luddite-archive20101110c

Using "SecureIM - modified by baloo 1.0.9.16" plugin for Miranda-IM
===================================================================

written by Carpediem2100
2006-09-12 updated on: 2006-09-12

Impetus
-------
My interest in this plugin was sparked by my desire for a small
portable windows Instant Messaging client with the ability for
secure (encrypted) chat. I chose "baloo's" plugin because it was
ranked high in popularity and seemed quite recent.

I am writing this because there is lack of documentation on setting
up and using this plugin. I searched online Forums and searchEngines.
I configured it via trial and error.


What is required
----------------
SecureIM - modified by baloo 1.0.9.16 (plugin)
Date updated 18/08/2006
http://addons.miranda-im.org/feed.php?dlfile=2445
Crypto++ dll by baloo 1.0.0.5 (plugin)
Date updated 18/08/2006
http://addons.miranda-im.org/details.php?action=viewfile&id=2669

What else is needed but not readily evident
-------------------------------------------
I looked up other secureIM plugins & they needed a "popup" plugin.
SecureIM 1.0.4.4c by johell needs "PopUp Plugin v.1.0.1.9+"
Secure IM - modified by __alex 1.0.4.5 needs "PopUp Plugin v.1.0.1.9+"
Therefore, you need one; I found these available for download and they
both work with SecureIM by baloo (you can use either one):
PopUp 1.0.2.1 by hrk
Date updated 18/05/2005
http://addons.miranda-im.org/feed.php?dlfile=299
PopUp Plus 2.0.3.8 by zazoo
Date updated 22/09/2004
http://addons.miranda-im.org/feed.php?dlfile=1170


version of Portable-Miranda (from PortableApps.com)
---------------------------------------------------
I discovered SecureIM by baloo works with PortableMiranda 0.403Beta.
It does not work with MirandaPortable 0.51 (ansi nor unicode)
With version 0.51, the right-mouse click option "Create SecureIM
connection" is not displayed & thus cannot be activated.



Using your im-client
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
You and your im buddy both need a copy of Miranda with SecureIM by baloo.
(If your buddy doesn't use Miranda, he/she will receive the session's Key,
but the message will Never be encrypted.)

1. enable plugin
go to Options; Plugins and check the SecureIM & Crypto & Popup boxes

2. enable plugin protocol
go to Options; Plugins; SecureIM; Protocols tab and checkmark the
protocols to use (i checked them all). [note - My buddy and i used this
with Yahoo. I didn't try it with any of the other protocols]

3. enable plugin options
go to Options; Plugins; SecureIM; General tab and
checkmark these (my personal prefs) options:
Enable Secure Offline messages
Enable Secure File Transfer (I couldn't exchange files)
Always show status icons in contact list (didn't work)
Miranda Client Detection
Status in Context Menu
on the same tab, (under User List) right-mouse click on your buddy's
nickname. Available choices :
Status - enable/disable you & your buddy's secure connection
here if you want.
Pre-shared key (PSK) - Set key or Delete key
you don't need a set key. But if you do set a key, both
you and your buddy need identical ones. If you don't
set a key, your buddy can't set one neither. Keys can
vary between buddies.

After logon, right mouse click on your buddy. There should be a green
arrow next to "Enabled". If it is Disabled, change it.

Next, on the same list click the "Create SecureIM connection" option.
When you do this, a key exchange will take place with your buddy & this
is confirmed in the system tray popup window(s). It will indicate if
key exchange is successful or has failed. You really must pay attention
to this as there are only a few ways to tell if you are encrypted.
Ways to tell if your connection is secure.
a) status icons (this didn't work for me)
b) right mouse click on buddy
or
hit the drop down menu in private message window
the red "Disable SecureIM connection" shield should
be visible. It means you are currently secure.
c) look for "enabled"/"disabled" in options list. *This has a
higher priority than b) above.
d) system Tray popup window.
e) occasionally the private chat window **(See Below)

** The private chat window will indicate one instance of a non-secure channel,
but only with the particular scenario:
during a secure chat, YOU change your BUDDY's green arrow "Enabled" to a
red arrow "Disabled" (note - I'm not talking about the red Shield). If at
that point, BUDDY types a line "...a.b.c...." and hits enter, YOU will
not receive that line. "...a.b.c...." will be lost to cyberspace. If your
BUDDY continues to type another line "...d.e.f...." for example, you will
receive that line, but it will be preceded by this message:
SecureIM received unencryped message: ...d.e.f....


Final criticism(s)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
So, SecureIM appears to work. However, I an not smart enough to use a
sniffer or other method to validate that the text is encrypted.
Have faith.


Epilogus
========
This may not be as elegant as some other bulky im-clients with secure chat.
But to be fair, here is the other side of the coin:
1) Miranda is freeware. SecureIM is freeware.
2) Miranda with this configuration is small and portable.
approx 1.7MB (1.2MB zipped)
3) SecureIM is a brilliant piece of programming. (Hats off to Baloo &
the original developers)




(I will keep you updated on other plugins that I test/use)


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

using windows XP's (innate) zip program
=======================================

20060529 written by carpediem2100

I wrote this set of instructions, primarily for myself , because I am used to using "Winzip(R)" and its features.
Windows XP's own zip program doesn't appear to be as user-friendly, but alas
it is better than nothing.
Notice, that using windows xp "help & support" function will not reveal how
to use its password protection feature on a zipped archive. (I used keywords
such as: zip, compress, encrypt, & password).



Creating a zip file
-------------------

create a new zip file by using the "file" button on an explorer window and
next choose "new" ---> "compressed (zipped) folder".

[alternately, you can do this by right-clicking your mouse and
choosing "new" ---> "compressed (zipped) folder".]

rename this zip file to your liking, and then drag and drop file(s) or folder(s)
into the zip archive.


Another way of zipping a folder is to right-click the folder and selecting
"send to" ---> "compressed (zipped) folder".
[alternately, highlight the folder and right-click your mouse and
choose "send to" ---> "compressed (zipped) folder".]
When finished, rename the zip file as you see fit, or leave it as is.



Password protection
-------------------
you can password protect the zip archive by opening it and then choose
"file" --> "add a password"; or similarly, open the zip, and right-mouseclick
the explorer window and choose "add a password".


~~~~~~~~~~~~


Half-Life: Opposing Force Hints Guide
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


written by: Carpediem2100
date: March 29, 2006
updated: March 31, 2006


I purchased & played the whole single player game. It was difficult
& I couldn't consult hints/cheats (but I sure wanted to,) as I didn't
have access to the internet at the time. Another foolish thing was
that I went through the entire game the first time on the "hard" skill
setting. I got stuck & frustrated a lot. One of these times was due
to the fact that I played the game in a D3D (Video Acceleration) mode,
and this configuration wouldn't show details under water; I stumbled
on this solution when I switched back to Software mode.
I realize that the names of the monsters and equipment are not
accurate but they are descriptive enough to help other players who get
stuck in parts of the game. Please enjoy these hints.


I. WELCOME TO BLACK MESA
========================
You start at the lab. Get a POWER VEST. Go down to cop's room; he'll
let you through the door via retina scan.
Pick up WRENCH. Disable laser by breaking mirror. Go upstairs.
Go outside to terrace. Jump down and follow ridge to the top of the
other side. Then jump back over and end up on the same side you
started. Walk to the wall; get KNIFE from Alien. Superjump across
the ravine into the open door. This eventually leads to the outside
again.
There is a crashed plane here. Go inside hangar. Follow outside to
electric fence. Crawl in fan tunnel and exit another tunnel (be
patient!). You end up inside the fenced area. Turn off the power box.
Get your 357-GUN here. Return to plane. Get goodies. Go down the
rabbit-hole. Search for a door. Enter and get SHOTGUN here. Descend
ladders. Go through metal door.
Enter Toxic Waste Room. Jump broken bridge. Wait by broken ladder
until beam falls. Use it like a ramp. Try both doors at top. The
well-dressed man will let you in.
Take elevator down into another waste-room. Use conveyer to get
across sludge.
Enter room with 2 stop-gates. Enter room with a broken pipe. Enter
hole in pipe. ---> waterslide ride. Hole in grate leads to 2
barnacles. Look around. Climb red ladder.
Go to robot-loader room; clear robot blockage. Descend ladder. Clear
sewage overflow. Exit room via automatic door. Ascend elevator.
Enter monorail room. Jump onto metal plank/bar, and into the monorail
car.


II. WE ARE PULLING OUT
======================
Arrive at station platform. Drink some pop. Across from "Security"
there is a science room. Get scientist to heal you. Go up inclined
lift. Pick up a MACHINE GUN. Go through vent. Ascend ladder. Enter
2nd vent. Approach the escape bi-rotor osprey.


III. MISSING IN ACTION
======================
On the floor there are some puddles. Climb a stack of (3) pipes and
go through the vent. Arrive at a water filled room with an electrical
fault. Keep jumping until you are at the foot of the fallen air duct.
Use it like a ramp and go back into the ceiling crawl space. Use your
remote explosive to clear out the weak ceiling tiles. Jump the gap
into the new crawl-space.
Continue to ceiling Fan Unit 1. Walk the beam to Fan Unit 2. Exit.
Superjump to the cell-door. Get goodies. Go to the fan with 1 propeller
blade, and down into its vent.
Enter furnace room. Time your jumps across the fires. Get goodies.
Go through vent. Time your run across the fire. Time your run into
the tail of fire #2. Follow it through its tunnel. Crouch down and
kill baddies. Approach the "living-light plants." Place explosives
crate into the "test fire" lane. This blows a crawl hole for you.
Go through. Enter vent.
Enter a cavern with a truck inside. Go to "storage area 2 and 3."
Open doors in storage area 2. Get goodies. Approach "service elevator."
Go into the elevator shaft and down the yellow ladder. Enter broken
elevator car and proceed to the first (floor) entrance. Where it says
"caution, wet floor" keep jumping boxes until you arrive at "unit 2
power" room. Turn the box off. Go back to elevator shaft. Climb up
the yellow ladder. Jump onto the (dead) power cable; climb up top and
enter top floor.
Break vent and crawl through. You end up in water. Go through the
hole in the wall. Exit the red door & grab your silver cube. Use
cube and jump over the garbage can. Now grab the cube and go through
a side room and use the far vent. You end up in another room. Exit
the room and go through hole in the floor. Turn off the power box.
Climb up the cable. Two soldiers will come rescue you. The engineer
will open door marked "elevator." Go in with the soldiers.


IV. FRIENDLY FIRE
=================
The engineer opens up the 1st floor door for you. Go inside security
for goodies. Go to 2nd floor now. Kill baddies.
Room B-591G: a pipe will knock a hole in the wall. Go in and up.
Go up the twin pipes. Go all the way and climb red ladder. Superjump
to steel door. Kill 2 behemoths. Superjump bridge. Go up the steel
lift. Climb the beam like a ramp to the surface!
A medic awaits you. Enter vent into surface structure (Ordinance
Storage Facility). Kill ninjas. Free the engineer. Get the medic to
heal him. Get the engineer to open the "Secured Access Lambda Sector
Transport" door.
This leads down to transit system. More ninjas. Open the "Secure"
gate. More ninjas. Ride Train. Take out the last ninja. Get to the
goodie room. Climb pipe ramp to vent.


V. WE ARE NOT ALONE
===================
You are in front of the entrance to the Portal room. Don't follow
Freeman. Go around the track until a skyway falls and becomes a ramp.
Go up this ramp to the alternate portal and enter. Jump to some
stalactites until you find the green PORTAL-GUN. From here, jump to
an adjacent s'tite with a pop-up crater. Use crater to pop-up to the
4th s'tite. From here shoot 2 turkeys, and then jump to their s'tite.
Now elevate to s'tite in the middle (the tall one). Now all that is
left is to run toward the green portal.


VI. CRUSH DEPTH
===============
Take the elevator to the basement.
[left door = restricted retina scan]
[right door = Hydrofauna Studies Lab. Level B] Help the scientist with the
transporter. He will assist you with the retina scan. Go up the
second aquarium ladder. Kill rhinos. Enter vent and then aqua-transporter
room. Go inside and transport yourself. You end up outside the room
about to drown. Escape by finding hidden waterway.
Enter vent and fall into the pool. Climb out and kill chicken. Climb
down red ladder. Turn red valve. Go back up and jump back into the
pool. Kill Ichthyosaur; Go through tunnel and turn red waterlock.
Go to x-ray room. Shoot the powerbox. Kill aliens and get ALIEN
SHOCKWEAPON.
Enter the airlock. Go through portal and another portal*** brings you
back to airlock-B. Follow to flooded pathway. Submerge yourself in
the water and kill 2 ichthyosaurs. Swim up to hidden tunnel.
[*** optional sidestep here: right mouse click the green portal-gun &
it teleports you to a stalactite closer to goodies.]


VII. VICARIOUS REALITY
======================
"Biodome Drainage System" Go up an electrical/steam ramp. to the
Biodome complex.
"Specimen Observation Area 1" * jump into biodome. Go to cave tunnel
with elevator. This leads you to specimen house (1).

[From specimen house (1) going right takes you back near biodome*]
Going left takes you to the specimen containment room hallway:


First Aid
|
|
|
***Specimen Room ----------- --------- Specimen house (1)
|
|
Storage ------------ --------- Storage
|
|
|
elevator


Go to the elevator and break the glass and climb in. Go up. Climb the yellow
ladder; then, jump onto the top of a toppled elevator door to gain access.


Door <---- ---- steam
|
|
|
elevator


Going right leads you to steam; Take the left path to the door.


Danger Sign! ----- <-----
|
|
|
elevator3


Continuing left brings you to a dead end skyway with a danger sign. Here you
can jump on top and destroy crates below. You cannot kill the tall dragons.
Take the elevator (3) down. Enter "control" room. Shoot glass. Go down into
the biosphere. There is a fountain of youth (health) here. Head for the
tunnel/cave. This leads to the SEAHORSE room.
From here, going in one direction leads you back to the Specimen room*** above.
Go in the other direction and it takes you to "specimen observation area #2".
Follow path to lobby, and then to a chicken room, and then to "Data control ops".
Continue to the specimen test lab. Activate the hologram. The specimen
containment room unlocks at the completion of the hologram. Get yourself a
BARNACLE GLOVE. Go to "Testing lab BDRC-101". Go to specimen cultivation room.
Collect seahorse AMMO here (max 20); You will need the barnacle-glove to get
across! Go to the lift. Enter barnacle room. Go to the next lift. enter a
beastie room:
[going up the stairs leads to an elevator and then a control room with
goodies]
[going to the adjacent room leads to the pit of dragons]
In the pit of dragons, the tunnel cave is defective, and the opposite
entranceway won't work. Use your b-glove and go to 2nd floor room where you
will find a tunnel. Take the tunnel to "maintenance area". Turn off Unit1
power. Go through the fan vent.




VIII. PITWORMS NEST
===================
This is a puzzle stage. Here are the pieces of the puzzle:
- Turn on Gearbox
- Turn on Vent
- Turn on Valve system
- Flush toxic waste (& resident caterpillar)
- Extend the telescopic bridge.


IX. FOXTROT UNIFORM
===================
Kill ninjas; use boxcar ramp; There is a sniper on the second floor
where the camouflaged window is. Go inside warehouse and go down the
bugs-bunny hole.
Here are a set of tunnels with (big) bedbugs.
Go through to water pool. Close 2 metal doors so no more rhinos come.
Get goodies. Go to the next tunnels
There are more bedbugs. Find the red ladder and climb out.
At the surface base, you get helpers: Medic, Engineer and Muscle.
Go on an Alien hunt. Go in to the "secure" building.
Gargantuan is on the bridge. (In this stage, you can refuel your
seahorse if you want to). Blow up the bridge. Enter pipe in the
middle of the blown-up bridge. Take a ride down (waterslide style).


X. THE PACKAGE
==============
Follow the river and kill ninjas. Take the sand-path to "mortar
headquarters". Kill mortar-ninja at an angle due to the Lexan. Enter
a side door and get goodies. Use a radio if you see one. Now go to
the tornado door at the left of the mortar. Enter the area between the
pipes. Get goodies. Go to the mortar. Blow up the side gate. Enter
revealed side door. Blow up chopper. Get on roof. Come down and crawl
under ajar red side gate. Turn off powerline box. Go back on roof.
Walk across the tightrope. Enter roof vent. Go down into underground
parking lot. Climb up on top of the SUV truck and up into the vent
where the cop is. Continue in the vent system and emerge out the other
end of the parkade. Dismantle bomb. Go inside cop room and then down
to storage.


XI. WORLDS COLLIDE
==================
Kill ninjas. Cross the track at the end of the conveyor to the secret
storage rooms. Duck between cars to cross track several times. Go to
far storage room where the conveyor can't be heard. Kill ninjas. Go
on top of palettes and superjump to the very top of crates, all the
way to hidden conveyor room. From the conveyor room, you want to go
to the area in the upper left corner (ie., 10 o' clock) because there
is a panic room here. Take the elevator down.

Big Boss Stage
--------------
Shoot the boss's eyes so he opens his belly. Shoot his belly. You
have to do this several times. Weapons which will work: seahorse;
sniper rifle; rocketlauncher; machine gun; heavy machine gun; final
stage gun emplacements.