Re: thanks and more questions

NickM wrote:
On Jan 15, 8:33 am, Paul Lalli <mri...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Click the date on that calendar to see the events for the day -
including fireworks. I'd do it myself, but my corporate firewall
blocks all of disney.go.com. . .

*gasp* What's this world coming to when Disney is denied as not-safe-
for-work? :)

Not that I'd ever condone breaking the rules, but there are usually ways to get around these controls. It's not usually the "firewall" that is blocking the site, it's usually the DNS server. DNS = domain name system, which is what your computer uses to translate a URL (i.e. disney.go.com) into a routable IP address (i.e. 198.105.194.12). Often times, all you have to do is use a different DNS server than the one your company provides and you can get around these blocked sites. There are several free DNS servers, like OpenDNS.com. If your company is using another DNS server, then you could switch over to OpenDNS and try that. Of course if *they* are using OpenDNS, then that won't work because they will already have OpenDNS setup to block sites for traffic coming from their routers. In that case, you'd need another DNS. Just do a search to find another free one.

Of course some IT departments really lock down their system and won't allow you to change any of your network configurations. If that's the case, then you are just out of luck unless you have an AOL account and they will let you login to AOL. In that case, using the AOL browser should work since it acts as a proxy. Then again, if the block go.com, the probably block AOL.

Oh, and while I've mentioned OpenDNS, for those of you with children at home, you may want to look into this service. It's free and you can set up your own account and configure it to block various levels of bad sites and even override that to block or allow individual sites. For example, you could allow Facebook, but deny MySpace. Setup can be a bit complex, especially if you have a typical Internet connection with a dynamic IP address (i.e. your IP address changes sometimes). They do have good documentation on how to install software to keep your network tied in even when your IP address changes. Also, some home networking routers actually have built-in support for OpenDNS. I have a D-Link 634 and it does.

OK, I know, enough IT crap! :-)

--

- RODNEY

Next WDW Vacation?
Who knows...
.

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