Announcements

 Wow!

The response to the American Heritage Talking Dictionary was incredible yesterday (as it always is for this title :-).If you missed out, here's another chance at it.

Again, you type in the word you're looking for and the dictionary pronounces it with a real human voice. If you've ever had a problem figuring out the pronunciation of a word, you can already see how cool it would be to own one of these. Oh, and yes, it can also help you with the spelling of a word you don't know!

It also features a thesaurus, maps, and pictures to go along with the definitions - all fully integrated.

Again, this is only $12.97 and US Shipping is FREE! What a deal huh? Well, don't wait any longer - I'm starting to run low on this one! Here's the link with more info:

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

Don't miss out ! I can't recommend it highly enough!!

Computers 101

Q:
What is a Wizard?

A:
We aren't talking about Merlin, Oz, Gandalf, or Dumbledore here, but in a way there might be a similarity in function. A Wizard is a tool to guide you through the steps of a process or task (see today's tip where you can meet the "Program Compatibility Wizard") by asking a series of questions or presenting options. A Wizard might help you to start up a word processing document, install software, or create a database file for the first time. Pay no attention to that programmer behind the curtain!

~ David

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

Tip of the Day

Windows XP Compatibility

So, you've upgraded to Windows XP and now some of your old programs don't work. I hate that! It's been our experience that most older programs designed for Windows 95/98/ME will run on XP, regardless of what previous version of Windows they were originally designed for. The only ones that refuse to run are the ones you really, really need :-)

If you can't get a program to run on XP, try this:

1. Right click its icon under the Programs menu, then select Properties from the resulting menu,

2. Now, click the Compatibility tab. You can choose what version of Windows you want XP to pretend to be.

For example, let's say you have a program that installs but refuses to run. If you set its compatibility for Win 98, you may find that it's now perfectly happy doing it's thing on XP (of course, it's blissfully ignorant of the fact it's been tricked).

This usually works about 50% of the time, so don't bet the preverbal farm on it.

WIndows XP also has a "Program Compatibility Wizard" that will search for the best version of Windows to run a program under. To get there, click Start, Help and Support, then "Find compatible hardware and software for Windows XP", and finally, under "See Also" in the navigation pane, click Program Compatibility Wizard. You will be given instructions on what to do.

Another suggestion is to update your program. How often do you go to the website of a software manufacturer and look for program updates? What about updated drivers for your sound card? Most of the time you can download update patches for free!

With some luck, you will be playing your favorite old games or using that older software in no time.

~ Steve

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

Amanda's Cool Site of the Day

NativeWeb

NativeWeb is a site that is dedicated to bringing information from and about indigenous nations, peoples, and organizations around the world— from Abenaki to Zuni, they are all here! Their goal is not just to preserve information, but to foster communication between native and non-native people, to conduct research, and to provide resources for indigenous peoples to use technology.

Find information from all sorts of cultures, definitely a time consuming page, as there is so much to see and read. But it's worth it check it out.

http://www.nativeweb.org/

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