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Wednesday, February 12, 2014

In Taipei, Bikes Solve Some Problems, Create New Ones

Bicycle commuters in Washington, DC.
 Listen : Biking to Work Increasing in Taipei and DC

Hello, and welcome to As It Is from VOA Learning English.  I’m June Simms.

Today on the program, a growing number of people in Washington are riding bicycles to work.  And they are saving a lot of money by doing it

When a person makes a change from only using a car to using a bike, they are saving anywhere between 8 or $9,000 a year.”

More and more people in Taipei, Taiwan are also riding bicycles to work.  But that is causing its own problems, as Jim Tedder reports.


Bicycles Solving Some Problems in Taipei, Creating Others 

The city of Taipei, Taiwan is offering its 2.6 million people a fast, low-cost way to travel around the cityCity officials have launched a bicycle rental program called YouBikeMany Taiwanese are now using bicycles to go to work and other places.  But the growing popularity of the program has led to new traffic problems.  

Five years ago, motor scooters competed with taxis and buses for space on Taipei’s narrow streetsThen the city supported a plan to start loaning bicycles to people who pay for their temporary useTaipei followed the examples of places like Kyoto, Japan; the Chinese city of Hangzhou; and Daejeon in South Korea
                      
Since then, Taipei has loaned bicycles 11 million times, mostly during the past yearBikers do not pay for the first half-hour of useEach 30 minutes after that costs less than half of an American dollar.

Hsu Tsai-tung is a 37-year-old office worker.  She rides a rented bicycle to parks, a university and her workplace.

She says one good thing about renting is that the first 30 minutes are free.  And, she says biking is good because she does not move around much in her office job during the dayWaiting for a bus would mean spending time, which she saves by riding a bike.  She calls biking a natural choice

Ms. Hsu is not aloneUsing the one-speed bicycles works well for many Taiwanese.  The bikes can be left at any of more than 100 rental stations.  The vehicles could also ease air pollution, which is a health problem in many Asian cities

In China, for example, the city of Shanghai reported record pollution levels in December.  The levels were nearly 20 times above the level considered safe by the World Health Organization.

Shen Shu-hung is with Taiwan’s Environmental Protection Agency.  He wants to know whether bikes have reduced Taipei’s pollutionBad air has been found to endanger commuters and people living on low building floors.
             
Mr. Shen says Taiwan is studying whether the rental program has reduced air pollution.  He is not discussing its effectiveness at present, in case the study finds that bike renters walked or rode public transportation in the past.

And, it appears that the 5,350 bikes on the streets of Taipei today have begun to cause new problems for city trafficPeople who bike through the streets have to worry about cars making illegal sudden stops and fast right turns

Some bikers have stopped riding on the streets and started riding their bikes on sidewalks.  But this has angered or frightened many walkers













People cycle their bicycles at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei December 31, 2011.


Huang Huang-chia works at the Taipei Department of Transportation.  He says no one single kind of incident has happened repeatedly.  But he says riders need to be better educated
                                                   
He says the city’s way of dealing with such incidents will be to educate people about every kind of bicycle safety needed in Taipei.

Taipei plans to complete its program with a total of 162 rental stations by the end of this year.

I’m Jim Tedder.
 
You are listening to As It Is, from VOA Learning English.

Now, back to June Simms for a report on the growing number of people using bicycles to get to work in Washington, DC.

Bicycling to Work in Washington, DC Grows in Popularity

Traffic problems are an everyday concern in many cities, including Washington, DC.  A growing number of Washingtonians are turning to bicycles to get to and from work.  In fact, the number of commuters who use bicycles has doubled in the city since 2007. 

Loren Copsey recently opened a store called The Daily Rider in Northwest Washington.  It targets people who use their bikes for transportation, not just for exercise and fun.

They put a lot of wear on their bikes and they ride much different bikes than the typical sport rider.”

Ralph Buehler teaches urban planning at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, popularly known as Virginia Tech.  He has written a book about urban biking, calledCity Cycling.”  He says there is a reason urban bike riding is now becoming more popular.

Over the last 60 to 70 years, cities in the U.S. have been adapted to the automobile.” 

“...to go about any place we want to go.”

Most cities took advantage of the money coming for the interstate highway system, from the federal government, starting in 1956.  There was a 90 percent federal match so the cities only had to put up 10%.  It was very tempting.”

In the years after World War Two, many Americans moved to suburban communities, just outside major citiesThey decided to travel great distances to and from work in exchange for a home in the suburbsTheir cars became a symbol of freedom.

But today, many people believe they can save money by living in the city.

Greg Billing is with the Washington Area Bicyclist Association.

When a person makes a change from only using a car to using a bike, they are saving anywhere between 8 or $9,000 a year.”

Greg Billing says store owners are also paying attentionHis group puts racks for bicycles in front of businesses, including the Studio Theatre, where Scott Sanger works.

“We actually have four theaters and on any given night, whenever we have a performance, these racks are taken.”

If you’re a coffee shop or if you’re a flower shop on their route, they are more likely to jump into that store.”

“For a business owner, sometimes they may look at a cyclist and see an average purchase that’s lower than somebody coming in a different mode.  But what they are not maybe seeing is that that person is coming back more and more frequently.”

Ralph Buehler says governments save money when people use bicycles.

Building bicycling facilities is much cheaper than building and maintaining road facilities or public transport.”

The Department of Transportation spent five million dollars over two years putting in place a bike-rental system called Capital BikeShareToday, the system has 20,000 members who share 1,660 bicycles.

Washington, DC has also taken steps to protect bike riders.  It approved a safe passing law and created areas on the road between cars and bikes.

The United States Census Bureau says four percent of the city’s workers ride to work by bike.  The only city on the East Coast with more bike commuters is New York.

And that’s our program for today.  Thank you for spending some of your time with us.

We present a new As It Is every day at 0030 hours Universal TimeMario Ritter will be here tomorrow with another As It Is. 

I’m June Simms reporting from VOA Learning English headquarters in Washington.

Don’t forget to listen to VOA world news at the beginning of every hour Universal Time.

Download PDF: Biking to Work Increasing in Taipei and DC 

A Turkish Law Raises Questions About Government and the Internet

Protesters oppose the Turkish Parliament's approval of a law blocking some Internet access.

Welcome to the VOA Learning English program, As It Is!  I’m Mario Ritter in WashingtonToday we explore the issue of freedom of the Internet.  First, we turn to Turkey and a new law that critics say gives the government too much control of the Internet.  Later in the program, we hear how the Committee to Protect Journalists has added cyberspace to its list of places where media freedom is at risk.

The committee’s new media freedom report and Turkey’s Internet law are next on As It Is.


Two Views of Turkey's New Internet Law

Opposition parties in Turkey have called on President Abdullah Gul to veto new government controls on the Internet.  The Turkish parliament approved a bill to set up the new restrictions last week.  The measure has raised concerns in many countries about freedoms and rights in TurkeyChristopher Cruise has more on the story.
                  
Turkish President Abdullah Gul is under pressure to veto the bill.  It gives the government the power to block websites without a court order.  The legislation also gives the government the ability to examine user information for up to two years.
                                                           
The leader of the main opposition party called on the president to take a “position on democracy and veto the law.”
                                      
International pressure is growingEmma Sinclair Webb is a researcher at Human Rights Watch.  She says the group is calling on the president to take action.
“We are calling for the president to veto the new law. It has passed through parliament very quickly without consultation, without sufficient expert input.”
                                                    
Both the European Union and the Council of Europe have called for the measure to be withdrawn.
                                     
Saturday night, police used tear gas and rubber bullets to break up a large protest against the Internet legislationTurkey’s main business alliance also has called for the law’s cancellation.
                        
Last month, President Gul noted the importance of freedom of the Internet, especially social mediaHowever, he is also a founding member of the ruling AK Party.
                                                                  
Kadri Gursel writes about diplomatic issues for a Turkish newspaper and a website.  He says the president is attempting a political balancing act with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“[Mr.] Gul has positioned already himself as the natural alternative to [Prime Minister Recep Tayyip] Erdogan from within the Islamist conservative political movement.”

Speaking in Istanbul recently, Prime Minister Erdogan strongly defended the new Internet law and denounced its critics.  He said the new rules do not establish any controls on the Internet, but make it safer and freer instead.  He said those protesting against the law were part of, what he called, the “pornography lobby.”                  
He also repeated a warning to the country’s business leaders by saying they will face investigations by tax officials.
    
Cengiz Aktar of the Istanbul Policy Forum is a political scientist.  He says President Gul is facing a major decision.
“This will be a real yardstick about his intentions—whether he will challenge now Prime Minister Erdogan or not.”

Even if the president vetoes the bill, he would be required to sign it into law if the government passed it a second time without changes. But observers say such a veto would likely increase opposition to the legislation.  I’m Christopher Cruise.

The Committee to Protect Journalists Now Follows Risks in Cyberspace

The Committee to Protect Journalists has begun to measure press freedom on the Internet.  The committee recently added the Internet as a category, or grouping, on its yearly risk list.  The list identifies places where press freedoms are decreasing. Steve Ember has VOA’s report.

The Committee to Protect Journalists says violence and repression continue to threaten the work of reporters around the world.  But it says laws governing the Internet and information-gathering programs are also starting to affect the flow of information.
                  
The list of countries with the biggest drop in media freedom includes Egypt, Bangladesh, Syria, Ecuador and LiberiaZambia, Russia, Vietnam and Turkey were also named

Geoffrey King works for the Committee to Protect Journalists.  He says Turkish officials have taken strong actions against reporters.
Turkey is the leading jailer of journalists in the world.  People have been shot with less-lethal rounds and tear-gassed around and sprayed with high-pressure water cannon in the streets in protest of this bill.”

Geoffrey King says new amendments to Turkey’s Internet law will make the situation worse.  He says the legislation would make it much easier for the government to block websites, sometimes without a court order.
                               
Turkish officials have answered the CPJ reportThey told VOA the amendments were made to improve the lawThey said Parliament wanted to balance freedom of expression, individual rights and protection of privacy.
Journalists work in Egypt last year. 
The media rights group says five reporters have been killed in Egypt since the military seized power last year.  It says 30 more reporters have been attacked, and 11 news organizations raided.  And Egyptian officials recently detained 20 reporters, including four from Al Jazeera television.  
                                             
Reporter Anna Therese Day says she left Egypt because it is not safe.  She told VOA on Skype that Egypt is now very different from what it was during the revolution.

“I worked there freely.  I worked by myself.  I worked with short sleeves on; I didn’t cover my hair most of the time.  Now, that would be unheard of for someone that looks like me.”

Wars are still the biggest threat to reporterslives.  But Geoffrey King of the CPJ warns that efforts by governments to watch what reporters are doing could become more damaging to their work.

“Not just targeted surveillance of individual suspects but mass surveillance across societies in many countries.  That’s why it’s cyberspace and not one particular country being named.  And so different countries do it with varying levels of rule of law and due process but it’s quickly becoming very easy for governments to spy on their critics.”

The Committee to Protect Journalists says reports about intelligence-gathering programs by the United States could hurt newsgathering efforts.  It says such programs may frighten away possible news sources.  The group says these individuals need to be protected against legal or other action.  I’m Steve Ember.

I’m Mario RitterThank you for listening.  Tell us what you want to hear about on a future As It Is program.  To leave a comment, go to our webpage, learningenglish.voanews.com, and click the Contact Us button


Listen : A Turkish Law Raises Questions About Government and the Internet

Download PDF: A Turkish Law Raises Questions About Government and the Internet  

FreeFixer

FreeFixer can fix problems other tools can't touch, but it can "fix" your system good and proper, if you don't know what you're doing. This powerful tool removes stuff. It can, and will, remove things your PC needs if you tell it to, so knowledge is key. Unless you're sure something needs to go, don't delete it. Instead, use the link to get more information online. FreeFixer automatically whitelists many safe items on its servers, but it can't tell a good program from a bad one, if it's not in the online database: That's your job. FreeFixer is freeware suitable for Windows 2000 to 8, both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. We ran it in 64-bit Windows 7 Home Premium SP1.
null 
Installing FreeFixer involves configuring an optional daily background scan. FreeFixer's small, text-heavy user interface actually looks more like a pop-up than a program when you first run it. But it's actually a sensible setup, and the scan results page is impressive. What FreeFixer does is scan your system and list every program, process, service, module, toolbar, browser helper object, and just about anything else on your PC that can be identified and listed by category. Check boxes let you select items for FreeFixer to Repair or Delete, or you can click "More Info." FreeFixer's initial scan found (and logged) a lot of stuff on our computer, but no serious threats. But we selected an IE toolbar to toss, just to see FreeFixer in action. We clicked "Fix," and FreeFixer removed the item and rebooted our system. A subsequent scan showed that FreeFixer had showed the toolbar the door. FreeFixer has a few extras, too, such as its File Nuker, which zaps unwanted files at reboot, and Windows System File Checker, which scans protected files and restores any corrupted files with clean versions.
Used with care, FreeFixer is a great addition to your regular malware, spyware, and system maintenance toolkit. Used carelessly, it can ruin your day as you scramble to troubleshoot the problems you caused in deleting the wrong thing.
 

AVG AntiVirus Free 2014

AVG's Anti-Virus and Internet Security line follows on the heel of last year's highly-ranked security suite by not merely incorporating some minor but key tweaks to both its front-end and back-end, but a stronger push toward personal data management and privacy utilities that help prevent uninvited access to your files. Though many threats still exist, security programs as they stand now start to encompass areas of privacy utilities. Whereas the majority of threats were once external viruses trying to force their way into your machines, nowadays malware focus more on tricking users to inadvertently open doors for hijacking.



Version 2013 was AVG's first push toward adopting and remixing the Modern UI movement. Not just a response to competitors, the Modern UI movement represents an overall push toward creating a more streamlined security experience. For the average consumer, what your anti-virus and anti-malware programs do to protect your computer have followed a set it and forget it mentality.
Balancing along the fine line of being both approachable yet empowering is a key goal of not just AVG but also just about any utility software developer: Modern UI has the visual appeal, but does it evoke control and the sense of security over all the software's power features?
In our last review, we commended AVG's decision to reduce the installation steps. It still contains a toolbar offer, and despite the universal hatred toward being fooled into installing yet another browser helper object, AVG's toolbar actually does include useful security options like Do Not Track. Again it's a tradeoff but if you really wanted DNT's features, then there's a standalone version available for free on Firefox and Chrome in their respective extension stores.
By now, almost every major security software maker has more or less adopted the flat, Modern UI look and AVG has kept its own visuals mostly intact. The main screen is decorated with AVG's primary areas of protection that include your computer, browsing the Web, Identity protection features, e-mail protection, and extras that populate the second row if you opt to purchase the premium or Internet Security suites. It's the same as last year's design, but still a radical departure from the old AVG that's appreciated, yet still may take some getting used to for the more hands-on user. Thankfully, all it's older scan settings are still neatly tucked under the options, though they aren't nearly as touch-friendly.
All visual and organizational improvements aside, AVG 2014 (along with many other security suites we've seen) have more or less been continuing to dress a Windows 7 application without completely assimilating into the actual Modern UI environment, wholeheartedly. I can understand this context under the stance that there are still many who don't face a real urgency to upgrade to Windows 8. But if you're moving toward minimal input and maintenance for running a security program in the background, then perhaps Modern UI might be better suited in the long run.



Once AVG adapts to your machine, scan times are reduced tremendously.
For example, the options menu is still very much geared toward the mouse user, so having a meet-halfway kind of design slightly disrupts the overall experience of maintaining and protecting your machine with the touch of your fingers.



Data Safe is your lockbox to prevent unwanted tampering or snooping if you save files on a public machine.
Two notable additions to AVG Internet Security are File Shredder and Data Safe. File Shredder is a more permanent solution to deleting files and reducing any potential digital trails for recovery. By default, Windows doesn't actually delete files, even after clearing the Recycle Bin, with the exception of overly-large file sizes. For the average user, this might not seem like much but in the era of privacy concerns, it's a welcome feature that will slowly start to become more relevant to the average consumer.
Even Data Safe, AVG's own folder encryption, helps you create what is essentially a secured pseudo-partition in a native location that can only be unlocked with a password. It's a practical precaution for those who share their computers with others and wish to avoid having to create separate profiles.
AV-Test results for 2014 are currently not published, but the 2013 marks for Internet Security showed a slight drop in protection, going down from a 5.5 rating out of 6 to 5.0. Performance remained standard at 3.5 but usability shot up significantly from 4.5 to 5.5 out of 6. AV-Comparatives gave 2013 a 1.1 percent compromise rate in their real-world protection test in their July report. Overall, AVG has maintained a relatively consistent level of security, which is above average, but the gains in usability combined with reduced system load, makes this version one of the most lightweight protection solutions for your PC.
To call this version the best AVG yet is a no-brainer; AVG's security efficacy, though not the best, still remains consistently high scoring among AV evaluations across the board. And though detection rates have improved, the biggest strides for this year's version have been made in the areas of privacy tools that are genuinely useful. As for whether it's the "best" security program around, that may depend on your current needs. AVG's emphasis on privacy tools and reputation ranking attempts to combat malware through educating and empowering users, at least slightly, with tools that remain easy to use yet encourage users to actively manage their PC files. We especially recommend this year's suite for those who actively share their machine with other users.
AVG Antivirus Free-Protect your PC from viruses and malware.-Download Video Previews:

AVG AntiVirus 2014

AVG's Anti-Virus and Internet Security line follows on the heel of last year's highly-ranked security suite by not merely incorporating some minor but key tweaks to both its front-end and back-end, but a stronger push toward personal data management and privacy utilities that help prevent uninvited access to your files. Though many threats still exist, security programs as they stand now start to encompass areas of privacy utilities. Whereas the majority of threats were once external viruses trying to force their way into your machines, nowadays malware focus more on tricking users to inadvertently open doors for hijacking.




Version 2013 was AVG's first push toward adopting and remixing the Modern UI movement. Not just a response to competitors, the Modern UI movement represents an overall push toward creating a more streamlined security experience. For the average consumer, what your anti-virus and anti-malware programs do to protect your computer have followed a set it and forget it mentality.
Balancing along the fine line of being both approachable yet empowering is a key goal of not just AVG but also just about any utility software developer: Modern UI has the visual appeal, but does it evoke control and the sense of security over all the software's power features?
In our last review, we commended AVG's decision to reduce the installation steps. It still contains a toolbar offer, and despite the universal hatred toward being fooled into installing yet another browser helper object, AVG's toolbar actually does include useful security options like Do Not Track. Again it's a tradeoff but if you really wanted DNT's features, then there's a standalone version available for free on Firefox and Chrome in their respective extension stores.
By now, almost every major security software maker has more or less adopted the flat, Modern UI look and AVG has kept its own visuals mostly intact. The main screen is decorated with AVG's primary areas of protection that include your computer, browsing the Web, Identity protection features, e-mail protection, and extras that populate the second row if you opt to purchase the premium or Internet Security suites. It's the same as last year's design, but still a radical departure from the old AVG that's appreciated, yet still may take some getting used to for the more hands-on user. Thankfully, all it's older scan settings are still neatly tucked under the options, though they aren't nearly as touch-friendly.
All visual and organizational improvements aside, AVG 2014 (along with many other security suites we've seen) have more or less been continuing to dress a Windows 7 application without completely assimilating into the actual Modern UI environment, wholeheartedly. I can understand this context under the stance that there are still many who don't face a real urgency to upgrade to Windows 8. But if you're moving toward minimal input and maintenance for running a security program in the background, then perhaps Modern UI might be better suited in the long run.

 
Once AVG adapts to your machine, scan times are reduced tremendously.
For example, the options menu is still very much geared toward the mouse user, so having a meet-halfway kind of design slightly disrupts the overall experience of maintaining and protecting your machine with the touch of your fingers.


Data Safe is your lockbox to prevent unwanted tampering or snooping if you save files on a public machine.
Two notable additions to AVG Internet Security are File Shredder and Data Safe. File Shredder is a more permanent solution to deleting files and reducing any potential digital trails for recovery. By default, Windows doesn't actually delete files, even after clearing the Recycle Bin, with the exception of overly-large file sizes. For the average user, this might not seem like much but in the era of privacy concerns, it's a welcome feature that will slowly start to become more relevant to the average consumer.
Even Data Safe, AVG's own folder encryption, helps you create what is essentially a secured pseudo-partition in a native location that can only be unlocked with a password. It's a practical precaution for those who share their computers with others and wish to avoid having to create separate profiles.
AV-Test results for 2014 are currently not published, but the 2013 marks for Internet Security showed a slight drop in protection, going down from a 5.5 rating out of 6 to 5.0. Performance remained standard at 3.5 but usability shot up significantly from 4.5 to 5.5 out of 6. AV-Comparatives gave 2013 a 1.1 percent compromise rate in their real-world protection test in their July report. Overall, AVG has maintained a relatively consistent level of security, which is above average, but the gains in usability combined with reduced system load, makes this version one of the most lightweight protection solutions for your PC.
To call this version the best AVG yet is a no-brainer; AVG's security efficacy, though not the best, still remains consistently high scoring among AV evaluations across the board. And though detection rates have improved, the biggest strides for this year's version have been made in the areas of privacy tools that are genuinely useful. As for whether it's the "best" security program around, that may depend on your current needs. AVG's emphasis on privacy tools and reputation ranking attempts to combat malware through educating and empowering users, at least slightly, with tools that remain easy to use yet encourage users to actively manage their PC files. We especially recommend this year's suite for those who actively share their machine with other users.


AVG Internet Security 2014

 


 
AVG's Anti-Virus and Internet Security line follows on the heel of last year's highly-ranked security suite by not merely incorporating some minor but key tweaks to both its front-end and back-end, but a stronger push toward personal data management and privacy utilities that help prevent uninvited access to your files. Though many threats still exist, security programs as they stand now start to encompass areas of privacy utilities. Whereas the majority of threats were once external viruses trying to force their way into your machines, nowadays malware focus more on tricking users to inadvertently open doors for hijacking.


Version 2013 was AVG's first push toward adopting and remixing the Modern UI movement. Not just a response to competitors, the Modern UI movement represents an overall push toward creating a more streamlined security experience. For the average consumer, what your anti-virus and anti-malware programs do to protect your computer have followed a set it and forget it mentality.
Balancing along the fine line of being both approachable yet empowering is a key goal of not just AVG but also just about any utility software developer: Modern UI has the visual appeal, but does it evoke control and the sense of security over all the software's power features?
In our last review, we commended AVG's decision to reduce the installation steps. It still contains a toolbar offer, and despite the universal hatred toward being fooled into installing yet another browser helper object, AVG's toolbar actually does include useful security options like Do Not Track. Again it's a tradeoff but if you really wanted DNT's features, then there's a standalone version available for free on Firefox and Chrome in their respective extension stores.
By now, almost every major security software maker has more or less adopted the flat, Modern UI look and AVG has kept its own visuals mostly intact. The main screen is decorated with AVG's primary areas of protection that include your computer, browsing the Web, Identity protection features, e-mail protection, and extras that populate the second row if you opt to purchase the premium or Internet Security suites. It's the same as last year's design, but still a radical departure from the old AVG that's appreciated, yet still may take some getting used to for the more hands-on user. Thankfully, all it's older scan settings are still neatly tucked under the options, though they aren't nearly as touch-friendly.
All visual and organizational improvements aside, AVG 2014 (along with many other security suites we've seen) have more or less been continuing to dress a Windows 7 application without completely assimilating into the actual Modern UI environment, wholeheartedly. I can understand this context under the stance that there are still many who don't face a real urgency to upgrade to Windows 8. But if you're moving toward minimal input and maintenance for running a security program in the background, then perhaps Modern UI might be better suited in the long run.



Once AVG adapts to your machine, scan times are reduced tremendously.
For example, the options menu is still very much geared toward the mouse user, so having a meet-halfway kind of design slightly disrupts the overall experience of maintaining and protecting your machine with the touch of your fingers.


Data Safe is your lockbox to prevent unwanted tampering or snooping if you save files on a public machine.
Two notable additions to AVG Internet Security are File Shredder and Data Safe. File Shredder is a more permanent solution to deleting files and reducing any potential digital trails for recovery. By default, Windows doesn't actually delete files, even after clearing the Recycle Bin, with the exception of overly-large file sizes. For the average user, this might not seem like much but in the era of privacy concerns, it's a welcome feature that will slowly start to become more relevant to the average consumer.
Even Data Safe, AVG's own folder encryption, helps you create what is essentially a secured pseudo-partition in a native location that can only be unlocked with a password. It's a practical precaution for those who share their computers with others and wish to avoid having to create separate profiles.
AV-Test results for 2014 are currently not published, but the 2013 marks for Internet Security showed a slight drop in protection, going down from a 5.5 rating out of 6 to 5.0. Performance remained standard at 3.5 but usability shot up significantly from 4.5 to 5.5 out of 6. AV-Comparatives gave 2013 a 1.1 percent compromise rate in their real-world protection test in their July report. Overall, AVG has maintained a relatively consistent level of security, which is above average, but the gains in usability combined with reduced system load, makes this version one of the most lightweight protection solutions for your PC.
To call this version the best AVG yet is a no-brainer; AVG's security efficacy, though not the best, still remains consistently high scoring among AV evaluations across the board. And though detection rates have improved, the biggest strides for this year's version have been made in the areas of privacy tools that are genuinely useful. As for whether it's the "best" security program around, that may depend on your current needs. AVG's emphasis on privacy tools and reputation ranking attempts to combat malware through educating and empowering users, at least slightly, with tools that remain easy to use yet encourage users to actively manage their PC files. We especially recommend this year's suite for those who actively share their machine with other users.

Download

AVG LinkScanner Free Edition 2014






AVG LinkScanner Free Edition 2013 is a standalone version of a component of the full AVG 2013 suite, both free and premium editions. It provides a layer of additional protection against a variety of online threats, such as hacked Web sites that can redirect your browser to sites you don't care to visit and that can threaten your privacy and even the security of your computer system. It's designed to work in the background, scanning each Web page before it loads to head off exploit sites and similar threats without slowing your browsing noticeably. It's also included with AVG's full app. The only obvious difference is that LinkScanner's reduced interface becomes part of the full AVG interface.


Installing LinkScanner usually requires a system reboot. In standalone mode, AVG LinkScanner Free's user interface is a simplified version of AVG 2013's interface, with an up-to-date, tile-based look, though only the Web Browsing tile is active. LinkScanner accesses two basic tools, Surf-Shield and an optional Online Shield that requires an upgrade to activate. LinkScanner indicated our system's Protected status, while the Report showed no threats. The Support view offers information about LinkScanner's version, licensing, and similar data. Options include Advanced Settings such as Privacy Preferences and an Ignore list as well as general options such as updates.
We tried AVG LinkScanner on a PC without AVG's antivirus software installed, and it seemed to perform its stated mission well enough. However, we had some trouble uninstalling it. The process required some effort and apparently had the unfortunate side effect of preventing us from reinstalling the free AVG 2013 antivirus program, though we tried more than once. Other users report similar experiences. The version of the tool that comes with AVG's free antivirus application never caused any trouble that we're aware of, nor did it seem to slow down or compromise our browsing significantly. Based on this, we can't recommend the standalone AVG LinkScanner Free Edition 2013. If you need or want extra protection from Web threats without using the free AVG 2013, other alternatives are available.

Download

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Adquiere La Formula Para Construir Un Domo Geodesico v4 Sin Complejos Conectores

http://comoconstruirundomo.info/domogeodesico/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/ecover-tutorial-domo-kindle.jpg

Dentro de “Como Construir un Domo v4 Sin Complejos Conectores”, vas a descubrir y aprender el método probado que dará fruto a tu trabajo …!!                   

(lo sé porque lo he probado y comprobado, no lo olvides):

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Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Ultimate Vice City Mod


 
This is a mod for Grand Theft Auto: Vice City that adds 40 real cars, a new bridge, new billboards and more. Everything is included in an automatic installer. New cars since Version 2.0: Washington = BMW 850; SandKing (Sunshine Auto) = Ford F-150; Sanchez (moto)= Yamaha YZ 450; Virgo = Porshe 911 Turbo; Sentinel XS = Vector M12; Regina = Lotus Elise GTR; Admiral = Nissan Skyline (Handling probleme in beta version); BF Injection = BMW Hamann; Oceanic = Toyota Supra Turbo; GreenWood = Nissan R390 GT1; Rumpo = Toyota Supra (Fast and Furious); Faggio = Shop Cart; Pheonix = Bugatti Veyron Concept 2004; Walton = Opel Speedster; Blista Compact = Ford TS 50; Moonbeam = Mercedes SL600;
Mesa Grande = Ferrari 550 Barchetta; and Glendale = Dodge Charger. Other cars: Infernus = Lamborghini Diablo; Cheetah = ferrari F40; Banshee = Lamborghini Murcielago; Hunter = Harrier; Stinger = Chevrolet Camaro SS; PCJ 600 = Ducati 1000; Hermes = Toyota GT-ONE; Deluxo = Mitsubishi Eclipse (2 fast 2 furious); Taxi = Peugeot 406 Taxi (Taxi 3); Sentinel = Mistubishi Galant; Hotring = Ford Mustang SVT Cobra; Idaho = Dodge Viper GTS; Landstalker = Ford Explorer; Rancher = Jeep Grand Cherokee; Comet = Ferrari 360 Spider; Stallion = Toyota Black Supra; Manana = Subaru Impreza WRX; Sabre = Ford boss 1971; Esperant = Ford GT-40; Police = Police Ford Crown Victoria; Sabre Turbo = Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 1967; and Perenial = Honda NSX ULTIMATE 2000 (Ultimate Vice City Bonus). Other additions and changes: all the billboards are changed; new main menu; adds Twin Towers of World Trade Center; adds a new bridge, and adds a Nokia Store.

Monday, February 3, 2014

Vinyl revival