MalekTips: 01-13-2005
 
Welcome to the latest issue of the MalekTips newsletter, providing computer and technology help and tips. We appreciate your subscription!
 
We have 30 new tips, found below in the latest issue of MalekTips, including:
 
* Tweak the latest version of the Adobe Reader 7.0 PDF viewer. Remove the "search the web" toolbar. Stop showing misspelled word underlines when you enter proper names into forms. Remember more documents that you often view. Plus, view your PDFs in a full-screen kiosk mode.
 
* Taking digital portraits? Make your subjects feel more at ease. Get plenty of sleep beforehand and project a positive image. Step back and use your digital camera's zoom so it isn't sticking in someone's face. And, if you are taking photos of kids that refuse to cooperate, don't be afraid to ask their parents for help.
 
* Plus, this newsletter contains help for Windows XP and WordPad including undocumented keyboard shortcuts, PowerPoint 2003 tweaking ideas such as how to remove the blank frame at the end of slideshows, Mozilla Firefox help including removing the Download Manager history for privacy reasons, and Microsoft Excel 2003 advice such as how to display the most common value in a series.
 
Remember - if you have a computer question, be sure to visit the MalekTips forums at http://www.malektips.com/forums
 
Andrew Malek MalekTips.Com
 
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* Recent MalekTips Front Page Stories *
 
1-11-2005: Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool
 
Microsoft has released a Malicious Software Removal Tool that can help remove instances of various worms and viruses, such as MSBlast, MyDoom, Nachi, Sasser, and Zindros. This tool is available via Automatic Update for Windows XP; Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003 users can run an online version of the tool, download it from the Microsoft Download Center, or use the aforementioned link. Note that you should read the instructions and EULA (End User License Agreement) CAREFULLY before downloading this tool! It only removes certain virus instances found in memory and DOES NOT substitute for a full anti-virus tool.
 
Link (External Site): http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=890830
 
1-11-2005: New $499 Macintosh
 
For those who are interested in trying out a Macintosh but balk at the price, Apple has introduced a $499 (US) Mac mini. At 6.5 inches wide by 2 inches tall and weighing 2.9 pounds, all you need to add is a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. It includes build-in software, USB 2.0 ports, Firewire support, adapters for Ethernet, and more. 802.11g networking and Bluetooth is optional.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.apple.com/macmini/
 
1-11-2005: Do Not Eat the New iPod Shuffle
 
Apple has introduced a new flash-based iPod, the iPod Shuffle. Providing up to 12 hours of playback, this new iPod weighs less than a full ounce and can connect to Macs or PCs via USB. The iTunes software is included. The street price is suggested at $99 US for the 512MB version, and $149 US for the 1 GB model. It's so small, the webpage actually warns people not to eat the device.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.apple.com/ipodshuffle/
 
1-11-2005: Three New Windows Security Bulletins
 
Microsoft has release three new security bulletins and appropriate patches for various Windows products. All patches should be available via Windows Update, and soon via Automatic Update if you have it enabled. The bulletins are:
 
* Vulnerability in HTML Help Could Allow Code Execution (890175) - marked Critical.
 
* Vulnerability in Cursor and Icon Format Handling Could Allow Remote Code Execution (891711) - marked Critical.
 
* Vulnerability in the Indexing Service Could Allow Remote Code Execution (871250) - marked Important.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin
/MS05-001.mspx
 
Link (External Site): http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin
/MS05-002.mspx
 
Link (External Site): http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin
/MS05-003.mspx
 
1-11-2005: Yahoo! Desktop Search
 
As expected, Yahoo! has now developed a Desktop Search tool. Currently in beta, it indexes and allows for searching of email, most office documents, webpages, text, images, PDF files, and more. Windows 2000 SP3+ or Windows XP is required.
 
Link (External Site): http://desktop.yahoo.com/
 
Link (External Site): http://desktop.yahoo.com/filetypes
 
1-6-2005: Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta)
 
Microsoft has release their new AntiSpyware software as a Beta version. This software runs on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003. As this is a first Beta release, expect it to have mainly the look-and-feel and features of the former product by GIANT, the company Microsoft purchased to acquire this technology. Also, it may have some bugs, and there are two known features such as incompatibilities with various enterprise administration tools and the Windows Media Center Extender. And yes, this is a FREE download.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/s
oftware/default.mspx
 
1-5-2005: WINS Vulnerabilty Being Exploited
 
According to SANS - Internet Storm Center, the WINS vulnerability reported last month is being exploited. Probes have been launched against many organizations towards TCP port 42 (WINS). As always, make sure to keep your systems, including servers, updated with the latest patches.
 
Link (External Site): http://isc.sans.org/
 
Link (External Site): http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin
/MS04-045.mspx
 
1-4-2005: Mozilla Download Spoofing Vulnerability
 
Security firm Secunia has reported a "less critical" vulnerability in Mozilla and Mozilla Firefox. Malicious websites can spoof the source location of files displayed when the Download dialog box appears. Their recommendation is to "not follow download links from untrusted sources". No patch is yet available.
 
Link (External Site): http://secunia.com/advisories/13599/
 
1-3-2005: Internet Explorer Vulnerability - FTP
 
Security firm Secunia has reported on a new Internet Explorer vulnerability involving FTP. Users downloading files from malicious websites could find files and folders being placed on unexpected locations on their hard drive. The advisory is listed as "Moderately critical", and no patch is available for most versions of Windows. Windows XP users with Service Pack 2, however, are not affected.
 
Link (External Site): http://secunia.com/advisories/13704/
 
* Tips! *
 
These tips are NOT available to the general public yet! You can find them here first in the MalekTips newsletter! Thanks for subscribing.
 
Adobe Reader 7 - Remember More Documents
Configure Adobe Reader 7.0 to remember more of your most recently accessed documents.
 
Adobe Reader 7 - Read PDFs in Full Screen - Kiosk Mode
Display PDF files in Adobe Reader 7.0 in kiosk mode, using your full screen.
 
Adobe Reader 7 - Show Navigation Bar in Full Screen Mode For New Users
Help users new to Adobe Reader 7.0 to more easily navigate PDF documents in kiosk mode.
 
Adobe Reader 7 - Hide the Yahoo! Toolbar
Remove Yahoo! Search capabilities from Adobe Reader 7.0's toolbar.
 
Adobe Reader 7 - Do Not Check Spelling When Filling Out Forms
Prevent Adobe Reader 7.0 from marking proper names as misspellings when filling out PDF forms.
 
Digital Portrait Photography - Don't Intimidate - Step Back and Zoom In
Step back and use your digital camera's zoom feature to make your subject more at ease.
 
Digital Portrait Photography - Get the Parents Involved
Ask parents to help you take digital photos of children who don't want to cooperate.
 
Digital Portrait Photography - Be Awake, Alert, and Smiling
Smile, and hopefully your subject will smile with you.
 
Digital Portrait Photography - Use Night Photography Techniques in Low-Lit Areas
Taking digital photos in low-lit situations? Here are some tips to try, including shutter speed lengthening and increasing ISO.
 
Digital Portrait Photography - Don't Be Afraid to Ask to Rearrange Props
Use your intuition; remove unnecessary items from digital portrait photos.
 
Microsoft Excel 2003 - Hide Zeros in your Spreadsheet
Prevent zero values from cluttering up your Excel 2003 spreadsheet.
 
Microsoft Excel 2003 - Display the Most Common Value in a Series
This Excel 2003 function calculates the most frequent value in a series.
 
Microsoft Excel 2003 - Split a Spreadsheet Among Multiple Printed Pages
Prevent Excel 2003 tables from being chopped in half by moving them to the next page.
 
Microsoft Excel 2003 - Check for Updates Online
Look online for Excel 2003 security patches and new features.
 
Microsoft Excel 2003 - Hide the Status Bar
Disable the status bar to show more of your Excel 2003 spreadsheets onscreen.
 
Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 - Insert an Organization Chart
Display a PowerPoint 2003 slide show containing a company's organizational structure.
 
Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 - Remove Black Slide at End of Slide Shows
Prevent the "End of slide show - click to exit" text from appearing at the end of your PowerPoint 2003 slide shows.
 
Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 - Instantly Get Synonyms and Antonyms
Describe a key point more vividly in your PowerPoint 2003 presentations.
 
Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 - Add More Levels of Undo
Allow PowerPoint 2003 to undo up to the last 150 operations.
 
Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 - Increase or Decrease PowerPoint's Macro Protection
Help secure PowerPoint 2003 from malicious documents.
 
Mozilla Firefox - Scroll Through Web Pages Quicker
Disable smooth scrolling in Mozilla Firefox to more quickly browse web pages on slower machines.
 
Mozilla Firefox - Clear the Download Manager History
For privacy reasons, tweak Mozilla Firefox so it stops recording the list of files you download.
 
Mozilla Firefox - Print Webpage Backgrounds
At the risk of increasing toner or ink usage, print more accurate copies of webpages with Mozilla Firefox.
 
Mozilla Firefox - Display Text in the Toolbars for New Users
Make Mozilla Firefox even easier to use for newbies by labeling toolbar icons.
 
Mozilla Firefox - Make Page Source Viewing Easier to Read
Increase the size of HTML source files viewed within Firefox.
 
Windows XP and WordPad - Prevent Entire Words From Being Selected
Fix WordPad "greedy" text selection.
 
Windows XP and WordPad - Give WordPad a Spell Checker
These third-party add-ons lets you spell-check WordPad documents and other Windows XP applications.
 
Windows XP and WordPad - Create Numeric and Roman Numeral Lists
You're not limited to just bulleted lists in WordPad; try numeric and Roman numeral lists with this tip.
 
Windows XP and WordPad - Add Copyright and Trademark Characters
Add intellectual property-related characters to your WordPad documents in Windows XP.
 
Windows XP and WordPad - Toggle Selected Text to All Caps
Draw attention to text in a WordPad document by making it all caps.
 
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* Copyright Notice *
 
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MalekTips is published by Envision Programming:
 
Envision Programming attn: MalekTips PO Box 11592 Knoxville, TN 37939-1592
 
This issue of MalekTips is Copyright 2005 Andrew Malek of Envision Programming. All other copyrights and trademarks are properties of their respective companies.

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