Announcements

I gotta tell ya, I'm really, really excited about this. We have a brand new title in - It's the World Almanac and Book of Facts 2003 and it's just great. This is the first time the World Almanac has been available in CD form and it's an absolute must have! This is about the coolest reference title I've ever used - and definitely the most fun!

It's full of facts and figures for just about anything you'd ever want to find out. I don't know how many hours I've spent searching for some obscure fact on the internet that I would have uncovered with this in a matter of minutes. Ever wonder about any of these questions??

What cities in the US are growing the fastest?
How much does it cost to raise a child born in 2001?
What big entertainment company owns ABC?
What country is taxed at the highest rate?
What do you do in a radiation emergency?
What percentage of people use computers?
How do you convert inches to centimeters? Fahrenheit to Celsius?
What are your odds of playing poker and getting a Royal Flush?
How loud is 70 decibels?
How does the internet work?
What does the average home in your area cost?

See the World Almanac for the answers ;-)

I could come up with hundreds of questions just like these, but you get the idea. Basically, just about any fact, figure, statistic, or piece of information you would ever want to know probably resides on this CD.

Naturally, it has a search feature to make finding what you're looking for easy (plus an index). However, I like just browsing the various categories. In fact, I lost track of time and ended up spending over an hour just browsing along from category to category. So many questions answered - it's easy to see why eighty million copies of the book version have been sold since it came into publication over 100 years ago.

Your cost? Just $12.97 and US shipping is FREE! It's an incredible buy and something that every computer user should own. We all use our computers to dig up information, why not have the best almanac on the planet at our fingertips? Check it out:

http://www.worldstart.com/store/world-almanac-fact.htm

PS - Please, don't miss this one. It's a fantastic buy and frankly, I never thought a reference title could be this much fun. I can't recommend it highly enough! Oh, be sure to do some more shopping once you add this to your cart - remember buy 3 items and get 15% off till 08-18-2003!

Computers 101

Q:
Is there a way for a left-hander like me to make my mouse easier to use?

A:
To help out you lefties, since Windows 98 a feature was included for changing the buttons on your mouse, allowing you to replicate the feel of the right-handed mouse (like having the primary mouse click be your pointer finger).

To switch buttons on your mouse to a left-handed configuration in Windows 98 & ME, go to Start, Settings, Control Panel and double-click the Mouse icon. On the Buttons tab, choose the Left-handed setting under Button Configuration.

Windows XP users go to Start, Control Panel, "Printers and Other Hardware" (if in category view), then Mouse. Go to "Button Actions" and change the Left button action to "Right Click" and the Right button action to "Left Click". (Don't be surprised if your user interface looks different. Just look around, the feature should be there somewhere).

Something else to think about—if you're in a position where you're using the computer all the time, it might make some sense to distribute the wear-and-tear on the mouse to both arms (and decrease the wear and tear on your left arm). Using your left hand to work with the mouse can be tough at first, but with a little practice it becomes just as natural as using your right hand. Follow the directions above, then start practicing.

~ Steve

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

Tip of the Day

Liven Up Your Mouse

I've read about the FDA testing the effect of caffeine on laboratory mice, but that won't help us here. Adjusting the speed of your mouse pointer and buttons can help liven up your mouse.

Open Mouse in the Control Panel (click Start, Control Panel, Printers and Other Hardware, and then Mouse)

Under Buttons, you can adjust the double-click speed to your preference. Just slide the Speed setting left or right to adjust. (NOTE: I use an optical mouse with Windows XP, so your interface and options may vary. You may need to search around for this feature).

On the Pointer Options tab, under Motion, drag the slider make the mouse faster or slower.

While you're in Mouse Properties, look around at the other cool stuff that might be available to personalize your mousing experience.

~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

Vintage Labels—The Lost Art of Travel

I suggest browsing this one in full screen (just hit F11), it’s graphically better this way to me. But you can also view at your regular browser size and enjoy it. From "The Brief History of Travel" to the "About the Site" section, I was instantly charmed by this site.

Well written and well put together, it is a visual triumph as well as interesting. The "Image Gallery of Vintage Labels" was a history lesson of pictures. It's like stepping into the past when traveling was exquisite and very much for the starlet of Hollywood or the money of Boston, but now the regular Joe or Jane (in my case) can travel through these labels and get a sense of the grandeur that once was.

http://www.vintagelabels.org/welcome.html

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