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The LangaList
Standard Edition

2002-12-12

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) Cataloging CD/Floppy Files

Our recent coverage of "Free Tools For Tracking What's On Your CDs" ( http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2002/2002-11-21.htm#9 ) brought many additional suggestions from readers. Here's a sampling:

Dear Fred - There is a solution in Windows besides the Alt+Prt.Scrn option that I came across whilst on the Microsoft Knowledge Base that is extremely useful for printing out a Windows Explorer Folder Directory Listing using Notepad. "How to Add the Print Directory Feature to Windows Explorer" is at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;272623  Sincerely, Jill Cassim, Ontario, Canada

Fred, I thought I would let you know about two tools that I recently developed that some of your readers might be interested in. They are Files2Excel and Files2Text. Both programs are Visual Basic scripts, thus requiring the presence of the Visual Basic Scripting engine. The scripts are less than 10 KB each in size. Files2Excel requires Excel to be installed on your computer. When a disk or folder icon is dragged over the Files2Excel icon, the script opens a new workbook in Excel and puts folder and file information (such as name, size, attributes, creation date, and last modified date) into a sheet in the workbook. The specific information that is output and its formatting is user customizable with a few easy changes to some flag variables at the beginning of the script. The Excel workbook can be saved to disk and/or printed. Files2Text works in a similar way to Files2Excel, except the output is a text file rather than an Excel workbook. Again, the specific output is user customizable. If the disk or folder being documented is writable, the output text file is created there; otherwise, as with a CD, the output text file is created on the desktop. These programs are ContributionWare. In other words, they are free, but you can choose to send a contribution if you like. The two programs can be downloaded together in one zip file, Files2.zip, from http://home.hiwaay.net/~rcfinch/progspc.html Thanks, rcfinch

Hi Fred, In your recent November 21, 2002 Plus issue a reader asked for help in finding an excellent program for cataloging all information burned onto CDR's. I have found an excellent program at http://www.zero2000.com/  I have used "CD Catalogue Expert" for a while now and I must tell you it has been a God-send in cataloging all the ten's and hundred's of CDR's I have strewn about all over my computer room. With all kinds of information and downloaded program's I had downloaded and saved in the past I found it increasingly harder and harder to keep up with it all. I hope your readers will find it as useful and invaluable as I have. Keep up the excellent work.---Bobby Atkins

Hi, Fred. In article #9 in the 11/21/2002 issue of LangaList Plus, Stu Kopelman was looking for a program that would print out a list of all of the downloads he has saved to CD. Perhaps, he would like to keep a copy of the list stored on his hard drive as well. An excellent program to do this is Offline CD Browser 3.1. The freeware program is developed and distributed by Anders Petersson and is available at http://hem.spray.se/anders.peterson/ocdb.html . I had exactly the same problem as Mr. Kopelman and found this to be an excellent solution. Although the system requirements specifies that the user needs to be running at least Windows 98, I used a little creative DLL shuffling and the program works perfectly on an old laptop running Windows 95. ---Anthony Cook

By the way, several readers also suggested Elcomsoft's  ( http://www.elcomsoft.com/ ) free Advanced Disk Catalog program.

Thanks to *all* who wrote in!

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2) Spyware Disguised As A Spyware-Remover?

Hi Fred, You might be interested in an article I wrote about a new 'supposed' Spyware Removal program called Spyware Nuker which is actually Spyware itself in Sheep's clothing. I ran tests on it and all my findings as well as contact information is in the article. I think you would really like to see this.

http://camtech2000.net/Newsletters/a_new_spyware_tactic.htm

Regards, Jerry Campbell

Thanks, Jerry. It's a pain to wade through end-user-license agreements, but as you found, not doing so can leave you wide open to all kinds of nastiness.

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3) Dodging Hack Attempts

There are many possible reasons for the activity you're seeing, but one way to determine if you're somehow being singled out is to get a new numeric IP (internet protocol) address. It's usually easy:

Most dial-up and cable systems use what's called "dynamic" addressing, where your PC's online numeric address is assigned when you first make a connection. In some cases, you get a new address every time you make a connection with your ISP; in other cases, whatever address you first get is "leased" to you for some period of time, as determined by the service provider. If the "lease" is long, or if you're online for long periods (a cable modem may be online for days, weeks, or months at a time), you can end up with the same IP address for that extended period. The longer you're online at a given address, the greater the odds that some hacker will discover that there's a live PC at that address, and they then may try attacking some or all of the 65,000 online "ports" your PC has. (See http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2002/2002-08-01.htm#4 )

But it's relatively easy to change the IP address, when dynamic addressing is used. You usually can do this with the WinIPCfg or IPconfig tool built into Windows.

In Win9x, the tool is called "WinIPCfg," which stands for Windows IP Configuration. It lets you see lots of information about your internet connection; and to "release" and "renew" any dynamically-assigned address.

In other versions of Windows (XP, for example) the tool is called IPconfig; it's not as polished--- it's a text-based tool run from the command line--- but it also lets you explore information about your Internet connection and to release/renew your IP address.

In either case, if your ISP uses dynamic addressing, you usually get get a new IP address by running the WinIPCfg or IPconfig tool, selecting "Release all " or "/release" (depending on which tool you're using) to discard all currently active IP addresses. Then unplug your modem, reboot, plug the modem back in, and you'll probably have a new IP address. (If not, check with the ISP about how to force a new IP; it may involve leaving your modem off for several hours, or overnight, but usually can be done.)

If hackers were beating on your system at the old IP address, they'll now have to start over, and try to find you at the new address.

More info:

WinIPCfg:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;141698
http://www.google.com/search?q=WinIPCfg

IPconfig:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/proddocs/ipconfig.asp
http://www.google.com/search?q=IPConfig

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4) Recycle Old CDs

Reader Gautam Anand recently sent two notes in rapid succession:

Hi Fred, Over the years I have amassed heaps of cds which I have absolutely no use for now or anytime in the future. They just keep on adding up and taking up space. And this is just 1 pc user. There must be millions like me . Is there a solution to make a good alternative use of the worthless junks of plastic and metal - the cds? Regards, Gautam

Hey Fred, The earlier mail from me just a few mins ago was an obvious attempt of not searching first on google. I came up with a 2-3 orgs which for a marginal fees recycle your old cds, DVDs, 1.44s etc.  http://www.usedcomputer.com/nonprof.html  has a list of some of them. Even got hold of 1 which is based in India http://www.microweb.com/pepsite/Recycle/India.html .

Rules to be followed when attempting to ask any question of a forum or to anyone...

Rule 1. search on google
Rule 2. search on google again with another set of keywords.

Is there a site which has tips on making refined searches on google etc....

d a m n.... did it again.....will search google for the same. Regards, Gautam

Indeed, Google is a godsend: A few minutes with its advanced search feature usually can let you zero in on just about anything. And it does have a pretty good help page at http://www.google.com/help/ .

Separately, reader Roy Dane sent in this possible way to rid yourself specifically of AOL CDs and their ilk:

I remember you mentioning some of the uses for all those AOL CDs that everyone seems to get way to many of. As you pointed out, throwing the CDs away only creates a serious environmental problem.... Even marking the package "Return to Sender"  doesn't work, as the Post Office doesn't return 4th class mail: It throws it away when asked to return to sender. So what do you do if every square inch of flat space in your house is covered with AOL drink coasters, and all your boating  and backpacking friends have at least 5 AOL emergency reflectors ?? Answer Send them to http://www.nomoreaolcds.com , which is a project by two gentlemen in California. They intend to gather 1,000,000 ( yes 1 Million ) AOL, Compuserve, Netscape, etc.. CDs and deliver them directly to AOL headquarters in Virginia, in the hopes of persuading AOL to stop mailing the silly things out to those of us who don't want or need them.

I like that idea! <g>

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5) "Attachment Options" For Outlook

Hi Fred, I know you have covered this issue awhile back. However I came across this site ... I thought you may want to have a look. http://www.slovaktech.com/attachmentoptions.htm  Regards, Bob Kirk

"Attachment Options is an Outlook 2002, Outlook 2000 SP3 and Outlook 11: COM add-in that provides a user interface for changing which file types are restricted as Level 1 attachments. Level 1 attachments are hidden by Outlook, and cannot be seen, saved or opened from Outlook items. Moving an attachment extension to Level 2 enables the user to see the attachment and to save it to the file system. The attachment saved to the file system can later be opened by the user...."

Thanks, Bob. Indeed, we've covered similar items--- ways to control how various versions of Outlook handle (or fail to handle) email attachments--- but it remains one of the most-asked questions. I bet a lot of readers will like the simplicity of "Attachment Options." It's shareware, with a $10 payment requested.

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6) "h. maginnis" Got A $30 Gift Certificate. Want One?

Reader "h. maginnis" just got a no-strings $30 Gift Certificate for any item at Amazon.Com--- books, software, hardware, kitchenware, toys, and more. "h. maginnis" got it by using the "Recommend" link at http://www.langa.com/recommend.htm .

If you use that link to recommend the LangaList to a friend, your friend may find a new source of useful information, I may gain a new subscriber; and you just may win a gift certificate, just as "h. maginnis" did. (Full details are available via that link.) 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 (really!), 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) Derlan Says "Thanks"

Remember Derlan? He's a young boy who lives in a farming community in Brazil. The per-capita family income is less than US$50.00 per month. A year ago, Derlan became one of the children supported every month through LangaList Plus! subscription contributions. (These contributions do not increase the cost of a Plus! subscription in any way; the donation is taken "off the top" of any profits.)

Derlan is one of the most-communicative kids that we support; he's written to us several times before (see http://www.langa.com/plus2.htm#kids ), and this new note catches us up with his life--- his pulling up some less-than-stellar grades, and making the "A" team in his local soccer league, for example. <g>

You can see the scan of his faint, penciled note at http://www.freetune.com/images/derlan_write_200212.gif ; read the translation of the note at http://www.freetune.com/images/derlan_xlate_200212.txt and see the crayon decoration he sent with his note at http://www.freetune.com/images/derlan_draw_200212.gif .

So far, we've been able to offer sustained, ongoing help to seven impoverished kids around the world, aided emergency earthquake relief efforts in India, and helped those hurt in the Sept 11th terrorist attacks on the US. (To see all the donations so far, click to http://www.langa.com/plus2.htm#kids )

8) Another Code-Load Success Story

Code-loader BJ Checket writes:

Fred, Recently, I submitted my site to the "load the code!" address and you were kind enough to include a link to my page in your 11/04/02 issue. For starters, I can hardly believe the number of hits I got since that day! The increase in traffic is amazing. There are two exciting results I want to thank you for First - No matter how artfully I crafted my meta tags and content, submitting my site to search engines garnered little success. Many of the widely used search engines, as you've discussed in past issues, rank pages by popularity no matter how well they're coded or how exceptional they may be. The increase in hits has bumped up my popularity ranking significantly, and now my site is often in the first page of results (depending on what you're searching for, of course). Second - A relative whom I hadn't seen in many years and who is also a LangaList subscriber saw my site listing in the 11/04/02 issue and promptly emailed me with lots of great genealogy data to help with my family history research. What's even better is a recent email I received from Elblag, Poland regarding someone who is a relative, though not a LangaList subscriber...yet ;) He found my site on a search engine thanks to it's increase in popularity and is helping to bridge a gap in our family history that we all thought would be impossible to research. All of this thanks to you and your readers! I couldn't be happier.... Sincerely, BJ Checket

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 thousands 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

PC Mechanic
http://home.insightbb.com/~thames17/

Cat In Glasses
http://www.catinglasses.net/catnews.html

driverscafe
http://www.driverscafe.com/

nhyrvana
http://www.nhyrvana.com/

"Say no to Sears"
http://angrysearscustomer.netfirms.com/

Tasha's Las Vegas
http://jimmancini7.tripod.com/

TradingSpacez (automatically attempts "hotbar" download)
http://www.tradingspacez.com/

Davis Gloff
http://www.gloff.net/

Harding Genealogy
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~hardingthemanyfacesof/index.html

Andrew's Psychedelic Breakfast
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~ahogan/apbblog.html

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9) Prefetch Pros and Cons

Prefetching is a form of caching. Like all caches, when it works well, it saves time by having the code or data you need right at hand, loaded into fast RAM where it can be accessed at your PC's top speed. When caching fails, it actually extracts a kind of double penalty: First, your PC takes a moment to check its caches, and if the code or data it needs isn't there, then the PC must seek that code or data on the comparatively slow hard drive.

As we recently described ( http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2002/2002-12-02.htm#7  ), tweaking the cache settings in Win9x was a necessary black art, but in XP, the cache default settings work pretty well by themselves. 

The only way to know, for sure, whether changing the cache or prefetch settings will help is by experiment: Make a full backup, make your changes (e.g. with the "jester" prefetch software tool), and then carefully monitor the results. My guess is that most users will see little, if any, meaningful change in performance. But if you're looking for the absolute last iota of performance from your PC, the only way to know is to give it a try. 8-)

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10) Just For Grins

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11) Plus! Edition Highlights:

• Self-Contained Linux
• 9 Freeware Utilities
• Firewall For Older PCs

Today's LangaList Plus! Edition contains all ten items above, plus about 30% more content including: a way to test drive Linux on your current PC, but without changing anything and without messing up your current setup; a nice site featuring 9 reader-recommended freeware utilities; and a firewall that works even on ancient Win95 PCs!

Check it out! Plus! Edition info: http://www.langa.com/plus.htm 

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See you next issue!

Best,

Fred
( Editor@Langa.Com )

[PS: LangaList Holiday GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS:
<a href=" http://www.langa.com/plus_gift.htm ">Click!</a>]

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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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