How To Subscribe and Unsubscribe is at the end of this note. Mailing List Trouble? See http://www.langa.com/help.htm
Questions about the advertisers? See the end of this note. Please also see legal notices at the end of this note. LangaList: ISSN 1533-1156

Please recommend the LangaList to a friend! (And maybe win a prize!)

An easier-to read formatted HTML version of this newsletter is available
<a href=" http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2003/2003-10-30.htm ">here</a>

The LangaList
Special Issue

Standard Edition Version

2003-10-30

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) Uncover The Real Power Of XP's Maintenance Tools

Windows XP has gussied up some of its built-in maintenance tools, but in doing so, has actually hidden some of their power. For example, take Defrag. The normal, manual way to run Defrag is to click to Start/Control Panel/Performance and then select "Rearrange items on your hard disk to make programs run faster." All those clicks, and all that verbiage, simply starts the Defrag.Exe program (usually located in the Windows\System32 folder). When you run Defrag this way, it comes up with a graphical front end that requires still more pointing and clicking to make anything actually happen. So, this approach is useless for automated defrags when no one will be there to point and click as needed.

And that really *is* the way Microsoft steers you to use tools like Defrag. For example, if you search for "Defrag" in XP's help file, the primary search results ("Using Disk Defragmenter" and "Disk Defragmenter") offer links to the graphical, manual--- and limited--- version of Defrag.

But Defrag actually can run *better* with no graphical front end at all and that's the key to using it (and other, similar system tools) in a far more powerful and fully automated fashion.

That's the topic of the full-length feature article at http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=15600170 : We'll start with the basics to make sure those new to Windows and XP are on board. But we'll end with some advanced ideas that can let your PC perform multiple automated unattended maintenance tasks of arbitrary complexity, and in whatever sequence you choose--- and all for free, using only the tools built into XP!

For example, if you want to have your PC automatically wake itself up every night at 3AM, clean up your hard drive, backup all your files, defrag every disk or partition in your system, and then go back to sleep--- no problem! In fact, it's easy, once you know how.

Let me show you how simple it can be, using Defrag as the working example. Just click on over to the free article at http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=15600170  for the full scoop. See you there!

Click to email this item to a friend
http://www.langa.com/sendit2.htm

return to top of page

2) Another "Special Issue?"

Yes, and here's why: In "Murphy Lives!" ( http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2003/2003-10-23.htm#1 ), I mentioned how an email foul-up delayed the normal appearance of an InformationWeek column. I originally had intended to use this week for the normal monthly system maintenance I do to try to keep the wheels turning smoothly here, and to push the long-delayed BrowserTune version 6 ( http://www.browsertune.com/bt2kfast/ ) along.

Rather than let an email problem totally disrupt the schedule, I decided on this compromise: Instead of no newsletters at all this week, I'd send two abbreviated "Special Issues," focusing on the delayed InformationWeek column (above) and letting us get back to the normal schedule next Monday, as planned.

Stay tuned!

Click to email this item to a friend
http://www.langa.com/sendit2.htm

return to top of page

3) Plus! Edition Highlights:

• BrowserTune 6 Private Preview

• What is BrowserTune? What's Different?

• The Private Preview Details And URL

When complete, the new BrowserTune Version 6 will be released to the public. But for now, it's in private preview, available to Plus! subscribers only.

The Plus! edition gives you many extras like that, costs only pennies per issue, and comes with a MONEY BACK GUARANTEE from Fred. How can you lose? Check out the details: http://www.langa.com/plus.htm

Click to email this item to a friend
http://www.langa.com/sendit.htm

return to top of page

(Want to give a gift subscription to the LangaList Plus edition?
Click <a href= " http://www.langa.com/plus_gift.htm ">here</a>)

See you next issue!

Best,

Fred
( Editor@Langa.Com )

Please recommend the LangaList to a friend! (And maybe win a prize!)

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.

return to top of page

Administrivia:

UNSUBSCRIBE (instant removal!): http://www.langa.com/leave_langalist.htm

SUBSCRIBE (it's free!): http://www.langa.com/join_langalist.htm

CHANGE ADDRESS? LIST TROUBLE? HAVE QUESTIONS? OTHER PROBLEM? NEED HELP? See http://www.langa.com/help.htm

This newsletter is SPAM PROOF and requires two levels of subscriber confirmation before delivery begins: See http://www.langa.com/info.htm

About the advertisers: http://www.langa.com/privacy.htm#ads

Disclaimer: http://www.langa.com/legal.htm  In brief: All information herein is offered as-is and without warranty of any kind. Neither Langa Consulting LLC, nor its employees nor contributors are responsible for any loss, injury, or damage, direct or consequential, resulting from your choosing to use any information presented here.

This newsletter is a service of Langa Consulting LLC and is Copyright © 2003 Fred Langa / Langa Consulting LLC. All worldwide rights reserved. LangaList: ISSN 1533-1156

return to top of page