eWurster.com

Remove Branding from Internet Explorer

Spyware and ISP scripts may modify your IE browser. Use this command to restore the original settings.

rundll32.exe iedkcs32.dll,Clear

Starting and Stopping a Service in NLD

"Quitting and restarting Red Carpet does not restart the service. To do that you would issue the command 'sudo /etc/init.d/rcd restart' from a terminal, or 'sudo rug restart', they both do the same thing. rcd is the Red Carpet Daemon. rug is the command line utility that does the same
stuff as the Red Carpet GUI."

The quote is from a Novell NLD newsgroup. NLD is Norton Desktop Linux, a version of SuSE. Installed a few months back, and just now getting into setup details like adding printer, file sharing, etc. There are several Novell newsgroups for help. Use google groups to search novell.support.novell-linux-desktop.* for old posts.

For now I'm using GNOME. I've been through the Red Carpet service, which is Novell's easy-answer to "automatic" updates. There are a few setup tips that you can find in the install newsgroup. There is also support available at the Novell website, but it is not the best search engine, so be patient. Also be sure to read Linux Newbie Guide: Shortcuts And Commands for more information.

FREE CREDIT REPORT
Everone is entitled to a free copy of their credit report. Type this URL into your browser, and look for a phone or mail link on the first page. AnnualCreditReport
The information may also be available at the site, by the time you read this.

Search Windows Text Files
Windows Grep - AstroGrep can be used to search text files in a directory you specify.

Dell Notebook Overheating Problems
Read about the problem here, and download a utility to help monitor temperatures. To temporarily fix the overheating, use compressed air in a can and blow thru the intake at rear of case. Do this periodically to keep the fins clean. Install fanGUI and monitor temperatures. Temperatures increase under normal operation, but if they go too high the system will shut down to protect the processor. You may have to remove the keyboard to clean the area if the steps above don't fix the problem. Last resort is to send it back to Dell. If you're out of warranty, you're out of luck, and we'll have to pay for the cleaning.

Hidden Backdoors, Trojan Horses and Rootkit Tools in a Windows Environment

List of Linux Live CDs: "The purpose of this page is to provide a comprehensive, easy-to-search list of all available Linux-based Live CDs."

Windows 2000 Networking becomes extremely slow when browsing a Windows 98 or 95 computer - check http://www.911networks.com/win2000.htm which suggests deleting a registry key. Notice that 911networks.com has question and answer sessions for each version of Windows.

Configure Internet Explorer to work as an FTP client: "Solution
There are several tweaks you can make to Internet Explorer that will make it more FTP-friendly. First, you can set up IE so that it can browse FTP directories, just as if they were folders in Windows Explorer:
Click Tools | Internet Options.
Click the Advanced tab.
Under Browsing, check the box labeled Enable Folder View For FTP Sites.
Next, if you're on a computer that's behind a firewall, you'll need to set up IE to use passive FTP:
Click Tools | Internet Options.
Click the Advanced tab.
Under Browsing, check the box labeled Use Passive FTP.
If you need to upload files to an FTP folder, you must use a special URL in the following format:
ftp://username@ftp.domain.com/directory/
This will result in the user being prompted for a password. Once the user supplies the password, a directory comes up, and the user can drag and drop files to and from the FTP window."

How to Open Ports in the Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall

List of Assigned Ports

How to Reinstall IE or OE

This is from an article: Repair Internet Explorer 6 Under Windows XP.

If you have problems with browser or mail app, you could update and reinstall at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com, but you need to set a value to let this happen if you are already up-to-date.

"Launch REGEDIT from the Start menu's Run dialog and navigate to the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{89820200-ECBD-11cf-8B85-00AA005B4383}. In the right-hand pane, double-click on the DWORD value IsInstalled and change it from 1 to 0 (no matter whether you choose Decimal or Hexadecimal). Close REGEDIT and go to the Windows update site again. Now it should let you 'update' IE and, with luck, fix the problems.

To repair Outlook Express, change the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{44BBA840-CC51-11CF-AAFA-00AA00B6015C}."

Internet Explorer Windows open 'off screen' or tiny or minimized to the taskbar. The window will not move if off-screen, and if resized by dragging or using the window buttons, does not keep the size set.

Make sure the taskbar does not auto-hide (right-click to change options) and then maximize the problem window. Incerease the height of the taskbar. Now decrease the height of the taskbar to its original height.

If the above does not fix the problem, open regedit and remove registry key values:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\window_placement

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\internetexplorer\Desktop\Explorer
\desktopoldWorkAreas\OldWorkAreaRects

Looking for Work?

Looking for monthly or yearly calendar information?

http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/

Try the customize buttons, it is very flexible. Manipulate the layout in many ways. For instance, I went to one column format for monthly data I needed to run down the side of an 8-1/2 x 11 page in my Quark Xpress layout.

TIP: you can view the source of the web page, and easily strip out the tags, then copy and paste the text where you need it.

FAVORITE UTILITIES
Here are a few PC graphics utilities I've used over the past year--most free, or donation ware:

Irfanview - Batch conversion and rename - http://www.irfanview.com/
JpgQ - Estimate compression % of existing JPG - http://www.mediachance.com/
XnView - Viewer, broser, converter, etc. - http://www.xnview.com/
Eyedropper - sample colors and readout - http://www.inetia.com/eyedropper_download_eng.php
HoverSnap - screen capture utility - will save JPG - http://www.hoverdesk.net
Exifer - modify EXIF comments - http://www.exifer.friedemann.info/
Lupas Rename - rename files - http://www.azheavymetal.com/~lupasrename/news.php

Each has at least one unique feature.

I drag and drop folders of images on Irfanview for quick preview.

JpgQ solves the problem of finding the compression setting in a JPG. You should use this number if you can't go back to the original, and must save as JPG again.

XnView is a good image file browser for older Windows versions.

Eyedropper will show CMYK and RGB numbers for on-screen colors.

HoverSnap will capture all or part of the screen and save as JPG. Or you can FTP the file directly from the utility to a web folder.

Exifer is useful if you need to change EXIF settings from your digital camera files. For instance, you can batch add a comment to all files, or change the date stamps.

HOW DO YOU FIND INFORMATION?
Newsgroups are high on my list of sources to contact when I need a baseline of answers. For instance, if I want to know if iPhoto is something I should install to organize a digital photo mess on my hard drive, I load the advanced groups search page at Google, and type "iphoto" into the first box. Click on the button, and there are many results. Notice that com.sys.mac.apps appears many times on the pages as a source. I could go back to the advanced search page and limit my hits to that one newsgroup, but there is a shorter method. Click on any of the links to comp.sys.mac.apps and Google returns all messages in the group. You can refine the search further. Click the option button "Search only in" and type a few words into the search box this time. For instance, try "iphoto" and "easy." More to come...

SOFTWARE TO ORGANIZE PHOTOS
I've been using Picasa for over a year. It has strengths and weaknesses like any product. I use Picasa because it is a very simple photo organizer product that does not intimidate those in the family who want to view digital albums.

Things it does well:
- high-quality full screen slideshow
- email attachments, through their SMTP or your configured email program
- exports jpg's
- cropping
- red eye

Picasa also developed something called Hello that may prove useful. It is a free product, and doesn't require Picasa.

Hello is like instant message, but aimed at sharing photos, and you
can instant message in the same window.

MY DATA CENTER
I have a few pictures available in my Public Gallery.
Photos can be found in the Gallery

FREE MP3 MUSIC
Found quite a few interesting links for MP3 music.
Links to Tens of Thousands of Legal Music Downloads

TIME WASTERS OR SKILLS BUILDERS?
Try these links when you get bored, or need a creative PUSH:

Color by Numbers

Mr. Picasso Head

PASSWORDS
This is real-world proof that your password is very easy to guess.

I was asked to set up a new system. I created what I thought would be a very good temporary password. In most cases I do this, hand over the password, and ask the client to log in and create a secure password. I realize that most don't do this.

The user logged in to their AOL account to check the installation I had done. Much to my surprise, I created a password of numbers and letters that was identical to the user's AOL password.

Easy for you to remember. Easy for me to guess!

SPYWARE ;<(

Gator is a free program that is so incredibly helpful that you should wonder why it's free. For more background, you may read:

http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/howto/story/0,24330,3389395,00.html

Gator is a type of software called spyware. If I knocked on your door and asked you for the information that it collects, you would quickly dismiss me.

If I followed you throughout the day as you shopped and recorded where you went, you would probably call the police when you noticed this.

Everyday I come into contact with computers that have been compromised.This can happen in many ways, and the system becomes noticeably slower over time. It requires considerable effort (your money) to restore a system to acceptable operation.

I do not recommend that you install or remove anything, as software interaction is complex. Without some understanding of how software can be installed, and set to automatically open, you really do risk rendering a system unusable if you go forward without an overview of the specific problem.

I do recommend that you read about Ad-aware at http://www.lavasoftusa.com. It is free for personal use. I use it on a periodic basis.

INCREASING WEB HITS

Reviewing site statistics and found that something that creates hits and repeat hits is having a picture that people want to see. Offer to post pictures of relevance to your customers. This will bring them back to your site.

It also will have a ripple effect. For instance, I am monitoring traffic right now that is a secondary ripple produced from initial posting of family event pix. Initially there were visits to the web by family members. Over the last few weeks the requests for webpages are coming from educational institutions. Kids send the link to their friends and other family.

Something similar will happen if you post pix for a customer. Must be done with release form, and an attractive presentation.

"Spending all your time with what worked yesterday says nothing about tomorrow." Rob Taylor.

I read this on a networking forum today. The topic was planning. Using a technical consultant makes sense:

- your business is not technology, and your view on technology is colored by business associates, and

- your technology advice comes from users of technology, who recommend what they've purchased, for that reason only.

An independent technical consultant is immersed in the issues on a daily basis, and knows where the hidden mines lay.

Take My Password, PLEASE!

I couldn't resist that tagline. But it IS a great opener for a security anecdote.

A client asked me to recommend a PC. It was purchased the same day from a well known, build-to-order company. I was surprised at how fast the system arrived at his location, but I guess that is a reflection of the poor economy.

One of the requirements was that this PC be as secure as possible. I've gently prodded the client about the lack of physical and system security throughout their sites.

In fact, a previous notebook that I set up with user account and password provides an example of how they value system security. The users decided to affix sticky notes to the keyboard with account names and passwords. Sometime during the past week both stickies disappeared from the keyboard. This will be known as Bad Practice #1.

It took a few phone calls, but I eventually received the O/S password from an office manager who is entrusted with that information. Now I can boot the system and log in, but cannot access the necessary internet site, because the other lost sticky note had that account information. Unfortunately, the web services company will have to provide it, and someone is waiting for a callback.

PUBLIC FILE-SHARING RISK

From the Electronic Frontier Foundation, information on how to deal with personal file sharing network issues:

EFF: How Not To Get Sued by the RIAA for File-sharing: "users of P2P networks can take the following steps to reduce their chances of being sued"

What goes on at a typical university:

Peer-to-peer and file sharing at Duke: "There is increasing pressure on universities to take action against any and all copyright violations, especially those attributable to p2p."

Issues that will continue to affect businesses, institutions and home installations for the foreseeable future: privasy, security, copyright.

During the day I found that some users of Comcast in NJ were not able to bring up web pages they requested. It seemed unusual that their DNS and mine were different, but that must be the case (I use Comcast also.) I didn't get a chance to check the DNS server names they were using. Use IPCONIFG /ALL in a command window to discover the information. Alternative is to use WINIPCFG.

Some thoughts on web sites for small business. Register your domain name independently, or take steps to protect your investment and hard work.

Today I exchanged several emails with a woman who started a personal gifts business. Her domain name is registered by the web host, who is also the web designer, and the transaction processor. The web hosting seemed very attractive, and had no fees for several months. Unfortunately, the technical performance of the web site is poor. It is also apparent that desing is below average.

Now the business owner is looking for a new web host. I'm sure the old web host will offer to sell her the domain name, but the price will be too high. The host knows that she has invested money in business documentation, and the cost of printing, registering, etc. will be additional business cost, and she'll make a decision to stay with the present arrangement.