Announcements

Computers 101

Q:
I just installed Windows XP, but I really don't like the new look. Is there a way to make XP look like my earlier versions of Windows or am I stuck?

A:
Actually, you can switch it to the "classic" look with just a few strokes of your mouse.

Right-click a blank area on the desktop and select Properties from the resulting menu. Hit the Appearance tab and you'll see a drop box labeled "Windows and buttons".

Select "Windows Classic Style" from that box, hit OK and in a few seconds things will be back to looking like they used to.

Personally, I kind of like the new look, but to each their own I guess.

Tip of the Day

Tracing Your Route

Web link - http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tracert.htm

OK, this probably isn't the most useful tip ever, but it is kind of interesting.

Using the tip below, we can "trace" an internet connection. You'd be surprised how many hops it takes just to get to a web site. Your request may be handed off to dozens of different places before you actually reach your virtual destination. Usually this trick is used for trouble shooting by network administrator types, but it's also a good way to get a "behind the scenes" look at the way the internet works.

For instance, let's say you want to see how many "hops" it takes to get to our site, WorldStart.com. You'd do as follows:

1. First you'll need to get to command line. So, hit the Start button, Run. Then type in the word "Command" (no quotes) and click OK.

2. OK, you should be looking at a black & white DOS window. Type in:

tracert http://www.worldstart.com

And hit Enter (no mousing around in DOS).

Now just sit back and watch all the little hops it takes just to get to a web site! (all those numbers followed by the "ms" are milliseconds). Each numbered line represents a hop from one server / router to another.

In the picture below, you can see that it took 8 hops to get from my ISP to the WorldStart web site.

Try it with a couple of your favorite sites. This tip is especially fun to do when there's someone else around who knows nothing about computers. Just look at the numbers as they pop up and say things like, "Hmm, I see" or "Ahh, that's the problem". Anyhow...

When you're done, just type Exit and hit Enter.

Who knew it took so much to get from one place to another huh? Well, at least we didn't have to pack up the kids for this little trip...

Amanda's Cool Site of the Day

Live BarnCam

Watch the Appaloosas in their barn. These beautiful animals are quite a sight to see. You can even replay the birth of the little filly. This is a mare and her filly in their stable. Watch the little one's first steps. The camera is update every 20 seconds.

http://www.appaloosa.org/livefoal.html

Do you have a cool site that you want to share? Send it to Amanda! Here's her address:

amanda@worldstart.com

Oh, and we're looking for non-commercial sites. We generally don't run sites that are strictly for shopping.