Copyright: ®Copyright 1995 CMP Publications Inc.
Citation: WINDOWS Magazine EXTRA! is ®1995 by CMP Publications Inc. and is produced by WINDOWS Magazine


 Uninstalling Applications Tips

Uninstall Apps: Buy an Uninstall Program

Uninstall Apps: Clean Up Ap Remnants

Uninstall Apps: Don't Delete Directories Immediately

Uninstall Apps: Test Windows After Uninstalls

Uninstall Apps: Cut The Icon

Uninstall Apps: Remove WIN.INI Lines

Uninstall Apps: Back Up Regularly

Uninstall Apps: Use Batch File For Backups

Uninstall Apps: Find Leftover Files

Uninstall Apps: Clean Up System Files

Uninstall Apps: Forge an Uninstallation Trail

Uninstall Apps: Examine Version Information

Uninstall Apps: Locate Directory


 Uninstall Apps:Buy an Uninstall Program

SCREENCAM: UNINSTALLING APPLICATIONS: PROGRAMS

Do yourself a favor: Purchase an uninstall program. You'll find that it's much easier to ditch a program you loathe. In the old DOS days, all that was involved in purging a program was to erase its directory. Windows programs, however, scatter directories, files and .INI-file entries like dandelion seeds throughout your hard disk. Getting an uninstall program now can save a lot of heartache later.


 Uninstall Apps: Clean Up Ap Remnants

Windows programs typically place parts of themselves in their own directories, the WINDOWS and WINDOWS/SYSTEM directories, and the WIN.INI, SYSTEM.INI, CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files. It's no surprise that an untended Windows directory can grow to 60MB or more. The fastest way to uninstall a program may be to read the manual. Enlightened vendors include step-by-step uninstallation instructions. Look for uninstall, remove, or sometimes even deinstall in the index or table of contents.


 Uninstall Apps: Don't Delete Directories Immediately

Back up any file or directory you are thinking of changing. If your goal is to delete a file, rename or move it first. Never delete immediately.


 Uninstall Apps: Test Windows After Uninstalls

Reboot Windows to see whether any changes you've made had unintended effects. Try several of your most important applications right away. Hold onto the changed/ moved files for at least a month to ensure that you haven't "broken'' some rarely used application.


 Uninstall Apps: Cut The Icon

SCREENCAM: UNINSTALLING APPLICATIONS: METHODS

Select the icon of the program you're deleting, and select File/Delete in Program Manager. You will be asked if you really want to delete the icon. If you're sure, say yes. After you have deleted the last icon in the group, selecting File/Delete again will produce a dialog box asking if you want to delete the group. If you do, say yes.


 Uninstall Apps: Remove WIN.INI Lines

You can eradicate all traces of an application from your WIN.INI file. First, create a copy of WIN.INI under a different name, for example, WININI.BAK. Don't rename or move the original. In Program Manager, select File/Run and type SYSEDIT. Look for a section in WIN.INI with the same name as the program you're deleting. Delete it. Save WIN.INI. Reboot Windows. Repeat every step for each program you wish to uninstall.


 Uninstall Apps: Back Up Regularly

Protect yourself from accidents and hard disk corruption with regular backups of your .INI, .GRP, CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files. If you're uninstalling a program and suddenly find you can't boot Windows anymore, going back to a previous version may help.


 Uninstall Apps: Use Batch File For Backups

Use the batch file below for regular backups in order to keep new backup files from overwriting previous ones. The %1 picks up whatever comes after the batch filename on the DOS command line. If your backup file is called WINBAK.BAT, the command line WINBAK J1 would save CONFIG.SYS as CONFIG.J1S, and so forth.

copy c:\config.sys c:\winbak\config.%1s

copy c:\autoexec.bat c:winbak\autoexec.%1t

copy c:\windows\*.ini c:\winbak\*.%1i

copy c:\windows\*.grp c:\winbak\*.%1p


 Uninstall Apps: Find Leftover Files

SCREENCAM: UNINSTALLING APPLICATIONS: METHODS

If your program put files in the WINDOWS and WINDOWS/SYSTEM directories, there are a couple of good ways to find them. Open File Manager. Select View/Sort by Name. Look for files with names similar to that of your application or the company that wrote it. Don't delete the files at first. Instead, follow the general advice above, and delete only after you're sure that you won't cause unintended problems. If you find a file you are certain belongs to the application you're deleting, select View/Sort by Date and look for other files with the same date and time.


 Uninstall Apps: Clean Up System Files

Your uninstall won't be complete until you check CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT. Make copies of them under another name. Then edit the originals from Windows by selecting File/Run in Program Manager and typing SYSEDIT. In both files, look for references to the directory where the application you're deleting resides. In AUTOEXEC.BAT, see if that directory is in the PATH command. Delete the references, save the files and reboot the computer immediately. Restore your backups if you see any error messages or experience any difficulty rebooting.


 Uninstall Apps: Forge an Uninstallation Trail

To forge a trail for future uninstallations, use the Compare feature in your word processor. Copy WIN.INI, SYSTEM .INI, CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT under different names. Install a new program. Use the Compare feature to compare the new contents of these four files. Create a file containing the changes and save it in the new application's directory. Call it something easy to remember and find, such as UNINSTALL.DOC, and name all your files of this type the same thing.


Uninstall Apps: Examine Version Informatio
 Uninstall Apps: Examine Version Information

Sometimes you can tell whether a file is associated with an application by examining its version information. Highlight a file in File Manager and select File/Properties. In Windows for Workgroups 3.11, File Manager will display the version information (if any), including vendor name, product name and a brief description of the file.


 Uninstall Apps: Locate Directory

SCREENCAM: UNINSTALLING APPLICATIONS: METHODS

Find the directory associated with the program you want to delete by entering Program Manager, selecting the program's icon, then selecting File/Properties. You'll see a dialog box that contains the command line and the working directory.


 Using Help Tips

Use Help: Move Without The Mouse

Use Help: Copy Content

Use Help: Add Notes

Use Help: Keep Notes Intact

Use Help: Print Help Files

Use Help: Navigate Through WinHelp

Use Help: Share Bookmarks

Use Help: Keep Help On Top

Use Help: Find Lost Help File

Use Help: Too Hot To Handle


 Use Help: Move Without the Mouse

You don't need a mouse to select a hot spot in a Windows Help file. If you are displaying a Windows Help screen, press Shift+Tab and the program will highlight one hot spot. Press Enter if you wish to activate the hot spot. Otherwise, press Shift+Tab again and you will shift to the next hot spot.


 Use Help: Copy Content

To save the contents of a single Windows Help file topic in another format, select Edit/Copy. A dialog box will appear, allowing you to select the text you want to move to Windows' Clipboard. Open another application (your word processor, Windows' Write or Notepad) and paste in the text from Clipboard. Save the text in the format you want. Keep in mind, however, that Windows' Help won't let you copy graphics or the content of pop-ups or secondary windows.


 Use Help: Add Notes

SCREENCAM: ADD NOTES TO HELP TOPICS

You can annotate any help file with your own tips, tricks or experiences. Select Edit/Annotate. Type your annotation into the dialog box, or paste in material from Clipboard. When you select Save, your annotation will be saved and your help file will be marked with an image of a paper clip. This is your visual indication that there is an annotation. Click on the paper clip to read it.


 Use Help: Keep Notes Intact

Windows' Help file annotations appear in the WINDOWS directory (no matter where WTHELP.HLP is) in files with the extension .ANN and the same filename as the help file. Thus, annotations for WTHELP.HLP appear in WTHELP.ANN in the WINDOWS directory. If you send the .ANN file to someone with the same help file, they can read your annotations. If you erase it, you'll destroy your annotations.


 Use Help: Print Help Files

If you prefer to have a paper copy of a help screen, rather than an electronic copy, select File/Print Topic. Windows' Help will print the specific topic that you are looking at along with all its related graphics.


 Use Help: Navigate Through WinHelp

There is no need to get lost while navigating through Windows' Help. Like Hansel and Gretel, you can leave a trail of bread crumbs behind to help you find your way back home. First, the Back button will take you back through every screen you have looked at during the current session in a help file. However, this useful path is wiped out when you close the help file. If you find a place you think you may want to revisit quickly in the future, Select Bookmark/Define. A dialog box will then offer you the choice of naming the bookmark or accepting, as a default, the name of the help topic. Once you create a bookmark, it appears under the Bookmark menu every time you open the help file.


 Use Help: Share Bookmarks

You can share your bookmarks with those who have the same help files you do. If you have created any bookmarks, you will find a WINHELP.BMK file in the WINDOWS directory. Send it to someone with the same help file and they will have your bookmarks. Erase it and your bookmarks go away.


 Use Help: Keep Help On Top

Keeping Windows' Help on top of the application you are using will make it easier to follow along in the help file while performing a procedure. Run WinHelp from Program Manager by choosing File/Run and typing WINHELP.HLP. In WinHelp, select Help/Always On Top. This is a check-mark menu item, so selecting it alternately turns the function on and off. Once you turn it on, you can return to your application and WinHelp will stay on top. You will probably need to resize and relocate the WinHelp window so you can see what you are doing.


 Use Help: Find Lost Help File

Sometimes you will click on the Help button of an application, and WinHelp will display the message "Help File Not Found.'' This usually occurs when you've moved your application to a hard disk with a new drive letter. Despite this message, Windows' Help still opens, displaying  a blank screen. Select File/Open and look through the directories on your disk to see if you can find a .HLP file with a name similar to that of the application you are using. If possible, edit the .INI file or change the start-up parameters of your application so it can find the help file automatically next time. Alternatively, you may be able to fix this problem by moving the .HLP file to the same directory as the application. If it is already there, try moving it to the WINDOWS or WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory.


 Use Help: Too Hot To Handle

Hot spots are places on which you can click to jump to another part of the file, or to display a pop-up window. It's easy to find graphical or text hot spots in Windows' Help files. Press Ctrl+Tab, and all the hot spots on the screen you are looking at will appear with their colors reversed.


 Writing Help Tips

Write Help: Why Use Help

Write Help: Keep Topics Short

Write Help: Use Artwork

Write Help: Add Hot Spots

Write Help: Re-use Graphics

Write Help: Mark Versions

Write Help: Insert Pop-ups

Write Help: Index Everything

Write Help: Use Icons


 Write Help: Why Use Help

Besides providing help for applications, help files can also be used to distribute corporate manuals, policies and news. Many firms are now using Windows' Help for electronic publishing, since every copy of Windows comes with a copy of the WinHelp reader. Electronic documents are faster and less expensive to distribute than paper documents. It's also easier to search, copy and print an electronic document. Although it isn't difficult to write a simple help file, the tools for doing so are not included in the standard Windows package. You must either find shareware or buy a commercial package to help you create a help file.


 Write Help: Keep Topics Short

Whenever possible, a help topic should be contained within one screen. Use pointers, pop-ups, secondary Windows, small type, variable paragraph spacing--in short, any trick you can think of that your authoring tool supports--to keep a topic size down.


 Write Help: Use Artwork

Illustrations make a help file more interesting and informative than pure text. Pepper your help file with screen shots if it is documenting an appli-cation. If you are producing a document or manual, use graphics such as charts, graphs and cartoons. However, scanned photographs will not reproduce well because Windows' Help is limited to 4-bit color, or a total of 16 colors or shades of gray.


 Write Help: Add Hot Spots

Take advantage of the hot-spot editor to make your help file easier to use. The hot-spot editor allows you to select sections of a graphic and assign them as jumps or pop-ups. You can take a screen shot and make each of the buttons and dialog boxes on it a hot spot. When users click on a screen element in the help file, you can jump them to the help topic explaining that element.


 Write Help: Re-use Graphics

If you use a graphic several times in one help file, set all the pointers in the file to the same graphic. All help authoring tools allow you to do this, although the task is more difficult in some packages. If you're not careful, some tools will create an additional copy of the graphic each time you use it, unnecessarily soaking up a lot of valuable disk space you probably can't afford to spare.


 Write Help: Mark Versions

Use the title bar of your help file for more than just the name of the file. If there is room and if you're planning multiple versions of a help file, make both the date and the version number part of the title. If you give such information, users can tell at a glance exactly which version they are viewing.


 Write Help: Insert Pop-ups

Instead of putting an explanation of a word or phrase in parentheses, create a glossary entry and turn the word into a pop-up hot spot. Although some help tools will search your file and make every occurrence of the word hot, you will typically want to define the word only once, the first time it appears. Some tools allow you to place a Glossary button on the permanent WinHelp button bar at the top of the screen.


 Write Help: Index Everything

The search engine is one of WinHelp's greatest advantages over paper documentation, so use it extensively. Add as many keywords to each subject as you can think of. If the subject is Improving Disk Performance, it should be listed under that name, as well as Disk Performance, Improving Performance, and Improving Disk--and anything else that might be relevant.


 Write Help: Use Icons

Use small icons at the top of each screen so your users know instantly what kind of help topic they are viewing. There are three main types of help topics (each screen in a help file is known as a topic). Contents generally point to other topics. Commands and Procedures tell how to perform a task using particular commands. Information is the third topic type, as shown here.


 Windows NT Tips

Win NT: Edit Ini Files

Win NT: Connect Using NWLink

Win NT: Connect With NWNT.EXE

Win NT: Tune Your Server

Win NT: Tune Your Swap File

Win NT: Eliminate Log-In

Win NT: Upgrade Mail

Win NT: Allow FTP Access

Win NT: Enable Your Guest Account

Win NT: Turn on LAN Manager Broadcasts

Win NT: Upgrade LAN Manager Servers

Win NT: Install Over Network

Win NT: Juggle Diskettes and CDs

Win NT: Debug Network Connections

Win NT: Participate In Workgroups or Domains

Win NT: Audit File I/O

Win NT: Avoid VB Crashes

Win NT: Change The System Font

Win NT: Support Macs

Win NT: Use PIFs for DOS

Win NT: Customize Your Cursor

Win NT: Run Remote Command Line

Win NT: Configure Remote Access

Win NT: Set Up Messages Database

Win NT: Start/Stop Device Drivers

Win NT: Fast Access To Driver Settings

Win NT: 16-Bit's OK

Win NT: Monitor Performance


 Win NT: Edit INI Files

Most settings that you can set in the .INI files should be set through Control Panel. When you need to make low-level changes, you can get directly at the equivalent information using the Windows NT Registry. The key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\IniFileMapping contains subkeys representing each of the .INI files in the system and gives the equivalent registry location. For example, the SYSTEM.INI subkey contains a 386Enh: line, which lists the mapping as SYS:Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WOW\386Enh. SYS: indicates that the entry is for the system rather than a user, and examining HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\WOW, you will see a 386Enh subkey containing the information that would be found in the [386Enh] section of the SYSTEM.INI file on Windows 3.1.


 Win NT: Connect Using NWLink

Windows NT systems can provide application services to NetWare clients using the NWLink protocol shipped with Windows NT. To use NWLink, install it by opening Control Panel and double-clicking on the Network button, then on Add Software. Select NWLink IPX/SPX Compatible Transport from the list and click on the Continue button. NWLink files will be copied. Click on Continue. After bindings are run you'll be presented with the NWLink Configuration dialog box. The defaults should work for most systems. Click on OK. You will need to shut down and restart Windows NT to use NWLink. Applications, such as SQL Server for Windows NT, that use NetBIOS commands to provide low-level I/O will work properly with NetWare client software when run on an NT server using NWLink. In effect, it provides the necessary glue to run NetBIOS over IPX. In other respects, it functions pretty much the same as the NetBEUI protocol and can, in fact, replace it for communications between NT systems.


 Win NT: Connect With NWNT.EXE

Connecting Windows NT systems to NetWare servers requires the NetWare Requester for Windows (NWNT.EXE), which is currently being distributed on CompuServe in the NOVFILES download area (look under Client Software/Windows NT). Once you've got it, execute the file (which is a self-extracting archive) and then install Novell NetWare Support Software according to the instructions (in current versions, these are in a file called NWNT.TXT in the .ZIP file). You will also need to switch to an ODI network card driver (the NDIS drivers used by the built-in Windows NT networking don't work with the NetWare redirector). If you want to have both the built-in and NetWare networking supported on a single network card, you will also need Novell's ODI support for NDIS (ODINSUP) driver. It is included in the NWNT archive. If the installation doesn't work, the most likely reason is an interrupt conflict with the network card or the need to designate a preferred server for the NetWare requester (see the file NWNT.TXT for details). Administrators can make life easier by assigning the same user account name and password to both NetWare and the built-in Windows NT networking systems.


 Win NT: Tune Your Server

You can improve the performance of Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server systems by adjusting the way the network Server object uses memory. Start Control Panel/Network, select the Server object, and click on the Configure button. You'll be provided with four choices for optimizing the server. The first, Minimize Memory Used, is a good choice for workstations and servers on very small networks (up to five sessions). The second setting, Balance, is good for servers on medium-sized networks (up to 64 sessions). Maximize Throughput for File Sharing is best for Advanced Server systems that provide resource sharing for large networks (more than 64 sessions). Maximize Throughput for Network Applications is the best choice for Advanced Servers that provide application services (for example, SQL Server) for large networks. You will have to reboot the computer after changing this setting.


 Win NT: Tune Your Swap File

Enhance Windows NT's performance by tuning the size and location of your swap file. First, run Control Panel/System/Virtual Memory to see what the initial size of the swap file is set to, and compare this with the size of PAGEFILE.SYS. If this file is larger than the initial size, Windows NT has expanded it dynamically. Your swap file is probably too small, so set it to a larger size. You can also examine the Committed Bytes and Commit Limit Counters in the Performance Monitor's Memory object. When Committed Bytes approaches the Commit Limit, the page file will have to be expanded dynamically, slowing performance. High-performance systems (especially servers) can improve performance by distributing page files across multiple disk drives. Use Control Panel/System/Virtual Memory to add a page file for each available disk. Note: Distributing page files will improve the performance of only those systems that have multiple physical disk drives. Systems that have multiple partitions (and logical drives) on one physical disk perform most efficiently with a single swap file.


 Win NT: Eliminate Log-In

When running a Windows NT system by itself (non-networked) or in other environments in which security is not a primary concern, you can modify your system configuration to eliminate the Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to Log In, and the need to enter a user name and password each time the system is started. Try running REGEDT32, and add two new REG_SZ variables to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon key. The new variables should be named DefaultPassword (which should be set to the password used by the user name specified by the DefaultUserName variable) and AutoAdminLogon (which should be set to 1. Also check to see that the DefaultDomain variable has a legal value (this should be the local Windows NT Advanced Server domain on Advanced Server networks, or the Machine Name on standalone Windows NT systems). Then exit the registry and log off. The system will automatically log you on using the specified default user name and password. Note: Because this step stores a clear-text password in the Windows NT registry, it violates C2 security guidelines and consequently should not be used on secure systems.


 Win NT: Upgrade Mail

Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server come with a workgroup-level version of MS Mail similar to that provided with Windows for Workgroups. To upgrade this version to a full MS Mail 3.0 post office (which allows you to connect to other post offices and run gateways to third-party mail systems), get the MS Mail and Schedule+ upgrade for WFWG, and install it on the NT system that is maintaining the post office. If multiple gateways are desired, try Microsoft's OS/2-based Multitasking Transfer Agent (MTA), which can be run from Windows NT as well.


 Win NT: Allow FTP Access

To provide network users with UNIX-style FTP (file-transfer protocol) access to your Windows NT system, you'll need to install the FTP Server software provided with Windows NT. Run Control Panel/Network, click on the Add Software button and select FTP server (you may need to install TCP/IP support first). NT will ask you to designate the source for the files (the installation CD or floppy disk drive) and copy the necessary files; it will then present an FTP. Service dialog box. You will need to specify a home directory for FTP users. (This should be a directory you don't mind having publicly available, not the root of the system partition.) You can also decide whether to allow anonymous FTP connections and, if so, whether to make these the only connections you will accept (anonymous users have Guest-level access). When you are satisfied with the FTP settings, click on OK and then on OK again. You will need to reboot the computer to complete the installation. Once FTP services are installed, you control them from the FTP Server icon in Control Panel. If you want FTP services to start automatically when the system boots, run the Services icon from Control Panel, select the FTP Server line, click on the Startup button and select the Automatic radio button.


 Win NT: Enable Your Guest Account

To make Windows NT shared resources (files and printers) accessible to Windows for Workgroups machines (and Windows NT systems that aren't members of the same Windows NT Advanced Server Domain), you can enable the built-in Guest account. Log on as the administrator, run User Manager (or User Manager for Domains on a Windows NT Advanced Server) and double-click on the account named Guest. By default, the Account Disabled check box will be checked. Uncheck it to make shared resources available to those who don't have accounts on your system. Once this is done, any shared resource to which the group Everyone has been given access in File Manager will be visible (and accessible) to guests. To keep guests out of certain shares, give Everyone the No Access permission, and override this by giving Full Access (or other) Permissions to specified groups of users.


 Win NT: Turn on LAN Manager Broadcasts

If you're adding Windows NT workstations or servers to LAN Manager 2.x domains, you'll need to enable LM-compatible broadcasts in the NT systems. Broadcasting is a technique LAN Manager servers use to announce their presence on the net to other LAN Manager systems. By default, Windows NT does not provide these broadcasts, relying instead on the BrowseMaster technology developed for Windows for Workgroups. As a result, Windows NT systems are invisible on the network. To turn broadcasts on, run the Control Panel/Network icon, select the Server object and click on the Configure button. When the Server Configuration dialog box appears, check the Make Browser Broadcasts to LAN Manager 2.x Clients box. Shutting down and restarting the system will then make it visible to LAN Manager users.


 Win NT: Upgrade LAN Manager Servers

LAN Manager servers can be upgraded to Windows NT most conveniently with the Windows NT Advanced Server Upgrade for LAN Manager. This includes special programs for automatically migrating the user database, shared resources, server configuration, access control lists (permissions) and so on. At $595, it is significantly less expensive than buying the regular Windows NT Advanced Server package. LAN Manager servers will need to be converted to Windows NT Advanced Servers, rather than to the basic Windows NT package, to retain their centralized domain administration features. You can mix Windows NT Advanced Servers and LAN Manager servers in a single network. There are two restrictions: The primary domain controller must be a Windows NT Advanced Server, and any LAN Manager servers will be unable to validate log-on requests from users attempting to connect using global accounts from a trusted Windows NT Advanced Server domain.


 Win NT: Install Over Network

Windows NT comes with a DOS-based character-mode installation program (WINNT.EXE) that permits over-the-network installation from a central shared CD or hard disk. Share the CD-ROM on the network (or for better performance, copy the contents of the CD-ROM to a hard disk directory and share that). Then install any DOS-compatible network access software (such as Windows for Workgroups, LANtastic, NetWare or Microsoft's Workgroup Connection five pack) on the target machine that will let it access the shared installation files. Carry out the appropriate configuration steps to gain access to the network and you will be able to run the DOS WINNT.EXE program directly from the DOS command line (not from an Enhanced-mode Windows DOS prompt). WINNT.EXE will automatically copy over the files from the source CD or hard disk, boot NT and continue the installation from there (be sure to install the necessary network software components so NT will be able to use the network). Larger sites may want to customize their installations. Edit the DOSNET.INF file in the directory with WINNT.EXE and type WINNT /? to examine the possible control switches for remote installation. Alternatively, consider the Computer Profile Installation that Microsoft supplies with the three-volume Windows NT Resource Kit.


 Win NT: Juggle Diskettes and CDs

Windows NT ships with both a single-CD and 23-diskette installation in the box, but you can't use the diskettes with a CD-based installation. To get around this (for instance, to install additional drivers on a portable machine originally set up using a network-based installation from the CD), you can use the following procedure from a Windows NT Command Prompt:

•	Rename all *.INF files in the \WINNT\SYSTEM32 directory (or \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 directory) to *.ICD.

•	Copy all *.IN_ (*.IN$ in beta versions) files from the diskettes to the \WINNT\SYSTEM32 directory (or \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 directory).

•	Type expand *.in_.

•	Type rename *.in_*.inf.

•	Compare a directory list of *.ICD files with *.INF files. Eliminate any *.INF files that don't have *.ICD equivalents (these are most likely *.INI files).

With this done, you should be able to use the diskettes to install drivers. You can switch back to the CD-based installation by renaming the *.INF files to *.IFD and renaming the *.ICD files to *.INF. An alternative you may want to consider is installing Windows NT Remote Access Services (RAS) and using it to transfer drivers by modem. This eliminates the need to carry diskettes, but requires that RAS be installed and running on both your portable and a desktop system (or server) you can dial into.


 Win NT: Debug Network Connections

When a Windows NT system has trouble accessing the network, you can debug it with the net send command. Normally, this command is used to send alert-type text messages to users, such as "Server going down in 10 seconds, please log off!'' but the /BROADCAST command-line switch makes it useful for debugging as well. In this mode, net send uses a low-level datagram broadcast that is received by all users on the local segment, regardless of whether the sending machine is logged onto the net. To use it, type the following at a Windows NT command prompt: net send /BROADCAST Tommy can you hear me? If the system is working properly, the text message "Tommy can you hear me?'' will pop up on the screen of all LAN Manager and Windows NT systems on the local network segment. If not, then even low-level data packets are not being transmitted, indicating that the network card is misconfigured or that the wrong driver is installed.


 Win NT: Participate In Workgroups or Domains

Windows NT's built-in networking can participate in two very different kinds of administrative groups: workgroups, as used in Windows for Workgroups, and domains, as used by the Windows NT Advanced Server. Workgroups are ad hoc groupings of workstations and peer servers for administrative convenience. Each system maintains its own user account database and is administratively separate from all the others. Domains, on the other hand, have a single account database, maintained by the Primary Domain Controller, which must be a Windows NT Advanced Server. Systems that participate in the domain log on through the Primary Domain Controller (or one of its backups, which replicate the Primary Domain Controller's user database). Windows NT workstations can participate as members of an Advanced Server domain or can be outside of it, but only domain members can be centrally administered. As a practical matter, this means that Windows NT workstations should be set up as domain members if they are used with Windows NT Advanced Servers, and must be set up as standalone workgroup members otherwise. While it is possible to mix the two groups, the result is generally difficult to administer and is not normally recommended.


 Win NT: Audit File I/O

The Windows NT Event Viewer application can provide an audit trail giving you access to files and directories in New Technology File System (NTFS) disk partitions, which can be useful when debugging performance problems or for security purposes. To do so, first enable auditing for the system (it's disabled by default). Run User Manager and select Policies/Audit. You can choose a variety of events to audit and can audit them on success or failure. Next, run File Manager, select the NTFS file or directory you want to audit and select Security/Auditing. You can then add the names of particular users or groups whose access should be audited and specify which events to record. Results of the audit will appear as events in the Event Viewer's Security log.


 Win NT: Avoid VB Crashes

Visual Basic 3.0 programs may crash when run with Windows NT on RISC systems. The reason is that early versions of the Visual Basic 3.0 runtime (VBRUN300.DLL) were compiled with 386-specific code. The Intel x86 emulator in RISC versions of NT emulates a 286. To correct this, get a new copy of VBRUN300.DLL from the Visual Basic forum on CompuServe.


 Win NT: Change The System Font

On systems with very high-resolution displays, the system font used by Windows NT (by default the VGA font) may be unreadably small. To change to a more comfortable font, edit the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\GRE_Initialize. You'll find entries for fixed, system and OEM fonts, all of which may be changed to any font currently loaded in the system (look at the .FON files in the \WINNT\SYSTEM32 or \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 directory). However, the VGA.FON, 8514.FON and (on RISC systems) JAZZ.FON files will generally work best. Once this change is made, you will need to shut down and then restart your computer.


 Win NT: Support Macs

The Windows NT Advanced Server package includes built-in support for Apple Macintosh computers. To use it, run Control Panel/Network, click on the Add Software button, select Services for Macintosh and click on Continue. The Services for Macintosh files will load, and you'll be presented with a Configuration dialog box. This will allow you to designate which network card you want to bind with (the AppleTalk protocol on Ethernet cards is supported, as are separate AppleTalk cards installed in the server), an AppleTalk Zone to participate in and whether to support AppleTalk routing. Unlike most other Windows NT network features, Macintosh support does not require you to reboot the computer. Instead, you can start it from Control Panel/Services and control it from Control Panel/MacFile. With Macintosh services started, you can create a Macintosh-compatible directory structure, called a volume on an NTFS partition. Do so in File Manager by selecting a directory to make available to Macintosh users, and then select MacFile/Create Volume. You will have the opportunity to control the volume name, password, whether the volume is read-only and whether guests can access it. Clicking on the Permissions button allows you to selectively control various access privileges for various types of users. Once you are satisfied with the selections, click on OK. Macintosh users can now attach to your server using the Chooser accessory, and can then see and use files in the shared directory space. If you wish to do so, you can also share the same directory tree as a regular Windows NT share, making it available to DOS, Windows, Windows for Workgroups, OS/2, Windows NT and LAN Manager users as a shared NTFS directory. NTFS will automatically manage name conversion so that the long filenames used by the Macintosh users will be seen as regular DOS-compatible 8.3 filenames by DOS and Windows users (Windows NT users will see the long names). Services for Macintosh also includes a print server that allows Macintosh users to access PC printers (and provides PostScript emulation to those users) and enables PC users to access AppleTalk printers.


 Win NT: Use PIFs for DOS

DOS and OS/2 applications that need special environment parameters can get them by setting up a Program Information File (PIF). PIFs can include setting custom AUTOEXEC.NT and CONFIG.NT files, which provide an application with such things as extra memory, the start-up directory, multitasking options, shortcut keys and timer emulation. To create a PIF:

•	Start PIF Editor from Program Manager's Main group.

•	Specify PIF options using PIF Editor.

•	Select Save As from PIF Editor's File menu.


 Win NT: Customize Your Cursor

You can customize the mouse pointer cursors Windows NT uses at the system level. Launch Control Panel/Cursors, select one of the standard system cursors, then Browse for a new cursor (.CUR) or animated cursor (.AMI) file to load. Daytona adds support for cursor "schemes'' in which all the system cursors are changed at once. Tools to design your own cursors--static or animated--are included in the Windows NT Resource Kit.


 Win NT: Run Remote Command Line

The Windows NT Resource Kit contains a remote command-line utility (REMOTE.EXE) that provides a complete remote command prompt for running batch files and other character-mode tasks across a network. To start a remote command-line session, select the computer you want remote jobs to run on, open a command prompt, and type:

REMOTE /S cmd.exe unique-id

where unique-id is a character string that uniquely identifies a particular remote session, such as MyRemote1. Once this has been accomplished, you can get access to the remote session from any other Windows NT machine on your network by typing: REMOTE /C computer-name unique-id where computer-name is the name of the computer on which the REMOTE /S session was run, for instance \\mips1, and unique-id is the same as that run in the REMOTE /S session above. Note that by default, REMOTE /S provides no security--anyone who has access to a Windows NT system, along with knowledge of the unique-id for a particular session is able to access it. To restrict access,you can add /U domain\user to limit the session to use by a particular user from a particular domain.


 Win NT: Configure Remote Access

Windows NT Workstation and Server include built-in Remote Access Service


 Win NT: Set Up Messages Database

All Windows NT distribution CDs include a runtime Microsoft Access database with full documentation on Windows NT system messages. To set up the database, insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive, and select Run from Program Manager's File menu. When the Run dialog box appears, click on the Browse button, and select SETUP.EXE from the CD.


 Win NT: Start/Stop Device Drivers

NT 3.5 allows you to start and stop many device drivers on the fly. Select Control Panel/Devices, and you will see a Devices dialog that's quite similar to the Services dialog you'll find in both Windows NT 3.1 and 3.5. From the Devices dialog you may select any system device and either stop it or start it. Some device drivers do not support dynamic Stop/Start. If that is the case, you will then receive an error message.


 Win NT: Fast Access To Driver Settings

You can change display driver settings on the fly in NT 3.5 (Daytona). Select Control Panel/Display, and you'll get a Display Settings dialog. To change the screen resolution, adjust the Desktop Area slide control. To change the display color depth, select an entry from the Color Palette list box. You can also set the font size and display refresh frequency. Click on the Test button to see if the new settings work correctly, and when you are satisfied with the result, click on OK. You will have to exit and restart Windows NT to install the new settings.


 Win NT: 16-Bit's OK

Improve 16-bit Windows application performance on Daytona (Windows NT 3.5), by starting applications in separate sessions. To do so, create a Program Manager icon for the application, highlight the application's Program Manager icon, and select File/Properties. When the Program Item Properties dialog appears, check the Run in Separate Memory Space check box. Once this has been done, the program will execute in its own memory space, preemptively tasked against other applications in the system. For applications that monopolize the system--such as Microsoft Mail Remote--this can provide significant benefits. You can also provide separate sessions for applications launched from the Windows NT command line, by typing: start <program_name> /SEPARATE


 Win NT: Monitor Performance

You can monitor the performance of both physical and logical disk drives using the Windows NT Performance Monitor application, but first you must turn on disk performance counters (which are turned off by default). To do so, start a Windows NT Command Prompt.  Type diskperf -y at the command line. Then shut down and restart the system. Once this is done, you can use the various counters in the Performance Monitor's Physical Disk and Logical Disk objects to monitor performance.  In particular, look at the Avg. Disk Bytes/Transfer and Avg. Disk Seconds/Transfer. Dividing the former by the latter will give you an average disk transfer rate in Bytes/Sec. Checking these values periodically will indicate disk fragmentation or other factors that might inhibit disk performance.


 Editing System Files Tips

Editing: Use Sysedit

Editing: Change Your Shell

Editing: Place Swap Files

Editing: Change Help Jump Color

Editing: Debeep The Desktop

Editing: Trim Your Path

Editing: No .WRI Backups

Editing: Remove Remarks

Editing: Sort DOS Dir Listings

Editing: Fix Extended Characters

Editing: Create a TEMP Directory

Editing: Halt 32-Bit Warnings

Editing: Free the Frame

Editing: Cache Your CD-ROM

Editing: No Load/Run Limit

Editing: Keep Wallpaper Aside

Editing: Lefty Menus

Editing: Speedy 286

Editing: Truetype Fonts

Editing: 24-Hour Clock

Editing: Hands Off Boot Description

Editing: Printing Advice

Editing: Hands OFF! INI Sections

Editing: Disable Control Panel Applets


 Editing: Use Sysedit

SCREENCAM: USING SYSEDIT

If you edit any system file with the undocumented Windows SysEdit applet (SYSEDIT.EXE), it saves a backup copy of that file with an extension of .SYD. If you use some other editor, make sure it also saves a backup copy. If in doubt, make a backup before editing.


 Editing: Change Your Shell

Shelve Program Manager and have Windows start up with File Manager or with a Program Manager replacement such as Norton Desktop, hDC Power Launcher or Dashboard. You can even set up WordPerfect as your default shell--just by adding the name of the file that launches your ProgMan replacement to the Shell= line in the [boot] section of your SYSTEM.INI file. If you do choose File Manager as the default shell, your StartUp group will be disabled and you'll have to use the Load= and Run= lines in the [windows] section of WIN.INI to load or run applications as Windows opens. Third-party shells often disable the StartUp group, too, and may or may not support the Load= and Run= lines. Consult the shell manufacturer for further details.


 Editing: Place Swap Files

SCREENCAM: STORING SWAP FILE ON ANOTHER DRIVE

If you've got a new hard disk that's faster than the old one, you can tell Windows to use the faster drive for disk swapping. For example, if the new drive is drive D:, create a directory on drive D: called, say, SWAPFILE, and add the following line to the [NonWindowsApp] section of your SYSTEM.INI file: Swapdisk=D: \SWAPFILE.


 Editing: Change Help Jump Color

Change the color of selected highlighted text (which leads to additional information) in Windows' Help by adding one or more of the following lines to the [Windows Help] section of the WIN.INI file: IFJumpColor=R G B; IFPopupColor=R G B; JumpColor=R G B; PopupColor=R G B (in each case, R G B are the red/green/blue values with space--not comma--separators). Here's how to determine the numbers that create the color of your choice. Double-click on the Color icon in Control Panel. Click on Color Palette, then on Define Custom Colors. On your left, you'll see all the possible colors on your system. Adjust the color values until the color of your choice appears in the left half of the Color/Solid box. Now look at the numbers in the Red, Green and Blue boxes. Those are the numbers you should place in your WIN.INI file lines to show that color.


 Editing: Debeep The Desktop

SCREENCAM: DISABLE BEEP ON ERROR

If you'd rather not be beeped at every time you do something wrong, change Beep=Yes to Beep=No in the [windows] section of WIN.INI. You can also change this setting via Control Panel's Sound icon. Just clear or check the Enable System Sounds box, as desired. Despite the "System Sounds'' nomenclature, this check box affects only the default system beep.


 Editing: Trim Your Path

SCREENCAM: TRIM YOUR PATH

Just about every application you install thinks it's the most important game in town and adds itself to the head of AUTOEXEC.BAT's PATH statement. In most cases you can remove the addition, and simply place the path in the command line in that application's Program Item Properties dialog box.


 Editing: No .WRI Backups

There's a Backup=0 line in the [MSWrite] section of WIN.INI. If you change the 0 to 1, you might expect the Write applet to save a backup copy of a file. It doesn't. The next time you save a Write document, Windows rewrites the line back to 0 and makes no backup. If you want a backup copy, you must remember to click on the File menu's Save As option and then check the Backup box. You must repeat this process every time you want to make a backup copy.


 Editing: Remove Remarks

If you look at the [ports] section of WIN.INI, you'll find three lines of text explaining the purpose of the lines that follow. Various applications insert other explanatory lines in WIN.INI and SYSTEM.INI, and sometimes add an entire section of nothing but such lines. It's all very informative, but it does waste .INI space. If you feel you'll need this information for future reference, create a REMARK.TXT (or similar) file and copy the lines (and section headers) into it. Then remove the lines from the system files.


 Editing: Sort DOS Dir Listings

SCREENCAM: DISPLAY SORTED DOS DIRECTORIES

If you like the way File Manager shows sorted directory listings, you can get DOS to do it, too, by adding a SET DIRCMD=/ogn line to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. The /ogn means: o, order (that is, sort) the listings; g, group (that is, list) the directories first; n, sort directories and files by name. If you want to discourage the casual snooper from reading your DOS directories, change the line to SET DIRCMD=x, where x is any letter and there's no slash after the equal sign. The DIR command will report "file not found.''


 Editing: Fix Extended Characters

If you regularly press the Alt+0xxx keys, where xxx is the value of an extended character, and the character doesn't appear, the application may need extra time to handle the operation. Edit the [386Enh] section of SYSTEM.INI, adding the following line: AltPasteDelay=.0xx, where 0xx is a value greater than the default of 0.025 seconds.


 Editing: Create a TEMP Directory

SCREENCAM: SETTING TMP FOR TEMPORARY FILE STORAGE

Many applications write temporary files and erase them later on when they're no longer needed. To keep these files from getting dumped into your root directory, create a C:\TEMP directory and add two lines to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file: SET TEMP=C:\TEMP and SET TMP=C: \TEMP (some applications use TMP instead of TEMP). Every now and then you should search the C:\TEMP directory and remove any .TMP files that were accidentally left behind. Do this with Windows closed, so that you don't erase any active .TMP files by accident.


 Editing: Halt 32-Bit Warnings

When you enable 32-bit disk access, a warning message advises that its use "on some battery-powered portable computers may be unreliable when the computer's power-saving features are enabled.'' If you find this message unbe- coming to your monster AC power-guzzling machine, you can get rid of it by adding a 32BitDiskWarning=OFF line to the [386Enh] section of SYSTEM.INI. You'll still get the "Are you sure?'' inquiry, however.


 Editing: Free the Frame

SCREENCAM: MAXIMIZING MEMORY

If you don't run any applications that need expanded memory, make sure the device=C:\DOS\EMM 386.EXE line in your CONFIG.SYS file has a NOEMS parameter. Otherwise, the device sets aside (and wastes) a 64KB block of upper memory for an unneeded EMS page frame.


 Editing: Cache Your CD-ROM

SMARTDrive 5.0 or newer supports read-only caching for CD-ROM drives. To use it, make sure your MSCDEX.EXE line appears before the SMARTDRV.EXE line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.


 Editing: No Load/Run Limit

Your WIN.INI file's Load= and Run= lines handle only 127 characters each. To overcome this limit, install an icon in the StartUp group for one or more of the applets on these lines, then erase that item listing on the Load= or Run= line. Check the Run Minimized box to load the applet as an icon; leave the box unchecked to run the applet on the desktop as Windows opens.


 Editing: Keep Wallpaper Aside

You can place your bitmap images in their own directory and tell Windows where to find them by placing the path and filename on the WallPaper= line in the [desktop] section of WIN.INI. For example, create a directory called BITMAPS on drive C and move all your .BMP files into it. If you want to use ARCADE.BMP wallpaper, enter the following: WallPaper=C: \BITMAPS\ARCADE.BMP. While you're at it, click once on the Paintbrush icon and then open the File menu and select Properties. In the Program Item Properties box, type C:\BITMAPS into the Working Directory box. Next time you open Paintbrush, it will list the .BMP files in that directory.


 Editing: Lefty Menus

SCREENCAM: ADJUSTING MENU DROP ALIGNMENT

The left edge of default Windows drop-down menus is aligned with the left edge of the menu name on the Title bar. If you add a MenuDropAlignment=1 line to the [windows] section of WIN.INI, the menus will be right-aligned instead, unless this would push part of the menu off-screen to the left (as, for example, the File menu in a maximized window). In this case, the menu is shifted to the right as required, so that all of it remains on-screen.


 Editing: Speedy 286

SCREENCAM: BETTER 286 PERFORMANCE UNDER WINDOWS

If you're using a 286 machine, add a FasterModeSwitch=1 line to the [standard] section of SYSTEM.INI to make Windows respond faster to hardware interrupts.


 Editing: Truetype Fonts

If some of the characters in a highly decorative TrueType font don't print, add the following line to the [TrueType] section of WIN.INI: OutlineThreshold= xxx, where xxx is 70 (the default is 256). The number, in pixels per em, specifies the point above which Windows prints TrueType fonts as outline fonts instead of as bitmaps. Bitmap fonts print faster but require more memory than outline fonts. Print slowdown may be quite noticeable if the number is reduced below 70.


 Editing: 24-Hour Clock

SCREENCAM: SETTING CLOCK TO 24-HOUR FORMAT

Configure your clock to show 13:05 instead of 1:05 PM, by changing iTime=0 to iTime=1 in the [Intl] section of WIN.INI. For additional time and date format changes, refer to the Format Changes button in the International dialog box, which is accessed via Control Panel.


 Editing: Hands Off Boot Description

Don't change the [boot.description] section of your SYSTEM.INI file. In most cases, the string to the right of an equal sign shows up in the Windows Setup dialog box or on-screen if you run Setup from the DOS prompt. At either location, it simply describes the current installed device.


 Editing: Printing Advice

If you've created a document (in Word or Excel, for example) and need to print it at a remote location where that application is not installed, print it to a file at your own location, then copy that file to the printer at the other location. To do so, add the following line to the [Ports] section of the local WIN.INI file: filename.ext=, where filename.ext is the name under which the file should be saved (include an explicit path, as desired). Next, double-click on the Printers icon in Control Panel, install the printer that will be used (if it does not already exist here), and then connect it to filename.ext. When you open the desired document and print it, it will be printed to the filename.ext file. Take a copy of the file to the remote site and, at the DOS prompt, type the following line: COPY filename.ext /b PRN. Remember that the local installed (but unused) printer must match the remote printer in order for this to work.


 Editing: HANDS OFF! INI Sections

[Boot]

286grabber=filename

386grabber=filename

CachedFileHandles=number

display.drv=filename

drivers=filename | aliasname

keyboard.drv=filename

language.dll=libraryname

mouse.drv=filename

network.drv=filename

system.drv=filename

[keyboard]

keyboard.dll=filename

oemansi.bin=filename

subtype=number

-type=number

[Boot.description]

Entire section

[386Enh]

A20Enable Count=number

BkGndNotifyAtPFault=0 | 1

device=filename | *devicename

display=filename | *devicename

EBIOS=filename | *devicename

EISADMA=0 | 1 | channel.size

HardDiskDMABuffer=kilobytes

IdleVMWaveUpTime=seconds

IgnoreInstalledEMM=0 | 1

InDOSPolling=0 | 1

keyboard=filename | *devicename

KybdPasswd=0 | 1

local=devicename

LPTnAutoAssign=seconds

LRULowRateMult=number

LRURateChngTime=milliseconds

LRUSweepFreq=milliseconds

LRUSweepLen=length-in-pages

LRUSweepLowWater=number

LRUSweepReset=milliseconds

MapPhysAddress=range

MaxBPs=number

MaxDMAPGAddress=address

MinUnlockMem=kilobytes

mouse=filename | *devicename

network=filename | *devicename

NMIReboot=0 | 1

NoWaitNetIO=0 | 1

OverlappedIO=0 | 1

PageOverCommit=megabytes

PerformBackfill=0 | 1

PSPIncrement=number

ReserveVideoROM=0 | 1

ROMScanThreshold=number

ScrollFrequency=number

SGrabLPT=port-number

SyncTime=0 | 1

SystemROMBreakPoint=0 | 1

SysVMEMSLimit=number | kilobytes

SysVMEMSLocked=0 | 1

SysVMEMSRequired=kilobytes

SysVMV86Locked=0 | 1

SysVMXMSLimit=number | kilobytes

SysVMXMSRequired=kilobytes

TimerCriticalSection=milliseconds

TranslateScans=0 | 1

TrapTimerPorts=0 | 1

UniqueDOSPSP=0 | 1

UseInstFile=0 | 1

VideoBackgroundMsg=0 | 1

VideoSuspendDisable=0 | 1

WindowUpdateTime=milliseconds

WOAFont=font-filename

XlatBufferSize=kilobytes

XMSUMBInitCalls=0 | 1

[Standard]

PadCodeSegments=0 | 1

StackSize=kilobytes

[NonWindowsApp]

GlobalHeapSize=kilobytes

[MCI]

Entire section

[Drivers]

Entire section


 Editing: Disable Control Panel Applets

SCREENCAM: DISABLING CONTROL PANEL APPLETS


 Hardware: System Buying Tips

System: Stretch Your Budget

System: Buy Direct

System: Add Memory

System: Use Preloaded Software

System: Search For PCI

System: Add Communications

System: Use Suite Software

System: Demand Excellence

System: Remember Service

System: Upgrade Video

System: Get Good Peripherals

System: Inspect It

System: Haggle

System: Think Portable


 System: Stretch Your Budget

Thinking of stretching your budget to get the Pentium system that seems just a few hundred dollars out of your reach? Go for it! The more system power you buy, the longer you can put off upgrading down the road. Chances are that top-of-the-line system will come down in price before you even get the order in. Buy the most you can afford, not the least you can get by with. You'll be glad you did.


 System: Buy Direct

Your friends are all buying direct, and you can too if you're careful. Compare the products from various vendors closely, and take a hard look at their warranties and technical support policies. Be sure to ask about various "hidden costs,'' such as stocking fees, shipping charges, state taxes and the like. Feel free to negotiate. Many direct vendors are eager to fight for your business. Get the return policies and support procedures spelled out in advance. Order by credit card, so you can protect yourself in a dispute. Make sure the vendor charges your account on shipment rather than on the order date. Above all, get vendor recommendations from colleagues, friends, local user groups and bulletin boards.


 System: Add Memory

Memory is the first requirement for running Windows. Go for at least 8MB of RAM and a 128KB external cache. If you're interested in NT, double those numbers. On the storage front, don't forget that whopping big hard disk. Anything less than 400MB will seem puny a year from now.


 System: Use Preloaded Software

Your system vendor is happy to preload your DOS/Windows operating system and all the application software you need. This also holds for upgraded video cards, CD-ROM drives, printer drivers and everything else you need to be productive. Don't fight it. Unless you're a Windows warrior who likes tinkering with the innards of your computer, you'll be happy to be up and running minutes after uncrating your new Windows computer. Let your vendor do the installation work.


 System: Search For PCI

VL-Bus systems are fine, but keep in mind that PCI-bus systems are going to take prominence in the coming months. So spend the extra few hundred dollars to get PCI-bus performance, particularly if you want to take advantage of the coming plug-and-play capabilities of the next versions of Windows.


 System: Add Communications

There is no more important peripheral for your new Windows system than your modem. Don't settle for anything slower than a 9600bps modem. Even better, insist on a 14.4Kbps model. You'll save enough money on connect charges to make the purchase worthwhile. In less than a year, your high-speed modem will be one of your most prized possessions.


 System: Use Suite Software

Systems vendors have taken to shipping their hardware with all-in-one software packages. If you expect to do any sort of serious computing, avoid the so-called works products and get one of the higher end software suites. You'll get full-featured sets of products that are worth the extra dollars you may have to spend. But don't pass up the chance to negotiate for a good price on this software.


 System: Demand Excellence

Don't let your vendor slip you an older version of DOS or Windows. Cutting corners on your basic operating system and environment is no bargain. Insist on the latest versions of both (6.2x for DOS, 3.11 for Windows).


 System: Remember Service

Service and repair offerings vary greatly from vendor to vendor. Some offer short-term carry-in service; others extend annual on-site agreements. Consider your needs carefully. Toll-free telephone advice may be sufficient for you, but others may need extensive, short-notice repair arrangements. Above all, test the service you think you've bought. If you have difficulty reaching your vendor during the warranty period, you can be sure support will be harder to come by after your warranty ends. If your vendor is not responsive right from the beginning, consider returning your system during the no-questions-asked warranty period.


 System: Upgrade Video

A powerful video accelerator is central to Windows performance. Look for at least 1MB of VRAM; 2MB is even better. And be ready to drop a few extra bucks to upgrade your video board--you'll really appreciate the difference.


 System: Get Good Peripherals

Computing doesn't happen in a vacuum. Don't blow your entire budget on your system and software. Save a few hundred bucks for those things that make computing comfortable: a good keyboard, decent computer desk, wrist rests for keyboard and mouse, document holder, power strip, halogen desk lamp and so on. You have to be comfortable at your system to be productive using it.


 System: Inspect It

Rip open your hardware or software boxes as soon as they arrive. Do a thorough inventory of every card, peripheral, manual, cable and diskette. If something's missing, get on the phone that day and take care of it. Every day that goes by after the purchase means less and less concern on the part of your vendor. Keep every box and bit of packing material. Some vendors void warranties if their products are not returned in the original packages. If you have to return hardware, send only the items that need repairs. Extraneous cables, keyboards and power supplies are likely to get lost in the shuffle.


 System: Haggle

Most vendors, particularly mail-order companies, are desperate for your business. Take advantage of their eagerness. Don't pass up the chance to negotiate. If you think you can get a better price elsewhere, say so. If you're in the market for several dozen systems--or even only several systems--you can and should drive a hard bargain.


 System: Think Portable

Portable computers are no longer spelled t-r-a-d-e-o-f-f. If you spend any amount of time on the road, you may not need both a desktop and laptop computer. One portable system may be sufficient. Port replicators and docking stations have made even the smallest, lightest models almost the equivalents of powerful desktop models. The best portable systems are still expensive, but they're still less costly than buying one system for the road and one for the office. Just be sure you follow the same advice for any system purchase--make sure you have adequate RAM, good hard disk storage, a high-speed modem, and a decent keyboard and display. And make sure you're comfortable with the pointing device--even the best notebook trackball begins to lose its luster on those endless cross-continental air trips.


Harware: Printing Tips
 Hardware: Printing Tips

Printing: Print Direct for Speed

Printing: Using Print Manager

Printing: Manage Your Fonts

Printing: Use Vector Graphics

Printing: Network Printing

Printing: Print Envelopes

Printing: Update Drivers

Printing: Faster LAN Routing

Printing: Hire A Temp

Printing: Choose Your Print Order

Printing: Sharpen Photoshop Images

Printing: Add PDF Files

Printing: Seize Control

Printing: Create A Fake Port

Printing: Fix Formatting

Printing: Start Stalled Jobs


 Printing: Print Direct For Speed

SCREENCAM: PRINT FASTER  UNDER WINDOWS

To speed things up, bypass DOS and print directly from Windows. In Control Panel, double-click on the Printers icon and click on the Connect button. Check the Fast Printing Direct to Port box and you'll be printing faster.


 Printing: Using Print Manager

Don't use Print Manager if:

•	You're printing to a NetWare-connected printer. Network printers spool faster than Print Manager and won't tie up your system resources.

•	You're printing locally and getting your output quickly is more important than regaining control of your PC.

Do use Print Manager if:

•	You're sharing the printer via Windows for Workgroups, which requires Print Manager.

•	You use drag-and-drop printing.

•	You prefer to regain control of the computer while printing in the background. If your application is operating too slowly during background printing, open Print Manager's Options menu, select Background Printing, and click on the Low radio button to maximize your foreground application's speed.


 Printing: Manage Your Fonts

SCREENCAM: DOCUMENT PORTABILITY VERSUS PRINTER SPEED

To speed up printing or to ensure that your documents can be output on any printer, specify the fonts available in your applications. Open Control Panel and choose Fonts. Click on the TrueType button. For faster printing, clear the Enable TrueType fonts and you'll have access to printer fonts only. To ensure portability to other printers, check Show Only TrueType Fonts.


 Printing: Use Vector Graphics

If you're printing line-art graphics such as an AutoCAD drawing, choose HP GL/2 mode instead of the standard printer driver to speed up printing. HP GL/2's vector graphics print much more quickly than raster graphics and are included in PCL 5E (enhanced) printers.


 Printing: Network Printing

Want high-speed printing across the LAN without dedicating a PC? Adding a network-interface card is an inexpensive way to maximize a printer's use. Many vendors offer adapters that can support multiple network operating systems and protocols for a fraction of the cost of a dedicated print server. Most adapters include software utilities for NetWare, Windows for Workgroups and Windows NT that add remote administration tools.


 Printing: Print Envelopes

SCREENCAM: CUSTOMIZE ENVELOPE ADDRESS FONTS

When printing envelopes, try to use a straight paper path to keep the envelopes from curling up. Many printers offer a secondary, face-up exit tray that pushes the paper straight out the rear of the unit. Use this tray to make your envelopes look as professional as your carefully crafted documents.


 Printing: Update Drivers

Printer manufacturers post their latest printer drivers (usually updated quarterly), which fix known incompatibilities and improve speed. The drivers are available on the manufacturers' bulletin boards and Microsoft's bulletin board and forums. Dial Microsoft's free BBS at 206-936-6735 for a list of the latest available drivers. To check for your printer driver version, open Control Panel, double-click on the Printers icon, click on Setup, then click on About.


 Printing: Faster LAN Routing

SCREENCAM: PRINT FASTER UNDER WINDOWS (LAN)

SCREENCAM: CONTROLLING FORMAT FOR PRINT JOBS

Are you printing to a DOS port and then capturing the port to a print queue? If you're working on a network, connect directly to a network queue instead. Open Control Panel and double-click on Printers. Find your printer model and highlight it, then click on Connect. Click on the name of the port you're using, then on Network. Choose the name of the print queue you want to use under Available Queues, then click on Connect, Close and OK. If a dialog box tells you to copy your fonts to a new port, click on OK. You're all set.


 Printing: Hire A Temp

SCREENCAM: PRINT FASTER  UNDER WINDOWS

Speed up Print Manager by adding a temporary directory to Windows. Without this directory, Print Manager spends a lot of time searching for a place to spool files. The first step is to create a directory called C:\ WINDOWS\TEMP, then go to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Next, add this line after the PATH line: SET TEMP=C:\WIN- DOWS\TEMP.


 Printing: Choose Your Print Order

You can specify how many copies of a document you want by using your application's Print command or through Windows' Control Panel. If you do this within the application, you can choose to get collated sets. For instance, set your application to print four copies of a three-page job and it will reprint the entire job four times in this order: page 1, 2, 3, page 1, 2, 3, page 1, 2, 3, page 1, 2, 3. On the other hand, you can print multiple copies faster using Control Panel/Printers/Setup. The printer takes over and prints the selected number of copies of each page before starting the next. These sets will not be collated.


 Printing: Sharpen Photoshop Images

If pronounced dot patterns mar your printed Photoshop images, you may need to adjust the printer screens. Under Page Setup, click on the Screens button and check the Use Printer Screens box. This should produce smoother halftones and improved output.


 Printing: Add PDF Files

If you're having problems printing from PageMaker, PDFs (Printer Definition Files) may be missing from your WINDOWS directory. Many printer manufacturers do not ship PDFs with their printers. Others include the files on a diskette that you may have overlooked. You can usually find PDFs on the manufacturer's bulletin board or you may be able to obtain them from the vendor for a fee.


 Printing: Seize Control

If you've reset the printer's control panel but it doesn't respond to a new setting, check that the Windows driver corresponds to those settings. The Windows driver ordinarily takes precedence over the printer's settings, so it's imperative to make all of your printer configuration changes in Windows instead of in the printer's control panel.


 Printing: Create A Fake Port

If you have trouble printing over a network, create a fake port to alleviate the problems. In your WIN.INI file under the [ports] section, add the line LPT1.DOS. Restart Windows, and in Control Panel, double-click on Printers, click on Connect and select LPT1.DOS in the Ports box. Windows will stop recognizing the port as a hardware port and will print to it as a DOS device instead. DOS will redirect output to the LPT1 port. You're more likely to avoid conflicts if you print to DOS instead of printing to Windows.


 Printing: Fix Formatting

When your print jobs aren't formatted the way you intended (for example, if the page orientation is wrong), make sure you've selected the formatting in your application and not just on the printer's panel menu. Software settings usually override printer settings. You may also need to make formatting selections both in your application and in Control Panel's Print Setup dialog box. Select Print Preview in your application to see what your output will look like.


 Printing: Start Stalled Jobs

If you can't restart a stalled printer from a remote PC, try restarting from the print server (the computer to which the printer is physically connected). On the print server, enter Print Manager, select the stalled print job, open the Document menu, and click on Resume Print Job. Your problem should be resolved.


 Hardware: Communications Tips

Comm: Head Off Port Conflicts

Comm: Dial P for Prefix

Comm: Disable Call Waiting

Comm: Scrap Screen Savers

Comm: Using High Speeds

Comm: Background Communications

Comm: Remember The Buffer

Comm: Transmit Reliably

Comm: Blame The Comm Program

Comm: High Speed Connections

Comm: Installing Internal Modems

Comm: Setting Terminal Straight

Comm: Use Modem Panel Lights

Comm: Modem Panel Lights Key

Comm: Add More Ports

Comm: Test Your Modem

Comm: Choose A Protocol

Comm: Get A Fast COMM Driver

Comm: Make It Automatic

Comm: Using Fax

Comm: Fax from MS Mail and WfW 3.11

Comm: Maximize Speed

Comm: Connecting Your Modem


 Comm: Head Off Port Conflicts

If your fax and communications programs try to use the same modem at the same time, you'll encounter a Port in Use error. For a quick fix, make one application give up control of the port or close down one application and try again. For a long-term solution, use a communications port-sharing application, like KingCom 2.0 from OTC Corp. or the shareware program Voodoo Assassin, to make the hand-off for you.


 Comm: Dial P for Prefix

When you're on the road, don't go through the hassle of changing phone numbers to handle different dialing prefixes, such as 9 for an outside line, *70 to disable call waiting, or even the numbers for billing your modem call to a phone credit card. There's an easier way: Set up dialing codes or prefixes, and tell the comm program to use them when dialing certain numbers. Some programs even have specific setup options for credit card and long-distance information. You might have to search to find these features, but all of the major programs support this in some way.


 Comm: Disable Call Waiting

Call waiting can cause problems if someone calls while you are using your modem. You may lose characters or data, or even be bounced off your connection. To avoid this, set up the communications program to dial *70 (to disable call waiting) before each phone number. Include a comma after the *70 to allow your telephone system time to process the command. For rotary phones, the code is 1170. If someone calls while you are on-line, that person will get a busy signal and your communications session won't be rudely interrupted.


 Comm: Scrap Screen Savers

Turn off screen savers during downloads, particularly when you're dealing with large files. If the screen saver kicks in, it could cause errors.


 Comm: Using High Speeds

Sometimes a modem can lose characters at high speed even if your computer has a 16550A or other high-speed port installed. To prevent this, add the line COMxProtocol=XOFF to the [386Enh] section in SYSTEM.INI, changing x to the comm port of your choice. This sets the port to use the Xon/Xoff protocol, forcing the port to wait for an OK before trying to process a buffer load of data. You can also make this change from Control Panel. Choose Ports, double-click on your COM port, and select Xon/Xoff under Flow Control.


 Comm: Background Communications

SCREENCAM: ALLOW MORE TIME TO PROCESS COM DATA

For more efficient background communications, increase the values of the COMBoostTime and COMxBuffer values in the [386Enh] section of SYSTEM.INI. Change the COMBoostTime parameter if the characters you type in from the keyboard don't appear on the screen during a communications session. Use a text editor, such as Notepad, to open SYSTEM.INI and edit the COMBoostTime (try starting with 20) and COMxBuffer lines. (See next tip.)


 Comm: Remember The Buffer

SCREENCAM: BUFFER COM DATA TO PREVENT DATA LOSS

Some DOS communications programs may fail to detect and enable the UART buffer because Windows is doing its own buffering of the communications port for the application. You can fix this by adding the statement COMxBuffer=0 (with x standing for your comm port number) to the [386Enh] section of your SYSTEM.INI file.


 Comm: Transmit Reliably

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE DATA TRANSFER RELIABILITY

If you're having trouble with reliability in your data transmissions, edit SYSTEM .INI to increase the size of the communications port buffer. In the [386Enh] section, add a COMxBuffer=size line, replacing x with your comm port number and size with the number of bytes to make the buffer. Try a size of at least 1024 or greater. The default value is 128 bytes, which may not be enough to keep up with fast modems. Increasing the value may slow down communications slightly, but it should give you greater reliability.


 Comm: Blame The Comm Program

If your high-speed modem isn't giving you the throughput you expected, your comm program may be to blame. High-speed modems normally negotiate with each other when making a connection so that they use the highest speed and best error control and compression for a given line condition. But modems don't always use the same commands for setting up the fallback options when the initial negotiation fails, and not all Hayes-compatible modems are fully compatible. You may need to reconfigure your comm program's modem initialization string and change the codes specifying the action the modem takes when the initial error-control negotiation fails. Look for the S36= value in the initialization string and compare it with the setting listed in your modem manual, or call your modem manufacturer's tech support. Then make the appropriate changes. The default for most comm programs is the setting S36=7. This tells the fully Hayes-compatible modems to attempt V.42 Alternate Protocol and, if that fails, to try a standard asynchronous connection with automatic speed buffering.


 Comm: High Speed Connections

For high-speed modem communications, configure the serial port to use hardware handshaking (CTS/RTS). Go to the Control Panel Ports icon and click on COM1 or whichever port you're actually using. From the Flow Control list box, choose Hardware and then click on OK.


 Comm: Installing Internal Modems

An internal modem may not work out of the box, even if you think you installed it correctly. The problem could be a port conflict, and you may have to disable a COM port through the BIOS setup program to correct the problem. This conflict can happen because the internal modem wants to use a hard-coded set of interrupts that the BIOS has redirected for use on the system board. Once these COM ports are disabled for the system board, the internal modem can use them.


 Comm: Setting Terminal Straight

Make sure you set up your communications software properly for on-line services, particularly for downloading or uploading files. Dedicated software for on-line services, such as WinCIM for CompuServe, handles this for you. If you are using a program like Windows' Terminal or Procomm Plus, you'll have to do it yourself. The format used here is service name, terminal type, data, stop bits and parity. Except where noted, duplex should be set to full. CompuServe: VT100, 7E1; GEnie: VT100, 8N1 (must be set to half duplex or local echo); TymNet: VT100, 8N1 (if there is a problem and you receive unreadable text, wait three seconds, type capital A, set modem to 7E1); SprintNet: VT100, 8NI; most BBSs: VT100, 8N1 or 7E1.


 Comm: Use Modem Panel Lights

When you're debugging your comm program, use modem panel lights to determine the status of the connection. If you happen to have an external modem, you're all set. If you have an internal or PCMCIA modem, you can get lights on-screen by using any one of numerous shareware programs, which are available for downloading from  numerous on-line services.


 Comm: Modem Panel Lights Key

Here's a key to the most common modem lights: CD (carrier detect) indicates whether the modem on the other end answered. AA (automatic answer) lets you know whether the modem has been configured to answer incoming calls automatically. OH stands for on hook, SD is send and RD is receive. The send and receive lights will alternately flash when you're sending or receiving a file. On some modems, SD may be replaced by TX, which is short for transmit.


 Comm: Add More Ports

If you're busy enough (or strange enough) to have more than four comm ports in use under Windows, make sure the MaxComPort= switch is set to the correct number in the [386Enh] section of SYSTEM.INI.


 Comm: Test Your Modem

The easiest way to test your modem is from the DOS prompt. Type the command Echo ATDT >COMx, replacing COMx with the number of the comm port you wish to use, such as COM2. If there is a modem at that port and it is working, you should hear a dial tone or other indication that the modem has accepted the command. To reset the modem to the original factory settings, replace ATDT with AT&F.


 Comm: Choose A Protocol

The transfer protocol you choose can affect how quickly you'll get your data. Some protocols are fast but offer minimal error correction, while others trade speed for execution. The fastest error-correcting protocol available from Windows comm apps is Zmodem, which is included with most comm packages. Use it.


 Comm: Get A Fast COMM Driver

Not all drivers are created equal. The COMM.DRV serial port driver that comes with Windows is fairly robust, but high-speed modems can use even more help. TurboCom is an excellent replacement, as is the shareware application CHCOMB.EXE, which lets DOS programs under Windows use the 16550A chip.


 Comm: Make It Automatic

If you routinely use your communications software to connect to the same on-line services or bulletin boards, "teach'' the comm software your log-on sequences so it will run them automatically when you dial the number. Most comm programs have a function that lets the software watch your commands, create a script from the session, and then assign it to a specific phone-book entry.


 Comm: Using Fax

If your communications program has problems resetting a fax modem from fax to data mode, you'll have trouble establishing a data connection with another fax modem. You'll hear an endless fax screech instead of a modem pinging at the other end. Locate the modem initialization string in the modem setup of your comm program, and add AT&F to the beginning of this line. This will reset the modem each time you run the program, giving you more reliable connections.


 Comm: Fax from MS Mail and WfW 3.11

With Windows for Workgroups 3.11 and your own fax modem (or a fax modem shared on your network), you can send faxes and fax binary attachments from Microsoft Mail. You can also receive faxes from another system using the same method. To do so, you have to enable a couple of settings in Control Panel and MS Mail.

Exit and sign out of MS Mail, then open Control Panel and access the Fax applet. In the Fax Modems dialog box, choose Add. When the Add Fax Modems dialog box appears, choose the communications port, CAS fax modem or shared fax modem type you'll be using. When you click on OK, there will be a delay before the Fax Phone Number dialog box appears.

Enter your fax modem phone number in the dialog box and click on OK. The Active Modem Connection will be listed. Check Always Display Fax Status. Click on Setup and choose whether to enable Auto-answer mode.

In the Fax Modem on Comx dialog box, choose Speaker to bring up controls for the fax modem speaker. Choose Dialing to bring up settings and enter any prefixes your fax modem may need to dial, including a 9 to place outside calls, for instance. Click on OK and exit the Control Panel applet.

Start Mail and log in. A new Fax menu item will appear between the Mail and Windows menus, and you will be prompted to exit and restart Mail once more to take advantage of the new services. After you have restarted Mail, you will be able to send and receive faxes in the same way you normally send mail messages.

To test your new setup, compose a message and address it to your office fax or another number. Enter [fax:My Fax Machine@xxx-xxx-xxxx] in the To: field, substituting the appropriate numbers for each x. When you send the message, it will be printed through the Microsoft at Work fax driver and sent through the fax modem you selected. You can send a custom cover-page graphic with the Cover Page section of the Default Fax Options dialog box under Fax/Options.


 Comm: Maximize Speed

If you have a modem running at 14.4Kbps or higher, and the serial port on your machine uses a 8250 or 16450 UART, you may be communicating much more slowly than your modem will allow--and you may be losing data too.

The UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) controls the exchange of data between your computer and modem, determining the speed and reliability of communications. If your machine uses one of these chips, replace it with a 16550A UART. (You can find out exactly which chip is used by running the Microsoft diagnostic utility, MSD.EXE.)

Unlike the 8250 and the 16450, which buffer only one character as they send or receive data, the 16550A UART stores 16 characters for both transmission and reception. As data comes in, the computer must service the UART and translate the incoming data between a serial data stream and a parallel data stream. The computer's processor must read the UART and copy the data that it contains. Depending upon what else the computer is doing, such as handling your word processing, the UART might not be serviced as promptly as it should be. With the older chips, this meant that data would be lost when the character sitting in the 1-byte buffer was overwritten with incoming data. With the newer 16550A UARTs, 16 bytes of data can be stored before the buffer needs to be read. This means that there is more time for the computer's processor to read the chip and, consequently, less likelihood that data will be lost.

For example, with a 16550A UART and communications at 115 kilobits per second (the highest throughput of the new V.Fast modems), your PC no longer has to read a received character in less than 90 microseconds or risk losing data. Instead, it has more than 1.2 milliseconds to handle the data stored in the UART's buffers. By using the 16-byte buffers, the 16550A UART running at 9600bps needs only the same service time as an 8250 UART running at 600bps.

Most PCs do not have a separate UART; instead, they use an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) with the UART in it. However, many systems do have a separate UART. If yours does, you may be able to replace it. But the UART may be soldered to the motherboard or communications card. If this is the case, you won't be able to replace just the UART. You will need a new communications card to reap the benefits of the 16550A chip.

Replacing the 8250 isn't too hard. The 16550A and the 8250 are both 40-pin chips, and only two of the pins (24 and 29) differ between the chips. This makes it possible to plug the 16550A into an existing 8250 socket.

If you have a socketed chip, you can order a $12 UART from almost any mail-order chip dealer. The two pins that differ are typically unused for PC-compatible serial ports. They are sometimes used to connect something such as a ground wire. If this is the case, you can carefully clip off that pin or bend it back so that it does not go into the socket. However, if the thought of all this mechanical rigging on a chip makes you nervous, you can always add a new serial board. Adding such a board to your system costs between $50 and $300. To do so, you'll need one free slot and at least one free IRQ; dual-port boards will need two IRQs.

The investment in time and money will be paid back quickly. You'll enjoy improved data transmission speeds and data reliability, as well as better overall system performance.


 Comm: Connecting Your Modem

SCREENCAM: FIXING COMMUNICATIONS PROBLEMS: SETTINGS

SCREENCAM: FIXING COMMUNICATIONS PROBLEMS: MODEM

Troubleshooting communications difficulties is not a complex problem if you can break it down into manageable steps. The first thing to do is to try to determine where the problem is.

See whether you can get a dial tone at all. The easiest way to do this is to open Windows Terminal (in the Accessories group). In the Phone menu, click on Dial. Enter any number in the dialog box, and click on OK. The modem speaker should give you a dial tone and then start to dial. If that happens, you know that your ports are set properly and that your modem is responding.

Next, check your communications protocol settings. Make sure you know the proper dialing sequence. Sometimes, you need to dial a leading 9, sometimes an 8. Does the area you're in need a 1 before a long-distance phone number?

OK, now you have a dial tone, and you dial, and you get silly things appearing on your screen. This is the responsibility of your communications parameters. Communications programs have menus for setting these parameters, and if they're set wrong, you won't communicate. You have to know what the system on the other end is using, and then it's imperative that you match those parameters.

Most bulletin boards and other information providers use the following settings: 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit--designated 8,N,1. Data bits carry the information to be communicated, parity is used for error checking, and the stop bit tells the receiving computer that the byte has ended.

Not all systems use this setup, however. CompuServe, for example, uses 7,E,1, which means it looks at only the first 7 bits of a byte for data and considers the next bit to be a parity bit.  Your comm software (including Microsoft Terminal) has menus (Settings in Terminal) to set these parameters to match what the system on the other end expects.

What if you don't get a dial tone? The plot thickens in this case because there are many things that could be wrong. You might have a bad modem. You might have a port conflict, or an interrupt conflict. Terminal is your best diagnostic tool.

The first thing to check is whether your port is set properly. Suppose, for example, that your computer came with a slow modem, and you just bought a fast 14.4Kbps modem. But you cannot disable the internal modem in your computer, and your new modem plugs into one of your I/O slots.

Such a modem comes with a DIP (dual in-line package) that sets the communications ports. You might have set it for COM 1. Get into your BIOS screen (your owner's manual will tell you how) and see what the COM port for the internal modem is. COM 1? No problem. Just reset the DIP switch on your new modem to COM 2, and you're in business (reset the port settings in your comm program). If your system uses a PS/2-style connector for its mouse, your problem is solved. On many machines, however, the mouse uses a serial port connector. In that case, contact the vendor to find out how to disable the internal modem.


 Hardware: Video Upgrade Tips

Video: Upgrade Your Adapter

Video: Go Local

Video: Find New Drivers

Video: Installing Adapters

Video: Max Out Your Video

Video: Remember Memory

Video: Tune Your Monitor

Video: Plan For Multimedia

Video: Control Your Screen

Video: Startup Problems


 Video: Upgrade Your Adapter

A slow video subsystem can undermine an otherwise powerful system configuration. Upgrading your video adapter is the first step to unlocking your system's true potential. Don't settle for anything short of a 64-bit local bus accelerator to carry you into the future. The card should also support VESA DPMS (Display Power Management System), with refresh rates of at least 72Hz at all resolutions.


 Video: Go Local

It may be time to donate your ISA machine to charity or the rec room and upgrade to a local-bus system. Most of the fast, new graphics accelerators are developed for PCI or VL-Bus platforms only, and the scarcity of ISA adapters is only going to get worse. You'll make the move eventually, so don't sink any more money into a machine that's on its last legs. Once you see how much faster these systems operate, you'll be happy that you made the investment.


 Video: Find New Drivers

Only the latest drivers will do when you're installing a new graphics adapter. Drivers are frequently updated to fix bugs and increase performance, and are available on the adapter manufacturer's bulletin board. Also, check the readme files that often accompany the drivers for known incompatibilities or tweaks that will reduce your driver woes.


 Video: Installing Adapters

A few minutes of preparation can make your video installation a much simpler operation. First, change your video driver back to VGA before exiting Windows. Under Windows Setup (found in the Main group) select the Option menu, and click on Display. Choose VGA from the drop-down list of choices. This is essential to preventing crashing, especially if your system enters Windows when it boots up. This will let you reenter Windows and specify the new driver once you've installed the adapter. Also, make a backup copy of your Windows directory and subdirectories before installing a new video adapter. This will let you return to your original setup should the unfortunate occur.


 Video: Max Out Your Video

Get the most out of your current hardware. If your display suffers from flicker, make sure the refresh rate is set to the highest value supported by your monitor. Check the video adapter and monitor manuals for the specifications. Most video adapters include DOS utilities for specifying the resolution, although some Windows-based applications are now available.


 Video: Remember Memory

Upgrading your system to higher resolutions with more colors may be as simple as adding some video memory to your existing adapter. For the cost of DRAM or VRAM (depending on what the card uses) you can move up to high or true color. Most cards ship with 1MB of video memory and can be expanded to 2 or 4MB. Check with the adapter manufacturer to see whether your particular card is expandable.


 Video: Tune Your Monitor

A few tweaks to customize your display will greatly affect the enjoyment and readability you get from your monitor. To start, set the contrast and brightness to provide an optimal picture, and adjust the height, width and position of the screen to maximize your display area. If your monitor permits, change the color content, temperature and convergence to further enhance the images. If your display is a bit dim, change the color temperature to provide brighter whites. If text is somewhat fuzzy with discolored edges, check the convergence controls to make sure all the colors are correctly aligned. Change the color content if your monitor is tinted red, green or blue.


 Video: Plan For Multimedia

Factor multimedia into the video equation. Many manufacturers now offer cards that accelerate graphics and full-motion video for a cost that's much less than that of two separate cards. If you don't want to make the investment now, purchase an accelerator that includes a feature connector that will let you upgrade later. Adapters with VESA Advanced Feature Connector (VAFC) or VESA Media Channel (VMC) interfaces will let you connect to video capture, acceleration or playback cards if you wish in the future.


 Video: Control Your Screen

Sounds funny, but crisp-looking images on your monitor don't necessarily mean the monitor is working at its very best. Test the on-screen programming options or front panel buttons to make sure the monitor is all that it can be. Don't fret if you wind up with a picture that's worse than it was when you started. Most monitors let you reset to factory defaults. Adjust the monitor for color temperature--that is the "blue-ness'' or "white-ness'' of the display--based on the room's lighting conditions.


 Video: Startup Problems

Although monitors are the closest thing to a plug-and-play peripheral, you may still encounter problems. If your new monitor leaves you in the black, make sure the cable is properly attached at both ends. Verify that the correct connector is specified on the monitor. Many larger monitors support either BNC (with four colored plugs) or D-SUB (15-pin) connectors. These may require flipping a switch in the rear or adjusting a button in the front. These buttons may let you switch between two inputs, a bonus for people who use both Mac and PC systems.


 Hardware: CD-ROM Drive Tips

CDROM: Fast Drives

CDROM: Use Current Drivers

CDROM: Cache CDROMs

CDROM: Smooth Installation

CDROM: Vertical Isn't Viable

CDROM: Keep CDROMs Clean

CDROM: Use The Right MSCDEX

CDROM: Fix Install Problems

CDROM: Where's The Audio

CDROM: More Drive Letters

CDROM: Slow Video

CDROM: The Drive Can't Read

CDROM: My Disk Is Stuck


 CDROM: Fast Drives

Speed up your CD-ROM drive by increasing the number of memory buffers in the MSCDEX driver loaded by your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Increase the number of buffers to between eight and 12, depending on how much memory you have. If the statement lacks an "/m'' flag at the end, add it. This tip works best with computers that have 8MB or more of memory.


 CDROM: Use Current Drivers

Want to make sure your two-year-old CD-ROM drive works with the latest software? Keep your drivers up to date. New drivers can be obtained directly from the manufacturer, or from libraries on electronic bulletin boards or on-line services. Most manufacturers maintain electronic bulletin boards containing the latest drivers for their products. The phone number is generally found in the manual that came with your drive.


 CDROM: Cache CDROMs

SCREENCAM: IMPROVING PERFORMANCE: CD-ROM CACHE

Another way to improve the performance of your CD-ROM drive is to use The Norton Utilities' Speedrv or DOS 6.2's SMARTDRV.EXE. Either file should make your CD-ROM drive more responsive.


 CDROM: Smooth Installation

Few things can be more frustrating than an irksome CD-ROM drive installation. To avoid common problems, do the following: Make sure the pins in the cable connector are straight and that the cables are attached to the correct connector. Also, make sure the drive is grounded. All drives have CD-audio connectors, but sometimes they are connected improperly. If your drive doesn't seem to be producing sound, make sure the audio jack is connected.


 CDROM: Vertical Isn't Viable

Some CD-ROM drives will not operate correctly if they are mounted on their side. Before turning your desktop computer onto its side, read the instructions to make sure your drive can be used in the vertical position.


 CDROM: Keep CDROMs Clean

Contrary to what you may think, some dirty CDs may not play. Make sure the surface of your CDs are clean and free of smudges or foreign material. It's a good idea to handle CDs by their edges, the way you would your old LPs.


 CDROM: Use The Right MSCDEX

Many CD-ROM drives come with their own versions of MSCDEX, the DOS program that connects the CD-ROM driver to a DOS drive letter. A SCSI-driven CD-ROM will almost certainly need the version of MSCDEX provided with the CD-ROM drive, and not the one bundled with DOS.


 CDROM: Fix Install Problems

One of the biggest problems users have with CD-ROM drives is installation. The problem is most often with the associated controller hardware. Find out ahead of time which DMAs, IRQs and memory locations are free. Microsoft's MSD.EXE utility, provided with DOS, is a big help. Commercial programs such as TopView will be able to give you more detailed information. Armed with this knowledge, find out what the CD-ROM drive needs. If it doesn't match what you have, either reconfigure your system or find a drive that's more easily configured.


 CDROM: Where's The Audio

Most audio cards have a four-pin CD-ROM connector that passes the decoded analog signal to the sound card, to be routed directly to the speakers. Each major CD-ROM drive manufacturer uses a slightly different version of this wire. Make sure you have the right wire and that it's plugged in. (Does it fit on both ends snugly? Are any pins not covered by the wire?) Most computer stores sell CD-ROM audio cables for a few dollars. When you installed the software for your sound card, chances are you also got a program to control the input and output levels for each aspect of the sound: MIDI playback, .WAV playback, microphone and line-in mixture, and even CD-ROM sound. Make sure the mixer isn't turned off, muted, disabled or just set too low.


 CDROM: More Drive Letters

The LASTDRIVE= statement in your SYSTEM.INI file should be set high enough to accommodate the number of drives, both physical and virtual, you'll need. Setting it to Z should fix the problem for good.


 CDROM: Slow Video

For the most part, this is a hardware problem. Unless you have a CD-ROM drive that runs at triple-speed or greater, most full-motion video titles will not perform well. If you have a triple-speed unit and there's still a problem, try the following. First, see if you're using the most recent version of the full-motion video drivers. Earlier versions of the same driver may not be up to speed. Next, make sure you've got a controller that can handle the throughput. The controller used to drive the CD-ROM may not be fast enough. You should also turn CD-ROM caching on. Finally, copy the .AVI file to your hard disk to allow speedier playback. Keep in mind, however, that this is a temporary solution at best, and it won't work with programs that use no .AVI file.


 CDROM: The Drive Can't Read

Make sure none of the connections on the CD-ROM drive or controller are loose. Re-route the ribbon cables away from the power supply. Try another ribbon cable with the same number of wires. Ribbon cables do get fatigued and can suffer internal breakdowns. CD-ROM drives are little more than conventional CD players with some extra circuitry. They fall prey to dust and dirt. Try a cleaning disc, but don't use it often; in the long run it can do more harm that good. Think about whether your system configuration has changed since the last time you used your CD-ROM drive successfully. If so, how? New software or hardware you've installed could be intruding on your CD-ROM's setup.


 CDROM: My Disk Is Stuck

Relax. CD-ROM drives are equipped with a fail-safe that you can use to get your disc out if there's no physical eject button. There should be a small hole, about the diameter of a pencil lead, in the drive's front panel. Unbend a small paper clip and push the end of it into the hole. The disc should pop out.


 Hardware: SCSI Tips

SCSI: ASPI When?

SCSI: Keep Terminators

SCSI: Turn It On

SCSI: Check TWAIN

SCSI: Put ASPI Where?

SCSI: Troubleshooting

SCSI: Conflicts


 SCSI: ASPI When?

Not every device on your chain requires the presence of an ASPI (advanced SCSI programming interface) manager. Hard disks, Syquest removable-cartridge drives, and some other forms of mass storage can often be set by your SCSI controller's BIOS as a bootable drive--with no software! Remove or REM out the ASPI manager in your CONFIG.SYS and experiment with various controller BIOS settings (check your manual before doing this) to see what you can do. If you've got other types of devices, such as scanners, connected to your SCSI chain, this tip won't work for you. You're going to need the ASPI manager for thosedrives anyway.


 SCSI: Keep Terminators

How many times have you lost those little black resistor packets after you've pried them out to disable the active termination on a device? Search no more. Try one of these hints to keep them handy.

•	Tape the resistors to the side or top of the device's case. When you need them again, they'll be there waiting for you.

•	Remove the resistors from their sockets entirely, and reinsert one of the resistor's legs into its socket. The resistor will be in the right socket, but it won't be connected completely.


 SCSI: Turn It On

Avert the panic attack you experience when you power up your system and discover that your external SCSI devices aren't registering. Most of the time, you've simply forgotten to turn them on. An easy way to avoid this problem is to plug your SCSI devices into the same power strip used to deliver electricity to the host computer. If you don't have a power strip yet, here's the perfect excuse to invest in one.


 SCSI: Check TWAIN

SCSI software packages that come bundled with adaptors might include their own TWAIN drivers. However, these TWAIN drivers may not be compatible with every TWAIN-compliant scanner. Unless you have a scanner that is specifically compatible with one of the models listed in the documentation, don't load the SCSI package's TWAIN driver. It's a waste of space and time. Use the TWAIN driver that came bundled with your scanner. That's what it's there for.


 SCSI: Put ASPI Where?

ASPI managers can be very fussy about where they reside in memory. For example, some ASPI managers cannot be loaded into high memory. If you've just finished installing a set of SCSI drivers and are about to run a memory-optimization utility, make sure the programs installed by the SCSI package can reside in high memory. If they can't, specify during your memory optimization which drivers are not to be loaded high. Microsoft's MemMaker utility supports this feature.


 SCSI: Troubleshooting

Some SCSI packages that include Windows software install a new COMM.DRV device in the SYSTEM.INI file, replacing the old one. For example, in some SCSI packages designed to work with PCMCIA SCSI adaptors, the COMM.DRV device is replaced to take advantage of the advanced throughput of the SCSI adaptor. Unfortunately, other pieces of software--like communications packages--may do the same thing. When they don't find the usual COMM.DRV specified in the Windows system configuration, they abort. Meanwhile, the SCSI adaptor may refuse to work unless the custom driver is present, creating a deadlock. The solution--know your software and system configuration. Programs that offload existing .DRV files for the sake of their own should be avoided if possible. In a case like the one mentioned here, a new communications package would be easier to replace than the SCSI kit.


 SCSI: Conflicts

SCSI cards should coexist with the IDE/floppy/I/O controller that shipped with your system. But these devices can cause conflict in memory allocation. There are several ways to avoid this problem:

1) Most SCSI controllers also work as floppy controllers. When this option is enabled on the board, it will conflict with whatever floppy controller is already present, if there is one. If this happens, you can do one of two things:

•	Disable the old floppy controller and switch over to the new one. (Harder but will probably provide better results.)

•	Disable the SCSI floppy controller and continue to use the old one. (Easier but performance won't improve.)

2) Some SCSI controllers support additional parallel and serial ports of their own. Make sure these are disabled if they're not being used. If they are being used, make sure that they don't conflict with any addresses and ports that may already exist.

3) If you want to disable your native I/O in favor of the SCSI card and your floppy/ I/O controller is an integral part of the motherboard, check your system's ROM BIOS setup to see if there is a way to disable the functions there. If you can't find anything, check your computer's manual to see if there are jumpers or switch settings that govern I/O ports.


 Networking Tips

Nets: Start With A Plan

Nets: Choose Servers Wisely

Nets: Think Ahead

Nets: Create Documentation

Nets: Limits of Peer-Peer

Nets: Perform Backups

Nets: Plan Administration

Nets: Use E-Mail

Nets: Buy Wireless

Nets: Assign Mini-Administrators

Nets: Separate Disposables

Nets: Smart Print Queues

Nets: Minimize Special Cases

Nets: Protect Critical Gear

Nets: Plan Disaster Recovery

Nets: Not Just User Calls

Nets: Teach Your Users

Nets: RAS/Better Connections


 Nets: Start With A Plan

Any time you hook up more than two workstations to share a printer, the details will quickly overwhelm your ability to keep them in your head. Before you begin, create a configuration on paper that you think will do the job. Depending on your experience, this road map may prove to be quite different from what you actually end up with, but its concrete reality can keep you from straying too far from your original intentions.


 Nets: Choose Servers Wisely

For some reason there is a tendency to choose the most-used workstations to act as servers--for example, you might want to use the receptionist's machine at the front desk rather than the boss's flashy new Pentium. Remember, servers may have a heavy workload, and local use also affects server performance.


 Nets: Think Ahead

Network interface cards (NICs) are available in a variety of configurations. If you are using Ethernet, choose NICs that support both 10Base2 (thinnet or coaxial) and 10BaseT (twisted pair). With this strategy you can start with the cheaper 10Base2 topology, and when your growth demands it, switch to the concentrator-based 10BaseT technology.


 Nets: Create Documentation

Keep track of all the steps you take when setting up and troubleshooting your network. This set of documents will describe everything you did in configuring your network, and the steps you took to eliminate those seemingly insoluble problems along the way. This will help you and future users as well.


 Nets: Limits of Peer-Peer

Though you may find peer-to-peer networking--such as Windows for Workgroups--attractive, don't assume that you will be able to use it as your company grows larger. Every serious network installation ends up as a server-based affair, so plan from the beginning for growth. You'll be glad you did.


 Nets: Perform Backups

Whether it is obvious or not, the data on your ECS (enterprise computer system) is your organization's product. The data you produce in installing and configuring your operating system and apps, and the data generated by the users of the apps, is irreproducible and critical to the operation of your business. Your backup strategy must address the real needs of your situation. Research this area carefully, and make an informed decision.


 Nets: Plan Administration

If you are a NetWare user, be sure to use the ROOT feature of the MAP command:

MAP ROOT U:=SERVER/VOLUME:LOGIN_NAME

This feature creates a mapped drive that appears to be the root of a drive. All Windows files will then appear to be in the same place for any logged-in user-- making all paths to and in .INI files the same throughout your enterprise.


 Nets: Use E-Mail

While you may be tempted, avoid creating "shared'' directories on your network. These prove to be very difficult to manage. Instead, develop a strategy to transfer files through the controlled medium of electronic mail. Applications such as Microsoft's Word 6.0 now offer "routing slips'' to help you.


 Nets: Buy Wireless

Wireless networking technologies may offer a solution for organizations whose notebook users practice conference-room hopping. With wireless technology, they can remain connected while moving from meeting to meeting. With peer connectivity, they can even make ad hoc connections to other users there.


 Nets: Assign Mini-Administrators

NetWare sites have a seldom-used feature that can make the network administrator's life easier. Workgroup managers are users who are allowed to add and remove other users from NetWare groups. Workgroup managers are configured in SYSCON, and the NetWare manuals offer a complete discussion.


 Nets: Separate Disposables

If you must use your local drives for any kind of storage, follow this rule of thumb: Place disposable data on the workstations and unique data on the server. Permanent and temporary swap files, the TEMP directory, application executables and the like qualify as disposable. These files are either stable and can be replaced from a static backup, or are useless once Windows stops. Configuration and data files, on the other hand, should be considered unique. These files are changed by the user, and cannot be replaced except through a regular backup strategy like the one that you use for your server.


 Nets: Smart Print Queues

Most NetWare administrators have tunnel vision when it comes to configuring print queues. There does not have to be a one-to-one correspondence between print queues and printers. You might, for example, connect two identical printers to a single, busy queue to improve throughput. You can also connect two queues to a single printer that autoswitches between two modes (for example, PostScript and PCL), providing users with two "printers'' in Windows.


 Nets: Minimize Special Cases

One of the biggest time sinks for an administrator is dealing with special-case users or hardware. Try to reduce the number of differences in configuration between users or machines. Offer a couple of configurations that cover most users, then provide others only grudgingly.


 Nets: Protect Critical Gear

While just about everyone remembers to put a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) on a file server, other critical equipment is often left unprotected. Put smaller units on backup hardware, concentrators, mail servers--and anything else that might suffer from a power loss and need to be reset.


 Nets: Plan Disaster Recovery

Think about the "Big Crash'' before it happens. Figure out beforehand exactly what would happen if you lost major components of your network. Then run a fire drill to see what you left out.


 Nets: Not Just User Calls

Many administrators let their day be controlled by random calls from users. Provide specific hours or days for user support (except emergencies). Also, require e-mailed requests and bug reports. Don't accept phone calls for routine assistance. This will make serving your users a more manageable task.


 Nets: Teach Your Users

Train your users in the details of the network. Lack of training is a major cause of calls for help. While many organizations provide good application training, users are often left ignorant of network details. Providing your users with a network "road map'' will reduce the time you spend dealing with their confusion.


 Nets: RAS/Better Connections

Windows for Workgroups 3.11 ships with client software called RAS (Remote Access Service). RAS allows you to substitute a dial-up (modem) line for a network connection to a Windows NT server. With an add-on to the regular client, you can use Point-to-Point RAS between two Windows for Workgroups systems to achieve the same result.

To take advantage of these tools, double-click on the Remote Access icon in the Network Program Manager group. You will be asked to supply the disks or directory path for the location of the RAS files. The RAS executables are not copied to your hard disk when you install Windows for Workgroups. Only the installer application is set up.

Once you have installed RAS, you'll be able to set it up to connect to a Windows NT server system that has enabled RAS and where an account for you exists. To do the same for Windows for Workgroups Point-to-Point, you'll need to obtain the WFWPTP.EXE file. This self-extracting installer and set of files modifies your existing Remote Access Service and adds the Windows for Workgroups Point-to-Point Server capability. The file is available in the WINDOWS Magazine on-line software library on America Online (Keyword: WinMag), in the Microsoft library on CompuServe (GO MICROSOFT) and in the /peropsys/wfw/public directory on ftp.microsoft.com. You'll also find the file in the Windows for Workgroups section of the Microsoft Download Service (206-936-6735). Once you have the file, you can execute it to extract the installation program and then run the installer.

After the application has been installed, double-click on the Remote Access icon in the Network Program Manager group to run the program. Click on the Add button to create a service for connecting to either a Windows NT server or another Point-To-Point Windows for Workgroups system.

In the Add Phone Book Entry dialog box, enter the name you want displayed to identify the service, the phone number you need to dial (don't forget a dial-up prefix if you require one), a description of the service to be displayed and the port where your modem is located. The buttons at the bottom of the dialog box allow you to bring up custom settings.

Call into the host server by highlighting the phone book entry and clicking on the Dial button. You'll be prompted for your login and password and, once authorized, you will be logged into the network as if you had a network interface card and cable to the server. You can access files from the network with File Manager, have conversations with WinChat and browse for other workstations that are connected to the network.

To become the host for Point-to-Point Windows for Workgroups dial-up, you must prepare your system to answer calls. Choose Setup/Configure to bring up the Remote Access Configuration dialog box. Choose your modem port and the type of modem that you are using from the Device list. Select the option to allow incoming calls and designate a port for answering calls. You also have the option to set a password. Once you have set up your system to act as a host, click on the Answer button, which is in the main toolbar.

The Status toolbar button, available in either remote or host mode, lets you monitor the progress of your connection. From the Port Status dialog box in Answer (host) mode, you can enter a connection message to display when another user has connected to your system.


 Networking: LANtastic Tips

LANtastic: Dedicate A Server

LANtastic: Use Two Servers

LANtastic: Bigger Packets

LANtastic: Resource Caching

LANtastic: Disable Switch

LANtastic: Use LANCache

LANtastic: Be Direct

LANtastic: Avoid TSRs

LANtastic: Use DOS Fastopen

LANtastic: DOS Setup

LANtastic: Optimize Buffer

LANtastic: Server Performance

LANtastic: Optimize Seek Cache

LANtastic: Share Data

LANtastic: Optimize REDIR

LANtastic: Use RAM Disk

LANtastic: Immediate Despooling

LANtastic: Clear Audit Files

LANtastic: Lock Hold Time

LANtastic: Permanent Swap File


 LANtastic: Dedicate A Server

LANtastic is a peer-to-peer network, but a dedicated server can be specifically tuned to optimize the performance of the network portion of the computer. LANtastic considers a dedicated server to be a special case of peer-to-peer networking.


 LANtastic: Use Two Servers

Split up network tasks so that different programs run on separate servers. This will decrease the load on individual servers and improve response times. An added benefit is that individual users of nondedicated servers will enjoy improved performance locally as well.


 LANtastic: Bigger Packets

On versions 4.xx and later of the LANtastic Ethernet cards, increase the NetBIOS packet size on all machines. This will result in better performance when loading programs and performing large sequential reads and writes.


 LANtastic: Resource Caching

Enable resource caching on servers with LANtastic versions 4.1 and later.


 LANtastic: Disable Switch

To reduce the load on heavily used networks, disable the SERVER_SEND_SERVER_ID= switch. If the server name is known, it can be logged into even if the server is not sending out its ID.


 LANtastic: Use LANCache

Adding a disk cache to the server helps performance in almost all situations. Use the LANtastic disk caching program, LANcache, which is specifically designed to work with LANtastic networks.


 LANtastic: Be Direct

If you are not using indirect files, eliminate the Indirect File Access Control List. By doing so, you'll save time whenever a file is opened.


 LANtastic: Avoid TSRs

Do not run unnecessary TSR (terminate and stay resident) programs, since they will add overhead to the system's CPU and waste memory.


 LANtastic: Use DOS Fastopen

Running the DOS FASTOPEN command improves network speed considerably--except for versions prior to 5.0a.


 LANtastic: DOS Setup

DOS resources should be the right amount for your setup--not too much and not too little. Share Locks and Filespace, Buffers and Files must be sufficient, but not so much as to waste precious memory.


 LANtastic: Optimize Buffer

The optimal size of the server buffer is somewhere around the average size of the data packet that will be requested across the network by your application.


 LANtastic: Server Performance

If you must run an application on the server, treat the server as though it were a remote workstation. You'll get better performance that way.


 LANtastic: Optimize Seek Cache

Optimize the seek cache in the SERVER program.


 LANtastic: Share Data

Run programs from your local hard disk and place your data files on the server. This workload allocation will substantially improve performance.


 LANtastic: Optimize REDIR

As with the server buffer size, the ideal REDIR buffer size would be about the size of the average data packet that your network typically sends and receives.


 LANtastic: Use RAM Disk

Spooling to a RAM disk will increase the print spooling speed.


 LANtastic: Immediate Despooling

When the printer is not in use, turning on "Immediate Despooling'' in the Shared Resources Management menu will result in faster printing.


 LANtastic: Clear Audit Files

Server auditing can slow down network performance. If auditing is enabled, audit files should be cleared on a regular basis.


 LANtastic: Lock Hold Time

The parameter for LOCK_ HOLD_TIME should be set cautiously. Set it low if use of the network entails opening and closing a large number of files. If a large common data file is frequently accessed, increase the value of this parameter.


 LANtastic: Permanent Swap File

A permanent swap file will speed access to virtual memory, which is especially important on peer-to-peer networks with shared resources. Go to and choose the Enhanced setting. Then click on Virtual Memory. Under Current Settings, the type should be permanent. If it isn't click on Change and select permanent under New Settings/Type.


 Networking: Windows for Workgroups Tips

WfW: Use WinMeter

WfW: Standardize Directories

WfW: NetWare Comes First

WfW: Tune Performance

WfW: Share With ClipBook

WfW: Share Directories

WfW: Track Resources

WfW: Connect With Toolbar

WfW: Browse Faster

WfW: Browse Faster Still

WfW: Connect With ODI

WfW: Obtain ODI Drivers

WfW: Secure Users

WfW: Don't_Leave_Spaces

WfW: Set NIC in Software

WfW: One-Time-Only

WfW: Make A Server

WfW: Implicit Connections

WfW: Form Follows Function

WfW: Centralize on NetWare

WfW: Share CD-ROM

WfW: Obtain Resource Kit

WfW: Separate Documents


 WfW: Use WinMeter

Get a graphical display of your system's CPU usage with the WinMeter applet. Launch WinMeter by double-clicking on its icon in the Network Program Manager group or on the executable file in File Manager. WinMeter shows local CPU usage in purple, and CPU time used for shared operations in light blue. Menu options let you set the graph's update intervals and customize the colors. The graph automatically scales itself to the window as it is sized, and continues to display when minimized as an icon-sized graph.


 WfW: Standardize Directories

Use standard shared directory trees to simplify resource sharing. Standard shared directory names on all machines in your workgroup will prevent confusion and possible data loss caused by arbitrary names. In addition, users will know where to look when connecting to one another's machines.


 WfW: NetWare Comes First

Log onto your NetWare server before launching Windows for Workgroups. That will ensure proper drive mappings. NetWare drives mapped from the Connect Network Drive dialog box in File Manager cannot be automatically restored unless you are logged on before you start up Windows. Use permanent connections in File Manager, or your NetWare log-on script to create other mappings.


 WfW: Tune Performance

Adjust network performance by accessing the Network option in Control Panel. Launch Control Panel and double-click on the Network icon. In the Network Settings dialog box, choose Startup and the Startup Settings dialog box appears. This dialog includes a sliding control, Performance Priority, that lets you set the amount of CPU time dedicated to network operations. The setting farthest left, Applications Run Fastest, gives highest priority to local applications. Setting it to the far right, Resources Shared Fastest, makes CPU-to-network operations the highest priority.


 WfW: Share With ClipBook

Use ClipBook in Windows for Workgroups to quickly share text, graphics and other objects with users on your network. Launch ClipBook by double-clicking on its icon or on the executable in File Manager. Using the Edit menu (or Ctrl+V), paste whatever is in your system clipboard into your local ClipBook. When you create a local ClipBook "page'' you can also choose whether you want to share this data with others on your network. Anyone who has access to your machine (and knows the password, if you've assigned one) can access the pages you've shared in your ClipBook. A chart or graph that is linked to spreadsheet data in your ClipBook can even launch the creator application on the source machine, updating the shared object through Windows for Workgroups' NetDDE facility.


 WfW: Share Directories

Quickly share directories with other networked users by using the File Manager toolbar, which includes buttons for resource sharing. To share a directory, select it in File Manager's tree and then press the Share Directory button, which looks like a file folder sitting in a hand. The Share Directory dialog appears, with options for naming the share, access level and password assignment. The button to the right of this discontinues the share.


 WfW: Track Resources

The NetWatcher utility in Windows for Workgroups will keep an eye on who is using resources shared from your PC. Launch NetWatcher by double-clicking on its icon in the Network Program Manager group. The network name of connected users will appear in the left pane. Double-click on a user's name to display the resources that user is employing. Use the toolbar or menus to disconnect the selected user, or to close a particular file in use. If you disconnect in midsession someone who's accessing your resources, he or she may lose any unsaved changes. NetWatcher's minimized icon caption indicates the number of active connections.


 WfW: Connect With Toolbar

Connect to or disconnect from shared drives on other networked workstations using File Manager's toolbar. The Connect Network Drive button looks like a Network Drive icon with a starburst on the upper-left-hand corner. It accesses the Connect Network Drive dialog box, which lets you connect to other Windows for Workgroups workstations with shared directories. (Be patient, browsing for connected workstations and directory shares takes a little time.) Choose the drive letter that you want to assign to the shared directory, then highlight the server you want from the upper display box, and the directory you want from the lower display box. You can also choose to always reconnect to the shared directory at start-up and to always browse for servers.


 WfW: Browse Faster

Windows for Workgroups keeps a list of servers that it has by adding or modifying an entry in your SYSTEM.INI file. In the [network] section of SYSTEM.INI is the line MaintainServerList= which has three possible values: yes, no or auto. If the line is not in your SYSTEM.INI file, you can add it using either SysEdit or Notepad. An auto setting makes your system the Browse Master, which maintains the master list of servers for your workgroup. A yes setting maintains the browse list for your own use, even if it is not the master list. This is an excellent idea for notebook users who may utilize remote access to connect to a workgroup, since it may take up to 15 minutes to collect the data otherwise. The list is compiled when you initially connect to the workgroup. A no setting means there will be no local list. This may save a small amount of memory and is particularly helpful if you are low on RAM.


 WfW: Browse Faster Still

In the Connect Network Drive dialog box, turn off the Always Browse check box. This will change the dialog box to a smaller view without showing the browse list. The next time you access the dialog box it will open very quickly without browsing the network. This is especially useful if you usually connect to the same resources. A list of your MRU (most recently used) connections is available under the Path combo box.


 WfW: Connect With ODI

Windows for Workgroups 3.11 suggests during installation that you use ODI (Open Data-link Interface) drivers if you are connected to a NetWare network. ODI drivers are modular network driver software, which means they can be easily updated. Windows for Workgroups does not ship with these files, so you'll need to get them from a download service (see next tip). Once you have these files, other NetWare-related drivers and DLLs (dynamic link libraries), connecting to NetWare is a snap.


 WfW: Obtain ODI Drivers

If you're using Windows for Workgroups in an ODI environment, download the DOS ODI drivers from Novell's library on CompuServe. They're currently in the DOSUP9.ZIP file in the NOVLIB download area. This PKZip archived file contains the DOS LSL (link support layer), MLID (media link interface driver) and IPX stack (IPXODI.COM) that you'll need to log into NetWare servers for most popular NICs (network interface cards). You may also have to obtain an updated MLID file from your NIC vendor. The file WINUP9.ZIP, also located in the NOVLIB download area, contains the virtual device drivers and DLLs that you'll need to access NetWare from within Windows for Workgroups.


 WfW: Secure Users

Windows for Workgroups 3.11 allows an administrator to enable or disable file, printer and network DDE sharing between workstations. To do this, double-click on ADMINCFG.EXE from File Manager and create a new WFWSYS.CFG control file. Choose the options that you want each user to have from the Security Settings dialog box. The Admin button brings up the Administrator Settings dialog box, which allows you to create a log-on banner. You can also select a path on the network where each user's Windows for Workgroups system will check for security settings. To create separate security files for each user, choose Update Security Configuration from Server and select the Use Root Directory check box.


 WfW: Don't_Leave_Spaces

If your Windows for Workgroups machine needs to be compatible with LAN Manager, substitute an underscore (_) or dot (.) where you want a space. For example, use MY_SERVER rather than MY SERVER. Although Windows for Workgroups can use spaces in the name of a machine, LAN Manager clients can't handle them.


 WfW: Set NIC in Software

If you have a NIC that can be controlled with software, Windows for Workgroups' Setup can locate available resources and automatically configure the NIC to use them. Check with the card's manufacturer to see whether a particular NIC is software-configurable.


 WfW: One-Time-Only

Take a look at the Connect Network Drive dialog box in File Manager when you make drive connections. The Reconnect at Startup box is checked by default. If you don't want a continuing connection, uncheck it.


 WfW: Make A Server

DOS LAN Manager clients can see a Windows for Workgroups system as a server. To do so, you need to tell the Windows for Workgroups server to announce itself. Using Notepad, add the line LMAnnounce=yes to the [network] section of your SYSTEM.INI file. Reboot the Windows for Workgroups system and DOS LAN Manager clients will now see it as a new server.


 WfW: Implicit Connections

Windows for Workgroups can rely on simple UNC (universal naming convention) syntax when specifying remote resources. The syntax looks like this: \\machine\shared_directory. You can create a temporary (implicit) connection to any other Windows for Workgroups, LAN Manager or NT server this way from within any file-related dialog box.


 WfW: Form Follows Function

Name each Windows for Workgroups machine on your network for the function that it serves. For example, the system that is used by the bookkeeper should be named something like BOOKKEEPING. Although naming a system after its user may seem simpler, it can cause problems when people leave or move around. Use the comment field, instead of the machine's name, to identify the actual user of the system. This can be changed with no impact on the network or users.


 WfW: Centralize on NetWare

Use your NetWare server to set up local Windows for Workgroups users or to share a single copy of Windows for Workgroups. First, use the SETUP/A command from DOS when installing all the Windows for Workgroups files on the server. This automatically expands all the Windows for Workgroups files to the directory that you specify on your file server. Next, connect your workstation under DOS to your NetWare server using ODI drivers. Finally, go to the shared Windows for Workgroups directory and type SETUP at the command line to install a local copy. You can set up a shared network installation by using the command SETUP/N.


 WfW: Share CD-ROM

When running Windows for Workgroups and NetWare you may have a problem sharing your CD-ROM drive with another Windows for Workgroups user. This occurs when MSCDEX is configured after NET START and other networking lines, like LSL and IPXODI, in your AUTOEXEC.BAT. Make sure the line MSCDEX.EXE /D:driver/S precedes the networking-specific lines. You'll probably have to add the /S switch, which allows you to share your CD-ROM.


 WfW: Obtain Resource Kit

Pick up a copy of Microsoft's Workgroups Resource Kit. This Microsoft offering may be the best money you ever spent. The kit contains complete technical references to the installation and configuration of Windows for Workgroups. It also ships with a utility diskette containing some very useful tools and extra reference material. You get a Windows Help file describing every NIC that Windows for Workgroups supports, with pictures of jumper locations, as well as several utilities for the network and MS Mail. You can purchase the Workgroups  Resource Kit for $29.95 and the 3.11 addendum for $19.95. You can order directly from Microsoft (800-642-7676).


 WfW: Separate Documents

Windows for Workgroups uses separator pages in Print Manager. Similar to NetWare banner pages, they separate print jobs on shared printers so that users can find their documents more easily. You can choose to use separator pages from Print Manager's Options menu. The separator pages dialog box offers three choices for separator page styles: simple (monospaced text with no graphics), standard (using large fonts for easier reading) and custom (in which you can create your own separator page design in .WMF format).


 Portable Computing Tips

Portable: Fax For Printing

Portable: Test Drive PCMCIA

Portable: Add External Monitor

Portable: 32-Bit Disk Access (Don't)

Portable: Buy Extra Battery

Portable: Add Multimedia

Portable: Make DOS Boot Disk

Portable: Portable Faxing

Portable: Buy An Expansion Box

Portable: Check Accomodations

Portable: Carry Cables

Portable: Printer Preparation

Portable: Cool Before Recharging

Portable: Check Battery Insertion

Portable: PCMCIA For Security

Portable: Call Ahead

Portable: Use Infrared

Portable: Consider Monochrome

Portable: Use Power Management

Portable: Take A Toolkit

Portable: Remote Access


 Portable: Fax For Printing

Use standalone fax machines as printers and scanners when you're traveling. If you have a fax modem in your notebook, you can print files by sending them to the fax and then photocopying additional copies as needed. To enter text, send paper-based information to your notebook via the fax modem. You can also use this method to input paper-based graphics and then convert them to .PCX or .BMP files for use in your presentations or correspondence. You'll need the appropriate graphics software, of course. One word of caution: Per-page charges can be exorbitant, so find out in advance what costs you'll incur.


 Portable: Test Drive PCMCIA

Before purchasing a PCMCIA peripheral, make sure it will work with your notebook--by testing it, if possible. For example, not all Type I slots work with all Type I cards, so take your notebook with you to the computer store or look for cards with money-back guarantees. At the minimum, contact the PCMCIA vendor to see whether your system is on its certified compatibility list.


 Portable: Add External Monitor

When hooking up your notebook to an external monitor, use a higher resolution to make your display look its best. Most notebooks support 800x600 resolution for external monitors, although you may have to hunt for the video drivers. In Program Manager's Main group, select Windows Setup, check under the Options menu for Display and look for a high-resolution driver that corresponds to your notebook's graphics adapter. If a driver is not preinstalled, search through the notebook's utility diskettes. If you still can't find a video driver, check your notebook vendor's BBS for files you can download.


 Portable: 32-Bit Disk Access (Don't)

Proceed with caution if you're using 32-bit disk access on your portable PC. Many hard disk controllers are incompatible with it. Power management schemes can make changes to the drive controller without notifying Windows, and virtual device drivers used in 32-bit mode can cause error messages if they can't recognize the state of the disk. An alternative is to turn off the power-saving features altogether. For the best of both worlds, try turning off only the hard disk time-out option and continue using the other power-saving features.


 Portable: Buy Extra Battery

If you're planning on extensively using your notebook away from an electrical outlet, it's best to buy an extra battery. For an investment of $200 or so, you'll be able to work continuously instead of waiting for the battery to recharge. Many notebooks offer hot swapping, which lets you switch batteries while the computer is still operating.


 Portable: Add Multimedia

You don't have to forego multimedia or pack like you're going on a world cruise to give a presentation on the road. Many vendors offer multimedia-ready notebooks with integrated speakers or audio jacks that aren't much heavier than standard notebooks. You can also add sound with a PCMCIA sound card and small external speakers. A parallel-port CD-ROM drive provides the storage capacity you need for video clips or canned presentations. If you want more than one person to view the screen at once, you'll need the wider viewing angle of an active-matrix screen.


 Portable: Make DOS Boot Disk

Don't leave the office without making a boot disk to get you through hard disk initialization problems. Open File Manager, specify your floppy disk drive and select Disk/Make System Disk. The necessary files will be transferred to your floppy disk drive. Booting from a diskette will let you troubleshoot your notebook and get back to work wherever you are.


 Portable: Portable Faxing

Stop paying those exorbitant hotel prices for sending or receiving faxes. Use the ubiquitous Internet or dial into your office remotely to retrieve information at your leisure. If you're not using OCR software, make sure your fax software includes a conversion utility that lets you save the files as .PCX or .BMP files for future use. When hard copy is required, bring along a portable printer. For a few hundred dollars and a few extra pounds, you'll get higher quality without involving the front desk. Those of you who frequently find yourselves printing out piles of documents should consider an integrated computer/printer.


 Portable: Buy An Expansion Box

If you frequently transfer files from your notebook to the network, consider buying an expansion box. Most notebooks offer a proprietary expansion chassis that duplicates your I/O ports and often includes a slot for a network adapter. Slide the notebook into the expansion box, and you're seamlessly linked with your coworkers. If you're using DOS 6.0 or later, set up multiple configuration files--one for the office that loads the network drivers and a plain-vanilla boot for the road. Parallel-port network adapters are also an inexpensive way to get on the net in a hurry.


 Portable: Check Accomodations

Before confirming your hotel reservations, remember to ask about phone lines and fax service. Make sure you can dial in, and find out what the policy is on receiving faxes. Hotels that offer dual data/voice jacks and hand-deliver faxes are optimal. Some hotels don't provide data lines, and others deliver faxes only while the business office is open.


 Portable: Carry Cables

Take an extra phone cord and an AC extension cable with you to make life on the road easier. Hotel rooms often feature phone jacks and electrical outlets in the most unusual locations, hiding them behind a bed or bureau. A few extra feet of cable will make it easier to work comfortably from a desk or table.


 Portable: Printer Preparation

You never know what type of printer you'll encounter in a remote location, so it's best to be prepared. Install drivers for PCL and PostScript printers before you hit the road. These drivers should cover most of the printers you'll encounter at remote sites. Choose the Hewlett-Packard LaserJet III and PostScript drivers when you're setting up Windows. Go to File/Print and check the Print To File box under the Print menu to format the document so that it can be handed off on diskette and printed elsewhere. Choose the Generic/Text Only printer if you're without the correct driver.


 Portable: Cool Before Recharging

If you're about to recharge your battery, take an extra second to see whether it's warm or, worse yet, hot. Let it cool down completely before recharging. To improve battery life, try one of the following. If your batteries are on the bottom of your computer, turn it upside down during charging to help keep it cool. If your notebook utilizes clam-shell construction, open the halves so they form a 45-degree angle and stand the unit upright. This allows the heat to dissipate through the case, keyboard and screen.


 Portable: Check Battery Insertion

Does your battery run down faster than you think it should? Battery contacts can be damaged if you are incorrectly inserting the battery. Make sure the connectors that transfer power from your battery to your system are not bent out of shape. If they are, carefully bend them back to the position shown in your user manual.


 Portable: PCMCIA For Security

Carry PCMCIA flash disks or hard disks with you at all times to use as a backup for extremely important data. Saving the day  this way just once covers your investment many times over. Tucking your proposals or confidential materials in your pocket instead of leaving them in an unattended notebook provides added security.


 Portable: Call Ahead

Make use of local computer resources when you travel. Visiting the branch office? Call ahead and find out what they've got--you may be able to leave that "portable'' printer home. Copy shops have grown into full-fledged business centers. Kinko's, a nationwide chain (800-743-COPY), rents workstations, scanners, printers and other peripherals by the hour. Many locations offer high-end publishing systems and Windows machines with a wide variety of popular software. Some airline executive travel clubs (for example, American's Admiral's Club, 800-237-7971) offer members free use of Windows workstations, along with software and peripherals.


 Portable: Use Infrared

Hewlett-Packard's OmniBook has an infrared port that provides a simple way to transfer files to PCs and printers. Extended Systems (800-234-7576) offers add-on infrared ports that negate the need for cables and file-transfer programs and let you point and shoot from your OmniBook. The Jet Eye lets you communicate directly with a printer, and Desktop Connect transfers files between the OmniBook and your desktop PC. If you're not an OmniBook owner, you can still use infrared with the Jet Eye LT, which lets you communicate between notebooks and desktops by adding an infrared port at each end. Your investment should be well-protected; many system manufacturers will be shipping infrared upgrades in the next year, and infrared support will be included in Windows 95.


 Portable: Consider Monochrome

Color screens on your portable may be snazzy, but they also gobble power. If you use your laptop primarily for word processing, spreadsheets, or as a communications or mail terminal, you may not need color at all. Monochrome screens cost less and use less power at the same resolution.


 Portable: Use Power Management

For extreme battery conservation try the following power management scheme. From your setup file or power management program, turn off your serial or parallel ports. Set automatic hard disk saves to the longest period possible. Reduce screen brightness and avoid saving files to diskettes or hard disks, except as needed. If possible, you may want to use only those programs that can execute from system memory, not those that make frequent hard disk calls.


 Portable: Take A Toolkit

You never really need a toolkit until you need one desperately. Put together a basic emergency toolkit consisting of the following: a small flashlight, a small Phillips head screwdriver as well as standard screwdrivers, 25 feet of telephone cord, alligator clips and a boot disk. Now you'll be able to connect the telephone cable from your modem or computer directly to the phone jacks in most countries in the Western Hemisphere. And you'll be ready to troubleshoot other hardware problems as well.


 Portable: Remote Access

Once you leave the office, there will undoubtedly be something on the hard disk back on your desk that you desperately need but forgot to load onto your notebook. And what about all the network drives that you access regularly?

Well, they stay in the office.

If you're working out of a notebook, it doesn't have to mean you're working out of control. With remote-control software, road warriors can control their office PCs from anyplace that has a telephone. Once you're connected, you run your office computer as though you were sitting in front of it. If it's connected to a LAN, you have access to all the resources (drives, printers, and so on) on that LAN, and you can work on files directly using the appropriate application on your office computer.

Say, for example, that you left your office with a notebook that doesn't have a word processor installed and then realize that you haven't finished up a memo that your boss needs tomorrow. Not to worry. Call your office computer, start your word processor, finish the memo, save it (on the office computer's hard disk), get into your e-mail system and send the memo to the boss.

It doesn't get much easier than that. But there are some caveats. First of all, you have to leave your office computer turned on, and that's an invitation for someone else to get into your files. Make sure the remote-control program you're considering gives you the option to lock out the keyboard while waiting for a call.

If the program you're interested in doesn't have this feature, set your computer at the appropriate security level (speaking of security, make sure that file transfers are encoded, so no one can listen and garner company secrets). For example, when you leave the office computer on, leave it at the DOS prompt. This way it's not logged into the office network, and it's not logged onto Windows for Workgroups. Then dial in, log on and start Windows. Before you can get to your network files, you should have to log onto the network (one password). Before you can run Windows, you should have to enter the WFWG password (two passwords). Before you can get to mail, you should have to enter your mail password (now you're up to three passwords). And the remote-control program has its own password, so that's four. A remote-control program should be able to handle Windows and DOS in the same package. Of course, when Windows 95 comes along, with no DOS, we'll need another solution.

Installing remote-control software is easy, but you may find that it changes things you didn't expect to change. Some programs write new lines into your Windows files, substituting a new video driver or a new keyboard driver. If that happens, the new driver could conflict with something you have installed. If you suddenly encounter strange behavior from your system, suspect the remote-control program.


 Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) Tips

SOHO: Use Ink Jets

SOHO: Refill Cartridges

SOHO: Recycle Tax Forms

SOHO: Pay Quarterly Taxes

SOHO: Send Binary Faxes

SOHO: Portable Vs. Desktop

SOHO: Find Free Support

SOHO: Watch Data Formats

SOHO: When To Upgrade

SOHO: Fax, Data, Voice

SOHO: Go For Suites


 SOHO:  Use Ink Jets

If you print more text than graphics, or are on a tight budget, buy an ink jet printer instead of a laser printer. Ink jets cost up to $300 less than laser printers and are capable of printing at resolutions rivaling those of their more expensive cousins. Color models are also available.


 SOHO:  Refill Cartridges

Lower the cost of printing with an ink jet printer by saving your old cartridges. These can be refilled and could cost as much as 75 percent less to use than a new ink jet cartridge.


 SOHO:  Recycle Tax Forms

Reduce the amount of time it takes to prepare current returns by saving and importing data from last year's tax files. This is particularly important if you're depreciating office equipment or carrying over passive losses.


 SOHO:  Pay Quarterly Taxes

Use a tax program to estimate and calculate quarterly tax payments. Most Windows tax programs also print the IRS vouchers that are supposed to accompany estimated quarterly tax payments.


 SOHO:  Send Binary Faxes

Send and receive your faxes as binary files instead of bitmaps. That way, you can manipulate the information directly with your word processor or other application. The ability to send and receive faxed materials as binaries is supported in Windows 3.11, Windows for Workgroups and Delrina's WinFax 4.0. However, if you are exchanging files with another computer, both systems need to support binary file transfers.


 SOHO:  Portable Vs. Desktop

If you're using a portable system as your desktop computer, consider buying a port replicator or docking station for your machine. Such devices let you plug peripherals--including an external monitor--into your portable while the system is in place on your desk. Docking stations and port replicators can cost as little as $170 and are well worth the investment.


 SOHO:  Find Free Support

If you're working at home, you probably don't have the same access to support personnel that corporate Windows users do. But there are ample sources of inexpensive support available to at-home professionals. On-line services have areas devoted to help, and there are also special-interest groups geared toward topics such as hardware, communications, portable computing and even specific applications. These services are generally billed to you at a flat rate. User groups are also a good source of technical and software support.


 SOHO:  Watch Data Formats

The ability to create information in one data format but store it in another can be critical, especially if you deal with clients who use disparate computer systems or applications. Before you buy an application, make sure it can open and store information in formats that are compatible with other industry best sellers. For example, Microsoft Word allows you to open and store files in formats compatible with competitive word processors WordPerfect and Ami Pro.


 SOHO:  When To Upgrade

Know when to upgrade to a new version of a program, or when to abandon that program altogether in favor of another application. Virtually all software developers offer extremely aggressive upgrade prices, but a handful go one better by offering competitive upgrades. These promotional offers let you move from your old application to a competitive one for a fraction of the suggested retail cost. If you're interested, call the vendor's toll-free number and ask if competitive upgrades are available from the application you're using.


 SOHO:  Fax, Data, Voice

A new generation of expansion cards allows you to send and receive faxes, data and voice mail. These all-in-one cards turn your desktop or portable computer into communications systems that can store and retrieve voice mail as well as performing the usual computing and communications functions.


 SOHO:  Go For Suites

Many systems now ship with integrated applications such as Microsoft Works for Windows. While such programs include word processing, database, spreadsheet and telecommunications modules, they lack the functionality of comparable standalone applications. Lotus, Microsoft and WordPerfect all offer software suites that include complete versions of three or more best-selling standalone applications. Most suites cost between $400 and $700, but it is often possible to buy them through university bookstores or computer superstores at a fraction of the suggested retail price.


 Quicken/QuickBook Tips

Quicken: Budgeting SOHO

Quicken: Can You Afford It?

Quicken: Easy Account ID


 Quicken: Budgeting SOHO

Budget business expenses in Quicken by choosing Activities/Choose Set Up Budgets. Click on Autocreate and specify the period you want to analyze. Select Use Average for Period and click on OK. The budget will show your average monthly spending by category.


 Quicken: Can You Afford It?

Figure out whether you can afford a new piece of equipment by setting up a financial planning graph using your Spending Accounts in Quicken. Schedule your forecast of monthly payments using the Financial Calendar. The blue bars in the planning graph show what your financial status would be after the proposed purchase has been made. Compare those with the green line, which shows your current financial status without the new payments.


 Quicken: Easy Account ID

Print your account number automatically on all checks that you create with Intuit's QuickBooks. From the QuickBooks List menu choose Select Vendor. Then choose a vendor and type in the applicable account number in the account number field. Now every time that you print a check for that particular vendor, the appropriate account number will automatically show up in the memo line of the printed check.


 Alternative Desktops: Dashboard Tips

Dashboard: Drag/Drop Buttons

Dashboard: Save Layouts

Dashboard: Reassign Hotkeys

Dashboard: Set Alarms

Dashboard: Select Printers


 Dashboard: Drag/Drop Buttons

Dashboard 1.0 users are accustomed to adding new Quick Launch buttons the long way--by clicking on the Dashboard Wrench and choosing Quick Launch, Browse and so on. With version 2.0, it's a lot easier. You can drag and drop to add new items. Even better, the items can be dragged from File Manager, your Dashboard program group or the Program menu. You can also do this in reverse: Drag and drop a Quick Launch button to a program group or Program menu folder, and the icon is automatically placed in the program group.


 Dashboard: Save Layouts

Dashboard allows you to save a particular combination of open programs as a layout, and you can save any number of layouts. Open the programs you want to include, arrange them as you wish, then call Dashboard to the front. Press Alt+L and choose Save Layout. Give the layout a name--note that you can also choose to make this layout load on start-up--and choose OK. Choose Manage Layout to Edit, Delete or Rename your Layout. You can even drag and drop a program from the Program menu to an Extended Screen, then save the result as a layout.


 Dashboard: Reassign Hotkeys

The hotkey default for calling Dashboard is F12. Unfortunately, this key is used for other purposes in many applications (such as Save As in Microsoft applications). Choose a less commonly used key, such as F11, for calling Dashboard.


 Dashboard: Set Alarms

You can use Dashboard's Alarm Clock to launch programs. For example, it can schedule a backup or launch your communications program to check for e-mail (if your comm program supports macros). To do this, double-click on Dashboard's clock and choose Add from the resulting dialog box. Customize the time, date and frequency of recurrence, then use Browse to pick a program to run. Choose OK, and you've automated a tiny portion of your life.


 Dashboard: Select Printers

If you use a fax modem and fax software, or if you regularly use more than one printer, save yourself a number of steps (and some time) by using Dashboard's Printer Manager to quickly change from printer to fax software and back. Click on the printer icon, then click on the bar beneath the printer you wish to select that has the radio button in it. To configure a printer, double-click on the icon that represents the printer you're setting up.


 Alternative Desktops: Norton Desktop Tips

Norton Desktop: Start Where You Want

Norton Desktop: One Bar Too Many


 Norton Desktop: Start Where You Want

The order of items in Windows' StartUp group determines the sequence in which Windows executes your software. When Windows finishes loading, the last item in the StartUp menu is the application that remains on top of the screen. With Norton Desktop, however, the desktop appears on top after everything is loaded. If you want to work immediately in another application every time you start Windows, then execute the application from the Run= line in WIN.INI's [windows] section. If you want to sign onto Microsoft Mail every time you start Windows, for example, you would enter Run=msmail.exe. When Windows finishes loading, the Mail log-in would be visible in the top window.


 Norton Desktop: One Bar Too Many

By default, each program group in Norton Desktop has a menu bar. This can consume a considerable portion of a small window. Turning the menus off doesn't help, because that takes options away. Instead, use the Control Center to customize menu bars.


 Alternative Desktops: Norton Utilities 8.0 Tips

Norton Utilities 8.0: Sensor Watch

Norton Utilities 8.0: Speed Disk

Norton Utilities 8.0: Use NDOS

Norton Utilities 8.0: Keep Alt+Tab

Norton Utilities 8.0: Exit Orderly


 Norton Utilities 8.0: Sensor Watch

The Norton Utilities has a Sensor application that monitors various aspects of your system and displays the information in "meters'' in a tiled window. If you scale down Sensor's window size and then turn on any other meters, some of the meters may be cropped. To fix this, enlarge the window diagonally and then reduce it again. All meters will be visible.


 Norton Utilities 8.0: Speed Disk

You can't use this utility if 32-bit disk access is turned on, so you'll be advised to turn it off using INI Tuner to do so. Normally, helpful hints are welcome, but this one makes the process complicated, and you'll still need to restart Windows yourself. Instead, from Control Panel's 386 Enhanced icon (or Enhanced in Windows for Workgroups 3.11), click on Virtual Memory/Change and deselect 32-Bit Disk Access. Click on OK and choose Restart Windows. You can use the same method to turn 32-bit disk access back on.


 Norton Utilities 8.0: Use NDOS

Occasionally a DOS utility will get stuck when run from Program Manager. When that happens, go to the MS-DOS or NDOS (Norton DOS) prompt first and then run the utility.


 Norton Utilities 8.0: Keep Alt+Tab

Several DOS utilities turn off the Alt+Tab capability to ensure exclusive control. To get around this quirk, go to the MS-DOS or NDOS command prompt first. Type NORTON to get the Integrator, which is a DOS menu for the Norton Utilities commands. Then choose the utility.


 Norton Utilities 8.0: Exit Orderly

If you run Norton Integrator from DOS--or if you run any utility in this way--exiting the program via the Escape key can freeze the program before it gets back to the DOS prompt. Instead, use the Exit option from the menu bar.


Alternative Desktops: PC Tool Tips
 Alternative Desktops: PC Tools Tips

PC Tools: Minimize Drive Manager

PC Tools: Run Multiple Viewers

PC Tools: Supress System Consultant

PC Tools: New Directory View

PC Tools: Rearrange Crashguard

PC Tools: Change Title Bar

PC Tools: Keyboard To Right Mouse

PC Tools: Vary Your Viewpoint

PC Tools: Quick Column Sorts

PC Tools: Always In Sight


 PC Tools: Minimize Drive Manager

Buy yourself some extra screen real estate by making the Drive Manager window smaller. Position the mouse over one corner of the Drive Manager until the double arrow for resizing appears. Hold the Shift key down while dragging the Drive Manager window. PC Tools will shrink the Drive Manager window, which contains an icon for every drive known to your system, and add scroll buttons to move to the drives that are no longer shown in the smaller window. This technique is particularly useful if you have a large number of logical drives or are on a network that has many drives.


 PC Tools: Run Multiple Viewers

You can view more than one file at a time with File Viewer by running a separate instance of File Viewer from File Manager's View pane. Hold down the Ctrl key with the mouse positioned inside the view pane. Then drag the view pane off File Manager to launch the executable for the File Viewer as a separate application.


 PC Tools: Supress System Consultant

A system administrator may want to suppress recommendations made in the System Consultant. To remove them, select the Recommend button from the toolbar. System Consultant scans your system  and displays its recommendations. Press Ctrl+Shift+F12, and PC Tools switches to Administrator mode, showing you all the suggestions it can offer. Remove the X from any check box to disable the corresponding recommendation.


 PC Tools: New Directory View

To view the contents of a directory and all its subdirectories in a single file list, select the View menu in PC Tools' File Manager. Hold down the Shift key and choose Entire Drive. By default, the Entire Drive option shows all files on your hard disk drive. By holding down the Shift key, you limit the list to the current directory and all subdirectories under it.


 PC Tools: Rearrange Crashguard

Rearrange the order of the items displayed in CrashGuard. Position the mouse over the item and, while holding down the Ctrl key, drag the item to the desired position. This will also allow you to arrange items vertically instead of horizontally. Double-clicking on items in CrashGuard allows you to cycle through the different display options for each.


 PC Tools: Change Title Bar

To change the information displayed on the desktop title bar at the top of the screen, double-click on the left, center or right side of the title bar. The options available are the date and time, a drop-down list of virtual desktops, the name of the office, free resources and memory, and the PC Tools logo.


 PC Tools: Keyboard To Right Mouse

You can access the right-mouse button pop-up menus with your keyboard by choosing the item of interest, such as an item on the desktop, and pressing Shift+F10.


 PC Tools: Vary Your Viewpoint

You may want to use a variety of settings for File Manager. For example, one view may show local files sorted alphabetically while another shows files on the network sorted by NetWare owner. Start PCTools' File Manager with the following command-line parameter:

WNFM.EXE /SET=<setting_name>

(for example)

/SET=LOCAL

 or

/SET=NETWORK

The first time File Manager runs with a setting name parameter like this, it will open with the current default settings. You can then change them, using sort options, filters, columns displayed and so on. Close File Manager with Save Settings on Exit selected under the Options menu. Add an icon to Program Manager that will execute the command and File Manager will open with the settings you chose. Running File Manager without this parameter will bring up File Manager with the current default settings.


 PC Tools: Quick Column Sorts

At the top of the File Manager file list are column headers such as Name and Date/Time. Pressing on one of the headers enables you to sort the file list on the basis of the criterion named in the header. If you want to sort in descending order instead, hold the Shift key down and click on the column button.


 PC Tools: Always In Sight

If you have applications that you want to see on-screen at all times, you can turn on Always on Top from the PC Tools desktop. Open the application you want on top and pull down the system control menu. Select Always on Top. This is especially useful for CrashGuard or Windows' Clock.


 Alternative Desktops: Power Launcher Tips

Power Launcher: Button Navigation

Power Launcher: Quick Exit

Power Launcher: Other Launchers

Power Launcher: Run MicroApps

Power Launcher: Custom Dialog Boxes

Power Launcher: Select Your Start Ap


 Power Launcher: Button Navigation

Avoid the annoying virtual desktop window. Set up all your virtual screens horizontally, then make these changes to the [hDC Power Launcher] section of your HDC.INI file:

PowerButton1.Icon= (progman.exe,44)

PowerButton1=power -vl;

PowerButton2.Icon= (progman.exe,45)

PowerButton2=power -vr

This gives the first two buttons on your button bar left and right arrows. When pressed, they will move you from one virtual desktop to the next.


 Power Launcher: Quick Exit

Remove the question mark from the Exit button line in your HDC.INI file under the [hDC Power Launcher] section. You will no longer see the prompt asking if you're sure you want to exit Windows.


 Power Launcher: Other Launchers

America Online has an hDC forum where Power Launcher users exchange tips and ideas. The keyword is HDC.


 Power Launcher: Run MicroApps

Launch your hDC Power Launcher enhanced commands from Program Manager icons, or from any Windows shell's Run command line. Type microman /c before the enhanced command. The MICROMAN.EXE and HDCLIB.DLL files must be available in your AUTOEXEC.BAT's path statement.


 Power Launcher: Custom Dialog Boxes

This undocumented hDC function library call puts up a custom message box. Type the following into your enhanced commands, and add your custom title and message:

hdclib.dll hDCMessageBox(0,"your message text here","your messagebox title here", 0, 0L, 0L);


 Power Launcher: Select Your Start App

This enhanced command will give you interactive prompts to launch the application of your choice when you start Power Launcher:

{file(*.exe,dpfe,"run a microapp?")} :in=c:\windows\microapp,min;

Add this to your Power Launcher start-up command (edit the initial directory setting to tell the location of the files), and pick a program to run or select "none.''


 Databases: Access 2.0 Tips

Access 2.0: Convert Old Files

Access 2.0: Automate Routine Tasks

Access 2.0: Sort Quicker

Access 2.0: Find The Top

Access 2.0: Create Combo Boxes

Access 2.0: Faster Reports

Access 2.0: Simple Queries

Access 2.0: Create Toolbar Buttons

Access 2.0: Math Help

Access 2.0: Take A Letter


 Access 2.0: Convert Old Files

Just because you created a database in Access 1.0 or 1.1 doesn't mean you have to limit yourself to the features available in those older versions. In the Microsoft Access Startup window, go to File/Convert Database. In the Database to Convert From dialog box, select the older database, then click on OK. In the Database to Convert Into dialog box, type a new name for the version 2.0 database file, or select a different location if you want to keep the same name. Click on OK.


 Access 2.0: Automate Routine Tasks

If there's a task you do over and over again, you can use an Access Wizard to create a command button on your form that will automatically perform the task. Go to View/Design and open your form. Then go to View/Toolbox to get some tools to work with. Next, click on the Control Wizards button, then click on the Command Button tool. Click on the form in the spot where you want to place the command button. After that, just follow the directions the Wizard gives you. When you're through, click on Finish to place the button in your form.


 Access 2.0: Sort Quicker

The fastest way to sort your Access 2.0 data is by using Quick Sort. Open your Table in Datasheet view. Decide which columns you wish to sort and select them. In the toolbar, click on the Sort Ascending or Sort Descending button. Alternatively, click on your right mouse button to bring up the shortcut menu, then choose Quick Sort Ascending or Quick Sort Descending.


 Access 2.0: Find The Top

You can immediately zero in on your top 10 customers, your 15 best salespeople, or any other quantitatively defined group with a Top Value Query. In the Database window, click on the Query button and then on the New button. Choose New Query. You'll see an empty Query window in Design view and an Add Table dialog box. You can add tables by double-clicking on table names. When you finish, click on the Close button. Next, select the whole query by clicking on the Query window anywhere outside the grid and outside the field lists. Click the right mouse button to open the shortcut menu, then choose Properties. Click on the Top Values property box and enter a percentage or number. The sort cell is the field you want to check for top values. After you click on the arrow in the cell, select Ascending or Descending from the list. Finally, click on the Run button on the toolbar to run the query.


 Access 2.0: Create Combo Boxes

Speed up data entry and make it more accurate by using a Wizard to create a list box or combo box. (A list box requires you to pick from a list; a combo box allows you to pick from a list or enter a new value.) To do so, go to View/Design and open your form, then to View/Toolbox to bring up a set of tools. Go to View/Control Wizards and make sure it displays a check mark. Next, click on the list box or combo box tool in the toolbox. Place it on your form by clicking on the point where you wish it to appear. A Wizard will guide you through the creation process.


 Access 2.0: Faster Reports

You're just a few mouse clicks away from a good-looking report. Click on the Table or Query button in the Database window. Decide which table will form the basis of your report and select it. The report will appear as soon as you click on the toolbar's AutoReport button.


 Access 2.0: Simple Queries

There are plenty of ways to use Access data, but they aren't always obvious. Try using a Wizard to help you set up a Find Duplicates query (to find duplicate records), a Crosstab query (to summarize data), a Find-Unmatched query (to find all the records that have no related records in another table or query), or an Archive query (to copy records into a new table, and then delete them from the original table). To do these things, go to View/Queries or click on the Query button. Click on New, then click on Query Wizards. Follow the Wizard's instructions. Then either go to View/Design to see the query's structure or click on the Run button to run the query.


 Access 2.0: Create Toolbar Buttons

The point of a toolbar is to give you easy access to functions that you frequently use. So instead of limiting yourself to the buttons Microsoft supplies, why not create your own toolbar buttons? Here's how you can create a toolbar button that displays a specific database: First, make sure you can see the toolbar you want to modify. Click the right mouse button once to bring up the toolbar shortcut menu, then choose Customize. From the Categories list box, choose All Tables, All Queries, All Forms or All Reports. The specific files available in the category you select will appear in the Objects list box. You can drag the list from there to the toolbar. You can also drag the database object (query, table or other object) directly from the Database window to a displayed toolbar and create a button that way.


 Access 2.0: Math Help

Instead of writing equations on a blank screen, use Access's Expression Builder. You can start the Expression Builder from a property sheet, or from a criteria cell in the Query-By-Example grid. From a property sheet, select the property box that will contain the expression, then click on the build button. In a query window, click the right mouse button where you want to insert the expression, then choose Build from the shortcut menu that will appear. You'll see a variety of elements that you can paste together to form the expression. If you make a mistake, click on the Undo button. When you click on OK, your expression will be copied into place. If text was there already, Expression Builder will write over it with the expression you just created.


 Access 2.0: Take A Letter

It's easy to convert your list of customer contacts in Access 2.0 into a Word 6.0 form letter. First, open an Access database. Decide which data you want to merge in the letter, and then either create or select the appropriate table or query. In the toolbar, click on the Merge It (Mail Merge To Word) button. The Microsoft Access Mail Merge Wizard will help you insert your data into a new or existing document. Follow the prompts in the dialog boxes to complete your form letter. Alternatively, go to the toolbar and click on the New Report button. Click on the Report Wizards button, select MS = Word Mail Merge from the list, then click on OK.


 Databases: Approach 3.0 Tips

Approach 3.0: Automatic Macro

Approach 3.0: Find Values

Approach 3.0: Designing

Approach 3.0: Using InfoBoxes

Approach 3.0: Create Custom Menus


Approach 3.0: Automatic Macro
 Approach 3.0 Automatic Macro

To launch a macro every time you open an Approach file, create a macro called Open. This macro can involve multiple tasks, such as finding all unpaid accounts and sorting them by date.


Approach 3.0: Find Values
 Approach 3.0 Find Values

If you're trying to find all records within a specific range, enter an ellipsis (three periods) between the beginning value and the ending value. For example, typing 6/27/68 . . . 7/15/68 in a date field during a find request will return all the records that have dates between June 27 and July 15, 1968, inclusive.


Approach 3.0: Designing
 Approach 3.0 Designing

Once you've perfected the design of your dream screen, use the Fast Format button in the SmartIcon bar to copy styles, properties and attributes from one object and apply them to another. You can also use named styles to apply consistent formatting to objects.


Approach 3.0: Using InfoBoxes
 Approach 3.0 Using InfoBoxes

Leaving the InfoBox open while you design your views is a quick way to check field formatting, fonts, labels, colors, data-entry controls and macro settings. Double-clicking on any object in Design mode will give you a floating palette dialog that provides access to object properties. InfoBoxes are context sensitive and will change according to the object you've selected.


Approach 3.0: Create Custom Menus
 Approach 3.0 Create Custom Menus

When you're creating your own database application, you can associate custom menu bars with specific views by building from preexisting menus or by building totally from scratch. To do so, choose Tools/Customize Menus.


 Databases: dBase Tips

dBase: Cut Install Size

dBase: Create Functions

dBase: Build Expressions

dBase: Change Object Properties

dBase: Bypass The Expert


 dBase: Cut Install Size

You don't have to install the whole 24MB required for a full installation of dBASE, which would include all samples and ancillary files. If space is a problem, you can get by with as little as 8MB. Just select Custom Installation and change the initial install options so as not to include all the functions. Be sure you've got 10MB free on the hard disk that Windows is on, or 15MB if Windows is on a compressed drive.


 dBase: Create Functions

You can create a user-defined function (UDF) with the Expression Builder. For example, if you give the following UDF a birthdate, it returns an age in years, based on the present time of the report that's running.

FUNCTION Age

PARAMETER pdate

PRIVATE In_years, In_curr

In_years = YEAR(DATE())- YEAR(pdate)

In_curr = IIF(MONTH (DATE()) >= ;

MONTH(pdate) .AND. ;

DAY(DATE()) >= DAY(pdate),0,1)

RETURN In_years - In_curr


 dBase: Build Expressions

When you build expressions during report design, you don't have to start with a blank screen. Instead, you can use the dBASE Expression Builder. After invoking the Expression Builder, you can simply type in a valid expression, or construct an expression by selecting items from list boxes. The first two list boxes are general categories that help you decide which command or function you need. After you build an expression, you can use the Evaluate button to check whether the syntax is valid. To enter an expression from the list boxes, select Function from the Category list box. Next, select Data Type Conversion from the Type list box, and then select the specified function from the Paste list box.


 dBase: Change Object Properties

Instead of making the same property change to several objects individually, you can save time by making the changes all at once. Select the first object, then hold down the Shift key and click on the remaining objects. This will highlight all the selected objects. You can now change specific properties of all the selected objects at the same time.


 dBase: Bypass The Expert

If you don't want to be offered the chance to use dBASE's Form Expert each and every time you go into Design mode, you can disable this message. Once you're in the design window, click your right mouse button. Clear the check box on the bottom left to disable Form Expert.


 Databases: Filemaker Pro 2.1 Tips

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Operator Order

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Missing Fields

Filemaker Pro 2.1: To The End

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Careful Of Nulls

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Copying

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Pasting

Filemaker Pro 2.1: NetBIOS Trouble

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Toggle First

Filemaker Pro 2.1: IBM LAN Server

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Send-Mail Script

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Change User Name

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Tally Up


 Filemaker Pro 2.1: Operator Order

FileMaker Pro doesn't evaluate the three Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) from left to right in a calculation. It evaluates them in this order: NOT, AND, OR.  To avoid problems, use parentheses to make your intention clear. For example, Filemaker Pro evaluates:

If (Group = a OR Group = b AND Class = Beginner)

as

If (Group = a OR (Group = b AND Class = Beginner))


 Filemaker Pro 2.1: Missing Fields

Remember that every time you reference a field in a script step, you must have that field on the active layout when the step is executed. If it's not on the layout, the script step will execute, but nothing will happen.


 Filemaker Pro 2.1: To The End

You can go to the last record by using the Go To Record command and specifying a very high record number, such as 99,999. Make sure to check the Without Dialog check box to avoid getting an alert or error message.


 Filemaker Pro 2.1: Careful Of Nulls

Copying a summary field in a script may not work reliably. If a script specifies a Copystep for a summary field that hasn't already calculated, FileMaker Pro will copy a null value, because the script progresses before the summary field is calculated. You can avoid this problem in one of two ways: Use the Refresh command with an Enter Browse Mode step before copying Summary field values, or use FileMaker Pro 2.1v2 or later.


 Filemaker Pro 2.1: Copying

To copy and paste between files, you'll have to write two scripts, because most script steps execute in the file in which the script is defined. You need a script in the file you want to copy from and a script in the file in which you wish to paste. In the script with the Copy command, include a Perform Script command that performs an external script, which, in turn, uses the Paste command in the other file.


 Filemaker Pro 2.1: Pasting

When you use the Copy command without any parameters, it copies all values from all fields on the current layout. If you use the Paste command, all the data will paste into one field. There's no way to force FileMaker Pro to paste the data into each destination field. You can work around this by pasting into a word processor, saving as Text, and using an Import command to bring in the record. Note that the information you copied will be separated by tabs.


 Filemaker Pro 2.1: NetBIOS Trouble

In Windows for Workgroups 3.11, when you click on the host's button you might see the error message "FileMaker could not be a host or a guest of a file because the NCBs and Sessions were not set high enough (-9133).'' This means the NetBEUI protocol is not configured properly for FileMaker Pro's NetBIOS support. The Network Command Buffers (NCBs) must be set to 64, the Sessions must be set to 32, NetBEUI needs to be the default protocol and, finally, your network card must be using its own interrupt.


 Filemaker Pro 2.1: Toggle First

You can use the Toggle Window command to zoom the window to full size for the current screen. This is a good command for a start-up script, especially if you don't know how large the monitor will be on the user's machine.


 Filemaker Pro 2.1: IBM LAN Server

To share FileMaker Pro files over a LAN Server network, you must set the network sessions to 32 and the NCBs to 64. Edit the DXM T line in the CONFIG.SYS file to include the following:

DXM T...S=32 C=64...

Save the CONFIG.SYS file and reboot the machine. Assuming FileMaker Pro 2.1 was installed for NetBIOS support, you should now be able to share files with other FileMaker Pro users.


 Filemaker Pro 2.1: Send-Mail Script

Instead of printing and mailing information, FileMaker Pro 2.1 gives you the option to send this same information via electronic mail using either Microsoft Mail or Lotus cc:Mail. Once you have the e-mail address field created and you've entered the recipient's address into that field, create the following script:

Go to Layout [Refresh, Letter]

Go to Field [Comments]

Pause/Resume Script

Send Mail [<subject>]

Change User Name Automatically


 Filemaker Pro 2.1: Change User Name

How can you tell which user entered a certain record? Just set a field to enter the user name automatically, and FileMaker Pro will find the user name in the Preferences. You can change the user name in Preferences by opening the File menu, selecting Preferences and then selecting Document.


 Filemaker Pro 2.1: Tally Up

You can speed up and simplify the counting of Yes/No answers in FileMaker Pro by defining the Yes/No field as numeric, rather than text. When the words Yes or True are entered in a number field, FileMaker Pro stores the value 1 in the field. When the words No or False are entered, FileMaker Pro stores the value 0. You can define the summary field to total or average the Yes/No field directly.


 Databases: FoxPro 2.6 Tips

FoxPro 2.6: Change Printer Settings

FoxPro 2.6: Open Only One DDE

FoxPro 2.6: Define Variable Screens

FoxPro 2.6: Fresh V. Fast

FoxPro 2.6: Band Size

FoxPro 2.6: Browse Window Sizing

FoxPro 2.6: Write Data Faster

FoxPro 2.6: Speed Debugging


 FoxPro 2.6: Change Printer Settings

If you want to change printer settings from within a FoxPro program, use the SYS(1037) function, which is new in version 2.6 (version 2.5 will ignore it). The function invokes the Printer Setup dialog box, but it doesn't return a value that you can manipulate programmatically. It's a great substitute for using the MFI_SETUP system menu bar, which is unavailable in an .APP or .EXE file. Before using the function, turn off all printing jobs:

SET PRINTER OFF

SET PRINTER TO

SET DEVICE TO SCREEN

?SYS(1037)


 FoxPro 2.6: Open Only One DDE

If you run a DDE session to connect with another application, chances are you don't want to open another instance of it. To avoid this situation, use the following code:

=DDESetOption("Safety",.f.)

openapp=DDEInitiate ("Excel","System")

IF openapp < 0

RUN/N C:\EXCEL\EXCEL.EXE

openapp=DDEInitiate ("Excel","System")

ENDIF

The first line turns off the message box so the program won't be interrupted. The IF statement checks for negative numbers. When DDEInitiate() returns a negative number, it means that a channel could not be opened, presumably because the application must be started.


 FoxPro 2.6: Define Variable Screens

With two undocumented screen generator directives in version 2.6, it's possible to define variable screens based on a criterion that may change when the screen program is run. #USERPRECOMMAND and #USERPOSTCOMMAND allow you to define GETS conditionally, based on the conditions that exist at the runtime of your screens. You'd place these directives in the comment snippet of a GET field through the screen builder, as follows:

*# USERPOSTCOMMAND DO myprocedure

The USERPRECOMMAND procedure executes before the GET field is defined, and the USERPOSTCOMMAND executes following definition of the GET field. The command is executed once, before the READ is initiated. Using these directives is often preferable to creating a GET field and conditionally disabling the field, or creating multiple screens for different conditions.


 FoxPro 2.6: Fresh V. Fast

Changing the default parameters through the SET REFRESH command can significantly speed up performance. While you're browsing or editing data, other users on your network may be changing records. FoxPro periodically rereads data to make sure you have the most recent copy. The frequency of this update is determined by the SET REFRESH command. There are two parameters, both of which are expressed as a number of seconds from 0 to 3,600. Setting the first parameter affects how often BROWSE and memo-editing windows are updated. The default setting for the first parameter is 0, for no periodic updates. The second parameter, with a default setting of 5 seconds, affects how often data tables are buffered in memory. Even if you turn off refresh completely, you'll receive an updated set of data as soon as another user has released a record lock.


 FoxPro 2.6: Band Size

Ostensibly, a single band in the FoxPro report writer will be limited to the maximum printable area (defined by the physical paper size) for the current printer. You can get around this limitation by adding a dummy data grouping based on RECNO(), or any other item that will change for each record. This gives you three bands--group header, detail and group footer--each of which can be a page long.


 FoxPro 2.6: Browse Window Sizing

Normally, the size of the last active output window determines the browse window size and appearance. But you can cause the browse window to come up in a certain size and position. All you have to do is define a window and activate it prior to the browse:

lastwin = WONTOP()

DEFINE WINDOW mybrowse FROM 10,10 TO 30,80 FONT "Arial",10

ACTIVATE WINDOW mybrowse NOSHOW

BROWSE

RELEASE WINDOW mybrowse


 FoxPro 2.6: Write Data Faster

To make sure that data is written as quickly as possible, use the FLUSH command to force FoxPro to write the contents of its data buffers to disk. FoxPro contains its own disk-caching features, so changes may not be written to disk as quickly as you expect, especially in a multiuser environment. If you're using a disk cache such as SMARTDrive, you'll get the best data protection if you disable write-behind caching on drives that contain FoxPro.


 FoxPro 2.6: Speed Debugging

To make debugging in FoxPro faster, use breakpoints. For example, suppose your database is being closed somewhere in your code. To find out where, add the following function to the left-hand side of the debug window: USED("alias"). Now click on the bar dividing the left from the right side of the debug window. A small bullet symbol will appear. When you run your program, FoxPro will automatically pause and display any program lines that change the value of the USED() function. You can set a breakpoint on any function, memory variable or database field.


 Databases: Paradox Tips

Paradox: Use DOS PAL

Paradox: Kill Line Markers

Paradox: Switch Indexes

Paradox: Move To The Top

Paradox: Drop-Down Fields

Paradox: Pushbutton Printing

Paradox: Press OLE Buttons

Paradox: Object Report


 Paradox: Use DOS PAL

You can work with Paradox for DOS PAL scripts in Paradox for Windows by using Windows' association feature. In File Manager, select the directory containing Paradox for DOS and go to File/Association. In the Files with Extension text box type .SC, then use Browse to choose PDOSDOS.PIF. Click on OK. Once you've made the association, you can add a Paradox 4.0 script icon to the Folder Wwindow in Paradox. Double-click on that icon to launch a Paradox 4.0 script.


 Paradox: Kill Line Markers

Paradox doesn't provide a way for you to remove line markers interactively. You can do it, but you have to use ObjectPAL. To design a line graph that has no markers on a form, define the marker property as a constant of -1. For example, to designate no markers on a line of a line-graph object named MyGraph, use the following code:

MyGraph.series.marker = -1

To design a line graph with no markers for a report, create the graph first on a form using the code shown above. Then copy the graph to Windows' Clipboard and paste it into the report.


 Paradox: Switch Indexes

To change the display order of records on a Paradox form without using Form/Order/Range, all you have to do is switch indexes. Just attach a TCursor to any object on the form that's bound to the desired table. Apply a switchIndex on the TCursor as follows:

var

TC TCURSOR

endVar

TC.SwitchIndex("indexname")

objectName.Resync( TC )

where indexname is the index defined in Paradox. The Resync statement displays the newly ordered information on the form.


 Paradox: Move To The Top

You can automatically move to the first field of a table when you change records. Go to View/Design, then click your right mouse button on the record. Under Methods, select the built-in method Arrive and edit it to look like this:

method arrive(var eventInfo MoveEvent)

  self.postAction(Field First)

endmethod

You can also select the built-in method Action and edit it to look like this:

method action(var eventInfo ActionEvent)

if eventInfo.id() = DataArriveRecord then

  self.postaction (FieldFirst)

endif

endmethod


 Paradox: Drop-Down Fields

To create a drop-down field (also known as a list box) in a Paradox form, go to Properties/Desktop and set the ObjectPAL level to Advanced. Click on OK. Next, create a form based on a table, then click on the toolbar's form button. Place an undefined field on the form, then click your right mouse button on the field and choose Display Type/Drop-Down Edit from the pop-up Properties menu. Don't enter any items in the Define List dialog box. Click on OK. Next, click your right mouse button on the down arrow button of the field. Choose Methods from the pop-up Properties menu. Under Built-in Methods, choose Open and click on OK. Then enter the following line of code between the method and endmethod statements:

self.DataSource="[\"tablename.db\".fieldname]"

where tablename is the name of the table the form is attached to, and fieldname is the name of the field you want the data to come from. Save the form and run it. To access the data, press the field's down arrow button.


 Paradox: Pushbutton Printing

You can print a Paradox form as a report with a Pushbutton. Go to View/Design, then select the button tool from the toolbar. Place a new button on the form. Next, click your right mouse button on the button and select Methods from the pop-up Properties menu. Select Pushbutton from the built-in methods list and add the following code:

var

r report

endVar

r.print ("formName.RSL")

Save the form. Then open the form as a report, save it and close it.


 Paradox: Press OLE Buttons

If you have an OLE field and you want to be able to launch it quickly, you can create a button to do so. Go to View/Design. Select the button tool from the toolbar and place a button on your form. Then click your right mouse button on the button. Select Methods from the pop-up Properties menu, select the built-in push-button method, and then enter this code (assuming your OLE field is named O):

O.MouseDouble(1,1,LeftButton)

When you run the form, pressing the button will load the OLE server associated with the field O.


 Paradox: Object Report

When a field in a Paradox form or report is defined as calculated, the formula becomes part of the ObjectPAL source code. This means you can print the formula by printing all the ObjectPAL methods associated with the form. Go to View/Design, then select any object on the form. Press Ctrl+Spacebar to bring up the Open Methods dialog. Select any method from the list of built-in methods and click on OK. (This will just give you access to the Language menu. The method won't actually be attached to the object.) Click your right mouse button in the editing window, then open the Properties menu and choose Language/ Browse Sources. Paradox will prepare a report that lists the objects, method names and sources for each object on the form. To do the same thing for a report, open it as a form and follow the same steps.


 Databases: Superbase Tips

Superbase: Rename Files

Superbase: Trapping Report Errors

Superbase: Control Detail Blocks

Superbase: Embed Quotes

Superbase: Insert Variables

Superbase: Generate Code

Superbase: Create Custom Toolbars

Superbase: Start Forms Two Ways

Superbase: Use Macro Recorder

Superbase: Hunt For Bugs


Superbase: Rename Files

Forms contain embedded references to the Superbase file used in their creation. If you reorganize a file under a new name, or simply rename it, all you have to do is open the Form Designer. It will prompt you for the replacement filename. Assuming the new database has the same field names as the old database, adjusting the form for use with the new database should be simple.


Superbase: Trapping Report Errors

Executing a RESUME from an error-trapping routine can produce strange results during reporting, because a report is an image in memory. You can issue an END SUB statement to make the program flow return to SUB main. Here's an example:

SUB main()

ON ERROR GOTO errcheck

CALL ReportCode()

END SUB

SUB ReportCode()

REM report code goes here

END SUB

errcheck:

IF ERRNO = 11 THEN

RESUME A

A:

END SUB

END IF


Superbase: Control Detail Blocks

When a detail block on a linked detail form is read, all the detail-block records are read into memory. You can read the first "page'' into memory and read the rest using NEXT/PREVIOUS. Just don't use scroll bars or calculations that access all the detail block records (for example, SUM). Also, don't specify a sort order.


Superbase: Embed Quotes

Text variables are defined as the material between quotation marks, so you'll have to do something special if you want a quotation mark in your output. You can embed quotation marks in a string either by typing the tilde character (~) or CHR$(34).


Superbase: Insert Variables

You can use variables in commands that normally don't support variables, as long as you keep the text string length below 255 characters. For example, the filter command SELECT WHERE doesn't allow you to use variables for the condition clause. So these two lines won't work:

FILT$ = "orderdate > TODAY"

SELECT WHERE FILT$

But this will work:

EXECUTE "SELECT WHERE " + FILT$

And so will this:

A$ = "SELECT WHERE " + FILT$

EXECUTE A$


Superbase: Generate Code

You can use visual tools to design the look of an interface's components, and then have Superbase generate the code required to reproduce those components. For example, by using the dialog editor to create an input screen, you can place components using mouse clicks and toolbar buttons, while Superbase creates code like this for you to use and modify:

SUB main()

 CALL DIALDIAL()

 END SUB

SUB DIALDIAL()

 CREATE DIALOG "DialOptions",21,15,206,178"Auto-Dial Options","Courier",10

 ADD DIALOG "DialOptions",3, 4,9,103,11,0,"Field Dial","FieldDial",DialType$


Superbase: Create Custom Toolbars

Create your own custom toolbars and menus by using Superbase's built-in icon editor and menu editor. Both editors use a similar set of dialog boxes and drop-down list boxes.


Superbase: Start Forms Two Ways

Because the Form/Report Designer creates executable Superbase files, you can save a form as a program in Superbase, or you can use the graphical file (.SBV) with the Superbase Language statement OPEN FORM. In addition, a report created by the Report Designer consists of a graphical representation of your report and the code necessary to produce the data for the report's contents, both of which you can save as a report.


Superbase: Use Macro Recorder

If you're not sure how to program a complex set of actions, just walk through them with Superbase's Macro Recorder turned on. It generates the Superbase Language (SBL) code that corresponds to a sequence of steps you have taken in native Superbase. You can use the Macro Recorder to construct a skeleton of a program, which you can then load into the program editor to expand or edit. Note that some features of Superbase aren't available during recording. You can't, for example, modify the definition of a database file. But most things you can do to manipulate data (add and modify records, apply selection filters and run queries) are possible during a recording session.


 Superbase: Hunt For Bugs

Find bugs quickly and easily with the Superbase Interactive Debugger. This program lets you step through your code line by line, adjust your application's execution speed, examine and modify variables during execution, and view a history of commands executed. You can use each of these functions separately or in combination.


 DTP/Graphics: Photoshop 2.5.1 Tips

Photoshop 2.5.1: Setting Resolution

Photoshop 2.5.1: Reduce Bands

Photoshop 2.5.1: Lighter Blends

Photoshop 2.5.1: Use Low-Res Images

Photoshop 2.5.1: Zoom In Quickly


 Photoshop 2.5.1: Setting Resolution

When scanning images into Photoshop, set the resolution based on how you're ultimately going to use the image. For example, color and gray-scale images that you plan to print usually require a scan resolution of only about twice the halftone frequency of the printed output (measured in lines per inch). Note that lines per inch (lpi) do not equal dots per inch (dpi): A 300-dpi printer can produce a halftone of only about 50 to 60 lpi, while an imagesetter generally produces 100 to 200 lpi. If you plan on substantially enlarging the final image, scan it at a corresponding higher resolution to avoid losing image quality.


 Photoshop 2.5.1: Reduce Bands

To reduce color bands in Photoshop gradient fills, use the Add Noise filter at a low setting (result shown on the right side of the screen below).


 Photoshop 2.5.1: Lighter Blends

Applying a one- or two-pixel feather (Select/Feather) will make a pasted-in image blend more realistically with its background. You can also use a small-radius smudge tool to remove inappropriate highlights or obvious jaggies.


 Photoshop 2.5.1: Use Low-Res Images

Need to export a high-resolution Photoshop image into your favorite desktop publishing program? Make low-resolution versions of the files and use them for placement during the initial stages of page layout. That'll keep your desktop publishing program from being bogged down with long redraw times. You can replace the FPO (for position only) images with the high-resolution versions just before you print.


 Photoshop 2.5.1: Zoom In Quickly

To zoom in on your image while working with a different tool, hold down the Ctrl+Spacebar keys and click your mouse button. Let go of the keys and the current tool will return.


 DTP/Graphics: Illustrator Tips

Illustrator 4.0: Remove Layers

Illustrator 4.0: Remove Fonts

Illustrator 4.0: How Many Objects?

Illustrator 4.0: Avoid Preview

Illustrator 4.0: Using Filters


 Illustrator 4.0: Remove Layers

If you're confronted with many overlapping layers of artwork, you can reduce the confusion by temporarily hiding the ones you're not using. Access the direct selection tool by clicking on the arrow on the toolbar and choosing the hollow arrow. Select the object you wish to hide, then go to Arrange/Hide. (If the objects are grouped, you'll need to use the solid arrow first to drag a box around the objects, which selects the group, and then select Arrange/Ungroup.) To restore anything you've hidden, choose Arrange/ Show All.


 Illustrator 4.0: Remove Fonts

The more Type 1 fonts you have installed, the longer Illustrator takes to open and close. If speed is a big concern, remove any fonts you don't use.


 Illustrator 4.0: How Many Objects?

The number of objects you've selected is displayed on the left side of the bottom status bar. To select multiple objects, hold down the Shift key while using the direct selection tool.


 Illustrator 4.0: Avoid Preview

The View/Preview Illustration mode shows you a full picture of your work, but the price you pay is performance. Use the View/Artwork & Template mode instead to avoid having Illustrator redraw the entire page each time you touch an object.


 Illustrator 4.0: Using Filters

When applying any of Illustrator's filters, keep in mind that the amount of free space on the hard disk must be three to five times the size of the file you're working on.


DTP/Graphics: CorelDraw 5.0
 DTP/Graphics: CorelDraw 5.0 Tips

CorelDraw 5.0: Drag and Drop

CorelDraw 5.0: Speed Redraw

CorelDraw 5.0: Move Objects


 CorelDraw 5.0: Drag and Drop

To drag and drop a graphic into CorelDraw from another application, click on the Mosaic button on the ribbon bar in any of the CorelDraw applications. A rollup window for Mosaic will appear, displaying visuals of files in the current directory. Click on the Open button in the right-hand corner of the rollup to move to another directory. Scroll to the directory to find the filename of the graphic, or click on the Options button to sort files or search by keyword. When you find the filename, drag and drop it from the Mosaic rollup window directly into your Corel application.


 CorelDraw 5.0: Speed Redraw

To speed up redraw time when you're working on a complex drawing, use the Layers rollup to group finished objects onto a layer. Then either turn that layer off while you're working on other parts of the drawing, or work in wireframe mode with color overrides so you can tell the different layers apart.


 CorelDraw 5.0: Move Objects

You can cut down on redraw time by grouping finished portions of your drawing and moving the group off the drawing area (the page) until you're ready to pull all portions together. To do so, select the Transform rollup from the CorelDraw ribbon bar, then enter a value for horizontal placement that will move the group off the page area (for example, if you're working on an 8.5-x-11-inch page in landscape orientation, enter a value of 12 or more). Don't adjust the vertical placement. When you're ready to reposition the group on the page, select the group, then enter the negative of the position value you chose (for example, -12) in the Transform rollup. The group will return to its exact original location.


DTP/Graphics: Freehand Tips
 DTP/Graphics: Freehand 4.0 Tips

Freehand 4.0: Mix Sizes

Freehand 4.0: Transparency

Freehand 4.0: Mix Colors

Freehand 4.0: Remove Colors

Freehand 4.0: Convert Text

Freehand 4.0: Edit Easier


 Freehand 4.0: Mix Sizes

You can mix any combination of page sizes and orientations in a single FreeHand file. This is ideal for "ganging'' pages for output on an imagesetter. In the Document Inspector, click on the Page icon and then on Options. Next, choose Add Pages. The pages are automatically placed from left to right, starting at the top of FreeHand's pasteboard, but you can manually rearrange the order and placement of pages. FreeHand keeps an eye on what you're doing, and won't let you overlap pages.


 Freehand 4.0: Transparency

The Path operations in FreeHand include an undocumented transparency option. Select two overlapping objects and, while holding down the Alt key, select Intersect. A pop-up dialog box lets you control the level of transparency. Keep in mind that the top object needs to be lighter than the bottom one for you to see the transparency effect.


 Freehand 4.0: Mix Colors

Double-clicking on a color in the Color List automatically invokes the Color Mixer with the selected color loaded and ready for editing. In turn, double-clicking on the Color Mixer brings up the Color List. You can drag and drop colors back and forth between the Color Mixer and Color List.


 Freehand 4.0: Remove Colors

To remove unnecessary colors from your FreeHand Color List, copy all the elements on a page to a new document. Colors that aren't used won't be transferred. You can also remove individual colors you're not using via Options/Remove in the Color List.


 Freehand 4.0: Convert Text

With a piece of artwork such as a logo, it's a good idea to convert text to curves. This means the text will be treated like a graphic, so you can print it from computers that don't have access to the same set of fonts.


 Freehand 4.0: Edit Easier

You don't have to ungroup a group of objects in FreeHand just to edit the individual components. Instead, hold down the Alt key to select elements within a group.


 DTP/Graphics: Publish It 4.0 Tips

Publish It 4.0: Date It

Publish It 4.0: Realign Text

Publish It 4.0: Add Perspective

Publish It 4.0: Switch Text/Frame

Publish It 4.0: Enlarge It


 Publish It 4.0: Date It

It's often useful to include the current date or time on your documents. To enter this information in a Publish It document, just double-click on the Keypad title bar. The current time and date will appear at the cursor point.


 Publish It 4.0: Realign Text

Need to realign a block of text in Publish It? Keep the task simple: Stay in Text mode and highlight the text. Then you can either click on the appropriate alignment button, or select Alignment from the pull-down menu.


 Publish It 4.0: Add Perspective

You don't need da Vinci's dexterity to reflow text from portrait to landscape. Keep your document in full-page view, toggle to Program Manager and launch another copy of Publish It. Now open a new file and style it in the orientation you want. Go back to the original document and switch to Frame mode if you're not there already. Select all the text (by choosing Edit/Select All, Copy or Cut) and paste it into the new document. Repeat these steps for each page. You might need to resize and reshape the frames to fit the new orientation.


 Publish It 4.0: Switch Text/Frame

Do framing tasks leave you hanging? Relax. Publish It lets you instantly switch from Text mode to Frame mode simply by holding down your right mouse button. You can still use the left button for clicking and dragging, so the trick is handy for both resizing frames and drawing new ones.


 Publish It 4.0: Enlarge It

Sometimes the amount of detail on a page makes it nearly impossible to edit accurately. To cut the frustration--and the eye strain--Publish It lets you create and enlarge cells of text for easier editing. Just select a frame or put the cursor in a frame, and click on the Actual Size button. The framed portion of the document will be magnified to fill your screen.


 DTP/Graphics: Designer 4.0a Tips

Designer 4.0a: Right Mouse Menus

Designer 4.0a: Expand Dialogs

Designer 4.0a: Fill In Blanks

Designer 4.0a: Set Style Defaults

Designer 4.0a: Custom Configurations

Designer 4.0a: Select Overlapped Objects


 Designer 4.0a: Right Mouse Menus

Clicking your right mouse button brings up a menu of command shortcuts. Holding down the Alt key while clicking the right mouse button performs a user-defined command (the default is Zoom, but you can specify an alternative through File/Preferences/Mouse Settings).


 Designer 4.0a: Expand Dialogs

Several of Designer's dialog boxes have a Details button with two arrows pointing to the right. Clicking on the button expands the dialog box to provide access to additional options. For example, the File/Save Details button displays a memo field for entering a text description of your illustration. The File/Open Details button offers descriptions and previews of files. And Page Setup's Details button lets you preview the page options you've set. When you click on the Details button, the Page Setup dialog box expands to display your options.


 Designer 4.0a: Fill In Blanks

Designer's fill After Line command (in the Style ribbon's Overlap menu) causes an object's interior fill to be drawn on top of the object's outline. This is the opposite of Designer's default style, which causes the outline to be applied on top of the interior fill. For example, the two objects shown on the screen to the right have the same interior fill and outline. But they look different because the one on the left side of the screen uses Designer's default Line After Fill, while the one on the right side uses the Fill After Line command.


 Designer 4.0a: Set Style Defaults

Clicking on the status bar's Fill style button with your right mouse button will make that style the default style. Likewise, right-clicking on the Line style button will make that line style the default. When you make a style the default, any symbols you create subsequently will use the same style. (Left-clicking on these same buttons brings up the Fill and Line dialog boxes, respectively.)


 Designer 4.0a: Custom Configurations

Designer's Profile feature offers a simple way to set up a custom configuration file that tracks your preferences for styles, palettes, units and tools. You can create multiple preference profiles based on different projects or users. Use File/Preferences/Profile to add, delete and change your custom profiles.


 Designer 4.0a: Select Overlapped Objects

To select among overlapping objects in Designer, just hold down the Alt key while clicking the left mouse button.


 DTP/Graphics: Pagemaker 5.0 Tips

PageMaker 5.0: Small Caps

PageMaker 5.0: Slow Filters

PageMaker 5.0: Graphics Elsewhere

PageMaker 5.0: Gray Graphics

PageMaker 5.0: Reset Defaults

PageMaker 5.0: List Filters

PageMaker 5.0: Print Ranges

PageMaker 5.0: Nudge Objects

PageMaker 5.0: Change Formats

PageMaker 5.0: Consistent Dot Leaders


 PageMaker 5.0: Small Caps

PageMaker's Small Caps option--available in the Type Specs dialog box under Case--automatically converts lowercase letters to uppercase at 70 percent of the current font size. To achieve a more understated and elegant look, set the size of Small Caps text to 80 or 85 percent through Type Specs/Options.


 PageMaker 5.0: Slow Filters

Install only the import and export filters you need in PageMaker. The fewer you install, the faster PageMaker will initialize its filters.


 PageMaker 5.0: Graphics Elsewhere

Although you can crop and rotate graphics in PageMaker, it's much more efficient to do as much image manipulation in the original graphics program before you import images into PageMaker. This will keep your PageMaker files slimmer, and also save you time when you print.


 PageMaker 5.0: Gray Graphics

If you want to browse through a publication without waiting forever for imported graphics or tables to redraw, select File/Preferences and then, under Graphics, check Gray Out. Each graphic will then appear as a gray box on-screen and will redraw substantially faster. (The graphics will still print normally.)


 PageMaker 5.0: Reset Defaults

If you decide that you want to reset all of PageMaker's defaults back to their original "factory default'' settings, you can do so by deleting the PM5.CNF file in your ALDUS\USENGLSH directory.


 PageMaker 5.0: List Filters

Holding down the Ctrl key while you select Help/About PageMaker will display a list of all installed Additions, and all installed import and export filters (including version numbers).


 PageMaker 5.0: Print Ranges

The Range option in PageMaker's Print dialog box lets you print any series of pages. Separate individual pages with a comma, and consecutive sequences of pages with a dash. For example: 1,3,7 or 1-5 or 2-8,14,21,32-35.


 PageMaker 5.0: Nudge Objects

You can "nudge'' objects in very small increments around your publication by selecting them with the arrow tool, and then opening the Control Palette (Window/Control Palette). Nudge buttons appear next to XY Position, Width/Height, Rotate and Skew controls. Clicking on a nudge button moves or adjusts the object a specific distance or number of degrees (usually .01 inches or 1 point, and .01 degree). Holding down the Ctrl key multiplies the effect by a factor of 10. You can customize your Nudge settings under File/Preferences.


 PageMaker 5.0: Change Formats

It's easy to set permanent default selections for fonts, fills, rules, column guides and other formats in PageMaker. Just make the appropriate menu selections before you open or create a document. The next time you open a document, you'll see the default settings take effect.


 PageMaker 5.0: Consistent Dot Leaders

Dot leaders in PageMaker automatically take on the attributes of the text they follow, which isn't always a good thing--especially if you're mixing font sizes or styles in entries. To maintain consistent dot leader formatting, add a space before the dot leader, select the space and format it appropriately.


 Visual Basic Tips

Visual Basic: Reduce Memory

Visual Basic: Fake 3-D

Visual Basic: Use Dynamic Arrays

Visual Basic: Save RAM

Visual Basic: Less Coding

Visual Basic: Use Images

Visual Basic: Always On Top

Visual Basic: Faster Timing

Visual Basic: Watch System Resources

Visual Basic: Set Multiple Controls

Visual Basic: Align Help

Visual Basic: Neatness Counts


 Visual Basic: Reduce Memory

To cut down on memory overhead:

•	Design your application so that modules load only when needed and immediately unload when finished.

•	Load data only as you need it.

•	Reduce the number of forms and windows that you have open at once.


 Visual Basic: Fake 3-D

Three-dimensional controls are all the rage these days, and for good reason: Beveled edges come across clear and strong on-screen, surpassing color coding for easy recognition. Unfortunately, they come with a heavy price tag: They use a tremendous amount of system resources for display. But there's an easy way to avoid the overhead. You can build 3-D look-alike controls by creating an .ICO file (use the IconWorks program that comes with Visual Basic) or a bitmap, and then placing it in an image control. Image controls use fewer resources than graphical controls. Better yet, use a screen-capture utility to capture a true 3-D control and build a library of those to use later.


 Visual Basic: Use Dynamic Arrays

To make an application sing, increase the available RAM by creating dynamic arrays, dropping or unloading controls and forms, and limiting the execution of lifetime variables. You can use a large array for a short time and then free up memory when you're no longer using the array. For example, if you have students in a classroom with a maximum enrollment of 100, use a dynamic array like Dim ClassRoster () instead of Dim ClassRoster (100). Both arrays work, but the former uses only the memory required to hold the students enrolled in a class, while the latter maintains additional memory-robbing elements.


 Visual Basic: Save RAM

A used control or form simply takes RAM away from your application. Whenever possible, remove any and all used forms and controls from your app.


 Visual Basic: Less Coding

The heart of Windows development lies in the use of the API. One call can save hours of coding, even if you could accomplish the same task with Visual Basic coding. You'll also save the cost of custom controls, because API functions are free: If you're running Windows, you already own more than 700 of them (not including OLE). You don't need to learn all the calls right away. Just keep in mind that with a simple declaration, you can access just about anything Windows can do. The downside of using APIs is the lack of documentation for non-Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) developers. If you don't have Microsoft's SDK (or even if you do), the Visual Basic Programmer's Guide to the Windows API is a must-have book for all serious Visual Basic developers. This book explains which API calls correspond to VB features, which ones are most useful to VB developers, and which ones you can't access from VB.


 Visual Basic: Use Images

An image control uses fewer resources and repaints faster than a picture box control, making it a handy way to boost program performance. You can't always make the switch, because image controls support only a subset of the picture box properties, events and methods. But Image properties are often enough to do the job well. Here are some image control properties you should know and use:

•	Image Properties: BorderStyle, DragIcon, DragMode, Enabled, Height, Index, Left, MousePointer, Name, Picture, Stretch, Tag, Top, Visible, Width

•	Image Events: Click, DblClick, DragDrop, DragOver, MouseDown, MouseMove, MouseUp

•	Image Methods: Drag, Move, Refresh, ZOrder


 Visual Basic: Always On Top

If you want to set a program window as always visible, use the Windows API function SetWindowPos. Start by including this code in the main module:

Declare Sub SetWindowPos Lib "User" (ByVal hWnd AsInteger, ByVal hWndInsertAfter

     As Integer, ByVal X As Integer, ByVal Y As Integer, ByVal cx As Integer, ByVal cy

     As Integer, ByVal wFlags As Integer)

Then, to make the window always visible, include this code in a submodule:

SetWindowPos form1.hWnd, -1, 0, 0, 0, 0, &H50

Finally, to turn off "always visible,'' add this code to a second module:

SetWindowPos form1.hWnd, -2, 0, 0, 0, 0, &H50

For ultimate customizability, give your users a choice by assigning Always On Top to a menu item. If the menu item is checked, the window remains on top.


 Visual Basic: Faster Timing

If you're using a timer in your Visual Basic application, it might be a good idea to replace the VB Timer function with GetTickCount from the Windows API. GetTickCount returns the number of milliseconds since Windows started and rolls over to zero every 49 days, unlike Timer, which resets every 24 hours. The GetTickCount routine runs much faster than the Timer routine, boosting your program's performance. To use this API function, include the following code in the main module of your VB program:

Declare Function GetTickCount Lib "User" () As Long

Then simply use it as you would the Timer function.


 Visual Basic: Watch System Resources

System resources bear much watching under Windows. So one way to make your program more functional is to add a System Resources monitor to your program's About box, like the About boxes in Program Manager and File Manger. Use the Windows API function GetFreeSystemResources. Include the following code in the main module of your Visual Basic program:

Declare Function GetFreeSystemResources Lib "User" (ByVal fuSysResource As Integer)

     As Integer

To use this information, in the form assigned as your About box, add a label and set the caption equal to the GetFreeSystemResources(0) as in:

Label1.Caption = GetFreeSystemResources(0)

Feeding it a 0 returns the free system resources. Replace the 0 with a 1 and you get the percentage of available USER space; a 2 will return the free GDI space. All of this can help keep you and your users ahead of Windows resource appetites.


 Visual Basic: Set Multiple Controls

If you've got a group of controls that will all have the same settings, such as height, width, font and color, you'll save time by selecting the settings for the whole group instead of for each individual control. First, create all the controls. Then select them by holding down the Ctrl key and clicking on each. Next, open the Properties window, select a property and enter a value. The setting will be automatically applied to each selected control. Continue to select and change properties until you achieve the desired effects.


 Visual Basic: Align Help

Did you ever wonder how some applications manage to align the Help menu with the right-hand side of the window? Moving the Help menu to the right gives your users a cleaner interface and makes it easier for them to locate Help amidst a slew of menu items. Programming this is really simple: You need to use the backspace character, Chr$(8), as the first character in the Caption property of the menu item in the Form_load event. Here's the code:

HelpMenu.Caption= Chr$(8) & HelpMenu.Caption


 Visual Basic: Neatness Counts

Your applications will look polished and professional if you perfectly align screen elements, such as fields and buttons. You don't have to rely on your eye. Instead, select all the controls you wish to align, open the Properties window and set the Left or Top values to the desired location of your controls.


 Wintune 2.0 Tips

Wintune 2.0: What It Is

Wintune 2.0: Where It Is

Wintune 2.0: Get Help

Wintune 2.0: Check Download

Wintune 2.0: Check Again

Wintune 2.0: Run Setup

Wintune 2.0: Update VBX Files

Wintune 2.0: Move Misplaced Files

Wintune 2.0: Track Down GPF

Wintune 2.0: Detect FPU Trouble

Wintune 2.0: Longer Intervals

Wintune 2.0: Cannot Redraw?

Wintune 2.0: Run It Alone

Wintune 2.0: Insall More RAM

Wintune 2.0: Free Up RAM

Wintune 2.0: Upgrade Slow CPUs

Wintune 2.0: Add An FPU

Wintune 2.0: Better Video Speed

Wintune 2.0: Click For Details

Wintune 2.0: Test By Running


 Wintune 2.0: What It Is

To see how your system stacks up and to fine-tune it, try Wintune 2.0, a freeware utility distributed by WINDOWS Magazine (and copyrighted by CMP Publications). Use the benchmarks to determine the speed at which your system performs a variety of Windows functions, and follow the specific advice on how to improve system performance.


 Wintune 2.0: Where It Is

The easiest place to find Wintune 2.0 is in the WINDOWS Magazine Online area of America Online. To find it, run the Windows version of America Online, open the Go To menu and select Keyword. Type in WinMag. Click on the Software Libraries button, double-click on Wintune & Support Files and look for the Wintune file (WINTUNE.ZIP). You can also download Wintune 2.0 from CompuServe (GO WINUSER), BIX (WINDOWS listings area), The Well (/home/p/e/pes/ Wintune.zip) and the Internet (at ftp.indiana.edu in pub/pc/ win3/).


 Wintune 2.0: Get Help

Have questions on Wintune 2.0? Get answers on America Online. Run the Windows version of America Online, open the Go To menu and select Keyword. Type WinMag to get to WINDOWS Magazine Online. Click on the Message Exchange button, then click on Browse Folders and select Wintune 2.0 from the list. You might want to read the existing messages before posing a question, because your question may already have been answered. If you have a question on finding Wintune, send it to windowsmag@aol.com.


 Wintune 2.0: Check Download

If you have problems the first time you try to run Wintune 2.0, check to make sure your download was successful. The name, length and date of the compressed file or files containing Wintune appear in the plain ASCII README.TXT file that accompanies the compressed files in most systems. You can read this file in Windows' Notepad or Write.


 Wintune 2.0: Check Again

Before you can install Wintune 2.0, you must extract the files using an unzip program such as PKUNZIP.EXE or WINZIP.EXE (both are available on many on-line services), and place the extracted files in a single directory. Run the program SETUP.EXE, which you should find in the common directory you created. If no SETUP.EXE program turns up, you may have a bad download. Check the README .TXT file to see if you got the right filename, date and length. You'll find the contents of  the .ZIP file in a subdirectory of C:\ WAOL\DOWNLOAD. Copy the extracted files to a common directory.


 Wintune 2.0: Run Setup

You must run the Wintune Setup program (SETUP.EXE) from Windows, in either Program Manager or File Manager. To run SETUP.EXE from Program Manager, select File/Run. When asked for a Command Line, enter:

C:\WT20 \SETUP.EXE

(assuming you've extracted all the Wintune files into a C:\WT20 directory). To run SETUP.EXE from File Manager, set up File Manager to display the files located in the C:\WT20 directory (or whichever directory you've placed the Wintune files in after extraction). Then double-click on the file named SETUP.EXE.


 Wintune 2.0: Update VBX Files

A ".VBX file is out of date'' message usually means that another program's installation procedure has placed an out-of-date version of the .VBX file in your WINDOWS directory. To correct this, back up your WINDOWS and WINDOWS\SYSTEM directories, then check your WINDOWS directory for the existence of .VBX files. If you find a .VBX in the WINDOWS directory, copy it from the WINDOWS directory to the WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory if and only if the .VBX file in the WINDOWS directory is newer than one by the same name in the WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory, and there is now a .VBX file in the WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory whose name matches that of the .VBX file in the WINDOWS directory. Once the appropriate .VBX files (if any) have been copied from WINDOWS to WINDOWS\SYSTEM, delete all .VBX files from the WINDOWS directory. Exit and restart Windows, and run Wintune again. If another application fails to run after this, that app may depend on an older version of a .VBX file.


 Wintune 2.0: Move Misplaced Files

If you get a message during Wintune setup that files need to be renamed or already exist, you probably have Visual Basic support files in the wrong directory. Usually, supporting files should be installed in the WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory, but some programmers put .DLLs and .VBXs elsewhere. If Wintune finds misplaced files, it warns you that it will rename them. If you click on OK, it renames the errant files and installs the correct files in the proper place. When Wintune installs and finds a file where it shouldn't be, it renames it. All .DLLs in the WINDOWS directory that should be in the WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory will get renamed to .WTL, .VBX files will get renamed to .WTX, and .EXE files will get renamed to .WTE. To fix the problem, erase all .WT* files in your WINDOWS directory.


 Wintune 2.0: Track Down GPF

A General Protection Fault (GPF) while running the video portion of a Wintune Full test indicates a problem with your video driver. In most cases, this error should display a helpful Wintune 2.0 error message instead of a cryptic Windows General Protection Fault error message.


 Wintune 2.0: Detect FPU Trouble

If you get a Divide by Zero or Overflow error while running Wintune's Floating-Point test, you probably have a 386-based system or a 486SX that's been upgraded with a 387 or 487 math coprocessor. Wintune is indicating that the upgrade wasn't fast enough for your system. Use the Turbo switch (or fast/slow CMOS setting) to reset your system to slow speed, and run Wintune again. If the Divide by Zero error goes away, you need to replace your coprocessor with a faster model.


 Wintune 2.0: Longer Intervals

To increase the accuracy of your Wintune 2.0 results, run the Full test rather than the Quick test, run it several times, and average the results. It's normal to see some variation in Wintune disk scores. The utility reads disk data through whatever cache is enabled (SMARTDrive, FastFAT, and so on), and the precise score depends on the cache state. If the disk score appears to change when another system component not related to the disk (such as a video or network driver) is changed, this may indicate that a delayed activity or timer setting is interfering with the test. Edit the command line associated with your Wintune 2.0 icon to this:

c:\Wintune\Wintune.exe /t30

to prevent the Video test from affecting the Disk test.


 Wintune 2.0: Cannot Redraw?

A "cannot create redraw file'' error means you're short on both memory and disk space. Wintune's user interface was built with Visual Basic 3.0 and uses VB's auto-redraw feature. This requires opening a redraw file that contains copies of the bitmaps used in the user interface, so that Wintune can quickly restore the display when you move a window, for example. When Wintune can't find enough space to create the redraw file, it can't run. To solve the problem, try freeing up some space on your hard disk.


 Wintune 2.0: Run It Alone

Wintune 2.0 needs total control over your system while performing its low-level tests. It can't do that if other apps are running. For that matter, ideally, Wintune should be the only program running, so you should always run it first after starting a clean Windows session. Running it any other way gives misleading results.


 Wintune 2.0: Insall More RAM

Wintune 2.0 detects how much memory Windows can use (from the Home screen, select Details and RAM). If this number is smaller than you expected, check to see how much RAM you have. Exit Windows and reboot your computer. Most PCs will display the amount of memory installed on start-up. If the total memory number (or, if your system doesn't display a total, the sum of the conventional and extended numbers) is 4096KB (4MB) or less, you really don't have enough RAM to get full performance from Windows 3.1 or Windows for Workgroups 3.11. Although Windows and WFWG will run in 4MB, it's not possible to dedicate adequate memory to a disk cache in such a system. Running multiple programs will give you poor performance, so the best thing you can do is add more RAM. Consult your PC manual for information.


 Wintune 2.0: Free Up RAM

If you can't afford to add ram to your system, you may be able to improve performance simply by making as much memory as possible available to Windows. Wintune will offer such tips as setting a larger swap file size, reducing the size of your disk cache (this is a trade-off, because it may reduce your disk performance), and eliminating any unused EMS (Expanded Memory Specification) and RAMdrive assignments from your system.


 Wintune 2.0: Upgrade Slow CPUs

If Wintune 2.0 informs you that your CPU is slow, you may not be able to fix that. With a 386/33, for instance, no configuration change is going to give you more than 14 MIPS. If you're getting the rated performance from your system and it still isn't fast enough, it may be time to consider a new system.


 Wintune 2.0: Add An FPU

Wintune 2.0 may find you have a slow FPU. If you have a 386SX, 386DX or 486SX system running applications that involve a lot of floating-point computation (such as CAD, large spreadsheets or professional graphics applications), you may get a significant performance increase by adding a floating-point math coprocessor, such as Intel's 387 or 487 chip. When floating-point math is executed on a CPU that lacks a coprocessor, it's emulated by software at a tenth of the speed that the coprocessor can execute. To see if you have a floating-point coprocessor installed, look at the information in the Details/CPU tab after you run the tests.


 Wintune 2.0: Better Video Speed

If Wintune 2.0 gives a low video result, it may be time for an updated video driver. First, make sure you're running a video driver specific to your card and not the generic (and slow) driver that ships with Windows. Run Windows' Setup (usually in Program Manager's Main group). If the video driver has VGA or SVGA in its name and does not mention the specific name of your video card, select Options/Change System Settings. If you don't find the name of the your video driver there, check the documentation that came with your video card. If you're using a driver specific to your board, check to see if you have the most up-to-date driver. Many video vendors make drivers available for download on BBSs and/or on CompuServe, and also list phone numbers in their documentation. If you get low performance even with the most up-to-date driver installed, consider getting a new video card.


 Wintune 2.0: Click For Details

Click on any bar in any of the screens under the Comparison tab (CPU, FPU, Video, RAM and Disk) and you'll be shown detailed information about the system test used to create that bar.


 Wintune 2.0: Test By Running

The best way to test your setup is to run Wintune 2.0. Double-click on the Wintune icon in Program Manager that SETUP.EXE created for you. If you encounter problems, check to see if SETUP.EXE installed all files correctly. This information is contained in the README.TXT file. It's also in the file WTFAQ.HLP, a Windows help file you can launch by double-clicking on the filename in File Manager. During Wintune's installation, it creates a file called WTSETUP.LOG in your WINDOWS directory. If you experience setup problems, check this file. Often it will tell you where it had a problem.


 Introduction

A Word from the Editors-Behind the Scenes

By Eileen McCooey, managing editor and Donna Tapellini, senior editor

Plus: Click On The Red Text To Find Out About:

The Tools We Used: HelpBreeze and ScreenCam

How To Reach WinMag By Mail And By Email

Are you ready for the largest, most complete group of tips ever compiled ? You're holding it in your hands: 1,250-plus tips on hardware, software, operating systems, networking, SOHO--you get the idea.

We'd like to introduce you to some of the WINDOWS Magazine editors who rolled up their sleeves, wracked their brains, ripped apart their hardware, plunged into four operating systems and more than 30 applications, and spent hours tweaking and tuning to bring you this Survival Guide.

Dave Methvin somehow found time to write and edit tips on macros, memory and more. Jim Forbes, who thinks nothing of placing a call to the East Coast at 6:30 a.m. using a cellular phone from a bus, offers his tips on portable and SOHO computing. Arthur Germain, who put together WINDOWS Magazine's network and mail system, was a natural for writing tips on Windows for Workgroups and Microsoft Mail.

Put Ellen Dendy up there with the best of the paparazzi. She chased down celebrities like Bill Gates, Philippe Kahn and Peter Norton, and got them to divulge their favorite tips.

Susie Rich, who has an eye for design, offers exceptional advice on how to put together an exceptional-looking document. Rich Castagna and Will Gee share some thoughts (and tips) on how to approach Lotus's database, Approach. Ian Handel rearranged his desktop to show you how to work with PC Tools and Norton Desktop. Paul Schindler's uninstall tips will help you sweep the cobwebs out of your hard disk.

Fred Langa looks into the not-so-distant future at Windows 95. Michael Elgan explores the Internet, while John Ruley turns Windows NT inside out. John Gartner spends hours in our labs, and it shows in the quality of his video tips. Lab comrades John Yacono, Ian Etra and Serdar Yegulalp share their tips on topics ranging from Windows to SCSI. Jim Powell's word processing tips will help you zip through your daily writing tasks. Karen Strauss's tips on presentation packages are sure to make you a master communicator. And you'll be a math whiz in no time if you follow Jonathan Blackwood's advice on spreadsheets. Julie Blumenfeld lists 16 shareware programs you absolutely can't live without.

Last, but certainly not least, Dave Gabel mustered his troops to handle the technical editing of each and every tip in this issue. Joe Baron supervised the design that makes it such fun to read. And let us not overlook the copy editors and production editors who helped turn so much text into an actual publication.

Paul Schindler authored the hypertext document you are now viewing, with the able assistance of Julie Blumenfeld, who provided the raw text (after performing the difficult and tedious chore of converting text from magazine-ready to computer-ready).

Hope you enjoy our biggest tips collection yet. Wait till you see what we have planned for next year!

1,250 TIPS

That good old-fashioned can-do attitude will get you a long way, whether you're exploring the world of Windows or the wild blue yonder.

We don't doubt for a second that you can overcome obstacles, extricate yourself from peril and rebound from setbacks--all by dint of your own wit and hard work. But wouldn't it be great to have a trusty guide who's been through it all before? That voice of experience could help you steer clear of sticky situations and take the simplest, most direct route to your destination.

Well, consider us your guide to Windows computing. Our staff of Windows experts has distilled countless years of trial, error and experience onto this one CD-ROM. Here you'll find more than 1,250 invaluable tips that can help you cope with almost any problem that arises. This wealth of wisdom will help you tune up, troubleshoot, optimize and economize in virtually every aspect of Windows computing.

Is your memory failing you? Click hereto find out why. Plagued by a failure to communicate? Click here for a quick fix. Irked by IRQ conflicts? Click here to achieve perfect IRQ harmony.Want a roadmap to Chicago/Windows 95? Click here for clear directions.

And that's only the half of it. We've gone to the top experts in the industry to get their first-person insights on Windows computing. We've also compiled a collection of must-have shareware programs, essential information about on-line services, and a listing of technical support hotlines that can save your skin when the chips are down.

So read on. It's an adventure we're delighted to share with you!


 Installing Windows Tips

Win Install: Solve Windows Install Problems

Win Install: Find Troublesome TSRs

Win Install: Set Up For More Setups

Win Install: Install Multiple Copies of Windows

Win Install: Decipher Windows Setup Commands

Win Install: Track Down Video Trouble

Win Install: Turn Off Hardware Detection

Win Install: Troubleshoot Disk Problems

Win Install: Troubleshoot Windows Setup

Win Install: Find Memory Problems


 Win Install: Solve Windows Install Problems

Windows has a debug mode that can help you solve installation problems. If Windows won't run after you install it, type this command line at the C: prompt: WIN /D:XSV. The D: stands for debug mode. The X represents EMMEXCLUDE, and it excludes the entire memory range occupied by adapters like network cards, sound cards or video cards--in short, anything that uses shared memory. The S means SystemRomBreakPoint=Off. That keeps Windows from touching the BIOS. The V stands for VirtualHDIRQ=Off. It tells Windows not to virtualize the hard disk, because virtualizing can lead to problems on computers with incompatible hard disks. Try the sequence above first. If Windows boots when you do that, try just X, just S and just V to narrow it down. If none of the parameters works individually, try them in pairs. At worst, you should have to try only six combinations. If entering any of these parameters makes Windows work, enter the equivalent line or lines (such as EMMEXCLUDE) permanently in the [386Enh] section of your SYSTEM.INI file.


 Win Install: Find Troublesome TSRs

Windows knows the names of a number of programs, mostly of the TSR (terminate and stay resident) variety, that it has difficulty with. If you suspect you have a memory problem, type WIN/T at the DOS command line. When launched with this command-line parameter, Windows searches the hard disk for memory-resident programs and notifies you about the programs that are known to cause trouble.


 Win Install: Set Up For More Setups

Install multiple, independent Windows setups on your single-user system by typing the line SETUP/A at the DOS prompt when installing Windows. That will create a directory of between 16MB and 18MB, depending on which version of Windows you are installing. This directory will contain all the files needed to perform a Windows installation. Next time, instead of installing Windows from a dozen disks, you can set up from this new directory.


 Win Install: Install Multiple Copies of Windows

Installing multiple copies of Windows can also help you keep your .INI files intact. Start by taking the steps outlined above. Make sure you are in the shared WINDOWS directory (or make sure the WINDOWS directory is in your DOS PATH statement). Then enter SETUP/N. This will set up a new version of Windows with only the files needed to create a unique version. This new copy of Windows will share the files in the shared directory. You get clean copies of Windows without taking up as much disk space as a regular installation.


 Win Install: Decipher Windows Setup Commands

View all of your command-line options for Windows setup. To do so, change to the WINDOWS directory in DOS (usually CD\WINDOWS at the DOS C: prompt) and type SETUP/?|MORE. The description of Setup command-line options takes more than one screen. The |MORE causes DOS to pause at the bottom of the first screen. Press any key to move on to the next screen. If you don't change to the WINDOWS directory, you will be shown the commands for DOS setup.


 Win Install: Track Down Video Trouble

Video causes the most common Windows installation problems. You may get an error message during setup indicating that you have a video problem. Make a backup copy of SYSTEM.INI, then type SETUP in the WINDOWS directory. Select either the VGA driver or the 8514 driver and attempt to start Windows again. If Program Manager appears, a video driver caused the problem.


 Win Install: Turn Off Hardware Detection

In its earnest effort to identify your hardware during installation, Windows sometimes gets something wrong. If you check the setup after an installation and Windows has misidentified your hard-ware, try again by typing SETUP/I. This causes Windows to bypass hardware detection. However, you may have to check the accuracy of the system information Windows develops, either from Setup in DOS or Windows Setup (usually found in the Main program group in Program Manager).


 Win Install: Troubleshoot Disk Problems

Sometimes, Windows will find your computer capable of 32-bit disk access and 32-bit file access when it really can't use these methods. This can prevent Windows from starting after installation, but you can get your system going by editing the [386Enh] section of SYSTEM.INI. First, make a copy of SYSTEM.INI under another name. Then, launch a text editor like EDIT, which is usually found in the DOS directory in newer versions of DOS. (Older versions offer the difficult-to-use EDLIN program.) Look for the line 32BitDiskAccess=ON. Put a semicolon in front of the line. This "comments it out,'' preventing SYSTEM.INI from executing that line. Then find the line Device=*wdctrl. This is the line that activates 32-bit file access. Comment it out. If you can't find either of these lines in SYSTEM.INI, disk access is not your problem. Don't add the lines if they're not in the file already.


 Win Install: Troubleshoot Windows Setup

Sometimes, Windows will find your computer capable of 32-bit disk access and 32-bit file access when it really can't use these methods. This can prevent Windows from starting after installation, but you can get your system going by editing the [386Enh] section of SYSTEM.INI. First, make a copy of SYSTEM.INI under another name. Then, launch a text editor like EDIT, which is usually found in the DOS directory in newer versions of DOS. (Older versions offer the difficult-to-use EDLIN program.) Look for the line 32BitDiskAccess=ON. Put a semicolon in front of the line. This "comments it out,'' preventing SYSTEM.INI from executing that line. Then find the line Device=*wdctrl. This is the line that activates 32-bit file access. Comment it out. If you can't find either of these lines in SYSTEM.INI, disk access is not your problem. Don't add the lines if they're not in the file already.


 Win Install: Find Memory Problems

The procedure for tracking down memory problems is straightforward, although tedious and time consuming. Make sure you have a diskette you can boot from, with the correct version of DOS. (If you don't have one, create one by typing FORMAT A:/S at the C: prompt.) Then copy CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC .BAT from your hard disk to the bootable diskette and give them different names on your hard disk. Now create a new CONFIG.SYS on your hard disk and add this line: DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS. Reboot your system. If Windows works, add back the lines from your regular CONFIG.SYS file, one at a time, using Notepad, rebooting and entering Windows again after each addition. Do the same thing with AUTOEXEC.BAT. Continue this process until Windows stops working. The last line you added is the culprit. Work with the customer support department of the vendor involved to see if they can resolve the problem.


 Win Install: Keep A Bootlog

Before you make any changes to Windows, bring up a working copy with the command line: WIN /B and Windows will write a file named BOOTLOG .TXT. When you do this, Windows will also skip the opening screen (also called a splash panel) and you will see only the C: prompt until Program Manager comes up. As Windows concludes each step of its start-up procedure, it writes a line in BOOTLOG.TXT. Copy and rename the BOOTLOG.TXT file. Now, make your changes to Windows. If Windows fails to boot, you can tell how far it got before it failed. By comparing the files, you can quickly narrow down the source of the problem.


 Electronic Mail: cc:mail Tips

cc:mail: Delete Logs

cc:mail: Move Folders

cc:mail: Order Internet Messages

cc:mail: Maximize Your Screen

cc:mail: Be Discreet

cc:mail: Fast Forwarding

cc:mail: Snap Addresses

cc:mail: Non cc:mail Addresses

cc:mail: Arrange SmartIcons

cc:mail: Keep It Confidential

cc:mail: Colorful Comments

cc:mail: Sort Outbound Mail

cc:mail: Get Messages In Order

cc:mail: Create Mailing List

cc:mail: Customize SmartIcons


  cc:mail: Delete Logs

Unless your system administrator tells you otherwise, set up a rule that deletes session logs older than a week or so. It will keep those files from taking up excess hard disk space on your laptop, while keeping the logs around for a while in case you run into problems while out on the road.


  cc:mail: Move Folders

Do you have lots of folders you're moving between the LAN and your portable? Rather than use DockingAssistant to move each folder one by one, you can set up a rule to move them all at once, anytime you like. Under the Rules drop-down menu, go to the Rules List and select Create New Rule. Click on the Find Messages button and specify Find Messages in Folders All. Click on Add and then OK. Next, click on the Action button and specify Move to Docked Account. Click on Add and then on OK.


  cc:mail: Order Internet Messages

Use the rules in cc:mail to file messages from each of your Internet list servers in a separate folder, so that incoming Internet messages won't clutter up your cc:mail inbox. You can tell when you've received new messages because the unread number for the folder increases.


  cc:mail: Maximize Your Screen

To preserve screen real estate when writing a message on your portable PC, click on the icon bar at the lower right-hand corner of the screen and select Hide SmartIcons. Then move the pointer to the border separating the message pane from the address and attachment panes, and scroll the message pane up as far as it will go. You now have an almost entirely blank screen on which to compose your message. Once you send the message or return to the inbox or other container listed under the Window pull-down menu, the window defaults will revert to normal.


  cc:mail: Be Discreet

When replying to a message, remember there may have been people who received blind carbon copies. If you Reply to All Addressees, they will receive your reply, too. So be careful what you say.


  cc:mail: Fast Forwarding

If you want to forward a message, but many of the recipients were copied on the message you received, do a Reply to All Addressees instead. Rather than having to type in names of recipients, you need only delete unwanted recipients from the Address pane in your message.


  cc:mail: Snap Addresses

Set up a one- or two-letter alias for each person you send a lot of mail to. Addressing will become a real snap.


  cc:mail: Non cc:mail Addresses

Use a draft message to store the addresses of people not in your cc:mail system directory, such as those on the Internet. To use the addresses, drag and drop them into a new message. You can also set up private mailing lists by designating each draft message as a separate list. Addresses can be stored either in the Address pane of the draft message or in the body of the message itself. If stored in the body of the message, addresses can be transferred to the Address pane of a new message by copying the address to Windows' Clipboard, then pasting the address in the Post Office Addressing dialog box of the new message.


  cc:mail: Arrange SmartIcons

To rearrange SmartIcons on the fly, just hold down the Ctrl key while dragging the SmartIcons along the icon bar. You can even drag the gray spaces between SmartIcons if you want to separate them. That allows you to see right away whether you like the layout of the SmartIcons without having to access the setup box under the Tools pull-down menu.


  cc:mail: Keep It Confidential

You can prevent multiple recipients of a message from knowing who the others are by addressing the message as a BCC (blind carbon copy).


  cc:mail: Colorful Comments

Your annotations to a message will really stand out in cc:mail if you use the program's color annotation capabilities. A color palette appears in Windows when you press the right mouse button. In cc: Mail for DOS, press Alt+F1, then use the arrow keys and press Enter to choose a color. That allows an individual to reply to a message and have his comments stand out. In addition, if a number of people make comments on a message, the reader can easily differentiate between them.


  cc:mail: Sort Outbound Mail

Outbound messages are normally stored in the Message Log, but you can create a rule to move them to a folder of your choice based on one or more keywords in the message's Subject. For instance, all messages you create containing the words Status Report could be stored in a folder called "Status Reports.''


  cc:mail: Get Messages In Order

A message-log folder allows you to keep track of the content of all the messages you have sent. Lotus cc:mail 2.0 creates such a folder automatically. A copy of every message you send appears in the folder.


  cc:mail: Create Mailing List

If you regularly send the same group of people messages, make them part of a private mailing list. Select the Window/New Address Book window or click on the Address Book icon. Select File/New, or click on the New icon, either of which will display the New dialog box. Choose Private Mailing List and click on OK. Lastly, give the mailing list a name and press Enter. You must now add names to your private mailing list. First, either select File/New or click on the New icon. Then choose from the Add New dialog box, Mailing List Participants. Select from this list the first name of a person you want on your new list and drag the name to the Address list box or click on Add. Repeat this for each individual you want added and click on Done when finished.


  cc:mail: Customize SmartIcons

You can better differentiate between SmartIcons if the name of each is displayed along with the icon. To enlarge the SmartIcon palette and include the name of each icon, click on Icon size in Tools/ SmartIcons. Choose Large with Text, and double-click on OK.


 DTP/Graphics: QuarkXPress 3.3 Tips

QuarkXPress 3.3: Text Runaround

QuarkXPress 3.3: Build Clean Docs

QuarkXPress 3.3: Using Guides

QuarkXPress 3.3: Measurement Palette

QuarkXPress 3.3: Select Hidden Items

QuarkXPress 3.3: Crops and Bleeds

QuarkXPress 3.3: Perform Math

QuarkXPress 3.3: Tool Palette

QuarkXPress 3.3: Smart Hyphens

QuarkXPress 3.3: Find Dialog

QuarkXPress 3.3: Use Views

QuarkXPress 3.3: Apply Styles

QuarkXPress 3.3: Cut File Sizes

QuarkXPress 3.3: Drop Shadows

QuarkXPress 3.3: Absolute Page Numbers


 QuarkXPress 3.3: Text Runaround

Use Manual Runaround when placing silhouetted TIFF files. If you use Image Runaround to create irregular shapes, you may have text reflow problems when the low-resolution file is swapped out for the high-resolution image.


 QuarkXPress 3.3: Build Clean Docs

Always delete unwanted elements from the page and pasteboard--don't just cover mistakes with white boxes. Extra elements can result in longer processing times and sometimes even PostScript errors. At the very least, these extra items will clutter your documents and complicate future refinements.


 QuarkXPress 3.3: Using Guides

•	Make a guide extend across the pasteboard and page spreads by dragging from a rule outside the page margin.

•	Delete horizontal guides by holding down the Alt key and clicking on the horizontal ruler. For vertical guides, click on the vertical ruler. You need to do this on a page-by-page basis, and the page you wish to clear must be touching the appropriate ruler.

•	Change the color of your guides and baseline so they remain distinct from your page elements. You can change the color in your active document as needed.

•	Create guides that are visible only at the current Zoom percentage by holding down the Shift key when you drag out guides. This technique will come in handy when you don't want your page to be cluttered with guides but you do need to place art precisely.

•	Open the General Preferences menu and clear the check in the View Pages as Spreads box when you finish viewing a spread. Otherwise, the ruler will continue to run the length of page spreads, instead of restarting at zero on each page.


QuarkXPress 3.3: Measurment Palette
 QuarkXPress 3.3: Measurement Palette

To get to the Measurement Palette quickly, type Alt+Ctrl+M and use the Tab key to move forward, or the Shift+Tab to move back, through the fields in the palette. You can use the palette to make precise changes without having to go to a menu and a separate dialog box. You can also choose a typeface simply by typing the first few characters of its name in the palette's Typeface field. Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Shift+M will get you directly to the Typeface field.


 QuarkXPress 3.3: Select Hidden Items

Select an item that's behind another item by holding down Alt+Ctrl+Shift while clicking with the Cursor tool. This will select one layer at a time from front to back. Once you've selected the desired layer, you can apply a different tool. If you have many layers of objects, you may want to group items and attach them to buttons you create on the pasteboard. For example, you could select all background items, group them to a small text box with the word "background'' in it, then position the text box on the pasteboard. Whenever you need to select any or all of the items in that group, you'd simply select the "background'' button.


 QuarkXPress 3.3: Crops and Bleeds

In Preferences/Application, set your Crop Offset to 12 points. This gives your commercial printer more room to work with when stripping up film. Also, extend all your bleeds at least that far.


 QuarkXPress 3.3: Perform Math

A little-known QuarkXPress feature is the ability to perform math within fields. You can move or scale items precisely in the Measurement Palette or in a Modify dialog box by using explicit numerical values, or by having the program do some math for you. To affect current settings, you can use the + , - , / and * functions in fields. For example, to scale a picture box and its contents 50 percent, simply type *.5 in the Measurement Palette's Vertical and Horizontal size boxes. You can move an item precisely by adding a number to, or subtracting a number from, the item's coordinates.


 QuarkXPress 3.3: Tool Palette

•	Hold down the Alt key while selecting a tool and the tool will remain selected until you choose another. This is useful if, for example, you're drawing multiple lines or boxes.

•	Use Ctrl+Tab to select tools in the Tool Palette from the keyboard. Ctrl+Shift+ Tab selects them in reverse order.


 QuarkXPress 3.3: Smart Hyphens

When inserting hyphens or breaking lines in type always use discretionary commands, Ctrl+Hyphen (-) and Ctrl+Shift+Enter. These will get you the desired effect and prevent awkward hyphenation or line breaks in the event of a text reflow.


 QuarkXPress 3.3: Find Dialog

Hold down the Alt key while you're in the Find/Change dialog box to change the Find Next button to Find First.


 QuarkXPress 3.3: Use Views

•	To access the % Zoom field from the keyboard, press Ctrl+Alt+V, then type the desired percentage number.

•	To fit an entire spread and pasteboard into the window, hold down the Ctrl key while selecting Fit In Window.


 QuarkXPress 3.3: Apply Styles

•	To copy one paragraph's format to another, select the paragraph you want to change, then press Alt+Shift while clicking on the paragraph whose format you want to copy. The two paragraphs must be in the same text box, or in linked boxes.

•	To override all current formatting in a paragraph when applying a new Style Sheet to text, hold down the Shift key and click on the Style Sheet Name in the Styles Palette.

•	To edit a stylesheet quickly, hold down the Alt key and click on its name in the Styles Palette.


 QuarkXPress 3.3: Cut File Sizes

It's a good idea to save all your PostScript art in ASCII format to avoid possible PostScript problems with output. However, you can improve print times and decrease print file sizes if you output your document using Quark's PC Binary format. Assuming your PostScript printer can support binary code, change the PostScript type from ASCII to PC Binary in the Page Setup dialog. Quark will then interpret the PostScript it generates for a print file and send binary for what it deems safe, and ASCII for problem code, all on the fly. This can potentially reduce print file sizes by as much as 50 percent.


 QuarkXPress 3.3: Drop Shadows

You can create some really nice drop-shadow effects right in Quark by using the gradient-fill feature to fill a box with a gray gradient. For a softer-looking edge, round the rectangle edges slightly. Black type will overprint the shadow. If you set the shadow to Overprint in the Trapping dialog box, the shadow will overprint tints and give you a realistic 3-D effect.


 QuarkXPress 3.3: Absolute Page Numbers

When you work with different sections of a document, not knowing the page folio number can make it frustrating to use the Go To Page, Delete Pages, Insert Pages or Print dialog boxes. To make it easier, use absolute numbers. For example, if you have a 10-page document that's numbered 87 to 91 and 98 to 102, and you want to print the third through seventh pages, you could type +3 in the From field and +7 in the To field of the Print dialog box. QuarkXPress also understands the term "end'' in these dialog boxes. For example, in the Delete Pages dialog, you could type +3 in the Delete Page(s) field and end in the Thru field to delete all pages from 3 on.


 Windows 3.1 Tips

Win 3.1:Customize Your Toolbar

Win 3.1:Check Hardware Connections

Win 3.1:Maximize Window Shortcut

Win 3.1:Run Windows for Workgroups 3.11

Win 3.1:Click Drive Icons To Control  File Manager

Win 3.1:Change Program Groups in Program Manager

Win 3.1:Disable Double Buffering

Win 3.1:Run in Standard Mode

Win 3.1:Make Quick Associations

Win 3.1:Print Documents Quickly

Win 3.1:Perform Mini Backups

Win 3.1:Drag Documents Open

Win 3.1:Program Manager Shortcuts

Win 3.1:Recover Lost Windows

Win 3.1:Select Applications By Name

Win 3.1:Relocate Applications

Win 3.1:Desensitize Your Mouse

Win 3.1:Reposition Without a Mouse

Win 3.1:Restore Your Groups

Win 3.1:Skip Double-Clicking

Win 3.1:Start Dr. Watson

Win 3.1:Debug System Files With REM

Win 3.1:Use Comments In System Files

Win 3.1:Check SMARTDRV and HIMEM Versions

Win 3.1:Shorten Your Path Statement

Win 3.1:Bypass Startup Group

Win 3.1:Bypass Startup Group (2)

Win 3.1:Use Terminal to Track Comm Trouble

Win 3.1:Use File Structure To Track Versions

Win 3.1:Stop Integrity Violations

Win 3.1:File Manager Shortcuts

Win 3.1:Make Your Mouse Snappier

Win 3.1:Magnify Your Mouse

Win 3.1:Bring The Cursor  Front and Center


 Win 3.1: Customize Your Toolbar

You can fully customize the toolbar in File Manager to create buttons for the functions you use most often. Just select Options/Customize Toolbar from the menu bar, and add and remove buttons as you wish.


 Win 3.1: Check Hardware Connections

If you encounter weird, unexplained hangs and crashes that nothing seems to cure, be suspicious of your hardware. If your system is relatively new, some components may have been jostled loose during shipping or setup. If your system is older, repeated thermal cycling may have caused connectors to "creep'' loose, eventually spoiling the connection. Unplug and open your PC. Make sure all electrical connections are clean and that all socketed chips, boards, plugs and cables are seated firmly and properly.


 Win 3.1: Maximize Window Shortcut

You can maximize any window by double-clicking on its title bar. Double-clicking a second time will restore the window to its original size.


 Win 3.1: Run Windows for Workgroups 3.11

If you're still running plain Windows 3.x, you're handicapping yourself with old technology. Every serious Windows user should be running Windows for Workgroups 3.11. You don't have to be part of a workgroup to take advantage of WFWG's blazingly fast disk subsystem, its improved File Manager, Schedule+, easy-to-use calendar and to-do program. If you are networked, you'll find WFWG is the best-behaved network client. What's more, for small offices, WFWG's built-in peer-to-peer networking ability may be all the network you need if you're just sharing files and printers. If you're still using Windows 3.x, run, don't walk, and get yourself a copy of WFWG 3.11.


 Win 3.1: Click Drive Icons To Control  File Manager

SCREENCAM: TRANSFER FILES QUICKLY

In File Manager, clicking once on a drive icon will change the contents of the current directory window to reflect the new drive. But double-clicking on the same icon will display the drive directory in a new window. This can save a whole lot of time when you need to transfer files between drives.


 Win 3.1: Change Program Groups in Program Manager

You can quickly cycle through program groups in Program Manager by holding down the Ctrl key and pressing Tab. Each group will be highlighted in turn; if you go past the one you want, hold down Shift and Ctrl, then press Tab to back up. If the group you want is minimized, press Enter to open it up.


 Win 3.1: Disable Double Buffering

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE

Double buffering is sometimes enabled by Windows installation, but it slows down disk access and may not be necessary for your particular system. Exit Windows and type SMARTDRV at the DOS prompt. If every entry under the buffering column is no, then you can probably turn off double buffering. (However, some SCSI controllers require it to prevent errors, so check the manual before proceeding.) Use Notepad to open your CONFIG.SYS file and delete the line that reads DEVICE =C:\PATH\ SMARTDRV.EXE \DOUBLE-BUFFER (where PATH is the path to the SMARTDRV.EXE file).


 Win 3.1: Run in Standard Mode

When Windows runs in Standard mode, it requires less conventional memory than it needs in 386 Enhanced mode. As a result, your system may run faster in Standard mode. If you don't need DOS applications, or if you use only one nongraphics DOS application at a time, you can switch to Standard mode. Type win /s at the DOS prompt. Enhanced mode is used in 32-bit computers for DOS multitasking and gives DOS applications access to emulated expanded memory, among other features. It enables you to run more programs simultaneously. Type win/3 at the DOS prompt to launch Windows into 386 Enhanced mode.


 Win 3.1: Make Quick Associations

SCREENCAM: OPEN DOCUMENTS MORE EASILY

You can specify which file extensions belong with which applications by using the Associate function in File Manager's File menu. Just type in the three-letter extension you wish to associate, and then choose from the list of programs or use the Browse function to select the appropriate application. For example, if you associate the extension .ZZZ with Notepad, then any time you double-click on a file with that extension, Notepad will be launched and will open the specified file.


 Win 3.1: Print Documents Quickly

SCREENCAM: PRINT DOCUMENTS MORE EASILY

Here's a quick way to print documents. Double-click on Control Panel's Printers icon, and make sure Use Print Manager is selected. Then switch to Program Manager and hold down the Shift key while double-clicking on the Print Manager icon to run it minimized (this procedure applies to other applications as well). Now you'll be able to print documents simply by dragging them from File Manager and dropping them on the Print Manager icon.


 Win 3.1:Program Manager Shortcuts

Task	SHORTCUT
Change program item or group properties	ALT+ENTER
Select another program item	PRESS FIRST LETTER OF LABEL
Save current Program Manager settings	ALT+SHIFT+F4
Move program item to another group	F7
Copy a program item to another group	F8
Tile windows	SHIFT+F4
Cascade windows	SHIFT+F5
Close Program Manager and exit Windows	ALT+F4


 Win 3.1: Perform Mini Backups

SCREENCAM: PROTECT YOUR GRP AND INI FILES

In a Windows 3.x system, your *.INI and *.GRP files are the most vulnerable: If you load a new application and something goes wrong, it's likely to cause a problem with these files. You can automatically make daily backup copies of these critical files by using Notepad or SysEdit to add the following lines to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file:

cd \windows

copy *.ini *.ibk

copy *.grp *.gbk

cd \

If something goes wrong with Windows during the day, you can easily recover your old setup. Just exit to DOS and type

cd \windows

copy *.ibk *.ini

copy *.gbk *.grp

cd \

Then restart Windows, and you'll be right back where you were at the beginning of the day.


 Win 3.1: Drag Documents Open

SCREENCAM: OPEN DOCUMENTS MORE EASILY

You can open documents by dragging their icons from File Manager and dropping them on a minimized application or into an open application window.


 Win 3.1: Recover Lost Windows

If your application window winds up off the visible screen and out of reach, you can bring up the Task List either by double-clicking on a blank area of the desktop or by pressing Ctrl+Esc. Then select the missing application and click on either Cascade or Tile to snap it back into place.


 Win 3.1: Select Applications By Name

To select a program item in an open group, press the first letter of the name while in Program Manager. The same trick can be used in File Manager for selecting files and directories. If there is more than one item with the same first letter, repeatedly pressing the letter will cycle through the items in alphabetical order.


 Win 3.1: Relocate Applications

You can often specify where a program pops up on the screen, as well as other program attributes, by modifying its .INI file. .INI files can be opened with Notepad by double-clicking on them in File Manager. Then look for a descriptor like Position= which is followed by a set of coordinates.


 Win 3.1: Desensitize Your Mouse

If Windows won't answer to your double-clicking, the culprit may be your mouse driver, rather than your finger. In Control Panel, select the Mouse Manager, click on the Sensitivity button, and adjust the double-click speed with the sliding bar. You can test the new speed in the box provided.


 Win 3.1: Reposition Without a Mouse

To reposition the window you're working in without using the mouse, press Alt+Spacebar and select Move; the cursor will change into four arrows. Then use the up and down arrow keys on the numeric keypad of your keyboard to move the window. Press Enter when the window is where you want it to be. This method is often easier than holding down the left mouse button and moving the mouse at the same time, and allows you to be somewhat more precise when placing a window.


 Win 3.1: Restore Your Groups

Restore program groups to their original settings by selecting File/Run in Program Manager, and typing SETUP/P at the command line.


 Win 3.1: Skip Double-Clicking

When you are in Program Manager, you don't always have to double-click on an icon to launch a program. If the icon's title is highlighted (white letters on a dark blue background in the default Windows color scheme), you can launch the application simply by pressing the Enter key. You can use the arrow keys to select other icons that are in the same Program Manager group and use Ctrl+Tab to move to other groups.


 Win 3.1: Start Dr. Watson

SCREENCAM: USE DR. WATSON TO TROUBLESHOOT

Even if you have only occasional problems with General Protection Faults, it's a good idea to put Dr. Watson (DRWATSON .EXE) in your StartUp group. This utility, which ships with Windows, takes a snapshot of important system information whenever there is a GPF and stores the information in a WINDOWS directory file called DRWATSON.LOG. Each new incident is appended to old incidents. The information in this file can be very helpful to programmers or vendors trying to help you figure out what's going on. But beware: the DRWATSON.LOG file can become very large. Dr. Watson will warn you of this; it is okay to move or delete the file (if you are sure you won't need anything in it), because the program will start a new log if it can't find the old one.


 Win 3.1: Debug System Files With REM

SCREENCAM: USE REM TO TROUBLESHOOT

Debug your AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files by adding the word REM to the beginning of any statement that you suspect of causing a conflict or other problem. DOS reads statements that begin with REM as comments, and skips over them. Just type REM and leave a space before the rest of the statement. Once you've "commented out'' all the suspect statements, execute the file. If the problem doesn't recur, then it was caused either by one of the statements you commented out or by some interaction between two or more statements you commented out. Now remove one of the REMs, and execute the file. Repeat this until the problem pops up again. The last statement you enabled is probably part of the problem, and possibly the sole culprit.


 Win 3.1: Use Comments In System Files

SCREENCAM: USE REM TO ORGANIZE AND LEAVE NOTES

You can also use comments to make sense of your AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files. As you add device drivers, network drivers and other statements to your files, add explanatory REM statements. DOS will skip over those comments when the file executes. Just type REM on a new line in AUTOEXEC.BAT or CONFIG.SYS. Skip a space and then fill out the line with explanatory text. For example, your CD-ROM driver statement might be preceded in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file by the following comment: REM Next line loads CD-ROM driver.


 Win 3.1: Check SMARTDRV and HIMEM Versions

Systems often have two versions of the important memory management files, SMARTDRV.EXE and HIMEM.SYS. Check which versions you're using in your AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files. If your system has MS-DOS 5.0 and Windows 3.1, the most recent versions are in your WINDOWS directory. However, if you've upgraded to MS-DOS 6.0 or later, you should switch to the versions in the DOS directory.


 Win 3.1: Shorten Your Path Statement

If your path statement in AUTOEXEC.BAT becomes too long, your system will start to bog down every time it needs to search for a file. Few Windows programs need to be in the path, since they are not launched from the command line. As long as all the proper .DLL files are in either the program directory, or the WINDOWS or WINDOWS/SYSTEM directories, you can specify the path by selecting the program's icon and clicking on File/Properties in Program Manager. To shorten your path statement, delete any listings that aren't necessary.


 Win 3.1: Bypass Startup Group

You can automatically bypass the StartUp group in Windows by making two copies of PROGMAN.INI and creating two simple batch files to manage them. First, make a copy of PROGMAN.INI to use if you make a mistake that prevents Windows from loading. Don't make any changes to this file. Copy PROGMAN.INI again and call it PROGMAN.W. Under [Groups] in PROGMAN.INI, find the line that includes STARTUP.GRP. It will look something like this:

Group7=D:\WINDOWS\STARTUP.GRP.

Delete the line and save the resulting file as PROGMAN.O. Using DOS EDIT, Windows' Notepad or a word processor that can create a text-only file, create two batch files in your WINDOWS directory. WINO.BAT should look like this:

COPY PROGMAN.O PROGMAN.INI

WIN

REM IF YOU ADDED A NEW PROGRAM GROUP, RE-EDIT FILES

WINW.BAT looks the same, but copies PROGMAN.W. When you start up from now on, type WINW (instead of WIN) if you want to use your StartUp group, or WINO if you don't. The REM line reminds you of the one hazard of this approach: If you add a new Program Manager group (when you install a new software package, for instance), you need to reedit PROGMAN.W in addition to PROGMAN.O to include the new group.


 Win 3.1: Bypass Startup Group (2)

If you have programs in the StartUp group in Program Manager, they will automatically execute each time you start Windows. If you want to prevent them from executing, hold down the Shift key after typing WIN at the DOS prompt. Don't press the key before you type WIN; if you do, Windows will ignore it and run the StartUp group anyway.


 Win 3.1: Use Terminal to Track Comm Trouble

Tracking down modem problems can be really difficult, but in Windows you have a tool at hand that can help: the Terminal applet. You can usually find its icon in the Accessories group, but you can also run it by going to File/Run in Program Manager and typing Terminal. It is one of the simplest Windows terminal programs, and running it will quickly help you determine whether Windows can "see'' your modem or not. Virtually any Hayes-compatible modem should respond with an "OK'' or a "0'' if you type AT. If you get no response, the problem is probably with your modem settings. Use Terminal to figure out whether your modem is on COM1 or COM2 (go to Settings/Communications), then reset your communications program and try again.


 Win 3.1: Use File Structure To Track Versions

You can use the DOS file structure to help you keep track of different versions of software you have installed. When you install a Windows application you are usually given the option of naming its directory. Directory names can have extensions just like filenames. If you are installing Word 6.0, for example, don't name the directory WINWORD, name it WINWORD.60. If it is Windows for Workgroups 3.11, name the directory WINDOWS.311. Later, you can tell at a glance which version of an application is installed in which directory.


 Win 3.1: Stop Integrity Violations

If you see the message "This Application Has Violated System Integrity'' while running in a DOS box under Windows for Workgroups 3.11, you may be having a conflict between the particular DOS application you are running and 32-bit file access. Launch Control Panel, then look under Enhanced and click on Virtual Memory to see if your file access is 16 bit or 32 bit. If it is 32 bit, try pushing the change button and unselecting the 32-Bit File Access check box. Your disk access will slow down, but your DOS boxes may stop crashing.


 Win 3.1 File Manager Shortcuts

Task	SHORTCUT
Move a file	F7
Copy a file	F8
Properties	ALT+ENTER
Expand one level	+
Expand all	*
Collapse branch	-
Refresh screen	F5
Tile windows vertically	SHIFT+F4
Cascade windows	SHIFT+F5
Change open directory windows	CTRL+TAB
Switch current directory window to another drive	CTRL+DRIVE LETTER
Move to root in tree view	HOME OR BACKSLASH
Move up one level in tree view	CTRL+LEFT ARROW


 Win 3.1: Make Your Mouse Snappier

If you have the latest version of Microsoft's Mouse driver (9.01 as of this writing), you can have your mouse automatically point to default settings in dialog boxes and pull-down menus. All you have to do is bring up the Mouse Manager control panel and check the box labeled Snap-to.


 Win 3.1: Magnify Your Mouse

If you need to do precision work with the mouse, you can associate a hotkey combination with the Magnify function in Mouse Manager. Then place the cursor over the area you want to magnify and press the hotkey combination to change your cursor into a magnifying glass.


 Win 3.1: Bring The Cursor  Front and Center

Does your portable display make it hard to spot the mouse cursor? Go into Control Panel, click on Mouse Manager and select Locate. Specify a hotkey combination. The next time the cursor disappears, press the hotkey combination to center it on the screen.


 Program Manager Optimization Tips

Program Mgr: Do It Your Way

Program Mgr: Change Label Font

Program Mgr: Name That Group

Program Mgr: Keep Settings Secure

Program Mgr: Using The Options Menu


 Program Mgr: Do It Your Way

It's easy to make Windows automatically open and run applications minimized, and activate Program Manager after start-up.

•	To open and run an application minimized at start-up, single-click on the application's icon in the StartUp group. Select File/Properties from the main menu, check the Run Minimized box, and click on OK.

•	Make Program Manager the active window after start-up by checking the Run Minimized box in the Program Item Properties of every program in your StartUp group.


 Program Mgr: Change Label Font

SCREENCAM: CUSTOMIZE PROGRAM MANAGER

Change the font Program Manager displays for icon labels by editing the [Desktop] section of your WIN.INI file. Either edit or add this line with the name of the desired font:

IconTitleFaceName=

To change the point size, add or edit this line:

IconTitleSize=

For example, if you want Program Manager to display icon labels in 10-point Century Schoolbook, edit the [Desktop] section with these lines:

IconTitleFaceName=Century Schoolbook

IconTitleSize=10


 Program Mgr: Name That Group

Want to rechristen a Program Manager group? First, minimize the group and click once on the minimized icon. Then, choose File/Properties, enter the new name in both the description and the Group File fields, and click on OK. (If you rename the StartUp group, you'll have to change the name in PROGMAN.INI as well.)


 Program Mgr: Keep Settings Secure

Want to keep others from changing your desktop? Edit PROGMAN.INI to limit what other users can do to groups, items and command lines. Use Notepad to open PROGMAN.INI (in your WINDOWS directory). Before you make any changes, back up the file by saving it as PROGMAN.BAK. Then reopen PROGMAN.INI. At the end of the file, create a heading called [Restrictions] (if there isn't one already). Use the following settings:

NoSaveSettings=1

to prevent anyone from selecting Save Settings on Exit.

EditLevel=4

to make it impossible to create, move, copy, delete or in any way modify program groups.

NoRun=1

to disable the Run command from the File menu.

NoFileMenu=1

to disable all the commands in the File menu and remove it from the menu bar

NoClose=1

to make it impossible to close Windows without rebooting the system.

Close Notepad and click on the Yes button to save changes. Restart Windows to implement the restrictions. To disable the restrictions, open PROGMAN.INI, change the numbers after the equal signs to zeros, save and close the file, and restart Windows.


 Program Mgr: Using The Options Menu

SCREENCAM: USE PROGRAM MANAGER'S OPTIONS MENU


 File Manager Optimization Tips

File Mgr: Conserve Space

File Mgr: Directories As Drives

File Mgr: Show Details

File Mgr: Sweep It Clean

File Mgr: Customize


 File Mgr: Conserve Space

If you want some elbow room in File Manager, don't display all the file details all the time. Call them up only as needed. Here's how: Select View/Name, and File Manager will display only filenames. When you need to see a file's details and edit its attributes, press Alt+Enter and the currently selected file's Properties dialog box will pop up.


 File Mgr: Directories As Drives

Add frequently used local directories to File Manager's drive icon bar for point-and-click access. (If you're on a network, check with the network administrator before you make any of the following changes.) To display a directory as a drive, edit CONFIG.SYS by setting the LastDrive= command to Z. Then edit AUTOEXEC.BAT by adding a line that tells File Manager to substitute an unused drive letter for a particular directory. For example, add subst f: d:\projects to your AUTOEXEC.BAT, then reboot. File Manager should display the F: drive, which actually represents your D:\PROJECTS directory. This also makes it easy to copy and move files to your D:\PROJECTS directory--just click and drag them onto the F: drive icon.


 File Mgr: Show Details

View as many files and file details as possible by changing the font type and point size. Select Options/Font, then choose the font and point size you want File Manager to display. To get the most information possible on-screen, try a typeface called Small Fonts at a point size of 7. (There are smaller point sizes available, but they're rather difficult to read.) Conversely, if legibility is your top priority, follow these same steps to choose a larger point size or a more readable type font.


 File Mgr: Sweep It Clean

Clean house quickly by turning off File Manager's confirmation messages for operations such as File Delete and Directory Delete. To do this, choose Options/Confirmation and clear the desired check boxes.


 File Mgr: Customize

SCREENCAM: CUSTOMIZE FILE MANAGER

If you find yourself constantly going to the same directories in File Manager, save time by keeping a number of directories available but minimized. Open File Manager and resize the secondary window that actually contains the directory so that there is room along the bottom. Double-click on the symbol for the drive that contains the directory you frequently access. A second child window opens up inside File Manager, overlapping the first window and displaying the same directory. In the new window, point at the directory you want, then click on the minimize button in the upper-right-hand corner of the child window. Do this for as many directories as you regularly use (and whose icons will fit in your File Manager parent window)


 Getting Started Tips

Program Groups: Missing

Program Groups: Recovering

Startup: Customizing

Program Groups: Repair

Startup: Ap With Data

Demo: Search For Files With File Manager

Demo: Copy Aps To Startup Group

Demo Switching Between Application Groups

Demo: Two Ways To Copy Apps To Startup

Demo: Application Switching

Demo: Change DOS Fonts

Demo: Use Background Tasks

Demo: Edit INI Files With Notepad

Demo: Improve DOS Screen Response

Demo: Improve DOS Disk Write


 Program Groups: Missing

Q: All of a sudden one of my program groups is gone. How can I reinstall it?

A: With all your other program groups minimized, select New from the File menu in Program Manager. Make sure the program group radio button is selected in the New Program Object dialog box. Click on OK. Type the name of your new program group in the Description box of the Program Group Properties dialog box. Anything you type here will appear under the icon. Click on OK and your new program group will appear.


 Program Groups: Recovering

Q: I know how to create a regular program group, but I deleted my StartUp group and now I want it back. Is there a way to do it?

A: The StartUp group looks like a regular program group, but it acts differently. Putting icons in it tells Windows to launch the programs when Windows starts. Re-creating the StartUp group, however, is exactly like creating any other program group--just make sure you type StartUp in the Description box of the Program Group Properties dialog box.


 Startup: Customizing

Q: Is there a way to customize Windows' start-up, so I don't have to see the Windows logo every time?

A:To skip the Windows logo, type WIN, followed by a space and a colon. Note that Windows won't start any faster; it just skips the Windows start-up screen.

Here's another tip for customizing startup:

SCREENCAM: RUN APS AS ICONS FROM STARTUP


 Program Groups: Repair

Q: I'm getting a message that says "Program Group File C: WINDOWS STARTUP.GRP is invalid or damaged. Recreate the group.'' How can I do so?

A: In Program Manager, open the File menu and select Run, then type SETUP /P and click on the OK button. Note that all your old icons and program groups will be retained. This command restores not only your StartUp group, but also all your original groups and the icons in them.


Startup: Ap With Data
 Startup: Apps With Data

Q: I use the same two files every day, one in Excel and one in Windows' Cardfile. I already know how to make an application start automatically when I load Windows. Can I make an application start with a specific document already loaded?

A: There are two ways to do this. One way is to place specific documents into your StartUp group (or into any group, for that matter). Arrange Program Manager and File Manager so they are side by side on your desktop.

Using your mouse, find the file you want to open automatically at start-up. Drag the file by placing the mouse pointer over the file, pressing and holding the left mouse button, and moving the mouse until the pointer is over the StartUp group in Program Manager. Drop the file by letting go of the mouse button.

Alternatively, you can add the document's filename to the program's command line. Click once on the program's icon to select it. Then open the File menu and select Properties. You'll see a line in the dialog box called Command Line. Add the name of the document file after the name of the program, making sure to leave a space in between.


Search For Files With File Manager
 Demo: Search For Files With File Manager

SCREENCAM: SEARCH FOR FILES WITH FILE MANAGER


 Demo: Copy Aps To Startup Group

SCREENCAM: COPY APPS TO STARTUP GROUP


Demo: Switching Between Applications
 Demo: Switching Between Applications Groups

SCREENCAM: SWITCHING BETWEEN WINDOWS APS


 Demo: Two Ways To Copy Apps To Startup

SCREENCAM: TWO WAYS TO COPY APPS TO STARTUP


 Demo: Application Switching

SCREENCAM: SWITCHING BETWEEN APPLICATIONS


 Demo: Change DOS Fonts

SCREENCAM: ADJUSTING FONT SIZE IN DOS WINDOWS


 Demo: Use Background Tasks

SCREENCAM: BETTER PERFORMANCE WITH BACKGROUND TASKS


 Demo: Edit INI Files With Notepad

SCREENCAM: EDIT INI FILES WITH NOTEPAD


 Demo: Improve DOS Screen Response

SCREENCAM: SPEED UP SCREEN RESPONSE OF DOS APS

SCREENCAM: SPEED UP DOS APPLICATION DISK WRITE


 Demo: Improve DOS Disk Write

SCREENCAM: SPEED UP DOS APPLICATION DISK WRITE


 Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard Shortcuts: Move Fast

Keyboard Shortcuts: Capture Window

Keyboard Shortcuts: File Handling

Keyboard Shortcuts: Cool-Switching

Keyboard Shortcuts: Plow Through Menus

Keyboard Shortcuts: Spelling Bee

Keyboard Shortcuts: Navigate

Keyboard Shortcuts: Help!

Keyboard Shortcuts: Nix Dialog Boxes


 Keyboard Shortcuts: Move Fast

Jump straight to the directory of your choice in File Manager by pressing the letter the directory starts with. Press the same letter again and you are instantly at the next directory that starts with the same letter. You can also choose icons in Program Manager's program group this way. Once you've selected the program of your choice, press Enter to launch the program.


 Keyboard Shortcuts: Capture Window

You already know you can capture your desktop to Windows' Clipboard by pressing the Print Screen key. By pressing Alt+Print Screen, you capture only the active window.


 Keyboard Shortcuts: File Handling

•	Press the Slash key to select all the files in a directory.

•	Click on one file, then hold down the Shift key while you click on another. Both files and all the files between them will be selected.

•	Hold down the Ctrl key to select more than one file at a time (if the files are not adjacent to one another).

•	To move files to another directory on the same drive, simply drag and drop. If you want to copy the files, hold down the Ctrl key, then drag and drop.

•	To copy files onto another drive, simply drag and drop them. To move the files to another drive, hold down the Alt key, and then drag and drop.


 Keyboard Shortcuts: Cool-Switching

Press Alt, then Tab repeatedly to see the icons of all your open applications. When you see the app you want, let go of both keys and the program will be restored. If you go too far, hold down Alt and Shift, then press Tab to go backward. To stay in the application that's currently open, press the Esc key (while Alt is still pressed) and you'll be returned to your application.


 Keyboard Shortcuts: Plow Through Menus

Open the Control menu of any application by pressing Alt+Spacebar. Open the Control menu of the currently selected document by pressing Alt+Hyphen. Open any other menu by pressing Alt+ the underlined letter in the menu name. Once you have any menu open, pressing the underlined letters launches the menu items.


 Keyboard Shortcuts: Spelling Bee

You can launch a spell checker in any Microsoft application that supports it by pressing F7.


 Keyboard Shortcuts: Navigate

•	Alt+Esc brings you to the next running application on your system, whether or not it's minimized.

•	Ctrl+Esc brings up the Task List window.

•	Alt+F4 closes the currently selected application.


 Keyboard Shortcuts: Help!

Pressing the F1 key almost always brings up the Help file for the current app.


 Keyboard Shortcuts: Nix Dialog Boxes

Press the Esc key to get rid of unwanted dialog boxes instantly.


 Managing Memory Tips

Memory: Fix False Errors

Memory: Correct Cache Size

Memory: Install More

Memory: Find EISA Ram

Memory: Boot Fast

Memory: Make Swap File Permanent

Memory: Swap Files and Stacker

Memory: Swap Files and Networks

Memory: Use 32-Bit Disk Access

Memory: Load TSRs in DOS

Memory: Use 32-Bit File Access

Memory: Don't Use RAM Disk

Memory: Keep DOS Free

Memory: Load Drivers High

Memory: Load DOS High

Memory: Don't Use Share

Memory: Reduce PIF Demands

Memory: Cut Back On Buffers

Memory: Run MemMaker

Memory: Use MDA Memory

Memory: Use 3rd Party Utilities

Memory: Let Windows Do EMS

Memory: Remove ROM Shadowing

Memory: Turn On Internal Cache

Memory: Use Secondary Cache

Memory: Use Virtual Memory

Memory: Not Enough Memory


 Memory: Fix False Errors

Sometimes, Windows or an application will report "Not Enough Memory'' when the problem is really something else. The most common reason is a lack of system resources (see Memory: Not Enough Memory). Another cause can be the lack of low DOS memory, which Windows needs to start a new application. You might also get this message when you try to type or load more than 64KB of text into a window, such as in Notepad or SysEdit.


 Memory: Correct Cache Size

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE: MEMORY

As a starting point, use about one-quarter of your total system RAM for a disk cache. For example, use a 2MB disk cache on an 8MB system. (Exception: On a system with only 4MB of RAM, you should use 512KB for cache.) Although a disk cache is essential to good Windows performance, if you use too much of your RAM for the cache it will reduce the amount of memory available to load programs. As a result, you'll get more disk activity from code swapping, negating the benefit of the disk cache.


 Memory: Install More

If you are running Windows with just 4MB of RAM in your system, you need to add more memory. No matter how much tweaking you do to your Windows setup, it won't run many of the newest applications unless you give them more RAM to roam. At the current cost of about $50 per megabyte, an upgrade from 4MB to 8MB will be the best $200 you ever spent.


 Memory: Find EISA Ram

SCREENCAM: EISA RAM LOST AND FOUND

To use the memory above 16MB on an EISA system, you need to add a parameter to HIMEM's command line. Find the line device=HIMEM.SYS in your CONFIG.SYS file and add the /EISA switch. This will make memory above 16MB available.


 Memory: Boot Fast

SCREENCAM: BOOT FAST WITH LARGE RAM

Starting with DOS 6.2, HIMEM.SYS does a memory test each time it is loaded. Since this can take a long time on a system with lots of RAM, you may want to disable this by adding the parameter /TESTMEM:OFF to HIMEM's command line in CONFIG.SYS. If you later have problems with unexplained errors or system lockups, though, you should remove the parameter so HIMEM can do its memory test.


 Memory: Make Swap File Permanent

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE: SWAP FILE

SCREENCAM: STORING SWAP FILE ON ANOTHER DRIVE

For best performance, set up a permanent swap file. In Control Panel, double-click on the Enhanced icon, click on the Virtual Memory button, then click on the Change button. In this dialog, you can change the swap file type to Permanent, and select a file size. The best size for the swap file depends on the types of applications you use, but the Recommended size is often too large. For systems with 8MB or less RAM, an 8MB swap file is usually enough. If you have more than 8MB, a 4MB swap file is generally sufficient. If you later get Out of Memory messages you can increase these values.


 Memory: Swap Files and Stacker

SCREENCAM: STORING SWAP FILE ON ANOTHER DRIVE

If you're running a disk compression utility like Stacker or DoubleSpace, you can't put a permanent swap file on the compressed drive. You must set aside enough space on the uncompressed drive to hold the swap file. Also, if you have Windows for Workgroups and plan to use Stacker or DoubleSpace with 32-bit file access, make sure you do not have the line No EMMDriver=ON in the [386Enh] section of your SYSTEM.INI file. If you do, Windows will hang at the logo screen.


 Memory: Swap Files and Networks

SCREENCAM: STORING SWAP FILE ON ANOTHER DRIVE

You can't create a permanent swap file on a network drive, but try not to put a temporary swap file there either. Swapping to a network drive is very slow compared with a local hard disk. Since a temporary swap file is created when Windows starts, putting the file on a network can greatly increase the time that it takes to start Windows.


 Memory: Use 32-Bit Disk Access

SCREENCAM: USE 32-BIT DISK ACCESS

Both standard Windows 3.1 (or the latest 3.11) and Windows for Workgroups 3.11 support 32-bit disk access, which bypasses 16-bit BIOS disk code for better performance. Windows has built-in 32-bit disk access support for systems that have a disk controller compatible with a WD1003 controller chip. Vendors of other controllers, such as most SCSI controllers, must provide their own drivers if you want to use 32-bit disk access. You enable this feature in Control Panel's Enhanced Virtual Memory dialog.


 Memory: Load TSRs in DOS

If you have a TSR that you need to use with only one DOS application, don't start it before you start Windows. Instead, create a batch file that loads the TSR, then starts the application that needs the TSR. Then create a Program Manager item to start the batch file, rather than running the application directly. This way, the TSR uses memory only when the application that needs it is actually running.


 Memory: Use 32-Bit File Access

If you are running Windows for Workgroups 3.11, turn on 32-bit file access for the best performance payoff. Be sure to set the Cache Size in Control Panel. As with SMARTDrive, a good rule of thumb is to use one-quarter of your total memory for cache. Most systems can use 32-bit file access, although you won't be able to turn it on if you use a TSR or utility that keeps files open. Print spoolers sometimes do this.


 Memory: Don't Use RAM Disk

Don't put the Windows temporary file directory (set by the TEMP environment variable) on a RAM disk. RAM disks are typically very small, and Windows applications often create large temporary files that will overflow the RAM disk. Also, don't put the Windows swap file on a RAM disk. It's better to remove the RAM disk and let Windows manage the memory directly.


 Memory: Keep DOS Free

SCREENCAM: MAXIMIZE CONVENTIONAL MEMORY

^Avoid loading device drivers and TSR programs in low DOS memory. Windows, and especially Windows for Workgroups, requires low DOS memory for important data structures. If you get a "Not Enough Memory'' message when starting a program, but have plenty of system resources and total memory free, you have probably run out of low DOS memory.


 Memory: Load Drivers High

SCREENCAM: MAXIMIZE CONVENTIONAL MEMORY: LOADING HIGH

Install drivers and TSRs in high memory using EMM386.EXE and the LOADHIGH and LH commands. You can set up the commands manually, based on the documentation that comes with DOS, or use DOS's MemMaker utility. MemMaker is generally a good place to start, even if you plan to tweak your memory setup at some point.


 Memory: Load DOS High

SCREENCAM: LOAD DOS HIGH

SCREENCAM: MAXIMIZE CONVENTIONAL MEMORY: LOADING HIGH

Increase the amount of low DOS memory by loading some DOS code into the high memory area (HMA). To do this, put DOS=HIGH into your CONFIG.SYS file. If you also plan to load programs into upper memory, which is generally a good idea, use the line DOS=HIGH,UMB instead.


 Memory: Don't Use Share

If you're running Windows for Workgroups 3.11 and have SHARE.EXE in your AUTOEXEC.BAT, take it out. WFWG has a built-in version of SHARE with fewer limitations and it doesn't require any DOS memory at all. Microsoft Word for Windows 6.0a includes a similar version of SHARE that you load into SYSTEM.INI with standard Windows, in which case you should also remove SHARE.EXE.


 Memory: Reduce PIF Demands

If you run a lot of DOS applications, save memory by creating a custom PIF file for each of them. In the PIF Editor, set the KB Desired field to just the amount of memory that the application needs, rather than the default 640KB. For example, if you frequently use a DOS window just for built-in DOS commands like COPY, DIR or DEL, you might create a PIF file with modest memory usage such as 320KB.


 Memory: Cut Back On Buffers

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE SYSTEM PERFORNACE: FEWER BUFFERS

The DOS BUFFERS setting in CONFIG.SYS isn't as effective as SMARTDrive or a third-party disk cache. Set BUFFERS to a value of 10 or so and use the memory for a real disk cache instead. Another motivation: If you set your BUFFERS value too high, DOS won't be able to load into high memory and will instead load low.


 Memory: Run MemMaker

Use DOS's MemMaker to automatically optimize your use of memory. MemMaker asks you a few questions about how you want your system configured, then changes your AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files to make the best use of RAM. Any time you add a new board or device driver, be sure to run MemMaker again so it can reoptimize your memory configuration.


 Memory: Use MDA Memory

SCREENCAM: MAXIMIZE CONVENTIONAL MEMORY: MDA MEMORY

SCREENCAM: TROUBLESHOOTING MEMORY PROBLEMS

Since very few PCs now use a monochrome display adapter, you can use the upper memory area normally reserved for it to load programs. Run MemMaker and answer yes to the question "Use monochrome region for running programs?'' This will provide another 32KB of upper memory. If you prefer to manually configure EMM386, add the parameter I=B000-B7FF to its command line in CONFIG.SYS. If Windows gives you an error message on start-up that says "Cannot create a memory block at address B000'' add the following line to the [386Enh] section of your SYSTEM.INI file: device=MONOUMB.386.


 Memory: Use 3rd Party Utilities

For most people, the memory management tools that come with Windows and DOS--HIMEM, SMARTDrive, EMM386, LOADHIGH and MemMaker--can handle the job. If you need more DOS memory than those tools can offer, try one of the current crop of third-party memory managers such as Quarterdeck's QEMM or Helix's NetRoom.


 Memory: Let Windows Do EMS

SCREENCAM: IMPROVING MEMORY EFFICIENCY

A few aging DOS programs make use of expanded (EMS) memory. Although EMM386 can provide EMS memory, you can make the best use of memory under Windows if you turn EMS off in EMM386 or during a MemMaker configuration. When you run a DOS program under Windows, Windows itself provides EMS memory. You can control the program's use of EMS memory through a PIF file setting.


 Memory: Remove ROM Shadowing

On a 4MB system, every byte counts. Many systems use up to 256KB of RAM to shadow the video and system BIOS to get better performance. Windows can put that memory to better use if you turn off BIOS shadowing. Typically, you do this by running the BIOS setup program that is built into the BIOS. You usually enter the setup program by pressing a key sequence such as Ctrl+Alt+Esc as the system boots. Find the ROM shadow settings and turn them off, exit and save your settings, and reboot the system.


 Memory: Turn On Internal Cache

Check your PC's BIOS setup program and make sure that any internal cache is turned on. Every 486 chip has an internal cache, but some BIOS setup programs--particularly the AMI BIOS--have an option to turn the internal cache off. Sometimes, the cache will be turned off by accident, and your PC's performance will suffer greatly.


 Memory: Use Secondary Cache

For the best performance, particularly with advanced operating systems such as OS/2 and Windows NT, make sure you buy a PC with an external RAM cache of 256KB or more. A large RAM cache helps whenever you are running large programs or using large data sets.


 Memory: Use Virtual Memory

The Virtual Memory dialog box sets most of the important memory and performance options in Windows. To get there, open Control Panel, start the Enhanced utility, click on Virtual Memory, and Change. This shot shows the Windows for Workgroups dialog; the standard Windows version lacks the 32-bit file access option. Highest performance usually comes with a permanent swap file and the 32-bit options enabled. Initially, set the cache size to about one-quarter of your total RAM, but you may want to experiment with slightly higher and lower values.


 Memory: Not Enough Memory

SCREENCAM: UNDERSTANDING ERROR MESSAGES: CONTROL PANEL

SCREENCAM: UNDERSTANDING ERROR MESSAGES: NOTEPAD

Some applications say they are out of memory when the real cause is something a bit different. If you get a low-memory message, your first stop should be our tips for conserving system resources and RAM. But if that doesn't seem to help the problem, here are a few off-the-wall possibilities from Windows applets and popular applications:

Control Panel

There is not enough memory available for this task

If this appears when you click on the Adapters button inside the Network settings window, it may indicate that another application (such as Windows' Write) has the NETWORK.INF file open. (This applies to Windows for Workgroups, but not standard Windows.) In Windows for Workgroups 3.11, this can occur when you attempt to launch the Network Setup applet from the Network group.

There is not enough memory available for this task: If you just changed the wallpaper in the Desktop settings window, this may mean that the file you selected is not a valid .BMP file. Try opening the file with Paintbrush to check its validity.

Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4.0

Out of Memory

If this message appears after a File Combine operation, it may mean that there are too many cells in the combined spreadsheet that have bolded or italicized formatting.

Notepad

Not enough memory available to complete this operation

This means that your text is larger than about 32,000 characters; this often happens when you try to paste a large amount of text into an existing file. Notepad can't handle files larger than this size. (If you're editing an .INI file and get this message, then the file is probably too large anyway. SysEdit has a similar limitation, but just beeps when you try to exceed 32,000 characters in the file.)

Microsoft Mail 3.2

There is not enough memory or system resources to complete this action

When importing a mail folder file, this message may indicate that the file is corrupted. This can happen if you try to export to a disk that does not have enough space. Mail has a bug in that it will not report an error when it runs out of disk space while writing to the file, but gives this message when you try to import the (corrupted) file.

There is not enough memory or system resources to complete this action: If this appears while you are composing a message, you have created a message larger than 32,000 characters. Try saving the text of the message to a file, editing it with Write or another word processor (remember, though, that Notepad has this limitation) and attaching it to the mail message.

Microsoft Money 2.0

There is not enough memory available

If this happens when you're trying to print, it may mean that you have not selected a default printer. Go to Control Panel's Printers icon and make sure your printer is set up correctly.

Microsoft Word 6.0

Not enough memory to complete operation

This can happen if you import a WordPerfect document that has table-of-contents entries with embedded graphics. Use WordPerfect to edit the document and remove the graphics.

Wordperfect 6.0

Insufficient Memory to Run Speller

This message may indicate your WTAPI.INI file is corrupted, or you are using the wrong version of that file. Check the [Writing Tools] section of your WIN.INI file and look for the WTAPIPath= setting to see which file is being used, and look for multiple copies of the WTAPI.INI file.


 System Resources Tips

Resources: Reduce Resource Usage

Resources: Plug the Leakers

Resources: Close The Hogs

Resources: Turn Off Wallpaper

Resources: Use Fewer Fonts

Resources: Turn Off ScreenSavers

Resources: Turn Off Toolbars

Resources: Use Fewer Progman Icons

Resources: Reduce Color Depth

Resources: Add Break Points


 Resources: Reduce Resource Usage

Though Windows provides a basic resource check in Program Manager's Help/About box, a resource watch program offers more detail to isolate specific resource problems. Many shareware resource watchers are available, but one of the best is the System Watch program that comes with the Norton Utilities 6.0. Many of these programs offer an alarm feature that can warn you when you are running low on a particular resource.


 Resources: Plug the Leakers

By monitoring resource usage, you can identify programs that don't give back all the resources they use when they exit. This is a bug that should be reported to the vendor. If you have such an application, leave it open on your desktop. This will prevent a slow decline in your system resources.


 Resources: Close The Hogs

Although it's sometimes convenient to keep many applications open at once, a lack of system resources can stop you short. Close enough applications so that you can keep your free system resources to at least 10 percent available. (Some applications will crash if no system resources are available.) If you need to copy data between applications but can't run them both at once, try using Windows' Clipboard or a temporary file.


 Resources: Turn Off Wallpaper

Full-screen 256-color wallpaper files look great on your desktop, but they also use a lot of memory and system resources. As a better alternative, use a small wallpaper bitmap and tile it, or use Control Panel's Desktop Pattern option instead of a wallpaper file.


 Resources: Use Fewer Fonts

Keep your installed fonts to a minimum. Large numbers of fonts use up system resources and also can increase the time it takes to load applications. If you regularly need a wide variety of fonts, try a font management application like Ares FontMinder or Elseware FontWorks.


 Resources: Turn Off ScreenSavers

Turn off or change your screen saver if you're running low on resources. Although screen savers can be entertaining, they also can use up lots of memory and system resources. Some third-party screen savers increase their resource use when they kick in, which causes problems when you try to restore the screen. If you don't want to give up a screen saver completely, use something simple like the ones that come with Windows.


 Resources: Turn Off Toolbars

In some applications, you can save system resources by turning off toolbars or button bars. If the application is designed properly, you should still be able to get to the same functions through the menus or keyboard shortcuts. If the application supports multiple windows, keep as few windows open as possible.


 Resources: Use Fewer Progman Icons

If you use Program Manager as your shell, try to keep the number of icons and groups to a minimum to conserve system resources. You can always launch applications through File Manager or Program Manager's File/Run command. Keep just one Program Manager window open at a time. Utilities like Plug-In from Plannet Crafters, for instance, let you easily archive and restore seldom-used groups to save resources.


 Resources: Reduce Color Depth

True-color or high-color video resolutions make images look great, but require more system resources. Whenever possible, use 16-color or 256-color modes. Icons and bitmaps need 4 bits per pixel for 16 colors, 8 bits for 256 colors, 16 bits for high color, and 24 bits for true color, so the memory savings can really become significant.


 Resources: Add Break Points

SCREENCAM: FIXING SYSTEM CRASHES/MEMORY ERRORS

If you have problems with system crashes and unexplained "Out of Memory'' messages that aren't due to memory or resource problems, try adding the line MaxBPs=768 to the [386Enh] section of SYSTEM.INI. Windows uses break points when it runs DOS sessions and some device drivers, and can behave unpredictably if there are not enough.


 OS/2 Tips

OS/2: Getting Started

OS/2: Improve Cache

OS/2: Fill The Startup Folder

OS/2: Recover Your Setup

OS/2: Get Your Disk Checked

OS/2: Get DOSKEY Back

OS/2: Set Up For Notebooks

OS/2: Use The Program Tab

OS/2: Use The Association Tab

OS/2: Use The Window Tab

OS/2: Use The General Tab

OS/2: Use HPFS

OS/2: Exit Quickly

OS/2: Use The Session Tab

OS/2: Swap That Swap File

OS/2: No Swap File

OS/2: Communications With OS/2

OS/2: Find The Weak Links

OS/2: Check For HPFS Space

OS/2: Run HPFS On All Drives

OS/2: Dual or Multiboot?

OS/2: Migrate To OS/2


 OS/2: Getting Started

After OS/2 loads, but before the Workplace Shell starts, it looks for a batch file named STARTUP .CMD and executes it. This is an ideal time to use the START command, which enables you to specify session parameters, preloading applications that you want to run later. To start a DOS or Windows program running in the background:

START Title /DOS /B <program> <parameters>

To start an OS/2 program minimized and inherit the environment:

START Title /PM /MIN /I<program> <parameters>

The START command has other options as well. Type Help Start for details.


 OS/2: Improve Cache

When it comes to disk caching, the HPFS (High Performance File System) cache seems to work better at smaller sizes than the FAT (File Allocation Table) cache. Cache sizing is a function of both disk speed and memory size.

If You Have:	HPFS CACHE /  FAT CACHE
4MB RAM	64KB TO 128KB
6MB	128KB  TO 256KB
8MB	256KB  TO 384KB
12MB	384KB  TO 512KB
16MB	512KB  TO 1024KB
24MB +	1024KB  TO 2048KB
The FAT cache is set using the DISKCACHE line in CONFIG.SYS. For instance,

DISKCACHE=1024,LW,AC:CDEF

sets a 1MB cache.

For HPFS drives, cache size is set in the IFS= line.

IFS=C:\OS2\HPFS.IFS/CACHE:512 /CRECL:16 /AUTOCHECK:G

sets a 512KB HPFS cache. These are starting sizes for each cache. Use the larger size for unbuffered or slow (MFM, RLL) drives. Remember that cache memory subtracts from system memory for program execution. An excessively large cache can slow the system by causing more time to be wasted paging virtual memory to disk than is saved in disk access. A cache larger than 2MB is not an effective use of memory.


 OS/2: Fill The Startup Folder

After STARTUP.CMD has run, OS/2 starts the Workplace Shell, then looks in the Startup folder and spawns a separate task for each item. To add a task to STARTUP, open the Startup folder, then right-click on the program icon you want to add. Click on Create Shadow in the menu, then select the Startup folder and click on OK. A shadow (internal pointer) will be placed in the Startup folder and that task will start automatically the next time the system is booted. Unlike the .CMD file, folder start-up cannot guarantee the start-up sequence because OS/2 starts tasks in parallel.


 OS/2: Recover Your Setup

To make the recovery of your setup and Workplace Shell easier, add the following lines to the end of the CONFIG.SYS file:

RUN=C:\OS2\COPY.EXE X:\BACKUP\*.INX X:\BACKUP\*.INY /V

RUN=C:\OS2\COPY.EXE *.INI X:\BACKUP\*.INX /V

RUN=C:\OS2\COPY.EXE C:\CONFIG.SYS X:\BACKUP /V

RUN=C:\OS2\COPY.EXE C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT X:\BACKUP /V

C: is the drive where OS/2 is installed, X: is where you want to put your backup files. The .INI files cannot be copied after CONFIG.SYS has finished executing, so this is the only way to back them up.


 OS/2: Get Your Disk Checked

After a crash, OS/2 will perform a CHKDSK on both FAT and HPFS drives, if the autocheck parameter is set. For FAT drives, specify the drive letters after the AC: parameter in the FAT cache command:

DISKCACHE=1024,LW,AC:CDEF

For HPFS drives, specify the drive letter after the /AUTOCHECK: parameter in the Install File System command:

IFS=C:\OS2\HPFS.IFS/CACHE:512/CRECL:16/AUTOCHECK:G


 OS/2: Get DOSKEY Back

DOSKEY is a handy command-line editor for OS/2 that is REMed out in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file for DOS and Win-OS/2 (IBM's name for the Windows support built into OS/2 2.x) sessions. Deleting REM from that line makes DOS command-line editing the same as the built-in OS/2 command-line edit.


 OS/2: Set Up For Notebooks

Program parameters are saved in notebooks. To open an application's Settings notebook, right-click on the program's icon, select the right arrow next to the Open menu entry, and click on the Settings line. A notebook will open on-screen, complete with spiral bindings and tabs. Each page has a Help button that explains the options specific to that page. The next five tips comprise the most common notebook entries.


 OS/2: Use The Program Tab

Most programs can be configured to automatically load a file when started. Fill in the Working Directory field with the directory path to the file, and the Parameters field with the filename. If you enter [ ] (bracket-space-bracket) in parameters, you will be prompted to enter the parameters when the program is started. Other parameter options can be found by pressing the Help button.


 OS/2: Use The Association Tab

This is where you can associate file types or extensions with a particular program. Once set, double-clicking on the filename launches the application with the file opened.


 OS/2: Use The Window Tab

You can specify where the icon goes when a program is minimized. The icon can be hidden completely, minimized to a special "viewer'' folder or minimized to the desktop itself.


 OS/2: Use The General Tab

The icon title is set on this page. The icon can be changed or edited, and a customized notebook can be set as a template by checking the template box. By doing so, you can set up a custom template once for several programs, instead of editing each notebook in detail. You may want to set up separate templates for DOS, Windows, games and multimedia.


 OS/2: Use HPFS

Use HPFS for files that are larger than 1MB, and for logical drives that are more than 100MB. HPFS also provides long-filename support. Where files and drives are small, however, FAT gives better performance--and complete DOS compatibility.


 OS/2: Exit Quickly

Using a so-called "lazy write'' allows OS/2 to store any data that your applications write out in memory. It will write to the physical disk only at times when the system is idle. It is safe to set lazy write if you are on a reliable power system or have a UPS (uninterruptible power supply). Data can be lost only in situations in which your changes have not been flushed to the disk when a power failure occurs. Lazy writes access the disk when it is otherwise idle unless the LW timeout is reached. Lazy writes are set using the LW parameter in the DISKCACHE line in CONFIG.SYS:

DISKCACHE=1024,LW,AC:CDEF


 OS/2: Use The Session Tab

This page is grayed out for an OS/2 session, since OS/2 programs set their own parameters. For DOS or Win-OS/2, you can set full screen or window mode, specify separate Win-OS/2 sessions for program isolation, and specify DOS or Win-OS/2 settings. Some sample settings:

WIN_RUN_MODE (enhanced)

WIN_ATM (on)

COM_SELECT (none)

DPMI_DOS_API (on)

DPMI_MEMORY_LIMIT (8-16)

EMS_MEMORY_LIMIT (0)

XMS_MEMORY_LIMIT (0)

Different AUTOEXEC.BAT files can be set up for each DOS or Win-OS/2 session by changing the name in the DOS_AUTOEXEC item to a .BAT file with the custom setup files. Check Help on that page for specifics on each item, and the README.INS file in the root directory of the OS/2 drive for settings for specific programs. Multimedia programs and games are likely to need special settings.


 OS/2: Swap That Swap File

The location of the default swap file should be in the middle of the fastest, least-used hard disk, on its own partition if possible. The base size should be one or two times the size of your system's RAM--more if you run a lot of programs, less if you run only a few. Use at least 4096KB as the warning parameter for when the drive fills up. To keep the swap file contiguous on a FAT drive, organize the hard disk to make one large space at the end. If you get a warning that the swap file is out of space, choose the Abort option in the warning window and close some apps before trying again. Sometimes, selecting OK can cause a hard halt. The best solution is to have lots of swap space available. For example, change the default SWAPPATH in CONFIG.SYS to

SWAPPATH=D:\ 8192 24576.

This sets a 24MB swap file on D: with a warning 8MB before it is full.


 OS/2: No Swap File

It may be better to turn off the swap file for high-performance applications, like process control, that are running on systems with 16MB or more of RAM. This eliminates the overhead and delays from paging. With no swap file set, any attempt to load more programs or data than RAM allows will fail. To eliminate the swap file, change the MEMMAN in CONFIG.SYS to MEMMAN=NOSWAP.


 OS/2: Communications With OS/2

High-speed communications above 9600 bits per second are best done with a native OS/2 application. The additional overhead of reflecting each interrupt through a VDM (virtual DOS machine) can cause communications overruns when running DOS or Windows communications programs. As an alternative, you can replace IBM's standard drivers with special communications drivers or use 16550 UARTs to eliminate overruns.


 OS/2: Find The Weak Links

The HPFS automatically detects a weak sector with an ECC error and remaps that sector as bad, placing the saved data in a good sector. A message indicates when this happens.


 OS/2: Check For HPFS Space

You can check the used and unused sectors on an HPFS drive by specifying /F:3 on the command line. Type CHKDSK G: F:3 to check drive G:. This must be run from an OS/2 boot diskette, but is worth doing periodically for critical systems. The FAT version does not have this option.


 OS/2: Run HPFS On All Drives

If you don't run DOS or Windows programs, and have 8MB or more of RAM, run HPFS for all drives. If you need DOS, place it on C: (FAT) and add an optional FAT drive (D:) to share files between DOS and OS/2. The rest of the drives (E: and above) can use HPFS. Always run OS/2 from an HPFS drive to make the operating system the most reliable it can be. In this case it would be E:.


 OS/2: Dual or Multiboot?

Unless your hard disk is less than 100MB, use the multiboot option rather than dual boot to boot between operating systems. Multiboot isolates operating systems from each other, which prevents accidental overwrites and makes it easy to manage three operating environments.


 OS/2: Migrate To OS/2

Migrating from Windows to OS/2 will involve some changes in your daily routine. First, you can have the equivalent of more than one Windows system, each executing one or more Windows applications in parallel. These separate Win-OS/2 sessions can be specified by checking Separate Session on the Session page of the Settings notebook. Think of each session as a separate CPU, each running the Windows system. As a result, DDE (dynamic data exchange) is only active inside a particular Win-OS/2 session, although you can activate DDE to other OS/2 programs.

Any problems in a Win-OS/2 session are confined to that session. If a Windows application in a separate session crashes, it can crash only that particular session. The rest of OS/2, and any other Win-OS/2 sessions, are left running, which is a real boon for debugging new software.

It's also worth noting that a DOS application no longer runs as a task of the Windows system. Instead, it runs directly as another session under OS/2. Each separate Win-OS/2 session can have its own custom setup, including specific versions of DOS, separate AUTOEXEC.BAT files, different EMS, XMS and DPMI settings, and a whole range of specialized environments not available under DOS.

Each window can be run in the background, or as a windowed or full-screen session. The Warp beta (OS/2 3.0) allows you to set different execution priorities for each DOS session in the Settings notebook. This is a perfect solution if you need to run Windows applications continuously. You can run them alone in a custom session, isolated from crashes and CPU hogs. OS/2 provides virtual memory support and preemptive multitasking for all sessions, so no single Windows task can tie up the processor.

Full-screen DOS or Win-OS/2 sessions can use screen drivers with any supported resolution, even if they differ from the resolutions used in the rest of the OS/2 system. This means full-screen Win-OS/2 sessions will run slightly faster than windowed sessions because the shared screen overhead is bypassed. Remember, however, that "full screen'' is not the same as a window maximized to fill the whole screen. Full-screen sessions are distinct and can be set up in advance, or you can switch to them from windowed sessions.Control of every OS/2 session is specified in a Settings notebook window. (See OS/2: Set Up For Notebooks)

The Session Page (see OS/2: Use The Session Tab) is where most custom DOS and Win-OS/2 settings are specified. You can set separate session, full-screen, window or minimized modes with radio buttons. Pressing the DOS/Win-OS/2 settings bar opens another window with a list of 51 items, ranging from COM_DIRECT_ACCESS to XMS_MINIMUM_ HMA. When selected, each displays the current setting, and optional settings or a box for user entry.All of the settings take effect when the notebook is closed, enabling you to fine-tune the parameters of any session without rebooting.


 Credits Tips

Programmers often hide Spiffs or Easter eggs--funny messages and graphical displays--in the applications they develop. To find an egg, you need to execute an elaborate series of keystrokes and mouse clicks. Here are the steps to uncover some of our favorites.

Credits: Word 6.0

Credits: CorelDRAW 5.0

Credits: Windows

Credits: Norton Utilities 8.0

Credits: Ami Pro 3.01

Credits: HDC Power Launcher

Credits: Wintune 2.0


 Credits: Word 6.0

In a blank document using the NORMAL template, type T3!. Highlight the text, then click on the Bold toolbar button. Open the Format menu and select AutoFormat. Click on the OK button in the AutoFormat dialog. Click on the Accept button to accept all changes. Open the Help menu and select About. Click on the WinWord icon in the top left corner.


 Credits: CorelDRAW 5.0

Open the Help menu and select About CorelDRAW. Double-click on the Corel balloon in the upper-left corner of the About dialog. You'll see the Corel balloon at the bottom of your screen. In a few seconds, the fire in the balloon will light and the balloon will begin to rise. You can light the fire yourself by holding down the left mouse button. Suspended below the balloon is a banner listing the folks who worked on CorelDRAW.

ELVIS IS EVERYWHERE

Clicking the right-mouse button produces more surprises. During the day, you'll be treated to the sight of flying Elvises dropping from the sky. At night, Corel lights up the sky with a marvelous fireworks display, complete with sound effects.


 Credits: Windows

Open Program Manager's Help/About Program Manager. While holding down the Shift and Ctrl keys, double-click on the flying Windows logo in the upper-left corner of the About dialog box. Click on the About dialog's OK button. Repeat steps 1 through 3. You'll see a fluttering flag beside the message "Dedicated to all the hard-working people on the Microsoft Windows 3.10 Team!'' Repeat steps 1 through 3. This time you'll see a scrolling list of all the folks who worked on Windows 3.1x. Four different pictures can appear beside the credits. Each time you activate the Easter egg, a different person is selected at random. See if you can "collect'' all four: Bill Gates, Brad Silverberg, Steve Ballmer and The Bear. You can activate this egg from any of the standard Windows applets, including File Manager.


 Credits: Norton Utilities 8.0

Run one of the Windows-based components (such as Disk Doctor). Open the Help menu and select About. Simultaneously hold down the keys N, U and 8. You'll see a nifty color photograph of the Norton Utilities 8.0 development team. Use the mouse to point to the picture of any development team member, and the person's name will appear. Activate Num Lock, Caps Lock and Scroll Lock. The phrase "NEVER SAY DIE!'' will appear, and the team members will don hockey masks. (Hint: The pre-release code name for Norton Utilities 8.0 was "Jason.'') Click the right-mouse button.


 Credits: Ami Pro 3.01

Open the Tools menu and select User Setup. Change the Initials to GPB. Open the Help menu and select About Ami Pro. Hold down the Shift, Alt and Ctrl keys. Without releasing the keys, press the function key corresponding to the day of the week (F1=Sunday, F2=Monday and so on). Still holding the Shift, Alt and Ctrl keys, type SHANK. This produces a screen full of "flying heads''--black-and-white photographs of the members of the Ami Pro 3.01 development team. You'll also see a purple donut. If you move your mouse pointer around the screen, the flying programmers will wildly bounce off the pointer.


 Credits: HDC Power Launcher

Go to Help/About. A star will appear in the company logo animation. Press Ctrl+Shift and double-click on the place where the star appears.


 Credits: Wintune 2.0

There's a hidden animation in Wintune (also known as a spiff or Easter Egg), which you can display by clicking on the Wintune 2.0 icon in the Help/About screen.


 Tech Support Hotline

This directory includes vendors that have won WINDOWS Magazine awards and Recommended seals during the past two years. These phone numbers are only for tech support of registered products. Please direct customer service and purchase inquiries to each company's main number.

AOL = America Online FOD = Fax on Demand

Tech Support: Vendors A-E

Tech Support: Vendors F-J

Tech Support: Vendors K-O

Tech Support: Vendors P-Z

Tech Support: Microsoft Technet


 Tech Support: Vendors A-E

This directory includes vendors that have won WINDOWS Magazine awards and Recommended seals during the past two years. These phone numbers are only for tech support of registered products. Please direct customer service and purchase inquiries to each company's main number.

AOL = America Online FOD = Fax on Demand

3-D Visions (acquired by Visual Numerics)

713-954-6727, fax 713 781-9260

(attention Merv)

BBS: 713-781-9259

CompuServe: GO STANFORD

Acoustic Research

800-648 9993, fax 707-747-0169

Adobe Systems Inc.

408-986-6530

900 Line: ($2 per minute; the first three to five minutes are free)

Acrobat, 900-555-2276

Illustrator line (Streamline and Dimensions), 900-555 4558

PhotoShop, 900-555-7468

Premiere, 900-555-7736

TypeManager/Fonts,

900-555 2861

Adobe Express Tech Support Main:

408-986-6501

Acrobat Reader, ext. 231

Acrobat Exchange, ext. 232

Acrobat Distiller, ext. 233

Font Folio, ext. 225

Font Downloader, ext. 230

Illustrator, ext. 201

Photoshop, ext. 211

Postscript Driver, ext. 227

Premiere, ext. 212

Streamline, ext. 203

Type Align, ext. 228

Type Manager/Fonts, ext. 221

Type On Call, ext. 224

AEC Software

703-450-2318, fax 703-450-9786

Aldus Corp.

800-628-2320

FreeHand, 206-628-4532

Gallery Effects, 206-628-4507

InfoPublisher 206-628 4535

Intellidraw, Touchbase, TypeTwister, 619-658-0333

PageMaker, 206-628-4531

Persuasion, 206-628-4533

PhotoStyler, 206-628-4537

Automated problem-solving line:

800-288-6832

FOD: 206-628-5737

Alki Software

206-286-2780, fax 206-286-2785

Altra

307-328-1342, fax 307-328-1346

CompuServe: 70414,1641

Altsys Corp.

214-680-2085, fax 214-680-0537

AOL (Keyword: altsys)

BBS: 214-680-9696

CompuServe: 76004,2071

Arabesque Software

206-885-0559

BBS: 206-881-0905

CompuServe: GO ECCO

Apple Computer

800-767-2775, fax 800-505-0171

BBS: Apple Online 800-775-4556, AppleLink 800-282-2732

(call for information)

Approach Software Corp.

(now owned by Lotus)

508-988-2500

Ares Software

415-578-9090, fax 415-378-8999

CompuServe e-mail: 70253,3164

AST Research

800-727-1278

BBS: 714-727-4723  (2400bps),  714-727-4132 (9600bps)

FOD: 800-926-1278

ATI Technologies

905-882-2626, fax 905-882-0546

BBS: 905-764-9404

CompuServe: GO ATITECH

Autodesk

800-228-3601

Autodesk retail division:

800-964-6432, 415-332-2344

CompuServe: GO AUTODESK

Automap

800-440-6277,

206-455-3552 ext. 128,

fax 206-455-3667

CompuServe: GO AUTOMAP

Avantos Performance Systems

510-654-4727, fax 510-654-4542

AOL (Keyword: avantos)

CompuServe e-mail: 71333,2201

CompuServe: GO AVANTOS

Internet: avantos@aol.com

Avery Dennison

214-888-2699, fax 214-241-0395

Berkeley Systems

510-549-2300, fax 510-849-9426

AOL (Keyword: berksys)

AOL e-mail: berklysystm

CompuServe: GO WINAPC

CompuServe e-mail: 75300,1375

Beyond (acquired by Banyan Systems)

508-898-1000

Bitstream

617-497-7514

Blue Sky Software

619-551-5680, fax 619-459-6366

BBS: 619-551-2495

CompuServe e-mail: 71234,1100

Blue Ribbon SoundWorks Ltd.

404-315-0212, fax 404-315-0213

BBS: 404-315-0211

CompuServe: GO BLUERIBBON

Borland International

800-524-8420

FOD: 800-822-4269,

Personal or Expert Assist:

800-523-7070

To order Developer Assist or Help Desk: 800-636-7778

By Borland Product:

Borland C++/Turbo C++, 408-461-9133

Borland Office,

408-461-9199

dBASE, 408-431-9060

Paradox, 408-461-9166

Quattro Pro,

408-461-9188

900 Advisor Lines:

Borland C++/Turbo C++, 900-555-1002

Paradox, 900-555-1006

Quattro Pro, 900-555-1008

dBASE, 900-555-1003

Credit Card Advisor Lines:

Borland C++/Turbo C++,

800-782-5558

Paradox, 800-452-1333

Quattro Pro, 800-523-4445

dBASE, 800-368-9222

BBS: 408-431-5096, 408-431-5250

CompuServe: GO BORLAND

GEnie: type borland

Bright Star

voice and FOD: 206-683-8989

Broderbund Software

415-382-4700

BBS: 415-883-5889

Print Shop Deluxe: 415-382-4750

Cardinal Technologies

717-293-3124, fax 717-293-3043

BBS: 717-293-3074

Canon Computer Systems

800-423-2366, fax 408-945-1135

BBS: 714-438-3325

CompuServe: GO CANON

Dealer referral number:

800-848-4123

Central Point Software

800-846-5756, 503-645-6111

AOL (Keyword: central)

BBS: 503-690-6650 (2400 baud),

503-690-4777 (up to 14.4Kbps)

CompuServe: GO CENTRAL

FOD: 800-847-8766, 503-690-2660

TTY/TDD for hearing impaired:

503-690-2695

Voice response system:

800-967-6703

Claris Corp.

408-727 9004, fax 408-987-7447

BBS: 408-987-7421

CompuServe e-mail: 76004,1614

Cognitronix

619-549-8955

CompuServe e-mail: 76306,402

Compaq Computer Corp.

800-652-6672, fax 713-378-0562

BBS: 713-378-1418

CompuServe: GO COMPAQ

or GO CPQFORUM

Computer Mail Services

800-883-2674, 810-352-6700

Connect Software

206-803-3039, 206-822-9095

CompuServe e-mail: 71333,2244

Internet: techsupp@adonis.com

MCI Mail: 586-6931

Prodigy: ABSD54A

Corel Systems Corp.

CorelDraw, 800-818-1848

Corel SCSI support, 613-728- 1010

CompuServe: GO COREL

Creative Labs

405-742-6622, fax 405-742-6633

BBS: 405-742-6660

Crescent Software

203-438-5300, fax 203-431-4626

BBS: 203-438-3314

CompuServe e-mail: 70662,2605

Crystal Services

604-669-2934, fax 604-681-7163,

BBS: 604-681-9516

CompuServe e-mail: 72223,2632

FOD: 604-681-3530

Cyrix Corp.

214-994-8442, fax 214-994-8404

BBS: 214-994-8610

Datastorm Technologies

314-875-0530, fax 314-499-1552

BBS: 314-875-0503

CompuServe:

GO DATASTORM

Dell Computer Corp.

800-289-3355, 512-338-4400

BBS: 512-728-8528

CompuServe: GO DELL

FOD: 800-950-1329

Internet: dell1.us.dell.com or 143.166.224.203

Delrina Corp

416-441-4628, fax 416-441-0774

WinFax Pro 4.0, 416-443-4390

WinFax Pro 3.0 and WinFax Lite, 416-441-0921

WinFax Pro for Networks,

416-441-1928

Forms, 416-441-3086

Online products, 416-443-4395

Automated info line: 800-561-0820

BBS: 416-441-2752 (14.4Kbps)

CompuServe: GO DELRINA

FOD: 416-443-1614,

DeltaPoint

408-375-4700, fax 408-648-4048,

AOL (Keyword: deltapoint)

CompuServe e-mail: 76004,1522

FOD: 408-648-4021

Deneba Software

800-622-6827, 305-596-5644,

fax 305-273-9069

AOL (Keyword: deneba)

CompuServe e-mail: 76004,2154,

Diamond Computer Systems

408-736-2000, fax 408-730-5750

AOL (Keyword: diamond)

BBS: 408-524-9301 (9600bps and 14.4Kbps),

408-730-1100 (2400bps)

CompuServe:

GO DMNDONLINE

FOD: 800-380-0030

Digital Equipment Corp.

Automated voice and FOD:

800-DIGITAL

Eastman Kodak Co.

800-344-0006, fax 716-726-9728

CompuServe: GO KODAK

Eclipse Systems

312-541-0262, fax 312-541-0514

Envelope Manager Software

415-321-2640, fax 415-321-0356

BBS: 415-234-9027


 Tech Support: Vendors F-J

This directory includes vendors that have won WINDOWS Magazine awards and Recommended seals during the past two years. These phone numbers are only for tech support of registered products. Please direct customer service and purchase inquiries to each company's main number.

AOL = America Online FOD = Fax on Demand

Farallon Computing

800-425-4141, 510-814-5000,

fax 510-814-5023

AOL (Keyword: farallon)

BBS: 510-865-1321

CompuServe: GO FARAPC

GEnie: type Windows Software Library

Folio Corp.

801-344-3650, fax 801-344-3791

BBS: 801-344-3668

CompuServe e-mail: 72610, 2463

CompuServe: GO FOLIO

ForeFront

800-357-8507, ext. 116;

303-499-9181, ext. 116;

fax 303-494-5446

CompuServe e-mail: 70631, 24

Internet e-mail: support@ff.com

Fractal Design Corp.

408-688-8800, fax 408-688-8836

AOL (Keyword: Fractal)

CompuServe: GO FRACTAL

Internet e-mail: support@fractal.com

Frame Technology Corp.

408-922-2744

BBS: 408-433-4841 (2400bps),

408-433-4867 (9600bps)

CompuServe: GO DTPVEND

(section 12)

FOD: 408-428-6153

Internet: comments@frame.com

FutureSoft

713-588-6868, fax 713-496-1090

BBS: 713-588-6870

CompuServe e-mail: 76702,755

Internet e-mail: support@fse.com

Gateway 2000

800-846-2301

AOL (Keyword: gateway)

BBS: 605-232-2224

CompuServe: GO GATEWAY

FOD: 800-846-4526, 605-232-2561

GEnie (Keyword: gateway)

Internet e-mail: tech@gw2kbbs.com.

Prodigy (Keyword: gateway)

Genoa Systems Corp.

408-432-8324, fax 408-434-0997

BBS: 408-943-1231

Gold Disk

905-602-5292, fax 905-602-0393

BBS: 905-602-7534

CompuServe e-mail: 75300,3433,

Internet e-mail: techsupport@golddisk.com

Grolier Electronic Publishing

800-356-5590, 203-797-2536,

fax 203-797-3130

Hayes Microcomputer Products

404-441-1617

BBS: 800-874-2937

CompuServe: GO HAYES

FOD: 800-429-3739

Heizer Software

510-943-7667, fax 510-943-6882

Helix Software

718-392-3735, fax 718-392-4212

BBS: 718-392-4054

CompuServe: GO HELIXS

Hercules Computer Technology

510-623-6050, fax 510-490-6745

BBS: 510-623-7449

CompuServe:

GO HERCULES

Hewlett-Packard Co.

Pre-sale customer service:

800-752-0900 (or call your local HP authorized dealer)

Hilgraeve

313-243-0576, fax 313-243-0645

BBS: 313-243-5915

CompuServe:

GO HILGRAEVE

Internet e-mail: 71333.31@compuserve.com

IBM Corp

800-772-2227

BBS: 919-517-0001

FOD: 800-426-3395

IBM Personal Systems help line for hearing and speech impaired:

800-426-8330

Multimedia Tech Support:

800-241-1620

OS/2 Tech Support: 800-992-4777

Inset Systems

800-374-6738, 203-740-2400,

fax 203-775-5634

BBS: 203-740-0063

CompuServe: GO INSET

Intel Corp.

800-628-8686

BBS: 503-645-6275

CompuServe: GO INTELFORUM

Internet e-mail: ftp.intel.com

Intuit

Fax 415-852-9911

Quicken for Windows,

415-858-6003

QuickPay for Windows,

415-858-6055

QuickPay with QuickBooks,

415-858-6026

QuickPay with Quicken,

415-858-6022

CompuServe: GO INTUIT

FOD: 415-858-6090

Jensen-Jones

908-530-4666, fax 908-224-0298

CompuServe: GO JJSUPPORT

FOD: 908-219-0990


 Tech Support: Vendors K-O

This directory includes vendors that have won WINDOWS Magazine awards and Recommended seals during the past two years. These phone numbers are only for tech support of registered products. Please direct customer service and purchase inquiries to each company's main number.

AOL = America Online FOD = Fax on Demand

Kensington Microware Ltd.

800-535-4242, 415-572-2700

(includes FOD service)

AOL e-mail: kensington

CompuServe e-mail: 76077,231

Internet e-mail: kensington@aol.com or kensngtn@netcom.com

Knowledge Garden Inc

516-246-5400, 516-862-0600,

fax 516-862-0644

CompuServe: GO WINAPB

LaserMaster Corp.

WinPrinter products, 612-944-8848,

fax 612-944-3755

Displaymaker, 612-944-4040,

fax 612-943-3611

Unity Typesetting, 612-944-7570,

fax 612-944-2989

BBS: 612-TEK-LINE

Lexmark International

606-232-3000

BBS: 606-232-5653

FOD: 606-232-2380

Light Source

415-461-3030

FOD: 415-461-8090

Logitech

510-795-8100, fax 510-505-0978

BBS: 510-795-0408

CompuServe: GO LOGITECH

FOD: 800-245-0000

Lotus Development Corp.

Windows products: 508-988-2500 With customer ID: 800-553-4270

With no customer ID, 900 service: 900-555-6887 ($2.95/minute)

FOD: 800-346-3508

MapInfo Corp.

800-552-2511 (voice and FOD)

Meca Software

203-255-7562

METZ Software

206-641-4525, fax 206-644-6026

AOL (Keyword: METZ)

AOL e-mail: METZSoft

BBS: 206-644-3663 (14.4Kbps)

CompuServe: GO METZ, choose 3-CompuServe e-mail: 75300,1627

GEnie e-mail: A.METZ

Libraries, 7-METZ Software

Microcom

Hardware, 617-551-1313

Carbon Copy, 617-551-1414

BBS: 617-255-1125

FOD: 800-285-2802

Micrografx

214-234-2694, fax 214-994-6476

BBS: 214-644-4194

CompuServe: GO MICROGRAFX

MicroHelp Inc

404-516-0898, fax 404-516-1099

BBS: 404-516-1497 (up to 28.8Kbps), 404-516-1877 (HST-compatibile modems)

Micro Logic Corp.

201-342-7468, fax 201-342-0370

Microsoft Corp.

By product, dial 206-635 and...

Access, ext.7050

C/C++, ext. 7007

Entertainment products, ext. 9308

Excel, ext. 7070

Money, ext. 7131

Mouse and hardware, ext.7040

Multimedia products, ext. 7172

Office, ext. 7056

PowerPoint, ext. 7145

Project, ext. 7155

Publisher, ext. 7140

Schedule+, ext. 7049

Video, ext. 7172

Windows SDK, ext. 3329

Windows NT, ext. 7018

Works, ext. 7130

Word, 206-462-9673

MS-DOS, 206-646-5104

Visual Basic, 206-646-5105

Windows/WFWG, 206-637-7098

Moon Valley Software

805-781-3890, fax 805-781-3898

BBS: 805-781-3887

Mouse Systems Corp.

510-656-1117, fax 510-656-4409

Automated voice and FOD:

800-78MOUSE

BBS: 510-683-0617

Nanao USA

800-800-5202, 310-325-5202,

fax 310-530-1679

Repair issues: ext. 120

Tech support: ext. 114

BBS: 310-325-4744 (Non-urgent questions only; not checked daily)

East Coast: 201-288-0722, fax 201-288-0729

National Design (now Technology Works)

800-688-7466, 512-794-8533,

fax 512-794-8520

AOL (Keyword: techworks)

BBS: 512-794-9329

CompuServe: GO VOLANTE

National Instruments Corp.

800-433-3488, 512-794-0100

Fax: LabView, 512-795-6837

LabWin,  512-794-5678

BBS: 512-794-5422

FOD: 800-329-7177

Nico Mak

CompuServe: 70056,241

Number Nine Computer Corp.

617-674-0009, fax 617-674-2919

BBS: 617-862-7502

Orchid Technologies

510-683-0323

BBS: 510-683-0327

Oxford University Press

800-334-4249, ext. 7127;

fax 212-725-2972


 Tech Support: Vendors P-Z

This directory includes vendors that have won WINDOWS Magazine awards and Recommended seals during the past two years. These phone numbers are only for tech support of registered products. Please direct customer service and purchase inquiries to each company's main number.

AOL = America Online FOD = Fax on Demand

Pacific Crest Technologies

714-261-6444, fax 714-261-6468

BBS: 714-261-6473 (up to 14.4Kbps)

CompuServe e-mail: 74431,2255

CompuServe: GO WINAPG

PageAhead Software (InfoPublisher purchased by Step2 Software)

206-343-5816, fax 206-343-5795

BBS: 206-343-5688

Internet: cyberquest.com

Pantone

800-222-1149, 201-935-5500,

fax 201-896-0242

PC Kwik Corp.

503-644-8827, fax 503-643-8709

FOD: 503-520-4200

PED Software Corp.

408-253-0894, 408-253-1062

E-mail: CHPN17-C

PineCliffe International

314-965-5630, fax 314-966-1833

CompuServe: GO WOPR

CompuServe e-mail: 76711,1171

Polaris Software

619-592-7400 voice and FOD (ext. 350), fax 619-592-7430

BBS: 619-592-2674

CompuServe: GO POLARIS

Powercard

703-886-0408, fax 703-886-0976

Plannet Crafters

404-740-9821, fax 404-740-1914

AOL: Dmandell

BBS: 404-740-8583 (14.4 Kbps)

CompuServe e-mail:73040,334

GEnie: D.MANDELL1

Internet: 73040.334

@compuserve.com

MCI Mail: 572-7179

Prodigy: VSFB48A

Plextor

800-886-3935, fax 408-986-1010

BBS: 408-986-1569

CompuServe e-mail: 73243,2475

Premia Corp.

503-641-6000, fax 503-641-6001

BBS: 503-646-1374

CompuServe: 70673,2627

Internet:70673,2627

@compuserve.com.

Prisma Software

319-266-0743, fax 319-266-2522

BBS: 319-266-2422

Qualitas

301-907-7400, fax 310-718-6061

AOL (Keyword: qualitas)

BBS: 301-907-8030

CompuServe 75300,1107

FOD: 301-718-6066

Quantum Corp

800-826-8022

BBS: 408-894-3214 (8 and 1)

FOD: 800-434-7532

Radius

408-434-1012, fax 408-954-1015

AOL e-mail: RadiusTS

AOL (Keyword: Radius)

BBS: 408-954-1689

CompuServe e-mail: 76004, 2155

CompuServe: GO MACVENDORB

Internet: support@radius.com

RayDream

415-960-0767, fax 415-960-1198

AOL (Keyword: Raydream)

Internet: support@raydream.com

Spaceworks: 800-5-SPACE5 Raydream forum

Saber Software

800-526-8086, 214-361-5284,

fax 214-361-1014

BBS: 214-361-1883

CompuServe: GO SABERSOFT

Internet: tech.support@sabersoft.com

or sysop@sabersoft

Serif

603-889-8650

Shapeware Corp.

206-521-4600, 206-521-4601

CompuServe: GO VISIO

CompuServe e-mail: 71333, 1567

FOD: 206-521-4550

Internet: tsdirect@shapeware.com

Sheridan Software

Voice and FOD 516-753-0985 (press 3), fax 516-753-3661

CompuServe: GO MSBASIC

CompuServe e-mail: 73204,1007

Shiva Corp.

Fax 617-270-8337

BBS: 617-273-0023

FOD: 800-370-6917, 617-431-9402

Internet: anonymous ftp session

Shiva.com ip address: 192.80.57.1

SoftNet

404-984-9958, fax 404-984-9956

BBS: 404-984-9926

CompuServe: GO SOFTNET

FOD:404-988-2401

Software Publishing Corp.

Customer service, 800-234-2500

Harvard Graphics, 408-988-4005

Office Writer, 608-284-5047

Professional Write, Professional File, 608-274-9715

Professional Write Plus, Harvard Draw, 608-274-4391

Superbase, 408-986-8323

Software Ventures Corp.

510-644-1325, fax 510-848-0885

AOL: SVCTECH

BBS: 510-849-1912

BIX: SVC

CompuServe e-mail: 76004,2161

GEnie: SVCTECH

Internet: mcirophone@svcdudes.com

MCI: 286-6859

Spinnaker Software Corp.

Automated answer system and voice tech support, 404-428-0008

Stac Electronics

619-929-3900 (voice, voice response system and FOD)

AOL (Keyword: stac)

BBS: 619-431-5956 (up to 14.4Kbps)

CompuServe: STAC

SWFTE International

302-234-1750, fax 302-234-1760

CompuServe e-mail: 76004,3520

MCI mail: 560-7116

Symantec Corp.

ACT!, 503-465-8645

Norton Desktop, Norton Backup, Direct Access and all other Norton products 503-465-8420

Norton PC Anywhere, 503-465-8430

Q&A, Q&A Write, Timeline and all other Symantec products,

503-465-8600

AOL (Keyword: Symantec)

BBS: 503-484-6699 (2400bps),

503-848-6669 (9600bps)

CompuServe: GO SYMANTEC

FOD: 800-554-4403

Voice response: 503-465-8555

Systems Compatibility Corp.

312-527-4357, fax 312-670-0820

BBS: 312-670-4239

CompuServe: GO SCCTECH

Teleware (now Bestware)

201-586-2269, fax 201-586-8885

AOL (Keyword: MYOB)

CompuServe: GO MYOB

FOD: 201-586-1553

Tektronix

800-835-6100, 503-682-7377,

fax 503-685-3063

AOL (Keyword: tektronix)

BBS: 503-685-4504 (14.4Kbps)

FOD: 503-682-7450

Internet file server: color_ printer_info@tecktronix.tek.com

Texas Instruments

800-TI-TEXAS, fax 817-774-6660

BBS: 817-774-6809

The Periscope Co.

404-888-5550, fax 404-888-5520

BBS: 404-888-5522

CompuServe: GO PERISCOPE

CompuServe e-mail: 72662, 3542

FOD: 404-888-5344

T-Maker Co.

415-962-0195

Toshiba America Information Systems

800-456-8649, 800-999-4273

FOD: 714-583-3800

BBS: 714-837-4408

CompuServe: GO TOSHIBA

Traveling Software

206-483-8088, 206-487-5601

FOD: 206-487-5410

BBS: 206-485-1736

CompuServe: GO PALMTOP

Tri-Star Computer Corp.

800-800-2690, 602-731-4926,

fax 602-731-4979

BBS: 602-731-9383

Turtle Beach Systems

717-767-0200 (press 3 for support),

fax 717-767-6033

BBS: 717-767-5265 (2400bps),

717-767-0250 (9600bps)

CompuServe: GO MIDIVEN

(section 2) or GO MULTIVEN

(section 16)

Internet: support@tbeach.com

Ulead Systems

800-858-5323 x391, 310-523-9393 x391; fax 310-523-9399

ViewSonic

800-888-8583, 909-869-7976,

fax 909-869-7958

BBS: 909-468-1241

FOD: 909-869-7318

Virtus Corp.

800-847-8871, fax 919-460-4530

AOL (Keyword: Virtustech)

CompuServe: GO VIRTUS

CompuServe e-mail: 75300,3251

WexTech Systems

212-949-0093, fax 212-949-4007

CompuServe: GO WEXTECH

CompuServe e-mail: 71333,1400

Internet: pauln@wextech.com

WordPerfect, the Novell Applications Group

See WordPerfect manual

Xtree Co.

800-491-2764 ($25 V/MC/AMEX)

900-955-7700 ($2 per minute)

Zeos International Ltd.

800-228-5390 (press 5),

612-362-1223

BBS: 612-362-1219

CompuServe: GO ZEOS

FOD: 800-845-2341

Internet: support@zeostech.com

Zsoft Corp.

FOD: 404-428-0008


 Tech Support: Microsoft Technet

Most users haven't heard about it, but there is a secret weapon anyone can add to their arsenal of Windows survival tools. It's Microsoft Technet, a knowledge base of Windows arcana on CD-ROM that can save you untold time, trouble and money.

With your subscription, you get a new CD-ROM each month packed with product information, release notes, bug fixes, updated drivers, knowledge base articles, technical papers and extracts from the resource kits of all Microsoft products.

In effect, this puts the same information on your desktop that Microsoft's own tech support folks have in front of them when you call, including diagrams, screen shots, code examples, drivers and so on. At $295 a year, it's not cheap. But if you really need all the latest and best professional-caliber information on solving almost any conceivable Windows problem, get yourself a Technet subscription by calling 800-426-9400.


 Fun with Fonts

With Windows software and a laser printer, you've got the tools to rival a typesetting shop. But it takes more than fancy fonts and high-resolution output to do away with that telltale desktop-published look. You may need to break some deeply ingrained typewriter habits--and keep in mind that even the smartest Windows app can't take the place of a discerning eye. Here's how you can create documents that shine:

Font Fun: Don't Doublespace

Font Fun: Avoid Underlining

Font Fun: Use Character Map

Font Fun: Use EM Dashes

Font Fun: Use Smart Quotes

Font Fun: Create Fractions

Font Fun: Use Bullets

Font Fun: Center By Eye


 Font Fun: Don't Doublespace

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: SPACING

Drop the double-space-after-a-period habit. This convention was used to help separate sentences that were printed in monospaced typewriter fonts. But most fonts you use with Windows are proportionally spaced (such as Times Roman and Arial) and require only one space after periods. Look in any magazine, and you'll see that typesetters use a single space.


 Font Fun: Avoid Underlining

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: CAPS AND UNDERLINES

Avoid underlining and solid caps. Users pounding out copy on typewriters had only a few ways to make text stand out, but that's no longer the case. Professionally typeset documents use italics for emphasis instead of underlines, and a larger font, boldface or even a different typeface in place of solid caps.


Font Fun: User Character Map
 Font Fun: Use Character Map

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: CHARACTER MAP

Take advantage of Character Map. The Windows Character Map applet is your key to typographic sophistication. To use it, move the Character Map icon from your Accessories group to your StartUp group and set it up to run minimized. Then, when you're in your word processing or desktop publishing program, simply press Alt+Tab to cool switch to Character Map. It'll pop up on your screen, giving you a whole selection of special characters.

You can preview a character by holding down the left mouse button, or copy a character to Windows' Clipboard for pasting into your document. (Most word processors contains a subset of these characters. Word, for instance, has a Symbols option available under the Insert menu.)


 Font Fun: Use EM Dashes

Make your documents look a lot sharper by using typographic em dashes instead of double hyphens, and ellipses instead of three periods. To gain even more of a visual edge, use foreign-language characters, currency characters and mathematical symbols when appropriate.


 Font Fun: Use Smart Quotes

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: SMART QUOTES

Use "smart quotes'' wisely. In most cases, you can improve the quality of your documents by using curly apostrophes and quotes instead of straight, typewriter-like ones.You'll find these characters in Character Map, or your software may have a feature that substitutes them automatically. Word 6.0, for instance, features smart quotes.

But beware: Sometimes smart quotes are dumb. For example, the feature will substitute curly quotes for measurements (5'1'') when you should still use the straight marks (5'1"). And software routinely substitutes open apostrophes at the beginnings of words ('90s, odds 'n' ends) that actually require closed apostrophes ('90s, odds 'n' ends). Check for these details with your word processor's search-and-replace or a good old-fashioned proofread.


 Font Fun: Create Fractions

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: FRACTIONS

Create your own fractions. Character Map comes with the typographically designed fractions 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4. But what if you need another fraction? Just make your own!

Let's say you need two and seven-eighths. Type in 27/8. Select the 7, choose a point size about 40 percent smaller, then make it a superscript. Use your eye to determine the size that looks best and the exact height to raise the superscript (if your software lets you). Next, select the 8 and make it the same point size as the 7.

Note that if you're going to create some fractions in a document this way, create all of them this way, because the do-it-yourself variety will look slightly different from those in Character Map. If you want to get really fancy, record these steps in a macro to have instant fractions whenever you need them.


 Font Fun: Use Bullets

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: BULLETS

Use bullets and numbered lists. Many of us use asterisks or hyphens before individual items in a list. Don't--your word processor offers various bullet styles and numbered list formats that result in a neater, more professional look.


 Font Fun: Center By Eye

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: CENTERING

Trust your eye to center heads. When you use your word processor's centering feature to center type, such as a headline, over body copy that's ragged right, the result will be mathematically correct, but it may not be visually correct. Your application centers text across the full column width, but with ragged-right body copy, many lines fall shorter than that length. To compensate, use the automatic centering feature and then adjust the right margin for the headline only to the length of a typical line. The headline will now appear centered.


 Electronic Mail: Mail 3.2 Tips

Mail 3.2: Print Larger

Mail 3.2: Create Folders

Mail 3.2: Return To Sender

Mail 3.2: Mail Frequency

Mail 3.2: Change Sounds

Mail 3.2: Move Your .MMF

Mail 3.2: Reply Prefix

Mail 3.2: Send Mail Now!

Mail 3.2: Post Office Groups

Mail 3.2: Make Attachments

Mail 3.2: Mail On Start-Up

Mail 3.2: WfW MSMail/Netware

Mail 3.2: End Corruption

Mail 3.2: Mail and Mail Remote


 Mail 3.2: Print Larger

You can't alter the font that MS Mail uses to print your messages (it always uses Helvetica), but you can change the font size. Using Notepad or another file editor, insert PrintFont=x into the [MS Mail] section of your MSMAIL.INI file, where x represents the font size you want to use for your printed Mail messages. Font sizes above 14 points appear too large and begin to create bad line breaks, so try to use 14 as a maximum. Restart Mail to implement changes.


 Mail 3.2: Create Folders

You can access and use group folders from the Windows version of Mail, but you can't create them. How can you take advantage of this feature? Use the DOS MS Mail client to create the group folders and then access them from your normal Windows client. Group folders can be accessed only by post office mail group members; others in your post office will not have access.


 Mail 3.2: Return To Sender

If you modify an attachment and want to return it to the sender, choose Forward and reenter the recipient's name. If you choose Reply or Reply to All, attachments are converted into text placeholders. When you forward a message, all attachments are sent to the recipient along with your message.


 Mail 3.2: Mail Frequency

To receive Mail messages at longer or shorter intervals, choose Mail/Options/New Mail and change the value in the line Check for new mail every x minutes. The shorter the polling time you set, the more often MS Mail will check for messages--and the more it will use system resources and CPU time. If you opt for longer intervals, Mail will poll for messages less often, and you might end up waiting while Mail pulls together your messages, especially if there is a lot of mail.


 Mail 3.2: Change Sounds

If your system has a sound card or you have set up the SPEAKER.DRV driver that allows you to play .WAV files through your regular system speaker, you can use the .WAV file of your choice to let you know when you have received mail. First, place the .WAV file that you want to use into your Windows directory. Next, open Sound under Control Panel and make sure Enable System Sounds is checked. Locate and highlight Incoming Mail in the left pane. Finally, locate and highlight the .WAV file that you want to associate with mail in the right pane and press the OK button. The next time you start Mail, you'll hear the new sound when you receive new messages.


 Mail 3.2: Move Your .MMF

If you need to relocate your .MMF file to your local hard disk or another network hard disk to which you have read and write access, choose Mail/Options and press Server. You'll have two choices: Postoffice or Local storage. When you choose Local, you'll need to enter the full path to where you'd like to store your .MMF file and up to an eight-character name for your .MMF file.


 Mail 3.2: Reply Prefix

When you reply to a mail message, you can choose to place a prefix string of characters in front of each line of the original message. For example, when you send a reply you could place the characters >> in front of each line of the reply. To do this, add the line ReplyPrefix= >> in the [MS Mail] section of your MSMAIL.INI file and restart Mail. If the character string you choose does not work, try placing quotes around the string.


 Mail 3.2: Send Mail Now!

By default, MS Mail uses the values in Options/New Mail to set its polling frequency for new mail. This value also affects how often messages that you compose are sent. In order to force Mail to immediately receive or send a mail message, choose View/New Messages twice.


 Mail 3.2: Post Office Groups

As the administrator, you can create post office-wide groups of users that all of your Mail users can employ for sending specific messages. In the DOS ADMIN.EXE (version 3.2.3 is the most current version available from Microsoft) choose Local-Admin/Group/Create. Highlight the users that you want to belong to a particular mail group and press the Spacebar to select them. When you have selected all the users you want, press Enter. Enter a group alias that you want to appear in the Postoffice Address List for this group. Next, enter a mailbox name for this group (up to eight characters long). Finally, choose whether to include the group in enterprisewide directory synchronization and create the group. Once you exit the Admin application, users can choose the group through their Postoffice Address lists and send mail to members of that group.


 Mail 3.2: Make Attachments

Share a document, or any file, by attaching it to a Mail message. Compose a message in Mail as usual, and then click on the Attach button on the toolbar. The Attach dialog is a standard Windows file selector that allows you to choose a single file at a time. Just choose the file you want to attach from the list and press the Attach button. You can choose multiple attachments, one at a time, while the dialog box is still open. When you are finished making your choices, press Close to leave the dialog box. You can even use File Manager to find attachments. Just display both applications on your screen side by side and drag and drop the file that you want from the File Manager pane into your Mail message. Any file can be attached to a Mail message. The attached file will appear as an icon in the message.


 Mail 3.2: Mail On Start-Up

Here's how you can get all of your new and waiting mail immediately on start-up of  Mail. Exit and sign out of mail. Using Notepad or another file editor, insert the line NewMsgsAtStartup=1 in the [MS Mail] section of your MSMAIL.INI file. When you restart Mail, you'll receive all of your new messages right away. Unfortunately, if everyone on your post office tries this, you may notice a delay on your network. If you are the administrator, you might want to disable this feature by placing a 0 in place of the 1, or by removing the line.


 Mail 3.2: WfW MSMail/Netware

You can use the version of MS Mail that ships with Windows for Workgroups on your Novell NetWare network by making a few simple changes to your MSMAIL.INI file. Before launching Mail, add these two lines to the [MS Mail] section of your MSMAIL.INI file:

login=login_name

serverpath=M:\

(This is standard for MS Mail on Novell; if you are using a different drive letter, make the appropriate change.) When you start up MS Mail, it will attempt to log you into your NetWare-based post office.


 Mail 3.2: End Corruption

Here's how to correct minor .MMF (the MS Mail database file) corruption, such as incorrect displays in the status bar that say more unread messages exist. First, exit and sign out of Mail. Next, launch Mail and type in your name and password. Finally, hold down the Shift key while pressing Enter.  A dialog box will appear asking whether you would like to check your mail file for inconsistencies. Press Check File and the program will take control of your system as it checks and repairs your mail database. This process creates a backup of your .MMF file, so check with your network administrator to see if there is enough space. The process works faster if you first relocate your .MMF file to your local hard disk by choosing File/Options and clicking on the Server button.


 Mail 3.2: Mail and Mail Remote

In order to use MS Mail for local or remote connection to your post office, make sure that you have correctly selected your options. Here are some recommendations that you should use depending on the type of connection that you make for your mail.

For most of these scenarios, you'll be asked to move your .MMF file to another location. The .MMF file is the database that contains your current, received messages. Messages that have not specifically been polled by your Windows MS Mail client are not a part of your .MMF file, so moving this file does not "lose'' any files that have been sent to you while you are setting up Mail.

In general, the reason that you want to move your .MMF file is to avoid the long delay that can occur during dial-up access from MS Mail Remote. When you dial into the post office for your mail (if you are not a remote-only user) the external application that receives your call must poll the post office for your new mail and sift through your .MMF file. This polling of new and old messages can take quite a while if you keep a large database of messages. To avoid this problem, you can move your .MMF file from the location that the post office knows about to a location that only your local MS Mail client knows about. This way, when you dial in for messages, you poll only for new messages.

Find the scenario that best describes your situation and follow the steps listed under that choice:

You are a LAN-based user at work

But you use MS Mail Remote from home or a notebook. If you're using MS Mail at work, but you correspond from home in the evenings, or via a notebook when on business trips, you probably need to make only a few small changes to optimize MS Mail to run smoothly. These steps will keep your file on your post office to take advantage of any server backups that your administrator has established. They also allow you to easily connect from home to pick up and reply to messages sent to you after you've left the office for the day.

•	Move your .MMF file to a "local-server'' location. MS Mail allows you to store your .MMF file either on the post office computer's hard disk or on a local hard disk. At least that's how it appears. Actually, you can locate your .MMF file anywhere that you have read and write access. At your office system, inside MS Mail choose Mail/Options and press the Server button. In the Server dialog box, choose Local and fill in a path and filename for a location on your server where you have read and write access. For example, on a NetWare server, you might have access to a user directory with your name. If the drive letter associated with your particular user directory was mapped to U:\, then you would type: U:\MYNAME.MMF in the blank field, replacing MYNAME with your NetWare log-in name.

•	Keep mail on the post office and at home. On the home or notebook system used to run MS Mail Remote, you need to make one change. Under Mail/Options press the Server button to access the Server dialog box. In the Server dialog box, make sure that Retain Copy of Mail on Postoffice is checked. This is the default when MS Mail Remote is installed. It allows you to keep messages that you receive at home on your post office so that they are available to you when you return to your desk. If you are going to be away for a while you might want to uncheck this box to reduce the number of messages that will be waiting for you.

That's it. When you dial in from home, you'll be able to quickly and easily access your unread mail.

You are a MS Mail Remote-only user.

If you work only from a location that is remote to your MS Mail post office, then you should check a couple of items in your MS Mail Remote 3.2 client to make sure you are set up correctly.

•	Don't keep mail on the post office. Under Mail/Options press the Server button to access the Server dialog box. In the Server dialog box, make sure that Retain Copy of Mail on Postoffice is not checked. Although this is the default when MS Mail Remote is installed (unfortunately), it should never be checked by remote-only users. If you have accidentally left this box checked, inform your administrator. He or she will have to enter your Mail account in DOS to delete the messages that you have accumulated on the post office. If delays seem to increase each time you dial in and access the post office, this could be the reason.

•	Update your address lists frequently. When changes to your post office occur, such as the introduction of new users or mail groups, remote users can be left out in the cold. To avoid this, choose View/Connect Now. In the Connect Now dialog box, check the box for Update Address Lists. The default is for this box to remain unchecked. When you click on OK and dial in, you will receive the most updated address lists that your administrator is providing to remote users.

You are a notebook and docking station user.

If you use a notebook and networked docking station, you have a unique situation that you can handle in two ways. One method is to have two mail databases, one on the network post office and one on your notebook. This can become troublesome, however, if you are frequently on the road. The other method is to keep only a local copy of your mail database. If you use a docking station, the latter is the recommended course of action.

•	Don't keep mail on the post office. (See point 1 under "You are a MS Mail Remote-only User.'')

•	Use the System Selector when docking. When you have docked your notebook and want to connect to the LAN directly for mail, use the Microsoft Mail System Selector. MAILDRV.EXE is the actual application name (make sure that you have the latest version available from Microsoft) for the Mail System Selector. It allows you to switch between your LAN driver and serial connection for connecting to your post office. Here's how:

•	Exit and sign out of Mail.

•	Launch the MAILDRV.EXE application.

•	In the Mail System Selector dialog box, highlight the installed mail driver in the bottom pane that corresponds to your configuration:

•	Microsoft Mail Remote if you are dialing into your post office,

•	Microsoft Mail for PC Networks if you are connecting directly to the LAN.

•	Click on the Set as Current Mail Driver button.

You may see a dialog box alerting you to the fact that some information, such as an updated address list, is located on the post office. Select the items that you want to copy and click on the OK button. When you have completed this, close the Mail System Selector dialog box and launch MS Mail.


 Electronic Mail: Internet Tips

Internet: AOL Internet

Internet: Windows FTP Sites

Internet: Decode With Wincode

Internet: CompuServe Internet

Internet: A Good Summary

Internet: Mailing Lists


 Internet: AOL Internet

From the America Online Internet forum (Keyword: Internet) you can not only learn about the Internet and download Internet files, but you can actually explore Internet services such as mail, newsgroups, mailing lists and Gopher servers, to name just a few.


 Internet: Windows FTP Sites

The best FTP site in the world for Windows files is ftp.cica.indiana.edu (129.79.20.27). This is a very popular site, so there are mirror sites (locations that keep the same files in the same structure) elsewhere. Here's a list of mirror sites in the United States:

wuarchive.wustl.edu [128.252.135.4]

archive.orst.edu [132.227.60.20]

gatekeeper.dec.com  [16.1.0.2]

ftp.cdrom.com [192.153.46.2]

polecat.law.indiana.edu [129.79.131.170]

ftp.marcam.com  [198.102.216.30]

alpha.cso.uiuc.edu [128.174.201.31]


 Internet: Decode With Wincode

You can code and decode uuencode-compatible files using a freeware program called Wincode, by George Silva. It's available in \WMSHARE\05MAY on this CD-ROM. For help in installation, press the Red W next to Shareware/Demoware on the Startup screen (you can get there by pressing the startup button at the top of this screen).


 Internet: CompuServe Internet

Just enter GO INETFORUM to join the CompuServe Internet forum. There are lots of great conversations and files on this relatively new CompuServe forum. Join it and learn!


 Internet: A Good Summary

Winternet is a Windows Write document containing lots of great information about using the Internet with Windows and an on-line service account.

You can copy WINTERNT.WRI from the root directory of this CD-ROM if you want to redistribute it, or you can read it now by Clicking Here.


 Internet: Mailing Lists

Try these mailing lists, which are relevant to Windows users:

C_C++ C AND C++ PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES

Send mail to listserv@psuvm.psu.edu and include the following in the body of the message: SUBSCRIBE C_C++ [first name] [last name]

LANMAN-L MICROSOFT LAN MANAGER AND WINDOWS NTADVANCED SERVER

Send mail to listserv@list.nih.gov and include the following in the body of the message:

SUBSCRIBE LANMAN-L [first name] [last name]

MS-ACCESS MICROSOFT ACCESS

Send a request to list administrator Martin Hilger at:

ms-access-request@eunet.co.at

PCBUILD BUILDING PCS

Send mail to listserv@tscvm.trenton.edu and include the following in the body of the message

SUBSCRIBE PCBUILD [first name] [last name]

PERSON-L PERSONAL COMPUTERS

Send mail to listserv@irlearn.bitnet and include the following in the body of the message

SUBSCRIBE PERSON-L [first name] [last name]

TIPSHEET COMPUTER HELP AND TIP EXCHANGE

Send mail to listserv@wsuvm1.csc.wsu .edu and include the following in the body of the message

SUBSCRIBE TIPSHEET [first name] [last name]

TOOLB-L ASYMETRIX TOOLBOOK

Send mail to listserv@uafsysb.uark.edu and include the following in the body of the message

SUBSCRIBE TOOLB-L [first name] [last name]

VISBAS-L MICROSOFT VISUAL BASIC

Send mail to listserv@tamvm1.tamu.edu and include the following in the body of the message

SUBSCRIBE VISBAS-L [first name] [last name]

WFW-L MICROSOFT WINDOWS FOR WORKGROUPS

Send mail to listserv@umdd.umd.edu and include the following in the body of the message

SUBSCRIBE WFW-L [first name] [last name]

WIN3-L MICROSOFT WINDOWS 3.X

Send mail to listserv@uicvm.uic.edu and include the following in the body of the message

SUBSCRIBE WIN3-L [first name] [last name]

WPWIN-L WORDPERFECT FOR WINDOWS

Send mail to listserv@ubvm.cc.buffalo.edu and include the following in the body of the message

SUBSCRIBE WPWIN-L [first name] [last name]


Winternet

The Winternet

A WINDOWS MAGAZINE Guide to the Internet

Version 1.1

Compiled and written by Mike Elgan (melgan@mcimail.com)

Click Here  to find out more about the author and the file

What is the Winternet?

As author of the WINDOWS Magazine novice column, "Getting Started," I've noticed a great deal of interest among my readers in the Internet. After writing a very short column on the Internet, I was flooded with requests for more information. The Winternet is an attempt to answer those questions as briefly as possible. This is by no means a complete guide to using the Internet. It's just some information that Windows users are likely to find useful and nothing more.

Since the majority of WINDOWS Magazine readers have modems and accounts on on-line services, but do not have full Internet access, I've placed special emphasis on accessing the Internet via e-mail. I hope you enjoy the Winternet!

Mike Elgan, Jericho, New York. July 1, 1994

Internet E-Mail

Sending Internet mail is easy---as long as you know the Internet address of the person to whom you wish to send mail.

Building an Internet Address

The easiest way to learn someone's address is to ask, but you may find that many on-line users have no idea what their Internet addresses are.

You can usually figure out the internet address of someone who subscribes to a major on-line service using the following formula:

address@service then add:

.com (if it's a business or on-line service)

.net (if it's a network)

.edu (if it's a university)

.mil (if it's a military site)

.gov (if it's a government agency)

.org (if it's a non-profit organization)

If I had a RadioMail account, and you wanted to send mail to me, here's the formula:

melgan + @ + RadioMail + .net

So the address would be: melgan@radiomail.net

Sending Internet Mail TO On-line Services

America Online, AT&T Mail, BIX, CompuServe, Delphi, GEnie, MCI Mail and Prodigy all offer e-mail connections to the Internet.

Every Internet address has an @ symbol in the middle. The characters to the left of the @ represent the account holder's user name on the system, while the characters to the right indicate the service on which they're located, followed by the suffix .com. Depending on the on-line service involved, the "name" can be either a first initial and last name, a first and last name separated by an underline, or a series of numbers. For example, my user name on America Online is melgan, so my Internet address starts with melgan@. On CompuServe, my user ID number would be my name.

The name of the service comes immediately after the @ symbol. (The major services as they appear in Internet addresses are: aol, attmail, bix, compuserve, delphi, genie.geis, mcimail and prodigy.) That's followed by a period and the letters com. Working with the above formula, you would reach me at melgan@aol.com on America Online.

You can generally build an Internet address using the rules above, but there are a few exceptions, most of which have to do with restrictions on the characters allowed. For instance, you cannot use a comma in an Internet address. That means you have to change the comma in a CompuServe address into a period (the ID number 76520,2513 becomes 76520.2513@compuserve.com).

There are several ways to send mail to an MCI Mail account. You can use the number with or without the hyphen or you can use some variation of the account holder's name. If you're using the name, you can usually get away with the first letter followed by the complete last name (melgan@mcimail.com). However, if there is more than one MCI user with that combination of letters, your message will be rejected. In such cases, you'll need to use the full first and last names, with an underline between them (mike_elgan@mcimail.com).

Sending Internet Mail FROM On-line Services

In most cases, you simply type an Internet address in the same place you normally enter the user name of the recipient. For example, on America Online, put the Internet address in the To box. As you might expect, there are exceptions.

Although MCI and CompuServe have Internet access, the services won't let you use the Internet to send mail from MCI to CompuServe or vice versa. Instead, you must use their direct connection.

To send mail from CompuServe to MCI, type mcimail: followed by the user name or identification number (mcimail:564-8326) at the Send: prompt, and send the mail as you normally would. To send mail from CompuServe to any other on-line service, type INTERNET: followed by the Internet address (for example, INTERNET:melgan@aol.com) at the Send: prompt.

Sending mail from MCI Mail to a CompuServe address using Windows Terminal or some other command-line-level interface requires four steps:

•	Type Mike Elgan (EMS) at the TO: prompt.

•	Type COMPUSERVE at the EMS: prompt.

•	Type P=CSMail at the first MBX: prompt.

•	Type DDA=ID=76520,2513 at the second MBX: prompt.

Sending mail from MCI Mail to any other Internet destination is a three-step process:

•	Type Mike Elgan (EMS) at the TO: prompt

•	Type INTERNET at the EMS: prompt.

•	Type melgan@aol.com at the first MBX: prompt.

To send mail over the Internet from AT&T Mail, type Internet, the name of the service, com (with no period, this time) and finally the user name, all separated by exclamation points. For example, to send mail to my melgan@aol.com address, you would address the message by entering internet!aol!com!melgan at the To: prompt.

From GEnie, follow the Internet address with @INET# (melgan@aol.com becomes melgan@aol.com@INET#).

Internet and BITNET mailing lists

There are more than 1,500 mailing lists now operating on the Internet and BITNET, a separate network that is connected to the Internet. BITNET (Because It's Time Network) was created in 1981 as a way for university faculty members to communicate with each other. Most of its mailing lists are still academic, but nonacademic lists of every description are becoming more popular.

Subscribing to a mailing list is easy. If the list is automated, send e-mail to the server and enter SUBSCRIBE, followed by the name of the list and then your name. If it's not automated, send an e-mail message to the administrator of the list and ask if you can join (the administrator's name almost always accompanies the address in directories of lists). Once you join, you'll receive instructions about how to post messages, cancel your subscription and so on.

If you'd like to be informed about new lists as soon as they come into existence, then join a mailing list called NEW-LIST by sending a mail message to listserve@vm1.nodak.edu, and typing SUBSCRIBE NEW-LIST [first name] [last name] in the body of the message.

Anytime you see an address that starts with *listserv,* you can send mail to that address with nothing but the word *help* in the body of the message, and you'll get an automated reply explaining what you need to know to receive, post and generally participate in all that mailing list has to offer.

Here are some mailing lists that are relevant to Windows users:

C_C++

C and C++ programming languages

Send mail to listserv@psuvm.psu.edu and include the following in the body of the message: SUBSCRIBE C_C++ [first name] [last name]

LANMAN-L

Microsoft LAN Manager and Windows NT Advanced Server

Send mail to listserv@list.nih.gov and include the following in the body of the message: SUBSCRIBE LANMAN-L [first name] [last name]

MS-Access

Microsoft Access

Send a request to list administrator Martin Hilger at ms-access-request@eunet.co.at

PCBUILD

Building Pcs

Send mail to listserv@tscvm.trenton.edu and include the following in the body of the message: SUBSCRIBE PCBUILD [first name] [last name]

PERSON-L

Personal Computers

Send mail to listserv@irlearn.bitnet and include the following in the body of the message: SUBSCRIBE PERSON-L [first name] [last name]

TIPSHEET

Computer Help and Tip Exchange

Send mail to listserv@wsuvm1.csc.wsu.edu and include the following in the body of the message: SUBSCRIBE TIPSHEET [first name] [last name]

TOOLB-L

Asymetrix ToolBook

Send mail to listserv@uafsysb.uark.edu and include the following in the body of the message: SUBSCRIBE TOOLB-L [first name] [last name]

VISBAS-L

Microsoft Visual Basic

Send mail to listserv@tamvm1.tamu.edu and include the following in the body of the message: SUBSCRIBE VISBAS-L [first name] [last name]

WFW-L

Microsoft Windows for Workgroups

Send mail to listserv@umdd.umd.edu and include the following in the body of the message: SUBSCRIBE WFW-L [first name] [last name]

WIN3-L

Microsoft Windows 3.x

Send mail to listserv@uicvm.uic.edu and include the following in the body of the message: SUBSCRIBE WIN3-L [first name] [last name]

WPWIN-L

WordPerfect for Windows

Send mail to listserv@ubvm.cc.buffalo.edu and include the following in the body of the message: SUBSCRIBE WPWIN-L [first name] [last name]

Getting Files via Internet E-mail

If you have a UNIX machine and direct access to the Internet, you can find files--programs, graphic images, sounds, video, text and so on--using an Internet service called Archie and download them using FTP (file-transfer protocol). Then you can use a UNIX program called uudecode to transform the encoded ASCII into the file's original form (binary files must be changed into ASCII if they are to travel as e-mail messages on the Internet).

Chances are, however, that you don't have a UNIX machine and access to the Internet. You probably have a Windows machine and an account on CompuServe or one of the other major on-line services. Then what do you do?

Well, you're in luck. You can use Archie and FTP with Internet e-mail. There's even a Windows version of uuencode/uudecode, called Wincode, that allows drag-and-drop decoding of uuencoded messages.

Archie mail, ftpmail and Wincode are all *free.*

How to find files

Archie is a database of FTP resources that's easy to access by e-mail. Just send an e-mail message to the Archie server nearest you (using a nearby system helps minimize Internet traffic and tends to be quicker) with the command *find* followed by a key word that might find related files. You enter this command as the content of the e-mail message, with no punctuation or capitalization and nothing in the Subject line if possible (CompuServe and America Online require something in the subject line; just put an "X"). For example, enter the command find windows to search for files about Windows.

It's also a good idea to tell the Archie server your e-mail address, just in case. You do this by placing the Archie path statement (path melgan@aol.com) anywhere in the message before the word *quit.* This command is optional.

Here are four more useful Archie commands:

help	Tells Archie to send you detailed instructions for using Archie.
quit	Tells Archie you're finished with commands, and to ignore any subsequent text.
site	Asks Archie for a list of files at a location you specify after the command. (Note that this service is temporarily disabled on some Archie servers, but should be activated soon.)
whatis	Asks Archie to search for a key word you specify after the command in a site's software database.
Here's a sample Archie request that asks for detailed instructions on using Archie by mail.

To: archie@archie.rutgers.edu

Cc:

Subject:

help

path melgan@aol.com

quit

U.S. Archie Sites

United States	archie@archie.ans.net
Northeast U.S.	archie@archie.rutgers.edu
Northeast U.S.	archie@archie.internic.net
South U.S.	archie@archie.sura.net
You can get International sites by sending mail to one of the U.S. sites with HELP as the body of the message.

Get Files with ftpmail

If you live in North America, send an e-mail message to ftpmail@decwrl.dec.com, which is the address of the sole U.S. ftpmail server. (From Europe, Asia or the Pacific, you'd send the message to ftpmail@grasp.insa-lyon.fr.) Put the name of the file you want to recover in the Subject heading.

Just follow the instructions below. You generally should include most of this information in the body of your message.

•	Connect to the computer that has the file.

•	Indicate whether the file is ASCII or binary.

•	If it's binary, transform it into ASCII using the specified method.

•	Break the file into pieces of the specified number of bytes.

•	Go to the specified directory.

•	Get the specified file.

•	State that there are no more commands in this message.

Here's the exact language of the commands. (Note: The brackets below indicate where you should insert variable information; do *not* include the brackets in your message.)

connect <name of computer>

<binary or ascii>

<method of encoding> (note: say uuencode if you have Wincode)

chunksize <numbers of bytes your mail system can handle>

chdir <name of path to file>

get <name of file>

quit

The maximum size of an Internet e-mail message is 64k. The maximum size of e-mail messages through the CompuServe Internet gateway is 50k. The AOL maximum is 27k.

You can get more complete instructions for using ftpmail by sending a message to the ftpmail server with nothing but the word *Help* in the body of the message. The instructions will be mailed back to you automatically.

Here's an example ftpmail request (give it a try!):

To: ftpmail@decwrl.dec.com

Cc:

Subject: README

connect ftp.cdrom.com

ascii

chunksize 20000

chdir pub/cica

get README

quit

WARNINGS: ftpmail is still "under construction." It works fine, but the author, Paul Vixie, isn't ready to turn the program loose on the Internet just yet. Ergo, there's just one ftpmail server in the United States. Expect a delay of at least a day---maybe two---before you receive the files you requested. If you're receiving binary files, watch out! Large files become even larger when uuencoded. Make sure the file you want isn't too large or you'll overload your mailbox and contribute to Internet traffic congestion. There are many Archie servers, so take advantage of Archie's quick replies to fine-tune your search before you use ftpmail. An Archie query tells you the size of a file, so even if you know its location, you might want to run an Archie query on it to get the file size before sending the ftpmail request.

Decode Files with Wincode

Wincode, by George Silva, is available in the WINCODE directory on this CDROM. It is freeware.

•	Create a directory on your hard drive

•	Copy the files from the WINCODE directory into it

•	In File Manager, select all the files in the WINCODE directory

•	Under File/Properties, click "read only" until the check box is empty

If you're not sure how to install a Wincode Icon in program manager, see the installation instructions for this CDROM (INSTALL.EXE demonstrates them; SPLASH.HLP contains a written version)

To use it, copy the contents of each of the files in turn and paste them into Notepad. Don't copy header information or anything else but the jumble of code that composes the body of the message. Save the files separately as <filename>1.UUE, <filename>2.UUE and so on, where <filename> is the name of the file in its nonencoded form. From File Manager, drag the first .UUE file and drop it onto the Wincode icon or the open Wincode window. Wincode will pick up the rest of the files by itself, sew them all together and spit out the file in its original form.

Windows FTP Sites

The best FTP site in the world for Windows files is ftp.cica.indiana.edu (129.79.20.27). This is a very popular site, so there are mirror sites (locations that keep the same files in the same structure) elsewhere. Here's a list of mirror sites:

USA Sites:

wuarchive.wustl.edu	[128.252.135.4]
archive.orst.edu	[132.227.60.20]
gatekeeper.dec.com	[16.1.0.2]
ftp.cdrom.com	[192.153.46.2]
polecat.law.indiana.edu	[129.79.131.170]
ftp.marcam.com	[198.102.216.30]
alpha.cso.uiuc.edu	[128.174.201.31]
Non-USA Sites:

monu6.cc.monash.edu.au	[130.194.1.106] (Australia)
nic.funet.fi	[128.214.6.100] (Finland)
ftp.uni-paderborn.de	[131.234.2.32] (Germany)
ftp.uni-stuttgart.de	[129.69.8.13] (Germany)
ftp.uni-koeln.de	[134.95.100.208] (Germany)
ftp.uni-regensburg.de	[132.199.1.17] (Germany)
ftp.iij.ad.jp	[192.244.176.50] (Tokyo)
ftp.nectec.or.th	[192.150.251.32] (Thailand)
ftp.technion.ac.il	[132.68.1.10] (Israel)
nic.switch.ch	[130.59.1.40] (Zurich)
src.doc.ic.ac.uk	[146.169.2.1] (London)
ntu.ac.sg	[155.69.1.5] (Singapore)
nctuccca.edu.tw	[192.83.166.10] (Taiwan)
ftp.cyf-kr.edu.pl	[149.156.1.8] (Cracow, Poland)
Windows Internet Software

WinNET Mail 2.0

Software is free; account costs $8 per hour---monthly minimum of $9.95

Computer Witchcraft, Inc.

WinNET is a Windows off-line mail reader and front-end that provides point-and-click access to Internet e-mail

502-589-6800, FAX: 502-589-7300

tague@win.net

Internet Anywhere

$149

A product that has everything you would expect to find in an e-mail program, including a Notepad-like editor and address books.

Mortice Kern Systems

800-265-2797, 519-884-2211

Internet Chameleon

$199

Beginners will find flexible, easy to use TCP/IP setup and a full range of applications that cover mail, FTP, Gopher, Telnet and news.

NetManage Inc.

408-973-7171, fax 408-257-6405

sales@netmanage.com

Internet Membership Kit

$69.95

The kit has books and software to get a new user onto the Internet fast, including excellent basic tools and the Internet Yellow Pages and The Windows Internet Tourguide.

Ventana Media

800-743-5369, 919-942-0220

Mosaic

Free

An excellent tool for browsing the network, this program has easily one of the most powerful Windows front ends.

National Center for Supercomputing Applications

mosaic-win@ncsa.uiuc.edu, 217-244-0704

Pipeline

Free with membership; 5 hours connect time, $15 per month

With this software, you don't have to be a network administrator to get onto the Internet; its simple setup, full Internet access, and good Gopher and WWW implementations make it easy.

Pipeline Network

212-267-4380, fax 212-267-6432

info@pipeline.com

WinGopher Complete

$129

An excellent part of a mix-and-match Internet tools suite, this program includes straightforward design and an easy-to-use interface that get top marks.

NOTIS

708-866-0150, 800-556-6847

wingopher@notis.com

InterAp

$295

A fully integrated and customizable, MAPI- and OLE 2.0-compliant application for accessing services such as WWW, Telnet, FTP and Mail from Microsoft Office and other OLE applications.

California Software

714-729-4224

capella@pacdata.com

Eudora for Windows NT

$65

Software that allows users to send, receive, sort and manage e-mail over TCP/IP networks

Qualcomm, Inc.

619-587-1121, FAX: 619-452-9096

Air Series 2.5

$149-$399

A suite of Internet applications that allows the use of Gopher, Telnet and TCP/IP.

Spry Inc.

800-777-9638, 206-447-0300

info@spry.com


Winternet

This file was created by Mike Elgan, managing editor of WINDOWS Magazine. This document is believed to be accurate---however, Mike Elgan,  WINDOWS Magazine and CMP Publications are not responsible for any loss, damage, costs or anxiety resulting from attempts to apply the instructions herein. Use these instructions at your own risk. This file may be freely distributed electronically as long as it is not modified in any way or printed out and distributed on paper. Please send corrections, additions, comments, etc., to Mike at melgan@mcimail.com.

If you know of additional Windows-specific mailing lists, products, sites or services, please let me know about it! I'll include it in the next version.

Thank you! -Mike


 Windows 95 Tips

[Editor's Note: At press time, Windows 95--the next version of desktop Windows, known to most of us as Chicago--was still in beta (prototype). These tips work as stated in the beta version, and probably will work in the shipping version as well. However, things could change, so every tip may not function exactly as we describe here. Even if you don't have access to Chicago, these tips will give you an idea of some of the more interesting features and areas of what is likely to be your next version of Windows.]

Win 95: Bypass System Files

Win 95: Step Through System Files

Win 95: Strip Out The GUI

Win 95: Run DOS Apps

Win 95: Beware of  "Older File" Warnings

Win 95: Avoid Installing Over Beta

Win 95: Make and Emergency Disk

Win 95: Eliminate PIFs

Win 95: Get Help With Right Button Clicks

Win 95: Explore Explorer

Win 95: Make File Names Longer

Win 95: Create Folders Within Folders

Win 95: Add Items to the Start Menu

Win 95: Use Wordpad, Not Note or Write

Win 95: Upgrade Video Cards

Win 95: Manage Power Use

Win 95: Improve SCSI Performance

Win 95: Try Built-in Fax

Win 95: Launch DOS Apps

Win 95: Make Servers Share

Win 95: Print Quickly

Win 95: Find Hidden Printers

Win 95: Pop Up A Message

Win 95: Unravel Bootup Problems


 Win 95: Bypass System Files

As your Chicago system boots, you'll hear a beep just before the logo screen appears. That's your cue to (1) do nothing and let the system boot normally, (2) bypass the start-up files (CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT), or (3) step through those files line by line. Most times, you'll exercise the first option and simply let the system boot normally. But if you need or wish to skip your CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files, and thus not load and run the files they refer to, just press the F5 key when you hear the beep. Chicago will take a shortcut, bypassing the contents of those files. Yes, Chicago will run just fine without an AUTOEXEC or CONFIG. In fact, it may run better, because it will try to use its built-in 32-bit drivers in place of any 16-bit drivers specified in those files. Bypassing the start-up files can be useful for experimenting, for bypassing a problem if software has damaged your AUTOEXEC or CONFIG file, or if for any other reason you temporarily don't want to load a memory-hogging driver.


 Win 95: Step Through System Files

If you like to tune and tweak your system, or if you experience problems in loading files and running programs in your CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files, Chicago (like DOS 6.0) lets you step through both files one line at a time. You're presented with a (Y/N?) choice: Type a Y if you want Chicago to process that line. Type N if you don't. This way you can skip loading a particular driver or file to see what the effect is, or you can bypass a part of your start-up files that's causing trouble.


 Win 95: Strip Out The GUI

Left to boot on its own, Chicago will automatically load its graphical user interface. Microsoft wants you to live entirely within Chicago's GUI. That's what most of us want, too--but for now, it may not be possible because there's no full suite of Chicago-based low-level system tools available. Until such tools become available, power users may need to run Chicago from time to time as if it were DOS. That's right---a command-line Chicago. You can do this by inserting a PAUSE command at the end of Chicago's AUTOEXEC.BAT. When your system boots, everything will progress normally until the PAUSE command is parsed. Then, your system will stop (exactly the same as a DOS system would), the Chicago logo will disappear, and you'll see a very DOS-like character-based screen asking you to press any key to continue. If you press a key, Chicago will load its GUI, and that's that. But if you press Ctrl+C (the standard DOS Break sequence), Chicago will not load the GUI. Instead, you'll be at a command prompt that looks, acts and feels like old DOS (but that actually is Chicago without the GUI). You can then run your old DOS tools as needed. When you're done, type WIN to load Chicago's GUI.


 Win 95: Run DOS Apps

What? You still run DOS apps? Well, okay; most power users still have a few ancient favorites kicking around. Like old versions of DOS, Chicago has a SETVER command that you can use to fool old applications into thinking they're running on whatever versions of DOS they require. If your old app gives you an "Incorrect DOS Version'' error, simply use Chicago's SETVER to correct the problem.


 Win 95: Beware of  "Older File" Warnings

When you install the Chicago beta, its Setup program sometimes gets confused about which version of certain essential files to use. If you've previously installed Windows for Workgroups, for example, Chicago may flag a warning that its drivers are older than the Workgroups drivers it's replacing. Clearly, this is not the case, and you should allow Chicago to install its own version of system files every time.


 Win 95: Avoid Installing Over Beta

The longer you've been involved with any beta program, the greater the chance of some early bug lingering on in your later installs of the program. For maximum safety, don't install betas on top of betas. In the case of Chicago, you should remove all the previous Chicago files, and remove the SYSTEM.DAT file from your root. It's a "protected'' file, so use the DOS command attrib -s -h -r to delete it.


 Win 95: Make and Emergency Disk

When you install Chicago, it will offer to make an "Emergency Disk.'' Accept the offer, and store the disk in a safe place. At some point in the future, should your system fail to boot, you can use the Emergency Disk to get up and running, and then make whatever changes are needed to restore your system to health.


 Win 95: Eliminate PIFs

Okay, we can admit it now: PIFs (Program Information Files) stink. They were always a kludgy way to control DOS settings. Now there's a better way: right-clicking on the menu bar of any DOS session will call up a Properties menu that gives you direct control over all the variables that used to be controlled by separate PIFs.


 Win 95: Get Help With Right Button Clicks

Almost everywhere in Chicago, clicking the right-mouse button will bring up a context-sensitive list of options, actions or functions. For example, right-clicking on a folder lets you set the "share'' properties (among other things). Right-clicking on the desktop lets you set the wallpaper, screen saver and system resolution options. Right-clicking on a disk icon will show you the free space on the disk. Usually, the right-button method is faster, easier and more direct than performing the same task another way. Check it out!


 Win 95: Explore Explorer

Originally, in the earliest betas, the part of the system that replaced File Manager and Program Manager was called the "Cabinet,'' a dusty-dry name if ever there was one. "Explorer'' is much more evocative of what this tool really is. It's not just a place to store things, but a way to access and manipulate just about anything on any part of your system, including things you used to have to access through Control Panel and network applets. If you just use Explorer as a bigger, better File Manager, you'll be missing the point. Power users may make Explorer their natural home in Chicago because it provides fast, direct access to everything. Try using Explorer for a day or two, skipping the Start button menus entirely, and you may find yourself working faster, better and more powerfully than ever.


 Win 95: Make File Names Longer

Chicago lets you use normal, descriptive English names for your files and directories (a.k.a. "folders''). For example, instead of having a file that's named "Chitips9.doc'' you can call a file "My second draft Chicago Tips for the special issue.'' Chicago will try to shield these long filenames from programs that expect old-style DOS 8.3 filenames, but some low-level DOS programs can cause long-filename problems. Some see the long filenames as errors; others may behave erratically and cause hard disk problems. The best bet is simply not to use old-style file management tools on Chicago's file system. Use the tools that come with Chicago, or that third-party vendors will offer. (Chicago comes with its own version of CHKDSK, for example, which will work with long filenames; the old DOS CHKDSK will not.)


 Win 95: Create Folders Within Folders

Program Manager, by itself, let you create groups, each of which contained a collection of files or programs. In Chicago, your groups (now called "folders'') can contain additional folders--which can contain additional folders, something like those Russian nesting dolls called matrushkas. This will let you rethink the way you organize your work, and set up your computer to display your files in a far more orderly and natural way than the one-level system Program Manager previously allowed. So when you move to Chicago, don't just clone your existing hard disk structure and Program Manager groups. Use Chicago's new features and rethink the way you work.


 Win 95: Add Items to the Start Menu

Chicago's Start button can automatically present you with a list of your favorite or most frequently used programs. The obvious way to add or remove Start menu items is through the Start button's Settings/Taskbar submenu. But that's laborious. The faster way is simply to drag whatever files you want to see on the menu (or better, shortcuts to those files, created via right-mouse clicks in Explorer) into the Start menu subfolder inside the Windows folder on your hard disk. Anything you place in the Start menu folder will show up on the menu the next time you click on the Start button. Any item you remove from the Start menu folder will no longer appear on the menu.


 Win 95: Use Wordpad, Not Note or Write

Wordpad, which is a sort of Microsoft Word Lite, replaces both the simple plain text editor (Notepad) and the simple formatting text editor (Write) in earlier versions of Windows. In most cases, because Wordpad is quite capable, it'll be all you need. (Chicago has files called NOTEPAD.EXE and WRITE.EXE, but these are dummy files that merely call Wordpad.) If, for some reason, you can't live without Notepad or Write, you can copy them from a working Windows 3.x system to your Chicago system, and they'll both work fine.


 Win 95: Upgrade Video Cards

Larger vendors will be the first to offer Chicago-specific drivers, so if you're in the market for a video subsystem, go for the brand name. A no-name video card could mean you'll be stuck using a 16-bit driver, or the generic Chicago VGA driver, for the life of your system.


 Win 95: Manage Power Use

Green power management features are built right into Chicago. Take advantage of them by selecting green hardware, especially monitors.


 Win 95: Improve SCSI Performance

Chicago works best with true SCSI CD-ROM drives (the same goes for NT and OS/2). Nonstandard SCSI drives may work okay, but you also may be forced to use 16-bit drivers, which will limit Chicago's CD-ROM performance. Why gamble? When possible, go for true SCSI and get the best Chicago compatibility.


 Win 95: Try Built-in Fax

Faxing is built into the operating system in Chicago. Don't buy a modem without fax capability.


 Win 95: Launch DOS Apps

Type start application-name to launch an application from the MS-DOS box. For example, type start wordpad to launch Wordpad. You can also open a document from DOS by typing start document-name.


 Win 95: Make Servers Share

The Run command can connect you to a server's shared resource. Choose the Run command, then type \\server-name. Chicago will display an Explorer window that shows all the shared directories and printers for the server. Choose a resource to connect to it.


 Win 95: Print Quickly

For a quick print job, drag the printer's icon from the Printers folder to the desktop, using your right-mouse button. Click Shortcut on the pop-up menu. Drag the document's icon onto the printer icon.


 Win 95: Find Hidden Printers

Locate a printer on a particular server. Choose Run Application from the Start button. Type the server name preceded by two backslashes (for example, \\mainserver). You will be logged onto the server, prompted for a password if necessary, and shown an Explorer window.


 Win 95: Pop Up A Message

Send a message from a printer that a print job is done. First you must make sure that the Windows network is running. Then use WinPopup to send your message. For information on using WinPopup, go to the Help menu in WinPopup and click on Help Topics.


 Win 95: Unravel Bootup Problems

Chicago places a file called SETUPLOG.TXT in the root directory of the boot drive. SETUPLOG.TXT tells Setup if there were any problems during the last attempted boot of Chicago. If a specific component is causing problems with Chicago, it will attempt to diagnose the problem. You can boot your system in fail-safe mode and correct the problem. However, you should note that starting Chicago in fail-safe mode disables the protected-mode device drivers and networking capabilities, and runs video in standard VGA mode.


 Electronic Mail: Schedule+ Tips

Schedule+: Send All Info

Schedule+: Add Conference Room

Schedule+: New Sounds


 Schedule+: Send All Info

When you invite a coworker to a meeting with Schedule+, you can send that person all of the meeting details, rather than just the first line of information. Schedule+ will send only the top line of a meeting message in the subject field of your invitation. To send the contents of the entire Description box, highlight all of the text in the Description box. Press Ctrl+C to copy the highlighted text to Windows' Clipboard. Press Invite in the Appointment dialog box, and in the Select Attendees dialog box, select and double-click on the attendees. Press OK when you are finished. Press OK when you're back in the Appointment dialog box, and the Send Request dialog box will appear. Press Ctrl+V to paste the description information from Clipboard into the invitation. (Note that Schedule+ does not let you use the menu commands for cut-and-paste when the Invitation dialog box is open. You have to use Ctrl+C to copy and Ctrl+V to paste.)


 Schedule+: Add Conference Room

You can set up a conference room or shared A/V equipment as a Schedule+ resource available to your MS Mail and Schedule+ users. First, create a standard Mail account. Start Schedule+ and log in using the new account mailbox name and password. Choose Options/General Options and select the last check box to turn the account into a resource. You can also set access privileges to allow only certain users to create and modify appointments by changing the settings under Options/Set Access Privileges. (By default, when you choose to make the account a resource, Schedule+ changes the access privilege to allow everyone to make appointments.) Finally, exit and sign out of Schedule+ and log into your normal Schedule+ account. Use the File/Open Other's Appt. Book option to open the new resource account. You can then book appointments on behalf of this account.


 Schedule+: New Sounds

If your system has a sound card or you have set up the SPEAKER.DRV driver that allows you to play .WAV files through your regular system speaker, you can use the .WAV file of your choice to remind you about Schedule+ appointments. First, place the .WAV file that you want to use into your Windows directory. Next, use Notepad or another text editor to add the line:

SchdPlusReminder=C:\WINDOWS\YOURWAV.WAV,Schedule-PlusReminder

all on one line to the [Sounds] section of your WIN.INI file. Replace YOURWAV.WAV with the .WAV file of your choice. The next time you start Schedule+, the chosen sound will alert you to an appointment.


 PIMs: ACT 2.0 Tips

ACT 2.0: Work With Email

ACT 2.0: Your Own Fields

ACT 2.0: Contact With Keys

ACT 2.0: Invisible Fields

ACT 2.0: Macro Managing

ACT 2.0: Call Notes

ACT 2.0: Quick Call Comments


 ACT 2.0: Work With Email

ACT works with e-mail systems that use the MAPI and VIM protocols as well as CompuServe, so you can send e-mail messages directly from ACT. You can also scan your e-mail system's inbox, and read, forward and reply to messages without ever leaving ACT. Select Mail from the File menu, and then choose Inbox to link up with your mail system.


 ACT 2.0: Your Own Fields

ACT has user-modifiable fields called User1, User2 and so on. They are useful for customizing your database, but changes you make to those fields are not always displayed. For example, when you modify a report template, the field (User1 for instance) will be shown, rather than the names you gave those fields. To keep track of current field names and to take the guesswork out of report design, create a short text file that lists ACT's field names and the new ones you assigned. You can then use Notepad to display the file when modifying a report.


 ACT 2.0: Contact With Keys

Almost anything you can do with a mouse can also be done with function keys in ACT. The keystrokes are especially useful if you use ACT on a notebook. To help remember which keys do what, create a new record in your database and enter Function Keys in the company field. Fill in the rest of the fields with the key combinations for the operations you often perform. Then create a group called Function Keys and put the record in that group. You can then quickly find the right set of keystrokes at any time by switching to the group and scanning the record.


 ACT 2.0: Invisible Fields

ACT's database files have many more fields than you ever see. For instance, ACT automatically creates first- and last-name fields, although only a single field is displayed for the whole name. Some of the unseen information might be useful if you're exporting records to another application. Viewing your ACT database fields with an Xbase program or a utility such as Outside In could save you time when reformatting the exported data, for example.


 ACT 2.0: Macro Managing

ACT makes it easy to build your own shortcuts for common activities. You can add buttons to ACT's button bar by selecting Edit/Preferences and then clicking on Custom Icons. Next choose an icon that isn't being used and assign a macro to it. ACT supplies some macros for many menu functions; you can also record your own by pressing Alt+F5.


 ACT 2.0: Call Notes

When you select Phone/Call History to jot notes about a phone call, the Regarding field will let you type thousands of words, but don't get carried away. To look at call notes, you can select View/History, but you'll see only the first 55 characters of your jottings. Some of the reports, such as the Contact Report and Activities Completed, will show more of your notes--but only about 20 characters more. So, if you're keeping track of phone calls, be brief.


 ACT 2.0: Quick Call Comments

Use the Popup option for Phone/Call History to save time and help standardize your call comments. Act provides a number of phrases that fill in the Regarding field with a couple of clicks. You can easily customize the list by adding or modifying existing comments.


 PIMs: ECCO Tips

ECCO: Customize Toolbar

ECCO: Set Default Alarms

ECCO: Hide Alarms

ECCO: Create Multiple Alarms

ECCO: Sort Information Fast

ECCO: Public Vs. Private

ECCO: Quick Views

ECCO: Find Folders Fast

ECCO: Add To Multiple Folders

ECCO: Favorite Files

ECCO: File Sync

ECCO: Find A Conference Room

ECCO: Repeating Tasks


 ECCO: Customize Toolbar

ECCO has an icon for every menu item, including the names of all the outlines and filters you create. To place a command's icon on the toolbar, first choose the command. The icon will appear as the repeat button icon on the right-hand side of the toolbar. Use the right mouse button to drag the repeat icon onto the toolbar.


 ECCO: Set Default Alarms

In the Professional version, from the Advanced menu, choose Show Folder Window. Select Edit Folder from the Folder menu at the top of the Folder window. Select the Appointment folder, then choose Properties from the Folder menu. In the Date Properties dialog box, select Default Alarms and specify the preferred default or create a custom alarm of your own. Now every appointment will have this alarm by default. Repeat for the To-Do's folder and any other date folder as required.


 ECCO: Hide Alarms

Reminders such as "leave work at 6 p.m.'' may be important to you, but you probably don't want them showing in your calendar. Create a To-Do for the event. Click on the date to the left of the To-Do, and choose Tickler from the Date Settings dialog. Select Don't Show in To-Do's and click on OK. Select Alarm and set the time that you want the reminder to be displayed. Choose Recur and specify the days the reminder should occur on, then click on OK again. On the specific recurring days at the specified time, the alarm will warn you of the event, but it will never appear in your calendar.


 ECCO: Create Multiple Alarms

ECCO lets you have multiple alarms for any given event. Click on the time or date to the left of an appointment or To-Do. Choose Alarms from the Date Setting dialog box, then choose Custom. Select the Additional Alarms Before Appointment or Follow Up Alarms After Appointment and choose multiple minutes, hours, days or weeks for your alarms. Give your new alarm a name, and the next time you choose Alarms for an appointment or To-Do, your new alarm will be displayed on the menu and you can select it if required.


 ECCO: Sort Information Fast

To sort your information based on a specific column, first move the cursor to any cell in the column, and hold down the right mouse button. Choose the Sort command from the menu that appears. ECCO automatically places the name of the column in the sort keys option. Just click on OK to sort your data.


 ECCO: Public Vs. Private

When you're sharing information using ECCO's new workgroup features, you may want to keep some items private, such as notes on a phone conversation. Select the item, and use either the Item menu or the right mouse button to choose Make Item Private. All sub-items to this item will also be made private.


 ECCO: Quick Views

Often you want to look at data in different ways, such as displaying contacts by company or by zip code. ECCO Professional lets you create filters to do this. You can then place the filters as icons on the toolbar to quickly view the data. From the Advanced menu, choose Filters/New. Choose Remove, to clear any existing filter, then from the Folder window choose the field(s) to use as a filter, such as Zip from the PhoneBook folder. Click on the down arrow in the Options for Folder section, and choose the condition for the filter, such as Folder Item Equals (EQ). In the box to the right, enter the filter value (for example, 98005). Select Add to Menu, name the filter, then click on OK. The filter can be accessed via the Advanced, Filters menu, but for faster access, place an icon for it on the toolbar (see Customize Toolbar


 ECCO: Find Folders Fast

ECCO Professional lets you have an almost unlimited number of folders. If you need to find a folder quickly, select Edit Folder from the Folder menu at the top of the Folder window. Choose Edit/Find, enter the folder name and select Current View. The requested folder will then be highlighted.


 ECCO: Add To Multiple Folders

You have information that regularly goes into the same set of folders. ECCO Professional lets you name the set, then a single click will add the item to all folders at once. Choose Add Item by Forms from the Advanced menu. Select New Form and enter a name in the Rename box. From the list of folders, click on the ones in which you want your data to be stored. Turn on "Apply Form, don't display dialog'' at the foot of the dialog box, and click on OK. Use the ECCO toolbar tip to place the icon for your form on the toolbar. When you want an item added to the folders, click anywhere on the item and then click on the icon on the toolbar.


 ECCO: Favorite Files

ECCO lets you launch your favorite files, including other ECCO files, right off the toolbar. Select Get Disk Files under the Tools menu, then choose Browse/Add to Menu. From the Add File Name or Program to Menu, first select a file (for example, Expenses.xls), then in the Menu Text, overwrite the Menu name with the name you want to appear on the toolbar button (such as EXPNS). From the Toolbar icon, choose an icon to represent the file, and click on OK. The icon will appear at the top right-hand side of the toolbar in the repeat button. Using the right mouse button, drag the icon and place it on the toolbar.


 ECCO: File Sync

Want to update multiple copies of a file that you have stored on different systems? Have ECCO make a special copy (replica) of the ECCO file, transfer it to another machine, then keep the files in sync by exporting the changes from one file and importing them to the other, and vice versa. Use Synchronize/Setup from the File menu to create the special copy of your file. Enter a description for the copy, such as For My Home PC, when prompted. Save the copy to a diskette (for example, A:\HOMEPC.ECO), take the diskette to your home PC, and copy the file to your ECCO directory. Start ECCO and open the file. You now have a copy of the file at work and a special copy (replica) of it at home, and they are completely in sync. If you add information to the ECCO file on your home PC, you'll want to update your office copy with the changes. On your home PC, choose Synchronize/Export Changes. Check the Disk File option, and enter the name of a disk file to which the changes will be exported (be sure to add the .EMF extension to the filename, for example, A:\ CHANGES.EMF). Use File Manager to copy the changes file to a diskette. At the office, open your office ECCO file. Choose Synchronize/ Import Changes, and enter the name of the file on your diskette. Your office file will then be updated with the changes and the two files are now in sync. As you continue to work on the files at home or at work, repeat the process of exporting changes and importing changes to take the changes from work to home, and from home to work, as needed.


 ECCO: Find A Conference Room

Your company has multiple conference rooms--the problem is, which one is free? When group-scheduling, select each one as a resource when you choose Attendees and Resources from the Schedule a Group Meeting dialog box. Any booked room will have an X beside it in the Attendees and Resources dialog box. Note the room that shows as available in the scheduling grid, then click back on the Attendees and Resources dialog and remove the unwanted ones from the scheduling list.


 ECCO: Repeating Tasks

If you repeat the same task, say, every Tuesday, you can set Ecco to remind you of it. Set up the To-Do, then click on the date to the left of it. Choose Recur and specify when the task recurs.


 PIMs: Lotus Organizer 1.0 Tips

Organizer 1.0: No Missing Links

Organizer 1.0: Resolve Conflicts

Organizer 1.0: Make Commitments

Organizer 1.0: Link Up

Organizer 1.0: Branch Out

Organizer 1.0: Load Up

Organizer 1.0: Make A Print

Organizer 1.0: Auto Pilot

Organizer 1.0: Get Organized

Organizer 1.0: Make A Date

Organizer 1.0: Customization


Organizer 1.0: No Missing Links
 Organizer 1.0 No Missing Links

Consolidate all your links for a given project on a single Notepad page. Begin by inserting a new Notepad page, and name the page after the project whose links you want to keep track of. Then link to all of the other Organizer entries that have related information. The Notepad page will then serve as a hub through which you can access all of the linked information for the given project.


Organizer 1.0: Resolve Conflicts
 Organizer 1.0 Resolve Conflicts

Trap conflicts between items scheduled in Organizer's Planner and Calendar sections. Choose Options/Planner from Organizer's menu bar to display the Planner Options dialog box. Choose Book Time In and select the Calendar section and View Calendar Appointments. Choose a color to represent calendar appointments in the Planner view, and click on OK. Planner events will be represented as schedule items in the Calendar, and Calendar appointments will be represented by colored blocks in the Planner display. If there is a schedule conflict when booking Calendar time from the Planner, Organizer displays the Conflicting Event dialog box and prompts you to resolve the conflict.


Organizer 1.0: Make Commitments
 Organizer 1.0 Make Commitments

Use Organizer's Calendar to display commitments and other time-sensitive information in one place. From the menu bar, choose Options/Calendar and then choose Show. Select Planner, To Do, and Anniversary from the Calendar Options (Show) list, then click on OK. The calendar will now list Planner, To Do and Anniversary items above your appointments for each day.


Organizer 1.0: Link Up
 Organizer 1.0 Link Up

Use links to synergize your Organizer information. You can create cross-references in Organizer by linking information across sections. For instance, you can link a meeting entry in the calendar to the addresses of participants. Start by clicking on the anchor tool in the toolbox. Move the cursor over the first piece of information you want to link--the appointment entry in this case--and click on it. Now move to the next item you want to link (such as the address of a meeting invitee), and click on it. Repeat this until you have linked all of the addresses to the appointment and click on the anchor tool to deselect it. The links work across all of Organizer's sections and allow you to build a variety of views to your information.


Organizer 1.0: Branch Out
 Organizer 1.0 Branch Out

Use Organizer links to keep track of information from external files or applications. You can link your Organizer database to applications and files from outside of Organizer. Simply select the link tool from the toolbox, as if you are going to link one Organizer item to another. But instead of moving to another Organizer item, choose File/Reference. Enter a description of the link, then enter a path to the external file or application, or click on Browse to select an external file or application. Keep in mind that you may have to create an association for files whose extensions don't already have associations under Windows.


Organizer 1.0: Load Up
 Organizer 1.0 Load Up

Start Organizer automatically each time you load Windows. For Organizer--or any PIM--to be useful, it has to be constantly available. Take care of that by choosing the installation option that loads Organizer automatically, or simply drop Organizer's icon into your StartUp group in Program Manager.


Organizer 1.0: Make A Print
 Organizer 1.0 Make A Print

If you use a paper-based organizer when away from your computer, have Organizer print directly to the appropriate format. Organizer prints to Avery, DayRunner, Day-Timer, Filofax or Franklin Day Planner formats. For more information about buying the appropriate laser forms, call the publishers of the individual paper-based organizers:

•	Avery-Dennison, 800-642-8379, 909-869-7711

•	DayRunner Inc., 800-635-5544, 714-680-3500

•	Day-Timer Technologies, 800-225-5005, 610-266-9000

•	Filofax Inc., 800-345-6798, 203-846-6520

•	Franklin Quest Co., 800-877-1814, 801-975-9992 (for Ascend); 800-979-1776, 801-977-1776 (for everything else).


Organizer 1.0: Auto Pilot
 Organizer 1.0 Auto Pilot

Use Organizer to schedule and run applications, even when you are away from your desk. Run a batch file to handle unattended backups, for instance, or load a graphics package a few minutes before a scheduled presentation. Start by creating an appointment in the Calendar at the time you want to launch the application. Click on the Run icon (it looks like a running man) in the appointment window. Organizer opens the Run Program dialog box, and prompts you for the full path and filename to run. Use the Browse option if you don't know the exact path and filename. The specified program will run at the appointed time.


Organizer 1.0: Get Organized
 Organizer 1.0 Get Organized

Use drag-and-drop to reorganize your Notepad. You can move pages around in  Organizer's Notepad simply by dragging the entries to where you want them in the Notepad table of contents. Page numbers are automatically updated.


Organizer 1.0: Make A Date
 Organizer 1.0 Make A Date

To quickly move to today's date in Organizer's appointment book, click on the current-date display on the right side of the screen below the toolbox.


 Organizer 1.0: Customization

Don't settle for Organizer's preset sections--add your own! You can create new sections for specific projects and name them whatever you want. Choose Options/Customize from Organizer's menu bar, and click on Add. Organizer prompts you for the type of section to add--Calendar or Notepad, for example--and also asks you for a name for the new section. The new section's tab will display the name you assigned to it. You can place your custom section anywhere in the notebook. By adding sections, you can have a separate notepad, calendar or to-do list for each project.


 PIMs: Sidekick 1.0 Tips

Sidekick 1.0: Print Envelopes

Sidekick 1.0: Calendar Images

Sidekick 1.0: Customize Calendars

Sidekick 1.0: Avoid Retyping

Sidekick 1.0: Mark Cards

Sidekick 1.0: Reorder Cards

Sidekick 1.0: Sort Cards

Sidekick 1.0: Print Breaks

Sidekick 1.0: Sort For Import

Sidekick 1.0: Tap Other Apps

Sidekick 1.0: DOS Import

Sidekick 1.0: Speed Menus

Sidekick 1.0: Toolbar Goodies

Sidekick 1.0: Quick Calls

Sidekick 1.0: Change Default Open


 Sidekick 1.0: Print Envelopes

Here's how to print addresses from a Sidekick database on business-size envelopes (#10, 4 1/8  9 1/2 inches) with a preprinted return address. Select File/Printer Setup and press the Setup button. In the Paper Size pull-down, select Com-10 Env and Landscape Orientation. From the File menu again, select Print and Print Labels. Click on Template Setup and enter the following values: Page Margins, Top: 0, Bot: 0, Left: 0 and Right: 0; Label Margins: Top: 2, Bottom: 0, Left: 4.25 and Right: 0. Select Landscape Orientation.


 Sidekick 1.0: Calendar Images

You can print your own graphics images on weekly, monthly and yearly calendars. Copy your .PCX-format graphics creations into the Sidekick \data directory. Switch to the calendar views you want and click on the Print icon. In the dialog box, choose a position for the graphic (top left or right), select an image from the drop-down list and click on Apply. You can also preview the image by clicking on View.


 Sidekick 1.0: Customize Calendars

You can customize any of the calendar views. For example, use the Monthly view for a quick summary of your activities and the Weekly view to display all the details. While displaying the Monthly view, choose Calendar/Monthly Setup and select the Summary option; for the Weekly view choose the Detail option.


 Sidekick 1.0: Avoid Retyping

When entering a number of cards in the Cardfile that have the same value for a particular field, there's a shortcut to avoid retyping the same information. From the Cards menu, pick Define Cardfile Fields and then click on the field name for the repeating entry. Type a colon after the field name in the box on top, followed by the default text. Click on Change and then OK. From then on, every new card will have the information automatically filled in. To turn it off, just repeat the procedure and delete the text and colon after the field name.


 Sidekick 1.0: Mark Cards

To quickly mark Cardfile cards for printing, sorting and so forth, move the cursor over the card in the index view and click with the right mouse button. Right-clicking on marked cards will remove the mark when you no longer need it.


 Sidekick 1.0: Reorder Cards

When reordering Cardfile fields, you don't have to select all the fields. Select only the fields that you want placed first in the field layout and all the other fields will stay in their current order. For example, if you want the state field first, select Reorder Fields from the Cards menu, double-click on the state field and click on OK. The state field will then appear first as the others maintain their relative positions.


 Sidekick 1.0: Sort Cards

When printing Cardfile cards--as labels, address books or index cards--you can sort the output by any field, even one that's not being printed. For example, you can print just names and phone numbers in an address book, but sort the entries by city. In the Print dialog box, click on Label Format Setup; click once in the Print order box to place the cursor there and then double-click on the Sort field.


 Sidekick 1.0: Print Breaks

Individual entries may be easier to find if you print your address book with page breaks separating the alphabetical index tabs. From the Print dialog box, select Options, and then click on the Separate Index Tabs check box.


 Sidekick 1.0: Sort For Import

When importing a file from another application to Cardfile's .SDB format, always use the Sort By option in the import dialog box. This will help avoid inadvertently adding foreign characters to the Cardfile database.


 Sidekick 1.0: Tap Other Apps

You can quickly open files from other applications or run other applications by pressing F7, clicking on Browse and then double-clicking on the path and filename.


 Sidekick 1.0: DOS Import

To upgrade your Cardfile from Sidekick 2.0 for DOS, run the separate import utility and select Paradox as the data source type.


 Sidekick 1.0: Speed Menus

The right mouse button can be your best pal in Sidekick. When you position the cursor over an entry area and right-click, a context-sensitive SpeedMenu appears. SpeedMenus provide quick access to the most commonly performed functions in each module.


 Sidekick 1.0: Toolbar Goodies

For each Sidekick view you can change the configuration of the SpeedBar by adding or deleting icons. The Tools menu provides access to a dialog box to change Calendar or Cardfile icons. You could, for example, use Sidekick as your home base and add the Run icon to quickly launch other applications.


 Sidekick 1.0: Quick Calls

To dial a phone number quickly and automatically while using the Calendar view, highlight the appropriate entry in the Calls list and then click on the Make Call button.


 Sidekick 1.0: Change Default Open

When Sidekick starts up, the cover page is displayed, but you can make any of its views the start-up default. Select Application Setup from the Tools menu and use the Default Deskpad pull-down to choose your start-up screen. You can also change colors in this dialog box, and switch between digital and analog clocks.


 Presentations: CorelShow Tips

CorelShow: Create Builds

CorelShow: Organize Slides


CorelShow: Creat Builds
 CorelShow: Create Builds

Since CorelShow has no built-in facility for creating builds, you'll have to do it yourself. Create a bulleted list in your word processor and get the formatting as you'd like it. Then copy the list, create a new file for each list element, and paste in the list. For example, if you have five elements on your list, you'll need five word processor files, each containing a copy of the list. Save each file, inserting a number from one to five (in our example) into the filename, so that you can find each piece later. In the first file, delete everything but the first element of the list and the slide title. In the second file, keep only the title and the first two entries, and so on, so that the last file is the only one that contains the whole list. In the first file, highlight the list entry by choosing a bright font color. Next, in the second file, dim the first bullet entry by changing the font color to gray or another muted color, and highlight the second list entry. Repeat for each file, dimming the used bullets and highlighting the new ones. Save all the files. In CorelShow, create five slides. Using OLE, insert each of the bulleted list files onto a separate slide and in order. Then use the slide timer to set the time for each slide so that you have enough time to discuss the highlighted item--10 seconds is a good starting point. Save the show and you've got a bulleted list that you can jazz up by adding erase and draw effects.


 CorelShow: Organize Slides

CorelShow is a do-it-yourselfer's dream. Every element of your slide show either has to be created in advance or you have to use OLE to create your work on the fly. There are no standard drawing or text-editing tools. Follow these few steps to make creating your show easier and faster. In your word processor's outline view, write out the flow of your slide show, and keep this handy as you work. Create a new directory for the elements of your show and store all files there, numbering each file according to your outline. For each text slide and for each title, create a separate word processor file and handle all of the text formatting there, using stylesheets to maintain a consistent look. Draw your illustrations and your charts. Only when all of the pieces are in place should you start up CorelShow. Your outline will tell you exactly how many slides to create. Then embed each numbered file on the appropriate slide. Use the time you save for working with erase and draw effects and slide timings.


 Presentations: Freelance Graphics 2.01 Tips

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Start Quick

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Run Shows

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Add Symbols

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Create SmartMaster

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Backup

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Create Clip Art

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Restore Corruption

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Place and Size

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Sub/Super Scripts

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Change Text


 Freelance Graphics 2.01: Start Quick

Freelance Graphics offers a number of command-line switches that can make starting up faster. To bypass the welcome screens and start Freelance with a blank workspace, use /Q. Use File/Open or File/New to open an existing presentation or create a new one. To start Freelance with the last presentation that was used, add the /L parameter. To add these switches to your start-up parameters, select the Freelance Graphics icon in Program Manager and then choose File/Properties. In the dialog box Command Line field, at the end of the line loading the program, put in a space and then type in either parameter. Click on OK. Next time you use Freelance, the switch will take effect. You can also tell Freelance to skip the opening screens by changing the settings in the Tools/User Setup dialog box. Under Startup Options, select Skip the standard start-up dialogs and bring up a blank page.


 Freelance Graphics 2.01: Run Shows

^Creating an icon in Program Manager for each screen show that you will run can save you a lot of time. In Program Manager, open the group that you wish to add the screen show to, or create a new group just for screen shows, by selecting File/ New, choosing Program Group and then typing in a description and clicking on OK. Then choose File/New, select Program Item and click on OK. Type a description of your presentation in the Description field and in the command-line box, add the following command:

C:\FLW\FLW.EXE /S

C:\FLW\WORK\FILENAME.PRE.

Make sure you use the correct path for the program and the correct path and filename for the presentation. The /S parameter tells Freelance 2.01 to run the screen show and then shut down. In Freelance 2.0 this will run the screen show and then return you to a blank workspace; you'll need to close the program manually. Select Run Minimized and click on OK. When you're ready to run the presentation, double-click on the icon in Program Manager.


Freelance 2.01: Add Symbols
 Freelance Graphics 2.01: Add Symbols

You can add almost any graphic to Freelance's Symbol library, even graphics that you've imported from other sources, such as company logos or scanned photos of corporate executives.  First import the graphic or create a new one using Freelance's drawing tools. Next select the symbol that you want to add to the library and choose Tools/Add to Symbol Library. You'll see a dialog box with a list of symbol files. Click on the file to which you'd like to add the symbol and click on OK. Check to make sure your symbol has been added by clicking on the Symbol icon in the Toolbox (the light bulb). Select the file that you've added your graphic to and scroll to the bottom. Your symbol should be the last entry in the file.


 Freelance Graphics 2.01: Create SmartMaster

To ensure that all of your presentations will have a consistent look, create your own SmartMaster. Choose the Style command, then SmartMaster Set and pick CUSTOM.MAS from the list of available SmartMasters. This gives you nine preset page layouts with a white background. Install your own background by selecting SmartMasters View and add your own objects to the Title and Basic Layout pages. Then save this file into a new .MAS file in the FLW/MASTERS directory.


 Freelance Graphics 2.01: Backup

To protect yourself from system crashes, power outages and other misfortunes, make sure to set the auto backup option Freelance offers. Select Tools/User Setup. In the User Setup dialog box, click on the Auto timed save check box to activate it. Then select the interval at which you want files to be saved automatically. While you've got this dialog box open, you might want to set Freelance to keep a backup copy of your presentation when you save it. Under Save, select Backup. Then click on OK.


 Freelance Graphics 2.01: Create Clip Art

You've put a lot of work into your Freelance presentation, and it looks great. Now you want to use some of your slides in other applications or you want to e-mail a single slide to someone. Use the File/Export command to save copies of individual slides as graphics in any one of a number of popular Windows formats. This way you can e-mail the graphic or import it into another document. Exporting is easy. Go to the Slide View or Slide Sorter View and select the slide you want to export. You can only export one slide at a time. From the File menu, choose Export. Select the format, choose directory to export to and enter a filename. Then click on OK. It may take a little while for Freelance to export the slide. Repeat for each additional slide.


 Freelance Graphics 2.01: Restore Corruption

Freelance comes with a utility that may recover portions of a damaged .PRE file; some files are beyond recovery. To retrieve a file, first exit Windows and at the DOS prompt type SET REMDEBUG=1. Restart Windows and open Freelance. Choose Create New Presentation or select File/New and choose any SmartMaster and page layout. Then choose Tools/Options, click on the Continue reading files after error check box and click on OK. Then go to File/Open and select Replace Current File. Choose the damaged file from the list box and click on OK. You'll see a message stating that the file is corrupted, but Freelance will read in as much of the file as it can. After this task is completed, save the file. Then select File/Open and uncheck Replace Current File. Finally, shut down Windows, reboot your computer to remove REMDEBUG from memory, restart Windows and you can work on the recovered file.


 Freelance Graphics 2.01: Place and Size

If the placement and size of an object need to be perfect, zoom in on the object and use the rulers. Turn on the rulers by selecting View Preferences from the View menu. Under Display, click on the Drawing ruler and Text ruler check boxes and click on OK. Next, from the View menu click on Zoom In once or twice and then reposition the slide until your object is in full view. Select the object. Blue lines appear on the rulers, denoting the edges of the object; yellow lines indicate the location of the mouse cursor. To reposition the object, drag it with the mouse. A dotted rectangle and the blue lines on the ruler indicate the new location as you are dragging. Simply let go when you get to the place of choice. Alternately, you can use the cursor keys to move the object one pixel at a time to align with other objects. To resize the object, drag one of the selection block handles until the rectangular frame and the yellow lines on the rulers indicate that the object is the right size. Alternately, you can resize the object one pixel at a time by using the cursor keys. Select the object and then hit the period key. A plus sign will appear on the upper-left selection block. Each time you hit the period again it moves clockwise to the next selection block. Then use the cursor keys to resize the object. When you use the cursor keys you don't get the benefit of lines on the ruler, but you do get a rectangular bonding box and minute size control.


 Freelance Graphics 2.01: Sub/Super Scripts

Most presentation-graphics applications don't offer you the ability to subscript or superscript your text. Subscripts are easy to fake. You simply make the size of the subordinated characters smaller--50 percent of the current type size should work, but experiment to get the effect you want. To create a superscript, first enter your main body text, inserting a blank line before it. Then select the text tool (ABC) from the tool palette. Drag the tool to create a new text block. Then type in the text that will be superscripted. Change the text size to 50 percent or so of the main body text. Resize the text block so that it is the same size as the text inside. Drag the superscripted text over to the main body text and position it next to the right-hand top corner of its partner text. Select the main body text and add enough spaces in between the superscipt's partner and the following word so the superscripted text doesn't overlap the following word. You're done.


 Freelance Graphics 2.01: Change Text

If you've grouped text or text and graphics together to make them easier to move or resize, you don't have to ungroup in order to change the text. Just click on the grouped object twice (don't double-click). The text will be bounded by a rectangle and you'll see a blinking cursor. You will not see the usual text ruler. Change, add or delete text. When you are done, click the mouse outside of the grouped object to deselect the text block. This trick also works for text elements in charts.


 Presentations: Harvard Graphics 2.0 Tips

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Picture This

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Easy Duplication

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Speed Slide Creation

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Ask For Help

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Highlight Charts

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Copy Pages

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Erase Background

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Zip Through

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Call A Conference

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Resize Charts


 Harvard Graphics 2.0: Picture This

Informational graphics such as bar charts are great for showing off data, but a graphic or shape--called a pictograph--may represent the data more effectively. Create a bar chart and then select the graphics element with which you want to fill the chart's bars. From the Color icon, choose the Bitmap option, select your graphic and then set the bitmap to vertical tiling.


 Harvard Graphics 2.0: Easy Duplication

To place a copy of an object that you've already drawn in another location, select the object and hold down Ctrl while dragging the object to the new location. Release the Ctrl key, and a copy of the object is inserted at the new location, while the original object remains in place. To duplicate and align an object, hold down Ctrl+Shift while you drag the object to the new location. When you release these keys and drop the object, it will snap to horizontal and vertical alignment.


 Harvard Graphics 2.0: Speed Slide Creation

Work in Outline view to speed up your presentation creation. Since this is a text-only view of your presentation, you can bypass the graphics overhead and create a draft of your presentation quickly. You can create new slides and add placeholders for graphics slides, such as charts. So enter all of your text and slide titles and order your bullet charts here. Then go to the Slide view to edit your graphics and tweak the look of your presentation.


 Harvard Graphics 2.0: Ask For Help

Harvard Advisor offers some excellent on-screen help as well as some not-to-be-missed design tips. If you need some help understanding what area of the screen the tip refers to, click on Show Lines and Advisor will draw lines from the tips to the appropriate areas of the current slide.


 Harvard Graphics 2.0: Highlight Charts

To make a specific section of an organizational chart really stand out, change its color and attributes. Select one of the boxes in that group and change its color, shape and text. Use the eyedropper tool to copy those attributes to the other boxes in this group.


 Harvard Graphics 2.0: Copy Pages

Instead of constantly re-creating pages for slide shows, copy them from one presentation to another. To do so, open the first presentation and go to the Slide Sorter view, where you'll find thumbnails of each slide. Select the slides you want to copy by clicking on the first slide with the mouse and then Ctrl clicking on each additional slide. Select Edit/Copy. Next, open the presentation in which you'd like to insert the slides. Go to the Slide Sorter view and position the cursor at the insertion point. Then paste in the slides. If you want to reorder the slides, select each slide and drag it to its new location.


 Harvard Graphics 2.0: Erase Background

To eliminate chart backgrounds that may conflict with that of your slide, click on the chart frame to select it. Next click on the color icon and choose none as the fill color. Now the chart is sitting directly on top of the normal slide background. You might find, however, that some of the chart colors and text become invisible against the slide background. Tweak as needed.


 Harvard Graphics 2.0: Zip Through

To give weekly or monthly reports that contain the updated versions of the same data, prepare your presentation once in Harvard Graphics and use the linking to update your numerical chart data. Create your basic presentation and when you import data for a chart from Excel or Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheets, Harvard Graphics can easily create DDE (dynamic data exchange) links back to the original spreadsheets. When you update your original data, your charts will be updated the next time you open the presentation. To keep the presentation from getting boring, change the master styles from time to time to give it a new look, background and color scheme.


 Harvard Graphics 2.0: Call A Conference

Harvard Graphics offers an excellent on-line conferencing facility that lets you show your screen show on up to 64 workstations connected to the same network. To ensure that your presentation is equally effective on all of the computers in the conference group, determine the hardware capabilities of each computer. You don't want, for example, to create a screen show that relies heavily on sound files when most of your conference attendees don't have sound cards installed.


 Harvard Graphics 2.0: Resize Charts

When you add a chart to a slide from the Chart menu, Harvard Graphics normally places it full-screen on top of the other elements of your slide. To resize the chart, select it and then drag a corner until the chart is the preferred size.


 Presentations: PowerPoint 4.0 Tips

PowerPoint 4.0: Customize Wizards

PowerPoint 4.0: Slide Database

PowerPoint 4.0: Preview Effects

PowerPoint 4.0: Hidden Slides

PowerPoint 4.0: Organize Clip Art

PowerPoint 4.0: Copy Formats

PowerPoint 4.0: Be Sensitive

PowerPoint 4.0: Branch Out


 PowerPoint 4.0: Customize Wizards

AutoContent Wizards offer you a preformatted presentation in any one of six categories. All you do is replace the placeholders with text specific to your presentation. PowerPoint does this by having six ready-to-use presentations tucked away in the POWERPNT/WIZARDS directory. When you use the AutoContent Wizard, it opens a new, unnamed copy of the presentation. While you can't actually change the AutoContent Wizards, you can change the contents of any of these six ready-made presentations. Let's say you want to change the Selling template. Start PowerPoint and open the file SELLING.PPT in the POWERPNT/WIZARDS directory. Make your changes and save the file. Distribute it as necessary to other PowerPoint users. The next time that someone chooses Selling from the AutoContent Wizard, they'll be working on a presentation that is based on your changed template.


 PowerPoint 4.0: Slide Database

If you routinely use slides with the same information over and over again in presentations, you may want to maintain a large slide show with all of these slides. As you create these reusable objects in your presentation, just drag them over to your "database'' from the Slide Sorter view.

Use OLE 2.0 to copy slides between presentations. Open both presentations, display each in Slide Sorter view, and select the slides you want to copy. To select a contiguous range, click on the first slide, hold down the shift key and click on the last slide. To select a noncontiguous block, Ctrl click on each slide. Then hold down the Ctrl key and drag the slides to the other presentation, making sure the cursor is at the insertion point of your choice. To move slides from one presentation to another, select and drag them to the new  presentation.


 PowerPoint 4.0: Preview Effects

In the Slide Sorter view, an icon just below the thumbnail on the left-hand side indicates that a draw or erase effect has been applied to the slide. Click on this icon with your mouse, and the effect is previewed right in the slide's thumbnail. This provides a quick way to see if the effect works with the slide. To see the effect more clearly, you might want to zoom in on the thumbnails first.


 PowerPoint 4.0: Hidden Slides

Want to create some emergency slides to anticipate questions from the audience or to fill in time if the presentation runs short? To create a hidden slide, select the slide you want to hide. In Slide Sorter or Outline view, you can select multiple slides. From the Tools menu, choose Hide Slide, or, in Slide Sorter, click on the Hide Slide button on the toolbar. Slide Sorter shows a hidden slide by the slide number enclosed in a square with a line through it. During the presentation, you'll see the hidden slide icon displayed on the corner of the screen when you move the mouse. Click on the icon if you want to display the slide. Otherwise the slide does not show. Alternatively you can type H or type the slide number and hit Enter to show the slide.


 PowerPoint 4.0: Organize Clip Art

Microsoft ClipArt Gallery 1.1, an OLE-only server application included with PowerPoint 4.0, is an excellent tool for storing your graphics images. Create a new category for each project that you are working on and add all of the images that you will be using for that project using the Add button. To view the project image thumbnails, select the project from the category list. Before adding the images to ClipArt Gallery, make sure you have the image files stored in a directory on your hard disk that you won't move or delete. Otherwise, ClipArt Gallery will not be able to locate the images when you need them at some later date.


 PowerPoint 4.0: Copy Formats

Use the Format Painter to apply the attributes of one object to another. You can copy color, shadow, pattern and text attributes. Format Painter works with objects but not graphs or pictures. Select the item whose format you want to duplicate. Click on the Format Painter on the toolbar. The pointer changes to a paintbrush. Click on the object to which you want to apply these copied attributes and this object takes on the attributes of the original object .


 PowerPoint 4.0: Be Sensitive

Use the right mouse button to bring up context-sensitive menus that allow you to bypass the standard menus and icon bars, and work with only those features that relate to the area of the program in which you are working.


  PowerPoint 4.0: Branch Out

Much as hidden slides can be used to display additional information selectively, you can also set up branches to other PowerPoint presentations. To branch to other presentations during a screen show, in Slide view, display the slide from which you want to branch. Choose Insert/Object. Select PowerPoint Presentation from the list in the dialog box. Click on the Create From File button. Use the Browse button to select the file to which you wish to branch. Click on OK. A PowerPoint presentation icon appears on the slide with the name of the presentation below the icon. From the Tools menu, use Play Settings to select the method for starting your branched presentation. When you play your screen show, click on this icon to branch to the second presentation. When you have finished this second presentation, you'll return to the same slide in your original presentation. Here you can branch to another presentation or continue onward.


 Presentations: WordPerfect Presentations 2.0 Tips

WordPerfect Presentations 2.0: Speed Access

WordPerfect Presentations 2.0: Figure Gallery

WordPerfect Presentations 2.0: Use OLE


 WordPerfect Presentations 2.0: Speed Access

The Quick List feature allows you to add frequently used files and directories to an easy-to-access list and to give each entry a descriptive name, such as a project heading. This enables you to bypass the chore of searching through directory trees and dialog boxes when you want a particular file. Instead, you'll find the Quick List next to the directory dialog box when you choose such actions as opening a file or selecting files to import. To create a Quick List, select File/ Open. Then select the Quick List check box. Next choose Edit/ Quick List and then Add. In the resulting dialog box, enter a directory or filename and path into the Directory/Filename edit box, then add a Descriptive Name in that edit box. Choose OK. Repeat the process for each additional entry.


 WordPerfect Presentations 2.0: Figure Gallery

To leverage your slides for future use, add them to Figure Gallery, a clip-art manager. Insert a cover slide into Figure Gallery. From the File/Open dialog box, open the file FIGURAL.SHW. Scroll down until the cursor appears where you want to add your figures. Then from the Slide menu, select Add Slide and then OK. This inserts a blank slide. To this slide, add a picture that represents the figures in your slide show. You can either create a new image or copy one from an existing slide. Then choose Slide Title and type in a title for the cover slide and click on OK. Choose Gallery from the Edit menu and specify the filename of the slide show that you are linking to the cover slide and then OK. Save the Figure Gallery file, and next time you open Figure Gallery, you will have access to the new images.


 WordPerfect Presentations 2.0: Use OLE

Use OLE 2.0 to copy slides between presentations. Open both presentations, display each in Slide Sorter view, and select the slides you want to copy. To select a contiguous range, click on the first slide, hold down the Shift key and click on the last slide. To select a noncontiguous block, Ctrl+ click on each slide. Then hold down the Ctrl key and drag the slides to the other presentation, making sure that the cursor is at the insertion point of your choice. To move slides from one presentation to another, select and drag them to the new presentation.


 Spreadsheets: Excel 5.0 Tips

Excel 5.0: High Scrollers

Excel 5.0: Jump Back

Excel 5.0: Buttons

Excel 5.0: Excel 4 Menus

Excel 5.0: Custom Autofill

Excel 5.0: Tab Tricks

Excel 5.0: Palettes

Excel 5.0: Worksheet Count

Excel 5.0: Stored V. Displayed

Excel 5.0: Redraw Charts

Excel 5.0: Drag & Drop

Excel 5.0: Copy From Above

Excel 5.0: Customize Toolbars

Excel 5.0: Form To Template

Excel 5.0: Keyboard Shortcuts

Excel 5.0: Add Data To An Existing Spreadsheet{bmr

Excel 5.0: Creating Vertical Titles{bmr

Excel 5.0: Using The Right Mouse Button{bmr

Excel 5.0: Create Hot Spots


 Excel 5.0: High Scrollers

SCREENCAM: EXCEL: NAVIGATING A LARGE SPREADSHEET

To scroll around your document more rapidly, hold the Shift key down as you navigate the scroll bar. The location box to the left of the formula will indicate your position on the spreadsheet.


 Excel 5.0: Jump Back

SCREENCAM: EXCEL: JUMP TO A SPECIFIC CELL

To jump back to a cell or named range you edited recently, click on the drop-down arrow to the right of the location box. Choose the cell or named range you want.


 Excel 5.0: Buttons

SCREENCAM: EXCEL'S LARGE BUTTON TOOLBAR

Having trouble with those tiny icon buttons on the toolbar? Choose View/Toolbars, and enable Large Buttons. You'll be able to see the new buttons all the way across the room.


 Excel 5.0: Excel 4 Menus

SCREENCAM: EXCEL: 4.0 MENUS IN 5.0

If you want the convenience of 3-D workbooks, but prefer the menus in Excel 4.0 (or at least want some time to wean yourself away from the old version), select Tools/Options/General, and choose Microsoft Excel 4.0 menus.


 Excel 5.0: Custom Autofill

To create a custom autofill list, type in the list you wish to add, with each entry occupying a separate cell in your spreadsheet. Then select the cells and choose Tools/Options/ Custom Lists and press the Import button. Choose OK and you're in business. To use, type the first word of the series, then (assuming you have cell drag-and-drop enabled--see related tip on the next page) grab the handle on the bottom right of the first cell and drag to indicate the cells that you want filled.


 Excel 5.0: Tab Tricks

SCREENCAM: EXCEL: RENAME WORKSHEET TABS

To name a worksheet, double-click on its tab and type in a name. To reorder your worksheets, drag and drop the worksheet's tab to its new position. Select multiple tabs the same way you would files in File Manager: Press Shift+Click for contiguous tabs, and Ctrl+Click for noncontiguous tabs.


Excel 5.0: Pallettes
 Excel 5.0: Palettes

SCREENCAM: EXCEL: CELL-ATTRIBUTE TEAR-AWAY MENUS

Make color and border palettes available at all times by ``tearing off'' the selection boxes and positioning them where you wish on the screen. Click on the drop-down arrow with your left mouse button and then, with the mouse button still depressed, drag the item to its new location. You can do this with any button bar icon that has a drop-down arrow.


 Excel 5.0: Worksheet Count

SCREENCAM: EXCEL: NUMBER OF WORKSHEETS PER NOTEBOOK

If you want your new workbooks to have more or fewer worksheets than the default of 16, select Tools/Options/General, and enter a new number of your choice (between 1 and 255) in the Sheets in New Workbook selection.


 Excel 5.0: Stored V. Displayed

The number displayed in a cell may be different from the underlying number, say, for example, $5.99 and 5.9854765. This is because of the formatting you have applied to the cell. To make the underlying value of any cell identical to the number displayed, select Tools/Options/ Calculation, and select Precision as Displayed. Then, when a calculation is made that requires rounding, for example, the rounded value will be the value that's stored. Choose this option carefully, however: The accuracy of large spreadsheets with many calculations will be diminished.


 Excel 5.0: Redraw Charts

Late-breaking news? Select the cells containing the new series of data to be added, and drag and drop it onto an existing chart. Excel will redraw the chart to include the new data.


 Excel 5.0: Drag & Drop

Many of Excel's features work best when drag-and-drop editing is enabled, but that isn't the default setting in Excel 5.0. To enable drag-and-drop, choose Tools/Options/ Edit and select Allow Cell Drag and Drop.


 Excel 5.0: Copy From Above

To copy a formula from the cell above your current position, press Ctrl+'. To copy the value of the cell above your current position, press Ctrl+".


 Excel 5.0: Customize Toolbars

To edit a button image, right-click on any toolbar, then select Customize from the resulting menu. With the Customize dialog box open and active, right-click on any actual toolbar button (not the buttons displayed in the Customize dialog box). Then select Edit Button Image from the pop-up menu and you will see the Button Editor. Or you can simply copy an image or assign a macro to the button, if you wish. You can make these selections from the menu that pops up if you right-click on a toolbar icon when the Customize dialog box is open.


 Excel 5.0: Form To Template

If there's a particular form you use again and again, create a template for it. Construct the worksheet the way you want it, then save it using File/Save As. Choose Template from the Save File as Type list and put the template in the XLSTART directory. Once you've done this, you can create a new workbook based on your template by choosing File/New and selecting the name of the template you created from the list of templates that is provided.


 Excel 5.0: Keyboard Shortcuts

Task	SHORTCUT
Open file	CTRL+O
Save file	CTRL+S
Undo last action	CTRL+Z
Repeat last action	F4
Display Function Wizard	SHIFT+F3
Insert blank cell	CTRL+SHIFT+PLUS SIGN
Delete cell selection	CTRL+MINUS SIGN (NUMERIC KEY)
Edit cell note	SHIFT+F2
Move down one screen	PAGE DOWN
Move up one screen	PAGE UP
Move right one screen	ALT+PAGE DOWN
Move left one screen	ALT+PAGE UP
Move to next workbook sheet	CTRL+PAGE DOWN
Move to previous workbook sheet	CTRL+PAGE UP
Move up through a selection	SHIFT+ENTER
Move right through a selection	TAB
Move left through a selection	SHIFT+TAB
Format selected element	CTRL+1
Check spelling	F7
Enter date	CTRL+SEMICOLON
Enter time	CTRL+SHIFT+COLON
Calculate all sheets in all open workbooks	F9 OR CTRL+EQUAL SIGN
Calculate active sheet	SHIFT+F9
Insert AutoSum formula	ALT+EQUAL SIGN
Insert new chart	F11
Insert new worksheet	SHIFT+F11
Apply percentage format	CTRL+SHIFT+%
Apply two-decimal place format	CTRL+SHIFT+!
Format as currency	CTRL+SHIFT+$
Hide rows	CTRL+9
Unhide rows	CTRL+SHIFT+(
Hide columns	CTRL+0 (ZERO)
Unhide columns	CTRL+SHIFT+)


 Excel 5.0: Add Data To An Existing Spreadsheet

SCREENCAM: EXCEL: ADD DATA TO AN EXISTING SPREADSHEET


 Excel 5.0: Creating Vertical Titles

SCREENCAM: EXCEL: CREATING VERTICAL TITLES


 Excel 5.0: Using The Right Mouse Button

SCREENCAM: EXCEL: USING THE RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON


 Excel 5.0: Create Hot Spots

Through its ability to assign macros to objects, Excel provides a useful way to add help and keep people from making the wrong turn in your spreadsheet masterpiece. The expense report spreadsheet shown here uses invisible objects with some associated macros to create hot spots. If you click on a hot spot, it executes the macro associated with that object. For example, if you click on a column heading, it takes you directly to the help topic for that heading.

Create The Macro

First you'll want to create the macro that you're going to run. In Excel 5.0, you can use either the Excel 4.0 spreadsheet-style language or the new Visual Basic, Applications Edition (VBA) language. A typical VBA macro for hot-spot help might look something like this:

Sub HelpTravel()

  Application.Help 'EXPENSE.HLP',158

End Sub

This macro starts the Windows help engine, loads EXPENSE.HLP and jumps to topic 158. (When you write your own help file using a tool like WexTech's Doc2Help or Blue Sky's RoboHELP, you assign each topic a unique number.)

Create The Hot Spot

Creating the hot spot is easy.

•	Right-click on the toolbar

•	Select Toolbars from the menu

•	Display the Drawing toolbar.

•	Click on the Rectangle tool (not the Filled Rectangle) and draw a rectangle over the cells in which you want a hot spot.

•	Right-click on the object and select Format Object from the menu.

•	Under the Patterns tab, set Fill to None and Pattern to None. This will make the object invisible so the underlying cell shows through. You could use a special text color for the cell to indicate that hot-spot help is available for that cell (as we did in the sample here).

Hook Up The Object With Your Macro

•	Right-click on the object again and select Assign Macro from the menu.

•	Select the name of the macro you previously wrote from the list and click on OK.

When you move your mouse over that hot spot, the mouse cursor will change to an index finger to indicate you are on a hot spot. If you click there, it will run your macro.

Another good use for a hot spot is to user-proof an important data item. In the expense report, for example, clicking on the report date cell runs a macro that presents a dialog box and validates the date entered. This makes it much easier to catch errors than if you enter the information directly.

As useful as hot spots are, you should also provide the same functions through menu choices. Not only does this help users who like to learn by browsing the menus, but it also provides a way to access functions through the keyboard if a pointing device isn't handy.


 Spreadsheets: Lotus 1-2-3 5.0 Tips

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Hide Worksheets

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Create Summaries

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Customize Toolbars

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Simplify Printing

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: One At A Time

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Drag & Drop

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Auditing Toolbar

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Navigator

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Fill-By-Example

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Customize Lists

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Keyboard Accelerators

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: @Function Pull Down

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Quick Formats

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: SmartMasters

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Make A Map

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Work By Mail

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Keyboard Shortcuts


 Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Hide Worksheets

To hide a worksheet, choose Style/Hide, then choose Sheet. To expose a worksheet that you have already hidden, choose Style/Hide, then mark Sheet. Next, enter a range that includes cells on the worksheet before and the worksheet after the hidden worksheet. Then click on Show, and your hidden worksheet will suddenly reappear.


 Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Create Summaries

Here's a fast way to put together summary reports from several worksheets or even different workbooks without retyping or cutting and pasting. Move to the cell(s) in which you want the summary information to appear, then choose Data/Consolidate. You'll get a series of dialog boxes in which you'll choose the mathematical function that you wish to employ on the data. You can select up to 255 separate source references, which can be named areas or cell references on any worksheet or workbook accessible from your desktop, including those that are located on network drives. Choose the option Create Links to Source Data, and the resulting consolidation will automatically update whenever the source data is modified.


 Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Customize Toolbars

1-2-3 ships with eight standard toolbars. To make changes to any of them, choose Tools/SmartIcons. The resulting dialog box enables you to change icon sizes, assign macros to icons, and edit the icons themselves. You can reconfigure any toolbar in any manner you wish. For example, you can place your toolbars on the top, bottom, left or right side of the screen, or even leave them floating.


 Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Simplify Printing

1-2-3's Printing Toolbar has a number of buttons to make your life simpler when you print. You access it by clicking on the far right icon (Select the Next Set of SmartIcons), or by choosing Tools/ SmartIcons and calling up Printing. This toolbar places all the important print controls for your worksheet in one place, such as Set Columns as Print Titles and Size Data to Printed Page.


 Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: One At A Time

To insert a cell into your worksheet, select the cell that will be immediately below or to the right of the new cell, then press Ctrl+ (the gray plus sign key on the numeric keypad), and choose the Insert Selection check box. To delete a cell, select the cell you wish to be rid of, then press Ctrl- (the gray minus sign key on the numeric keypad), and choose the Delete Selection check box.


 Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Drag & Drop

1-2-3 allows you to drag and drop data between worksheets and even files. To move data from one worksheet to another contained in the same file, first highlight the contents you wish to drag. Then, while keeping the mouse button depressed, point at the tab for the worksheet in which you want to place the data, and point at the top left corner of the area you wish to fill with data. If you are working with separate files, this procedure will copy, rather than move, the data. To copy data to another worksheet in the same file, press the Ctrl key while performing this operation.


 Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Auditing Toolbar

Having trouble debugging a formula? Use the Sheet Auditing toolbar (Tools/ SmartIcons, then choose Sheet Auditing). Among other features, it offers special find functions for formulas, formula precedents, cell dependents, DDE links, links to 1-2-3 files, and finding the next cell adjoining a blank cell in all four directions.


 Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Navigator

1-2-3 has a simple way to move around your spreadsheet in a hurry: the Navigator. You'll find this button situated to the left of the Function icon in the formula bar. Press it and you'll see a list of Named Ranges. Choose the Named Range that you wish to move to, and there you are.


 Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Fill-By-Example

Worksheet tabs now support Fill-by-Example. Double-click on the worksheet tab, then type in the first value in the series, such as January. As you click on New Sheet, each additional worksheet tab will contain the name of the next month in the series.


 Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Customize Lists

To create a custom list that you can use  with the Fill-by-Example feature, use Notepad to edit the FILL.INI document, which is located in 1-2-3's PROGRAM directory. Examine the file as it currently exists, then follow the example of the series already included to create new sets. For example, create a new set by moving to the end of the file and typing the following:

[SET x]<Enter>

ITEM1=Principal

ITEM2=Interest

ITEM3=Taxes

and so on. Number the new set in sequence following any existing sets. In other words, if you have eight sets already, number the new set nine. There can be any number of items in a series. The lists that you create will serve as the basis of any fill-by-example usage, including worksheet tabs.


 Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Keyboard Accelerators

To insert columns, rows or worksheets, press the Ctrl key and the plus sign on the numeric keypad, then choose the type of insertion from the dialog box. To delete, press Ctrl and the minus key then choose your deletion from the dialog box.


 Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: @Function Pull Down

1-2-3's Control Panel contains an icon with the @ symbol. Clicking on it will yield a list of the most frequently used formulas and an option that allows you to see all formulas. (You can add any formulas you wish to the list.) If you're not sure what a formula does, the resulting dialog box gives a brief description of each formula as you scroll down the list. Choosing a formula from the @function pull-down list inserts the formula in the current cell and prompts you for variables that need to be supplied.


 Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Quick Formats

To format a range of cells in a hurry, select your range, choose Style/Gallery, and select any one of 14 predesigned styles. Move the cursor down the list of choices to preview the way your selection will look.


 Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: SmartMasters

Use SmartMasters, which are specialized templates (like those in Lotus Freelance), to get a head start on data analysis. When you create a new document with the File/New command, you will see a list that includes templates for time sheets, expense reports, mortgage amortization and other documents. There's even one called a Shell that assists you in creating your own custom templates.


 Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Make A Map

Want to generate a custom map of your company's sales performance by state? Make sure you have used the standard two-letter Postal Service abbreviations, then select the states with the numerical information in the row or column beside them, and choose Tools/Map/Insert Map Object. Your cursor will change to a globe with crosshairs. Click on the spot in your worksheet that you want to be the upper-left-hand corner of the map. 1-2-3 will generate a map color, coded to the numerical data you've selected. Add-in modules for county and zip code information, as well as demographic data and information about 10 million businesses, are available from Strategic Mapping Inc., 408-970-9600.


 Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Work By Mail

Powerful workgroup features in 1-2-3 include the ability to route a range to other mail-enabled members of your workgroup. First, select the range you wish to send, then choose File/Send Mail and follow the prompts. You can create a version before you send it, if you wish, to take advantage of 1-2-3's superb Version Manager technology. The range can be routed concurrently or sequentially, and you'll be able to determine precisely who offered which comments. To combine the data received from different sources, use the program's Merge feature.


 Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Keyboard Shortcuts

Task	SHORTCUT
Print	CTRL+P
Open file	CTRL+O
Left alignment	CTRL+L
Right alignment	CTRL+R
Justify text	CTRL+J
Center text	CTRL+E
Bold text, or unbold if text is already bold	CTRL+B
Italicize text, or unitalicize if text is already italic	CTRL+I
Underline text, or remove if text is already underlined	CTRL+U
Start edit mode in current cell	F2
Pop up Edit Replace command	CTRL+H
Nonbreaking hyphen	CTRL+SHIFT+HYPHEN
Nonbreaking space	CTRL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR
Select entire document	CTRL+A
Save document	SHIFT+F12
Zoom/Restore	CTRL+F10/ CTRL+F5


 Spreadsheets: Quattro Pro 5.0 Tips

Quattro Pro 5.0: Make Presentations

Quattro Pro 5.0: Load A Notebook

Quattro Pro 5.0: Save Workspace

Quattro Pro 5.0: Repeat Entries

Quattro Pro 5.0: Safeguard Macros

Quattro Pro 5.0: Use DOS Menus

Quattro Pro 5.0: Custom Speedfill

Quattro Pro 5.0: Convert Label Dates

Quattro Pro 5.0: Group Pages

Quattro Pro 5.0: Hide Zero Values

Quattro Pro 5.0: Change Groups

Quattro Pro 5.0: Macro Categories

Quattro Pro 5.0: Property Inspector

Quattro Pro 5.0: Print Settings

Quattro Pro 5.0: Experts


 Quattro Pro 5.0: Make Presentations

Quattro Pro's excellent built-in presentation capabilities may be all you need for occasional presentations. Go to the Graphs page by clicking on the SpeedTab icon located at the bottom of the screen, to the right of the notebook tabs. On the Graphs page, you'll find an icon representing each of the graphs in your workbook, along with tools for creating a slide show. Select the Create Slide Show button (which looks like a slide) from the toolbar, then drag the graphs you want to include onto the slide show icon you have created. To edit the slide show, double-click on the slide show icon to open up the Light Table, where you can reorder the slides, set the tempo of the presentation and choose from 30 different transition effects.


 Quattro Pro 5.0: Load A Notebook

To load a specific notebook each time you load Quattro Pro, select the Application Property Inspector by clicking the right mouse button on the title bar. Then choose Startup, and fill in the name of the directory and file you wish to have open each time you load the program.


 Quattro Pro 5.0: Save Workspace

To speed up ongoing work, remember to save your workspace. This will allow you to return to the exact combination of files that were open the last time you worked in Quattro Pro. Choose File/Workspace/ Save and supply a name. To restore the workspace you saved in a previous session, choose File/Workspace/Restore and select the name of the workspace you wish to restore.


 Quattro Pro 5.0: Repeat Entries

Once you have grouped a set of notebook pages, you can repeat an entry on each page of the group. First make sure you have activated the group by pressing the G button to the right of the notebook tabs. Then select a cell, make your entry, and press Ctrl+Enter. Your entry will show up in the same cell of each page contained in the group.


 Quattro Pro 5.0: Safeguard Macros

To prevent accidentally overwriting your macros with data, put all your macros on one notebook page dedicated to that purpose. Name the page Macros so you're sure to remember its purpose. If you've finished writing an application and you're certain you don't want to change the macros, you can protect that page from the Property/Active Page menu to prevent changes.


 Quattro Pro 5.0: Use DOS Menus

If you still have a soft spot for the old Quattro Pro for DOS command structure, activate the DOS-Version menus for use with Quattro Pro for Windows. Choose Property/Application/Macro. Next, change the selection in the drop-down box for Slash Key to Quattro Pro-DOS. Now you can operate in exactly the same way you used to.


 Quattro Pro 5.0: Custom Speedfill

Customize your SpeedFill lists by editing the QPW.INI file, which is located in the WINDOWS directory. Using an ASCII editor such as Notepad, go to the end of the file, leave a blank line, then type [SpeedFill] press Enter, then type the name of the list you wish to create, followed by an equal sign, the first item in the list, a comma, the second item in the list, and so forth. For example:

[SpeedFill]

NYC=Bronx,Brooklyn,Manhattan,Queens,Staten Island

You can enter as many of these custom lists as you wish, making sure not to press Enter until the list is complete. To use a list you have created, select a cell, type an entry from one of your custom lists, then select the range into which you wish to have the custom values inserted. Finally, click on the SpeedFill button on the toolbar.


 Quattro Pro 5.0: Convert Label Dates

To convert a date label to a serial number date, select the cell containing the label, delete the initial apostrophe, then press Ctrl+Shift+D.


 Quattro Pro 5.0: Group Pages

One of Quattro Pro's most powerful features is its ability to group pages in a notebook, which allows you to perform the same operation across multiple pages with a single command. To group pages, click on the first notebook tab in the series you wish to establish, hold down the Shift key and click on the last notebook tab in the series. You'll see a dark gray line beneath the affected tabs, confirming that multiple tabs have been selected. Next, choose Tools/Define Group and type in the name you wish to give the group. Click on OK and you're done.


 Quattro Pro 5.0: Hide Zero Values

Sometimes you feel like a zero, sometimes you don't. To hide (or display) zero values, click on the page tab with the right mouse button, then choose Display Zeros and choose Yes or No. The resulting parameter controls only the specific notebook page you are editing.


 Quattro Pro 5.0: Change Groups

Once you've created a group, you can use it to add sums or create properties across several workbook pages at once. Select your group by clicking on the G icon at the bottom of the screen, then clicking on a page in the group you wish to work on. Next, choose a cell in which you wish the results of an operation to be placed, then choose an operation, such as SpeedSum. The row or column you indicated will be totaled not only on the current page, but on each page in the group.


 Quattro Pro 5.0: Macro Categories

Press Shift+F3 to see a list called Macro Categories. From this list, you can move directly to the macro commands appropriate to a category by navigating through the resulting dialog boxes. To call up a list of all available functions, press Alt+F3. Note that both of these lists can also be called from icons on the toolbar.


 Quattro Pro 5.0: Property Inspector

If you got hooked on the old Property Inspector dialogs accessed through the right mouse button in Quattro Pro 1.0, you can restore the old functionality by editing your QPW.INI file (found in your WINDOWS directory as noted above--be sure to use an ASCII text editor such as Notepad). Add the line Right MouseInspect=1 then save the result and restart Quattro Pro.


 Quattro Pro 5.0: Print Settings

If you store a number of different blocks of information in a single notebook, each requiring its own print settings, use File/ Named Settings to create separate print settings for each block you need to print.


 Quattro Pro 5.0: Experts

Quattro Pro's Experts provide assistance not just with graphs but with consolidating data from numerous sources, building scenarios and analyzing your data. This last Expert is particularly useful, since it guides you through the construction of spreadsheets that can only be set up using templates in other programs.


 Word Processors: Ami Pro 3.01 Tips

Ami Pro 3.01: Foreign Finesse

Ami Pro 3.01: Keep Together

Ami Pro 3.01: Act in Character

Ami Pro 3.01: Print Multiple Docs

Ami Pro 3.01: Glossaries

Ami Pro 3.01: Prevent Closeup

Ami Pro 3.01: Style Shortcuts

Ami Pro 3.01: Table Tricks

Ami Pro 3.01: Clever Captions

Ami Pro 3.01: Dress Up Replaces

Ami Pro 3.01: Prevent Breaks

Ami Pro 3.01: Sneak Preview

Ami Pro 3.01: Mix Numbers, Bullets

Ami Pro 3.01: Keyboard Shortcuts


 Ami Pro 3.01: Foreign Finesse

You can add foreign characters without utilizing the TYPECHAR macro, Character Map, or ANSI and ASCII codes by using Windows' Control Panel. Display Control Panel, then select International and choose US-International for Keyboard Layout. To type a special character such as , type the special character and then the letter n. (If you get a message prompting you to load a driver, use the appropriate Windows 3.1 disk.)


 Ami Pro 3.01: Keep Together

Here's how to keep proper names together on the same line and override Ami Pro's normal word wrap between words: Type the first word, press Ctrl+Spacebar instead of the spacebar alone, then type the second word. These two words will always appear on the same line, with the normal space between them.


 Ami Pro 3.01: Act in Character

To insert special characters, such as the trademark symbol or accent marks, select Tools/Macros/Playback and select TYPECHAR.SMM, then click on OK. A new menu option named Chars will appear on the menu bar. Choose Chars/Select Characters to view and select from the list of special characters. Click on OK when you've made your choice. You can also use this macro to assign shortcut keys to frequently used  characters.


 Ami Pro 3.01: Print Multiple Docs

To print several Ami Pro documents at once without opening each individually, use the PRNBATCH.SMM macro. Select Tools/Macros/ Playback, then select the PRNBATCH .SMM macro and click on OK. In the dialog box, select the documents from the list. Select Options if you want to print more than one copy or specify the print order. Click on OK to begin printing.


 Ami Pro 3.01: Glossaries

Use Ami Pro's glossary feature to quickly insert repetitive text in a document. To create a glossary record from text you've already typed in an existing glossary file, first highlight the text, then select Edit/Mark Text/Glossary. In the Record name box, enter a shortcut name and press Enter or click on OK. There are two ways to retrieve the entry: Either type the shortcut name and press Ctrl+K; or press Ctrl+K, choose the shortcut name from the list, and click on Insert or press Enter. The full text will then be inserted into your document.


 Ami Pro 3.01: Prevent Closeup

To prevent a mail-merge line from closing up if the data field is blank, select the line in the standard document and enter a space, or apply a text enhancement to the line with the merge field name.


 Ami Pro 3.01: Style Shortcuts

Use the right mouse button to access style layout dialog boxes quickly. To access the Modify Style dialog box, move the insertion point to any position within the paragraph you want to modify and right-click. Adjust the style as needed in the dialog box and then click on OK. To jump to the Modify Page Layout dialog box, right-click in any margin area and modify the layout as you see fit. To display the Modify Frame Layout dialog box, select a frame and right-click.


 Ami Pro 3.01: Table Tricks

To speed the redrawing of tables, move the insertion point inside the table, then choose Table/Modify Table Layout. Turn off the Rows Span Pages option. When you're finished editing the table, turn the option back on.


 Ami Pro 3.01: Clever Captions

Use a table to position captions below graphics. Create a one-column, two-row table. Select Table/Modify Table Layout and turn off the Automatic option for row height. Click on OK. Resize the top cell to accommodate the image you want to show. Then import the graphics file by choosing File/Import Drawing and selecting the picture you want. Type the caption in the cell beneath the graphic.


 Ami Pro 3.01: Dress Up Replaces

To change the font and attributes for the same word or phrase, such as your company or product name, throughout a document, use Find & Replace to find the text and specify the characteristics. Choose Edit/Find & Replace (or press Ctrl+F) and enter the text in the Find & Replace box. Select Attributes and choose the special characteristics, such as Bold, Underline or Italic, in the Replace Attributes section. Select OK, then select Replace All.


 Ami Pro 3.01: Prevent Breaks

Want to keep two paragraphs, such as a question and an answer, together on the same page? Select the first paragraph, then choose Style/Modify Style. Choose the Breaks option. Uncheck the Allow page/column break within, then select Keep With Next paragraph. Select the second paragraph and follow the same steps, but choose Keep With Previous paragraph.


 Ami Pro 3.01: Sneak Preview

To preview Ami Pro drawing files (.SDW), bitmaps (.BMP) and metafiles (.WMF) without opening the graphics file in your document, select Tools/ Drawing. Then select File/Import Drawing. Choose the image you want to preview, and it will appear in the example box in the lower left corner.


 Ami Pro 3.01: Mix Numbers, Bullets

Keep things in order if you're using bulleted items within numbered lists. To ensure that a numbered item following the bulleted list continues with the next highest number, first designate each line in your list with the proper style (Numbered List and Bullet, for example). Then select Style/Outline Styles, select the Number List and click on Promote until you've moved it to the top of Outline Style Levels. Make sure none of the Reset Option boxes are checked.


 Ami Pro 3.01: Keyboard Shortcuts

Task:	SHORTCUT:
Move to the next page	CTRL+PAGE DOWN
Move down one screen	PAGE DOWN
Go to the beginning of the next sentence	CTRL+PERIOD
Go to the beginning of the previous sentence	CTRL+COMMA
Go to the end of the paragraph	CTRL+DOWN ARROW
Go to the beginning of the paragraph	CTRL+UP ARROW
Move left one word	CTRL+LEFT ARROW
Move right one word	CTRL+RIGHT ARROW
Toggle between Draft and Layout views	CTRL+M
Center text	CTRL+E
Left alignment	CTRL+L
Right alignment	CTRL+R
Justify text	CTRL+J
Normal (remove attributes)	CTRL+N
Underline (including spaces)	CTRL+U
Word underline (no spaces)	CTRL+W
Delete the next word	CTRL+DEL
Delete the previous word	CTRL+BACKSPACE
Access styles box	CTRL+Y
Exchange the selected paragraph with the paragraph above it	ALT+UP ARROW
Exchange the selected paragraph with the paragraph below it	ALT+DOWN ARROW
Fast format	CTRL+T
Modify a paragraph style	CTRL+A
Undo last or previous action	CTRL+Z
Find and replace	CTRL+F
Toggle between Show and Hide set of SmartIcons	CTRL+Q


 Word Processors: Word 6.0 Tips

Word 6.0: Tab Information

Word 6.0: Select Text

Word 6.0: Modify Menus

Word 6.0: Modify Toolbars

Word 6.0: Jump To Bookmark

Word 6.0: Print Preview Redux

Word 6.0: Speed It Up

Word 6.0: Do It Again

Word 6.0: Select Letters

Word 6.0: Table Gridlines

Word 6.0: Avoid Draft Mode

Word 6.0: Delete Multiple Files

Word 6.0: Leave A Gutter

Word 6.0: Table Tricks

Word 6.0: More Table Tricks

Word 6.0: Leaving Blanks

Word 6.0: Background Printing

Word 6.0: Center Tables

Word 6.0: Add Date

Word 6.0: Define Sentence

Word 6.0: Multi-Row Headings

Word 6.0: Easy Go To

Word 6.0: Keyboard Shortcuts

Word 6.0: Macros

Word 6.0: Using WordArt To Add Headers

Word 6.0: Auto-Loading A Document

Word 6.0: Inserting Special Characters

Word 6.0: Changing Margins/Fonts

Word 6.0: Adding Drop Caps

Word 6.0: Creating Multi-Level Lists

Word 6.0: Creating New Styles

Word 6.0: Creating A Fast Template


 Word 6.0: Tab Information

To get information about any tab or margin setting in your document, point to the tab or margin marker in question, and press and hold the Alt key and left mouse button.


 Word 6.0: Select Text

To select a rectangular area of text, press and hold the Alt key as you drag the mouse over the desired section.


 Word 6.0: Modify Menus

To remove a menu option, such as a macro you no longer use, press Alt+ Ctrl+Hyphen. The pointer will turn into a minus sign. Then open a menu and select the item you want to remove. It will automatically be deleted.


 Word 6.0: Modify Toolbars

To move an icon to a different spot on the toolbar (or onto another toolbar), press Alt and drag the icon to its new location. To display more than one toolbar, select View/Toolbars, then click on the toolbars you want displayed.


 Word 6.0: Jump To Bookmark

Bookmarks let you set a marker within your document so you can jump to that area of your document. To set a bookmark, move to the desired location in your document, then select Edit/Bookmark. In the Bookmark Name box, enter a name, which must begin with a letter and include less than 40 characters. Click on Add. Jump to the bookmark at any time during text editing by selecting Edit/Go To, choosing the bookmark and clicking on Close.


 Word 6.0: Print Preview Redux

If you're in Print Preview, you can still edit text. Click on the page, then click on the Magnifier button on the Print Preview toolbar to enlarge the document. The magnifier will switch to an I-beam, and you can begin editing.


 Word 6.0: Speed It Up

To increase bitmap-redrawing speed and scrolling speed in Word, you can add the following two settings to the [Microsoft Word] section of your WINWORD6 .INI file, located in your Windows program directory (usually, C:\WINDOWS):

•	BitMapMemory: Sets the amount of memory (in kilobytes) reserved for cache memory for bitmaps. Increasing this number increases the size of the bitmap cache that Word uses for redrawing pictures quickly. The BitMapMemory setting should not exceed the amount of available free RAM. The default setting in Word 6.0 for BitMapMemory is 1024KB. Insert the setting in the [Microsoft Word] section of your WINWORD6.INI file using the following syntax:

[Microsoft Word]

BitMapMemory=xxxx

•	CacheSize: Sets the amount of memory (in kilobytes) reserved for cache memory for Word documents. The default value for CacheSize is 64KB. Increasing this setting (in multiples of 64KB) improves the speed of scrolling, searching and replacing, the Go To command, and document opening and saving. If your system has plenty of memory and you work with many large documents, consider changing the CacheSize setting to 256KB or 512KB. Insert the setting in the [Microsoft Word] section of your WINWORD6.INI file using the following syntax:

[Microsoft Word]

CacheSize=xxx


 Word 6.0: Do It Again

You can repeat most actions and commands by selecting the Redo key (which looks like a right-pointing arrow) on the standard toolbar. You can also select Edit/Repeat or press the shortcut key shown in the menu: Ctrl+Y. An undocumented shortcut: Press F4 to repeat many (but not all) actions and commands.


 Word 6.0: Select Letters

By default, Word selects an entire word as you drag the mouse across it. To select individual letters, move the I-beam to the beginning or ending location, press and hold the Shift key, and use the arrow keys to select text. Or you can select Tools/Options, click on the Edit tab, and uncheck the Automatic Word Selection box.


 Word 6.0: Table Gridlines

If you want to print the gridlines in a table, first select the entire table, then click on Format, then Border, then (under Preset) click on Grid. You will get the Grid choice only if you have selected the table first. Then click on OK. The gridlines will change to dark lines, and they will appear when the table is printed.


 Word 6.0: Avoid Draft Mode

If your graphics won't print out, maybe you're in Draft Output mode. Select Tools/Options, then select the Print tab. Uncheck the Draft Output check box by clicking in the box. Now print away.


 Word 6.0: Delete Multiple Files

Here's how to delete multiple files in Word simultaneously without going to File Manager. Click on File, then Find File. You'll see a listing of files in the current drive on the left, along with a preview screen of file contents on the right. While holding down the Ctrl key, click on each file you want to delete, which will then be highlighted. (If you make a mistake, click on it again and the highlight disappears.) When all desired files are highlighted, click on Delete. Word will list the files selected and ask if you want to delete them. Click on Yes.


 Word 6.0: Leave A Gutter

If your printed document will be bound, add extra space to your margins so text on the inside edges of pages won't be unreadable. Select File/Page Setup, then click on the Margins tab. Enter a value in the Gutter box, which will add the specified amount to the left margin (for odd-numbered pages) and right margin (for even-numbered pages).


 Word 6.0: Table Tricks

You can select an entire table in one fell swoop: Move to any position within the table and press Alt and the 5 key on the numeric keypad.


 Word 6.0: More Table Tricks

To delete the contents of a table but leave the formatting unchanged, select the table and press Delete. To remove the table formatting but keep the text, select Table/Convert Table To Text. To delete the entire table--contents and formatting--select the table and select Table/ Delete Rows.


 Word 6.0: Leaving Blanks

If you are getting a blank line in the address when using Merge to create letters and labels, check to see if you have inadvertently pressed Enter rather than the Tab key when doing the data entry in the tables format. To check, go to the data file, click on the Paragraph icon in the ribbon bar (far right-hand side, to the right of the Tab arrows). There should be a paragraph mark only at the end of one-line entries. If another line follows, there should not be a paragraph mark. If there are incorrect paragraph marks, delete them and the blank line should not appear in the next merge.


 Word 6.0: Background Printing

Word prints documents in the background. To cancel printing, double-click on the Print Status icon of the status bar (the icon that displays a printer and shows the page number being printed).


 Word 6.0: Center Tables

To center a table horizontally on a page, select the table and then choose Table/Cell Height and Width. Click on the Row tab and check the Center option, then click on OK.


 Word 6.0: Add Date

To insert the system date in a document, press Alt+Shift+D. Press Alt+ Shift+T to insert the system time. The resulting date and time will be current at the time of entry, but will not change after that point. To insert text that always reflects the current (system) date or time when the document is printed, select Insert/Date And Time. Choose the format you want and check the Insert As Field box. Now, whenever Word prints your document, it will update the text to reflect the system's date and/or time.


 Word 6.0: Define Sentence

It's easy to define a single word, line or a paragraph in Word. But did you ever try to highlight a sentence? Place the cursor in the sentence you want defined and press Ctrl while clicking on the left mouse button.


 Word 6.0: Multi-Row Headings

To create a heading across several rows of a table, start by inserting a row where you would like the heading to appear. Enter the heading text in the first cell in the row, then select the cells over which the heading should appear. If the heading applies to the first three columns, for instance, highlight the first three cells in the new row (including the one in which you typed the heading). Choose Table/Merge Cells. The heading will extend over the columns that you have selected.


 Word 6.0: Easy Go To

Instead of using the Edit/Go To command to move within your document, double-click in the page number area of the status bar at the bottom of the screen. Word displays the Go To dialog box, which lets you select your destination. To jump to the location of your last edit, press Shift+F5.


 Word 6.0: Keyboard Shortcuts

Task:	SHORTCUT
Move insertion point to previous paragraph	CTRL+UP ARROW
Move insertion point to next paragraph	CTRL+DOWN ARROW
Move insertion point to start of line	HOME
Move insertion point to end of line	END
Move insertion point to start of document	CTRL+HOME
Move insertion point to end of document	CTRL+END
Repeat previous action (such as bolding) to highlighted text	F4
Bold text, or unbold if text is already bolded	CTRL+B
Italicize text, or unitalicize if text is already italic	CTRL+I
Underline text, or remove underline if text is already underlined	CTRL+U
Superscript text, or undo if already superscript	CTRL+PLUS SIGN
Subscript text, or undo if already subscript	CTRL+EQUAL SIGN
Center text	CTRL+E
Justify text	CTRL+J
Left alignment	CTRL+L
Right alignment	CTRL+R
Pop up Edit Find command	CTRL+F (OR SHIFT+F4)
Pop up Edit Replace command	CTRL+H
Pop up Print menu	CTRL+P
Return all character formatting of selected area to default style of document	CTRL+SPACEBAR
Hard page break	CTRL+ENTER
Optional hyphen	CTRL+HYPHEN
Nonbreaking hyphen	CTRL+SHIFT+ HYPHEN
Nonbreaking space	CTRL+SHIFT +SPACEBAR
Select whole document	CTRL+A (OR CTRL+5 ON NUMERIC KEYPAD)
Save document	SHIFT+F12
Zoom/Restore	CTRL+F10/ CTRL+F5
Open document	CTRL+O (OR CTRL+F12)
Check spelling	F7
Go to page	F5
Select to the next period	F8, PERIOD
Single open quotation mark	ALT+0145
Single closed quotation mark	ALT+0146
Double open quotation mark	ALT+0147
Double closed quotation mark	ALT+0148
Standard bullet	ALT+0149
En-dash	ALT+0150
Em-dash	ALT+0151


 Word 6.0: Write Macros

Are you spending all day on boring, repetitive tasks inside Microsoft Word? Save time and eliminate the tedium by automating such tasks with macros. Of course, you can use Word's macro recorder for the simplest operations, but there's just no substitute for actually learning how to write your own macro.

Suppose you have to write an article for your company newsletter that needs to be 800 words long. Word 6.0 has the Tools/WordCount command, but it takes three clicks of a scurrying mouse before you're back to your document. You can assign the Tools/WordCount command to a toolbar button, but that still takes two clicks. You want to do this with just one click, because you'll be doing it a lot.

The ideal solution is a macro that lets you count words with a single click of a tool on your toolbar. It also displays the answer on Word's status bar so you don't need to waste a click dismissing a dialog box. (If you've already changed the options to hide the status bar, the macro will use a dialog box instead.)

To create the macro:

•	Start Word

•	Select Tools/Macro

•	Type in the name (use WordCount or something similar) and a short description

•	Click on the Create button. A macro editing window will open, in which you can enter the macro text below. Or, you can push the copy button at the top of the help screen, select the macro text, copy it to the clipboard, and paste it into the macro editing window. This will save you rather a lot of time. Make sure when you are done pasting that you have only one Sub MAIN and one End Sub statement in your macro.

Once you've entered the text, assign the macro to a button:

•	Select Tools/Customize and click on the Toolbars index tab.

•	Scroll through the Categories list until you find Macros, and you should find your WordCount macro listed.

•	Drag the name up to one of your toolbars, and a new button should appear.

•	Select the icon for the button from the list that Word provides

•	Click on Assign. You're done.

Open a document and click on your new button, and you should see the word count displayed on the status bar. You can use the same technique to automate any repetitive operation.

One of the best ways to learn any programming language is to look at lots of examples. Word 6.0 includes the WordBasic reference in its on-line help, so you can look up any command that isn't obvious. Take a look in the MACROS subdirectory in which you installed Word. There's a great selection of macros in that directory. Most on-line services also have forums from which you can download macros, such as the MSWORD forum that Microsoft operates on CompuServe.

If you really want to become a Word guru, pick up two essential references: Microsoft's Word 6.0 Developer's Kit and Word 6.0 Resource Kit. The Developer's Kit includes a tutorial on WordBasic, a discussion of error conditions and how to handle them, plus information on how to communicate with other applications.

The Resource Kit concentrates on support and administration issues, but has a section on creating custom macros and applications. Both books are published by Microsoft Press and include companion diskettes that have sample macros and utilities.

Macro Text

Sub MAIN

Me$ = "Word Counter"

Dim FSI As FileSummaryInfo

If Len(Selection$()) > 50 Then

  ' Count the selected text only; use the clipboard for scratch

  Msg$ = "Counting a selection will overwrite the clipboard."

  If MsgBox(Msg$, Me$, 1 + 48 + 256) <> - 1 Then Goto Done

  Msg$ = "Selection"

  EditCopy

  FileNew

  EditPaste

  FileSummaryInfo .Update

  GetCurValues FSI

  DocClose 2

Else

  ' Count the whole document

  Msg$ = FileName$(0)

  FileSummaryInfo .Update

  GetCurValues FSI

End If

Msg$ = Msg$ + ": " + FSI.NumWords + " Words, " + FSI.NumChars + "

Characters''

If ViewStatusBar() Then

  ' If status bar is displayed, put message there

  Print Msg$

Else

  ' Otherwise put it in a message box

  MsgBox Msg$, Me$, 64

End If

Done:

End Sub


Word: Using WordArt To Add Headers
 Word 6.0: Using WordArt To Add Headers

SCREENCAM: WORD: USING WORDART TO ADD HEADERS


Word: Auto-Loading A Document
 Word 6.0: Auto-Loading A Document

SCREENCAM: WORD: AUTO-LOADING A DOCUMENT


Word: Inserting Special Characters
 Word 6.0: Inserting Special Characters

SCREENCAM: WORD: INSERTING SPECIAL CHARACTERS


Word: Changing Margins/Fonts
 Word 6.0: Changing Margins/Fonts

SCREENCAM: WORD: CHANGING MARGINS/FONTS


Word: Adding Drop Caps
 Word 6.0: Adding Drop Caps

SCREENCAM: WORD: ADDING DROP CAPS


Word: Creating Multi-Level Lists
 Word 6.0: Creating Multi-Level Lists

SCREENCAM: WORD: CREATING MULTI-LEVEL LISTS


Word: Creating New Styles
 Word 6.0: Creating New Styles

SCREENCAM: WORD: CREATING NEW STYLES


Word: Creating A Fast Template
 Word 6.0: Creating A Fast Template

SCREENCAM: WORD: CREATING A FAST TEMPLATE


 Word Processors: WordPerfect 6.0 Tips

WordPerfect 6.0: Back To Normal

WordPerfect 6.0: Modify Power Bar

WordPerfect 6.0: Wildcard Searches

WordPerfect 6.0: TurboCharge Status

WordPerfect 6.0: Work Overtime

WordPerfect 6.0: Speed Bullets

WordPerfect 6.0: Quick Opens

WordPerfect 6.0: See More

WordPerfect 6.0: Launch Pad

WordPerfect 6.0: Where Am I?

WordPerfect 6.0: Table Settings

WordPerfect 6.0: Favorite Fonts

WordPerfect 6.0: Power Bar Fonts

WordPerfect 6.0: Open All Files

WordPerfect 6.0: Fast Printing

WordPerfect 6.0: Pop Buttons

WordPerfect 6.0: Easy Email

WordPerfect 6.0a: Select Sentences

WordPerfect 6.0a: Add Watermarks

WordPerfect 6.0a: Word by Word

WordPerfect 6.0a: Say Goodbye

WordPerfect 6.0a: Manage Files

WordPerfect 6.0a: Fewer Menu Items

WordPerfect 6.0a: Formatting Options

WordPerfect 6.0a: Typos/Trademarks

WordPerfect 6.0a: Use Borders

WordPerfect 6.0: Keyboard Shortcuts


 WordPerfect 6.0: Back To Normal

To remove multiple text attributes, such as Bold, Italic or Very Large, select the text and press Ctrl+N. WordPerfect sets the text back to Normal.


 WordPerfect 6.0: Modify Power Bar

To modify a Power Bar, Button Bar or Ruler Bar, right-click anywhere in the gray area of the bar. WordPerfect displays a context-sensitive menu that includes the Edit or Preferences option for modifying the bar you've selected.


 WordPerfect 6.0: Wildcard Searches

Use wildcard characters ? and * when you're not sure of the spelling of a word or want to find all the variations of a root word. The question mark represents a single character and the asterisk represents several characters. For example, you can find both gray and grey in the same search by searching for gr?y. To find all words that begin with walk, search for walk*.  To use wildcards, start by choosing Edit/Find. In the Find text box, type the text you want to search for, excluding the wildcard characters. For instance, type gry. Place the insertion point in the text where you want to insert a wildcard character and choose Match/Codes. Select either * (Many Char) or ? (One Char) and choose Insert. Repeat this to insert additional wildcard characters if needed. Choose Find Next to begin the search.


 WordPerfect 6.0: TurboCharge Status

Turbo-charge your Status Bar with your mouse. Double-click on the font name in the status bar to change the font. Double-click on the position status (Pg 1 Ln 1" Pos 1") to see the GoTo dialog box. Double-click on the date field to insert the correct date in your document. Toggle Caps Lock on and off by double-clicking on the CAPS box in the Status Bar.


 WordPerfect 6.0: Work Overtime

Let WordPerfect work while you sleep. Use the Kickoff program (in the WordPerfect program group) to reindex your files for QuickFinder, the file locator utility. Double-click on Kickoff in the WordPerfect program group. Select Add and type the path of the desired application, then set a start time. For example, if you want to launch QuickFinder to update all your indexes, type C:\WPC20\QFWIN 20.EXE /IA. The /IA start-up switch will index all files; find other start-up switches by clicking on Help.


 WordPerfect 6.0: Speed Bullets

Here's a quick way to insert the style of bullet you used last: Add a button to the Power Bar. To do so, right-click on the Power Bar and select Preferences. In the Power Bar Preferences dialog box, select Insert Default Bullet in the Items list box. The bullet icon will appear at the right end of the Power Bar, but you can reposition it as you wish. Click on OK to close the dialog box. From then on, just click on the button to insert that particular bullet, which will be followed by a tab.


 WordPerfect 6.0: Quick Opens

By default, WordPerfect lists the last four documents you worked on at the bottom of the File menu. If you want to have all those files open automatically when you start WordPerfect, use the Save Workspace option. Select File/Preferences/ Environment. The Save Workspace options (Always, Never, Prompt on Exit) are found in the lower left corner. If you select the Prompt on Exit option, WordPerfect will ask if you want to save your environment when you leave the program.


 WordPerfect 6.0: See More

To view as much of a document as possible, turn off all the menus and bars by selecting View/Hide Bars. The Button Bar, Status Bar, Power Bar, Ruler Bar and even the pull-down menus disappear. However, the menus are still available if you click on the top of the screen. Select Alt+V, then Hide Bars, or press the Escape key (Esc), in order to restore the full interface.


 WordPerfect 6.0: Launch Pad

Use the Button Bar to launch programs and open files with one click. While editing a Button Bar, drag a program file or data file (such as a spreadsheet or database file) from Windows' File Manager to a Button Bar. Clicking on the button will automatically launch the program or insert the data into the WordPerfect document.


 WordPerfect 6.0: Where Am I?

Here's how to insert the current path and filename, or just the filename alone, into your document. Place the insertion point where you want the filename inserted--in a footer or at the bottom of a page, for example--and select Insert/Other. Select Filename or Path and Filename. The text will be inserted in all uppercase in the current font. If you change the name of the document, the filename code will automatically update to display the current name.


 WordPerfect 6.0: Table Settings

Change table widths with the keyboard by placing the insertion point in the column you want to modify and pressing Ctrl+ Comma (,) to reduce the width of the column or Ctrl+ Period (.) to increase the width of the column. With the mouse, you can resize a table column by clicking and dragging the column border to the desired width.


 WordPerfect 6.0: Favorite Fonts

For quicker access to your favorite fonts, select the Font list from the Power Bar. You'll find a listing of the last four fonts you have used.


 WordPerfect 6.0: Power Bar Fonts

Select the font typefaces and sizes you want displayed in the Power Bar. Display the Power Bar (select View/Power Bar), then right-click on the Power Bar and choose Preferences. Choose Fonts, then select (or deselect) the desired fonts and font sizes. Click on OK twice to return to your document once you're satisfied with your choices.


 WordPerfect 6.0: Open All Files

To open all files listed in the Open File dialog box, place the insertion point on any file in the box and press Ctrl+ Slash key (/).


 WordPerfect 6.0: Fast Printing

To speed up printing, use the background printing option in WordPerfect and turn off Windows' Print Manager if you aren't printing from multiple applications at once. You can turn off Windows' Print Manager by using the Printers option in Control Panel.


 WordPerfect 6.0: Pop Buttons

Are you tired of scrolling through your button bar? Add a second (or even a third) row. Right-click on the Button Bar and choose Preferences. Choose Options, and in the Maximum number of Rows/Columns to Show text box enter the desired number (up to three) or use the counter buttons. Click on OK, then on Close when you're finished.


 WordPerfect 6.0: Easy Email

You can send a document or a portion of it as a mail message without exiting WordPerfect. You can either send the entire document (by default) or select specific text. Then choose File/Mail and the text will be automatically inserted into your mail message. WordPerfect supports any VIM- or MAPI-compliant mail package.


 WordPerfect 6.0a: Select Sentences

To select full sentences, move the insertion point to the left margin. The cursor changes to a right-pointing arrow. Click once to select a full sentence; click twice to select a paragraph.


 WordPerfect 6.0a: Add Watermarks

To insert a graphic as a light-gray watermark, such as "Draft'' or "Confidential,'' in back of your text, move to the beginning of your document and choose Layout/Watermark. Select Watermark A and click on Create. Choose Figure to use a graphics image. Select the desired graphic, such as DRAFT.WPG, and click on OK. Click on Close twice. WordPerfect will automatically size the graphic to fill the entire page.


 WordPerfect 6.0a: Word by Word

To select items word by word, double-click and hold the left mouse button and drag the mouse across the words you want to select. To select entire sentences when you drag the mouse, triple-click the mouse before dragging it. To select paragraphs in this fashion, click the mouse four times before dragging it.


 WordPerfect 6.0a: Say Goodbye

You can add the Close All or the Save All feature to any Button Bar in WordPerfect 6.0a. Close All displays a single dialog box that will let you specify the files you want to save before closing. Save All lets you save all open files with one click. To add these features, right-click on your Button Bar and select Edit. Double-click or drag the Close All or Save All feature(s) to the Button Bar to add them.


 WordPerfect 6.0a: Manage Files

Right-click on your files in the Open File dialog box for a QuickMenu to copy, move/rename, delete, change attributes or print your files. You can also create, rename and delete directories from the same QuickMenu.


 WordPerfect 6.0a: Fewer Menu Items

To see fewer menu options, use the new WPLITE template. Choose File/Template, then choose WPLITE. WordPerfect displays only the essential editing tasks in the menus, making this a good choice for laptop users. Version 6.0a also adds templates that make the screen look more like WordPerfect 5.2 (WPWIN52), Ami Pro (WPAMIPRO), or Microsoft Word (WPWORD).


 WordPerfect 6.0a: Formatting Options

Get detailed information about formatting options by clicking on codes in the Reveal Codes window. Click on the Lft Mar code, for instance, and WordPerfect may display Lft Mar: 1.5" (the position of the left margin). To change an option, you can open a dialog box for a code by double-clicking on it within the Reveal Codes window. For example, if you double-click on HRt (Hard Return), you will call the Paragraph Format dialog box. To remove codes (and the associated formatting), drag the code from the Reveal Codes window.


 WordPerfect 6.0a: Typos/Trademarks

To correct typos or expand abbreviations, use the new QuickCorrect feature in version 6.0a. With QuickCorrect, you can type the letters ico, then the spacebar. WordPerfect will expand the text to "in consideration of.'' You can also include special characters or symbols, such as replacing tm with the trademark symbol . Choose Tools/QuickCorrect. Type in the word or letter combination to be replaced. If you want to include a special character, press Ctrl+W to bring up the WordPerfect character set. Choose a character and click on Insert and Close.


 WordPerfect 6.0a: Use Borders

Dress up your documents by placing borders around paragraphs, pages, columns, table cells or graphics boxes. For instance, to place a border around a paragraph, select the text and choose Layout/Paragraph/Border/Fill.


 WordPerfect 6.0: Keyboard Shortcuts

CUA Keystrokes:

•	Recommended for those who prefer a Windows command environment

•	Select WPWin 6.0 in File/Preferences/Keyboard

DOS Keystrokes

•	Recommended for those who prefer a WordPerfect 5.1 command environment

•	Select WPDOS in File/Preferences/Keyboard

Task:	SHORTCUT (CUA):	Shortcut (DOS):
Move insertion point to next word	CTRL+RIGHT ARROW	Ctrl+Right arrow
Move insertion point to previous word	CTRL+LEFT ARROW	Ctrl+Left arrow
Move insertion point to start of line	HOME	Home, Home, Left arrow
Move insertion point to start of document	CTRL+HOME	Home, Home, Up arrow
Move insertion point to end of document	CTRL+END	Home, Home, Down arrow
Move insertion point to start of document, before the coding	CTRL+HOME	Home, Home, Home, Up arrow
Bold text, or unbold if text is already bolded	CTRL+B	Ctrl+B (or F6)
Italicize text, or unitalicize if text is already italic	CTRL+I	Ctrl+I
Underline text, or remove underline if text is already underlined	CTRL+U	Ctrl+U
Remove coding from selected text	CTRL+N	Ctrl+N
Em-dash	CTRL+W, INSERT CHARACTER, 4,34	F11, Insert character, 4,34
En-dash	CTRL+W, INSERT CHARACTER, 4,33	F11, Insert character, 4,33
Go to previous page	ALT+PAGE UP	Page Up
Go to specified page	CTRL+G	Ctrl+Home
Go to previous document(or window or pane)	CTRL+SHIFT+F6	Ctrl+Shift+F6
Go to next document(or window or pane)	CTRL+F6	Ctrl+F6
Delete word (with insertion point anywhere on word)	CTRL+BACKSPACE	Ctrl+Backspace
Delete rest of a line	CTRL+DELETE	Ctrl+End
Hard page break	CTRL+ENTER	Ctrl+Enter
Hard hyphen (Nonbreaking hyphen)	CTRL+SHIFT+ HYPHEN	Ctrl+Shift+ Hyphen
Soft hyphen (Discretionary hyphen)	CTRL+SHIFT+ SPACEBAR	Ctrl+Shift+ Spacebar


 Online Essentials

Online: America On Line

Online: BIX

Online: CompuServe

Online: Delphi Internet

Online: GEnie

Online: Internet

Online: The Pipeline

Online: Prodigy


Online: American On Line
 Online: America On Line

800-827-6364, 703-448-8700

America Online has forums for downloading computer applications, reading newspapers and magazines, chatting with AOL members, and more. You can access the Internet through e-mail as well as Gopher, newsgroups and Wide Area Information Server (WAIS).


 Online: BIX

800-695-4775, 617-354-4137

The character-based BIX can be navigated through menus or with a prompt shell. BIX offers full Internet access, e-mail with binary attachments, and downloadable software. Windows-based graphical user interfaces, BIXNav and BIXNav 20, are available.


 Online: CompuServe

800-848-8199, 614-457-8600

CompuServe allows members to send and receive e-mail and access Internet newsgroups. WinCIM, a Windows-based front end, is available from CompuServe.


 Online: Delphi Internet

800-695-4005, 617-491-3393

Delphi offers a wide range of forums dedicated to business and finance, computing, entertainment and organizations. It also offers a variety of Internet features, such as e-mail, fax services, FTP, Gopher, WAIS, Telnet and Usenet newsgroups.


 Online: GEnie

800-638-9636, 301-251-6475

GEnie's Internet gateway will allow access to e-mail and FTP files through a librarian-type system. Currently, GEnie offers e-mail, more than 260,000 downloadable files and more than 250 "roundtables,'' topic-specific forums covering PC support, scuba diving, sci-fi and more. GEnie for Windows, the graphical user interface, is free of charge and can be downloaded from GEnie.


 Online: Internet

Ventana Media a division of Ventana Communications Group

800-209-3342, 919-942-0220

The Internet Membership Kit (IMK) includes the Chameleon Sampler from NetManage, a Windows front end for accessing the Internet. The IMK includes an option for using Cerfnet, an Internet service provider.


 Online: The Pipeline

212-267-3636 or info@pipeline.com

The Pipeline offers full Internet access through a Windows-based front end.


 Online: Prodigy

800-PRODIGY, 914-448-8000 (Prodigy not available outside the U.S.)

Prodigy is aimed primarily at the home market. It features on-line banking, shopping, conferences and e-mail service, and access to Internet e-mail. Prodigy is well known for on-line news.


 Must Have Shareware

Recommended downloads from America Online (Keyword WinMag), CompuServe (GO WINUSER), and the Internet (ftp.cica.indiana.edu in pub/pc/win3)

Shareware: Above & Beyond

Shareware: ButtonStar Deluxe

Shareware: Drag and File

Shareware: FontSpec Pro

Shareware: Paint Shop Pro

Shareware: Phone Master

Shareware: PixFolio

Shareware: Private Cryptographer

Shareware: Network Email

Shareware: SmilerShell

Shareware: Time and Chaos

Shareware: WhizNotes

Shareware: wInformant

Shareware: WinModem

Shareware: Win SetTime

Shareware: WinZip


 Shareware: Above & Beyond

Recommended downloads from America Online (Keyword WinMag), CompuServe (GO WINUSER), and the Internet (ftp.cica.indiana.edu in pub/pc/win3)

Your Productivity will surge with this nifty PIM. It features pop-up alarms, task tracking, timers, weekly and monthly views, a contact database and full workgroup/LAN support.

Above and Beyond

Newest version: 3.1.

$99 per user; 1Soft Corp.

AB.ZIP, 270,695 bytes.


 Shareware: ButtonStar Deluxe

Recommended downloads from America Online (Keyword WinMag), CompuServe (GO WINUSER), and the Internet (ftp.cica.indiana.edu in pub/pc/win3)

This desktop manager/shell provides 216 configurable buttons, including 16 group toolbars, to launch your apps. You also get shortcut keys and pop-up alarms.

Newest version: 5.5.0. (Needs VBRUN300.DLL).

$28; Mark J DiBiasio.

BSTAR5.ZIP, 624, 211 bytes.


 Shareware: Drag and File

Recommended downloads from America Online (Keyword WinMag), CompuServe (GO WINUSER), and the Internet (ftp.cica.indiana.edu in pub/pc/win3)

Get a directory finder, a duplicate file finder, and the ability to create multiple associations for one file, all with this utility. Drag and View GOLD and Drag and Zip are included.

Newest version: 1.6.

$69.95, Canyon Software.

DRAGFL.ZIP, 1,040,492 bytes


 Shareware: FontSpec Pro

Recommended downloads from America Online (Keyword WinMag), CompuServe (GO WINUSER), and the Internet (ftp.cica.indiana.edu in pub/pc/win3)

Font handling's easy with this utility. It divides fonts into manageable groups, and lets you compare, install, delete and preview TrueType and PostScript fonts.

Newest version: 6.0 (Needs VBRUN300.DLL)

$25; Unitech Corp.

FSP.ZIP, 368,849 bytes.


 Shareware: Paint Shop Pro

Recommended downloads from America Online (Keyword WinMag), CompuServe (GO WINUSER), and the Internet (ftp.cica.indiana.edu in pub/pc/win3)

With this handy app, you can capture screens; display, alter and print images; and convert images to and from 23 common bitmap formats, including .GIF, .JPG, and Kodak Photo CD.

Newest version: 2.01.

$69; JASC Inc.

PSP2.ZIP, 472,254 bytes


 Shareware: Phone Master

Recommended downloads from America Online (Keyword WinMag), CompuServe (GO WINUSER), and the Internet (ftp.cica.indiana.edu in pub/pc/win3)

This customizable contact manager will serve you well. It dials, has a pop up terminal, program and reminder buttons, and imports and exports ASCII.

Newest version 4.1. (Needs VBRUN300.DLL).

$29.95; Softlink Software

PMASTE.ZIP, 472,000 bytes


 Shareware: PixFolio

Recommended downloads from America Online (Keyword WinMag), CompuServe (GO WINUSER), and the Internet (ftp.cica.indiana.edu in pub/pc/win3)

Get a grip on your clip art. PixFolio lets you build catalogs with images from different disks, display them as thumbnails, and convert to and from .BMP, .CGM, .CLP, .DRW, .GIF, .JPG and .PCX.

Newest version: 2.0.142.

$39; Allen Kempe.

PIXF20.ZIP, 656,048 bytes


 Shareware: Private Cryptographer

Recommended downloads from America Online (Keyword WinMag), CompuServe (GO WINUSER), and the Internet (ftp.cica.indiana.edu in pub/pc/win3)

Safeguard sensitive data with this program. Features include a password manager and three encrypt/decrypt methods.

Newest version: 1.23. (Needs VBRUN300.DLL)

$50; Ivory Tower Software.

ENCRYP.ZIP, 218,717 bytes.


 Shareware: Network Email

Recommended downloads from America Online (Keyword WinMag), CompuServe (GO WINUSER), and the Internet (ftp.cica.indiana.edu in pub/pc/win3)

Get all the basic e-mail features--free! You can attach files to messages and send to distribution lists. A pop-up dialog notifies you of new mail.

Newest version: 3.21. (Needs VBRUN300.DLL).

Freeware; Ivory Tower Software.

EMAIL.ZIP, 74,579 bytes


 Shareware: SmilerShell

Recommended downloads from America Online (Keyword WinMag), CompuServe (GO WINUSER), and the Internet (ftp.cica.indiana.edu in pub/pc/win3)

Click no more, command-line addicts. SmilerShell lets you launch Windows and DOS apps and use DOS internal commands. Features include a command-line editor and fast directory change.

Newest version: 2.1

$19.95; Bardon Data Systems

SMISHL.ZIP; 99,199 bytes


 Shareware: Time and Chaos

Recommended downloads from America Online (Keyword WinMag), CompuServe (GO WINUSER), and the Internet (ftp.cica.indiana.edu in pub/pc/win3)

Along with regular PIM features, this time management program provides custom to-do priorities, auto refresh over a LAN, DDE support and encrypted passwords.

Newest version: 4.04a.

$29; iSBiSTER International Inc.

TCHAOS.ZIP; 331,536 bytes


 Shareware: WhizNotes

Recommended downloads from America Online (Keyword WinMag), CompuServe (GO WINUSER), and the Internet (ftp.cica.indiana.edu in pub/pc/win3)

With this super-notepad you can create unlimited "topics" and group them into parent topics. Using the Microsoft Help Compiler, you can even turn WhizNotes into a Help file.

Newest version: 2.0

$49.95; Sanjay Kanade

WHIZN2.ZIP; 440,268 bytes


 Shareware: winformant

Recommended downloads from America Online (Keyword WinMag), CompuServe (GO WINUSER), and the Internet (ftp.cica.indiana.edu in pub/pc/win3)

Use this toolbar utility to clean your Windows. It includes a search function, swap-file status test, a profile editor for .INI modification and an uninstaller.

Newest version: 1.10.

$39; NEOCOM Microspecialists Inc.

WN4MNT.ZIP; 814,075 bytes.


 Shareware: WinModem

Recommended downloads from America Online (Keyword WinMag), CompuServe (GO WINUSER), and the Internet (ftp.cica.indiana.edu in pub/pc/win3)

Is your internal modem keeping secrets from you? This utility displays a modem on your desktop complete with status lights to tell you exactly where your connection is.

Newest version: 4.0.

$10; Information Technology Ltd.

WNMDM4.ZIP; 165,269 bytes.


 Shareware: Win SetTime

Recommended downloads from America Online (Keyword WinMag), CompuServe (GO WINUSER), and the Internet (ftp.cica.indiana.edu in pub/pc/win3)

This utility dials one of the atomic clocks, obtains the current universal time, converts it to your local time zone and updates your system clock.

Newest version: 5.0b. (Needs VBRUN300.DLL)

$7; G.L. Liadis Software Inc.

WSTIME.ZIP; 32,055 bytes


 Shareware: WinZip

Recommended downloads from America Online (Keyword WinMag), CompuServe (GO WINUSER), and the Internet (ftp.cica.indiana.edu in pub/pc/win3)

A must for anyone who downloads, this archive management utility integrates with File Manager, and tracks system changes to make uninstalling applications a breeze.

Newest version: 5.5.

$29; Nico Mak Computing Inc.

WINZIP.ZIP; 266,513 bytes.


  Spreadsheets: Improv 2.1 Tips

Improv 2.1: Improve Performance

Improv 2.1: Create Formats

Improv 2.1: Improve Readability

Improv 2.1: Slim It Down

Improv 2.1: Avoid Hidden Data

Improv 2.1: Help With Formulas

Improv 2.1: Keyboard Shortcuts


  Improv 2.1: Improve Performance

Choose Apply Styles to All Views in Improv's Info Box to speed up performance. This will give Improv less information to keep track of.


  Improv 2.1: Create Formats

You can create multiple formats of your worksheet with Improv's View feature. Turn off Apply Styles to All Views in the Info Box. Then choose Create/View. Each view can have its own fonts and other formatting, and you can have as many as 16 for each worksheet.


  Improv 2.1: Improve Readability

Improv automatically wraps lines that exceed the length of the screen's display, but this can make them more difficult to decipher. You can insert a line break by pressing Ctrl+Enter. Increase readability further by adding spaces between your arguments.


  Improv 2.1: Slim It Down

Improv's memory requirements can be curtailed in a number of ways. You can trim Improv's size by selecting Tools/ User Setup, selecting the Overlap Info drop-down list and turning off Replicate Styles When Adding Items and Enable Edit Undo. Reboot Improv and you will immediately begin to enjoy the benefits.


  Improv 2.1: Avoid Hidden Data

To avoid charting hidden data items, select the data you wish to chart with a cell range selection, rather than a name range. The name range selection charts all data contained in the name range, including hidden items.


  Improv 2.1: Help With Formulas

Select the cell, range or item before you pick a function from the functions pop-up list. Improv will automatically make this selection the first parameter in the formula pane. If the selection is the only parameter needed, you're done.


 Improv 2.1: Keyboard Shortcuts

Task:	SHORTCUT
Move insertion point to beginning of text	CTRL+HOME
Move insertion point to end of text	CTRL+END
Delete selected text or the characters from the insertion point to the end of the current line	CTRL+DELETE
Mark the formula that calculates cells and the cells that are to be calculated in the worksheet	CTRL+M
Check a formula in question for errors	CTRL+K
Restore original script name (undo)	CTRL+Z
Return to selection if it is not visible on-screen	CTRL + BACKSPACE
Edit select all	CTRL+A
File print	CTRL+P
Worksheet hide items	CTRL+H
Compose sequence to enter Improv character set	ALT+F1
Display the next document	CTRL+F6
Switch between data pane and formula pane	F6
Zoom in on the data or formula pane	ALT+F6


 Presentation Pointers

Here are some practical pointers to make your presentation a truly memorable one.

•	Stick with one basic typeface throughout your presentation, using different sizes and weights (such as bold and italic) to set off titles, subtitles and body text. If you're determined to add a second typeface, make sure it's complementary.

•	Keep your presentation easy on the eyes by using sans serif faces, which are more legible (especially at a distance) than the slightly more ornate serif varieties. And stay away from solid caps, which are harder to read than a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters.

•	Make sure you use type that is large enough to be read easily by the guy in the last row. Try this test: If you can read printouts of the slides held at arm's length, the type size should be large enough.

•	Don't get carried away with special effects just because your software offers them. Use them sparingly. Title slides can be a little splashier than the body slides, but don't make them so wild that they look unprofessional.

•	Introduce a color scheme in the title slide, and stay within the same palette throughout the presentation. Use cool colors for backgrounds and warm colors to highlight data.

•	Keep body slides short and to the point. Limit yourself to six to eight words per point and six to eight lines (50 words or so) per slide. You can elaborate as needed as you narrate the presentation.

•	To focus your audience's attention on a specific piece of information, try using builds, which reveal bulleted items and other elements one at a time.

•	Use main titles to identify the topic in broad strokes, and subtitles, as needed, to summarize the content of a specific slide. For consistency, place the main titles in the same place on every slide, apart from title and body text.

•	Include charts, where appropriate, to convey information visually. Try color, three-dimensional and cut-away charts for variety, as your software permits.


 Langa: Low Cost Add-Ons

FRED LANGA EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, WINDOWS MAGAZINE

Let's face it, Windows isn't perfect. (If it were, you wouldn't need a survival guide, right?) But Windows is perfectible. Sometimes you make it better by tuning and tweaking. Other times you use third-party add-on software to fill in the holes or to shore up the weak spots.

These add-ons need not be elaborate or expensive. In fact, some professional-caliber shareware products can vastly improve Windows operations, yet hardly make a dent in your budget. I use several such shareware products every day--they're a permanent part of my Windows setup.

Langa: Use Plug-In for Windows.

Langa: Use METZ Task Manager

Langa: Use WinFileX

Langa: Use Fileware


Langa: Use Plug-In for Windows.
 Langa: Use Plug-In for Windows

It's my all-time favorite shareware application because it unobtrusively adds many new menu items and powerful functions to Windows' standard Program Manager. (It will also work with alternative desktops from Norton or Central Point.) As of this writing, Plug-In is up to version 2.1. You get group file management, icon management for files and groups, a system resource monitor with an alarm to warn you when memory is running low, a QuickRun menu for fast access to your favorite programs, a Windows command line with one-click access to the last 25 commands you typed, and a way to quit and reenter Windows immediately. Because you already know how to use Program Manager, you already know how to use Plug-In. All this functionality costs just $20 when you register the shareware--an almost unbelievable bargain. Look for the file PLUGIN21.ZIP on America Online or on your favorite on-line system.


 Langa: Use METZ Task Manager

It operates just like Windows' own primitive Task Manager, but METZ adds full iconic operation, one-button launching of your 20 most-used programs, and several handy utilities. It's powerful enough to replace Program Manager as your home shell, if you want to use it that way. (I prefer to use it in addition to my Plug-In-enhanced Program Manager.) From the pop-up window, you can search files and text; create a directory; change directories; and move, copy and rename files. You can launch frequently used files from an easily customizable iconic launchpad, or from a command line, which remembers a user-selectable number of previously typed commands. METZ Task Manager is currently at version 2.1, and costs $39.95. Look for MTM210.ZIP on America Online, or on your favorite on-line system.


 Langa: Use WinFileX

It's freeware--you can't get less expensive than that! But WinFileX delivers a real benefit. It activates your normally unused right mouse button from within File Manager to let you view any file with the application of your choice. For example, if you set up Notepad as the right-click application, you can right-click on any file--not just those with .TXT extensions--and view or edit them with Notepad. It's a painless, one-step way to improve File Manager's operation--and you sure can't beat the price! Look for the file WFILX120.ZIP.


 Langa: Use Fileware

It's a set of 18 add-on tools for Microsoft Word 2.0 and 6.0. Fileware somewhat extravagantly claims to let you "Do everything you need without ever leaving Word for Windows É'' While that may be slightly hyperbolic, it does let you create and remove directories, and delete, rename, copy or move files, all within Word. It also supplies an Address Book utility that keeps a database of names, addresses and telephone numbers, and can pop any name or address into a Word document at the click of a mouse. Fileware lets you launch any other Windows application from inside Word. It lets you associate descriptions with documents, so you aren't limited to the standard 8.3 filename conventions. Another utility lets you close all open files at the same time with just one command. A Font Minder analyzes the font composition of your document, letting you manage the look and feel of your documents. Fileware costs just $39.95. Word 6.0 users should look for FW32W6 .ZIP; Word 2.0 users look for FW32W2.ZIP.


 Gates: Win with Windows

BILL GATES CHAIRMAN AND CEO, MICROSOFT CORP.

Gates: Shared Secrets

Gates: TCP/IP Performance

Gates: Speedup Without Sharing

Gates: Excel 5.0 Worksheet Road Map

Gates: Excel 5.0 Line Chart Makeover

Gates: Excel 5.0 Quick Importing

Gates: Excel 5.0 Fill It


 Gates: Shared Secrets

Hide a shared directory so that you, or a particular coworker, can access it from another workstation on the network. First, select a directory to share from File Manager, then click on the Share As icon on the toolbar to bring up the Share Directory dialog box. Place a $ at the end of the name that you type in the Share Name field, complete the rest of the dialog box and choose the OK button. The directory is invisible to anyone browsing the list of shared directories in the Connect Network Drive dialog box. Your secret directory can be accessed only if you or someone else types its exact name, including the $ at the end, in the Path field of the Connect Network Drive dialog box.


 Gates: TCP/IP Performance

If your network uses TCP/IP to connect to UNIX hosts, or systems running Windows for Workgroups or Windows NT, there's a 32-bit TCP/IP stack for Windows for Workgroups that can enhance network performance. The stack, which is small, fast and uses no conventional memory, is available free over the Internet--select ftp.microsoft.com in the /peropsys/WFW/tcpip/vxdbeta directory. The stack can be used in conjunction with NetWare client software.


 Gates: Speedup Without Sharing

If you don't need to share your files or printer, there's an easy way to speed up the performance of your system. From the Network group in Program Manager, double-click on the Network Setup icon to open the Network Setup dialog box. Click on the Sharing button, which opens the Sharing dialog box. Next, disable file and printer sharing by unchecking their respective boxes. When both these options are turned off, Windows for Workgroups won't load a file named VSERVER.386 (which is the virtual server device), thus saving memory and enhancing your system's performance.


 Gates: Excel 5.0 Worksheet Road Map

Tired of scrolling through a workbook to find the worksheet you need? There's an easier and quicker way. You can access a menu of all worksheets by right-clicking on the tab scroll buttons in the lower left-hand corner of the screen.


 Gates: Excel 5.0 Line Chart Makeover

Is your data so complex it's made your line chart too hard to read? Use Curve Smoothing to fix jagged lines and restore lost detail. To do so, double-click on the line chart and select Curve Smoothing. Excel will then smooth the chart without hiding the overall trends.


 Gates: Excel 5.0 Quick Importing

Use the Text Import Wizard to specify parts of your data as text or numbers before you import it into your spreadsheet. The Wizard also allows you to label multiple columns of data by holding down the Shift key as you click on them.


 Gates: Excel 5.0 Fill It

It's easy to create custom fills. For example, if you wanted Excel to automatically fill in the names of all company departments, go to the Tools menu and select Options. Choose the Custom Lists tab, then type your series in the List Entries window. When finished, click on the OK button, or click on the Add button if you wish to create another series.


 Heller: Sound Strategies For Software Development

MARTIN HELLER, PROGRAMMING WINDOWS COLUMNIST

Heller: Determine Your Target

Heller: Listen To Your Customers

Heller: Prototype

Heller: Throw Away Your Prototype

Heller: Ship Your Prototype

Heller: Iterate

Heller: Use Appropriate Technology

Heller: Design By Decomposition

Heller: Write To Win32

Heller: Think Threads

Heller: Synchronize With Events

Heller: Use File Mappings

Heller: Distributed Implementations

Heller: Select Your Network


 Heller: Determine Your Target

To develop software, the first thing you need to know is who your customers are. Whether you are developing a product for sale or for in-house use, the most important question to ask is: Who is this for? The answer will not always be what you think.


 Heller: Listen To Your Customers

Once you know who will use your software, find out what they want. Try not to dismiss their requests as unrealistic or uninformed without careful thought. Don't assume that you know what they want better than they do.


 Heller: Prototype

When you think you know what your customers want, quickly build a prototype to test your assumptions. The prototype needn't have much functionality, but it should have a reasonably complete user interface. Watch selected customers try to work with the prototype. Ask them what they think of it. Try not to be defensive if they have criticisms or suggestions.


 Heller: Throw Away Your Prototype

If your prototype is not on target, throw it away and start over. If it is on target but it's not written in a manner that's suitable for production code, then throw it away and reimplement the tested design using your production tools.


 Heller: Ship Your Prototype

If your prototype satisfies your customers and can be maintained just as is, then go ahead and ship it--even if you intended to rewrite it.


 Heller: Iterate

After you've shipped a version of your software, ask your customers what they want in the next version. Be sure to listen to the answers. Also ask people who chose another product over yours exactly what they like better in the product they chose instead. Develop a new version of your product based on what you learned from the first version.


 Heller: Use Appropriate Technology

If you're developing software for a small audience, use tools that favor development speed over production performance, even if those tools require runtime royalties. For larger audiences, use tools that give you maximum production speed and minimum size, and avoid tools that impose runtime license costs. Use design tools, application frameworks and code generators whenever they fit into your work style.


 Heller: Design By Decomposition

Break big jobs into many little jobs. Work from the top down and then from the bottom up. When designing Windows programs, work from the user interface down. Start with menus, then dialog boxes, and then implement the functionality behind each menu item and dialog box.


 Heller: Write To Win32

Microsoft is implementing Win32 in Windows 95 (Chicago), Windows NT, the WinPad and as a porting layer for both UNIX and Macintosh.


 Heller: Think Threads

Many applications work better as a flotilla of cruisers than they do as a single battleship. Using multiple threads of execution allows scalability on machines with multiple processors. Using multiple processes allows applications to be distributed across multiple machines on a network.


 Heller: Synchronize With Events

Also tie in with sema-phores, mutexes and critical sections. The flotilla needs communications and coordination.


 Heller: Use File Mappings

Mapped files make opening a file an instant operation. They also offer a clean, fast way to share memory blocks among applications on a single machine.


 Heller: Distributed Implementations

It's easier to build distributed capabilities into an app at design time than after the fact. You can always run a network-aware application locally, but you're looking for trouble when you try to run an unaware application over a network.


 Heller: Select Your Network

About nine different networking mechanisms are implemented in Win32. Try to pick the one best fitted to each communications link in your design, taking into account compatibility and connectivity issues.


 Elgan: Unearth Windows' Hidden Treasures

MIKE ELGAN, EXECUTIVE EDITOR, WINDOWS MAGAZINE

The 12 free applets that come with Windows may not be fancy or feature-rich, but they're stable and surprisingly useful. Here are little-known secrets for accessing powerful features of each one.

Elgan: Calculator

Elgan: Calendar

Elgan: Cardfile

Elgan: Character Map

Elgan: Clock

Elgan: Media Player

Elgan: Notepad

Elgan: Paintbrush

Elgan: Recorder

Elgan: Sound Recorder

Elgan: Terminal

Elgan: Write


 Elgan: Calculator

SCREENCAM: USING THE APPLETS: CALCULATOR

Windows' Calculator has a special dialog box, the Statistics Box, for statistical calculations. You can use it to keep your eye on a long list of numbers. Click on the Dat button to move a number into the Statistics Box. To bring up the Statistics Box, open the View menu, select Scientific, then click on the Sta button. Here's what the buttons do: RET switches to Calculator, LOAD dumps selected number back into Calculator, CD clears selected numbers, and CAD clears all numbers.


 Elgan: Calendar

SCREENCAM: USING THE APPLETS: CALENDAR

You can have your schedule greet you each morning. Put File Manager and Program Manager side by side on your Windows desktop, then drag the name of your calendar file (the one with the .CAL extension) into your StartUp group.


 Elgan: Cardfile

SCREENCAM: USING THE APPLETS: CARDFILE

If you have several .CRD files (because Cardfile limits you to 1,260 cards per document), create yet another .CRD file, then add one card for each of the .CRD files you have. From File Manager, drag each .CRD file and drop it on its own card. This allows a theoretical limit of more than a million and a half cards in your new, alphabetized master Cardfile document! Now each time you open the master Cardfile document, open the Edit menu and select Picture. Then double-click on the .CRD file icon of your choice to open it.


 Elgan: Character Map

Here are three cool factoids about Windows' Character Map:

•	Holding the left mouse button while you pass the mouse pointer over the characters gives you an enlarged view of the characters.

•	You can select (for copying and pasting to your word processor) as many characters as you want at any time.

•	The keystrokes for entering the characters from your keyboard's numeric keypad (in other words, without using Character Map) always appear in the lower right corner of the Character Map window.


 Elgan: Clock

SCREENCAM: USING THE APPLETS: CLOCK

Never be without a visible clock: Open Clock, then size and place it where you want it. Next, open Clock's Control menu, select Always On Top, then double-click on the clock face to get rid of the title bar. Finally, add CLOCK.EXE to the Run= line of your WIN.INI file.


 Elgan: Media Player

SCREENCAM: USING THE APPLETS: MEDIA PLAYER

You can send slick multimedia e-mail with Media Player. Open the applet, select File/Open, then find the .WAV, .MDI or .AVI file you want to send. Select Edit/Options. Deselect Caption and Border around object, but select Play in client document and click on the OK button. Select Edit/Copy. In your e-mail application, select Edit/Paste Special, then send your mail.


 Elgan: Notepad

Type .LOG as the first line in a text file. From now on, every time that you open the file, Notepad will automatically put the current time and date at the bottom of the file, and place the cursor below it. Then Notepad will place the cursor beneath the time and date, making the text file ready to go with a time-stamped entry each time you open it.


 Elgan: Paintbrush

Pressing and holding the Ctrl key as you drag a selected image copies the image to a new location in Paintbrush. Press and hold the Shift key to leave a trail of the image.


 Elgan: Recorder

If you CoolSwitch (press Alt+Tab to switch to a running application) to Program Manager while recording a macro, it won't record the keystrokes. Instead, it'll record "open ProgMan.'' So you can be sure ProgMan will always come up during macro playback, regardless of what other apps are running.


 Elgan: Sound Recorder

Increase Sound Recorder's default maximum recording time of one minute by clicking on the record button and recording nothing for the full minute. Save the file as BLANK.WAV.  Whenever you want a longer recording time, open BLANK.WAV, then select Edit/Insert File and insert BLANK.WAV one time for every extra minute you want to add to the maximum recording time.


 Elgan: Terminal

Here's how you can connect two PCs: On both systems, open Terminal and select Settings/Terminal Preferences. In the CR -> CR/LF box, select both Inbound and Outbound. Select Settings/Communications and make sure both systems have the same number selected in the Baud Rate box. To have one PC call the other, the caller selects Settings/Phone Number, types the other PC's number, then selects Phone/Dial. The callee types ATSO=1 when "ring'' appears on-screen. Whatever you type on one PC will appear on the screens of both PCs. To send and receive files, use the Transfers menu.


 Elgan: Write

Here's an undocumented feature: Do a soft return by pressing Ctrl+K.


 Woram: Editing INI Files

JOHN WORAM, OPTIMIZING WINDOWS COLUMNIST

Woram: ABC.INI

Woram: Drain Your Fonts

Woram: Go To The Source

Woram: Do You Know Your IRQ?

Woram: Easy .INI Editing

Woram: Sound Advice

Woram: Protect Your Players

Woram: Manage Fileman


 Woram: ABC.INI

Before you do any serious .INI file editing, it may be worthwhile to arrange the entries within a section in alphabetical order. This will make it easier to edit difficult sections, such as SYSTEM.INI's [386Enh] section. With all those device= lines, it can be tough to keep track of what's there and what's not. Use your Windows word processor to open any .INI file, highlight the entries in one section only, and then sort them. Whatever you do, don't sort the entire file. And save the file in a straight ASCII text format.


 Woram: Drain Your Fonts

Open WIN.INI and look at the [fonts] section. Admit it: You don't know what half of those filenames are. Put a semicolon at the head of any such font line. If you don't miss the font after a week or two, erase both the line and the corresponding .FOT and .TTF files from your SYSTEM directory. First, make sure you have a backup copy of the .TTF file, in case you have second thoughts after a few weeks.


 Woram: Go To The Source

In case of catastrophe, remember that three .INI file template files are included on the Windows distribution diskettes. These don't contain all that wonderful stuff you've added since you ran the Windows Setup procedure. But they do contain the basic elements for CONTROL.INI, WIN.INI and SYSTEM.INI. You'll find each template on the distribution diskettes with an extension of .SR_. Expand the one you need into your WINDOWS directory with its proper .INI extension.


 Woram: Do You Know Your IRQ?

If your sound card is giving you grief, open SYSTEM.INI and look for a section--probably near the end of the file--called [filename.drv]. With any luck, the filename part will be a name that you recognize. The section should contain the current IRQ setting, plus others for DMA, and/or an I/O address port. If you can't access these settings within Windows itself, you can change them by directly editing SYSTEM.INI when Windows is closed.


 Woram: Easy .INI Editing

The undocumented Windows SysEdit utility (SYSEDIT.EXE) is handy for editing WIN.INI and SYSTEM.INI, but it won't help you with other .INI files. To edit those, open File Manager and double-click on any .INI file to load it into the Notepad applet. If the end of a line is off-screen, open Notepad's Edit menu and select the Word Wrap option. This drops the off-screen portion down to the next screen line so you can see it. If you select Word Wrap but exit Notepad without editing the file, you'll get a message saying that the text in filename.INI has changed. Not to worry--in this case, the message is erroneous.


 Woram: Sound Advice

If you double-click on Control Panel's Sounds icon and the Test button is dimmed, the [Sounds] section of WIN.INI is probably missing. You can restore it by expanding the WIN.SR_ file (located on the distribution diskettes) into a temporary directory. Open the file, find and highlight the [Sounds] section and copy it. Open WIN.INI and paste the entire section into it. Save WIN.INI and reopen the Sounds icon. The Test button should now be enabled.


 Woram: Protect Your Players

The MPLAYER.INI file has a nasty habit of occasionally revising its own [Devices] section when certain unrelated configuration changes are made to SYSTEM.INI. It rewrites one critical line as CDAudio=0, and the result is that your system forgets it has a CD-ROM audio system installed. Until this buglet is squashed, you can protect MPLAYER.INI by write-protecting it. Better yet, make an extra copy of the line itself, with a semicolon at the head of the line. Next time Windows trashes the file, refer to that line for the correct values for your system.


 Woram: Manage Fileman

The Windows Task List dialog box opens if you press the Ctrl+Esc keys or double-click on any unoccupied desktop space. If you never use this feature, you can make both actions open File Manager instead. To do so, add the following line to the [boot] section of SYSTEM.INI:

taskman.exe=winfile.exe

Then drag a copy of the File Manager icon into the StartUp group window and set its Properties to Run Minimized. The next time you open Windows and either press Ctrl+Esc or double-click on the desktop, the File Manager window will open.


 Reiswig: Ultimate OS/2

LEE REISWIG, PRESIDENT, IBM PERSONAL SOFTWARE PRODUCTS DIVISION

Reiswig: Windows With A Side Of Speed

Reiswig: The Organized Desktop

Reiswig: A Handy Task List

Reiswig: Run 16-Bit Applications

Reiswig: Don't Panic


 Reiswig: Windows With A Side Of Speed

Optimize the performance you get when running Windows or DOS applications in OS/2 by granting them maximum screen real estate. To do so, enable the DOS full-screen or Win-OS/2 full screen options in the Command Prompts folder. Another way to optimize performance of Windows or DOS applications is to rely on the built-in, systemwide OS/2 print spooler. To do that, disable any installed DOS print spoolers or Windows' Print Manager.


 Reiswig: The Organized Desktop

Make it easier to find things on a cluttered desktop by creating a second view of the Desktop window.

•	Click the right mouse button on the Desktop background to bring up its Context menu

•	Choose Open/Settings

•	In the Settings notebook, choose the Window tab

•	Click on Create new window in the Object open behavior area.

•	Close the Settings notebook.

•	Click the right mouse button on the Desktop background again.

•	From the Context menu, choose Open and the view you desire (Icon, Tree or Details). You'll get a second view of the Desktop window.

•	Arrange the icons in the window into a view that's best for a particular task. For instance, a copy of the Desktop can be in Details view while the normal Desktop reflects the Icon view.

•	When you're finished using the new Desktop, you can close it like any other window.


 Reiswig: A Handy Task List

Unlike Windows, the OS/2 default configuration doesn't show minimized icons directly on the desktop. But you can find out exactly what applications are running at any time, in one of three ways:

•	On the Workplace Shell, click the left and right mouse buttons simultaneously to call up the Window List. To switch to any task from here, double-click on the application name.

•	Hit Ctrl+Esc from within any application.

•	Select the Minimized Window object in the Workplace Shell, for an icon-based view of all open applications. To switch to a task using the Minimized Window object, simply double-click on the preferred icon.


 Reiswig: Run 16-Bit Applications

OS/2, as a 32-bit operating system, does not change the structure or the operation of a 16-bit program running under it. But you can still benefit from running a 16-bit program in OS/2. For example, OS/2's ability to provide true preemptive multitasking enables you to have multiple 16-bit applications active simultaneously. In addition, Crash Protection prevents a misbehaving 16-bit application from invading the individual memory space of other programs--whether DOS-, Windows- or OS/2-based--that are running at the same time.


Reiswig: When Everything Stops, Don't Panic
 Reiswig: Don't Panic

Occasionally, all activities in a window may come to a sudden halt. Don't reboot. Instead, hit Ctrl+Esc. Don't move the mouse or hit any other keys. Wait a minute, while OS/2 investigates what caused the application to freeze in the first place. In most cases, the Window List or an error message will pop up. Or, the application may simply unfreeze after OS/2 has completed its diagnostics. At that point, you may choose to close the application or keep working.


 Sorkin: Sound Off!

RICH SORKIN , DIRECTOR OF AUDIO PRODUCTS, CREATIVE LABS

Sorkin: Make Waves

Sorkin: Connecting SCSI To Sound

Sorkin: Playing Audio CDs

Sorkin: Check Midi Mapper


Sorkin: Make Waves--They Sound Great
 Sorkin: Make Waves

If presentations are your bread and butter, you need a sound card that uses wavetable synthesis. This technology provides sounds that are much closer to the sounds of real instruments than cards that use FM synthesis. FM synthesis sounds are generated through the modulation of different frequency waves, while wavetable synthesis actually uses samples of real sounds and instruments. Wavetable synthesis cards are compatible with the General MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) specification, enabling you to connect the card to a keyboard or other MIDI device to create music. The MIDI specification supports 24-note polyphony and 16 MIDI channels, and includes 128 instruments, 18 drum kits and 50 sound effects.


Sorkin: Connecting Scsi Devices To Sound Cards
 Sorkin: Connecting SCSI To Sound

When you are connecting multiple SCSI devices, make sure each device has a different SCSI ID. Because it is the SCSI ID that allows the host adapter to talk to more than one device, it is possible that neither device will be recognized if both share the same ID.

Also, the SCSI bus must be terminated at both ends for communication to travel successfully between add-on SCSI devices and the SCSI interface. Sound Blaster 16 SCSI-2 for example, is already terminated, so the device furthest from the audio card must also be terminated. If a closer device is terminated, the card often will not recognize any other devices.


Sorkin: Playing Audio Cds In Windows
 Sorkin: Playing Audio CDs

Do you want to play audio CDs in your CD-ROM drive? You may encounter an error if the [MCI] CD Audio driver is not installed. You can solve this by opening Control Panel, selecting the Drivers icon, clicking on the Add button, and choosing the [MCI] CD Audio driver. If the driver has not been installed on the system, Windows prompts you for the appropriate installation disk.


Sorkin: Be Sure To Check Your Midi Mapper Settings
 Sorkin: Check Midi Mapper

If you are using a MIDI device, you'll need to set an option in order to redirect the output signals to your MIDI device. To do this, Open Windows' Control Panel, then click on the icon called MIDI Mapper. From the MIDI Mapper dialog box, open the Name list and select the setup you want to use. (Windows includes setups for the MIDI devices it supports.) Then close the MIDI Mapper window.


 Everett: Need A CPU Upgrade?

CARL EVERETT, VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER, MICROPROCESSOR Product Group, Intel Corp.

Everett: Biggest Upgrade

Everett: No Motherboard Upgrades

Everett: Compatibility Is Key

Everett: Use Slot B


Everett: The Biggest Upgrade Of Them All
 Everett: Biggest Upgrade

If your system needs a major overhaul as well as a CPU upgrade, it may be cheaper and easier to purchase a new PC instead of buying and installing each component separately. For example, a fully loaded Pentium system with the latest I/O subsystems (such as a PCI local bus video card and a CD-ROM drive) costs less than $2,500. The price tag for a new system may not be too much higher than the total amount needed to add a new CPU and video card, and increase system memory. Ask yourself if the money you save upgrading your system is worth the time and effort you'll spend on installation. If not, purchase a new system.


 Everett: No Motherboard Upgrades

If you're considering replacing your system's motherboard, don't! Upgrading your motherboard can be costly. The boards also can be difficult to install, so you may want to reconsider if you are not technically inclined. Instead, you might want to buy a whole new system, or just replace the CPU on the existing motherboard.


 Everett: Compatibility Is Key

Find out what processor upgrade types your system can accommodate, so you can make an informed decision. For example, if you did your homework, you'd know not to replace your i486 with a Pentium processor. The Pentium is not compatible with an i486 upgrade socket. You'll also want to find out if your system is OverDrive-compatible. Almost all 486SX and 486DX PCs with speeds from 16MHz to 33MHz support OverDrive processor upgrades. To make certain, check the OverDrive Processor Upgrade Guide, or ask your reseller, system manufacturer or Intel Corp.


 Everett: Use Slot B

Not all processors are sold with a chip removal tool and full installation instructions. If you decide to install a CPU yourself, make sure you follow the installation instructions. If you don't push the chip all the way into the socket, for example, it may not function properly. And, if the thought of taking the case off your computer and reaching in with a pair of pliers still terrifies you, keep in mind that a computer store charges about $35 to install a new CPU.


 Halpin: Buy Smarter

JIM HALPIN, PRESIDENT AND CEO, COMPUSA INC.

Halpin: Prioritize, Prioritize

Halpin: What's In A Name?

Halpin: Hedge Bets

Halpin: Gold-Plate It

Halpin: Hold The 5.25

Halpin: Get On-Line

Halpin: Peace Of Mind


 Halpin: Prioritize, Prioritize

Rank your needs by percentage, then purchase the computer system that meets 75 percent of those needs quickly and efficiently. For example, if you plan to spend 50 percent of your time creating documents for printing, and 25 percent of it manipulating data in a spreadsheet, then buy a good laser printer and a computer with a math coprocessor.


 Halpin: What's In A Name?

Even if you don't expect to buy a name-brand computer, look at a few anyway. Get a feel for the quality and price of these systems. When you look at off-brand PCs, you'll see how corners were cut to achieve low price tags.


 Halpin: Hedge Bets

The computer industry evolves quickly, so your investment can easily become obsolete overnight. Hedge your bets by purchasing a machine that allows for upgrades and expansion. Make sure your system has plenty of room and the right slot types for adding extra RAM, additional hard disks and a faster video card. The processor should also be easily upgradable, so you should purchase a system with a CPU upgrade socket. For example, a ZIF (zero insertion force) socket supports upgrades to Intel's OverDrive processor, as well as future Pentium chips.


 Halpin: Gold-Plate It

Don't cut corners with your peripherals. You'll be relying for a long time on your monitor, keyboard and mouse, so keep comfort and quality in mind--it's worth it to pay a few extra bucks for peripherals with good ergonomics and sturdy designs.


 Halpin: Hold The 5.25

Ask your dealer to add a CD-ROM drive or tape backup instead of a 5.25-inch floppy disk drive. Most software currently comes on 3.5-inch diskettes, which are more durable, easier to store and higher capacity. Forgo the 5.25-inch drive unless you really plan to use it.


 Halpin: Get On-Line

High-speed modems have come down in cost, and popular on-line services like America Online and CompuServe are expanding. These services provide quick access to hardware and software updates, system configuration information, manufacturer help and industry news.


 Halpin: Peace Of Mind

Unless you're a computer engineering whiz, consider an extended warranty plan for your computer. People generally associate extended warranties with shoddy used car sales or underhanded telemarketing schemes--but you can often work out a great warranty deal.


 Lyons: Green Printing

JIM LYONS, FUTURE PRODUCTS MARKETING MANAGER, HEWLETT-PACKARD BOISE PRINTER DIVISION

The paperless office won't be a reality any time soon, but there are lots of things you can do to save money, not to mention trees. Obviously, print only when necessary, and recycle paper and toner cartridges.

Lyons: Printer Power Management

Lyons: Proofread

Lyons: Print Low-Res

Lyons: Use Fax Modems

Lyons: Revision Marks

Lyons: Email Instead


 Lyons: Printer Power Management

Enable your printer's power management features to turn down the power when it's not printing. Most new models include power management features (accessible through the front control panel of the printer or the Windows driver) that put the printer in sleep mode when it's inactive. For example, the HP LaserJet 4 Plus ships with Windows software that enables you to set the time the printer is inactive (from 15 minutes to three hours) before its power-save mode is invoked. To conserve as much power as possible, I usually set the power-save mode to kick in after 15 minutes. When I need to do some quick printing, I toggle the printer's on-line switch, which immediately activates the printer. You can also use the printer driver to wake up the printer, but it does so at print time, meaning an additional 45-second wait for the printer to warm up.


 Lyons: Proofread

Use your application's grammar checker, spell checker and print preview mode to catch mistakes before you print.


 Lyons: Print Low-Res

If you can't avoid printing drafts, use your printer's draft or low-resolution mode to save on toner and get print jobs--especially large ones--done faster. You'll get light but readable text while using about 50 percent less toner, doubling the toner cartridge life. When combined with two-sided (duplex) printing, you can decrease both toner and paper usage by half.


 Lyons: Use Fax Modems

Use a fax modem to send and receive documents electronically instead of printing documents and then faxing the hard copies. Store received documents on disk instead of filling up file cabinets with printed copy.


 Lyons: Revision Marks

Edit with revision marks to create an audit trail, and avoid printing extra copies as documents are revised.


 Lyons: Email Instead

Send out memos and messages via local and external e-mail instead of printing and sending documents overnight. Recipients will probably notice, and appreciate, an Internet message more than a hard copy that gets lost in the volumes of faxes and paper mail.


 Ruley: Master NT Administration

JOHN D. RULEY, eNTerprise WINDOWS COLUMNIST

Ruley: Prevent Server Crashes

Ruley: Receive Status Reports

Ruley: Upgrade NT Email

Ruley: Multiplatform Printing

Ruley: Schedule Batch Jobs

Ruley: Maximize Server Throughput

Ruley: Closet Servers

Ruley: Control Servers Remotely

Ruley: Manage From Windows

Ruley: Enable Bridging

Ruley: Ease TCP/IP Configuration


 Ruley: Prevent Server Crashes

Prevent server crashes by enabling administrative alerts on critical parameters such as swap file size. Run Windows NT Performance Monitor, select View/Alert, select Edit/Add to Alert, then select %Usage Peak from the Paging File object. Set it to alert if over 90%. This will give you a warning before NT starts expanding the page file automatically (which adversely impacts performance). You can use the same approach to avoid critical error conditions such as running out of disk space.


 Ruley: Receive Status Reports

Receive automatic status reports and administrative alerts through your e-mail system by using Martin Heller's free MAILFILE.EXE program. For instance, by specifying MAILFILE.EXE in the Run Program on Alert field in the Add to Alert dialog, you can have a message e-mailed to yourself when an administrative alert is triggered. You can also schedule regular e-mail reports using the AT.EXE command-line scheduler. To get a copy of MAILFILE.EXE, download MAILFILE.ZIP from the WINDOWS Magazine Online software library on America Online (Keyword: WinMag).


 Ruley: Upgrade NT Email

Upgrade your NT server's e-mail system using Microsoft's MS-Mail Extensions for Windows for Workgroups. Microsoft doesn't support this configuration, because it has problems connecting asynchronously to other MS-Mail post offices. But my experience is that it works fine for LAN and WAN connections--in the latter case, using NT Remote Access Service (RAS) to provide the underlying transport. Set up the standard Workgroup post office on an NT server, then follow the instructions supplied with the Extensions for upgrading that post office in place.


 Ruley: Multiplatform Printing

Enable multiplatform network printing on your RISC-based server. This will allow Intel-based Windows NT client systems to print over the network without requiring you to load printer drivers on each workstation. To do this, you'll need to add the Intel printer drivers as well as the RISC-based drivers for your printer. Log into one of the Intel workstations using an account with administrative privileges. Start Print Manager, select Printer/Server Viewer, select the RISC-based server you want to install Intel drivers on, and select Print/Properties. The Printer Properties dialog box will appear. Select Other in the Driver field, and an Install Driver dialog box will appear. Enter the path name to the location of the Intel printer drivers, and click on OK. A Select Driver dialog box will appear. Select the appropriate printer, and click on OK. Now you can print over the network without loading a local driver (the driver will be copied to the network as needed).


 Ruley: Schedule Batch Jobs

Schedule server batch jobs and other processes using the AT.EXE command-line scheduler. To do this, first start the Scheduler service by using the Control Panel's Services applet or Server Manager. Next, type AT at any command prompt for a list of active jobs, AT /? for on-line help or AT server name for a list of active jobs on any server on the net. You can also type, for example, AT 10:00AM EVERY MONDAY NET SEND ADMINISTRATOR HI THERE to have an administrative alert sent to the administrator every Monday at 10 a.m. You can start any valid Windows NT command or batch file using this method, including backups, and service starts and stops.


 Ruley: Maximize Server Throughput

Maximize server throughput with a large client-side cache. Microsoft's literature (Windows NT Advanced Server Reviewer's Guide) indicates that Windows for Workgroups 3.11 clients running against an NT server can double their performance with 4MB dedicated to VCACHE. This is the configuration Microsoft recommends for client-side systems with 12MB or more of RAM.


 Ruley: Closet Servers

Make Windows NT servers that are run from a locked closet or server room fully bootable, requiring no human intervention to carry out an initial log-in and run a start-up batch file. To do so

•	Run the Windows NT Registry Editor (RGEDT32.EXE)

•	Select the server's HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE key

•	Select the SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion/WinLogon

•	Select Edit/Add Value and enter value name AutoAdminLogon of type REG_SZ, and set it to 1

•	Set the DefaultUserName and DefaultPassword variables so that they are suitable for the server's log-in and script execution

Because this procedure stores the clear-text user name and password in the registry, create a special account for this purpose that does not have administrative permissions.


 Ruley: Control Servers Remotely

Control servers remotely --even over slow links--with REMOTE.EXE from the Windows NT resource kit. You'll need to copy REMOTE.EXE on both the server and client system. Start the server's copy from a command prompt by typing REMOTE/S cmd.exe server1. You can then connect from the client by typing REMOTE/C <server name> server1. This will give you a command session on the client that gets executed on the server, allowing you to control practically all aspects of system operation. This approach even works across telephone lines, using Windows NT Remote Access Service.


 Ruley: Manage From Windows

Manage Windows NT servers and workstations from Windows or Windows for Workgroups systems using Microsoft's client-based network administration tools. These are bundled with the Windows NT 3.5 (Daytona) Server, and ship on the installation CD in the CLIENTS\STRTOOLS directory. Connect to the NT server from the client on which you want to run the administration tools. (Because the tools are Win32s based, the client must be a 386SX with at least 4MB of RAM.) Next, access the CD's CLIENTS\SRVTOOLS\NETSETUP directory, then run SETUP.EXE. This will automatically install the Win32s libraries if required, copy the Network Client Administrator application files, and create a Network Administration group in Program Manager. Reboot the computer. Now launch the Network Client Administrator tools (Win32s versions of Windows NT User Manager, Event Viewer, Server Manager, Print Manager and security extensions to File Manager) by double-clicking on their icons.


 Ruley: Enable Bridging

Reset the RemoteListen parameter to enable bridging in Windows NT Remote Access Service. By default, RemoteListen is set to 1, which enables only messaging traffic from the LAN to remote clients. By changing this parameter to 2, you can enable all types of traffic--including sharing resources, which effectively allows RAS to bridge between LANs. To do so:

•	Run the Windows NT configuration registry editor (REGEDT32.EXE)

•	Select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\ Services\ RemoteAccess\ Parameters\ NetBiosGateway

•	Double-click on RemoteListen and set it to 2

Note that Microsoft does not recommend this procedure, because it can produce an unacceptable drain on network resources. But in my experience, it's a fine solution for bridging small networks with only a few machines.


 Ruley: Ease TCP/IP Configuration

Use Windows NT 3.5 (Daytona) Server's built-in DHCP and WINS support to ease TCP/IP configuration. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) automate the assignment of IP addresses and network names on Windows NT workstations. Setting up clients for use with DHCP/WINS is easy. Just install TCP/IP from Control Panel/Networks, and check the Enable Automatic DHCP Configuration box. Configuration of the server is covered in the Microsoft Windows NT TCP/IP guide that comes with Windows NT Server.


 Sloman: Apps By Network

JEFFREY SLOMAN, NETWORKING WINDOWS COLUMNIST

Using your network's file server to store applications makes a lot of sense. As a network administrator, you'll appreciate how centralized storage simplifies installation, upgrades, license management and backups. And your users will appreciate the extra space they find on their local drives.

Before you begin, you'll need to determine whether this solution will work for your network. Installing applications on the file server will increase network traffic. Does your LAN--and by that I mean the cables, boxes and boards through which your machines communicate--have enough capacity to handle the additional load? Consider your network technology. If you're using Ethernet or something faster, such as 16MB Token Ring or TCNS, you've passed the first test. Anything slower--like Arcnet, 4MB Token Ring or something wireless--is a problem. These technologies have barely the capacity to handle the data file needs of Windows users. Asking them to move large executable and .DLL files may be asking too much.

But it's not quite that cut and dried. The number of users that you have on each LAN segment is really what determines whether a particular topology will do. The more users you have, and the less LAN capacity, the longer it will take for applications on the file server to start up. (Once most Windows applications are lauched, they will perform just like the local versions.)

You also need to think about disk storage capacity. Your file server should have enough disk space to handle application installations. If you're squeezed for space on your server and you can't buy more, it's just not feasible for you to install apps on the server. Windows applications are getting bigger all the time--25MB programs aren't unusual anymore.

Easy Install

Once you've determined that your network can handle it, you're ready to install applications on the file server. Fortunately, practically all major vendors now provide installation programs that understand networks. Generally, the installation program will begin by copying all the application files to a network directory that you specify. It's a good idea to place these files in a subdirectory that indicates the version number (for example, WINWORD.600 for Word 6.0). This makes upgrading easier, because you can roll out new versions incrementally and avoid directory-name conflicts.

Next, the installation program uses the server-resident common files to create user setups. Usually you accomplish this by running the installation program on each individual workstation. You should use the home directory of the user--not the local drive--to store the configuration files that the installation program creates. This method will enable you to back up these files using your network backup tools.

Managing Rebel Apps

Some applications, particularly older ones, simply won't work from a file server at all. And some may need a little help. Here's what to do:

Start with a new Windows installation, just for test purposes (you can delete it when you're finished). Copy all the .INI files from this installation to a safe directory elsewhere, then print a copy of the contents of both the WINDOWS and WINDOWS\SYSTEM directories. Next, install the application to the file server as if that were the local drive. Now look for any differences between the saved and new versions of the .INI files, and any differences in the contents of the WINDOWS and WINDOWS\SYSTEM directories before and after you've installed the app. These are the changes you'll need to make to the target Windows installation in order to make the application run.

After you install an application, you may need to accommodate its quirks. Any error messages that you get when you try to run your "hacked'' installation are likely to be of the "can't find filename'' variety. You can often fix this type of problem by locating the missing files and moving them to a directory in which the app can find them. Another possibility is that you'll get non-fatal error messages that don't indicate a crash. You may not be able to eliminate some error messages of this type--you may have to live with them.

One last problem to look for has to do with an application's .INI files: Some applications insist on placing these in the main application directory. This may mean that users will not be able to set their own preferences, and consequently, features like MRU (most recently used) file lists just won't work.

A final note: License agreements vary, but every one I've seen requires you at least to purchase a license for a concurrent user. It's a good idea to read your license agreements very carefully before networking your applications to make completely sure you're not breaking the law.


 Waitt: Mobile Tips

TED WAITT, PRESIDENT AND CEO, GATEWAY 2000

Waitt: More Memory, More Time

Waitt: Go PCMCIA-Less

Waitt: Clear Up Confusing Dial Tones

Waitt: Bright Idea

Waitt: Take A Two-Pack


 Waitt: More Memory, More Time

Install more memory rather than less in your portable system. Fewer disk accesses will improve battery life.


 Waitt: Go PCMCIA-Less

Some PCMCIA devices, particularly modems, consume power even when they are not in use. Removing PCMCIA cards before you turn on your computer can increase your battery life by as much as 15 percent. Keep them out of your system when they are not in use.


 Waitt: Clear Up Confusing Dial Tones

The oscillating dial tones you encounter while traveling abroad will confuse most fax modems when they go out to check for a dial tone during initialization. It's easy to overcome the problem. Insert the characters x0 (the number 0) into the initialization string of your fax modem. You can just add it to the end of this string of characters. With this setup, your fax modem will go about its business whether or not a dial tone is detected when it initializes.


 Waitt: Bright Idea

Program power management to turn off the backlight after a short duration of non-use. When the backlight is on, use the lowest setting. Turn down your screen brightness to a level that is easy on your eyes.


 Waitt: Take A Two-Pack

Carry two batteries and pack your charger when traveling.


 Currid: Increase Office Productivity

Cheryl Currid, Windows At Work Columnist

Currid: Network Everything

Currid: Fax Gateway

Currid: Install A Network Modem

Currid: Mail Groups On Server

Currid: Add A Voice Server

Currid: Give Up Paper

Currid: Scan Business Cards

Currid: Connect Without Wires

Currid: Videoconferencing


 Currid: Network Everything

Low-cost network cards, cables and software will save you untold time and money by letting you connect and share all your computers, printers and other devices. This goes for small offices as well as large companies.


 Currid: Fax Gateway

Run, don't walk, to buy a fax gateway for your office network. Avoid the hassle of dealing with fax machines, slippery fax paper and busy telephone lines by installing a single card and some software on a workgroup PC. Use some good Windows fax software, such as Intel's SatisFAXtion (800-538-3373) or Delrina's WinFax PRO (800-268-6082) and create a shared fax address book on the network server. Once the gateway is installed, you'll be able to fax as easily as you can print--and you won't have to leave your desk.


 Currid: Install A Network Modem

You'll save money by not having to buy a modem for each individual computer and by not having to add too many extra business telephone lines. Products like Shiva's NetModem/E (800-458-3550) work well with standard communications software.


 Currid: Mail Groups On Server

Save time and money by setting up mail groups on your office server. If you regularly send e-mail to multiple people while you're on the road, addressing the messages individually will cause the software to send a separate copy of the message to each person and really chew up long-distance charges. Instead, build a distribution list (or mail group) on the mail server, and then just address the message to the distribution list. You'll transmit the message only once, and your mail server will take care of putting a copy in each appropriate mailbox. I've seen some heavy e-mail users save as much as $200 a month in long-distance charges by using this simple technique.


 Currid: Add A Voice Server

Add a voice server and let your network read to you from any touch-tone telephone. Some voice clients, such as WordPerfect Office's Telephone Access Server (TAS), hook right into your network calendar and e-mail system, letting you quickly and easily dial in from anywhere and hear appointments, e-mail and messages. The computer text-to-speech capability is great if you don't have the time to hook up a laptop and boot up remote software.


 Currid: Give Up Paper

Kiss paper forms good-bye. Use Visioneer's PaperMax combination page scanner and software (800-787-7007) to scan in any form and fill it out electronically. Then drag and drop the document onto your printer (or fax gateway) and send your form on its way. The MaxMate software that comes with the unit will also help you arrange and store your documents. It'll more than pay for itself after just a couple of uses.


 Currid: Scan Business Cards

Scan the business cards you collect instead of manually keying in the information, and you'll save hundreds of hours a year. Pacific Crest Technology's CardGrabber (800-870-3391) includes a nifty little scanner that quickly hooks up to a serial port, and software that lets you scan in a business card, convert much of the contents to text, and then store the information into a file or database.


 Currid: Connect Without Wires

Move files from one computer to another without hooking up messy cables and connections. Traveling Software's LapLink Wireless (800-343-8080) makes it easy to keep files up-to-date between your portable and office computers.


 Currid: Videoconferencing

Be there--even when you aren't. Check out some of the new, low-cost desktop videoconferencing products for your next meeting or presentation. Products like Intel's ProShare (800-538-3373) provide all the hardware and software you need to get started. All you have to do is add an ISDN telephone line and enter the number of another ProShare user. For less than $2,500 a unit, you can "attend'' important meetings without making mad dashes to the airport.


 Norton: The Perfect Desktop

PETER NORTON , FOUNDER, PETER NORTON COMPUTING INC.

I run Windows at a resolution of 1024x768, which gives me a lot of real estate to work with. Using Norton Desktop, I've arranged my most used applications in the lower right corner, for quick access. The background color is set to black, with application names in white so they stand out. The Day Planner module works great for tracking appointments, so it's in my StartUp group. I also keep the Norton Disk Doctor and Speed Disk for Windows running in the background (with their icons hidden).


 Kahn: Better Database Design

PHILIPPE KAHN , PRESIDENT, CHAIRMAN AND CEO, BORLAND INTERNATIONAL INC.

Kahn: Normalize Data

Kahn: Determine Links

Kahn: Use An Index

Kahn: Employ Validation

Kahn: Create Neat Forms

Kahn: Test For Usability

Kahn: Design Reports


 Kahn: Normalize Data

Create a database that is as powerful as it is easy to use through a process called "data normalization.'' You can do so by separating the data you want to track into sets that are physically or logically related to the key field. For example, in an order-entry database, the order itself doesn't have a street address, the customer does. So you'd put the street address field in the customer table, not the order table. Similarly, the order doesn't have a price, but each item does. So the price field belongs in a table with item information.


 Kahn: Determine Links

Once you've got the data separated by tables, determine the links between the tables. This makes it easier for you to build data models for forms and reports. First, write down the relationships in plain English, and define those relationships. For example, in the order-entry database, an order may have many items, and the same item may appear in many orders. But each order has only one customer. After you've defined the relationships, you may find that you need to redefine the tables before creating your forms and reports. Discovering that you need to revise your table structure before you create your database is sure to save you precious time and energy.


 Kahn: Use An Index

Reduce the time it takes to locate a value or to create a subset of records by creating an index. An index can also decrease the time it takes to create a subset of data (for example, filter, range or query), locate a value, or sort a set of records. A well-designed index is one based on the field or fields you're using to subset, search or sort. In addition to speeding up operations, indexes are valuable tools for linking tables in a relational model.


 Kahn: Employ Validation

If your database allows, design a form that incorporates validation in order to ensure data is entered properly. An even better approach is to develop a database that checks the validity of data within the structure of the table itself. With constraints in the structure of the table, every part of your app or any other app that tries to modify the data will have to maintain the validity constraints. If you're developing a client/ server database, design it so validity checking is done on the server end, to keep data entries from clients in check.


 Kahn: Create Neat Forms

Don't crowd forms with too many fields and buttons. Users will find a form easy to use and understand if they see only the choices they need. Hide buttons and fields from the user until the objects are required. For example, in Paradox, you can group related objects in boxes. When a person is ready to use the objects, the visible property of the box is switched on. When all tasks associated with the box are accomplished, it can be hidden once again. This method is more efficient than opening other forms, moving to other pages, or working in a crowded space.


 Kahn: Test For Usability

To create simple and intuitive user interfaces, keep the basic features and objects consistent throughout all forms. For example, use the same menus, hotkeys and button positions in all of your forms. Use code libraries to share similar code without duplication. Then let others test your user interface, and carefully observe them as they work. Where are they getting confused? Which steps are taking the most time? Is there something in the form that isn't as intuitive as it could be? You don't need a sophisticated usability lab like we have at Borland to do this kind of testing. You need only a willing and enthusiastic subject to help you make your application easy to use.


 Kahn: Design Reports

A report should be easy to read and understand. Remember, the report is the only part of the database some people will ever see. Limit the amount of information in each report so it's easily digestible, and carefully select data in order to provide the readers with the most important information. And use plenty of white space in your layout--a busy report is hard on the eyes.


 Kenworthy: Programmer Tricks

KAREN KENWORTHY, POWER WINDOWS COLUMNIST

Every programmer has a bag of tricks, filled with favorite subroutines and functions that solve common problems. These are two of mine.

Kenworthy: VBA in Project, Excel

Kenworthy: Leapyear


 Kenworthy: VBA in Project, Excel

The folks who added Visual Basic, Applications Edition (VBA) to Microsoft Project 4.0 and Excel 5.0 kindly provided us with special places to store our little gems.

Set aside in each of the two applications is a special file that holds universal modules, so-called because any VBA procedures that you put in these modules will be available to all open Project files and Excel workbooks. Project calls its file the Global Template (GLOBAL.MPT), while Excel calls its special file the Personal Macro Workbook (PERSONAL.XLS).

Adding modules to Project's Global Template is easy: Just open Project's Insert menu, select New Module, name the new baby, then click on OK. The Global File is Project's default location for new modules, so unless you select another location (by clicking on the New Module dialog's Option button) your new module will reside in GLOBAL.MPT. VBA procedures placed in global modules can be called from macros in any open Project file.

Excel's arrangement is a bit more complicated. Before you can add a module or procedure to Excel's PERSONAL.XLS file, you must create it. To do that, open Excel's Tools menu and select Record Macro/Record New Macro. Click on the Options button. Next, select Store In Personal Macro Workbook, then click on the OK button. Finally, as soon as Excel starts recording, click on the Stop Macro button.

PERSONAL.XLS will initially be hidden. To see it and be able to change it, open Excel's Window menu and select Unhide. Once you've made PERSONAL.XLS appear, you're ready to add modules and to enter your favorite VBA procedures. Any procedures you enter here will be available to all open workbooks.


 Kenworthy: Leapyear

If you're new to programming, your bag of tricks may be a little light. To get you started, here's a little function called LeapYear that determines whether a given year is a leap year. To use it, enter it into your Personal Macro Workbook or Global Template. The function's only argument is the year to be tested, expressed as an Integer in the range 100 through 2099. To allow you to express a year such as 1994 as simply 94, 1900 is added to years less than 100 before testing. The function returns a Boolean value: True if the year is a leap year, False if it isn't.

Function LeapYear (intYear As Integer) As Boolean

 Dim Day60 As Date

 If intYear < 100 Then intYear = intYear + 1900

 Day60 = DateSerial (intYear, 1, 1) ' First day of intYear

 Day60 = Day60 + 59 ' 60th day of intYear

 LeapYear = (Month(Day60) = 2) ' Still February?

End Function

LeapYear works by making use of a cute trick: In leap years, the sixtieth day of the year is in February (February 29, to be exact). In all other years, the sixtieth day falls in March. So LeapYear uses the DateSerial function to initialize a Date variable (Day60) to the first day of the year (January 1) to be tested, then adds 59 to the date variable. The variable now corresponds to the sixtieth day of the year. Finally, LeapYear compares the Month of the date variable to 2 (February) and returns the result of the comparison: True if equal (a leap year), False if not.

LeapTest

To give LeapYear a test, enter the following short VBA program, called LeapTest, into any module and run it. It will ask you for a year, call LeapYear, and then tell you if your year's extra long.

Sub LeapTest()

 Dim strYear As String

 strYear = InputBox ("Year to Test:", _

  "Leap Year", Format(Year(Now)))

 Bool = LeapYear(Val(strYear))

 MsgBox Format(Bool, "Yes/No"), 0, strYear

End Sub

LeapTest is just a little toy to let you experiment with LeapYear, and to confirm that your bag of tricks is indeed accessible from other files.  You can apply these principles to any subroutines you have up your sleeve.


 Salim: Color and Graphs

IRFAN SALIM, PRESIDENT AND CEO, SOFTWARE PUBLISHING CORP.

Using color effectively in a presentation can help you get your message across loud and clear, highlighting important words and making complex graphs easier to read. Here are some simple guidelines to help you use color wisely.

Salim: Limit Your Pallete

Salim: Consider Contrast

Salim: Clip Art

Salim: Color Words

Salim: Which Chart/Graph?


 Salim: Limit Your Pallete

Using too many colors makes a presentation too busy and hard to read. For simple, straightforward bullet charts, limit yourself to three colors--one each for the background, headings and text. For graphs, don't use more than five colors. If you need more than five colors to represent data sets, your graph is probably too complicated.


 Salim: Consider Contrast

Make your presentation easy to read by selecting colors for text that contrast with the background. Use light colors on a dark background, and dark colors on a light background. Also, on-screen presentations and 35mm slides look best with light text on a dark background, while overhead transparencies and hard-copy presentations are best with dark text on a light background.


 Salim: Clip Art

It's fine to use clip art with colors that differ from those in your presentation, but make sure the colors are complementary to avoid clashing.


 Salim: Color Words

A recent study suggests it may be wise to change the color of the most important word within a sequence of horizontally placed words. In the study, participants recalled a differently colored word more frequently than when it was the same color as all of the other words in the group.


 Salim: Which Chart/Graph?

Which chart or graph types will best represent your data? Here are some basic guidelines to help you decide.

Area charts

An area chart is similar to a line chart, but is most effective when used to show total quantity, as opposed to emphasizing change. For example, you might use an area chart to compare sales numbers in different regions.

Bar charts

Use bar charts to show differentials between data at set moments in time, and differentials in related data. There are a variety of bar chart types.

•	Clustered: Illustrates relative performance rather than totals. Limit yourself to four bars per cluster.

•	Horizontal: Use to compare many items in a single series, or when the x-axis labels are too long for the horizontal axis.

•	Stacked: Best for representing totals and a share of the total rather than the relative performance of the segments. Also use them to show how the proportions of the whole change over a period of time.

•	Paired: Use this type of bar chart to show two series that share the same x-axis data, but not the same y-axis (for example, to show both production volume and sales against time).

Line graphs

Use line graphs to show trends and to illustrate the changes in a set of data over time. For example, use a line chart to depict decreasing revenue and increasing expense trends over a four-year period. A line chart should have no more than four lines, to keep it easy to read. Make trend lines thickest, x- and y-axis lines medium weight, and grid lines within the chart the lightest weight.

Pie charts

Use pie charts to show the composition of the total amount. Pie charts are easiest to read with a maximum of six pie slices. Remember to place the most important slice in the upper-right quadrant, or arrange the slices from largest to smallest in a clockwise direction. Emphasize a particular slice by cutting it away from the pie (or exploding it) and choosing a high-contrast color for it. If you choose to illustrate important data with an exploded pie slice, consider creating a separate slide with a stacked bar chart showing its component parts.


 Rietveld: Dashing Docs

ADRIAN RIETVELD, PRESIDENT, WORDPERFECT, THE NOVELL APPLICATIONS GROUP

Rietveld: Fitting Solution

Rietveld: 2-Column Alternative

Rietveld: File Extensions

Rietveld: Automate Style

Rietveld: Clone Documents

Rietveld: Shortcuts


 Rietveld: Fitting Solution

Is your supposedly one-page document just a fraction over? Try these tricks to fit the overflow without dramatically altering the appearance:

•	Make the margins slightly narrower.

•	Decrease the font size: Try a half point first, and if that doesn't work try a full point.

•	Decrease the line spacing (leading). For example, make it 0.9 instead of 1.0.

•	Experiment with the spacing between paragraphs or words (kerning).


 Rietveld: 2-Column Alternative

Most word processors offer a feature for creating text columns, but you generally have to switch to Page Layout View to see the columns. Here's an alternative: Use the tables feature to create parallel columns. Simply create and fill in a table, then hide or remove any unwanted lines. You'll see what the columns of text will look like without having to switch to Page Layout View.


 Rietveld: File Extensions

Find the correct file easily by using custom extensions for specific file types. For example, WordPerfect uses .WPD as a default extension, but you may want to use .WRK to designate files you're still working on, .RPT for reports, .LTR for letters, and .MEM to designate memos. This makes files easier to find from within File Manager, as well as from your word processor's File/Open dialog box.


 Rietveld: Automate Style

It's easy to make format changes to a document by using styles. Most word processing programs ship with default styles and allow you to create your own. Styles are handy for automating the formatting of complex document elements such as tables and columns, but that's not all: They can also provide a shortcut to formatting any type of text. When you want to change the look of a document, simply edit the style once and any text in that style will be converted automatically.


 Rietveld: Clone Documents

If you've labored to get the formatting of a document just right, save the format as a reusable template. Many word processors support the creation of custom templates, which generally have special file extensions.


 Rietveld: Shortcuts

Windows is a very mouse-oriented environment, but you can take some shortcuts with keyboard commands. Most programs list key commands on pull-down menus. To give you a head start, here are some of the most widely used keyboard commands: Ctrl+B (Bold), Ctrl+I (Italic), Ctrl+X (Cut), Ctrl+C (Copy), Ctrl+V (Paste), Ctrl+O (Open), Ctrl+S (Save), Ctrl+P (Print), Ctrl+Z (Undo), Alt+F4 (Exit), Ctrl+F4 (Close a document).


 Disclaimer

While WINDOWS Magazine has gone to great lengths to make the Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips as accurate as possible, we do not guarantee any or all of the tips will work properly on all systems all the time, and therefore offer the advice "as-is" without warranty or guarantee as to merchantability or suitability to task. You use these tips at your own risk. If you aren't sure of the suitability to task of the tips on this disk, or are uncertain about your ability to perform any of the tasks suggested, seek additional advice before proceeding. In any case, CMP Publications, Inc., its employees or freelancers are not responsible for any injury, damage, or loss resulting from your use of this disk or the information it contains.


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CMP Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

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 ScreenCam

Note: To stop a Screencam, click the "Exit" button on the dialog box marked Lotus Screencam. Clicking the "Stop" button in the lower right-hand corner will not stop the Screencam.

Lotus ScreenCam, a multimedia screen and sound capture utility, allows users to capture application screen activity, cursor movements and sound into an integrated file. The file can then be played back in full screen format and distributed to other users to improve learning, presentation and communication. The INSTALL.EXE file and all the WINMAG.EXE files on this CD-ROM were developed with ScreenCam.

Price: $79

Lotus Development Corp.

800-343-5414


 Windows/DOS Tips

Windows/DOS Choose Your Starting Place

Windows/DOS: Step Through Startup

Windows/DOS: Edit System Files Quickly

Windows/DOS: Exit Windows Cautiously

Windows/DOS: Exterminate The DOS Mouse

Windows/DOS: Close Down DOS Boxes

Windows/DOS: Use Your Mouse In DOS Boxes

Windows/DOS: Eradicate Irritating DOS Message

Windows/DOS: Boot Up From Menu

Windows/DOS: Smartdrive Parameters

Windows/DOS: Creating An MS-DOS Window

Windows/DOS: Eliminate Unneeded Instructions


 Windows/DOS: Choose Your Starting Place

SCREENCAM: MAKE LOADING WINDOWS OPTIONAL

Automatically give yourself the choice of staying in DOS or loading Windows when you start your system. Just add the following three lines to the end of your AUTOEXEC.BAT file:

echo off

echo To exit to DOS, hit Ctrl+C. To load Windows, pause

win

If AUTOEXEC.BAT already has the WIN command in it, just add the three lines above it. When AUTOEXEC.BAT executes, it will echo the To exit text to the screen. The pause statement stops execution and echoes the text "Press any key to continue.'' If you press Ctrl+C, AUTOEXEC.BAT aborts before the WIN command and delivers you to the DOS command line. If you press any other key, the file moves on to the WIN command, and loads Windows.


 Windows/DOS: Step Through Startup

If you're having trouble booting your PC and you're using MS-DOS 6.0 or later, you can use a convenient feature of MS-DOS to help debug your problem. When the system displays the start-up message, "Starting MS-DOS É'' press the F8 key. This will allow you to selectively execute individual commands in your CONFIG.SYS file. Press Esc at any time to execute the remaining commands, or F5 to skip them. The system will then ask whether you want to run AUTOEXEC.BAT. If you have MS-DOS 6.2 or later, you can press F8 and Y to continue the step-by-step procedure. To entirely bypass your start-up files, press F5 at the initial start-up message.


 Windows/DOS: Edit System Files Quickly

Use DOS Edit. This handy applet comes with MS-DOS versions 5.0 and later. It's simple to use, and it's excellent for small text-editing chores like writing batch files and macros. You can run it:

•	From the command line in a DOS session. Just change to your DOS directory and type edit.

•	By clicking on its icon. To install an icon, choose File/New in Program Manager. Click on Program Item, then fill out the Program Item Properties dialog box. Select one of the DOS icons.

•	By typing or browsing to its command in Program Manager's File/Run dialog box.


 Windows/DOS: Exit Windows Cautiously

You should always exit Windows before turning off your PC to ensure that you're not interrupting any system activity and damaging your hard disk. By the same token, you should never run DOS-based disk utilities like defragmentation or disk repair programs while under Windows, because they may be interrupted by other applications. Always exit Windows first, and then run the utilities from DOS.


 Windows/DOS: Exterminate The DOS Mouse

SCREENCAM: EXTERMINATE THE DOS MOUSE

If you never use the mouse in DOS applications, the driver may be needlessly taking up system resources. Deleting the MOUSE.COM references from your AUTOEXEC.BAT file can free up some conventional memory. This mouse driver enables use of the mouse only in DOS applications running under DOS.


 Windows/DOS: Close Down DOS Boxes

Windows will not normally let you close DOS sessions without manually switching to and exiting from each one. You can change this by using the PIF Editor to create or modify the PIF of the application you want to close. Click on the Advanced button and check the Allow Close When Active box. However, you should never close any DOS application that is in the process of disk or other I/O activity. It may cause DOS to become unstable and crash your system.


 Windows/DOS: Use Your Mouse In DOS Boxes

If you want to use the mouse in DOS sessions under Windows, make sure the line SET MOUSE=C:\WINDOWS\MOUSE .COM (assuming this is the correct path to your mouse driver) is just below the path statement in your AUTOEXEC .BAT file. Add below it the line C:\ WINDOWS\MOUSE.COM. Lastly, open up your SYSTEM.INI file and check the entry MouseInDosBox= under the [NonWindowsApp] header. Change the value to 1 to enable the mouse, or 0 to disable the setting.


 Windows/DOS: Eradicate Irritating DOS Message

If you're tired of the eight-line help message that appears when you start a DOS session in Windows, you can turn it off by adding the line DOSPromptExitInstruc=Off to the [386Enh] section of your SYSTEM.INI file.


 Windows/DOS: Boot Up From Menu

MS-DOS 6.0 and later versions allow you to create a customized start-up menu with different system configurations. By editing your CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files, you can specify which devices and drivers will load in each of the configurations you want to create. For example, you can create one menu option that loads only the basic system drivers, another that adds on network drivers, and so forth. For detailed information and examples, change to your DOS directory at the DOS prompt and type HELP MULTI-CONFIG.


 Windows/DOS: Smartdrive Parameters

Can't remember the SMARTDrive parameters? If you have DOS 6.0 or later, add a new icon to Program Manager to update SMARTDrive parameters in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.  Add an icon for SMARTMON.EXE from your C:\DOS directory, then run the program, set the values you want, and click on Options. In the Options dialog box select Save Setting in DOS Batch File. The program automatically updates your file with the parameters reflecting your settings.


 Windows/DOS: Creating An MS-DOS Window

SCREENCAM: CREATING AN MS-DOS WINDOW


 Windows/DOS: Eliminate Unneeded Instructions

SCREENCAM: REMOVE DOS SHELL INSTRUCTIONS


 Installing Applications Tips

Install Apps: Make Backups First

Install Apps: Beware of Upgrades

Install Apps: Avoid Directory Overload

Install Apps: Back Up Install Disks

Install Apps: Disinfect Shrink-Wrap Software

Install Apps: Defrag First

Install Apps: When Windows Won't Launch

Install Apps:  Consider Upgrades Carefully

Install Apps: Install Protection


 Install Apps: Make Backups First

Before you install any new software, make backups of your CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT, WIN.INI, SYSTEM.INI and .GRP files. If your system "breaks'' during or after installation, you can restore your old configuration. One way to do this is to keep a subdirectory on your C: drive called BUP, where you can stuff copies of these files before you start an installation. An even better idea is to stow them on a bootable diskette. Make it a habit to think about these files before installation rather than after, when it might be too late.


 Install Apps: Beware of Upgrades

Some of us wake up in the middle of the night, panicked that somewhere, someone is having a better time than we are. That's why we're always first in line whenever a new upgrade is released of any of our favorite programs. Always remember that a "point-zero'' release has as much potential for heartache as for pleasure. Don't load that upgrade until you've stashed a copy of your important data and template files in a safe place. If you're paranoid, install the upgrade into its own directory, leaving the old version alone. That way, you're sure of a fallback position in case you want a divorce.


 Install Apps: Avoid Directory Overload

MS-DOS has a peculiarity in its directory structure: You can only have a maximum of 512 entries (meaning either files or directories) in the root directory. Subdirectories can have as many entries as needed, although things begin to slow down if there are more than 150 entries in a subdirectory. One way to avoid problems is to install your programs in subdirectories beneath an APPS or PROGRAMS directory. When prompted for the directory into which you wish to install, insert \APPS immediately after the colon.


 Install Apps: Back Up Install Disks

You are entitled to create a backup copy of the entire set of installation disks for any software you purchase. Once you have done so, store the original disks in a safe (static-free) place. Should you need to reinstall the software later, you've got an extra set of disks.


 Install Apps: Disinfect Shrink-Wrap Software

There have been real (though rare) instances where shrink-wrapped, commercially available software was shipped preinfected with viruses. Don't take a chance with your data. Disinfect the installation disks before you start by running an antivirus program.


 Install Apps: Defrag First

DOS is dumb when it comes to allocating space for a new program. It simply goes to the first empty spot on the disk and starts putting data there without regard to whether or not even the first file will fit. Use the DOS defrag command--or a good third-party package--to defragment your hard disk before you install any new software. You'll enjoy better performance.


 Install Apps: When Windows Won't Launch

This is why you made backups of your WIN.INI and SYSTEM.INI files. Rename those files in your WINDOWS directory, then copy the backup files into your WINDOWS directory. Once you have Windows running again, use your word processor to compare the two versions to see what the installation changed. If you have to call technical support to get the offending application to run, you'll at least have identified the source of the problem.


Install Apps: Install Apps:  Consider Upgrades Carefully
 Install Apps: Consider Upgrades Carefully

Early versions of upgrades tend to be buggy. Skip the x.0 through x.0z versions. Play it safe and wait for the x.1 release.


 Install Apps: Install Protection

SCREENCAM: PROTECTION FROM INSTALL PROCEDURES

Install programs often make changes in AUTOEXEC.BAT without informing you. To keep track of these changes, before you install a program, rename your AUTOEXEC.BAT file; for example, call it BOOT.BAT. Then, open Notepad and create a new AUTOEXEC.BAT file with one line it in:

Call BOOT.BAT

Then install your new program. When you open AUTOEXEC.BAT, you can see all the changes the new program made.


Survival Kit: 1,250 Tips
Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips001

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips002

 Introduction

Introduction

 Operating Systems

Installing Windows

Installing Windows Tips

Win Install: Solve Windows Install Problems

Win Install: Find Troublesome TSRs

Win Install: Set Up for More Setups

Win Install: Install Multiple Copies of Windows

Win Install: Decipher Windows Setup Commands

Win Install: Track Down Video Trouble

Win Install: Turn Off Hardware Detection

Win Install: Troubleshoot Disk Problems

Win Install: Troubleshoot Windows Setup

Win Install: Find Memory Problems

Windows 3.1

Windows 3.1 Tips

Win 3.1: Customize Your Toolbar

Win 3.1: Check Hardware Connections

Win 3.1: Maximize Window Shortcut

Win 3.1: Run Windows for Workgroups 3.11

Win 3.1: Click Drive Icons to Control File Manager

Win 3.1: Change Program Groups in Program Manager

Win 3.1: Disable Double Buffering

Win 3.1: Run in Standard Mode

Win 3.1: Make Quick Associations

Win 3.1: Print Documents Quickly

Win 3.1: Perform Mini Backups

Win 3.1: Drag Documents Open

Win 3.1: Program Manager Shortcuts

Win 3.1: Recover Lost Windows

Win 3.1: Select Applications by Name

Win 3.1: Relocate Applications

Win 3.1: Desensitize Your Mouse

Win 3.1: Reposition Without a Mouse

Win 3.1: Restore Your Groups

Win 3.1: Skip Double-Clicking

Win 3.1: Start Dr. Watson

Win 3.1: Debug System Files with REM

Win 3.1: Use Comments in System Files

Win 3.1: Check SMARTDRV and HIMEM Versions

Win 3.1: Shorten Your Path Statement

Win 3.1: Bypass Startup Group

Win 3.1: Bypass Startup Group (2)

Win 3.1: Use Terminal to Track Comm Trouble

Win 3.1: Use File Structure to Track Versions

Win 3.1: Stop Integrity Violations

Win 3.1: File Manager Shortcuts

Win 3.1: Make Your Mouse Snappier

Win 3.1: Magnify Your Mouse

Win 3.1: Bring the Cursor Front and Center

Windows and DOS

Windows/DOS Tips

Windows/DOS Choose Your Starting Place

Windows/DOS: Step Through Startup

Windows/DOS: Edit System Files Quickly

Windows/DOS: Exit Windows Cautiously

Windows/DOS: Exterminate the DOS Mouse

Windows/DOS: Close Down DOS Boxes

Windows/DOS: Use Your Mouse in DOS Boxes

Windows/DOS: Eradicate Irritating DOS Message

Windows/DOS: Boot Up from Menu

Windows/DOS: Smartdrive Parameters

Windows/DOS: Creating an MS-DOS Window

Windows/DOS: Eliminate Unneeded Instructions

Windows 95

Windows 95 Tips

Win 95: Bypass System Files

Win 95: Step Through System Files

Win 95: Strip Out the GUI

Win 95: Run DOS Apps

Win 95: Beware of "Older File" Warnings

Win 95: Avoid Installing over Beta

Win 95: Make and Emergency Disk

Win 95: Eliminate PIFs

Win 95: Get Help with Right Button Clicks

Win 95: Explore Explorer

Win 95: Make File Names Longer

Win 95: Create Folders Within Folders

Win 95: Add Items to the Start Menu

Win 95: Use Wordpad, Not Note or Write

Win 95: Upgrade Video Cards

Win 95: Manage Power Use

Win 95: Improve SCSI Performance

Win 95: Try Built-in Fax

Win 95: Launch DOS Apps

Win 95: Make Servers Share

Win 95: Print Quickly

Win 95: Find Hidden Printers

Win 95: Pop Up a Message

Win 95: Unravel Bootup Problems

Windows NT

Windows NT Tips

Win NT: Edit Ini Files

Win NT: Connect Using NWLink

Win NT: Connect with NWNT.EXE

Win NT: Tune Your Server

Win NT: Tune Your Swap File

Win NT: Eliminate Log-In

Win NT: Upgrade Mail

Win NT: Allow FTP Access

Win NT: Enable Your Guest Account

Win NT: Turn on LAN Manager Broadcasts

Win NT: Upgrade LAN Manager Servers

Win NT: Install over Network

Win NT: Juggle Diskettes and CDs

Win NT: Debug Network Connections

Win NT: Participate in Workgroups or Domains

Win NT: Audit File I/O

Win NT: Avoid VB Crashes

Win NT: Change the System Font

Win NT: Support Macs

Win NT: Use PIFs for DOS

Win NT: Customize Your Cursor

Win NT: Run Remote Command Line

Win NT: Configure Remote Access

Win NT: Set Up Messages Database

Win NT: Start/Stop Device Drivers

Win NT: Fast Access to Driver Settings

Win NT: 16-Bit's OK

Win NT: Monitor Performance

Editing System Files

Editing System Files Tips

Editing: Use Sysedit

Editing: Change Your Shell

Editing: Place Swap Files

Editing: Change Help Jump Color

Editing: Debeep the Desktop

Editing: Trim Your Path

Editing: No .WRI Backups

Editing: Remove Remarks

Editing: Sort DOS Dir Listings

Editing: Fix Extended Characters

Editing: Create a TEMP Directory

Editing: Halt 32-Bit Warnings

Editing: Free the Frame

Editing: Cache Your CD-ROM

Editing: No Load/Run Limit

Editing: Keep Wallpaper Aside

Editing: Lefty Menus

Editing: Speedy 286

Editing: Truetype Fonts

Editing: 24-Hour Clock

Editing: Hands Off Boot Description

Editing: Printing Advice

Editing: Hands OFF! INI Sections

Editing: Disable Control Panel Applets

Memory Management

Managing Memory Tips

Memory: Fix False Errors

Memory: Correct Cache Size

Memory: Install More

Memory: Find EISA Ram

Memory: Boot Fast

Memory: Make Swap File Permanent

Memory: Swap Files and Stacker

Memory: Swap Files and Networks

Memory: Use 32-Bit Disk Access

Memory: Load TSRs in DOS

Memory: Use 32-Bit File Access

Memory: Don't Use RAM Disk

Memory: Keep DOS Free

Memory: Load Drivers High

Memory: Load DOS High

Memory: Don't Use Share

Memory: Reduce PIF Demands

Memory: Cut Back On Buffers

Memory: Run MemMaker

Memory: Use MDA Memory

Memory: Use 3rd Party Utilities

Memory: Let Windows Do EMS

Memory: Remove ROM Shadowing

Memory: Turn On Internal Cache

Memory: Use Secondary Cache

Memory: Use Virtual Memory

Memory: Not Enough Memory

System Resources

System Resources Tips

Resources: Reduce Resource Usage

Resources: Plug the Leakers

Resources: Close the Hogs

Resources: Turn Off Wallpaper

Resources: Use Fewer Fonts

Resources: Turn Off ScreenSavers

Resources: Turn Off Toolbars

Resources: Use Fewer Progman Icons

Resources: Reduce Color Depth

Resources: Add Break Points

OS/2

OS/2 Tips

OS/2: Getting Started

OS/2: Improve Cache

OS/2: Fill the Startup Folder

OS/2: Recover Your Setup

OS/2: Get Your Disk Checked

OS/2: Get DOSKEY Back

OS/2: Set Up for Notebooks

OS/2: Use the Program Tab

OS/2: Use the Association Tab

OS/2: Use the Window Tab

OS/2: Use the General Tab

OS/2: Use HPFS

OS/2: Exit Quickly

OS/2: Use the Session Tab

OS/2: Swap That Swap File

OS/2: No Swap File

OS/2: Communications with OS/2

OS/2: Find the Weak Links

OS/2: Check for HPFS Space

OS/2: Run HPFS On All Drives

OS/2: Dual or Multiboot?

OS/2: Migrate to OS/2

 Applications

Installing Applications

Installing Applications Tips

Install Apps: Make Backups First

Install Apps: Beware of Upgrades

Install Apps: Avoid Directory Overload

Install Apps: Back Up Install Disks

Install Apps: Disinfect Shrink-Wrap Software

Install Apps: Defrag First

Install Apps: When Windows Won't Launch

Install Apps: Install Apps: Consider Upgrades Carefully

Install Apps: Install Protection

Uninstalling Applications

Uninstalling Applications Tips

Uninstall Apps: Buy an Uninstall Program

Uninstall Apps: Clean Up Ap Remnants

Uninstall Apps: Don't Delete Directories Immediately

Uninstall Apps: Test Windows After Uninstalls

Uninstall Apps: Cut the Icon

Uninstall Apps: Remove WIN.INI Lines

Uninstall Apps: Back Up Regularly

Uninstall Apps: Use Batch File for Backups

Uninstall Apps: Find Leftover Files

Uninstall Apps: Clean Up System Files

Uninstall Apps: Forge an Uninstallation Trail

Uninstall Apps: Examine Version Information

Uninstall Apps: Locate Directory

Using Help Files

Using Help Tips

Use Help: Move Without the Mouse

Use Help: Copy Content

Use Help: Add Notes

Use Help: Keep Notes Intact

Use Help: Print Help Files

Use Help: Navigate Through WinHelp

Use Help: Share Bookmarks

Use Help: Keep Help On Top

Use Help: Find Lost Help File

Use Help: Too Hot to Handle

Writing Help Files

Writing Help Files Tips

Write Help: Why Use Help

Write Help: Keep Topics Short

Write Help: Use Artwork

Write Help: Add Hot Spots

Write Help: Re-use Graphics

Write Help: Mark Versions

Write Help: Insert Pop-ups

Write Help: Index Everything

Write Help: Use Icons

Easter Eggs (Hidden Credits)

Credits Tips

Credits: Word 6.0

Credits: CorelDRAW 5.0

Credits: Windows

Credits: Norton Utilities 8.0

Credits: Ami Pro 3.01

Credits: HDC Power Launcher

Credits: Wintune 2.0

 Hardware

Buying A System

Hardware: System Buying Tips

System: Stretch Your Budget

System: Buy Direct

System: Add Memory

System: Use Preloaded Software

System: Search for PCI

System: Add Communications

System: Use Suite Software

System: Demand Excellence

System: Remember Service

System: Upgrade Video

System: Get Good Peripherals

System: Inspect It

System: Haggle

System: Think Portable

Printing

Hardware: Printing Tips

Printing: Print Direct for Speed

Printing: Using Print Manager

Printing: Manage Your Fonts

Printing: Use Vector Graphics

Printing: Network Printing

Printing: Print Envelopes

Printing: Update Drivers

Printing: Faster LAN Routing

Printing: Hire a Temp

Printing: Choose Your Print Order

Printing: Sharpen Photoshop Images

Printing: Add PDF Files

Printing: Seize Control

Printing: Create a Fake Port

Printing: Fix Formatting

Printing: Start Stalled Jobs

Communications

Hardware: Communications Tips

Comm: Head Off Port Conflicts

Comm: Dial P for Prefix

Comm: Disable Call Waiting

Comm: Scrap Screen Savers

Comm: Using High Speeds

Comm: Background Communications

Comm: Remember the Buffer

Comm: Transmit Reliably

Comm: Blame the Comm Program

Comm: High Speed Connections

Comm: Installing Internal Modems

Comm: Setting Terminal Straight

Comm: Use Modem Panel Lights

Comm: Modem Panel Lights Key

Comm: Add More Ports

Comm: Test Your Modem

Comm: Choose a Protoctol

Comm: Get a Fast COMM Driver

Comm: Make It Automatic

Comm: Using Fax

Comm: Fax from MS Mail and WfW 3.11

Comm: Maximize Speed

Comm: Connecting Your Modem

Video Upgrades

Hardware: Video Upgrade Tips

Video: Upgrade Your Adapter

Video: Go Local

Video: Find New Drivers

Video: Installing Adapters

Video: Max Out Your Video

Video: Remember Memory

Video: Tune Your Monitor

Video: Plan for Multimedia

Video: Control Your Screen

Video: Startup Problems

CD-ROM Drives

Hardware: CD-ROM Drive Tips

CD-ROM: Fast Drives

CD-ROM: Use Current Drivers

CD-ROM: Cache CD-ROMs

CD-ROM: Smooth Installation

CD-ROM: Vertical Isn't Viable

CD-ROM: Keep CD-ROMs Clean

CD-ROM: Use the Right MSCDEX

CD-ROM: Fix Install Problems

CD-ROM: Where's the Audio

CD-ROM: More Drive Letters

CD-ROM: Slow Video

CD-ROM: The Drive Can't Read

CD-ROM: My Disk Is Stuck

SCSI

Hardware: SCSI Tips

SCSI: ASPI When?

SCSI: Keep Terminators

SCSI: Turn It On

SCSI: Check TWAIN

SCSI: Put ASPI Where?

SCSI: Troubleshooting

SCSI: Conflicts

 Tips From The Top

Fred Langa, WINDOWS Magazine

Langa: Low Cost Add-Ons

Langa: Use Plug-In for Windows.

Langa: Use METZ Task Manager

Langa: Use WinFileX

Langa: Use Fileware

Bill Gates, Microsoft

Gates: Win with Windows

Gtes: Shared Secrets

Gates: TCP/IP Performance

Gates: Speedup Without Sharing

Gates: Excel 5.0 Worksheet Road Map

Gates: Excel 5.0 Line Chart Makeover

Gates: Excel 5.0 Quick Importing

Gates: Excel 5.0 Fill It

Lee Reiswig, IBM

Reiswig: Ultimate OS/2

Reiswig: Windows with a Side Of Speed

Reiswig: The Organized Desktop

Reiswig: A Handy Task List

Reiswig: Run 16-Bit Applications

Reiswig: When Everything Stops, Don't Panic

Jim Halpin, CompUSA

Halpin: Buy Smarter

Halpin: Prioritize, Prioritize

Halpin: What's in a Name?

Halpin: Hedge Bets

Halpin: Gold-Plate It

Halpin: Hold the 5.25

Halpin: Get On-Line

Halpin: Peace Of Mind

Jim Lyons, Hewlett-Packard

Lyons: Green Printing

Lyons: Printer Power Management

Lyons: Proofread

Lyons: Print Low-Res

Lyons: Use Fax Modems

Lyons: Revision Marks

Lyons: Email Instead

Rich Sorkin, Creative Labs

Sorkin: Sound Off!

Sorkin: Make Waves

Sorkin: Connecting SCSI to Sound

Sorkin: Playing Audio CDs

Sorkin: Check Midi Mapper

Carl Everett, Intel Corp.

Everett: Need a CPU Upgrade?

Everett: Biggest Upgrade

Everett: No Motherboard Upgrades

Everett: Compatibility Is Key

Everett: Use Slot B

Ted Waitt, Gateway 2000

Waitt: Mobile Tips

Waitt: More Memory, More Time

Waitt: Go PCMCIA-Less

Waitt: Clear Up Confusing Dial Tones

Waitt: Bright Idea

Waitt: Take a Two-Pack

Peter Norton, Peter Norton Computing

Norton: The Perfect Desktop

Phillipe Kahn, Borland International

Kahn: Better Database Design

Kahn: Normalize Data

Kahn: Determine Links

Kahn: Use an Index

Kahn: Employ Validation

Kahn: Create Neat Forms

Kahn: Test for Usability

Kahn: Design Reports

Irfan Salim, Software Publishing Corp.

Salim: Color and Graphs

Salim: Limit Your Pallete

Salim: Consider Contrast

Salim: Clip Art

Salim: Color Words

Salim: Which Chart/Graph?

Adrian Rietveld, WordPerfect/Novell

Rietveld: Dashing Docs

Rietveld: Fitting Solution

Rietveld: 2-Column Alternative

Rietveld: File Extensions

Rietveld: Automate Style

Rietveld: Clone Documents

Rietveld: Shortcuts

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

Martin Heller, Programming Windows

Heller: Sound Strategies for Software Development

Heller: Determine Your Target

Heller: Listen to Your Customers

Heller: Prototype

Heller: Throw Away Your Prototype

Heller: Ship Your Prototype

Heller: Iterate

Heller: Use Appropriate Technology

Heller: Design by Decomposition

Heller: Write to Win32

Heller: Think Threads

Heller: Synchronize with Events

Heller: Use File Mappings

Heller: Distributed Implementations

Heller: Select Your Network

Mike Elgan, The Explorer

Elgan: Unearth Windows' Hidden Treasures

Elgan: Calculator

Elgan: Calendar

Elgan: Cardfile

Elgan: Character Map

Elgan: Clock

Elgan: Media Player

Elgan: Notepad

Elgan: Paintbrush

Elgan: Recorder

Elgan: Sound Recorder

Elgan: Terminal

Elgan: Write

John Woram, Optimizing Windows

Woram: Editing INI Files

Woram: ABC.INI

Woram: Drain Your Fonts

Woram: Go to the Source

Woram: Do You Know Your IRQ?

Woram: Easy .INI Editing

Woram: Sound Advice

Woram: Protect Your Players

Woram: Manage Fileman

John Ruley, eNTerprise Windows

Ruley: Master NT Administration

Ruley: Prevent Server Crashes

Ruley: Receive Status Reports

Ruley: Upgrade NT Email

Ruley: Multiplatform Printing

Ruley: Schedule Batch Jobs

Ruley: Maximize Server Throughput

Ruley: Closet Servers

Ruley: Control Servers Remotely

Ruley: Manage from Windows

Ruley: Enable Bridging

Ruley: Ease TCP/IP Configuration

Jeffrey Sloman, Networking Windows

Sloman: Apps by Network

Cheryl Currid, Windows at Work

Currid: Increase Office Productivity

Currid: Network Everything

Currid: Fax Gateway

Currid: Install a Network Modem

Currid: Mail Groups On Server

Currid: Add a Voice Server

Currid: Give Up Paper

Currid: Scan Business Cards

Currid: Connect Without Wires

Currid: Videoconferencing

Karen Kenworthy, Power Windows

Kenworthy: Programmer Tricks

Kenworthy: VBA in Project, Excel

Kenworthy: Leapyear

 On the Move

Networking

Networking Tips

Nets: Start with a Plan

Nets: Choose Servers Wisely

Nets: Think Ahead

Nets: Create Documentation

Nets: Limits of Peer-Peer

Nets: Perform Backups

Nets: Plan Administration

Nets: Use E-Mail

Nets: Buy Wireless

Nets: Assign Mini-Administrators

Nets: Separate Disposables

Nets: Smart Print Queues

Nets: Minimize Special Cases

Nets: Protect Critical Gear

Nets: Plan Disaster Recovery

Nets: Not Just User Calls

Nets: Teach Your Users

Nets: RAS/Better Connections

LANtastic

Networking: LANtastic Tips

LANtastic: Dedicate a Server

LANtastic: Use Two Servers

LANtastic: Bigger Packets

LANtastic: Resource Caching

LANtastic: Disable Switch

LANtastic: Use LANCache

LANtastic: Be Direct

LANtastic: Avoid TSRs

LANtastic: Use DOS Fastopen

LANtastic: DOS Setup

LANtastic: Optimize Buffer

LANtastic: Server Performance

LANtastic: Optimize Seek Cache

LANtastic: Share Data

LANtastic: Optimize REDIR

LANtastic: Use RAM Disk

LANtastic: Immediate Despooling

LANtastic: Clear Audit Files

LANtastic: Lock Hold Time

LANtastic: Permanent Swap File

Windows for Workgroups

Networking: Windows for Workgroups Tips

WfW: Use WinMeter

WfW: Standardize Directories

WfW: NetWare Comes First

WfW: Tune Performance

WfW: Share with ClipBook

WfW: Share Directories

WfW: Track Resources

WfW: Connect with Toolbar

WfW: Browse Faster

WfW: Browse Faster Still

WfW: Connect with ODI

WfW: Obtain ODI Drivers

WfW: Secure Users

WfW: Don't_Leave_Spaces

WfW: Set NIC in Software

WfW: One-Time-Only

WfW: Make a Server

WfW: Implicit Connections

WfW: Form Follows Function

WfW: Centralize on NetWare

WfW: Share CD-ROM

WfW: Obtain Resource Kit

WfW: Separate Documents

Portable Computing

Portable Computing Tips

Portable: Fax for Printing

Portable: Test Drive PCMCIA

Portable: Add External Monitor

Portable: 32-Bit Disk Access (Don't)

Portable: Buy Extra Battery

Portable: Add Multimedia

Portable: Make DOS Boot Disk

Portable: Portable Faxing

Portable: Buy an Expansion Box

Portable: Check Accomodations

Portable: Carry Cables

Portable: Printer Preparation

Portable: Cool Before Recharging

Portable: Check Battery Insertion

Portable: PCMCIA for Security

Portable: Call Ahead

Portable: Use Infrared

Portable: Consider Monochrome

Portable: Use Power Management

Portable: Take a Toolkit

Portable: Remote Access

Small Office/Home Office (SOHO)

SOHO Tips

SOHO: Use Ink Jets

SOHO: Refill Cartridges

SOHO: Recycle Tax Forms

SOHO: Pay Quarterly Taxes

SOHO: Send Binary Faxes

SOHO: Portable Vs. Desktop

SOHO: Find Free Support

SOHO: Watch Data Formats

SOHO: When to Upgrade

SOHO: Fax, Data, Voice

SOHO: Go for Suites

Quicken/QuickBooks

Quicken/QuickBooks Tips

Quicken: Budgeting SOHO

Quicken: Can You Afford It?

Quicken: Easy Account ID

 Software

Alternative Desktops

Dashboard

Alternative Deskstops: Dashboard Tips

Dashboard: Drag/Drop Buttons

Dashboard: Save Layouts

Dashboard: Reassign Hotkeys

Dashboard: Set Alarms

Dashboard: Select Printers

Norton Desktop

Alternative Desktops: Norton Desktop Tips

Norton Desktop: Start Where You Want

Norton Desktop: One Bar Too Many

The Norton Utilities

Alternative Desktops: Norton Utilities 8.0 Tips

Norton Utilities 8.0: Sensor Watch

Norton Utilities 8.0: Speed Disk

Norton Utilities 8.0: Use NDOS

Norton Utilities 8.0: Keep Alt+Tab

Norton Utilities 8.0: Exit Orderly

PC Tools

Alternative Desktops: PC Tool Tips

PC Tools: Minimize Drive Manager

PC Tools: Run Multiple Viewers

PC Tools: Supress System Consultant

PC Tools: New Directory View

PC Tools: Rearrange Crashguard

PC Tools: Change Title Bar

PC Tools: Keyboard to Right Mouse

PC Tools: Vary Your Viewpoint

PC Tools: Quick Column Sorts

PC Tools: Always in Sight

Power Launcher

Power Launcher: Button Navigation

Power Launcher: Quick Exit

Power Launcher: Other Launchers

Power Launcher: Run MicroApps

Power Launcher: Custom Dialog Boxes

Power Launcher: Select Your Start Ap

Databases

Access

Databases: Access 2.0 Tips

Access 2.0: Convert Old Files

Access 2.0: Automate Routine Tasks

Access 2.0: Sort Quicker

Access 2.0: Find the Top

Access 2.0: Create Combo Boxes

Access 2.0: Faster Reports

Access 2.0: Simple Queries

Access 2.0: Create Toolbar Buttons

Access 2.0: Math Help

Access 2.0: Take a Letter

Approach

Databases: Approach 3.0 Tips

Approach 3.0: Automatic Macro

Approach 3.0: Find Values

Approach 3.0: Designing

Approach 3.0: Using InfoBoxes

Approach 3.0: Create Custom Menus

dBASE

Databases: dBase Tips

dBase: Cut Install Size

dBase: Create Functions

dBase: Build Expressions

dBase: Change Object Properties

dBase: Bypass the Expert

FileMaker Pro

Databases: Filemaker Pro 2.1 Tips

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Operator Order

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Missing Fields

Filemaker Pro 2.1: To the End

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Careful Of Nulls

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Copying

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Pasting

Filemaker Pro 2.1: NetBIOS Trouble

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Toggle First

Filemaker Pro 2.1: IBM LAN Server

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Send-Mail Script

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Change User Name

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Tally Up

FoxPro

Databases: FoxPro 2.6 Tips

FoxPro 2.6: Change Printer Settings

FoxPro 2.6: Open Only One DDE

FoxPro 2.6: Define Variable Screens

FoxPro 2.6: Fresh V. Fast

FoxPro 2.6: Band Size

FoxPro 2.6: Browse Window Sizing

FoxPro 2.6: Write Data Faster

FoxPro 2.6: Speed Debugging

Paradox

Databases: Paradox Tips

Paradox: Use DOS PAL

Paradox: Kill Line Markers

Paradox: Switch Indexes

Paradox: Move to the Top

Paradox: Drop-Down Fields

Paradox: Pushbutton Printing

Paradox: Press OLE Buttons

Paradox: Object Report

Superbase

Databases: Superbase Tips

Superbase: Rename Files

Superbase: Trapping Report Errors

Superbase: Control Detail Blocks

Superbase: Embed Quotes

Superbase: Insert Variables

Superbase: Generate Code

Superbase: Create Custom Toolbars

Superbase: Start Forms Two Ways

Superbase: Use Macro Recorder

Superbase: Hunt for Bugs

Desktop Publishing/Graphics

Photoshop

DTP/Graphics: Photoshop 2.5.1 Tips

Photoshop 2.5.1: Setting Resolution

Photoshop 2.5.1: Reduce Bands

Photoshop 2.5.1: Lighter Blends

Photoshop 2.5.1: Use Low-Res Images

Photoshop 2.5.1: Zoom in Quickly

Illustrator

DTP/Graphics: Illustrator Tips

Illustrator 4.0: Remove Layers

Illustrator 4.0: Remove Fonts

Illustrator 4.0: How Many Objects?

Illustrator 4.0: Avoid Preview

Illustrator 4.0: Using Filters

CorelDRAW

DTP/Graphics: CorelDraw 5.0 Tips

CorelDraw 5.0: Drag and Drop

CorelDraw 5.0: Speed Redraw

CorelDraw 5.0: Move Objects

FreeHand

DTP/Graphics: Freehand 4.0 Tips

Freehand 4.0: Mix Sizes

Freehand 4.0: Transparency

Freehand 4.0: Mix Colors

Freehand 4.0: Remove Colors

Freehand 4.0: Convert Text

Freehand 4.0: Edit Easier

Publish It

DTP/Graphics: Publish It 4.0 Tips

Publish It 4.0: Date It

Publish It 4.0: Realign Text

Publish It 4.0: Add Perspective

Publish It 4.0: Switch Text/Frame

Publish It 4.0: Enlarge It

Designer

DTP Graphics: Designer 4.0a Tips

Designer 4.0a: Right Mouse Menus

Designer 4.0a: Expand Dialogs

Designer 4.0a: Fill in Blanks

Designer 4.0a: Set Style Defaults

Designer 4.0a: Custom Configurations

Designer 4.0a: Select Overlapped Objects

QuarkXpress

DTP/Graphics: QuarkXPress 3.3 Tips

QuarkXPress 3.3: Text Runaround

QuarkXPress 3.3: Build Clean Docs

QuarkXPress 3.3: Using Guides

QuarkXPress 3.3: Measurement Palette

QuarkXPress 3.3: Select Hidden Items

QuarkXPress 3.3: Crops and Bleeds

QuarkXPress 3.3: Perform Math

QuarkXPress 3.3: Tool Palette

QuarkXPress 3.3: Smart Hyphens

QuarkXPress 3.3: Find Dialog

QuarkXPress 3.3: Use Views

QuarkXPress 3.3: Apply Styles

QuarkXPress 3.3: Cut File Sizes

QuarkXPress 3.3: Drop Shadows

QuarkXPress 3.3: Absolute Page Numbers

PageMaker

DTP/Graphics: PageMaker 5.0 Tips

PageMaker 5.0: Small Caps

PageMaker 5.0: Slow Filters

PageMaker 5.0: Graphics Elsewhere

PageMaker 5.0: Gray Graphics

PageMaker 5.0: Reset Defaults

PageMaker 5.0: List Filters

PageMaker 5.0: Print Ranges

PageMaker 5.0: Nudge Objects

PageMaker 5.0: Change Formats

PageMaker 5.0: Consistent Dot Leaders

Development Tools

Visual Basic

Visual Basic Tips

Visual Basic: Reduce Memory

Visual Basic: Fake 3-D

Visual Basic: Use Dynamic Arrays

Visual Basic: Save RAM

Visual Basic: Less Coding

Visual Basic: Use Images

Visual Basic: Always On Top

Visual Basic: Faster Timing

Visual Basic: Watch System Resources

Visual Basic: Set Multiple Controls

Visual Basic: Align Help

Visual Basic: Neatness Counts

Diagnostics

Wintune

Wintune 2.0 Tips

Wintune 2.0: What It Is

Wintune 2.0: Where It Is

Wintune 2.0: Get Help

Wintune 2.0: Check Download

Wintune 2.0: Check Again

Wintune 2.0: Run Setup

Wintune 2.0: Update VBX Files

Wintune 2.0: Move Misplaced Files

Wintune 2.0: Track Down GPF

Wintune 2.0: Detect FPU Trouble

Wintune 2.0: Longer Intervals

Wintune 2.0: Cannot Redraw?

Wintune 2.0: Run It Alone

Wintune 2.0: Insall More RAM

Wintune 2.0: Free Up RAM

Wintune 2.0: Upgrade Slow CPUs

Wintune 2.0: Add an FPU

Wintune 2.0: Better Video Speed

Wintune 2.0: Click for Details

Wintune 2.0: Test by Running

E-Mail/On-Line

Lotus cc: Mail

Electronic Mail: cc:Mail Tips

cc:Mail: Delete Logs

cc:Mail: Move Folders

cc:Mail: Order Internet Messages

cc:Mail: Maximize Your Screen

cc:Mail: Be Discreet

cc:Mail: Fast Forwarding

cc:Mail: Snap Addresses

cc:Mail: Non cc:Mail Addresses

cc:Mail: Arrange SmartIcons

cc:Mail: Keep It Confidential

cc:Mail: Colorful Comments

cc:Mail: Sort Outbound Mail

cc:Mail: Get Messages in Order

cc:Mail: Create Mailing List

cc:Mail: Customize SmartIcons

Microsoft Mail

Electronic Mail: Mail 3.2 Tips

Mail 3.2: Print Larger

Mail 3.2: Create Folders

Mail 3.2: Return to Sender

Mail 3.2: Mail Frequency

Mail 3.2: Change Sounds

Mail 3.2: Move Your .MMF

Mail 3.2: Reply Prefix

Mail 3.2: Send Mail Now!

Mail 3.2: Post Office Groups

Mail 3.2: Make Attachments

Mail 3.2: Mail On Start-Up

Mail 3.2: WfW MSMail/Netware

Mail 3.2: End Corruption

Mail 3.2: Mail and Mail Remote

Schedule+

Electronic Mail: Schedule+ Tips

Schedule+: Send All Info

Schedule+: Add Conference Room

Schedule+: New Sounds

Internet

Electronic Mail: Internet Tips

Internet: AOL Internet

Internet: Windows FTP Sites

Internet: Decode with Wincode

Internet: CompuServe Internet

Internet: A Good Summary

Internet: Mailing Lists

PIMs

ACT

PIMs: ACT 2.0 Tips

ACT 2.0: Work with Email

ACT 2.0: Your Own Fields

ACT 2.0: Contact with Keys

ACT 2.0: Invisible Fields

ACT 2.0: Macro Managing

ACT 2.0: Call Notes

ACT 2.0: Quick Call Comments

ECCO

PIMs: ECCO Tips

ECCO: Customize Toolbar

ECCO: Set Default Alarms

ECCO: Hide Alarms

ECCO: Create Multiple Alarms

ECCO: Sort Information Fast

ECCO: Public Vs. Private

ECCO: Quick Views

ECCO: Find Folders Fast

ECCO: Add to Multiple Folders

ECCO: Favorite Files

ECCO: File Sync

ECCO: Find a Conference Room

ECCO: Repeating Tasks

Organizer

PIMs: Lotus Organizer 1.0 Tips

Organizer 1.0: No Missing Links

Organizer 1.0: Resolve Conflicts

Organizer 1.0: Make Commitments

Organizer 1.0: Link Up

Organizer 1.0: Branch Out

Organizer 1.0: Load Up

Organizer 1.0: Make a Print

Organizer 1.0: Auto Pilot

Organizer 1.0: Get Organized

Organizer 1.0: Make a Date

Organizer 1.0: Customization

Sidekick

PIMs: Sidekick 1.0 Tips

Sidekick 1.0: Print Envelopes

Sidekick 1.0: Calendar Images

Sidekick 1.0: Customize Calendars

Sidekick 1.0: Avoid Retyping

Sidekick 1.0: Mark Cards

Sidekick 1.0: Reorder Cards

Sidekick 1.0: Sort Cards

Sidekick 1.0: Print Breaks

Sidekick 1.0: Sort for Import

Sidekick 1.0: Tap Other Apps

Sidekick 1.0: DOS Import

Sidekick 1.0: Speed Menus

Sidekick 1.0: Toolbar Goodies

Sidekick 1.0: Quick Calls

Sidekick 1.0: Change Default Open

Presentations

CorelShow

Presentations: CorelShow Tips

CorelShow: Create Builds

CorelShow: Organize Slides

Freelance Graphics

Presentations: Freelance Graphics 2.01 Tips

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Start Quick

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Run Shows

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Add Symbols

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Create SmartMaster

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Backup

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Create Clip Art

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Restore Corruption

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Place and Size

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Sub/Super Scripts

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Change Text

Harvard Graphics

Presentations: Harvard Graphics 2.0 Tips

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Picture This

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Easy Duplication

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Speed Slide Creation

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Ask for Help

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Highlight Charts

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Copy Pages

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Erase Background

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Zip Through

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Call a Conference

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Resize Charts

PowerPoint

Presentations: PowerPoint 4.0 Tips

PowerPoint 4.0: Customize Wizards

PowerPoint 4.0: Slide Database

PowerPoint 4.0: Preview Effects

PowerPoint 4.0: Hidden Slides

PowerPoint 4.0: Organize Clip Art

PowerPoint 4.0: Copy Formats

PowerPoint 4.0: Be Sensitive

PowerPoint 4.0: Branch Out

WordPerfect Presentations

Presentations: WordPerfect Presentations 2.0 Tips

WordPerfect Presentations 2.0: Speed Access

WordPerfect Presentations 2.0: Figure Gallery

WordPerfect Presentations 2.0: Use OLE

Spreadsheets

Excel

Spreadsheets: Excel 5.0 Tips

Excel 5.0: High Scrollers

Excel 5.0: Jump Back

Excel 5.0: Buttons

Excel 5.0: Excel 4 Menus

Excel 5.0: Custom Autofill

Excel 5.0: Tab Tricks

Excel 5.0: Palettes

Excel 5.0: Worksheet Count

Excel 5.0: Stored V. Displayed

Excel 5.0: Redraw Charts

Excel 5.0: Drag & Drop

Excel 5.0: Copy from Above

Excel 5.0: Customize Toolbars

Excel 5.0: Form to Template

Excel 5.0: Keyboard Shortcuts

Excel 5.0: Add Data to an Existing Spreadsheet{bmr

Excel 5.0: Creating Vertical Titles{bmr

Excel 5.0: Using the Right Mouse Button{bmr

Excel 5.0: Create Hot Spots

Lotus 1-2-3

Spreadsheets: Lotus 1-2-3 5.0 Tips

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Hide Worksheets

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Create Summaries

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Customize Toolbars

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Simplify Printing

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: One At a Time

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Drag & Drop

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Auditing Toolbar

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Navigator

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Fill-By-Example

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Customize Lists

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Keyboard Accelerators

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: @Function Pull Down

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Quick Formats

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: SmartMasters

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Make a Map

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Work by Mail

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Keyboard Shortcuts

Quattro Pro

Spreadsheets: Quattro Pro 5.0 Tips

Quattro Pro 5.0: Make Presentations

Quattro Pro 5.0: Load a Notebook

Quattro Pro 5.0: Save Workspace

Quattro Pro 5.0: Repeat Entries

Quattro Pro 5.0: Safeguard Macros

Quattro Pro 5.0: Use DOS Menus

Quattro Pro 5.0: Custom Speedfill

Quattro Pro 5.0: Convert Label Dates

Quattro Pro 5.0: Group Pages

Quattro Pro 5.0: Hide Zero Values

Quattro Pro 5.0: Change Groups

Quattro Pro 5.0: Macro Categories

Quattro Pro 5.0: Property Inspector

Quattro Pro 5.0: Print Settings

Quattro Pro 5.0: Experts

Improv

Spreadsheets: Improv 1.2 Tips

Improv 2.1: Improve Performance

Improv 2.1: Create Formats

Improv 2.1: Improve Readability

Improv 2.1: Slim It Down

Improv 2.1: Avoid Hidden Data

Improv 2.1: Help with Formulas

Improv 2.1: Keyboard Shortcuts

Word Processing

Ami Pro

Word Processors: Ami Pro 3.01 Tips

Ami Pro 3.01: Foreign Finesse

Ami Pro 3.01: Keep Together

Ami Pro 3.01: Act in Character

Ami Pro 3.01: Print Multiple Docs

Ami Pro 3.01: Glossaries

Ami Pro 3.01: Prevent Closeup

Ami Pro 3.01: Style Shortcuts

Ami Pro 3.01: Table Tricks

Ami Pro 3.01: Clever Captions

Ami Pro 3.01: Dress Up Replaces

Ami Pro 3.01: Prevent Breaks

Ami Pro 3.01: Sneak Preview

Ami Pro 3.01: Mix Numbers, Bullets

Ami Pro 3.01: Keyboard Shortcuts

Microsoft Word

Word Processors: Word 6.0 Tips

Word 6.0: Tab Information

Word 6.0: Select Text

Word 6.0: Modify Menus

Word 6.0: Modify Toolbars

Word 6.0: Jump to Bookmark

Word 6.0: Print Preview Redux

Word 6.0: Speed It Up

Word 6.0: Do It Again

Word 6.0: Select Letters

Word 6.0: Table Gridlines

Word 6.0: Avoid Draft Mode

Word 6.0: Delete Multiple Files

Word 6.0: Leave a Gutter

Word 6.0: Table Tricks

Word 6.0: More Table Tricks

Word 6.0: Leaving Blanks

Word 6.0: Background Printing

Word 6.0: Center Tables

Word 6.0: Add Date

Word 6.0: Define Sentence

Word 6.0: Multi-Row Headings

Word 6.0: Easy Go To

Word 6.0: Keyboard Shortcuts

Word 6.0: Macros

Word 6.0: Using WordArt to Add Headers

Word 6.0: Auto-Loading a Document

Word 6.0: Inserting Special Characters

Word 6.0: Changing Margins/Fonts

Word 6.0: Adding Drop Caps

Word 6.0: Creating Multi-Level Lists

Word 6.0: Creating New Styles

Word 6.0: Creating a Fast Template

WordPerfect

Word Processors: WordPerfect 6.0 Tips

WordPerfect 6.0: Back to Normal

WordPerfect 6.0: Modify Power Bar

WordPerfect 6.0: Wildcard Searches

WordPerfect 6.0: TurboCharge Status

WordPerfect 6.0: Work Overtime

WordPerfect 6.0: Speed Bullets

WordPerfect 6.0: Quick Opens

WordPerfect 6.0: See More

WordPerfect 6.0: Launch Pad

WordPerfect 6.0: Where Am I?

WordPerfect 6.0: Table Settings

WordPerfect 6.0: Favorite Fonts

WordPerfect 6.0: Power Bar Fonts

WordPerfect 6.0: Open All Files

WordPerfect 6.0: Fast Printing

WordPerfect 6.0: Pop Buttons

WordPerfect 6.0: Easy Email

WordPerfect 6.0a: Select Sentences

WordPerfect 6.0a: Add Watermarks

WordPerfect 6.0a: Word by Word

WordPerfect 6.0a: Say Goodbye

WordPerfect 6.0a: Manage Files

WordPerfect 6.0a: Fewer Menu Items

WordPerfect 6.0a: Formatting Options

WordPerfect 6.0a: Typos/Trademarks

WordPerfect 6.0a: Use Borders

WordPerfect 6.0: Keyboard Shortcuts

 Managing Manager Apps

Program Manager

Program Manager Optimization Tips

Program Mgr: Do It Your Way

Program Mgr: Change Label Font

Program Mgr: Name That Group

Program Mgr: Keep Settings Secure

Program Mgr: Using the Options Menu

File Manager

File Manager Optimization Tips

File Mgr: Conserve Space

File Mgr: Directories As Drives

File Mgr: Show Details

File Mgr: Sweep It Clean

File Mgr: Customize

Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard Shortcuts: Move Fast

Keyboard Shortcuts: Capture Window

Keyboard Shortcuts: File Handling

Keyboard Shortcuts: Cool-Switching

Keyboard Shortcuts: Plow Through Menus

Keyboard Shortcuts: Spelling Bee

Keyboard Shortcuts: Navigate

Keyboard Shortcuts: Help!

Keyboard Shortcuts: Nix Dialog Boxes

 Other

On-Line Essentials

On-220eScreenCamsntials

Online: America On Line

Online: BIX

Online: CompuServe

Online: Delphi Internet

Online: GEnie

Online: Internet

Online: The Pipeline

Online: Prodigy

Must-Have Shareware

Must Have Shareware

Shareware: Above & Beyond

Shareware: ButtonStar Deluxe

Shareware: Drag and File

Shareware: FontSpec Pro

Shareware: Paint Shop Pro

Shareware: Phone Master

Shareware: PixFolio

Shareware: Private Cryptographer

Shareware: Network Email

Shareware: SmilerShell

Shareware: Time and Chaos

Shareware: WhizNotes

Shareware: wInformant

Shareware: WinModem

Shareware: Win SetTime

Shareware: WinZip

Tech Support Hotlines

Tech Support Hotlines

Tech Support: Vendors A-E

Tech Support: Vendors F-J

Tech Support: Vendors K-O

Tech Support: Vendors P-Z

Tech Support: Microsoft Technet

Getting Started

Getting Started Tips

Program Groups: Missing

Program Groups: Recovering

Startup: Customizing

Program Groups: Repair

Startup: Ap with Data

Demo: Search for Files with File Manager

Demo: Copy Apps to Startup Group

Demo Switching Between Application Groups

Demo: Two Ways to Copy Apps to Startup

Demo: Application Switching

Demo: Change DOS Fonts

Demo: Use Background Tasks

Demo: Edit INI Files with Notepad

Demo: Improve DOS Screen Response

Demo: Improve DOS Disk Write

Fun With Fonts

Fun with Fonts

Font Fun: Don't Doublespace

Font Fun: Avoid Underlining

Font Fun: Use Character Map

Font Fun: Use EM Dashes

Font Fun: Use Smart Quotes

Font Fun: Create Fractions

Font Fun: Use Bullets

Font Fun: Center by Eye

Presentation Pointers

Presentation Pointers

 ScreenCams

Screencams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips003

Introduction

Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips004

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Installing Windows

 Windows 3.1

 Windows and DOS

 Windows 95

 Windows NT

 Editing System Files

 Memory Management

 System Resources

 OS/2

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips005

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Installing Applications

 Uninstalling Applications

 Using Help Files

 Writing Help Files

 Easter Eggs (Hidden Credits)

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips006

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Buying A System

 Printing

 Communications

 Video Upgrades

 CD-ROM Drives

 SCSI

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips007

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Fred Langa, WINDOWS Magazine

 Bill Gates, Microsoft

 Lee Reiswig, IBM

 Jim Halpin, CompUsa

 Jim Lyons, Hewlett-Packard

 Rich Sorkin, Creative Labs

 Carl Everett, Intel Corp.

 Ted Waitt, Gateway 2000

 Peter Norton, Peter Norton Computing

 Phillipe Kahn, Borland International

 Irfan Salim, Software Publishing Corp.

 Adrian Rietveld, WordPerfect/Novell

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips008

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 Martin Heller, Programming Windows

 Mike Elgan, The Explorer

 John Woram, Optimizing Windows

 John Ruley, eNTerprise Windows

 Jeffrey Sloman, Networking Windows

 Cheryl Currid, Windows at Work

 Karen Kenworthy, Power Windows

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips009

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Networking

 LANtastic

 Windows for Workgroups

 Portable Computing

 Small Office/Home Office (SOHO)

 Quicken/QuickBooks

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips010

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Alternative Desktops

 Dashboard

 Norton Desktop

 The Norton Utilities

 PC Tools

 Power Launcher

Databases

 Access

 Approach

 dBASE

 FileMaker Pro

 FoxPro

 Paradox

 Superbase

Desktop Publishing/Graphics

 Photoshop

 Illustrator

 CorelDRAW

 FreeHand

 Publish It

 Designer

 QuarkXpress

 PageMaker

Development Tools

 Visual Basic

Diagnostics

 Wintune

E-Mail/On-Line

 Lotus cc: Mail

 Microsoft Mail

 Schedule+

 Internet

PIMs

 ACT

 ECCO

 Organizer

 Sidekick

Presentations

 CorelShow

 Freelance Graphics

 Harvard Graphics

 PowerPoint

 WordPerfect Presentations

Spreadsheets

 Excel

 Lotus 1-2-3

 Quattro Pro

 Improv

Word Processing

 Ami Pro

 Microsoft Word

 WordPerfect

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips 011

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Program Manager

 File Manager

 Keyboard Shortcuts

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips012

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 On-Line Essentials

 Must-Have Shareware

 Tech Support Hotlines

 Getting Started

 Fun With Fonts

 Presentation Pointers


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips 013

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips014

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips015

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

Installing Windows

Installing Windows Tips

Win Install: Solve Windows Install Problems

Win Install: Find Troublesome TSRs

Win Install: Set Up for More Setups

Win Install: Install Multiple Copies of Windows

Win Install: Decipher Windows Setup Commands

Win Install: Track Down Video Trouble

Win Install: Turn Off Hardware Detection

Win Install: Troubleshoot Disk Problems

Win Install: Troubleshoot Windows Setup

Win Install: Find Memory Problems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips016

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

Windows 3.1

Windows 3.1 Tips

Win 3.1: Customize Your Toolbar

Win 3.1: Check Hardware Connections

Win 3.1: Maximize Window Shortcut

Win 3.1: Run Windows for Workgroups 3.11

Win 3.1: Click Drive Icons to Control File Manager

Win 3.1: Change Program Groups in Program Manager

Win 3.1: Disable Double Buffering

Win 3.1: Run in Standard Mode

Win 3.1: Make Quick Associations

Win 3.1: Print Documents Quickly

Win 3.1: Perform Mini Backups

Win 3.1: Drag Documents Open

Win 3.1: Program Manager Shortcuts

Win 3.1: Recover Lost Windows

Win 3.1: Select Applications by Name

Win 3.1: Relocate Applications

Win 3.1: Desensitize Your Mouse

Win 3.1: Reposition Without a Mouse

Win 3.1: Restore Your Groups

Win 3.1: Skip Double-Clicking

Win 3.1: Start Dr. Watson

Win 3.1: Debug System Files with REM

Win 3.1: Use Comments in System Files

Win 3.1: Check SMARTDRV and HIMEM Versions

Win 3.1: Shorten Your Path Statement

Win 3.1: Bypass Startup Group

Win 3.1: Bypass Startup Group (2)

Win 3.1: Use Terminal to Track Comm Trouble

Win 3.1: Use File Structure to Track Versions

Win 3.1: Stop Integrity Violations

Win 3.1: File Manager Shortcuts

Win 3.1: Make Your Mouse Snappier

Win 3.1: Magnify Your Mouse

Win 3.1: Bring the Cursor Front and Center

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips017

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

Windows and DOS

Windows/DOS Tips

Windows/DOS Choose Your Starting Place

Windows/DOS: Step Through Startup

Windows/DOS: Edit System Files Quickly

Windows/DOS: Exit Windows Cautiously

Windows/DOS: Exterminate the DOS Mouse

Windows/DOS: Close Down DOS Boxes

Windows/DOS: Use Your Mouse in DOS Boxes

Windows/DOS: Eradicate Irritating DOS Message

Windows/DOS: Boot Up from Menu

Windows/DOS: Smartdrive Parameters

Windows/DOS: Creating an MS-DOS Window

Windows/DOS: Eliminate Unneeded Instructions

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips018

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

Windows 95

Windows 95 Tips

Win 95: Bypass System Files

Win 95: Step Through System Files

Win 95: Strip Out the GUI

Win 95: Run DOS Apps

Win 95: Beware of "Older File" Warnings

Win 95: Avoid Installing over Beta

Win 95: Make and Emergency Disk

Win 95: Eliminate PIFs

Win 95: Get Help with Right Button Clicks

Win 95: Explore Explorer

Win 95: Make File Names Longer

Win 95: Create Folders Within Folders

Win 95: Add Items to the Start Menu

Win 95: Use Wordpad, Not Note or Write

Win 95: Upgrade Video Cards

Win 95: Manage Power Use

Win 95: Improve SCSI Performance

Win 95: Try Built-in Fax

Win 95: Launch DOS Apps

Win 95: Make Servers Share

Win 95: Print Quickly

Win 95: Find Hidden Printers

Win 95: Pop Up a Message

Win 95: Unravel Bootup Problems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips019

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

Windows NT

Windows NT Tips

Win NT: Edit Ini Files

Win NT: Connect Using NWLink

Win NT: Connect with NWNT.EXE

Win NT: Tune Your Server

Win NT: Tune Your Swap File

Win NT: Eliminate Log-In

Win NT: Upgrade Mail

Win NT: Allow FTP Access

Win NT: Enable Your Guest Account

Win NT: Turn on LAN Manager Broadcasts

Win NT: Upgrade LAN Manager Servers

Win NT: Install over Network

Win NT: Juggle Diskettes and CDs

Win NT: Debug Network Connections

Win NT: Participate in Workgroups or Domains

Win NT: Audit File I/O

Win NT: Avoid VB Crashes

Win NT: Change the System Font

Win NT: Support Macs

Win NT: Use PIFs for DOS

Win NT: Customize Your Cursor

Win NT: Run Remote Command Line

Win NT: Configure Remote Access

Win NT: Set Up Messages Database

Win NT: Start/Stop Device Drivers

Win NT: Fast Access to Driver Settings

Win NT: 16-Bit's OK

Win NT: Monitor Performance

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips020

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

Editing System Files

Editing System Files Tips

Editing: Use Sysedit

Editing: Change Your Shell

Editing: Place Swap Files

Editing: Change Help Jump Color

Editing: Debeep the Desktop

Editing: Trim Your Path

Editing: No .WRI Backups

Editing: Remove Remarks

Editing: Sort DOS Dir Listings

Editing: Fix Extended Characters

Editing: Create a TEMP Directory

Editing: Halt 32-Bit Warnings

Editing: Free the Frame

Editing: Cache Your CD-ROM

Editing: No Load/Run Limit

Editing: Keep Wallpaper Aside

Editing: Lefty Menus

Editing: Speedy 286

Editing: Truetype Fonts

Editing: 24-Hour Clock

Editing: Hands Off Boot Description

Editing: Printing Advice

Editing: Hands OFF! INI Sections

Editing: Disable Control Panel Applets

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips021

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

Memory Management

Managing Memory Tips

Memory: Fix False Errors

Memory: Correct Cache Size

Memory: Install More

Memory: Find EISA Ram

Memory: Boot Fast

Memory: Make Swap File Permanent

Memory: Swap Files and Stacker

Memory: Swap Files and Networks

Memory: Use 32-Bit Disk Access

Memory: Load TSRs in DOS

Memory: Use 32-Bit File Access

Memory: Don't Use RAM Disk

Memory: Keep DOS Free

Memory: Load Drivers High

Memory: Load DOS High

Memory: Don't Use Share

Memory: Reduce PIF Demands

Memory: Cut Back On Buffers

Memory: Run MemMaker

Memory: Use MDA Memory

Memory: Use 3rd Party Utilities

Memory: Let Windows Do EMS

Memory: Remove ROM Shadowing

Memory: Turn On Internal Cache

Memory: Use Secondary Cache

Memory: Use Virtual Memory

Memory: Not Enough Memory

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips022

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

System Resources

System Resources Tips

Resources: Reduce Resource Usage

Resources: Plug the Leakers

Resources: Close the Hogs

Resources: Turn Off Wallpaper

Resources: Use Fewer Fonts

Resources: Turn Off ScreenSavers

Resources: Turn Off Toolbars

Resources: Use Fewer Progman Icons

Resources: Reduce Color Depth

Resources: Add Break Points

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips023

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

OS/2

OS/2 Tips

OS/2: Getting Started

OS/2: Improve Cache

OS/2: Fill the Startup Folder

OS/2: Recover Your Setup

OS/2: Get Your Disk Checked

OS/2: Get DOSKEY Back

OS/2: Set Up for Notebooks

OS/2: Use the Program Tab

OS/2: Use the Association Tab

OS/2: Use the Window Tab

OS/2: Use the General Tab

OS/2: Use HPFS

OS/2: Exit Quickly

OS/2: Use the Session Tab

OS/2: Swap That Swap File

OS/2: No Swap File

OS/2: Communications with OS/2

OS/2: Find the Weak Links

OS/2: Check for HPFS Space

OS/2: Run HPFS On All Drives

OS/2: Dual or Multiboot?

OS/2: Migrate to OS/2

 Applications

 Hardware

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 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips025

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

Installing Applications

Installing Applications Tips

Install Apps: Make Backups First

Install Apps: Beware of Upgrades

Install Apps: Avoid Directory Overload

Install Apps: Back Up Install Disks

Install Apps: Disinfect Shrink-Wrap Software

Install Apps: Defrag First

Install Apps: When Windows Won't Launch

Install Apps: Install Apps: Consider Upgrades Carefully

Install Apps: Install Protection

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips026

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

Uninstalling Applications

Uninstalling Applications Tips

Uninstall Apps: Buy an Uninstall Program

Uninstall Apps: Clean Up Ap Remnants

Uninstall Apps: Don't Delete Directories Immediately

Uninstall Apps: Test Windows After Uninstalls

Uninstall Apps: Cut the Icon

Uninstall Apps: Remove WIN.INI Lines

Uninstall Apps: Back Up Regularly

Uninstall Apps: Use Batch File for Backups

Uninstall Apps: Find Leftover Files

Uninstall Apps: Clean Up System Files

Uninstall Apps: Forge an Uninstallation Trail

Uninstall Apps: Examine Version Information

Uninstall Apps: Locate Directory

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips027

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

Using Help Files

Using Help Tips

Use Help: Move Without the Mouse

Use Help: Copy Content

Use Help: Add Notes

Use Help: Keep Notes Intact

Use Help: Print Help Files

Use Help: Navigate Through WinHelp

Use Help: Share Bookmarks

Use Help: Keep Help On Top

Use Help: Find Lost Help File

Use Help: Too Hot to Handle

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips028

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

Writing Help Files

Writing Help Files Tips

Write Help: Why Use Help

Write Help: Keep Topics Short

Write Help: Use Artwork

Write Help: Add Hot Spots

Write Help: Re-use Graphics

Write Help: Mark Versions

Write Help: Insert Pop-ups

Write Help: Index Everything

Write Help: Use Icons

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips029

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

Easter Eggs (Hidden Credits)

Credits Tips

Credits: Word 6.0

Credits: CorelDRAW 5.0

Credits: Windows

Credits: Norton Utilities 8.0

Credits: Ami Pro 3.01

Credits: HDC Power Launcher

Credits: Wintune 2.0

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

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 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

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 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

Buying A System

Hardware: System Buying Tips

System: Stretch Your Budget

System: Buy Direct

System: Add Memory

System: Use Preloaded Software

System: Search for PCI

System: Add Communications

System: Use Suite Software

System: Demand Excellence

System: Remember Service

System: Upgrade Video

System: Get Good Peripherals

System: Inspect It

System: Haggle

System: Think Portable

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 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips032

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

Printing

Hardware: Printing Tips

Printing: Print Direct for Speed

Printing: Using Print Manager

Printing: Manage Your Fonts

Printing: Use Vector Graphics

Printing: Network Printing

Printing: Print Envelopes

Printing: Update Drivers

Printing: Faster LAN Routing

Printing: Hire a Temp

Printing: Choose Your Print Order

Printing: Sharpen Photoshop Images

Printing: Add PDF Files

Printing: Seize Control

Printing: Create a Fake Port

Printing: Fix Formatting

Printing: Start Stalled Jobs

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 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips033

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

Communications

Hardware: Communications Tips

Comm: Head Off Port Conflicts

Comm: Dial P for Prefix

Comm: Disable Call Waiting

Comm: Scrap Screen Savers

Comm: Using High Speeds

Comm: Background Communications

Comm: Remember the Buffer

Comm: Transmit Reliably

Comm: Blame the Comm Program

Comm: High Speed Connections

Comm: Installing Internal Modems

Comm: Setting Terminal Straight

Comm: Use Modem Panel Lights

Comm: Modem Panel Lights Key

Comm: Add More Ports

Comm: Test Your Modem

Comm: Choose a Protocol

Comm: Get a Fast COMM Driver

Comm: Make It Automatic

Comm: Using Fax

Comm: Fax from MS Mail and WfW 3.11

Comm: Maximize Speed

Comm: Connecting Your Modem

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 On the Move

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips034

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

Video Upgrades

Hardware: Video Upgrade Tips

Video: Upgrade Your Adapter

Video: Go Local

Video: Find New Drivers

Video: Installing Adapters

Video: Max Out Your Video

Video: Remember Memory

Video: Tune Your Monitor

Video: Plan for Multimedia

Video: Control Your Screen

Video: Startup Problems

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips035

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

CD-ROM Drives

Hardware: CD-ROM Drive Tips

CD-ROM: Fast Drives

CD-ROM: Use Current Drivers

CD-ROM: Cache CD-ROMs

CD-ROM: Smooth Installation

CD-ROM: Vertical Isn't Viable

CD-ROM: Keep CD-ROMs Clean

CD-ROM: Use the Right MSCDEX

CD-ROM: Fix Install Problems

CD-ROM: Where's the Audio

CD-ROM: More Drive Letters

CD-ROM: Slow Video

CD-ROM: The Drive Can't Read

CD-ROM: My Disk Is Stuck

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips036

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

SCSI

Hardware: SCSI Tips

SCSI: ASPI When?

SCSI: Keep Terminators

SCSI: Turn It On

SCSI: Check TWAIN

SCSI: Put ASPI Where?

SCSI: Troubleshooting

SCSI: Conflicts

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 On the Move

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips037

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 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips038

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

Fred Langa, WINDOWS Magazine

Langa: Low Cost Add-Ons

Langa: Use Plug-In for Windows.

Langa: Use METZ Task Manager

Langa: Use WinFileX

Langa: Use Fileware

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips039

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

Bill Gates, Microsoft

Gates: Win with Windows

Gtes: Shared Secrets

Gates: TCP/IP Performance

Gates: Speedup Without Sharing

Gates: Excel 5.0 Worksheet Road Map

Gates: Excel 5.0 Line Chart Makeover

Gates: Excel 5.0 Quick Importing

Gates: Excel 5.0 Fill It

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips040

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

Lee Reiswig, IBM

Reiswig: Ultimate OS/2

Reiswig: Windows with a Side Of Speed

Reiswig: The Organized Desktop

Reiswig: A Handy Task List

Reiswig: Run 16-Bit Applications

Reiswig: When Everything Stops, Don't Panic

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips041

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

Jim Halpin, CompUsa

Halpin: Buy Smarter

Halpin: Prioritize, Prioritize

Halpin: What's in a Name?

Halpin: Hedge Bets

Halpin: Gold-Plate It

Halpin: Hold the 5.25

Halpin: Get On-Line

Halpin: Peace Of Mind

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips042

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

Jim Lyons, Hewlett-Packard

Lyons: Green Printing

Lyons: Printer Power Management

Lyons: Proofread

Lyons: Print Low-Res

Lyons: Use Fax Modems

Lyons: Revision Marks

Lyons: Email Instead

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips043

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

Rich Sorkin, Creative Labs

Sorkin: Sound Off!

Sorkin: Make Waves

Sorkin: Connecting SCSI to Sound

Sorkin: Playing Audio CDs

Sorkin: Check Midi Mapper

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips044

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

Carl Everett, Intel Corp.

Everett: Need a CPU Upgrade?

Everett: Biggest Upgrade

Everett: No Motherboard Upgrades

Everett: Compatibility Is Key

Everett: Use Slot B

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips045

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

Ted Waitt, Gateway 2000

Waitt: Mobile Tips

Waitt: More Memory, More Time

Waitt: Go PCMCIA-Less

Waitt: Clear Up Confusing Dial Tones

Waitt: Bright Idea

Waitt: Take a Two-Pack

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips046

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

Peter Norton, Peter Norton Computing

Norton: The Perfect Desktop

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 Software

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips047

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

Phillipe Kahn, Borland International

Kahn: Better Database Design

Kahn: Normalize Data

Kahn: Determine Links

Kahn: Use an Index

Kahn: Employ Validation

Kahn: Create Neat Forms

Kahn: Test for Usability

Kahn: Design Reports

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips048

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

Irfan Salim, Software Publishing Corp.

Salim: Color and Graphs

Salim: Limit Your Pallete

Salim: Consider Contrast

Salim: Clip Art

Salim: Color Words

Salim: Which Chart/Graph?

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips049

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

Adrian Rietveld, WordPerfect/Novell

Rietveld: Dashing Docs

Rietveld: Fitting Solution

Rietveld: 2-Column Alternative

Rietveld: File Extensions

Rietveld: Automate Style

Rietveld: Clone Documents

Rietveld: Shortcuts

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips050

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 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips051

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

Martin Heller, Programming Windows

Heller: Sound Strategies for Software Development

Heller: Determine Your Target

Heller: Listen to Your Customers

Heller: Prototype

Heller: Throw Away Your Prototype

Heller: Ship Your Prototype

Heller: Iterate

Heller: Use Appropriate Technology

Heller: Design by Decomposition

Heller: Write to Win32

Heller: Think Threads

Heller: Synchronize with Events

Heller: Use File Mappings

Heller: Distributed Implementations

Heller: Select Your Network

 On the Move

 Software

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips052

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

Mike Elgan, The Explorer

Elgan: Unearth Windows' Hidden Treasures

Elgan: Calculator

Elgan: Calendar

Elgan: Cardfile

Elgan: Character Map

Elgan: Clock

Elgan: Media Player

Elgan: Notepad

Elgan: Paintbrush

Elgan: Recorder

Elgan: Sound Recorder

Elgan: Terminal

Elgan: Write

 On the Move

 Software

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips053

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

John Woram, Optimizing Windows

Woram: Editing INI Files

Woram: ABC.INI

Woram: Drain Your Fonts

Woram: Go to the Source

Woram: Do You Know Your IRQ?

Woram: Easy .INI Editing

Woram: Sound Advice

Woram: Protect Your Players

Woram: Manage Fileman

 On the Move

 Software

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips054

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

John Ruley, eNTerprise Windows

Ruley: Master NT Administration

Ruley: Prevent Server Crashes

Ruley: Receive Status Reports

Ruley: Upgrade Nt Email

Ruley: Multiplatform Printing

Ruley: Schedule Batch Jobs

Ruley: Maximize Server Throughput

Ruley: Closet Servers

Ruley: Control Servers Remotely

Ruley: Manage from Windows

Ruley: Enable Bridging

Ruley: Ease TCP/IP Configuration

 On the Move

 Software

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips055

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

Jeffrey Sloman, Networking Windows

Sloman: Apps by Network

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips056

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

Cheryl Currid, Windows at Work

Currid: Increase Office Productivity

Currid: Network Everything

Currid: Fax Gateway

Currid: Install a Network Modem

Currid: Mail Groups On Server

Currid: Add a Voice Server

Currid: Give Up Paper

Currid: Scan Business Cards

Currid: Connect Without Wires

Currid: Videoconferencing

 On the Move

 Software

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips057

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

Karen Kenworthy, Power Windows

Kenworthy: Programmer Tricks

Kenworthy: VBA in Project, Excel

Kenworthy: Leapyear

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips058

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 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips059

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

Networking

Networking Tips

Nets: Start with a Plan

Nets: Choose Servers Wisely

Nets: Think Ahead

Nets: Create Documentation

Nets: Limits of Peer-Peer

Nets: Perform Backups

Nets: Plan Administration

Nets: Use E-Mail

Nets: Buy Wireless

Nets: Assign Mini-Administrators

Nets: Separate Disposables

Nets: Smart Print Queues

Nets: Minimize Special Cases

Nets: Protect Critical Gear

Nets: Plan Disaster Recovery

Nets: Not Just User Calls

Nets: Teach Your Users

Nets: RAS/Better Connections

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips060

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

LANtastic

Networking: LANtastic Tips

LANtastic: Dedicate a Server

LANtastic: Use Two Servers

LANtastic: Bigger Packets

LANtastic: Resource Caching

LANtastic: Disable Switch

LANtastic: Use LANCache

LANtastic: Be Direct

LANtastic: Avoid TSRs

LANtastic: Use DOS Fastopen

LANtastic: DOS Setup

LANtastic: Optimize Buffer

LANtastic: Server Performance

LANtastic: Optimize Seek Cache

LANtastic: Share Data

LANtastic: Optimize REDIR

LANtastic: Use RAM Disk

LANtastic: Immediate Despooling

LANtastic: Clear Audit Files

LANtastic: Lock Hold Time

LANtastic: Permanent Swap File

 Software

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips061

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

Windows for Workgroups

Networking: Windows for Workgroups Tips

WfW: Use WinMeter

WfW: Standardize Directories

WfW: NetWare Comes First

WfW: Tune Performance

WfW: Share with ClipBook

WfW: Share Directories

WfW: Track Resources

WfW: Connect with Toolbar

WfW: Browse Faster

WfW: Browse Faster Still

WfW: Connect with ODI

WfW: Obtain ODI Drivers

WfW: Secure Users

WfW: Don't_Leave_Spaces

WfW: Set NIC in Software

WfW: One-Time-Only

WfW: Make a Server

WfW: Implicit Connections

WfW: Form Follows Function

WfW: Centralize on NetWare

WfW: Share CD-ROM

WfW: Obtain Resource Kit

WfW: Separate Documents

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips062

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

Portable Computing

Portable Computing Tips

Portable: Fax for Printing

Portable: Test Drive PCMCIA

Portable: Add External Monitor

Portable: 32-Bit Disk Access (Don't)

Portable: Buy Extra Battery

Portable: Add Multimedia

Portable: Make DOS Boot Disk

Portable: Portable Faxing

Portable: Buy an Expansion Box

Portable: Check Accomodations

Portable: Carry Cables

Portable: Printer Preparation

Portable: Cool Before Recharging

Portable: Check Battery Insertion

Portable: PCMCIA for Security

Portable: Call Ahead

Portable: Use Infrared

Portable: Consider Monochrome

Portable: Use Power Management

Portable: Take a Toolkit

Portable: Remote Access

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips063

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

Small Office/Home Office (SOHO)

SOHO Tips

SOHO: Use Ink Jets

SOHO: Refill Cartridges

SOHO: Recycle Tax Forms

SOHO: Pay Quarterly Taxes

SOHO: Send Binary Faxes

SOHO: Portable Vs. Desktop

SOHO: Find Free Support

SOHO: Watch Data Formats

SOHO: When to Upgrade

SOHO: Fax, Data, Voice

SOHO: Go for Suites

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips064

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

Quicken/QuickBooks

Quicken/QuickBooks Tips

Quicken: Budgeting SOHO

Quicken: Can You Afford It?

Quicken: Easy Account ID

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips 065

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Alternative Desktops

Dashboard

Alternative Deskstops: Dashboard Tips

Dashboard: Drag/Drop Buttons

Dashboard: Save Layouts

Dashboard: Reassign Hotkeys

Dashboard: Set Alarms

Dashboard: Select Printers

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

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 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Alternative Desktops

Norton Desktop

Alternative Desktops: Norton Desktop Tips

Norton Desktop: Start Where You Want

Norton Desktop: One Bar Too Many

 Managing Manager Apps

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips067

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Alternative Desktops

The Norton Utilities

Alternative Desktops: Norton Utilities 8.0 Tips

Norton Utilities 8.0: Sensor Watch

Norton Utilities 8.0: Speed Disk

Norton Utilities 8.0: Use NDOS

Norton Utilities 8.0: Keep Alt+Tab

Norton Utilities 8.0: Exit Orderly

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

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 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Alternative Desktops

PC Tools

Alternative Desktops: PC Tool Tips

PC Tools: Minimize Drive Manager

PC Tools: Run Multiple Viewers

PC Tools: Supress System Consultant

PC Tools: New Directory View

PC Tools: Rearrange Crashguard

PC Tools: Change Title Bar

PC Tools: Keyboard to Right Mouse

PC Tools: Vary Your Viewpoint

PC Tools: Quick Column Sorts

PC Tools: Always in Sight

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

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 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Alternative Desktops

Power Launcher

Power Launcher: Button Navigation

Power Launcher: Quick Exit

Power Launcher: Other Launchers

Power Launcher: Run MicroApps

Power Launcher: Custom Dialog Boxes

Power Launcher: Select Your Start Ap

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

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 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Databases

Access

Databases: Access 2.0 Tips

Access 2.0: Convert Old Files

Access 2.0: Automate Routine Tasks

Access 2.0: Sort Quicker

Access 2.0: Find the Top

Access 2.0: Create Combo Boxes

Access 2.0: Faster Reports

Access 2.0: Simple Queries

Access 2.0: Create Toolbar Buttons

Access 2.0: Math Help

Access 2.0: Take a Letter

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

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 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Databases

Approach

Databases: Approach 3.0 Tips

Approach 3.0: Automatic Macro

Approach 3.0: Find Values

Approach 3.0: Designing

Approach 3.0: Using InfoBoxes

Approach 3.0: Create Custom Menus

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips072

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Databases

dBASE

Databases: dBase Tips

dBase: Cut Install Size

dBase: Create Functions

dBase: Build Expressions

dBase: Change Object Properties

dBase: Bypass the Expert

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips073

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Databases

FileMaker Pro

Databases: Filemaker Pro 2.1 Tips

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Operator Order

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Missing Fields

Filemaker Pro 2.1: To the End

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Careful Of Nulls

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Copying

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Pasting

Filemaker Pro 2.1: NetBIOS Trouble

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Toggle First

Filemaker Pro 2.1: IBM LAN Server

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Send-Mail Script

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Change User Name

Filemaker Pro 2.1: Tally Up

 Managing Manager Apps

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Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips074

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Databases

FoxPro

Databases: FoxPro 2.6 Tips

FoxPro 2.6: Change Printer Settings

FoxPro 2.6: Open Only One DDE

FoxPro 2.6: Define Variable Screens

FoxPro 2.6: Fresh V. Fast

FoxPro 2.6: Band Size

FoxPro 2.6: Browse Window Sizing

FoxPro 2.6: Write Data Faster

FoxPro 2.6: Speed Debugging

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips075

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Databases

Paradox

Databases: Paradox Tips

Paradox: Use DOS PAL

Paradox: Kill Line Markers

Paradox: Switch Indexes

Paradox: Move to the Top

Paradox: Drop-Down Fields

Paradox: Pushbutton Printing

Paradox: Press OLE Buttons

Paradox: Object Report

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips076

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Databases

Superbase

Databases: Superbase Tips

Superbase: Rename Files

Superbase: Trapping Report Errors

Superbase: Control Detail Blocks

Superbase: Embed Quotes

Superbase: Insert Variables

Superbase: Generate Code

Superbase: Create Custom Toolbars

Superbase: Start Forms Two Ways

Superbase: Use Macro Recorder

Superbase: Hunt for Bugs

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips077

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips078

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips079

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Desktop Publishing/Graphics

Photoshop

DTP/Graphics: Photoshop 2.5.1 Tips

Photoshop 2.5.1: Setting Resolution

Photoshop 2.5.1: Reduce Bands

Photoshop 2.5.1: Lighter Blends

Photoshop 2.5.1: Use Low-Res Images

Photoshop 2.5.1: Zoom in Quickly

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips080

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Desktop Publishing/Graphics

Illustrator

DTP/Graphics: Illustrator Tips

Illustrator 4.0: Remove Layers

Illustrator 4.0: Remove Fonts

Illustrator 4.0: How Many Objects?

Illustrator 4.0: Avoid Preview

Illustrator 4.0: Using Filters

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips081

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Desktop Publishing/Graphics

CorelDRAW

DTP/Graphics: CorelDraw 5.0 Tips

CorelDraw 5.0: Drag and Drop

CorelDraw 5.0: Speed Redraw

CorelDraw 5.0: Move Objects

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips082

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Desktop Publishing/Graphics

FreeHand

DTP/Graphics: Freehand 4.0 Tips

Freehand 4.0: Mix Sizes

Freehand 4.0: Transparency

Freehand 4.0: Mix Colors

Freehand 4.0: Remove Colors

Freehand 4.0: Convert Text

Freehand 4.0: Edit Easier

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips083

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Desktop Publishing/Graphics

Publish It

DTP/Graphics: Publish It 4.0 Tips

Publish It 4.0: Date It

Publish It 4.0: Realign Text

Publish It 4.0: Add Perspective

Publish It 4.0: Switch Text/Frame

Publish It 4.0: Enlarge It

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips084

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Desktop Publishing/Graphics

Designer

DTP Graphics: Designer 4.0a Tips

Designer 4.0a: Right Mouse Menus

Designer 4.0a: Expand Dialogs

Designer 4.0a: Fill in Blanks

Designer 4.0a: Set Style Defaults

Designer 4.0a: Custom Configurations

Designer 4.0a: Select Overlapped Objects

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips085

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Desktop Publishing/Graphics

QuarkXpress

DTP/Graphics: QuarkXPress 3.3 Tips

QuarkXPress 3.3: Text Runaround

QuarkXPress 3.3: Build Clean Docs

QuarkXPress 3.3: Using Guides

QuarkXPress 3.3: Measurement Palette

QuarkXPress 3.3: Select Hidden Items

QuarkXPress 3.3: Crops and Bleeds

QuarkXPress 3.3: Perform Math

QuarkXPress 3.3: Tool Palette

QuarkXPress 3.3: Smart Hyphens

QuarkXPress 3.3: Find Dialog

QuarkXPress 3.3: Use Views

QuarkXPress 3.3: Apply Styles

QuarkXPress 3.3: Cut File Sizes

QuarkXPress 3.3: Drop Shadows

QuarkXPress 3.3: Absolute Page Numbers

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips086

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Desktop Publishing/Graphics

PageMaker

DTP/Graphics: PageMaker 5.0 Tips

PageMaker 5.0: Small Caps

PageMaker 5.0: Slow Filters

PageMaker 5.0: Graphics Elsewhere

PageMaker 5.0: Gray Graphics

PageMaker 5.0: Reset Defaults

PageMaker 5.0: List Filters

PageMaker 5.0: Print Ranges

PageMaker 5.0: Nudge Objects

PageMaker 5.0: Change Formats

PageMaker 5.0: Consistent Dot Leaders

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips087

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Development Tools

Visual Basic

Visual Basic Tips

Visual Basic: Reduce Memory

Visual Basic: Fake 3-D

Visual Basic: Use Dynamic Arrays

Visual Basic: Save RAM

Visual Basic: Less Coding

Visual Basic: Use Images

Visual Basic: Always On Top

Visual Basic: Faster Timing

Visual Basic: Watch System Resources

Visual Basic: Set Multiple Controls

Visual Basic: Align Help

Visual Basic: Neatness Counts

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips088

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Diagnostics

Wintune

Wintune 2.0 Tips

Wintune 2.0: What It Is

Wintune 2.0: Where It Is

Wintune 2.0: Get Help

Wintune 2.0: Check Download

Wintune 2.0: Check Again

Wintune 2.0: Run Setup

Wintune 2.0: Update VBX Files

Wintune 2.0: Move Misplaced Files

Wintune 2.0: Track Down GPF

Wintune 2.0: Detect FPU Trouble

Wintune 2.0: Longer Intervals

Wintune 2.0: Cannot Redraw?

Wintune 2.0: Run It Alone

Wintune 2.0: Insall More RAM

Wintune 2.0: Free Up RAM

Wintune 2.0: Upgrade Slow CPUs

Wintune 2.0: Add an FPU

Wintune 2.0: Better Video Speed

Wintune 2.0: Click for Details

Wintune 2.0: Test by Running

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips089

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

E-Mail/On-Line

Lotus cc: Mail

Electronic Mail: cc:Mail Tips

cc:Mail: Delete Logs

cc:Mail: Move Folders

cc:Mail: Order Internet Messages

cc:Mail: Maximize Your Screen

cc:Mail: Be Discreet

cc:Mail: Fast Forwarding

cc:Mail: Snap Addresses

cc:Mail: Non cc:Mail Addresses

cc:Mail: Arrange SmartIcons

cc:Mail: Keep It Confidential

cc:Mail: Colorful Comments

cc:Mail: Sort Outbound Mail

cc:Mail: Get Messages in Order

cc:Mail: Create Mailing List

cc:Mail: Customize SmartIcons

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips090

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

E-Mail/On-Line

Microsoft Mail

Electronic Mail: Mail 3.2 Tips

Mail 3.2: Print Larger

Mail 3.2: Create Folders

Mail 3.2: Return to Sender

Mail 3.2: Mail Frequency

Mail 3.2: Change Sounds

Mail 3.2: Move Your .MMF

Mail 3.2: Reply Prefix

Mail 3.2: Send Mail Now!

Mail 3.2: Post Office Groups

Mail 3.2: Make Attachments

Mail 3.2: Mail On Start-Up

Mail 3.2: WfW MSMail/Netware

Mail 3.2: End Corruption

Mail 3.2: Mail and Mail Remote

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips091

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

E-Mail/On-Line

Schedule+

Electronic Mail: Schedule+ Tips

Schedule+: Send All Info

Schedule+: Add Conference Room

Schedule+: New Sounds

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips092

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

E-Mail/On-Line

Internet

Electronic Mail: Internet Tips

Internet: AOL Internet

Internet: Windows FTP Sites

Internet: Decode with Wincode

Internet: CompuServe Internet

Internet: A Good Summary

Internet: Mailing Lists

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips093

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

PIMs

ACT

PIMs: ACT 2.0 Tips

ACT 2.0: Work with Email

ACT 2.0: Your Own Fields

ACT 2.0: Contact with Keys

ACT 2.0: Invisible Fields

ACT 2.0: Macro Managing

ACT 2.0: Call Notes

ACT 2.0: Quick Call Comments

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips094

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

PIMs

ECCO

PIMs: ECCO Tips

ECCO: Customize Toolbar

ECCO: Set Default Alarms

ECCO: Hide Alarms

ECCO: Create Multiple Alarms

ECCO: Sort Information Fast

ECCO: Public Vs. Private

ECCO: Quick Views

ECCO: Find Folders Fast

ECCO: Add to Multiple Folders

ECCO: Favorite Files

ECCO: File Sync

ECCO: Find a Conference Room

ECCO: Repeating Tasks

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips095

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

PIMs

Organizer

PIMs: Lotus Organizer 1.0 Tips

Organizer 1.0: No Missing Links

Organizer 1.0: Resolve Conflicts

Organizer 1.0: Make Commitments

Organizer 1.0: Link Up

Organizer 1.0: Branch Out

Organizer 1.0: Load Up

Organizer 1.0: Make a Print

Organizer 1.0: Auto Pilot

Organizer 1.0: Get Organized

Organizer 1.0: Make a Date

Organizer 1.0: Customization

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips096

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

PIMs

Sidekick

PIMs: Sidekick 1.0 Tips

Sidekick 1.0: Print Envelopes

Sidekick 1.0: Calendar Images

Sidekick 1.0: Customize Calendars

Sidekick 1.0: Avoid Retyping

Sidekick 1.0: Mark Cards

Sidekick 1.0: Reorder Cards

Sidekick 1.0: Sort Cards

Sidekick 1.0: Print Breaks

Sidekick 1.0: Sort for Import

Sidekick 1.0: Tap Other Apps

Sidekick 1.0: DOS Import

Sidekick 1.0: Speed Menus

Sidekick 1.0: Toolbar Goodies

Sidekick 1.0: Quick Calls

Sidekick 1.0: Change Default Open

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips097

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Presentations

CorelShow

Presentations: CorelShow Tips

CorelShow: Create Builds

CorelShow: Organize Slides

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips098

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Presentations

Freelance Graphics

Presentations: Freelance Graphics 2.01 Tips

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Start Quick

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Run Shows

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Add Symbols

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Create SmartMaster

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Backup

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Create Clip Art

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Restore Corruption

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Place and Size

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Sub/Super Scripts

Freelance Graphics 2.01: Change Text

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips099

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Presentations

Harvard Graphics

Presentations: Harvard Graphics 2.0 Tips

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Picture This

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Easy Duplication

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Speed Slide Creation

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Ask for Help

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Highlight Charts

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Copy Pages

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Erase Background

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Zip Through

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Call a Conference

Harvard Graphics 2.0: Resize Charts

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips100

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Presentations

PowerPoint

Presentations: PowerPoint 4.0 Tips

PowerPoint 4.0: Customize Wizards

PowerPoint 4.0: Slide Database

PowerPoint 4.0: Preview Effects

PowerPoint 4.0: Hidden Slides

PowerPoint 4.0: Organize Clip Art

PowerPoint 4.0: Copy Formats

PowerPoint 4.0: Be Sensitive

PowerPoint 4.0: Branch Out

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips101

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Presentations

WordPerfect Presentations

Presentations: WordPerfect Presentations 2.0 Tips

WordPerfect Presentations 2.0: Speed Access

WordPerfect Presentations 2.0: Figure Gallery

WordPerfect Presentations 2.0: Use OLE

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips102

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Spreadsheets

Excel

Spreadsheets: Excel 5.0 Tips

Excel 5.0: High Scrollers

Excel 5.0: Jump Back

Excel 5.0: Buttons

Excel 5.0: Excel 4 Menus

Excel 5.0: Custom Autofill

Excel 5.0: Tab Tricks

Excel 5.0: Palettes

Excel 5.0: Worksheet Count

Excel 5.0: Stored V. Displayed

Excel 5.0: Redraw Charts

Excel 5.0: Drag & Drop

Excel 5.0: Copy from Above

Excel 5.0: Customize Toolbars

Excel 5.0: Form to Template

Excel 5.0: Keyboard Shortcuts

Excel 5.0: Add Data to an Existing Spreadsheet{bmr

Excel 5.0: Creating Vertical Titles{bmr

Excel 5.0: Using the Right Mouse Button{bmr

Excel 5.0: Create Hot Spots

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips103

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Spreadsheets

Lotus 1-2-3

Spreadsheets: Lotus 1-2-3 5.0 Tips

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Hide Worksheets

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Create Summaries

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Customize Toolbars

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Simplify Printing

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: One At a Time

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Drag & Drop

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Auditing Toolbar

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Navigator

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Fill-By-Example

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Customize Lists

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Keyboard Accelerators

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: @Function Pull Down

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Quick Formats

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: SmartMasters

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Make a Map

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Work by Mail

Lotus 1-2-3 5.0: Keyboard Shortcuts

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips104

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Spreadsheets

Quattro Pro

Spreadsheets: Quattro Pro 5.0 Tips

Quattro Pro 5.0: Make Presentations

Quattro Pro 5.0: Load a Notebook

Quattro Pro 5.0: Save Workspace

Quattro Pro 5.0: Repeat Entries

Quattro Pro 5.0: Safeguard Macros

Quattro Pro 5.0: Use DOS Menus

Quattro Pro 5.0: Custom Speedfill

Quattro Pro 5.0: Convert Label Dates

Quattro Pro 5.0: Group Pages

Quattro Pro 5.0: Hide Zero Values

Quattro Pro 5.0: Change Groups

Quattro Pro 5.0: Macro Categories

Quattro Pro 5.0: Property Inspector

Quattro Pro 5.0: Print Settings

Quattro Pro 5.0: Experts

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips105

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Spreadsheets

Improv

Spreadsheets: Improv 1.2 Tips

Improv 2.1: Improve Performance

Improv 2.1: Create Formats

Improv 2.1: Improve Readability

Improv 2.1: Slim It Down

Improv 2.1: Avoid Hidden Data

Improv 2.1: Help with Formulas

Improv 2.1: Keyboard Shortcuts

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips106

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Word Processing

Ami Pro

Word Processors: Ami Pro 3.01 Tips

Ami Pro 3.01: Foreign Finesse

Ami Pro 3.01: Keep Together

Ami Pro 3.01: Act in Character

Ami Pro 3.01: Print Multiple Docs

Ami Pro 3.01: Glossaries

Ami Pro 3.01: Prevent Closeup

Ami Pro 3.01: Style Shortcuts

Ami Pro 3.01: Table Tricks

Ami Pro 3.01: Clever Captions

Ami Pro 3.01: Dress Up Replaces

Ami Pro 3.01: Prevent Breaks

Ami Pro 3.01: Sneak Preview

Ami Pro 3.01: Mix Numbers, Bullets

Ami Pro 3.01: Keyboard Shortcuts

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips107

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Word Processing

Microsoft Word

Word Processors: Word 6.0 Tips

Word 6.0: Tab Information

Word 6.0: Select Text

Word 6.0: Modify Menus

Word 6.0: Modify Toolbars

Word 6.0: Jump to Bookmark

Word 6.0: Print Preview Redux

Word 6.0: Speed It Up

Word 6.0: Do It Again

Word 6.0: Select Letters

Word 6.0: Table Gridlines

Word 6.0: Avoid Draft Mode

Word 6.0: Delete Multiple Files

Word 6.0: Leave a Gutter

Word 6.0: Table Tricks

Word 6.0: More Table Tricks

Word 6.0: Leaving Blanks

Word 6.0: Background Printing

Word 6.0: Center Tables

Word 6.0: Add Date

Word 6.0: Define Sentence

Word 6.0: Multi-Row Headings

Word 6.0: Easy Go To

Word 6.0: Keyboard Shortcuts

Word 6.0: Macros

Word 6.0: Using WordArt to Add Headers

Word 6.0: Auto-Loading a Document

Word 6.0: Inserting Special Characters

Word 6.0: Changing Margins/Fonts

Word 6.0: Adding Drop Caps

Word 6.0: Creating Multi-Level Lists

Word 6.0: Creating New Styles

Word 6.0: Creating a Fast Template

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips108

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

Word Processing

WordPerfect

Word Processors: WordPerfect 6.0 Tips

WordPerfect 6.0: Back to Normal

WordPerfect 6.0: Modify Power Bar

WordPerfect 6.0: Wildcard Searches

WordPerfect 6.0: TurboCharge Status

WordPerfect 6.0: Work Overtime

WordPerfect 6.0: Speed Bullets

WordPerfect 6.0: Quick Opens

WordPerfect 6.0: See More

WordPerfect 6.0: Launch Pad

WordPerfect 6.0: Where Am I?

WordPerfect 6.0: Table Settings

WordPerfect 6.0: Favorite Fonts

WordPerfect 6.0: Power Bar Fonts

WordPerfect 6.0: Open All Files

WordPerfect 6.0: Fast Printing

WordPerfect 6.0: Pop Buttons

WordPerfect 6.0: Easy Email

WordPerfect 6.0a: Select Sentences

WordPerfect 6.0a: Add Watermarks

WordPerfect 6.0a: Word by Word

WordPerfect 6.0a: Say Goodbye

WordPerfect 6.0a: Manage Files

WordPerfect 6.0a: Fewer Menu Items

WordPerfect 6.0a: Formatting Options

WordPerfect 6.0a: Typos/Trademarks

WordPerfect 6.0a: Use Borders

WordPerfect 6.0: Keyboard Shortcuts [image] Optimizing

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips109

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips110

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

Program Manager

Program Manager Optimization Tips

Program Mgr: Do It Your Way

Program Mgr: Change Label Font

Program Mgr: Name That Group

Program Mgr: Keep Settings Secure

Program Mgr: Using the Options Menu

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips111

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

File Manager

File Manager Optimization Tips

File Mgr: Conserve Space

File Mgr: Directories As Drives

File Mgr: Show Details

File Mgr: Sweep It Clean

File Mgr: Customize

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips112

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard Shortcuts: Move Fast

Keyboard Shortcuts: Capture Window

Keyboard Shortcuts: File Handling

Keyboard Shortcuts: Cool-Switching

Keyboard Shortcuts: Plow Through Menus

Keyboard Shortcuts: Spelling Bee

Keyboard Shortcuts: Navigate

Keyboard Shortcuts: Help!

Keyboard Shortcuts: Nix Dialog Boxes

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips113

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips114

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

On-Line Essentials

On-Line Essentials

Online: America On Line

Online: BIX

Online: CompuServe

Online: Delphi Internet

Online: GEnie

Online: Internet

Online: The Pipeline

Online: Prodigy

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips115

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

Must-Have Shareware

Must Have Shareware

Shareware: Above & Beyond

Shareware: ButtonStar Deluxe

Shareware: Drag and File

Shareware: FontSpec Pro

Shareware: Paint Shop Pro

Shareware: Phone Master

Shareware: PixFolio

Shareware: Private Cryptographer

Shareware: Network Email

Shareware: SmilerShell

Shareware: Time and Chaos

Shareware: WhizNotes

Shareware: wInformant

Shareware: WinModem

Shareware: Win SetTime

Shareware: WinZip

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips116

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

Tech Support Hotlines

Tech Support Hotlines

Tech Support: Vendors A-E

Tech Support: Vendors F-J

Tech Support: Vendors K-O

Tech Support: Vendors P-Z

Tech Support: Microsoft Technet

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips117

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

Getting Started

Getting Started Tips

Program Groups: Missing

Program Groups: Recovering

Startup: Customizing

Program Groups: Repair

Startup: Ap with Data

Demo: Search for Files with File Manager

Demo: Copy Apps to Startup Group

Demo Switching Between Application Groups

Demo: Two Ways to Copy Apps to Startup

Demo: Application Switching

Demo: Change DOS Fonts

Demo: Use Background Tasks

Demo: Edit INI Files with Notepad

Demo: Improve DOS Screen Response

Demo: Improve DOS Disk Write

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips118

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

Fun With Fonts

Fun with Fonts

Font Fun: Don't Doublespace

Font Fun: Avoid Underlining

Font Fun: Use Character Map

Font Fun: Use EM Dashes

Font Fun: Use Smart Quotes

Font Fun: Create Fractions

Font Fun: Use Bullets

Font Fun: Center by Eye

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips119

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

Presentation Pointers

Presentation Pointers

 ScreenCams


Survival Guide: 1,250 Tips 120

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams

Screencams


Survival Kit: 1,250 Tips 220

 Introduction

 Operating Systems

 Applications

 Hardware

 Tips From The Top

 Tips From The Top: Winmag Columnists

 On the Move

 Software

 Managing Manager Apps

 Other

 ScreenCams

Screencams


 Screencams

You'll find Screencams (narrated video demos) of many of the tips on this CD.

Note: To stop a Screencam, click the "Exit" button on the dialog box marked Lotus Screencam. Clicking the "Stop" button in the lower right-hand corner will not stop the Screencam.

The best way to view Screencams is in context, as part of a tip you've looked up or explored. However, if you want to jump straight to the Screencams, click on any item in the following list to see the associated demo:

Screencam Listing By Category And Topic

Screencam Listing By Topic

Cam: Protect Your GRP and INI Files

Cam: Print Faster  Under Windows

Cam: Document Portability Versus Printer Speed

Cam: Print Faster Under Windows (LAN)

Cam: Customize Program Manager

Cam: Customize File Manager

Cam: Open Documents More Easily

Cam: Use Dr. Watson To Troubleshoot

Cam: Improve System Performance

Cam: Fixing Communications Problems: Settings

Cam: Fixing Communications Problems: Modem

Cam: Fixing System Crashes/Memory Errors

Cam: Protection From install Procedures

Cam: Make Loading Windows Optional

Cam: Use REM To Troubleshoot

Cam: Use REM To Organize And Leave Notes

Cam: Understanding Error Messages: Control Panel

Cam: Understanding Error Messages: Notepad

Cam: Improve System Performance: Memory

Cam: EISA Ram Lost And Found

Cam: Improve System Performance: Swap File

Cam: Boot Fast With Large RAM

Cam: Use 32-Bit Disk Access

Cam: Maximize Conventional Memory

Cam: Exterminate The DOS Mouse

Cam: Load DOS High

Cam: Maximize Conventional Memory: Loading High

Cam: Maximize Conventional Memory: Loading High

Cam: Improve System Perfornace: Fewer Buffers

Cam: Maximize Conventional Memory: MDA Memory

Cam: Troubleshooting Memory Problems

Cam: Improving Memory Efficiency

Cam: Creating an MS-DOS Window

Cam: Remove DOS Shell Instructions

Cam: Disabling Control Panel Applets

Cam: Controlling Format For Print Jobs

Cam: Improve Data Transfer Reliability

Cam: Improve Typography: Spacing

Cam: Improve Typography: Caps and Underlines

Cam: Improve Typography: Character Map

Cam: Improve Typography: Smart Quotes

Cam: Improve Typography: Fractions

Cam: Improve Typography: Bullets

Cam: Improve Typography: Centering

Cam: Uninstalling Applications: Programs

Cam: Uninstalling Applications: Methods

Cam: Using The Applets: Calculator

Cam: Using The Applets: Calendar

Cam: Using The Applets: Cardfile

Cam: Using The Applets: Clock

Cam: Using The Applets: Media Player

Cam: Using The Applets: Notepad

Cam: Run Aps As Icons From Startup

Cam: Use Program Manager's Options Menu

Cam: Add Notes To Help Topics

Cam: Search For Files With File Manager

Cam: Copy Apps To Startup Group

Cam: Transfer Files Quickly

Cam: Switching Between Windows Aps

Cam: Two Ways To Copy Apps To Startup

Cam: Storing Swap File On Another Drive

Cam: Better 286 Performance Under Windows

Cam: Setting CLOCK To 24-Hour Format

Cam: Using SYSEDIT

Cam: Maximizing Memory

Cam: Disable Beep On Error

Cam: Switching Between Applications

Cam: Adjusting Font Size In DOS Windows

Cam: Adjusting Menu Drop Alignment

Cam: Trim Your Path

Cam: Setting TMP For Temporary File Storage

Cam: Improving Performance: CD-ROM Cache

Cam: Customize Envelope Address Fonts

Cam: Excel's Large Button Toolbar

Cam: Excel: Rename Worksheet Tabs

Cam: Excel: Number of Worksheets Per Notebook

Cam: Excel: 4.0 Menus in 5.0

Cam: Excel: Cell-Attribute Tear-Away Menus

Cam: Excel: Jump To A Specific Cell

Cam: Excel: Navigating A Large Spreadsheet

Cam: Excel: Add Data To An Existing Spreadsheet

Cam: Better Performance With Background Tasks

Cam: Edit INI Files With Notepad

Cam: Word: Using WordArt To Add Headers

Cam: Word: Auto-Loading A Document

Cam: Speed Up Screen Response Of DOS Aps

Cam: Speed Up DOS Application Disk Write

Cam: Allow More Time To Process COM Data

Cam: Display Sorted DOS Directories

Cam: Buffer COM Data To Prevent Data Loss

Cam: Word: Inserting Special Characters

Cam: Word: Changing Margins/Fonts

Cam: Word: Adding Drop Caps

Cam: Word: Creating Multi-Level Lists

Cam: Word: Creating New Styles

Cam: Word: Creating A Fast Template

Cam: Excel: Creating Vertical Titles

Cam: Excel: Using The Right Mouse Button


 Cam: Print Documents More Easily

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: PRINT DOCUMENTS MORE EASILY

***


 Cam: Protect Your GRP and INI Files

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: PROTECT YOUR GRP AND INI FILES

Associated With Topic: Perform Mini Backups


 Cam: Document Portability Versus Printer Speed

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: DOCUMENT PORTABILITY VERSUS PRINTER SPEED

Associated With Topic: Manage Your Fonts


 Cam: Print Faster  Under Windows

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: PRINT FASTER  UNDER WINDOWS

Associated With Topic: Print Direct


 Cam: Print Faster Under Windows (LAN)

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: PRINT FASTER UNDER WINDOWS (LAN)

Associated With Topic: Faster LAN Routing


 Cam: Customize Program Manager

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: CUSTOMIZE PROGRAM MANAGER

Associated With Topic: Change Label Font


 Cam: Customize File Manager

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: CUSTOMIZE FILE MANAGER

Associated With Topic: Customize


 Cam: Open Documents More Easily

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: OPEN DOCUMENTS MORE EASILY

Associated With Topic: Make Quick Associations


 Cam: Use Dr. Watson To Troubleshoot

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: USE DR. WATSON TO TROUBLESHOOT

Associated With Topic: Start Dr. Watson


 Cam: Improve System Performance

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE

Associated With Topic: Disable Double Buffering


 Cam: Fixing Communications Problems: Settings

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: FIXING COMMUNICATIONS PROBLEMS: SETTINGS

Associated With Topic: Connecting Your Modem


 Cam: Fixing Communications Problems: Modem

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: FIXING COMMUNICATIONS PROBLEMS: MODEM

Associated With Topic: Connecting Your Modem


 Cam: Fixing System Crashes/Memory Errors

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: FIXING SYSTEM CRASHES/MEMORY ERRORS

Associated With Topic: Add Break Points


 Cam: Protection From install Procedures

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: PROTECTION FROM INSTALL PROCEDURES

Associated With Topic: Install Protection


 Cam: Make Loading Windows Optional

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: MAKE LOADING WINDOWS OPTIONAL

Associated With Topic: Choose Your Starting Place


 Cam: Use REM To Troubleshoot

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: USE REM TO TROUBLESHOOT

Associated With Topic: Debug System


 Cam: Use REM To Organize And Leave Notes

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: USE REM TO ORGANIZE AND LEAVE NOTES

Associated With Topic: Use Comments


 Cam: Understanding Error Messages: Control Panel

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: UNDERSTANDING ERROR MESSAGES: CONTROL PANEL

Associated With Topic: Not Enough Memory


 Cam: Understanding Error Messages: Notepad

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: UNDERSTANDING ERROR MESSAGES: NOTEPAD

Associated With Topic: Not Enough Memory


 Cam: Improve System Performance: Memory

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE: MEMORY

Associated With Topic: Correct Cache Size


 Cam: EISA Ram Lost And Found

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: EISA RAM LOST AND FOUND

Associated With Topic: Find EISA Ram


 Cam: Improve System Performance: Swap File

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE: SWAP FILE

Associated With Topic: Make Swap File Permanent


 Cam: Boot Fast With Large RAM

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: BOOT FAST WITH LARGE RAM

Associated With Topic: Boot Fast


 Cam: Use 32-Bit Disk Access

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: USE 32-BIT DISK ACCESS

Associated With Topic: Use 32-Bit Disk Access


 Cam: Maximize Conventional Memory

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: MAXIMIZE CONVENTIONAL MEMORY

Associated With Topic: Keep DOS Free


 Cam: Exterminate The DOS Mouse

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: EXTERMINATE THE DOS MOUSE

Associated With Topic: Exterminate The DOS Mouse


 Cam: Load DOS High

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: LOAD DOS HIGH

Associated With Topic: Load DOS High


 Cam: Maximize Conventional Memory: Loading High

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: MAXIMIZE CONVENTIONAL MEMORY: LOADING HIGH

Associated With Topic: Load DOS High


 Cam: Maximize Conventional Memory: Loading High

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: MAXIMIZE CONVENTIONAL MEMORY: LOADING HIGH

Associated With Topic: Load Drivers High


 Cam: Improve System Perfornace: Fewer Buffers

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE SYSTEM PERFORNACE: FEWER BUFFERS

Associated With Topic: Cut Back On Buffers


 Cam: Maximize Conventional Memory: MDA Memory

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: MAXIMIZE CONVENTIONAL MEMORY: MDA MEMORY

Associated With Topic: Use MDA Memory


 Cam: Troubleshooting Memory Problems

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: TROUBLESHOOTING MEMORY PROBLEMS

Associated With Topic: Use MDA Memory


 Cam: Improving Memory Efficiency

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: IMPROVING MEMORY EFFICIENCY

Associated With Topic: Let Windows Do EMS


 Cam: Creating an MS-DOS Window

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: CREATING AN MS-DOS WINDOW

Associated With Topic: Creating An MS-DOS Window


 Cam: Remove DOS Shell Instructions

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: REMOVE DOS SHELL INSTRUCTIONS

Associated With Topic: Eliminate Unneeded Instructions


 Cam: Disabling Control Panel Applets

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: DISABLING CONTROL PANEL APPLETS

Associated With Topic: Disable Control Panel Applets


 Cam: Controlling Format For Print Jobs

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: CONTROLLING FORMAT FOR PRINT JOBS

Associated With Topic: Fix Formatting


 Cam: Improve Data Transfer Reliability

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE DATA TRANSFER RELIABILITY

Associated With Topic: Transmit Reliably


 Cam: Improve Typography: Spacing

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: SPACING

Associated With Topic: Don't Doublespace


 Cam: Improve Typography: Caps and Underlines

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: CAPS AND UNDERLINES

Associated With Topic: Avoid Underlining


 Cam: Improve Typography: Character Map

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: CHARACTER MAP

Associated With Topic: Use Character Map


 Cam: Improve Typography: Smart Quotes

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: SMART QUOTES

Associated With Topic: Use Smart Quotes


 Cam: Improve Typography: Fractions

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: FRACTIONS

Associated With Topic: Create Fractions


 Cam: Improve Typography: Bullets

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: BULLETS

Associated With Topic: Use Bullets


 Cam: Improve Typography: Centering

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: CENTERING

Associated With Topic: Center By Eye


 Cam: Uninstalling Applications: Programs

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: UNINSTALLING APPLICATIONS: PROGRAMS

Associated With Topic: Buy An Uninstall Program


 Cam: Uninstalling Applications: Methods

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: UNINSTALLING APPLICATIONS: METHODS

Associated With Topic: Locate Directory


 Cam: Using The Applets: Calculator

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: USING THE APPLETS: CALCULATOR

Associated With Topic: Elgan: Calculator


 Cam: Using The Applets: Calendar

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: USING THE APPLETS: CALENDAR

Associated With Topic: Elgan: Calendar


 Cam: Using The Applets: Cardfile

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: USING THE APPLETS: CARDFILE

Associated With Topic: Elgan: Cardfile


 Cam: Using The Applets: Clock

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: USING THE APPLETS: CLOCK

Associated With Topic: Elgan: Clock


 Cam: Using The Applets: Media Player

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: USING THE APPLETS: MEDIA PLAYER

Associated With Topic: Elgan: Media Player


 Cam: Using The Applets: Notepad

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: USING THE APPLETS: NOTEPAD

Associated With Topic: Elgan: Notepad


 Cam: Run Aps As Icons From Startup

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: RUN APS AS ICONS FROM STARTUP

Associated With Topic: Startup: Customizing


 Cam: Use Program Manager's Options Menu

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: USE PROGRAM MANAGER'S OPTIONS MENU

Associated With Topic: Using ... Options Menu


 Cam: Add Notes To Help Topics

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: ADD NOTES TO HELP TOPICS

Associated With Topic: Add Notes


 Cam: Search For Files With File Manager

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: SEARCH FOR FILES WITH FILE MANAGER

Associated With Topic: Search For Files...


 Cam: Copy Apps To Startup Group

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: COPY APPS TO STARTUP GROUP

Associated With Topic: Copy Apps...


 Cam: Transfer Files Quickly

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: TRANSFER FILES QUICKLY

Associated With Topic: Click Drive Icons


 Cam: Switching Between Windows Aps

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: SWITCHING BETWEEN WINDOWS APS

Associated With Topic: Switching Between...


 Cam: Two Ways To Copy Apps To Startup

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: TWO WAYS TO COPY APPS TO STARTUP

Associated With Topic: Two Ways To Copy Apps...


 Cam: Storing Swap File On Another Drive

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: STORING SWAP FILE ON ANOTHER DRIVE

Associated With Topic: Make Swap File Permanent


 Cam: Better 286 Performance Under Windows

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: BETTER 286 PERFORMANCE UNDER WINDOWS

Associated With Topic: Speedy 286


 Cam: Setting CLOCK To 24-Hour Format

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: SETTING CLOCK TO 24-HOUR FORMAT

Associated With Topic: 24-Hour Clock


 Cam: Using SYSEDIT

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: USING SYSEDIT

Associated With Topic: Use SYSEDIT


 Cam: Maximizing Memory

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: MAXIMIZING MEMORY

Associated With Topic: Free The Frame


 Cam: Disable Beep On Error

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: DISABLE BEEP ON ERROR

Associated With Topic: Debeep That Desktop


 Cam: Switching Between Applications

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: SWITCHING BETWEEN APPLICATIONS

Associated With Topic: Application Switching


 Cam: Adjusting Font Size In DOS Windows

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: ADJUSTING FONT SIZE IN DOS WINDOWS

Associated With Topic: Change DOS Fonts


 Cam: Adjusting Menu Drop Alignment

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: ADJUSTING MENU DROP ALIGNMENT

Associated With Topic: Menus For The Lefty


 Cam: Trim Your Path

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: TRIM YOUR PATH

Associated With Topic: Trim Your Path


 Cam: Setting TMP For Temporary File Storage

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: SETTING TMP FOR TEMPORARY FILE STORAGE

Associated With Topic: Create A TEMP Directory


 Cam: Improving Performance: CD-ROM Cache

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: IMPROVING PERFORMANCE: CD-ROM CACHE

Associated With Topic: Cache CD-ROMS


 Cam: Customize Envelope Address Fonts

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: CUSTOMIZE ENVELOPE ADDRESS FONTS

Associated With Topic: Print Envelopes


 Cam: Excel's Large Button Toolbar

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: EXCEL'S LARGE BUTTON TOOLBAR

Associated With Topic: Buttons


 Cam: Excel: Rename Worksheet Tabs

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: EXCEL: RENAME WORKSHEET TABS

Associated With Topic: Tab Tricks


 Cam: Excel: Number of Worksheets Per Notebook

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: EXCEL: NUMBER OF WORKSHEETS PER NOTEBOOK

Associated With Topic: Worksheet Count


 Cam: Excel: 4.0 Menus in 5.0

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: EXCEL: 4.0 MENUS IN 5.0

Associated With Topic: Excel 4 Menus


 Cam: Excel: Cell-Attribute Tear-Away Menus

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: EXCEL: CELL-ATTRIBUTE TEAR-AWAY MENUS

Associated With Topic: Pallettes


 Cam: Excel: Jump To A Specific Cell

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: EXCEL: JUMP TO A SPECIFIC CELL

Associated With Topic: Jump Back


 Cam: Excel: Navigating A Large Spreadsheet

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: EXCEL: NAVIGATING A LARGE SPREADSHEET

Associated With Topic: High Scrollers


 Cam: Excel: Add Data To An Existing Spreadsheet

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: EXCEL: ADD DATA TO AN EXISTING SPREADSHEET

Associated With Topic: Add Data...


 Cam: Better Performance With Background Tasks

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: BETTER PERFORMANCE WITH BACKGROUND TASKS

Associated With Topic: Use Background Tasks


 Cam: Edit INI Files With Notepad

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: EDIT INI FILES WITH NOTEPAD

Associated With Topic: Edit INI...


 Cam: Word: Using WordArt To Add Headers

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: WORD: USING WORDART TO ADD HEADERS

Associated With Topic: Using WordArt...


 Cam: Word: Auto-Loading A Document

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: WORD: AUTO-LOADING A DOCUMENT

Associated With Topic: Auto-loading


 Cam: Speed Up Screen Response Of DOS Aps

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: SPEED UP SCREEN RESPONSE OF DOS APS

Associated With Topic: Improve DOS Screen...


 Cam: Speed Up DOS Application Disk Write

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: SPEED UP DOS APPLICATION DISK WRITE

Associated With Topic: Improve DOS Disk


 Cam: Allow More Time To Process COM Data

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: ALLOW MORE TIME TO PROCESS COM DATA

Associated With Topic: Background Communications


 Cam: Display Sorted DOS Directories

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: DISPLAY SORTED DOS DIRECTORIES

Associated With Topic: Sort DOS Dir Listings


 Cam: Buffer COM Data To Prevent Data Loss

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: BUFFER COM DATA TO PREVENT DATA LOSS

Associated With Topic: Remember The Buffer


 Cam: Word: Inserting Special Characters

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: WORD: INSERTING SPECIAL CHARACTERS

Associated With Topic: Insert Special...


 Cam: Word: Changing Margins/Fonts

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: WORD: CHANGING MARGINS/FONTS

Associated With Topic: Changing Margins...


 Cam: Word: Adding Drop Caps

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: WORD: ADDING DROP CAPS

Associated With Topic: Adding Drop...


 Cam: Word: Creating Multi-Level Lists

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: WORD: CREATING MULTI-LEVEL LISTS

Associated With Topic: Creating Multi-Level


 Cam: Word: Creating New Styles

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: WORD: CREATING NEW STYLES

Associated With Topic: Creating New Styles...


 Cam: Word: Creating A Fast Template

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: WORD: CREATING A FAST TEMPLATE

Associated With Topic: Create A Fast Template


 Cam: Excel: Creating Vertical Titles

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: EXCEL: CREATING VERTICAL TITLES

Associated With Topic: Creating Vertical...


 Cam: Excel: Using The Right Mouse Button

Push Here To Read About ScreenCam

SCREENCAM: EXCEL: USING THE RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON

Associated With Topic: Using The Right...


 ScreenCam Listing By Category and Topic

WINMAG.EXE Number is in the first column. The files are in the CAMS directory on the CD-ROM.

	TITLE	Category	Associated Topic
02	PRINT DOCUMENTS MORE EASILY	Windows 3.1	Print Documents Quickly
03	PROTECT YOUR GRP AND INI FILES	Windows 3.1	Perform Mini Backups
09	OPEN DOCUMENTS MORE EASILY	Windows 3.1	Make Quick Associations
09	OPEN DOCUMENTS MORE EASILY	Windows 3.1	Drag Documents Open
10	USE DR. WATSON TO TROUBLESHOOT	Windows 3.1	Start Dr. Watson
11	IMPROVE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE	Windows 3.1	Disable Double Buffering
17	USE REM TO TROUBLESHOOT	Windows 3.1	Debug System
18	USE REM TO ORGANIZE AND LEAVE NOTES	Windows 3.1	Use Comments
60	TRANSFER FILES QUICKLY	Windows 3.1	Click Drive Icons
16	MAKE LOADING WINDOWS OPTIONAL	Windows and DOS	Choose Your Starting Place
27	EXTERMINATE THE DOS MOUSE	Windows and DOS	Exterminate The DOS Mouse
34	CREATING AN MS-DOS WINDOW	Windows and DOS	Creating An MS-DOS Window
35	REMOVE DOS SHELL INSTRUCTIONS	Windows and DOS	Eliminate Unneeded Instructions
15	PROTECTION FROM INSTALL PROCEDURES	Installing Applications	Install Protection
46	UNINSTALLING APPLICATIONS: PROGRAMS	Uninstalling Applications	Buy An Uninstall Program
47	UNINSTALLING APPLICATIONS: METHODS	Uninstalling Applications	Locate Directory
47	UNINSTALLING APPLICATIONS: METHODS	Uninstalling Applications	Cut The Icon
47	UNINSTALLING APPLICATIONS: METHODS	Uninstalling Applications	Find Leftover Files
57	ADD NOTES TO HELP TOPICS	Using Help Files	Add Notes
36	DISABLING CONTROL PANEL APPLETS	Editing System Files	Disable Control Panel Applets
63	STORING SWAP FILE ON ANOTHER DRIVE	Editing System Files	Place Swap Files
64	BETTER 286 PERFORMANCE UNDER WINDOWS	Editing System Files	Speedy 286
65	SETTING CLOCK TO 24-HOUR FORMAT	Editing System Files	24-Hour Clock
66	USING SYSEDIT	Editing System Files	Use SYSEDIT
67	MAXIMIZING MEMORY	Editing System Files	Free The Frame
68	DISABLE BEEP ON ERROR	Editing System Files	Debeep That Desktop
71	ADJUSTING MENU DROP ALIGNMENT	Editing System Files	Menus For The Lefty
72	TRIM YOUR PATH	Editing System Files	Trim Your Path
73	SETTING TMP FOR TEMPORARY FILE STORAGE	Editing System Files	Create A TEMP Directory
91	DISPLAY SORTED DOS DIRECTORIES	Editing System Files	Sort DOS Dir Listings
19	UNDERSTANDING ERROR MESSAGES: CONTROL PANEL	Memory Management	Not Enough Memory
20	UNDERSTANDING ERROR MESSAGES: NOTEPAD	Memory Management	Not Enough Memory
21	IMPROVE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE: MEMORY	Memory Management	Correct Cache Size
22	EISA RAM LOST AND FOUND	Memory Management	Find EISA Ram
23	IMPROVE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE: SWAP FILE	Memory Management	Make Swap File Permanent
24	BOOT FAST WITH LARGE RAM	Memory Management	Boot Fast
25	USE 32-BIT DISK ACCESS	Memory Management	Use 32-Bit Disk Access
26	MAXIMIZE CONVENTIONAL MEMORY	Memory Management	Keep DOS Free
28	LOAD DOS HIGH	Memory Management	Load DOS High
29	MAXIMIZE CONVENTIONAL MEMORY: LOADING HIGH	Memory Management	Load DOS High
29	MAXIMIZE CONVENTIONAL MEMORY: LOADING HIGH	Memory Management	Load Drivers High
30	IMPROVE SYSTEM PERFORNACE: FEWER BUFFERS	Memory Management	Cut Back On Buffers
31	MAXIMIZE CONVENTIONAL MEMORY: MDA MEMORY	Memory Management	Use MDA Memory
32	TROUBLESHOOTING MEMORY PROBLEMS	Memory Management	Use MDA Memory
33	IMPROVING MEMORY EFFICIENCY	Memory Management	Let Windows Do EMS
63	STORING SWAP FILE ON ANOTHER DRIVE	Memory Management	Make Swap File Permanent
63	STORING SWAP FILE ON ANOTHER DRIVE	Memory Management	Swap Files and Stacker
63	STORING SWAP FILE ON ANOTHER DRIVE	Memory Management	Swap Files and Networks
14	FIXING SYSTEM CRASHES/MEMORY ERRORS	System Resources	Add Break Points
04	DOCUMENT PORTABILITY VERSUS PRINTER SPEED	Hardware: Printing	Manage Your Fonts
05	PRINT FASTER  UNDER WINDOWS	Hardware: Printing	Print Direct
05	PRINT FASTER  UNDER WINDOWS	Hardware: Printing	Hire A Temp
06	PRINT FASTER UNDER WINDOWS (LAN)	Hardware: Printing	Faster LAN Routing
37	CONTROLLING FORMAT FOR PRINT JOBS	Hardware: Printing	Fix Formatting
75	CUSTOMIZE ENVELOPE ADDRESS FONTS	Hardware: Printing	Print Envelopes
12	FIXING COMMUNICATIONS PROBLEMS: SETTINGS	Hardware: Communications	Connecting Your Modem
13	FIXING COMMUNICATIONS PROBLEMS: MODEM	Hardware: Communications	Connecting Your Modem
38	IMPROVE DATA TRANSFER RELIABILITY	Hardware: Communications	Transmit Reliably
90	ALLOW MORE TIME TO PROCESS COM DATA	Hardware: Communications	Background Communications
92	BUFFER COM DATA TO PREVENT DATA LOSS	Hardware: Communications	Remember The Buffer
74	IMPROVING PERFORMANCE: CD-ROM CACHE	Hardware: CD-ROM	Cache CD-ROMS
76	EXCEL'S LARGE BUTTON TOOLBAR	Spreadsheets: Excel 5.0	Buttons
77	EXCEL: RENAME WORKSHEET TABS	Spreadsheets: Excel 5.0	Tab Tricks
78	EXCEL: NUMBER OF WORKSHEETS PER NOTEBOOK	Spreadsheets: Excel 5.0	Worksheet Count
79	EXCEL: 4.0 MENUS IN 5.0	Spreadsheets: Excel 5.0	Excel 4 Menus
80	EXCEL: CELL-ATTRIBUTE TEAR-AWAY MENUS	Spreadsheets: Excel 5.0	Pallettes
81	EXCEL: JUMP TO A SPECIFIC CELL	Spreadsheets: Excel 5.0	Jump Back
82	EXCEL: NAVIGATING A LARGE SPREADSHEET	Spreadsheets: Excel 5.0	High Scrollers
83	EXCEL: ADD DATA TO AN EXISTING SPREADSHEET	Spreadsheets: Excel 5.0	Add Data...
99	EXCEL: CREATING VERTICAL TITLES	Spreadsheets: Excel 5.0	Creating Vertical...
9A	EXCEL: USING THE RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON	Spreadsheets: Excel 5.0	Using The Right...
86	WORD: USING WORDART TO ADD HEADERS	Word Processors: Word 6.0	Using WordArt...
87	WORD: AUTO-LOADING A DOCUMENT	Word Processors: Word 6.0	Auto-loading
93	WORD: INSERTING SPECIAL CHARACTERS	Word Processors: Word 6.0	Insert Special...
94	WORD: CHANGING MARGINS/FONTS	Word Processors: Word 6.0	Changing Margins...
95	WORD: ADDING DROP CAPS	Word Processors: Word 6.0	Adding Drop...
96	WORD: CREATING MULTI-LEVEL LISTS	Word Processors: Word 6.0	Creating Multi-Level
97	WORD: CREATING NEW STYLES	Word Processors: Word 6.0	Creating New Styles...
98	WORD: CREATING A FAST TEMPLATE	Word Processors: Word 6.0	Create A Fast Template
07	CUSTOMIZE PROGRAM MANAGER	Optimizing: Program Manager	Change Label Font
55	USE PROGRAM MANAGER'S OPTIONS MENU	Getting Started	Using ... Options Menu
58	SEARCH FOR FILES WITH FILE MANAGER	Getting Started	Search For Files...
59	COPY APPS TO STARTUP GROUP	Getting Started	Copy Apps...
61	SWITCHING BETWEEN WINDOWS APS	Getting Started	Switching Between...
62	TWO WAYS TO COPY APPS TO STARTUP	Getting Started	Two Ways To Copy Apps...
69	SWITCHING BETWEEN APPLICATIONS	Getting Started	Application Switching
70	ADJUSTING FONT SIZE IN DOS WINDOWS	Getting Started	Change DOS Fonts
08	CUSTOMIZE FILE MANAGER	Getting Started	Customize
54	RUN APS AS ICONS FROM STARTUP	Getting Started	Startup: Customizing
84	BETTER PERFORMANCE WITH BACKGROUND TASKS	Getting Started	Use Background Tasks
85	EDIT INI FILES WITH NOTEPAD	Getting Started	Edit INI...
88	SPEED UP SCREEN RESPONSE OF DOS APS	Getting Started	Improve DOS Screen...
89	SPEED UP DOS APPLICATION DISK WRITE	Getting Started	Improve DOS Disk
48	USING THE APPLETS: CALCULATOR	Tips From The Top: Elgan	Elgan: Calculator
49	USING THE APPLETS: CALENDAR	Tips From The Top: Elgan	Elgan: Calendar
50	USING THE APPLETS: CARDFILE	Tips From The Top: Elgan	Elgan: Cardfile
51	USING THE APPLETS: CLOCK	Tips From The Top: Elgan	Elgan: Clock
52	USING THE APPLETS: MEDIA PLAYER	Tips From The Top: Elgan	Elgan: Media Player
53	USING THE APPLETS: NOTEPAD	Tips From The Top: Elgan	Elgan: Notepad
39	IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: SPACING	Fun With Fonts	Don't Doublespace
40	IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: CAPS AND UNDERLINES	Fun With Fonts	Avoid Underlining
41	IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: CHARACTER MAP	Fun With Fonts	Use Character Map
42	IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: SMART QUOTES	Fun With Fonts	Use Smart Quotes
43	IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: FRACTIONS	Fun With Fonts	Create Fractions
44	IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: BULLETS	Fun With Fonts	Use Bullets
45	IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: CENTERING	Fun With Fonts	Center By Eye


  ScreenCam Listing By Topic

WINMAG.EXE Number is in the third column. The files are in the CAMS directory on the CD-ROM.

Associated Topic	Category		TITLE
		1
24-Hour Clock	Editing System Files	65	SETTING CLOCK TO 24-HOUR FORMAT
Add Break Points	System Resources	14	FIXING SYSTEM CRASHES/MEMORY ERRORS
Add Data...	Spreadsheets: Excel 5.0	83	EXCEL: ADD DATA TO AN EXISTING SPREADSHEET
Add Notes	Using Help Files	57	ADD NOTES TO HELP TOPICS
Adding Drop...	Word Processors: Word 6.0	95	WORD: ADDING DROP CAPS
Application Switching	Getting Started	69	SWITCHING BETWEEN APPLICATIONS
Auto-loading	Word Processors: Word 6.0	87	WORD: AUTO-LOADING A DOCUMENT
Avoid Underlining	Fun With Fonts	40	IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: CAPS AND UNDERLINES
Background Communications	Hardware: Communications	90	ALLOW MORE TIME TO PROCESS COM DATA
Boot Fast	Memory Management	24	BOOT FAST WITH LARGE RAM
Buttons	Spreadsheets: Excel 5.0	76	EXCEL'S LARGE BUTTON TOOLBAR
Buy An Uninstall Program	Uninstalling Applications	46	UNINSTALLING APPLICATIONS: PROGRAMS
Cache CD-ROMS	Hardware: CD-ROM	74	IMPROVING PERFORMANCE: CD-ROM CACHE
Center By Eye	Fun With Fonts	45	IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: CENTERING
Change DOS Fonts	Getting Started	70	ADJUSTING FONT SIZE IN DOS WINDOWS
Change Label Font	Optimizing: Program Manager	07	CUSTOMIZE PROGRAM MANAGER
Changing Margins...	Word Processors: Word 6.0	94	WORD: CHANGING MARGINS/FONTS
Choose Your Starting Place	Windows and DOS	16	MAKE LOADING WINDOWS OPTIONAL
Click Drive Icons	Windows 3.1	60	TRANSFER FILES QUICKLY
Connecting Your Modem	Hardware: Communications	12	FIXING COMMUNICATIONS PROBLEMS: SETTINGS
Connecting Your Modem	Hardware: Communications	13	FIXING COMMUNICATIONS PROBLEMS: MODEM
Copy Apps...	Getting Started	59	COPY APPS TO STARTUP GROUP
Correct Cache Size	Memory Management	21	IMPROVE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE: MEMORY
Create A Fast Template	Word Processors: Word 6.0	98	WORD: CREATING A FAST TEMPLATE
Create A TEMP Directory	Editing System Files	73	SETTING TMP FOR TEMPORARY FILE STORAGE
Create Fractions	Fun With Fonts	43	IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: FRACTIONS
Creating An MS-DOS Window	Windows and DOS	34	CREATING AN MS-DOS WINDOW
Creating Multi-Level	Word Processors: Word 6.0	96	WORD: CREATING MULTI-LEVEL LISTS
Creating New Styles...	Word Processors: Word 6.0	97	WORD: CREATING NEW STYLES
Creating Vertical...	Spreadsheets: Excel 5.0	99	EXCEL: CREATING VERTICAL TITLES
Customize	Getting Started	08	CUSTOMIZE FILE MANAGER
Cut Back On Buffers	Memory Management	30	IMPROVE SYSTEM PERFORNACE: FEWER BUFFERS
Cut The Icon	Uninstalling Applications	47	UNINSTALLING APPLICATIONS: METHODS
Debeep That Desktop	Editing System Files	68	DISABLE BEEP ON ERROR
Debug System	Windows 3.1	17	USE REM TO TROUBLESHOOT
Disable Control Panel Applets	Editing System Files	36	DISABLING CONTROL PANEL APPLETS
Disable Double Buffering	Windows 3.1	11	IMPROVE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
Don't Doublespace	Fun With Fonts	39	IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: SPACING
Drag Documents Open	Windows 3.1	09	OPEN DOCUMENTS MORE EASILY
Edit INI...	Getting Started	85	EDIT INI FILES WITH NOTEPAD
Elgan: Calculator	Tips From The Top: Elgan	48	USING THE APPLETS: CALCULATOR
Elgan: Calendar	Tips From The Top: Elgan	49	USING THE APPLETS: CALENDAR
Elgan: Cardfile	Tips From The Top: Elgan	50	USING THE APPLETS: CARDFILE
Elgan: Clock	Tips From The Top: Elgan	51	USING THE APPLETS: CLOCK
Elgan: Media Player	Tips From The Top: Elgan	52	USING THE APPLETS: MEDIA PLAYER
Elgan: Notepad	Tips From The Top: Elgan	53	USING THE APPLETS: NOTEPAD
Eliminate Unneeded Instructions	Windows and DOS	35	REMOVE DOS SHELL INSTRUCTIONS
Excel 4 Menus	Spreadsheets: Excel 5.0	79	EXCEL: 4.0 MENUS IN 5.0
Exterminate The DOS Mouse	Windows and DOS	27	EXTERMINATE THE DOS MOUSE
Faster LAN Routing	Hardware: Printing	06	PRINT FASTER UNDER WINDOWS (LAN)
Find EISA Ram	Memory Management	22	EISA RAM LOST AND FOUND
Find Leftover Files	Uninstalling Applications	47	UNINSTALLING APPLICATIONS: METHODS
Fix Formatting	Hardware: Printing	37	CONTROLLING FORMAT FOR PRINT JOBS
Free The Frame	Editing System Files	67	MAXIMIZING MEMORY
High Scrollers	Spreadsheets: Excel 5.0	82	EXCEL: NAVIGATING A LARGE SPREADSHEET
Hire A Temp	Hardware: Printing	05	PRINT FASTER  UNDER WINDOWS
Improve DOS Disk	Getting Started	89	SPEED UP DOS APPLICATION DISK WRITE
Improve DOS Screen...	Getting Started	88	SPEED UP SCREEN RESPONSE OF DOS APS
Insert Special...	Word Processors: Word 6.0	93	WORD: INSERTING SPECIAL CHARACTERS
Install Protection	Installing Applications	15	PROTECTION FROM INSTALL PROCEDURES
Jump Back	Spreadsheets: Excel 5.0	81	EXCEL: JUMP TO A SPECIFIC CELL
Keep DOS Free	Memory Management	26	MAXIMIZE CONVENTIONAL MEMORY
Let Windows Do EMS	Memory Management	33	IMPROVING MEMORY EFFICIENCY
Load DOS High	Memory Management	28	LOAD DOS HIGH
Load DOS High	Memory Management	29	MAXIMIZE CONVENTIONAL MEMORY: LOADING HIGH
Load Drivers High	Memory Management	29	MAXIMIZE CONVENTIONAL MEMORY: LOADING HIGH
Locate Directory	Uninstalling Applications	47	UNINSTALLING APPLICATIONS: METHODS
Make Quick Associations	Windows 3.1	09	OPEN DOCUMENTS MORE EASILY
Make Swap File Permanent	Memory Management	23	IMPROVE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE: SWAP FILE
Make Swap File Permanent	Memory Management	63	STORING SWAP FILE ON ANOTHER DRIVE
Manage Your Fonts	Hardware: Printing	04	DOCUMENT PORTABILITY VERSUS PRINTER SPEED
Menus For The Lefty	Editing System Files	71	ADJUSTING MENU DROP ALIGNMENT
Not Enough Memory	Memory Management	19	UNDERSTANDING ERROR MESSAGES: CONTROL PANEL
Not Enough Memory	Memory Management	20	UNDERSTANDING ERROR MESSAGES: NOTEPAD
Pallettes	Spreadsheets: Excel 5.0	80	EXCEL: CELL-ATTRIBUTE TEAR-AWAY MENUS
Perform Mini Backups	Windows 3.1	03	PROTECT YOUR GRP AND INI FILES
Place Swap Files	Editing System Files	63	STORING SWAP FILE ON ANOTHER DRIVE
Print Direct	Hardware: Printing	05	PRINT FASTER  UNDER WINDOWS
Print Documents Quickly	Windows 3.1	02	PRINT DOCUMENTS MORE EASILY
Print Envelopes	Hardware: Printing	75	CUSTOMIZE ENVELOPE ADDRESS FONTS
Remember The Buffer	Hardware: Communications	92	BUFFER COM DATA TO PREVENT DATA LOSS
Search For Files...	Getting Started	58	SEARCH FOR FILES WITH FILE MANAGER
Sort DOS Dir Listings	Editing System Files	91	DISPLAY SORTED DOS DIRECTORIES
Speedy 286	Editing System Files	64	BETTER 286 PERFORMANCE UNDER WINDOWS
Start Dr. Watson	Windows 3.1	10	USE DR. WATSON TO TROUBLESHOOT
Startup: Customizing	Getting Started	54	RUN APS AS ICONS FROM STARTUP
Swap Files and Networks	Memory Management	63	STORING SWAP FILE ON ANOTHER DRIVE
Swap Files and Stacker	Memory Management	63	STORING SWAP FILE ON ANOTHER DRIVE
Switching Between...	Getting Started	61	SWITCHING BETWEEN WINDOWS APS
Tab Tricks	Spreadsheets: Excel 5.0	77	EXCEL: RENAME WORKSHEET TABS
Transmit Reliably	Hardware: Communications	38	IMPROVE DATA TRANSFER RELIABILITY
Trim Your Path	Editing System Files	72	TRIM YOUR PATH
Two Ways To Copy Apps...	Getting Started	62	TWO WAYS TO COPY APPS TO STARTUP
Use 32-Bit Disk Access	Memory Management	25	USE 32-BIT DISK ACCESS
Use Background Tasks	Getting Started	84	BETTER PERFORMANCE WITH BACKGROUND TASKS
Use Bullets	Fun With Fonts	44	IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: BULLETS
Use Character Map	Fun With Fonts	41	IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: CHARACTER MAP
Use Comments	Windows 3.1	18	USE REM TO ORGANIZE AND LEAVE NOTES
Use MDA Memory	Memory Management	31	MAXIMIZE CONVENTIONAL MEMORY: MDA MEMORY
Use MDA Memory	Memory Management	32	TROUBLESHOOTING MEMORY PROBLEMS
Use Smart Quotes	Fun With Fonts	42	IMPROVE TYPOGRAPHY: SMART QUOTES
Use SYSEDIT	Editing System Files	66	USING SYSEDIT
Using ... Options Menu	Getting Started	55	USE PROGRAM MANAGER'S OPTIONS MENU
Using The Right...	Spreadsheets: Excel 5.0	9A	EXCEL: USING THE RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON
Using WordArt...	Word Processors: Word 6.0	86	WORD: USING WORDART TO ADD HEADERS
Worksheet Count	Spreadsheets: Excel 5.0	78	EXCEL: NUMBER OF WORKSHEETS PER NOTEBOOK