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It doesn’t happen that often, but there are times when you might need to create a file without a name. One example is an .htaccess file. It’s a plain text file used on web servers to (generally) control access to certain directories. For example, most smaller web sites (like this one) are hosted on “shared servers”, that is, a server that hosts multiple web sites on one machine. To keep other (legitimate) users of the server from accessing my files, my web host uses an .htaccess file to restrict access to my files to anyone with my user name and password. Likewise, I use an .htaccess file in my own site to keep people without a username and password from accessing certain “storage” directories.

The problem with creating or editing such files in Windows is that Windows hates files without a “proper” name. Windows wants a file called “filename.extension” (like notes.txt) and it just chokes when you want to create a file without a name like (.htaccess). So if you need to edit your .htaccess file on a Windows computer (or, for that matter, any “hidden file” on a Unix system, like .config), Windows usually pitches a fit and demands that you give the file a name.

To get around this, simply put the file name in quotes when you go to save it. For instance, in Notepad you’d click File > Save, then choose “All files” and enter “.htaccess” as the name… aaaaannnd presto! One .htaccess file created in Windows, without the hassle!

“RSS” stands for “Really Simple Syndication”. RSS is a way for websites to “push” data out to their readers. The idea behind RSS is similar in concept to “email updates” you may choose to get from cnn.com or some other site. However, RSS works very differently under the hood. Whereas email updates can only be sent to a single email address, RSS has lots of nifty tricks that make it much more useful than a “CNN Headlines” email.

To understand how RSS works, you need to know that it all begins with a piece of software called an “RSS reader” or “RSS aggregator” (or just “aggregator” for short). In most cases, you’d need to download an RSS reader and install it on your system. Then you enter the names of the RSS feeds you want to subscribe to into the RSS reader. The software will then begin checking a specially formatted page on the website in question. The reader checks that page at a timed interval (usually 1 hour). Any new entries are then copied into your reader software, where you can read them at your leisure.

To put it in simple terms… Have you ever sat at a web page and constantly reloaded it? Maybe you were at ticketmaster.com waiting for concert tickets to go on sale… Maybe you were at fandango.com waiting for Star Wars tickets to go on sale… Maybe you were waiting for a news item to appear on your local TV station’s website… Whatever the case, you were at a site, refreshing the page every 30 seconds or so, waiting for new entires to appear. That’s exactly what an RSS reader does, only it does it automatically, behind the scenes, once an hour (or sooner, if you set that option). The web page that the RSS reader is loading is specially formatted, and when the reader finds a new entry, it copies it to your computer so that you can read it.

Here’s where RSS gets interesting.

First of all, there are several ways to get feeds. If you’d prefer using a standalone program to read feeds, you can download a free program like RSS Bandit or SharpReader. If you’re a big user of Microsoft Outlook, you can upgrade to Office 2007 (which has an integrated RSS reader), or you can install NewsGator, a free plug-in for Outlook 2000\2003 that integrates feeds into Outlook. If you use lots of different computers during the day, you might want to look in to online RSS readers like Google Reader; instead of downloading new feeds to your desktop computer, Google Reader downloads then to your Google Account, so you can check the feeds from multiple computers – just like web mail.

Continue reading “Geek Basics: RSS”

Have you ever wanted to be a DJ? Does the thought of having your own radio station make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside? If so, you’re in luck! There’s this new invention called “the Internet” that allows you to (among other things) broadcast your favorite tunes all day long if you wish! So if you’ve ever felt the jones to be your own broadcaster, check out this article! You’d be amazed at how easy is really is to set up your own Internet radio station.

Here’s what you need to get started:

• The latest version of WinAMP
• The Shoutcast DSP plug-in for WinAMP
• Shoutcast Server
• A stable Windows-based computer
• A broadband Internet connection

The Big Picture

WinAMP was the first MP3 player for the Windows platform. Although it has expanded over the years to include library functions and the ability to play videos, at its core WinAMP is still just a basic MP3 player.

Shoutcast Server was developed by the same people that made WinAMP. Shoutcast is a streaming audio server. It provides audio streams to listeners. Shoutcast server is available for Windows 9x, Windows NT, Windows 2000\2003, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Mac OS X, FreeBSD, Linux and Solaris.

The Shoutcast plug-in for WinAMP connects the output of WinAMP to the input of the Shoutcast server. It takes whatever is playing in WinAMP, converts it to the appropriate bitrate and\or format, then forwards it on to the Shoutcast server. The Shoutcast server then sends this input out to listeners as a stream of data. The Shoutcast plug-in is also where you enter the name of your station or show and any contact information you’d like to add.

Getting It All Set Up

If you’ve never used WinAMP before, download and install it, then spend a couple of days getting familiar with it. You will especially need to be familiar with the playlist functions, as this is how you’re going to get started as a DJ. Basically, an Internet radio station is just a giant playlist of songs. You’ll need to be able to assemble such a playlist on your computer. The playlist can be as long as you want – in fact, it will need to be several days long if you want to have a full-time station, although it can also be just a few hours long if you want to do brief “shows” instead of broadcasting full-time. Also, note how to save your playlists (click LIST OPTS > SAVE LIST in the playlist window). This is important, since you’ll be tweaking several things during the setup process, and there’s the distinct possibility that you might accidentally erase a playlist you’ve spent hours putting together. It’s just better to be safe than sorry, right?

After you’ve gotten acquainted with WinAMP (or if you’re already familiar with WinAMP), you need to do the next step, which is installing the Shoutcast plug-in for WinAMP. Assuming that you’ve already got WinAMP up and running on our system, click here to download the plug-in. Installation should be simple – in most cases, the plug-in installer will detect where WinAMP is installed on your system and it will then install the plug-in in the correct location. So, for most of you, installing the plug-in will means double-clicking on the plug-in installer file, then clicking Next > Next > Finish.

The final step is to install the Shoutcast server. In most cases, you’ll want to install Shoutcast on the same computer that runs WinAMP. However, there may be circumstances where you’d want to install Shoutcast on a different computer. And the reason why you’d want to do that is really important when it comes to broadcasting.

Continue reading “Be a DJ!”

My Dad has a saying about padlocks: “they only keep the honest people out“. His point, of course, is that honest people will see a padlock and keep walking, while a hardcore thief will simply smash the hasp, take the hinges off the door, or shatter a window to break into your house and steal your stuff. I’m sometimes asked what the best way is to secure a wireless network, and when I think about the subject I often think of Dad’s wisdom. Most of the “security measures” in wireless networking only keep the honest people out. Dedicated hackers can find a way to hack in to your network if they choose. So here’s my complete guide to securing a wireless network:

Pick WPA security, and choose a very complex password for it.

Yep, that’s it. My entire guide to wireless security. But since you might ask about some of the other security features available on wireless routers, here’s a point-by-point rebuttal on each one:

Disabling the SSID: Every wireless router has the ability to broadcast its name, or SSID (Service Set IDentifier). Disabling SSID broadcasting means that your wireless network won’t appear in the list of “Available Wireless Networks” on any nearby computer. Theoretically, this makes your network more secure. Since your neighbors won’t be able to see your network, how could they connect to it? Unfortunately, disabling the SSID does nothing to hide your wireless network from hackers using programs that scan the airwaves for wireless networks. In fact, it makes it look like you’ve got something to hide, much like putting an expensive purchase in the back of a hatchback and covering it with a blanket does. Additionally, disabling SSID broadcasting makes it harder to troubleshoot connection problems, and also makes it difficult for your guests to connect to your wireless network. Using WPA with a complex password means your neighbors can see your network, but they can’t access it. And hackers will find your network one way or the other, so let them find yours easily, try to hack it and fail, and move on to the next network.

Changing the SSID: This is actually a good one to do. Most wireless routers have their manufacturer’s name as the SSID by default. If you’ve ever used a wireless network, you’ve almost certainly seen a wireless network called “linksys” at some point or the other. Changing the SSID to something nondescript tells hackers that you’ve at least thought about security enough to do this step. Much like how the automobile security device The Club worked simply by making car thieves move on to another car, changing your SSID just might be enough to make hackers move on to the “linksys” networks.

Enabling MAC filtering: Every networked device – wireless or not – has a unique serial number called a Media Access Control (MAC) address. Most wireless routers have a feature that allows you to enter the MAC addresses of every device you want to connect to the wireless network. So, in theory, only devices that you explicitly approve can connect to your wireless network. The reality is that any hacker that scans your network can find the MAC address of one (or all) of your devices. He or she can then “spoof” the MAC address on their own computer and get full access to your network. Filtering MAC addresses also means that you’ll have to obtain the 12-digit MAC address from any guest that wants to use your network, then enter it into your router’s configuration page. Which is no fun, especially when there’s almost zero payoff from this “security measure” in the first place. Seriously folks – MAC sniffing and spoofing is so easy to do that it’s almost laughable.

Continue reading “Jim’s Guide to Wireless Security”