ZappoScreech

You know, it seems like a lot of people really depend on their e-mail for staying in touch with their friends, relatives, and business associates. As for me, I'm a dishwasher by trade and my circle of friends has a pretty small radius, so except for a steady trickle of messages from my favorite niece in Seattle and the occasional secret-handshake update from the Master Temple of the Dishwasher's Guild, I don't get a lot of e-mails -- I send even less. Even so, I've been noticing that it's getting more and more difficult to send and receive e-mail attachments. Just the other day, I tried to send attachment to my son, who is stationed in northern Japan. Unfortunately, my ISP's e-mail scanning software had other ideas. It must have realized that a dastardly Dad was trying to send an evil zip file to his innocent and unsuspecting warrior son on the other side of the planet, and so immediately stepped in and brought my vile attempt to a screeching halt; politely informing me that for my own protection it would not allow an attached zip file to be sent because it could potentially contain a harmful virus. Of course it didn't actually check the zip file for a virus -- it just flat refused to send it. I thought perhaps I could just rename the file with a less threatening extension (.gif, .xls, .doc, etc.) but their scanning software figured out that it was still the same nefarious extension attached. I had to admit defeat -- and I don't like doing that. Plus, I was really annoyed. I wanted to take back my freedom to send and receive.

So, I did a little digging information on the types of files that were being blocked by mail servers on the web and at universities and institutions across the country. It turns out that the list of potentially harmful (and extensive, as you can see in the following table:

Blocked File Types
File extension	File type
.386	A file for use in an 80386 or higher microprocessor
.3GR	VGA Graphics driver/configuration files (Microsoft Windows)
.acm	Windows System File
.ade	Access Project Extension (Microsoft)
.adp	Access Project (Microsoft)
.adt	Advantage Data Server Database File
.app	Executable Application
.arc	Archive
.arj	Compressed Archive
.app	Executable Application
.asd	ASD Archiver Compressed Archive
.asp	Active Server Page
.asx	Windows Media Audio / Video
.bas	BASIC Source Code
.bat	Batch Processing
.bin	Binary File
.cab	Cabinet File
.cbt	Computer Based Training
.cer	Internet Security Certificate File
.cdr	Sound File
.chm	Compiled HTML Help
.cla	Java Class File
.cmd	DOS CP/M Command File, Command File for Windows NT
.cnv	Canvas Versions 6, 7, 8, 9 Graphic File (ACD Systems Ltd.)
.com	MS-DOS Command File
.cpl	Windows Control Panel Extension (Microsoft)
.cpt	Corel Photo-Paint Image (Corel)
.crt	Certificate File
.csc	Corel Script (Corel)
.csh	csh Script
.dev	Device Driver
.dif	Data Interchange Format
.dll	Dynamic Link Library
.dot	Word Document Template (Microsoft)
.drv	Device Driver
.emf	Extended (Enhanced) Windows Metafile Format
.eml	Outlook Express Message
.exe	Executable File
.fxp	FoxPro Compiled Source (Microsoft)
.gms	Corel Global Macro File
.hlp	Windows Help File
.hta	Hypertext Application
.ice	Archive
.inf	Information or Setup File
.ini	Initialization/Configuration File
.ins	IIS Internet Communications Settings (Microsoft)
.isp	IIS Internet Service Provider Settings (Microsoft)
.its	Internet Document Set, Internation Translation
.job	Windows Task Scheduler Task Object (Microsoft)
.js	JavaScript Source Code
.jse	JScript Encoded Script File
.jsp	Java Server page
.ksh	UNIX Shell Script
.lib	Program Library Common Object File Format (COFF) (Microsoft)
.lnk	Windows Shortcut File
.lzh	Compressed Archive File
.mad	Access Module Shortcut (Microsoft)
.maf	Access (Microsoft)
.mag	Access Diagram Shortcut (Microsoft)
.mam	Access Macro Shortcut (Microsoft)
.maq	Access Query Shortcut (Microsoft)
.mar	Access Report Shortcut (Microsoft)
.mas	Access Stored Procedures (Microsoft)
.mat	Access Table Shortcut (Microsoft)
.mau	Media Attachment Unit
.mav	Access View Shortcut (Microsoft)
.maw	Access Data Access Page (Microsoft)
.mda	Access Add-in (Microsoft), MDA Access 2 Workgroup
.mdb	Access Application (Microsoft), MDB Access Database
.mde	Access MDE Database File (Microsoft)
.mdt	Access Add-in Data (Microsoft)
.mdw	Access Workgroup Information (Microsoft)
.mdz	Access Wizard Template (Microsoft)
.mod	File Implementing DOS Support for Windows DLL's
.mov	QuickTime Video Clip (Apple Computer, Inc.)
.mpd	Windows Mini-port Driver
.mpt	Multipage TIFF Bitmap
.mrc	MIRC Script File
.msc	Microsoft Management Console Snap-in Control File
.msi	Windows Installer File (Microsoft)
.mso	Math Script Object File
.msp	Windows Installer Patch
.mst	Windows SDK Setup Transform Script
.obd	Office Binder Document (Microsoft)
.obj	Relocatable Object Code
.obt	Office Binder Template (Microsoft)
.ocx	OLE Control Extension
.olb	Automation Object Library (Microsoft Corporation)
.ole	Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) Object
.ops	Office Profile Settings File
.otm	Outlook VBA Module (Microsoft)
.ovl	Program File - Overlay
.pcd	Visual Test (Microsoft)
.pci	Windows PCI Miniport file (Microsoft)
.pdb	Visual C++/.NET Program Database File
.pdr	Port Driver (Microsoft)
.pif	Windows Program Information File (Microsoft)
.pot	PowerPoint Template (Microsoft)
.prc	Palmpilot Resource File (Palm, Inc.)
.prf	Windows System File
.prg	Program File
.pst	MS Exchange Address Book File, Outlook Personal Folder File
.qlb	C and QuickBasic-DOS and Visual Basic Quick Library
.rar	File Archive
.reg	Registration Information/Key for W95/98, Registry Data File
.scf	Windows Explorer Command
.scr	Windows Screen Saver
.sct	Windows Script Component, Foxpro Screen (Microsoft)
.shb	Windows Shortcut into a Document
.shs	Shell Scrap Object File
.sis	Student Information System Data File (Enray Consulting, Inc.)
.smm	Ami Pro Macro (IBM)
.sys	system (device driver) file
.tdo	Compressed File
.tlb	Visual C++ Type Library (Microsoft)
.tmp	Temporary File/Folder
.tsp	Windows Telephony Service Provider (Microsoft)
.url	Internet Location
.vb	VBScript File or Any VisualBasic Source
.vbe	VBScript Encoded Script File
.vbs	VBScript Script File, Visual Basic for Applications Script
.vbx	Visual Basic Extension (Microsoft)
.vsmacros	Visual Studio .NET Binary-based Macro Project (Microsoft)
.vss	Visio Stencil (Microsoft)
.vst	Visio Template (Microsoft)
.vsw	Visio Workspace File (Microsoft)
.vwp	Voxware MetaVoice Plug-in (Voxware, Inc.)
.vxd	virtual device driver
.wav	Waveform Audio
.wbk	Word Backup (Microsoft)
.wiz	Word Wizard File (Microsoft)
.wmd	Windows Media Download File (Microsoft Corporation)
.wmf	Windows Metafile (Microsoft Corporation)
.wms	Windows Media Skin File (Microsoft Corporation)
.wmv	Windows Media File (Microsoft Corporation)
.wmz	Windows Media Compressed Skin File (Microsoft Corporation)
.wpc	Word and Write File Converter (Microsoft)
.ws	Windows Script File
.wsc	Windows Script Component
.wsf	Windows Script File
.wsh	Windows Script Host Settings File
.xlb	Excel Worksheet (Microsoft)
.xml	Extensible Markup Language File
.xsl	XML file that can contain compressed script zip file
.xtp	XTree Data File
.zip	Archived files generated by PKZip, PowerZip and others

!! J.H.C. !!

By my count there are 146 file types listed up there! How ridiculous is that? I don't know about you, but I prefer to do my own e-mail filtering, and the system I use basically works like this -- I don't know you: I don't open the attachment. I do know you: I save the attachment, scan it with Norton's AV and then open it. It's a fool-proof, quick and 100% effective system, and it suits my philosophy of taking responsibility for my own actions and living my life as a free man -- that means making my own choices. Further, it completely negates the need for some controlling agency (presuming to know what's best for me) making restrictive decisions on my behalf, regarding the e-mail attachments I may send or receive. If I ever wanted to send somebody an .obt, .vbe, .fxp or .qlb file, I want to be able to do it, and I want them to be able to receive it sans anyone else's say-so in the matter. Of course, I'm not very likely to send anyone about 98% of what's listed above, but they all seem to me to be a form of speech (or expression if you prefer that term) and should not be abridged. Does anyone remember the First Amendment to our Constitution? You know, that parchment thingy.

I think it's time to zap the system a little bit.

So here's my solution. I call it ZappoScreech, after a kid I knew (it was his nickname) that was never unduly affected by the opinions of others, made his own choices and lived free -- hope he still is. It's function is simple. Take any type of file that you want to attach to an e-mail and convert it to a legitimate bitmap (bmp) file. Yes, you can even open it with a graphics application and, while mumbling string theory mantras, zoom in and mesmerize yourself with the awesome spectacle of the organized chaos within. Once the conversion to a bmp is made, you may send it as an e-mail attachment. The mail server scanners will see it as a legitimate bmp file (because it is) and let it pass. The recipients of your email will use their copy of ZappoScreech to recover the original file from within the attached bmp file. It's simple, quick and flawless. You can now send and receive any kind of file to anyone you want -- without restrictions. Bear in mind, however, that your ISP may limit the size of your attachments to less than 50MB. My experience has shown that many ISP's will limit attachments to 10MB. Still, that's a pretty good size file, and being able to send it directly to your recipient as an attachment is much easier than having to FTP it up to a web server for later download by your intended recipient.

A technical FYI regarding the ZappoScreech created bmp file:
        The bmp will be about two kilobytes (2000 bytes) larger than the original file it was created from.
        The contents of the bmp are randomly encrypted so the original file is not revealed when scanned.
        No password protection is required or allowed.

HOW TO USE ZappoScreech

Quick Start Instructions.
      1.) Start the ZappoScreech program.
      2.) The red button will allow you to locate and convert any desired file to a bmp -- even another bitmap. The created bmp
           will be located in the same directory as the original file, and is ready to be sent as an attachment to your e-mail.
      3.) When receiving an e-mail with an attached ZappoScreech bmp, save the attachment to any desired directory. Start
            ZappoScreech and select the green button to locate the bmp and recover the original file. The recovered file will
            be saved in the same directory. ZappoScreech will not, and can not, run or open the recovered file. It can only recover
            the file and save it directly to your hard drive. What you do with the recovered file after that is entirely your choice -- nice
            to have that back, isn't it?

ZappoScreech File Naming Conventions:
      1.) When ZappoScreech converts your original file to a bitmap, it uses the name of your original file but appends the '.bmp'
            extension. For example: if the name of the file you wish to convert is RobertService.doc, ZappoScreech will convert it
            to a bitmap file with the name RobertService.bmp. Once you send RobertService.bmp as an attachment, the recipient
            will use his copy of ZappoScreech to recover the file within RobertService.bmp back to its original form and name --
            that being RobertService.doc.
      2.) If ZappoScreech converts your file to the name of a bitmap file that already exists in that directory, an alternate naming
            scheme will be utilized. (This holds true for recovered files as well.) For example: If the file you wish to convert to a
            bitmap is MyMadonna.doc and there is already a file called MyMadonna.bmp in the same directory, ZappoScreech
            will still convert MyMadonna.doc to a bitmap, but will not name it MyMadonna.bmp; since that would overwrite the
            existing MyMadonna.bmp. Instead, ZappoScreech will save the new file with the name MyMadonna_zap1.bmp. If
            that file name already exists in the directory, it will use the name Mymadonna_zap2.bmp, and so on.
      3.) The file type extension (.doc, .txt, .xls, etc.) of the file to be converted and recovered can be up to 8 characters long.

DOWNLOAD ZappoScreech FOR WINDOWS 2000/XP

ZappoScreech was developed using Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 SP6.
(If I can do it, anyone can.)

                                 Step 1: Download zappoXP.zip to any location on your hard drive -- download zappoXP.zip.
                                 Step 2: Unzip zappoXP.zip and double-click setup.exe to install ZappoScreech.

DOWNLOAD ZappoScreech FOR WINDOWS 98SE

                                 Step 1: Download zappo98SE.zip to any location on your hard drive -- download zappo98SE.zip.
                                 Step 2: Unzip zappo98SE.zip and double-click setup.exe to install ZappoScreech.

This page has been accessed

times.