Original Sender : "DasaMan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------- > The LangaList > 4-Nov-99 > > A Free Email Newsletter from Fred Langa About BrowserTune, > HotSpots, Columns, Tips & Tricks, and Other Activities > > In This Issue: > D-Day For Microsoft ( "D" As In "DOJ," That Is!) > More Ways to Get A Printout of Your PC Setup > AOL Redux > But Not All Agreed... > Want To Find Other ISPs In Your Area? > Recommended Reading: "Windows 98 In A Nutshell" > Speaking of Books... > Just For Grins > More! > > >D-Day For Microsoft ( "D" As In "DOJ," That Is!) > >The decisions in the Microsoft/DOJ antitrust case--- a case that >could profoundly affect the shape of the software market for years to >come--- are about to be announced. Rulings from a Federal Court can >come down at almost any time, but high-profile rulings get special >treatment. For example, if a ruling might affect the U.S. stock >markets, the ruling might not be announced until after the markets' >final bell for the day. > >If the ruling is especially momentous---pro or con--- then to avoid >panicky or euphoric market reactions, the announcement might be >delayed until after market close on a Friday, to give everyone two >full days on the weekend to sort out the details and figure out a >rational course of action. > >Two weeks ago, the Judge hearing the Microsoft/DOJ case announced he >would release his initial findings on a Friday, after 6:30 PM. Many >people are betting that this Friday, November 5th, will be the day >the sure-to-be-historic announcements come down. > >I've been asked to be a commentator on a live, streaming-audio >Internet news broadcast of the event. I'll be one of several >panelists who will listen to the full findings-of-fact announcement >and the full Microsoft response; and then try to dig out the >important nuggets of information for you from what is sure to be a >barrage of verbiage. > >Because the whole chain of events depends on the Court's timing >(which is not known in advance) I can't give you the exact link to >the coverage, but the story and the live coverage will be highlighted >on http://www.techweb.com/ sometime around 6PM on this Friday---or >whichever Friday the announcement comes down. > >There are many main and sub-issues at stake, but three of the key >areas the Judge will probably rule on are: > >1) Is Microsoft legally a monopoly? >2) Has Microsoft illegally abused its monopoly position? >3) Specifically, has Microsoft illegally restrained Netscape by >needlessly tying the Microsoft OS and Browser together? > >I personally think that the answers should be yes, yes, and no. But I >suspect the Judge will find: yes, yes, and yes--- a sweep against >Microsoft. > >What's your take? InformationWeek Online has set up a straw poll >where you can cast your vote and to see how your fellow readers are >voting in answer to these these questions: > > Do you personally believe that Microsoft has: > 1) an OS monopoly? > 2) abused their monopoly position? > 3) needlessly tied their OS and Browser together for the > primary purpose of stifling Netscape? > > Regardless of your personal beliefs, do you feel that the > Court will find Microsoft to have: > 1) an OS monopoly? > 2) abused their monopoly position? > 3) needlessly tied their OS and Browser together for the > primary purpose of stifling Netscape? > >Please click to http://www.informationweek.com/langaletter for the >full column and for links to cast your vote, and then join a >discussion that will initially cover the straw poll, and then switch >to a discussion of the actual court findings, once they're >announced. Come vote! > > >More Ways to Get A Printout of Your PC Setup > >Last issue ( see http://www.langa.com/newsletters/nov-1-99.htm#quick ) >I told you an easy way to get a complete printout (for reference >and safekeeping) of your PCs entire setup. > >As usual---you folks are great!--- readers had some very helpful >suggestions: > >Don MacDonald wrote: > As usual, an insightful and helpful letter today. Just a > note. It's an unsupported "feature" but there is an > executable that can be run from the "run" box in Win98. > Haven't checked out other versions. Running "hwinfo /ui" > gives what seems to be a complete listing of hardware, > resources, apps currently running, etc. It gives output in > coded color, can be saved to a text file or printed. That > may not be all its capabilities but all I have used it for. > The printout is not nearly as long as a print obtained from > Devices in the System App of Control Panel. > >Frequent writer Dennis "Guru-X" Deveaux added: > You gave a tip on how to print out your system > configuration via Win9x. To do the same under NT 4.0, click > Start > Programs > Administrative Tools >Windows NT > Diagnostics. From there, click File > Print Report and > select the options you want. > >Canadian reader David Moar writes: > First I'd like to thank you for a very thoughtful and > insightful, informative newsletter....[For system > information] I go to Run, type in; MSINFO32.EXE which > brings up the System Information. It's at C:\ Program > Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared. > >And several writers pointed out that if you install a fake "generic >text" printer on your system (that is, use the "Add printer" option >to install a new "generic text" printer even if you don't really have >one) and then select "print to file," you'll get a plain-text file >with all the info you want in it. The only downside to this approach >is that your PC needs to be running in order to access the file; a >paper version is clunkier and less convenient, but may be a better >choice because you'll most likely need this kind of info when your >system is down or malfunctioning. > >Thanks to all who wrote in! > > >AOL Redux > >My (ahem) rant about AOL5 in the last issue (see >http://www.langa.com/newsletters/nov-1-99.htm#aol ) brought a flood >of email. > >The overwhelming majority--- by about a 20-to-1 ratio, including many >who wrote from AOL addresses!---agreed with me. Here's a small >sample, which may be worth remembering if/when you're thinking of >trying AOL5 yourself: > > Thank heavens someone is warning people about AOL 5.0. I've > spent the last week trying to reconstruct my hard drive > after trying to install AOL's "update." Their tech support > people were extremely courteous but also totally useless. > They don't seem to possess the most basic troubleshooting > skills. My system ran fine for months under AOL 4.0, but > immediately after installing AOL 5.0 the system would no > longer connect to AOL through my ISP. Tech support's > conclusion? It's the ISP's fault! Anyway, in an internet > full of people getting their 15 minutes of fame, your > newsletter really stands out in it's usefulness. Thanks. ---Paul. > > As a systems coordinator I have been aware of problems > caused by my users installing AOL on their computers at > work. I must have sent out half a dozen memos begging them > not to download it, or Instant Messenger or even Winamp--- > which contains Instant Messenger, but as with any forbidden > fruit, it is irresistible to them...and as you can attest, > it tends to knock them AND their Outlook email right off > the network. I spend hours every month uninstalling AOL, > restoring network connectivity, and getting Outlook to > resume delivery. I sent a copy of your newsletter to all my > users. Maybe they'll believe you!--- L. Richart > > Your comments reflect my feelings almost EXACTLY! ... I > provide support for an application that uses VBScript, and > AOL overwrites the VBSCRIPT.DLL file without asking nor > checking. Since it ALWAYS puts an old version there in > place of the existing one, my apps STOP WORKING! We have > advised all our users NOT to install AOL under ANY > CONDITIONS. I HATE IT.---Mike Gauthier > > I feel a little bit better knowing that you also had > trouble with AOL 5.0. I was using AOL 4.0 and it was > working just fine....[but] AOL 5.0 is evil!!! It wanted to > take control of my computer. The Internet connection slowed > down and it wouldn't let me tweak the MTU settings. I > uninstalled it and everything seems to be back to normal. > Luckily I didn't have to reformat my hard drive like you > did. I really enjoy your newsletter and find it useful.--- > Steven Goodman > > I had had a computer that was working so very well > that...the only time I had a problem was my fault, not the > computers. Well, in the last two weeks Windows has crashed > so many times that I lost count (I know one day it happened > 3 times in 15 minutes). I was thinking "What did I do for > this to happen?".... I didn't want to believe the answer > but after reading your column on 11-1 it was confirmed. I > HAD DOWNLOADED AND INSTALLED AOL 5.0!!--- Mico1313 > > Amen, amen, amen! It's about time somebody pointed out how > ~bad~ AOL is. It's gotten to the point that when I get a > phone call from a customer who can no longer connect to > their local network, the first question I have is, "Did you > install AOL?" Their installation steps on any network > settings and creates a huge mess. After I straighten out > the TCP/IP settings, I also have to make sure that AOL > hasn't bound File and Printer Sharing to the AOL Adapter, > and the new AOL Dialup Adapter (nothing redundant there, > eh?), to prevent access to local disk shares while on the > internet.---Paul J McMahon Jr. > > As always, I enjoyed your latest list.... Years ago, I > joined AOL. When I tried to put my name in, I kept getting > an error message. I finally called tech support and found > out that my name---Cliff Babcock--- contained an obscene > word. (LOL) --- Cliff > > >But Not All Agreed... > >A small but vocal minority of readers disagreed: > AOL has its share of faults, but I've been here for over > two years and like it. It gives me 6 local access numbers, > all V.90, and a lot of features that are fun. Most of us > aren't on a network so that isn't an issue. Right, AOL 5.0 > is no good for those on a network and that's nuts. I ignore > AOL's crummy browser most of the time and use my separate > IE 5.0..---Lynn > >And I agree that AOL can be fine for a very large class of user. As I >stated in the original text: "If you're a novice with a standalone >system that has no Internet software installed, isn't on a network, >will never share an Internet connection, and (ideally) is running an >older version of Windows, AOL can be a great way to get your feet >wet. But almost everyone else will have better service, more control, >and just plain better results with a real ISP, a real email client, >and a real (unmodified) browser." > > >Want To Find Other ISPs In Your Area? > >Andrew McCann asked a question that this whole AOL mess brought up: > I've tried AOL 5.0 since it was in beta, and some aspects > have been good (like the extra, longer screen names and the > sigs). But then there are those little details you > mentioned. I had noticed that my NetZero account barely > works now... and now I know why. Is there a place you would > recommend where one could research and compare ISPs? > >Two of the best are > >www.isps.com > >http://www.thedirectory.org/ > >and you can find many more (for ISPs anywhere in the world) via this >metasearch: > >http://www.askjeeves.com/main/askJeeves.asp?ask=listings+of+isps > > >Recommended Reading: "Windows 98 In A Nutshell" > >I recently got a copy of "Windows 98 In A Nutshell," a book by Tim >O'Reilly, Troy Mott and Walter Glenn. It covers Win98 and Win98SE and >is impressively complete. Here's what an Amazon review says about the >book: > > "Windows 98 in a Nutshell, the latest addition to the > family of O'Reilly's Nutshell books..., covers the current > version of the Microsoft Windows operating system, Windows > 98. Up to date enough to cover the latest SE edition, it's > a compilation of tips, information, and guides to using and > working with Windows....[I]t really excels in its coverage > of one of Microsoft's hidden secrets--the Windows Scripting > Host. Using this and the reference to the available > functions in the book, you can create simple scripts to > control and add extra functions to your Windows systems." > >The book normally sells for $24.95, but you can get a 20% discount >(or simply get more info about the book) here: >http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/156592486X/langacom > >By the way, for a list of *all* the books recommended in past >LangaLists (and most are available at substantial discounts off the >cover price) see http://www.langa.com/books.htm . > > >Speaking of Books... > >I've started a new giveaway. Last month's free copy of "Poor >Richard's E-Mail Publishing: Creating Newsletters, Bulletins, >Discussion Groups and Other Powerful Communications Tools" is now on >its way to reader Dave De Vita, winner in October's drawing. This >$29.95 book has been described as "An excellent, straightforward >manual on email publishing, banner ads, driving traffic and >especially ethics." (Full details also available via the link that >follows.) > >All Dave had to do was recommend the LangaList to a friend using the >form at http://www.langa.com/recommend.htm > >So I've now started collecting names for this month's giveaway: At >month's end, I'll draw one name, at random, from among those who have >used the recommendation form, and award a prize. (Note that this >isn't some big-company sweepstakes: It's just my informal way of >saying thanks for your help in spreading the word about this >newsletter.) > >If you think the LangaList is a worthwhile read, just use the link >above to recommend the LangaList to a friend. Your friend just may >find a new source of useful information; I just may gain a new >subscriber; and you just may win a book! > >Or, if you'd rather try to win a Palm III organizer, use this link >instead: http://www.recommend-it.com/l.z.e?s=143182 (Full details on >both giveaways are available via the links.) > >Either way, thank you, and good luck! > >Just For Grins > >It's not just AOL that has problems.... > >I removed the sender's name and email address, but this is---verbatim >and in its entirety--- another email I got on the subject of AOL. 8-) > > II aaggrreeee ttoottaallllyy aabboouutt AAOOLL,, bbuutt > aannootthheerr IISSPP,, PPrrooddiiggyy..NNeett > VVeerrssiioonn 55..OO iiss nneeaarrllyy aass > bbaadd..&&nnbbsspp;; II hhaavvee bbeeeenn uussiinngg > pprrooddiiggyy ffoorr yyeeaarrss aanndd ffoorr tthhee > mmoosstt ppaarrtt hhaavvee bbeeeenn > ssaattiissffiieedd..&&nnbbsspp;; BBeeffoorree VVeerr.. > 55..00 II ccoouulldd ttuurrnn oonn mmyy mmaacchhiinnee > aanndd iitt wwoouulldd lloogg oonn aanndd ddoowwnnllooaadd > bbyy ee--mmaaiill ttoo OOuuttllooookk > EExxpprreessss..&&nnbbsspp;; NNoo mmoorree..&&nnbbsspp;; > WWiitthh tthheeiirr nneeww iinntteerrffaaccee,, II ccaann > hhaavvee pprrooddiigg > > >See you next issue! > >Best, > >Fred > >([EMAIL PROTECTED]) > >Disclaimer: The tips and other information given in the newsletter are researched and are believed to be accurate, but we cannot and do not guarantee that all the information here will work on all systems, for all users, all the time. All information herein is offered as-is and without warranty of any kind. Neither Langa Consulting, nor its employees nor contributors are responsible for any loss, injury, or damage, direct or consequential, resulting from application of any information presented here. > >This newsletter is a free service of Langa Consulting and is Copyright � 1999 Langa Consulting. All rights reserved. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Compu-Mania MailingList is provided by PT Centrin Utama Maintained by : [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Post a msg : Send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe : Mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] BODY : unsubscribe Compu-Mania For more information, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with "HELP" in the BODY of your mail (without quote). ----------------------------------------------------------------
