June 1998 IN THIS ISSUE:
Quick Printing Quick Documents Bypassing the Recycle Bin Printer Speed and Quality Hyperlinks Not Working? More URL Tips Mac Finder Icon Annotations Closing Explorer Windows Print Scrn? FEATURE STORY: Fact, Fiction, Conjecture or Conspiracy? ...also... Email Acronyms PC Webopaedia: What is....? Time to Renovate? 30,000+ Computer and Internet Resources! 1000+ Links for Web Builders! MacFixIt Troubleshooting and Apple Resources Get The Latest Info Software Updates, Patches and More Hideous Ties Can a Thunderstorm Curdle Milk? The sites referred to in this newsletter are only a few of the thousands that exist on any specific topic. We suggest these few, simply to GET YOU STARTED. Future issues of this newsletter may revisit related noteworthy sites. 1. Quick Printing It's 8:00 a.m. and you're already late. You suddenly remember you forgot to print that document the boss demanded. No problem....if you've got a shortcut to your printer. Click Start/Settings/Printers to see a list of available devices. To create a shortcut to your printer/fax/other, use the right mouse button to drag its icon to the desktop. Now simply find the file you need and drag it onto the printer shortcut on your desktop. You now have time for another coffee. Back to Table of Contents 2. Quick Documents Depending on the type of documents you most often create, try this time-saving trick. Right-click your mouse on a empty spot of your desktop. When the pop-up menu appears select New. You should see a list of document/file types. Click the type you want to create and give it a generic name, for example Word 6 Doc. Next time you want to create a Word document, simply double-click the file on your desktop and the application will automatically launch. Back to Table of Contents 3. Bypassing the Recycle Bin When you delete a file, it automatically goes to the Recycle Bin. This is a temporary storage place from which you can recover your file if you deleted it by accident. However, if you're certain that you want to delete a file, hold down the Shift key as you delete from within an application. The file will bypass the Recycle Bin and be deleted for good. Back to Table of Contents 4. Printer Speed and Quality Before laying down your hard-earned cash on a printer, do some homework. Most printers won't perform at the speeds advertised. For laser printers expect speeds of 4 to 8ppm (pages per minute). If you're printing color, look for 1ppm for both inkjet and laser printers. To test the print quality of documents and graphics, test-print at 6 points and below. Never use the sellers demo page - it's tweaked for optimal performance. Back to Table of Contents 5. Hyperlinks Not Working? If you click on a hyperlink while on the web and nothing happens, here are two things you can try. Click the Stop button on your browsers toolbar then click on the link again. There are literally hundreds, perhaps thousands of routes to the page or file you're looking for. If this doesn't work look in the Address Bar. The intended URL should still be visible. Start deleting the text after each slash ( / ). This should take you back to the location where the file originated. Hit Enter and see if the page loads. If it does, look for a link to the page/file you originally wanted. If this doesn't work delete the next set of text after the slash and try again. This may be cumbersome, but you should get to your destination. Back to Table of Contents 6. More URL Tips If you're using a newer version of your favorite browser, you'll appreciate some of the new features. Most browsers default to http:// which means you don't have to type this part of the address. Some browsers even add the www and .com portion of the address. This will allow you to simply type in the name of the site you're looking for (ie. microsoft). The rest of the address will be added automatically. Back to Table of Contents 7. Mac Finder If you use a Mac, one of the most useful tools it offers it Finder. It is essentially the desktop management and file management system for Apple Macintosh computers. It's not merely a file and disk utility. Finder can also help you master your Clipboard and Scrapbook. It will also help you manage and organize and all desktop icons and windows. You'll read more about this handy Mac feature in the future. In the meantime explore and investigate Finder on your own. You'll learn and remember a lot more this way. Back to Table of Contents 8. Icon Annotations Here's tip that will keep you from scratching your head. While dragging, dropping, copying or moving, you might not be sure about what's happening to your files. Practise by holding down the Shift or Ctrl keys will dragging files. Take a close look at the little icon that appears, while executing any of these operations. The icon annotations indicate what will happen: a plus sign for copy, an arrow for a shortcut, and no symbol for a move. Simply press ESC while you're dragging the file to cancel any of these actions. Also try dragging files using the right-mouse button. A pop-up menu will appear revealing several options. Back to Table of Contents 9. Closing Explorer Windows While clicking through Windows Explorer, a clutter of windows can quickly fill up your screen. Instead of closing the windows one at a time, simply hold down the SHIFT key while clicking on the close box (the X on the top right corner of the window). Presto...all windows gone! Back to Table of Contents 10. Print Scrn? Ever wonder why or how you might use the Print Scrn key on your keyboard? Try this now: press Print Scrn, open Paint, WordPad or any other graphics capable application, go to the Edit menu and select Paste. What do you see? Now print. When you pressed Print Scrn, a copy of whatever you were looking at (on your screen) was saved in the dark corners of your operating system (sort of). Pasting simply placed your 'screenshot' in the desired application. Use this trick if you want to add pizazz to presentations or if you want to print pages of your (or someone else's) website. Back to Table of Contents FEATURE: Fact, Fiction, Conjecture or Conspiracy? (Please note: The following article is not presented as a factual account. It is a summary of a piece written by Nicky Hager. If you have any questions on the subject matter, please address them to the original author whose email address is offered in the original article.) Most of us are just beginning to get comfortable with new technology. But do you ever wonder how those who are more adept with it use it? What follows will sound and read like something that is more suitable for Agents Mulder and Scully of the X-Files. It is written by Nicky Hager, who claims to have uncovered one of the most closely held intelligence projects in the world. It is dubbed the Global Surveillance System "which allows spy agencies to monitor most of the world's telephone, e-mail, and telex communications." Hager begins to describe how for forty years the US National Security Agency (NSA) enlisted the support of New Zealand's, Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), to participate. The story breaks as members of the the GCSB come forward to talk and provide Hager with details about the system. Hager describes the technology behind the monitoring system in some detail. It is called ECHELON. It is "used to intercept ordinary e-mail, fax, telex and telephone communications carried over the world's telecommunications networks". The system does not target specific individuals. Super-powered computers and sophisticated software randomly intercept communications and look for keywords and phrases. It is also suggested that a series of international telecommunications satellites (Intelsats), can 'listen' using voice recognition technology. Fact or fiction? You decide. If you're a conspiracy buff or someone who simply likes to shoot holes in such stories, check out the original story at Global Surveillance System (www.dis.org/erehwon/echelon.html). The source publication CovertActon Quarterly suggests some credibility, as it has won several awards and is read by investigative reporters, scholars, intelligence buffs and news junkies. It is also claimed that the publication is recommended by Naom Chomsky, who is "targeted by the CIA". Who knows? Will this issue of our newsletter be 'intercepted'? Will men in dark suits and sunglasses be paying us a visit? Signing off...as we continue shredding documents! :-) Back to Table of Contents ...also... Email Acronyms One of the founding principles of email communications is brevity. The idea is to get to your point across quickly and clearly, leaving out the often unnecessary babble. To assist in this effort, experienced Netties use acronyms. Yet even those with plenty of experience can sometimes get duped by an acronym they've never seen before. Acronyms can be especially handy for those who have yet to master the keyboard. After all, how many of you can type 60 words per minute? Below is a list of some of the most frequently used acronyms. Use them next time you email someone. See how many you recognize. TTFN.
PC Webopaedia: What is....? New and experienced users of computers and the internet will certainly appreciate this invaluable resource. PC Webopaedia(www.pcwebopaedia.com) is an online encyclopedia and search engine dedicated to computer technology. If you've ever wondered what a TCP/IP is, or want to know if you can use DVD, simply visit the site, enter your query and hit Search. The resulting page will offer a complete definition, description and discussion about the topic. It will even present links to related terms and sites that contain additional information on your query. If you're not sure what you're looking for you easily browse through dozens of categories. Wouldn't it be nice if you could keep this handy reference tool right on your desktop? Wait a minute....you can! Click over to the site and you'll see the DownloadLite link on the left navigation bar. Follow the instructions and you'll soon have your PC Webopaedia on your desktop. It's a lite version, but it's still a massive collection of terms and resources. You can even subscribe to a newsletter that will keep you updated on new additions to the database. The folks at Mecklermedia sure picked up a gem when they purchased this product from Sandy Bay Software. Back to Table of Contents Time to Renovate? This is one of those sites that you've probably put on your "must visit" list. And for good reason. It's Hometime! That's right, the TV show Hometime. Spring is well under way and you've probably been thinking about that long-put-off renovation - a deck, that second bathroom or perhaps the new home office. Whatever your plans, strap on the utility belt, restock the first-aid kit and zip over to Hometime (www.hometime.com). The main index offers links to info on basement projects, additions, flooring, kitchens and baths, plumbing and more. You might want to check out the Home Technology link for some really cool ideas. The main page also includes a How To link for decks, a 3-season porch and more. Need some plans? No problem. You'll find everything from gazebos, porch rockers, tables, chairs and more. If you still need more help, check out the User Forums and exchange some ideas and helpful tips. Thumbs getting sore? Then you might want to purchase some instructional videos and books. Whatever your needs, Hometime will supply a treasure trove of information. Oh...and when you finish that deck, don't forget to invite us over for a cool refreshing beverage. We've been working hard too. :-) Back to Table of Contents 30,000+ Computer and Internet Resources! Make a big pot of coffee, put a soft pillow under you tush and get ready for several hours of informative surfing! The Computing Site(www.computingsite.com) has it all! This terrific metasite provides pointers to over 30,000 resources related to the internet and just about every aspect of computing. You can begin browsing with twelve major and well organized categories ranging from software to the Year 2000 Problem. Each category has plenty of links, each of which offers a brief description of the site. The last time we checked there were 1,222 links for Computer Science, 6,652 for Hardware, 1,193 for Operating Systems, 2,586 for the Internet, 3,208 for Programming and 10,180 for Software. And that's just scratching the surface! Definitely bookmark this site. Check it out for yourself and don't forget to come up for air. Back to Table of Contents 1000+ Links for Web Builders! The self-proclaimed "Complete Resource For All Web Builders" is yet another starting point for those of you that are interested in creating personal and business websites. At reallybig.com (www.reallybig.com) you'll find over 1000 links to free clipart, counters, backgrounds, HTML editors, Java resources, site promotion help and much more. A quick fifteen minute review of the site revealed some pretty comprehensive resources for both beginners and intermediate web designers. Overall, this is a pretty good resource for assembling the required tools and tips you'll need to build and promote a decent website. Tune in for more site development resources in future issue. Back to Table of Contents MacFixIt Troubleshooting and Apple Resources If you're new to computers and the internet and your system is powered by the MacOS, then you should find these sites of great value. Even more experienced Mac users might discover some real gems here. MacFixIt (www.macfixit.com)offers "Troubleshooting Solutions for the Macintosh". The home page is titled Late-Breakers and is updated every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It features a variety of fixes related to Macs and Mac software. For example, the May 26 update offered QuickTime and -2048 error: the complete story, Graphics images in Word 98 files may get "lost", Microsoft posts Memo-Resume Wizard Updater version 1.0, Utilities Updates and more. Past updates are archived and can be accessed quite easily. You'll also find links to the Download Library, MacFixIt Reports, a search engine and more. If you want more, try getting the info right from the horse's mouth at Apple (www.apple.com/support). Here you'll find a well organized set of links to all kinds of support including the Tech Info Library which holds over 15,000 easy to read technical articles. Another mysteriously hard-to-find link is Apple Support Tools (support.info.apple.com/support/support.html). Here you'll find everything from software, to online and offline resources and even mailing lists. Apple....for wholesome and refreshing computing! Back to Table of Contents Get The Latest Info Are you spending too much time checking your favorite sites to see if anything new has been added? Some of the newer browsers can be configured to update you on such changes but if your browser doesn't have this feature, here's a service that will do it for you. URL-Minder (www.netmind.com/html/url-minder.html), will monitor your favorite sites and send you an email notification when the site is updated with new content. It will also allow you to specify which portions of a webpage to watch for changes. This can be a handy resource for keeping an eye on competitors, industry and technology trends, new product releases and just about anything else that is online. The service is simple to use and provides various customization options. You can add, edit and delete sites to be monitored quite easily. Your access is password protected to prevent prying eyes from tracking what you're tracking. Check it out for yourself. There's plenty of online documentation that explains the service in great detail, but you probably won't need it. Hey, set it up to watch for changes on our site! Back to Table of Contents Software Updates, Patches and More Updates on your favorites sites are not the only things you need to monitor. How about updates on the software that you use on a daily basis! Keeping track of new versions and fixes can be a game of Catch-Up (www.manageable.com). Catch-Up is an award winning service that automatically searches for the newest versions of your software and generates a customized list of sites from which to download revisions. Once you're set up, a simple click of a button will begin the process. Updates are added weekly. There is no need to use out-of-date software any longer. Updates are provided for a variety of applications such as, internet browsers, sound and video players, plug-ins, helper applications, email and newsgroup readers, games and more. Catch-Up can even distinguish between beta and production releases, and will detect whether you need a 'full' download or simply need to download 'patches'. This clever feature can save you hours of downloading unnecessary files. The catch (haha) is that you have to download Catch-Up software, but it's well worth it considering the time you'll save and the fact that it's a FREE service with no obligations! Back to Table of Contents Hideous Ties OK...now for some fun, no-brainer, no download, no searching, no tweaking stuff! Just some plain old nonsense. Think you have style and good taste? Gentlemen - do you dress yourselves or does someone else lend a hand? Ladies - too embarrassed to appear in public with your beau dressed in his polyester leisure suit? Well this site may not be able to assist in a complete wardrobe make over, but it will let you test your taste in ties. Tasteless ties that is! Click here (137.222.84.160/ads/ties/ties.htm) and view dozens of the most hideous ties you've ever seen. You can even cast your vote for the most offensive neckwear. View past 'winners' and hope that it's not one that you own. Back to Table of Contents Can a Thunderstorm Curdle Milk? Does freezing batteries increase shelf-life? Can a fly stop a train? Why are certain kinds of typos more common? The answers to these a more weird and wacky science questions can be found at The Last Word (www.last-word.com). The site is a collection of everyday questions and answers about things that make you go Hmmm! Over 450 various scientific phenomena are explained by science buffs all over the world. Categories include Plants and animals, Bubbles, liquids and ice, Around the house, Mysteries and illusions, Your body, Inside machines, The physical world and Unanswered questions. Have a question of your own? No problem. Ask and you shall receive. This is a fun and educational resource for kids of all ages. It's brought to you by the publishers of New Scientist. You'll find a link to their home at the site. Back to Table of Contents 'Til next month... |
