Announcements

Run Windows 95/98 & ME Better!

As expected, we had a tremendous response to our Professor Teaches Windows 95/98 and ME special yesterday! A big "Thank You" to the hundreds who placed orders. Wow, I think our shipping department is getting some overtime this week!

If you're running Windows 95, 98, or ME, and somehow missed out on this offer, here's a second chance.

Again, each CD is jam-packed with explanations, tips, tricks, advice, and plenty of hands-on, how-to material. Even if you've never used Win 95/98/ME (or never used it that well :-), this will have you running it like a pro in no time. I am always pleasantly surprised with the number of tricks and ideas I pick up from this series!

The lessons are fantastic. They use audio, images, and interactive simulations to teach you what you need to know.

These simulations are an incredible idea. Rather than just watching a video, you are actually using your mouse and keyboard to "try" the technique. You practice it first, so if you do something wrong you're not messing up your computer. It's like going to computer class and having Bill Gates right next to you! It's fantastic!

Each CD covers hundreds of different topics. Anything you'd want to do with Windows 95/98/ME is probably covered! Just pick a topic and go!

The price on this is only $12.97 (retail $29.95) and US shipping is FREE! For that kind of money, you just can't go wrong. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to learn Windows 95/98/ME.

For Windows 95/98, follow this link:

http://www.worldstart.com/store/professor-windows-98-95.htm

For Windows ME, follow this one:

http://www.worldstart.com/store/professor-windows-me.htm

PS - Again, we've had tons of positive feedback on the other Professor Teaches titles we've offered. People really seem to like them. Also, Microsoft's support for Win 95 is gone, and Win 98 support is getting more limited all the time. These could prove very useful down the road to users who find themselves with questions but no support.

Computers 101

Q.:
Why do we need surge protectors for our computers and what should we look for when making a purchase?

A:
Ask a loaded question, get a loaded answer :-)

We need surge protectors to keep all the little circuits inside our computers safe from excess voltage peaks. When these power peaks (surges / spikes) occur, it causes the electrical circuit to heat up—kind of like the filament in a light bulb. Although a big surge can cause the circuit to blow on the spot, lesser surges can peck away at it, eventually causing it to fail.

Sometimes these failures are intermittent, causing your computer to do strange and unexpected things. You know, odd lockups, sudden reboots after it warms up, conjuring up lost spirits—that sort of thing.

Most of the time these oddities are not predictable (since they're intermittent and all), and show no type of pattern. That said, if your computer is acting weird, it's not automatically a damaged circuit—don't underestimate Microsoft's ability to make strange things happen in Windows.

Now, a lot of people think that most of the problems come from thunderstorms—you know, when lightening zaps a power line. Although a good hit can certainly ruin your computer's day, there are other more common sources of surges you need to be aware of.

Most of these sources are high powered appliances—refrigerators, air conditioners, furnaces, even hair dryers. In addition to appliances, those big power transformers you see hanging off electrical poles can cause problems—especially on hot days when the local air conditioning is giving them a workout.

Any one of the above can cause a disruption in the power flow of your house, creating a surge. It may not be as dramatic as lightening, but can cause damage over time.

What To Look For:

When you buy a surge protector, try to find something better than the $5 or $10 power strip things. Although they are slightly better than nothing, they are notoriously unreliable and most won't tell you when they are no longer protecting your equipment. One good surge and your protection is gone—but they continue to function as a power strip. Very tricky...

Also, when looking for a surge protector, look for one that features a phone line "pass through". Telephone wires can deliver a potent surge into your computer. I've repaired (and seen) more than a few computers that were damaged due to telephone line power surges.

In fact, phone line surges are more likely to cause damage than power line surges. Why? Your computer's power supply acts as a built in surge protector (not a great one, mind you). Even if a surge sneaks through your regular surge protector, the power supply may prevent it from doing any damage.

That said, just because your power supply does some remedial surge protection, it's no substitute for the real thing. Computers get damaged on a daily basis due to lack of surge protection. But I digress...

Back to surge protectors.

A good quality surge suppressor will cost anywhere from $20.00 to $100.00 and be "UL" listed. It should also feature an indicator light that tells you when the surge protection circuit is no longer functioning.

Now, when you start talking surge protection, you sometimes run across folks babbling about clamping voltages, response nanoseconds, and joule levels. Although that is a valid way to compare various surge protectors (and make the speaker look knowledgeable), not every protector gives you that info—and who's to say it's even accurate? Let's look at the "down and dirty" method of finding a good surge protector.

The easiest way to tell if you're getting a quality surge protector is to look at the "connected equipment" warranty. I like the ones that cover connected equipment for up to $15,000 or more. I figure it they are willing to risk 15K +, they're probably selling a good piece of equipment. If it doesn't have a connected equipment warranty, set it back on the shelf and keep a-walkin'

Sure, it's not as geeky as going into a computer store reciting clamping voltage figures, but for most people it will be every bit as effective.

~ Steve

Special Note - Every time we talk about surge protection, we have people ask us if we sell surge protectors. Well, this time we have some! We found two that we really like and highly recommend. Here's our new "surge protector" page:

http://www.worldstart.com/store/power-surge.htm

Both are really good deals and have great connected equipment warranties (one has an MSRP of $169.95 but your price is $24.97). Check 'em out.

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

Tip of the Day

Thunderstorm Protection

What's the best way to keep your computer safe during a thunderstorm? In my opinion, just crawl under your desk and unplug it.

Although a good surge protector may keep your computer safe during a thunderstorm, I still unplug mine. After all, if the thing isn't plugged into the wall, it's kind of hard for a spike or surge to get through. Also, try to keep all of your computer's external components (monitors, scanners, printers, etc) plugged into the same surge protector as the computer. That way, when you pull the plug, all your equipment is protected and you don't risk a spike / surge coming through an external component and damaging your computer.

In addition to unplugging your computer, modem users should also unplug their phone line. As we mentioned before, phone lines are probably the # 1 way to for surges to get to, and sizzle, your computer. Note that if you're using a surge protector with a phone line pass through and you unplug it, you need to unplug the phone line as well (most surge protectors don't protect if they are unplugged).

Another cable to unplug would be any high speed internet connection cable. After all, if you're using a cable modem (or DSL) and a surge comes through that line, it may get to your computer. As with the phone line pass through, if your surge protector features an ethernet pass through, you'll want to pull the cable going to your computer (seeing as your surge protector probably doesn't protect when it's unplugged).

Now, do you have to do all this each time you hear thunder in the distance? Personally, I usually do—especially if the storm is of the mean and nasty variety. I have a good surge protector and all, but the information on my computer is very valuable to me and I don't like taking chances. A close lightning strike will blow through just about any surge protector on the planet.

Besides, it gets me away from my computer for a half an hour or so. My, how the kids have grown...

Note that simply turning off the power switch to your surge protector is not a good idea. When you turn these type suppressors off, you are also eliminating the power supply to the surge protection circuit, thereby rendering it useless. So, if a surge comes across the power line with the switch in the off position, you have NO protection; however, if the surge protector is left on at ALL times, the circuit is energized, and you will have whatever surge protection your particular circuit is rated for.

Also, keep in mind that cheaper surge protectors can wear out over time. The power strip type surge protectors can protect you against one good surge (although a direct lighting hit happily rips right through them) or lots of smaller ones, but they can wear out. Problem is, most of them have no way of telling you when they've become useless. When you're looking for a surge protector, be sure it features some kind of indicator light that tells you when the surge protection circuit has croaked.

Finally, this may all be a bit paranoid on my part. So, the decision is yours. Just tellin' you what I do.

~ Steve

Special Note - Every time we talk about surge protection, we have people ask us if we sell surge protectors. Well, this time we have some! We found two that we really like and highly recommend. Here's our new "surge protector" page:

http://www.worldstart.com/store/power-surge.htm

Both are really good deals and have great connected equipment warranties (one has an MSRP of $169.95 but your price is $24.97). Check 'em out.

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

Book-A-Minute Classics

This is their welcoming slogan: "In just one minute, you can read entire books and learn everything your teachers will expect you to know." Sounds hard to believe, well they thought that everyone would think that too.

So I gave them a try and discovered that they were witty if not truthful. The summaries do apply to the book, I just don’t think it fills all the information that a teacher would want you to know for report. But this is pretty funny so check it out.

Here's an example:

The Collected works of Jane Austen—Ultra-Condensed by Christina Carlson and Peter da Silva

Female Lead: I secretly love Male Lead. He must never know.

Male Lead: I secretly love Female Lead. She must never know.

(They find out.) The End

http://www.rinkworks.com/bookaminute/classics.shtml

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