Background: I hurt my arm pretty badly in 2010 after (of course) helping someone move. I developed tendinitis in my shoulder, elbow, and wrist, and did a serious re-evaluation of my ergonomics.
I built a standing desk out of 2 x 4s and my old desktop, a piece of cheap particle board I've been hauling around for a decade or so. I already had an articulated keyboard tray I'd salvaged from a previous employer, so I put that on it for fine adjustments.
I also built a raised mouse platform to go next to it and screwed it to the keyboard tray, so that my arms would remain at the same height for typing and mousing.
Probably the most expensive thing I did was buy a new, drafting-height chair. See other comments in this thread about bar stools; same idea.
The end result is an ergonomic workstation that is almost perfectly suited to my ergonomic needs. I no longer pronate my wrists; the only tendon that gets tensed is the one around the back of my elbow. My back doesn't hurt from sitting anymore and I have better circulation overall. I would say I sit down about 25% of the time when computing, though it varies from day to day. Some days I won't sit hardly at all, others I'll feel a bit lazy and sit maybe half the time.
I chose not to spend lots of money on a commercial standing desk or one of those movable ones. It seemed easy and approachable to do some simple carpentry and build one myself. The whole project increased my awareness of computing ergonomics, and I think my body is happier for it.
Don't take their actions personally. It's not a reflection on you; it's a reflection on those with less scruples than you. Your employer's reaction to your resignation is somewhat paranoid, but when someone in your position offers their resignation, it's prudent for the company to revoke their access. It's too easy for an employer to be burned in that kind of scenario.
The fact that they're paying you for your two weeks is a sign of respect - reciprocal respect for your willingness to give them two weeks notice and observe that business formality. You did it right; no need to second-guess yourself.
1. Trillian. SecureIM, but Windows only.
2. SILC. Open encryption standard, many *nix ports.
3. JohnyTech. Windows encryption for a bunch of different IM protocols.
That ought to get you started.
I'm head desktop geek for a publishing company in the United States, and I spend more time dealing with this crap than any other single problem.
I've been getting asked quite a bit lately what exactly it is I do when I clean up someone's machine. The problem is, while some of my techniques are easily documentable, alot of it comes from just eyeballing the situation and figuring out what doesn't look right.
I watch the Slashdot threads regarding spyware often and, until recently, have merely lurked. Today I registered, so I can share this with everyone. It may be a bit off topic, but let us be real - legislation isn't going to take care of this problem anymore than it has spam. Some of you probably know all this already, but I hope that those who don't get some use out of it. Obviously I can't take any responsibility if you screw up your computer, so be careful out there!
Note: Use Mozilla or Firefox. Not using IE will prevent 99% of all spyware infection. I highly recommend it, for yourself and your friends and family. This is the number one step you can take to prevent spyware and hijacking, as well as preventing weekend trips to the inlaws/cousins/siblings to clean up their infected machines:-)
What is Spyware?
Spyware, Adware, Malware, Crapware, Roachware (because just when you think you've gotten them all...); all of these terms refer to a virus-like category of software which is placed on a computer for the purpose of generating revenue, usually either by displaying popup ads, redirecting search requests from within the browser, or collecting demographic information.
The programs themselves can end up in a number of different places:
- As an item in the Run key in the registry (the listing of startup programs you see in MSConfig) - Specifically, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microso ft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Run or HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\C urre ntVersion\Run
- As a Browser Helper Object (BHO), a class of ActiveX control originally designed for extensions to Internet Explorer, such as Toolbars. The Google Toolbar, Yahoo! Companion, and Acrobat Reader plugin are all examples of BHOs
- As a link, EXE or DLL file which is placed in a URL, such as a default Search URL or the Home Page. IE uses a set of URLs to control its automatic search behavior. When these URLs are triggered - or the home page is opened - either the page is opened containing ads which the URL is designed to impress, or the EXE or DLL is called to generate popups, verify it is still installed, etc
- As a registered DLL which is loaded on startup as an operating system component (Nasty!)
For the executable files loaded on startup, these programs - in addition to their main ad generating function - will generally check to see if their components are still properly installed, and if they are not, they will reinstall themselves. This is why you will often see spyware mysteriously come back after you think you've succeeded in removing it.
Many of these programs will also alter Home Page and Search URL strings, so that every time the browser is opened or a search takes place, an ad impression or page hit is generated by the program's controller.
The nastiest of all these programs will have more than one process running at any given time, watching its companion processes - so that if you kill one, its partner launches itself again. It's like Whack-a-Mole, but without the cheap prizes they give you for tickets.
Most of this stuff gets installed piggyback with things like Comet Cursor, browser "skinners", various toolbars, downloadable games, etc. The nasty ones, however, will use security holes in IE to install themselves without the user having any clue. Others act as "gateway programs" - once one of them gets on, the others get carte blanche.
Now that you've got the basics on what this stuff is, it's time to look at removal techniques.
Slashdot Mirror
Background: I hurt my arm pretty badly in 2010 after (of course) helping someone move. I developed tendinitis in my shoulder, elbow, and wrist, and did a serious re-evaluation of my ergonomics.
I built a standing desk out of 2 x 4s and my old desktop, a piece of cheap particle board I've been hauling around for a decade or so. I already had an articulated keyboard tray I'd salvaged from a previous employer, so I put that on it for fine adjustments.
I built a so-called "tie-fighter" keyboard out of an old Goldtouch. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-vertical,-ergonomic-tie-fighter-ke/
I also built a raised mouse platform to go next to it and screwed it to the keyboard tray, so that my arms would remain at the same height for typing and mousing.
I got an inexpensive ergo mouse. http://www.amazon.com/Vertical-Ergonomic-Optical-Mouse-Ergoguys/dp/B001FWKA7A/
I got an anti-fatigue standing mat, the kind which are used by cashiers and such. http://www.amazon.com/Crown-Comfort-Antifatigue-Zedlan-CK0023BL/dp/B000PTO8MW/
Probably the most expensive thing I did was buy a new, drafting-height chair. See other comments in this thread about bar stools; same idea.
The end result is an ergonomic workstation that is almost perfectly suited to my ergonomic needs. I no longer pronate my wrists; the only tendon that gets tensed is the one around the back of my elbow. My back doesn't hurt from sitting anymore and I have better circulation overall. I would say I sit down about 25% of the time when computing, though it varies from day to day. Some days I won't sit hardly at all, others I'll feel a bit lazy and sit maybe half the time.
I chose not to spend lots of money on a commercial standing desk or one of those movable ones. It seemed easy and approachable to do some simple carpentry and build one myself. The whole project increased my awareness of computing ergonomics, and I think my body is happier for it.
Don't take their actions personally. It's not a reflection on you; it's a reflection on those with less scruples than you. Your employer's reaction to your resignation is somewhat paranoid, but when someone in your position offers their resignation, it's prudent for the company to revoke their access. It's too easy for an employer to be burned in that kind of scenario.
The fact that they're paying you for your two weeks is a sign of respect - reciprocal respect for your willingness to give them two weeks notice and observe that business formality. You did it right; no need to second-guess yourself.How to disable restarting after a BSOD, which is turned on by default in Windows XP:
My Computer - > Properties -> Advanced -> Startup and Recovery -> Settings
In the "System Failure" section, uncheck "Automatically Restart".
1. Trillian. SecureIM, but Windows only.
2. SILC. Open encryption standard, many *nix ports.
3. JohnyTech. Windows encryption for a bunch of different IM protocols.
That ought to get you started.
It still doesn't work. I've tried this on multiple systems.
The best solution I have found, in the meantime, is to use SpoofStick which now has IDN spoofing detection capabilities.I'm head desktop geek for a publishing company in the United States, and I spend more time dealing with this crap than any other single problem.
:-)
I've been getting asked quite a bit lately what exactly it is I do when I clean up someone's machine. The problem is, while some of my techniques are easily documentable, alot of it comes from just eyeballing the situation and figuring out what doesn't look right.
I watch the Slashdot threads regarding spyware often and, until recently, have merely lurked. Today I registered, so I can share this with everyone. It may be a bit off topic, but let us be real - legislation isn't going to take care of this problem anymore than it has spam. Some of you probably know all this already, but I hope that those who don't get some use out of it. Obviously I can't take any responsibility if you screw up your computer, so be careful out there!
Note: Use Mozilla or Firefox. Not using IE will prevent 99% of all spyware infection. I highly recommend it, for yourself and your friends and family. This is the number one step you can take to prevent spyware and hijacking, as well as preventing weekend trips to the inlaws/cousins/siblings to clean up their infected machines
What is Spyware?
Spyware, Adware, Malware, Crapware, Roachware (because just when you think you've gotten them all...); all of these terms refer to a virus-like category of software which is placed on a computer for the purpose of generating revenue, usually either by displaying popup ads, redirecting search requests from within the browser, or collecting demographic information.
The programs themselves can end up in a number of different places:
- As an item in the Run key in the registry (the listing of startup programs you
see in MSConfig) - Specifically,
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microso ft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Run or
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\C urre ntVersion\Run
- As a Browser Helper Object (BHO), a class of ActiveX control originally designed for extensions to Internet Explorer, such as Toolbars. The Google Toolbar, Yahoo! Companion, and Acrobat Reader plugin are all examples of BHOs
- As a link, EXE or DLL file which is placed in a URL, such as a default Search URL or the Home Page. IE uses a set of URLs to control its automatic search behavior. When these URLs are triggered - or the home page is opened - either the page is opened containing ads which the URL is designed to impress, or the EXE or DLL is called to generate popups, verify it is still installed, etc
- As a registered DLL which is loaded on startup as an operating system component (Nasty!)
For the executable files loaded on startup, these programs - in addition to their main ad generating function - will generally check to see if their components are still properly installed, and if they are not, they will reinstall themselves. This is why you will often see spyware mysteriously come back after you think you've succeeded in removing it.
Many of these programs will also alter Home Page and Search URL strings, so that every time the browser is opened or a search takes place, an ad impression or page hit is generated by the program's controller.
The nastiest of all these programs will have more than one process running at any given time, watching its companion processes - so that if you kill one, its partner launches itself again. It's like Whack-a-Mole, but without the cheap prizes they give you for tickets.
Most of this stuff gets installed piggyback with things like Comet Cursor, browser "skinners", various toolbars, downloadable games, etc. The nasty ones, however, will use security holes in IE to install themselves without the user having any clue. Others act as "gateway programs" - once one of them gets on, the others get carte blanche.
Now that you've got the basics on what this stuff is, it's time to look at removal techniques.