Blog for "the-enabler" of the letsnet.org network

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Cisco insists that the theft of the source code for its IOS firmware does not increase the risk to the equipment that lies at the backbone of much of the internet, company officials inform the Associated Press. The company has been working with the FBI to track the source of the theft, and has managed to shut down a Russian site that had been hosting the stolen files for several days. While the potential damage to consumer gear is not great, the damage to Cisco's reputation may be considerably greater. At the moment Cisco executives say they don't believe the theft was the result of malicious actions on the part of an employee or contractor

OH! And BTW, Cisco's new really really, really really large and fast router the "HFR", well the the HFR stands for -Huge F*^+ing Router-, well that's the way I hear it.


MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster"..

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link to the site. It's a big freebie. This is a site that is for IT Security Professional that go to the classes. But it's OK you can go and see the what we see.


MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

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INTEREST RATES

June bonds were higher overnight as extends Thursday's and is
challenging resistance marked by the 20-day moving average crossing at
105-24. Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to
higher prices are possible near-term. Closes above the 20-day moving
average crossing at 105-24 would open the door for a possible test of
the
25% retracement level of this spring's decline crossing at 106-07 later
this month. Overnight action sets the stage for a steady to firmer tone
when the day session begins trading later this morning.
More at http://quotes.ino.com/exchanges/?c=interest

ENERGY MARKETS

July crude oil was lower overnight and breaking out below initial
support marked by the 10-day moving average crossing at 40.65. Closes
below Wednesday's low crossing at 39.90 would greatly increase the
odds that a short-term top has been posted. Closes above this week's
high at 41.75 would confirm the recent breakout above the previous all-
time high posted in 1990 at 41.15 thereby opened the door into
uncharted territory for crude oil. Closes below the 20-day moving
average crossing at 39.33 would open the door for a larger-degree
setback this spring. The daily ADX (a trend-following indicator) has
turned down hinting that a short-term top is in or is near. Overnight
action sets the stage for a steady to weaker tone in early day session
trading.

July heating oil was lower overnight and has broken out below initial
support marked by the 10-day moving average crossing at 102.50.
Closes below Wednesday's low crossing at 100.10 and then the 20-day
moving average crossing at 99.33 would confirm a breakout below this
spring's uptrend line signaling that a short-term top has been posted.
The
daily ADX (a trend-following indicator) has turned down signaling that
a short-term top might be near. If July extends this spring's rally,
weekly
resistance crossing at 106.70 and then 116.10 are the next upside
targets.
Overnight action sets the stage for a steady to weaker tone in
early-day
session trading.

July unleaded gas was lower overnight due to light profit taking as it
consolidates some of Wednesday's rally. The daily ADX (a trend-
following indicator) has turned neutral hinting that a short-term top
is in
or is near. Closes below Wednesday's low crossing at 130.20 would
confirm that a short-term top has been posted. Overnight action sets
the
stage for a steady to weaker tone in early-day session trading.

July Henry Hub natural gas was steady overnight following Thursday's
downside reversal and low-range close. Stochastics and the RSI have
turned bearish signaling that a short-term top might be in or is near.
Closes below Wednesday's low crossing at 6.187 would confirm a
breakout below the 20-day moving average crossing at 6.302 thereby
confirming that a top has been posted. If July resumes this spring's
rally,
a test of the 62% retracement level on the weekly chart crossing at
6.648
is possible later this year. Overnight action sets the stage for a
mostly
steady tone in early-day session trading.
More at http://quotes.ino.com/exchanges/?c=energy

CURRENCY FUTURES | REAL TIME FOREX

The June Dollar was lower overnight and is testing support marked by
the 40-day moving average crossing at 90.33. Closes below the 40-day
moving average would open the door for a possible test of May's low
crossing at 89.42. Stochastics and the RSI are bearish signaling that
sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. Closes below the
February-April uptrend line crossing near 89.80 would confirm that a
trend change has taken place. Closes above last week's high crossing at
92.50 would open the door for a possible test of the 62% retracement
level of the August-February decline on the weekly chart crossing at
93.92 later this year. Overnight action sets the stage for a weaker
tone in
early-day session trading.

The June Euro was higher overnight and has broken out above the 40-
day moving average crossing at 119.849. Closes above Monday's high
crossing at 120.54 would open the door for a test of May's high
crossing
at 121.780 later this month. Closes above 121.780 would confirm that
last week's low marked a double bottom with April's low thereby
opening the door for sideways to higher prices this spring. Stochastics
and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are
possible near-term. Overnight action sets the stage for a steady to
firmer
tone in early-day session trading.

The June British Pound was sharply higher overnight and has broken out
above the 40-day moving average crossing at 1.7877. Closes above the
40-day moving average crossing at 1.7877 and then the early-May high
at 1.7980 are needed to confirm that a double bottom with April's low
has been posted and that a trend change has taken place. Stochastics
and
the RSI have turned bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices
are
possible near-term. Overnight action sets the stage for a firmer tone
in
early-day session trading.

The June Swiss Franc was higher overnight and is poised to test this
month's high crossing at .7880. Closes above .7880 would open the door
for a possible test of April's high crossing at .7960 later this month.
Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to higher
prices are possible near-term. Overnight action sets the stage for a
firmer
tone in early-day session trading.

The June Canadian Dollar was slightly lower overnight due to light
profit taking as it consolidates above the 20-day moving average
crossing at .7254. Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that
sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. Multiple closes above
the 20-day moving average would confirm that a low has been posted
while opening the door for a larger-degree rebound into the end of May.
If June resumes this spring's decline, the 50% retracement level
crossing
at .7027 is a potential target later this month. Overnight action sets
the
stage for a steady to weaker tone in early-day session trading.

The June Japanese Yen was higher overnight due to short covering and
is challenging resistance marked by the 20-day moving average crossing
at 89.64. Closes above the 20-day moving average and then this spring's
downtrend line crossing near .9000 are needed to confirm that a bottom
has been posted. Stochastics and the RSI are oversold and have turned
bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible
near-term. If
this spring's decline resumes, a test of weekly support crossing at
86.98
is the next downside target. Overnight action sets the stage for a
firmer
tone in early-day session trading.
More at http://quotes.ino.com/exchanges/?e=FOREX

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METALS

June gold was higher overnight due to weakness in the U.S. Dollar as it
consolidates above initial resistance marked by the 10-day moving
average crossing at 378.50. Closes above the 20-day moving average
crossing at 384.10 are needed to confirm an upside breakout above the
March-April downtrend line thereby signaling that a bottom has been
posted. Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to
higher prices are possible near-term. Closes below last week's low
crossing at 371.30 would open the door for a possible test of weekly
support crossing at 363.40 later this spring. Overnight action sets the
stage for a steady to firmer tone in early day session trading.

July silver was higher overnight due to short covering as it
consolidates
above the 20-day moving average crossing at 5.85. Stochastics and the
RSI have turned bullish signaling that a bottom is in or is near.
Closes
above this month's high crossing at 6.17 are needed to confirm that a
bottom has been posted. If July extends this spring's decline, a test
of
weekly support crossing at 5.326 is the next downside target. Overnight
action sets the stage for a steady to firmer tone in early day session
trading.

July copper was sharply higher overnight due to short covering and has
broken out above the 20-day moving average crossing at 119.88. Closes
above this resistance level, which coincides with last week's high at
120.10 would confirm that a bottom has been posted. Stochastics and the
RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible
near-term. Overnight action sets the stage for a firmer tone in
early-day
session trading.
More at http://quotes.ino.com/exchanges/?c=metals

METALS

June gold was higher overnight due to weakness in the U.S. Dollar as it
consolidates above initial resistance marked by the 10-day moving
average crossing at 378.50. Closes above the 20-day moving average
crossing at 384.10 are needed to confirm an upside breakout above the
March-April downtrend line thereby signaling that a bottom has been
posted. Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to
higher prices are possible near-term. Closes below last week's low
crossing at 371.30 would open the door for a possible test of weekly
support crossing at 363.40 later this spring. Overnight action sets the
stage for a steady to firmer tone in early day session trading.

July silver was higher overnight due to short covering as it
consolidates
above the 20-day moving average crossing at 5.85. Stochastics and the
RSI have turned bullish signaling that a bottom is in or is near.
Closes
above this month's high crossing at 6.17 are needed to confirm that a
bottom has been posted. If July extends this spring's decline, a test
of
weekly support crossing at 5.326 is the next downside target. Overnight
action sets the stage for a steady to firmer tone in early day session
trading.

July copper was sharply higher overnight due to short covering and has
broken out above the 20-day moving average crossing at 119.88. Closes
above this resistance level, which coincides with last week's high at
120.10 would confirm that a bottom has been posted. Stochastics and the
RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible
near-term. Overnight action sets the stage for a firmer tone in
early-day
session trading.
More at http://quotes.ino.com/exchanges/?c=metals

FOOD & FIBER

July coffee posted an inside day with a lower close on
Thursday but remains above the 20-day moving average at
71.21. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to
lower opening on Thursday. Stochastics and the RSI are
bullish hinting that sideways to higher prices are possible
near-term. Closes above last week's high crossing at 73.25
or below April's low crossing at 69.05 are needed to confirm
a breakout of this spring's trading range. If the decline
off March's high resumes, fib support crossing at 68.50 is
the next downside target.

July cocoa closed sharply higher due to short covering on
Thursday confirming an upside breakout above the April
downtrend line. The high-range close sets the stage for a
steady to firmer opening on Thursday. Stochastics and the
RSI turned bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices
are possible near-term.

July sugar closed lower due to profit taking but remains
above the 10-day moving average crossing at 645. The low-
range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on
Friday. Stochastics and the RSI are turning bullish hinting
that a low is in or is near. From a broad perspective, July
sugar is range bound and needs to close above 730 or below
626 to confirm a breakout and point the direction of the
next trending move.

July cotton closed lower on Thursday and the low-range close
sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Friday.
Stochastics and the RSI are overbought and are turning
bearish signal that a top is in or is near. Closes below gap
support crossing at 61.80 would signal that a short-term top
has likely been posted. If July extends last week's rally,
the March 31st gap crossing at 66.60 is the next upside target.
More at http://quotes.ino.com/exchanges/?c=food

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GRAINS & SOYBEAN COMPLEX

July corn was fractionally higher overnight as it consolidates below
initial resistance marked by the 10-day moving average crossing at 2.95
1/4. Closes above the 10-day moving average and then broken support
marked by the 38% retracement level of the 2003-04-rally crossing at
2.98 are needed to signal that a low has been posted. If July extends
its
decline off April's high, the 50% retracement level crossing at 2.84
3/4
is the next downside target. Stochastics and the RSI are bearish but
oversold hinting that a low might be near. Overnight action sets the
stage for a steady to 1/2 cent higher opening when the day session
begins trading later this morning.

July wheat was fractionally higher overnight as it consolidates below
initial resistance marked by the 10-day moving average crossing at
3.75.
Closes above the 10-day moving average and then Wednesday's high at
3.79 would signal that a short-term low has been posted. Stochastics
and
the RSI are turning neutral hinting that a low might be in or is near.
Closes below last week's low crossing at 3.56 3/4 would open the door
for a possible test of last December's low crossing at 3.49 later this
spring. Overnight action sets the stage for a steady to 1/2 cent higher
opening when the day session begins later this morning.

July Kansas City Wheat closed lower on Thursday as it consolidated
some of this week's short covering rally. The mid-range close sets the
stage for a steady opening on Friday. It will take closes above the
10-day
moving average crossing at 3.94 1/4 to signal that a low has been
posted.
Stochastics and the RSI remain bearish signaling that sideways to lower
prices are possible near-term. If July resumes this month's decline, a
test
of March's low crossing at 3.69 1/2 is possible later this spring.

SOYBEAN COMPLEX

July soybeans were steady overnight following Thursday's decline to a
new low for the week due to renewed long-liquidation by the funds. This
week's breakout below April's low has opened the door for a possible
test of the 38% retracement level of the 2003-04 rally crossing at 8.56
1/4 later this month. Stochastics and the RSI remain bearish signaling
that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. Closes above
Monday's gap crossing at 9.32 1/2 would temper the near-term bearish
outlook in the market. Overnight action sets the stage for a mostly
steady opening when the day session begins later this morning.

July soybean meal was lower overnight as it extends Thursday's decline,
which marked a breakout below April's low crossing at 288.20. Multiple
closes below April's low would confirm a downside breakout of this
spring's broad distribution top and could lead to a test of March's low
crossing at 274 later this month. Stochastics and the RSI are bearish
signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term.
Overnight
action sets the stage for a $1.00 to $1.30 lower opening when the day
session begins.

July soybean oil was slightly higher overnight due to light short
covering as it consolidates some of Thursday's decline, which marked a
new low for the week. This week's breakout below key support marked
by April's low crossing at 30.85 led to a test of the late-January low
crossing at 28.55 on Thursday. Closes below this support level would
open the door for a possible test of the January 12 gap crossing at
28.10
later this spring. Stochastics and the RSI remain bearish signaling
that
sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. It would take closes
above the 10-day moving average crossing at 30.75 to signal that a low
has been posted. Overnight action sets the stage for a 5 to 10 points
higher opening when the day session begins later this morning.
More at http://quotes.ino.com/exchanges/?c=grains

LIVESTOCK and MEATS

June hogs closed lower on Thursday and below support marked
by the 10-day moving average crossing at 75.11. The low-
range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on
Friday. Closes below the 40-day moving average crossing at
73.60 are needed to confirm that a top has been posted.
Stochastics and the RSI are bearish signaling that sideways
to lower prices are possible near-term. If June resumes this
month's rally, a test of weekly resistance crossing at 78.10
is possible later this spring.

July bellies closed higher due to short covering on Thursday
due to short covering. Today's high failed to fill
Wednesday's gap at 115.45 before a sell off tempered some of
today's gains. The mid-range close sets the stage for a
steady to lower opening on Friday. Stochastics and the RSI
are bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are
possible near-term. If July extends this week's decline, a
test of the May 3 gap at 109.85 is the next downside target.

June cattle closed slightly higher on Thursday due to short
covering and the mid-range close sets the stage for a steady
opening on Thursday. Today's close above the 10-day moving
average crossing at 82.76 tempers the near-term bearish
outlook in the market. Stochastics and the RSI remain
bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible
near-term. If June resumes last week's decline, a test of
the 40-day moving average crossing at 79.13 is possible.

August Feeder cattle closed sharply higher for the third day
in a row on Thursday and the high-range close sets the stage
for a steady to firmer opening on Friday. If August extends
this spring's rally, weekly resistance crossing at 104.72 is
the next upside target. Stochastics and the RSI are bullish
signaling that additional gains are possible near-term.
More at http://quotes.ino.com/exchanges/?c=livestock




MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

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I wanted you'll to know...
Often the people we do business with forget to say "Thank you".

               THANK YOU!

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

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This is something I've know about for awhile but it needs repeating and it's not a high security item, but it could be a privacy issue if you use multiple computers at work or home. It's that anything any of our buddies sent to you could be echoed on the other computer. Yahoo well log you off of the frist IM that you were on. (Idea)Or you could just use Yahoo's IM and be done with it. That way you know your covered. Nothing like talking about someone, who computer you were just on and having them see that your talking about them. NOT GOOD!



MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

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Wed May 19, 3:00 AM ET

Over the years, Windows has gradually evolved from a shaky graphical veneer over the MS-DOS command prompt into a stable multitasking powerhouse good for just about any digital duty. Now Microsoft is hard at work on the successor to Windows XP (news - web sites), code-named Longhorn, promising newfound abilities to keep important data at your fingertips.

Considering all the attention it's been getting (I got 1.3 million hits when I last searched Google for "Microsoft Longhorn") you'd think the new Windows was going to change your life tomorrow. But you'd think wrong.

Although a beta version of Longhorn was originally due later this year, that target slipped to next year as the company shifted programmers to bolstering Windows XP's security (see the accompanying story, "Windows XP Service Pack 2"). Now, Microsoft says, Longhorn won't show up on new PCs or store shelves until 2006.

But don't start making your upgrade plans just yet. After looking over a very early preview of the software, I've concluded that while Longhorn may come with new features that make your computing life better, the upgrade path could be bumpy. You may find that Windows XP--or the Apple Mac OS, or Linux (news - web sites)--serves you just fine and that Longhorn won't be a necessary upgrade.
Scaling Back

Microsoft's initial plans for Longhorn were ambitious. Last year, Bill Gates (news - web sites) described the next Windows as a "technological breakthrough" that would use a new Windows File System called WinFS to corral your personal files, photos, and e-mail, along with related Web-based data. In addition to finding your important data, Longhorn would deliver it to you on whatever computing device you happened to be using at the time, whether a PC, handheld computer, or smart phone.

Facing real-world development deadlines, however, Microsoft executives have started to scale back their Longhorn ambitions, saying that Longhorn will not deliver all of its planned improvements, and Gates's complete vision--Longhorn with all its bells and whistles--might not reach PC users until 2009.

The most recent prerelease version of Longhorn, released to hardware developers at the May 2004 Windows Hardware Engineering Conference, known as WinHEC, looks a lot like Windows XP. Longhorn doesn't make major changes to the Windows desktop save for a Sidebar that offers photo slide shows, and an expanded view of the contents of the Taskbar's toolbars and system tray area, which run across the bottom of a Windows screen.

However, open the Windows Explorer file manager and you'll see evidence that Gates's breakthrough idea of pulling together all files with an easy-to-use search tool is quietly gestating. Each Explorer window contains a search icon that crawls around your PC's hard drive, your local network, online help files, or the Internet, pulling together information about files. And a new Communication History folder tracks every e-mail message, instant message, or other form of communication you've sent or received using the computer.

If you've ever tried to copy, back up, or move your files, your calendar, your contacts, and your e-mail, you've probably uttered the mantra, "Where's my stuff?" The default locations that Windows, Office, and other programs use for storing files are often obscure, making it hard to gather disparate data into a single view.

Longhorn may remedy that by adding a "My Stuff" location to XP's My Computer, My Documents, and other "My" folders. Thanks to the upcoming WinFS indexing and storage system, Longhorn will allow more and better ways to find all your "stuff." Not only will you be able to scan for all e-mail messages, local files and photos, and Web pages related to a particular topic, but you'll also be able to winnow out those snaps shot from that old 1.3-megapixel camera, or messages sent to your business e-mail address. Whether this turns out to be the breakthrough Gates envisioned or just an incremental improvement on Windows XP's current search tool remains to be seen.
Ironing Out the Kinks

Judging from the performance and functionality of this latest Longhorn version, Microsoft is going to need the whole two years to get the operating system's kinks smoothed out. Much of Longhorn's innards--networking, display, and audio support, most notably--appear to be missing or crippled, a sign that the company may be reworking many of the operating system's core technologies.

One element that's definitely changing is the driver model, which is evolving to improve the performance and reliability of devices such as displays, printers, and cameras that connect to PCs. Drivers are small pieces of software that help Windows communicate with peripherals. But when Microsoft Group Vice President Jim Allchin tried to demonstrate the new driver model to WinHEC participants, comparing it to Windows XP's, the demonstration failed. Allchin warned conference members that the copies of Longhorn being handed out were "very early" and said "performance is not there."
A Rocky Upgrade?

Even when Longhorn is ready for public consumption, upgrading may be a chore. If it's like previous Windows upgrades, performance may still less then great when Longhorn appears in 2006--unless you have sufficient processor speed and memory, that is. In addition, a new graphics system dubbed Avalon promises a richer interface with transparency and high-quality video rendering, but it will require that you use the latest video adapters. And anyone who's lived through a few Windows upgrades will probably regard Longhorn's new driver model with alarm. Although it's too early to predict what effect the change will have on upgraders, previous driver model transitions meant lots of orphaned hardware that could not be used with a new operating system for months, if ever.

Sound like more trouble than it's worth? Could be: All signs point to the likelihood that Longhorn won't be so different from preceding Windows upgrades. Upgrading your current PC to Longhorn may be a real hassle, unless the computer is fairly new. But even then, expect compatibility and performance hurdles. As always, new PC buyers will have the smoothest experience by purchasing a high-performance system with Longhorn preinstalled.

In the meantime, Windows XP has proven a stable operating system. If you keep up to date with Microsoft's patching system, including the upcoming Service Pack 2, XP will serve you nicely for the near future.

Of course, there's a chance that restless computer users will lose patience with Microsoft's security vulnerabilities and glacial development process and start buying Macs or learning the intricacies of installing and configuring Linux instead. The makers of those two platforms have two years to woo Windows defectors looking for a more stable, secure, and frequently updated operating system. If they don't succeed between now and Longhorn's debut, PC buyers will still have only one option: Windows.

PC World contributing editor Scott Spanbauer
END


MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".