E-Card Scam?

Here's something to watch out for: an e-card scam. David Passell passes along this warning:  "I got this message today. I am always suspicious of them, even the ones that Bobby sent for my birthday and Valentine's until I have verified with the sender. I went to the Hallmark.com website and after having been led through a 'labyrinth' of possibilities (including giving a name, email and phone number), to ask them a question, I determined that whenever you get a message like this you should forward it to
abuse@hallmark.com which i did.

"I am forwarding my copy of the email to them. I do not understand why these companies that are so attempting to protect their image make it so difficult to determine how to forward a question on the legitimacy of an email that purports to come from them. I would think that information would be right at the top of their home page. When you forward an email be sure to first select 'View long headers' as I have done. Notice the text in red that follows 'X-spam-report.'"

Date: February 20, 2010 6:54:26 PM MST
To: abuse@hallmark.com
Subject: Fwd: You've received A Hallmark E-Card!

Begin forwarded message:
From: hallmark.com
Date: February 20, 2010 4:27:20 PM MST
To: davidrex@northlink.com
Subject: You've received A Hallmark E-Card!
return-path: root@mail.krankenhaus-hale-saale.de
return-path: root@mail.krankenhaus-halle-saale.de
received: (qmail 20765 invoked by uid 1034); 20 Feb 2010 23:28:13 -0000
received: from spam2.commspeed.net (216.19.2.15) by 0 with SMTP; 20 Feb 2010 23:28:13 -0000
received: From mail.krankenhaus-halle-saale.de (80.64.188.130) by spam2.commspeed.net (MAILFOUNDRY) id nFRKCB53Ed+CoQAw for davidrex@northlink.com; Sat, 20 Feb 2010 23:28:13 -0000 (GMT)
received: from localhost ([127.0.0.1]) by mail.krankenhaus-halle-saale.de with esmtp (Exim 4.63) (envelope-from ) id 1NiyjL-0005FC-Ne for davidrex@northlink.com; Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:27:24 +0100
received: from mail.krankenhaus-halle-saale.de (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by localhost (AvMailGate-2.1.4-7) id 20138-0UI6M4; Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:27:22 +0100 (CET)
received: from root by mail.krankenhaus-halle-saale.de with local (Exim 4.63) (envelope-from ) id 1NiyjI-0005EH-PY for davidrex@northlink.com; Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:27:20 +0100
x-envelope-from: root@mail.krankenhaus-halle-saale.de
x-envelope-to: davidrex@northlink.com
content-type: text/html
message-id:
x-antivirus: checked by Avira MailGate (version: 2.1.4-7; AVE: 7.9.1.172; VDF: 7.10.4.104; host: router2); id=20138-0UI6M4
x-spam-score: -1.3 (-)
x-spam-report: Spam detection software, running on the system "router2", has identified this incoming email as possible spam. The original message has been attached to this so you can view it (if it isn't spam) or label similar future email. If you have any questions, see the administrator of that system for details. Content preview: You have recieved A Hallmark E-Card. Hello! You have recieved a Hallmark E-Card. To see it, click here, [...] Content analysis details: (-1.3 points, 5.0 required) pts rule name description ---- ---------------------- -------------------------------------------------- 0.2 NORMAL_HTTP_TO_IP URI: Uses a dotted-decimal IP address in URL -2.6 BAYES_00 BODY: Bayesian spam probability is 0 to 1% [score: 0.0000] 0.0 HTML_MESSAGE BODY: HTML included in message 0.0 MIME_HTML_ONLY BODY: Message only has text/html MIME parts 0.0 MIME_HEADER_CTYPE_ONLY 'Content-Type' found without required MIME headers 1.1 HTML_MIME_NO_HTML_TAG HTML-only message, but there is no HTML tag 0.0 AWL AWL: From: address is in the auto white-list
-----------------

,

How To Find It

,

Trying to find something you wrote or something you filed? Several simple solutions are at your side, just see which applies for your particular needs.
          When you click on Finder (the smiling face icon) in your Dock notice that under Devices and Places there’s a triangle next to Search For. Click under Today, Yesterday, or Past Week.
          When the window comes up notice that the tool bar gives 4 choices:(Double click to enlarge.)
First one, left to right: items come up as icons which you can rearrange.

The second choice is List view. Here you can click Date Modified and things arrange from first to last, or last to first date. Click on Name and they come up in alphabetical order, either A to Z or Z to A.
The third view shows Columns and expands to the right side as you open something from one folder to another. Note the two short lines. Double click to expand the width of the open column.

The fourth choice of View opens Cover Flow. Try it out and see what comes up!
Then click on Action and note your options here. Could be useful, yes?
          Go to the Menu Bar at the top of your screen. Under File find Label. There are 7 colors and X which reverts back to no color at all. You could assign a certain color for documents or a folders. Here you invent a system to help find things.

          You can also do Command + space bar to quickly open the Spotlight for Search. A few key words will help you automatically find that document, email, or folder you want.
          To find a word inside a document do Command + F and type in the word. It will be highlighted throughout the document you have open.
          With your Mac you can find things!
Let us know how you’re exploring and discovering new short-cuts and tips. This is how we all help make PMUG an interesting and helpful organization.
Be sure to bookmark the PMUG site, http://www.pmug.us/index.html
Subscribe (Posts:Atom at the bottom of the home page)
to our news blog which is frequently updated:  http://pmugnews.blogspot.com/

, ,

Finding a PMUG Writer

, ,

You’ve found this blog and are informed and entertained by reading it. You’ve noticed quotes from De Prez Allen Laudenslager and others. In fact, you just read something sent to us from John Carter yesterday. You can find all the other information a particular person has sent. Go to the top of this Home page, fill in the little search box with a name and let the Blogspot do the finding for you. Other contributors include Art Gorski, David Passell, Roger Lakner, De Former Prez Jim Hamm and Bill Williamson.  

If you subscribe to Google Alert you can also be notified when one of your favorite writers has something posted here or elsewhere on the Internet. Go to Google Home Page, under More, and then Even More.  Click on Alerts and sign up for the person or topic of your choice.  You'll get notified by email. Nifty!

Deciphering the URL & More To It

If you receive emails or emailed forwards or if you notice ads on websites you may wonder where it comes from.  This website lists alphabetically those two letter abbreviations on the end of URLs.

Now, thanks to Art Gorski we learn more:  "Actually, that website doesn't list 'URL's, it lists the codes for the Top Level Domains (TLD). The second, third, and so on 'levels' are listed to the left of the TLD in each URL, separated by periods. So in www.pmug.us, us is the TLD, pmug is the second level (everything at PMUG), and www is the third level (the web server at pmug). You could have other third level devices, like a server at server.pmug.us for example.

"A fun thing to do with TLDs is to purchase a personal domain for yourself. For instance, I've thought about getting 'art.gors.ki'. Just because I don't live in Kiribati doesn't mean I can't own a domain name registered there. ;-)"

Glad To See It Solved

Another happy report of a PMUG member helping solve somebody's problem.  This time it's John Carter to the rescue.  He details the success, "I met with (prospective new member) this morning and we determined what all she needed to do to be able to edit the videos that she took with the Sony camcorder which records movies to a 3"(?) mini-disk.

Simple.
1. Use a PC to copy the VOB files (.vob) from the mini-disks to an external hard drive (or connect an external DVD player directly to the Mac - the player will play the mini-disks and the Mac can see the content like any external drive).
2. Connect the external hard drive to the Mac (if an external DVD player wasn't used).
3. Download and install the mpeg-2 codec ($19.99 + tax) from Apple Store to be able to view the VOB files using MPEG Streamclip.
4. MPEG Streamclip can then export the VOB files to a .dv format (or other appropriate format).
5. Import the converted files into iMovie and edit.

"I tried to use Quicktime Player 7 to view the VOBs, but it stop reading the files when it encountered the first time gap. MPEG Streamclip recognizes the time gaps and allows you to fix them, thereafter playing the entire set of VOBs.

"Quicktime Player 10 (for Snow Leopard only) will not recognize the VOBs even with the mpeg-2 codec installed, so for those Snow Leopard users, keep your Quicktime Player 7 installed."

,

Flash Player Problem -- Solved!

,

     This just in from John Carter: If anyone finds that they are unable to view the videos at http://tv.adobe.com, you're not alone. That problem has been discovered recently by several Mac users.
Viewing a Flash Player video at other sites, even other Adobe sites, is, for the most part, okay (with some notable exceptions).
     If anyone out there can see the videos at tv.adobe.com, please DON'T UPDATE ANYTHING! Notify John Carter immediately and give him an opportunity to figure out why your machine works and others don't.
     And now.....the rest of the story.  Problem solved!
     John found the problem with his Mac that prevented him from seeing the videos at http://tv.video.com. It turned out to be a file in ~/Library/Preferences. Troubleshooting this problem took the better part of a whole day.
     The problem was first isolated by logging in as another user. The problem was not there with the other user. So this meant that the problem had to be associated with one or more files in ~/Library/Preferences of his own login environment. It turned out to be a file associated with Macromedia. By removing the folder ~/Library/Preferences/Macromedia and logging out and back in, the problem went away.
     When a file or folder is removed from ~/Library/Preferences, the application that used one or more of the files removed will recreate the files with default preferences information.
      Thanks, John for your persistence in working the problem through and sharing with the rest of us.  (It is sort of over my head.)

,

Google Remembers You

,

     Following up on PMUG blog posting of 10-24-09, “Do You Value Your Privacy?” here’s more.
     Read this article from Google on how to clear your address bar history, your toolbar history, and your search box history.
     This entry details how to delete your web history. You can also choose to stop your web history from being recorded in the future.
     Also, remember you can go to Safari and click to Clear History.
     Did you follow up on the suggestions from 10-24? You can delete Web History, Clear History, and delete Cookies.

Getting Mac Help

Need technical help with your Mac? John Carter to the rescue!  Here's his report.
"There are a number of ways to get help right in the comfort of your home. The three methods described here are Skype, Crossloop, and GoToAssist®Express.

Skype has a screen sharing mode. This allows others to see your screen, but they have no direct access to your Mac. Skype is free, but requires that you establish a Skype account. Skype screen sharing works with both Mac and Windows. With Skype, the two users are connected in audio/visual mode with just the one application. Using screen sharing with Skype incurs a noticeable and somewhat uncomfortable video time lag between users.

Crossloop is an application for both technical support people and end users (hire an expert or connect with a friend). Crossloop allows both screen sharing and access to your Mac. This application must be installed on each computer that is to use this feature, and there is a free version (comes with ads). This also requires both users to have an account with Crossloop. Crossloop works with Intel Mac (not PPC) and Windows. With Crossloop, the users must use a phone for audio connection. Connecting with a friend or expert is by invitation only. When the session is ended, the connection is lost. Using Crossloop incurs a noticeable and somewhat uncomfortable video time lag between users.

GoToAssist®Express is an application for tech support people for servicing clients. GoToAssist®Express allows both screen sharing and access to your Mac as a "guest" with the tech support person as the "host". This method installs a very small application on your Mac (the "guest") at the time of the session and the application may be removed when the session is over. This method does not require an account for the "guest", but the "host" (the tech support person) has to install an application on their Mac (Intel or PPC) or Windows machine. Using GoToAssist®Express incurs a reasonable monthly or daily fee to the "host" or technical support person. Usage by the "guest" is free and by invitation only from a "host", and this means that you, the guest, must first request technical support from a tech who has GoToAssist®Express. GoToAssist®Express works with both Mac and Windows. With GoToAssist®Express, the host and guest must use a phone for audio connection. There is minimal video time lag between users.

The video "time lag" experience can best be explained this way. When the "host" moves the mouse cursor across the "guest" screen, the guest mouse cursor will lag the host mouse cursor. If the time lag is long (resulting in jerky motions of the guest mouse cursor), the experience is not very pleasing to the host user. The amount of time lag experienced is also dependent on the connection speed of each user.

John tells us that his personal experience is that GoToAssist®Express works flawlessly and in near real time (minimal video time lag) and has the least impact on the client. John noticed that when using Crossloop, "Chicken of the VNC" was also launched on his Mac (that application creates a secure connection between two computers). GoToAssist®Express is John's preference for providing online technical support.

Better Browsing

How can your Internet browsing experience be improved?  Jim Hamm directs us to a blog that discusses a way to speed up your browsing. Scroll down to the article, "Better Browsing with Google's DNS." The DNS is a phone book for the Internet.  They give this caveat, "It is worth keeping in mind that Google will be able to view your browsing habits, so it is a good idea to read through their privacy statement."It goes on to say, "If you'd rather not use Google DNS server... you can use a tool such as Namebench." Here's information about namebench that offers to help you find the best DNS servers. If you try this, Jim would like to know your reaction.

What's the Fuss About Flash?

     If you've been hearing about Flash you may be wondering, "What's the fuss?"  Here's a quick look.  Flash adds animation and "dynamic interaction" to a website.  Some people have had a lot of trouble with it.          
     When you go to the Search box at the top of this blog and type in "Flash" it brings up postings that mention Flash:  September 3, December 16, January 30, and February 2.
      Jim Hamm comments, "I don't mind ads on a website, only those aggravating ads that flash on and off like a sign on a motel in Las Vegas.  I'd like the ability to stop them from flashing."  Apple has decided not to have iPhone or iPad support Adobe Flash.  Here's a recent article.
     To download Adobe Flash go here.
     A Safari plug-in, ClickToFlash, prevents Flash from loading on the webpage. Jim Hamm says, "I've not tried this yet, but I used to use a Flash blocker when I used a PC.  If anyone uses, or has used, this plug-in I'd appreciate hearing your comments, pro and con."  Here is a link where you can download ClickToFlash.
      Go to Google and do a search on "Flash Mac" and you'll have plenty of places for research.

Have a Listen

Want to listen to and/or record Internet radio on your Mac? De Prez Allen Laudenslager sends this tip: "Try Radioshift  which allows you to both listen to an Internet radio for any of thousands of preset radio stations that broadcast their regular programing across the Internet in real time or you can record a broadcast for later listening.

"The FREE version only records 20 minutes but the paid version ($32) lets you record unlimited lengths. This version 1.5.3 was released February 3, 2010 for Mac OS X 10.5.0 - 10.6.2.  If anyone tries this, please report back on how you use it."