Starting with Windows XP Service Pack 2 and continuing into Windows Vista, Microsoft added a powerful new feature known as “Data Execution Prevention”. Like anything that suddenly tightens security by changing the way the system operates, DEP can cause trouble for some “DEP-hostile” programs. Therefore Microsoft decided to leave DEP disabled by default … until most programs have had time to become “DEP friendly.” At this time it is foreseeable that some future service pack will enable DEP by default, just as XP’s Service Pack 2 finally enabled XP’s normally dormant but always present built-in personal firewall.

However, despite the possibility for some application incompatibility, DEP provides such security benefits that users should be aware of this power technology and might be interested in “turning it on” to see whether they’re able to live under its protection.

RELATED WEBSITE LINKS (to be used on air and web)
TWe will refer to my (GRC’s) DEP-related freeware utility “SecurAble” which anyone can download and run to learn whether their system’s processor chip supports “Hardware DEP”, which is highly useful when enabled …

http://www.grc.com/securable.htm

1.The problem: Sometimes you want to try Linux, but don’t want to leave favorite programs behind.
2.The solution: Software that lets you run Windows programs in Linux.
3.The software: CrossOver Linux, VMWare, Win4Lin, TransGaming, WINE, and more.
4.For CrossOver Linux, go to www.codeweavers.com
5.Click the CrossOver for Linux image.
6.In the table, click through CrossOver-Supported Windows Applications.
7.Find your application(s) in the listing.
8.Look at their ranks, both CodeWeavers’ and Advocates. http://www.codeweavers.com/compatibility/medals contains an explanation of each of the “medals,” which are used to describe how well (or not well) an application works.
9.If you want, start with a 30 day free trial by clicking Try Now. Or, you can click Buy Now to purchase. http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxoffice/ has a table showing you the difference between the Standard and Professional versions. The average user will be fine with Standard.
10.Once you’ve downloaded CrossOver Linux, install it using your distribution’s software management tools.
11.Launch CrossOver Linux and install your Windows software.
12.Use your Windows software in Linux!

RELATED WEBSITE LINKS

http://www.codeweavers.com CodeWeavers produces CrossOver Linux
http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxoffice/ The Linux version of CrossOver
http://www.codeweavers.com/compatibility/browse/rank/ The applications that have been tested, and how well they perform.
http://www.codeweavers.com/compatibility/medals A description of what the medals in the application ranking scheme mean.

PRODUCTS SHOWN

CrossOver Linux Standard
$39.95
CrossOver Linux Professional
$69.95