# File lib/stella/utils.rb, line 220
    def valid_hostname?(uri)
      begin 
        if String === uri
          uri = "http://#{uri}" unless uri.match(/^https?:\/\//)
          uri = URI.parse(uri)
        end
        hostname = Socket.gethostbyname(uri.host).first
        true
      rescue SocketError => ex
        Stella.ld "#{uri.host}: #{ex.message}"
        false
      end
    end