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The LangaList

2000-07-20
2000-Jul-20

A Free Email Newsletter from Fred Langa
That Helps You Get More From Your Hardware, 
Software, and Time Online

1) Lots Of Butts Being Saved
2) More on Automated Restarts
3) Automatic Restarts Via Batch File
4) Patch Available for the "Office HTML Script Vulnerability"
5) Web Sites That Won't Let Go
6) $10,000 Up For Grabs
7) New "Code Load" Banners Available
8) Just For Grins
More!

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Two Dozen GREAT Computer Books--- at Deep Discounts!

Great reading: Check out the
computer-related books at http://www.langa.com/books.htm

They're all personally recommended by Fred Langa, and
are available at Amazon.Com's deepest discounts!

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1) Lots Of Butts Being Saved

There's lots of good info coming in about "Save Your Butt--- With DOS" ( http://content.techweb.com/winmag//columns/explorer/2000/15.htm ). Check it out!

If you're new to DOS, you might also try The EasyDOS Internet Guide to DOS at http://www.easydos.com/ ; it's just one of about *two dozen* references mentioned in the "Save Your Butt" article. Combined, all the references in "Save Your Butt" will go a long way to empowering you with DOS skills.

Most of the DOS info I presented is aimed mainly at Win9x, but many of the general concepts and some of the specific info can be useful elsewhere, such as:

Hi Fred, Regarding your recent column "Save Your Butt With DOS" I feel I must point out that Windows 2000 has some extremely powerful command-line tools, in the shape of the Recovery Console. You can either install it as a boot option or run it from the (bootable) CD, or emergency rescue floppy disks. Also, the DOS-less Win2k can repair itself if it is unbootable, with a simple boot from the CD and select of the 'repair' option, so there's no need to know about fdisk /mbr or sys c, things that newbies may be hard-pushed to work out for themselves. Who said that losing DOS from Windows was a bad thing??? Not me, Windows 2000 has NEVER crashed on me (no lie) and I have had it running for weeks on end without a reboot for tasks such as WP, spreadsheets, programming, DTP and graphics. Yay for the NT kernel, Boo to the Windows-on-top-of DOS structure. Sorry to rant, but everyone has a soft spot for their favourite OS! --- Stephen Charlesworth

Thanks for writing!

You'll find more info like that in the discussion area attached to the "Save your Butt" column; click on over and check it out at http://content.techweb.com/winmag//columns/explorer/2000/15.htm .

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2) More on Automated Restarts

Reader "AHB197" (now there's a name you can warm to <g>) asks:

Read about C\WINDOWS\rundll32.exe shell32.dll,SHExitWindowsEx 0x2 method to reboot. Could you please go over how you would add this task to Task Scheduler?

AHB, if I may call him that, is referring to an item in http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2000/2000-07-10.htm#1 that described an easy way to get your PC to restart itself at any given hour, on any day, or every day.

Basically, the idea is this: Open Task Scheduler (double click it), and select "Add Scheduled Task." Then, in the Task tab of the dialog that appears, place the following line of code in the "Run" box:

C:\WINDOWS\RUNDLL32.EXE shell32.dll,SHExitWindowsEx 0x2

Now, in the "Start In:" box, type C:\Windows . Then check the "Enabled" box at the bottom of the dialog.

Use the "Scheduled" tab to determine when your system should reboot; and adjust the "Settings" tab as desired (e.g. "Wake the computer to run this task.")

Click OK, and you're all set!

Note that if you've never added *any* task before, the Scheduled Task "Wizard" will walk you through a process of selecting an application from your hard drive that you wish to enable as a scheduled task. Use the "Browse" option and navigate to C:\WINDOWS\RUNDLL32.EXE . Click OK and let the Wizard finish (you can select the start time, etc.). Once it's done, right click on the newly created task, and edit the "Run" line as shown earlier.

Or, see the next item for another method.

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3) Automatic Restarts Via Batch File

LangaList reader and fellow batch file enthusiast Scott Randolph sends along this alternative method of automatically rebooting:

I use a Win98 PC to run a task every night at midnight. I've created a batch file to help with ERP planning and the process is both lengthy and mission critical. The best way to make sure the batch file runs every night is to reboot the computer 15 minutes before the batch file runs. I've created a small batch file that contains the following text

@echo off
c:
cd \windows
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,SHExitWindowsEx 2

I named the file "reboot.bat" and placed a link to it in the Windows Task Scheduler. At 11:45pm my computer reboots properly. No questions asked. Now my nightly planning batch file runs like clockwork.

Thanks, Scott.

Scott's method still uses the Task Scheduler, so you may wonder what the advantage is. Although this specific example is relatively simple, the primary advantage is that you can call one batch file from the Task Scheduler, and that one batch file can be arbitrarily complex--- calling other batch files, using conditionals, using Start and Wait commands, etc.; all of which are more flexible and powerful than simply running things in the Task Scheduler's simple, serial fashion. In other words, Scott's method opens the door for a world of task-automation that would be hard or impossible with Task Scheduler alone.

And Batch Files are *another* part of DOS's power we'll cover in the "Save Your Butt" series!

BTW, if you'd like some help getting started with batch files, "Gord's World of Batch Files" is one good beginning: http://www.cableyorkton.com/users/gbraun/batch/ ; his page o' links also contains pointers to many other batch-oriented sites.

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4) Patch Available for the "Office HTML Script Vulnerability"

The news went out from Microsoft a couple days ago:

"Two vulnerabilities have recently been discovered, one affecting Microsoft Office 2000, and PowerPoint 97, and the other Internet Explorer 4.01 SP2 and higher. We will refer to these issues as the "Office script" and "IE script" vulnerabilities. The names refer to the product where the vulnerability is present, but not necessarily how the vulnerability is exploited.

"The Office HTML Script vulnerability, allows malicious script code on a web page to reference an Excel 2000 or PowerPoint file in such a way as to cause a remotely hosted file to be saved to a visiting user's hard drive. This vulnerability can only be exploited by a reference to an Excel 2000 or PowerPoint file; it cannot be exploited using Excel 97, Microsoft Word or a Microsoft Access file.

"The IE Script vulnerability, can allow malicious script code on a web page to reference a remotely hosted Microsoft Access file. The Microsoft Access file can in turn causes a VBA macro code in the file to be executed."

The affected software versions are:

Microsoft Excel 2000
Microsoft PowerPoint 97 and 2000
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5, 5.01 SP1, 5.01, 4.01 SP2

Patch Availability:

Microsoft Excel 2000 and PowerPoint 2000
http://officeupdate.microsoft.com/2000/downloaddetails/Addinsec.htm

Microsoft PowerPoint 97
http://officeupdate.microsoft.com/downloaddetails/PPt97sec.htm

FAQ (and workaround for the IE problem) http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/fq00-049.asp

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5) Web Sites That Won't Let Go

Ever been trapped by a web site? Reader David Lawrence was, and it ticked him off:

Fred: I very much appreciate your newsletter and BrowserTune utility.
( http://www.browsertune.com/bt2kfast/ )

I'm annoyed by the behavior of some Web sites and I bet that I'm not alone. More and more it seems that I link to a site that grabs control of my browser and will not allow me to use my BACK button to return to the site I just left. This seems to be independent of the browser I use. Is there a way to get back without exiting the browser? Sometimes, in my surfing, I don't know the URL of the site I want to return to. Then I have to go through looking at my history to guess at where I want to go. The most recent example of this rude behavior I found is the link below.

http://www.walktoschool-usa.org/
[NOTE FROM FRED: The above link *will* trap you! Read on before clicking.]

It would be a perfectly nice animated opening screen but it holds on like quicksand.

Thanks, David

It *is* unfriendly behavior indeed. On the "Walk To School" site, what's happening is the opening page is almost instantaneously redirecting you to a secondary page that actually delivers the animation. (The redirection is fast enough that you may not be aware you've been redirected.) When you click "back," you leave the secondary page to return to the first page--- which instantly sends you back to the secondary page. So, even though your "back" button is working fine, it can appear that you're stuck on a page. In reality, you're stuck in a two-page loop.

If you're fast enough--- and if your system is fast enough--- you can pound on the "back" button and escape from the opening page *if* your "go back" command gets processed before the browser processes the redirect command. (Good luck!)

In any case, this isn't a browser problem but a site design problem: The site *could* have used a cookie to track whether you'd just been to the opening page of not; and if you had, to offer you the option of seeing the animation again or bailing out.

Or: They simply could have offered the animation-or-not option on the top page, rather than automatically and stupidly redirecting everyone to the animation page.

Or they could do what I do with links in the HTML version of this newsletter (available only on the www.langa.com site) and with the daily HotSpot (at http://www.browsertune.com/flanga/hotspots.htm ): I construct links there to open in a separate instance of your browser. That way, no matter what happens on any linked page, you can just close the secondary browser. The original page will still be there in the primary browser, so you can't "get lost" or "get stuck."

For sites that don't protect you that way, you can right click on links and "open in a new window." This has the same effect: The originating page remains open in one window, and the new link opens in a secondary window. You don't need your "back" button--- just kill the secondary window, and you'll be back where you started.

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6) $10,000 Up For Grabs

The Recommend-it site gives away up to $10,000 as an incentive to use their service to recommend newsletters like this one!

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 $10,000 or other prizes from the folks at "Recommend-It:"

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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7) New "Code Load" Banners Available

Do you have a home page or website? (It doesn't matter what size.) Please click over to http://www.langa.com/code.htm, and maybe you can join the hundreds and hundreds of LangaList readers who have "Loaded the Code!"

Note that several of your fellow "Code Loaders" have offered custom banners (they're posted on the page mentioned above); you may use these if my original banners don't match your page's layouts or colors. (Or, feel free to make your own!)

Meanwhile, here's another eclectic sample of reader sites--- some professional, some very personal:

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Advertising in the LangaList
 costs less than you think! Check it out!

See http://www.langa.com/ratecard.htm

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8) Just For Grins

This is long, but as a webmaster, I liked it. 8-)
(Thanks to reader Ian A. Weir for sending it in.)

A Guide to MRML

The Mind Reading Markup Language (MRML /mur'mul/) is a proprietary extension of the HyperText Markup Language. This document, all MRML tags, and any ideas you come up with while reading this information are the exclusive property of the authors. This is an open specification that will be expanded as mind control technology is refined.

MRML tags can be embedded into any regular HTML document. They are completely invisible to all browsers. No one will ever know you are using them.

NOTE MRML is not case sensitive. <fraud> is equivalent to <Fraud> or <frAUD>.

Basic Markup Tags

The following MRML tags are used to read the client's mind for certain kinds of thoughts and emotions about the contained text.

<BRAINSCAN>

Brainscan performs a light scan of the client's thoughts which may include perceptions of their current environment. The Brainscan tag is an invaluable tool for establishing a user's identity as it is much more reliable than checking REMOTE_HOST or USER_ID variables.

<THOUGHTSUCK>

Thoughtsuck performs of deeper scan of the client's thoughts which may included details of significant events within the past 24 hours.

<DEEPFEARS>subject</DEEPFEARS>

Probes the client's mind for their fears about the contained subject.

<DEEPESTFEARS>subject</DEEPESTFEARS>

Probes the client's mind for their deepest, most repressed fears about the contained subject. WARNING This tag cannot be exported outside the US borders.

<SEXTHOUGHTS>subject</SEXTHOUGHTS>

Probes the client's mind for sexual thoughts about the contained subject. Use of the Sexthoughts tag will likely be deprecated with the release of the Freud and Jung specifications. Freud and Jung Tags Specifications for Freudian id, ego, and superego tags and Jungian symbolic tags are not currently available.

The HYPNOTIZE Tag

Current technology enables very primitive mind control using MRML tags. The so-called Brainwashing tags are delimited by the special <!--HYPNOTIZE><HYPNOTIZE--> pair. Suggestions within the Hypnotize area are completely invisible to all clients, but it is extremely important that the tags are placed correctly. You are liable for any mental damages inflicted by improperly placed tags.

HYPNOTIZE Area Tags

Within the <!--HYPNOTIZE></HYPNOTIZE--> area the following tags may be used

<SUGGEST>text</SUGGEST>

Used for mild, easily acceptable suggestions. For stronger suggestions use PROGRAM and BELIEVE. Some examples

It is warm for this time of year.
You need to upgrade your computer.
Republican policies aren't all that bad.

<MEME>text</MEME>

Information that you want the client to pass on to friends and correspondents. Some popular memes

Chain letters
Urban legends
Cool ascii graphics

<FORGET>text</FORGET>

Things you want the client to forget. It may be desirable to have the client forget the URL of your MRML documents.

<PROGRAM>text</PROGRAM>

Programs the client with a strong post-hypnotic suggestion. There are a few optional arguments. <PROGRAM TIMES=3 INTERVAL="1 hour" DELAY="2 days"> will trigger the suggestions three times at a one hour interval two days hence. <PROGRAM INTERVAL="after every meal" FOREVER> could trigger the suggestion brush your teeth for an indefinite time.

Within the <PROGRAM></PROGRAM> area the following tags may be used

<BELIEVE>text</BELIEVE>

Explicit thoughts to be planted in the client's mind. Beware of contradictory programming! Try to remove previous conceptions before reprogramming.

To reprogram someone that thinks that Pepsi is better than Coke

1.<BELIEVE>You have no opinions about the relationship between Coke and Pepsi.</BELIEVE>

2.<BELIEVE>Coke is better than Pepsi.</BELIEVE>

3.<BELIEVE>You are thirsty.</BELIEVE>

<BUY HREF=url>

Encourages the client to buy products on the World Wide Web. The optional ITEM=item argument may be used.

<PASSWORD=keyword or phrase>

A convenient way to access the client's mind for future programming sessions. Should only be used with a secure client-server connection.

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See you next issue!

 

Best,

Fred

(fred@langa.com)

Please recommend the LangaList to a friend! (And maybe win $10,000!I)

An easier-to read formatted HTML version is available in the "Current Issue" section of http://www.langa.com.  (The HTML version of each issue normally is available by 9AM EST [UT-5] of the issue date.) All past LangaList issues are also available at the Langa.Com site.

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About the advertisers:  Langa Consulting LLC will never knowingly accept advertising for a fraudulent product, company or service. However, Langa Consulting LLC makes no implied or explicit warranty, recommendation or endorsement of or for the products, companies or services mentioned in the ads.

Disclaimer: (Please see full disclaimer here: http://www.langa.com/legal.htm.) Abbreviated version: 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.

This newsletter is a free service of Langa Consulting LLC and is Copyright © 2000 Langa Consulting LLC. All rights reserved.

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