InstallationAnnoying Windows sounds
Posted on January 29th, 2007Today I installed a Windows update that required a system restart, to my surprise I heard the Windows welcome theme was back, I disable all sounds on the computers I am working on, they are unnecessary and annoying, I suggest you do the same.
I thought it would be a good idea to post a simple way to remove the sounds, now I know this is not new but believe it or not, some people still don’t know how to do this.
How to use Google Search
Posted on January 17th, 2007
Google is more than a search engine, it is a set of tools to find almost anything on the web, right now there are over 25 billion websites indexed in Google, this means that if you are looking for something, you are going to need some serious help.
I use Google daily, it is like the Swiss Army knife of the web, it has many helpful features that are not obvious or listed on the main page, but they work. These features allow you to get better search results and reduce the amount of spam sites, therefore saving you time and hassle.
Basic Google Tips
If you followed my recommendation to make Google your homepage, that is a good start, once you start using these basic commands no one will stop you, I could say that 99% of the time I find exactly what I am looking for, using Google, too bad I can’t use Google to find my missing car keys.
1. Think keywords.
If you are looking for someone to fix your bathroom sink you will not go to the phone directory and look for bathroom sinks, you usually will think of the solution, a plumber. The same principle applies here easier, if you type:
2.- Remove excess. Use hyphen.
I was looking the other day for nano technology, I was being lazy and just typed the word nano, I got the first 5 pages full of nano ipod offers and reviews, I added the word technology but the iPod is technology, the trick here is to remove the keyword you don’t want shown, like this:
3.- Be specific. Use quotes.
If you want to search for pages that contain a specific string of words you can do this by using quotes, like this:
4.- Look in one place.
If you are looking for data in a site without a search engine, you can use Google to search any indexed site, by using keyword site:www.domain.com
These basic commands have helped me to search better in Google and other search engines, start using them and you will see how fast and accurate you become to find stuff on the net.
Explore Google
Like I said, Google is a set of tools, searching is just one of those tools, I will add more tips later for now you have plenty of homework.
How to install a WCG200-CC router
Posted on January 15th, 2007
This is a requested guide on how to access and configure the Linksys WCG200-CC Comcast router. This router was discontinued in 2006, it was made by Linksys as model WCG200-CC.
Hardware
The WCG200-CC Router is a mix of router and modem all-in-one solution, it has one antenna, it is black with a big COMCAST logo on the top side and it has a coaxial port, a USB port and four Ethernet ports, unlike most Linksys routers this one has a ON/OFF switch on the back side next to the antenna.
Installation
- Print this page
- Turn off your computer
- Press the switch to the OFF position (0)
- Connect the power adapter
- Connect the coaxial cable
- Connect your computer through USB or Ethernet. (I recommend Ethernet)
- Turn on the switch
- Wait 30 seconds
- Turn on your computer
- If your network settings are configured correctly you should be able to connect to the internet.
- Open your favorite browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.)
- You should be able to access the internet
To configure your router for wireless access (for PC’s equipped with a wireless adapter)
- Open your favorite browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.)
- Enter this number right where you type an internet address. 192.168.0.1
- Type the username (lowercase) comcast
- Type the password 1234
- Access the wireless settings
- Type a passphrase of your choosing
- Copy the long string of characters that generates below, double check all characters or it will not work. (This is your WEP Key)
- Save your settings
- Unplug the cable (You will get a ‘Disconnected’ message, its normal)
- Access available Wireless Networks on your Control Panel in Windows.
- Click on ‘Customer ID’ which is the default name for your router
- Paste the long string of characters (WEP Key), twice.
- Press OK, wait for a few seconds
- Open your favorite browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.)
- You should be able to access the internet
NOTE: WEP is not the best way to secure a wireless network but it is still better than having no protection at all.
To reset the router to default settings
Use a pencil or a paper clip to press the little button on the back side of the router for about 10 seconds, then release; the front lights will turn red for a second and now your router has been reset.
Default Settings for your router
IP: 192.168.0.1 (not 192.168.1.1)
Username: comcast
Password: 1234
You can use the WEP Key Generator included in the CD, but it is not necessary if you follow my instructions.
What is SSID?
Posted on January 12th, 2007
Assuming you have a network using a router to connect to other computers and the internet, this tip will help you prevent unauthorized use of your network resources, such as internet connection.
What is SSID?
Stands for Service Set IDentifier, it is a code included in all data transmitted over a wireless network, lets say you have two networks, one is called ‘OFFICE’ the other one is called ‘GAMES’, two routers used for two different purposes, how do you prevent the signals from crossing over? Well the SSID allows you to have networks with a unique identifier so devices can communicate with it each other.
Using SSID
You can customize your SSID to almost anything, as long as you don’t exceed 32 alphanumeric characters you are ok, for example:
SSID: My Private Network
or
SSID: Private do NOT connect
SSID Broadcast: Enabled
When you purchase and install an router it usually has SSID enabled by default, the SSID is transmitted as soon as you turn the router on, if someone nearby is working on his computer he will get a message notifying him that a new network has been found, the user will be able to connect to your network because by default your router is open to all connections as long as they can identify themselves with the same SSID, and since you are being so nice to share it, this makes it easier for anyone with a wireless device to connect up to your network.
SSID Broadcast: Disabled
Routers have an option to disable the SSID broadcast, this means that the SSID will still be in effect but will not reveal itself to other wireless devices, it will be hidden, the problem is that if a device already connected once to your network it already knows your SSID so a good move is to disable the broadcast, then change it to something else.
Are we secure yet?
Not really, even without an SSID, a wireless device can still communicate with your network and find a way in, that is why other security features are available, such as WEP, WPA, Radius, etc.
These protect your network with an encryption, in other words, they scramble the data before it is being transmitted and this works with the use of an encryption key. More on this later…
If you still don’t understand SSID, leave a comment below.
