Virus Avoidance Musings

I hope we all know by now not to open attachments in unexpected emails from unrecognized senders.

There's a special file type that really everyone should just know with total confidence to leave completely alone (I'm talking about Windows machines here - one of things Mac people like about Macs is that they are not so susceptible to virus attacks, and in this case a Mac couldn't even open the file if you did click on it).

I'm referring to a ".exe" file.

Dot E-X-E is an abbreviation for "executable file" in the same way that Dot D-O-C is an abbreviation for "document file." In file structure parlance everything after the dot is used by the operating system to make sure that the file gets opened by the right software (as in the case of .doc files opening automatically in Word).

As an aside, an easy way to encrypt something in a very loose and sloppy way is to just change its file extension so that it will just crash whatever application that file type would normally launch. Changing a .wmv (a movie file type) into a .doc will crash Word if you just double left click on it, but if you right click and then "open with" a media player of some sort it will run as it ought to (no one else would ever think to try opening a .doc file in a media player, that would be dumb). As I wrote the other day, changing .avi files into .mpg files enables them to work in a PowerPoint slide show. There are probably other tricks one can do with file extension switcheroos too.

Back on topic, though. Executable files are software programs. You might not know this, however, because most executable files AKA software programs have installer software associated with them that create the desktop icons and such that we all associate with launching applications from our desktops and "All Programs" menus. The only reason I know about this is because I've downloaded enough freeware to have noticed that simple, small programs coded by people who code freeware don't always have installers. I suppose installers add another level of complexity that hobbyist programmers have little use for. Alot of freeware just sits in a folder wherever you put it on your hard drive waiting for you to double click on its attendant fill-in-the-blank.exe file name.

Then it launches and does whatever useful thing someone designed it to do - just like all those fancy icons on your desktop launch their attendant programs.

The upshot of all this is that the only time you should ever click or double click on a .exe file is when you or your system administrator put that file there deliberately and for a specific purpose that is known to you the clicker. I guarantee you something will happen that you don't want to have happening if you click on unfamiliar .exe files.

If you're one of those bold explorer types who just likes to open files to see what's in them, then do yourself a favor and copy the stuff before the .exe into your favorite web browser to learn about it instead of actually launching the file.

This goes for all those ads you see on web pages too. Don't ever, under any circumstances whatsoever, click on one of those things. If one of them really looks interesting to you, just note down some of the text from the ad window and Google it. That way you can expand your horizons without collapsing your operating system.

What I Use for My Collection...

I have burned an awful lot of CDs, VCDs, SVCDs, and DVDs at home. Years ago I searched far and wide to find a product line that I like. This is the one.



These cases transformed the small mountains of disorganized discs in my house into a compact, easily shelved, organized, and acessible media library. The company's website even has templates for printing contents pages that slip easily under the clear wraparound covers of the locking binders or "wallets" as they call them. These fit perfectly into briefcase, backpack, or even purse in the case of the small 10-disc wallets.

I see more and more professors bringing their materials to class on home-or-office-burned media (which is becoming less risky now in terms of player compatibility issues). These products are great for keeping precious media safe.

Here's the link right to the page of my own personal favorite products.

Look around the other parts of the site if something different might better suit your needs - they have many different designs.

They're in Ohio, too, so shipping is fast across the border into Michigan (where I live).

PowerPoint Video Trick

I just found out last week that PowerPoint doesn't like .avi files.

Just won't play 'em if you try to link them into your slide show.

If you're like me and have a digital still camera that shoots .avi files in movie mode, and you'd like to shoot one and link it into a PowerPoint presentation this could be a real show stopper.

But -

Then I found out that if you just change the file extension from .avi to .mpg it suddenly works as expected as if by magic - at least if you're in the Windows environment.

If you go back and forth between Mac and Windows machines as I do, you'll probably guess that this doesn't work on the Mac platform. Macs don't let you get away with kooky stuff like this. Personally, I prefer Windows, in part because there are wierd loopholes like this in the way the OS works.

I'll update later with a more detailed tutorial on how to do this from start to finish (I'll have to get my hands on a Windows machine - which are scarce here at work - to do this).