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The LangaList
4-Oct-99
A Free Email Newsletter from Fred Langa About BrowserTune,
HotSpots, Columns, Tips & Tricks, and Other Activities
In This
Issue:
Wow! Another Hot Button!
Why Manual Deletion Doesn't Work
OK, But What About The Cookies, History and Internet
Cache Directories?
Automated Tools (FREE!)
Full Circle
Don't Make Me Beg!
What To Do With An Old PC
W(h)ither The Amiga?
Last Days Of Snoopware Discussion
Just For Grins
More!
Wow! Another Hot Button!
I've said it before and I'll say it again: You folks are great! Every few months, I include what I think is a small item in a LangaList--- but instead of staying small it takes on a life of its own and generates hundreds and hundreds of reader emails chock-full of great questions, suggestions and tips.
In the last two issues ( http://www.langa.com/newsletters/sept-27-99.htm#temp and http://www.langa.com/newsletters/sept-30-99.htm ) I've covered four approaches to paring down the TEMP directory in Windows systems. I really thought this was a toss-off item, but clearly, there's a lot more to it than I figured.
Throughout this issue, I'll tell you about some slick FREE programs you can download and use to help keep your PC tidy; I'll try to clear up some confusion about the hows and whys of even bothering with this in the first place; and lots more.
Let's dive in!
--------------( Please Visit This LangaList Sponsor!) ------------
--------------(
the above is a paid advertisement )-------------- A number of readers wrote in to
say they simply open Windows Explorer, click over to the windows/temp directory,
and delete all the files there. The problem with this approach is that you may
end up deleting a file that's in active, current use by a Windows application---
and that's not good. That's one reason why I don't recommend this approach. Some readers realized the danger
of deleting live, in-use Temp files: They'd close all their other
applications before navigating to the Temp directory, and then look for and
delete only files that had creation/modification dates more than 24 hours old.
In other words, any file with today's date on them, they leave alone. Sounds fine---except that the
Temp directory may also contain hidden files and subdirectories. A standard
Windows installation will not show you these files and directories, so you can't
delete them. And curiously, there are some files and directories that no
installation of Windows will properly show you, even if you explicitly tell
Explorer to "show all file types." What you can't see, you can't
delete. But you *can* see and access all
files from DOS, which is why I recommended the approach I did. What's more,
using the DOS command DELTREE wipes out the entire directory, so any files and
subdirectories are also wiped out, no matter what attributes the
files/directories have. The Temp directory is only one of
the places than can accumulate, um, digital litter. Netscape and Internet
Explorer create temporary storage areas ("caches") that retain pieces
of sites you've visited in the past, and also separately keep track of the URLs
of sites you've visited. If you have a slow connection,
you may wish to leave these areas alone as they can speed access to sites on
repeat visits. But if you want to keep your disk as clean as possible, you can
reduce the size of these storage areas. You don't need a brute-force DELTREE
approach---you can do it right from inside the browser: In Netscape 4.61, click
Edit/Preferences, and reduce the "History" setting to just a day or
two (the default is nine days). Then click on Advanced/Cache and reduce the size
of the disk cache to a level you're comfortable with. In IE5, click Tools/Internet
Options and adjust the settings for the Temporary Internet Files and History to
lower levels. (Other versions and other brands
of browsers have similar settings; check your Help files for the way to adjust
the settings.) If you wish, you also can delete
your entire Cookies file(s), but I don't recommend it. First, although many
people think they're increasing their online privacy and security by deleting
Cookies, they're wrong: Cookies aren't a security risk in the first place; they
don't and can't let people spy on you. (And if you don't believe me, see http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletins/i-034.shtml
) Plus, cookies actually can be
helpful: They can help you bypass introductory matter on sites you've visited
before, help store passwords, and perform other genuinely useful tasks. So, I do
NOT recommend you delete the Cookies directories on your systems. -------------(
Please Visit This LangaList Sponsor!) ------------
--------------(
the above is a paid advertisement )-------------- Reader Gerald C. Zimmerman
writes: Dear Fred: I have found an
excellent deleter of temp files. I did a little research and found this was
written by a young man who is well versed in DOS programming and batch files. He
provides an autoloading utility to load his program or batch file, and it runs
in Win95 or Win98, I have it on 3 computers. Not only does it start out with
several deletions pre loaded, but it offers a simple menu to edit, add or delete
any number of items that are deleted or erased every time you boot Windows. The
items can be C:\Temp or C:\windows\temp or tmp, or D:\win386.swp, you get the
point, any item that contains a legal DOS name. The important thing about this
is that it is perfect for the user who is totally uncomfortable with writing
batch files. This little utility is totally managed by a "Menu" that
is very simply modified. Take a look, and I think you would suggest it to your
readers, or contact the writer at his home page, he answers all questions, and
gives free support. This writer's page is case sensitive at http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/kmcs
. T.E. Brewer suggests: Maybe this was already
mentioned, reference the temp file cleaning strategies... but I thought I'd send
it along since I've found it a great tool. There is a Freeware program called
"TempCleaner" currently in Version 3.02 that takes care of all the
temp file problems. it can be found at: http://alvilim.virtualave.net/
Keep up the good work! Edward Dugan says: You might want to check
out the utility from ZiffDavis called HDValet featured in this month's PC
magazine at http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html?fcode=0012EI&b=pcm And Brad Griffen suggests: A FREEWARE application
is available for nervous Temp file cleaners to be. Regional networks (www.regnets.com)
have an app called 'PC Temp GUI v1.6' which I've been using successfully for a
while now. It deletes any files from the temp directory that do not have the
current day's date. They also have a command line version that can be applied
across a network (handy for your seven boxes). You can throw Temp gui in the
startup folder so you get reminded when you reboot. I hope you can use this in
your newsletter, thanks for some excellent info and discussions--- Brad Thanks, everyone! The simple technique I originally
described several issues ago still works just fine in the majority of cases:
Once a week, when I know it's safe (no upgrades in progress), I boot to DOS and
run a batch file called cleanup.bat. You can create the same file by copying
these lines into Notepad, and saving the file as c:\cleanup.bat : c:\windows\command\deltree
/y c:\windows\temp When you run cleanup.bat (i.e.
just boot to DOS and type "c:\cleanup" without the quote marks
whenever you want to clean the files), it will completely wipe out your TEMP
directory, and clean up any Exe or Zip file lurking in your temporary internet
files area. When you next start Windows, a new, completely empty Temp directory
will be recreated. It ain't fancy--- but it's free,
it's easy, and it puts you in full control! If you think the
LangaList is a worthwhile read, 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 Palm III
organizer for your trouble (full details also available via this link): http://www.langa.com/recommend.htm#1 Or, win 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." (Full
details also available via this link): http://www.langa.com/recommend.htm#2 Either way, thank
you, and good luck! Still going strong, this column
and discussion tell you 12 ways to eke more life from aging hardware (including
a couple you may not have considered!). Check them out, then join the discussion
http://content.techweb.com/winmag//columns/fred/1999/0927.htm! A very recent announcement
suggests it's finally the end of the road for this fabled machine. Come get the
full story, and then join the discussion http://www.byte.com/column/BYT19990922S0004
! Snoopware---software that
monitors your actions on a PC or LAN---is in use everywhere. Some of this
software runs invisibly; you may be being monitored even down to the level of
your individual keystrokes and not even know it! For lots more information and a
lively discussion, join in http://www.informationweek.com/langaletter! -------------(
Please Visit This LangaList Sponsor!) ------------
--------------(
the above is a paid advertisement )-------------- Reader Bill Grigg sends along
this gem. (If anyone knows the original author, please let me know.) Top 12 things likely to
be overheard if you had a Klingon Programmer: 12) "Specifications
are for the weak and timid!" 11) "This machine
is a piece of GAGH! I need dual Pentium processors if I am to do battle with
this code!" 10) "You cannot
really appreciate Dilbert unless you've read it in the original Klingon." 9) "Indentation?! -
I will show you how to indent when I indent your skull!" 8) "What is this
talk of 'release'? Klingons do not make software 'releases'. Our software
'escapes' leaving a bloody trail of designers quality assurance people in its
wake." 7) "Klingon
function calls do not have 'parameters' - they have 'arguments' - and they
ALWAYS WIN THEM." 6) "Debugging?
Klingons do not debug. Our software does not coddle the weak." 5) "I have
challenged the entire quality assurance team to a Bat-Leth contest. They will
not concern us again." 4) "A TRUE Klingon
Warrior does not comment his code!" 3) "By filing this
bug report you have challenged the honor of my family. PREPARE TO DIE!" 2) "You question
the worthiness of my code? I should kill you where you stand!" 1) "Our users will
know fear and cower before our software! Ship it! Ship it and let them flee like
the dogs they are!" -------------(
Please Visit This LangaList Sponsor!) ------------
--------------(
the above is a paid advertisement )-------------- See you next issue! Best, (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
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name came to me through one of those channels. SUBSCRIBE (it's free!):
Send email to subscribe-langalist@lyris.dundee.net About
the advertisers: Each item marked "the above is a paid
advertisement" is just that: a paid ad. Although Langa Consulting LLC will
never knowingly accept advertising for a fraudulent product, company or service,
Langa Consulting LLC makes no implied or explicit warranty, recommendation or
endorsement of or for the products, companies or services mentioned in the ads.
Treat these ads as you would any other ad in any other medium. Disclaimer:
The tips and other information given in the newsletter are researched and are as
accurate as possible. However, due to the many variables of hardware and
software brand, size, type, age and configuration, plus the vagaries of user
knowledge, skill level and usage accuracy, Langa Consulting LLC makes no assertion,
warranty or guarantee that all the information here will work on all systems and
for all users, all the time. If you're not sure of the applicability or
suitability-to-task of any advice, tips, etc. given here, or are uncertain of
your own ability to perform a described task, seek additional help or
information before proceeding. In any case, 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. This newsletter is a
free service of Langa Consulting LLC and is Copyright © 1999 Langa Consulting LLC. All
rights reserved.Why
Manual Deletion Doesn't Work
OK,
But What About The Cookies, History
and Internet Cache Directories?Automated
Tools (FREE!)
Full
Circle
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.zip
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.exeDon’t
Make Me Beg! 8-)
What
To Do With Your Old PC
W(h)Ither
The Amiga?
Last
Days of Snoopware Discussion
Just
For Grins
Fred
(fred@langa.com)
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