  | ||||||||
 | Fuzz Testing Here's a new term for you! It's possible that some of you have heard of this before, but I'm guessing most of you don't really know exactly what it means in reference to the computer world. So, I thought I would help you all out with that today and fill you in on what fuzz testing really is. Are you ready? Then let's stop wasting time and get started! Basically, "fuzz testing" (also known as fuzzing) is a technique that uses specialized software to put random data into programs to test their compatibility and functionality. If the program fails the test (it crashes, for example), the problems can then be taken down and fixed before the application is actually sold to the public. Fuzz testing also does a lot with checking for vulnerabilities in programs, which is a great feature. That way, we, as consumers, know we're not buying a program that's filled with potential problems or something that may bring harm to our computers. Fuzz testing is a great method, because its design is very simple to use and it comes with no misconceptions. It's been around since 1989 and it has been used on numerous occasions. I'm sure you all have purchased a "fuzz tested" program before as well! Several large software companies use fuzz testing, because it's inexpensive and again, very easy to use. So, if you've never heard of this term before, you now know all about it. Isn't that just the coolest?! ~ Erin Did you enjoy this tip? Give us your opinion by rating it here: Make sure you keep reading to learn how you can easily disable unwanted services in Windows Vista, find out how you can print pretty in MS Word 2007 and learn how you can go about troubleshooting and fixing certain errors on your computer. Also, find out what you need to do to be prepared for cold weather photography with today's digital photography tip and of course, don't miss out on Amanda's Cool Site of the Day. Enjoy! It's you're lucky Tuesday! We have a LOT of great items on sale today in the newsletter! This is only a 1 day sale, so make sure you check out the deals below - prices are goin' up tomorrow! Take My iPod / MP3 Player To The Beach? Are You CRAZY???? Check This Out! WOW!! Lowest Price Ever Too! Ohhhh, do I have the PERFECT accessory for all you iPod and MP3 users out there! It's the AquaPod Splash-Proof Case and I'm really excited about it! It's gonna keep our iPods or MP3 players MUCH safer! And get this - It even has a built-in speaker! This arrived with several other sample products, but I just had to get into this one first! It's just what iPod / MP3 owners need for traveling - especially outside! My poor player is constantly getting knocked around, wet (soda pop, water, gatoraid, etc. etc.), and generally just abused. I am THRILLED to find this case, that's for sure! This splashproof case will keep your iPod or MP3 players safe from splashes, sand, dirt, soda, and generally getting knocked around! It's not submersible, but it will sure protect it from splashes or rain! It's "O" ringed sealed, made from really tough ABS plastic, and built like a tank! Perfect for any outdoor activity - the beach, camping, boating, picnics, poolside - whatever! The really cool part? Not only does it offer fantastic protection, but it also has a built-in speaker! So, just pop your iPod or MP3 player into the case, connect the little cable, and share your music with everyone around ya! It's really a fantastic idea! Oh, and it has a jack on the outside if you still want to use earbuds with the player inside! AWESOME! PLUS - this is large enough to also toss in your keys, extra cash, earbuds, credit cards etc! I know one thing for sure - this is going to be the way I transport my iPod from now on! I can even take my iPod on a Jetski now! Your cost for all the iPod / MP3 protection? Get this - we have these for our lowest price EVER! Just $10.97 and US shipping is FREE! Wait till you see it - you'll agree it's worth every penny - especially the first time it's saves your expensive iPod or MP3 player from a watery (or soda induced) grave! Try it! http://store.worldstart.com/ PS - This was a limited quantity deal, so get to the site FAST or you're gonna miss out! Price is back to $14.97 tomorrow!
You're Not Gonna Believe This One! One Of Our BEST Deals Ever! WOW - 4 GIG Flash Drives - Just $14.97!!! Don't Pay $40-$50 Somewhere Else! HURRY! Only A 98 Available At This Price! It isn't everyday that you come across this kind of deal! When we saw this deal, we couldn't wait to share it with you, Nope- that's not a typo- we're talking 4 whoppin' high- If you were to walk into your local retail store and browse down the flash drive aisle, you'd be shocked at the prices compared to what we do! I saw some 4 Gig drives for $40 at my local big chain store the other day! $40!!! That's crazy! For $14.97, you can't go wrong!!! Flash Drives are amazingly cool too. They allow you to store an immense amount of information in a device that's smaller than your index finger! Better yet, you can take this information with you where ever you decide to go- all you need is a computer with a USB port, and you will have access to you data! Oh, and wouldn't it be nice if you could store everything on one flash drive and go? Well, with this 4GB flash drive, you'll be able to store information by the truckload! Do you know how MASSIVE 4GB is? Think 6 CD Roms HUGE!!! My first 5 computers didn't have 4 Gig worth of hard drive space! Oh, and to give you an example, I decided to back up my media on this too - we're talking 400 songs, 2 audio books, about 100 pictures, and hundreds of documents on it with over a Gig of space to spare! So, you are probably thinking, "Why do I need a flash drive that stores that much stuff?" Well, this 4GB flash drive is perfect for backing up your important pictures, music, videos, documents, and so much more. Better yet, you won't have to worry about carrying around multiple flash drives, plugging each of them in to see what is saved on it, only to have to go searching for a different one. No matter if you are a student, a business professional, or just someone who wants to store and back up all your important information (which should be all of us), this flash drive is perfect for you. But do you want to know what is also perfect? The Price!!! Today only, get this amazing 4GB flash drive for just $14.97 and US Shipping is Free. Order now while our supplies last or the price increases- which ever comes first!!! http://store.worldstart.com/ PS - We're not sure how long our inventory is going to last on these as it is a limited quantity deal at a give-away kind of price! So, get to the site as soon as you can ~ as usual, first come, first served! Price is heading to $19.97 soon!! WOW!! Can't Go Wrong For $6.97! Lowest Price EVER! STOP RIGHT THERE! The Shocking Truth About Your Hard Drive! Don't Throw Out That Old Hard Drive!! Don't Give Away Your Old Computer! You Gotta Read This - It'll Scare The Heck Outta Ya! News Flash! Recent studies show that 74% of hard drives sold, given away, or thrown out (in the computer or out) contain data that can be easily read and recovered - and 36% of those hard drives had even been reformatted. You absolutely, positively, have to permanently get that data off of there!! Do you have an old computer you're thinking about giving away? Maybe an old hard drive that needs to be thrown out? Well, if you do, you MUST GET THAT DATA OFF THERE!! Well, we have some really easy to use software that will keep you safe called DriveScrubber. Just pop the CD into your computer (or make a floppy if you still have a drive for one of those) and reboot. Even if you can't boot to Windows, you can still erase that drive with this software! Think about it - you wouldn't toss paperwork with credit card, bank, or social security numbers in the trash without shredding the heck out of 'em would you? Of course not! However, day in and day out, people toss out old computers and think that just deleting or formatting a drive is going to get rid of all the personal info they had on it - not a chance! WARNING - When you delete a file, it's not really gone. You might want to read that last sentence again because it's really important. The area where the file lives on your hard drive simply gets tagged as free space, but until it's overwritten, that data is VERY recoverable. I formatted a test drive and ran recovery software on it awhile ago just to see what would happen. Nearly EVERYTHING was easily recoverable! No problem at all! If you've ever used your computer to check on your banking, buy a product online, or anything that involves your personal info, then that info might be easily available when you get rid of your old hardware! Yikes! Don't think it can happen to you? Well, two MIT students did a study. They went and purchased 158 used hard drives for less than $1000 from a web swap-meet type site. When they went through the drives, they found over 5,000 credit card numbers, medical reports, lots of personal and corporate financial information, and gigs of personal e-mail. And get this - 60% of the drives had been formatted!!! There are people who look for old computers at the curb or in the dumpster just to pull info off the hard drive or sell the drives to others! Plus, if you just "donate" an old computer you have no idea what really is going to happen to it! If this doesn't scare the heck out of you, then you shouldn't be using a computer! Once you insert the Drive Scrubber disk, your computer will boot to the CD or the floppy, and has an easy to use interface that makes wiping a drive a snap. Just select the drive and select the "erase" button. ALL the info on the drive will be gone - permanently and forever! You can still reformat the drive and install Windows again once this is done - but any info you had on the drive will be completely gone. No worries about anyone ever using your hard drive or old computer to steal you personal info! It's great! I personally have a couple of old hard drives sitting around that I just didn't want to throw out. Now I'll be able to completely erase them and toss them into the trash knowing that no one will EVER be able to recover any of my personal data from that drive. Your cost for all this protection? Just $6.97 and US shipping is FREE! Sure, it's not a program that you'll use every day, but everyone with a computer WILL need to use it someday! For this kind of money, it's insane not to be safe. Check it out: http://store.worldstart.com/ PS - This price is ONLY good today - first thing Wednesday the price will increase to $12.97! Get yours today!
Then You Gotta See This Killer Card Reader Deal! Amazing SD Card Reader Is Smaller Than Your Finger! Don't have a card reader yet? Now's the time to get one! This handy little compact USB device lets you easily read and write to SD/MMC digital memory cards! Not only can you quickly and easily access data on your SD/MMC memory cards, but you can turn your SD/MMC card into a mobile flash storage device! How cool is that?!? How do they work? Just pop in your camera's memory card and a folder will open showing you all your photos! From there, simply drag and drop the photos to any folder on your computer! Or, to use as a storage device, do just the opposite ~ drag and drop your files from your computer onto the drive! I LOVE mine! I can't imagine trying to hook up a camera when this is soooo much easier and it can be used as a storage device as well! This is truly a no-brainer ;-) PLUS, these are really compact! Just wait till you see yours - you'll be amazed! They fit great into a desk drawer, purse, laptop bag, pocket - anywhere! You'll love how small this is! The really cool thing is that these are USB 2 readers, so they're really fast (yes, they still work if you have USB 1.x). You'll have your pictures downloaded before you know it! This is one accessory I can't do without - in fact, everyone I know who has a card reader says the same thing. It's so much easier than messing around with the camera, looking for connection cables, and fighting with special software. In fact, with Windows XP or Vista, just plug in the unit - it doesn't even need a driver! Truly plug and play! Want one? I don't blame ya! Your price is just $6.97 and US Shipping is FREE! WOW! http://store.worldstart.com/ PS - The price is headin' up tomorrow! Get it now - before these jump to $10.97!!
Q: A: To begin, all computers have what are called services and those are basically special programs that take care of all the different functions your computer has to deal with in order to run properly. Some of those services are put in place to support some of the other programs on your computer, but in reality, a lot of them are unnecessary. Some of them sort of just sit there and take up space, which is quite annoying when you think about it. I'm sure Microsoft had good reasoning for putting those services in place, but when it comes down to it, you don't really need all of them running all the time. I mean, most of them run the entire time you have your computer turned on and that's just not necessary! So, if you think there are some services running on your computer that you don't really need (like the person who asked this question), luckily, there's an easy way to turn them off. Windows Vista has a utility called the Microsoft Management Console (MMC), which is what you can use to turn off all those unwanted services. Keep going to learn all about it and find out how you can start using it today! To open the MMC, click on the Start button and in the search box below it, type in "services.msc." When your results show up, scroll through and click on the one that simply says Services. A new window (it's called the Service Console) will then open for you and you'll be able to see all of the services you have running at the present time. There's a lot of them, huh?! As you can see, the Service Console gives you a lot of information about each service. It also allows you to sort through the services by the titles of Description, Status and Startup Type. If you want to learn more about a specific service, just click on it and a detailed description will pop up on the left hand side that you can read through. (Note: In order to see the description, you need to be in the Extended mode, so keep that in mind!) I highly suggest you read through each of the services before you start closing them down. Like I said before, some of the services support other programs on your computer that you may use on a regular basis, so you'll definitely want to do your homework on each one before you disable them. You may even want to do a little further research on the ones you're not 100 percent positive about, just to be sure you're disabling the right services, etc. Once you've decided which ones you don't need, simply right click on the service name and hit Stop. That's all there is to it. It's a pretty easy process to go through thanks to the MMC, so just take your time and be sure you're turning off what you really want to. If you do that, you'll be good to go from now on! ~ Erin Was this tip helpful? Let us know by rating it here: Have a question for the newsletter? Submit it at the link below: Pretty Printing in Word 2007 Have you found the page color and background options available under the Page Layout tab on MS Word 2007's ribbon? Did you start using it, only to discover the color was gone when you went to print your page? Often times, that's a good thing, because you don't really want the color to print or maybe you used it to make things a little easier on your eyes while you work. But what about the times when you do want the color to print? It's possible you used the color to enhance your document and now that it's missing from the printed version, your document looks "bare" to you. Is there any way to get Word 2007 to print the page in color? Of course there is! All you have to do is make a quick change to your Word Options and you'll be printing "pretty" in Word! To get to Word's Options, you need the Office Button, Word Options button. In the Options dialogue window, you need the Display group, Printing Options section. Check the box that says "Print background colors and images" and then click OK. Now, print your document! Ta-da. Your document is just how you meant it to be from the very beginning! I do need to include a quick note here: when you change the setting in Word, it stays changed for all of your documents, not just the one you first set it up for. So, if you don't want all your documents treated that way, be sure to go back and uncheck the option. Yes! ~ April Love this tip? Hate it? Tell us how you feel by rating it right here: Make Hallmark Cards Right From Your Computer! What A Deal Too!! WOW! We've featured lots of card-making software, but seriously, who makes cards better than Hallmark? And with Hallmark Card Studio you can make amazing Hallmark Cards right from your own home!! I don't know how Hallmark keeps out doing themselves again and again!!! Each previous edition of the software has been good- but not this good!!! So what does this software do? Basically, this it allows you make Hallmark cards right from your computer. Yes, they are authentic cards with even the "Hallmark" trademark on the back. The program comes with predesigned cards with pictures, graphics, and expressions. All you do is customize it (if you like). If you really want to make your card unique, they even have the ones where you insert your own picture (of course, you do this through your computer so it looks fantastic). And it is so easy to use!!! By far, I would say this is one of the easiest programs I have ever used! All you have to do is just point and click to create your cards. I was shocked!!! I mean could anything be any easier to use? Curious about what the finished product will look like once it is printed? Check it out! It was really awesome!
This program includes 10,000 different images, 5400 Hallmark cards, projects, and tons more! This gives you over 1 million ways to create your personalized cards. Personally, I really like that the cards are "pre-written". It makes it so much easier. I never have to rush through the store again looking for the perfect card. It really has saved me time!!! Of course, you can replace what they say with what you want to say (or add to it, modify, etc). Plus, people really dig you more custom message and what to know where you found such a personalized card. Oh, and it's not just limited to the printing out out-dated paper cards (that's so 20th century) - you can also send e-mail greetings complete with animated pictures and sounds! As if all the above weren't enough, this can also do scrapbooks, calendars, and even has a really good built-in photo editor! WOW!! And just wait till you check out the event planner! Never forget to send another card - this will remind you! How cool is that?? All this probably sounds really expensive!!! Relax!!! Your price is just $6.97 (retail $49.95)! Of course, if you live in the US shipping is FREE! Here's a link with all the info: http://store.worldstart.com/ Hurry on this one. Last time we sold this program, they flew out the door!!! And remember- the price will increase to $18.97 tomorrow!!!!
"EEWWWWW GROSSS!!!!!" "Your Keyboard Is Really Disgusting!" It's Nastier Than A Toilet Seat - Really: "Keyboards, both on laptop computers and desktops, are the dirtiest parts of a computer. Dust, food, flakes of dry skin, and many other particles fall in between keys and gum up the works." "A microbiologist at the University of Arizona counted bacteria on workplace surfaces for a study sponsored by The Clorox Co., makers of Clorox bleach. Office toilet seats had 49 germs per square inch, he found. But desktops had almost 21,000 germs per square inch. Desks, phones, computer keyboards and mice are key germ transfer points because people touch them so often..." ~ CNN.com Is that disgusting or what? Unfortunately, like many people, I eat at my desk just about everyday while I am working. When I saw the information on just how dirty and germ filled our desktops and keyboards are, I couldn't believe it ~ or didn't want to believe it I should say. YUCK! The attachment has 25 of these cool super suction pipes for fitting into little nooks and crannies. Heck, I think it would be great for detailing inside you car as well ~ all the little vents and stuff! And, how about cleaning off your stereo and TV equipment as well as dusting off all the shelves full of "knick-knacks", picture frames and such ~ awesome, huh? This has got to be one the coolest little gadgets I've seen and after reading about all the dust, food and gunk that is "living" in my keyboard (and yours too), I think this is a terrific item! The bad news is this is a closeout item from our supplier and we have the last few of them. Your price? It's the best it's ever been! We normally sell these for $12.97, but you can get the last ones for just $8.97 each, FREE US Shipping too! Don't spend $30.00 elsewhere ~ do yourself, your co-workers and your family a favor and pick up one for your home and/or office today! You'll thank me later ;-) http://store.worldstart.com/ PS - Not only is the price going up tomorrow to $12.97, there may not be any left if you wait that long! Hurry - last chance ever to own one of these amazing attachments! Proper Shut Down So, tell me, do you always shut your computer down the proper way? Not quite sure what the right way is? Well, there are various ways you can turn off your computer properly, but there are a couple other ways that could really be harmful to your PC. If you're not sure what the difference is between the two, I urge you to read through the tip we're featuring on our homepage today. This is a topic I don't know much about either and the tip really helped me, so I'm sure it can help you too. Check it out! Behind the Name Do you know the history behind your first name? Does it mean anything? How did it originate? Who was the first person to ever speak your first name? If you don't know the answer to any of those questions, I suggest you check out the cool site we're showcasing on our homepage today. It's called Behind the Name and it will give you all kinds of information about your first name. It's really cool, so be sure to check it out sometime! Here's the link you need: http://www.worldstart.com/ Enjoy! Troubleshooting and Fixing Errors Every now and then, we all get an error message on our computer screen and most of the time, we don't know what it means or how to fix it. Am I right? I'm sure you agree with me when I say we can all use some help from time to time with the error messages we receive. That's especially true when you have to get past the error in order to complete a task. Well, it doesn't have to be so hard. Come along with me to find out how! Most of you probably have no one to turn to when you receive an error message. That is, until now! There's a new Web site you can visit to find out what an error message means and how you can easily fix it. The name of the Web site is "What Does This Error Mean?" and you can find it right here. So, how does it work? Well, you can copy and paste or type your error message in to the box on the site and simply wait for your results. Or, you can browse through the most recent and most common errors. Let's use error #404 as an example. Its explanation is "Server not found." Go ahead and copy and paste that into the box and then hit the Find Me Some Help button. The results for that particular error are shown below:
Just in case you weren't sure, I added this solution: “The Web page you're looking for is no longer there. It has been moved or deleted.” Also, if you'd like to keep tabs on a certain error for when its information is updated, you can do so by clicking on the Follow This Error button. You can also browse through the most recent error messages by clicking on the Browse button at the top of the page. It will show you the name of the error message and how many solutions it has.
~ Tweety Dimes Did you find this tip to be useful? Give us your opinion by rating it here: If you enjoy our tips, tell your friends. That's what keeps this newsletter growing.
Cold Weather Photography Cold climates pose a serious issue with photographers. However, knowing how to do a few things can completely turn your experience around. Here are a few precautions you should take when heading out in the cold to take some photographs!
To avoid condensation and fogging up your lens, it’s best to wait awhile whenever you step into any extreme temperature situation. Take this scenario for example: You're out in the snow and you return to the warm interiors of your wooded home. Instead of going click, click, click the moment you enter your home, it's best to let your camera warm up to the new climate. The best way to do that is to not only leave your camera cap on, but also leave it in the camera bag for awhile. That will not only help your camera adjust to the changed temperature, but it will also greatly decrease the possibility of the lens fogging up and condensing. Juice It Up Just as the sensor is important to a camera, the batteries are crucial for your digital photography experience. Therefore, it’s important to carry a few spare batteries wherever you go. Batteries are likely to lose charge faster in colder climates. One way of overcoming that hurdle is to carry spare batteries in your shirt, pants pocket or any place where they're close to your body. The warmer the battery, the better it will perform. Also, don’t panic if your camera says your battery is out of juice. You can make it work again if you warm it up in your hand or put it in your pocket for awhile. If you do it right, you can probably get a few dozen more pictures without any trouble.
Chilly conditions can hurt your hands, so you really need to take good care of them when you're out shooting. Without a steady hand, you risk the chance of bad composition. Even worse, you could develop frost bite in sub-freezing temperatures. Therefore, good, thin, warm gloves that not only keep your hands warm, but also help you operate your camera are a must buy. Soak It Up Both rain and snow can damage your camera and ruin your final images. Therefore, it's best to carry a soft, water absorbent cloth to dry off your camera whenever you're out on your photo expeditions. Happy shooting! ~ Zahid H. Javali Like this tip? Not so much? Tell us how you feel by rating it right here: For stories, jokes, quotes and cartoons every day, sign up for our Just for Grins newsletter. Have you ever been frustrated by not being able to type or surf the Web in your native language? Well, Gate 2 Home understands and it provides you with the means to do just that! It's really easy to use too! Start by selecting your language from the drop down box at the top of the page. Then choose your keyboard layout from the next drop down box. For example, I’d like to practice my writing in French. Not only can I choose French from the menu, but I can also choose between several different French keyboard layouts, such as Belgian French, Canadian French, French and Swiss French. Once you’ve made your choice, you’ll notice that the tabs across the top of the keyboard change, as well as, the keyboard and its layout. The tabs now tell me I can: e-mail, Google, Wikipedia and even find translations in French. The other really cool thing I liked about this site is you can pop the keyboard out of the page so that you have a stand alone keyboard. To do that, just click on the link beneath the keyboard that says “Open in a separate window.” I find that option is very useful for using the keyboard while you have another program open. For example, I can have my regular word processing program open and have the French keyboard open in the top corner and still see them both. I can take my written English and then translate it to French, without having to go back and forth between them. How cool is that?! I think this is an excellent tool, so be sure to check it out today! http://www.gate2home.com/?language=en&sec=2 ~ Amanda Did you enjoy this cool site? Let us know by rating it here: Do you have a cool, non-commercial site that you want to share?
February Wallpaper Here's February's wallpaper. It's all free, so enjoy!
All can be found here: http://www.worldstart.com/ Enjoy!
| | ||||||
| If this part of the newsletter is all you see, take it up with your ISP. We've been seeing a lot of interference from filters and such lately. We now offer an RSS feed. Click for details Another great way to get your WorldStart newsletters is by downloading the Newsletter Reader. It's the next step in newsletter evolution! And it's FREE! You can also view the current newsletter and archives online at Copyright, Disclaimer, and Removal ISSN: 1529-336X You are welcome to reproduce this newsletter (i.e. print it, store it) for your own personal use. You are also welcome to forward it, in its entirety, to friends and family. If you would like to reproduce this publication, or any part of it, in any other publication, be it web based or otherwise, you must contact us for permission. Any unauthorized re-distribution will be considered a copyright infringement and grounds for a lawsuit. Finally, you agree to try any advice contained or suggested in this newsletter at your own risk. Microsoft and Windows are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation (duh!) Did someone forward this to you? Get your free subscription here: If daily newsletters are too much to handle, then change your subscription to our Weekly Edition... If you need to change your email address, go here... "I don't want yer stinkin' email!" http://www.worldstart.com/newsletterunsub.htm WorldStart, Inc. — 2620 Centennial Rd, Suite C / Toledo, OH 43617 — Phone: 1-800-915-2088 You are receiving this daily newsletter because you requested it either at Worldstart.com or one of our affiliates. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
Monday, February 23, 2009
Computer Tips [ Speed Up Your Computer + Unravel Error Mysteries + 4 Cold Weather Shooting Tips ] 02/24/09
speed USB 2.0 gigs of storage for just 14.97! The same space as 6 CD Roms - in the palm of your hand!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for understanding that we need to prevent the nasties.