Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with port

Texas Gulf Coast

ATX Peanut — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:18:45 -0800

What are some of your favorite things to do in Port Aransas, TX? Some friends and I have a house-share over 4th of July weekend and we were wondering what all there is to do there, good places to eat, stuff to see. Most of us have never been there (imagine that, most of us being Texans). We will all be traveling from Austin. Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

Need advice for a corporate LAN/port/network security issue.

JPowers — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:52:57 -0800

I have a corporate LAN/port/network security issue that I'm looking for some advice on. Let's say you have an application server (AppServer) which has a good bit of sensitive data living directly on its harddrive.

Let's also say AppServer lives within a LAN (i.e., it is not in a DMZ).

Now let's imagine that a bunch of remote users (i.e., users who are not living within the same LAN) need to connect, using a thick application client, to AppServer.

Finally, let's say that, because of the cost of setting up a VPN server, a decision is made to just universally open up port 443 through the LAN, so that all of these remote users can talk directly to AppServer (via SSL) from their thick application client.

In this situation, what are the security risks of opening up port 443 like this? Also, is this reasonably advisable?

How to distribute a python Tkinter GUI from one Mac to another

Salvor Hardin — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 02:36:29 -0800

I've been writing python software with Tkinter GUIs as a hobby for a while, but for the first time, I've made a some pieces of code that a few other people want to use. Unfortunately, I've been really frustrated by attempts to distribute the software because of incompatibility with Tcl/Tk installations on computers I'm distributing the software to. I'm on a Mac, and I'm distributing to other Macs at this point. I've been using py2app to bundle the code, and I can easily get the apps to run on my machine, but it seems like the slightest version mismatch between the Tkinter that gets bundled and the Tcl/Tk version on the destination machine causes a fatal error. For example, I have tk 8.6.0 installed, abd Tkinter 2.7.3, but the .app that I made wouldn't run on a machine that had tk 8.5.12. It has worked on a computer where the Tcl/Tk installation matched mine, but I obviously can't guarantee that will be the case all the time.

Here's are my related questions:
1. Is there a way to somehow include Tcl/Tk with the py2app bundle so it doesn't depend on the destination machine having the right version?
2. Is there instead a good way to include multiple versions of Tkinter and have software attempt to import each of them until one of them is found to work?
3. Should I give up on doing this with Tkinter? Is there a GUI framework that is more "portable"? I know wxPython is not pure python either, so does that suffer the same issues?
4. Or am I asking the wrong questions here?

Using Google Voice (or similar) to forward calls and texts

Swede78 — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:44:34 -0800

I'm considering porting my personal cell phone to Google Voice so that calls and texts can be forwarded to my newly acquired work cell phone. If you've done this, please see my specific questions/concerns. What I want to accomplish:

1) Save between $600-700/yr by cancelling my personal cell phone plan.
2) Not have to give any contacts a new phone number.
3) Not have to carry two phones.

From what I can see at Google Voice's website, I should be able to port my personal # to them for a $20 fee. After that, the service is free to use. It seems that I should not have a problem forwarding calls to my work phone. However, there are some questions/concerns I have:

A) I can't confirm whether or not text messages can be forwarded. Does anyone know if this is possible?
B) I assume that there is no way for calls from my new work phone to appear as they come from my personal #. If there is a way, please let me know.
C) If it's possible to forward text messages to my work phone and I reply, will the recipient see it come from my work #? I assume yes, but I'm asking just in case it's possible.
D) When the time comes that I want to port my personal # back to a cell phone provider, will I have any problems? Similarly, do I own my personal # or am I giving up any rights by porting it to Google?
E) Are there better alternatives to Google Voice? I don't mind paying a small monthly fee if it does everything else I mentioned.
F) Are there any issues that made you regret doing this?

Thanks for you time.

USB ports failing

Kiwi — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 06:00:44 -0800

My Compaq Presario V2000 notebook running XP is a bit more than 5 years old, and all three of its USB ports are failing. They work OK most of the time, but I need to unplug/replug my mouse cable a few times a day to get it recognized, and syncing my iPod is very hit and miss. I have updated the BIOS as recommended by various websites but without success.

Any suggestions?

Experiences with the PC version of Dark Souls

Lemurrhea — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:37:49 -0800

Dark Souls for computer: any experiences? I've got more free time now, and am picking back up some games. I mainly play and enjoy RPGs, and from everything that I hear I will love Dark Souls. The only problem: I am a PC gamer, have no Xbox/PS3, and I'm hearing not-great things about the port. Does anyone here have personal experience with it? Thanks!

Note: I do have a PS3 controller that I can use for the game, if that has an impact.

Magsafe for the rest of us

mhz — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:08:16 -0800

How can I protect the USB ports of my device? I'm working with expensive devices. These expensive devices have USB ports on the main board. The USB ports are easily damaged when the USB cable is tripped over. These main board cost a lot of money to replace.

Right now my solution is to tape the cable to the machine with a little bit of slack and hope that any pressure only tears the tape off, but leaves the USB port intact. Ideally I'd replace this with something else (permanent adhesive is ok), which introduces some sort of slack in the cable at the device end, but doesn't use plain old tape.

Does something like this exist?

Thanks!

Ported from AT&T to VZW, having problems

radioamy — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:52:56 -0800

Major weird issues porting lines (iPhone to iPhone) from AT&T to Verizon. Please halp! I manage my company's wireless accounts (we are in the US). We had existing corporate accounts on both AT&T and Verizon. We had seven lines on AT&T, all with iPhones, and we just ported those numbers to Verizon and got 16GB iPhone 4S for each. The phones arrived yesterday, and three users activated theirs last night. All are having very weird problems:

- Address book transferred just fine, but names aren’t showing up on caller ID (User 1 & User 2)
- “Favorite contacts” only showing numbers not names (User 1 & User 2)
- Favorites and photos didn’t transfer (User 3)
- Some calls will not go through – get a weird automated “number doesn’t exist” message, sometimes in English, sometimes in Spanish (User 1 and User 2).

Users 1 and 2 had 4's before, and User 3 had a 4S.

Does anyone have any ideas on what is the cause of the problem and how to fix? Tried power cycling.

Port Angeles with a preschooler

GaelFC — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:32:18 -0800

Any recommendations for things to do, places to eat, things to see in Port Angeles, Washington,with a preschooler? We have never been before. Many thanks!

Port forward HTTPS on 443 to IIS server doesn't work

Runcible Spoon — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 05:06:18 -0800

An IIS web server won't respond to port forwarded requests from the world on 443, but will reply to port forwarded requests on port 80. The IIS web server will answer on 80 and 443 on the LAN. I tried a new router, as well. I have been helping a local non-profit, and they have an IIS (6?) webserver with a secure certificate that stopped responding to https requests that came through their router.
So I set up a new router, same problem (the first router had other issues, as well)
Port 443 was forwarded in each router to 443 on the IIS box
Port 80 works, on both routers
The IIS server will deliver a secure page over the LAN, however.
It will send it to a machine (my laptop) that isn't part of the local Microsoft domain. If I edit my local hosts file so that the local IP points to the domain name it will serve a page on port 443 with no complaint, or I can run the machine name and it will complain that the certificate doesn't match the name I'm asking for, but it will serve the page.
There are no entries in the web server access log of any requests on 443, even when requested locally
Running the IIS certificate test app shows no errors
If you enable SSL on the machine, then the page delivered at port 80 says it must be accessed securely, so that part works.
I have done several iisresets, as well
The only thing of interest I found in the event logs was a Userenv warning about unknown computers, but it provided no detail. It may be related to other services this box provides over the LAN

I saw a mention of this on google, someone else had the problem, but no answer was provided.
I know my way around Unix and Apache, but this IIS stuff is a whole different world (sighs)

Problem with HP 3600n Color Laserjet Printer

CollectiveMind — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 14:19:05 -0800

My computer was running increasingly slow, so I after trying various fixes (defragmenting, CCleanup, Malware, Antivirus, removing old files and programs), it was suggested I reinstall Windows, which I did. Its original speed has returned. I have two printers; an HP4 Plus and an HP3600n. The HP4 Plus installed with no problem. But the 3600n will not install. I went to the HP website and downloaded the driver, and the PC recognized and updated the driver. At first, seemed the PC recognized the USB connection for the 3600n because I hear the Windows sound that says it does. But Plug and Play doesn't add the printer. And when I've tried to manually installing the printer and change the port connections to Generic IEEE through Add Hardware, no luck. I don't see how to add a USB port so the computer will see the printer. Can anyone help?

Can I Port a POTS line to Google Voice?

AugustWest — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 08:56:39 -0800

I know I can port a cell number to Google Voice, but can I port a POTS line to Google Voice? The official Google Voice blog refers specifically to "Port your existing mobile phone number". Does that mean I cannot port a landline? Has anyone tried to port a landline? Did it work?

Find Dow Vintage Port 2007

notnathan — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 15:02:17 -0800

EmergencyWineFinder: Dow Vintage Port 2007. Local or online (I am in San Diego) For the first time I know something my Dad actually wants for Christmas. But, I can't find it anywhere. I did find it online (at a place that ships to California) but they ran out and canceled my order.

I am happy to drive or pay for shipping. I am hoping to keep the cost under $150.

Porting a cell phone number to a land line phone?

thankyoumuchly — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 15:26:04 -0800

Can I port my existing AT&T Wireless cell phone number to a new Comcast Digital Voice land line account? The 1-800-Comcast customer support rep. said no, but the FCC says "you can switch telephone service providers, including interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers, and keep your existing phone number". What's the final verdict? Anyone have experience with this?

Port Arthur culture?

haikuku — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 05:42:59 -0800

I have a friend who is living and working temporarily in the Port Arthur/ Beaumont area of Texas. He is vegetarian and gets his goodness from nature, museums, etc. Depression is sinking in, any suggestions?

Don't want to give up my telephone number

_sirmissalot_ — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:02:59 -0800

What is the simplest and cheapest way to hold onto a telephone number? Ditching land line service--but wondering if we can keep our longstanding "home" phone number as a general purpose point of contact (ideally having it route to voicemail on one of our cell phones), if it's easy and not expensive to do so. Does anyone offer a solution for this?

Any port in a storm.

lazaruslong — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 08:35:38 -0800

Time sensitive hardware question: I have a Biloxon SRP-370 thermal receipt printer. It uses an LPT cable. The POS computer uses lpt or com, but the software only talks to COM. Therefore, I need the printer to use COM instead. Where can I buy a com port that will fit it and get it shipped overnight?

Why does my USB port now only work with one device?

Flying Saucer — Wed, 26 May 2010 13:28:30 -0800

My USB port works with my printer, but has stopped working for all other devices. I have a Sony VAIO running Windows XP. I have two USB ports in the front and two in the rear. I used to plug in all sorts of devices in the front, including my printer (which is unplugged the rest of the time). The printer cable works in either front port, but the following devices are no longer recognized:

Three different thumb drives

iPod cable

iPhone cable

All of these worked before, and all work in the rear ports, so it isn't the devices or cables themselves. Something has happened to the front ports.

I've looked at similar AskMeFi threads, various tech message boards, and Microsoft support, and tried all the Device Manager fixes they suggest, but nothing works. So here I am.

I guess the question boils down to whether this is a software problem or a hardware problem. The former I could probably fix myself (with instructions) while the latter would probably mean taking the computer in.

Any ideas?

Does Line6 have looper effects pedal software?

WhereAmI — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:42:56 -0800

I have an old Line6 GuitarPort with Gearbox 3.5 on a Windows laptop. Does anyone know if there is a Line6 plugin or other software available (from Line6 or elsewhere) that I can download to my laptop that will simulate a looper pedal (or a phrase looper as defined by wikipedia ). I'm trying to record the rhythm for a song I like, have it loop and then freestyle the solo on my guitar, all through my computer.

No more wires please.

Jon-o — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:29:04 -0800

Apple AirPort Express wireless music question. I know iTunes has an option to play music via the speaker-output port on the AirPort Express base station. How do I route all of my computer's audio output through that?

Port wine, less-sweet, $35-ish?

everichon — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:49:26 -0800

At a wine tasting last year, I tried a port that was notably less sweet than any other I have had. I liked it a lot, and I totally forget who made it or what it's name was. It wasn't tawny, and it wasn't white. It might have been vintage. That's all I remember. So: recommendations for less-sweet ports that retail for $35 or so?

Laptop charger inlet slowly breaking.

ekpyrotic — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:43:01 -0800

Laptop charger inlet slowly breaking. Hey guys, the [one pin] port where my laptop charger connects is starting to break. I have to connect the charger to the laptop in a particular position for it to work. Otherwise, I'm happy with my 2-year-old laptop. Any advice?

Do you have a USB serial port that works on Windows 7?

0xFCAF — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:33:14 -0800

What USB serial port works on (32-bit) Windows 7? My motherboard doesn't have a back-panel serial port, but I have a serial device I need to use. I had a no-name (literally zero brand markings on it) USB serial port from Fry's, but it didn't come with any drivers and Win7 doesn't automatically figure it out like XP did. Do you have one of these and have it working in Windows 7?

Alternatively, if you know where I can get a serial port bracket for an ASUS M3A78-EM, that'd do the job as well. Cursory research shows there are two different pin-outs and I haven't been able to figure out a) which this motherboard uses and b) what any given one for sale uses. The manual unhelpfully just says it's "sold separately".

Its a necessity dammit!

QUHZK — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 09:33:28 -0800

Is there any place to purchase sunscreen at the Orlando International Airport? My wife and I are flying into Orlando and have about an hour between our flight and our chartered bus to Port Canaveral (woo! long weekend cruise!). We've limited ourselves to just carry-on luggage, so we've been able to figure out how to limit our liquids to the bare essentials. However, we are both pasty white and desperately need way more than 3.4 ounces of sunscreen. Is there someplace in the airport itself that sells sunscreen? If not, is there someplace within quick walking distance that would?

what to expect in Durban and Port Elizabeth?

nanhey — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:03:30 -0800

What can we expect when we travel to Durban and Port Elizabeth for the World Cup? Looking for info on transport, safety, lodging, etc. i found lots of info on Cape Town on AskMefi, but nothing on Durban and Port Elizabeth -- what are these towns like? are they safe? cheap/expensive? how should we get from one to the other? We (my boyfriend and I -- both 24 yr old white kids, in case that is relevant) are planning to be there during the World Cup.

any info you have would be greatly appreciated!