mocsoft

Internet Explorer 7 RC1

2006-09-04T01:41:00.000-07:00

I recently installed IE 7 RC1 and although I was unimpressed by the lack of any new features, they have improved slightly on what firefox has to offer. Tabs are easier to open and access, and I particularly like the new multi tab view which displays all your current tabs on one screen with a thumbnail style.

However for me the most important aspect of a browser is security and yet again Microsoft have failed to deliver. Even if Microsoft had come up with some new desirable features (which they haven't really) I still wouldn't be interested, security is the big feature that everyone now not only wants but demands.

I conducted a simple (un scientific) test by using IE 7 RC1 for one weeks browsing and ran spyware scans, the result was 46 infections. The following week I used Mozilla Firefox for my browsing and again ran the spyware scans, the result was 2 infections. I think that speaks for itself, also bear in mind Firefox version 2 is just around the corner but even the current version is still much better than Microsoft's latest offering.

IIS on Windows XP Home Edition

2006-07-31T00:12:00.000-07:00

Microsoft says you need XP Pro to do IIS period. Not so it turns out, in fact this workaround came from the horses mouth, article q310090 was posted on microsofts site describing similar steps to below. This article has since been completely removed.

The following work around is fairly simple, however I would recomend that only an experienced windows user attempt.

I would like to add that this is not just a hack for people who do not wish to spend money upgrading to Windows XP Pro. In many cases when this is attempted the machine in question crashes and just hangs on the XP logo at start up. So for those of you with this problem, enjoy the following:

1 locate the file C:\WINDOWS\INF\SYSOC.INF

2 locate a section called [Components]

3 find a line like this:
iis=iis.dll,OcEntry,iis.inf,hide,7

4 change it to this:
iis=iis2.dll,OcEntry,iis2.inf,,7

5 Get the files iis.dl_ and iis.in_ from win2k advanced server cd.

6 Open command prompt and use "EXPAND IIS.DL_ IIS2.DLL" and "EXPAND IIS.IN_ IIS2.INF". Put the IIS2.INF in C:\WINDOWS\INF and IIS2.DLL in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\SETUP

7 Now go to control panel/add remove programs/ add windows components . You will see you have an option to add IIS check the box and click next.

8 During the installation it will prompt you for files. You can get them from MS XP Home CD and Win 2k Adv Server CD. When it prompts it will tell you for the file it is looking for and once you select the CD it should find it ok. Normally asks for files in the directory I386. Please be patient with the install, it seems to hang when it is configuring SMTP but if you wait no more than 5 minutes it will complete sucessfully.

9 Now if you go to control panel/administrative tools you will see you IIS is there waiting to be configured and used.
You will need to configure the Directory Security for the user setup .

10 Feel free to test the http://localhost

PLEASE NOTE
I have tried this solution using the Windows XP Pro CD instead of Win 2k Adv Server and it will not work, you will see the option to check IIS but you wont be able to check the box so please make sure and use the Win 2k Adv Server CD instead of Windows XP Pro.

Genius

2006-06-13T11:37:00.000-07:00

Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
The glory of great men should always be measured by the means they have used to acquire it.
Neural Networks; years of research have gone into studying how the brain actually works. Its mystifying that evolution managed to design an intelligence capable of analyzing itself
It was on my fifth birthday that my Father put his hand on my shoulder and said, 'Remember, my son, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.'
He who cuts the wood, warms himself twice.

AJAX

2006-06-13T09:22:00.000-07:00

Currently working on some AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript And XML) implementations for my website. Very interesting technology which seems to be in its infancy at the minute, very few sites using this at the minute. Perhaps the best illustrations would be from google in their gmail/suggest/maps applications.

The performance and usability benefits are probably minor enough that many people may not even notice them, however I would be quite the perfectionist and I believe that its the minor touches in life that make the experience.

At the minute I can see why there are few sites implementing this technology, it is quite difficult to begin with and is a rather new and unique way of thinking. The methodology requires some thinking and structuring of your application in order to get the best out of it. The most challenging part is actually deciding where you can use the asynchronous communications.

More to come..

Introduction

2006-06-08T04:22:00.000-07:00

This blog will discuss current topics of interest. Just as a head start these topics will generally be Football, Computing or perhaps TV. Watch this space!