The group talked about how ports work. Internet packets if information are sent to specific IP addresses and specific ports on computers. Intruders can sometimes probe individual computers for open ports through which to inter and cause mischief. Don Greer told the group of a proxy server that he uses called VQ Server that he loaded since he got ADSL. He also talked about how the ADSL service has a filter that separates the high band signals for the computer from the low signals for regular telephone service.

The group talked about Windows 2000 that will be an upgrade for Windows NT that is most often used by networks. Don Singleton said that Windows 98 will be upgraded sometime in 2000, but its marketing name has not been decided. The group discussed how Windows 98 has better plug-and-play features but less security features than Windows NT or 2000.

Richard Hall opened the afternoon meeting by talking about MP3 files. He explained that MP3 was an audio file format that lends itself to compression better than files that come on Compact Disks. He talked about the history of the compression algorithm and how the files can be more easily transported and used in portable players. He talked about the programs that can be used to play MP3s and the utilities used to rip or extract and compress the files from regular CDs. He then proceeded to convert several files from a CD to MP3 and the group listened to the difference between the CD and MP3 formats. There was a lot of group interaction about the file format and its growth over the Internet. Richard showed the group several Internet sites the deal with MP3 files and programs.

Richard also led a short discussion about Java programs it their uses in the Internet. He explained there were programs, applets and scripts written in Java. He showed Hot Java, an Internet browser written in Java as well as calendar and screen scrolling applets and scripts written in Java. He was joined the discussion by several members who are wanting to start a Java Special Interest Group in TCS. They agreed that the Java meetings will be held on the first Monday of the month after the start of the new year.

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