My HOSTS file has been repeatedly losing my local websites that I’ve added there manually and I finally figured out what the problem was.. After getting the BSOD for the first time on this computer today, Vista told me the problem seemed to be with my anti-virus software. I checked online to see if there was any kind of problem with Norton 360 and the windows HOSTS file and it turns out it deletes all “malicious” entries in case they are just that– malicious.
It turned out to be a simple fix: In Norton 360 go under Virus and Spyware Settings > File Exclusions:
And in the section “Which disks, folders, or files to exclude from risk scanning“, enter the location of the HOSTS file, which is generally \windows\system32\drivers\etc\HOSTS
On another note, you’d think that they’d figure that more computer-savvy people use their software as well as ones who aren’t so savvy. You’d figure they could at least add a more custom set up, or tell you what files it monitors so you could know ahead of time, instead of going crazy trying to guess what the heck is going on later on. Maybe make our lives a bit easier? Maybe I’m crazy. Who knows.
Internet
server, Software, Vista
You can even have Firefox 3 launch FlashStuf Mail whenever you click an email link on the web. To do it, first log in to your account, and then paste this code in the address bar of that tab (and hit Enter):
javascript:window.navigator.registerProtocolHandler(”mailto”,”https://mail.google.com/a/flashstuf.com/mail/?extsrc=mailto&url=%s”,”Gmail”)
Click Add Application, and you’re all set! To keep it this way, simply click an email link and then pick Gmail, and check “Remember my choice for mailto links” (you can change this option at any time through your Firefox preferences).
Technology
FlashStuf, Software, tricks
People always love their comfort zone. It’s evident to you every day if you use the internet; web sites usually use the same basic principles: underlined/different-colored links, an image at the top of the page that links back to the home page, etc. But when a web site makes the links the same color as the rest of the text on the page, how easy is it going to be for you to navigate around? Furthermore, how long are you really going to stay on that site? Things that appeal to the broadest audience are ones that use an already established method; ones that people already know.
Unfortunately, when a bold step is taken to go away from the norm and try to improve these already familiar ways, it can be drowned out and left unnoticed by people’s natural tendency to resist change. I’ll start with a big one, the very basic for anyone who is reading this right now: Web Browsers. Obviously, Internet Explorer would be considered the “norm” here. Many average internet users haven’t even heard the words “Firefox” or “Opera” (and would associate them to browsing the internet). But when you compare the advantages of a “different” browser like Firefox to the likes of Internet Explorer (CNET did just that), it’s a wonder more people aren’t using it.
Next week: Diverting from Myspace ..to Facebook
Thoughts
internet, Software
