Creating a Self-Signed Certificate in IIS6

I apologize in advance to my non-techie readers. This post will be very geeky in content.

Sometimes all you want is a secured connection. If the application you are securing is only accessible internally, then there is no need to for an outside certificate authority (such as Verisign or Thawte).

The process is actually quite easy. In IIS 7, the task is simple; in IIS 6, not so much. The problem is finding instructions on the process.

Eventually, I found some great instructions at MSExchange.org. Henrik Walther does an excellent job of walking through the process. It is complete with screenshots a-plenty.

Even with these great instructions, I still ended up having to do it three times before I got it right. The problem was in "Submit[ting] a Certificate Request or Renewal Request". I missed one little thing. After you paste the request text, you have to choose a "Certificate Template". The default is "Administrator", which does not include the "Server Authentication (1.3.6.1.5.5.7.3.1)" attribute. Without this, you can send secure email, but not SSL access to your Web application.

It was very ugly.

However, making sure you choose "Web Server" as your Certificate Template works like a dream.

So, I extend special kudos to Henrik for posting such good content. Our APRS users will never know the favor you did for them.

University Website

So many people sent this to me (and rightly so), that I just had to share this with you too.

This is from the hightly insightful comic XKCD. I highly recommend subscribing via the XKCD RSS feed.

I'm a public media junkie at heart. (Probably due to the 6 years I spent at Iowa Public Television). Occasionally, they even blow me away. This animation did just that: Animation: Travel The Invisible Highway

For more on the bug highways in the sky, check out .

Windows 7 Tips

Windows 7 has quite a few handy features. Most of them are fairly obscure unless you do a bit of digging.

Fortunately, we don’t have to. An article featured in InfoWorld.com outlines 20 of these tricks for IT professionals. However, many of these tips can be helpful to even those with a normal outlook on life. Here are just a few for every user.

Shortcut keys for the taskbar
Each icon in the Windows 7 task bar can be accessed by holding down the Windows Key (the one with the logo between Ctl and Alt on most keyboards). Just hold down the Windows key and press the corresponding number. For example, Internet Explorer is the third icon in my taskbar. Pressing Windows > 3 hides, opens, or select IE, depending on what the program is doing.

Ribbon in Paint and WordPad
The Microsoft Office ribbon now appears in both programs. While this has not been the most popular change for longtime MS Office users, adding it to the sorely lacking Paint and WordPad programs has made them far more usable.

Quickly add features or uninstall programs
Try this; click the "Start" orb in your task bar. In the instant search, type "features" and hit the enter key. Bango! The "Uninstall or change program" menu comes up. That save a lot of clicking.

Find missing Windows programs
One of the biggest complaints I hear about Windows 7 is that a user's favorite program is missing. If your favorite seems to be gone, try checking out Windows Live Essentials. Most of these programs are found there.

You can read the full article - and all 20 tips in the article 20 Windows 7 quick tips and tricks for IT admins.

OnlineSchools.org - More than you want to know!

There are some sites that just make a person smile. The ones I like best are those that give me information and entertainment all at once.

Such a site is OnlineSchools.org. Here you learn statistics and information about cyborgs, statistics, nuclear weapons, and fast food. You visual learners will appreciate the way the information is presented - using graphs, charts, and graphics to clearly make their point. There is even a scholarship available for students!

Check it out at www.onlineschools.org. Skip the one on farts.

The Puzzle Challenge

Here is a fun puzzle to try. You are given two glasses. The first glass holds exactly 4 ounces. The second holds exactly 9 ounces.

Your task is to measure exactly 6 ounces of water in as few steps as possible.

You may only use the two glasses. You may not use a third container. You have an endless supply of water and can dump and fill the glasses as much as you like.

Can you solve the puzzle in less than ten steps? Email me back with the answer at jmontet@southeastmn.edu and I'll post the winners, along with the answers on the blog.

Update

Bunny Novak takes the checkered flag for providing the answer first - in just 8 steps! I will post the answer in a day or so.

Answer

The following is a process to solve this puzzle in just 8 steps.

1. Fill 9oz glass                                    (9Glass=9, 4Glass=0)
2. Fill 4oz glass from 9oz glass             (9Glass=5, 4Glass=4)
3. Dump 4oz glass                               (9Glass=5, 4Glass=0)
4. Fill 4oz glass from 9oz glass             (9Glass=1, 4Glass=4)
5. Dump 4oz glass                               (9Glass=1, 4Glass=0)
6. Pour remaining ounce into 4oz glass (9Glass=0, 4Glass=1)
7. Fill 9oz glass                                    (9Glass=9, 4Glass=1)
8. Fill 4oz glass from 9oz glass             (9Glass=6, 4Glass=4)

Done!