percent but scored just 5.9 points for actual cleanup. Though Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.46 (Free, 3.5 stars) detected just 80 percent, its removal was effective enough to give it 7.3 points, the top removal score among free products.
Spyware Doctor and Webroot AntiVirus with Spy Sweeper 2011 ($49.99 direct for three licenses, 4.5 stars) detected 93 percent of samples in a separate test using commercial keyloggers; AVG had the next best detection rate with 86 percent. Perfect removal would have earned 8.6 points, so its score of 4.9 indicates it did a poor job removing what it detected. It left behind executable files for most of them and two were still running after AVG claimed to have removed them.
Like quite a few other products AVG detected 100 percent of the rootkit samples, but here again it fell down at the removal step, scoring just 5.7 of 10 possible points. As with the keyloggers, it left behind lots of executable files; two of the threats were still running with rootkit technology active. Spyware Doctor topped this test with 9.1 points while Webroot reached 8.0.
In the scareware test Malwarebytes handily beat AVG, with 8.1 points to AVG's 6.3. For details on how I test malware removal and derive these scores see see How We Test Anti-malware
AVG Anti-Virus Free 2011 malware removal chart

One thing to note; most of the comparable apps here are not free. Of the current free products only AVG and Malwarebytes have a top score in any malware removal category and only AVG is above average in every category.

• Pros
  Excellent scores in independent tests. Fast antivirus scan. Above average in my malware removal tests. LinkScanner add-in blocks malicious exploits. No false positives. Scans and marks Facebook links. Multi-function toolbar. One-time system tuneup. Free identity theft recovery.
• Cons Didn't thoroughly remove detected threats. LinkScanner missed many phishing sites. Below-average rootkit and scareware blocking.
  

• Bottom Line
  AVG Anti-Virus Free 2011 is better at removing malware than most free solutions, but not at malware blocking. With the current release it has the full power of AVG's paid solutions, and the independent labs give it top marks. Add some unusual bonus features and you've got a solid choice for free antivirus protection. 
  
  
  courtesy: PC Magazine see original article 

Good Luck Chilling.

When we say, we don’t believe in bad luck, it doesn’t mean that we don’t want to have a good luck. Is that biasness? I don’t think so. We hear now and then, people making speeches in movies and real life, saying that man is the one that makes things, way they are and fate or luck has nothing to do with it. Even these people can’t help themselves grinning when hit by a good luck.  

It’s an experience, based on our daily routine that mostly things don’t go according to the plan. So what we do is pretend and let others feel that what has happened was all part of the script and was well managed. We make it look as if nothing ever went wrong or no dish was served outside the menu. A little raw painting is made a master piece. A bump on the hood of a car is declared innovation or sometimes, “just to make it go more aerodynamic”. Messed up, rough cut or imbalanced hair look is considered part of the fashion.  A show with no theme is called “thinking outside the box”. You can go on and on and you’ll see how we’ve have been covering things from the beginning.

Some people say; it’s random. I don’t deny or agree with them. It may appear random to us but in background it’s all part of the Fate. What we can’t see doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist.

The world has now become something that no one ever wanted it to be. No place is safe anymore. Each country has its own crisis. We see humanity working day and night to overcome them. So, in this case, I don’t claim that what we are having is all part of the bad luck. We really are responsible. Well… not for all but there are some deeds that we are responsible of. Still it doesn’t mean that I should lose hope and stop working for the good. There is always a room for the good luck. No matter how bad the things go, there are millions and billions of examples when one ray of hope, opens gates to prosperity.

So for the falling moods, I suggest that we should take a good luck chilling and carry on with our lives. I know that putting things in the quotes and practicing are two different things but one thing I am sure of and that is, crying over spilt milk won’t make situation any better, although learning from the past, will lead us to the right way.

So where ever you are work hard and keep smiling because there is infinity of good luck, waiting for you on your way.

By Khalid Saeed Butt

Before 'Iron Man 3,' Robert Downey Jr. Has A Few Other Meaty Roles On His Plate

With "Iron Man 3" officially on the calendar, superhero fans everywhere can take solace in the fact that Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the scene as Tony Stark at least two more times in the relatively near future (the other time being for 2012's "Avengers").

Downey is all but locked for the film — at the very least, we can't imagine anyone else wearing the red-and-gold suit — but he has a long road to go down before "Iron Man 3" hits theaters. That's not a complaint, of course, as every RDJ-starring movie standing between now and Ol' Shellhead's return sounds like a winner in the making.
After the jump, we've got the rundown on the projects facing Downey before "Iron Man 3" arrives on the scene!
"Due Date"
From the director of "The Hangover" comes "Due Date," a new comedy starring Downey and Zach Galifianakis as two men forced to drive across the country so that Downey's character, an expectant father, can arrive in time for his child's birth. With Todd Phillips at the helm, expect hilarious celebrity cameos and vomit-worthy hilarity. The comedy hits theaters on November 5, 2010.
"Sherlock Holmes 2"
After the amazing success of "Sherlock Holmes," a sequel starring Downey as the British sleuth was an elementary decision. RDJ is currently filming the sequel alongside Jude Law as Watson, with new actors including Jared Harris as Moriarty and Noomi Rapace as the film's female lead.
"Gravity"
Of all of Downey's upcoming movies, the actor's smallest time commitment comes in the form of "Gravity." He's set to co-star in director Alfonso Cuaron's space-set movie about a female astronaut (rumored to be played by Sandra Bullock) as she struggles to survive and return home to Earth. Downey's role is a supporting one, but one we're eagerly anticipating nonetheless.
"Oz the Great and Powerful"
Although he's not officially confirmed to star, Downey is all but guaranteed to headline "Oz the Great and Powerful" for director Sam Raimi. If he can fit the film into his busy schedule, Downey would play a younger version of the Wizard, an eccentrically dressed con artist who goes around seducing witches and wives with alarming regularity. Sounds like a match made in heaven for RDJ.
"The Avengers"
Of course, the one we're most excited for is Downey's reprisal of Tony Stark in Joss Whedon's "The Avengers," Marvel Studios' superhero team-up that brings Captain America, Thor, Nick Fury, the Hulk and more all under the same roof. It's an ambitious project with potential for tremendous success or absolute failure, but it'll be an epic endeavor nonetheless.

click here for the original article  

Gul Ahmed launches fall collection

(R to L) Models Iraj Mansoor, Saima Haroon, Ayyan Ali, Fayeza Ansari and Fozia display Gul Ahmed’s fall collection. PHOTO: NOOR FAREED/EXPRESS TRIBUNE

 

KARACHI: The brand’s launching event, Tuesday, was complemented by a red carpet and a fashion show to entertain the audience made up of notable fashion celebrities.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Ziad Bashir, Director Gul Ahmed said, “We believe this is the right time to bring the collection in the market.” As far as new offerings are concerned, Bashir said, “I definitely think this is the best collection. We have a lot of variety to offer, which no other brand has.”
Catalyst PR and Marketing Company, a sister company of Catwalk Productions, has signed an agreement for the brand marketing of Gul Ahmed. CEO Catwalk Productions Frieha Altaf said, “I used to be a Gul Ahmed girl, I remember the time when their lawns advertisments were considered the best all over Pakistan and a model would be picked up for Haseena Moeen’s drama to be aired on PTV. The girls would usually be Gul Ahmed models. I believe it’s an amazing brand, it just requires exposure in the media to promote itself.”
Altaf, wearing a brown outfit from Gul Ahmed, added, “The brand caters to middle class and upper class customers. If there is a local brand that can become multinational, I believe it’s Gul Ahmed. One needs to create more brands like these, where it’s a complete home store offering something from upholstery items like towels and bedsheets to men’s and women’s clothing. More importantly, as yet, nobody else can beat their lawn collections that come in summers.”
Attending the event was also politician Sharmila Farooqi’s mother Anisa Farooqi, who like many others, was wearing a Gul Ahmed’s print in light orange. “I wear Gul Ahmed all the time, have you noticed Sharmila too mostly wears Gul Ahmed, she loves their black-white collection.”
Saeeda Mandivala, the beautician known for bringing Toni&Guy said, “I often come to Gul Ahmed to collect items for myself. It’s a very exciting brand.”
Aamna Haider Isani, a journalist wearing an outfit by Kamiar Rokni, said, “It’s great that textile brands are now coming into fashion but I believe more collaboration is required between textile and fashion giants.”
Huma Adnan, designer of FnkAsia, was also spotted at the event. Adorning one of her own creations, Adnan said, “It is great to know that this brand has an edge over others and it surely gives loads of ideas and it facilitates its customers.”
Some of Pakistan’s top models including Iraj Mansoor, Fayeza Ansari and Ayyan walked the ramp at the event.
The Gul Ahmed collection has now officially launched all over Pakistan, and features a fabric called Cotton Cambric which ranges from Rs 1,550 to Rs 2,800 and Khadar from Rs 1,700 to Rs 3,200.
Rumour has it that the textile giant is also set to launch Black Chairman Latha soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2010.

Mark Wahlberg in talks for 'The Crow' remake

While no offer has yet been made, Wahlberg is in talks with Relativity Media to star in an upcoming remake of "The Crow."

(EW.com) -- Break out the goth makeup: Mark Wahlberg may be contemplating taking on "The Crow."
A source has confirmed to EW that while no offer has yet been made, Wahlberg is in talks with Relativity Media to star in an upcoming remake/reboot/re-something of Alex Proyas' 1994 comic book-based movie.
He is being considered for the lead role formerly played by Brandon Lee, who was tragically killed on the set of the original film when a prop gun misfired.
I'm slightly surprised by the news, considering that Wahlberg's similarly dark and gothic Max Payne didn't quite live up to even its relatively low expectations. But I was even more surprised earlier when I read an e-mail from EW editor Kate Ward referring to the project as "The Crowe," because I couldn't believe they were already making a biopic about Russell Crowe. [Ed. Note: In the future, all of Keith Staskiewicz's perfectly innocent typos will be bolded instead of corrected. That is all.] Although, the more I think about it, the more I think the star of "The Fighter" would be great as the star of "Gladiator."
What do you think of the prospect of Wahlberg as "The Crow?"

See full article at EW.com.

Apple unveils thin, light MacBook Air netbooks

Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled sleeker, lightweight MacBook Air laptops at an event Wednesday.

(CNN) -- Apple CEO Steve Jobs, near the end of a meandering presentation Wednesday, unveiled his trademark "one more thing": two refreshed MacBook Air laptops that add some of the ease of use of an iPad.
The largest of these slender, lightweight netbook computers has a 13-inch screen, is .68 of an inch thick at its widest point and weighs less than three pounds. It'll be priced at $1,299.
A smaller version will have an 11-inch screen and costs $999. Both are available today.
"What would happen if a MacBook and an iPad hooked up?" asked Jobs to laughs from the audience at Apple's Cupertino, California, headquarters. "This is the result."
Both computers boast unibody construction, full-size keyboards and a webcam for FaceTime video chatting. They also have no hard drives and run on Flash storage instead, meaning they boot up instantly, like the iPad.
Earlier Jobs introduced the newest version of Apple's operating system, to be nicknamed Lion. The new OS follows a big-cat theme, most recently with its 10.6 version, also called Snow Leopard.
"We're really happy with Snow Leopard, but we know how to take it even further," Jobs said. The Lion OS will be released in summer of 2011, he said.
Jobs also announced that Apple will open an App Store geared specifically for the Mac within three months.
The Apple leader announced that FaceTime, the video-chat feature available now on the iPhone 4 and newest iPod Touch, will be coming to Macs as well. A beta release was available Wednesday.
Jobs also rolled out an update to iLife, Apple's suite of photo, music and moviemaking tools. iLife '11 includes a new version of iPhoto, featuring multiple new features including Facebook integration, full-screen mode and the ability to create greeting cards.
Filmmaking software iMovie '11 and music-maker GarageBand '11 also are getting refreshed. The iLife '11 suite sells for $49 and is available now, Jobs said.
Wednesday's "Back to the Mac" news conference focused attention away from mobile devices like iPhones and back to the company's laptop computers.

Apple is spring-boarding from a record quarter for its computer division, having sold 3.89 million Macs between late June and late September. While the company sold more iPhones, iPods and iPads than Macs, profit margins on desktops and laptops are generally higher, so they make up a crucial part of Apple's revenue.

CNN's Brandon Griggs, Mark Milian and Doug Gross contributed to this report.

20 Memorable Movie Moustaches

by Thalberg3000 

• 

  1.

  Bill 'The Butcher' Cutting
  

  Gangs of New York (2002), Daniel Day-Lewis

  “ "WOOPSY DAISY!"
  
  Only Daniel Day-Lewis can sport a 'stache that silly and still be scary as hell. ”
• 

  2.

  Groucho Marx
  

  Monkey Business (1931), Groucho Marx

  “ Originally made of grease paint, Groucho eventually grew into his one-of-a-kind moustache. ”
• 

  3.

  The Stranger
  

  The Big Lebowski (1998), Sam Elliott

  “ ...Or anything staring Sam Elliot and his stellar soupcatcher. ”
• 

  4.

  Dr. Fu Manchu
  

  The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932), Boris Karloff

  “ Boris Karloff stars as the evil doctor and the 'stache's namesake. ”
• 

  5.

  John Shaft
  

  Shaft (1971), Richard Roundtree

  “ Ya damn right. ”
• 

  6.

  Jesse Stone
  

  Stone Cold (2005 TV Movie), Tom Selleck

  “ ...or anything starring Tom Selleck, whose TV turn as "Magnum P.I." helped ignite the '80s 'stache craze. ”
• 

  7.

  Charlie Chaplin
  

  Chaplin (1992), Robert Downey Jr.

  “ Originally known as the "toothbrush moustache", Chaplin claims he added it to his look because it was funny and it helped hide his expression. Unfortunately, Hitler later stole the iconic look hoping it would make people like him as much as Chaplin. It didn't. ”
• 

  8.

  Bandit
  

  Smokey and the Bandit (1977), Burt Reynolds

  “ It's possible that Burt Reynold's moustache was some of the only hair that wasn't glued to his head during production on these two road comedy classics. ”
• 

  9.

  Ron Burgundy
  

  Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004), Will Ferrell

  “ He's kind of a big deal. Merlin Olsen's been over to his house. ”
• 

  10.

  Group Captain Lionel Mandrake
  

  Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964), Peter Sellers

  “ Tied with Inspector Jacques Clouseau from "The Pink Panther". Both are memorable Peter Sellers performances. ”
• 

  11.

  Benjamin 'Ben' Luckett
  

  Cocoon (1985), Wilford Brimley

  “ Wilford Brimley, AKA one of the old guys in Ron Howard's "Cocoon", should have a moustache named after him. ”
• 

  12.

  Derek Smalls
  

  This Is Spinal Tap (1984), Harry Shearer

  “ "We're very lucky in the band in that we have two visionaries, David and Nigel, they're like poets, like Shelley and Byron. They're two distinct types of visionaries, it's like fire and ice, basically. I feel my role in the band is to be somewhere in the middle of that, kind of like lukewarm water." ”
• 

  13.

  Rhett Butler
  

  Gone with the Wind (1939), Clark Gable

  “ "With enough courage, you can do without a reputation." ”
• 

  14.

  Borat Sagdiyev
  

  Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006), Sacha Baron Cohen

  “ "My moustache still tastes of your testes." ”
• 

  15.

  Ron Kovic
  

  Born on the Fourth of July (1989), Tom Cruise

  “ Tom Cruise always makes the list. ”
• 

  16.

  Captain Jack Sparrow
  

  Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), Johnny Depp

  “ Pirate. ”
• 

  17.

  Mark Whitacre
  

  The Informant! (2009), Matt Damon

  “ "I've been to Tokyo. They sell little-girl underwear in the vending machines right on the main drag, the Ginza, or whatever. Guys in suits buying used girl panties. How is that okay? That's not okay." ”
• 

  18.

  Frida Kahlo
  

  Frida (2002), Salma Hayek

  “ Hayek claims she grew the artist's faint, but historic facial hair, then regretted it, saying, "I'm all messed up, because in real life, I have a moustache. If I don't wax, when I get older, I'm probably going to look like Pancho Villa." ”
• 

  19.

  Arcot 'Thorny' Ramathorn
  

  Super Troopers (2001), Jay Chandrasekhar

  “ This spot on the list is reserved for all of the mustachioed, syrup-chugging cops in Broken Lizard's modern cult favorite "Super Troopers." ”
• 

  20.

  Adolf Hitler
  

  Der Untergang (2004), Bruno Ganz

  “ In addition to destroying the lives of millions of people and most of Europe, Hitler also ruined the mini-stache for everyone. ”

  courtesy IMDb.com 

Scrambled Eggs With Mushrooms

Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times

By MARTHA ROSE SHULMAN

Published: October 18, 2010

This is one of my most favorite scrambled egg dishes, and certainly an easy one. Use regular white or brown button mushrooms, or splurge on wild mushrooms.

Recipes for Health

Martha Rose Shulman presents food that is vibrant and light, full of nutrients but by no means ascetic, fun to cook and to eat.

 

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or unsalted butter
1/2 pound cultivated or wild mushrooms, cleaned, trimmed and sliced (2 cups sliced)
1 to 2 garlic cloves (to taste), minced (optional)
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 to 2 tablespoons minced chives (to taste)
6 to 8 eggs
2 tablespoons low-fat milk
1. Heat the oil or butter over medium-high heat in a large, heavy nonstick skillet. Add the mushrooms, and cook, stirring often, until they begin to sweat. Add the garlic and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until the mushrooms are tender, five to eight minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and stir in the chives.
2. Beat the eggs in a medium bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste, and beat in the milk. Add to the skillet. Cook, stirring every few seconds, until the eggs are scrambled. Remove from the heat, and serve.
Yield: Serves four.
Advance preparation: You can prepare the mushrooms through Step 1 several hours ahead. Reheat over medium heat, and proceed with the recipe.
Nutritional information per serving (six eggs): 155 calories; 11 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 318 milligrams cholesterol; 3 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 112 milligrams sodium (does not include salt added during preparation); 12 grams protein
Martha Rose Shulman can be reached at martha-rose-shulman.com. Her new book, "The Very Best of Recipes for Health," was published recently by Rodale Books. 

• See All Recipes for Health »
• Visit Recipes for Health on Facebook.

 

Come for the style, stay for the taste
Everyone heads out to fashion weeks for a dose of style
but in Mumbai, the film stars pack much more masala!

Let's face the facts. No one goes to Mumbai for fashion epiphanies and no one shows at HDIL India Couture Week to prove their sartorial superiority. This particular fashion week - though the many in India are now increasingly being overshadowed by the presence of film stars - is held simply and solely for designers to appeal to their Mumbai buyers and press through… you guessed it right…Bollywood. And having attended two, I can safely say that the Mumbai media isn't interested in much more.

Once Aishwarya Rai had walked out for Manish Malhotra, nothing else mattered. The television ran and re-ran her brief backstage interview on Kouture With Karan (Johar is commissioned to do this especially for a TV channel that has exclusive rights to backstage coverage at HDIL India Fashion Week). Who better set for the task: he is style savvy, articulate and has more insight to the celebrities than anyone else. But the flip side is that Monisha Jaising, who held the second slot that same evening, was completely sidelined. It was late, the channels had gotten their adrenalin rush and except for a few die-hard and devoted journalists, not many people stuck around. The same routine followed everyday, 



read full report

Clique’s choice of Clint Eastwood Movies

Clint Eastwood, the man that made the vigilance legal, by his role of Dirty Harry and ruled the era of Western Movies, has been a well known filmmaker. He won 4 Oscars, 109 other wins and 72 nominations till the day. Here is list of hand picked movies of him for you to watch.

Dirty Harry Series

Don't let the Gun fool you. this is a classic series of Eastwood's action that you won't find it any where. Eastwood plays a role of a San Francisco cop, the one that has its own rules and go through any thing for the justice, just like his 44 Magnum. Eastwood also directed the 4th of the 5. The name of the movies are below in accordance of their release. 

Dirty Harry (1971)

Magnum Force (1973)

Enforcer (1976)

Sudden Impact (1983)

Dead Pool (1988)

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (1966)
One of the greatest of all time. You can't go through the western era without watching it. This particular has all the tricks that are must for a Hollywood flick. it's one of the flicks that will make you involved with it, from beginning  to the end. though it doesn't belong to this age but still it'll make you stick to your seat with anticipation.

Unforgiven (1992)
An  All star cast, directed by Eastwood himself, brings you the story of a retired assassin, who is given a call for justice by a group of prostitutes. The cast holds great names such as; Morgan Freeman, Gene Hackman, Richard Harris and Frances Fisher. A must see Drama. 

Gran Torino (2008)
The thing about this one is that you'll get in love with Eastwood, if you haven't seen any of his previous Movies. The story evolves around an retired soldier that is left widower and alone. He is later accompanied by his Korean neighbors that he isn't fond of. Eventually he gets involved and tries to reform the son of his neighbors, who is bullied by his own kind.

In the Line of Fire (1993) 

A CIA agent that is recruited once again to save the life of the President. from a rogue assassin. the movie was directed by Wolfgang Petersen. 

 

A Perfect World (1993) 

Starring Kevin Costner, Eastwood, Laura Dern, is about A kidnapped boy strikes up a friendship with his captor: an escaped convict on the run from the law, headed by an honorable U.S. Marshal.

True Crime (1999)

Can an over-the-hill journalist uncover the evidence that can prove a death row inmate's innocence just hours before his execution? 

A guaranteed thriller drama brought to you by the directorial eye of Eastwood himself. 

 

 

to be continued...