Announcements

I'm *Really* Excited About This One!

Oh, do we have an AWESOME title in!

It's Home Depot's Home Improvement 1-2-3 and it's very, very cool.

This interactive CD ROM guide has over 250 projects! It uses video, animation, narration, and photographs to help guide you though just about any home improvement project you can think of. With spring right around the corner, you know you'll be wanting this one!

It covers:

And tons more!

Each project takes you step by step through the entire process. It's like having an expert right at your finger tips.

It works like this: Let's say you were going to install a new ceiling fan. You just go to the electrical section and select the Mounting Ceiling Fans project. From there, it takes you though the entire process—everything you need to know and then some—step by step. It has excellent illustrations and narration to help guide you through the process. It makes it so easy, even I could do it!

In addition, it also tells you what type of stuff you're going to need (tools, materials, aspirin, etc) and how long the project would take based on your skill level. It even has a "work smarter" section that give you the pros and cons of installing whatever it is you're going to install. Of course, it also includes safety information too—live to fix another day, right?

Heck, you can even print the project out and take it with you!!

This is the BEST home improvement CD ROM I've ever seen. If you do any do-it-yourself type projects, this is a must have. I still can't believe how impressed I am with it! I had a few projects I was hesitating about doing around the house, but thanks to this CD I was able to do them myself.

Now for the price. This retails for $39.95 and we normally give you a super deal at only $16.97, but right now it's on sale for only $12.97 with FREE US Shipping! That's our lowest price ever! This is a current title and works all versions of Windows.

I attracted a lot of attention in my office with all my "Oh, this is soooo cool", and "Wow, that's just great" type comments. In fact, everyone I've shown this to has wanted one!

If you've ever been involved with a project and got stumped, this CD would have come in handy. I can't begin to tell you how much time, money, and frustration it has saved me!

http://www.worldstart.com/store/home-depot-deluxe.htm

PS - Don't miss out! Everyone I've shown this to has bought one! It's absolutely awesome and I can't recommend it highly enough. Remember, we have a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. If you don't like it - even after you try it - we'll take it back! You have nothing to lose!

Sorry for going on and on, but I can't remember the last time I was this excited about a piece of software :-)

Bonus! In addtion to Home Depot's Home Improvement 123, we'll also throw in a program called 6100 Home Plans if you order now! Only while supplies last!

Computers 101

Q:
I read all the time about "open source" this and "open source" that. What the heck does "open source" mean?

A:
Basically, the term is used to describe a program where the author gives the public access to the source code. Although Microsoft isn't thrilled with this idea, many terrific pieces of software are open source (the Linux operating system and the cool Mozilla browser come to mind).

Since the code is freely distributed, the software is also (generally) free as well. If you want support, that will sometimes cost ya—the author has to make money somehow. That said, there are usually lots of resources out there for large, open source programs. Your friendly neighborhood search engine can help with that.

The idea behind writing software like this is you get input, code, and improvements from lots (hundreds? thousands?) of different programmers. Not an easy task for a single company to copy. As such, the program evolves rapidly and tends to have fewer bugs (and that's always good).

Just imagine if Windows was open source... Oops, talk like that will get us bounced from hotmail and MSN :-)

~ Steve

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

Tip of the Day

Floppy Copy

Floppy drives are slowly becoming extinct, so this tip is for us sentimental types who still love our floppies...

Ever need to copy the contents from one floppy disk to another? It's easy! Here's how:

1. Put the disk you would like to copy into your floppy drive (usually your "A:" Drive.)
2. Double-click the MyComputer Icon on your desktop.
3. Right click your A: Drive and select "Copy Disk" from the little menu that pops up.

4. A screen will let you select your "copy from" and "copy to" drives. For most of us, this would be drive A to drive A.
5. Click the Start button on the "CopyDisk" window.

From there, just follow the prompts. The computer will read your disk and then ask you to insert the new disk (the one you would like to copy to). That's it.

You can use the method above to copy Zip disks too!

Another method would be to save the content of the disk to a folder on your desktop, then copy to another disk.

~ 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

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood

This is the official web site of the late, great Mister Rogers who passed on to a "better neighborhood" last week (+2/26/2003).

You can take a virtual tour of his house, visit the Neighborhood of Make-believe, or sing along to his songs in RealAudio. Play games and get activity ideas, or read many inspirational quotes from his neighborliness, such as this one, "People have said 'Don't cry' to other people for years and years, and all it has ever meant is 'I'm too uncomfortable when you show your feelings: Don't cry.' I'd rather have them say, 'Go ahead and cry. I'm here to be with you.'

There are even resources for parents and teachers, including a special link to help discuss the death of America's favorite neighbor with children.

So, put on your cardigan, change your shoes, and head on over.

http://pbskids.org/rogers/

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