Announcements

WOW! (And I Mean WOW!)

The response to the "Learn Windows XP" software was incredible. We've never had that many sales in a single day. Ever. Our server even crashed once due to all the traffic (and it's a new high end server!)

If you somehow missed out on this, here's your second chance to get this fantastic, must have software!

Again, this software uses multimedia presentations to show you exactly how all of Windows XP's stuff works. You can scroll through topics in order, or jump to a topic index and select the exact presentation you want to see.

And the presentations are absolutely fantastic. By using audio and video, they teach you exactly how to do just about anything you'd ever need to do in Windows. Every step is shown on a sample screen within the program. It's like having Bill Gates sitting down and showing you - step by step - how to operate Windows. Every mouse move, every click is shown. No guesswork required!

It covers tons of topics, and is packed with information. Even taught me a thing or two :-)

If you're running Windows XP (or you're about to), this is a must have program. Even if you've been using XP for awhile like I have, you'll be surprised how much you may have missed (I was)!

Your price on this is only $12.97 ($29.95 retail) and US shipping is free! And yes, it has our 30 day satisfaction guarantee - if you're not happy, return it for a refund. Nothing to lose, but lots to gain! Here's the link:

http://www.worldstart.com/store/learning-windows-xp.htm

PS - Join the hundreds who ordered yesterday and snag this one. Isn't it worth $12.97 to get more (lots more) out of your computer?

Computers 101

Q:
Sometimes, when I'm using drop down boxes, it takes forever to get to the item I'm looking for. Is there a better way?

A:
You bet. I'll illustrate how to do it with an example.

Let's say you're filling out an online registration form that asks for your country. If you live in Australia, you're all set since your country is towards the top. But what if you live here in the US? We have to scroll through tons of countries (many of which we've never heard of) to get to the entry for "United States."

Well, here's a quicker way. When you get to the box, click the first letter of the item you're hunting for. You'll find that items beginning with that letter start popping up in the drop box. So, when you get to the box, just hit the letter "U" until "United States" comes up. No more scrolling!

~ Steve

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

Tip of the Day

Don't you hate it when people mess with your computer without you knowing it? Here are two ways to prevent this, (and still be lazy): create a desktop icon to lock your computer, and password protect after the screen saver is activated. Both of these only work if you already have your computer password protected on login.

If you already have a password, skip to the next part.

To create a password, go to the control panel, then to user accounts. Click your account, and then the "change my password" button, enter the requested fields and click on "change password" and then close the window.

How to create a lock-down icon:

First, pick any icon on your desktop. Right click it and drag it to another place on the desktop. In the menu that appears select "copy." Now we need to change the name and the target of the new shortcut. Right click this shortcut, and click "properties." Make sure you are in the shortcut tab. 

In the box labeled "target," copy and paste this line:

%windir%\System32\rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation

In the box labeled "Start in," copy paste:

%windir%

To apply these changes click "apply." Next you can change the icon. Just click the "change icon" button.  If you're not already there hit the browse button and go to:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\shell32.dll

You'll find a nice selection of icons there.

Select an icon from the ones that appear in the box and click "ok."

Now move to the general tab. The box on the top contains the name of your icon. Change it to whatever you want. I used "Fun Game" in the hope that if someone comes to the computer and it is not locked that they will click this icon, locking the computer.(This actually worked once!) After you are finished, click "apply," and then "ok."

To test your icon, double click it.You should be taken to something like a log on screen. Just enter the password to get back into windows, just as you left it too.This is different from actually logging off. Whenever you know you will be away for a while, just click that icon, and your computer will be safe.

How to lock down on screen saver:

Right click on your desktop in any empty space. Click "properties" in the menu that opens.Go to the screensaver tab. All you have to do now is click the box next to "On resume, password protect."  Click "apply," and then "ok."

Let your screen saver run, and see what happens after you move your mouse. This is good in case you leave suddenly and forget to click the icon we made earlier. Unlike hibernation, this will allow other programs, such as Kazaa or iMesh, to run in the background.

I found this especially handy in my college dorm to protect my computer from my computer science major roommate who always wanted to check out what I had on my machine and change a bunch of settings to his preference. For you maybe it's co-workers, or kids at home, but either way, this is really nice!

~ Kyle Larson

Have a tip for the newsletter? Submit it below:
http://www.worldstart.com/writers-guidelines/index.htm

Amanda's Cool Site of the Day

Rodeo Network

Gotta go rodeo!

If you've been to a rodeo you know the excitement involved, even just sitting in the stands watching Cowboys and Cowgirls put on their best shows to pay the bills or to have some fun. If you've never been to a rodeo, this is a great website to learn about it and to hear the truths about the myths out there.

Rodeo Network has many interactive features as well as an extensive and ever growing database of rodeo events nationwide throughout the USA. So, Cowboy or Cowgirl, get up and get on over there!

http://www.rodeonetwork.com/

Do you have a cool, non-commercial site that you want to share?
Send it to Amanda at amanda@worldstart.com