Published by rich on
Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 18:13:48
- Filed under Spam
Yes, after 5 years on the market - SpamButcher has finally made it to version 2.0.
Those expecting a fancy new interface will be disappointed. In all the years I’ve spent looking at feedback from users, I can’t recall one ever saying, “Your application works great, and I’d buy it - if only it was prettier.”
However, if your interest is in a spam blocker application’s performance - I suspect you’ll be quite happy with 2.0.
Specifically, the filter now incorporates a new way of detecting spam that I’ll refer to as “Advanced URL Processing.”
In certain circumstances SpamButcher now performs a DNS lookup on questionable URLs. It then compares the returned IP address with an internal database of known long-term problem networks.
The main potential downside of the new feature is that it can cause a small amount of additional network traffic, and potentially slow filtering down a bit. Oh, and you might not get email from people who send you links to websites hosted in Nigeria.
For these reasons, it can easily be turned off from the “Filter Settings” menu.
Our initial testing has found that 2.0 stops a lot more spam. In fact, in the last 12 hours my own copy of SpamButcher has caught over 150 messages, and hasn’t let any spam through.
As always, SpamButcher’s new release is a free upgrade for existing users. That’s right, even if you bought SpamButcher 1.0 back in 2002.
Published by rich on
Saturday, November 24, 2007 - 06:26:15
- Filed under Robots and Electronics, Other Fun Stuff
Circuit Bending is the art of modifying an existing electronic sound-maker to make new and weird noises.
I picked up three such items from the local Value Village for a total of about $8. Only one of them could be “bent” easily - a toy synthesizer from Radio Shack:
(direct link to video)
In general - the older the device - the better chance of being able to easily “bend” it. Newer products tend to have everything locked up inside a single chip - which makes tweaking things hard.
However - bending the toy synthesizer was pretty easy - and lots of fun to both make and play.
I’ve probably spent a total of an hour “jamming” on it - even though I fully know how bad it sounds.
If you’re a geek and have nothing to do this weekend - my advice is to hit the local thrift-shop - and pick up whatever looks interesting.
Elmo eventually did get “bent” - stay tuned for a follow-up video…
(@#$# kids and their “Guitar Hero” - don’t know anything)
Published by rich on
Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - 08:29:28
- Filed under Other Fun Stuff
A few days ago I posted a video with instructions on how to make a stencil using your laser printer.
Now let’s set it on fire:
(direct link to video)
You’ll need:
A stencil
Gunpowder
MythBusters used a similar effect on their logo in one of the shows - my friend Theresa suggested it was probably done with a stencil - hence this project.
Please kids - don’t try this at home.
The makers of the SpamButcher spam blocking program don’t want anyone getting hurt.