Here at Skynet, we use a lovely little date picker script written by monkeyphysics (no real name on his site that I could find). You can find the original script including a donate link for the author and licensing here: MONKEYPHYSICS MOOTOOLS DATEPICKER

All of the sudden, the modern browsers decided to create an issue that caused picking dates in the past to be very glitchy. DJ described it by saying “It really is like one of those whack-a-mole games.”

Honestly, I think the so-called “glitch” should have been a problem from day one. The script renders two different divs at the same time, and it simply just hides the inactive one. I added a z-index so that the visible one would be on top. Without this, it was hit or miss how the click event would bubble.

It was a very easy fix. I added the following lines of code on line 299, pushing what was on line 299 below the added code.

this.oldContents.setStyle('z-index',59);

this.newContents.setStyle('z-index',60); 

You can just add them yourself or download an updated copy here:

MODIFIED DATEPICKER

Source: Skynet Solutions

By: Jed Parmenter

So I clicked on the Android Market icon on my Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 only to see “Client is out of date, an update will download shortly.”

I clicked OK and waited for this magic update. Unfortunately, nothing happened. So I went and consulted the almighty Google, only to find outdated posts and similar issues from back in 2010.

I did confirm there was a recent Android Market update on January 25^th 2012. I found out that my tablet that was brand new in November of 2011 shipped with version 1.0.28!!

I emailed Google and have yet to get a response. I started searching for Android Market APK and found tons of links to MultiUpload.com. Unfortunately, they have been shut down due to the wonderful new version of Internet Censorship.

Good news though; I did find a semi-recent version of the APK here:

http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/11/19/download-updated-android-market-v3-3-12/

This is not the newest version of the Android Market. The most recent version is 3.4.4. I downloaded the above version, and it updated itself after that.

I did hunt down another link that is for version 3.4.4, and it is not hosted by MultiUpload.com or BtJunkie.com. You can download it here:

http://www.droid-life.com/2011/12/14/download-new-android-market-version-3-4-4/

(Source: Skynet Solutions)

By Jed Parmenter

Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 WiFi versus Apple iPad 2 WiFi

This comparison is not a death match between the two devices. This is simply a list of differences I noticed between them. I hope to help someone decide which device to get.

We already have iPhones and iPads, so I felt it was necessary to have an Android-based device to further round out our website testing.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab has a few things it does better, and a few things it does worse. Overall, as a computer geek, I love it and choose it over the iPad.

I did, however, recently purchase a tablet for a relative, and I simply could not justify getting them anything but an Apple iPad 2. I know without a doubt they will be able to use it and will not be calling me for help with something they can’t figure out.

Until Android devices achieve this type of simplicity, I’ll have to give the Apple product a leg up for novice users.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 Wifi Pros versus iPad Wifi 2:

Lighter

Battery lasts extremely long with the smaller screen

Much easier to read books with and hold for long duration.

Skyping is better with the smaller device because of how light it is.

Amazon App Store – You get 1 free app each day that usually is a paid app. Also shows only apps that WILL work on my tablet.

Widgets on the home screen are useful by making it really easy to glance at important things like weather, news, and stocks.

All apps I use on iPad or iPhone are on the Android Market. Even most games I have are available. There are things that are not, but for me, the transition was seamless in this department.

Integration with Google is very convenient.

The on-screen buttons – On the screen at all times, there is a back, home, list of recent apps, screen shot, and settings button. The back button seemed weird at first, but after using it for a month, and then going to an iPad and having to hit the master button to close the app, really highlighted having a back button OR a home button right there on the screen.

The screen shot button makes it WAY easier to take screen shots over using the two external buttons on an iPad. I found myself accidentally hitting it all the time though, so it does have its downfall.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 WiFi Cons versus iPad 2 Wifi

Crashes randomly. I’ve had it two months, and it’s crashed and rebooted itself 4 times.

Android Market does not tell me if apps are tablet or not, or even if they work with the app on the tablet. If you open the Android market via the web, it tells you if apps will work on your device, but it still does not do a good job.

Interface is not as “simple” as iPad. It took me a little bit to get my mind around the different sections to find things, instead of it all just being in one place at the same time.

No way to create folders for apps – This is ridiculous!

However, for me, the Samsung is the way to go. For novice users, I’d stick with the Apple product.

(Source: Skynet Solutions)

By Jed Parmenter

Well this can and has happened to the best of us. We had a new tech working on a server, and he just disconnected instead of logging off. I knew there was a work-around to get in, and it took me longer than I felt it should to figure out. Most of the immediate stuff coming up in Google is all about Windows home server. In order to get in, you simply need to go to Command prompt, and run:

mstsc /v:xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx /f -admin

Be sure to replace the xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx with your server’s IP Address.

Once in, it is important you go straight to Task Manager and log off the other users. If you disconnect while logged in this way, you will be forced to hook up a keyboard, mouse, and monitor to the physical machine.

(Source: Skynet Solutions)

By Jed Parmenter

1. Open Ports - Ports are different doors to your computer. Each computer on the internet has an IP Address that is that computers unique Address. Similar to each house in the US has a unique mailing address for its zip code. Once you talk to a computer there are several ports or doors that are used to access it. For instance port 80 is for internet content, port 3389 is for remote desktop communications, port 21 is used for FTP.

   A good firewall is the best way to protect yourself from hacking attempts that take advantage of unguarded ports.

   A firewall is your first line of defense and it is very important in a business environment.

   There are three main types of firewalls you can use:

   • Software Firewalls like the one built into windows or Zone Alarm

     This type of firewall is better than nothing but it can easily be compromised via the other security breaches I will describe below.

   • Hardware based firewall built into your router

     This type of firewall is generally sufficient for the home network. Depending on the brand they can be difficult to configure or lack some protection so you should always do your research and make sure you do not buy the cheapest one you can find. You get what you pay for.

   • Enterprise/Commercial hardware based firewall

     The most superior of them all. This high end firewall is very complex and not something you should just purchase and try to setup yourself. These firewalls also have VPN support built in so multiple business locations can securely be on the same private network over the internet without fear of data snooping or loss.

2. Malicious websites - Websites can actually install spy-ware, Trojan horses and tracking cookies without your consent.

   Spy-ware is software that is classified as any piece of software that basically takes control of your computer behind the scenes to do anything from tricking you into buying fake anti virus software to sending emails to everyone in your list to spread itself.

   Trojan horses do as the name suggests, they allow a hacker direct access to your computer without your consent. From there they can snoop through your files, delete things pretty much anything you could do.

   Tracking cookies track your whereabouts and utilize that information to target pop-up ads while browsing the internet.

   The best way to protect yourself is to only access business oriented websites on your business network. Yes this sounds obvious but so many people think sites like MySpace, Face-book and other sites they happen upon via Google are safe.

   The next step is to always make sure your operating system and internet browser have the latest updates. Microsoft releases updates EVERY Tuesday. If you don’t notice an update being installed at least once a month you should make sure Automatic Updates is turned on. There are constant security fixes being implemented in all browsers.

   A popular misconception is that Apple computers have no worries. This is not true, so few people use Apples the average hacker is not targeting them because its a waste of their time. As Apple takes a bigger chunk of the market via phones, tablets and computer sales there will be a bigger threat. You should always been on guard.

   In a business environment you need a content filter. The content filter has very flexible settings. The filter works off national black lists that block users from accessing known dangerous sites. Also the filters can have white lists and restrict content on broad topics like gambling, nudity, games, etc..

3. Email Links - To this day malicious software installed on computers via links in email is still a huge problem. These links take you to those malicious websites I already spoke about and install things on your computer.

   The number one way to fix this is not to open emails from people you do not know or businesses you have never heard of.

   In a business environment an advanced firewall can also automatically filter out malicious emails.

4. Viruses - These days viruses are getting harder and harder to come by and usually are transmitted via one of the above security breaches. However these can still be transferred via files sent to you by people who do not know they are infected.

   A good virus scanner is the best way to protect yourself. AVG is a very reliable anti-virus and it is free. Microsoft has recently introduced Microsoft Security Essentials, which is currently rated #1 and recommended for all home use by Skynet Solutions.

   In a business environment we recommend purchasing AVG and utilizing the built in scanning of viruses in emails via an enterprise firewall.

5. Wi-fi - Yes your Wi-fi is not safe. Anyone sitting within range can break your encryption. Modern day encryption used by 802.11n is very strong and it would take 2 hours of sniffing your constant traffic to crack. However, it is possible and the risk should not be taken lightly.

   A good best practice is to limit the connections to your Wi-fi via Mac Address. This is just a barrier that will help. This again is not fool proof and only slows the hacker down.

   In a business environment there are two things you can do.

   • Setup a separate zone that is isolated from your internal network so even if compromised the hacker would not have access to your internal network.

   • Setup an encryption rotation server that will rotate the encryption key every 15-30min making it virtually impossible for any hacking attempt to succeed. This method requires a server and a domain controller.

(Source: Skynet Solutions)

By Jed Parmenter