Tech Advice for all, and for all subjects

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 3:17 pm

ygmir wrote:that asteroid will be to late, considering the world is scheduled to end in 2012..........

You mean I have to hang around three four more years? Oh my run in circles scream and shout

DVD Burner · Post by **DVD Burner** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 5:02 pm

Google Chrome Hit With Another Security Bug

http://www.crn.com/security/210500382

By Stefanie Hoffman, ChannelWeb
7:15 PM EDT Fri. Sep. 05, 2008

Less than a week after the release of Google's new Web browser Chrome, security researchers detected a buffer overflow vulnerability that could enable remote attackers to completely take control of a user's computer.

The detected buffer overflow vulnerability, deemed critical by security experts, is the result of a boundary error in the handling of the "Save As" function. If a user saves a Web page serving malicious content, the program could cause a stack-based overflow error, which could open the door for remote hackers to unleash malicious code on a user's machine.

Remote attackers could then exploit the flaw by constructing a specially crafted Web page infused with malicious code. The attacker could then entice a victim to open and then save the infected page, which would subsequently download malicious code onto the victim's computer and give the attacker complete access to the affected system.

Chrome's latest buffer overflow vulnerability is one of about half a dozen errors detected in the newly released beta Web browser, about half of which allow for remote code execution, experts say. Another vulnerability, discovered shortly after the browser's release Tuesday, included a carpetbombing glitch that stemmed from a fundamental flaw in the underlying user agent Safari 3.1.

However experts say that several Chrome beta version flaws are anticipated and will likely be worked out with the final version as the browser is subsequently tested.

"I think for a new product like Chrome, it doesn't concern me much that they're discovering the number of vulnerabilities and the details are getting out there. That's the point of beta, especially open source beta," said John Bambenek, handler for the SANS Internet Storm Center. "I think that the people who are really into getting exploits on a number of machines are not interested in messing with Chrome until (Google) gets some distribution out there."

"If it's not public information, the hackers don't have it either," he added.

And despite some errors that could lead to remote exploitation, experts say that because the browser is still in beta and not yet widely adopted, security threats for most users for the time being remains small.

"I don't think the consumer impact is very large yet," said Bambenek, "but that could change very quickly."

Post by **mdmf007** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:28 pm

unjonharley wrote:
ygmir wrote:that asteroid will be to late, considering the world is scheduled to end in 2012..........
You mean I have to hang around three four more years? Oh my run in circles scream and shout

I just paid all the cards off and got out of debt. Im racking it all up again if i dont have to worry about it by 2012.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 5:49 pm

Conservation of mass is STILL the law.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 9:39 am

WE have a antenna for tv reception..

Will the new Tv's work off rabbit ears?

I'm going to keep the VCR's, video disc, webtv computer and camera card player in a working stack the way they are right now.. These are not connected to the house antenna but to rabbit ears in my room.. I use them to record photos, watch old movies, View and sort photos and read the news in large print.. Can also plug in the lap top to burn photos..

As you can see I'm not into paying for any type of cable bullshit..

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 6:33 pm

Yes, but my take is that better antennae are needed.
Have you ordered your discount coupons for converters?
I am unsure of the quality of most but found a winegard that is the best I've found so far.
The tuner quality matters a lot and they have been shit for years because copyguard is filtered by a good tuner.

littleflower · Post by **littleflower** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 6:48 pm

i just bought a new digital TV, it actually works a lot better with my antenna than the old tv did. i was pleasantly surprised ... i get more channels, and far more clearly. BUT when something doesn't come in clearly, you don't get a bit of fuzz, you get nothing. so far i've been able to move the ears about until i get it. at least, that's my experience.

btw - i have a better antenna, not just rabbit ears - but it wasn't terribly expensive. i think a converter box would be cheaper, as long as you get a coupon.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 7:30 pm

littleflower wrote:i just bought a new digital TV, it actually works a lot better with my antenna than the old tv did. i was pleasantly surprised ... i get more channels, and far more clearly. BUT when something doesn't come in clearly, you don't get a bit of fuzz, you get nothing. so far i've been able to move the ears about until i get it. at least, that's my experience.

btw - i have a better antenna, not just rabbit ears - but it wasn't terribly expensive. i think a converter box would be cheaper, as long as you get a coupon.

q

I do want to buy the digit tv.. Getting more pbs statons is a good thing.. I can tap into the house antenna.. I'm into a smaller digit set and may want to move it from room to room.. My shop is both in the garage and boat house across the yard.. Might get a converterbox just to hav eone around..

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 7:58 pm

Tuners are available for computers too.

Be sure to get 2 coupons.
If you don't use both, give one away.

I have found the winegard for $70 though it may be cheaper somewhere.
There are much better tuners but most are not on the list for the coupons.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 8:06 pm

gyre wrote:Tuners are available for computers too.

Be sure to get 2 coupons.
If you don't use both, give one away.

I have found the winegard for $70 though it may be cheaper somewhere.
There are much better tuners but most are not on the list for the coupons.

Dose that box have what is called a "through and through"?

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 8:16 pm

Some do, most don't.
I imagine the winegard does but I don't know yet.

There is a list of those capable of switching for low power stations.
Those would have it.

I take it thats what you mean?

This one does.
Can be used on batteries too.
http://www.winegarddirect.com/viewitem.asp?p=WDRC-DT09A

Here's a better one, though I don't know if it qualifies for the discount.
http://www.winegarddirect.com/viewitem.asp?p=RC-1010

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 8:25 pm

gyre wrote:Some do, most don't.
I imagine the winegard does but I don't know yet.

There is a list of those capable of switching for low power stations.
Those would have it.

I take it thats what you mean?

If the box will handle both old and new signals. If it recieves the old style signal it passes through the box to the tv

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 8:51 pm

I think so.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 1:04 am

I am definitely going to try these shoes.
[youtube] - Bill Gates & Jerry Seinfeld - Shoe Circus Commercial[/youtube]

This ad is longer than almost all of the Current TV shows about burning man.

[youtube] - New Family - Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates Ad (Long Version)[/youtube]

DVD Burner · Post by **DVD Burner** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 2:34 am

Are the New Microsoft Ads About Kinky Sex?

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2329941,00.asp

Scenario: Two guys meet in a shoe store. The one guys offers a churro to the otherâ€”an obvious phallic symbol, possibly a code word. The guy refuses. So the guy with the churro starts to massage the other guy's foot, and asks about what he's feeling. The guy who relented at first says a definite code word: "leather." The two look furtively at each other for an uncomfortably long time. The scene is just short of a wink taking place. One mentions "showering" with clothes on. The next thing you know the twosome, now each holding rigid churros, walk off together. One asks the other to adjust his underwear as a "sign."

Now if this isn't some sadomasochistic, kinky pickup scene then what's the point? There is too much symbolism and footsy for this to be anything other than a tryst waiting to happen. Perhaps it is a parody of the "Mac versus PC" ads, which may have homoerotic overtones that nobody has considered, and this is Microsoft's way of asking, "What's with those two guys, anyway?"

The other possibilities for the ad include one I heard posited over the weekend: that it is somehow symbolic of Windows' versatility and affordability. The cheap store is a metaphor for cheap PCs or some such thing. I suppose anything is possible, but who's going to get it? It's too ridiculous.

Now the possibility does exist that this is a commercial about nothing, similar to the Seinfeld TV show, which means the rest of the series will have to be as stupid as this one. And, yes, there is an effectiveness aspect to this, since you will stop and look at the next ad in much the same way you always want to watch a Mac versus PC ad. So kudos to the agency for at least getting that far with this scheme.

And of course, there's my basic theory (if I am NOT going to go with the kinky-sex thesis, that is), which is that the ads are just bad. But they are so bad you will still want to watch them out of morbid curiosity, kind of like watching a train wreck.

So what's next in the series? One conjecture has it that they'll redo the old Seinfeld set, and Gates will visit and comment on the Mac that Jerry owned. Derisive remarks will ensue. But showing up at the old apartment invites further exploration of the S&M kinky-sex context I mentioned. Why would Bill Gates go to Jerry Seinfeld's apartment? I didn't get the impression that the two of them were in Manhattan in the first commercial.

Another idea is to put Bill and Jerry in a carâ€”similar to the old Ballmer and Gates fake advertisement where they drove around to berate Sun Microsystems. Jerry and Bill could drive around and make fun of things. But why would they be driving off together in the first place? Generally speaking, each would have his own car at the mall. Let's assume one walked there. So one would have to ask the other whether he'd like a "ride," which again has innuendo built in. It's going to be difficult for them to work their way out of this structure they've created, once you see the kinky-sex angle.

I could be wrong about all this, and I assume that nobody is doing this overtlyâ€”it's just coming out on its own from some subconscious source at Microsoft. All I hope for is that we never see either of those guys in leather with a whip. It would be an unpleasant image.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:18 am

He says gleather, doesn't he?
Not leather.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:54 am

unjonharley wrote:WE have a antenna for tv reception..

Will the new Tv's work off rabbit ears?

I'm going to keep the VCR's, video disc, webtv computer and camera card player in a working stack the way they are right now.. These are not connected to the house antenna but to rabbit ears in my room.. I use them to record photos, watch old movies, View and sort photos and read the news in large print.. Can also plug in the lap top to burn photos..

As you can see I'm not into paying for any type of cable bullshit..

The Winegard has no S-video output.
I can't find anyone who has tested one.
I am leaning towards the Channelmaster made in Bulgaria currently and maybe a Zinwell for a timer (oddly not required by the government).
The CM has no pass through though.

Many people like the Zenith quite a bit.

Make sure you get a recent model of anything.
The software changes all the time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_CECB_units
This chart is out of date already as things change.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=186
Videohelp forums may have something useful too.

can't sit still · Post by **can't sit still** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:46 pm

I'm looking at going off-grid like Rabbi Rick. I'm going to need some kind of uplink for the net. He told me some specs but, I wanted to get different opinions,,, besides , I forgot what he told me. I'm planning on using 24VDC, with a minimum of convertor power at 125 VAC
I expect to be in western oregon. I'm not a tech geek and I don't need anything fancy.
Dan

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:54 pm

Why 24 vdc?
Aren't most things tending towards 12 volts lately?

I did have a bunch of 24 volt P & B relays.
May still have some.

can't sit still · Post by **can't sit still** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 5:08 pm

GYRE, off grid houses tend to be higher voltage because 12 volts takes HUGE wire. Some houses are 36 and 48 volt. Most of the wind-gens over 1000 watts are higher voltage. I just ordered a 24 volt freezer. I already have 2--24 volt invertors.
12 v just has too much line-loss.
I can do it with 12 if I have to.
Dan

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 5:25 pm

I am aware of impedance issues.
It just depends on the length involved and how that balances out for cost.
Can you still get what you want in 24 volt?
I imagine most long runs from a panel or generator are kept as high as possible and then stepped down, just like the grid.
I like the advantage of fewer cells in a battery system too.
Maybe aluminum wire is an option for the big runs.
That's what I use for battery runs on the car.
Fine as long as you do it right.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 5:40 pm

also,
most all military surplus stuff is 24V...............

I've got a satellite uplink from"wildblue" for highspeed if you want it, CSS.
I got DSL, so, don't need it. Modem, too.

Also have a 24V genset, and, my military trucks are all 24V..........

IF I can help, let me know..........

can't sit still · Post by **can't sit still** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 6:49 pm

GYRE, I can find most stuff in 24 V. Cmacm has lots of stuff; http://www.3rivers.net/~cmac/
I just don't like Al wire. I can buy tons of surplus Cu wire for cheap. I've got 4500 AH worth of 12 volt batts.
YGMIR, I'll probably take you up on the offer of the sat system. LMK a price.
OK guys, should we start a survival thread? We could pool our info. I'm sure that plenty of people are losing their jobs and looking for a way to get by.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 7:36 pm

I'm in............
CSS:
Pm me if you want the satellite stuff........

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 7:52 pm

So, what issues should be considered when purchasing a soldering iron? I'm definately interested in being able to change tips. Those built in stations with the sponge and on off switch and coil to hold the wire. To what extent does more money mean better product? I'm a beginner, and don't want the rock bottom use it five times and it's through sort of project.
Thank you

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 7:57 pm

What are you soldering?

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 8:01 pm

It depends on what type of soldering you plan on doing. If you're just soldering the occasional bit of EL-wire or installing a car stereo, any cheapo Weller and some thick flux core solder will do. You can get them at hardware stores or Radio Shack. If you're doing more intricate work like installing components on a circuit board then you might want to get one with a temperature control along with seperate flux and such.

You should be able to replace the tips on any iron. They do burn through during use.

You can get butane powered soldering irons which seem like they would be handy on the playa or elsewhere in the wild, but in practice I've always been able to get AC where I need it.

For simple wiring jobs I'd spend money on a good wire stripper and some helping hands (aligator clip things you use to hold wires in place) before spending it on a fancy soldering iron.

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 9:07 pm

Are you wanting to solder metals together, Fishy? (like copper and brass sheet, for instance?)

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 10:19 pm

That might be a place to start. I got to get up early tomorrow and go to work.

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 2:46 am

Here is a page with soldering stuff

http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisear ... eBottom=35