 | The
mind, once expanded to the dimensions of larger ideas, never returns to
its original size. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
| Kerrville
Texas
830-895-5016 |
| What's
Up This Week? | Sunday, January 15, 2006 | Archives |
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Welcome to another issue of our weekly newsletter!
No
one can dispute that the human brain is the greatest computer of all
time! But sometimes it requires a little nudge to grow new cells. I also happen to
believe that hardware computers are very useful tools which can
help to provide that nudge. That's why this
newsletter is not just full of computer related information, but also
includes entertainment and educational items to tickle the brain cells.
Feel free to pass this issue along
if you find something worthy to share with your friends, family, and
acquaintances. Don't forget that you can also call on us at 895-5016
when your next computer problem strikes.
What's In Here?Lots of cool and
informative stuff every week! I'm dubbing this
week's issue the Lincoln Edition. Our Ctrl-Alt-Backspace
section also includes a special click-link image to transport you to
the History Channel's Lincoln website where you can find additional
information about this fascinating and important American President.
There's also a new article in our Web Hosting Tips section that will help you when it comes time to select a website designer. Enjoy!
Click any of
these links to go
directly to your favorite section...
Missed an
issue?Check out
past issues here...Archives
 Hear
Ye! Hear Ye!
Sometimes
we have
special sales, important notices about virus outbreaks or
other technical
bulletins. Call 830-895-5016 if you're
interested in any sale items we might list here. But please click here to read our disclaimer before
visiting any third-party websites.
Did You Remember to Perform Your Backups?
Your
computer's hard disk is going to crash! No ifs, ands, or buts about it.
I don't care if you have a custom-built computer or if you spent
thousands of dollars for that new computer, that hard drive is going to crash sooner or later. I've
seen hard drives last an average of five years, some more and some
even less. Don't let the lack of a backup system ruin your week...
http://www.bictx.com/backup.shtml
Remove Your Personal Information From Google
Is
your name, address and telephone number listed in Google? Some folks
don't want their information listed for privacy reasons. You can
find out if you are listed by going to www.google.com and typing one of
the following search strings into the "Search" field...
"Your Name" +texas (use quotes around your name and insert your State)or type your telephone number like this...
555-555-1234 (substituting your own)
This
may result in your full name, address, telephone number and several
internet mapping services that provide an online map straight to your
house. Think of the implications to your privacy.
If you want to
remove this information from Google, simply click on the link called
"Phonebook Removal Form" or go to this website URL and fill out the
removal form. I hear that it takes about 48 hours for your information to be removed.
Anti-Spyware Coalition Publishes Spyware Guidelines
"Our
loyal readers are all too familiar with the terms spyware and adware.
Whether it's because we're the ones who remove it from Uncle Sven's
crusty old laptop, because it's in our job descriptions to keep a
network secure, or because we've clicked through one license agreement
too many and ended up spending a couple of hours cleaning our own
systems, we're all familiar with the terms. But how do you describe
spyware to a non-techie?" Click to read complete article...
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060113-5972.html
Will Microsoft’s Hardware-Upgrade Push Backfire?
"The
hardware demands of the next Windows and Office System 2006 products
may prove to be not worth the effort for vendors and customers." Click
to read complete article...
http://redmondmag.com/columns/article.asp?editorialsid=1191
New Computer Class
How To Build Your Own Website
This
course will teach the fundamentals of website design while
you create a website from the comfort of your own home. Click link for detailed information...
http://www.bictx.com/websiteclass.shtml
New Computer Class
How To Build Your Own Computer
Yes! You
can break the proprietary trap set by most major manufacturers and
build your own computer in your own home. Click link for detailed information...
http://www.bictx.com/buildyourown.shtml
Latest Virus
Threats
W32.Awax
Trojan.Awax is a Trojan horse that attempts to download and execute
files from a remote server. It will also send operating system
information to this server and attempt to end security-related
processes.
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/trojan.awax.html
W32.Feebs.E@mm
W32.Feebs.E@mm is a mass-mailing worm that also spreads through
file-sharing networks and lowers security settings on the compromised
computer.
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/trojan.zlob.h.html
Check For New Sale Items In Our Online Store...
 Fun
Stuff
Each
week we stumble across interesting, educational and fun sites on the
internet.
We hope you enjoy this section of our
newsletter as much as we do! But please click here to read our disclaimer before
visiting any third-party websites.
Think About This The Next Time You Order Pizza!
http://www.adcritic.com/interactive/view.php?id=5927
Watch This Video Before You Decide To Overclock Your CPU!
Overclocking
a CPU means pushing it to the limit of performance. It's a performance
tweak that can be safely performed with the right know-how. But these
morons are astounded at the results after they overclock their simple
AMD
Duron CPU to over 3 Ghz and then remove the heatsink! This is a classic
example of why it's important to make sure your cooling fans are
running. In this case, there were explosive results that went right
through their motherboard and table...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5393904704265757054
Turn One Computer Into Two Independent Workstations!
This is very cool! Too bad Windows XP cannot support such a configuration...
http://userful.com/products/free-2-user
More Awesome Images That Can Be Used As Desktop Wallpapers...
http://tinyurl.com/9d6tq
Up For Some Illusions?
Try the Depth Spinner, Cafe Wall Illusion, and other online versions of museum exhibits.
http://www.exploratorium.edu/exhibits/cafe_wall/cafe.html
Solar Eclipses
Stories from the path of totality...
http://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/index.html
Awesome Solar System Space Tour!
Be
sure to turn on your sound because this is another exceptionally well
made multimedia learning experience. Click the "Virtual Space Tour"
text in the middle of the page after you get to the following
website...
http://www.space.com/php/popup/virtualspacetour/noad_astropedia.php
This Will Really Keep You Busy...
"Mind
Bluff explores infinite mysteries of the human mind. Our growing
collection includes some of the web's best mental and visual brain
teasers, optical illusions, word puzzles, and tactile illusions -- a
virtual "workshop" of creativity! Take a few moments to sit back, lean
your brain forward, and start thinking." Click this link to get there...
http://mindbluff.com/index.htm
 Web
Hosting
Tips
Do
you
have a domain website hosting account with
us? If so, you'll want to check this section for handy tips
to
help make your website standout from the crowd. Sometimes
we'll
give tips about working with your Plesk Control Panel. But please click here to read our disclaimer before
visiting any third-party websites.
How To Select a Website Designer
Selecting
a website designer can be a daunting task. But if you know the
implications and ask the right questions, you'll end up with a reliable
webmaster who can build the right website for you... http://www.bictx.com/tip1-09-06.shtml
Plesk Domain User's GuideI've
posted the entire Plesk Domain User's Guide into HTML format
instead of PDF format. It was taking some members too long to download
it to their computers because it is a rather large document. Now you
can simply open it in your browser window by clicking the link titled " Plesk Domain User's Guide" on our Help Page located at... http://www.bictx.com/help.shtml
 Linspire
Linux Tips
Linspire
Linux is a great operating system designed to be the easiest of all desktop linux distributions.
If
you haven't tried it for yourself yet, ask for a free demo CD the next
time we service your computer. But please click here to read our disclaimer before
visiting any third-party websites.
Save That File!
I
hear the following complaint mostly from Windows-based users simply because of
the unstable nature of Windows, but even Linux users who don't
have an uninterruptible power supply are not immune to losing all the
work they put into a file when a blackout occurs...
Time and time again I hear "My computer just crashed and I lost all the work I put into my document. Can you help me retrieve my work?"
Sometimes it's an email someone has been working on for an hour or so,
then went to lunch without saving it and left the file open and came
back to discover their Windows-based computer had crashed.
The
problem is they were so busy typing their document they forgot to save
it in the first place. Since you're so busy typing that document and
don't have time to click the menu "File - Save", then just use one simple keystroke combination frequently during all your busy typing to save your file on the fly...
Ctrl - S
Yes, that's right! Just reach hold down the "Ctrl" with your right pinky and strike the letter "S"
and you've just saved your document. Go ahead and try it now and see
how natural it can become. The first time you do this on an unsaved
document, it will prompt you for a file name and location. Thereafter,
it will just save the document for you to the assigned name and
location. It even works when working on a long email.
Linspire Linux Tip of
The Week
Don't
forget to check the archive link at that page for previous tips...
http://www.linspire.com/tooltips.php
Latest Linspire Letter....
http://www.linspire.com/linspire_letter.php
Michael's Latest Minute...
http://www.michaelrobertson.com/
 Microsoft
Windows
Tips
Microsoft Windows is
still the operating system that most people are familiar with.
Many businesses have based their requirements around
this
commercial operating system and so it remains the cornerstone of our
onsite support service. But please click here to read our disclaimer before
visiting any third-party websites.
Save That File!
Time and time again I hear "My computer just crashed and I lost all the work I put into my document. Can you help me retrieve my work?"
Sometimes it's an email someone has been working on for an hour or so,
then went to lunch without saving it and left the file open and
came back to discover their Windows-based computer had crashed.
The
problem is they were so busy typing their document they forgot to save
it in the first place. Since you're so busy typing that document and
don't have time to click the menu "File - Save", then just use one simple keystroke combination frequently during all your busy typing to save your file on the fly...
Ctrl - S
Yes, that's right! Just reach hold down the "Ctrl" with your right pinky and strike the letter "S"
and you've just saved your document. Go ahead and try it now and see
how natural it can become. The first time you do this on an unsaved
document, it will prompt you for a file name and location. Thereafter,
it will just save the document for you to the assigned name and
location. It even works when working on a long email.
Free Notable Software Download..."Bulk
Rename Utility is a utility which allows you to easily rename files and
directories, based upon extemely flexible criteria. Add date-stamps,
replace numbers, insert strings, convert case, add auto-numbers,
process folders and subfolders....plus loads more!" Click for more information...
http://www.bulkrenameutility.co.uk/Main_Intro.php
(click
the image)
| Look on this cast, and know the hand
That bore a nation in its hold;
From this mute witness understand
What Lincoln was - how large of mould.
~E.C. Stedman
|
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I
hope you've enjoyed this edition of our weekly newsletter. I try to
make each week's edition different and special by including meaningful
computer tips and links to fun, educational, and scientific websites.
If
you have any items of interest you might like to see addressed in the
future, or you have any Fun Stuff links of your own that you might like
to share, drop me an email and we'll see if we can include them for you.
Visit
the following website if you want
to subscribe or (gasp!) unsubscribe...
http://lists.bictx.com/mailman/listinfo/brightideas
Meanwhile,
don't forget to keep your computer's anti-virus current and your
critical and security patches up-to-date for the most reliable
computing experiences on the internet.
Happy
Computing!
Tomas
Bright Ideas Computing
Kerrville,
Texas
http://www.bictx.com
830-895-5016
|
Please
make sure that you possess the fundamental and required skill sets
before you implement any advice or attempt to perform any
troubleshooting steps we, or other websites, might recommend. You
should also be advised that we have no control over how you perform any
troubleshooting steps nor do we have any control over the content of
other third-party websites you might visit that are listed in our
weekly newsletter. We also do not know if you have patched your
computer with the latest security updates nor do we know if your
anti-virus definition files are fully up-to-date.
Therefore,
in
no event shall Bright Ideas Computing or any of its third-party product
or service providers be liable to any person for any special,
incidental, indirect, consequential, or punitive damages of any kind,
including, without limitation, those resulting from loss of use, loss
of data, or lost profits, in connection with any advice provided by
Bright Ideas Computing, damages resulting from visiting third-party
websites or damages resulting from implementing any advice from those
third-party websites, whether or not you are advised of the possibility
of such damages.
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