Microsoft has released a critical security update for Internet Explorer.  This security update resolves seven privately reported vulnerabilities and one publicly disclosed vulnerability in Internet Explorer. The more severe vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if a user views a specially crafted Web page using Internet Explorer. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

Source: ZAG Technical IT Services

One of the things that this blog is full of is directories. I’ve listed a lot of them in the past, and you can find them all here: Directories. What I don’t usually talk about though is how easy it can be to submit to those directories. So here is a post about the directory submitter by Sliq.

I must say that is a pretty sliq…I mean slick logo. Sliq is a semi-automatic directory submitter software. Pretty much every directory submitting software is “semi-automatic”. You basically preload all your info, the software takes you to the directory submission page, fills in all it can, and you are pretty much set to go. Just hit submit, or fill in any blanks and submit.

Sliq offers a free trial version, but it’s only $10 for the full license. Cheap. The hard part is submitting. Even with a killer software package like this, you still need to do some work, but websites don’t market themselves you know. Sliq just makes it so you can submit to 300 directories in a day vs 300 in a month doing it manually. Think it’s worth the $10? Maybe after trying it the hard way you will.

Cool little tip at the end when looking for directory submission software. They often come preloaded with a bunch of directories. Until today, the most I ever saw was 300. Sliq has a cool 1,000 preloaded so have some fun!

Have a game server already? How about a VOIP server?

From the same people that bring you Counter Strike gaming servers, Game Data Inc., you can also get Teamspeak Servers, and Ventrilo Server Hosting.

I personally use Teamspeak severs, but either way you go, the prices are the same.

Using their service you can get host a Teamspeak server for just $2.69 a month for a 10 spot server up to $78.12 a month or a 400 spot server. They pretty much cater to any size group you have. You can also get monthly discounts if you buy time in advance.

Some of their features for their Teamspeak servers:

• Instant Server Setup
• 24/7/365 Customer Service!
• Easy Online Control Panel
• No Bandwidth Limit
• No Codec Restrictions
• Mac Codecs Available!
• 100% Gaming Network
• 9 Workdwide Locations

They actually have 21 world wide locations for the Ventrilo servers. Both, Ventrilo and Teamspeak servers, require software on your end to operate. As the admin you will need to bits of software. One to manage the server from your PC, and another to connect by voice. Software for this is fortunately free, and if you are gaming you may already have it installed.

Game Data Inc. has been around for a few years now, and is considered one of the best for VOIP and hosting gaming severs.

If you are looking to buy a shopping cart package for your website, you might want to check this out. I am running a contest on Best Web Image all of July 2009. The winner gets a free copy. I also have a promo code that you can use all of July to get it for 50% off if you can’t wait, and need it now. Here is the link to the contest: http://www.bestwebimage.com/archives/win-a-free-copy-of-boss-cart-premium-shopping-cart-software/

Today I thought I would mention a handy little website that has helped me out several times. It’s ComputerFileExtensions.com. There specialty is File Extensions, and if they don’t have the definition for them all, they certainly have more than any other site I have found.

The Directory

File Extensions is a directory of extension names. Next time a client sends you their photos in some weirdo format, now you can know exactly what it is. Besides knowing what the extension is for, you can also get information for problems you may be having with you PC because of them. Each extension has the it’s definition, and possible recommended issues you may be having with it.

The Software

File Extensions also has a registry scanner. The registry scanner is can be set to do a complete audit of your PC, or can be set to specifically hunt down the problem you may be having with a specific extension. A common problem that happens PC users, is that new applications like to do a hostile takeover of some of your files, in an attempt to be the authority on it. An example, would be loading Quicktime on a PC with Windows Media Player on it already, and Quicktime tries to get you to use their application to open all of the files that Windows Media did. This registry scanner can help identify problems like  this, and correct it.

The directory is the main reason I use this site. I don’t have too many problems with software these days, and only occasionaly run a registry scanner.

Need a directory for your website? Link Bid Script could be your answer. It’s been downloaded over 10,000 times so it’s surely working for some. Link Bid Script is a free php link directory software package. To get it for free, you do have to register, but it’s just a simple email/username registration.

I’ve run a few directories in the past, and personally, I think they are a pain. You get spammers, poorly selected categories for sites submitted, and just miscellaneous headaches. I think having a bidding directory could make it a little more worth it though. Money usually makes the pain go away, and having your site submitters bidding for a little better spot can do just that. Bidding placement can also be an advantage to your visitors who are using the directory. Quality of listings doesn’t always mean who has the most money to spend on advertising is the best, but it can certainly filter down the total junk sites.

The script also has various templates to use, phplinkbid script templates, and can also be customized to your own sites. The directory is CMS powered so it’s easy to manage. You can easily include Google’s Adsense code to if you want, and it has an easy approval process. There is also a special service this software comes with. If you are technically challenged, their technicians will install the software on your server absolutely free.

Last week I wrote a post about Velnet Web Hosting. I thought I would mention another site of theirs, Velnet Designs, because they offer a few other software packages to help build your site on the fly.

The company specializes in ecommerce web design, and offer their flagship ecommerce software, BossCart. Their main target audience though,  are those looking for an easy CMS solution. They have online dating software, which apparently is a huge industry. I never new. They also have software for job sites, software for portal sites, and directories to name a few others. The company additionally does custom software packages upon your request, custom logo designs, and has a few online resources. The online resources offer a meta tag generator, a website color picker, and a way to quickly submit your site to search engines.

There site is in the process of getting a face lift so don’t be discouraged if you find a missing link or two. The site owner is very friendly, and quick to answer all your needs.