Dave Bytes

Dave

Please remember to use your thinker, before you tinker!

A Periodic Newsletter for the Members of the Sarasota PC User Group

February 21, 2004

Click here to subscribe to Dave "Bytes
(if you haven't already)

Here's A Windows XP Tip

How to Display Desktop Icons with no Text

Going for a graphical-only look on the desktop, but XP won't let you completely delete the icon name and display it as blank? After all, you know what the IE icon represents, so why should you have to have a name to identify it? If you want an icon to display no text underneath, here's the way to do it:

Right click the icon you want to display without text.
Select Rename.
Type in the new name as Alt+255 (hold down the ALT key while typing 255).
This gives the desktop a very streamlined look, and if you decide you don't like it, you can always rename the icon again. Note that you should do this only with icons that actually reside on the desktop, not with shortcuts.

Here's A "Wireless" Tip

The antenna you use makes a huge difference in terms of your wireless network's range. Most people use the antenna that comes with the wireless network card or wireless access point, but attaching an external antenna can do wonders for your signal strength. The built in antennas are usually omnidirectional (send signals out in a circular pattern in all directions, rather than in a line in a single direction).
The best position for omnidirectional antennas is vertical (up and down), but many wireless PCMCIA network cards have the antenna sticking out to the side. If you hold your laptop so the antenna is vertical and check the signal strength meter, you'll see it go up. Cards with antennas that can be adjusted to a vertical position work best. Laptops with built in antennas that run up the sides of the LCD in a vertical position also have a strong signal.

Directional antennas can transmit over a longer distance, but only in one direction. Yagi antennas (cylindrical antennas, a homemade variety of which can be constructed out of a Pringles can) is an example of a directional antenna often used by hackers to get into wireless networks that are beyond the normal distance range.

BITS

Bytes

Clicking on the WLSS Logo will take you to the

"Bits & Bytes"

site where you can listen to the most recent broadcast and our Commercial too !!!

Where Do You Go to Report Spam?

I've had several readers ask if there is someplace where they can report the spam they receive, either to a government agency, an anti-spam organization or maintainers of blacklists. In fact, there are several such services that take reports of spam, including the following:

v SpamCop (http://www.spamcop.net): Adds spammer addresses to blacklist and sends email to spammers' ISPs on your behalf.

v SpamAbuse (http://www.spamabuse.org): report spam messages and get tools for tracking spammers.

Why not give the gift that keeps on giving all year round? I'm referring to a subscription to either Smart Computing or CPU Magazines. If you are a current subscriber and order a gift subscription, the folks at Smart Computing will add 2 additional issues to your current subscription at no charge. And remember that even gift subscriptions will be credited to the SPCUG account so that we can accumulate free subscriptions to give away to our membership.

To order call 1-800-733-3809 and be sure to give the following Code Numbers so that SPCUG gets proper credit.
Smart Computing (11607) CPU Magazine (272)

From the "Bytes" Mailbag

When I receive email (outlook express) and have a link to Internet Explorer which is highlighted in blue and click on it, the mouse arrow turns into a hand but nothing happens, I do not go to the internet. Is there a setting I am missing?

While it's difficult to determine the exact cause for each situation, you might try the solutions offered in the Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 281679

Some time ago you told us how to get rid of the old email messages, i.e.., if I just highlight and delete all or some. They come back and I have to delete them a second time to really get rid of them.

Help,

Chris

Sounds to me like you are doing this correctly. When you say "They come back" do you mean that they reappear in your inbox or are they sent to the "Deleted" folder, which is normal. If you select the messages that you want to delete and hold the "Shift" key at the same time those messages will bypass the "Deleted" folder and (hopefully) be gone forever.

Hi Dave,

In the past, I used to see the animations in "Dave Bytes". Something has changed (on my end, I'm sure)...I see your figures as static, without animation. I don't know what's different, but I haven't seen the animations for a couple of months. I use: WinXPHome, OE6, ZoneAlarmPro, PC-cillin, AdSubtract, Pest Patrol. However, I'd been using all these when I did get your animations. Any suggestions to restore the fun stuff?

Thanks for your time.

Lyle

This could be caused for a couple of reasons. My guess is that you made some change to the preference setting in AdSubract which is a popup stopper. There may be something you can either check or uncheck to allow animations. Another possibility is if you have installed the Google Toolbar since it also has a popup blocker feature that might affect the animations. A 3rd option would be to open Internet Explorer and click Tools + Internet Options. On the "Advanced" tab go to the "Multimedia" section and make sure that "Play animations in web pages" is checked. A firewall and anti-virus software would have no bearing.

Dave,
I am using Front Page 2003.
I am having trouble putting in a guestbook. Do you know how to do it using 2003. It's similar to 2002. I can find the template when I open it it sets up a new page but not in the navigator. I was told to drag it into the navigator but can't see any place to do this. When I publish this new page that was created does not publish.
There's some little thing I am doing wrong.
Please help if you can.
Joy

Perhaps I'm missing something as well but I have never found a way to include a "Front Page" Guestbook.
I have been using a free 3rd party Guestbook for Dave "Bytes" and found it very simple to setup.

You can find it at http://www.iguest.net/

Dave,
I would like you to know that I am an ardent fan. The website always has something new for me to learn and use.
I am unable to send you e-mail right from the website; I think the reason is because I am required to use Internet Explorer rather than Outlook Express as a condition of the work I do as a Financial Advisor with American Express Financial Advisors. AEFA has a proprietary system that seems to work well for their standards.
The reason I am writing is to tell you that I appreciate the effort you put into your design - the color, the animation, etc. But, I do find that the darting little blue horizontal streaks interfere with my ability to concentrate on the text. This may be unique to me but I'm guessing that others may find them distracting, as well.
Thanks for listening.
Lee

Well Lee,
I've listened. You certainly have a good point so I've removed those blue streaks.
Thanks for the feedback.

Got a question?

Why not "Byte" me?

While Wandering The Web

IrfanView is a very fast, small, compact and innovative FREEWARE (for non-commercial use) graphic viewer for Windows 9x/ME/NT/2000/XP and a favorite of many SPCUG members.

While I have included Irfanview as an available download from the main Dave "Bytes" page, I recently came across an excellent companion tutorial which you can download by clicking HERE

Here's A Windows Tip

For that man whose desktop is full of icons, I suggest he add one more--a New Folder which he can name Pro grams. Then he can put almost all of the shortcuts in that folder. They will appear in alphabetical order when he opens it and will have the advantage of scrolling for unlimited room. He can get to them just by one extra double click. That is more convenient than START and ALL PROGRAMS too because you don't have to go back and forth from one sub menu to another and also nothing disappears from view if you have too much there.

I add a shortcut to every program I install. I almost never need to use START and ALL PROGRAMS.

Here's The Trivia Question

As of February 7th ....

How many individual e-mail messages has Dave sent to the SPCUG membership including Meeting &
SIG Notices, Special Announcements & Dave "Bytes"?

Here's The Trivia Answer

283,472

Here's The Trivia Winner

Bob Shannahan with a guess of 4567

The "Bytes" Beg, Bargain & Barter Basement

Got something "computer related" to sell? Looking for that rare peripheral? If it's computer related you can submit a short classified ad for exposure in Dave "Bytes". Be sure to include your name and e-mail address in the ad. You can also include a picture of the item. Now some would suggest that there be a charge for this feature but alas, since my bookkeeping skills leave much to be desired I've determined that this will be a free service to all SPCUG members in good standing. "Bytes" is currently sent to almost 1000 homes in the area. Ad requests will be included as soon as possible. I assume absolutely no responsibility as to the accuracy or completeness of supplied info. All transactions are between consulting adults which leaves me entirely off the hook. Please let me know by clicking HERE when your merchandise is sold so that I can remove it from the listing. I will try to run each ad for a month.

Computer - Compaq Presario 2240

(w/Win 95, Word, Excel, Power Point)

Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor Printer

HP DeskJet 672 C Printer

(dual cartridge) Desk

All for $200 or best offer

Stephanie Paradis

njparadis@comcast.net

HP LaserJet 4000 series PCL 6

with duplexer and added memory

Prints 17ppm at 1200 dpi

Prints letter, legal, envelopes

and handles card stock

comes with all documentation & installation discs

compatible with XP and earlier versions

$450

Joy Erickson

955-0886
or
ericgann@comcast.net

New

Kodak EasyShare zoom digital camera CX6230

2 megapixel resolution: 1632 x 1232 pixels

Makes quality prints up to 8" x 10"

Still in original box

Works with EasyShare 6000 series dock that can be purchased separately

Buy.com lists sale price at $136.99 -- will sell for $100

Joy Erickson

955-0886

ericgann@comcast.net

New -- Dell Personal All-In-One Printer A920

Print, copy and scan

Print speed 8 ppm color, 14 ppm blk

Scan depth resolution: up to 9600 interpolated
48-bit flatbed scanner

Compatible only with Windows XP or 2000

Required USB cable not included

Still in original box

Retail: $89 -- will sell for $60

Wanted

Used video projector suitable for showing VCR or DVD movies.

Contact Gene Mathes at Mathes@OrangeAcres.net or phone 927-2707.

For Sale

Two Olympus Digital Cameras,

Both in exc. condition

1) Olympus C-2020 Z, 2.1 megapixel, 3:1 Zoom lens, $160.-

2) Olympus D-100 (Brio), 1.2 megapixel, sharp 2.8 lens, $70.-

Warren Kahn

378-3728

warka@comcast.net

Click here to send your ad

Sham Site Is a Scam: There Is No “National Do Not E-mail Registry”

Have you submitted your e-mail address to a “National Do Not E-mail Registry” that promises to reduce the amount of spam (unsolicited e-mail) you receive? If so, you are the victim of a scam, according to the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency.
The Web site at “unsub.us” mimics the language, look, and navigation of the Web site for the National Do Not Call Registry, a legitimate free service of the federal government. The unsub.us site is not run or authorized by the FTC.

The FTC is concerned that the “unsub.us”site could be part of a high-tech scam that uses a deceptive Web site to trick consumers into disclosing their e-mail address or other sensitive personal information.
This site may be a ruse to collect valid e-mail addresses to sell to spammers. The result could be even more spam for consumers who sign up for this “registry.” Or it may be even worse – some scammers have collected information through bogus web sites like this one that mimic those of legitimate organizations, and then used the information to commit identity theft.

The FTC is advising consumers not to submit their e-mail addresses or any other personal information to any site claiming to be a “National Do Not E-mail Registry.” The agency’s Bureau of Consumer Protection says the best way to avoid scams like this one is to keep your personal information to yourself – including your e-mail address – unless you know who you’re dealing with.

Should you get an e-mail claiming to represent a “Do Not E-mail Registry,” an organization to stop spam, or even the FTC itself, report it to the FTC at www.ftc.gov or 1-877-FTC-HELP. If you believe you have already been scammed, file your complaint at www.ftc.gov, then click on www.ftc.gov/idtheft to learn how to minimize your risk of damage from identity theft.

The FTC is studying the feasibility of creating a National Do Not Spam Registry, and will issue a report in June 2004. At this time, there is no legitimate “National Do Not E-mail Registry.”

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint, or to get free information on any of 150 consumer topics, call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1 877-382-4357), or use the complaint form at www.ftc.gov.
The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S.

Dave's Cool Downloads

Convert V.4.10 Works in Windows

Convert is an easy to use unit conversion program that will convert the most popular units of distance, temperature, volume, time, speed, mass, power, density, pressure, energy and many others, including the ability to create custom conversions!

Click here to download

YOU CAN NOW EASILY LOCATE THE DOWNLOADS MENTIONED IN DAVE "BYTES" BY CLICKING ON THE BUTTONS ON

WWW.DAVEBYTES.COM

Check regularly since I'm always adding new content

Click HERE to submit your favorite Freeware or Shareware program

What is the Tilde (~) file that appears on Desktop

What is this ~ file?

The file appearing on your desktop with the filename ~, commonly known as a tilde, is a backup of your Windows Address Book. It is appearing as a result of the April 2003 Cumulative Patch for Outlook Express (330994). The patch is installed for Outlook Express 5.5 or 6 in response to a vulnerability that could allow an attacker to run code of the attacker’s choice on a user’s machine. To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker would have to be able to cause Windows to open a specially constructed MHTML URL, either on a web site or included in an HTML email message.

Unfortunately, there is a bug in the patch. Whenever you make a change in your Windows Address Book file (*.wab file), Windows makes a backup of this file. Generally this backup is called username.wa~ , however after the patch is installed the backup gets renamed to just ~ instead and saved in the directory where you start your Outlook Express. Most of the time, people start Outlook Express from a shortcut on their desktop, so the backup file gets placed there. This is how the tilde (~) file arrives on your desktop.

Is the File a Virus and will Spyware or Anti-virus Utilities Find it?

Because the file is simply a backup of your Windows Address Book, spyware searching utilities or anti-virus products wont flag it as anything suspicious.

Can I Delete the ~ File?

The simple answer is yes, the file can be deleted. However if it is deleted, you wont have a backup of your Windows Address Book if a virus or something else corrupts it or you accidentally delete the information in the address book. So I wouldn't necessarily delete the file without backing it up first. Personally, here are the steps I would take to remain safe in case you need the file again.

1. Right click on the file and choose Rename

2. Type in a name for the file and add the .wab extension to it
For Example, you might want to rename it to addressbook.wab or something similar

3. Now, put a blank, formatted floppy disk in your floppy drive and right-click on the newly named file

4. Choose Send To, Floppy Drive (most likely A)

5. Now the file is backed up in case of emergency, right-click on the file on your desktop and choose Delete

Each time you make a change to your address book, this file will reappear so its a good idea to keep that floppy drive around and make a backup each time you make changes. This protects you from losing valuable email addresses in case of a disaster.

An alternative to this would be to change the Start in option for Outlook Express. This has been suggested by a few visitors and works well.

v Find the shortcut to Outlook Express and right-click on it

v Click on Properties

v Make sure Read-only is unchecked on the General tab

v Click on the Shortcut tab

v In the "Start In" field, change it to an alternative path where the tilde file will appear, for example C:\

v Click on Apply

Is There a Patch to fix this?

Although Microsoft has indicated that it knows about this problem and intends to make a patch available, they have not released one yet, as of July 2003.

Can I uninstall the April 2003 patch to fix it?

Yes, you can uninstall the patch, this will fix the tilde (~) file from appearing, however you will not be protected from this security vulnerability either. If you want to uninstall the April 2003 (330994) patch, simply visit this link and follow the uninstall directions. Although I wouldn't advise anyone doing this.

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Want to Join SPCUG or Renew Your Membership?

Click the SPCUG Logo for an online
Membership Application that you can
type into and print

Here's The Latest Virus Information & Alert

Here's A Windows XP Tip

Put Administrative Tools on the Start menu

If you regularly perform tasks with the utilities found in the Administrative Tools folder, navigating through Control Panel's folder structure to access these tools can become a hassle.

However, Windows XP offers a way for you to place the Administrative Tools folder on the Start menu. When you do so, the Administrative Tools folder becomes its own menu.

Follow these steps:

Right-click the Start button, and select Properties.
In the Taskbar And Start Menu Properties dialog box, click the Customize button on the Start Menu tab.
In the Customize Start Menu dialog box, select the Advanced tab.
Locate System Administrative Tools in the Start Menu Items list box.
Select the Display On The All Programs Menu And The Start Menu radio button.
Click OK twice to close both dialog boxes.

Pause For Thought

If the universe is expanding, what is it expanding into?

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Who Says There's No Place For Humor In Computing?

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Get Involved

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Remember.. "The more you put in....

the more you'll take out"

Here's A Windows XP Tip

How to Configure XP to reopen folders that were open when you shut down the computer

You need to shut down or restart the computer, perhaps because you've installed software, but when you log back on you'd like XP to automatically reopen the folders that you had open at shutdown. It's easy to do this:

Open Windows Explorer (Right click the Start menu and select Explore).
Click Tools.
Select Folder Options.
Click the View tab.
Under Advanced Settings, scroll down and put a checkmark in the box that says Restore previous folders at logon.
Click OK.

Remember

Don't Let Your

Membership Lapse

contact: membership@spcug.org

Here's An Internet Tip

Spidering the Web

To find information on the billions of Web pages that exist, a search engine uses special software robots, called spiders, to build lists of the words found on Web sites. When a spider is looking at pages and building its lists, the process is called spidering or Web crawling.

A spider usually starts by looking at lists of heavily used servers and very popular pages. The spider begins with a popular site, indexes the words on its pages, and follows every link within the site. In this way, the spidering system quickly begins to travel, spreading out across the most widely used portions of the Web.

When spiders have found all the information they can on Web pages, the search engine must store the information in a way that makes it useful.
Rather than simply storing a list of all those words and the URLs that go along with each one, the words in the index are weighted. The goal is to give increasing values to words that represent the main ideas on a page. Each commercial search engine has a different formula for assigning weight to the words in its index. This is one of the reasons that a search for the same word on different search engines will produce different lists, with the pages presented in different orders.

Looking for a SIG or Forum?

The best place to go is the SPCUG Event Calendar.
Once there you can view everything planned for SPCUG members.
Want to register for a SIG? There is no better place to do that then at http://www.calsplus.com/spcug
This calendar is updated on a daily basis making it the most accurate way to see what's happening in the world of SPCUG.

Click here for the Dave "Bytes" Archives

P.S. Don't forget to say "Hi" at the meeting!!

Sarasota Personal Computer User Group, Inc

Phone: 877-SPCUG-HI

To Send A Message To Dave Click Below

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