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1) Nifty, Free "Replicator"I n "Fast, Easy Backups" ( http://www.langa.com/backups/backups.htm ) I mentioned a number of tools---some free--- that could help automate the backup process. I also provided some free scripts you could use to create your own automatic backups.Karen Kenworthy has just released a free "Replicator," which is not only useful in its own right but also could even replace a backup tool in some instances:
There's lots more--- including a "Replicate File Deletions" feature that lets you keep a cloned folder or directory structure in synch: a self-updating mirror copy. Check out Replicator--- and all of Karen's "Power Tool" collection: Click to email this item to a
friend 2) "PC Tutorials Everyone Can Understand"There is no true "average user" when it comes to PCs. We all--- *all*--- have some areas where we know what we're doing, and other areas where we're all--- *all*--- clueless newbies.<g> One person's areas of strength may well be another's weak spot, and vice versa. This newsletter and the Langa.Com sites try for a mix of material of interest to all skill levels. Some of it's for advanced users, some for newer users; and the majority of content is aimed at the middle portion of the bell curve. My hope is that there'll be at least *something* in each issue for readers of every skill level. Other information sources do it differently. Some, for example, aim exclusively towards helping higher-end/advanced users, and presume an enormous amount of prior knowledge. Other sites specialize in helping people get started with computing. Here's one that aims at new-to-intermediate users: I posted a link to it in VA-TechTalk back in January of this year .... I revisited it today as I needed: some help explaining drive partitioning to a user off-list and sure enough, he had just what I needed. http://www.pcguide.com I think she will be an FDisk wizard by the end of the weekend. Michael Karbo's Online Service: http://www.karbosguide.com/ or http://www.mkdata.dk/click/index.htm --Claudia Slate Thanks, Claudia! Click to email this item to a
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--------------( the above is an advertisement )-------------- 3) Mea Culpa: A "Plan B" OmissionI got a lot of mail about last issue's item on the increasing need for Windows users to have--- at least as a back-burner priority--- some kind of a "Plan B" in case Microsoft doesn't get its act together. (See http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20020102S0012 ) I suggested Linux as one obvious possible alternative. But I neglected to mention the equally powerful, equally free "FreeBSD" operating system.
No, thank *you,* Anish. I should have remembered to mention FreeBSD. Linux and FreeBSD are similar--- they evolved separately from a common root (classic UNIX). Although Linux and FreeBSD share many things in common, they are not the same. FreeBSD deserves equal time and equal consideration on its own, as a potential alternative to Windows. So, if you're ready to think about a non-Microsoft "Plan B" for yourself, I strongly recommend you look at Linux *and* FreeBSD: They're free or very low cost, very capable, increasingly compatible--- and fun to learn. 8-) BTW, other readers wondered if I erred in not suggesting the Mac as a Windows alternative. But that was a deliberate thing, and not an oversight: First, all Windows PCs can be converted to Linux or FreeBSD with little or no hardware changes; and the operating system itself is free or nearly so. On the other hand, switching to a Mac requires you to start over with all-new hardware and software in an expensive bundle; you have to scrap your entire current setup. Second, although Apple spends millions in advertising to convince you otherwise, Apple is (ironically) perhaps the most anti-choice/anti-freedom personal computer company in existence, controlling both the Mac hardware and software in ways that make Microsoft seem almost benign in comparison. (Interested readers should explore this question: Why aren't there any Mac clones?) Apple gets away with its behavior only because it's not a monopoly. I'm glad Apple exists, because it does some interesting things. But to my mind, if there's any one company you don't want to see take Microsoft's place, it's Apple. Click to email this item to a
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--------------( the above is an advertisement )-------------- 4) New Version of CachemanWe've discussed Cacheman many times
before ( It's not a panacea, and Windows' default settings are fine for many people. But Cacheman makes it incredibly easy to try different settings--- a couple clicks and maybe a reboot, and you're done. If you're an inveterate tweaker (as am I!) you'll probably love Cacheman. Although it's no longer free, Cacheman is very inexpensive trialware--- try it, and if you like it, pay $10. It also has about the gentlest licensing terms I've ever seen on software. Now, Cacheman 5.1 is out:
And despite the almost-giveaway price, Cacheman sports a very slick and professional-looking interface, and is extremely easy to run. Very nice! Info and download: http://outertech.com/ Click to email this item to a
friend 5) Need A "Spam Weasel?"The volume of spam in my inbox has grown to ridiculous proportions. I already have a ton of filters set up in Eudora to toss out a lot of spam, but the number of spam-mail variants changes faster than I can change the filters --- so much so I've been considering abandoning my primary email address and starting fresh with a new one. But then I got this email:
Thanks, Susan. I'm going to give Spam Weasel a serious trial to see if it can pre-filter a lot of the crud that's now choking my inbox. What the heck--- it can't hurt! Click to email this item to a
friend 6) 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
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available via this link): Either way, thank you, and good luck! Click to email this item to a
friend 7) Does Partition Magic Void Warranties?"Robin" raised an intriguing issue:
It's normal for a vendor not to offer support for stuff you've installed on your own. If you add, say, Partition Magic or a second operating system, the vendor has every right not to give you support for that specific stuff, or for problems the added software may cause with the original setup: In other words, the vendor is responsible for the machine *as shipped,* not as modified by you. (And even then, the hardware vendor may defer all software support questions to the software publishers.) But there's no way that adding new software should somehow prevent you from getting help for, say, a dead CPU or video board. The idea that adding new software to a PC would prevent you from getting warranty service for *hardware* failures is (IMO) indefensible. To keep my own user-modifications from muddying the hardware support waters for my systems, here's what I do: When I get a new machine, I burn a CD with the as-delivered OEM factory setup; then I make my modifications. If something goes wrong that I just can't figure out, I'll restore the original, factory image and see if the problem persists. If the original setup eliminates the problem, then I know it's my own modifications that caused the trouble. That's not something I can pin on the vendor, so I'll start fresh and see if I can solve the problem on my own. But if the problem persists even with the original, factory setup, then that *is* the vendor's responsibility. I'll call tech support and do whatever they say; if their fix works, I'll then burn a new image of the corrected system setup. But if the machine can't be fixed, and must instead either be sent in for service or serviced on-site by a factory technician, having the original OEM setup on the drive ensures that they can't use my modifications as an excuse to tap-dance out of giving me service. 8-) Click to email this item to a
friend 8) They Just Keep Coming And Coming and Coming...Well over 1,500 of your fellow readers have "Loaded
the code." Please click over to http://www.langa.com/code.htm , and maybe you
can join them! (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
) Manually Browse All Posted-to-Date Sites Starting At Favorite Links Milton David & Ella Louise Cox Academics Hall (Sciences) Piping Design Chinese Volleyball (I think... <g>) Pizza Chef's Pages (I think... <g>) SarahBrightEyes Southern PA Computer Services Ultra-Minimalist Blog Ron Marek's Portal Page "All the right stuff" Drago-Designs Eclectic Academy (distance learning) Click to email this item to a
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--------------( the above is an advertisement )-------------- 9) Make Win98 Look Like XP
Click http://pages.prodigy.net/i-pedro2/ and download a nice freeware software package, fully configurable, to make your win98 desktop look like WinXP-windows explorer, icons, wallpaper, sounds; all that Plus! does and more. I'm running it on mine now and really like it. Combined with freeware Webshots Desktop http://www.webshots.com/homepage.html there is absolutely no limitations to what you can do-truly awesome! I obtained the Desktop Architect link from http://www.winoscentral.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=index There is noise on the web: Webshots is "spyware"---not so--- I am also running this on my computer. One must pay attention when installing Webshots; you are given the option of installing Gator..etc. and the program installs nothing you do not want it to=no spyware on my system=checked by Ad-Aware. Also, when Webshots is first installed and opens up on your desktop one must click "Settings" and configure the program to do as you want-and it does, without a hitch.--- Rick Steele Thanks, Rick. Changing the of Win98 doesn't change the guts, of course. But it's fun nonetheless. And it's a little ironic--- some XP users turn off XP's new look to make it visually the same as Win98. Now, you can go the other way, and make Win98 look like XP. 8-) Click to email this item to a
friend 10) Just For GrinsReader Julio Mora writes:
Thanks, Julio. Although the list is wonderfully even-handed--- it takes shots at all parts of the political spectrum, for example--- some people may find it offensive; and parts of it are (ahem) rough-edged and politically incorrect. If you're put off by that sort of thing, you better stop reading right about now. 8-)
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--------------( the above is an advertisement )-------------- 11) Plus! Edition Highlights
Today's LangaList Plus! Edition contains all ten items above, plus about 30% more content including: a free, easy utility that "turns your computer into an outgoing mail server which can send more than 3500 messages per hour with an ordinary modem connection..."; how to add an icon to systems to monitor local network traffic; and easy ways to boost the speed of your hardware without having to spring for a whole new PC. Each Plus! Edition issue costs only about twelve cents! info: http://www.langa.com/plus.htm Click to email this item to a
friend See you next issue!
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