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The
LangaList
Standard Edition
2002-01-31
A Free Email Newsletter from
Fred Langa
That Helps You Get More From Your Hardware,
Software, and Time Online
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1)
More Tools For Managing IE Favorites
I should have known. <g> In "Auto-Validate Your IE
Favorites List" (
http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2002/2002-01-28.htm#1 ) we listed a number
of tools that can weed out bad URLs from your IE "Favorites" list--- but, as
usual, many readers not only knew of other great alternatives, but were generous
enough to share their knowledge.
Even if I spent this whole issue on the topic, I
wouldn't be able to present all those that were recommended (!), but here are
the ones that refer to the most-recommended software:
Hi Fred-- Noticed the discussion in today's Langa List e-mail about freeware programs to delete dead favorites from IE. I use Favorg freeware application published by PC Magazine. It will san through all favorites and flag by status. One click removes dead links. Works great. Can be found at this link
http://www.pcmag.com/article/0,2997,a%253D4751,00.asp
. Regards, Alan Flanary
Fred: Your recent mention of IE Favorites prompts me to mention the 3rd party
Favorites manager LinkMan that I've used for several years. Need I make an argument for how brain-dead Microsoft's favorites manager is?
If a person does even a moderate amount of browsing and Favorite saving,
Microsoft's Favorities list is cumbersome and frustrating. I'd encourage you and your readers to check out LinkMan. It's unobtrusive,
allows all sorts of sorts, finds, commenting, dead-link checking, etc. It's shareware/trialware at
http://www.outertech.com I couldn't live without it.
---Tom Field
Hi, Fred. I LOVE LangaList Plus. Keep up the great work! I'm writing about
the first item in today's (Jan. 27) edition, about checking for dead links. I
think a more powerful tool that will do the same thing and a LOT more is
Powermarks. I'm sure you know it--it's (IMHO) the best bookmark manager out
there. But in addition to managing bookmarks and working with IE, Netscape, and
Opera (and perhaps some others--those are the browsers I have), it also will
check every bookmark/favorite and report back not just "good" or "no good" but
stuff like "changed," "page not found," "server not found," "no response,"
"server error," "timed out," and more. You can also sort the bookmarks according
to a whole host of columns, such as Name, URL, Keywords, Last Visited, Date
Added, Times Visited, etc. It's shareware, not freeware, but it's inexpensive,
and all updates are free (I've been using it for a number of years). The URL for
Powermarks http://www.kaylon.com/ . Best wishes, Joan Korenman
Hi Fred, Here's another way to validate internet shortcuts using Windows Explorer, browse to the folder where your favorites reside, and switch the view to "thumbnails". Explorer will put a thumbnail view of the page in the viewing pane....Regards, Leo Bartnik
Dear Fred: I am a subscriber to the Plus edition of the LangaList. I love your
publication... In the last edition you talked about bookmarks and I would like to share this URL of a really great program that I've been using for almost 2 years the Columbine Bookmark Merge (
http://home.earthlink.net/~garycramblitt/ ). This little gem handles Netscape, IE and Opera bookmarks, can interchange bookmarks and also verify them. In my experience it can handle well the bookmarks of the latest versions of the browsers. It's freeware and was dedicated to the memory of Frank J. Cramblitt, a great educator. A great idea. Best regards, Carlos Perez-Chavez
[Alas, this site is often "over quota" in Earthlink parlance, and may be
temporarily inaccessible when your first try it.---Fred]
Hi Fred, I found a similar program to "AM-DeadLink 1.3" you featured in your newsletter the 28th of January. It's right on the Windows 98SE installation disk. It's called "Checklinks" you can find it in the Windows 98 recourse kit, once you have the recourse kit (To install Recourse Kit put in Windows 98 CD, browse, open tools, reskit, then click on setup takes a half a minute) installed you go to start, programs and select Windows recourse kit then click on Tools Management Console. Once in Tools Management Consol click on "Desktop Tools--- BJ
A whole host of options available here Fred:
http://www.filebasket.com/index.php?url=/category.php?id=910
--- Robert Scott Rubinoff
Thanks to all who wrote in!
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2) VX2 Crawls Under
Its Rock
In the last issue, I told you about VX2, a new
foistware/spyware that silently installs itself on your PC, monitors your
surfing, and sends the results back to the VX2 corporation. (See
http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2002/2002-01-28.htm#2 ) VX2 is part of a
class of spyware called "data transponders."
Many, many readers found the "VX2.DLL" file on their
PCs; VX2 apparently was part of the popular AudioGalaxy download, as well as Onflow, Blackstone, some screen savers, and more. (See
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,49960,00.html
)
I despise foistware/spyware, but I was willing to cut
VX2 at least a little slack because they had complete uninstall information on
their site, and also had a form you could submit to delete your personal
information from their database.
Well: no more slack. So many of you went to the site
to uninstall the software and delete your information that VX2 pulled the plug,
setting their server permissions so no one can access the pages.
It wasn't just a transient problem caused by too much
traffic: Three days later, the site is still dark. There's no excuse for that;
if they wanted to hear from end users, the site would be up by now.
So it now seems clear that VX2 doesn't want people to
know how to uninstall the software; and that their opt-out privacy policy was
mostly a
sham (if you can't access it, you can't opt out). I must conclude that the VX2 software is just plain scumware.
Fortunately, you can still get the removal instructions and
lots more information--- stuff that VX2 is now seemingly trying to hide--- from the good
people at
http://www.cexx.org/vx2.htm .
I never, ever recommend counter-spamming as a valid
technique to "punish" web evildoers--- counter-spamming makes you just as bad as
the people you're trying to punish. So please don't use the following info for
anything other than registering valid complaints if and only if you were
affected by VX2.
But if you are an aggrieved party--- if you find this
scumware on your PC--- and if you wish to contact the persons responsible, you
can find the contact name, email, physical address and telephone number in the
public "whois" information contained in the DNS records for VX2.COM:
http://www.netsol.com/cgi-bin/whois/whois?STRING=vx2.com&SearchType=do&STRING2.x=16&STRING2.y=12
Please *don't* spam them, but if you feel abused by VX2, by all means let them know how unhappy you are: That's
exactly the kind of thing that the public contact info in the "whois" databases
is for.
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3) Alas, "Smart Tags" Alive And Well
In "Even More 'ScumWare' To Watch Out For" (
http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2002/2002-01-28.htm#3 ) we discussed how
eZula and Surf+ insert hyperlinks into web pages you visit: These hyperlinks are
not placed there by the author of the web page, but are inserted after the fact
(actually, inside your browser) by the eZula and Surf+ software: These force-fed
hyperlinks are often really just ads that bring you to sites that paid for the linkage---
all without any involvement on the part of the web site owner or page author.
Microsoft developed and withdrew something similar called Smart
Tags--- but didn't withdraw the technology as far as I'd thought, as this reader
(who chose not to give a name) explains:
Error Will Robinson! SmartTags is alive and well at Microsoft. In response to
public outcry MS only removed the default SmartTags from the default
installation of Office. However, the SmartTag tools are still available and
being developed for development by corporate developers and ISPs (supposedly).
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?ReleaseID=34969&area=search&ordinal=1
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?ReleaseID=32572&area=search&ordinal=1
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?ReleaseID=29926&area=search&ordinal=2
(Although I can't locate it now I know I've seen more recent developer tool
downloads for Smart Tag than the September 2001. And I think the Dec 2001
student kit is evidence enough.)
Ezula is probably developed using SmartTags. This is one of those cases where
a software tool can be productive and very helpful or easily exploited by the
unscrupulous. Interesting to note that MS was assumed to be THE most unscrupulous
user on the release of SmartTags...or maybe it was the <bleep> poor decision to
install the MS demonstration database in Office by default.
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4) Free Filtered Searching Of Vendor
Sites
Many vendors have good info on their sites, but
digging it out can be tough.
We've covered several tools that are often better
than the sites' own built-in search engines (see, for example, "Digging
Information From Stubborn Sites" at
http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2001/2001-12-17.htm#2 ). Here's another:
This is a killer, I mean sweet search tool for Microsoft technet, that is better then the microsoft search engine uncle bill uses. make sure u remove the adobe & intuit when doing a techsupport search for MS:
http://www.freeanswers.com/
---Gary
Thanks, Gary!
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5) Last Day To Enter January's FREE
Drawing
At the end of the day on Jan 31, I'll choose another
monthly winner of a no-strings $30 Gift Certificate for any item at Amazon.Com---
books, software, hardware, kitchenware, toys... To have a shot at winning, 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 $30 shopping spree! (Full details also available via this
link):
http://www.langa.com/recommend.htm
The more times you make a recommendation, the greater
your chances are of winning!
Or, if you'd like to try to win $10,000(!), try this
link (full details also available here):
http://www.recommend-it.com/l.z.e?s=143182
Either way, thank you, and good luck!
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6) LavaSoft Resurfaces... Again
Lavasoft--- makers of the free and excellent AdAware
spyware-removal tool--- has been having a lot of site trouble of late. I
also didn't help matters when I mentioned them in the last issue, but included a
typo in their URL. My apologies.
Main Site:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com
Mirrors:
http://lavasoft.de
http://lavasoftusa.net
http://lavasoftusa.org
They've also added a new site---
http://www.lsfileserv.com/index.html
--- which appears to be an auto-redirect from their main pages, in an effort to
improve their site accessibility.
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7) Netscape Security Flaw
A SECURITY FLAW in Netscape Communications' Navigator Web browser can let malicious Web site operators view the information stored in cookies on a user's computer, according to a security note published on Netscape's Web site.
For Full Story
http://www.infoworld.com/articles/hn/xml/02/01/29/020129hnnetscape.xml?0129alert
The vulnerability affects Navigator
versions 6 through 6.2, as well as version 0.9.6 and earlier versions of the
open-source version of Navigator, Mozilla,
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8) They Loaded The Code
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!" (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:
View A Randomly-Chosen Reader Site
http://www.langa.com/randomlink.htm
Manually Browse All Posted-to-Date Sites Starting At
http://www.langa.com/readersites.htm
blankity-blank
http://www.blankity-blank.net/home.asp
Hardware Gator
http://www.hardgator.com/
Family Links
http://geocities.com/asmconsult/
Artistic Inclinations
http://www.artisticinclinations.net/
Ink Castle
http://www.inkcastle.com/
The Tri-City Classic (Bowling) League
http://www.angelfire.com/il/tcclassic/
Southbay/Pittsburgh
http://www.pghsouthbay.com/
Software Rules
http://home.attbi.com/~vh-01/
Yih Jong Kyuhn
http://web.wt.net/~sabelle/index.htm
SnapshotProLine
http://www.snapshotproline.com/
Black Sheep
http://therealblacksheep.tripod.com/
Lynn Farmer Photo/ Computers & Stuff
http://www.lynnfarmerphoto.net/computers_and_stuff/
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9) "Legal Defence
Fund <LDF> Ware"
We've written about a one-man operation called PCHELP--- and the legal problems he
ran into after criticizing software--- several times before. (See
http://search.atomz.com/search/?sp-q=pchelp&sp-a=0008002a-sp00000000 )
Now, here's an interesting--- and painless--- way to help out:
We would like to offer something to you and your readers in return for their
help.
Perhaps you've heard about the PCHelp - Lockdown 2000 law suit? For over a
year now, a group of volunteers known as the "PCHelpers"
http://www.pchelpers.org
have been trying to get people's attention to this case... PcHelp's legal bills are mounting up fast, and people aren't exactly jumping
up and down to donate to his legal defence fund <LDF>, while the outcome of this
lawsuit will influence ALL our lives. I am convinced it will be a serious blow
to the freedom of speech on the Internet if Lockdown Corp. should win this case,
due to PcHelp having to default for financial reasons.
I am the author of a program called CD Labeler Gold. I initially wrote this
program for myself, but a few years ago I decided to sell it on the Internet,
with the idea to let it pay for my hobbies. <computers and Internet> I can hear
you think; Why are you wasting my time with this?
Because I changed CD Labeler Gold from Shareware to LDFware. <Legal Defence
Fund <LDF> ware>:
http://pchelponline.org/cdlabelergold/index.html
It is my hope that people are willing to donate if they get something in
return. So, for all your readers that decide to donate at least US $15.00 to the
legal defence fund, they will receive a full version of the CD Labeler Gold
software for their generosity. Would you please help us in getting the word out on this Fred? Thank you, Eric Erades
Interesting approach, Eric. Thanks!
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10) Just For Grins
Mike Boyer sends along this 12-Step program for
people who reflexively forward every hoax mail or chain letter they receive...
1) I will NOT get bad luck, lose my friends, or lose my mailing lists if I
DON'T forward an email!
2) I will NOT hear any music or see a taco dog, if I do forward an e-mail.
3) Bill Gates is NOT going to send me money, Victoria Secret doesn't know
anything about a gift certificate they're supposed to send me.
4) Ford will NOT give me a 50% discount even if I forward my e-mail to more
than 50 people!
5) I will NEVER receive gift certificates, coupons, or freebies from Coca
Cola, Cracker Barrel, Old Navy, or anyone else if I send an e-mail to 10 people.
6) I will NEVER see a pop-up window if I forward an e-mail . NEVER-- EVER!!
7) There is NO SUCH THING as an e-mail tracking program, and I am not STUPID
enough to think that someone will send me $100 for forwarding an e-mail to 10 or
more people!
8) There is NO kid with cancer through the Make-a-Wish program in England
or anywhere else collecting anything!
9) The government does not have an email postage bill in Congress called 901B (or whatever
they named it this week) that, if passed, will enable them to charge us 5 cents for every e-mail we
send.
10) There will be NO cool dancing, singing, waving, colorful flowers,
characters, or program that I will receive immediately after I forward an
e-mail. NONE, ZIP, ZERO,NADA!!
11) The American Red Cross will NOT donate 50 cents to certain individual
dying of some never-heard-of disease for every e-mail address I send this to.
The American Red Cross RECEIVES donations.
12) And finally, I WILL NOT let others guilt me into sending things by
telling me I am not their friend or that I don't believe in the right religion. If God
wants to send me a message, I believe the bushes in my yard will burn before He
picks up a PC to pass it on!
Now, repeat this to yourself until you have it memorized, and send it along
to at least 5 of your friends before the next full moon or you will surely be
constipated for the next three months and all of your hair will fall out!
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11) Plus! Edition Highlights
- Free Tool Finds Spyware Others Miss
- Tools Specifically To Detect/Remove VX2-Type ScumWare
- Identify Mystery Hardware Without
Opening Your PC
Today's LangaList Plus! Edition contains all ten
items above, plus about 30% more content including: A free tool that finds some
spyware and adware that even tools like Ad-Aware misses; more free tools to
detect and root out a whole class of "browser helper object" scumware; and
ways to identify mystery hardware devices inside your PC--- without even having
to open the case!
And you can get the Plus! Edition for literally just
pennies! Info:
http://www.langa.com/plus.htm
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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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