Windows Firewall Settings and IIS for ASP.NET

If you are using the built-in internal development/test server in Visual Web Developer Express or VS.NET for development, testing and debugging, there is nothing you should worry about the Windows Firewall settings. However, if you would like to test your Web application over the network on a local IIS Web server, you need to have the following setting changed on Windows Firewall setting:

On Windows XP,

• Go Control Panel -> Windows Firewall
• Select Advanced tab
• On the Network Connection Services selection list, select one of the connection item, e.g., Local Area Connection, Wireless Network Connection, ... and etc.
• Then click Settings...
• Ensure that Web Server (HTTP) is checked.

On Windows Vista,

• Go Windows Control Panel
• Select the Exception tab
• Ensure that World Wide Web Services (HTTP) is checked.

Can you be that creative?

I wish I could make one of these for fun. When I saw them, I was stunned.

Quoted from the email text I received:

These egg shells were cut with a high intensity precision Laser Beam. This gives a very good idea of what can be achieved with a Laser Beam. This gives you an idea what laser surgery performed on one's eye is all about. Is it any wonder how one's vision can be improved in just a few moments? Science is sometimes wonderful, and it's still on the frontier of gaining new knowledge. Inc redible what can be done with an eggshell and a laser beam.

Can Your Brain Switch?

Please look at it for at least 30 seconds.

Someone has sent this picture to me recently and asked me what I saw.

Well, my colleague who is left-handed saw both ways after a few seconds. I have another colleague who primarily uses her right hand also saw her turning both ways. Mine is even more interesting. At first, I only saw her turning clock-wise. But after a while, I saw her turning the other way around and then in the half way, she was bouncing back. I saw her turning back and forth a few times. Then I saw her turning completely anti-clockwise. I cannot believe my eyes. It is neat. Now I even make her turn whichever way I want or make her bounce back left and right repeatedly. How about you? Can you make her turn? Which direction do you see?

The following is the explanation of seeing her turning different way quoted from the original text. I don't know how true it is. You're the judge then. To me, I am not sure if there is a trick on the picture. I believe everyone can see her turn both ways. Please give it some time to find your way to see her turn the other way

If you see this lady turning in clockwise you are using your right brain.

If you see it the other way, you are using left brain.

Some people do see both ways, but most people see it only one way.

If you try to see it the other way and if you do see, your IQ is above 160 which is almost a genius.
Then see if you can make her go one way and then the other by shifting the brain's current?

BOTH DIRECTIONS CAN BE SEEN
This was proved at Yale University, over a 5 year study on the human brain and it's functions. Only 14% of the US population can see her move both ways.

LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS uses logic detail oriented facts rule words and language present and past math and science can comprehend knowing acknowledges order/pattern perception knows object name reality based forms strategies practical safe

RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS uses feeling "big picture" oriented imagination rules symbols and images present and future philosophy & religion can "get it" (i.e. meaning) believes appreciates spatial perception knows object function fantasy based presents possibilities impetuous risk taking

Cheated by MagicJack

I ordered MagicJack (MJ) on Feb 22, 2009 Sunday when I saw their ad on TV. I am sure that I remember what the ad said because the ad was repeated several times. I wasn't making my decision right away to order it. I made it almost last minute.

What the TV ad said is: $39.95 for the device and one year free subscription. The ad sounds more attractive to say that making an order via the phone number advertised on the TV now would waive shipping and handling. The product provided money back guarantee for 30 days free trial. It also emphasized that within the trial period, the customer could send it back at their expense without paying the shipping cost. Thus, it was absolutely no risk.

Well, I was cheated. Besides $39.95, there is always $6.95 shipping and handling fee. Their representative claimed, the ad maybe said that I could get my money back including shipping cost. The S&H is not free. Okay, I listened incorrectly. The following is the page when I first activated MJ and logged in. It clearly said that S&H is free. Even now, the page is still there. But they said they don't know what I am talking about and claimed the page could be wrong. Gosh, unbelievable!

Their automatic ordering system is horrible and not easy to use. They cannot get my name right and they have my incorrect email address. There is no confirmation number when I placed an order so I wouldn't know if the order is done successfully. When I first received MJ, I called the customer service for installation. It is not as smooth as it is claimed on TV. At the same time, I inquired my account information and asked when I would receive my billing statement; the customer service replied that there is nothing to worry. When I activated MJ, I would sign up an account at the same time. The billing statement will be sent to my account later. Up to this moment, I haven't received my statement yet but my credit card was charged already on the 30th day from the date I placed an order.

I called their billing department for questions. Their real person attitude is horrible. She helped nothing but referred me back to the customer service (via live chat). My account was billed under different name and different email address. It was why I have never got my bill. Lucky them, they have my credit card right!

Chatting to their customer service twice about account data correction, they said they had informed the accounting department to have my file updated and may try re-send me the statement. An email for correction will reach me within 24-48 hours. 4 days already and I hear nothing from them. Their issue service is very bad!

Luckily their phone service is not bad - it is the only comfort.