Tips on Computer Technology By Bill Michling

Welcome back. I hope all of you had a great weekend. This coming weekend will be memorial day. Be sure to let your veterans know how much you appreciate them.

Last week we talked about a possible security risk if you are using Netscape 4.72 or less and began a series of talks about the “Secret” language, Applescript included in the MacOS!
This week we will touch upon some recent virus info, and will continue on the Applescript series.

Remember, this article and all past articles are available online at: (http://www.mespn.com/techarticles ) as well as the online version of the Saipan Tribune, which you can access by clicking the banner on that same page.

** Have you had enough

I am sure most of you have had enough of the “ILoveYou” virus to last you a life time. Well just when you thought it was over, its not! In fact it seems to be only beginning. Why is this you ask? There are a number of reasons.
First, more and more people are becoming more web and computer savvy. Second, some software manufacturers still won’t admit their software is full of security holes! Third, almost any one can get virus sample code and instructions on how to create a virus from many sources.

** What can we do to protect ourselves

I know you have heard this many, many times, backup, backup, backup…Maintain the latest virus software. All though with virus software able to modify itself, virus checking software may be of little help, at least in the early stages. Also don’t, I repeat, don’t open email attachments unless you are expecting them, not only from someone you know.

** What can we expect in the future

Unfortunately more of the same as for as viruses go, and some new twists. If you look back in my article archives you will see way back in September 1999 I mentioned that is possible to get infected without even opening an attachment! Just the action of reading email could get you infected. If you accept “HTML” email, you could be at risk!
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** Applescript 101

Last week we touched upon the programming language called Applescript that is included with MacOS system. FLASH! Apple just released Applescript update version: 1.4.3. It is available for free download at: (http://www.versiontracker.com/redir.fcgi/kind=1&id=8075/AppleScript_Update. smi.bin). This is only an update, so the download is small.
It seems that each version that comes out is faster and includes more capability. Another note is that Applescript will be an integral part of MacOS X!
** Applescript editor

If you have installed MacOS 8.6 or higher, look in the Apple Extras folder called Applescript. Double click on an app called Script Editor. After it opens either type or copy and paste the one line Applescript we did last week. For you convenience here it is: ( display dialog “You can program…” ) just copy what’s in between the quotes and then paste it into the editor window.

After you paste, type the line into the editor press the Enter key to check the syntax, then click on the Run button and watch the dialog show up. So you see, it really does work! This is only the beginning.

In our next installment we will expand on our Applescript programming. Until next week I recommend you access the built in Applescript help by going to the Finder Help menu and choose Help Center, then choose Applescript Help.

Read up on Applescript in the built in Help and next week we will start to make some useful scripts.

See you here and on the web next week.
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Bill Michling is a computer professional and welcomes any comments or questions you may have. Just send email to: bill@mespn.com or michling@usa.net.

You may also go to Marianas Electronics and ask help from the friendly staff there, or call them at: 234-5424, Just ask for Annie, Jun or Joseph.

For world access this Wednesday column is also on the Saipan Tribune website at: (http://www.saipantribune.com) or at the mespn.com site at: (http://mespn.com/techArticles/ ), now connected to the Internet via broadband T1+….