Thursday 21 September 2000

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Why are images created using the bin format so much more bulky than some of the competing image structures?

Bin format files are more cumbersome because they contain extra error analyzing code, which can be used to check whether or not bin files are, or have become corrupt at any number of stages during their creation or distribution. If you discover that a bin file is corrupt you can attempt to repair it or download it again from a different source rather than wasting a recordable disk finding out. Some formats lack this critical feature and so would have to be burnt and play tested before it was possible to determine their error status.

Furthermore, bin files are able to archive a far wider range of file systems, regardless of the number of tracks or modes they comprise, so are the perfect multi-purpose solution. The alternative would be to employ a range of diverse formats, one for each kind of data structure leading to unnecessary complications.

Wednesday 13 September 2000

Quickie dot coms

Here's a really nifty web browsing, time-saving tip for you: whenever you type the address of a web site you wish to visit into Internet Explorer's address bar, try omitting the Ws and the .com. Just type the bit in between, press the control and enter key simultaneously and the rest will be filled in for you automatically before your browser attempts to load the site. This shortcut also works in Firefox if you lay off the control key. Note that this only works with .com addresses, but still, that's a hefty chunk of them, right?