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The LangaList
Standard Edition

2001-04-12

A Free Email Newsletter from Fred Langa
That Helps You Get More From Your Hardware, 
Software, and Time Online

Please visit our sponsors and help keep the LangaList S.E. free!

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1) Schedule Change: No Monday Issue

By the time you read this, I hope to be triggering the first of several behind-the-scenes site moves, relocating parts of several web sites. For example, CMP has generously given me permission to continue using the "BrowserTune.Com" domain name on my own. "BrowserTune.Com is currently mapped to a CMP server--- it's actually the last-extant piece of what used to be WinMag.Com. (Sigh.) I'm neck-deep reformatting the BrowserTune pages (to remove the now-broken WinMag references) and hope to have the pages on a new site very soon. I'll then switch the BrowserTune.Com name to point to the address of the new site, and everything should switch over smoothly: You'll type http://www.browsertune.com, and you'll still automatically get to the new site.

That is, unless you use a "DNS caching" tool or similar so-called "web accelerator." Those products sometimes hardwire a site name to a specific and nonflexible web address, so if the site moves, the link appears broken (even though it's not). This is an extremely common problem, and is the #1 problem with that kind of caching/acceleration. You can read more about it at http://search.atomz.com/search/?sp-q=evil+hosts&sp-a=0008002a-sp00000000 .

I'm also moving Langa.Com soon to an even higher-capacity server so we can avoid some of the slooooow page-loads we've been having of late. And, when that's done, I'll then go back and roll out an entirely new version--- not just a moved version--- of BrowserTune. Whew!

So, there's *lots* going on behind the scenes. As I'll probably be juggling web pages and fixing accidentally broken links early next week, it's wise *not* to publish an issue then. I expect to be back on schedule with the issue of Thursday the 19th. Thanks for your patience!

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2) Easter Eggs

What better time of year to discuss "easter eggs?" No, not the avian variety; but rather snippets of playful code that developers bury within their software. When you find and trigger that code, you often get a for-fun surprise that's sometimes functional, but other times totally unrelated to the main function of the software.

Here's a semi-functional one:

Hi Fred! Love the Plus Edition! I don't know if you know this Easter Egg yet, but I thought I'd send you it since, well, Easter is coming up soon! <g> Open up Microsoft Word and type the following line and hit Enter (read the next paragraph before doing so)

=rand(#,#)

Replace the #'s with any number. To ruin the surprise (in case you think that this will freeze or damage your computer), this one-liner Easter Egg will create the following line "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." depending on the numbers you insert in the parentheses. The first number represents the number of paragraphs and the second number represents how many times you want that line in each paragraph. So if you entered 10 and 5, ten paragraphs with five "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." lines each will appear. Try it! This works in Office 97, Office 2000 AND Office XP.---Kevin Guertin

Thanks, Kevin! That's a hidden function, and can be considered an Egg. However, the more classic Easter Egg often praises or extols the software developers in some extravagant fashion; or provides a kind of comic relief from the seriousness of the main program. For example, you can find a huge pile of all kinds of  Eggs to try at http://www.eggheaven2000.com/

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3) Out-Of-This-World PCs

Many serious hardware-heads can often tell what a device is or what it does just by looking at the specs. But sometimes, cross-fertilization between various branches of technology makes that kind of spec-reading unusually hard. For example, try to guess *exactly* what this special-purpose PC is for:

266 MHz Intel Pentium Processor, 64 Mbytes RAM
PCI and ISA data buses
4 RS232/422 serial I/O ports
2 USB ports, and 1 parallel port.
100 Mbps full duplex Ethernet board
384 Mbyte solid state flash disk and is turnkey bootable upon startup
Two 4-channel Color framegrabbers boards
96 channel Digital I/O board
16 channel, differential input, 12 bit resolution Analog-to-Digital (A/D) board
32 channel, 8 bit resolution Digital-to-Analog (D/A) board
16 bit resolution Encoder boards (2)
16 channel, differential input, 25Hz or 100Hz low-pass filter boards (5)
Maximum operating temperature of 0 - 60 degrees C ambient
Total power consumption: 15W

The specs may not seem all that exotic, but in fact, it could hardly be more so: These components are the heart of a working prototype of a PC-based semi-autonomous robot rover (called "Fido"), built by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, that will be sent to Mars in two years. Strange as it seems, a lot of ordinary, desktop technology is headed to Mars!

FIDO, and the final version of the Martian rovers it will engender, show that today's fairly standard, off-the-shelf PC hardware (suitably ruggedized, of course) has evolved so fast that it's literally opening new worlds in robotics. And it's a growing trend because the desktop advances of the last few years (especially with AMD's emergence as a full-fledged competitor to Intel) have driven CPU and related component prices down: Yesterdays' top-of-the-line desktop components are available--- to professional researcher and hobbyist alike--- as today's cheap, time-tested, high-power hardware for decidedly non-desktop applications.

It shows in NASA projects, in schools, in hospitals, in industry, and even in toy stores. The rate of advance is so rapid, we're at the brink of having access to semi-intelligent, voice controlled PCs and PC-based devices; and only some years away from seeing self-aware, completely autonomous robots... with all the social, ethical, and moral issues that will raise. Robotics is sure to be one of the defining technological developments and challenges of this century.

That's the subject of my semi-annual look at robotics in the newest "Monitor" section of Byte.Com. The article contains tons of links that will bring you everything from amazingly detailed video downloads of the Martian surface; to nationwide robotics competitions among some of the smartest kids on earth; to hospital and classroom robots--- even even to second-generation robotic pets!

This is also my last regularly-scheduled Monitor column for Byte. With the management changes at Byte--- part of the same changes that led to the closure of WinMag.com--- the future of the column is unclear. So please make a note to check the column Monday: It may be your last chance. 8-)

The article is scheduled to go live Monday April 23rd; it should be available via Byte's home page at http://www.byte.com/ or by clicking directly to the Monitor index at http://www.byte.com/index/monitor .

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4) Trojans Rampant

I don't know about you, but I've been on the receiving end of a spate of Trojan attacks--- where a malicious program arrives disguised as something else.

Most of them have been very clumsy. One, for example, begins, "Thank you for your recent credit application. After reviewing your information, I am pleased to inform you that we have accepted you as a credit customer..." and asks me to open and fill out the attached form, which is a Word document. If I'd been dumb enough to open it, a macro embedded in the document would have run, triggering a second, outright malicious exe file to run: That malicious program would have attempted to steal information from my system and/or perform outright destructive acts. (I don't know exactly what it would have done because (1)  my antivirus app did its best to deactivate the damaging payload and (2) I didn't open the Word document or otherwise let the malicious code run in the first place.)

If you have a good and up-to-date antivirus scanner checking your email; and if you make it a practice never, ever to open documents or spreadsheets or any file attachments of any kind from people you don't know and trust; and if you also virus-scan those you get even from people you do trust (hey, accidents happen); chances are you'll never be harmed by this kind of attack.

As always: Be careful!

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5) More Fine-Print Follies

We've written in the past how failing to read the fine print on software licenses, ISP contracts and the like can come back to haunt you in a big way. (See http://www.byte.com/column/BYT20010222S0004 ). We'll it's worth mentioning again, as reader Jack Koestner found out:

I got a big surprise from AT&T Broadband' service this morning and thought you might want to alert your readers to save them from the same shock.

As I fired up MS Outlook, I received 101 new email messages, some almost a month old. Since establishing the account, I had been receiving some messages, but here were all the ones that had apparently gotten lost in the ether.

I phoned my local service office to complain that some were business communications and the late delivery could mean lost business. I was then told that the service agreement states that the service is meant to be "for entertainment purposes only" and not for commercial purposes. Imagine my surprise that the foremost name in telecommunications, AT&T, would consider email communications to be for entertainment purposes. We should be glad they don't look at long distance telephone service the same way.

So for those considering an AT&T Broadband account, I suggest you don't rely on it for critical communications that require immediate attention....

Believe it or not, many ISPs have similar clauses or policies. Cable companies are among the worst; many refuse, a priori, to provide cable modem service to businesses, period. (Home-based or small offices may be able to squeak by this restriction.)

Email is notoriously unreliable at best, and when you add in a systemic bias against serious use--- well, it's probably unwise to fully trust email for anything critical unless you take special safeguards (see http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2001/2001-03-26.htm#6 )

And if you really need dependable email, it makes a lot of sense NOT to rely on your ISP's mail service at all. A better idea is to rent space (it's cheap!) from a major web host: Along with a place to put a web site, you'll usually get in- and outbound email service *through your web site.* This way, you'll only need your local ISP to provide basic connectivity; you won't need their email servers at all.

Web hosts make a big deal of keeping their servers running, and that usually translates into fewer email problems. And basic service is not at all expensive: For example, HostWay.Com (a large web host) offers a basic website package for about $9.00 a month. As part of the deal, and besides all the normal web hosting stuff, you get 1 POP3/SMTP account (that's inbound and outbound email), Web-based email (SiteMail), a catch-all default account, unlimited forwarding, unlimited email aliases, and unlimited autoresponders. All these email tools can make you essentially independent of your ISP's mail servers.

So if you need more reliable email, you might want to consider getting yourself your own web site!

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6) Page Redirection

Speaking of web sites, reader Dave Baxter Jr asked:

I have my first domain name and web host. Would like to put a page on my free site that automatically directs people to my new site. I've seen it done on many sites but have no idea how to do it. Would you please advise me where to find this information?

You've come to the right place. 8-)

Put this tag anywhere in the "head" portion at the top of the HTML code in your page

meta http-equiv="REFRESH" content="1; URL=http://www.langa.com/"

Enclose the above line within angle brackets: a paired < and >. (I omitted the brackets in the example so your email reader or browser won't try to interpret the line as valid HTML code.) Change the "http://www.langa.com/"  to be where ever you want the destination to be; change the "1" to be the delay interval, in seconds, before the transfer takes place.

Auto-redirection is just one of many things "meta" tags can do. See http://webdeveloper.com/html/html_metatag_res.html for many other functions.

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7) Is This Information Useful?

If you think the LangaList is a worthwhile read, maybe a friend would find it useful too! Just use the following link to recommend the LangaList---your friend may find a new source of useful information and you just may win $10,000 for your trouble (full details also available via this link):

http://www.recommend-it.com/l.z.e?s=143182

Or, win a no-strings $30 Gift Certificate for any item at Amazon.Com--- books, software, hardware, kitchenware, toys... and more. (Full details also available via this link): http://www.langa.com/recommend.htm

Either way, thank you, and good luck!

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8) Meet Pape Tanor, Part of the LangaList Family

Pape is nine years old. He lives with his mother, one older brother and two older sisters in Senegal, in the village of Ouakam south of Dakar. His mother tries to support the family by selling cakes in the local market; the family of five has an  income of about US $775 per year.

Well, Pape's future just got a little brighter, thanks to LangaList Plus! subscribers.

You see, those of us with computers and Internet access are vastly better off than most of the world's population. Because of this, I decided that a portion of the LangaList Plus! subscription fees would be donated to registered/legitimate charities helping the underprivileged around the world. (This is described in the pages at http://www.langa.com/plus.htm ) The contribution does not increase the cost of a Plus! subscription; the donation is taken "off the top" of any profits.

Pape is the second child sponsored (via an international relief agency) by the collective generosity of LangaList subscribers. (Yoline Louis was the first: see http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2001/2001-01-25.htm#4 ) LangaList Plus! subscribers also have collectively contributed to emergency earthquake relief efforts in India.

As the year goes on, and as more readers sign up for Plus! subscriptions, I hope we'll be able to sponsor more children and assist other charities around the world.

Graham Greene once said, "There is always a moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in...." If you're already a LangaList Plus subscriber, thank you! You can feel good about giving back a little to those less fortunate, and opening "a door to the future" for a child in otherwise-desperate circumstances.

If you're not yet a Plus! subscriber check it out: With a Plus! subscription, you can not only help yourself make the most of your hardware, software and time online--- but you also can help those less fortunate (like Pape) make the most of their very lives. Thanks for your help!

http://www.langa.com/plus.htm

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9) More Reader Sites!

Do you have a home page or website? (It doesn't matter what size.) Please click over to http://www.langa.com/code.htm , and maybe you can join the hundreds and hundreds of LangaList readers who have "Loaded the Code!" (If you've already "Loaded The Code" and are wondering if your site will appear here or on the Langa.Com web site, please see http://www.langa.com/link.txt  )

Speaking of which: Here's another eclectic sample of reader sites--- some professional, some very personal:

View A Randomly-Chosen Reader Site From Among All Listed
http://www.langa.com/cgi-local/rand_link.pl

Manually Browse All Posted-to-Date Sites Starting At
http://www.langa.com/readersites.htm

Archaeological Resinous Deposits from Southeast Asian Ceramics
http://www.twenty4ten.com/index.html

uncle hughie's independent guide through the investment web
http://www.unclehughie.com/

Lilabet's Photo Travel Journal
http://www.home.thirdage.com/Travel/lilabet/

NetTechJedi
http://pages.cthome.net/trau/

Firelands Computer Club
http://fcconline.hmcltd.net/

LIGHTHOUSES AND LIGHTSHIPS OF THE EAST COAST
http://people.va.mediaone.net/sef3rd/home.htm

Sky Software
http://www.ssware.com/index.htm

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10) New Search Engine Front End

The LangaList readers at "Stinky Cheese Productions" ( http://stinkycheese.com ) sent along a note about "Bingooo," a freeware search tool that the ZD download site describes thus:

Bingooo ... provides a completely self-contained interface for searching the Internet. It lacks some advanced features but offers an attractive, intuitive interface at a price that can't be beat. More than 30 search categories are available, including online references, recipes, news, sports, stock quotes, travel, software, health, and games. Several shopping categories are also available to retrieve price comparisons. Just pick a category and enter a search phrase to put the wheels in motion. ... Other features include export to HTML or Excel, custom display options, instant messaging, adult content filtering, and optional voice support.

http://www.zdnet.com/downloads/stories/info/0,,001DCB,.html

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11) Just For Grins

In the last issue's discussion of buggy software, I mentioned that "all but the most trivial programs *always* contain bugs, regardless of what software company or category is involved." ( http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2001/2001-04-09.htm#1 )

"Trivial" was perhaps the wrong word. There *is* nontrivial code that's bug free: Usually small, finely-honed special-purpose programs. But although these programs are not "trivial," they're not the kind of apps you buy at the software store, and they pale beside the bulk of something like the 13-million lines of code that comprise the core of (say) Windows 98.

Tongue in cheek, reader Randy Lyon asserts that the only bug-free programs are those that contain "0 lines of code." Here's why:

IBM ships several utilities with their proprietary mainframe OSs. One of those is IEFBR14, which is a routine that is supposed to do nothing. It got its name because the original release contained but [one line of code;] a BR 14 (branch to the address in register 14) assembler instruction. Programs placed a return address in register 14 before calling another.

As you have probably guessed, even this single statement [i.e. one line] program from the largest and most respected (at the time) IT company in the world contained a bug. You see, programs determine how a called program completed by checking for a status code in register 15. IBM neglected to set register 15 to zero, signifying a successful completion. So IBM had to release a fixed version that actually required twice as many lines of code as the original. ;-)

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12) Plus! Edition Highlights

Today's LangaList Plus! Edition contains all 11 items above, plus about 30% more content including: info on built-in antivirus protection for browsers and operating systems; a freeware disk space saver; "basement noises;" and sources for the ultimate in CPU cooling. The Plus! edition costs only about ten cents an issue--- $10 for a full year's subscription of almost 100 issues. Sign up today at http://www.langa.com/plus.htm !

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See you next issue!

Best,

Fred
(fred@langa.com)

Please recommend the LangaList to a friend! (And maybe win $10,000!I)

An easier-to read formatted HTML version is available in the "Current Issue" section of http://www.langa.com.  (The HTML version of each issue normally is available by 9AM EST [UT-5] of the issue date.) All past LangaList issues are also available at the Langa.Com site.

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Administrivia:

Why are you getting this newsletter? This is a 100% OPT-IN newsletter: There are only three ways to get on the list--- signup via direct email request from you, or signup via the WinMag newsletter page or signup via BrowserTune's email-notification service. If you're getting this newsletter; your name came to me through one of those signup channels. At signup, you also received a confirmation email from my list software---no one is signed up secretly or against their will.

SUBSCRIBE (it's free!): Create and send a new email address it to subscribe-langalist@lyris.dundee.net

For even more content, downloads and special services, check out the LangaList Plus! Edition: http://www.langa.com/plus.htm

UNSUBSCRIBE: From the same address you used to sign up with (it's shown on the first line in the body of each email issue you receive), create and send a new email address to  unsubscribe-langalist@lyris.dundee.net .

CHANGE ADDRESS? LIST TROUBLE? HAVE QUESTIONS? NEED HELP? See http://www.langa.com/help.htm

About the advertisers:  Langa Consulting LLC will never knowingly accept advertising for a fraudulent product, company or service. However, Langa Consulting LLC makes no implied or explicit warranty, recommendation or endorsement of or for the products, companies or services mentioned in the ads.

Disclaimer: (Please see full disclaimer here: http://www.langa.com/legal.htm.) Abbreviated version: The tips and other information given in the newsletter are researched and are believed to be accurate, but we cannot and do not guarantee that all the information here will work on all systems, for all users, all the time. All information herein is offered as-is and without warranty of any kind. Neither Langa Consulting LLC, nor its employees nor contributors are responsible for any loss, injury, or damage, direct or consequential, resulting from application of any information presented here.

This newsletter is a service of Langa Consulting LLC and is Copyright © 1997-2005Langa Consulting LLC. All rights reserved. LangaList: ISSN 1533-1156

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