TitanTV revisited; "New" (to me) Extensions

Post by **Bad Brad** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 4:03 am

Hi Rick and IceDogg,

It's been a while (Wed Jun 14, 2006), and your filters have been performing flawlessly for months! Thank You!

May I suggest
*adbar*
or
*adbarf* [uh... pardon the juvenile humor, please.] ;-o LOL!
as the next hot filter string?

You'll find it used at TitanTV's website, http://ww2.titantv.com as in "http://ww2.titantv.com/script/adbarfunctions.js"

Engaging this filter in Adblock Plus 0.7.1.2 doesn't alter the appearance of the pages in my browser, perhaps because I also use NoScript 1.1.4.5, but they do seem to load a bit faster.

BTW, Something has changed recently at titantv.com: there is now a large black border along the right side and bottom of most pages. I have no idea how to fix that...

While we're at it, where can I learn how to filter elements for myself? Please notice on these TitanTV pages a block in the top half of the page containing 3 sub-blocks named "CHIEF TITAN WEBLOG", "COMMAND CENTER", and "TitanTV Tip" and a large patch of totally wasted space. While not advertisements, they represent functions I never use that both slow down the website and waste (for me anyway) valuable screen real estate.

Hmm... I may have just figured out how to make my own element filters! Is the DOM Inspector the missing link? The DOM Inspector has always baffled me. That is until about 1 minute ago, when I found this page:
http://www.mozilla.org/projects/inspect ... ns/ss1.png
A picture is truly worth 1,000 words!

Eureka! I see it! Now just tell me how to turn what I see there into a suitable string to paste into the list of filters. Man, now I know enough to be dangerous!

FWIW: While not emphasized, one of the major benefits of advertisement and script blocking is enhanced security (do correct me if I'm wrong!). Blocked ads never have the opportunity to commit "drive by" adware or spyware installs. I did not know this until *after* I decided to try Adblock Plus. (I believe it was either Rick or IceDogg who brought it to my attention.) Had someone bothered to tell me, I would have jumped on it a *LOT* sooner!

I'm still using
NoScript (http://www.noscript.net/whats)
and
Update Notifier (http://www.longfocus.com/firefox/updatenotifier/)
to good effect.

Since my last post I've added two more Paranoid Dude's delights, both of which have proven themselves excellent:

McAfee SiteAdvisor (http://www.siteadvisor.com/)
Excerpt from SiteAdvisor's "About Us" page:
"...a gaping hole in existing Web security products. While traditional security companies had gotten relatively good at addressing technical threats like viruses, they were failing to prevent a new breed of "social engineering" tricks like spyware infections, identity theft scams, and sites which send excessive e-mail.
To address this challenge, we built a system of automated testers which continually patrol the Web to browse sites, download files, and enter information on sign-up forms. We document all these results and supplement them with feedback from our users, comments from Web site owners, and analysis from our own employees.
Our easy to use software for Internet Explorer and Firefox summarizes our safety results into intuitive red, yellow and green ratings to help Web users stay safe..."
"On April 5, 2006 we announced that we were acquired by McAfee, Inc."
End Excerpt

For an example, SiteAdvisor gives 9Down.com a Red Flag, not because they allegedly steal software but because they have been associated with spyware and adware. It gives nearly every screen saver site a Red Flag too! Amusingly, SiteAdvisor typically does not give porn sites a Red Flag, because they don't usually try to wreck your computer or defraud you!

Netcraft Anti-Phishing Toolbar (http://toolbar.netcraft.com/)
Excerpt from Netcraft's Toolbar home page:
Protect your savings from Phishing attacks.
See the hosting location and Risk Rating of every site you visit.
Help defend the Internet community from fraudsters.
... effectively a giant neighbourhood watch scheme ...
End Excerpt

For an example, Netcraft Toolbar reveals that 9Down.com is hosted in China, helping us to understand why they are still in business.

All 4 of the above extensions make excellent companions for Adblock Plus (http://adblockplus.org/en/) and your filters!

A Suggestion:
When I'm troubleshooting or experimenting with these filters, I keep the target page(s) open in both Firefox and Safari. Then I can clearly and instantly see what effect, if any, has been produced.

Also, in case of weird behavior during such testing, I blow out the web cache(s). Sometimes the real problem was a funky old page...

Finally, I can still say "my Macs have *never* been compromised by any virus, trojan, worm or hacker, and I've been using Macs since May of 1992". Being a Paranoid Dude with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) does have a few rewards.

I hope this helps.

Brad

Post by **The Masked Marauder** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:02 pm

Bad Brad wrote:Finally, I can still say "my Macs have *never* been compromised by any virus, trojan, worm or hacker, and I've been using Macs since May of 1992".

I worked for a military contractor in the late 80's, and we got our Macs from GE Rents. Almost every one of them arrived infected with the Scores virus. Of course, that was back in the days of System 6. Since OS X is based on BSD (a UNIX derivative), it's a much tougher system to compromise.

Having said that, OS X isn't immune to attack. My biggest concern right now are rootkits, which tell the operating system not to show their presence and are very difficult to detect without specialized tools. But compared to Windows, a virtual petri dish of computer contamination, OS X is very clean and a lot safer to use.

I'm not buying Microsoft's Vista b-s. My next operating system will be Linux.

Post by **IceDogg** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 4:50 pm

Hiyas Bad Brad

On the filtering I'll leave that to Rick to help you with, but as for the other stuff screen savers is a major avenue for spyware/malware writers to install their junk on peoples PC. First screen savers are not needed anymore anyway, but so many think they are "cute and fun" they are still VERY popular. Second some still think of screen savers as harmless.. when in fact it's basically executable code. Very high risk!! I haven't used a screen saver is years. Fact I don't very often have a wall paper either. It's just fluff. Last siteadvisor is based on peoples input, anytime you have a site that has it ratings based on common peoples input it can be skewed. Which is to say inaccurate. It's a good guild line for general public, but not a definitive answer to if the site is safe or not.

Anytime I use a new download site (which is VERY rare) I google them and get all the info I can on the site first. Research is always going to be better then relying on one site's review/opinion.

@The Masked Marauder
I have never use Apple at all. Always wanted to try it out but never have. One of my issues with it is I can't build my own computer and use Apple. Maybe that's going to change soon, with the new apps they have out now, have to wait and see.

Vista is kind of disappointing to me too, but I'm not done trying it just yet. It's so new most of the apps I use don't work on it. And that may play a roll in why it's disappointing to me. For that reason I'll keep playing with it till the RC2 version no longer works, then decide. Linux is something I'm going to start trying more too. I've play with it a little in the past. The main problem for me is installing apps. It's so dang different in that area. Another issue is games.. but I've just about grown tired of games completely and it may be time for me to get into something more rewarding, like programming or learning more about computers, which is what I like most. And then Linux wouldn't be so much a problem for me. If Vista fails to keep me interested, Linux is the next step for me. I have an extra PC here that my wife uses to browse the web only..and that will likely be where I put Linux first.. to learn on.

Man, Sorry this turned out so long. Guess I'm chatty today. Have a good one.

Post by **Bad Brad** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 7:13 pm

The Masked Marauder wrote: ... infected with the Scores virus. Of course, that was back in the days of System 6. Since OS X is based on BSD (a UNIX derivative), it's a much tougher system to compromise.

Having said that, OS X isn't immune to attack.

Although my first Mac was capable of running 6, I began with System 7, and from day 1 had antivirus software and practiced "safe computing". Back then the real threat was an individual application crashing and taking the OS and all the other open apps with it. (If your luck really sucked, the crash would scramble the directory on your huge 300 MB 5.25" full height hard drive too! No virus required. I learned the value of frequent saves and backups early!) It was common to find malware crap in bulletin board and sneaker-net acquisitions. On rare occasions even commercial software might be infected, as is still possible to this day (SEE http://macnewsworld.com/story/53739.html INCREDIBLE but true). But nothing bad ever got past my scanner! (Gosh, I miss those simpler days.

NOT!)

Practicing safe computing has always been of paramount importance. And being a Paranoid Dude never hurt. Even the most trusted of all possible sources could bite you if you ever let your guard down. Once my scanner trapped a virus in an e-mail from my own mother! (The Mac was immune to it, even if it had gotten past the scanner.) By the time I could tell her about it, it was too late. Her PC was already wrecked. Now she practices safe computing, but she had to learn it the hard way... (These days the better ISPs clean your e-mail before you ever see it, which is a *very* good thing.)

I absolutely agree "OS X isn't immune", and as the popularity of the new Dual Core 32-bit portable & 64-bit desktop Intel-based Macs increases it will surely attract the undesirable attention of virus authors and other contemptible persons. One thing I *do* worry about: the vast library of malware that wouldn't run on Macs, because the CPU was incompatible, will be executable on Intel Macs. Only OS differences and safe computing will remain to prevent them from striking.

Even if OS X was absolutely utterly immune I would still use antivirus (and now also firewall and anti-spyware) software. I don't want to ever be the one to send a PC-using buddy "the kiss of death".

P.S.: for the young people's benefit: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=de ... gle Search

Post by **Bad Brad** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 8:20 pm

Hello, IceDogg!

IceDogg wrote:... I haven't used a screen saver is years. Fact I don't very often have a wall paper either. It's just fluff.

I use only the superb screen saver utility built into OS X. Among it's *many* options, it has a slide show mode that I absolutely love. Drop as many folders as you want, containing your favorite photos, sorted any way you please, in the designated "Pictures" folder. Set your preferences. That's all there is too it. You get really pro looking slide shows whenever the Mac is idle.

Wall paper is a different story. My desktop is cluttered with active files and folders. Busy wall paper just makes it hard to find stuff, so my wall paper is a solid pastel. From time to time I change the hue...

IceDogg wrote:... siteadvisor ... can be skewed.
... I google them and get all the info I can on the site first. Research is always going to be better then relying on one site's review/opinion.

I am likewise cautious anyway. When I see an amber or red flag, I'll only enter such a site if none of the green ones first convinces me it is trustworthy and second meets my need. Then I read the SiteAdvisor blurb to learn why they flagged it and decide what to do from there.

IceDogg wrote:... Linux is something I'm going to start trying more too. I've play with it a little in the past. The main problem for me is installing apps. It's so dang different in that area.

A fact unfortunately not well known about Linux, the OS everyone calls Linux is actually GNU/Linux, wherein Linux is only the microkernel. Consequently many users never discover the GNU Project (http://www.gnu.org/gnu/thegnuproject.html), the inspiration for the genesis of Linux, and a veritable treasure trove of resources. The GNU Project is close to releasing their own new microkernel. Only time will tell, but it might supersede Linux eventually. I am considering the eventual use GNU/Linux (or the upcoming GNU/GNU) myself, not to replace OS X, but to possibly complement it, having stumbled across it while learning about BSD and Unix. Many of GNUs features can be used on OS X. (I'm still learning, so I can't really explain it very well... yet!)

If you have Linux-related questions that have gone unanswered, you might find exactly what you need at the GNU Project.

Hope This Helps!

Post by **IceDogg** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 11:20 pm

Thanks for the link Brad, I'll check it out.

Post by **rick752** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 11:39 pm

Hey Brad ... long time, no hear.

I'll get to this very LARGE set of posts tomorrow. It's a very busy night with the releases of Firefox 2.0 AND Adblock Plus 0.7.2 simultaneously.

Visiting different boards and trying to keep up with the conversations.

Post by **IceDogg** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 3:05 pm

Rick, I know what you mean. It's been crazy. I've seen people get involved more after a release but this time it's been a LOT more. I think your right it's because of the release of a new version of AB+ at the same time.

Post by **Bad Brad** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 12:48 am

Hi!

In case anybody cares, Update Notifier is now broken in Firefox 2, but it doesn't matter because there is a built-in function that does the same thing (Preferences...>Advanced>Update).

There is also a bug where Firefox 2 sometimes refuses to quit, then hangs and has to be forced to quit (on Macs anyway). It is definitely related to the Add-Ons (formerly Extensions). Disabling all of them eliminates the problem. Now to figure out which one is doing it...

Post by **Bad Brad** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 1:04 am

Hi Again!

Forgot to mention: Firefox 2 changed the behaviour of one of the controls that may play havoc with some peoples strategies for hiding stuff they don't want to see, advertisement or otherwise.

There used to be a control that would automatically prevent images from loading from third party sites. It's gone. Now the control just enables/disables ALL images. (Excuse me for being blunt, but that is pretty damn stupid!)

Fortunately the Exceptions List is still there, and it appears to still work the same way.

Post by **rick752** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 1:33 am

Bad Brad wrote:There used to be a control that would automatically prevent images from loading from third party sites. It's gone. Now the control just enables/disables ALL images. (Excuse me for being blunt, but that is pretty damn stupid!)

Hi Brad:

Actually that feature was removed because it was just a huge problem ... and I couldn't be happier. People would turn it on and then complain that different images were not displaying on thousands of different sites. Many times they would blame Adblock or the filters (me) for their problems.

Most people do not understand that MANY images are fed outside of the domain they are in and many, many times these are much more than ads. I was actually getting tired of telling people to turn off the "images for the originating site only" option ... good riddance!

Post by **Bad Brad** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 4:31 am

Hi, Rick!

rick752 wrote: ... and I couldn't be happier. People would turn it on and then complain that different images were not displaying on thousands of different sites. Many times they would blame Adblock or the filters (me) for their problems.

Well, yeah, I can see how that would happen.

A long time ago I suggested using a special icon to replace the simple broken image icon to remind people *they chose* to block the image(s), but my idea was ignored I suppose...

I'll get over it soon... (Like I have a choice?)

Follow up on the minor bugs I ran into when I first tried out Fx2:
? Firefox 2 did not quit properly - it closed it's open windows, then crashed. One must then use Force Quit.
After I disabled NoScript and AdBlock Plus, and relaunched Firefox, it quits correctly.
After I disabled all the remaining Add-Ons, relaunched Firefox, then reenabled them ALL, including NoScript and AdBlock Plus, and relaunched Fx2 again, the problem is gone. Too weird...
? Firefox 2 could not be hidden at all. Even if you switched to the Finder (Mac OS X) and used Hide Others it would not hide.
After I disabled all the remaining Add-Ons, relaunched Firefox, then reenabled ALL of them and relaunched again, the problem is gone. Too weird...

So the moral of the story: If Fx2 does something weird, try disabling and reenabling the Add-Ons before panicing.

I hope this helps.

Post by **Bad Brad** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 5:13 am

Hi, again!

Just checked the stats on your server: 0.98% of your 30,000+ visitors are running Mac OS, and 0.43% are using the Safari browser (an OS X-only app). I'm delighted to see that several hundred Mac users are watching.

I use both Safari and Firefox (and once in a while SeaMonkey); each has some unique strengths. But it happens I almost always use Safari when I enter this forum.

Noting that you have 70 members now, and suspecting I'm the only one on a Mac, your Mac membership would seem to be 1.43% of the total. I hope I'm doing a good job representing Mac-dom.

Brad

Post by **Bad Brad** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 6:08 am

Rick,

I just read "Sticky: Filter development area is 'hidden' in this forum!".

Now I have a hunch you are probably NOT going to answer my questions about the Dom Inspector and TitanTV...

And if that is the case I completely understand why not.

Brad

Post by **rick752** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 10:05 pm

Bad Brad wrote:Rick,

I just read "Sticky: Filter development area is 'hidden' in this forum!".
Now I have a hunch you are probably NOT going to answer my questions about the Dom Inspector and TitanTV...
And if that is the case I completely understand why not.
Brad

That's not true, Brad. I've just been busy in different forums with the new releases and making some adjustments here.

But I did manage to post a 101 guideline for "How to hide elements 101" here:
http://www.richsterling.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2572

Post by **rick752** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 2:36 am

ps Brad:

I 'whacked" the right column in Titan ... element filter.

Post by **Peng** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 3:46 am

Bad Brad wrote:A fact unfortunately not well known about Linux, the OS everyone calls Linux is actually GNU/Linux, wherein Linux is only the microkernel. Consequently many users never discover the GNU Project (http://www.gnu.org/gnu/thegnuproject.html), the inspiration for the genesis of Linux, and a veritable treasure trove of resources. The GNU Project is close to releasing their own new microkernel. Only time will tell, but it might supersede Linux eventually. I am considering the eventual use GNU/Linux (or the upcoming GNU/GNU) myself, not to replace OS X, but to possibly complement it, having stumbled across it while learning about BSD and Unix. Many of GNUs features can be used on OS X. (I'm still learning, so I can't really explain it very well... yet!)

Linux is a monolithic kernel. That's why Andy Tanenbaum, creator of Minix (which uses an (apparently badly-done) microkernel design), didn't like it (that thread is an interesting read if you care about such things and have some time

).

Also, GNU's kernel was in development before Linux existed. Linux filled the gap of a FOSS kernel that would work with the rest of GNU's OS while GNU was working on their kernel. They're still working on it. I'll believe a GNU kernel when I see it.

Post by **IceDogg** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:38 am

Peng, so me being a Noob to Linux type OS's I shouldn't really bother with it? Correct? I would need something very easy to start on. Windows is all I've ever used. And I've been using PC's for a long long time. Well I take that back my Commodore 128/64 Didn't have Windows

Post by **Peng** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:07 am

IceDogg wrote:Peng, so me being a Noob to Linux type OS's I shouldn't really bother with it? Correct? I would need something very easy to start on. Windows is all I've ever used. And I've been using PC's for a long long time. Well I take that back my Commodore 128/64 Didn't have Windows

Bother with Linux? I dunno. It's easy to download and try a Knoppix live CD and see how much you like it. (It uses KDE as the desktop environment. I think Ubuntu has a live CD you could try, and they use GNOME.)

Post by **IceDogg** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:04 pm

yea, I've tried Ubuntu live CD first then did dual boot (which took many tries for me to get working). But I like to install nightly builds of Firefox and never could figure out how to install software like that. They offer a list of apps that will install for you.. a big list btw, but I could find nothing on how to install them on my own. So, I didn't stick with it long. But I may try again soon. Now that I have an extra PC to play around with.

Post by **Peng** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 10:49 pm

IceDogg wrote:yea, I've tried Ubuntu live CD first then did dual boot (which took many tries for me to get working). But I like to install nightly builds of Firefox and never could figure out how to install software like that. They offer a list of apps that will install for you.. a big list btw, but I could find nothing on how to install them on my own. So, I didn't stick with it long. But I may try again soon. Now that I have an extra PC to play around with.

With Firefox:

Download tar.gz, and
Extract tar.gz.

Boom, installed! Just run 'firefox' in the directory it extracted to.

Post by **Bad Brad** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:44 am

rick752 wrote:ps Brad:

I 'whacked" the right column in Titan ... element filter.

Thank You!

Thanks also for the "Hide Element 101". I've read it but have yet to try to actually do it...

Brad

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