Neat Net Tricks Issue #111
October 1, 2001

List-Subscribe: 
mailto:subscribe-neatnettricks@silver.lyris.net
List-Owner: mailto:owner-neatnettricks@silver.lyris.net
http://www.NeatNetTricks.com
Reply-To: NNT@silver.lyris.net 
Sender: bounce-neatnettricks-145831@silver.lyris.net

IN THIS ISSUE:

01.  Netscape's Calendar
02.  In the driver's seat
03.  Windows Keyboard Enhancer
04.  iFinger
05.  More IE Keyboard Conventions
06.  Windows Explorer Keyboard Conventions
07.  Spam combat
08.  More translations
09.  Fast address
10.  Quick Desktop
11.  Virus scanners
12.  Neat Net Nifty

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
 
Thank you, Ezine-Tips, for naming Neat Net Tricks as a winner 
of an Online Publishing Award for 2001.  We are honored, 
knowing that our selection came from more than 400 nominated 
newsletters. Read more about the award, the finalists, and 
runners-up at http://ezine-tips.com/etopa/ .

WHAT IS THIS?  Neat Net Tricks goes twice monthly to 97,000+ 
subscribers in 145 or more ountries.  Now in its 6th year, you 
can subscribe FREE with a blank email to 
join-neatnettricks@silver.lyris.net.  If you're already a 
subscriber, please share NNT by forwarding it to a friend.  
And if you will recommend NNT to others by clicking on the 
"Recommend NNT" button at http://www.NeatNetTricks.com, we'll 
show our thanks and include your name in our monthly drawing 
for $100 worth of free software!

01.  NETSCAPE'S CALENDAR.  After a free registration, the 
calendar at http://www.netscape.com/calendar can track your 
special events.  Add personal appointments, birthdays, 
anniversaries, and other notes and reminders; and share with 
others if you wish by using the calendar's email function.  
Display your calendar by month, week, or day and get local 
weather and your horoscope as well.

02.  IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT.  Drivers are little programs that 
tell a printer, disk drive, keyboard, and other devices how to 
act.  Sometimes when they are acting up, or not acting at all, 
you may need a new driver.  The places to go to get these are 
numerous, but you might stop by TechTracker at 
http://www.techtracker.com or DriversHQ at 
http://www.drivershq.com .

03.  WINDOWS KEYBOARD ENHANCER.  Copernic offers a free 1.2 mb 
download at http://www.copernic.com/winkey/ to power up that 
little-used Windows key.  With this shell extension you can 
create shortcuts and instantly start favorite applications, 
folders, and Web pages.  This application requires a Windows 
compliant keyboard, supports about 200 key combinations, and 
works with Windows 95/98/NT/2000/ME.

04.  IFINGER. An Internet browser plug-in that accesses 
structured database information both on- and off-line, iFinger 
returns information instantly in a pop-up box. Depending on the 
modules purchased, you can have at your fingertips a broad 
spectrum of information, such as alternative words, languages, 
single- and multi-volume encyclopaedias, and specialist 
reference works (such as business and the arts, medical and 
legal dictionaries). News, financial, and business information 
services are also planned.  I gave two of the products a test 
drive. The Merriam-Webster College Thesaurus provides more than 
130,000 synonyms, related words, antonyms, contrasted words, 
and idioms with thousands of examples of words used in context.
The Merriam-Webster's Concise Dictionary gives instant access to 
a reference work of more than 40,000 entries with definitions 
and written pronunciations. When your cursor moves over a word, 
iFinger's software automatically searches the database and 
provides the definition on the spot. Text searches can be 
manually entered for specific queries. This is a powerful tool 
for casual user as well as Internet writers. Details and free 
trials are at http://www.ifinger.com .

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

More Neat Net Tricks await you:

NNT PLUS, an in-depth topic twice monthly, and ArchivesExpress, 
every NNT item in over 5 years of publication, on diskette.  
Read about both at the Web site, http://www.NeatNetTricks.com 
and order yours now at the NNT Store, 
http://www.NeatNetTricks.com/store .

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

05.  MORE IE KEYBOARD CONVENTIONS.  Microsoft Internet Explorer 
offers many easy ways to navigate. The F6 key automatically 
moves the cursor to the Address box.  Entering just the main 
part of the address (for example "neatnettricks" without the 
quotes) and using the Ctrl+Enter key combination adds the rest 
of the address.  This of course won't work unless the domain is 
".com", and unfortunately it's not a function of Netscape 
Communicator.

06.  WINDOWS EXPLORER KEYBOARD CONVENTIONS.  While we're on the 
subject of handy keys, in Windows Explorer, use F11 to enlarge 
the whole view in kiosk mode.  Toggle F11 to restore the view to
the previous size. Use Alt+D to jump to the Address bar.  Ctrl 
and the + key in NumPad will get the best column width for 
details review, provided the file pane is active.  Finally, for 
a quick exit for Windows Explorer use Ctrl+W.

07.  SPAM COMBAT.  A very useful site, if you're hunting down 
and dealing with spammers, is at http://combat.uxn.com .  You'll
find a couple of Whois applications, an NS lookup, trace route, 
PING, and a dozen or so other utilities all on one page for 
easy access.

08.  MORE TRANSLATIONS.  We've often offered as rainy day 
diversions the numerous machine translation services the 
Internet has to offer. One such is at 
http://www.alis.com/translate_online.html , and the translation 
of our standard signature line: "NEAT NET TRICKS is a blend of 
humor and helpfulness, a collection of computer and Internet 
tips, twice-monthly worldwide by EMail. Subscribe FREE at 
http://www.NeatNetTricks.com or send a blank email to 
join-neatnettricks@silver.lyris.net ." from English to French 
and back again returned this gem: "TOURS NET APPROPRIATE(CLEAN) 
are a mixture of humor and the fact to be useful, a collection 
of computer and the Internet tilts, twice monthly all over the 
world by the ENAMEL. Please, sign FREE to 
http://www.NeatNetTricks.com or send a white email to 
join-neatnettricks@silver.lyris.net. " While that's amusing, 
especially the "clean" part, it's still a lot closer to the 
original than many of the Internet translators we've seen.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Purchase U.S. flags at http://www.usamagneticflag.com and all 
profits go to the American Red Cross.  This operation is 100% 
volunteer and is an opportunity for you to show your support.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

09.  FAST ADDRESS.  If you want to send an email while surfing,
you don't need to open your email program.  Just type in 
"mailto:" without the quotes in the browser location box, where 
a Web site URL normally goes.  Follow it, without spacing, with 
the email address of your intended recipient.  Touch Enter and 
an email composition window will open with the email already 
addressed for you.

10.  QUICK DESKTOP.  With any number of applications open, if 
you need to quickly return to your desktop, the quickest way is 
with the Windows logo key and D.  This combination also toggles 
to return to applications open at the time.

11.  VIRUS SCANNERS.  "Free" is always good, but there are times
when a small price pays great dividends.  Don't skimp on the 
protection virus scanners such as Norton's or McAfee's affords 
your system. But if you're on a tight budget and insist on 
"free" then try the virus removal tools and virus scans at 
http://centralcommand.com .

12.  NEAT NET NIFTY. Jason Powers felt he had to do something 
after witnessing the aftermath of terrorist attacks.  He said he
did what artists do with their emotions and energy.  Alone in 
his apartment for three days, he created.  He didn't know how 
many people his Web creation would reach, but he knows of 25,000
who have viewed it. You should too. His tribute is at 
http://www.deafdate.com

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

NNT makes no endorsement or warranty, expressed or implied, 
with regard to featured products or services.  Results may 
vary based on operating systems and other variables beyond 
our control.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Our advertisers help us keep NNT free.  You can help too, by 
clicking on their links and letting them know where you saw 
their message!

For info on how to subscribe, unsubscribe, or change your 
address, send a blank email to 
info-neatnettricks@silver.lyris.net .

Get your message to more than 97,000 readers at very low rates. 
For more information, send a blank email to 
advertise-neatnettricks@silver.lyris.net .

Your Internet and computer questions and comments are welcome 
at the NNT Bulletin Board, 
http://www.escribe.com/computing/neatnettricks/bb/ .

NNT is hosted by Lyris.com, the best in email list management.

Copyright 2001 by Jack Teems.  All rights reserved. Neat Net 
Tricks is registered with the U.S. Library of Congress 
ISSN: 1533-4619.
