From pete at heypete.com Wed Dec 1 12:18:00 2004 From: pete at heypete.com (Pete Stephenson) Date: Wed Dec 1 15:20:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Generator for computers? Message-ID: Greetings all, I'm looking for a generator to run several computers (and maybe a lamp or two) during a power outage. Likely load is less than 1,000 watts. The POS Coleman generator we have right now puts out totally unregulated power that is completely unsuitable for the computer. Even my APC UPS can't filter it right and simply runs off battery until it runs flat. I'm looking at the Honda EU1000, which is small, lightweight, quiet, and boasts the "Honda Inverter Technology" -- evidently it has a CPU-controlled inverter which provides clean power to computers. They claim it offers better sine wave power than commercial mains power. Does anyone here have any experience on the EU1000 or EU2000 generators, a good source for them, and any other useful knowledge or information? Cheers! -- Pete Stephenson HeyPete.com From nobody at spamcop.net Wed Dec 1 15:51:36 2004 From: nobody at spamcop.net (indigo) Date: Wed Dec 1 15:55:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: Pete Stephenson wrote: > > Does anyone here have any experience on the EU1000 or EU2000 > generators, a good source for them, and any other useful knowledge or > information? Not particularly, but almost all Honda products are pretty safe bets as far as reliability and good design, be it a Civic, a lawn mower, or a generator. From pete at heypete.com Wed Dec 1 13:08:22 2004 From: pete at heypete.com (Pete Stephenson) Date: Wed Dec 1 16:10:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: In article , "indigo" wrote: > Not particularly, but almost all Honda products are pretty safe bets as far > as reliability and good design, be it a Civic, a lawn mower, or a generator. Oh, completely agreed. Honda makes incredibly good engines. I'm amazed that they can make so many of them, so precisely, and so inexpensively. This particular generator looks to be a pretty safe bet, although it's a bit pricey. Of course, my computer hardware is fairly pricey too, and has a damned good APC UPS acting as a proxy[1] between the systems on my network and the mains power. I guess you get what you pay for, you know? Now I just need to find a job. :-P [1] I'll never understand why people skimp on things that really matter. Buy a $4,000 computer...get a $10 surge protector. Hell no. My UPS cost about $200. Sure, some of it's the brand...but APC == Good Stuff. I've had an old UPS (still have it lying around for the memories) that ate a lightning surge one day and kept ticking. No way in hell am I buying some off-brand UPS. -- Pete Stephenson HeyPete.com From nobody at spamcop.net Wed Dec 1 17:00:24 2004 From: nobody at spamcop.net (indigo) Date: Wed Dec 1 17:05:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: Pete Stephenson wrote: > In article , > "indigo" wrote: > > > Not particularly, but almost all Honda products are pretty safe > > bets as far as reliability and good design, be it a Civic, a lawn > > mower, or a generator. > > Oh, completely agreed. Honda makes incredibly good engines. I'm amazed > that they can make so many of them, so precisely, and so > inexpensively. A buddy of mine who lives on a well/septic system designed and installed a seamless power generation system for his house. He has a relay set to trip if the power goes off, the relay is wired to the electronic ignition switch of his generator, and the generator feeds his house fuse box. All he needs to do is refill the gas tank on the generator every 12 hours or something. Pretty cool, eh? He has something else installed or wired a certain way to prevent the power from going *out* of his house back into the grid so his neighbors don't get free juice from him ;-) Going without power (and water) for 2 weeks like he did two years ago due to a horrible ice storm will certainly get the creative juices flowing! (like me and my emergency backup sump pump system, one guess as to why I built that ;-) From pete at heypete.com Wed Dec 1 17:18:05 2004 From: pete at heypete.com (Pete Stephenson) Date: Wed Dec 1 20:20:06 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: In article , "indigo" wrote: > A buddy of mine who lives on a well/septic system designed and installed a > seamless power generation system for his house. He has a relay set to trip > if the power goes off, the relay is wired to the electronic ignition switch > of his generator, and the generator feeds his house fuse box. All he needs > to do is refill the gas tank on the generator every 12 hours or something. > Pretty cool, eh? He has something else installed or wired a certain way to > prevent the power from going *out* of his house back into the grid so his > neighbors don't get free juice from him ;-) Hehe. Isolation switches like that are good stuff. The automatic ones are particularly good. We had some manual ones at the ambulance company I used to work for...but they were in the garage (with the generator and power-operated metal door...bonehead maneuver there considering it was dark...). Very handy. The isolation switches are partially so your neighbors don't mooch juice from you (and would thus overload the generator), and so when the mains power comes back online the overwhelming amount of power coming from the grid doesn't melt/explode/ka-blooie the generator. I want the uber-huge generators they have at major datacenters that can run for days. I've never understood why datacenters don't have dual-fuel generators (i.e. one that feeds off the natural gas pipeline and a diesel one) -- in major events like 9/11 diesel supplies went to 911 centers, rescuers, hospitals, etc. Datacenters and cell towers ran out of diesel over the next few days. Natural gas supplies would (hopefully) be uninterrupted. Redundancy and all that. > Going without power (and water) for 2 weeks like he did two years ago due to > a horrible ice storm will certainly get the creative juices flowing! (like > me and my emergency backup sump pump system, one guess as to why I built > that ;-) Damn straight. We didn't have problems like that there, but we did go for a few days without power. No power = no computers. No computers = Unhappy Pete(tm). That, combined with the fact that there's usually copious amounts of rain means that we need the generator to keep the basement from flooding (evidently both of us share the sump pump problem). Anyway, I did pick up the EU1000, and that's a quiet little sucker. The Coleman generator was noisy as hell and produced power good enough for the sump pump, but wasn't anywhere near as "clean" as it should be for computers and whatnot. The EU1000 has some nifty electronic stuff to regulate the voltage (and throttle down the engine to the minimum RPMs necessary to generate power to save gasoline and extend runtime) so that it's "computer friendly". Very slick stuff. Hmm. Now I need to spend what remains of my money on Christmas shopping. :) -- Pete Stephenson HeyPete.com From borgholio at storymind.com Wed Dec 1 17:24:39 2004 From: borgholio at storymind.com (Borgholio) Date: Wed Dec 1 20:25:04 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Pete Stephenson wrote: > > Hmm. Now I need to spend what remains of my money on Christmas shopping. > :) > *cough*rifle*cough* From pete at heypete.com Wed Dec 1 17:30:34 2004 From: pete at heypete.com (Pete Stephenson) Date: Wed Dec 1 20:35:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: In article , Borgholio wrote: > *cough*rifle*cough* Already got two. Now I just need ammo. This is christmas shopping for *other* people. :) -- Pete Stephenson HeyPete.com From borgholio at storymind.com Wed Dec 1 17:36:55 2004 From: borgholio at storymind.com (Borgholio) Date: Wed Dec 1 20:40:02 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Pete Stephenson wrote: > In article , > Borgholio wrote: > > >>*cough*rifle*cough* > > > Already got two. Now I just need ammo. > > This is christmas shopping for *other* people. :) > I repeat. ;-) From pete at heypete.com Wed Dec 1 18:07:19 2004 From: pete at heypete.com (Pete Stephenson) Date: Wed Dec 1 21:10:07 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: In article , Borgholio wrote: > I repeat. ;-) That's actually illegal in California, believe it or not. I cannot legally buy a firearm as a gift to another person. I can purchase it for myself, pay the $25 processing fee, wait 10 days, pick it up, turn around, pay $35 ($10 person-to-person fee plus $25 state fee), have the recipient fill out the paperwork, wait ten days, and then pick it up. In short -- $60 and 20 days later, they can take the rifle or shotgun home. It's even more expensive to buy a handgun (more fees and paperwork). Oh, and it's supposed to prevent criminals from transferring weapons amongst themselves...as if they'd bother to do any paperwork, pay fees, or otherwise obey the law when they plan to use their guns for criminal acts. It costs us law-abiding folks money and time to transfer a gun that'll never be used in crime. Absolutely ludicrous. This is .geeks, and we're supposed to be talking about generators. :) -- Pete Stephenson HeyPete.com From me at privacy.net Wed Dec 1 21:41:04 2004 From: me at privacy.net (Frog Prince) Date: Wed Dec 1 21:45:06 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: "Pete Stephenson" | I'm looking for a generator to run several computers (and maybe a lamp | or two) during a power outage. Likely load is less than 1,000 watts. | | The POS Coleman generator we have right now puts out totally unregulated | power that is completely unsuitable for the computer. Even my APC UPS | can't filter it right and simply runs off battery until it runs flat. | | I'm looking at the Honda EU1000, which is small, lightweight, quiet, and | boasts the "Honda Inverter Technology" -- evidently it has a | CPU-controlled inverter which provides clean power to computers. They | claim it offers better sine wave power than commercial mains power. | | Does anyone here have any experience on the EU1000 or EU2000 generators, | a good source for them, and any other useful knowledge or information? | RV groups have been using them for years most go for higher powers though. Might do a google groups seach on rec.outdoors.rv-travel using the key word Honda generator or honda genset FWIW you could use a bank of batteries (golf cart 6 volts are available @ Sams for very reasonable) and charge off the car alternator. From me at privacy.net Wed Dec 1 21:43:14 2004 From: me at privacy.net (Frog Prince) Date: Wed Dec 1 21:50:02 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: "indigo" < . | | A buddy of mine who lives on a well/septic system designed and installed a | seamless power generation system for his house. He has a relay set to trip | if the power goes off, the relay is wired to the electronic ignition switch | of his generator, and the generator feeds his house fuse box. All he needs | to do is refill the gas tank on the generator every 12 hours or something. | Pretty cool, eh? He has something else installed or wired a certain way to | prevent the power from going *out* of his house back into the grid so his | neighbors don't get free juice from him ;-) It's called a transfer switch and is the ONLY way to go unless you are willing to use drop cords. From pete at heypete.com Wed Dec 1 19:09:12 2004 From: pete at heypete.com (Pete Stephenson) Date: Wed Dec 1 22:10:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: In article , "Frog Prince" wrote: > RV groups have been using them for years most go for higher powers though. > Might do a google groups seach on rec.outdoors.rv-travel using the key word > Honda generator or honda genset Indeed, that seems to be what they're mainly targeted for. The computer-grade inverter seems to target RV users with computers. Still, it's good enough for me. A thousand watts can run just about everything I need -- Cobalt machine, LCD screen, PowerMac G5, a small lamp (the flourescent replacements for incandescent type), and a mini-fridge. Life is good. :) > FWIW you could use a bank of batteries (golf cart 6 volts are available @ > Sams for very reasonable) and charge off the car alternator. Really? Does the alternator generate sufficient power? Even with my hybrid car, I think the generator would be more fuel efficient. Having a huge bank of lead-acid batteries in my basement would be kinda neat, though. Probably hazardous. -- Pete Stephenson HeyPete.com From me at privacy.net Wed Dec 1 22:24:41 2004 From: me at privacy.net (Frog Prince) Date: Wed Dec 1 22:30:04 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: "Pete Stephenson" | > RV groups have been using them for years most go for higher powers though. | > Might do a google groups seach on rec.outdoors.rv-travel using the key word | > Honda generator or honda genset | | Indeed, that seems to be what they're mainly targeted for. The | computer-grade inverter seems to target RV users with computers. Not targeted at computers as most RVs have some very sophisticate inverters (some are powerful enough to run small air conditionsers) | Still, it's good enough for me. A thousand watts can run just about | everything I need -- Cobalt machine, LCD screen, PowerMac G5, a small | lamp (the flourescent replacements for incandescent type), and a | mini-fridge. Life is good. :) | | > FWIW you could use a bank of batteries (golf cart 6 volts are available @ | > Sams for very reasonable) and charge off the car alternator. | | Really? Does the alternator generate sufficient power? Even with my | hybrid car, I think the generator would be more fuel efficient. Having a | huge bank of lead-acid batteries in my basement would be kinda neat, | though. Probably hazardous. Not really. There are any number of home that are off grid. I'm playing with a design for our retirement that will run off grid but is interned to 'back feed' to the power grid (as soon as NC goes net billing). Texas has been net billing for years and we're helping my daughter to plan her house the same way. From pete at heypete.com Wed Dec 1 20:39:26 2004 From: pete at heypete.com (Pete Stephenson) Date: Wed Dec 1 23:40:02 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: In article , "Frog Prince" wrote: > Not targeted at computers as most RVs have some very sophisticate inverters > (some are powerful enough to run small air conditionsers) Well what then? The brochure specifically indicated it was "computer friendly", which is a plus. Clearly it's not powerful enough to power a house or datacenter (it's the size of a large briefcase, definitely not enough for a house) and most home computer users have bigger things to worry about than if their computer is up and running...most of them. > Not really. There are any number of home that are off grid. I'm playing > with a design for our retirement that will run off grid but is interned to > 'back feed' to the power grid (as soon as NC goes net billing). Texas has > been net billing for years and we're helping my daughter to plan her house > the same way. Indeed. When I get my own home, I will definitely be investing in solar cells, battery storage (hey, if they make fuel cells better by then maybe using fuel cells instead of batteries would be cheaper and longer-lasting), etc. I like my independence, and I like having smaller bills...even if it requires paying a bit more upfront. I'm goofy like that. -- Pete Stephenson HeyPete.com From borgholio at storymind.com Wed Dec 1 23:34:22 2004 From: borgholio at storymind.com (Borgholio) Date: Thu Dec 2 02:35:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Pete Stephenson wrote: > > Absolutely ludicrous. Agreed. My dad and I are getting 10/22s for each other...so it might be easiest just to buy our own and say it's the thought that counts. :) > > > > This is .geeks, and we're supposed to be talking about generators. :) > Who says firearms aren't geeky? Ever hear of Doom? :) From nobody at nowhere.invalid Thu Dec 2 11:42:46 2004 From: nobody at nowhere.invalid (Steven Maesslein) Date: Thu Dec 2 05:45:02 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: On Wed, 01 Dec 2004 18:07:19 -0800, Pete Stephenson coughed into spamcop.geeks and left this in : > That's actually illegal in California, believe it or not. So is buying a firearm "for" someone and not actually planning on giving it to them, if you see what I mean :) -- Steve BOFH excuse #393: Interference from the Van Allen Belt From me at privacy.net Thu Dec 2 07:16:36 2004 From: me at privacy.net (Frog Prince) Date: Thu Dec 2 07:20:02 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: "Pete Stephenson" wrote in message news:pete-EDC906.20392601122004@news.cesmail.net... | In article , | "Frog Prince" wrote: | | > Not targeted at computers as most RVs have some very sophisticate inverters | > (some are powerful enough to run small air conditioners) | | Well what then? The brochure specifically indicated it was "computer | friendly", which is a plus. Clearly it's not powerful enough to power a | house or datacenter (it's the size of a large briefcase, definitely not | enough for a house) and most home computer users have bigger things to | worry about than if their computer is up and running...most of them. The quality of the power is a 'good thing' and something that is to be used to sell the product. 1KW may not be enough to run a MH but is more then enough for a small camp site (boon dock camping). I've run several homes on less for over a week during power outage after hurricanes. The secret is load balancing. Don't run the fridge and the freezer at the same time. Heat water only when needed. (we had cut outs so that both elements did not turn on at the same time). We would have joint meals so that we did not separate microwaves and coffee makers at the same time. | > Not really. There are any number of home that are off grid. I'm playing | > with a design for our retirement that will run off grid but is interned to | > 'back feed' to the power grid (as soon as NC goes net billing). Texas has | > been net billing for years and we're helping my daughter to plan her house | > the same way. | | Indeed. When I get my own home, I will definitely be investing in solar | cells, battery storage (hey, if they make fuel cells better by then | maybe using fuel cells instead of batteries would be cheaper and | longer-lasting), etc. I like my independence, and I like having smaller | bills...even if it requires paying a bit more upfront. I'm goofy like | that. Plan on a mixed energy source. Like I said my daughters home will be able to run completely off grid but she will essentially be using the grid as an (economic) energy storage. That way she will be able to benefit from the net billing without having to spend big bucks providing for her peak usage. From Kilgallen at SpamCop.net Thu Dec 2 07:29:42 2004 From: Kilgallen at SpamCop.net (Larry Kilgallen) Date: Thu Dec 2 08:30:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: In article , Pete Stephenson writes: > Oh, and it's supposed to prevent criminals from transferring weapons > amongst themselves...as if they'd bother to do any paperwork, pay fees, > or otherwise obey the law when they plan to use their guns for criminal > acts. It costs us law-abiding folks money and time to transfer a gun > that'll never be used in crime. But remember, the charges on which Al Capone went to jail were income tax charges -- not filling out his paperwork. From nobody at spamcop.net Thu Dec 2 12:44:53 2004 From: nobody at spamcop.net (indigo) Date: Thu Dec 2 12:45:02 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: Pete Stephenson wrote: That, combined with the fact that there's usually > copious amounts of rain means that we need the generator to keep the > basement from flooding (evidently both of us share the sump pump > problem). Of course I've only lost power in the middle of terrible thunderstorms dumping copious amounts of rain ;-) That's actually almost true -- most power lines in my county are buried, lightning zapping a transformer is the most frequent cause of power outages, not downed lines (which can take days to weeks to fix). From nobody at spamcop.net Thu Dec 2 12:45:33 2004 From: nobody at spamcop.net (indigo) Date: Thu Dec 2 12:50:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: Pete Stephenson wrote: > In article , > Borgholio wrote: > > > *cough*rifle*cough* > > Already got two. Now I just need ammo. > Your pallet full of 10,000+ rounds t'aint enough?! From nobody at spamcop.net Thu Dec 2 12:53:05 2004 From: nobody at spamcop.net (indigo) Date: Thu Dec 2 12:55:10 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: Frog Prince wrote: > RV groups have been using them for years most go for higher powers > though. Might do a google groups seach on rec.outdoors.rv-travel > using the key word Honda generator or honda genset > > FWIW you could use a bank of batteries (golf cart 6 volts are > available @ Sams for very reasonable) and charge off the car > alternator. But he'd still need some pricey electronics to boost them up to 120 VAC. I just used a deep-discharge marine battery, a trickle charge, and a 12 volt marine bilge pump for my sump pump system. The biggest pain was tying it into the existing sump discharge pipe (it was like trying to get pipe fittings for tubes, if you get my drift). From nobody at spamcop.net Thu Dec 2 12:55:51 2004 From: nobody at spamcop.net (indigo) Date: Thu Dec 2 13:00:06 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: Frog Prince wrote: The secret is load balancing. Don't run the fridge and > the freezer at the same time. How do you do that? IIRC my freezer adjustment knob goes from 1-10, there's no "off" position. And since the freezer is part of the fridge..... From pete at heypete.com Thu Dec 2 10:41:09 2004 From: pete at heypete.com (Pete Stephenson) Date: Thu Dec 2 13:45:02 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: In article , "indigo" wrote: > Your pallet full of 10,000+ rounds t'aint enough?! Never! One can never have too many kisses, too much bandwidth, or too much ammo. :) All my friends have said things along the lines of "Dude, if there's ever rioting in the streets or the end of the world, I'm coming to your house" and "Dude, if there are ever hordes of zombies roaming the streets, I'm coming to your house". Fuel, food, and ammo. Can't go wrong. :) -- Pete Stephenson HeyPete.com From nobody at spamcop.net Thu Dec 2 14:13:04 2004 From: nobody at spamcop.net (indigo) Date: Thu Dec 2 14:15:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: Pete Stephenson wrote: > All my friends have said things along the lines of "Dude, if there's > ever rioting in the streets or the end of the world, I'm coming to > your house" and "Dude, if there are ever hordes of zombies roaming the > streets, I'm coming to your house". Guess I'm in trouble then, I only got enough to wing mebbe 400 zombies.......or is it 200....I dunno if those plastic boxes hold 50 rounds or 100.....besides the fact that they're over 15 years old! From nobody at spamcop.net Thu Dec 2 15:35:09 2004 From: nobody at spamcop.net (indigo) Date: Thu Dec 2 15:40:06 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Firefox Java applet problem Message-ID: Has anyone downloaded the latest Sun Java Runtime 2 software for Firefox 0.9? I did yesterday so I could use the streaming stock ticker app on Ameritrade and it locked up Firefox -- 99% CPU resources and I couldn't close the windows, I had to terminate the Firefox process via Task Manager. This was on a Win 2000 machine, I tried it at work today on my XP SP1 machine and had no problems. From pete at heypete.com Thu Dec 2 13:40:41 2004 From: pete at heypete.com (Pete Stephenson) Date: Thu Dec 2 16:45:11 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: In article , "indigo" wrote: > Guess I'm in trouble then, I only got enough to wing mebbe 400 > zombies.......or is it 200....I dunno if those plastic boxes hold 50 rounds > or 100.....besides the fact that they're over 15 years old! Hehe. Remember: With the living, shoot for the chest. With the undead, shoot for the head. Everyone in zombie movies forgets that. Well, you *could* shoot the living in the head, but I keep having this mental playback of my drill sergeant yelling "AIM CENTER MASS, PRIVATE!" and stomping around. I have no idea what type of ammo you have, so I obviously have no way of knowing. I think I'm fairly well-equipped here: * 6,000rds of 22LR (mostly Federal JHP with some CCI lead round nose, Velocitors, Stingers, and Subsonics) * 3,000rds of 9mm FMJ * 50rds of 9mm JHP * 400rds of .30-06 FMJ (military surplus M2 .30 caliber ball rounds) * 300rds of 12ga 00 buckshot * 50rds of 12ga 7 1/2 birdshot * 50rds of 12ga rifled hollowpoint slugs That should be quite sufficient for some large-scale zombie-whacking, though I wonder if the guns themselves could withstand the heat of near-continuous firing. Doubtful. -- Pete Stephenson HeyPete.com From me at privacy.net Thu Dec 2 16:39:30 2004 From: me at privacy.net (Frog Prince) Date: Thu Dec 2 16:50:24 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: "indigo" | > RV groups have been using them for years most go for higher powers | > though. Might do a google groups search on rec.outdoors.rave-travel | > using the key word Honda generator or Honda genset | > | > FWIW you could use a bank of batteries (golf cart 6 volts are | > available @ Sams for very reasonable) and charge off the car | > alternator. | | But he'd still need some pricey electronics to boost them up to 120 VAC. I | just used a deep-discharge marine battery, a trickle charge, and a 12 volt | marine bilge pump for my sump pump system. The biggest pain was tying it | into the existing sump discharge pipe (it was like trying to get pipe | fittings for tubes, if you get my drift). Static inverters are cheap these days. Regardless you don;t want to go more than 50% discharge on any battery even though DD units are better at surviving the abuse. As to the trickle changer you would be better advised to use a three state charge as TC will eventually toast your battery. From me at privacy.net Thu Dec 2 16:41:12 2004 From: me at privacy.net (Frog Prince) Date: Thu Dec 2 16:50:25 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: "indigo" | The secret is load balancing. Don't run the fridge and | > the freezer at the same time. | | How do you do that? IIRC my freezer adjustment knob goes from 1-10, there's | no "off" position. And since the freezer is part of the fridge..... One 'ice box' one full time freezer. Run one OR the other. Run the stove OR the water heater. Turn off lights in rooms you are not in a the time. From borgholio at storymind.com Thu Dec 2 13:48:22 2004 From: borgholio at storymind.com (Borgholio) Date: Thu Dec 2 16:50:26 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Pete Stephenson wrote: > > * 6,000rds of 22LR (mostly Federal JHP with some CCI lead round nose, > Velocitors, Stingers, and Subsonics) > * 3,000rds of 9mm FMJ > * 50rds of 9mm JHP > * 400rds of .30-06 FMJ (military surplus M2 .30 caliber ball rounds) > * 300rds of 12ga 00 buckshot > * 50rds of 12ga 7 1/2 birdshot > * 50rds of 12ga rifled hollowpoint slugs > Got any Claymores? :) From pete at heypete.com Thu Dec 2 14:51:05 2004 From: pete at heypete.com (Pete Stephenson) Date: Thu Dec 2 17:55:02 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: In article , Borgholio wrote: > Got any Claymores? :) Nope. Even if I could, I probably wouldn't. A pound of C4 and 700 steel balls is generally not something to have around in the garage next to the cans of gasoline for the generator and old paint buckets. (All the ammo is stored in a closet in the house, quite far away from the garage.) If you're referring to the obscenely-large swords...then no, I don't have those either though they're really cool. -- Pete Stephenson HeyPete.com From wb8tyw at qsl.network Thu Dec 2 21:01:34 2004 From: wb8tyw at qsl.network (John E. Malmberg) Date: Thu Dec 2 21:05:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Larry Kilgallen wrote: > In article , > Pete Stephenson writes: > >>Oh, and it's supposed to prevent criminals from transferring weapons >>amongst themselves...as if they'd bother to do any paperwork, pay fees, >>or otherwise obey the law when they plan to use their guns for criminal >>acts. It costs us law-abiding folks money and time to transfer a gun >>that'll never be used in crime. > > But remember, the charges on which Al Capone went to jail were income > tax charges -- not filling out his paperwork. From what I have read, the U.S. courts have already ruled that criminals who intend use a gun in a crime can not be expected to have legally registered and therefore can not be prosecuted for that violation. The means that gun control laws can only affect people who intend to use a gun for lawful purposes. -John wb8tyw@qsl.network Personal Opinion Only From wb8tyw at qsl.network Thu Dec 2 21:07:06 2004 From: wb8tyw at qsl.network (John E. Malmberg) Date: Thu Dec 2 21:10:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Pete Stephenson wrote: > The isolation switches are partially so your neighbors don't mooch juice > from you (and would thus overload the generator), and so when the mains > power comes back online the overwhelming amount of power coming from the > grid doesn't melt/explode/ka-blooie the generator. I thought the primary concern is that they do not light up the poor lineman out in the rain that is working to get your power back working. -John wb8tyw@qsl.network Personal Opinion Only From pete at heypete.com Thu Dec 2 18:13:34 2004 From: pete at heypete.com (Pete Stephenson) Date: Thu Dec 2 21:15:12 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: In article , "John E. Malmberg" wrote: > I thought the primary concern is that they do not light up the poor > lineman out in the rain that is working to get your power back working. That is also a big concern, of course. Remember that most people don't understand electricity more than "I flip the switch and the light comes on. Oh, and it hurts when I touch it", so the electric companies focus on the you-might-hurt-the-lineman approach. Running a sufficiently powerful generator that backfeeds into the grid would result in some power being distributed to the neighboring homes (though attempting to feed the loads of even a small neighborhood on a residential generator would cause it to overload and likely shut down to prevent damage to itself), but it probably wouldn't be enough to light up even the light bulbs in more than a house or two. The incoming surge from when mains power is restored would have some rather dramatic effects on the generator as well. Since most people don't understand electricity, it's sometimes better to stick to the don't-zap-the-lineman approach. :) -- Pete Stephenson HeyPete.com From me at privacy.net Thu Dec 2 22:02:18 2004 From: me at privacy.net (Frog Prince) Date: Thu Dec 2 22:05:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: "Pete Stephenson" | > I thought the primary concern is that they do not light up the poor | > lineman out in the rain that is working to get your power back working. | | That is also a big concern, of course. THAT IS THE KEY CONCERN, PERHAPS THE ONLY CONCERN! The system can protect and heal itself. If anyone from the city inspector to the power company finds a back feed they will pull the meter AND red tag the service. Reconnection will be ONLY after a complete reinspection and certification of the entire property. I can guarantee that any out of code or discrepancy will be fixed or no reconnect. Any electrical contractor that might accept the job will place one H*LL of a price on the project as he and his will be under a proctor scope by anyone and everyone remotely associated with permitting the project. From pete at heypete.com Thu Dec 2 19:43:38 2004 From: pete at heypete.com (Pete Stephenson) Date: Thu Dec 2 22:45:02 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: In article , "Frog Prince" wrote: > THAT IS THE KEY CONCERN, PERHAPS THE ONLY CONCERN! The system can protect > and heal itself. It is a key concern, yes, but surely not the only concern. Protecting life is critical. Protecting important and expensive infrastructure (both that of the grid and that of other customers) is something to keep in mind. > If anyone from the city inspector to the power company finds a back feed > they will pull the meter AND red tag the service. Reconnection will be ONLY > after a complete reinspection and certification of the entire property. I > can guarantee that any out of code or discrepancy will be fixed or no > reconnect. Oh, I'll bet...but I'm curious about houses with solar panels and whatnot that backfeed onto the grid (and reverse their meters) like what several here in California do? They don't have an isolation switch, so (based what I know about the systems, which isn't much) they'd backfeed if there was a power failure on the grid and thus create a hazard. > Any electrical contractor that might accept the job will place one H*LL of a > price on the project as he and his will be under a proctor scope by anyone > and everyone remotely associated with permitting the project. Oh, damn straight. Electricity is awesome, but it scares the bejeezus out of me. -- Pete Stephenson HeyPete.com From ric.gates at bigsleep.org Fri Dec 3 07:18:43 2004 From: ric.gates at bigsleep.org (Blammo) Date: Fri Dec 3 02:20:12 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Firefox Java applet problem References: Message-ID: On 02 Dec 2004 indigo entered spamcop.geeks and left news:conu9u$qlc$1@news.spamcop.net: > Has anyone downloaded the latest Sun Java Runtime 2 software for > Firefox 0.9? I did yesterday so I could use the streaming stock ticker > app on Ameritrade and it locked up Firefox -- 99% CPU resources and I > couldn't close the windows, I had to terminate the Firefox process via > Task Manager. This was on a Win 2000 machine, I tried it at work today > on my XP SP1 machine and had no problems. > > > Did you uninstall the JRE 1.4 before installing 1.5? -- | Ric | From me at privacy.net Fri Dec 3 05:51:37 2004 From: me at privacy.net (Frog Prince) Date: Fri Dec 3 05:55:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: "Pete Stephenson" | > THAT IS THE KEY CONCERN, PERHAPS THE ONLY CONCERN! The system can protect | > and heal itself. | | It is a key concern, yes, but surely not the only concern. Protecting | life is critical. Protecting important and expensive infrastructure | (both that of the grid and that of other customers) is something to keep | in mind. Been doing electrical work since I was in grade school. Trust me the concern for the safety of the line folk is PARAMOUNT. In the cases where there has been inappropriate back (I come from a hurricane prone area) it takes long mounts to get the power back on for this very reason. They want everyone to know how the powers that be approached this problem and the best way is to make an example of each and ever instance. | > If anyone from the city inspector to the power company finds a back feed | > they will pull the meter AND red tag the service. Reconnection will be ONLY | > after a complete reinspection and certification of the entire property. I | > can guarantee that any out of code or discrepancy will be fixed or no | > reconnect. | | Oh, I'll bet...but I'm curious about houses with solar panels and | whatnot that backfeed onto the grid (and reverse their meters) like what | several here in California do? They don't have an isolation switch, so | (based what I know about the systems, which isn't much) they'd backfeed | if there was a power failure on the grid and thus create a hazard. Power company knows about those (it's part of the permitting process) and takes appropriate precautions that are similar to how line troops work on other live systems. If the backfeed is not documented then the service is pulled. | > Any electrical contractor that might accept the job will place one H*LL of a | > price on the project as he and his will be under a proctor scope by anyone | > and everyone remotely associated with permitting the project. | | Oh, damn straight. Electricity is awesome, but it scares the bejeezus | out of me. Not a problem if you have the appropriate respect. The thing that the contractor is wary of is that his every step will be watched and watched closely. From nobody at spamcop.net Fri Dec 3 07:15:21 2004 From: nobody at spamcop.net (Maxx Excaliber) Date: Fri Dec 3 07:20:05 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Fedora 3 Mouse problem Message-ID: I just upgraded my home linux box to Fedora Core 3 from RH9. Now, whenever I use the KVM to switch between my PC and my wife's the mouse goes crazy and starts moving all over the screen at the slightest touch and clicking things, even without me touching the button. I'm pretty sure it's a combination of my mouse and X settings, but I'll be darned if I know what the problem is... Heck, I'm not even sure what they are calling the config file for X these days... Any help? I'm using a WiseTech optical mouse with scroll and a Sun CRT monitor (not sure what the model is...) on a Riva TNT (Graphics Blaster Riva TNT) -- Maxx Excaliber mrmaxx@spamcop.net Just a user, NOT an Admin/Deputy From gospamming at yourdomain.invalid Fri Dec 3 16:29:52 2004 From: gospamming at yourdomain.invalid (D.Diaz) Date: Fri Dec 3 11:30:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Fedora 3 Mouse problem References: Message-ID: Maxx Excaliber wrote in news:pan.2004.12.03.12.15.21.512989@homelinux.org: > I just upgraded my home linux box to Fedora Core 3 from RH9. Now, > whenever I use the KVM to switch between my PC and my wife's the mouse > goes crazy and starts moving all over the screen at the slightest > touch and clicking things, even without me touching the button. I'm > pretty sure it's a combination of my mouse and X settings, but I'll be > darned if I know what the problem is... Heck, I'm not even sure what > they are calling the config file for X these days... Any help? I'm > using a WiseTech optical mouse with scroll and a Sun CRT monitor (not > sure what the model is...) on a Riva TNT (Graphics Blaster Riva TNT) > Hmmm... I don't know about KVM, but I have Fedora in my own box at home. Fedora's X server is Xorg, (a fork from XFree86) and its main config file is located at /etc/X11/xorg.conf IIRC. -- Daniel Diaz SpamCop User From nobody at spamcop.net Fri Dec 3 12:31:44 2004 From: nobody at spamcop.net (indigo) Date: Fri Dec 3 12:35:08 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Firefox Java applet problem References: Message-ID: Blammo wrote: > On 02 Dec 2004 indigo entered spamcop.geeks and left > news:conu9u$qlc$1@news.spamcop.net: > > > Has anyone downloaded the latest Sun Java Runtime 2 software for > > Firefox 0.9? I did yesterday so I could use the streaming stock > > ticker app on Ameritrade and it locked up Firefox -- 99% CPU > > resources and I couldn't close the windows, I had to terminate the > > Firefox process via Task Manager. This was on a Win 2000 machine, I > > tried it at work today on my XP SP1 machine and had no problems. > > > > > > > > Did you uninstall the JRE 1.4 before installing 1.5? > hmmm.....don't know if I had it installed or not (I rebuilt the system a couple of months ago from scratch, reformatted the HD etc.). I didn't see any warnings about there being a previously installed java engine in place though.......if that helps any. From nobody at spamcop.net Fri Dec 3 14:23:43 2004 From: nobody at spamcop.net (Maxx Excaliber) Date: Fri Dec 3 14:25:02 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Fedora 3 Mouse problem References: Message-ID: On Fri, 03 Dec 2004 16:29:52 +0000, D.Diaz wrote: > > Hmmm... I don't know about KVM, but I have Fedora in my own box at home. > Fedora's X server is Xorg, (a fork from XFree86) and its main config file > is located at /etc/X11/xorg.conf IIRC. > Yep. That's it. I think I remember telling RH9 that it's a genuine MS Scroll Mouse. At least I'm hoping that's what I said... I plan on testing it when I get home. :-) -- Maxx Excaliber mrmaxx@spamcop.net Just a user, NOT an Admin/Deputy From nobody at spamcop.net Fri Dec 3 16:52:46 2004 From: nobody at spamcop.net (indigo) Date: Fri Dec 3 16:55:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: Frog Prince wrote: > Static inverters are cheap these days. Regardless you don;t want to > go more than 50% discharge on any battery even though DD units are > better at surviving the abuse. As to the trickle changer you would > be better advised to use a three state charge as TC will eventually > toast your battery. Say what? Why would a trickle charge kill a battery? I don't have a standard charger anyway, mine only "trickles" if the battery needs it, otherwise it does nothing. It also has a switch for full-bore charging. From nobody at spamcop.net Fri Dec 3 16:53:36 2004 From: nobody at spamcop.net (indigo) Date: Fri Dec 3 16:55:06 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: Pete Stephenson wrote: > > I have no idea what type of ammo you have, so I obviously have no way > of knowing. > 4 boxes of .22LR, vintage ;-) From nobody at spamcop.net Fri Dec 3 16:54:44 2004 From: nobody at spamcop.net (indigo) Date: Fri Dec 3 16:55:11 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: Frog Prince wrote: > "indigo" > > | The secret is load balancing. Don't run the fridge and > | > the freezer at the same time. > | > | How do you do that? IIRC my freezer adjustment knob goes from 1-10, > | there's no "off" position. And since the freezer is part of the > | fridge..... > > One 'ice box' one full time freezer. Run one OR the other. Run the > stove OR the water heater. Turn off lights in rooms you are not in a > the time. If you're lucky enough to have the space for two separate appliances........ From nobody at spamcop.net Fri Dec 3 16:58:07 2004 From: nobody at spamcop.net (indigo) Date: Fri Dec 3 17:00:02 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: Pete Stephenson wrote: > Oh, damn straight. Electricity is awesome, but it scares the bejeezus > out of me. Always keep one hand in your pocket when you're working on the breaker box....... From me at privacy.net Fri Dec 3 18:43:05 2004 From: me at privacy.net (Frog Prince) Date: Fri Dec 3 18:50:26 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: "indigo" wrote in message news:coqn7e$kum$1@news.spamcop.net... | | | Frog Prince wrote: | > Static inverters are cheap these days. Regardless you don;t want to | > go more than 50% discharge on any battery even though DD units are | > better at surviving the abuse. As to the trickle changer you would | > be better advised to use a three state charge as TC will eventually | > toast your battery. | | Say what? Why would a trickle charge kill a battery? I don't have a standard | charger anyway, mine only "trickles" if the battery needs it, otherwise it | does nothing. It also has a switch for full-bore charging. Typical trickle charges use low current but also use a higher input voltage dropped by resistance to give a quasi constant current. Works for short term but if use as a charge maintenance device will eventually sulphate the battery by very slow cooking. Best for standby power systems are 'tri-mode' charges which have somewhat complex voltage/current sensing and provide a) fast charging b) maintenance charging and back switch the voltage as a keep alive function but do not cook the battery. I've had standby system last 5-8 years without any degradation of the battery performance. From me at privacy.net Fri Dec 3 18:44:41 2004 From: me at privacy.net (Frog Prince) Date: Fri Dec 3 18:50:32 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: "indigo" | > Oh, damn straight. Electricity is awesome, but it scares the bejeezus | > out of me. | | Always keep one hand in your pocket when you're working on the breaker | box....... If that your safety program best not to put even one hand in the breaker box. From me at privacy.net Fri Dec 3 19:19:47 2004 From: me at privacy.net (Frog Prince) Date: Fri Dec 3 19:20:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: "indigo" | > Oh, damn straight. Electricity is awesome, but it scares the bejeezus | > out of me. | | Always keep one hand in your pocket when you're working on the breaker | box....... If that's your safety program best not to put even one hand in the breaker box. From SpamNScamsReporter# at gmail#.com# Fri Dec 3 16:39:54 2004 From: SpamNScamsReporter# at gmail#.com# (Spam N Scams Reporter) Date: Fri Dec 3 19:45:02 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Remote video monitoring ideas needed Message-ID: A friend of mine had her restaurant burglarized and in the process, the perp(s) took the tape from her security camera recorder. She would like to be able to monitor and capture the stream off site on her home pc which is on a dsl connection. At present there is no computer at the restaurant. She has a QSP-660 four camera real time quad from Advanced Technology Video. The manual - if this would be helpful - can be found here: http://atvideo.com/Sales/Manuals/660.pdf This connects to a Sony SVT-3050 Videocassette Recorder which is not supported anymore by Sony it seems. I've emailed Sony and am waiting to hear back from them. The manual suggests a SVT-RS1 Computer Interface Board for connecting to a PC. I have emailed a couple of possible places that may have one of these. This may be the preferred method, allowing for the time lapse recording on side and remote viewing and recording at the home pc. It would require some method for transmitting and receiving of the stream. All suggestions and comments welcome Thanks, Brian From TMHRVMFWREVN at spammotel.com Sat Dec 4 00:40:22 2004 From: TMHRVMFWREVN at spammotel.com (Rob) Date: Fri Dec 3 19:45:04 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Base 64 garbled Message-ID: I receive a newsletter from the Global Ideas Bank, but, they send it in Base 64!!! Normally I never have problems with Base 64 although it normally comes from spammers. This newsletter is illegible though with text looking like: NzuA*Z~-zPU0,E^ 1]#9B~K۝[NsT\<K۝[N>[sK۝[N~X ]TKK۝[Ns\]Y,Y>۝ Y~[Z etc. If I use opinionatedgeeks to convert the raw Base 64 I can read it, but, OE garbles it. I've asked them to send newsletters in ordinary encoding, but, got a sharp reply that they were a small voluntary organization and didn't have resources to fix that sort of thing!!! This is from the header: Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary = HTMLDEMO41b0fe7102120 and: --HTMLDEMO41b0fe7102120 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Anyone any idea how I can configure OE 6 to read this? Rob From MikeE at ster.invalid Fri Dec 3 16:58:41 2004 From: MikeE at ster.invalid (Mike Easter) Date: Fri Dec 3 20:00:04 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Base 64 garbled References: Message-ID: Rob wrote: > I receive a newsletter from the Global Ideas Bank, but, they send it > in Base 64!!! Normally I never have problems with Base 64 although > it normally comes from spammers. This newsletter is illegible though > with text looking like: > > N???z? u?A?*Z~?-zP?U0,E^ > 1?]#9B~K? ???[??? Ns?T\<K? ???[??? N>[s?K? ???[??? N~X? > ]TKK? ???[??? N?s\?]Y ?,Y>?? Y~[Z > > etc. If I use opinionatedgeeks to convert the raw Base 64 I can read > it, but, OE garbles it. I've asked them to send newsletters in > ordinary encoding, but, got a sharp reply that they were a small > voluntary organization and didn't have resources to fix that sort of > thing!!! > > This is from the header: > > Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary = HTMLDEMO41b0fe7102120 > > and: > > --HTMLDEMO41b0fe7102120 > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 > > Anyone any idea how I can configure OE 6 to read this? I left your post untrimmed because I'm confused and don't know how to trim it. I'll start with my recent experiments with b64 to study a completely different problem which isn't relevant here. I used b64 to send messages to myself to see what they looked like in both the raw message source [also compared to uue encoding] and just opening and reading. If I configure OE in Tools/ Options/ Send tab/ Mail: Plaintext settings/ Message sending format - check Mime - Encode text using: menu select base 64 and then send my plaintext message that way; what I get is a message which I can read just fine upon opening, but it is not multipart alternative as you described above. The header is: Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 and then when the body starts, it is b64 encoded in the raw message source, but when I open it, I can read it as plaintext. That is, OE automatically decodes the b64 into plaintext for me to read. The structure you are getting is not the same structure you would get if I sent you a plaintext message b64 encoded with my OE6. -- Mike Easter kibitzer, not SC admin From MikeE at ster.invalid Fri Dec 3 17:21:07 2004 From: MikeE at ster.invalid (Mike Easter) Date: Fri Dec 3 20:25:02 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Base 64 garbled References: Message-ID: Rob wrote: > I receive a newsletter from the Global Ideas Bank, but, they send it > in Base 64!!! Why don't you 'forward as attachment' one of your GIB newsletters to mike.easter@gmail.com > Anyone any idea how I can configure OE 6 to read this? I'm not even completely sure that will work at my gmail account the way I want it to, but the experiment will also be informative. If it doesn't work at gmail, I'll figure out another way to get one of those things in the condition that you do. -- Mike Easter kibitzer, not SC admin From MikeE at ster.invalid Fri Dec 3 17:44:58 2004 From: MikeE at ster.invalid (Mike Easter) Date: Fri Dec 3 20:45:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Base 64 garbled References: Message-ID: Rob wrote: > I receive a newsletter from the Global Ideas Bank, but, they send it > in Base 64!!! Besides emailing it as an attachment to the gmail, you could also paste it into the webparser, copy the tracker url, and cancel the report. -- Mike Easter kibitzer, not SC admin From ric.gates at bigsleep.org Sat Dec 4 03:36:56 2004 From: ric.gates at bigsleep.org (Blammo) Date: Fri Dec 3 22:40:07 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Firefox Java applet problem References: Message-ID: On 03 Dec 2004 indigo entered spamcop.geeks and left news:coq7u1$a1o$1@news.spamcop.net: >> Did you uninstall the JRE 1.4 before installing 1.5? >> > > hmmm.....don't know if I had it installed or not (I rebuilt the system > a couple of months ago from scratch, reformatted the HD etc.). I > didn't see any warnings about there being a previously installed java > engine in place though.......if that helps any. > > Well I can't run XP right now because of hardware problems, but I've seen it mentioned that you need to remove 1.4 first. I have Java Plug-in 1.4.0_01 in the Control Panel, as well as an old Java 1.3 Plug-in and Mozilla seems to work fine. If you look in Add Remove and see if you can uninstall Java 1.4 if it's there, it was probably installed by FireFox. You may need to install the latest Java2 again after. Also under Program files there may be a j2re1.4 somewhere, I didn't use the default location myself, could be under a Java folder. I suspect FireFox may be trying to use the Java Plug-in 1.4 which is conflicting with Java 1.5. In the FireFox\Plugins folder there's also a dll file "NPJPI140_01.dll". But like I said, I can't check that at this time, the dll could be located somewhere else. Also if you type in the Location in FireFox - about:plugins - it should list what version of the Java Plugin it's using. -- | Ric | From TMHRVMFWREVN at spammotel.com Sat Dec 4 03:25:22 2004 From: TMHRVMFWREVN at spammotel.com (Rob) Date: Fri Dec 3 22:50:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Base 64 garbled References: Message-ID: "Mike Easter" wrote in message news:cor4qo$tm9$1@news.spamcop.net... > Rob wrote: > > I receive a newsletter from the Global Ideas Bank, but, they send it > > in Base 64!!! > > Besides emailing it as an attachment to the gmail, you could also paste > it into the webparser, copy the tracker url, and cancel the report. > > > -- > Mike Easter > kibitzer, not SC admin > Just got back from another work shift, will send it all shortly Thanks, Rob From ric.gates at bigsleep.org Sat Dec 4 03:55:54 2004 From: ric.gates at bigsleep.org (Blammo) Date: Fri Dec 3 23:00:08 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Remote video monitoring ideas needed References: Message-ID: On 03 Dec 2004 Spam N Scams Reporter entered spamcop.geeks and left news:cor113$r7o$1@news.spamcop.net: > All suggestions and comments welcome > I have a catalog from DBL Distributing that might have what you need. The website is www.dbldistributing.com But I had another idea, if they used a DVR there's be no tape to steal, such as the Panasonic DMR-E80H or the JVC DR-MXV1 which I think has VHS too. I don't know if this is practical, but it seems like a good idea to me. I know a guy that monitors his laundramat by sending the video through the phone line to his home PC. I never did see what equipment he used to do that though. Oh, looking in the DBL catalog there's a 4 channel DVR with 100 hours and remote monitoring $449, under "Observation and Security". -- | Ric | From wb8tyw at qsl.network Fri Dec 3 23:47:05 2004 From: wb8tyw at qsl.network (John E. Malmberg) Date: Fri Dec 3 23:50:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Remote video monitoring ideas needed In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Spam N Scams Reporter wrote: > A friend of mine had her restaurant burglarized and in the process, the > perp(s) took the tape from her security camera recorder. She would like > to be able to monitor and capture the stream off site on her home pc > which is on a dsl connection. A video system should be able to feed two tapes. Run the camera to a hidden tape recorder, and then feed the output of that to a visible tape recorder. Chances are as that the thieves will assume that there is only one recorder. Cameras are now small enough that they can also be hidden, but have visible ones to be used as a deterrent or target practice. As has been pointed out, a PC can be used as DVR locally and then relay snapshots down the DSL line. The smarter criminals will cut the line first if they can get to it, and if they can find the PC, they will likely steal it, even if they do not realize what it is doing. And make sure someone checks and changes the tapes regularly. If you have ever watched videos shown on TV of the security tapes, most of them have so poor quality that there is almost no way to identify the perpetrator. It may be because the tape was reused too many times. A DVR avoids some of that. With a restaurant, it may, from an economic point of view, be a good idea to put tamper alarms on the vents to the ovens and the fryers. Every so often, some stupid criminal becomes a candidate for the Darwin awards by trying to get in a restaurant through them. What happens is that they get stuck part way. The morning manager gets in early, and turns on the friers to get them up to temperature for when the higher paid cooks arrive and then goes into the sound proof office to get the daily paperwork done. Through all this, the criminal is silent as either he has fallen asleep, or still thinks that he has a chance of escape. By the time the stuck criminal realizes that it is getting too hot, and starts screaming, even if the manager could hear them, it is too late to cool things down fast enough to save them, even if a rescue squad was available. While many people might think that is justice, it effectively closes down the restaurant until all the resulting mess is cleaned up, and I would expect that the vents and the roof would need some major repairs after the recovery of the body. -John wb8tyw@qsl.network Personal Opinion Only From MikeE at ster.invalid Fri Dec 3 22:03:47 2004 From: MikeE at ster.invalid (Mike Easter) Date: Sat Dec 4 01:05:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Base 64 garbled References: Message-ID: Rob wrote: > "Mike Easter" >> Rob wrote: >>> I receive a newsletter from the Global Ideas Bank, but, they send it >>> in Base 64!!! It's not really the b64 that is the fault here, it is what spam motel is doing to the structure. >> Besides emailing it as an attachment to the gmail, you could also >> paste it into the webparser, copy the tracker url, and cancel the >> report. > Just got back from another work shift, will send it all shortly I got the tracker link at my gmail. If you don't want me to post the tracker here so others can see it I won't. Spam motel is screwing up the whole thing. They are sticking their crappy banner into the 'structure' and aren't handling the mime correctly. I'm no expert at this stuff, but what you have gotten is clearly a mess caused by spam motel's alteration of the original improperly to put in their banner. I think the software for inserting the banner wasn't 'expecting' the b64. OE may be noncompliant in some areas, but that structure is a mess that isn't the fault of OE to not be able to unscramble. I've removed the spam motel stuff 'carefully' [after a few experiments in which I screwed it up] and if you would like for me to post the tracker of what your item should have originally looked like I will. That is, I've put it into the parser and I have a tracker. What you would do is go to the tracker copy it and cut off the top little part and save it as 'something.eml' and then open that item and it is like the way you should've received the item in the first place if spam motel hadn't screwed it up with their banner insertion into the middle of the b64. I can take the item which I have saved as 'Rob2.eml' and open it in my OE and everything is perfectly fine. I can open it without rendering the html and it is fine, and I can open it with rendering the html and it is fine. My 'specimen' has 2 different b64 sections, one in plaintext and one in html, and they both decode just fine. -- Mike Easter kibitzer, not SC admin From pete at heypete.com Sat Dec 4 00:03:40 2004 From: pete at heypete.com (Pete Stephenson) Date: Sat Dec 4 03:05:20 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Intercom disconnecting DSL? Message-ID: I have a very odd technical problem so, of course, I come to spamcop.geeks. My house has two telephone lines. One is the main "home" voice number, and the other is the fax line that has the DSL service on it. On the home line, we have several RadioShack Phone LIne Intercoms[1] that we use for communicating throughout the house. On the fax/DSL line we have filters installed on all the appropriate jacks to prevent interference. Obviously, the jack that feeds the DSL modem is not filtered. In my room, I have two lines wired to one jack and a two-line splitter that allows me to have the home line (with intercom) and the fax/DSL line separated and be routed to the appropriate devices (i.e. the intercom and telephone, and DSL modem respectively). Even though the two lines are physically separated, using the intercom for more than about 10 seconds at a time results in the DSL modem losing its connection. Upon cessation of using the intercom, the DSL modem wakes back up and takes about 30 seconds to reestablish a connection. This is particularly annoying, as my VoIP phone runs over the DSL and I get disconnected from the net -- and thus the websites that I'm hosting on my Cobalt machine next to the desk are inaccessible for that time period. Any advice? The intercoms must continue to be used, and the DSL must continue to be used. I've done everything I could think of, but it still doesn't work right. Perhaps I need a new two-way splitter. *shrugs* [1] -- Pete Stephenson HeyPete.com From TMHRVMFWREVN at spammotel.com Sat Dec 4 15:10:35 2004 From: TMHRVMFWREVN at spammotel.com (Rob) Date: Sat Dec 4 10:30:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Base 64 garbled References: Message-ID: "Mike Easter" wrote in message news:cork00$6n1$1@news.spamcop.net... > Rob wrote: > > "Mike Easter" > >> Rob wrote: > >>> I receive a newsletter from the Global Ideas Bank, but, they send it > >>> in Base 64!!! > > It's not really the b64 that is the fault here, it is what spam motel is > doing to the structure. > > >> Besides emailing it as an attachment to the gmail, you could also > >> paste it into the webparser, copy the tracker url, and cancel the > >> report. > > > Just got back from another work shift, will send it all shortly > > I got the tracker link at my gmail. If you don't want me to post the > tracker here so others can see it I won't. > > Spam motel is screwing up the whole thing. They are sticking their > crappy banner into the 'structure' and aren't handling the mime > correctly. I'm no expert at this stuff, but what you have gotten is > clearly a mess caused by spam motel's alteration of the original > improperly to put in their banner. I think the software for inserting > the banner wasn't 'expecting' the b64. OE may be noncompliant in some > areas, but that structure is a mess that isn't the fault of OE to not be > able to unscramble. > > I've removed the spam motel stuff 'carefully' [after a few experiments > in which I screwed it up] and if you would like for me to post the > tracker of what your item should have originally looked like I will. > That is, I've put it into the parser and I have a tracker. What you > would do is go to the tracker copy it and cut off the top little part > and save it as 'something.eml' and then open that item and it is like > the way you should've received the item in the first place if spam motel > hadn't screwed it up with their banner insertion into the middle of the > b64. > > I can take the item which I have saved as 'Rob2.eml' and open it in my > OE and everything is perfectly fine. I can open it without rendering > the html and it is fine, and I can open it with rendering the html and > it is fine. My 'specimen' has 2 different b64 sections, one in > plaintext and one in html, and they both decode just fine. > > -- > Mike Easter > kibitzer, not SC admin > Thanks Mike, I'll contact SpamMotel and let them know what is happening. They seem to be pretty much on the ball when it comes to getting reports of bugs etc. with their software even if they take a little time to get around to it. No, I don't mind if you post the tracker here. Regards, Rob From MikeE at ster.invalid Sat Dec 4 07:47:49 2004 From: MikeE at ster.invalid (Mike Easter) Date: Sat Dec 4 10:50:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Base 64 garbled References: Message-ID: Rob wrote: > I'll contact SpamMotel and let them know what is happening. They > seem to be pretty much on the ball when it comes to getting reports > of bugs etc. with their software even if they take a little time to > get around to it. What I would do about that newsletter is to give them your real addy and leave spammotel out of the loop. Well, I don't know for sure if I would do that, because you might think they would be giving their addresses out to the spammers, but that is the first thing that comes to mind. If spammotel were 'smart', they would be able to look at that item you posted into the tracker and figure out what was going wrong, ie how they are screwing up your mail. > No, I don't mind if you post the tracker here. This is the first one you sent my gmail: spamcop.net/sc?id=z699020769zefe85d789ac86c71cd5b8046dce13e83z This is the body repaired to what it should be before spammotel messed it up. www.spamcop.net/sc?id=z699050284zaf812eb9156812c0bd09e9101436781cz I'll also take that repaired item and make it be an attachment to a message with this subject in .spam. The attachment's name will be rob2.eml. If you open the newsmessage, you can save the attachment to disk. Then when you open it, it will be opened by your OE and you will see how the item would've looked without the spammotel banner insertion. I don't have the ability to forward the rob2.eml as an attachment to you from the gmail account. -- Mike Easter kibitzer, not SC admin From TMHRVMFWREVN at spammotel.com Sat Dec 4 16:37:45 2004 From: TMHRVMFWREVN at spammotel.com (Rob) Date: Sat Dec 4 12:00:04 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Base 64 garbled References: Message-ID: "Mike Easter" wrote in message news:cosm70$ph7$1@news.spamcop.net... > > What I would do about that newsletter is to give them your real addy and > leave spammotel out of the loop. Well, I don't know for sure if I would > do that, because you might think they would be giving their addresses > out to the spammers, but that is the first thing that comes to mind. > > If spammotel were 'smart', they would be able to look at that item you > posted into the tracker and figure out what was going wrong, ie how they > are screwing up your mail. > > > -- > Mike Easter > kibitzer, not SC admin > Thanks Mike, I considered using my real address, but, subscription to the newsletter was also a part of general membership of the group and a lot of the work in it is done on their forums. I feel confident that they wouldn't pass on addresses to spammers, but, I always feel it's a bit risky to use a real address in forums even if it isn't revealed in the postings. A mail link even when encoded in a posting is often show on the task bar when the link is hovered over and I have this suspicion that if I can see it on the task bar then there is a possibility that a spam bot could too. I'd rather SpamMotel could fix their banner insert, if not I'll un-subscribe to the newsletter. What puzzles me is that Global Ideas Bank are able to send out another newsletter in non Base 64 so why send this one in Base 64? Some years ago before getting MailWasher I created a filter to delete all mail sent me in Base 64 as the only people whoever sent Base 64 to me were spammers. It's still the case now, no legit mail is sent me in Base 64 except for this newsletter! I'll keep an eye open for that mail, thanks. Rob From nobody at nowhere.invalid Sat Dec 4 18:49:58 2004 From: nobody at nowhere.invalid (Steven Maesslein) Date: Sat Dec 4 12:50:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Base 64 garbled References: Message-ID: On Sat, 4 Dec 2004 00:40:22 -0000, Rob coughed into spamcop.geeks and left this in : > N???z? u?A?*Z~?-zP?U0,E^ > 1?]#9B~K? ???[??? Ns?T\<K? ???[??? N>[s?K? ???[??? N~X? > ]TKK? ???[??? N?s\?]Y ?,Y>?? Y~[Z Don't know what that is but it definitely isn't base64. -- Steve BOFH excuse #266: All of the packets are empty From TMHRVMFWREVN at spammotel.com Sat Dec 4 22:30:09 2004 From: TMHRVMFWREVN at spammotel.com (Rob) Date: Sat Dec 4 17:40:02 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Base 64 garbled References: Message-ID: "Steven Maesslein" wrote in message news:slrncr3u66.1mou.nobody@127.0.0.1... > On Sat, 4 Dec 2004 00:40:22 -0000, Rob coughed into spamcop.geeks and > left this in : > > > NzuA*Z~-zPU0,E^ > > 1]#9B~K۝[NsT\<K۝[N>[sK۝[N~X > > ]TKK۝[Ns\]Y,Y>۝ Y~[Z > > Don't know what that is but it definitely isn't base64. > > -- > Steve > > BOFH excuse #266: > > All of the packets are empty Well, it was Base 64 before the badly inserted SpamMotel banner. What you are seeing there is after the Base 64 had been decoded, but, it decoded wrongly due to the inserted banner. From me at privacy.net Sat Dec 4 19:28:55 2004 From: me at privacy.net (Frog Prince) Date: Sat Dec 4 19:50:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Intercom disconnecting DSL? References: Message-ID: "Pete Stephenson" | I have a very odd technical problem so, of course, I come to | spamcop.geeks. | | My house has two telephone lines. One is the main "home" voice number, | and the other is the fax line that has the DSL service on it. On the | home line, we have several RadioShack Phone LIne Intercoms[1] that we | use for communicating throughout the house. On the fax/DSL line we have | filters installed on all the appropriate jacks to prevent interference. | Obviously, the jack that feeds the DSL modem is not filtered. | | In my room, I have two lines wired to one jack and a two-line splitter | that allows me to have the home line (with intercom) and the fax/DSL | line separated and be routed to the appropriate devices (i.e. the | intercom and telephone, and DSL modem respectively). | | Even though the two lines are physically separated, using the intercom | for more than about 10 seconds at a time results in the DSL modem losing | its connection. Upon cessation of using the intercom, the DSL modem | wakes back up and takes about 30 seconds to reestablish a connection. | | This is particularly annoying, as my VoIP phone runs over the DSL and I | get disconnected from the net -- and thus the websites that I'm hosting | on my Cobalt machine next to the desk are inaccessible for that time | period. | | Any advice? The intercoms must continue to be used, and the DSL must | continue to be used. I've done everything I could think of, but it still | doesn't work right. Perhaps I need a new two-way splitter. *shrugs* I'm trying to access the data on the intercoms. (please post a make and model -- include the FCC type approval number if you can) My best guess is that these intercoms operate on RF and in either the 27 MHz or 74 MHz frequency band. This is close to what the DSL operates at. There are several possible fixes but I need a *lot* more info on what in use before I can make any suggestions. (BTW I'm way understating the complexity of the issue) From pete at heypete.com Sat Dec 4 21:19:10 2004 From: pete at heypete.com (Pete Stephenson) Date: Sun Dec 5 00:20:02 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Intercom disconnecting DSL? References: Message-ID: In article , "Frog Prince" wrote: > I'm trying to access the data on the intercoms. (please post a make and > model -- include the FCC type approval number if you can) RadioShack Catalog Number: 43-483. FCC REgistration Number: AAOCHN-20659-OT-N > My best guess is that these intercoms operate on RF and in either the 27 MHz > or 74 MHz frequency band. This is close to what the DSL operates at. There > are several possible fixes but I need a *lot* more info on what in use > before I can make any suggestions. (BTW I'm way understating the complexity > of the issue) I have no doubt that it's absurdly complex, which is why I'm appealing to higher authority. :) -- Pete Stephenson HeyPete.com From me at privacy.net Sun Dec 5 09:09:12 2004 From: me at privacy.net (Frog Prince) Date: Sun Dec 5 09:15:02 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Intercom disconnecting DSL? References: Message-ID: "Pete Stephenson" wrote in message news:pete-6F566F.21191004122004@news.cesmail.net... | In article , | "Frog Prince" wrote: | | > I'm trying to access the data on the intercoms. (please post a make and | > model -- include the FCC type approval number if you can) | | RadioShack Catalog Number: 43-483. | | FCC Registration Number: AAOCHN-20659-OT-N | | > My best guess is that these intercoms operate on RF and in either the 27 MHz | > or 74 MHz frequency band. This is close to what the DSL operates at. There | > are several possible fixes but I need a *lot* more info on what in use | > before I can make any suggestions. (BTW I'm way understating the complexity | > of the issue) | | I have no doubt that it's absurdly complex, which is why I'm appealing | to higher authority. :) BTW what's the data on the DSL hardware? I'd be interested in the operating frequency which may be posted on the product ID if not your ISP tech support should have the data. (You might have to go to the 2 nd level). I checked the RS web site and they apparently don't make that or similar intercoms any longer. I wonder if the reason is the interference with DSL systems? From pete at heypete.com Sun Dec 5 13:03:15 2004 From: pete at heypete.com (Pete Stephenson) Date: Sun Dec 5 16:05:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Intercom disconnecting DSL? References: Message-ID: In article , "Frog Prince" wrote: > BTW what's the data on the DSL hardware? I'd be interested in the operating > frequency which may be posted on the product ID if not your ISP tech support > should have the data. (You might have to go to the 2 nd level). It's a ZyXEL Prestige 645 ADSL modem. FCC ID 1R0DL01B312. > I checked the RS web site and they apparently don't make that or similar > intercoms any longer. I wonder if the reason is the interference with DSL > systems? I don't know...it has a somewhat "old" look, being made of beige plastic. It's not all slick and modern looking, but it works. :) -- Pete Stephenson HeyPete.com From nobody at nowhere.com.INVALID Sun Dec 5 13:17:27 2004 From: nobody at nowhere.com.INVALID (GregR) Date: Sun Dec 5 16:20:10 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Adventures in Wireless Networking In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Steven Maesslein wrote: > Please note that I'm going on the findings of the person who started > this thread in NANAE. I agree that there are some people in that froup > who could be best described as nutjobs, but this person is not one of > them. Some? Most 'normal' people in my neck of the woods wouldn't expend the energy to create a 300+ article thread about this 'issue'. As always, YMMV. :-) > From what I understand of the "feature", it occurred after a firmware > upgrade. There were no warnings of any kind, HTTP requests (or maybe all > SYN packets with destination port 80, I don't know) were redirected to > Belkin's website. It was assumed by Belkin that nothing other than a > browser operated by a sentient human being could ever possibly be behind > these HTTP requests, so they returned a page with an image and > instructions on how to deactivate the "feature". Sounds like to me that it was either an honest oversight on Belkin's part, or maybe the marketing people won out over other objections - without being there none of us can say with any degree of certainty. But logic (and fairness) has never been a hallmark of the typical NANAE "attack-dog" mentality. For most of them, it's gone way beyond spam-fighting (if it ever really was about spam-fighting) into their own weird brand of religion where if you don't agree with the prevailing group-think you're automatically labeled as a spam-supporter or worse. -- GregR - Another Beemer Biker ...o&o> I voted for Kerry, it's not my problem. "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." George W. Bush 8/5/04 From bar_n0ne at hotmail.com Mon Dec 6 14:58:25 2004 From: bar_n0ne at hotmail.com (Berny) Date: Mon Dec 6 06:00:19 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Adventures in Wireless Networking References: Message-ID: "GregR" wrote in message news:covtt9$lik$1@news.spamcop.net... > Steven Maesslein wrote: > SNIPPED > > But logic (and fairness) has never been a hallmark of the typical NANAE > "attack-dog" mentality. For most of them, it's gone way beyond > spam-fighting (if it ever really was about spam-fighting) into their own > weird brand of religion where if you don't agree with the prevailing > group-think you're automatically labeled as a spam-supporter or worse. > Maybe they just get too fsck-ing much spam? Personally I'd love to hand a few spammers over to Lindy Englands shift at Abu Ghraib. Especially the gang over at the haha-net and the cnoc-noc net who I believe are retaliating for reports by swamping me with the stuff. From nobody at spamcop.net Mon Dec 6 12:13:00 2004 From: nobody at spamcop.net (indigo) Date: Mon Dec 6 12:15:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: Frog Prince wrote: > Best for standby power systems are 'tri-mode' charges which have > somewhat complex voltage/current sensing and provide a) fast charging > b) maintenance charging and back switch the voltage as a keep alive > function but do not cook the battery. I've had standby system last > 5-8 years without any degradation of the battery performance. That's the kind of charger I have. It has a volmeter that checks the battery voltage and only trickle charges when it notices a drop in battery charge (or something like that). It was designed to be hooked up to a battery permanently. I've been lucky so far, I've never had to use it in the four years I've had the system. I just manually check the bilge pump a couple of times a year to make sure it and the pump switch are still functioning (it gets pretty cruddy in a sump). From nobody at spamcop.net Mon Dec 6 12:19:20 2004 From: nobody at spamcop.net (indigo) Date: Mon Dec 6 12:20:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: Frog Prince wrote: > "indigo" > > | > Oh, damn straight. Electricity is awesome, but it scares the > | > bejeezus out of me. > | > | Always keep one hand in your pocket when you're working on the > | breaker box....... > > > If that's your safety program best not to put even one hand in the > breaker box. I'm not about to kill the power to the entire house just to install one friggin breaker......rubber soled shoes, gloves, a dry floor, and try not to touch the box with both hands at the same time if you can help it is plenty safe enough. We're not talking about playing with high voltage power lines here, after all. From nobody at spamcop.net Mon Dec 6 12:28:37 2004 From: nobody at spamcop.net (indigo) Date: Mon Dec 6 12:30:02 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Firefox Java applet problem References: Message-ID: Blammo wrote: > I suspect FireFox may be trying to use the Java Plug-in 1.4 which is > conflicting with Java 1.5. In the FireFox\Plugins folder there's also > a dll file "NPJPI140_01.dll". But like I said, I can't check that at > this time, the dll could be located somewhere else. > Actually, it was Firefox that told me I had to download Java to view the streaming app, but whether that means I already had Java on the machine (but had not registered it with Firefox) or not I don't know. Point is moot now, its seems. I ran it again last night and it worked fine, must have been a temp glitch. From nobody at spamcop.net Mon Dec 6 12:33:36 2004 From: nobody at spamcop.net (indigo) Date: Mon Dec 6 12:35:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Intercom disconnecting DSL? References: Message-ID: Pete Stephenson wrote: > In article , > "Frog Prince" wrote: > > > BTW what's the data on the DSL hardware? I'd be interested in the > > operating frequency which may be posted on the product ID if not > > your ISP tech support should have the data. (You might have to go > > to the 2 nd level). > > It's a ZyXEL Prestige 645 ADSL modem. FCC ID 1R0DL01B312. > > > I checked the RS web site and they apparently don't make that or > > similar intercoms any longer. I wonder if the reason is the > > interference with DSL systems? > > I don't know...it has a somewhat "old" look, being made of beige > plastic. It's not all slick and modern looking, but it works. :) Have you tried wrapping the plastic box in foil and grounding it? If the RF interference is between the phone wires and not within the box you got bigger problems.........are the wires twisted pair type or just plain straight wires? You might have to shield the wiring too. From pete at heypete.com Mon Dec 6 17:36:07 2004 From: pete at heypete.com (Pete Stephenson) Date: Mon Dec 6 20:40:04 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Intercom disconnecting DSL? References: Message-ID: In article , "indigo" wrote: > Have you tried wrapping the plastic box in foil and grounding it? If the RF > interference is between the phone wires and not within the box you got > bigger problems.........are the wires twisted pair type or just plain > straight wires? You might have to shield the wiring too. They're just plain straight wires. And no, I haven't made a Faraday Cage for the intercom yet. I'm going to head down to RadioShack in the next few days and will pick up an extra DSL line filter and a new dual-line splitter. We'll see how that works. -- Pete Stephenson HeyPete.com From me at privacy.net Tue Dec 7 06:31:07 2004 From: me at privacy.net (Frog Prince) Date: Tue Dec 7 06:40:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: "indigo" | > | > | > Oh, damn straight. Electricity is awesome, but it scares the | > | > bejeezus out of me. | > | | > | Always keep one hand in your pocket when you're working on the | > | breaker box....... | > | > | > If that's your safety program best not to put even one hand in the | > breaker box. | | I'm not about to kill the power to the entire house just to install one | friggin breaker......rubber soled shoes, gloves, a dry floor, and try not to | touch the box with both hands at the same time if you can help it is plenty | safe enough. We're not talking about playing with high voltage power lines | here, after all. My point was that the one hand rule has as much (if not more) chance of getting a person in trouble as it (typically) implies that the person does not know what they are doing in the first place. From me at privacy.net Tue Dec 7 06:33:35 2004 From: me at privacy.net (Frog Prince) Date: Tue Dec 7 06:40:11 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Intercom disconnecting DSL? References: Message-ID: "indigo" | > | > I don't know...it has a somewhat "old" look, being made of beige | > plastic. It's not all slick and modern looking, but it works. :) | | Have you tried wrapping the plastic box in foil and grounding it? If the RF | interference is between the phone wires and not within the box you got | bigger problems.........are the wires twisted pair type or just plain | straight wires? You might have to shield the wiring too. Not likely to be much help as the RF is most assuredly getting in via the phone lines. The coupling effects of four wires run parallel throughout the house is a major problem. From nobody at spamcop.net Tue Dec 7 10:49:32 2004 From: nobody at spamcop.net (indigo) Date: Tue Dec 7 10:50:06 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Generator for computers? References: Message-ID: Frog Prince wrote: > > My point was that the one hand rule has as much (if not more) chance > of getting a person in trouble as it (typically) implies that the > person does not know what they are doing in the first place. Well, I'd never claim to be an electrician, but I have picked up a enough knowledge here and there a long the way to be able to safely do any type of household electrical work that needs done. If I'm not sure how to do something safely and to code, I always ask some of the electrical techs at work for help (splitting 3-phase 240 V into multiple single phase 120 V outputs for instance always seems to slip my mind because I don't do it often enough to remember the proper way to do it). Same with 3-way light switches, although I do have the basic wiring schematic stashed somewhere in my workshop for refreshing my memory before I start opening electrical boxes. I do have sufficient respect (ok, call it fear if you want) of a live 200 amp service box to be extremely careful when I'm working around it. From ube_never at YAHOO.COM Tue Dec 7 13:25:38 2004 From: ube_never at YAHOO.COM (R. Asby Dragon) Date: Tue Dec 7 16:20:19 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Intercom disconnecting DSL? References: Message-ID: "Pete Stephenson" wrote in message news:pete-CA465F.17360706122004@news.cesmail.net... > In article , > "indigo" wrote: > > > Have you tried wrapping the plastic box in foil and grounding it? If the RF > > interference is between the phone wires and not within the box you got > > bigger problems.........are the wires twisted pair type or just plain > > straight wires? You might have to shield the wiring too. > > They're just plain straight wires. Been thru a lot of strange problems with phone lines in the past; never seen *quite* what you have. But... it's reeeaaaalllyy close to similar problems found on "special services" lines around radio sites and such. SCADA; video over twisted pair; specialised modems -- you name it; it's all some form of RF in some part of the system and it does weird things . Just replacing "old" phone cabling that has almost no twists can do wonders. Unfortunately that can be a pain in the ass/back/etc . Here's a good place for help : http://www.homephonewiring.com/index.html > Pete Stephenson > HeyPete.com -- -- I'm personally in favor of finding some way to make Robert A. Heinlein's corpse "President Forever" and making it mandatory that any public official memorizes "The Notebooks of Lazarus Long" . --R. Asby Dragon From ric.gates at bigsleep.org Wed Dec 8 03:15:22 2004 From: ric.gates at bigsleep.org (Blammo) Date: Tue Dec 7 22:20:02 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Firefox Java applet problem References: Message-ID: On 06 Dec 2004 indigo entered spamcop.geeks and left news:cp24s5$2ve$1@news.spamcop.net: > Actually, it was Firefox that told me I had to download Java to view > the streaming app, but whether that means I already had Java on the > machine (but had not registered it with Firefox) or not I don't know. There used to be a problem with that, but now it may search your computer for JRE, it should search for Quicktime and WMP, and Flash now detects Firefox and installs the plugin for it. > Point is moot now, its seems. I ran it again last night and it worked > fine, must have been a temp glitch. > Maybe a reboot fixed it? -- | Ric | From ric.gates at bigsleep.org Wed Dec 8 03:25:30 2004 From: ric.gates at bigsleep.org (Blammo) Date: Tue Dec 7 22:30:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Intercom disconnecting DSL? References: Message-ID: On 07 Dec 2004 R. Asby Dragon entered spamcop.geeks and left news:cp56nt$56n$1@news.spamcop.net: > Been thru a lot of strange problems with phone lines in the past; > never seen *quite* what you have. > > But... it's reeeaaaalllyy close to similar problems found on "special > services" lines around radio sites and such. SCADA; video over twisted > pair; specialised modems -- you name it; it's all some form of RF in > some part of the system and it does weird things . > > Just replacing "old" phone cabling that has almost no twists can do > wonders. Unfortunately that can be a pain in the ass/back/etc . > I was thinking of running a Cat 5 (or Cat 3) line out to the Telephone Network Interface for just the DSL, for just that reason. However I think Cat 5 is LVD and I don't know if it would make any difference with telco which is sending a voltage. Wouldn't that need HVD? Or some kind of HVD filter? -- | Ric | From eddie at eddie.web Wed Dec 8 01:44:28 2004 From: eddie at eddie.web (eddie) Date: Wed Dec 8 01:45:02 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Virtual PC 7 for the G5 - a mini review Message-ID: I just got my copy of MS's Virtual PC 7 for my G5. I got the empty version since I have access to XP via MSDN. Amazon's price is about the cheapest I found. Just a tad over one hundred bucks. It installed without a single problem - but that's probably because the box is a Mac. It connected itself to the internet through a pseudo-server created in the Mac, and registered itself. Later, when I did an ipconfig, I discovered that the IP address was not in my usual 192.168.1.xxx range, but rather in the 192.168.131.xxx, as I recall. The virtual machine was 192.168.135.65, and a gateway was created at 192.169.131.254, and a DNS was created at .252. Very interesting. There is a switch to let the virtual XP access the LAN directly through the NIC rather than through the G5 proxy. I then installed XP/SP1a from the DVD I got from MSDN. Again, I was amazed that it simply installed without a hitch. It connected to the internet through the Mac and registered itself as easily as did the Virtual PC itself. Then, I updated to SP2 via the DVD. After a reboot (which is only a virtual reboot in the XP window) it started and ran perfectly. I think it actually runs better than XP does on a dedicated machine. I installed the AVG AV software and it was completely fooled into thinking it was a real XP box. I then did an MS critical update via the control panel. Again, no problems. And, of course, a reboot is a virtual reboot. The actual OS never goes down, only the XP window. It apparently keeps the file system in RAM and synchs it with a virtiual image on the harddrive, either in real-time and/or when shutting down. I even plugged in an old USB 100 Meg iomega zip drive, which XP recognized and installed, even though the Mac wasn't aware of it without the Mac drivers, which I have not installed. I have to give whoever wrote this piece of software (the Virtual PC, not XP) a lot of credit. I would say it's more Mac than MS, but whatever, I am very pleased with it. For $100, it's a nice toy and even better, a functional piece of software for those who live in both worlds. So far I am pleasantly surprised. I expected some problems of some kind, but none have appeared. I haven't started installing any other software yet, but I will start doing so later today. I hope to migrate a lot of XP stuff onto this machine and get rid of some older hardware. The virtual XP picked up my network printer automatically and printed a test page without a hitch. I am a believer. -- "I don't understand what happened. Nobody I know voted for Bush." Dan Pauline Kael-Rather From rcarlton at spamcop.net Tue Dec 7 23:27:37 2004 From: rcarlton at spamcop.net (Rick Carlton) Date: Wed Dec 8 02:30:10 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Virtual PC 7 for the G5 - a mini review In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Interesting.... I've had a not-quite-as-stellar experience with VPC7 on my PB G4 1.25. Mainly seems to be a horsepower problem. The main reason I got it was to get into a client's remote network hosted by a Symantec Firewall/VPN Router 200R. Required a firmware update unavailable from Symantec or the Symantec VPN Client. The VPN client does connect under VPC7, but only if it's connected via the tethered ethernet connection; wireless won't work (too much latency I am guessing). So, no billing from Starbucks. But SFPL does have tethered connections at the Main Library, so all is not completely lost. I'm thinking of paying the client to place a terminating VPN router on their end that supports the Mac's native VPN client - because with Office 2004 and Remote Desktop Client for Mac OS - I can do just about everything. Note to other Mac guys - none of the AirPorts are terminating VPN routers, but Linksys/Cisco has a decent one for a coupla hundred. Don't get me wrong, this is mainly grousing - as I can make it do what I purchased it for in the first place. It just doesn't do so particularly well. I'm not even gonna try running Unreal Tournament 2004 on it. ;-) Lastly, in case your copy wasn't patched for 7.01, you might want to. From eddie at eddie.web Wed Dec 8 12:25:18 2004 From: eddie at eddie.web (eddie) Date: Wed Dec 8 12:30:12 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Virtual PC 7 for the G5 - a mini review References: Message-ID: On Tue, 07 Dec 2004 23:27:37 -0800, Rick Carlton scratched out the following: > Interesting.... > > I've had a not-quite-as-stellar experience with VPC7 on my PB G4 1.25. > > Mainly seems to be a horsepower problem. I have the dual 2Gig G5. Still, it's an emulator and there are some small timing lags here and there but not enough to be a problem. snip > The VPN client does connect under VPC7, but only if it's connected via the > tethered ethernet connection; wireless won't work (too much latency I am > guessing). So, no billing from Starbucks. But SFPL does have tethered > connections at the Main Library, so all is not completely lost. I have a wireless USB link I might play with, but tethered is fine with me for now. snip > Don't get me wrong, this is mainly grousing - as I can make it do what I > purchased it for in the first place. > It just doesn't do so particularly well. I'm not even gonna try running > Unreal Tournament 2004 on it. ;-) snip I see it as a small investment to consolidate a few old boxes into this package and have less hardware to kick around :) > Lastly, in case your copy wasn't patched for 7.01, you might want to. First thing I checked. The update was for 7.01 so I checked and that is the version I have. Probably why they delayed shipping it until December 1. Curiously, the version that contained the XP image shipped a month ago. The instructions are a little confusing: they say it supports only XP and 2K, but the menu for selecting an OS lists all the MS OSs, and I read somewhere that it did support all previous OSs. I may try Win98SE just for fun, one of these days. -- "I don't understand what happened. Nobody I know voted for Bush." Dan Pauline Kael-Rather From ube_never at YAHOO.COM Wed Dec 8 13:01:55 2004 From: ube_never at YAHOO.COM (R. Asby Dragon) Date: Wed Dec 8 16:00:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Intercom disconnecting DSL? References: Message-ID: "Blammo" wrote in message news:Xns95B8C5B7E679Bblammo@216.154.195.61... > On 07 Dec 2004 R. Asby Dragon entered spamcop.geeks and left > news:cp56nt$56n$1@news.spamcop.net: > > > Been thru a lot of strange problems with phone lines in the past; > > never seen *quite* what you have. > > > > But... it's reeeaaaalllyy close to similar problems found on "special > > services" lines around radio sites and such. SCADA; video over twisted > > pair; specialised modems -- you name it; it's all some form of RF in > > some part of the system and it does weird things . > > > > Just replacing "old" phone cabling that has almost no twists can do > > wonders. Unfortunately that can be a pain in the ass/back/etc . > > > > I was thinking of running a Cat 5 (or Cat 3) line out to the Telephone > Network Interface for just the DSL, for just that reason. However I think > Cat 5 is LVD and I don't know if it would make any difference with telco > which is sending a voltage. Wouldn't that need HVD? Or some kind of HVD > filter? Never heard of LVD and HVD used on phone cable (but yes on SCSI drives and some telemetry) . Yes; networking has gone to lower signal levels (ala LVD) to reduce crosstalk ; but that's a function of the levels; not the wire. Are you taking about insulation rating?? CAT(x) is rated the same as UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) phone cable. Reality is that most wire plants now use the same basic stock for making phone cables and data cables. The only difference is the test/certification levels done after manufacturing. Using CAT3/5/5e/6 cable for telephone wiring is no problem. We do that at work; the only time we use "jake" or "quad" is for old locations where wire size is critical . From rcarlton at spamcop.net Wed Dec 8 17:59:53 2004 From: rcarlton at spamcop.net (Rick Carlton) Date: Wed Dec 8 20:55:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Virtual PC 7 for the G5 - a mini review In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: eddie wrote: > On Tue, 07 Dec 2004 23:27:37 -0800, Rick Carlton scratched out the > following: > First thing I checked. The update was for 7.01 so I checked and that is > the version I have. Probably why they delayed shipping it until December 1. > Curiously, the version that contained the XP image shipped a month ago. > The instructions are a little confusing: they say it supports only XP and > 2K, but the menu for selecting an OS lists all the MS OSs, and I read > somewhere that it did support all previous OSs. I may try Win98SE just for > fun, one of these days. Oh yeah, did you notice the very explicit "Does not support BeOS" note? Think I may have to try it just to be difficult. ;-) From eddie at eddie.web Thu Dec 9 00:52:50 2004 From: eddie at eddie.web (eddie) Date: Thu Dec 9 00:55:03 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Virtual PC 7 for the G5 - a mini review References: Message-ID: On Wed, 08 Dec 2004 17:59:53 -0800, Rick Carlton scratched out the following: >snip > Oh yeah, did you notice the very explicit "Does not support BeOS" note? > > Think I may have to try it just to be difficult. ;-) I didn't notice, but since it's an MS product why should it support anything non-MS? :) Besides, doesn't the hardware support BeOS directly? I haven't tried it, and don't know all the particulars yet, but supposedly I can run Linux on the G5 as a separate OS. I enjoy the fact that all those command line commands like ipconfig run properly. I wonder what happens when I plug in a DVD? Will OSX or XP attempt to play it? Maybe both? :) As I mentioned, the zip drive is seen by XP even though OSX cannot detect it. Ahh, the marvels of 21st century technology. :) -- "I don't understand what happened. Nobody I know voted for Bush." Dan Pauline Kael-Rather From ric.gates at bigsleep.org Thu Dec 9 06:19:05 2004 From: ric.gates at bigsleep.org (Blammo) Date: Thu Dec 9 01:20:14 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Intercom disconnecting DSL? References: Message-ID: On 08 Dec 2004 R. Asby Dragon entered spamcop.geeks and left news:cp7pna$oh4$1@news.spamcop.net: > Never heard of LVD and HVD used on phone cable (but yes on SCSI drives > and some telemetry) . Yes; networking has gone to lower signal > levels (ala LVD) to reduce crosstalk ; but that's a function of the > levels; not the wire. > Right, I was just thinking about whether it could be done. Like using a balanced circuit for audio lines. > Are you taking about insulation rating?? CAT(x) is rated the same as > UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) phone cable. > > Reality is that most wire plants now use the same basic stock for > making phone cables and data cables. The only difference is the > test/certification levels done after manufacturing. > That's what I figured. > Using CAT3/5/5e/6 cable for telephone wiring is no problem. We do > that at work; the only time we use "jake" or "quad" is for old > locations where wire size is critical . > I see. I just usually use Cat5 as well, I figure it's going to be at least as good, if not better, than the existing wire. But I figure it's not so much the type of wire, as it is the quality and location of the wire. BTW, that's a pretty interesting site, I learned a couple things. -- | Ric | From asterix at no_where.net Thu Dec 9 20:21:37 2004 From: asterix at no_where.net (Asterix) Date: Thu Dec 9 14:25:04 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Virtual PC 7 for the G5 - a mini review References: Message-ID: <1gojmy4.1k9sihzvmf772N%asterix@no_where.net> eddie wrote: > Besides, doesn't the hardware support BeOS directly? I haven't tried it, > and don't know all the particulars yet, but supposedly I can run Linux on > the G5 as a separate OS. Linux, yes, probably, but since it's quite a few years since BeOS was available for Mac, I find it hard to beleive that it support any Mac hardware later than PPC604 - and I don't think it ever supported USB. It did run well wnen I tested it for a week on my trusty Performa 6400. -- I recommend Macs to my friends, and Intel machines to those whom I don't mind billing by the hour From rcarlton at spamcop.net Thu Dec 9 13:40:31 2004 From: rcarlton at spamcop.net (Rick Carlton) Date: Thu Dec 9 16:40:12 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Virtual PC 7 for the G5 - a mini review In-Reply-To: <1gojmy4.1k9sihzvmf772N%asterix@no_where.net> References: <1gojmy4.1k9sihzvmf772N%asterix@no_where.net> Message-ID: Asterix wrote: > Linux, yes, probably, but since it's quite a few years since BeOS was > available for Mac, I find it hard to beleive that it support any Mac > hardware later than PPC604 - and I don't think it ever supported USB. > It did run well wnen I tested it for a week on my trusty Performa 6400. There are a couple of nice BeOS x86 builds out and about. Since VPC 6 supported almost anything - when it was Connectix, I am supecting that VPC 7 will, it'll just complain about it a bit. From Kilgallen at SpamCop.net Thu Dec 9 18:19:32 2004 From: Kilgallen at SpamCop.net (Larry Kilgallen) Date: Thu Dec 9 19:20:12 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Virtual PC 7 for the G5 - a mini review References: <1gojmy4.1k9sihzvmf772N%asterix@no_where.net> Message-ID: In article , Rick Carlton writes: > Asterix wrote: >> Linux, yes, probably, but since it's quite a few years since BeOS was >> available for Mac, I find it hard to beleive that it support any Mac >> hardware later than PPC604 - and I don't think it ever supported USB. >> It did run well wnen I tested it for a week on my trusty Performa 6400. > > > There are a couple of nice BeOS x86 builds out and about. > > Since VPC 6 supported almost anything - when it was Connectix, I am > supecting that VPC 7 will, it'll just complain about it a bit. It is important for a vendor to draw the line at what they will support. That does not necessarily mean it won't work. Consider the parallel with cable modems, where the cable company will only "support" a couple of operating systems, but if you run something else that works they will not complain. From eddie at eddie.web Thu Dec 9 21:25:43 2004 From: eddie at eddie.web (eddie) Date: Thu Dec 9 21:30:50 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Virtual PC 7 for the G5 - a mini review References: <1gojmy4.1k9sihzvmf772N%asterix@no_where.net> Message-ID: On Thu, 09 Dec 2004 13:40:31 -0800, Rick Carlton scratched out the following: snip > Since VPC 6 supported almost anything - when it was Connectix, I am > supecting that VPC 7 will, it'll just complain about it a bit. Not to sound pedantic, but "support" can mean that the software itself does not support the OS in question - meaning that it simply won't work, in the same way the G5 did not support VPC6; or it could mean that the manufacturer will not supply any support, which is a completely different thing. So when MS says, "xxx" is not supported in VPC7, it could mean either. As I noted, many OSs were listed in the VPC7 setup, from Win95 through XP, plus Linux, UNIX, DOS and "Unspecified" so it's worth a shot to see what happens. Since it's virtual, I don't think anything bad could happen. The whole thing runs in RAM and uses a file on the HD. -- "I don't understand what happened. Nobody I know voted for Bush." Dan Pauline Kael-Rather From asterix at no_where.net Fri Dec 10 21:47:15 2004 From: asterix at no_where.net (Asterix) Date: Fri Dec 10 15:50:13 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] Re: Virtual PC 7 for the G5 - a mini review References: <1gojmy4.1k9sihzvmf772N%asterix@no_where.net> Message-ID: <1golln7.i0wexgvzv4rhN%asterix@no_where.net> Rick Carlton wrote: > Asterix wrote: > > Linux, yes, probably, but since it's quite a few years since BeOS was > > available for Mac, I find it hard to beleive that it support any Mac > > hardware later than PPC604 - and I don't think it ever supported USB. > > It did run well wnen I tested it for a week on my trusty Performa 6400. > > > There are a couple of nice BeOS x86 builds out and about. *That* I know - but Eddie asked: > > > doesn't the hardware support BeOS directly? Hence my comment. BeOS started as a system for PPC processors. They even started with their own hardware - the BeBox with dual 66 Mhz PPC601 chips. -- I recommend Macs to my friends, and Intel machines to those whom I don't mind billing by the hour From pete+usenet at heypete.com Mon Dec 13 21:13:17 2004 From: pete+usenet at heypete.com (Pete Stephenson) Date: Tue Dec 14 00:15:02 2004 Subject: [SpamCop-Geeks] iTunes conversion question... Message-ID: I presently have a substantial collection of music with iTunes (3,745 songs). Most of it is directly ripped from CDs. The collection is presently encoded as AAC (not "protected" AAC, just regular). I wish to convert these files to MP3 so that I can burn MP3s to play in my MP3-enabled car stereo. Indeed, iTunes offers a conversion opti