Wikipedia:Reference desk/Computing

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April 21

Tracking Cookies

Hello. Every week, according to my antivirus software's Full System Scan, I receive a few low-risk tracking cookies. I have installed the latest antivirus software. It has been two weeks this has been happening. I examined my Full System Scan results, finding that the last cookie's source was not disclosed. I searched my Interent History, discovering that I have not been on those websites or email addresses that the tracking cookies originated. As you might know, I am a registered member of Wikipedia. When I first registered, I knew that I must enable cookies to register. Is being a member of Wikipedia allowing tracking cookies in any way to be installed onto my computer? Is there any way to block these low-risk tracking cookies from installation? Thanks very much for your response. --Mayfare 01:40, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia's cookie system isn't so much a tracking system - it just helps save login information. The ones that get flagged by your spyware/virus-scanning programs are third-party cookies that are known to track user activity across multiple domains (via advertisements, for example). Wikipedia only tracks your user ID, some token thing, a sessionhash (I assume this is to track the last login date and time or something, or to keep sessions) and your username. x42bn6 Talk 02:14, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

See HTTP cookie. Cookies are used to identify you. For web sites like Wikipedia it identifies you as your username. If you click on an advert, you may be given a cookie to identify you, so if you buy something they can give money to the advertiser. If you use Firefox, you can use the CookieSafe Add-On to easily block or allow cookies for certain sites only. --h2g2bob 14:34, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Internet Explorer (and browsers which use IE internally, like AOL) also allow you to set cookie permissions by web site. If you are concerned, you can disable cookies for all web sites except Wikipedia (and any other sites you want to allow). Let me know if you need to know how. StuRat 17:33, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Can I solve this problem with my MP4 player?

I bought on 4GB mp4 player a china prodct...it has some mp3 files, one jpeg file and one video file as default(i dont rememberthe video format) and after i connect that to my PC i deleted all to upload new items...but now i can hear songs i uploaded..but video is not working....

This is its firmware version..

ACT2097_S72_12006/04/25 9.0.50 2006/10/30

how can i add videos and jpeg? i formatted that player with my pc as FAT32 file allocation... —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 121.247.35.48 (talk) 06:12, 21 April 2007 (UTC).

You sure the videos are in the right place and in the right format? Those MP4 players are very, very, very picky about those things, and generally the software is rubbish. Stay away for any future buyers (I know because I own one... unfortunately) --antilived^{T | C | G} 09:39, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

You will have to produce an mpeg4 video. Software to do this pis fairly thin on the ground, but there must be some around that will convert an mpeg2, or video to mpeg4. GB 10:37, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Actually no, most Chinese MP4 players require some peculiar encoding. Mine accepts DIVX video with ADPCM audio encapsulated in ASF format. Don't ask me why, it just won't accept anything else. If you can read Chinese or be bothered to comprehend Chinglish, read the manual and probably use the CD it came with, otherwise please go ask for a refund. --antilived^{T | C | G} 10:50, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

AIRPORT EXTREME

Help to set up my G4 Powerbook for wi fi much appreciated. Think it is ready for me to add an airport extreme card - but what software do I then need to connect to the web ? Currently use Orange France as my ISP.90.27.174.30 10:58, 21 April 2007 (UTC)petitmichel

To use wi-fi you'll need a wireless card and a wireless router or modem. Your Aiport Card should be easy enough to install...In the System-preferences area under 'Network' you should have an 'airport' option as a network port. If it isn't already turn it 'on' and show the status in the menu-bar. The system will automatically scan for any available networks. If you have setup your router/modem correctly it should appear in the list. If you struggle try the Apple website's troubleshooting area. ny156uk 14:57, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

If you need help installing it, ifixit.com has lots of product-specific installation guides. Just select your Powerbook model on the left and then the airport card option. Airport cards are easy to install, generally speaking. --24.147.86.187 16:34, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Thanks90.14.144.25 12:42, 22 April 2007 (UTC)pm

Creating a new web site

We want to create a website for our association. Want to know the procedures (Just how to proceed , amount, etc.,not the programing side) —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Sasthaanand (talk • contribs) 11:23, 21 April 2007 (UTC).

Uhhh and? You want to hire someone to make one for you or you want to build it yourself? Do you require anything fancy like dynamic webpages (PHP, AJAX etc.) or do you just want a nice simple static HTML site? --antilived^{T | C | G} 11:48, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

You need a web host, and there are many to choose from! Before I start, I should admit that I've not had the pleasure of setting up one myself.

Which web host you want depends on what you want to do - eg do you need Windows, various *nix tools, PHP, etc? Think of what level of traffic you expect. You generally share a server with other websites; you do not often need to pay out for your own server. I hear good things about DreamHost for hosting big websites, but there are literally millions of others.

There are also free website sites like Geocities and Google Pages. Generally these are with the URL somesite.googlepages.com (or whatever) but you can spoof a nicer URL with freedomain.co.nr. You may also get free hosting from your ISP, or if you're developing free software (SourceForge, MozDev, Savannah, etc).

Check licensing and conditions carefully before using any service to make sure you continue to own the content once uploaded. Geocities is quite bad in this regard --h2g2bob 14:23, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Well, just to summarise I think on the previous answers, you need to decide on what your requirements are because there are various options.
Anyways, first you will need a host (where your website will physically be stored and other computers around the world will connect to) - and so you visit a host's website and it will list their various packages and options. Now the other key element is a domain name. On its own a host would have your website set up at an I.P. address like http://192.???.???.?? - which is not ideal. But the good news is that most hosts help you with the domain name registration process - and then once a domain name gets registered to your organisation the host will also help forward the DNS servers to their webservers i.e. Joe Public will type in www.yourdomain.com --> which will connect to a DNS server --> who has been set to forward the web broswer to http://192.???.???.?? (your webhost).
So typically you will want a host to do all this for you - so you have to do some shopping around, and you'll start to know what to look for - you'll find some hosts can only register domain names with certain extentions like .info and .com - and you might want a .org.
The other option as someone else mentioned is a free webserver, where typically they'll allocate you an address at http://example.yahoo.com and they might have to put (sometimes discrete) banners on your site - (I can think of a few already: tripod.com geocities etc).
So to recap, you find a host that offers the package you want, you then go through the process of asking it for a certain domain name - all the good ones are taken, especially on the '.com' extension. So if the exact domain name is important you need to be prepared for that - you might have to go back to your collegues and say "sorry, we couldn't get georgebush.com" or "freetshirts.com" - and then you'll probably try "georgebush.tv" or "georgebush.info" or "georgebush.net" or "georgebush.biz" and so forth - until you've come up with something.
Then your host will probably take a day or so to let you know if they managed to reserve the domain name, and set it all up - then they'll send you your account details - and these are typically your account details for the server you're hosted on.
A few of the good hosts (e.g. startlogic.com among others) have a system where you can upload your own creations, or use their tools and templates to easily create your own if you have no experience and knowledge of html.
Typically you'll be paying an annual fee for the domain name (through your host).
And your host will charge you a monthly fee for the hosting services.< br/> If you fail to pay your annual domain fee you will lose the domain.
I hope this has been of some help. One more thing: it may help to find a host from your country if it involves a foreign country domain name like co.uk or .net.us or .co.za and so forth - you'll find the major american hosts don't usually deal with those - but largely the American ones come in the cheapest and offer some nice packages.
Good luck. Rfwoolf 16:30, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Yeah, I should have mentioned that you need to pay for both hosting (where you get given only an IP address); and also a domain name (the http://example.com, which then points to the IP address). It's easiest to buy hosting and address together, but it may be a little bit cheaper to get them separately. Use whois (like this one) to check if a domain name is already taken, or when it may become available again. --h2g2bob 23:17, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Big question at the begining is do you want to pay for hosting or not?

If you want it for free getting MySQL and PHP enabled hosting is nigh-on impossible, but free, html-only websites are easy to find and plentifull. FreeWebSpace has large list of free webspace providers with comments by users.

If you want to be sure your website will be always accessible, with fast access, PHP, MySQL, almost everything else you need, there are many cheap hosting solutions (starting at 5$ a month; I wouldn't recommend anything lower). This sometimes (but not always) includes a domain registration. To search for paid hosting I recommend FindMyHosting. After finding several offers that look promising be sure to visit WebHostingTalk and search for reviews about those hosters. Finding a good, reliable hosting solution might prove time consuming but is well worth it. Shinhan 11:30, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

monitoring problems

I am inexpeirienced when it comes to computers and the internet, but i will try to explain best i can. We bought our computer windows xp home edition last year around july, we were not connected to the internet at the time but everything was going fine we played games listened to music etc, until early this year, one morning we went to turn the computer on and the screen remaind blac with a message suggesting we press "r" but nothing happened, eventually we had to reiniciate the computer, we lost all our data (photos,filmes,music etc.)but the computer was back to working again except we kept getting a message saying we had to connect to the internet.Unfortuanetly the time ran out and we were locked out again and in order to connect to the internet we had to reiniciate again which we did then we connected to the internet, our problem now is that games i played before with no problem now switch off at the monitor, ican hear the game running but the monitor goes into power save, this has also happened whilst my daughter has played games on line or is on her hotmail. what is causing this and is it fixable. (we are on a tight budget)could it have been caused by the reinisiating and do i maybe need to do it again. HELP PLEASE!!! im at a loss. 89.214.29.179 14:30, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Try trend-micro to check your computer for viruses. Also check the cable connecting your monitor to your PC. You may also want to check the drives of your monitor...Go into Start menu > Control Panel > System > Display Devices (something like that) and check for driver updates of your monitor. Some games when ran at an unsupportable resolution/dimensions may not work on your monitor. To fix this you should go into the game and change the display-setup. The menu system changes for each game but it should be under 'preferences' or something similar. The first problem sounds like it could be virus related, or malware related. I would recommend scanning your computer and also installing something like AdAware which is a free-download online and will scan you computer for malware/self-installing programs. Good luck ny156uk 14:52, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

There are various components in your computer that work together to show you the final effect. So, for one thing your computer is set to boot up with a certain loading screen where it will do a memory test and detect which harddrives are connected to it - it sets the display and so on. Technically at this point, you could have no hard drive in your machine and no Windows XP installed - and your computer would still show something when it started up. In other words if you you ever get NOTHING when you turn your computer on then you can forget about hard drive problems because then either your monitor isn't working (or plugged in), or the computer itself isn't running properly.
But you said the worst it ever got was when it just said "press r" - so this indicates that the first few things are fine.
The next problem is the monitor itself. The cord that connects from the monitor to your PC could not be in properly, or it could be faulty and damaged inside the cord - but if it's a good, solid cord that is screwed in nicely and your computer works good for a few minutes before you have any problems - then it doesn't sound like a monitor problem at all - it sounds like the hard drive.
Before we move on to the hard drive, there's still a nother possibility: The graphics card. This technically counts as the "PC" not working properly - there's a card that's plugged into your mother board that your monitor plugs into. If the card isn't plugged in properly then you'd immediately get display propblems.
My point so far has been that it doesn't sound like you've got a monitor problem - up to a point. It seems your monitor is fine for your computer to turn on, boot up, and get into Windows.
So the next problem is the hard drive - which is where all the files and games and operating system are read from. If your hard drive fails completely your computer will boot up to a point where it will try look and detect which hard drives are connected and it simply won't find it. But hard drives usually don't fail completely. They normally work okay up but just have trouble reading some of the data on its disk.

Anyways,in your case you need to try figure out which is failing: the monitor or the hard drive? If you are playing a game and it stalls and the screen goes black - but you listen on your headphones and you can hear that the game is still continuing normally - and you look at your keyboard and you can put the CAPS LOCK button light on and off (or the NumLock light on and off) then it seems like the computer hasn't stalled - then the problem is with the monitor (or the monitor settings).
However, if the game stalls and the screen goes black but you hear no sound (or the sound is 'stuck') and the Caps Lock and Num Lock lights don't respond when you push them - then it seems like the computer has stalled. - this is usually because you have hard drive failure (the hard drive didn't read properly), or the Operating System crashed (it could be because there is an error in some of the files in the operating system or the operating system just can't handle whatever it was trying to do), or the game you were playing made the operating system crash and your computer stall.
So you can try different settings on the game (settings that make your computer work less hard), or you can read up the help files for that game to see if other people are having the same problem, or you stop playing the game, - or if it's not a game then you look at re-installing the operating system, and if you still have a problem then it's probably the hard drive, or the operating system is just not properly compatible with your PC.

To help you any further you're definitely going to have to provide more information please, such as what operating system you are running, when exactly does it show a message about having to connect to the internet, what games were crashing, and detailed explanations of all the errors.
Good luck Rfwoolf 16:55, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

JavaScript/AJAX Problem

I am implementing a bit of AJAX into a page on a website where users can edit their own comments without reloading the page. The comments are arranged in a table, and each table row has a <div> with an edit link in it. The edit link has a parameter, 'onclick', which points to the JavaScript function 'editcomment(x)' where x is the comment ID. Clicking this link works fine, and the editcomment() function does some AJAX stuff and opens up a form for editing. When the 'Save' button in the form is clicked, it activates the 'savecomment(x)' function which gives the server the updated comment text and then replaces the original comment with the new one. However, this whole process can only be carried out once: once I've loaded the page, clicked on the edit button and saved a new comment, clicking on the edit button again does not work. Using Firebug I have found that JavaScript is apparently not finding the 'editcomment' function, dispite it being in the page header, and dispite it finding the 'editcomment' function the first time you click the edit button. Also, the edit button HTML is never changed by the AJAX process - the comment is within a <div> with a specific ID, and the save function edits only the content within it - the edit button is not within that div.

This is an abbreviated bit of the header code. The AJAX_Handler class is just a wrapper for different browsers' ways of handling AJAX.

var currentobject;
var currentcontent;

function editentry(object, edittype)
{
	if (currentobject > 0 && currentobject != object)
	{
		// Another entry is being edited right now - restore its original value before doing anything else
		document.getElementById('entry' + currentobject).innerHTML = currentcontent;
	}

	if (currentobject == object)
	{
		// Current active entry has been clicked again - restore original value then cancel the AJAX edit process
		document.getElementById('entry' + object).innerHTML = currentcontent;

		currentobject = 0;
	}
	else
	{
		// No active AJAX edits detected - start a new AJAX edit
		currentobject = object;
		currentcontent = document.getElementById('entry' + object).innerHTML;
		xml = new AJAX_Handler(true);
		xml.onreadystatechange(editprocess);
		xml.send('comments.php', 'do=editentry&id=' + object + '&edittype=' + edittype);
	}
}

function saveentry(object)
{
	artist = document.editentry.entryartist.value;
	song = document.editentry.entrysong.value;
	edittype = document.editentry.edittype.value;

	currentobject = object;
	xml = new AJAX_Handler(true);
	xml.onreadystatechange(editprocess);
	xml.send('comments.php', 'do=saveentry&comment=' + artist + '&listenid=' + object + '&edittype=' + edittype);
}

function editprocess()
{
	if(xml.handler.readyState == 4 && xml.handler.status == 200 && xml.handler.responseText)
	{
		document.getElementById('entry' + currentobject).innerHTML = xml.handler.responseText;
	}
}

Any ideas as to what this could be? Thanks. RevenDS 15:05, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

As a debug strategy, do you want to make two savecomment(x) functions like savecommenta(x) function and savecommentb(x) function and savecommentc(x) function and see if they all work once as well? -- other than that sorry I can't help Rfwoolf 17:00, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Is it that "currentobject" is not reset to null in editprocess()? Also "editcomment" is different name to the function "editentry" (I guess this is from trimming it for here). Short of that, add alerts everywhere saying whats going on, or see what happens if you disable the .innerHTML line. --h2g2bob 23:27, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

monitoring problems

thanks for your advice before i tried adaware and it found numouros kinds of viruses but though it says they are removable i need to buy a different version of adaware to do so. Would reinciating the computer get rid of them? I also tried altering the resolution on my game but the monitor still went black after i started playing, and as for the monitor devices i am wary about messing as i dont really know what im looking for, if the drivers need updating is this something i can do over the net if so is it free, or are they something i need to buy from a computer shop, i hope i dont sound to stupid but i find it hard to understand what is what. thankyou for your help.89.214.5.80 17:18, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Clarify, clarify! A reformat would put your computer into a clean state, make sure to back up data before doing so. Please clarify about your monitor question. Splintercellguy 20:28, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Some of the data that might be useful for us to know how to help you would be monitor name, graphics card name, game name, processor, RAM memory size... Updating drivers for your graphics card would be a good idea, check DriversGuide. You need to join that website to download drivers, but its free! AdAware free version *will* remove spyware! Only thing free version doesn't have is resident protection, so you will just have to rerun the program regularly (once day or once a week). Shinhan 11:56, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

PROJECT 64!

Hi, thank you in advance for the help. I would like to know how to get project 64 on my computer, which roms to get and where to get them. after i do install it, how do i use it? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 74.170.44.145 (talk) 17:45, 21 April 2007 (UTC).

Have you read their FAQs here? Splintercellguy 20:27, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

i know how to get it on the computer, but they say that they won't help with the roms, which is what i really need.

Well, most ROMs are illegal to download, so we can't really help you here ... Tetzcatlipoca 18:55, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

Dual monitors (kinda)

Say I have a desktop HP Pavillion with an integrated NVidia 6150 LE video card. There are no graphical outputs other than a DB9 connector. Say I have an older NVidia 440MX with a TV out and a free AGP slot. Can I put the 440MX card in the HP Pavillion to output to TV and the integrated video card to output to the monitor (Both being active, they can show the exact same things or be actually dual monitor setup. The TV out is only for video.)? Thanks, as I have 0 knowledge about dual monitors. --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 17:47, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Sounds like a perfectly fine setup. Just remember to set your bios to have the newer card as the primary, and have the monitor connected to it while you set up drivers and whatnot for the second card. Also, if you're going to be using the TV out functionality on a normal tv, resolution on the second card should be at 640x480 as that is closest to a standard TV resolution, anything higher will result in large chunks of screen being cut off. -M^ask? 21:38, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Airport Express and AirTunes

I'm looking for a way to get access to my iTunes (or other digital music) library on my physical stereo. Apple's Airport Express base station and AirTunes is one solution.

However, if Apple can sell a combination WiFi base station/audio extender for ~£60, surely someone sells something that just provides the audio extension functionality for less than this?

It doesn't have to work with iTunes; WMP / WMCE or even a standalone program are options.

I've looked, but haven't had any luck. Any ideas?

Rawling4851 18:33, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

character based mood icons

Where can I find a list of character based mood icons such as "=))" and ";)", etc.? 71.100.8.252 21:02, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Our article on emoticons — Matt Eason ^{(Talk &#149; Contribs)} 21:22, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Multiple IP addresses & open proxy

Hi, I tried to sign onto a forum today but it won't let me as I apparently have multiple IP addresses, news to me. It says "Our server has detected the presence of multiple IP connections from your machine, with one of the connections being an "Open Proxy" or blacklisted IP. Connections of this nature are often used in order to abuse, spam or defraud. Our server has denied you any further access until both IP addresses can be resolved or the presence of the Open Proxy connection closed. If you feel you are being blocked in error, then please visit http://www.spamhaus.org/xbl/index.lasso for information on why your IP is on a blacklist. If you are a Fastweb user, then you will need to use a different ISP to register with AVForums. This is because Fastweb have an irresponsible attitude towards dealing with spammers (i.e. they don't) and they therefore have got themselves on the IP blacklists." I checked the site they list but it doesn't tell me anything. Can someone advise me of how to fix this, as I don't have a clue. I'm using windows XP and have virgin as a broadband provider. Thanks. AllanHainey 21:15, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

The message isn't telling you you have multiple IP addresses, it's telling you that the forum server is seeing multiple connections from the same IP address. The most likely explanation is that your web access is going through a proxy, and that that proxy is, as the message says, on a blacklist. I don't know anything about virgin's network, but with any normal ISP you can just set your web browser not to use the proxy. --HughCharlesParker (talk - contribs) 10:58, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Ok thanks, I've just checked my internet oprions and it's got a checkbox asking "Use a proxy server for this connection", but it's unchecked. I take this as meaning that it isn't using a proxy already. Am I looking at the wrong bit, if so what should I be setting to get the browser to not use the proxy? AllanHainey 12:17, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

It could be a transparent proxy. Go to a site like http://hostip.info/ to get the IP address web servers are seeing as yours, and do a lookup at the blacklists (I normally use http://www.completewhois.com/rbl_lookup.htm to lookup several blacklists at once) to see why it's being blocked. --cesarb 16:50, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

I've now tried this & it comes up with 2 sites my IP is listed on: SORBS, which says "Dynamic/Generic IP/rDNS address, use your ISPs mail server or get rDNS set to indicate static assignment.

Currently active and flagged to be published in DNS

If you wish to request a delisting please do so through the Support System."

and tqmcube which says "Dynamic IP or generic rDNS. Please create a unique pointer or use your ISP's mail service. "

It looks like I've got a dynamic IP addess or generic rDNS, I'm afraid I'm none the wiser though. AllanHainey 18:38, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Anyone offer anymore assistance? AllanHainey 16:28, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

PDF file

How do I type onto a PDF file? 68.193.147.179 22:44, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

You need a PDF editor. The viewer is free, but the editor (from Adobe) isn't. However, you can also make pdfs with Impress. --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 23:11, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Not just Impress, but all OpenOffice.org applications can output as pdf, Writer is probably the most relevant. OOo Writer does it well, as cross references and footnotes are made as links for easy navigation. I think Microsoft Office might also be able to output as pdf, but not used it for ages so can't say for sure. --h2g2bob 23:48, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

MS Office can only output PDFs if you have Acrobat, as far as I know. - Akamad 01:05, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

There exist programs for Windows (e.g. CutePDF Writer, which is free) which when installed "pretends" to be one of your printers so that when you go to print a document you have the option of writing the print to a PDF file, whatever program you're printing from. --87.194.21.177 07:21, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Also pdftk for messing about with PDFs in other ways. --87.194.21.177 07:24, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

In OS X just about everything can output as PDF. Hoorah. But in any case, if the poster is asking how they can, say, fill out a PDF form that does not have fields already in it for filling them in, the short answer is that you can't, without Acrobat. And even then it is a pain in the neck to set up correctly. --24.147.86.187 13:06, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Seems like the other people aren't answering your question. As far as I know it is possible to make PDF files where it will automatically allow you to type something in - but I haven't encountered these in ages - if they exist. To be able to type over a PDF document that would involve editing the document - which is something you're not supposed to do with a PDF format - it's one of its features. However, if you load the PDF file into the program that generated it (eg Corel Draw, Photoshop, Freehand etc) it is usually able to import an editable version of it. So you could try an image-editing program such as those ones - but there's always a 50% chance they won't be able to import the file.
One Solution: One thing you can try is opening the PDF, and

• printing it and scanning it in as an editable format, or
• printing it in Microsoft Document Writer will generate a TIFF format file and save it to your desktop - that's an image file that you may be able to edit with a common image editor, or
• in the PDF viewer, see if it allows you to select a portion and copy it to the clipboard as an image - and you'll then paste this in your image viewer.

Right, all these methods involve getting an IMAGE from the PDF document, which you have a higher chance of being able to edit. Then import it into your image editor (even PaintBrush is worth a try) and you can then try typing over the image.
Good luck, and I hope this helps. Rfwoolf 11:54, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

The user didn't say anything about images. Some limited editing of PDFs is possible with an tools like Adobe Acrobat (not the reader). Unless of course there are restrictions on the PDF which prevent editing in which case you will need to remove these restrictions Nil Einne 00:49, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

iPod Video

How do I take a YouTube video and put it onto my iPod Video? 68.193.147.179 22:45, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Just search for a converter for the file formats. iPods use er... mp4s, I think? So just google it and see which one you like. I don't use iPods, so I don't have a recommendation, sorry. --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 23:13, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

The most convenient option, I've found, is online tools. Vixy.net will convert YouTube videos to iPod (MPEG-4) format, adding a second of their logo at the end. There's also Media-Convert.com, that will convert much more than YouTube. They both work well, with the latter providing much more freedom for the input file (be it online or on your own computer), the resolution and such, and the output file. -- Pohatu771 (talk) 21:42, 22 April 2007 (EST)

Look on this website http://www.erightsoft.com/SUPER.html this has a converter for almost anything i've ever tried to use and it's free so just look into it. i use it for the .3g2 format on my cellphone i'm sure iPod is on here 200.12.231.42 21:58, 16 April 2007 (UTC) Ag for MemTech

Disc Drive

Is there any particular reason that anyone can think of as to why a disc drive would play cds fine and play some dvd's fine whilst not playing others. Some dvds when put in, just lead to a kind of clicking sound for a minute or so then just stop and seemingly arent recognised at whilst other dvds start straigt away (all dvds are same region by the way). I cant think of a reason why some would play and others not. Any thoughts would be appeciated. Rickystrapp 23:01, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

First thing that comes to mind is the DVD +R/-R compatibility issue. The two different formats are only compatible with about 90-98% of the drives, according to their self-published data. --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 23:09, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

I read 'clicking sound' and instantly shivered. With no idea why for a minute, then I remembered Zip drives and the Click of death. -M^ask? 00:20, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

I've seen a clicking sound on a CD player before; in that CD player, it happens when it fails to focus and lets the lens fall back in suddenly (the lens go up slowly, fall back with a click, go up slowly again, and so on). If that's the case, your drive failed to recognize the disc (the region wouldn't matter, since it doesn't even get to the point where it can read the region information). --cesarb 16:44, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

internet service at a school or business building

At the school I go to there are hundreds of computers with really fast Internet connections in this one building. What type of internet service is this? Im assuming its very different from a cable or dsl connection like I would have in my apartment. How is it split up among all the computers so that they all have fast connections? Can one computer take up the entire bandwidth possible or is it partitioned in some way? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Iownatv (talk • contribs) 23:42, 21 April 2007 (UTC).

Most likely a T1, T3 or Fiber optic connection. The principle behind a T1 and T3 are extremely similer to a normal dial up connection, only you have dozens or hundreds of circuits that all connect instead of one, while fiber optic uses light traveling down thin, flexible glass wires. The split has nothing to do with any of these technologies, its simply a good, enterprise router from Cisco or similiar. These usually cost several thousand dollars. The internet connections them selves range from hundreds up to around a thousand a month, and the max bandwith your computer can use is determined by your network card and the speed of the webserver sending you the page. Be aware though, that while the traffic is split between many computers, because of how we browse the internet (short bursts of traffic to load the page, then several minutes to read it, repeat with new page) that you frequently ARE using the entire connection when you visit a web site from your school. -M^ask? 00:13, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

In the UK, universities connect directly to each other, so get internet connections cheaply as they act similar to a Tier 1 ISP. This network of universities is called JANET [1] (technically JANET connects a series of smaller networks). This is mainly funded by the UK government. These networks have fast connections with speeds of 40 Gbps in places.

As for local hardware, I did a bit of snooping at my university and found I get to the internet via a BigIron 8000 switch (about US$12,000); some other kind of switch (probably gigabit); then to one of the two Linux Squid proxies to finally gets to the internet (SWERN and JANET). A few years ago this was at 100 Mbps, but they've just upgraded it (not sure what to). --h2g2bob 01:23, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Winamp and Emusic

I just downloaded Winamp and installed it on my PC, and as part of the download, I am entitled to 50 free music downloads from eMusic. But in order to get those downloads, I have to sign up for eMusic, which will bill me after my 50 downloads for any further downloads, unless I explicitly unsubscribe. My question is, has anybody had any dealings with eMusic? If I unsubscribe, will the songs I download no longer work? Corvus cornix 00:05, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Emusic is DRM free right? So your music will still work after you unsubscribe. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 71.195.124.101 (talk) 00:39, 22 April 2007 (UTC).

71.195.124.101 is right, it is DRM-free, so will play fine after unsubscribing. --h2g2bob 00:43, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Thanks. Corvus cornix 20:00, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

April 22

Smiley Face

When people post that they hang out at the smiley face, where is that? Thanks 72.84.30.159 02:30, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

":-)", ":)", ":D", "", etc. just means someone is happy; or that the remark is not intended to offend. These faces are called emoticons. I've not heard of someone hanging out at :), but someone may be happy to be hanging out. --h2g2bob 03:04, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Do you mean they said "I'm hanging out @:)" ? If so, perhaps the at sign represents hair on the smiley face. StuRat 07:27, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

CSS instead of tables: left align, center, and right-align, all on one line

I want to have one line of text with some text at the far left, some text at the center, some text at the far right. In the old days, I'd do this by making a table row with three columns and being done with it. But tables for layout are evil, I'm told, so I thought I'd try to do it with CSS-- thus far, I haven't stumbled upon the answer. What am I missing? --Wouldbewebmaster 03:43, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Something like this? --h2g2bob 03:53, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

<div id="main" style="text-align: center">
  <div style="float: left"> LEFT </div>
  <div style="float: right"> RIGHT </div>
  CENTER
  <!-- make sure it all stays inside the main div -->
  <div style="clear: both"></div>
 </div>

You could use display: table, display: table-row, display: table-cell, etc. While using tables for layout is evil, I believe using CSS table layout isn't (the main problem with HTML tables is mixing content with formatting; tables are formatting, so they should be done in CSS). --cesarb 16:38, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

display: table isn't IE6 friendly (and I wasn't sure it was IE7 friendly either)

You should use css classes to set up the columns, not inline stuff (unless you're on wikipedia... bleh)

I hacked this up real quick with a Real-time HTML editor. I didn't try it in IE but I can't think of anything here that wouldn't take care of it in IE. you may want to pad the middle column, but there may be problems of IE doubling the margin. I can't remember the fix. (positioniseverything.net is a good reference)

<style>
.container{
   _height: 1%;  /*IE hack */
   width:400px;
}
.container:after{  /* float container hack */
  clear:both;
  content: "."; 
  display: block; 
  height: 0; 
  clear: both; 
  visibility: hidden;
}

.leftcolumn{
float:left;
width:20%;
text-align:right;
}
.middlecolumn{
float:left;
width:40%;
text-align:center;
}
.rightcolumn{
float:left;
width:20%;
text-align:left;
}
</style>
<div class="container">
<div class="leftcolumn">This is a right aligned left colun</div>
<div class="middlecolumn">This is a center aligned center column</div>
<div class="rightcolumn">This is a left aligned right column</div>
</div>

Root⁴(one) 22:46, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Image question

How do you scan an image from TV show or movie? I'd like to scan a few fair use screenshots for some film/TB articles. Incidentally, I looked into the rationales needed and policies. Aaron Bowen 07:12, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Most of those are taken from the computer via print screen. For Windows, you can take a screenshot from Windows Media Player, but first you need to change some settings, see: [2]. - Akamad 08:48, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Thanks! Aaron Bowen 13:18, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Or you could just use VLC Media Player and use its built-in screencapture tool. Aetherfukz 11:19, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Request for details on Error message "Skein 0.0.3 error code 2"

I have Broad band internet connection & using WinXP...while browsing continously for about 15 minutes, the connection is cut off showing the message "Skein 0.0.3 error code 2..contact the administrator etc". I need to log out and then log in again to resume browsing. I have contacted the administrator but they say it is a problem with the system. The hardware engineers who have checked the system have also not been able to identify the problem. What does this error pertain to? I have checked the internet for Skein 0.0.3...all I am getting is details of baseball scores(?). Please help. rimenon—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 202.164.146.103 (talk) 07:45, 22 April 2007 (UTC).

i think its a os.i also get this messege. it runs on my isp's computer the logout i think happens because whatever software you are using for logging in(my isp has given me 24 online client") logs you out after a set time of inactivity . maybe you can set it using the "logging in" software or you could ask your admin to increase your inactivity timeout... or if you log in using a web pageit is because your web browser does not have the ability to "keep-alive" a connection ... you can probably set it to keep alive ..

Joost invitation

Does anyone here have a Joost account? Could I, please, receive an invitation? Thanks. --Taraborn 12:27, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

I have a Joost account, and so might have some invitations. I'm away from home atm, so I can't find out, or send you one 'till the weekend. Remind me on my talk page :) --saxsux 16:23, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

Optimal encoding of (not with) a Huffman tree

I have a scheme which uses (2 + m)n + 1 bits to store a Huffman tree (where n is the number of symbols, and m is the number of bits per unencoded symbol). Is there a more compact scheme? (I have the beginnings of a (1 + m)n + constant scheme, but I'm not sure if it's workable). --User:Taejo|대조 13:07, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

If I am not mistaken, every binary tree with unencoded words at the nodes is a possible and distinct Huffman code. This means that you will need to store at least a binary tree (plus your codes). According to the binary tree article, this takes 2 bits per node. Every binary tree with n leaves has 2n - 1 nodes total, creating a total size of 4n - 2 bits for the tree. After this, you can simply store your codes in post-order traversal (size m*n bits, the very minimum, since you have to store the unencoded codes anyway). Assuming the unencoded words are stored in a fixed length representation, you'd need some constant amount of bits c to delimit the list of words and the tree representation. The total works out to mn + 4n - 2 + c , or n(m+4) - 2 + c. I may have made a mistake somewhere (I'm no expert on this stuff), but I don't think you can get any smaller than this. Every possible bitstring in this format is a distinct huffman tree and vice versa, any smaller and, you would't have enough room to assign a representation to every possible tree. Could you tell us your (first) scheme ? risk 17:27, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

With pleasure. The trick is that not all binary trees are Huffman trees. Huffman tree nodes are either leaves or have two children. Which means you only need one bit per node: 0=leaf, 1=nonleaf. And you can eliminate the constant for the separator by simply storing the m-bit words immediately after the 1 bits for nonleaves. The (1 + m)n scheme (which I know realise is workable, and the constant is -1) relies on the two-queue construction algorithm. You store a bit for Q1 or Q2, and since leaves only come out of Q1, you can store the m-bit words immediately afterwards. Since (as far as I can see) the algorithm takes (n-1) iterations, you store (1 + m)n-1 --User:Taejo|대조 07:53, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Oops, that scheme needs 2 bits per iteration, since two items are taken each iteration. Since the codes are equally optimal if a tree is left-right mirrored, only one of (Q1,Q2) and (Q2,Q1) is needed. As a terminator we can just take an extra node from Q2, since as soon as it has less than 1 element, the algorithm is complete. So we can use n trits or n log₂3 bits to encode the tree shape plus mn to encode the values. Still not sure if this is optimal. --User:Taejo|대조 16:04, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Computer Spec, difference between processors/etc

I'm in the middle of trying to find a suitable upgrade for my parent's PC. They have a Dell 8250 (http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8250/specs.htm#1084976) and we want to upgrade (ideally) RAM to 1gb, add a reasonably decent Nvidia graphics card, upgrade the processor and maybe add a second hard-drive. From looking at the spec i'm not sure what things I can add that are 'compatible' (the ram Is DRAM? Can't figure the max processor it can accept and it has AGP 4x/PCI so not sure which graphics card is best to upgrade to). Any help/points in the right direction welcomed. Sorry I know this isn't 'exactly' what reference desk is for. ny156uk 16:14, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Nyan? Not what the reference desk is for? I don't see the problem with this question. It's not homework and it's general help. Anyways, looking at the page you linked, you want to upgrade RAM to 1GB, but what does it have right now? It seems to take "PC800 or PC1066 RDRAM (non-ECC)". The PC800 looks to be about USD$200 for 512 megs. You can get up to a 3.06GHz Pentium 4 running with a 533MHz bus. The chances are, you can upgrade the harddrive with any ATA type because it mentions 2 3.5" bays. I say that because it might not have more molex power connectors for another device (or only has one IDE channel, which isn't too likely, but does happen on mass produced computers), but then you can split it, although be careful about the power supply being only 250 watts. As for video cards, even most new cards have AGP8X/4X versions. But like before, remember that you only have a 250 watt power supply, so a lot of the high end ones can't be used in your parents' computer without upgrading the power supply too. My advice? Buy a cheap refurbished computer or an older new one on ebay or something, because that will end up cheaper. --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 16:36, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for the response Wirbelwind. I found the RAM to be extremely costly for some reason, compared to DDR/DDR2 variants. I would like to end up with a computer something like...3ghz, 1gb RAM, 128mb Nvidia Graphics Card (or better!) at minimal price. Already have 120gb HD, DVD-ROM, CDR+W, Monitor, Keyboard/Mouse/Printer/Wireless Card/Network Card/Licensed Copy of Windows. I'm trying to get it for around £200 ($400). I have found the components required (processor/ram/card for about £100 but need to get a motherboard/box to host it all - that's where I am struggling). Thanks for the details, hadn't even considered 'power' as an issue. ny156uk 17:32, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Out of curiousity, why do your parents want to upgrade? Unless they're trying to run Vista, or they run intensive things like games, you shouldn't need to upgrade RAM or the graphics card- HDD I can understand though. If they run XP, and it's running slow, you might have better luck backing up their media and reinstalling windows. Windows has a bad habit of getting bogged down with a lot of unneeded stuff. -- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION! 02:16, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

Computer thinks its dual core

I've got a single processor Intel P4 650 3.4GHz machine. Lately, I've noticed that it seems to think it's dual core... whilst system properties correctly identifies the processor, device manager lists the computer as "ACPI Multiprocessor PC" and under processors, lists the P4 twice. Task manager shows the two different graphs for my "two different" CPUs. The net result of this seems to be that single threaded processor intensive tasks (such as mencoder) are only ever given 50% of the available processing power. Right-clicking and choosing to "uninstall" one of the processors doesn't seem to work, so I'm hoping for some alternative suggestions... Thanks in advance _└ ^UkPaolo/_talk^┐ 16:44, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

It shouldn't really affect it that much, but what you have is called hyperthreading, where it has a pseudo dual core. You disable it in BIOS to enable/disable hyperthreading. --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 16:49, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Though there is very little reason to disable it. SMT doesn't limit each thread to "50% of the available processing power". -- mattb 16:56, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Drawing/sketching applications for UIQ 3

What are the drawing/sketching applications available for UIQ 3? --Masatran 19:18, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

I just found the pre-installed Notes application, but I need a drawing area with zoom, scroll, etc. And in-built rectangles, circles, etc. Like a mini-version of Inkscape, or Gimp. And preferably free software. --Masatran 00:14, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Ubuntu 7.04

I just downloaded Ubuntu 7.04 for my Macbook Pro(wanted to try it out). I burned it to a CD and put it in the computer. I got past the Ubuntu loading screen, then said that it couldn't start my windowing system. It then gave me a terminal to type into. Parallels Desktop didn't even get this far. I'm re-downloading, but why is this happening? Old versions of Ubuntu worked fine, thanks. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 71.195.124.101 (talk) 19:23, 22 April 2007 (UTC).

Can you post the exact error, please? -- ReyBrujo 02:10, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

You're doing it wrong. For Parallels, didn't you go

1. New virtual Machine
2. OS Installatoin
3. Typical OS
4. Linux/Other Linux
5. <name of virtual machine>
6. Put disc in
7. Finish?

Everything should work fine, I have Ubuntu Linux on mine. Looks awesome too! Except it doesn't have widescreen support as far as I know. [Mαc Δαvιs] ❖ 02:03, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

It should have widescreen support, just do a "sudo dpkg-reconfigue xserver-xorg" and select your resolution. --antilived^{T | C | G} 05:53, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Ubuntu/Linux Software

I am buying a new laptop soon, and think that I'll get myself a non-Mac notebook and then set up some sort of Linux/Ubuntu/Kubuntu OS. I know most of these don't support quite the range of software as does a Mac and not nearly as much as a PC, but I've had trouble finding specifics. For instance, GIMP aside, can I buy and install Adobe Photoshop on a Ubuntu computer? Linux? What about Itunes? Can I get most non-game Windows-friendly programs to install on Ubuntu or Linux or whatnot? How about the regular Microsoft Office package? Do I have to buy a special type of MS Office? Will it not work at all? Are the alternatives really up to snuff, and will regular (ie mac or windows) using computers be able to open files I've made in, say Spreadsheet or OpenOffice? Will fairly obscure Windows-friendly programs such as Xilisoft, MacDrive, Daemontools, RosettaStone, and other work on any Linux/Unix-based OS's? And, final question, I sometimes go to download freeware and am given the option of whether to download it for Macs, Windows, or Linux. Could I not install this freeware on a Ubuntu computer? I know that's a lot of separate questions, but I think it all boils down to whether if I use Ubuntu or Linux I wont be able to use all the programs I've come to know and love. Thanks for any help, 70.108.191.59 19:53, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

• There are no versions of Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Office that are natively supported by Ubuntu. However, using CrossOver or WINE, those programs will work.
• Don't know if iTunes is supported by CrossOver or Wine, but Kubuntu comes with Amarok which you can use to upload music to your iPod.
• OpenOffice will open spreadsheets and word documents from MS Office, but some of the more complicated formatting and such might be lost. But in general, for most documents/spreadsheets, this isn't a problem.
• You can definitely open OpenOffice docs in MS Office.
• For the more obscure software you described, there is usually a (K)Ubuntu alternative.
• Don't really know what you mean by that last question. If the freeware has an option to install in Linux, then you can install it in (K)Ubuntu. But there are easier ways to install software on (K)Ubuntu that browsing for it on the web: Package management system.

Hope this all helps. - Akamad 20:36, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

I expect someone will beat me to it (and I was right), but here goes. First, I should explain what the difference between Linux and Ubuntu is. In the early nineties, a guy named Linus Torvalds started work on an operating system. This was just the kernel of the operating system, which means it handles all the basics of various components of your computer talking to each other, starting the computer up and so on, but on its own doesn't make a computer usable yet. It's basically the software that's needed to start writing specific programs (like a window manager that draws windows on the screen, or an office application that uses the window manager). What's more, Torvalds made his software open source, so that anybody could look at, and use the source code behind his kernel. He named his kernel Linux. The Linux kernel was quickly combined with other open source software (mostly from the GNU project) to form an entire operating system, the set of software that is needed for a user to be able operate a computer. This operating system is known as Linux too, or as GNU/Linux. Since this GNU/Linux is basically a bag of different software, which you can install in many different ways, and which you can distribute freely, people started installing GNU/Linux in their own way, and then distributing it with things like friendly installation procedures and a set of preconfigured software packages. These are the different distributions of GNU/Linux, and Ubuntu is one of them. In short, Ubuntu is Linux, but Linux is not necessarily Ubuntu.

As for the available software, the linux experience is slightly different than that of windows. The open source ideology has a very active community of programmers behind it, and most types computer programs have some open source variant. For instance, one open source office suite is OpenOffice (which can indeed open MS Office files without a problem in most cases). The great joy of distributions like Ubuntu is that they make use of the fact that open source software allows you to redistribute it. This means that you don't have to go to the OpenOffice site to download the program and install it yourself, because the ubuntu guys have done that for you already. They've taken the OpenOffice software, and adapted it slightly to make sure it runs smoothly on any Ubuntu system. All you need to do is tell a program within ubuntu (called synaptic, or simply "add/remove software") that you want openoffice, and it downloads and installs it for you. Pretty much all open source software written for linux can be installed this way.

Not all software (even open source) is written for linux, and you can't install software written for one platform, on some other platform (with the notable exception of cross platform software, like Firefox, but even that has different versions for different operating systems). Photoshop has versions for Windows and for the Mac, but not for Linux. The same goes for MS Office. There is the possibility to install Wine, which allows you to run windows software in linux, but this doesn't work perfectly. For instance, this allows you to run photoshop 5.5, but not CS2. The wine project has a big database on what will work, and what won't. So no, you won't be able to use all the programs you've come to know and love (some, perhaps), but you might grow to know and love a lot of new ones. risk 20:45, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Clock speed and FLOPS

I was about to delete a sentence of the FLOPS page , but, for fear of making an idiot (as I'm not too familar with hardware) of myself, I thought I'd ask here first.

According to that page, the CPU of a "common AMD A64 or Intel Pentium 4 general-purpose PC" (I'm guessing aroung 3Ghz), would have a FLOPS rating a ten. Which in turn leads to the conclusion that these processors perform over three calculations per clock cycle. This seems quite absurd to me, how is it possible for a CPU to perform three calculations in one cycle? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 217.42.242.45 (talk) 20:04, 22 April 2007 (UTC).

Ten GFLOPS, you mean. The answer lies with SIMD. The Cell microprocessor's vector units (SPUs in IBM-lingo) are designed to perform eight single-precision floating point operations per cycle. -- mattb 20:45, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Many of today's CPU cores execute single execution path instructions in parallel. Even 20+ years ago, instructions were executed in "parallel" so to speak as the execution time for each instruction was significantly overlapped for fetching the instruction, processing, storing results, etc. In another instance, (my memory may fail me here, so take this with a "huge" grain of salt, but) I've heard of instances where the first few instructions of all three "if","then","else" paths of an if/then/else block are executed and when the results if the "if" operation actually completes, the results of the correct "then","else" path are saved and used for further instruction processing. I can't remember what that's called. Or maybe that's just something I imagined. Root⁴(one) 01:43, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Nintendo Wi-Fi

I am trying to get my WiFi started for the DS and I need to access my routers settings but everytime I put in my routers IP address, the router settings page never shows!!! Please can someone help me out thank you alot

You are putting the IP address in to the browser of the computer with which you are accessing the internet and it isn't coming up? Are you sure you have the right IP? Do a tracert to make sure you're putting in the right address. Vespine 23:03, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Use ipconfig to determine the router's IP address. Splintercellguy 00:09, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

The Wall Street Journal mug shots

• e.g., http://chinese.wsj.com/photo/HC-GJ803_Dyrdek_20070406170049.gif

How did they create these engravings? How did they do it before computer graphics? -- Toytoy 21:05, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

They arent engravings, they're the normal dot-printing style of newspapers, just the resolution has been drastically reduced. The same general concept was used to make illustrations in books in the 1800's. -M^ask? 21:43, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

There is an article on the WSJ's version of this at Hedcut. -M^ask? 23:22, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

And we note from that article that these pictures are not "the normal dot-printing style of newspapers"; they're hand-stippled illustrations which mimic old-fashioned engravings. —Steve Summit (talk) 01:00, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

I meant the style is fashioned on them. I'll be clearer. -M^ask? 02:22, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

April 23

Google blurbs

Anyone know where Google get their page descriptions from? Have a look at this discussion and then let us know there how to get the Google display for this search to change from "over two million" to the right figure. Thanks. Carcharoth 00:15, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

It's from Google Directory --h2g2bob 02:32, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Mp3 files that display very long running times

Hello, I'm sure many of you have seen mp3 files for songs that should be normal length but for some reason have very long running times, possibly due to somebody tampering with the files or something like that. Today I opened up an album (Black Mountain's self titled) in iTunes and the track lengths ranged from 20 minutes to almost an hour - in a playlist the running time for the 8 songs total was almost 5 hours. I assume that in most files with incorrect running times, the file plays and then there is silence for the duration of the song or something like that. However, with these files, they actually played for the entire running time. There was no silence - there actually was 5 hours worth of music. I then opened the files with Windows Media Player. The files were a few minutes longer than usual and still displayed the incorrect times, just not as excessively long as when opened with iTunes. Now upset, I opened the files with a sound editing program called Audacity, and it displayed the songs at their correct running time.

My question is - how is it possible that when I open the songs in iTunes, they magically play for 40 minutes? The beginning and ending of the song is the same no matter what program I play it with, and as I scan through the song with iTunes I can hear the same melody throughout the song. I'm extremely confused because it seems like when I play the file with iTunes, I somehow unlock an extremely lengthy, jammed out version of the song. However, when I open the file with Audacity, it shows the sound wave file at the length that it's supposed to be. Also, with iTunes, it says the bitrate of the song is 32 kb/s. With Windows Media Player, it says it is a 350 kb/s+ VBR file. What is going on!!?!? NIRVANA2764 00:17, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

This only happens with variable bit rate files. The reason is because in a constant bit rate file, it takes the first bitrate it is encoded at and using the file size, it can figure out how long the song is with simple division. However, with variable bitrate, the first chunk might be encoded with a really small bitrate, such as 32kb/s, because it is mostly silence. Programs such as iTunes would see that 32kb/s, and the file size, and figure out the incorrect song length. However, programs which analyze the entire file will have the correct size. --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 04:02, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Laptop Screen and Magnet

I have a Dell Inspiron, and I was playing around with a strong magnet near the screen, trying to see if it would distort it as it does CRT monitors. This didn't work, so I ran the magnet along the top edge of the keyboard, where it meets the plane of the screen. As I moved the magnet back and forth along this line, the screen dimmed as I passed over the middle. Finally, as the magnet passed over the middle again, the screen blacked out (though I could barely see it in a very dim form). I hibernated the computer and turned it back on, after which point the screen was completely restored. Does anybody know the mechanism for this effect? --Gujarat10 03:27, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Speculation here, but the ELP backlight used on many laptop screens involves an itsy bitsy high-frequency high-voltage power supply, which is often located about where you describe. It wouldn't surprise me too much if a strong external magnetic field could somehow collapse the magnetic field inside the HF HV PS's itsy bitsy exotic transformer. —Steve Summit (talk) 03:38, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Some laptops use magnets in order to determine when the screen is closed (as opposed to using a mechanical switch). If your laptop is set to only turn off the backlight when the screen is closed, rather than turning off the display as well, that could be it. Or not. -- Consumed Crustacean (talk) 05:34, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Nope - I have it set to activate standby when closed, which did not happen. --Gujarat10 06:54, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Just a word of advice (forgive me if you already know this). Waving a strong magnet over your laptop may not be the best idea, especially if it ends up near your hard drive. -- mattb 14:22, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

And that's why you never bring your computer through the airport metal detector :) The TSA tell you to put it in a bin anyway though. --TeckWiz is now R ^ParlateContribs_@(Let's go Yankees!) 01:44, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Your desktop uses an old little technology called LCD. You could have waved it over a cheap calculator and verified the same fact. Root⁴(one) 01:26, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Huh? LCDs usually don't contain materials that exhibit strong magnetic properties. You can wave a stack of strong rare earth magnets over any TFT LCD you like and you're unlikely to observe any visual response. What's more, the OP described an effect that obviously affected the backlight (which most calculators do not have), not the LCD itself. -- mattb 01:38, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Right, the original experiment was an experiment with the LCD display itself, which I was commenting on (sorry for being vague). THEN continuing his experiment he found something which brought about the unexpected results, although rather interesting, the knowledge could have come at a hefty price. I was just trying to say, if one feels like monkeying around with some item, he or she should make sure that the item can handle the abuse or that the item is easily replaceable. There's nothing wrong with experimenting in itself, but it must be reasonable. Experimenting with magnets on a relatively new laptop, well, you draw the conclusions. Root⁴(one) 14:13, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

What's wrong with putting a magnet on a laptop or, for that matter through the airport detectors? There are neodymium or samarium rare earth magnets in every hard drive. [Mαc Δαvιs] ❖ 02:00, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Conveniently oriented sufficiently away from the platters so as to avoid problem. Try taking that same neodymium actuating magnet and place it on top of the disk, right over the platters. :) -- mattb 02:13, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Video Problem

I downloaded some videos that are apparently in .avi format. I've tried playing them on what I feel to be everything -- Realplayer, Quicktime, DivX, WMP, VLC, InfraView, -- and they just wont play. They are certainly video files. They are about 350 mb each, and I have read online reports from others that they're viewing the videos just fine. What could be going wrong? What should I do? To give you better details, most media players say something to the effect of "Error: ____ media player cannot read this file. Make sure it is a valid media file type." VLC, on the other hand, opens it, but rather than playing the movie, for about five seconds the progression bar (the thing that moves slowly when listening to a song or watching a movie) moves as if something is being played, but nothing can be seen or heard and the clock of the VLC player shows no length to the file being played. Bizarre. Help? 70.108.191.59 04:21, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

If even VLC doesn't want to play it, the file is probably corrupt, or it's some weird format that is very rare. Try checking the CRC? --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 05:11, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Thanks, but what do you mean by "try checking the CRC"?

Assuming you downloaded the file, thus the other people can play it, then you can get a program to check its crc (such as quicksfv, see sfv), and see if it matches everyone else's copy. Or if you got it through a torrent, check with the torrent file. --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 05:40, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Check what video codec the file uses and whether you have the codec. I use AVIcodec for that check. Then google to see if there is a newer version of the codec. Weregerbil 08:08, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Or open the video up in VLC and go to View > Messages - usually if you Google the error messages you will be able to deduce the problem. x42bn6 Talk 14:31, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Try Media Player Classic and all the assosiated codecs which come with it. That plays *everything* for me :) JoshHolloway 18:08, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Ugh. I downloaded a codec pack with Media Player Classic, and MPC says it can't "render" the file. What does that mean? Any ideas or should I just give up. I did download it by torrent, and saw no complaints on the torrent comment page. 70.108.191.59 19:30, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Get Gspot to identify the codec it needs...i use that and it gives me info...it did for the Matroska pack... Ag for MemTech —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 200.12.231.42 (talk) 21:24, 23 April 2007 (UTC).

Jesus. This is the file from hell. I used the G-spot thing and it said that it knew neither the file nor the MIME type. 70.108.191.59 21:54, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

It's possible that the file is actually corrupt. This has happened to me in the past! Try downloading another copy of the file, or from another torrent tracker. JoshHolloway 22:31, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

You could try removing the file extension and then using VLC or MPC if that does not work try using one of those mass video file converters...Look on this website http://www.erightsoft.com/SUPER.html this has a converter for almost anything i've ever tried to use and it's free so just look into it.Have you tried opening it in Video Editing programs? Adobe Premiere, Sony Vegas, Windows Movie Maker? What about the option to look for the proper codec with the new Windows Media Player? 200.12.231.42 23:48, 23 April 2007 (UTC) Ag for MemTech

It's also possible the file is a fake. Are you sure people are talking about the file you have not some other file with the same name? Nil Einne 00:38, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

I think thats most likely. If GSpot cant divine its nature, its a fake. Shinhan 13:02, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

As crazy as this sounds, could it be compressed? I've downloaded files before only to learn that they were gzipped or zipped up but the original file extension remained. It was very weird, maybe a Firefox bug or but in the web application I downloaded it from. Root⁴(one)

Sync Byte

Why Sync Byte always posses 0x47 value? Why Sync Byte are inverted for every 8 packets?Barani pdy 18:27, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

I am assuming you are asking about digital television standards. The information in this document might be helpful, although it's a little outside my sphere of knowledge. --LarryMac 18:37, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

computer ideas

Hi, I'm about to build a computer.

Does anyone know of any lists of parts with the best bang for the buck? My limit is about 1200 dollars. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 128.61.127.37 (talk) 20:00, 23 April 2007 (UTC).

I don't know about the US, but in the UK Scan is good. It may also give you ideas if not pricing. JoshHolloway 22:27, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

It really depends on what you are doing with it, if you want to game then I just built a computer for about that much, but that's excluding a monitor and peripherals. If you build a system based on the intel CD2 e6600 processor, a gigabyte ds3p motherboard and a 8800GTS you'll have a great system and it should come in your budget. All you need extra is some ram, a hard disk, a power supply (550W will be good for that)and a case, doesn't matter what you get but I would recommend not to get the very cheapest, get the "next to the cheapest" and you'll be fine. Vespine 01:48, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

I'm building a PC a little over that budget (at 1600$), 8800GTS and such. Could easily cut it down a few hundred dollars by skimping on case, CPU, and RAM. Try newegg.com- best site i've seen -- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION! 06:44, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

For good prices try pricewatch and take a look out for an AMD CPU they are the best when it comes to bang for buck. --Lwarf 10:04, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

who made the first computer game

Who made the first computer game? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Mhalldorsson (talk • contribs) 20:44, 23 April 2007 (UTC).

What do you consider a computer game? -- mattb 20:54, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

Many very early computers were programmed to play games such as Nim and Tic-tac-toe. One of the very first video games on a computer was Spacewar. There is some background for all this, including some names, in our article History of computer and video games. --LarryMac 20:56, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

See also our article on the first video game. --h2g2bob 03:20, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

April 24

Anyone know about Adobe Photoshop Elements?

I use Adobe Photoshop Elements a lot. Just recently, it started having a problem. Whenever I try to open certain types of vector files in Elements, the program shuts down. This happens with .pdf] files and .ai files. However, .eps files open fine. And it doesn't even list any of my.svg files in the drop-down, so I don't know what happens for those. (Also, if I happen to have a pdf or ai saved to the clipboard, even if it just happens to be the last thing I saved there, Elements won't open at all — so I go to any website, right-click on a .gif or .jpg, and then with that now in the clipboard Elements opens fine.) Elements only just started doing this. Until a few days ago, all of these formats opened just fine. What could have happened? — Michael J 00:18, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

I guess no one knows. Thanks anyway. I'll check around other sources. — Michael J 11:26, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Check Adobe's Forums http://www.adobe.com/support/forums/ --24.249.108.133 23:23, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

windows vista and msn messenger

hi guys..basically my windows vista won't let me use my msn messenger...it won't let me sign in...it says there is a thing that potects the compute from progams running and i tried to deactivate it , but it says MSN can not function ith that sot of firewall deactivated...it HAS to have it... —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 75.69.194.105 (talk) 03:58, 24 April 2007 (UTC).

The MSN Service status seems to be OK, so it should be your computer not Microsoft. Make sure you've got the latest MSN messenger - that is Windows Live Messenger 8.1. Can you say what Firewall, Anti-virus, etc you are running? Are you connecting through a home bradband connection, or through your uni/school/work? --h2g2bob 13:21, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

This problem was caused by a compatibility problem between Windows Live Messenger 8.1 and Acer eDataSecurity. Acer eDataSecurity was created by Acer, Inc.. yeah i guess its my comp. :(

i think i have it solved, thnx :D

Smart Keystroke Recorder

I hope you can help me, I have no idea where else to ask about this.

I just became aware of a program called Smart Keystroke Recorder on my computer. Although I never noticed it before, it says it was created on my computer in January. After Googling it seems that this is a professional program used by people to record Internet activity and not a spyware program like I thought. Since I live alone, I know nobody went on my computer and installed it manually.

Can somebody remotely install a program like this on my computer? Is this someone trying to hack me or someone maliciously targetting me? Is there a way of finding out where the information is going to? (I already uninstalled it, but there seem to be files left over)

Please let me know, I'm very very concerned. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.118.254.142 (talk) 04:22, 24 April 2007 (UTC).

a) There are ways to install GUI programs remotely. b) It takes about 30 seconds of physical access to a computer to backdoor it.

You could attempt forensics (on a separate machine) and watch all inbound and outbound traffic with a packet analyzer (on a separate machine). After you are done analyzing, you need to fdisk and format that machine. Any executable on that machine is potentially backdoored, and needs to be reinstalled from clean media.172.131.17.62 04:45, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

DDR error simple explanation

Hi Wikipedia,

I was advised to send this question to you for a better result although i did get an answer from your miscellaneous desk. I just wanna know in a simple term what does DDR SDRAM at DIMM (s):1 error means. I sometimes got this error when I open my PC then I will restart again and click del tab and set up then when I go back to boot , everything went fine. Then again next day when I open the same error occurs-DDR SDRAM at DIMM (s):1Does this mean that I need to replace my memory? I cannot contact any manufacturer because my computer was set up by a Computer graduate and he cannot be found now. I spent over a thousand bucks for this computer. Please help. Thank you so much...!

Keilah Reyes 07:16, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Probably a simple stick change for the #1 slot will do. Splintercellguy 07:36, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

simple term please

Oh I'm so sorry, the more i do not understand your reply to my query about ddr sdram at dimm (s):1 error that says "Probably a simple stick change for the #1 slot will do" I do not know what stick ad slot are. Are you reffering about the set up? Please be patient with me as i really want to know what's that error means. Thank you so much and God bless.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Reference_desk/Computing" Keilah Reyes 07:46, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

The error is a general error, and a specific meaning can not really be given from what you have mentioned, it simply means some type of error is occurring. "Stick" is a term used for a Module of RAM/Memory. The RAM article has a picture showing this at the top. "Slot" is where the Module is placed inside your computer. Your best bet to have this fixed is to have someone test and maybe replace the Module for you (a friend with computer knowledge, or a local computer store). gorffy 10:01, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

(Question continues from #DDR error simple explanation, above) --h2g2bob 13:01, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Computer components can sometimes just wear out, but computer memory (RAM) is quite cheap, generally UK£50 or less depending on type. Is the error a bluescreen or some other error? DDR and SDRAM are specific types of RAM. --h2g2bob 13:13, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

computer

heys am plannining to buy a new computer in a weeks time.what are some things to check on to get a great computer.i want a pretty fast comp and all the latest softwares.do you know any free sites i can download any impressive softwares.any cool things i can pimp my comp on wud be of help. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 62.24.124.23 (talk) 09:42, 24 April 2007 (UTC).

Well, that's a pretty open ended question. What do you plan on using the computer for? What operating system are you going to be running? Windows Vista, Mac OS X, Linux? Help us out here. Dismas|^(talk) 10:17, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

If your looking for free software there is lots of good open source on the web for windows here's a quick list of stuff that might be useful:

• OpenOffice.org - Office Suit can read and save most MS office files and look at lot like Ms Office

• The GIMP - Free Image editor does most formats .bmp, .jpg, .gif

• Inkscape - Vector Image editor, looks a bit the GIMP

• Super Tux - A cool free game based on Super Mario, with Tux instead of Mario

If you are looking for anything else take a look on Free Byte it's got loads of free stuff. Good Luck. --Lwarf 10:18, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

If you want eye-candy there's Compiz or Beryl which are way cooler than Vista, only runs on Linux though. --antilived^{T | C | G} 11:21, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Like most things new and Linuxy, setting up Compiz or Beryl requires a bit of doing, and probably shouldn't be the first thing that a user tries. grendel|khan 17:01, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Actually, setting up Compiz on Feisty Fawn (Ubuntu 7.04) isn't much of a hassle. Just sudo apt-get install compiz-tray-icon, and it works out of the box a lot of the time -- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION! 02:06, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

If you're looking for something to show your computer off with (i.e. bragging), some Demoscene stuff might work. [3] and [4] are the main sources for those, and fr-041: debris is a pretty good recent one that's got plenty of eyecandy. -- Consumed Crustacean (talk) 20:38, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

PrefixSpan Algorithm

(I've posted this also in the mathematics reference desk... not sure if it's more appropriate here)

Hello, I have a question regarding the PrefixSpan algorithm. This algorithm can be consulted in the following paper "Mining Sequential Patterns by Pattern-Growth: The PrefixSpan Approach" by Jian Pei, Jiawei Han, Behzad Mortazavi-Asl, Helen Pinto.

My problem is with this sentence: "To avoid checking every possible combination of a potential candidate sequence, one can first fix the order of items within each element. Since items within an element of a sequence can be listed in any order, without loss of generality, one can assume that they are always listed alphabetically."

Furthermore in the definition of a prefix say that among other things a sequence A is only a prefix of B if each item of the last set of items of A is alphabetically before every missing item of the corresponding set of items in B. Then they go on how to define a suffix of a sequence given a prefix an then that a projection of a sequence database with regards to A is a the set of suffixes given A as prefix.

I don't understand how the assumption of alphabetical ordering does not result in loss of generality. For example given a database like:
a(abc)bd
a(ac)bdef

A frequent pattern with minimum support count 2 would be a(ac)bd (i.e. article a, followed by article a and c together then article b then article d. If we follow the lexicographical ordering within itemsets assumption we will fail to find this itemset since a(ac) is not a prefix of both sequences ? Or am I misreading something in the article.

Kind regards and thanks for your time.

62.48.159.19 10:19, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

networking

i have two networked computers in an office and both use windows XP, they can both access internet using the same switch but they cannot share printer how can i configure for the two to share the printer? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 212.49.91.100 (talk) 11:32, 24 April 2007 (UTC).

The first step is making sure you can ping one machine from the other. --TotoBaggins 16:47, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Also make sure they aren't running any software firewalls that might be interfering (XP SP2 comes with one enabled by default), if both PCs are behind a router, chances are you don't even need a software firewall. Cyraan 17:44, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Actually, many security folks recommend having both a hardware firewall and a software firewall. The firewall capabilities in most routers prevent inbound attacks, but if a PC is already running some piece of malware, a software firewall can help prevent unauthorized outbound traffic. See here for a more info.

For the original question, although the title of this article refers to a "home" network, it may be of some use in getting printer sharing to work. --LarryMac 18:33, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

catergorization

i cannot catergorize a page even though i used the guideline the link isn't the same as other pages with the same catergory. Kingspoon66 11:59, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

I assume you're referring to this? It needs to be in curly brackets ({{ }}), not square brackets ([[ ]]), and you misspelled 'category'. I've fixed it now. — Matt Eason ^{(Talk &#149; Contribs)} 12:49, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Erm, but it is supposed to be in square brackets. Mis-spelling category was all there was to it I think. --h2g2bob 12:56, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Sorry, my bad. Fixed. — Matt Eason ^{(Talk &#149; Contribs)} 13:19, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

np - both seemed to work, which is quite interesting. --h2g2bob 22:27, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

I've just had a play - using square brackets (the correct way) results in "Category: David Eddings characters", while curly brackets results in "Categories: Novels by David Eddings | Characters in written fantasy | Fictional characters by author". Turns out I was transcluding the category page (which contained references to other categories) into the article. D'oh! — Matt Eason ^{(Talk &#149; Contribs)} 12:34, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

JPEG Image Files & Animations

Can the JPEG image format be used for animation?

Alex Brannon Digital Imaging Student —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 72.159.166.49 (talk) 13:05, 24 April 2007 (UTC).

No. Gif files are for that

Well, yes, but MPEG files might be a bit more analagous to JPEGs.

Atlant 14:41, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

A GIF file (of the flavor GIF89A) can contain multiple images with associated control information, meaning an animation can be contained in one file. A JPEG file can only contain a single image. Of course, individual JPEG files can be used as frames with an animation; for example, see Motion JPEG. --LarryMac 14:57, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Information Systems

How can information systems building blocks serve as a framework during system development?

Tuks,

Thank you —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 198.54.202.218 (talk) 14:07, 24 April 2007 (UTC).

We don't do homework, sorry. It's for your own good. --TotoBaggins 16:51, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

iptables firewall

hell0 everybody

i've tech seminar on firewall and demonstration of it using iptables anyone please guide me ....how to install iptables on redhat and how to demonstrate

thank you very much —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 202.65.133.3 (talk) 14:42, 24 April 2007 (UTC).

It depends on what you want it to do. Here are some resources about setting up iptables on redhat: [5] [6] [7] grendel|khan 16:59, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

FirstClass On Linux

Hi I use Firstclass for windows but am making a personal move to Ubuntu I know that there are several versions of firstclass for linux First class for linuxwhich version should I use??? And what do I do when It comes to the installation process the company has been very unhelpful .....

Thank you in advance

--Nerdd 14:52, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Ubuntu is based on the Debian distribution, so you can usually grab the .deb file and go from there. Download this to your machine, and run "sudo dpkg -i fcc-8.315-2-Linux-i686.deb" on it. After that, you can probably run it from the "Network apps" menu, or just type "/opt/firstclass/fcc" in a shell. --TotoBaggins 17:09, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Thanks Where would I put in the adress for the mail server?

Nerdd —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 67.68.30.140 (talk) 23:09, 24 April 2007 (UTC).

Is DjVu an open format?

Our article doesn't say either way. Some Googling reveals that DJVuLibre has complete support for decoding, but only partial encoding support. Would it be accurate to say "Djvu is a commercial image format...", or should one say "DjVu is an open image format..."? grendel|khan 17:20, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Our article on DjVu does actually say that it's a free file format, in the first paragraph of the History section. It's pretty easy to miss though... Maybe it should be added towards the start of the article? --saxsux 20:34, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

Word Ques.

Is there a way for Word to automatically fill in forms? ex: [StreetAddress] fills in to 123 Sample St. 68.193.147.179 21:29, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Can you be more specific about the context? Are you looking to fill a bunch of table cells with the same text? Or is it some other application? Do you mean fill-in forms like the ones for mail merge etc? Anchoress 22:50, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

fill-in forms like the ones for mail merge 68.193.147.179 19:16, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Flipping text upsidedown in Microsoft Word

How do I do it? Thanks... Adambrowne666 22:44, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

In my version of Word (2000) it can't be flipped upside down, only 90 degrees in either direction. There are other ways of doing it though, if you don't get help from another editor. Anchoress 22:49, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Thanks, but that's all I can get it to do too, but I need it upside-down Adambrowne666 23:52, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Set the text as Word-Art?

Atlant 23:54, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Perhaps try and put the text in a text box and try and flip that? Or WordArt it or stick it in Paint and flip or something. x42bn6 Talk 23:58, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

I wanted the text to be just normal times new roman, not one of the fancy word art fonts. I tried putting it in a text box, but the flip option isn't applicable to it.Adambrowne666 00:58, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Someone sent me this link [[8]] - probably the best way to go about it, but horribly fiddly and inexact, the results are only visible in print view, and what's on screen varies from what prints out... Argh. Adambrowne666 03:58, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Wow, that's a great site. But I think one of those applications should work well for you, depending on how you want to use it; the one where they suggest changing the paper direction to landscape and then using the flip function. Would that not work for you? It doesn't seem too fiddly. Anchoress 04:05, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

thanks for the answers, everyone. Anchoress, I feel like an idiot, but I can't find the bit where they suggest changing to landscape etc. (PS, a friend sent me this site too: http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/ingrimayne/upside-down/) —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Adambrowne666 (talk • contribs) 11:03, 25 April 2007 (UTC).

Power consumption.

If a graphics card lists a 400 watt PSU as one of its system requirements, would I be correct in assuming that the graphics card could eat up to 400 watts? I'll be running three fans (2x 12cm + 1x 8cm, not counting the ones in the PSU and on the CPU), two to four hard drives and a PCI soundcard (not integrated) in addition to my 8800GTS -- too much for a 430 watt PSU to handle? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Froglars the frog (talk • contribs) 23:37, 24 April 2007 (UTC).

No it just mean you need a 400W+ PSU for your whole computer. Depends on the PSU quality, it should be able to, but be aware that a lot of the no brand ones aren't what they say: 500W may as well mean <300 watts in some cases. --antilived^{T | C | G} 01:15, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

And you need to be certain of more than that, namely the amperage that it can deliver on the +12V power rail. From [9], "NVIDIA recommends a minimum of a 400 watt power supply to operate a GeForce 8800 GTS, with at least 26 amps on the +12v power rail.". -- Consumed Crustacean (talk) 02:07, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

April 25

Internet in Qatar

Would a site like [10] be aviliable in Qatar. (I read about internet there, but not sure about a site.) 24.10.79.27 00:53, 25 April 2007 (UTC) (User:Teak the Kiwi on IP)

Unless Qatar uses a big national firewall like china, yes it would. ST47Talk 01:40, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

And funny enough, it does (Image:Qtelblock.gif). -- Consumed Crustacean (talk) 01:52, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

At least they openly admit they block them... All you see is "host unreachable" or similar error messages behind the Great Firewall. --antilived^{T | C | G} 01:56, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Second (its me again), I have a friend in the USAF, would they use that (USAF connection) or internet qatar? 24.10.79.27 02:01, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Most likely they wouldn't be bound to the state's internet, but why don't you just have you friend check? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Feba (talk • contribs) 06:39, 25 April 2007 (UTC).

The thing is he isn't on base right now and he's not in Qatar (he is just using normal US internet) Also, my friend and I really don't think the military would care about something like cybernations. Teak the Kiwi 13:39, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Mbps settings

I want to use a Wi-Fi service but my Mbps for my network is too high and I want to change it to 1 or 2. How can I do this? Thanks —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.189.57.235 (talk) 01:44, 25 April 2007 (UTC).

You don't need to, a huge pipe can still pass 1 litre per minute, but a small pipe cannot pass 100 litres per second. --antilived^{T | C | G} 01:53, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Im trying to limit it so I can make it enough amount for my Nintendo DS to procees for Wi-Fi. Right now my Mpbs is 54.0 and I was told to change my Mpbs to either 1 or 2 or 1-2 or something but I dont know how to change the settings can someone PLEASE explain to me how? The router is built-in the laptop not wireless

Why would you need to change? Am I missing something? Splintercellguy 02:55, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Well this is what was said at nintendowifi.com: "The Nintendo DS has a transmission rate of 1 to 2 mbps (megabits per second). Most routers transmit at a much higher rate, but are able to adjust for devices that transmit at a slower rate. Your router may have this as a setting that might need to be adjusted.

Look through your router settings for anything that indicates transmission rates. If the router is set to accept high transmission rates only, this will need to be changed to accept all, or for some routers, changed to specifically accept the 1 to 2 mbps range."

I just want to know exactly where do I go to adjust the settings to a suitable transmission rate.Where do I find the router settings? The router is BUILT IN the laptop by the way. Do I have to go to the Control Panel or something?Thanks

I don't think "the router is built-in the laptop". You would probably access the web configuration page for the router. I'm pretty sure this isn't applicable to you. Splintercellguy 04:25, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Word 2004 sporadic crashes

I use Word 2004 at work, and for whatever reason, it will crash on me every so often. The only pattern there seems to be to it is that it usually crashes when I try to save or print, but it's random as to when it crashes. Sometimes it'll work happily for days at a time without crashing, other times it'll crash multiple times in one day.

I'm using an iMac G5 1.6Ghz with 512MiB of RAM running Mac OS X Tiger (either 10.4.8 or 10.4.9, I think). Can anyone explain why Word keeps crashing on me? --Lumina83 02:16, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Well, it's made by Microsoft, isn't it? More seriously, there are a lot of patches for the Microsoft Office, whether on a PC or a Mac. Are you patched up-to-date? (It's relatively easy and painless to have Office automagically update itself from time-to-time.)

Atlant 12:17, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

I think so; it's version 11.3, if that's what you mean. --Lumina83 12:30, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Microsoft current offers a patch to bring Office/Mac to 11.3.4 here. I'm not sure what version of Word that creates, but it sounds like you might benefit from updating. (You'll probably need earlier updates as well, but they're linked from that page.)

Atlant 15:17, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

I just checked: Word, allegedly patched up to date on my PowerBook, says it's 11.3, build 070131.

Atlant 22:36, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

That's exactly what mine says. Version 11.3, build 070131. --Lumina83 10:05, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

Then I can't be of any further help to you; sorry! If you can pin down one or two actions that seem to provoke the crashes, you could always try Microsoft's support groups. You might also want to see if the problem is known in the PC versions of Word; one of the interesting things that occurred when Microsoft started building Mac/Word and PC/Word from the same(ish) code base is that they started sharing bugs in common. I used to have a (big) document that had a lot of the same problems whether edited on a Mac or a PC.

Atlant 12:19, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

What computer should I buy?

My current computer is frustratingly slow, and I want to get another one eventually. I'm looking to use either Ubuntu or Mac OS X, as Windows Vista doesn't appeal all that much to me.

I mainly use the computer for web browsing & email, playing music, viewing pictures & videos, and playing the odd freeware/old DOS game. Also, I mainly prefer to use freeware and/or open source software.

I don't want to buy a computer that's overkill for my needs, but I also don't want a computer that'll be slow and laggy like my current one is. Any recommendations? --Lumina83 02:16, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Probably a Sempron and 512MiB ram would do, plus a motherboard with builtin 6100/6150 graphics or the ATI ones (duno about drivers though), and that should do the job well. --antilived^{T | C | G} 03:15, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Would a Sempron be fast enough? The Sempron article states it's only comparable to a Celeron D, and my current system is already a 2.66GHz Celeron D--although it only has 192MiB of RAM after the integrated video takes its 64MiB share. --Lumina83 04:29, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

I have a Sepmron 3100+ (got it when it first came out, 2 and a half year ago) overclocked to 2.3Ghz, NF3 motherboard, 1.5gigs of ram and a 6600GT. And I still can play any game out there with at least medium quality on at least 1024×768, run Beryl (beware of the black window bug though) on Ubuntu and I'm very satisfied with it. As long as you don't do 3D rendering or transcoding video all the time you should be fine. --antilived^{T | C | G} 04:37, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

If you're going to use ubuntu and don't want to go through driver hell, don't use an ATI graphics card. ST47Talk 04:10, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

I recommend making your own computer from parts (newegg.com is the cheapest and most reliable source i've found), as it is much cheaper, and allows you to have much more control. From the sounds of it, you don't need much, so you should be able to go fairly cheap. The laginess from your current computer sounds like it's to do with multitasking, so go with 512MB of RAM and a multicore processor, such as the Core2Duo. a 1.8GHz C2D is probably suitable for your needs. You probably don't even need a graphics card unless you want to mess around with Compiz and Beryl (the former is very much worth it, the latter i've heard good things about), so go with something low end, like a GeForce 5200. As the person above me said, never buy an ATI gpu for Ubuntu, or linux in general. Their driver support WILL make you cry. If you need help, check the contacts info on my user page, i'll be happy to chat about it with yah -- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION! 06:37, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Unfortunately, Newegg's no good for me, as I live in Australia and they don't ship internationally. I don't think I'd have enough know-how to build my own computer, anyway.

I was thinking of just installing Xubuntu on my existing machine, but the two things stopping me are the ATI graphics chip and the wireless card (Acer IPN2220 or something like that, it's only supported in Ubuntu via ndiswrapper and doesn't work out-of-the-box. --Lumina83 08:25, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Other than a slight increase in RAM, I do not see why a 2.66GHz Celeron D wouldn't be plenty sufficient for the uses you listed. Maybe you need to format and reinstall the operating system. Often times Windows will get bogged down by numerous background processes and such and run slow. So rather than spending money on buying a new computer, try formatting the hard drive and reinstalling Windows (along with all the other programs you use on a daily basis).--152.23.204.76 13:46, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Is your computer slow because it has relatively slow CPU and RAM, or is it just that your hard drive needs a reformatting. --Russoc4 14:22, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

You need to add some more ram and keep everything else the same. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 204.63.35.15 (talk) 18:57, 25 April 2007 (UTC).

A small note: ATI and Linux are happy again. I finally got everything working and open source on my 4 year old Radeon 9200! Something to do with AMD being so desperate. --Zeizmic 13:23, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

Innertube on cbs.com

Whenever I try to watch any of the CBS videos at http://www.cbs.com/innertube/, nothing comes up. My PC won't play the videos, and in fact, my DSL modem drops my Internet connection and I have to cycle my modem and turn off my PC in order to get my connection back. I'm running IE 7 on an NVIDIA HP 19 inch GeForce 6150 LE. I'm running Windows XP on a Compaq Presario AMD Athlon 64 3800+, 986 MHZ. Corvus cornix 03:31, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Compaitibility of Sports Car GT with Windows XP?

SCGT seems to run into issues every time I try to start it. To start, can anyone confirm that it is compatible with XP? Guroadrunner 06:37, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Have you tried right clicking, going into properties, and running it in WinXX Compatibility mode? -- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION! 06:38, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

DDR SDRAM at DIMM (s):1error continues

Hi again. This is regarding your question ". Is the error a bluescreen or some other error? DDR and SDRAM are specific types of RAM. --h2g2bob 13:13, 24 I do not know the color. What appears on the screen is generally white letter print in black and white monitor. When i see that i immediately reset computer, click del tab and set up. I also try fixing the thick belt like that connects the parts inside my computer and some wiring then goes perfect. Windows XP will appear. I just hate to see DDR SDRAM at DIMM(s):1 that sometimes appear. It makes me freak out because i do not know if i will replace my memory or bear with it. You know i can't call technician or whosoever beacuse of my long hours in work and I am just living alone. Reason why i depend on you answer guys so i will not be fooled by any computer knowledge person. Follow up question: Can i use the memory in my compaq Pc to replace my athlon PC? Thanks guys! Keilah Reyes 07:26, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

The error probably occurs during POST. If the mobo in the Athlon can handle the memory from the Compaq, then sure. Splintercellguy 21:32, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

My computer can't reach Google

Distress call! Suddenly yesterday, my Windows XP computer could no longer reach Google. It doesn't even get ping responses, but I can reach the map and news sites and similar. The hosts file seems to be in good shape, the firewall is deactivated and my other computer has no problems. I am most grateful for ideas. —Bromskloss 08:04, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

I'd suggest a few pretty basic/obvious things that I always forget about when this stuff happens ;). First off, clear cookies and cache in your Web Browser. Next, try clearing XP's local DNS Cache by going to Start > Run. Type "cmd" into the box and click okay. At the command line that open type "ipconfig /flushdns" (without the quotes). You may want to give your computer a scan for malware which may be interfering with this (not common but I've seen it happen). gorffy 18:26, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

You should try to isolate the problem. The first step I would take is to check the DNS service. Can you resolve the hostname www.google.com to an ip address? You can use ping to check that. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 84.187.49.35 (talk) 16:09, 26 April 2007 (UTC).

A program to "undirectorize"

Is there some kind of program (for Windows, Im not asking for some exotic bash scripts) that can move all files from subfolders to its folder. Example:

Books
 Book001
  Book001.opf
  Book001.prc
  Book001.nfo
 Book002
  Book002.opf
  Book002.prc
  Book002.nfo

I would like to move all .opf, .prc and .nfo files to the "Books" directory. Actually, I need only .prc files but anything better than manually visiting each folder to grab its .prc file would be nice. Of course, Books directory usually has a lot of subdirectories.

Shinhan 11:12, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

I don't expect there to be a ready-made program that does precisely this – that is what bash scripts are for. However, you could do a search (with the built-in Windows tool) for the files you want so as to get them on a single list, then just drag and drop them where you want. —Bromskloss 11:45, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

D'oh. I could've just searched for *.prc inside the "Books" directory. Thanks for reminding me :) Shinhan 13:17, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Yes... and what would happen if your search comes up with several files of the same name. That's all cool when they're in separate folders, but putting them in the same folder would cause problems. I hope the search solution worked for you though. Rfwoolf 13:18, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia largest reference in what languages

Wikipedia is the largest singular work in the English language, as well as in Esperanto. Does anyone know what other languages it could hold this title? A reporter is wanting this info for their article. -- Zanimum 13:27, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

While probably not directly answering your question, WP:STATS may be helpful. -- Atlant 16:35, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Thanks, but I do need comparison to the largest works other than the 'pedia. -- Zanimum 18:25, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Sizes of all Wikipedias are at meta: - see meta:List of Wikipedias. --h2g2bob 04:25, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

Again, thanks, but I was hoping for comparisons of "The largest Swedish reference publication is X, which is still twice as large as sw.wikipedia". -- Zanimum 13:30, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

map

Is there a program similar to Google Maps that can enable me to print a map showing a route through various cities?Ipmin 18:04, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

By program I'm taking it that you mean a stand-alone computer program and not other websites, if so there are lots of the around and the granddaddy of them all is Microsoft Streets & Trips otherwise known as AutoRoute if you're on the European side of the Atlantic. - X201 18:10, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Sorry, I did mean online things.Ipmin 18:11, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

With Google Maps, once you have asked for directions from Point A to Point B, there is also an "Add Destination" link which will allow you to add additional places. You can even drag and drop the destinations into any order you want. For example, you can get directions from New York to Miami, and then add Chicago in the middle if you want. Or am I missing something in your question? --LarryMac 18:16, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

No, that answers it. Thank you.Ipmin 18:26, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Boot computer

When I boot my computer, programs come up, how do I stop this from happening? 68.193.147.179 19:14, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

What programs? You can stop some programs from starting by clicking Start, going to All Programs > Startup, right-clicking the program's shortcut and deleting it. I have a feeling some programs can be set to start up in the registry too - if you let us know which program you want to stop, we can probably be more specific. — Matt Eason ^{(Talk &#149; Contribs)} 19:52, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

For that matter, what operating system? If it's Windows, click Start->Run-> and type 'msconfig' and hit enter, that's an easy to use tool to control startup. - CHAIRBOY (☎) 19:56, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Beat me to it! JoshHolloway 20:06, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

But beware of what programs you stop, some may be neccessary, and stopping some may be dangerous (eg: anti-virus), - Akamad 21:56, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Look at the program's options and tell it not to start. If it doesn't give you an option, uninstall it using Add/Remove programs (as it's obviously worthless). You can also use MSConfig to select what starts up. Be careful - do not disable your firewall or antivirus. --h2g2bob 04:19, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

Saving Liferay passwords.

I'm setting up a Liferay site. My browser refuses to save passwords for it; I can see the passwords in the Firefox preferences dialog, and it remembers the usernames I've entered (I get a drop-down when I click the username field), but it won't fill the password field. I recently went from Liferay 4.1 to 4.2.1, if that makes a difference. grendel|khan 19:20, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Shadow Effect

How do you add a shadow effect to screenshots? 68.193.147.179 20:29, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Our drop shadow article has links to tutorials. --TotoBaggins 22:02, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Paid screen shot software

What is a popular and high resolution paid screen shot software? -68.193.147.179 20:32, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

A resolution of a screenshot is always going to be at the same resolution as your active display. I use Gadwin Printscreen. x42bn6 Talk 20:33, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

If you're not in need of paid software, there's always Print Screen/Paint ;). Splintercellguy 21:28, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

You can just press the Print Screen button normally :-) For DirectX stuff like computer games, Hypersnaps DX does a good job )both free and paid-for versions). For movies, VLC takes snapshots quite well. --h2g2bob 04:08, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

Reading on from your question above, it sounds like you need Photoshop, GIMP or something similar. --h2g2bob 04:11, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

IrfanView works great, too. Cacycle 17:37, 28 April 2007 (UTC)

Best resolution

How do you get an image into the best resolution? -68.193.147.179 20:34, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

What does that mean? Use whatever resolution is best for the job... -- Consumed Crustacean (talk) 21:56, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Maybe he means for all computer screens? Aaron Bowen 23:43, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Using SVG (or any other vector graphics) allows you to draw pictures and scale them to any size without pixelation. Other than that, please can you give some context to your question. --h2g2bob 04:04, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

You typically want to set it to 100% zoom level. You definitely don't want less than 100%, but there are cases where you would want more. If your screen is at it's resolution limit (say it's set to 1600x1200 pixels), you might want to go with 200% zoom, especially if your pic is small. You could also go with 300%, 400%, etc., but always stick with a multiple of 100%. If you have a program which can do pixel interpolation, then go with the highest zoom level you can get. StuRat 23:14, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

April 26

Javascript onclick assignment

I'm having some difficulty with something I wrote (PHP is more my thing than Javascript). This script works in Firefox, but not IE or Opera:

function ActionCallback() {
	for (image in imagearray['images']) {
		document.getElementById(checkid_prefix + imagearray['images'][image]['filename']).onclick = function() {
		window.alert('Hi');};
		document.getElementById(radioid_prefix + imagearray['images'][image]['filename']).onclick = function() {
		window.alert('Bye');};
		}
	return true;
	}

Does anyone else see the problem? I've been playing around with IE's script debugger, and it's been driving me crazy (Not nearly as good as Firebug). - RedWordSmith 03:05, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

for ... in ... is new for JavaScript 1.7.[11] Anyone know what version MSIE supports? --h2g2bob

According to the JScript article, JScript 5.7 (released with IE7) approximately corresponds with JavaScript 1.5. — Matt Eason ^{(Talk &#149; Contribs)} 11:47, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

Aah, but according to MSDN for...in has been supported since JScript 5.0 (IE5). — Matt Eason ^{(Talk &#149; Contribs)} 11:57, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

I'm sure for... in has been supported for quite some time, just not in that form in the Mozilla article. I'm sure

for(prop in document) { document.write(prop+"<br />"); }

works in Internet Explorer 5 and Firefox 1.5, for example. It might be that for... in in this case is also iterating over all the properties of the array (such as length), meaning imagearray['images'][image] will return undefined which will break .getElementById(). I think, anyway. x42bn6 Talk 22:28, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

wierd yellow box that now appears on every wikipedia page

today i have logged on to wikipedia, and every page i go on has a little wierd yellow box saying "early registration for wikimania 2007 is open. the call for particopation is open until april 30." what does this mean?--Lerdthenerd 07:56, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

Wikimania is the wikimedia conference held each year, and the yellow box is just a notice. It shows on every page, for everyone. You can learn about WikiMania here: http://wikimania2007.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page gorffy 08:13, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

thanks Gorffy--Lerdthenerd 08:15, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

The Dismiss to the right of it will make it go away - X201 10:40, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

Help check over my UNIX shell script?

I'm about to submit my first. The script concerns rotation of log files: a log file will be archived with a suffix of '.1', and increase as more log files are archived until a fixed number of log files are accumulated, at which point the oldest file is pruned. Could anyone critique it and tell me if there is anything wrong with it?

http://freewebs.com/lvlarx/rotator.txt

Thanks. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Lvlarx (talk • contribs) 12:18, 26 April 2007 (UTC).

Computer temperature

Hello, I have hardware doctor and it says that my SYS temp is 51 degrees Celcius and my cpu temp is 45 degres celcius. Is this normal temperature? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Drexalot (talk • contribs) 12:34, 26 April 2007 (UTC).

That's within the normal range ; if anything it's rather cold. Brrr :) -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 12:41, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

Why would you want it that cold? Can't even cook breakfast on that! 213.48.15.234 13:21, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

As your CPU is within the system and procuding a lot of heat it can hardly be cooler than its surroundings. Something in your numbers is messed up. They are either wrong, or there is some significant heat source right next to your SYS sensor.

It's celsius, so I doubt it's hotter than that in the room. Recury 17:42, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

I think they're saying the inside of the case is hotter than the cpu -- but the cpu is a big hot thing in the middle of the case so should not be cooler. I suspect the numbers are swapped over, which would be quite normal temperatures. Cpu can go up to 60-70 before you need to worry, I think. --h2g2bob 20:26, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

Program to print a conversation-view summary of an email folder

The work I do sometimes involves the forensic analysis of large collections of third-party emails (back-and-forth exchanges). In order to gain an overview of the conversations (which sometimes reach positively Byzantine degrees of complexity) I'd like to be able to print a summary of a mail folder, with threads indented. While most current mail clients will display a folder in threaded-view, I don't know of any that will print the folder window (the top-right pane in Firefox, for example). There seems to be no way in Firefox, Evolution, or Outlook 2003 for this to be printed (bar some naff printscreenery).

I've considered doing something like trying to wedge the email archive into something like GNU Mailman (producing nice output like [12]) but that seems like overkill (and will be rather too hard for the nontechnical users I'm trying to help).

Does anyone know of a program or email-client-extension that can do this. XP or Linux would be fine, and while mbox, maildir, live IMAP, and .pst archives are all desirable, I'll take what I can get. Thanks. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 12:39, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

/boot-equivalent for Microsoft Windows?

The BIOS of a computer does not recognize an external drive. Linux on the external drive can be booted by copying its /boot to an internal drive. What is the equivalent method for Microsoft Windows? --Masatran 12:48, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

Booting XP is done by NTLDR, which reads boot.ini. NTLDR is really only intended for booting MS OSes, but googling for "NTLDR boot linux" finds lots of tutorials. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 13:03, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

Clarification: I need to boot Microsoft Windows located on the external drive, by copying some small utility to the internal drive. How can I use NTLDR for this purpose? --Masatran 14:20, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

That seems to be the purpose of this tutorial, where the GRUB configuration determines which drive it finally boots to. But I've never tried it, and reading the tutorial rather makes me not want to. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 14:46, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

Computer display transfer

Skipping the long details, let's say I'm trying to run a display from a desktop or laptop into a projector and sound system. How should I go about doing this? Price isn't an issue. Thanks.--the ninth bright shiner ^talk 15:05, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

Until recently, most computers put out a VGA output using a very standardised connector and essentially all video projectors accept input using the same connector. Fancier setups interpose an amplifier/signal splitter box so your computer can drive both a CRT monitor and the projector, but you don't need this if you're using your laptop; just put the laptop into "mirror" mode where the laptop display shows the same thing as the projector.

More-modern computers have different video ports such as a DVI port. Most of these can still output "VGA" video through a very inexpensive adapter. Some modern projectors may also accept DVI directly.

Sound is equally easy; get a cable that has an 1/8" stereo miniplug on one end and the appropriate connectors for your sound system (often, RCA connectors) at the other end. The miniplug plugs into your PC's "headphone" jack.

If the sound system and projector are far away, you still may need an amplifier near your PC; such gadgets are available from computer shoppes. Sometimes, the sound system will experience a buzzing due to the existence of a ground loop. If you have a laptop and your presentation isn't too long, try unplugging your laptop from its power supply (so it runs just on its battery). Otherwise, you'll need some audio isolation transformers.

Atlant 15:58, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

As Atlant said, any projector system made in the last 10 years or so should have both a VGA in port and a stereo "headphone" jack. Usually you don't need an adapter for the sound at all; for video it depends on your laptop (many have VGA ports, some have mini-VGA or DVI ports which require $20 adapters, see your computer retailer for those). --24.147.86.187 22:38, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

An alternative way to do the sound is through the S/PDIF port if you have one. This has better quality and only uses RCA cords, and is worth doing if you have a compatible amplifier. Hope this helps

Mix Lord 00:29, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

Recently I've had the join to interface a newish laptop (no VGA, only DVI port) and projector (also no VGA only DVI port) using VGA extension cord. Which meant using two DVI/VGA converters. Since those are pretty small be sure not to forget one when you need it... To connect computer with sound system you will need still more converters, like Atlant said, maybe even RCA to XLR converterters. (The wireless microphone I'm working with requires 3 converters to plug into the mixer) Shinhan 12:23, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

Shinhan, if you'll forgive me, I've added a Wikilink to your reply.

Atlant 15:44, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

The Ugly Bug Called

I have Smitfraud-C.toolbar888 in my PC and wonder if it is possible to get rid of it. I have tried several commercial 'solutions' (that weren't!) Specifically I would like advice from someone who has experienced the problem and cleared it - permanently - if that's possible. Richard Avery 16:19, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

(http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=9190) is a site that has someone with the same problem. I don't have experience of the bug, but hopefully the link will help. ny156uk 16:36, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

Hey, ny156uk, that site looks very encouraging. You could be my friend for life. Very many thanks for your suggestion. Richard Avery 18:19, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

It's the forum for Spybot Search & Destroy, a very well respected scanner for nasties that get onto your computer. Very much worth a download if they still do a free version. --h2g2bob 20:20, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

Yes, thanks for your suggestion, unfortunately I have tried this one and though they (Spybot) seem to think it will clear Smitfraud it certainly didn't in my case, although it did clear a couple of other critters that my usual anti-spyware hadn't picked up - so it wasn't a wasted exercise. Thanks h2g2bob for your time and thought.Richard Avery 21:20, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

Usually the best way to kill viruses is Hijack this in safe mode, but if you don't feel comfortable messing with your registry and potentially having to reinstall windows, I don't recommend it. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Feba (talk • contribs) 22:06, 26 April 2007 (UTC).

Often, when something like Spybot detects a baddie and tries to remove it, but fails, it was because the baddie was running at the time so could recreate the deleted files and registry entries. Before running Spybot, you first need to use your Task Manager to kill every process that isn't needed to run Spybot. Hopefully Spybot will then succeed. StuRat 23:06, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

Safe Mode job would work too. Splintercellguy 02:03, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

What I love to d-o is from time to time go into the "Addons" in internet explorer and simply disable the ones I don't trust - this doesn't uninstall them, it just disables them. In Internet Explorer 7, click Tools -> Manage Addons -> Enable or Disable Addons... and go through the list disabling the ones you don't want. It is also worth mentioning that sometimes the professional remover programs need you to be in safe mode to work completely. Good luck Rfwoolf 13:14, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

changing keyboard layout

I downloaded a program called Keyboard Remapper to change four keys in Windows. Every program I've used so far reads these the way I want them to, except some Flash games which now refuse to read those keys as either the changed or original values. Is there a way to fix this? 172.144.83.53 21:36, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

Sounds like the flash games are reading the actual keys and not their values (i.e. looking for "the first letter key" rather than "the q key", which can be remapped). I doubt there is anything you can do except complain to the game designer that that's a poor way to do things, one which doesn't appreciate the user's intentions. --24.147.86.187 22:40, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

need help to understand.

hi can you give a solution to these questions now?

In a WDM network a lightpath connects a source-destination node pair. We consider the situation where wavelength conversion at intermediate nodes is not possible. Suppose p paths given by source-destination pairs (s1; d1); (s2; d2); : : : ; (sp; dp) are to be established. The load of a link (¯ber) is the number of lightpaths passing through that link. The routing algorithm for which the maximum load on a link is minimum (over all possible routings) is called the minimum load routing algorithm. The minimum load routing algorithm establishes the lightpaths between the source-destination pairs. Suppose that the maximum number of lightpaths passing through any one link, under minimum load routing is k. Once the lightpaths are established using a routing algorithm, wavelengths have to be assigned to them in such a way that two lightpaths passing through the same link must have two distinct wavelengths. One objective of the wavelength assignment is to minimize the number of wavelengths used. Suppose that the minimum number of wavelengths necessary for the assignment to the lightpaths established by minimum load routing is ¸ml. Suppose that the optimum number of wavelengths necessary to establish the lightpaths between the node set (s1; d1); (s2; d2)……… (sp; dp) is ¸opt. How large the difference between ¸ml and ¸opt can grow ?

Routing and Wavelength Assignment (RWA) is one of the most important problems in an Optical Network. Often times, the problem is solved in two stages. In the first stage, routes between various source-destination pairs are established and in the second stage wavelengths are assigned to routes in such a way that the number of wavelengths used is minimized. The wave length assignment must satisfy the constraint that no two paths that share a link (optical fiber) have the same wavelength. Solving the problem in this way often leads to a sub-optimal

solution. Develop an algorithm/method/technique (including integer linear programming) to

find the optimal solution of the RWA problem. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Quinn6 (talk • contribs) 21:47, 26 April 2007 (UTC).

Start out with wavelength-division multiplexing, or even better, read your class materials. We don't answer homework questions, and I doubt even the most generous reference desk contributor is going to solve moderately difficult lightwave network problems for you. -- mattb 22:32, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

a place do download colors schemes for windows XP

There is a website where i can download colours schemes for windows xp (I am not talking about themes, just colours schemes).
PS: I want colours schemes that don't need more programs to run. Exdeathbr 23:20, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

By themes I guess you mean things like WindowsBlinds but without the programs. Microsoft has some things here: [13]. But for Windows Classic, I'm not quite sure where they are. x42bn6 Talk 23:37, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

I was talking about this: http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/4272/imageuo2.jpg , there is a way to change this with non-microsoft programs (you have more options with them) and there is the normal way that you just download a new colour scheme and put in the right folder and you can choose this colour scheme on the list of colour schemes list. My question is where i can find a site that I can download new colour schemes on the second way (that don't need external programs) Exdeathbr 03:20, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

Ubuntu 7.04 on a Macbook Pro

I'm trying to run Ubuntu 7.04 on my Macbook Pro. Once it boots, it works fine. Getting it to boot is the problem. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. I tried holding down both the c and option keys, and Ubuntu boots about 1 out of 6 times I try it. Any suggestions? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 71.195.124.101 (talk) 23:47, 26 April 2007 (UTC).

What happens the other 5 out of 6 times? --24.147.86.187 00:48, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

The CD ejects then OS X starts up. Please help people! I'd really appreciate it!--71.195.124.101 01:10, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

But you can still boot the liveCD 1 out of 6 times right? So then what is the problem? --antilived^{T | C | G} 10:39, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

April 27

Viewing deleted page content in a PDF file

Acrobat Professional tells me (through the Examine Document function) that a PDF file contains "deleted hidden page or image content." How can I undelete or view this deleted content? NeonMerlin 00:11, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

Creating an exception to the Windows Firewall for Mac/PC networking

I'm currently using a desktop Windows XP Home Edition, SP2, and an Apple MacBook at home. They're connected with a basic wireless router. I was easily able to configure the PC to connect to the Macintosh and access its files, but I have a harder time getting the Mac to find the PC. The only way I've been able to achieve it thus far is by disabling the Windows Firewall. Is there any way to configure an exception to the firewall to allow my Mac to easily access the PC's files? Thanks! --McMillin24 _contribs^talk 03:15, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

Sticky Excel/Access 2000 problem regarding importing DB with URLs hidden with anchor text

If anyone can either answer my question or direct me to where to get more info, I'd be most appreciative.

I have a large flat file database in Excel2000 which includes a bunch (2000 or so) hyperlinks with anchor text. I'd like to upload the whole thing into Access2000 but it turns the hyperlinks into plain text (showing the anchor text, not the web addresses), and changing the field type from text to hyperlink isn't available in the import.

So... I'd like to figure out a way to do this. The way that seems most obvious is to remove the anchor text in the excel file so that I can upload as html, but I'm open to other solutions. So, how do I remove the anchor text to reveal the URLs? Or how do I do this another way? Thanks in advance. Anchoress 03:20, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

My untested guess is that it would be easiest to write a little VBScript that will go through and separate the links into two columns, one of links and the other of anchor text. Now unfortunately I don't know anything about using hyperlinks in VBScript and imagine that will take a little hunting around to get right — potentially in the Hyperlinks collection but I don't really know. I see a lot on a quick Google search on adding hyperlinks but imagine there must also be ways of accessing their properties as well. Then it's just a matter of iterating through the recordset and putting the links into a new column or something along those lines, which will take a minute or two but should work fine. --24.147.86.187 03:45, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

If your input file is a comma-separated values file like this:

 thing1,thing2,<a href="http://some/url">some anchor text</a>,thing3

then a bit of Perl like this:

 perl -pe 's#<a href="([^"]+)">([^<]+)</a>#$1,$2#' < input.csv > output.csv

will turn your rows into this:

 thing1,thing2,http://some/url,some anchor text,thing3

--TotoBaggins 04:02, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for the answers you guys, but it's not as simple as that. The data was copied from web pages as anchor-texted hyperlinks, so there's not two sets of data to separate in the .xls file; the actual typed contents of the cells is the anchor text. It's going to have to be something to do with a dynamic paste or something, I have no idea. I've fiddled with a bunch of paste specials, and looked through the installed formulas, but I don't know. Anchoress 05:15, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

Saving (or exporting) the spreadsheet as a .csv file will presumably turn the hyperlinks into their natural <a href="..."> state, and you could then do the text manipulation above. I don't have Excel, so I'm somewhat out of my element, but it can't be so daft as to just discard the URLs when exporting. One hopes. --TotoBaggins 05:23, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

No, it didn't, unfortunately. It just exported the anchor text. I was able to paste the plain URL as a hyperlink to another cell after copying, with a particular paste function, but it only worked with one cell, not a range. Anchoress 05:36, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

Here is some VBScript that will cycle through all hyperlinks in the file and display their name and link. I wouldn't run it on a large file, but it should give you (or others) and idea of how to go about extracting the link information.

For Each h In Worksheets(1).Hyperlinks
 MsgBox h.Name
 MsgBox h.Address
Next h

I'd do more but I'm on the run... --24.147.86.187 12:23, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

Here's a link to a similar request. --TotoBaggins 12:37, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

Have you tried the "Replace all" function - but I understand that it won't help you with the part of the URL code that you want to replace that changes with each one - instead you'd need something more dynamic to do that - where it could say "Delete everything after the '>'". Check the link above from TotoBaggins which seems to take care of what you're looking for. I'd be able to help you otherwise by writing up some code, but I battle a bit with VB - so worst case come back here and I'll write it for you. Rfwoolf 13:10, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

That won't work, it doesn't store them as HTML code it stores them as Hyperlink data objects. --140.247.240.159 16:45, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

Here's another solution: I think that Access allows a hyperlink data type, no? It might only be in later versions than 2000.... --140.247.240.159 16:45, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

Running a website anonymously

I want to make an adult website, but don't want anyone to be able to trace it back to me. Is there any way to get a website without giving out my name, credit card numbers, or phone numbers? I wouldn't want to necessarily make a profit, and I wouldn't want one of those "payment required in order to view the site". Banner ad support is okay because I need to no go into debt because visitors. I guess I should also say- I only want to be anonymous because I'm very shy-- i'm certainly not trying to be criminal or anything, so I'm don't care if the police or FBI or legitimate authorities have the ability to trace the site back to me, I want to make sure that nobody else can find out who I am. Monoceros —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Monoceros144 (talk • contribs) 04:46, 27 April 2007 (UTC).

Try Zoomshare my dad made a great art web site to host pics of his paintings and it's free (Note: There is a paid version of zoomshare that has bigger storage and removes the adds). --Lwarf 10:07, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

Well if you want your own domain you basically can't do it. You have to somehow pay them and you will need to provide some personal information for the record. --antilived^{T | C | G} 10:26, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

Just to let you know that some "hosts" do not allow such content on their servers. Typically you might be able to get away with it for a short period of time, but ultimately if it's not allowed then your account may be suspended - so just a tip, you might want to read over the terms and conditions of any given host -- just in case you didn't know.

Also, when you register a Domain name, you provide a variety of information about who owns the domain, their billing address, their contact details, the webmaster name, the server person's name, etc. but I've seen quite a few hosts offering to "hide" this information from the general public - but charging you to do so - that might be an option. Of course all you need to do is look at a way to obfuscate this information when you register the domain - that's not to say you must do anything illegal, but you might look into whether you can get your host to use their details and not yours - although that would mean that they own the domain name and not you. My advice is to look for some "Adult hosts" or just for hosts - and talk to them about your request and see what they can do for you.

Good luck Rfwoolf 12:42, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

what is the architecture of a core 2 duo processor?

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what is the architecture of a core 2 duo processor? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 203.177.158.106 (talk) 06:33, 27 April 2007 (UTC).

The Intel Core 2 Duos are X86 Architecture CPUs. The Core 2 Article has information on this, as well as the instruction sets the processor uses. These processors also get called "X86-64" sometimes (in reference to them having a 64bit instruction set). gorffy 06:42, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

RDBMS

Where the relational data base management system really works...?

See relational databases and relational database management systems. --h2g2bob 11:02, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

Hard Disk Partitioning Query

Hi All, Could anyone please explain me,In the partitions, which one is better (state the reasons):

• Create one drive.
• Create two drives.
• Create three or more drives.

Thank you in advance for any help. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 193.188.105.228 (talk) 12:18, 27 April 2007 (UTC).

That sounds awfully like a homework question. The answer is, of course, "it depends". Without more information about the intended usage, it's like asking how long a piece of string is. --Robert Merkel 13:20, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

hi, well,it is a homework question,and I googled for the answer too but couldn't get any useful information. to be more specific,this partioning is for Windows XP's FAT and NTFS file systems. so plzz provide me with the answer.

He did; the answer is "it depends". --TotoBaggins 14:07, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

42 of course. Seriously, what are you trying to do? Splintercellguy 15:05, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

Tell your teacher, from me, that that is a dumb question. But anyway, take a look at the disk partitioning article. Partitions are most used to allow more than one operating system to live on a single computer disk drive. The general rule is one OS per partition. Linux normally uses an extra swap partition, so a Windows-Linux dual-boot would be 3 partitions total. Partitions can also be used for encryption (an encrypted disk) or to use a different disk format for part of the disk. --h2g2bob 15:26, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

Rogue television streaming

a somewhat-recent edition of the wall street journal featured an article that talked about rogue sites posting television broadcasts and the like ... in order to bypass all the advertising one has to sit through in order to watch the same content on the "official" network sites. Two men were named. Does anyone remember the names of the men, also is there a link to the article somewhere on the net for free? I dont remember the publication date and i dont have the paper anymore. NoClutter 14:40, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

del.icio.us for windows XP

Is there anything such as del.icio.us but one that is usable on the desktop instead of just for web pages? NoClutter 14:42, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

"blind group" email

Is there a general way to send an email to a group, with the group members thinking that they are receiving it individually? In other words, the recipient's address will be the only one on the email, but it will go out to a group of people. Thanks. 150.174.104.137 14:56, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

You could try using blind carbon copy. Other than that, it's whatever your email software or email service provides for you. --h2g2bob 15:02, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

Thanks. 150.174.104.137 15:21, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

Installing a Windows XP MBR

I have two hard drives: we'll call them Drive 1 and Drive 2. My installation of Windows is on Drive 2. For historical reasons, the boot drive is Drive 1. Presumably (bootloaders confuse me, so I might have something wrong) when the BIOS starts it looks for a bootloader in the MBR of Drive 1, which then boots the NTLDR on Drive 2, which in turn boots Windows.

Setting the BIOS to boot Drive 1 works fine. Setting it to boot Drive 2 leads to an error message, presumably because there is no Windows bootloader in the MBR of Drive 2, so naturally nothing can boot.

Now, I want to format Drive 1 so I can install Linux on it (yes, yes, hold the cheering), but presumably formatting Drive 1 would remove the MBR and stop me being able to run Windows. I know GRUB should be able to boot Windows, but in case of any problems I'd rather that I could just boot Windows off Drive 2: but I have no idea how to install a Windows bootloader on the Drive 2 MBR.

Any ideas? Sum0 16:35, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

If you have your WinXP CD this can be done from the recovery console. Boot from the CD and enter the console at the appropriate time. Then, use the fixboot and fixmbr commands as shown: fixboot and fixmbr gorffy 16:55, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

I have tried FIXBOOT, which seemed to work fine, but I'm not sure that that was the problem. I ran FIXMBR too: it said I had a "non-standard or invalid master boot record". After some consideration, I went ahead anyway, and it said it completed successfully - but it didn't solve anything. Which I don't understand, unless possibly it wrote to the Drive 1 MBR by default (I didn't specify a drive). I'll try specifying Drive 2. Sum0 17:03, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

No luck with that... Sum0 17:40, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

compilers and interpreters.

hi ... i have doubt abt the difference between compilers and interpreters and assemblers..pls help me thanx in advance chakradhar 17:43, 27 April 2007 (UTC).