Hi Clif,I tried to show you my location on your Frapper Map,well there just wasn't any room ,so I am sending you my location this way, lol,Ken http://thumbsnap.com/v/XcvWk4up.jpg
Hi Clif,
I was just wondering where in CA (since I live here) your son lives who's getting married. I live in Northern CA. Thanks for the informative letters every week!
Hi Clif,
Re: Jarte - a compact free WordPad replacement
My search for a WordPad replacement has ended (for now) with Abiword Portable from PortableApps.com.
Abiword is an open source, fairly full-featured word processor from http://www.abisource.com. For practical purposes it will do anything one needs in terms of everyday word processing, and the interface is "quite familiar." It also saves documents in a variety of formats, including its own, OpenOffice, .rtf and .doc.
Portable Apps (http://portableapps.com/apps) has taken a number of common open source applications, such as Abiword, Firefox, GAIM and OpenOffice itself, and stripped them down for installation on older systems and flash drives. They aren't crippled -- Firefox, for example, works normally and you can download themes, updates and extensions -- it just has non-essentials removed to make it smaller and faster. Each application can be downloaded as part of a suite (build it yourself) or individually.
While Abiword is fairly small and quick in its original incarnation, I was looking for even faster so I installed the Portable Apps version. It works great. It might take a second longer to open than WordPad on older machines, but when it does you have a lot more for your time. I have it set to default to all the common document file types. Definitely worth a look, as are the other offerings on the site.
A word about the Portable AppsSuite: it is designed to be installed on its own flash drive, although it coexists well with shared drives. It adds its own icon on the drive, and when you click it, one appears in the system tray. A click there brings up a dedicated menu to select applications and preferences. Neat. The only thing is, if you install it on your hard drive, as I did for testing, it hijacks the drive icon and adds its own name and graphics. While everything works normally, it's a bit disconcerting. I had to uninstall it to get my C Drive icon back. I recommend downloading individual apps for hdd installation, or porting the files from a flash drive, which works well -- just drag it where you want it, open, find the .exe file and send a shortcut to the desktop.
Have fun, as a friend of mine always says,
Bill
I get more interesting info from your notes than from all of my other newsletters/infomercials combined.Keep up the good work!
(I'm a retired computer whiz, so it takes a bit more than average to catch my attention)
Since it seems to be hard to find joytokey v3.79 I uploaded it here:
http://izwalito.free.fr/mirrored...ed/
jtk379en.zip
not sure how long it will stay there, so be sure to mirror it.
regarding the browser tests..you didn't test sea monkey from mozilla which i discovered recently and like very much; also it's faster than firefox (but what isn't?) sometimes i can grow a full beard waiting for firefox to open..
Regarding Joost:
Yes I would like to get an invite to try Joost.
Thanks Clif
How do I permanently move the spell checker window in Outlook Express so it does not block the body of the email every time I start the spell checker?
Zeke
Hi Cliff
Thanks for the excellent newsletter. I was wondering if you could give me your opinion on 'Spybot search and destroy?'I have started using it on my'Vista basic' OS, along with 'Windows Defender.' I am careful what I am downloading on my new system, but appreciate you cannot have enough spyware programmes. Thanks.
Take care
Chris.
Clif, I need your advise again. I signed up for the newsletter from Internet Fixes. I believe you talked about it in your newletter. Very informative site, but to get to some of the information on the site you have to register. Which is free. However, the information they request seems to be a bit much. Name, address, city, etc. This is not a secure site. Do you know anything about them and would you feel ok about giving this information? Your advise would be appreciated. Thanks
Cliff
re - Internet Fixes Weekend Windup
In the Uk a windup is a prank or using misinformation to get somebody wound up.
I know that you wouldn't promote bad information but those with less experience might consider giving that section or even your site a miss in future
Dear Cliff
I wish to know how I can protect my pc from Internet hacking.
1) Please give names of two free and best Anti-virus, anti-spywares and fire walls.
2) How is Mckfee site-advising program?
3) I also wish to know about a free and best track-remover while surfing. 4) Is there any good site from where I can download best films easily?
Anjan Ghosh
My computer using Vista freezes on most of the www.internetfixes.com
links. Why? What am I doing wrong?
Thanks Clif.
Hello Clif,
I think I got a link to "Giveaway Of The Day" from you or one of the links on your site. If I did, are you aware of this section of the EULA for today's giveaway? I assume it's always this way. Anyway, here it is:
"When you first obtain a copy of the SOFTWARE, you are granted an evaluation period of not more than 30 days, after which time you must pay for the SOFTWARE according to the terms and prices discussed in the SOFTWARE's documentation, or you must remove the SOFTWARE from your system. This license is not transferable to any other system, or to another organization or individual. You are expected to use the SOFTWARE on your system and to thoroughly evaluate its usefulness and functionality before making a purchase. This "try before you buy" approach is the ultimate guarantee that the SOFTWARE will perform to your satisfaction; therefore, you understand and agree that there is no refund policy for any purchase of the SOFTWARE."
I love your newsletter. Today I saw your review of scribefire. I've used it in the past. It's really convenient to be able to blog right in your browser.
Are you familiar with ZOUNDRY? It's a free blogging program. I've switched over to it. You might want to take a look.
Their homepage is http://www.zoundry.com/
Dear Cliff
I wish to get
1) a free PDF to Word converter
2) a free Word to PDF converter
3) a good rootkit destroyer
I wish to know
1) Though I have Lavasoft and Spybot in my computer, Windows is saying "your computer might be at risk". What other precautions I may have?
2) How I can freely move in the internet without any trace?
3) How I can take a backup of my files and later use it?
4) I wish to learn more about registry
Anjan
Hi Anjan,
1. http://snipr.com/1niu6
2. http://snipr.com/1niua
3. http://snipr.com/1niuc
Note on #3: Although you may be able to detect rootkits, "destroying" them isn't something that can be done by any piece of software you can get right now. This type of problem requires expert help to remove.
I recommend a visit to Temerc.com forums if you find a rootkit.
Best wishes,
Clif
Hi Anjan, I didn't see the second set of questions at first ... here's my answers for those.
"I want to know"
1. http://snipr.com/1niuk
2. Usually you get that message when one of your security programs needs updated or is missing or disabled. See what MS recommends. http://www.microsoft.com/protect...ct/
default.mspx
3. Try this program to surf anonymously:
http://www.download.com/Torpark/...4-
10586816.html
4. http://g.s.scandoo.com/search?q=...y&hl=en&
meta=on
Good luck!
Clif
Sorry,
I just notice those links don't work. Go here and search the group using the search box at the top of the page.
http://groups.google.com/group/a...freeware/
topics
1. PDF to Word (search)
2. Word to PDF (search)
3 Best Rootkit detector (search)
Clif
My laptop was recently hacked. Previously, according to ShieldsUp,all the ports were in stealth mode. Now they are simply closed, and a few are open. Any suggestions?
Thank you,
Mario
Hi Mario,
I recommend that you go to www.temerc.com and register in their forums to post that question. I go to them for any security questions.
Hey Cliff-
Here's a cool website for creating favicons and desktop icons from existing images:
http://tools.dynamicdrive.com/favicon/
Worth checking out if you haven't seen it already!
Matt Reece
Dear Sir
Wongly I have deleted Superuser 'Administrator' from computer. Now I wish to get it back. How can I get back so that it can be seen on the stating screen?
Anjan Ghosh
When using SafeSpace from the following site,
http://www.artificialdynamics.com/
also mentioned elsewhere on freewarewiki, please be very cautious as it does not remove all settings which it changes when uninstalling.
It rendered Firefox unusable, after hiding it.
It might be my own mistake or lack of knowledge but be warned.
Dear Cliff
A few days ago I installed Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0. But today when I went to remove it I can't. Please let me know how I can fully remove it. Please let me know a good free internet Security program to safeguard the internet security. I wish to learn about Hardware and Networking. Can you guide me from where I can learn it?
Anjan
Hi Anjan,
Uninstall instructions. http://support.kaspersky.com/faq.../?
qid=193239348
I can't recommend a good free suite, but you can put together severay good free apps to make a good defense.
http://freewarewiki.pbwiki.com/
O...pingForSecurity
Good link for home networking:
http://compnetworking.about.com/
...homeadvisor.htm
Best wishes
Clif
.
Dear Cliff
Thanks a lot
Anjan
hi Clif,
just stopping in to say hey bro...
thanks for all the great work!!!
peace,
jimi
Just wanted to let you know that for a long time I was a devoted reader of Fred Langa's Langalist Newsletter. But the quality dropped amazingly when he joined Windows Secrets. Happily, I found your newsletter which is the perfect replacement.
Excellent job! I love it!!
Thanks BlueJay,
I'm happy if you are. I don't think many would agree that I can replace Fred Langa. I miss him and I still have a link to his old newsletter on my Home Page.
I guess he was just overworked. I can't blame him for taking it easy now. He's got to be close to retirement age.
I just turned 50 this year so I plan on sticking around a bit longer. Who knows if we'll still be sending email in 20 years though?
Best wishes and thanks again.
Hi Clif
I like your new picture with your newsletter, way cool...
You do a thanks task, giving up valuable free time put it together, it is always a pleasure to read and to look forward too...
Hi Clif
Ammended
I like your new pencil sketch picture with your newsletter, way cool...
You do a thankless task, giving up valuable free time to put it together, it is always a pleasure to read and to look forward too...
PS
We could do with the means to edit or delete your own comments... ROFL
Regards
Hi Clif,
Good to see you back! Hope you're feeling well-rested.
Here's a good article by Fred Langa on Rambooster and similar utilities.
http://www.informationweek.com/
s...icleID=17200583
Bill
Thanks Bill
Hello Cliff
thank you for the excellent newsletter which consistently provides ore interesting content than any other. I have tried to leave a message about Bufferzone without any success so I am trying again:
Reference "Bufferzone" obtained from giveawayoftheday
I know that I am not entitled to support because I obtained Bufferzone form "giveawayof theday". I removed the software using its own undelete after a few days because it slowed down the computer and I couldn't play videos. It has left me with a directory "virtual" and subdirectory "untrusted" on my C drive which I have emptied but cannot delete and two entries in my Win XP registry, "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTZbVirtualFolder.ZbVirtualFolder
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTZbVirtualFolder.ZbVirtualFolder.1
which I can't remove. I can't ask Bufferzone for help as I am not entitled to support. Could someone please help to help to remove these items. Thank you.
Geoff
Hi, Cliff; need your advice!! Have been using Microsoft Publisher Suite 2000 for several years (obviously). About two months ago, the software wouldn't load. got a tile telling me the CD-ROM was too old. No help from MS website(s). Frustrated, began to us a copy of PrintShop which I purchased before the MS software. Need something good to publish my community newsletter. Do you (or anybody else) know how I can get to use my MS Publishing Suite 2000 again?
Thanks
Burt
Hi Burt.
I'm sorry, I can't tell what the problem with your MS Publishing is. You may want to ask for help at the Computer Help Club.
I have tried another free publishing software called Page Plus. I've been told it does everything that MS Publishing does.
Have fun!
.
Happy New Year
Thanks El Tel, nice to hear from you again.
.
Hi Clif. What a great site! I can't believe how much is packed in here! I do have a question: is there a small app or some way to color the background in the Windows Explorer field? I use Explorer a lot and find the glare from the white background just too bright without adjusting the monitor settings. This isn't convenient as I switch back and forth between other windows. Thanks. Jim
Mornin' Clif,
Re. TeraCopy...
Heard about it from Steve Bass, and since I had a lot of reorganization to do on the PC this weekend I installed and used it. Uninstalled it last night.
It's really versatile, but if copying and moving only involves a couple of windows, drag and drop is much simpler. For average needs, TeraCopy is -- to me -- a more complicated solution to a simple problem.
Regards,
Hi Cliff,
Since I installed "Camtasia" (a software for making video tutorials) its name keeps showing up in the "URL" section of any comments I make. If I forget to remove it a "Homepage" link shows up at the bottom of my comment. (This also happens on Dave's computer tips site). I have not been able to determine why this is happening or how I can replace it with a real URL automatically.
Where does this comment utility pull the URL from?
Thanks for the comments Bill.
Balayage, I think it gets the URL from a cookie. Try clearing the cookies or any cookies from Haloscan.com. I've got a feeling that will work.
.
Good morning, Cliff!
You mentioned The Master Genealogist, and wanted to know of any (good) freeware applications for genealogy. TMG, by the way, is the "ultimate" tool for recording family tree info. However, one that is not far behind is available in a free (standard) version. It is Legacy from Millenia Corp:
http//www.legacyfamilytree.com
The Deluxe version will only cost you $29.95.
Another free one that has been around for many years and is now in version 5, is Personal Ancestral File. This is available for free download from FamilySearch, a site run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (members are commonly referred to as Mormons). The link can be followed from this site:
http://www.familysearch.org/
Click on "Order/Download Products"
Click on "Software Downloads"
On the next page, PAF (77065000-S) is the one at the top of the list to click upon. It is a very good program and has millions of users around the world.
For Linux users, there is Gramps:
http://www.gramps-project.org/
wi...title=Main_Page
Mac Users are left out of the freeware stakes, at the moment. They may be helped in the future by a "work in progress" by Logan Alfred. Logan is building on an older version of PAF for Macs, with an entirely new application, now called MAF (was MacPaf). You can check on his progress at:
http://homepage.mac.com/logan/ib...n/iblog/MacPAF/
Lance
Thanks Lance. Now I know who to ask about Genealogy.
.
NoScript add-on for Firefox
I think it was your site that originally turned me on to NoScrip. Anyway, I have set up "freewarewiki.com" in my whitelist. Despite this, when ever I read your publication a number of scripts are blocked. (i.e. This week there is woopra.com and disqus.com.)
How is one to know what is "safe" to allow and what is just an add or even worse?
Tom
I received this email from Bluebottle today, telling me that after 20 June it is withdrawing its free email service. I liked bluebottle for its pending folder (which did irritate i admit until i worked it out) and its POP3 access. I'm very disappointed the free service has been withdrawn. Still at least i was told. Once i lost all my mail in anymail because i wasn't told its free service was withdrawn.
Anyone know a good free POP3 email client that isn't going to close down at some time?
Message is:
This email is to inform you that Bluebottle Solutions Pty Ltd has re-acquired
the Bluebottle email service from Trusted Delivery Pty Ltd.
We have conducted a detailed review of the business, including all of the
available options, and have concluded that in order to for us to be able to
continue providing the Bluebottle service to our Access and Premium customers
we will need to discontinue our Freemail service on June 20, 2008. Our
decision was not an easy one but was necessary to reduce the significant
resources required to manage the free service. This change will enable us to
provide a superior email service to our paid customers.
If you would like to keep your Bluebottle email address, you can simply
upgrade to either an Access (US$9.95/year) or Premium (US24.95/year) account
through your webmail environment anytime before June 20, 2008. If you choose
not to upgrade you will need to download your wanted email from your account
before the Freemail service closes on June 20, 2008. Customers with an
existing Access or Premium account do not need to make any changes.
We would like to thank you for your loyal support of Bluebottle and we do
apologise for any inconvenience the closure of the Freemail service may cause
you.
Kind regards,
Robert Pickup
Bluebottle Solutions Pty Ltd
though sea monkey is faster than firefox (& i agree how slow firefox is to open)is seamonkey as customisable as firefox? I like firefox because i can make it exactly how i want it.
Hi Clif,
I use Firefox 3 and an add-on called NoScript to prevent the running of malicious scripts when viewing a website. The add-on works quite well, only allowing scripts I approve to run.
The problem is I cannot determine a BAD script from a good. Sure, I have learned a few names over time from seeing them show up in anti-spyware programs.
Take your recent page. The following scripts are listed. The ones marked "known" are allowed to run.
youtube.com - known
statcounter.com - known
haloscan.com - unknown
furl.net - unknown
capturimportant.info - unknown
pbwiki.com - known
woopa.com - unknown
gmodules.com - unknown
greewiki.com - known
technorati.com - unknown
quantserve.com - unknown
disqus.com - unknown
engagd.com - unknown
I cannot tell if a script is safe from their names. Yes, I assume you employ "safe" scripts. If I find a feature on your page that does not run, I might try to determine what script is holding it back and temporarily allow it.
Where can one find information on scripts? Their names do not necessarily give a great clue.
I have read so many times how malicious scripts can cause severe damage that I am paranoid.
An article from you on scripts and the use of the "NoScript" add-on would be much appreciated by me and, I suspect, many of your readers.
Tom
great edition bro.
keep up the great work, my respects to the fam.
peace
pjp
Hi Clif
As this day grew ever nearer.
Now this day is getting clearer.
Whats this day I hear you say.
Go blimey...
Its your Birthday...
You have a GR8 day...
El Tel
Thanks El Tel. Nice little ditty.
Clif
Son of Spy has gone off the air some months ago, and I can't find his site again. The sover.net place doesn't host him. All links so far are dead, and the anycities search engine returns nothing for things as obvious as "file manager" or "win util".
If anyone knows his current whereabouts....
CChris
Love the newsletter.
Always find a site or 3 that are fascinating.
Thanks.
1 question:
I use the 'Comments' detail in my folders to keep track of which files contain what and notes re: the files. I would like to increase the number of characters that are displayed from the default of about 50 (or so) to 255 or the maximum.
Any suggestion on how to get this done? Probably a registry tweak, but would like your or your reader's input.
Thanks,
Jim
Hi CChris,
I can't verify this, but a thread in ACF appears to be from him or someone who knows him well and gives a brief but unsatisfying explanation.
See this link:
http://groups.google.tl/group/
al...5cd50f09bc800ca
.
Hi Jim Andrews.
I'm not sure if this will help, but it's the closest to what you want.
http://freewarewiki.com/HobComment
.
Hi Clif,
RE: Snowbird Search - finds files very fast
(review from ClifNotes, updated Sep 2008, Jul 2007)
Yes, its very fast & I'll be keeping it but ... what it won't do is search an individual drive (on win98 ).
So, searching all drives for folder names including 'temp' shows several results for the C: drive. Searching the C: drive finds nothing. Searching C:windows gets 15 results.
(When searching all drives, I can hear the floppy drive spin up, but when I select the floppy drive only I don't hear this.)
Re: Gmail Has Themes
Thanks for letting us look at your email!
If you install BetterGmail2 for Firefox you can have sub-folders in your gmail. This enables me to organize my email filing by Main Group / Sub-group / Sub-sub-group. If you set up a filter for every sub-group, all the expected incoming email will be automatically filed away, leaving only unexpected emails in the Inbox. This enables you to prioritize your email reading by choosing which folder to read first.
I also try to keep my Spam folder nearly empty (once a day check). Sometimes gmail will put a good email in the Spam folder. If I left thousands in the Spam folder, I would never notice it.
Best wishes and thanks for a very useful newsletter.
Hi Bill,
The folder thing is interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Clif
.
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