TechBite by Steve Bass: Newsletter #8

DNS: Don't Know Squat

Most of you don't know -- much less care -- about Domain Name System servers.

Yet I'm going to tell you about Domain Name System servers (also known as simply DNS) and how it can make your online computing a better experience. You'll be able to give your Internet connection a goose and speed it up enough so that you'll probably notice the change. Fiddle with your DNS settings and there are other nifty things you can do. But first, a quick explanation of DNS.

One-Minute Tutorial: Domain Name Systems

Every Web site has a unique address consisting of numbers; it's called an IP address. The numbers are how PCs find each other on the Internet. TechBite.com, for instance, is located at 70.38.38.68.

Your ISP has a server (essentially, a computer) with a list of millions of domains and their corresponding IP addresses. When you type TechBite.com or CNN.com into your browser, your ISP's DNS translates the site name into the correct IP address, finds the site's location, and displays it in your browser.

With well-known sites, like CNN and TechBite (ha!), the lookup time is measured in milliseconds, or comparatively speaking, a teenager's attention span. If the site's not listed in your ISP's DNS server, the request is sent to other DNS servers, adding seconds to the search. And if the site's not found, you'll get a less-than-useful page that tells you the site wasn't found.

The problem is that ISPs typically don't spend much time or money grooming their DNS servers; nor do they necessarily have a large server cache to make the look-ups speedy. Also, if your ISP's DNS server goes down, you might be under the false impression that your Internet service is down. There's no rule, however, that you have to use your ISP's domain servers. And that's where OpenDNS makes its entrance.

OpenDNS -- A Smart Switch

It turns out that a two-minute job of switching one of your network (or router) settings will give you a way to bypass your ISP's domain servers and use those offered by OpenDNS, a free Web service. OpenDNS has lickity-split fast Domain Name Servers; it also provides intelligent features like spotting a typo and automatically sending you to the correct site. OpenDNS has a number of servers located throughout the world. If there's an outage in one location, the other servers kick in, making sure there's no interruption in your Internet surfing. It's a smart contingency plan your ISP probably might not offer.

There's more: By switching to and registering with OpenDNS, you can protect your computer from phishing attacks and block gambling, dating, religious, or pornography sites. In fact, you can filter out almost 60 topics from your surfing experience, including chat, weapons, travel, classifieds, and alcohol. And entire domains can be blocked or, conversely, excluded from the filters.

I also like having OpenDNS block valueless domains that park unused sites. You've bumped into these spots when you type in a link to a site that a company's abandoned or if you mistype the link. You end up at a site filled with ads. (Read Why You Should Park Unused Domain Names for a more thorough explanation.)

Making the OpenDNS Switch

OpenDNS has a three-step tutorial for those of you who aren't comfortable messing with XP or Vista's settings. If you're connected to the Internet through a router because you have other PCs on your network, OpenDNS has instructions for you, too.

Advanced users: All you need to do is change your DNS entries to point to 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220, either through network settings and if you have one, your router. If your router has a spot for a third DNS entry, use your ISP's IP address. Register with OpenDNS and get access to advanced goodies, such as Dynamic IP updates and typo corrections. Network shortcuts are also cool -- assign a character string to any URL and OpenDNS recognizes it and gets you to the right spot. OpenDNS has a responsive forum for your pithy questions. [Thanks to my friend Bassim in Iraq for the OpenDNS idea.]

It's easy to switch your router's settings to OpenDNS.

Is It Working for You?

You head for a Web site and you get an error. I know you've said it: Is that site down for everyone or is it just me? Now there's a way to find out. Type a Web site's link into downforeveryoneorjustme.com (a smartly named site, no?) and it will give you the scoop.

What I'm Reading

Product of the Week

You know I'm loony about backing up my PC, and I'll tell you all my strategies for doing it -- but that'll have to wait for a future newsletter. For the time being, I have something you'll need for a backup.

I was on vacation last week and had time to read the L.A. Times. I was glancing at the Fry's Electronics ad, about the only thing I look at in the sports section. I spotted a Seagate FreeAgent Pro, a 500GB external drive, for $80. It caught my eye because it's the drive I use and the price was extraordinarily low. (It's probably a loss leader -- it sells for $123 at NewEgg based on a Google product search.)

Either way, for backing up, the drive is terrific, because it has a super fast eSATA connection as well as FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 ports. Ignore the FireWire and use the USB 2.0 until you get a PC with an external eSATA connection. The eSATA speed difference over USB is dramatic. The drive also includes software to back up your PC.

TechBite: Behind the Scenes

Time Wasters

This week: Weird music and lights, videos to keep you out of the doghouse, cats showing off their skills, and automated beer machines.

He finally did it!

Spread the Word

Now that you've adjusted your DNS settings, and passed along that cut Escape key image, it's time to share what you've learned. Like now, before you forget. It's simple: Take the entire newsletter and forward it to your favorite business associate, the cutie in the trailer next door, and the bank clerk who never recognizes you.

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Steve Bass is still fiddling with his OpenDNS filters. Despite that, he's still checking e-mail. Send him your feedback.