Links: 2009-06-06 the technology version

I have not been doing my technology links recently due to time limitations. So I am running a special tech version of the links. Every story in today’s links is a tech story except the last two. My favorite is the Best Downloads story from Lifehacker. Very useful.

Enjoy.

• Google serves up the Top 10 sites to avoid at all costs – The Next Web

  “Google’s security team has identified the current Top 10 malware sites in the world. The list reads like a rogue’s gallery of the darker side of the web. Sites listed generally use ‘drive-by downloading’ to install and run malware on vistors’ computers automatically. To make things worse many of these domains are linked through to via advertising and other third party content on a vast number of high-traffic websites.”

• One of Google Chrome’s First Extensions: AdSweep – Mashable

  “According to LA Times, Google has been ambiguous on the subject so far. Of course, Google Chrome has a relatively small chunk of the web browser market (1.42% in April, according to some estimates), and the users that install AdSweep will not be a threat to its revenue. But ultimately, Google’s goal for Chrome is to attain as much market share as possible; if Chrome’s market share rises, AdSweep and similar extensions will become more and more of a problem for Google.”

• Lifehacker – Properly Insert Earplugs for Better Protection – Earplugs

  “You’ve probably used earplugs before, but there’s a good chance you aren’t truly blocking sound with casual insertion. If you want to really block sound, you’ve got to really plug them in. Consumer Reports show us how.”

• Lifehacker – Ensure Your Car Rental Goes as Planned – Car Rentals

  “Chances are you’ve seen this classic Seinfeld moment in which Jerry vents his frustrations over the bastardization of “reservations” in the world of car rentals. If you’re planning to rent a car for your summer vacation, weblog Consumerist helps you avoid these pitfalls with useful rental tips from an employee. It may come as no surprise that the car rental employee reaffirms the problem illustrated in the Seinfeld episode as totally accurate”

• Is Microsoft forcing Bing on IE6 users? – The Next Web

  “After surprising the world by launching four days early, it seems Bing’s first day may not have gone as smoothly as it could. Despite Microsoft claiming they wouldn’t be forcing Bing on anyone, it appears some users are stuck with it anyway.”

• Lifehacker – Lifehacker Pack 2009: Our List of Essential Free Windows Downloads

  “We feature downloads of all kinds every day at Lifehacker. Today, however, we’re bundling all the best free downloads for new computer owners, re-installers, would-be geeks, or anyone who wants to save time installing the best stuff out there. This is our 2009 Lifehacker Pack for Windows computers.”

• Twitter Your Way to Getting Robbed – Mashable

  “Going out of town? Most of us who tweet have been known to share that little tidbit of news with our followers, especially if that out of town journey is to a conference or event where we’re likely to meet other Twitterers. Well, you might want to rethink those tweets about your vacay away from home.”

• Happy Birthday Tetris! Love, Google. – Mashable

  “25 years ago – June 6th, 1984 to be exact – Alexey Pajitnov created a simple puzzle video game where you moved blocks around (called tetrominoes) to create horizontal lines of blocks to eliminate rows and gain points.”

• Another iPhone 3 mockup…but this is the best one yet.

  “Yes, I would go as far to say this is THE best iPhone mock up I have ever seen. In fact, I have yet to see a more realistic and elegant device mock up in my time on this planet, let alone iPhone mock up, and frankly, if Apple were to release anything remotely along the lines of the below …I’d snap one up fast, Usain Bolt fast.”

• Twitter and La Russa Settle Lawsuit; Who’ll Sue Next?

  “It is interesting that Twitter chose to settle, given that the suit itself bordered on the absurd. The account in question had just 3 updates and 4 followers, and was very clearly marked as a parody.”

• Rumors on Jobs Data Briefly Wobbled Markets – Market Beat

  “In a brief chat with Marketbeat, Leo Grohowski, BNY Mellon Wealth Management’s chief investment officer, said that one of his traders reported that the fall-off that followed the initial move higher was tied to a rumor making the rounds on trading desks. The details weren’t crystal clear, but apparently there was a rumor floating around that government data had underestimated job losses.”

• Fears over Latvia currency remain

  “The lat trades within a band against the euro. As currencies elsewhere have fallen, Latvia’s fixed currency regime has made its exports uncompetitive. In the past year, the government has spent almost one third of its reserves to support the currency, which has been at the weaker end of its trading band for the past two weeks.”

• Oil prices head back towards $70

  Oil and interest rates are the biggest threat to incipient signs of the recession’s end. It is ironic that these two are usually signals of good times ahead but the economy is so fragile, they could strangle any upturn.