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251
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Main Area and Open Discussion / Living Room / Re: ultimate insult from fraudulent ebay seller tries to sell me iPhone 4
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on: August 19, 2010, 10:40:59 AM
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The thing in my case is I had not set or been asked to pre-set up any security questions they used. And if I had, I would not have used, or for that matter even thought of using, a 14 year old previous address or year & make of my wife's (joint titled) car. And I know I've never used either of these two things as a security question anywhere before. So I'm wondering where & how they had access to the information. I noticed there are a lot of various topics shown in their Q & A forum. I'll have to see if I can locate anything there. On the amount of money that was trying to be accessed, I've read before in some cases if outsiders get access to an account of some type, or many accounts of a number of people, they make relatively small purchases. Small purchases can slip through easier. And a bunch of small purchases can add up to more $$ than wiping out one big account. Anyway, it's always something to be careful of. In your case I'm hoping it was just a fluke. I've know two people that have gone through the identity theft process and it took then a long time to clear up.
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252
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Main Area and Open Discussion / Living Room / Re: ultimate insult from fraudulent ebay seller tries to sell me iPhone 4
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on: August 17, 2010, 03:10:03 PM
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I signed up with PayPal over the weekend. Finally had a reason I wanted to use it for. For now, until I am comfortable with it I signed up using a pre-paid MoneyPak card bought locally instead of a credit card or bank account. When I set up the account I selected to have PayPal provide me with a verification code via text message to complete the transaction. You then have to enter the verification code within 60 seconds after you receive it or request a new one. Seemed simple enough. I requested one and a message popped up on the computer screen saying that there was a communications problem, try again in a while. Did this 2 or 3 times with the same pop-up. It also said I could circumvent the text message verification process by answering some security questions. I went this route and it was interesting. There were 3 security questions. As I remember, the 1st asked me some question about some site I had recently had some association with. None fit so I said none. But the next two questions are the ones that now make me wonder. the 2nd question listed three different street addresses and asked if one pertained to me. Sure enough one was the address I had before I moved here... 14 years ago. I clicked on it. The last question was a list of vehicle model and year. One of which fit...my wife's car. Clicked on it, I passed the test and the transaction went through. Not long afterward up popped the 3 different text messages I'd requested with different verification codes. Based on the two questions having accurate info on me, I'm guessing PayPal has credit report access. Even though I haven't as yet provided them with a bank account, credit card, ssn or any other account info of this type. Possibly whoever tried to make the purchase on nudone's account, did some type of security question workaround and got lucky with their answers?? I'm not crazy about the questions they asked me and used for a security verification. The way some credit reports and other types of info can get out or found on the internet these days these are questions & answers that could probably easily be found with the types of crooks that do this type of thing for a living. Anyone else tried the security questions workaround?
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257
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DonationCoder.com Software / LaunchBar Commander / Re: Annoying border..
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on: May 23, 2010, 10:21:00 AM
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mouser,
Can I add a vote for a selectable hide & unhide time in a future version? The instances this would be helpful to me at least is when I am running a program in full sceen and using the touchpad on my laptop. When I move the pointer to close the program in full screen I get too close to the side and up pops the launchbar. The 250ms helps but not always. Is it possible or reasonable to have separate delays for hide & unhide for those that need it?
Thanks!
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258
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Special User Sections / N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 :: Entry Ideas
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on: May 14, 2010, 09:39:33 AM
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I'm not sure if this would fit NANY 2011 but I'll throw it out for review.
As a recent forced convert to an Android smartphone(?) there is a need for a program/app that will easily allow someone to access their Outlook contacts, calendar, tasks, journal, etc. There are postings on a number of Android related forums looking for the same thing. At least in my case this wouldn't necessarily and would prefer it not happening "in the cloud." Via a USB cable is fine. There is a Google sync app but it only does basic contact & calendar sync. There is a 3rd party program but it will only work if you are on an exchange server.
That is the basics. I can point anyone to some of the forums or provide suggestions if it would help.
Thanks
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260
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News and Reviews / Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: Mini-Review: Breeze Cat Litter System
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on: January 06, 2010, 10:23:13 AM
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mouser,
I like this idea but how large is the box. Didn't see anything on the site. I did see a recommendation of 1 per cat +1. With 3 cats it may not be as economical for us??? Also having visions of the newest addition playing hockey through the house with the pellets. The user comments on the other retailers site links were also very favorable.
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261
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Special User Sections / N.A.N.Y. 2010 / Re: NANY 2010 Final Release: Reimbursement Tracker
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on: January 06, 2010, 09:38:53 AM
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Very nice and easy to use. Easier than setting up a spreadsheet for the same basic needs. I like that you included the drop-down calendar to choose other dates. This could be adapted to other uses like cranioscopical has. Anything a person would like to keep a simple record of the price of something. Even a simple check register. A couple of possible things to consider for future versions: Ability to change the header. Someone may want it to say "Check Register" for instance. And a line or two in the header to add a person's name, project, etc. Like your robotics or drama expenses. Each can be saved as a separate file but when printed you can also see at a glance what group they are. Thanks for adding the regular printer function so quickly. Works great. Used it with a pdf printer and works fine also. Good Job. 
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264
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Special User Sections / What's the Best? / PDF Cataloger - Any Suggestions
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on: December 22, 2009, 09:53:55 AM
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Over time I have collected or created a number of PDF's. Work and non-work related, each in a variety of categories. I try to set-up and keep each in it's own category folder. After a while I still end up looking through the different folders, sometimes drives, for a PDF I know I've saved. Anyone know of an app that will allow me to catalog PDF's? Set up titles, keywords or tags, etc for each for easier retrieval. I am using PDFCreator and Foxit Reader at present. I have tried a variety of search phrases on DC and web for a PDF catalog and nothing so far. Am I missing something obvious? Thx.
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271
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Main Area and Open Discussion / Living Room / Re: Battery Backup - Get One
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on: June 07, 2009, 03:13:28 PM
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@Stoic - I opened the door with my reply to your initial post - sorry  . I've dealt with theory vs. practical people over the years also. Both are needed and the good ones I've worked with have a grasp on both ends of the rope. While looking around for info on, let's change the term to power disturbances, I found this site. http://www.fpl.com/largeb...utions_for_business.shtmlIronically it's your own FPL. Some good info. I like the FAQ's, FPL Lingo, etc. toward the bottom of the page. If surges, sags, spikes and the like didn't exist why would they be discussing them, what they affect and methods of prevention? A rhetorical ques.  Found another one on Pacific Gas & Electric's site but can't get just the link to copy. It is to a pdf on their site. If anyone is interested: http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt...13kspvf9k/EXP=1244489196/**http%3a//www.pge.com/includes/docs/pdfs/about/news/outagestatus/powerquality/avoid_pwr_disturb.pdf There's also some good info on some of the different manufacturers and consultants web sites. Don't want to post them for fear of being considered a spammer. Google or Yahoo 'power quality disturbances' and take your pick. All done for me. 
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272
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Main Area and Open Discussion / Living Room / Re: Battery Backup - Get One
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on: June 07, 2009, 12:49:19 PM
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@Stoic Joker - Good way to say it... different paragraph. I was trying to point out that over time, internally, a more expensive surge unit can turn into the less expensive unit (plain power strip) without knowing it. Most surge protectors will continue to function as a power strip, even though the surge trap mechanism may have been destroyed by the power spike. There is no forewarning or visual indications given - just failure. Although there are units, typically the higher quality ones, that have a type of indicator of how the protection circuit is functioning. Some that have a separate indicator, one unit I read about says: "* NOTE REGARDING SURGE PROTECTORS: The surge protector power switch is typically illuminated with a red light that should be on when the surge protector is operational. If the light is off but the power is on, that is an indicator that the "surge protection functionality" of the unit is NOT FUNCTIONAL and should be replaced." Since all AC power is subject to surges, doesn't have to be lightning, and suppressors are working 24/7 it is a good idea for anyone using a surge strip to check and see if theirs provides any type of indication like this. And not get lulled into a false sense of security just because the strip is there.
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273
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Main Area and Open Discussion / Living Room / Re: Battery Backup - Get One
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on: June 07, 2009, 09:45:16 AM
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Below are a couple of excerpts from the following site. http://www.nmsu.edu/~safe...n_saf/Surge_unit_info.htm"The MOV is the heart of surge suppressors. The role of the MOV is to divert surge current. However, MOVs wear out with use. As more surges are diverted, the MOVs life span shortens, and failure becomes imminent." There is no forewarning or visual indications given - just failure. And while failing, they can reach very high temperatures, and actually start fires." Most surge protectors will continue to function as a power strip, even though the surge trap mechanism may have been destroyed by the power spike. This presents two possible dangers:" My only point is that protection devices can weaken and not be as effective and some (edited to) sometimes you won't know if they are still working (edited to add) properly. It is good to be careful and make sure whatever you are using is in working order. @Stoic Joker - Your subject topic is a good recommendation.
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275
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Main Area and Open Discussion / Living Room / Re: Battery Backup - Get One
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on: June 06, 2009, 02:17:15 PM
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The toasted one on the server however has adopted much the same behavior you described (battery went to Zero & it beeps occasionally). Sure it'll power up...but it's a gonner. On mine even the battery still worked fine. It just stared kicking in/out more frequently. I went to a seminar once, by coincidence hosted by a mfg located in FL, that discussed lightning versus AC powere transients. One of the things that came out of it was constant power transients can be just as damaging as a lightning event. I've seen it on equipment I provide. In some areas even where they haven't had any recent storms they still lose equipment due to the transients. Interesting side note: The server's battery backup is plugged into one of those cheap-O "Surge Strips" ... The breaker in the strip never tripped. This was one of the things that was brought up during the seminar. The type of protection circuit in the strips is also weakened over time with hits as well as transients. And over time the protection portion of the strip just won't do anything anymore. People think if the light on the strip is working so is the protection. Not the case. All they have is a power strip and false sense of security/protection. Sounds like what may have happened in your case. It went straight through the strip and into the battery back-up.
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