2002 March

This does NOT delete a single thing and doesn't have the capability to
“warp” a monitor. It only uses known exploits in IE to run a local app.
Something that others have put up sites to exhibit. This particular one
only logs the user off. Nothing else, and with the latest fixes, it
doesn't even work. Another example of someone blowing an exploit example
completely out of proportion. Sure, this could indeed be used for
malicious purposes, but this one doesn't. You can look at the code and
see that it only runs logoff.exe.

Read more on Regarding That JPEG…

Noted in the last digest that you were contemplating installing a
Pop-Up stopper. The one you mentioned was Pow! from AnalogX. While I am a
big fan of his work and use several of his tools, I would like to recommend
in the particular case that you check out Panicware's Pop-Up Stopper,
available here. There's a
free version (which is the one I use) which can quickly be switched off/on
by double-clicking the systray icon (which changes its display to indicate
enabled/disabled) and plays an audio alert when pop-ups/unders are stopped
(in case you forget you enabled it and can't figure out why that page won't
open). You can temporarily disable it (for the current click) by holding
down the Ctrl or Shift keys while clicking. Very handy.

Read more on Pop-up Stopper…

I am so upgraded to Movable Type 2.0, it's not even funny.

Ya know that secret thingy I was telling you about? Well, it's not that much of a secret (actually, I don't think it's a secret at all). Anyway, I believe it's well on its way. If you'd like to get 50 Windows XP tips in PDF, CHM, MHT, TXT, PDB, LIT, **and** TR formats for a total of $5 (the price of an Extra Value Meal), then click here. The transaction is only for PayPal people right now, but we hope to have regular CC transactions ready soon. If this is worth doing in the first place, that is. If we don't get a good response from the idea(s), then we'll stop doing them altogether. If we get a great response, then there will be more eBooks to come. There may still be some snags in the documents, but I will personally e-mail you any updates when a truly final version is available. As always, I appreciate your candid feedback. Now you see why I've been so silent lately! The content won't change, mind you – it's the copyright and (minor) formatting crap that may need tweaking.

Read more on Fifty Windows XP Tips eBook…

Geek, regarding the convention: with Gnomedex only being in its second year, it's almost impossible to predict the turnout for this year. Last year, they planned for a lot more, and Sept. 11 happened. It was rescheduled, and the turnout was very disappointing as far as numbers (but definitely not disappointing as far as the energy and enthusiasm of the participants!).

Read more on From My Wife's Fingers…

Evan Williams is confirmed for Gnomedex!

Another busy (but very fruitful) day on my end. The show was fun; some of the reads were choppy, but the guests were great and the segments went smoothly. I wanted to attend a loft complex meeting tonight; they're switching ISPs on us. Verizon is our “new” provider. Oy. Instead of arguing with a clueless sales rep, I was sitting in front of my computer, banging out next month's CPU article. This time I'm talking about how I turned a Word document into seven other eBook formats. It's quite breathtaking, I assure you. The big news of the day is confirming that Amazon is going to be co-promoting Gnomedex on their site. In fact, their Computer Book newsletter is going out with a direct link this coming Monday (allegedly). If you haven't pre-registered, I'd suggest doing so ASAP. We'll have to cap attendance if it gets too high for the venue. Good news for us; bad news for you if you're a “last minute” type of person.

Read more on Sweet Balls Of Fire…

Before anybody else sends me a poem (not that I wouldn't appreciate it), I need to let you know that I'm still working on that eBook concept. In fact, I've got a better idea as to how we'll be rolling it out. I realize that a chat room isn't the end-all / be-all place to solicit feedback, but if what the Gnomies say is any indication, my plan will be very successful. I'm only letting a select few in on it right now, though. It's no trade secret, but I want to do this thing right. Otherwise, it won't work.

Read more on Love Ya Mean It…

You don't send me ASCII flowers /
You don't IM me South Park songs /
You hardly comment on my blog anymore /
When you come through that door /
At the end of the day /
I remember when… /
You couldn't wait to ping me /
Used to hate to leave me /
Now after reading me late at night /
You just close the window /
And turn out the light… /
I remember all the things you taught me /
I learned how to laugh /
And I learned how to cry /
I learned how to Photochop /
And I learned what date was Pi /
But you don't write me e-mails /
You don't send me flowers… /
Any… more… (by Robyn L. Pollman)

Read more on Ode To Chris Pirillo…

I think I confused everyone with my earlier post; I rather appreciated Kevin's use of my blog template. In fact, I liked it so much that I'm going to share my code with everyone now. Click here to grab the latest version. The only thing I ask is that you give me credit and you use the Gnomedex graphic at the top. So, Kevin – if you don't switch back to my layout, I'm gonna have to walk over there and open up a can o' whoop ASCII. Love ya, and I mean that. I'll try to be more clear in my future posts. Lack of coffee tends to up me mess.

Read more on Save Kevin's Blog…

I'm not writing this because I have to – I'm doing it because I want to. I think I know why everybody likes Dave Winer so much. He's direct, smart, sincere, and (most importantly) genuine. “This above all, to thine own self be true.” Shakespeare was writing about Dave. How do I know? Well, he, Robert, Patrick, Gretchen, and I went out to dinner in Palo Alto the other night. We had Chinese, in case you were curious. Even with spicy noodles on hand, the conversation had much more flavor.

Read more on Get Thee To A Winery…

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. This guy isn't half as ugly as I am. Thanks to Cheyenne for tipping me off. I suppose it's just a matter of time before you take the ball and run with it, too. And what have I said about running in the house?

Read more on American Blog Slice…

I liked the book so much, I asked for multiple copies. Now I can read my David no matter where I am. I also have a copy for the downstairs bathroom, the upstairs bathroom, two for my bedroom (one for each side of the bed), one for the deck, my desk, kitchen table, bookshelf (natch), and I also have one on top of the VCR. You never know when you're going to need a fix of Wein-iness. I've requested another copy for my backpack, professional career development center (read: cubicle), car (one for the back seat and one for the glove compartment), and coat rack. I'm not going to hold my breath for that last location, but I just want to be the first to say that all your Small Pieces Loosely Joined are belong to me.

Read more on Small Phrases Loosely Coined…

“I have a strange skin fungus which can only be cured by visiting a specialist in Iowa. His next opening is in the middle of August.”

“I just got subpoenaed. The trial is in Des Moines, Iowa. It should only take a couple of days.”

Read more on Get Your Boss To Pay For Gnomedex…