MalekTips: 04-21-2005
 
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:
 
* Planning on buying a high-end digital camera? Learn how ISO sensitivity may influence your purchasing decision. Usability is also a factor when buying a digital camera, as are the extra accessories that may be required when obtaining a high-megapixel camera.
 
* Already have a digital camera? Learn why purchasing one large memory card may not always be the best decision. And if you need to carry your digital camera and laptop while on a trip, consider purchasing a combination bag / case.
 
* Search the Internet with tools you may not have tried before. The Internet isn't just the web. Thousands of message forums on virtually every topic may provide the information you seek, and Google Groups can help you navigate these discussions. And, if you're not finding the search results you desire, consider giving MSN Search a try.
 
* Plus, this newsletter contains Adobe Reader 7 tips such as how to speed up PDF display and printing on slower machines, Microsoft Word 2003 tips including a great way to learn keyboard shortcuts to increase productivity, and RealPlayer help including how to create a playlist of multimedia files to listen to or view, and how to shuffle the playback.
 
Remember - if you have a computer question, be sure to visit the MalekTips forums at http://www.malektips.com/forums
 
Andrew Malek MalekTips.Com
 
* Tell a Friend! *
 
Don't keep all these great tips to yourself - be sure to tell a friend about what's available, at no cost, on MalekTips.Com, and please pass this newsletter along! Let them know they can sign up to receive notifications regarding new tips added to the site.
 
Point them to the following web address to sign up and read past newsletters online: http://malektips.com/maillist
 
* Recent MalekTips Front Page Stories *
 
4-20-2005: London is Calling for Google
 
Google has recently added the United Kingdom to their Google Maps and Google Local features, accessible via the following shortcut links: Google Local UK and Google Maps UK. Note that street-level satellite views of the UK are not available as of yet.
 
Link (External Site): http://local.google.co.uk/
 
Link (External Site): http://maps.google.co.uk/
 
4-20-2005: Windows 2000 Vulnerability
 
Security firm Secunia, through GreyMagic, is reporting on a Windows 2000 vulnerability that can result in the execution of arbitrary code. When viewing folders using "Web View", malicious files can insert arbitrary code that, just by previewing a particular file, cause it to be executed. There is no patch as of yet. The only workaround is to disable this view. Instructions according to Secunia:
 
"Tools" -> "Folder Options..." -> "General" --> "Use Windows classic folders"
 
More information can be obtained at the following link.
 
Link (External Site): http://secunia.com/advisories/15017/
 
4-20-2005: RealPlayer/RealOne Update
 
Security firm Secunia is reporting on a vulnerability in RealPlayer, RealOne Player, and Helix Player that could result in a buffer overflow and execution of arbitraty code. Patches are available via the "Check for Update" feature in RealPlayer / RealOne Player, or click the following link for details.
 
Link (External Site): http://secunia.com/advisories/15023/
 
4-19-2005: Opera 8 Released
 
From wire reports: Opera has released version 8 of their browser, complete with Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) support, security updates, an updated user-interface, and more. Note that, as of this writing (2:23p EST), their website is getting inundated with traffic, which means that it may be a while before you can download the new version.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.opera.com/
 
4-19-2005: Firefox Annoyances
 
Though I don't agree with all of them, a Firefox user at the INQUIRER came up with a list of Top ten [eleven] Firefox browser annoyances that may spark some conversation. In particular I agree that sending patches, instead of large 4+ meg downloads, whenever new Firefox versions are released would be a good idea. Note that this is NOT a link to the Fred Langa article some of you may have seen around the 'net.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=22634
 
4-18-2005: Symantec AntiSpyware Public Beta
 
According to a Symantec press release, they have announced a public beta of Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition.
 
A free public beta can be downloaded, with plans for a retail product to be available in 2Q 2005.
 
According to the press release, features include real-time spyware blocking, full system scans and a "Norton QuickScan", and definition file updates via LiveUpdate.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.symantec.com/press/2005/n050418.html
 
Link (External Site): https://www-secure.symantec.com/public_beta/
 
4-18-2005: Mozilla and Firefox Upgrade
 
If you use the Mozilla Suite or Mozilla Firefox web browsers, you are strongly encouraged to upgrade to the latest version - Mozilla Suite 1.7.7 or Mozilla Firefox 1.0.3. The upgrades patch several security vulnerabilities that could result in the execution of arbitraty code.
 
You can download upgrades via the Mozilla Foundation website or using Firefox Update. Note that as of 11:06a EST, Mozilla's website seems to be either down or swamped with traffic, so continue to try accessing it later in the day.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.mozilla.org/
 
4-18-2005: Mac OS X Security Update Security firm Secunia has reported that a new Mac OS X Security Update is available, fixing vulnerabilities that can result in denial of service attacks, privilege escalation, system crashes, the execution of arbitraty HTML/JavaScript with heightened security privileges, and more. The original Apple advisory can be found here.
 
Link (External Site): http://secunia.com/advisories/14974/
 
Link (External Site): http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301
327
 
4-18-2005: Adobe to Buy Macromedia
 
The developers of PDF and Flash are set to combine. According to an Adobe press release, Adobe will be acquiring Macromedia for an all-stock transaction valued around $3.4 billion (US).
 
If you are a document publisher or multimedia author, expect to see some integration between PDF and Flash tools in the coming months.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressrel
eases/200504/041805AdobeAcquiresMacromedia.html
 
4-15-2005: MalekTips in PC Magazine
 
MalekTips has just been listed as one of the "Top 100 Sites you didn't know you couldn't live without" in PC Magazine! From the blurb in the April 26, 2005 issue: "If you're anything like us, you're a glutton for computing tips. MalekTips lets you gorge on over 2,000 of 'em". Thanks PC Magazine, and thanks to all of you for supporting MalekTips!
 
Link (External Site): http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1785155,00.as
p
 
4-14-2005: Andrew Malek Will be on Photo Talk Radio
 
I will be a featured guest on Photo Talk Radio, "The Worldwide Voice of Photography", again this Saturday, April 16, 2005 at 11a-noon EST (8a-9a PST). You can listen in by visiting hoto Talk Radio, "The Worldwide Voice of Photography", again this Saturday, April 16, 2005 at 11a-noon EST (8a-9a PST). You can listen in by visiting http://www.phototalkradio.com. Plus, you can call-in and ask questions during the LIVE show free in the United States and Canada at 888-514-2100, or (toll call) 001-858-268-3068 from all other communities worldwide. Or, instant message your question to AOL or Yahoo IM name ASKPHOTOTALK.
 
If you can't listen in live, an archive of the show will be available.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.worldtalkradio.com/archive.asp?aid=3858
 
* 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 - Disable Text and Image Smoothing
Speed up Adobe Reader 7 on slower computers by disabling text and image smoothing.
 
Adobe Reader 7 - Speed Up Print Previews
Running Adobe Reader 7 on a slow or low-RAM computer? This may speed up the appearance of the 'print' dialog box.
 
Adobe Reader 7 - Rotate PDF Documents
Don't turn your head to view rotated PDF documents in Adobe Reader 7 - fix this onscreen.
 
Adobe Reader 7 - Toggle the Menu Bar
Disable Adobe Reader 7's menu bar to show more of a PDF document onscreen.
 
Adobe Reader 7 - Quickly Jump to a Specific Page
Quickly skip to a specific page of a PDF document in Adobe Reader 7.
 
Buying a Digital Camera - Hidden Costs with 8+ Megapixel Cameras
Higher-megapixel digital cameras may have hidden costs besides just the cost of the camera.
 
Buying a Digital Camera - Work the Controls Before Buying
Comparing digital cameras to buy? Familiarize yourself with the controls before making a decision.
 
Buying a Digital Camera - Noise in Prosumer Versus Digital SLR Cameras
Debating on what kind of high-end digital camera to buy? ISO sensitivity may factor into your decision.
 
Digital Camera Accessory - Carry Your Digital Camera and Laptop Together
Lug your digital camera and notebook computer all-at-once with these combination bags / cases.
 
Digital Camera Memory - One Memory Card Versus Multiple Cards
Is it safer or more convenient to use one large digital camera memory card or several smaller cards?
 
Google Groups - What is Google Groups?
Search multitudes of discussion forums with Google Groups.
 
Google Groups - Find Only Recent Messages
Return only the newest forum messages through Google Groups.
 
Google Groups - Print an Individual Message
Print a particular forum message from your web browser.
 
Google Groups - Show More Results Per Page
Speed reader? Scan through dozens of results from Google Groups searches simultaneously.
 
Google Groups - Find Discussions Matching a Particular Subject
Use Google Groups to only return messages that may be more related to your particular keywords.
 
Microsoft Word 2003 - Show / Hide Shortcut Keys on Toolbar ScreenTips
Learn keyboard shortcuts to popular Microsoft Word 2003 menu items by hovering your mouse pointer over toolbar buttons.
 
Microsoft Word 2003 - Hide the Ruler
Turn off the ruler shown next to Microsoft Word 2003 documents for more screen real-estate.
 
Microsoft Word 2003 - Change Your Document's Background Color
Make your Microsoft Word 2003 documents crimson, violet, indigo, or whatever.
 
Microsoft Word 2003 - Large Toolbar Icons
Make the Microsoft Word 2003 toolbar icons easier to see.
 
Microsoft Word 2003 - Turn off Background Printing for Larger Documents
Printing complex documents in Microsoft Word 2003 taking too much memory? One option is to turn off background printing.
 
MSN Search - Search the Web with MSN
Not finding the Internet search results you want? Consider using MSN Search.
 
MSN Search - Show More Results on a Page
Display dozens of search results per page when using MSN Search.
 
MSN Search - Define a Word
Find a word's definition with MSN Search.
 
MSN Search - Ignore Words in Query
Perform more powerful queries with MSN Search by filtering results containing certain unwanted keywords.
 
MSN Search - Display Stock Quotes
Query MSN Search for a company's stock price and other financial information.
 
RealPlayer - Open a Web Browser from Within RealPlayer
Access the web from RealPlayer without opening an external web browser.
 
RealPlayer - Move Temporary Files to Another Location
Move temporary RealPlayer files to a different data drive or partition.
 
RealPlayer - Create a New Playlist Quick-Start Guide
Listen to or view multimedia files on your machine from within RealPlayer by creating playlists.
 
RealPlayer - Play Your Media in Random Order
Shuffle play multimedia files in your RealPlayer library or playlist.
 
RealPlayer - Clear the History for Privacy
Help protect your privacy by clearing RealPlayer's history of previously accessed multimedia files.
 
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* Copyright Notice *
 
This newsletter can be redistributed, in electronic or print, provided that no changes are made to this document and this notice is left intact. If you wish to redistribute just pieces of this newsletter, such as certain articles, contact Andrew Malek for information.
 
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.

Note that due to tip recategorization, some of the URLs mentioned in the newsletter may have changed. If you have any problems finding a particular tip, use the MalekTips "Search" feature to conveniently find what you are looking for.