Masker 1.6 build: 9172 released: 2008-03-11 Hides email addresses from spam harvesters. Copyright (c) 2008 Canadian Mind Products. signed Java Applet (that can also be run as an application). Download from http://mindprod.com/products1.html#MASKER ===> Free <=== Full source included. You may even include the source code, modified or unmodified in commercial programs that you write and distribute. May be used freely for any purpose but military. For more details on this restriction, see http://mindprod.com/roedy.html#NONMILITARY If you include any Canadian Mind Products code in your own applications, your app too must be labeled non-military use only. All Java jars and source code are included. ---- Prerequisites: This program runs under any OS, (e.g. Win2K/XP/Vista/OSX/Linux/Solaris/Vista64/AIX...) so long as you have <><> Java version 1.4 <><> or later installed. See http://mindprod.com/jgloss/installingjava.html for details. ---- Installing on a PC: Download source and compiled class files to run on your own machine as an application or Applet. First install a recent Java JDK or JVM. See http://mindprod.com/jgloss/installingjava.html. To install, extract the zip download with Winzip (or similar unzip utility) into any directory you please, often J:\ -- ticking off the "user folder names" option. To run as an application,type: java -jar J:\com\mindprod\masker\masker.jar parms adjusting as necessary to account for where the jar file is. ---- Installing on a MacIntosh: Use Safari to download source and compiled class files to run on your own machine as an application or Applet. Safari will automatically unpack the zip into ~/Downloads (version 10.5) [or on the Desktop (version 10.4 and earlier)]. First install a recent Java JDK or JVM. See http://mindprod.com/jgloss/installingjava.html. You may optionally move the download tree to a permanent home. To run as an application, without parameters, just double click the jar file. To run as an application with parameters, in bash shell type: open Terminal.app cd ~/Desktop java -jar com/mindprod/masker/masker.jar parms adjusting as necessary to account for where the jar file is. I don't have a MacIntosh, just a PC, so I can't test the programs for Mac compatibility. In theory they should work without problems, but in practice that does not always happen. If you have problems please, let me know, preferably with screenshots and complete verbatim error messages. ---- Rebuilding: The zip already contains the necessary class and jar files, so unless you modify the program, there is no need to recompile the source or rebuild the jar. Configure basedir="E:/" in rebuild.xml to the drive where your files are. Configure your certificate name with environment SET cert=mindprodcert2008dsa Configure your certificate password with environment SET jarsignerpassword=sesame Use ANT and rebuild.xml, not build.xml, to recompile and recreate the jar. ---- Use: Produces PNG files (image files similar to GIFs, but smaller) that contain your email address. When you post them on your website, it is harder for spammer to harvest them. You can include the generated image files in the HTML on your website with: code like this: email me or my email address You can also mention your email address in public postings like this: For my email address see http://mindprod.com/images/mailto/roedy.png It can be read by humans, but it would be more difficult for automation to harvest the name for spam lists. You can also run it standalone as an application with java -jar masker.jar It also tells you what it should be sending. To install, Extract the zip download with Winzip, available from http://www.winzip.com (or similar unzip utility) into any directory you please, often C:\ -- ticking off the "user folder names" option. To run as an application, type: java -jar C:\com\mindprod\masker\masker.jar adjusting as necessary to account for where the jar file is. The Applet must be signed to allow it to save the png image on your local hard disk. See http://mindprod.com/jgloss/mung.html for other techniques to foil spam email harvesters. Why the hockey mask logo? It symbolises both hiding and protecting. Version History 1.1 fixes the About box. 1.2 documents a better way to align gifs with text. use align="top", yes top. 1.3 reformat with IntelliJ, add Javadoc. 1.4 2007-05-17 now uses a a different set of preferred fonts, it names the generated files without the leading mailto, it fixes a problem with the background not always repainting and other cosmetic touches. It also now has a pad and icon. 1.5 2008-01-22 JDK 1.3 to 1.4 since that is needed for Preferences. 1.6 2008-03-11 add build number to title.