Question:
My computer keeps resetting its clock backwards--sometimes a few hours, sometimes a few days, sometimes as much as two months. It's only started in the past week or two. I'm not hooking another device up to it, and trying to get it to synch with Micro$oft or NIST fails. It even happens while it's continuously powered up.
What does it think it's doing?
Answer:
The usual cause of this is a dead or dying internal battery. Easy fix in most cases following these simple steps.
Step 0 - turn off the PC and unplug the PC. Yes, unplug it.
Step 1 - open the case. This will usually involve removing 2-5 screws of some kind. Under no circumstances should you call an engineer. They will be there all week.
Step 2 - locate the battery. This will usually be a small round and flat disc somewhere on the mother board.
step 3 - GROUND YOURSELF! touch part of the metal case -before- touching the pc guts.
Step 4 - Carefully remove the old battery by prying it up with a small screw driver. You shouldn't have to force it.
Step 5 - Drive down to the local battery store or Radio Shack and ask the pimple faced person behind the counter for a replacement. Do not mix them up!
Step 6 - Ground yourself again before attempting insertion. If you can feel the zap, it's enough to fry your system.
Step 7 - insert new battery, close up the patient and power it on. Set your clock. It should now stay settled.
If that's too hard, find a local pc shop, call them and ask how much to swap in a new battery. It's a 10 minute job for most desktops.
See also: Discussion
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tip Of The Week : How to Stop the Email Monkey
Today's world of instant access has us used to sending emails and receiving replies within minutes. But, how much of what we email really is that urgent? Set your email program to check for new messages every 20-30 minutes, rather than every minute. You'll have more time to work uninterrupted rather than rushing to see what just dinged your inbox every couple of minutes. Remember, if it's urgent, they can always call you.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Benefits of Computers For The Martial Arts Industry - Part 2 of 3 By Bob Hubbard
Benefits of Computers For The Martial Arts Industry - Part 2 of 3
By Bob Hubbard
An important part of getting the maximum benefit from your computer is to be certain you understand it and it's use.
#Understand how to use the basic features of your computer
Knowing how to properly turn on and turn off your computer will save you many headaches later on. Other skills needed are how to use your CD or DVD drive, the mouse, how to manage your documents, and how to access the Internet. Basic maintenance skills such as backing up crucial information and protect yourself from computer viruses, hoaxes and other security risks will come in very handy as well
#Understand the basics of the Internet
You don’t have to be an expert, but understanding how to find your way in the electronic world will give you an edge over your competition. Basic skills such as using search sites like Google and Yahoo, and the basics of electronic mail are two keys to this. Search sites are excellent sources of information, provided you use them correctly. More people today are turning to them than turn to their phone books or print encyclopedias for news, information and recreation. Properly used, the Internet can help you keep a step or two ahead of your competition. If your school has a web site, it is very important that you and your key people have these basic skills, so that you can make full use of it as both a marketing and news tool.
# Understand how to use electronic mail as a communications tool.
Today, more and more communications is being done through the world wide communications network called the Internet. A great deal of this is done through the use of electronic mail or email. There are dozens of different programs used, some free, some for a small fee, so I’ll avoid program specific tips here, but give a few suggestions for best use of this tool.
#Understand how to use the basic features of your computers word processing software.
All computers sold today include a basic text editing software, and more advanced programs are also available and often times included. You don’t need to be a wizard, but basic functions such as starting a document, writing, centering, bolding and italicizing text, printing it, saving it and finding it again are very important. Other advanced skills such as complex formatting, including pictures or artwork, as well as specialty layouts can save you printing costs, design costs and give you a professional business presence.
#Understand how to use your printer.
Many systems sold today include an inexpensive printer. You should know how to load paper, change the ink cartridge, and use it’s basic features, as well as use it from your various programs. Using your printer correctly can cut your costs, save you time and allow you more time to talk to clients and prospects rather than driving to printers.
#Understand how to use book-keeping software.
There are countless systems out there for book keeping. File cards, multicolumn ledgers, folders, boxes and even bags. All have serious disadvantages. Properly used, a basic book-keeping program can greatly improve your ability to track your income and expenses, contact information, employees, customers and more. You can see at a glance how you are doing, and where you need to focus your attention.
As we’ve seen, the proper use of computers to your martial arts school can save you time, improve your efficiency, and keep you ahead of the competition. But we are all challenged for time today, so how can you gain these skills in a timely manner so that you can get back to the business of martial arts?
There are three main ways to learn these skills.
1- Trial and Error, or the old “poke it with a stick til you figure it out” method. This is of course one we all try from time to time. It is unfortunately, the least efficient.
2- Learn from books or videos. Books and videos are great references, and on some programs, all you might need. Two series I highly recommend are the “Dummies” books, and the “Visual Guides”. The former puts things in simple terms, explains all the jargon and offers a nice introduction to the basics, while the latter is loaded with step by step pictures pointing out almost every mouse click or key hit.
3- Find a qualified teacher. This one should be the most familiar to us. Learning computers is much like learning martial arts. We need the right tools, and the right teacher to really do our best. But, finding that qualified teacher can be a challenge. Today, specialty training centers, most of our big computer stores, office supply chains, and even electronic stores seem to offer some form of computer training. So, when shopping for training, what should you look for?
Join us next week for part 3, shopping for your new PC.
=========
Bob Hubbard is an administrator of the popular martial arts portal site MartialTalk.com and president of SilverStar WebDesigns inc., a web site design and hosting company specializing in affordable solutions for martial artists. Bob can be reached at webmaster@martialtalk.com
Article Copyright © 2008 - Bob Hubbard - All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction Without Written Permission of Author.
By Bob Hubbard
An important part of getting the maximum benefit from your computer is to be certain you understand it and it's use.
#Understand how to use the basic features of your computer
Knowing how to properly turn on and turn off your computer will save you many headaches later on. Other skills needed are how to use your CD or DVD drive, the mouse, how to manage your documents, and how to access the Internet. Basic maintenance skills such as backing up crucial information and protect yourself from computer viruses, hoaxes and other security risks will come in very handy as well
#Understand the basics of the Internet
You don’t have to be an expert, but understanding how to find your way in the electronic world will give you an edge over your competition. Basic skills such as using search sites like Google and Yahoo, and the basics of electronic mail are two keys to this. Search sites are excellent sources of information, provided you use them correctly. More people today are turning to them than turn to their phone books or print encyclopedias for news, information and recreation. Properly used, the Internet can help you keep a step or two ahead of your competition. If your school has a web site, it is very important that you and your key people have these basic skills, so that you can make full use of it as both a marketing and news tool.
# Understand how to use electronic mail as a communications tool.
Today, more and more communications is being done through the world wide communications network called the Internet. A great deal of this is done through the use of electronic mail or email. There are dozens of different programs used, some free, some for a small fee, so I’ll avoid program specific tips here, but give a few suggestions for best use of this tool.
- Know what your email address is and have it listed correctly when you contact someone. Too often I reply to messages where the sender has typos or other errors in their return address, which slows and sometimes stops any chance I have of responding to their message.
- Make certain you have your name correctly entered into your program. Again, too often I get messages from the default names and have no idea who contacted me.
- Make sure you use the “Signature” feature of your email program to include basic contact information on every message you send. Think of it as a mini business card.
- Understand how to write, send, read and reply to messages.
- Check your email regularly. People today expect almost immediate responses, so daily at least is recommended.
#Understand how to use the basic features of your computers word processing software.
All computers sold today include a basic text editing software, and more advanced programs are also available and often times included. You don’t need to be a wizard, but basic functions such as starting a document, writing, centering, bolding and italicizing text, printing it, saving it and finding it again are very important. Other advanced skills such as complex formatting, including pictures or artwork, as well as specialty layouts can save you printing costs, design costs and give you a professional business presence.
#Understand how to use your printer.
Many systems sold today include an inexpensive printer. You should know how to load paper, change the ink cartridge, and use it’s basic features, as well as use it from your various programs. Using your printer correctly can cut your costs, save you time and allow you more time to talk to clients and prospects rather than driving to printers.
#Understand how to use book-keeping software.
There are countless systems out there for book keeping. File cards, multicolumn ledgers, folders, boxes and even bags. All have serious disadvantages. Properly used, a basic book-keeping program can greatly improve your ability to track your income and expenses, contact information, employees, customers and more. You can see at a glance how you are doing, and where you need to focus your attention.
As we’ve seen, the proper use of computers to your martial arts school can save you time, improve your efficiency, and keep you ahead of the competition. But we are all challenged for time today, so how can you gain these skills in a timely manner so that you can get back to the business of martial arts?
There are three main ways to learn these skills.
1- Trial and Error, or the old “poke it with a stick til you figure it out” method. This is of course one we all try from time to time. It is unfortunately, the least efficient.
2- Learn from books or videos. Books and videos are great references, and on some programs, all you might need. Two series I highly recommend are the “Dummies” books, and the “Visual Guides”. The former puts things in simple terms, explains all the jargon and offers a nice introduction to the basics, while the latter is loaded with step by step pictures pointing out almost every mouse click or key hit.
3- Find a qualified teacher. This one should be the most familiar to us. Learning computers is much like learning martial arts. We need the right tools, and the right teacher to really do our best. But, finding that qualified teacher can be a challenge. Today, specialty training centers, most of our big computer stores, office supply chains, and even electronic stores seem to offer some form of computer training. So, when shopping for training, what should you look for?
Join us next week for part 3, shopping for your new PC.
=========
Bob Hubbard is an administrator of the popular martial arts portal site MartialTalk.com and president of SilverStar WebDesigns inc., a web site design and hosting company specializing in affordable solutions for martial artists. Bob can be reached at webmaster@martialtalk.com
Article Copyright © 2008 - Bob Hubbard - All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction Without Written Permission of Author.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Q&A: How Do I Clear My Browser Cache?
Q&A: How Do I Clear My Browser Cache?
After following these instructions, be certain to shut down all browser windows, then restart it.
====
Clearing Cache on the BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
Clearing the content caches clears both the rendered pages and server data:
1. Highlight the BlackBerry browser icon and click the trackwheel.
2. Click the trackwheel again to display the Browser Options menu.
3. Scroll down to Options and click the trackwheel to open the browser options screen.
4. Scroll down to General Properties and click the trackwheel to open the General Properties screen.
5. Click the trackwheel to open the Cache menu.
6. Scroll down to Clear Content Caches and click the trackwheel to clear the cache and return to the General Properties screen.
7. Use the Escape button to page back through the screens to the BlackBerry main menu.
Clearing Cache on Safari 1.0 / Safari 1.0 for Macintosh OS X
1. Open Safari.
2. Select Empty Cache.
3. Click Empty on the Are you sure message box.
4. Exit and relaunch the browser.
Clearing Cache on Microsoft® Internet Explorer 4.0, 4.01, 4.5, and 5.0 for Macintosh
1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Click Edit and select Preferences.
3. Click the arrow beside Web Browser.
4. Click Advanced.
5. Click Empty Now.
6. Click Ok.
7. Exit and relaunch the browser.
Clearing Cache on America Online® 5.0 (32 bit)
1. Click Start, select Settings and Control Panel.
2. Double-click Internet Options to open Internet Properties.
3. Click Delete Files.
4. Click OK on the Delete Files dialog box.
5. Click OK.
Clearing Cache on America Online® 6.0
1. Click Start, select Settings and Control Panel.
2. Double-click Internet Options to open Internet Properties.
3. Click Delete Files.
4. Click OK on the Delete Files dialog box.
5. Click OK.
Clearing Cache on America Online® 7.0
1. Click Start, select Settings and Control Panel.
2. Double-click Internet Options to open Internet Properties.
3. Click Delete Files.
4. Click OK on the Delete Files dialog box.
5. Click OK.
Clearing Cache on America Online® 8.0 & 9.0
1. Click Start, select Settings and Control Panel.
2. Double-click Internet Options to open Internet Properties.
3. Click Delete Files.
4. Click OK on the Delete Files dialog box.
5. Click OK.
Clearing Cache on Microsoft® Internet Explorer 4.0
1. Click Start, select Settings and Control Panel.
2. Double-click Internet Options to open Internet Properties.
3. Click Delete Files.
4. Click OK on the Delete Files dialog box.
5. Click OK.
Clearing Cache on Microsoft® Internet Explorer 5.0
1. Click Start, select Settings and Control Panel.
2. Double-click Internet Options to open Internet Properties.
3. Click Delete Files.
4. Click OK on the Delete Files dialog box.
5. Click OK.
Clearing Cache on Microsoft® Internet Explorer 6.0
1. Click Start, select Settings and Control Panel.
2. Double-click Internet Options to open Internet Properties.
3. Click Delete Files.
NOTE: Do not select Delete Cookies. Delete Cookies removes all the cookies stored on the computer.
4. Click OK on the Delete Files dialog box.
5. Click OK.
Clearing Cache on Netscape® Communicator / Navigator 4.0
1. Click Edit and select Preferences.
2. Click Advanced.
3. Click Cache.
4. Click Clear Memory Cache.
5. Click Clear Disk Cache.
6. Click OK.
Clearing Cache on Netscape® Communicator / Navigator 6.0
1. Click Edit and select Preferences.
2. Click Advanced.
3. Click Cache.
4. Click Clear Memory Cache.
5. Click Clear Disk Cache.
6. Click OK.
Clearing Cache on Netscape® Communicator / Navigator 7.1
1. Click Edit and select Preferences.
2. Click the Triangle next to Advanced to expand it.
3. Click Cache.
4. Click Clear Cache.
5. Click OK.
Clearing Cache on Netscape® Communicator / Navigator 8.0
1. Click Tools and select Options.
2. Select Privacy under Options on the left side of the screen.
3. Click Cache.
4. Click Clear Cache.
5. Click Clear.
6. Click OK.
Clearing Cache on Firefox
1. Click Tools and select Options.
2. Click the Privacy Icon.
3. Click Clear across from the Cache option.
4. Click Ok.
5. Exit and relaunch the browser.
Konqueror
How do I enable, disable or clear the browser cache?
If you select Cache in the dialog launched by selecting Settings->Configure Konqueror... , you will be presented with a dialog box that lets you disable the cache, clear it or set its size, and change the caching policy.
How do I clear cache in Opera?
To clear cache in Opera, perform the following steps:
1: From the File menu, click to select Preferences.
2: From Preferences, click to select History and cache.
3: To clear Typed in addresses and Visited addresses (history), click Clear. To clear Disk cache, click Empty now.
4: To automatically refresh any Web page content, from the Check documents, Check images, and Check other drop-down menus, click to select Always.
5: Click OK.
After following these instructions, be certain to shut down all browser windows, then restart it.
====
Clearing Cache on the BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
Clearing the content caches clears both the rendered pages and server data:
1. Highlight the BlackBerry browser icon and click the trackwheel.
2. Click the trackwheel again to display the Browser Options menu.
3. Scroll down to Options and click the trackwheel to open the browser options screen.
4. Scroll down to General Properties and click the trackwheel to open the General Properties screen.
5. Click the trackwheel to open the Cache menu.
6. Scroll down to Clear Content Caches and click the trackwheel to clear the cache and return to the General Properties screen.
7. Use the Escape button to page back through the screens to the BlackBerry main menu.
Clearing Cache on Safari 1.0 / Safari 1.0 for Macintosh OS X
1. Open Safari.
2. Select Empty Cache.
3. Click Empty on the Are you sure message box.
4. Exit and relaunch the browser.
Clearing Cache on Microsoft® Internet Explorer 4.0, 4.01, 4.5, and 5.0 for Macintosh
1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Click Edit and select Preferences.
3. Click the arrow beside Web Browser.
4. Click Advanced.
5. Click Empty Now.
6. Click Ok.
7. Exit and relaunch the browser.
Clearing Cache on America Online® 5.0 (32 bit)
1. Click Start, select Settings and Control Panel.
2. Double-click Internet Options to open Internet Properties.
3. Click Delete Files.
4. Click OK on the Delete Files dialog box.
5. Click OK.
Clearing Cache on America Online® 6.0
1. Click Start, select Settings and Control Panel.
2. Double-click Internet Options to open Internet Properties.
3. Click Delete Files.
4. Click OK on the Delete Files dialog box.
5. Click OK.
Clearing Cache on America Online® 7.0
1. Click Start, select Settings and Control Panel.
2. Double-click Internet Options to open Internet Properties.
3. Click Delete Files.
4. Click OK on the Delete Files dialog box.
5. Click OK.
Clearing Cache on America Online® 8.0 & 9.0
1. Click Start, select Settings and Control Panel.
2. Double-click Internet Options to open Internet Properties.
3. Click Delete Files.
4. Click OK on the Delete Files dialog box.
5. Click OK.
Clearing Cache on Microsoft® Internet Explorer 4.0
1. Click Start, select Settings and Control Panel.
2. Double-click Internet Options to open Internet Properties.
3. Click Delete Files.
4. Click OK on the Delete Files dialog box.
5. Click OK.
Clearing Cache on Microsoft® Internet Explorer 5.0
1. Click Start, select Settings and Control Panel.
2. Double-click Internet Options to open Internet Properties.
3. Click Delete Files.
4. Click OK on the Delete Files dialog box.
5. Click OK.
Clearing Cache on Microsoft® Internet Explorer 6.0
1. Click Start, select Settings and Control Panel.
2. Double-click Internet Options to open Internet Properties.
3. Click Delete Files.
NOTE: Do not select Delete Cookies. Delete Cookies removes all the cookies stored on the computer.
4. Click OK on the Delete Files dialog box.
5. Click OK.
Clearing Cache on Netscape® Communicator / Navigator 4.0
1. Click Edit and select Preferences.
2. Click Advanced.
3. Click Cache.
4. Click Clear Memory Cache.
5. Click Clear Disk Cache.
6. Click OK.
Clearing Cache on Netscape® Communicator / Navigator 6.0
1. Click Edit and select Preferences.
2. Click Advanced.
3. Click Cache.
4. Click Clear Memory Cache.
5. Click Clear Disk Cache.
6. Click OK.
Clearing Cache on Netscape® Communicator / Navigator 7.1
1. Click Edit and select Preferences.
2. Click the Triangle next to Advanced to expand it.
3. Click Cache.
4. Click Clear Cache.
5. Click OK.
Clearing Cache on Netscape® Communicator / Navigator 8.0
1. Click Tools and select Options.
2. Select Privacy under Options on the left side of the screen.
3. Click Cache.
4. Click Clear Cache.
5. Click Clear.
6. Click OK.
Clearing Cache on Firefox
1. Click Tools and select Options.
2. Click the Privacy Icon.
3. Click Clear across from the Cache option.
4. Click Ok.
5. Exit and relaunch the browser.
Konqueror
How do I enable, disable or clear the browser cache?
If you select Cache in the dialog launched by selecting Settings->Configure Konqueror... , you will be presented with a dialog box that lets you disable the cache, clear it or set its size, and change the caching policy.
How do I clear cache in Opera?
To clear cache in Opera, perform the following steps:
1: From the File menu, click to select Preferences.
2: From Preferences, click to select History and cache.
3: To clear Typed in addresses and Visited addresses (history), click Clear. To clear Disk cache, click Empty now.
4: To automatically refresh any Web page content, from the Check documents, Check images, and Check other drop-down menus, click to select Always.
5: Click OK.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Tip Of The Week : How to Use Blind Carbon Copy
Ever get an email with a gazillion email addresses listed, then get a few angry comments?
Save yourself some headaches and keep your mailing recipients private by using the BCC or Blind Carbon Copy option in your email program.
Save yourself some headaches and keep your mailing recipients private by using the BCC or Blind Carbon Copy option in your email program.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Benefits of Computers For The Martial Arts Industry - Part 1 of 3 By Bob Hubbard
Benefits of Computers For The Martial Arts Industry - Part 1 of 3
By Bob Hubbard
Today in the opening years of the 21st century, computers are everywhere. They are in our cars, our stores, our phones and our home appliances. To exist in the business world of the 21st century, we need to understand the benefits that their use can provide our businesses. There are two main benefits to using computers today.
Benefit #1: They can help organize the chaos of modern life.
You’ve seen them. The walls full of sticky notes, the piles of paperwork on the desk, stacks of business cards, half done “todo” lists, and other assorted cluttered time stealers.
Proper use of a computer can organize this chaos and save you hours of time each week.
Benefit #2: The can save you both time and money.
How many times have you thrown out old business cards, flyers, brochures or other paperwork? How much time do you spend doing paperwork each day rather than teaching or training? Have you ever needed 1 more flyer, or ran short of business cards during an event at your school? How much time do you spend tracking down paperwork needed each day or filing the days paperwork? Properly used, computers can save you time, and we all know time is money.
In order to get the most from your computer, there are a few basic skills you must have, and several advanced ones that will be of great benefit. Both you as a school owner, and one or more of your staff should have these basic skills.
Join us next week for part 2, understanding your computer.
=========
Bob Hubbard is an administrator of the popular martial arts portal site MartialTalk.com and president of SilverStar WebDesigns inc., a web site design and hosting company specializing in affordable solutions for martial artists. Bob can be reached at webmaster@martialtalk.com
Article Copyright © 2008 - Bob Hubbard - All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction Without Written Permission of Author.
By Bob Hubbard
Today in the opening years of the 21st century, computers are everywhere. They are in our cars, our stores, our phones and our home appliances. To exist in the business world of the 21st century, we need to understand the benefits that their use can provide our businesses. There are two main benefits to using computers today.
Benefit #1: They can help organize the chaos of modern life.
You’ve seen them. The walls full of sticky notes, the piles of paperwork on the desk, stacks of business cards, half done “todo” lists, and other assorted cluttered time stealers.
Proper use of a computer can organize this chaos and save you hours of time each week.
- Contacts can be organized into an easily searchable list; thereby avoiding stacks of easily lost or misfiled index or business cards.
- “ToDo” lists can be sorted, redone, reorganized, and worked from, all in seconds, compared to standard paper based systems.
- Scheduled appointments can be setup to automatically remind you about them, saving you from having to remember to check the paper planner in your drawer or on your wall that’s half hidden by sticky notes.
- Financial information can be quickly, securely and easily accessed, updated and maintained avoiding keeping track of paper registers and old fashioned accounting ledgers.
- Student information can be easily tracked, including contact information, special needs, attendance history, payment records, and promotions.
- Personal and Business expenses can be tracked allowing a more efficient means of financial planning.
- And many more.
Benefit #2: The can save you both time and money.
How many times have you thrown out old business cards, flyers, brochures or other paperwork? How much time do you spend doing paperwork each day rather than teaching or training? Have you ever needed 1 more flyer, or ran short of business cards during an event at your school? How much time do you spend tracking down paperwork needed each day or filing the days paperwork? Properly used, computers can save you time, and we all know time is money.
- Student attendance can be tracked quickly on a computer, replacing or improving the efficiency of old paper based systems of index cards, time cards, or similar.
- Student payments can be quickly checked, letting you know before class who hasn’t paid that month, thereby improving your payment speed.
- Rather than spend a lot of money on flyers at a print shop, you can print smaller quantities of flyers as needed, saving you money and helping the environment by cutting back on paper waste.
- You can quickly print out a few business cards as needed, even have several different ones using affordable off the shelf card stock that works in almost every printer.
- Using certain tools that either come with a computer or can be affordably added, you can plan out your day, week, month, and even year, increasing the efficiency of your use of time.
In order to get the most from your computer, there are a few basic skills you must have, and several advanced ones that will be of great benefit. Both you as a school owner, and one or more of your staff should have these basic skills.
Join us next week for part 2, understanding your computer.
=========
Bob Hubbard is an administrator of the popular martial arts portal site MartialTalk.com and president of SilverStar WebDesigns inc., a web site design and hosting company specializing in affordable solutions for martial artists. Bob can be reached at webmaster@martialtalk.com
Article Copyright © 2008 - Bob Hubbard - All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction Without Written Permission of Author.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Q&A: How do I advertise my school or organization on MartialTalk and it's related sites?
Question:
How do I advertise my school or organization on MartialTalk and it's related sites?
Answer:
Advertising on MartialTalk is handled through SilverStar WebDesigns Inc.
A list of advertising options, ad specifications, and more is available at http://www.silverstarsites.net/scn/
How do I advertise my school or organization on MartialTalk and it's related sites?
Answer:
Advertising on MartialTalk is handled through SilverStar WebDesigns Inc.
A list of advertising options, ad specifications, and more is available at http://www.silverstarsites.net/scn/
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Tip Of The Week : Why a Complex Password?
Because the more complex, the harder it is to crack, and the harder it is to crack, the less likely you are going to be hacked.
For more info, see below. :)
Interesting article on password strengths and time to crack.
http://www.lockdown.co.uk/?pg=combi&s=articles
When I worked as a network admin, I ran quarterly crack attempts against the server database. I had the inside edge of direct access to the server's password file. On the average, I cracked 80-90% of the 150 accounts overnight, on each attempt. They used standard mixes of complexity, and length. I usually had a dozen within minutes.
Today's complex cracking software uses combination's of brute force and dictionary attacks, and table lookups, which cut the time down, incredibly.
From one program's readme "A traditional brute force cracker try all possible plain texts one by one in cracking time. It is time consuming to break complex password in this way. The idea of time-memory trade-off is to do all cracking time computation in advance and store the result in files so called "rainbow table". It does take a long time to pre-compute the tables. But once the one time pre-computation is finished, a time-memory trade-off cracker can be hundreds of times faster than a brute force cracker, with the help of precomputed tables."
Discussion
For more info, see below. :)
Interesting article on password strengths and time to crack.
http://www.lockdown.co.uk/?pg=combi&s=articles
When I worked as a network admin, I ran quarterly crack attempts against the server database. I had the inside edge of direct access to the server's password file. On the average, I cracked 80-90% of the 150 accounts overnight, on each attempt. They used standard mixes of complexity, and length. I usually had a dozen within minutes.
Today's complex cracking software uses combination's of brute force and dictionary attacks, and table lookups, which cut the time down, incredibly.
From one program's readme "A traditional brute force cracker try all possible plain texts one by one in cracking time. It is time consuming to break complex password in this way. The idea of time-memory trade-off is to do all cracking time computation in advance and store the result in files so called "rainbow table". It does take a long time to pre-compute the tables. But once the one time pre-computation is finished, a time-memory trade-off cracker can be hundreds of times faster than a brute force cracker, with the help of precomputed tables."
Discussion
Monday, November 10, 2008
The Dangers of the Staff Only Forum
Forum Building 101 - The Dangers of the Staff Only Forum
- Bob Hubbard
When setting up your forums, it is often recommended that you also setup a section that only your staff can access. The reasons for this are many. A staff-only area allows your staff to discuss important policy issues, problem users, and the board itself in private, without worry that the average member will stumble across something they shouldn’t.
The challenges with having a private staff area lie in your staff gradually “moving in” and reducing or outright stopping their public forum participation. Administrators must pay careful attention that they also do not fall into the “manage from the back” trap.
To protect against this danger, active administrators must pay careful attention to who is active in their staff forums. Spot check them to be certain they haven’t moved in full time. As most of us hire our staffs based on their prior performance in the areas they now moderate, we want to keep them active there, where their contributions can build content and draw in new members. Posts made in private may help guide things, but rarely translate into new content or new members.
Administrators in particular need to pay attention to their own posting patterns. A successful admin will guide and steer their board while avoiding the dictator role. This requires professional interaction with your board staff. It is up to you to set the tone and the pace. If they see you “hiding” in the back, they will often emulate you and also hide back. This runs the major risk of the board having previously active sections wither and die as the heavy posters had all been hired and resorted to lurking in the back. Lead by example. Additionally, when you as an admin aren’t publicly visible, you run the risk of being seen as the despot in the tower, only appearing to punish rule breakers. You run the risk of being seen as out of touch or worse by your members.
Encourage your staff to continue their past activity in their sections, and be certain to visit them regularly by posting yourself. Each post that staff makes in public both reminds the members that you are there, but also serves to further the conversation, build content and entice lurkers to register and post.
This also helps keep your staff as active members, and can serve to prevent the feeling that they are a special “elitist” group which happens from time to time on forums.
Remember:
- Encourage staff to remain active in public
- Check staff activity regularly
- Lead by example and be an active public poster.
I hope this has been of some help and welcome questions.
Thank you.
Bob
===
Copyright ©2005 Bob Hubbard - All Rights Reserved
Bob Hubbard operates several forums online. A former Commodore 64 BBS sysop from the ‘80’s, he now operates MartialTalk.com, a leading martial arts forum, KenpoTalk.com, an community for the kenpo karate community, and The Dead Parrot Tavern , a community for sci-fi, anime and more. He is also technical admin at FMATalk.com, a forum for the Fillipino martial arts community. Copies of this article are free to distribute, provided all text is retained intact. It and other articles can be found at rustaz.net.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Q&A: Photos in the school, do I need a release?
Question:
I'm taking some photos in my school and want to use them on my web site. Do I need any one to sign a release?
Answer:
If you are simply covering a public event, then usually no. If however you intend to use these photos in any way that can be seen as an invasion of privacy, or for commercial gain, or use on a commercial website, then you should have all those show sign a release form.
A simple, sample release:
I ________________ Hereby grant all rights to (PHOTOGRAPHER) to sell or publish any photographs taken of the following subjects today. This permission is permanent, and I claim no future compensation.
Fill in all applicable.
Name:____________________________
Minor: ____________________________
Property: _________________________
Signature: ________________________ Date: ______________
A discussion of this and some other related points is available on MartialTalk.
I'm taking some photos in my school and want to use them on my web site. Do I need any one to sign a release?
Answer:
If you are simply covering a public event, then usually no. If however you intend to use these photos in any way that can be seen as an invasion of privacy, or for commercial gain, or use on a commercial website, then you should have all those show sign a release form.
A simple, sample release:
I ________________ Hereby grant all rights to (PHOTOGRAPHER) to sell or publish any photographs taken of the following subjects today. This permission is permanent, and I claim no future compensation.
Fill in all applicable.
Name:____________________________
Minor: ____________________________
Property: _________________________
Signature: ________________________ Date: ______________
A discussion of this and some other related points is available on MartialTalk.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Tip Of The Week : Security Warning
Security Warning!
I'm noticing a lot more fishing attempts going on as of late.
Please note:
Under NO circumstances will PayPal, Ebay, your local Bank, Amazon, etc email you and ask you for your account information.
Under NO circumstances should you fill in the forms, etc.
Login to your account NORMALLY! (That means Paypal.com or ebay.com, etc, not the nice 123.123.123.123 or whatever address in the email you got)
Then contact their support normally.
Be forewarned, be safe.
Please note:
Under NO circumstances will PayPal, Ebay, your local Bank, Amazon, etc email you and ask you for your account information.
Under NO circumstances should you fill in the forms, etc.
Login to your account NORMALLY! (That means Paypal.com or ebay.com, etc, not the nice 123.123.123.123 or whatever address in the email you got)
Then contact their support normally.
Be forewarned, be safe.
Monday, November 3, 2008
People You Don't Like Are Online Too...
People You Don't Like Are Online Too...
By Bob Hubbard
Over the last 7+ years I have been operating several online communities. Prior to that I ran or assisted on old style dial up bulletin boards (BBS's). So, I've seen quite a lot of interesting things in the maze of human online interactions. A common problem is when person A doesn't like person B. This can be for any of thousand reasons. From basic philosophical differences, political or religious, past personal history, to they just rub you the wrong way. Sometimes it's a huge reason, and other times, it's a reason that seems to make no sense or be so minor an issue as to be beneath notice. It doesn't matter, there's a problem, and they will let you know it.
The way they let you know varies, but in many cases will rotate through all of these stages.
* Don't complain about anything. Always stay silent, or complain in topic wondering where the moderators are. Don't they care? Don't they read everything on this 20,000 member 2,000 post a day site? Why aren't they here, right now taking care of the problem?
* Complain about every thing the other person says to management. Everything the "disliked" person says online must somehow be directed at you, so you must inform the management of this "vile troll" at every chance. His comment "Nice weather" must directly refer in secret code to the 2 feet of snow you had to shovel and hurt your back, so he is calling you weak even though he is a thousand miles away in balmy 70' weather. It's a shot and you're telling. So you private message, email and/or report that post, then since 5 whole minutes have passed and no one has done anything (since everyone knows site admins live by their systems and never leave) you fire back a heated message.
* Give up complaining since "they never do anything anyway" and begin posting your own preemptive attacks, always taking a moment to add in a complaint or shot at the slow acting and secretly supportive of the other guy site staff. When they staff tire of this and call you on it, your indignation is of course completely justified. After all, if they had just listened to you at first, there would have been no need for you to throw manners away, and how dare they tell you to behave? After all, "he's" to blame because he's there.
* Go to other sites and complain about the site and it's staff. After all, it sucked and they sucked too because they let "him" get away with everything, and all you were trying to do was call him on it. How dare they try to tell you that you weren't being a good member!
* When told to use built in tools like "ignore lists" or "buddy lists" or "filters" puff up and let them know clearly that you don't buy into that sissy stuff. Of course, just using your own built in ability to ignore things doesn't work either, because if you did, you would never see all those people talking about you.
* You quit. You go to other sites and complain how much the old site sucks and how they let their favored people attack you without fear of reprisal, and how you were singled out for just "standing up for yourself". You visit on occasions so that you can keep tabs on the conspiracy, and are sure to mention how you were "run off" or "quit because they sucked" at every chance.
Sound familiar? Know anyone who fits one or more of these? Do they fit you? Then, read on.
Most people are intelligent folks. They wouldn't go to a movie and sit quietly as some rude jerk yacks on their cell phone. They would go find an usher and get the idiot shut up. They wouldn't accept rude server at a checkout counter, they would call over a manager and lodge a complaint. Someone's smoking in the no-smoking area? Call a manager who will handle it. They don't however make the call, then get up and slap the other person around a bit until help arrives. During our lives we encounter thousands of situations that require we either ignore it as not worth our while, or call for assistance and let them deal with things. Online, somehow people think the rules are different, should be immediate, and shouldn't apply to us when we are "taking care of things ourselves".
To avoid many headaches online, most communities have installed filters, sometimes called "ignore lists". Use them. Put those who annoy you on them. If you choose not to because sometimes they do post something you like, then learn to filter out the rest and have the maturity to not fire back a heated response. Otherwise, the "pompous know-it-all", the "hot head", the salesman, the "everything outside of me is inferior" and the" I was to the mountain and have been anointed" all should be placed on your own ignore list, filtering out their comments and cleansing your experience. If you see them quoted by others, stop reading once you see their name and just move on to the next post. Most of these guys thrive on the attention and the audience, and if you don't feed them, they starve and leave.
Because staff are often overworked, and unpaid, and have real lives that don't revolve around groups, lists and forums, it may take a while for them to receive every complaint. Sometimes, they need time to confer among themselves to decide if something truly is a rules violation, or a legal violation, and what course of action is needed to solve the problem. Patience you must have, and resist the urge to grab torch and pitchfork.
Sitting there in silence when there is a problem never solves is, but neither does complaining every 5 minutes. The person who calls 911 (or whatever your emergency number is in your area) can be cited for abuse. Reporting 20 posts in 5 minutes, or every post good and bad from an individual, or threatening to "do something if you won't" usually qualifies as abuse on most sites. Harassing the staff is never a good idea.
Going elsewhere also rarely works. In some cases, it is a good idea. You and the community just don't share the same ideals or just can't get in sync. But going elsewhere and complaining all the time really makes as little sense as having a bad time at Walmart and going to Target and tracking down every customer and employee and telling them about it.
Most sites try to run within a set list of rules, and be as fair as possible. Biases will always be there as it's human nature. However if you work within the system, use the tools available, and give people time to help you, you will greatly enhance your own enjoyment of the site, as well as the enjoyment of your fellow members, most of whom aren't there to watch school yard arguments (though there are sites dedicated to such things) but to learn, relax and network with other like minded people.
Use the tools provided, give the staff time to handle things, learn to ignore the small stuff, and help the staff by not being a problem causer yourself, and the site will prosper and your enjoyment of it will benefit.
===
Bob Hubbard is an administrator of the popular martial arts sites MartialTalk.com and KenpoTalk.com. He is president of SilverStar WebDesigns inc., a web site design and hosting company specializing in affordable solutions for martial artists as well as a professional photographer. More of Bob's articles can be found at rustaz.net.
Copyright ©2007 Bob Hubbard - Copies of this article are free to distribute, provided all text is retained intact.
By Bob Hubbard
Over the last 7+ years I have been operating several online communities. Prior to that I ran or assisted on old style dial up bulletin boards (BBS's). So, I've seen quite a lot of interesting things in the maze of human online interactions. A common problem is when person A doesn't like person B. This can be for any of thousand reasons. From basic philosophical differences, political or religious, past personal history, to they just rub you the wrong way. Sometimes it's a huge reason, and other times, it's a reason that seems to make no sense or be so minor an issue as to be beneath notice. It doesn't matter, there's a problem, and they will let you know it.
The way they let you know varies, but in many cases will rotate through all of these stages.
* Don't complain about anything. Always stay silent, or complain in topic wondering where the moderators are. Don't they care? Don't they read everything on this 20,000 member 2,000 post a day site? Why aren't they here, right now taking care of the problem?
* Complain about every thing the other person says to management. Everything the "disliked" person says online must somehow be directed at you, so you must inform the management of this "vile troll" at every chance. His comment "Nice weather" must directly refer in secret code to the 2 feet of snow you had to shovel and hurt your back, so he is calling you weak even though he is a thousand miles away in balmy 70' weather. It's a shot and you're telling. So you private message, email and/or report that post, then since 5 whole minutes have passed and no one has done anything (since everyone knows site admins live by their systems and never leave) you fire back a heated message.
* Give up complaining since "they never do anything anyway" and begin posting your own preemptive attacks, always taking a moment to add in a complaint or shot at the slow acting and secretly supportive of the other guy site staff. When they staff tire of this and call you on it, your indignation is of course completely justified. After all, if they had just listened to you at first, there would have been no need for you to throw manners away, and how dare they tell you to behave? After all, "he's" to blame because he's there.
* Go to other sites and complain about the site and it's staff. After all, it sucked and they sucked too because they let "him" get away with everything, and all you were trying to do was call him on it. How dare they try to tell you that you weren't being a good member!
* When told to use built in tools like "ignore lists" or "buddy lists" or "filters" puff up and let them know clearly that you don't buy into that sissy stuff. Of course, just using your own built in ability to ignore things doesn't work either, because if you did, you would never see all those people talking about you.
* You quit. You go to other sites and complain how much the old site sucks and how they let their favored people attack you without fear of reprisal, and how you were singled out for just "standing up for yourself". You visit on occasions so that you can keep tabs on the conspiracy, and are sure to mention how you were "run off" or "quit because they sucked" at every chance.
Sound familiar? Know anyone who fits one or more of these? Do they fit you? Then, read on.
Most people are intelligent folks. They wouldn't go to a movie and sit quietly as some rude jerk yacks on their cell phone. They would go find an usher and get the idiot shut up. They wouldn't accept rude server at a checkout counter, they would call over a manager and lodge a complaint. Someone's smoking in the no-smoking area? Call a manager who will handle it. They don't however make the call, then get up and slap the other person around a bit until help arrives. During our lives we encounter thousands of situations that require we either ignore it as not worth our while, or call for assistance and let them deal with things. Online, somehow people think the rules are different, should be immediate, and shouldn't apply to us when we are "taking care of things ourselves".
To avoid many headaches online, most communities have installed filters, sometimes called "ignore lists". Use them. Put those who annoy you on them. If you choose not to because sometimes they do post something you like, then learn to filter out the rest and have the maturity to not fire back a heated response. Otherwise, the "pompous know-it-all", the "hot head", the salesman, the "everything outside of me is inferior" and the" I was to the mountain and have been anointed" all should be placed on your own ignore list, filtering out their comments and cleansing your experience. If you see them quoted by others, stop reading once you see their name and just move on to the next post. Most of these guys thrive on the attention and the audience, and if you don't feed them, they starve and leave.
Because staff are often overworked, and unpaid, and have real lives that don't revolve around groups, lists and forums, it may take a while for them to receive every complaint. Sometimes, they need time to confer among themselves to decide if something truly is a rules violation, or a legal violation, and what course of action is needed to solve the problem. Patience you must have, and resist the urge to grab torch and pitchfork.
Sitting there in silence when there is a problem never solves is, but neither does complaining every 5 minutes. The person who calls 911 (or whatever your emergency number is in your area) can be cited for abuse. Reporting 20 posts in 5 minutes, or every post good and bad from an individual, or threatening to "do something if you won't" usually qualifies as abuse on most sites. Harassing the staff is never a good idea.
Going elsewhere also rarely works. In some cases, it is a good idea. You and the community just don't share the same ideals or just can't get in sync. But going elsewhere and complaining all the time really makes as little sense as having a bad time at Walmart and going to Target and tracking down every customer and employee and telling them about it.
Most sites try to run within a set list of rules, and be as fair as possible. Biases will always be there as it's human nature. However if you work within the system, use the tools available, and give people time to help you, you will greatly enhance your own enjoyment of the site, as well as the enjoyment of your fellow members, most of whom aren't there to watch school yard arguments (though there are sites dedicated to such things) but to learn, relax and network with other like minded people.
Use the tools provided, give the staff time to handle things, learn to ignore the small stuff, and help the staff by not being a problem causer yourself, and the site will prosper and your enjoyment of it will benefit.
===
Bob Hubbard is an administrator of the popular martial arts sites MartialTalk.com and KenpoTalk.com. He is president of SilverStar WebDesigns inc., a web site design and hosting company specializing in affordable solutions for martial artists as well as a professional photographer. More of Bob's articles can be found at rustaz.net.
Copyright ©2007 Bob Hubbard - Copies of this article are free to distribute, provided all text is retained intact.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Light Week
Due to the election and being swamped, the first week of November will be a little light in content. We'l be back to usual shortly.
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