2008 October

Using Multiple Tabs in Firefox

October 16, 2008 By terry Leave a Comment

Opera was the first web browser to offer its users multiple tabs, so that we could have multiple web pages open within one browser window. Well, I think it was the first — it was certainly the first one I found. I loved that feature.

The latest browser to add tabs is Internet Explorer 7, which has implemented tab functions similar to those of Opera, and only a small portion of the functionality that Firefox has.

In IE7, if you hover over a link or bookmark and click your mouse’s scroll button, the new link will open in a new tab. That’s the same thing that happens in Opera. It also happens in Firefox, but Firefox can do more, too.

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Accessing and Reading Usenet Newsgroups

October 13, 2008 By terry Leave a Comment

Reader Greg H. wrote recently to ask for help solving his inability to access the Usenet newsgroups on Verison’s servers.

For those not familiar with Usenet newsgroups, think of them as a mailing list type of system that has been around for well over 25 years. Rather than emails sent to our computers, though, the postings stored in special servers at the Internet Service Providers or at companies that specialize in serving newsgroups (I use GigaNews as my Usenet newsgroups provider).

The postings to the newsgroups are readable by special newsreader software, but some more ubiquitous software like Outlook Express, Opera and Netscape also read newsgroups. They’re also readable via Google Groups, as are other groups that are available only via Google Groups.

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Filed Under: Communications, Free Software, Resources, Software, Tips & Tricks

Security versus the Open Wireless Network

October 5, 2008 By terry Leave a Comment

After a recent email newsletter article on securing your wireless network, Clif (of the Clif Notes Newsletter that I enjoy) wrote to yank my leg a little and to ask:

Hi Terry,

I appreciate your tips on securing the router. Most of the wifis in my neighborhood are wide open. That’s nice when my cable goes out and my neighbor’s dsl is still running … I just hop on the neighbor’s wifi for a quick ride. Do you think I should tell them?

I use a different method to secure my wifi. I use a “trusted stations” list in my router that only allows PCs with a MAC address that I’ve entered there. My network looks wide open, but they can’t log onto it.

How does that sound?

Clif

Clif already knows my thoughts about open networks and why they should be closed — that’s why he included a grinning smiley face. While an open wireless network can be handy for use by others, there are security risks for both the network operator and the person connecting through the open network.

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