MSE Tech

Lost an important file? Get it back!

Andrew Marx — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:10:00 GMT

This excellent post from Adam Pash over at LifeHacker has instructions for freeware file recovery apps covering all three major OSs. Grab one of these programs and throw it on a thumbdrive for the next time you're in a panic.

[LifeHacker] File Recovery: How to Recover Deleted Files with Free Software

Free File Conversions! .PDF to .Doc!

Andrew Marx — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:57:00 GMT

Have a PDF file that you'd like to make changes to? Tired of fighting with Acrobat? Try feeding your PDF file into Zamzar (http://www.zamzar.com/). It lets you convert audio, video, documents, archives, and images into any supported file type (within reason--obviously converting an MPG into a DOC file will probably throw an error).

RSS Explained

Andrew Marx — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 05:29:00 GMT

After reading tech news, forums, and review sites for years, I took it as a given that everyone knows what RSS is. After a year of dealing with people using computers in the real world, I've come to realize that knowledge of what RSS is and how it can make your life easier still has yet to break mainstream, even with pushes from both of the major browser companies to makes RSS a more inline, organic extension of the browser.

How does RSS work?

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a stream of text called XML, that happens to look a lot like stray bits of HTML (<p></p>, <div></div>, etc.). Instead of abiding by strict rules that give a limited number of identifiers to place between the < and >, XML allows the markup to represent the data. An example would be showing a simple list using XML markup.

Instead of using HTML to say

<p>Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich are running in the primaries for the Republican and Democratic parties, respectively.</p>

XML uses markup to show

The great thing about XML is that it can be read into many pieces of software as easily as a database can, allowing programmers to say "For each item in this XML set, I want you to a) put the name up top, and b) assign each name a color based on the party."

RSS is just a form of XML that has been agreed upon by a large number of people as useful to transmit news. It includes a title, description, date and time, url, and various other descriptors that make it useful for staying up to date on a bargain hunting site, a news site, or your friend's blog. Even if you know what they are, if you aren't using them, you're wasting time on the web.

How do I read RSS?

RSS is read, simply enough, with an RSS reader. Many browsers can handle RSS feeds. They typically call them something like "Live Bookmarks." You can also download third party readers like Sage (http://sage.mozdev.org/) as a plugin for Firefox. If you aren't yet using Firefox... Let's just say that most web developers, who genuinely enjoy the challenges of webdev, loathe the work-arounds and crazy hacks that accompany getting a website to work well with any version of Internet Explorer. Microsoft--you could stand to do so much good, if only your ego didn't preclude you from participating in industry-wide standards that can only make our lives easier... Plus, extensions in Firefox almost make it worthy of its own dedicated platform. But I digress.

However you aggregate RSS feeds, if you spend more than fifteen minutes a day mindlessly surfing for no reason at all, try these--you'll still have time to surf mindlessly, but you'll feel like you're getting something out of it as well.

Life? Golly!

Andrew Marx — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 17:39:00 GMT

For those of you interested in such things as John Conway's Game of Life, a new open-source implementation pretty much takes the cake in terms of speed, size, and samples. You can find it on SourceForge at http://golly.sourceforge.net/. I've created a dung beetle who leaves presents in his path:

I wouldn't be surprised if it's not original, but I've never seen it before...

MSE Domain Password Policy

Andrew Marx — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 15:49:00 GMT

Every once in a while, you may notice that you can no longer log onto the MSE domain. This is usually due to an expired password. The domain policy is:

Passwords expire every 365 days
You cannot reuse your last two passwords
Passwords must be at least 6 characters long

You can reset a password from any domain computer by logging on. If your password has already expired, it will prompt you to change it immediately. If it hasn't expired, but you'd like to change it anyway, press CTRL+ALT+DEL and choose 'Change Password'.

If you've forgotten your password, stop by LeBow 434 or email me and I'll reset it for you.

New Microsoft Office file formats - .docx .pptx .xlsx

Andrew Marx — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 13:34:00 GMT

So, Microsoft has finally done something right! Office 2007 uses the OpenXML file format that has received ECMA approval (that's a good thing for interoperability).

The biggest change is that the file itself is actually a collection of other files within--go ahead and change the extension of one to .zip and open it up. You'll see a hierarchy of XML and image files that make up the document, presentation, or spreadsheet. This is great news, as it allows damaged documents to be troubleshot without knowing Office's internal file structure. However, in making the switch, it breaks compatibility with old versions. Or does it?

IMPORTANT: Before installing the compatibility pack, please go to http://update.microsoft.com and make sure all of the latest Office updates are installed--especially critical updates.

Microsoft has released compatibility packs for older versions of Office (XP and 2003) for the PC here:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=941b3470-3ae9-4aee-8f43-c6bb74cd1466&displaylang=en

and for the Mac here:

http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downloads.aspx?pid=download&location=/mac/download/office2004/converterbeta_0_2.xml

Install these, and for the most part, you should be able to open and print files made in the new version.

If you're already using Office 2007, you can set the program to continue to save files in the older format by pulling down the list of file formats under the file name on the Save dialog box and choosing the correct version.

Google Search Cheat Sheet

Andrew Marx — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 04:22:00 GMT

Although search engines are constantly working to improve the quality of their searches, they seem to have no trouble increasing the quantity of what is being searched. Sometimes, it can help a great deal to steer the search more in the direction you need--Google might do a lot of various work in their labs, but mind-controlled search is still a few years off.

The Google Cheat Sheet is a 2-page PDF that clearly outlines many of the basics of Google. Very useful tips, and some quick shortcuts around the sprawling site.

Also useful -- IHackStuff.com has a Google Hack Database of many known searches that will yield "useful" results...

Does my computer need to be on the MSE domain?

Andrew Marx — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 01:14:00 GMT

Any time someone gets a new computer, people always ask: does it need to be on the domain? What are the advantages and disadvantages of putting it on the domain? If you're unfamiliar with the concept of a domain, I would direct you towards Wikipedia's entry on Active Directory.

Advantages of being on the MSE domain

Caching of your user name and password for accessing network resources
Automatic mapping of your personal file folder and group folder

If your computer isn't on the domain...

You can access your file share at \\mse-server-file\files\{username}

e.g. \\mse-server-file\files\jdoe

You can access your group folder at \\mse-server-file\groups\{group name}

e.g. \\mse-server-file\groups\pmg

I only add department-owned desktops to the domain--since laptops are mobile, they won't always be on Drexel's network, which can cause problems if you're out of sight of the domain controller for too long.

If you have questions regarding this policy, or if you'd like your desktop added to the domain, feel free to contact me.

Connecting to the new projector the MSE Conference Room

Andrew Marx — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:19:00 GMT

There are two ways to connect your computer to the new projector in the MSE Conference Room.

The first way is to use the VGA cable coming out of the wall next to the side door. This cable is long enough to reach almost everywhere in the room.

The second option is to connect wirelessly, using a piece of software from Epson. Installation is straight-forward. Simply download the file below, double-click to run the file, and follow the instructions (choosing all of the defaults).

Download: PC Version | Mac Version

When running the software for the first time, it should automatically detect the conference room projector. Tick the checkbox next to the projector and click 'Connect'.

Hiding Default / Index Page Name in URL Location Bar

Andrew Marx — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 17:59:00 GMT

Okay, so after a month's off-and-on search for answers to this, I think I've finally gotten my workaround working.

When you visit an url without defining a specific document, whatever server is serving the page is usually instructed to provide a default document, e.g. index.html or default.aspx. Nothing new here.

The problem creeps in when using an asp.net sitemap, which requires that the entire page path be enumerated, such as ~/Test/Default.aspx, in order for controls like the breadcrumb to "know" which page a visitor is on. When you click on links generated by these controls, you are taken to the full url (including the default page name). I want to hide the default page name.

My original thinking was to test Request.ServerVariables("SCRIPT_NAME") for the default page, and then redirect the browser to the truncated URL. Since any of the ASP Request.ServerVariables, as well as Request.Path, include the full path whether the request implicitly or explicitly names the default document, that's no help.

Instead, the only way to see what's in the browser's address bar is via client-side scripting, and the best part is: it only takes two lines of javascript code.

The only drawback to this method is that it has to update the location, which creates another GET to the server. However, the location.replace() does not create a new history entry, so this method is almost completely transparent to the visitor.

<code>
var testremove = location.href.toLowerCase().indexOf("default.aspx");
if (testremove != -1) {location.replace(location.href.substring(0,testremove))};
</code>

Of course, replace default.aspx with whatever your default document is called, or repeat this concept for additional default document names... Attached is the .JS file that you can just drop in to your page as well.

I hope this helps at least one person out there, because this would have saved me a small headache. I know it really doesn't matter if it shows the default name or not. I'm just a stickler for stupid details.

At last! Using FTP to access your network share

Andrew Marx — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 15:25:00 GMT

From the day I announced that we were rolling out a department file server, people have been asking if they could get FTP access to it. Because of the inherently insecure nature of FTP, I was hesitant. After careful research, however, I was able to find a secure FTP server that will allow MSE domain users to access their files without being on (or VPNing onto) Drexel's network. Support for the MATERIALS domain has been discontinued.

Step 1: Finding a client that works for you

Most FTP clients have built-in support for secure certificate negotiation, so if you already have an FTP client you like, try it out. I was able to find a very able free client called Core FTP (download), but you're free to choose any that you like. Downloading and installation should be quite simple.

Step 2: Logging in

Server: ftp://files.mse.drexel.edu/

There is no need to put MSE in front of your username, as the FTP server will search the domain automatically. You will have to tell the client to use Secure FTP--you'll be looking for an option that looks like "AUTH SSL" or "AUTH TLS" or "Implicit SSL". SFTP is not the same as Secure FTP--it stands for SSH FTP, which we do not use. Selecting this won't get you to your files.

Step 3: Troubleshooting

Since this is a new system, I expect that there will be issues. If you receive "Invalid home directory", it's because you don't have a user directory on the file server, or it is improperly configured. Contact me to have one created. If you receive "Invalid user name/password", you may have to reset your domain password. Again, contact me and I'll reset it.

Accessing your Private File Share

Andrew Marx — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 18:28:00 GMT

The File Server

The MSE Department currently runs a file server with 1.5 terabytes of fully redundant storage space. Access is permitted using your MATERIALS and MSE domain accounts.

Most of the shares are connected to your username as the attached drive Z. When you log on to a computer using your MATERIALS or MSE account, you should see a Z: appear in My Computer. If you are accessing your files from another computer that isn't on the domain, you can go to Start -> Run, and type:

\\mse-server-file

You will be prompted for your username and password. MATERIALS accounts are created as shares, while MSE accounts are stored as subdirectories in the Files share.

Please let me know if you have issues connecting to your file share, or if you accidentally find improper access permissions for other shares.

Many research groups also have shared folders, as subdirectories in the Groups share. If your group would like a shared folder and one doesn't exist or you can't access it, please let me know.

Backing Up Your Files

Andrew Marx — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 18:01:00 GMT

Backing up with SyncToy

I recommend SyncToy for Windows XP and above, which can be downloaded from the Materials website or from Microsoft. Installation is quick and easy--simply run the MSI and follow the directions. After installation, go to the Start Menu -> Programs -> SyncToy. (You may need to right-click on these images to view them at full-res)

Click Create New Folder Pair. For the Left folder, choose the folder you'd like to backup (My Documents, Data folder, etc). Create a folder in your backup location (Z:, external hard drive, etc.) and choose that as the Right folder.

Take a moment to read through the types of actions. Echo is the closest to backing up files--it will keep an exact copy of your local folder on the file server.

Once you give the folder pair a name and click Finish, you should see your newly created folder pair in the main screen.

If you click Run, SyncToy should begin to perform the backup.

After SyncToy is finished, verify that the files were created in your backup location. Tonight, you will sleep soundly, knowing that your data is safely backed up.

Drexel Map

Andrew Marx — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 18:33:00 GMT

Drexel finally posted a really nice, high-quality (vector) campus map embedded in a campus visitor's guide. I edited the map a bit to make it very useful for an engineering student trying to find his/her way around for the first time. Did I miss any important places?

Annoyed with U3? You're not alone...

Andrew Marx — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 13:39:00 GMT

It's almost impossible to buy a USB flash drive without receiving it preinstalled with the now-ubiquitous U3 software. While ostensibly making our lives easier, the software installs itself on every computer you plug it in to, whether you want it to or not.

Removing this feature is ~~impossible~~ easy!

Attached is the uninstaller that will render the drive U3-less. I don't have to tools to put the software back on, so if you remove it and later find you wanted the functionality after all, whoops--buy a new one.

Download the U3 Remover software