Neat Net Tricks Issue #79
June 1, 2000 
http://www.NeatNetTricks.com
Reply-To: NNT@silver.lyris.net 

IN THIS ISSUE:

01.  Backflip
02.  Virtual Corkboard
03.  Blink to bookmark
04.  Maximize Netscape
05.  Why can't I get there from here?
06.  Ditch NotePad
07.  An intelligent file finder
08.  Easy Mail Plus
09.  Beatnik
10.  Tons of tips
11.  A do-able database
12.  Neat Net Nifty

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01.  BACKFLIP.  This free service at http://www.backflip.com
allows saving and organizing of any Web page to a folder where
it can be retrieved by your personal search engine.  Backflip
is web-based, meaning you can access your private account from
any computer.

02.  VIRTUAL CORKBOARD.  You can post messages, photos, and links; and 
use eBoard as a personal homepage or place to share these.  Sign on to 
eBoard, a free service, at http://www.eboard.com

03.  BLINK TO BOOKMARK.  Access bookmarks or favorites from any remote
location on a free, secure Web account.  Sort them into folders, add
new links as you wish, share links with friends, and restrict editing
privileges as you wish.  Blink at http://www.blink.com allows
portability between computers, search, update, and organization of
links in several graphical formats; automatic updating of "hotlists",
and other features.

04.  MAXIMIZE NETSCAPE.  On some of our machines, Netscape Communicator
has an annoying habit of starting up in a small window.  The easiest 
way to overcome this, if you want the program to open to full screen,
is to right click on the shortcut icon on your desktop.  Then, click on 
Properties and the Shortcut tab.  Under the Run option, select 
Maximized.  The procedure is essentially the same if you don't have a
shortcut icon on your desktop; but instead, start Netscape from your
startup group or anywhere you have it located it.

05.  WHY CAN'T I GET THERE FROM HERE?  In the four years of publishing
NNT, there's probably no utility I use more than VisualRoute.  Combining
ping, whois, and traceroute programs into one great graphical interface
featuring a world map, this package is your first line of defense in
locating connectivity problems; fighting spam; identifying network, 
software, and hosts; and rapidly tracing your hops.  VisualRoute has 
just come out with a new version (5.0) and you can try it free at
http://www.visualroute.com.  If you like it (and I'll bet you do), head
over to NNT's secure server at http://ourshowcase.com/nnt for a special
price of $26.50 for Win 95/98/NT/2000 single user license (regularly 
$37.50) only until June 30.

06.  DITCH NOTEPAD.  Don't you hate it when you try to open a text file
by clicking on it, only to be told that the file is "too large to open
with NotePad" and "would you like to use WordPad?"  Why not just bypass
NotePad to begin with?  It's just a matter of making WordPad the default
application for all text files.  In Windows Explorer, select View|Folder 
Options (or just Options, depending on your version of Windows)| and
File Types.  Scroll down the list and select Text Document.  Click Edit
and then on Action:open, likely in bold text.  Click on Edit and browse
for c:\windows\write.exe or whatever path your Windows system uses.
Select that file, click OK, and back out.

07.  AN INTELLIGENT FILE FINDER.  The site at http://www.textfind.com
tells it best: Text Find is a revolutionary new file search tool that 
runs on your computer and locates files on your hard disks or floppies.
Not only does it search for files containing a specific word (like 
the standard file find tool), it can also search for files containing 
words with similar meanings. Unlike a regular search tool, searching 
for the word 'magic' for example, will yield a list of files containing
the words 'magic,' 'wizard,' 'sorcery,' 'trick' and many more. In 
addition to that there is a special feature within Text Find , which
can find Web sites with content similar to the word you searched for.  
And the best feature? TextFind is totally free.

08.  EASY MAIL PLUS.  This software is not only easy, it's fun.  After
a quick install and without reading instructions, I imported files
effortlessly from another database.  I then printed envelopes, labels, 
and letterheads with customized logos and a number of predefined 
layouts. Easy Mail Plus lets you create and distribute mail lists from
its database; and it provides good filters, mail merging, and macro
features.  Try free for 30 days, buy for $49.95, or just read about 
all the other tasks it performs at http://www.easymailplus.com .

.....
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09.  BEATNIK.  The description says it best: imagine surfing to a Web 
site where not only do you see text and graphic images, you also hear 
auditory feedback in response to your mouse movements and clicks. High-
quality, low-bandwidth audio can be added to any web page using 
standard JavaScript. Add hi-fidelity low-bandwith ambient music that 
plays when the page loads or when triggered by a user's actions. I liked
the customized mixer that creates, records, and then allows you to email
to your friends your own production with sound tracks, effects, and 
musical instruments.  A short download and installation is required at 
http://www.beatnik.com . This technology has a lot of promise!

10.  TONS OF TIPS.  A nicely organized jumping-off place for a vast 
array of things to make your Internet experience easier is at 
http://servercc.oakton.edu/~wittman/find/internet.htm .

11. A DO-ABLE DATABASE.  A database is an important tool to store 
information and retrieve it in some useful way.  It need not be a 
difficult chore, and SortItOut! professes to allow you to focus on the
information itself, rather than on the details of handling it.  It
stores, structures, and finds documents, files, graphics, structured 
data, and hyperlinks, and freely mixes them all in one database.  A free
trial at http://sortitout.hypermart.net/sio/index.htm or buy for $45.00.

12.  NEAT NET NIFTY.  Marie Tabler has created a beautiful Web site,
using the Biblical account of The Creation at 
http://www.theartmill.com/creation.htm . The graphics and musical score 
are sure to appeal to all, regardless of faith.

Neat Net Tricks often pauses to recognize a Web site and recommend your
visit.  Set aside some time to explore the site and enjoy it.  Sites
that are predominantly non-commercial in focus are identified as 
"nifty" when their all-around content, originality, interest, variety,
and graphical presentation have earned this award.  If you'd like to
nominate a nifty site, send the URL to mailto:jteems@NeatNetTricks.com
with a brief note telling why you think the site deserves the award.

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Copyright 2000 by Jack Teems.  All rights reserved.
