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CodeOptimist

WFG Retired
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Posts posted by CodeOptimist

    buying a cpu+mobo

    in Computer Desk

    Posted

    Here's a good resource: http://www.pcper.com/hwlb.php

    'Tis a periodically-updated list of the "best" components to get for a budget, mid-range, high and dream-level system build. Obviously, the "best" components are always under question, as "best" is a highly subjective clause (some people are die-hard AMD fans, while others love Intel), but I've found that the recommendations on this page are pretty good. :)

    Google Talk

    in Computer Desk

    Posted

    And the : p would always show up as a smiley, and everyone would be like "huh?".

    Even better - Google Talk only bolds capitals, so : p wouldn't even trigger it (: P would).

    An extra note about Google Talk - their voice protocol is an extension of XMPP and will be fully documented. Which means someone will probably implement voice plugins for gaim/whatever sometime soon (hopefully).

    Nice! I'll take a peek at the protocol extension docs when available... I love open, documented protocols. (I took a look at the XMPP protocol (and RFC, briefly) today, and it looks like a work of art next to the messy MSN Messenger protocol!)

    Google Talk

    in Computer Desk

    Posted

    I mean, MSN is so 'easy to use', and it's got the most bloated interface *ever*. AIM's interface is too childish if you ask me. I haven't seen GT's smilies yet, but hopefully they're much better than the dumb default ones included with AIM and MSN.

    Actually, I'd contend that AIM's interface is more bloated, cluttered, and confused than MSN's is. I recently had to install AIM to communicate with someone, and hated it every time I used it. :) It seems like the interface hasn't changed (aside from adding ads) in 5+ years.

    I like the interface that MSN 6.2 has - but I hate MSN 7.0's. I haven't seen MSN 7.5 yet, so I haven't decided on that version, but I'm sticking with v6.2 for as long as I can.

    Interestingly, GT doesn't have any smilies. If you type a well-known emoticon keystroke (such as : ) or : P), it makes the text bold and blue, but that's it. Somehow, I sort of like that better - it seems more IRC-ish and less goofy (more hackerish, in a good way).

    Google Talk

    in Computer Desk

    Posted

    Ooh, looks quite nice. Ditto to Jason's comment about it being very clean. (I've held off on upgrading to the latest version of MSN Messenger because it looks so messy and bloated)

    Haven't tried any conversations yet, but it's impressive already. It's also quite nice that it's built around an open protocol.

    nathanaelb@gmail.com

    MSN and Hackers

    in Computer Desk

    Posted

    For the sake of correctness, we're really talking about 'crackers' here, not 'hackers'. -> http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~beej/chg/defin.html :)

    @Manuel: Generally, hardware firewalls only protect you from incoming attacks, while software firewalls can protect you from both incoming attacks and outgoing connection attempts (such as a trojan attempting to 'phone home').

    As an aside: Having more than one software firewall on your machine may be counter-productive (I've heard recommendations against it), but a hardware+software firewall combination is a great layer of extra security if you feel you need it. Personally, I have a NAT router connected directly to my Internet pipe (cable modem), and ZoneAlarm Personal installed on my PC. The router should stop anything from getting at my machine from the outside, so I technically don't need ZoneAlarm. However, I like to know what applications are attempting to initiate outgoing connections and be able to allow/deny on an individual basis.

    MSN and Hackers

    in Computer Desk

    Posted

    Like pyrolink said, provided your friend has a decent firewall set up (ZoneAlarm Personal is great and free), there's not much that could happen. I tend to think said person is just making idle threats :)

    I'd never have showed up in this forum but ...

    No need to stay away -- we don't bite (unless you are an IE fanatic). :P

    I know you won't like this

    in Computer Desk

    Posted

    And yeah, I think the 'Set Program Access and Defaults' actually works, though unfortunately I can't find a way to not set all MS programs as default in their respective category (IE, Outlook express, WMP, etc). Any ideas on how to fix that?

    If you choose the 'Custom' setting, you should be able to manually choose a program for each category.

    I've been watching you...

    in Computer Desk

    Posted

    I don't understand how it can track the site your are going on anyway, it is a cookie, how does that work? :\

    IIRC (+AFAICT), it was based around the idea that an advertising network could read a cookie planted on your computer on a large number of websites (on any site that network's ads are shown).

    EDIT: Wikiepedia has an article that explains it a bit.

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