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Windows XP Service Pack 2
(SP2)
- Update Information And Precautions
In last month's
e-Newsletter, we discussed the release of Microsoft Corp.'s Windows
XP Service Pack 2 -- better known as SP2. Microsoft's purpose for
this free security software is to make users of Windows XP safer
from cyberattacks. The plan is to release the software update
gradually to Windows XP users across the globe over a several month
time period.
Microsoft has since added some new helpful
resources for XP users who plan to download or have already
downloaded SP2 from the Microsoft Web site. (Note that Windows XP
Service Pack 2 is still a work-in-progress. Download the early
version of SP2 at your own risk.)
Helpful Windows XP SP2
Resources:
Microsoft's SP2 Support Center - Microsoft
has developed an online Support Center for Windows XP users who have
already or who are considering downloading SP2. Use this link to
reach the Support Center:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=windowsxpsp2
What Happens If Your Computer Won't Start After
Installing SP2? - Apparently this happens. Uh oh! Microsoft
provides information to assist users when this occurs. Go to: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=875355=windowsxpsp2
Firewall Information - Windows XP users have
the option to continue to use their current firewall protection and
turn off the firewall software (called "Windows Firewall") that
comes with SP2. To find out more about Windows Firewall and how to
adjust the settings after downloading SP2, go to:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=843090=windowsxpsp2
Ordering Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) On CD
- Microsoft now has a specific link for ordering SP2 on CD. To
order, click on this link:
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/defa
ult.mspx
The web page says to allow 4-6
weeks for delivery.
Precautionary Items Regarding Windows
XP Service Pack 2:
1) You may want to consider
waiting to download this early version of SP2. Keep in mind that SP2
is a work-in-progress. Microsoft's goals for SP2 are admirable but,
as is the case with the release of any new software, there are bound
to be bugs. SP2 is no exception. Download the early version of SP2
at your own risk.
2) Windows XP Service Pack 2 DOES
NOT REPLACE the need for third-party a) Virus Protection, b) E-mail
Filtering, or c) Firewall Protection. If you use third party
anti-virus software programs from companies like Symantec and
McAfee, for instance, you'll still need to continue to regularly
update your software and scan e-mail attachments for viruses as
you've done in the past. SP2 does not include robust protection in
these three areas.
3) Some software programs may not
work after downloading SP2. Microsoft admits that SP2 has caused
compatibility issues with other software programs -- even some
Microsoft programs. We suggest that you contact your software
vendors before you download SP2 to make sure their software is
compatible. For a list of dozens of software programs which may
incur performance issues once a user downloads SP2, go to:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=842242=windowsxpsp2
4) The firewall installed when you download SP2
is automatically "turned on." An Internet firewall helps to protect
against intruders gaining access to (hacking into) your computer via
the Internet. Unlike the Windows XP program you have now, SP2 makes
the firewall feature "turned on" by default. This new firewall
protection is actually the cause of many of the performance issues
of software programs mentioned in item #3 above.
5)
SP2 may take a long time to download. Users of Windows XP may find
challenges when attempting to download SP2 via the Internet.
Microsoft estimates that download file sizes could range anywhere
from 80 megabytes to 270 megabytes. That's big. Depending on your
Internet connection speed, the download process could become very
lengthy. The alternative is to order a free installation CD-ROM from
Microsoft. (See above for more information.)
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Is It
Time For A New Browser? - Firefox receives
rave reviews
Do you use the default
Internet browser that came with your computer? Millions of people
like you use Microsoft's Internet Explorer to browse the Internet.
It has been the king of browsers for several
years.
TimeWarner's Netscape has tried to take some market
share away from Microsoft with its Navigator program. Other
lesser-known attempts also have been made over the past years to
unseat Microsoft from atop its browser throne - none of them very
successful. However, the Mozilla Organization appears to have
fielded a worthy opponent in the battle against the Seattle-based
software giant.
Firefox is the latest browser to take on
Internet Explorer (IE) and according to recent news reports it's
coming on strong.
Walt Mossberg, author and creator of the
weekly Personal Technology column in The Wall Street Journal,
recommends Firefox over IE. Mossberg wrote in a
recent column, "I suggest dumping Microsoft's Internet Explorer
Web browser, which has a history of security breaches. I recommend
instead Firefox, which is free. It's not only more secure but also
more modern and advanced...and it has a better pop-up ad
blocker."
USA Today recently
said, "Beware of spyware. If you can, use the Firefox
browser."
Try it for yourself. Download it from www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
and compare it side by side to your default browser. It's a free
download.
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Ask The Help Desk - What Do The Numbers
In Versions Of Browsers Mean?
Question:
When I upgraded to Windows XP, I noticed the numbers behind the name
of my browser (Internet Explorer) jumped up to 6.0. I've seen this
sort of thing with other software programs as well. Some programs
have as many as three numbers after the name of the product. What do
these numbers mean?
Answer: The numbers
behind each version of a piece of software do have specific
meanings. Software developers update their programs on a periodic
basis. A standard numbering or lettering sequence is used to
differentiate between updated versions.
The first number
listed after the name of a software product represents the "major"
version number. Normally these are only changed if there have been
many major improvements to the program. For example, Internet
Explorer 6 is the sixth major version of Microsoft's
browser.
The second number represents a minor update.
Possibly a feature or two has been added to improve the program, but
the overall program has remained the same. For example, Netscape 7.2
is the seventh major version and has had two minor feature
updates.
The third number (sometimes separated from the first
two with a period, sometimes not) represents a bug fix. Adobe's
Acrobat Reader is now up to 6.0.2. It's had six major versions, no
minor updates, and two bug fixes. While this updating format is used
for many software programs, some use letters rather than numbers,
especially for minor updates and bug fixes.
To find the
version number of a program on your computer, with the program
running, click your cursor arrow on "Help" on the program's menu
bar, then find "About (PROGRAM NAME)." The version number should be
listed there. On a Macintosh, with the program running, look under
the program's name next to the apple on the menu bar for the "About"
information.
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Great Sites To Check Out This
Month
Vote On Your Favorite Guinness World Record (http://GuinnessWorldRecords.com/)
- Guinness World Records is giving everyone a chance to vote for
their favorite world record of all time. Among the choices: longest
gum wrapper chain, greatest number of people to fit into a Mini
Cooper auto, longest home run hit, largest pizza, and the most
consecutive pogo stick jumps. Is there a record you'd like to
attempt to break? This site provides information on the official
rules. Note: The record for the "fastest tomato ketchup drinker"
looks pretty soft -- that is if you really love
ketchup.
Extreme Makeover - Home Edition Returns For Second
Season (http://abc.go.com/primetime/xtremehome/)
- ABC's popular Extreme Makeover - Home Edition television show has
returned for its second season. The official Web site provides bios
of cast members (including Ty Pennington), great before and after
photos, stories about the families who've had their homes
"improved," and previews of upcoming shows. If you know a family who
has a home in desperate need of attention due to circumstances
beyond their control, you may submit their name for consideration
via a downloadable application form.
Speeding Up and Slowing
Down Time (http://playingwithtime.org/)
- This is a fun site sponsored by the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Watch slow motion video clips of things that normally appear very
quickly, i.e. a cat lapping milk, the blink of an eye, a jackhammer
in action, glass breaking, a water balloon being dropped, and a fire
cracker exploding. You'll also find speeded up versions of things
that normally take place over a long period of time, i.e. crawling
snails, making an ice sculpture, moving shadows, constructing a
building, and the aging process of a person. It's a fun site for
both adults and kids.
Fun Learning Site For Younger Kids (http://www.meddybemps.com/) -
This is a fun learning, storytelling, game site geared mainly for
primary aged kids. The site's goal is to enable parents and teachers
to help young children strengthen learning skills in unique and
playful ways. Storytelling will never be the same. The kids will
love the moving animations as you read these interactive stories to
them.
NASCAR's Chase For The Nextel Cup (http://www.nascar.com) - Although
forty-three drivers will race each weekend, we're down to just ten
championship-eligible racers in NASCAR's new playoff-style
championship format. And it's making for some exciting competition
in NASCAR's Chase for the Nextel Cup. Get the very latest standings,
inside stories, interviews, schedules, audio and video clips, driver
and crew chief bios, and more. If you can't get to the events in
person, the next best thing can be found at NASCAR.com.
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Short Tutorial - Printing
Out Your Address Book
The holidays are fast
approaching and it may be useful to have a hard copy of the
information found in your e-mail client's Address Book. Follow the
steps below to print a copy of your entire Address
Book.
To print out your Address Book using Outlook Express
6 for Windows XP:
Open your Address Book by clicking on its
toolbar icon.
1) Select "View" from the menu bar located at
the top of the Address Book window and select "Sort By" from the
resulting drop-down menu. A submenu will appear with choices that
allow you to choose whether you want the list sorted by name, e-mail
address, phone number, and so on.
2) Go to "Edit" on the
menu located at the top of the Address Book window and click on
"Select all" from the drop-down menu. This will select all entries
in your Address Book for printing. You can also pick out certain
addresses for printing by holding down the "shift" key while
clicking.
3) When you are ready to print, press the "Print"
button on your keyboard, or press the "Ctrl" + "P" keys on your
keyboard, or use the File menu located at the top of your tool bar.
4) At the bottom of the print screen, you will see
additional printing options such as a business card, memo, or just a
phone list. Experiment with some of these styles to see which suits
your needs best.
To print out your Address Book using
Netscape 7.1 for Windows XP and Mac OS X:
1) To open your
Address Book, go to the "Window" menu located at the top of the
Netscape 7.1 menu bar. Select "Address Book" from the resulting
drop-down menu.
2) From the "File" menu located toward the
top left of your Address Book tool bar, select "Print Address Book"
from the drop-down menu.
3) When the print dialog screen
appears, click on the "OK" or "Print" button.
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