Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2011 December 22

= December 22 =

Video chat between android device and iOS device
I have android phone with front facing camera. Other friends and family members have iPhones or iPads with front facing camera. How can I video chat with them? 205.156.136.229 (talk) 00:56, 22 December 2011 (UTC)
 * Doing a search for "video chat between android and iPhone" provides a plethora of links to how to do this. This link was the first result.  Dismas |(talk) 01:16, 22 December 2011 (UTC)

How to Embed a Random Page from a Category on a Wiki?
Hi, I'm trying to learn how to write a PHP tag extension for a wiki. If you want to embed a random page from a specific category, how might you go about doing so (would you use MySQL, the API, or what)? --Octify27 (talk) 01:14, 22 December 2011 (UTC)

Offline GPS laptop tracking + a few more
A few questions:

1) Is there a way to track a laptop without relying on an Internet connection, particularly in events of theft? Are there other ways to track laptops / monitor, e.g. through some sort of tracking device?

2) Which are the best (in your opinion), low-cost (preferably free) backup services/hosts for large amounts of data?

3) Furthermore, what sort of precautionary measures should be taken to prevent theft of / quickly recover / protect deletion of sensitive data, both physically and virtually? BIOS password? Kensington lock? Something more? Please be as paranoid as possible.

Thank you all very much. 216.221.53.47 (talk) 02:07, 22 December 2011 (UTC)


 * I added numbers to more easily refer to your questions:


 * 1) A GPS tracking unit (with the ability to "call home" using cell phone technology) could certainly be included. However, current GPS tracking units are a bit bulky, particularly due to the need for it's own battery (you could run off the laptop's battery, but any smart thief would pull the battery immediately when he steals a laptop).  So, hiding such a bulky unit inside a laptop is difficult.  There are also tracking devices that work by reflecting certain frequencies of signals, and the bit that reflects the signal which would go into the laptop can be quite small.  However, these can only be tracked from quite nearby, perhaps tens of meters.  So, this is almost useless once the laptop has been stolen, but can serve to set off alarms if a laptop moves outside of the designated area (home or office). StuRat (talk) 03:04, 22 December 2011 (UTC)


 * Other questions:
 * 2) Two popular but non-free back-up services: Amazon S3, Mozy. See also Comparison of online backup services.
 * 3) BIOS password security depends on the laptop but on some laptops it is effective. You could also try hard-disk encryption (which may be already enabled on some laptops, or an option in some operating systems), and using software encryption such as TrueCrypt (which is free) for sensitive files.  Kensington lock suggests they can be easily circumvented if you don't mind leaving a hole in the computer case: there's not really a way to physically lock down your computer to prevent a determined thief, although you could alarm it. --Colapeninsula (talk) 13:42, 22 December 2011 (UTC)
 * 2) I don't know what you mean by "large amount of data" or "inexpensive" but a MicroSd card of 8 GB cost less than $20 adn would do for most purposes. Unless you are one of those who needs a copy of all his films, mp3s and other media, it will work for you, most people don't produce this amount of information. 88.8.69.150 (talk) 14:57, 22 December 2011 (UTC)

My GPU card displays freaky lines after some time
hi guys, my 8600 GT, 4 yrs old card, produces some crazy zig zag lines randomly after few minutes from powerup...This problem at first popped up with few lines, within few days it went completely insane. Once the problem peaks up, no matter how many restarts, re-install drivers, nothing helped. However an interesting thing i found that if I turn my PC off for some minutes and on again, I get the problem only after some 3 minutes. The more I turn it off, the more time is delays in generating these black lines across the screen. Any idea?. Could this be some old capacitor issue? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Balan rajan (talk • contribs) 06:30, 22 December 2011 (UTC)
 * Well, it's definitely a hardware issue, and your right, it most likely is a capacitor issue. If this is the case, then the only fix will be to replace the capacitor(s). Either you will need to manually replace them, or you can purcahsse a new card that is compatible with your motherboard. Sincerely, Akjar13 (He's Gone Mental) 14:07, 22 December 2011 (UTC)
 * I my 8400 GS died on me in a similar way recently, as I figured out after too long a time to be proud of. I am aiming at replacing it with a different card rather than repairing it, firstly because the card cost me the equivalent of a few Euros two years ago, and secondly because even if I repaired it, it would not be the same and I'd be afraid it would die again, more quickly this time. --Ouro (blah blah) 21:33, 22 December 2011 (UTC)


 * Another potential issue is that it is overheating. (Possibly because its fan has failed? Or its heat-sink has come loose?) APL (talk) 02:19, 23 December 2011 (UTC)

Failure of Thunderbird 9.0.exe to execute
My mother had been using Mozilla's Thunderbird 8.0 to handle her e-mail. Just a few minutes ago, I tried to see if there were any updates to the software. There was an update. So I chose to install it. But now whenever I try to execute Thunderbird, it gives me an error message saying "thunderbird.exe - Entry Point Not Found The procedure entry point ?_Raise_handler@std@@3P6AXABVexception@stdext@@@ZA could not be located in the dynamic link library MSVCP80.dll." (copied by hand since cut and paste did not work). I went to the Thunderbird site and down-loaded it again, but the same error resulted when I tried to run it. What should I do now? JRSpriggs (talk) 16:49, 22 December 2011 (UTC)


 * This article suggests the error could be caused by the file MSVCP80.dll being corrupted during the installation. Follow the instructions in the article to recover it. - Cucumber Mike (talk) 18:17, 22 December 2011 (UTC)


 * It is not that that file is missing. In fact, I have two copies of it in different directories. Rather Thunderbird 9.0 is calling a subroutine which is not in the file. Why? Is it a bug in Thunderbird 9.0 or does the 9.0 version assume a newer version of the operating system than I have? I am using Windows 2000 Professional.
 * To restore my mother's access to e-mail, I re-installed the older version of Thunderbird 3.1.17 which is now working fine. However, this is not a long-term solution. JRSpriggs (talk) 22:39, 22 December 2011 (UTC)
 * I've seen similar messages pop up when a program wasn't made for a specific operating system release any more.
 * Given that support for Windows 2000 ended in 2005, I'd say it's about time you upgrade your mother' computer - after all, she's not receiving any security patches for Windows 2000 any more, either. If all she needs is Web and E-Mail, and she's used to Firefox and Thunderbird, you might even consider switching her to Linux, with some newbie-friendly desktop environment - after all, Firefox and Thunderbird behave just the same on Linux, and it might save you/her some $$$ as you won't have to buy new parts or an entirely new computer (as the current one probably won't run Windows 7 at acceptable speed). -- 188.99.193.51 (talk) 15:55, 24 December 2011 (UTC)


 * Thanks for your help. We are getting a new computer. JRSpriggs (talk) 04:01, 27 December 2011 (UTC)

Changing the format of ls -l?
Now that I've upgraded from Fedora 12 to Fedora 14,  has started printing the dates in a different format. It used to print dates e.g., now it prints. It's a bit more difficult to make  expressions for this kind of dates, especially since it's now middle-endian. Is it somehow possible to change the format of the dates? J I P &#124; Talk 18:35, 22 December 2011 (UTC)


 * ,  (2nd result).  Either the global config in   has changed, or your local config has changed or you've been given an alias.  The simplest fix would be to configure your own alias . ¦ Reisio (talk) 19:01, 22 December 2011 (UTC)


 * In your .bashrc (or whatever rc you use if you don't use bash), add "export TIME_STYLE=long-iso", then ls -l will use long-iso by default, which is YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM. -- k a i n a w &trade; 19:11, 22 December 2011 (UTC)
 * That did the trick, thanks. J I P  &#124; Talk 19:24, 22 December 2011 (UTC)

How can I play chess online with specific person
Does anyone know how to play chess online with specific person?(for free) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 77.125.22.128 (talk) 19:10, 22 December 2011 (UTC)
 * Are You acquainted with that person? Friend, relative or complete stranger? --Ouro (blah blah) 21:30, 22 December 2011 (UTC)
 * There are HEAPS of options, people have been playing Correspondence chess long before we had the internet. That article has plenty of examples, including online options. Vespine (talk) 00:38, 23 December 2011 (UTC)
 * Facebook has "Chess with Friends" or something similarly named. It lets you play chess with users on your friends list.RudolfRed (talk) 05:42, 24 December 2011 (UTC)

Mapping Software
We are opening a Nationwide missions that will link the needs of our communities with volunteers that will handle those needs with their families and report back to us (all through e-mail)that it is done and pass on any other need that family may have in the future.We see critical times coming and families want to teach their children and grandchildren how to volunteer and serve others. We also think that the Missions at home will increase 100% in 2012 and continue increasing.

Please Help us find the right software that we can start in Thompson CT 20 mile radius and continue to expand 5-10 (maybe more after we get through Bos-Hftd-Prov) miles in circumfrence each qtr. to where we eventually will be throughout NE USA, than National.

personal contact information removed HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL YOUR FAMILIES AT WIKIPEDIA! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.32.31.127 (talk) 21:01, 22 December 2011 (UTC)


 * I have removed your personal contact information. Publishing your e-mail address on a site as public as Wikipedia is a very bad idea, you might get a massive amount of spam. Also I don't think it's a good idea to publish your phone number here either. J I P  &#124; Talk 21:05, 22 December 2011 (UTC)


 * Please clarify your question. Are you asking about software to draw maps and suggest directions to get from point A to point B ?  If so, there's Google Maps, MapQuest, and Yahoo Maps, all of which are free. StuRat (talk) 06:29, 23 December 2011 (UTC)

Can't start X programs as root
Now that I've upgraded from Fedora 12 to Fedora 14, I've ran into a rather unfortunate problem. I'm unable to start programs that use X as root any more. I can start them as myself just fine, but when I  to root and try to start an X program, I get this error: (gedit:21763): EggSMClient-WARNING **: Failed to connect to the session manager: None of the authentication protocols specified are supported

GLib-GIO:ERROR:gdbusconnection.c:2270:initable_init: assertion failed: (connection->initialization_error == NULL) (This was from trying to run, but the same happens with other programs too.) How can I fix this? J I P &#124; Talk 21:02, 22 December 2011 (UTC)
 * By default X doesn't let other users (such as root) connect to it. Running  as your mere mortal self will let anyone who can log in to your computer (including root) start X programs. Paul (Stansifer) 22:25, 22 December 2011 (UTC)


 * Or, if you're starting a program that uses GTK+ (rather than pure X), you can use gksu to start with privileges with proper handling of the application-to-gui-toolkit-to-window-server privilege handoff. Our article gksu actually redirects to the more comprehensive Comparison of privilege authorization features.  Nimur (talk) 23:43, 22 December 2011 (UTC)
 * Or try  (note the additional x) if your distribution knows that command. -- 188.99.193.51 (talk) 15:49, 24 December 2011 (UTC)