Terminal or the Terminal emulator is a text based program in Mac operating systems. Users can use the Terminal to manipulate the operating system using text commands. There may be many websites that you may want to block. In Windows, you can do with the Browser itself. In Mac, it can be done with the Terminal. However, it may appear to be a bit complicated.

With this tutorial, you will be able to block websites on Mac, by using text commands with the Terminal. You will get used to the technique once you do it yourself.

How to block Websites using Terminal

• Step 1: Click the Finder
• Step 2: Now from the Finder menu, select Applications
  
  You will now be able to see a few folders.
• Step 3: Find the Utilities folder and click it. You will now see the Terminal application
• Step 4: Click Terminal. The Terminal window will now open up. Before starting, you have to backup the hosts.txt file. In this tutorial, we will back up the file in the desktop.
• Step 5: In the Terminal window, type ‘cp /etc/hosts ~/Desktop/hosts.txt’, without the quotes
• Step 6: Hit Enter. This will copy the hosts.txt file to your desktop as backup.

Blocking websites

• Step 1: After copying the hosts.txt file, type ‘sudo pico /etc/hosts’, without the quotes
• Step 2: Hit Enter, upon hitting Enter, the system will prompt you for the Administrator password.
• Step 3: Provide your administrator password and then hit Enter. The /etc/hosts file will now appear. Now you have to go to the bottom of the file.
• Step 4: Use the arrow keys and navigate to the bottom of the file. When you have reached the bottom, you can add the website that you want to block.
• Step 5: Enter the IP address ‘127.0.0.1’, without the quotes, first
• Step 6: Just after the IP address, type the domain name of the website you want to block
  For example, typing “127.0.0.1www.yahoo.com” (without the quotes of course) will block Yahoo on your Mac.
  The theory is as follows. 127.0.0.1 is your Local Macintosh IP. If you type the website domain name following this IP, it will tell the computer that this is the address for that domain. A website domain and a computer can never have the same IP as this can confuse the system. Due to this command, the browser of the system won’t be able to differentiate that domain you have given, to a webpage. So technically, the website will be blocked.
• Step 7: Enter all the domains you want to block this way, with domains on separate lines
• Step 8: Once you are done entering the domains, press and hold Ctrl and then hit X.
  You will now exit the terminal, and a Save prompt will appear.
• Step 9: Press Y to Save

To put the changes into effect

• Step 1: For Mac OS 10.4.X, type the following and hit Enter lookupd –flushcache
• Step 2: For Mac OS 10.5.X and higher versions, type the following and press Enter
  sudo dscacheutil –flushcache
  
• Step 3: Click the Terminal menu and then click ‘Quit Terminal’ to exit
• Step 4: Open any browser and type in all the domain names to make sure they are blocked.
  

  Conclusion

  This is how you can block websites by modifying host file. The website will be blocked to all users of the system. This also applies to all browsers in the system. However, if you want to block sites by keywords, you require professional blocking tools.

Author information

imira

A research and content development firm based in India providing solutions for various corporate firms, academic institutions and online portals.

Step 1 – Generate a Random Code

Let’s start with creating a random code. Open file posting.php available in your forum’s home directory, search for L_POST_A, its inside global variables template->assign_vars(array…..). Let’s put one line of code just above to it which will give us a random number as follows:

$security_code = rand(10000, 100000);
$template->assign_vars(array(
        'L_POST_A'    => $page_title,
        'L_ICON'      => ($mode == 'reply' || $mode == 'quote' || ($mode == 'edit' && $post_id != $post_data['topic_first_post_id'])) ? $user->lang['POST_ICON'] : $user->lang['TOPIC_ICON'],

.....

Now let’s add this secuirty code in the list of already defined global variables as follows:

$security_code = rand(10000, 100000);
$template->assign_vars(array(
        'L_POST_A'    => $page_title,
        'SECURITY_CODE' => $security_code,
        'L_ICON'      => ($mode == 'reply' || $mode == 'quote' || ($mode == 'edit' && $post_id != $post_data['topic_first_post_id'])) ? $user->lang['POST_ICON'] : $user->lang['TOPIC_ICON'],
.....

You are done with defining a global variable. Now let’s go to second step where we will make use of this global variable.

Adding Addition Field to take security code

Let’s open posting_editor.html file available in the following path

/[your forum home]/styles/[your forum style name]/template/

Now search for the following lines:

<dl style="clear: left;">
     <dt><label for="subject">{L_SUBJECT}:</label></dt>
     <dd><input type="text" name="subject" id="subject" size="45" maxlength="60" tabindex="2" value="{SUBJECT}{DRAFT_SUBJECT}" class="inputbox autowidth" /></dd>
</dl>

Finally add following few lines under this subject to get a security code from the user before he/she submits a post.

<dl style="clear: left;">
     <dt><label for="subject">{L_SUBJECT}:</label></dt>
     <dd><input type="text" name="subject" id="subject" size="45" maxlength="60" tabindex="2" value="{SUBJECT}{DRAFT_SUBJECT}" class="inputbox autowidth" /></dd>
</dl>
<dl style="clear: left;">
     <dt><label for="subject">Enter Security Code:</label></dt>
     <dd><input type="text" name="security_code" size="45" maxlength="60" tabindex="3" class="inputbox autowidth" /><input type="hidden" name="hidden_security_code" value="{SECURITY_CODE}"/></dd>
     <dd><label>Security Code:</label> {SECURITY_CODE}</dd>
</dl>

Once you are done with this, go to Admin home and under the Styles tab -> Templates -> Referesh the template you are using. This will bring above changes into effect and now you will find a field under Subject field in every post you want to post. There will also be a random security code available. Check live working example at the below link

http://www.tutorialspoint.com/forums/posting.php?mode=post&f=2

Step 3 – Define Error Message

Now let "e;s define a message which will be displayed in case user does not enter correct security code before posting the post or any reply or quote. Let’s open file posting.php available under the following directory:

/[your forum home]/language/en/

Search for ADD_ATTACHMENT and put the following line under this line as follows:

$lang = array_merge($lang, array(
        'ADD_ATTACHMENT' => 'Upload attachment',
        'SECURITY_CODE_ERROR' => 'Please enter correct security code to proceed.',
......

Step 4 – Security Code Validation

You are almost done, let’s put final step to make our powerful captcha works. Again let’s open file posting.php available in your forum’s home directory and search for the following line:

if ($submit || $preview || $refresh)
{
....

Add the following code inside this if block as follows

if ($submit || $preview || $refresh)
{
        if($submit || $refresh){
           if( !isset( $_POST['security_code'] )){
              $error[] = $user->lang['SECURITY_CODE_ERROR'];
           }
           if( $_POST['hidden_security_code'] != $_POST['security_code'] )
           {
              $error[] = $user->lang['SECURITY_CODE_ERROR'];
           }
        }
.....

That’s it. You are done. Now try to post any post and face to challenge without entering correct security code which has been generated randomly . If from today on wards, you get less number of spams then please provide your feedback on this post.

Conslusion

Now you have simply a great CAPTCHA working for your website which will help you reducing 99.99% spam coming in your forum. This is actually a generic solution and can be implemented with any other CMS (Content Management System) like wordpress, Joomla etc.

Author information

admin

Controls and Modes on DM1

The Drum Machine (DM1) can be purchased from the App Store for US$4.99. Once the app has been installed, you can easily start creating music on it and no special learning classes are required. When you start the app after installation, you will see a sample composition. You can try out some of the basic functions of DM1 to see how they work. Hit play, pause and other settings to see the changes you bring about to the composition.

The main controls of DM1 are lined up at the top-

1. Play/Pause button
2. BPM adjuster: This ranges from 30-240
3. Pattern Selector: This allows the selection from the 25 patterns available
4. Selectors: This will switch between the five major screens of the app- Pads, Steps, FX, Mixer and Song

The top row also features a sound bank having a range of modes which have sound sets from classic drum machines, acoustic tones, melodic instrument sets as well as original sound sets. Once you have familiarized yourself with the controls and modes a little, you can start making your own beats. The best way to learn to navigate the app is while making the beat.

How to use DM1?

1. Choose Song from top menu, press New and assign a name to the song you are going to create. The five main panels of the app can be used to build your tune.
2. Hit Pads. This will open up a screen having nine pads each of which corresponds to different tones. You can try out different rhythms and sound sets from app library. You can also record ‘live’, which means that you can add your own tweaks and alterations to the chosen sound set.

1. After choosing the sound set you intend to use, press Mixer. This control allows you to adjust the individual parameters- level, length, pitch and pan- for your nine sounds. The option also allows you to give beat by beat adjustment of levels for each sound, activate randomizer, set sound in reverse etc. Mixer also allows you to swap a sound in one set with a sound in another set. The above settings can be applied to the whole song or individual patterns.
2. Hitting Steps will provide a visualization of the tune as a grid showing one or two bars at a time. You can manipulate the notes, hit play and keep working on it until you get your tune right. Rhythms can be set even to 16th-note increments with 8 beats for a single pattern at the most. You can create odd measures of beats as well by sliding the right edge of the grid to the left.
3. After mixing, press FX in order to give your beat an edge with overdrive, phaser, delay, robotizer, texturizer, compressor or filter. If you are not sure of what option to choose, you can just experiment with everything until you come up with something that sounds right.
4. Head over to Mixer again to make slight adjustments to what you have created so far.

Lastly, you have to head over to Songs for setting your composition. The patterns can be stacked, repeated, rearranged on a timeline. The next pattern can be chosen by pressing Pattern indicator given on top bar. You can copy an already existing pattern or start a new one.

1. When you are finally finished with your tune, you can export it through mail, Audiocopy or iTunes.

Conclusion

The Drum Machine DM1 from Fingerlab is one of the most impressive music apps available for iOS, in terms of offering a music platform which is easy to use without the complications of other music apps. The app is interesting enough to never appear stale as well, with the large number of options it provides.

DM1 has several modes and controls with which you can create tunes with ease. The steps are very straightforward and at no point will you feel lost while using the app.

Author information

imira

A research and content development firm based in India providing solutions for various corporate firms, academic institutions and online portals.

One of the most useful desktop enhancements ever, this widget has gained in popularity allowing the users to set priorities, alarms and reminders along with customizing the look and feel of the note. The possibility of losing your notes in the drawers will never arise on installing this application.

Sticky Notes has a trial version devoid of some features of the full software. The trial version can be obtained by downloading the installer, opening the installer file and running it. The instructions given in the installer has to be followed to set up the software. All you need to do after that is to click the Sticky Notes icon in order to start creating the notes.

How to install Sticky Notes full version?

Sticky Notes full version costs only $4.99 and does not have any specific installation process. It neither requires additional components nor does it use the registry. The steps to get the Sticky Notes app on your desktop are given.

1. Download zip file of Sticky Notes
2. Create new folder in the location C:\Program Files. Name the file ‘StickyNotes’.
3. The contents of the downloaded zip file have to be then extracted into C:\Program Files\StickyNotes.
4. Click on StickyNotes.exe. On clicking, the icon for Sticky Notes will appear on Windows System Tray. This is the bottom right corner space of Windows taskbar.

How to use Sticky Notes?

Once the Sticky Notes application has been set up on your desktop, it is very easy to use it. In order to ensure that the application opens every time Windows is booted up, add Sticky Notes app to start-up group. On the Options dialog, ‘Create a shortcut in the start-up group’ is available to facilitate this. Here is how you use the Sticky Notes application.

• To create a new sticky note, the sticky note icon present in the notification area or Windows system tray has to be clicked.
• Right click on Sticky Notes icon. This will open the application menu.
• Clicking the down arrow present in the left corner on top will reveal the note menu.
• Sticky Notes will be staying on top of any other windows, by default. This setting can be changed by clicking once on the pin.

• Closing the note is easy too. All it requires is a click on the red power button given at the top right cornet.
• The Search window can be used to search for any notes you have created. Even if a note has been closed accidently, the note can be retrieved easily since the app stores all created notes in a file.
• On clicking the Help option, help guide for the application opens up.
• Sticky Notes application can be made easier and faster by configuring hot keys. Click Program settings and select Hotkeys tab to enable this function. Configure Notes, General Settings, etc. can also be set.

With the help of Sticky Notes, you can arrange notes, view recent notes, resize the notes, add fonts, transparency, colors, hyperlinks etc to the contents of your notes. Notes can be placed anywhere on the screen, or hidden in taskbar which can then be searched and displayed when it is needed. Notes will be remaining on the screen until it is closed even after Windows reboots.

Conclusion

Sticky Notes desktop enhancement is an easy-to-use application for creating electronic notes. It can be easily downloaded and set up. The application comes in a free trial version as well as a full version for $ 4.99. Sticky Notes can be created by merely clicking on the Sticky Notes icon on the desktop. Rather than just a plain note, the application offers the user a plethora of options to customize the notes, arrange notes, view recent notes and a lot more.

Author information

imira

A research and content development firm based in India providing solutions for various corporate firms, academic institutions and online portals.

wireless connectivity

However, the only problem today with internet is that you need a provider. Once upon a time the internet connection was a single connection connected to the computer which would allow only the computer user to use it. So the rest of the family had to wait for their turns. This type of connection asked for a lot of waiting. Buying a new computer would simply double the cost which is not affordable. And now with the invention of wireless routers, the benefits of internet can be easily enjoyed by everyone.

A wireless router helps you not just enjoy your part of the internet, but it also helps you to complete all your work whenever you feel like as internet is available all the time. Instead of the connection hassle, you can use the wireless router and connect your internet with your phones, computers, tablets and laptops. With just one connection, you can connect many devices. Although it would affect the speed of your internet since the bandwidths are divided.

With a wireless router, there is a different IP address for every device connected with the same internet so that every gadget is easily connected with the internet. A wireless router also has the ability to provide an internet connection known as WiFi. Your laptops, phones, and other gadgets with WiFi feature can have the access to the internet.

wireless router

Not just it helps you with the internet access; it also helps you get rid of the mess of wires. People who use computers are already tired with the mess of wires. Using a wired internet connection only adds more to the mess. Lately many companies have assured better internet connection for internet users in the form of WiFi. And because every nearby gadget with an internet connection can have access to your internet, companies have protected your internet with a password. With this password protection, only you can use your internet which also protects the browsing speed. So everybody who is looking forward to wireless routers and their benefits, you must go ahead with it right away. It is a shame to not enjoy the best internet benefits from the best technology being offered to you.

Author information

better user

Internet Entrepreneurship

Acquiring the idea and developing it into a plan

As said above, the main point to start a career in Internet Entrepreneurship is to start with an idea and then develop it into a plan that will convert visitors into money. First of all, getting an idea is probably the hardest part of the entire process. Not everyone has a great imagination and incredible management skills to develop an idea into revenue. Getting an idea for an online business can be achieved by doing the following:

• Asses your qualities

• List your knowledge

• Make a cut of ideas

• Select the final idea

By assessing your qualities you are doing a preliminary test regarding what are the main areas of internet marketing where you can start a business. The second test is done by listing your available knowledge that can help you continue the conversion of the idea into a project. Next up, listing the main ideas being compatible with your skills and qualities will result into getting the future entrepreneur closer to selecting the final idea which will be exploited.

The process of selecting the final idea should be done in a prolonged period of time, this way you will be sure that the best idea will be selected instead of a lower resulting one. This step is critical as, if the idea proves to do not be the most useful one, the whole career of entrepreneurship will require another start, and for many beginners, this will be demoralizing.

No pain no gain

Once the process of selecting an idea with revenue potential, it is time to move forward to extending it and to develop a plan that the future entrepreneur will follow to build firstly his website and then his internet empire. At this point on the path to entrepreneurship, work is the key point. There is no simpler way of building up the internet entrepreneur career than by working smart and efficient. Have in mind the following critical points of effective working:

• Good time management

• Supporting working environment

• Teambuilding and brainstorming activities

Principals of Internet Entrepreneurship

Managing the time is the number one challenge for every manager; once the internet entrepreneur masters the usage of his time, he can overcome any challenge he will encounter will doing his activity. Next up, in order for the whole team of workers to provide their full potential, the working environment must be supporting their work. A building of offices built correctly will influence the team in a positive manner. Finally, every entrepreneur constantly needs new ideas for improvement, and the best environment to receive them is the working environment.

Managing the revenue

Once the idea is fully developed into an entire working business, it will start providing revenue. However, even if this might seem simple, a good Internet Entrepreneur will know how to take only a part of the revenue for himself and reinvest the rest in order to ensure the growth of the business. There aren’t any standard percent to retrieve from the online marketing revenue, so it is up to every manager’s skills to take and reinvest the right amount of money. Fine tuning this ability will come with experience, which comes with time.

Author information

better user

Generally the serialize portion of the program is called a s critical section,means if a thread is running in its critical section means no other thread are allowed to enter into their critical section. There are different technique of process/thread synchronization available in C++

• Locking

• Mutex

• Monitor (synchronization)

• Semaphore

Here is a mutex method of thread Synchronization example using C++

//thread synchronization
#include 
#include 
#include 
#include 
#include 
using namespace std;
pthread_mutex_t m=PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;

void *writer1(void *fd)
{
   int f=*(int*)fd;
   char *string1=new char[200];
   pthread_mutex_lock(&m);
   cout<<"\n enter 1st thread items to write in file";
   gets(string1);
   for(int i=0;i<=strlen(string1);i++)
   {
      write(f,&string1[i],1);
      sleep(1);
   }
   pthread_mutex_unlock(&m);
}
void *writer2(void *fd)
{
   int f=*(int*)fd;
   char *string2=new char[200];
   pthread_mutex_lock(&m);
   cout<<"\n enter enter second thread items to write in file";
   gets(string2);
   for(int i=0;i<=strlen(string2);i++)
   {
      write(f,&string2[i],1);
      sleep(1);
   }
   pthread_mutex_unlock(&m);
}
main()
{
   pthread_t t1,t2;
   int fd=open("file.txt",O_CREAT|O_RDWR|O_APPEND);
   pthread_create(&t1,0,writer1,&fd);
   pthread_create(&t2,0,writer2,&fd);
   pthread_join(t1,0);
   pthread_join(t2,0);
}

About SourceCode

• pthread_create(),pthread_join() are two library function to create thread and waiting for thread simultaneously.

• pthread_mutex_t is used to declare mutex variable.

• PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER is used to initialize a static mutex.

• Here we are doing file locking using pthread_mutex_lock(pthread_mutex_t*) function and unlocking using pthread_mutex_unlock(pthread_mutex_t*) function.

• The primary objective of this source code is to write into a file in a synchronization way.

Application Area

• Banking Transaction

• Database System

• Web Servers

• Designing Multithreading OS

Author information

Mohtashim

Blend of technical and managerial skill with overall 15 of experience in Telecom and Data communication domain with design, development, implementation & supporting complex Business Support Systems (BSS) and Operation Support Systems (OSS).

FacebookLinkedIn