|
Please note: Older issues may contain information that is now out of date. How To Subscribe
and Unsubscribe is at the end of this note. Mailing List Trouble? See http://www.langa.com/help.txt Please recommend the LangaList to a friend! (And maybe win $10,000 !) An easier-to
read formatted HTML version of this newsletter is available on line at The LangaList 2000-07-31 A Free Email
Newsletter from Fred
Langa --- ( Your Clicks On Ad Links Help Keep The LangaList Free! ) ---
--------------(
the above is an advertisement )--------------
In both the soon-to-be-released Windows Millennium Edition (the follow-on to Windows 98 that's due to go on sale in September) and in the current version of Windows 2000, none of the three traditional ways of making a bootable floppy work: The Windows Explorer diskette formatting function has no option to "copy system files;" the manual "Format" command doesn't support the "/sys" switch; and the manual "Sys" command only works on hard drives! So, Windows98SE may be the *last* version of Windows in which you can easily make bootable DOS floppies! Clearly, Microsoft thinks that as we move forward we should do without low-level control over your PC, and that we shouldn't have the ability to access your files and hardware outside of Windows. I feel otherwise, and strongly believe that that low-level access can be a lifesaver when things go badly wrong. In fact, Part One of the current series of "Explorer" columns ( http://content.techweb.com/winmag//columns/explorer/2000/15.htm ) explained why having easy access to a bootable DOS floppy can be a good thing for *any* version of Windows. But make no mistake: Microsoft is inexorably moving to the day when all versions of Windows are DOS-free. Despite its ongoing utility as a low-level diagnostic and repair tool, DOS's days are numbered. In response, this series of columns is about ensuring that you have that desirable low-level control. Part One offered you a plethora of DOS-related links to get you started. In this installment, Part Two, we'll update and expand on a DOS-related subject we last covered a year ago: How to create the cornerstone of a self-contained, custom boot floppy that has exactly the files you want and need for utility, repair, diagnostic, and reinstall work. You can store this floppy-based toolkit in a safe place against future need--- even if you eventually end up using a DOS-free version of Windows. Part Two will be available starting today (2000-07-31, midday [UT-4]) click on over to http://content.techweb.com/winmag/ , look for the "Explorer" link, check out the column, and then join in the discussion! (Alternate access to the column: http://content.techweb.com/winmag//columns/default.htm Note that if you arrive before the column is posted, you'll only see previous columns listed.) Join in! Click to
email this item to a friend 2) The Six-Dollar LifesaverSooner or later, almost everyone
faces the problem of sharing a truly huge file with someone else when there's no
local area network (LAN) in sight, a modem is too slow, and floppies just won't
cut it. Get the details at http://portablelife.com/newsletters/issue/0,1332,84,00.html and http://portablelife.com/newsletters/issue/0,1332,150,00.html . Click to
email this item to a friend --- ( Your Clicks On Ad Links Help Keep The LangaList Free! ) ---
--------------( the above is an advertisement )-------------- 3) Reader Tip: A For-Real, Food Powered Robot!Reader David Miller wrote about this eye-opening development:
Amazing stuff, David, thanks. If a robot that eats food for power (just as you and I do) isn't interesting enough, how about for-real, autonomous robot you can build for under $100? Reader "mmartin" from the Yahoo Robot Club send along this link: http://members.tripod.com/RoBoJRR/robotkit.htm The column that's generating this reader response is "It's 2000. Where Are The Robots?" which is running now on the Byte.Com site at http://www.byte.com/column/BYT20000719S0004 I can almost guarantee that the Byte column--- and its associated discussion area--- have some surprises in store for you. <g> Check it out! Click to
email this item to a friend 4) Don't Be Fooled By This Convincing HoaxReader Graham Longenecker had a scare:
It's very scary the first time you see it--- but it's a hoax. It was fully explained about a year ago at http://www.langa.com/newsletters/1999/Jul-14-99.htm#hoax Or, to see how it works (without the explanation) just click this (or copy/paste this link into your browser's address bar): file://c:/ The results look scary--- but it's totally harmless! Click to
email this item to a friend 5) Little-Known, High-Quality FreebiesIt's a mystery to me why the
major office software vendors don't do a better job of promoting their free
tools and add-ons. Imagine spending what must be thousands of person-hours---
and tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars--- creating free tools, posting
them on the web and surrounding them with free information and advice--- then
barely letting anyone know the stuff exists. It's baffling! Every major vendor of office suites I'm aware of offers some level of free add-ons and other good stuff. In the column at http://portablelife.com/tips/story/0,1091,2108,00.html , I'll focus on the Big Three --- Microsoft, Corel, and IBM/Lotus --- and give you descriptions and direct links to exactly what's waiting for you, for free, just a few clicks away. Check it out! Click to
email this item to a friend 6) Version ConfusionSometime, installing patches and upgrades can cause your software to misidentify itself. Or, you may simply lose track (with all the myriad patches and bug fixes available, it's easy to do so!).Internet Explorer is one of the most-patched apps in wide use, so let's take a minute and look at the numbers: To determine which version of Internet Explorer you are running, click Help in the Internet Explorer File Menu and then click About Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer 5.5's version number is 5.50.4134.0600.And now you know what's what. <g> Click to
email this item to a friend 7) Don’t Make Me Beg! 8-)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(!) 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! Click to
email this item to a friend 8) Curses on Comet CursorSeveral readers, including "scott r" have fallen prey to "Comet Cursor:"
Yup, it's a very unfriendly thing to do. But it really shows that your security settings are way too low: If Comet Cursor could install itself on your PC, so could *other* (even outright hostile) apps! On IE, the simple fix is to increase the security settings: Select "custom" and then step through the many adjustable areas, changing any likely trouble spots to "prompt." That way, you'll be asked before any software tries to download or install itself in the future. Click to
email this item to a friend 9) They Loaded The CodeDo 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!" (If you've already "Loaded The Code" and are wondering if your site will appear here or on the Langa.Com web site, please see http://www.langa.com/link.txt ) Speaking of which: Here's another eclectic sample of reader sites--- some professional, some very personal:
Click to
email this item to a friend --- ( Your Clicks On Ad Links Help Keep The LangaList Free! ) --- Two Dozen GREAT Computer Books--- at a 20% Discount Great
reading: Check out the They're
all personally recommended by Fred Langa, and --------------(
the above is an advertisement )--------------
I'll be taking a short break.
Starting, er, *right now*, the LangaList will go on a brief hiatus as I engage
in some R&R at home with my family. Publication will soon resume
normally and without any action required on your part. So when the next couple
LangaLists don't show up on time; don't worry--- there's no need to write, or to
resubscribe, or anything else. Talk to you soon! Click to
email this item to a friend It's summer here on the Northern
half of the planet, and that means it's T-shirt season. Reader Micky Plant sends
along these "Nerd T-Shirt Slogans:" 1. Cannot find
REALITY.SYS. Universe halted. Click to
email this item to a friend --- ( Your
Clicks On Ad Links Help Keep The LangaList Free! ) --- You're
reading this--- so are 117,000 Advertising
in the LangaList --------------(
the above is an advertisement )--------------
See you next issue! Best, 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. Why are you getting this
newsletter? This is a 100% OPT-IN newsletter: There are only three ways to get
on the list--- signup via direct email request from you, or signup via the
WinMag newsletter page or signup via BrowserTune's email-notification service.
If you're getting this newsletter; your name came to me through one of those
signup channels. At signup, you also received a confirmation email from my list
software---no one is signed up secretly or against their will. SUBSCRIBE (it's free!):
Create and send a new email address it to subscribe-langalist@lyris.dundee.net UNSUBSCRIBE: From the same
address you used to sign up with (it's shown on the first line in the body of
each email issue you receive), create and send a new email address to unsubscribe-langalist@lyris.dundee.net
. CHANGE ADDRESS? LIST
TROUBLE? HAVE QUESTIONS? NEED HELP? See http://www.langa.com/help.txt 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. |