Steve Maurer Publications Newsletter

Computer, Software, and Internet Tips and Tricks!

I briefly mentioned this problem in the last newsletter but did not elaborate on it. I received an email from a friend of mine who found that he couldn't open the attachments in Outlook Express. He was using version 6, which comes with Internet Explorer 6. When he sent them to me, I had no trouble with them but I use Eudora for my main email client. My wife uses OE and I also have an identity set up in Outlook Express for testing purposes. I forwarded the email to her and she had no problem. We still had Outlook Express 5.5 on our computers. I deduced them (rather Sherlock Holmesian, don't you think) that the problem lay in the new version. I downloaded the newest version 6 and began to run some tests.

Sure enough, this time I was unable to open the attachments. I sent my self an email (sounds like I don't have any friends!) with a small picture attachment. When I downloaded the email and clicked on the attachment paper clip, the attachment was grayed out and unavailable. And when I opened up the email by double clicking the header in the preview pane, there was a message telling me that Outlook Express had removed access to the attachment to prevent the possibility of virus infection, or words to that effect.

I found the answer in the "readme" text for Outlook Express. Seems that Microsoft would like to help you keep your machine virus free, so they created this option in OE. Unfortunately, the option very heavy-handedly blocks access to ALL attachments, just not those with a virus. This includes those photos of your new grandchild or your brother's fancy car! So what do you do?

Well, the answer is pretty simple really…but I must make this disclaimer first. This fix (and it's the only one I've found) will enable ALL attachments in your email. PLEASE make sure that you have a good virus scan program running and that you keep it updated! I can't be responsible if you use this fix and a virus slips through. A good virus program should adequately protect your computer from email viruses…IF USED PROPERLY AND UPDATED REGULARLY!!

Here is what you must do to be able to open your attachments. First open up Outlook Express 6 and go to the menu bar. Click on "Tools", then scroll down to "Options" and click. You will get the Options dialog box. Click on the "Security" tab. You will see a check box that says, "Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus." It will most likely be checked, that is the default for a new installation. Uncheck this box, "Apply" your changes and close the box by clicking OK. You should now be able to open your attachments.

Again, I can't stress enough the importance of running a good virus scanning program and keeping it updated. Sorry to say, but it's a necessity if you plan to use the Internet and email these days. Happy…and safe computing to all of you. I have written a tutorial on this subject, with beautiful full-color screenshots, on my website. This tutorial can be found at: http://steve.maurer.net/tutorials/email_tutorials/oe6_attachments.htm .

Copyright 2003, Steve Maurer Publications

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Here is a quick tip about a portable file storage method that you may not have thought about. I use this handy little tip on an almost daily basis.

I often work on the same files on different computers at different locations. You might also be doing the same if you work on a computer at home and at work. I know many teachers take their work home with them at night. So how do you get your files from one computer to another.

The obvious answer is by using a floppy disk for the A-drive. But you are limited to only about 1.4 megabytes of space. While small documents may fit, larger ones will not. I often am working on several PowerPoint presentations at the same time. It would take several floppies to hold all these files, and the support material I use for the presentations, too.

Here's the tip…use your Compact Flash or other memory media for your digital camera. I have seen cards that hold up to 256 megabytes of files, more than enough for all the files I need to transport. They also come in smaller sizes, as low as 8 megabyte. Even an 8 meg card will hold as much as about 7 floppies! The card can be carried in your shirt or coat pocket. You can do this even if you don’t own a digital camera. All you need besides the memory card media is a card reader. If you are running Windows 98 or above, a USB card reader will transfer your media easily from one computer to another. The last card reader I bought for Compact Flash cards cost me about $25 U.S. and the cards start as low as $30. I saw a 128 megabyte card at Best Buy the other day for around forty dollars. And since they can be erased and reused, they will last you a long, long time.

Copyright 2003, Steve Maurer Publications

Fayetteville, Arkansas

This tip is a repeat from a while back, but I feel it needs repeating because it is so useful. This tip will create a log file that will update the time and date each time you open it. Open Notepad to create the log file. Usually this is found by clicking "Start", going up to "Programs", then on up to "Accessories". An easier way to start Notepad (or just about any other program) is to click on "Start", go up to "Run" and click. You will get a dialog box with a text entry field. Type in "notepad" (without the quotes) and then click OK or hit the [Enter] key. This will launch Notepad.

Once you have Notepad open type in ".LOG" (again, without the quotes). Be sure to have the period first and make sure you use capital letters. Lower case letters will not work. Save your document to the desktop so you can find it easily. You can name it anything, I will make some suggestions in a minute.

Notepad will automatically add the time and date when you open the text document. You can also update the time and date by pressing the [F5] key. When you are done editing the text document you should save and close it. This will save the time and date of the latest entry.

"Steve," you might ask, "Whatever would I need this for?!" Well, there are many uses for creating a log file like this. For instance, you might want to keep a phone call record of conversations with a client or friend. Each time you call them (or they call you) you can open the log file and type in the context of your conversation. The time and date will update on your file each time, even if it is over several days or weeks. I would suggest naming the file, in this case, with your caller's name or identification number.

Another very important use for this type of log sheet (one I wish everyone would use) is for documenting software installations on your computer. Create a log sheet and save with the name "software_install.txt" or something similar. Each time you install new software or upgrade an existing program you can open the file and type in what you installed and any problems you had installing it, if any. You can even copy and paste error messages into the file. Even if the installation went smoothly, the program may interfere with other programs that are already installed. Should a program give you problems, you will have a log file of what you installed on your computer and when it was installed. And you will have the date and time of all installations since you started the log. This will help a great deal in troubleshooting…your support technician will love you for it!

I'm sure you can find lots of events that could be documented with the log file. Phone calls, exercise, blood pressure readings, blood sugar counts (I'm a diabetic, which is why I included that one) are some ideas. You could document your reading assignments if you are taking classes. If fact, just about anything you do that you would like to keep a simple record for can be documented with one of these simple log files. The files are small so they won't take up much room on your computer. Try this one out and have fun with it!

Copyright 2003, Steve Maurer Publications

Fayetteville, Arkansas

If a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, what is the significance of a clean desk?

If you are in the Arts and Crafts business, or are thinking about it, I would highly recommend that you visit http://www.barbarabrabec.com "Barbara Brabec's World". Barbara is a good friend of mine and an accomplished author in the crafts industry. Not only will you find good information for your crafts business, but be sure to check out the "Life Lessons Learned" section and other areas of the site. You will have an enjoyable time!

You can subscribe to the SMP Computer Tips Newsletter by going to http://steve.maurer.net/newsletter.htm . This is a double opt-in newsletter. After you fill out the form on the site and submit it, you will get a confirmation e-mail. Follow the directions on the email to complete your subscription.

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