Daves Diggins Newsletter 3-30-2000 (ISSN 1529-1103)

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Dave's Diggins 3-30-2000
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ISSN 1529-1103

Just a few "Golden Nuggets" of info that I've mined from the internet.

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This newsletter is sponsored by the 37211 PC Users Group. All comments, suggestions or submissions should be sent to david.donoho@pcusers.org. DO NOT reply directly to this newsletter at the davesdiggins address
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Software Review:

At past meetings you have probably heard me, Jack and others strongly recommend the Powerdesk file management utility by Mijenix software. This software utility replaces the Windows Explorer file management with far superior performance and functions. Well hold on to your wallets! Mijenix is offering the updated Powerdesk 4 for FREE!!!. It has all the functionality of the current version of Powerdesk98 I am using and it doesn't have any time limits, nag screens, advertising or other restrictions. They are so confident that you will like the free version so well that you will want to buy the Pro version for $20. I will be getting the Pro version because it has some additional networking and FTP features that would be useful in the way I manage the files on my computer. The main site is at http://www.mijenix.com/powerdesk/ . A comparison of the free and Pro version is at http://www.mijenix.com/powerdesk/comparison.asp . For those of us who already have Powerdesk there is a special upgrade offer to the Pro version for $10.
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Free software and services.

http://www.filewatch.com/
http://pcusers.org/pctechy.html
This service allows you to set up a software Product Profile and then it will monitor the web, FTP servers etc. and when it finds file updates for the software products in your profile it will notify you by e-mail on either an instant, daily or weekly basis.

http://grc.com/optout.htm
http://pcusers.org/pctechy.html
This is Steve Gibson's site for his OptOut freeware that specifically looks for and removes any changes that the Aureate spyware has put in your system.

http://www.em9.com/
http://pcusers.org/pcfree.html
Messenger9 The freeweb based alternative to instant messaging. Unlike AOL, ICQ etc. all the files are stored on their server so that you can log in from any computer with internet access.

http://members.xoom.com/sunkosoft/
http://pcusers.org/pcfree.html
WebNewser 1.0 b
Configure WebNewser to explore any web pages you are interested in and it will report any changes in them to you.

http://www.costech.com/corporate/Sales/Catalog/Grabbit_3/grabbit_3.html
http://pcusers.org/pcfree.html
Grabbit is a graphics program that allows you to capture images from your computer or from the internet.

http://www.iamaze.com/Home
http://pcusers.org/pcfree.html
iAmaze Presenter™ is a free online application/service (no software download) that allows you to create presentations such as slide shows etc. The created presentation is then stored on the IAmaze server and is available for remote access. They are working on having an online spreadsheet and word processor.
A ZDnet review of this service can be found at:
http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/stories/reviews/0,6755,2468818,00.html

http://www.computingcentral.com/topics/bandwidth/speedtest50.asp
http://pcusers.org/pctechy.html
Bandwidth Speed Test. This online site tests your current internet connection. Just click on the above link and it automatically checks your connection speed and lets you know the results in Kilobytes per second.
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Websites:

http://www.allaboutvision.com/cvs/index.htm
http://pcusers.org/pcreference.html#resources
An excellent easy to understand site about computer vision syndrome (CVS) which includes a self test to determine if you have the syptoms.

I had a problem with computer related vision a couple of years back. I solved it by doing the following:
* I changed to blended bifocals which gave me a mid-range for my vison that was suitable for viewing detail at 2 - 3 feet distance.
* I went to a 19" monitor with a .25 dot pitch and a higher refresh rate.
* I use an incandescent light bulb lamp set off to my side instead of using overhead lighting. This gives you better control of the the glare caused by the lighting. By using a 3-way bulb in the lamp I can also control the level of the lighting.

In doing this I not only eliminated the eyeball fatique from prolonged sessions at the computer but also relieved the muscular fatique from having to hold my head at a fixed and awkward angle in order to see the monitor clearly.

http://ergonomics.ucla.edu/
http://pcusers.org/pcreference.html#resources
The UCLA computer ergonomics site.

http://www.ewriteonline.com/
http://pcusers.org/pcwebhead.html
E-Write online. A site devoted to helping you improve your Internet writing skills.
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Articles:

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
http://pcusers.org/pcreference.html#articles
Fred langa's 4 part series of articles on how to make your PC secure when connected to the Internet.

http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,35079,00.html?tw=wn20000321
Net speed ain't seen nothing yet.

http://www.howstuffworks.com/dns.htm
http://pcusers.org/pcreference.html#resources
How Domain Name Servers Work

http://www.howstuffworks.com/ethernet.htm
http://pcusers.org/pcreference.html#resources
How Ethernet Works
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Hardware:

http://www.byte.com/column/BYT20000315S0006
Ten Terrific Displays. Monitors Worth Looking At

http://www7.tomshardware.com/mainboard/00q1/000315/index.html
Dissecting Rambus

http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,35113,00.html
Linux Supercomputer Howls
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Web development:

http://www.coolresources.com/articles/general/essentials.htm
http://pcusers.org/pcwebhead.html
The Bare Essentials. This article discusses planning a web site with a four step approach.

http://www.ezineuniversity.com/
http://pcusers.org/pcwebhead.html
EzineUniversity exists to help you become a successful E-Zine Publisher.
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Search Engines:

http://ixquick.com
http://pcusers.org/pcreference.html#search
This is the fastest and most relevent meta-search engine I have found.
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Future Shock:

http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,35056,00.html?tw=wn20000320
Chip Helps Paraplegic Walk

http://www.zdnet.com/pccomp/stories/all/0,6605,2429469,00.html
Ready for the Bazillion-Byte Drive?
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Humor?:

http://serverwatch.internet.com/articles/myersbriggs/index.html
Applying Management Theory to Get Along Better With Your Network

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This newsletter provided as a service by the 37211 PC Users Group http://www.pcusers.org

Any comments, suggestions or items of interest can be sent to me at david.donoho@pcusers.org