MalekTips: 07-14-2005
 
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.
 
* Learn how you can try out the free Netscape 8 web browser, which claims to help prevent you from accidentally visiting known spyware websites. Once you have installed the browser, configure it by changing your home page. Keep others from browsing your search history. And fix a potentially-annoying default setting involving the creation of new tabs.
 
* Solve Microsoft Word 2003 problems. Help prevent yourself from accidentally distributing documents with comments and tracked changes. Automatically create backup copies of your documents. Convert text accidentally written IN ALL CAPS to normal. And when you are ready to proofread your documents, learn how you can view multiple pages on the screen simultaneously.
 
* Plus, this newsletter contains tips for the Google Maps tool including how to navigate maps using the keyboard instead of the mouse; Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 advice and fixes such as what to do if your distributed presentation files lack the sound effects you worked hard to add; MSN Search tips such as how to save time by automatically opening result links in new windows; and RealPlayer 10.5 information including how to change its look-and-feel, or 'skin', to one of your choosing.
 
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 *
 
7-13-2005: Mozilla Firefox 1.05
 
The Mozilla Foundation has released version 1.05 of the Mozilla Firefox web browser. The new release addresses 'improvements in stability', and includes several security fixes, some of them critical. If you use Mozilla Firefox you should strongly consider upgrading.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/releases/1
.0.5.html
 
7-13-2005: Mac OS X Vulnerabilites
 
Security firm Secunia has reported two vulnerabilities with Mac OS X that could lead to a Denial of Service attack or arbitrary Dashboard widget replacement. These problems have been patched, and links are available on the aforementioned website.
 
Link (External Site): http://secunia.com/advisories/16047/
 
7-13-2005: Space Shuttle Delayed
 
CNN and other news outlets have reported that today's scheduled NASA launch of the space shuttle Discovery has been scrubbed. The launch will be postponed 'at least a day'.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/space/07/13/space.shu
ttle/index.html
 
7-12-2005: Microsoft's June Updates
 
Microsoft has released their Security Updates for June. These include critical updates for Microsoft Windows, JView Profiler, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Works 2000-2004, and Microsoft Word 2000 and 2002.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/200507
.mspx
 
7-12-2005: Anti-Spyware Coalition Defines Spyware
 
What some people consider spyware, others call 'advertiser-supported software'. Curious to learn what the major anti-spyware firms, such as Safer-Networking Ltd. (Spybot Search and Destroy), Lavasoft (Ad-Aware), and Computer Associates (PestPatrol) define spyware to be?
 
The Anti-Spyware Coalition, which lists the above companies among its members, has released a press release (PDF) in which they discuss a new Definitions and Supporting Documents (PDF) for spyware-related terms. This document also includes useful spyware safety tips. MalekTips has some spyware removal tips as well.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.antispywarecoalition.org/
 
Link (PDF - External Site): http://www.antispywarecoalition.org/newsroom/20050
712press.pdf
 
Link (PDF - External Site): http://www.antispywarecoalition.org/definitions.pd
f
 
Link: http://malektips.com/removing_spyware_and_adware_h
elp_and_tips.html
 
7-10-2005: Second Hurricane Dennis Live Video Feed
 
(Please note the live feed is now offline, though you can visit the site for more information about the hurricane aftermath.)
 
WPMI NBC 15 in Mobile, Alabama is now also offering a continuous live videofeed of its Hurricane Dennis coverage.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.wpmi.com/
 
7-9-2005: Hurricane Dennis Live Video Feed
 
(Please note the live feed is now offline, though you can visit the sites for more information about the hurricane aftermath.)
 
As deadly Hurricane Dennis reaches the US mainland, WKRG News 5 in Pensacola, Florida is offering a continuous live videofeed of its Hurricane Dennis coverage. The Weather Channel, as well as other weather websites, is offering updated coverage as this storm prepares to strike.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.wkrg.com/
 
Link (External Site): http://www.weather.com/newscenter/tropical/
 
7-9-2005: Google Toolbar for Firefox
 
Google is now offering their Google Toolbar for Mozilla Firefox users. Features include form spellchecking, word translators, PageRank viewing, search term highlighting, and more.
 
Link (External Site): http://toolbar.google.com/firefox/
 
Link: http://malektips.com/mozilla_firefox_help_and_tips
.html
 
7-7-2005: Tragedy in London
 
Here are links to news articles around the Internet about today's tragedy in London.
 
Link (External Site): http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050707/ap_on_re_eu/br
itain_explosion
 
Link (External Site): http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/1/hi/uk/4659093.stm
 
Link (External Site): http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/07/07/london.
tube/index.html
 
Link (External Site): http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,161768,00.html
 
Link (External Site): http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1684290,
00.html
 
Link (External Site): http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8492258/
 
Link (External Site): http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-07-07-lond
on-subway-blast_x.htm
 
7-7-2005: Upcoming Microsoft Patches
 
Microsoft has sent out advanced notification that it is planning to release several patches, some marked critical, on July 12, 2005. These include patches for Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office. Also, Microsoft is planning to release an update to its Malicious Software Removal Tool.
 
7-7-2005: Spyware Report Released
 
The Pew Internet and American Life Project has released a report on spyware. Their synopsis: "the threat of unwanted software programs is changing the way people use the internet". According to data found in the report, 68% of USA Internet users have encountered at least one computer problem in the past year that may be attributed to spyware or viruses.
 
If you want to scan your machine for spyware or adware, need help removing these pests, or you don't know what this hooplah is all about, check out our tips on adware and spyware removal.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/160/report_displa
y.asp
 
Link: http://malektips.com/removing_spyware_and_adware_h
elp_and_tips.html
 
7-7-2005: Adobe Reader Vulnerability
 
Security firm iDEFENSE has reporting a security vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader for Linux, Solaris, IBM-AIX, and HP-UX (note this does not currently affect Windows or Macintosh platforms). Left unprotected it can result in arbitrary code execution. Update links are available at the aforementioned website.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id
=279&type=vulnerabilities
 
* Tips! *
 
These tips are NOT available to the general public yet! You can find them here first in the MalekTips newsletter! Thanks for subscribing.
 
Google Maps - Pan and Zoom Using the Keyboard
Keyboard shortcuts for navigating Google Maps.
 
Google Maps - Display Traffic Information on a Map
Display Google maps interlaced with current traffic information.
 
Google Maps - Satellite Images of NFL Stadiums
View aerial photos of NFL football stadiums with Google Maps.
 
Google Maps - E-mail a Map
Send links to a customized Google map to coworkers, family, or friends.
 
Google Maps - Google Maps - Real Estate Displayed on a Map
Want to find the location of a house or condo listed for rent or sale?
 
Microsoft PowerPoint - Sound Files Do Not Get Copied When Copying Presentations
If your distributed Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 presentations lack sound effects, try this tweak.
 
Microsoft PowerPoint - Disable Animations in Slide Shows
Play Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 slide shows for customers who don't care to see animations.
 
Microsoft PowerPoint - Hide a Particular Slide
Prevent an unfinished or unrelated slide from appearing in a Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 slide show.
 
Microsoft PowerPoint - Draw on Slides During a Slide Show
Annotate, emphasize, or highlight text and graphics in a Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 slide show.
 
Microsoft PowerPoint - View Slideshow in Grayscale Mode
Display Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 slideshows the way they'll be printed with a black and white printer.
 
Microsoft Word 2003 - Warn Before Printing or Distributing Documents with Tracked Changes
Help prevent embarrassing comments and changes from appearing in distributed Microsoft Word 2003 documents.
 
Microsoft Word 2003 - Make Text Wider or Thinner
Make text in your Microsoft Word 2003 documents stand out by adjusting the font width.
 
Microsoft Word 2003 - Print Preview Multiple Pages at Once
Got a large monitor? Preview several pages of your Microsoft Word 2003 documents simultaneously.
 
Microsoft Word 2003 - Create Backup Copies of All Documents
Force Microsoft Word 2003 to automatically create backup copies of your edited documents.
 
Microsoft Word 2003 - UNCAPPING TEXT and Changing Text Case
Take uppercase text in Microsoft Word 2003 documents and convert it to 'normal'.
 
MSN Search - Only Search for PDF or DOC files
Force MSN Search to only return PDF or DOC files, not webpages.
 
MSN Search - Search for Pages with Links to Specific File Types
Find webpages using MSN Search that link to multimedia or other document types.
 
MSN Search - Save Time, Open Search Results in a New Window
This tweak forces MSN Search to open all search engine result links in a new window, possibly saving you time.
 
MSN Search - Find Movies
Easily search for movie information with MSN Search.
 
MSN Search - Find Recently-Updated Sites
Ask MSN Search to heavily factor a webpage's modification date in the search results ranking.
 
Netscape 8 - Download and Install Netscape 8
Try out the free Netscape 8 web browser.
 
Netscape 8 - Change or Clear the Home Page
Change the webpage that appears whenever you start Netscape 8, or start with a blank page.
 
Netscape 8 - Make Text Easier to Read
Make Netscape 8 display webpages using larger text.
 
Netscape 8 - Clear the Search History
Help prevent others from snooping around what types of sites you search for in Netscape 8.
 
Netscape 8 - Stop Opening the Current Webpage As a New Tab
Tired of opening tabs in Netscape 8 and seeing the same page reappear? This tweak fixes this annoyance.
 
RealPlayer - Purge 'My Library' of Missing Media
Remove links to old multimedia files in your RealPlayer Library.
 
RealPlayer - Tweaks to Fix Sound Playback Issues
Diagnose issues involving incompatibilities with RealPlayer and your sound card.
 
RealPlayer - Change RealPlayer Skin
Change RealPlayer's look-and-feel with downloadable skins.
 
RealPlayer - Stop Trying to Connect to the Internet When Offline
Force RealPlayer to stop accessing your dial-up networking.
 
RealPlayer - Don't Send Configuration Information if an Error Occurs
Help keep from accidentally sending your system information to RealPlayer customer support.
 

 
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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.

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