'Netline News
September 6, 2005
 From the editor

Welcome to our September 2005 eNewsletter! Be sure to check out our "Sites  of the Month" section. There are some especially humorous pictures of cats found on one of the sites and a very helpful site for do-it-yourself appliance repair. Also, this month's "Short Tutorial" section will show you how to open and save received e-mail vCard attachments to your address book.

We think you'll find the information contained in this newsletter to be a valuable tool for enhancing your Internet experience. If, however, you'd prefer not to receive these bulletins on a monthly basis, click on this link netnews@mainstreetcom.com
 
 From the editor
< Your Local Help Desk
< Tech Tips & Tricks
< Sites of the Month		 < Homework Excuses
 < Feature of the Month
< This Month's Chronicles		 < Question and Answer
 < Internet Classes
Your Local Help Desk

Feature of the Month


SCTV is growing at lightening speed! We have all new shows for you to watch, including I-94 Races, Tips and Tricks from the Back Nine, and new sporting events every week!

Keep in touch with Sauk Centre by tuning in daily. Check out what's playing this week!

E-mail us your ideas for new shows!
 

Free Internet Classes

Browsing Only
Sauk Centre High School
Computer Lab Room 14
Sept. 19 ........7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

E-mail Only
Sauk Centre High School
Computer Lab Room 14
Sept. 20 ........7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Call to register and for more info:
Mainstreet Communications
351-1460

 

This Month's Chronicles

Flower: Aster
Birthstone: Sapphire
September 2005
Sept. 5.......... Labor Day
Sept. 11......... Patriot Day
Sept. 12......... Grandparents Day
Sept. 22......... Autumn Begins

This Day in History
 www.scopesys.com/anyday

 

Homework Excuses

A sudden gust of wind blew it out of my hand and I never saw it again.

I was kidnapped by terrorists and they only just let me go, so I didn't  have time to do it.

The lights in our house went out, and I had to burn it to get enough light  to see the fuse box.

Another pupil fell in a lake, and I jumped in to rescue him. My homework  though drowned.

I used it to fill a hole in my shoe; you wouldn't want it now.

My father had a nervous breakdown and he cut it up to make paper dolls.

My pet gerbils had babies, and they used it to make a nest.

I didn't do it, because I didn't want the other kids in the class to look bad.

I made a paper plane out of it and it got hijacked.

ET stopped by my house and he accidentally took it home with him .


 
Is There A Shortcut When Using Online Drop-Down
Boxes?

Question: Sometimes when I'm using a drop-down box while making a purchase online, it takes forever to scroll down to the item I'm looking for. Is there a better way?

Answer: Yes, there is a better way. We'll illustrate how with an example.

Let's say you're filling out an online shopping cart form that asks you to select the item you intend to purchase from a drop-down box. The site's drop-down box includes dozens of products (listed alphabetically) for you to choose from. If you are purchasing an apron, you're all set since your product starts with the letter "a" and will be listed towards the top. But what if you are buying an umbrella? You'd have to scroll down through lots of products to get to "umbrellas."

Here's a quicker way. When you get to a drop-down box, type in the first letter of the item you're hunting for. You'll find that items beginning with that letter start popping up in the box. So, for the example above, simply type in the letter "u" and products starting with "u" (there can't be many) will come up. No more scrolling!
 


 Help Desk hours are: Monday - Friday: 8am to 9pm Saturday: 10am to 2pm
 Phone number: 351-8324
 e-mail: support@mainstreetcom.com
Question and Answer
Q. How do I get free Microsoft Security Updates for my computer?

A. Protecting your computer from viruses, worms, and other hacker attacks is an unfortunate part of life on the Internet. Because Microsoft Corp. products have proven vulnerable to such threats, the company helps its customers fight back with its security updates system.

A list of Microsoft security updates, available at http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins , is updated, when needed, on the second Tuesday of each month. If you use Microsoft products (such as Windows, Internet Explorer, Office, and MSN Messenger, among others), we strongly recommend you visit this web page monthly to download the critical software fixes (called "patches") listed there. At this web page, you can sign up to receive e-mail, instant messaging, or RSS alerts each time a major security update is released.

The Microsoft Windows Update website ( http://update.microsoft.com ) provides another easy way to quickly install software fixes for Microsoft products. When you visit this web page, your PC is automatically scanned for missing critical software updates, providing you a list of updates that you can choose to install.

It's important to remember that Microsoft will NEVER e-mail you software updates or patches as e-mail attachments. Malicious hackers have been known to send spoof e-mail messages that appear to come from Microsoft, urging you to download the accompanying attachment to prevent infection by a virus or worm. These attachments are actually worms or viruses themselves. If you are not currently set up to automatically receive software updates from Microsoft, ALWAYS be sure to go to Microsoft web pages to download Microsoft-related patches and service packs rather than doing so via links e-mailed to you.

Of course, it is vitally important to use and regularly update your
computer's anti-virus software. Always scan file attachments of all incoming e-mail messages, even messages from people you trust. Many viruses and worms are spread over networks, through attachments, and by sharing storage media such as diskettes, Zip disks, and CDs. You have the ultimate responsibility for protecting your computer against these threats.

 
Tech Tips & Tricks
Short Tutorial: Opening And Saving Received vCard Information

Last month we provided tutorials on how to create and send vCards via e-mail. Remember, vCards are digital business cards that can be attached to outgoing e-mail messages. The vCards usually contain text-based information (such as address, phone, and fax numbers) and appear as attachments that have a ".vcf" file extension name.

The tutorials below show you how to open and then save information contained within received vCards to then be placed into your address book.

Opening/Saving a vCard in Outlook Express When Using Windows XP:

1) When receiving a vCard attachment from a friend or a business associate, first save the vCard attachment to your desktop.

2) Open your address book by clicking your cursor arrow on its icon in the Outlook Express tool bar or by going to the Outlook Express "Tools" menu and clicking on "Address Book" from the drop-down menu.

3) When the Address Book Window opens, click on the "File" menu and drop down to "Import." Click on "Business Card (vCard)" from the resulting submenu.

4) When the "Import Business Card (vCard)" window opens, navigate to the saved vCard on your desktop and click on it to select it.

5) Click on the "Open" button.

6) The vCard properties window will open. Click "Okay" to save and close. The vCard information will now be saved onto your Outlook Express address book.

Opening/Saving a vCard in Entourage When Using Macintosh OS X:

1) Double click your cursor arrow on the vCard attachment.

2) The vCard will open in its own window.

3) Click on the "Save" button on the vCard's button bar. The vCard information will be saved to your Entourage address book.

Opening/Saving a vCard in Mail.app When Using Macintosh OS X:

Double click your cursor arrow on the vCard that you were sent. Your address book will open automatically and display the information that was in the vCard.

Opening/Saving a vCard When Using Mozilla-based E-mail Programs:

While the Mozilla based e-mail software programs (i.e. Netscape 7.2 and Thunderbird 1.0) can send vCard attachments, they don't allow you to import the contact information directly into your address book. However, the information shows up in the preview window so you can simply copy and paste the information into a new address book entry.

 
Sites of the Month:


Photos Of Cats With Stuff On Them http://stuffonmycat.com
It's exactly what it sounds like ˜  lots of pictures of cats with stuff on them ... styrofoam packing peanuts, shower caps, post-it notes, empty pizza boxes, celery sticks, headphones, jig saw puzzle pieces, loose change, etc. There are some pretty funny pictures. Go check them out!

Do-It-Yourself Appliance Repair http://Appliance411.com
This site offers free repair help for do-it-yourselfers when it comes to fixing broken washing machines, dryers, microwaves, garbage disposals, humidifiers, dishwashers, stoves, trash compactors, water filters, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and more. Looking for an owner's manual for your make and model? Appliance411.com can help. Looking for the model number on your appliance but can't locate it? You've come to the right place!

See Our Nation's Fall Foliage By Rail http://amtrak.com
Autumn is a great time of the year to travel the states to see the many colors of nature. Why not leave the driving to someone else this fall and travel by train? AMTRAK operates the U.S.'s national passenger rail service and offers a variety of scenic tours throughout our beautiful country. AMTRAK's website provides information on schedules, fares and reservations, station locations, and on their "Small Groups Save Big" travel savings program.

Learning Science Can Be Fun http://ars.usda.gov/is/kids
This site is an interesting learning resource targeted toward kids ages 8-13. (Adults can learn a lot here too!) The website is sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture and was developed by the Agricultural Research Service information staff in Beltsville, Maryland. Topics reviewed include "Tastes Like Chicken" (edible bugs), "Vinegar: More Than Just A Salad Dressing," "Powerful Plants Meet Tough Tanks," and "What's Good About Sewer Bacteria."

The World's Largest Balloonfest http://balloonfiesta.com
The end of this month marks the beginning of the largest hot air balloon festival in the world. Albuquerque, New Mexico, hosts this annual event which this year runs from September 30th through October 9th. Over 700 balloonists participate in
simultaneous liftoffs and a variety of flying accuracy competitions. Balloons with special shapes (i.e. piggy bank, stagecoach, cow) are also a part of the event agenda. Check out the site for a huge picture gallery and more event details.
 

Email your favorite website netnews@mainstreetcom.com

 
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 Disclaimer
We do not have financial interest in, or endorse, any of the sites, or products offered by the sites, listed in this customer newsletter. No opinions expressed on these sites should be considered to be the opinion of diversiCOM Mainstreet Communications or it's employees. This is a free service of diversiCOM Mainstreet Communications to enhance your Internet surfing experience. It is our policy to not share your e-mail address with any third party for any reason.

©2005 Cornerstone Publishing Group, Inc.