virus

Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010 3-User
$59.95
I have used McAfee and then Norton. Norton is just too resource-hungry for my computer, and was slowing it down substantially whenever it kicked off a scan. I moved to Kaspersky a couple of years ago and never looked back.

Virus Hunter: Thirty Years of Battling Hot Viruses Around the World
$15.95
I decided to read more about C.J. Peters after I concluded The Hot Zone; finding myself infatuated with this semi-mysterious, tropical-shirt wearing military officer and virus researcher. I was fascinated by this man whose experience and research will and has changed history.

Despite the unmatched experience, education and brillance of C.J. Peters intellect, I found the tone of this book suprisingly "down to earth" Peters is clearly a scientist who an experienced mentor. I sensed he does not see how extraordinary his life is; only that he is aware he is a man who has pursued his passion.

Having recently read both The Hot Zone (marburg), and Preston's Demon in The Freezer (smallpox), I felt I comprehended the power of airborne virus'. What I gained from Virus Hunter was just how much research, time and passion it takes for scientists to learn about these diseases. The intensity of virus research and trying to save human lives makes for an extraordinary read, particulary from the first hand accounts of a true virus hunter (I found his character truly translates to an Indiana Jones of the viral world...pursuing his subject deep into Brazil, the Sudan, and Virginia...)

Peters shares experiences including communication attempts with people around the world, and a need to relate to their lives. He wrote of adventures trying to reach rural locations in South America. He also respectfully recounts the stories of other scientists who succumbed to virus' illness, and the need for the research community to see these deaths as something to hold in mind while seeking a cure. Clearly attaching specific individuals (whether lab researchers, or individual unnamed patients who he watched die) as representatives of why cures MUST be found.


The only lull in this book is about 3/4 though the early chapter about the Four Corners outbreak, the initial story was intiguing (and as you will see ties distinctly into the entire theme of the book), however, it did drag. This was the ONLY slow part of this book. The rest was amazing.

C.J. Peters is the kind of scientist you want to sit, and UNDERSTAND what he sees and learns. He can easily communicate with the average person, and with those at the highest level in military and intellectual leaders. I so wish I had such a passionate scientist who has as much respect for women biologists as men; a scientist whose infectious (pun intended) passion raises everyone sense of curiousity about the subject he teaches. I believe more educators with his passion would produce more passionate scientist, and people willing to take on the overwhelming accomplishment of achieving a biology degree at University.


I would strongly, strongly recommend this book to anyone with any sort of interest in biology, disease, virus, or just anyone who enjoys a terrific adventure.

The sharing of his personal details, and the mating habits of top scientists (they date among their own kind...) added a true depth to his storyline.

I found this book utterly brilliant. The clear message is everyone must be aware of the dangers of viral disease, the serious nature of these illness' which are not classified as bacteria...nor parasitic. Also, the tight budgets created for medical research are truly a danger to the future of our health and those of developing nations.

While I was eating dinner the other night, I was deep in Virus Hunter, reading the descriptive details of what Ebola does to the human body. The thought suddenly struck me...I am eating and reading about subcutaneous hemorrhaging without even a blink...

Now THAT is a good book!

The Art of Computer Virus Research and Defense
$54.99
This book as a lot of good information, but it is seems to be more difficult than it should be at times. The examples are based in x86 ASSEMBLER. So if you don't have a clue about x86 assembler, it's going to be difficult.

The book does NOT show the code to infect programs, just what it looks like before the infection and after the infection. I understand why. If it included the code, it would be a manual about how to write viruses. Clearly, we don't need one of those. But, it does make the descriptions more obtuse than they would need to be if it just showed the code.

There are several typos in the book, but most of them are easy to overcome.

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My big complaint is the physical book itself. The binding is not good, and the pages are starting to come loose from the spine.

Virus - DTS
$9.99
Virus is a movie a lot of people seem to hate for one reason or another. It might be the corny acting or the cheesy scares or the plot holes.

To me, these things make this movie awesome. Virus is a really cheesy horror flick that is great for watching with friends. If you don't take the movie too seriously it's a heck of a lot of fun.

A lot of folks nay-say this thing but I say give it a chance. Virus is a great underrated hit for "bad movie night".