RIP Davy Jones, 1945 - 2012

Davy Jones has passed away. This... just... I'm just very sad right now. Here's a link to the story: Davy Jones dies at age 66 in Florida

My younger sister and I used to watch reruns of The Monkees TV show every weekend when we were kids. Such a dorky show, but still one of my favorites to this day. (Still wondering if there are episodes available on DVD somewhere... if anyone out there knows, leave an answer in the comments please. Thanks!) I loved the music most of all, and the Monkees' songs are still a staple in my playlists today.

Davy Jones, you will be missed.

These are some of my favorite videos of Davy with the Monkees.

Daydream Believer

Pleasant Valley Sunday

Valleri

David Thomas "Davy" Jones

30 December 1945 – 29 February 2012

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Thoughts and general comments are always read and appreciated. Thank you for reading.

Who's On This Geek's Playlist? - February 2012

Battlestar Galactica Season 4 Soundtrack

My friend Heather introduced me to Battlestar Gallactica, and if you haven't already seen it, you must do so ASAP! It has to be one of the best Sci-fi shows I have watched. One of the things that won me over, other than the awesome storylines and actors, was the music on the show. Lately, I have been finding myself listening to the Season 4 soundtrack a LOT. Here are a few of my favorites!

Kara Remembers:

Battlestar Sonatica:

All Along The Watchtower:

Hope you enjoyed the music. Let me know what you think in the comments section!

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Questions and comments are always welcome, read, and replied to!

And as always...

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Hulu Plus Now Available On The Wii! Decisions Decisions...

Yes, Hulu Plus became available on the Wii as of yesterday. (See here) I was super excited about this, because there are shows available through their service that are not available through Netflix, which I've been using on my Wii for the past year or so. The problem now is, which one should I keep?

The thing is, most people I know fit pretty well into two categories: avid TV show watchers who like movies but when given a choice would usually choose TV, or movie watchers who when given the same choices would choose movies over TV any day.

I do not fall into either of those categories... making the Netflix/Hulu decision kinda tough. I am a huge TV fan, but I love a good movie at least once a week.

I'm pretty sure most of you might know this, but to clarify for those who don't, Netflix has a wider selection of movies than Hulu Plus, while Hulu Plus seems to have a better selection of newer TV shows. However, in signing up for the two week free trial of Hulu Plus, I have noticed that when it comes to Syfy Channel shows they have more available than Netflix, which I like... but they don't even make full seasons available, which I find very annoying.

I also thought that if you had a subscription to Hulu Plus, you wouldn't have to see commercials during the shows. I was wrong... and to tell you the truth, that's a misstep on Hulu's part. I understand having commercials play during free selections for non-subscribers, but if I was giving them $7.99/month, I would want those ads either completely gone, or maybe have only one ad played before the show/movie you select even starts.

On the plus side for Hulu, their video quality is a lot better than Netflix, even on the Wii. So they have that going for them at least.

Still, I have a dilemma: Should I keep Netflix and cancel Hulu Plus after my 2 week trial? Or should I get rid of Netflix and stick with Hulu Plus? Both cost only $7.99/month, a pittance compared to the price of even basic cable. But until I find work, I can only afford one. GAH! I hate decisions! :-\

Well, I will be thinking about it. I'll let you all know how that turns out in two weeks time, haha. :-)

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Have any input about this small but annoying issue? Or just have something to say? Leave me a comment!

And as usual...


Thanks for reading! :-)

Tech For The Not-So-Techie: DIY Virus/Malware Removal

Oh noes is right!

So you have malware on your computer, and you just want it to go away. Problem is, you don't want to have to bring your computer to a repair shop... not if you don't have to, at least. Well, here's a little "how-to" to get you on your way. Hopefully after you follow these steps, you computer will be good to go!

First, the prep work. Lets get the computer into safe mode and build a toolkit for ourselves!

1. Boot your computer into Safe Mode with Networking. Not sure how to do this? Here are some links to directions straight from Microsoft. :
   • For Windows XP
   • For Windows Vista
   • For Windows 7
2. Open a browser, and download Rkill. Here is a link it the download site:
   RKill (Click on Rkill.exe Download Link)
3. Download and install Malwarebytes Anti-malware. Here's the download site:
   Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free from Download.com
4. Download and save Trend Micro HouseCall. Don't worry, this is the last thing I will ask you to download, haha. Here is the download link:
   Trend Micro HouseCall Free Online Virus Scan 

Ok, now that you have all of the tools you need, lets get to the actual malware removal part!

Be sure you are still in safe mode at this point!

1. Run Rkill.exe. Some command prompt screens will probably pop up and close on their own. Don't be scared, this is ok!
2. Close the Notepad document that opens after Rkill is finished doing it's thing.
3. Open Malwarebytes
4. Select "Perform full scan" and click the scan button. The scan may take quite a while, so I suggest finding something to keep you occupied.
5. When the scan finishes, click on the "Delete All" button, and then close Malwarebytes.
6. Run Trend Micro HouseCall. (HouseCallLauncher.exe)
   It will download some updates when you open it, don't let it worry you. Then just accept the license agreement and click next.
7. Click the little "Settings" links, underneath the giant "Scan Now" button.
8. Select "Full system scan", then click the "Ok" button.
9. Click the "Scan Now" button.
   Again, this could take a while, so find something to read, or clean your house, or something. :-)
10. If anything is found, proceed to click the "Fix Now" button. If not, just close Trend Micro HouseCall.



All better! Yay!

11. If HouseCall asks you to restart your computer, and do so. If not, restart the computer yourself.

You may be wondering why I had you scan with HouseCall after you already scanned with Malwarebytes. Well, I have a couple of reasons.

1. Malwarebytes checks primarily for malware and spyware/ HouseCall checks for some of that too, but also for nasty viruses.
2. While that may seem a little redundant, I like to use both just to be on the safe side. There have been a couple instances where one caught something the other didn't catch. Think of it like getting a second opinion from someone who is not your primary doctor. :-)

There you go! Your computer should hopefully be fine now. And you avoided a computer bill. Congratulations!

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Questions and comments are always welcome and appreciated.

Yes, I read them! And yes, I will reply to you!

And as always...

Thanks for reading! :-)

RIP Whitney Houston, 8/9/1963 – 2/11/2012

As almost everybody knows already, Whitney Houston passed away yesterday. This news saddened me for a few reasons, and I just felt the need to voice some of them here.

First off, I loved her music as a kid, so I feel like a piece of that time is just gone. I remember when I was little, I would watch The Preacher's Wife around Christmastime on Disney Channel. I always sang along with the music in that movie... :-( 

And when Prince of Egypt came out, Disney would play Mariah Carey and Whitney's duet "When You Believe" from that movie A LOT, and though I never got to see the movie, I LOVED that song. I still listen to it on YouTube every one in a while.

On top of that there is all over the other wonder music that I have grown up with that came from her. I don't even have to give you a list... even people who didn't enjoy her music know at least ONE song of hers. That kinda says something in itself...

What make this passing the saddest is watching someone as talented as Whitney go down the horrible path they did, and never have the chance to make a true comeback. In the back of my mind I was always hoping that she would someday be able to clean up, get her life back in order, and come back on top like the true diva she was meant to be. And maybe, if that happened, she could become a source of inspiration for others who have ended up on the same road she was on... to show them they CAN get better, and they CAN have their lives and dreams back.

But that never happened  for her. So I grieve not only for her, but for the chance she never got in the end.

Rest in peace Whitney, you will be missed. :-(

Whitney Elizabeth Houston, August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012

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Comments welcome and appreciated.