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The LangaList
Standard Edition

2002-11-25

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

Please visit our sponsors and help keep the LangaList S.E. free!

1) More Security Patches

"Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer (Q328970)"
Software: Internet Explorer
Impact Execute commands on a user's system
Max Risk: Important
This is a cumulative patch that includes the functionality of all previously released patches for IE 5.01, 5.5 and 6.0. In addition, it eliminates six newly discovered vulnerabilities.... The patch also makes a further refinement to cross domain verification check that was first introduced in Internet Explorer Service Pack 1.

See: http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/ms02-066.asp or
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS02-066.asp

Although it's usually depressing to see this kind of security problem, sometimes one brings a smile along with a grimace. For example:

REVISION: Certificate Validation Flaw Could Enable Identity Spoofing (Q329115)
Software: Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office for Mac, Microsoft Internet Explorer for Mac, or Microsoft Outlook Express for Mac.
Impact Identity spoofing and, in some cases, ability to gain control over a user's system.
Max: Risk Important
Reason for Revision: The original version of this bulletin was released on 05 September 2002. On 09 September 2002, we updated the bulletin to advise customers that a Microsoft-issued digital certificate, used to sign device drivers, did not meet the stricter validation standards established by the patch. As a result, customers who installed the patch could see unexpected error messages when installing new hardware, or in some cases might be unable to install new hardware altogether. On 20 November 2002, we released an updated version of the patch that not only eliminates this problem, but also eliminates a newly discovered variant of the original vulnerability.

See http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS02-050.asp

In other words, the original patch failed to play by the new rules that the patch was designed to enforce. Man!

Anyway, I suggest you check out both the above patches ASAP.

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2) "Greeting" Card EULA Abusers

In "More Scumware-By-EULA" (
http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2002/2002-11-21.htm#2 ) we discussed how "Friendgreetings" abuses its End-User-License-Agreement by embedding deep within it a clause that says, in effect, that you're allowing them to place scumware on your PC. Alas, they're not the only one doing this, and other, similar vendors keep shifting their domain name to try to stay one step ahead of anti-scumware tools:

Below is a list of who is sending that Emailer Hack they "legally" trick people into. To get around the Anti Spam tools they use new names. I don't see how they can afford to do this. Each of the names are real and do have that so called "non-virus" ready for a sucker [to download]. The list grows every day...---Jim Cooke

[Note: to make these links unclickable, Jim has replaced the punctuation with the word DOT.}

surprise-card DOT net
surprise-cards DOT net
surprise-greeting DOT net
surprise-greetings DOT net
surprisecard DOT net
surprisecards DOT net
surprisegreeting DOT net
surprisegreetings DOT net
cool-download DOT com
cool-download DOT net
cool-downloads DOT com
cool-downloads DOT net
friend-card DOT com
friend-card DOT net
friend-cards DOT com
friend-cards DOT net
friend-greeting DOT com
friend-greeting DOT net
friend-greetings DOT com
friend-greetings DOT net
friendcard DOT com
friendcard DOT net
friendcards DOT com
friendcards DOT net
friendgreeting DOT com
friendgreeting DOT net
friendgreetings DOT com
friendgreetings DOT net
surprise-card DOT net
surprise-cards DOT net
surprise-greeting DOT net
surprise-greetings DOT net
surprisecard DOT net
surprisecards DOT net
surprisegreeting DOT net
surprisegreetings DOT net
...

Thanks, Jim.

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3) Another Reader-Recommended Anti-Spyware Tool

Our recent discussion of "Real-Life Spam Solutions" ( http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20021115S0018 ) is still generating good reader comment not only on spam tools, but also on related software, such as this spyware blocker:

Thanks, Ciaran.

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4) Zipfiles Slow Down Searching

Reader Chris Altwegg encountered a problem, found a good answer, documented what he found, and then generously took the time to write it all up--- solely to save the rest of us from having to duplicate his efforts!

Fred: Problem--- Using Windows XP "search" function for a file would run through every ZIP file I had on this machine. And with almost 60 Gigs of neatly arranged ZIP files, this would mean looking for a simple lost file would take an hour or more. But how to prevent the search function from searching in ZIP files? Program has no setting to included or not include ZIP files.

Answer--- Google took me to Computing.net, where Jammy had this to say

you need to disable ZIP integration within XP. Then use Winzip or Winrar as your Zip program...

disable Zip integration by going to Start > Run

then type in the following

regsvr32 /u %windir%\system32\zipfldr.dll

then reboot your computer. Zip integration still comes back to haunt XP for me sometimes, just run the "Regsvr.." command above, and it will de-integrate ZIP.

I too hate it looking within Zip files - especially when you have loads throughout the computer.

http://www.computing.net/windowsxp/wwwboard/forum/37056.html

I took his advice, gave it a try, and it worked perfectly! (I would suggest running WinZip after rebooting and before using Search. The program might complain that ZIP files aren't associated with WinZip and ask if you want to register WinZip as the application of choice. Say yes and watch those ZIP file fly back in Search mode.

Great column. Happy subscriber, Chris

Thanks, Chris!

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5) The Obscure "Browse Master" Setting

The little-known "Browse Master" setting has nothing to do with web browsing, but can cause small networks to seriously degrade or even to stop working altogether:

Fred - I've been a Plus subscriber for about a year.  Your newsletter is the best. I look forward to every issue.

I've been unable to find any past issue that discusses my network problem. I have 7 PCs networked and I experience very erratic connections. I have a cable  modem feeding a 4 port Linksys router. The router also feeds a 4 port hub. I'm using the Win98 'file and printer sharing' feature. The machines are turned on and off throughout the week as needed. I've had times when every PC can see every other PC, but usually, any PC will only see some or usually none of the others that are "on" at the time. When that happens, sometimes using Find/Computer will work, but usually it doesn't.

Rebooting and/or pushing the router reset button sometimes will allow some PC's to find some others. I've read about how the file sharing Browser List can take up to 15 minutes to find a connection and even longer to drop it when you turn a machine off, but I've waited much longer than 15 minutes and the connections aren't found. My internet connections are pretty reliable, but occasionally they require reboots and router resets also. Is this just Win98 instability or do you think I have a hardware problem or what? Thanks - John

Older Windows peer-networks really aren't fully based on peerage: One of the machines on the network--- called the Browse Master--- automatically keeps track of what's in the "Network Neighborhood," and shares this info with the others. If that Master machine tanks, another PC should step in to take over--- but "should" is the key word. Sometimes, it doesn't happen, and the network appears to go dark. It's actually still working, but the PCs can't make use of it until one--- and only one--- Browse Master takes over again.

Lots more info:
http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/browse.htm

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=%22browse+master%22&meta=group%3Dmicrosoft.public.win98.networking
[TinyURL version of above: http://tinyurl.com/2wlf ]

http://www.google.com/search?q=browse+master

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6) Last Week To Enter November's FREE Drawing

On November 30, 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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7) Desktop Icon Position-Holder

Reader Steve Dakos found a simple--- and silly--- answer to a common problem: How to keep your desktop icons in a set position and order:

Fred, I have been a long time LangaList Plus subscriber and have always been amazed at the quality and quantity of useful information you provide to all of your readers. Thanks. Having two children that share my computer for numerous games often resulted in in scrambled desktop icons when a program would change video mode, then either crash or fail to properly restore settings upon closing. I came upon a great freeware (actually SillyWare) program called "Iconoid" from SillySot Software, found at http://www.sillysot.com/  . The program can memorize and auto-restore desktop icon locations at various resolutions as well as provide a number of other useful desktop icon functions. Although very conservative with allowance of background programs, Iconoid always remains loaded. I am not associated with the company, but thought there may be other LangaList readers that could value from this program. Keep up the great work, Steve Dakos

I'd never heard of "sillyware," but the site defines it as software that's free--- except that you're supposed to send the author "something silly" if you like it. I almost hesitate to think what the author might be receiving! <g>

Thanks, Steve.

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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

RAM Electronics
http://www.ramelectronics.net/

Palm OS PDA Software Collection CD
http://raf1.net/pda001.html

Treasured Savings
http://treasuredsavings.tripod.com/misc.html

Greg Eaton & Associates Pty. Ltd (AU)
http://www.eatonco.net/

The Tangerine Lounge (unusual personal site)
http://www.geocities.com/BarbsWyre/lounge.html

Chandero Systems Inc.
http://www.chandero.com/

PC@Home
http://www.pc-at-home.co.za/

Harbinger Capital Investments
http://www.harbingercapitalinvestments.com/

bluegrassphotos
http://community.webshots.com/user/bluegrassphotos

Linkers (UK)
http://www.linkers.co.uk/

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9) Catfish Catalogs

In http://www.langa.com/current.htm#9 , we talked about tools that let you create a catalog of what's on CDs (or floppies) that you have in storage--- a way to track what may be hundreds of thousands of separate files. Here's another free tool:

I'd like to recommend a tool that will help Stu with his catalog problems. I've been using Catfish ( http://www.equi4.com/catfish/  ) for a couple of years now and have relied on it more times than I care to imagine. It's the absolute best program I have tried for this requirement, plus it's FREE! Hope this helps Stu with his needs, I'm sure he, and any other readers who need this type of solution, will be pleased with Catfish. Jeffrey W. Mortenson

Thanks, Jeff!

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10) Just For Grins

This is politically incorrect, but...

CHRISTMAS CAROLS FOR THE PSYCHIATRICALLY CHALLENGED

Schizophrenia --- Do You Hear What I Hear?

Multiple Personality Disorder --- We Three Queens Disoriented Are

Dementia --- I Think I'll be Home for Christmas

Narcissistic --- Hark the Herald Angles Sing About Me

Manic --- Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Busses and Trucks and trees and Fire Hydrants and......

Paranoid --- Santa Claus is Coming to Get me

Borderline Personality Disorder --- Thoughts of Roasting on an Open Fire

Personality Disorder --- You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout, Maybe I'll tell You Why

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ---Jingle Bells, jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells

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11) Plus! Edition Highlights:

• Solving Notebook Battery Problems
• Multiple-Monitor Setups
• Free Floppy Tool

Today's LangaList Plus! Edition contains all ten items above, plus about 30% more content including: a long, detailed discussion on getting the most out of (expensive!) notebook batteries, and ways to possibly resurrect ones that seem ready for that great recycling bin in the sky; a site rich with all kinds of information on simultaneously using two or more monitors with one PC; and a free tool for archiving or distributing floppy-based software in an exact, track-for-track manner:

Complete Plus! Edition info (it's just a buck a month!): http://www.langa.com/plus.htm 

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PLEASE NOTE:
Due to the US National Thanksgiving Holiday,
the next issue will mail on: Dec 2

See you next issue!

Best,

Fred
( Editor@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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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 1533-1156

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