Author Archive for Chris Channing

How To Prevent Disastrous SQL Injection Attacks

by Chris Channing

SQL injection is becoming a problem for web developers- especially those new to the field who aren’t up to speed on how insecure PHP can really be. But as the experts like to say, PHP isn’t the problem- it’s the knowledge of the programmer that counts when it comes to preventing SQL injection attacks.

SQL injections are defined by the vulnerability in the SQL query that PHP developers make use of. When the developer in question puts forth an SQL query, he or she needs to make an effort to validate any input that could come from any web form or entry field. A simple input statement such as “a’ OR ‘a’='a’” could compromise the security of one’s database with ease.

PHP developers have used the magic quotes function to help safeguard against SQL injections. Magic quotes are no longer in use, however, since they were more of a hassle than anything. It is recommended that if a developer has used magic quotes, he or she should remove them since they are no longer supported as of PHP 6. Thus, we need to look elsewhere for a security solution.

The common way to protect against an SQL injection attack is to simply use the mysql_real_escape_string() function that PHP has support for. When passing POST values through this function, the result becomes an escaped string that can’t be used to manipulate an SQL query- perfect for our situation.

Another good way to prevent SQL injections is to simply restrict authority in SQL users where possible. For instance: it would be a good idea to create individual users that do specific things: such as create a table or update rows in the said table. This can help make the task of ruining one’s hard work much harder for malicious web users, although it’s a lot more work for webmasters (Although well worth it).

It should be noted that programs and web applications that stop SQL injections should not be obtained- since they commonly cost quite a bit of money. As long as webmasters take precautions with what they create, there should be no reason to spend hundreds of dollars on software that only makes use of escape characters and formatting data correctly. This type of application is created to con webmasters into buying something they don’t need- so dont fall victim to them!

Closing Comments

There isn’t much effort that needs to be exerted in order to declare a database safe from harm. All that is needed is a little prevention- which comes from avid usage of the function and design principles previously stated. It may also be a good idea to use SQL injection scanners on large web applications to cover holes that might not have been covered over the course of the development period.

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Tips For Beginning Golf Players

by Chris Channing

Golf is a very rewarding sport, and few can attest to being as relaxing or stress reducing as golfing can. It does, however, require much practice and a certain amount of knowledge to best advance one’s skills in the sport. Luckily, there are a few tips to take the long learning curve out of the sport, and instead get beginners onto the professional level sooner.

The first task to remember is to not swing one’s arm in engaging in the golf swing, but to actually move one’s whole upper body. Only swinging one’s arms will make the accuracy and power of the shot diminish. This is a tough concept to grasp when first starting out, but it’s best to learn it early than having to relearn the correct way of doing things.

The previous tip states that a golfer should keep his or her arms rigid. This is true, but to a certain degree. It’s often said that the left arm should remain completely still during the swing. This can help golf form, but it isn’t required since many professionals bend their left arm slightly. Thus, beginners shouldn’t put too much emphasis on learning to keep the left arm perfectly rigid.

It might not seem like the most important part of the golf swing, but how the hands are positioned and in which way makes a large difference in the overall drive of the golf ball, as well as the precision and consistency. Only through holding the golf club the correct way can beginners learn how to consistently get the golf ball where they want it- in terms of both how far and in which direction they need to target.

It’s good to note that not all learning is going to be done outside. Popular video games and simulations are available today that mimic golf just like it is played in the physical world. These gadgets can be quite pricey, but they are great for rainy days that render actually going out to play golf an issue- not to mention it’s a neat way to play with technology and have an excuse.

Lastly, the best practice in golf is going to come from practice. Getting out on the field and golfing at least once a week will do a golfer much good over the course of a few months. On the downtime and on rainy days, it’s also nice to review golf terms and even try golf simulations available with many gaming consoles and online Internet resources. Just like everything else in life, golf is going to have a learning curve- how much one is willing to learn to get past it is going to determine when and how they become a professional at the sport.

Final Thoughts

There is much to enjoy in the casual game of golf. Entertainment with friends and family, a way to relax on weekends, or even a way to meet new people. Whatever the case may be, golf is a highly social and competitive sport. As long as one can become an average or professional player, there will be no end of good times in the future. Just remember to practice, practice, and practice some more!

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How Technology Empowers Mobile Phones Of Today

by Chris Channing

Mobile phones have come a long way since the 1990’s, where few technological advances have been applied to the mobile phone as we know it today. But thanks to technology in recent years, we can now expect the bridge between mobile phones and other electronics to merge- and create new types of powerhouse electronics.

First in line for discussion is the role of photography in mobile phones. Mobile phones are now commonly being used to replace full-fledged cameras with some definitions reaching as high as 7 megapixel, and the limits are only being pushed higher every day. Mobile phones with this functionality will often cost quite a pretty penny, but are great for photography lovers.

Networking and social contact among mobile phone users is becoming strong every day. With technologies such as infrared, Bluetooth, and fully functioning wireless cards, it’s now possible to share and send media in seconds flat. In years to come, battery life will continue to become less of a problem with such technologies and we could even start seeing social networking platforms emerge.

Gaming on a mobile phone is a great way to kill some time- especially at the doctor’s office or while on a road trip. Mobile phones certainly can’t compare to next generation consoles out to date, but they can indeed create vast 2D worlds, and some have even broken the 3D milestone. Some platforms such as the Nokia N-Gage have also dedicated the mobile phone to being a gaming platform- something quite unheard of previously.

Also beneficial to mobile phone users is the fact that mobile phone networks are becoming faster, more dependable, and maintain larger areas of coverage. Current trends in mobile phones are shifting towards the 3G network, which has taken advantage of high speed networks to deliver content faster and more reliably. The upcoming 4G network is also expected to make quite a stir in the mobile phone community as well.

Lastly, mobile phone companies are now starting to input innovative features such as the global positioning system as an everyday feature for consumers. Already, mobile phones are able to send emergency hotlines location data for those who are on their mobile phone at the time of the call. This functionality is being extended to the consumer range for applications such as finding a certain location, getting driving instructions, and even estimated times of arrival. There is still room for expansion, but already the GPS is proving to be a vital consumer application in mobile phones.

Final Thoughts

It’s tough to tell where the mobile industry is going, but it’s easy to say where it’s been. The mobile phone industry has made considerable progress over the years, and there is no signs in showing that this progress is slowing down any. Mobile users get the benefit of this upstart in technological advances, although it doesn’t always come cheap. It won’t be long until mobile phones become multi-use consumer electronics, but many would attest that they have already become so with their vast features and options.

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How To Watch Anything Online For Free

by Chris Channing

Watching movies has become the favorite hobby of the majority of consumers around the world- but less consumers are fond of paying high prices or even having to spend time to make it to the cinema on time. In that case, a solution can be found with the Internet- where consumers can watch free online movies any time of day or night.

Many popular websites will buy rights to movies and feature them online for free viewing. With proper searching, Internet users can find a large number of TV series and movies that are available for absolutely no charge at all. Most of the free selection is limited- with many being older movies and shows that have been out of the box office for a good amount of time.

One of the best examples of how a TV show can be made available online for free is the case of the cartoon hit “South Park.” This series, which had a large following in its many years of ongoing episodes, was set loose on the Internet by directors. The catch: there are advertisements just like users would see when they watched the series on their TV sets. It isn’t such a bad tradeoff, considering the series can be watched without charge.

There is also the opportunity to watch movies online when the site owner’s home country has lax copyright laws. If there aren’t sufficient laws in one’s own country, they can legally upload movies online and have users watch them without repercussion. This can sometimes be illegal even to watch them in another country, so it’s usually best not to do so unless one is fluent in his or her country’s copyright laws.

Free movies also come from the recent craze in Internet pop culture: completing surveys and offers for free movie tickets and subscriptions to online rental services. This will often require the consumer to complete several different offers, in which the consumer receives a commission of profit. The commission eventually builds up to get the consumer a prize of their choice- in many cases the prize will come in the form of straight cash or even subscriptions to services such as Netflix.

As a last note, free movies can always be obtained among independent film networks. Independent films are a niche type of movie that are provided to the general public for free. While these may not star Hollywood’s best actors, they do still serve as a free source of entertainment for those who enjoy movies. There are several independent film companies, as well as festivals to investigate. Best of all, many independent films don’t even have annoying ads in between content.

Final Thoughts

Watching free movies and TV shows online isn’t such a hard task once one knows where to get them. As we can see from the previous examples, it’s just a matter of knowing where to look and what to do. Just keep in mind that copyright laws can be very strict, and before engaging in anything that may seem illegal, consult a legal professional or review copyright laws in one’s own country before continuing.

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Tips For Finding The Best In Custom Essay Services

by Chris Channing

Choosing a custom essay writing service is rather tough- after all, there are so many around! But when essay writing services compete, students get very admirable discounts, features, and service sets that help students get the grade they need without the frustration that comes with it.

Something to keep in mind with any business is the fact that they are always looking to decrease time spent on work and to increase their profits. One way essay creation services do this is to simply resell essays they have already created. The best way to get around this is to request to speak directly to the writer in question. This gives a better, more targeted essay- and also guarantees no foul play is at foot.

Another service that custom essay services should provide is a money-back guarantee. Only through a 100% money-back guarantee will a student be completely satisfied with their results, and be glad to pay the service their requested fees. If the service wasn’t up to par, or if there was trouble with the outcome, essay writing services should promptly refund the student’s money without hesitation.

Delivery is another important aspect of custom term papers, especially considering the fact that students work hard to get their essays in on strict deadlines. Students can pass these stressful deadlines onto term paper creation services, but this will do little good if a deadline delivery guarantee isn’t offered. Before sending payment, always check to see if the delivery date can be appeased. If not, it’s best to move along and find a service that can.

Another vital service in custom term papers is the confidentiality service. Without it, students may be liable for buying essays online and may have consequences appended to their school records. Always ensure that a term paper writing service allows for confidential transactions- this will help cover tracks of the purchase, and keep students and their grades running high, with their risk and stress oppositely so.

Above all else, the writing service in question should be well known among Internet communities. If they are just starting out, it’s sometimes a good idea to give them a shot, but keep in mind this is going to entail more risk than necessary. It’s best to take one’s business to a service that is both respected, renowned, and has a proven track record. It’s nice to minimize risk where possible, and there’s no reason not to!

Closing Comments

In the end, the proper writing service has a few characteristics to look out for when shopping around. In essence, it’s best to find a service that offers more for less. But as far as term papers go, less isn’t always going to be a lot- especially when students request term papers with 24 hour deadlines! But this is just the price students pay for a free ticket to success, but finding the right road there becomes the trickiest bump along the way.

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Smart Ways To Get Free Movie Content Online

by Chris Channing

Consumers can’t always make it to the cinema when a new movie comes out. After all, today’s lifestyle is jam-packed full of errands, jobs, and other shortcomings. But thanks to the Internet, getting out to see a new movie isn’t only not a problem- but getting to see it for absolutely no charge is also possible for those with Internet access.

Many popular websites will buy rights to movies and feature them online for free viewing. With proper searching, Internet users can find a large number of TV series and movies that are available for absolutely no charge at all. Most of the free selection is limited- with many being older movies and shows that have been out of the box office for a good amount of time.

One of the best examples of how a TV show can be made available online for free is the case of the cartoon hit “South Park.” This series, which had a large following in its many years of ongoing episodes, was set loose on the Internet by directors. The catch: there are advertisements just like users would see when they watched the series on their TV sets. It isn’t such a bad tradeoff, considering the series can be watched without charge.

Copyright laws aren’t perfect in every country. In some cases, technicalities will be apparent that enable webmasters to put Hollywood movies online and offer them for free, without the fear of receiving a subpoena. It can sometimes still be illegal to watch such movies if the Internet user hails from a country with different copyright laws. It’s best to not watch movies from such sites if one isn’t aware of their country’s copyright laws.

Free movies also come from the recent craze in Internet pop culture: completing surveys and offers for free movie tickets and subscriptions to online rental services. This will often require the consumer to complete several different offers, in which the consumer receives a commission of profit. The commission eventually builds up to get the consumer a prize of their choice- in many cases the prize will come in the form of straight cash or even subscriptions to services such as Netflix.

As a last note, free movies can always be obtained among independent film networks. Independent films are a niche type of movie that are provided to the general public for free. While these may not star Hollywood’s best actors, they do still serve as a free source of entertainment for those who enjoy movies. There are several independent film companies, as well as festivals to investigate. Best of all, many independent films don’t even have annoying ads in between content.

In Conclusion

Free entertainment online in the form of shows and movies is easy to find. Even box office hits can be found online for free in the right circumstances- just be prepared to wade through a few advertisements to get to it. In all actuality, it seems logical to go the ad route, as opposed to paying hefty sums of money for movie tickets and refreshments. The Internet is many things- but can now be known as a way to get free movie entertainment online.

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Aspects To Seek In Custom Essay Writing Services

by Chris Channing

The average online term paper creation service will allow a student to outsource their homework to professionals around the world. But the process can be a tough road to travel, as many online entities aren’t up to par in guarantees, quality service, and certainly not every service caters to 100% customer satisfaction.

Something to keep in mind with any business is the fact that they are always looking to decrease time spent on work and to increase their profits. One way essay creation services do this is to simply resell essays they have already created. The best way to get around this is to request to speak directly to the writer in question. This gives a better, more targeted essay- and also guarantees no foul play is at foot.

The fabled money-back guarantee is another thing to hold of value in essay creation services. A money back guarantee is the only way a student is going to be sure that they will be absolutely satisfied, or they will get every penny of their money back. This is just considered good business practice, and should be expected from reputed essay creation services. If this guarantee isn’t present, skip the service and go onto the next!

A custom term paper creation service should be able to give support for deadline delivery. This is important in essay creation, since students themselves have deadlines that they need to abide by. If the custom term paper creation service itself can’t make a deadline, the student is likewise at a loss since they often can’t turn in papers late without repercussions. Thus, always look for the delivery date seal of guarantee before sending payment.

Another good thing to opt for is confidentiality. School officials will try to find any forms of plagiarism or any signs of the essay being bought online. As long as the service obeys the confidentiality agreement and doesn’t republish the essay, there should be no way to track the essay to the student in question. These two aspects of term paper services are required for staying out of trouble, in school, and staying with the high grade the student desires.

As a last point of interest, the student should always read what others have to say about the service before using them. Also check to see if they have been around for a long time or not, as some try to scam students out of their money. That way, students can guarantee that their money will never be at risk so long as they read enough reviews to pick the best custom essay writing service. As they say, it’s best to be safe rather than sorry!

In Conclusion

Getting a custom essay custom built for the student is always a great way to take the easy way out of stress and frustration. It comes at a price, and it certainly entails a certain risk factor. To get past the risk, students are advised to search as best they can for the best reputed service possible, and only commit to payment after an ample guarantee is made. If these motions are followed, students will have nothing to worry about in outsourcing their homework to online resources.

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Guidelines For Avoiding A Speeding Ticket

by Chris Channing

Insurance companies agree that drivers with speeding tickets deserve higher premiums because they are considered to be a higher risk. To avoid the situation of paying a higher premium each pay period, drivers should educate themselves on how to properly fight and prevent speeding tickets.

A nice technicality to keep in mind is the fact that if an officer can show up to a court date in which the driver obtains to contest the speeding ticket, the driver will usually win the case automatically. Rules differ depending on location, but this is an easy way for the majority of drivers to get off their speeding ticket with minimal effort. This is very true in the Summer, where vacations are taken even by cops- and missing a court date can’t be avoided.

Saving the details of the incident for the court room is important for drivers to maintain their innocence. A cop will very commonly ask “Do you know why I pulled you over?” This is a question that often makes the driver admit they were speeding, which can be used against them in a court of law. To stay innocent, always think before talking- and omit unnecessary details the officer doesn’t need.

If the driver is dedicated enough, they can brush up on their law skills and request information from the officer he or she may not have. For instance, requesting details on when the speed radar used was last calibrated or even how the officer was trained on the device can yield results that might help the driver’s case. Often times, information like this may not be available, and the driver stands good chance to win the case.

As a last resort of keeping insurance premiums low, drivers will need to opt for alternative methods of wiping the speeding ticket off of their record. A good way to do so is to agree to go to a driver’s education class- which usually takes place on a single Saturday and costs about as much as the average ticket to enroll in. Additional fees may be required, but the speeding ticket won’t go on the driver’s record.

The best way to avoid a speeding ticket altogether is to avoid speed traps. Speed traps seek to trap drivers in unfair speeding ticket cases. As an example, a driver might be driving downhill and the speed limit may change by 10-20 miles per hour. If this occurs, the driver can’t safely stop without applying much pressure to one’s brakes. Most drivers will slowly put on their breaks, but then find out that a cop was waiting for this very event, and then get a speeding ticket as a result.

In Conclusion

Speeding tickets can damage one’s reputation qutie a bit. It raises insurance prices, costs money to fix, and overall is a nightmare to go through. Follow the above steps to make the process easier, less expensive, and exponentially less frustrating than what it would normally be.

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Tips To Get Out Of The Average Speeding Ticket

by Chris Channing

Speeding tickets are a pain to pay, but more of a pain to watch as insurance premiums balloon into larger amounts each time one is obtained. A speeding ticket can quickly make the most affordable insurance out of range for a driver- so it’s best to learn how to fight and prevent speeding tickets where possible.

The first method is also the easiest- simply show up to a court date! Court dates must be met by both the driver and the officer that wrote the ticket. If the officer can’t show for whatever reason, the driver will usually automatically win the case. This is especially beneficial in the Summer, where cops will usually take vacations and not be able to make most court dates, depending on the date and time.

Sometimes the best way to avoid a speeding ticket is to remember to never admit guilt. Officers like to ask the question, “Do you know why I pulled you over?” and typically get a self-incriminating response. They can then record this, and present it in a court case to prove one’s own guilt. As a result, consumers should always remain passive when answering questions, and save the real answers for the court room.

There have been many cases where drivers have won a court battle simply because they were adept enough in law and asked all the right questions. It’s good to ask things such as the officer’s training experience on the device that caught the driver speeding. It’s also a good idea to ask when the device was last calibrated before being used on the driver. If answers to these questions can’t be found, drivers will often win the mercy of the judge.

Drivers don’t always have to suffer higher insurance premiums. If they do get a speeding ticket, and there is no possible chance of showing innocence, some areas allow for driving school to be enrolled in. This will essentially wipe the speeding ticket from one’s record, but it costs extra and the expense of the speeding ticket is also to be paid. On top of this, it also requires a full Saturday to complete in most areas.

The best way to avoid a speeding ticket altogether is to avoid speed traps. Speed traps seek to trap drivers in unfair speeding ticket cases. As an example, a driver might be driving downhill and the speed limit may change by 10-20 miles per hour. If this occurs, the driver can’t safely stop without applying much pressure to one’s brakes. Most drivers will slowly put on their breaks, but then find out that a cop was waiting for this very event, and then get a speeding ticket as a result.

Final Thoughts

Speeding tickets can damage one’s reputation qutie a bit. It raises insurance prices, costs money to fix, and overall is a nightmare to go through. Follow the above steps to make the process easier, less expensive, and exponentially less frustrating than what it would normally be.

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Tips For Beginning Keyboard Players To Live By

by Chris Channing

Those looking for a new pastime or hobby would do well to remember the benefits of learning the keyboard. But getting started out on this tough instrument will deter many new keyboard players away from becoming experts in their own fields of music. To help speed along the process and enjoyment, following a few guidelines would be in the musician’s best interests.

Having a good time is what playing the keyboard is all about. Being able to show off one’s skills in front of others is always nice, too! The best way to start out is find a couple of songs that one thinks holds a special value to him or her, and learn how to play it. Buying sheet music online or through local music stores is always a fun adventure, and learning to play one’s most loved songs is more than rewarding in the long run.

Learning how to get the perfect listening ear for musical notes is one of the highest sought skills in keyboard playing. This is because anyone who can learn how to play by ear will essentially be able to hear a song and play it just from listening to it! This also serves great purpose for when the keyboardist with the perfect ear wants to record their own music into tablature. Thus, it’s a good idea to try and learn by ear as well as through reading notes.

Timing and rhythm are vastly important to the success of a keyboardist. Timing and rhythm can both be learned by obtaining a metronome, which is just a device that ticks or beeps based on different timing measures. It’s best to use such metronomes while reading sheet music, preferably of music that the keyboardist enjoys so that proper timing can be observed.

Next, it’s good to try and use both hands where applicable. Even when one hand can be used to play multiple notes close together, it’s good to use two hands to simplify the action and to help learn placement at a quicker pace. This way, less attention will be put onto trying to find keys with a certain hand, and more attention can be put on reading sheet music that most keyboardists require for learning.

As a last word of advice, it is important to have more fun than anything. Often times when a keyboardist makes multiple mistakes, he or she can do so without the listeners actually being able to tell a difference. This fact helps keyboardists relax, since they know that striking every key precisely isn’t vital to having a great show for an audience- since most of the time they won’t even be able to tell the difference!

Final Thoughts

All in all, beginning on the keyboard is a tough prospect. But learning a bit here and there over the years will essentially make an expert of anyone, given enough time. Being able to play stunning performances on a keyboard on command is a valuable skill to have, and plenty of musicians make their living based on keyboards alone. Whether a hobby or a way of life, starting on this lifelong relationship with music is quite beneficial to growth and stress release for years to come.

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