The LangaList

2) DMA Explosion!

Wow! Last week's item on enabling DMA brought a flood of email. (See "A FREE Super Speed Up" at http://www.langa.com/newsletters/nov-26-99.htm#dma )

The email seems roughly split between people whose systems---like mine---did not have DMA turned on by default, and those whose systems did.

Of those who did not have it turned on, almost all who activate it are reporting very impressive results. But a few readers report their systems actually got slower with DMA enabled, and a handful of readers (mostly those who took  a shortcut and did not follow the directions in the above article) had crashes or other trouble.

I've done some more digging, and will make DMA settings the topic of an upcoming full column on the WinMag site. Meanwhile, many, many readers are enjoying 15-40% speed increases as a result of following the instructions in the article above. If you haven't yet tried it, check it out!

Click to email this item to a friend
http://www.langa.com/sendit2.htm

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3) Meanwhile, Back At the Ranch....

My current WinMag column--- Five New Access-Sharing Solutions --- is still available, and getting some great reader feedback on VSOCKS, Auscom, Protec and other internet-sharing software and devices that I didn't include in my original article: That article discusses four new Internet sharers; and one product that prevents *too much* sharing.

Check it out at http://content.techweb.com/winmag//columns/explorer/1999/1122.htm

Click to email this item to a friend
http://www.langa.com/sendit2.htm

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4) New IE 5.01

Readers are reporting mixed results running the new version of Internet Explorer--- IE 5.01--- available via Microsoft Windows Update and at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.htm

IE 5.01 seems to be mostly minor enhancements and bug fixes. Microsoft says:

"Enhancements to search, favorites and history make finding and organizing information on the Web simple, and built-in intelligence automates the most common Web tasks to save you time. New, 56-bit encryption increases the safety of online data transactions."

I'll have more on IE 5.01 in a future issue, but for now, read these two support pages BEFORE you download and install the new browser.

Here's what to do just in case something goes wrong:

How to Uninstall Internet Explorer 5.0: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q246/1/94.asp

And here's how to resolve one of the most common complaints to date:

Program Settings Lost After Internet Explorer Setup or Uninstall: 
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q165/6/46.ASP

Click to email this item to a friend
http://www.langa.com/sendit2.htm

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5) Per Your Suggestions, I've Improved A LangaList Service

Several of you suggested a change in the operation of the "Click to email this item to a friend" link that follows each item in this newsletter. I'm pleased to report I've implemented your suggestions. <g>

Now, unlike the first implementation of that form, you can highlight the *specific item* in the newsletter that you want to bring to your friend's attention, so you can help your friend zero in right on the information that you think will be of most use to them.

As before, the form is intended to be a super-easy way to pass along any information from any LangaList that you think would be useful or interesting to one or more of your friends. And as before, it's SPAM-PROOF. Your friend will NOT be subscribed to the LangaList (unless he or she specifically chooses to sign up); and neither of your names/addresses will be used for any other purpose whatsoever. You have my word on that!

My thanks to those who suggested this change. It *is* better. Try it and see! 

Click to email this item to a friend
http://www.langa.com/sendit2.htm

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6) Last Chance To Vote In The Special Readers Poll:
"What Would You Do If You Were Bill Gates?"

There are some surprising results in the readers poll that's running on the InformationWeek site; where I asked the nonmusical question "What would you do if YOU were Bill Gates?" I offered six alternatives that I thought might resolve the current legal hassles and actually do some good for society as a whole, for the computer industry, and for Microsoft itself.

Many readers liked three of my suggestions; but one suggestion is garnering almost no support at all!

Thousands of readers have voted, and many also have posted their suggestions in the discussion area there. It makes for some fascinating reading! 

Check it out at http://www.informationweek.com/langaletter

Click to email this item to a friend
http://www.langa.com/sendit2.htm

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7) Only 24 More Hours To Enter 
November's FREE Book Drawing

On Tuesday, Nov 30, I'll choose another monthly winner of a copy of "Poor Richard's E-Mail Publishing: Creating Newsletters, Bulletins, Discussion Groups and Other Powerful Communications Tools." This book has been described as "An excellent, straightforward manual on email publishing, banner ads, driving traffic and especially ethics."  

To enter,  just use the following link to recommend the LangaList to a friend. Your friend just may find a new source of useful information; I just may gain a new subscriber; and you just may win a book! (Full details also available via this link):

http://www.langa.com/recommend.htm#2 

Or, if you'd like to try to win a Palm III organizer, try this link (full details also available here):

http://www.langa.com/recommend.htm#1

Either way, thank you, and good luck!

Click to email this item to a friend
http://www.langa.com/sendit2.htm

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8) From Belgium, More On File Extensions

In http://www.langa.com/newsletters/nov-18-99.htm#format and http://www.langa.com/newsletters/nov-22-99.htm#extension I told you of two sites that will help you track down almost any "mystery file" you might ever need to identify. Now, from a reader in Belgium, here's another site:

Fred,

An item in the two last issues of the LangaList was about file extensions I send you the address of a site I use sometimes for looking up file extensions: http://matrix.crosswinds.net/san-marino/~jom/filex/  

Best regards, Marc Schroven (Belgium)

Thanks, Marc. With these three sites on your Favorites/Bookmark list, you'll never be baffled by a mystery file again!

Click to email this item to a friend
http://www.langa.com/sendit2.htm

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9) Just For Grins

Normally, I never put anything in this newsletter that can't be conveyed in plain text: This ensures that no matter what email reader you use, you'll be able to read the content.

Just this once, you'll need to click over to the indicated link; next issue, I'll return to the normal universal-text format, and I promise not to offer purely-visual humor items too often. But I think you'll find these definitely worth a grin!

Check out the "joke wallpapers" here:  http://www.jokewallpaper.com!

Click to email this item to a friend
http://www.langa.com/sendit2.htm

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-------------( Please Visit This LangaList Sponsor!) ------------

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See you next issue!

Best,

Fred

(fred@langa.com)

(Please recommend the LangaList to a friend! (And maybe win a Palm III)

An easier-to read formatted HTML version is available in the "what's new" section of http://www.langa.com.  (The HTML version of each issue normally is available by 9AM EST [GMT-5] of the issue date.) All past LangaList issues are also available via the same link.

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Disclaimer: The tips and other information given in the newsletter are researched and are believed to be accurate, but we cannot and do not guarantee that all the information here will work on all systems, for all users, all the time. All information herein is offered as-is and without warranty of any kind. Neither Langa Consulting LLC, nor its employees nor contributors are responsible for any loss, injury, or damage, direct or consequential, resulting from application of any information presented here.

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