Recent Posts

226

General Software Discussion / Re: Save the Cookies!

« Last post by Cloq on February 06, 2008, 07:53 PM »

It's scary how often that file is read... sure, it'll be filesystem cached, but it still has to be parsed on every read.

-f0dder (February 06, 2008, 07:06 PM)

Yep, I agree with you on that... and it can drastically slow your machine down.

The fix is (XP and 2000) you must disable the DNS Cache service before using a hostfile. If you don't disable the dns cache, XP will try and resolve/parse every bleeping site in your hostfile.

The slowest machine I have used a hostfile on is a P3 900mhz laptop. Seemed to work wonders so I was happy. I supoose ymmv depending on what antivirus/antispyware you use, since I know some of them seem to think hostfiles are evil and sit there scanning them forever.

227

Living Room / Re: The Best Games You've Never Played

« Last post by Cloq on February 06, 2008, 06:10 PM »

Planescape: Torment 

Gave up a couple summer weekends playing Planescape.

228

General Software Discussion / Re: Save the Cookies!

« Last post by Cloq on February 06, 2008, 05:41 PM »

Not really, as even with "safe surfing" you can get hit by surf-by banner ad exploits. Reputable (heh) ad servers have been hacked in the past to feed end-users exploits.

Well then, you're adding a lot more security than just the browser. I don't get why pepole are messing with the hosts file though, and ad blocker is more effective and makes the hosts file superfluous anyway.

-f0dder (February 06, 2008, 06:34 AM)

Why use a hostfile? If your request (to an ad site name such as www.doubleclick.com or any big bannered ad server) is denied then you have just potenially saved yourself from a ad based background script drive by download and bandwidth to boot. Your typical ad blocker and/or proxy based ad blocker usually downloads the entire page then filters it according to whatever rules or actions that are programmed in it.

Bluetack B.I.S.S maintains a well monitored hostfile used by thousands of users (can't verify that without knowing their download counter) plus a lot of the users provide feedback on their hostfile.

Simply put, a hostfile cuts the request before it even goes out to the net. Proactive. 

Yes, hostfiles can be poisoned/altered and all that nasty stuff but that would mean your machine already has other issues that need to be addressed.. the fact of the matter is, nothing is 100% safe aside from not going on the net period.

When everything is said and done, I would recommend using a hostfile from a reputable source. It's worked rather well for 10+ years *knock on wood*

Critical surfing safely software: hostfile, ad muncher and a good antivirus program.. and by golly avoid those freebie screensavers/ringtones/games!

229

General Software Discussion / Re: Save the Cookies!

« Last post by Cloq on February 05, 2008, 07:04 PM »

mm... I am more interested in saving/restoring my good cookies.

I guess I could write a simple autoit script (batchfiles are fugly) to do what I need it to do, though I am not sure if the newly installed os will function with cookies from the old installation. 

Cleaning the cookie jar is pretty darn simple and there are cleaners available left and right to do that, for that matter it's a builtin function in maxthon.

Honestly, assuming you practice safe surfing, any IE based frontend browser is pretty good. I use a hostfile (www.bluetack.co.uk), AdMuncher (www.admuncher.com) and ESS (www.eset.com) + maxthon.

230

Living Room / Re: Moving

« Last post by Cloq on February 04, 2008, 08:08 PM »

Does anyone smell a mouse? I think I do and he smells awful!

-Josh (February 04, 2008, 07:14 PM)

Oooooo dem fighting words...!! 

231

General Software Discussion / Save the Cookies!

« Last post by Cloq on February 03, 2008, 09:08 PM »

I am thinking of switching to XP 64bit since I bought more memory. I am in the process of updating and finding 64bit versions of my software and utilities.

I have updated most of my critical applications to their 64bit counterparts except for CookieWall (www.analogx.com) and Maxthon. For the record, I dislike Maxthon 2.x. I am still using 1.6.3.

Cookiewall is great in that it allows me to choose what cookie I want to keep and what to banish whenever my machine downloads a bad one.

I wish Cookiewall could store my cookies so that I can back it up and restore it whenever I need to reinstall my OS.

What cookie mangers do other Cody members use and what are your experiences with XP 64bit?

232

Living Room / Re: myIPneighbors - site shows you how many other accounts on your shared hosting

« Last post by Cloq on February 03, 2008, 07:57 PM »

enter google.com into the domain and submit... 

233

Living Room / Re: 100,000 users!

« Last post by Cloq on December 18, 2007, 07:04 PM »

Hey!!

User 1337 doesn't exist either!
And user 666 hasn't made any posts...

-Edvard (December 18, 2007, 05:03 PM)

Maybe it's a good thing that "user" hasn't made any posts... :hide:

234

Older Newsletters / Re: Newletter for September 25 - Codename "Chatty Kathy"

« Last post by Cloq on September 26, 2007, 06:03 PM »

As always, I enjoy reading the highlights. Thank you!

235

Living Room / Re: Forum Signature Spam: Let's discuss how to handle..

« Last post by Cloq on September 12, 2007, 07:06 PM »

I tend have the signatures disabled by default now. Been burned many times on other forums when people have animated banners and flash type signatures.

Me being on dialup and all.. well kinda hate waiting for the page to load.

236

Older Newsletters / Re: Newsletter for September 8th, 2007 - Codename "All Fall Down"

« Last post by Cloq on September 10, 2007, 04:17 PM »

Very nice!

I really do appreciate the email newsletter.
The email newsletter gives me a nice monthly recap of what's hot on DC!

237

General Software Discussion / Re: Top 3 programs you use

« Last post by Cloq on August 29, 2007, 10:05 PM »

Home:

Total Commander
Maxthon 1.x

3rd app (varies depending on mood.. work or leisure)

Work:

Dameware Utilites
Outlook 2003
X work application as needed.

238

Official Announcements / Re: How to punish DonationCoder if you are angry at being nagged to donate

« Last post by Cloq on August 04, 2007, 08:08 PM »

Everytime there is a donation nag, an "anonymous" cody fan gets to pluck one of Cody's tailfeathers. 

239

Official Announcements / Re: July 2007 Software Discounts and Giveaway

« Last post by Cloq on July 14, 2007, 10:06 PM »

Big thumbs up, Carl! 

First Defense looks interesting, part of Raxco family?

240

General Software Discussion / Re: I Need Help w/ ConvertXtoDVD program

« Last post by Cloq on May 21, 2007, 06:45 PM »

Very silly of the person to ask.. if the person was so impressed with the program, isn't it worth registering it?

Earlier this month, VSO had a 50% code for *everything* including their gold license. Buy the gold and it's a lifetime license for every program.

I would have posted it, but it would have expired with in the hour. I saw it around midnight.

241

General Software Discussion / Re: Movie Collector 5 released

« Last post by Cloq on May 12, 2007, 10:42 PM »

Well done, cthorpe 

I am all for supporting shareware authors and I actually prefer shareware programs over commercial ones any day.

On that note, typically when shareware authors offer lifetime licenses, it is to build a customer base/following whatever you may want to call it. After an X amount of time it would be in their best interest to change the model to a pay as you go (discounts for upgrades), with one MAJOR exception, grandfather your charter lifetime customers and let them keep their lifetime license for future revisions/upgrades. After all, they are the ones that typically spread the good name (sometimes bad) of the program and provided the seed money. 

Ad Muncher is a classic example of how it should be done. They started with a lifetime license model and (correct me if I am wrong) late last year, switched to the pay as you go model (with discounts for major upgrades).  What made them stand out is that they honored their lifetime license members and continue to do so.

If I had more computers, I wouldn't hesistate to purchase more licenses from them even though current licenses are pay as you go. That is how much I respect and love their program, that and they have an excellent support forum.... second to DC of course. 

242

General Software Discussion / Re: Whats the best program to learn typing?

« Last post by Cloq on May 11, 2007, 07:16 PM »

1996

1 paperback book
1 Licensed copy of MS Word for Dos
2 weeks of determination

= Semi-proficient touch typist

4 weeks of determination

= Almost a pro! 

2007

Still can't spell 

243

Older Newsletters / Re: --> Newsletter for March 9th, 2007 - Codename "Argus?"

« Last post by Cloq on March 10, 2007, 06:26 PM »

Very Nice!

Always love the monthly summary. 

244

General Software Discussion / Re: Installing office 2007 gets me a consistent 20-30% increase in Explorer's CPU?

« Last post by Cloq on February 04, 2007, 05:11 PM »

I quite like O2k7, especially Outlook. Thinking about switching over to outlook '07.

As far as CPU time being consistantly eaten, I haven't seen or noticed.

245

Living Room / Re: cost of running a pc (in the UK)?

« Last post by Cloq on January 30, 2007, 10:46 PM »

Hmm.. not sure if they have a 220v version of this, but here in the states just plug a power strip or ups into this device (assuming all your computer equipment is plugged into the strip and/or UPS) and it will spit out watts and other information. Do the money math from there. 

http://www.the-gadge...usage_monitor_review

246

General Software Discussion / Re: Do you know someone that just hates Clippy?

« Last post by Cloq on November 13, 2006, 03:23 PM »

here clippy clippy clippy... * SNIP *.. flipping hate an underfoot clippy.   

247

General Software Discussion / Re: NOD32 update - does auto update work?

« Last post by Cloq on October 17, 2006, 07:51 PM »

How is your Type of Update configured?

My setup:

Virus databases:            automatic
Program components:    automatic

Perform program component upgrade if available
Offer computer restart if necessary

248

General Software Discussion / Re: Vista RC2

« Last post by Cloq on October 15, 2006, 10:50 AM »

Mmm.. lack of stable(ish) drivers is what kept me from "testing" RC2.

I have a midi card and Vista doesn't have drivers for it. Yamaha stated they will consider drivers for it when Vista is officially released.

249

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Now it's Paragon for FREE!

« Last post by Cloq on October 14, 2006, 11:16 PM »

Nice finds.

250

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Acronis True Image for FREE

« Last post by Cloq on October 14, 2006, 05:48 PM »

Awesome! thanks for the heads up!