Koozie Notes

IRS Updates Pub 1220: Procedures for Filing 1099 Electronically

IRS has published an updated version of IRS Publication 1220, which covers electronic filing of 1099s for tax year 2008. [IRS PDF Download site]  As result of the new rules for 2008, the IRS will no longer accept magnetic media, which makes Form 4804, Transmittal of Information Returns Reported Magnetically, obsolete.

If you are new to filing information returns, wikipedia has a some good information on 1099 filing.

--Chris

How to Remove Antivirus XP 2008

Today, I helped an office user remove Antivirus XP 2008 from their computer, which is no easy task.  According to a CA, they this stuff as rogue security software.

Security software that uses deceptive means for installation and purpose. Once installed, the rogue software usually uses scare tactics to inform the user that spyware or malware is installed on their system. The rogue security software then claims to offer remediation in exchange of payment. These applications can come bundled with other malware that serve other purposes. This software usually comes in the form of Anti-spyware, or Anti-virus applications.

Yahoo answers provided a few different methods for removing Antivirus XP 2008 from your computer. 

My favorite, which is also a manual process, is listed below.

1. First you need to stop the program from loading on startup.  Navigate to your Start Buton --> Run
2. Enter "msconfig" without the quotes and hit enter.
3. Select the "Startup" tab
4. Uncheck "lphc25dj0e1an" and Uncheck "rhc75dj0e1an"
5. Note where the files are located, because you will need to delete them in future steps
6. Click Apply and OK
7. Restart your computer
8. Delete the two(2) files from step #4.  You remember to write down the file locations, right?
9. Next, we need to fix the background wall paper, that probably still has a message on it.
10. Navigate to your Start Buton --> Run
11. Enter "Gpedit.msc" without the quotes and hit enter.
12. Navigate to User configuration--> Administrative Templates--> Control Panel--> Display
13. Right click on Remove Display in Control Panel and select Properties
14. Select Disable.
15. Repeat steps 13 and 14 for:
    Hide Desktop Tab
    Prevent changing wallpaper
    Hide Apperance and Themes tab
    Hide Settings tab
    Hide Screen Saver tab
16. You should now be able to update your desktop background. (Right click-->properties) on your desktop.

--Chris

Former Googlers Start Cuil: Internet Search

As reported by Fox News, former Google employees have started their own Internet search company, named CUIL. 

Anna Patterson's last Internet search engine was so impressive that industry leader Google Inc. bought the technology in 2004 to upgrade its own system. She believes her latest invention is even more valuable — only this time it's not for sale. Patterson instead intends to upstage Google, which she quit in 2006 to develop a more comprehensive and efficient way to scour the Internet. The end result is Cuil, pronounced "cool." Backed by $33 million in venture capital, the search engine plans to begin processing requests for the first time Monday.

Looks like the site is up for now.  Digg link

--Chris

Update - Now it is down.

No results because of high load...

Due to excessive load, our servers didn't return results. Please try your search again.

Update: more responsive today (29 JUL 2008)

2nd Scholastic Letter: Harry Potter and Kindle

Back in May, I received my first rejection letter from Scholastic when I asked about them selling a Kindle version of Harry Potter.  A few days ago, I received a second letter which hints at the possibility of an legal ebook for the Harry Potter series.

I have spoken with the editors about your request.  They told me that Ms. Rowling will release the Harry Potter titles in digital format when she feels the time is right.  I will, of course, forward your letter to Ms. Rowling in the United Kingdom.

Scholastic even included a nice photograph of J.K. Rowling with their response.

I hope more of us Potter fans send letters requesting digital versions of her work.  We might, just might, be able to change her mind.

--Chris

UPDATE  4 AUG 2008

Today I received a written response from The Christopher Little Literary Agency regarding my request for a Kindle version of the Harry Potter books.  A snippet of their response is below.

We are delighted to hear that you are a fan of the Harry Potter series, but are very sorry to say that the Harry Potter series is not currently available in electronic format.  While some registered organizations in part of the world make electronic versions of the text for the visually impaired, at this moment in time there are no plans for commercial license.

I learned something new today.  First, if you are visually impaired, one can find legal electronic versions of Harry Potter.  And they wrote "at this moment in time," which makes me believe that they might be still debating the issue internally with the liberal use of this clause.  Who is to say what might happen in the next moment in time?

"Last Lecture" Professor Dies

It is being reported by CBS, via Slashdot, that Randy Pausch had died. 

Randy Pausch, the charismatic young college professor who chronicled his battle with pancreatic cancer in a remarkable speech widely-known as the "Last Lecture," has died.  He was 47.

I first heard about this computer science professor when someone sent me to a link to watch his "Last Lecture," which was videotaped at a Carnegie Mellon lecture hall .  Mr. Pausch follow up his lecture with a book titled, "'The Last Lecture."

--Chris

Vacation Certificates

I'm on a roll.  Today, I received another noticed that I've been awarded "Two Round Trip Airline Tickets to Any Major International Airport Anywhere in the Continental USA."  All I have to do is call 800-507-5010.  Yeah, right.

They even included a marketing flyer that resembles an airline ticket from about 10 years ago.  On the back, it lists the travel provider as:

Millenium Travel & Promotions
4647 S Clyde Morris Blvd
Suite 501
Port Orange FL  32129

I found a BBB report on the above company.  I also found a link to their toll-free number.

This firm also mentioned that you will receive "$300 in Gas Rebates"

Whatever....

--Chris

10 Linux Admin Tricks

As reported on Digg, IBM has some documentation titled, "Lazy Linux: 10 Essential Tricks for Admins" which covers some good material and commands.

1. fuser:  to locate user/process using a CDROM drive you would like to dismount. i.e. umount: /media/cdrom: device is busy
2. reset: to reclaim your hosed console screen
3. screen: VNC like
4. single user mode to reset root's password
5. ssh backdoor
6. Tunnel VNC through ssh
7. iperf: to check your bandwith
8. scripting commands
9. Using vcs devices
10. proc/cpuinfo, dmidecode, and ethtool

--Chris

2 Minute Survey Postcard: Sounds like a Scam

Today in the mail, I received a postcard stating that by participating in a two (2) minute survey, I will receive 2 nights accommodations and possibly $250 worth of Exxon Gasoline.

[Your Name Here], simple for calling and participating in a two minute life-stye survey you will receive 2 Nights Accommodations at the Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Select of our choice.  Call in the next 48 hours and receive $250 in Exxon Gasoline.  Call 888-287-5525 IMMEDIATELY!!!!!

Their number, 888-287-5525, which I googled and found some posts referring it to a time-share marketing company.  I also found their page on the East Texas BBB web site.  Looks like I will be tossing this little postcard in the trash.

--Chris

Company Name Listed on the Card:

J. Marketing & Re
1910 E SE Loop 323
Suite 294
Tyler, TX 75701

Houston Chronicle: New Newspaper Addition for Kindle

By recently adding "Houston Chronicle", a $5.99 Kindle newspaper subscription, Amazon bumps up their newspaper subscription offerings to 21.

-Chris

LA Times: New Newspaper Addition for Kindle

By recently adding "LA Times", a $9.99 Kindle newspaper subscription, Amazon bumps up their newspaper subscription offerings to 20.

As I mentioned earlier, I'm still surprised that USA Today hasn't jumped on board with the Kindle.

-Chris