Google has connected the Google Talk network to the public XMPP network.  What this means is that Google Talk users can now communicate with users of any public Jabber network.  To make it work you just need add the address (ie user@jabber.org.au) of the jabber user into the ‘add friend’ link (it used to be the ‘invite’ link).

I just added myself to my Gtalk list and it worked fine (messaging yourself is kinda lame though).  The only restriction is that the Jabber server that you’re connecting to must use the dialback protocol.  Aparantly all the servers listed on the Jabber site work, so that’s a good start.

The words ‘rootkit’ and Symantec have been used in the same sentence before, but usualy in the form of Symantec released a report stating that Sony’s rootkit is evil, not Symantec is using a rootkit in it’s SystemWorks software to protect users from themselves.

Symantec Corp. has fessed up to using a rootkit-type feature in Norton SystemWorks that could provide the perfect hiding place for attackers to place malicious files on computers.

The anti-virus vendor acknowledged that it was deliberately hiding a directory from Windows APIs as a feature to stop customers from accidentally deleting files but, prompted by warnings from security experts, the company shipped a SystemWorks update to eliminate the risk.

Having worked on helpdesk before, I know the frustration of the ‘random file deleting’ user. It’s the user who opens up explorer and finds any files he doesn’t recognise and then deletes them. But hiding the files with a rootkit is not the answer and a computer security company should know better. I’ve been getting less and less impressed with Symantec’s software of late, it’s starting to tend towards bloatware, and this only helps push me towards Trend or someone similar

Skype version 2.0 beta has been released. There’s a whole bunch of changes and fixes in this new major version, but the only one anyone will be talking about is the video call feature. While this is nifty, and a nice marketing feature, for me the more useful new feature is the contact grouping. This is something that’s been available in all the major IM clients, and it will make life easier now that I can group all my work, family and friend contacts separately.

Video talk’s still cool though

Standard yadda yadda about this being a beta-preview, YMMV, etc.

Oh, the user interface is all shiny and updated too.

WordPress 2.0 Beta 1 has been released. I’ve downloaded and installed it on my server at home and it seems to work fine. It looks a lot like the interface for WordPress.com.

The functionality of the admin section seems to be basically the same, with a few changes. There’s no changelog released yet, so no telling exactly what’s new, but I imagine that there’s a lot of code changes and bug fixes, but I’ve noticed at least one thing that will make my life easier:
the error() function has been included in the rss-functions.php file, which is the MagpieRSS interface for WordPress. This function is missing in the current version of WordPress and it means that when you’re downloading an RSS file and it fails, the page crashes rather than displaying an error. I’ve had to include the function in any plugins that use RSS functions.

Most people won’t care about this particular change, but at least I’m happy about it!

Usual disclaimer about this being a beta release and not to use it in a production environment apply. Backup everything 1st if you’re upgrading from an earlier installation rather than installing the beta from scratch.

I just got the invite, so I’ve downloaded the preview release of Flock, the new ‘social browser’ in development. Comments & observations will follow.

Skype has provided a download for their new beta version, which has a bunch of changes and new features, most notably:

• Call forwarding, i.e. you can forward calls on to mobiles, landlines and other Skype Names, although I am guessing that this will cost you.
• Customisation of ring tones, sounds & personal pictures so you can modify it to your teeny-bopper-heart’s delight
• API Changes: Notifies on contact list selection/focus & you can now send voice mail to yourself through the API
• Bunch of bug fixes & other minor adjustments

Nothing overly amazing there. The customisations will appeal to a number of people, so that’s a good marketing decision, and the call forwarding is a useful feature. I think the send voice mail to yourself through the API feature has some cool possibilities. You could easily tie this into something like Basecamp or some other project management tool so that you could send yourself reminders automatically.

Really, I’m not sure this small set of changes warrants a public beta version. Surely the bug fixes could have just been rolled out as standard updates and the new features added incrementally?

Nick Bradbury has announced that Nick FeedDemon 1.6 Beta 1 is available for FeedDemon users with a purchased copy. Heaps of updates including the built-in synchronisation with NewsGator and the long awaited update inactive groups option.

If you already own a copy of FeedDemon, go download it. If not, go buy it.