Re: OT: What do you do with your old computers?

"Howard Brazee" <howard@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
news:5bdts3leebm7d1945jb80tr2cfbrnpjj7k@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> One tool that Windows users might not be aware of when setting up
> their home LAN is Bonjour for Windows.
>
> http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/bonjourforwindows.html

I hadn't heard about it, but read what's on the site you linked.

It could be useful. I have two reservations:

1. It is an Apple product.

2. I NEED to let my router assign reserved IP addresses to specific MAC 
addresses, so that only "approved devices" can connect to my WLAN. If 
something comes along and does this configuration for me, I can't do that.

The idea of sending UDP packets over a specific port to identify attached 
hardware is risky, in my opinion. Many network hacks work in this way and 
that is why firewalls are designed to prevent it. I have had bad
experience 
in the past with UDP packets and now I have zero tolerance for them, with 
the only exception being the "stay alive" packets that my ISP sends to
keep 
me connected.

Nevertheless, I haven't used Bonjour so I can't make judgements about it; 
many people may find it useful.

Pete.
-- 
"I used to write COBOL...now I can do anything."