Infrequent Geek

Migrated

Samir Banjanovic — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 11:02:08 +0000

The blog has moved to a better place. No -it’s not dead. I’ve migrated to my own host.

So ladies and gents update your feeds and your google readers the new location is:

http://geek.banjanovic.com

That's a Sick Wave Dude!

Samir Banjanovic — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:58:12 +0000

There are 13 Google Wave invites waiting to be handed out. I just realized I have 13 invites on Friday the 13th–awesome. If you wish to ride the
Wave leave a comment below. First 13 to comment get to ride with me.

Get To it Dude

UPDATE: 10 remaining 0.

Clear Your DNS Resolver Cache Just To Be Safe

Samir Banjanovic — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 06:53:25 +0000

So, you think going incognito or deleting your browsing history will keep your boss from finding inappropriate sites? It does to some extent, but if someone really wanted to catch you in the act—whatever act that may be—then they wouldn’t have too much of a hard time.

We all know that your computer has to talk to a DNS service provider to translate the URL you type to an IP it can use. Every time your computer has to resolve an address issue it’s cached in your systems DNS cache—basically, it’s your browsing history. This browsing history isn’t restricted to your browser, it’s anytime your computer has to locate another server on the internet.

To find out what’s in your DNS cache is to bring up the command prompt in Windows and type the command:

ipconfig /displaydns

Now, the first thing you’ll notice is that a whole lot of information will appear, to the point that all of it can’t fit in the command prompt. What you can do is take the output of the command and send it to a text file somewhere on your machine.

ipconfig /displaydns > c:\desired location

Now, when you open that file you’ll see information about the websites you’ve visited directly or indirectly.

You’ll see blocks like the one below; you might have multiple entries under each heading.

mail.google.com

—————————————-

Record Name . . . . . : mail.google.com

Record Type . . . . . : 5

Time To Live . . . . : 151

Data Length . . . . . : 8

Section . . . . . . . : Answer

CNAME Record . . . . : googlemail.l.google.com

Finally, how do you get rid of this, so that the cops knocking on your door have a harder time finding your browsing history—they’ll eventually find it, you’re just delaying them. Just type the command below and your DNS cache will be cleared.

ipconfig /flushdns

Once you’ve typed that you’ll get a nice little message saying it was successful.

Windows IP Configuration

Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

That’s it. Your DNS cache is clean of whatever inappropriate sites you visited.

Bridge Connection Between PC and PlayStation 3

Samir Banjanovic — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:19:49 +0000

If you’re like me, a gamer, you prefer a guided network connection for your PS3 (everything else is inferior) and PC. However, not everyone’s console is conveniently located next to a router or modem. In my case the router is upstairs and a 50 foot Ethernet cable running to the main computer. I could buy a switch and use it for what it was made, but that would cost money. I could also buy another 50 foot cable, but that would mean I’d have to buy one, drill another hole and crawl through areas of my house I didn’t know exist. Luckily my PC is very close to my PS3 meaning I can share my connection. Your PC doesn’t have to be close to your PS3, but in this case I am assuming your PC is closer to your PS3 than your router, else you wouldn’t have ended here.

Windows Settings:

Make sure your computer has two Ethernet ports. Your motherboard may have two, if not you can buy a cheap Ethernet card online or in a store.

After making sure all the hardware is present you need to make the connection on your PC a bridge connection. Open Network and Sharing Center, on the left click Change adapter settings. There you should see both adapters.

Select both adapters by highlighting them. Once both are selected right click and choose Bridge Connection.

Once you’ve selected Bridge Connection Windows will do its thing and set up everything. It takes a few seconds Windows to up the bridge and for your computer to re-establish a connection.

Now hook up your PS3 to your PC and Windows will do its thing again. However, you have to change some settings on the PS3.

PlayStation 3 Settings:

*Sorry that I don’t have any PS3 screens at the moment. I may add some later on.

Once your PS3 is ON go to Network Settings, there choose Internet Connection Settings. Choose Custom >Wired Connection > Manual Settings. For Speed and Duplex leave it on Automatic unless you know the speed, the same goes for IP Address. Under DHCP host name choose Do Not Set. Leave DNS and MTU Automatic. For Proxy Server choose Do Not Use. Enable UPnP. Test you’re set up and it should come out just dandy.

*Note: This works between PCs as well. All you do is connect the two PCs together and let the OS (assuming it’s Windows) take care of the rest. If it doesn’t work and you’re running 7 or Vista use the automated problem detection to fix the problem.

Enjoy your bitchin’ speed.

iPhone OS 3.1 "New" feature list

Samir Banjanovic — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:44:47 +0000

Yes. It’s late considering I’ve already shown why iPhone OS 3.1 sucks. But, to stay trueish to the tech stuff floating on the intertubes I realized I should post what Apple considers an update. Can you tell that I am pissed about 3.1? Ok. Good, because I am not –not (that’s a double negative if you didn’t pay attention.)

For what it’s worth:

iPhone OS 3.1 Software Update

This update contains bug fixes and improvements, including the following:

• Genius recommendations for Applications
• iTunes 9 support
- Genius Mixes
- Organize your apps directly in iTunes
- Improved syncing options for music, movies, TV
shows, podcasts and photos
- iTunes U content organization
• Redeem iTunes Gift cards, codes and certificates in the
App Store
• Display available iTunes account credits in the App Store
and iTunes Store
• Browse and download ringtones wirelessly from the
iTunes Store*
• Save video from Mail and MMS into Camera Roll
• Option to “Save as new clip” when trimming a video on
iPhone 3GS
• Better iPhone 3G Wi-Fi performance when Bluetooth is
turned on
• Remotely lock iPhone with a passcode via MobileMe
• Use Voice Control on iPhone 3GS with Bluetooth
headsets
• Paste phone numbers into the Keypad
• Option to use Home button to turn on Accessibility
features on iPhone 3GS
• Warn when visiting fraudulent websites in Safari (anti-
phishing)
• Improved Exchange calendar syncing and invitation
handling
• Fixes issue that caused some app icons to display
incorrectly

Products compatible with this software update:
• iPhone
• iPhone 3G
• iPhone 3GS

* Not available in all regions.

That’s correct. Still no MMS.

Feel free to be F1RST!

Samir Banjanovic — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:34:03 +0000

This post may not be computer related, but it sure as heck is humor related.

Instead of reading up on some Data and Network Communication I’ve been YouTubing. In the end, I ended up on the video embedded below, and I thought it would be appropriate to post it on a blog –since it’s kind of a blog topic.

Press play. Thank me later.

Customize Windows 7 Log On Screen

Samir Banjanovic — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:36:38 +0000

If you’ve been keeping up to date with Windows 7 news then you’ll know that Microsoft is encouraging users to customize their log on screen. They are giving users links, on facebook, to programs that make it easy.

Download this program, extract the zip, launch the program and customize away!

From: SuperSite For Windows

Windows 7 -Exclusive Device Control

Samir Banjanovic — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:09:01 +0000

When I installed Windows 7 RC, and RTM, I kept experiencing an annoying problem. Whenever I started a video game my volume would drop to almost zero. For the longest time I couldn’t figure out why. After some snooping around I found the problem. It’s a simple check box that tells the system if applications should be allowed to have exclusive control of the Sound Playback Device or not.

If you’re having this problem follow the steps below to make it work properly.

Open Playback devices. Right click the speaker in the lower right and chose Playback devices.

Next select your default sound device, in my case Digital Audio (S/PDIF), and click properties.

In the properties window go the Advanced tab. Under Exclusive Mode un-check “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.”

Click OK and you’re done. Your sound should work properly now when you start a game, movie, or whatever it is that has been dropping/increasing your volume.

iPhone OS 3.1 Non-Responsive

Samir Banjanovic — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:31:14 +0000

I updated my phone to iPhone OS 3.1 yesterday, since then my phone randomly becomes non-responsive. I did some research and found that others are having the same issue on the Apple forums. The phone randomly stops responding to anything, neither the home button nor lock button are recognized. The only way out is by performing a hard reset. This is very frustrating since I don’t know if it’ll shut off (assuming it’s shutting off, I don’t know what’s happening) in the middle of the night–it’s my alarm clock.

There’s a video below showing that the phone won’t do anything. I didn’t shut off the phone and make it look like it’s non-responsive, what would be the point of that? I did notice the phone locks up after a it’s been jerked around; that makes me wonder if the accelerometer is causing an issue. Anyway, if you’re having the same issue post it in the Apple forum and comment below.

In case you’re wondering, it’s an iPhone 3G.

Windows 7 RTM

Samir Banjanovic — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:42:48 +0000

Windows 7 is here, well for people lucky enough to be part of a group that receives the RTM before October 22nd –people like me. It may seem like yesterday when Microsoft introduced Windows Vista (three years actually), so it makes you wonder –is 7 worth upgrading to? The short answer is yes.

The post will simply point out the strong points of 7– nothing more, nothing less

The install is much quicker than the beta or RC. I thought about using a flash drive but I ended up not being able to find one, so I used a DVD . I formatted my drives, designated a primary drive and clicked install. From there it was just click, click, done. It took about 20-25 minutes to install windows, with another 30 minutes to install all the drivers for my hardware.

Compatibility wise Windows 7 is right where it belongs -compatible. Believe it or not, the fact that 7 is compatible with current hardware is all thanks to Vista. If you have drivers that work in Vista they’ll most likely work in 7. Even XP drivers work, thanks to the compatibility feature –which is also present in Vista. I was caught off guard when I wanted to install Intel x58 drivers; Vista has to install about 30 drivers, 7 on the other hand only needs two.

Microsoft tweaked the UI scheduler a lot in order to make 7 more responsive. Vista implements a modified XP UI scheduler, which works fine –in XP, but Vista’s UI upgrades overburden it. Windows 7 has moved away from the old scheduler to a model employing division of labor. Instead of having one scheduler juggling all the UI I/O there are several which are prioritized in the OS.

There is not much to add that hasn’t been said. 7 definitely is on the right track, the only problem I see are the “I am a Mac” commercials –I don’t think they’ll work anymore. Bummer.

Yes I know this is a very short post considering I am posting about Windows 7. However, chances are you’ve hit Engadget or Gizmodo before arriving here and you’ve read their reviews.