Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Click here if you can't connect to the TFP

Halx · 07-01-2008, 06:24 AM

Here's a short story: (Skip to the end if you just want to get to the chase.)

I moved into my new apartment on Saturday. The same day, I had cable and internet installed. Naturally, I immediately plugged in my laptop and headed for the TFP. I was slightly curious when I could not connect to the site though. I tested other sites to see if I was actually connected and they worked. I tested a few porn sites to see if it could be content filtering, but I saw the boobs. I tested the rest of my favorites and I could connect to each one with lightning speed. It appeared that I could reach every site on the internet EXCEPT THE ONE I OWN!

I then tried to connect to the TFP on my iPhone. I was connected to the WiFi through my phone, so I figured it was a valid triangulation point. I connected just fine through the phone. Hmm. I thought it was just my laptop at that point. I suddenly couldn't wait to unpack my tower. (That sometimes has other connotations.)

Just last night, I finally got around to setting up my computer and immediately tried connecting to the TFP. No dice. My wife could not connect on her computer either. The plot thickens. Well, not really... it actually narrows because now I can deduce a few things and nail down the culprit.

I call up tech support for my ISP and I cut to the chase. After some consultation with their superior, the tech support agent points me in the direction of the router that was provided by them.

This is a Linksys cable modem/router/WiFi access point. It also has a built-in firewall. Now let me tell you something: unless you are running an e-commerce website, firewalls are USELESS. They give you the piece of mind of protecting you from evil nasty hackers, but the truth is that they just protect you from yourself. If you are a decently intelligent internet user then you'll never need a home firewall, let alone an anti-virus program. I've never had either and I'm still batting 1.000.

ANYWAYS, the firewall was enabled. I disabled it and VOILA! I could connect.

The moral of the story is: firewalls are useless and prevent you from accessing the best site on the internet.

In other news, I'm trying to figure out what it is exactly about the TFP that prevents firewalls from letting traffic through. As soon as I figure that out, I will fix it. For the time being... if you can't reach the TFP, I hope this message reaches you somehow.

07-01-2008, 06:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
Halx Please touch this. Owner/Admin Location: Manhattan	Click here if you can't connect to the TFP Here's a short story: (Skip to the end if you just want to get to the chase.) I moved into my new apartment on Saturday. The same day, I had cable and internet installed. Naturally, I immediately plugged in my laptop and headed for the TFP. I was slightly curious when I could not connect to the site though. I tested other sites to see if I was actually connected and they worked. I tested a few porn sites to see if it could be content filtering, but I saw the boobs. I tested the rest of my favorites and I could connect to each one with lightning speed. It appeared that I could reach every site on the internet EXCEPT THE ONE I OWN! I then tried to connect to the TFP on my iPhone. I was connected to the WiFi through my phone, so I figured it was a valid triangulation point. I connected just fine through the phone. Hmm. I thought it was just my laptop at that point. I suddenly couldn't wait to unpack my tower. (That sometimes has other connotations.) Just last night, I finally got around to setting up my computer and immediately tried connecting to the TFP. No dice. My wife could not connect on her computer either. The plot thickens. Well, not really... it actually narrows because now I can deduce a few things and nail down the culprit. I call up tech support for my ISP and I cut to the chase. After some consultation with their superior, the tech support agent points me in the direction of the router that was provided by them. This is a Linksys cable modem/router/WiFi access point. It also has a built-in firewall. Now let me tell you something: unless you are running an e-commerce website, firewalls are USELESS. They give you the piece of mind of protecting you from evil nasty hackers, but the truth is that they just protect you from yourself. If you are a decently intelligent internet user then you'll never need a home firewall, let alone an anti-virus program. I've never had either and I'm still batting 1.000. ANYWAYS, the firewall was enabled. I disabled it and VOILA! I could connect. The moral of the story is: firewalls are useless and prevent you from accessing the best site on the internet. In other news, I'm trying to figure out what it is exactly about the TFP that prevents firewalls from letting traffic through. As soon as I figure that out, I will fix it. For the time being... if you can't reach the TFP, I hope this message reaches you somehow. __________________ You have found this post informative. -The Administrator [Don't Feed The Animals]