The Webmaster will provide links to files or sites of potential interest to SPAUG members, which are suggested by other members. Just connect to the web and click on the hyperlinks. Some of the links will open a new page; when you're finished with the page, just close it and you'll be back on this page. If the link does not work when you click it, copy it into your browser URL address field and press enter.
Disclaimer: the links worked when listed, but as with any links to the Internet, are subject to "rot". The links are provided as is, no warranty express or implied. Your mileage may vary. Caveat Emptor.
If any of you members have suggestions, they would be more than welcome - . Share your favorite sites with other SPAUG members.
PC World's Home Office Contributing Editor Steve Bass dispenses pearls of PC wisdom that enable you to work harder and play smarter. You can sign up for it here (to subscribe look for "signup" at lower right corner of the page). The newsletter posts online the week after it's sent via e-mail; back issues are here
Submitted by Stan Hutchings
You can watch Digital Duo, the independent, irreverent video review of all things digital. Hosted by Stephen Manes and Angela Gunn. This episode, “Internet Eases Travel Planning”, the Duo eye resources that will help you make the most of your next trip to parts unknown. Index and archive of previous episodes
Submitted by Stan Hutchings
Rootkit attacks are a fairly new development, but the free "Rootkit Revealer" may prove helpful in getting up to speed about this new danger.
Submitted by Stan Hutchings
Fred Langa wrote the article in InformationWeek: Langa Letter: Converting Audio Files? Let 'Er Rip!.
Submitted by Stan Hutchings
How to ask a question? (or - How do I ask a question on a professional forum/newsgroup without getting flamed?) Much of the advice in this article is good for those who have a questions at the General Meeting Crosstalk, or the SPAUG mail-list. One common problem is lack of background information. The link to How To Ask Questions The Smart Way is also instructive.
Submitted by Stan Hutchings
Following the disaster in London, Ambulance Services have launched a NATIONAL and WORLDWIDE campaign for "(ICE) In case of Emergency"
The idea is that you store the word " I C E " in your mobile phone address book, and against it enter the number of the person you would want to be contacted "In Case of Emergency". In an emergency situation Police, Emergency Services, Ambulance or Hospital Staff will then be able to quickly find out who your next of kin are and be able to contact them. It's so simple that everyone can do it. Please do it now. Please will you also email this to all the people you know, it won't take too many 'forwards' before everybody will know about this. It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest.
For more than one contact name ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc. It's a great idea. Store it in your phone then pass on the message to your family and
friends. More information at www.icecontact.com.
Submitted by Stan Hutchings
When making backups to a CD (or DVD), quite often the “read only” attribute bit is set, and remains set in the files that are subsequently read back to a hard disk. This prevents editing or deleting the files until you turn off the read-only bit (File - Properties - General tab - Attributes). Here is a way to turn off many at once: "CROA - Clear Read-Only Attributes: CROA is a handy utility that will clear the read-only bit of all subfolders and files in a specific folder. This is extremely useful after copying the contents of a CD to your hard drive."
Submitted by Stan Hutchings
Kelly's Korner's Registry Edits for Windows XP contains hundreds of scripts for tweaking and fixing problems in WinXP, each one for a specific function or problem. For example, there is one called “Enable CD autoplay for Pro” to restore autoplay of CDs inserted to the CD drive. It is well worth a look. Then check out some of the other fixes, for example Windows XP From A to Z.
Submitted by Stan Hutchings
• Trend Micro's Housecall scan
• Panda's ActiveScan
• McAfee's FreeScan
• VirusBulletin.com scan
• ewido malware scan
Submitted by Stan Hutchings
Need an RSS Reader? A new site offers the Onfolio V2.0 RSS reader for free (Personal Edition) - works for IE6 & Firefox. RSSReader is another alternative. (An RSS reader allows you to get news updates from websites in a simple form for your computer. You read these files in a program called an aggregator, which collects news from the various websites you choose and provides it to you in a simple form.)
Submitted by Stan Hutchings
On January 11, 2006 - Gene Barlow is scheduled to make a presentation at SPAUG's general meeting. Here's his pitch for a product many of us will find useful. ShadowUser Pro is one of the most amazing products I have run across in many years and one that all users should have and use on their computers. It is easy to install, easier to use, and will guard your hard drive from many unwanted changes. ShadowUser Pro runs on WinNT, Win2000, and WinXP systems. It is licensed for one computer and will only install on one computer. It normally lists for $70, however, user group members and their guests may purchase this excellent product at the user group discount price of just $47. If you need more than one license for your personal use, contact me and I will offer you an excellent price for them.
Rather than try to undo the damage after the hard drive has been changed, ShadowStor decided to prevent the changes from ever reaching your hard drive in the first place. Their product safely prevents unwanted changes to your hard drive, but lets wanted changes be made quickly and easily.
To purchase this product, go to our web site at www.usergroupstore.com and look for ShadowUser Pro in the Security section of our web site. To order it, click on the appropriate “buy now” button next to the product and you will be able to place your order. Include SPAUG and the special product code of UGNL0605. The sooner you get this installed on your computer, the safer your hard drive will be.
Submitted by Gene Barlow
There's a lot of information here about a confusing subject: Prepaid primer: the what, why, and how of prepaid cell phones. They describe compare offerings from the four major carriers, and the four smaller carriers.
Submitted by Stan Hutchings
On ZDNet, JotSpot reorients itself by Dan Farber.
Submitted by Stan Hutchings
Computer running slow? Takes a long time to boot? Freezes or crashes? Here are articles online that can help
You've gotten the Microsoft antispyware, right? Now read Using Microsoft® Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) to take advantage of its features. You can get this kind of information if you sign up for the Microsoft® Security Newsletter (you'll need a Microsoft® Passport).
Submitted by Stan Hutchings
I found a few useful things I could do with Google from their most recent newsletter, so I'm going to "share it with a friend" - Google Friends on Google Groups (including subscribe/unsubscribe. Also of interest is the Google Friends archive.
Submitted by Stan Hutchings
This overview by David Catling looks at how Mars and Martians have been represented throughout the history of the cinema. While Mars may not be the source of villains it once was, it was still a source of inspiration for many films. For a comprehensive list of Mars-related movies, see the Mars Movie Guide.
Submitted by Stan Hutchings