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Ask DLS: how to change your Download Squad password, the best Android web browser, and tailoring our RSS feeds
We're back with more of your questions, and more of our excellent answers.This week, with the high-profile Gawker Media hack, we've been innundated with commenters asking how to change their Download Squad password. Now, it's not the easiest thing in the world, and yes, we know our commenting system isn't the best in the world (and we know there are still a few 'Easter eggs' from the Switched merger; they'll be ironed out soon, I promise) -- so if you're struggling to change your password, follow these simple steps:
- Make sure you're logged in -- the only way to do this (at the moment) is to leave a comment on a post (any post will do!)
- Find one of your comments -- the comment you just made will work just fine
- Click your name -- it's a link to your profile page (it will look something like this). Marvel at your huge post counts!
- Type your old password, and confirm a new password -- hit Change Password and you're done!
Q: I don't really want to download and try four different browsers. Which is the absolute best: Skyfire, Dolphin Mini, Dolphin HD or Opera?- Chris
A: I'm afraid this is a simple question that doesn't have a simple answer. To rank a browser as the "absolute best", you'd have to take into account both UI and performance, which are two distinctly different categories, with UI being quite subjective and performance being very tricky to benchmark due to varying network conditions.
Having said that, Opera and Dolphin Mini are our favorites.
Is there any chance you might consider splitting the site into two sections: one for PC, and one for mobile? I very much enjoy reading reading the articles and look forward to reading them every day.
- Rob
A: Thanks for the input. We're aware of the growing amount of smartphone coverage -- and as you say, it makes sense. The market is growing so quickly that it's impossible for us to ignore.
We like to think that we still cover just as much desktop PC stuff, though!
The best solution I can think of is to play with our RSS feeds. Perhaps subscribe to our Windows feed, or OS X feed. All of the mobile stuff should be properly tagged as such, so you should be able to avoid it if necessary.
Lee actually wrote a complete guide on using our RSS feeds, which is well worth checking out, too.
Comments
22
Subscribe to commentsDazDec 20th 2010 3:15PM
Looking forward to many many more Ask DLS posts popping up on my feed!
Bryan PriceDec 20th 2010 2:40PM
You gave me my password to begin with. I really didn't know I COULD change it.
I think I'll keep it. At least for now.
SilverWaveDec 20th 2010 2:47PM
@Bryan Price
Yeah I have changed mine to something long and random... but does it matter if the put a Gawker and only save the 1st 8 characters?
I have asked but I'm still waiting for an answer :-|
Perhaps we can draw our own conclusions?
Sebastian AnthonyDec 21st 2010 7:49AM
@Bryan Price Yeah, indeed, if you've kept the random password you'll be fine -- as long as you haven't re-used it elsewhere :)
SilverWaveDec 20th 2010 2:43PM
What's your level of trust in those browsers:
e.g. How would you order them... Top being most trust worthy.
Skyfire, Dolphin Mini, Dolphin HD or Opera?
I know we give a lot of permissions to various apps in Android, but a browser does touch so may valuable things, passwords etc.
Any insights?
I suppose it depend on a lot of factors including which companies stand behind them etc..
hmm.
MxxConDec 20th 2010 2:53PM
@SilverWave i'd trust any local browser more than proxied one.
opera mini and dolphin mini are proxied. skyfire(on android) and dolphinhd are supposedly local...
Bryan PriceDec 20th 2010 3:50PM
@(Unverified) This isn't Gawker. It's a different email from my Gawker email, and while the password IS 8 characters, I suspect that it's different enough.
I also consider the Gawker thing a feature, or at least it should have been. My password was 9 characters. Chopping it at 8 meant that the rest of my passwords should have been secure. :)
Sebastian AnthonyDec 21st 2010 7:48AM
@SilverWave No need to be emo, dude. I told you that it's not information that's ever likely to be publicized -- and for obvious reasons!
MxxConDec 20th 2010 2:51PM
would be cool if you guys could make it so that in rss feed if i put "-tag" in the url, it'll exclude articles with that tag..
DazDec 20th 2010 3:28PM
@MxxCon You could make a manual sort to automatically mark those particular tags as read, or such, if you use a specific feedreading client (should be possible on FeedDemon)
SilverWaveDec 20th 2010 4:04PM
@MxxCon
>proxied
Oh! good point - you wonder what exactly is the business plan here!
SilverWaveDec 20th 2010 4:07PM
@Bryan Price
>I also consider the Gawker thing a feature
Incompetence as a feature!
heh
JoshDec 20th 2010 5:32PM
test
Karl HorkyDec 21st 2010 1:11AM
Comment
Antonio Carlos PortoDec 21st 2010 1:12AM
I need to post something...
SilverWaveDec 21st 2010 8:39AM
@Sebastian Anthony
Ohhh get you!
Hit a nerve eh? ;-)
I think a brief statement saying you don't use DES and you do salt passwords would not be jeopardising your security.
It would also help reassure everyone.
Saying nothing... well that looks bad.
Sebastian AnthonyDec 21st 2010 8:44AM
@SilverWave No, no nerves hit -- I just think it's a stupid request.
_Millions_ of websites haven't said what method they use to encrypt/store passwords. Do they all look bad?
I think I already explained that there's a big gap between the writers and the backend. AOL writers have little or no access to anything more than the tools to write a new blog post.
If you want clarification, your best bet would be to email the corporate AOL headquarters -- but even then, I don't think you will have much luck.
SilverWaveDec 21st 2010 8:51AM
@Sebastian Anthony
>I just think it's a stupid request.
You will be referring to commenter's as peasants next.
So your answer is you don't know and cant find out?
OK... Lovely, very reassuring. Not.
This is a tech blog? Asking tech questions is a bad thing?
powerhouselb2Dec 21st 2010 6:44PM
Concerning the browser, I really like Maxthon. It was featured (I think) here just a few days ago. The home page is in an Asian language (Japanese?) and isn't customizable. It updated a day after installing it. the Home page is now in English, but still not customizable. I really like the browser. It's the best I've tried so far.
Sebastian AnthonyDec 21st 2010 7:32PM
@powerhouselb2 Yeah! Lee was pretty impressed by Maxthon.
We're hoping more effort is made to prepare it for English-speaking audiences, because it could be a serious competitor :)