Announcements

Network Your Computers - The Easy Way!

Have you ever thought about networking your computers together but just weren't sure how to go about it? Or perhaps you've actually tried and met with limited success (we hear a lot of that).

Well, I have a program that you'll love!

It's called Professor Teaches Home & Small Office Networking and it's a great way to learn. Oh, and don't confuse these with the ones you may have seen on TV - these are from a different company and are absolutely fantastic!! I thought I had a pretty good handle on networking, but I learned quite a bit by going through this CD.

This is jammed with information and takes you from basic to advanced techniques in an easy to understand, step by step fashion. At the end of each section, you can take a quiz to test your knowledge - a great way to reinforce what you've learned.

Another thing I like about this software is how interactive it is. It not only explains how to do things, but lets you practice the steps in a simulated Windows environment! Is that a great way to learn or what? No "experimenting" on your computer!

By using a multimedia presentation on each topic, it teaches you - by example - exactly how to create a small home or office network. Here's just a small sample of what's covered:

Connecting Your Computers
Using Wireless Networking
Understanding Network Hardware
Running the Network Setup Wizard
Understanding Network Software
Configuring Additional Computers
Installing Cables
Installing Network Devices
Configuring Operating Systems
Adding an Internet Connection
Working with My Network Places
Mapping Network Drives

Even if you know nothing about networking, you can learn all you'll need to know with this CD ROM. Each topic is covered in extensive detail and explained in easy to understand language. It even covers Win XP!!

If you want to share files, internet connections, printers, etc, this is the CD ROM to get. It's only $12.97 and US shipping is free. We also have our 30 day satisfaction guarantee so if you don't love it, we'll take it back (even if it's opened). You have nothing to lose - unless you wait. Here's the info / order link:

http://www.worldstart.com/store/professor-networking.htm

PS - Please note that this is a limited quantity item and once these are gone, there are no more available right now. We sold out of both specials last week, so I strongly recommend you get to the site right now if you want in on this deal!

Computers 101

Q:
I hear about programs having "skins"—what does that mean?

A:
Before all of our animal loving readers start typing angry email to us, animals are not harmed in the making of "skins" for programs (although you can get animal patterned ones). These "skins" are graphic files used to change the appearance of the user interface to a program. They are sometimes called "themes" and are like wallpaper for your browser, media player, or other programs. You can often download them for free from the software developer, a user group, or even a band's fan site.

Popular media players like WinAmp, MusicMatch, RealOne, and Windows Media Player all offer skins. They are available for most browsers like Netscape, Opera, and Internet Explorer.

Every program has a different way to acquire and apply skins. Usually you need to look under Options or Preferences, then choose "Change skin" or "Choose theme"—something like that. For example, in Netscape (6 and higher) you go to the View menu, "Apply Theme" and "Get New Themes".

This will take you to the Netscape "Theme Park" where you can choose a new skin for your browser. Once downloaded you can change the theme whenever you want to.

One word of warning though: some sites that offer skins try to install Hotbar or other spyware/adware on your system. Hotbar is one company that offers oodles of neat browser skins for Internet Explorer, however, their privacy statement clearly explains that they collect and store information about the web pages you view and the data you enter into search engines. They are also nice enough to send you "targeted" pop-up ads. Another one to be aware of is a browser called NeoPlanet that offers hundreds of skins, but upon reading their privacy statement you will find that they collect information (like email address and browsing habits) that they pass on to their "partners" so they can send you email advertisements (read: spam!).

Just remember that "free" isn't always FREE—the money to design these skins has to come from somewhere. As always, carefully read the privacy statement before you download anything. If you don't mind giving up a little privacy, there's all kinds of neat stuff out there. Being cool does have a price sometimes.

But, if done wisely, you can make that boring browser or media player your own with a cool new skin!

~ David

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

Tip of the Day

Spruce Up Your Email (Netscape Mail)

Yesterday Tom showed you how to add graphics, colors, cool fonts, and other formatting to Outlook Express email. Today I will show you how to do it if you are using Netscape.

To get started, just click on "Compose Message" then click inside the text box.

Setting Up Your Page

The first step is really easy: from the “format” menu, select “Page colors and Background” then select the "Use custom colors" radio button. Now you can choose different colors for your text and background.

Down a little lower you will notice the "Background Image" selector. Click "Choose File", then browse to find your background picture. Try looking in your "My Documents/My Pictures" folder. Keep in mind that the image you use will be "wallpapered" (repeated) across the body of the email, so a small image will appear as many times as it takes to fill the screen.

When you are satisfied with the preview, click OK.

Creating Your Email

You’ll see that the background graphic you selected is in the space where you write your email. Go ahead and type your message as you would normally—notice the text color you selected is being used. Once you’ve got some headlines and other text in, we get to do the other cool part of this process.

Select your greeting, or some other part of the email that you’d like to highlight. Notice the "Body Text" tab just above the message window—click this for a drop down menu. Just highlight a section of text and choose a size from the menu.

Another tab is labeled "Variable Width" which is where you go to select a font for highlighted text. Next to that is a little square with your font color—click there to change the color of a highlighted area. Notice the other formatting tabs just above the message box: font size, bold, italic, indent, etc.

Use HTML tags!

If you understand how to work with HTML source code, you can edit or insert HTML tags, style attributes, and JavaScript in your mail message. Place the insertion point where you want to insert the HTML code, then open the Insert menu and choose HTML. In the Insert HTML dialog box, enter HTML tags and text, then click Insert to put your changes in.

I did not find a way to save the format like you can in Outlook Express, so every time you want to make a fancy email, you need to start from scratch. But then, that makes each one special ;-)

~ David

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

Zoo Web

This is your world wide link to zoos and aquariums. What’s so special about it? Well, I think the Atlanta Panda Cam is a big bonus right now. (Of Course, I’ve spent an hour watching the panda bear now!) But the Satellite Tracking Wildlife is also really neat. Or would you like to be a zoo keeper or animal handler, at Zoo Web you can find out how.

Check out their list of live web cams from different zoos around the country and the world. A hometown mention for those of you who live in Ohio, (since we’re based in Toledo) go to the Toledo Zoo Hippo cam and see our new neighbor, a baby hippo. And for those of you in Columbus take a look at your Manatee cam.

There are also games, links to zoos and aquariums around the world, an online poll, zoo groups, and the Zooper Site of the Month. Enjoy!

http://www.zooweb.com/

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