Category: Technology

What I think about technology, links to interesting articles about technology, or anything else remotely related to technology.

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Spam and Gmail

Well, the spam count is up above 800 now (I don't have an exact count because I deleted around 80 pieces of spam before I thought it would be interesting to track how mush spam I received over time).

I knew I got alot of spam, but I never realized I got this much!

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More on Gmail

Well, I'm on day three, and gmail has blocked over 400 spam messages with only 2 false positives. I'd say I'm very happy right now.

Thanks Google! and thanks Matt for the Invitation!

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Gmail Spam Filter Update

I just wanted to let everyone know that in under two days, gmail has blocked over 200 pieces of spam. So far, there are zero false positives. I'm excited.

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Gmail as Spam Filter

In this articke, Google's Gmail is used as a spam filter.

I have a gmail account, but have never used it (I didn't want to change e-mail addresses, again. But I recently decided to give this a shot. I didn't do it exactly as described, so here is what I did:

1. — I configured every e-mail account I had access to so the e-mail was forwarded to my gmail account. Please note, that this wasn't done in my email client as a rule. I could configure the mail account to "forward to" another e-mail address.

2. — In #1, the forwarding ensured that no mail would be delivered to the accounts. I left my e-mail app alone (yes, it still checks those accounts for mail). However, I ought to configure my client to never check for mail at those addresses again.

3. — I set my gmail account up for POP3 access. I have it leaving the mail on Google's servers. That way, I can search it there if I ever have to.

4. — I then configured my mail client to check my gmail mail.

5. — I undid the configuration of my mail client so my mail is no longer checked by SAProxy (an anchient version that only did ok).

So far, it appears to be working great. It already catches much more spam than my anchient GPL version of SAProxy (alas, it isn't free anymore). But, I must say that SAProxy only did ok. I had to block most spam using black lists.

I'm going to let this run for a week or two and update everyone on how successfull it is.

[Update 2007-03-16  07:49:26] This has worked out so well that I'm still doing it.  Plus I get the convienence of webmail with none of the hassles of web only mail.

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Ink Jet Printers

Ever wonder what was going on inside your printer? Well, Dean Armstrong is a guy who has taken apart several inkjet printers.

I disassembled a broken Epson C80 inkjet printer the other day. They nearly always clog if you don't use them constantly, if you use them constantly but have low humidity, or if you look at them the wrong way. It was a useful exercise, and I learned a few things about the state of printer engineering and how things change over time

I've taken apart a number of inkjet printers, starting with old HP Deskjets from 1990. They used encoders and standard motors too, but the printer was designed to last. Canon Bubblejets from the mid-90's used steppers; and I had always assumed all printers would from now on. The HP Deskjets also used a Z80 CPU; I'd always loved that an ancient processor was still being used in embedded stuff. Keith tells me it's a great processor.

I would have had a huge absorptive sponge too, but it was full of ink.

Makes you wonder if you really run out of ink because you use it all or because the printer wastes a ton of it.

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“Christian Spam”

Well, it seems people are using "christian" feelings to try and trick people with the old nigerian spam trick. Look at this piece of spam I received today:

Paul Rickey & Associates
Barr. Paul Rickey (Esq.)
Tel/Fax #:+448701206888

Dear Beloved in Christ,

It is with Heavy Heart i am reaching you regarding the death of my late client.

I am Paul Rickey, the legal adviser to late MR. MIKE & CAROL HALL, a very Wealthy Couple that lived here in the United Kingdom, before their recent Death on the 26th of December during the Tsunami disaster last year (2004). http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/4153821.stm) these couple served God as very dedicated Christians, they so dedicated their life to God but they had no child till they died. They acquired a lot of landed properties like lands, Stocks/Bond, house properties, etc. As their legal adviser, before their death,the husband Mr. Mike & Carol Hall instructed me to write his WILL because they had no child, they dedicated their wealth to God.

According to the WILL, their assets should be given out to a ministry for the work of God. As their legal adviser, all the documents for the assets that are deposited with the security company are in my care. He gave me the authority to give out the funds to the Ministries for the work of God.

As instructed by MR.MIKE HALL before his death. As a matter of fact the total amount of money that is contained in the two trunk Boxes is US$10,000,000.00, They did not want the management of the Security Company to know the content of the consignments,therefore they registered the content of the consignments as Gold Bars. Now, the security company believes that what They deposited with them were Gold Bars.

As a born again Christian, I have been reading my bible and I have to do what is lawful and right in the sight of God by giving out the fund to the chosen ministry for the purpose of God's work as instructed by the owner before his death. After my fasting and prayers Today, I asked God to make his choice and direct me to an honest Christian or the chosen ministry that deserves this fund by his Grace.

I then came across your address on the Internet as I was browsing through a Christian site. I appeal to you for the fund to be used wisely for things that will glorify the name of God. I have just notified the Security Company where they deposited the consignments that contained the fund, that I am moving the consignment abroad, and the security company is awaiting my authority to move the consignment out of the shores of my country.

Dear child of Zion, if you know that you will use this fund honestly and wisely for things that will glorify God's name, then do contact me with the above mentioned information via Fax:+44 8701206888 Your prompt response will be highly appreciated; Do send me your contact telephone number so that I can reach you on telephone.

Fax me on +44 8701206888

In His Services,

Barr. Paul Rickey (Esq)

Why pick a person? Why not give the money to some great mission sending agency? ARG. SPAM

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Google Earth

Google Earth is really really cool. You should go take a look. You do have to download a client (10 MB…yep…Alan, it's bloatware), but once you do, you get to "fly" in on any location. Check it out!