October - 2004  

Personally

Sgt. Robert Bergesch is back from his nearly year long tour including training in Germany and active service in Kosovo.  We are grateful for his safe return and extremely happy he is back.  We thank everyone for your prayers and support...

While Bob is back home, over a quarter million soldiers remain stationed in nearly every country around the world.  Our prayers and support go out to the soldiers and their families of the United States Armed Forces.  You too can help support our troops, click here.

The U.S. continues to be the world's peace keeper. 

Symantec / Norton Antivirus

Recently Symantec went to a two year support schedule. 

While version 2003 will still properly update on-line, there is no more automated support available.  Problems with 2003 (or earlier) will require complete uninstallation and reinstallation and may even require reinstallation of Windows before it will work correctly.

If you are running version 2003 (or earlier), do not renew it when it expires, instead replace it with version 2004 or preferably 2005.  You should probably consider the Internet Security package instead of just the Antivirus as it offers a good Firewall and other Internet risk prevention apps'.

Is XP reporting your antivirus as unknown status?  More information here

Windows Updates

Windows XP's new automatic update setting defaults to automatically download at 3am.  Well guess what, our machine is shut off at that time... So, from the Control Panel, open the Automatic Updates icon and check those settings. If yours is set as "recommended" but your computer is off overnight, change it to the second or third option.  Second; to download then inform if you're on a broadband connection. Third; if you're on a dialup connection. Never ignore updates!

You can look but Don't Touch

"Wardriving" is when someone with a laptop or another device drives around town and looks for open wireless networks.  While looking for open networks is not illegal, accessing those networks is! Here is a story of two that will serve many years for touching. 

Various articles on wireless security: 1 2 3 & Everything you wanted to know about wireless (pdf)

Nothing is Free!

Many "Free" Internet downloads and add-ins come at a price! 
If you do not pay for them up front, you will likely be plagued with pop-up ads.

Before downloading/installing something from the Internet, think about it's usefulness and the potential drawbacks.

File Listing Order

Generally, files in the My Documents and other folders are listed alphabetical.  If you have documents or files that you would like to see at the top of the list, even before the "A's", rename them to begin with the underscore.  So "_zebra" would appear before "Action."  For more on file list viewing, click here.

File Open Options

Did you know you can Cut or Copy then paste a file without using the Windows explorer?  You can do this from within most applications. Here we are using Word's File menu > Open to locate files where we can right click a file and copy it.  From there we can paste that file to another folder or even an email message as an attachment.  Note: Copy/Paste may fail if the file is open. Also notice the other open options;  open as a "copy" whereas any changes we make would not affect the original document.

Copy (almost) Anything

You can copy many things...  Here we have right clicked a folder's "properties" from within an application and copied the folder's location (CTRL+C). Now that the address is copied we can paste that address as desired (CTRL+V.)  More shortly

Sharing Outlook Appointments

If you have Outlook (not Outlook Express) you can "invite" other people to your appointment, i.e., setup meetings, venues, times, etc. 

Begin the appointment as normal then click the Invite Attendees button and the "To:" field will appear.
Fill in or select the email address of the person(s) to attend.   When done, click the Send button.

Own a Laptop?

The most expensive part of a laptop is the monitor.  In-fact, replacing the monitor on most laptops: requires the computer being sent back to the manufacturer and is usually prohibitive so be careful with them.  

When you open the laptop's monitor, use both hands to lift it.  Opening the monitor with one hand (on one side) may distort and damage the monitor. 

Want a shortcut on the Desktop?

Find the file of interest, right click ("alternate" click for you lefties) and select copy from the menu (or Windows Explorer.)  Go back to the Desktop and again right click (a blank area), select Create a Shortcut Here from the menu. 

Be Careful What You Do!

A known and unpatched flaw in the Internet Browser allows an unscrupulous web site action to plant a file on your computer.  We have all seen gag sites where you are told to stare at a picture and a few seconds later the site changes to show something unexpected...

Well it's just that kind of site that could plant something on your computer, especially if the site asks for your intervention.  The Article

The Internet Browser is not just for the Internet

As mentioned earlier, we copied a local folder's address from the folder properties window.  We then opened the Internet Explorer and pasted the address.  By pasting a local address to the Internet Explorer's address field, the folder opens and the Internet Explorer effectively becomes the Windows Explorer.

Internet Form Reminder

When you have an on-line for to fill out, don't click from field to field, use the keyboard's tab key! Pressing the Enter key in these forms often "submits" the form (even when if it is not yet complete.)

Microsoft Office

Looking to get things done quickly?  Use the office shortcut (quick-keys.)  Click here for the list

Network Printer

If you have a networked printer you can probably check it's status and configure it using the Internet Browser. Open the browser and in the address field, type the printer's address.  Note: This applies to printers connected to the network via Cat5 cables, not a shared printer.

Windows XP

FYI: From left to right; Reboot reminder, Norton Firewall, network connection, sound, PDA synchronizer, Norton AV and Windows Security monitor. Also notice there is nothing else loaded/running!  We do not allow MSN, Yahoo, Date Manager, Office Suite or any other unnecessary application to load when Windows starts.

By the way... XP Users should know Windows has a built in time synchronizer so there is no reason to download/install any other Clock Synch' application.

Old cell-phones, Eyeglasses, Ink Cartridges and now Laser Cartridges.

If you have any of these, please do not throw them away.  We collect them at the store for specific charities.    Thank you...

Looking to buy a new computer?  

Here are some ideas that may help you decide: http://www.bergesch.com/bcs/newcomputer.htm

That's all for now but we will leave you with this:  

Today's Household Hint: "Lemon and seltzer water will remove pesky ink stains after fingerprinting."
-- Martha Stewart