Tips for using the new forum

[scott]

As far as I can tell, the "view all" function is working properly.

Well, I was finally able to reproduce the View All problem some of you have been seeing. Turns out it only happens when using Internet Explorer, not Firefox, and also does not happen when I use IE on my local LAN, which is why I had a hard time reproducing it. However when I use IE on another computer not on my home LAN I see the problem. Strangely though, it only happens when you try to view a Topic that is many pages long. I was able to view the entire General Discussion Forum, which is 14 pages long, all at once with no trouble.

It must have something to do with the way IE renders large tables, but I will have to look into more as I find time. In the meantime, if you use IE, don't try to view large topics on one page. Or better yet, switch to Firefox. :-)

-Scott

[rlortie]

Scott and all,

I am using IE with DSL and experienced no problems. I also have a small lan in my home for two computers.

Could those having problems be traced to their IP servers such as limited bytes?

Ralph

[racer270]

ha , guys......aaahhhum...


Another Internet Explorer Vulnerability
An Israeli hacker, Matt Gillon, published a Proof-of-Concept flaw in Internet Explorer using a combination of Internet Explorer 6 and the Google desktop Search (a free program that can index and search your system and the web). The vulnerability is actually a flaw in IE that allows the infection or importation of foreign code when the browser attempts to parse Cascading Style Sheets or CSS.
Gillon later goes on to describe how by simple it is to take advantage of the vulnerability in IE. Like Cross Site Scripting , the vulnerability can be exploited by hackers utilizing the hole in IE from a remote site. This could allow the attacker access to sensitive information or even execute operations as "you" on remote domains.
The good news is this may be the chance you always wanted to try out another browser since IE has no patch to fix this flaw. Not to mention that the code needed to take advantage of the vulnerability is being posted on the web for potential attackers to use (nice huh?). This really means that the hardest part of exploiting your system could simply be getting you to visit a site with this imbedded code.
Microsoft is said to be creating a patch for the flaw and currently offers some general tips to keep you safe. The precautions Microsoft suggests are to disable the running of Java script, and being careful with sites you visit online.
Wow. That doesn't make me feel safe at all. Not to mention that I can't get through the day without my Java. I just get ornery.
So if you want to enjoy all the web has to offer - bells and whistles included - without opening yourself up to attacks then the alternative I would recommend is to try a different browser. FireFox or Opera for instance these are both fantastic Internet browsers and stop the importation of insidious code through the parsing of websites utilizing CSS. You can export your settings including favorites from IE to the other browsers, which can create an almost seamless transition. I have always said that it's a good idea to use two different programs that perform the same job; it allows you to negotiate any unforeseen obstacles that may otherwise stop you from getting the things you need to get done.
12-07-05

[amateur]

Generally, I do not like the idea of permanently banning someone...as in setting things up so that any requests for page downloads from their IP address are ignored.

If this is actually being considered, please keep in mind that IPs are not necessarily constant for everyone, but can change, even for those with DSL and cable access, as well as dial-up. So, multiple individuals (most likely) in the same area could occasionally wind up using the same ip at different times.

Based on the # of members, and their seeming dispersion, I would guess that is not necessarily a problem at this time, but, just thought I'd point it out.

[ken_behrendt]

amateur...

It might be possible to ban someone based on their username and not their IP address. Again, I must state that I do not like the idea of banning anyone and hope that it would never need to be done.


As far as MS browser vulnerability to hackers is concerned, I had an interesting experience myself only last week. I think I mentioned here that when I was downloading certain threads, an audio file with a commercial message was also downloading and playing over my speakers. It was really annoying and forced me to turn the speakers off.

I ran the SpyBot-Search and Destroy program and it located 10 adware programs that had been placed on my hard drive without my knowledge of consent. Well, one of them really made my hair stand on end. It was titled "MS Security - Anti Virus Override"! Apparently, one of the websites I had visited had inserted a program onto my PC that was designed to override my firewall protection and other built in safeguards against downloading viruses! Now, as a routine safety measure, I run the SpyBot program every two weeks...just in case.


ken

[graham]

Hey Scott, how many threads is the limit that you can "watch"?
I'm not sure if this question has come up before ,I don't recall seeing it though.
I always assumed that the oldest "watched topic" would eventually drop off automatically after a certain time or number of topics watched. Apparently not the case though.

I had accumulated over 70 "watched topics" before I was informed by you that this created a problem .
Another question . Is there a way to delete all your watched topics in one go, rather than going through each one separately and clicking "Stop watching this topic" ??

Thanks for all do for us seekers.

Graham

[Fletcher]

If you really want to improve his xmas & show some appreciation for his time & efforts, make a donation to Scott thru the PayPal Donate button (bottom right screen). He's got regular maintenance, running costs & an upgrade to enhance his service to us, to finance :)

[AgingYoung]

Scott,

I think that if Bessler himself were posting on this forum in short order he'd be banned. He often called people 'crazy' and sang 'glory hallelujah'. He'd be toast in no time.

You do an excellent job. Anyone that wins the Randi should at a minimum buy you a new server. Maybe send you to Hawaii for Christmas.

Gene

[scott]

Hey Scott, how many threads is the limit that you can "watch"?

There's no limit.

Is there a way to delete all your watched topics in one go, rather than going through each one separately and clicking "Stop watching this topic"?

Sorry, not currently. I agree that would be a nice feature and will look into adding it as I find time.

Thanks for all you do for us seekers.

You're welcome! Thanks for visiting.

Best
Scott

[scott]

If you really want to improve his xmas & show some appreciation for his time & efforts, make a donation to Scott thru the PayPal Donate button (bottom right screen).

Thanks Fletcher! Donations of any size are indeed always welcome. :-)

[scott]

I think that if Bessler himself were posting on this forum in short order he'd be banned.

Perhaps. But having a working model would likely go a long way toward ameliorating any hard feelings he may have caused.

You do an excellent job. Anyone that wins the Randi should at a minimum buy you a new server. Maybe send you to Hawaii for Christmas.

Thanks, I really appreciate it.

And for what it's worth, don't worry. Although you have apparently rubbed a few people here the wrong way, you have quite a long way to go before you are in any danger of being banned. And quite a few people with a single red reputation mark have successfully improved their status to null or better over time.

Best,
Scott

[scott]

Is there a way to delete all your watched topics in one go, rather than going through each one separately and clicking "Stop watching this topic"?

Now there is. When you click the link on the index page for your watched topics (in the middle near the top where it says "You are watching X topics" and the number X is a link if greater than zero) it will take you to a page listing all of your watched topics with a checkbox next to each one. There you can stop watching topics in bulk for greater convenience.

Best,
Scott

[graham]

Wow Scott , how fast and convenient it is now. Thankyou.

I had "watched topics" going all the way back to July 2004 when I first joined the group , all cleaned up in a flash . I'm sure your server will be less cluttered if others here clean out their "attics too !!

Graham

[rlortie]

I just picked this up from one of my yahoo forum groups. I do not know if it is legitimate or not.

http://www.rense.com/general69/tracking.htm

Ralph

[rlortie]

Scott,

I find that I can not access pages 12 and 13 of the previous posts. I was looking for the author of the wheel design we were recieving in segments The same drawings that we are now seeing again. We were promised the final drawing on April 1, 2005. We never recieved it then, and I doubt if we will recieve it this year.

Ralph