Daves Diggins Newsletter 9-21-00 (ISSN 1529-1103)

| Feedback | Subscribe/Unsubscribe to this Newsletter | Back Issues of this Newsletter | 37211 PC Users Group Home Page

Dave's Diggins 9-21-00

ISSN 1529-1103

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

********************************************************

1) Free software and services
2) Articles
3) E-biz:
4) Opinion:
5) Hardware

----------------------------------------------------------------

1) Free software and services

http://www.tradeups.com/faq.htm
http://pcusers.org/pcfree.html
TradeUps.com. TradeUps lowers the cost of the latest technology by allowing you to apply the value of your current equipment toward the purchase of new products you desire. Simply select the product(s) you want to trade, and then select the product(s) you want to purchase. They'll provide you with a single price quote for your complete transaction usually within an hour. Ship your pre-owned products to them. You can even keep your product until your new one arrives.

http://www.fnprg.com/softcat/
http://pcusers.org/pcfree.html
SoftCAT is a database application designed to help you organize your software. Not only will SoftCAT help you know what you have and where it is, but it will also help you keep track of important information like serial number, registration name, and other registration information. You never know when you NEED this information!

----------------------------------------------------------------

2) Articles

This bit of interesting information from Roger:

"I checked the Symantec Compatibility page. NAV, Norton Personal Firewall, and CleanSweep are not just Not-WinMe-Certified, but Symantec is saying its own internal testing shows they are not compatible. No Wonder EarthLink-MindSpring is formally stating that they do not support WinMe at this time. Already, just the two utility upgrades cost more than WinMe."

http://www.symantecstore.com/Pages/Centers/upgrade.html
Symantec Upgrade Center Page

If this is indeed true, then all the folks that are buying Norton Antivirus 2000 6.0 and WinMe are in for interesting times. (the below list is reprinted from the MaximumPC newsletter,
http://www.maximumpc.com/newsletter/index.html

PC Data Hits List of Top-Selling Software (8/13/00-8/19/00)

All Categories

http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/00/39/index3a.html?tw=eg20000921
http://pcusers.org/pcreference.html#resources
DHCP Primer. For the ultimate in security, control, ease of use and features, your best bet for sharing that broadband connection in your home network is DHCP, or the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.

http://www.jello.net/report/Issues/2000/09/20/20000920.asp
http://pcusers.org/pcreference.html#articles
Scanning for the Best Photo Prints

http://arstechnica.com/paedia/n/ntfs/ntfs4-1.html
http://pcusers.org/pcreference.html#articles
The Evolution of NTFS. This is a good article for those of you considering an upgrade to Win2000 from Win9x. NFTS (New Technology File System) is theway WinNT and Win2000 operating systems keep track all the files on your hard drive. It does this differently than the FAT (File Allocation System) used in Win9x

----------------------------------------------------------------

3) E-biz:

http://www.zdnet.com/eweek/stories/general/0,11011,2627048,00.html
http://pcusers.org/pcrebiz.html#articles
Dot-coms play the name game. Picking the right name is critical first step before choosing a domain name for your business.

----------------------------------------------------------------

4) Opinion:

Recently one of the members sent me some e-mail asking for help him with the following:

"I need some guidance as to where I can find information concerning software or some type of Windows 98 settings that can be administered to prevent a child from visiting ADULT SITES. I know there was news about this a few months back but i didnt pay any attention to it. Now i', involved in a BIG BROTHER situation and I need to be able to block the child from accessing these types of sites while still allowing him to surf the net for research and enteretainment for someone of his age/ grade level."

My response to him:

There are various screening software that attempt to prevent children from "accidently" accessing adult sites by pre-screening the URLs. Unfortunately they are swiiming against the stream since the internet was designed to facilitate the free flow of information. In other words "if there is a will there is a way". No software, even if it is accessed through a dumb terminal can monitor every URL on every site in the world. All your child has to do is go to a search engine and eventually find out how to disable, bypass, or crack any type of "nanny" software. The only way to prevent a child from doing wrong is through the old fashioned way by setting an example, warning them of dangers, monitoring their activities and correcting them when they do wrong. Think of all the ways you learned about "Adult Topics". How many of thse ways did your parents know of or would have approved of?

In other words install the "nannyware", put the computer in a common area of the house, check the browser history, etc. and talk to your child to set the limits of usage and the consequences for exceeding those limits. Notice I did not use the "S" word since this newsletter will be going onto the web site and I do not want to trigger any filtering software :)

----------------------------------------------------------------

5) Hardware

http://www.jello.net/report/Issues/2000/09/14/20000914.asp
http://www.jello.net/report/Issues/2000/09/18/20000918.asp
A 2-part review on the Lexmark Z52 printer. This is the printer recommended by both Bob and Jack at our last 37211 Pc Users group meeting.

http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Games/Roundups/internet_router/
http://pcusers.org/pcreference.html#articles
4-Port Internet Router Roundup. This article lists the advantages of using routers over hubs in your home network. It then compares the various 4-port routers that are out there. An interesting bit form this article, "Routers also act as DHCP clients on the WAN port, which allows them to self configure if your DSL or cable provider uses a DHCP server for configuration of its customer modems. Because these devices function like true routers, DSL users are able to plug directly from their DSL line straight into the WAN port. Cable users will still need a "modem", however.

********************************************************
This newsletter is sponsored by the 37211 PC Users Group. All comments, suggestions or submissions should be sent to david.donoho@pcusers.org. Guidelines for submission of articles are at http://pcusers.org/articlesubmit.html .

The Dave's Diggins newsletter subscription list is not publicly accessible nor is it provided or sold to anyone for any other purpose.

Disclaimer: The tips and other information provided in the Dave's Diggins' newsletter are believed to be accurate, but we cannot and do not guarantee that all the information listed within or linked from, this publication will work on all systems, for all users, at all times. All information herein is offered as-is and without warranty of any kind. Neither the 37211 PC Users Group, nor its officers and contributors are responsible for any loss, injury, or damage, direct or consequential, resulting from application of any information presented here.