OpenID is a security system that allows you to login to many* websites with just one universal ID. Seems easy and secure right? Many things can potentially go wrong. A OpenID company can go out of service and your ID is lost but luckily there are many providers out there. Well how are there many providers of OpenID? Think of it this way, it’s a code that you can run on a server.

The problem is that too little primetime websites are using the service at the time. Recently, AOL says they would start using OpenID which is good news for OpenID because it’s getting a better user base.

* Too little websites using OpenID as of now.

I just signed up for an OpenID and it serves me pretty useless now.

Google Apps goes Premier Edition, meaning you get all of Google Apps standard plus more! All for the price of $50 per year. However, their target customer base are only companies and educational institutions so for the personal accounts that we all have, we should be good with just the standard basic.

“We offer multiple editions of Google Apps to meet the needs of different organizations. So whether you’re a small business or a Fortune 500 company, Google can power up your organization with the right services and support, for the right price.”

Of course with Google Apps, you need a domain, you can use your existing or register for a new one. Remember! Google is now a domain registar!

For a nice comparason chart between the differences, click here!

DC++ announces the freedom to share! DC++ is an open source client for the Direct Connect network. Direct Connect allows you to share files over the Internet without restrictions or limits. The client is completely free of advertisements and has a nice, easy to use interface. Firewall and router support is integrated and it is easy and convenient to use functionality like multi-hub connections, auto-connections and resuming of downloads.

Step 1: Download DC++ at SourceForge here.

Step 2: Install DC++ – This should be easy and self explanatory.

Step 3: Run the setup file to begin installation. The installation consists of three main screens.

1. License Agreement. Read the license, select the “I accept …” box and then click on Next.
   
2. Installation Options. This shows the components to be installed. It is highly recommended that you leave all the items selected. Click on “Next” to continue.
   
3. Installation Folder: The location where DC++ is to be installed. This can be left at the default. Click on “Install” to begin the installation.
   

Once the installation has completed, you may now run DC++ from the Start menu.

Step 4: There are a few basic settings that need to be entered before you can use DC++. Some are essential whereas others are not, but in my opinion make things easier in the long run.

Personal Information

Location: Settings → Personal Information.

The only piece of information that is required here is Nick. This is the username you will use on DC++. This can be anything you want but avoid using characters that would be illegal in filenames, such as ‘*’ or ‘/’.

Entering a line speed is recommended. This value is the maximum upload speed of your Internet connection. For example, if you had a maximum of of 256kbps upload, you would pick 0.2 from the dropdown list, as this is the closest.

The other two fields, E-Mail and Description, are optional.

Connection Settings

Location: Settings → Connection Settings.

I highly recommend reading the Help file as it briefly explains what each of these settings means.

If you are behind a router or gateway, select “Firewall (passive, last resort)” initially. You can switch to a more appropriate setting later by referring to the “Configuring Active Mode” section.

If you are directly connected to the Internet then leave “Direct connection” selected.

If you are behind a SOCKS proxy, select SOCKS5 and enter the appropriate information.

If you unsure which applies to you, select “Firewall (passive, last resort)”.

Download Directories

Location: Settings → Downloads → Directories.

Default Download Directory: Enter a folder where finished downloads should go. If left blank, it will default to a folder called Downloads in the main DC++ folder.

Unfinished Downloads Directory: Enter a folder where downloads should go while they are downloading. Once they have completed downloading, they will be moved to the folder specified above. If no folder is given here, it will default to a folder called Incomplete in the main DC++ folder.

Upload Slots

Location: Settings → Sharing → Upload Slots

File transfers in DC++ are based on slots. Each file being transferred takes up one slot. You need to open up a number of upload slots to gain access to hubs. The minimum needed will depend on the number of hubs you are connected to. Usually it is two slots per hub, though it will vary from hub to hub. Set it to 2 for the moment and remember to adjust it as you connect to more hubs.

Step 5: Connect to the Stony Brook DC++ server. (sbushare.no-ip.info)

Manual Address Entry

If you know the address of a hub (either an IP address or a domain name) then this can be manually entered by going to File → Quick Connect. Type the address and click OK to connect.

YOUR DONE!! AGAIN, NOT RECOMMENDED AND ILLEGAL. I DO NOT USE IT!

via [B Ali DC++ Guide]

Want free T-Mobile wifi service? Well, you’ll either have to run Microsoft IE 7 with Windows Vista or you can access it with a Agent changer hack for Mozilla Firefox. As part of the T-Mobile, Microsoft partnership, they are allowing Vista users to get 3 free months to T-Mobile Wifi service which expires in April, 30th 2007. If you go and purchase this wifi plan alone, it will cost you $39.99 a month. This is a real deal right here!

Here’s how to use the service without Microsoft or Vista:

1. Download Mozilla Firefox here.
2. Download the Agent Switcher plugin.
3. Add the following values:
   1. Description: Internet Explorer 7 (Windows Vista)
   2. User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 6.0)
   3. App Name: Microsoft Internet Explorer
   4. App Version: 4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 6.0)
   5. Platform: Win32
4. Signup for T-Mobile wifi here!

After you register, you will be able to surf the net at all nationwide T-Mobile wifi locations!

**UPDATE**

Mozilla Firefox hack does not work, an ActiveX required to install on IE 7. Sorry.

Thats right, no more Skype or iCall anymore, it can all be done without hassle over any browser with a plugin download with GizmoCall. It’s a flash based application that allows you to call any cell phone and landline in America. There is however a limit of 10 minutes per day, however I don’t know weather this restriction is lifted after you register or not but I did a test call to my cellphone and the voice qualityf is not bad. Check it out youself! It’s simple and easy to use, no applications needed, best for that quick 1 minute call.

There are several ways you can call, you can go to the website and type in the number directly or you can use their URL method. gizmocall.com/[your number here].

Check out GizmoCall here!

I’ve gotten used to using linux until I was forced to switch back to Windows because of the school campus network validation processes. What If I wanted to use (CLI) command line interface like I did in linux? I really can’t with the MS-DOS tool. MS-DOS is old and is really crippled in Windows XP, one reason is because XP is really Windows NT.

Well I wanted to find a solution so I can use linux CLI commands on Windows, browse directories, etc. Microsoft was already on it, formally called Monad, it’s now called PowerShell. It looks just like MS-DOS but has the advance features of linux or unix based CLI shells. Vista is suppose to have it!

Interested? You can grab PowerShell here and the quick start guide here!

Stony Brook’s “ResNet“ or residential network is a hassle to setup at the beginning of the semester. There were a lot more problems this semester compared to my first semester here. During my first semester, setup was a little confusing, I had to scan my computer for an anti-virus program and it checked Windows Update to see if I had all of Microsoft’s patches, and that was it, it registered.

However, this semester, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer came out and ResNet made that a requirement in order to register your computer. Upgrading wasn’t a difficult process but it was very time consuming. I tried installing it for my friend and it took 3 tries to finally get it right. Another thing is the Anti-Virus program, I had to install their Symantec’s Anti-Virus client edition. My anti-virus program did not want to update in order to meet ResNet‘s requirements, then my Windows Defender was outdated but ResNet did not let it update.

If you’re having problems updating, the best solution is to uninstall your anti-virus program, or Defender in my case and reinstall it with the updates.

Overall, I think it’s unnecessary to update such things as your browser, If someone were to use Unix on ResNet, they would have to get it manually registered through the DoIT. Basically, this is only a Windows/Mac campus, I switch from SuSE to Windows.

I found a “loophole” around never using your cellphone minutes again PLUS you can call most of the world [international] for FREE. This method will work for your T-Mobile myFaves plans. This might work for the meantime but T-Mobile might disable this “Hack” if they find out or this gets popular!

So check this out, I posted an entry last week about calling select countries for free. Well, theoretically, if you add that free international calling number as one of your myFaves number, you can get unlimited free calls to anywhere in the US and to most other countries! This does not come without hassle though, you have to jot down numbers or remember them to use this service.

Three (3) Easy Steps For Setup:

1. Have a T-Mobile myFaves Plan, they start at $39.99.
2. Add 712-858-8094 to your myFaves Plan. You can add 5 numbers.
3. Call the number and listen and dial any number you want to call.

It’s that easy to do! This method is a hassle but can help when you have no minutes!

For a list of countries you can call for free, see my previous post here!

I was browsing around the net looking for interesting things to blog about and I stumbled upon this website which allowed me to create this cool Dummies book cover.

“How To Become Tony Cai”, I know you guys just can’t wait to dig your nose into this one. LOL! You’ll never know, it may one day be available! I’ll be glad to autographs, haha.

At Smoke420, you can create this and many other customizable graphics. Ideal for your MySpace or website! You know what I always wanted? A Cambell’s Chicken Noodle Soup can that I can customize. I’m a big fan of Andy Warhol!

You can customize your own Dummies book cover here!

Yet another use for your hand helds! A new service offered by Perooz.com allows you to download videos, music and HOT magazines straight to your Apple iPod’s, Sony PSP’s, Microsoft Zune’s, Palm Treo’s and Blackberry’s, Creative Zen’s and MORE!. So whats the big jiffy? Well these devices can play music and videos but none of them are able to view full colored magazines optimized for their devices until now.

No software or new installations are required for this service. This is basically some image scans of the magazines and using your devices image viewer, you can view them. So who needs a periodical on the train when you have your cool hand held devices. The site looks to be HOT and well maintained!

Start downloading today from HOT magazine sources here!