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January 2008

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Junk Email --top

If you come across the Applebee's email give-away, it is exactly what you think, junk email.  Remember, the rule holds true for email chain letters:  If it seems too good to be true...

From http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/blxfreebies.htm

Applebee's International, Inc. has issued the following statement:

"A fraudulent email chain message promising Applebee’s® gift certificates for forwarding the message is currently making its way around the Internet. The message promises a gift certificate and a confirmation number after forwarding the message to a specific number of email addresses. Applebee’s® International, Inc. does not sponsor or endorse this activity and is unable to fulfill these requests."

Thanks, Barb

Email Issues  --top

Attachments

If you are unable to open an email attachment, there are various possible causes.  Some of the more common causes are: 

• An update to Outlook Express (OE) may have turned on security.  If OE is blocking attachments, you should see a ribbon message along the top of that message indicating the attachment was blocked.  To turn off blocking, close the message then look under OE's Tools menu > Options > Security Tab.  The Microsoft article.

• Outlook (not OE) security blocks the attachment.  We discussed this one back in '03, but it may be a new issue to some.  While it is not as easy to resolve as the above OE fix, it is not terribly bad if you follow the directions in this Microsoft article.

• You receive the "Windows cannot find Program.exe..." error message.  This may be caused by the Earthlink application on your computer and even if you do not use Earthlink.  Here is the Microsoft article on that.

• Similar to the above message, a very common problem is someone sends you an  attachment made with an application that you do not have, e.g., they create a PowerPoint presentation and you do not have PowerPoint or a viewer.  This can be a very difficult problem to discuss here due to the vast number of applications, but try these: 

  • If you receive a DOC, PPS or XLS file and do not have Microsoft Office, search office.microsoft.com for powerpoint viewer, word viewer, etc. 

  • Other file types; ask the sender what kind of file it is, or try searching http://filext.com/ for that file's extension.  Once you have determined  what application created it, search the Internet for a viewer...

Microsoft articles on some other common attachment issues:

• Error message when you try to open or save an e-mail attachment in Outlook: "Cannot create file"

• "Cannot Find Incredimail.exe" error message when you open attachment after removing Incredimail

• File attachment does not open when using Word as editor

• Cannot open .jpg attachments in Outlook Express

• Forwarded attachments do not include changes

Cannot Delete (OE) Messages

Outlook Express will not allow you to delete messages if the deleted folder becomes corrupt, but the fix is very easy:

Close Outlook Express.  Search the hard drive for a file named deleted items.dbx.  Be sure to search for hidden files by clicking the More advanced options then put a checkmark in "...hidden files..." as shown - > Delete the deleted items.dbx file.  Notes: This may be the only way to fix the problem, but it also makes recovering any deleted messages impossible.   If multiple deleted items.dbx files are found, determining which one is yours is difficult.  So unless another user has something important in their deleted folder, delete all of them.

Dell Computers  --top

Dell Computers are now available at Best Buy as well as Sam's and many other retailers.  However, these appear to be mostly the entry level (lower-end) machines.  Before purchasing, refer to our computer buying guide and check the machine's details. 

Online Photo Sharing? --top

If you use Flickr to post and share pictures, you may be sharing more than you realize.  According to this article, by accepting the usage agreement, certain sites may use your posted photos for commercial purposes and without compensation!

Room Key Myth --top

We were talking with a customer about his recent trip.  He still had the (credit card style) hotel room keys in possession, explaining that he always takes them when checking out.  The reason: the key could contain personal information, even credit card information.  

Maybe not just a myth... Attorney General Brian Sandoval recommends retaining the keys when checking out.  The article.

Out of curiosity, the customer asked us to read his particular keys.  They contained only three characters, just enough to unlock the door.

Thanks, Steve

Microsoft KB Search --top

Microsoft recently changed their knowledgebase search site (support.microsoft.com).  Prior to the change you could specify a product, enter some keywords and the results were mostly confined to that product. 

The biggest change to the KB search is that the keyword field fills in common phrases as you type.  Note: You do not have to use that suggested word or phrase.

It now seems that even when you specify a product, the results span more products than before.  This then presents you with a lot of unrelated articles making it more difficult to find what you really need. 

You are almost better off to search Google then look for the Microsoft articles...

Service Packs and Updates --top

Internet Explorer 6

If you are still running version 6 and recently have experienced lockup (hang) or other problems with the Internet, it is likely caused by an update from Microsoft.  More information here.

Vista SP1

Vista Service Pack 1 will be released soon and among various fixes, network speeds may be improved times three!  But hold on...  This does not mean your Internet speed will increase*, only local network data transfer is affected and only under certain conditions.  The article.

*Your Internet speed is a product of various factors, more here.

XP Updates

There are some year end updates from Microsoft, some are rated critical.  Even if you are not seeing the Microsoft updates icon (the yellow shield), open the Internet Explorer and from the Tools menu, select Windows Updates.  Scan for and install all available security related updates.  Hardware updates are your option, but some of those carry a critical rating and should be done as well...

At this point, we are recommending Internet Explorer 7 unless you have special online software, a VPN or use secure sites that do not yet support version 7.  If you do use VPN connections, log on to remote servers or run proprietary online applications, check with their support people before loading IE7.   Notes:

• To our knowledge there are still a few minor issues with IE7.

• Some IE7 Tips here.

XP SP3

Available sometime next spring, Windows XP will have a third service pack, containing more security patches, enhanced user account settings/information, resolution to some network issues and a few other changes.   Based on the initial information, this will be an advisable update.  The article.

Apple/Mac Also!

Mac has released another 41 patches addressing security issues.  If you are running OS X, this article may be of particular interest.

Mac or PC users alike: If you use Apple's QuickTime, there are security patches available and based on the title of this article, Apple may have a long way to go before QuickTime is really secure.

PC vs. Mac

This year ('07) Mac released some 243 patches, Microsoft 44, but obviously that is not the entire story and what a response that article received! 

Blackberry Setup --top

Recently we assisted two customers with their new phone email setup.  During the process we had a real problem with Sprint/Nextel support and an interesting warning from Verizon.

In setting up the Sprint/Nextel email, it was necessary to use their online server, we could not simply program the phone.  No problem, we are somewhat familiar with the Internet, so off to their server we go.  But multiple attempts to log on resulted in failure due to username and/or password issues.  We waited the 20 minute lockout period and tried one more time to no avail.

Thinking we typoed the password (many times), we decided to reset the password having the new one appear on the phone.  After waiting 15 minutes for the new password we called their support.  Jumping through all kinds of hoops to prove who we were, they reset the password.  But then we made a big mistake!  We thanked them, hung up and attempted, yes attempted, to log on.  Not getting anywhere we called back, and again through all the hoops, were told the "server was down, try later."

Day two we tried again but still could not logon.  We called support, went through all those hoops, they tried a few things and again said the server was down.  On and off that day we tried to logon but could not.  Day three, we still could not log on, now very irritated we called back telling the entire story.  This time, we got a hold of someone who when they could not resolve the problem, actually enquired with another about the down server issue.  They then had us logon to a different server and what do you know, it worked!  Now we wonder if that other server have worked on day one...

Verizon was easier to set up and while everything could be done on the phone, it was still necessary to contact their support.  Perhaps for this reason: during the call they made us listen and agree to a contract (of sorts) about the phone usage.  Basically that recording told us the phone could not be used for large downloads such as movies and music.  If large downloads were detected, extra charges would be incurred. 

Which leads us to this story, where the cell phone service was used as the computer's modem with "unlimited" access.   However, if the cell service was used to download movies or other large files, additional charges would occur.  They did and to the tune of $83,700...

So know what you are getting into before using these services...

Justified or Just Greedy --top

When should royalties stop? 

According to some musicians, they should get a cut every time their concert tickets are sold.  So if the tickets are sold to a ticket reseller the musicians get a cut, and then when the reseller sells the tickets they get another cut and so on...  The article. 

Quick Links...  --top

Five Microsoft Excel tips

Compare pricing for many common prescriptions...  www.minnesotarxconnect.com
Thanks, Steve

There are a variety of clipboard enhancements available that allow the clipboard (CTRL C) to retain more than just one item.  One of our customers uses this one. 
Thanks, Darryl

We will leave you with this from Al Lowe

A blonde teenager, wanting to earn some extra money for the summer, decided to hire herself out as a "handy-woman" and started canvassing a nearby well-to-do neighborhood. She went to the front door of the first house and asked the owner if he had any odd jobs for her to do. "Well, I guess I could use somebody to paint my porch," he said. "How much will you charge me?" Delighted, the girl quickly responded, "How about $50?" The man agreed and told her that the paint brushes and everything she would need was in the garage.

The man's wife, hearing the conversation said to her husband, "Does she realize that our porch goes ALL the way around the house?" He responded, "That's a bit cynical, isn't it?" The wife replied, "You're right. I guess I'm starting to believe all those dumb blonde jokes we've been getting by e-mail lately."

Later that day, the blonde came to the door to collect her money. "You're finished already?" the startled husband asked. "Yes," the blonde replied, "and I even had paint left over, so I gave it two coats."

Impressed, the man reached into his pocket for the $50 and handed it to her along with a ten dollar tip. "And by the way," the blonde added, "it's not a Porch, it's a Lexus."