Granbury's Geek

Free protection from porn on your home/office network

2009-03-15T23:28:00.000-07:00

I admit I was skeptical about the free “Adult Site Blocking” offered by OpenDNS. I’ve seen too many “free” filters that in the end were worth what I paid for them. But we’ve been using the OpenDNS Adult Site Blocking for about two weeks in our house, and I’m can now say I’m a fan.

The installation is very simple. You follow the instructions outlined on the OpenDNS website to change the DNS settings on your computer: (You can also do this for your home router)

Then you need to create an account at OpenDNS and configure your blocking. You have a small number of categories to choose from. That’s basically it for installation. What’s really impressive about OpenDNS filtering is the speed. I didn’t notice any difference at all in Internet access. That’s because OpenDNS relies on filtering at the Domain Name Server (DNS) , rather than on your computer.

Next I decided to test the filtering to see how effective it was. I configured OpenDNS as shown to block only Pornography and Sexuality sites.

I then used Google, Yahoo! and Live to put together several searches for pornographic material, and after removing dead links, generated a sample of 100. OpenDNS only missed four of those sites for an underblocking rating of 96% — among the highest scores I’ve seen in my collection of filter effectiveness tests. I then tried a sample of 25 sexual education and lingerie sites, and found none of them were blocked by OpenDNS. After two weeks of use by everyone in my family, so far we haven’t encountered a wrongly blocked site. The high-quality filtering is provided by St. Bernard, which has been in the filtering business for about 10 years, and it shows.

I tried to get around the filter by using an unfiltered Google image search. OpenDNS let me enter “porn” into Google images, and brought up a screen full of porn thumbnail images. So it’s crucial that your children use search engines that have you have preconfigured to filter adult content in addition to using OpenDNS for it to be really effective.

Another downside to OpenDNS is its vulnerability to more knowlegable users, as CNET’s Michael Horowitz points out:

The bad news here is that I can’t see how this blocking can be enforced. A knowledgeable computer user can simply change the DNS servers used by the operating system.

Remember how easy it was to set up? A computer savvy teen can undo it just as easily, so if your child is a teenager, you either want a more robust solution or to buy some more tools to look down your browser and operating system.
Update: Most home routers allow you to set OpenDNS in your router, which you can password protect. OpenDNS describes this here.

Pros:

Zero footprint, zero latency! This is huge, as most other home filters slow down both your Internet connection speed as well as your operating system’s response time. Not with OpenDNS.
Institutional grade, granular filtering. The adult site filtering from St. Bernard is first rate, blocking 96 out of 100 porn sites I tried, while allowing lingerie and sexual health information.
No updates necessary. A big problem with many home filters is they require updates to the filtering list. By putting the filtering in the DNS server, this isn’t a problem.
Free reporting.
Extremely simple setup and no maintenance.

Cons:

Only protects from sexual/violent content the web. If your child uses e-mail, IM, social networking sites, etc. You’ll need other products in conjunction with OpenDNS.
No search engine filtering. You will have to enable this separately, or buy another product.
Limited reporting functionality. While OpenDNS will record blocked site violations, you don’t get much more functionality than that.
Fairly easy to disable by a knowledgeable user.

Verdict:

For the home user who wants to block out adult-oriented sites, this is a great product. Fast, high-quality filtering that’s always up-to-date on your computer with no latency and simple installation, and it costs nothing. But if you want to block more than just explicit sites , set time limits, filter e-mail, IM, etc., you will need to use other products in conjunction with OpenDNS.

Google 411? Google offers 411 Service

2009-03-13T23:02:00.000-07:00

Here is a video demonstrating Google's 411 service.

Using: Using GOOG-411

When it comes to cell phones, rates for 411 calls have never been pretty. For instance:

foo

bar

Wireless Carriers

$1.49 Verizon Wireless

$1.75 Virgin Mobile

$1.79 Sprint Nextel

$1.49 U.S. Cellular

$1.49 T-Mobile

$1.79 Cingular

$1.75 AT&T

$1.50 Alltel

Long Distance Providers

$1.25 Verizon

$2.49 VarTec

$2.49 Sprint

$1.99 AT&T

$3.49 MCI

Now there are other providers of free 411 services, but one new kid on the block is Google's own GOOG-411. Not only is it free, but it is add free as of this writing. Also, it is a toll free call and it connects you at no additional charge.

Once you find your listing, just say "text" and it will send a text to the cell number you called from, if it is an SMS enabled phone.Here's a tutorial and a video follows:

Call 1-800-GOOG-411. (That's 1-800-466-4411). Say where you are and what you're looking for. GOOG-411 will connect you with the business you choose. For the fastest and most simple experience, use the hints below:

At any point in the call:
To go back	say "go back"	All phones
To start over	say "start over" or press *	All phones

When prompted for your query:
To enter city and state and business name or category	say the full names for example, "Joe's Pizzeria Palo Alto California"	All phones
To enter a zip code	say it or enter with keypad	All phones
To spell a business name	press 1 and spell with keypad for example, TOYS would be 8697	All phones

When given results:
To navigate between results	say or press the listing number	All phones
To receive an SMS	say "text message"	Mobile phones only
To receive a map link	say "map it"	Mobile phones only
To get more details	say "details"	All phones
To get help	say "help"	All phones

Get this widget

Track details

eSnips Social DNA

SMS through E-Mail: Cingular, Nextel, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, Virgin Mobile

2009-03-13T22:30:00.001-07:00

SMS through E-Mail: Cingular, Nextel, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, Virgin Mobile

Posted using ShareThis

Hotmail adds pop3 access worldwide

2009-03-13T21:48:00.000-07:00

The following change was announced at Microsoft's live.com.

If you need phone or on site assistance, call Granbury's Geek at 817-579-4622 or email at granburygeek@gmail.com.

A new way to get Hotmail on your phone

We are happy to announce that POP3 technology is now available to Hotmail users *edit 12Mar09* WORLDWIDE!
What is POP3? It is a protocol that allows almost any e-mail software program that you’ve installed on your mobile phone or PC* to get messages from your e-mail inbox on the web and deliver them in the designated program.
Although you always could access Hotmail on your web-enabled mobile phone by going to mobile.live.com, now that Hotmail has POP3, you can get to it more conveniently using the e-mail software on your PC or mobile device* such as a Windows Mobile phone, iPhone, or BlackBerry.
When you set up Hotmail in the e-mail program on your PC or mobile device, you may be asked for the following information:

POP server: pop3.live.com (Port 995)
POP SSL required? Yes
User name: Your Windows Live ID, for example yourname@hotmail.com
Password: The password you usually use to sign in to Hotmail or Windows Live
SMTP server: smtp.live.com (Port 25 or 587)
Authentication required? Yes (this matches your POP username and password)
TLS/SSL required? Yes

In addition to POP3, Microsoft offers additional technologies that can provide you with an even richer experience of your e-mail. Try viewing your Hotmail using Windows Live Mail, Microsoft Office Outlook via the Outlook Connector, or Windows Live for Windows Mobile phone.
Looking for help with Hotmail? Visit the Windows Live Hotmail Solution Center! The Solution Center has instructions on how to set up your e-mail software to send and receive Windows Live Hotmail messages using POP3. You’ll also find instructions on how to set up Hotmail on the web to give you POP3 access to a non-Windows Live e-mail account. If you have problems using POP3 access, Windows Live Hotmail Solution Center also has links to report a problem with Hotmail.
We hope you enjoy the many ways in which you can access your Windows Live Hotmail!
- The Windows Live Hotmail team
* If supported by your device and e-mail program

Firefox: Use a Bookmarklet to Download High Definition YouTube Clips

2009-02-13T22:34:00.000-08:00

Along with the Standard and High Quality formats, YouTube offers a High Definition 720p MP4 format version of some videos. By using a bookmarklet, you can easily download these videos to your computer without the use of any other software. Once you have the video downloaded, you simply rename the file and it’s set to go.

1. Open your Firefox web browser.

2. Right-click the Bookmarks Toolbar.

3. Select New Bookmark.

4. In the Name textbox, input a name for your bookmarklet, such as YouTube HD.

5. In the Location textbox, input the following:

javascript:window.location.href = 'http://youtube.com/get_video?video_id=' + swfArgs['video_id'] + “&fmt=22″ + “&l=” + swfArgs['l'] + “&sk=” + swfArgs['sk'] + ‘&t=’ + swfArgs['t'];

6. Click the Add button.

When you are viewing Videos at YouTube, you can click this bookmarklet to download the High Definition version of the video you are viewing (if available).

To download Standard or High Quality formats, use this bookmarklet.

Note: the credit for the great javascript behind the bookmarklets goes to Lawrence Albert at Unlock for This

OpenDNS Faster, More Reliable, Safer Internet - You Need This and it’s FREE!

2009-01-15T11:44:00.000-08:00

I’ve been having a lot of problems with my ISP’s domain name resolution service. So what does a DNS problem look like you say? It’s when you try to go to websites that you know exist, but for some reason your browser just cannot load the site. You click refresh about 5 times and magically it’s all better. If you see that kind of error while browsing, then you my friend have a DNS problem.So what you’d like to get is some really fast, really reliable DNS server and use that instead, but which one?

Easy answer – OpenDNS is global and probably has a DNS server very close to your location. OpenDNS has the lowest failure rate of DNS servers I tested using a randomized list of 10,000 domains and OpenDNS had the fastest response times.

It really does speed up your browsing! It’s actually a little surprising since I’d never thought about the fact that DNS lookup is something that happens every time your browser loads not only a page, but ANY element of that page that is offsite (such as hit counters and the like).

OpenDNS includes anti-fishing and family friendly (optional) blocking services as well.

Through their PhishTank system they can automatically prevent you from being able to visit a reported fishing site automatically and without you having to install any software on your computer. That’s amazing!

TEST your current system and go to a TEST (Not Real!) fishing site called www.internetbadguys.com. All the databases have this listed as a fishing site so you can test your browser. Again, it’s not really a fishing site! If your browser lets you in, then you are not protected. If you have OpenDNS then you’ll get the screen as folllows informing you that it has protected you from visiting some really bad guys.

Run, don’t walk to OpenDNS for a faster, better, safer internet.

Click the button to join and you’ll be set up in no time. They walk you through the process very nicely with a step by step tutorial. It’s going to take most people less than 10 minutes.

Tellme Review

2008-12-03T23:18:00.000-08:00

Tellme is the free service you call to reach the people, businesses, and information you need everyday.

Tellme makes everyday life simpler by connecting consumers and businesses on the telephone network. Consumers can reach the people, businesses and information they need every day by calling 1-800-555-TELL. Businesses can reach millions of consumers by building their own phone sites on Tellme with Tellme Studio.

The variety of information on the Tellme network is growing everyday as this new technology is developed and adopted. A sample of the current "Extensions" in the Tellme network include:

* stocks
* email
* sports
* restaurants
* horoscopes
* lottery
* news
* traffic
* soap operas

Gmail Resources

2008-05-17T17:09:00.000-07:00

With Google announcing the ability to increase your Gmail storage capacity this week, we decided to delve into other ways to extend and enhance Google’s popular webmail service. Presenting: 60+ tools and resources for Gmail.

Desktop Applications

GCount – An application for Mac OSX that alerts you to new mail.

gDisk – An app for Mac OSX giving the ability to turn Gmail accounts into storage drives.

gFeeder – A small ticker for your Gmail that will let you know at a glance what’s coming in for you.

GetMail – Allows you to migrate your emails from Hotmail to your Gmail account.

Gmail Drive – Another tool for turning your Gmail account in to a virtual storage drive, this one works directly from inside Windows Explorer.

Gmail Loader – For Windows or Linux, aids you in loading your email to your Gmail account.

GMailFS – Turns your Gmail space into a virtual drive that your Windows Explorer can see.

GotMailG – A Mac widget to display the number of unread messages in your inbox.

POP3/IMAP server for GMAIL in JAVA – Allows you POP3 access via your favorite mail reader to your Gmail account, IMAP still in development.

Send To GMail – With one click, you can back up any file you want from your computer to your Gmail account.

Firefox Tools

Better Gmail – Combines some of the most popular Greasemonkey scripts in to one extension. Includes things such as skins, saved searches, keyboard macros, and more.

Delegate to Remember The Milk – Adds a button to Gmail and allows you make to-do lists.

Dragdropupload – Allows you to drag your files to the attachment box.

GCalQuickTab – Allows you to quickly change between Google Mail and Calendar with keyboard shortcuts.

Gmail Checker – Allows you to check your Gmail for new messages.

Gmail Manager – Allows you to not only manage multiple accounts, but know how much mail and spam they have.

Gmail Notifier – Get notifications of new emails right in your browser.

Gmail RTL – Adds direction buttons to your email.

Gmail S/Mime – Allows you to send and receive encrypted emails.

Gmail Skins – Change the look of your inbox, insert HTML tables, use emoticons and more.

Google Toolbar – Official Google release of a toolbar with Gmail features.

Gspace – Turns your Gmail account in to a virtual web drive that you can upload files to and store them.

gTalk Sidebar – Incorporates Google Talk into your sidebar.

GTDInBox – A Getting Things Done tool that integrates into Gmail, helps you get organized.

WebMail Notifier – Checks your Gmail account for unread emails; works with other email services also.

Greasemonkey Scripts

Clean Gmail Print – Removes the Gmail logo when you go to print out your email

Folders4Gmail – If you prefer the old style of sorting mail in folders over labels, this is the script for you.

Force HTTPS for GMail, GCal, and GDocs – Forces the corner links in the Google apps to change over to HTTPS.

gDate2Cal 0.1 – Turns dates in Gmail in to links to take you to that day in Google Calendar.

Gmail + Reader Integration – Lets you use Google Reader with your Gmail account.

GMail Attachment Icons – Shows you an icon that lets you know what type of file is attached to an email without opening it.

Gmail attachment reminder v2.4.1 – Reminds you to attach a file your email if it appears you haven’t.

Gmail Contact List – Adds a contact list near the “To” field in compose.

Gmail Conversation Preview – Right click on a conversation to get a preview of it in a bubble.

Gmail Date Search – adds a Search by Date button to Gmail’s search form

Gmail Delete Button – RED Color – Turns the delete button red so there is less chance of hitting it accidentally.

Gmail Emoticons! – Puts an emoticons button next to the “Check Spelling” button to allow you to enter numerous different smilies.

Gmail Encrypt – Allows you to encrypt outgoing emails and create encryption keys.

Gmail FavIcon Alerts – Turns the Gmail favicon in the address bar in to a new mail alert.

Gmail from address selector – Lets you change the reply-to email address depending on who you are sending to. (i.e. sending to someone like “@work.com”, you choose your work address as the from address)

Gmail Full Width – Removes the advertising block on the right so that your mails take up the full width.

Gmail Google Calendar sidebar – Adds your Google Calendar to your Gmail display.

Gmail Lite – Removes ads, the footer, stars, and chats.

Gmail Macros – Allows you to create more keyboard shortcuts to speed up your Gmail experience.

Gmail Multi-User Login – For those of you with more than one Gmail account, this will give you a drop down menu with all of your accounts listed.

Gmail Multiple Signatures, plus Float – Will change your signature based on what return address you enter.

Gmail – One Click Conversations – Allows you quick access to the most recent conversations with a contact via a one click button.

GMail Header, Navigation and Ads Switcher – Can choose to hide or show the header, navigation bar, and ads by clicking a button.

Gmail – Zip Attachments and Download – Allows you to download all the attachments of an email by merely clicking on the paper clip icon.

GmailTo -Opens mailto: commands from websites in Gmail compose.

Google Air Skin – Script to use Air Skin in Gmail, Google Calendar, on Google.com, and Google Reader.

Label Colors – Lets you choose the colors of various labels so you can tell them apart easier.

Plaxo4Gmail – Allows you to sync your Gmail with your Plaxo () info.

Saved Searches – Allows you to save a Gmail search so that you can just click on the saved search to do it again.

Miscellaneous

GBooks – Allows you to turn a Gmail account in to a bookmarks server.

gExodus – Allows you to export your emails from another account to your Gmail account in mbox format.

Gmail icon generator – Allows you to create a small graphic of your Gmail address to place on websites so that you may display your address without spam bots reading it.

Gmail Music – Store MP3 files in your Gmail account and play them on any computer.

Gmail Todo – Turn your Gmail into a helpful “To Do” list.

PhpGmailDrive – Retrieves a list of attachments from a Gmail account and enables you to list them on a website or blog for others to download.

You’ve Got Gmail – A plugin for the Trillian messenger program that lets you manage your accounts.