Sarasota PC Monitor

Review Chairmans Industry Comments (08/04)

The Computer Buffet

by Herb Goldstein, Review Editor

E-mail comments, suggestions, etc. to Herb Goldstein at: revieweditor@spcug.org

BELARC ADVISOR. it's a good idea for everyone to have a record of exactly what is on their computers. I often refer listeners to the free Belarc Advisor. If you have not seen this program, it's great. Belarc will tell you exactly what is inside your computer. After you download and run it, you get a report that includes the computer's components (CPU, motherboard, RAM, adapters, cards, etc.), make and model, and all the software installed on the system, complete with license numbers. Get it at www.belarc.com/free_download.html

MEDICAL INFO. The National Library of Medicine is the world's largest biomedical library. It has many goals-one of which is to educate users about available sources of medical information. It does this by providing access to medical journals, books and audiovisual materials. Looking for information on multiple sclerosis for example? Type it in the search box and find information for both laymen and medical professionals. www.nlm.nih.gov/

GOVERNMENT SALES AND AUCTIONS. Here's a store that's got more stuff for sale than Wal-Mart. Surplus merchandise of every description is available for visiting http://firstgov.gov/shopping/shopping.shtml

WINDOWS XP USERS will find all they ever wanted to know and very much more so about XP at theeldergeek.com. This site has more easily digested info about XP than any other you will find anywhere. Pay it a visit and I guarantee you will be justly impressed.

THE MOTHER OF ALL DICTIONARIES is yours at onelook.com/ It combines 970 dictionaries with over 6 million words at your disposable to search for any definition imaginable. If it ain't here, it ain't anywhere. And, yes, ain't is in the dictionary!

A MUSICAL CURIOSITY you may well enjoy is yours for a trip to http://home.comcast.net/~tianyu/winnoise.swf/ It combines routine Windows sound files into a concert presentation. It's fun. Enjoy!

STAR GAZERS and other outer world curiosity seekers will love the astronomic observatory photos collected by NASA at http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html There are some real beauties here.

CATEGORIZING THE MOST INTERESTING WEBSITES can be a difficult task, but here's a site that does the job. You will find a great listing of the very best there is in each category. It's well worth your visit. www.myclicker.com/

ROCKXP allows you to retrieve your XP product key that you used when you installed Windows XP. You'll need this little program if you lose or misplace your activation number and want to reinstall XP. RockXP also lets you save the product activation to a file and recover usernames and passwords contained in the Windows Secure Storage. It's free. http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4138.html

COMPUTER DISEASES are rampant these days, Between viruses, hackers, spam and a host of other intruders it's risky to connect to the internet or receive e-mail these days. There's also considerable confusion between adware and spyware. CNET, one of the very finest sources of information on the net for computerists, helps clear it up with this:

  1. What is spyware? Spyware programs make money for their publishers by reporting your Internet travels and sending you advertisements. Some also report your name, e-mail address, and other personal information.
  2. How did I get it? Many ostensibly free programs come with spyware or adware. The program installer doesn't always describe every program being installed.
  3. Are adware and spyware different? Different people have different definitions for each. CNET calls any program designed to deliver ads or to get marketing information adware. Spyware is a subset of adware, focused on reporting personal information. 4. How do adware-removal tools work? Most adware-removal tools act like antivirus tools. They maintain a library of spyware filenames and registry keys, searching for and removing them from your computer.

5. How are pop-ups related to adware? Many adware and spyware programs deliver ads via browser pop-ups, even if you aren't online. Frequent browser pop-ups usually indicate adware has infected your computer.

ALMOST FREE is a whole variety of computer oriented merchandise you can get after rebate. You will find a passel of interesting such items at http://www.freeafterrebate.info/index.php?topic=almostfree

PC-CILLIN USERS are especially fortunate to own the most frequently updated of all antivirus products. The drawback is that each update is retained unnecessarily when a newer update is installed rather than being added as increments to the previous update. The latest update contains all the elements of the previous, plus whatever new has been added, so each update winds up larger than the one prior. Since the latest, unfortunately, does not replace the prior. You wind up with a collection of previous updates that take up many megabytes of space.

The answer to the problem is to go into Windows Explorer, C:\, Program files, Trend Micro, Internet Security. There you will find all the update files listed as LPT$VPN.### numbered consecutively. It is necessary to retain only the most recently numbered update (highest number, latest date). Delete the rest. Get into the habit of doing this with some frequency and you will conserve hard drive space cluttered with updates you no longer need.

FREE ANTIVIRUS. Avast Home Edition is free antivirus software for home, non-commercial use. It scans for viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. Avast scans on demand - with skinnable simple interface, during boot time, and on access. It protects e-mail, ICQ, mIRC, Kazaa. It maintains virus chest. True incremental updates (well under 100KB) based on iAVS technology update virus definition at least twice a week. Version 4.1.389 includes improved archive operation, support for Windows XP SP2 Security Center and it's available now in English, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Slovak, and Spanish languages.

Note: Users should register at the developer's site, avast.com, to obtain the free license key. http://www.download.com/Avast-Home-Edition/3000-2239-10019223.html

FREE ADWARE, SPYWARE SCANNER. Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner detects a multitude of spyware, adware, Trojan horses, keyloggers, and trackware components, sources of irritation that many antivirus products do not deal with. The scanning process only takes a fraction of a second and tells you how to uninstall the invasive spyware or puts you in contact with the spyware developer for the most up-to-date and safe uninstall instructions. Spyware and adware often is bundled with software such as Kazaa, Morpheus, Grokster, iMesh, Xolox, and Gnutella, and in many cases it's installed without your knowledge. Some send information about your surfing habits to ad companies, which target you with pop-up ads that fit your preferences. Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner search for Gator, GAIN, Bargain Buddy, CommonName, FlashTrack, IPInsight, nCase, NetRatings, NewDotNet, SaveNow, and WurldMedia. http://www.download.com/Bazooka-Adware-and-Spyware-Scanner/3000-8022-10247782.html

NEW, FREE BROWSER. Got a beef with your current browser? Here's a more than excellent replacement for whatever you may be using! I recently switched to it and am very impressed. Avant Browser is a fast, stable, user-friendly, versatile, multiwindow browser. It allows users to browse multiple Web sites simultaneously and to block all unwanted pop-up pages and Flash ads automatically. The integrated cleaner helps users clear all traces and maintain privacy. The built-in Yahoo/Google search engines enable users to search for Web pages, images, groups, directories, lyrics, software, and news on the Internet. Avant Browser provides options for blocking the download of Flash media, pictures, video, sounds, and ActiveX components, so users can efficiently use their bandwidth and speed up page loading. All opened pages can be easily stopped, refreshed, closed, or arranged with just one click.

Flash Animation Filter: More than 85% of all flash animation on web pages is advertising. These flash files are pretty large, and normally take up to 90% of the size of the page you're visiting. With Avant Browser you can save this bandwidth by blocking the download of these flash files with just one easy click. Avant Browser also provides options to block downloads of pictures, videos, sounds and ActiveX components. With these options users can control their bandwidth and speed up page loading. Here are some neat features of this new browser: Get it at www.avantbrowser.com

  1. Built-in Pop-up Stopper: Easily eliminate unwanted pop-up pages automatically with just one click.
  2. Additional Mouse Functions: If you click a link in the web page with the middle mouse button, the link will be opened in a new window in the background. And there are two handy mouse gestures in Avant Browser. The first allows you to navigate backward one step by holding the right button down and then clicking on the left button simultaneously. The second allows you to navigate forward one step by reversing the buttons used: hold left, and click right.
  3. Multi-Window Browsing: Browse multiple web pages simultaneously. All opened pages can be easily stopped, refreshed, closed or arranged with one click.
  4. Real Full Screen Mode and Alternative Full Desktop mode: When you enable Full Screen Mode, all you see is the webspace, with no toolbars or other clutter. They are simply autohidden! Move your mouse over the top or bottom and find the toolbar and tab bar respectively. Avant Browser also provides Full Desktop Mode, which is the same as Full screen mode, but differs in that your windows task bar stays visible.

5. Built-in Yahoo/Google Search Engine: Avant Browser provides a built-in search engines, Yahoo and Google.

Built-in search engines enable user to search for web pages, images, groups, directories, news, lyrics and software in Internet. International users will be glad to know that you can set Avant to utilize any of up to 64 Google mirrors by default!

6. Full IE Compatibility: Avant Browser comes with all Internet Explorer functions, including Cookies, ActiveX Controls, Java Script, Real player and Macromedia Flash. IE bookmarks are automatically imported into Avant Browser.

7. Records Cleaner: With Avant Browser, you can easily keep your privacy by deleting Typed Addresses, Auto-Complete Passwords, Cookies, History of Visited Web Sites, Temporary Internet Files and Search Keywords.

8. Safe Recovery: If Avant Browser is closed improperly, all open web pages are saved and will be automatically reopened at next startup.

9. Skins: Express your creativity by making a skin for Avant using a custom, easy to use program called Avant Browser Skin Factory, or use any of the many and varied skins made by other users.

FREE PERSONAL FINANCE MANAGER. An ingenious solution to easily gain 100% control of your personal finance. The logical and lively interface blends-in naturally with the way most of us foresee our day-to-day finance. Your budget figures are loaded onto a dynamic virtual calendar that rolls as time go by. Bills are handled by an automatic distribution of your income every time revenues are processed. When due-dates are around the corner, obligations roll-in on your calendar, guidance lights comes on, and the money is there. You will be aware of the funds available for your daily expenses at any given moments, which in turn prevents you from overspending, resulting in a much smoother and secure month-end. The impact on your everyday finance will be significant. Your bills and obligations will disappear from your mind. No more calculating, worrying, nerve-racking month-end, payment overlooking or overspending. Take pleasure in seeing the funds needed for your dream projects accumulate in front of your eyes.

Feel the satisfaction of being 100 % in control, and the peace of mind that comes with it. IngenMoney doesn't have the pretension of replacing your accountant or firing advanced arithmetic, but it sure will help you keep your daily finance right on track. Loaded with extra features; MP3 player, phone dial-up, loan calculator, etc. This is one financial tool you won't regret downloading, and it's free! www.ingenlab.com

SUPER ADDRESS BOOK. The Meta E-mail Search Agent (MESA) claims to be the largest e-mail address book in the world. So if are looking for a person's e-mail address, enter the last name and first name of the person you are searching. Results will be returned in 30 seconds or less! Now, the results may not be accurate, because folks change e-mail addresses often. But it's worth a shot. It will find home and business addresses and phone numbers as well. http://mesa.rrzn.uni-hannover.de/

A FREE JACK OF ALL TRADES.. All-in-One SECRET-MAKER combines 8 powerful tools in 1 freeware software package. Get it at www.secretmaker.com

  1. Spam Fighter Pro - outstanding multilevel anti spam filter solution for stopping junk emails
  2. Worm Hunter - protects you from spreading email viruses to your friends
  3. Pop-Up Killer - sophisticated and smart, blocks disturbing advertising windows
  4. Banner Blocker - avoids banners, speeds up browsing, reduces online access costs
  5. Cookie Eraser - prevents profiling through cookies, saved by Microsoft Explorer
  6. Privacy Protector - exchanges tracking information, state-of-the-art solution
  7. History Cleaners - prevents betrayal, deletes history

SWITCHING TO XP? Useful searches for Win98 users who may be new to XP: In the XP help system (Start/Help) search for "What's new" (without the quotes); and for "familiar tasks" (without the quotes). Both searches will turn up tons of information geared for newer users who may know how to do things one way (say, the Win98 way) and just need a little help making the mental adjustment to XP.

WINSUPERSITE.COM is where you want to go to get the latest news and hot info on Windows. You will find lots of good stuff on the upcoming service pak 2 and other related subjects. If you are serious about computers, this belongs on your favorites list. CREATING PERSONAL STATIONARY. The ever-helpful Kim Komando says, "You don't have to buy personal stationary or letterhead anymore. If you know the design you want, create it in Microsoft Word. Whenever I need to send a personal letter, I use the template that I set up in Word. It has my contact information at the top of the page with a thin line underneath it.

You start by creating the design you want with Word. Put in your address, phone number, e-mail address, Web address, whatever, at the top of the page. Remember, this is your stationary so let it reflect you. Afterwards, instead of saving the file as you normally would, you do something else. That is, you save it as a template.

In Microsoft Word, go to File>>Save As>> Choose Document Template from the Save as Type option. You'll notice that the file extension will be .dot instead of .doc indicating it is a template. Now, when you want to use your stationary, open the template and start typing!

Word provides a wide variety of fonts, ranging from straightforward to weird. Word fonts run from 8-point (or less) to 72-point (one inch). You may want to add art, too. Scan in your logo and use it. Or there is another option.

Microsoft maintains a huge collection of free clip art. For instance, if you want to add a flower, Microsoft has hundreds of designs. You'll find it at: http://office.microsoft.com/clipart/default.aspx Microsoft also offers free templates for letters, labels and forms. These are a huge timesaver. You'll find templates for brochures, reports, time sheets and more." They're located at: http://office.microsoft.com/templates/default.aspx

OUTLOOK EXPRESS CUMULATIVE SECURITY UPDATE was released by Microsoft and includes both present and past patches. If Outlook Express is on your computer you are strongly advised to download and install it. Get it at find.pcworld.com/42280

YOUR DISEASE RISK. Due to lifestyle and genetics, some of us are more prone to get cancer, heart disease and other illnesses. Your Disease Risk has self-evaluations to help determine your risk of the following diseases-cancer, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis and stroke. These tests can't take the place of a doctor but it may alert you to see one. In addition to the self-evaluations, there are risk factors and data sheets with more information. http://www.yourdiseaserisk.harvard.edu/

THE NEW WINDOWS UPDATE. It's coming soon- a new version of Windows Update that's now in beta, but that soon will replace the existing Windows Update for the general public. The new Update process (comprising the software that resides on your PC and a new Update site that coordinates with that software) has different defaults and behaves somewhat differently from the Update you're probably used to. Some changes- such as the look and feel of the site- are merely cosmetic, but other changes go deeper. For a preview, see: http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=22104207

A SUPER CARPET CLEANER. What has this got to do with computers? Absolutely nothing! But I would feel guilty for not passing it along with the rest what you hopefully find as good information!

After some 18 years of being trampled to death, the light colored Berber carpeting in my computer room looked like the wrath of God. Somebody had given me a tip about a carpet cleaner that had a new method of cleaning carpeting that left it dry in an hour, did a fantastic job, and was extremely reasonable to boot! Sounded like my kind of guy. With fingers crossed, I called 2nd Chance Carpet Cleaner (758-5497, 232-8839). Everything in the tip I got was the whole truth. When they got through, the carpeting looked like brand new and interrupted my keyboard efforts for just under an hour. Their maximum fee is $30 or less per room. I was so satisfied I just had to pass it along. So There!

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Copyright 2004. This article is from the August 2004 issue of the Sarasota PC Monitor, the official monthly publication of the Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc., P.O. Box 15889, Sarasota, FL 34277-1889. Permission to reprint is granted only to other non-profit computer user groups, provided proper credit is given to the author and our publication. We would appreciate receiving a copy of the publication the reprint appears in, please send to above address, Attn: Editor. For further information about our group, email: admin@spcug.org/ Web: http://www.spcug.org/

The Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc. has 1,100+ members and was established in 1982. We are members of the Assoc. of PC User Groups (APCUG), the Florida Assoc. of PC Users Groups, Inc., and we are members of the America Online Ambassador Program.

See http://www.spcug.org for all reviews from the Sarasota PC Monitor, go to the Newsletter Section.