Internet Tools links

.net Magazine, for all things Internet. Recommended.

Absolutely brilliantly SIMPLE site! Can't understand a word of a language? Type it into the window - or just paste it in from a previously prepared document - and select the translation you want. The answer comes back in a few seconds! Limited in length of document, but fine for even a lengthy e-mail message. I use this site all the time.

Safe Personal Computing: I am regularly asked what average Internet users can do to ensure their security. My first answer is usually, Nothing--you're screwed." But that's not true, and the reality is more complicated. You're screwed if you do nothing to protect yourself, but there are many things you can do to increase your security on the Internet." Good stuff, well worth reading. (Grant)

We are dedicated to the privacy of our visitors, and to doing what we can to eliminate spam. The number one way spammers collect email addresses is using "spambots" or spam robots - software programs - that trawl the web and collect all the email addresses they can find. So if your email address is on a web site in plain text, it WILL get collected sooner or later - and repeatedly, by all the spambots out there.
If you post your email address in the usual mailto: link format, the address is easily collected. Use this obfuscate script to generate a javascript that is unreadable to spambots. (at the time of writing - but they're getting smarter!)
The very best way to prevent your address from getting collected is to use a cgi-script and form. I can highly recommend the free Master Feedback from Will Bontrager, or even better Will's Master Form, which is what we use. Will has created a number of great cgi scripts for webmasters. They make my life a lot easier! Check them out here.
We also use the terrific ReCaptcha service to hide email addresses. ReCaptcha shows you two images and asks you to type in the words. One of the images is something that it knows and the other is a word scanned from a book. Using this the service is able to translate books from paper to digital format! ReCaptcha also has facilities for people who have a visual diability by providing a similar spoken system.
All the mail addresses on our links pages are protected by ReCaptcha.

Compute Values of Earth's Magnetic Field - get exact declination figures to ensure your compass is correct in the boonies - or the city too, if you like to use a compass to keep from getting lost. I know people who do - and some who should!

Horizons Unlimited wants YOUR motorcycle travel story, whether it's around the world or a once-in-a-lifetime trip to anywhere. Here on the world's most popular motorcycle travel website, you'll get a lot more readers than in some obscure corner of the web. And with Movable Type's 'blogging' software you can update it yourself from anywhere. Readers can sign up for notifications when you post a new entry. See an example. If you don't have a web site (or you're tired of maintaining your own), click here.

A downloadable guide to online safety (712k PDF) by PayPal. Very good, well worth the time to download and read.

Also have advanced human translations - for a fee of course.

Want a website host? We recommend FutureQuest! After a great deal of grief with two previous hosts, and a lot of research, we're pleased to be hosted on FutureQuest. Excellent service, reasonable rates, and a superb community bulletin board moderated by the principals of the company combine to give great support.

Recommended by Richard B. on the HUBB: "I came across this site recently www.handtops.com - very nerdy but info on the latest generation of ultra small but fully functional handheld computers - rather than PDAs."

"With all the information on the Internet, it's tough to tell what's good information and what's not. The Internet Detective provides an interactive tutorial for Internet users."

Internet Security and Privacy for Beginners - Presentation by Susan Johnson of Horizons Unlimited. What are the threats and safeguards you need to know about when web surfing, e-mailing or buying online, especially in dodgy Internet cafes ;-) Note: Presentation is in Adobe PDF format. Susan Johnson, C.A., CISSP, also helps organizations with all aspects of privacy and security management, from technology to the boardroom.

"Ever wonder what some of the greatest hoaxes of all time are?"

"Wherever you are in the world, my-private-network.co.uk can provide you with a safe, secure, private internet connection via UK based servers... a subscription based secure, encrypted virtual private network... provides you with access to UK restricted content such as the BBC iPlayer and other UK media services..."

New to the web and email? Here's some great tips on how to use email for the beginner - and the not-so-beginner! There's also lots more on MS Office and the web in general here. Excellent site. Grant: recommended.

Microsoft has a very good page on how to protect your privacy in online communities. Recommended.

"Internet ScamBusters is an excellent resource to help you decide what's true and what's not."

SearchHippo
Web Search

Easy techniques for safer online shopping, also by PayPal

Use Skype as a great way to talk to anyone anywhere - free computer to computer calls, and cheap computer to landline or vice versa!

Use Snopes to "browse or search through the online collection of myths to get the truth before cluttering up your friend's e-mail with well meaning, nonetheless untrue warnings."

"We all hate spam and we love to blame spammers. But if you buy products or services from spam email, you are just as guilty as the spammers for creating the problem. Purchasing just one product bankrolls a spammer with enough money to spam another million people. We can stop the spam, together, if we stop clicking on spam and buying from spam." You can stop spam by sharing the word and using the banners on http://www.spamdontbuyit.org/.

Our aim is to showcase technology and gadgets with application to motorcyclists of all ages and riding styles. So if you are into motorcycles, whether for work or play, and you want to know the latest technology and gadgets to enhance your experience, then this site is for you.

Everything for administrators of forums and bulletin boards.

"You'll find polite, well-researched responses to popular Internet hoaxes that you can cut and paste into a response."