Announcements

Run CDs From Your Hard Drive!

The Problem:

You have a bunch of programs that require the CD to be in the CD ROM drive in order to run. For example:

You're using your clipart program, but need to dig up CD 8 in order to get the picture you want. Now, where did you put that one?

Or maybe you're looking at your CD ROM encyclopedia and want to cross reference something with your map software. Oops - that's on CD ROM too, so you have to close the encyclopedia program and pop in your map program.

ARRGH! It's so frustrating - and we've all been there.

Wouldn't it be great if you were able to copy your CDs to your computer's hard drive so you always had them? Problem is, the vast majority of CDs have copy protection that forces you to run them from a CD drive - they simply won't work from your hard drive.

But there is a way around that problem :-)

The Solution :-)

This is a must have piece of software for every computer user. It's called Virtual CD and it allows you to copy your CDs to your computer's hard drive. I've been using it for a couple weeks and it's fantastic. (In fact, I refuse to run my CD programs without it anymore!)

How does it work?

First, it creates a virtual CD ROM drive in your computer. Basically, this software "tricks" your computer into thinking that you have another "real" CD ROM drive installed. Then you can copy your CDs to your hard drive using a simple little wizard program.

Each CD you copy becomes a "virtual CD" you can play in your "virtual CD ROM" drive. Just run the program to manage them. It's super easy.

If you want to access more than one of your copied CDs at a time, don't worry. Virtual CD can create up to 22 virtual drives. You could run 22 CD ROM programs at the same time and never need to swap a CD!

Look at the advantages:

	No more swapping CDs (yeah!)
	High speed access with no spin up delay (Great)
	Access multiple CD programs simultaneously. Very handy!
	Faster games (this runs up to 100X faster than a "real" CD ROM drive!)
	Save your "real" CDs from scratches, damage, and theft!
	Listen to music CDs in your "real" drive while accessing CD programs on the virtual one
	Copy music CDs to your hard drive
	Instant access to all your virtual CDs (no hunting for the "real" ones)

Plus, since your virtual CD drive works just like a regular one, there's no learning curve involved. This software is very easy to use and everything is done with a step by step wizard process. You can be using it in a matter of minutes!

This is one that everyone needs. Quit playing the "where's that CD" game and grab this now. It's only $24.97 and US shipping is FREE! This retails for $59.95, so it's way over half off. Check it out:

http://www.worldstart.com/store/virtual-cd-45.htm

Warning - Once you try this, you'll never go back to the old way of using your CDs. Between the speed increase and not having to swap disks all the time, you'll fall in love with it (like I have).

Computers 101

Q:
I just upgraded to Windows XP and it's so hard to find stuff in the control panel. Is there an easier way to find where everything is?

A:
By default, the control panel is in "Category View", so when you open it you see 10 categories (Appearance, sound, etc.) to choose from.

That can make it hard to find what you want. If you notice on the right side there is a link marked "Switch to Classic View".

Click there and you will be magically taken to more familiar territory.

Not only are your old friends there, like "Add or Remove Programs", but some new friends and descriptions of what they do.

Isn't that alot easier?

~ David

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

Tip of the Day

System Password Protection

*This tip is for advanced users only. If you try it and mess your computer up, don't come crying to me :-)

Password protecting Windows will keep most people out of your computer, but it won't stop 'em all. I can get into a password protected Windows computer in less than 2 minutes. For obvious liability reasons, I'm not going to tell you how, but rest assured I (and many others) can.

So, what can you do?

You can password protect the whole computer by putting a password into your computer's system settings. No, these aren't Windows settings, these are your computer's motherboard settings.

Now, for some systems, this may not work. Your system will need to have an option in it's settings for password protection. If it ain't there you can't do it.

To setup a system password, do the following:

1. When you boot your computer, look for instructions for running or entering setup. They are usually at the bottom of the screen. In most systems you press the delete key and it enters setup right after the memory test. Again, this is WAY before windows even starts running.

2. OK, now all these setup screens tend to be a little different. You'll probably scroll through items using your tab, pageup / pagedown, or arrow keys (sorry, no mouse support here). Look for something about system security or passwords and head there.

3. From here, there is probably some kind of password setup. Select it and you should be able to put in a password (probably with a confirmation password).

4. Finally, exit the system settings. There should either be some kind of menu item or you just hit the escape key. Either way, you'll probably be asked if you wish to save the new settings, say yes.

Your computer should re-boot and ask you for a password from now on. These are probably the most difficult types of passwords to get through. The only way I know of bypassing it is to clear the CMOS memory from the motherboard, and you would need the specs on the board to do it.

Keep in mind that even this is not 100% foolproof. After all, if I really wanted the info on your computer I could always take out your hard drive and put it into another computer. Oh well, at least it keeps most people away.

Special Note For Windows XP users:

Your Windows security settings are harder to bypass. If you want to require that users log in, go to the Control Panel, select "User Accounts" then "Change the Way Users Log on and off". If the "Use Welcome Screen" box is checked, click to de-select. This will bring up a password protected logon screen for all users.

~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

Web Pages that SUCK

Want to know what makes a web page suck? Well this is the place to find out. For webmasters this is a valuable resource of what not to do, what doesn't work, and what will just plain drive web surfers away.

You will enjoy the Daily Sucker – What’s New in Bad Design, You Think These Sites Suck, and The Two Minute Offense. But while those are great I think the real enjoyment of this site comes from the Original Web Pages That Suck section—this is a look at crappy web design that both this site and maybe even you, the web designer have done that is just painful and annoying.

Enjoy (or don't)!

http://www.webpagesthatsuck.com

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