December 1998

Bill Hopkins is the Webmaster of PhotoSourceFolio* (www.photosourcefolio.com) and a regular contributor to PhotoStockNotes. Send comments via Email to wh@photosourcefolio.com. Fax: 1 818 831-0916. Or US Mail: PhotoStockNotes. (*Display 6 of your images on our Web site!) For on-line marketing questions, contact him on the Kracker Barrel at www.photosource.com/board


That Little Padlock

In Netscape, when you're connected to a "secure" site on the Internet, you are reminded (and confirmed) by a small locked padlock in the lower left corner of the window. Internet Explorer also uses a locked padlock, but toward the right lower corner. But is the site really secure? It's kind of like the Y2K problem--wait and see. In general, it's pretty safe, but you need to be careful anyway. A recent survey revealed that over 50% of folks currently making transactions over the Internet (purchases or trading securities) rated Internet security as excellent to adequate. On the other hand, 75% of people browsing the Internet who said they were not likely to use it for transactions, rated security "poor." Seems that those who use it, like it. Those that don't, don't.

How's It Work, Anyway?

Ever wonder what makes a "secure" site, well, secure? Yeah, you have a "user id" and a "password," but what about all that stuff being sent back and forth over the Internet, not to mention your user id and password? Well, it generally works like this (there are other schemes, of course). The secure site has two "cryptographic" keys. One key, called the public key, you get, and the other, called the private key, is kept by the site. What one key encrypts, only the matching key can decrypt. So, you have the public key (didn't know you had a key, eh?). After you log onto the secure site, the keys talk to each other and agree on a random-coded "session" key that will be used for your current transaction. A new session key is created and used each time you log on.

The bigger (longer) the keys are in "bytes," the more secure the transaction can be. That's what all the discussion about "40-bit" vs. "128-bit" security keys is all about. Longer is better.

New Printer for Digital Cameras

Lexmark (an offshoot of IBM) has a new color inkjet printer that can edit, store, and print photos directly from most digital cameras. Previously, digital camera users had to either purchase specific cameras from the printer manufacturer, or hook up the camera to the computer via cables and/or "cradles" and use computer software to print to the attached printer. This new printer works by accepting the CompactFlash and SmartMedia memory flashcards used by most digital cameras and can print without being connected to a regular computer by using the exclusive built-in "Camera Computer"! But you can hook it up and use it as a regular inkjet printer as well. Imagine that, a printer that can edit and print photos all by itself. Estimated street price is $349. Check it out at: http://www.lexmark.com/printers/5770 or call 1-800-358-5835.

For More On-Line News


Back to PhotoSource
International Home Page
Who are we? Help
Contact Us Q&A