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The LangaList
Standard Edition

2004-05-27

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) Is .Net Bad?

Even if I weren't a subscriber to Karen Kenworthy's excellent newsletter myself, I'd be able to tell when she published a new issue because, soon thereafter, I get a number of reader mails referring to her stuff. Take the first two items in this newsletter, for example, both sparked or shaped by Karen's work; the first regarding Microsoft's ".Net" framework:

Fred: I have a question/concern about the use of .NET in Windows.
 
A while back, you cautioned against the use of Drive Image 7, partly because it can't be run as a DOS application and partly because it requires that .NET be installed ( http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2003/2003-07-03.htm#4 ). Anyhow, since Drive Image 2002 is working fine with my XP, and since I always run it from the DOS recovery disks for the safety reasons you've discussed many times, I've ignored DI 7.
 
Then, a month or so ago, I received Microsoft's free Security Guidance Kit. When I went to install it, it immediately warned me that .NET is required and that it would be installed if I continued. I did not continue, since I am quite concerned about cluttering up my system with .NET and the ramifications of doing so.
 
Now, Karen Kenworthy, in her latest newsletter, discusses at some length the attributes of .NET and more or less states that it is the wave of the future ( http://www.karenware.com/current.asp ). I read into her discussion that one should go ahead and add it to Windows XP.
 
With the above as background, my question is this: Am I being unduly afraid to use .NET?  Is there any harm in installing it...? I know that it will take up a lot of disk real estate, but that's not my concern. So, should I relax and install it, or should I continue to avoid it? Thanks. (name withheld by request)

.Net certainly isn't something to be afraid of; and it probably will be a mandatory upgrade as part of a future patch or update for Windows.

But I am against its unnecessary or premature use. For example, there is no particular reason why a backup or drive imaging product needs .Net--- many full-featured backup/imaging products operate just fine without it. And as I pointed out previously ( http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2003/2003-07-03.htm#4 ), Drive Image 5.0 fit nicely on one floppy; Drive Image 7, plus the mandatory .Net framework, requires 85MB of files--- over sixty times more code--- to do basically the same thing. It's not 60 times better, or 60 times faster or 60 times easier to use, or 60 times less expensive. It's just 60 times fatter. That's nuts.

Plus, as you pointed out, going the .Net route for imaging means the only way the imaging can work is to have Windows running at the same time, which complicates the process and makes it harder to be 100% certain that all files--- including in-use and locked files--- really get copied. In some ways, this is a needless step backwards because imaging from outside of Windows has no such limitation: Windows isn't running and so can't have any files locked or in use. When run outside of Windows, a drive imaging tool can get everything, every time, period.

So: My issue isn't with .Net per se, but rather with the gratuitous, unnecessary use of .Net or *any* bloated software framework, when simpler tools can work as well--- or better! Using .Net just because it's available, and not because it's the best tool for the job, isn't a good thing; that's what I'm against.

But when .Net adds real value to a piece of software, or is the only way to achieve some programmatic purpose (and Karen's article explains some of the positives .Net can bring), or is required by software that you truly want and need, then it's fine; by all means go ahead and install it then.

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2) Registry (And Other) Cleaning, Part 1

Hi Fred: I have a "mature" Win 98 system and it was constantly crashing. I mean, like every hour! I had recently upgraded my Norton Internet Security suite and had some problems with it. I was not satisfied with their tech support, which is now in India, so I decided to uninstall it. I couldn't, even with Symantec's special uninstallers.

Karenware to the rescue, with Registry Ripper. I ran it and searched my registry for any occurrence of Norton or Symantec. I deleted over 100 instances, probably many of them from previous versions of Norton, even from before Symantec!  I re-installed Zone Alarm, which I had trouble with before, and now my system only crashes about 1 time per day, which I consider pretty normal for Win 9X. I am using AVAST! A.V., and am pretty happy with it. I will use both ZA and AVAST! for a while longer, and if I am still satisfied, I will buy the pro versions.
 
Karen's Power Tools are quite nice, and seem to be reliable. They are free, but I bought the CD just to support what I consider good stuff, the same reason I subscribe to your Plus! newsletter. GOOD STUFF!  Keep up the good work, Fred. ---Cliff Babcock

I used--- and loved--- Win98 for years. Properly set up and maintained, it was a very good OS for its day. When I was using Win98 full time, I'd go for days or weeks without a crash; and when crashes happened, it was almost always with some prior warning so that I could save data and recover with at least a modicum of grace.

Given that, I'd consider a crash per day as still way too frequent, and indicative of a deeper problem:

One of the root weaknesses of Win98 was that it would cede too much control to running software: When a running program or driver had a problem or consumed too much of the system resources, it could bring the whole OS down.

As an aside, that's one of the nicer things about XP: Like NT and Win2K, the OS mediates *everything,* helping to ensure that a problem with running software won't bring down the entire OS. That compartmentalization, combined with the near-elimination of "out of system resource" issues, makes XP a very good choice for any hardware that can run it.

But if you're still running Win98 (I have it on some secondary PCs here), those root weaknesses still remain, and must be managed. Suites like Norton's can be especially problematic because they're extremely resource-hungry--- they're full of tools designed to defend against threats that in some cases didn't even exist when Win98 first came out.

Consider: When Win98 debuted, a user with a basic firewall and some simple file-based anti-virus protection was considered well defended. But now, we need sophisticated firewalling, live email scanning in addition to file-based  scanning, popup blockers, script-blockers, anti-spyware/hijack tools, spam filters.... By rough analogy, it's a little like taking a car engine from the 1950's and trying to fit a complete, modern pollution control system to it. It can be done, but it won't be easy.

One approach is to use simpler, less resource-intensive tools, just as Cliff has done. That's a perfectly valid technique, as long as you go in with your eyes open and know what you're getting, and not getting.

The other approach is to manage aggressively  the "system resources" of your PC. This is a good thing on the face of it--- cleaning up memory leaks and resource hogs will make ANY Win9x system work better and be more stable. But it may also mean that you can run even complex, resource-hungry software without trouble. There's tons of good info on resource management--- including info on avoiding useless, scam-like "memory optimizer" tools--- here http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=17200587 ; just work forward from the first article in that series, and you'll be in good shape.

And by "good shape," I mean way less than one crash a day. By taming resource issues you can eliminate one of the most common reasons for crashing, and get your system so that it'll run stably for much longer periods than otherwise.

The other major key to stability is simply keeping your system tidy so the OS doesn't have to wade through myriad, needless garbage files and settings to get its job done. These garbage files and settings can accumulate in several key areas, including the two common Temp file areas, and in the Registry.

These kinds of cleanup are good for *any* system, including WinXP. See the next item.

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3) Registry (And Other) Cleaning, Part 2

Any and all systems benefit from good maintenance, but the older OSes (like Win98) *really* benefit. In fact, as we alluded to in the previous item, good maintenance makes all the difference between a Win98 that's a crash-prone mess, and one that can handle pretty much any normal computing task you throw at it.

Tools like the free cleanup scripts here ( http://www.langa.com/cleanup_bat.htm ) can help manage the temp file areas on any Windows system; Karen Kenworthy's tools ( http://www.karenware.com ) can help with a number of maintenance and troubleshooting tasks; various automated registry cleaners ( http://www.google.com/search?q=registry+cleaner or
http://www.google.com/search?as_q=registry+cleaner&as_sitesearch=langa.com ) can dig out dead or obsolete references in your Registry; and so on.

For the latter, reader "Bob" found some sites still offering the classic (and uncrippled) JV16 Registry Cleaner:

Fred, Any of your readers who were irate at the last and crippled version of jv16 PowerTools (a good registry tool!) can obtain the utility in it's final and UNcrippled version here:
http://down.hengshui.com/download.asp?downid=1&id=726
 
The link I got from a wonderful "best of" freeware classics site, "PricelessWare",  which I think you have mentioned in your newsletter before. That site's indexed programs are here:
http://www.pricelessware.org/2004/PL2004ProgramIndex.php ---Bob in Canada

A more-powerful, more current commercial version of the jv16 PowerTools is at http://www.jv16.org/ . It costs $30 . Or, there's RegSupreme. a standalone Registry Cleaner based on jv16; it's available for just $13 via the same link.

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--- ( Your Clicks On Ad Links Help Keep The LangaList S.E. Free! ) ---

"Dear Mr. Langa: I have just four words
 to sum up the LangaList Plus! edition. I AM LOVING IT!
 I have been subscribed to the Standard edition for quite some time,
and decided to take the plunge into the Plus. I really don't know
why it took me so long to make the change, but I am so glad I did.
 Thank you for your hard work and dedication in keeping us all informed,
it is greatly appreciated. Kind Regards, Shirley Harding"

Thanks, Shirley! Glad you like it!

The LangaList Plus! Edition comes with a money-back guarantee,
 but less than one subscriber in a thousand asks for a refund!
Almost everyone who tries the Plus! edition likes it,
and finds it worthwhile. It's ad-free, spam-proof, and contains even more
tips, tricks, advice, and downloads than the Standard Edition you're now reading!

Get all the details:

http://www.langa.com/plus.htm

--------------( the above is an advertisement )--------------

4) Free "SpoofStick"

We've discussed some "phishing" spoofs, where emails try to trick you into visiting a hostile website, disguised with a valid-seeming URL ( http://search.atomz.com/search/?sp-q=phishing&sp-a=0008002a-sp00000000 ) The email might appear to be from your bank, your web host or isp, eBay, or something similar--- even a government agency!--- and may even be formatted with the correct logos and such. The URL may look valid, too, but in reality brings you to a spoofed site that exists only to try to harvest personal information from the unwary.

Some free tools are starting to crop up to help you identify spoofed URLs and reveal what a site really is:

Fred, I ran across this page ( http://www.corestreet.com/spoofstick/ ) and thought you might want to check it out. As the review that I read suggested, it isn't a perfect solution, but until browsers plug this phishing hole, it's at least a start! So far, you can download spoofstick for IE and Firefox. Keep up the great work, Joseph A. Fee

Thanks, Joseph (and several other readers who sent in similar emails)! SpoofStick is free, and:

---SpoofStick just sits there contently displaying the domain name of the site you're currently on.
---Before entering any information into a site, glance up at SpoofStick to confirm that you are where you think you are.
---SpoofStick is a normal IE toolbar, so you can turn it on and off by going to the View-Toolbars menu and toggling the checkmark next to SpoofStick....

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5) Mining The Menus

Icons, and menus that initially reveal only the most common functions, were supposed to make things easier by not overwhelming us with too many choices. Alas, sometimes this has the opposite effect, and makes it harder to discover options that should be easily found:

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6) Last Days To "Recommend And Win"

At the end of the month, I'll choose another monthly winner of one of three FREE ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTIONS to the LangaList Plus! edition given each month. (If your name is drawn and you're already a Plus! subscriber, your current subscription will be extended by a full year.)

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 FREE ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION! (Full details also available via this link): http://www.langa.com/recommend.htm

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7) Win98 Task Killer?

Fred, Back in March you introduced us to XP's tskill command. ( http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2004/2004-03-15.htm#2 ) Is there something similar for Win98? Thanks, Joe Caravella

You bet! There are tons of 'em; free, commercial, shareware, whatever. Some list running tasks and let you kill "stuck" or unwanted tasks; others have more features. Explore the links at http://www.google.com/search?q=kill+task+win98 and you'll get an idea of the wide variety of tools out there!

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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

Freeware From EDERSOFT Software Solutions
http://home.swipnet.se/edersoft/

Wittswallpapers
http://wittswallpapers.com/

The Voice of Rosebud
http://www.gwtc.net/~kinifm/

Dragon Anime
http://slingshot.to/nav

What Has Becoms Of Us
http://whathasbecomeofus.com

Opt4Mail
http://www.opt4mail.com/

Mike's World
http://home.earthlink.net/~mikes-world/

Quake Clan
http://westcoastflp.com/

999Dialup
http://www.999localdialup.com/

Left Hand Zone
http://www.lefthandzone.com/

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9) Disk Usage Tool

I recently found TreeSize - Free and Professional version. It's great, multi-threaded, easy drill down. The professional version even works on Network Drives. From Jam Software http://www.jam-software.com/freeware/index.shtml  ---George Roy

Thanks, George!

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10) Just For Grins

Hi Fred, Long time Plus! subscriber - love it!  For grins you might want to consider the following:
 
http://www.jerry.digisle.tv/room.html
 
Jerry Seinfeld and Superman co-star. It's a promo thing for American Express, but most amusing and very well done! Cheers, Joan Morson

They're elaborate ads, but they *are* funny...

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11) Plus! Edition Highlights:

• One-Click XP Optimizations (Free!)
      (tune XP for safety, or for speed--- automatically!)
• Removing WToolA.exe and Siblings
     (nasty malware is hard to root out; here's how)
• Locked Out Of IE's "Options?"
     (an easy way back in!)

DID YOU KNOW that Plus! subscribers have access to over 100,000 additional words in special features, extra content and private links, all on a private web site? All that, plus 30% more content in every issue, for just a dollar a month!

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

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(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, 2004-05-31!

Best,

Fred
( Editor@Langa.Com )

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

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