Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2006 December 12

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December 12

== SNORT ==

Can someone please educate me on how to use SNORT to block instant messaging on my 98SE?

--Omnipotence407 00:31, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

A lot of information can be found here. Droud 01:14, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

Basically you need to find out the addresses of the major IM servers and configure your software (SNORT or whatever) to reject packets addressed to there. 68.39.174.238 22:03, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

Snort is actually a stateful packet inspector, whereas the technique you describe would be for a firewall. Snort examines packets to determine their protocol, so you would block any instant messaging communication, regardless of the destination. Many students are savvy enough to use foreign or new AIM servers, and Snort avoids keeping updated IM server lists. Droud 01:50, 15 December 2006 (UTC)

(I know nothing on the subject) So long as it can drop the packets as well. On another hand, if this is for keeping people such as students or inmates from doing unauthorized things, I should note that Windows 98 is NOT the best operating system for such things, however if it works... 68.39.174.238 06:47, 15 December 2006 (UTC)

Snort works in two modes, the inline mode I mentioned here indeed does drop packets. Another mode (which is more typical) monitors packets on the network in promiscuous mode (listens to other computer's packets) and attempts to kill matching TCP sessions by sending FIN packets to the systems in question, such that each thinks the other side closed the connection. Droud 14:29, 16 December 2006 (UTC)

How to make a link.

Hi, I'm trying to edit part of a page, and figured out that "[[link text here]]" makes a link. However, I still can't figure out how to place the url so that clicking on the link takes the user directly to the content. Instead, it takes the user to another page with the url link there. Then they can click that and go to the content. I'm trying to take out that extra step. Thanks,

Rick —Preceding unsigned comment added by Crashkidd34 (talk • contribs)

It's an internal link, right? In that case, be careful to avoid redirections. Does the page you arrive on have a blue arrow with the name of the article next to it? yandman 09:01, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

Something else to consider, you can display different text for your link than the actual article name. If you're linking to Foo (bar) but you want the linkable text to just say Foo, you would use the pipe character to seperate the two: [[Foo (bar)|Foo]] - In this example, the actual target is Foo (bar) but it looks like Foo in the text. - CHAIRBOY (☎) 17:46, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

You can find loads of info on how links work at Help:Links. What page are you trying to link to? Maybe if you're more specific we can try and help you better. — QuantumEleven 12:24, 13 December 2006 (UTC)

This kinda sounds like a double-redirect: You're linking to a redirect page which automatically directs users to a second redirect page, and the second page doesn't automatically redirect to the real page. It also looks like you were having a problem with User:Shadowbot detecting your edits as spam on Midnattsol, but I'm not sure if that's related. Could you detail your problem a little more? —AySz88\^-^ 19:57, 13 December 2006 (UTC)

High density cluster server

What would be the current maximum number of calculations per second per cubic meter provided by todays fastest cluster server?

A rack is about 60 ft^3 (1.7m^3) and there are 64 racks in BlueGene/L for a total of 108.8 m^3. Since the computer is capable of 360TFLOPs, this equates to about 3.33 TFLOPs per cubic meter. I am unsure as to whether this is the highest density on earth, but it's definitely the fastest computer on earth and fits into 64 racks, which is tiny (compared to the Earth Simulator). 70.184.45.137 21:13, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

Also there are other form factors for servers, such as blades, which have very high density --froth^{T C} 21:17, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

Native XML Database

I want to use a XML Database to strore my XML Files ;but i want free software which runs in win32;i want to know whether it is advisible to use ORACLE?--Srinivasanraju 12:50, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

Oracle is not free unless you use Express Edition (check Oracle_database#Editions). If so, then Oracle is an excellent choice as it has a comprehensive XDK and parser. Creation of a typical XML schema is one of the default options in the installation of Oracle Enterprise edition. Sandman30s 14:26, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

I think that OpenOffice.org Base can store data in XML format; you might want to look into that. (I might be wrong though, now that I think about it.) --24.147.86.187 14:29, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

Painful error.

When I attempt to boot my PC, I get the error BIOS is in wide range. What could that mean?

Two possibilities. One, your BIOS may be giving an odd error that would need some help from the manufacturer, another possibility is that your monitor is stating that it is unable to render the image being provided by your video port. If you have another computer available, you may be able to test this by plugging the other monitor into this computer to see if the error is the same. If it is, then the problem is with your computer and not the monitor. If that's so, post the model of your motherboard and any other information you can give about the error. - CHAIRBOY (☎) 17:37, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

OSM

hi,

Iv got Java OSM (JOSM) and i need to know something. How do you import an image like this one here: https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/index.php/Image:Josm-screenshot.png?

thanks, --84.65.6.184 16:14, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

I'd suggest checking out this page or asking around that wiki, since a local user there seems to be the author. 68.39.174.238 23:27, 15 December 2006 (UTC)

Fatal error

I've recently uploaded Apocalypto via DC++, but while opening I receive a fatal error report: "Installation corrupted - please reinstall NERO". I don't understand the connection between Nero and film, may be there is an inappropriate file extension. Thoughts to fix the problem? --Brand спойт 16:15, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

What are the file extensions of the files you're trying to open? It's possible if you're attempting to open some sort of image file (as in disc image rather than pictures) that NERO may be set as the default application. --Kiltman67 16:48, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

In line with what Kiltman wrote above, you may be able to test this assertion by opening your media player of choice and then dropping the file into it (to bypass the windows file extension association). - CHAIRBOY (☎) 17:34, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

Another suggestion which is linked, reinstall NERO (if possible) and see what happens when it's not corrupt. If it opens up a burner then it may just be the case of it being an image, though NERO does include a media player so it's possible that their player has been set as your default. --Kiltman67 18:27, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

The extension is .avi --Brand спойт 21:34, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

If it's truly an avi then it could be what I described, NERO's media player has set itself as your default media player and due to some corruption with NERO you can't open it. You should follow Chairboy's advice and open it in another media player (VLC preferably since it supports so many codecs but you should be able to get away with anything that plays avi's). This will at least tell you if the video itself has a problem. --Kiltman67 23:53, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

Better Linux distribution?

I am beginning to get fed up with Fedora Core 5, because it insists on adapting the oh-so-holy 100% free and open software doctrines, and moving on to UTF-8 only, which is causing practical problems when trying to develop our company's code. I am stubborn enough to stick with Linux and not give in to Bill's demonic seduction, but I might not be stubborn enough to stick with Fedora. Is there any other 100% freely available Linux distribution that is in active development, has all the same goodies as Fedora Core 5, but lets me have more freedom on how to configure my system's internals? JIP | Talk 18:31, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

I gave up on redhat long ago. Ubuntu has never let me down; to get all the babyeating-evil-licenced stuff you have to add "universe" to the apt config file. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 20:06, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

If you want control go with slackware. Of course, nothing beats building your own from the kernel and various gnu sources.. but that's not exactly cost effective --froth^{T C} 21:19, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

^Same idea as Gentoo. --Russoc4 01:56, 13 December 2006 (UTC)

sharing printer

I have a desktop and a laptop using Windows XP pro OS, with a modem and a wireless router on the desktop. How do I share the printer without buying more equipment. All I want to do is print from the laptop to the printer which is connected to the desktop. Thanks, --Rayratliff 19:55, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

printers and faxes, right click on printer, sharing, share this printer. If the laptop is in the same workgroup (control panel -> system -> computer name -> change) then it should appear in the laptop's network neighbourhood. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 20:03, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

Programming macro keys in XP?

Back when I used to use a Wyse dumb terminal to access a big AIX mainframe, I could eliminate a lot of the work in repetitous tasks by programming macros into the F keys. It seems silly that with modern computers I can no longer do this. Does anyone know some way I can map system-wide macros on the F keys or ALT- combinations in Windows XP? —Chowbok ☠ 21:06, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

This excellent page should get you well on your way. 70.184.45.137 21:18, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

You may also want to look at AutoHotkey, which, at a glance at the Windows Scripting Host, appears to be more powerful than WSH. (For example, I've used AutoHotkey to automatically keep attempting to enroll in a filled-up course, and notify me when the course is no longer full.) The above page mentions something about not being able to map Win-_ combinations using WSH, and I think most of the Win+_ combinations are unused, so you'd want to use AutoHotkey if you want to utilize those. —AySz88\^-^ 19:47, 13 December 2006 (UTC)

Photoshop Elements problem

Hello. In my graphics work, I use both Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop Elements (unfortunately, I don't have the full Photoshop). Recently at the theater I volunteer at, they got me a new computer. I re-installed the two programs, but there is a problem with Elements. Anytime I go to Elements when there is an incompatible file saved to the Clipboard, Elements shuts down. For example, If I've recently copied an .ai file from Illustrator, and I go to use Elements, Elements instantly shuts down. (This happens even if Elements is already running and just minimized. As soon as I maximize it, off it goes.) It's not when I try to paste such a file; it doesn't even give me that chance if I wanted to. If I've copied a compatible file (such as a .jpg or .gif) to the Clipboard, Elements opens just fine. Is there some setting on Elements that I have wrong, or is the new hardware doing something? (By the way, the same programs work fine on my home computer. Windows XP is running on both.) Thank you. — Michael J 21:48, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

Could you describe the exact steps that cause the problem on the work computer, but not on yours? It may be another piece of software messing with your clipboard. Droud 02:23, 15 December 2006 (UTC)

Okay. Both Illustrator and Elements opened up. I make a vector graphic in .ai format in Illustrator, copy it and paste it into another file within Illustrator. Then I'm done with it. But the .ai file is still in the clipboard. Then I go to Elements to work on something else, and when there is an .ai file in the clipboard, Elements shuts off. If I happen to go to my web browser in-between and right-click on an image, so a .jpg is in the clipboard, then Elements opens just fine. (There are also times when I want to copy a file from one program to the other, which I do at home and did on the old work computer, but is now impossible.) — Michael J 16:35, 16 December 2006 (UTC)

Wikipedia Editing Tool

I'm currently using notepad to edit Wikipedia articles over long periods of time. The wiki markup makes it difficult to read. Is there a software tool currently in existence, that allows quick switching between editing and reading modes (Wikipedia's loading times are too slow). --Username132 (talk) 21:50, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

A danger you should be aware of is that other people may edit the page while you're crafting away on your home computer, especially if it is "over long periods of time". You would then need to painstakingly merge your changes with theirs. A couple of suggestions:

• If you're going to do a major rewrite of an article, do it by section instead of all at once.
• If the markup is difficult to use, install one of the many browser extensions that give Wikimarkup a GUI, like this.
• Find the root of the issue. You say on one hand that the load times are too slow, yet elsewhere you talk about an edit that takes a long time to work on. Perhaps 3 seconds of loading isn't that much of a problem on the scale of things when you're looking at a project that will take a long time to complete anyhow. Hope I've been of help. - CHAIRBOY (☎) 22:37, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

Further, Wiki is intended to be edited in this piecemeal fashion, both to facilitate review and to provide insight to later readers. Droud 01:51, 13 December 2006 (UTC)

comperr-->You also may want to try notepad++ and d/l a wiki module.

You know, I never put that strict template in my post... I've downloaded NPP but can't find a wiki module/plug in. --Username132 (talk) 16:05, 17 December 2006 (UTC)