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The
LangaList
Standard Edition
SPECIAL
EXTENDED ISSUE
2002-05-23
A Free Email Newsletter from
Fred Langa
That Helps You Get More From Your Hardware,
Software, and Time Online
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1) "Extended
Issue?"
We normally produce 7-8 newsletter issues per month,
and this month is no different--- except that the calendar isn't making it easy.<g>
Next Monday (May 27th) is the US National "Memorial Day" Holiday, for example.
In addition, May has five Thursdays, which (by itself) would mess up our normal
schedule.
Because the month's odd publishing schedule created
unusual gaps between issues, today's issue is a bit longer than is typical, with all
versions--- Standard and Plus--- containing more material than normal.
So: This is our seventh newsletter issue this
month. Our next issue--- bringing the total number of issues for May to the
normal eight--- will appear on May 30.
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2) *Must Have* Freeware
How would you like a free--- I mean really, truly free---
office suite that's essentially the same as
Microsoft Office? One you could load on as many PCs as you wish, with no legal
or ethical issues whatsoever? One that includes a word processor (like Word),
spreadsheet (like Excel), presentation tool (like PowerPoint), an HTML editor
(like the FrontPage editor), a drawing tool and a mathematic equation editor?
It's called OpenOffice (
http://www.openoffice.org ). It really does
perform the same functions as Microsoft Office, but for free and without any Windows Product
Activation silliness. OpenOffice even writes to and reads from standard
Microsoft Office files, so you can access the content of your existing MSO
documents.
OpenOffice is an outgrowth of the former "Star Office Suite" created in
Germany and acquired by Sun some time ago. Sun recently bifurcated the
development of Star Office, releasing the source code to "OpenOffice.Org" but
also retaining development rights for itself.
OpenOffice will run on almost any PC running any version of Windows 95 or
above, or any version of Linux using the 2.2.13 kernel, or higher. It needs just
64MB of RAM, and about 250MB of disk space.
I recommend that everyone--- and I mean everyone--- should at least look at
the free OpenOffice at
http://www.openoffice.org/dev_docs/source/download.html . You have
absolutely nothing to lose except some download time, and you just may find that
this free suite meets all or most of your office software needs.
If it doesn't, then check out Sun's somewhat
more-elaborate versions. There are two. The newest version of Star Office is now called StarSuite Office 6.0 (
http://wwws.sun.com/software/star/starsuite/ ); it costs $76 to download---
not free, but a fraction of the cost of Microsoft Office. The last free version of Sun's
Star Office (the old version 5.2) is still available as I write this (see
http://wwws.sun.com/software/star/staroffice/5.2/get/get.html ), but I don't
know how much longer it will remain so. That version also has a strange
interface that some users find disconcerting. (The new 6.0 version has a normal
interface.)
By checking out alternatives to Microsoft Office, not only might you find
yourself able to get along just fine with free or lower-cost software than you'd
otherwise have to use, but you'll also be sending a strong message to Microsoft
to reduce its ridiculously inflated software prices, and to eliminate annoyances like WPA.
I've installed OpenOffice on a new laptop I have, and it looks very good so
far. I'm going to see if I can use it for my normal work without installing any
part of Microsoft Office on that machine. It should be a very interesting
experiment.
You gotta check it out:
http://www.openoffice.org/dev_docs/source/download.html
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3) The "S u l f n b l k" Hoax Resurfaces
With New Name/File
Writing from Canada, Noel Beyleveld was the first of many readers who asked
about a new virus hoax making the rounds:
Hi Fred - great newsletter! I'm a happy Plus subscriber. An
acquaintance sent me a v i r u s "alert" claiming that the file j d b g m g r
. e x e is a virus and should be deleted. (It's got a teddy-bear icon!... must
be a v i r u s, right??) -) As far as I can see, this file is part of the
original Windows setup, so I left it alone. (My Norton AV 2002 would have
picked up any infection, I'm sure.) I wrote back to the sender of the "alert"
and pointed out that whoever started this hoax is no doubt screaming with
laughter. Who needs to create a virus, when one can just start a hoax and get
people to trash their computers all by themselves? Siiiiiiiigh... Another
urban legend in the making?... Thanks, Noel Beyleveld
Indeed, j d b g m g r . e x e is a normal system file (it's the Java Debugger
Manager). This hoax is an update of the S u l f n b l k hoax (see
http://search.atomz.com/search/?sp-q=sulfnblk&sp-a=0008002a-sp00000000 )
that caused millions of people to delete the S u l f n b l k system file from
their PCs--- ripping out a part of their operating system in the
process. Fortunately, the Java Debugger isn't a centrally important file, and most
parts of the OS should work fine without it.
More info--- including how to restore the file if you've already deleted
it--- is at:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q322993
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4) Very Nicely-Done Security
Resource
Fred: At
http://www.saltmeadow.com/privacy/ , we are currently recommending what we
consider the best available free applications and advice for safeguarding PCs.
We do this as an unpaid service, in part because our survival as a company
depends on the public's ability to surf safely and with a reasonable
expectation of privacy. Your recommendations further that end and are among
the few we strongly endorse. --- Don Patterson
Thanks, Don. Saltmeadow is a *very* nicely done site that contains a ton of
free info, and links to many free security-enhancing downloads resources. If
you've been following all the recommendations in the newsletter, you probably
won't find any surprises at the Saltmeadow site, but it's still a very handy
collection--- a one-stop-resource for a very wide variety of tools and info.
Nice!
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5) HotMail Emulates Yahoo's Privacy
Breach
About 2 months ago, Yahoo changed its privacy policies, and in the process
automatically reset all its customers' "opt-out"
preferences reset to opt-*in*--- in effect, telling the system "Yes, Yahoo,
please spam me!" (See
http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2002/2002-04-08.htm#3 ). It looks as if Hotmail
is on the same path.
Fred, I'm a Plus LangaList subscriber and just came across
this today (
http://www.msnbc.com/news/753687.asp ). Apparently, Hotmail
(MSN/Microsoft) "added" some privacy options... and, like Yahoo recently did,
set their subscribers options to YES for these new options without any type of
notification. Your list members may be surprised to find out that they now
have "given" Microsoft permission to share their email address and other
profile information which includes their Birth Date, Country/Region, State,
Zip Code, Gender, Accessibility, Time Zone, and Occupation with other .Net
company sites. While I realize that many put misinformation in these fields
(always a good practice), others likely have not or could not for various
reasons. I personally have two hotmail accounts, one with bogus information,
and another where I was compelled to use my real information because Microsoft
has forced it's Passport login on its Certified Engineers and Partners.
To verify or change these new options, sign into your
Hotmail account, select Options, and then modify your Personal Profile.
Chances are, most will find three new options with the aforementioned two
enabled. Good luck! Darren Sargent
Thanks, Darren.
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6) Easy 2-Way
Synching
Hi Fred, Just thought I would let you know how much I enjoy your newsletter.
I also found this great software to accomplish something I have been trying to
figure out on my own for the last 3 weeks. It is called Pocket Mirror by Chapura
- http://www.chapura.com . It solved my
problems in minutes!
You get to synchronize your PDA with Outlook, the most widely used software
to put info into your PDA. However, my problem was that I entered everything
into my Handspring software directly. I want to get a new cell phone and didn't
want to have to input all that info in again. So, I was searching for a way to
get my info back into Outlook. In contacting Compaq support, someone told me
about this software. I was thrilled to find it. I downloaded it and installed
it. The first synch went really well! Now, everything is in Outlook and I can
transfer it to any telephone I buy! What a relief as I am somewhat handicapped
and inputting this kind of info really taxes me. ---Mimi Coneff
Thanks, Mimi. Indeed, all too often, the links between handheld devices and
desktop/laptop systems isn't 100% symmetrical--- it's either easier to send info
in one direction than the other, or not all info gets sent, or it doesn't get
sent in the manner or to the place you expect. It's annoying.
The Chapura site actually has lots of software on it, including free
trialware and updates. Pocket Mirror, however, isn't free: It's a $50 item. But
if, like Mimi, you need it, then $50 may seem a modest price to pay. 8-)
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7) Last Week To
Enter May's FREE Drawing
On May 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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8) Lost Your CD ROM
Access?
Dear Fred, I ran into a problem in windows XP that apparently, according to
the Microsoft newsgroups, many more people are having.
I attempted to install a cd burner in my xp machine, and in the process,
windows xp decided it no longer wanted to recognize either my cd-rom or burner
as working hardware. After a long and trying day or changing my cd-rom's setups
from master, to slave, to ide1 to ide2, and still ending up with conflicts in
the device manager as having conflicts in both (even though xp did see them as new
hardware and installed drivers for both), they did not show up in explorer or my
computer (but did show up in the bios), I finally sought out help from others in
the Microsoft newsgroups and found my answer.
It seems that, if you had recently uninstalled a copy of roxio's cd creator
in win xp, that registry settings from that program are left behind in the
registry, and renders your cd-rom/and or burner un-usable.
A fix for this problem is available in this bulletin
http://support.microsoft.com/search/preview.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q314060 .
Granted, it involves going into the registry and
deleting two items, which can be intimidating and dangerous if not done
correctly.... Keep up the great work with your newsletter, it is greatly appreciated! Sincerely, Bruce Dunbar
Wow, Bruce, thanks. I've been getting mail on the
mystery of lost CD access, and had it on my to-do list to try to track down an
answer. You beat me to it! 8-)
The title of the Knowledgebase article says it all: "CD-ROM Access Is Missing and
Messages Cite Error Code 31, Code 32, Code 19, or Code 39 After You Remove Easy
CD Creator in Windows XP." If that's the problem you're having, Bruce found your
answer.
Make a backup first (
http://www.langa.com/backups/backups.htm ) and you then can edit the
registry without worry, because you can restore your system to its previous
state if something goes wrong.
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9) Small Network Refresher
I have several systems...three of them I have win98 on and
the newest with XP. I plan on cable in the near future and of course that will
also take me into the world of networking for the first time as I will be
using a Linksy Router when the time comes to add three of these machines
together with the new XP machine being used as the main machine or server.
Until I clean up, backup what I want, and prepare for all of
this...can you recommend (and now with clear instructions) or at least point
me to a clear site as to how to run a cable between two of these machines for
the purpose of moving files from one to another?
I do know once I network these machines, I can enable the
file and printer sharing features to transfer info this way....but for the
time being...and before I take this step...I want the quickest and easiest way
to move these files before I begin the journey of setting up my own home
network with a cable connection.
Can you point me in the right direction....what cable I need
to purchase...as well as instructions or a link to show me how to do this?
Seems many people have many different opinions... Take Care-- Dee
Actually, most of the major router vendors include
reasonably complete info in their user manuals: There's usually enough info
right in the box to get everything connected and accessing the Internet,
especially if you buy a "networking kit" and not just a naked router.
But there are some things the router instructions may not cover, including
how to set up a safer form peer-to-peer file and print sharing: The safer approach is to
use a "non-routable" network protocol to let the machines access each other over
your LAN, and a different "routable" protocol (TCP/IP) to access the Internet.
By not having "print and file sharing" enabled for TCP/IP, you make it harder
for hackers and crackers to roam freely around your small LAN.
Lots more info:
http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2001/2001-11-12.htm#9
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q258/7/17.ASP
http://www.helmig.com
http://www.practicallynetworked.com
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10) They Just Keep
Coming And Coming and Coming...
Over two thousand 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 )
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
Computer Education Society of Philadelphia
http://www.cesop.org/
Daily Babble
http://members.fortunecity.com/moonrpie/index.html
Shoe Box
http://members.rogers.com/rbonnell/
nambe.net
http://www.nambe.net/
GailLA (gator download)
http://www.gailla.com/homepage/
North Carolina House Swap
http://www.angelfire.com/d20/beachhouse/Beachhouse/MainPage/BeachHouseMainPage.html
Lion's Lair
http://www.angelfire.com/wa/lionslair/
Synergistic Blends
http://www.heartwarmers4u.com/members/?joy2bgram
Karen's Koncepts
http://www.netmegs.com/koncepts/koncepts.htm
Ray's Web (scuba enthusiast)
http://members.cox.net/rweethweb/
Carl Beck
http://www.carlbeck.com/
State of upheaval
http://www.stateofupheaval.com/
The Computer Guy Tips And Tricks
http://www.bestcomputerguy.com/tips_&_tricks.htm
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11) Two Reader-Recommended Popup
Stoppers...
Hey Fred, Lately in your langalists I have seen an array of
freeware pop-up blockers. In your latest langalist there was a subject about
"Invasion of the Browser Snatchers". I have stumbled across a freeware program
that is not only a pop-up blocker, but also claims to prevent home page
changes. It's called Free Surfer mk II and is located at
http://www.free.surfer.tc/mail
. It also has some other interesting features. I think it's well worth it to
check it out. ---Darren Tyler
Hi Fred I have been subscribed for I don't know how long. I
saw the part in the latest newsletter about Popup Window killers. I think I
have tried just about every free popup program there is to be found. The one I
settled on is called Web Window Killer. It works the best compared to the
others. It does come with a base of windows it will kill and when one pops up
you just open the program from the system tray and with a couple of clicks
it's added to the list. It's very user friendly. Take a look
http://www.anarelion.com/aalku/WebWindowKiller/main.php download it
and see for yourself. Thanks for your time, Charlie Knutson
Thanks, Guys!
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12) ... And Info On Time-Delay Popups
We've recently discussed how K l e z can make it seem that *you* sent people
an infected email when in fact you did not. Well, there's something roughly
analogous on web sites that use either "open on exit" or javascript-time-delayed
popup ads:
Fred: There's a new evil being perpetrated by the "bad guys" on
the web. Now they've come up with delayed pop-ups, that appear after you leave
a website. The result is that the pop-up appears to come from the next site
you visit, rather than the site you just left. Sometimes it's just an
ordinary, annoying ad, but it can also be the insidious Gator download pop-up.
I review hundreds of web sites for each issue of our ezine,
and I won't list a website that has more than one ordinary pop-up, the Gator
download pop-up, the Comet Cursor download pop-up, or desktop dancers
advertised on their site. When a site has an especially offensive ad, or
pop-up, I always complain to the site owner, if I can find a contact link on
the page, rather than simply dismiss the site. No normal person, who has a
website, is going to continue to tolerate an ad, or pop-up that chases
visitors away from their site. More than one website has removed an ad or
pop-up following my objection. Yes, a few sites have responded with
anatomically impossible suggestions, but that's a chance I'm willing to take.
If I don't speak up, and let the site owner know that I've been offended by
their advertising, then I feel I've waived my right to be offended, and I
refuse to surrender that right.
On several occasions, recently, I've received responses from
angry site owners who hate pop-ups as much as I do, and wouldn't permit them
on their websites. That's how I discovered this new evil that's being
perpetrated on us. The people who present these pop-ups have, by their
actions, made it obvious that they know their advertising is offensive.
Designing a pop-up ad to appear on the next website you visit, thereby
concealing it's source, is virtually a confession of guilt, and contains an
implied confession of evil intent. It says "I'm going to do this hateful
thing, but I don't want people to know I'm doing it, so I'm going to make it
look like the next guy did it."
I can't begin to express how angry it makes me to have been
deceived by this practice. I've gone back, each time, and apologized to the
websites who've received my undeserved complaints, but, just as I'm unwilling
to tolerate an offensive ad without speaking up, I'm equally unwilling to
tolerate this evil practice without speaking out.
Please, will one of you software developers out there write
a program that enables me to know whether a pop-up came from the site I just
left, or the site I just visited. I'm not begging for a "freebie", I'll gladly
pay for a shareware solution. I'm very serious about my responsibility to my
readers, and I'm certain that many other ezine publishers share my feelings.
We'll all be grateful to you for the assistance.
Thanks a million, Don Crowder (
http://www.maxpatch.com )
Open-on-exit ads have been around for a while, but actual time-delay ads are
something I haven't yet run into (thank goodness). I assume the javascript must
be running in a hidden window, in order to do this, because web page scripts
normally stop when the page closes.
Until there are better tools to block these kinds of offensive ads, one
simple step we all can take is never, ever to buy anything from any vendor who
advertises by offensive or invasive means. Advertising costs money, and
advertisers won't continue to use types of ads that don't bring in clicks.
You can punish bad advertisers by totally ignoring their ads, their sites, and
their products. Conversely, reward the good advertisers with your clicks, your
attention, and your business. Over time, the bad guys will fade away, leaving
the responsible advertisers in business--- and the web will be a better place.
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13) Just For Grins
What they say, versus what they really mean:
A number of different approaches are being tried.
(We are still guessing at this point.)
Major technological breakthrough!
(It works OK, but looks very hi-tech.)
Test results were extremely gratifying!
(Unbelievable! It actually worked.)
The entire concept will have to be abandoned.
(The only person who understood the thing quit.)
All new.
(Parts are not interchangeable with previous design.)
No maintenance.
(Impossible to fix)
Low maintenance.
(Nearly impossible to fix)
E-mail me (or fax me) the data.
(I'm too lazy to write it down.)
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14) Plus! Edition Highlights:
- New Free Script-Based Tweaker/Tuneup
Tool
- Free Tech Books Online
- A New Zealander's
Monthly Maintenance Ideas
- Freeware
Mother Lode
Today's LangaList Plus! Edition contains all ten
items above, plus about 30% more content including: A powerful, free (and
largely unknown!) tweaking/tuning/cleanup tool; a resource offering 38 complete
tech books and sample chapters online; a discussion of what to use and when to
use it, in terms of routine system maintenance; and a freeware/shareware mother
lode of over 200 downloadable files.
The Plus! Edition costs literally just pennies per
issue:
http://www.langa.com/plus.htm
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PLEASE NOTE:
Due to the US National
"Memorial Day" Holiday on May 27th,
the next issue will mail on: May 30
See you next issue!
Best,
Fred
Please
recommend
the LangaList to a friend! (And maybe win $10,000!I)
An easier-to read formatted HTML version is
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(The HTML version of each issue normally is available by 9AM EST [UT-5] of the
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http://www.langa.com/legal.htm In brief: All information herein is
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This newsletter is a service of Langa Consulting LLC and is Copyright © 1997-2005 Fred Langa/ Langa Consulting LLC. All worldwide rights reserved. LangaList: ISSN
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