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Tip for "nslookup"

We've had a lot of e-mail regarding the "nslookup" tip we ran on Tuesday. Seems that some versions of Windows have this little utility (win XP, 2000, and NT) and some don't (win 9x / ME).

Sorry about that, I was under the impression it worked on everything. I didn't have my other test computers around (wrote that tip from home) and should have thoroughly tested this before running it.

Again, sorry for any frustration, lost sleep, or undo anxiety this may have caused.

Computers 101

Q:
I have a CD burner in my computer, but I have no idea how to burn a CD. How is it normally done?

A:
It's usually pretty easy. Most CD writers come with some kind of CD writing software. Since this varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, this is going to be a VERY basic lesson. It should help get you started though.

Not sure where your CD burning program is? It should be lurking somewhere under the Start menu, Programs (it's not necessarily on your desktop or quick launch toolbar).

If for some reason, you don't have a CD writing program on your computer, we do sell them at:

http://www.worldstart.com/store/cdburning.htm

OK, assuming that you've discovered the location of your CD burning program, here's how it typically works:

1. First, if you get an option for either writing manually or via a wizard, pick the wizard (you can get fancier later on).

2. OK, now you are probably going to be asked what kind of CD you want to write, either audio or data. If you're saving files, choose data. If you're pirating music, oops, I mean making a music CD for your own use from your own CDs, choose music.

Note that for music CDs and for stuff you want to archive, a CD-R is your best choice. If you have a CD-RW, use that for data that you may or may not want to save (they don't always work so hot for music, at least from the standpoint that many CD players refuse to play CD-RWs).

3. OK, the next step is probably choosing files. Most of the time you'll get a "Windows Explorer" type interface that lets you either choose files manually or just drag & drop.

4. That should be about it. At this point, you should have an option for writing the CD.

Note that most programs will let you "test" before you write the CD. The first couple times you use the CD burner, this may not be a bad idea. If you find you have no problems, this is probably a step you can safely skip from then on.

During the actual CD writing process, it's best not to mess with your computer. Just stand 4-6 feet away and let it write the CD.

Why?

Most CD recorders record on the fly. If the computer is busy and can't get the info to the CD burner fast enough, you'll get a buffer underrun error - and your CD will be useless (well, you could make a modernistic coaster out of it I suppose).

Windows XP has a built-in CD writing feature that we'll look at tomorrow.

Tip of the Day

Don't touch that mouse!

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

If you are a decent typist, you probably find it annoying to hop constantly between the keyboard and your mouse. I find it irritating and I'm not even that great of a typist! So, here are a couple of ways to help keep your fingers safely at the keyboard.

Here's a trick for generating a "right-click" from your keyboard. Make sure your cursor is where you want it and hit the SHIFT & F10 keys together. You can then use your arrow keys to select the menu option you need (hit ENTER once you have made the selection).

Since the most common task for a right-click is to copy a selection of text (something normally done with a mouse), it would appear that the above tip is fairly worthless. However, I wouldn't put in a tip like that, now would I??

To make the above tip more useful, you'll need to know how to select text with your keyboard. Fortunately, that's easy enough; just use your arrow keys while holding down the SHIFT key.

Who needs a mouse anyway??

Amanda's Cool Site of the Day

Lee’s Useless Super-Hero Generator

Wow, you’re a super hero? You don’t say, and what’s your secret identity? You don’t have a secret identity? Well, well, we will have to do something about that. What are your super hero powers? You don’t have any? We’ll have to fix that too. You need to go to Lee’s Super-Hero Generator and get your secret identity and super powers.

http://home.hiwaay.net/~lkseitz/comics/herogen/

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.