The LangaList

CMOS Save/Restore App

Large sites have a tendency to move their files around; that happened last week when a file mentioned in this newsletter wasn't available on a Ziff-Davis site when many of you went looking. The error page you got instead did offer a search function, and if you used that function, you could locate the file. But, alas, many people gave up and didn't try searching on their own.

Reader James E Biesterfeld reminded me that the original files were written by Roedy Green of Canadian Mind Products. (Thanks, James!)

I'd lost track of Roedy over the years: some 10 or 12 years ago, he used to be a very prominent "BIXen;" a member of the old "BIX" or "Byte Information Exchange." I used to look for Roedy's posts---they were always informative, authoritative, and (as often as not, it seemed) accompanied by some small, tightly-coded, clever program Roedy crafted to overcome a specific problem or deficiency in PCs.

To the dismay of many BIXen, Roedy became seriously ill and signed off from BIX,  dropping out of sight for a while. But thanks for Mr. Biesterfeld, I was able to track down Roedy and his company: http://mindprod.com/products.html

Check it out: Roedy offers a pile of mini-apps, each highly targeted to a specific purpose: Most are free for the download. And among the many apps, you'll find Roedys' CMOS Save, Restore and Check programs.

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98LitePro

Here's another piece of clever code, this time from Shane Brooks. "98Lite" started as a project to disentangle IE from Windows itself. It's now grown into a full-featured app that can really pare Windows down to its minimum (far beyond what Microsoft says is normally possible)-- and result in a faster, more-stable system!

If you're interested in just what's essential in Windows, and would like to see what can be done without the bells and whistles, check out http://www.98lite.net !

(And thanks to reader Greg Keltner for pointing out the new version to me!)

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OK, Now There Are TWO Ways To Win!

Thanks! Due in large part to word-of-mouth recommendations from you and other LangaList readers, the LangaList grew by almost 2,000 new subscribers last week!

If you think the LangaList is a worthwhile read, just use one of  the following links 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 prize:

Win a Palm III organizer (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!

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Speaking Of Books...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0966103254/langacom

Other books I can personally recommend include:

• Woody Leonhard's "The Mother of All Windows 98 Books"
• "Woody Leonhard Teaches Microsoft Office 2000 ('the Best Advice from the Best Authors')"
• Michael Wolff's "Burn Rate :How I Survived the Gold Rush Years on the Internet"
• Larry Magid's "The Little PC Book"
• David Karp's "Windows 98 Annoyances"

For more info on these and other great computer- and internet-related books, please see http://www.langa.com/book.htm

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Just For Grins

Reader Joseph Lee Plaziak sends along this 12-step program for curing Internet addiction:

1. I will have a cup of coffee in the morning and read my newspaper like I use to, before the Web.

2. I will eat breakfast with a knife and fork and not with one hand typing.

3. I will get dressed before noon.

4. I will make an attempt to clean the house, wash clothes, and plan dinner before even thinking of the Web.

5. I will sit down and write a letter to those unfortunate few friends and family that are Web-deprived.

6. I will call someone on the phone who I cannot contact via the Web.

7. I will read a book...if I still remember how.

8. I will listen to those around me and their needs and stop telling them to turn the TV down so I can hear the music on the Web.

9. I will not be tempted during TV commercials to check for email.

10. I will try and get out of the house at least once a week, if it is necessary or not.

11. I will remember that my bank is not forgiving if I forget to balance my checkbook because I was too busy on the Web.

12. Last, but not least, I will remember that I must go to bed some time ... and the Web will always be there tomorrow!

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See you next issue!

Best,

Fred

(fred@langa.com)

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Tap into that growth for promoting your site, product or service:
It costs less than you think!

See http://www.langa.com/rate_card.html

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(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. All past LangaList issues are also available via the same link.

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Disclaimer regarding the suitability-to-task of the advice in the newsletter: 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 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.