Noises From The Basement Archives 4-4-01

((o))<=== <=== <=== Often a bullseye, sometimes just bull; here's -

                -=+ NOISES FROM THE BASEMENT +=-
Vol. 2, Issue 3             April 4, 2001           ISSN 1531-5258

1) Windows Tips - "Be Prepared"
2) File Find! - "AM-Deadlink"
3) Sites-Seeing - "Buttered Cats\MegaPenny"
4) Email Funny - "Bad Timing"
5) MOUS Tips - "Extra Filling, Part 2"
6) They Said It - quotes to give one pause
7) Hodgepodge - that what fits no where else

                           ~ ~ ~

Hi, Folks! Welcome to all the new readers, welcome back
to old friends! ~and~
AOL users - see the newsletter end for your links!

_____________________________________________________

1) Windows Tips - "Be Prepared"

Look around your workstation - do you know where your
Startup Disk is? Or what it is, for that matter?

The Startup Disk can be a lifesaver if you have trouble
starting Windows. You probably created one when you first
installed Windows, but where is it now? With it, you'll be able
to start your computer even if your hard drive is damaged; run
diagnostics; add CD-ROM access, and even perform simple
repairs. It's an essential component in every computer user's
toolbox, and if you're missing yours, follow these easy steps
and create one now:

I) Insert a blank floppy disk in your A: drive

II) Select: Start | Settings | Control Panel

III) Open the Add\Remove Programs icon, then select
        the Startup Disk tab.

IV) Click the Create button. When your new Startup Disk
        is completed, remove and write-protect (slide the
        little black square in the corner up), then place in
        a safe area - and hope, like most insurance, that
        you'll never need it!

         -=++=- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ + ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -=++=-

2) File Find! - "AM-Deadlink" [443 Kb/EXE]

Before I ran this program I had 1269 links in my Favorites
folders - and yes, just in case you're wondering, each and
every one of them were favorites! AM-Deadlink trimmed
that down to a svelte 1043, almost a 20% cut, rapidly
checking each to see if it was still available.   Checking up
to 30 links at a time, it will quickly alert you to all dead and
duplicate links, which you then have the option to delete by
selection. Also backs up your Favorites. Works with IE,
Netscape and Opera.

http://www.basementnoises.com/free4u/dl73.htm

         -=++=- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ + ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -=++=-

3) Sites-Seeing - "Buttered Cats\MegaPenny"

It's common knowledge that cats always land on their feet;
likewise well known is the theory that the likelihood of toast
falling "butter-side down" increases with the cost of the carpet.

It took a spark of genius to combine these two disparate items
into what may eventually become the answer to mankind's
energy problems! Catch up with the latest research into this
promising new source of cheap energy:

http://www.university-of-slough.org.uk/

                           ~ ~ ~

Who wants to be a millionaire? Billion dollar tax cuts.
Trillion dollar deficits. Though we've all heard these
numbers, truly grasping the size of a million-billion-trillion
anything can tax the sharpest minds. Just what does
a million somethings look like?

The creators of The MegaPenny Project aim to help with
your visualization. They took one small everyday item, the
U.S. penny, and built on that, to answer the question:
"What would a billion pennies look like?"

Finish your stay here with a visit to the MegaMoo Project,
the answer to that ultimate question - what do a million
cows in one place look like?

http://www.kokogiak.com/megapenny/default.asp

         -=++=- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ + ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -=++=-

4) Email Funny - "Bad Timing" [3362 Kb/MOV]

Not exactly a "funny" this week, in fact I should warn those
of you with a weak constitution to avoid this video completely.
It *is* a jaw-dropping example of being in the wrong place
at the wrong time, as one poor dove found during a recent
baseball game (requires QuickTime player):

http://www.basementnoises.com/free4u/dl72.htm (thanks, Josh!)

Download QuickTime Player here:

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/

         -=++=- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ + ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -=++=-

5) MOUS Tips - "Extra Filling, Part 2"

In last week's issue we examined using the Excel Autofill
handle (the little black box in the bottom right-hand corner
of a selected range) and found 3 ways it can speed data
entry - copying formulas, automatically entering the names
for days of the week and months of the year, and entering
series of numbers.

Let's continue to look at ways the Autofill handle can help
you become more efficient, by taking a closer look at how Excel
"knows" the weekday and month names. This information is
stored as Custom Lists. You can add your own lists to Excel's
defaults this way:

I) Enter the elements of your list (names, product codes,
       departments, etc.) one to a cell, in consecutive cells.

II) Select your list.

III) Select: Tools | Options | Custom Lists tab

IV) Click the Import button. Your list will be added to the
        Custom lists pane. Click OK.

Now, anytime you want to use your list, simply enter the list
element you want to start with - it can be any on the list - in
a cell. Click-and-drag the Autofill handle across/down the
desired range, and Excel will insert your list for you!

         -=++=- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ + ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -=++=-

6) They Said It

"Try and live your life the way you wish other
people would live theirs." - Raymond Burr

         -=++=- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ + ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -=++=-

7) Hodgepodge

VeriSign, the folks responsible for issuing software security
certificates, recently messed up big time and issued certificates
in Microsoft's name to persons unknown. This could, in theory,
allow some nefarious villain to load devious programs on your
computer, without your knowledge. Microsoft has a patch,
odds are you should get it:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS01-017.asp

                           ~ ~ ~

Microsoft Internet Explorer has (once again) a significant new
vulnerability. Microsoft has a patch, if you're using IE 5.x,
odds are you need this one, too:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/download/critical/Q290108/default.asp
(you may have to cut and paste this URL into your browser)

                           ~ ~ ~

Ever wonder why none of the computer clocks in your office
seem to have the same time? What do you expect for a 25 cents?

http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,42670,00.html?tw=wn20010330
(you may have to cut and paste this URL into your browser)

                           ~ ~ ~

This week's Photo Funny was seen on the menu at a local
dining establishment, see it and send it at the Basement;
you'll also want to pay us a visit to see how a greedy Bozo
lost a $100,000 winning lottery ticket and found a new home:

http://www.BasementNoises.com

                           ~ ~ ~

Make some noises of your own! Care to comment on this issue
of Noises? Send your criticisms and/or compliments to:
noises@BasementNoises.com

             G'nite, and thanks for reading!

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My standard "Your Mileage May Vary" Caveat:

NFTB does not assume responsibility for your use of
information given. Tips are tested on a machine with
Windows 98 and Office 2000 Professional installed.
As I am firmly convinced that all systems are unique little
creatures in and of themselves, any given tip or suggestion
might just not be available to you. Why? Murphy Rules!

All advice should be weighed against your own abilities
and circumstances and applied accordingly. It is up
to you, the reader, to determine if advice is safe and
suitable for your current situation.

Any product or brand names mentioned in this ezine
and associated website are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective owners.

NOISES FROM THE BASEMENT is a BTB Management Services
publication e-published every Wednesday and always
delivered directly to your e-porch, rain or shine!

Noises From The Basement
ISSN: 1531-5258 - Library Of Congress, Washington D.C., USA
Copyright (c) 2001, Dave Gretz
All Rights Reserved.

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