Hazmeister

See the Future of Windows Live Messenger

Harry — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:16:25 +0000

In case you hadn’t already noticed (I myself have been a bit slow on this one), there’s a cool new version of WLM available with some cool new features (Sign in on three computers at once, animated display pictures, facebook style what’s new and signiture sign in sounds), and although it’s a beta version, I’ve found it very stable. Its worth checking out:

http://download.live.com/messenger

Remove Embedded Adverts from Windows Live Messenger

Harry — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:37:05 +0000

If the huge amount of advertising built into Windows Live Messenger and MSN Messenger is beginning to bother you, especially the new flash animations with sound that enlarge themselves when moused over, it can be disabled without the new for any special patch or additional software. All that is required is administrator access on the computer you are using.

Step 1: Open your “Hosts” file

On both Vista and XP it will be located in “C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc” unless your system drive or Windows install directory is different. The file we need to edit is the “hosts” file with no extension. If you have a “hosts.msn” file, please ignore it.

Step 2 : Get Permissions to Edit

On XP this is relatively simple, just right click on “hosts” and go to Properties. Under the General tab, make sure the Read Only box is unticked. Press OK to make the change and close the dialog box.

On Vista, you will need to gain permission from Windows in order to edit System files, and this file is no different. Right Click on “hosts” and go to Properties. Go to the Security tab and click Advanced. Make your own user account the owner of the file, then close all the Properties dialogs via the OK button. Then go back to Properties > Security and this time click Edit. Add your user account to the list and give yourself “Full Control”.

Long story short, after performing the steps listed above, you will be allowed to edit the file on a local computer that blocks access to site.

Step 3: Adding an Entry

Double click on the hosts file now, and you will be asked what program you want to open with. Pick Notepad and press OK. There should be some comment lines explaining how to add an a new entry, so just underneath the last comment line (indicated wherever a line starts with a # character) add in the following information:

127.0.0.1 rad.msn.com

To keep things tidy, separate the ip address and web address with a tab space(I’ve used several spaces because of the way tabs work in HTML). Save the file and close Notepad.

Step 4: Finishing Touches

For the sake of security you should make the hosts file Read Only again, to help protect against malicious edits. Next, restart your computer, WLM should be unable to download any adverts, and you should find a place holder image at the bottom of your contacts Window, and the small text under the conversation windows gone.

Congratulations, Job Done!

(If you would like pictures, please request in the comments box.)

Time Lapse?

Harry — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:58:45 +0000

More a rethink about how this blog is run… or maybe I should just unregister it…

Harry’s Tips for Uni

Harry — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 22:04:44 +0000

Harry’s Tips for Uni
Here I am, being Mr. Amazing giving you lots of important advice, I’ll take a deep breath shall I?
• O2 Customers: They’ve got a POSTCODE specific service where you can get 500 minutes to most numbers when you’re within a certain area, and top up £10 at the start of the month.
• More Talking: Get a mic, so you can use free software like MSN and Skype to talk to friends and family.
• Laptops: If you’ve got one, write your name discreetly on the bottom (I used a CD marker on the service tag), and perhaps in between the battery and case too, so that if anyone claims it’s theirs, you can tell they’re a lying bastard. Try not to write over any serial numbers or your Windows Product Key. Also, if you’re good with passwords, set one on BIOS, and change your boot order so that the HD is first. That way they can’t reuse the stolen machine, except for sending back to the factory, which is why you should register it. The factory can recognise the serial number.
• Anti-Virus etc: You need it. If your PC has a virus (Porn sites tend to be the usual suspects) and you bring down the Uni network, AND THEY TRACE IT TO YOU, people won’t be impressed. Consider your social life suspended for three years if that happens. People get nutty when technology stops working without warning.
• Anti-Virus: I suggest Avast! It’s free and is quick to update. It has many useful options, and in my experience is better than NAV. You can also use it free of charge for two months without registering.
• Firewall: Windows XP SP2 (+ Vista) has a built in firewall which will do. If you are on XP or older and want something stronger, Comodo have released an excellent Firewall free of charge, although some of the language used in configuration is a little complex, even for me (I never good allow my Home network). Their forums aren’t too bad when asking for help if you have a few days to wait, as a programmer can guide you through the process.
• Anti-Spyware: Spybot is second to none, and if you don’t have Vista, install the Tea Timer add on, and use the immunisation feature. Do a scan once a month, if that, and you should be fine. Vista has added its own nag feature in, so the Tea Timer will only nag you some more. If anyone knows how to stop Vista nagging, please post a comment here.
• Browser: For flips sake, not Internet Explorer, just use Firefox or Opera. It will save you time. Really.
• Older Computers: Think about a few simple upgrades, RAM has come back down in price now, and can make a notable increase in performance on most aging PCs. You may need a new Hard disk, and you could have that inside or out. Having a second Hard Disk can save you immense hassle if you computer dies inconveniently. A new graphics card will do wonders for gaming. If it’s more than eight years old, you should start thing about a replacement if you can afford it.
• New PCs: Go Dual Core if it’s within reach of your budget and a gig of ram if not two. Only buy a Mac if you actually need it for your course, otherwise you’ll be wasting your money, and will look like an idiot. Plus, PCs are much cheaper.
• Your Old Data: Make sure to copy your old My Documents folder, or you might have found you lost a handy piece of work you did last year.
• Portable Storage: USB Sticks. Get one, maybe even two. Stock up on CDs, DVDs, and then hide them, because people will probably want to borrow them. Don’t forget to label your CDs, to save time when you urgently need to find it again, so get some CD markers.
• Cabling: Bring all the cables you need for peripherals, and a network cable for the internet. I got mine from Poundland.
• Printing: Be a sneaky bastard and skip the big queues for printing last minutes coursework by copying a shortcut to the printer onto your USB key so that you can send prints from your own room and run down to collect them instead.
• Serial Keys: Taking any software with a serial key? You might need to reinstall so note it down, or take the packaging with you.
• TV: You’re gonna need a license to watch live TV on your PC, no matter how you do it, so don’t get caught. Instead, watch the “unmissables” down the pub with mates, or in the shared TV rooms. I think you get away with 4OD & BBC iPlayer because they’re not live, but I’d read the license agreements to be sure, and maybe check with someone else too.
• Driver/ System Disks: Don’t leave them at home, you’ll regret it. Take ‘em with you, or pay lots of cash later. And for fecks sake make them in the first place, its free then or £100 install later.
• Email: Get an email address from Hotmail or Google Mail, of you haven’t done so, and give it to your friends now, so you don’t lose touch. I like Gmail because you can use to download messages to PC whilst they’re backed up online.
• Get Organised: Use a program like Desktop Calendar to remind you deadlines and crap.

Well, I think that’s me sorted. What, you need to bring YOUR OWN BLANKETS? Try here, it was amusing. http://www.wikip313dia.com/Uni_advice
I sumbitted this there so lets see how long it stays.

The Mine Field of Pass Plus Discounts

Harry — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 18:42:28 +0000

A couple of days after you get your license, you’ll get a second letter from the DSA telling you all about the wonderful world of Pass Plus. It is probable at this time that you will have already booked your first Pass Plus lesson, or gone and got an insurance policy if you didn’t want to wait. If you’ve had your first Pass Plus lesson already, then you’ve already fallen into trap number 1. You’ve got to register BEFORE you have your first lesson. Trap number 2 is as follows. You ring the Hotline, manage to get past BT 1571 (I don’t think there are that many people answering the phones), and get through, having not had lesson yet. They ask you for some of your instructor’s details. Then you will be mightbe told your instructor hasn’t registered yet. You can’t get the discount, unless your instructor phones the hotline before hand, just to say, “I’d like my Pupils to receive their £70 back from the council”. If you manage to do all this in the correct order, you can save yourself £70! That’s half the cost! Make sure you also get the two photocopies you need, and fill in their questionaire.
For more Info:
Call Pass Plus London: 0845 230 17 25
For other areas visit: http://www.passplus.org.uk/sponsors.asp
btw: The letter hints that in some areas you can get the full cost back, whilst the website above states just 50%.

Update: You are required to take part in 3 questionaires, one every 18 months. Also, they send you a pack of cards.