Dave Bytes

Dave "Bytes"

Please remember to use your thinker, before you tinker!
July 31, 2004

A Periodic Newsletter for the Members of the Sarasota PC User Group and the World!!

Click here to subscribe to Dave "Bytes
(Please provide your full name and email address)

Here's A Windows Tip

Did you realize that the Recycle Bin uses 10% of your disk capacity?

Reclaim some of this space by reducing its size. Right-click the Recycle Bin icon and select "Properties".
Drag the slider to the left.

Let me do the math for you. If you have a 10 GB Drive, your Recycle Bin is 1 GB. If you have an 80 GB Drive your Recycle Bin is 8 GB.

To check the size of your hard drive, right-click on the "C" drive in Explorer for example, and choose "Properties"

Microsoft has released its first service pack for Office 2003

It includes upgrades to Outlook 2003's spam filters. Most of the other updates are for business-oriented parts of the Office package--InfoPath and OneNote.

The download is a beefy 20 megabytes. In addition to the new stuff, it includes previous security updates.
To get it, go to the Office download site and click Check for Updates:

http://office.microsoft.com/officeupdate/default.aspx

BITS

BYTES

Clicking on Dave will take you to the

"Bits & Bytes"

site where you can listen to the most recent broadcast

Cleaning Your CD Recorder

Never, never, never use a CD-ROM cleaning disc in your CD recorder. Sure, they look innocent and harmless enough just hanging on the shelf at your local discount store. But don't be tempted to try a cleaning disc in your CD or DVD recorder. These discs typically use a tiny brush on the underside of the disc, which is supposed to "sweep" dust and dirt from your CD-ROM lens. Unfortunately, they can damage your recorder's read/write lens system (which, by the way, is self-cleaning anyway). Those tiny bristles can be pulled loose and stick in your drive, or the brush can scratch the surface of the laser lens.

The best way to keep your recorder clean is to keep the tray closed. Don't leave it open unless you're loading or unloading a disc. If you have an external recorder, wipe it from time to time with a dry, static-free cloth to remove surface dust.

SPCUG General Meeting Date Moved to August 11

Due to a scheduling conflict at Sarasota Middle School the next
General Meeting
has been changed from
August 4th to August 11th

Please remember to mark your calendars !!!!

Countdown to the next SPCUG General Meeting

Shareware Industry Awards

The Shareware Industry Awards Foundation was pleased to announce the winners of the thirteenth annual Shareware
Industry Awards during a gala awards banquet held at the Rochester Hyatt Regency in Rochester, New York as part of the fourteenth annual Shareware Industry Conference.

Awards were given in eighteen categories:
- Best Overall Utility - WinZip by WinZip Computing, Inc. (www.winzip.com)
- Best Application - askSam by askSam Systems (www.asksam.com)
- Best Graphics Program or Utility - Paint Shop Pro by Jasc Software, Inc. (www.jasc.com)
- Best Desktop Enhancement - Microangelo Creation by Eclipsit Corporation (http://microangelo.us/tour)
- Best Photo Program or Utility - ThumbBuddy by Lincoln Beach Software (www.lincolnbeach.com)
- Best Application Using .NET - SourceGear Vault by SourceGear, LLC. (www.sourcegear.com)
- Best Utility Using .Net - FILEhand Search by Filehand, LLC. (www.filehand.com)
- Best Sound Program or Utility - Blaze Media Pro by Mystik Media (www.mystikmedia.com)
- Best Vertical Market Program or Utility - Help and Manual by EC Software (www.ec-software.com)
- Best Business Application or Utility - InnoSetup by Jordan Russell (www.jrsoftware.com)
- Best Educational Program or Game - Cherokee Trails by Pharos Games (www.pharosgames.com)
- Best Hobby or Personal Interest Program - Word Search Construction Kit by Insight Software Solutions, Inc. (www.wordsearchkit.com)
- Best Internet Enhancement or Utility - FeedDemon by Bradbury Software (www.bradsoft.com)
- Best Internet Communication - Trillian by Cerulean Studios (www.ceruleanstudios.com)
- Best Web Enhancement or Utility - The Bat! by RITLABS (www.ritlabs.com)
- Best Non-Action Game - Jig Jag! Gold by JigJag Ltd. UK (www.jigjag.com)
- Best Action/Arcade Game - Snood by Word of Mouse Games (www.snood.com)
- Best Program or Utility for PDAs - TealDoc by Teal Point Software (www.tealpoint.com)

The SIAF Board of Directors presented the award for Lifetime Achievement to Paris Karahalios of TRIUS, Inc. for his accomplishments and service to the industry since 1986. The SIAF People's Choice Awards were also presented during the banquet. These awards are voted on by the public at Internet download sites like CNET, Simtel, Tucows, and the Web sites of hundreds of software developers. Jean-Guy Ducreux, Chris Thornton, and CNET Networks were inducted into the
Shareware Hall of Fame.

The Shareware Industry Awards Foundation is a non-profit corporation that was created in 1991 for the purpose of hosting the annual Shareware Industry Conference. The SIC is attended by software developers, e-commerce providers, vendors, and others involved in the shareware industry from around the world. The conference features educational sessions on a wide range of topics of interest to software developers including marketing, Web site design, press releases, and more. The conference is sponsored by a number of companies both large and small.

For more information on the Shareware Industry Conference, the Shareware Industry Awards, and the SIAF People's Choice Awards, please visit the SIAF Web site at http://www.sic.org.

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 1500 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.

Latest version of CorelDraw Graphics Suite 12
(CorelDraw, Corel Photo-Paint, Corel R.A.V.E.)
Just won as door prize at July SPCUG general meeting. This program only works with Windows 2000 or Windows XP -- and I have Windows ME.
Asking $175 (about one half the street price) or best offer.
Steve Henkel, 371-2750, ext. 360, or
StevePipit@aol.com

Two 128mb Smartmedia Memory Cards
$15 each, or both for $25
Smartmedia Card Reader $8

Got a new camera that uses a different format. Everything in A1 condition

Warren Kahn
warka@comcast.net
(941)378-3728

Two new ink cartridges
Black P/N T0529 for Dell Printer A920.
Also have one refilled cartridge
Need #56 black for HP printer
E mail rwt2@juno.com. or call 377-3038

Click Here To Submit Your Ad

What Is thumbs.db?

A reader wrote to ask what the thumbs.db file is and whether it's safe to delete it.
This is a file that contains a cache of the pictures in a folder, which is created when you use the Thumbnail view. You can save disk space by deleting it. You can also turn off this feature and keep Windows from creating these files by doing the following:

Click Start | Explore to open Windows Explorer.
Click Tools | Folder Options | View.
Under Files and Folders, click the checkbox that says "Do not cache thumbnails."

Please Sign The Dave "Bytes" Guestbook

Click Image to Sign

Are You "Movin' On Up?

If YOU are movin' on up, that is, to a newer model PC and aren't really using your old one, please give careful consideration to donating it to the PC Refurbishing/Donation SIG. Roger Leer's gang will take your donated PC, buff it up where needed, then find it a new home with a worthy recipient.

Your donation could change a life !!

Contact Roger at by clicking here

From the "Bytes" Mailbag

Dave,

I have audio cassettes that I would like to put on CDs, but I don't know how to do it. I'm running Windows ME and have the means of inputting the cassette output into the computer. The Sound Recorder on my system doesn't work effectively.

Possibly I'm doing something wrong, or more probably I need a more efficient software program. Also, I would like to know what file extensions and what media programs will enable me to accomplish my objective.

I'd appreciate any advise you can give me.
Thanks,

Jerry

No problem Jerry ...
While I have no personal experience with this "free" program, I've mentioned it in a previous edition of Dave "Bytes" and have included it on the "Downloads I've Mentioned" page. I know quite a number of SPCUG members are using it and recommend it highly. I'm referring to Audacity. You can find it by clicking below and remember to browse my Free Downloads from time to time.

Dave,

The spam on Comcast has become almost unbearable despite a huge number of filters I have installed (I am using Explorer) What is the best mechanism that you know of other than continuing to add filters?

Larry

Well ... believe it or not this is NOT a Comcast problem but one we all find ourselves dealing with in one form or another no matter who our internet service provider is. (You mentioned Internet Explorer ... but I think that you meant Outlook Express). I recently read a survey that said almost 75% of all email sent is spam ... ugh!!! Creating rules in Outlook Express is one strategy but not a very effective deterrent these days.

Until recently, I was using Outlook Express and relied on a free program called Mailwasher to manage my email and prevent any Spam from being downloaded on my system. Now guess where you can find this gem? That's right ... here at Dave "Bytes". It's another one of my favorites and recommend it highly.
A few weeks ago I switched to Outlook 2003 for my email. I had heard and read much about the new Junk Mail Filters that were built in and so far I have to agree. Alas, I have forsaken Mailwasher for another.

Are You Spamming?

Watch what you write in e-mail, or your message might be mistaken for spam and blocked. Avoid using excessive profanity and words typically found in junk e-mail. For example, too many instances of the words free or mortgage and the phrase one-time offer might trigger a spam filter to block your message.

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

Here's The Latest Virus Information

Here's A Windows XP Tip

How to Clear the Page file at Shutdown

The Windows page file is a portion of the hard disk used for virtual memory - that is, swapping information in and out of physical memory (RAM) so the applications have more usable memory than is actually installed. The information in the page file is not needed when you shut down, since information in RAM is lost when the computer is turned off. The page file can be quite large, so if you want to be sure it's cleared at shutdown to save disk space, you can do so in Windows XP Pro by performing the following steps:

Click Start | Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Local Security Policy
In the Local Security Policy management console, expand Local Policies in the left pane.
Click Security Options.
In the right pane, scroll down to the policy named "Shutdown: clear virtual memory pagefile." This policy is disabled by default. Right click it and select Properties.
Click the Enable option button.

Want to Join SPCUG or Renew Your Membership?

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

May I Introduce You To

Our New Granddaughter

Meghan Rayne Blackwell

Pause For Thought

"The most wasted day of all is that on which we have not laughed."
- Sebastian-Roch Nicholas Chamfort (1741-1794)

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Get Involved

To inquire about volunteer opportunities

Click Here

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

the more you'll take out"

And Now Here's

Dave's Cool Downloads

Lookout

An addin to Outlook to quickly search all of your email, contacts, calendar, and filesystem.

Lookout is a lightning-fast search for your email, files, and desktop integrated with Microsoft Outlook™. Built on top of a powerful search engine, Lookout is the only personal search engine that can search all of your email from directly within Outlook - in seconds...

You can use Lookout to search your: Email messages

Contacts, calendar, notes, tasks, etc. Data from exchange, POP, IMAP, PST files

Public Folders Files on your computer or other computers ...

Just enter your search and press enter. Results are instant. Lookout will find your search terms hiding nearly anywhere in your Outlook mailbox - subjects, bodies, phone numbers, addresses, etc.

System Requirements Supported Operating Systems: Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP

Microsoft Outlook 2000, Outlook XP, or Outlook 2003 must be installed on your computer.

dBpowerAMP Music Converter

Often called a Swiss army knife of Audio, dMC is able to:

v Rip digitally sound from Audio CDs and store in a multitude of formats, dMC is the Fastest CD Ripper and now AccurateRip Compatible

v Convert from one format to another, just about every audio type is supported: mp3, mp4, Windows Media Audio (wma), Ogg Vorbis, AAC, Monkeys Audio, FLAC and many others [Codec downloads], whilst preserving ID Tags,

v Volume Normalize audio files,

v Windows Explorer Integration - right click Convert To & popup useful information on audio files (such as bitrate, length).

v ID tag editing [Power Pack Option],

v Record from LPs or anything [optional Auxiliary Input install],

v Fully compatible with Windows 95/98/ME NT4/2000, Windows XP and Linux (using Wine).

v 100% Free, No nags, popups, hidden spyware or bundleware.

Dan Elwell's Broadband Speed Test

Generate all the diagnostics your Broadband Provider needs....
The Speed Test allows you to generate a full results report, containing download speeds, upload speeds, ping times,
packet loss, trace routes and your network configuration. You don't need any technical knowledge at all.

Accurate, localized testing
The Speed Test uses localized servers for each country, making it one of the most accurate, reliable and versatile speed tests available on the web.

Versatile reporting functions
The Speed Test keeps track of your test results over time, so you can view and compare them at any time. In addition, you can export your results to a number of file formats and even send your reports by e-mail.

Easy to understand results
The Speed Test produces your test results in a non-technical colour coded report. There's also a comprehensive help file detailing what each test means and how you can improve the results.

Monitor your connection over time
The Speed Test features Scheduled Testing, which allows the Speed Test to automatically run silent tests at the times you specify - ideal for keeping track of your connection performance.

Main features of the program:

Both quick and exhaustive test procedures

Highly accurate and reliable Extensive testing procedures, testing download & upload speeds, ping times, routing and packet loss.

Produce additional diagnostics, including trace routes and network configuration.

Save your results in the Portfolio and recall them at any time with the click of a button.

Save your results to a number of file formats, including documents, spreadsheets and web pages.

Send your results by e-mail in an instant

Schedule tests so that they conduct automatically at a time interval you choose.

Accurate for any Broadband connection in the world - results are not affected by geographic location.

Basic testing is completely free and there are no ads or spyware.

Remember

Don't Let Your

Membership Lapse

contact: membership@spcug.org

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

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