I am switching computers and needed to migrate my Thunderbird email client data to another machine. I did a little googling and did not find too much until I found Thunderstor It allows you to take your thunderbird account and exprt to eml files. Then import into system of your choice.

If you are moving from one thunderbird account to another you can also just move your profile. It is located at c:\documents and settings\yourusername\application data\thunderbird\profiles\****.default

I migrated those files and then pointed the profile.ini file to my old profile. All is well

You often hear about security and web services. How they need to be more secure and how they can pass unsecured information. Well, I recently had an issue with a client that felt they were exposing too much information with the web service provided. This web service allows for products to be returned based on some search criteria. Unfortunately the web service was located in the root of the main web site so the asmx file was available by going to (http://www.someurl.com/somefile.asmx). The client felt that the web service gave too much info out.

We had a few methods to resolve this issue. One was to move the web service to another virtual folder and only allow the specific ip address to access that location. This did not seem to be the logical choice for us because we had multiple applications obtaining information from this location. We would have to find and adjust all the linking applications. So we started to look at the asmx file.

After some googling we really did not find too much info on how to secure the asmx file. Because in it’s true sense it is meant to explain / expose the methods of the web service. In one of the searches we were able to find some information on how the asmx file was built and displayed on the server. Specifically how the can be changed to show the order of the methods.

Using this information we set out to modify the asmx file to not show information about the web service methods. To do this we needed to modify the DefaultWsdlHelperGenerator.aspx file. This file is located in %SYSTEMROOT%\microsoft.net\framework\v1.1.4322\Config

In this file it allows for description and display of all exposed methods on page load. By modifying the SHOWingMethodList function and replacing the list of methods with some text or links back to the site we effectively removed any information the asmx file displayed. The ShowingMethodList had a repeater listing, we removed the repeater and added some text and a url.

We also removed the header information that had the standard documentation and put some text in it’s place.

In the end we had a functional asmx web service page that only displayed the text we wanted. It was not the ideal way of securing a web service, but in our situation it was useful.

Slashdot does it again. I have had a list of places to go when looking for help on numerous issues. CSS being one of them. When I opened Slash this morning and saw this post, I was very happy. I have used 2 resources on this list for some CSS issues but they have a nice list that can be added to my bag of tricks

Here is a top 10 list of css resources - http://www.sitepronews.com/archives/2005/july/20.html

One thing I really agree on is the fact that CSS can make a site seem more compatible w/ multiple formats, NS4.0, I.E., handhelds. It gives you a logical method of designing HTML.

I have been looking at new a new laptops and have been watching how people use them. My reasons for this are simple. I am a firm believer in the trackpoint, the little joystick thing in the middle of a laptop keyboard. Particularly on the IBM thinkpad laptops. The new laptop I will be using is a Dell and may or may not have have the trackpoint available. It is difficult for me to understand why a person would use the touchpad. I will go into detail for both, but I must warn you I have only used the touchpad on limited occasions. So let’s start this argument.

Reasons for the Trackpoint
1. You never have to let you fingers leave the keys. You can just move your pointer finger over and move the mouse and then click while still on the asdf key sets.
2. It is easy to use and learn on.
3. Takes up less space on the laptop. This is not an issue with todays Monster desktop replacements.
4. I find it very accurate.

Reasons for the Touchpad
1. Touchpad allows for multiple functions - scroll, slide, click and application launching
2. It seems to cause less stress on the wrist when using

Failures of the trackpoint
1. The pointer stick often gets dirty (kinda sticky)
2. You may hit it by accident when typing
3. There is not scrolling option unless you have a newer IBM.

Failures of the touch pad
1. People often hit it it when they are moving their wrists or fingers.
2. Difficult to learn quickly or use accurately
3. You cannot use it with one hand.
4. It can get very dirty , chips and dip are not very nice to the touchpad.

So who wins. Well have you ever been to an airport or at a seminar and watched all the laptop users fire up their computers and then pull out a mouse. Why is this. Why not use the built-in mouse. Well my thoughts are the fact that the touch pad sucks… They spend all this money for a laptop and then have to go out and get a mouse. To me, it is not a laptop then it is now just another computer. I have noticed and figured out that most IBM thinkpad users tend to stick with the trackpoint and end up dropping the mouse. I have not found any surveys, but it would be interesting.

From a usage standpoint, the trackpoint allows you to do development and movement very effectively. I can type and move the mouse to the properties section of the Visual Studio IDE quickly.

I would love to hear peoples thoughts. When I was in our IT group and new people started and were issued a new thinkpad. They always wanted a mouse. In about 2 days we would get the mouse back. They would get the hang of the trackpoint.

We have just launched a new site at work today. www.omnova.com. The interesting part of this launch is the use of a new server application called Macromedia Flex. You can get to the application part of this site by going to www.omnova.com/designcenter. The Flex application allows for a rich internet user interface to be generated through remote data access points.

We had many issues getting this application to work in specific environments. Many of these issues were based on both the types of browsers and how they render css or div tags, and also firewall / permissions.

The site utilizes a few technologies. ASPX, Flex, and Macromedia Contribute.

You can read more about the issues here at one of our developers blogs (http://www.merhl.com/webdevblog/index.php?itemid=26)

I have been trying to get a copy / beta of Microsofts new command shell - Monad. It is in the beta stage and you should be able to access it like any other beta software from beta.microsoft.com. However, unlike other software that I have used, this seems to be one of the most popular beta’s they have launched. I have read a lot about this new command line and it has only increased my desire to try and use it. Being an avid Linux user and command line junkie I am very excited to use this.

I just read a few articles in the news about Monad both bad. 1. that virus users are writing scripts to take advantage of it’s power. 2. that MS may not include this in the Vista relase.

I don’t have much to say till I can get in an test this hot software.

Well take all the above items and mix them up and you have what I have been up to. I have been coding a lot more lately, trying to get a new version of iisreporter out and also working on some custom dev software for a friend.

Work has been very stressful. We have a lot going on and a few upcoming deadlines. Visit the site soon and I will have to link out to our newest launch next week.

Running. Well this week I have been a bit lax on running. Since my 14/15 miler last weekend I have played 2 soccer games. One on Sunday right after the long run and the other on Tuesday. So I decided to take Monday and Wed off from running. Tonight, I was really tired and ready to go to sleep, but decided to go for a run with my sister-inlaw and brother-inlaw. I put in a nice 4.5 miler.

It’s funny that I can say 4 miles is a short run. I can remember the day of never going over 4 miles.

I am currently reading a Carl Hiaasen book called “Sick Puppy”. I was turned onto this author from a friend at work. He knew I like the Jimmy Buffett style books and recommend Carl. So far I have read 2 other books. “Skinny Dip” and “Strip Tease”. I really enjoy his style and writing.

From what I can tell all of his books are set in Flordia and are very funny. If you have free time, pick on up. It is hard to put these books down.

Well I have been extremely busy at work and other personal issues. I have finally realized it is nice to take a break from the tech world and just relax. I have been reading a lot and also playing with my daughter. It is amazing how relaxing just putting a puzzel together can be.

I have also been training hard for the Chicago Marathon. On Saturday, I put in my longest run yet, 14 miles. I was not too tired or sore the next day. But on Sunday I had a soccer game and I got beat up pretty bad. So recovery will be difficult.