Announcements

We're Back!

Yes! We're finally back. We have upgraded our listserver (the one that sends you this e-mail) and we have a brand new web server. So, hopefully we'll be going good for awhile. Oh, and yes, it was a nightmare in case you were wondering.

PS - Let us know if our web server seems fast, slow, or about the same to you. Here's the homepage link:

http://www.worldstart.com

Send speed reports to:

jonathon@worldstart.com

New Virus

Well, we haven't need a virus alert for awhile, but there's another nasty one (actuality, it seems more like a group of variants) on the lose. It spreads by e-mail and we've received hundreds of them over the last couple days.

If you're looking for a name, it's called (basically) the Elkern virus.

Depending on which flavor your receive, it can remove files, send your information, send itself to your address book, propagate over a network, crash your computer or any combination of these.

It can also be a pain to remove. If you get infected, some variants will try to infect every program file in your System folder. It gets into the registry and in some cases the entries must be manually removed.

In short, you don't want to get this one.

The subject line varies, as does the attachment name. So, DO NOT open any unexpected attachments - even if it's from someone you know. Scan first with a good anti-virus program.

Our Norton Anti-Virus was catching this one before we ever knew about it. As always, it does a great job. So, be sure to update your AV software if you haven't lately.

Of course if you don't have Anit-Virus software, YOU SHOULD! Why risk messing up your computer, losing precious information, infecting your friends, and going through all that headache? It kills me that people spend thousands on computers, peripherals, and software and don't sped a few bucks on anti-virus software.

After all, we have Norton Anti-Virus 2002 (retail box) for only $19.95 after mail-in upgrade rebate! And the shipping is FREE if you live in the US! And yes, this is the software I personally recommend (and use) for anti-virus protection.

It scans e-mail, downloads, and watches for virus activity in the background. It even scans your outgoing e-mail so you don't accidentally send a virus to your friends! Best of all, it's all automatic (It even updates itself automatically)! Just install and forget it. It's great!!

I can't tell you how many e-mails we receive from people thanking us for recommending this. They can't believe how many times something they thought was safe comes thorough with a virus.

Think about it. Isn't it worth the few bucks not to go through all the headache and aggravation of dealing with a virus? If this helps you just once, it was well worth the money.

So, here's the link:

http://www.worldstart.com/store/nortonav2002box.htm

Due to this recent virus outbreak, we've been having a hard time (real hard time actually) getting a hold of this title. So, get your order in ASAP or you may miss out.

Computers 101

Q: Is there a faster way to open a file path? For example, can I copy and paste the line below somewhere and have the folder just open up?

c:\my documents\my folder\2001

I notice that many of your tips will tell us to navigate to a folder on our computer and it seems like it would be easier if we could just copy & paste the path somewhere.

A:
Yup, sure is, and it's really easy:

1. Copy the folder path.

2. Hit the Start button, Run.

3. Place your cursor inside the Run box and hit CTRL-V. Now hit Enter.

Explorer will pop open with focus on your folder. Cool huh?

In case you hadn't already guessed, if you know the complete path to a file or program you can open it this way too.

Oh, you can also copy and paste your path into the Address Bar of My Computer or Windows Explorer (assuming it's turned on of course). I just like this way better.

You can use this tip in conjunction with the Tip of the Day below!

Have a question for the newsletter? Submit it at the link below:
http://www.worldstart.com/submitquestion.htm

Tip of the Day

Sharing Outlook Express Folders - Part 1

Do you use folders in Outlook Express to keep your e-mail organized? Maybe you have a whole slew of information in one of those folders you'd like to share with a friend. Should you just forward each piece of e-mail to them? Maybe do a printout?

How about just sending them your entire folder?

Didn't know you could do that, did ya?

Here's how to get them the info. Tomorrow, we'll show you how to get it into their folder list (there's a trick to it).

1. First, you're going to need the location that Outlook Express is using to store your information (folders). You can get that by hitting the Tools menu, Options.

2. Click the Maintenance tab and then the "Store Folder" button.

3. A screen will pop up that gives you the secret location of where Outlook Express is keeping your e-mail. If your memory is short, or the path is long, you may want to write that info down. Better yet, copy the info and use our Computers 101 tip to get to the folder.

4. OK, now close out the Store folder and Options screens. You have what ya came for.

5. Next, open the My Computer icon on your desktop (XP users, hit Start, My Computer).

6. Navigate to the location where Outlook Express is keeping your e-mail. Once you're there, you should see your Outlook Express folders listed.

Note that if you have your computer set up to view file extensions, the files will end with ".dbx" (like Inbox.dbx).

To send this file to a friend, just right-click it and select "Send to, Mail Recipient". Of course, you can copy it to a disk (if it fits) or a CD-R if you like.

OK, that's how you find and send it. Now, how does the person who gets this file integrate it into their mailbox? Check in tomorrow for the exciting conclusion!!

Have a tip for the newsletter? Submit it below:
http://www.worldstart.com/submitatip.htm

Cool Site of the Day

Web Archive

How long have you been on the internet? Probably not as long as Yahoo or even Microsoft has been. If you’d like to take a step back into the past, visit today’s cool site so you can see what a certain website looked like.. Say.. 5 years back.

For example, take a look at Microsoft.com back in 1996 compared to what it is today. It’s amazing how websites transform from something simple to complex sites.

Even better, pull up a search for worldstart.com and see what it looked like back in 1998. Neato.

If you can’t find a certain website, then you can always add it to their database.

http://www.archive.org

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

jonathon@worldstart.com

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