Neat Net Tricks Issue #87
October 1, 2000 
http://www.NeatNetTricks.com
Reply-To: NNT@silver.lyris.net

IN THIS ISSUE:

01.  Updated archives
02.  Button it up
03.  How-to's galore
04.  Daily ezine review
05.  Logos don't make you safe
06.  Shortcut to Device Manager
07.  Ananova
08.  Sandra
09.  Pitstop
10.  Browser-supported features
11.  In depth: is it spam or does it just smell that way?
12.  WinGrab
13.  The great giveaway

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01.  UPDATED ARCHIVES.  By the time you read this, subscribers to the
Neat Net Tricks ArchivesExpress will have received the latest disk
containing about 900 of the best of this publication's 4-plus years of
tips.  A full year of updates is available for just $20, slightly 
higher outside the U.S. Go here for details: 
http://www.NeatNetTricks.com and click on the ArchivesExpress link.

02.  BUTTON IT UP.  To spruce up your Web site, check out the assortment
of buttons at http://www.Buttonland.com .

03.  HOW-TO'S GALORE.  The site at http://www.ehow.com claims more than
14,000 solutions to life's perplexing problems.  All it takes is a
simple question.  My first attempt failed, but perhaps I expected too
much.  I asked EHow how to make money on the Internet, and it told me
how to pay my phone bill online.  On my second try I asked how to 
publish an ezine online, and it returned several good tips, then 
warned me "Don't think you'll make money or break even for that matter.
Start the magazine because it's what you want to do."  I wonder, has
EHow been looking over my shoulder?

04.  DAILY EZINE REVIEW.  I must admit they got my attention with a
very nice writeup of Neat Net Tricks and you can read it in their
archive at http://List-A-Day.com/archives/20000718.shtml . I'm speaking
of the EMail List Review of the Day at http://List-A-Day.com/ and they
promise to deliver daily a brief review of the very best email lists
on the planet.  Aw, shucks......

05.  LOGOS DON'T MAKE YOU SAFE.  An interesting exchange ensued when a
reader asked why the NNT Web site had no privacy statement or wasn't
reviewed by an independent agency.  She pointed out that I did have 
a statement of sorts by indicating that subscribers' email addresses 
will never be used for purposes other than distribution of NNT.  But,
she suggested, I needed someone to back me up on that claim.  I have
naively felt that NNT, now in its fifth year, could be trusted since 
no one has ever received spam from subscribing.  And the NNT Web site
plants no cookies nor does it track visitors in any form.  Nonetheless,
I checked out one of those agencies and, to qualify for their logo to 
display on my Web site, I must (A) create a privacy statement;
(B) agree to follow privacy principles; and, (C) pay a fee of $299 to
$6,999.  Wait a minute, can you just skip to (C) and take my money?
Golly, who says you can't get rich on the Internet!

Now, don't misunderstand...  I'm all for full disclosure.  You should
know how your email address and other data will be used when you visit
a Web site, place an order, subscribe to an ezine, or otherwise conduct
business on the Net.  To increase visitors' comfort level, the NNT
Website now includes a privacy statement; but excuse me if I choose not
to buy a logo.

06.  SHORTCUT TO DEVICE MANAGER.  The Device Manager tells you what
devices are installed on your system. You get there with a right
click on the My Computer icon on your desktop, then click on Properties
and Device Manager.  Or, place a shortcut on your desktop this way:
right click on a blank space on your desktop and choose New|Shortcut.
In the Command Line box enter this line exactly:
"C:\WINDOWS\CONTROL.EXE SYSDM.CPL,,1" (without the quotes)  and click 
Next. Name it Device Manager or whatever you want to call it, and 
click on Finish. If you'd like something other than that generic icon, 
right click on it, click on Properties and Change Icon, then select
from that list.

07.  ANANOVA.  I'm not sure that some of our rapidly advancing
technology holds much value, but it's an interesting diversion.  Such
is the automated cyber head at http://www.ananova.com .  This robotized 
lady reads news, sports, and entertainment to you.  A sure cure for
insomnia.

08.  SANDRA.  That's the acronym for SiSoftware's System ANalyser,
Diagnostic and Reporting Assistant.  It promises to tell you most
everything you need to know about your hardware, software, and devices
in Windows 32-bit or 16-bit and DOS applications. The whos and whats of 
Sandra are listed at http://www.sisoftware.demon.co.uk/common/what.htm .

09.  PITSTOP.  This free service at http://www.pcpitstop.com/ examines
your system configuration, performs benchmark tests, and offers tips on
solving problems and improving performance.  A report provides data on
performance and configuration for system, memory, disk, video, Internet,
Windows, security, etc.  Pitstop requires Microsoft Internet Explorer 
4.0 or higher.

10.  BROWSER-SUPPORTED FEATURES.  The site at
http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/reference/browser_chart/ answers 
the question "Which browsers support what features?"  A chart of all
commonly used browsers in Windows, Macintosh, Unix, Web TV, Next Step,
and OS/2 provides this information, even for Mosaic (now that's going
back some!)  Design issues and browser detection are discussed, too.

11.  IN DEPTH:  IS IT SPAM OR DOES IT JUST SMELL THAT WAY?  I have to
laugh at some of the approaches spammers take to convince you that 
their email is worthwhile and NOT spam.  Perhaps the most original and
most laughable recent attempt urges us to dial a 900 number at a cost
of $1.99 per minute and vote whether we like or dislike spam. Then, 
lest we suspect another scam, here's an exact quote from the message:

"Attention both Pro and Anti Spam Advocates and those of you who 
may have sought removal from any number of bulk mailing lists.  
If you have received this e-mail it is because it is a conscious 
decision on our part to try and include everyone in this important 
poll. To not have included those who profess a dislike for this 
form of advertisement would have eliminated those individuals 
from the process and provide an unfair advantage to one side of 
the poll. We sincerely hope that all interested individuals or 
entity's understand the necessity of inclusion."

If it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck, it's probably a duck.  
And this one's spam, no matter how they attempt to disguise it.

12.  WINGRAB.  One of the handiest freeware applications making the
rounds is WinGrab.  You can download this 965kb easily installed
program at http://w1.2518.telia.com/~u251800188/wg/index.html .  It
works on Win 95/98/NT/2000 and captures your full screen or active
window with the touch of a hotkey.  Then it will save the image in
jpeg, png, tiff, or bmp format: creates index pages with thumbnail
images, prints a series of images or multiple photos on one sheet,
serves as an image viewer, and more.

13.  THE GREAT GIVEWAY.  Soon, the NNT Web site will get its half-
millionth hit.  In observance of this auspicious occasion, plans are
underway for a contest and giveaway of some great software.  Details
will be announced soon and, to be eligible you must be a subscriber to
Neat Net Tricks.  If you're reading this second hand, all it takes is
a blank email to join-neatnettricks@silver.lyris.net and qualify you 
to join in the festivities. 

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Copyright 2000 by Jack Teems.  All rights reserved.
