Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2008 August 5

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August 5

Java applications do not run in browser

Resolved

Hello. I recently reinstalled my operating system, and installed Java from java.com later to be able to view Java applications in browser. However, the first time I installed it, it did not run correctly; Internet Explorer (7) was just closing when I opened a website with a java application in it (http://www.operamini.com/demo, for example). I tried reinstalling it a couple times, even installed the older version (1.6.0.02, that was installed on my system before the OS reinstall), but nothing worked. However, somehow I managed to get the browser not to crash, but now it displays a red X in left-hand corner of the Java application window on the webpage. Java console displays the following errors in it:

load: class QuoteList.class not found.
java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: QuoteList.class
	at sun.applet.AppletClassLoader.findClass(Unknown Source)
	at java.lang.ClassLoader.loadClass(Unknown Source)
	...
load: class org.microemu.applet.Main not found.
java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: org.microemu.applet.Main
	at sun.applet.AppletClassLoader.findClass(Unknown Source)
	at java.lang.ClassLoader.loadClass(Unknown Source)
	...

I tried disabling and re-enabling the Java Active-X control in the browser, but it didn't help. I am wondering if it is because I'm using a 64-bit Vista (although Java doesn't work both in my 32-bit and 64-bit IE's); but it was working before - I just bought this laptop a few weeks ago, and it had everything preinstalled on it. That's where I got the 1.6.0.02 version from, it was among the driver installation files, but it didn't help either. I wasn't able to find any solutions online as well. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!  ARTYOM  00:36, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Never mind, I fixed it. Just in case somebody else would be having the same issue, I am posting my actions here. It turned out that version 1.6.0.07 (the latest one) was just installing independently from the already-installed version 1.6.0.02, i.e. without removing it. I uninstalled both, reinstalled the latest version, restarted the computer, and disabled and re-enabled the Java Active-X in IE again. That solved the problem. I guess something went wrong during installation when I tried to install Java the very first time.  ARTYOM  01:29, 6 August 2008 (UTC)

Image stabilization, after the fact.

I checked Image stabilization, but didn't find an answer, so maybe y'all have an idea.

Is there a way to take an older, somewhat shaky, video file and run it through some software (free would be nice) that will reduce the shakiness? Thanks. Bunthorne (talk) 03:49, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Yes, there are software packages that governments and police use to stabilize video - no matter how shaky. They have taken completely unwatchable clips into super-steady video ready for the jury to see. The only people I have heard of using it are professionals. I think they were using Avid but I'm not sure... --mboverload@ 05:22, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

This is the ultra highend professional level solution I was referring to. dTective - Powered by Avid I am still looking for a consumer level version. --mboverload@ 05:29, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Thank you Mboverload. I checked the presentation, and that's exactly the type of thing I would like to do. Of course, since that's professional software, I'm too cheap to buy it. So if there's a consumer or free program that will do the same thing, I'd be interested. Thanks for your detective work. Bunthorne (talk) 15:43, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

There is an add-on for Adobe Creative Suite that does exactly that. I don't recall the name of it, but my google searching has found anouther similar one called Mercalli. ---J.S (T/C/WRE) 23:40, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Cinelerra will do it, but it is kind of hard to configure properly. And just for the record avid has a built in image stabilization plugin effect. I have used both, cinelerra's motion stabilization is more powerful but alot harder to get working because of all the options, the built-in avid effect is much simpler and usually "just works". -- 209.30.197.76 (talk) 22:03, 6 August 2008 (UTC)

Web site default page replaced with "core-project"

I have a server at my house that I keep my web site on. Yesterday my default page was modified and I have no idea how. The new version of the page simply read "core-project" - No formatting, page title, nothing - just that text. So far it does not look like any changes to other files were made.

I had been on the server yesterday, but I don't think I was at the time stamp of the file change. Even if I was, I did not: download anything, edit the web site, run any new software, do anything unusual, I did not even check mail. I did go on the web but I don't think I went to any page I was not familiar with (Netflix, Amazon, maybe the IMDB). Now maybe I did go somewhere else, but I'm 99% sure it wasn't at the time of the change.

Afterwords I did do a Windows update and 2 upgrades were installed: KB890830 and KB951748. Those patches did not look like the fix to my problem to me. My anti-virus software was up to date and I did a scan with no problems found.

I can put the page back like it was, but I am very concerned as to how and why this happened. I wouldn't think it would be a virus - wouldn't it do more than modify the 1 page and in a silly way?

Does anyone have any ideas about this?
What would make a page say just "core-project" (no quotes)?

Thanks--Wonderley (talk) 06:57, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Have you done checked the logs? -- Consumed Crustacean (talk) 08:34, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

You have server logs, yes? Those will tell you what happened. My bet is that you had some sort of vulnerabilities in your page and some bot found them and exploited them. Couldn't give you more info without more info on the page, the server, and the logs. --98.217.8.46 (talk) 15:19, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Thanks so far. I didn't even think about the logs. I just assumed that if it was hacking, logs wouldn't show it. Also, I do not have FTP running - but I better double check that. The only thing I see suspicious in the log is this activity.

18:58:32 202.134.73.148 HEAD /Default.htm 200
18:59:07 202.134.73.148 POST /_vti_bin/_vti_aut/author.dll 200
18:59:07 202.134.73.148 GET /Default.htm 200
19:00:11 202.134.73.148 HEAD /Default.htm 200
19:00:13 202.134.73.148 POST /_vti_bin/_vti_aut/author.dll 200
19:00:14 202.134.73.148 GET /Default.htm 200
19:00:36 202.134.73.148 HEAD /Default.htm 200
19:00:39 202.134.73.148 POST /_vti_bin/_vti_aut/author.dll 200
19:00:40 202.134.73.148 GET /Default.htm 200

"POST" sure does look like trouble to me. How about you? However, I didn't think that was possible. As for vulnerabilities on the page it should be just basic html. However, I use Front Page 2000 and like all Microsoft Products it adds stuff that I don't think necessary.

What are the extra sub directories like "_vti_cnf" and "_vti_pvt"? I assumed FrontPage made those. Maybe I am wrong about that? I do not have a "_vti_bin" directory on my web site.

I'm going to see what I can find based on this info but I wanted to get this out to you ASAP. Thanks again. --Wonderley (talk) 18:24, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Well it seems that those _vti_bin/... files were accessed successfully since your server returned code 200 (HTTP OK)... Nimur (talk) 22:21, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

It also seems like those are FrontPage utilities for web-based site maintenance... Nimur (talk) 22:23, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Firefox not sending Cookies to DTA

Resolved

I'm trying to download files that require me logged in, and so I need to cookie in order to download it in an external programme. I have done some packet captures and the cookies are missing from the HTTP headers in DTA when it's running natively in Linux, whereas the same configuration in wine works flawlessly. Is this a bug in Firefox or is there some hidden setting that I do not know of? --antilived^{T | C | G} 08:30, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Turns out I need to allow 3rd party cookies in preferences... --antilived^{T | C | G} 08:35, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Citing sources in LaTeX environment

I'm a LaTeX noob and I spent the last couple of days learning how to convert my MS Word document into LaTeX. Tables excluded, it was fairly easy, however the bibliography is still missing. What's the better approach to produce the list of sources? Right now, I have about 30 sources cited, but the document will grow until about 100, perhaps. Can you help me? Thanks in advance for your replies. 85.243.132.126 (talk) 10:17, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Maybe bibtex is what you're looking for? You can do a bibliography by hand, but if you have 100 sources to cite BibTeX is a better bet. 79.71.24.204 (talk) 11:56, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Thanks, I've heard about it, but how can use it? I download an applet to build my database, create a file with it and inclue it in the .tex file? 85.243.132.126 (talk) 12:12, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Try reading some of the tutorials linked at the bottom of the bibtex wiki page. Basically you install BibTeX on your system (it's possibly already there, especially if you're using MiKTeX), put \cite commands in your tex file where you want the references to appear, create a sample.bib file with the details of the references in bibtex format, and put \bibliographystyle{plain} \bibliography{sample} where you want the bibliography to appear. You then run the tex file through bibtex and latex a bunch of times, and the resulting output has a nicely formatted bibliography.79.71.24.204 (talk) 12:54, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Yes, I'm using MiKTeX, and I understood the mechanism you explained, but how can I manage the database and create the .bib file, i.e., introduce the authors, titles, years (and so on...) of each work and create a file with all that information inside? Does MiKTeX carry any applet to help me performing that? 85.243.132.126 (talk) 12:59, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

The database is the .bib file. Either create it by hand using the examples in the bibtex page etc., or find an online reference database that will spit out references in bibtex format e.g.mathscinet and look up your references one by one, or find someone you trust who cites the same sort of references you do and ask for a copy of their .bib file. I haven't used MikTex for some time so I can't tell you what it does, but the .bib file is just a text file so you can certainly edit it in whatever you currently use.79.71.24.204 (talk) 13:06, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

websense

i had asked for help on how to beat websense.i can't access WIKIPEDIA. aNY HELP would do trmendously —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.178.109.246 (talk) 10:20, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

I don't understand your question - If you can post the above message then you can access wikipedia. ---J.S (T/C/WRE) 17:59, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Well, he/she could be using another computer or someone else's account to post a message. This is obviously a problem with a restricted account at school or work. We don't/shouldn't give information on hacking... Sandman30s (talk) 21:31, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

This has been asked before. Astronaut (talk) 18:08, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

notability - beagle board

Before I create the stub, (or someone else beats me to it), I would like to ask your advice - Is an article "beagle board" worthy of an article or not?87.102.5.5 (talk) 14:25, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

I would say be bold and go for it. A quick glance at Google shows a few sources and certainly enough information for a stub. Worst that can happen is someone disputes its notability or merges it into Texas Instruments OMAP or similar. Gandalf61 (talk) 14:53, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Article now under construction... please wait a moment.87.102.5.5 (talk) 17:23, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Nokia 3220 as modem

I will be acquiring a laptop and setting it up with Linux (probably Kubuntu) in the near future. I have a Nokia 3220 and will be buying a Bluetooth USB device to transfer data between the phone and laptop. Can I use the phone as a modem? If so, will the use of Bluetooth create security issues? NeonMerlin 15:16, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

1. Yes, most phones allow using them as a modem, but with Bluetooth it might be slower.

2. No, I think Bluetooth is secure enough.

--grawity 17:45, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

(edit conflict) It might be technically possible - TBH I don't know - but try this site. However, unless the modem call is within your call package, using your cell phone as a modem could be astronomically expensive. eg. here in the UK, I get charged about 10p/minute to call a "free" 0800 number because only numbers starting 01, 02, 03 and 07 are within my call package. Astronaut (talk) 17:47, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

What is the name of that little image next to the URL?

On Wikipedia it appears as a "W" on google it appears as a "G". What is it called and is there html to personalize the one on your website? --217.227.110.149 (talk) 16:27, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Its called a favicon. Here's a useful page on them. - Sorf^ane 16:43, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

For more extensive personalization, this might be of interest. Algebraist 16:51, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

That is awesome :D - Sorf^ane 16:56, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

MP3 player for audiobooks

I am looking to buy an MP3 player for my mom to listen to audiobooks, and I am looking for some hints. It needs to have a simple interface and doesn't need much 'fancy' functionality (she's not the technophile I am :) ), and needs to be able to resume long mp3 files at the moment they were stopped. Bookmarking would also be helpful. Does anyone have any suggestions for what model / ranges I should be looking at, or what other criteria I should consider? Thanks muchly in advance! — QuantumEleven 16:51, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Um... ever hear of an iPod? I think the iPod Nano is right what your mom needs. Only US$149. Plus you can adjust the speed of audiobooks too! Built-in bookmarking remembers where you last listened. And there's iTunes Store, which has an endless amount of audiobooks for sale. --70.167.58.6 (talk) 21:03, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

The iphone actualy has an app that allows for free audio book downloads, i got Agatha Cristie currently on mine, and all you need is a wireless connection, no need to sinc it with a computer for this.

--64.119.116.90 (talk) 20:11, 4 September 2008 (UTC)

Email forwarding and storage size

Hi. Let's say I create a Yahoo email accoount and a Gmail email account. I insert each other email address to forward every email received to the other account. That is, an email received to the Gmail account will forward it to the Yahoo account and vice versa. If now I use one of them and send an email to the other one, will it loop forever? Will there ever a time when the email storage reach full capacity if it loops forever? Now, maybe they've set a limit to the number of emails you can receive per day, which will stop the infinite loop. If I start sending a 10MB mail (the maximum allowed I think) every day, will the storage of my Gmail or Ymail ever get full? This article says that Yahoo! Mail offers unlimited email storage capacity. Is that really true? What if I keep uploading/sending emails to that Yahoo! Mail account every day. Will it never get full? Thanks for your answers. 132.206.22.13 (talk) 18:02, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

E-mail loop talks about the first part of your question. Your second question is more complicated. Of course there is a limit to how-much space exists on Yahoo's servers, but I think if you dig deep enough into their terms and conditions you will find a clause that lets them cut you off if your usage is outside of what a reasonable person would use. ---J.S (T/C/WRE) 19:19, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

AFAIK, as far as Google is concerned, they will slap your wrist and cut you off for a few hours to a few days. ONE (or even twenty) 10 MB mails a day will most likely not concern either Google or Y!. Their servers are [hopefully efficiently] scalable and they can just add more storage to their servers when they need to. Gmail yet does not have unlimited storage and I don't think it will anytime soon, since they have started selling/renting storage. As J Smith said, Y! has its limits but sending one 10 MB email should not harm them. Moreover, since you are a paying subscriber (how else would you get forwarding in Yahoo!?), they will most likely not terminate your email if you consistently send out low numbers of huge emails. I am not sure about attachments but if you have a 10 MB attachment going back and forth between yahoo and Google mail, the servers should be smart enough to just link you to the same attachment as to not spend more storage space. Kushal (talk) 00:49, 6 August 2008 (UTC)

Digital_signal_processor#Architecture

"Bit-reversed addressing, a special addressing mode useful only for calculating FFTs"

I understand (I think) fourier transform - but can't see how bit-reversed addressing could be useful here.

What exactly does 'bit reversed' mean in this context? What sort of FFT would use this?87.102.5.5 (talk) 18:55, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

There's some discussion of it here. (I probably can't be much more help than that, sorry.) -- Coneslayer (talk) 19:20, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

It says "Bit reversal is the permutation where the data at an index n, written in binary with digits b4b3b2b1b0 (e.g. 5 digits for N=32 inputs), is transferred to the index with reversed digits b0b1b2b3b4 "

But the relationship between 11001 and 10011 is obscure mathematically (to the extent of being psuedo random) - can anyone give a simple explanation of this (I can't find any relationship to factorisation either - does this have something to do with it?)87.102.5.5 (talk) 19:30, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Can anyone tell me that it's very complicated (or am I reading high-fantasy-bullshit?)87.102.5.5 (talk) 19:32, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

It's not too complicated. The FFT is divide-and-conquer: you do a recursive FFT on the n/2 even-numbered inputs and another one on the n/2 odd-numbered inputs and then combine the results. If you're doing an in-place FFT, then the outputs of the sub-FFTs will be in the same place as the inputs. In particular, the DC components for the even and odd half-FFTs will be at addresses 0 and 1 respectively. From those you derive the DC component of the full FFT (their sum), which goes at address 0, and the "Nyquist frequency" component (their difference), which goes at address n/2. In general, from half-FFT results at 2k and 2k + 1 you produce outputs at k and n/2 + k. This is hard to do in place. It would be easier if your inputs had been ordered so that the even-numbered ones were first, instead of mixed with the odd-numbered ones. But the same argument applied to the sub-FFTs implies that within the even-numbered ones, the multiples of four should come first, and so on. In the end the most efficient arrangement of the inputs is bit-reversed. This only applies when the size of the FFT is a power of 2. If it's a power of 3 then you reverse the digits in base 3. If it's a mixture of primes then you do a mixed-base digit reversal (or use a different algorithm). -- BenRG (talk) 20:46, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

ok I think I understood that - (every thing except why I'd split into two FFT's in the first place) - but you explained the part I wanted. Thanks87.102.5.5 (talk) 21:28, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Connecting "Directly" to the Internet

I read somewhere (I don't remember where) that it's possible to connect "directly" to the internet (without going through an ISP) but that the equipment needed to do so is expensive. Still, I'm curious about how this would be done, so...how would that be done? Digger3000 (talk) 20:39, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

You can't steal "some internet" like you can steal cable. Connections the Internet backbone are all owned by companies that then lease them to(EDIT: or have agreements with) smaller other companies, then to smaller, etc. Could you give us their exact quote so we can figure out what they were trying to say? --mboverload@ 21:57, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

From Internet:

Aside from the complex physical connections that make up its infrastructure, the Internet is facilitated by bi- or multi-lateral commercial contracts (e.g., peering agreements), and by technical specifications or protocols that describe how to exchange data over the network. Indeed, the Internet is defined by its interconnections and routing policies.

--mboverload@ 21:57, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

:I agree with mboverload. To visit a web site, you need to translate its domain name (e.g., en.wikipedia.org) to an IP address (e.g., 208.80.152.2). For that, you need a DNS server. There are free DNS providers that you can use. The next thing you would need would be a DHCP server to give your computer an IP address. I know of no free DHCP providers. In order to use an ISPs servers, you have to register your modem with them. Otherwise, access will be denied. Further, if you connected a modem to your TV cable line, you might also need permission to pass through their routers.--Hello. I'm new here, but I'm sure I can help out. (talk) 22:09, 5 August 2008 (UTC) [banned user]

It's not even that simple. You have to convince some company to carry your traffic before you can even consider connecting to their dns/dhcp servers. Unless you're a massive ISP (and hence can do a Peering arrangement with the other ISP), you're not going to do that for free. -- Consumed Crustacean (talk) 22:28, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Weird that you included DHCP on your list of requirements. DHCP is not required to connect to the internet. It exists only as a convenience. It is entirely possible to set up a network so that everything DHCP provides can be done manually just by calling up your network admin and typing in some numbers. APL (talk) 23:15, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

I think the main mis-conception here is that there is specifically something out there called "the internet" and that your ISP is somehow a gateway to it for you. It's not. Your ISP is actually part of the "the internet." Actually, unless your within a LAN, your computer is part of the internet as well. ---J.S (T/C/WRE) 23:34, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Ok, so I guess my question is, is there any way for me to have internet access (like I do now) but without going through an ISP? I don't care if it's free or cheap, I just want to know if it's possible. Digger3000 (talk) 00:12, 6 August 2008 (UTC)

No. Let me put it another way. The internet is composed of computer networks that communicate with one another. The owner of each network has an agreement with at least one other network owner on the Internet to allow data to communicate between the two networks. An ISP is just any organization who is already part of this interconnected network, and provides a connection to their network (and by extension the whole Internet) to someone else. That's it. And there is no other way onto the internet; you need to come to some sort of an agreement with an organization who owns a network that's part of the Internet in order to connect to it. That organization, by definition, is an ISP. -- Consumed Crustacean (talk) 00:33, 6 August 2008 (UTC)

There are two ways to answer this question :
(1) "ISP" implies a commercial business. You could connect through a part of the internet owned by a different type of organization instead. A military base or a university, for example.
(2) If you don't like that answer, you may prefer to read about Internet Backbones. I suppose it would be theoretically possible to somehow hook your desktop up to one of those if you could jerry-rig together the proper equipment. However, there isn't a single, central backbone anymore, there's a bunch, and these backbones are either part of ISPs or one of the ISP-like organizations I just mentioned above.
So, you see, we're back to C. Crustacean's comment that there is no single "Internet" that you can connect to. It's just a large collection of equipment owned by ISPs and other similar organizations. Even at its very core the internet is made of ISPs. Your question is sort of like asking if you can look at a forest without looking at any trees. APL (talk) 02:47, 6 August 2008 (UTC)

I think the simple answer is that The Internet is not a series of tubes. There's no water main to connect to. --mboverload@ 03:06, 6 August 2008 (UTC)

Digger3000: I think the closest you can get to what your wanting is leasing a T1 (or better) digital line. At this point your less an individual paying a subscription fee and more an entity buying a particular guaranteed connection. I speak with experience when I say it's a very very different kind of relationship. So Digger, what exactly are you trying to accomplish? We might be able to better help you with more information about your goals. ---J.S (T/C/WRE) 03:56, 6 August 2008 (UTC)

A friend said "omg theres a free way to get internet" and he wanted to know how. The answer is there is no way and to to beleive so is because of a lack of understanding about how the internet works. --mboverload@ 04:11, 6 August 2008 (UTC)

Actually, the way I read it, he's looking for a way to connect with only set up cost, and further usage is free. Is it possible to SET UP a personal ISP (albeit at high initial cost)? --WORM | MЯOW 07:57, 6 August 2008 (UTC)

In theory. But 1) You'd still be connecting to one or more other ISPs. 2) Since you're not a Tier 1 network there would be ongoing expenses for those connections.

We're back to a basic concept. To connect to "The Internet" you need to have a connection to one or more ISPs. This is true if you're a home user. This is true if you are an ISP. This is even true if you're AT&T. The internet is made of ISPs.

Obviously, someone like Comcast buys a much fatter pipe than you or me. APL (talk) 13:29, 6 August 2008 (UTC)

How to convert/use documents from StarOffice5.2 in Microsoft Word?

I have just moved from a WinMe computer, where I used StarOffice5.2, to an XP computer that has Microsoft Word installed. Is there any converter that could convert my hundreds of letters from StarOffice format to something readable by Word please? 78.151.119.134 (talk) 21:11, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

:Have you tried OpenOffice.org? It can open .sdw files and save them in the .doc format. It's free, too.--Hello. I'm new here, but I'm sure I can help out. (talk) 22:15, 5 August 2008 (UTC) [banned user]

"The source code of the suite was released in July 2000, creating a free, open source office suite called OpenOffice.org; subsequent versions of StarOffice have been based upon OpenOffice.org, with additional proprietary components.[2]" - From StarOffice. ---J.S (T/C/WRE) 23:30, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

That being said, both StarOffice and OpenOffice should both just have a "Save As" feature with .doc as a choice. ---J.S (T/C/WRE) 23:31, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Sorry I should have been clearer - I have hundreds of letters to convert, I am looking for somthing that can convert them in a batch rather than repeatedly loading and saving then in OpenOffice etc, which would take days. Even something that could just crudely convert them to .txt files by stripping out non-text characters would be better than nothing. Thanks. 89.242.82.124 (talk) 11:47, 6 August 2008 (UTC)

After some more websearching I have found this OpenOffice macro that can (it says) batch convert between all different formats supported by OO. http://www.ooomacros.org/user.php#95532 I have not tried it yet. It is said it will not go through sub-directories though. And in case the .sdw files need converting into OpenOffice format first, from http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/Documentation/OOoAuthors_User_Manual/Migration_Guide/Sharing_Files "To use OpenOffice.org to convert a lot of files, click File > Wizards > Document Converter." I would still be interested to hear of any stand-alone conversion programs. Thanks. 89.242.82.124 (talk) 13:25, 6 August 2008 (UTC)

Do not want to use any "user accounts" in WinXP

I have just moved to an XP computer after previously using a WinMe one, and I hate the needless complexity and pointlessness of having to use accounts for different users and statuses on the computer, which just gets in the way. Is there any way of using an XP computer without any accounts please? Thanks. 78.151.119.134 (talk) 21:20, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Well you have to have at least one account. Set yourself up as administrator and you don't even have to experience the ignominy of logging in with a password, although a password would be preferable for security. Go into Control Panel and Users and delete all other user accounts. I have a guest account as well, without which one enters a world of pain if you want to connect to/from other computers on a network/workgroup/domain. Sandman30s (talk) 21:37, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

If it doesn't automatically log you in after doing that, and you still get the welcome screen, then there's one other step. Click start, run, type in control userpasswords2 and hit OK. The option for auto login is in there. -- Consumed Crustacean (talk) 00:41, 6 August 2008 (UTC)

"sharing" dsl connection between 2 computers

first, waht does it mean when 'sharing' a dsl connection? does that mean both computers are able to surf the web at the same time, or only that one computer can surf the web at one time, while the other can connect to the internet at a differnt time? also, i have a win98FE computer (with no ethernet ports) and a vista laptop... if i wanted to network them to share a dsl connection (with one dsl modem) would i need to get a network card for the win98 computer and would i need a router as well? thanks —Preceding unsigned comment added by 63.24.181.191 (talk) 17:17, 6 August 2008 (UTC)